Rough Draft Atlanta

Atlanta Beltline, Inc. will host its third quarterly briefing of 2024, featuring a moderated conversation on Atlanta’s culture, community, and economic empowerment. The event will bring together a panel of business professionals as well as Grammy-nominated artist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author, Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins. Attendees will have access to resources on funding, programming, and external partners to support their entrepreneurial journey. ...

Atlanta Beltline to host quarterly briefing, entrepreneurship panel Atlanta Beltline will host its third quarterly briefing featuring a moderated conversation on culture, community, and economic empowerment.

Fernbank Museum will host its annual fundraising gala, "A Timeless Affair," on Saturday, Oct. 5. This evening will highlight Fernbank’s new exhibit, "Armored Animals," and raise funds to support Fernbank in presenting world-class exhibitions, enriching family activitie,s and immersive nature programs. “The annual gala plays an important role at Fernbank each year as it helps fund programming for the museum, allowing Fernbank to spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of human history and the planet's rich biodiversity,” said Jennifer Grant Warner, President and CEO of Fernbank....

Fernbank Museum's 2024 fundraiser will be 'A Timeless Affair' Fernbank Museum will host its annual fundraising gala, "A Timeless Affair," on Saturday, Oct. 5 with the opening of "Armored Animals."

Music lovers, mark your calendars for the Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival on October 11-12, 2024. This free, two-day festival promises a weekend of exceptional music and captivating performances right in the heart of downtown Alpharetta. With an exciting lineup of artists and headliners like Sixpence None the Richer and Neal Francis, it’s an event you won’t want to miss....

Experience the Magic of Music at the Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival Mark your calendars for the Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival Oct. 11-12. Enjoy free music, performances, and a Music Market.

Joanne Wright has been driving children and their parents before them to school for 40 years. (Provided by FCS) Joanne Wright has been driving school buses for 40 years, first in New York and now for Fulton County Schools. In New York, she was “Jamal’s mom” since her son was a regular passenger on her bus from when he was in first grade until high school....

Fulton bus driver reflects on 40 years behind the wheel Joanne Wright, a bus driver for Fulton County Schools, reflects on her 40-year career and the challenges and joys of the job.

This September, Birds Georgia will celebrate the Fall Flyway Festival with a host of in-person and virtual events to celebrate native plants and the key role they play for birds and other wildlife. The month-long celebration will include a variety of workshops and events designed to help Georgians learn more about gardening for birds and other wildlife using native plants....

Autumn Flyway Festival celebrates birds and native plants Birds Georgia will celebrate the Fall Flyway Festival with a host of in-person and virtual events to celebrate native plants.

It’s time to test your knowledge with this week’s Atlanta News Quiz! Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or X . This week's quiz is sponsored by the Dunwoody Nature Center. The Butterflies are Returning to Dunwoody Get an up-close look at the magic of the most beautiful pollinators — butterflies!...

The Atlanta News Quiz for August 31 Discover the magic of butterflies at the Dunwoody Nature Center. Take our Atlanta News Quiz and test your knowledge!

Contract jail workers were told by their employer to walk off the jobs at the Fulton County Jail and not return as the company was owed more than $1 million in invoices. (Provided by Fulton County) The Fulton County Sheriff's Office lost the services of a private contractor that supplied security officers for the jail due to nonpayment of more than $1 million....

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The recent partnership between the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Georgia Power has been a major win for engaging with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across Georgia.

Power Play: How Georgia Power's HBCU initiative is energizing careers Georgia Power and SIAC's partnership brings job opportunities and internships to HBCUs, fostering growth and diversity in the workforce.

Slater Hospitality, the team behind The Roof at Ponce City Market, will open Verse Immersive, an all-new Augmented Reality (AR) experience, on The Roof beginning Saturday, Aug. 31.

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A rendering of the Teachers Village tower in Downtown Atlanta. (Courtesy Invest Atlanta) A 34-story tower in Downtown Atlanta that will offer rent-capped and subsidized housing to teachers and seniors got approval from the Development Authority of Fulton County to issue up to $370 million in federally tax-exempt bonds. According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, New Jersey-based RBH Group will build the tower at 98 Cone St, replacing a parking lot and deck near Centennial Olympicc Park....

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A proposed subdivision at Heritage Golf Links has been delayed, a public-private partnership between SCANA Energy and Title 1 schools in Georgia has resulted in significant improvements in students' test scores, grades, and overall esteem, and a new restaurant is coming to Tucker....

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Pom Court opens in Midtown, Big Softie opens in Poncey-Highland, and Nando's Peri-Peri opens in Dunwoody. Plus, Rreal Tacos is opening locations in Decatur and Lawrenceville, Golestan Persian restaurant is opening in Peachtree Corners, and more...

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Susana Chavez When I moved to Atlanta, I wanted to be close to my office, Sevananda, my favorite natural foods co-op, and my children’s school. On weekends, my favorite activity was leaving my car at home and walking to my destinations. This may sound ironic for someone in the parking business, but I've always believed that Atlanta is more vibrant when cars are just one of many transportation options....

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There's now a long-form music video for Andre 3000's flute album.

André 3000 - Listening To The Sun (an intimate album film for New Blue Sun 11/17/2023) André 3000 - Listening To The Sun (an intimate album film for New Blue Sun 11/17/2023)"New Blue Sun" available at: https://andre3000.lnk.to/NewBlueSunFollow ...

