Time for Thursday
Nov. 14 — MARTA and the City of Atlanta agreed to proceed with the $230 million Five Points station renovation, which has been delayed due to an audit dispute. The plan keeps the Forsyth Street entrance open during construction.
?️ An 80% chance of rain with temperatures hovering around 62° today.
? Florida Gulf Coast University’s Karl Smesko was named head coach of the Atlanta Dream.
? A controversial plan to build a 12-court pickleball facility at the Tucker Recreation Center is on hold.
⚖️ A Georgia Court of Appeals plans to hold a Dec. 5 hearing on the latest developments in the Fulton County 2020 election interference case.
? The Midtown Development Review Committee made recommendations on a 34-story student housing tower proposed next door to The Varsity.
✍️ The Dunwoody City Council renewed its agreement with the vendor who operates Brook Run Park’s Treetop Quest after safety measures were re-evaluated and updated.
? Six Atlanta couples are helping to raise millions of dollars needed to relocate 55 Israeli families who survived the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on their kibbutz near Gaza.
? Sandy Springs Urban Forest Coordinator William “Willie” Park has received the Georgia Tree Council’s 2024 Outstanding Urban Arboriculture Grand Award.
ELSEWHERE
?️ The GOP will maintain control of the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson secured the nomination to retain his position, and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota will succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader.
⚖️ President-elect Donald Trump named Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as his attorney general pick, prompting Gaetz’s immediate resignation from Congress and ending a House ethics investigation.
✈️ Spirit Airlines’ stock plunged 59% after the budget carrier announced a potential bankruptcy after merger talks with Frontier collapsed.
? Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• GSU’s ‘College Town Downtown’
• SweetWater 420 Fest
• Atlanta startup scene
AND
• Quick Bites
Have a good day,
Collin & Sammie
? As the holiday season approaches, Lake Oconee transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with festive traditions, cozy experiences, and unforgettable moments. Find your reason to linger longer this holiday season at Lake Oconee. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Georgia State University to create ‘College Town Downtown’ with $80 million gift
? Georgia State University has announced a major Downtown Atlanta campus transformation plan thanks to an $80 million gift from the Woodruff Foundation.
GSU President M. Brian Blake said the institution was challenged to remake the campus as a beacon for further Downtown revitalization ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The “unprecedented” $80 million gift from the Woodruff Foundation is the largest in GSU’s history – and the largest the foundation has given to any institution in the University System of Georgia.
? Learn more about the donation here.
Unwrap Something Magical at the Holiday Art Fair
SPONSORED BY SPRUILL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
?️ Nov. 15 to Dec. 23 — Mark your calendar and prepare your gift list!
Spruill Gallery is now Dunwoody’s holiday gifting headquarters, featuring over 90 Georgia artisans showcasing their unique, beautifully crafted works at this year’s Holiday Art Fair.
? Discover meaningful, one-of-a-kind pieces perfect for loved ones (or yourself!). Plus, embrace the season’s festive spirit with weekly events like wine and cheese night, family story time, and a cocoa cookoff.
➡ The Holiday Art Fair runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 23, so don’t miss out on the joy of shopping local and finding that special something.
2. SweetWater 420 Fest tickets on sale, music lineup revealed
? Tickets are now on sale for SweetWater Brewing Company’s 20th annual SweetWater 420 Fest, which returns to Pullman Yards, April 18-20, 2025.
Headlining the festival are The Revivalists, Marcus King, and Greensky Bluegrass, alongside Drive-By Truckers and Cypress Hill. Other festival highlights will include interactive art installations, a craft beer village, and a family-only zone.
The festival returns after controversy erupted with this year’s concerts. Just two weeks before the event, organizers announced that headliners Beck and Slightly Stoopid had been dropped in favor of a more “intimate festival” with local acts.
3. Atlanta’s best new startup of 2024 is bringing AI-driven personalization to healthcare
? A rising star in the Atlanta startup scene is leveraging AI to transform healthcare.
