Buckhead Reporter - September 2025

The Ultimate Fall Getaway Guide to Lake Oconee: Leaf peeping, cozy retreats, and local eats

Fall is one of the most magical times to visit Lake Oconee. As the leaves shift from green to fiery hues of red, gold, and orange, Georgia’s serene lake country becomes the perfect escape for leaf lovers, cozy travelers, and outdoor adventurers alike. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a family outing, or a solo recharge, this ultimate fall guide will help you make the most of the season at Lake Oconee.

Where to See Fall Foliage

Fall foliage at Lake Oconee is nothing short of spectacular, typically peaking between late October and early November. Here are some of the best spots to soak in the autumn colors:

• Rock Hawk Effigy and Trails– Explore more than 30 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails surrounded by golden hardwoods and lake views.

• Old Salem Park – Take a walk or pack a picnic by the water while enjoying panoramic views of trees in their fall glory.

connection to nature, pitch a tent or park your RV at Old Salem Campground or KOA Lake Oconee. Wake up to crisp fall air, lakeside views, and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot.

• Sunset Pontoon Rides – There’s no better way to see the colors reflected on the water than by boat. Many marinas offer rentals or guided cruises.

Where to Stay

Fall is a season made for cozy getaways, and Lake Oconee has something for every style and budget:

• The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee – Luxurious lakeside lodging with spa services, firepits, s’mores, and breathtaking views of fall foliage.

• Charming Cabins & Lake Houses –Book a weekend stay in a rustic-chic cabin or a waterfront home rental perfect for sipping cider on the porch.

• Camping & RV Parks – For a closer

Fall Events You Can’t Miss

Lake Oconee comes alive in the fall with community festivals, outdoor markets, and live music. Don’t miss these seasonal favorites:

• Rhythm & Brews Festival – On October 24th, one of the area’s most anticipated events, Rhythm & Brews combines live music, craft beer, and local food vendors for a high-energy fall celebration under the stars. Located at the Sandy Creek Barn and featuring the legendary Blues Traveler.

• Fall Events at Bruzze Brewing – From seasonal beer releases to Oktoberfest celebrations and live music nights, Bruzze Brewing is a must-visit spot for fall fun with a local twist.

Local Eats That Scream Fall

There’s no better way to experience fall than through warm, comforting bites and local flavor. Whether you’re fueling up for a day on the water or winding down after a lakeside sunset, Lake Oconee has delicious options for every part of your day:

• Breakfast at Café 44 – Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at this local favorite, known for fluffy pancakes, Southern-style biscuits, and yummy baked goods.

• BBQ from Holcomb’s – No trip to Lake Oconee is complete without a stop at Holcomb’s. Their smoky pulled pork and tangy sauce are fall comfort food at its finest.

• Lunch at Gaby’s by the Lake – Enjoy fresh, casual fare with unbeatable lakefront views at Gaby’s by the Lake at The Ritz-Carlton—ideal for a relaxing midday meal.

• Dinner at Table at the Lake – Cap off your day with a refined yet welcoming

dinner experience. With a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and upscale Southern dishes, Table at the Lake is the perfect spot for an elevated fall evening.

Outdoor Fall Adventures

Cooler temps and vibrant scenery make fall the perfect season to enjoy the great outdoors at Lake Oconee. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or a bit of a thrill, there’s something for every type of explorer:

• Golfing with a View – Tee off at one of Lake Oconee’s premier courses, where golden trees line the fairways and provide a stunning backdrop for every round.

• Fishing Season– Fall is prime time for largemouth bass and crappie. Whether from a boat or the shore, the lake is known for some of the best fishing in Georgia.

• Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds –Experience outdoor recreation at its finest with clay shooting, archery, fishing ponds, and off-road adventures. Open to guests of The Ritz-Carlton and Reynolds Lake Oconee, this is a must for anyone looking to try something new in the great outdoors.

Whether you’re looking to unwind, reconnect, or explore, Lake Oconee is Georgia’s hidden gem for fall getaways. From scenic sights and cozy stays to local flavors and lakeside adventures, fall at the lake is as unforgettable as it is beautiful.

Find your reason to linger longer this fall

EDITOR'S NOTE

A learning opportunity

EDITOR'S

NOTE

Welcome to Reporter Newspapers’ September edition, where we spotlight education in a big way.

This 56-page issue is jampacked with stories covering education topics from all over metro Atlanta – from how electric school buses can not only provide a healthier ride for children, but can also help boost their grades – to stories about corporate donations that provide out-of-the-box learning opportunities for underserved communities.

Technology takes the stage in two stories - one about how AI is being incorporated into Fulton County school learning and the other detailing DeKalb County’s ban on cell phone use across the school system.

This education section also has some great learning opportunities for adults. Beth McKibben has compiled a list of

culinary classes throughout Atlanta where you can sharpen (pun intended) your skills. And check out Sammie Purcell’s story about acting, writing, and filmmaking classes all over the city.

In addition, we have partnered with the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta for a special section starting on page 26 that highlights how the organization supports member companies to deliver social impact and civic engagement activities.

We also preview two important book festivals coming to the Atlanta area. The Decatur Book Festival will hold its 20th festival in early October (details on page 37) and the Book Festival of the MJCCA that will open with best-selling author John Grisham on Oct. 22 (page 23) and continue through Nov. 16.

We have a roundup of all the candidates who have qualified for various elections around Fulton and DeKalb County, as well as news about our ongoing sagas throughout our coverage area – including a story with ideas about how to use those ill-fated Brookhaven

dome tiles and more controversy about the rebuilding of the Fulton County jail.

As usual, we spotlight each of the communities in our coverage areaBrookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Tucker with latebreaking news and ICYMI updates.

Thank you for reading, as always and supporting the advertisers who allow us to continue bringing print journalism to your mailboxes and places of business.

For more information and to check

If you did not receive a bill or are unable to access it online, please call 404-298-4000 or email proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov for assistance.

Friday, Oct. 3: Evening Events

Kidnote 6 PM | Keynote 7 PM

Saturday, Oct. 4: Festival Day

10 AM - 6 PM

Brookhaven Arts Commission explores options to repurpose dome tiles

By Logan C. Ritchie

The Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission has been tasked with generating ideas for repurposing the “brighter-than-expected” tiles meant for its dome.

On June 23, the city released a statement that the blue, green, red, and yellow glass tiles would be removed after installation prior to the highly-anticipated opening of the $81 million city centre.

“The mosaic glass planned for the dome was intended to reflect muted tones of the city’s signature colors – blues, greens, and complementary hues-consistent with the

design vision supported by the community, mayor, and council. However, the glass recently installed appears significantly brighter than expected,” the statement said.

The city said that the dome was always intended to be adaptable, and would remain open-air until further notice.

At an Aug. 13 meeting, members of the Arts and Culture Commission started a conversation about the tiles, which will be relayed to city council members and city management, said City Planner Samantha Trust.

“It has been generally discussed that the Arts and Culture Commission may have valuable input to repurpose the

glass tiles in the event a return or refund was unsuccessful,” Communications Director Burke Brennan said.

The city does not have a definite answer about whether a refund is possible for the $986,000 expense.

The tiles are currently being stored in the back parking lot at the city centre.

“Depending upon the Arts and Culture Commission’s recommendation and associated cost, the council may need to approve the additional expense,” Brennan added.

installation at a city-owned building.

Trust said the Arts and Culture Commission’s ideas included a community art project with Brookhaven Police Department, schools, or similar groups; holding a contest for ideas on what can be made with the tiles; working with artists from the Dashboard Exhibit at the 2024 International Festival; and creating an art

“We haven’t made any decisions, and we need more information on the tiles themselves before making decisions,” Trust said.

Rough Draft requested audio and video from the Arts and Culture Commission meeting, but the city said they were unable to retrieve a recording from their new software vendor.

Owens and Funny qualify for Brookhaven City Council

By Logan C. Ritchie

Brookhaven City Council members Jennifer Owens and John Funny have qualified to run for reelection in the Nov. 4 municipal election.

When the qualifying period ended Aug. 22 at 4:30 p.m., neither council member had an opponent.

District 2 council member Owens told Rough Draft that she’s been energized by accomplishments made by the city council over the past two years in office.

“From sidewalk projects to making our community safer, fostering a more communicative and responsive government, to leading the charge to update our ethics code for the first time in 10 years,” Owens said. “There’s so much more for us to accomplish together. I’m eager to continue to serve our amazing Brookhaven community.”

Owens was appointed to the council in early 2023 when Mayor John Park stepped down to run for mayor. Owens was elected in a special election in November 2023.

Funny said on social media that serving Brookhaven has been “one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we’ve worked to strengthen our neighborhoods, invest in our infrastructure, and build a more vibrant and connected Brookhaven.”

Prior to taking office on the Brookhaven City Council in January 2022, Funny served on the city’s planning commission from 2013 to 2021 and as the chair of the Social Justice, Race, and Equity Commission from 2020 to 2022. He was appointed mayor pro tem in 2024.

The qualifying fee for each council seat is $936, which totals 3 percent of the total gross salary of the preceding year, according to the Georgia election code.

Daycare plan withdrawn amid noise, traffic concerns

By Logan C. Ritchie

An application to build out a national daycare franchise on Apple Valley Road was withdrawn at the Brookhaven City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26 after neighbors spoke out about variances they said would remove trees, increase noise, and invite traffic to the dead-end street.

A total of eight variances were requested by Harsh Goyal, the owner of Kiddie Academy in Midtown, to allow exceptions for land development in the overlay district. City staff recommended approval of seven of the eight variances.

Mark Robinson of All Day Retail said he had been working with Launch Properties to develop the property at 2614 Apple Valley Rd. for a year.

“[I] feel like we’ve worked cohesively with everyone in the comments, [and we] are kind of feeling like we’ve met everything we need to meet,” Robinson said.

Isabel Moultrie, a 10-year resident of the street, spoke on behalf of the Apple Valley Homeowners group. She said neighbors had been meeting with the developer, city staff, and Council Member Jennifer Owens for months “to point out the complexities of this interior street that

are not visible are immediately apparent, unless you live here.”

Moultrie said the developer reached out to the neighborhood group to hear concerns, and were “very forthcoming and transparent.” However, she claimed the proximity of the daycare building, light spillage, tree removal, and noise levels from two proposed playgrounds would negatively impact neighbors.

Brie Murray, a 12-year Apple Valley Road resident, said the trees buffer noise from the train and construction.

“I don’t think I need to lecture you all on the environmental benefits [of retaining trees in the area],” Murray said.

Owens acknowledged that access to quality childcare “is a huge need in our state” and commended Kiddie Academy but ultimately could not vote in favor of the development.

The Peachtree overlay district was the culmination of public hearings and community input. Council Member John Funny said adding several variances to the property detracts from the special character area and overlay.

“I commend you for offering childcare to this community, but when you look at a lot like this ... it’s a tough fit,” Funny said.

Georgetown Recreation Club closing permanently

By Cathy Cobbs

Members of the Georgetown Recreation Club, like many people in the metro Atlanta region, gathered over the Labor Day weekend to celebrate the end of the summer season.

However, there will be no more “next year” for Georgetown, which is closing permanently in early September – because of a utility pole relocation for an yet-to-be funded project and a surprise sale of a key piece of land on the property.

The pool, located at the end of Old Spring House Lane abutting I-285, has about 130 households on its membership

roster. During the years-long expansion of the interstate, those numbers went down, hampered by the noise and dust generated by construction. Last year, a soundproof barrier was erected, which helped stabilize membership.

However, GRC was informed via email on May 13 by the Cowart family, which owns the property, that land along the edge of the site was sold to Georgia Power for an easement in anticipation of the I-285 Top End Express Lane Project.

“The proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes project would add two new, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of a portion of I-285 and SR

400,” it said. “Some sections would be at-grade and others will be elevated. The proposed project spans three counties, Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb, and crosses several cities including Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Tucker.”

The project, now in the concept stage, may be funded with a public-private partnership, according to its website.

The website said it “anticipated that a private-sector partner will be selected for the final design, construction, financing, operations, and to maintain the express lanes in exchange for future toll revenue.”

A part of work in advance of the construction in the Georgetown area involves the relocation of a utility pole at the far right corner of the lot from its current location to another about 15 feet away. The movement of the pole to the designated area would land it too close to the pool’s pump room, according to Georgia Power and other officials.

“I believe what they will require is the removal of the structure next to the pool,” the email from Ben Cowart said. “It should not affect the tennis courts, but the pool equipment will have to be relocated. They [Georgia Power] will be responsible for the demolition, but you will be responsible for the rebuild.”

In the May email, Cowart said Georgia Power contacted the family “a few years ago about moving their power lines.”

“We didn’t do anything about it at the time because with all that was going on with 285, we were not sure what would happen,” the email continued. “Anyway, they came back and said if we do not sell them an easement, they will condemn it. Since we did not have the resources to

fight them, we agreed to sell.”

Documents regarding the easement sale obtained by Rough Draft Atlanta indicate that the transfer was signed by David Cowart, Cynthia C. Burch, and Benjamin Cowart on April 1. It was filed on April 23 by the Clerk of Superior Court of DeKalb County.

Longtime pool and board member Justin Dike said the board jumped into action to see if anything could be done to save GRC. It met with the Cowart family, Georgia Power and the GDOT to ask for a compromise solution, a delay in the demolition schedule, or a variance on the distance between the pole and the pump room.

“We asked Georgia Power and they said that the pole had been ordered and there was no way the project could be stopped,” Dike said. “It’s scheduled to be installed in October.”

All other attempts at a solution that would allow the club to remain viable proved futile. With a minimum estimated cost to rebuild the pump room building at $150,000 to $200,000, it is too large of a burden for the club or the membership to shoulder, Dike said.

“At the end of the day, we spent a lot of time and effort to work on estimates, but we are on a short timeline,” said Steve Ellet, a former board member. “If we had gotten involved earlier, we could have possibly avoided [the club closing].”

Ellet said “the rich people in the sky” who will be using the newly constructed express lanes will cause lots of casualties to neighborhoods along its path.

“We just happen to be the first ones,” he said. “Georgia Power and the GDOT have the momentum, and we are just a little swim club.”

The land upon which the club sits, which includes the pool, a clubhouse, and four tennis courts, was part of a 50-year lease between the club and the Cowart family, which ran from 1969 to 2019. In exchange, the pool membership paid for upkeep, property taxes and insurance on the property.

Years before the lease was up, the pool board tried to extend the lease with the Cowarts, “but it just didn’t go anywhere,” Dike said. “It was converted to a monthto-month arrangement.”

An air of resignation pervaded Georgetown’s final party of its existence on Aug. 30, with lots of reminiscing and talk about plans to move their membership to pools outside the neighborhood. Several people, according to attendees, are contemplating leaving the neighborhood altogether because of fears about what will happen to the soonto-be-vacant property.

“I feel like the captain of the Titanic,”

GRC President Bill Hutchinson, who has been a member of the pool for 15 years, told Rough Draft. “I think about all the swim team kids we had here that are now swimming at the collegiate level, of the friendships, the families.”

And I also worry that it’s going to turn into an empty, unmonitored lot where homeless people will camp out. In my opinion, it’s a natural progression of an empty space,” he said.

Several people say that they considered having a tennis-only facility after the pool closes, but it doesn’t seem financially viable without the other amenities. Redevelopment of the site also seems unlikely as it is located in a flood plain, according to the Dunwoody Trailway Master Plan and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map.

Rough Draft has reached out to several members of the Cowart family for comment but did not receive a response at press time.

Here’s who qualified for the city council election

By Cathy Cobbs

In Dunwoody, it seemed that the usual cast of characters would qualify for three city council posts to be chosen on Nov. 4, but at the last minute, long-time resident Wendi Taylor declared for the District 3 seat.

The open posts are Post 1 (District 1), currently held by Catherine Lautenbacher, Post 2 (District 2), currently held by Rob Price, and Post 3 (District 3), currently held by Tom Lambert.

Qualifying began at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, and ended at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

On Wednesday afternoon, only hours before the deadline, Wendi Taylor, wife of former State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-79), filed documents to run for the seat now held by Tom Lambert.

