Atlanta Intown - March 2022

Homegrown Talent

Caleb Wiley goes from Morningside to Mercedes-Benz P.6

Pennington, Sarah Pierre, Katie Rice, Clare Richie, Tim Sullivan, Amy Wenk

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Soccer, Buckhead City & screaming at streaming costs

Atlanta Intown is not a sports publication, but when we heard about Morningside resident Caleb Wiley signing with Atlanta United, it got our wheels spinning about a package of stories on soccer.

Atlanta United held its first home game of the season on Feb. 27, the team’s supporter groups are already fired up, youth soccer is underway, and our contributor Dyana Bagby interviewed Caleb while he was in Mexico for pre-season training. You can read more starting on page 6.

Editor’s Letter

Collin Kelley has been editor of Atlanta Intown for almost two decades. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.

While soccer is alive and well, Buckhead City is dead – at least for this year. In a rare sign of bipartisanship, Republican and Democrats blocked legislation that would have put the question of cityhood on the ballot.

While Buckhead City proponents said they will fight on, maybe the next year will give them time to come up with answers to basic questions like start-up costs, where kids will go to school, and bond debt. The group is sticking with its current leader, which is a mistake, since he set the movement back by posting misinformation, thinly veiled racism, and reprehensible smears on social media. He also never bothers to show up to debates and conversations where actual facts are necessary.

collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com

Mayor Andre Dickens has moved decisively in his first few months in office to shore up support for keeping the city unified, and even Republicans said they wanted to give hizzoner time to act on his crime reduction plan. Without fearmongering over crime, Buckhead City hasn’t got an antler to stand on.

I don’t have a smooth or clever transition, so let me just jump right into complaining about the ever-increasing cost of streaming. A few years ago, I got rid of cable and decided to go all-in on streaming. That immediately cut my monthly bills, and I was a happy camper.

However, my appetite for entertainment has now far outweighed my initial savings. I’ve got subscriptions to YouTube TV, Netflix, Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and BritBox. When I got an email that Netflix was jacking up its subscriptions again, I cursed so loudly I’m sure my neighbors heard it.

With my internet connection and subscriptions, I’m spending around $260 a month, which just seems outrageous. I’ve already decided to dump BritBox (sniffle) and YouTube TV is likely next. I welcome your suggestions and recommendations on how you’ve cut your streaming bills.

Last month, I ventured out for my second trip to a movie theater since the pandemic began. Plaza Theatre held a 20th anniversary (gulp!) screening of David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive” and one its stars, Rebekah del Rio, was on hand to sing “Llorando.” It was a treat to watch one of my favorite films in 35mm on the big screen again. Maybe more outings like this is the answer to cutting some of my streaming concerns.

Play on!

Homegrown Talent

Atlanta United’s Caleb Wiley takes his soccer skills from Morningside to Mercedes-Benz

By Dyana Bagby

Caleb Wiley was just shy of his 14th birthday when he witnessed Atlanta United win its first Major League Soccer Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It was Dec. 8, 2018, and he was a ball boy for Atlanta United. The expansion team with just two seasons under its belt defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 for the title.

Caleb – now 17, which also happens to be his jersey number – watched more than 70,000 fans explode into cheers for the home team. He saw the excitement on the faces of the players and coaches. The energy in the stadium hummed through his body. He knew professional soccer was his calling.

“I got to be on the field and experience that feeling of winning,” he recalls. “I wasn’t a player at the time, so I didn’t know how it felt to actually win it. But after seeing that happen, it was like, wow! I wanted to be in their shoes, I wanted to be doing that, playing in front of 70,000-plus fans.”

Caleb got his start in soccer while growing up in Morningside. He and a group of friends played football, basketball, baseball, and soccer together at area parks and at school.

But when he was a fourth grader at

Morningside Elementary School, Caleb felt a pull to focus on soccer.

“Well, for one, I think I was better at it,” he says with a chuckle. “But on days when I had no training, I found myself going out and training by myself and playing soccer. And that’s when the love for it really grew.”

Caleb is making long strides toward realizing his dream of playing professional soccer in front of tens of thousands of people.

Last month he signed a four-year Homegrown contract with Atlanta United. Days later he was in Mexico running drills and playing in practice games with his new teammates ahead of the Feb. 27 season opener at the Benz against Kansas City.

“It’s a lot different because I’m used to spending time with my family and with teammates that are my age and now I’m spending time with guys that have a family,” he says.

“That’s pretty crazy to think about,” he adds. “They give me advice and I’ve learned from them and it’s been a great time getting to know all of them.”

Caleb is known as a “Homegrown” player because he started playing in the Atlanta United Academy when he was 11. The academy is a youth development program designed to train future Atlanta United team members.

Continued on page 8

Caleb Wiley participates in training with Atlanta United. (Photos courtesy Atlanta United)

Caleb shined enough on the field during academy play he was called up in 2020 and 2021 to play for Atlanta United’s reserve team, Atlanta United 2. The reserve team competes in the United Soccer League, a professional league just below Major League Soccer. The reserve team is also part of Atlanta United’s structure to produce more MLS players.

Caleb was 15 when he made his debut for Atlanta United 2, making him the youngest player in club history to play professionally.

Being the youngest on the field once intimidated him, but no longer.

“Age is just a number,” he says. “Now I just go out and do my thing.”

A Big Family

Atlanta United supporter groups cheer on the team, aid the community

By Collin Kelley and Isadora Pennington

Don’t call it a fan club! That’s what you’ll likely hear from a member of one of Atlanta United’s four designated supporter groups –Terminus Legion, Footie Mob, Resurgence, and The Faction – upon using the wrong nomenclature. So, supporter groups it is. And it’s pretty easy to see that members are much more than just casual fans.

During home games, supporter group members are found outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium tailgating and getting fired up for the match. Then, they parade into the

stadium carrying the giant golden spike, a callback to Atlanta’s railroad beginnings and a symbol of unity and strength.

The golden spike sits in front of the boisterous supporter section just behind the home goal, and it’s from this section that the chants, cheers, and singing begins and echoes around The Benz.

Current Terminus Legion President Lisa Wilder didn’t really care for the sport while growing up. After marrying her Portuguese husband, a die-hard fan, and watching World Cup matches with him, she began to see the appeal. Still, when he bought

them Atlanta United season tickets as a Valentine’s Day present, she rolled her eyes and went along. After her first match, she was hooked.

“We joined all the supporter groups in the beginning, but we fell in with Terminus Legion because we liked the community service aspect of it,” Wilder said.

She also loved the ritual before each home game and admits she’s addicted to the surge of being ‘part of something bigger than yourself.” She’s only missed a handful of home games since joining in 2017.

Both on and off-season, Terminus

Legion members can be found giving back to the community through volunteering and working with charities. Wilder said that beyond the rowdy support at each game, the group actually “does more in the community than we do in the stands.”

Some of the organizations Terminus Legion supports include Soccer in the Streets, Mostly Mutts, Chattahoochee River Keeper, and the Clean Sheet project to assist victims of domestic violence. Members also donated funds to the fire department and helped with pandemic relief efforts.

Terminus Legion member Amy Jurden

Caleb Wiley signs a four-year contract with Atlanta United.

Footie Mob member Ashley “A-Ro” Robinson DJs at a tailgate event.

Members of Terminus Legion show off their scarves at a pre-season event at Fowling Warehouse. (Photo by Isadora Pennington)

said she’s been a life-long sports fan, but never realized how much fun it could be. “The vibe of the group – it’s just a big family, you know. I immediately felt welcomed,” she said.

Jurden said one of her favorite memories as a member occurred in 2018 when Terminus Legion partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for Kick Childhood Cancer Month. “All the supporter groups came together, and Terminus Legion did a gigantic children’s tailgate event. So, you had all these kids out there that had never gotten to go to a sporting event like this, that were fighting things you’d never want someone their age to deal with, and it was just pure euphoria.”

Aaron Nobles joined Terminus Legion in its first year, 2014, and said it was the friendships he’s made that will stick with him forever. He said a recent member’s wedding was cause for celebration.

“Terminus Legion comes with friendships,” Nobles said. “Michael recently got married and we got to rekindle friendships and relationships with people we had not seen in several years due to COVID. It was so good to see all of the people who had been with us since 2014. It honestly was something I will never forget.”

Ashley “A-Ro” Robinson, a board member at large for Footie Mob, can often be found DJing during pre-game tailgating. She’s been a member since Atlanta United played its first game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, and even travelled to some away games as far away as Costa Rica.

Robinson said she arrives at the tailgate area four or five hours before a match starts to set up her decks, adding that she thrives on the “controlled chaos” of game day.

She said one of her favorite memories was during the MLS cup final, when Footie Mob held one of its biggest tailgates ever. “It was cold and raining, but everybody was happy and dancing,” she recalled. “We like to make a big production out of the tailgate and bring the noise from the lot to get everyone ready.”

Robinson said the community aspect of Footie Mob was another draw for her, including participation in voter registration drives, food drives, and community clean-ups. During the pandemic when members were watching matches on television, Robinson and other DJs streamed game day tunes over Zoom and held virtual tailgate parties on Zoom.

Marla Tichenor said she became involved with all the supporter groups in 2018, but finally “planted her roots” with Footie Mob.

“No matter who you are, you will at least fit into one of the groups, if not more than one,” Tichenor said. “I first became a member of AUFC’s supporter groups in 2018, after I had a full year to fall in love with the experience, yet it was already love at first sight.”

Meet the Groups

Terminus Legion

Launched in 2014 with the MLS Atlanta announcement, Terminus Legion exists to champion and support Atlanta soccer, and the communities in which it is played.

Positivity and inclusivity, on and off the pitch, are hallmarks of the oldest of the supporter groups. Find out more at terminuslegion.com.

Footie Mob

Footie Mob has members from across the Intown area. Their goal is to create a unique fan experience by blending supporter group traditions with Southern sports culture. Join the members for match watching parties, tailgates, and in the stands. Find out more at footiemob.com.

Resurgence

Resurgence focuses primarily on creating a rowdy and passionate supporter section experience. Resurgence members pride themselves on “earning their scarf” by standing and chanting the full 90 minutes of each match, choreographed displays (called tifos), and creating original songs and hand-made flags. Find out more at resurgenceatl.com.

The Faction

Made up of parents, coaches, players, and passionate supporters, The Faction strives for unique game day experiences, with an emphasis on food and friendship. The group’s mission also encompasses using sport to help develop youth character and the language of soccer to promote tolerance, inclusivity, and the value of collaboration in achieving success. Find out more at thefactionatl.com.

For the love of soccer: Local families devoted to youth programs

By Amy Wenk

On a crisp but sunny February afternoon, Buckhead resident Massee Shula was working on footwork drills with his nephew, Anton Hundley.

It was the first day of spring soccer practice for the Boys U8 team of SSA Northside, the Buckhead-based branch of the Southern Soccer Academy. Parents and relatives were invited to participate in the practice held at the Galloway Athletic Complex off Defoors Ferry Road.

“My sister has three boys, so we have to split up the time,” Massee said. “I’ve got the Tuesdays.”

In addition to practices twice a week, Massee said players have weekend tournaments that can take four to six hours depending on the location, such as Kennesaw, Alpharetta or even Buford. “We’ve driven as far as 45 minutes to get to some of these tournaments,” he said.

