Atlanta Intown A
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DECEMBER 2023 Vol. 29 No. 12 ■ RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Holiday Season! I am grateful for an extraordinary year together, filled with highs and record-breaking real estate success. The joy of festive celebrations, special meals, and cherished moments with loved ones is unmatched. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season from your Morningside neighbor and trusted real estate advisor for over two decades! If you're looking to make a move in the new year, get in touch to put a plan in place for your home sale! “Ken is one of the Strongest and Best Listing Agents we ever worked with!”- K. Meyers
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Cheers to Morningside on its 100th Year Celebration, and a Heartfelt Shoutout to The 5 Road Warriors Who Rescued Our Neighborhood! Ken Covers, Real Estate Advisor Engel & Völkers Atlanta 1411 North Highland Avenue | Atlanta | GA 30306 M +1 404.664.8280 O +1 404.845.7724 ken.covers@evatlanta.com | kencovers.evatlanta.com ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent license partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act. Source: FMLS 2023
2 | DECEMBER 2023
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Contents DECEMBER 2023
10
22
Publisher’s Note
4
Community MESH Moms News Roundup Afghan Allies Rosalynn Carter Dies BOE Runoff Places In Peril Cop City Clash May I Be Excused?
6 8 8 10 10 12 14 15
Sustainability Above the Waterline
16
Arts & Entertainment Holiday Events Sloomoo Institute Cirque du Soleil Returns Art Papers Closing Remembering Radcliffe Bailey
18 22 24 26 27
Dining Women + Wine In the Spirit Quick Bites
28 30 31
Business Switchyard Midtown
32
Real Estate Elton John’s Condo Micro-Units for Homeless Perspectives in Architecture
34 36 38
27
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Bearing witness to a modern-day horror PUBLISHER'S NOTE
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A few weeks ago, I had the responsibility to bear witness to the horrors of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel. I was invited with a group of media Keith Pepper and community leaders to watch 45 minutes of unedited bodycam, CCTV, and social media video presented by the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. Sadly, not many people attended that first showing (although more went to a subsequent viewing), despite the fact that nearly every local media outlet, education leader, politician, clergy, etc… was invited. There were only about 30 people in the room. At first, I wasn’t sure what to write about my experience, but I can’t shake the feeling that the world is quickly moving on from Oct. 7, and that reporting what I saw and experienced is critical to helping people understand what happened on the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Here are my observations: Joyfully celebrating their savagery, the footage included an audio recording of one of the terrorists calling his parents to brag about the 10 Jews he had killed “with my bare hands,” urging his father to look at WhatsApp for photos of the bodies. While some of the videos have previously been aired on TV news, I recoiled in shock at seeing a terrorist use a garden hoe to take swings at a dead Thai worker’s neck. Close-up images of burned bodies, Hamas’ nod to Hitler’s Final Solution, sent chills down my spine, only to be outdone by watching terrorists chase an underwearclad father and his two sons into their safe room where they then tossed a grenade, killing the father in front of his sons, who were then heard crying “Abba’s [daddy] dead,” and “I wish I wasn’t alive,” as a terrorist calmly drank soda from the family’s refrigerator. We saw the dead bodies of children in Mickey Mouse pajamas and a teenager in a Tupac t-shirt. We heard intercepted audio from Hamas commanders instructing the
terrorists to bring dead Jews back to Gaza so they could “play with the bodies.” It’s hard for me to find words to describe the depravity with which the Hamas terrorists treated other humans. As I have said in other pieces, Israel is not perfect, and the current Prime Minister will be held responsible for disastrous intelligence and security failures, as he deserves. But, Israel’s defense forces are not immoral. It’s tragic to see the loss of innocent lives, and I hope that the operations in Gaza end quickly so that innocent Palestinians are able to escape the fighting that Israel is compelled to do to root out Hamas. Do not be fooled by social media propaganda, these Hamas terrorists did not flood into Israel to protest the government’s policies. They did not invade Israel to sit down and talk about peace with Israelis, the majority of whom probably supported a two-state solution that gives Palestinians a pathway to a brighter future. These terrorists came with a single goal: to torture, kill, and kidnap innocent Israelis. We must all bear witness to these atrocities and not be duped into thinking that Hamas is somehow good for Palestinians or that they are a viable partner for peace. Progressives who float from one social justice cause to the next have shown their blatant disregard for either historical context or Jews, perhaps both. I have never been so paranoid that I see antisemitism around every corner, but when people I consider to be otherwise educated about history show an utter lack of understanding of the story of the Jewish people and parrot Hamas talking points on their social media accounts, I find myself in a very unfamiliar and uncomfortable position. We all must sit with discomfort as we process the events that started with a surprise attack on innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, and we must never forget the inhumanity with which Hamas brutalized both Jews and Palestinians alike, starting a war that continues to claim many precious lives and create fresh trauma that is sure to impact generations.
Photo of Kibbutz Nir Oz by Alex Gandler
Peggy Hibbert c. 404.444.0192 o. 404.874.0300 peggy@atlantafinehomes.com © 2023 Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Source: FMLS. 1/1/21–12/31/21. Druid Hills. All Property Types + Price Points. Intown Ranking: TrendGraphix. Top 5 Firms. 1/1/21– 12/31/21. Zip Codes 30306, 30307, 30308, 30309, 30324. All Property Types + Price Points.
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DECEMBER 2023 |
5
COMMUNITY
Support & Humor
New club supports moms through the early years of parenting
Thousands gathered at City Springs for the rally for Israel. (Photo by Avery Kastin).
MESH Moms co-founders Juliana Caspari, left, then Martina Stellmazsek. (Photo by Emalee)
By Clare S. Richie The early years of motherhood are challenging and, at times, isolating. To foster community, a new “mothers club” offers in-person activities and a virtual platform to moms from pregnancy through their child’s preschool years. Launched this summer, MESH Moms (Mothers Empowered With Support & Humor) is a membership-based club that connects moms to age-based, interest-based, and location-based peer groups. “We are open to different parenting philosophies,” said co-founder Martina Stellmaszek. “We want to be a resource where you meet other moms, get advice, and find the people you click with.” “A lot of women are lost in the universe of too much information and anonymous online groups,” added co-founder Juliana Caspari. “We make it easy for moms to filter out what they need.” The annual membership ($120) includes weekly playgroups, educational
6 | DECEMBER 2023
opportunities, adult-only social gatherings, access to a private online portal with a marketplace, childcare forum, chat groups, and more. Some special events require a fee. “It can be really lonely when you are taking care of a newborn,” said Celeste Nagy whose son was born in late September. “MESH Moms offers something for everyone. It’s a really inclusive, judgment-free environment for advice and asking questions. I just did a lunchtime seminar about traveling with kids. They had recommendations, products, links, and feedback that things are never going to go as planned.” MESH Moms is the brainchild of friends and former executives Stellmaszek and Caspari, mothers to a combined seven children. Stellmaszek came up with the idea after her youngest was born in California, where she lived temporarily during the pandemic. She joined a moms group there, a concept that she “just didn’t know from the South.” “Even though my California baby was
MESH Moms members out for a stroller walk. (Photo by Juliana Caspari)
my fourth, every day I learned something new from being connected to these amazing women,” Stellmaszek recalled. Back in Atlanta, she called Caspari and said we need to build a network like this for Atlanta. Caspari, who had struggled with isolation when her children were young, was “all in.” “Juliana and Martina are so organized,” said Brindusa Jimenez who is “new-ish” to Atlanta and mom to a 22-month-old daughter. “For the pumpkin fest, we bought tickets through MESH moms and they had a meet-up spot, reserved tables, coffee, and donuts. Once there, I was meeting all of these moms I’ve been chatting with in the member WhatsApp group – stay-at-home moms, working moms, and co-parenting moms like myself.” Upcoming December events include a virtual coaching session on how to deal with unsolicited advice (Dec. 6); the bi-
weekly Waddle & Stroller Walk (Dec. 12) at Piedmont Park and the monthly Girls Just Wanna Have Lunch (Dec. 15) at Anis Cafe. Starting in mid-January, MESH Moms will start small groups for moms of newborns who will have sessions over six weeks with doulas, coaches, and experts on healing after delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum mental health, and more. “The beauty of offering a lot is that everyone can pick what’s best for them,” said Caspari. “A mom who returned to work can Zoom over lunch and come to weekend events. Others say, ‘I want to meet during the week because I’m by myself and need to talk to grown-ups.’” “Whether you need a class, a shoulder to cry on, or a play date – you will find it here,” Jimenez said. Learn more at meshmoms.com or email hello@meshmoms.com. The pumpkin fest was a popular event for MESH Moms. (Photo by Juliana Caspari)
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Pine Hills • 1080 Ferncliff Road 6 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms, Offered for $1,995,000
Chase Mizell #1 AGENT, ATLANTA REALTORS®, 2021 + 2022 c. 770.289.2780 o. 404.874.0300 chasemizell@atlantafinehomes.com • chasemizell.com © 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission.Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated,except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. #1 Agent Volume, 2020+ 2021, Atlanta REALTORS® Association.
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DECEMBER 2023 |
7
News RoundUp
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Tenants of The Reserve at Lavista Walk apartments are filing a class action lawsuit against the complex’s owner claiming faulty fire suppression equipment and negligence after a fire ravaged the building on Nov. 10. Two people were arrested for shooting fireworks off the roof, which is believed to have ignited the blaze.
