Collin
Sammie Purcell
Katie Burkholder, Bob Pepalis, Logan C. Ritchie, Sarra Sedghi
Contributors
Isadora Pennington
June 7 10am - 9pm
June 8 1 1am - 5pm
Welcome to the May print edition of Reporter Newspapers. As I chose stories to include in this issue, I found that much of the information in it talks about expansion – not to be confused with the kind that seems to magically begin around Thanksgiving and continue through January.
I, myself, am still working on getting rid of that pesky baby weight. my daughter is 32, married, and has been a nurse for 10
years. The important part is that I’m not a quitter.
The theme of expansion reflected in this issue include public funding for “The Stitch,” an ambitious greenspace program that will be built over the I-75/85 connector, the rezoning of a huge property in Brookhaven, the longawaited, yet controversial approval of the Amsterdam Walk development, the purchase of a long-time retail center in Dunwoody, and the re-opening of the Delta Flight Museum.
We also have breaking news about long-time Tucker resident Anne Lerner, who just announced her intention to run for mayor. In the story, she reflects on the accomplishments made during her tenure as a two-term city council member and her vision for the city.
Although many of our stories report on big changes on many fronts for the metro area, this month’s cover story focuses on expanding your personal horizons, and includes a call to venture out of your ZIP code to explore unusual Atlanta offerings.
On that front, one of the best experiences I’ve had while reporting “Mix it up in May” was getting to “know” Figgy the llama, an empathic creature who participates in a weekly yoga class at the Alpaca Treehouse in East Atlanta.
I was also equally freaked out/ impressed with the art along the Doll’s Head Trail, and of course, hungry when it came to the Municipal Market food tour and biscuit-making class.
And finally, the cover story explores the love of reading, and a new twist on how to be in a book club that eschews the trappings of convention to appeal to an audience hungry for connection.
As always, thanks for reading our print editions and supporting local journalism. Let’s get out there!
By Cathy Cobbs
Every day, Atlantans sleep, walk, read, dine, and exercise, usually sticking to their own ZIP code – because we know that the term “rush-hour traffic” around here is actually “you-never-know” traffic. However, there are ways to circumvent our desire to stay in our own backyard by strategically venturing out for activities that are different and exciting.
If you want to go on a nature walk, why not see some hidden folk art in the forest? If you are craving a restorative yoga class, how about a Sunday morning session with Figgy the llama and her friends?
Need to carve out some quiet time to read? Join a free-wheeling book club where nobody talks. Love food and enjoy a nice stroll? Be part of a food tour that concludes with a biscuit-making class.
Read on for four unique Atlanta-area adventures that include time-travel tips that may ease the pain of leaving your comfort zone.
Constitution Lakes Park
1305 S. River Industrial Blvd. SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
The Doll’s Head Trail, a 1.6-mile short loop in the middle of Constitution Lakes Park, is part of a two-mile trail that offers panoramic views of its two man-made lakes, and includes whimsical, sometimescreepy art installations of found objects. Most of the tucked-away treasures feature doll parts – heads, arms, and legs – surrounded by other found objects with
commentary scrawled on flat rocks. For example, nestled on the side of the trail is a one-armed doll with an 1980s style car phone next to a “call-your-mom” sign to the right.
The nature preserve, formerly a 19thcentury brick company that excavated Georgia’s famous red clay, is peaceful and relatively uncrowded. On a recent midmorning walk, this author spied a young doe crashing through the woods and a majestic heron skimming the surface of the lake in search of lunch.
Time travel tip: Constitution Lakes Park is open from 7 a.m. to dusk every day. At 11 a.m. on a Monday, the commute from the Perimeter area to the Doll’s Head Trail
took 25 minutes.
More information can be found on the Friends of Constitution Lakes Facebook page.
Llama Yoga
Alpaca Treehouse in the Bamboo Forest 1152 Fayetteville Rd SE Atlanta, GA. 30316
For Kara O’Brien, owner of the Atlanta Alpaca Farm, it all started with bamboo and ended with rescue alpacas, llamas, chickens, and a thriving business.
Her East Atlanta neighbor had not maintained a 1940s-era bamboo forest in her backyard, and in 2014, she bought
the property and started the laborious task of restoring it.
O’Brien then started rescuing abused and neglected llamas and alpacas who, coincidentally, love to feast on the tender bamboo shoots, and, fulfilling a childhood memory, built a treehouse out of reclaimed materials in the middle of the bamboo.
“It was first just a place for us to hang out, but someone said that I should put it on Airbnb, and that just took everything from zero to 60,” O’Brien said.
She also built a barn out of recycled materials, and started offering Sunday yoga classes, which involve a 60-minute restorative session, followed by a tour of the property and an up-and-close personal interaction with the llamas and alpacas.
Often the llamas, especially Figgy, whom O’Brien describes as a “huge empath,” join the class.
“At first we didn’t really think it was real, but she continued to connect with specific people who we found out later had undergone trauma,” O’Brien said. Figgy is so popular, she has her own Instagram account, with more than 1,000 followers (@figgy_llama).
Yoga classes are held each Sunday morning, starting at 11:30 a.m. The site is also a popular venue for weddings, film shoots, and grief recovery workshops.
“It’s magical to be in the presence of these animals,” said Diana DeLatour, co-owner of Be Hot Yoga and one of four regular yoga teachers who run the Sunday
Continued on page 26
Friday, July 4, 2025
Theme: Red, White, and Dunwoody!
Grand Marshal: Coach Nash, Dunwoody High School Athletic Director & Football Coach (Ret.)
Presented By
For parade information and registration, please visit www.dunwoodyga.org
For more information about sponsorships, please contact Leah Economos at leah@eepevents.com
By Rough Draft Atlanta
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held April 9 for the new Georgia State Patrol post on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion in Buckhead.
Gov. Brian P. Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Mayor Andre Dickens, Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Col. Billy Hitchens, state and local leaders, and law enforcement officers were all on hand for the ceremony.
According to a statement from Kemp’s office, the new State Patrol Post will serve the broader Buckhead community and surrounding parts of Atlanta. The 1,750-square-foot facility and garage bay, designed by Houser Walker Architecture, sits adjacent to the entrance of the Governor’s Mansion on Woodhaven Road and maintains the historical integrity of the surrounding grounds.
“Keeping our communities safe is my top priority and today’s milestone would not have been possible without the leadership and support of our partners
in the General Assembly,” Kemp said.
“Thanks to the General Assembly, Mayor Dickens, and the brave and dedicated work of state and local law enforcement, we are witnessing a historic reduction in violent crime in our capital city. With the opening of this new post, we’re furthering our collaborative approach to taking criminals off our streets and bringing them to justice.”
This new GSP facility was made possible by the addition of $1.3 million in the FY24 budget by the Georgia House of Representatives and approved by the entire General Assembly.
“Effective public safety involves partnerships, coordination, and collaboration,” Dickens said. “I believe I can speak for [Atlanta Police] Chief [Darin] Schierbaum when I say that the Atlanta Police Department and the City of Atlanta look forward to working handin-hand with our State Patrol colleagues.
This new post represents our shared commitment to fostering trust in all our communities as we continue to move Atlanta forward.”
By Rough Draft Atlanta
Landmark Properties, in a joint venture with Westlake Capital, has acquired Northcreek Office Park on Northside Parkway in Buckhead.