As of the 4:30 p.m. deadline, the three incumbents filed their intention to retain their positions, as well as David Ziskind, who announced his candidacy in June, qualified to run against Price for the District 2 seat.

Taylor has made several public comments at recent city council and planning commission meetings, including sessions concerning a proposal to build 200 age-restricted, low-income apartments on Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Rough Draft has reached out to Taylor seeking comment on her entry into the District 3 race. It doesn’t appear that she has a campaign website.

So far, candidate fundraising has been low. Ziskind has raised in-kind donations of $1,750 and cash donations of $1,682. Price reports $567 of cash in hand, which appears to be left over from his last run. Lambert and Lautenbacher have not filed documents regarding fundraising yet,

according to online finance disclosure records.

If a runoff election is necessary, it would be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

BUCKHEAD

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Fulton County approves $1.2 billion plan for new jail facility and renovations

By Bob Pepalis

The Fulton County Commission approved a $1.2 billion plan during its Aug. 20 meeting to build a special purpose building for mental and medical health services for inmates, along with complete renovations at the Rice Street main jail.

The special purpose building would have 1,818 beds and would be completed before renovations to the main jail. That would enable the county to house inmates displaced during

renovations to the main jail to be housed temporarily in the new building. That would offset how many inmates would need to be sent to jail facilities outside the county.

It would take a projected five years to design and build the special-purpose building, during which no renovations would be made at the Rice Street jail. That didn’t sit well with Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat.

“Yesterday’s vote by four members of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) to spend a

billion dollars to build a special purpose facility is the equivalent to being in a burning building and voting to design a new fire station that will not open for five years,” Labat said in a news release. “The vote is a political game of smoke and mirrors that flies in the face of the federal consent decree.”

Copland, Elgar and Strauss

The sheriff said the failing infrastructure of the Rice Street Jail is a long-standing problem he attributed to demand that was far beyond its designed capacity. In the news release he cited failing pipes that continuously burst and leak, a foundation that floods when it rains, locks that don’t work properly, and an outdated HVAC system he said spans across three federal consent decrees.

Labat said four of the commissioners turned a blind eye to the need for a new jail.

A report by ACR Partners, the county’s consultant on the jail, reported on deficiencies and required repairs on jail facilities during the commission’s Aug. 20 meeting. The Rice Street Jail’s roof, interior finishes, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems were reported in critical condition, with major repair or replacement required. Classified in poor condition and requiring significant repairs or replacement were the exterior enclosure, interior construction, and HVAC.

Roger Lichtman of ACR Partners said the plan would cost an estimated $1.23 billion. The special-purpose facility would cost $536 million, and the Rice Street Jail renovation would cost another

$552 billion. A 10-year maintenance estimate was $96 million. Outsourcing inmates was estimated at $47 million.

The county would use the $10 million being set aside for debt service, an existing $8.6 million from a returned tax allocation district (TAD) increment, and property taxes funds that had been going to TADs once the TAD funding period ends, plus an expected $50 million annually projected in a reduction in pension contributions starting in 2033.

“I think this is the very fiscally responsible approach, that puts us in a position to hopefully hold the millage rate flat, while also not so financially exhausting us that we’re not going to have the ability to do the other things we desire to do, and stuff that we have clearly planned to do, senior facilities on both ends of the county, hospital in South Fulton, etc.,” Fulton Vice Chairman Bob Ellis said.

Commissioner Dana Barrett was not convinced that the plan properly dealt with the population size to allow it to house people by classification, which includes criminal history, legal status such as pre-trial or sentenced, behavior, and mental and physical health.

“Let me just be clear and say that I do think, given the options presented, that the idea of investing in a specialpurpose building first makes a lot of sense. So at the highest level, I agree that this is the best of the four options presented, certainly,” Barrett said.

59 candidates qualify for Atlanta municipal election

By Rough Draft Staff

The City of Atlanta Office of the Municipal Clerk wrapped up qualifying on Aug. 29 for the 2025 City of Atlanta Municipal Elections with 59 candidates.

The following list includes several community leaders and 15 incumbents running for reelection, who are designated with an asterisk (*).

Mayor Andre Dickens*

Helmut Domagalski

Kalema Jackson

Eddie Andrew Meredith

Atlanta City Council

President

Rohit Malhotra

Marci Collier Overstreet

Atlanta City Council

Post 1 At-Large

Michael Julian Bond*

Juan Mendoza

Matthew Rinker

Post 2 At-Large

Matt Westmoreland*

Post 3 At-Large

Eshé Collins*

District 1

Jason Winston*

District 2

Kelsea Bond

William Jacob Chambers

Alex Bevel Jones

Rod Mack

Courtney Smith

James White III

District 3

Byron D. Amos*

Perrin Bostic

District 4

Jason Dozier*

Deborah “Sister” Williams

District 5

Liliana Bakhtiari*

District 6

Alex Wan*

District 7

Jamie Anne Christy

Allen Daly

Thad Flowers

Rebecca King

Thomas Worthy

District 8

Mary Norwood*

District 9

Dustin Hillis*

Charles Bourgeois

District 10

Andrea Boone*

District 11

Andre Burgin

Curt Collier

Stephen Dingle

Harold Maurice Hardnett

Toni Belin-Ingram

Nate Jester

Keith A. Lewis, Jr.

Wayne Martin

Reginald Rushin

Sherry B. Williams

District 12

Delvin D. Davis

Stephanie Flowers

Antonio Lewis*

Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education

District 2

Stephen Owens

Tony Mitchell

Marlissa Crawford

District 4

Jennifer McDonald (Incumbent)

Sanjay Mendonca

District 6

Tolton R. Pace*

Michael Hopkins

Patreece Hutcherson

Jonathan Leon

Tyrese Miller

District 8

Aisha Stith

Kaycee Brock

Royce Mann

VIKTOR&ROLF

Several competitive races set for council, mayor

By Bob Pepalis

Four mayoral and 15 city council candidates qualified for the City of Sandy Springs municipal election scheduled on Nov. 4.

Qualifying began on Aug. 18 at 8:30 a.m. and ended at noon on Friday, Aug. 22. The election will fill the office of mayor and six city council districts.

The following candidates have qualified to run for elected office.

Mayor

Andy Bauman

Dontaye Carter

Rusty Paul (Incumbent)

Jody Reichel

City Council – District 1

Lorri Connor

John N. Paulson (Incumbent)

City Council – District 2

Lauren E. Locke

Melody Kelley (Incumbent)

City Council – District 3

Melissa Mular (Incumbent)

Tara Overzat

City Council – District 4

Frank Roberts

Dave Flynn

Stephen D. Hickey

Michelle Sullivan

SENIOR LIVING, REDEFINED.

Bites & Insights

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th • 11:00AM

Join us for chili, cornbread & dessert as we chat about senior living, community life, and what to expect when making the move. Ask questions, share stories, and get an authentic feel for our vibrant community. To RSVP, please call 470.868.4578.

THE PIEDMONT

City Council – District 5

Kristen Daddow-Rodriguez

Mary Ford

Colin Andrew Hubbard

City Council – District 6

Andrew J. Chinsky

Tesula Stewart

Alex Somer, who had announced a run for mayor before saying he would instead

run for the District 4 council seat, did not qualify for the election.

City Code sets qualifying fees at three percent of the total gross salary of the office paid in the preceding calendar year. The mayor receives $42,000 per year, with the qualifying fee set at $1,260. Council members each receive a salary of $26,000 per year, with the qualifying fee set for $780.

By Bob Pepalis

The Community Assistance Center served 9,633 people in the last 12 months, with 7,987 of them residing in Sandy Springs, Executive Director Francis Horton told the Sandy Springs City Council on Aug. 19.

Horton thanked the council for the financial support it provides to the Community Assistance Center (CAC), which totals $200,000 annually.

Horton said 50 percent of this year’s CAC’s clients had never asked for help before. Horton said more shocking to him was that 77 percent of the requesters work at least one job. Visits to the food pantries have risen 77 percent in the past two years, a trend also seen in requests for financial assistance.

Horton told the city council that the Atlanta Community Food Bank reported that one in nine North Georgia residents are food insecure. He said one in six children are food insecure.

filled with school supplies for the start of the school year, coats in the fall, and holiday gifts.

The Career Center counseled 187 people, with 127 from Sandy Springs. It takes more than money to run the CAC, and 423 volunteers (340 from Sandy Springs) spent 49,000 hours helping other community members.

Horton explained how the CAC

“If they’re food insecure, they’re insecure in other areas as well. They’re housing insecure, they’re childcare insecure, and healthcare insecure. And so that’s an indicator of what their life is like,” Horton said.

The food assistance CAC provided through its food pantries over the past 12 months was worth approximately $1.9 million, with Sandy Springs families benefiting from almost $1.6 million of that total.

The CAC helped out families by preventing 1,023 evictions, including 833 Sandy Springs families. Financial assistance for the past 12 months reached $689,422, with $557,026 used to help Sandy Springs residents.

CAC provides more than food and financial assistance. A total of 681 students received help with education, including 345 from Sandy Springs. The Cares for Kids program helped 4,000 children, with 3,200 residing in Sandy Springs. Cares for Kids provides summer meals, backpacks

mobilizes the community in other ways, getting help from companies, congregations, schools, and other nonprofits. One partner is the Sandy Springs Education Force, which provides a teacher supply closet throughout the year. That impacts thousands of children each year.

The CAC will hold Broadway Lights, its annual benefit gala, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 10 p.m. The gala will be held at the Crowne Plaza Perimeter Atlanta at Ravinia, 4335 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. in Dunwoody. The gala will include a three-course dinner and drinks, with live performances by the City Springs Theatre Conservatory. Auction items will be available for bids. Tickets are available online, $250 per person and $3,000 as a host for a table of 10.

The mission of the CAC is to provide basic needs assistance to neighbors in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, preventing homelessness and hunger, promoting selfsufficiency, and empowering their clients to thrive.

Family Traditions Begin at Cagle’s Farm in Cherokee County

From children at play to grandparents by the fire, experience fall activities where generations make memories together.

Autumn in Cherokee County means crisp air, golden leaves, and the return of one of the season’s most beloved traditions—Cagle’s Farm! From September 26 through November 1, families, friends, and explorers are invited to make memories at this hometown favorite destination.

Step into fall magic as you explore the giant corn maze, take a wagon ride, enjoy a sheepdog herding show, or let the kids dig in the corn box play area. From pony rides and pig races to a farm animal petting area and pumpkins, every corner of the farm is bursting with excitement and color.

On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy live music, adding the perfect soundtrack to your day. Gather around a crackling bonfire as the sun sets, and don’t forget to grab a bite from the farm’s delicious concession stands —because no fall farm adventure is complete without tasty treats.

Come for the maze. Stay for the memories.

Not Just a Haunted House… A Full Fear Experience

A spine-tingling thrill awaits the brave at Paranoia Haunted House. Step inside if you dare, where every hallway, room, and shadow is designed to deliver heartpounding scares and adrenalinefilled encounters.

Visitors can expect expertly crafted sets, terrifying characters, and surprises lurking around every corner. Paranoia Haunted House promises a truly immersive experience that will have you checking over your shoulder long after you leave...

Fall Foliage is Vibrant at Gibbs Gardens

Ball Ground Burger Bus

Step inside the Ball Ground Burger Bus for a one-of-a-kind dining experience, where creative burgers with unique names are served aboard a classic vintage bus full of charm.

Savor the heart of Southern hospitality at Queenie’s in Canton, GA, where comfort food meets a modern twist in the warmest gathering spot in the coolest small town.

Rootstock and Rooftop bar

Elevate your evening at Rootstock in Woodstock, GA, where fine dining, curated wines, and a stunning rooftop bar set the perfect backdrop for unforgettable nights.

Step into Cherokee County’s fall season at Gibbs Gardens. Maples, oaks, and dogwoods light up every path with vibrant color. Experience a season of beauty, memories, and breathtaking views in the nation’s largest Japanese garden.

As the air turns crisp, Gibbs Gardens in Cherokee County transforms into a breathtaking canvas of red, gold, and orange across more than 300 acres. Gentle walking paths lead visitors past streams, waterfalls, and panoramic views of vibrant fall color. Weekends bring the perfect

chance to linger longer amid the gardens’ color. This fall, discover why Gibbs Gardens stands among Georgia’s premier destinations with its unforgettable autumn beauty.

www.DestinationCherokeeGA.com

Join the fun at Church Street Greenspace

Sept. 13, Sept. 27 and Nov. 1

THE CITY OF TUCKER IS PROUD TO BE THE FIRST CITY CHOSEN AS AN OFFICIAL

SEPTEMBER MEETINGS & EVENTS

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

• SEPTEMBER 2

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

• SEPTEMBER 3

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

• SEPTEMBER 5

FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT HEARTBREAKER

Church Street Greenspace

• SEPTEMBER 8

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

• SEPTEMBER 11

TRANSPORTATION MEETING

• SEPTEMBER 13

TUCKER CRUISE-IN

Main Street

• SEPTEMBER 13

UGA GAME-WATCHING

PARTY - GA VS TN

3:30 P.M. KICKOFF

Church Street Greenspace

• SEPTEMBER 18

PLANNING COMMISSION

• SEPTEMBER 22

MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING

• SEPTEMBER 26

MOVIES ON THE GREEN WICKED

Church Street Greenspace

• SEPTEMBER 27

UGA GAME-WATCHING

PARTY - GA VS FL

7:30 P.M. KICKOFF

Church Street Greenspace

TUCKER

Former employee accuses Siggers Hairdressers owners of sexual assault, harassment

By Cathy Cobbs

Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic depictions of allegations of sexual battery and harassment.

A former employee at Tucker-based Siggers Hairdressers has sued its owners, John and Carol Siggers, for sexual harassment, sexual assault, and battery for incidents that occurred over the span of two years.

A lawsuit filed in DeKalb Superior Court on Aug. 14 claims that John F. Siggers, 86, “systematically preyed upon and sexually assaulted Stephanie Dhondt, a now 23-year-old cosmetology apprentice who was his employee from approximately March 2023 to May 2025.”

“Mr. Siggers deliberately exploited Ms. Dhondt’s financial vulnerability to coerce her into sexual acts, including digital penetration, forced masturbation, unwanted touching of her breasts and behind, and exposure of his genitals, while threatening her financial security when she resisted his advances,” the lawsuit said.

The complaint said Siggers’ wife, Carol, who is the CFO and secretary of Siggers Holdings, knew of his harassing behavior and “took no corrective action and allowed this predatory conduct to continue unabated.”

According to the suit, Siggers had an apartment in the basement area of the salon, located at 2166 Northlake Pkwy., “which he used to conduct his predatory behavior away from public view.”

Several months into Dhondt’s employment, Siggers allegedly began his “systematic campaign of sexual harassment and assault against Ms. Dhondt.”

The defendant was aware of Dhondt’s financial situation as a minimum wage employee with a child to support, the suit said. He offered her cash while making it clear that she had to “do something in return.”

“Defendant Siggers’ typical pattern involved sitting in his office chair downstairs holding $100 bills while demanding sexual favors from Ms. Dhondt,” the complaint said. “On at least ten occasions, Defendant Siggers digitally penetrated Ms. Dhondt by putting his hands down her pants without her consent.”

The suit also alleges that Siggers exposed himself to Dhondt several times, harassed her on a “near daily basis” while she was working at the salon, and when she refused him, threatened her “financial security.”

After the the father of Dhondt’s child died in November of 2024, the lawsuit said Siggers increased his pressure on her to perform sexual acts in an attempt to capitalize on her financial distress.

The suit said several employees witnessed Siggers touch Dhondt inappropriately on multiple occasions.

When an employee, who had witnessed Siggers’ behavior on at least eight occasions,

attempted to stop the encounters, Siggers allegedly retaliated by cutting the employee’s work hours.

In addition, the suit lists at least three other incidents involving employees and a customer who claimed they were similarly battered by Siggers.

The suit, filed in DeKalb Superior Court on Aug. 14, does not specify an amount for damages, but asks for punitive damages, lost wages and front pay, compensatory damages, “in an amount to be determined by the enlightened conscience of the jury,” and for the plaintiff’s “emotional distress, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, lost wages, and other special damages.”

