Sandy Springs Reporter - December 2023

Sandy Springs Reporter A

Publication

DECEMBER 2023 Vol. 17 No. 12 ■ RoughDraftAtlanta.com

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2023 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

4

BUCKHEAD Lavista Walk Fire

8

SANDY SPRINGS Brandon Hall Sale

10

Veterans Park Opens

12

BROOKHAVEN New Bridges

14

Flyer Ban

15

Election Results

15

DUNWOODY Parks Bond Defeated

16

City Anniversary

16

COMMUNITY

18

Remembering Rosalynn Carter

18

Tribute to Rose Lubin

22

Trip-Planning App

23

Places In Peril

24

BeltLine Segment Opens

25

SUSTAINABILITY Above the Waterline

26

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

28

33

Atlanta Intown A

Publication

Reporter Newspapers A

Publication

Editorial

Published By

Collin Kelley Editor

Rough Draft Atlanta

Dyana Bagby Cathy Cobbs

Rico Figliolini Creative Director

Bob Pepalis Logan C. Ritchie Contributors Cory Atkinson, Sally Bethea, Kristina Ferdinand, Jacob Nguyen, Sarah Pierre, Katie Rice, Stephanie Saputo

Silver Streak

Neal Maziar Chief Revenue Officer neal@roughdraftatlanta.com

Staff Writers

28

Art Papers Closing

29

Cirque Du Soleil

30

Remembering Radcliffe Bailey

31

DINING

Keith Pepper Publisher keith@roughdraftatlanta.com

Sammie Purcell Associate Editor

Holiday Events

Steve Levene Founder Circulation 58,000 copies of Reporter Newspapers are delivered to homes in ZIP codes 30305, 30319, 30326, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30342 and 30350 and to businesses/retail locations.

By

atlanta

Advertising For information sales@roughdraftatlanta.com Deborah Davis Account Manager | Sales Operations deborah@roughdraftatlanta.com Jeff Kremer Sr. Account Manager jeff@roughdraftatlanta.com

Women + Wine

32

In The Spirit

33

REAL ESTATE Garden Hills Townhomes

34

Elton John’s Condo Sale

35

SILVER STREAK TurningPoint

36

Girl Scouts Centenary

37

Suzanne Purcell Sr. Account Manager suzanne@roughdraftatlanta.com Operations Savannah Pierce savannah@roughdraftatlanta.com

ABOUT THE COVER Illustration by Isadora Pennington

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DECEMBER 2023 |

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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, especially with the recent release of some of the hostages during a pause in fighting, 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 underwear-clad 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

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Community, together.

A little more than 10 years ago, the City of Brookhaven made a promise to its new citizens: It would dream big, innovate constantly, beautify its land, ensure public safety—and do it all efficiently.

Today, we are a beautiful community where multiple generations can live in safety, flourish in business, and succeed

We have strengthened the police force and ensured public safety.

We have reimagined and sustained our beautiful and historic parks.

We have unleashed a flourishing pro-business environment by keeping taxes low.

We have created shared experiences and celebrations through free festivals and events.

in a historic, sustainable environment with exceptional education and transportation options.

And, in 2025 we will open our City Centre, home to City Hall, where the public will gather, enjoy coffee and movies, and engage with its government.

BrookhavenGA.gov 6 | DECEMBER 2023

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In 2024, we hope you’ll visit our parks, attend our community events, participate in your local government, start new businesses, and help strengthen our community, as you always have.

Now more than ever, it’s time to enjoy our Community, Together.

It’s where you belong.

#communitytogether ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

DECEMBER 2023 |

7

BUCKHEAD Residents file class action suit after apartment fire The Reserve at Lavista Walk after the fire. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

SIR ELTON JOHN’S ATLANTA RESIDENCE

SOLD for $7.225 million

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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.

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Residents of the fire-ravaged The Reserve at Lavista Walk have filed a class action lawsuit against the apartment complex’s owners.

According to the Atlanta JournalConstitution, the suit names Avenium Group and four defendants who owned and operated the complex.

The attorney representing the residents, Dean Doug, said The Reserve’s owners failed to repair a broken fire suppression system.

“They knew that they were out of code,” Dean said during a press conference on Nov. 18. “We intend to hold these people accountable.”

However, the AJC said that a December 2022 fire inspection report from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) did not find the complex to be out of code.

The three-alarm fire was ignited by two

people setting off fireworks on the roof of the four-story building on Nov. 10.

AFRD Chief Rod Smith said the blaze was “a complete anomaly” since it started on the roof, which might have delayed the alarm and sprinkler system.

But Dean said The Reserve had issues with its fire suppression system, including broken control valves and corroded sprinkler heads. He also said the fire could have been avoided if the owners had not allowed access to the roof.

Dean claimed that the company knew residents, including children, were accessing the roof.

Robert Stokes, 42, and Charnelle Gunn, 24, were arrested the night of the blaze and face charges of criminal damage to property and reckless conduct.

GoFundMe reported that nearly $200,000 had been donated to residents who have fundraisers on the site. Many residents, who had to quickly evacuate the building, lost everything.

Fire rages at The Reserve at Lavista Walk on Nov. 10. (Courtesy AFRD)

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nurturing an equally close relationship to A rendering of Veterans Park. the one we enjoy with our Garden Hills campus neighbors and Buckhead district,” Glass said.

“This is a transformative moment for the Atlanta International School community. I thank my fellow trustees and the school leadership team for modeling the courageous leadership we seek to develop in our students,” AIS Board of Trustees Chair Scott Britton said.

