Atlanta Intown - June 2016

Our mission: Published monthly since 1994, Atlanta INtown provides its readers with hyperlocal news and information that helps foster a sense of community in a dynamic urban setting. Live, work and play—we cover everything that makes our city home.

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Editorial

Collin Kelley INtown Editor collin@atlantaintownpaper.com (404) 917-2200, ext. 102

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Sally Bethea, Sue G. Collins, Kathy Dean, Melody L. Harclerode, Martha Nodar, Isadora Pennington, Clare S. Richie, Shandra Hill Smith, Tim Sullivan, Megan Volpert, Diane Wynocker

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Collin Kelley collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

Tech City

As the June issue was coming together, I realized that many of the stories were taking on a business angle. More pointedly, they were addressing Atlanta’s new prominence as a technology hub.

So, we flipped the sections and are leading with a great lineup of features and profiles that showcase people and places that are at the heart of this new startup culture.

We lead off with a story on the revamp of Downtown’s historic Flatiron Building into FlatironCity - an innovative “Next Gen” collaborative workspace that includes the nation’s second Microsoft Innovation Center. We also catch up with former INtown contributor Kate Atwood, who is now behind the city’s ChooseATL campaign to bring new startups as well as established businesses to the city.

You’ll also find a profile of Hux, an online startup to find housecleaning services created by three young Atlantans, and an update on FinTech Atlanta, the new task force that is promoting the growing financial technology sector.

Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find a big guide to summer fun in the city – from film festivals and concerts to bike rides and beer gardens. There’s also a new roundup of all the recently opened restaurants and drink spots. It will take you all summer to make your way through this

extensive list. Also back this summer is part one of our special section, Head for the Hills. If you’re looking for a mountain home

getaway or are ready to leave Atlanta for North Georgia, this package of stories is for you. Stay cool, y’all.

FLATIRONCITY

Historic building repurposed as ‘Next Gen’ business hub

By Clare S. Richie

Atlanta’s oldest standing skyscraper, the iconic Flatiron Building, just received a 40,000-square-foot renovation courtesy of Lucror Resources, a private equity fund that partnered with Jim Cumming. Now called FlatironCity, the redevelopment includes individual work desks available monthly, traditional office space with multi-year options and a street-level food hall. All tenants will be moved in by the end of June, with a grand opening later this summer.

“Our focus is creating Next Gen office space, which reflects today’s workforce. Hence, the lease model is flexible, thereby not financially encumbering young companies. The spaces range from open collaborative spaces with single desks to private offices. Companies can also benefit from economies of scale as they share common spaces such as break rooms, conference rooms, lounge areas, et al.,”

Arun Nijhawan, managing principal at Lucror Resources, explained.

The triangular-shaped building is located across from Woodruff Park

on the wedge-shaped block between Peachtree, Poplar and Broad streets. It was completed in 1897, five years before its Manhattan counterpart. Just like in the early 1900s, FlatironCity is at the center of pedestrian activity.

The renovation upgraded the building’s interior space while preserving its historic integrity to the delight of their tenants, such as the nation’s second Microsoft Innovation Center, the Women’s Entrepreneur Initiative (WEI), Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), Launch and Aegex.

“Each of the organizations housed in or partnered with FlatironCity have the same mission – build better businesses. And each of them is seeking collaboration to do so. Strong economic opportunities are born when government, academia, enterpriselevel business and entrepreneurs work together,” FlatironCity Manager Katie Ryan explained.

According to Nijhawan, the Microsoft Innovation Center will provide access to technology and workshops to other tenants. And Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology

Development Center (ATDC), will have a media cluster, host CEO roundtables and have a resident serial entrepreneur with office hours at FlatironCity.

“ACE is thrilled to join FlatironCity in a shared commitment to support dynamic small businesses who are the future of this great city,” ACE Chief Development Officer Barbara Richardson said. The nonprofit provides small business owners with loans and coaching to help build sustainable companies.

Druid Hills // 5 bedrooms // 4 bathrooms

296 Vickers Drive NE // FMLS 5674256 // $885,000

This is an unusual opportunity for a newer home, built to blend with an historic neighborhood. Nine years young with open, sun-filled floor plan including kitchen open to dining and family room, French doors to walk-out deck and covered porch overlooking wooded sanctuary. Bedroom, office and full bath on the main floor plus sun room and den; upstairs master suite including balcony with wooded view, two additional bedrooms and full bath with double vanities; basement with generous bedroom and full bath.

To foster the Downtown live, work, play environment, the lobby will house an Italian eatery and market with several food stations: 1897 Caffe – an Italian coffee bar; Figo City Fast – Figo’s to-go pasta concept; Juice Squared – fresh juice; and Kitchen 13 – Italian soups and sandwiches. Tenants and passersby will be able to enjoy these offerings in the open lobby or along the Broad Street sidewalk.

“They did a great job updating the building with the latest technology and beautiful decor, while keeping its historic charm. And Downtown Atlanta has so much life and activity that we can offer our employees rich experiences inside and outside of the office. Now that we’ve settled into the 9th floor, we can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Launch Creative Director Javier Santana said.

Nearly 120 years ago, the Flatiron building housed traditional businesses, individual professionals like doctors and lawyers, and street-level retail like groceries, a florist and a tailor. While the space configurations, leasing options, technology and food options are modern, FlatironCity is a nod to the past and to the idea that Downtown is still a vibrant incubator for new business.

“We are committed to the revitalization of the Downtown community. There is so much momentum around this part of the city and we feel both empowered and humbled by being a part of something this big. Downtown represents an urban lifestyle that resonates with both our management team and our tenants. Being in a neighborhood that encourages transit and values walkability was an absolute must for us,” Ryan said.

Photos by Kelley Raye Photography

Downtown’s historic Flatiron Building has been repurposed and reimagined as a hub for startups.

From private suites to lounge seating – fitting different work environments on every floor was a must.

Rachel Peters (Launch) uses one of the many nooks in FlatironCity. This one overlooks Woodruff Park.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Kate Atwood uses nonprofit experience to showcase Atlanta

By Clare S. Richie

Kate Atwood is showcasing metro Atlanta to the world to attract and retain the next generation of top talent. She joined the Metro Atlanta Chamber last September to lead the new ChooseATL initiative.

“Come to Atlanta, hustle, and people will help you make your mark,” she urges. This is not just Kate Atwood’s message to young people; it’s her story, too. At age 23, Atwood moved to Atlanta from Charlottesville, Va., and made her mark quickly by founding the nationally renowned nonprofit, Kate’s Club.

Millennials, born in the early 1980s to early 2000s, are now the largest cohort in the workforce. This generation is more intentional about where and how they choose to live. It’s up to Atwood to brand the opportunity Atlanta creates for this next generation, as a desirable convergence of industry and culture. To tell young people and young influencers that Atlanta is a hub for tech start-ups, that Georgia is ranked among the top three states for film and entertainment production, and boasts a “cool factor” with the AtlantaBeltLine, Ponce City Market, a thriving arts scene and more.

To begin however, “you need to meet people where they are, and evolve their perceptions,” Atwood explained.“Outside of Atlanta, we have a lot of work to do to become millennials’ top choice to start a career and build a life.”

So, her plan includes activations like the one this spring in Austin, Texas, at “South by Southwest,” one of the world’s largest convenings of film, music and tech. Her team will also look closely at colleges and universities both here in Atlanta to retain talent, as well as in 10 key markets around the U.S.

ChooseATL is also building a presence using digital and social media.

This October, ChooseATL will host its second Ultimate Job Interview Contest – an “Apprentice” meets “Shark Tank” experience, but with landing your first job here in Atlanta as the end prize. This year, the goal is for 1,000 contestants to submit a 90-second video about how to make your mark in Atlanta. The top 10 vote getters, as determined by social media, then create a five-minute pitch on why they should be hired. It culminates with three finalists, who receive an all-expensespaid trip to Atlanta to interview with executives. They also receive two days of VIP treatment throughout the city.

In her personal life, Atwood also leads by example. A few years ago she teamed up with April Trigg on Living by Giving (livingbygiving.com), which shares stories meant to inspire others to seek their charitable path.

“We’ve turned the idea of charity

on its head, by giving people permission to ask ‘What’s in it for me’?” Atwood said. For instance, some volunteer to heal while others give to promote a more sustainable future. The idea is that altruism with personal meaning will last and have a bigger impact.

“I feel so grateful that at a young age I was able to tap into how powerful giving can be in my own life – I want to help others know that power, and give them permission to seek the giving that gives back the most to them,” Atwood said.

She’s referring to the impact of Kate’s Club, a nonprofit she founded in 2014, has had on thousands of children and teens facing the loss of a parent or sibling.

“I didn’t talk about my mom’s death for seven years,” Atwood said. She was 12 years old when her mother passed away after a long battle with breast cancer.

Atwood’s father told her after her mother’s death, “Your life is changed, but you can and must charge forward in pursuit of your biggest dreams.”

At 19, as a counselor at a bereavement camp in Virginia, Atwood agreed to share her story with 200 campers. Later that night, a camper told her about losing both parents.

“This is bigger than me,” Kate realized in that moment, adding, “When tragedy happens at a young age, you try to understand why.” One in 20 kids lose a parent before age 18 and there simply aren’t enough support services for them. Atwood discovered her “why” was to help these kids grieve and show them how to move forward.

At 24, she started the club, to

provide a place for grieving children to have fun, develop friendships and learn to cope with their loss.

“People got behind Kate’s Club from day one. It struck a need and the community was ready to embrace it,” Atwood remembered. She hosted a bar night and raised $1,200 from 150+ Atlantans who believed in her vision.

Today Kate’s Club provides social and emotional support programs led by professionals and volunteers, such as: therapeutic group activities, outings, summer camp and school collaborations. It serves kids from different social/economic backgrounds, faiths and neighborhoods, “because grief is the ultimate equalizer that unites us through tolerance and compassion,” Atwood said.

In 2010, Atwood felt the nonprofit needed an experienced administrative CEO to take it to next level and worked with the board on a succession plan that has now positioned Kate’s Club as the leading children’s bereavement organization in the region.

She still serves on the Kate’s Club Board of Advisors and is most proud of its enduring culture. “From the beginning, I wanted Kate’s Club to be this inviting and warm place where young survivors of grief can feel more alive, less alone and begin to believe in their dreams again in spite of tragic loss. If you give kids the environment to build an optimistic, inclusive and empowering culture, even in the face of adversity, it’s exactly what they will do.”

Courtesy f22Studio

Kate Atwood, Mayor Kasim Reed and Metro Atlanta Chamber CEO Hala Moddelmog.

Photo by Krisandra Evans Atwood works with kids at Kate’s Club.

Trio finds success with online housecleaning startup

By Shandra Hill Smith

When Intown resident Sarah Anne Smith went on a search for a housekeeping company in Atlanta, she turned to the Internet. That’s where she discovered Hux (hux. com), a housecleaning services marketplace. Through Hux, an Atlanta startup, you can find and book house cleaners online; this includes receiving a price up front and paying online as well.

Smith was living in a one-bedroom, one-bath space when she first turned to Hux, and continued with the company once she moved to a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment in Virginia-Highland.

Smith says she felt relieved to learn of Hux after getting bogged down by various requirements of some other housekeeping companies.

“A lot of them had sort of this big process where you had to fill out a form and request a quote, and then a lot of companies required you to have an initial cleaning and you had to sign up for recurring cleanings on their schedule,” Smith said.

For Smith, a biweekly schedule with Hux works best for now, allowing her to free up some of her time to handle other responsibilities.

That’s exactly what co-founders Stanley Vergilis, James Loper and AJ Alix, who launched Hux in 2014, had in mind.

“Business is scaling really quickly,” said Vergilis. “We’re growing at about 20 percent month over month. Almost all of our business is word of mouth.”

A $20,000 angel investment from Adam Mangone helped to give life to Hux. Vergilis says that investment grew to $1.5 million in revenue.

“The only way you can grow that fast is if you have a product people are really raving about,” he added.

The growth didn’t stop there, as Hux also closed a $1.25 million seed investment from venture capitalist Tim Draper and Dau Global of Atlanta.

In April, Hux expanded to the Charlotte market and has plans for future growth in cities such as Miami and Austin. Hux also would like to broaden to include other service market categories such as handyman, painting, lawn care services and tutoring. The owners started with cleaning, as it is the “biggest local service market,” said Vergilis.

