Newcomer Magazine | Winter 2023

Winter 2024

Fly high at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Visit the roseate spoonbills at the Georgia Aquarium

Catch a show at the Atlanta Ballet

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • MUSIC DINING • SPORTS • FAMILY FUN SHOPPING • ATTRACTIONS & MORE Grab a bite at an amazing Atlanta restaurant Enjoy the beats at one of our many concert halls

METRO ATLANTA’S PEDESTRIANFRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

ROMANTIC GEORGIA ESCAPES JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY

HOW SCHOOLS ARE FOCUSING ON CHARACTER EDUCATION

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Winter 2024 CONTENTS FEATURES Atlanta’s Historic House Museums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 The Magic of Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26 Rich in history and each with their own unique story, house museums open up a window to the past and a perspective on their legacy.

Discover the many things that make Atlanta not just the capital of the South but a fantastic place to live, including the best of the arts, attractions for the whole family and a unique sense of history.

Character Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .20 Romantic Retreats in Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Many Atlanta schools incorporate some form of character education, teaching students to be involved, caring and respectful of others.

Dreaming of a getaway for the two of you? No need to head to an exotic locale—plenty of romantic destinations beckon from a short drive away.

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DEPARTMENTS In Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Relocation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

The inside scoop on news, events and happenings around Atlanta.

A guide to help you find your way before, during and after your move, including county information, neighborhoods, relocation tips and more.

Homes and Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Across the metro area, more and more people are embracing the idea of walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, which offer dining, shopping and entertainment.

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Neighborhood Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Hidden Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

With historical charm, recreational amenities and multiple transportation options, College Park is Atlanta’s thriving neighbor to the south.

SCAD FASH is an opulent 10,000-square-foot museum that has attracted exhibitions featuring some of the most cutting-edge and noteworthy names in fashion design worldwide.

School Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Through individualized guidance at all grade levels, and a strong focus on character, Woodward Academy helps students to achieve their maximum potential.

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Get caught up on the best exhibitions, theatrical productions, special events and live music across the metro area.

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Patrick Killam

pkillam@killampublishing.com

editor

Everett Catts marketing & promotions

Jeff Thompson contributing writers

Daniel Beauregard, Anna Bentley, Christine Fonville, Karin Pendley Koser, Hope S. Philbrick, Jackson Reeves, Muriel Vega director of sales & marketing

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Lacey James advertising@killampublishing.com

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Newcomer magazine, Winter 2024, Volume 27, Issue 4.

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inFOCUS NEWS BITES FROM AROUND ATLANTA

LOOK! UP IN

THE SKY!

PHOTO: Courtesy of Slater Hospitality

There are few holiday experiences as magical as ice-skating 10 stories above Ponce de Leon Avenue at Skate the Sky at The Roof at Ponce City Market. All-access tickets for this 3,500-squarefoot ice rink, open seven days a week through Jan. 7, include unlimited gameplay at Skyline Park. And when you’re not skating, get snug and warm in one of the Market’s six-person igloos, which come with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine or a round of hot chocolate.

For more information, visit poncecityroof.com.

TAKE A MAGIC CARPET RIDE

Take a break from the hard knocks of everyday life with a pair of larger-than-life, family-friendly productions courtesy of Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre! First up, an all-new tour of the Tony Award-winning musical Annie brings the timeless tale of everyone’s favorite plucky orphan to town Dec. 5-10. A few weeks later, Aladdin breezes into the Fox for an unforgettable spectacle, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Jan. 9-14. atlanta.broadway.com.

Down the Rabbit Hole Enter the wondrous world of Beatrix Potter in the Alliance Theatre production of Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale. Watch as Potter’s captivating characters come to life with a variety of original songs in a family-friendly tale that encourages us all to acknowledge our fears and work together to overcome challenges. Through Dec. 23. For tickets and other information, visit alliancetheatre.org.

Every year, Midtown’s Atlanta Botanical Garden transforms into an awe-spiring extravaganza during Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, presented by Invesco QQQ. Along with the usual eye-popping displays, this year features new installations including a 144-foot-long winterwhite sky net, a large flock of illuminated metal birds and deer and the return of the White Rabbit to the Skyline Garden pond, a preview of the upcoming Alice’s Wonderland exhibition!

Through Jan. 14. atlantabg.org.

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PHOTO: Greg Mooney

A Magical Night of Lights

inFOCUS A Festive Double Feature The 1964 stop-motion animated special Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer has enchanted generations of children, and the Center for Puppetry Arts’ faithful adaptation continues to delight Atlanta audiences each holiday season.

And this year, families can also marvel at the Festive Features exhibit, showcasing puppetry in classic holiday films and TV specials, including Rudolph and Santa from “Rudolph” and the Jim Henson Company Reindeer from “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Both run through Dec. 31. For more information, visit puppet.org.

PHOTO: Clay Walker

It’s a Holiday Home Run Baseball season may be over, but there’s still plenty of holiday activity at the Battery Atlanta, adjacent to Truist Park. Through Dec. 24, children are invited to stop by Santa’s Post Office with their handwritten letters and have their pictures taken with the jolly old elf himself. And on Dec. 31, the annual New Year’s Eve Bash offers two ways to usher in 2024: a familyfriendly event beginning at 6 p.m. with music by Grammy Award nominee Brady Rymer, and a grown-up celebration starting at 9 p.m. with 12 South Band, winding up with confetti and a fireworks display at midnight. For more information, visit batteryatl.com.

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By Christine Fonville

Rich in history and each with their own unique story, house museums often provide a peek into the past while also giving insight into the vastly different lives of the individuals who built the structure and the people who made it a home. Many house museums, particularly in the South, possess a duality: they are both lovely, grand structures with impressive antiques and artifacts as well as physical reminders of the negative aspects of that era. Through these dwellings frozen in time and maintained with respect to their history, visitors can learn about the multiple perspectives of the people that gave these homes a legacy.

Swan House

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Swan House

PHOTOS: (opposite, top left and top right) Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center; (middle right) City of Roswell; (bottom right) Courtesy of Atlanta History Center

BARRINGTON HALL Roswell is named after Roswell King, who moved to the area in the 1830s. His family’s MARTA train station influence can be seen today throughout the city and beyond—at Barrington Hall, a sprawling example of Greek Revival architecture competed in 1842. The house, once the home for Roswell’s son, Barrington King, is fully furnished with several original family artifacts. Multiple gardens on the seven-acre property are not to be missed, representing horticultural trends from the mid-1800s to present. roswellgov.com, 770640-3855

BULLOCH HALL A full exhibit and tour of the Bulloch Hall home museum reveals a presidential link; it is more popularly known to locals as the home of Mittie Bulloch, mother to the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. The home was built in 1839 by Maj. James Stephens Bulloch, one of Roswell's initial settlers. Part of the house museum tour includes an insightful look into the often-underrepresented history of those who built many of the historical homes in the area through a reconstruction of the slave quarters which stands in stark contrast to the family home. roswellgov.com, 770-992-1731

Smith Family Farm

SWAN HOUSE AND SMITH FAMILY FARM Also part of the Atlanta History Center’s main campus in Buckhead, the Swan House, built in 1928, and the main farmhouse of the Smith farm, constructed in the 1840s, show two very different parts of the past. According to Claire Haley, the center’s vice president of special projects, the Swan House contains original furnishings of the Inman family, which lived there, and exhibit spaces. The elegant house, which became a museum in 1966, was featured prominently in two of “The Hunger Games” movies. The Smith Family Farm opened to the public in 1970. It showcases agriculture and the lives of farm families in tmid-1800s along with the others that lived on and worked the land. Heirloom crops and animals are now present on the site. atlantahistorycenter.com, 404-814-4000

Barrington Hall

MARGARET MITCHELL HOUSE Built in 1899 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Crescent Apartments, the home was where author Margaret Mitchell lived when she wrote “Gone with the Wind,” in the basement unit she referred to as “The Dump.” The Tudor Revival-style house became a museum in the late 1990s and was officially incorporated into the Atlanta History Center in 2007. While it is currently closed to the

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Hammonds House public due to the COVID-19 pandemic and could reopen in 2024, the campus contains event spaces and a lawn used for lectures and private events. atlantahistorycenter.com, 404-249-7015

SMITH PLANTATION “Visitors to the Smith Plantation house museum will find furnishings and collections reflecting three generations of one family with artifacts and displays showing life from the 1840s through the 1950s,” said Dena Bush, historic assets manager for the city of Roswell.

