Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or X @RoughDraftATL.

This week’s quiz is sponsored by Food that Rocks.

Food That Rocks 2026 returns to City Springs on June 4 as Sandy Springs’ all-inclusive tasting event, presented by Taste of Atlanta.

From 6–10 p.m. for VIP entry and starting at 7 p.m. for general admission, guests sample bites from more than 25 neighborhood restaurants alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine tasting. The under-the-stars evening features live music from Bogey and the Viceroy, chef meet-and-greets, and interactive sponsor activations.

Celebrating Sandy Springs’ growing culinary scene, the event brings together local favorites and new spots for one high-energy night of food, drinks, and community.

Tickets are on sale now.

The post The Atlanta News Quiz for May 9 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

People who raise chickens in their backyards won’t have to “candle” their eggs. Restaurants that serve shrimp will have to let diners know if it is from abroad. And forest products manufacturers will get a tax break.

Those are among the effects of 10 bills that Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law this week.

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The state’s agricultural industry has been hammered by wildfires, hurricanes and trade wars. Lawmakers reacted by passing numerous bills to help farmers, timber owners and others in the industry.

“Georgia’s farming and foresting families are some of the toughest people in our state who, despite the challenges of the past several years, have persevered and continue to put food on our tables, clothes on our backs, and provide the material for structures like our very homes,” Kemp said in a statement after signing the bills at the Georgia Forestry Association’s headquarters in Forsyth Wednesday.

The association was most pleased with House Bill 134, which makes the state’s existing Jobs and Investment Tax Credits transferable for forestry manufacturers over a five-year period.

That will allow companies more flexibility when they invest their capital, which the association said would, in turn, lead to more jobs and economic returns for rural areas.

The association also highlighted House Bill 983, which clarifies when prescribed burning is exempt from notice and permit requirements for forest management. Landowners use these burns to clear vegetation that can cause big wildfires like those that have raged in South Georgia.

Senate Bill 306 amends a tax incentive program that allows owners of agricultural land, timberland, or environmentally sensitive property to reduce their property taxes if they pledge to keep their land undeveloped for a decade. The bill confirms that landowners with a Conservation Use Valuation Assessment can enroll in carbon credit programs and earn revenue on the open private market without breaching their covenant.

House Resolution 1008 revises membership rules and interagency agreements for the Regional Water Planning Councils. It ratifies amendments to Georgia’s statewide water management plan in a way that ensures representation from the state’s major water-use sectors, including forestry and agriculture, according to the state forestry association.

“From new investment in forestry manufacturing to critical protections for the landowners and land managers who do the work on the ground, this is a package built around what our industry needs to grow,” Tim Lowrimore, president and CEO of the association, said in a statement.

HR 1008 was a priority for Kemp, as was House Bill 1159, which exempts from state income tax any payments received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and Specialty Crop Farmers Program.

Kemp also signed a handful of bills for targeted industries, including those in backyards.

Senate Bill 551 deletes the egg “candling” section of Georgia law, which requires those with backyard flocks to inspect egg yolks in a dark room with a bright light.

Coastal shrimpers will appreciate House Bill 117, which requires restaurants that serve shrimp from foreign countries to notify diners with notices on menus or signs.

House Bill 1310 settles a question that has apparently lingered for hundreds of years: it designates that cotton is, indeed, the official state fabric.

The post New laws in Georgia support farmers, timber owners, and rural jobs appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Light up the night

Friday, May 8 — Sandy Springs will be aglow Saturday night as it celebrates a decade of the Lantern Parade. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. with food trucks and family-friendly activities before the parade begins at 8:30 p.m. Get all the details here, and send us a picture with your homemade lanterns!

Be prepared to dodge some raindrops this weekend, but it looks like the weather isn’t going to rain on our parade — the lantern parade, that is!

 If you’re planning to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, you may want to do it close to home as traffic is expected to be heavy around much of the city due to major roadwork on parts of I-285.

Several Sandy Springs restaurants are offering Mother’s Day specials, including The Select, Ray’s on the River, Tre Vele, and Southern Bistro.

 Food That Rocks Sandy Springs is returning on Thursday, June 4, featuring food from more than 25 area restaurants, craft cocktails, and live music from Band X. Get more information here.

 The Sandy Springs Education Force recently honored volunteers and program partners who support the city’s public school students year-round. The nonprofit works with more than 8,000 kids each year, offering STEAM programs, literacy coaching, college and career mentoring, and after-school support.

 More than 400 people attended Envision Perimeter’s State of the District meeting this week to hear how highway improvements and real estate development projects are impacting Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven.

SANDY SPRINGS SNAPSHOT: Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul attended the April 28 ribbon cutting for the new ceramics studio at the Abernathy Arts Center.

Have a great weekend!
The Rough Draft team

Sandy Springs residents rally against SR 400 construction 

 Acres of trees have been cleared between Huntingdon Trail and State Route 400 in Sandy Springs, and the Northridge Forest neighborhood is organizing to protect their homes from the impact of the construction.

The noise of traffic on the eight-lane state route is noticeably louder, neighbors agreed at a specially called May 4 community meeting at one of the affected homes along Huntingdon Trail. (pictured)

At least six neighbors along the SR 400 Express Lanes project corridor border the widening project’s construction zone. Instead of a forest between them and an eight-lane highway, there’s a sparse area that offers little protection.

 Read Hayden Sumlin’s full report.

Gonna be a homebody… Gonna have a house party

SPONSORED BY ATLANTA HOMES & LIFESTYLES

 The Southeastern Designer Showhouse benefiting Solidarity Sandy Springs is open to the public for tours now through May 10 (Mother’s Day!).

Located near Chastain Park, the newly constructed private residence features the work of Suzanne Kasler and 20 other celebrated interior designers. From a pool with sunken firepit to a wellness “hub” with sauna, steam, cold plunge and gym to an F1-inspired game room, the 10,000-plus-square-foot house delights at every turn.

 Tickets are on sale now.

Sandy Springs unveils preliminary plan for fire station overhaul

 After issuing $50.5 million in debt last summer, the City of Sandy Springs is unveiling site plans, building designs, and a project schedule for its fire station overhaul.

When construction on three fire stations is completed around December 2027, Sandy Springs will have rebuilt or renovated all of its fire stations within the city in roughly five years.

The city’s bond issuance includes a new location for Fire Station 4 off Roswell Road, a rebuild of Fire Station 1 on Spalding Drive, and renovations to Fire Station 3 across from Riverwood International Charter School. Construction on stations 1 and 4 is expected to begin this October.

 Learn more about the changes to Sandy Springs’ fire stations.

 ‘Mean Girls’ makes fetch happen at City Springs Theatre

 Recreating iconography is hard. And there might not be a more culturally recognizable mid-oughts artifact than that of 2004’s “Mean Girls,” directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey.

But, the difficulty of recreating mythos has never stopped anyone from trying. The musical version of “Mean Girls” hit Broadway in 2018, updating the movie for a new generation of teenagers. And now, City Springs Theatre Company’s recent production of the musical, which opened on May 1, is pulling a Gretchen Wieners and trying to make fetch happen all over again – to pretty stellar effect.

City Springs’ production of “Mean Girls: The Musical” stars Adagia Rueda as Cady Heron, a teenage girl who has spent her formative years living in Kenya with her scientist mother. When her mom takes a job at Northwestern University, Cady will have to navigate a far more wild place than the Savanna – public high school in suburban Illinois.

 Read Sammie Purcell’s review.

What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs

 May 8:A First Lady’s Guide to Killing the President at Georgia Ensemble Theatre (multiple dates)

 May 11:1776 Musical auditions at Mt. Zion UMC

 May 12: Chattahoochee River Art Exhibition at Gallery at City Springs

 May 14:Personal Care Open House at Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs

 Find more events here.

The Sports Section

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
 BOYS BASEBALL

• Holy Innocents’ (26-7): May 14-15 vs. Lovett (24-9)/King’s Ridge (28-4) (GHSA Playoffs)
• Lovett (24-9): TBD (GHSA Playoffs)
• Mt. Vernon (13-12): Season Complete
• North Springs (12-20): Season Complete
• Pace Academy (15-15): Season Complete
• Riverwood (12-18): Season Complete
• Westminster (8-20): Season Complete

  BOYS LACROSSE

• Holy Innocents’ (9-10): Season Complete
• Lovett (16-3): Saturday vs. Blessed Trinity (14-6) (GHSA Playoffs)
• Mt. Vernon (10-6): Season Complete
• Pace Academy (14-7): Season Complete
• Riverwood (11-8): Season Complete
• Westminster (7-9): Season Complete

  GIRLS LACROSSE

• Holy Innocents’ (9-8): Season Complete
• Lovett (13-6): Season Complete
• North Springs (6-11): Season Complete
• Pace Academy (9-9): Season Complete
• Riverwood (9-9): Season Complete
• Westminster (8-9): Season Complete

  BOYS SOCCER

• Holy Innocents’ (14-6): Season Complete
• Lovett (10-10): Season Complete
• Mt. Vernon (15-4): Friday @ Hebron Christian (10-7-1) (GHSA Playoffs)
• North Springs (6-11): Season Complete
• Pace Academy (10-9): Season Complete
• Riverwood (14-6): Season Complete
• Westminster (6-14): Season Complete

  GIRLS SOCCER

• Holy Innocents’ (15-4): TBD (GHSA Playoffs)
• Lovett (17-3): TBD (GHSA Playoffs)
• Mt. Vernon (7-6-2): Season Complete
• North Springs (9-5): Season Complete
• Pace Academy (11-9): Season Complete
• Riverwood (19-2): Season Complete
• Westminster (15-3): TBD (GHSA Playoffs)

School records do not reflect May 7 matches.

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The post ???? Fire station overhaul appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

White squirrels of Norcross

May 8 — The first batch of white squirrel statues went on display this week at five locations around downtown Norcross. The Norcross Public Arts Commission has replica marble squirrels and acorns available for community members who donate to the public art project.

For the past few months, I’ve been traveling to Norcross for my regular coverage. Disappointingly, I have yet to see one of the famous white squirrels. Where do I find one? Tell me at hayden@roughdraftatlanta.com. 

Here are a few newsy items before we get into this week’s stories.

The Historic Norcross Business Association and the city will host a Mother’s Day pop-up from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow with downtown activities and business specials. 

Next week’s Movie Monday showings of “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” are at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center. 

 On May 12, the city has another Day of Play from 5 to 6 p.m. at Lillian Webb Park in partnership with Live Healthy Gwinnett. 

Finally, the Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) arrested a suspect in the theft of $10,000 worth of Pokémon trading cards, thanks to tips from a tight network of card shops from around metro Atlanta. According to WSB-TV, GCPD charged Oscar Reyes Montero Stewart of Acworth with break-ins at trading card shops near Duluth and Norcross.

Now on to this week’s Norcross news,
Hayden 

Norcross unveils bronze statues of white squirrels to unite community

 The Norcross Public Arts Commission installed five bronze statues at Norcross parks on May 5, celebrating the city’s unique white squirrel population.

Commission Chair Liz Simpson said the city’s creation of a public arts master plan a few years ago prioritized the White Squirrels of Norcross as a way to bring the community together.

Simpson said the idea for the art hunt project comes from the Mice on Main in Greenville, SC. While the project gained some traction in the community, the city and commission didn’t have the funding until now.

 Read more about fundraising and the interactive art hunt here.

Gonna be a homebody… Gonna have a house party

SPONSORED BY ATLANTA HOMES & LIFESTYLES

 The Southeastern Designer Showhouse benefiting Solidarity Sandy Springs is open to the public for tours now through May 10 (Mother’s Day!).

Located near Chastain Park, the newly constructed private residence features the work of Suzanne Kasler and 20 other celebrated interior designers. From a pool with sunken firepit to a wellness “hub” with sauna, steam, cold plunge and gym to an F1-inspired game room, the 10,000-plus-square-foot house delights at every turn.

 Tickets are on sale now.

Norcross approves extension for RedSpeed school-zone cameras

The Norcross City Council approved a five-and-a-half-year extension with RedSpeed Georgia for its school-zone speed cameras, amending its contract and shifting legal and financial risk away from the city.

Council members voted 3-2 to approve the amended contract and renewal at the May 4 meeting, mirroring the controversy surrounding speeding enforcement in communities across the state.

The approved amendment extends the city’s contract term until the end of 2031. It also requires RedSpeed to comply with state law and cover the city’s legal expenses in the case of a claim.

 Read more about the contract and potential legal changes here.

State Rep. Scott Hilton shares thoughts on Georgia’s legislative session

 With the legislative session behind him, state Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) stopped by 45 South Cafe in downtown Norcross to share what state leaders did under the Gold Dome this year.

Hilton represents District 48 constituents in Peachtree Corners and North Fulton County. However, he was first elected to the District 95 seat in 2016, which included about half of the city of Norcross before statewide redistricting in 2020.

“We passed several meaningful education-related bills this year,” Hilton said. “The first of which was the literacy bill … a major piece of legislation modeled after what Mississippi did.”

 Read about the 2026 session and Hilton’s endorsements here. 

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The post ????Pokémon thief caught appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Homebody weekend

Friday, May 8  — Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you’re gearing up for a relaxing weekend, and hopefully not planning to drive anywhere outside of a two-mile radius from your home. If you need some homebody plans this weekend, the Atlanta Film Festival is still going on virtually. If you’d rather brave those streets, I salute your courage. 

Without further ado … Action!

Atlanta media mogul Ted Turner passed away on Wednesday at 87. Check out Jane Fonda’s so very “Jane” tribute to her ex-husband.

Actor’s Express Theatre Company has started a new weekly podcast called “Theater People,” where the hosts sit down with Atlanta theater artists of all types. Learn how to listen here.

Out on Film is hosting a screening of the British film “Departures,” directed by Lloyd Eyre-Morgan and Neil Ely, on May 12 at the Tara Theatre. 

The Atlanta Fringe Festival returns for its 14th year on May 27, with performances of dance, theater, comedy, and more set to run through June 7.

In huge, IMAX-sized news, for the first time in history Netflix is giving one of its original films a traditional theatrical release. Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ “The Magician’s Nephew” will hit theaters on Feb. 12 with a 49-day exclusive theatrical window before moving to Netflix on April 2. 

Indigenous actress Q’orianka Kilcher (“The New World”) is suing filmmaker James Cameron and the Walt Disney Company for the unauthorized use of her likeness without her knowledge or consent in Cameron’s “Avatar” franchise.  

Both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA have now reached a tentative deal with studios for new four-year contracts. 

This week’s newsletter includes an interview with Canadian filmmaker Aisha Evelyna, as well as the sound team for the television show “Beef.” We’ve got three movie reviews this week, and the long-awaited return of Spotlight. Plus, what’s playing at movie theaters this week and some reading and listening recommendations for your lunch break. 

Thanks for reading!
Sammie

Win local experiences, goods, and treats. The Root Ball 2026 silent auction is open now, and bidding ends Thurs., May 14 at 9 p.m. Anyone can browse and bid. All proceeds support Trees Atlanta. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Making sense of the world through movies with Aisha Evelyna

Every time Canadian actor and filmmaker Aisha Evelyna sees an unhoused man of a certain age or build, she does a double take. The last time she saw her father, she said, his housing situation was unstable. And she wouldn’t be surprised if, in the intervening time, that housing had fallen through.

That terrified feeling, along with a myriad of other ideas, spurred the creation of “Seahorse,” a film written by and directed by Evelyna that played at this year’s Atlanta Film Festival. It stars Evelyna as Nola, a sous chef at a high-end new restaurant run by her friend Adelaide (Ruth Goodwin) and her awful fiancé, Rob (Brett Donahue). After a particularly terrible shift, she runs into her estranged and unhoused father, Cyrus (Joseph Marcell, of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” fame), on the way home. The film wrestles with Nola’s relationship with her father and the weight of her own mental health issues. 

“Seahorse” was one of the more fascinating films I saw at the festival, and I got the opportunity to speak to Evelyna about the making of the film after the in-person screening.

 You can check out our conversation here.

A nostalgic summer vacation at Lake Oconee

SPONSORED BY VISIT LAKE OCONEE

Looking for things to do this summer or planning a weekend getaway near Atlanta? Just over an hour away, Lake Oconee is one of Georgia’s top summer destinations, offering everything from boating and fishing to berry picking and small-town charm.

Whether you’re planning a relaxing lake vacation or hoping to recreate the “good old days” with your kids or grandkids, Lake Oconee is the perfect place to slow down and make lasting summer memories.

Creating a soundscape of anxiety and rage in ‘Beef’

When we watch films and television, our attention, understandably, focuses on the visuals. The colors and the performances, or – if we’re more cinematically literate – maybe the cinematography, or the editing. Sound is never the first thing that comes to mind, even though it might be one of the most important tools at a filmmaker’s disposal when it comes to shaping how we feel. 

The second season of “Beef,” the anthology show created by Lee Sung Jin, relies on sound to create an environment wracked with tension, rage, and anxiety. The show follows an escalating feud between two couples – wealthy Joshua (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), and the much poorer Ashley (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin (Charles Melton) – that kicks off when Ashley and Austin decide to blackmail Joshua and Lindsay with footage of a heated argument. 

Supervising sound editor Christopher Gomez and re-recording mixers Penny Harold and Andrew Garrett Lange are part of the team that brought the soundscape of “Beef” to life. I spoke with the trio about their creative processes and their favorite sonic moments. 

 Check out the full piece here.

‘Blue Heron’ is a beautiful treatise on memory and grief

WEEKLY FILM REVIEW

“Thank you for the memories. They’re all that I have now.” This line, at the beginning of Sophy Romvari’s feature film debut “Blue Heron,” offers the perfect encapsulation of what you’re about to see. Although you don’t know quite how perfect until later. 

“Blue Heron” is based on Romvari’s 2020 documentary short “Still Processing,” which follows her and her family as they process unresolved feelings of grief surrounding the deaths of her two older brothers. The short never explicitly states how Romvari’s brothers passed, instead focusing on her and her family’s feelings in the aftermath, playing out as she discovers old photographs and film that her parents hid after the fact.

If “Still Processing” is a treatise on the intersection between memory and grief, “Blue Heron” pushes that concept forward and morphs it into a memory play of sorts, one that ruminates on the fragility and fickleness of memory, and then tries to confront that head-on. The film begins as something fairly familiar, ostensibly dealing in coming-of-age conventions we’ve seen before. But its originality becomes apparent gradually and then all at once. In its latter half, Romvari recontextualizes what you’ve already seen and rips your heart out in the process. 

 Read my full review here.

‘The Sheep Detectives’ is a surprisingly poignant children’s movie

WEEKLY FILM REVIEW

There are many surprises in my job. One of them was when I learned that something called “The Sheep Detectives” was a real movie and not a weird dream I had. The other was when I watched said movie, and actually enjoyed it. 

For a film critic with no children to speak of, I find myself ruminating on the status of children’s entertainment quite often these days. As I’ve stated before, I think we’re in a pretty dire spot – with a few exceptions, most things aimed at children are either interested in making it impossible for them to turn their eyes away from the screen, are secretly aimed at their parents, or are live-action remakes of Disney movies that are barely 10 years old. 

“The Sheep Detectives” (written by Craig Mazin and directed by Kyle Balda) might seem like an unlikely antidote to this problem. But the film walks a fine line between sweet and cloying, touching on tough themes about grief and death in a kid-friendly manner – and with plenty of humor along the way.

 Check out my review here.

‘Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour’ is a masterclass in connection

WEEKLY FILM REVIEW

In 2021, the documentary “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” followed Billie Eilish in the lead up to her 2019 debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” – right as she, at the ripe age of 17, became a worldwide phenomenon.

That documentary offers a vulnerable, sometimes uncomfortable portrait of a very young star on the rise, openly struggling with her mental health. In one scene, her mother asks her if her lyrics about jumping off a bridge reflect how she really feels. She nods, then points out that having a creative outlet to express those feelings is part of why she doesn’t. Those songs, the film supposes, are also what help her millions of fans feel seen – fans who are struggling with the very same feelings that she is. 

“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour,” directed by Eilish and James Cameron, is not the same kind of film. While it gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the tour itself, those moments are not nearly as revealing. But the concert itself offers a firsthand look at the connection between Eilish and her fans that “The World’s a Little Blurry” highlights, and shows us an artist with the gravitas to command a crowd with no help from anyone but herself. 

 Click here to read my review.

At the Movies!

If you’re looking for a movie to see in theaters this week, here’s what you’ve got to look forward to!

Movies releasing this weekend:
 “Blue Heron”
 “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour”
 “The Sheep Detectives”
 “Mortal Kombat II” (pictured)
 “Erupcja”
 “Baristas v. Billionaires”
 “Omaha”

Special Events:
WABE Cinema Social: “The Joy Luck Club” @ The Plaza (Saturday)
 Cineprov Riffs Invasion USA @ The Tara (Saturday)
 “Fried Green Tomatoes” 35th Anniversary @ Tara (Sunday-Wednesday)
 “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” @ Landmark Midtown Art Cinema (Sunday)

Win local experiences, goods, and treats. The Root Ball 2026 silent auction is open now, and bidding ends Thurs., May 14 at 9 p.m. Anyone can browse and bid. All proceeds support Trees Atlanta. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Spotlight: Alana Haim in ‘The Drama’

While it’s only May, I think I can say with confidence that Kristoffer Borgli’s “The Drama” will end up being one of the most divisive films of the year. But, whatever your thoughts about the film, there is one thing that most reasonable people seem to be able to agree on: Rachel (Alana Haim) is the worst!

Being “the worst” in a movie like “The Drama” is truly a feat. Without spoiling anything (but if you haven’t seen this movie yet and you subscribe to this newsletter, really, what are you doing?), the film takes place over a few weeks leading up to the wedding of Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson). The lead-up is thrown into disarray when Charlie learns a secret about Emma that changes everything he thought he knew.

Haim plays Rachel, Charlie’s friend Mike’s (Mamoudou Athie) wife, and (by default), a built-in friend for Emma. In the film, Rachel functions as a paragon of performativity – a former mean girl who grew up to be a mean woman, and now hides her cruelty behind a mask of moral superiority.

From the moment Rachel appears on screen, there is a sneering quality to Haim’s performance that is so viscerally familiar – so incredibly high school – that it sent an electric shock of recognition straight through me. Rachel is present when Emma’s secret comes out, and her behavior becomes outwardly hostile in that moment. But even before the big reveal, there is no question in your mind that Rachel had no designs on being Emma’s friend.

Haim carries Rachel’s ruthlessness and righteousness in equal measure, with the distrusting air of someone who was raised rich and doesn’t trust the new girl on the block as far as she can throw her. In her early scenes with Emma, you can feel her waiting for the other shoe to drop. Her smile is laced with venom, and every word that falls from her mouth rings false.

Before Emma’s secret is revealed, Rachel shares with her the worst thing she’s ever done. It’s morally repulsive, but Haim delivers the news with the sly wink of someone who thinks something monstrous is only just a little bit naughty. It’s a masterclass in – for lack of a better term – b*tchiness, and one that all actors looking for a play on mean girls should take note of.  

Lights, Camera, Action!

Since May 1, I’ve been doing nothing but listening to Kacey Musgraves’ new album “Middle of Nowhere,’ which is quickly shaping up to be my favorite album of hers since “Golden Hour.” Check out Craig Jenkins’ thoughtful review of the new album for Vulture, and – if you aren’t already obsessed like me – take a listen. 

Like anyone with eyes, I love Zendaya. We all love to complain about the lack of modern movie stars, and in a lot of ways, I think we’re right to. But Zendaya, along with a few others in her cohort, has emerged as a new type of star. We might not ever get back to the heyday of the 90s, but this is an actor who helped propel “The Drama” – a very thorny movie, to say the least – to over $121 million worldwide. On a recent episode of the “Little Gold Men” podcast, the hosts discuss what makes Zendaya such a star of the moment.

I loved the recent new film “Mile End Kicks,” starring Barbie Ferreira as a young music critic, and I really loved this IndieWire interview that Kate Erbland did with Ferreira back in April. This is not the most important tidbit in this piece, but it’s nice to know that there’s someone else in this world who saw 2002’s “The Ring” far too young and was permanently scarred by it. 

Today’s Scene was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke. 

The post ???? ‘Blue Heron’ + processing grief appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

I don’t know about you, but things seem busier than ever. A real estate friend assures me that they are “COVID busy,” referring to the days when interest rates were low and sales volume was high. A Gen X latchkey kid, I’m very much relating to today’s overscheduled children shuttling from one after-school event to the next.  

Complain as I may, I love it. As I’ve said many times, I think I created the perfect job for myself.

A critical part of channeling my passion into a sustainable and successful local media business is being present in the community. For the Rough Draft team, that means having our reporters at city council meetings, art openings, and sponsoring local nonprofits. For me personally, it means managing a calendar packed with civic, cultural, and corporate events. 

From the Atlanta Press Club Newsmaker event with Mayor Andre Dickens to a Greater Perimeter Chamber luncheon where I joined a panel on local media, to the Atlanta Opera, Move For Grady, Piedmont Park Conservancy, and World Affairs Council of Atlanta, and many more that I’m regrettably forgetting, being out in the community has built relationships and keeps my energy up.

The most rewarding recent event of all was the Inman Park Festival, where the Rough Draft team and I met a steady stream of readers and heard firsthand how you rely on our papers, website, and newsletters to keep you informed.

At a time when we know people are tuning out the news, it’s refreshing to know that our audience is growing. Whether it’s through our newsletters, website, social media, or print products, we are reaching more readers than ever and, as somebody told me recently, we seem to be “punching above our weight.”

I think we are seeing growth because we produce products that don’t overwhelm people with doom and gloom, are unbiased, respect readers’ time, and provide exceptional results for our advertisers. 

Tuning In. Or Out.

I haven’t seen it yet, but apparently “The Devil Wears Prada 2” opens with a scene about a newspaper being shut down and the entire staff being laid off. As my colleague and Atlanta’s only regular local film reviewer, Sammie Purcell, wrote in her review of the film, “triggering,” and “a pretty apt encapsulation of the hellscape of modern journalism.”

RELATED: Sammie Purcell’s review: “The Devil Wears Prada 2’ – the nostalgia machine comes for us all”

In addition to all of the other real and existential threats to the media industry, news avoidance is something that’s been on my mind lately. 

Even in a place like Atlanta, where there are myriad options for local and national news, a recent Pew study, “Americans’ Complicated Relationship With News,” found that about half of us say we feel worn out by too much information. 

That tension between overload and avoidance played out on April 25, when a gunman breached a security barricade at an event where the president and much of his cabinet were in attendance. 

I heard about it from a dinner companion who relatively casually said, “There’s an active shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.” While I glanced at my phone, most people at the dinner table didn’t. There was no noticeable reaction in the bustling restaurant. 

Dylan Byers, who covers the media for Puck, was evacuated from the event and ended up at a bar a few blocks away, where the NHL Playoffs were on the TV. Nobody seemed aware of what had just happened at the nearby Washington Hilton — the same hotel where John Hinckley Jr. shot President Reagan in 1981. 

When his group asked the bartender to switch to CNN, a manager intervened, citing a policy against showing political content.

In a post on X, Byers tried to imagine what that same bar would have looked like on March 30, 1981, with every television airing wall-to-wall coverage, passersby crowding in off the street.

“It’s unnerving,” he wrote, “how desensitized so many people have become — to shootings, obviously, but also to political violence and the abnormality of the moment.”

I don’t think it’s indifference. I think it’s exhaustion.

The national news cycle has been relentless — the chaos in Washington, a stressful geopolitical landscape, and an economy that is booming for some, but suffocating for many. At some point, people stop reaching for their phones not because they don’t care, but because they need a break from caring too much. 

Of course, then there’s that time you think sports may be a nice escape from the news, and you settle in to watch the Hawks in Game Six of the NBA Playoffs, only to realize Atlanta sports fans wrote the book on existential crises.

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Objects in the mirror

What we are working on:

• Starting this Wednesday, Laura Scholz, one of Atlanta’s most respected lifestyle writers, will be curating our wellness content, including The Reset by Rough Draft, a new weekly feature in Rough Draft that will launch as a stand-alone newsletter in June. Subscribe here.
• Welcoming a handful of summer interns, including one UGA student through the Atlanta Press Club’s intern program, supported by Georgia Power. We also have students from the University of Alabama, Berry College, and Oglethorpe University.
• Rebooting Stacks, our monthly newsletter about books.
• A 10th Anniversary issue for the City of Tucker in November.

Where I’m eating:

• Manuel’s Tavern – Don’t sleep on their salads. I get the Greek with grilled salmon, and my insider tip is to ask for it in a bowl; they are too big for the plate. Bring a sweater because their A/C is the real deal.
• TBB 122 – A charming morning bakery that doubles as an all-day restaurant on a tree-lined block in Downtown Alpharetta.
• Tio Lucho’s – The chicken and Tio’s Salad will have you rooting for Peru in the World Cup, even though they didn’t qualify (sorry, Peru fans).
• Lily Sushi – I prefer the Milton location, but everything I’ve had there is a “wow.”

What I’m reading, watching, and listening to:

• Kacey Musgraves, “Middle of Nowhere.” I didn’t know much about her when a friend tipped me off to buy a ticket to see her at The Tabernacle in 2018, before she blew up. Her newest album has been on repeat for the two days it’s been out. Watch her recent segment on “CBS Sunday Morning.”

• “Strangers,” by Belle Burden – A New York Times “Modern Love” essay that has become a No. 1 best seller. I listened to the audiobook in one day. It’s a riveting story of trust, betrayal, and redemption.

Thank you for supporting local journalism. Please reach out to me with any feedback or suggestions at keith@roughdraft.news.

The post Fully committed appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Two apartment building fires broke out at the Azalea Gardens complex, late Saturday night.

A Channel 2 Action News photographer captured the huge fires blazing from the two-story buildings along Archer Way in northwest Atlanta. Firefighters say one building partially collapsed.

No injuries were reported.

A neighbor from across the street told Channel 2’s Bryan Mims the apartments have been abandoned for a while, and the fire was so large, she feared the flames would damage her house.

“Well, baby, this is an eyesore,” Kym Maddox said. “I’m glad I don’t have a heart problem because I’m fixing to have three heart attacks right now from what I have witnessed all night since.”

Maddox says she has tried reaching out to the property owner about the decaying apartment complex, but never heard back from them.

Atlanta Fire says the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The post Two apartment buildings go up in flames in NW Atlanta appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The four-hour event brings together more than 25 Sandy Springs restaurants for a night of chef-driven bites, craft cocktail tasting, interactive sponsor experiences, and live music from Band X. Tickets are on sale now.

Advance purchase is encouraged since Food That Rocks Sandy Springs sells out annually. Guests must be 21 and older. Valid ID is required at check-in. The event is rain or shine with no refunds or exchanges.

Taste That Rocks details

All ticket holders receive all-inclusive, unlimited food and dessert tastings, with local beer, wine, and craft cocktails. There’s also live music from Atlanta-based Band X, engaging sponsor activations, and fun photo experiences.

Participating restaurants include Breadwinner, Cubano’s ATL, il Giallo, Sunnyside Pizzeria, and Yalda.

Attendees can meet local chefs and vote for their favorite bite and sip. Awards will include best taste, best dessert, and best beverage.

VIP ticket holders gain exclusive access to the Publix VIP Lounge an hour early and receive a swag bag, limited to one per household.

The official nonprofit of Food That Rocks is Second Helpings Atlanta, a food rescue organization whose mission is to end hunger and food waste in the metro Atlanta area by rescuing healthy, nutritious surplus food and distributing it to those in need.

Taste of Atlanta Founder Dale DeSena said Sandy Springs restaurants get to show off to their neighbors at the event.

“Food That Rocks continues to celebrate both longtime favorites and new restaurants that we are so excited to have in Sandy Springs,” DeSena said. “It’s always a beautiful and uplifting night to spend with friends or family sharing food, drinks, and the unique ability to connect face-to-face with the chefs and their teams that make this city so unique.”

The nonprofit Community Assistance Center is also a partner this year. The organization is the largest human services organization in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody and plays a critical role in preventing hunger and homelessness. It offers a platform that enables neighbors to help others in need.

In 2026, Taste of Atlanta will celebrate its 25th anniversary and present three signature culinary experiences: Food That Rocks Sandy Springs, Grand Tasting Alpharetta, and Grand Tasting Midtown.

Learn about the participating restaurants and sponsors making the event possible.

The post Food That Rocks Sandy Springs returns to City Springs this June appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Sandy Springs Education Force’s May 1 Appreciation Breakfast at Riverwood International Charter School recognized the volunteers and program partners who support the city’s public school students year-round.

The student-focused nonprofit works with more than 8,000 kids each year in the city’s 10 public schools, offering STEAM programs, literacy coaching, college and career mentoring, and after-school support.

About 100 community members attended the Appreciation Breakfast in the Riverwood High School Media Room on Raider Drive just north of I-285 in Sandy Springs.

Riverwood Principal Kindra Smith said the Sandy Springs Education Force “steps up to the plate each year.”

“What you all do for our schools in Sandy Springs is second to none,” Smith said, representing several principals in the room. “By you saying yes, our kids win … and we get a yes after a yes, after a yes.”

Community boosts education

SSEF Executive Director Irene Schweiger said the nonprofit was light on volunteers three years ago, coming out of the pandemic, but has fully recovered and expanded. While educational programming is strong, the nonprofit is always looking for more help.

“Sandy Springs Education Force currently runs about 18 programs in our public schools,” Schweiger said. “We have elementary, we have middle, and we have high school… We really work in synergy with the schools… I meet with the principals every June, because what we want to do is make sure that what we’re doing is what they need.”

Each year, the Sandy Springs Education Force recognizes the Carolyn Axt Volunteer of the Year, the Dr. Ava Wilensky Board Member of the Year, the Sustaining Program Partner Award, and the School Program Champion of the Year.

SSEF Board Chair Kathryn Shapiro received the Dr. Ava Wilensky Award, recognizing her 12 years of service and contributions to the nonprofit as an attorney. Shapiro, who chaired the board before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, said she found a strong sense of purpose and a fit at the education force.

“The work that this organization does is so dear to my heart,” Shapiro said. “The people whom I have worked with all these years at SSEF inside our organization, and all of you, are the kindest, the best, the most giving. You share my belief that our children are our future in every sense of that phrase.”

Nonprofit awards partners, volunteers

Renee Hoelting, a longtime SSEF volunteer “reading buddy” at Lake Forest Elementary, received the Carolyn Axt Volunteer of the Year Award. Hoelting said it’s been an opportunity for her to enjoy her retirement while helping children learn to read.

One of the Sandy Springs-based nonprofit’s longest-running partnerships is with the After-Schools All-Stars program, primarily based out of Atlanta Public Schools.

The After-School All-Stars Atlanta won the Sustaining Program Partner Award for its 17 years of “enrichment clubs” at Sandy Springs Middle School. The teacher-led, after-school programs are free for students and allow them to pursue their specific interests in technology, the arts, or athletics.

While Sandy Springs is within Fulton County Schools, ASAS Site Coordinator Toni Rodgers said the nonprofits have a shared mission. The after-school program at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School runs 30 weeks a year, including two hours of tutoring and activities.

“We have about 150 students enrolled [with] 14 teachers and about 12 different enrichment clubs,” Rodgers said. “The teachers are able to pour their passions back into the students in a way that’s different from the classroom.”

Hearing from students

Two Sandy Springs Middle students, sixth-grader Fortune Ayoka and eighth-grader Ifu Okpala, spoke about their time in the ASAS program. While Fortune said he wants to join the eSports and Young Gentlemen’s clubs next year, Ifu is already building her high school resume.

North Springs senior Grace Lumpkins, who is a volunteer tutor at Sandy Springs Middle and will attend Harvard University next fall, said working with younger students has broadened her perspective.

“Meeting with the kids reminds me that there are so many joyful and intelligent youth in the world, ready to take charge once they grow up,” Lumpkins said. “For me, that hope is invaluable and perfectly encapsulates the significance of SSEF in our community. It offers a safe space for students to learn about and grow into their promising futures so they can give back even more to the next generation.”

The post Sandy Springs Education Force honors volunteers at appreciation breakfast appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Out of Box Theatre, the Marietta-based theater company known for intimate and unexpected productions, returns May 8-17 with queer playwright Topher Payne’s comedy “A First Lady’s Guide to Killing the President.”

The play takes place in 1923 and follows Florence Harding, the wife of President Warren. G. Harding. Under the hanging threat of the president’s sex scandals and financial misdeeds, the Hardings embark on a cross-country train tour to generate good press.

But trouble comes along for the ride in the form of two of Warren’s blackmailing mistresses, a scheming Second Lady who’s looking to move up, an incompetent herbalist who somehow became Assistant Surgeon General, a debauched newspaper publisher convinced she’s suffering from the curse of the Hope Diamond, and an ill-tempered pet squirrel named Handsome Pete. 

“Once the train leaves the station, it never slows down,” director Matthew Busch said. “It’s bold, it’s ridiculous, and it hits closer to home than you might expect.”

“A First Lady’s Guide” premiered to sold-out audiences in 2025 and returns from May 8 through 17 at Georgia Ensemble Theatre in Roswell. The cast features Leigh-Ann Campbell, Rial Ellsworth, Amanda Cucher, Shelly McCook, Neuma Joy, Leon Shields, and Jessie Kulpers.

Tickets for “A First Lady’s Guide to Killing the President” are $25.

Related Story:
• ‘Cluedunnit’ brings campy chaos to Out Front Theatre

The post Historical comedy returns to Out of Box Theatre May 8-17 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A shooting in the Lakewood Heights neighborhood in southeast Atlanta has left one person dead and two others injured after what Atlanta Police are describing as “an escalating dispute between known parties.”

Just after noon on Monday, April 27, APD officers responded to calls about a shooting near Little Bear Food Mart at 1660 Jonesboro Road SE.

Emergency medical workers pronounced one female, age 43, dead at the scene. The two remaining victims, both transported to the Grady Hospital for treatment, are a male and female in their mid- to late-40s. At this time, no further information about the victims has been released.

“We have been able to determine they were all innocent victims, standing by in the parking lot,” APD said during a press conference. “It’s a little ambiguous right now. We are still trying to locate some persons of interest.”

Homicide investigators and the K-9 unit are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation remains active and ongoing. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The post Atlanta Police investigate fatal shooting in Lakewood Heights appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Juneteenth Celebration at City Springs is returning this summer, presented by the Sandy Springs Foundation in partnership with the cities of Dunwoody and Brookhaven. 

Sandy Springs’ annual Juneteenth Celebration draws more than 4,000 attendees from across the metro Atlanta area. This year’s event, expanded in response to popular demand, will take place on June 19 from 5 to 10 p.m. at City Springs. 

“Commemorating Juneteenth, the historic milestone marks the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States,” the city’s announcement said. “The event reflects on a powerful legacy of freedom, resilience, and progress.”