The Atlanta City Council voted Nov. 20 to extend the redevelopment moratorium on the Atlanta Medical Center property in Old Fourth Ward. Wellstar shuttered the hospital more than a year ago.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Nov. 1 to celebrate the completion of another segment of the Atlanta BeltLine’s Northeast Trail. The 1.2-mile section of the path extends from Westminster Drive to Mayson Street and connects neighborhoods to Ansley Mall and Piedmont Park.
The Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) has officially launched the trip-planning app ATL RIDES. The app lets transit customers plan their journeys across 13 counties via six transit agencies – Xpress, MARTA, Ride Gwinnett, CobbLinc, Connect Douglas, and Cherokee Area Transit System. The app is available for download in both the Apple and Google stores.
Afghan evacuees face uncertain future with temporary immigration status
Staff from the IRC in Atlanta and GAIN at a February 2023 TPS Clinic in Clarkston, Georgia (Courtesy GAIN)
By Clare S. Richie Abdul Malik Sadat, an Afghan evacuee welcomed to the U.S. two years ago with his wife, may lose his property maintenance job because of challenges stemming from his temporary immigration status.
“I like my job,” Sadat explained through an interpreter. “I would like to work to support my family,” which now includes an 11-month-old daughter. Over the past two years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Atlanta has resettled 800 Afghan evacuees who came
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through Operation Allies Welcome after the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. These Afghan allies are eager to rebuild their lives here but their “humanitarian parole” status only lets them stay for two years at a time and doesn’t provide a path to lawful permanent residence. “This temporary status has stunted the integration our clients could have because they are constantly worried about their status,” said Asiyah Sarwari, Managing Attorney with IRC in Atlanta. “We applied for Sadat’s work authorization and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) but have received no response,” said Fetratullah Farhat, IRC in Atlanta Immigration Legal Specialist. Sadat is also in the process of filing asylum and parole extension applications. To help families like Sadat’s navigate all of this, the IRC in Atlanta partnered with the Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN). Together the nonprofits hosted 12 pro se legal clinics and assisted nearly 600 Afghan humanitarian parolees filing for asylum and/or TPS. “We played to our respective strengths,” said Adriana Heffley, GAIN Director of Legal Services. “We have extensive asylum expertise established over the past 18 years and IRC has this incredible staff, resources, space, and case management services.” This summer, the Biden administration authorized re-parole for Afghan evacuees but even this band-aid is fraught with complications. “Even though the USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] offers guidance it’s not trickling down to the employers,” Sawari said. “The approval notice functions as an extension of their work authorization,” Heffley said. “That’s new to employers and some won’t accept it.”A separate work permit application takes time. And when USCIS fails to update approved Afghan parolees’ status online, parolees often can’t renew their driver’s licenses. “I have a client who is a truck driver,” Farhat said. “His license expired. DDS didn’t renew it. He is now at home and concerned
about how to pay his rent.” Submitting application after application also requires our Afghan neighbors to relive and report difficult experiences. “Especially for the military folks who provided support to the U.S. and have PTSD, applying for these different statuses could potentially retraumatize them,” said Zuhra Aziz, Esq., GAIN Equal Justice Works Fellow. There is a common sense solution with precedent. After previous U.S. troop withdrawals, like after the Vietnam War, Congress passed adjustment acts to provide a path to lawful permanent residence for those evacuated. The bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act of 2023 reintroduced this summer provides a path to permanent status for Afghan evacuees with additional vetting and improves efforts to protect Afghans left behind. “The asylum process is a lengthy process… which might take years. The Afghan Adjustment Act will provide an immediate solution,” explained Lina Jarour, LL.M., IRC in Atlanta Legal Representative. Asylum approval rates in Georgia are also some of the lowest in the nation. So far, only 18 IRC-GAIN clinic clients have been granted asylum. One of the first was a mother and young son. “She is a minority targeted by the Taliban,” Jarour said. “She cannot read or write. She did not want that for her son. Now his English is really good, and he helps his mother.” The Afghan Adjustment Act would relieve pressure on a population eager to live peacefully in the U.S. “We know this group would be targeted if they are forced to return to Afghanistan,” Heffley said. “So many wouldn’t be safe or be able to live a full life if they went back, especially women and girls.” “There’s strong bipartisan support,” Sarwari said. “There is no reason not to pass it. The alternative is to have a huge group of people at some time in the future have no status – nobody wants that.” Learn more about IRC in Atlanta at rescue.org/atlanta and GAIN at georgiaasylum.org. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Find the right doctor for you. Start with your Humana plan. As each of us gets older, what we need for our healthcare changes—sometimes more than once. That’s why Humana has providers like Oak Street Health in our network that specialize in geriatric care. We connect you with doctors who take time to get to know you, offering care that evolves alongside you and a dedicated team who prioritizes your whole health.
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DECEMBER 2023 |
9
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 By Collin Kelley
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Former First Lady Rosalynn Smith Carter – a champion of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights – passed away Sunday at her home in Plains, GA, at the age of 96. She died peacefully, with family by her side, at 2:10 p.m., according to a statement issued by The Carter Center in Atlanta. It was announced on Friday that Mrs. Carter was receiving in-home hospice care alongside her husband of 77 years, former President Jimmy Carter, 99. She is survived by her children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A grandson died in 2015. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said, according to the statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” Mrs. Carter was a working partner and trusted advisor and strategist to the president, a participant in foreign and domestic affairs, as well as being widely recognized as the nation’s foremost Rosalynn Carter (Courtesy The Carter Center) advocate for mental health. Early in 1977, barred by statute from being chair of the newly established President’s Commission on Mental Health, Mrs. Carter became its honorary chair. In this capacity, she held hearings across the country, testified before Congress, and spearheaded the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. She continued her work in the field of mental health throughout her life. She established the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program to continue her work to combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses and promote improved mental health care in the United States and abroad. In 1987, Mrs. Carter founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers at Georgia Southwestern State University to support those who selflessly cared for others and build on her belief that “there are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.” Mrs. Carter was also often seen working alongside her husband on Habitat for Humanity home-builds in Georgia and around the world. They advocated and raised funds for the organization for 35 years. “Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right,” Chip Carter said in the statement. “Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.” A tribute website and online condolence book have been set up at www. rosalynncartertribute.org. After lying in repose at The Carter Center and a tribute service at Emory University, Mrs. Carter was to be buried in Plains on Nov. 29 in a private ceremony.
Dec. 5 runoff to decide BOE race By Dyana Bagby
Dates 11/25 – 11/26 11/30 – 12/02 12/07 – 12/10
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10 | DECEMBER 2023
Voters will return to the polls on Dec. 5 for a runoff election to decide who wins the Atlanta Board of Education District 7 At-Large seat. Neither incumbent Tamara Jones nor challenger Alfred “Shivy” Brooks achieved 50% plus during the Nov. 7 contest to win the seat. Total votes for Jones were 12,996 (48.2%) and while Brooks received 12,764 (47.3%). A third contender, William Sardin, received just 4.65% of the vote and was eliminated from the race. In other BOE contests, Ken Zeff defeated incumbent Michelle Olympiadis for the District 3 seat. Olympiadis was first elected to the board in 2017, while Zeff was a former interim superintendent of Fulton County Schools and a first-time candidate. District 9 At-Large incumbent Jessica Johnson held onto her seat over challenger Nikoyo Effiong Lewis. District 5 incumbent Erika Mitchell easily defeated challenger Raynard Johnson, while District. 1 incumbent Katie Howard did not have a challenger this year. Atlantans cast votes for just five of the nine seats on the Atlanta Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election. Before, all nine seats were up for election every four years. In 2020, the school board decided to stagger terms to eliminate the possibility of an entirely new board being elected every four years. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
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DECEMBER 2023 |
11
Two Atlanta landmarks placed on 2024 list of 10 Places in Peril The Atlanta Constitution Building (Courtesy Georgia Trust)
Piney Grove Cemetery (Courtesy Georgia Trust)
By Collin Kelley The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has released its 2024 list of 10 Places in Peril, which includes two prominent Atlanta landmarks. Both the Atlanta Constitution Building in Downtown and the Piney Grove Cemetery in Buckhead are on this year's list.
Also on the list across the state: Broad Avenue Elementary in Albany (Dougherty County); Cedar Grove in Martinez (Columbia County); Church of the Good Shepherd in Thomasville (Thomas County); Grace Baptist Church in Darien (McIntosh County); Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island (McIntosh County); Old First Baptist Church in Augusta (Richmond County);
Pine Log Mountain (Bartow County); and Sugar Valley Consolidated School in Sugar Valley (Gordon County). “This is the Trust’s nineteenth annual Places in Peril list,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Trust. “We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia’s imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites.” Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. Through Places in Peril, the Trust will encourage owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reuse, reinvest and revitalize historic properties that are in peril. Here’s more about Atlanta's two Places in Peril from the Georgia Trust: Atlanta Constitution Building
SUPPORT FOR THE EXHIBITION
MAJOR FUNDING FOR
PREMIER EXHIBITION
AND CATALOGUE IS PROVIDED BY
THIS EXHIBITION IS
SERIES SPONSOR
PROVIDED BY
William N. Banks Jr. Trust
PREMIER EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS
ACT Foundation, Inc. William N. Banks, Jr. Cousins Foundation Burton M. Gold Sarah and Jim Kennedy
BENEFACTOR EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS
Robin and Hilton Howell
O N V I E W T H R O U G H F E B 18 | H I G H.O R G This exhibition is co-organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI; and the Museum of Arts and Design, New York. Sonya Clark (American, born 1967), The Hair Craft Project: Hairstylists with Sonya: Sonya Clark with Jamilah Williams (detail), 2014, pigment print on archival paper, courtesy of the artist. Photo by Naoko Wowsugi. © Sonya Clark.