Landmark Properties will utilize some of the 536,547-square-foot, four-building campus as new office space for its growing Atlanta workforce while maintaining its headquarters in Athens, Ga., and an existing executive office at Buckhead Plaza.
Westlake Capital is the family office of Landmark Properties’ Chairman and CEO Wes Rogers. It invests in multiple types of assets, including real estate, and continues to evaluate opportunities that provide sound, risk-adjusted returns. According to Rogers, part of the appeal is an opportunity to invest in the community he calls home.
“Landmark is not in the office business, but we prefer to own our own space, and this acquisition aligns well with what I’m looking to personally invest in,” said Rogers. “Most of Landmark’s corporate employees are still located in Athens, but we recently surpassed 100 corporate employees in the Atlanta area. This space not only supports growth in our current operations but also lays the foundation for future corporate expansion—most of which we anticipate happening in Atlanta. Northcreek’s location, quality, size, solid tenant base and attractive pricing— particularly in relation to replacement cost—make this a compelling investment.”
Regent Partners will also partner with Landmark on the acquisition, relocate its corporate office to the property, and continue to serve as the property manager and leasing agent.
Thursdays, June 12th – July 24th (no movie July 3rd)
By Logan C. Ritchie
Brookhaven City Council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of Corporate Square, rubber-stamping real estate developer Third & Urban to move forward with plans to convert the massive office park to residential, retail, restaurant, and recreation spaces.
“Welcome to Brookhaven,” Mayor John Park declared at the Tuesday, April 22 city council meeting.
Built 50 years ago, Corporate Square is a 32-acre office park – prime Brookhaven real estate – sitting between I-85 and the Peachtree Creek Greenway. The property is being rezoned from M (Industrial) and O-I (Office-Institution) to MPD (Master Planned Development).
www.townbrookhaven.net
Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.
Jessica Hill, representing Third & Urban, delivered a presentation to city council members. describing the project as a “mixed use development that will include multi-family and residential [housing], age-restricted housing, town homes, hotels, including corporate housing, commercial and medical offices.”
“This is a multi-year, multi-phase project,” Hill said.
Brookhaven code requires 15 percent
open space, and Third & Urban has planned several green spaces between buildings and a connection to the Peachtree Creek Greenway. Sidewalks and trail paths will run throughout the property, Hill said.
A massive oak tree canopy on the greenway will be protected.
At the March meeting, Brookhaven Planning Commission members asked Third & Urban representatives how they plan to incorporate local culture into the site. Hill said the developer is contemplating inspirational imagery, color, and cultural elements that currently exist in the fabric of Buford Highway.
In other news:
■ Brookhaven city council members approved acquisition of temporary construction easements to complete a realignment road project at Redding Road and Caldwell Road;
■ The agreement with Atlas Consulting for design services on the I-85 vehicular bridge was tabled for lack of quorum because council member John Funny recused himself. The city will hold a specially called meeting to vote on the item.
By Logan C. Ritchie
Walk with a Doc will meet monthly at Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven to combine fitness and health education.
Led by Dr. Vahid Yeganeh, the exercise program group explores a new health topic, followed by a walk and conversation through the park. Participants are welcome to stroll at their own pace and choose the distance that’s right for them.
Yeganeh received his Doctor of Medicine in 2006 from Universidad Iberoamericana. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
Yeganeh is dedicated to providing care that encompasses the entire wellbeing of his patients, according to a press release, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Farsi.
“It’s about more than just walking,” Yeganeh said. “It’s about listening to people’s stories, sharing my own, and showing people that improving their health doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as putting your shoes on, showing up, and connecting with your community.”
The walk takes place from 9-10 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month at Murphey Candler Park, 1551 West Nancy Creek Drive, Brookhaven. The event begins at Trailhead East.
By Logan C. Ritchie
After months of delays, the City of Brookhaven has opened its newest government office building at 2665 Buford Hwy., which will house the planning, engineering, and permitting departments.
The PEP building contains Brookhaven Public Works, Engineering, Permitting, Community Development, Zoning, Inspections, Code Enforcement, and Facility Services. The location will serve as the official meeting space for the Brookhaven Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, and the Arts and Culture Commission.
An upgraded technology infrastructure is set to accommodate live streaming of public meetings.
“After 13 years of getting by on leased space, we now have a permanent center of operations that addresses our current and future needs as we continue to grow,” council member John Funny said.
The 16,268-square-foot PEP building was purchased by the city in April 2022, after leasing the space
for several years to accommodate the Brookhaven Police Department and municipal court, according to a press release.
In 2022, Brookhaven City Council approved a $4.6 million purchase of the building and property. The Brookhaven Police Department and municipal court moved to the brand-new Public Safety Building overlooking Peachtree Creek Greenway in July 2023. That building had similar issues involving delays, as well as budget overruns.
Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman said the building and the improvements that have been made give the city the flexibility to use the location for a backup to city hall, if a catastrophic event were to occur.
“This building and location are ideal to provide services to neighbors, the contracting community and developers,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Park. “It’s a conveniently located one-stop shop for this suite of services.”
The highly anticipated Brookhaven City Centre opening is set for this summer at the corner of North Druid Hills Road and Peachtree Road.
May 7
13
May 21
May 27
By Cathy Cobbs
Asana Partners, a Charlotte-based real estate investment firm, has purchased a longtime retail hub in Dunwoody, along with several surrounding parcels.
Published first in The Atlanta Business Chronicle, Asana reportedly paid $27.5 million for the Shops of Dunwoody. It also purchased several outlying parcels for an additional $7.5 million across three separate transactions, which include Sunshine Car Wash and office buildings on Nandina Lane.
The deals closed on March 31, the publication reported.
The transaction also includes a
building that contained a drive-through Burger King, which has been long vacant. For the past several years, the area around that building has been the site of a 25foot Christmas tree and Menorah. The Dunwoody Homeowners Association’s lighting ceremony each November draws thousands of spectators to the center.
The shopping center’s restaurants include Breadwinner, Summit Coffee, Dunwoody Tavern, Nai Thai, Vintage Pizzeria, Taqueria Los Hermanos, J. Christopher’s and Wasabi House.
In recent years, a small green space was installed in front of the restaurants, which has become a family-friendly nightly
gathering place.
The city has discussed for years the desire to redevelop the center, though it’s unclear, given the conditions of the Dunwoody Village Overlay District, whether that could be achieved.
After the Dunwoody City Council passed the Dunwoody Village Overlay district in 2020, the owner of the Shops of Dunwoody, Hudgens Company LP, sued the city, claiming that the 150-foot
buffer zone between the village and neighboring residences limited the available redevelopment area.
The council excluded the shopping center and car wash from the Overlay District in order to facilitate negotiations with the unhappy neighbors.
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association supported the residents and hired its own attorney to advocate for the increased buffer zone.
After back-and-forth negotiations, the city completed the rezoning of the Shops of Dunwoody in 2021. A compromise set a height limit of four stories within 150 feet of the shopping center and homes in the Dunwoody West and Branches subdivisions.
The Business Chronicle reported that this purchase marks the latest expansion for Asana, which owns Krog Street Market, Midtown Promenade and Plaza Fiesta.
The publication also reported that Asana declined to comment on the transaction.