But, Massee said, it’s worth it. “It really is a family affair. We all just take a lot of great joy from it.”

His comments underscore the commitment many local families make to youth soccer. The average player spends 10.8 hours a week playing the sport, according to a 2019 study from Project Play, an initiative of the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program.

And parents shell out an average $537 per year for youth soccer programs, said the study.

“It can be a little tricky with trying to juggle other children’s schedules, work schedules,” said Buckhead resident Lawren Hutchison, whose son Jackson, 7, attends Morris Brandon Elementary School and plays soccer at SSA. She has two other children who play sports, too. “It’s a lot, but he loves it so much.”

Buckhead resident Christian Khalil said he and his 6-year-old son, Kayan, may spend 15 to 20 hours a week on soccer. “He loves it,” Khalil said during the recent SSA practice. “I love it. I want him to do well. It’s our thing as a father and son.”

In addition to SSA Northside, there are a variety of clubs in metro Atlanta. That includes Buckhead’s popular Tophat Soccer Club. It offers girls soccer programs, with practice fields off Fairfield Road in Buckhead.

There’s also NASA Tophat, where the competitive high-level players graduate to, said Executive Director Dave Smith. It offers both boys and girls programs, recreational and competitive.

Inter Atlanta FC offers programs spanning U4 to U19. Its practice fields are off Arizona Ave near Kirkwood.

And the Atlanta Concorde Fire Soccer Club fields more than 1,000 players in age groups from U6 to U19. Its home fields are on Ashford-Dunwoody Road, next to Marist School.

Families shared the many benefits that soccer offers their kids.

“It provides discipline, and it provides an outlet for lots of energy,” Hutchinson said. Massee said the young soccer players learn about teamwork and collaboration.

And for both parents and kids, it provides a network of friends.

“It’s a way to make friends, especially for us having moved into the country,” said Khalil, who moved his family to Atlanta from Lebanon about a year and a half ago.

“It’s an immediate community,” added Buckhead resident Lawton Bloom, whose 12-year-old daughter Anna plays at Concorde and 15-year-old daughter Eloisa plays at Tophat. The family had moved from Manhattan two years ago.

“My kids love it,” Bloom said, adding they’ve traveled as far as Raleigh and Charleston for tournaments. “It is a lot, but it’s quality time with them.”

Left, A February practice of SSA Northside, held at the Galloway Athletic Complex off Defoors Ferry Road. Right, Buckhead resident Christian Khalil and his son, Kayan. (Photos by Isadora Pennington)

Southwest Atlanta residents demand MARTA build light rail

By Collin Kelley

MARTA’s announcement that it plans to build a bus rapid transit (BRT) line instead of light rail along the Campbellton Road corridor in Southwest Atlanta was met with fury from residents and politicians who represent the area.

A six-mile light rail along the Campbellton corridor was included in the list – “More MARTA” – of projects put to voters when they approved a sales tax increase in 2016 to fund the $2.7 billion expansion of the transportation system.

MARTA claimed in a statement that light rail on Campbellton was never promised but used for planning purposes. The transit agency concluded, after two years of analysis and public engagement, that BRT provides “the greatest mobility, faster, and for far less money.”

“Adopting BRT as the mode for Campbellton will allow MARTA to deliver on the promise of better connectivity for southwest Atlanta into the heavy rail system faster,” the MARTA statement said.

The BRT line would run from Oakland City station to the Barge Road park-and-ride lot. Like light rail it would include numerous stops along the route and move passengers more quickly since it’s running in two dedicated center lanes along the corridor.

The BRT line would also cost about $200 million less to build than light rail, which has many residents wondering how that leftover money will be spent.

During a town hall meeting last month at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Mayor Andre Dickens said he understood the

frustration of residents, but also played devil’s advocate concerning BRT vs. light rail.

“We have to ask ourselves what we really want for the community,” Dickens said. “If you go with BRT then there is money for other things. The $200 million could go to transit-oriented development, more lighting, cameras, better sidewalks. BRT would get done faster and it would operate the same as light rail.”

However, Dickens said he also recognized the optics of putting a bus service in Southwest Atlanta and light rail on the Northside along the proposed Clifton Road corridor that would connect Lindbergh station to the Emory University campus.

“I see the class in it, the color in it, and how it looks,” Dickens said.

Former Senator Vincent Fort said he didn’t believe MARTA would invest the additional $200 million on transit-oriented development on the Campbellton corridor.

“If you believe that, I have a bridge in

Month of history tours returns March 5-27 with Phoenix Flies

By Collin Kelley

The 2022 edition of Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta’s Historic Sites returns March 5-27 with a month of historic tours and events across the city.

From museums to adaptive reuse projects, to neighborhood tours to public libraries, this year’s 60+ new and returning partners are offering incredible free events both in-person and online.

Some of the historic sites on this year’s itinerary include Atlanta Woman’s Club, Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, The Healey Building, Oakland Cemetery, Historic St. Mark AME, Plaza Theatre, Ponce Condos, The Temple, Westview Cemetery, and The Wren’s Nest.

This year’s Phoenix Flies will also mark the 25th anniversary of the dramatic rescue of the Fox Theater from demolition, an event that permanently shaped Atlanta’s preservation ethos.

Registration is now open at preserveatl.eventbrite.com and all the events can be viewed in the digital program at atlantapreservationcenter.com.

Brooklyn to sell you,” Fort said.

Councilmember Antonio Lewis said the Campbellton community simply wanted “what was promised to us.”

“[MARTA] either forgot what they said or they’re outright lying to us,” Lewis said, adding that light rail was faster service and more equitable. “I know that once Cleveland Avenue, Campbellton Road and Cascade get what everybody in Buckhead’s got, the city is going to work a little bit better.”

Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet said getting light rail on the Campbellton corridor would be the catalyst for big change.

“If we get Campbellton Road right, the development will follow, and Atlanta will

become more equitable. We’ll have more affordable housing, we’ll have grocery stores.” MARTA pushed back on claims that it is stealing money from Southwest Atlanta and the Campbellton Corridor project as “absurd and false.”

“The More MARTA program does not set aside a specific amount of money for specific Council Districts, rather, the program expands the transit system for the benefit of all Atlantans. It is irresponsible to suggest that MARTA and the City of Atlanta teams that jointly administer the More MARTA program have been anything but responsible stewards of that funding.”

urges residents, businesses to join security camera network

By Collin Kelley

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to join Atlanta’s new security camera network, Connect Atlanta.

According to Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant, the program allows the public to connect their surveillance camera feeds directly to the police department’s network. Bryant said police officers will be able to access security footage from their phones and in their patrol cars before they arrive at a crime scene.

“It really is a game-changer,” Bryant said Wednesday. “It gives us the availability to save time. “We’re moving from a video integration center to a real-time crime center.”

Bryant said Connect Atlanta currently has more than 4,500 security cameras in the network and said that could grow to 25,000 by 2023.

Those interested in connecting their cameras, can visit connectatlanta.org. There are two options for joining Connect Atlanta:

■ Integrate your cameras: Businesses and residents can give APD and first responders direct access to their security camera feeds in case of a nearby emergency. Camera owners can choose if access is one time only or continuous.

■ Register your cameras: Register security cameras with APD to help identify area cameras in case of an incident. An APD investigator will contact a resident or business via email if they need assistance solving a nearby crime.

Bryant said the new system led to an arrest in the drive-by shooting of a 6-monthold boy in northwest Atlanta earlier this week. He said Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Lenox Square are already integrated into the camera network.

The platform, funded by the Atlanta Police Foundation, was created by Peachtree Corners-based Fusus and is being used by nearly 100 other communities across the country.

APD

Renderings of the proposed Campbellton BRT line.

News RoundUp

The Buckhead City movement is dead for this year after both Republicans and Democrats blocked the legislation from advancing at the General Assembly. Cityhood proponents have vowed to fight on to get the referendum on a future ballot.

The Atlanta City Council will expand the Public Safety Commission’s purpose to include crime strategy and add business leaders and neighborhood associations. The commission will be divided into five working groups designed to focus on crime deterrence and the enforcement of existing laws.

Mayor Andre Dickens has named Odie Donald II as his chief of staff. Born and raised in Atlanta, Donald most recently served as the administrator for the consolidated government of Augusta-Richmond County. Before his stint in Augusta, he served as the first city manager for the City of South Fulton.

Atlanta will get its first new area code in more than a decade beginning March 15. The new 943 area code will join the existing 404, 470, 678, and 770 codes. Available numbers using the existing area codes are expected to run out by the second quarter of 2023.

Oakland Cemetery visitor’s center draws social media criticism

By Collin Kelley

A new visitor’s center planned outside the main west gate of historic Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park has received flack on social media from those unhappy with the building’s design.

Historic Oakland Foundation said the visitor’s center, designed by Smith Dalia Architects, will include a museum store, an atrium that will host interpretive exhibits, flexible multipurpose classroom and event

space, rentable meeting space, and offices for the organization.

But it’s the exterior of the 10,000 square foot visitor’s center – clad in red brick as homage to the cemetery’s walls and walkways – that has drawn criticism since renderings of the austere structure were released to the media.

Commenters on Facebook and Instagram called the visitor’s center “boring,” “uninspired” and even “ugly,” and urged Historic Oakland to go back to the

HIT THE TRAIL ON AN BIKE E

drawing board.

“I love that people are passionate about this,” Historic Oakland Foundation Executive Director Richard Harker said. “What doesn’t show up in the renderings are additional design elements and materials that will bring the facade to life.”

Harker said also not shown in the rendering is the lush landscaping that will mimic the cemetery’s Victorian garden design.

“There will be the same trees and perennials used around the visitor’s center that are on the grounds and there will be gathering spots,” Harker said. “We are still in the design process, but I think the next set of renderings coming this spring will bring more clarity.”

Harker said the minimalist exterior was designed to not detract from Oakland Cemetery itself, while the interior is meant to be “nimble” by providing space for yearround programming including civic forums, K-12 programming, and adult education programs.

Some trees will have to be removed to make way for the building and parking, but Harker said more trees will be planted to replace those cut down to create a leafy canopy like inside the cemetery.

The historic Bell Tower, which previously served as a visitor’s center, gift shop, and office space, will become a flexible event, exhibit, classroom, and meeting space. The circa-1899 Bell Tower is currently undergoing at $12 million rehabilitation.

Renderings of the visitor’s center designed by Smith Dalia Architects.

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Atlanta Science Festival set for March 12-26

Wordle brings out the inner word nerd

Timmy Daddy

Tim Sullivan

Tim Sullivan grew up in a large family in the Northeast and now lives with his small family in Oakhurst. He can be reached at tim@sullivanfinerugs. com.

I held out on the Wordle craze for a little bit. I didn’t need yet another reason to stare at a screen, plus I thought it would be a short-lived fad. The assemblage of colored

playing solo. Two brains on one puzzle might get you the answer quicker but Wordling in peace has an undeniable cache.

Soon enough, my son Elliott and I had nothing to contribute to the “Wordle this, Wordle that” dinner conversations, so it seemed I was going to learn what the colored blocks meant after all. They instructed us to pick any 5-letter word to start. With everyone watching, I panicked a little. Do any words have exactly 5 letters? What if I stink at this game and majoring in English was totally pointless? Fortunately, Elliott was wearing a Champion sweatshirt, so I offered up the word ‘champ,’ an audacious selection for a rookie. The first, fourth and fifth letters were not only in the mystery word but also in the correct squares.

