New Experiences to enhance your next visit!
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is offering two new experiences in our Underwater Astronaut Trainer! With SeaTREK, museum visitors don a specialized diving helmet for a fully guided underwater walking experience for all skill levels, ages 10 and older. DIVR+ is a virtual reality snorkeling system with sensory feedback, providing an unbelievably realistic VR experience suitable for ages 7 and up.
rocketcenter.com/experiences
@RocketCenterUSA newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 3
™
Winter 2021 CONTENTS FEATURES Atlanta’s Best Neighborhood Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 The Inside Scoop on Amazing Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Explore six of the metro area’s prime outdoor spaces, perfect for a little afternoon workout or a peaceful spot for a relaxing escape.
Discover the many things that make Atlanta not just the capital of the South but a fantastic place to live, including the best of the arts, attractions for the whole family and a unique sense of history.
Tips for Managing Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Georgia’s Historic Inns & Hotels .....................30
Homework is a challenging part of the daily schedule for the whole family. Learn strategies for stress-free study tips.
Georgia’s historic hotels and inns exude luxury and Southern charm, offering travelers a relaxing or even romantic adventure.
26
30
20
DEPARTMENTS In Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Restaurant Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 The inside scoop on news, events and happenings around Atlanta.
Homes and Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
When you’re relocating with your kids, finding the right community is your top priority. Tour Atlanta’s top family neighborhoods and find a place you’ll all love to call home. Neighborhood Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Grant Park is filled with historic homes, great restaurants and some of Atlanta’s most beloved landmarks, including Zoo Atlanta and Center Parc Credit Union Stadium.
With a plethora of options highlighted by a New Orleans kick, Lagarde American Eatery in Chamblee has something for everyone to let the good times roll.
Relocation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 A comprehensive guide to help you find your way before, during and after your move, including counties, neighborhoods, relocation tips, a map to metro Atlanta and much more.
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
School Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Get caught up on the best art and history exhibitions, theatrical productions, special events (both in-person and virtual) and live music across the metro area and beyond.
With a strong focus on faith and the pursuit of excellence, Mount Paran Christian School helps children develop to their full potential.
Hidden Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SkyView offers a relaxing and unique way to get a view of the city, from 20 stories above Centennial Olympic Park.
4 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL EXISTS TO PROVIDE A NURTURING EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT TRANSFORMS LIVES IN CHRIST, INTEGRATING SPIRITUAL FORMATION, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ARTISTIC SENSIBILITY, AND ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT.
11320 Woodstock Rd., Roswell GA 30075
(678) 277-9083
www.btcatholic.org
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 5
We wish to thank all the people who made this publication possible through their valuable time and dedication. Many thanks to our advertisers for their support of Newcomer magazine. publisher/president
Patrick Killam
pkillam@killampublishing.com
editor
Everett Catts & promotions Jeff Thompson
marketing
contributing writers
Michelle Bourg, Noreen Lewis Cochran, Susan Flowers, Tony Jenkins, Alexa Martin, Kevin Forest Moreau, Donna Neale, Cady Schulman, Muriel Vega director of sales & marketing
Patrick Killam
pkillam@killampublishing.com account director
Lacey James advertising@killampublishing.com
TO ADVERTISE CALL 770-992-0273 font: mawns handwriting
Scan this code to check out past issues of Newcomer.
Newcomer magazine, Winter 2021, Volume 24, Issue 4. Submissions, photography or ideas may be sent to Killam Publishing, Inc., 200 Market Place, Suite 230, Roswell, GA 30075. Submissions will not be returned unless otherwise requested and accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Newcomer magazine reserves the right to revise submissions as necessary. Reproduction in whole or in part of any elements of this publication are strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Š 2020 Killam Publishing, Inc.
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6 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
JOY IN LEARNING Arbor Montessori fosters independence in each child through supportive relationships, joyful learning, and meaningful work in a Montessori environment, inspiring them to contribute with integrity to the community of the world.
Call 404.321.9304 today for a personalized tour.
EXPERIENCE THE ARBOR DIFFERENCE Serving students 18 months to 14 years at two Decatur campus locations. 2998 Lavista Road, Decatur GA 30033 1434 Scott Blvd., Decatur GA 30030 404.321.9304 • www.arbormontessori.org
Arbor Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, family structure or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, family structure or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 7
inFOCUS NEWS BITES FROM AROUND ATLANTA
WALKING IN
WONDER
PHOTO: Atlanta Botanical Garden
Now in its 10th year, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights showcases the natural beauty of the Atlanta Botanical Garden with breathtaking displays, including Nature’s Wonder, billed as the world’s largest curtain of synchronized light and sound. Timed-entry tickets are limited due to COVID-19 protocols, and are available online only. Through Jan. 16, including Christmas and New Year’s. atlantabg.org.
SEASONAL SPLENDOR
What better way to spend the holidays than by exploring other cultures in the shadow of giant dinosaur skeletons? Winter Wonderland, at the Fernbank Museum, features two floors of beautifully decorated trees illustrating holidays and traditions celebrated by cultures across the globe. New additions this year include a sock skating rink and 7-foot snow globes. Winter Wonderland runs through Jan. 8. For more information, call 404-929-6300 or visit fernbankmuseum.org.
CMA Receives Fulton County Grant
Take a Virtual Tour The pandemic has made finding a new school for your child a little more challenging. You may not be able to visit a prospective school in person, but Woodward Academy, an independent school serving pre-K through high school on two metro Atlanta campuses, is offering the next best thing: virtual tours. Each individualized tour is led by a guide who leads parents through an online platform using videos and photography to give them a full sense of the Woodward experience. To book a virtual tour, visit woodward.edu/visit. 8 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
PHOTO: Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Congratulations to Children’s Museum of Atlanta, which was recently awarded a grant from the Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture, which aims to ensure that all Fulton County residents have access to the arts. The grant helped to support CMA exhibits like Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer and Fun and Games: Make Your Move. Visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org to schedule a visit today!
inFOCUS The Show Must Go On
PHOTO: Courtesy of Marist School
The enterprising students at Marist School recently found a way to stage a thought-provoking production while still practicing safe distancing. Marist Theater’s Unprecedented featured a mix of prerecorded material and live shows (each 10 minutes or less), with audiences divided into groups of no more than 25, which experienced the shows in rotation. The two October productions were a celebration of the magic of theater and storytelling. Congratulations to all!
Magical Night 0f Lights Every year, countless metro Atlanta families make the hour-plus drive south to Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain for Fantasy in Lights, recognized by National Geographic as one of the 10 best light displays in the world. Ride through a dazzling forest illuminated with over 8 million lights, and take in the all-new Magical Field of Lights, featuring a Christmas tree over 10 stories tall! Through Jan. 4. For more information, call 844-512-2836 or visit callawaygardens.com.
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 9
THE METRO AREA IS FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL, EXPANSIVE PARKS,
Atlanta’s Best Neighborhood
PARKS
PEACEFUL SPOTS FOR A RELAXING ESCAPE By Alexa Martin
from Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta to sprawling Piedmont Park in Midtown. But it also has plenty of smaller spots for when you just want to spend an intimate afternoon playing catch with the kids or strolling through nature. With that in mind, we’ve spotlighted five neighborhood parks where you can enjoy great recreational amenities while taking a break from the everyday world.
HERITAGE GREEN This 4-acre park is the heart of Sandy Springs, a bustling city of more than 110,000 residents just north of Atlanta. Heritage Green serves as the city’s official gathering place, and is the home of the natural spring for which the town is named. Heritage Green is also home to the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum, dedicated to preserving the area’s history. The museum hosts the permanent Sandy Springs: Land and People exhibit, and A Land Nearby, a temporary exhibit which features a collection of 20 photographs of Georgia's Barrier Islands taken by Dr. Curt Hames Jr. The Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn is a terraced, 14,000-square-foot expanse of lush greenspace located within the park. The lawn hosts as many as 1,000 people for concerts that take place on a semicircular stage May through September. The lawn is also available for theatrical performances, weddings and other special events.
Heritage Green, a park in Sandy Springs, is home to the natural spring where the city gets its name.
10 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
Every city has its own treasured greenspace; for Atlanta, it’s Piedmont Park. On any given day, Midtown’s Piedmont Park is filled with joggers, people-watchers, dog walkers, sunbathers and Frisbee players—and on especially beautiful summer days, the best seat in the city is a patch of grass on its great lawns. Aside from its walking and jogging paths, another big draw is Lake Clara Meer, a stocked fishing lake. The park is also the location of many festivals and concerts throughout the year, including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival and Music Midtown.
PHOTO: (Above Right) Piedmont Park Conservancy
PIEDMONT PARK
Piedmont Park in midtown, Atlanta's signature park, includes Lake Clara Meer.
TOWN CENTER PARK Located at the intersection of Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, this 10-acre park is known as Suwanee’s “front yard.” Visitors walk, jog and bicycle along a mile of paved surfaces dotted with interlinking pathways and sidewalks. They also enjoy sitting back on park benches to chat with friends or simply take in the beautiful scenery. Of particular interest to families is Big Splash, the largest interactive fountain in Gwinnett County. Adults and children splash and frolic among 43 jets that shoot up to 1,400 gallons of water per minute. The fountain is generally open seven days a week between April and October. Town Center Park is Suwanee’s pre-
Town Center Park, considered Suwanee's “front yard,” hosts a variety of events annually.
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 11
mier spot for special events, including Food Truck Fridays, Movies Under the Stars and the Suwanee Fine Arts Festival. Among its amenities is a terraced amphitheater that can host up to 1,000 for outdoor concerts and other events.
Atlanta's Historic Fourth Ward Park includes a Splash Pad for kids to play on.
HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK Opened in 2011 in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, Historic Fourth Ward Park stands as a vibrant symbol of the area’s revitalization over the last decade. Designed as a focal point for the rapidly evolving community, this 17-acre park located near the Atlanta BeltLine— a multi-use trail designed to form a ring of parks and green spaces around the city—is anchored by a picturesque lake, surrounded by rolling lawns filled with native plants and plenty of paved pathways for walking and biking. Smaller visitors will enjoy the children’s playgrounds, with slides, swings, rock walls, climbing areas and other features. There’s also the Splash Pad, with jets of water streaming from the ground and overhead, open from May 1 through Oct. 1. The park also features a public skate park, the first in Atlanta.
COBB PARK AND KIDSCAPE VILLAGE sets, slides and a small train for the younger tykes and a large playground with climbing structures, a spider web and other diversions for slightly older kids. There’s also a baseball field that can be used for a variety of sports. The park itself radiates a rustic, wooded feel, full of benches and shaded areas ideal for relaxing on a summer afternoon. This place can fill up fast, especially on weekends, so be prepared to share the space with other families.
SIMS LAKE PARK
With a playground and other amenities, Gwinnett County's Sims Lake Park is a popular place for families. 12 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
This moderately sized (62 acres) general-use park has become a major draw for nature lovers in Gwinnett County. Located just a few miles from downtown Suwanee, Sims Lake Park almost feels like a gorgeous preserve worlds away from city life. Dog owners walk with their furry friends, walkers and bikers enjoy the 1.2-mile trail, and everyone can take in the beautiful view of the 7-acre lake that gives the park its name. A playground and picnic pavilion situated near the entrance offer kids a perfect spot to blow off some steam while the parents relax, and a pair of 2-acre meadows provide great opportunities for tossing a Frisbee or laying out in the sun. And an abundance of scenic backdrops attracts artists, photographers and those who simply enjoy being surrounded by natural beauty.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Cobb Park and Kidscape Village smyrnavinings.com/ cobb-park-and-kidscape-village Heritage Green visitsandysprings.org Historic Fourth Ward Park h4wpc.com Piedmont Park piedmontpark.org Sims Lake Park suwanee.com/exploresuwanee/parks Town Center Park suwanee.com/exploresuwanee/parks
PHOTOS: (Left) Bill Mahan; (Above) Steven Jackson
This 5.8-acre park in Smyrna, just west of the city’s downtown area, is one of the most popular spots in metro Atlanta among parents of small children, perfect for a morning or afternoon of fun-filled activity. Kidscape Village boasts swing
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newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 13
HOME S
&
C O MM U NI TI E S
Y L D N E I R F Y L I M FA S D O O H R O B H G I E N
FINDING THE PERFECT PLACE TO CALL HOME By Susan Flowers Relocating to a new city is always challenging. For families with children, that holds especially true. The process involves much more than finding a new home close to your new place of employment. Schools, the makeup of the neighborhood, leisure activities and many other factors need to be taken into account when choosing a place to call home. “You really have to have a game plan,” says real estate agent Rhonda Duffy, who runs Duffy Realty of Atlanta and has been hailed as one of the top agents in the country by Realtor.com. That plan begins with identifying specific areas of interest to families with children. If you already know you want to live within the Atlanta city limits, you’ve narrowed your search considerably. Atlanta neighborhoods have much to offer, like Virginia-Highland’s leafy, tree-lined streets, Midtown’s Piedmont Park and the Woodruff Arts Center (which includes the High Museum of Art) and Grant Park’s historic homes, park and Zoo Atlanta.
Giant inflatables during Fun Day at Piedmont Park 14 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
(Below Left) The Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth is a family-friendly attraction, featuring many historic and vintage trains. (Below Right) Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Kennesaw is a well-known Civil War historic site, with annual Civil War reenactments.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON SCHOOLS SUBURBS AND MIXEDUSE COMMUNITIES If you’re not tied to a particular section of town, your options increase dramatically. Many of Atlanta’s suburbs boast features of interest to families with children. Cities like Alpharetta, Marietta, Decatur, Duluth and Lawrenceville abound with greenspace, walkable downtown centers and other amenities. Alpharetta, located in north Fulton County, is home to a historic downtown district, several parks, a weekly farmer’s market and Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at Encore Park, which hosts outdoor summer concerts. In addition to a beautiful city square, Marietta’s attractions include the Gone With the Wind Museum and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a Civil War site with 17 miles of hiking trails. Decatur likewise radiates a cozy, small-town charm, especially around its historic courthouse and town square. Public transportation is easily accessible, and recreational activities are plentiful in its many parks and playing fields. Just north of Atlanta in Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville features such attractions as the Aurora Theatre, the Gwinnett Stripers minorleague baseball team and numerous parks
offering playgrounds, sports facilities and trails. Nearby Duluth boasts the 30-acre Southeastern Railway Museum, the Hudgens Center for Arts and Learning and the Infinite Energy Arena, home of the Atlanta Gladiators hockey team. Both cities are served by Gwinnett County Public Schools, recognized as one of the best school systems in the state. One of metro Atlanta’s newest municipalities (incorporated in 2006), Johns Creek earns rave reviews from residents and national media alike for its quiet, safe atmosphere; excellent schools and excellent recreation opportunities, such as the Johns Creek Greenway. Its proximity to both Atlanta and to the North Georgia mountains gives residents the best of both worlds. Other family-friendly suburbs worth considering include East Point, home to the Georgia Soccer Park and the Dick Lane Velodrome, one of the leading bicycle racing facilities in the country; Roswell, which features the Roswell Cultural Arts Center and the Chattahoochee Nature Center; and Sandy Springs, which boasts Heritage Green, a four-acre park that hosts free concerts and events. Mixed-use neighborhoods, which allow resi-
Neighborhood schools are, of course, a critical factor to consider. The Atlanta School Guide, Atlanta’s leading education resource for parents and educators, is a great place to start (atlantaschoolguide.com). Available for free at more than 850 locations across the metro Atlanta area, this semiannual publication offers features on educational trends, as well as important dates, helpful tips and terminology and detailed, up-to-date information on public and private schools, summer camps, early education centers and other educational resources. newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 15
HOME S
&
C O MM U N I TI E S
With abundant greenspace, an interactive fountain and a 1,000-seat amphitheater, Town Center Park is referred to as Suwanee’s ‘front yard.’
dents to live, work and play within the same area, are also worth considering, especially for families used to living in larger metropolitan areas. “A lot of mixed-use developments are attractive to younger families,” says Robin Lemon, a sales agent with Keller Williams Realty Consultants. “They want their children to experience more of a neighborhood feeling.” Atlantic Station, in Atlanta’s Midtown area, is a 138-acre development offering an array of condos, lofts, townhomes, apartments and single-family homes, as well as a two-acre lake and plenty of greenspace, in addition to a mix of restaurants and shops. In Suwanee, located in Gwinnett, the Town Center development features single-family homes, townhomes and condos, as well as retail and office space and the 10-acre Town 16 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
Center Park. With abundant greenspace, an interactive fountain and a 1,000seat amphitheater, Town Center Park is referred to as Suwanee’s “front yard.” Northwest of the city in Cobb County, Smyrna’s pedestrian-friendly Market Village sports an airy, open feel, with plentiful greenspace, a public square and fountain, charming townhomes, restaurants and retail and office space. There are many, many more suburbs and communities worth a look as well. A good place to start is with a visit to Newcomer’s website (newcomeratlanta.com) and reading about the cities and areas profiled in our “Neighborhood Spotlight” and “Homes and Communities” sections to get a sense of what communities you’d like to explore further.
Kids enjoying a ride during one of Suwanee's festivals.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of the city of Suwanee
Suwanee's Town Center Park, located next to City Hall, includes 10-acres and a 1,000-seat amphitheater.
Once you’ve settled on a neighborhood, ask your potential new neighbors about the area. Duffy recommends seeking out three sets of neighbors and asking them all the same questions. For families with children, those include: How social is the neighborhood? Are there many parties or events? How many kids live in the area, versus how many adults? It’s important to establish whether a particular neighborhood provides sufficient opportunities to make friends with children of similar age. It’s also a good idea to visit local shopping areas to ensure that there are child-friendly establishments and other retail outlets that fit your family’s lifestyle. A distance of only two or three miles can make a difference. And be sure to investigate any family-friendly amenities in the neighborhood. The fact that a subdivision has a pool, for example, doesn’t mean that the facility has room for all the residents to enjoy
it on a regular basis, that there’s adequate seating around the pool or that sufficient safety measures are in place. Your search should also be guided in part by the needs and interests of the children in your family. “Are they a computer family? What kind of sports do they play?” asks Lemon. “If the kids are really involved in certain things, I can start gearing a search toward the family’s needs. There are some families that will come in and say, ‘My children are very interested in volleyball or very into karate.’” Most importantly, when scouting a new neighborhood and a new home, remember to take your time. “The key to buying a house is to ask a lot of questions and slow down the process,” Duffy says. By having a detailed strategy, asking questions and placing special emphasis on neighborhoods and the amenities they offer, you’re much more likely to settle on the perfect home for yourself and your children.
Alpharetta’s Arts Street Fest is one of the city's many events.
It’s also a good idea to visit local shopping areas to ensure that there are child-friendly establishments and other retail outlets that fit your family’s lifestyle.
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 17
PHOTO: Courtesy of the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau
ASK QUESTIONS AND INVESTIGATE
neighborhood
SPOTLIGHT Grant Park By Muriel Vega
E
Zoo Atlanta
stablished in 1895, Grant Park is housed in the heart of Atlanta and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Named after Lemuel P. Grant, who helped bring the railroad to the city, it houses some of Atlanta’s most beloved landmarks, and its craftsman cottages and Victorian architecture are sought out by both families and young professionals.