According to Dhondt’s attorney Rachel Berlin Benjamin of Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown, Dhondt’s action came after she “reached her breaking point.”

Benjamin said several women had filed reports claiming sexual harassment and battery with the DeKalb County Police department, “with no arrests or action,” thus leading to the civil action.

According to DeKalb County Police incident reports obtained by Rough Draft, four complaints were filed accusing John Siggers of sexual battery during a time period from 2020 to 2024.

All but one of the complaints were heavily redacted, including the victim’s name, address, and the entire narrative portion of the report.

The single narrative that was not redacted was filed by DeKalb Officer JD Blanc regarding a sexual battery complaint that allegedly occurred on Dec. 2, 2023.

Blanc met with the complainant, who said she worked at Siggers Hairdressers from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2, 2023.

The victim stated that she called the business on Dec. 2 to say she couldn’t come to work that day because she didn’t have enough money for gas. The narrative said that Siggers encouraged the complainant to come to work and offered to give her money for gas.

“When [name redacted] arrived at the hairdresser, Mr. Siggers gave [name redacted] $40 for gas…. Mr. Siggers told [name redacted] that if [name redacted] allowed him to touch, he would give [name redacted] more money and make [name redacted] the best hairdresser,” the report said.

Siggers, according to the narrative, started to touch the victim and pushed himself closer to her until someone walked into the salon. He then allegedly gave the victim $500. According to the report, Dec. 2 was the last day of the victim’s employment.

In another redacted report, the victim alleged that Siggers sexually battered her from Jan. 1, 2020 to Nov. 12, 2022.

A search of DeKalb County Jail records show no arrests or charges associated with John F. Siggers during the time period

outlined in the incident reports.

Rough Draft Atlanta has contacted Mary Donne Peters of Gorby, Peters & Associates, who is allegedly representing the Siggers in the matter. She has not yet responded to the inquiry.

According to its website, Siggers Hairdressers, which has been in its location since 1980, won Marie Claire Magazine “Best in Color,” Cut & Style, as well being named as Atlanta Magazine’s Top 10 Salons.

It was named the Tucker Mayor’s Annual Business Award winner for 2022, honoring “their longevity and service to not only Tucker but the Southeast.”

Siggers, on its social media pages, offers apprentice-based training as an alternative to beauty schools, offering “on-the-job, hands-on” instruction that allows aspiring hairdressers to be paid while learning the business.

Surprise candidates qualify for Tucker city council, mayor

By Cathy Cobbs

Several surprise candidates have thrown their hats into the ring during Tucker’s city council and mayoral contest qualifying period, including two mayoral candidates looking to upend favorite Anne Lerner.

When qualifying ended Thursday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m., former city council member Noelle Monferdini and Beverly Williams, a frequent speaker at council and community meetings, both qualified to run against Lerner.

Frank Auman, who has been Tucker’s only mayor in its short tenure as a city, is term-limited and cannot run again.

Monferdini, who served on council from 2016 until her term ended in 2023, filed documents indicating her intention to run for office on June 30, and her campaign disclosure report on Aug. 18. Williams filed her paperwork on Aug. 19.

Monferdini, in a statement to Rough Draft, said she believes that “local government exists to serve its people, being the first place you turn when issues arise and ensuring community engagement in every decision.”

“Over my eight years on the Tucker City Council, I’ve embodied those values by meeting in your homes, listening to your concerns, and delivering your voice on the dais where it mattered most,” she continued.

Monferdini said she will ensure Tucker’s future is shaped by you and through transparent government, active engagement, and policies that reflect our shared values.

Williams, in a flyer sent to Rough Draft, said “Tucker has been a strong, vibrant community built by its residents, families, and small businesses. What makes Tucker special is not just our neighborhoods or schools, but the people who have worked together to create a place we are all proud to call home.”

Williams said she is running for mayor because she believes in “serving all of Tucker—not just part of Tucker.”

Her platform espouses putting residents first, fostering open communication, protecting neighborhoods, investing in youth, honoring Tucker’s roots, and updating the comprehensive plan to reflect the needs and values of families.

Williams can be reached at votebeverlyformaylor@gmail.com.

Both Williams and Monferdini will have an uphill battle against Lerner, who declared in her June 30 campaign donation disclosure report about $34,000 in donations and $14,000 in expenses, leaving

her with a war chest of more than $20,000. Monferdini listed $620 in donations, and Williams has not yet filed her disclosure form.

For the District 1, Post 1 seat, Karen Peters-Rivers is running against incumbent Roger W. Orlando, who in his latest disclosure report had raised $77,000 with $49,000 in expenses. The two ran against each other in 2021, with Orlando prevailing.

For the District 2, Post 1 contest, incumbent Cara Schroeder will face Patrice Cosby, who made her declaration public on Aug. 19. In 2023, Cosby ran for the District 2, Post 2 seat that was won by Vinh Nguyen.

“I decided to run because I believe Tucker deserves leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, and meaningful action,” Cosby told Rough Draft. “The Patrice Promise is my commitment to serve with purpose, ensuring every voice in our community is heard and respected. I’m focused on clear communication, transparency in city leadership, and fostering true diversity so our elected officials truly reflect the people of Tucker.”

Cosby said she’s ready “to bring honesty, fairness, and collaboration to the city council.” Her email address is votepatrice@ gmail.com

In the District 3, Post 1 race, Sam Ulrich, an outspoken supporter of the plan to build a pickleball complex at Tucker Recreation Center, will face incumbent Alexis Weaver.

“I am running for city council because I believe Tucker needs leaders committed to bringing our community together,” Ulrich said in a statement to Rough Draft. “My campaign is focused on championing a collaborative culture, where respectful dialogue leads to decisive action for the good of all.

I am committed to building an inclusive future where Tucker’s rich diversity is not just recognized, but actively protected and celebrated, ensuring everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered,” he continued. “I will use my professional background in finance to ensure responsible financial stewardship, analyzing every dollar to provide a strong return on investment for our taxpayers.”

Ulrich said he is also dedicated to investing in the community with projects like the Tucker Path “to create a vibrant, connected city for our small businesses and residents.”

Rough Draft has reached out to Peters for information about her campaign.

SUN, OCT 5TH from 12 to 6PM

Come experience Atlanta’s biggest block party on Howell Mill Road

MAKER’S MARKET

PETTING ZOO

FOOD & DRINK

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Upper Westside annual block party returns

Westside Stride, the Upper Westside’s biggest celebration, is back for its third year, and it promises to be better than ever.

On Sun., Oct. 5, from noon to 6 p.m., Howell Mill Road will transform into a vibrant, car-free corridor filled with music, food, and community spirit.

The Westside Stride Block Party has quickly become a beloved fall tradition, drawing thousands of visitors to explore one of Atlanta’s most dynamic neighborhoods. This year’s event will stretch along Howell Mill Road between 8th and 17th Streets, creating a traffic-free pedestrian paradise where families can stroll, bike, or scoot freely.

About Upper Westside Improvement District

“Westside Stride is all about bringing people together to celebrate the heart of our Upper Westside community,” says Adeline Collot, program director for the Upper Westside Improvement District. “From families enjoying pony rides and pumpkins to neighbors discovering local makers and restaurants, this event turns Howell Mill Road into a shared front porch for the day.”

Music for every ear

The free event will feature multiple stages showcasing diverse musical acts, from local indie bands to jazz ensembles, ensuring there’s a beat for every taste. Performers include the Sarah Nova Band, BOOM! Trio ft Lavahi, The Dappled Grays, and a variety of DJs. The full line-up and schedule are available at WestsideStride.org.

Family fun

Families will find plenty to keep little ones entertained, including a seasonal pumpkin patch, a petting zoo where children can meet friendly farm animals, and an array of colorful bounce houses. Meanwhile, adults can browse the bustling pop-up market, where local artists and craftspeople will display everything from handmade jewelry to unique home décor.

Explore neighborhood restaurants

Food lovers won’t be disappointed either. The Upper Westside’s awardwinning restaurants, such as Cooks & Soldiers, Little Sparrow, and Miller Union, will offer bites and sips throughout the afternoon, giving attendees a chance to sample the neighborhood’s diverse dining scene. You’ll even get a chance to preview restaurants coming to the area that are not yet open like Eden by Delbar and Ghee Indian Kitchen.

The event, presented by the Upper Westside Improvement District, aims to showcase the area’s commitment to creating walkable, livable communities. Local property owners and businesses have generously sponsored the festivities, demonstrating the strong community bonds that make this district special.

For those driving to the event, ample parking is available nearby, with details at www.upperwestsideatl.org/parking. Cross streets will remain open for vehicle traffic, ensuring easy access to the festivities.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or newcomer to Atlanta, the Westside Stride Block Party offers the perfect opportunity to experience the Upper Westside’s unique charm, support local businesses, and enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon with neighbors and friends.

Don’tVote!

Westside Stride celebrates what makes the Upper Westside such a vibrant place to live, work, & play. As your Councilmember, I’ve fought for infrastructure improvements, more parks & trails, and safer neighborhoods. Together, we’ll keep building a stronger, connected District 9. Learn more about District 9 at votedustinhillis.com or @dustin4atl

forgetto Mark your calendars and come out to vote Tuesday, November 4th 2025. Early voting from Oct. 14th to Oct. 31st, 2025.

mabralaw.com

MABRA Law, founded by Georgia Tech grad Ronnie Mabra, offers guidance and counsel for those who have experienced a personal injury. Our headquarters are located right here in the Upper Westside on Huff Road which is why we’re committed sponsors of Westside Stride for the third year! We treat our clients and community like family, giving back in meaningful ways. Visit ma������������������������������m to learn more about how our team of skilled lawyers can help you. tel: 404-344-5255 | email: wecare@mabralaw.com

A proud sponsor of Westside Stride, Crescent Canna is bringing good vibes and deliciously refreshing THC drinks to the festival this year.

Crescent Canna is one of the fastest-growing cannabis companies in the country, thanks to its award-winning line of hemp-derived beverages, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer. Highly satisfying Crescent 9 THC Seltzer has quickly become Atlanta's most popular THC drink option, with surging citywide and nationwide sales.

Since 2016, the Upper Westside Community Improvement District has been enhancing connectivity, safety, greenspace and multimodal access in Atlanta's Upper Westside through investment and community partnerships.

Learn more about our projects past and present at upperwestsidecid.org and follow us @upperwestsideatl.

Financial woes threaten future of Atlanta Dogwood Festival ART & ENTERTAINMENT

By Sammie Purcell

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is looking to raise $250,000 by Nov. 1 in order to ensure that next year’s festival will happen.

Heading into its 90th year, the festival is facing financial losses because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced sponsorships, and increasing costs, according to a press release.

If the festival does not meet its funding goal and deadline, there will be no festival in 2026, according to organizers.

“Unlike some other events in Atlanta, we don’t receive any taxpayer dollars,” said Brian Hill, Atlanta Dogwood Festival executive director. “We’ve always raised that money through our own efforts. It’s been increasingly more difficult.”

According to the press release, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Board of Directors is currently in conversation with Mayor Andre Dickens’ office about support from the city. The festival is also seeking donations and sponsorships from corporations, local businesses, philanthropic organizations, and past attendees.

The festival’s production costs have risen somewhere between 25-30 percent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to the rising costs of security, equipment rentals, and other support services. According to Hill, the income made from the festival has not been able to keep pace with the costs.

Other reasons for the increase include the rising cost of labor as well as a shift to digital marketing during the pandemic when live events, and therefore sponsorships of those events, became temporarily obsolete. When the Atlanta Dogwood Festival returned after taking a break in 2020, sponsorships returned too, but in a more constricted manner, said Hill.

“Nobody had any idea of how long the

impact [of COVID-19] was going to last, especially economically,” he said.

The Dogwood Festival is free to attend and usually hosts more than 250 artists from across the country. To offset rising costs over the past few years, the festival has introduced some fundraising efforts such as the Mimosa 5K Run, a VIP ticketed event, midway rides, and merchandise sales. While many of those endeavors have been successful and popular, they’re still not keeping pace with expenses.

According to Hill, scaling the festival down is not an option.

“In diminishing the festival, we’re diminishing the value to sponsors. We’re diminishing the value to the vendors and the artists. If it’s less people coming and it’s a smaller event, they’ve got other events that they can choose from from Fortworth to Chattanooga,” he said. “If those are on the same weekend, and if we aren’t the Dogwood Festival, then they will choose to go to those instead.”

John Grisham, Alton Brown, and Chuck Schumer to headline MJCCA book festival

By Cathy Cobbs

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) announced on Aug. 27 the lineup for its 34th Annual Book Festival running from Oct. 22- Nov. 16 with a roster that will showcase bestselling authors, political leaders, cultural icons, and emerging voices.

This year’s festival, according to an announcement made by the MJCCA, promises to be the most dynamic yet, featuring exclusive author conversations, interactive Q&A sessions, book signings, and unique culinary experiences.

“This year’s festival brings together

names that readers already cherish alongside incredible first-time authors whose stories are waiting to be discovered,” said Book Festival Co-Chair Tracey Grant.

“It’s a lineup that balances household names with fresh voices—setting the stage for unforgettable conversations, powerful ideas, and moments that will stay with our community long after the festival ends.”

Headlining authors include opening author John Grisham, who on Oct. 22 will make one of only two national appearances in 2025, discussing his latest work “The Widow” — his first venture into the whodunit genre.

On Nov. 2, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will discuss “Antisemitism in America: A Warning,” offering a personal and urgent examination of rising antisemitism in the United States. Emmy Award-winning chef and television personality Alton Brown debuts his essay collection “Food for Thought,” blending culinary expertise with behindthe-scenes entertainment stories with a talk on Nov. 10.

On Nov. 1, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich explores the intersection of faith and civic engagement in “Heaven Help Us.” The festival will close with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Nov. 16 discussing “It Doesn’t

Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a PainFree Life” at 7 p.m.

The festival also features timely and compelling voices, including former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen with “The Sword of Freedom” (Nov. 8), White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz discussing Jewish identity in “As a Jew” (Nov. 5), and released Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi sharing his survival story in “Hostage” (Oct. 11).

True to the MJCCA’s tradition of combining literature with experiential programming, this year’s festival offers unique culinary events, the release said.

The festival’s Debut Fiction Panel on Nov. 4 spotlights three emerging authors poised to make their mark: Laura Dickerman (“Hot Desk”), Catherine Mathis (“Ines: Queen of Portugal”), and Brian Schaefer (“Town & Country”).

“These debut authors bring fresh

perspectives and bold storytelling,” Grant said. “We want audiences to leave with new favorites they’ll follow for years to come.”

Last year, the festival featured an array of impressive speakers – from a former medical advisor to numerous U.S. presidents to an actor who was part of a beloved television comedy series.

Topping the 2024 list of speakers was Dr. Anthony Fauci, who acted as the chief medical advisor to seven presidents for 38 of his 54-year tenure with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. His book, “On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service,” was a New York Times #1 bestseller.

Event Details:

Dates: Oct. 22 - Nov. 16 (with select prologue events beginning Oct. 11)

Location: Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA.

Tickets: On sale September 10

For complete programming details, scheduling information, and ticket purchases, visit the official MJCCA Book Festival event page at www.atlantajcc.org

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Spruill to unveil AMPLIFY mural winner at October event

By Rough Draft Staff

The Spruill Gallery has announced three finalists for its annual AMPLIFY mural competition, following a recordbreaking response that drew 157 submissions from artists across Atlanta and the nation.

The winning design will transform the exterior of the Spruill Smoke House on Ashford Dunwoody Road and will be unveiled at the gallery’s signature Spirits for Spruill event on October 25.

“We received an unprecedented outpouring of interest in AMPLIFY this year from artists in Atlanta and around the country,” said Alan Mothner, CEO of Spruill Center for the Arts. “The submissions are incredibly impressive, and we’re excited to reveal a brand-new piece of public art to the community.”

The competition has narrowed to three artists, each bringing unique perspectives and proven expertise to the public art arena:

Christina Kwan is a Florida-born, Atlanta-based artist and muralist renowned for her distinctive calligraphic and abstract works. Her murals grace walls across the United States, spanning Georgia, Texas, Colorado, New Jersey, California, Alabama, and Washington.