Immediate uses being considered for

Atlanta International School (AIS) has finalized the purchase of the 25-acre campus of the former Brandon Hall School, which closed in May. The additional property, located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, will more than double AIS’s physical footprint.

The new acreage will enable the school to expand its academic offerings, according to a press release.

The press release said school leaders spent six months negotiating the purchase agreement.

Brandon Hall’s attorney Ian Falcone told Rough Draft in early October that the school had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to sell its assets and pay its creditors in full.

AIS has been housed on its 17-acre campus in the Garden Hills neighborhood of Buckhead since 1995.

While the private school will remain in Garden Hills, the Sandy Springs property will allow AIS to increase its student body and diversify its academic programming.

The former Brandon Hall School site has Scott Britton, chair of the AIS Board of Trustees, Kevin classrooms, large meeting Glass, Head of School, and Shelley Giberson, AIS Board of spaces, laboratories, Trustees treasurer stand in front of the iconic stone building student dormitories, at the former Brandon Hall campus. (Courtesy AIS) employee residential units, tennis courts, a gym, and a playing field. School officials the new campus include: said the direct access to the Chattahoochee ■ Current students and programs River and the wooded surroundings offer using woodland spaces, buildings, and many possible uses. sports facilities.

“This is a hugely significant step in ■ Expanded AIS summer camp the story of Atlanta International School, offerings. opening up previously unimaginable ■ Development of an innovation opportunities to our whole community hub.

– now and for generations to come,” said ■ Expanded AISx (the nonHead of School Kevin Glass. traditional education pathway student The exponential growth of the program, such as for student-athletes) school in its nearly 40 years had school ■ The potential for a greater officials looking for additional space to number of students, from anywhere in accommodate the needs of a growing the world and from the local Atlanta and student population, he said.

Sandy Springs communities, to experience “We now look forward to working an AIS education. closely with the River Gate Housing Announcements regarding summer Association, the communities neighboring camps and admissions are expected in our new campus and Sandy Springs, Spring 2024, according to the release.

For more Sandy Springs headlines, subscribe to our daily newsletter at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters.

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City dedicates new Veterans Park

Despite the rain, hundreds of people attended the ribbon cutting for the new Veterans Park in Sandy Springs (Photo by Bob Pepalis)

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By Bob Pepalis Sandy Springs honored those who have served in the nation’s military with its annual Veterans Day Celebration at the Performing Arts Center before heading across Roswell Road to dedicate the new Veterans Park.

Most of the hundreds of attendees stepped outside into the Dec. 10 morning rain to attend the shortened park dedication ceremony. With umbrellas held overhead, they watched as veterans in attendance joined city officials to cut the ribbon signifying the park’s opening.

The ceremony ended after the color guard raised the U.S. flag on the park’s flagpole for the first time.

“Veterans Day is the day to reflect on the meaning of service and sacrifice.

It is the day to remember the men and women who have answered the call to duty and put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, our veterans who give of themselves in their service to our country, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Mayor Rusty Paul said.

Paul said that the Census Bureau reported approximately 4,000 veterans live in Sandy Springs, with more than 600,000 in the state of Georgia.

Col. Brent Cummings (retired) was the keynote speaker. He served 28 years in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer and now is a director for the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange, a company that he said works to enhance and improve development for senior law enforcement.

Cummings said the years spent in

Afghanistan and Iraq with his infantry unit weren’t spent with philosophical discussions or debates about politics or religion. They wanted to do their jobs well and accomplish their assigned missions as they looked out for each other, he said.

Before closing the Veterans Day Celebration, Councilmembers Tibby DeJulio and John Paulson, who both are veterans, joined Paul on stage to present the designs for two sculptures that will be installed at Veterans Park.

Curtis Pittman’s “Be the Light” and Kevin Chambers’s “Three Generations” will be staged together, with the life-size statues of an old soldier and young girl looking up at the lighted, 32-foot-tall sculpture that Paulson said resembles an eternal flame.

The sculptures will cost $470,000, and councilmembers said at their Nov. 7 meeting that most of that cost has already been covered by donations and promises of donations.

DeJulio said the committee also figured out a way to get more veterans and community members involved in Veterans Park. Both bricks and benches will be “sold,” with the Veterans Memorial court pavers starting at $200 for the smallest engraved size. He expected organizations to be the main sponsors of the 11 Tribute Benches throughout the park. These will cost $4,000 to sponsor and will be dedicated to a veteran or a group of veterans.

Visit sandyspringsfoundation.org for more information.

In this rendering, the “Three Generations” sculpture can be seen with its figures looking up at the “Be the Light” sculpture. (Courtesy city of Sandy Springs) ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

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H ol id a y on t h e Tow n

BROOKHAVEN City to build three bridges to ease traffic near I-85

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A rendering of the future pedestrian bridge over I-85 in Brookhaven.

By Logan C. Ritchie Three new bridges – two vehicular and one pedestrian – are planned for Brookhaven to help ease the volume of traffic on North Druid Hills Road at I-85 due to the growth of medical facilities in the area.

Emory University will spend $1 billion to transform the old Executive Park property into a health innovation district, while Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is nearing completion of the Arthur M. Blank Hospital.

CHOA’s campus alone will have five entry points: North Druid Hills Road, Northeast Expressway, Briarcliff Road, Clairmont Road, and Tullie Road. The healthcare giant has invested $40 million in infrastructure and $10 million toward the construction of the North Druid Hills interchange.

At North Druid Hills Road and I-85, the Georgia Department of Transportation is planning a reverse intersection similar to Ashford Dunwoody and I-285, a new access road along I-85, and a new bridge over Peachtree Creek. GDOT anticipates a three to four-month detour while the Peachtree Creek bridge is being built.