The idea for Hux came about from prior experiences of the trio, whom were each working independently, while attending Georgia Tech. Both Vergilis and Alix were tutoring, while Loper provided technology repair, including fixing cracks on computers and phones.

Hux aims to empower local service providers to get away from having to work for others, but instead to create, manage and grow their own micro-businesses as a solo provider.

“This means flexibility, better pay and recognition for their hard work,” said Vergilis. “With these tools, local service providers have a real opportunity to grow and realize their potential.”

Since there is no company overhead, Hux customers are able to pay less, while service providers make more of a profit.

Sarah Anne Smith is definitely sold.

“I love them,” she said. “I haven’t really found any other service provider who has matched them as far as customer service [and] availability. I’ve spoken with the cofounders personally, and that’s been wonderful. I think it’s a great company for busy professionals, young people on the go and people who don’t need to be locked into sort of your traditional contract for cleaning services. I refer them to everyone who asks me about it. I think they’re modernizing the service industry.”

Hux co-founders, from left, AJ Alix, Stanley Vergilis and James Loper.

Coda project marks major expansion of Tech Square

Officials with Midtown Alliance are describing Coda Tech Square, a 750,000-square-foot mixed-use building with office space, research labs, retail and data center, as a “blockbuster project.”

Recently liberated from its working title of “High Performance Computing Center,” the Coda Tech Square is a joint project between Portman Holdings and Georgia Tech that will mark a major expansion of the Tech Square area around Spring and 5th streets in Midtown.

Coda brings together a top-tier research university, corporate partners with application needs for high-performance computing, faculty and researchers, students and entrepreneurs, computer network and infrastructure providers and many others. With proximity to broadband fiber running under Spring Street and advanced computing hardware in the data center, the facility is literally on the cutting edge of technology.

The approach to designing the Coda plaza is to create a space where entrepreneurs can “interact and collide in order to strike up new partnerships.” Initial plans include landscaping and $2.5 million allocated to public art, seating and other amenities. Parking will also be located under the plaza and a first-of-its-kind elevator system will decrease wait times.

Also on the site is the historic 1928 Crum & Forster building, which will be reimagined as a club and chef-driven restaurant.

With an investment approaching $360 million, this project almost matches the $380 million invested to build Tech Square’s first phase more than 10 years ago. This eight-block Tech Square campus will soon total 3 million square feet of commercial space and more than $1 billion of development, including the new NCR world headquarters under development at Spring and 8th streets and Tech Square Labs.

Invest Atlanta’s CEO Eloisa Klementich projects that by 2019, the number of people working in Tech Square could quadruple to 12,000 workers.

Morris Brandon Elementary

E. Rivers Elementary

Sarah Smith Elementary

The Epstein School

Springdale Park Elementary

Morningside Elementary

Heards Ferry Elementary

PACE Academy

Warren T. Jackson Elementary

Atlanta Jewish Academy

Davis Academy

Courtesy Portman Holdings

A rendering of the Coda Tech Square project at Tech Square in Midtown. The historic Crum & Forster building, lower left, will be transformed into a restaurant.

ATLANTA NORTH 770-622-3081

EAST COBB 770-977-9500

MORNINGSIDE 1055 Robin Lane, $729,000 4BR/3fb. FMLS: 5643413 Boynton & Myrick 404-323-2012

MORNINGSIDE/DRUID HILLS 1523 Markan Drive, $799,000 4BR/4fb/1hb FMLS: 5671608 Boynton & Myrick 404-323-2012

MORNINGSIDE 1837 Windemere Dr, Coming Soon 5BR/4fb/2hb. FMLS: COMING SOON Boynton & Myrick 404-323-2012

ATLANTA PERIMETER 770-394-2131

BIG CANOE - NORTH GEORGIA 770-893-2400

FORSY TH/LAKE LANIER 770-497-2000

HIAWASSEE 706-632-7211

BLUE RIDGE 706-632-7211

INTOWN 404-897-5558

BUCKHEAD 404-233-4142

BUCKHEAD CHASTAIN 404-233-1492

LUXURY LAKE & MOUNTAIN 706-212-0228

BUCKHEAD NORTH 404-814-9000

NORTH FULTON 678-461-8700

BUCKHEAD NORTHWEST 404-261-2700

PEACHTREE CIT Y 770-632-8526

COBB MARIETTA 770-422-6005

SANDY SPRINGS 404-250-9900

SEE A SLIMMER YOU

NEW TASK FORCE AIMS TO MAKE ATLANTA A FINTECH LEADER

FinTech Atlanta, a task force founded in 2015 by the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC), the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC), has named more than 20 companies who will serve as founding members of the organization. Fintech is a portmanteau of financial technology, an umbrella term for a new wave in payment processing.

The companies include: American Transaction Processors Coalition, Bain & Company, Cardlytics, Coca-Cola Company, ControlScan, Delta Air Lines, Elavon, Equifax, First Data, FIS, Fiserv, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Tech, Global Payments, Holland & Knight, The Home Depot, InComm, Ingenico, Kabbage, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Merchant eSolutions, NCR, NoroMoseley Partners, Paymetric, Patientco, Priority Payment Systems, Russell Reynolds, Sionic Mobile, Spencer Stuart, SunTrust, Technology Association of Georgia, TSYS, TTV Capital, University System of Georgia, UPS, Venture Atlanta, Worldpay and WNA Ltd.

“FinTech companies deliver the financial infrastructure every organization utilizes to manage their operation, from accounting to payments and beyond. FinTech solutions power the global economy,” said FinTech Atlanta’s chair, Barry McCarthy, executive vice president of Network and Security Solutions at First Data. “Atlanta has quietly become the global capital of this critically important sector. Through the FinTech Atlanta initiative, I am confident Atlanta will become the recognized global home of FinTech by 2020, just as New York and London are the recognized headquarters of finance.”

The task force has three main goals: to recruit companies, capital and talent in the FinTech industry, to retain existing companies and workforce, and to expand Atlanta’s presence in the industry.

Atlanta is home to more than 90 FinTech companies employing 30,000 people. Additionally, 118 billion transactions, or more than 70 percent of U.S. credit card swipes, debit card payments and gift card purchases flow through Atlanta, according to ATPC.

“Metro Atlanta’s strong density in FinTech – which includes established corporations to emerging startups – is a major driver for job growth and innovation,” said MAC President and CEO Hala Moddelmog. “The FinTech Task Force serves as a powerful voice for growing and sustaining the region’s preeminent financial technology ecosystem and adding jobs to our economy.”

“Georgia’s FinTech companies process over 118 billion transactions per year; this is one of Georgia’s best kept secrets,” said Tino Mantella, president/CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia. “TAG and the TAG FinTech Society welcomes the formation of this new group, and we look forward to strengthening and increasing its dominance as a global FinTech leader.”

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Ground was broken in May to transform the old Excelsior Mill – home to The Masquerade nightclub and music park for nearly 30 years – into a mixed-use development called North + Line. According to Atlanta Magazine, the historic mill – located just across North Avenue from Ponce City Market – will remain and be transformed into a chef-drive restaurant and retail shops. Behind the mill, there will be 228 luxury apartments with direct access to the Atlanta BeltLine. The $60 million project is being led by Southeast Capitol Companies, and partners SWH

Residential Partners and Coro Realty Advisors.The Masquerade will have to move out of the mill within two years, but where it will land was unknown at press time.

CVS Pharmacys in Atlanta have launched CVS Express, a new curbside delivery service. The program is designed for busy shoppers, moms especially, who want to be in and out of CVS quickly. With CVS Express, you can order through a free app to pick up within an hour or at a scheduled time and drive up to the designated

spot where a CVS employee will have your order delivered right to your car. For more information and to see participating stores, visit cvs. com/CVSExpress.

Eyewear retailer

Warby Parker has opened a new location at Westide Provisions, 1198 Howell Mill Road, Building B. Visit warbyparker.com for more information.

The Georgia Film Academy has opened its state-of-the-art, 15,000-squarefoot soundstage located at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayetteville. The new soundstage will be the largest purpose-built soundstage of its kind in the United States. The Georgia Film Academy, a collaborative effort of the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia,

Things, which owner Mark Cohen says “might be the biggest breakthrough in pencil technology since the eraser.” The playful and colorful pencil stickers are just that – sheets of stickers students (or adults) can use to jazz up their pencils. Sheets of stickers in different designs are $3.99. Visit pencilstickers.com to order.

Peloton, which makes at-home indoor cycling bikes, will open a showroom

was created to support workforce needs of the film, television and digital entertainment industries. The academy certifies workforce-ready employees in needed areas, connects students and prospective employees with employers, and offers a unique capstone experience for students that will provide them a path to employment in Georgia. Approximately 200 students are currently enrolled in the Georgia Film Academy program. Visit georgiafilmacademy.org for more information.

One of Atlanta’s longest-standing retail centers, Buckhead Exchange, is in the final stages of renovation to become simply The Exchange, 3167 Peachtree Road. The 44,500-square-foot center also has announced new tenants including Storico Fresco Pasta, YEAH! Burger, SculptHouse, Kohler Signature Showroom and Kale Me Crazy.

Wit, a local advertising and design firm, has created Those Pencil Sticker

at Lenox Square in Buckhead this summer. The state-of-the-art bike offers 10-plus daily live rides and more than 1,500 on-demand rides, all filmed at its studio in New York City and streamed straight to the stationary bike. The new retail showroom will be located on the second level across from Athleta in a 926-square-foot space, offering shoppers the opportunity to test ride the latest spin bike on the market. Also recently opened at Lenox: technical athletic wear designer ivivva and Spanish jewelry for men and women from UNOde50.

Downtown event and party space

Terminus 330 has been named to Venue Report’s 100 Hottest Hotel and Venue Openings. Built in 1912 and located near Centennial Park, Terminus 330 has a 5,400-square-foot space called Central Station for weddings, rehearsal dinners or engagement parties. There’s also the 3,000-square-foot Cellar, a 1920s New York speakeasy-inspired space. For more information, visit terminus330.com.

Courtesy Smith Dalia

The Masquerade complex will be transformed into a mixed-use development called North + Line.

A rendering of the reimagined Buckhead Exchange building.

Those Pencil Sticker Things

ATLANTA STREETS ALIVE TAKES OVER PEACHTREE ON JUNE 12

Atlanta Streets Alive returns Sunday, June 12, to take over Peachtree Street through the heart of the city. There’s also a new time frame.

For this year’s Peachtree event, the street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 4 to 8 p.m. The 2.7-mile stretch from Edgewood Avenue to 17th Street will be open for people to walk on foot, bike, skateboard, rollerblade and other human-powered means.

Participants can expect a wealth of activities hosted by community organizations and businesses. Many businesses and restaurants will be open, offering specials and welcoming all the foot traffic.

For more information about the June 12 event and upcoming Atlanta Streets Alive events, visit atlantastreetsalive. com.

Meetings

The Atlanta City Council meets Monday, June 6, and Monday, June 20, at 1 p.m. at City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. See agendas and other details at citycouncil.atlantaga.gov.

The Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education meets Monday, June 6, with presentations at 2:30 p.m. and the community meeting at 6 p.m. Meetings are held at the Center for Learning and Leadership, 130 Trinity Ave. There will be no meeting in July. Visit atlanta.k12. ga.us for more information.

Community meetings, news & events

City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meets June 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Office at 125 Electric Ave. For more information, visit csdecatur.net.

The Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods is taking its summer break and there will be no meetings in June or July. Visit buckheadcouncil.org.

News

The Atlanta City Council has approved the land conveyance of its portion of Turner Field to the Atlanta Fulton County Recreational Authority (AFCRA), which owns the other part of the ballpark, for sale to Georgia State University (GSU) and its partners for the creation of a mixed-use development. The vote was made despite the protests of the Turner Field Benefits Coalition, which is made up of members and stakeholders in the neighborhoods surrounding The Ted. The Coalition maintains that the desires of the neighborhoods and Neighborhood Planning Unit-V (NPU-V) are being ignored as the city and Fulton County rushes to sell the property. Atlanta City Councilwoman Carla Smith, who represents most of the Turner Field area, said there had been countless community meetings, and that residents’ desires for the project were incorporated into three potential site plans created by local architectural firm Perkins + Will. Smith said she would “sit down with anyone” to continue the conversation about the redevelopment of Turner Field. Councilmember Joyce Sheperd said she hoped the land conveyance was “just the beginning of opportunities to discuss the project.” The city and AFCRA plan to sell Turner Field to Georgia State University and its development partners Carter and Oakwood Development for a mixed-use project with athletic facilities, dorms, hotels, retail, restaurants and housing. The Atlanta Braves will leave The Ted at the end of the year for its new home in Cobb County.