12 | DECEMBER 2023
Known as “The Heart of Atlanta” because of its proximity to Downtown’s historic railroad junction, the Atlanta Constitution Building has been home to two iconic Georgia institutions. Constructed in 1947, the Atlanta Constitution Building is a rare Georgia example of Art Moderne architecture that was home to the Atlanta Constitution newspaper during Ralph McGill’s term as editor. When the Atlanta Journal and Constitution consolidated and moved out of the building in 1955, Georgia Power occupied the building until 1972. It has been vacant ever since. The building has withstood previous proposals for demolition, while recent efforts toward redevelopment have yet to materialize. A landmark in Atlanta, now is the time
for the Constitution Building to serve as the heart of Downtown revitalization. Piney Grove Cemetery Piney Grove Cemetery is an historic African American burial ground in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. The cemetery’s founding dates to the 1800s and has over 300 burials, some of which are believed to be burials for enslaved individuals. The cemetery has unique characteristics including irregular burial patterns, a variety of hewn and native gravestones and terraced landscaping. The cemetery also contains numerous unmarked burials. Piney Grove Cemetery is one of the last vestiges of the several African American communities that once thrived in the area including Piney Grove, Lynwood Park, Bagley Park, Johnsontown and Armour. In the early 2000s, a residential developer acquired the property and sought to remove the cemetery to develop the land. After opposition by the descendants, the land was sold to a commercial developer with conditions for access and maintenance as part of City of Atlanta zoning conditions. Ultimately, a condominium complex was built adjacent to the cemetery. Despite zoning conditions and state law requiring the condominium homeowner’s association to allow descendants and members of the public to use and enjoy the Cemetery, in the view of the Friends of Piney Grove Cemetery, the homeowner’s association has never complied with the obligation to maintain the historic Piney Grove Cemetery, and this has resulted in the cemetery’s current dire condition. Instead, the property has become overgrown and inaccessible with damage to headstones from falling trees, vegetation, and trash. Piney Grove Cemetery is a direct link to a time in Georgia when enslaved individuals were forced to toil in fields and homes. Piney Grove Cemetery serves as an important marker for Atlanta’s history, and its preservation is essential to the city’s cultural fabric. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
COMING SOON • VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND
814 Yorkshire Road NE
667 Park Drive
AVAILABLE • INMAN PARK
AVAILABLE • MORNINGSIDE
208 Inman Lane NE Offered for $1,250,000
627 Kimberly Lane* Offered for $975,000
*
Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. *Off market.
SOLD • MORNINGSIDE
J OY M Y R I C K SELLING EXCEPTIONAL INTOWN PROPERTIES
FOR OVER 20 YEARS
c. 404.408.2331 o. 404.874.0300 joymyrick@atlantafinehomes.com J O Y M Y R I C K . AT L A N TA F I N E H O M E S . C O M
Come experience the holidays at the Alliance Theatre!
World Premiere Musical
OCT 14–DEC 23 Journey down the rabbit hole for a delightful musical adventure inspired by the classic Beatrix Potter tales.
PRESENTED BY
NOV 11–DEC 24 One of Atlanta’s most treasured holiday traditions.
Written & Directed by MARK VALDEZ Inspired by the stories of BEATRIX POTTER
Presented by special arrangement with Frederick Warne & Co Limited.
By CHARLES DICKENS Adapted by DAVID H. BELL Directed by CAITLIN HARGRAVES Based on the Original Direction by LEORA MORRIS
Tickets and memberships at alliancetheatre.org
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DECEMBER 2023 |
13
Court to take up ‘Cop City’ referendum this month
During these uncertain HammerSmith is heretimes, for HammerSmith is here for you you and your family. and family. We provide We your provide exceptional safe, essential services, architectural designs and home renovations. architectural designsStart and planning today forStart how home renovations. to livetoday better an to planning forinhow world. liveever-changing better in a changed world.
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Protesters march toward the Cop City site carrying a banner honoring activist Manuel Teran. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)
By Collin Kelley A referendum for a citywide vote on the Atlanta training center, dubbed “Cop City” by opponents, remains in limbo awaiting a ruling from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. More than 100,000 signatures were collected in support of the referendum, but the city of Atlanta has refused to verify them until a ruling is made by the court. Oral arguments are expected to begin on Dec. 14, but it is unknown when a ruling will be made. Meanwhile, activists protesting the construction of the facility continued to clash with police in November. On Nov. 14, hundreds of protesters tried to march onto the city of Atlantaowned property in south DeKalb County but were met with a heavy police presence. The protesters marched roughly two miles from the Gresham Park Recreation Center along a portion of the South River Trail and then took over busy Constitution Road as they made their way toward the now-closed Intrenchment Creek Park, near the training center's location. Activists carried a banner in memory of Manuel Terán, also known as Tortuguita.
Terán, who was camped out near Intrenchment Creek in the South River Forest to protest the training center, was killed in January by Georgia State Patrol troopers during an operation to clear the site of activists. Dozens of DeKalb County Police in riot gear were lined up at West Side Place, near the county's Fire Department 10, waiting for the marchers. Armored vehicles and police cars lined the streets. Helicopters buzzed overhead. Police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to stop the activists from continuing to the facility site. There were no arrests and no injuries were reported, according to DeKalb County. While the protests continue, Mayor Andre Dickens said in October that the training center was 40% complete and vertical construction would begin in January. In early November, nearly 60 Cop City protesters were formally indicted on racketeering charges related to previous protests. Dyana Bagby contributed to this report.
Protesters clash with police near the Cop City site. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)
14 | DECEMBER 2023
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Not now, I’m slammed! Autumn in Atlanta is a crisp, sunny, beautiful backdrop for an impossibly busy time of year. When people say “I’m slammed” it can seem more of a humblebrag about how important their job is than a complaint. Over the past couple of months though, I think I’ve even uttered this very expression myself. I wasn’t MAY I BE complaining as I EXCUSED genuinely enjoy busier stretches nor humblebragging as there’s nothing highfalutin’ about my job or life. I was, however, saying Tim Sullivan please don’t ask me to do one more thing because, well, I’m already slammed. Additionally, my wife Kristen had a string of work trips, and the wheels on this household bus tend to get wobbly when she’s away. Who scheduled every doctor/ dentist visit possible for this stretch of time? Just how long is softball season? Wait, it overlaps with basketball season? The dogs are looking at me like, “How ‘bout a spa day my man?” Not today dogs, tomorrow’s not looking great either. We crammed in some fun stuff, too: We hosted a band for Oakhurst Porchfest,
you have any idea what you’re getting into?” I remember thinking ‘Uh oh.’ But when 300 people showed up for this very homemade, inaugural 5k, I knew we had something good. In subsequent years the race ballooned to over 1,000 participants and became, as it remains today, an absolute scene. By the 4th annual race, Kristen and I had a toddler, a newborn, and a new business. ‘Slammed’ would have been cute, I was borderline delirious. The last thing we needed was for the lead motorcycle cop to miss a couple of turns and trim our beloved 5k into a ~3.9k but that’s exactly what happened. Serious runners were apoplectic: “Dude—the HELL was that??!!” Casual runners were ecstatic: “Woohoo – PR!” The morning after I received an unhinged email from a guy named Todd. He couldn’t BELIEVE how unprofessional it was! How dare we take money for a 5k and then shortchange the distance! It would seem I ruined his life or something. I offered to refund his money…and then came unglued myself. We were just VOLUNTEERS raising money for a neighborhood charity, TODD! It was an honest mistake! Do you have any clue how much work goes into this? I have two babies at home and a new business and I’ve
The Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp 5K. (Photo by Tim Sullivan)
SIR ELTON JOHN’S ATLANTA RESIDENCE
SOLD for $7.225 million
Nothing compares to seeing it all come together. We are honored to announce Sir Elton John’s Park Place condominium sold in just six weeks for $7.225 million at more than 45 percent above the asking price. We congratulate Chase Mizell, No. 1 Agent, Company-Wide, for representing Sir Elton John and Betsy Akers, No. 1 Agent, Buckhead Office, for representing the buyer in an all-cash transaction.
which somehow out-Porchfested itself this year, and went to the Highball music festival at Pullman Yards, which was super fun but can we work on the beer offerings? Old guys with a discerning palate but a busy slate the following day need an option between an IPA and a PBR. Kristen ran the Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp 5k on the morning of the venerable Chomp and Stomp festival and it reminded me there was a time when our Autumns were even so much busier. A fun fact about yours truly is that I (along with Kristen and a few others) founded that little 5k in 2006. We thought, ‘It’ll be fun!’ I asked a fellow race director for advice and he said, “You know – I do this for a living. It’s an awful lot of work. Do RoughDraftAtlanta.com
barely slept in months, TODD! Maybe instead of complaining you can volunteer to help next year! And you know what? He did. Todd turned out to be a good guy – just a frustrated runner that day and probably having a stressful Fall of his own. I stepped aside as race director after the 7th annual running. This year the one task my daughter Margo and I had was to make silly signs for the runners: Are We Sure the Motorcycle Cop Knows the Course? and Who Will Win the Decatur Mom’s 40-49 Division? and Best 5k Ever, Probably. Truth is being busy is a privilege most of the time but here’s hoping all of you and me, and Todd, wherever he is, can also enjoy a little downtime this holiday season. Cheers.