Grant Park is home to many Victorian-era homes, with prices ranging between from the $200,000s to the high $400,000s. Oakland Park boasts energy-efficient condos up to the high $300s. The Jane at Grant Park development features more than 33,000 square feet of commercial space and eight bi-level lofts. The Mattress Factory Lofts offer affordable, spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom apartment homes with breathtaking city views. The one- and two-bedroom apartments at The Burnett at Grant Park feature washer-dryers and stainless-steel appliances.
Local Treasures
Summer Shade Festival
Oakland Cemetery is filled with beautiful mausoleums and sculptures, winding paths and an oasis of greenspace. Center Parc Credit Union Stadium, formerly Turner Field and now owned by Georgia State University, is part of a redevelopment initiative to that area.
Culinary Treats Doc Chey’s serves appetizing noodle bowls and stir-frys. Ria’s Bluebird, which was headed by the late Ria Pell, is a character-filled breakfast joint famous for its fluffy pancakes and Oakland Cemetery
The Burnett at Grant Park
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Gifted to Atlanta by engineer and businessman Lemuel P. Grant in 1883, Grant Park hosts more than 1 million visitors each year. The mansion where he once lived today houses the Atlanta Preservation Center’s office.
18 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
delicious egg dishes. If you’re looking for a cup of coffee and a warm, sweet pastry or quiche to go with it, check out Little Tart Bakeshop. Tin Lizzy’s dishes out tasty soups, salads, tacos and quesadillas along with frosty margaritas. Locals flock to the Republic Social House for salads, sandwiches, wings and an impressive rooftop deck. Six Feet Under boasts breathtaking views from its rooftop bar. Grant Central Pizza and Pasta is the preferred spot for pies and pasta. Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt serves huge portions of savory barbecue.
Arts and Entertainment Grant Park, from which the area takes its name, is the city’s oldest surviving park. Zoo Atlanta is home to the country’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and western lowland gorillas, and one of only a handful of zoos displaying giant pandas. There are more than 1,500 species on the 40-acre grounds. In 2019 the zoo opened Savanna Hall on the former site of the Atlanta Cyclorama next door as an event venue and increasing space for larger animals like giraffes and elephants. Each August, the Summer Shade Festival features food vendors, live music, art vendors, a 5K run and a fine food and wine event. N
PHOTOS: (Left) Dinny Addison; (Top Left) Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta; (Middle Left) Mark Singletary
Housing
FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED AN
ACADEMIC BOOST THIS SUMMER!
AFTERNOON RECREATION ACTIVITIES TUTORING IN READING, MATH AND WRITING SKILLS
Session 1: June 21 - July 2 Session 2: July 5 - 16 Held on the campus of The Bedford School in Fairburn 5665 Milam Road Fairburn, GA 30213 770-774-8001 • thebedfordschool.org
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 19
HOMEWORK
REDUCE THE STRESS AND INCREASE SUCCESS Back in the day, homework was something kids could do before dinner—a page of math problems and maybe a chapter of reading, done with the radio or TV on. Not anymore: today’s academic environment is much more challenging, designed to help students meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Homework is an integral part of that process. In addition, students encounter more demands on their time, with sports, clubs and community service frequently on the agenda. This means that handling homework efficiently while truly learning from it is 20 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
an essential skill to learn. “As teachers, we understand the importance of balancing the homework load for students; therefore we implore different strategies at different grade levels. At the elementary level, we use Tic-Tac-Toe boards for the week. Within this board, we are conscious to have students pick only one or two tasks per night to engage in activities that do not exceed about 30 minutes per night,” said Charell G. Coleman, a seventh- and eighth-grade literature teacher at Woodward Academy in College Park.
By Michelle Bourg
By taking a step-by-step approach, students can master the skills required for effective home study—skills that they’ll use throughout their lives. The first step to productive homework management is to create a designated study space, with space to spread materials out and where parents can keep a watchful eye. Experts recommend keeping bedrooms reserved for sleep to promote good rest habits, and kids’ rooms often hold distractions such as TV or toys, so a laptop at the kitchen or dining room table may be best,
EDUC AT I O N
at least for younger children. Next, set up a study time. Some kids like to come straight home and start while they’re still in “school mode;” others need to unwind first. Whatever the preferred time is, it should be reasonably close to the same time every day; our minds learn to adapt to functions done on a set schedule, and it’s also a good way to begin to learn time management. Within that set time, experiment with how to prioritize the work load: some kids prefer to start with demanding subjects while they’re relatively fresh and allot extra time to them, while others want to get the easier work out of the way first. Scan the day’s assignments together and plan a schedule based on both your child’s study style and the amount of work assigned in each subject, making sure that everything is covered. Children often need guidance with this, but giving them input on how they’d like to work goes a long way toward a positive attitude about the work itself. Once the books are cracked, be available to clarify instructions or suggest an approach to a problem if needed, but let your child do the work. Meanwhile, observe their progress and
I N S I G HT
note what’s challenging and what’s not demanding enough. If there are consistent patterns, talk to the teacher to create a solution as a team. When study time is over, review the work with your child. Praise effort and progress, and review problem areas together to brainstorm on how to improve. Also, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools are opting for online classes or a combination of virtual and in-person instruction, so internet access and a strong WiFi connection are very important. Even before the outbreak started, schools were increasingly using online resources to give homework to their students. According to a September 2019 report by The Hill website, seven in 10 teachers assign homework that requires internet access. Amid the pandemic, it may be challenging to get children to do their homework if they don’t focus on their schoolwork while taking classes from home. According to a recent article on New York University’s Langone Health website, parents should make sure their children don’t treat learning from home as vacation days. Instead, they should have a structured school schedule on weekdays so they can not only
ONCE THE BOOKS ARE CRACKED, BE AVAILABLE TO CLARIFY INSTRUCTIONS OR SUGGEST AN APPROACH TO A PROBLEM IF NEEDED, BUT LET YOUR CHILD DO THE WORK. newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 21
EDU C AT I O N
I N S I G HT
focus on their virtual classes but also do their homework when they’re supposed to. Inevitably, your child is going to need some help. When that happens, don’t lead your child down the wrong path by trying to be an expert in an unfamiliar subject. It’s tempting to just Google it, but be careful about online resources. Checking the reliability of sources not only helps your child learn to use media responsibly, but also teaches them the most important skill they can ever have: how to learn. Possibly the hardest part of homework management for parents is to know when to stop and call for reinforcements. Dennis Freeman, co-founder of In-Home Tutors Atlanta (inhometutors.com), says there are several scenarios in which a family can benefit from some personal help, primarily “when the child is clearly struggling and it’s gone beyond the parent’s capabilities,” noting that seventh- and eighth-grade math is typically the upper limit for many parents. If children actively resist homework, have chronic difficulty getting organized or are
Grades PreK3-12
Visit our Virtual Admissions Center marist.com/admissions
Learn. Lead. Serve. At Marist School, achievement exists within a spirit of humility and generosity. A Marist education challenges students with an experiential and interdisciplinary college-preparatory curriculum and an array of extracurricular activities to inspire them to explore and innovate. Through it all, students gain a unique strength of character and skill that prepares them to lead and serve with compassion, integrity, and a sense of purpose.
An Independent Catholic School of the Marist Fathers and Brothers 22 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
mtparanschool.com/experience
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY TOURS
POSSIBLY THE HARDEST PART OF HOMEWORK MANAGEMENT FOR PARENTS IS TO KNOW WHEN TO STOP AND CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS. dealing with issues such as ADHD, family relationships can suffer as parents get caught in the stress. Children often respond differently to someone outside their circle, and in these cases, a homework coach helps with academics but also helps keep the child organized and on track, which can make homework less of a burden and just maybe, even fun. “Having a less emotionally attached third party can take a lot of stress out of the household,” Freeman says. Also, just about all families are typically juggling multiple schedules; having someone there to focus exclusively on schoolwork helps everyone meet individual demands and gives
• Pre-K4 to 8th • Virtual and in-classroom learning • 67 years of Catholic education • Religion classes • Computer / iPad for all students • Student-led Mass every week • Affordable tuition • Two classes per grade • Average class size: 22
them back time to be together as a family. For assistance with locating a qualified tutor that meets your individual needs, a good first step is contacting your child’s school. Other parents may be able to give referrals as well. By working together with your child to create a plan and getting help when appropriate, you can make sure that he or she works smarter, not harder, to get the most out of homework. Ultimately, kids want to do well, and understand the value of homework in the process of achieving that. Says Coleman, “The most important factor in assigning homework is to only assign work necessary to a child’s mastery of concepts being taught.”
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL STUDY TIME 1. Create a designated study space where parents can keep a watchful eye. 2. Plan a daily homework routine and stick to it. 3. Prioritize the workload and determine what to do first. 4. Be available for your child to clarify instructions or suggest an approach to a problem if needed. 5. When study time is over, review your child’s work. 6. Praise effort and progress, and review problem areas together to brainstorm on how to improve.
JOIN U S! OPEN Jan 9 HOUSE at 1 p. m.
SNEAK Jan 21 -A-PEEK at 10 a .m.