Danae Antoine brings Afro-Caribbean artistry and fresh perspective as a Georgia

State University graduate whose work has been featured in prominent Atlanta venues, including The Bakery and MINT Gallery.

Chloe Alexander, also a Georgia State University graduate, is an accomplished Atlanta-based printmaker whose works have gained national and international recognition through exhibitions in Atlanta, New York, and London.

The winning mural will be revealed at Spirits for Spruill, a ticketed public event featuring Georgia-brewed beverages, local cuisine, and live music. Attendees will be among the first to witness the unveiling of the new AMPLIFY mural that will become a lasting addition to the community’s cultural landscape.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.spruillarts.org. The event is presented by Regency Center with support from Discover Dunwoody, the Perimeter Center Improvement Districts, JWB Realty Services, and Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Spruill Gallery champions local artists through its dynamic exhibition space, hosting up to six curated shows annually across diverse mediums. The gallery’s gift shop exclusively features handcrafted items by Georgia artists, providing year-round support and visibility to the local creative community. Learn more at www.spruillarts.org/gallery.

serving with

PURPOSE

28th Annual Impact Awards

Celebrating Metro Atlanta’s

Most Community-Minded Companies

Presented by Diamond Sponsor

September 9, 2025 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

The Dogwood at Westside Paper

28th Annual IMPACT Awards: Serving with Purpose

By Cheryl Kortemeier, Executive Director, CVC of Atlanta

The Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC) supports member companies to deliver business results through their strategic commitment to social impact and civic engagement. Since 1992, the CVC has provided professional development and networking for Metro Atlanta’s most community-minded companies and corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals.

Each year, the CVC hosts the IMPACT Awards, celebrating outstanding examples of corporate social responsibility and community partnerships. The 28th Annual IMPACT Awards is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at The Dogwood at Westside Paper with the theme “Serving With Purpose.” The event is presented by Delta Air Lines (Diamond Sponsor), with support from Platinum Sponsors Chick-fil-A and Kaiser Permanente, and a host of other Atlanta companies.

This year, more than 30 nominations were reviewed by our national judging panel of CSR leaders, who selected finalists in three award categories. Winners will be announced at the IMPACT Awards and posted on the CVC website following the event.

IMPACT Corporate Innovative Project of the Year

This award recognizes short-term employee engagement or social impact projects that achieve measurable results and spark new ways of thinking.

Aprio – Building Resilient Entrepreneurs (BRE)

In partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta, UPS, and Truist, Aprio launched BRE to support underrepresented

entrepreneurs. The six-month program combines matched savings, financial education, and mentorship. Participants save $1,500, which is doubled through matching funds, creating a foundation for business growth. Aprio volunteers lead workshops on budgeting, tax efficiency, and financial strategy, and the program culminates in a pitch competition with grants up to $8,500. BRE redefines how corporate and nonprofit partners collaborate for long-term economic impact.

Southwire – Workforce Development Partnership

Southwire partnered with Carroll County Schools (GA) to tackle low graduation rates by blending classroom learning with paid work experience. Students gain skills in a manufacturing environment while earning wages and mentorship. This “learn and earn” approach equips at-risk students with both job readiness and motivation to complete their education, strengthening both community and workforce pipelines.

IMPACT Corporate Skills-Based Award

This award honors companies that apply employee expertise to strengthen nonprofits while developing their own workforce.

Purpose Possible –Governmental Affairs Task Force

When federal funding freezes threatened nonprofits in early 2025, Purpose Possible mobilized its team to provide critical guidance. The task force distilled executive orders and legal rulings into clear resources, created financial planning tools, and advocated for nonprofit stability with policymakers. Their efforts not only supported partners in crisis but also promoted long-term resilience by encouraging funding diversification.

received classroom and hands-on instruction, mentorship, and resume support, culminating in drone pilot certification. Since its launch, the program has served over 50 veterans, many of whom returned as mentors or launched entrepreneurial careers. Both participants and CSX employees reported a 100% positive experience, underscoring its success as both a workforce and community initiative.

IMPACT Corporate Program of the Year

This award recognizes exemplary CSR or employee volunteer programs that embed service into company culture.

Beazer Homes – Teaching Kitchen for Gigi’s Playhouse

To expand life-skills programming for individuals with Down syndrome, Beazer Homes partnered with Gigi’s Playhouse to design and build a fully equipped, inclusive teaching kitchen. The space enables handson cooking classes that build independence, support health, and expand the nonprofit’s capacity without financial strain—all while engaging volunteers in meaningful service.

Papa Johns – Career Exploration for Youth Papa Johns addressed the gap in real-world career exposure for teens by launching a program that immerses high school students in the restaurant and corporate food industry. Volunteers from culinary, marketing, HR, and development teams led workshops and mentoring sessions, helping youth envision diverse career pathways and build confidence for the future.

CSX – Drone Pilot Training for Veterans CSX launched a training program for underemployed veterans, developed with the Wounded Warrior Project. Participants

The CVC congratulates all finalists and nominees for their outstanding contributions to Metro Atlanta communities. You may read more about our finalists on the CVC website at www.cvcofatlanta.org/impact and by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Cover credit: Original dogwood flower artwork by Abby Bullard

Changing Times, Shared Purpose

By Yvonne Whitaker, NCR Foundation Director and CVC of Atlanta 2025 Board President

The phrase “The only constant is change” has been around for a long time, and it still holds true today. Developing the skills to navigate change successfully is essential. Since its founding in the early 1990s, the Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of Atlanta has continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of its members—who themselves are responding to the shifting expectations of employees, companies, and society at large.

Today the CVC of Atlanta is about more than supporting volunteerism. The mission of the CVC is to support member companies and their strategic commitment to social impact and civic engagement. Social impact helps build trust, strengthen communities and align business goals with broader societal needs. I’m proud to serve as the President of CVC of Atlanta this year. Driven by our board members and led by Cheryl Kortemeier, CVC Executive Director, we provide a platform for corporate social professionals to learn, collaborate and network.

Our members are committed to making a difference, working side by side with nonprofit agencies to authentically show how our corporate members are committed to making change. Examples of how companies make social impact include corporate volunteer programs, sustainable business practices, philanthropy, mentorship programs and mental health/wellness programming. As you can see, corporate social responsibility, as you can see, extends far beyond volunteerism.

The CVC of Atlanta brings nonprofit

agencies to table as well through our Member Partner program. Every 2 years Atlanta nonprofits can apply for membership, bringing diverse perspectives to our discussions and programs. I believe it is important to bring companies, funders and nonprofits together if we are going to make true change and impact on our community.

I like to say the only difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit company is the tax code classification. A nonprofit organization operates primarily to serve a public or social benefit rather

than to make profit for its owners or shareholders. Unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits do not distribute their income to individuals or shareholders; instead, any surplus funds are reinvested into the organization’s mission. At the same time, all successful organizations—nonprofit and for-profit alike—are mission-driven and use clear strategies to achieve their goals.

Nonprofits touch nearly every aspect of life in Atlanta. Nonprofit Hospitals provide vital healthcare services, many of the local museums, and arts organizations as well as traditional social services agencies are also nonprofits. Their presence is everywhere. The CVC of Atlanta itself is a nonprofit organization. It’s important for all of us to value and

support the important role nonprofits play in our society. Their leaders, especially in times of rapid change, face tremendous challenges—and they deserve a seat at the table as we work toward solutions that benefit everyone.

Would you like to learn more about how the CVC of Atlanta members are living our commitments to social impact? We invite you to join us at the 28th Annual Impact Awards on September 9th at The Dogwood at Westside Paper as we recognize our finalist companies and the work they do in our communities in partnership with our exceptional Atlanta nonprofit community. Change is constant and CVC of Atlanta members are navigating to help employees, nonprofits and communities thrive.

Corporate Social Responsibility 2.0: Moving from Intention to Impact

By Cheryl Kortemeier, Executive Director, CVC of Atlanta

Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, is a company’s voluntary commitment to creating positive social change. Over the past three decades, CSR has rapidly evolved from optional to a core expectation for sustainable business. Today, the most pressing challenge for CSR leaders is not whether to support the community but how to ensure that their efforts move from good intentions to measurable, systemic impact.

Rising Expectations

The bar for CSR keeps moving higher. Employees want to work for companies that reflect their values, and customers want to support brands that demonstrate authentic commitment to the community. Corporations are seen as vital partners in addressing pressing issues such as climate change and economic inequality. Investors are also asking tough questions, seeking evidence that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are embedded in business strategy.

At the same time, scrutiny has intensified. When companies make claims about responsibility without providing meaningful results, they are quickly called out. A press release or check presentation is no longer enough. Stakeholders want authenticity, accountability, and measurable results.

Embedding CSR and Giving Employees a Voice

CSR cannot be treated as philanthropy alone. Companies must connect community goals with business goals. For example, NCR Voyix supports volunteer and workforce development programs that prepare young people for careers in technology. This investment strengthens the Atlanta community while also helping build a future talent pipeline.

Employees should also be empowered as changemakers. Younger employees in

particular want to contribute to causes that matter to them, and employers who offer flexible volunteer opportunities, matching gift programs, and platforms for employees to share their ideas often improve retention and culture. Companies such as Kaiser Permanente and Chick-fil-A provide volunteer opportunities that encourage employees to support local health and hunger initiatives, creating meaningful connections to the community that align with the unique skill sets of their workforce.

The Measurement Gap

One of the toughest hurdles companies face is measuring what matters. It is easy to track volunteer hours or dollars donated, but how do you show that your company really made a difference? Did emissions decrease? Are neighborhoods safer? Have educational opportunities expanded and graduation rates improved? These questions require deeper analysis, better data collection, and long-term partnerships.

Generosity Matters

At Ryan, sharing our success with the communities where we live and work is a value that guides our business. We are proud to support the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta in its mission to advance civic engagement and social impact programs with member companies. Because a stronger community starts with us all.

Learn more about our dedication to education and community impact.

Aligning Business With Purpose

Another challenge is ensuring CSR is not isolated from the rest of the business. To have lasting influence, CSR leaders must connect their efforts directly to a company’s core operations. Inspire Brands, for example, links its restaurant expertise with hunger relief programs, ensuring that its social commitments are tied to its core business. Cross functional strategies often reveal new opportunities. Reducing waste in operations can lower costs. Investments in employee well-being can improve retention and morale. Companies that align purpose with profit often discover that responsibility drives both innovation and resilience.

Balancing Short-Term Pressures With Long-Term Vision

Without proof of impact, even the most well-intentioned CSR program risks being dismissed as fluff. The challenge is to build tools and systems that track both activity and meaningful change.

Investing in Measurement and Transparency

Measuring outcomes requires resources, but it is essential. Companies may consider partnering with local universities or nonprofits to better understand community needs, design systems, and define metrics that capture progress. Georgia Natural Gas and Norfolk Southern are examples of companies that share their sustainability progress publicly, building trust with employees, communities, and investors. Platforms such as YourCause by Blackbaud or Benevity also give companies tools to track participation and impact across volunteer and giving programs.

In times of economic uncertainty CSR budgets are often among the first to be cut. Yet research shows that companies with strong commitments to responsibility outperform their peers over time. The challenge for leaders is to communicate that CSR is not a cost center but a strategic investment in growth, resilience, and trust. Atlanta nonprofits also play a critical role in helping companies sustain this vision. Partnerships with organizations that align with your business creates opportunities for authentic service that benefits both community and company goals.

The Path Forward

The next era of CSR is about moving from activity to impact. Companies that embrace this challenge will not only strengthen their communities but also secure their own futures. For Atlanta businesses and beyond, the opportunity lies in approaching CSR not as an obligation but as a pathway to shared prosperity.

In the end, CSR is about more than doing good. It is about doing good well, authentically, strategically, and with measurable results that make a lasting difference.

Investing in Our Community: A Call to Action for a New Era of Giving

By Laura Moody, Founding Partner - Purpose Possible

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), signed into law in July, will usher in a new era for corporate giving, with implications that will ripple throughout our community. While the legislation may be intended to generate tax revenue, it presents a significant challenge to the vital work of nonprofits in Atlanta and across Georgia.

Georgia’s nonprofit sector is a powerful economic force. With more than 37,000 nonprofit organizations, the sector employs over 576,000 Georgians, making it a top-three employer in the state. These organizations, from major hospitals and universities to local arts centers and human service providers, generate billions in revenue and are essential economic infrastructure, not just a charity. For example, the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Georgia alone generates over $1.27 billion in economic impact and supports nearly 20,000 jobs.

Nonprofits fill crucial gaps that neither the private sector nor the government can fully address. They are on the front lines, providing services such as job training, healthcare, and food assistance, which are necessary to a healthy and productive workforce. For instance, the Midtown Assistance Center provided over $700,000 in emergency assistance in a single year, preventing evictions and utility disconnections for families in crisis.

Starting January 1, 2026, the OBBB introduces a new 1% floor for corporate charitable deductions. This means companies must now donate at least 1% of their profits before they can claim any tax deduction for their giving. This change is projected to cause a substantial decline in corporate donations, with one analysis estimating a loss of around $4.6 billion in 2026 alone.

The new rules may also lead to “bunching” behavior, where companies make large, infrequent donations to meet the deduction threshold, leaving nonprofits to face unpredictable “feast or famine” funding cycles.

To ensure the continued health of our nonprofit sector, both business leaders and community members must take a proactive approach.

Companies should:

■ Exceed the Floor: While the tax floor is a new consideration, remember that tax treatment isn’t the only motivation for corporate giving. Good corporate citizenship is good business because it elevates public image, boosts employee engagement, and builds connections with influential stakeholders. So, how can companies not only meet but exceed the 1% floor to ensure a lasting, positive impact on the community?

■ Be Strategic: Move beyond a reactive approach to philanthropy. Consider reclassifying some giving as business expenses, like marketing sponsorships, workforce development, or employee retention.

■ Utilize Foundations: Leverage corporate foundations and donor-advised funds to maintain a consistent giving schedule, smoothing out the “bunched” contributions to ensure a reliable flow of support for your partners.

■ Consider Executive Giving: For smaller businesses, it may be more tax-advantageous for executives to increase their personal giving to meet the company’s charitable goals.

■ Power Over Policy: Engage with state legislators to lobby for greater public funding to support these essential services that fill the gaps left by the private sector and government. Leverage your power and presence to be in “the room where it happens,” in spaces where nonprofits can’t.

For Nonprofits:

■ Start Talking Now: Reach out to your

corporate partners today to form a plan for their continued support and partnership.

■ Show Your Impact: Clearly articulate the non-financial value you bring to corporate partners, such as an engaged workforce.

■ Build Relationships: Cultivate deeper relationships with business partners, working together to address community needs in innovative ways.

The OBBB presents a pivotal moment for corporate giving in our community, but we have the opportunity to turn a challenge into a catalyst for change. By embracing a proactive and strategic approach to philanthropy, we can ensure that our city and state not only survive but also thrive. We hope the corporate community comes together to support these vital needs in a significant way that can be celebrated at next year’s CVC of Atlanta IMPACT Awards.

Here’s to the difference makers

Kaiser Permanente is humbled and proud to be part of a community of game changers. Congratulations to this year’s IMPACT award winners!

For all that is you

What’s Next for Corporate Volunteering and Service?

By Cheryl Kortemeier, Executive Director, Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta

If corporate volunteering had a motto over the past few years, it might have been: “Pivot, flex, repeat.” The pandemic rewrote the playbook for how businesses engage with their communities, and now, as Atlanta companies look ahead, the big question is: what’s next?

Spoiler alert: it’s not going back to the way we used to do things. The future of corporate service is more flexible, more skills-based, more employee-driven, and if done right, more impactful than ever.

1. Supporting Ongoing Partnerships

Remember when volunteering meant a single day of service, complete with matching T-shirts and photo ops? Those projects still have value (and yes, we’ll keep the T-shirts), but companies are increasingly shifting toward long-term partnerships with nonprofits.