The city of Brookhaven is banning non-electric vehicles (EV) from idling or parking in designated EV parking spaces. At the Aug. 27 city council meeting, city staff recommended that this type of prohibited parking be specified in the code so that the Brookhaven Police Department can enforce compliance. "The city has found that there are instances in which non-electric vehicles are taking up these designated spaces in violation of their intended use as part of the Sustainable Brookhaven program," a memo states....

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A road trip in an electric car is a unique experience, with charging anxiety, long charging times, and a smartphone being essential for EV drivers, but despite these challenges, electric cars are becoming increasingly popular and can be a great option for daily commutes....

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Vice President Kamala Harris at a Savannah rally. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Vice President Kamala Harris got a warm welcome in Savannah Thursday when she stumped for votes in the coastal city not usually visited by Democratic presidential candidates. “Georgia, for the past two election cycles, voters in this very state, you, Georgia, have delivered.” she said. “You sent two extraordinary senators to Washington....

Vice President Harris campaigns in Savannah as recent poll shows tight Georgia race with Trump Vice President Kamala Harris got a warm welcome in Savannah Thursday when she stumped for votes in the coastal city.

The SCAD AnimationFest is hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and will run in Atlanta from Sept. 26-28 (photo courtesy of SCAD). This year’s SCAD AnimationFest will feature a keynote speech from Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Cartoon Network’s “Dexter’s Laboratory” and director of the first three “Hotel Transylvania” films. The SCAD AnimationFest is hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and will run in Atlanta from Sept....

SCAD AnimationFest to honor ‘Dexter’s Laboratory’ creator Genndy Tartakovsky This year’s SCAD AnimationFest will feature a keynote speech from Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of Cartoon Network’s “Dexter’s Laboratory."

Commissioners Bridget Thorne, Vice Chair Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Bob Ellis, and Natalie Hall, shown at a meeting earlier this year, participated in much debate over the county's millage rate before the property tax rate was set on Aug. 21. (Provided by Fulton County) The millage rate adopted by the Fulton County Commission on Aug. 21 will raise property taxes by 3.74 percent, according to figures released by the county....

Fulton County increased property taxes by 3.74 percent Fulton County Commission adopts 3.74% property tax increase, raising taxes for a $500,000 home by approximately $54.40.

Friday fun Aug. 30 — It's another epic Labor Day weekend in ATL with Dragon Con, Global Black Pride, two major college football games, a professional golf tournament, and the Atlanta Hip-Hop Day Festival all taking place in the city. Surely we forgot something, so keep us honest. 🌞 Another hot and sunny day with a high of 93°....

🎉 Labor Day weekend Explore the vibrant Atlanta scene with Dragon Con, Global Black Pride, college football games, and more. Enjoy the holiday weekend!

The Shepherd Center in Buckhead has unveiled its new 16-story residential tower on Peachtree Road, which doubles its housing capacity.

Shepherd Center unveils new 16-story tower to expand housing capacity The Shepherd Center unveiled its new 16-story residential tower on Peachtree Road that more than doubles its housing capacity.

A student at Dunwoody High School has started a fundraiser to make the overdose reversal drug Narcan available in each classroom.

Dunwoody High student launches fundraiser to provide life-saving Narcan to classrooms

Read Sammie Purcell's review of "Incoming," a teen party movie that lacks the originality of its predecessors like “Can’t Hardly Wait,” “Superbad,” “Project X,” and “Booksmart.”

Film Review: 'Incoming' fails to deliver on the high school party movie formula "Incoming," a new teen movie from Netflix, leaves you with two main questions: why should I care, and why is this funny?

2031!

Atlanta has been selected to host the 2031 NCAA Division I Men’s Final Four at Mercedes-Benz Stadium!!!

"Time and again, Atlanta has proved itself as the best city in America to host global sporting events. We thank the NCAA for selecting us to host this incredible event. The eyes of the sporting world will be on Atlanta, and we know that we will be up to the task once again as a champion is crowned and One Shining Moment is played in 2031.”
— Mayor Andre Dickens



Graphic by: Antonia Hull, City of Atlanta, Office of the Mayor

Macy's at Northlake Mall (Via Google Maps) Macy’s recently announced “Bold New Chapter” apparently doesn’t include its Northlake Mall location, which will close its doors next year. The announcement, first reported in Tomorrow’s News Today, said the store would likely cease operations by early 2025. Other Atlanta-area Macy’s traditional mall locations – including Lenox Square in Buckhead, North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw, the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and The Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia – appear to be safe from the chopping block....

Northlake Mall Macy's store to close by 2025 Macy’s recently announced “Bold New Chapter” apparently doesn’t include its Northlake Mall location, which will close its doors next year.

Drawings submitted by developer Parkland Communities envision proposed single-family homes at Heritage Links Golf course (Supplied by Gwinnett County Commission). The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners without comment deferred a rezoning public hearing that would allow for a subdivision containing 229 for-sale homes on a Tucker-area tract of land that currently serves as a nine-hole golf course. Commissioner Ben Ku announced at the beginning of the Aug....

Gwinnett Commission defers Heritage Golf Links redevelopment plan The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners deferred a public hearing on a subdivision rezoning for 229 homes.

Books & Brews, a new establishment in Tucker, offers a unique combination of books and spirits, with over 1300 titles available, 8 beers on tap, 10 wine choices, and a limited food menu, with plans to expand its menu and offer the establishment for book club meetings....

Books & Brews in Tucker offers a unique blend of literature and libations Books & Brews, a new addition to Tucker's restaurant scene, offers a unique blend of books, beer, and wine. Learn more about the menu and books for sale.