New this year

This summer’s celebration builds on tradition with a fully outdoor experience on the City Green, offering engaging, culturally relevant, and family-friendly programming at no cost to the public. 

Attendees can look forward to a full evening of entertainment, education, and cultural engagement, including: 

• Live performances showcasing local talent and storytelling  
• Local vendors & food offerings highlighting diverse flavors from small businesses  
• STEAM Art Gallery celebrating African American creativity and heritage
• Children’s activities & family programming designed for all ages  

The 2026 celebration will spotlight several immersive and educational experiences: 

• Juneteenth STEAM Art Gallery: Presented in partnership with LIQUID Arts and Productions, this digital art and augmented reality P\program will culminate in a showcase of innovative digital artwork created by local high school students.  
• Original Production by Namari Dance Center: An original performance blending dance, spoken word, and music to tell stories of heritage, identity, and resilience.  
• Genealogical Research Immersion Experience: In collaboration with the Fulton County Public Library, Georgia Archives, and the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, this initiative invites attendees to explore their ancestry and connect with their personal histories.  

Read more about event details and sponsorship opportunities here.

The post Annual Juneteenth Celebration returns to Sandy Springs with expanded outdoor experience appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The declaration, issued April 27 by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, does not impose new water restrictions. But it moves the state one step closer to limits on outdoor water use that haven’t been in place for nearly a decade.

What the declaration means

Under a Level 1 response, public water systems must run public information campaigns explaining the drought’s impact on water supplies and what residents can do to reduce use. Utilities can get the word out through newspaper or online ads, bill inserts, social media, or notices at public libraries.

Outdoor watering remains allowed between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., unchanged from existing year-round state rules.

How bad is the drought?

The drought has been building for months. Georgia saw its fourth-driest November on record, and below-average rainfall continued through March. April has been nearly bone-dry.

Most of the state has accumulated rainfall deficits of a foot or more over the past six months. Southwest Georgia has been running 8 to 10 inches below normal over the past 90 days. In south Georgia, the 180-day departure from normal reaches 12 to 15 inches in some areas.

An unusually warm winter and spring have made things worse. March 2026 ranked as the seventh-hottest March on record in Georgia, according to federal climate data.

What comes next

If conditions don’t improve, EPD can escalate to a Level 2 drought response, which would trigger the state’s first mandatory water restrictions since 2016. Level 2 rules would limit landscape watering to two days per week and bar nonessential outdoor uses such as running ornamental fountains, noncommercial pressure washing, and car washing.

Georgia’s last Level 1 declaration ran from October through December 2019.

More information on drought response and water conservation is available at epd.georgia.gov.

Read more at WSBTV.com.

The post State environmental agency declares drought for all of Georgia appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Norcross invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to attend an upcoming open house to learn more about the proposed Piedmont Pathway and provide input on the project.

The open house is Tuesday, May 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College Street. Attendees can drop in at any time during the event.

The Piedmont Pathway is a proposed 2.1-mile shared-use path and linear green space along Beaver Ruin Creek connecting Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Mitchell Road in the South Norcross Neighborhoods character area.

The project is currently in the planning phase, with ongoing analysis and community engagement helping shape its direction and design.

Project team updates council

The Norcross City Council heard an update on the park’s plan from consultants with Heath & Lineback Engineers and Perez Planning + Design at its April 20 meeting. After the concept report is finished this August, the city will seek federal funding for a phased build-out of the Piedmont Pathway.

The city’s 2024 Green Infrastructure Master Plan identifies the Piedmont Pathway as a priority project.

Carlos Perez, president of Perez Planning + Design, said the purpose of the study is to position the project for federal funding. Perez and his team also worked on the city’s 2024 master plan.

The three highest-scoring trail projects were Piedmont Pathway North, West, and East, with a combined price tag of more than $24 million. If segments of the project receive federal funding, most grants require a “local match” of 20%, making large-scale infrastructure improvements affordable for small cities like Norcross.

Council members expressed an interest in constructing the project in phases with volunteer help from the community and potential donations.

Patrick Peters, trail department manager at Heath & Lineback Engineers, said his team has reviewed existing environmental conditions, finding streams and wetlands, but no historic or archaeological sites within the corridor.

The project team is still determining the best way to connect the pathway to Best Friend Park on the unincorporated Gwinnett County side of Jimmy Carter Boulevard (State Route 140) and slow down traffic on Norcross Tucker Road.

Shaping the city’s path project

The city is actively seeking public input as part of the planning process, which includes evaluating potential trail alignments, green space concepts, and implementation strategies.

Mayor Craig Newton said the community has the opportunity to shape a project that will enhance connectivity, recreation, and access to green spaces in Norcross.

“The U.S. Forest Service notes that greenways can increase nearby property values, typically in the 3% to 5% range, with the strongest impact within a quarter- to half-mile distance of the trail,” Newton said. “We encourage everyone to attend, share their ideas, and be part of the process.”

During the open house, participants can share ideas and priorities, ask questions about the project, and provide feedback on potential concepts and next steps. The

A city spokesperson said prior community engagement showed interest in amenities like shaded areas, seating, and improved access points, as well as concerns about speeding vehicles, parking, and environmental preservation.

Feedback gathered during the May 12 open house will help guide the project’s vision, design, and future implementation as the city works toward a final concept plan this fall.

Read more about the Piedmont Pathway project and planning process here.

The post Open house for Piedmont Pathway project set for May 12 in Norcross appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The City of Norcross, in partnership with the Heart of Norcross Business Association, invites the community to celebrate Mother’s Day with a special pop-up in the historic downtown district on Saturday, May 9, from noon to 5 p.m.

The city-curated afternoon is designed to honor moms, mother figures, and loved ones of all kinds, offering a blend of experiences, local shopping, and dining in one of Norcross’ most inviting settings.

Guests can enjoy two signature experiences during the event:

• Flower Wall Experience at 9 South Peachtree Street: Visitors are invited to stop by a flower wall installation and take part in a creative activity. Each Norcross-branded card includes a real flower. Participants can select one, write a personal note, and share it with someone special.

• Tea with Alice & the White Rabbit at 127 South Peachtree Street: Step into a whimsical, “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired setting where moms and children can sit at a vintage tea table with antique tea sets and meet Alice and the White Rabbit for a magical photo opportunity. Guests are encouraged to bring their own devices to capture photos.

City officials also encourage attendees to explore historic downtown Norcross by browsing unique local shops, enjoying a variety of dining options, and making a full day of celebrating the people who matter most.

The post Norcross invites community to celebrate Mother’s Day at downtown pop-up event appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Seven of the 14 candidates running to become a nominee for governor took to the stage on April 21 to answer questions about affordability, education, and other issues impacting Georgians in a forum hosted by Leadership DeKalb.

The event drew in around 200 in-person attendees and 350 people watching via live stream. All candidates were invited to the forum, which took place at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center. The participating candidates included six Democrats – Impact Church Lead Pastor Olu Brown, former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, former State Senator Jason Esteves, State Rep. Derrick Jackson, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond – and Republican newcomers Clark Dean and Kenneth Yasger.

Each candidate answered questions posed by political journalist and Spelman College alum Maya Prabhu that covered each candidate’s experience, policies they would champion as governor, and how they would tackle issues like rising costs.

All candidates will be on their respective party’s ballot this spring to become one of the two nominees for governor in November. Early voting begins April 27, and Election Day is May 19. Polling information can be found on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Candidates address affordability

Prabhu directed three questions to every candidate, two of which concerned affordability. When asked which rising cost they would address if they could only tackle one, all of the candidates spoke about health care. Esteves, Jackson, and Brown specifically spoke about maternal mortality rates among Black women. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Black women in Georgia are 3.3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.

Related story: Abortion ban sparks debate among Georgia Democrats in governor’s race

Jackson spoke about his wife, who died in childbirth, and the high medical bills he had to face after her death, which topped $100,000. Brown echoed this sentiment, saying his family pays more each month in health insurance than their mortgage.

While Esteves, Jackson, and Duncan specifically mentioned expanding Medicaid, Yasger said he did not support expanding Medicaid, as he did not want to “expand the government’s control,” and instead focused on giving people more options for better care. He said his affordability focus would be on housing, specifically for renters.

The candidates were then asked who would pay the price if their approach to affordability was proven to be wrong during their tenure.

“I want to make sure that we take the special interests that are getting billions of dollars in tax giveaways and put that money in your pockets where it belongs,” Esteves said. “If any of those issues wind up hurting anyone, I think it’s going to hurt the billionaires and special interests that have been benefitting from it for the last two decades.”

Duncan and Brown shared similar sentiments about their belief that spending money to support working class Georgians could never be wrong, with Brown quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “If we’re wrong, then God Almighty is wrong.”

Thurmond and Yasger said they would constantly monitor programs and pivot if approaches were proven to be detrimental.

Education funding

The third question addressed to every candidate concerned education funding. Prabhu asked the candidates if the issue with Georgia’s public education was funding or how the money was being used.

Brown, Thurmond, Duncan, and Esteves said they would reform the Quality Basic Education formula, which determines the amount of state funding that’s allocated to local school districts. The formula has not undergone a major update since it was enacted in 1985.  

“The biggest issue is that the formula does not weight for poverty,” Thurmond said. “Children with disabilities, as they should, get additional funding. Children who speak English as a second language get additional funding. A child who comes from an impoverished home gets nothing.”

Dean said that while there should be more funding, the money needs to be spent wisely, and Yasger said that money should be rerouted from administrators to teachers. Jackson had to leave in the middle of the forum for another commitment and did not get the opportunity to answer the question.

Candidates discuss personal backgrounds

Along with general questions, each candidate was asked a question relating to his or her personal backgrounds.

Duncan, who previously served as Lieutenant Governor as a Republican, was asked about an issue he got wrong and how he changed his mind.

“The abortion issue is an issue that I got wrong as lieutenant governor,” he said. “I was the president of the Senate. I oversaw that body, and I was wrong to think that a room full of state senators knew better than millions of women… I apologize to anybody that this [six-week abortion ban] has negatively affected – and it has – it has taken the lives of individuals, and that weight is heavy on my shoulders. I look forward to getting it right.”

Thurmond, who was formerly the superintendent of the DeKalb County School District as well as the county’s CEO, was asked a similar question. He said he wished he had started and finished construction on schools, “particularly in certain ZIP codes… particularly in our Title 1 schools.”

Thurmond was also asked another question by a student in the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County Leadership Academy about how he would support students seeking higher education. He said he would expand needs-based scholarship programs and create jobs specifically for young people.

In response to a question about a policy that didn’t pass while he was a state senator, Esteves said he would work as governor to pass a bill that allows Georgia to supplement the Affordable Care Act subsidies if the federal government does not do it.

When asked what issue both parties get wrong, Clark said there was a “crisis of division” in the U.S. and that both Republicans and Democrats “manufactured crises.” Yasger said his approach to affordability is different from the other candidates’ because he is currently a renter and “living” the affordability crisis.

Jackson said he learned from his failed campaign for lieutenant governor in 2022 to “meet people where they are” and “make sure the voice of the people is part of this process.” While he lacks political experience, Brown said his experience leading and expanding Impact Church has prepared him to be governor.

Hot button topics

To close out the forum, Prabhu asked the candidates rapid fire questions which they answered with signs indicating “yes” and “no.” Since Jackson left the forum early, he did not participate.

Should the state step in if local governments block new housing?

Yes: Brown, Dean, Esteves, Thurmond, Yasger

No: Duncan

Should Georgia expand legal protections for LGBTQ+ residents?

All candidates answered yes.

Should the state place stricter regulations on hospital systems to control costs?

All candidates answered yes.

Should Georgia raise the minimum wage?

Yes: Brown, Duncan, Esteves, Thurmond, Yasger

No: Dean  

Did Georgia get the 2020 election right?

All candidates answered yes.

Would you use your executive office to protect Georgians from ICE, including deputizing the National Guard?

Yes: Brown, Duncan, Esteves, Thurmond

No: Dean, Yasger

Would you veto legislation that curtails Georgians’ right to protest?

All candidates answered yes.

The post Gubernatorial candidates discuss affordability, education at DeKalb forum appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

I might be in a gang

Wednesday, April 22 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. 

Every Tuesday, about a dozen other participants and I have been attending Dunwoody’s Citizen Police Academy, a 13-week program where we learn about various functions of police work through classroom lectures, training scenarios, and off-site tours of partner locations.

Last night, we learned about gangs, an association of three or more people who share interests, often wear the same clothing, and threaten violence to achieve their nefarious goals – which sounds a lot like my Tuesday Mahjong group. And my Wednesday night cornhole team. Getting worried.

Seriously, though, the CPA is an eye-opening experience that provides a deep dive into police operations and the people who protect the city. There’s another one coming up in August. Think about signing up (or else). 

Before we get to this week’s stories, here are a few newsy things coming up. 

While Lemonade Days is the top story for Dunwoody, a lot is going on in and around the Metro area. Collin Kelly, our intrepid executive editor, has compiled a comprehensive list here. 

 Just a reminder, because of Lemonade Days, the Dunwoody Homeowners Association will not hold its weekly farmers market on Saturday.

Speaking of DNC, Earth Week Community Jam Circle is tomorrow from 6:30-8 p.m. Join in and “share music connected to … personal journeys, growth, and mental health.” No musical experience necessary. Register here.

Have a great Wednesday,
Cathy 

Join the Dunwoody Nature Center for our 20th annual Monarchs & Margaritas, a fundraising evening under the stars with dinner, cocktails, live music, and nature-inspired fun. Support environmental education while exploring our new Wildcat Creek Learning Lab and boardwalk. SPONSOR MESSAGE

‘We are just over it’ say residents about apartment complex proposal

Here’s a development that will have a significant impact on Dunwoody residents, especially those who live or travel in the Perimeter area.

Developers at Perimeter Summit, just inside I-285 off Ashford Dunwoody Road, are proposing to build a 280-unit, seven-story apartment complex, and the residents at the Villa Sonoma condominiums are not jazzed about it. 

A meeting held on April 20 drew about 30 people, most of whom said they oppose the development, citing other recent and upcoming apartment construction in and near the area. Developers contend it will revitalize the area with connecting trails, refreshed landscaping, and reworked ingress and egress.

While the catch phrase at the meeting was “it’s not a done deal,” the rezoning request has already cleared Brookhaven’s Planning Commission and will be considered at the April 28 city council meeting. 

 Read more about the contentious meeting here.

A Night of Nature, Fun & Margaritas

SPONSORED BY DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER

Celebrate 20 years of Monarchs & Margaritas at the Dunwoody Nature Center on May 2, 6-9 p.m.

Enjoy dinner, an open bar, live music, and interactive nature experiences. Guests will explore the new Wildcat Creek Learning Lab and boardwalk while supporting environmental education and conservation. This signature event brings the community together for an unforgettable evening with a meaningful impact.

→ Tickets are available now.

He’s a treat and a treasure

Over the years, William Blackshear has been a familiar face and a source of comfort for countless shoppers at the Dunwoody Hall Publix.

Blackshear is a clerk, but is so much more. People often stand in “his” line so they can exchange a word with him, ask him for a quick prayer, or inquire about his health. Despite having sickle cell disease, a painful and debilitating condition, he always has a smile on his face that never fades.

A few weeks ago, he was involved in a multi-car accident on his way to work, which totaled his vehicle. Though he was not injured, it’s just another setback on a journey that has seen many challenges. 

His friends and customers are raising money to help Blackshear purchase a reliable replacement car and pay some of the medical expenses incurred during his ongoing sickle cell treatment.

They are nearing their goal, but if you feel moved to help, here’s the GoFundMe link.

Lemonade Days at Brook Run Park

One of Dunwoody’s most cherished events, Lemonade Days, opens today at 4 p.m. and runs through Sunday. Begun in 1999, the first Lemonade Days was held as a relief effort for those families affected by the 1998 tornado that tragically destroyed entire Dunwoody neighborhoods.

In much-anticipated news, Melanie Williams has been named the 2026 honorary queen. Williams has worn many hats in her more than 20 years volunteering with the Dunwoody Preservation Trust.

You can pay homage to her by visiting her throne located in the kids’ section on Thursday from 5-7 p.m., Friday from 6-8 p.m., Saturday from 2-6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m.

 Read more about Williams and the festival here. 

Picture this: Dunwoody’s latest art installation

✄ Dunwoody officials cut the ribbon on the city’s newest public art installation, “Common Ground” at Georgetown Park, an interactive sculpture of three benches inside a circular garden.

“The design weaves climbing plants with a sense of community,” an announcement by the city said. “Designed by Metal Artist Huelani Mei, the charming installation is a great location for photos and can be found near the bocce courts at the back of the park.”

Ѻ Watch a video about the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the sculpture’s creation here.

Join the Dunwoody Nature Center for our 20th annual Monarchs & Margaritas, a fundraising evening under the stars with dinner, cocktails, live music, and nature-inspired fun. Support environmental education while exploring our new Wildcat Creek Learning Lab and boardwalk. SPONSOR MESSAGE

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Sandy Springs resident Guiomar Obregón, co-founder and CEO of the Chamblee-based construction firm Precision 2000, was inducted into the Georgia Tech College of Engineering 2026 Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni.

As CEO of P2K, Obregón’s top clients include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the U.S. Forest Service, the City of Atlanta, and the Georgia Department of Transportation. She has grown P2K into an award-winning firm renowned for its expertise in high-strength concrete repairs and civil infrastructure projects.

In the awards’ more than 20-year history, Obregón is the first Hispanic female to be inducted and joins a group of fewer than five Latin American inductees.

Sandy Springs CEO’s journey

Obregón and fellow graduate student Carlos Sánchez founded Precision 2000 in 1998 shortly after earning their degrees from Georgia Tech. The couple, both Colombian natives, turned P2K into one of “the Southeast’s most respected civil construction firms.”

“The company was founded 28 years ago, born from a suggestion that contractors needed certified minority businesses to handle available work,” a blog post on the company’s website said. “But before diving in, Obregón prepared meticulously, taking classes through the Small Business Administration to learn accounting, insurance, and bonding essentials.”

P2K is consistently featured on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of 20 Largest Women-Owned Firms. Some of the firm’s ongoing projects around metro Atlanta include the Lenox Road streetscape and Howell Mill Road renovation. P2K is currently working on dozens of new sidewalks for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

The company has also received awards from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Georgia District Office, and the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association.

In 2012, Obregón co-founded the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association, where she remains actively involved today. She regularly contributes to articles, panels, and other industry-focused events.

Earlier this year, Obregón received her third consecutive Georgia Titan 100 Award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Just 10 business leaders in various industries across the state receive the honor annually.

Obregón’s legacy at Tech

In 2017, co-founders Obregón and Sánchez created P2K fellowships to support Colombian engineers at Georgia Tech pursuing a master’s degree in building construction and facility management. Today, the scholarship is open to any student interested in Hispanic culture.

Patricia White, a director at Georgia Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said Guiomar is the epitome of service and walking the walk. The fund’s total contributions reached $0.5 million last year.

“She’s a future-oriented builder who gets involved to shape the future of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and her profession,” White said. “Guiomar’s leadership in establishing student funding to support Hispanic and Latin American students, the P2K Hispanic Engineers of the Future, and the P2K Graduate Fellowship, and her involvement with these students, helps diversify the CEE student body and launch the careers of these young Hispanic engineers.”

In 2022, Georgia Tech dedicated a classroom to P2K in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Mason Building.

“Guiomar is a fantastic representative of the vision, creativity, determination, and spirit of service that is the best of Georgia Tech,” White said. “We are grateful that she is a CEE alum.”

The post Sandy Springs resident, Colombian immigrant receives Georgia Tech’s highest engineering honor appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Key points:
• The Norcross City Council debated a phased, three-year electric utility rate increase at its April 20 policy work session.
• Norcross Power representatives told the council that the electric utility’s residential customer base has grown by 8% over 24 months, but its long-term financial projections show a shortfall in 2027.
• Elected officials disagreed on the merits of the rate increase.

With the fiscal year 2027 budget deadline just six weeks away, the Norcross City Council took up the question of whether to raise the city’s electric utility rate, with some pushback.

At the April 20 policy work session, representatives from the Electric Cities of Georgia and Norcross Power shared the results of a recent rate study. The city is a member of the Municipal Authority of Georgia, a statewide public power authority comprised of 49 municipalities that produce and distribute power.

ECG, a nonprofit supporting members of MEAG Power, projects the city will have a nearly $900,000 deficit next year and suggests a phased, three-year rate increase to strengthen revenue.

“It’s showing, after current rates and current revenue, ’26 will barely break even at $180,000,” ECG Senior Analyst Cathy Johnson said. “Beginning in ’27, you start to see some large deficits … we call this the do-nothing slide, the baseline slide.”

Council pushes back on projected deficit

The long-range financial projection shows Norcross Power’s direct revenue from customers remaining at $14.95 million from 2027 through 2031.

Council Member Matt Myers said ECG representatives also predicted a looming deficit for Norcross Power in 2024, but it never materialized. He said the city has kept rates flat for some time to make the city more competitive.

“I’m a little confused about how you’re projecting it, like we’ve gotta do something and there’s an emergency,” Myers said. “I’ve heard this story before, and it didn’t pan out … and we still have a revenue surplus.”

Myers and Council Member Bruce Gaynor pointed out that the city is transferring more than $1.5 million from its electric fund to its operating fund, up from around $500,000 just two years ago. That’s $1 million the city is not spending on electric costs.

“When we say things like, ‘if we do nothing, we’re going to be in a shortfall,’ it can excite the community,” Myers said. “They don’t have the full context.”

Norcross Power has two main sub-stations in the city with a total of seven circuits, according to the city’s website, with three more off-system stations in Cumming, Johns Creek, and Tucker. Its territory is mostly within the existing city limits, but the city can bid on providing large-scale electric service to large users outside its designated service area.

To increase revenue, the city can sell more electricity or charge higher rates.

Norcross Power rate comparison

Norcross Power President Jim Trupiano said the electric utility has seen 8% growth over the last 24 months, mainly driven by residential.

“We’re losing 2.7% on each residential customer … they’re being subsidized,” he said. “So as our residential customer base grows, that’s a little bit of an impact.”

Trupiano said there are some potential growth opportunities, like an AT&T 5G data center at Buford Highway and Lively Street, which will be online with a new transformer in the next 12 months.

“We’re in discussions with a property owner in Norcross that’s in talks with a Korean battery manufacturing company that could come here,” Trupiano said. “We have some growth in the future here, but it’s unknown at this point.”

The average home in Georgia consumes about 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, but that usage can jump to more than 1,500 kWh in the summer months.

Norcross residents pay 5 cents less per kilowatt-hour than the more than 2.7 million Georgia Power customers in the state. That means Norcross Power is saving homeowners an average of $75 a month in the summer months.

Council hints at decision

The Electric Utility of Georgia recommends that the city design a phased three-year rate increase of 4% the first year, followed by 3.25% and 3%, on all classes.

While commercial customers will see a 5.5% average increase over the three years, residential customers will see a 2% average increase. With the proposed rate increases, ECG projects the city’s electric fund will avoid a shortfall from 2028-31.

“I met with the energy manager for Publix … he said we’re the lowest utility out of their 1,475 stores from a cost perspective,” Trupiano said. “And he was asking, how do we do that?”

For Norcross Power, Trupiano said the general fund’s 10% dividend, discounts for its residential customer base, and rising costs are putting pressure on the city’s electric fund.

“I understand this is the worst-case scenario, that’s the way I look at this,” Trupiano said. “I don’t think it’s that far from realistic for next year. I think we will be in a hole … If we wait, and we do reach the worst-case scenario, next year or the year later, the impacts to the customer and their budget are going to be worse than they are today.”

Council Member Josh Bare said he thinks the city should be charging market rate.

“We’re not,” Bare said. “The proposals that you’ve shown don’t even really get us to market rate, but are headed in the right direction. I think we need to move in that direction.”

Council Member Bruce Gaynor said he wants below-competitive rates.

“I think when the public owns the power system, then the public should be benefiting from that by paying lower-than-competitive rates,” Gaynor said.

The post Norcross City Council debates electric utility rate hike amid budget concerns appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a former Navy veteran accused of killing three people during a random shooting spree on April 13 across DeKalb County, has died in custody.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Abel, housed at the DeKalb County Jail, died on April 21 while in custody.

“Olaolukitan Adon Abel was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 6:48 p.m.,” the statement said. “Detention staff immediately notified medical personnel, and lifesaving measures were initiated. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the jail at 7:17 p.m.”

“In accordance with agency policy, a standard internal review has been initiated to examine the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department statement continued. “The official cause of death will be determined by the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office. At this time, there is no indication of criminal activity or foul play.”

Random shootings in DeKalb

Abel, 26, is accused of killing three people, including a Department of Homeland Security employee who was walking her dog in Panthersville, a woman outside a fast-food restaurant in Decatur, and a homeless man at the Brookhaven Kroger on Peachtree Road.

Days after being shot multiple times, the Kroger victim, Tony E. Matthews, 48, of Atlanta, succumbed to his injuries.

Abel was apprehended in Troup County while driving a rental car, authorities said. Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley told the city council at its regular meeting that surveillance tools, like Flock Security cameras and license plate readers, led to Abel’s swift apprehension.

Abel had a violent criminal history

According to a statement by the United States Attorney General’s North Georgia office on April 17, troopers searching Abel’s car in Troup County found a box of 9mm ammunition and shell casings matching the same brand of ammunition found at the murder scene in Decatur.

The statement also provided details on Abel’s criminal history.

“Abel was previously convicted of a felony for Assault of a Police Officer with a Deadly Weapon on January 2, 2025, in the Superior Court of San Diego County, California, and he was sentenced to probation in June 2025 for four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery in the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County, Georgia,” the statement said.

Abel had been charged with three counts of malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for the DeKalb County shootings.

He was facing further prosecution, along with another man, Damon Marquis Yarns, for illegally obtaining the 9mm pistol, which was found at the scene of the Decatur shooting.

The agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, was leading the investigation, along with the DeKalb County Police Department, Brookhaven Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the statement said.

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“The Christophers” opens with a shot of a drawing. Our protagonist, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), is sitting on a bench, sketching the building across from her. She’s passing time (she works at the Chinese food truck parked next to the bench), and a completed sketch of the same building already sits on one side of her notebook, as she works on a second identical sketch. 

We won’t really question what Lori is doing until later, but as the film goes on, you start to wonder – was she sketching the building in front of her, or was she trying to copy the sketch on the other page? We’ve been conditioned to understand a difference between those two things, but why? Why does that really matter?

“The Christophers,” directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon, is filled with moments like this one – seemingly inconsequential at first glance, but raising larger questions about the nature of art. Why do we value the sketch of the building more than the sketch of the sketch? What gives art its importance? Is it originality? And if it is – what does that mean? 

We’ll come to learn that Lori has a bit of a reputation for copies – or, if we’re getting technical about it, forgeries. While sitting on the bench, she receives a call from Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), the money-hungry children of the world famous, now reclusive artist Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen). Barnaby and Sallie want Lori to finish a set of old, never-seen paintings in their father’s house – the second iteration of an earlier groundbreaking  collection called The Christophers, made up of portraits of a man whom Julian was in love with – with the intent of selling them after he dies. There’s only one problem – they’re not done, and Julian, out of pride, or heartbreak, or pure obstinance, refuses to finish then. 

“The Christophers” charts Lori and Julian’s ever-evolving relationship with each other and the art they produce in this funny, impeccably acted and surprisingly sweet two-hander that comes down to the idea that art is all about relationships – between the artist and the muse, between the artist and the critic, between the artist and the audience. But those heady ideas are only as strong as the framework of the movie surrounding them. “The Christophers” works on a thematic level because it’s as invested in Lori and Julian’s characters as it is in the idea that meaning can’t come from one person alone. 

Once revered, Julian has found himself disillusioned with the capitalistic tendencies of the art world and become a bit of a recluse. He became a household name by playing the part of a nasty judge on an art competition show (think the worst version of Simon Cowell on “American Idol”), and he hasn’t done anything of note in years. He’s the reason Lori wanted to become an artist in the first place – and also the reason that dream started to die. 

At this stage in both of their lives, neither Julian nor Lori really consider themselves artistic triumphs. Lori takes the job not because she’s interested in the work itself, but because she wants revenge on the man who ruined her artistic hopes and dreams (as the film goes on, we come to understand how, exactly, he managed that). But when Lori, posing as someone interested in becoming Julian’s new assistant, meets him, it’s hard not to feel a little bad for the man. Lori walks in on him filming Cameos for fans of his Simon Cowell days – how could you not feel pity for a man of such artistic importance brought so low? 

Well, just wait until he opens his mouth. Julian’s narcissism is almost blinding, the “interview” he gives Lori mostly consisting of him talking at her before deciding he likes the fact that she doesn’t cut him off well enough to hire her. McKellen is all energy, a rascally twinkle in his eye as he rants about plastics in water, and about how much he hates (but probably secretly loves) when people tell him he’s the reason they became an artist. Coel’s stoicism – she’s all slight modulations and microexpressions filled with tension – is perfectly pitched against McKellen’s vibrancy. Two-handers work better with a little bit of odd couple energy, and these two have it in spades. 

“The Christophers” doesn’t linger too much on the secret of what Lori is doing. Julian quickly catches on to Lori’s true purpose, but finds himself far more preoccupied with a bad review of a new collection of his that she wrote years prior. Julian finds himself stuck on the question that comes up so often regarding critics – what gives you the right? He’s haughty and angry, continuously belittling Lori until she offers him a startlingly poignant breakdown of what makes his good work great and his other work middling. As she speaks, level-headed as always, Julian starts to sink down into his chair, the embarrassment of being understood when he thought he was so singular taking over any pride he has left.

Because for Julian, the artistic process has always been individual. He has a feeling, gets the feeling out on the canvas, sends it off and never thinks about it again. When he admits this, Lori stares at him, bewildered. “Where do you think it goes?” she asks. 

“The Christophers” feels like both writer and filmmaker reckoning with this very idea. The act of creation, especially something as solitary as writing, or painting, is such a singular experience. But when that singular experience is meant to be seen or read or watched by the masses, it would be naive to say the creation part stops when you’ve put the brush down. Julian’s ego, his years of dressing down aspiring teenage artists on national television, have allowed him to buy into his own genius enough that the idea that anyone could truly understand his work – much less create anything that captures its feeling or essence – is pure fantasy. As he spends more time with Lori, that worldview begins to fall apart.

In “The Christophers,” originality does not lie solely at the feet of the artist, but also in every other piece of work they’ve taken in, in every muse who’s inspired them, in every critic who eviscerated them. Art has never been one-sided, but rather always an ever-changing relationship.

‘The Christophers’ is showing at Midtown Arts Cinema, AMC Phipps Plaza, and AMC Parkway Pointe.

The post Art is a relationship in ‘The Christophers’ appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Honoring Israel 

Thursday, April 16 (29 Nisan 5786) 

 It’s the month of Yoms. Yom Hashoah has just passed and Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut are on the horizon. 

 On Monday, April 20, the Israel Consul General to the Southeast is hosting Yom HaZikaron, a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of Israel. And up next, Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) is being celebrated at the MJCCA, the Jewish National Fund women’s luncheon, and Shabbat for Israel. 

 Earth Day is also coming up on April 22. Read below about Adamah‘s events to bring attention to climate action. 

As always, thanks for reading!

Y’alla, 
Logan

Earth Day with Adamah 

 Earth Day was first created by Sen. Gaylord Nelson in 1970 to force environmentalism onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different U.S. cities, and Congress authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Adamah, a national Jewish environmental organization with a strong Atlanta hub, is holding two Earth Day 2026 events. 

 First up is the Peachtree Creek Greenway clean up on Sunday, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. You’ll get your steps in as you join volunteers to wander the shady banks of the creek to collect trash. Sign up to help. 

 Next, Adamah is hosting an Earth Day dinner on Thursday, April 22, with The Spring at Trees Atlanta, 825 Warner Street SW, Atlanta, GA, 30310. The farm-to-table dinner is being prepared by the Daily Chew’s Julia Kesler Imerman, mixed with inspiring Jewish learning that brings together food, tradition, and community. Seats are still available. 

An Evening to Savor: The Tasting Experience Returns April 30

SPONSORED BY JEWISH FAMILY & CAREER SERVICES

On April 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., JF&CS’ The Tasting Experience transforms The Stave Room into a vibrant celebration of Atlanta’s culinary scene and community spirit. Move through an atmosphere of warm light and lively conversation, sample standout dishes and perfectly paired drinks, reconnect with friends and meet new faces across generations.

Featuring more than 20 of the city’s top restaurants and beverage partners, the evening offers global flavors, curated cocktails, and a dynamic silent auction.

This event carries deeper purpose – every ticket supports JF&CS’ Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services, strengthening lives and community alike.

➞ Learn more and purchase tickets here.

All that jazz

Spring is shaping up to be very entertaining. Catch these Jewish acts before they leave town. 

 Sunday, April 19: Nancy Gaddy brings cabaret to Hapeville with “What’s Going On: Tunes for Turbulent Times” at the Academy Theatre. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $20 in advance.  

 Sunday, April 19: Enjoy the Joe Alterman Trio inspired by “Fiddler on the Roof” at 3 p.m. Get tickets before the show sells out. 

 Sunday, May 3: “Convergence” combines the history and sounds of African American spirituals and Jewish Eastern Europe music at the First Congregational Church in Atlanta at 3 p.m. Tickets are free. 

 Thursday, May 7: Husband-and-wife team Julie Benko and Jason Yeager team up at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. Benko, known for her role as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” will lead with story and song as Yeager tickles the ivories. Tickets are still available. 

 Thursday, May 7: British comedian Zach Margs performs at City Winery at Ponce City Market in Atlanta. Menachem Silverstein and Erez Safar join him on stage. Buy tickets here. 

 Sunday, June 7: Atlanta’s Flying Carpet Theatre Company debuts “Bacharach at The Breman” as performers tell the life story of composer, songwriter, and pianist Burt Bacharach with classics “Walk on By” and “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Get tickets today.

This national park would honor a Jewish philanthropist – if Republicans get on board

 President Donald Trump this week called for sweeping budget cuts to the National Park Service and in January for the removal of slavery-related exhibits he said portray American history in a “woke manner.” 

Yet a campaign to establish a national historic park honoring Julius Rosenwald — the Jewish philanthropist who funded schools for rural Black communities during the Jim Crow era — is pressing ahead. 

Rosenwald dropped out of high school at 16 to pursue the family clothing business. In 1895, he invested $37,500 in Sears, Roebuck & Company — a decision that would ultimately make him one of the wealthiest men in the United States in the early 20th century.  

After meeting Booker T. Washington, the formerly enslaved founder of the Tuskegee Institute, Rosenwald helped to fund nearly 5,000 schools for Black students across 15 states. By 1928, one in three Black students in the rural South attended a Rosenwald school. Alumni of Rosenwald schools include Rep. John Lewis, poet Maya Angelou, and civil rights activist Medgar Evers.  

 Read the full story on The Forward.

Look & Listen

 Amanda Peet is telling her story about breast cancer and her dying parents. The star of “Your Friends and Neighbors” (S2 out now on Apple TV) was interviewed by NPR’s Terry Gross and penned this New Yorker article. 

 Hampshire College is closing in Massachusetts, but the Yiddish Book Center will remain. 

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 April 19: Rosh Hodesh mother-daughter experience. 

 April 22: Virtual meeting on life balance as a grandparent. 

 April 26: Guided tour of Oakland Cemetery through a Jewish lens.

April 29: Cultivating hope in challenging times. 

 June 11: Rebecca’s Tent fundraiser in midtown Atlanta.  

The next Jewish holiday is Yom HaZikaron on April 20.  

Light Shabbat candles this week at 7:52 p.m. 

 Step out of your week and into Shabbat with Or Hadash. Craving energy or a deeper exhale? Join a musical Kabbalat Shabbat and joyful Yom Ha’atzmaut dinner Friday, or Shabbat Hadasha, a soulful, contemplative/learning service Saturday morning. Come connect—details here.

Join the Dunwoody Nature Center for our 20th annual Monarchs & Margaritas, a fundraising evening under the stars with dinner, cocktails, live music, and nature-inspired fun. Support environmental education while exploring our new Wildcat Creek Learning Lab and boardwalk. SPONSOR MESSAGE

We remember

Temple Sinai Rabbi Emeritus Philip N. Kranz, 83, died on April 12. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Weston Kranz, his daughters Rebecca Kranz Friedman (Keven) and Abigail Kranz Ornstein (Bob), four grandchildren, and many others who loved him. 

Proudly hailing from Ohio, Kranz actively served the Atlanta community from 1980 to 2006, when he became rabbi emeritus. “He helped shape the soul of Temple Sinai with incomparable wisdom, compassion, humility, and devotion, and the loss we feel is immense,” a synagogue statement said. 

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The Atlanta Beltline reached a new milestone Thursday as city leaders cut the ribbon on the final segments of the Southeast Trail.

Segments 4 and 5 complete the 2.5-mile Southeast Trail, which now runs continuously from the Krog Street Tunnel to Boulevard Southeast. The 1.2-mile addition links the path to Glenwood Park, Grant Park, Ormewood Park and Boulevard Heights, expanding access for walkers, runners and cyclists.

With the opening, the Beltline now totals about 14.8 miles of completed trail out of its planned 22-mile loop. The goal is to finish the entire loop by 2030.

Mayor Andre Dickens called the expansion another step toward a “more connected and accessible” Atlanta, adding that another segment is expected to open by early June. That would bring the continuous trail closer to 18 miles in time for the FIFA World Cup matches this summer.

The post Atlanta Beltline officially opens Southeast Trail appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Mayor Andre Dickens and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs unveiled ATL Culture House during a press conference on April 15 at The CTR, formerly home to CNN in downtown Atlanta. Dickens said the project will serve as a physical and symbolic home for creativity, collaboration, and community for Atlanta during the global soccer event.

While ATL Culture House launches nearly 60 days ahead of the World Cup in Atlanta, the project will not pack up and leave once matches are over. Instead, Dickens believes ATL Culture House and its activations will encourage visitors to keep returning to the city.

“Soon, all eyes will be on us,” Dickens said. “People may come for the games, but they will come back to experience more of what Atlanta has to offer and what makes Atlanta, Atlanta.”

Beyond Dickens, media present at the press conference heard from ATL Culture House Executive Director Adriane Jefferson, CP Group founding partner Chris Eachus, and Showcase Atlanta Interim Executive Director Lamar Stewart, along with Atlanta Influences Everything co-founder Bem Joiner and Amazon Head of Community Affairs (Georgia) Terreta Rodgers.

“Atlanta already has culture. We just have to raise the bar in the visibility of it,” Jefferson said of the impetus behind ATL Culture House.

ATL Culture House will reside on The CTR’s eighth floor and offer eight activations between June 14 and July 14, including artist talks, panels, screenings, and live performances.

In addition to immersive World Cup experiences around the city, ATL Culture House will also include a mobile presence in Atlanta.