Take Smurfit WestRock, a CVC member and sustainable packaging company that has partnered with nonprofit Trees Atlanta since 2017. In recent years, the company joined forces with Trees Atlanta and the Atlanta Hawks for their “Rock the Rim” challenge. For every dunk made by a Hawks player during their season, Smurfit WestRock would plant a tree. More than 445 trees were planted in the first year of the collaboration. In addition to this innovative project, Smurfit WestRock currently has an employee serving on the Trees Atlanta board of directors, and the company regularly activates volunteers and contributes financially to support year-round programming.

What’s next: More companies moving beyond “single-day service” and toward multiyear commitments that deepen impact, align with company values, and provide stability for nonprofits.

2. Skills-Based Service Becomes the Standard

Painting walls and serving meals to hungry neighbors are still important, but

the future is about leveraging professional expertise. Nonprofits need accountants, HR consultants, lawyers, marketers, and IT professionals just as much as they need volunteers at food drives.

Delta Air Lines, for example, has paired its people and project-management skills with Science ATL to inspire the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) leaders.

What’s next: Expect more companies to align volunteer opportunities with employee skills, whether that’s finance staff teaching money management at local schools or IT professionals helping nonprofits build secure databases.

3. Employee-Led Volunteering

Here’s a fun fact: younger employees (hello, Gen Z and millennials) want more say in how they volunteer. They’re not waiting for HR to hand them a pre-packaged project. Instead, they want to choose causes, pitch ideas, and sometimes even lead the initiatives themselves.

What’s next: Companies will create more flexible frameworks where employees choose from a menu of options or propose their own. Think of it as “volunteer crowdsourcing.”

4. Hybrid and Micro-Volunteering

Remote work isn’t going away, and neither is virtual volunteering. Hybrid opportunities, where some employees serve in person while others contribute remotely, make volunteering more inclusive for busy professionals, parents, or those working from outside Metro Atlanta.

What’s next: Companies will mix in-person team projects with bite-sized, remote options so everyone can participate no matter where they are.

5. Volunteering as a Driver of Belonging and Culture

In a world where employee engagement can make or break retention, corporate service is becoming a key cultural touchstone. Shared volunteer projects bring people together across departments and even across geographies. They also create inclusive spaces where employees feel valued for more than their job titles.

At Warner Bros. Discovery, employees participate in Global Volunteer Day, recording bedtime stories, assembling hygiene kits, and sharing skills with nonprofits. Employees report that they feel more connected from these events, not just to the community but also to each other.

What’s next: Companies will intentionally link volunteering to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), wellness programs, and leadership development. Service won’t just be “something nice we do” but will be woven into how companies build culture and retain talent.

6. Measuring Impact (Without Killing the Joy)

Nonprofits have long been asked to prove outcomes, and now companies are doing the

same. Leaders want to know: What difference are we actually making?

Tracking volunteer hours is easy, but measuring true impact—improved literacy rates, reduced food insecurity, expanded nonprofit capacity—is harder. Still, more companies are embracing dashboards, surveys, and storytelling to show results.

What’s next: More thoughtful metrics, less about counting hours, more about telling stories of change, and partnering with community organizations to work toward tangible goals.

7. Service as Part of Business Strategy

The biggest shift? Corporate service is no longer just about philanthropy but more about business strategy. Customers want to support companies that give back. Employees want to work for companies that align with their values. Investors are watching ESG (environmental, social, and governance) commitments.

Volunteering isn’t an extra anymore; it is core to how companies compete for talent, customers, and community trust.

What’s next: Expect more businesses (big and small) to treat volunteering as a core part of their brand, culture, and strategy.

8. A Local Call to Action

Here in Atlanta, we’re lucky to have the Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) as a hub where companies of all sizes can learn, collaborate, and amplify their impact. Whether you’re a 10-person startup or a Fortune 500 giant, there’s a seat at the table. The next chapter of corporate service will be shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a shared belief that when businesses and communities work together, everyone wins. So, what’s next for your company? Maybe it’s launching a skills-based project, empowering employees to pitch ideas, or finally signing up to join the CVC. One thing’s for sure: the future of corporate volunteering is bright, bold, and very Atlanta.

We Invite your Business to get Involved

The Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC) supports member companies to deliver business results through their strategic commitment to social impact and civic engagement. We offer monthly programs designed to support communityfacing professionals from Atlanta’s most community minded businesses. Our members come together to learn about Metro Atlanta’s most pressing needs and explore the unique ways companies can make a difference.

The CVC provides a forum where business professionals share peer-to-peer, exchange ideas, and strengthen their community investment strategies. Whether your business is just beginning its social impact journey or your employees have been

volunteering for decades, the CVC is here to support and inspire you. Together, we can learn, grow, and create lasting change. We hope you are enjoying learning about how CVC member companies of all sizes are building meaningful partnerships that strengthen our region’s unique and dynamic communities. You may view the full list of CVC members at www. cvcofatlanta.org/members. If your company is not yet part of the CVC, we invite you to join us today to connect, inspire, and make an impact.

Together in service, Cheryl Kortemeier

Executive Director CVC of Atlanta

A Win-Win for Corporate Philanthropy

By Cathy Cobbs

A multitude of studies have found that corporate philanthropy has many benefits aside from the parties on the receiving end, including increased employee satisfaction, an increase in retainment, and other intangible benefits.

In this article, we will spotlight three such meaningful collaborations between corporations and deserving entities that strengthen ties between the two and provide a sense of purpose for those who participate.

According to Lee Hendrickson, corporate volunteerism manager at The Home Depot, one of the company’s longstanding partnerships with the Atlanta Community ToolBank “exemplifies a longstanding and impactful partnership within Atlanta.”

“Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, and Atlanta ToolBank, both established more than three decades ago in Atlanta, now operate nationally while maintaining strong local roots,” Hendrickson said. “Their shared

commitment to providing communities with the tools they need to get the job done, fosters alignment, and they frequently join forces in areas such as disaster recovery, skilled trades workforce development, and essential home repairs for veterans.”

Hendrickson spoke of a recent Team Depot project wherein 100 children from the Boys & Girls Club had the opportunity to use ToolBank tools and guidance to construct a variety of items, from Kids Workshop projects to outdoor benches.

“For many participants, this project provided an introduction to the skilled construction trades and using tools for the first time,” he said. “Similarly, in the spring of 2025, 250 Team Depot volunteers built custom garden structures for veterans as part of the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center’s horticultural therapy program.”

The partnership serves as a compelling model for how corporate and nonprofit organizations can work together to benefit both local communities and broader

populations, he said.

Roy Neill, who works for Dematic’s Corporate and Community Affairs division, said the company recognizes “the importance of giving back to the communities where we live, work, and serve.”

“By volunteering our time, donating to worthy causes, sharing our thought leadership, and connecting with our neighbors, we create a better environment within Dematic and for those living around us,” Neill said.

Atlanta-based Dematic, a leader in supply chain automation solutions, partnered with Captain Planet starting in 2023 to sponsor Project Learning Gardens in Atlanta, GA and Fort Worth, Texas.

The gardens, which cost about $5,000 to build, according to Captain Planet, “are effective outdoor learning spaces for students to engage in inquiry-driven, project-based learning across all disciplines.”

“The students can experience the full scope of everything involved in growing,

With support f rom our wonderful community of partners like the

preparing and eating food,” Neill said.

“We place the gardens in areas where we are located so employees can engage in the process of learning.”

Dematic also supports employee community volunteerism with Volunteer Time-Off (VTO) with eligible United Statesbased employees and an employee giving program, Neill said.

Brandon Gardner, the community relations manager with Kaiser Permanente, said one of the company’s long-standing partnerships with the Community Food Bank, assists with “one of the most pressing social drivers of today, food insecurity.”

“Being able to give back to the community is very important to our company,” Gardner said.

Kaiser Permanente recently collected about 10,000 pounds of food for distribution, while also feeding more than 500 people at its Cascade Road location.

SUPPORTING THE JOURNEYS THAT MATTER MOST.

Proud to support the 28th Annual CVC IMPACT Awards.

French-Italian restaurant Elise debuts at the Woodruff Arts Center

By Beth McKibben

Elise, the second restaurant from Chef Craig Richards, opened on Aug. 19 at the Woodruff Arts Center, home to the Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Midtown.

Taking over the former Table 1280 space across from the High Museum, the restaurant’s name nods to one of Beethoven’s most famous piano compositions, “Für Elise.” To start, Elise will only open for dinner, Tuesday through Sunday, with a five-course tasting menu and lunch service launching later this fall.

Richards, who also owns Italian restaurant Lyla Lila at the corner of 3rd and Peachtree near the Fox Theater, leans into his love of seafood at Elise, melding both Italian and French dishes on the menu.

“Elise is the evolution of my experiences, especially my experiences at St. Cecilia [in Buckhead] and Lyla Lila,” Richards told Rough Draft. “I love working with seafood, and Elise combines those two restaurants and represents the next chapter for me that now takes inspiration from more French cooking traditions.

Richards said he was drawn to the light-filled restaurant space with its clean angles and minimalist design by Italian architect Renzo Piano. He worked with Smith Hanes Studio to warm up the dining rooms and bar with pops of color through furniture, blonde wood flooring, and abstract artwork on the walls.

“The space needed a little bit of color, but we didn’t want to get in the way of the modernist design by Renzo Piano. It’s part of what makes that space so beautiful,” said Richards. “The scalloped ceiling is fantastic and the star of the show, so we

took down a lot of the lighting pendants to show that off.”

The main dining room features a large abstract piece by artist Tommy Taylor, awash with pinks, greens, and sherbetty oranges and yellows. A textured sculptural work incorporating coarse horsehair by Sonya Yong James greets people at the entrance to Elise, while the bar and lounge features bold reds and a shock of yellow in a piece from Athens-based artist Chrissy Reed’s “Blobbies” series.

Led by Chef de Cuisine Savoy Rath, look for appetizers of snapper and tuna tartare topped with saffron aioli, sumac, and pickled field peas, and scallop crudo garnished with melon, bronze fennel, and lemon balm drizzled with Meyer

lemon oil. A chicken liver mousse features strawberry-hibiscus jam and fried pistachios, while the gazpacho comes with toasted parmigiano ice cream and crispy basil.

House-made pastas include cacio e pepe risotto, a rabbit ragu tagliatelle, and linguine tossed with clams, langoustines, poached garlic, and Calabrian chili in an herb-almond cream.

In addition to entrees of snapper, halibut, and a spiced, cured duck breast, expect three prime cuts of steak–New York strip, ribeye, and petite filet–accompanied by a Madeira-porcini mushroom jus, smoked mushrooms, and pomme purée.

Starting this fall (likely in October), Rath and Richards will begin offering a five-course tasting menu ($95) with optional wine pairings ($45). Lunch will also begin this fall and run six days a week, Richards said, providing area office workers, museum visitors, and neighborhood residents with a more “elevated” dining option during the day.

Eric Potrikus leads the bar program at Elise. Potrikus compiled a wine list focusing heavily on French vintages, along with wines from Portugal, Italy, and California. Among the

six cocktails are a classic martini, Negroni, and an Old Fashioned called “The Maestro,” mixing bourbon and rye with Marie Duffau Napoleon armagnac.

“I’ve always loved this space, ever since I first ate here in 2005 when Sean Doty was chef of Table 1280. It totally makes sense to me to have great food around great art,” Richards said of opening in such an iconic restaurant space in Atlanta. “I love how this design turned out. There’s so much energy [at Woodruff Arts Center] and in this space. I want you to feel all of that energy when you’re eating here.”

Elise is part of a $67 million makeover of the Woodruff Arts Center campus on Peachtree, which includes modernizing and activating the front facade of the original Memorial Arts building, between the Alliance Theatre and High Museum. Once the renovation is complete this winter, signage for Elise will be visible from Peachtree Street, and the restaurant will provide valet parking from that location.

Richards, along with restaurateur Billy Streck, opened Lyla Lila at the end of 2019 on the ground floor of the Lilli Midtown apartment building, one block north of the Fox Theatre on Peachtree. The menu centers on freshly-made pastas and woodfired dishes. Richards learned his pastamaking skills from his mentor, Italian chef and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich.

Michelin recognized Lyla Lila as a recommended restaurant in its 2023 and 2024 dining guides to Atlanta.

Elise at the Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, Midtown. Open Tuesday – Sunday at 5 p.m. Tasting menu and lunch service launch in October.

The best dishes we enjoyed in August

By Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi

party, but you’re running late or haven’t had time to preorder from your favorite local bakery, so you pop into the nearest Publix.

Beth’s Best Dishes

Chicken tikka boti from Dosa Boti

1210 Canton St., Roswell

Published in the August 5 Family Meal newsletter

I stumbled upon Dosa Boti after grabbing cocktails and dinner in downtown Roswell last weekend. The small Indian restaurant took over the space formerly occupied by Rhea’s Take Out Foods at the corner of Canton Street and Woodstock Road.

Rhea’s #1 closed in 2022 after the death of the incomparable Mahfuz “Jimmy” Hussain, who purchased the OG Rhea’s in 2013. Under Hussain, Rhea’s became a household name in Roswell, with people traveling far and wide just to eat its burgers and chat with Mr. Jimmy.

Today, the space is home to Dosa Boti, serving generously portioned combo plates of Paneer and Chicken 65, mutton keema tacos, butter chicken, and dosas. Despite having already eaten, we decided to grab takeout for the road, ordering chicken biryani ($14.99) and a chicken tikka boti ($13.99) stuffed with vegetables and apricot chutney wrapped in a dosa. I’m already making plans to visit for breakfast, which includes a variety of dosas and an Indian bread omelet.

Flourless chocolate torte from Publix

Published in the August 12 Family Meal newsletter

You promised to bring dessert to the

After a taxing week at work, a friend arrived for a Friday night dinner party at my home with two tortes from Publix in tow: a European cream and triple berry torte ($14), and the other a flourless chocolate truffle torte ($14). The former was light and fresh with puckery berries crowning the top. The latter (the darling of the dinner party) was rich and dense, a super chocolatey, decadent delight that paired beautifully with a glass of Broadbent Rainwater Madeira, a medium-dry fortified wine with nutty complexity and a clean finish.

I’ve attended more than a few weddings over the years in which the cakes were custom-made by the local Publix. And how about the countless parties where platters of petit fours, mini tarts, brownies, and slices of crème cake from a Publix bakery graced the tables? Let’s face it, the Publix bakery rarely disappoints. It certainly didn’t on that Friday night.

Burger night at Sammy’s 565 Northside Dr., Adair Park

Published in the August 19 Family Meal newsletter

Located at Abrams Fixtures on Northside Drive, Sammy’s teems with customers lining up to order coffee and sandwiches throughout the day, like the meaty Italian sub Samborghini or the Samuel with smoked brisket pastrami and Swiss cheese served on rye toast. While currently open for breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, Fridays include extended hours.

Every Friday, from 4-8 p.m., owners Jason Furst and Chef Sam Pinner serve single and double-stack smashburgers, drinks, and specials like barbecue nachos and whole smoked wings. But the compact smashburger, which comes with a single ($8) or double patty ($12), is the main attraction on Friday nights, evidenced by the tightly packed dining room and people huddled around tables filled with Samburgers during a recent visit.

Pinner doesn’t monkey with the simplicity of the smashburger, giving it a little zhuzh with mayo, melty American cheese, pickle chips, and red onions sandwiched in a toasted brioche bun. Pair with a glass of bubbles or the “champagne of beers,” Miller High Life. There’s also a $9 50/50 martini made with Murrell’s Row Tulsi gin and La Quintinye Royal Extra Dry Vermouth.

Sarra’s Best Dishes

while there. However, I recently had a much better oyster experience far closer to home at Kimball House in Decatur. My table opted for a mix of East and West Coast bivalves, and even though I prefer salty East Coast oysters, the Hama Hama oysters from Washington were actually my favorite of the half-dozen. These oysters were vastly different from what I typically enjoy in an oyster (brine and salt), but the

Chicken shumai from Canton House 4825 Buford Hwy, Chamblee

While cruising down Buford Highway one night with one of my closest friends, the vehicle instantaneously swerved into the parking lot of the original Canton House in Chamblee. You call it an impulse. I see it more like a force of nature. Said friend ordered the chicken shumai, and although I had my doubts (my regular move is shrimp shumai), the dumplings quickly overturned them. There is something special going on with that combination of chicken and seasoning that just cannot be replicated in the shrimp shumai. And, yes, we checked.