2660 PEACHTREE ROAD, NO. 36D ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30305
Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties exclusively represented by our firm. atlantafinehomes.com | sothebysrealty.com © 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. Intown Office: 1555 Peachtree Street, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. 404.874.0300.
DECEMBER 2023 |
15
SUSTAINABLITY
Will Georgia’s Republican leaders defend the Okefenokee?
Okefenokee, resulting in “the possibility of permanently altering the hydrology” by lowering water tables and disrupting the natural flow of water. (Could this action also constitute a legal taking of an essential value—water—from this property held in trust for all Americans since 1937?) Soil stability in Trail Ridge could be “negatively affected,” allowing leakage, and the swamp’s ability to store carbon in its peat soils could be reduced, worsening the climate crisis. Solutions Stalled
Okefenokee Swamp (Courtesy the Georgia River Network)
When the conflict, turmoil, and tragedy around the world becomes too overwhelming—as frequently happens during these dark days—I turn to Sally Bethea nature to help me cope. Finding solace among trees, beside moving water, and on park trails helps relieve my stress and fears about the future for the people and places I love. I cannot completely turn away from the troubles. I want to understand what is happening in the world—with our fraught politics, fragile democracy, and deteriorating ecosystems. At the same time, I am learning to live more in the present with gratitude for simple pleasures and the sense of wonder and awe that nature provides. “It is not enough to fight for the land; it’s even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here… Explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers,” wrote author and wilderness defender Ed Abbey. I would add: spend time in your local parks, walk regularly through the seasons, and practice attentiveness to nature’s lines, colors, smells, and details.
ABOVE THE WATER LINE
16 | DECEMBER 2023
The Wild Heart of Georgia
Mining Threat
At dusk in early November, I took a boat ride in Georgia’s Okefenokee: the largest swamp in North America, a national wildlife refuge, a hub of local eco-tourism, and a global treasure. Leaving man-made structures and glaring lights behind, we entered what is called “the wild heart of Georgia.” Lines of diagonal clouds in the mackerel sky reflected the setting sun in shades of pink and peach above the still, ink-colored water. Silhouettes of tupelo and bald cypress trees reached upward, pointing to the beauty in the sky, as their reflections pierced the black swamp water, extending their majesty earthward. I breathed deeply, inhaling the diversity and reciprocity of all life. I felt calm and refreshed. The next day, I listened to Michael Lusk, the manager of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, give a passionate and science-based presentation about the need to safeguard Trail Ridge: a 100-mile-long remnant of a Pleistocene barrier island system that holds the 10,000-year-old swamp in place. On Lusk’s map, the sandy ridge on the eastern edge of the Okefenokee looks like out-stretched arms: a sort of “geologic grandmother” protecting the wetland ecosystem from harm.
Mining companies have long sought to establish stripping operations in and near Trail Ridge to extract minerals for sale worldwide. In the 1990s, DuPont Corporation proposed a titanium mine; however, when Georgia’s leaders spoke out against the plan, the company withdrew its proposal. More recently, Twin Pines Minerals applied to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for permits to mine titanium at a 775acre “demonstration” site and withdraw millions of gallons of groundwater: a plan that threatens the Okefenokee and tourismrelated jobs in the area. Notably, Twin Pines falsely claimed property rights on land held by another private property owner in its permit applications. Companies affiliated with Twin Pines have caused pollution problems in north Georgia where they burned creosote-soaked wood and at facilities in North Carolina and Florida. Put simply, a bad-actor company wants permission to disrupt the land and hydrology adjacent to an international treasure. What could go wrong? Everything, say scientific experts. Studies conclude that the Twin Pines project is “likely to impact” the
The governor-appointed Georgia Board of Natural Resources could advise EPD to reject the Twin Pines application based on multiple concerns. The fact that this board has, thus far, failed to do so indicates that Gov. Brian Kemp is not—yet—willing to take reasonable, prudent steps to safeguard the Okefenokee and its waters. What, or who, is keeping Kemp from protecting this Georgia-grown treasure? Why won’t he support the tens of thousands of Georgians who have repeatedly urged EPD to reject the mining and groundwater applications? Even if the Twin Pines plan is rejected, or the company finds someone to pay it not to mine (perhaps it’s Plan B, if not Plan A), Trail Ridge and the Okefenokee will remain vulnerable to future mining. Again, a solution is available, but it has been stymied by Republican leadership. The Okefenokee Protection Act (HB 71) currently languishes in a House committee chaired by Rep. Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), although more than half of her House colleagues are co-sponsors of the bill: 65 Democrats and 29 Republicans. Why won’t Rep. Smith allow a hearing and a vote? HB 71 is limited in scope but would provide long-term protection for the Okefenokee. It prevents future, risky mining on a very specific, narrowly defined area of Trail Ridge. It does not affect previously applied for permits, including the one from Twin Pines that should be rejected by EPD. The bill must pass both the Georgia House and Senate by the end of the 2024 session next spring or it will die. Help defend Georgia’s extraordinary Okefenokee—a place of beauty, resilience, and solace in our troubled world by urging members of the General Assembly to pass HB 71. What You Can Do Learn more about HB 71, the Okefenokee, and whether your House member supports the bill at gawater.org/ okefenokee-swamp. Urge him/her to sign on, if they are not a co-sponsor, and thank them if they are. Write Gov. Kemp at The Office of the Governor, 206 Washington St. Suite 203, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
DECEMBER 2023 |
17
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
‘Tis The Season!
December is chock full of holiday activities and events Chabad Intown
Atlanta Ballet
By Rough Draft Staff
Fox Theatre
Atlantic Station
December is chockful of holiday events and activities for all interests. We’ve rounded up a list of some not to miss but be sure to check out HowDoYouAtlanta.com calendar and follow us on Instagram @RoughDraftATL for even more.
Peachtree Church is hosting its beloved Christmas Eve services at the Fox on Dec. 24 at 1 and 5 p.m. The services will feature Peachtree’s choir and orchestra with special musical guest Timothy Miller, a Christmas pageant with live animals, and more. Find out more and see other shows at the Fox in December at foxtheatre.org.
Grab your ice skates and head for Skate the Station, which is open now through Jan. 15. It’s ready for action, weather permitting, on
Fernbank Winter Wonderland is back now through Jan. 7 for its 14th year with dazzling trees and other displays. The exhibit highlights festivities and traditions that tell unique stories selected by cultural partners through arts, crafts, symbols, and ornamental displays. Learn more at FernbankMuseum. org. Atlanta Ballet “The Nutcracker” returns to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center Dec. 8-26. This beloved Victorian-era holiday ballet features Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Visit atlantaballet. com for tickets and additional info.
Kwanzaa at PCM
PCM Holidays Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward has a month of special holiday events, including ice skating on the roof, Saturday visits with Santa Claus, various holiday markets, and much more. A menorah lighting is set for Dec. 14. The Village Market will host a Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 28, and New Year’s Eve festivities. Check out poncecitymarket.com/events for the full schedule.
weekdays, 4-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sundays, 12-8 p.m. Go to the Events page at atlanticstation.com to find more. Winterfest 2023 Winterfest is sledding into Virginia Highland on Dec. 8-9. The event will begin with a Tour of Lights Block Party on Friday, Dec.8, to show off the neighborhood’s most vibrant holiday decorations, along with live music, food & beverages, and plenty of cheer. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the day will start with a Jingle Jog, followed by a Holiday Parade. The day will rev up with one of the biggest in-town holiday Gift Markets and Kids Corner, with music to pair. Grab tickets at eventeny.com. Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes
Chabad Intown
Get a peek inside some of the neighborhood's more beautiful homes decked out in Christmas finery on Dec. 9-10. There will also be an artist market, bake sale, music, and more. Get tickets at candlelighttourofhomes.com.
Join Chabad Intown at 4 p.m. on Dec. 10 to celebrate Hanukkah at the annual menorah lighting in Decatur Square, 509 N. McDonough St. Enjoy music, entertainment, dreidels, doughnuts, hot latkes, crafts for the kids, and more. Chabad will also host menorah lightings at Atlantic Station on Dec. 13 and Ponce City Market on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. Visit chabadintown. com for more information and events.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The ASO has the holiday spirit with a series of music events, including a Christmas Symphony from Sarah Brightman on Dec. 6, the annual Christmas with the ASO concerts on Dec. 9-10, “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage” on Dec. 14-15, and Celtic Women with the ASO on Dec. 21-22. Check out aso.org for more holiday offerings.
Alliance Theatre
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
“A Christmas Carol” is back on the main stage through Dec. 24 with new set design and costumes for the 35th annual production. Get tickets and details at alliancetheatre.org.
The annual New Year’s Bubble Bash is Dec. 31 featuring dancing, games and much more. Visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org.