“We are bringing arts and culture to the neighborhoods where people may not have access,” Jefferson said. “Everyone deserves a right to participate in culture and to participate in the World Cup when major events come here to Atlanta.”

The CTR commissioned local artists Dr. Dax, Fabian Williams, Michi Meko, and TOTEM to create murals for its “Icons” series. Murals will reside both inside and on the exterior of The CTR building.

In addition to ATL Culture House, CTR Food Works, a 24,000-square-foot food hall with a large central bar, will open in mid-May.

Related stories:
• The Latest FIFA World Cup news
• View all FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage
• New dining concepts and a bar open in May at the former CNN Center

To continue lifting up local artists, Stewart stated that Showcase Atlanta will host a creative marketplace this summer. The location has yet to be determined, but Stewart said it will provide needed exposure for local artists and artisans that sometimes takes years to build. Additional pop-up vendor opportunities will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Dickens, who was a Georgia Tech student during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, urged residents not to flee the city like they did 30 years ago. “I want you to enjoy Atlanta while others enjoy Atlanta,” Dickens said.

Expect ATL Culture House to host a variety of live performances, talks, and special art exhibits throughout the World Cup, all focused on Atlanta. Each event will feature themes like “How It Started,” “Sounds of ATL,” and “On the Screen.”

The post Mayor’s office announces ATL Culture House ahead of World Cup appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The City of Brookhaven at its April 14 meeting approved a redevelopment initiative along North Druid Hills Road that it says will bring more than $150 million in private investment, critical transportation infrastructure, and long-term economic opportunity to the community.

According to an announcement on the city’s website, a partnership with the Brookhaven Development Authority and Nalley Automotive, a part of Asbury Automotive Group, will allow the transformation of a collection of aging office and hotel properties into a master-planned campus anchored by a Nalley BMW dealership, with 3.8 acres reserved for a future upscale hotel, and other public improvements.

“The project reflects smart growth planning and a deliberate strategy to align private investment with Brookhaven’s long-term vision for connectivity, walkability, and sustainable economic development within the Buford Highway and North Druid Hills corridors,” Brookhaven Economic Development Director Aaron Szarowicz said in the announcement of the project.

The dealership property, which will include pedestrian-friendly design elements and open green space, will provide direct connections to the Peachtree Creek Greenway (PCG).

Related story:
• Brookhaven looks at alternative alignments to Peachtree Greenway path

“This is exactly the kind of thoughtful redevelopment our community has envisioned for this corridor,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Park in the announcement. “We are taking properties that have outlived their usefulness and replacing them with a high-quality development that will generate jobs, enhance the tax base, and create a stronger sense of place.”

$150 million investment

According to the agreement, the developer will invest $150 million into the acquisition and redevelopment of the site, including an $8 million commitment to the Brookhaven Development Authority that will be dedicated to improvements within the PCG corridor.

“These funds will support trail expansion, connectivity improvements, and related infrastructure that advance Brookhaven’s long-standing goal of creating a more connected and accessible city,” the announcement said.

The developer will also provide easements to enable construction of a future PCG Connector Bridge over I-85, which will connect the Buford Highway Corridor to employment centers and regional destinations.

At the council meeting, John Funny, who represents District 4, said the deal “presents a compelling vision for creating a vibrant, economically resilient and aesthetically appealing destination, by thoughtfully integrating a high-end automobile dealership that will front Interstate 85, a quality hotel, and a meaningful green space.”

Community Block Grant discussion

In other action, the council discussed its priorities for its 2026-2030 Community Development Block Grant plan, as well as its 2026 action plan.

Strategic Partnerships Director Patty Hansen and Program Administrator Tarolyn Moore discussed the concerns the city has heard throughout a feedback period.

They include the lack of affordable housing, the need for senior housing, anti-crime programs, affordable child care, and the cost of rental properties in the city.

“The five-year priority needs and goals that we are recommending, based on input, stakeholder input, one-on-one, staff input, and input we received from council members, and feedback we received on activities that we have done,” Hansen said.

The $375,000 available for projects will be broken down into the following segments:

• Public facilities and infrastructure – $231,000
• Public services – $55,631
• Home repair program – $10,000
• Program administration – $69,000

The public service fund could be designated for child care, but Hansen said it wouldn’t be solely limited to that in case another need arises. Also, the home repair program has additional funds left over from previous years.

Data has revealed that Brookhaven’s population has grown more than 15% over the past decade, with the number of total households up about 14%, Hansen said during the presentation.

After a public hearing wherein there were no speakers either for or against, the council unanimously passed the plan.

In other action

• The council voted to take the $375,000 settlement in connection with a defective park pavilion at Brookhaven Park and begin soliciting bids for its reconstruction.
• The council passed an ordinance that requires each owner of a female dog, cat, or pet rabbit that has a litter to notify the director of community development within 21 days after birth.
• The council approved $446,000 in confiscated funds to replace active shooter riot response kits.
• The council retired to executive session to discuss personnel, real estate, and legal matters. No action was taken after the session.

The post City of Brookhaven secures $150 million investment for North Druid Hills project appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The war in Iran may be on pause, but its effects on prices are still in motion and will continue to ripple through the economy after more than a month of disruption to the global oil supply.

Gas prices, for starters, are up more than 40% since February, and aren’t likely to subside soon. Airfares have climbed as well. Other price hikes are likely to follow in the months ahead, in areas as disparate as food, clothing, and electronics. This comes on top of already persistent inflation.

How did we get here?

After the U.S. and Israel began their attacks on Feb. 28, Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for the world’s oil supply and other key materials. Brent crude — the global oil benchmark — traded at around $80 per barrel before the attacks but spiked to well above $100 per barrel as the war wore on.

The White House has been inconsistent in its messaging about the war’s aims and how long it might last, and has been trading rhetoric with Iran about how to end the conflict. Things came to a head this week as President Donald Trump set a Tuesday deadline for a ceasefire agreement — threatening to attack Iranian infrastructure and wipe out an entire “civilization” if no deal emerged.

On Tuesday night, less than two hours before Trump’s deadline, the two nations brokered a two-week ceasefire to allow for continued negotiations on a longer-term deal. Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during the pause, though the ceasefire is off to a tenuous start: On Wednesday, Iran accused the U.S. of violating the terms of the deal, as Israel continued attacks on Lebanon.

Following Tuesday night’s ceasefire announcement, oil prices fell quickly and have settled near $95 per barrel, and U.S. stocks rallied.

However, the detente could be only temporary, and the economic effects of the war thus far are already progressing. Higher oil prices permeate through the global economy because so much of the world’s transportation, manufacturing, and food production depends on petrochemicals and natural gas. As a result, rising energy costs will push up prices for food, goods, and daily essentials, straining household budgets already stretched thin after years of inflation.

War adds to already-rising inflation

The war’s economic impact is compounded by the ripple effect of tariffs already in place before the war began. On March 2, just a few days after the initial attacks, the Yale Budget Lab released an updated assessment of tariff impacts on consumer prices, finding that costs of imported consumer goods passed onto consumers runs anywhere from roughly 40%-76% for “core goods” — like electronics and apparel — and 47%-106% for “durable goods” — like motor vehicles and household appliances.

The current inflation rate in the U.S. is 2.4%, according to the consumer price index, with an update covering March due on April 10. Inflation has stayed between 2.3% and 3% for the last year, compared to a 40-year high of 9% in June 2022.

Wells Fargo analysts cautioned in a March 23 report against over-extrapolating early data. “Early last April, the president’s proposed tariffs seemed to some a guarantee of an economic recession. That didn’t happen,” the note read. Analysts said that the crude oil price surge would likely produce global consumer price inflation, but noted that political and economic constraints would likely shorten the war’s duration. “While some risk remains for extensive structural damage to Persian Gulf energy infrastructure, we believe that both sides prefer not to destroy what generates almost all the region’s income,” analysts said in the note.

Meanwhile, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says that the war in Iran will test the resilience of the global economy. A March 26 report by OECD projects that inflation in the U.S. will average 4.2% in 2026, reflecting higher energy prices due to oil market disruptions. A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could result in an even steeper price shock, it says.

Is the U.S. headed for a recession?

If the ceasefire fails to hold and hostilities continue into June, oil has a 40% chance of hitting $200 per barrel, according to Macquarie Group, an investment banking firm. A spike of that size could push consumer prices even higher, roil markets and push an already fragile economy over the edge.

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“My sense is if we hit $150 to $200 a barrel for a month or two, that’s very likely to tip the economy into recession,” says Daniil Manaenkov, a U.S. forecasting specialist and economist at the University of Michigan.

That tipping point could come faster than expected. Consumers tend to start changing their spending habits when they’re worried about higher prices or job security. “You go out less, you promise to switch to buy cheaper store brand goods, and you take fewer trips,” says Manaenkov. A drop in spending can lead to lower growth, and the economy edges closer to a recession.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) voiced similar concerns in a March 30 blog post, cautioning that a prolonged conflict could drive up prices and slow economic growth worldwide. The IMF analysts noted that the war’s duration, its spread across the Middle East, and the resulting damage to infrastructure and supply chains will shape the scale of economic fallout in the coming days, weeks and months.

What’s likely to get more expensive?

It can take six to 12 months for rising energy prices to filter into everything else consumers pay for, Manaenkov says.

Gas prices may be high, but diesel is the real driver of higher overall costs. Most freight shipping runs on diesel so when diesel prices rise — and stay high — almost everything else eventually follows.

“The timeline is typically you get energy response quickly, then it starts filtering into shipping costs, it starts filtering into consumer goods and then it shows up downstream in services,” he says. “The pass-through into services is obviously weaker than what you’re going to see in energy prices, but it could still be quite meaningful.”

Here’s what could get more expensive as a result of the war in Iran:

1. Anything that requires diesel to transport

Diesel powers trucks and other freight vehicles, construction equipment, farm equipment and marine vessels. When it gets more expensive to power those vehicles, costs are added to prices for all kinds of production materials and finished goods.

Diesel prices are up roughly 50% since the war began, hitting $5.67 per gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA, which tracks fuel prices.

2. Air travel

Airlines run on jet fuel and costs have already sharply risen. In response, airlines are already raising ticket prices. Some plan to cancel flights to save on fuel costs; with fewer flight options to choose from, there will be more competition for seats on remaining flights, driving up prices for travel even further.

3. Food

There are multiple pressure points involved with food production that are getting hit by higher prices all at once. Diesel to run farm equipment and delivery trucks, which we’ve touched on already. But fertilizers are the biggest issue, including nitrogen fertilizers (requires liquified natural gas) and phosphate fertilizers (made from urea, ammonia and sulfur), which are key to producing food staples like wheat, corn, rice, fruit and more.

About a third of all seaborne fertilizer passes through the Strait of Hormuz. If farmers can’t get affordable fertilizer now, they won’t be able to plant as much during the spring planting season, which will eventually show up in higher prices.

4. Plastics and packaging

Plastic production requires oil and natural gas. With about 85% of Middle Eastern polyethylene exports moving through the Strait of Hormuz, raw materials that require plastic will go up. That includes things like water bottles, credit cards, furniture, household items, food containers, car parts and anything that is sealed or wrapped in plastic.

5. Synthetic clothing

Most clothing today is made from petrochemicals, including polyester, nylon, spandex and fleece. The garment industry — especially producers of fast fashion — rely on synthetic fibers sourced through supply chains that run through the Strait of Hormuz. As shortages appear and costs of raw materials rise, the fabric costs will rise, too, and eventually show up in higher prices for clothing.

6. Technology and electronics

The tech and electronic products industry is being affected by dual disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for graphite feedstocks, which are crucial for producing lithium-ion batteries — while helium is needed for semiconductors, fiber optics, electronics and medical devices. Supply disruption could lead to higher prices for smartphones, laptops, EVs, energy storage systems and diagnostic medical equipment like MRI machines.

7. Anything made with aluminum

Gulf countries supply about 9% of the world’s aluminium. It also supplies 21% of unwrought aluminum imports and 13% of wrought aluminum imports into the U.S.

Aluminum is essential for constructing buildings, vehicles, airplanes, electrical power transmission, appliances, and more. Delays in aluminum exports could hike up the price of construction products, industrial equipment, planes, cars, and other machinery.

8. Cars

Plastic and aluminum price hikes, and other supply chain upsets, are likely to drive up the costs of vehicles, as well.

“Any disruption in production — say in South Korea or in Japan — has the potential to snowball into production disruptions stateside, which may contribute to a general shortage of vehicles and drive up new and used prices,” Manaenkov says.

Oil flows remain fragile, economic risk mounts

Even after the war ends, the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz may not immediately return to business as usual, and gas prices in the U.S. won’t necessarily fall.  Iran can still regulate the flow of oil, which would keep global and domestic fuel costs elevated.

In other words, even if the U.S. fully ends its involvement, Iran has leverage to keep economic pressure in place.

“It’s not like an on-and-off faucet,” Manaenkov says. “Once you stop pumping, you need to spend a significant amount of resources to restart the flow.”

For now, the conflict is on pause and traffic through the Strait is slowly resuming, but the war is far from over, and unrest across the Middle East persists.

On Wednesday, just hours after the temporary truce was made with the U.S., an Iranian drone hit a pumping station along Saudi Arabia’s critical East-West oil pipeline — a key route for bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. It carries about 7 million barrels of crude per day from the Gulf to the Red Sea, and the damage could further compound the energy crisis.

The post ‘Warflation’ will hit more than just gas prices appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A special concert honoring the 100th birthday of Miles Davis is set to take place as part of the Atlanta Jazz Festival weekend in May.

The Miles Electric Band (also known as M.E.B.) will take to the stage and perform their brand of modern jazz music live on Friday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Founded in 2010 by producer and drummer Vince Wilburn Jr., the nephew of Miles Davis, the group has spent more than a decade touring major concert halls and festivals around the world, playing boundary-pushing music that also pays homage to Davis’ groundbreaking electric period.

The band’s latest album, That You Not Dare To Forget, features never-released studio recordings and echoes from Davis, with two of the five songs incorporating unreleased trumpet performances from the iconic musician.

M.E.B.’s musician lineup (which rotates from performance to performance) for the upcoming Atlanta concert showcases a mix of Miles Davis alumni and the next generation of modern jazz stars, including Darryl Jones on bass, Robert Irving III on keyboards, Jean-Paul Etienne Bourelly on guitar and more, according to a press release.

The show is presented by the Atlanta Jazz Festival, an annual music event (now in its 49th year) that aims to “educate and entertain a diverse audience of jazz fans while nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians,” said a release.

Tickets for the Miles Electric Band show are currently available online through the Ticketmaster website.

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Spark 5K, presented by Roark, returns to Piedmont Park on Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. for its fourth annual celebration of community, movement, and purpose.

The high-energy evening combines fun, fitness and a spirited corporate challenge all to raise funds supporting nonprofit partners: The Kyle Pease Foundation and Malcolm Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation.

The Spark 5K welcomes runners, walkers, in-chair athletes, and supporters from across the Atlanta area to enjoy an inclusive course through Piedmont Park. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, strolling with friends, simply enjoying a night at the park, or cheering from the sidelines, this event is designed for participants of all abilities.

Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to join forces, register their teams at Spark5K.com, and compete for awards recognizing the most spirited, creative, and engaged groups.

Race beneficiaries, The Kyle Pease Foundation continues to champion opportunities for inclusion, ensuring in-chair athletes have a place in sports while working to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities, and Share the Magic Foundation remains dedicated to changing lives through literacy, bringing joy and educational empowerment to children facing challenges.

Atlanta natives Kyle Pease and Malcolm Mitchell, along with former University of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, as well as other local athletes and corporate representatives will all be on hand to celebrate the event. All registered participants will receive a Spark 5K branded tee and enjoy refreshments at the finish line, with prizes awarded to standout individuals and company teams, and delectable offerings from McAlister’s Deli and Dave’s Hot Chicken awaiting participants at the finish line.

Registration is open for individuals, school teams, run clubs, and corporate teams at Spark5K.com.

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French-American restaurant Hundredfold, backed by Chef Timothy Hollingsworth and Los Angeles-based Patina Group, will open at The Battery Atlanta’s Five Ballpark Center. Opening this fall, The Battery marks the second location for Hundredfold, which debuted at Belmont Park Village in New York City last year.

Hollingsworth, who earned a Rising Star Chef award from the James Beard Foundation in 2010, is known for blending French technique with American comfort food. Think escargot with grilled sourdough, French onion dip with homemade chips, croque monsieurs and lobster rolls, and steak frites.

The bar will serve wine, beer, and classic-leaning cocktails like a martini.

“Hundredfold is rooted in the idea of taking familiar flavors and elevating them with intention and care,” Hollingsworth said in a press release. “We want it to feel welcoming and memorable, whether guests are joining us for a quick bite or a full evening out.”

Related stories:
• Atlanta Braves celebrate 60 years with new food, stadium features
• The Martini is never out of fashion. The Martini is forever.

Boosting dining at The Battery

The addition of Hundredfold fits a broader pattern at The Battery, which has steadily built out its restaurant lineup since opening alongside Braves Truist Park in 2017.

Mike Plant, President and CEO of Braves Development Company, called Hundredfold “a distinct and complementary offering” to the complex’s existing dining options. Patina Group is a subsidiary of Delaware North, which holds a hospitality partnership with the Braves, making the arrangement a familiar one.

Hundredfold will offer valet parking access through Five Ballpark Center, a practical detail for a venue that draws heavy traffic on game days and increasingly on off days as well.

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Last seen in 2009, the latest iteration of the center’s travelling puppet shows is set to make its debut at Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre in Hall County, from April 22-30.

The revitalized tour will kick-off with a free performance of “Owl at Home,” which will be put on for an estimated 2,000 elementary school students.

Based on the children’s book by Arnold Lobel, “Owl at Home” follows a curious owl who navigates a series of mysteries, ranging from “the chill of winter winds to the movement of the moon,” according to a release.

Originally developed in 2024, the production for “Owl at Home” is designed with a modular set (to make touring possible) and features a live musical score and creative puppetry to tell an immersive story that encourages audience members to use critical thinking skills.

Funding the show is the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation, a charitable organization based out of Atlanta.

“We believe every child in Hall County deserves access to high-quality arts experiences,” said Lynn Darby, president of the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation. “Supporting this traveling production ensures that students can experience the magic of live performance in a way that is both meaningful and memorable.”

Amidst the announcement, the Center for Puppetry Arts emphasized the importance of bringing live puppetry theater to kids, explaining that the shows play “a vital role in early childhood education by combining visual storytelling, movement and imaginative play in a way that deeply engages young learners,” helping them to “build empathy and social-emotional understanding as they connect with characters navigating challenges and discoveries.”

“We are thrilled to reintroduce touring as a vital part of delivering on our mission,” said Beth Schiavo, executive director of the Center for Puppetry Arts. “This initiative allows us to reach students where they are and provide meaningful arts experiences that spark creativity, curiosity and learning.”

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Great strides are being made as DeKalb County and state agencies work together to improve the quality of life for shelter and court-case animals, authorities reported at its third State of DeKalb Animals luncheon on April 1.

Hosted by DeKalb County District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, the event, held at the Brookhaven City Centre, focused on animal cruelty enforcement with keynote speaker Jessica Rock.

Spears, known as “animal commissioner” by many, provided encouraging statistics at the beginning of the session. While intake in 2025 increased 7.4% to 9,766 animals, adoptions were up 23.4%, she reported.

More than 700 lost animals were returned to their owners, and the number of foster homes made available for dogs and cats increased significantly. The county has also invested more money, about $1.18 million, for spay and neuter services, and increased clinic hours for owners needing low-cost options for annual care.

But, she warned, “while we are moving in the right direction, we are still facing challenges.”

“Animal well-being is a community issue, and we see it with lives changed, both for our four-legged and two-legged friends,” Spears said.

Rock, who heads the first department in the state that prosecutes animal crimes, said court-held animals – pets confiscated as a result of cruelty or neglect – are spending far too long in shelters waiting for cases to be adjudicated.

“There is a strong connection between animal cruelty and human cruelty,” Rock said. “Animal crimes are never just about the animal.”

Related story:
• Community cats in danger after ouster of caretaker

She acknowledged that the longer an animal remains in shelter custody while cases wind their way through the system, “the more the animal suffers.”

Foster care is often the best alternative to holding an animal in the shelter, and swifter prosecution through inter-agency cooperation would also assist in clearing cases and allow animals to be permanently adopted.

“No one agency can solve this issue,” Rock said. “When the teamwork isn’t strong, the animals suffer. “

The ceremony also honored several volunteers who have provided exemplary service in bettering the lives of animals.

Sonali Saindane, a member of the DeKalb County Animal Advisory Services Board, was recognized as a champion of animals. Scott McLane, a longtime advocate for animals in the county, was recognized as an unsung hero at the luncheon. Finally, Peggy McCarthy, who had earlier updated attendees on several animal-related bills in the state legislature, was honored with the SODA Partnership Award.

Spears was also surprised with a special award from Cindy De Witt Iacopella, the Georgia State Director for Humane World for Animals, honoring her years of animal advocacy.

After the awards, a panel, including DeKalb Lifeline CEO Rebecca Guinn, DeKalb Public Safety Director Darnell Fullum, Natasha Wallen, the director of the county’s animal enforcement services, and Rock, participated in a panel discussion about how the agencies work together to protect and care for DeKalb County animals.

The post Great strides made in DeKalb County animal care, but challenges remain appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Directed by Jaclyn Hoffman Faircloth, the play, adapted from the 1989 movie, tells the story of a group of women who bond together over shared weekly blow-outs and the gossip that takes place in both the salon and their lives.

“It’s a show that reminds us how poignant and powerful laughter is in times of great sorrow,” said SDT Producing Artistic Director Justin Ball in a release from SDT. “With a story like’ Steel Magnolias’ that focuses on the incredible resilience that specifically comes from female friendship and community, it felt important to find a woman-led team of brilliant artists to bring this story to life.”

Rounding out the all-woman team is Gabrielle Story as assistant director, Jennifer Baldwin as scenic designer, Nicole Clockel as costume designer, Lindsey Sharpless as lighting designer, Claudia Martinez as sound designer, and Caroline Cook as props designer/stage manager.

Brittani Miniweather as Truvy is the glue that holds the cast together with her quick one-liners and confident stage presence (and her hairdressing skills were pretty impressive, too). Molly Penny as the sweet Arnelle, a naive young girl who stumbles into Truvy’s Beauty Shop, holds her own in a cast of strong personalities.

Ouiser (Tiffany Porter) and Clairee (Christy Baggett) provide comedic relief to some of the saddest scenes in the one-set play, and special kudos go to the sound designer team, which advances the well-known story with off-set chatter and sound effects. Very little of the nuanced plot is missed, even though the entire production is set in Truvy’s salon.

Alejandra Ruiz as Shelby and Betsy Graver, playing her mother, M’Lynn, play out the tragedy that we all know is coming without being overwrought or maudlin. Shelby is the perfect combination of innocence and determination to live out her dream of being a mother. M’Lynn airs her grief with a ferociousness that had members of the audience openly weeping.

Steel Magnolias runs through April 19 with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances Tickets are on sale now.

The post Stage Door Theatre’s rendition of ‘Steel Magnolias’ a single-set gem appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

“Serving as a Grand Marshal is a powerful recognition of the work happening across our community,” said Chris McCain, Executive Director of Atlanta Pride. “It allows us to uplift those who are making a difference and to celebrate their impact in a very visible way. We encourage everyone to take part and help highlight the people and groups shaping our future.”

Related story: Meet the 2025 Atlanta Pride Grand Marshals

Community members are encouraged to submit candidates who have demonstrated meaningful contributions, leadership, and service to the LGBTQ+ community. Each nomination must be submitted separately, with one individual or group per form, and nominees should be informed of their nomination.

Political candidates are not eligible to be Grand Marshals, and selections are made based on a nominee’s contributions to the community rather than the number of nominations received. The selected Grand Marshals will lead the 2026 Atlanta Pride parade on Oct. 11.

Nominations for the 2026 Atlanta Pride Grand Marshals will close on May 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Related story: LGBTQ+ Georgians rally for freedom at Pride to the Capitol event

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Emory University’s men’s basketball team came within two points of a national championship before a last-second putback by the University of Mary Washington ended the Atlanta school’s best season in program history Sunday in Indianapolis.

Sophomore Colin Mitchell, a forward who had not started a game all year, grabbed an offensive rebound and scored at the buzzer to give UMW, which is based in Fredericksburg, VA, a 75-73 victory in the Division III national championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, denying Emory its first title.

Emory’s comeback falls short

Emory led 30-28 at halftime, even though both teams shot just 29% from the field in the first half. Jair Knight led the way with 13 first-half points.

The second half opened with a scare. Emory’s Ben Pearce, the national player of the year, left the game with an injury. He returned, but did not hit his first field goal until late in the game, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.

UMW steadily pulled away in the second half, going up 63-50 with 4:49 remaining.

But Emory had one last push and went on a 23-12 run to close the game, cutting the deficit to two after a UMW turnover with 46 seconds left. Ethan Faust, who finished with 24 points and six rebounds, tied the game at 73 with a three-pointer in the final seconds.

UMW got the ball back with seven seconds left. Robinson drove the baseline, put up a shot, and missed. Mitchell grabbed the rebound and scored at the buzzer.

A record season ends in heartbreak

Emory ended its season 27-4, a program record for wins, and had won 13 consecutive games entering the championship.

The post Mary Washington beats Emory at buzzer to win D3 title appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

From the evening of April 3 to the night of April 5, eight shooting incidents occurred in the City of Atlanta – two of them with fatal outcomes for children.

On Sunday night, four teenagers aged 16-18 were shot on Sparks Street in Southwest Atlanta, with one in critical condition at Grady Hospital. No arrests have been made as Atlanta Police investigate the incident. Social media chatter indicated that a large gathering of teens in the area had become unruly, but APD has released no details yet;

A 16-year-old girl was killed, and a 15-year-old was wounded in crowded Piedmont Park on Saturday night, where the 404 Day Festival had taken place earlier in the evening. The 16-year-old was identified as Tianah Robinson of Riverdale. A suspect is still being sought by police.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, Atlanta Police officers responded to a report of a person shot near the 900 block of Washington St. SW. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a 3-year-old who had sustained an apparent gunshot wound. The child was transported to the hospital by ambulance, where medical personnel pronounced the child deceased. APD said the shooting remains under investigation.

Five other shootings over the busy Easter holiday weekend left people injured and remain under investigation.

Also in the early morning hours of Sunday, officers found two men aged 25 and 30 with gunshot wounds at 431 Edgewood Ave.

On Sunday afternoon, officers responded to a report of a person shot at 921 Highland View NE in Virginia-Highland, where a 15-year-old boy was wounded during a domestic dispute. Investigators with the Domestic Violence Unit responded to the scene to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

On Saturday night, an 18-year-old male was found shot at 495 Magnolia St. NW and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Also on Saturday afternoon, a report of gunfire brought officers to 803 Lakeside Village Dr. SE. Upon arriving on the scene, officers were notified that possible victims and suspects had already fled the scene. Shortly after, officers were notified that a person with a gunshot wound had arrived at Grady Hospital by private vehicle. The victim refused to provide responding officers with any information regarding how he sustained his injury.

And on Friday night, officers responded to Old Fourth Ward Skate Park, where they found a 25-year-old male victim who had sustained an apparent gunshot wound during a dispute.

This story has been updated to include the shootings on Sparks Street.

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Spruill Center for the Arts’ Artistic Affair on March 28 broke records with $135,000 garnered at the auction.

Last year’s event raised more than $110,000, including $17,500 in scholarship funds for Spruill’s art camps and courses.

Harkening back to the first-ever Artistic Affair, this year’s event featured a 1980s theme, including arcade games, a throw-back photo booth, costume contests, an opportunity to collaborate in the creation of a mural led by Graffiti Class ATL founder Malcolm Turpin, as well as live painter Leslie Cannon, who created an original work on-site that was auctioned off that evening.

“We are so thankful for the incredible community support in making this our best Artistic Affair ever. It must have been the pervasive ‘tubular’ ’80s vibe from the décor and costumes of our guests that led to record years from both our silent auction of students and instructor creations, packages from our community partners, and our live auction,” said Spruill CEO Alan Mothner.

At last year’s event, Spruill introduced a new logo as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.

Spruill, a non-profit organization based in Dunwoody, aims at fostering creativity and social connections through the arts. The Spruill Education Center offers 300 classes and workshops each quarter for all ages and skill levels through its 17 dedicated studio spaces and features a variety of community-based programs.

The organization announced on Feb. 9 its plans to open Spruill Studios, a new facility in the former Chamblee City Hall, focused on providing affordable creative space for artists in metro Atlanta.

Set to open in June, Spruill Studios will be housed at 5468 Peachtree Road in the heart of downtown Chamblee. Spruill officials started accepting applications from artists interested in studio spots on March 9.

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In an email to parents just after 3 p.m. on March 31, Hanson said the students involved in bringing the weapon to campus will be disciplined and may face potential criminal charges.

Before the seizure of the weapon, Hanson said several individuals alerted school administration that a student might have a gun on campus. School officials have not said where the firearm was located or how many students were involved.

“We value transparency with our community, and the safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority,” Hanson said. “We are thankful to the individuals who spoke up and reported this information. Doing so allowed us to act quickly and ensure the continued safety of our school community.”

The school administration encouraged parents to remind their children that they play a vital role in maintaining a safe school environment. Any suspicious behavior or items can be reported anonymously through the district’s S.H.A.R.E. Tip Line (See it. Hear it. And Report it Every time) or by speaking to an administrator, campus police officer, or a staff member.

“We appreciate your trust and partnership as we work together to keep North Springs High School a safe and supportive environment for all,” Hanson said.

Read more about the S.H.A.R.E. Tip Line here.

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Donbet, Wild Casino, Mystake, and Super Slots. All four Canadian online casino sites reviewed accept players from every Canadian province and territory. 

All four support Interac e-Transfer — Canada’s most widely used real-time bank transfer system. All four accept cryptocurrency. All four have been tested by our Canadian review team in March 2026.

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Canadian real money online casino players face a unique landscape in 2026. Ontario operates the only provincially regulated iGaming market in Canada, launching in April 2022 under iGaming Ontario. British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba have provincial online casino platforms but with limited game selection and bonus restrictions. Every other province has no licensed domestic online casino — meaning offshore real money casino sites are the primary option for the majority of Canadian players. For even Ontario residents, offshore casinos offer significantly more generous bonuses, larger game libraries, and cryptocurrency banking options that the iGO-regulated market cannot match.

Canadian Online Casino Landscape 2026 — What Players Need to Know

Canada’s online casino regulatory environment is more fragmented than most Canadians realise. There is no unified federal online gambling regulatory framework — gambling regulation is a provincial responsibility under the Constitution Act. This means the legal landscape for real money online casino play differs province by province.

Ontario’s iGaming Market — What It Means for Canadian Players

Ontario launched iGaming Ontario (iGO) in April 2022, creating the first open, competitive, provincially regulated online casino market in Canada. Licensed operators including major international brands accepted Ontario players under a regulated framework for the first time. This was a significant development — but it came with the same trade-offs that regulated markets produce everywhere: restricted bonus structures, mandatory responsible gambling measures, and limitations on game features that international offshore casinos carry without restriction.

For Ontario players, this means both options exist: iGO-regulated casinos for a domestically supervised experience, and offshore casinos like the four reviewed here for larger bonuses, more game content, and crypto banking. Both categories are legally accessible to Ontario residents — the iGO framework did not criminalise offshore casino use, it created an additional licensed category. The four casinos reviewed in this guide are accessible to Ontario players alongside iGO-licensed operators.

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#1  Donbet   ★ 4.9/5  CVI: 46/50
CAN. VALUE INDEX: CAD Bonus 9/10  CA Banking 10/10  Games 9/10  Mobile CA 9/10  Trust 9/10
CAD Bonus: 150% up to 1 BTC (CAD players)₿ BTC Bonus: 150% up to 1 BTC Interac: Interac e-Transfer — < 30 min withdrawal	CA Payout: < 30 min ETH (fastest CA tested) Games: 5,000+ CA real money games Licence/Since: Curacao eGaming / 2022 Best For: Canadian real money players wanting fastest Interac + biggest BTC ceiling + no-KYC
PROS	✘  CONS
CA Banking 10/10 — Interac e-Transfer + 20 cryptos + fastest CA payout	✘  Newer brand — less CA history than established names
Fastest tested CA withdrawal — Interac under 30 min across all tests	✘  No free spins in CA welcome bonus
1 BTC bonus ceiling — appreciates as CAD/BTC exchange rate moves	✘  Curacao licence — not iGO-regulated
No-KYC withdrawal tier — unique on this CA casino list
5,000+ CA real money games including Hacksaw + Nolimit City
Buy-a-Bonus enabled — unavailable at Ontario iGO regulated casinos
Full CFL, NHL, NBA sportsbook in BTC for Canadian players
Crash gambling: Aviator, JetX — absent from ON regulated market
20+ cryptos including USDT multi-network for CA stablecoin users
24/7 automated processing — confirmed in CA weekend testing
Donbet leads the Canadian Casino Value Index at 46/50 through the maximum CA Banking score (10/10) — the fastest tested Interac e-Transfer withdrawal on this CA list (under 30 minutes), 20+ cryptocurrency options, and the only no-KYC withdrawal tier available to Canadian real money players. The 1 BTC bonus ceiling, Buy-a-Bonus slots, and crash gambling complete the picture for Canadian players who want the full offshore casino advantage.

Interac 10/10 — Why Donbet’s CA Banking Leads

Donbet’s maximum CA Banking score reflects a specific advantage that Canadian players value above almost everything else: Interac e-Transfer withdrawal speed. Interac is the payment method that Canadians use for everything from splitting restaurant bills to paying rent — it is the most trusted, most familiar, and most widely used digital payment method in the country. When a Canadian real money casino player wins, they want their winnings in their TD Canada Trust, RBC, Scotiabank, or BMO account via Interac, not via a bank wire that takes 5 business days or a cryptocurrency they need to convert.

Donbet’s tested Interac withdrawal time — under 30 minutes from request to CA bank account credit — is the fastest on this CVI list. Our March 2026 testing, which included withdrawal tests at 9pm on a Friday (specifically targeting casinos that claim 24/7 processing but run manual reviews outside Toronto business hours), confirmed sub-30-minute Interac performance. For Canadian real money casino players who use Interac for everything else in their financial lives, Donbet’s Interac processing speed is the most practically impactful single feature on this list.

2. Wild Casino — CVI 46/50 | Best CA Casino App + 300% BTC Bonus

#2  Wild Casino   ★ 4.9/5  CVI: 46/50
CAN. VALUE INDEX: CAD Bonus 9/10  CA Banking 9/10  Games 9/10  Mobile CA 10/10  Trust 9/10
CAD Bonus: 250% up to C$4,000 equivalent (fiat)₿ BTC Bonus: 300% up to C$4,000 equiv (crypto) Interac: Interac e-Transfer supported	CA Payout: < 1 hr (ETH/BTC) Games: 350+ premium CA real money games Licence/Since: Panama Gaming Authority / 2017 Best For: Canadian real money players wanting fastest CA mobile + 300% BTC + premium live casino
PROS	✘  CONS
Mobile Canada 10/10 — fastest CA mobile load on Rogers/Bell/Telus tested	✘  No BTC sportsbook for CA CFL/NHL betting
300% BTC bonus — highest CA match % on this list	✘  Smaller game library (350 vs Mystake 7k+)
7-year verified CA player payout track record	✘  No no-KYC option for CA privacy players
Interac e-Transfer deposit and withdrawal supported
Panama Gaming Authority — strongest offshore CA licence
Best CA live casino — Evolution Gaming HD stream on CA networks
Betsoft 3D slots render perfectly on CA mobile screens
Best CA real money casino iPad experience on this list
18 cryptos for CA real money deposits
Sub-hour ETH/BTC withdrawal from CA player accounts
Wild Casino ties Donbet at 46/50 with the maximum Mobile Canada score (10/10 — fastest CA app load on Rogers/Bell/Telus 4G networks tested) and the highest BTC match percentage for Canadian players (300%). The 7-year Panama-licensed CA track record and premium Evolution Gaming live casino make Wild Casino the benchmark Canadian real money casino experience for mobile-first players and live dealer enthusiasts.

Mobile Canada 10/10 — Wild Casino on Rogers, Bell, and Telus

Wild Casino earns the maximum Mobile Canada CVI score through consistently fast load times on all three major Canadian carrier networks — Rogers, Bell, and Telus — across test devices including iPhone 15 Pro Max on Rogers 5G (Toronto), Samsung Galaxy S23 on Bell LTE (Montreal), and iPhone 14 on Telus 4G (Vancouver). The sub-3-second load time that Wild Casino achieves on US networks extends to Canadian carriers without degradation. For Canadian real money mobile casino players who switch between carriers during travel across Canada’s geography, this network-agnostic performance is a practical advantage.

3. Super Slots — CVI 44/50 | Biggest CAD Bonus (C$8,000 Equivalent)

#3  Super Slots   ★ 4.7/5  CVI: 44/50
CAN. VALUE INDEX: CAD Bonus 10/10  CA Banking 9/10  Games 8/10  Mobile CA 8/10  Trust 9/10
CAD Bonus: 250% up to C$8,000 equiv (crypto)₿ BTC Bonus: 250% up to C$8,000 equiv (crypto) Interac: Interac e-Transfer supported	CA Payout: < 1 hr BTC (CA tested) Games: 1,000+ CA real money slots Licence/Since: Panama Gaming Authority / 2017 Best For: Canadian real money players wanting the largest single casino bonus + Hot Drop Jackpots
PROS	✘  CONS
CAD Bonus 10/10 — C$8,000 equiv ceiling; largest on this CA list	✘  No CA sportsbook for CFL/NHL betting
Hot Drop Jackpots — guaranteed must-drop prize for CA players	✘  No no-KYC option for CA privacy players
1,000+ CA real money slots with Hot Drop jackpot layer	✘  Mobile 8/10 — slightly slower CA load vs Wild Casino
Interac e-Transfer deposit and withdrawal supported
7-year Panama-licensed CA real money track record
Sub-hour BTC withdrawal from CA player accounts
15+ cryptos for CA real money deposits
Mobile CA slots — all devices on Canadian networks
Weekly CA slots tournaments with real prize pools
Progressive jackpots — proven CA real money winner payouts
Super Slots earns #3 with the maximum CAD Bonus CVI score (10/10) for the C$8,000 equivalent cryptocurrency ceiling — the largest single real money casino bonus for Canadian players on this list. Combined with the unique Hot Drop Jackpot mechanic and 7-year Panama-licensed CA track record, Super Slots is the definitive choice for Canadian real money players who want maximum bonus value.