By Collin Kelley

The Atlanta Science Festival (ASF) returns March 12-26 with more than 100 interactive and educational events featuring in-person, COVID-safe activities and online events.

The ninth annual festival culminates with the Exploration Expo, a big science party in Piedmont Park.

The 2022 edition of ASF will give kids and adults the opportunity to dive into a range of topics from environmental science, earth and space, and animals to science and the arts, science and society, and health and the human body.

Nature walks, creature encounters, hands-on experiments, science-themed performances, and much more pack the two-week event calendar.

A few highlights include:

Drive-In Demos: Chemistry From Your Car: Emory chemists present a live-action chemistry demo show featuring fire, ice, bubbles, and a cloud. The audience watches from the comfort of their vehicles.

11 Alive StormTrackers: The Science Behind Tracking Thunderstorms: Explore the science behind storms and storm tracking, including thunderstorm life cycle and forecasting, and how radar allows us to see a slice of a thunderstorm.

Conversations in Creativity: This thought-provoking discussion about the intersection of art and science features Atlanta-based artist and architect Amy Landesberg, Georgia Tech mathematician/physicist Elisabetta Matsumoto, and representatives of Science Gallery at Emory University, a new exhibition gallery where science and art collide.

Exploration Expo: The finale will feature interactive science booths and live science presentations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 26. at Piedmont Park. The event is free.

“The Atlanta Science Festival has become synonymous with engaging and accessible science exploration for all ages, while celebrating diversity and our city as a science hub,” says Meisa Salaita, executive co-director of Science ATL – the engineers of the Atlanta Science Festival.

For the full schedule and more information, visit AtlantaScienceFestival.org.

digital blocks on people’s social media posts meant nothing to me and I was okay with that. Not that I don’t love a good word game, I do. It’s just I’m more of a Boggle guy – pencil and paper, hourglass timer and wood letter blocks that are painfully loud when shaken up. Wait, is that why no one ever wants to play with me? Either that or because I dominate and it’s rough being on the wrong end of a word tally.

When I was a kid, I relished the daily Word Jumble game in the comics section of the Reporter Dispatch. Sure, I tip-toed into it with pencil but, before long, me and my ball point pen were as cocky as Apollo Creed. I had to get to it before Mike McAteer, though. He’s my older brother Marty’s friend and he spent a lot of time at our house. I mean, we all love Mike, but he was a total Word Jumble hog. He always finished it too so there wouldn’t even be a scrap left for me to figure out. He’s a professional word wrangler now, a high school English teacher. It figures.

Anyway, once Wordle entered our household this January it was like a convivial virus and we all caught the bug. My daughter Margo partnered up with Grandma and they crush it. I think there is some inter-generational mojo at work producing impressive results day after day. Then Kristen jumped in, but she prefers

Easy-peasy. Clearly the word was ‘Crimp’ and clearly, we were a brilliant father-son duo.

I posted our two-line debut to Facebook to let the accolades roll in, as one does, not fully realizing that some people find that annoying. And others think – well fine, but you have to post your bad scores, too. It’s a whole thing. Anyway, I should have known Elliott would be good since we devour word games together when we’re on flights. Much like his old man, he’s primed for a lifetime of word glory. Or better yet, maybe he can find his way to the invention side of the puzzle. That Wordle nerd is strutting all the way to the bank with millions of New York Times dollars.

In a way I think Wordle may be keeping me off my devices to a degree. If I check my social media too often it increases the chances of somebody blowing it for us. We had to skip one day because a Facebook friend all but told me the word was ‘Moist.’ Seriously, folks, if the word is something like ‘Moist’ just zip it. okay? There is nothing you can say that isn’t a dead giveaway. It was like having Mike McAteer over my shoulder hinting that maybe I ought to start with an M? Maybe it rhymes with ‘hoist’? Maybe it is one of the most maligned words in the English language!

Erin Yabroudy is one of Atlanta’s leading REALTORS® for premier communities such as Ansley Park, Morningside, Buckhead, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Druid Hills, and Brookwood Hills. Having lived in Ansley park for over 17 years with her husband, Ron, their four children, and two Labrador retrievers, as well as being an active member of multiple charitable organizations across the Atlanta area, Erin has been fortified with an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the Atlanta residential market. Erin is an expert resource for prospective intown Atlanta home sellers and buyers alike and can offer a unique and personal perspective on their communities of interest. She is beyond thrilled to further introduce the prestigious Harry Norman brand into neighborhoods throughout Atlanta.

Starting Clean

A Q&A with David Johnson, co-founder of pharmaceutical startup Genexa

By Collin Kelley

If you’ve been shopping for a feverreducer for your kids or something to help you sleep on the shelves of your local pharmacy, supermarket, or Walmart, then you’ve likely come across Genexa.

Billed as the first “clean medicine,” the startup makes pharmaceuticals with the same active ingredients as the household name brands – like acetaminophen –but without all the artificial, inactive ingredients that usually come with them.

Founded on the West Coast by David

Johnson and Max Spielberg, Genexa is now based in Atlanta. We caught up with Johnson to talk about the creation of the brand, his favorite local hangouts and to get his pop-country tinged In the Mix playlist, which you can listen to by visiting our Intown Spotify channel.

With people concerned about what’s going in their bodies in the age of COVID, how has Genexa embraced/ pivoted to meet those concerns?

Genexa medicines were created with ingredient transparency at their core.

We started this company five years ago because we were concerned about the

inactive ingredients in our kids’ medicines after realizing that as much as 93% of all drugs contain potential allergens. More and more people are realizing that their health products don’t just consist of the important ingredients that are supposed to help them feel better. We found a way to make medicine with the same active ingredients that address acute symptoms like colds, allergies, fever, etc. but without any artificial fillers or common allergens. We are bringing awareness to the inactive ingredients in over-the-counter medicines and put our list directly on the side of the box so it’s easy for people to see what’s in the product (and what’s not in there).

How has the move from the West Coast to Atlanta been beneficial for Genexa’s growth?

We love our new headquarters in Atlanta! This is such a vibrant city full of talent, diverse experiences, and a unique culture that has been very beneficial for our team. We’ve grown an incredible team of employees with diverse backgrounds and are hiring even more this year. Atlanta offers both the appeal of a large urban city with a small-town community feel and we’re excited to get out and about in the community even more this year.

How has social media and influencers aided in the growth of the company?

Our driving philosophy at Genexa is “people over everything,” meaning we put

people at the center of everything we do. Our core customer lives on social media so we’ve made it our goal to deepen our connection with them through our online communities. Buying medicine is a deeply personal experience and many people lean on those they trust within their own circle of influence, often a parent, friend, or healthcare professional. So we’ve worked with a number of different “influencers” to help spread the word – everyone from our superfan customers, medical advisors, our celebrity investors, and more.

What are some local spots you visit to unwind or recharge from running a busy company?

I love being outdoors and try to stay active, so I spend a lot of time walking the BeltLine and at Chastain Park with my family. Atlanta has a lot of great hiking trails so we’re always looking for new ones to explore.

What’s some of your favorite restaurants, pubs, or hangout spots in Atlanta?

My wife and I are foodies and love sushi, so we are fascinated by the fact the best sushi in the country is found right in our backyard at Sushi Hayakawa. We also love all the vendors at Ponce City and Krog Street Markets. There are so many amazing chefs and restaurants in Atlanta, our list of favorites is a mile long!

David Johnson

What’s the next play for Atlanta’s PlayOn! Sports

By Maija Ehlinger

Navigating a startup through the volatile and unpredictable media landscape is no small feat. But that’s exactly what David Rudolph has done at the helm of ATDC-graduate PlayOn! Sports, a sports media company for the high school market.

The rise of streaming and subscription-based programming over the last few years has helped the thirteen-year-old company scale in recent years – it now streams one in four high school games nationwide. Following a new strategic investment from KKR, Rudolph spoke to Hypepotamus about the experience of building up the sports media startup and what is next for the team.

Building PlayOn!

The concept was born inside Turner Broadcasting, where Rudolph worked after graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in industrial engineering. He was frustrated that he couldn’t catch a Georgia Tech vs. UNC football game on TV and set out to address a clear gap in the sports market. “There are passionate fans, but sometimes there just isn’t enough to make the [traditional] television model make sense,” Rudolph told Hypepotamus.

PlayOn! has built out a robust platform to produce and distribute untelevised sporting events. After spinning out of Turner as an independent venture in 2008, PlayOn! pivoted to the high school market, a strategic move as television and digital rights intertwined with the rise of streaming.

Rudolph graduated from ATDC in 2011, which he credits for helping “shorten the personal learning curve” associated with moving from the corporate world to startup land.

In 2013, PlayOn! Sports and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) created the NFHS Network. Along the way, the team has navigated the fragmented high school market, aggregated media rights, and built relationships with schools across the country.

We’ve never changed our focus, which is that we want to stream every single [high school] sports event,” added Rudolph.

While growing the startup, the very nature of how we consume media has changed. Streaming and online consumer subscription services are now the norms, thanks to the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV. And those changes in

consumer behavior have helped PlayOn! bridge the gap between high school athletes and fans.

Rudolph said that the platform will stream around a million events this year, up from 350,000 the year before. The goal, Rudolph added, is to get to the four million mark (the total number of high school games played annually nationwide). “That’s what drives us. And as we grow, that brings in more fans and more audience to the mix.”

The team, largely Atlanta-based, has grown as well. The team is currently 125 full-time employees and around the same number of part-time employees on payroll working on the event production side of the business.

Behind the Deal

PlayOn! announced at the start of February that global investment firm KKR plans to make a “significant investment” in the company.

Current stakeholder, Atlanta-based Panoramic Ventures, will also join in on the new investment.

For Rudolph, the investment is the next big “play” for the company.

“It felt like we hit the proverbial ‘next level’ in revenue, profitability, and scale, and I had some investors who had been very patient for a long time. So it seemed like the right time for us to go to the market and see if there was the right partner for us for the next stage of the company’s growth.”

Previous Atlanta-based investors include BIP Capital, Imlay Investments, and Hamilton Ventures.

Rudolph said PlayOn!’s senior team is staying through the transaction.

PlayOn! works closely with the NFHS (the high school equivalent of the NCAA), state sports associations, coaches, administrators, student-athletes, and fans. “We work with pretty much everyone in the high school ecosystem from the top to the bottom,” Rudolph added, saying that he is regularly pitched or asked to solve other problems within the high school sports ecosystem.

He said KKR’s “resources and reach is going to help us think about those [problems] pursue those more than we could of as an independent company.”

“This first phase was hard. There were a lot of things to overcome because high school is such a fragmented market,” added Rudolph. “The next five years should have just as much growth but not quite so much pain. At least that’s the plan.”