That probably isn’t too surprising for those following technology trends in 2024. As healthcare systems look to streamline operations and improve patient outcomes, AI is increasingly stepping in to help tackle complex challenges — whether it’s predicting patient needs or improving diagnostic accuracy. And in the case of Atlanta-based GenAI Healthcare, it is helping bring personalized health insights to more people.
The startup’s AI-powered health management platform, called NexCura, is designed to give proactive care recommendations that can help “optimize wellness and prevent health issues,” the team told Hypepotamus. That can help with the management of chronic conditions or aid in proactive care to help users prevent health risks in advance.
➡ Read the whole story from Hypepotamus here.
? Step into The Winter Forest at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee where guests can skate on a 5,000-square-foot ice rink and enjoy the Ice Lounge, “Ice” Bar, and Snow Globe Photo Booth. Find your reason to linger longer this holiday season at Lake Oconee. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER| SUBSCRIBE HERE
?Willie Jewell’s Old School BAR-B-Q in Marietta (pictured) will shutter for good this Sun., Nov. 17, according to an Instagram post. They invite patrons to come by this week to enjoy their favorite dishes and share stories before the closing.
? This week is the launch of Forever I Love Atlanta Night (F.I.L.A.) at Midtown Bowl. Starting every Tuesday at 5 p.m., enjoy $1 wings from Ethiopian pop-up Ruki’s Kitchen and drink specials. Check out Instagram for more details.
? Burger chain Shake Shack, known for its made-to-order burgers and fries, will open in the former Wahlburgers space at Battery Atlanta in 2025, according to the AJC. It will be only the second U.S. storefront with a bar. The restaurant has more than 500 locations worldwide, including seven in Georgia.
? Latin Restaurant Weeks (LRW) celebrates its third year in Atlanta starting Friday. Intended to drive awareness to local Latinx chefs, restaurant owners, caterers, coffee shops, bakeries, and culinary pop-ups, the event will run through Nov. 30. You can find out the full schedule and more details on their Instagram here.
? Get ready for the inaugural Blandtown Block Party this Saturday at NOVEL West Midtown Apartments. Starting at 1 p.m., you can expect food trucks, local vendors, a pop-up matcha bar, and more. For more details visit their Eventbrite page here.
? Lingering Shade Social Club is hosting a cocktail masterclass on Sun., Nov. 17, from 5-7 p.m. Attendees will craft a cranberry French 75 with Botanist Gin, a Penicillin, and a New York Sour (with optional egg whites). Read here for more details.
? The musical film “Wicked” is on its way to theaters; here are a few fun ways to toast to its arrival. Take your pick from a lineup of pink and green cocktails at the Distillery of Modern Art (the Jardin du Luxembourg), Hawkers (the Dragon Fruit Freeze – a combination of tequila, dragon fruit, lime, and lemon – served slushie style), Muchacho (the Stone Fox or the Mary Jane), or Superica (the Texas Star 2.0 – a blend of Gran Centenario Reposado, St. Germain, hibiscus port syrup, ruby red grapefruit, and lime).
? Flight Club Atlanta is also getting in on the “Wicked” action with The Ladybird – Plantation Rum, hibiscus, lime, watermelon, and egg white – The Snapdragon, a blend of Ketel One vodka, grapefruit-rose, guava, lychee, lime, and dragon fruit – or the Oaxacan Seaglass, a combination of green chili house-infused Banhez mezcal, lychee, lime, and ginger.
? Not up for Thanksgiving meal prep? Consider some of these to-go or dine-in options to celebrate your holiday:
- TWO Urban Licks in Poncey-Highland has a Thanksgiving Feast Bundle including a brined and roasted half turkey with sides and dessert. Orders can be placed until Wed., Nov. 20 at noon.
- Alpharetta’s Cabernet also has a Thanksgiving meal, including options for turkey, prime rib, or ham. Orders must be placed here by Fri., Nov. 22.
- Want to get out instead? SsamJang Korean BBQ will be open 11 a.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving. Be sure to check out their 50% off drink specials and all-you-can-eat lunch options.
- Fayetteville’s ENZO Steakhouse & Bar will also have Thanksgiving hours from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and feature a holiday menu.
? For our full roundup of dine-in and order-ahead options for Thanksgiving, check out the link here.
? Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