Atlanta is moving forward with a $1 million environmental analysis of a proposed route of the Atlanta Streetcar that would run 2.5 miles from Centennial Olympic Park west to the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail, according to SaportaReport. The analysis, a major step before the city can apply for federal funding, was set to begin in May and be completed by December.

The Atlanta City Council has passed a citywide affordable housing ordinance in an effort to provide more options for residents.

Councilmember Andre Dickens, who authored the ordinance, said in a media statement the city had worked with developers and community members to create the ordinance. With passage of the ordinance, any multi-family residential property for lease that receives a grant, incentive or subsidy in the City of Atlanta will be obligated to adhere to the housing set asides. That means that either 10 percent of the units at 60 percent Area Median Income (AMI) and below or 15 percent of the units at 80 percent AMI and below meet the provisions of the ordinance.

The Capitol View Historic District has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic District is bounded by Hartford Place (North), Metropolitan Parkway (East), Fairbanks Street (South), and Sylvan Road, Division Place and the western boundary of Perkerson Park (West). The nomination was sponsored by the Capitol View Neighborhood Association and materials were prepared by graduate students in Georgia State University’s Heritage Preservation Program. The Capitol View Historic District was initially developed as a streetcar suburb for middle-class white families in the decades following 1900. Growth of the district accelerated when Capitol View was annexed by the city of Atlanta in 1913 and Stewart Avenue became a major automobile thoroughfare and commercial area after being paved as part of the Dixie Highway in the 1920s. A section of war-worker housing was developed in Capitol View in the early 1940s, and mostly blue-collar workers continued the population growth.

The Atlanta Housing Authority is looking for owners of available single family or multi-family properties to be considered for the Housing Choice Voucher Program to help those who need affordable housing. Send an email toleads@atlantahousing.org or call (404) 892-2700.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death because often there are no symptoms until it has spread. The good news is a lung cancer screening can help detect it early when there are more treatment options. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute offers a low dose CT screening if you’re 55 – 77 years old and a current or previous smoker. It’s quick and easy and could save your life.

For information call 404-531-4444 or visit northside.com/lung

Post 3 Councilmember Andre Dickens

The Neighborhood Hot List: Old Fourth Ward

The Old Fourth Ward -- or simply O4W to the locals – has become one of Intown’s hottest neighborhoods in less than a decade. With an influx of new homes, apartments, restaurants, retail and the construction of the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, the historic and the modern have created an eclectic mash-up of a community.

1. BeltLine Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail was a big catalyst for the renaissance of O4W. Running along the district’s eastern edge, the trail connects residents to some of the neighborhood’s big draws like the skate park, Historic Fourth Ward Park and Ponce City Market.

2. Ponce City Market

The adaptive reuse of the giant Sears & Roebuck building into a dining, retail and business destination is one of the city’s

biggest success stories. With the opening of The Roof this summer – offering miniature golf, amusement rides and a beer garden – the renovation of the nearly century-old landmark will be complete.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site

The birthplace of the Civil Rights leader and the surrounding neighborhood, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, are an international draw for visitors.

MLK’s life and work is chronicled at The King Center, which is also the final resting place for the Nobel Prize winner and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

4. Edgewood Avenue

In just a few short years, Edgewood Avenue has transformed from vacant storefronts to one of the city’s restaurant and bar districts. Sister Louisa’s Church of the

Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium (or simply Church), Noni’s, Sound Table, Thumbs Up Diner, Staplehouse and many more are packing them in.

5. Festivals

From the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival (coming up June 25-26) in Historic Fourth Ward Park, to the Fire In the 4th, to the Brunch Festival to the Lantern Parade along the BeltLine that kicks off the annual Art on the BeltLine, there’s always art, food and fun happening in O4W. To find out more about the community, be sure to visit the Old Fourth Ward Business Association website at o4wba.com.

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations has been awarded to high school students who are doing exceptional volunteer work to advance the cause of race relations. The winning student receives a $1,000 cash award and an expense-paid trip to Princeton University for a symposium on race. The Atlanta honoree for 2106 is Jordan Williams from North Atlanta High School. Receiving organization certificates of accomplishment are North Atlanta High students Danielle Kimboro, Margaret Richardson, Augustin Jimenez and Shabeha Haque. Individual certificates were given to Matthew Boutte (The Lovett Shool), Teresa Campos (Morrow High School), Tahir Murray (McCallie School), Luis Padilla (The Westminster Schools) and Natalie Peek (Riverwood International Charter School).

Kindezi Old Fourth Ward has been awarded a Walk Audit by Safe Routes to School. This will allow input by school officials, teachers, community stakeholders and public officials about the safety concerns and traffic hazards in the neighborhood. The group will spend an hour walking the streets around the school. They will help to identify first hand some of the most pressing issues that families deal with travelling to and from school. Next, a report will be developed that will be submitted to various government agencies. This will help guide future decisions around funding and planning.

Georgia’s only Waldorf high school, Academe of the Oaks in Decatur, was honored on Earth Day with the Green Flag Award presented by Eco-Schools USA and the National Wildlife Federation. Academe is only the second school in Georgia to receive this recognition. In order to be eligible, Academe underwent a rigorous application process, including environmental audits, curriculum evaluation and community involvement. Students oversee the school’s energy and water use, organize recycling and waste management, and a composting program. The Academe recently installed a massive rainwater cistern, which will be used to water the gardens. Academe students also tend to the school’s organic vegetable garden, goats, chickens and honeybee hives. Last year students planted a butterfly garden and fruit trees, converting an area of overgrowth into a thriving ecosystem.

Jill Binkley, founder and executive director of the nonprofit TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation , has been named recipient of the 2015 American Physical Therapy Association Oncology Section Research Award. Binkley launched TurningPoint in 2003 with a mission to improve quality of life for women with breast cancer by providing, promoting and advocating specialized and evidencebased rehabilitation. The Atlanta-based nonprofit provides services such as physical therapy, massage therapy, counseling, nutritional counseling and education programs. For more information, visit myturningpoint.org.

carafem , known for its eye-catching billboards and controversial advertising campaigns, has opened a state-of-the-art health center in Midtown, providing a variety of birth control and early abortion care options.“We know it’s difficult to access health services in the South where women are facing more and more barriers to care,” said carafem president, Chris Purdy. carafem provides flexibility, including 24-hour appointment making, little to no waiting time and a visit that lasts about 60 minutes. For more information, visit carafem.org.

In support of the Georgia Food Bank Association (GFBA) and its state-wide work to provide access to meals to children, the Arby’s Foundation and a private family foundation have announced they will award $200,000 in grants that will go directly to summer and afterschool meal sponsors and their efforts to provide healthy and nutritious meals while school is out of session. Some of the local organizations that will share in the grant money include Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, City of Atlanta, Kidsplosion and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.

OrthoAtlanta recently opened its newest location in the Piedmont West Medical Building at the intersection of I-75 and Howell Mill Road. The facility offers one stop for musculoskeletal care, including initial exam, onsite X-ray and MRI-imaging, treatment and physical therapy. Visit orthoatlanta.com for more information.

Everyone wants a dog like Clyde. He is charming, attentive and eager to please. He loves making new friends and approaches everyone with that big ol’ goofy smile. He seems to do well with other dogs and people of all ages. If you are looking for a big, loyal, wonderful best friend, then look no further than Clyde.

Cecil is a charmer for sure. He can convince almost anyone to let him crawl up and fall asleep in their laps. He loves attention and massages more than anything else in life, but he is a fan of other kitties as well. Cecil is an easy-going guy and takes whatever life throws at him. If you are looking for a zen kitty with a good dose of personality, then come out and get Cecil.

To adopt Clyde or Cecil, visit PAWSAtlanta.org or drop by the shelter at 5287 Covington Highway in Decatur.

Doggies on the Catwalk and its philanthropic founder, E. Vincent Martinez of fashionado, will present an evening of fashion, cocktails, bites and four-legged friends – all for a great cause. The event is set for June 4 at 7 p.m. at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, where some of the cities’ most notable personalities will don the latest trends with loving pups in tow. The event benefits Canine Assistants, which provides service dogs to assist children and adults with physical disabilities or other special needs. Tickets are available at fashionado.net/ doggiesonthecatwalk.

Texas-based FarmHouse Freshhas donated 75 dog beds (valued at $5,000) to PAWS Atlanta animal shelter in Decatur. The 75 beds include small, medium and large beds in a range of thicknesses, plus kuranda beds and mats, so that the rescued dogs will no longer have to sleep on cold, hard concrete floors.

Jill Binkley

Cecil (left) and Clyde

Doggies on the Catwalk

HISTORY REPEATING

A look back at Atlanta’s History

Coca-Cola marked its 130th anniversary last month with the unveiling of a historic marker at Peachtree and Marietta streets in Downtown where the first Coke was poured on May 8, 1886. The corner was once the home of Jacob’s Pharmacy, where proprietor and pharmacist John Pemberton created the syrup for Coca-Cola, which he sold for 5 cents at the soda counter. Atlanta businessman Asa Candler would buy the rights and create the Coca-Cola Company in 1892. During the ceremony, the Coca-Cola Foundation announced $1.8 million in grants to benefit the Centennial Olympic Park District, which will fund the expansion of green space, new bike trails and updates to the park, as well as supporting efforts of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta Union Mission and Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

Coca-Cola Chairman Muhtar Kent, right, and Mayor Kasim Reed dedicate the historic marker at the site where the first Coke was poured in Downtown.

A painting of Jacob’s Pharmacy, once located at the corner of Peachtree and Marietta streets, where Coke was created.

By Tim Sullivan

FEELING DECIDEDLY MIDDLE AGE

By Tim Sullivan

I tore my calf muscle playing soccer. OK, technically I was coaching soccer at the time. But it was the 8-9 year-old division of the Decatur Rec league, so as you might imagine it’s something of a pressure cooker situation. I was scrimmaging with the kids (modeling textbook technique) and I was running near the sideline. There was a throwin coming right at my face, so I jumped to gather the ball on my chest and then… somebody shot me!

At least that is what it felt like. In an explosive flush of pain and frustration, I thought maybe one of the kids toe-kicked me in the calf (really friggin’ hard) while I was mid-air. Why I needed someone to blame at that moment is beyond me, because it’s a really nice group of kids, but there was a definitive split second of “Who! Did! This?!” Thankfully, Elliott offered some perspective:“There was no one behind you.” And that meant this was going to be much worse than just getting kicked. So I punched the ground a couple times and may have blurted out a word that starts with F-U that was not “fundamentals!”

It was emergency room pain for sure, but since it was a left leg injury I right-footedly drove the kids home to dump it all on Kristen. I was enjoying the visceral release of pounding the dashboard and groaning at the windshield as we waited our turn at a stop sign until Elliott said I was scaring him. Conversely, Margo was unfazed and asked if we could stop at The Imperial for dinner. Once home, Kristen secured me four Advil and the highest gravity beer we had in the fridge, which was probably better than what the ER would have offered anyway.

Now I’m on crutches, wearing a boot-cast thing that comes up to my knee and reporting to physical therapy as instructed. Also, I’m feeling decidedly middle aged. Dr. Hammond over at Emory Ortho assured my good wife that I did indeed do a number on my calf or else I might be under suspicion of milking it. Luckily, Kristen is one of those semi-competitive Fit-Bitters so she sees a silver lining in her added steps since her household duties have doubled. A lot of guys give their wives a Fitbit, but how many are so thoughtful as to give them extra steps, right? Happy Mother’s Day!

I don’t mind so much telling people what happened. It’s a logical thing to ask. If I were wearing a 10-gallon hat I imagine folks would ask, “What’s with the hat?” But unless you’ve had the same injury (like my brother Marty did) I could probably do without all the comparative stories. If you sprained an ankle once and it bothered you for a whole week well, I’m sorry to hear that. But please understand that I hurt my calf so badly that my uninjured foot and ankle are a swollen, purple hell. And if you were in a boot cast once because you had a bone removed from your foot which subsequently required all the tendons be rearranged then, well, you definitely win, but that’s pretty gross and I hope to eat again sometime this week.