Hama Hama oysters from Kimball House

303 E. Howard Ave., Decatur

I visited the San Francisco Bay Area in August and ate oysters a few times

high quality was undeniable. The Hama Hama may not have the intense salinity I normally prefer, but the fresh, clean taste and minerality of the oysters brought me back to the Pacific Ocean.

Salmon and black-eyed pea salad from Oak Grove Market

2757 Lavista Road, Decatur

Oak Grove Market on Lavista Road in Decatur has become one of my favorite haunts since moving back to Atlanta in 2024. It’s my de facto choice when I want a substantial, affordable, and good-quality lunch. I also adore that the market keeps Justin’s almond butter cups in stock for my fellow peanut-allergic pals.

I usually grab a chicken or tuna salad and two sides at the counter, but caved and went with the Tuesday salmon special on my most recent visit and tore that fish up.

I paired the salmon with black-eyed pea salad to amp up the protein and iron.

City Events

September - December

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, 6 Summer Concert Series: “Purple Experience” Newtown Park - 7 p.m.

Thursday, 11 Patriots Day Newtown Park - 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, 13 Pup-a-Palooza Newtown Park - 12 p.m.

Saturday, 20 Adaptive Dance Newtown Park - 7 p.m.

OCTOBER

Saturday, 4 Summer Concert Series: “Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra” Newtown Park - 7 p.m.

Saturday, 11 Diwali Market City Hall - 2 p.m.

Wednesday, 22 Trunk - or -Treat City Hall - 6 p.m.

NOVEMBER

Saturday, 8 Honoring Our Veterans Newtown Park - 9 a.m.

Saturday, 15 Literary Fair City Hall - 12 p.m.

DECEMBER

Friday, 5 Holly Jolly Block Party City Hall - 5 p.m.

Saturday, 13 Breakfast with Santa Newtown Park - 9 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, 13 Adaptive Lunch with Santa Newtown Park - 12 p.m.

LOCATIONS:

City Hall - 11360 Lakefield Drive

Newtown Park - 3150 Old Alabama Road

Learn more about our events at JohnsCreekGA.gov!

By Rough Draft Staff

The Atlanta Beltline has purchased more property near the intersection of Peachtree Road and Bennett Street in Buckhead along the Northwest Trail.

According to a press release, this is the second major acquisition along Peachtree Road purchased by the Beltline with the first – the shuttered Elleven45 lounge space – acquired last fall. The purchase of property around the former nightclub creates a 3.2 acre assemblage for the future Northwest Trail and affordable housing and commercial space.

“This Bennett Street purchase in Buckhead demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that all Atlantans can benefit from the transformative power of the Beltline,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in the press release.“For years, this property stood as a symbol of neglect and missed potential. Today, we’re turning that around. By securing affordable housing and commercial space in this neighborhood, we’re not just building trails—we’re building an inclusive city where working families can live, work, and thrive in every neighborhood, including some of our most sought-after areas. This is what it looks like to take a hard past and shape a better future.”

Beltline officials said planning and community engagement for the site will

involve community leaders, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. The buildings on site, which are now vacant, will be prepared for demolition while future site planning efforts are underway, according to the release.

The recent parcel acquired by the Beltline is situated next to the three parcels acquired in November of last year, which were needed to complete Segment 2 of the Northwest Trail.

Segment 2 begins at the southwest corner of the Bobby Jones Golf Course and extends 0.7 miles east along Colonial Hills Circle, and currently is in the final phase of real estate acquisitions. To the east of the property lies Segment 1 of the Northwest Trail, a 0.8-mile stretch that begins at the western edge of the Peachtree Park Apartments and follows Peachtree Creek southward. This segment is under construction and slated for completion in the second quarter of 2026.

To date, the Beltline has completed 12.6 miles of the mainline loop, with an additional 10.3 miles of connector trails. The entire 22-mile loop is projected to be completed by 2030 with nearly 18 miles expected to be finished in time to welcome residents and international visitors arriving for the FIFA World Cup.

ATLANTA

Decatur Book Festival announces 20th anniversary lineup

By Collin Kelley

The Decatur Book Festival (DBF) has announced the full lineup for its 20th anniversary even on Oct. 3-4 in downtown Decatur.

Free and open to the public, the festival will bring together more than 100 local, regional, and national authors to celebrate “20 Years of Stories.” Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas will open the festival on Friday evening, with remaining sessions running Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The weekend’s programming will feature author conversations, book signings, cooking demonstrations, live performances, an expanded street fair, children’s activities, and special community events.

Featured books will be available for purchase the weekend of the festival, or purchased in advance through Brave and Kind Bookshop, Charis Books & More, Eagle Eye Bookshop, Little Shop of Stories, and Tall Tales Book Shop.

“For twenty years, the Decatur Book Festival has brought readers and writers together to celebrate stories, spark conversation, and build community,” DBF Executive Director Leslie Wingate said in a statement. “This anniversary lineup reflects our mission: to showcase diverse voices, elevate new ideas, and make literature accessible for all. We are thrilled to welcome back longtime festivalgoers and introduce new audiences to the joy and energy that make DBF such a treasured part of Decatur and the literary world.”

Headlining Author Highlights and Keynotes

Saeed Jones and The People’s Project — Acclaimed poet and essayist will headline Friday’s 7 p.m. keynote in conversation with Victoria Chang, Tiana Clark, and Aruni Kashyap.

Angie Thomas — The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give and On the Come Up will headline Friday’s 6 p.m. “Kidnote”, discussing her new book, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi.

Stacey Abrams — Nationally recognized leader and New York Times bestselling author returns with her latest thriller, Coded Justice.

Mary Roach — Bestselling science writer (Stiff and Fuzz) with her forthcoming Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy.

Elizabeth George — Internationally acclaimed crime novelist, best known for the Inspector Lynley series, with her latest novel A Slowly Dying Cause.

Jason Mott — National Book Award–winning author of Hell of a Book with his newest novel, People Like Us.

Jen Hatmaker — New York Times

bestselling author, podcaster and speaker, presenting her new memoir Awake.

Rebecca Ross — #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestselling fantasy author with Wild Reverence.

Andrew Greer with Kim Carter Fuller — More Than a President, reflecting on President Jimmy Carter’s spiritual legacy.

Heather Christle — Poet and author of The Crying Book, with recent memoir In the Rhododendrons and new poetry collection Paper Crown.

W.J. Lofton — Author of A Garden for Black Boys Between the Stages of Soil and Stardust and the 2025 poetry collection boy maybe.

Tiffany D. Jackson — New York Times bestselling YA author of Monday’s Not Coming, with her recent novels Blood in the Water and The Scammer.

Delilah S. Dawson — Author of Star Wars: Phasma and the Blud series, with her latest middle grade horror novel Ride or Die.

Derrick Barnes — National Book Award finalist and acclaimed author with new releases The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze and I Got You: A Brother’s Promise.

Kalynn Bayron — New York Times bestselling YA fantasy author, with her new YA novel Make Me a Monster and her middle-grade series The Vanquishers.

Landon Bryant — Social media personality (@landontalks) and author of Bless Your Heart: A Field Guide to All Things Southern, with his new book ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, Y’all.

Kimberly Belflower — Tony-nominated playwright Kimberly Belflower in conversation about her acclaimed Broadway show “John Proctor is the Villain,” plus a live reading from the play.

Emerging Student Writers

The Emerging Student Writers Stage at the Decatur Library will showcase readings by students from the following universities:

■ Georgia College & State University

■ Georgia State University

■ Kennesaw State University

■ Mercer University

■ University of Georgia

Culinary & Community Programming

Culinary Stage and Georgia Grown

Culinary Village: Chefs, authors, culinary experts and live cooking demos including Alan Byers, William Dissen, Brandon Hurtado, Annette Joseph, Natalie Keng, Kevin Mitchell, Duane Nutter, Mary Shrader, David Shields, Belinda SmithSullivan, Steven Satterfield, Hank Shaw and Joshua Swinney.

Task Force for Global Health presents Atlanta Leaders on the Future of Global Health: A Community Dialogue on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m., moderated by Emmy-winning journalist Rickey Bevington, with speakers from the Task Force for Global Health, The Carter Center, CARE USA, and the CDC Foundation.

Lunchtime Literary Leg Stretch at Decatur Cemetery: Take a midday stroll through Decatur Cemetery and explore the stories of local literary legends!

Street Fair & Entertainment

On Saturday, Oct. 4 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), downtown Decatur will transform into a lively street fair featuring more than 100 exhibitors: authors, poets, publishers, booksellers, artists, and local businesses, alongside food trucks and live entertainment.

The Entertainment Stage, emceed by Beloved Dillard, M.Div., DD, poet

laureate, will showcase BOOM! Trio ft. Lavahi, Night Palace, Dad’s Garage Improv, Arkose, Rose Hotel, and Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics.

Children’s Activities

Family-friendly programming includes the Storyland Fun Zone and Tales for Tots, with partners such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Fernbank Museum, High Museum of Art, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta History Center, Decatur Robotics, DeKalb Public Library, and many more. Additional highlights: the Children’s Parade and Children Read book drop-off.

The full festival lineup is available at decaturbookfestival.com.

Electric school buses give students a healthier ride, may help their grades

By Rebecca Grapevine | Healthbeat Atlanta

With Metro Atlanta students back in school, a fraction of them are taking electric buses. Those students are getting a healthier, quieter ride – and research shows they may also perform better on tests and have fewer absences.

Most of Georgia’s school bus fleet is traditional diesel-fueled vehicles, which contribute to air and noise pollution. Replacing them with electric versions is a pricey endeavor at about $300,000 or more apiece, compared to about $100,000 for a traditional bus.

About 124 of Georgia’s 20,000 school buses are electric so far, according to data from the World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative.

The transition to electric school buses is in the early stages in the United States, jump-started by federal funding during the Biden administration, said Susan Mudd, a senior policy advocate at the Environmental Law and Policy Center. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in 2021, included $5 billion over five years for the Clean School Bus program at the Environmental Protection Agency.

Some Atlanta area districts got funding, but others that applied, like Gwinnett County, did not. And the most recent round of awards under the infrastructure bill has stalled amid

changes at the EPA since President Donald Trump took office in January.

Meanwhile, local climate and children’s health advocates are looking for cheaper, interim solutions to ease school bus pollution until more electric buses are on the road.

How diesel-fueled school buses affect students’ health

Traditional diesel school buses create air pollution that can damage children’s lungs, said Sara Adar, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health who is an expert on air pollution.

There are several reasons for that, she said, including that children are still developing. They breathe in more air relative to their body size than adults do, and since they’re typically shorter than adults, they are closer to the tailpipes that emit exhaust fumes.

“We’ve found that there are no safe levels of air pollution, so it is of concern to all children,” Adar said. The oldest buses are the least clean, she said. About half of the school buses in Georgia are from 2009 or before, when buses were subject to lower emissions standards, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative.

Replacing older school buses with models that pollute less can also bring educational benefits, Adar said. That includes better performance on math and

language arts standardized tests, as well as improved attendance.

“The evidence for those associations is really strong,” Adar said.

There are two theories for explaining those links: Kids who ride cleaner buses may perform better because they have better attendance due to breathing cleaner air.

“Their lungs are less irritated. They’re less likely to get sick or to have asthma attacks and therefore be at school more frequently,” Adar said.

Or air pollution could be damaging kids’ brains.

“We also know that air pollution can damage our brain, so on high air pollution days, we know that your brain just is a bit more sluggish than usual, and so it’s possible that the improvements we see in the standardized testing actually have to do with reducing harm to the brain itself,” Adar said.

There can be other community benefits, as well, Mudd said. Some models of electric school buses can store energy and send it back to buildings or the power grid when the buses are not in use, like during school holidays, and during emergencies.

Districts praise EV benefits: cleaner air, cheaper maintenance

DeKalb, Atlanta, and Clayton school districts are among those trying out

electric school buses.

Clayton has a total of 467 school buses. Twenty-five are electric, with another 75 slated to arrive within the next year, said Denise Hall, executive director of transportation for the district. While most of the funding came from the EPA grants, the district paid $2.9 million to build charging stations and infrastructure.

“The buses have provided clean air for our scholars and reduced gas and maintenance expenditures,” Hall said.

Neighboring DeKalb has ordered 25 electric school buses for its fleet of 1,005, with plans to order 50 more, using EPA funding, spokesperson Carla Parker said.

Atlanta Public Schools has 25 electric buses purchased through the Clean School Bus fund, said Anthony Ashley, senior director of fleet operations for the district.

“You want to give them the best environment to grow in, and EVs advance that avenue for them, because, for years, kids were exposed to diesel fumes, which have been shown in studies that tend to stunt kids’ growth or their brain,” Ashley said. “We always want the best for our kids, and this is one pathway to advancing that cause.”

Students and drivers also enjoy the quieter environment, Ashley said.

“Kids don’t want to make as much noise as they have in the past, when they have to talk over the engine or yell or scream or whatever. So the environment tends to be a bit more quiet and calm,” he said. That makes for a nicer ride for both students and drivers.

Some APS drivers were initially reluctant to make the switch, but he now has a waiting list of drivers who want electric buses.

Mothers and Others for Clean Air, a local advocacy group, partnered with Georgia Physicians for Climate Action and the Georgia State Medical Association on a campaign to advocate a switch to electric school buses. They have met with district leaders from across the state to educate them about the benefits and how to find funds.

Fulton County Schools has only one electric school bus in its fleet of 930, spokesperson Anne Hamspon Boatwright said. It was bought with funds from the EPA and local taxes.

“We use our bus on a limited basis but have not found it to be practical

Continued

or effective for our needs. Our green, natural gas-powered buses work very well for us,” Boatwright said.

Natural gas- and propane-powered school buses still pollute, albeit less than diesel, said Tanya Coventry-Strader, executive director of Mothers and Others for Clean Air.

Gwinnett County Public Schools

– which claims to be the third largest transporter of students in the country – operates 2,006 buses, but none of them are electric, said Kondria Woods, director of communications. The district applied for federal funds over the past four years but was not selected.

Much of the funding is allocated to eligible school districts through a lottery system, according to EPA materials.

Advocates testing air-cleaning devices on diesel buses

Applications for the fourth year of the Clean School Bus program were due in January, and EPA materials state that notifications to awardees were to be sent out in May.

The notifications have not been sent out, according to a statement to Healthbeat from the EPA press office. The agency will provide an update to applicants “in the near future,” the statement said.

“The good news is that in the BBB [the Big Beautiful Bill signed by Trump on July 4], they did not claw back future rounds of Clean School Bus program funding," Mudd said.

Meanwhile, Mothers and Others for Clean Air in Atlanta is exploring other ways to reduce the impacts of air pollution on children riding diesel buses, Coventry-Strader said.

The group worked with a company called EnviroKlenz to install air-cleaning devices, called Smart Mounts, on four school buses in Atlanta to see whether the devices would reduce air pollution. They found that the filters did reduce air pollution.

Coventry-Strader said that ideally, all Georgia children could travel to school on a non-polluting electric bus. However, that transition could take a long time due to the high cost of the buses.

“The initial test looks really great,” she said of the air filters, which help protect passengers from ambient air pollution that may enter the bus from surrounding vehicles.

She emphasized that electric school buses are a top priority since they protect children and do not emit air pollutants.

“These are a much more cost-effective means to clean the air inside the bus, to immediately affect the health of students and the bus drivers while districts make the switch to electric buses,” CoventryStrader said. “We know that these diesel school buses are harming our kids’ health.”

Fulton County Schools makes attendance, AI priorities for new school year

By Bob Pepalis

As parents prepared for the return of their children to school, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney said he wanted everybody “to be all in” on Aug. 4, their first day.

“I recognize that the first couple of days of school are hectic, and there’s this natural inclination where I’ll wait for the storm to calm before I send my child. But I will tell you, if you do that, you’re starting the year off behind,” Looney said in a briefing on July 29.

The superintendent referenced an article that said chronic absenteeism in Georgia is 21 percent or higher, a figure the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) listed in its paper on the topic. The agency said chronic absenteeism in the state was around 12 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The GADOE defines chronic absenteeism as the percentage of enrolled students who miss 10 percent or more school days for any reason. That would translate to 18 days or more in a full school year.