CALL OR RESERVE ONLINE stjosephschool.org 81 Lacy Street, Marietta 770-428-3328 newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 23
schoolSPOTLIGHT
Mount Paran Christian School Faith and the Pursuit of Excellence By Donna J. Neale
D
riving through the gated entrance of Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS), the wooded campus resembles that of an Ivy League college, with its numerous brick buildings, playing fields and walking paths. It is stretched over 68-acres, carefully structured around an historic log home and six-acre lake. As a fully accredited, private, non-denominational Christian school, MPCS unites with home and church to provide an exemplary education in a faith-filled environment. The school’s mission revolves around four core values: to be Christcentered, learning focused, community oriented and pursuers of excellence. “Everything we do is within the context of faith,” said Tiffany Westbrook, director of marketing and communications. “Whether in the classroom, on the stage or on the playing field, Christ is preeminent and His Word is lived-out.” Westbrook elaborates, “Faculty infuse Christian values on a daily basis. Biblical integration happens throughout all academic classes to bolster faith and student discipleship.” Students participate in Bible classes, worship, community outreach, mission trips and weekly student-to-student mentoring. The school involves parents, too. Family Serve Day brings the whole family out to 40-plus ministry-partner locations in need, while scheduled ParentEd. talks come alongside parents at every stage as they raise their kids. Bus transportation and financial assistance options offer practical support as well. Knowing that each individual is gifted differently, MPCS directs equal attention to providing world-class academic, athletic and arts instruction and facilities. Academically, MPCS seeks to grow faith and intellect together. With small class sizes, teachers come to know each child deeply to personalize
24 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
learning strategies suited to individual strengths. The college-preparatory curriculum offered is purposeful and rigorous, integrating technology across all subjects. Every student has access to STEAM classes, accelerated programs for gifted learners (including AP and Honors courses) and instructional support for all types of learners. Teachers are state-certified, degreed and/or have advanced discipline degrees. Over time, MPCS has built a formidable arsenal of athletic facilities to accommodate the school’s 64 teams playing 15 different sports. Additions have included tennis courts and batting cages, along with a football stadium, baseball/softball complex, rubber track, fitness center and two gyms. Coaches emphasize giving glory to God through humility, integrity, passion, relentless effort and a commitment to excellence. The school also owns the Murray Arts Center, a state-of-the-art performance center that boasts a 577-seat theater, dance studios, rehearsal spaces, classrooms and recording studios outfitted with cutting-edge technology. All students benefit from the creative environment, and older students can take advantage of intensive programs in the arts to shape their careers. MPCS’s programs—academic, athletic and artistic—allow students to cultivate their God-given gifts, inspire them to reach their full potential and prepare them to be both servants and leaders in their community. N
THE SPECIFICS Grades: PreK (age 3)-12th grade Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Tuition: $4,010-$20,319 Location: Kennesaw
Contact: 1275 Stanley Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152 770-578-0182 Web: mtparanschool.com
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 25
THE INSIDE SCOOP ON YOUR NEW CITY By Kevin Forest Moreau
BUSINESS Atlanta serves as global headquarters to one of the nation’s highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies, among them CocaCola, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Southern Co. and UPS. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also a hotbed for tech startups: MailChimp, Kabbage and Scoutmob
all started here. The Atlanta Tech Village is the nation’s fourth largest tech hub, with more than 300 startups. Atlanta also enjoys a robust media industry: WarnerMedia, which includes CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and other properties, is headquartered here, as is The Weather Channel.
The World of Coca-Cola is a museum dedicated to the history of Coca-Cola. Historical displays at The Atlanta Hi story
Center.
HISTORY Vestiges of Atlanta’s dramatic history can be found all over the city. The Atlanta History Center traces the city’s past on 33-acres containing two museums, six gardens and two historic plantations. It also runs the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown, where the author once lived and where she wrote much of “Gone With the Wind.” The Marietta Gone With the Wind 26 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
PHOTOS: (Above) Courtesy of Atlanta History Center; (Opposite Right) Courtesy of Georgia Institute of Technology
If you’re looking for a new city to call home, there are many reasons why Atlanta should be at the top of your list. And if you’ve already made the move, congratulations! Either way, there’s a lot to learn about this great city and its surrounding metropolitan area. On the pages that follow, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about this capital city of the Southeast, from its top-flight arts scene to its stellar attractions, entertainment options and rising status as the Hollywood of the South.
Museum features an impressive collection of memorabilia related to the book and movie. You can take a walk into history at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a 2,965-acre Civil War site in Cobb County. Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site are civil rights landmarks, and you can learn more at the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville showcases art and artifacts from and about the American West.
EDUCATION The city is home to a wealth of notable independent schools, including Holy Spirit Preparatory School, High Meadows School, Pace Academy and Woodward Academy, the largest private school in the continental United States. In addition, several public school systems boast magnet schools and innovative charter schools. The area is also home to more than 40 colleges and universities, including such nationally recognized institutions as Agnes Scott College, Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University and Oglethorpe University. The Savannah College of Art and Design and Macon-based Mercer University both maintain campuses in Atlanta. The city is also the location of several distinguished historically black colleges, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College and Spelman College.
HEALTHCARE Atlanta is well known for its hospitals and healthcare institutions. The Centers for Disease
The Georgia Institute of Technology’s Tech Tower was completed in 1888 and was the campus’ first structure.
es of public transportation. MARTA is one of Atlanta’s main mod
Control and Prevention (CDC) heads a list of locally based organizations and research facilities that includes the American Cancer Society, the Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine. Grady Memorial Hospital is renowned as one of the best trauma and burn centers in the nation, while Northside Hospital delivers more babies per year than any other community hospital in the country. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is regarded as one of the nation’s premier pediatric hospitals. The Shepherd Center, one of the nation’s leading catastrophic-care hospitals for patients with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and degenerative disorders, is headquartered here. Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, part of Piedmont Healthcare, has been recognized on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” list.
TRANSPORTATION Originally founded as a railroad stop called Terminus, Atlanta is still a major rail center. But its modern status as a major transportation hub is largely due to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, consistently ranked as
the world’s busiest. On the ground, four major interstates (285, 20, 75 and 85) conduct drivers in all directions. Of course, that also results in traffic congestion—a reality for any metropolis of Atlanta’s size—but the city also boasts a number of public-transportation options, including MARTA, the area’s main rail and bus
THE CITY BOASTS A NUMBER OF PUBLIC-TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, INCLUDING MARTA, THE AREA’S MAIN RAIL AND BUS SERVICE; COBBLINC; GWINNETT COUNTY TRANSIT AND XPRESS, A COMMUTER BUS SERVICE. newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 27
Legoland Discovery Center is a favorite for big and little kids alike, with costumes and toys of all kinds provided for play.
service; CobbLINC; Gwinnett County Transit and Xpress, a commuter bus service. The Atlanta BeltLine, a multi-use trail and park space encircling the city, provides a scenic option for pedestrians, cyclists and inline skaters.
FAMILY FUN Atlanta is a magical place for children. The Center for Puppetry Arts displays hundreds of fascinating puppets from around the world, with an entire wing dedicated to the work of Jim Henson. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers fun, informative exhibits for youngsters and preteens. The Legoland Discovery Center is an interactive playground filled with the worldfamous building blocks, designed to delight and inspire children ages 3 through 10. Six Flags Over Georgia offers roller coasters, water rides and other thrills. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids in Gainesville lets children role-play and climb aboard a real vintage fire truck and airplane. The Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville makes learning about science fun with hands-on exhibits and galleries as well as a planetarium and observatory.
HOLLYWOOD OF THE SOUTH If you’ve seen a movie lately, chances are it was filmed right here: Last year nearly 400 produc28 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
tions were shot in the area, making Atlanta the No. 2 filming location for motion pictures in the world. Television shows, including “The Walking Dead” and “Stranger Things,” are part of the action as well. Several major production studios are located in the metro area, including Tyler Perry Studios and EUE/Screen Gems in Atlanta, Trillith Studios in Fayetteville and Three Rings Studios in Covington, a $100 million development for the production of music and video games as well as movies and TV.
The Rialto Center For The Arts
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Atlanta is the arts capital of the Southeast. The Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre stages thought-provoking and crowdpleasing works, some of which have gone on to Broadway. The thriving theater scene also includes such acclaimed companies as Theatrical Outfit, 7 Stages and True Colors. The Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra are all worldclass performing arts institutions. Venues including Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, the Fox Theatre, the Ferst Center for the Arts, the Rialto Center for the
Feel the excitement at the Fernbank Museum.
PHOTOS: (Above Left) Legoland Discovery Center; (Bottom Right) Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Interactive displa ys at the Tellus Sc ience Museum.
ATLANTA IS A MAGICAL PLACE FOR CHILDREN. THE CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS DISPLAYS HUNDREDS OF FASCINATING PUPPETS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WITH AN ENTIRE WING DEDICATED TO THE WORK OF JIM HENSON. Arts, Spivey Hall and Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, among others, host big-name concert tours and high-caliber national theatrical productions. The High Museum of Art, the Southeast’s leading art museum, hosts high-profile permanent and rotating exhibits year-round.
ATTRACTIONS Atlanta is chock full of exciting things to see and do. The Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest, with hundreds of species on display, including dolphins and sea lions. The World of Coca-Cola is a colorful interactive shrine to America’s favorite beverage, and Centennial Olympic Park, with its dancing Fountain of Rings, commemorates the 1996 Atlanta Games. The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown is home to 30 gorgeous acres of themed gardens and an elevated walkway that lets visitors stroll amongst the treetops. Jaw-dropping dinosaur skeletons greet visitors to The Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which spotlights the natural world with engaging exhibits and IMAX films. Stone Mountain Park boasts 3,200 scenic acres of golf, hiking trails, rides and more, with colossal Stone Mountain as the centerpiece.
Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia and Phipps Plaza offer hundreds of shops, food courts, movie theaters and more. Buckhead is the destination for high-end retail, with glitzy outposts from Hermes, Canali, Christian Louboutin and more. Atlantic Station, a mixed-use development in Midtown, is home to such retailers as H&M, Target and Dillard’s. The nearby VirginiaHighland neighborhood is stuffed with artsy clothing and home-décor boutiques, while Little Five Points buzzes with funky record shops and thrift stores. In Alpharetta, shoppers at Avalon browse stores like Free People and West Elm, while outside the city, North Georgia Premium Outlets and Tanger Outlets present name brands at bargain prices.