Ironically, I have declined suggestions from friends that I play with their “Over 40” soccer team because the body of evidence reads like carnage. Knee surgeries, blown Achilles tendons, varietal malaise indigenous to just being dads who are too old to do the things we used to. If I wanted to take the risk it would be for an over-40 basketball team, because I’m more adept at feigning effort on the court than the field. It doesn’t matter, though. I can’t play either because I have things to do! Like be a dad and run my business, and don’t you know youth baseball is right around the bend? Limp on, dads, limp on.

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.

IF TREES COULD SING

New BeltLine installation matches musicians with greenery

By Sue G. Collins

Rapper 8Ball wants you to stop and think about trees. “They are alive. They are amazing. Trees watch over us, they are the oldest and tallest living thing on earth. A single tree can remove more than one hundred pounds of air pollution in a year.”

He and more than a dozen other nationally recognized recording artists are part of a new project on the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum of the Eastside Trail, running from the southern tip of Piedmont Park to the Old Fourth Ward.

A collaboration between The Nature Conservancy of Georgia and Trees Atlanta, “If Trees Could Sing” aims to bring Atlantans closer to nature via their smartphones. Signs posted in front of 18 trees along the Eastside Trail offer testimonials from musicians, facts on the trees and a plug for conservation. Each small sign explains how to text for a direct link to the artists’ video and contains a QR code for instant access to the commentary on The Nature Conservancy site.

“We are planning to add more local artists, including Atlanta’s own Doria Roberts, who played at the project’s recent launch,” said Deron Davis, executive director at The Nature Conservancy. “We worked hard to cross reference the trees in the Arboretum with the interests of the artists so their videos were authentic, and we were careful to confirm their commitment to environmental protection.”

Roberts’ own video and tree are expected to be added this year, joining posts featuring Amy Grant, Suzy Bogguss, Taylor Hicks and Georgia’s own Chuck Leavell. In his testimonial, singer-songwriter Will Hoge explains his affinity for the willow oak, or the ‘Will Hoge oak,” as he dubs it. In his introduction to the chinkapin oak, fiddler Tim O’Brien plays a little number called “Chinkapin Hunting,” and touts the tree’s sweet acorns and urban cooling properties.

The project was first launched by The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee (home to many of the featured musicians) where there are now 11 trails in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and in state parks. To date, no other states have climbed on board, though Davis reports the Tennessee trustees were very generous sharing their established artists and project infrastructure and technology. He promises Georgia would be happy to do the same.

“It’s a low-cost project. We benefitted from seed money funding from International Paper’s donation in Tennessee, donated time from videographers and funding from Trees Atlanta,” Davis said. “Trees Atlanta has been an incredible partner in this project. Our missions are aligned with education and outreach, and they are plugged into Intown parks, and of course with the BeltLine.”

Connie Veates, co-executive director at Trees Atlanta, said the love affair is mutual. She saw news of the project online and reached out to Davis for a collaboration. “It’s been a lovely partnership, and we would love to see more local artists involved as we expand the project, possibly up through Piedmont Park,” she said.

Trees Atlanta has planted more than 1,000 trees of multiple species along the BeltLine, along with more than 10 acres of grasses and wildflowers.

“Trees Atlanta is a wonderful partner who builds and maintains the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum in addition to their extensive educational programming,” said Paul Morris, Atlanta BeltLine president and CEO. “‘If Trees Could Sing’ merges their work on the Eastside Trail with the goal to increase people’s knowledge of our native trees.”

All three organizations value connectivity for the urban population and “If Trees Could Sing” is the first Intown initiative for The Nature Conservancy, which works to protect forests, improve waterways’ health and ensure a sustainable future for coastal and marine resources throughout the state. Project designers worked with limitations to protect the integrity of the Eastside Trail Arboretum and paved path. Wood posts holding the signs were installed a respectable distance off the BeltLine and blend in with the natural surroundings.

So, next time you’re on the BeltLine, stop and pull out your phone, and find out what trees might say if they could indeed sing.

“Seriously, what would our parks be without trees? I’m thinking, not so gnarly. …. join me and the nature conservancy to take care of our trees so our trees can take care of us,” urges 8Ball.

Courtesy Atlanta BeltLine

From left, The Nature Conservancy of Georgia Executive Director Deron Davis, singer Doria Roberts and Trees Atlanta coExecutive Director Connie Veates on the Atlanta BeltLine.

Sally Bethea

ZIKA VIRUS DRIVES SCRAP TIRE CLEANUP

A line of men in orange vests and helmets formed a brigade, moving hundreds of mud-caked and waterfilled auto and truck tires out of Proctor Creek and up the bank into waiting trucks.

I watched them from the middle of the stream where I stood in my rubber boots taking pictures and cheering them on.

For a year – in 1999 – these men mined trash from 37 miles of streams flowing through the city of Atlanta into the Chattahoochee River. Their job – a requirement of the settlement of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s lawsuit against the city for clean water violations – was to remove every piece of trash bigger than a cigarette butt.

When the project was completed, 568 tons of man-made debris had been pulled from city waterways, including 90 tons of tires. Lined up edge to edge, the tires would have stretched more than three and a half miles.

Sixteen years later, tires are still being pulled out of local rivers and their tributaries: nearly 200 were found in city streams and the Chattahoochee during the annual Sweep the Hooch event in April. That same month, the city of Atlanta collected more than 8,000 tires through an amnesty (freedisposal) program, recycling them into fuel, crumb rubber, mulch and urban asphalt.

Abandoned tires are unsightly and can cause environmental harm; however, the biggest threat to public

health and safety is the fact that they collect rainwater and serve as fertile breeding grounds for mosquitos that can carry diseases such as the Zika virus.

This virus, which can cause serious birth defects and a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Keep Atlanta Beautiful Contact to volunteer, report illegally dumped scrap tires or for questions at (404) 330-6721 or kngreenlee@ atlanta.ga.gov.

City of Atlanta Recycle Day

Every third Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, at The Mall West End, 850 Oak St. Unlimited tire disposal at no charge.

The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (ChaRM)

1110 Hill Street SE; Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No charge for first two tires, each additional $2.

State Legislators

To find your state representatives, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP.do.

syndrome, has significantly affected many countries in Latin America; the degree to which it will impact the United States remains uncertain, but precautions should be taken.

Statewide, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) estimates that it has removed about 15 million tires from illegal dumping places since a law passed in 1992 mandating a $1 fee on every tire sold in the state to support a cleanup trust fund.

While this number is impressive, much more could be accomplished to eradicate the tire problem, if our state legislators would appropriate all the funds collected each year for their intended purpose. During the 2016 legislative session, less than half of the money collected was appropriated to support cleanup, enforcement, education and local reimbursement programs.

Officials say that most of the illegal

tire dumping is the result of “mom and pop” hauling operations that fail to properly dispose of the tires, instead off-loading them along roads, vacant lots, creeks and even in church dumpsters.

The midnight dumping increased during the Great Recession when government agencies lost inspection and enforcement staff. The city of Atlanta recently hired a code enforcement officer whose sole job is to handle scrap tires, and EPD now has eight people working on the tire program throughout Georgia.

To keep our communities healthy and safe, we all need to pitch in and help: volunteer for a cleanup, report illegal tire dumping and dispose of your own tires properly. And, tell your state legislators to put the trust back in the tire trust fund by appropriating all the money collected annually to get scrap tires out of our neighborhoods.

Dan Sasser loves coming and going as he pleases. That’s just one of many reasons he chose Canterbury Court to be his home.

“I left a tenured position so I could live wherever I wanted. Then I retired at 60 and was working part time when I discovered Canterbury Court. I thought, ‘How wonderful it would be to live there.’”

When he decided to move to Canterbury Court, he chose a studio apartment, which he says “is more than big enough for me.” The maintenance-free lifestyle also lets him keep a second home in Florida and take frequent road trips.

Dan says people are “missing the boat” by not moving to a retirement community sooner. “Here you have several restaurant options, all kinds of activities and excursions, a theater with daily showings, a heated pool and wellness center, 11 acres of beautiful gardens ... it’s like being on a permanent vacation!”

Canterbury Court is Atlanta’s first and foremost continuing care retirement community, non-profit, and committed to welcoming all people.

Volunteer Adam Horrisberger pulls a tire out of the river during Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s annual Sweep the Hooch cleanup.

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AT CENTRAL PARK | OLD FOURTH WARD

We’re giving Atlanta INtown a refreshing new look in July and to mark the occasion we’re asking local photographers to submit photos with the theme Summer IN the City.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PURCHASE OF KEY LINK FOR PATH400 TRAIL IN BUCKHEAD

The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday allowing the city to purchase temporary and permanent easements and necessary right of way to a 60,000-square-foot linear path at 650 Canterbury Road NE. The city would pay MARTA $176,270 for the property.

The path would provide users direct access from the Path400 trail from Miami Circle north to the Gordon Bynum bridge at the back of Lenox Square.

“We are excited to put in place yet another piece of this important green space project for the City of Atlanta,” said District 6 City Councilmember Alex Wan. “This investment, alongside those also being made by our collaborative partners in this vision, provides further connectivity and amenities for our pedestrians, cyclists, runners and other users of the trail.”

“PATH400 is where it is today because of the many partnerships that exist to make it happen,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead, which is spearheading the project.

“The City of Atlanta was one of our founding partners and continues to be a great supporter. Today’s council action is just one more demonstration of their commitment, and I am very appreciative of their efforts.”

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Who cares for

Piedmont

more

By Collin Kelley

School’s out for the summer and vacation is on your mind. If you’re looking to stay close to home, there is plenty – and we do mean plenty – going on to keep you entertained through the hot months. Here’s a roundup of some big and small events coming up around Intown. As always, be sure to visit AtlantaINtownPaper.com for more activities and fun.

Coca-Cola Summer Movie Festival

The Fox Theatre and its giant screen is once again playing host to the annual film extravaganza.

Upcoming movies include: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (June 10); “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (June 30); “The Shining” (July 7); “Shrek” (July 21); “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (Aug. 20); “Citizen Kane” (Aug.

SUMMER FUN

25); Disney’s “Little Mermaid Sing-aLong” (Aug. 27). More films are still to be announced along with the chance to vote for the closing night movie. Visit foxtheatre.org for tickets and details.

Movies in Central Park

Bring chairs, blankets, snacks and picnics to Atlantic Station’s Central Park for a free movie every Thursday night through July 28 (weather permitting). Look for special restaurant menus before, after or even during the activities. The lineup includes: “Romeo + Juliet” (June 2); “Finding Nemo” (June 9); “Legally Blonde” (June 16); “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (June 23); “Top Gun” (June 30); “A League of Their Own” (July 7);

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (July 14); “Elf” (July 21); and “Grease” (July 28). For the latest details, visit atlanticstation.com.

Virginia-Highland Summerfest

The Virginia-Highland Civic Association hosts the 33rd annual Summerfest on June 4-5 featuring a weekend of live music. The line-up includes Donna Hopkins, Liz Brasher, Southern Culture on the Skids, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, City Mouse, Stephen Kellogg and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In addition to the music, there will also be arts and crafts, a 5K run, activities for children, and plenty of food and drink. Summerfest is held on Virginia Avenue between North Highland Avenue and Park Drive. Admission is free. For more information, visit vahisummerfest.com.

magic shows to improv, modern dance, aerial acrobatics, satirical comedy and everything in between. This year’s venues, all located in East Atlanta, include 7 Stages, the Montessori In Town and the Marianna event space at Wrecking Bar Brewpub. For tickets and more information, visit atlantafringe.org.

Atlanta Moon Ride

Thousands are expected to gather for this evening bike ride on June 10 to benefit Bert’s Big Adventure. The 6-mile ride will begin and end at Piedmont Park, taking participants on a scenic and traffic-free route through Midtown, Ansley Park, Old Fourth Ward, Morningside and the Virginia-Highland neighborhoods. Tickets start from $30 and include an official Atlanta Moon Ride T-shirt as well as entry to the kick-off party starting at 6 p.m. The event is rain or shine. For registration and information, visit atlantamoonride.com.

Atlanta Cycling Festival

Details and events were still being worked out at press time, but this year’s event will be June 11-18 and feature bike rides, classes, parties and more. For more information, visit atlantacyclingfestival. com.