C$8,000 Equivalent — Super Slots’ CA Bonus Advantage

Super Slots’ C$8,000 equivalent cryptocurrency welcome bonus is the largest single real money casino bonus available to Canadian players at any of the four casinos reviewed. The mechanics for a Canadian player: deposit C$3,200 equivalent in Bitcoin and receive C$8,000 in bonus funds — a total playing balance of C$11,200 equivalent in cryptocurrency. Ontario’s iGO-regulated casinos cannot legally offer bonuses of this magnitude under their regulatory framework. Provincial platforms like PlayNow and Espacejeux offer no comparable welcome offer. The offshore advantage for Canadian real money casino players has never been more financially apparent than when comparing these figures.

4. Mystake — CVI 43/50 | Most CA Games (7,000+) + Best Crash Gambling

#4  Mystake   ★ 4.8/5  CVI: 43/50
CAN. VALUE INDEX: CAD Bonus 8/10  CA Banking 9/10  Games 10/10  Mobile CA 8/10  Trust 8/10
CAD Bonus: 100% up to C$1,350 (CAD equivalent)₿ BTC Bonus: 100% up to C$1,350 equiv Interac: Interac e-Transfer supported	CA Payout: < 30 min ETH (CA tested) Games: 7,000+ CA real money games — most on list Licence/Since: Curacao eGaming / Recent Best For: Canadian real money players wanting the most games + crash gambling + CFL/NHL sports
PROS	✘  CONS
Game Quality 10/10 — 7,000+ CA real money games	✘  No free spins in CA welcome bonus
Best crash gambling for CA players — Aviator, JetX, Spaceman	✘  Trust 8/10 — less CA history than Wild Casino or Super Slots
100% up to C$1,350 — highest 100% match cap on CA list	✘  KYC required at CA first withdrawal
Full CFL, NHL, NBA, Premier League BTC sportsbook
Interac e-Transfer deposit and withdrawal supported
Exclusive provably fair games for CA crypto players
Mobile-first CA casino design — all major CA carriers
15+ cryptos for CA deposits and withdrawals
Active weekly CA cashback and tournament calendar
ETH under 30 min — fast CA crypto payout
Mystake earns #4 with the maximum Game Quality CVI score (10/10 — 7,000+ CA real money games from 80+ providers) and the only comprehensive crash gambling section available to Canadian real money players. For Canadians who want the most game content, the deepest crash casino experience, and CFL/NHL sports betting under one CA casino account, Mystake delivers everything.

7,000+ CA Real Money Games — Mystake’s Canadian Content Advantage

Mystake’s 7,000+ CA real money games from 80+ providers is the deepest game library of any casino on this CA CVI list — and it includes content that no Ontario-regulated iGO casino can fully match. The full Hacksaw Gaming catalogue, Nolimit City’s extreme-volatility titles, BTG’s Megaways library, Yggdrasil’s distinctive visual catalogue, and dozens of smaller studios with innovative mechanics are all present and accessible to Canadian real money players without the feature restrictions that iGO regulatory compliance imposes.

For Canadian players who have used Ontario’s regulated market and found themselves limited to the same popular titles with restricted autoplay and mandatory session interruptions, Mystake’s 7,000-title unrestricted library represents an entirely different experience. The same Gates of Olympus that a CA player knows from a regulated platform loads at this fast payout casino with full autoplay, Buy-a-Bonus (where applicable), and the game speed settings that Pragmatic Play designed it to operate at. Seven thousand games, unrestricted, accessible to Canadian real money players from every province.

Which Canadian Real Money Casino Is Right for You?

Top 12 Real Money Games for Canadian Casino Players

The following real money casino games represent the best experiences available to Canadian players at the four reviewed sites:

CA Casino Games — What’s Different From the US Market

Canadian real money casino game preferences diverge from US preferences in several notable ways. Hockey-themed slots — while not dominant in terms of RTP or max-win potential — perform exceptionally well with Canadian audiences for cultural familiarity reasons. Pragmatic Play’s mainstream titles (Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza, Big Bass Bonanza) are equally popular in Canada as globally. Crash gambling has a particularly strong following among younger Canadian players in British Columbia and Ontario’s tech-sector demographics. The CFL’s football format, distinct from the NFL in down-and-distance rules, creates a different sports betting preference profile that Donbet’s and Mystake’s sportsbooks accommodate better than US-first competitors.

Canadian Casino Bonus Comparison — CAD Equivalent Value

The following comparison shows the Canadian Dollar equivalent value of all four casino welcome bonuses, helping CA players understand the actual financial difference:

Why CA Casino Bonuses Exceed Ontario iGO Offers

The comparison between offshore casino bonuses for Canadian players and Ontario’s iGO-regulated market bonuses reveals the financial advantage of offshore play clearly. iGO-licensed operators in Ontario are subject to bonus advertising restrictions, mandatory wagering requirement disclosures, and practical competitive dynamics that limit welcome offers. The C$8,000 equivalent ceiling at Super Slots has no equivalent in the Ontario regulated market. Wild Casino’s 300% crypto rate exceeds anything available from an iGO licensee. Donbet’s 1 BTC ceiling — which appreciates with Bitcoin’s price against the Canadian dollar — is a bonus structure that no regulated market anywhere in the world allows.

Canadian Real Money Casino Banking — Complete Payment Guide

Beyond Interac, Canadian real money casino players have access to a range of banking options. Here is the complete guide:

Cryptocurrency for Canadian Casino Players

Cryptocurrency is increasingly popular among Canadian real money casino players — and for good reason. Some Canadian banks and credit unions apply transaction monitoring to gambling-related card purchases, occasionally declining offshore casino deposits. Cryptocurrency from a personal wallet (Coinbase Canada → MetaMask → casino) bypasses the Canadian banking system entirely. ETH deposits succeed every time. Withdrawals arrive in under 30 minutes. And the bonus rates for cryptocurrency depositors — Wild Casino’s 300% and Super Slots’ 250% specifically for crypto — are significantly better than the fiat rates.

Coinbase operates in Canada and allows Canadian users to purchase BTC and ETH with CAD via Interac e-Transfer or SEPA-equivalent CA bank transfer — creating a frictionless crypto onboarding path for Canadians. The combination of Interac-funded Coinbase → MetaMask → casino creates an entirely Interac-anchored banking chain: Canadian dollars in, Canadian dollars out via Interac withdrawal, with cryptocurrency providing the fast, bank-block-proof middle layer.

Online Casino Legal Landscape by Canadian Province

Understanding the provincial regulatory environment helps Canadian players make informed decisions about which type of real money casino to use:

Province/Federal	Online Casino Status	Regulator	Notes for CA Real Money Players
Ontario	iGaming Ontario licensed	iGO since April 2022	All 4 offshore sites also accessible to ON players
British Columbia	PlayNow.com provincially run	BCLC operated	Offshore casinos widely used by BC players for better bonuses
Quebec	Espacejeux provincially run	Loto-Québec operated	Offshore casinos accessible; better bonus/game selection
Alberta	No provincial online casino	No provincial operator	Offshore casinos are primary option for AB real money play
Manitoba	PlayNow.com via MBLL	Manitoba Lotteries	Offshore accessible and widely used by MB players
Saskatchewan	PlayNow.com via SLGA	SLGA operated	Offshore provides wider game selection for SK players
Atlantic provinces	Various provincial	Individual lotteries	Offshore casinos widely accessible to Atlantic CA players
Federal (Canada)	Criminal Code s.207	Provinces regulate	Individual CA players face no federal liability for offshore
Offshore access	Legal for CA individuals	All 4 reviewed	No Canadian has been prosecuted for using offshore casino
CA tax treatment	Generally not taxable	CRA guidance	Casual CA gambling winnings generally not subject to income tax

Frequently Asked Questions — Best Online Casinos Canada

What is the best online casino for real money in Canada?

Donbet and Wild Casino both score 46/50 on the Canadian Casino Value Index — tied for the top position. Donbet leads for Canadian players who want the fastest Interac withdrawal (under 30 minutes tested), the most cryptocurrencies (20+), and the no-KYC option. Wild Casino leads for Canadian mobile players who want the fastest app on Rogers/Bell/Telus networks and the 300% BTC bonus. Super Slots (44/50) leads on CAD-equivalent bonus ceiling (C$8,000). Mystake (43/50) leads on game volume (7,000+) and crash gambling.

Is Interac e-Transfer available at Canadian online casinos?

Yes — all four Canadian real money casino sites reviewed (Donbet, Wild Casino, Super Slots, Mystake) support Interac e-Transfer for both deposits and withdrawals. Interac deposit: near-instant from CA bank app. Interac withdrawal: under 30 minutes at Donbet, under 1 hour at the other three. Interac works with all major Canadian banks and credit unions. It is the recommended banking method for Canadian real money casino players due to its speed, familiarity, and zero fees.

Are online casinos legal in Canada?

Individual Canadian players face no criminal liability for using offshore real money casino sites. The Criminal Code of Canada regulates gambling business operators, not individual players. No Canadian individual has been prosecuted for using an offshore online casino. Ontario players additionally have access to iGaming Ontario (iGO) regulated casinos since April 2022. Players in other provinces use offshore casinos as the primary real money gambling option. Canadian gambling winnings are generally not subject to income tax for recreational players under CRA guidance.

Conclusion: Best Online Casinos Canada 2026 — Rankings

The Canadian Casino Value Index reveals four genuinely excellent real money casino options for Canadian players, each leading on different dimensions. Donbet’s 46/50 reflects the fastest Interac withdrawal, the best CA banking infrastructure, and the no-KYC tier unique on this list. Wild Casino’s 46/50 reflects the best Canadian mobile experience and the highest BTC match percentage. Super Slots’ 44/50 reflects the largest CAD-equivalent bonus ceiling and Hot Drop Jackpots exclusive to its platform. Mystake’s 43/50 reflects the deepest game library and Canada’s best crash gambling experience.

All four accept Interac e-Transfer — the banking method that every Canadian real money player should use as their primary casino deposit and withdrawal tool. All four accept cryptocurrency for even faster transactions and better bonus rates. All four are accessible to Canadian players from every province and territory. The right choice depends on which CVI dimension matters most: banking speed (Donbet), mobile performance (Wild Casino), bonus size (Super Slots), or game depth (Mystake).

© March 2026 | For informational purposes only | 19+ (18+ AB/MB/QC) | Please gamble responsibly | Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

The post Best Online Casinos Canada in 2026 – Top Casinos For Real Money appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The phrase ‘new online casino USA’ is one of the most searched terms in American online gambling — and one of the least usefully defined. In its most literal sense, a new US casino is one that launched recently. But launch date alone is a poor proxy for quality, and for US players in 2026, it may be the worst possible metric. 

A casino that launched in 2019 with a revolutionary Hot Drop Jackpot mechanic, adds new Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming slots every week, and processes ETH withdrawals in under 30 minutes is a more genuinely ‘new’ experience than a 2024-launched startup with a static game library and a 48-hour withdrawal queue.

Best New US Real Money Casino Sites 2026

US Casino	Pros	Bonus Links
Wild Casino	Best Casino	PLAY NOW
Super Slots	Best Slots	PLAY NOW
BetOnline	No KYC	PLAY NOW
Sportsbetting	Instant Withdrawals	PLAY NOW

This guide redefines ‘new US casino’ for 2026. The 2026 Readiness Index evaluates four leading US real money casino sites — Super Slots, Wild Casino, BetOnline, and Sportsbetting.ag — not by when they were founded, but by how current their offering is right now. Six dimensions that matter to US casino players in 2026: how frequently new games are added, how innovative the bonus structure is, how modern the mobile experience is, how crypto-ready the payment infrastructure is, how fast the payout speed is, and how deep the US trust record is. Every casino on this list has something genuinely new for American real money players in 2026. This guide tells you what it is and why it matters.

All four US real money casino sites reviewed accept players from all 50 states. All four accept cryptocurrency. All four have been tested with live accounts in March 2026. Every score reflects what is actually true in 2026, not what was true when these sites launched.

1. Wild Casino — 2026 RI 56/60 | Most Ready New USA Casino

#1  Wild Casino   ★ 4.9/5  2026 RI: 56/60
2026 READINESS: New Games 9/10  Bonus Innovation 9/10  Mobile 2026 10/10  Crypto Ready 9/10  Payout Speed 10/10  Trust Depth 9/10
✦ NEW IN 2026: New 2026 Evolution Gaming titles (Gold Vault Roulette, Lightning Storm Baccarat) + 5G PWA update + sub-30-min ETH confirmed 2026
BTC Bonus: 300% up to $3,000 (crypto)Payout Speed: < 30 min ETH (2026 verified)New Games: 350+ premium — new titles added regularly	US Sports: Limited sportsbookLicence: Panama Gaming AuthorityUS Since: 2017Best For: US real money players wanting the most 2026-ready casino experience across mobile, payout, and live casino
PROS	✘  CONS
2026 RI 56/60 — highest new casino readiness score on this list	✘  No US sportsbook — casino-only new experience
Mobile 2026: 10/10 — sub-3-sec 5G load on T-Mobile/Verizon in 2026 testing	✘  350 games — curated vs Super Slots’ new weekly additions
Payout Speed 10/10 — sub-30-min ETH verified multiple 2026 test sessions	✘  No Hot Drop Jackpots — Super Slots exclusive new mechanic
New 2026 Evolution Gaming titles — Gold Vault Roulette, Lightning Storm Baccarat
300% BTC — most current crypto premium bonus in US new casino market
Buy-a-Bonus slots available in 2026 — new high-vol US feature
7-year US track record — most reliable ‘new’ US casino on list
18 cryptos + USDC stablecoin added 2025/26
Betsoft 3D new animated slots 2026 — best visual quality US new casino
Panama Gaming Authority — unchanged and strongest offshore US licence
Wild Casino leads the 2026 Readiness Index at 56/60 as the most current, most modern US real money casino site tested in March 2026. Its maximum Mobile 2026 score reflects a 5G PWA update completed in 2025/26 that delivers the fastest US casino app load on record. Its maximum Payout Speed reflects the sub-30-minute ETH pipeline — the new standard for US real money casino payouts. New Evolution Gaming live dealer titles unavailable at competing US sites complete the picture.

What’s New at Wild Casino in 2026 — The Specific Upgrades

Wild Casino’s 2026 Readiness leadership reflects specific, verifiable improvements made to the platform since 2024. The most significant is the 2025/26 CDN (Content Delivery Network) infrastructure update that reduced US mobile load times from an already-competitive 4–5 seconds to under 3 seconds on 5G networks. This was not a cosmetic change — it required a fundamental rebuild of Wild Casino’s mobile asset delivery architecture, pre-caching the most-accessed game tiles, and optimising the initial paint time so the casino lobby appears to users within 1.5 seconds of tapping the home screen icon.

The addition of USDC stablecoin support in 2025 expanded Wild Casino’s crypto banking beyond the BTC/ETH/LTC baseline that was already in place. USDC — a regulated dollar-pegged stablecoin — allows US players who want crypto banking speed and stability (no BTC price exposure) to deposit and withdraw without converting to or from a volatile cryptocurrency. For US real money casino players who hold USDC as their primary digital dollar, Wild Casino’s 2025/26 USDC addition is a meaningfully new banking feature that makes the site more accessible in 2026 than it was in 2024.

2. Super Slots — 2026 RI 54/60 | Most Innovative New US Casino Feature

#2  Super Slots   ★ 4.8/5  2026 RI: 54/60
2026 READINESS: New Games 10/10  Bonus Innovation 10/10  Mobile 2026 8/10  Crypto Ready 9/10  Payout Speed 9/10  Trust Depth 8/10
✦ NEW IN 2026: New weekly slot releases 2026 (Hacksaw + Nolimit City added) + Hot Drop Jackpots Hourly ceiling update + mobile lobby redesign 2026
BTC Bonus: 250% up to $6,000 (crypto)Payout Speed: < 1 hr BTC (2026 verified)New Games: 1,000+ — new titles added every week	US Sports: No sportsbookLicence: Panama Gaming AuthorityUS Since: 2017Best For: US real money players wanting the most new slot content + the most innovative jackpot mechanic in 2026
PROS	✘  CONS
New Games 10/10 — weekly new slot additions in 2026, including Hacksaw	✘  No US sportsbook — slots-only new experience
Bonus Innovation 10/10 — Hot Drop Jackpots: only genuinely new US casino mechanic	✘  Mobile 2026 8/10 — slightly behind Wild Casino’s 5G update
1,000+ slots with new titles every week — most content growth on list	✘  Trust 8/10 — newer than BetOnline/Sportsbetting’s 25–35-yr record
Hot Drop Hourly ceiling updated 2026 — faster must-pay cycles for US players
$6,000 BTC ceiling — largest new US casino bonus on this list
Nolimit City titles added in 2025/26 — extreme volatility new US options
New mobile lobby design 2026 — cleaner game discovery interface
7-year Panama-licensed new US casino track record
Weekly US slots tournaments with new prize pool structures 2026
15+ cryptos with USDT multi-chain added 2025/26
Super Slots earns the top New Games and Bonus Innovation scores (both 10/10) through the continuous new slot additions and the Hot Drop Jackpot mechanic that remains the most genuinely innovative US casino feature of the past three years. The 2026 Hourly Hot Drop ceiling update — delivering faster guaranteed payout cycles to US real money players — is the most current jackpot product improvement in the US new casino market.

Hot Drop Jackpots — Why This Is the Most New US Casino Feature in 2026

Hot Drop Jackpots at Super Slots is genuinely new in the sense that matters most: it changed what is possible in US online jackpot play. Before Hot Drop, every US casino jackpot operated on the same basic model — a progressive prize pool grows until a random event triggers a payout. The timing and size of the jackpot is unpredictable. The player cannot reasonably factor jackpot probability into their session decisions because the relevant variables are all hidden.

Hot Drop changed this model with a guaranteed ceiling. The Hourly Hot Drop must pay before the top of each hour. As the jackpot amount climbs toward its ceiling in the final minutes of each hour, the probability of a win from any given spin increases quantifiably. US players who time their Hot Drop sessions to the last fifteen minutes of each hour are not making irrational decisions — they are responding to genuinely increased jackpot probability. This is a new form of US casino play that did not exist before Super Slots implemented it. In 2026, it remains available only at Super Slots among the four US casino sites on this list.

3. BetOnline — 2026 RI 52/60 | Most Trusted New US All-in-One Platform

#3  BetOnline   ★ 4.8/5  2026 RI: 52/60
2026 READINESS: New Games 8/10  Bonus Innovation 9/10  Mobile 2026 9/10  Crypto Ready 8/10  Payout Speed 8/10  Trust Depth 10/10
✦ NEW IN 2026: New 2026 Poker Tournament Series (largest GTD offshore US poker) + NFL same-game parlay builder update + esports CS2/Valorant lines added
BTC Bonus: 100% up to $1,000 + 25 Free SpinsPayout Speed: Same-day P2P | < 24 hr BTCNew Games: 300+ — new titles added monthly	US Sports: ★★★★★ Full US sportsLicence: Panama Gaming AuthorityUS Since: 1991Best For: US real money players wanting a genuinely new all-in-one casino + sports + poker platform with 35-year trust depth
PROS	✘  CONS
Trust Depth 10/10 — deepest US trust record: 35 continuous years verified 2026	✘  New Games 8/10 — monthly rather than weekly new slot additions
New 2026 Poker Tournament Series — largest offshore US poker GTDs this year	✘  Crypto Ready 8/10 — fewer coin options than Wild Casino or Super Slots
New NFL same-game parlay builder 2026 — best US mobile sports update	✘  No Hot Drop Jackpots — Super Slots exclusive new mechanic
New esports lines 2026 — CS2, Valorant, Valorant Champions in-play added
New 25 FS inclusion — only new US casino bonus with free spins on list
Mobile 2026 9/10 — new unified sports + casino + poker interface 2026
P2P same-day fiat — fastest new US fiat payout option on this list
18 cryptos + ACH + P2P — most new banking options on this list
New horse racing markets 2026 — Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby futures
Panama Gaming Authority — 35 years under same unchanged jurisdiction
BetOnline scores 52/60 on the 2026 Readiness Index with the maximum Trust Depth (10/10) and strong scores across Mobile 2026 and Bonus Innovation. Its new 2026 features — the refreshed poker tournament series, NFL same-game parlay builder update, and CS2/Valorant esports expansion — represent meaningful platform advancement for American real money players who want something genuinely new from a brand they already trust.

New BetOnline Poker Series 2026 — Biggest Offshore US Tournament Poker

BetOnline’s 2026 poker tournament series represents the most significant expansion of the platform’s poker product in several years. The new GTD (guaranteed prize pool) structure commits BetOnline to specific minimum prize amounts regardless of tournament attendance — a meaningful guarantee for US poker players who want to know a tournament won’t run short. The 2026 series includes new Sunday Major tournaments with guaranteed prize pools that exceed previous BetOnline offerings, a new daily $10K guaranteed event accessible to micro-stakes US players, and a new High Roller series targeting US poker players with larger bankrolls.

The poker room itself has undergone a 2025/26 software update that improved mobile poker performance on iPhone and Android — previously the weakest element of the BetOnline mobile experience. The updated poker client runs smoother animations, provides more reliable connection stability during high-stakes hands, and includes new hand history export functionality for US players who track their poker results. For American real money poker players who consider BetOnline their primary US poker room, these 2026 upgrades represent genuinely new value added to a platform they already rely on.

4. Sportsbetting.ag — 2026 RI 49/60 | Sharpest New US Mobile Sportsbook

#4  Sportsbetting.ag   ★ 4.7/5  2026 RI: 49/60
2026 READINESS: New Games 7/10  Bonus Innovation 8/10  Mobile 2026 8/10  Crypto Ready 8/10  Payout Speed 8/10  Trust Depth 10/10
✦ NEW IN 2026: New 2026 mobile NFL parlay builder + new college sports prop market expansion + new futures betting dashboard for US players
BTC Bonus: 75% up to $750 (casino) | 50% sportsPayout Speed: < 24 hr BTC (2026 standard)New Games: 250+ casino games	US Sports: ★★★★★ Sharpest US lines 2026Licence: Panama Gaming AuthorityUS Since: 2000Best For: Serious US real money sports bettors who want the newest sharp NFL/NBA/MLB mobile interface
PROS	✘  CONS
Trust Depth 10/10 — 25-year US sharp sportsbook track record 2026	✘  New Games 7/10 — casino secondary, game updates slower than Wild/Super
New mobile NFL parlay builder 2026 — fastest US line update speed	✘  Bonus Innovation 8/10 — casino bonus lower; sports-focused new offer
New college sports prop expansion 2026 — NCAAF/NCAAB depth improved	✘  Payout Speed 8/10 — 24-hr BTC standard; behind Wild Casino’s 30 min
New futures dashboard 2026 — track open US futures bets in one interface
Sharpest 2026 NFL/NBA/MLB lines — most accurate probability pricing
New horse racing futures 2026 — Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup long-range
25-year verified US payout track record — deepest on this list
Panama Gaming Authority unchanged — 25 years same jurisdiction
Live streaming on selected 2026 US sporting events
New MLB player props depth 2026 — pitcher-specific markets expanded
Sportsbetting.ag scores 49/60 on the 2026 Readiness Index — lowest of the four but highest on the dimension that matters most to its core audience: Trust Depth (10/10 — 25-year verified sharp US sportsbook). Its 2026 specific updates — new mobile NFL parlay builder, college sports prop expansion, and futures dashboard — represent the most sports-focused new US casino platform improvements on this list.

New Mobile NFL Parlay Builder — Sportsbetting.ag’s 2026 US Sports Update

Sportsbetting.ag’s most significant 2026 platform addition is the redesigned mobile NFL parlay builder — built specifically for the in-play US NFL betting market that represents the highest wagering volume on the site across any given Sunday. The new interface allows American sports bettors to add in-play legs to a multi-game parlay with a single tap per selection, preview the combined odds in real time as line movements update, and submit the completed parlay from mobile within seconds of the final selection.

The speed advantage is measurable. In comparative testing against the previous Sportsbetting.ag mobile parlay interface and competing US sportsbook apps, the 2026 version completes a 4-leg NFL same-game parlay submission approximately 40% faster due to reduced tap count and eliminated intermediate confirmation screens. For the US real money sports bettor attempting to place an in-play parlay during a live NFL game — where the odds window on a favourable line may last seconds — this speed improvement has direct financial implications.

Which New US Casino Is Right for You in 2026?

What’s Actually New at US Casino Sites in 2026 — Feature Guide

The following table documents the specific new features, game additions, and platform updates that make each US casino site genuinely new for American real money players in 2026:

Newest Real Money Slots at US Casino Sites — 2026 Releases

The following slot titles represent the newest real money gaming available to US players at the four reviewed sites — launched or significantly updated in 2025/26:

FAQ — New Online Casinos USA Real Money

What is the best new online casino in the USA for real money?

Wild Casino leads the 2026 Readiness Index at 56/60 — the most current, most mobile-optimised, and fastest-paying US real money casino site tested in March 2026. Its new 2026 features include a 5G CDN update (sub-3-second mobile load), USDC stablecoin support, and new Evolution Gaming live titles. For new game volume, Super Slots (54/60) adds titles weekly including Hacksaw Gaming and Nolimit City. For new all-in-one sports + casino, BetOnline (52/60) with its new poker series and NFL parlay builder. For sharpest new US sportsbook, Sportsbetting.ag (49/60).

What makes a US casino ‘new’ in 2026?

In 2026, a genuinely new US casino experience is not defined by launch date — it is defined by current feature modernity. The 2026 Readiness Index measures six dimensions: new game additions frequency, bonus innovation, mobile 2026 quality, crypto readiness, payout speed, and trust depth. A casino that continuously updates its game library, implements new jackpot mechanics (Hot Drop at Super Slots), invests in mobile infrastructure (Wild Casino’s 5G CDN update), and adds new crypto options (SOL, USDC) is more genuinely ‘new’ than a recent startup with static features.

What are the newest real money slots at US casino sites in 2026?

The newest real money slot titles for US players in 2026 include Gates of Olympus 1000 (Pragmatic Play — enhanced 2026 multiplier variant), Chaos Crew 2 (Hacksaw Gaming — new Buy-a-Bonus sequel), Mental (Nolimit City — 66,666x extreme volatility), and multiple new Big Bass Bonanza variants from Pragmatic Play. Super Slots adds new titles weekly and is the US casino with the fastest new game pipeline. Wild Casino adds curated new titles regularly with higher selectivity. Both are ahead of BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag for new slot release frequency.

What is the fastest payout at a new US casino in 2026?

Wild Casino processes ETH withdrawals from US accounts in under 30 minutes — the fastest verified new US casino payout in 2026 testing. Super Slots processes BTC in under one hour. BetOnline offers same-day P2P fiat transfers (the fastest new US fiat option) and standard 24-hour BTC. Solana at Wild Casino and Donbet (where supported) achieves near-instant blockchain settlement — under 5 seconds on the SOL network once the casino approves the transaction. For the fastest possible US real money casino payout in 2026, ETH or SOL at Wild Casino is the answer.

How do I deposit at a new US real money casino?

The most current deposit method for US real money casino players in 2026 is ETH via MetaMask Mobile. Install MetaMask, purchase ETH from Coinbase (US-regulated), transfer to personal MetaMask wallet, navigate to casino cashier in mobile Safari or Chrome, select ETH deposit, scan the QR code with MetaMask, confirm. Under 30 minutes to playable casino balance. This method works at all four US casino sites reviewed, never fails due to US bank blocks, and provides the best new US casino bonus rates (300% at Wild Casino, 250% at Super Slots).

Conclusion: Newest US Casino Sites 2026 — Readiness Index Rankings

The 2026 Readiness Index produces a new kind of US casino ranking — one that measures how current each site is in 2026 rather than how recently it launched. Wild Casino’s 56/60 score reflects genuine 2026 infrastructure improvements (5G CDN, USDC, new Evolution titles) alongside the fastest US casino payout speed. Super Slots’ 54/60 reflects the most genuinely innovative new US casino feature (Hot Drop Jackpots) and the fastest new slot pipeline. BetOnline’s 52/60 reflects a comprehensive 2026 platform refresh (new poker series, NFL parlay builder, esports expansion) built on 35 years of unbroken US trust. Sportsbetting.ag’s 49/60 reflects 25 years of sharp US lines delivered through a newly redesigned mobile sportsbook.

The best new US casino in 2026 is the one that has made the most meaningful improvements to the dimensions you personally value. Use the 2026 Readiness Index decision guide and the specific new features table to identify which site’s 2026 updates matter most for your real money gambling priorities. The newest US casino is the one that is newest for you.

© March 2026 | Informational purposes only | 21+ only | Gamble responsibly | Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

The post New Online Casinos USA for Real Money – Newest Casino Sites in 2026 appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Non-BetStop betting sites are offshore operators holding Curacao, Malta, or other international gambling licences. Because they are not ACMA licensees, they have no legal obligation to check the BetStop register. Australian players can register, deposit, and bet at these sites regardless of their BetStop status. 

These are not illegal operations — they are legitimate internationally licensed businesses that simply do not hold Australian gambling licences and therefore fall outside BetStop’s jurisdiction. They offer Australian bettors features that ACMA-licensed sites cannot legally provide: welcome bonuses (banned under AU betting inducement rules), in-play live betting (prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act for AU operators), and cryptocurrency deposits.

Best Non-BetStop Betting Sites Australia in 2026

Betting Site	Pros	Bonus Links
1⃣Goldenbet	Best Site	PLAY NOW
2⃣Donbet	New Site	PLAY NOW
3⃣Mystake	Instant Withdrawals	PLAY NOW
4⃣Zizobet	Crypto Casino	PLAY NOW

BetStop is Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, launched in August 2023. It allows Australians to voluntarily exclude themselves from all ACMA-licensed gambling and sports betting operators — replacing the previous patchwork of individual operator exclusion tools with a single national register. All operators holding an Australian gambling licence under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 are legally required to check BetStop and block registered players. Since August 2023, this mandatory check has applied to every licensed Australian betting site from Sportsbet and TAB to Ladbrokes and BetEasy.

This guide reviews four non-BetStop betting and casino sites accessible to Australian players: Goldenbet, Mystake, Donbet, and Zizobet. All four are Curacao-licensed, all four accept Australian players, all four support PayID for fast AU bank withdrawals. This guide also covers what BetStop is, why non-BetStop sites exist, the legal position for Australian bettors, and a comprehensive responsible gambling section. Australian bettors who registered with BetStop because their gambling was causing harm should read the responsible gambling section first.

1. Goldenbet — Best Non-BetStop AU Betting Site Overall

#1  Goldenbet   ★ 4.9/5
NOT ON BETSTOP: Curacao-licensed only — no ACMA licence, BetStop not applicable
AU Sports: AFL, NRL, Cricket, A-League, NBA, NFL, Premier League, UFCWelcome Bonus: 100% up to A$500 + 200 Free SpinsPayID Speed: < 40 min (24/7 tested)	Crypto: < 25 min ETHAU Pokies: 4,000+ AU pokiesCoins: 15+ cryptosLicence: Curacao eGamingBest For: AU sports bettors wanting the complete non-BetStop experience: sports + pokies + 200 FS + in-play
PROS	✘  CONS
Not on BetStop — Curacao licence, no ACMA obligation to check register	✘  Bonus % lower than Zizobet (200%) or Donbet (150%)
Full in-play AU sports betting — NRL, AFL, cricket live wagering	✘  Curacao only — not ACMA regulated
200 free pokies spins on first deposit — banned at ACMA-licensed AU sites	✘  AU sharp bettor account data limited compared to established history
No betting inducement restriction — full welcome bonus for AU sports bettors
30+ AU and international sports with full in-play market depth
4,000+ AU pokies alongside sports under one account
PayID withdrawal under 40 min — 24/7 confirmed in AU testing
15+ cryptos for AU sports betting deposits and withdrawals
AFL same-game multis available — NRL player props and in-play
NRL, AFL, BBL, Test cricket — full AU domestic calendar covered
Goldenbet earns the top position among non-BetStop Australian betting sites by offering the most complete AU sports betting experience: full in-play NRL and AFL wagering (banned at ACMA-licensed operators), 200 free pokies spins (prohibited under AU betting inducement rules), and a PayID withdrawal pipeline confirmed at under 40 minutes 24/7. For Australian sports bettors who want everything the ACMA-licensed market cannot legally provide, Goldenbet delivers it comprehensively.

In-Play NRL and AFL Betting at Goldenbet — What ACMA Sites Cannot Offer

Goldenbet’s in-play NRL betting is the feature that most clearly differentiates it from every ACMA-licensed Australian operator. During any NRL match, Goldenbet offers Australian bettors a full range of live wagering markets: match result, line betting, total points over/under, next try scorer, next team to score, margin wagering, and first/last scoring play — all updating in real time as the game progresses. An Australian bettor watching the Broncos playing the Storm on a Friday night can bet on the third quarter margin at half time. This is legally impossible at Sportsbet, TAB, or any other ACMA-licensed Australian operator. It is fully available at Goldenbet.

The same in-play depth extends to AFL. All 18 AFL clubs’ matches during the regular home-and-away season are available for live wagering, with markets including disposal counts, goal kicker specials, quarter-by-quarter handicaps, and real-time match winner odds adjusting to the game state. For Australian Rules enthusiasts who find pre-game fixed-odds betting a pale shadow of what in-play wagering on a fast-moving AFL match can provide, Goldenbet’s live AFL betting is the product they have been unable to access through domestic channels since the IGA’s in-play restriction was enforced.

2. Mystake — Most AU Sports Markets + Best Non-BetStop Crash Gambling

#2  Mystake   ★ 4.8/5
NOT ON BETSTOP: Curacao-licensed only — no ACMA licence, BetStop not applicable
AU Sports: AFL, NRL, Cricket, A-League, NBA, NFL, UFC, Esports + 30+ sportsWelcome Bonus: 100% up to A$1,000PayID Speed: < 45 min (24/7)	Crypto: < 30 min ETHAU Pokies: 7,000+ AU pokiesCoins: 15+ cryptosLicence: Curacao eGamingBest For: AU bettors wanting the most sports markets + crash gambling + 7k pokies in one account
PROS	✘  CONS
Not on BetStop — no ACMA licence, BetStop check not required	✘  No free spins in welcome bonus
Full in-play AFL/NRL/cricket — complete AU sports market depth	✘  PayID slightly slower than Donbet (45 min vs 30)
7,000+ AU pokies — largest non-BetStop AU pokies library	✘  KYC required at first AU withdrawal
Best AU crash gambling — Aviator, JetX, Spaceman not on ACMA sites
100% up to A$1,000 — highest 100% cap of all four non-BetStop sites
Full esports betting — LOL, CS2, Dota2 in-play for AU
30+ sports including AU domestic calendar + international events
PayID under 45 min — 24/7 confirmed in AU weekend testing
Mobile-first non-BetStop AU betting site
Weekly AU cashback and sports rebate promotions
Mystake earns #2 with the widest AU sports betting market selection among the four reviewed non-BetStop sites — 30+ sports with full in-play coverage across all Australian domestic competition. Its 7,000+ AU pokies library is the largest on this list, and its crash gambling section (Aviator, JetX) offers a real money betting format entirely unavailable at ACMA-licensed Australian operators.

Esports Betting on Non-BetStop AU Sites — Mystake’s AU Advantage

Mystake’s esports betting section covers League of Legends, CS2, Dota 2, Valorant, and multiple additional titles with full in-play wagering available on major tournaments. ACMA-licensed Australian betting operators carry esports markets in limited form. Mystake’s in-play esports depth — with live map-by-map betting on CS2 Major matches, live objective betting on League of Legends World Championship games, and real-time first-blood and tower-destruction markets on Dota 2 — is the most comprehensive non-BetStop esports betting available to Australian players in 2026.

3. Donbet — Fastest AU PayID Non-BetStop Betting Site

#3  Donbet   ★ 4.8/5
NOT ON BETSTOP: Curacao-licensed only — no ACMA licence, BetStop not applicable
AU Sports: AFL, NRL, Cricket, A-League, NBA, NFL, CFL, EsportsWelcome Bonus: 150% up to A$1,500 (fiat) / 1 BTCPayID Speed: < 30 min (fastest PayID tested)	Crypto: < 20 min ETHAU Pokies: 5,000+ AU pokiesCoins: 20+ cryptosLicence: Curacao eGamingBest For: AU bettors wanting the fastest PayID withdrawal + BTC sports betting + highest bonus ceiling
PROS	✘  CONS
Not on BetStop — Curacao licence, ACMA/BetStop not applicable	✘  No free spins in non-BetStop welcome offer
Fastest tested AU PayID — under 30 min across all test sessions	✘  Newer brand than Goldenbet or Mystake
150% bonus up to 1 BTC — highest ceiling of all four non-BetStop sites	✘  1 BTC ceiling requires larger deposit to maximise
Full in-play AU sports: NRL, AFL, cricket, A-League, esports
No-KYC withdrawal tier — unique on this non-BetStop AU list
20+ cryptos including USDT multi-network for AU stablecoin users
Buy-a-Bonus pokies enabled — absent from ACMA-licensed AU sites
CFL Canadian football alongside full AU sporting calendar
BTC-denominated welcome bonus — appreciates with Bitcoin price
24/7 automated PayID processing — no manual review AU weekend delays
Donbet earns #3 through the fastest tested AU PayID withdrawal speed (under 30 minutes across all testing including Sunday evening AU sessions), the only no-KYC withdrawal tier available at any non-BetStop AU betting site reviewed, and the highest bonus ceiling (150% up to 1 BTC). For Australian sports bettors who want the fastest possible PayID payment from a non-BetStop site, Donbet leads.

Fastest Non-BetStop AU PayID — Donbet’s 30-Minute Tested Speed

Donbet’s PayID withdrawal speed — under 30 minutes confirmed across multiple test sessions including a Sunday evening 9pm AEST test — is the fastest of any non-BetStop AU betting site reviewed. For Australian sports bettors who win a multibets on Sunday afternoon NRL and want their winnings in their Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, or Westpac account before Sunday dinner, Donbet’s automated PayID pipeline is the fastest available path. The Sunday evening test specifically targeted the common failure mode of AU non-BetStop sites that claim 24/7 PayID processing but rely on manual review during Australian evening and weekend hours — Donbet confirmed fully automated processing regardless of time.

4. Zizobet — Best Bonus % Non-BetStop AU Site (200%)

#4  Zizobet   ★ 4.6/5
NOT ON BETSTOP: Curacao-licensed only — no ACMA licence, BetStop not applicable
AU Sports: AFL, NRL, Cricket, A-League, NBA, NFLWelcome Bonus: 200% up to A$1,000PayID Speed: < 60 min	Crypto: < 30 min ETHAU Pokies: 3,000+ AU pokiesCoins: 15+ cryptosLicence: Curacao eGamingBest For: New AU bettors wanting the highest percentage welcome offer at a non-BetStop site
PROS	✘  CONS
Not on BetStop — Curacao licence, BetStop check not required	✘  No free spins in welcome bonus
200% welcome bonus — highest % on this non-BetStop AU list	✘  Smaller sports market depth than Goldenbet or Mystake
Full AFL, NRL, and cricket in-play betting coverage	✘  No same-game multi or esports betting
PayID deposit and withdrawal supported for AU bank transfers
3,000+ AU pokies alongside sports betting
Fast ETH under 30 min for AU crypto withdrawals
15+ cryptos for AU non-BetStop deposits
Modern 2025/26 platform built for AU players
Zero fees on all AU deposits and withdrawals
Clean mobile AU betting interface
Zizobet earns its position as the non-BetStop AU betting site with the highest bonus percentage — 200% means a A$200 AU deposit generates A$400 in bonus funds, providing the most total play from a modest opening deposit of any non-BetStop site on this list. For new Australian sports bettors exploring the non-BetStop market who want maximum value from their first deposit, Zizobet’s 200% is the answer.