CHOA will move into the new hospital campus when GDOT completes the project in 2024.

The I-85 vehicular bridge will connect Executive Park to Buford Highway to

relieve traffic from North Druid Hills area.

Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman said the city received $700,000 from the Atlanta Regional Commission to design the vehicular bridge. The city is matching funds from the Capital Improvement Plan. Construction costs are unknown until the design is complete and the project is bid out, Sigman said, but city documents show the “federal ask for this project is $10 million.”

“Staff has had conversations with the landowner on the Buford Highway side that are going in a very good trajectory,” said Sigman.

Lastly, phase II of the Peachtree Creek Greenway is a 14-foot, mile-long concrete path from the Brookhaven/Atlanta border to the Peachtree Creek Greenway at North Druid Hills Road. A pedestrian bridge – approved in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan update – will connect Executive Park to the greenway and include an elevator.

The city council approved a contract for $542,761 for Michael Baker International to design the concept.

“I want to make sure that we have a robust public engagement. I know it’s not a federal project, which requires the public engagement process, but I would love to have the community give input to some of the concepts … so [they] can be well aware of what’s coming,” Councilmember John Funny said at the Oct. 24 city council meeting.

A rendering of the I-85 vehicular bridge from Executive Park to Buford Highway in Brookhaven.

14 | DECEMBER 2023

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City bans threatening flyers, projected images

By Logan C. Ritchie The distribution of flyers or other material designed to harass or intimidate another person or group is now illegal in the city of Brookhaven.

The Brookhaven City Council voted on Nov. 14 to amend the city code, declaring overnight canvassing and the unauthorized projection of images a crime.

The move comes after antisemitic flyers were distributed in several neighborhoods last month and transphobic flyers distributed in other metro neighborhoods earlier this year.

Brookhaven City Attorney Jeremy Berry presented the ordinance, which was

Antisemitic flyers have been distributed in neighborhoods around metro Atlanta over the past year.

sponsored by Councilmembers Linley Jones and Madeleine Simmons.

In a proactive step, the ordinance includes the projection of images and messages onto buildings without the owner’s consent. Antisemitic messages have been projected on college campuses and other locations around the country.

Along with the projection ban, the ordinance limits distribution of materials between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Delivery from a subscription service, like newspapers or deliveries, is excluded.

The ordinance states: “A person who violates this section by displaying or projecting an image that contains a credible threat with malicious intent to harass, threaten, or intimidate another person or group… commits a felony of the third degree.”

“We want to make sure that person projecting [an image] has the consent of the homeowner just to make sure that nothing’s projected that would cause the homeowner to feel unsafe in any manner,” said Berry.

The fine for canvassing is between $100 and $250. If the intent of a projected image contains a credible threat with intent to harass, threaten or intimidate another person, the act could be a felony.

The city signed into law a nondiscrimination ordinance in 2020, ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

protecting those who work or live in Brookhaven from all forms of discrimination including age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and more. The NDO states, “It is important for the city to ensure that all persons within the city have equal access to employment, housing, and public accommodations.”

“What we’re trying to do here, mayor and council, is to provide for the protection and safety of the residents of Brookhaven and limiting the hours when people can place materials or solicit door to door in the city,” Berry said.

On Nov. 28, the city council was bombarded with antisemitic comments and other forms of hate speech by nearly a dozen people during public comment in response to the ban.

Using false names and addresses, public commenters who joined the meeting virtually over Zoom criticized the city and segued into spreading hate speech before being cut off.

One woman identified herself as Ursula Haverbeck – the same name as a German neo-Nazi activist from the 1930s. Another, when pressed by city staff, said his name was “Andy Semite.”

Hate speech and cursing is against Brookhaven City Council’s adopted code of conduct for public comment. Mayor John Ernst did little to interrupt the speakers, allowing some to talk past the three-minute limit before city staff cut the microphone on 11 of the speakers.

Communications Director Burke Brennan repeatedly stated, “The decorum rules are in effect for the remaining time during public comment. Hate speech is not going to be allowed.”

At the end of the meeting, each city council member condemned the comments.

“I have a personal commitment that I will not sit silently by and witness racism or antisemitism. So tonight, because of that, I am called upon to speak to what we witnessed and to condemn the attacks we were all subjected to hearing on our council, our staff, our Jewish citizens, all of our peace-seeking citizens who had to endure that barrage of hate we witnessed tonight. I condemn it in the strongest terms,” said Councilmember Linley Jones.

Councilmember John Funny, who is Black, said, “Hate is not something that brings us together. Hate divides. And it’s simply unacceptable.”

Ernst said he’d been receiving similar feedback since the resolution went into place.

“I’ve wasted hours of my life listening to stuff like this … in a lot of ways I consider it a part of my duty as a public servant to take it on, so other people don’t have to,” Ernst said.

Runoff for mayor, council seat

By Logan C. Ritchie Who will be Brookhaven’s next mayor and District 1 city council member won’t be decided until a runoff election is held on Dec. 5.

Around 7,600 of 32,000 registered voters cast a ballot for mayor, city council, and the Brookhaven homestead referendum.

Former city council member John Park and former Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commissioner Lauren Kiefer were the two candidates to receive the most votes on Nov. 7, but not enough to avoid the runoff.

Incumbent council member Linley Jones and Michael Diaz are also headed to the runoff. Diaz resigned from his position on the Brookhaven Planning Commission to run for City Council.

In the District 2 race, interim city council member Jennifer Owens won her

seat against Blake Beyer.