By Bob Pepalis
More than 175 people heard Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger discuss accomplishments his office has made regarding elections, licensing, and business growth in Georgia.
Raffensperger was the guest speaker at the Greater Chamber Perimeter’s Signature Luncheon, held with the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce at Sandy Springs Studio Theatre on April 23.
Raffensperger said when he first ran for Georgia Secretary of State, he campaigned on the pledge to make sure only American citizens vote in elections. The installation of Georgia’s Real ID helps ensure that it can happen. The voter ID requirement withstood U.S. Supreme Court scrutiny, he said.
The new election system was set up on time and under budget at approximately $110 million, well under the $150 million limit.
honest and fair. In this latest visit to the Perimeter, he said time has proven that Georgia has secure elections.
State law now requires that precinct voting wait times must be less than one hour long. Raffensperger’s office examined Georgia’s 2,400 voting precincts and assessed which had problems and which were meeting expectations. Counties used the assessment to improve and realign precincts.
In addition, Georgians no longer have to wait overnight to learn unofficial election totals, he said.
“What we put into state law with SB 189 a year ago in the 2023 General Assembly,” Raffensperger said, “was that all the early voting that you have – and that’s 75 percent of all Georgians are voting early now and the five to seven percent that vote absentee – all of that had to be reported one hour after the election closed.”
Raffensperger said in a visit to the Perimeter Chamber in Dunwoody in June 2023 that the 2024 election was likely to see the same accusations of voter fraud made four years earlier. He said his office’s job was to make sure the election was
After the 2020 presidential election, the Georgia General Assembly passed a bill that reduced the Georgia secretary of state’s powers. The General Assembly’s legislation gave it the ability to appoint the majority of the State Election Board by removing the secretary of state as the chair.
Raffensperger said he didn’t believe this was a wise decision, The State Election Board also gained the ability to fire election directors of counties, but the person doing the firing is an appointed chairman not beholden to the voters, Raffensperger said.
The legislation also gave the State Election Board the power to oversee county election boards, with performance reviews over local elections management made by the state voting board, county commission, or a local legislative delegation. Those reviews could result in the state board appointing a replacement to temporarily run local elections.
Until a bill was passed during the recent legislative session, the governor appointed election board members, but they could not be removed if they failed to do their job. With the new legislation, the governor will have that power.
Raffensperger said he wants to make sure that Georgia remains a pro-business state as well as a great place to raise a family.
“Why is that so important to you? Because I believe that the free-market system is the gateway for higher economic outcomes for everyone,” Raffensperger said.
In 2018 as a state legislator, Raffensperger introduced a bill that allows a corporation to renew for up to three years. He admitted that it wasn’t his idea, but that it came from a business owner.
With almost 1.5 million corporations registered with the state, new software is needed because the system slows down in February when so many businesses are renewing their licenses, Raffensperger said.
A new bill passed that will go into effect in July, enabling Raffensperger’s office to administratively issue licenses. This licensing reform should help, because with 140 different licenses under 40 different boards, delays can happen if the boards don’t meet often enough.
“Our largest group of license holders are nurses – 500,000 nurses out of the million that we oversee. We think we have an obligation of duty to reduce those barriers,” Raffensperger said.
Asked for his thoughts on the Trump administration’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and its potential effect on his office, Raffensperger said he has already right-sized his office with less than 30 people in his elections office. “North Carolina has 72, so we’ve already right-sized our office, and we’ve been doing that since day one.”
Thousands of federal workers were fired in the first month of Trump’s administration. New and career workers were removed as agency leaders were told to plan for large-scale reductions in force and freezes of trillions of dollars in federal grant funds.
Nearly 1,300 probationary workers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported being forced out of their jobs.
Emory planned to freeze all raises and limit spending because of concerns about federal research funding cuts, Rough Draft Atlanta reported. The Atlanta university received more than $488 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health in 2024, and is by far the largest research recipient in Georgia. Emory reported that cutting the amount NIH gives to universities for research funds would cost the university an estimated $140 million annually.
Raffensperger said Georgia needs to help leverage the entrepreneurial value of the people laid off from agencies like the CDC and Emory University. He said the CDC and Emory have a bigger concentration of medical doctors and Ph.Ds. than anywhere else in the world. If those medical professionals are suddenly without work, it could be a great opportunity for Georgia.
“How do we leverage that for some entrepreneurial venture that they can build a business here in Georgia?” Raffensperger asked.
Responding to questions from the audience, Raffensperger said reindustrialization is a nagging problem for the state. He said the state can participate in efforts like the University of Georgia’s work using robotics to improve the agricultural process.
Georgia businesses are also still trying to figure out the impacts of tariffs, Raffensperger said. He said he’s seen economic distruption before, having gotten through the recession from 2008 to 2012, and from supply chain delays caused by the pandemic.
Raffensperger assessed the Trump administration’s early days in office by recognizing that illegal immegration at the Mexico-United States border had been reduced greatly, something he said the majority of the country wanted.
“We have a process, a lawful process, but we need to make sure that we’re vetting people that come into this country,” Raffensperger said.
By Bob Pepalis
The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center revealed the initial lineup for its 2025-2026 season with concerts, comedians, and family-oriented shows scheduled in its Byers and Studio Theatres.
Broadway’s Jessica Vosk, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Boys Choir are among the acts heading to Sandy Springs.
Community members looking for a laugh can head to the Studio Theatre, which will host Funny Fridays with Joel Byars in June, July, and August.
Families with young children may enjoy Blippi in its “Join the Band Tour,” “Mutts Gone Nuts: Unleashed!” and the “Peppa Pig: My First Concert.”
The reveal on April 24 was to encourage members of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (PAC) to renew their membership and take advantage of exclusive pre-sale opportunities that night and for future performances.
a good friend of the city, Joe Alterman, and some other jazz fans,” Haggett said.
Alterman is an Atlanta-born jazz pianist, composer, writer, and cultural curator.
Haggett said the city is also looking to start a blues night in the Studio Theatre.
The PAC is in its second year of operating independently and not having to rely on the city’s general fund, Haggett said.
“We’ve been climbing out of COVID all across the country, and I’m seeing this building do a very good job of doing that.
Memberships support the free concerts on the City Green and Heritage Lawn, the Sparkle Parade, July 4th celebration and other free community events, William Haggett, executive director of the PAC said.
“I spent four years of my life trying to build this facility, and one of the most fun things for me to do is you’ll see me sitting over on the right-hand side in a box,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said. “It’s not because I want to be isolated. It’s because I want to watch your faces during the performances, because that is the most joy I get.”
Paul said the city will host a gala to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city in October. Proceeds will underwrite the arts, cultural education, and other initiatives as part of a mission to make the Performing Arts Center a key arts and entertainment facility north of metro Atlanta.
Haggett said the city just signed Carla Harris and Joe Branston to put on a band/jazz Valentine’s Day show in 2026. Haggett said he is also working on two musical series in the Studio Theatre.
“We are getting ready to do a Sunday jazz brunch series in this room, hosted by
The interest and the support from the community have been great,” Haggett said.
The Performing Arts Center created a business membership starting this year, Haggett said. Unlike personal memberships, a business membership enables the business to share its tickets and accompanying benefits with its employees, customers or clients. The lineup includes:
June 20, July 18 and Aug. 22, 7 p.m., Studio Theatre
Kick off the weekend with a night of clean-ish, stand-up comedy at Funny Fridays hosted by Atlanta’s award-winning comedian Joel Byars.