Laughing Skull Comedy Festival

The 7th Annual Laughing Skull Comedy Festival will feature more than 100 of America’s most promising comedians June 7-12. The event will take place in a variety of venues around the city including The Laughing Skull Lounge, Smith’s Olde Bar, Eddie’s Attic, Red Brick Brewing Company, Hard Rock and more. The invited comedians will perform before live audiences and industry judges. The winner of the festival takes home a grand prize of $1,000 as well as a record and distribution deal from Uproar Records, in addition to exposure to TV bookers, agents, industry professionals and comedy clubs. Tickets and information are available at laughingskullcomedyfestival.com.

Atlanta Fringe Festival

This year’s festival runs June 8-12 with a wild gamut of entertainment from around the country – from family-friendly

Westview Summer Solstice Celebration

The 9th annual celebration will be held June 11 from noon to 8 p.m. in the neighborhood. There will be a grill-off competition, artist market, pet costume parade and more. Find out more at westviewatlanta.com.

High

Walker Evans at The

A major touring retrospective of the work of Walker Evans, one of the most

Coming Soon

influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, opens at The High Museum of Art on June 11 and continues through Sept. 11. The High will be the only U.S. venue for “Walker Evans: Depth of Field,” which places Evans’ most recognized photographs within the larger context of his 50-year career. The exhibition will feature more than 120 black-and-white and color prints from the 1920s through the 1970s, including nine photographs from the museum’s permanent collection. For more information, visit high.org.

Tunes from the Tombs

Historic Oakland Cemetery will host its annual music festival on June 18 with Grammy-winning headliner Arrested Development. Also performing that day on the MailChimp main stage will be HeaveN Beatbox, James Hall, Adron, Rod Hamdallah and Atlanta Funk Society. The stage at North Public Grounds features a lineup of tribute bands, including: The Return (The Beatles), The Dirty Doors

SUMMER FUN

Intown heats up with music, art, food and more

Park Tavern, 500 10th Street, and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance sign-up is $25 per team. To see the rules, items required to participate and more, visit GreatCityRace.com.

Beer Garden & Silent Auction

(The Doors), The B-53’s (The B-52’s), Fauxgerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) and The Clermonts, who perform covers of various classic rock and party rock hits from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Additionally, Atlanta Taiko Project, Sarah Wilson and Zardine Glaze perform at various locations throughout the cemetery. Red Brick Brewing will host a beer garden and there will be some of the city’s favorite food trucks on hand like Angelfire7 BBQ, Atlanta Burger Truck, El Dorado, The Fry Guy, King of Pops, Just Loaf’N Po’Boys, Six Feet Under, Urban Taali and Yumbii. Advance general admission tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for children aged 4-12 (plus fees). For more information, visit oaklandcemetery.com.

Great City Race

This June 18 urban adventure is part “Amazing Race” and part scavenger hunt as participants race along the Atlanta BeltLine searching for clues that will lead them to a challenge. There will be cash and prizes for the winners who complete the race. The event begins at

The Wylde Center’s annual Beer Garden and Silent Auction Fundraiser will be held June 25 at the Oakhurst Garden, 435 Oakview Road, in Decatur. Each guest will receive a free souvenir Wylde Center tasting glass so they can sample brews from Terrapin, Three Taverns Brewery, Orpheus Brewing, Wild Heaven Craft Beer, Treehorn Cider and more. The menu will include tastings from a number of local restaurants including Farm Burger and Revolution Doughnuts, and live music by The Benders. VIP ticket holders will also enjoy signature cocktails by Kimball House, hors d’oeuvres by Revival and desserts by Proof Bakeshop. A VIP happy hour begins at 4:30 p.m., while the main event lasts from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. VIP tickets are $250 per pair and include additional benefits such as admission to the VIP party, access to sponsor/patron lounge, deck and restrooms, early bidding on auction items and more. Tickets are available at wyldecenter-beergarden. squarespace.com.

Summer ICE

Indie Craft Experience will host the 11th annual Summer ICE, its big summertime craft and vintage market, on June 25-26 from 11a.m. to 6 p.m., both days at the Georgia Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Admission is $5 (cash only) with kids under 12 admitted free. There will be more than 100 craft and vintage vendors, food, music and more. For more information, visit iceatlanta.com.

Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival

Nearly 100 arts and craft vendors will be on hand for the annual festival on June 2526 at Historic Fourth Ward Park. There will also be a children’s play area, live music

and food. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com.

Concerts in the Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s got some serious star-power for its annual concert series, being held at both the Midtown and Gainesville locations. In Atlanta: John Prine with Amanda Shires (June 25); Neko Case, k.d. lang & Laura Veirs with special guest Andy Shauf (July 29); Phillip Phillips & Matt Nathanson with special guest A Great Big World (July 30); and Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (Aug. 19). Up in Gainesville: The Four Tops (June 18); Indigo Girls (July 16); and Loretta Lynn (Aug. 13). For tickets and information, visit atlantabg.org.

Continued from page 26

Lyle Lovett & His Large Band at Concerts in the Garden

Loretta Lynn at Concerts in the Garden

Summer Ice

Arrested Development performs at Tombs from the Tombs

JAZZ & ART

Callanwolde has ‘beautiful atmosphere’ for concert series, exhibit

By Martha Nodar

The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center kicks off the 16th season of its Jazz on the Lawn Concert Series starting in June and running through early August.

It all started in the summer of 2001, when a small group of volunteers wearing “Jazz Cat” buttons welcomed the very first group of patrons coming to the mansion’s gardens for an outdoor concert. Gwen Hughes was among those artists performing in the original series.

Leading this year’s line-up is Virginia Schenck on June 10, followed by Joe Gransden on June 24, Joey Sommerville on July 8, Diane Durrett on July 22, and closing on Aug. 5, with Bob Baldwin.

Influenced by Louis Armstrong, Durrett said she sings from her soul and enjoys performing in a natural setting watching the patrons having a picnic and sitting on the lawn.

“Callanwolde is a very special place with a beautiful atmosphere,” she said. “It removes you from the day-to-day grind. It puts you in another place, in another time.”

Folks may also want to check out the mansion’s art gallery on the second floor where local artists display their work.

Nancy VanDevender of Buckhead will be showing her mixed media collection titled “Red Roux Gumbo,” from June 30 to Sept. 10.

Beholden to her southern roots, VanDevender’s pieces are an artinspired culinary tribute to family traditions that are passed on from generation to generation. A respite to a hurried world, she said her collection suggests the art of slowing down in the spirit of fellowship to hold “more

intimate conversations at the table.”

“Callanwolde’s beautiful home-like atmosphere is a very appropriate setting for this exhibit,” she said.

For more information, visit: callanwolde.org.

Are you Jewish ATL?

Now’s

What is #IamJewishATL?

#IamJewishATL is a collaborative market research e ort on behalf of Jewish organizations within Metro Atlanta - including synagogues, schools and agencies large and small - to understand what YOU are seeking Jewishly in Atlanta. Your feedback will generate o erings that better serve your needs and wants.

Why should I participate?

This is your chance to express what you think “Jewish Atlanta” should look like, whatever that means to you. Your opinions matter, so make your voice heard! For your time, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card grand prize or one of two $250 Visa gift cards.*

Who should participate?

If you are Jewish or live in a Jewish household, age 15 or older and living anywhere in metro Atlanta, we want to hear from you! Encourage all generations of your family to take the survey too.

How do I participate?

It’s simple. Just go to www.IamJewishATL.com and take the online survey NOW. Or, text JEWISHATL to 41411 to have the survey sent to your phone.

*See www.IamJewishATL.com for sweepstakes details.

Crowds gather for last year’s Callanwolde Jazz on the Lawn series.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY

Amplify Decatur concert series coming to downtown

The nonprofit organization Amplify My Community, which works to eradicate poverty at the local level, has announced the 2016 Amplify Decatur concert series will begin June 18 with a big outdoor festival on the Decatur Square.

The Grammy-nominated duo The Milk Carton Kids will co-headline the outdoor festival along with bluegrass favorites Elephant Revival. They will be supported by Penny & Sparrow and Eliot Bronson.

The June 18 festival features both a free and a ticketed component. From noon to 3 p.m. the festival will showcase emerging and local bands and will be free to the

public. From 5 to 11 p.m. the event will be ticketed, with admission restricted to ticket holders. Tickets cost $30 and are available via AmplifyDecatur.org. Premium seating is available for $45; VIP tickets are $100 and include preferred seating, complimentary beverages and other benefits.

The festival will include food trucks, craft beer and more. Re-entry will be permitted, allowing attendees to check out Decatur’s bar and restaurant scene.

Amplify Decatur will also feature a three-night stand at Eddie’s Attic from June 17-19. Participating bands include The Roosevelts, Delta Moon, Dwayne Shivers

with Anthony Aparo, and Abbie Gardner and Jesse Terry. Sunday, June 19, will include “Let’s Go Crazy,” a Prince cover night featuring 10 local and regional acts. Full information is available at EddiesAttic.com.

Amplify My Community, founded in 2010, has raised and donated more than $150,000 in unrestricted gifts to locally oriented anti-homelessness and poverty-focused organizations. All funds raised during this year’s festival will be directed to Decatur Cooperative Ministry (DCM) to support its efforts to prevent and alleviate homelessness in Decatur and DeKalb County.

Every Robin Loves Their Nest.

Milk Carton Kids

Penny & Sparrow

Elephant Revival

Eliot Bronson

THE ART OF WEATHER

Kyle Brooks gets Weather Channel commission

We love when one of our favorite contributors makes good and artist Kyle Brooks – known by the moniker BlackCatTips – has seen his profile rise considerably thanks to the Weather Channel and Samsung.

Brooks, who designed our 20th anniversary issue cover, created a series of art pieces for the Weather Channel’s new app, which is available exclusively for Samsung phone users.

Brooks said the Weather Channel wanted to incorporate street folk art in a “new and fun way.” As expected, the results are whimsical, funny and unlike any weather app we’ve ever seen.

To get the app for your Samsung device, visit weather.com/Samsung. You can also check out Brooks’ website at blackcattips.com.

– Collin Kelley

• Has child birth or menopause relaxed or stretched your feminine tissue?

• Is dryness limiting or causing painful intercourse?

• Do you occasionally dribble or leak when you sneeze, cough or exercise?

• Have you ever “not quite made it” to the bathroom on time?

rediscover themselves. June 3 through June 25. $14 to $20. onstageatlanta.com

The Bird Dogs present The Everly Brothers: The Bird Dogs bring a genuine and youthful Everly Brothers experience to the stage at City Winery, a new music venue at Ponce City Market. June 15. $20 to $28. citywinery.com

Harry Connick Jr.: Hear everything from New Orleans jazz and stride piano to contemporary New Orleans music and pop

Visual Arts

Tiovivo: Whimsical Sculptures by Jaime Hayon: These four, large-scale wooden sculptures interpret the familiar shapes of animals and other objects and feature ways for visitors to interact with the art for free, outside the High Museum. Opens June 3. Free. high.org

Marcus Kenney: Babble: Visit Marcia Wood Gallery Midtown to see works by Marcus Kenney, who is known for both his cultural mash-up imagery and his range of materials and methods. Closes June 18. Free. marciawoodgallery.com

Georgia’s Global Peacemakers: The Carter and King Legacy: This exhibit at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site highlights the peacemaking accomplishments of Georgia’s two great leaders of change, President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Daily. Free. thekingcenter.org

Georgia Artists: This juried exhibit

at the Abernathy Arts Center features a wide variety of works by several Georgia artists. Closes June 17. Free. fultonarts.org

The Dapper Comes to the Walkers: Dapper Bruce LaFitte honors marching band culture in his exhibition of drawings at Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. Tuesday through Saturday. Free. atlantacontemporary.org

Rana Rochat Exhibit: Alan Avery Art Gallery presents works by Rana Rochat described as stunningly beautiful visual vocabularies of layered lines with gritty surfaces and amorphous shapes. Closes June 4. Free. alanaveryartcompany.com

Beautiful Users: This exhibit at MODA features nearly 100 objects that illustrate the evolution of “user-centered design.” Opens June 26. $5 to $10. Museumofdesign.org

Grand Divertissement à Versailles - Vintage Photographs by Bill Cunningham: Explore Bill Cunningham’s unique perspective as a staff photographer for The New York Times and as an icon of New York and international fashion. Tuesday through Sunday. $5 to $10. scadfash.org