A referendum on unfreezing the homestead exemption for properties that

John Park

Lauren Kiefer

increased in value more than 75% above the purchase price was voted down by residents.

The referendum failed 3,949 against to 3427 in favor.

Visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com for runoff election results.

DECEMBER 2023 |

15

DUNWOODY For more Dunwoody headlines, subscribe to our daily newsletter at RoughDraftAtlanta.com/newsletters. $60 million parks bond referendum defeated

By Cathy Cobbs While the candidate race for the two contested Dunwoody City Council slots went overwhelmingly to the incumbents, the surprise of the Nov.7 election was the resounding defeat of a $60 million bond referendum that would have funded the construction of parks and trails in the city.

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Council-at-Large Member John Heneghan were both running unopposed, while the contended council races were won by incumbents Stacey Harris and Joe Seconder.

Harris defeated Chris Ozor with 77% of the vote, while Seconder bested Marianella Lopez with 70% of the vote.

The hotly debated bond referendum

went down by an unofficial vote of 43-57 percent, with 1,672 people voting in favor and 2,110 opposed.

The bond would have funded the buildout of Wildcat and Homecoming Parks, new softball fields, improvements to Brook Run and other area parks, and four multi-use trails.

The pro-bond group said they were disappointed in the outcome, laying the blame on the opposition’s disinformation campaign.

For months, the pro-bond supporters have railed against a group called “Vote No” for its campaign that they claimed laid out a skewed view of the way the bond money was to be spent and claimed that the city would be given a $60 million blank check to spend without

consequences or oversight.

Michael Rock of “A Better Dunwoody,” the group supporting the bond, said the defeat of the measure meant a lost opportunity for the city to attract people and businesses to the community.

“It’s been made clear that the citizens aren’t interested in investing in the infrastructure that makes other cities desirable places to live, work and play,” he said. “Dunwoody will continue to be further behind the other cities in our area that have chosen to make this investment.”

Councilman Tom Lambert, a vocal

proponent of the bond, said the voting process “has been guided by our residents from day one and today was no exception.”

“We accept the will of the voters but remain committed to moving Dunwoody forward in a positive way,” Lambert said.

Deutsch echoed his sentiments.

“The bond election led to a robust discussion of community priorities and put an important decision in the hands of voters,” she said. “This is exactly how a democracy should work. I look forward to future community conversations.”

Bob Hickey of the opposition group said they are not celebrating the results of the vote.

“We are very distressed that the bond vote became so divisive with our fellow friends, neighbors, and kids,” Hickey said. “We undertook this pushback from our mayor and city council solely because we believe there is a better solution than putting us in debt for unwanted and unneeded bike lanes and trails on already crowded and congested streets.”

As for what will happen with the undeveloped land that was slated to be Wildcat and Homecoming Parks, Lambert said “That’s the $60 million question.”

dunwoodyga.gov | 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody GA 30338 | 678.382.6700

City of Dunwoody marks 15th anniversary

By Cathy Cobbs

December Highlights

1 Dunwoody is 15!

The City of Dunwoody was established December 1, 2008.

Happy 15!

Après-Ski Holiday Lights Opening Night and SouperBowl of Caring Food Drive Brook Run Park 4 - 8 p.m.

1-31 Après-Ski Holiday Lights Brook Run Park Nightly, 5 -10 p.m.

1-17 It’s a Wonderful Life A Live Radio Play Stage Door Theatre

2

First Free Saturday

Dunwoody Nature Center 1 p.m.

Art 5 Dunwoody Commission Meeting City Hall | 7:30 a.m.

16 | DECEMBER 2023

Board of 7 Zoning Appeals City Hall | 6 p.m.

City 11 Dunwoody Council Meeting City Hall | 6 p.m.

12 Planning Commission Meeting City Hall | 6 p.m.

16 Game Night

Dunwoody Preservation Trust N. Shallowford Annex 5 - 10 p.m.

Dunwoody Farmers Market

final market for the season; reopening Jan. 13 Brook Run Park

25-26 City Hall closed

As the city celebrates its 15th anniversary in December, Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton reflected in his monthly report on its accomplishments, including the establishment of its police department, the purchase of land for parks, and the infrastructure improvements to its streets.

“Public safety was one of the driving forces behind cityhood. Today, the Dunwoody Police Department is embraced by our community and recognized nationwide,” Linton said.

“Consultants conducting an independent assessment of the department recently described Dunwoody Police as one of the most well-run organizations they’ve studied and gave credit to Chief Billy Grogan as the “primary architect.”

He also listed as highlights of the police department the establishment of a co-responder program for mental health-related 911 calls, the practice of equipping each patrol officer with Narcan, a prescription medicine that is used to reverse an opioid overdose, and several community outreach programs, including the Citizens’ Police Academy, Teen Police Academy, Christmas for Kids, Public Safety Cadets, Med-Return, and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events

(CRASE) training.

The city’s parks department has also made great strides since it took over in 2011 with the purchase of several pieces of land for future parks and the buildout of Brook Run Park, as well as the construction of a park in the Perimeter Center area.

Two Bridges Park opened in May with the city’s first splash pad,” he said. “A new Vietnam War Memorial is scheduled to open next year at Brook Run Park.

Plus, the DeKalb Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park is scheduled to undergo renovations.”

Finally, Linton said one of the priorities of city founders, street improvements, is on schedule to accomplish the goals laid out by the 20-year paving plan.

“Since 2010, we’ve repaved 245 lane miles, which equals 81 percent of total lane miles,” Linton said. “A new pavement assessment report conducted this year will provide guidance for the paving plan for the next five years, putting those roads with the greatest needs at the top of the list.”