June 20: Comedians Hank Denson, Lisa It’s All Good, and Scott Shanahan
July 18: Comedians Yoshee So, Holly Ballantine, and Ben Palmer
Aug. 22: Comedians Emily Holden, Carlos Rodriguez, and Lace Larrabee Tickets are on sale now.
Blippi: Join the Band Tour
Oct. 4 at 2 and 6 p.m., Byers Theatre
Join Blippi in the brand new, live “Join the Band Tour!” Meekah, their singing and dancing buddies, and live musicians to explore what makes music.
Tickets are on sale now.
Jessica Vosk: SLEIGH
Nov. 22 at 8 p.m., Byers Theatre
Jessica Vosk brings holiday magic to the stage with a concert full of sparkle, sass, and show-stopping vocals, with holiday hits from her album SLEIGH.
Tickets are on sale now.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Dec. 31 at 8 p.m., Byers Theatre
Celebrate the arrival of the new year in style with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. The evening begins with a performance of light classics by the orchestra in Byers Theatre, and continues with a New Year’s Eve celebration for concert attendees in the Studio Theater.
Tickets available for purchase will be announced at a later date.
Mutts Gone Nuts: Unleashed!
Jan. 4, 2026 at 2 p.m., Byers Theatre
Come see a dozen of the world’s most talented four-legged performers – rescue dogs that will dance, prance, flip, and skip the day away.
Tickets are on sale now.
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Byers Theatre
Experience the harmonies of the Vienna Boys Choir, a centuries-old ensemble
recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Austria. Founded in 1498 by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, the choir has a storied history that includes famed alumni like Joseph Haydn, Michael Haydn, and Franz Schubert.
Once the exclusive vocalists of the royal court, the group became a private organization in the 1920s and now shares its music with the world. Today, the choir consists of around 100 boys, ages 10 to 14, divided into four touring groups that perform approximately 300 concerts annually across the globe.
Tickets available for purchase will be announced at a later date.
April 9, 2026 at 4 and 7 p.m., Byers Theatre
Peppa Pig, along with Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George, present a fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 18 months and older. Learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together. Enjoy favorite music from the show played by a live orchestra and discover some other exciting orchestral pieces perfect for children. Children can join Peppa and her family to make music of their own. A ticketed post-performance meet-and-greet with a character from the show will also be available.
Tickets available for purchase will be announced at a later date.
To learn more about memberships, visit the membership purchase page or call the box office at (770) 206-2022, Tuesday through Friday, from noon to 5 p.m.
As of May 1, here is the list of candidates who have officially declared their candidacies for Sandy Springs council and mayor:
Sandy Springs Mayor
Rusty Paul (incumbent)
Jody Reichel
Andy Bauman
Dontaye Carter
Alex Somer
Sandy Springs City Council
District 1
John Paulson (incumbent)
District 2
Melody Kelley (incumbent)
District 3
Melissa Mular (incumbent)
Tara Bernadette Overzat
District 4
David Michael Flynn
District 5
Colin Hubbard
District 6
Andrew Chinsky
By Cathy Cobbs
Tucker-based Wellroot Family Services, an agency of the United Methodist Church in North Georgia, is leading the effort to transform the lives of children and young adults, sometimes providing help even before birth.
Formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home, Wellroot has provided homes for children, teens, young adults, and families. Its CEO Allison Ashe said the organization saw the need for preventative services that could divert a crisis situation resulting in children being removed from their homes.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy., Ste. 350B, Tucker, GA 30084
• MAY 2
FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT Church Street Greenspace
The American Flyers
• MAY 5, 6:30 PM Downtown Development Authority
• MAY 6
Zoning Board of Appeals
• MAY 12
City Council Meeting MAY 15 Planning Commission • MAY 27
City Council Meeting
• MAY 29
MOVIES ON THE GREEN MUFASA Church Street Greenspace
“What I saw when I first arrived at Wellroot was that there was a real need for prevention work, and that did, to some degree, come from my background working with youth experiencing homelessness,” Ashe said. “It just seemed like so much more could be done for families to keep them together and to keep kids out of the trauma of having to be in foster care.”
Four years ago, Wellroot launched its prevention services work, focusing on “preventing kids from going into child welfare, and providing recruiting, licensing, and training in foster families and supporting them extensively throughout the fostering journey.”
One of the programs, which is affiliated with Healthy Families America, identifies, sometimes even before birth, the risk factors that could result in losing a child to foster care.
Wellroots family support specialists meet with families in their homes and work with them to cultivate and strengthen parent-child relationships, promote healthy childhood growth and development, and enhance family functioning.
“Once we are referred to a particular situation, we spend time walking alongside
the individual,” Ashe said. “It could involve helping to find employment, doing well visits and providing services focused on addressing the needs of the entire family.”
Founded in 1871, Wellroot Family Services opened its doors as The Decatur Orphans’ Home at the close of the Civil War to serve the needs of children who had been orphaned during the war. In 2018 – after decades as the United Methodist Children’s Home – the name changed to Wellroot Family Services, reflecting both the national movement away from congregate care to foster care and its expansion into deeply rooted evidence-based services.
“Often, children and families in crisis are met with blame or judgment rather than compassion,” according to a Wellroot statement. “We are driven by the belief that all are worthy and that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.”
Wellroot’s third “This Is Home” gala, held at Zoo Atlanta, raised $386,000, with one notable attendee, Tucker Mayor Frank Auman, making a splash when he admired a sparkly jacket worn by the event’s auctioneer, Seth Weiner.
A deal was struck: Auman made a donation to Wellroot in exchange for the jacket, with one condition – that the mayor wear it to a Tucker City Council meeting. He kept his end of the bargain on April 14, sparking admiration from his peers and compliments from public speakers.
By Cathy Cobbs
Longtime Tucker resident and two-term former city council member Anne Lerner announced in an exclusive interview with Rough Draft Atlanta her intention to run for mayor this November.
Frank Auman, who is term-limited, has been Tucker’s only mayor in the city’s nineyear history.
“It’s crucial that our next mayor understands our community, our cityhood journey and the solid foundation our city leadership has built,” Lerner said. “And it’s also crucial our new mayor has a strong sense of Tucker’s potential and the knowhow, relationships and determination to get us there.”
Lerner, a 28-year Tucker resident who was instrumental in the push for cityhood, has decades of community experience, serving in multiple capacities including as a board member for Leadership DeKalb, Tucker-Northlake CID Master Plan Steering Committee, and the Tucker Civic Association.
She is the public affairs director for one of Tucker’s largest employers, Georgia Transmission Corporation, working with elected officials and communities across the state.
During her tenure on the council, Lerner spearheaded efforts to shut down
illegal massage businesses, championed a ban on urban camping, and obtained additional park land for the city, including additions to Tucker Nature Preserve, Henderson Park, Tucker and Fitzgerald Field.
Lerner also helped coordinate community education efforts to establish public works and storm water services, and was instrumental in developing the city’s non-discrimination ordinance.
Since leaving the council, Lerner has continued to serve the Tucker community, which she feels is key to making a smooth transition to the mayoral position.
“Tucker has remained my priority,” she said. “I’ve stayed engaged with the community.”