18 | DECEMBER 2023
Sarah Brightman with the ASO
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The Power of a LOCAL EXPERT JASON COOK FOR SALE
JUST SOLD
FOR SALE
UNDER CONTRACT
80 INMAN CIRCLE
72 WESTMINSTER DRIVE
217 15TH STREET
1301 PEACHTREE STREET, 5F
Offered for $3,745,000
Offered for $3,495,000
Offered for $3,295,000
Offered for $3,100,000
FOR SALE
JUST SOLD
SOLD ABOVE ASKING PRICE
SOLD ABOVE ASKING PRICE
127 AVERY DRIVE
1301 PEACHTREE STREET, 1L*
61 MADDOX DRIVE
207 WESTMINSTER DRIVE
Offered for $2,175,000
Offered for $1,995,000
Offered for $1,500,000
Offered for $1,495,000
UNDER CONTRACT
FOR SALE
JUST SOLD
FOR SALE
75 INMAN CIRCLE
199 AVERY DRIVE
496 ANSLEY WALK TERRACE*
77 PEACHTREE PLACE, UNIT 109
Offered for $1,075,000
Offered for $979,000
Offered for $625,000
Offered for $599,900
Jason Cook
NO.1 AGENT ANSLEY PARK & 30309 ZIPCODE
c. 404.431.1384 | o. 404.480.HOME | JASON@ANSLEYRE.COM 9 52 P E AC H T RE E ST. S UITE 10 0 , AT LANTA, GA 30309 | 404.48 0.HOME | ANSL E YR E . CO M All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. If you have any existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal housing opportunity. *Represented Buyer
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DECEMBER 2023 |
19
Recently Sold
Happy Holidays! –Jared RECORD-BREAKING SALE IN DRUID HILLS
832 SPRINGDALE ROAD** OFFERED FOR $5,549,000
1179 CITADEL DRIVE OFFERED FOR $1,195,000
168 OLYMPIC PLACE OFFERED FOR $1,680,000
516 WIMBLEDON ROAD OFFERED FOR $1,695,000
3015 GREENDALE DRIVE* OFFERED FOR $2,095,000
REPRESENTED BUYER AND SELLER
2612 FORREST WAY* OFFERED FOR $1,585,000
796 AMSTERDAM AVENUE OFFERED FOR $1,795,000
1355 WESSYNGTON ROAD OFFERED FOR $1,850,000
56 N. LAKE DRIVE OFFERED FOR $549,900
4454 SPRING MOUNTAIN LANE OFFERED FOR $479,900
550 TRIMBLE LAKE COURT* OFFERED FOR $2,375,000
905 JUNIPER STREET NE, NO. 307 OFFERED FOR $325,000
Under Contract
1345 N. HIGHLAND AVENUE OFFERED FOR $1,025,000
LISTED BY HEATHER SCOTT AND BETH BOSWELL OF ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
20 | DECEMBER 2023
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Available
JARED SAPP REAL ESTATE GROUP
235 THE PRADO OFFERED FOR $3,495,000
1506 BROOK VALLEY LANE OFFERED FOR $1,095,000
1204 BERNADETTE LANE OFFERED FOR $ 1,695,000
740 E. MORNINGSIDE DRIVE OFFERED FOR $1,949,000
3382 HABERSHAM ROAD OFFERED FOR $3,650,000
INDUSTRY-WIDE MORNINGSIDE 2018 — 2022 INDUSTRY-WIDE VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND 2018 — 2022 $800M+ IN CAREER SALES PHOENIX AWARD RECIPIENT, ARA
1500 LAVISTA ROAD OFFERED FOR $ 1,595,000
2618 PARKSIDE DRIVE OFFERED FOR $2,595,000
22 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
JARED SAPP, JEN METZGER, STEPHANIE SELTZER, BRYAN RUCKER & WHIT COLLMUS c. 404.668.7233 • o. 404.237.5000 • jared@jaredsapp.com
460 WIMBLEDON ROAD OFFERED FOR $2,300,000
602 YORKSHIRE ROAD OFFERED FOR $995,000
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
1026 REEDER CIRCLE OFFERED FOR $3,695,000
753 CRESTRIDGE DRIVE OFFERED FOR $3,795,000
jaredsapp.com • atlantafinehomes.com • sir.com
© 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. TrendGraphix, Top Producer, January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022. Zip Codes 30306, 30308, 30309 and 30324. All Property Types; All Price Points. *Represented buyer. **Unlisted.
DECEMBER 2023 |
21
Do You Sloomoo?
A slime sensory playground in Buckhead is for kids – and kids at heart
Families can bond over a vat of slime, sharing in the experience of touching and twisting the gooey substance. (Photos courtesy Sloomoo Institute)
By Dyana Bagby At the Sloomoo Institute in Atlanta, visitors can stuff their hands into giant vats of pink slime, blue slime, gritty slime, and buttery slime. They can squish, squeeze and poke the slime, and feel the gooey textures ooze between their fingers. The activity is fun, but it’s not just child’s play. Entrepreneurs Sara Schiller and Karen Robinovitz opened the first Sloomoo Institute in New York in 2019 to offer visitors a chance to engage in sensory play. They wanted children – and adults – to discover how hands-on play opens a “way to access joy,” according to the company’s website. The women learned about the benefits of playing with slime a few years before they launched Sloomoo Institute when both were going through very difficult times in their lives. Robinovitz was mourning the death of her husband when friends visited with their young daughter. The girl brought slime with her, and she and Robinovitz ended up playing together for hours. It was the first time Robinovitz had smiled in over a year. She and Schiller then started using slime to relieve stress. Eventually, they knew they had to bring the “magic and joy” of slime to the world. After reopening the New York attraction following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the women opened a Sloomoo Institute in Atlanta in the Buckhead Triangle shopping center, across from Phipps Plaza. They also opened one in Chicago. In December, a new Sloomoo Institute is opening in Houston.
22 | DECEMBER 2023
What to expect when visiting Sloomoo Institute Atlanta When entering Sloomoo Institute, visitors learn there is a “slime language” that requires vowels in a word to be changed to “oo.” That’s how slime becomes sloomoo. Also, Mommy becomes Moomoo and Grandma is Groomoo. The slime names are put on nametags, setting the tone for a fun visit. “Taking on a new name gives so many people the permission to play [because] they don’t feel confined to their regular life,” said Carsyn Durrett, 26, who has worked at Atlanta’s Sloomoo Institute since it opened last November. Dozens of vats filled with five gallons of slime are spread throughout the Atlanta attraction, each featuring different scents, colors, and textures. Groomoos dive into the slime alongside their grandchildren and fill the space with “oohs” and “aahhhs” and laughter. Durrett said they never tire of watching parents and grandparents bond with children while playing with slime. “You don’t grow too old to play,” Durrett said. “You grow old when you stop playing.” Folks can become part of slime history by taking a piece of their favorite slime and adding it to the “Slime and Repeat” wall. The wall is like an art exhibit covered in slimes of all colors and shapes. There’s a room where visitors can use a slingshot to “shoot” slime at plexiglass walls. People who choose to stand behind the plexiglass will hear a loud splat when the slime strikes. Kinetic sand, or squeezable sand, is located in a Day-Glo room, providing another sensory experience. There is also
Playing with slime is not just for children. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to participate and embrace their own sense of play.
a video room where visitors can create a Sloomoo version of themselves and watch their slime personas move and dance on screen. In the next space, people can stand under overhead domes and listen to custom-made soundtracks, like typewriter clacks and farts. These rooms are where autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR, comes to life. ASMR is that tingling sensation some people feel when exposed to soft sounds like whispers or tapping. The biggest room with the main event is Sloomoo Falls. People wrapped in plastic ponchos stand in a dimly lit room and wait for gallons of slime to be poured on them. During the wait, employees lead cheers and a countdown, creating an exciting atmosphere. Lake Sloomoo is where children and adults can walk and run on top of 350 pounds of slime, sinking slightly into the soft surface. The grand finale of the self-guided tour
‘Groomoo’ is the name given to grandparents who take their grandchildren to Sloomoo Institute Atlanta.
where everyone creates their own slime. They pick a texture, like thick and glossy, crunchy or buttery; a scent, such as Froot Loops or lavender; and a color, with options ranging from hot pink to glittery blue. Sloomoo Institute Atlanta is located at 3637 Peachtree Road NE in Buckhead. Hours are Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round. During rush seasons, including holidays, Sloomoo Institute is open seven days a week. Tickets start at $39. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit sloomooinstitute.com.
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
DECEMBER ISSUE
HARRY NORMAN, REALTORS®
THE INTOWN OFFICE
Wow! What a year! My success is because of you, my clients, who continue to buy and sell homes no matter what the market is doing. It’s the greatest compliment when a past or new client refers me to their friends and family. THANK YOU & SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
ANNETTE ROSS, REALTOR® C: 404-683-5798 | O: 404-897-5558 | Annette.Ross@HarryNorman.com Scan QR Code to check out my website!
ATLANTA’S FIRST IN LUXURY
THE INTOWN OFFICE | 1518 MONROE DR NE, STE. E | ATLANTA, GA 30324 | 404-897-5558 | HARRYNORMAN.COM/INTOWN Information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted. Offers subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales, and withdrawals without notice.
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
DECEMBER 2023 |
23
Cirque du Soleil returns with high-flying, minimalist ‘Echo’
Chef Ford Fry
Photos by Jacob Nguyen
By Jacob Nguyen “Echo,” Cirque du Soleil’s first new show since the pandemic, has arrived at Atlantic Station under the giant big top visible from the Downtown Connector. The outside might look familiar, but inside is something completely different. While the high-wire acrobatics and
soaring music remain, the minimalist look of “Echo” is a far cry from last year’s “Kurios,” a steampunk fantasy that saw the stage crammed with various contraptions, set pieces, and costumed characters. However, the opening aesthetic of the show becomes something far more intriguing with the emergence of “the cube.” But I’m getting ahead of myself here.