Abstraction Today: This show features pieces by artists working in abstraction today that were curated by Atlanta’s most prominent galleries for exhibition at MOCA. Tuesday through Saturday. $5 to $8. mocaga.org

Performing Arts

Significant Other: Actor’s Express favorite Joshua Harmon goes from “Bad Jews” to bad dates in this comedy about searching for love and moving on. Closes June 19. $20 to $40. actors-express.com

Pancakes, Pancakes!: Alliance Theatre’s world premiere play is a delightful homage to the beautiful artwork and unique artistic process of Eric Carle. Tuesday through Sunday. $8 to $15. alliancetheatre.org

Maks & Val Live On Tour: Our Way: Visit Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre to see this dance tour by Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, stars of ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars.” $46.50 to $76.50. cobbenergycentre.com

Enchanted April: Two frustrated London housewives on break from their spouses escape to an Italian villa to

vocals by Harry Connick Jr. at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. June 11. $45 to $95. chastainseries.com

Season Finale! Special Guest Pianist André Watts, Spano Conducts All-Brahms Evening: Visit the Atlanta Symphony Hall for an evening of Brahms music performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. June 9 through 12. $25 to $94. atlantasymphony.org

Of Mice & Men: In a story about friendship, fate and fortitude, two farmhands wander through California’s Salinas Valley, leaning on each other to find their way in this powerful adaptation. Opens June 9. $25 to $30. serenbeplayhouse.com

The Wizard of Oz: This new production at the Fox Theatre is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. June 21 through 26. $30 to $85. atlanta. broadway.com

Amplify Decatur Music Festival: Visit the Decatur Square for performances by The Milk Carton Kids, Elephant Revival, Penny & Sparrow and Eliot Bronson. June 18. $30 to $100. amplifydecatur.org

Jon Carr’s Mutual Core: Atlanta contemporary dance artist Jon Carr’s first full-length production focuses on peeling away labels, biases and designations to reexperience one’s origin of self. June 17 and 18. $20. 7stages.org

The Modern Atlanta Dance Festival: See the best of Georgia’s contemporary dance with a variety of choreographers, techniques and artistic visions in a single evening. June 3 and 4. $20. fullradiusdance. org

Journey: Visit Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood to see Journey in performance along with The Doobie Brothers and Dave Mason. June 8. $30 to $145. thelakewoodamphitheater.com

Tiovivo at the High Museum

The Wizard of Oz at The Fox

By Isadora Pennington

It can be easy to forget how amazing Atlanta’s art scene is. We all kind of take it for granted that there’s a continuous ebb and flow of art decorating the walls of our city. With numerous neighborhood galleries peppered throughout, festivals all summer long, and a culture that embraces graffiti art, this town is ripe for artistic expression, and we’re lucky to have so many artists who love and lend their talents to their communities.

You may have seen the work of these Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward-based artists we’re spotlighting on a wall inside your favorite local restaurant, displayed at a local art gallery, sketched on a sidewalk during a street festival, or sprawled across a wall of a nearby business and wondered, “Who made that?”

R. Land

ART IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Artists find inspiration, opportunity in Inman Park & Old Fourth Ward

Ann-Marie Manker

“I’ve lived in my house on Dixie Avenue for five years. Before that I lived on Waddell Street. I got a late start with art as a senior in high school after I transfered out of a soul sucking DOS computer programming class. I made my first painting on canvas and fell in love. It was a cheesy surreal beachscape with a bed on the beach. I pursued painting with a BFA from the University of Southern California in 1992. I received my MFA from GSU in 2004 and have been teaching mostly drawing at SCAD ATL the last 10 years. I’ve shown both nationally and internationally, and my work focuses on psychologically driven narratives of that involve figures. As of late, I’ve been drawing slayers that hunt chimerical creatures that are a mix of rooster and desert landscape. Locally, I’m represented by Whitespace Gallery, also in Inman Park. My latest solo exhibition was at the gallery last fall. You can find my work there, but I also participate in group shows at alternative spaces such as Kibbee Gallery or Hi-Lo Press. For my most recent work, go to annmariemanker.com. I’m also on Facebook and Instagram.”

“I’ve been living in this city for about 16 years now. My mediums range from paintings on wood, incised multi-layered pieces were a thing I specialized in 15 or 20 years ago, paintings on car hoods (over 100 in the last 20 years), but in general I don’t think I see any particular medium as the go-to. I have always been someone who has enjoyed finding ways to express my ideas, but I don’t know if I have ever considered myself an “artist” in the sense that I think of artists that I respect and admire. I just love people who establish their own unique category or niche in the world - when you see anything that they are involved with creatively - you immediately know who’s behind it. Maybe not just from a style standpoint alone, but also sensibility. I have been doing this for over 30 years full time; 12 to 18 hours per day! It’s the only way I know how to be. You can see more of my work online at RLandArt.com, and contact me by emailing RLand@RLandArt.com.”

Katie Bush

“I moved to Old Fourth Ward about a year ago, though I was born and raised in Atlanta. I have a BFA from GSU [Georgia State University] and a MAEd from UGA [University of Georgia], both in art education. I’ve worked at the Hunter Museum of American Art, Marietta Museum of Art and High Museum of Art, among other places. I currently work at a nonprofit where I administer aptitude tests. A few years ago, while working in Marietta, I helped organize the Marietta Chalk Fest and I was inspired to try it myself. Since then, I’ve won multiple awards. I can make and do anything, but I am primarily sought out for my expertise in chalk art, street paintings, murals, menu boards, corporate events and the like. I’ve spent up to 36 hours, possibly more, on a single work of chalk art. When it rains, it washes away completely. You can see a list of my upcoming events on my website at artkatie.com. You can reach me at Katie@ ArtKatie.com or find me on Instagram @not.kate.bush.”

Chris Veal

“I’ve lived in the 4th Ward area since around 1999. I’m an artist for hire and my favorite medium of choice is spray paint. I got my start as an artist by painting in abandoned buildings and under bridges. After painting for a while, I started taking commissions from online websites. I attended AIU [American InterContinental University] for schooling in graphic design, but got sick of looking at computers, so I focused more on murals and canvas work. Lately most of my jobs come from social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram (@caveal). Other than that, my work can just be seen around town in places like the Highland Bakery, King of Pops headquarters, Little 5 Points and my “I miss Buckhead” wall on Ponce. This year has been off to an amazing start with lots of great projects planned. Painting for Forward Warrior, Grind House Killer Burgers, Fire in the 4th, and much more are in the works.”

FRESH FOOD & DRINKS

A roundup of newly-opened and coming soon restaurants

By Collin Kelley

If it seems like Intown has gone restaurant crazy, we won’t disagree with you. Keeping up with the number of new eateries and drinking spots can be daunting, but we’ve tried to make it easier with this roundup of what’s recently opened and what’s on the horizon. As usual, there is something for every taste and price range here, so put on your eatin’ pants and get out there.

East of Chicago Pizza

This new pie joint has officially opened their first Georgia location at 349 Decatur Street at the Pencil Factory Flats and

Shops offering pizza, pasta, subs, wings, burgers and bread sticks. For more visit eastofchicago.com.

Atwood’s Pizza Café

Now open on the ground floor of The Biltmore building, 817 West Peachtree Street in Midtown, Atwood’s Pizza Café offers dine in, grab-and-go and delivery for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. The menu focuses on cookedto-order, soup, salads, sandwiches and subs. There’s also a coffee bar serving up cappuccinos, lattes, drip-pour coffee and house-made syrups. For more visit, atwoodspizza.com.

Scofflaw Brewing Company

More than two years in the making, Scofflaw is the brainchild of owner Matt Shirah, who enlisted the help of brewmaster and co-founder Travis Herman. Located in northwest Atlanta’s Bolton neighborhood at 1738 MacArther Boulevard, Scofflaw Brewing Co. boasts an 18,419-square-foot production facility and a tasting room expected to open this month. On the pouring menu: Several tropical and hop forward IPAs, a pale ale and an imperial barrel-aged stout. For more information, visit facebook.com/scofflawbrewingco.

Rising Son

The former Bishop space at 124 North Avondale Road in Avondale Estates has been transformed into a new breakfast and lunch spot serving up such menu items as grits, biscuits, bacon, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches and a “meat and three” menu. For more, visit facebook.com/ RisingSonavondale.

Gaja

East Atlantans have a new Korean restaurant to check out at 491-A Float Shoals Ave. SE. There’s no sign, so look for the mint green door. The menu includes Korean fried chicken, pork chops, spicy crab soup and more. Visit gajaeav.com for more information.

Linton’s

Chef Linton Hopkins’ latest outpost is located on the grounds of Midtown’s Atlanta Botanical Garden in a light-filled, airy building and patio that fits perfectly into the

landscape. The “Petit Café” menu offers Southern-inspired sandwiches and snacks including chicken salad, pimento cheese, grilled cheese, PB&J, tomato soup, Spotted Trotter hot dogs and King of Pops. Dinner and brunch menus are more expansive with paneed mountain trout, iron skillet New York Strip, French omelets and more. To see all the menus and make reservations, visit lintonsinthegarden.com.

Richards’ Southern Fried

Chef Todd Richards’ chicken stall is expected to open this summer at Krog Street Market in Inman Park. The stall will be serving up three kinds of fried chicken – classic, hot and “Richards’ HOT” – as well as veggies. Visit richardssouthernfried.com for more.

Barcelona Westside Ironworks

The always packed Inman Park restaurant now has a sister site on the Westside in the Ironworks development, 1085 Howell Mill Road. The Spanish menu features charcuterie, tapas, salads and an impressive drinks selection. Visit barcelonawinebar.com for more information.

5Church

The “modern American” restaurant under the helm of Chef RJ Cooper may already be open by the time you read this. Located 1197 Peachtree Street in Colony Square, the restaurant will serve dinner nightly, with lunch and weekend brunch service to follow at a later date. The menu includes steaks, chops, chicken, sandwiches, salads and a variety of sides. For more information, visit 5ChurchAtlanta.com.

Communion Beer Garden at Revival

Chef Kevin Gillespie has opened Communion, a German beer garden, in the backyard of his popular Revival restaurant in Decatur. A food truck will allow guests to sample executive chef Andreas Müller’s inspired takes on classic beer garden snacks, including grilled rye with Kartoffelkäse, Bavarian-style pretzels with hot mustard and Obatzda and grilled sausages with sauerkraut, mustard and beef fat-fried potatoes. The drink list offers a selection of European-style draft and bottled

session beers, Old World-style wines, punches and batched cocktails. Upon arrival, guests purchase tokens – $5 each –from the Communion cashier and spend them on drinks and food truck purchases. Any unused tokens can be used on future visits. Most food truck snacks and drinks are one to three tokens, with server and bartender gratuities already factored into the price of each. For more information, visit revivaldecatur.com.

Ponce City Market

Miniature golf, carnival games and other attractions will be the big draw to The Roof at Ponce City Market this summer, but so will Nine Mile Station – a beer garden and concession stand serving up cold brews, snow cones, gourmet hot dogs and more. Also recently open: Botiwalla, an Indian street grill offering kabobs, flatbreads and more. For more, visit poncecitymarket.com.

Lenox Square

The Buckhead mall has two new eateries for hungry shoppers to try. Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe (tazikiscafe. com) is a casual dining restaurant that specializes in dishes using wholesome, fresh ingredients and flavors. Its menu is contains chef-driven recipes prepared daily from fresh ingredients, and the eatery believes in bringing Southern hospitality to Mediterranean dishes, giving families healthy alternatives for their dining options. Opening in April, Rise Pies (risepies.com) will offer its line of both classic and specialty pizzas. Foodies can also build their own pizza by choosing from three kinds of dough, six sauces, eight cheeses and 23 toppings.

East of Chicago Pizza

Atwood’s Pizza

Taziki’s

Linton’s

Boulevard in late July, but in the meantime he’s been hosting a series of pop-ups at ONE. midtown kitchen and other local eateries so you can get a taste of what’s to come. Check on the progress at nextoatl.com.

Taverna Atlanta

The Shops Buckhead Atlanta will replace the recently shuttered Thirteen Pies with Taverna Atlanta this autumn. The restaurant, from Lombardi Family Concepts, will offer Northern Italian delights such as oven-fired pizzas, salads, risotto and more.