David Rudolph

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Wells Fargo has donated $20 million to Atlanta’s Open for Business Fund to help small business owners own more of their businesses’ assets—including property and equipment—to enable physical upgrades to their facilities. The United Way of Greater Atlanta—in collaboration with Invest Atlanta—will distribute the funding as a mix of grants and loans in the city, with a focus on Black-owned and other diverse-owned businesses. “This Wells Fargo grant program gives small business owners the opportunity to grow and expand by owning more of their own assets—which can be a game changer for the financial health of any business,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “As a former small business owner, I understand the vital role of small businesses in Atlanta’s economy and community, and we are excited to announce this program in the first few weeks of our new administration.” Atlanta small business owners interested in learning more about the program can find information at investatlanta.com/ openforbusiness.

Airbnb has announced that its new technical hub will be located at The Interlock development in West Midtown. The short-term and vacation home rental giant announced last year that it would open an East Coast hub in Atlanta to serve as the home for one of its product development teams and regional base for new technical and non-technical roles. Airbnb said it planned to open at The Interlock, a mixed-use development near Georgia Teach at the corner of 14th Street and Howell Mill Road, later this year.

▲Nobu, a new luxury hotel and Japanese restaurant, is eyeing a late summer opening in Buckhead at Phipps Plaza. The hotel will include 150 rooms, a rooftop pool, spa and conference space. The restaurant will occupy 10,000 square feet, featuring Japanese cuisine. Nobu is a brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper. This is the first location in Atlanta. The hotel and restaurant are part of a larger redevelopment at Phipps Plaza. The former Belk department store was demolished to make way for a mixeduse project, which also includes a 13-story office building, food hall called Citizens, and a Life Time athletic club.

►Chris D’Auria is celebrating 25 years as owner of beloved Buckhead nightspot Johnny’s Hideaway. “The staff and the music are what stirs the sauce at Johnny’s, but there’s no secret formula,” he says. “I tell people who have never been that they have to give it 15 minutes, just get a stiff drink and start dancing. I love reading the social media reviews of guests saying they had such a great time.” D’Auria also praised the nightclub’s staff, some of whom have been on the payroll for more than 20 years. The club recently marked its 40th anniversary.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has awarded three Atlanta Blackowned small businesses $10,000 in ad credits and creative support through a new program aimed at helping businesses survive the ongoing pandemic. The companies are Kyra’s Shea Medlevs, Boss Branding on a Budget, and Kamala Enterprises.

◄Souk Bō’hēmian – a Black-, women- and queer-owned retail shop offering ready-towear fashion, home goods and handmade accessories – is set to open this spring at Ponce City Market. Founded as an online shop in 2016 by best friends and business partners Morgan-Ashley Bryant and Vanessa Coore Vernon, Souk Bō’hēmian’s first brick-andmortar location aims to introduce new and different cultures to the Atlanta community.

The Splatter Studio has moved from Ponce City Market to its new 2,500 square foot location at 792 North Highland Ave. next to Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar. The Splatter Studio offers an immersive experience Tuesdays through Sundays, where guests can let loose and create art without worrying about the mess. Upon arrival, visitors are supplied with protective gear so they can wield paint brushes, tools or their own two hands to splatter paint on a provided canvas or a Splatter Studio t-shirt. Founder Howard Krinsky also owns Binders Art Supplies & Frames.

MARTA has issued a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Request for Proposals (RFP) for Bankhead rail station. The Bankhead TOD will be located on just under five-anda-half acres of land, along with air-rights above the station itself, which sits at 1335 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. The rail station is adjacent to Microsoft’s 90-acre campus development and is a half-mile southeast of the newly opened Westside Park. Other nearby development includes the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail and the Proctor Creek Greenway in the historic Grove Park community.

►Rap star 2 Chainz has been named the first head of creative marketing for Krystal, the Atlanta-based burger chain. According to a media statement, 2 Chainz and his team will be leading the creation of multiple new platforms and partnerships, including menus, merchandising and cobranded restaurants in Atlanta.

Co-working space Switchyards has expanded to Buckhead in a 5,473-square-foot space at Piedmont Center. This is the fifth “work club” from the company, which also operates in Cabbagetown, Decatur, Downtown and Westside.

Wilderness trail may receive national recognition

wilderness area east of the Mississippi River with 37,000 acres, the Cohutta includes rugged trails and wildlife.

Not far from one stream, appropriately named Bear Branch, we passed a seriously clawed-up hemlock tree trunk, where a black bear was likely seeking ants, grubs and other high-protein insects. With chilly temperatures in the 40s, we admired fallen leaves cupping snow from a recent storm, needle ice rising from disturbed soil, jagged icicles, drooping and curling rhododendron leaves, and bright-green patches of moss.

A Less-Traveled Path

From Springer Mountain in north Georgia — the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (AT) — to Davenport Gap in the northeastern corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the BMT runs 288 miles. A third of the trail lies in federally designated wilderness areas, where vehicles and motorized tools are prohibited.

A visionary forester, planner, and conservationist named Benton MacKaye published an article in 1921 that inspired the creation of the AT: a place where he hoped people would be able to find recreation and relief from “the noise and strain of the industrial community.” In his grand vision to create a long-distance footpath from Maine to Georgia — a “skyline wilderness trail,” MacKaye considered an alternate route at the trail’s southern end.

Above the Water Line

Sally Bethea

Sally Bethea is the retired executive director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and an environmental and sustainability advocate.

Ilove to hike in the early months of the year when the open winter landscape reigns. It seems as though I can see every single tree in the forest, each standing on a leafy carpet. Using trekking poles for stability, I walk with my neck craned, admiring the graceful, high

branches and trunks — the canopy architecture of hardwoods: oak, tulip poplar, hickory, sourwood, walnut, sweetgum, and beech. The irregular, expressive lines of these native trees never fail to stimulate my eyes and mind in ways that man’s angular shapes and straight lines cannot.

It’s during this time of year that I’m drawn to the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) in northwest Georgia, a relatively unknown long trail that offers remote hiking on a footpath linking ridges to river bottoms from Georgia through Tennessee to North Carolina. Over the past half dozen years, I’ve walked most of the 82-mile portion of the BMT in Georgia and hope to complete remaining miles this year.

In early February, my partner and I hiked a seven-mile trail section that requires the crossing of small, clear streams that lead to the Jacks River, which flows through the heart of the Cohutta Wilderness. The largest

This route struck a course from the upper, east end of the Smokies, moving parallel, but well south of the AT route. It exited the national park near the place where Fontana Dam and reservoir would later be built, then continued into the Cohutta Mountain chain in Tennessee and Georgia — part of the oldest known mountains in the world. Continuing east toward the Blue Ridge, this trail would link up with the AT’s terminus, according to MacKaye’s maps. Today, that terminus is located at Springer Mountain.

Trail Founders

I spoke recently with George Owens, a retired Methodist minister, ardent hiker, and one of the six founding members of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA). An energetic 84-year-old who still leads long hikes and maintains trails, Owens told me the story of how the BMT came to be.

David Sherman — head of the

Georgia Heritage Trust Program in the mid-1970s —discovered MacKaye’s early maps and plans and decided to resurrect the idea of a long wilderness trail on the alternate southern AT route. He wanted to create a remote path — with no shelters — that would attract hikers looking for an uncrowded experience in a wild environment. Considered the BMT’s founding father, Sherman enlisted the help of five other trail advocates. Together, they established the BMTA in 1980 to preserve, protect and maintain the emerging trail, which they called “a footpath for generations to follow.”

The Georgia portion of the BMT was constructed and completed by volunteers in the late 1980s; however, it took longer to secure approvals for the trail through the Smokies. A grand opening was held in 2005, when the entire project was finished. Today, about 95% of the trail is located on public lands managed by the US Forest Service or the National Park Service; only fifteen miles remain on private land or public roads.

More than forty years later, the BMTA is still, impressively an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, working actively to protect and maintain the trail. Last year, volunteers logged almost 8,000 hours maintaining the trail, which included the removal of 300 tree blowdowns caused by a major storm.

A National Scenic Trail

Continuing their relentless advocacy for the Benton MacKaye Trail, the BMTA decided to seek Congressional approval for their beloved footpath to be designated the twelfth National Scenic Trail in the country — a campaign announced last fall. According to the National Park Service, these trails must extend for more than 100 miles and showcase spectacular natural areas and beauty.

Once approved, the scenic trail designation will release additional federal resources to help the BMTA complete the trail on the remaining, unprotected portions before development can encroach on these sections — and also boost local economies. The association hopes to achieve the designation by the end of this year.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Visit bmta.org to learn how you can support the National Scenic Trail designation. Read about the BMT section hikes and discover the trail. Join the BMTA.

Hikers on the Benton MacKaye Trail.

Park Pride’s annual Parks & Greenspace Conference, the largest parks conference in the southeast, will showcase thought leaders from Atlanta and across the nation on March 28. Under the theme “The Parks We Need NOW,” 2022 speakers and attendees will question and explore whether pre-pandemic park design, management, and funding strategies can keep pace with the increased reliance we have on greenspace. The conference will be held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. More information and registration links are available at parkpride.org/conference.

ECO BRIEFS

▲The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, a statewide organization that leads more than 70 city and county affiliates in their efforts to end litter, reduce waste, promote recycling, and beautify communities, recently awarded $15,000 in How to Reconsider Litter and Recycle Right grants. The grant, created in partnership with the Georgia Recycling Coalition and made possible by the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, provided funding for six local affiliates to educate residents on the harmful impacts of litter and recycling contamination. Funding supported cleanup events and recycling drives, media and informational material, and school festivals. Volunteers collected over 11,000 pounds of recyclable materials and 1,300 pounds of trash, and residents all over the state gleaned invaluable information on how to properly dispose of waste in their own neighborhoods. “We’re thrilled with the impact we’ve seen so far and the promise it holds for our environment in the long term,” said Natalie JohnstonRussell, executive director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. “Reducing litter and recycling often go hand in hand—if somebody sees a can or bottle in the street, we want them to not only pick it up, but to give it a second life if they can. This way, we’re protecting our green spaces and waterways while conserving our natural resources.” To learn more about the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation and sign the #reconsiderlitter pledge, visit kgbf.org.

DeKalb County has adopted a resolution to transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, making it the sixth local government in Georgia to make such a pledge. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution at its

December meeting. The commitment calls for the county government to transition to using 50% renewable energy by 2025 and 100% by 2035. Additionally, the resolution calls for 100% clean energy community-wide by 2045. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners also included details on an equitable transition, ensuring benefits to lowincome citizens and prioritizing a just transition for those currently employed by the energy sector, currently reliant on fossil fuels. DeKalb County joins Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County, Augusta-Richmond County, Clarkston, and Savannah in pledging to transition to 100 percent clean energy.

HELLO ATLANTA!

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Forging Ahead

Big mixed-use project planned on former Artisan Yards property

By Collin Kelley

A10-acre piece of property in Castleberry Hill previously slated to become the mixeduse Artisan Yards has a new development team and name: Forge Atlanta.

Urbantec Development Partners is planning 3.8 million square feet for offices, retail, and a hotel with another 1.2 million set for residential on the crescent-shaped swath of industrial land at Ted Turner Drive and Whitehall Street. The developer said the project is being designed with a heavy emphasis on attracting life science related businesses.

According to a report at Urbanize

Atlanta, Urbantec hired real estate advisory firm CBRE to conduct a market study on the property.

CBRE’s research found that, as of 2020, Atlanta has the highest rate of research and development job growth among emerging U.S. markets. The city is home to some 15,000 people employed in the life science industry, including biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical jobs.