DINING From hot dogs to haute cuisine, Atlanta is a foodie’s dream. The Varsity is the world’s largest drive-in, famous for chilidogs and onion rings. Paschal’s is world famous for authentic soul food, while Fatt Matt’s Rib Shack is the place for mouthwatering BBQ. Pittypat’s Porch serves upscale Southern fare in an ambiance reminiscent of Tara, and Mary Mac’s Tearoom has been officially designated “Atlanta’s Dining Room” for dishes like fried green tomatoes and chicken and dumplings. The city is also a mecca for trendsetting cuisine, led by restaurants like Bacchanalia and Aria.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons, hosts many other events throughout the year.
SPORTS If you’re a sports fanatic, you’re in the right place. The Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta United FC draw thousands of fans each year. Minor league sports include baseball, hockey and lacrosse, and the city hosts the PGA’s Tour Championship and the Truist Atlanta Open tennis tournament. The South loves college football, and the city is home to the sport’s Hall of Fame. And we don’t just watch sports here, we play: The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) is the world’s largest recreational tennis league, and 60,000 runners trek down Peachtree every July 4 in the world’s largest 10K, the AJC Peachtree Road Race.
SHOPPING For shopaholics, Atlanta offers options to satisfy every desire. Cumberland Mall, Sugarloaf Mills, newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 29
OU T S I D E
AT L AN TA
The 1842 Inn is a quaint bed and breakfast in Macon, built by the city's former mayor, John Gresham.
THE 1842 INN
Georgia’s Historic Inns & Hotels
i
Discover Southern Charm and Luxurious Accommodations By Tony Jenkins
Learning about Georgia’s history can be a relaxing and even romantic adventure. There are many hotels and inns throughout Georgia where history, luxury and Southern hospitality intersect. Encompassing both grandeur and quaint, elegant charm, here are just a few of Georgia’s historic hospitality venues. 30 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
THE 1842 INN
A quaint bed and breakfast in Macon, the 1842 Inn was a home built by the city's former mayor, John Gresham, in, well, you can guess the year. There are 19 guest rooms found within the main, Greek Revival-style antebellum house and the adjoining Victorian cottage, as well as four hospitality parlors. Antique paintings, oriental carpets, heart pine flooring
and 12-foot ceilings accentuate each room, and many include fireplaces and whirlpools. To bolster the relaxing and romantic vibe, there’s a 17-columned wrap-around veranda where you can sip on iced tea (or other beverages) while overlooking the courtyard. 1842inn.com
THE 1842 INN
PHOTO: (Below) J&D Images
THE FITZPATRICK HOTEL After a fire decimated much of Washington, Georgia’s public square in 1895, brothers J.H. and T.M. Fitzpatrick returned to the city, located between Athens and Augusta, and began construction on what would become The Fitzpatrick Hotel. After opening in 1898, the historic hotel went through several ownership and name changes and was eventually closed in 1952. More than 50 years later, after the hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places, The Fitzpatrick was restored and reopened. By using old photos, original memorabilia and purchasing period antiques, the new owners retained the hotel’s original Victorian grandeur and charm, while including modernday conveniences like HDTVs and Wi-Fi access. thefitzpatrickhotel.com
(Above) The 1842 Inn offers a relaxing and romantic vibe. (Below Left) The Jekyll Island Club Hotel was founded as a private club in 1886 before reopening as a resort hotel in 1985.
JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB HOTEL
JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB HOTEL
People like J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer and William K. Vanderbilt played roles in the history of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, which was founded in 1886 as a private club that included members from some of the world's wealthiest families. Designated a historic landmark in 1978 and reopened as a resort hotel in 1985, it is now one of the top resorts in Georgia. In addition to a history tour, the hotel includes five restaurants, a pub, a swimming pool and a nearby private beach club, among other amenities. The location, on one of the state's four coastal barrier islands, provides a lush and unspoiled backdrop for the elegance and Victorian charm you'll find at every turn. Even if you don't stay the night, it's worth a visit for the architecture alone. jekyllclub.com newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 31
OUT S I D E
THE GASTONIAN
What's better than one mansion? Two adjacent Regency-Italianate mansions have been turned into a four-diamond award-winning bed and breakfast in a charming residential area of Savannah. The two mansions that now make up The Gastonian were built in 1868 and exemplify the Southern charm one would expect from a history-laden city like Savannah. From the grand décor and period antiques to the fireplaces and tranquil gardens, The Gastonian was recognized by Conde Nast Traveler magazine as one of the finest places to stay in the world. It’s a great location, too: The Gastonian is in the Savannah historic district within walking distance of Forsyth Park, Colonial Park Cemetery and several of the city squares. gastonian.com
AT L AN TA
THE PIEDMONT HOTEL
When it opened in 1876, The Piedmont Hotel in Gainesville, was a three-story, 36-room, U-shaped structure owned and operated by Confederate Gen. James Longstreet. Throughout the years, Longstreet hosted several high-profile guests, including Gens. Joseph Johnston and Daniel Sickles, writer Joel Chandler Harris and President Woodrow Wilson, who’s daughter, Jessie, was born on the ground floor of the hotel. Today, it’s the only floor of the hotel that remains, after a last-minute decision saved it from being demolished with the rest of the hotel in 1918. However, it has been renovated and is headquarters of The Longstreet Society, open Tuesday through Saturday. Visitors can learn about the hotel’s history, including visits by a past president and the ghost that occupies the remaining structure. longstreetsociety.org
Only one floor of The Piedmont Hotel still exists, serving as headquarters of The Longstreet Society.
THE PIEDMONT HOTEL
In the 1970s, The Georgian Terrace played host to musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Kiss and Billy Joel in its Electric Ballroom. THE GEORGIAN TERRACE
Located in Atlanta's Midtown community, The Georgian Terrace opened in 1911 was saved from demolition in the 1980s.
THE GEORGIAN TERRACE 32 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
Opening for business in 1911, The Georgian Terrace is located in Midtown directly across from another Atlanta landmark, the Fox Theatre. The elegant hotel has hosted an impressive guest list over the years, including Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren Harding, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Walt Disney and Charles Lindbergh. In 1939, the Terrace hosted the premiere gala for the movie “Gone With The Wind,” and stars like Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh were right at home amid the turreted corners, floor-to-ceiling windows, gorgeous chandeliers and wraparound verandas. In the 1970s, the hotel played host to musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Kiss and Billy Joel in its Electric Ballroom. After avoiding demolition in the 1980s by being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it had a brief stint as an apartment building. In the early 1990s, The Georgian Terrace reopened as a luxury hotel and today is billed as “Atlanta’s Modern Classic.” The Southern charm remains, but is complemented by modern features, including award-wining fine dining at the Livingston Restaurant & Bar. thegeorgianterrace.com
restaurantREVIEW
Lagarde American Eatery New Orleans Influence in Chamblee By Noreen Lewis Cochran
J
the restaurant, which opened in November 2019, gets its moniker amie Adams and Leonardo Moura, who in 2015 opened il Giallo from both Adams’ middle name and his grandmother’s maiden name. Osteria & Bar, a popular Italian restaurant in Sandy Springs, have The dining room has an open floor plan with wooden tables and rafbrought a new concept, Lagarde American Eatery, to Chamblee. ters. New Orleans’ vibrant music scene comes to mind upon viewing a While succulent seafood such as oysters dominates first impressions custom-made guitar, beneath a panel of brightly painted cartoon figures. at the New Orleans-influenced restaurant—Adams said Lagarde has a great oyster program, rendering the delicacies delicious whether grilled, on the half-shell or fried—the menu includes a variety of options. It includes a mix of hearty and light options like deviled eggs, barbecue shrimp and green goddess salad, and distinguishes itself by drawing from multiple American cities. Philly cheese steaks and Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches with pork belly, a favorite in Houston, join the treats Adams enjoyed during childhood trips to the Big Easy. “We have a lot of different things and the cool thing is that we’re not tied down to any specific genre,” he said. “Yes, we’re New Orleans inspired—you got gumbo, red beans and rice and po boys—but there’s lots of other stuff on the menu.” It even includes three varieties of totchos, or tater tot nachos. Other appetizers include Cajun fish bites and deviled eggs. Also, poultry pops up as an option worth the scratch, with Adams calling Lagarde’s chicken sandwich, made with dark-meat chicken perched on homemade bread “the best in the known universe.” Entrees include garlic and herb-roasted salmon, shrimp and grits and daube, which is slow-braised beef brisket with crispy onions. Lagarde also serves brunch on the weekends, with crowd pleasers such as shrimp and grits, French toast and includes Moura’s go-to favorite, the croque madame, which has ham Above: Lagarde American Eatery’s interior includes a colorful and whimsical décor. and Gruyere cheese on brioche topped with a fried egg. It also includes Left: The barbecue shrimp is a popular appetizer that pays tribute to Lagarde’s New bottomless mimosas, part of a beverage program that also pays tribute Orleans-inspired roots. to New Orleans with its bourbon selection. Adams’ credits include being a featured chef at The James Beard House Customers can also choose adult milkshakes or cocktails like Maude’s 75, a gin and Champagne blend, or the Lagarde Mule, made with vodka in New York and appearing on television shows like the Food Network’s “Chopped.” and ginger beer. He and Moura met at the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which Brunch or dinner bar and dining patrons can enjoy the environment inspired their cooking and whetted as well as their selections. THE DETAILS their appetite for giving back to the Families and friends gather near sparAttire: Come as you are Hours: Tue-Thur: 4-10 p.m.; Fri: 4-11 p.m.; community. They have over 50 years kling windows or cluster together on the Atmosphere: Casual Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-9 p.m of restaurant experience combined. patio, where during the holidays a Big Green Recommendations: Grilled oysters, Location: 5090 Peachtree Blvd., With a plethora of options highEgg will offer roasted turkey delights. shrimp po boy, croque madame Chamblee, GA 30341 lighted by a New Orleans kick, Lagarde In keeping with the atmosphere, which Reservations: Recommended Contact: 470-385-3533, Parking: Free parking at the restaurant lagardeatl.com has something for everyone to let the Moura calls “fun, neighborhood driven, afgood times roll. N fordable, irreverent, edgy and family friendly,” newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 33
GETTING STARTED
HERE
TO
MARTA
THERE Vehicle Emission Inspection
Vehicles that are 24 model years old and later (except the three years prior to the current year) must be checked yearly for emission standard compliance. Visit a statedesignated inspection station for the service. Call 800-449-2471 or visit cleanairforce.com.