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Like all Cirque shows, “Echo” has a very loose plot – or world – that is open to many interpretations. The audience is introduced to the protagonist, Future, and her dog companion who encounter the giant, shape-shifting cube. At first, it looks like a giant projection screen at the back of the ring, but then it floats out to the center and you realize it’s three-dimensional and the size of a two-story house. As Future begins to interact with the cube, beautiful images of creatures and other worlds appear on its walls, then it opens up, twists, and falls apart and is rebuilt by the other acrobats, singers, musicians, and dancers who also find their way inside and out of the cube. The humans discover that their actions around the cube have the power to reshape and rebuild the planet into a place filled with promise and hope. Both of those things are in short supply these days, so the non-political and non-preachy approach of making the world a better place is a welcome message this holiday season. Some of the most memorable acrobatic sequences include two men attempting to
stack blocks of the cube high into the rigging of the big top, while another features two wire walkers navigating inside the cube, which has been reduced to just its frame. Perhaps the most memorable sequence is when the block opens and a giant red man – a giant marionette puppet – unfolds itself and stands upright in the ring. He appears to be from the future, maybe a new evolution of mankind and a sign of a brighter future ahead. Future flies up to stand on his hand and sit on his shoulder like Tinkerbell. You won’t forget it. As with all Cirque shows, it’s perfect for families to attend and there were plenty of delighted children watching in awe. I felt like one of them. “Echo” continues through Jan. 21 so there is plenty of time to grab tickets. There’s even a new VIP ticket that offers a meet and greet with the artists after the show. Get more information and tickets at cirquedusoleil.com.
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CAROLYN CALLOWAY REALTOR ®
C: 404.312.6700 O: 404.233.4142 Carolyn.Calloway@HarryNorman.com
24 | DECEMBER 2023
HarryNorman.com | The above information is believed accurate, but is not warranted. This offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale and withdrawals without notice.
A rendering of the Westside spur trail. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
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Chabad Intown Menorah Lighting
DECEMBER 2023 |
25
The Long Goodbye Art Papers will mark 50th anniversary with closure in 2026, but first a celebration By Collin Kelley Let’s just get the bad news out of the way upfront: Art Papers, the venerable Atlantabased magazine, will cease publication and operations in 2026, which happens to be its 50th anniversary. But before the lights are switched off, there’s still much to be done, according to new executive/artistic director Sarah Higgins. Art Papers announced Higgins for the newly created role this week, and it will be her mission to oversee the implementation of a “radical new strategic plan,” which will lead to the organization’s “controlled conclusion of operations” in 2026.
Higgins, who joined Art Papers in 2018 as interim editor, said the three-year strategic plan is designed to celebrate the legacy of the publication and arrive at a meaningful end after 50 years of covering the art world. Higgins said the decision to ease out of existence was prompted by systemic challenges that are not unique to Art Papers, but hopes that the next three years will be a catalyst to fertilize the ground for new arts platforms and practices to emerge. “Sustainability is not in the cards for us,” Higgins said in a candid interview with Rough Draft. “But we don’t want to simply disappear or retreat and retreat with survival
in mind until we fade into obsolescence. We don’t want people to say, ‘Oh, Art Papers is still around?’ So, we’re asking people to come along with us on an emotional roller coaster.” Higgins said the three-year strategic plan allows Art Papers to “do something really different and exciting.” “There’s still time to do something ambitious. We are going to continue publishing meaningful and thoughtful essays, interviews, and reviews at ArtPapers.org. We’re going to dive into our archive and revisit our history,” she said. There will also be a series of public programs to acknowledge that arts organizations are facing sustainability issues all over the country. “We’re going to use the reality of Art Papers’ challenge to host conversations, then use our publishing infrastructure to create a resource for what comes next,” Higgins said. “We want these last three years to be
something people talk about and for future arts organizations to point back and say this is the time when seeds were planted for ideas that will work and keep us sustainable. That’s part of our legacy work.” Another part of the legacy is completing an extensive archive, which is held by Emory University, and creating a hardback book called “50 Years of Art Papers.” Higgins said a fundraiser will be conducted for the publication of the book, which she envisions as “a kind of family reunion.” “We want past editors, contributors, artists who have been central to Art Papers to be involved,” she said, likening the book to a greatest hits with some new tunes thrown in. Higgins acknowledges that starting a new role that will lead to shutdown is unusual, but also an exciting challenge. She said she’s embracing the metaphor of “fire ecology – where old growth must burn to enrich the soil and fertilize new growth.”
Art Papers’ new executive/ artistic director Sarah Higgins. (Courtesy Art Papers)
26 | DECEMBER 2023
RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Acclaimed artist Radcliffe Bailey dead at 54
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Acclaimed Atlanta-based artist Radcliffe Bailey died on Nov. 15 at age 54 after a battle with brain cancer. ARTnews said Bailey’s “sculptural assemblages and paintings elegantly summoned the past, present, and future of Black Americans through ready-made objects and images.” Bailey was born in 1968 in Bridgetown, New Jersey, but moved to Atlanta when he was 4 years old. He told Art in America that his father was a railroad engineer and his ancestors had been involved with the Underground Railroad, which helped enslaved people escape to the North prior to the Civil War. Travel would remain a constant source of interest and a recurring theme in his work. “I’ve always been fascinated by different forms of travel—by sea, by train, or into outer space and other realms,” he told Art in America in 2021. His large-scale installation “Windward Coast” was presented as part of the First International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. He received the Joan Foundation Grant in 2008 and the Elizabeth and Mallory
Factory Prize for Southern Art in 2010. Bailey’s work is part of the permanent collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the National Gallery and Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., the Art Institute of Chicago, and the High Museum in Atlanta. One of Bailey’s most public works can be seen at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. His mixed-media mural “Saints” is installed at Terminal E. Mayor Andre Dickens said Bailey had “shaped Atlanta’s cultural landscape through his own unique, creative genius. While often bringing the intersectionality of ancestry, race, and art to the forefront of a discussion, his talent was both personal and accessible to our community.” “I had the privilege of visiting with him Friday to express Atlanta’s gratitude for all his contributions to our city,” Dickens said in a statement. “Our administration has been working with his family and team on a fitting way to honor his incredible life and legacy, and we look forward to sharing those details in the near future. My thoughts are with his family and all who knew and loved him.”
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Radcliffe Bailey (Photo by Lamont Hamilton)
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Bailey’s mixed-media mural “Saints” at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (Courtesy City of Atlanta)
Harvin Greene
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M 404.314.4212
M 404.863.4213
100 West Paces Ferry Road | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 404.352.2010 | dorseyalston.com Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
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DINING
A Few of Our Favorite Things WOMEN + WINE
▼Sommify: A Blind Wine Tasting Board Game
Katie Rice & Sarah Pierre
Think you can Somm? Well here’s your chance! Sommify is a blind winetasting board game. Players take turns guessing mystery wines in an atmosphere
▲Laguiole Mini Black Marble Cheese Set in Wood Gift Box (Set of 3) The perfect addition to any charcuterie and cheese board. The Laguiole brand is worldrenowned for tradition and quality and originates from the Midi-Pyrenees region of France. Stainless steel blade, distinctive packaging, and iconic Laguiole bee motif at the top of the marble handle. The cheese knives will last a lifetime.
Looking for the perfect gift for the oenophile in your life? We’ve rounded up a gift guide for this holiday season with a few of our favorite wine-related things. ◄The New French Wine [Two-Book Boxed Set]: Redefining the World's Greatest Wine Culture by Jon Bonné There’s a new obsession with books being used as decor. Decorative books have an appeal largely because of their colossal size, impeccable artwork, and eye-catching fonts. However, The New French Wine serves a dual purpose. Not only did Bonné create a book designed with the perfect color palette, he also created a digestible guide to French wine that will leave readers feeling like they were there doing the research themselves. $135.00, 3parkswine.com
$53.00, 3 Parks Wine Shop
reminiscent of a drinking game, all while accidentally learning how to blind taste like a Sommelier. Players guess the Grape and Country of the mystery wine using the incredibly simple Sommify method on The Sommify Wine Key. This game is fun for all-level wine drinkers.
designed to pour wine without removing the cork. Then, all systems replace lost wine with pure argon gas to prevent oxygen from filling that space preserving the wines for weeks or even months! It’s brilliant and it’s a wine lover's dream! Drink what you want without having to open the bottle! $199.00, 3parkswine.com
$50.00, 3parkswine.com | vinoteca.com ▲Torres Potato Chips + Arrivato Caviar
Coravin Wine Preservation System, Model 3
Sip and snack in style with arguably the best chips to serve with caviar. Imported from Spain, Torres Potato Chips set the bar for all potato chips. Torres Chips are thin, yet crispy with eccentrically bold flavors. These gourmet chips will be the star of any party with flavors including Iberian Ham, Black Truffle, Hot Smoked Paprika, Mediterranean Herbs, Fried Egg, and more. Serve these chips alongside Arrivato Caviar; quality caviar, ethically sourced, and served at Michelin-starred restaurants around the world.