Research shows an inextricable link between student attendance and student performance in school, according to Looney.

On the academic front, Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins reported that middle and high

school teachers were trained in the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) education. Elementary teachers, school leaders, and new hires will receive the AI training this year.

The adoption of district-supported AI platforms, including Microsoft Copilot Chat, will help teachers with lesson planning and instructional support. Students can use School AI, which Gaskins described as a studentfriendly platform that provides tutoring, classroom resources, and writing assistance.

Gaskins said Fulton County Schools will be one of the first school districts to adopt an AI career pathway at Fulton Innovation Academy in Alpharetta this year.

Chief Human Resources Officer Gonzalo La Cava said for the second year in a row, 99 percent of its open positions have been filled.

“Last week, we had over 300 new teachers be welcomed to Fulton County Schools,” La Cava said.

Chief Information Officer Joe Phillips said the school district has assigned dedicated IT technicians to each school, with two or three at high schools, one or two at each middle school, and one for each elementary school.

A five-minute first-contact resolution rule will ensure that if a student brings a technology issue to the school’s IT

technician, and if it isn’t resolved within five minutes, the student will be issued a new device.

Parents can sign up for an optional device protection plan. If something happens to the device issued to their child, they will be financially responsible. The $50 premium ($25 for Title 1 eligible or free and reduced lunch students) covers the device. A $50 deductible will be applied, unless it’s a fix that is less expensive, like replacing or fixing a charger. In that case, the parents will only have to pay for the cost of the item.

Student athletes and band members who are practicing in the heat are being safeguarded by use of the Perry Weather system, Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes told Rough Draft Atlanta. The system measures and monitors wet bulb readings that gauge heat and humidity.

“It’s connected to an app, so all the coaches get these notifications about when it’s reached certain levels, and they have notices that they have to stop,” Noyes said.

The equipment cost $14,000 to install in 16 high schools with an annual subscription and support cost of $47,000.

The Georgia High School Association has a policy for heat and humidity. Certain thresholds dictate what action coaches must take.

The Centre for Dance Education has been inspiring future dancers for nearly 30 years.

Whether your child loves to skip and twirl, enjoys ballet technique at the barre, or is pursuing a professional career, our experienced instructors will be with them every step of the way. In our highly nurturing, noncompetitive environment, everyone is respected, dreams are encouraged, and achievements at all levels are celebrated.

To enroll your child, visit

Gennadi Nedvigin Artistic Director

by Kim Kenney

By Cathy Cobbs

After piloting a cell phone ban in 18 schools last year, DeKalb County School District is extending the ban throughout the district.

Called “Disconnect to Reconnect,” the initiative will prohibit a variety of electronic devices across all elementary, middle, and high schools, including phones, smart watches, AirPods, headphones, and similar electronic devices, according to a release from DCSD.

“Students will not be permitted to use these devices during classes, class transitions, lunch, or any other time on campus,” the release said. “These measures support a safer, more focused learning environment and ensure consistent enforcement across all schools.”

Martin Luther King, and Tucker. Middle schools included Henderson, Lithonia, Sequoyah, and Tucker.

The school system, at the end of the year, reported a 17 percent decrease in student discipline at the pilot schools since its implementation, increased engagement, and fewer “social media-fueled” conflicts, according to a WABE story.

In May, House Bill 340 passed the Georgia Senate 54-2 after the state House of Representatives passed it with strong bipartisan support in early March.

The school district has an active request for proposal process underway to identify vendors “capable of designing and repurposing secure cell phone lockers or similar storage solutions that can be permanently mounted in all school buildings.”

• 5:1 Student:Teacher Ratio • Steam-Oriented Classrooms • Independent Study Courses for Credit

The Disconnect to Reconnect initiative upholds the district’s existing code of student conduct, which has restricted electronic device usage during instructional hours, the release said.

During the 2024-25 school year, a handful of high schools implemented the ban, including Cross Keys, Lakeside,

By Cathy Cobbs

US Foods Holding Corp. has introduced its 2025 class of food scholars, and one of the honorees hails from Tucker.

This year’s class, according to a release from the company, includes 18 students from 14 schools nationwide who are pursuing two- or four-year post-secondary degrees in culinary arts, hospitality, baking and pastry, or business management.

Each US Foods Scholar will receive a $20,000 scholarship to support their continued education, as well as professional development opportunities with US Foods, the release said.

In June, Zoe Holland, a 2025 graduate of Tucker High School, was also chosen to receive one of the American Legion Post #207’s first-ever School Medal Award and Scholarship. She joined other award winners Javier Jacon and Taja Pope, which, according to American Legion #207, “recognizes students who exhibit six core qualities of citizenship: Honor, Courage, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship, and Service.”

Holland is attending Johnson & Wales in Charlotte, NC, studying baking & pastry arts with an expected graduation date of 2027.

The US Foods Scholars program, launched in 2017, “was created to help meet this need by providing financial support and hands-on learning opportunities to culinary and hospitality students pursuing careers in the industry.”

Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $2.4 million in scholarships to more than 120 students. Currently, more than 30 active US Foods

The Disconnect to Reconnect initiative, according to the school system, “is positioned to foster greater focus, safety, and student connection during the school day by employing consistent policies, engaging communication campaigns, and investing in long-term structural solutions like lockers and signage.”

Scholars are working toward their degrees.

“As aligned with our commitment to helping our customers and the community ‘Make It,’ we are proud to support the next generation of culinary professionals through our US Foods Scholars program,” said Lisa Whitson, vice president, corporate communications at US Foods.

According to information from US Foods, Holland “first stepped into the kitchen during the early days of the COVID pandemic as a way to pass the time.”

What started as a hobby quickly became a passion, especially when she baked her grandparents’ cream cheese pound cake for the first time using their handwritten recipe,” the statement said. “That experience sparked a deep appreciation for the way food connects people and preserves family traditions.”

Oglethorpe implements new career prep program

By Logan C. Ritchie

Oglethorpe University is implementing new programs this school year for students to gain exposure to real-world career tracks in real time.

Oglethorpe President Dr. Kathryn McClymond said she's looking forward to deepening the focus on career preparation with Petrel Career Pathways and Oglethorpe Goes to Work day.

"We're finding that more and more students are coming to college asking, 'What's my opportunity afterwards?' Increasingly, colleges have to demonstrate the value that they bring to the career prospects for a student, and we believe strongly that the liberal arts education they receive is a high career value," McClymond said.

During new student orientation this month, students will have time to get prepared for the academic year by meeting faculty and learning about opportunities on- and off-campus at the career services office.

Petrel Career Pathways encourages students to learn about different professional clusters, including health professions, business, communication studies, and pre-law. In addition to resume preparation and site visits, the university will connect students with internships.

McClymond said site visits are "transformative" because they give the students a chance to see what it looks like to work in health professions at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, for example.

"Not just in their imagination, but to see who the people are that make it possible to deliver healthcare in that setting," she said.

Students will be introduced to local alumni in healthcare, law, and business.

"Students don't realize how many career opportunities there are in some of these fields, so we want them to learn that right from day one," McClymond said.

As a result of the exposure to alumni and site visits, Oglethorpe is hoping students gain an understanding that there are more jobs available than students think. In healthcare, people think about the doctors and the nurses – but there are technicians, physician assistants, and business people behind the scenes, she said.

"There are lots of people involved in providing healthcare who didn't have a traditional nurse or doctor's education," she added. "I want my students to imagine multiple pathways forward."

In spring 2026, the university is launching Oglethorpe Goes to Work day. For a single day, every sophomore will be off campus to explore career opportunities.

Oglethorpe has a strong network of alumni who speak on campus, hold panels and mentor students one-on-

one. McClymond said Oglethorpe is "incredibly rich in our alumni resources" with many alumni who stay in metro Atlanta, in the state of Georgia, and in the southeast.

"We're doing this because we have amazing community partnerships and alumni who want to bring the students on campus or off campus to see their work, and because Atlanta is the fourth most popular place for college graduates to go in the country right now after graduation," McClymond said.

"Opportunity is at our doorstep ... we want to give students a leg up, get them out into the city, and for them to see the job opportunities," she added.

Due to the leadership of the Director of Career Development, Dr. Lisa Conley, students are visiting more job sites and are being introduced to potential employers. Several students were offered jobs last year based on an introduction made through a site visit.

McClymond said students must be thinking about internships the summer between their sophomore and junior year.

"Not only will we give you the traditional resume building skills, but we can actually help build your network so that when you're ready to go looking for that internship, or job you already know people in your field," McClymond said, adding that 92 percent of students one year out from graduation are either working in their preferred field or are in a graduate program.

It goes beyond alumni, McClymond stressed. Oglethorpe's highly motivated faculty come to the university because they want a relationship with students.

"What makes Oglethorpe special is that we have always, always been about the person and the individual relationships. We wanted to craft a career preparedness plan that is still true to that personal experience. And I love being able to offer that to parents and students," she said.

"I'm really excited about lifting our students up to make them more visible to and connected with the city. I think that's going to be a win-win for the students and for the City of Atlanta," she said.

BEN FRANKLIN ACADEMY

OPEN HOUSE DATES

Fernbank unveils $27 million investment to expand programs, galleries, learning spaces

By Cathy Cobbs

Fernbank Museum has announced a successful $27 million capital campaign that will be used to transform how visitors experience science, nature, and human culture.

The renovation includes a landmark permanent exhibit, expanded galleries, interactive learning spaces, and significant accessibility improvements across the 120-acre campus.

“This represents the most ambitious expansion in Fernbank’s history,” Jennifer Grant Warner, its president and CEO said in a release by the museum. “We’re not just adding new exhibits—we’re fundamentally reimagining how people of all ages connect with the natural world around them.”

The campaign received major support from The Gary W. Rollins Foundation, the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, and more than 80 other funders, with eight gifts exceeding $1 million, the release said.

“Fernbank’s unique approach to

programming aligns perfectly with our commitment to science education,” said Kathleen Rollins, executive director of The Gary W. Rollins Foundation. “We’re proud to support Atlanta’s premier destination for science and nature experiences.”

The centerpiece of the renovation is Changing Earth, Fernbank’s largest permanent exhibit, which will showcase Earth’s interconnected systems through cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiences, the release said.

Visitors will manipulate tectonic plates using the interactive “Tectonic Dashboard,” explore biodiversity through the “Tree of Life” experience, and witness Earth’s 13.8-billion-year story unfold in the immersive “Rollins Rotunda.”

“Guests are part of natural history, and we’re engaging them in that conversation across the entire museum experience,” Warner said. “Every element connects — from our old-growth forest to our 3D theater to these new interactive galleries.”

Details about the installations:

• Our Place in the Cosmos (Opening late 2025): The renovated Star Gallery will feature expanded content about solar system and universe origins, combining the existing fiber optic star ceiling with new cinematic media and custom video content.

• Orkin Discovery Zone (Opening 2026): A hands-on learning environment where visitors become scientists, exploring live animals, authentic specimens, and interactive displays. Highlights include microscope stations connected to WildWoods discoveries and a “build-abug” spinning activity.

• Changing Earth Signature Exhibit (Opening 2027): The museum’s most ambitious permanent installation, featuring real specimens, touchable objects, and sophisticated technology that reveals how Earth’s water, land, air, and life systems influence each other.

• New Temporary Gallery (Opening 2027): An additional rotating exhibition space adjacent to Changing Earth will house both traveling exhibits and museum-curated displays, providing fresh experiences for repeat visitors.

• Enhanced Accessibility (Ongoing): New elevator installation and additional automatic doors will improve access throughout the building and to the WildWoods nature area.

This expansion continues Fernbank’s recent growth trajectory, following the successful 2019 opening of the Fantastic Forces exhibit, the 2020 STEAM Lab launch, and the 2016 creation of WildWoods, which physically connected the museum with Fernbank Forest.

“We’re experiencing tremendous growth in membership and attendance,” Warner said. “This expansion ensures we can continue creating modern, relevant experiences that inspire the next generation of scientists, conservationists, and curious minds.”

Fernbank Museum, according to its website, after nearly 100 years of inspiration and decades of planning, broke ground in 1989 for a natural history museum to serve as “school in the woods” and inspire future generations of naturalists and scientists.

It officially opened to the public on Oct. 5, 1992, featuring a variety of permanent exhibitions, Atlanta’s largest IMAX screen, a selection of traveling exhibits and science programming.

In 2003, Fernbank received accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums — a recognition awarded to fewer than five percent of museums nationwide.

For more information, visit fernbankmuseum.org

Take these classes in Atlanta to keep your kitchen and culinary skills sharp

By Beth McKibben

Whether you’re an avid home cook, love mixing it up behind the bar at home, enjoy wine tastings, or simply want to learn something new before the next dinner party, these classes from Atlanta chefs, bakeries, and cooking schools will help keep your skills sharp.

From the art of Neapolitan pizzamaking and the basics of butchery to the importance of knife sharpening and a luxe caviar tasting experience, here’s where to start your culinary learning journey in Atlanta.

Cook a new dish

Head to Cook’s Warehouse at Ansley Mall in Piedmont Heights for lessons on everything from how to make Thai dishes and cake decorating to baking gluten-free desserts and creating a spread for a seasonal dinner party. Classes cost between $99 and $110 per person for a hands-on cooking experience and instruction from local chefs and bakers. Visit cookswarehouse.com to see the monthly class calendar.

Over in Virginia-Highland, consider a pasta-making class at Italian market Tuscany at Your Table. With limited availability, these classes are super popular and fill up fast. Classes cost $95 per person and include a wine tasting. See details at tuscanyatyourtable.com.

Check out the culinary classes held

at The Cooking School on Virginia Avenue in Hapeville, ranging from creating seafood dishes to making paella to pair with sangria. There is even an occasional cooking class for kids. See classes at details at thecookingschools. com.

Cakes, caviar, and cocktails

From cake making to caviar curation to cocktail creation, The Distillery of Modern Art in Chamblee offers a variety of classes to attend each month. Want to spruce up your dinner party vibes? Take a class in flower arranging, calligraphy, glass engraving, or candle making. A pizza class will have you whipping up dough to bake signature pies at home. There are also classes on sushi making and exploring the world of caviar with a tasting experience. Classes start at $75 per person and usually include a cocktail or non-alcoholic drink, light snacks, or both food and drinks. Details can be found at distilleryofmodernart.com.

Pizza-making with a pro Emory Village Italian restaurant and pizzeria Double Zero offers monthly pizza-making classes. Learn the craft behind Neapolitan pies, including producing dough and firing pizzas in the Stefano Ferrara Forni ovens imported from Naples. Classes cost $60 per person and include instruction from the restaurant’s pizza chef and a glass of wine. See the classes at doublezeroatl.com.

For wine aficionados

Dunwoody wine bar and restaurant Vino Venue features weekly wine classes via its Atlanta Wine School. Learn which wines to pair with cheese or how to choose the best wines to complement any meal. Taste your way through wines from France, Oregon, or Italy. For people serious about taking their wine skills to the next level, Atlanta Wine School offers programs for becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine (WSET) and Italian Wine Professional. Classes range from $60 to $75, with certification classes starting at $315. Cooking classes, from kitchen

basics to creating family dinners, and other classes like floral arranging, are also available at Vino Venue. Visit vinovenue. com for more information.

Bake bread, then break bread

South Atlanta microbakery Osono Bread offers both sourdough and brioche doughnut-making classes. Owned and operated by baker Betsy Gonzalez, the sourdough class sees students feeding starters, mixing dough, and baking bread together. You’ll take home your starter and loaf, along with locally-milled flour and proofing basket. Held at locations around Atlanta, you can also learn to mix, shape, proof, and fry brioche doughnuts and create fillings. Osono Bread classes average around $135 per person. Find out more at osonobread.com.

Fans of Atlanta baker Sarah Dodge can take classes at Colette Bread and Bakeshop in Poncey-Highland, including classes on sourdough and making her wildly popular biscuits. Details are at coletteatl.com/classes.

