Falling into Monday
Sept. 23 — The Dream and the Falcons lost yesterday (T-Swift was not there). The Braves still trail by two games for the final Wild Card spot. They’ll host the Mets in a pivotal three-game set starting tomorrow.
☀️ Despite yesterday’s fall equinox, summer persists with sunny skies and a high of 92° today.
ELECTION 2024
? Georgia’s State Election Board voted Friday to approve a new rule requiring poll workers to hand-count paper ballots, a change that critics worry could delay election night results.
? Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris was in Atlanta on Friday for a campaign rally centered on abortion rights.
? Republican nominee former President Donald Trump will be in Savannah tomorrow to discuss tax policy.
➡ Four top staffers resigned from Mark Robinson’s North Carolina gubernatorial campaign following a porn website scandal.
LOCAL NEWS
? Students from Midtown High School and other local schools walked out of class on Friday to protest gun violence in the wake of the Apalachee High shooting. The Barrow County school resumes classes tomorrow.
⚖️ The mother of the teenager charged in the Apalachee High School shooting has been indicted in a domestic violence case involving her mother in 2023.
?️ The Fulton County Board of Education will hold community meetings over the proposed closure of Sandy Springs’ Spalding Drive Elementary on Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and Dec. 9.
? The public is invited to offer ideas on ways to honor former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin at a meeting on Tues., Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
ELSEWHERE
➡ A mass shooting in a popular Birmingham, AL entertainment area killed four people and wounded 18 others on Saturday night. Officials say multiple shooters are being sought.
?? House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a deal to keep the federal government funded until Dec. 20, avoiding an election-season shutdown.
? Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Apartments @ Underground
• Natalie Bianca opens in Cascade Heights
• Global Headlines
AND
• Look & Listen
Have a great week,
Collin & Sammie
? From the producers of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, join Whiskies of the World featuring 150+ whiskeys and other spirits on Sat., Oct. 12 at the InterContinental Buckhead. Explore endless bourbons, scotches, tequilas, and rums for the ultimate tasting event experience. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. 30-story apartment tower planned for Underground Atlanta
?️ Underground Atlanta owner Lalani Ventures has partnered with Exact Capital to build a 30-story apartment tower at the Downtown landmark.
The tower will be the site’s first new development in decades, fulfilling Lalani’s goal to create a mixed-use and mixed-income community at the historic site.
The tower will include 405 units, with 163 earmarked as affordable to households at or below 60% of the Area Median Income. All units will be in one tower and share the same amenities. The developers plan to break ground before the end of 2025.
? For more on this story, click here.
Honoring Veterans in Sandy Springs
SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS
?️ The City of Sandy Springs is proudly expanding Veterans Park to pay tribute to the men and women who served our country. Be part of this important initiative as we add iconic sculptures and war memorials to honor their sacrifice and valor.
You can also recognize and pay tribute to your loved ones with personalized pavers and benches.
? Learn more about how to contribute to this meaningful project and honor our veterans.
2. Natalie Bianca brings a mashup of Southern and Mexican dishes to Cascade Heights
?? A new restaurant just opened in the Cascade Heights neighborhood.
Natalie Bianca takes over the space once home to Chef Deborah VanTrece’s restaurants Serenidad and La Panarda, and serves a mashup of Southern and Mexican dishes.
Like his Inman Park restaurant, Kitty Dare, owner Jamshad “Jaamy” Zarnegar wanted to honor a late friend by naming the Southwest Atlanta restaurant after her. A portrait of Natalie Bianca is given pride of place in the dining room.
? To learn more about the new restaurant, click here.
MORE RESTAURANT NEWS
? “Affordable neighborhood steakhouse” Steak & Grace will open later this year in the former First Watch space at Dunwoody Village.
3. Flashpoint: Lebanon; Marxist wins Sri Lankan election
???? The Israeli military warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate villages where weapons are stored, as the IDF announced plans for more intense bombardment of Hezbollah strongholds. Schools in northern Israel are closed today after Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli towns over the weekend.
?? Iran’s Revolutionary Guard ordered members to stop using communication devices after recent deadly attacks on Hezbollah equipment in Lebanon.
?? The 79th UN General Assembly convenes in New York this week, focusing on peace and sustainable development.
?? Left-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s presidential election.
?? Ecuador announced nine-hour power cuts on Sunday due to severe drought affecting hydroelectric plants.
?? The International Chess Federation maintained its ban on Russian and Belarusian teams in global competitions.
?? The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance after chemotherapy, attending a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral with Prince William and other royals.
?? Munich’s 189th Oktoberfest kicked off Saturday. The 16-day festival will draw six million visitors, even with beer prices up 3.87% from last year.
?️ On Wed., Sept. 25, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta welcomes Helene Gayle, M.D. MPH, for a fireside chat breakfast about international influence as a model of single-sex higher education for women of African descent. Sponsored by Bank of America. Register today!
? Don’t miss the final days of the 3rd Annual Art Pop-Up + Shop in Town Brookhaven Sept. 26-29. This year’s event features 40 artists covering multiple mediums and is designed for the seasoned collector as well as the first-time buyer. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Remembering the 1906 Race Massacre
Atlanta is observing the anniversary of the 1906 Race Massacre this week with a series of events and remembrances. Stoked by a racist governor, sensationalized headlines, and Jim Crow-era laws, at least 25 Black men, women, and children were murdered and hundreds more injured.
?️ WABE’s Uncovering the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre has a video, a walking tour, and more resources about the event.
? The National Center for Civil and Human Rights’ Racial Terror: The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre looks at how what was originally – and inaccurately – called a “riot” was intentionally renamed to reflect the true nature of the event.
?️ The Atlanta Archive podcast talks with local journalist Ann Hill Bond about the name change, the lasting impact on communities, and the role of the Black press.
?️ Support local journalism while shopping online. Use this link to get a great deal on new Apple AirPods, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Rough Draft. SHOPPING VIA ROUGH DRAFT