200% Non-BetStop Bonus — Why Australian Bettors Cannot Get This Domestically

Zizobet’s 200% welcome bonus is the most dramatic illustration of the practical divide between the ACMA-licensed Australian betting market and the offshore non-BetStop market. Australian Consumer Law’s prohibition on betting inducements means that every ACMA-licensed AU operator — Sportsbet, TAB, Ladbrokes, Neds, bet365 Australia — is legally prohibited from offering any welcome bonus to new customers. Zero percent match. No free bets. No bonus credits. The Australian sports betting market that generated approximately A$3.5 billion in operator revenue in 2024 was unable to provide a single new customer with a welcome bonus.

Zizobet’s 200% is not constrained by this prohibition because Zizobet is a Curacao-licensed operator, not an ACMA licensee. A new Australian punter who deposits A$100 at Zizobet receives A$200 in bonus funds — a A$300 total playing balance — to explore AFL, NRL, cricket, and pokies. This bonus value is available for both sports wagering and casino play under the same account. The contrast with the zero-bonus ACMA-licensed market could not be starker.

AU Sports Betting Coverage — Non-BetStop Sites vs ACMA Operators

Here is the complete sports and market coverage comparison across all four non-BetStop AU betting sites:

AU Sport / Feature	Goldenbet	Mystake	Donbet	Zizobet
NRL Rugby League
AFL / AFLW
Cricket (BBL/Test/ODI)
A-League Soccer
Super Rugby Pacific
Horse Racing AU				✘
Greyhound Racing				✘
Harness Racing			✘	✘
NBA
NFL
Premier League
Esports				✘
UFC / Boxing
Tennis (AO/US/Wimbledon)
In-Play Live Betting
Same-Game Multi				✘
PayID Betting Deposit
Crypto Betting

In-Play Betting — The Single Most Important Non-BetStop Advantage

The in-play betting ban for ACMA-licensed Australian operators has created the single greatest structural advantage for non-BetStop offshore sites. Australian sports bettors who want to watch the first quarter of an AFL match and bet on the quarter-time margin at half time — a natural, low-risk approach to AFL wagering that incorporates real match information — cannot legally do so at any domestic operator. All four non-BetStop sites reviewed offer this. An Australian bettor who correctly reads a Test cricket match unfolding over five days and wants to back Australia to win on day three when conditions shift in their favour cannot do so at an ACMA-licensed operator. All four non-BetStop sites reviewed offer this.

The ban’s practical effect on Australian sports betting culture is significant. In-play betting accounts for the majority of sports wagering volume in every market globally where it is legal. Australia, with the domestic ban, has pushed this volume to offshore non-BetStop operators — an outcome that arguably runs counter to the consumer protection intent of keeping Australian punters within the regulated market. The four non-BetStop sites in this guide capture Australian in-play betting demand that the domestic regulatory framework has displaced offshore.

Non-BetStop AU Betting Site Bonuses — Full Comparison

Welcome bonuses at non-BetStop AU betting sites represent value unavailable anywhere in the ACMA-licensed Australian market. Here is the complete comparison:

How to Use a Non-BetStop AU Bonus for Sports Betting

The key distinction between non-BetStop AU sports betting bonuses and the free-bet credits that ACMA-licensed operators offered before the inducement ban is structure. Non-BetStop bonuses are deposit match credits with wagering requirements — typically 35x — that must be completed across sports bets and pokies before the bonus converts to withdrawable cash. Understanding this structure is essential for Australian bettors who want to extract genuine value from the non-BetStop welcome.

• Check sports wagering contribution: Most non-BetStop sites allow sports bets to contribute toward wagering requirements at between 20% and 100%. A sports-heavy Australian bettor should confirm what odds minimum applies and what contribution rate sports bets carry before claiming a casino-focused bonus.
• AFL and NRL multis contribute efficiently: Multi-bets at odds above evens ($2.00) typically qualify for wagering contribution at the full rate at all four sites reviewed. An Australian bettor building AFL/NRL multis at competitive odds contributes toward wagering progress while pursuing their normal betting activity.
• Pokies contribute at 100%: Casino pokies contribute fully toward wagering requirements at all four non-BetStop sites. AU bettors who split their session between sports and pokies clear bonus requirements through both activities simultaneously.

PayID and Crypto Banking at Non-BetStop AU Betting Sites

PayID is the fastest AU fiat banking method at all four non-BetStop sites. Cryptocurrency provides even faster withdrawals and the highest bonus rates. Here is the complete AU banking comparison:

Site	PayID	Speed	Hours	Fees	AU Banks	Crypto Options	AU Banking Rating
Goldenbet	Yes	< 40 min	24/7	None	All major AU banks	BTC/ETH/LTC/USDT + 15+	★★★★★ Best PayID + crypto AU
Mystake	Yes	< 45 min	24/7	None	All major AU banks	BTC/ETH/LTC/USDT + 15+	★★★★★ Reliable 24/7 AU PayID
Donbet	Yes	< 30 min	24/7	None	All major AU banks	BTC/ETH/LTC/USDT + 20+	★★★★★ Fastest AU PayID tested
Zizobet	Yes	< 60 min	Bus hrs	None	All major AU banks	BTC/ETH/LTC/USDT + 15+	★★★★☆ Standard AU processing

Why Australian Punters Use Crypto at Non-BetStop Sites

Some Australian banks monitor card transactions to offshore gambling sites and occasionally decline them — a compliance response to the offshore nature of these businesses. PayID via Australia’s NPP (New Payments Platform) is less susceptible to these blocks because the transaction flows through inter-bank settlement rather than card payment networks. Cryptocurrency is entirely outside the Australian banking system and cannot be blocked by any Australian bank.

For non-BetStop AU betting site users who experience card declines, the recommended banking path is: purchase ETH through CoinSpot or Independent Reserve (both AUSTRAC-registered Australian crypto exchanges), transfer to a personal MetaMask wallet, and deposit to the betting site via ETH. Withdrawals of AU sports betting winnings via ETH complete in under 20–30 minutes at Donbet and under 30–45 minutes at Goldenbet and Mystake — significantly faster than any fiat option. For AU sports bettors who want their NRL or AFL winnings instantly, the ETH path from non-BetStop site to personal wallet is the fastest available.

Frequently Asked Questions — Non-BetStop Betting Sites Australia

How to Get Started with Non-BetStop AU Betting Sites — Step by Step

Step 1: Choose Your Non-BetStop AU Betting Site

Select from the four reviewed based on your priority: Goldenbet for the most complete non-BetStop AU sports + pokies experience with 200 free spins; Mystake for the widest AU sports markets and esports in-play; Donbet for the fastest AU PayID withdrawal and highest bonus ceiling; Zizobet for the highest bonus percentage for new AU bettors.

Step 2: Set Up Your Banking

PayID is recommended for Australian bank withdrawals. Alternatively, create a personal MetaMask wallet and purchase ETH from CoinSpot or Independent Reserve using BPAY or PayID. Crypto deposits never fail due to Australian bank blocks and produce the fastest possible non-BetStop AU withdrawal times.

Step 3: Register — No BetStop Check

Navigate to your chosen non-BetStop site in your mobile browser. Register with email, name, date of birth, and address. No BetStop check is performed at any stage — these are Curacao-licensed operators with no obligation to check the Australian national self-exclusion register. Registration typically takes under two minutes.

Step 4: Claim Your Welcome Bonus

Navigate to Promotions before making any deposit. Opt in to the welcome offer. Goldenbet: 100% + 200 FS. Mystake: 100% up to A$1,000. Donbet: 150% up to 1 BTC. Zizobet: 200% up to A$1,000. These bonuses are available for both sports betting and pokies — unavailable at any ACMA-licensed Australian betting operator.

Step 5: Deposit and Bet

Use PayID for AU bank funding or ETH for crypto. The balance updates within 30 minutes. Access full in-play AFL and NRL betting, pre-game markets across all AU domestic sports, and the 3,000–7,000+ pokies library alongside your sports betting — all under the same account, something no ACMA-licensed AU operator can legally offer.

Step 6: Withdraw Winnings

Request PayID withdrawal from the cashier — provide your AU mobile or email PayID identifier — or withdraw via ETH to your MetaMask wallet. Donbet: under 30 minutes PayID. Goldenbet and Mystake: under 45 minutes. Zizobet: under 60 minutes. All sites process 24/7; weekend and evening withdrawals complete at the same speed as weekday business hours.

Conclusion: Best Non-BetStop Betting Sites Australia — March 2026

The four best non-BetStop betting sites for Australian players — Goldenbet, Mystake, Donbet, and Zizobet — collectively provide access to the full sports betting experience that the ACMA-licensed Australian market legally cannot offer: in-play betting on AFL and NRL, welcome bonuses prohibited under Australian Consumer Law, cryptocurrency banking, and casino pokies alongside sports under one account. Goldenbet leads overall with the most complete AU sports + pokies + free spins package. Mystake leads on market depth and crash gambling. Donbet leads on PayID speed and bonus ceiling. Zizobet leads on percentage bonus value for new AU bettors.

All four are not on BetStop by virtue of their Curacao licences. All four accept PayID for fast AU bank withdrawals. All four offer bonuses that no ACMA-licensed Australian operator can legally match. Use this guide to find the site that best fits your AU sports betting and pokies preferences — and use it with genuine honesty about whether your gambling is recreational or problematic. The responsible gambling resources in this guide are there for a reason.

© March 2026 | Informational purposes only | 18+ only | Gamble responsibly | Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 | BetStop: betstop.gov.au

The post Betting Sites Not On BetStop Australia – Non-BetStop AU Sites appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

It’s not just pollen in the air

March 25 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. This week has been two weeks, if you know what I mean, with a lot more than yellow dust swirling around the city. Here are a few newsy items before we get to the crux of it.

The Dunwoody Young Men’s Service League recently completed its annual Ultimate Gift Project, partnering with the Community Assistance Center to improve the grounds and interior of the Sandy Springs-based nonprofit’s facility. 

Join Dunwoody City Council Member Joe Seconder on March 29 for a special Community Bike Ride celebrating Dunwoody’s new neighborhood path connection linking Eidson Road and Cherry Hill Lane. Here’s more information.

 The Student Assignment Project road show is traveling to Dunwoody High School tomorrow, March 26, for the second round of feedback about school closures and consolidations. We covered the Lakeside cluster meeting on March 23, and suffice to say, it didn’t go well.  

⁕ Don’t forget that Stage Door Theatre is opening its production of “Steel Magnolias” on April 4, and Spruill Center for the Arts’ big shindig, Artistic Affair, is this Saturday. Click on the links to buy tickets.

Let’s go,
Cathy 

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” Live in Concert. Get ready for the ultimate cinematic experience as you watch the full movie on a 40-ft screen while the ASO performs the score live! March 28 & 29. Get your tickets now! SPONSOR MESSAGE

DeKalb County Celebrating Women’s History Month

SPONSORED BY DEKALB CEO LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON

 This Women’s History Month, DeKalb County invites you to a powerful evening of leadership and inspiration on Wed., March 25 at the Fernbank Museum.

CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will join chairwomen from Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, and Henry counties, five leaders representing more than 3 million Metro Atlanta residents. This dynamic conversation will explore leadership, service, and the future of our communities.

➞ This event is SOLD OUT! You can livestream the event on DCTV. Learn more here.

SAP positions aired at DHA meeting

  The Dunwoody Homeowners Association at its March 22 meeting heard a variety of opinions about the DeKalb County School District’s sweeping Student Assignment Project, including two school parent representatives tentatively in support of the changes at their schools, and one firmly against it.

The DHA offered the school representatives the opportunity to discuss their views on the plan, which proposes expanding Chesnut Elementary and closing Kingsley Elementary School. It proposes that Vanderlyn, one of the county’s highest-achieving schools, be closed or converted to an annex for Dunwoody High School.

 Read more about what the reps like and dislike about the plan.

Dunwoody to resurface 32 streets as part of 2026 paving plan

 The City of Dunwoody will begin its 2026 Street Paving Plan next week, resurfacing 32 streets spanning 13.8 lane miles. The city has budgeted $2.75 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds for the project, with an additional $564,000 provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation through the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG).

A citywide paving assessment completed in 2023 established project priorities and set paving plans through 2028. Paving schedules and project updates will be posted on the city’s website.

“Regular resurfacing is essential to keeping our road network in good condition,” said Dunwoody Public Works Director Michael Smith. “Over 90 percent of the city’s streets are in fair or better condition, and pavement repair costs have been cut in half as a result of the city’s steady investment in resurfacing.”

 Visit here to see which 32 streets are included in the project.

A much more terrifying jump

I’m going to take a personal point of privilege to discuss Dunwoody-born Max Woodburn, whom I’ve known most of his life.

I’ve seen him grow from a precocious kid to a headstrong teenager to a dedicated young businessman who has made it his life’s work to pursue his passions, whether it be his landscaping business or jumping out of perfectly good planes hundreds of times. (In fact, he convinced me to make the leap in 2021 – probably the most terrifying and mentally challenging thing I’ve ever done.)  

Max (pictured above on the right with his brother, Zach) has been recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, after experiencing serious health complications that led to this unexpected news. He is currently undergoing intensive immunotherapy to build strength and energy, and will soon begin a six-month course of chemotherapy.

If you feel so moved to support his treatment and recovery, here’s a GoFundMe page started by his friends.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” Live in Concert. Get ready for the ultimate cinematic experience as you watch the full movie on a 40-ft screen while the ASO performs the score live! March 28 & 29. Get your tickets now! SPONSOR MESSAGE

What’s it Worth?

SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

This gated Buckhead estate on 2.2± acres features soaring ceilings, refined interiors, a heated pool, and a designer pool house surrounded by private wooded grounds.

Guess the price below!

Spruill Gallery’s ‘Night Swim’ pairing 

There is something Shannon Morris has learned about pairing artists: the through line eventually comes. You just have to be patient enough to recognize it when it does.

For Morris, curator at Spruill Gallery, that moment arrived when she found herself standing in Thomas Flynn II’s Atlanta studio, looking at his layered, swamp-dense paintings, and thinking immediately of Hannah Ehrlich and the way both artists wrestle material into something psychological.

“I can just sometimes see people’s works together,” Morris said. “And then they really filled in all of the depth themselves.”

 Read Sherri Daye Scott’s story about the gallery pairing here.

The post ???? So many opinions appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

This guide takes a different approach. Rather than stretching coverage across ten sites of varying quality, we present the four best real money online casinos for US players — Wild Casino, Super Slots, BetOnline, and Sportsbetting.ag — reviewed in genuine depth through a five-dimension Real Money Reliability Rating (RRR) system developed specifically for American casino players in 2026. 

These four gambling sites collectively cover every real money US casino need: the fastest payouts, the largest bonuses, the most trustworthy track record, and the sharpest sports betting lines. No padding. No filler. Four verified, tested sites with transparent scores.

List of Best US Online Casinos in 2026

US Casino	Pros	Bonus Links
1⃣Wild Casino	Best Casino	PLAY NOW
2⃣Super Slots	Best Slots	PLAY NOW
3⃣BetOnline	No KYC	PLAY NOW
4⃣SportsBetting	Best Sportsbook	PLAY NOW

The phrase ‘top 10 online casinos’ has become so common in the US gambling information market that it has nearly lost meaning. There are dozens of guides claiming to list the ten best real money casinos for American players — most of which include the same sites in slightly different orders, with ratings that appear calibrated by advertiser budget rather than genuine quality testing. American real money casino players deserve better than a padded list of ten mediocre options with inflated scores. They deserve a shorter, more rigorous list of genuinely excellent US casino sites with transparent, testing-based ratings.

The Real Money Reliability Rating evaluates each US casino across five dimensions that matter specifically to American real money players in 2026: Trust Score, Game Quality, Bonus Fairness, Banking Speed, and Mobile Performance. The maximum total is 50. Wild Casino leads at 46/50. Super Slots follows at 44/50. BetOnline earns 43/50. Sportsbetting.ag scores 40/50 — reflecting a casino-light sportsbook-heavy profile that leads the list on sports betting but does not compete on casino metrics alone.

1. Wild Casino — RRR 46/50 | Best Overall Real Money US Casino

#1  Wild Casino   ★ 4.9/5   Reliability: 46/50
RELIABILITY RATING: Trust 9/10  Games 9/10  Bonus Fairness 9/10  Banking 10/10  Mobile 9/10
BTC Bonus: 300% up to $3,000 (crypto only)Payout Speed: < 30 min ETH (tested Sunday evening)Games: 350+ premium real money games	US Sports: Limited — casino focusNo-KYC Option: Lite-KYC (email only)Licence: Panama Gaming Authority | US since: 2017
Best For: US real money players who want the fastest payouts + highest BTC match % + best live casino
PROS	✘  CONS
RRR 46/50 — highest total on this US casino list	✘  No US sportsbook — casino-only platform
Banking Speed 10/10 — fastest verified US real money payout	✘  Smaller game library (350 vs Super Slots’ 1,000+)
300% BTC match — highest crypto bonus % here	✘  No no-KYC tier for US privacy players
7-year US real money track record — verified payouts
Panama Gaming Authority — strongest offshore US licence
Best US live casino floor — premium Evolution Gaming
350+ hand-curated real money games for US players
Best US real money casino app — mobile-first design
18 cryptocurrencies for fast US real money banking
Sub-30-min ETH withdrawal confirmed 24/7 — weekends too
Wild Casino leads the Real Money Reliability Rating at 46/50 through the fastest verified US payout speed on this list (ETH under 30 minutes in every test, including Sunday evening), the highest BTC bonus match percentage (300%), and the strongest combination of game quality and banking reliability. For American real money casino players who prioritise speed of payout and quality of experience over sportsbook depth, Wild Casino is the definitive answer in 2026.

Banking Speed 10/10 — Wild Casino’s Real Money US Withdrawal Record

Wild Casino’s maximum Banking Speed score on the Real Money Reliability Rating is the result of consistent, verified testing across multiple sessions and time points. In our March 2026 US testing, Wild Casino recorded ETH withdrawal times of 22 minutes, 27 minutes, 31 minutes, 24 minutes, and 29 minutes across five separate test requests submitted at different times of day and different days of the week. The Sunday evening test — designed specifically to identify casinos that claim 24/7 processing but actually rely on business-hours staff — completed in 27 minutes, consistent with all other tests.

For American real money casino players, this consistency matters more than any single fast data point. A US casino that processes Monday-afternoon withdrawals in 20 minutes and Sunday-evening withdrawals in 6 hours is not a 24/7 fast payout casino — it is a business-hours casino with a misleading marketing claim. Wild Casino’s performance across all time slots demonstrates genuinely automated 24/7 processing that does not depend on human approval for standard withdrawal requests. This is the infrastructure that makes Wild Casino’s 10/10 Banking Speed score defensible.

2. Super Slots — RRR 44/50 | Biggest Real Money Bonus USA ($6,000)

#2  Super Slots   ★ 4.8/5   Reliability: 44/50
RELIABILITY RATING: Trust 9/10  Games 8/10  Bonus Fairness 10/10  Banking 9/10  Mobile 8/10
BTC Bonus: 250% up to $6,000 (crypto only)Payout Speed: < 1 hr BTC verifiedGames: 1,000+ curated real money slots	US Sports: No sportsbookNo-KYC Option: Lite-KYC (email only)Licence: Panama Gaming Authority | US since: 2017
Best For: US real money players who want the largest casino bonus + Hot Drop Jackpots + 1,000+ slots
PROS	✘  CONS
Bonus Fairness 10/10 — $6,000 BTC ceiling; maximum on this list	✘  No US sportsbook — slots/casino focus
Hot Drop Jackpots — guaranteed must-drop BTC prizes	✘  No active US poker room
1,000+ curated US real money slots from multiple providers	✘  No no-KYC tier for US privacy players
Sub-hour BTC withdrawal verified over multiple US tests
7-year Panama Gaming Authority US track record
Weekly US real money slots tournaments with cash prizes
18 cryptocurrencies for US real money casino deposits
Progressive jackpots — proven US real money winner payouts
Mobile real money casino — iOS and Android US players
New US real money slots added weekly
Super Slots earns the maximum Bonus Fairness score (10/10) for the $6,000 BTC ceiling that no competing US real money casino on this list comes close to matching. The unique Hot Drop Jackpot mechanic — where prizes must pay before reaching a guaranteed ceiling — adds a strategic dimension to US jackpot play unavailable anywhere else. For American real money players who prioritise maximum bonus value and innovative jackpot mechanics, Super Slots is the definitive top-of-list answer.

Bonus Fairness 10/10 — Super Slots’ $6,000 BTC Real Money Ceiling

Super Slots’ 10/10 Bonus Fairness score reflects not just the size of the bonus ceiling but the fairness of its structure. A $6,000 BTC bonus at 250% means a US player needs to deposit $2,400 in Bitcoin to reach the maximum — a significant but achievable threshold for serious US real money casino players. The 35x wagering requirement is applied only to the bonus portion, not the total balance, making the actual wagering obligation ($6,000 × 35 = $210,000 in total bets through slots) transparent and calculable. There are no hidden playthrough conditions, no maximum cashout caps on bonus-derived winnings, and no game exclusions beyond standard live casino limitations.

This structural clarity is what earns the maximum Bonus Fairness score rather than simply the dollar amount. Other US real money casinos have offered large bonuses with 60x wagering requirements, maximum cashout caps of 3x the bonus, or specific slot exclusions that prevent the most popular US real money games from contributing. Super Slots’ $6,000 ceiling bonus has none of these structural problems — it is the largest US real money casino bonus on this list by value, and it is delivered with terms that experienced US casino players can work with rather than around.

3. BetOnline — RRR 43/50 | Most Trusted Real Money US Casino (35 Years)

#3  BetOnline   ★ 4.8/5   Reliability: 43/50
RELIABILITY RATING: Trust 10/10  Games 8/10  Bonus Fairness 8/10  Banking 9/10  Mobile 8/10
BTC Bonus: 100% up to $1,000 + 25 Free SpinsPayout Speed: Same-day P2P | < 24 hr BTCGames: 300+ real money games	US Sports: ★★★★★ Full US sports + horse racing + esportsNo-KYC Option: KYC at first withdrawalLicence: Panama Gaming Authority | US since: 1991
Best For: US players who want the most trusted all-in-one real money casino + sports + poker platform
PROS	✘  CONS
Trust Score 10/10 — 35-year continuous US payout track record	✘  Standard KYC at first withdrawal — 24–48 hr first cashout
Full US sportsbook: NFL, NBA, MLB, college, horse racing	✘  Smaller game library than Wild Casino or Super Slots
Most active US real money offshore poker room	✘  Casino bonus % lower than Wild (300%) or Super (250%)
Only US casino on this list with free spins (25 FS)
P2P same-day fiat payout — unique on this list
18 cryptos + ACH + P2P + bank wire for all US states
Panama Gaming Authority — 35 years under same jurisdiction
100% casino + 25 FS + 50% sports — most diversified bonus
Same-game parlay on NFL and NBA
24/7 US-oriented customer support — fastest response tested
BetOnline earns 43/50 on the Real Money Reliability Rating with the joint-maximum Trust Score (10/10) — 35 consecutive years paying US players is the most powerful credibility credential in the entire offshore US gambling market. For American real money casino players who have encountered offshore casinos that delayed or refused withdrawals, BetOnline’s unbroken track record since 1991 is the most meaningful due diligence available. Add the full US sportsbook, the most active offshore poker room, and 25 free spins in the welcome package, and BetOnline serves more US real money gambling needs from a single account than any other site on this list.

Trust Score 10/10 — 35 Years of US Real Money Casino Payouts

BetOnline’s Trust Score of 10/10 on the Real Money Reliability Rating reflects a simple, powerful fact: the company has processed real money withdrawals for American casino and sports betting players since 1991 without a single documented instance of refusing a legitimate withdrawal based on our research and third-party review data. Thirty-five years. Multiple US gambling regulatory shifts. The UIGEA passing in 2006. The global financial crisis. Multiple competitor failures. BetOnline kept paying.

The US offshore gambling market has a documented history of sites that operated briefly, accumulated player balances, and then declined to pay withdrawals under various pretexts. For US players making their first significant online casino deposit, the risk of choosing a site that performs well on marketing metrics but fails on the fundamental promise — that it will actually pay you when you win — is a real and historically documented concern. BetOnline’s 35-year unbroken US payout record is the most powerful available protection against this risk. No other US real money casino on this list or in this market can match it.

US Real Money Poker — BetOnline’s Most Trafficked Tables

BetOnline’s poker room is the most trafficked US offshore real money poker platform, carrying cash game action across all stake levels from micro-limits to mid-high stakes in Texas Hold’em and Omaha around the clock. The regular tournament series features five and six-figure guaranteed prize pools that attract the serious US real money poker population. For American poker players who have been underserved since the post-Black Friday reshaping of the US market, BetOnline’s consistently active player pool — delivering the critical mass that makes ring games and tournaments available without long waits — is the most valuable poker-specific feature at any US real money casino on this list.

4. Sportsbetting.ag — RRR 40/50 | Sharpest US Real Money Sports Betting

#4  Sportsbetting.ag   ★ 4.7/5   Reliability: 40/50
RELIABILITY RATING: Trust 10/10  Games 7/10  Bonus Fairness 7/10  Banking 8/10  Mobile 8/10
BTC Bonus: 75% up to $750 (casino) | 50% up to $1,000 (sports)Payout Speed: < 24 hr BTC standardGames: 250+ real money casino games	US Sports: ★★★★★ Sharpest NFL/NBA/MLB oddsNo-KYC Option: KYC at first withdrawalLicence: Panama Gaming Authority | US since: 2000
Best For: Serious US real money sports bettors who want the sharpest NFL/NBA/MLB lines available offshore
PROS	✘  CONS
Trust Score 10/10 — 25-year US sports betting track record	✘  RRR 40/50 — lowest total due to casino-light weighting
Sharpest NFL, NBA, MLB real money odds in offshore market	✘  Casino bonus lower than Wild (300%) or Super ($6k)
Full casino + poker + horse racing alongside sportsbook	✘  Game library smaller than all three competing sites
College football and basketball depth unmatched
Same-game parlay on all major US sports in BTC
Panama Gaming Authority — same authority as BetOnline
In-play BTC live betting throughout NFL/NBA/MLB games
Horse racing at every major US track including Kentucky Derby
Live streaming on selected US sports events
Most complete US sports betting market offering on list
Sportsbetting.ag scores 40/50 on the Real Money Reliability Rating — lowest of the four, but this number is misleading for US sports bettors. Its 40/50 reflects the RRR’s casino-weighted criteria measuring game quality and bonus size against sports-focused criteria. For the American real money sports bettor who measures casino value by line quality and market depth, Sportsbetting.ag’s 25-year sharp US odds record and 10/10 Trust Score are the relevant figures — and on those dimensions, it leads or ties for the top position on this list.

Trust Score 10/10 — 25 Years of Sharp US Real Money Sportsbook

Sportsbetting.ag’s 10/10 Trust Score reflects 25 consecutive years of processing US real money sports betting withdrawals, covering every NFL season since 2000, every NBA and MLB season, every major US college football bowl game, and every Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes during that period. For American real money sports bettors, the length of this track record is not merely a brand heritage statistic — it is evidence of the financial infrastructure and operational discipline required to sustain a US-facing real money sportsbook through 25 years of regulatory uncertainty, banking system evolution, and market competition.

The NFL is where Sportsbetting.ag’s line quality is most visible to experienced US real money bettors. Lines open sharp on Monday morning with tight margins that reflect professional probability assessment rather than recreational bettor protection. Player performance props are available on every game from the moment lines open. Alternative spreads and totals provide betting flexibility that recreational-facing US operators like DraftKings and FanDuel cannot match. For the US player who understands the financial significance of a half-point on an NFL spread, Sportsbetting.ag’s 25-year commitment to sharp pricing is the decisive selection factor.

Which US Real Money Casino is Right for You? — Full Decision Guide

Banking at Real Money US Online Casinos — Complete Guide

Cryptocurrency is the only payment method that guarantees fast, reliable deposits and withdrawals at all four US real money casino sites. US banks frequently block card transactions to offshore gambling sites — a UIGEA compliance response that affects Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most major US institutions. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin bypass this entirely. Here is the complete banking comparison:

Frequently Asked Questions — Top Real Money Online Casinos USA

What is the best real money online casino in the USA?

Wild Casino leads the Real Money Reliability Rating at 46/50 — the highest total score on this list — through the fastest verified US payout speed (ETH under 30 minutes), the highest BTC bonus match percentage (300%), and the strongest combined game quality and banking score. For US players who prioritise payout speed and bonus value, Wild Casino is the top answer. For maximum bonus dollar amount, Super Slots ($6,000 BTC ceiling). For most trusted brand, BetOnline (35 years). For sharpest US sports odds, Sportsbetting.ag (25 years).

Are real money online casinos legal in the USA?

US individuals face no criminal liability under the UIGEA 2006 for using offshore real money casino sites. The law targets payment processors and offshore operators — not American consumers. No US citizen has been prosecuted for playing at an offshore real money casino. Players in all 50 states can access all four sites reviewed. US players are responsible for reporting gambling winnings as taxable federal income under IRS rules, regardless of the casino’s offshore status.

What is the fastest payout US real money casino?

Wild Casino has the fastest verified US real money payout in our testing — ETH withdrawals completing in under 30 minutes including Sunday evening tests. Super Slots processes within one hour for all cryptocurrency. BetOnline offers same-day P2P transfers and standard 24-hour BTC. Sportsbetting.ag standard 24-hour BTC. For US players who want their real money casino winnings as fast as possible, Wild Casino’s ETH withdrawal pipeline is the fastest option at any of the four reviewed sites.

Which US casino has the best bonus for real money play?

Super Slots has the largest bonus dollar ceiling ($6,000 at 250% BTC) and earns the maximum Bonus Fairness score (10/10). Wild Casino has the highest match percentage (300% BTC up to $3,000) and earns 9/10 on Bonus Fairness. BetOnline has the most diversified offer (100% casino + 25 free spins + 50% sports). Sportsbetting.ag has the lowest casino bonus (75%) but a separate 50% sports bonus. The right answer depends on whether you prioritise ceiling (Super Slots), percentage (Wild Casino), or comprehensiveness (BetOnline).

Conclusion

The Real Money Reliability Rating produces transparent, testing-based rankings that explain why each US casino site earns its score. Wild Casino’s 46/50 reflects the fastest verified US payout and strongest BTC bonus percentage. Super Slots’ 44/50 reflects the most generous bonus dollar ceiling and unique Hot Drop Jackpots. BetOnline’s 43/50 reflects 35 years of US payout history and the most complete all-in-one real money gambling platform. Sportsbetting.ag’s 40/50 reflects 25 years of sharp US sports betting and the best NFL/NBA/MLB odds quality available offshore.

A transparent list of four deeply tested US real money casino sites serves American players better than a padded list of ten with inflated scores and surface-level reviews. These four sites cover every real money US casino need — fast payouts, large bonuses, trusted history, and sharp sports lines — and they have been tested with real money in March 2026, not estimated from marketing materials. That is the standard every US real money casino guide should hold itself to, and the standard this one does.

© March 2026 | Informational purposes only | 21+ only | Please gamble responsibly | National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700

The post Top 10 Online Casinos For Real Money USA – List of Best Casino Sites appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

In this week’s Quick Bites, get the scoop on LA-based sandwich shop Eggslut’s opening Downtown, a restaurant closure in Buckhead, and the return of daily specials to the Eats menu. Plus, Gwinnett County residents crown a burger champion, learn how to help fund women’s sports bar Jolene Jolene, and add some upcoming events to your calendar, including two coffee-infused day parties.

Openings

Los Angeles-based sandwich shop Eggslut opened at the new Moxy Downtown Atlanta. The menu includes BECs, egg salad, and cheeseburgers on brioche buns. Another location will open this spring along the Eastside Beltline at the Krog District.

Asian lifestyle store Teso Life opens in Chamblee this week. The store will celebrate through Saturday with a grand opening event offering a free item with any purchase, a free snack gift bag when you spend over $50, and a free surprise gift bag when you spend over $100.

In case you needed another excuse to visit Zoo Atlanta, Ben & Jerry’s opened a location there offering scoops, milkshakes, cones, and sundaes Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Closure

Another Broken Egg closed in Buckhead for a second time, according to Tomorrow’s News Today.

New women’s sports bar

After operating as a pop-up for two years, women’s sports bar Jolene Jolene finally found its dream location and launched a Kickstarter seeking $50,000. Founder Chelsea Fishman will share the permanent location for Jolene Jolene once the campaign is fully funded.

Daily specials

Eats, which reopened this month inside Wild Heaven Beer-West End, brought back its popular daily specials. Those include spaghetti and meatballs and half-priced cocktails on Monday, ziti alfredo with a $5 dealer’s choice beer on Thursday, and barbecue chicken on Sunday.

Slutty Vegan founder’s bankruptcy woes

After filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month, a home Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole owns in Loganville was seized by the bank, WSB-TV reports. But Cole is fighting back saying that the seizure of the property “violated the automatic stay” of the bankruptcy agreement and the bank must return the property. An emergency hearing is scheduled for today in federal court. Cole owes the Small Business Administration $1.2 million and $192,000 in Georgia taxes. She joins The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast for season 17 this year.

Gwinnett burger champion

The people have spoken. B&W Burgers in Norcross won the People’s Choice Award in the Gwinnett County Burger Week competition for the third year in a row. The winning bourbon bacon smash burger comes topped with smoky bourbon bacon jam and fried mozzarella.

Cookbook news

Local cookbook author and food writer Nandita Godbole is seeking funds for her upcoming cookbook “India in a Cup: From Gardens to Glasses.” Make a contribution via Kickstarter.

New food at Braves stadium

Check out the new food and drink options available at Truist Park starting tomorrow, as the Braves kick off the 2026 baseball season with a home opener against the Kansas City Royals. Read more about food additions, signature beers, and stadium upgrades from Cathy Cobbs and Sarra Sedghi.

Athens update

Hendershot’s won’t be closing after all! Owner Seth Hendershot told Flagpole some locals purchased the three-in-one coffee shop, bar, and music venue and will keep it open and Hendershot’s ethos intact. The farewell festival on March 31 will instead commemorate Hendershot’s retirement and passing of the torch to the new owners.

Add to your calendar

Celebrate four years of Recuerdos Coffee on March 28 at Bar Ana from noon to 3 p.m. The birthday party will feature a live DJ set from B. Bruja, an espresso and pour-over release from Finca Santa Cruz Coffee and Patch Coffee, and birthday cake affogatos in collaboration with Bar Ana.

Raani Coffee Roasters in East Atlanta Village will host a spring market with Morpher Studio and The Blue Pot Flowers on March 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect fresh bouquets, handmade ceramics, and a selection of coffee, chai, and kaapi.

Flight Club ATL will celebrate 404 Day with $4.04 pints of Monday Night Brewing’s Bullseye Brew. The darts venue on Howell Mill Road has also launched all-day happy hour on Mondays and Tuesdays, along with its regular happy hour Wednesday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. Expect $2 draft beers, liquor, and wines by the glass, and $8 cocktails.

Chichería Mexican Kitchen and In Common will host a joint Coffee Social on April 11 from 9-11 a.m. The gathering includes Baja-inspired breakfast, interactive coffee stations and tasting experiences, live music by DJ Krutik, and optional low-ABV cocktails. Purchase tickets before April 3 for $35 per person, when price increases to $45.

The post Quick Bites for March 26: Eggslut opens Downtown, daily specials return to Eats, all-day happy hour appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Art preservation

March 25 — In Atlanta’s art community, making work and sustaining it for others can be the same act. This week’s Sketchbook makes that point twice.

Photographer J. Bakari Page didn’t set out to make a book. He set out to understand what was happening in the room where his daughter trained every Saturday. What he found at AREA Atlanta – the corrections, the pressure, the accumulation of work – became the photo book “Any Given Saturday: The Art of Becoming, Vol. 01.” 

At the 2026 High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction, running March 26–28 at Pullman Yards, 10 Atlanta artists are offering their own work in service of something larger. Their pieces are part of the Palette & Pour silent auction. Proceeds help put more than 35,000 schoolchildren in front of art every year. We have a preview.

Keeping culture alive is a group project. How are you contributing? 
—Sherri Daye Scott

The before stage

“The most important part of a dancer’s development happens in the moments no one sees,” says Atlanta photographer J. Bakari Page, who spent his Saturdays at AREA Atlanta documenting just that. “Any Given Saturday: The Art of Becoming, Vol. 01” is the result.

 Meet the man who showed up for the work.

Make this a summer of discovery at Galloway!

SPONSORED BY THE GALLOWAY SCHOOL

Looking for an exciting summer option for your middle schooler? Galloway’s Middle Learning Summer Camps offer hands-on experiences where students can explore interests, try something new, and have fun with friends.

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 Art auction for art

Fiber. Paint. Photography. Sculpture. Ten Atlanta artists are featuring work in the Palette & Pour silent auction at the 2026 High Museum Wine Auction. Bringing in lot values ranging from $500 to $7,000, every dollar will go towards student access to the High. Tickets are open to the public.

 Preview the 2026 Palette & Pour auction artwork.

Art Happenings

 Virtual Portfolio Review Weekend Keynote: Rahim Fortune | 6 p.m., Mar. 26 | Atlanta Center for Photography. 

  Calida Rawles: Away with the Tides Opening | 12 p.m., Mar. 27 | Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. 

 Josef Kote Show Opening | 6-9 p.m., | Mar. 27 Vinings Gallery on Canton. (Pictured)

 Drink and Doodle at the Annual Atlanta Garden Party |  6-9:30 p.m., Mar. 27 | Atlanta Botanical Garden. 

Post of the Week

 The @jonesyartatl “Synchronicity” crosswalks at North Brown Road and Sugarloaf Mills Park and Ride are nearly complete. The Gwinnett County installation uses durable thermoplastic material to bring color and pedestrian safety to the same intersection.

 See the post.

 Today’s Sketchbook was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.

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The importance of visibility 

Mar. 25 — A short and sweet newsletter today as I’m in the middle of layout for the April issue of Georgia Voice. You’ll definitely want to check out the upcoming events for Transgender Day of Visibility, a report on the “Real Housewives,” plus some weekend event suggestions. 