Mass Transit
One way to avoid long commutes is to take advantage of the city’s local transit system, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Offering both train and bus service, MARTA is a convenient way to travel to downtown or the airport. The fee for traveling one way is $2.50 including transfers, and payment is even easier now with the Breeze limited-use and extendeduse cards. Weekly and monthly passes can be obtained at discounted rates. For fares, schedule and route information call 404848-5000 or visit itsmarta.com.
Driving Tips
MARTA Rail Service
Serving ages 14 months to 12 years 3034 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041 • 678-208-0774 info@montessoricumming.com • www.montessoricumming.com 34 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
The Georgia DOT provides daily updates of road work, road closings and traffic delays, which are helpful when commuting. Updates can be obtained by calling (toll free) 877694-2511, by dialing 511 or by visiting dot.ga.gov.
COUNTY INFORMATION
Cherokee County
EDUCATION PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cherokee County Schools Board of Education 770-479-1871 cherokee.k12.ga.us
QUICK INFO
County cherokeega.com Neighborhoods cantonga.gov woodstockga.gov cityofballground.com hollyspringsga.us cityofwaleska.com Median household income: $75,477 Median age of residents: 38 Population: 235,896 Sales tax: 6%
Avg. SAT Scores Cherokee Co. 1115 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
Chamber of Commerce Cherokee County 770-345-0400, cherokeechamber.com Property Taxes Per $1,000 of assessed value is: Unincorporated Cherokee County, $21.46; Incorporated Cherokee County, $21.46. Tax Commissioner: 678-493-6400 Old Sixes Mill
Located northwest of Atlanta, Cherokee County gets its name from the original inhabitants of the area, the Cherokee Indians. The county seat, then called Etowah, was established in 1833 and renamed Canton in 1834. Today, the city is enjoying its greatest economic boom in its history since more than $60 million was invested in residential and commercial development in 1998. Despite developing its own industrial base, Cherokee County remains idyllic and serene. Farming, especially poultry processing, remains a leading industry. Canton and the neighboring community of Woodstock have seen tremendous growth as subdivisions crop up to accommodate newcomers. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the county’s population are commuters. According to Zillow.com, the median value of homes is $283,573. Homes for well over $1 million can be purchased in such neighborhoods as Bradshaw Farm, BridgeMill and Towne Lake Hills. Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92 traverse the county, affording residents easy access to Atlanta and the nearby attractions of Town Center Mall, Lake Allatoona and the North Georgia Mountains. Other great places
Elementary Schools 23 Middle Schools 7 High Schools 6 Centers 4 Per-pupil expenditures $9,149 School & bus information 770-720-2112
Mountains and along the banks of the Etowah River, Canton is a prime location for development.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY Amicalola EMC 706-253-5200 Cobb EMC 770-429-2100 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.
Woodstock
to live, work and play in Cherokee County include the cities of Ball Ground, Holly Springs and Waleska.
Neighborhoods
Canton Canton was incorporated in 1833 and renamed in 1834 at the request of two founding fathers who had visions that the town might become a silk center similar to what existed in Canton, China. Canton did become famous for its “Canton Denim,” known worldwide for the high-quality denim produced by Canton Cotton Mills. Today, Canton is attracting new industry and residents. As a result, the city is reinvesting in its downtown. As part of its Streetscapes program, downtown Canton will be restored to its historic look and features a newly designed theater on Main Street. Located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge
Located 12 miles south of Canton, Woodstock is one of Georgia's top 10 fastest-growing cities and a community recently named one of the Top 50 Cities Places to Live in the U.S. by Money magazine. Residents also enjoy easy access to 575 and 92, allowing short commutes to Cobb and Fulton counties. While affording convenience to big-city attractions, Woodstock still maintains its small-town appeal. Buildings dating back to 1879 characterize the downtown area, where antique and other specialty shops are located. Various golf courses are located in Woodstock, including Arnold Palmer’s Eagle Watch, a course with wooded countryside views that is considered to be one of the top places to play in Atlanta. The 11,860-acre Lake Allatoona provides additional recreation. Woodstock is also convenient to more than 13 state parks. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Website at newcomeratlanta.com
TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com ETC Communications etcnow.com Spectrum spectrum.com TDS Telecom tdstelecom.com Windstream windstream.com
WATER Cherokee County Water Authority City of Ball Ground City of Canton City of Waleska City of Woodstock
770-479-1813 770-735-2123 770-704-1500 770-479-2912 770-592-6006
HOSPITALS Northside Hospital-Cherokee 770-224-1000 Wellstar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 35
COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION
PUBLIC SCHOOLS Cobb County Schools Board of Education 770-426-3300 cobbk12.org Elementary Schools 67 Middle Schools 25 High Schools 17 Magnet 6 Charter 1 Per-pupil expenditures $8,833 School and bus information 678-594-8000
Avg. SAT Scores
Cobb Co. 1114 Marietta City 1056 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY Acworth Power 770-917-8903 Cobb EMC 770-429-2100 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GreyStone Power Corp. 770-942-6576 Marietta Power 770-794-5150 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com. TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Cobb EMC cobbemc.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com Spectrum spectrum.com WATER Austell Water Cobb County Water System Marietta Water Powder Springs Water Smyrna Water
770-944-4300 770-419-6200 770-794-5150 770-943-8000 678-631-5338
HOSPITALS WellStar Cobb Hospital 470-732-4000 WellStar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000 WellStar Windy Hill Hospital 770-644-1000
Truist Park
Cobb County QUICK INFO
Cobb County came into being in 1832 when the state County cobbcountyga.gov redistributed land once part Neighborhoods austellga.org of the Cherokee Nation. mariettaga.gov Named after Thomas Willis smyrnaga.gov Cobb, the county experi kennesaw-ga.gov enced a devastating setback cityofpowdersprings.org during the Civil War when smyrnacity.com most of it was destroyed during the famous Battle of Median household income: $75,654 Kennesaw Mountain. Median age of residents: 36.6 Population: 755,754 Today, Cobb County, Sales tax: 6% located northwest of Fulton County, is one of the state's Chamber of Commerce most thriving counties. With Cobb County 770-980-2000, cobbchamber.org a diverse economic base that includes jobs in the service, Property Taxes retail, aerospace and techThe property tax is $33.84 per $1,000 of assessed nology sectors, Cobb County value. Tax Commissioner: 770-980-2000 offers a quality of life unsurpassed in the Southeast. Nearly $900 million has been spent Cumberland Mall, secluded subon transportation improvements in divisions in East Cobb and horse recent years, allowing residents easy access to Atlanta and the commercial ranches in the northwest corner of the county. The small towns districts of Vinings Overlook, Cumberland Parkway and the prestigious of Marietta, Vinings, Smyrna and Platinum Triangle in the popular Austell still retain their Southern Galleria area. charm amidst urban settings. AcA variety of housing options cording to the Census Bureau, the exist in Cobb County, including median value of homes in 2018 luxury apartments and condos near was $237,800.
36 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Marietta City Schools Board of Education 770-422-3500 marietta-city-org Elementary Schools 8 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Sixth-Grade 1 Magnet 1 Per-pupil expenditures $10,542 School and bus information 770-429-3110
Neighborhoods
Kennesaw One of Family Circle magazine’s Ten Best Towns for Families, Kennesaw takes pride in its smalltown atmosphere and boasts abundant parks and greenspace, exceptional recreational programs and top-notch schools, including Kennesaw State University. Kennesaw’s historic downtown features shopping, dining and attractions such as the Smithsonianaffiliated Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, the Smith-Gilbert Gardens and nearby Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
Smyrna Rapidly defining what’s new and progressive in quality of life and citizen services, Smyrna delivers an amazing sense of style and love of life. The Market Village district, home to fabulous restaurants, bars and upscale shops and services, is the final piece of a master plan for success. Call it “Main Street USA” or “Disneyland,” but don’t overlook its charm and ability to offer the best in fresh, trendy lifestyle options. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Website at newcomeratlanta.com
COUNTY INFORMATION
DeKalb County Located east of Fulton County, DeKalb County is the second largest county in the state with a population of about 756,000. DeKalb County contributes to Atlanta’s status as an international city with its businesses and residences representing more than 180 different countries and 140 languages. DeKalb County prospers in
Neighborhoods
Decatur The county seat of DeKalb, Decatur is a charming historic city known for its recreation and pedestrian-friendly streets. Its beating heart
some beautiful public art, and hosts numerous festivals, town celebrations and neighborhood events. Decatur is home to a diverse population, attracting young professionals, families, retirees and bright young college students—the city is home to the prestigious women’s university Agnes Scott College, and world-renowned Emory University is just outside the city limits. Older brick homes, smaller bungalows and cottage homes distinguish the community as well as the surrounding neighborhoods of Avondale Estates, Oakhurst and Candler Park.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Dunwoody
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters
QUICK INFO County
dekalbcounty.ga.gov
part due to its excellent Neighborhoods brookhavenga.gov transportation system. decaturga.com Five major road arteries druidhills.org traverse the county: In dunwoodyga.gov terstates 20, 85, 285 and candlerpark.org 675 and U.S. Highway 78. stonemountaincity.org Hartsfield-Jackson AtlanMedian household income: $61,827 ta International Airport Median age of residents: 35.9 is only six miles from Population: 753,253 DeKalb’s southern border Sales tax: 8% and DeKalb Peachtree Chamber of Commerce Airport, a general aviation DeKalb County field, is reported to be the 404-378-8000, dekalbchamber.org second busiest airport in Property Taxes Georgia. DeKalb County The property tax rate is $44.39 per $1,000 of assessed value for unincorporated DeKalb County. is also a leader in the bioTax Commissioner: 404-298-4000 medical community with The Centers for Disease is the Courthouse Square, which Control and Prevention headquarfeatures an eclectic mix of storetered there. The median value of homes front boutiques and shops, in 2018, according to the Census restaurants and entertainment Bureau, was $192,400. options. The square is also home to
In the northern corner of the county is Dunwoody, a popular neighborhood among both established professionals and young, upwardly mobile ones raising their families. It is often referred to as the “tennis set” neighborhood because of its numerous recreational outlets that include Windwood Hollow Park. Cultural attractions include the Dunwoody Nature Center, the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Cente and the Spruill Gallery.