CBRE senior managing director David Lanier said in a statement that the Forge Atlanta concept is “another

great example of the exciting things that will continue to positively shape the downtown market.

According to the site plan, Forge Atlanta would have at least seven buildings clustered around a central plaza. A pedestrian bridge spanning the railroad tracks would connect the development to the rest of Canstleberry Hill, while the Garnett MARTA station would be easily accessible as would I-20.

While a timeline hasn’t been established for the project, CBRE told Urbanize Atlanta that it could break

ground this autumn.

Forge Atlanta would join two other massive projects transforming Downtown’s southside.

The property is just south of the Centennial Yards, the 50-acre mixed-use project rising adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.

Also just up the street is South Dwntn, Newport’s redevelopment of what was once known as “hotel row” along Mitchell Street. There’s also the reimagining of Underground Atlanta, which is attracting new retail and restaurants.

ROBERT WUN

Photo by Zhong Lin

This page and opposite: Site plan and renderings for the proposed Forge Atlanta mixed-use development in Castleberry Hill.

Historic Midtown apartments to become micro, studio units

By Collin Kelley

The Winnwood Apartments in Midtown will be transformed into micro and onebedroom studios while preserving the historic facade of the 90-year-old building.

GBX Group LLC, in partnership with developer Urban Landings, and preservation organization, Easements Atlanta, will create 50 units with modern amenities at the property located at 1460 West Peachtree St.

Built in 1931 by H.W. Nicholes and Sons, the complex features a two-story brick Georgian Revival-style building and courtyard synonymous with early-to-mid-20th century architecture. It is one of the last of this style in Atlanta.

“The restoration and repositioning are an exciting proposition for us as well as the Midtown neighborhood,” said Cameron Pimm, Urban Landings Chief Operating Officer. “Not only does this fit with our corporate vision of breathing new life into well-located and under-appreciated assets, but it provides quality housing at an achievable price point for the ever-expanding workforce. Importantly, the preservation of Winnwood would not have been financially possible without the incorporation of historic tax incentives.”

Urban Landings successfully got the property added to the National Register of Historic Places last year, enabling historic tax credits to make the rehabilitation project financially viable.

Simultaneously, the ownership group donated a facade easement to the nonprofit Easements Atlanta, a move that permanently protects Winnwood’s exterior design and makes the project eligible for additional tax incentives.

“Properties such as the Winnwood Apartments offer a deep connection to our city’s story,” said Ian Michael Rogers, President of Easements Atlanta. “Preservation easements are one of the most important tools available for balancing preservation and development, ensuring that Atlanta’s architectural, historic, and cultural resources are protected for future generations to enjoy. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Urban Landings, GBX Group, the Atlanta Preservation Center, and other partners to ensure the perpetual stewardship of this significant property.”

Construction is anticipated to be completed later this year.

Historic Downtown church has plans for affordable housing

By Collin Kelley

Plans have been revealed for an affordable housing development on the property of historic Atlanta First United Methodist Church in Downtown.

The property in question is located behind the 120-year-old gothic sanctuary between Peachtree and West Peachtree streets and is currently a church education building, an unused building and parking lot.

The church has partnered with Evergreen Real Estate Group to develop the 1.8 acres and is seeking a $250,000 pre-development loan from the Eastside TAD (tax allocation district), according to

Invest Atlanta.

The development would include a curving 16-story building with 170 apartments on the West Peachtree side of the property.

The church plans to offer the majority

of the apartments on a sliding scale based on area median income (AMI) starting at around $500 per month for a onebedroom. Twenty-four of the units would rent at market rate, which is currently $2,000 to $2,700 per month.

There would also be a four-story building with 5,000 square feet of retail, parking garage, and new facilities for Atlanta First Day School and Ansley School.

Your Next Home Could Be In… Kennesaw

By Collin Kelley

Where is it? If traffic is clear, then you’re looking at a 35-minute drive from Downtown. if it’s not clear, pack a lunch.

Is the drive worth it? If you’re looking to buy a home in the burbs, yes. A couple years ago, real estate blog Commercial Café named Kennesaw the best commuter town in Georgia for affordability, school quality, crime rate, and amenities.

What’s the history? Known as Big Shanty during the Civil War, the Great Locomotive Chase – where Union soldiers stole a Confederate engine and wreaked havoc along the line during the pursuit – has been immortalized in history and even a Disney movie. The town is now best known for being the home of top tier Kennesaw State University, which has become one of the top research colleges in the country.

What’s with that gun law? Kennesaw passed a law – and made headlines – in 1982 requiring every head of household in the city to own a firearm. The law also says that those who conscientiously object to guns are exempt. Kennesaw’s move 40 years ago this year inspired similar laws in cities across the country.

What about the mountain? Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was established in 1917 to commemorate the Civil War battle that took place there. Since then, it’s become a favorite spot for hiking, horseback riding, birding, and picnics.

How much are homes? Single-family homes are selling from the high $200s to mid $300s. There are also some highend, estate-style homes that are selling in the high $800s to $1 million.

During these uncertain times, HammerSmith is here for you and your family. We provide safe, essential services, architectural designs and home renovations. Start planning today for how to live better in a changed world.

March brings time to think about flowers

The Environmental Gardener

herbicide should be used sparingly and usually on vines and groundcover.

■ Repetitive cutting is the easiest on the back and best for the environment, but it is the slowest technique.

Once you have more room for some fragrant plants, consider these, plus one non-fragrant March bloomer.

It prefers moist soils and some shade. Its leaves, twigs, and small yellow flowers all smell sweet and spicy, hence the name. It is a host plant for the swallowtail butterfly and its red berries are enjoyed by most any bird and small mammal.

Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

It is March and the days are getting warmer. Our gardens are beginning to explode with shades of green that remind us that spring is just around the corner and with fragrances that evoke fond memories of days gone by.

I personally don’t get much of a scent from most flowers, but when it’s there I am taken back to my past with unusual clarity. I can tell you the year that I discovered fragrant honeysuckle. It was 1989 on the University of Georgia’s campus with Bob Hill, our student advisor at the School of Environmental Design. Professor Hill taught a plant ID class and I loved it.

There were so many plants on campus, some brought to this country in the early 20th century, and others, the newest cultivar, straight from the Horticulture School. I was taken with fragrant honeysuckle’s sweet odor, a scent that still transports me back to my college days.

Thanks to Bob, I realized there are so many plant choices you can make. Since it’s the end of the planting season, I suggest making room for some fragrant shrubs. Fragrance creates a multi-sensory experience in your garden, as if a picture had a scent.

Have you run out of room in the garden after subscribing faithfully to my planting advice this past year? I suggest looking for some plants to remove and replace in your garden that are potentially invasive, or exotic plants that just don’t do much of anything but take up space, like Ligustrum.

I recently asked Emily and Madison, from Trees Atlanta’s restoration program, what plant they would want to see removed out of people’s gardens if they could choose only one. They both said nandina, and they see a lot of plants that take over our forest. Beyond nandina’s invasive behavior, their berries can kill our native birds. But if you’re not ready to say goodbye quite yet, consider cutting off the berries before they turn red.

There are several techniques for removing invasive plants.

■ Manual removal requires a shovel and some muscle. If you have a lot of nandina, consider buying a weed wrench.

■ “Cut and treat” involves cutting the unwanted plant and then treating the stump with the appropriate type and amount of herbicide. Foliar spraying of

Winter Daphne (Daphne odora) This Asian evergreen shrub grows to be just over three feet tall. Its pink or yellow flowers last for about three weeks, and their fragrance is just sweet enough to make you want more. I have found it to be a bit temperamental. It needs moisture, but better drainage than your average Georgia soil, and a bit of shade. Most people I know are excited if their plants live past five years, but I promise it is worth trying.

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) This native yellow-flowering vine can bloom for three months, starting as early as February. It is evergreen and tough as nails. Its’ sweet fragrance competes with our native wisteria and the shrubs above. Apartment dwellers, you can grow this sweet thing in a large container for years as long as you keep it watered. My personal favorites include the hard-to-find double variety and a softer yellow selection.

Well, this native woodland plant isn’t fragrant, but it is too darn cute not to mention. It is an ephemeral perennial that comes up in February, blooms before all the other herbaceous plants, and usually disappears in mid-summer. Its dainty leaves often have a bronze tinge and pink flowers a bit smaller than a dime. It’s great for rock gardens with well-drained yet moist soil. It will make a nice small mass which works well in the foreground of your beds, along with trillium and bloodroot.

It may be hard to find, but if you join the Georgia Native Plant society you might find it on a plant save outing. GNPS helps save native plants where a future development will destroy them, so consider joining to learn more and help save some of Georgia’s beauties.

Edgeworthia (Edgeworthia chrysantha)

This Chinese deciduous shrub grows over five feet tall. When it’s fall yellow leaves drop, they leave silvery, ball-shaped flower buds that remind me of spaceships. As they open, they show their bright yellow flowers with a fragrance that stops people in their tracks. On my street, five houses in a row have them planted and no plant gets more questions: “What is this and how do I get one?”

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Greg Levine co-executive director of Trees Atlanta, describes himself as happiest when his hands are in the dirt.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) This native shrub or small tree can get to be 12 feet tall.

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

Zillow reports that the Atlanta housing market gained $147 billion in 2021, making the city the 14th most valuable out of the 50 largest U.S. metros. Other key takeaways from the report include that Atlanta’s housing market is now worth $460 billion more than it was a decade ago. Read the full report at zillow.com/research.

Northland has acquired SLX Atlanta, which includes a 306-unit luxury mid-rise apartment community in Chamblee, and a four-parcel 0.76 acre high-rise development site located at the corner of 17th and Spring streets in Midtown. The 17th and Spring site, adjacent to under-construction Midtown Union, will become a high-rise apartment tower with street level retail.

▲Selig Development and real estate company GID have partnered for a 306-unit apartment building at The Works development on the Upper Westside. The apartment building will complete phase one of The Works, which is already home to 160,000 square feet of retail and 120,000 square feet of office. The apartments will be located at the entrance of the 80-acre development along Chattahoochee Avenue. The project, designed by RJTR and built by contractor Brasfield and Gorrie, will include a mix of floorplans, comprising 70% one-bedroom and 30% two-bedroom apartments.

▲Engel & Völkers Atlanta has launched presales on the next phase at Interlock by Monte Hewett, a 41-residence townhome community located within The Interlock in West Midtown. Priced from the high $600’s to $1 million-plus, homes at Interlock will range between 1,867 to 2,827 square feet and include front and rear patio spaces and a fourth-floor rooftop terrace. For more information, visit owninterlock.com.

Compass Real Estate has welcomed Ennis Antoine as the managing broker and sales manager overseeing more than 250 agents across the Atlanta metro area. Ennis will provide support to increase the brokerage’s market share across Atlanta.

▲The Allen Morris Company has broken ground on Bryn House, a mixed-use luxury rental community in North Druid Hills with an estimated completion date of Spring 2023. The five-story, 337-unit residential building will include 574,479 buildable square feet including a 175,00 square foot parking deck and 2,000 square feet of ground floor retail, including a coffee shop and wine bar connected to a pocket park. Additional amenities will include an elevated pool deck with private cabanas and trellised grilling areas, stateof-the-art gym, event space, game room, and onsite dog park. The new community will support the housing needs for healthcare workers and university employees from the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Emory University medical campus respectively. For additional information, visit allenmorris.com.