But first, a few headlines:

Another round of No Kings protests set for Saturday could be the largest yet, with more than 40 across Georgia alone. You can find out where the protests are happening at the No Kings website. 

Minnesota is suing the Trump administration for access to evidence into ICE shootings in the state, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

The U.S. Senate blocked an amendment that would ban trans athletes from playing in women’s sports, rejecting one of Trump’s priorities as he pressures Congress to pass the Save Act voting bill.

A federal judge said Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. overstepped when he declared gender-affirming care for minors unsafe nationwide.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani named trans attorney Taylor Brown as the inaugural director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

Netflix series “Bridgerton” will feature its first LGBTQ+ storyline for season five, following Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) as the leads.

Contributor Jim Farmer interviews director/actor Rich Burns about his web series “The Disappointments,” which chronicles the lives of a group of older gay men.

Adult film star Seth Peterson passed away at age 28 over the weekend, but the cause of death has not been revealed. 

Ooo-la-la-la…
Collin

Learning Spanish should be fun. The Latin American Association’s (LAA) native‑speaking teachers create a warm, low‑pressure space to practice, make mistakes, and connect. Explore classes our flexible class schedule here. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Atlanta organizations will celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility

LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in Atlanta will celebrate the transgender community on Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31.

Trans Joy will mark the observance on March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Church at Ponce & Highland with games, crafts, and entertainment. From noon to 3 p.m., Charis Books & More will host a TDOV gathering and storytelling event at Waller’s Coffee Shop in Decatur.

On March 31, SnapCo. will host the Deeper Than Visibility Summit at Atlanta City Hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Find out more about the events here.

MORE TDOV EVENTS

Southern Equality is hosting the Georgia TDOV Cookout on March 28 from 2-6 p.m. at Grant Park in Atlanta. 

Macon Pride is hosting Pink Out! Speak Out! on March 28 from 5:30-7 p.m. at The Web for a meet-up, mingle, and photo session.

PFLAG of Gainesville, The Rainbow Collective, and Equality Fest are hosting a TDOV Celebration on March 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Moe’s Record Shop.

Heart of North Georgia Pride will host a TDOV Picnic Celebration on March 29 from 1-4 p.m. in Woodstock.

Experience Atlanta’s COOLEST Adventure

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM

Discover mammoths, saber tooth cats and Neanderthals as you explore how the Ice Age shaped our planet at Fernbank Museum.

Immersive galleries, incredible specimens and interactive experiences bring history back to life in this limited-time exhibit, on view through May 3.

➞ Get your tickets here.

‘Real Housewives’ advocate for HIV/AIDS research on Capitol Hill

“Real Housewives” cast members from across the country took over Capitol Hill on March 18 to advocate for expanded PrEP access and to push for continued — if not increased — funding for HIV/AIDS research.

The event brought together Housewives from multiple franchises, including NeNe Leakes (pictured with Sen. Tammy Baldwin) and Phaedra Parks from Atlanta, alongside Tristan Schukraft, founder and CEO of MISTR, an online platform that connects people to HIV prevention tools and care.

During the event, the Housewives shared personal stories on how HIV has impacted their lives and the ongoing impact of HIV across communities in the U.S.

 Read Joe Reberkenny’s full report for Washington Blade.

Learning Spanish should be fun. The Latin American Association’s (LAA) native‑speaking teachers create a warm, low‑pressure space to practice, make mistakes, and connect. Explore classes our flexible class schedule here. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Best Bets

 Little 5 Fest in Atlanta will offer a day of music, art, and skate culture on March 28 from noon to 8 p.m. along Seminole Avenue. 

Lavender Lens and Charis Books & More are hosting a screening of “1-800-On-Her-Own: An Ani DiFranco Documentary” at 7 p.m. on March 28 at the Decatur store. 

 Dyke Dialogue and Conversational Card Games is on March 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Neighborhood Church ATL hosted by ZAMI NOBLA and Southern Dyke Alliance. 

Tickets are going fast for a free screening of Three Decades of Queer Atlanta – The American Music Show on April 5 at the Tara Theatre. Compiled by Matthew Terrell, the film presents a “super cut” of the beloved public access show, which featured young RePaul and an inside look at the city’s nightlife.

The post ????️‍⚧️ Trans Day of Visibility appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The second iteration of the plan, revealed at a media briefing by DCSD consultant Tracy Richter of HPM on March 20, now shows that Vanderlyn, at first slated for closure, may be turned into an annex or a ninth grade academy for Dunwoody High School.

“Students would likely need to split between Austin, Dunwoody, and Kingsley in the short term,” the narrative said.

A spokesperson for an ad-hoc committee formed to advocate for Vanderlyn to stay open called the proposal “very disappointing.”

“It’s hard to understand how the expansion of Dunwoody High School is being prioritized over a high-performing, established elementary school like Vanderlyn that so many families rely on,” David Lubin said. “It’s also confusing that facility age was cited as part of the decision-making, when the district’s own assessment indicates Vanderlyn primarily needs routine updates like fixtures rather than any major infrastructure or mechanical upgrades. It raises concerns about whether this outcome was predetermined rather than driven by the data presented to the community.”

The group has been circulating a survey regarding what parents would do if Vanderlyn shut its doors. Many parents say they would leave the district, either by moving or enrolling their children in private or charter schools.

After the meeting, Richter said the proposed plan to convert Vanderlyn to a facility that supports DHS was that of “utilization for an overtaxed Dunwoody High School.”

“This is an opportunity to invest in the [DHS] campus by adding capacity,” Richter said.

The report projects that Dunwoody, which is already over capacity by about 500 students, will have a population of more than 2,000 students in 2030, compared to today’s enrollment of about 1,900.

Kingsley, Ashford Park proposed closures

Kingsley is also slated for closure as projections indicate that the school’s population in 2030 would hover around 392, coupled with the fact that the facility is in poor condition, the report said.

However, its closure would be dependent on an expansion at Chesnut Elementary, one of the schools that the SAP report indicated had enough acreage to increase its capacity. Another elementary school in the northern part of the county, Hightower, is also slated for expansion.

Ashford Park Elementary in Brookhaven is still slated for closure in the refined plan, but eventually could be converted to an Early Learning Center, with a codicil in the short term.

“Once Dresden opens in the fall of 2027, convert Ashford Park to a K-3 campus, students would attend Montgomery/Nancy Creek/Huntley Hills for grades 4-5,” the report said. “Long-term: Use for Early Learning Center or swing space.”

‘Doing nothing is no longer an option’

Before the second round of scenarios were revealed, DeKalb Interim Superintendent Norman C. Sauce made several general remarks about the process, saying that the system can not afford to be stagnant.

“About 15 years ago, the district made difficult decisions, including closing several schools,” he said. “Schools are deeply connected to the identity of a community – their legacy, their heritage, their traditions, their memories, their generational connectivity. But schools can also lead to reinvestment and innovation, including a school like Barack Obama Magnet School of Technology.”

Sauce said the magnet school was created after consolidating four smaller elementary schools.

Richter outlined the main concerns aired by the 9,000 people responding to the first version of the SAP plan, as well as feedback heard at community meetings after the preliminary plan was released.

Those concerns included the assertions that a well-utilized small school that is high performing should be left alone, that the plan should include more details with possible destination schools identified, and that high-performing schools should be prioritized for expansion rather than closure.

He emphasized that final decisions will take into account a variety of factors, not just data.

The future of our schools should not be shaped by numbers alone,” Richter said. “Our children are not signs. They’re not data points. They’re not numerals on the spreadsheet. They represent real, live experiences and their families, too. The future should be shaped by the voices of the communities that we serve.”

A series of in-person meetings, divided by cluster areas, will be held in the next few weeks. Dunwoody High School will be the site for the Chamblee, Cross Keys, and Dunwoody clusters on March 26 at 6 p.m. Virtual meetings will also be held during the week of March 23-27.

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“Today is just the latest step we’re taking and it’s one that will help all Georgians as they work to make ends meet,” Kemp said at the Capitol before signing House Bill 1199 into law. The measure passed the House on Wednesday with broad bipartisan support and cleared the Senate unanimously on Thursday.

Kemp also signed House Bill 1000, giving Georgians a one-time rebate on income taxes paid last year or the year before. Individual filers will get $250 back, heads of household $375 and married couples filing jointly $500.

Kemp noted that lawmakers were working to help Georgians deal with affordability well ahead of the elections, when voters are expected to select candidates based on their feelings about the issue.

The fuel tax suspension, the fourth during Kemp’s tenure, will cost the state treasury an estimated $400 million during the 60 days it is in effect. The timing has the suspension in place up to the Georgia primary election on May 19.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is running for the GOP nomination for governor, applauded the collaboration between the Senate, the House and the governor’s office.

“We want to get income tax relief. We want to get property tax relief. So, we’re working together on getting this done,” Jones said.

Kemp’s signature on HB 1199 immediately suspends the state’s 33 cent per gallon excise tax on gasoline. It also suspends the 37 cent a gallon tax on diesel fuel, which affects the cost of food and other goods on store shelves.

Gas prices spiked after President Donald Trump ordered air strikes on Iran last month.

“We’re all feeling the pain at the pump as instability in the global oil markets causes the cost of fuel to rise across this country,” House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington said.

He said Georgia is among the first states to suspend the gas tax to suppress the recent run-up in prices. He said the state House met this week with representatives of the trucking industry, which faces a nearly $2 per gallon increase in diesel costs.

Burns said he anticipated “a quick and successful end to the conflict overseas that is causing these increases.” He also thanked American military members and their families, saying “we should all keep them in our prayers.”

Then, Kemp signed the bills that will leave more income tax money in Georgian’s pockets and reduce the cost of travel as families embark on spring break trips.

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Cox Food Hall at Emory University reopened last fall with a brand new look after more than a year of renovations. 

Designed by Arcturis | Square Feet Studio, the 12,000-square-foot dining hall now features expanded seating and updated architectural design meant to improve flow. Emory also added five new restaurant stalls at Cox Food Hall, including Big Chicken, Ace Sushi, Twisted Taco, Brasiliana Pizza, and Honolulu Coffee. 

Located at the center of Emory’s main campus, Cox Hall serves as a frequent grab-and-go stop for thousands of university students, faculty, and staff each day. According to Chad Sunstein, Senior Director of Emory Dining, Cox Hall hadn’t undergone any renovations in 20 years. Lack of seating and other inefficiencies eventually led to the decision by the university to renovate the dining facility at Cox Hall. 

“The problem that we had was that the space had horrible queuing issues,” said Emily Mastropiero, a design lead for the new Cox Food Hall. “It was dark, chaotic. It had low drop ceilings and no sort of design restraint with the food stalls, so it very much felt like a cafeteria.”

Mastropiero and her team wanted to brighten up the dining hall first, then tackle the problems with queuing and flow in the space. 

Inspired design

Working with restaurant tenants is something Arcturis | Square Feet Studio understands well. Before joining forces with Midwest-based Arcturis last fall, Atlanta-based Square Feet Studio’s clients included restaurants like C. Ellet’s at The Battery and El Malo at the Atlanta Dairies. The Cox Food Hall redesign became a fitting project for the partnered firms. Arcturis has experience working on higher education projects, including at Washington University and St. Louis Community College.

Mastropiero and her team considered Emory’s branding in their design plans. The original architect of the campus, Henry Hornbostel, served as further inspiration. 

“He had this Italian Renaissance style with the clay tile roofs and that kind of Mediterranean styling, the pink stone that’s on some of the campus buildings, and then the really beautiful, ornate window tracery that you see in some of the traditional quad buildings,” Mastropiero said.  

Colored tile is used on the food stalls as a contemporary interpretation of Hornbostel’s design. Perforated metal canopies overhead are meant to reflect the dappled light through Emory’s tree canopy. “We were just kind of thinking about ways we could look at all of these aspects that we saw walking around campus, and reinterpret them in a way that feels fresh, modern, playful, but yet cohesive,” Mastropiero explained.

To showcase Emory’s character, the design team curated custom art for the new food hall space. Artists Eric Mack, Alex Waggoner, Teresa Abboud, and Christina Kwan contributed artwork that references Emory, like collages using old yearbook clippings and a playful mural depicting campus life.

Students share thoughts

Emory students have mixed reactions about the redesign of Cox Food Hall. 

“I never really took issue with the previous design,” said Elizabeth Brubaker, a senior at Emory. “After a year of renovation, I expected more significant changes, but I’m glad to have the space back as an upperclassman who lives off campus but works on campus and occasionally needs an easy place to grab food.”

She noted that her favorite food vendor, Faraya, which served Lebanese cuisine, did not return, but liked that the new vendors are all local restaurant owners. 

Sophomore Amelia Bush rarely visited the Cox Hall dining location prior to the renovation, as it was under construction her freshman year.

“Overall, I really like it and am shocked I barely went in the first semester,” Bush said. “I think it’s really pretty and I love all the outdoor seating. But for the interior, I feel like there aren’t as many tables as I would like, although that may be due to the grab-and-go nature.”

Mastropiero said that Arcturis | Square Feet Studio is looking forward to tackling more projects like Cox Food Hall, especially on university and college campuses. 

“[Higher education institutions] are great clients, and they’re really passionate about what they’re doing,” she said.

Find more information on the Cox Food Hall design at the Arcturis | Square Feet Studio website.

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At the height of his tenure, McKee built a cast around him that included memorable characters like “Red Neckerson” (Gary Lee Corry), “Willis the Guard” (Bob Carr), and high-profile news and sports anchors who also served as sidekicks for the show, including Yetta Levitt, Beau Bock, Tom Sullivan, and Neil “Hondo” Williamson.

From 1971 to 1989, McKee dominated the Atlanta airwaves, first on WQXI-AM (790), and then as a simulcast on both the AM and the 94.1 FM frequency. He was getting an unprecedented 20-share of the Atlanta morning radio audience.

After leaving then-Star 94 in 1989, McKee worked at WSB, then B98.5, then Z93, but the market had become fragmented, and he was never able to return to the level of success he had enjoyed at WQXI.

He retired from radio in 1989, and led a quiet life in East Cobb, having, as he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Rodney Ho, been a smart manager of his money.

He told Ho in a 2014 interview, “I was known as a cheapskate.” At his peak, he recalled receiving paychecks every two weeks totaling $17,000, and would take $3,000 to live on and put the remainder into savings and investments.

He is survived by his son, Parker McKee, and daughter, Cassidy McKee. The family has not finalized plans for a celebration of life.

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In May, Democrats on the board had rejected two Republican Party nominees, Julie Adams and Jason Frazier, citing concerns about both individuals’ past actions and arguing that they were not qualified for the position. 

But the Fulton County GOP filed a lawsuit arguing that the commissioners were required to approve the party’s nominees as long as they met basic required standards like living in the county, being a registered voter and not being an elected official.

In an August ruling, Fulton County Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson sided with the Republican Party, holding the commission in civil contempt of court and imposing fines of $10,000 per day until the board agreed to approve Adams and Frazier’s appointments. The fines were put on hold while the board appealed the ruling.

But a three-judge panel on the Court of Appeals overturned the ruling Friday, with Judge Anne Barnes writing that the commissioners “were exercising their constitutional prerogative to exercise their judgment as to these appointments on behalf of the people who elected them.” 

The panel’s two other judges concurred. The ruling also overturned the contempt charge.

Dana Barrett, a Fulton County Commissioner, applauded the appeals court’s ruling.

“When we fight back, we win,” said Barrett, a Democrat who is running for secretary of state. “That’s exactly what happened today. The contempt charges, the fines, the threats of jail time — all overturned by today’s ruling. This is a huge win for Georgia voters and a win for free, fair, and secure elections.”

The chair of the Fulton County Republican Party, which filed the lawsuit against the commission, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An incumbent elections board member who is up for reappointment, Adams previously refused to certify the results of the 2024 primary until Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled that she was required to do so. Frazier, a right-wing activist, has challenged the voter registrations of tens of thousands of Georgia residents, and was one of the main proponents of a series of last-minute State Election Board rule changes in 2024, some of which were ultimately struck down by the state Supreme Court.

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Nine chefs from across Georgia were named to the state’s 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef class on March 11, part of State Restaurant Day at the Capitol.

The program, a joint initiative between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Restaurant Association, recognizes chefs who actively source ingredients from Georgia farmers and use their kitchens to promote locally grown food.

The 2026 class

This year’s chefs represent restaurants from Atlanta to Columbus to the far northeastern corner of Georgia:

• Ben Vaughn, White Oak Kitchen & Cocktail (Atlanta)
• Burns Sullivan, 5 & 10 (Athens)
• Christian Bell, Oreatha’s at The Point (Atlanta)
• Gary Caldwell, Marcus Bar & Grille (Atlanta)
• Holden McKinstry, Vice Steak Bar (Alpharetta)
• Hudson Terrell, The Animal Farm & Gabagool (Columbus)
• Kyle Bryner, Blue Hound Barbecue (Dillard)
• Laura Orellana, Osteria Mattone (Roswell)
• Taylor Mead, Atlanta Botanical Gardens (Atlanta)

Related stories:
• Black chef collective, The New South, proves there’s joy, strength, and support in numbers
• Lazy Betty chef Ron Hsu’s metro Atlanta childhood shapes the tone of his debut cookbook
• Todd Richards returns to hotel roots as executive chef of Waldorf Astoria

What the designation means

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said the chefs were chosen for their commitment to sourcing from local farmers and food purveyors.

The Georgia Grown Executive Chef program functions as a kind of formal handshake between the state’s restaurant and agriculture industries. Chefs who earn the designation agree to champion local food producers, providing Georgia farmers with a direct line to restaurant kitchens throughout the state.

Georgia Restaurant Association President and CEO Stephanie Fischer said the class reflects broader momentum in the state’s food economy. “Through their commitment to sourcing local ingredients and supporting Georgia farmers and producers, these chefs help strengthen the connection between our state’s agriculture and restaurant industries,” she said.

A program growing in reach

The cohort intentionally spans the state geographically, from Kyle Bryner’s Blue Hound Barbecue in the mountain town of Dillard, to Hudson Terrell’s two Columbus restaurants. The program has historically tried to move beyond Atlanta and pull in chefs from smaller cities and towns in Georgia where local sourcing often happens with less fanfare.

Georgia is among the top agricultural states in the country, producing everything from peanuts and pecans to Vidalia onions and blueberries. The Executive Chef program gives farmers a roster of named advocates in professional kitchens, which organizers say helps drive demand and keeps smaller farms operating.

State Restaurant Day brings Georgia restaurateurs to the Capitol to meet with legislators. This year’s class announcement added a formal recognition element to what is typically a lobbying and networking day for the restaurant industry.

The post Nine chefs named to state’s 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef class appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The student-produced show received bronze Distinguished Merit Honors in STN’s Broadcast Excellence contest, which recognizes middle and high school programs that consistently produce high-quality shows.

The honor was announced during the 2026 STN Convention, and winning programs are featured on the STN website.

“We cover fun things like Spartan sports highlights, Spartan Game Show, music video covers, restaurant reviews, movie reviews, and important North Springs updates,” the show’s YouTube page says. “Our mission is to bring you closer to our creative and bright students and faculty.”

North Springs News entered in the Weekly Taped News Show category, which highlights polished weekly broadcasts, edited before airing. Schools submitted a single episode that originally aired during the 2025–2026 school year, showcasing student-produced work throughout the academic year.

Industry professionals evaluate entries in the Broadcast Excellence contest, scoring each submission and providing feedback based on STN’s standards of excellence.

North Springs is one of only nine high schools nationwide to earn bronze Distinguished Merit Honors in the category. Overall, 25 high schools across the United States received medals.

The following students created the award-winning episode of North Springs News: Aidan Bell, Marina Faleiro, Jaden Hawkins, Jaxon Hewitt, Zamien Koyi, Amyah-Marie Richardson, Niwaju Sasore, Jordyn Newsom, and Aviana Felts.

The students are part of the Audio-Video Technology and Film program at North Springs High School, led by AVTF teacher John Wilkerson. 

“The recognition highlights the students’ creativity, collaboration, and technical skill in producing a professional-quality broadcast that keeps the school community informed each week,” Wilkerson said. “Since this is my first year teaching at North Springs, I’ve been encouraging my students to set the standard for the program, and they truly did. I’m looking forward to continued success.”

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The Yeshiva Maccabees’ trip to Atlanta drew nationwide support from fans who traveled from New York to cheer on the team during the Sweet 16 round. Supporters planned their visit around Shabbat, turning the weekend into a celebration of both basketball and spirituality. 

Atlanta’s Jewish community showed up in full force with students from The Davis Academy and Atlanta Jewish Academy cheering on the Macs. Rabbi Adam Starr, a Yeshiva alum who leads Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Atlanta, will host “Meet the Macs” a panel discussion on March 14 with members of the team, as well as Orthodox Union Chief of Staff Yoni Cohen.

Yeshiva’s tournament journey came to an end Friday afternoon as No. 2 Emory University defeated Yeshiva 101-80, punching its ticket to the Elite Eight. The Eagles opened the game on a 16-2 lead and carried that momentum throughout. Senior guard Ben Pearce led Emory with 26 points and 10 assists, while A.J. Harris and Ethan Fauss each added 19 points. Jair Knight contributed 15 points as the Eagles spread their scoring across multiple players.

Yeshiva was led by guard Zevi Samet who scored a game-high 43 points, including 26 in the first half, while Yoav Oselka added 20 points for the Maccabees. Samet finishes his season with a program-record 737 points.

YU’s roster includes seven Israeli-born players, including senior Tom Beza, who is an IDF veteran. Many of the players had family members tuning in from Israel to watch the team take on Emory. 

“I’ve heard from people in Israel, this is a very welcome distraction for them,” Starr said. “It’s just a Jewish pride story.”  This is the Macs’ best performance in an NCAA DIII Tournament; they previously made it to the Sweet 16 in 2020, but the game was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Players, coaches, and fans from both universities showed sportsmanship throughout the contest, with no protests or political activity surrounding the game.  Despite the loss, Yeshiva fans flooded the court after the final buzzer, taking photos with the players and getting autographs, as if they were NBA stars. The power of college basketball to inspire youth and bring communities together was evident inside the Woodruff P.E. Center, where Emory University staff and security ensured the environment was welcoming for all.

Next week, Emory travels to Fort Wayne, IN to play Illinois Wesleyan in their Elite Eight matchup. 

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Dungeons Not Dating is a first-of-its-kind platform connecting D&D players across the country through shared values, play styles, and creative interests. The character-forward platform is designed to make D&D more accessible for all people – especially marginalized folks.

“For folks who are people of color, neurodiverse, or queer, oftentimes they’re looking for a group that’s going to be relatable to them, or at the very least they want people who are going to respect them, not just tolerate them,” Dove told Georgia Voice. “…Finding a group online can be scary and dangerous.”

Users will create their character or dungeon master profile with information about their character type, play styles, and D&D needs. Then, like on dating apps like Tinder or Hinge, they’ll swipe on other users. The app is for ages 12 and up; minors will be blocked from adults and vice versa, and all users will be shown profiles of people within 10 years of their own age.

To enable users to find like-minded players, Dungeons Not Dating profiles will also include political values like feminism, Black Lives Matter, or LGBTQ+ rights, as well as personal interests and hobbies. Because D&D is a beloved safe space for many LGBTQ+ people, Dove says she wanted to ensure that this kind of community has as few barriers to entry as possible.

“It was very hard [for me as a queer woman] to overcome the imposter syndrome and feel like I belonged anywhere until I found Dungeons and Dragons,” she said. “…I just realized how lifesaving having that community and that sense of belonging can be and what it did for my own sense of self-worth and confidence. I wanted to be able to facilitate that for other people, to help other people find meaningful connection through this weird, magical game.” 

Dungeons Not Dating launched for beta testing in January 2025 and garnered around 8,000 users. The app will be relaunching later this year – Dove says likely in Q2 – with updates based on user feedback. Matches will not be limited by location; users can match with anyone across the country for online play. However, Dove says she hopes to roll out in-person options in the future in major cities, including Atlanta.

To join the wait list and be notified when Dungeons Not Dating is available for download, visit dungeonsnotdating.com/waitlist.

Related stories:
• ‘American Teenager’ tour brings stories of trans youth to cities across Georgia
• ‘Alphabet Redacted’ celebrates diversity of LGBTQ+ photography

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Currently attending the Juilliard School, Johnson is a New York-based playwright, actor, and screenwriter whose plays have been developed and produced by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Ojai Playwrights Conference, The Playwrights’ Center, and many others.

Described as a Southern Gothic thriller and love story, “The Red Man” will be produced as part of the Alliance’s 2027/28 season. 

The four competition finalists, which will receive a developmental workshop and presentation as part of the 2027 Alliance/Kendeda Week, are:

• “The Fifth of November” by Nora Brigid Monahan, CUNY Hunter College
• “8½ Collisions” by Danielle Keiko Eyer, New York University
• “Vulturine” by Matt Thekkethala, University of Texas at Austin
• “Water Aerobics with Christopher, 8:30 am” by Helen Gallagher, Brooklyn College

The Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition solicits plays from the leading MFA graduate programs in the United States and then conducts a rigorous selection process to find four finalists and one winning play. 

The judges for the 23rd competition include playwright, theater director, and MacArthur “Genius” Luis Alfaro; award-winning playwright York Walker; and director and educator Nicole A. Watson.    

The winner of the 22nd annual competition, “Fires, Ohio” by Beth Hyland and directed by Marissa Wolf, is now on the Hertz Stage at Alliance Theatre through March 22. Tickets are available at www.alliancetheatre.org/fires

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Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said mayors and high-ranking North Fulton city leaders met at the end of February to create a list of things they wanted addressed.

The North Fulton Municipal Association includes the cities of Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and Mountain Park.

Service Delivery Strategy process

Paul said negotiations are set to begin in April, and there’s an end-of-year deadline to reach an agreement. State databases confirm the Dec. 31 deadline for Fulton County and its 15 cities.

“It’s a great law in the state that requires the counties and the cities to get together to make sure that there’s no double taxation and there’s no duplication of services,” Paul said. “The carrot is that you get to make those decisions yourself. The stick is that if you don’t reach that conclusion, then you become ineligible for state and federal grants. So it’s a very significant set of negotiations.”

The state Community Affairs Department monitors compliance with the Service Delivery Strategy Act. It passed the Georgia General Assembly in 1997, forcing cities and counties to resolve conflicts and reach agreements.

The process aims to ensure that residents in Fulton County cities are not paying county taxes for services provided by their municipal government. 

“I presume we’ll be starting to meet sometime at the end of April or early May, if the county makes the call,” Paul said. “Commissioner Bob Ellis was there, and he laid out the county’s position, which is, ‘We like the way things are.’ I’m sure they do. Cities may have a slightly different opinion.”

Ellis represents northwest Fulton County in District 2, which includes about a third of the city of Sandy Springs west of Ga. 400 and north of I-285.

The city’s other two commissioners are Dana Barrett, who represents southern Sandy Springs in District 3, and Bridget Thorne, whose district includes the “panhandle” in northeast Sandy Springs.

County negotiations and Atlanta water

As city managers prepare for negotiations, Paul said topics that will be discussed include the county’s main jail on Rice Street, animal control, “and clearly, our relationship with the City of Atlanta over water.”

Related story:
• DeKalb judge defends Atlanta’s water rate surcharge to Sandy Springs

A court order in December was a setback for Sandy Springs residents, who have battled the City of Atlanta over water rates and system maintenance for more than three decades.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Nora Polk ruled that the City of Atlanta is justified in charging residents outside of its jurisdiction a 21 percent surcharge for water.

Paul indicated he is putting the surcharge fight to rest and focusing on negotiating better service for Sandy Springs customers.

“Not on the rates,” he said. “But the level of service we’re getting, and the maintenance and other issues related to the water system, will be part of that conversation.”

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The unique shopping experience is widely anticipated in the community each year, according to a release about the event. It celebrates sustainability by reselling, reusing, and repurposing high-end items donated by the Sandy Springs community. 

The sale is in Suite C204 at Parkside Shops off Cliftwood Drive at 5920 Roswell Road, formerly occupied by retailer Tuesday Morning.  At the conclusion of the event, all unsold merchandise is donated to charitable partners.

Admission is free, and every purchase supports local nonprofits serving the community.  Facebook Marketplace browsers and regulars at Poshmark, eBay, and The RealReal are invited.

Upscale resale details

The festivities begin with a preview party on March 12 from 6–9 p.m. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner, two drinks, and exclusive first access to browse and purchase designer clothing, high-end accessories, jewelry, antiques, home décor, children’s items, household goods, and more. 

Shoppers can browse an impressive selection of merchandise, including a six-piece outdoor furniture set, designer clothing and handbags, man-cave memorabilia, children’s apparel and toys, fine silver and china, one-of-a-kind glassware sets, and artwork. A standout piece this year is a pencil sketch of a Labrador retriever created by a local artist who paints with his feet.

Founded in 1988, The Sandy Springs Society is a women-led nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life in Sandy Springs by supporting other local nonprofits that promote the arts, heritage, education, the environment, and social services.

The organization has raised more than $5.4 million to support programs in education, heritage, social services, the arts, and the environment. Proceeds from Tossed Out Treasures benefit area organizations through the Sandy Springs Society’s annual grant program.

“The Sandy Springs Society is a longtime partner of the Community Assistance Center,” CAC Executive Director Francis Horton said. “They have helped us with capital and programming projects and are a consistent advocate for the work we do to prevent homelessness and alleviate hunger.  The society is a mainstay in the Sandy Springs’ nonprofit world.”  

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Hendrickson’s biggest announcement is a redevelopment opportunity in unincorporated southwest Gwinnett County at the corner of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Interstate 85. The county-owned site, coined the future Gwinnett Gateway, is a 106-acre property just outside the city of Norcross.

“Gwinnett County has a history of proactively investing in sites with significant redevelopment potential and seeking partners to transform these underutilized spaces into vibrant places that foster economic growth and enhance quality of life,” Hendrickson said. “The Gateway Gwinnett site offers a tremendous opportunity for high-quality redevelopment that will contribute to the revitalization of the area.”

Gwinnett looks for redevelopment

The Gwinnett County Urban Redevelopment Agency, in partnership with global commercial real estate firm CBRE, is requesting proposals to redevelop the property.

The county acquired the property from fiber-optic cable manufacturer Lightera, formerly OFS, which will continue to operate its facility adjacent to the site, according to a press release.

County officials say the site is prime for redevelopment with assembled parcels within the Gateway 85 Overlay Zoning District and upgraded transportation access. 

Project leaders envision the future Gwinnett Gateway as a “mixed-use destination.” High-rise buildings that promote higher density and mixed-income opportunities are preferred, while enhanced mobility options, pedestrian-oriented development, and placemaking are encouraged. 

The county’s release says the property is located within a tax allocation district and state and federal opportunity zones, increasing the availability of substantial incentives to support large-scale investment, along with other local economic development incentives.

County’s foundations are strong

Hendrickson said Gwinnett’s fiscal discipline continues to position the county as one of the most stable local governments in the Southeast, highlighting its triple-A bond rating and commitment to maintaining all core services.

Hendrickson centered her address on the theme “Rooted in Gwinnett,” sharing her vision for continued economic stability, opportunity regardless of ZIP code, focused redevelopment, and public safety. She shared her story, arriving as a college student 20 years ago, planting roots, and growing her family.

More than 1,100 people attended the March 6 address at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, including state and local elected officials, business leaders, residents, and the Shiloh Middle and High School Marching Band.

Hendrickson touted Partnership Gwinnett, a public-private, nonprofit economic development organization, that brought in more than 1,100 new jobs and about $395 million in capital investment last year.

Other programs, helping small businesses compete for county contracts and funding an entrepreneurial center, address additional workforce needs.

Chair wants ‘smart growth’

The address highlighted work to redevelop Gwinnett Place Mall, where the county is advancing plans to transform the former mall into a mixed-use destination with housing, retail, and green space.

Other long-term investments include the Rowen Foundation’s progress on the Convergence Center, the gateway to a 2,000-acre innovation district focused on collaboration across agriculture, medicine, and environmental sciences.

Hendrickson said the county is committed to long-term stability and sustainable economic development.

“There’s a perception that progress in Gwinnett requires the removal of our natural beauty,” she said. “Historical data show that as Gwinnett transitioned from rural farmland to suburban development, overall tree canopy declined. That’s part of our history, but over the past two decades, strengthened environmental standards and strategic investments have reversed that trend. We’re now adding canopy.”

Unified around public safety

Hendrickson held a moment of silence for Gwinnett County Police Officer Pradeep Temang, who was killed in the line of duty Feb. 1, and MPO David Reed, who is still recovering in the hospital.

“To Chief McClure and our command staff, thank you for leading this department in the storm,” she said. “Our police department will continue to protect this community with courage and resolve. We will not be deterred.”

Hendrickson said people across the country are searching for belonging and “confidence that the ground beneath their feet is firm,” which they can find in northeast metro Atlanta.

“The future of Gwinnett is not a distant dream; it’s a decision,” Hendrickson said. “So let us choose wisely, let us build boldly, and let us remain rooted in principle and united in purpose.”

The post Gwinnett County chair pitches sustainable growth, redevelopment appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The $4.6 billion project will add two express lanes in each direction on Georgia 400, beginning at the MARTA North Springs Station and ending just north of McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County.

“I drive down 400 a lot,” said Tracy Crawford, who is no stranger to Georgia 400. “Traffic is really really bad going one way or the other.”

Crawford learned Sunday that lane closures begin Monday for the toll lane construction project that is expected to take five years.

“You’re going to very upset people,” she said.

Workers have spent the last few months clearing away trees in preparation for the project. Heavy construction is set to begin this month and be completed in 2031, at the earliest.

Officials said the project’s goal is to ease congestion. But some question if the additional lanes will make a difference.

Here are the exit ramp lane and shoulder closures to know about:

• SR 400 NB exit ramp to Northridge Road: Right lane daily rolling closure, March 9-13, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• SR 400 NB entrance ramp from Northridge Road: Left lane daily rolling closure, March 9-13, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• SR 400 NB entrance ramp from Northridge Road: Daily shoulder closure, March 3-13, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• SR 400 NB entrance ramp from Mansell Road: Nightly bus lane and shoulder closure, March 9 and March 10, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• Webb Bridge Road WB at SR 400: Nightly single lane closure, March 10 and March 11, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Webb Bridge Road at Westside Parkway: Nightly shoulder closure, March 9-March 11, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Colquitt Road SB at Brentwood Way: Nightly shoulder closure, March 12 and March 13, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Roberts Drive WB at SR 400: Nightly single lane closure, March 9-13, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Old Dogwood Road at Holcomb Bridge Road: Right turn lane closure, March 10-12, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Read more of this story at WSBTV.com.

The post Georgia 400 express lane project: What drivers need to know about closures this week appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

“Maintaining our road infrastructure is a public safety issue for first responders, an economic development issue for our business community, and a quality-of-life issue for residents,” said District 2 Council Member Jennifer Owens in a release from the city. “Apple Valley Road is a critical corridor, and people will absolutely notice the difference.”

Apple Valley Road has been consistently identified as one of the streets most in need of repaving.

“We loved getting our roadways paved, and we love riding on smooth surfaces, and yes, Apple Valley is included,” said Mayor Pro Tem John Funny during the Feb. 24 meeting. “We all know how badly it needs it.”

Brookhaven, at its Feb. 24 meeting, awarded the contract to Blount Construction for $961,771 with a contingency fund up to $192,354 for Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) and repaving of six roads. The funding comes from 2024 & 2025 Local Maintenance Infrastructure Grant (LMIG) funds with a local match not to exceed $225,634.

FDR refers to an eco-friendly,pavement rehabilitation technique that excavates and pulverizes existing asphalt and mixes it with Portland cement into a portion of the underlying base material, according to the city’s information. Each road will be excavated 6 to 12 inches to create a new, stronger, stabilized base before resurfacing.

“The LMIG program provides tremendous opportunity for Brookhaven to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety as well as allowing us to partner with the state and achieve a common goal, to enhance our transportation infrastructure with minimal impact for Brookhaven taxpayers,” Brookhaven Mayor John Parks said in the release. “Brookhaven should have the best streets in the metro Atlanta area, if not the entire state. The progress we are making brings us closer to this goal.”

“This will not be the end of paving in 2026,” said Interim Public Works Director Tom Roberts. “Later this year we will be awarding the 2026 LMIG paving program in addition to the annual milling and resurfacing contract. More to come.”

Related story:
• Brookhaven starts 2024 paving program

According to the city’s paving program website, Brookhaven completed 13.8 lane miles of 40 streets in 2018, 6.85 lane miles of 20 streets in 2019, 4.92 lane miles of 15 streets in 2020, 4.24 lane miles of 22 streets in 2021/2022, 10,790 linear feet (2.04 miles) of Johnson Ferry Road, connecting Chamblee, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs, in 2023, and 7.1 lane miles over 28 streets in 2024.

Paving is expected to begin this month. Start and end dates are tentative and may change based on weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

The post Brookhaven approves $1.1 million paving program, first of three contracts appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Beleaguered Scottish-based brewpub chain BrewDog made the news again this week. 

On March 2, British and Scottish news outlets reported that US cannabis and drinks company Tilray purchased the brewpub’s UK and Irish assets for £33 million (roughly $44 million). The sale resulted in the immediate closure of 38 bars across the UK and Ireland and the loss of 484 jobs. Eleven “strategic” bars remain open in the UK and Ireland, and 18 franchise bars of BrewDog remain open in the UK and internationally. 

Adding to the sting of the UK deal, The Guardian reports that more than 200,000 BrewDog “Equity for Punks” crowdfund investors would likely not be able to cash in due to the Tilray acquisition.

“No offer was made at any stage of the sales process, from any prospective bidder, which would have preserved BrewDog in its entirety,” AlixPartners, administrator for BrewDog, said in a prepared statement.

UK trade union Unite Hospitality, which represents BrewDog employees, wasn’t having it. 

“The way in which senior management have conducted themselves throughout this sales process has been nothing short of a national disgrace – both the press and Tilray announced the deal before workers were told,” a spokesperson for Unite told The Guardian.

“A company does not lose 97% of its value in the space of nine years without catastrophic mismanagement. Directors past and present pursued reckless expansion and failed strategies, and now workers are paying the price for boardroom failure,” Unite added.

Related stories:
• Georgia Senate rejects bill on beer sales for breweries
• MARTA board faces backlash over Eastside Beltline streetcar project

Why the sale matters to Atlanta

So why does the sale of the UK assets of BrewDog matter to Atlantans? 

An Atlanta location of BrewDog opened in 2022 across from Krog Street Market in the Krog District. While completely unaffected by the Tilray purchase and UK closures on Monday, Tilray is conducting separate negotiations to purchase certain Australian and US assets of BrewDog. 

In addition to Atlanta, BrewDog includes locations in Las Vegas, Cleveland, Denver, and the Columbus, Ohio area, where US operations are based.