Located at the current grounds of Roswell City Hall, Archibald Smith’s home was completed in 1845 as he worked with and invested in Roswell King’s vision for the area. “Ten original outbuildings and gardens on the property 12 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

PHOTOS: (top) Michael Moss; (bottom right) Courtesy of the City of Roswell

Hammonds House

Smith Plantation represent a cohesive example of a 19th-century, north Georgia yeoman farmstead,” said Bush. roswellgov.com, 770-641-3978

HAMMONDS HOUSE Dr. Otis Thrash Hammonds’ home, located in the West End area of Atlanta, was his own personal museum, housing more than 250 pieces of important African American art. Hammonds purchased the Victorian, pre-Civil War era home in 1979 and began the restoration process soon after. Fulton County purchased it in 1985, shortly after his death. After originally being planned as an African American research library, it became a museum following a suggestion by Ed Spriggs, a Fulton public arts department leader who previously directed the Studio Museum of Harlem in New York. “It’s filled the

need for black artists and black art patrons and really has been a nice place for the community because it’s a rental space as well,” said Donna Watts-Nunn, the museum’s managing director. Today it has 450 art works dating from the mid-19th century by artists from the United States, Africa and the Caribbean. hammondshouse.org, 404-612-0481

KING BIRTH HOME Built in 1895 and purchased by Martin Luther King Jr.’s descendants in 1909, the two-story frame Queen Anne-style house on Auburn Avenue is where the Civil Rights Movement leader spent his childhood. The home stayed in the family until after King’s assassination, and it is now owned and maintained by the National Park Service. Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church,

another site where King made his initial impact, is nearby. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park also includes a visitors’ center, rose garden and the King Center, which houses exhibits and King’s tomb. nps. gov, 404-331-5190, ext. 5046

GOVERNOR’S MANSION Located on 18 acres and featuring 30 rooms on three floors, the Greek Revival-style Governor’s Mansion in Buckhead was built in 1967.

All of the furnishings in the home are considered to be museum quality and make up one of the finest Federalist-period collections in the United States, according to officials. It also houses a collection of valuable books, many of which are rare first editions by Georgia authors such as Margaret Mitchell. georgia.gov, 404-261-1776

OWENS-THOMAS HOUSE Built in 1819, the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters in Savannah is modeled after a neoclassical English home during the Regency period. Built for shipping merchant and slave owner Richard Richardson, the property also included a two-sided privy and a building located on the east end of the lot, which was divided into a carriage house and slave quarters. After being sold to a bank and used as a boarding house, it was purchased in 1830 by a lawyer named George Welshman Owens, who lived there with his family. Over the next 121 years, it was home to the Owens family descendants until Margaret Gray Thomas, Owens’ granddaughter, donated the property upon her death to the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences to be used as a house museum in her father James’ honor. Today it hosts daily tours. telfair.org/visit/owens-thomas, 912-790-8800

CANNONBALL HOUSE Built in 1853 as a planter’s townhouse for Judge Asa Holt, the Cannonball House in Macon is named for the destruction it sustained during the Civil War. It was owned by the Holt family until 1962, when the United Daughters of the Confederacy bought it to save it from being razed. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property is an example of Greek Revival architecture and includes fine period furnishings. The house is “devoted to acquiring, conserving, interpreting, and exhibiting artifacts reflecting Georgia’s heritage from the antebellum through reconstruction eras,” according to its website. It hosts daily tours and special events and exhibits throughout the year. cannonballhouse.org, 478-745-5982. newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 13

HOMES

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C O MM U NI TI E S

WALKING METRO ATLANTA’S PEDESTRIANFRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

While searching for your new home in metro Atlanta, you might be looking for a community that puts you within walking distance of great dining, shopping and maybe even your job. Well, you’re in luck! All across the metro area, more and more people are embracing the idea of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

By Anna Bentley

Downtown Decatur 14 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

These areas are defined by such factors as higher-density development; a mix of residential, retail and office spaces; wider, landscaped sidewalks; and an increased focus on safer conditions for pedestrians. And though this may seem like a relatively recent it’s anything but.

“They used to be the norm everywhere when they were based around downtowns, town centers,” says Lauren Blaszyk, manager for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program. “And then once people started getting into their cars and started driving, that all changed, I think.

People seemed more interested in driving around where they needed to go, and development followed that trend. But now, in the last 20 to 25 years, the focus has been more on walkability and how we can get people out of their cars, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is health.”

The ARC is an organization that promotes and funds livable centers throughout metro Atlanta, and the LCI program provides grants to encourage cities to redevelop their downtown areas into more walkable communities to improve air quality and residents’ lifestyles by getting them out of their cars. Since its inception in 1999 as part of a plan to help the metro area comply with federal air quality standards, the ARC has awarded grants to 130 LCI communities in 11 counties.

Blaszyk said some of the cities that have recently become more walkable communities are Alpharetta, Duluth, Jonesboro, McDonough, Riverdale, Stockbridge, Suwanee and Woodstock. From revitalized downtown centers to smart new development, here are just a few of Atlanta’s pedestrian-friendly communities.

Inman Park

Filled with Victorian estates and bungalows dating back to the early 1900s, Inman Park is most known for its historic architecture and eclectic community, bolstered by the annual Inman Park Spring Festival and Tour of Homes, which turned 51 this year.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWNS, REIMAGINED One of the region’s first communities to revamp its downtown area was Smyrna, a booming city about 30 minutes northwest of Atlanta. While some cities devoted resources to revitalizing their existing historic areas, Smyrna took another route by building a town center completely from scratch. The Market Village, with its mixed-use development of restaurants, shops and townhomes, as well

as a nearby community center, public library and parks, created a cultural focal point for the community in the early 2000s. Now, the Market Village hosts festivals, concerts and other events throughout the year.

The city has continued to make commitments to walkability. Medians throughout the city’s main roads help slow traffic and encourage foot traffic, and a mixed-use development with single-family homes, luxury apartments and retail and dining space is located less than

a mile from the Market Village.

Inside the Perimeter, just east of Atlanta, the city of Decatur is known for its vibrant downtown, strong community and smart growth. Downtown Decatur is home to some of the city’s most lauded restaurants, including the Brick Store Pub, Iberian Pig, No. 246 and Leon’s Full Service. It’s also home to farmers markets, pop-up markets, concerts and festivals celebrating books, wine, craft beer and bluegrass, to name a few. Best of all, newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 15

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C O MM U NI TI E S

A family enjoys an Atlantic Station holiday event.

it’s all within walking distance of the Decatur MARTA station, allowing for easy, car-free access to some of Atlanta’s top attractions and entertainment destinations.

Just west of Decatur is one of the city’s oldest—and most distinctive—neighborhoods.

Filled with Victorian estates and bungalows dating back to the early 1900s, Inman Park is most known for its historic architecture and eclectic community, bolstered by the annual Inman Park Spring Festival and Tour of Homes, which turned 51 this year.

Started as a way to showcase the neighborhood’s charm and historic homes after it became “somewhat abandoned” by residents’ flight to the suburbs as the remaining ones fought plans to build a road through the community, it’s become hugely popular, says Cristy Lenz, president of the Inman Park Neighborhood Association. Today, the April event draws about 40,000 people 16 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

on each of its two weekend days.

Inman Park’s “focus on preservation” and strong infrastructure make it stand out, Lenz says, adding, “We look at this community as Atlanta’s first suburb” which has since evolved.

Inman Park’s modern redevelopments (Krog Street Market, Inman Quarter and Inman Park Village, to name a few) and close proximity to the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile network of multiuse trails and parks, give homeowners easy, walkable access to nearly limitless dining, shopping and entertainment options. Being on the BeltLine, the neighborhood has come full circle from its early days when it was on Atlanta’s old streetcar line.

WALKABLE DEVELOPMENTS Atlantic Station, one of the city’s largest livework-play developments, combines office space, several blocks of dining and shopping options and an 18-screen theater with highrise apartments, lofts, condominiums and townhomes. Its location, just off of Interstate

Serenbe

PHOTO: Addison Hill Photography

HOMES

85 in Midtown Atlanta, makes it convenient to all the action of the city. Atlantic Station also hosts events throughout the year, from music festivals and tennis tournaments to haunted attractions and performances by Cirque du Soleil.

In the heart of Atlantic Station’s residential area is a large park complete with a lake, pedestrian bridge and benches for enjoying Atlanta’s sunny summers and (mostly) mild winters. Plus, a free shuttle transports residents and visitors to top neighborhood spots and the Arts Center MARTA station.