Brookhaven One of Atlanta’s newest cities, Brookhaven incorporated in 2012. Its 12 square miles are a diverse mix of residents and amenities. In Brookhaven, there are pre-war estates; newer, thriving mixed-use developments; a country club; plenty of parks; and Buford Highway, Atlanta’s most culturally diverse corridor, famed for its variety of ethnic cuisine. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com
EDUCATION PUBLIC SCHOOLS DeKalb County Schools Board of Education 678-676-1200 dekalbschoolsga.org Elementary Schools 76 Middle Schools 19 High Schools 22 Per-pupil expenditures $9,242 School & bus information 678-676-1305 City Schools of Decatur Board of Education
404-371-3601 csdecatur.net
Early Learning 1 Elementary Schools 7 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Per-pupil expenditures $12,593 School & bus information 404-371-6677 Avg. SAT Scores DeKalb Co. 994 City of Decatur 1177 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY Georgia Power 888-891-0938 Snapping Shoals EMC 770-786-3484 Walton EMC 770-267-2505 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com. TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com WATER DeKalb County Water System 404-371-2000
HOSPITALS Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston 404-785-5437 DeKalb Medical Center
404-501-1000
Emory University Hospital
404-712-2000
Piedmont Hospital and Medical Care Center
404-605-5000
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 37
COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION PUBLIC SCHOOLS Forsyth County Schools Board of Education 770-887-2461 forsyth.k12.ga.us Elementary Schools 21 Middle Schools 10 High Schools 7 Charter 1 Academies 3 Per-pupil expenditures $8,220 School & Bus Information 770-887-2461
Forsyth County Sawnee Mountain
Cumming
Avg. SAT Scores Forsyth Co. 1162 Georgia 1048 National 1039
ELECTRICITY Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com.
Photo: Shutterstock.com
PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS
Founded in 1832, Forsyth and July 1, 2018, according to the U.S. County is located 42 miles north of Census Bureau. It has more than doubled in population since 2000, when Atlanta and is easily accessible via about 100,000 individuals lived there. Georgia 400. It was named after John A variety of housing options Forsyth, a longtime politician who exist in the county, including luxury served as Georgia’s governor from 1827-29 and as U.S. secretary of state apartments and condos, with homes priced from the $200s to over $1 milunder Presidents Andrew Jackson lion. The median home value is about and Martin Van Buren from 1834-41. The county had a trading path to the Cherokee Nation running through it as early County forsythco.com as 1731 and was at Neighborhoods cityofcumming.net one time part of a large Median household income: $91,842 Cherokee County beMedian age of residents: 38.2 fore it was split into 10 Population: 237,000 counties. During the Sales tax: 7% Civil War it was spared Chamber of Commerce because Gen. WilForsyth County liam Sherman and his 770-887-6461, focochamber.org Union troops did not Property Taxes go through the county The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed on their March to the value is $35 for incorporated Forsyth County; Sea. But in 1900 the $35 for unincorporated Forsyth County. Forsyth County courtTax Commissioner: 770-781-2110 house burned down; it was rebuilt in 1905. $282,000. The county offers shopForsyth County has an estimated ping at The Collection at Forsyth, population of about 237,000 and was Vickery Village and the Cumming ranked third in the state in terms of 400 Shopping Center. numeric growth between July 1, 2017
QUICK INFO
TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com Forsyth County
WATER
770-781-2160
HOSPITALS Northside Hospital Forsyth 770-844-3200
Neighborhoods
38 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
The city offers lots of outdoor adventures with Lake Lanier offering 59 square miles of places to swim, boat, walk and bike, plus the family friendly Cumming Aquatic Center and Water Park. Families can also take in a variety of events each year at the Cumming Fairgrounds, which hosts the Cumming Country Fair & Festival in October and other affairs such as antique car shows and food truck Fridays. Indoors, the School Street Playhouse, an old school building dating back to 1923, offers plays, musicals, concerts and more throughout the year. Cumming is the hometown for several celebrities including Zac Brown of the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band, Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, actress Kelli Giddish and the late comedian Junior Samples.
Coal Mountain
One of about a dozen unincorporated communities in Forsyth County, Coal Mountain was named after the Cole family, early settlers to the area whose name was spelled “Coal” in early records, according to Ken Krakow’s book, “Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins.”
Shake Rag
Another incorporated community is Shake Rag, which spreads into both Forsyth and Fulton counties. Also previously called Shakerag and Sheltonville, it had a post office established under the name Sheltonville in 1848 and stayed open until 1907. The name "Shake Rag" refers to a cloth held out as a signal to stop a train. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com
COUNTY INFORMATION
Fulton County Fulton County serves as the center of the metro Atlanta area. With 90 percent of the city of Atlanta, including the state’s capital building, located within its borders, it sits at the hub of the area’s financial, transportation, retail, communications and cultural services. A number of Fortune 500 companies, including the Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines and UPS, are headquartered here. More than one million people live in Fulton County, drawn by its convenience to Interstates 75, 85 and 285 and Georgia State Route 400. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median value of homes in the county is $290,400. Fulton is home to many of Atlanta’s signature neighborhoods, including its bustling downtown district. Older neighborhoods like Inman Park, Grant Park, Candler Park and Virginia-Highland offer affordable housing, pedestrianfriendly layouts and plentiful parks and recreational options. Midtown is the heart of Atlanta’s cultural scene, with the Woodruff Arts Center (home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art) and the historic Fox Theatre, as well as a host of art galleries. Midtown’s Piedmont Park, the city’s most popular greenspace, hosts many outdoor festivals and concerts.
sion, the historic Swan House and the Atlanta History Center. Buckhead is also an entertainment and dining hotspot. With luxury hotels, shops, bars and more than 250 restaurants, the Buckhead area is a magnet for young professionals.The neighborhood also offers numerous antique stores, art galleries and mall shopping at both Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.
QUICK INFO
Neighborhoods
Buckhead
Buckhead is “where old money lives and new money parties,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With its mixture of mansions and uniquely styled homes, Buckhead is a favorite among architecture and history buffs. Convenient to Georgia 400, Interstate 85 and MARTA, it’s filled with high-rises, upscale restaurants, the Governor’s Man-
EDUCATION
County co.fulton.ga.us Neighborhoods alpharetta.ga.us buckhead.net cityofmiltonga.us virginiahighland.com collegeparkga.com eastpointcity.org hapeville.org johnscreekga.gov roswellgov.com sandyspringsga.gov
Piedmont Park
is home to about 64,000 residents, drawn to its affordable housing, parks, shopping at North Point Mall and concerts at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. The city's historic downtown boasts an appealing town square. Called Alpharetta City Center, it features locally owned shops and restaurants, and hosts events year round.
Median household income: $65,037 Median age of residents: 35.5 Population: 1,050,114 Sales tax: 7.75%, Atlanta City: 8.9% Chamber of Commerce Greater North Fulton 770-993-8806, gnfcc.com Metro Atlanta 404-880-9000, metroatlantachamber.com South Fulton 770-964-1984, southfultonchamber.com Property Taxes The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is: $40.92 for the City of Atlanta; $29.18 for incorporated Fulton County; $40.76 for unincorporated Fulton County; $33.54 for Johns Creek; $33.91 for Sandy Springs. Tax Commissioner: 404-613-6100
Alpharetta
One of metro Atlanta’s most vibrant and affluent cities, Alpharetta
Johns Creek
Incorporated in 2006, this thriving community of 84,000 was ranked fourth among 50 Best U.S. Cities to Live In by USA Today. It boasts a diverse economic base, coupled with a peaceful environment: the city contains over 400 acres of parkland and nature reserves and contains five access points to the Chattahoochee River.