►Alair Homes Decatur was awarded three Regional CotY (Contractor of the Year) Awards by National Association of the Remodeling Industry The projects were selected from hundreds of entries and judged against projects completed throughout the Southeast. The three winning projects by Alair Decatur were entered into the national CotY Awards competition. All three winning entries were from a renovation project at a historic 1910 home in Midtown.

▲The shuttered Nabisco snack-making factory, a fixture at 1400 Murphy Ave. in Southwest Atlanta for 80 years, has been bought by warehouse company Prologis, raising hopes and fears about its preservation and reuse. “The Atlanta Preservation Center is very hopeful that the next use of this building and space will include this building in those plans,” executive director David Yoakley Mitchell said. “Atlanta has a deep identity connection with structures like this, and by including them we always remember that past and build upon it for our future.” Adjacent to the Oakland City MARTA station in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood, the historic building has the potential for adaptive reuse, including affordable housing.

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Food That Transports

Tal Baum continues expansion of Oliva Restaurant Group with opening of Atrium

By Kathy Dean

Oliva Restaurant Group opened its newest restaurant at the end of January. Located on the first floor of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall, Atrium features a modern American menu with European influence and bright,

whimsical decor.

The team behind Atrium includes Tal Baum, Founder & Proprietor of Oliva Restaurant Group, Executive Culinary Director Brandon Hughes and Director of Operations Josh Riddle.

Baum is building on Oliva Group’s stream of success with other Atlanta restaurants – Aziza, Falafel Nation, Bellina

NEW RESTAURANT RADAR

The first How Crispy Express chicken sandwich takeout shop is open at 71B Georgia Ave. in Summerhill. The counter is already a hit with bird lovers lining up to get their hands on a sandwich. Visit @howcrispy on IG for more.

Alimentari and Rina. Oliva’s forthcoming restaurant, Carmel, is slated to open late 2022 in Buckhead Village and will offer diners a taste of coastal life.

The focus at Atrium, Baum said, is “cooking what we love. We also wanted to create dishes that would enchant our guests, just as the ambiance does.”

That ambiance is boosted by Smith

Chef Nick Leahy is back with The Usual at 1777 Peachtree St. in Brookwood Hills serving up burgers, loaded fries, seafood and dumplings, and smoked short rib served with pimento cheese grit cakes. Visit @theusualatl on IG.

Seafood restaurant Boho 115 is open at 115 Sycamore St. in Decatur featuring a menu of coastal delights with Mediterranean, Spanish, Argentinian, and Mexican flavors. Visit @ boho.115 on IG.

Hanes Studio’s designs; interior elements include bold florals and works by local artisans and craftsmen. The spacious cocktail lounge, The Parlor, contains a hand-painted tile bar and mural, and the 4,000 square foot main dining room, The Bistro, features massive factory windows and large pink banquettes.

Enchantment is the idea behind all

Tal Baum has opened her latest restaurant Atrium (pictures at right) at Ponce City Market.

the Oliva restaurants, Baum said. “We’re trying to transport our guests into a different world and reality, and for a couple of hours, take them on a journey to another place. With Atrium, we want to give guests a respite from the hustle and bustle of Ponce City Market,” she said.

Baum explained that all of Oliva’s restaurants represents chapters of her life.

Born and raised in Haifa, Israel, she moved to Florence, Italy, at the age of 21. During her seven years in Italy, she studied architecture and developed an intimate knowledge of Italian cuisine. =

“Rina, Aziza and Falafel Nation symbolize my early life and growing up in Israel,” Baum said. “Bellina Alimentari is an ode to my years living in Italy, and Atrium is a manifestation of a current chapter experiencing the evolution of dining in America.”

She suggested that Atrium visitors start with drinks in The Parlor, then move to The Bistro for a meal. She said that while it’s hard to recommend just one dish, diners should try Chef Cole Pate’s chicken entree.

“Chicken is one of those dishes that is so hard to be creative and innovative with, but Cole was really trying to elevate the chicken experience and turn it into something different,” Baum said.

“We make chicken sausage in-house, then we wrap the sausage in the chicken, sous vide it and crisp it up before serving so the skin is super crispy and browned. It comes out in the perfect texture, and there are so many different layers — from the crispy skin to the sausage to the sauce.”

All those elements take the chicken into a completely different level, one that’s restaurant worthy, she added.

While the pandemic and recent lockdowns affected all the restaurants in the city, Baum said they stayed busy with to-go orders, catered meals to-go, virtual cooking classes and more. “I’m excited to look to the future,” she said. “That’s where our focus is now – making sure people have a fabulous experience, where they have a good time and forget about their day-to-day for a few hours.”

A weekend at women-owned businesses

Women + Wine

Little Tart Bake Shop

Castellucci Hospitality Group’s pop up-turned-brick and mortar venture Mujō is serving up sushi in an omakase-style, or multi-course tasting, menu at 691 14th St. in West Midtown. Visit @mujoatl on IG.

March is Women’s History Month, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the impact women have made in history and present day. As women entrepreneurs ourselves, there is no way we would let this month go by without sharing some of our favorite women-owned businesses. We’ve created a fun weekend roundup for you to celebrate Women’s History Month.

Purple Corkscrew

Start the weekend with a Friday night wine tasting and snacks at Purple Corkscrew in Avondale Estates. Owner, Steffini Bethea and Wine Manager, Racquel McCreary have created a space where you can sip wine anytime and enjoy a night out with friends. Steffini opened Purple Corkscrew’s wine tasting room in 2012 and a year later added the retail component resulting in a must-visit wine shop and tasting room. They are most known for their lively wine tasting experiences, many of which feature guest appearances by well-known winemakers such as Ms. Theodora Lee and Andre Heusten Mack. Have a seat and get comfortable. There’s a lot of fun to be had at Purple Corkscrew. Be sure to stock up on some of their amazing selections while you’re there.

To get yourself hydrated and nourished the next morning, stop by one of Little Tart’s three locations for an iced coffee and the “Best Damn Croissant’’ according to the late, great Anthony Bourdain. After a saucy wine night, we find ourselves routinely ordering one of Little Tart’s savory classics like their vegetable quiche or sausage-kale turnover. Let’s be real, it’s usually both. In fact, it’s impossible to leave O’Brian’s establishment without over-ordering. Sarah O’Brian, proprietor and baking wizard, has 10 years of ownership under her belt and has become a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike. The secret’s out: Little Tart is no longer Atlanta’s hidden gem, it’s a staple in the city. Make sure to order a frangipane tart to get a second dose of indulgence later in the day.

Megan Huntz

After a Saturday morning of caffeine and croissants, head over to Megan Huntz’s clothing boutique in Morningside to shop her handmade collection of gorgeous dresses, tops, and bottoms. Her ethically made clothing will have you draped in style and ready to hit the streets.

Twisted Soul

Then, head over to West Midtown and visit Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours for dinner. Twisted Soul is the brainchild

of the magnetic Chef Deborah VanTreece, who has won more awards than we can count and written a gorgeous cookbook that will make you immediately want to put on an apron and get in the kitchen. Be sure to start with one of their specialty cocktails. Beverage director, mixologist, and chef’s daughter Kursten Berry creates all the cocktails on the list. It’s a family affair!

Just Add Honey

Sundays are for tea, so head over to the Beltline for an herbal cup of sunshine at Just Add Honey in Old Fourth Ward.

Continued

Purple Corkscrew owner Steffini Bethea.

Incoming

►Bankhead Seafood: Killer Mike and T.I. backed return of Westside institution. (Summer)

Opo Coffee: Coffee shop and roastery from Taproom owner in Decatur. (Summer)

El Malo: Rum bar coming to Atlanta Dairies in Reynoldstown. (Fall)

Katie Rice & Sarah Pierre Rice owns VinoTeca in Inman Park and Pierre owns 3 Parks Wine Shop in Glenwood Park.

It’s a tea-lover’s paradise. And while you’re on the BeltLine, stop by VinoTeca or 3 Parks Wine Shop. When the weather is nice, Sunday afternoon wine flights are the perfect end to the weekend.

More Women-Owned Establishments To Visit

The Village Retail Atlanta: Located upstairs in Ponce City Market, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon created a space for Black entrepreneurs to grow their brandstransitioning entrepreneurs from theory to practice. “A direct pipeline for Black businesses” with a memorable tagline “Support is a Verb.”

Babette’s Café: Marla Adams opened Babette’s Café in 1992 after a career in restaurants. Inside tip: In November, Marla adds her infamous seasonal Cassoulet to the menu during the winter holiday months. Put it on your calendar. Enjoy it with a glass of staff recommended Bourgogne Rouge.

Lucian Books and Wine Bar: What’s better than a beautifully curated bookstore? A beautifully created bookstore and wine bar combined. Katie Barringer and her partner opened the ultimate dining destinations in Buckhead. It’s truly a diners dream come true. Make sure to read every page of the wine list. It’s just as perfect as the books on the shelf.

Reynolds Makery and Pulperia: Liz Thompson and Courtney Johnson founded Reynolds in Historic Reynoldstown as a retail gift shop of homemade goods featuring local artists and makers with a

►Nancy Gordy Simms announced her retirement after 40 years as CEO of The Varsity. She is passing ownership to her son, Gordon Muir, and daughter, Carrie Muir Browne. Gordon will serve as CEO, while Simms’ son-in-law, John Browne, will assume the role of COO. Additionally, Carlos Martinez has joined the team as VP of operations. The Varsity has been in business since 1928

Shef, an online marketplace for homemade food that enables talented local cooks to sell authentic dishes in their communities, has launched Atlanta. India native and Atlanta local, Shef Satabdi, brings authentic Bengali food to the platform, with signature dishes like Fulkopir Roast and Dhokar Dalna. To find out more, visit shef.com

5Church Midtown has kicked off a new monthly brunch party, Sunday Service, from 1to 6 p.m. at its Virtue Rooftop cocktail club. Follow the red carpet for a buffet of light brunch bites, a rotating lineup of live musicians and DJs and cocktail features. Tickets to Sunday Service are $25 per person and can be purchased at the door. Check midtown.5church-atlanta.com for future Sunday Service dates.

►Craft brewery Wild Heaven Beer has created a hybrid IPA – Full-Service – that will generate a donation of $7,000 to support the work of Giving Kitchen, the nonprofit organization that offers emergency assistance to food service workers in crisis. Full-Service is a sessionable IPA with notes of grapefruit and tropical fruit. The beer is made possible through ingredients donated by suppliers Country Malt and BSG Hops as well as special support from wholesale partners Georgia Crown Distributing and Best Brands Inc. Available on draft and 16 oz cans, Full-Service Beer can be enjoyed at the Wild Heaven’s Avondale Estates and West End taprooms and select restaurants and beverage purveyors throughout Atlanta and Nashville. Visit wildheavenbeer.com for full details.

REMBRANDT ROAD

focus on women-made and minority-owned. The shop has everything from classic jewelry to witty t-shirts. Although their brick-and-mortar store is still under construction check out their website which offers curbside pickup.