Thirty miles southwest of Atlanta sits a different kind of pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. Serenbe, founded in 2004, is a master-planned community based on the arts, nature and wellness.

Its intentional, thoughtful design promotes community and walkability in clever ways. Communal mailboxes create opportunities for conversation with neighbors, and wooded trails throughout neighborhoods offer a shorter path to city centers than along paved streets.

The community’s three culturally themed neighborhoods are designed like English villages, with restaurants, cafes and boutique shops located in the center of the neighborhood and homes radiating outward. It currently has over 1,000 residents in about 400 homes, with plans to have up to 1,200 homes—single-family homes, garden estates, condominiums, apartments and lofts—on its 1,000 acres, as well as plenty of greenspace. As part of its development plan, 70 percent of Serenbe’s land must remain untouched.

At Serenbe, as with developments and cities throughout Georgia, it’s more about embracing smart ideas from the past than creating an entirely new way of life.

“What we’re doing really is taking from the past … and recreating it in a neighborhood that inevitably develops community,” says Monica Olsen, vice president of marketing and communications for Serenbe.

No matter what part of Atlanta you decide to call home, odds are you’ll find a community that offers the opportunity to live, work, shop, dine and play in one convenient, walkable neighborhood. newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 17

neighborhood

SPOTLIGHT College Park

By Muriel Vega

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ith its proximity to both Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and downtown Atlanta, College Park is the city’s vibrant gateway. Home to the corporate headquarters of Chick-fil-A, it’s also a growing community with small-town charm, beautiful historic homes and a walkable Main Street. “We have always said that College Park is Atlanta’s best-kept secret,” says Robbie Roberts, a Realtor with Engel & Völkers Atlanta. While the city offers easy access to points elsewhere by plane, car or rail, its amenities and character make it a worthy destination in itself.

Housing

ION College Park

Though College Park has homes built from the late 1890s to the 1940s, Roberts says, it also has its share of more modern ones. They range in price from $350,000 to $700,000 for three to four bedrooms. The city is also home to new community developments. Hawthorne Station has three- and four-bedroom and 2.5-bathroom houses priced from the $360s to $390s (rocklynhomes.com). ION College Park, a new development that includes artist studios and residences in partnership with PushPush Arts, also offering condos and apartments which started in September and December respectively (ioncollegepark.community).

Arts and Entertainment The College Park Golf Course (collegeparkgolf.com) is a nine-hole course with extremely reasonable rates. The city’s four public parks offer walking trails, tennis courts, playgrounds and greenspace, and its three recreation centers host basketball leagues, chess clubs, dance classes, guitar lessons, swimming and more. Senior and afterschool programs are also available (collegeparkga.com). The Gateway Center Arena (gatewaycenterarena.com) is a 5,000-seat facility that hosts games for both the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and the College Park Gateway Center Arena The College Park Golf Course

THE INSIDE TRACK: College Park boasts the fourth-largest urban historic district in Georgia with 867 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Skyhawks, the Atlanta Hawks’ NBA G League team, plus other events.

Culinary Treats The Corner Grille (tcgrestaurants.com) serves traditional American food with a Cajun twist, including shrimp and grits and blackened salmon Opelousas. The Manchester Arms (themanchesterarmspub.com) is the spot for British pub fare like fish and chips, while The Brake Pad (brakepadatlanta.com) serves up satisfying burgers and sandwiches in a former gas station. Noodle (noodlecollegepark.com) delivers Pan-Asian cuisine in a ’50s diner-style setting.

Local Treasures The heart of town is located on Main Street and Virginia Avenue, with businesses, restaurants and shops lining the streets. Georgia International Convention Center (gicc.com) is connected to the airport by the ATL SkyTrain, making it a hub for major conventions and meetings.

The city is also home to Woodward Academy (woodward.edu), the largest independent collegepreparatory school in the continental United States. Camellia Hall, operated by the College Park Woman’s Club (collegeparkwomansclub. org), provides a stylish setting for meetings, receptions and special events. N

PHOTOS: (Far Left Middle) eightvillage; (Left) Gateway Center Arena

Woodward Academy

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EDUC AT I O N

or many parents, a good education means much more than academics.

While reading, math and science are all important, having their child learn about such values as kindness, respect and empathy for others is just as important, if not more so. Fortunately, most Atlanta-area public and independent schools incorporate some form of character education in their curricula, placing an emphasis on guiding children to become caring, involved members of society.

This is an area in which Georgia has led the way. The state devotes the entire month of September to the importance of character.

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I N S I G HT

Over a decade ago, a group of students and teachers at Cobb County’s Durham Middle School wrote their state senator, proposing a “Georgia Day” to honor character and good choices. Gov. Nathan Deal extended the idea to a whole month spotlighting state history and the positive character traits of Georgians past and present. In March 2012, Georgia became the first state to recognize and dedicate an entire month to history and character.

Georgia maintains this focus throughout the school year in its public-school curriculum. The Georgia Department of Education mandates character education as part of its

LEARNING THAT GOES BEYOND ACADEMICS By Daniel Beaur egard

Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards, required in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the state. This “character curriculum” focuses on citizenship, respect for others and respect for oneself.

The citizenship portion stresses the importance of such values as democracy, respect for authority, equality, justice, liberty, patriotism and respect for the natural environment. Students learn to respect others with an emphasis on altruism, honesty and integrity, and are taught to respect themselves through self-esteem, accountability and a strong work ethic.

The Cobb County School District boasts its own focus on character development, with a calendar that emphasizes different character traits on a rotating basis throughout the school year, including respect, integrity and responsibility, among others. Instead of students receiving a separate lecture on self-respect, that lesson is incorporated into the regular curriculum, across all disciplines. As students reach high school, a leadership development class called Principled Thinking focuses on developing character-driven skills to enable

young adults to become positive leaders in their schools and communities.

A LARGER PERSPECTIVE That approach is similar to the one taken by the Atlanta International School (AIS), an independent school in Buckhead that uses the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to instill positive character traits in its students. At the core of this program is the goal of developing students who will be ready to create a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.

At AIS, the foundation is laid early: The Personal Social Education component of its Early Years program gives young learners models, methods and a vocabulary for handling social and emotional issues in a constructive way.

As students continue, each grade’s IB program focuses on several distinct traits such as com-

The Georgia Department of Education mandates character education as part of its Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards, required in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the state. munication, open-mindedness and risk-taking.

At the beginning of each year, teachers work these principles into their lesson plans with an eye to shaping students into ideal global citizens who will use their knowledge to make a difference in the world and in their community.

At McGinnis Woods Country Day School in Alpharetta, which has infants through newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 21

EDUC AT I O N

I N S I G HT

eighth-graders, students have character education classes with a counselor each week, from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade.

The classes start in pre-K with teaching subjects such as how to be kind, how to resolve an issue and how to deal with others who are not kind, says Principal Mary Johnson.

“With our older children … we’ll go into things like digital safety so they will not say things on Twitter or Snapchat that are rude to others or inappropriate, being mindful of those things because they can stay there forever,” she says. “We do things like exploring careers.”

The school also promotes character education through its morning announcements, which include the character word of the month, and by honoring a student as a Citizen of the Month for exhibiting strong character traits.

RESPECTING DIFFERENCES Along with thinking for oneself and learning from failure, learning to respect the viewpoints of others is a key component of character-based education. At AIS, students are exposed to other

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in pre-kindergarten through the fourth grade, both through a separate class and embedded into other class curricula. Starting in the fifth grade, it’s included in the school’s advisory program within each class.

Woodward takes SEL one step further with its social, emotional and ethical learning program, which includes an ethics component.

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES The program is taught as a separate class Lynn Mandelbaum, Galloway’s early learning in pre-K and several grades in pre-K through counselor, says she’s seen a change in the way character education has been taught in the past sixth grades and integrated into the curriculum of other classes in all other grades. That 10 to 20 years. “There’s much more of a focus includes a year-long curriculum as part of on other people’s points of view and diverse a capstone course for Grades 11 and 12, says thought, understanding different people’s cultures will have an impact or express an emo- Jennifer Knox, Woodward’s director of character education and the Ron M. Brill chair tion or how they celebrate and recognize and interact with others,” she says, adding children of ethical leadership. have more power in today’s program.