City officials acknowledged and celebrated Dunwoody’s 15-year anniversary on Dec. 1 at the annual Holiday Lights celebration at Brook Run Park on North Peachtree Road.

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COMMUNITY Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96

By Collin Kelley 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

Rosalynn Carter (Courtesy The Carter Center)

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 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.

18 | DECEMBER 2023

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Born A Hero

A conversation with the parents of fallen IDF Sgt. Rose Lubin

Thousands gathered at City Springs for the rally for Israel. (Photo by Avery Kastin).

police officer,” he added.

Rose fell in love with Israel when her grandfather took her on a trip at age four, and she immediately asked to return.

By age eight, Rose was talking about moving to Israel. David and Robin weren’t surprised when Rose made aliyah and joined the IDF. They were supportive.

Both sides of the family have been in the armed forces in the U.S. and Israel.

Robin told Rose: “You could die, you could give your life. You have so much that you’ve already done, and we need you here.

We need people like you in this world to balance out everything.” But Rose, who had planned to get married and have seven children, said, “Mom, if not me, it will be someone else.”

Rose’s bravery didn’t make it easier for her parents.

Rose Lubin, pictured in May, making remarks at the Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces event in Atlanta. (Courtesy AHa Connection)

Oct. 7, 2023

Five-year-old Rose Lubin at the Western Wall in Jerusalem (Courtesy of the Lubin Family)

Rose Lubin was a prolific writer and kept years of journals (Courtesy of the Lubin Family)

By Logan C. Ritchie Sgt. Rose Lubin, 20, died Nov. 6 while guarding one of the most holy sites in the world. But first, she lived.

A 2021 graduate of Dunwoody High School, Rose was a poet, playwright, illustrator, musician, singer, and dancer.

She was a high school wrestler, cheerleader, and lover of horses. She graduated at the top of her training class in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), becoming a certified fitness instructor to help other soldiers meet rigorous physical requirements. Most recently, she was studying Hebrew and training to become a commander in the IDF. As a guard at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem’s Old City, Rose protected Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

22 | DECEMBER 2023

“It was the job of a hero,” her father David Lubin said.

To serve in the IDF as a non-Israeli citizen, women under 21 and men under 24 must be Jewish or married to a Jewish person and make aliyah (become a resident of Israel). The IDF requires an 18-month commitment.

To hear divorced parents David Lubin and Robin Halpern Lubin tell the story of Rose is to marvel at Rose’s expressive and creative spirit, passion for Israel, and love of humanity. Both parents referred to Rose as “humble,” and as someone who never gossiped.

“She [had] these opposing qualities throughout her whole life,” said Robin.

“She’s feminine and beautiful like a ballet dancer. But then she’s a soldier and a fighter and stands up for the weak. She’s

religious but she’s diverse and open.”

“She didn’t judge people,” David said.

A life lived with meaning Rose was a part of the Israel border police unit, Magav, which requires an extensive tryout followed by six months of training to learn infantry, weaponry, camouflage, shooting, krav maga, live fire battle drills, war history, and more.

Rose could have chosen to be stationed anywhere in Israel, David said.

“She chose to be in Jerusalem. And not only did she want to be in Jerusalem, she wanted to be in the Old City. And not even in the Old City. She wanted to guard the Muslim quarter, which in talking to police officers from around the world, is the hardest place in the world to be a

A so-called lone soldier, Rose was staying with her host family on Kibbutz Sa’ad for Shabbat on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. Rose was part of a team of soldiers and residents who were able to repel the terrorists at the gates of Sa’ad.

Everybody on the kibbutz survived.

The days after Oct. 7 were traumatic, David said.

“Robin and I had prepared ourselves mentally for what her duty was ... Oct. 7, though, was a war zone where bullets were flying. For about two weeks after that, I was messed up. I was beaten down. I didn’t know how to feel.

There was a level of stress that I’ve never felt before, and it was horrible,” David recalled.

Rose protected her mother from the graphic details. “On Oct. 7, I knew she was going to guard the gate [of the kibbutz]. I knew there were rockets being fired way before America knew,” Robin said. “She was calling to say, ‘Goodbye, I love you,’ and potentially that she would never talk to me again. However, I didn’t quite know that. She sort of protected me from that fear becoming a reality.”

Rose was a protector until the end.

“She was born a hero. She didn’t become one,” her mother said.

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Trip-planning app ATL RIDES launches for 13 counties

By Collin Kelley The Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) has officially launched 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 (CATS).

“The development of ATL RIDES is the culmination of the strong partnership between these six transit agencies in the metro Atlanta area,” said Jannine Miller, Executive Director of the ATL, in a press release. “Creating and launching this new app is a result of a new level of coordination across the region’s transit agencies.”

Miller said travelers will now have a

“digital” one-stop-shop to plan a transit trip between origins and destinations served by different transit operators, whether you’re trying to get from Buckhead to the Battery or Austell to the airport.

Along with syncing up route and schedule options, the app also tells users what the total cost of the trip will be.

ATL RIDES provides the most up-todate route information directly from the transit agencies. One of the most helpful features is the real-time vehicle arrival information that ATL RIDES offers to the app’s users, enabling riders to see when their next bus or train will reach their location.

Travelers with disabilities can also select a setting for wheelchair-accessible routes. Future plans call for the addition of micro-mobility, such as scooter share and

bike share, and on-demand services such as paratransit.

The ATL RIDES mobile app was funded through a $430,400 grant awarded to the ATL in 2020 from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) $20.3 million Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) program.