Yebo Beach Haus

Restaurateur Justin Anthony closed Yebo at Phipps Plaza but has opened Yebo Beach Haus at 111 West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. With a focus on South African-inspired small plates, the menu includes dishes like shrimp peri-peri tacos, tomato and watermelon bruschetta, grilled swordfish sandwiches and boerewors meatballs. For more information, visit facebook.com/yebobeachhaus

Morningside Kitchen

Tom Murphy has taken over the former Rosebud space at 1397 N. Highland Ave. in Virginia-Highland for this new dinner, brunch and drinks space. The menu includes burgers, fish, ribs, steak, chicken and more. Visit morningside-kitchen.com for more information.

Amer

This new Inman Park cocktail bar is from the team that created Westside’s Bocado. The menu includes classic cocktails with a focus on bitters and Italian Amari. The food menu is made up of small plates and savory bar snacks like oysters, hummus, grilled cheese, prosciutto and pork belly sandwiches. The bar is located in the Inman Quarter development, 299 N. Highland Ave. Visit ameratlanta.com for more information.

Nexto

Chef Mihoko Obunai is planning to open this ramen restaurant at 828 Ralph McGill

Morningside Kitchen

Yebo Beach Haus

By Isadora Pennington

“Izzy, eat your meal first, it will get cold.” That was a phrase I heard often as a child, when I was chided again and again for skipping the protein and going straight for the fries. As far as I was concerned, I might get full and not eat everything, so I wanted to make sure I ate all the fries first.

Potatoes are so great, guys. Aren’t they? Almost everyone loves them in some form or another. There’s the classic baked potato, the ever-popular potato chip, there’s hashbrowns, au gratin, potato soup, potato bread... I mean, even vodka is a potato product. And yet somehow, the simple French fry has managed to transcend all the others. The pinnacle success of a potato’s life.

One of the things that French fries have going for them is they are just so adaptable. They’re great on their own, served street style in a paper cone, or alongside a burger and dipped in ketchup, but they also serve as a medium for plenty of other yummy tastes. Add chili, or nacho fixin’s, just cheese

STAY CRISPY!

Tasting some of Intown’s favorite French fries

or even dip them in ice cream. I’ve tried, but I actually can’t imagine any scenario in which I don’t enjoy munching on some French fries.

So, I guess it should come as no surprise that this was a particularly fun task for me to undertake – to find, taste (of course), and photograph my favorite French fries from around Intown. Now it goes without saying that there are tons of restaurants serving these crispy potato snacks here, so obviously this list could be much, much longer, but here are at least a few of my favorite spots to get you started.

Stay crispy!

The Fry Guy

Bacon fries, served covered with bacon, bacon mayonnaise and green onion. 88 Forsyth St. SW. (404) 606-7151 or fryguyatlanta.com.

The Porter Beer Bar

Belgian Fries sprinkled with herb and garlic oil, served with charred onion mayonnaise for dipping. 1156 Euclid Ave. NE. (404) 223-0393 or theporterbeerbar.com

Illegal Food

Okonomiyaki fries, served with Japanese mayo, okonomiyaki sauce, fermented chili sauce, bonito flakes, shredded nori, green onion, sesame seed and beni shoga. 1044 Greenwood Ave. NE. (404) 254-2141 or illegalfoodatlanta.com

Leon’s Full Service

Hand-cut pomme frites, served with your choice of dipping sauces. Pictured here: garlic aioli, goat cheese fondue and chipotle mayonnaise. 131 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. (404) 687-0500 or leonsfullservice.com.

Noni’s Bar & Deli

Noni’s garlic fries, salted and served with ketchup. 357 Edgewood Ave. SE. (404) 343-1808 or nonisdeli.com.

Tasting Intown

By Megan Volpert

BRUSH SUSHI IZAKAYA

There are a few decent sushi spots in Decatur, but sometimes only one of us is in the mood for fresh fish. What about when I want some serious grilled meat, while my wife is refusing to eat anything other than a spicy tuna roll? I’m not going to swing by Chick-fil-A and then walk into the sushi place with my side of greasy goodness.

Restaurant Review

The other problem is we go out for sushi often enough that it doesn’t really feel special anymore. If you’ve already spent a few lazy evenings in your pajama pants on the patio at the local sushi joint, you’ll be hard pressed to ever look at that restaurant as date night material ever again. How can I keep it classy, but still have good sushi? I’m not

eaters can hit the heart, neck, cartilage and other items that are comparatively rare. You don’t see a lot of conservationist whole-bird butchering in Atlanta.

There are some things on the menu that are gaining in popularity right now. The house chashu rice with soy-cured yolk and seared pork belly will satisfy folks who usually stick to the safety of ramen or fried rice. There’s a nice rice-less poke (fish salad) of tuna, salmon, avocado and house chili oil that was thoroughly flavorful without going overboard into spicy territory. For those who do enjoy more spicy food, they have a yellowtail jalapeno that I’d put up against Umi’s. While Umi lays a pepper slice right on the fish, Brush does it as a puree that looks just as lovely while thankfully distributing the heat more evenly.

getting in to Himitsu at the last minute, and in any case, Decatur is just a $7 Uber ride away. After dinner, we might like to go for a stroll before heading home, too.

Enter Brush Sushi Izakaya. Some people have complained that it’s too expensive and that Decatur is already full of decent sushi. It’s true that this place is more expensive than other nearby places; save it for date night or when you’ve got visiting in-laws to wrangle. Brush will especially please your father-in-law, who notoriously subsists on steak and baked potatoes. This is because Brush is not really a sushi place.

Brush is a Japanese gastropub specializing in yakitori. Gastropub: snacks and plates somewhat bigger than what we think of as tapas, but still smaller than a full entrée and usually meant for sharing. Yakitori: skewers upon skewers of grilled chicken parts that are delicious and not very greasy. Also, kushikatsu: skewers more heavily seasoned and breaded than yakitori. All skewers runs from $2.50 to $6, with a chef’s choice mixed plate at $18 to $20. Eaters new to this type of grilling can stick to wings and thighs, maybe a little pork belly. More adventurous

With the ramen renaissance in our city, from Nexto to Jinya, Atlanta will need to be increasingly discerning about the broadly competitive field of Asian cuisines. At a minimum, our vocabulary needs to get somewhat beyond edamame, nigiri and omakase. The dish that will keep Brush in the running for top tier dining in this regard is definitely the snow crab chawanmushi. Chawanmushi: a hot or cold egg custard. Brush’s version arrives steaming in a gorgeous clay pot. The silky

custard is wonderfully delicate and the snow crab is evident throughout. Between the pop of the ikura (salmon caviar) and the umami (savory taste) of the Shimeji mushrooms, Brush’s snow crab chawanmushi is one of the best ways to spend $9 in Decatur.

Brush Sushi Izakaya, 316 Church St., Decatur, 30030. For more, visit brushatl.com or call (678) 949-9412.

Megan Volpert lives in Decatur, teaches in Roswell and writes books about popular culture.

Yellowtail jalapeno.

A selection of skewers.

Rice-less poke (fish salad).

Quick Bites

The 6th annual Atlanta Summer Beer Fest will be held at Historic 4th Ward Park on Saturday, June 18, from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will feature 200-plus beers, ciders and a small selection of wines. There will also be live music with Ocean Street. Advance tickets are $40 ($45 after June 9) and $55 day of event. Tickets can be purchased from atlantasummerbeerfest.com.

Decatur will be the first community in Georgia to receive a 365 by Whole Foods Market grocery store, according to a report at Decaturish. The smaller store concept will be part of the forthcoming North Decatur Square shopping center being developed by S.J. Collins Enterprises at North Decatur Road and Church Street.

TAP in Midtown has a new chef, Tyler Williams. A graduate of the Western Culinary Institute, Williams was previously sous chef at Bacchanalia and executive chef at Abattoir.

The Garden Hills locations of Fellini’s Pizza and LaFonda restaurant will be demolished to make way for a larger building to house an expanded Fellini’s, according to a report from BuckheadView. The new Fellini’s will have a bigger patio and under-building parking. The two restaurants were the last vestiges of the old Garden Hills shopping center (including the historic Garden Hills Cinema) along Peachtree Road that was damaged by fire in 2013. The strip has been torn down and

will be replaced by a mixed-use office and retail development.

Ponce City Market has opened the The Shed, and open-air patio space parallel to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, which is playing host to the Ponce City Farmers Market every Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 20. The market will include everything from prepared food and fresh produce to home and beauty products by vendors such as King of Pops, Farm Burger, Big Daddy Biscuits, JARDí CHOCOLATES, Turnrow Bath Body & Home, Herb’N Eden, Aluma Farm, King of Crops, Truly Living Well, Scharko Farms and two stix, among others.

The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and Central Atlanta Progress, with support from MARTA and the South Downtown

community, will host Food Truck Fridays on Broad Street Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. all summer long. There will be a variety of food truck vendors from around city offering up a diverse array of street eats.

Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland has been undergoing significant renovation for the last few months and recently announced on its Facebook page that the scheduled construction completion date is July 22. We know we can safely speak for the entire community when we say, “Hurry!”

Food Truck Fridays on Broad Street Plaza

Chef Tyler Williams

Ponce City Farmers Market

Amenities, attractions draw home buyers to the mountains

By Kathy Dean

There’s a lot to love about living in the city, but everyone needs a change of scenery from time to time. Luckily for Atlanta residents, some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Southeast is just north of the city, in the foothills of the Appalachians.

“Mountain life is appealing because it has a low-key resort feel with lots of amenities and attractions,” said Nathan Fitts, with Nathan Fitts & Team of REMAX Town & Country. “Blue Ridge is just 90 miles from downtown Atlanta, making it a great weekend escape for those looking to get a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

It’s a perfect fit for those who love the great outdoors, as there are 106,000 acres in the Chattahoochee National Forest offering horseback riding, whitewater rafting, tubing, zip lining, mountain biking trails and hiking trails – including the Benton MacKaye Trail and the beginning of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain.

“Some of the best trout fishing waters on the East Coast are in Blue Ridge, which has been designated by the state as ‘The Trout Capital of Georgia,’” Fitts reported.

Local mountain trout is a popular dish in many of the region’s eateries, too. The historic downtown Blue Ridge area is full of upscale and specialty restaurants. Other favorite foods that visitors enjoy include barbeque, fried apple pies, biscuits and grits and sausage gravy.

“The mountains of north Georgia provide peace, beauty, solitude and outdoor recreation,” said June Slusser, CEO, Coldwell Banker High Country Realty. “Clean air, the night sky filled with stars and a lack of urban noise is what many city dwellers look for. What they find is even greater than their expectations – lively, small downtowns, quaint shops, extraordinary restaurants, community

theater, the arts and so much more.”

Among that “so much more” is the ecotourism opportunities offered at orchards, farms and wineries. Festivals –such as Trout Fest, Wine and Jazz Fest, Big Green Egg Fest, Blues and BBQ, Arts in the Park and Apple Festival – fill the calendar.

Of course, visitors still ride the train – The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway – and walk along Main Street while browsing the antique shops, boutiques and galleries. They enjoy stopping for a bite at the cafes while drinking in the small town atmosphere and chatting with the friendly folks who pass by.

“Other big draws are the ever-growing Union County Farmer’s Market, as well as new wineries and wedding venues,” Slusser said. “There’s always a crowd heading to Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy and more musical events are slated for the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Expanding and upgraded RV parks bring in more campers, too.”

Highlands gives the Atlanta community a quick get-away spot with a short 2-2 ½ hour drive. Bill Gilmore, provisional broker, Highlands Cove Realty and Atlanta Realtor with PalmerHouse

Properties, noted that the elevation offers a lower temperature of 10 to 15 degrees, and fresh air cleaned by the National Forests awakens the senses. Hikes and views appeal to everyone, with the most popular destination being Whiteside Mountain.

“Many Atlantans belong to one of the 12 private golf clubs or play the three public courses,” Gilmore said. “Visitors also love the variety of restaurants and shopping

offered in both Highlands and Cashiers, and there are many events that add to special time spent in the mountains.”

He suggested stopping at local farmers’ markets that are open summer through fall to stock up on fresh fruit, local cheeses and produce from the region. Visitors should be sure to schedule time for the Highlands 10th annual Culinary Weekend, Nov. 10-13, too.