The program asks students to look at themselves and try to remain calm in high-stress Galloway’s program focuses on social emosituations. “What’s going on that relates to emotional learning (SEL), the field within educations, to the brain, to navigating those? How do tion that promotes social and emotional skills we recognize those? How do respond when an as essential to learning and life outcomes, to encourage students to come up with their own emotion becomes difficult?” Knox says, adding it’s about making informed decisions. ideas and learn from their mistakes. It’s taught cultures and different viewpoints, and learn to value others’ opinions, even when they don’t agree with them. Diversity is a core value at other schools, including Woodward Academy in College Park and The Galloway School in Atlanta.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For a look at the Georgia Department of Education’s Quality Core Curriculum materials, including information on its Character Education program, visit georgiastandards.org/ standards/pages/qcc.aspx.

For information on the Georgia Community Foundation’s history of character education in the state’s public schools, visit https://www.georgiacf.org/ educational_freedom/page/ character-education.

For more information about the Character.org 11 principles and program, visit the website.

newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 23

schoolSPOTLIGHT

Woodward Academy

Where Character Takes Center Stage

By Jackson Reeves and Everett Catts

W

ith a pre-K-12 campus in College Park and a pre-K-6 North campus in Johns Creek, Woodward Academy sees character as crucial to a child’s education. Through individualized guidance at all grade levels, teachers help students to achieve their maximum potential. All of the school’s graduates achieve acceptance into four-year colleges and universities, and notable alumni include former Coca-Cola president and Atlanta philanthropist Robert W. Woodruff.

“If all we’re doing is educating a person’s head and not their hearts, we’re failing the student and we’re failing our society. We need them to not just be head-knowledgeable but heart-knowledgeable,” says Woodward President Stuart Gulley. “… The very first sentence of our mission statement is ‘Woodward is Atlanta at its very best.’ We feel like we represent all the ways diversity is represented in Atlanta.”

The school’s main campus’ proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport helps to explain the academy’s worldwide reach.

Woodward’s Global Connections program sends students abroad to study in such myriad locales as Israel, Australia and Germany.

Gulley says part of the school’s objective is “about creating critical thinkers and ethical problem-solvers.” “We are a microcosm of the real world in that we’re preparing students for a global world in which they’ll live,” he added.

Along those lines, Woodward also emphasizes giving back to its surrounding communities. Its students devote more than 5,000 hours of community service each year.

Established in 1900 as a military boys’ school by Col. John Charles Woodward, the school set out to put into practice its founder’s belief that character, health and knowledge served as pillars of success. Since

24 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

going co-educational in 1964, it has become one of the leading collegepreparatory schools in the country.

With a current enrollment of 2,685 students, Woodward is the fourth largest independent school in the United States. The school has an average class size of 14 students and offers 25 Advanced Placement classes. To help its students get to its two campuses, which sit on 133 acres, Woodward encourages the use of MARTA and provides its own school buses.

Woodward offers curricular and extracurricular outlets for all types of students. For those interested in science, mathematics and technology, the school has an electron microscope and planetarium. For others interested in the arts, the school offers a variety of programs including chamber orchestra, dance, acting, theatrical design and painting. For individuals with athletic inclinations, teams in the school’s 18 varsity sports have won nearly 45 state championships since 2000.

Whatever their interest, Woodward helps students sharpen their skill sets and temper them in real-world scenarios. Combined with the school’s emphasis on character, its graduates enter the world prepared for anything that might come their way.

“It goes to the habits of their hearts: integrity, kindness, empathy and trustworthiness are all elements of character that we are looking to instill in our students,” Gulley says. N

THE SPECIFICS Grades: Pre-K-12 Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Tuition: $20,600-$32,400 Locations: College Park and Johns Creek

Contact: 1662 Rugby Ave., College Park, GA 30337 6565 Boles Road, Johns Creek GA 30097 404-765-4000, 404-765-4490 Web: woodward.edu

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DISCOVER WHAT MAKES THE CITY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

By Kevin Forest Moreau

26 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

f you’re looking for a new city to call home, there are many reasons why Atlanta should be at the top of your list. And if you’ve already made the move, congratulations!

Either way, there’s a lot to learn about this great city and its surrounding metropolitan area. On the pages that follow, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about this capital city of the Southeast, from its top-flight arts scene to its stellar attractions, entertainment options and rising status as the Hollywood of the South.

HISTORY Vestiges of Atlanta’s dramatic history can be found all over the city. The Atlanta History Center traces the city’s past on 33 acres containing two museums, six gardens and two historic plantations. It also runs the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown, where the author once lived and where she wrote much of “Gone With the Wind.” The Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum features an impressive collection of memorabilia related to the book and movie. You can take a walk into history at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a 2,965-acre Civil War site in Cobb County. Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site are civil rights landmarks, and you can learn more at the Center for Civil and Human

Rights. The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville showcases art and artifacts from and about the American West.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Atlanta is the arts capital of the Southeast. The Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre stages thought-provoking and crowd-pleasing works, some of which have gone on to Broadway.

The thriving theater scene also includes such acclaimed companies as Theatrical Outfit, 7 Stages and True Colors. The Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra are all world-class performing arts institutions. Venues including Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, the Fox Theatre, the Ferst Center for the Arts, the Rialto Performing Arts Center, Spivey Hall and Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, among others, host big-name concert tours and high-caliber national theatrical productions.

The High Museum of Art, the Southeast’s leading art museum, hosts highprofile permanent and rotating exhibits year-round.

HOLLYWOOD OF THE SOUTH If you’ve seen a movie lately, chances are it was filmed right here: In fiscal 2022 more than 400 TV/film productions were shot in Georgia, making Atlanta the number two filming location for motion pictures in the world. Television shows, including “The Walking Dead” and “Stranger Things,” are part of the action as well. Several major production studios are located in the metro area, including Tyler Perry Studios and EUE/Screen Gems in Atlanta, Trilith Studios in Fayetteville and Three Ring Studios in Covington, a $100 million development for the production of music and video games as well as movies and TV. u

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Atlanta is a magical place for children.

The Center for Puppetry Arts displays hundreds of fascinating puppets from around the world, with an entire wing dedicated to the work of Jim Henson. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers fun, informative exhibits for youngsters and preteens. The Lego Discovery Center is an interactive playground filled with the world-famous building blocks, designed to delight and inspire children ages 3 through 10. Six Flags Over Georgia offers roller coasters, water rides and other thrills. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids in Gainesville lets children role-play and climb aboard a real vintage fire truck and airplane. The Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville makes learning about science fun with hands-on exhibits and galleries as well as a planetarium and observatory.

ATTRACTIONS Atlanta is chock full of exciting things to see and do. The Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest, with hundreds of species on display, including dolphins and sea lions. The World of Coca-Cola is a colorful interactive shrine to America’s favorite beverage, and Centennial Olympic Park with its dancing Fountain of Rings commemorates the 1996 Atlanta

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SPORTS If you’re a sports fanatic, you’re in the right place. The Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta United FC draw millions of fans each year. Minor league sports include baseball, hockey and lacrosse, and the city hosts the PGA’s Tour Championship and the Atlanta Open tennis tournament. The South loves college football, and the city is home to the College Football Hall of Fame. Boasting 94,000 square feet, the facility pays tribute to college football’s past and present, as well as its nearly 1,300 Hall inductees. The Hall also hosts private events and offers a platform for character development initiatives, community outreach and education. And we don’t just watch sports

here, we play: The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) is the world’s largest recreational tennis league, and 50,000 runners trek down Peachtree every July 4 in the world’s largest 10K, the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

SHOPPING For shopaholics, Atlanta offers options to satisfy every desire. Cumberland Mall, Sugarloaf Mills, Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia and Phipps Plaza offer hundreds of shops, food courts, movie theaters and more.

Buckhead is the destination for high-end retail, with glitzy outposts from Hermes, Carolina Hererra, Christian Louboutin and more. Atlantic Station, a mixeduse development in Midtown, is home to such retailers as H&M, Target and Dillard’s. The nearby Virginia-Highland neighborhood is stuffed with artsy clothing and home-décor boutiques, while Little Five Points buzzes with funky record shops and thrift stores.

In Alpharetta, shoppers at Avalon browse stores like Free People and West Elm, while outside the city, North Georgia Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets present name brands at bargain prices. u

PHOTO: (Left) Brian Lowe

FAMILY FUN

Games. The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown is home to 30 gorgeous acres of themed gardens and an elevated walkway that lets visitors stroll amongst the treetops.

Jaw-dropping dinosaur skeletons greet visitors to The Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which spotlights the natural world with engaging exhibits and IMAX films. Stone Mountain Park boasts 3,200 scenic acres of golf, hiking trails, rides and more, with colossal Stone Mountain as the centerpiece.