Milton
Also incorporated in 2006, Milton combines a pastoral setting with forward-thinking city planning that offers what's been called "The best quality of life in Georgia." N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com
PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fulton County Schools Board of Education 470-254-3600 fultonschools.org Elementary Schools 59 Middle Schools 19 High Schools 18 Charter 10 Centers 4 Per-pupil expenditures $10,609 School & Bus Information North 470-254-2970 South 470-254-6060 Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education 404-802-3500 atlantapublicschools.us Elementary Schools 49 Middle Schools 12 High Schools 14 Charter 18 Alternative 4 Per-pupil expenditures $11,263 School & bus information 404-802-5500 Avg. SAT Scores Fulton Co. 1086 Atlanta Public Schools 944 Georgia 1048 National 1039 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our website at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS ELECTRICITY City of College Park 404-669-3759 City of East Point 404-270-7010 City of Fairburn 770-964-2244 City of Palmetto 770-463-3322 Georgia Power 888-891-0938 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit newcomeratlanta.com. TELEPHONE/INTERNET/TV AT&T att.com Comcast (Xfinity) xfinity.com Direct TV directv.com Dish Network dish.com WATER Fulton County
404-612-6830
HOSPITALS Atlanta Medical Center 404-265-4000 Atlanta VA Medical Center 404-321-6111 Center for the Visually Impaired 404-875-9011 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding 404-785-9500 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite 404-785-2273 Emory University Hospital Midtown 404-686-4411 Grady Memorial Hospital 404-616-1000 WellStar North Fulton Regional Hospital 770-751-2500 Northside Hospital 404-851-8000 Piedmont Hospital 404-605-5000 Shepherd Center 404-352-2020 Emory St. Joseph's Hospital 678-843-7001
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 39
upcomingEVENTS
writing and more. Through Dec. 31, 770-387-2774, bartowhistorymuseum.org.
17th Annual Kids’ Cowboy Up!, Booth Western Art Museum Peruse artwork created by members of the Cartersville Boys & Girls club and the Hands of Christ after-school program. Through Jan. 3, 770-387-1300, boothmuseum.org.
From Here to There, Tellus Science Museum Ride a hovercraft, launch rockets and see how internal combustion engines work in this fun, hands-on exhibit that explores the science of how things move. Through Jan. 3, 770-606-5700,
Home For the Holidays, Hendersonville, N.C.
A Christmas Carol: The Live Radio Play, Alliance Theatre This brand-new interactive experience transports audiences back in time to Victorian England. Bring the family to the Alliance’s drive-in theatre stage and enjoy this evening of stories, singalongs and honking horns from the comfort of your car. Plus, watch as a sound effect artist create the jangling of Jacob Marley’s chains! Dec. 4-23, 404-733-5000, alliancetheatre.org.
Whitey Morgan Acoustic Show, Coca-Cola Roxy The American honky tonk country artist performs a socially distanced show. Dec. 5, 470-351-3866, ext. 38186, cocacolaroxy.com.
Jan. 10, 770-606-5700, tellusmuseum.org.
Julie Mehretu, High Museum of Art Browse the first comprehensive collection of paintings, drawings and prints by this acclaimed visual artist. Through Jan. 31,
404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.
404-733-5000, high.org.
Exhibits & Events
Indians & Cowboys: Redefined by Duke & Woodward, Booth Western Art Museum
Marist Open House, Marist School
This exhibit features works by painter Duke Beardsley and sculptor Greg Woodard. Through
This reimagined open house experience will feature separate one-hour sessions for middle and high school applicants, with live presentations, moderated student panels, virtual tours and more. “Marist for Middle School” takes place from 1-2 p.m. and “Marist for High School” follows from 3-4 p.m. Dec. 6,
Feb. 21, 770-387-1300, boothmuseum.org.
Dawoud Bey: An American Project, High Museum of Art This exhibit features the work of celebrated photographer Dawoud Bey, renowned for spotlighting underrepresented communities and exploring Black history. Through March 14,
marist.com/admissions.
Women of Bartow, Bartow History Museum
The beloved children’s characters Frog and Toad leap from the page to the stage in this fun-filled production of the Tony Awardnominated musical. Dec. 11-Jan. 3, 404-484-8636,
This exhibit spotlights more than 25 women who have left their mark on Bartow County and beyond, from the early 19th century to today in the fields of art, business, education,
synchrotheatre.com.
David Foster, Atlanta Symphony Hall The legendary musician, composer and record producer, known for his collaborations with such artists as Celine Dion, Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney, Christina Aguilera and many others, performs. Feb. 2,
40 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
This exhibit features machines based on the innovative designs of Leonardo da Vinci, faithfully constructed from his notebooks. Through
Enjoy a night celebrating the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Queen, as performed by Gary Mullen & the Works. Feb. 9,
A Year With Frog and Toad, Synchronicity Theatre
404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion, Tellus Science Museum
One Night of Queen, Atlanta Symphony Hall
Fundamentally Food, Children’s Museum of Atlanta
404-733-5000, high.org.
Made By Her Hands: The Beauty, Warmth and Stories of Local Quilting, Marietta History Museum PHOTO: Jeff Roffman/Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Theater & Concerts
PHOTO: Derek DiLuzio
tellusmuseum.org.
This exhibit spotlights handmade quilts made by Cobb County women, who expressed themselves creatively through their intricate stitching and patterns and the fabrics that they used. Through March 28, 770-794-5710, mariettahistory.org.
Andrews’ Raiders Room, Marietta History Museum This permanent exhibit recreates the decor of an 1860s hotel room much like the one James Andrews stayed in (located in the same build-
Frida and Diego: Passion, Politics, and Painting, High Museum of Art
ing that today houses the museum) before taking part in a famous Civil War event known as the Great Locomotive Chase. Ongoing, 770-794-5710, mariettahistory.org.
Cyclorama: The Big Picture, Atlanta History Center This multimedia experience showcases the fully restored cyclorama painting “The Battle of Atlanta,” which stands 49 feet tall, is longer than a football field and weighs 10,000 pounds.
Fundamentally Food, Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Moon Crater, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Ala.
Children up to 8 years old will love this hands-on exhibit. Select produce from the farm, climb on a John Deere tractor, milk Buttercup the milking cow, shop at a grocery store and enjoy a pretend meal at the museum’s play diner. Ongoing, 404-659-5437,
Experience a recreation of the Apollo 11 moon landing site, including a model of the lunar lander. Included with museum admission.
childrensmuseumatlanta.org.
Ongoing, 404-814-4000, atlantahistorycenter.com.
Shaheen Collection of French Works, High Museum of Art
Pioneers, Influencers, and Rising Voices: Women in the Collection, High Museum of Art
This installation from the High Museum’s permanent collection focuses on French artwork of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In observance of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote, this exhibit features artworks made exclusively by women. Ongoing, 404-733-5000, high.org.
Turning Point: The American Civil War, Atlanta History Center
Ongoing, 404-733-5000, high.org.
A Short Drive Away Home For the Holidays, Hendersonville, N.C.
Ongoing, Tuesdays through Sundays, 800-637-7223, rocketcenter.com.
Saturn V Hall, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Ala. Explore the history of America’s “space race” and NASA’s plan to put a man on the moon and the International Space Station, and experience the mesmerizing view of a National Historic Landmark: an authentic Saturn V rocket, one of only three in the world. Included with museum admission. Ongoing, Tuesdays through Sundays, 800-637-7223, rocketcenter.com.
Shuttle Park, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Ala.
View original artifacts including cannons, uniforms and swords, and learn about life on the front lines as you immerse yourself in one of the nation’s largest Civil War exhibitions.
Experience the hospitality and warmth of a Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas! Shop along Hendersonville’s charming Main Street, buy a tree from a local vender and take part in the Peppermint the Bear Scavenger Hunt. Through
Get up close and personal and explore the most complete chronology of launch vehicles in the country, including the Pathfinder orbiter, the Shuttle Training Aircraft, and a twin-engine supersonic jet used in astronaut training. Ongoing, Tuesdays through Sundays, 800-
Ongoing, 404-814-4000, atlantahistorycenter.com.
Jan. 1, 800-828-4244, visithendersonvillenc.org.
637-7223, rocketcenter.com.
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 41
hiddenATLANTA
SkyView Atlanta
SEE THE CITY IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT
W
THE DETAILS LOCATION: 168 Luckie St., Atlanta, GA 30303 HOURS: Mon.-Thurs., 12-10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 12 p.m-12 a.m.; Sun., 12-10 p.m. PHONE NUMBER: 678-949-9023 WEBSITE: skyviewatlanta.com
42 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
By Cady Schulman
hether you’re new to the area or a longtime resident, SkyView Atlanta offers a view of the city like you’ve never seen it before—from 200 feet above the ground. A Ferris wheel reaching almost 20 stories high, SkyView Atlanta is easy to find at the southern end of Centennial Olympic Park, near the Tabernacle and within walking distance of Philips Arena, the CNN Center, World of Coke and other attractions. Since opening in July 2013, SkyView has become a popular attraction for visitors to the downtown area. The wheel features 1 million LED lights that create thousands of different colors and a nightly light show that’s spectacular to see. SkyView’s height sets it apart from carnival Ferris wheels, which are typically 30 to 40 feet high. Sheer size and scope make the SkyView experience special. SkyView Atlanta features 42 climate-controlled, wheelchair-accessible, fully enclosed gondolas that seat between two and six riders. Each ride includes four revolutions and lasts about 15 minutes. No groups are combined in a gondola together, and no one is allowed to ride alone (SkyView employees accompany single riders). Even those afraid of heights generally feel safe. It’s not a thrill ride but is a comfortable, relaxing way to get an amazing view of the city. Ticket prices vary for adults, children, students and military members. Photos are taken as your group boards the ride and are offered for sale as you leave—a great souvenir of a unique Atlanta experience.
43 | Newcomer Magazine | newcomeratlanta.com
Where do you want to be?
Come
H O ME
For the Holidays
Iceless Skating & Games! Main Street Hayrides! Holiday Shopping & Dining Concerts, Caroling & Plays!
Call for your free Visitor Guide
800.828.4244
VisitHendersonvilleNC . o r g newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 44