Lerner said she has been conducting “a Lerner Listening Tour, whether shopping in the grocery aisle, volunteering in our parks, walking on Main Street or gathering in Tucker living rooms, backyards and businesses.”
“I’ll continue using this time on the campaign trail to listen and learn from you, our residents and business community,” she said.
Lerner’s priorities, if elected, include:
■ Working closely with DeKalb County to ensure proper 911 response times, as well as ensuring
Tucker Precinct police officers are focused within the city’s 20 square miles, “not just the larger footprint the precinct covers;”
■ Creating a stronger connection between neighborhoods, the DeKalb Police, and city leadership to maintain safe, vibrant neighborhoods in all parts of Tucker;
■ Working directly with the city’s two Community Improvement Districts (Tucker-Northlake and TuckerSummit) to address car break-ins, loitering and panhandling, and other disturbances;
■ Continuing to creating a strong downtown center that attracts quality and self-sustaining businesses;
■ Investing in the city’s infrastructure, including roads and stormwater, to ensure proper funding for maintenance;
■ Developing a strategy from the city’s housing studies, the current ULI Atlanta Technical Assistance Panel findings, and other available resources, to ensure citizens can grow up and age in-place in Tucker;
■ Evaluating the city’s current parks and recreation system to ensure balanced services and activity
opportunities while preserving natural spaces;
■ Analyzing current programming housed at Tucker Recreation Center and other locations to make decisions that will serve the community now and into the future.
Lerner taught English and social studies for a decade at Stone Mountain Middle School and remains a mentor to former students. She and her husband, Ted, live in the Winding Woods neighborhood.
By Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi
This Rough Draft dining series will continue throughout 2025, highlighting restaurants in cities and neighborhoods within easy walking distance or a short bus ride from MARTA rail stations.
With a population of nearly 11,000 residents and its proximity to Buford Highway, Doraville is one of Metro Atlanta’s most culturally diverse communities. The small city’s digital welcome packet provided to new residents includes translations in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Bengali, highlighting a handful of the communities that call Doraville home.
It’s also one of the fastest growing cities within Atlanta’s perimeter featuring seven parks, a public pool, recreational programs and events for adults and kids, and even its own geocaching game.
Similar to what’s taking place just two miles south in neighboring Chamblee, Doraville officials are working on a plan to develop a transit-oriented town center and entertainment district to include restaurants, retail, and offices.
This dining guide spotlights seven restaurants and the Super H Mart complex accessible from the Doraville MARTA rail station; the final stop on the Gold Line. All the restaurants listed are within a short walking distance or a quick bus ride from the station located on New Peachtree Road between Park and Central avenues. Connecting buses from Doraville MARTA station include the number 20, 25, 39, and 124, which travel to New Peachtree Road, Peachtree Boulevard, and Buford Highway.
Yokohama
5412-B Buford Highway
■ Sushi; hand rolls; kushiyaki; lunch and dinner
■ Walking: 7 minutes or .3 miles
For an all-in-one Japanese food experience, few restaurants along Buford Highway offer such an extensive menu that includes sushi, hand rolls, kushiyaki, ramen, tempura combos, and udon dishes.
What to eat: Tiger Crunchy (crab, shrimp tempura) or On the Bayou (spicy tuna, fried crawfish) rolls; traditional hand rolls; pork belly kushiyaki; omakase sashimi
What to drink: Sapporo; sake; Ramune
Han II Kwan ($-$$)
5458 Buford Highway
■ Korean BBQ; Buford Highway institution; Michelin-recommended
■ Walking: 8 minutes or .4 miles
Michelin-recommended Han Il
Kwan is an iconic Korean barbecue restaurant on Buford Highway for KBBQ that feeds a crowd and all-you-can-eat options. Expect other Korean dishes, too, including bibimbap, haemulpajeon (seafood pancake), soft tofu, and jajangmyeon (black bean noodles).
What to eat: AYCE barbecue; galbi; jajangmyeon.
What to drink: Cass (Korean lager)
El Rey Del Taco ($-$$)
5288 Buford Highway
■ Mexican; margaritas; breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night
■ Walking: 14 minutes or .6 miles
■ Bus 39 (bound for Lindbergh Center Station): 2 stops, then 1 minute of walking
El Rey Del Taco feels like one of those places that’s woven into the very fabric of Buford Highway. The food is always solid, and the atmosphere is festive in a divey kind of way. It’s impossible to go wrong here, but if you’re undecided, tacos will do the job. El Rey Del Taco is also known for its late-night hours. Just wrap up the meal before the train and buses stop.
What to eat: Pastor tacos; squash blossom quesadilla
What to drink: Margarita; Tecate
Las Delicias de la Abuela ($-$$)
5600 Buford Highway
■ Colombian; TVs for soccer; live music; breakfast, lunch, dinner
■ Walking: 17 minutes or .8 miles
■ Bus 20 (10b, 35) (bound for Beaver Ruin): 2 stops, then 3 minutes of walking
Atlanta is no stranger to good Colombian food, and with its hefty selection of meats, generous portions, reasonable price points, and live music,
this Buford Highway restaurant is among the best. Stop by in the morning for the Colombian breakfast of eggs, rice, sweet plantains, and an arepa.
What to eat: Skirt steak; pollo a la campesina; tres leches; Calentao Tradicional (Colombian breakfast)
What to drink: Blackberry juice; shot platter
LanZhou Ramen ($-$$)
5231 Buford Highway
■ Hand-pulled noodles; soup; dim sum; Michelin-recommended
■ Walking: 17 minutes or .7 miles
■ Bus 39: 3 stops, then 5 minutes of walking
LanZhou Ramen’s hand-pulled noodles are one of Atlanta’s most iconic dishes. Chef and owner Fun Li Zhang even caught the eyes of the James Beard Foundation and Michelin. The primary question at LanZhou is not whether to order the restaurant’s noodles, which come served as soup, stir-fried, and cold, but how to customize the noodles. There’s something extra special about the flat noodles. LanZhou Ramen offers other dishes beyond its famous noodles, including a selection of dim sum and a Chinese hamburger made from char siu pork.
What to eat: Roast duck or pork hand-pulled noodle soup; scallion pancake; Xinjiang stir-fried chicken; Chinese hamburger
Java Saga ($-$$)
5145 Buford Highway
■ Taiwanese fried chicken; mild to spicy sandwiches and nuggets
■ Walking: 20 minutes or .9 miles
■ Bus 39: 4 stops, then 4 minutes of walking
What started as a food truck has since become one of the best places along Buford Highway for fried chicken. But unlike Southern fried yardbird, owner Alvin Sun’s Taiwanese-style fried chicken packs heat – and a lot of it. While there is a mild version of his fried chicken, Sun turns up the spicy dial with crypto (hot and numbing), octane (very hot), and predator (possibly too hot for some to handle).
What to eat: ABC (American Born Chinese) chicken sandwich with jalapeño American cheese, apple slaw, bread and butter pickles, and mango habanero sauce (spice level up to you); Diggity Dan Bing (Taiwanese-style crepe rolled and stuffed with eggs, cheese, and chives)
What to drink: Tiger latte made with black sugar caramel sauce
Mamak ($-$$)
5150 Buford Highway
■ Malaysian food
■ Walking: 20 minutes or .9 miles
■ Bus 39: 4 stops, then of 4 minutes walking
There are plenty of incredible Malaysian dishes to try at this Asian Square institution, including the Hainanese chicken. But don’t skip other dishes at Mamak like the roti canai, chow kway teow (stir-fried noodles with shrimp and squid), and the pork congee with a century egg.