EDUCATION

DINING From hot dogs to haute cuisine, Atlanta is a foodie’s dream. The Varsity is the world’s largest drive-in, famous for chilidogs and onion rings. Paschal’s is world famous for authentic soul food, while Fat Matt’s Rib Shack is the place for mouthwatering BBQ. The Colonnade serves upscale Southern fare, including its famous fried chicken, and Mary Mac’s Tearoom has been officially designated “Atlanta’s Dining Room” for dishes like fried green tomatoes and chicken and dumplings.

The city is also a mecca for trendsetting cuisine, led by restaurants like Bacchanalia and Aria.

BUSINESS Atlanta serves as global headquarters to one of the nation’s highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies, among them CocaCola, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Southern Co. and UPS. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also a hotbed for tech startups: MailChimp, Kabbage and Scoutmob all started here. The Atlanta Tech Village is the nation’s fourth-largest tech hub, with more than 300 startups. Atlanta also enjoys a robust media industry: WarnerMedia, which includes CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and other properties, is headquartered here, as is The Weather Channel.

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The city is home to a wealth of notable independent schools, including Holy Spirit Preparatory School, High Meadows School, The SAE School and Woodward Academy, the fourth-largest private school in the United States. In addition, several public school systems boast magnet schools and innovative charter schools.

The area is also home to more than 40 colleges and universities, including such nationally recognized institutions as Agnes Scott College, Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University and Oglethorpe University. The Savannah College of Art and Design and Macon-based Mercer University both maintain campuses in Atlanta. The city is also the location of several distinguished historically Black colleges, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College and Spelman College.

HEALTHCARE Atlanta is well known for its hospitals and healthcare institutions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) heads a list of locally based organizations and research facilities that includes the American Cancer Society, the Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Grady Memorial Hospital is renowned as one of the best trauma and burn centers in the nation, while Northside Hospital delivers more babies per year than any other community hospital in the country.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is regarded as one of the nation’s premier pediatric hospitals. The Shepherd Center, one of the country’s leading catastrophic-care hospitals for patients with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and degenerative disorders, is headquartered here.

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, part of Piedmont Healthcare, has been recognized on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” list.

TRANSPORTATION Originally founded as a railroad stop called Terminus, Atlanta is still a major rail center. But its modern status as a major transportation hub is largely due to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, consistently ranked as the world’s busiest. On the ground, four major interstates (285, 20, 75 and 85) conduct drivers in all directions. Of course, that also results in traffic congestion—a reality for any metropolis of Atlanta’s size—but the city also boasts a number of public-transportation options, including MARTA, the area’s main rail and bus service, CobbLINC, Gwinnett County Transit, and Xpress, a commuter bus service. The Atlanta BeltLine, a multi-use trail and park space encircling the city, provides a scenic option for pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Schwartz Center for Performing Arts

O

n Feb. 1, 2003, the Donna and Marvin Schwartz Center for Performing Arts opened its doors, providing a focal point for the arts on the Emory University campus with its conspicuous presence at the corner of North Decatur and Clifton roads. Offering rehearsal rooms, classrooms and two flexible performance spaces, the center's main attraction is Emerson Concert Hall—an 825-seat dedicated music hall in the European manner with audience seats behind the stage that can alternatively be used as a choral balcony. Guests are immediately drawn to the Werner Wortsman Memorial Organ, which was constructed

the vision and gifts of Flora Glenn Candler came to full fruition when the center opened its doors. Through the years, it has welcomed a wide range of performances featuring world-renowned artists such as pianist Hélène Grimaud, Urban Bush Women, violinists Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, the New York Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the 2023-24 season, the Candler Concert Series explores how the timeless art of classical music can transcend generations. The mostly classical series features virtuoso Midori with Festival Strings Lucerne, National Symphony

composer Terence Blanchard, MacArthur Genius Fellow Rhiannon Giddens, New Music USA Composer-in-Residence Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate and quartet founder David Balakrishnan. Audiences for the Candler Concert Series are invited to arrive early to enjoy complimentary desserts, soft drinks and music from Emory student musicians.

Atlanta audiences can also enjoy special performances including Emory Jazz Fest with guitarist Bobby Broom, the St. Olaf Choir, under the direction of Anton Armstrong, and Eighth Blackbird with the Emory University Symphony Orchestra. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 404-727-5050 or visit schwartz.emory.edu. by top North American builder Daniel Jaeckel and rises 36 feet above the stage. For years, Atlanta suffered a shortage of small to medium-sized venues dedicated to music performance. The Schwartz Center’s opening helped ease that shortage with its outstanding acoustics that can be tuned quickly and precisely to suit different ensembles, musical styles or even individual musical selections.

The cornerstone of the center’s performance series is the Candler Concert Series.

What began at Emory in the late 1960s with

Orchestra Ukraine with Ukrainian cellist Natalia Khoma and a recital concert from violin protégé Randall Goosby. Intergenerational connections continue with the pairing of the world’s most famous brass group, Canadian Brass, and select Emory University student brass musicians included on one of the evening’s works as a part of a concert ranging from Baroque to Dixieland.

The center is also proud to support new work as a commissioning partner for an ambitious, multi-composer project with Turtle Island Quartet, featuring compositions from jazz newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 31

OU T S I D E

AT L AN TA

By Hope S. Philbrick

With your recent move to Atlanta, has it been a while since the two of you had some quality “couple time?” (pizza and binge-watching “Netflix” doesn’t count). Time to pack the kids off to Grandma’s and get away for a memorable escape.

From mountains to beaches, gardens to historic buildings, Georgia is full of destinations where sparks are sure to fly.

Horseback riding at Barnsley Resort

CALLAWAY GARDENS

BARNSLEY RESORT Whether you stay for one night or a week, it’s easy to ignite romance at this 3,000acre resort in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Canoodle in front of a fire in your private cottage. Go horseback riding along scenic trails. Play golf. Tour the history museum. Meander through gardens dating back to the 1840s. Kayak on the lake. Savor a 32 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

couples massage at the spa. Or enlist the help of the onsite concierge to help set the stage for romance: whether you’d like to return from a delicious dinner at the Rice House to find rose petals strewn across the bed, a picnic basket stocked with fixings for s’mores, or your clawfoot tub decorated like a tiki hut. 877-773-2447, barnsleyresort.com.

Love blooms at this 2,500-acre resort and preserve located 87 miles southwest of Atlanta.

Explore the peaceful gardens and woodlands by car, foot or bike. Play tennis and golf or rent a boat and go fishing. For a jolt of adrenaline, try the TreeTop Adventure Ziplines, with 11 ziplines and 33 obstacles. If the weather looks frightful, explore the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel and the enclosed butterfly conservatory. Feast at any of the resort’s seven restaurants, all dedicated to serving sustainably grown and regionally produced food whenever possible. Choose accommodations that are just right for you: the Mountain Creek Inn, Southern Pine Cottages, Mountain Creek Villas & Vacation Homes or The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens. 844-875-6499, callawaygardens.com.

BRASSTOWN VALLEY RESORT Nestled on 503 acres in the North Georgia Mountains, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is only a two-hour drive from Atlanta and was named one of the top 50 Romantic Weekend Getaways in the U.S. by Redbook magazine in 2016. It offers a variety of activities, including

PHOTOS: (right and opposite page left) Barnsley Resort; (top) Courtesy of Callaway Gardens

Callaway Gardens

Barnsley Resort spa golf, horseback riding, hiking and fishing.

The Equani Spa offers body treatments, facials, massages and unique rituals indigenous to the Cherokee people, “designed to stimulate and refresh the mind, body and soul,” according to the resort’s website. The property includes 102 guest rooms and eight private cottages. Brasstown Valley offers meals at two restaurants: The Dining Room, a formal spot perfect for an intimate dinner of steak or seafood, and Brassies Grill, a casual eatery featuring sandwiches and burgers. Located above Brassies is the Fireside Lounge, a bar

with a huge fireplace to keep warm.

800-201-3205 or brasstownvalley.com.

THE KING AND PRINCE BEACH AND GOLF RESORT Feeling like royalty comes naturally here, starting with the spectacular oceanfront setting. Guests have been lured to this St. Simons Island location since it first opened in 1935 as a private dance club. After transitioning into a resort before World War II, the King and Prince has built a reputation for elegance and Southern hospitality newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 33

OU T S I D E

AT L AN TA

The Lodge at Smithgall Woods

while serving as a haven for dignitaries, celebrities and discerning travelers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America, the resort offers multiple dining options and several different types of guestrooms, including suites and villas. The hotel’s buildings and pool complex were renovated from 2010-13, and the golf course, which occupies dramatic low-country acreage, underwent an extensive restoration in 2009 and a second makeover in 2013. A relaxed vibe reverberates from the tee box to the tri-pool recreation area: from the stunning 34 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com

beach to the pampering spa to the breakfast buffet and each cozy bed. 800-342-0212, kingandprince.com.