The state also provided approximately $200,000 in matching funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation, as well as other local sources.

The app is available in the Apple and Google mobile stores.

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DECEMBER 2023 |

23

Atlanta landmarks on 2024 list of 10 Places in Peril The Atlanta Constitution Building (Courtesy Georgia Trust)

Piney Grove Cemetery (Courtesy Georgia Trust)

24 | DECEMBER 2023

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta Constitution Building

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:

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 ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

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.

BeltLine opens NE segment Atlanta BeltLine and community leaders held a ribbon cutting on Nov. 1 to celebrate the completion of Northeast Trail – Segment 2.

The 1.2-mile section is the newest portion of the BeltLine loop to reach completion.

The segment extends from Westminster Drive to Mayson Street and connects neighborhoods to Ansley Mall and Piedmont Park with a pedestrian and bikefriendly path.

“The BeltLine is, indeed, a people’s project and we are thrilled to have this destination be able to serve all of Atlanta’s residents,” Mayor Andre Dickens said.

“This is one of the most highly anticipated segments of the overall BeltLine project.

One of the goals of the BeltLine is to

help connect, and sometimes reconnect, 45 Atlanta neighborhoods and it offers a chance to bring vitality, economic development, and mobility to more of our neighborhoods.”

“We are excited to have the BeltLine open in our community, not only for the significant increase in green space, but also for the increased connectivity within our community, to our neighbors to the south, as well as to Armour Yards and – eventually – Lindbergh Center to the north.” said Bill Compton, President, Piedmont Heights Civic Association.

“We celebrate the growth of Atlanta and opportunities this brings to Piedmont Heights.”

— Collin Kelley

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 1 8 | 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.

Melanoma Awareness There are several different types of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. It is more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body than the more common forms of skin cancer.

The five most effective tips for preventing sun damage are: stay in the shade use sunscreen wear a wide-brimmed hat wear clothing to the ankles wear a long-sleeved shirt annual skin cancer checks Call us today to schedule your skin check Georgia Dermatology Partners 3929 Peachtree Rd. Suite 300 Brookhaven, GA 30319 Call to schedule your appointment (770) 972-4845 ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

DECEMBER 2023 |

25

SUSTAINABLITY

Will Georgia’s Republican leaders defend the Okefenokee?

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 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 ABOVE THE people and places WATER LINE I love.

I cannot completely turn away from the troubles. I want to understand what is Sally Bethea 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

26 | DECEMBER 2023

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.

The Wild Heart of Georgia 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-milelong remnant of a Pleistocene barrier island system that holds the 10,000-yearold 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 Threat 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 775-acre “demonstration” site and withdraw millions of gallons of groundwater: a plan that threatens the Okefenokee and tourism-related 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 Okefenokee, resulting in “the possibility of permanently altering the hydrology” ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

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 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 Georgiagrown 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 cosponsors 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.

Jeff Sewell Appliance / Construction Resources CC7955 Third H Pick-up last issue

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.

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‘Tis The Season! December is chock full of holiday activities and events Light Up Brookhaven

Atlanta Ballet

Atlanta Pride Parade

By Rough Draft Staff

Dunwoody Chanukah Festival

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 our HowDoYouAtlanta.com calendar and follow us on Instagram @RoughDraftAtl for even more.

The event is set for Dec. 10 from 5:30-8 p.m. at The Lawn at Ashford Lane, 4500 Olde Perimeter Way, Atlanta, Ga., 30346.

Fire truck gelt drop, falafel stand, music, face painting, and more.

Skate City Springs Reserve your hour on the ice at the rink on the City Green at 1 Galambos Way in Sandy Springs. Adults: $15 per hour; children (ages 2-10): $13 per hour, including skate rental. Continues through Jan. 21.

Light Up Brookhaven The city will hold its annual holiday celebration at Blackburn Park on Dec. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will be packed with holiday-themed activities including food, music, and giveaways leading up to the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the menorah. Find out more at brookhavenga.gov.

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.

Mitzvah House Join Mitzvah House’s annual menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m. at Dunwoody Village, 1449 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody, Ga., 30338. Enjoy gelt, donuts, latkes, prizes, a bounce house, and stunts by The Great Rocco Lapaire. Aimed at pre-teens and teens.

28 | DECEMBER 2023

Atlanta Skate the Springs 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. 2122. Check out aso. org for more holiday offerings.

Alliance Theatre “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.

Atlantic Station 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 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.

Sarah Brightman with the ASO

Stage Door Theatre The Dunwoody theatre will present “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” Dec. 1-17 for the holidays. The production is an adaptation of Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic film reimagined as a radio broadcast from the 1940s. Tickets at stagedoortheatrega.org.

Ring in the New/Afterparty Ring in the new year with a party in the Studio Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. DJ New will play dancing favorites, a buffet of light bites, coffee, and desserts, plus a glass of sparkling beverage to toast the New Year at midnight.

Tickets and more details at citysprings. com/events/ring-new.

ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM

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 Atlanta-based 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

“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

DECEMBER HAPPENINGS

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste 350B, Tucker, GA 30084

• DECEMBER 2, 5 P.M. North Pole at Tucker

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.”

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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.”

Church Street Greenspace 4316 Church Street

• DECEMBER 4, 6:30 P.M.

Downtown Development Authority

• DECEMBER 5. 7 P.M.

Zoning Board of Appeals

• DECEMBER 11, 7 P.M. City Council Meeting

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City Hall closed in observance of the Christmas holidays

t k tuckerga.gov DECEMBER 2023 |

29

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.