Let’s Talk Womxn: Let’s Talk is a collaboration of women restaurateurs and hospitality entrepreneurs to build combined economic power. It’s not an organization or an entity, it’s an action-led movement by women business owners as peers. Be on the lookout for upcoming Let’s Talk Womxn Atlanta events.

Sarah’s Wine Pick

2019 Castell d’Age Syrah No SO2, Penedes, Spain Castell d’Age is the creation of three generations of women in the Junyent family, located in the Beguda Baixa, in the heart of the Alt Penedés region. Anne Marie is a pioneer in introducing organic farming in the region. With the addition of her daughter Olivia Junyent to the business, they are now certified organic and biodynamic agriculture, a method that respects the relationship between humans and earth. Available at 3 Parks Wine Shop for $28.99

►The Pinky Cole Foundation and The David & Derrick Hayes Foundation announce that The Prudential Insurance Company of America will be the life insurance carrier for Square 1: The Liife Experience. The initiative will provide life insurance to 25,000 Black men by December 2023. Plans call for nationwide awareness centered around financial education in conjunction with mental health and wellness. “This cause is close to my heart; I have been through so much in my life and have seen people around me lose loved ones without life insurance, and because of this, we’ve had to hold fundraisers and barbecues to pay for the funeral,” said Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan. “I’m so thankful that Prudential has joined our efforts to utilize our platforms and build up the Black community. I can’t wait to see this initiative grow so we can help as many people as possible.” Find out more at square1. pinkygivesback.com.

▲Cake Culture – a bakery specializing in mille crêpe cakes – has opened a pop-up in Poncey City Market’s Central Food Hall. Founded by Patissier Sujith Ratnayake, Cake Culture offers various cake flavors by the slice and whole cake. Visit cakeculture.net for more information.

Fertile Ground

Blue Heron, ZuCot Gallery and APS partner to inspire students to create art

By Collin Kelley

The mythical Sankofa bird – depicted in art with its feet facing forward and its head turned to look back from where it came –has become the symbolic force behind a new partnership between Blue Heron Nature Preserve, ZuCot Gallery, and Atlanta Public Schools to show students and educators the strong connection between nature and art.

“Fertile Ground: From Sankofa to Blue Heron” is now on exhibition at Blue Heron, showcasing nature-inspired work from Black artists curated by ZuCot Gallery. During March, APS art educators will come to Blue Heron to see the exhibit, hear from artists, and get inspiration to take back to their students.

APS students will be encouraged to create their own nature-inspired art in local

nature preserves, parks, and greenspaces for a competition. In April, the winning students’ artwork will be on exhibition at Blue Heron, while prizes will be provided by Sam Flax art store.

“Parks, greenspaces, and nature preserves, like Blue Heron, can inspire, educate, and empower children and adults in Atlanta and beyond to reflect on the stories of Black people in America and to develop their own stories in nature through the creation of art,” said Blue Heron’s executive director Melody Harclerode.

Harclerode, who has led the Buckhead nature preserve, for two years, said she was inspired to create the partnership after visiting ZuCot Gallery in Downtown.

I was blown away by the landscape art I saw at ZuCot and thought how nice it would be for kids to be out in greenspaces and be inspired by nature to create their

own art,” Harclerode said. “Blue Heron was founded by an APS arts educator, Nancy Jones, so its poetic to me that we continue to connect students with art and nature.”

ZuCot partner and curator Omari Henderson said he saw the partnership as an opportunity to teach Black students not only about art but how to become “custodians of culture.”

“You don’t necessarily see a lot of African American artists who do landscapes, you don’t see it highlighted,” Henderson said. “This partnership will give us the chance to highlight these natural scenes and provide teachers and students an opportunity to infuse art with nature.”

Sara Womack, fine and performing arts coordinator for APS, said the partnership was a chance to bring equity to art classrooms.

“Typically, dead white guys is where

you start with the history of art, so exposing students African American artists and their landscape work is a big push for equity,” Womack said.

Sarah Erickson, fine and performing arts support teacher for APS, said she was excited that art teachers would be going to Blue Heron for a day of learning.

“We’re going to have teachers go out into the nature preserve, so they can have an experience to bring back to the students,” she said.

Erickson said the cash prizes going to students would also be a boost for budding artists at APS. “Becoming a paid artist at 12 years old and having their art showcased is an empowering moment for a kid,” she said.

For more about the exhibit, visit bhnp.org.

Clockwise from top left: Sarah Erickson, Sara Womack, Melody Harclerode and Omari Henderson at Blue Heron Nature Preserve. (Photo by Isadora Pennington)

“Sunday Morning” by Jerry Lynn

The paintings hanging in the Blue Heron gallery.

“Prodigal Sun 1” by Charlotte Riley-Webb

Peace and Purpose: The Artwork of Hedith Perdomo

By Isadora Pennington

In a quiet, sunlit corner surrounded by windows, artist Hedith Perdomo is hard at work. Her paintbrush, supported by both hands, delicately dances down the canvas. Adding just a touch here, a touch there, slowly an image emerges. Perdomo, now in her early 70s, is a grandmother, mother, widow, and artist.

Born in a small rural village called Facatativa, Colombia, she was the seventh of eleven children. During her first year, civil war forced her family to relocate to Bogota and later Venezuela. There, her family lived on a hacienda and her father worked as a horse farmer. Her mother, a housewife, was responsible for raising the children and keeping the home.

“My family spent a lot of time together,” said Perdomo, who recalls spending much of her childhood playing with her younger siblings. “I was a playful child, I always enjoyed art.” Growing up surrounded by nature, she found herself inspired by the beauty around her. Perdomo loved art and gravitated toward paintings and sculptures, particularly works in the Renaissance style.

At the age of nine, Perdomo left the family hacienda to attend boarding school in Bogota where she remained through her high school years. Common in that time and in her culture, Perdomo married young at 16. Her husband Jorge, an attorney who she describes

as an honorable and intellectual man, was very dedicated to his family. Together they moved to Caracas where they raised five children.

Not long after the birth of her last child, Perdomo began experiencing acute pain and swelling in her hands, feet, knees, and back. The pain became progressively severe, and she was eventually diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. At the age of 38 she could no longer walk and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. She did not allow her condition to define her, however, and she has continued to be a steadfast wife, mother, and now grandmother.

In 2003, Perdomo began taking painting lessons with award-winning Venezuelan fine artist and sculptor Naty Valle. Using art as a form of therapy, she was able to focus her attention, energy, and talents on creating beautiful works of art that depicted vibrant landscapes, still lifes, and floral displays. In the years since, her passion for art and her creative acumen have deepened even further. She now regularly shows her works in museums and galleries across the United States and abroad.

“I had gallery representation in Caracas while living there for many years,” explained Perdomo, who recently moved to Atlanta and is now actively seeking local gallery representation.

Perdomo has been living in the United States for many years, following a successful petition to relocate her and Jorge launched by her son who lives in Texas. “In Venezuela,

Artist Hedith Perdomo in her home studio. (Photos by Isadora Pennington)

there was political unrest, and it was very unsafe to continue to live there so we decided to leave,” said Perdomo.

For a time, they lived in Memphis until the passing of her husband, which prompted a shift for Perdomo. “I have a daughter, sonin-law and granddaughter who live in Atlanta and they asked me to come, so I did.”

It is not uncommon for Perdomo to spend between 10 to 12 hours painting in a given day, a devotion which brings her great peace and purpose but also poses a significant challenge given her arthritis and physical restrictions.

“It is worth painting for me,” Perdomo said, noting that painting helps her forget about her pain for a while. “Sometimes we put our own limitations on ourselves. We must try to find something positive that we love that we can do for ourselves.”

Celebration planned for Andrew Young’s 90th birthday

By Collin Kelley

A four-day celebration to mark Andrew Young’s 90th birthday is set for March 9 – 12.

The event, organized by the Andrew J. Young Foundation, will have “Peace and Reconciliation” as its theme to honor the civil rights leader, former mayor of Atlanta, and U.S. Ambassador.

Working from reference photos of scenes she finds in nature and in her surroundings, she is very specific in her attempts to capture exactly the right angle, light, or perspective that speaks to her vision. When painting on her easel at home she often flips her canvases – and their respective reference photos – to ensure that she can comfortably reach the areas she needs to paint.

“My paintings are my legacy as an artist,” Perdomo said with pride. “I hope that others will continue to enjoy my art and will feel inspired and happy and at peace. I want others to feel that when looking at my paintings, they can transport themselves to those places and feel joy.”

To view more of Perdomo’s paintings and learn more about her story, visit her website at hedithperdomo.com.

Starting at noon on March 9, the 90 Minutes of Global Prayer for World Peace livestream will take place, featuring the Trey Clegg Singers, church choirs, an opening prayer from Rev. Dwight Andrews, and messages from spiritual leaders from around the world. The event will be highlighted by a “Peace and Reconciliation” sermon by Young.

On March 10 at 10a.m., a 90-minute Walk for Peace and Reconciliation will begin at Centennial Olympic Park with elected officials, dignitaries, and celebrities with opening remarks from Young. The walk will conclude at the Rodney Cook Sr. Peace Park in Vine City.

On March 11 the exhibit “The Many Lives of Andrew Young” will open at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlantic Station and will highlight the different eras of Young’s life and accomplishments in different decades. During this VIP opening reception an accompanying coffee table book, written by Ernie Suggs and published by NewSouth Books, will be released. The Millennium Candler Peace & Justice Prize Ceremony will also honor Dr. Shin Dae-yong. Following the VIP opening, the exhibit will be open to the public beginning March 12.

On March 12 the celebration will conclude with a 90th birthday gala at The World Congress Center, which will raise funds to further the mission of Young’s foundation. The evening will feature tributes from individuals, to be announced, along with an amazing array of talent in music and song.

For tickets and more details, visit andrewyoung90.com.

The heady days when disco was in the Limelight

From the Crates

Kelly McCoy

Kelly McCoy is a veteran Atlanta broadcaster who writes about the days popular music only came on vinyl records, which often were stored in crates.

If you were in Atlanta in the late 1970s and early 1980s I’m guessing you sampled the disco scene. Getting all fine and spiffy in the best dancing garb you had, and hitting the clubs always provided a night of sights, sounds, and strutting your stuff in a different way.

We were still a relatively small city back then, but anyone wanting a taste of the disco nightlife had ample choices for places to shake your groove thing. Yes, I used the title of a disco song.

The big name in town was undeniably The Limelight. We had many fun nights there, at Jeryls Night Club, and Club 2001 VIP. Being on the radio we did appearances with contests, emceed events, and sometimes the DJ may let us mix for a minute. We could make some pretty good coin for doing a two-hour gig.

On WQXI, we had a Saturday Night Disco party, and we even had billboards that said, “Listen to Your Feet.” The soundtrack for the movie “Saturday Night Fever” gave us some of the best ratings we’d ever had. If you’ll look at the list of Top 40 hits the soundtrack produced, you’ll understand why.

Every place had a disco ball. Combine the thumping music with a mixture of colognes and perfumes, cigarette smoke, sounds of laughter and a good time, and outfits so outrageous we had no idea that the wardrobes would be providing Halloween costume ideas for decades to come.

As usual, there are always great dancers, and John Travolta’s dancing in “Saturday Night Fever” provided plenty of inspiration for moves most couldn’t make. And the serious lady dancers with short skirts and toned legs were amazing partners. Lighted dance floors in some places added another element of glitz and glamour.