What to eat: Hainanese chicken; Rendang beef; all dishes mentioned above What to drink: Lychee iced tea
Super H Mart complex ($-$$)
6035 Peachtree Road
■ Multiple Asian restaurants, cafes, beverage and dessert shops
■ Bus 25 (bound for Brookhaven/ Oglethorpe Station): 4 stops, then five minutes of walking
A quick bus ride on the number 25 from the Doraville MARTA station will drop you off in the middle of one of the best places to explore a variety of restaurants beyond Buford Highway.
The Super H Mart complex on Peachtree Boulevard includes everything from Korean barbecue at Miss Gogi’s and Japanese pub dishes at Shoya Izakaya to Korean corn dogs at the Super H Mart food court and black boba shaved ice and other desserts at Meet Fresh.
What to eat and drink: Restaurant hop and explore!
By Sarra Sedghi
Carrot cake is considered a classic dessert, but its history dates back to medieval Europe and likely evolved from puddings.
“Sweeteners, especially sugar, were scarce and expensive [in the Middle Ages], so carrots were used as a substitute in desserts,” said Loan Ly, owner of custom dessert company Lonely Sweets.
But carrot cake didn’t take its presentday form or reach peak popularity until the 20th century.
During World War II, sugar rationing and the United Kingdom’s emphasis on carrot consumption brought the cake back into fashion. Thanks to the incorporation of fresh vegetables and an oil-based batter, carrot cake already boasts a good amount of natural moisture. (Oil-based cakes stay fresh longer than butter-based cakes.) At a time when butter and sugar were rationed, Depression and war-era desserts like water pie and carrot cake helped sustain people and satisfy a sweet tooth.
After World War II, carrot cake became even sweeter — literally. Before the war, carrot cake may have been topped with whipped cream. Today, it features a sugary cream cheese frosting, which helped the spice cake gain more traction in the United States, especially at restaurants and cafes.
“Cream cheese frosting didn’t become popularized with carrot cake until the 1960s,” Ly said. “[It] has since become the go-to topping.”
Carrot cake was also touted as a health food in the 1980s, thanks to its vegetabledriven main ingredient. It’s since returned to its dessert roots, having become a fixture at spring and summer tables.
And fun fact, “Carrots can turn green or blue in the cake if the baking soda reacts oddly,” Ly said. “It looks wild, but it’s totally safe to eat — like a trippy dessert experiment.”
Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Shruti Doctor, owner of the Salted Butter Society, offers a take on carrot cake that uses a variety of spices to make fresh carrots truly sing. “Carrots are such a beautiful vegetable, and I wanted them to shine more with the spices in this cake,” she said.
Cake ingredients
■ 2 cups white sugar
■ 1 ¼ cups olive oil
■ 4 large eggs
■ 2 tsp vanilla extract
■ 2 cups all-purpose flour
■ 2 tsp baking soda
■ 2 tsp baking powder
■ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
■ 1 tsp nutmeg
■ ½ tsp ground cloves
■ ½ tsp ground ginger
■ ½ tsp salt
■ 3 cups grated carrots
Frosting ingredients
■ ½ cup brown butter (use salted butter)
■ 8 oz cream cheese
■ 4 cups powdered sugar
■ 2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all spices into a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth, by hand or with an electric mixer. Slowly add in the dry ingredient mixture. Fold in shredded carrots.
4. Pour mixture into a prepared 10 x 14-inch pan and bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool.
5. Meanwhile, melt ½ cup salted butter in a light-colored pan over medium heat. Once melted, to medium-low, stirring occasionally the butter turns golden brown,
7. Once solid, add browned butter to a mixing bowl and beat with cream cheese until smooth, using an electric mixer on low. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, increasing the mixer speed to medium.
C H E R O K E E plan your
Beans, Barrels, & Bottles Trail
Embark on a flavorful adventure connecting coffee shops, breweries, wineries, and more in scenic Cherokee County, GA.
Sip, savor, and explore our unique destination while discovering the best local pours and brewing experiences!
By Bob Pepalis
Teachers, students, and school system officials helped the Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF) show appreciation Tuesday morning for its supporters and volunteers by sharing program successes that the nonprofit organization backs.
At its annual appreciation breakfast at Riverwood International Charter School on April 22, Gonzalo La Cava, the chief human resources officer for Fulton County Schools, said SSEF and the Sandy Springs community’s action ensures that every
student can thrive in school and life.
“Your continued support is not just appreciated. It’s creating a lasting, measurable change for students, our community, and our schools,” La Cava said.
SSEF implements free supplemental programs to engage, support, and encourage economically disadvantaged public school students to excel academically, finish high school, and then move onto a vocation or college.
“There’s no way that we can make the kind of impact that we have without all of
you, our sponsors, our donors, our volunteers, our partners. They’re so impactful, so important to all of us,” said Irene Schweiger, SSEF executive director.
“Their help is the reason SSEF can impact more than 6,000 students every year.”
The 18 programs it runs in 11 public schools in Sandy Springs include after-school programs, tutoring, STEAM grants and showcases, a High Demand Career Fair for both high schools, and mentoring at those schools.
WEDNESDAY,
Nicole Hudson, a teacher at Spalding Drive Elementary School, said her career and her experience with SSEF began almost 20 years ago at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School. Though her time at Spalding Drive Elementary is coming to an end with the closing of the school, she plans to continue volunteering for the SSEF STEAM Showcase.
Aiden Hudson, her son, said he joined the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) club to try something new. He liked coding to program a robot’s movements and enjoyed other science experiments. The STEAM Showcase was a highlight, and he wants to take part next year.
For three years, Sandy Springs Charter Middle School eighth grader Cameron Taylor has been part of the After-School All Stars program supported by SSEF.
“All Stars has helped me because it’s given me the ability to get help from teachers when I don’t understand my work. And because of that, I’ve been able to help other students as well,” Taylor said.
Vanesa Hernandez, a junior at Riverwood, shared her story of growing up with asthma, having to get medical treatment at a young age.
“When I was barely a kindergartner, my mother would take me to my pediatrician. I had to translate between her Spanish and myself with English,” Hernandez said. “I had to learn medical terms and learn to understand beyond my years.”
That fueled her desire to become a pediatrician and open a clinic where children and parents can come into a friendly atmosphere and be supported, including access to translation services.
SSEF helped introduce her to Love
Nursing and Medical Training in Sandy Springs. Its hybrid healthcare courses enabled her to attend weekend hybrid courses online, with skills training on the weekends. She passed the state certification test and works as a certified nursing assistant on the weekends while attending high school during the week.
Harrison Crawford, a senior at North Springs High, said the High Demand Career Fairs helped him learn about different jobs and programs within companies. Many of them offer apprenticeships, which he believed would be perfect for him.
Schweiger handed out awards to volunteers and supporters during the program. The Sustaining Scholar Award went to the RangeWater Impact Foundation, the top sponsor for SSEF’s STEAM Showcase for three years.