THE LODGE AT SMITHGALL WOODS If you like the idea of seclusion, try this former private estate. A wilderness retreat in Helen, the Lodge at Smithgall Woods is tucked into a protected 5,664-acre Heritage Preserve managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Six mountain cottages with a total of 17 bedrooms offer private baths and incredible views of nature. Some

Ritz-Carlton's Landing Course

cottages feature porches along the stream, while others boast private hot tubs. Elegant amenities await—this isn’t roughing it!

The Smithgall Cottage has a touch of rustic elegance with large decks overlooking creeks and woodland vistas. Once tucked into your comfortable bed, listen to the creek babble a lullaby. A one-mile trail leads to Dukes Creek Falls, and hikers and bikers adore the five miles of trails and 18 miles of roads. Anglers may prefer catch-andrelease fly fishing in one of north Georgia’s premier trout streams. 706-878-3087, gastateparks.org/smithgallwoods.

PHOTOS: (top left) Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Ritz-Carlton's The Campfire at the Lodge

Chateau Elan

THE RITZ-CARLTON LODGE AT REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE At this haven on the shores of Lake Oconee (Georgia’s second largest lake), lavish yourself with the royal treatment you deserve but too rarely experience. The luxurious AAA Five Diamond resort boasts stunning décor, rich amenities, exceptional service and impressive attention to detail. Situated on 35 acres in Reynolds Lake Oconee, a 12,000-acre golf and lakefront community, the resort rests under towering pines and is surrounded by water on three sides. Each of the 251 guestrooms offers a private terrace, feather bed and dozens more scrumptious treats. While cuddling may be priority No. 1, you can also play golf on 99 championship-caliber holes, hike for miles or just get pampered with a variety of spa treatments. Indulge at the Linger Longer Steakhouse or Amore Del Lago. And if you decide to make it a family trip, keep the kids entertained and having fun with the Ritz Kids program. 706-467-0600, ritzcarltonlodge.com.

CHATEAU ELAN WINERY & RESORT If you’re an oenophile or a golf lover, Chateau Elan is the perfect romantic getaway for you

and your spouse. Located 47 miles northeast of Atlanta in Braselton but what seems like a world away, it offers tours of its more than 30 hand-crafted wines that make the property Georgia’s biggest wine producer. Golfers will rejoice with 45 holes to play on, with two 18-hole courses and a nine-hole par 3 one.

Modeled after a French country estate, Chateau Elan offers luxurious rooms in its inn, spa and

villas. After a long day on the links or at the winery, relax at the spa, which offers a variety of multisensory treatments to recharge your batteries. And Chateau Elan offers much more than just wine- and golf-related outings. Other activities include tennis, a culinary studio, mixology demonstrations, painting classes, wellness classes and nature trails. 678-4250900, chateauelan.com.

MORE ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS Greyfield Inn: This elegant mansion on Cumberland Island off the Georgia Coast is the ultimate getaway. The island is accessible only by ferry, and occupancy is limited. Turn-of-the-century décor and modern amenities make for a timeless escape. 904-261-6408, greyfieldinn.com.

Beechwood Inn: Located in Clayton in the North Georgia Mountains, this 100-year-old bed and breakfast features seven guest rooms and suites plus two cabins but also offers lots of modern amenities. 706-782-5485, beechwoodbnb.com Burnham House: Make this stylish 19th-century cabin your home base as you explore the hiking and horse trails and other idyllic environs of General Coffee State Park. 800-864-7275, gastateparks.org/generalcoffee. newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 35

GETTING STARTED

HERE TO THERE MARTA

Vehicle Emission Inspection

Vehicles that are 24 model years old and later (except the three years prior to the current year) must be checked yearly for emission standard compliance. Visit a statedesignated inspection station for the service.

Call 800-449-2471 or visit cleanairforce.com.

Mass Transit

One way to avoid long commutes is to take advantage of the city’s local transit system, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Offering both train and bus service, MARTA is a convenient way to travel to downtown or the airport. The fee for traveling one way is $2.50 including transfers, and payment is even easier now with the Breeze limited-use and extendeduse cards. Weekly and monthly passes can be obtained at discounted rates. For fares, schedule and route information call 404848-5000 or visit itsmarta.com.

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Driving Tips

MARTA Rail Service

The Georgia DOT provides daily updates of road work, road closings and traffic delays, which are helpful when commuting.

Updates can be obtained by calling (toll free) 877694-2511, by dialing 511 or by visiting dot.ga.gov.

COUNTY INFORMATION

Cherokee County

EDUCATION PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cherokee County Schools Board of Education 770-479-1871 cherokee.k12.ga.us

QUICK INFO

County cherokeega.com Neighborhoods cantonga.gov woodstockga.gov cityofballground.com hollyspringsga.us cityofwaleska.com Median household income: $75,477 Median age of residents: 38 Population: 235,896 Sales tax: 6%

23 7 6 4 $9,149 770-720-2112

Avg. SAT Scores Cherokee Co. Georgia National

1115 1048 1039

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

Chamber of Commerce Cherokee County 770-345-0400, cherokeechamber.com Property Taxes Per $1,000 of assessed value is: Unincorporated Cherokee County, $21.46; Incorporated Cherokee County, $21.46.

Tax Commissioner: 678-493-6400 Old Sixes Mill

Located northwest of Atlanta, Cherokee County gets its name from the original inhabitants of the area, the Cherokee Indians. The county seat, then called Etowah, was established in 1833 and renamed Canton in 1834.

Today, the city is enjoying its greatest economic boom in its history since more than $60 million was invested in residential and commercial development in 1998. Despite developing its own industrial base, Cherokee County remains idyllic and serene. Farming, especially poultry processing, remains a leading industry.

Canton and the neighboring community of Woodstock have seen tremendous growth as subdivisions crop up to accommodate newcomers. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the county’s population are commuters.

According to Zillow.com, the median value of homes is $283,573.

Homes for well over $1 million can be purchased in such neighborhoods as Bradshaw Farm, BridgeMill and Towne Lake Hills.

Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92 traverse the county, affording residents easy access to Atlanta and the nearby attractions of Town Center Mall, Lake Allatoona and the North Georgia Mountains. Other great places

Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Centers Per-pupil expenditures School & bus information

Mountains and along the banks of the Etowah River, Canton is a prime location for development.

UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY 706-253-5200 Amicalola EMC Cobb EMC 770-429-2100 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated.

For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

Woodstock

to live, work and play in Cherokee County include the cities of Ball Ground, Holly Springs and Waleska.

Neighborhoods

Canton Canton was incorporated in 1833 and renamed in 1834 at the request of two founding fathers who had visions that the town might become a silk center similar to what existed in Canton, China. Canton did become famous for its “Canton Denim,” known worldwide for the high-quality denim produced by Canton Cotton Mills.

Today, Canton is attracting new industry and residents. As a result, the city is reinvesting in its downtown.

As part of its Streetscapes program, downtown Canton will be restored to its historic look and features a newly designed theater on Main Street. Located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge

Located 12 miles south of Canton, Woodstock is one of Georgia's top 10 fastest-growing cities and a community recently named one of the Top 50 Cities Places to Live in the U.S. by Money magazine.

Residents also enjoy easy access to 575 and 92, allowing short commutes to Cobb and Fulton counties.

While affording convenience to big-city attractions, Woodstock still maintains its small-town appeal.

Buildings dating back to 1879 characterize the downtown area, where antique and other specialty shops are located.

Various golf courses are located in Woodstock, including Arnold Palmer’s Eagle Watch, a course with wooded countryside views that is considered to be one of the top places to play in Atlanta. The 11,860-acre Lake Allatoona provides additional recreation. Woodstock is also convenient to more than 13 state parks. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Website at newcomeratlanta.com

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com ETC Communications etcnow.com Spectrum spectrum.com TDS Telecom tdstelecom.com Windstream windstream.com

WATER Cherokee County 770-479-1813 Water Authority City of Ball Ground 770-735-2123 City of Canton 770-704-1500 City of Waleska 770-479-2912 City of Woodstock 770-592-6006 HOSPITALS Northside Hospital-Cherokee 770-224-1000 Wellstar Kennestone 770-793-5000 Hospital

newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 37

COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cobb County Schools Board of Education 770-426-3300 cobbk12.org Elementary Schools 67 Middle Schools 25 High Schools 17 Magnet 6 Charter 1 Per-pupil expenditures $8,833 School and bus information 678-594-8000 Marietta City Schools Board of Education

Avg. SAT Scores

Cobb Co. Marietta City Georgia National

1114 1056 1048 1039

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY Acworth Power 770-917-8903 Cobb EMC 770-429-2100 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 770-942-6576 GreyStone Power Corp.