Jeryls Disco was s happening place in the prime-time disco days. Jeryls was in an office park in Cobb County not terribly far from a couple of popular apartment communities located on the Chattahoochee that were home to singles and young professionals who loved to party. Quite a few of our onair personalities were regulars on the scene and contributed to bringing in more clients with various events and promotions. Also housed in the same office park were a few record company

evening. The Six Million Dollar Man, Lee Majors happened by. Stuntman Evel Knievel was a fairly regular customer. A lady friend of mine who was a server at the time said Evel was a big tipper, so there may have been a little sparring over who took care of Mr. Motorcycle for the evening.

In the old Broadview Plaza on Piedmont is where Club VIP 2001 was located. It was a legendary venue in a spot The Great Southeast Music Hall had occupied many years before.

The VIP did it right. Great lights and sound. Confetti could fall from the sky. All those songs with whistles and screeches created a lot of the sounds during the early days of the synthesizer.

Really talented patrons would show up, especially if there was a contest involved. I signed on for a six-week stint (I think) with the club that had a major dance contest that concluded on the final week and awarded cash, a trip, and other goodies.

I do remember a physical disagreement happening in the men’s room one evening. With my experience as a former EMT, I was able to triage victims and advised a few to seek medical attention. The only blood most on-air people see usually comes from a paper cut. That was an interesting night.

You want stars? You want outrageous and decadent happenings? Then you want the Limelight. Billed as the Studio 54 of the South, the Limelight was definitely

the thing.

the biggest game in town in the world of disco. The famous glass dance floor combined with thousands of lights and the best-sounding sound system in the biz made for serious fun.

I watched the disc jockeys mix the 12inch vinyl discs in amazement. It could rain confetti or snow at any given moment. Scantily clad beauties coaxing people to dance definitely made the party happen.

Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Rod Stewart, and a gazillion more celebs frequented the place. To my knowledge John Travolta never made it. I did meet his brother, Joey, one evening.

Some songs from the era are still

popular today. The Village People gave a whole new meaning to the letters Y.M.C.A. Everyone knows it, and “Funkytown,” by Lipps Inc. These songs still pack a dance floor at a wedding reception.

Please use caution if you try to recreate your moves from those years.

Tom Sullivan wears a Tshirt promoting the music played on WQXI radio when disco and dancing were

LOVE

What Is Left Unspoken, Love will present contemporary artworks that address the different ways the most important thing in life—love—is expressed. As poet and painter Etel Adnan wrote, love is “not to be described, it is to be lived.” The exhibition will feature nearly seventy works, including paintings, sculpture, photography, video, and media art, by more than thirty-five international artists.

Public art, private

Inside the Arts

Camille Russell Love

Camille Russell Love

Love has been executive director of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (@atlantaoca) for more than two decades.

For many of us who grew up in or relocated to a major U.S. city, public art is something we take for granted. One thinks immediately of New York City’s Graffiti Hall of Fame, Philadelphia’s “We the Truth” mural painted by the late Keith Haring, Chicago’s West

Over the past two decades, Atlanta’s public art scene has exploded. Initially confined to the fringes of the city, most notably the Krog Street area, one can barely go a few miles without seeing a mural, a bike rack, an installation, a sculpture, or some other form of artwork. It truly is phenomenal. But who pays for all this amazing art and how are the artists supported?

To significant fanfare, railroad giant Norfolk Southern opened its new headquarters in Atlanta in November 2021. The company’s website references “Thoroughbred Art” – art that supports industry, is innovative, and is inclusive. Norfolk Southern corporate culture has long supported art, as they feel it is important for employees to enjoy it and feel proud of their workplace. Moreover, the artwork that hangs in the new headquarters embodies the

Loop neighborhood, the Market Street community in San Francisco, Seattle’s Center Mural Amphitheatre, the famous “Hi, How Are You?” mural in Austin, and, of course, the proliferation of public art along the Atlanta Beltline.

In its purest sense, public art was born at the same time the country was founded. Early architecture (vernacular and traditional), monuments (sculptures, fountains, and the like), and more mundane artifacts (streetlamps, door knockers, hitching posts, boot scrapers, etc.), defined a certain aesthetic unique to the period. In their totality, these objects – conceptualized, designed, and executed by individuals of the era – at once reflected and influenced the citizenry. The same remains true now. That aside, the term public art, and more specifically the field, came into its own in the 1960s. Today, public art includes not only architecture and sculpture, but also includes painting, stained glass, ceramics, mosaics, tapestry, earthworks, assemblages, performance, and installations.

company’s values and represents governing principles developed by its art committee: persevering, dynamic, principled. In addition, Norfolk Southern created an artist-in-residence program. Beginning this year, the artists selected will enjoy a twoyear residency and have studio space on Norfolk Southern’s 3.4-acre Tech Square campus. The catch? Each artist must create a piece of art for Norfolk Southern.

As is true in many cities across the country, Atlanta is home to several Community Improvement Districts (CID) – nonprofit entities funded by area property owners through special assessments paid on commercial properties. And while a key responsibility of CIDs is to tackle issues of importance to property owners, CIDs also bring together public and private monies to benefit the public good. One such partnership is that between the Midtown Improvement District (MID) and Midtown Alliance.

As office workers isolated at home during the height of the pandemic, Midtown Alliance worked with

Artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya with her mural on 10th Street created as part of Midtown’s Heart of the Arts program.

(Photo by Collin Kelley)

commercial real estate owners to spearhead a program that made use of vacated office space. The result was a program that transformed those offices into artist studios. Midtown Alliance also commissioned seven artists in 2020 to create site-specific, temporary art installations in vacant storefronts in office buildings along Peachtree and 10th Streets. The artists, Shanequa Gay, Fabian Williams, Melissa Huang, Kaye Lee Patton, Chiomma Hall, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, and Kristan Woolford, represented Atlanta’s diversity both as individuals and artistically.

These initiatives are two of four included in Midtown Alliance’s Heart of the Arts Program. Other activities included under the Heart of the Arts umbrella are public space installations and community programming. Heart of the Arts is an important example of how private money interfaces with public good.

When Whole Foods decided to establish a presence in Midtown Atlanta, the property into which it moved, Icon Midtown, was built by The Related Group. Even before Related broke ground, the company’s Founder, Chairman & CEO, Jorge M. Pérez, reached out to local artist Alex Brewer (aka Hence), to begin conversations about public art for the property. Pérez, a serious art collector and for whom one of South Miami’s leading contemporary art museums is named, was committed from the beginning to ensuring that the project would contribute to Atlanta’s arts community and be a force for public good. Brewer’s piece, Connect, is over one hundred feet tall and makes a powerful statement in one of Atlanta’s premier locations.

With an eye to the future, Atlanta is poised to build on its ever-developing blueprint for how to turn what some might see as urban sprawl into aesthetic goods and concrete resources for the city’s residents and artists. Atlanta’s most beloved hole in the ground, the Gulch, is such an opportunity.

Gulch developers, Centennial Yards, enlisted Courtney Hammond, creative director of Dash Studios, to create a large-scale art installation in December 2021. Hammond and her team of 35 artists created Heartbeat ATL –a unique, interactive art light display that is a direct reference to the area’s historic role as the heartbeat (or hub) of Atlanta. From 1905 to 1970, the site was home to Atlanta’s iconic Terminal Station. The 1971 demolition literally tore out the city’s heart, as Hartfield-Jackson Airport had yet to emerge as the new hub.

The artists created a work of art that signals renewed life, new opportunity, and growth. Hammond said that she wanted to create a piece that demonstrated how technology and artistry can coexist – the two are not mutually exclusive. And everfaithful to the city’s symbol, the Gulch is a Phoenix, of sorts, rising from its ashes to reclaim its past glory while leading Atlanta into yet another future.

Songs for Kids Center makes everyone a rock star

By Clare S. Richie

Located behind the Skyview Ferris Wheel in Downtown, The Songs for Kids Center provides free interactive music programing to qualified children and young adults.

“If you or someone you know has an injury, illness or disability – we’re here to perform with you, teach you an instrument or skill, or invite you to have a sensory experience,” said Josh Rifkind, founder of Songs for Kids.

The center houses a professional performance area, recording studio, and a DJ station.

“It’s an extension of everything we’ve learned and do,” Rifkind said. “We have SFK mentors here six days a week. Families come in at all times. We just had a 22-year-old who was working on singing and drumming and now we have a 6-year-old who’s been coming here since she was 3.”

Allison Russell, mom of the 6-year-old, learned of SFK when they performed at Camp Krazy Legs, a camp for children with spina bifida hosted at Camp Twin Lakes. Her daughter’s friends are starting extracurriculars and Russell likes that her daughter has a low-pressure activity that gives her a creative outlet, too.

continued on page 50

Photo by Mary Caroline Russell

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“She loves to explore everything here and is slowly starting to focus on trying to learn the keyboard,” Russell said. “Her fine motor is significantly delayed but it’s been great for her to practice and have fun.”

For 16 years, Songs for Kids (SFK) musicians have performed mini concerts and bedside visits in hospitals across the U.S. It’s a passion that grew from Rifkind’s musician/ producer background and idolizing his father who worked as a doctor.

In 2013, Rifkind and founding board member Sanjay Kothari went on a road-trip and performed at nearly every children’s hospital in the U.S.

“We went to some hospitals that were

over 1,000 miles out of the way in the wrong direction and played for an hour,” Rifkind said. “We did 350 performances in 250 days at 249 children’s hospitals. We didn’t cancel a single show.”

As Rifkind interacted with young patients, he saw how much they enjoyed singing along, writing songs, or trying instruments.

“It really grew into a mentorship situation,” Rifkind said. “In 2015, we began the journey to open a center which ultimately opened in 2018.”

Right before the pandemic, SFK was doing 1,000 performances a year and was on track to do several thousand mentorship sessions.

“And now we’re back,” Rifkind said. “It’s a

2022 Summer Camp

lot of N95 [mask] wearing. We practice a lot of safety protocols.”

SFK works to pair new participants with a mentor who could be a drummer, guitar player, singer or songwriter – depending on what the participant wants to explore. Manager of the music mentorship program, Weston Taylor, has mentored hundreds of young people at SFK - including 22-year-old Bennett.

“He liked to cover songs,” Taylor said. “He had tons of his own lyrics sitting around, but he didn’t know how to make a song out of them. We spent several weeks creating melodies, really plotting it out. Within a month of finishing that song we were able to perform it at Shaky Knees on the main stage [last October]. That was awesome.”

The are no expectations at the center except for having fun.

“We’re sneaky. Our fun can lead to

learning something, like medicine in the applesauce,” Rifkind said. “Here your goal could be to have an experience for an hour, but we also nurture those striving for something specific.”

Thanks to individual contributors, SFK is completely free, a fact that continues to pleasantly surprise families. Fundraisers like the June 500 Songs for Kids (dates TBD), which features a couple hundred bands spread out over a few weekends, also help make SFK possible.

“Before we opened, I dreamed of people working with their mentors in the space and of the energy of activity and creativity” Rifkind said. “And when we get really busy, it’s exactly like that picture in my head. By the end of this year, I want this place to be filled with everybody who could enjoy our service.”

Learn more/nominate a participant at songsforkids.org or call (404) 541-9231.

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