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

30 | DECEMBER 2023

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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Acclaimed artist Radcliffe Bailey dead at 54

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By Collin Kelley 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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Expect more from your morning newsletter.

Bailey’s mixed-media mural “Saints” at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (Courtesy City of Atlanta)

Rough Draft is a clever, curated, and concise email from the editors of Reporter Newspapers.

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DECEMBER 2023 |

31

DINING

RoughDraftAtlanta.com/Newsletters to subscribe to the Side Dish weekly newsletter

A Few of Our Favorite Things

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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 [TwoBook Boxed Set]: Redefining the World's Greatest Wine Culture by Jon Bonné

Coravin Wine Preservation System, Model 3 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 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 ▼Sommify: A Blind Wine Tasting Board Game 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 reminiscent of a drinking game, all while accidentally learning how to blind taste like a Sommelier. Players guess the Grape

▲Bella Cucina Pesto 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.

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▲Torres Potato Chips + Arrivato Caviar 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.

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►Champagne Tarlant Rosé Zero Brut Nature, France

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

32 | DECEMBER 2023

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. $50.00, 3parkswine.com | vinoteca.com

▲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

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

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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

Rhodes Hall

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

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33

REAL ESTATE

Garden Hills residents oppose plans for $1 million townhomes to replace apartments An illustration of Hedgewood Homes’ planned new development on Sheridan Drive in Buckhead’s Garden Hills neighborhood. (Courtesy Hedgewood Homes)

71 Sheridan Drive in Garden Hills is a six-unit apartment building that residents say adds to the historic character of the neighborhood. (Photo by Dyana Bagby) Hedgewood Homes is building luxury townhomes on Delmont Drive, across the street from Sheridan Drive. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

The site plan for Delmont by Hedgewood Homes. (Courtesy Hedgewood Homes)

By Dyana Bagby A homebuilder’s plan to expand its redevelopment of Buckhead’s Garden Hills neighborhood with more upscale townhomes has many area residents upset about the loss of affordable housing and what they say is the destruction of the community’s historic character.

Atlanta-based Hedgewood Homes wants to raze the six-unit apartment building at 71 Sheridan Drive where rents are roughly $1,500 a month so it can build three townhomes that are estimated to be priced between $750,000 to $1.2 million. The site is less than a half-acre and was purchased last year by Silver Creek Redevelopment, based out of Dawsonville, Ga., for $1.3 million.

The planned townhomes at 71 Sheridan Drive would be combined with Hedgewood Homes’ project approved two years ago also on property owned by Silver Creek Redevelopment. That project includes demolishing three low-rise multifamily residences at 77, 81 and 87 Sheridan Drive to build a dozen townhomes and singlefamily homes. Cost for these new homes are estimated to also cost between $750,000 to $1.2 million.

34 | DECEMBER 2023

Neighborhood Planning Unit B members voted 19-4 at its Nov. 7 meeting to reject Hedgewood Homes’ request to rezone 71 Sheridan Drive to make way for townhomes. The members also rejected Hedgewood’s variance requests that included reducing the front-yard setback from 40 feet to 22 feet. The votes came after two months of deferrals.

The city’s Zoning Review Board voted unanimously at its Nov. 9 meeting to deny recommending Hedgewood Homes’ rezoning and variance requests. The Atlanta City Council is expected to consider the recommendations and make a final decision on the request in December.

Mary Heather Tatum, a 30-year resident of Sheridan Drive, said at the Nov. 7 meeting that replacing 71 Sheridan Drive’s affordable apartments with pricey townhomes appears to be an attempt to “purge” middle-income residents from the affluent NPU-B community. Besides Garden Hills, neighborhoods in NPU-B include Peachtree Hills, Pine Hills, North Buckhead and South Tuxedo Park.

Other NPU-B members said in a previous meeting that a first-year firefighter, a first-year police officer or a first-year

Fulton County teacher making 80% of the area median income, or $57,200 a year for one person, could not afford to live in the community. They stressed caution when approving the demolition of existing affordable housing in NPU-B for new luxury developments.

Garden Hills was planned as a residential neighborhood beginning in the early 1920s to include a diverse mix of housing for people with different incomes, Tatum said.

Demolishing 71 Sheridan Drive would eliminate much-needed affordable housing in the community.

“What [this project] is doing is eliminating the multifamily and ... eliminating essentially the middle income,” Tatum said at the Nov. 7 meeting.

Kimberly Shorter, chair of NPU-B’s zoning committee, said many of the smaller multifamily residences in Garden Hills are considered “missing middle housing” because they were built decades ago to look like single-family homes.

The architecture and landscaping of the apartment buildings and other homes in the area were included as reasons for Garden Hills gaining its historic district status in 1987, Tatum said.

Tatum noted the rare architecture style of 71 Sheridan Drive that includes a causeway, or bridge, to the front door. The look and style of the building makes it the “bedrock of the character of the street,” she said.

“I feel this building is very unique,” Tatum said. “You can’t see it anywhere else. There’s nothing like it. I feel like it’s important to try to spare 71 Sheridan for the character.”

Hedgewood Homes is the same developer behind the controversial Delmont Drive project approved two years ago.

The developer demolished most of the Delmont Townhomes at 69 Delmont Drive, a circa-1940s complex with onsite owners and renters. Hedgewood Homes is now building 35 luxury townhomes on the property that is adjacent to Sheridan Drive.

The development, named “Delmont by Hedgewood,” shows home listings well over $1 million.

The Delmont Drive project was criticized by some for depleting affordable housing in Buckhead, where home prices soar well over $1 million in many areas and rents continue to climb.