Marietta Power 770-794-5150 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated.

For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com xfinity.com Comcast (Xfinity) Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com Spectrum spectrum.com WATER Austell Water Cobb County Water System Marietta Water Powder Springs Water Smyrna Water

770-944-4300 770-419-6200 770-794-5150 770-943-8000 678-631-5338

HOSPITALS WellStar Cobb Hospital 470-732-4000 WellStar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000 WellStar Windy Hill Hospital 770-644-1000

Photo: Shutterstock.com

770-422-3500 marietta-city-org Elementary Schools 8 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Sixth-Grade 1 Magnet 1 Per-pupil expenditures $10,542 School and bus information 770-429-3110

Cobb County

Truist Park

Neighborhoods

Kennesaw

One of Family Circle magaCobb County came into zine’s Ten Best Towns for Families, being in 1832 when the state Kennesaw takes pride in its smallCounty cobbcountyga.gov redistributed land once part town atmosphere and boasts Neighborhoods austellga.org of the Cherokee Nation. abundant parks and greenspace, mariettaga.gov Named after Thomas Willis exceptional recreational programs smyrnaga.gov Cobb, the county experiand top-notch schools, includkennesaw-ga.gov enced a devastating setback ing Kennesaw State University. cityofpowdersprings.org during the Civil War when Kennesaw’s historic downtown smyrnacity.com most of it was destroyed features shopping, dining and atduring the famous Battle of tractions such as the SmithsonianMedian household income: $75,654 Kennesaw Mountain. affiliated Southern Museum of Median age of residents: 36.6 Population: 755,754 Civil War and Locomotive HisToday, Cobb County, Sales tax: 6% located northwest of Fulton tory, the Smith-Gilbert Gardens County, is one of the state's and nearby Kennesaw Mountain Chamber of Commerce most thriving counties. With National Battlefield Park.

Cobb County 770-980-2000, cobbchamber.org a diverse economic base that includes jobs in the service, Property Taxes retail, aerospace and techRapidly defining what’s new The property tax is $33.84 per $1,000 of assessed nology sectors, Cobb County value. Tax Commissioner: 770-980-2000 and progressive in quality of life offers a quality of life unsurand citizen services, Smyrna passed in the Southeast. Nearly delivers an amazing sense of style $900 million has been spent and love of life. The Market Village Cumberland Mall, secluded subon transportation improvements in district, home to fabulous restaurants, divisions in East Cobb and horse recent years, allowing residents easy bars and upscale shops and services, access to Atlanta and the commercial ranches in the northwest corner is the final piece of a master plan for of the county. The small towns districts of Vinings Overlook, Cumsuccess. Call it “Main Street USA” or berland Parkway and the prestigious of Marietta, Vinings, Smyrna and “Disneyland,” but don’t overlook its Platinum Triangle in the popular Austell still retain their Southern charm and ability to offer the best in Galleria area. charm amidst urban settings. Acfresh, trendy lifestyle options. N A variety of housing options cording to the Census Bureau, the For more counties and neighborhood exist in Cobb County, including median value of homes in 2018 information, visit our Website at newcomeratlanta.com luxury apartments and condos near was $237,800.

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QUICK INFO

Smyrna

Fulton County

COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION

Fulton County serves as the cension, the historic Swan House ter of the metro Atlanta area. With 90 and the Atlanta History Center.

Buckhead is also an enterpercent of the city of Atlanta, includtainment and dining hotspot. ing the state’s capital building, loWith luxury hotels, shops, bars cated within its borders, it sits at the and more than 250 restauhub of the area’s financial, transportation, retail, communications and rants, the Buckhead area is a cultural services. A number of Formagnet for young professiontune 500 companies, including the als.The neighborhood also Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines offers numerous antique and UPS, are headquartered here. stores, art galleries and mall More than one million people shopping at both Lenox live in Fulton County, drawn by its Square and Phipps Piedmont Park convenience to Interstates 75, 85 and Plaza. is home to about 64,000 residents, 285 and Georgia State Route 400. drawn to its affordable housing, According to the U.S. Census Bureau, parks, shopping at North Point Mall the median value of homes in the and concerts at Ameris Bank Amphicounty is $290,400.

Fulton is home to many of Attheatre. The city's historic downtown lanta’s signature neighborhoods, boasts an appealing town including its bustling downtown square. Called Alpharetta district. Older neighborhoods like City Center, it features County co.fulton.ga.us Inman Park, Grant Park, Candler locally owned shops and Neighborhoods alpharetta.ga.us Park and Virginia-Highland offer restaurants, and hosts buckhead.net affordable housing, pedestrianevents year round. cityofmiltonga.us friendly layouts and plentiful virginiahighland.com parks and recreational options. collegeparkga.com Incorporated in 2006, Midtown is the heart of Atlanta’s eastpointcity.org this thriving community of cultural scene, with the Woodruff hapeville.org 84,000 was ranked fourth Arts Center (home to the Alliance johnscreekga.gov among 50 Best U.S. Cities Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony roswellgov.com sandyspringsga.gov to Live In by USA Today.

Orchestra and the High Museum It boasts a diverse ecoof Art) and the historic Fox TheMedian household income: $65,037 atre, as well as a host of art gallernomic base, coupled with Median age of residents: 35.5 ies. Midtown’s Piedmont Park, the a peaceful environment: Population: 1,050,114 Sales tax: 7.75%, Atlanta City: 8.9% the city contains over 400 city’s most popular greenspace, hosts many outdoor festivals and acres of parkland and naChamber of Commerce ture reserves and contains concerts.

Greater North Fulton 770-993-8806, gnfcc.com five access points to the Metro Atlanta Chattahoochee River.

QUICK INFO

Johns Creek

Neighborhoods

Buckhead

404-880-9000, metroatlantachamber.com South Fulton 770-964-1984, southfultonchamber.com

Milton

Also incorporated Property Taxes Buckhead is “where old in 2006, Milton comThe property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is: money lives and new money bines a pastoral setting $40.92 for the City of Atlanta; $29.18 for incorporated parties,” according to the Atwith forward-thinking Fulton County; $40.76 for unincorporated Fulton lanta Journal-Constitution. With city planning that offers County; $33.54 for Johns Creek; $33.91 for Sandy its mixture of mansions and what's been called "The Springs. Tax Commissioner: 404-613-6100 uniquely styled homes, Buckbest quality of life in head is a favorite among archiGeorgia." N tecture and history buffs. Convenient to Georgia 400, Interstate 85 and For more counties and neighborhood One of metro Atlanta’s most MARTA, it’s filled with high-rises, upinformation, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com scale restaurants, the Governor’s Man- vibrant and affluent cities, Alpharetta

Alpharetta

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fulton County Schools Board of Education 470-254-3600

fultonschools.org Elementary Schools 59 Middle Schools 19 High Schools 18 Charter 10 Centers 4 Per-pupil expenditures $10,609 School & Bus Information

North 470-254-2970 South 470-254-6060 Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education 404-802-3500

atlantapublicschools.us Elementary Schools 49 Middle Schools 12 High Schools 14 Charter 18 Alternative 4 Per-pupil expenditures $11,263 School & bus information 404-802-5500 Avg. SAT Scores Fulton Co. 1086 Atlanta Public Schools 944 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY City of College Park 404-669-3759 City of East Point 404-270-7010 City of Fairburn 770-964-2244 City of Palmetto 770-463-3322 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated.