Lee Smith was named the Carolyn Axt Volunteer of the Year. Her involvement with SSEF began when Schweiger asked her how to set up her Woodland Elementary School Partners in Literacy program at other schools.
Sarahi Salazar was named the School Program Champion of the Year for her work coordinating 33 volunteers who reach out to help Lake Forest Elementary School students.
The Nonprofit Partner of the Year award went to the Building Talent Foundation, which looks to address labor shortages and skills traits. Derrick Henderson, the foundation’s engagement manager in the Atlanta market, has made presentations and trained students on how to prepare for interviews.
Kristen Daddow-Rodriguez was named the Dr. Ava Wilensky Board Member of the Year for her work as co-chair of the STEAM Showcase and with Riverwood’s SAIL program that helps students who are prepared to graduate, but lack solid plans for their future.
By Katie Burkholder
After two years of community engagement and advocacy, the Atlanta City Council voted Monday in favor of the proposed redevelopment of Amsterdam Walk with an ordinance regarding the zoning of the site.
Following more than two hours of public comment – much of which concerned the proposed redevelopment of Amsterdam Walk – the city council voted April 21 by a vote of 8-6 in favor of rezoning 501 Amsterdam Avenue from single family residential/Beltline overlay and community business district/Beltline overlay to planned development/Beltline overlay.
Portman Holdings, the developer behind the project, said the rezoning allows for a more expansive development. The proposed project currently includes 1,100 rental units and 1,435 parking spaces on an almost 11-acre site off Monroe Drive.
Prior to the vote, community members gave public comments regarding the ordinance, with those in favor arguing that investment and development are crucial to bettering their neighborhood. Those opposed argued the project would worsen already-bad traffic on Monroe Drive and urged the council to heed the 77 percent opposing vote from NPU-F.
The Morningside Lenox Park Association Board unanimously approved a statement last week calling on the council to reject the proposed plan.
“What are we going to do about keeping the intersection safe with 4,000 more cars and kids like me walking to Midtown High School to prevent people from getting hurt or dying at the intersection or anywhere else on Monroe?”
Henry Kirkpatrick, 12, asked the council.
“Every time I watch families crossing to go to the park, families from our neighborhood, families from other neighborhoods, it frightens me because everyone I know has a story of somebody almost getting hit,” Henry’s mother Erin continued. “…On February 11, my mother was hit by a car as she was crossing Monroe and Amsterdam safely at the crosswalk… I have a lot of stress and anxiety about potential new developments, more cars on the street, more cars speeding through the neighborhoods.”
Charlie Kaften, one of the leading community members against the development, told Rough Draft that the outcome of the vote is disheartening and “regrettable.”
“It’s a shameful decision, the city will live to regret this decision we believe because it goes way beyond Amsterdam Walk,” he said. “What is the message that this vote sends? The message that this vote sends is that the NPU system is dead, it doesn’t matter. Master plans are irrelevant. Community sentiment, community organizing, petitions, emailing campaigns don’t matter.”
Wan, the council member representing the district in which Amsterdam Walk is located, commended the organizing efforts of the neighborhood prior to the vote.
“In the 12 years I’ve served on the council, I’m not sure that I’ve seen this level of activism, discussion, and advocacy,” Wan said. “I want to first of all acknowledge and thank everyone for that.”
Kaften argued, however, that the outcome of the vote will discourage other people from organizing in their communities.
“If you were in another community and you see what happened here, knowing that we have been organizing for a year and a half on this thing, you would just say [doing the same] is pointless,” he said. “The implications are just unbelievable. Why would anybody bother to become an NPU member or attend an NPU meeting? What’s the point?”
Mike Greene, the Senior Vice President of Portman Holdings, told Rough Draft that he believes the community organizers’ concerns were heard by the council and raised during conversations about the project with Portman Holdings.
“Obviously we’re happy the vote
went our way,” Greene said. “I felt like the Better Amsterdam folks did a really remarkable job organizing and showing up and letting people know their voice was there… [The council was] in a tough spot. Our ask, when you consider what’s buildable today, was pretty reasonable.
Even if they had voted ‘no,’ it probably would’ve ended up as just another step in the process.”
Greene said he looks forward to getting to work on the project and working with the designers to make the property a valuable addition to the neighborhood.
By Katie Burkholder
The Atlanta City Council voted on three ordinances to fund, define, and implement the I-75/85 capping project, “The Stitch,” at its April 21 meeting.
The expansive project will cover the Downtown Connector between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue, stitching neighborhoods currently divided by the I-75/85 corridor together with a series of interconnected parks, plazas, walking trails, and streets.
The project’s goals include prioritizing equity and accessibility, prioritizing alternative transportation, creating job opportunities, and advancing community services like health care, childcare, food access, and more.
The council passed an ordinance formally creating The Stitch Special Services District and defining its geographic boundaries, another establishing an ad valorem tax levy on
properties located within the district to help fund the project.
Another ordinance approved by the council authorizes the city, Atlanta Development Authority, Atlanta Urban Redevelopment Agency, and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District to implement the project. The ordinances go into effect immediately.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the project has already secured around $200 million in funding – including $157.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, $10 million from the Eastside Tax Allocation District, $10 million from the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, and $9.7 million from the City’s Moving Atlanta Forward bond funds – but completion is expected to cost between $550 million and $800 million.
Phase 1 of the project is expected to begin next year, with completion of the full project done by 2030.
By Isadora Pennington
Since 1995, the Delta Flight Museum has invited visitors to experience the history of aviation through interactive exhibits and experiences.
Located in two 1940s-era maintenance
hangars used for servicing Delta aircraft, the sprawling 68,000-square-foot facility was designated a Historic Aerospace Site in 2011.
Over the years, the museum has undergone several transitions, adding comforts such as air conditioning and
John Portman and the Architectural Evolution of Downtown Atlanta
Experience the Georgia Tech Library’s special exhibition highlighting the extraordinary life and work of John Portman, the visionary architect behind some of Atlanta’s most iconic buildings.
Visit the exhibit now through December in the Price Gilbert first floor Exhibit Gallery.
modernization to enhance the experience for visitors. The most recent largescale renovation kicked off in December 2024 and was completed in March, reopening to the public on April 7. Delta is the first U.S. airline to celebrate its centennial, and this renovation seeks to honor the legacy of their first 100 years.
In April, I was invited to tour the Delta Flight Museum, a welcome respite from a dreary, drizzly day outside. Clever design choices greeted me before I even walked through the front doors, starting with landing gear used in place of pillars to hold up the patio roof at the entrance.
room, lounge, and historic displays add to the enhanced visitor experience.
After checking in at the front desk, visitors are guided into an immersive waiting room where a short video projection highlights some of the history and values of Delta. At the end of the clip, doors open to reveal the first exhibition space of the museum.
In the Legacy Hangar, previously known as Hangar 1, I encountered a Delta Ship 41, a 1931 Travel Air 6000 passenger aircraft, a Huff-Daland Duster biplane replica, a 1936 Stinson Reliant SE trainer craft, and a Northwest Airlines Waco 125.
Additionally, there are a number of interactive and imaginative installations spread throughout the space, including a screen where you can move your body to digitally paint on airplanes in flight, a racing challenge using a faux riveter, and a bean bag balance game atop an aircraft replica, among other elements.