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Elton John's Buckhead condo sells for $7.2 million

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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.

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DECEMBER 2023 |

35

Silver Streak TurningPoint celebrates 20 years of physical therapy for breast cancer survivors RoughDraftAtlanta.com/Newsletters to subscribe to the Silver Streak weekly newsletter

By

By Bob Pepalis Janae and Rhonda Lewis work on a range of motion at the Atlanta Initiative. (Courtesy TurningPoint)

TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation is celebrating its 20th year of serving breast cancer patients in Sandy Springs, Atlanta, and beyond.

Jill Binkley, a two-time breast cancer survivor, founded the nonprofit organization in 2003 when she noticed there was a lack of any type of rehabilitation offered for those recovering from breast cancer surgery.

Since then, more than 7,200 patients have been treated through more than 40,000 visits, TurningPoint Interim Executive Director Lois Rusco said.

“All the research out there shows that the recovery with this additional rehabilitation is much better and their recovery is often a lot quicker,” she said.

The clinic has seen a 30 percent increase year over year in total patient visits. They even did 1,400 telehealth visits during the pandemic, Rusco said.

What makes TurningPoint different from other rehab centers is that they only see breast cancer patients. Physical therapy

is specialized to address issues that stem from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The nonprofit also provides massage therapy and support groups for all levels or all stages of cancer patients.

“We also provide nutritional counseling, one-on-one emotional counseling and we just started a new oncology exercise program that is very specific to exercise for breast cancer patients,” Rusco said.

Michel Lee of Alpharetta has taken part in therapy and attended seminars and programming offered by TurningPoint after chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a couple of surgeries. She received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, which shocked her because her family and extended family don’t have a history of cancer.

She became aware of TurningPoint after going through the first surgery and started therapy at the Sandy Springs locatioon in early 2021.

Her son, a physical therapist, was visiting Lee during her early recovery process when he mentioned TurningPoint to her. He had heard Jill Binkley, give a presentation to his physical therapy class at

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the Medical College of Georgia.

Lee said TurningPoint has helped her regain quality of life during her treatment and recovery. That includes treatment for lymphedema, which can set in when lymph nodes are removed.

“Your body becomes stiff and tense and you lose your ability to be flexible.

So these exercise classes, for example, are tremendously helpful because they know what part of your body they need to be helping for you to regain control and flexibility,” Lee said.

TurningPoint offers grant-funded programs that focus on the underserved.

Its Georgia outreach program reaches northern and southern counties that don’t have the capability for their patients to get to TurningPoint in person.

Virtual sessions of physical therapy also are offered, and transportation assistance can be available by providing Uber, Lyft, MARTA to get patients to the clinic from their homes.

The Atlanta Initiative that opened this summer near Grady Hospital serves patients in Downtown and South Atlanta.

TurningPoint takes all insurances, but that only covers about 40 percent of the cost, Rusco said. Part of that is due to having individual instead of group therapy.

The organization provides funding for those who don’t have insurance, who are underinsured or who can’t afford it, Rusco said. Even those with insurance may get financial assistance.

For more information, visit myturningpoint.org.

Girl Scouts centenary exhibit opens at Atlanta History Center Uniforms and other memorabilia on display at the Atlanta History Center.

HEALTHY BRAIN? You may be able to help!

WHAT IS THIS STUDY ABOUT? We are examining the brain in healthy individuals in order to better understand the brain function of Veterans with Gulf War Illness.

WHAT WILL YOU BE ASKED TO DO? Phone screen (20-30min) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan (90min)

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By Rough Draft Staff Vintage Girl Scout cookie boxes, unusual badges, and Girl Scout uniforms from long ago are just a few of the artifacts visitors will find in a new installation at Atlanta History Center in Buckhead.

Developed in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL), “100 Years of Girl Scout History in Atlanta” will be housed in the Rountree Visual Vault through Spring 2024.

The installation celebrates founder Continued on page 38

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Continued from page 37

Juliette Gordon Low, the organization’s origins in Savannah, and 100 years of Girl Scouting in Atlanta. The display highlights “District V,” the first Black Girl Scout troops in Atlanta, founded in 1943 and the century-old, yet still-operating, Camp Timber Ridge.

The original recipe for Visitors will Girl Scout Cookies. learn the history of the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Sale and understand the rigorous standards for the highest honor in the movement, the Gold Award. The installation concludes with a look at Girl Scouting today, including STEM career development and leadership training.

“The exhibition tells the story of how an organization for girls, once considered radical by some, has grown and evolved with the city of Atlanta to provide every member the opportunity to make

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To date, Girl Scouts has served the needs of more than one million Atlanta girls. Prominent Atlanta families such as Inman, Fulton, and Rich are among GSGATL’s local founders, with Rich’s Department Store housing its offices for many years.

Today, GSGATL serves 34 area counties and meets everywhere girls are found: schools, houses of worship, domestic violence shelters, community centers and more. GSGATL offers career development and leadership programs with a number of Atlanta-based corporations and organizations. Girls can earn badges and take part in programs unique to the local council, such as the “Journey to Justice,” a civil rights-themed summer camp open to girls nationwide.

This camp allows girls to learn about the Civil Rights struggle right here in the cradle of the movement. “’100 Years of Girl Scout History’ showcases the innovation and tenacity it took to build the nation’s largest girlserving organization,” said Kat Marran, interim CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. “We owe our longevity to adapting to changing times and meeting the needs of today’s girl. And unlike some of the vintage uniforms visitors will see, the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character never goes out of style.”

The Atlanta History Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

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