For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com xfinity.com Comcast (Xfinity) Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com WATER Fulton County

404-612-6830

HOSPITALS 404-265-4000 Atlanta Medical Center Atlanta VA Medical Center 404-321-6111 Center for the Visually Impaired 404-875-9011 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding 404-785-9500 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite 404-785-2273 Emory University Hospital Midtown 404-686-4411 Grady Memorial Hospital 404-616-1000 WellStar North Fulton Regional Hospital 770-751-2500 Northside Hospital 404-851-8000 Piedmont Hospital 404-605-5000 Shepherd Center 404-352-2020 Emory St. Joseph's Hospital 678-843-7001

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upcomingEVENTS

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, Fox Theatre This impressive production features an international cast of stars from Ukraine, Japan, Italy, Turkey and all across the world. Watch world-class dancers perform with towering puppets, breathtaking acrobatics and amazing costumes. Dec. 15-16, foxtheatre.org

Christmas Canteen, Aurora Theatre

Theater & Concerts

Il Divo: A New Day Holiday Tour, Fox Theatre

The Hip-Hop Nutcracker, Fox Theatre

The world-famous vocal quartet performs holiday classics like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” among many others, in addition to songs from their vast catalog.

This whirlwind reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s classic features a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers. Dec. 3, foxtheatre.org.

Dec. 12, foxtheatre.org.

Nate Bargatze, State Farm Arena

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage, Atlanta Symphony Hall

The popular stand-up comedian performs on his Be Funny Tour. Dec. 8-10, statefarmarena.com.

The Emmy and Peabody Award-winning animated TV special comes alive as Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang seek to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. After the final bow, the audience is invited to join the characters in a singalong of traditional Christmas songs and carols.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical, Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center City Springs Theatre stages a lively production of this holiday staple, featuring such standards as “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano” and, of course, “White Christmas.” The show will be performed in the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. Dec. 8-24,

Dec. 13, aso.org.

Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

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Christmas Canteen, Aurora Theatre This side-splitting, all-ages musical features spectacular musical numbers, riotous bursts of comedy and the perfect touch of holiday nostalgia.Through Dec. 23, auroratheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol, Alliance Theatre The Alliance Theatre presents its beloved adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic, featuring a brilliantly reimagined set design and striking new costumes. Through Dec. 24, alliancetheatre.org.

A Christmas Story, Theatrical Outfit Join the world’s most famous 9-year-old, Ralphie Parker, in this hilarious and familyfriendly holiday adventure based on the hit holiday movie. Through Dec. 24, theatricaloutfit.org.

Madeline’s Christmas, Horizon Theatre Join Madeline and friends in this magical musical adaptation of the classic children’s tale, produced in collaboration with Atlanta Children’s Theatre with 24 local girls performing alongside professional actors. Dec. 2-31, horizontheatre.com.

This absorbing exhibit returns for its 14th year, with dazzling trees and other displays showcasing cultural celebrations, events and traditions from around the world. Through Jan. 7,

This annual production has become an Atlanta tradition featuring a dreamlike world of delights with world-class choreography enhanced by traditional stage magic and stateof-the-art technology. Dec. 8-26, atlantaballet.com.

fernbankmuseum.org.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Jamestown

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performs an evening of carols, hymns and more. Dec. 9-10, aso.org.

Rock and Roll Hall of fame inductee Steve Miller, known for such hits as “Take the Money and Run” and “Fly Like an Eagle,” performs with his band. The Samantha Fish Band opens. Dec. 17, foxtheatre.org.

Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

cityspringstheatre.com.

Christmas With the ASO, Atlanta Symphony Hall

PHOTO: Casey Gardner Ford

Steve Miller Band, Fox Theatre

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Restless Leg Tour, Fox Theatre The actors and “Saturday Night Love” veterans present an evening of jokes, stories and conversational entertainment. Jan. 19-20, Fire Pits on The Yard, Ponce City Market

foxtheatre.org.

Canadian Brass, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts

separate events at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Advance tickets required. Dec. 31,

The brass ensemble beloved for its playful style and extraordinary ability to perform many types of music at the highest level presents an evening of music ranging from Dixieland to Bach, Handel, Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Jan. 26, schwartz.emory.edu.

childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Andrea Bocelli With the ASO, Gas South Arena The world-renowned Italian tenor performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Feb. 17, aso.org.

A Tale of Two Cities, Alliance Theatre The Alliance Theatre stages a “radical reimagining” of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the French Revolution, forcing viewers to ask themselves “Am I who I am because of my actions or the circumstances of my birth?”

Feb. 21-March 17, alliancetheatre.org.

Jurassic World Live Tour, Gas South Arena Join forces with a team of scientists to unravel a corrupt plan and save Jeannie, a Troodon dinosaur, from a terrible fate. Feb. 23-25, gassouthdistrict.com.

Exhibits & Events Saturdays With Santa, Ponce City Market Take a selfie with jolly old Saint Nick in The Yard at Ponce City Market. If the weather turns frightful, Santa will be on the second floor of the Central Food Hall, next to The Village Retail and Bar Vegan. Dec. 2-16, poncecitymarket.com.

Puppets and Pints, Center for Puppetry Arts Guests are invited to explore the two permanent galleries of the World of Puppetry Museum as well as the Festive Features exhibition at this edition of the Center for Puppetry Arts’ new evening series for adults, which also features a holiday market. Dec. 7, puppet.org.

Fire Pits on The Yard, Ponce City Market Gather with friends and loved ones around a Solo Stove fire pit and purchase s’more kits for toasting and hot cocoa for sipping. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, poncecitymarket.com.

New Year’s Bubble Bash, Children’s Museum of Atlanta Ring in the New Year at this kid-friendly event filled with dancing, music from a DJ and the annual bubble wrap-popping tradition. Three

Vikings: Warriors of the Sea, Fernbank Museum of Natural History This fascinating exhibit provides a deep dive into Viking culture, traditions, art and innovations and dispels common myths and stereotypes about this complex society. Through Jan. 1, fernbankmuseum.org.

Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature, High Museum of Art This exhibit showcases the career of the famous author and artist through her illustrations, scientific observations, narrative building and preservation. Through Jan. 7, high.org.

Emotions at Play With Pixar’s Inside Out, Children’s Museum of Atlanta This exhibit teaches children about the important role emotions play in everyday life, with hands-on and digital encounters focused on the five emotions highlighted in the Pixar film.

Through Jan. 7, childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Discover Boating Atlanta Boat Show, Georgia World Congress Center Browse hundreds of new boats, from power boats and pontoons to personal watercraft, as well as fishing gear, boating accessories, marine electronics and educational experiences.

Jan. 11-14, atlantaboatshow.com.

Evolution of BIGFOOT, Savoy Automobile Museum This exhibit traces the origin and evolution of the beloved monster truck, featuring BIGFOOT No. 1, known as the original monster truck, and BIGFOOT No. 20, billed as the first and only electric monster truck. Through Feb. 4, savoymuseum.org.

Andrews’ Raiders Room, Marietta History Center This permanent exhibit recreates the decor of an 1860s hotel room much like the one James Andrews stayed in before taking part in a famous Civil War event known as the Great Locomotive Chase. Ongoing, mariettahistory.org.

Shaheen Collection of French Works, High Museum of Art This installation from the High Museum’s permanent collection focuses on French artwork of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ongoing, high.org.

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PHOTOS: Courtesy of SCAD

hiddenATLANTA

A MUST-SEE FOR FASHION & FILM ENTHUSIASTS

By Karin Pendley Koser

THE DETAILS LOCATION: 1600 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.; closed Mon. ADMISSION: free or up to $20, depending on age or group CONTACT INFO: 404-253-3132 or scadfash@scad.edu WEBSITE: scadfash.org

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In 2015, the Midtown Atlanta campus of Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) opened SCAD FASH, an opulent 10,000-square-foot museum that has attracted exhibitions featuring some of the most cutting-edge and noteworthy names in fashion design worldwide.

The Museum of Fashion + Film kicked off with mannequins wearing coveted clothing by Oscar de la Renta and continues to outdo itself with big name exhibitions in fashion and film each year, including costumes from “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Black Panther.”

SCAD FASH is designed to engage SCAD Atlanta students with archival fashion and film as well as draw in fans of high couture through unmatched, mind-boggling collections of clothing, shoes and accessories. To visit an exhibition at SCAD FASH is to stand and stare at meticulously designed and detailed wearables whether your taste leans to the mod or the classic.

Its films and photography exhibitions provide guests with access to some of the most iconic behind-the-scenes views of fashion runways and design houses. From now until Jan. 7, “Ellen von Unwerth: This Side of Paradise” captures the viewpoint of photographer von Unwerth, whose images draw viewers into a world of debaucherous liberation and lushness.

On view through Feb. 18, guests can experience “The Blonds: Glamour, Fashion, Fantasy,” which showcases the fashions of David and Phillipe Blond, whose designs got their start in the New York club scene. SCAD FASH also brings in fashion historians, designers and filmmakers to speak, so it’s a good idea to request their newsletter or regularly check their website.

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