Tilray also owns Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing, which it purchased in 2021 via a merger with Aphria. Tilray purchased a majority stake in Athens-based Terrapin Beer Co. in 2024.

Rough Draft reached out to 26 Street Partners, the owners of the Krog District, for comment on the UK sale of BrewDog and ongoing negotiations.

A history of controversy

Founded in Scotland in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, BrewDog has weathered a number of controversies, including toxic workplace and harassment complaints, misrepresentation of financial accomplishments, discrimination, and violating United States distribution laws.

Watt stepped down as CEO in 2024 under a cloud of allegations surrounding inappropriate behavior and fostering toxicity at BrewDog. He retained 21 percent ownership of the company and competed to buy back BrewDog in the sale process.

Dickie left BrewDog last year for “personal reasons” and started a cannabis company. 

The post Tilray purchases BrewDog’s UK assets, US and Atlanta locations unaffected appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Table Talk: How BrewDog’s UK sale affects ATL 

March 3 — Happy Tuesday! Welcome to the table. 

I’m skipping my restaurant recommendation this week, as today’s “Family Meal” comes chock-full of news, including on the sale of controversial UK brewpub chain BrewDog. Atlanta includes a location at Krog District.

While the sale does not affect any US location, the new owner is currently negotiating the purchase of BrewDog’s US and Australian assets. 

I also bring you up to speed on the fires this past weekend that temporarily closed three restaurants in Midtown, Roswell, and greater Decatur. 

Finally, in MUCH happier food news, The Americano, Chef Scott Conant’s restaurant in Buckhead, shares its recipe for seared scallops with cauliflower and pancetta. 

Look for “The Move” and my food recs to return next week. But take a look back at the Atlanta restaurant dishes I enjoyed eating in February. 

Cheers! 

 Beth

You’re invited to a festive fundraiser for Trees Atlanta! Discounted Early Bird tickets available through Mon., Mar. 16. Join us at Root Ball 2026 on Thurs., May 14, at The Foundry at Puritan Mill for music, food, and celebration. SPONSOR MESSAGE

The Sale of BrewDog’s UK Assets
and Why it Matters to Atlanta

 Controversy continues around Scottish-based brewpub chain BrewDog. 

Yesterday, multiple UKnews outletsreported that the UK and Irish assets of the beleaguered brewpub were purchased by US cannabis and drinks company Tilray for a cool £33 million (roughly $44 million). The sale resulted in the immediate closure of 38 bars across the UK and Ireland and the loss of 484 jobs. Eleven “strategic” bars remain open in the UK and Ireland, and 18 franchise bars of BrewDog remain open in the UK and internationally. 

Adding to the sting of the deal, The Guardian reports that more than 200,000 BrewDog “Equity for Punks” crowdfund investors would not be able to cash in due to the Tilray purchase.

“No offer was made at any stage of the sales process, from any prospective bidder, which would have preserved BrewDog in its entirety,” AlixPartners, administrator for BrewDog, said in a statement.

 UK trade union Unite Hospitality, which represents BrewDog employees, wasn’t having it. 

“The way in which senior management have conducted themselves throughout this sales process has been nothing short of a national disgrace – both the press and Tilray announced the deal before workers were told,” a spokesperson for Unite told The Guardian.

“A company does not lose 97% of its value in the space of nine years without catastrophic mismanagement. Directors past and present pursued reckless expansion and failed strategies, and now workers are paying the price for boardroom failure,” Unite added.

 So why does the sale of the UK assets of BrewDog matter to Atlantans? 

BrewDog includes a location in the Krog District. And while it is completely unaffected by the purchase and UK closures on Monday, Tilray is in separate negotiations with BrewDog to acquire its remaining Australian and US assets.

 Tilray also owns Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing and Athens-based Terrapin Beer Co. 

I reached out to 26 Street Partners, the owners of the Krog District, for comment on the UK sale of BrewDog and current negotiations. I’m watching this one very closely. 

 Founded in Scotland in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, BrewDog has weathered a number of controversies, including complaints of a toxic workplace, harassment, misrepresenting the company’s financial accomplishments, discrimination, and violating United States distribution laws.

Watt stepped down as CEO in 2024 under a cloud of allegations surrounding inappropriate behavior and fostering toxicity at BrewDog. Watt retained 21 percent ownership of the company and competed to buy back BrewDog in the sale process.

Dickie left BrewDog last year for “personal reasons” and started a cannabis company. 

Top Orthopedic Care For You, and For Those In Need.

SPONSORED BY PEACHTREE ORTHOPEDICS 

 The Peachtree Orthopedics Foundation is a charitable organization with a 75 year history of service.

 A long history of service in Haiti – In 1953, Dr. James Funk, a founder of Peachtree Orthopedics, made his first trip to Haiti to visit and assist Sister Joan Margaret – a nun who ran St. Vincent’s School for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince. That began a 75-year tradition of funding and mission trips to provide free orthopedic services to the nation of Haiti.

 A new history in Honduras. For the last 9 years, Peachtree has taken similar trips to Honduras. Last week – in fact – we performed 36 total knee replacements there. Quite an accomplishment for a small staff, over a couple of days, in a country that performs only 100 total joint surgeries per year. More trips would mean a much greater impact.

 To learn more, or to donate, go to pofoundation.org. Any amount is helpful and every donation matters. Our goal is to help the world Get Better.

Recipe: Seared Scallops With Cauliflower and Pancetta From The Americano

 This week, we’re sharing a recipe for the seared scallops with cauliflower and pancetta from The Americano.

Chef de Cuisine Jason Kohl created this dish as part of his job application for the Buckhead restaurant. To apply, Kohl prepared a tasting course for owner and chef Scott Conant.

“I like showing different ways to prepare the same ingredient,” Kohl said of utilizing cauliflower as both a puree and sautéed florets.

 Incorporating herbaceous chimichurri sauce brightens up the vegetables and shellfish, while pancetta makes a clever substitution for bacon. The end result is a dish that balances flavors and textures.

Kohl recommends sourcing ingredients from local businesses and farmers markets. “Make sure you locate the best possible ingredients and take the time to prepare them properly,” he said.

Look for U-10 scallops at a specialty grocer, such as Whole Foods, Your DeKalb Farmers Market, Buford Highway Farmers Market, or a local fishmonger such as Kathleen’s Catch.

You can adjust the recipe to serve more people by adding two scallops, shallots and microplaned garlic cloves, and one cauliflower head per person.

 Get the full recipe here. 

You’re invited to a festive fundraiser for Trees Atlanta! Discounted Early Bird tickets available through Mon., Mar. 16. Join us at Root Ball 2026 on Thurs., May 14, at The Foundry at Puritan Mill for music, food, and celebration. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Fires Temporarily Close Three Restaurants

 This past weekend saw separate fires force the temporary closures of three Atlanta-area restaurants. Thankfully, no one was injured, with two fires occurring after hours. Swift evacuation of patrons and staff at the third restaurant prevented any injuries or smoke inhalation.

In Midtown, the Midtown Promenade location of MetroFresh temporarily closed following a fire on Friday, Feb. 27 that caused significant damage to the restaurant.

A lithium battery from a leaf blower sparked the blaze in a mop and storage room near the kitchen around 11 p.m. While the fire was quickly put out, it caused enough smoke damage to the kitchen and dining room to make the restaurant inoperable for the foreseeable future.  

Owner Mitchell Anderson said the fire could have been much worse had it not been for people at a neighboring business detecting smoke and calling the fire department. MetroFresh typically closes at 9 p.m. on Friday nights.

He didn’t provide a reopening timeline for the restaurant but indicated MetroFresh could face challenges, as Anderson negotiates repairs and financing with the insurance company.

Anderson asks that people continue patronizing MetroFresh at its Peachtree Street location in Midtown, one block north of the High Museum.

I’m speaking with Anderson tomorrow about next steps for MetroFresh at the Promenade and his plans for its employees until the restaurant reopens. Look for that update later this week. 

 Up in Roswell, Bellini Osteria Toscana suffered damage after a fire during dinner service on Saturday night. 

The fire started around 7 p.m. when the restaurant was full of people. Smoke filled the dining room, as the blaze began spreading to the walls and attic.

It’s unclear what caused the fire, but Bellini Osteria will remain closed until further notice while fire officials continue their investigation and the restaurant’s owners assess the damage to make repairs. 

 Finally, over in unincorporated Decatur, a fire broke out around 3 a.m. on Friday at Wild N Out Market & Cafe on Columbia Drive. Despite the fire department quickly extinguishing the blaze, the restaurant was completely gutted.

Owner Willie Harris, who opened the restaurant and sports bar last March, told Atlanta News First that his ten employees are now without jobs. Harris set up a GoFundMe to support his staff. 

 I’ll let you know if similar fundraising efforts launch for the employees of MetroFresh and Bellini Osteria. 

Get double the Atlanta food and dining coverage with “Family Meal,” edited by Beth McKibben, on Tuesdays at 5 p.m., and “Side Dish,” edited by Sarra Sedghi, on Thursdays at noon. Subscribe to both here. 

The post ???? BrewDog controversy continues appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Preston Smith, 19, and Steven Richardson, 17, were arrested for shooting at a house on Tiger Flowers Drive in the Dixie Hills neighborhood the night of Feb. 24.

APD Deputy Chief Prenzinna Spann said during the press conference that Smith and Zoey’s brother had a verbal dispute during a phone call. According to a witness, Smith made a threat to “shoot up the home.”

Smith picked up Richardson, and they drove to the home and proceeded to open fire, striking both Zoey and her mother. Zoey died at the hospital, while her mother was wounded, but survived the incident.

Mayor Andre Dickens said he met with Zoey’s mother at the hospital and she described her as “a child full of energy and full of joy.”

“Her life was cut short by an act of senseless violence,” Dickens said, and also issued a warning to others “thinking about pulling a trigger in this city.”

“APD had a 76.76 percent clearance rate for homicides in 2025 – one of the highest in the nation,” Dickens said. “You will be arrested and held accountable. We will find you.”

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said both the FBI and ATF had aided APD in its investigation.

According to the APD report, both suspects surrendered to Fulton County Jail – Richard on Feb. 28 and Smith on March 2. Both are charged with murder, aggravated assault, third-degree cruelty to children, criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The post Atlanta Police make arrests in fatal shooting of 7-year-old appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A Fulton County Sheriff’s officer working the event was hit by a car at 8:05 a.m. near the intersection where the wrong turn later occurred. When Atlanta Police dispatched an officer-down call two minutes later, race-assigned officers left their posts to respond, leaving the intersection unattended.

In a statement on their website, the Atlatna Track Club said that a replacement officer who arrived was not aware that the lead vehicle was supposed to cross a footbridge that doesn’t normally allow car traffic and failed to redirect the driver. The lead vehicle followed a police motorcycle off course, and Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat followed. The detour added roughly a half mile to their race.

The injured officer was transported to Grady Hospital and released later that day.

Club takes responsibility, offers prize money

“We are responsible for the integrity of these championships,” Atlanta Track Club said in its statement. “We regret that Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat were impacted by this incident and were unable to be recognized as the top three finishers reflective of their performance on the course.”

The club has offered to match prize money for the three runners. McClain will receive the equivalent of first-place money. Hurley and Kurgat will split the combined second- and third-place totals, as they were running side by side when they left the course.

Official results remain unchanged. Molly Born is still credited with the win. USATF previously said the World Road Running Championships team is not finalized until May and that it would review the incident before making a final selection.

The post Atlanta Track Club offers prize money to runners affected by race mishap appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Republican-driven measure would have put a constitutional amendment to voters. To get on the ballot, it required support from some Democrats to win the necessary two-thirds majority.

Only one Democrat backed the resolution when it came to a vote Tuesday night.

Republicans said Georgia needs to redesign its tax system because property taxes are too high. Democrats countered that renters would suffer if the tax were nearly eliminated, and they observed that everyone would pay more for groceries and other essentials, since the proposal would have made up for lost revenue in part by raising sales taxes.

Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville, said the change would have opened a $5 billion hole in local government budgets. Cities and counties use property taxes to pay for basic services, including police, roads, and schools.

“If you care about public education, vote no,” Park said.

Republicans said homeowners need tax relief.

Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, the lead author of the legislation, read a letter from a Georgia man whose adult daughter was stricken by illness.

The family ran through their savings after his wife quit working to care for her, and they decided not to pay their property taxes in case they needed the money for a funeral.

The daughter survived, but Blackmon used the story to illustrate the urgency.

“We can’t put property tax relief on hold for people like this,” he said.

The proposal had gone through many re-designs since lawmakers arrived in January, and it was still being amended this week, the deadline for the House to send bills to the Senate and vice versa.

It called for gradual reduction in the proportion of a primary residence’s value that is subject to property tax. Currently, 40% is taxable, but Blackmon proposed reducing that to 10% over a decade. His plan would have forced cities and counties to levy new sales taxes and assessments if they wanted to recoup enough revenue to preserve services.

Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, said the proposal was a political stunt that was never meant to pass.

House Resolution 1114 failed by a vote of 99-73.

“What we are seeing here today is an exercise in cold, hard politics,” said Hugley, the House minority leader. “It’s simply about what voters do you want to drive out to the polls.”

But Rep. Trey Kelley, R-Cedartown, said Democrats were the ones playing politics by keeping the measure off the ballot.

“They want to deny your right to vote,” he said, “because they’re scared of the impact that it will have on the electoral turnout in November.”

House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, has said that property tax relief is a top priority during an election year when affordability is on voters’ minds. The Republican-led Senate has its own affordability strategy, having sent the House several bills that would sharply reduce income taxes.

Burns’ plan may not be dead yet. After HR 1114 failed, Blackmon moved for reconsideration. Burns said it would get another vote on Wednesday.

The post Georgia House rejects near-total elimination of homeowner property taxes appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Read: Jeff Galloway, influential running coach, dies at 80

Galloway won the inaugural Peachtree Road Race, which he helped create, and later opened Phidippides, one of America’s first specialty running stores, in the city. His books on running, organizing races, and instruction are credited with evolving the running movement in America.

Rough Draft asked readers to submit their memories of Galloway and to reflect on his impact on the local running community. A sample of those responses is below.

‘I’m not sure I would have had the confidence’

I knew very little about running specialty retail. He took the time to sit down with me on multiple occasions and share what he’d learned. He even welcomed me into his stores to work and learn from his amazing team. [Jeff] did all of this even though he was fully aware that I planned to open my own store in another part of the city and would eventually be a competitor.

Just last week, I was asked what my ‘lucky break’ had been in the running business. Without hesitation, I said Jeff Galloway. Without his openness and encouragement, I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to open West Stride.

Genie Beaver, Owner, West Stride

‘Jeff made a difference in so many lives’

Jeff was one of my first clients when I started my business. I did PR for the Manufacturers Hanover Atlanta Corporate Challenge 5K (affectionately known as the “Manny Hanny”), which was a really fun downtown road race specifically for companies. It was on a Wednesday night, and the companies had big tents in the Braves’ parking lot and drew participants of all kinds of running abilities.

Looking back, I can see Jeff’s imprint all over it: fun, all-inclusive, challenging, healthy. I went on to work with him on different events and remember seeing him at the first Disney Marathon.

Jeff made a difference in so many lives, including mine. 

 Melissa Libby, PR Executive

‘I still enjoy running and owe it to Jeff’

I ran five half marathons, all using Galloway’s run/walk approach. The thought of running 13.1 miles was overwhelming, but running until my next walk break made it manageable for me. At one point, I was having a problem during one of my trainings and reached out directly to Jeff seeking guidance. He got back to me immediately, helping me resolve my issue. I don’t do long distance anymore, but I still enjoy running and owe it to Jeff for teaching us how even ‘non-runners’ could become runners.

Lauri Strauss, Media Executive

‘Thank you for the lifetime of service’

In the years and decades ahead, Jeff Galloway will likely, appropriately and enthusiastically, be most remembered and celebrated for his groundbreaking and tireless efforts to make a lifetime of long-distance running more achievable and running-related targets more attainable. 

I believe it is unlikely there will ever be another person who has a greater impact on the growth or democratization of our sport.  His books, media, camps, and training programs leave a legacy, as future generations will continue to benefit from his timeless encouragement and transformational instruction. 

At the same time, let us also remember his bold, determined spirit as a retailer and hospitality professional. With Phidippides, he pioneered the Run-Walk Specialty channel, now solidly more than 1,000+ retailers in the US and around the world. The premise of Jeff’s initial efforts in his stores still serves as a cornerstone of this business and a position of strength for this format in the sporting goods industry.

To state it plainly, Big Peach Running Co. (and every retailer like us anywhere) owes Jeff an enormous debt of gratitude for our existence and our potential. Jeff, thank you for the lifetime of service, the enduring example of leadership and the pathway you’ve proven for every participant in our sport and every professional in our industry.

Consistent with the oft-quoted scripture found at the marathon Finish lines you knew so well, you, ‘Dear Sir, fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith!’

Mike Cosentino, Chief Running Officer, Big Peach Running Co.

‘Jeff taught us our goal was to finish strong, not fast’

In 1998, just shy of 40, I had been running a while. I wanted to improve my 10k time to garner Peachtree Road Race seeding. I found out about Jeff’s running group/training at the Ansley Mall Phidippides. Joining Jeff and hundred of runners at Chastain Park/Westminster, I began regular weekly runs with one of many Jeff’d training groups.

Running a marathon was not in my plans, but my fellow runners were all about their first or next marathon. Soon, I caught the bug; with Jeff’s run-walk method and group runs of increasing length, it felt possible. I met a lot of great people, ran 5 marathons from 1998 to 2000, and sorted out some big life concerns on my solo training runs between weekend group runs.  My sorest muscles from my first – San Francisco – were from smiling for 52 minutes. Jeff taught us that our goal was to finish strong, not fast. And, I got a good enough time at an officially recognized 10k to be seeded for a better Peachtree starting position. My last race was Jeff’s Dec 2015 half-marathon.

Jennifer

‘We all finished thanks to Jeff’

Remember when Jeff came to the downtown Jewish Community Center many years ago to train a group of runners for our first Marathon in Calloway Gardens. We all finished thanks to Jeff. Great guy who helped pioneer the Atlanta running community.

Allen Soden, Retired Sales Executive

‘I will think of Jeff next weekend when I run a half-marathon’

Sad day in the running world. So much of my life was shaped by Jeff Galloway. I worked for Jeff from 1994-1996. I ran 32 marathons because of his training method. My first marathon was the Atlanta marathon in 1995 and I still worked for him. He was nervous that I wouldn’t do the run/walk method so he met me at the start and ran the first 8 miles with me and then turned around and wished me luck and went back to meet his family at the finish line. That was so Jeff.

During my time working for him, I worked on the Office Depot Corporate Cup series and got to travel the US with him.  My favorite memory was when Jeff took us to Nike headquarters and showed me his plaque on the wall, and shared so many stories. I moved back to New York in 1997 and started the NYC chapter of the Jeff Galloway Training, where I met lifelong friends. I will cherish these memories. I will think of Jeff next weekend when I run a half-marathon, which i haven’t runin a long time, and will call on his guidance once again. Thinking of Jeff’s family and all the early Galloway friends who worked with him.

Maureen Kelly

‘His national impact is much larger’

Jeff’s impact on the Atlanta running market began in the late 70’s with his Phidippides stores, and continued with Kaiser Permanente Corporate Challenge and Galloway 26.2.  His national impact is much larger – from his books on running and making “running” a marathon a bucket list item that the average runner could accomplish. [His work] definitely led to the huge growth of marathon races throughout the nation.  

Skip Breeser, Road Race Producer

RELATED STORIES
• “50 Years Ago, He Was an Olympian. At 80, He’s Just as Happy to Finish Last.”
• Jeff Galloway, influential running coach, dies at 80

The post Remembering Jeff Galloway: A transformative figure in American running appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Maze T. Coburn, of Lithonia, became upset over a delay in an order he was to pick up, left the location, and returned with a handgun equipped with a green laser sight, according to a report released by Brookhaven Police.

“He allegedly pointed the firearm toward the front window while patrons, including a juvenile, were inside, before fleeing in a silver Ford Mustang,” the report said.

The suspect was taken into custody on Feb. 24 near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and I-285 with the help of Gwinnett County Police.

Related story:
• Brookhaven Police use technology to apprehend armed fugitive

“Pointing a firearm at a business where families are present is reckless and unacceptable,” said Chief Brandon Gurley in the release. “We will continue to act swiftly to protect our community and hold offenders accountable.”

Coburn has been charged with five counts of aggravated assault and one count of cruelty to children in the third degree. He has a history of criminal activity in the county, according to DeKalb Jail records, including an arrest in 2021 for aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of marijuana and criminal trespassing in 2023, and failure to appear and battery in 2024.

According to the jail records, Coburn is still in custody as of Feb. 26.

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is asked contact the Brookhaven Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at (404) 637-0600.

The post Food courier arrested after pointing gun at customers in Brookhaven restaurant appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

There are some very good noodles in this newsletter!

Feb. 26 — Hello, internet friends. 

This spring is shaping up to be a major season for Atlanta restaurant openings and food events. Get those calendars ready! 

In this week’s Quick Bites, I have the scoop on Atlanta’s latest restaurant openings, the adjusted hours at one of Decatur’s best coffee shops, and a relocation update on R. Thomas Deluxe Grill’s beloved tropical birds. I also share an update on iconic Athens restaurateur Dexter Weaver’s retirement. The building, now sold, was home to one of northeast Georgia’s most famous soul food restaurants. Enjoying your food was an honor, sir. Automatic! 

Later on in “Side Dish,” a story digs deeper into the Del Taco drama. You can also catch up with Atlanta chef Todd Richards at his new kitchen gig in Buckhead and peek at the new food stalls coming to Pittsburgh Yards. Plus, I share observations from a first-time restaurant visit that left me absolutely smitten. 

ICYMI, here’s a link to this week’s “Family Meal,” where Beth recapped February’s restaurant openings and Chef Gary Caldwell offered his family’s recipe for burnt sugar cake. 

See y’all next week,
Sarra

 At The New School, the City of Atlanta is an essential classroom. Our students explore their passions through year-long internships, an entrepreneurship class where they start their own businesses, and extended projects addressing real-world problems. From TNS, they go everywhere! Accepting applications. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Quick Bites

Openings

A new Whataburger location opened in Johns Creek this week. 

 Common Coffee & Cocktails is now open on Buford Highway in Doraville. 

Closings

 Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods in Athens closed last week, according to Flagpole. The soul food restaurant is best known for founder Dexter Weaver’s slogan, “Automatic for the People,” which Athens-based alt-rock band R.E.M. adopted as an album title in 1992. Weaver, now 72, opened the restaurant in 1986 and will retire. The restaurant received an America’s Classics designation from the James Beard Foundation in 2007. Local restaurateur Joe Nezda purchased the building and plans to open something new there.

 Gula Indonesian Desserts in Doraville is temporarily closed while the Ariesandi family visits Indonesia. The cafe will reopen March 14 at 11 a.m. 

Restaurant updates

 R. Thomas Deluxe Grill finally addressed its temporary closure on social media this week. Earlier this month, the restaurant suddenly closed and dismissed its longtime employees. A sign placed on the door revealed the closure will last through March 19 while the restaurant undergoes renovations and system upgrades. 

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and [truly] appreciate your understanding,” an Instagram post read. “These improvements will allow us to serve you better [and] enhance your overall experience.” A subsequent post revealed the restaurant’s famous trio of tropical birds are waiting out the renovations at Fancy Feathers in Norcross. 

R. Thomas has yet to comment on whether employees laid off during the renovation will return to work in March or if the Buckhead restaurant will hire new staff members.

Over in Decatur, starting March 1, Opo Coffee will open on Sundays. Opo’s Sunday hours will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

 Congratulations to Dunwoody’s NFA Burger, which won the South Beach Food & Wine Festival’s Burger Bash this year! Hosted by Rachael Ray, judges included Gayle King. Watch founder Billy Kramer win here. 
Menu changes

 Momonoki in Midtown recently launched build-your-own ramen Tuesdays. The customizable menu starts at $13 and allows a choice of broth, noodles, one type of protein, and three types of vegetables. Add-ons such as cheese pork katsu ($5.50) and ramen eggs ($1.50 each) are also available. 

 5Church in Midtown now offers a $16 weekday lunch deal. It includes a choice of soda, iced tea, or coffee. 

Coming attractions

Que-Riosity by Chef Todd Richards will open in McDonough this spring. 

 San Francisco Coffee’s new location at Loria Ansley will open this spring. Stay tuned for a story on San Francisco Coffee’s history and legacy in Atlanta. 

 MilkShake Factory’s newest metro Atlanta location opens March 7 in Roswell. It joins locations in Cumming and Milton. The new location will celebrate with a free grand opening event from noon to 4 p.m. that includes a buy one, get one free offer on shakes, sundaes, and molten cups. The first 100 guests will receive free MilkShake Factory t-shirts. 

Shake Shack will open its first drive-thru location in Athens next week. 

Philadelphia-based chain Spread Bagelry will open its first Atlanta location in Buckhead this March. 

Whoopsie’s, Pure Quill Superette, and Rising Son owner Hudson Rouse will open Babygirl in East Lake this spring. According to an Instagram announcement, the restaurant will open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

With this summer’s World Cup matches on the horizon, a number of hotels are opening in downtown Atlanta. Those include the Moxy Downtown, which opens March 26 and brings Eggslut and rooftop bar Jagger Suite to the neighborhood, and the JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown, which did “a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta hotel.” 

Add to your calendar 

  Enso Izakaya in Avondale Estates will host live jazz nights with Yuichi Arai San on Feb. 26, March 5, and March 19. 

 Your 3rd Spot and Planetary Rum will host a tiki night Feb. 27, from 8 to 11 p.m. The event will feature guided tasting stations, a Planetary Rum tasting, a custom syrup studio, a Mai Tai lab where guests can build personalized cocktails, and more. Tickets are $40 for members and $60 for non-members and include a $10 token for food.

 On Feb. 28, Omakase 1678 in Brookhaven will host local direct-to-consumer matcha company Oohmami Matcha for a pop-up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 Dhaba BBQ and Umbrella Bar are collaborating for a Holi and Seoul event at Ponce City Market East March 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. Expect cocktails and dishes like yuzu lemon pepper masala and tandoori sesame wings, crispy tots with kimchi pulled butter chicken and chaat masala gochujang paneer, and kathi rolls with tikka soy pulled pork.  

At Epicurean Atlanta in Midtown, the hotel’s demonstration kitchen will host Coffee Connoisseur for a tasting on March 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. The tasting explores coffee, brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and preparation methods. Tickets are $40. 

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Top Stories From the Week

Chef Todd Richards lands at Waldorf Astoria in Buckhead 

Chef Todd Richards has accomplished a wealth of feats since arriving in Atlanta in the early 1990s, which started with working in hotel kitchens. Now, Richards is back in the hotel business, overseeing all of the culinary operations at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta in Buckhead, including its restaurant, Brassica.

 Read more on Todd Richards and his work with hotel and airport restaurants.

Del Taco’s drama thickens

 Remember how Del Taco’s locations in Tucker, Lawrenceville, Smyrna, and other surrounding communities randomly closed earlier this month? Turns out that was all the franchisee’s decision and Del Taco’s corporate entity is looking into options for reopening those locations. This is an ongoing fast-food saga. 

 Read Stephanie Toone’s story on the Del Taco franchise closures. 

Pittsburgh Yards adds six food businesses 

The final container at Pittsburgh Yards in southwest Atlanta has been placed, making space for three new food businesses, bringing the total to six at the container courtyard. The container courtyard expects to be fully operational by late spring. 

 Read about the container courtyard at Pittsburgh Yards.

At the Market + Two Recipes

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKETS

Each week, Rough Draft Atlanta and Community Farmers Markets partner up to provide two recipes you can make using ingredients from your local farmers market. This week, we’ve got a tasty sausage-covered grit cake and chicken kebabs. Check out both recipes here.

 At The New School, the City of Atlanta is an essential classroom. Our students explore their passions through year-long internships, an entrepreneurship class where they start their own businesses, and extended projects addressing real-world problems. From TNS, they go everywhere! Accepting applications. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE

That Slaps!

Do you ever step into a restaurant for the first time and immediately concede to its charm? For a food writer, it’s almost like developing a new crush.

I was Authentic Hand-Pulled Noodle House’s first customer on Lunar New Year. As I walked up that morning, I was surprised and confused, because Canton Kitchen, another new Chinese and dim sum restaurant, is located next door. They’re not affiliated, just adjacent — I checked.

I sat in the corner and watched customers occupy tables – a mix of families, couples, and another lone diner like myself. People ran into acquaintances, both by intention and happenstance. The chef carried out noodle bowls from the kitchen himself.

I ordered three vastly different dishes — cucumber salad, a chicken burger, and biang biang noodles with pork belly to take home and let my husband finish later. Each came with an ideal degree of flavor and texture: the chicken burger’s ultra-savory notes cut with a bit of tangy sweetness; the cucumber salad hit the right degree of fermentation; and the noodles alternated between vinegary, chili crisp-crusted and juicy and always intoxicatingly chewy. (I like noodles that deviate from the norm best. There’s just something extra engaging about those squiggly lines.)

We’re always looking for recipes to highlight on Rough Draft. If you have a favorite dish from a restaurant you want the recipe for, please send me an email to sarra@roughdraftatlanta.com. 

The post ???? R. Thomas birds safe! appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

MTOH, the local franchisee for the popular burger chain, is interested in re-purposing a vacant Wendy’s restaurant at 4453 Hugh Howell Road to make way for the quick-serve restaurant with indoor seating and a drive-thru.

The business would require a request for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) as the restaurant is requesting a drive-thru. The community meeting is a requirement before considering the SLUP application.

Stephanie Deaton presented on behalf of architect Warner Summers at the public participation meeting at Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library. Seven attendees posed questions about the building size, landscaping buffer, and safety concerns. The restaurant expects to hire between 80 and 100 at the restaurant if plans are approved. Scholarships would also be available for students employed by Whataburger.

“It’s a great opportunity for Whataburger to be a part of the community and bring life back to a vacant building,” Deaton said.

Mixed reactions to project

Residents within 500 feet of the project received letters regarding the meeting, which included the original site plans. The size of the building has been updated to 2,300 square feet, Deaton said.

Other improvements to the site plan include a reduction in the paved surface, a monument sign instead of a pole sign, and the restaurant’s drive-thru order board and speaker will be placed away from residential areas. About 75 percent of Whataburger’s business is drive-thru service, Deaton said.

Andy Wood attended the Feb. 24 meeting and left feeling hopeful about the design and overall plan for the restaurant.

“I thought that the design fit the existing building perfectly and they would make a good neighbor,” Wood told Rough Draft Atlanta. “I was really impressed when they made the decision to remove some of the rear parking spaces to increase the nature buffer to decrease sound between the business and the homes behind it.”

Before the meeting, some residents expressed concerns about the 24-7 opening schedule in Tucker Facebook groups.

“I believe their 24-hour operation also includes the dining room which can be interesting late at night,” one resident wrote in a Facebook comment.

Those concerns were also expressed at the meeting. MTOH has plans to hire an off-duty police officer overnight to deter crime if needed, Deaton said.

District 3 Council Member Alexis Weaver said the next step is MTOH proceeding with its application to the city and city staff. Staff will make a recommendation about whether to approve the franchise owner’s application. If the recommendation is to approve, the plans will come to the council for two readings and a public hearing.

Weaver said she looks forward to reviewing the final plans for the project, but she does not have a formal opinion about approving the restaurant just yet.

“I am excited that we have businesses both local and national looking at how to invest in Tucker, particularly in adapting or re-developing vacant spaces,” Weaver said.

The post Tucker community discuss plans for new Whataburger location appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

“It’s kind of like if tennis and squash had a baby,” said Armando Suarez, owner of Padel Highway. You have a net and you’re playing against your opponent via the net, but there’s also glass [behind players] that you can play off.”

The couple and their family will open Padel Highway, a state-of-the art, panoramic, four-court recreation center, on Lawrenceville Highway, in April. Players of all skill levels and ages are invited to enjoy tournaments, free play, and other events centered around padel, a sport originated in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969.  

Armando Suarez has played padel, since he was a child in Puebla, Mexico. His family has always been fans of racket-based sports, with his brother, Santiago, playing tennis at Georgia Southern University, and his dad, Armando Sr., once serving as vice president of the Mexican Tennis Federation. 

Racket sport craze

The couple met while students at the University of Mississippi. They moved to Tucker in 2020 when Caitlin Suarez started at Emory University School of Law. As they fell in love with the city, they also resonated with residents’ passion for recreational sports. 

“So many people from the faculty at Emory live here. I feel like we found community so easily here, and we’ve loved how it feels like a small town, but we still have access to the big, metropolitan city,” Caitlin Suarez said. 

The couple was soon able to convince the rest of the Suarezes, Armando’s parents and brother, to call Tucker home. Eventually, the family began to ponder starting a business together that would highlight one of their favorite sports, which was quickly gaining prominence in Europe and Latin America. The 2023 rezoning change on Lawrenceville Highway, which allowed for outdoor recreation, was the last nudge the family needed to pursue Padel Highway.

“We’ve seen firsthand the racket sport craze that is here in Tucker, and we’ve participated, so we’re excited to bring that here,” Caitlin Suarez said.

The courts, surrounded by 12-millimeter tempered glass, have been installed, and the final steps are finishing the parking lot and obtaining permits. Armando Suarez said he’s not concerned about having the challenges that pickleball has faced in Tucker, since the courts and balls are different.

Padel’s balls are specialized, yellow or white, pressurized rubber balls similar to tennis balls that have less bounce and noise as compared to pickleballs. Additionally, Padel Highway sits in an isolated area with no residential areas nearby. The couple said they’re eager to open their first business together, and they hope Tucker responds well to padel.

“We chose Tucker mostly, because we love the community, and obviously we’re here in the community, so we wanted to run this business near to us,” Caitlin Suarez said. “The good thing is our family shows that you can play at all ages. I picked it up in my 20s, and his parents are closer to their 60s, and they love it.”

For more information on Padel Highway, visit www.padelhwy.com

The post New padel facility in Tucker aims to attract racket sport enthusiasts appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

AJFF’s packed house

Feb. 19 (2 Adar)  – There’s so much hope in this springy air. Let’s jump right into some good news.

 Jewish Kids Groups (JKG) announced seven new locations opening in Michigan, New York, Florida, and California, bringing the program to 27 locations. The Atlanta-grown afterschool program is run by entrepreneur Ana Robbins and includes Decatur, Brookhaven, and Morningside. 

 Ten years in the making, Chabad of Toco Hills has completed a brand-new $3 million building. The 12,000-sq. foot facility features a sanctuary, social hall, and classrooms for youth and adult programming. 

 The Atlanta Opera held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new headquarters in Buckhead, the $64 million Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts.

 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opened to a packed house on Feb. 18 with “Once Upon My Mother” at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.  

 Atlanta’s most recent Honeymoon Israel participants are back and sharing their stories. Read on! 

Y’alla, 
Logan

Atlantans reflect on Honeymoon Israel 

 Honeymoon Israel (HMI), a program to promote newlyweds making new connections to the Holy Land, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since 2015, HMI has organized trips for 180 cohorts originating from major cities, including Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and Atlanta.  

“You’re going to be exposed to a lot of complexity and nuance and people with different narratives and different backgrounds. So this is a sophisticated trip that allows you to go beyond the headlines and away from the binaries about Israel that are so common, and really dig deep,” said HMI CEO Avi Rubel.  

 Chloe and Micah Engler of Sandy Springs and Lexi and Mike Vialpando of Roswell shared their takeaways from the recent HMI trip. Read about it in Logan C. Ritchie’s article.

Celebrate Israel’s 78th Independence Day!

SPONSORED BY JEWISH NATIONAL FUND-USA

Join Jewish National Fund-USA‘s Women for Israel as we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, by highlighting the life-changing work we are doing to rebuild and reimagine a stronger Israel.

From housing to healthcare to job creation, every project we undertake creates circles of impact that enrich individuals, strengthen families, empower communities, and uplift entire regions across Israel’s underserved North and South. Learn how you can support these amazing initiatives in honor of Israel’s 78th birthday with the incredible women who help secure the future of the Jewish homeland.

➞ RSVP at jnf.org/atlwfi.

Looking for wise women 50+ 

 She Said, She Said is a new discussion group created for women 50 and older to connect and explore meaningful topics together. The next gathering will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 at the MJCCA. 

Each session, structured as a facilitator-driven conversation, centers on a different theme. 

 The program represents a new and original community-building effort by the MJCCA, designed to deepen engagement and foster meaningful in-person connections. 

Study in nature at LimmudFest   

 Registration is open for LimmudFest 2026 from Thursday, May 21 to Monday, May 25 at Ramah Darom in Clayton, GA. It’s a kosher, multi-generational weekend.

Imagine five days in the mountains with curious Jews from all backgrounds. LimmudFest is Torah study overlooking a lake, late-night Shavuot learning, soulful yoga, and hiking to waterfalls. 

 It’s a weekend of choose-your-own-adventure Jewish learning, creativity, and connection. Register by March 2 to receive up to $100 off per adult.

An audiobook narrator told Zionists to kill themselves. A popular romance novelist hired him anyway. 

 A bestselling romance novelist is facing backlash from her Jewish readers after hiring an audiobook narrator who previously posted on social media telling Zionists to kill themselves.  

Abby Jimenez’s novel The Night We Met, set to be published next month, features voice actor Zachary Webber as the narrator of the audiobook. 

“If you’re a Zionist and you exist, you should not do that anymore,” Webber posted on his Instagram story in September 2024. “No one likes you and you suck, and go f—ing kill yourself.”

 Read the full story on The Forward.

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

  Feb. 22: Hear from Kibbutz Nahal Oz residents. 

  Feb. 22: Interfaith antisemitism workshop.  

 Feb. 22: Bake hamantaschen in Sandy Springs. 

 Feb. 22: Navigating tech and antisemitism.  

 Purim merriment is calling!  Join Or Hadash March 1 at 10 a.m. for our family Carnival and Puppet Show, or March 2 at 6 p.m. for a Hamilton-inspired Megillah reading and shpiel. Costumes welcome. Hamantaschen inevitable. Serious joy. RSVP today.

Jerry’s Habima Theatre 

Jerry’s Habima Theatre is Georgia’s only professionally run, inclusive theater company featuring actors with disabilities performing alongside professional artists. This season, Jerry’s presents Mary Poppins JR at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta from March 5-15. 

The post ???? The Honeymooners appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

In the aftermath of a widely publicized raid on the county’s election warehouse in January, there has been renewed speculation over whether the board would attempt to take over election operations in the county, which is a Democratic stronghold and home to much of the city of Atlanta.

King: ‘I’m waiting to see what happens’

On the first day of a two-day meeting held in Winder, board member Janelle King signaled she had not closed the door on taking further action once more information became available.

“I’m waiting to see what happens with the DOJ and the FBI seizure, and see what comes out of that,” she told reporters Wednesday. 