Kids loved climbing into the small plane replica and pretending to pilot a flight, as well as clambering up a towering play structure nearby. Additional features in the Legacy Hangar such as a screening
To reach the Spirit Hangar, formerly referred to as Hangar 2, visitors walk through a glass-walled display that features spinning mobiles of small-scale aircraft replicas and a blue-lit tunnel that leads toward a mounted jet engine.
Once inside the Spirit Hangar, visitors are greeted by large, bright, artistic visuals that illustrate major stops in the airline’s catalog. This exhibition space is designed to highlight the history of Delta from the 1960s to today.
Uniforms and accessories worn by flight attendants and pilots are beautifully arranged in a rainbow configuration, positioned neatly in display cases along the walls. Free-standing displays include glasswalled luggage carts filled with branded suitcases that span the decades.
On a far wall, visitors can pose for a unique photo op by sitting inside of a large jet engine. A large stage offers a chance for visitors to virtually visit some of Delta’s destinations through compelling projections, as well as pose for photos that are sent via email following the experience.
Arguably, the central feature of the Spirit Hangar is the Spirit of Delta, a
massive Boeing 767 Delta Ship 102. Visitors are invited to walk under and around the craft as they navigate the exhibition space.
Walking up some stairs leads to a flight simulator experience suitable for visitors aged 16+ and a long walkway in front of a monumental mural completed by SCAD student Jennifer Wee.
Inspired by Delta’s chosen theme, “Humanity Lifts Us,” the 13 ft. tall, 99 ft. long mural was created as part of a SCADpro challenge that inspired more than 20 students to compete for the final design, hailing from top degree programs that include painting, illustration, motion media, graphic design, interactive design, animation, and creative business leadership.
“Keep Climbing,” the winning design by Wee, was created in Adobe Illustrator and features an interactive element wherein visitors can line up a letter on their ticket with the mural for a photo op.
“The mural combines Delta’s history and future through modern, abstract design,” explained Wee in a statement. “The frames of the Delta letters represent Delta’s 100-year-strong foundation. Within the letter frames are small figures –workers, families, and travelers from different cultures –symbolizing Delta’s community.”
“The large-scale design allows viewing from multiple distances,” Wee continued. “I wanted to make sure that viewers could enjoy this mural both from afar and up close. Characters, sized to child height, create perfect photo opportunities from a close distance. Delta’s warm care, the spirit of continuing to pursue high ideals, and the people who make it all possible became my overall inspiration.”
At the end of that long walkway is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse inside the Spirit of Delta. Visitors are able to step into this historic aircraft, with opportunities to view the controls of the cockpit, sit in traditional airplane seats complete with tray tables and wired phones in headrests (a favorite detail for children), and view various displays and videos situated throughout the craft.
The Spirit of Delta’s story is truly inspirational, and highlights the efforts of the people who have contributed to the legacy of Delta.
To understand the significance of this craft, you have to go back in time to spring of 1982. At the time, the airline industry was facing difficulties posed
by a weakened economy, deregulation, and high fuel prices. It was the airline’s first year to experience a net loss, and in reaction to these circumstances, it was Delta employees who stepped up to bridge the gap.
Three flight attendants led the charge on “Project 767,” seeking to raise money to purchase Delta’s first Boeing 767. Their successful efforts resulted in a whopping $30 million gathered from employees, retirees, and friends. In 1982, over 7,000 employees, friends, and media attended the Technical Operations Center to present the craft to the airline. Immediately following the dedication ceremony, Spirit embarked on its inaugural flight to Tampa, FL.
For more than 23 years, Spirit flew as an ambassador of Delta, and was painted in special liveries to celebrate key moments in history such as the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and Delta’s 75th Anniversary in 2004. It was eventually retired from service in 2006 and repainted in its original 1982 livery, after which it made a 12-stop crosscountry farewell tour, before finding its final resting place inside the Delta Flight Museum.
“The Delta Flight Museum is widely known to our employees and the community as Delta’s true home,” said Kelley Moore, Executive Director of Delta Flight Museum, in a statement posted on Delta’s website.
“While the museum always offered a close-up look at our aircraft and artifacts, the newly reimagined experience and interactive exhibits allow us to truly showcase the humanity of Delta and the people who made it all possible.”
Overall I was impressed by the museum’s ability to captivate visitors both young and old, and how the displays incorporate modern technological advances and historical artifacts to tell the story of Delta throughout its 100-year history.
Outside, four aircraft sit in place of pride, including a Boeing 757 that has been transformed into an exhibition where you can enter and walk along the wings. This fleet of airlines serves as a visual welcome to all who enter the property.
The Delta Flight Museum experience is fun, interactive, and will surely inspire the next generation to consider careers as pilots, mechanics, engineers, flight attendants, and more.
Learn more about the Delta Flight Museum, purchase tickets, and plan your visit at deltamuseum.org.
classes. “Their energy is so beautiful.”
Time travel tip: On Sunday morning, it typically takes 25 minutes or less to get to the yoga class from Brookhaven. More information can be found about events, stays at the treehouse, tours, and classes at www.alpacatreehouse.com.
Various locations around Atlanta
Atlanta’s Silent Book Club, with dozens of participating chapters, is a bibliophile’s dream come true – with no real rule except to read a book of your choice in silence.
Silent Book Club started in San Francisco in 2015, driven by the desire of its co-founders Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich to read a book in compatible silence at their neighborhood bar.
“Traditional book clubs include the pressure to finish a book by a certain deadline, and if I didn’t like the book, it was a real struggle to finish it,” de la Mare said. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a club where you could read what you want, without any homework or deadlines?’”
She and Gluhanich started doing just that, and then friends started asking
to join them. The concept grew into multiple chapters, multiple locations and multiple states. Today Silent Book Club has more than 1,700 chapters in 55 countries worldwide, including more than 50 in Georgia alone.
Although some silent book club chapters take a slightly different approach, most stick to a schedule that involves 30 minutes of socializing, followed by an hour of silent reading, and then another 30 minutes of chatting.
The Silent Book Club website has an interactive map that shows the chapters all around Atlanta. Readers can connect to its organizers to find out times and dates of their gatherings.
Time travel tip: Some silent book clubs meet online, so commute time could involve simply moving from your desk to your comfy sofa.
For more information, visit silentbook.club.
Historic Market Food Tour + Biscuit Class
Sweet Auburn Curb Market/Municipal Market
209 Edgewood Ave, Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Looking for a tasty, two-hour adventure at one of Atlanta’s oldest markets, followed by a hands-on cooking class?
The Unexpected Atlanta tour invites participants to try eight tastings from four vendors at the Municipal Market, which includes tidbits about Atlanta’s storied history and a personal look at Georgia’s most famous foods, including peaches, collards, and pecans.
After the tour concludes, attendees learn how to make the perfect Southern biscuit, which, according to almost everyone below the Mason-Dixon line, is art at its finest.
The Municipal Market is located directly on the Atlanta Streetcar line, located between Centennial Olympic Park and the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District, so attendees can squeeze in some other downtown experiences after the tour.
The tours, which cost $90 per person, are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you book on a weekday, you get a BOGO.
Time travel tip: From Tucker on a typical mid-morning weekday, it should take less than 30 minutes to get to the Municipal Market.
For more information and to book one of Unexpected Atlanta’s tours, visit unexpectedatlanta.com.