One of the best wine gadgets invented. Coravin delivers the ultimate wine preservation because, unlike other wine preservers that simply delay the oxidation of your wine, Coravin Timeless systems are
4.50, 3 Parks Wine Shop | Caviar: mkt price, 3 Parks Wine Shop
▲Bella Cucina Pesto
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for EVERYONE! We offer gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and keto catering options. Call to learn more! 28 | DECEMBER 2023
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If Oprah loves it, we love it! Bella Cucina’s famous Pesto’s are listed as one of Oprah's "favorite things" and an "O List" magazine pick! Who wouldn’t want one, or three in their stocking? This is for the food lover in your life that cooks to impress. The perfect topping for thick slices of focaccia, or an Italian dinner at home with fresh pasta and Barolo. Savor the taste of Tuscany with our favorite Famous Pesto: Artichoke Lemon Pesto. It’s not a festive holiday party until the Bella Cucina Artichoke Dip is served. Made in Atlanta GA
The Biltmore Estate
$16.00, 3 Parks Wine in Asheville, NC. Shop | bellacucina.com
►Champagne Tarlant Rosé Zero Brut Nature, France Whether you're searching for the perfect present for a coworker or a loved one, Champagne is the ultimate choice. It's the ideal way to mark any occasion, even those that may not initially seem like a cause for celebration. There never has to be a reason to open a bottle of Champagne. $77.00, vinoteca.com RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Happy Holidays from our family to yours! INMAN PARK
MORNINGSIDE-LENOX PARK
116 Elizabeth Street NE 7 Bed | 6 Bath SOLD | Offered at $2,150,000 Ward Bradshaw
683 Cumberland Road NE 4 Bed | 3.5 Bath ACTIVE | Offered at $1,775,000 Hal Freeman
WEST END
DECATUR
680 Grady Place SW 3 Bed | 2.5 Bath ACTIVE | Offered at $625,000 Ward Bradshaw
307 Cedar Street 4 Bed | 3 Full 2 Half Bath SOLD | Offered at $780,000 Hal Freeman
LAKE CLAIRE
378 Sutherland Place NE 3 Bed | 3.5 Bath SOLD | Offered at $999,000 Hal Freeman INMAN PARK
192 Hurt Street NE 5 Bed | 4 Bath SOLD | Offered at $1,850,000 David Jones
WE’RE HONORED TO BE THE 2023 SPONSORS OF Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes
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Bringing your real estate dreams full circle.
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.
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DECEMBER 2023 |
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Mixing up three punches for the holiday season • 1/2oz cranberry juice • 2oz sparkling dry white wine o batch all ingredients except sparkling wine before service and chill o add batch to punch bowl with large format ice or serve small ice the side, add sparkling wine to punch bowl o float orange slices and fresh cranberries
By Cory Atkinson, Kristina Ferdinand, and Stephanie Saputo We’re getting into the holiday season, and whether we like it or not, we’re going to be gathering with people. While some may not consider it a cocktail given the form of service, we can at least argue that no drink brings people together quite like a punch. You’ll see them in tropical-themed bars, or in single-serve mode on cocktail menus, but there is something to be said about gathering around a punch bowl. It’s universal and timeless, probably as old as distillation. As it pertains to American history, punch was born from the spice trade. There is documentation of punch consumption as early as 1682 in America. It was a huge part of the drinking culture, with tax records showing that punch bowls were as much of an asset in taverns as the booze itself. Once we got much at distilling and didn’t have to hide as many flaws in our spirits, the popularity of punch bowls faded. Also, the beauty of choice; there IN THE SPIRIT were more and more options to choose from so not everyone was drinking the same and the birth of the bartender allowed imbibers to order whatever they wanted. Doesn't that sound nice? But don’t call it a comeback, it’s always been around in some form, and is worth bringing into your home. Just think of the time (and energy!) you’ll save not having to play bartender at your holiday gathering. The word 'punch' is said to be derived from the Hindustani word “panch” meaning “five”, a nod to the traditional number of ingredients: spirit, sugar, citrus, water, and spice. The idea of a punch bowl is to have a diluted, long drink to keep people coming back for more cocktails and conversation. It can be made with any spirit and for
Remembering Everything (Non-Alc!)
any season or occasion not to mention we’re seeing considerably more elevated punches than the ones you had in college. Remember those? Neither do we. So, you're having people over, and need to whip something up quickly. Here are some of our favorites to share with friends and family during the holidays. Just multiply the amount by the number of cocktails you’ll need! A good rule of thumb is 1.5 cocktails per guest.
• •
Upside-Down Punch (a spiced fruity hug) • • • •
1oz spiced rum like Chairman’s Reserve 1/2oz Orange liqueur 1/4oz allspice liqueur 1/2oz vanilla syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 vanilla bean or
1-1/2tsp vanilla extract, 1/8 tsp sea salt, bring to simmer until sugar and salt dissolve, allow to cool) 1/2oz lime juice 2oz Pineapple juice o batch all ingredients and chill before service. o add a batch to a punch bowl with large format ice (think ice mold!) or serve small ice on the side o float dehydrated orange and lime slices for garnish
Solstice Sips (a floral and tart treat) • • •
1oz Sorel Liqueur (a punch in itself ) 1oz Hibiscus tea 1/2oz orange juice
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• 1oz Spiritless 74 Kentucky (go check out our Zero Co friends for this!) • 1/2oz lemon juice • 1/2oz honey water (equal parts honey and water) • 2oz Apple cider o Assemble ingredients in a punch bowl with large format ice or smaller ice for serving on the side. Float apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and grate fresh nutmeg on top. Of course, nothing jazzes up a punch like a great-looking punch bowl. Freeze some of the garnishes in big ice cubes to add an exciting visual while also keeping your punch cold. Larger ice cubes melt slower as to not add too much water to the punch as the night goes on. And always keep a little extra in the fridge in a pitcher to replenish as the night goes on. Happy gathering (and punching)! And as always, stay #thirstyandcurious
THREE LOCATIONS DUNWOODY VILLAGE 678-990-1900 CHASTAIN SQUARE 470-607-5100 TUCKER 770-538-1790 FIND MORE LOCATIONS AT scenthound.com RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Quick Bites Sozou, a Japanese restaurant from Chef Fuyuhiko Ito, is expected to open at the new Spring Quarter mixed-use development in Midtown late next year. The restaurant will be the first of a series of chef-driven concepts to come to the new Midtown development from Portman Holdings. ►Two Atlanta favorites closed in November over rent disputes: Tin Lizzy’s Cantina in Grant Park and Henry’s in Midtown. Tin Lizzy’s, which had been on Memorial Drive for 14 years, closed after service on Nov. 12. Henry’s was slated to close Nov. 30 after 10 years on 10th Street. Both said they were unable to reach lease agreements with landlords on the two prime pieces of Intown real estate.
The popular restaurant chain Culinary Dropout is now open in the Brickworks at 1000 Marietta St. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch, and dinner and serves up what it calls “classic meals done right.” Menu items include pretzel bites with provolone fondue, 36-hour pork ribs, and fried chicken drizzled with honey. Find out more at culinarydropout.com. Perrine’s Wine Shop has opened a new location in Sandy Springs at 5920 Roswell
Road in the Parkside Shops development. The new shop joins Perrine’s two other locations on the Westside and in Buckhead. More details at perrineswine.com. ►Bar Blanc, the upstairs sister concept to Chef Ford Fry’s recently opened Little Sparrow, is now open at Westside Provisions District 1198 Howell Mill Road. Billed as a “steak friterie,” Executive Chef Bob Ryan said the menu will be $49.50 prix fixe featuring prime rib and fries tossed in dry-aged beef fat. Find out more at barblancatl.com.
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over
25 years
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Happy Holidays
BUSINESS
Switchyards to open 10th work club at Biltmore in Midtown
CARMEN POPE F O U N D I N G PA R T N E R c. 404.625.4134 o. 404.874.0300 carmenpope@atlantafinehomes.com carmenpope.atlantafinehomes.com Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
By Collin Kelley Switchyards – the members-only “neighborhood work club” – will celebrate a major milestone with the opening of its 10th Atlanta location in Midtown at the former Biltmore Hotel in January. Switchyards Midtown is located at 817 W. Peachtree St NW in a 3,200 squarefoot space on the street level of Midtown’s oldest hotel. As with all Switchyards clubs, members will have 24/7 access to the space, thoughtfully designed for productive work and distinctly separate from home and the office. The Midtown club will feature a cafe area for collaboration and meetings, and a library designed for deep work and focus. There will also be phone booths and meeting rooms — all bookable at no additional cost to members. “Atlanta is Switchyards’ home,” said CEO and founder Michael Tavani, “and Midtown feels like the perfect neighborhood to celebrate our 10th work club opening. It’s the beating heart of the city and the kind of place we love— historic, walkable, residential, and full of soul.” Switchyards opened its first location in Downtown Atlanta in 2016 and has since spread out across the city and to Nashville, TN. Tavani said Switchyards managed to survive the pandemic despite being closed
32 | DECEMBER 2023
for 14 months and having zero revenue. “We knew on the other side that the world was going to be forever changed in terms of how we work and where we work,” Tavani said. “We’ve seen extraordinary growth from 2021 until now.” Switchyards had originally planned to launch a Midtown club in 2019, but the lease fell through. “Midtown was a natural spot because it’s such a dense neighborhood. We kept Midtown in mind, but we had to find a magical, interesting space.” The Biltmore is turning 100 years old in 2024, which added to the appeal of it becoming home to a Switchyards club. Tavani said Switchyards was in the process of signing a lease for yet another new location to be announced soon. There are also plans to open additional clubs in Nashville and an expansion into a third city. “We haven’t hit all the Intown neighborhoods we want to be in and we’re also looking outside the Perimeter,” Tavani said. Switchyards Midtown will be open to members starting Friday, Jan. 12, with memberships going on sale Jan. 3 at 9:30 a.m. ET. Interested prospective members can sign up at switchyards.com/midtown for reminders on when memberships drop, opening party details, and more. RoughDraftAtlanta.com
Happy
Holidays!
$750M+
May the magic of the season fill your home with love and happiness. I look forward to helping you accomplish your real estate goals and creating more memories together in the coming year!