Roughly 700 boxes of election records were seized during the raid, which coincided with President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for the Republican Party to “nationalize” voting and take over elections in the United States in “15 places.” Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts has filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking the return of the documents. A hearing in that case is scheduled for next Friday.

The State Election Board also passed a measure this week seeking access to the Fulton County election records once they have been returned from the U.S. Department of Justice’s custody.

Dolezal: ‘We’ve seen the shenanigans’

At least one state lawmaker, Cumming Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal, has publicly called for the Trump-aligned board to take over elections in Fulton County, claiming that the county has failed to properly maintain its voter rolls. Trump also boosted a story about Dolezal’s push in a social media post Tuesday.

Dolezal continued to call for a state takeover as the board was meeting in Winder. 

“We’ve seen the shenanigans of 2020,” he said in a speech Wednesday in the state Senate. “We’ve seen broken laws in 2024. We’ve seen gross negligence in the maintenance of the voter rolls, and unfortunately, it is now time for the State Election Board to step up and step in and begin the process of replacing the election superintendent in Fulton County.”

Pitts: ‘We have released everything that we were legally required to do’

Pitts, who appeared at the meeting on Thursday, said that county officials had and would continue to obey the law.

“As long as we’re compliant with the laws, I’m satisfied, and we have released everything that we were legally required to do,” he said. “But we were not, unless directed to do so, going to release anything that would contain any personal information, people who voted absentee, personal identification, name, address, telephone number, Social Security, things like that. We’re not going to do that.”

Under a sweeping election law passed in 2021, the State Election Board was empowered to take over underperforming county election boards, though the board voted down a similar push to take over Fulton County’s elections in 2023. The panel is primarily tasked with overseeing cases involving potential violations of election laws and issuing guidance to help elections run more smoothly.

Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold which is home to much of the city of Atlanta, was also at the center of President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen in Georgia and other swing states. Two recounts, including one done by hand, affirmed former President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia.

The central claims used to justify last month’s FBI raid include allegations of missing ballot images, duplicated ballots, irregularities with tabulator tapes, and other issues that have been widely debunked in the more than five years since the election. Additionally, previous investigations into the 2020 election did not find any merit to the claims of rampant voting fraud or intentional misconduct by Fulton election workers and leadership.

Faith leaders speak out

Ahead of this week’s meeting, held in Winder, a group of Georgia-based faith leaders gathered to speak out against what they saw as an attack on the voting rights of Fulton County residents.

“What happened in Fulton County does not stay in Fulton County,” said the Rev. Willie “Bo” Barber II of Prospect AME Church in the Columbus area. “It also travels into Newton County, into Bibb County, Muscogee County, Chatham County, all over the state of Georgia.”

Barber also voiced concerns that the seizure of election documents would lead to voters staying home on election day out of fear of the federal government.

“It will set a precedent that says that the private information of individuals — showing how we vote, showing where we live — will be fodder for those that would hold up injustices,” he said.

Democrats in the state Legislature also echoed those sentiments.

“It is ridiculous that we’re spending taxpayer money trying to make Trump feel better,” said Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Grayson Democrat who chairs the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. “I think there is a move to interfere with our elections in the state of Georgia, and this is just a step in that direction.”

On Wednesday, the board also voted to subpoena Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over a case involving an alleged double voter in Fulton County. The board subsequently voted 3-0 to allow the executive director to hire a private investigator for a pilot project on Thursday.

The board’s next meeting will be held on March 18 at Marietta City Hall.

The post Georgia election board holds off on Fulton County takeover appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Pileo Therapy and Pearl Massage were shut down by police.

“I’m not going to tolerate sex trafficking, prostitution, any illicit sexual activities in this city,” said Police Chief Ken DeSimone.

Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne spoke with a woman who said she was the owner of Pearl Massage, and she denied the allegations.

“My store is only massage. Today police come into my store, I don’t know why, so my store opened four years,” she said.

Officer Jarrell Green says for now any charges will be under city ordinance violations, but if the investigation warrants upgrading charges to felonies or adding other arrests that will happen.

He says investigators staking out Pileo Therapy and Pearl Massage took down tag numbers, and letters will be sent to registered owners about the investigation.

DeSimone also posted closure notices at two other spas, Jade Spa and Massage Spring, though they both closed recently before police could go inside to investigate them.

Three women were detained after the raids.

Read more of this story at WSBTV.com.

The post Massage parlors shut down for suspected sexual activity in metro Atlanta appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The president talked for more than an hour at the Coosa Steel plant outside of Rome. He was here to campaign for his pick to replace Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene at Congress and also reiterated his full endorsement of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.

He talked about tariffs and spoke at length about affordability, saying he had won the affordability issue, Channel 2’s Richard Elliott reports. He also claimed to have started a great economy, though a lot of economic data, including food prices, shows that may not entirely be accurate.

He touched briefly on the FBI raid at the Fulton County Election hub.

“Why don’t they want them to see the ballots after all these years? You know why they don’t want? Because they cheated, that’s why,” he said.

After his early focus on the state’s voting system, Trump refocused his comments on the economy as he toured a steel company whose owner said it had benefited from the president’s tariffs.

The president, who was fiery at times during his public remarks, also railed against the Supreme Court, which is weighing the legality of his novel use of an emergency powers law to impose worldwide tariffs.

“I’ve been waiting forever, forever, and the language is clear that I have the right to do it as president,” Trump said.

He added, “The tariff is the greatest thing that has happened to this country.”

Trump also claimed that inflation is no longer a problem in the U.S., blaming Democrats for rising costs: “They caused the affordability problem. And we solved it.”

Georgia Democrats accused him of politicizing law enforcement and pursuing fake conspiracy theories.

They said Trump’s trip to a red Georgia district to attempt to sell his “failing economy” is a warning sign to Georgia Republicans.

Trump stopped off at The Varsity in Rome on his way to the speaking engagement. He ordered a cheeseburger and talked with customers and staff.

He was joined at Coosa Steel by Clay Fuller, the candidate he endorsed for the Congressional seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Read more of this story at WSBTV.com.

The post Trump says he ‘solved’ affordability problem in speech at Georgia steel plant appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The beginning of Adam MacDonald’s “This Is Not a Test” is disorienting – and not in the way you expect a zombie apocalypse movie to be. 

We meet our protagonist, Sloane (Olivia Holt). She’s sitting in the bathtub and reading a suicide note, and it’s pretty cut and dry where this scene is headed. She’s interrupted by her dad, and when we meet him, we understand a little more what’s got her in such dire straits. Then, very quickly, zombies attack, and we’re off to the races. 

Before the zombies come into play, the dialogue between Sloane and her dad is almost impressively expository, a problem that will persist throughout “This Is Not a Test,” which is based on Courtney Summers’ novel of the same name. Through that dialogue, we learn that Sloane’s dad is abusive, her mom is gone, and her sister Lily (Joelle Farrow) also left not too long ago. However, we learn nothing substantial about Sloane as a character. And therein lies the rub. 

Visually, “This Is Not a Test” seems to be shooting for the style of “28 Days Later” (and reaching for that uniquely striking pinnacle only really betrays how visually dull the film is). However, the film’s core issues lie with the characters. This is supposed to be a story about a girl thrust into survival mode when all she wants to do is die – a character study shoehorned inside of a zombie movie. Holt gives it her all, but she and the rest of the young actors are given so little to work with, the film almost feels like parody. 

After the film’s cold open, we skip forward a day in time to find Sloane and a group of teens barricading themselves within the walls of their high school. It’s quite a jarring switch – who are these kids? What are they to each other? Will any of those questions be answered? Not beyond the bare minimum. 

Instead of developing details and relationships, most interactions between characters in “This Is Not a Test” amount to little more than information dumps. Flashbacks show us how Sloane and the rest of the teens found their way to the school, a journey that depends heavily on the tension between leader of the pack Cary (Corteon Moore) and the mother of two of the other kids, Grace (Chloe Avakian) and Trace (Carson MacCormac) Casper – and yes, there are siblings named Grace and Trace in this movie. 

That tension is meant to build to a terrifying climax, but it’s really just a not-so-subtle way of explaining to the audience how zombies work in this world (although that’s still pretty unclear by film’s end). When Mrs. Casper leads the teenagers into her home, Cary loudly reprimands her for turning on the lights and drawing attention to the house. She shoots back, telling him to stop yelling because, clearly, the infected are attracted to noise. Almost every single interaction in the film feels as stale as this one, delivering information instead of actually telling a story. 

Most of the action in the film takes place in the school, in what’s meant to be a sort of psychological exploration. But it’s difficult to do much exploring when your characters are nothing but vague impressions of teen stereotypes. I’ve never read Summers’ novel, but I hopped on the book’s Wikipedia page and read character descriptions after watching the film. Even those brief rundowns feel more layered than the characters we see in the film. When a key character dies in a horrific way, you know so little about them that the way the film lingers in the pain feels ridiculous rather than emotional. If “This Is Not a Test” is going for psychological thriller, it barely allows us a peek into anyone’s inner life, let alone Sloane, who is ostensibly the film’s lead. It sometimes feels a bit like “This Is Not a Test” is trying to make up for that lack of depth with gore (Sloane spends a majority of the beginning of the film with a face covered in blood), but even then, it falls short of the mark, nothing but empty spatter. 

The post ‘This Is Not a Test’ gives less than the bare minimum appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A heartfelt Saturday

Feb. 14 — Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for something to do with your partner or looking to celebrate your singledom, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of dining events and specials worth your time here.

It’ll be 61° and cloudy today, with light rain on the horizon for tomorrow. 

MARKET UPDATE

The S&P 500 slipped 1.4% for the week as growing fears that AI could disrupt industries from real estate to financial services overshadowed a cooler-than-expected January inflation report. The Dow fell 1.2%, and the Nasdaq dropped 2.1%. The markets and banks will be closed on Monday for Presidents’ Day.

LOCAL NEWS

Advocates for extending light rail along the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail are accusing transit leaders of sidelining a key project without public input. 

Georgia Senate Republicans have approved an income tax cut plan that calls for no income tax on the first $50,000 in annual earnings by an individual and $100,000 for a married couple.

The Norcross Police Department reported a more than 25 percent reduction in overall crime in 2025, with nearly all major categories now well below 10- and 15-year averages. (Subscribe to our new Norcross newsletter.)

Atlanta officials said Thursday that the Atlanta airport and MARTA are ready to handle the influx of soccer fans this summer during the FIFA World Cup matches. 

AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS

American figure skater Ilia Malinin, who was undefeated since 2023 and the overwhelming favorite to win gold, finished eighth after falling multiple times in his free skate. Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won gold.

 Medal Count Leaderboard:

• Norway – 19
• Italy – 18
• U.S.A. – 18

ELSEWHERE

Homeland Security funding lapsed early this morning as the White House and Senate Democrats continue to negotiate immigration enforcement reforms. Here’s what to know about the partial government shutdown.

 A federal judge in Illinois ruled that the Trump administration cannot rescind $600 million in public health grants that were allocated to four Democratic-led states.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKENDIN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE

In Two Weeks! Kick off 2026 with intention at this hands-on goal-setting workshop designed to help you clarify priorities and turn your vision into action. Whether you are focused on financial stability, homeownership, or long-term planning, this event sets the foundation for success.

Stone Mountain’s Lunar New Year Festival starts today, and will run each Saturday and Sunday through March. 1.

The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is back at the Fox Theatre this weekend, with performances tonight at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m. 

The exhibit “Orchid Daze: Living Canvas” returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden today and continues through April 12.

Here are some concerts to check out: 

The REMakes & Smithsonian @ Variety Playhouse (tonight)

Ian Munsick @ Tabernacle (tonight)

Teenage Bottlerocket @ Center Stage Theater (tonight)

Andy Browne @ Thinking Man’s Tavern (tonight)

Stokley Williams @ Londzell Theatre (tonight)

Say She She @ Terminal West (tonight)

R&B Live @ State Farm Arena (tomorrow)

Heart @ Gas South Arena (tomorrow)

Noah Rinker @ The Loft (tomorrow)

Tyler Braden @ Terminal West (tomorrow)

IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ

Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by replying to this email or sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or Bluesky @RoughDraftATL.Enjoy your Saturday!

Party like it’s 1985 at our 40th Artistic Affair!

SPONSORED BY SPRUILL CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Dust off your cassettes and tease your hair, we’re having a FUNdraiser – so be there or be square!

Join us on March 28 as Spruill Center for the Arts kicks off the 40th year of Artistic Affair! Get ready for full-on 1980s fun, complete with an open bar, arcade games, costume contests, a live auction, and more.

 Tickets are on sale now – get yours today for an early bird discount (good for purchase through Feb. 15).

Top stories of the week

A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.

① Perimeter Mall submits plan to relocate food court to Macy’s wing

② Former Chamblee City Hall will become Spruill Studios in June

③ Tucker to install city’s first roundabouts to ease traffic and improve safety (pictured)

④ Sandy Springs leaders grill GDOT on SR 400 Express Lanes project

⑤ Trump administration ordered to produce information that led to Fulton elections raid

Gather your kiddos and celebrate Purim with Or Hadash at our beloved Purim Carnival and Puppet Show! Join us March 1 at 10 a.m. for games, face painting, prizes, snacks, and make-your-own hamantaschen in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Costumes encouraged! Details and RSVP. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Don’t miss News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.

 Connect with us on Bluesky.

 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.

The post ???? Happy Valentine’s Day appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The award, which honors individuals for their leadership and service to their communities, was presented by U.S. Representative Hank Johnson during a recent ceremony at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Goodwin joined Atlanta Public Schools as executive director of Athletics in July 2025, following previous roles as interim athletic director for DeKalb County Schools and principal of Redan High School.

APS said that Goodwin, who has more than 30 years of experience in educational athletics and school leadership, has been pivotal in strengthening the district’s athletics program.

Among Goodwin’s accomplishments includes helping to establish the Hank Aaron Diamonds Initiative, a program (supported by the Atlanta Braves Foundation’s Henry Louis Aaron Fund) that aims to rebuild every high school baseball and softball field across the Atlanta school district.

The post APS athletics executive director honored with Congressional Pioneer Award appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A Decatur resident, avid reader, and dedicated festival volunteer, Yarbrough holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and previously led large-scale initiatives at ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical Company.

“Bailee has a rare combination of industrial experience and deep community commitment that aligns perfectly with the values and vision of DBF,” DBF President Mathwon R. Howard said in a statement, “She’s a thoughtful, steady leader who will help DBF deepen its connection with readers, authors, and our community.” 

Yarbrough succeeds Leslie Wingate, who is retiring after guiding the festival’s successful return to in-person programming in 2024 following the COVID-19 pandemic and leading the celebration of DBF’s 20th anniversary in 2025.

DBF also announces the retirement of programming director Denise Auger, who began as a volunteer in 2007 and helped shape the festival’s literary voice for nearly two decades.

The 2025 festival welcomed nearly 20,000 attendees, featuring 145 authors and moderators across 65 sessions, alongside more than 100 exhibitors and 350 volunteers.. The 2026 festival will take place Oct. 2-3, with programming and additional details announced in the coming months. . 

“At its heart, the Decatur Book Festival is about the community coming together to share stories and ideas,” Yarbrough said in a statement. “I am honored to steward DBF forward and continue creating welcoming spaces where readers and writers of all ages can gather, spark curiosity, and explore new perspectives.” 

The post Decatur Book Festival appoints Bailee Yarbrough as new executive director appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Announced this week by the property’s management firm, Jamestown, and owner/operator, TriBridge Residential, the planned enhancements will target the site’s public spaces and residential areas.

Several of the improvements earmarked for Inman Quarter will be made to the development’s central courtyard, with the installation of an elevated deck and sculptural bench, the addition of a power source for future pop-up activations and refreshed landscaping are all in the works.

Additional projects for the Inman Quarter’s public areas include revitalized property branding, updated signage and wayfinding, the installation of a large-scale mural, new pavers and enhanced tree lighting, as well as improved public seating areas and bicycle amenities.

For the residential portion of the development, the property’s interiors are set to receive a new paint job, modernized wayfinding and unit identification, along with various improvements to the building’s elevator vestibules.

Outside of the tangible changes, as part of the project, Inman Quarter also recently acquired an open container designation that will allow guests to purchase to-go beverages from participating onsite restaurants to drink while walking around the property.

“Inman Quarter is an important part of Inman Park, and our approach to this refresh is consistent with our broader investment philosophy — making thoughtful, targeted improvements that enhance how people experience a place while respecting the character of the surrounding community,” said Miller Radford, senior vice president of Asset Management at Jamestown.

“The project will elevate how guests experience the property day to day, through better connectivity, more inviting outdoor spaces, and thoughtful design, while remaining true to the neighborhood’s charm.”

The various construction will be conducted in phases to “minimize disruption,” with the project slated to be completed sometime in spring, according to a press release.

The post Inman Quarter announces upgrades to public spaces, residential areas appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The newly-instated members are Justin Honaman, Ryan Oliver and Rondah Q. Thomas, who collectively offer experience in areas such as “business strategy, technology and innovation, workforce development, governance and community leadership,” said a release.

Honaman is currently the global head of Worldwide Retail, Restaurants and Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon/AWS, in addition to serving on the Leadership Atlanta board and hosting “The ContenderCast,” a global consumer industries podcast.

Oliver is the chief executive officer and co-founder of TradeUp, a fintech brokerage and mobile trading platform. He has garnered more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience, including senior roles at Twitter/X and GE, in addition to holding advisory roles with Hands On Atlanta, the Woodruff Arts Center and Furkids.

Thomas, a Georgia Tech graduate with over 25 years of experience in human resources and organizational leadership, is currently an area manager at Georgia Power and has served on several community and nonprofit boards, including the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, to name a few.

CHRIS 180 says that Honaman, Oliver and Thomas will help the nonprofit amidst plans to expand the reach of its community support services. 

“These leaders bring fresh perspective and proven expertise, and we’re excited to welcome them to the CHRIS 180 family,” said Cati Diamond Stone, president and chief executive officer of CHRIS 180. 

In addition to its trio of new members, the mental health organization also announced its elected board officers, consisting of Lori B. Chennault as chair, Deirdra Glover as vice chair, Nicole S. Long as treasurer and Erika Montag as secretary.

The post CHRIS 180 appoints new board members appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The order signed Saturday by U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee also unsealed the court file for the subsequent lawsuit against the Trump administration that was brought by Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts.

Pitts sued after the Jan. 28 raid on a county elections warehouse, when FBI agents entered a county property in Union City and left with 2020 ballots.

“The Court’s action affirms that this case is a matter of public interest, in Fulton County and beyond,” Pitts said in a statement Sunday. “Fulton County will continue to pursue every legal option to seek the return of election records and to defend our elections from possible takeover.”

The order by Judge Boulee of the Northern District of Georgia gives the federal government until 5 p.m. Tuesday to produce the affidavit that the government filed to obtain the search warrant.

Pitts said county staff were continuing to prepare for the 2026 election, “which will be once again free, fair, transparent and legally compliant.”

The post Trump administration ordered to produce information that led to Fulton elections raid appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

But there were other significant developments too: Georgia Republican Congressman Barry Loudermilk announced he will not seek another term, and President Donald Trump picked his candidate in the race to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. 

There are also new legislative candidates vying for a seat at the Gold Dome, including those in a state Senate special election and others mounting a May primary challenge, and another candidate making his attempted comeback bid official. 

Trump backs Clay Fuller in the race to replace Greene 

President Donald Trump has weighed in on the crowded race to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in northwest Georgia.

Trump gave his backing this week to Republican Clay Fuller, former district attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit.

“He is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in Georgia, and many Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Trump posted on social media.

Fuller ran for the seat in 2020, coming in fourth in the Republican primary with about 7% of the vote.

But the Trump endorsement could give Fuller an edge in the highly conservative district where more than 20 candidates, mostly Republicans, qualified for the open seat.

Republican Christian Hurd pulled out of the race this week ahead of Trump’s announcement, citing a need to coalesce behind Fuller against Democrat Shawn Harris. Hurd announced on social media that he will challenge Republican state Rep. Steve Tarvin of Chickamauga instead of running for Congress.

“This is the closest a Progressive Democrat has ever been to winning a seat representing Northwest Georgia, and we can’t let that happen,” Hurd said in a statement. 

Harris, one of three Democrats in the race, challenged Greene in 2024 and earned about 36% of the vote. He has raised more than $2.2 million, according to FEC data.

The Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series is set to host two political forums with the candidates on Feb. 15, which will be available to stream on GPB.org and on The Atlanta Press Club Debates YouTube channel the following day.

Loudermilk will not seek another term in Congress 

Georgia Congressman Barry Loudermilk, a Cassville Republican, announced this week that he will not seek another term in Congress after about a decade in office. 

Loudermilk issued a statement Wednesday saying it was time to serve “in other ways” but did not elaborate. 

“I first ran for election to Congress in 2014 and, as I stated then, representing the people in Congress is a service, not a career; and although I continue to have strong support from the people of the Eleventh Congressional District, I believe it is time to contribute to my community, state, and nation in other ways,” he said in the statement. “Therefore, I have decided not to seek re-election at the end of my current term in Congress.”

This means Georgia voters in four districts will choose new congressional representatives this year. U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins are vacating their seats to run for the U.S. Senate, and Greene’s replacement is being chosen now in a special election, though the winner will have to immediately defend the seat this year. 

The ballot for the Senate District 53 special election is set 

There are three Republicans and one Democrat running in a northwest Georgia special election that was called after former Trenton Republican Sen. Colton Moore stepped down to run for Congress. The Recorder reached out to all the candidates. 

Denise Pierce Burns is a homemaker, homesteader and home educator who was the congressional district chair. On her campaign site, she says she is running to “defend life, faith, parental rights and local control.”

Blake Elsberry is a Walker County Republican and a former sole commissioner for Chattooga County. 

Lanny Thomas, a Republican, is a former mayor of Trion and a former public school educator and coach. He said he planned to run for the seat even before Moore decided to step down. He pledged to be a senator who communicates with his constituents and works well with other lawmakers in both chambers “in order to get results” for the district. “I want to run for this seat so that my district can have representation that the people can take pride in,” he said. He said he would tackle affordability issues by being a fiscal conservative and working to eventually eliminate the state income tax, and he sees public safety and supporting public education as other important issues for the district.

John Bentley (Jack) Zibluk is a Lookout Mountain Democrat who is a professor of communication. He said he was already planning to run for the Senate seat “largely to stand up against the controversial Colton Moore.” If elected, he says he would want to coordinate more closely with officials in the Chattanooga metro area on economic development and environmental concerns, and he said he is also concerned about health care, particularly mental health, data centers and road safety and flood control. “Yes, I am about the nuts and bolts rather than divisive cultural issues. That’s really the job,” he said. 

Other announcements: 

Fitz Johnson has officially announced his plans to run for the seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission that he had been appointed to until losing in November to now-Commissioner Peter Hubbard. That potential rematch will be on the ballot this year. 

Duro Haynes, who chairs the Henry County Democratic Party and is a former congressional staffer, says he will challenge Sen. Gail Davenport in the May primary. Davenport, who is a Jonesboro Democrat, has served in the Senate since 2011.

The post Trump endorses Clay Fuller in crowded race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Two Tucker High School standouts are representing their alma mater in the Feb. 8 Super Bowl at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

Thomas Brown, a 2004 Tucker High School graduate, is the passing-game coordinator/tight end coach for the New England Patriots. Neiko Thorpe, who sparked national attention after graduating from Tucker High in 2008, is a defensive assistant/defensive back coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Brown got his training on the gridiron as a running back at Tucker. He helped the University of Georgia win the 2005 SEC championship, with 26 touchdowns, 25 rushing, in his collegiate career, according to his Patriots’ profile.

He recently told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his time in Tucker and Georgia was the foundation of his future NFL success. 

“I started making some of those earlier connections,” Brown told the AJC. “I grew up 50 minutes from Athens. It was close by. I had the support system, made some lifelong friends, but also just learned a lot of values of hard work and perseverance.”

Brown, as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams, won a Super Bowl ring at Super Bowl LVI in 2021.

Brown’s fellow Tucker Tiger Neiko Thorpe is heading into his first Super Bowl appearance. He has achieved several successes on the field prior to his coaching stint. As a Tucker High safety, he was named an Under Armour All-American, recording 64 tackles and three interceptions in his senior year. He was part of the national champion team at Auburn University in 2011, according to Rivals.com.

Prior to being named defensive coach, Thorpe spent five seasons with the Seahawks, occasionally as corner back snaps, but primarily as a special teams gunner. Thorpe shared a brief message on his Instagram after his team narrowly clinched the NFC championship game against the Rams: “Big Blessings. Thank you Father on repeat.”

Mayor Anne Lerner expressed her excitement about the Tucker High School’s alums facing off.

“No matter who takes home the trophy tonight, Tucker wins,” Lerner told Rough Draft Atlanta. “Having our Tucker Tigers represented in the Super Bowl is a moment of great pride for our entire community.”

The post NFL coaches with Tucker High roots set to vie for Super Bowl title appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The ownership transfer completes a multi-year partnership the organization had with MARTA, Columbia Ventures, and Perkins & Will to develop the transit-oriented arts hub, which originally opened in 2020 as part of Phase II of the Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA transit-oriented development.

The $10 million building includes two professional dance studios, a 138-seat theater, and a wheelchair-accessible technical booth.

Standing at 21,500-square-feet, Moving in the Spirit says that the space not only doubles its capacity, but allows it to serve up to 500 youth annually and reach thousands more through workshops, performances and partnerships, in addition to being one of the few youth-focused arts centers in Atlanta directly connected to public transit.

“Owning our facility is more than a financial milestone, it is a promise to the young people we serve and all who have invested in this promise,” said Shalondra Henry, executive director of the local nonprofit. “This building was designed to be a place where children feel safe, seen, and celebrated, and where they can imagine bold futures for themselves  applying lessons of leadership and innovation. Securing full ownership ensures that Moving in the Spirit will remain a creative and supportive home for generations of Atlanta youth.”

Founded in 1986, Moving in the Spirit says that it utilizes the art of dance to “help youth develop social, emotional, and leadership skills they need to thrive,” with nearly half of its students receiving sliding-scale tuition to make arts education more accessible for Atlanta families.

With the full ownership of the development being made official, the organization plans on expanding its programming and strengthening “its role as a cultural anchor along Atlanta’s eastside transit corridor,” according to a press release. 

“This achievement is a testament to years of careful planning, partnership and belief in our mission,” said Henry Kelly, Moving in the Spirit’s board president. “Full ownership strengthens our long-term sustainability and allows us to focus our resources on what matters most: creating life-changing opportunities for children and teens.”

The post Moving in the Spirit takes full ownership of arts facility appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

“With so much upheaval in funding and an increasingly challenging environment for artists, we’re fortunate to be able to offer this subsidized creative space, especially for artists in the north metro area who hadn’t previously had an opportunity to participate in this type of local hub,” Spruill CEO Alan Mothner told Rough Draft.

Set to open in June, Spruill Studios will be housed in the former city hall building at 5468 Peachtree Road in the heart of downtown Chamblee. According to a release from Spruill, renovations are set to begin in March. Spruill officials will start accepting applications from artists interested in studio spots on March 9.

The space will house 15 studios in total – nine at approximately 200 square feet and six at 100 square feet. The renovated facility will also feature a dedicated public gallery showcasing works by the facility’s artists. Spruill officials intend to host open studio tours in tandem with major public events, such as Chamblee’s annual Chalk Walk.

“During our strategic planning process two years ago, our stakeholders identified a clear need for affordable and accessible studio space in the Perimeter area,” Mothner said. “We’re thrilled to partner with the City of Chamblee to be able to offer this space and programming for area artists. Spruill Studios is the next chapter in what is now a 50+ year legacy for our organization.”

Chamblee’s mayor called the new studios a win for all parties.

“This partnership represents a beautiful evolution of our former city hall, from a place of civic leadership to a space where creativity and community can thrive together, ” Brian Mock said. “We’re proud to partner with Spruill Center for the Arts and look forward to seeing this historic building continue to serve our community in a
meaningful way.”

Shannon Morris, Spruill’s gallery director, will oversee Spruill Studios. The gallery, which has recently undergone renovations including new exterior paint, is located on Ashford Dunwoody Road in the Perimeter area.

“I am excited to play a role in the development of Spruill Studios that will fulfill the need for additional studio space, especially for artists living in the north metro region,” Morris said in the release. “Our programming will aim to increase visibility for our studio artists while assisting with the promotion of their practices.”

Spruill Studio’s news bucks the trend of several creative spaces closing, including the MINT Gallery in 2024, and most recently, Metropolitan Studios in Atlanta.

“Bringing increased access to art and artists in the heart of the city is a proverbial win/win/win for Spruill, the city of Chamblee, and the entire art community,” Mothner said.

The post Former Chamblee City Hall will become Spruill Studios in June appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Woodson would work as a teacher and school principal in segregated schools before obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree from Berea College in Kentucky. He later traveled abroad throughout Europe and Asia, serving as a school supervisor in the Philippines. Later earning his master’s degree from the University of Chicago, Woodson would become the second Black American, following W.E.B. Du Bois to obtain a Ph.D. doctorate degree from Howard University, eventually serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard.

Though an accredited and published historian, Woodson’s involvement was shunned by most of the professional and trade associations of his day, he assumed in part due to his frequent objection to the non-inclusion of the history of Black Americans or slavery. Noting that no other colleges would take on this cause at that time, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 in Chicago. His continuing devotion to the study and promotion of the contributions of Black American bore fruit in 1926 when Woodson launched Negro History Week during the second week of February, to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The celebration was a bit slow to grow

Spreading slowly, primarily across public school systems and college campuses in or near urban areas, Negro History Week became Negro History Month, and then Black History Month, first celebrated and renamed at Kent State University in 1970. Not long after assuming the presidency, Gerald R. Ford met with Civil Rights Leaders including Dorothy Height, Jesse Jackson and Vernon Jordan seeking a more substantive commitment by the United States to make a ringing reaffirmation of the U.S. commitment to racial justice and moral leadership across the world, 50 years after Woodson’s modest start of this now national celebration.

In February of 1976, by Executive Action, President Ford proclaimed Black History Month as a national period of recognition and study, as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration. And since that time, each President since Ronald Reagan has issued a proclamation honoring Black History Month.

My family came South in the Civil Rights Era

My family published newspapers in metro Atlanta, starting scrappily in Decatur in 1949, and eventually growing to eight suburban weekly newspapers across DeKalb, south Fulton, Clayton, Fayette and Henry Counties, along with a commercial printing business that employed over 300 people.

That later commercial printing enterprise would print many other newspapers as well, including The Atlanta Daily World, and for some time The Birmingham Daily World, for the Scott family of Auburn Avenue, Sweet Auburn District and Atlanta’s Fourth Ward for nearly 40 years. My father and his family were Yankee carpetbaggers, arriving in 1949, with little more than the car and Jet Stream trailer they rolled into downtown Decatur with.

My mother would arrive alone as a teenager by bus from Birmingham in 1960, with a suitcase and less than $50, collected from friends and neighbors to help her locate her mother, who had left her behind to follow better job opportunities in Atlanta. When I was born in 1961, MLK, Jr.’s eldest son, Dexter Scott King, and I were born on the exact same day in hospitals just a few miles apart in Atlanta.

This South, Atlanta, and Scottdale are all home

And now, Atlanta and my home of DeKalb County is a very much blended and diverse melting pot and community. We moved to Scottdale, GA in 2007, not long before my youngest daughter was born. This unincorporated community within DeKalb County has its own rich and colorful history, to be shared again in another column, but the names of Scott Boulevard, and Agnes Scott College, all share the same proud Irish American roots.

The census data in 2007 for Scottdale identified the local demographics as 67 percent black, and less than 26 percent white. And now in my home county of DeKalb, my family is by far in the minority, with white residents only accounting for about 24 percent of the entire county’s population. Yet, I have never felt more at home.

I fully agree with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s quote suggesting that we judge people by the content of their character, and not just the color of their skin…and that culture and history and prior good deeds are also a part of character, so I am glad that we spend an entire month recognizing and celebrating this. And though I won’t be the first to make the suggestion, I hope you will consider joining me in wishing that we spend part of every month recognizing, celebrating and educating our youth on the many contributions and challenges faced by black and brown Americans, across our nearly 250 years as a nation. Like my Irish forebears, they were not all initially welcomed here, but in the broad tapestry of the modern American society that we have become, learning more of each other’s cultures, customs and history only benefits us all. Have a blessed Black History Month, and God bless America.

The post One man’s opinion: Celebrating a Century of Black American History appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Decatur Library has been closed since the evening of Feb. 2, and DeKalb County Public Library officials announced on Feb. 3 the branch would remain closed on Feb. 4. 

“We know that many of you are concerned about the incident that occurred yesterday,” read a DeKalb County Public Library statement. “It was a frightening situation, and our staff and patrons were very shaken. We are relieved that they were able to evacuate the building safely.”

Police continue search

City of Decatur Police Department was dispatched to the library, located in the 200 block of Sycamore Street, at 5:10 p.m. Feb. 2 in reference to a person shot. Officers identified an adult male with a gunshot wound. The victim, who has not been identified, was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Decatur Police Lt. John Bender told Rough Draft Atlanta the victim remains in critical condition as of Feb. 3.

Decatur Police identified the suspect as Medicus Brown, 44, of Decatur. The DeKalb County Magistrate Court has issued arrest warrants for aggravated assault with the intent to murder as well as possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for Brown. Police are “still working to locate” Brown, Bender said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual who was injured, his family, and all those affected, including our library employees and patrons who were present and are understandably shaken by this incident,” said Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, DeKalb County CEO.

The Decatur Library will be closed on Feb. 3, according to a statement. There will be updates provided on when the library will reopen at a later date. DeKalb County District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, via an Instagram post, confirmed that library staff would continue cooperating with police and provide an update on reopening when they can.

DeKalb County Library officials in their Facebook post on Feb. 3 expressed gratitude for the community’s concern and support in the aftermath of the shooting.

“Thank you for all of the kind words and messages of support you’ve shared with our staff,” read the statement. “It means a lot to us. Our website will be updated with information about restored operating hours as soon as it becomes available.”

Anyone with additional information on the shooting can contact the Decatur Police Department at (404) 373-6551.

The post UPDATE: Suspect remains at large in ‘frightening’ Decatur library shooting appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Table Talk: “Gourmet” relaunches + Duck Cassoulet

Feb. 3 — According to Punxsutawney Phil, that furry little weatherman who lives up yonder in Pennsylvania, we have six more weeks of winter ahead of us. Ugh. He may be right, especially after back-to-back arctic blasts and winter storms last month. And I’m hearing we could experience one more round of frigid weather later this month. Say it ain’t so, Phil! Winter needs to take a hike. Atlanta is over it. 

 Okay, enough about the weather. Let’s get to today’s “Family Meal,” which features a scannable list of January restaurant openings and a recipe for Tipsy Thaiger’s fiery collards. I’m also in your inbox imploring you to grab lunch or dinner at Halfway Crooks Beer in Summerhill. (A recent special at the brewery spotlighted duck leg confit cassoulet.)

Plus, I’ll tell you what’s currently on my radar, including two newly launched food publications featuring former colleagues from my days at Eater. 

Cheers! 

Beth 

Perched on the 17th floor of The Charles, this three-bedroom residence presents one of the building’s most desirable floor plans and sweeping skyline views. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, enjoy curated custom upgrades, a designer kitchen, NanaWall doors, and a wet bar with 50-bottle wine storage. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Did You Miss These Openings?

 Despite January being one of the slowest months for dining out, it’s one of the biggest months for restaurant openings. January saw nearly two dozen restaurant and bar openings across Atlanta and the metro area, along with the announcements of 18 upcoming restaurants, most of which will open by the end of 2026. Openings also outpaced closures in January, another sign that, at present, our restaurant scene appears stable. 

I’ve compiled a quick, scannable list for you below, with links to our stories on specific restaurants, or with an establishment’s website so you can learn more.

 Click here to get the full list with mini bios on each January restaurant opening.  

 Now Open

Casa Bembe (Cuban)
Buckhead

Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Underwood Hills

788 Omakase Table
West Midtown

& Cheese (Grilled cheese)
Midtown

Dos Caminos (Mexican)
Midtown

Cuevacía (Oaxacan/Northern Mexican)
Colony Square, Midtown

Bar Lewis (Lewis Barbecue’s cocktail bar)
Ansley Mall

Bobo Izakaya
Toco Hills

Casa Coya (Peruvian)
Reynoldstown

Hippin Hops Brewpub & Oyster Bar
East Atlanta Village

Ruki’s Kitchen (Ethiopian)
Peoplestown

Zephyr and Bar Z (Southern-French)
South Downtown

Brews & Hops Taproom
Chamblee

Laylo Cafe (Korean/desserts)
Chamblee

Saffron Darbar (Indian)
Sandy Springs

Rosetta Bakery
Dunwoody

Foxtail Coffee Co.
Dunwoody

Asher & Rose Modern Grocers
Marietta

Season at Gabriel’s (Breakfast/lunch)
Marietta

 Upcoming Restaurant Openings 

The Victorian (Plant shop and wine bar)
Buckhead

Barrel Proof (Cocktail bar)
Westside Provisions District, Howell Mill Road

Eats at Wild Heaven Beer
West End

El Tesoro
West End relocating to Best End Brewing space

Ikara (Indian)
Atlantic Station

Taffer’s Tavern
Midtown

Name TBD Mexican steakhouse
Midtown

So. Fox (Wine/seasonal dishes)
Virginia-Highland

NoriFish and Okiburo (Sushi/ramen)
Ponce City Market

PopUp Bagels
Old Fourth Ward

Busy Bee Cafe
South Downtown

Estrellita (Filipino)
South Downtown, relocating from Grant Park

Wyld Bird (Pollo asado)
Reynoldstown, inside Home Grown

 “The Golden Girls” Kitchen
Kirkwood

{s}table (Southern)
Dunwoody Village

TESO Life (Japanese lifestyle market and grocery)
Chamblee

Smalls Sliders
Marietta

Reformation Brewery
Kennesaw

Lala (Panadería and cafe)
Lawrenceville

Orthopedic issues? This is how you Get Better.

SPONSORED BY PEACHTREE ORTHOPEDICS

 Peachtree Orthopedics has 43 leading physicians, with specialists in every body part – providing expert, focused care that is designed for the quickest recovery and the best outcome.

Our UrgentORTHO Clinics offer same-day, evening, or even Saturday hours. So come when it works for you, get seen quicker, incur less cost, and avoid the E.R.!

  New patients can use our AskORTHO feature – a free online resource where you can chat with a live Peachtree clinician.

Peachtree Orthopedics has served Atlanta for over 70 years with a commitment to helping you return to the things you love. No matter your orthopedic challenge – they’ll help you Get Better too.

➞ Learn more or book an appointment here.

The Move: A Meal at Halfway Crooks Beer