Whole animal butchery

Avondale Estates butcher shop, Pine Street Market, hosts butchery classes

monthly. Owner and butcher Rusty Bowers will teach you how to use the proper knives and tools to break down a whole hog or to produce several cuts of steak. Classes cost between $175 per person and $235 per person, which includes a whetstone for sharpening. Butchery classes are held at The Lost Druid Brewery in Avondale Estates. Find details at pinestreetmarket.com.

Sharpen your knives

Take a one-on-one knife-sharpening class from the sharpener to the chefs, Moshi Moshi’s Michael Behn. This twohour session with Behn deep dives into the importance of keeping your kitchen knives sharp, properly cleaned, and primed for slicing, dicing, and chopping. Behn will instruct you on how to properly use a whetstone and teach you the functionality of specific knives in the kitchen and why each blade needs something a little different when it comes to sharpening. Classes are $150 per person. Make sure to bring two to three knives for instruction. Lessons are typically held on Friday afternoons. Visit moshiknives.com to register.

APS students continue to make gains in Georgia Milestones testing

By Rough Draft Staff

Atlanta Public Schools students in grades three through eight made gains in English Language Arts (ELA) (0.5%), Math (3.4%), Science (5.9%), and Social Studies (0.1%) compared to the 20232024 school year results, according to results from the 2024-2025 Georgia Milestones student assessment.

According to the report released Aug. 8 by the Georgia Department of Education, year-over-year gains were greater than the state in most assessed areas, and all subgroups (Students with Disabilities, English Learners, Economically Disadvantaged, etc.) showed increases in Math and Science performance.

“We are very encouraged by the progress we see in Math and Science,” Dr. Shakeatha Butler, APS Chief of Teaching & Learning, said in a statement. “We also acknowledge there is continued work to do in literacy. We are laser-focused on implementing standards-aligned training, practices, and resources grounded in the Science of Reading. Additionally, we continue to collaborate with community partners through Literacy & Justice for All and the Rollins Center to leverage expertise in the field.”

“These results affirm that when our leaders create the right conditions for our students to work hard, teachers stay focused, and we return to the basics of great teaching, success follows,” APS Chief of Schools Tommy Usher said in a statement. “Our commitment remains strong; deliver high-quality instruction, set high expectations, and support every teacher and every child along the way.”

According to a press release from APS, the Atlanta Board of Education continues to make investments in teachers, leaders, and staff. This includes a $58.9 million investment that provided an 11% salary increase for teachers last school year, and a $9.3 million investment this year to deliver a 10% raise for custodians, bus drivers, and paraprofessionals.

Board Chair Erika Y. Mitchell expressed pride in the district’s progress, stating, “On behalf of the Atlanta Board of Education, we are proud to celebrate the positive gains our students have made on the Georgia Milestones. These results reflect the hard work of our educators, the dedication of our families, and the resilience of our students. We look forward to continued growth and even greater progress in the year ahead.”

End of Grade Year-Over-Year Gains By Subject (Grade 3-8)

SOCIAL STUDIES

Metro area acting, writing, and filmmaking classes

(Courtesy of Drama Inc.)

By Sammie Purcell

It’s never too late to chase a dream. If you’ve been wondering how to break into the film and television industry, Atlanta offers plenty of ways to get started.

Acting, writing, and filmmaking classes are available in spades throughout Atlanta. If you’re looking for classes that start in August or September, you’ll have your pick of everything from improv to screenwriting.

See what upcoming classes you can choose from below, and visit any one of these organizations’ website to see what they have coming in the future. Drama Inc.

Drama Inc. offers a plethora of acting classes for all levels of experience, including script analysis and scene study classes, on-camera basics, and stand-up. Plus, actors can also study the methods of acting teachers like Sanford Meisner and Uta Hagen. Drama Inc. also offers screenwriting classes at different levels. For the full list of the classes offered at Drama Inc., visit dramainc.net.

Nick Conti’s Professional Actor’s Studio

Nick Conti’s Professional Actor’s Studio offers weekly acting classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels. There are also classes geared toward teenagers, improv, and combat training. Potential

students can also audit one class for free. Check out Nick Conti’s full class calendar at proactorsstudio.com.

Catapult Acting Studios

Catapult Acting Studios offers a number of acting classes for youth (ages 4-17) and adults. The sudio also offers a conservatory program for both youth and for young adults (ages 16-25) that offers a more intensive curriculum for actors looking to master TV/film performance. The entirety of Catapult’s catalogue can be found catapultacting.com.

Atlanta Film Society

Class details at atlantafilmsociety.org.

The PA Academy: Presented in partnership with Georgia Production Partnership, The PA Academy is an inperson course that prepares students for success on their first day on set. The PA Academy teaches students everything they need to know to be a production assistant in any department, and takes place every February, June, August, and November.

How to Make a Documentary: Ideas, Research, and Concept Reels: This four-part online course starts Sept. 6 and is taught by Imani L. Warren, an awardwinning producer and filmmaker based in Florida. The course aims to explore

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GLOBAL LEADERS, MADE IN ATLANTA

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the necessary tools and techniques of documentary filmmaking. The last class will take place Sept. 27.

Special Effects, Monsters and Mayhem: A Guide for Filmmakers: This workshop will take place at the Plaza Theatre on Sept. 13. Makeup FX artist and specialty costumer Midian Crosby will teach students the pros and cons of practical in-camera effects versus digital, how to get the best effects for your budget, and more.

Film Business Basics: Film producer Linda Burns will teach this three-class series geared toward students just starting out in the film industry. The three classes will all take place on Sept. 20.

Class details at alliancetheatre.org.

Acting I: Foundation: Over multiple classes at the Alliance Theatre, students will learn basic acting techniques, develop physical and vocal awareness as an actor, and more. There are multiple sessions available for this class, with the soonest running from Sept. 2 to Oct. 7.

Acting II: Process: The next step in acting class at the Alliance builds on the foundation learned in Acting I. In these classes, students will learn different ways to approach a scene, as well as how to create dynamic relationships and emotional reality.

Musical Theater I: Acting through Song: Musical theater isn’t just about singing, but learning how to act through your singing as well. In this multi-week course, students will learn all about vocal health and protection, how to analyze a song, phrasing, and more.

The Actor’s Body: This course helps actors move through the moments of tension or stress they will inevitably face

in their career. Students in this class will learn improved self-awareness, tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and more.

Improv I: If you’ve ever shown an interest in the art of improv, this is the class for you. In this intro course, you will learn how to be more mindful and engaged when working through an improv scene, and how to build bridges between your instincts and logic. The only session available runs from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27.

Screenwriting: In this film screenwriting class, students will learn a step-bystep approach to screenplay creation, including character outlines, drafts, and dialogue writing.

Dad’s Garage

Do Improv Good with Kevin Gillese: Gillese, the former artistic director of Dad’s Garage, teaches this four-week master class on improv. The course dives into how authenticity, emotional truth, contrast, and commitment are the things that really make improv shine. Prior improv experience is required for this course, which runs Sept. 7-28.

Dad’s Garage also offers classes for all levels of improv performance, as well as classes on sketch-writing, directing, and other types of performance throughout the year. Get details and schedules at dadsgarage.com.

Whole World Improv Theatre

The Actor’s Toolbox: A Character Study Master Class with Tanya Wagner: During this six-week short-form improv class, Whole World veteran Tanya Wagner will teach students how to think on their feet through improv games and a fastpaced environment. Students will learn how to harness their spontaneity and more. The class takes place from Sept. 21 to Oct. 26.

Whole World Improv Theatre also offers a selection of courses for adults as well as teens and children, ranging from beginner to advanced. Check out Whole World’s list of courses at wholeworldtheatre.com.

Westside Future Fund awards $100,000 in grants to Booker T. Washington school cluster

By Rough Draft Staff

The Westside Future Fund (WFF) has awarded a total of $100,000 in grants to five schools in the Booker T. Washington High School cluster.

Each school — Booker T. Washington High School, Hollis Innovation Academy, H.J. Russell West End Academy, Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy, and M. Agnes Jones Elementary — received a $20,000 grant to fund programs and resources that promote student success.

“Investing in education is investing in the future of the Westside,” John Ahmann, President & CEO of Westside Future Fund, said in a press release. “These schools are shaping the next generation of leaders, and our support ensures that students have

access to the opportunities they need to thrive in and beyond the classroom. This is what it means to build a community Dr. King would be proud to call home.”

The grants were awarded this week during a check presentation event at WFF headquarters, attended by Atlanta Public Schools leadership, Booker T. Washington cluster principals, City of Atlanta government leadership, and other community stakeholders.

“We are deeply grateful to Westside Future Fund for this generous investment in our schools and our scholars. This support will open new doors for our students, enhance the resources available in our classrooms, and strengthen the programs that prepare them for success beyond graduation,” Shelly Goodrum,

Washington Cluster Superintendent, said in a statement.

“It is a shining example of the power of community partnerships to transform lives and uplift entire neighborhoods. Together, we are building a brighter future for the Westside.”

STYLE IS FOREVER

Georgia teacher fired over LGBTQ book continues to fight her termination, school district policies

By Ross Williams | Georgia Recorder

A federal judge in Atlanta paused a challenge against school district policies targeting so-called divisive topics while a teacher fired under such a policy contests her termination in a separate state court case.

Just over two years ago, Cobb County fifth grade teacher Katie Rinderle was fired after reading “My Shadow is Purple,” a picture book with a nonbinary child protagonist, to a gifted class of 10- and 11year olds.

Speaking after a Wednesday court hearing, attorney Craig Goodmark said Rinderle is “moving on” from the ordeal

but still has concerns about her former employer.

“She continues to be an educator in Georgia,” Goodmark said. “She was attentive today, and I think she appreciated the judge’s thoughtful attention to what’s going on procedurally.

“She’s moving on with her life, but she continues to have concerns about the way Cobb County is creating outcasts out of an entire community of people,” he said, referring to LGBTQ Georgians.

The state case

Some parents complained that “My Shadow is Purple” presented a one-sided view of gender politics and that it violated their religious beliefs on the topic.

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A disciplinary tribunal found that Rinderle made errors, including by not seeking advice from administrators before reading the book, but recommended against firing her. The Cobb County Board of Education rejected the recommendation and terminated her employment. Rinderle challenged that decision, but was rebuffed by the State Board of Education and the Superior Court of Cobb County.

“In sum, the record contains evidence that Rinderle knew about, and violated, CCSD’s rules governing use of supplemental resources and sensitive or controversial topics,” wrote Cobb Superior Court Judge Kimberly Childs in a January ruling. “The record also contains evidence that Rinderle was dishonest during CCDS’s investigation into her conduct. That evidence is enough for a local board to conclude that Rinderle engaged in willful neglect of duties by intentionally violating a known rule or policy.”

That challenge is now in front of the Georgia Court of Appeals, where it could be heard by the end of the year, after which it’s likely that one of the parties will appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court.

The federal case

U.S. District Court Judge Tiffany Johnson ruled Tuesday that until Rinderle’s challenge over her termination is resolved, a separate federal challenge will be on hold.

Rinderle argued that she didn’t know the book, which she bought at a districtsponsored book fair, would run afoul of the district’s controversial materials rules. Her attorneys said those rules are so vague that they violate the 14th Amendment right to due process by preventing teachers from understanding what materials will subject them to adverse employment action.

Her attorneys also argue that because the district policies do not apply to discussions of characters whose gender expression or sexual orientation conforms with societal norms, the policies amount to a violation of the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

“Defendants’ Censorship Policies effectuate the erasure, silencing, and stigmatization of gender nonconforming and LGBTQ students by singling their identities out for official disapproval as ‘controversial,’ denying them access to materials and curriculum that represent their identities and communities, and chilling CCSD teachers from affirming their identities and addressing anti-LGBTQ harassment,” Rinderle’s complaint reads.

The complaint alleges that Rinderle’s firing was unlawful retaliation for her “advocating for and supporting LGBTQ and gender nonconforming students.”

In a statement, the district expressed confidence that its decision to fire Rinderle will continue to be supported in court.

“Multiple rulings, in court and by the State Board, have confirmed what the District has maintained from the beginning of the case: the District’s decision was lawful and necessary,” a district spokesperson said.

“Previous rulings have also affirmed Ms. Rinderle knowingly violated District rules and policy and also affirmed evidence of Ms. Rinderle being dishonest during the investigation.”

“Today’s procedural ruling does not change those facts, and we remain confident in the judicial process,” the district added.

“In Cobb, we’re committed to following the law and focused on ensuring our classrooms remain centered on teaching and learning.”

By Rough Draft Staff

KIPP Atlanta Schools, a network of 11 tuition-free public charter schools that serves more than 5,500 students in Atlanta and East Point, received a $35,000 donation from Delta Air Lines to support its programs.

The contribution from the airline company will be allocated to two initiatives that the charter school network currently offers: KIPP Forward and Best of KIPP.

KIPP Forward provides postsecondary planning and career training to alumni, as well as offering guidance to families of current students.

Best of KIPP gives students opportunities to showcase their talents through various competitions, performances and international experiences.

“This generous donation from Delta Air Lines strengthens our ability to empower scholars with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the classroom, thrive in college and build meaningful careers,” said Torrey Bates, KIPP Atlanta Schools managing director of advancement.

“By continuing to invest in our scholars, Delta is helping equip the next generation of leaders with opportunities to excel academically, develop professionally and successfully pursue their dreams.”

Delta Air Lines has been a partner of KIPP Atlanta Schools since 2015.

In addition to the recent donation, Delta offers aviation career experiences for KIPP students and serves as the presenting sponsor of the education network’s annual Night of Impact fundraiser — which

has raised more than $1 million in support of scholarly programs.

“Partnering with KIPP Atlanta Schools and more than 100 other educational organizations worldwide, Delta is passionate about connecting tomorrow’s employees, customers and communities with the skills and experiences they need to take on the world with purpose,” said Tad Hutcheson, managing director of community engagement with Delta Air Lines.

“KIPP’s work to enhance educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds is an important part of our commitment to advancing education in the communities where we live, work and serve.”

Start at Trinity, thrive for life.

Trinity School serves children age three through Sixth Grade and cherishes childhood while preparing students for the future. Small class sizes, innovative programming, and experienced and devoted teachers are just some of the reasons your child will thrive at Atlanta’s sole elementary-only independent school!

Seeking nominations of students for our 17th Annual 20 Under 20 issue.

Here’s the information we need:

■ Nominator (name, relationship to nominee and contact information)

■ Nominee (Name, age, grade, school, parent or guardian names, contact information)

■ Characteristics and service: Please provide a paragraph describing why this nominee deserves recognition. Include service projects, goals, and areas of interest.

■ A high resolution photograph (1MB in size or more) of the student in any setting.

Tests, unfunded mandates, vouchers among school complaints to legislative panel

By Ty Tagami

When Georgia lawmakers asked what they could do to make the lives of educators a little easier, they got a predictable response: stop telling us what to do, especially if you will not pay for it.

The first hearing on Aug. 26 of a House study committee on reducing mandates for public school administrators revealed concerns about an old law that mandates high-stakes testing, an even older state funding formula that has not kept up with costs, and two new laws.

The Early Literacy Act passed two years ago is an unfunded mandate that has forced school districts to cut back in key areas to pay for teacher retraining and new curriculum, said Mack Bullard, the superintendent in Twiggs County.

Technology does not get upgraded, he said. Fine arts, clubs and sports that keep students connected to school get cut. Safety improvements and facility repairs get skipped. And teachers do not get paid a competitive salary, leading to attrition.

“Every dollar we redirect to cover an unfunded mandate is a dollar that we take away from another essential service,” Bullard told the panel, which convened in Warner Robins for a livestreamed meeting.

There were also complaints about Georgia’s Quality Basic Education funding formula from the 1980s. It pays an average $18.75 per day for substitute teachers in Houston County, said Chris Brown, the deputy superintendent there. The $17,452 per year for secretaries does not cover their health insurance, which exceeds $22,000 annually, let alone their pay, he added.

Brown also pointed to the 2024 law giving students a $6,500 annual voucher if they leave a public school to attend a private one.

Those private schools do not have to face the same accountability measures as public schools, Brown said.

Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, leads the committee. He said the concerns deserve further discussion. He said the next hearing will be Sept. 29.