LIFETIME SALES VOLUME
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HOMES SOLD
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ERIN YABROUDY REALTOR ® HARRY NORMAN D: 404-504-7955 O: 404-233-4142 Erin.Yabroudy@HarryNorman.com
@Erin.Sells.Atlanta ErinYabroudy.com
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RE PRE SE NTE D BUYE R!
WILBURN HOUSE SOLD
GARDEN HILLS SOLD
SHERWOOD FOREST SOLD
CASTLEBERRY HILL ACTIVE
SHERWOOD FOREST SOLD
ANSLEY PARK COMING SOON
DECEMBER 2023 |
33
REAL ESTATE Elton John's Buckhead condo sells for $7.2 million By Dyana Bagby Goodbye, Peachtree Road. Elton John’s condominium in the heart of Buckhead has sold for millions more than the asking price. The 76-year-old rock star’s condo at 2660 Peachtree Road NW sold for $7.225 million, according to Atlanta real estate agent Chase Mizell. The sale was 45% above the $4.995 million asking price. The condo at the 40-story Park Place on Peachtree was listed for sale in September after John wrapped his farewell tour. A glitzy marketing campaign by Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty and Atlanta-based Bartolotti Media accompanied the listing, including a video of the 13,332-square-foot condominium with a
rendition of John’s hit “Tiny Dancer” playing in the background. John bought his Atlanta home in the early 1990s and it was his second home for many years. The sprawling Atlanta condo is a combination of six individual units over two stories and includes breathtaking views of Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead. The sale includes nine reserved parking spaces, six private storage units, and five wine storage units. The Rocket Man’s impressive real estate portfolio includes his first home, known as Woodside, in Berkshire, England. He purchased the 37-acre estate in 1974, a year after the release of his iconic “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” album. He also owns homes in Europe and Beverly Hills.
ON VIEW THROUGH
FEB. 18, 2024
1600 PEACHTREE ST. NW ATLANTA SCADFASH.ORG @SCADFASH #SCADFASH
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NEW TO MARKET
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DECEMBER 2023 |
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Invest Atlanta approves $7.5 million for 500 micro-units A rendering of the micro-housing development funded by Invest Atlanta. (Courtesy Invest Atlanta)
By Collin Kelley Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm, has approved a line of credit up to $7.5 million to provide shelter for the homeless. Financed through the City of Atlanta
Housing Opportunity Bond Fund, the Atlanta Continuum of Care (CoC), in partnership with the city, will use the financing to build approximately 500 quickly built, low-cost micro units that can serve as temporary, semi-permanent or permanent shelter and housing for people
Come together in solidarity with our Jewish Community as we celebrate LIGHT this Chanukah!
B”H
CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS & MENORAH LIGHTINGS
12.7 THURSDAY 7PM YJP Flame CHANUKAH PARTY
12.10 SUNDAY 4PM
s
Decatur
MENORAH LIGHTING
YJP Flame Party
Chanukah Events
For a little light dispels a lot of darkness
Am Israel Chai !
12.12 TUESDAY 6PM VaHi
MENORAH LIGHTING
12.13 WEDNESDAY 6PM Atlantic Station
MENORAH LIGHTING
12.14 THURSDAY 6PM chabadintown.org
experiencing homelessness. “The crisis we are seeing of people experiencing homelessness calls for experimenting with new construction and product types that allow for rapid manufacturing developments we can put in place quickly,” Mayor Andre Dickens said
in a statement. “We are always seeking creative approaches to pilot and deliver new affordable housing options. This will be a small footprint but a large benefit to the community.” Partners for H.O.M.E., on behalf of the Atlanta CoC, anticipates introducing the first location of these communities by Dec. 31. Residents will also be provided with access to wraparound support services – such as employment, health care and mainstream benefits. The units will serve as low-barrier alternatives to congregate shelter, according to a press release issued by the city. “The face of homelessness in Atlanta includes women, men, families, youth, veterans, and others who deserve greater access to shelter and supporting services that help meet their individual needs,” Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO, Invest Atlanta, said in the release. “Through this investment, the city is continuing to address the spectrum of housing needs in Atlanta – from homelessness to homeownership – by providing more residents experiencing homelessness a flexible alternative to traditional homeless housing.” The Housing Opportunity Bond Fund, taxable draw-down revenue bond, was created to provide gap financing to address a growing need for affordable housing – including supportive housing.
CHRISTMAS ON
P E AC H T R E E Christmas Classics & Seasonal Favorites
C H R I ST M A S W I T H T HE G EOR G I A BOY C HOI R F R I DAY & SAT U RDAY, DEC . 8 & 9 | 7: 00 PM WWW.GEO RGIA BOYC H O IR.O RG
CA R O L S BY CA N DLE LI G HT: A Community Sing! S UN DAY, D EC E M BE R 10 | 5 : 3 0 PM T H E M A N Y MOODS OF C HR I ST M A S S UN DAY, D EC E M BE R 17 | 7: 3 0 PM
PRUMC Chancel Choir, Georgia Boy Choir, Orchestra
Christmas Eve Services:
11:15 AM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM and 10:30 PM
For more information please visit www.prumc.org/music
Ponce City Market MENORAH LIGHTING
Celebrate this festival of LIGHT with us! Enjoy music, entertainment, dreidels, doughnuts, hot latkes, crafts for the kids & more!
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Savi Provisions' original location in Inman Park.
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DECEMBER 2023 |
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Renewing historic landmarks and civil rights conversations The exterior of Prince Hall in 1962
Martin Luther King Jr. in his office at Prince Hall.
In 1956, Forbes magazine described the Auburn Avenue in Downtown Atlanta as “The richest Negro street in the world.” Standard Life Company, Atlanta Life Insurance Company, and Atlanta Daily World represented some of the distinguished PERSPECTIVES IN Black-owned businesses ARCHITECTURE in the Sweet Auburn district. Ebenezer Baptist Church offered a spiritual home Melody Harclerode of civil rights hero Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. John Wesley Dobbs (1882–1961) developed the three-story Renaissance Revival style Prince Hall Masonic Lodge along the thoroughfare that became a hub for the civil rights, financial, cultural, and professional services community. The self-proclaimed Mayor of Auburn Avenue would become the grandfather of Atlanta's first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson (1938–2003). Prince Hall Masonic Lodge was designed by Charles Hopson (1865-1941),
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Andrew Young, left, and Martin Luther King Jr. in a meeting room at Prince Hall in 1964.
Architect Jack Pyburn with Lord Aeck Sargent Exterior of Prince Hall today
an English-born architect respected for his mastery of different classical architectural styles. Ponce De Leon Methodist Church (c. 1915 and renamed St Paul's Presbyterian Church), Rock Spring Presbyterian Church (c. 1923), and Peachtree Christian Church (c. 1928) in Atlanta are graced with intricate brick detailing on the building exteriors. The Masonic Lodge features impressive brick ornamentation and ornamental panels with the Prince Hall Masonic motif. Completed in 1937 and expanded in 1955, the ground and basement level of the 16,000-square-foot Masonic Lodge housed the headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) RoughDraftAtlanta.com
& artsehcr surohC rebmah Inside the Prince Hall meeting room on the third floor today.
that included Dr. King’s office from 1963 to his assassination in 1968. The nation’s first Black-owned radio station, WERD, a franchise of the Madame CJ Walker African American hair care empire, and professional services companies were located on the second floor of the building. Lord Aeck Sargent Principal Jack Pyburn and Project Preservation Architect David Steele are leading the restoration of Prince Hall Masonic Lodge. Project funding is coming from a variety of sources including the Trust for Public Land. Restoration will focus on roof and exterior wall repairs, mechanical and electrical upgrades, selective window replacement, restoration of significant interior finishes and features, and the restoration of the first
floor and basement that was occupied by the SCLC for interpretation by the National Park Service. Lord Aeck Sargent is using historic photos and records to guide restoration of the building. With over 45 years of preservation architectural work on projects such as Hinman Research Building at Georgia Tech, Pyburn is honored to focus on historic sites associated with African American history and the Civil Rights Movement in the past years of his career. “The time is long overdue to recognize the substantial and wide-ranging contributions of African Americans to American history,” Pyburn said. A restored Prince Hall Masonic Hall will be a catalyst for a restored Sweet Auburn District and renewed conversations about the Civil Rights Movement.
MEDLOCK
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For more information about Jack Pyburn and Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, tune into the Uplifting Places podcast hosted by Melody Harclerode on Spotify.
Call for an appointment! Monday-Friday 8-6 • Saturday 8-3 404.377.2285 1489 Scott Boulevard MedlockGulf.com
Celebrate with
Music
S CHRISTMA O with the AS
SoundSseason of the
handel’s
Messiah VIVALDI’S
DEC 23
Four Seasons JAN 3
DEC 9/10
DEC 14/15
The Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts are presented by Holiday concerts are made possible through an endowment from the Livingston Foundation in memory of Leslie Livingston Kellar.
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HOLIDAY COCA-COLA
CONCERTS
ON SALE NOW aso.org
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DECEMBER 11/20/232023 11:12| AM
Turning Challenges into Opportunities A sincere thank you for trusting us in 2023 with your Real Estate Dreams. We embraced many challenges together, and now it's time to celebrate our success and look forward to a new 2024!
Come be a part of the most respected name in Atlanta Real Estate. VALERIE LEVIN | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MANAGING BROKER | O: 404-266-8100 Valerie.Levin@BHHSGeorgia.com
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