“In October, many Atlanta residents come to see the shadow cast in the valley from Whiteside Mountain,” Gilmore said. “It’s called the Spirit Bear or Bear Shadow and appears just before sunset.”

One key to Big Canoe’s attraction is its proximity to Atlanta and the surrounding metro area. It’s only one hour from the high energy of the city, yet once a person passes through the gates and crosses over the covered bridge, they feel a million miles away.

“In today’s nonstop, fast-paced world, time is our most precious gift,” said Katie Wercholuk, marketing director, Big Canoe Company, LLC, the only real estate agency inside the gates of Big Canoe. “Big Canoe’s

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A rocking chair view of the mountains.

Top photo: Lake Petit at Big Canoe. Bottom photo: Modern meets rustic.

convenient yet secluded location means less time spent driving to a mountain retreat and more time spent breathing the clean mountain air, teeing off, casting a line, lounging lakeside, reading a favorite book and sharing moments worth remembering with the ones who matter most.”

Sixty percent of the population in Big Canoe, a vibrant, year-round community, is made up of full-time residents. Many commute to work in Atlanta, since Ga. 400 and other major highways provide easy access.

“Big Canoe has the rare mix of community friendship, national park-like beauty and comfortable living with a full

set of amenities,” Wercholuk explained. “This combination is uncommon and makes Big Canoe an ideal environment to raise a family, vacation or retire. We provide the sense of well-being and security that many Atlanta residents are after by being a private, gated community.” Within its gates, Big Canoe offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, three waterfalls, three lakes, 2,600-plus families, 50-plus community clubs, 27 holes of golf and more. Resort-style amenities include a fitness center/spa, clubhouse, marina with electric boating and fishing, swim club, racquet club with tennis and pickleball courts, bocce ball, hiking and biking trails and golf. It has its own postal facility, trash/ recycling center, water company, fire and rescue station, chapel and animal rescue.

“We’re also close to top area attractions in Blue Ridge, Dawsonville and Dahlonega,” said Wercholuk. “All of the charm of the north Georgia mountains are right at your fingertips when you live in Big Canoe.”

City dwellers are looking for fresh air, peace and quiet, and gorgeous mountain views, and Big Canoe has all that and more. Residents can choose to own a milliondollar mountain house with long-range views of the Atlanta skyline or a Southern Living inspired cottage with views of the golf course. There are many options, and that’s one of the best parts of living there.

For anyone interested in learning more, the exclusive Discovery Package is the ideal way to experience life as a Big Canoe resident. Extremely popular since it was launched in May of last year, it offers a 2-night/3-day stay in a private mountain home for just $375. The package includes 18 holes of golf per couple, a $50 voucher towards dining at Sconti Clubhouse, a private tour of the community and its diverse group of neighborhoods.

“We’re finding that city dwellers are becoming more adventure-seeking and are interested in an outdoor lifestyle, Wercholuk reported. “With our unique Jeep Trail, 22 miles of award-winning hiking/biking trails, three outdoor dog parks, three waterfalls, three lakes and scenic mountain landscapes, they have it all. In fact, we won 2015 Hiking Community of the Year from Bliss AwardsReal Estate Scorecard.”

Since neighborhoods with trails and locations that promote outdoor living are highly desired, one of Big Canoe’s most

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Big windows and rustic design are popular with mountain homes.

Are the Mountains Calling You?

Ellijay, GA 5BR/5BA/4HB $1,250,000

Exquisite Mountain Home on 8.2 acres exceeds all expectations of space, design, custom features, privacy, and offers year-round Mountain views. In gated community and borders USFS. Five ensuite BRs + 4 powder rooms. An outdoor fireplace AND a 6 car garage. So many more features and benefits make this a very special property. A MUST SEE!

MLS 256584 Call Mark Reeves 706.455.2418

Ellijay, GA 3BR/3BA $490,000

Upscale Adirondack style mountain home on 1.1 acre beside the Ellijay River. Master suite on main, open kitchen overlooking keeping room with FP. Lodge style living room with FP and French doors to screened outdoor living room with 3rd massive fireplace. Words & pictures can’t do it justice. You MUST come experience mountain living here. MLS 255208 Call Mark Reeves 706.455.2418

Morganton, GA 5BR/4.5BA $699,000

Amazing Barna Log home atop mtn ridge (3000’ elevation) and bordering USFS. All custom with upscale finishes & fixtures, floor to ceiling FP, heart pine floors, chef’s kitchen, 3 zone HVAC, spa with steam room, screen porch, oversized carport. Year round long range views. 1+ acre lot. 25 min to Blue Ridge – 45 to new Murphy Casino. This one has it ALL! MLS 253109 Call Mark Reeves 706.455.2418

Morganton, GA 7BR/4.5BA $1,649,900

6000 SF luxury Mtn. Estate on 126+ acres. Craftsman style home with 2500’ creek frontage, 3 car garage, pasture, spring fed trout pond, studio apt., hiking trails, much, much more! MLS 256320 Call Teresa Bidez 706.455.2911

Blue Ridge, GA 5BR/5.5BA $789,900

Ridges Over the Lake - Custom Built Craftsman style Lodge on 1.5 ac. overlooks impressive Mtn View & Lake Blue Ridge. Rustic elegance thruout. 2 stunning masonry rocked FPs. 2 car garage. MLS 256079 Call Donna O’Neal 770.356.9034

Epworth, GA 4BR/2BA $288,500

Spacious weekender on 1.3 flat acres with 280 feet on Fightingtown Creek. Fly fish, tube & kayak from your yard. True master on the main, cozy stone fireplace in the open concept living/dining/kitchen. Partial, unfinished basement for storage & workshop. Decks galore AND a covered rocking chair front porch. 20 minutes to Blue Ridge and Ocoee River Gorge. MLS 257760 Call Mark Reeves 706.455.2418

Blairsville, GA 3BR/3BA $315,000

Elegant 2856SF country home on 6 acres with year round Mtn views. Quality reconstruction of 1916 home, high end amenities, 3 stone FPs, huge master and much more. MLS 257587

Call Linda Bowen-Hughes 706.897.2956

Morganton, GA 4BR/3BA $314,900

Ideal Mtn home on 1+ ac with year round Mtn view. No steep roads! Two bedrooms on main and real master suite upstairs with living room & screen porch.

MLS 257382

Call Kimberly Bruner 706.455.5703

Cherry Log, GA 3BR/3BA $424,800

Prow front log sided home on 3.6 ac. with year round Mtn views. Tons of upgrades and special features. Huge open great room, chef’s kitchen, large master, gated, paved road access. WOW! MLS 256850 Call Mark Engeldow 706.633.3988

Mineral Bluff, GA 4BR/3BA $345,000

Gorgeous home with 2 acres on private lake and access to the Toccoa River. Screen porch overlooks lake, master on main, basement with BR/BA, living room, 2nd kitchen. MLS 253670 Call Kimberly Bruner 706.455.5703

Blairsville, GA 3BR/2.5BA $275,000

Spacious mountain home – long range views! Top of the line renovation – new fixtures, flooring, granite. Two decks. Upscale area with paved roads – easy access. MLS 252731

Call Linda Bowen-Hughes 706.897.2956

Blairsville, GA 3BR/3BA $194,500

Spacious 2 story cabin on 1.9 ac features main floor master, kitchen, great room, rock FP, loft suite with sitting area, large decks, garage. Gentle, usable acreage.

MLS 257491

Call Linda Bowen-Hughes 706.897.2956

PARKS & RECREATION

State parks and rivers offer recreation, history and more

By Collin Kelley

North Georgia is home to some of the state’s most scenic – and popular – parks. If you’re planning a move to the mountains or even just looking for a weekend getaway, these state parks offer recreation, history and fun for all ages. This is the first part in a series of stories on North Georgia parks that will appear in the summer issues of INtown.

Hardman Farm

Georgia’s newest state park, which opened in 2015, is the 173-acre Hardman Farm located in historic Sautee Nacoochee, just south of Helen.

The farm is best known for a favorite landmark: The gazebo-topped Nacoochee Mound, a burial site probably used long before the Cherokee inhabited the area, which sits in the middle of verdant cow pasture. Visitors can make reservations for guided tours of the house and dairy barn.

The house, built in 1870 by Captain James Nichols, is a grand example of Italianate architecture and was originally known as “West End” because it was at the west end of the Nacoochee valley. Visitors will enjoy seeing the house, with its 19th-century parlor, original lighting, and

interesting telephone and climate control system. The large barn was the focal point of Nacoochee Dairy that operated from 1910 until the mid-1920s. During tours, guests will learn how milk was processed and transported in the past, plus they will see a spring house and former horse barn.

The last owner of this property was the family of Dr. Lamartine Hardman who was governor of Georgia from 1927 to 1931. The farm was preserved and donated to the state of Georgia in 1999.

For reservations and more information about events and activities at the farm, visit gastateparks.org/HardmanFarm.

Amicalola Falls

At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast. Visitors have choices on how to best view the tumbling waters, ranging from an accessible pathway to a challenging trail with staircases.

Those who tackle the latter can join the park’s Canyon Climbers Club. An 8.5mile trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the famous 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail.

For more information, visit gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls

Etowah River Water Trail

With the exception of the upper reaches of the river (Hightower and Etowah Falls sections), Etowa is rated as a Class I river with faltwater interupted occasionally by small shoals and rapids, and is suitable for novice paddlers.

Scenery along the river ranges from wild (Headwaters, Dawson Forest and other sections) as it winds through national forests and state wildlife management areas to rural and even urban.

The river is home to more Native American fish weirs than are found on all other Georgia rivers combined and historic sites, including the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, dot its banks from Dawsonville to Rome. The river passes through three state wildlife management areas (Dawson Forest, McGraw Ford and

Allatoona) the Chattahoochee National Forest and numerous local parks. For more information, visit etowahwatertrail.org.

Tallulah Gorge

Try your hand at deep gorge rock climbing at Tallulah Gorge, which is twomiles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor (100 per day, not available during water releases).

A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Tightrope walkers have twice crossed the gorge, and visitors can still see towers used by Karl Wallenda. For more, visit gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge

The burial mound at Hardman Farm.

Tallulah Gorge offers spectacular views.

Visitors take a tour of Hardman Farm.

Paddling on the Etowah River.

Hiking to Amicalola Falls is a popular weekend activity.

MOUNTAIN EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

If you’re thinking of moving to the North Georgia mountains and wondering what there is to do besides admire the view, check out this list of eclectic events happening this summer and fall.

Appalachian Wine & Jazz Festival

The annual Appalachian Wine & Jazz Festival will be held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee on June 11-12 with two days of wine, jazz, food and artists. Visit mountainwinefest.com for tickets and details.

Blairsville Scottish Festival

Bagpipes, drums, games and food will bring the Scottish Highlands to Blairsville on June 11-12. Admission is $10 for one day or $15 for both days. Children 12 and under get in free. Visit blairsvillescottishfestival.com for details.

Georgia Wine Country Festival

Three Sisters Vineyards in Dahlonega is marking 15 years by hosting this festival every weekend in June. A garden featuring wineries from around the state will be featured along with food trucks, jazz and more. Visit threesistersvineyards.com for details.

Simply Homegrown Farmers Market

This big market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City of Clayton Municipal Complex in Rabun County. Veggies, herbs, handmade goods and more can be found in the stalls. Visit rabunmarket.com for a list of vendors and more information.

Rabun County Music Festival

The annual music extravaganza returns to the Rearden Theatre on the campus of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Rabun County. The lineup includes: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (June 19); Paul Byrom (July 10); Antsy McClain and the Troubs (July 17); Married to Broadway (July 31); and Emile Pandolfi (Aug. 14). Tickets and details at rabunmusicfestival.com.

Georgia Mountain Fair

This year’s fair is July 15-23 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Rides, live music, food and much more draw thousands of visitors each year. Can’t make the summer event? The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival is Oct. 7-15. See all the events happening this summer at the fairgrounds at georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival

The annual festival will be held in the downtown Blue Ridge City Park on Sept. 17 from noon to 9 p.m. There will be barbeque, live music, craft beer, fun stuff for the kids and more. Find more information at facebook. com/BlueRidgeBluesandBBQ.

Georgia Apple Festival

The annual event is held over two weekends – Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16 – in Ellijay. There will be more than 300 vendors, an antique car show, a parade and plenty of apples. Visit georgiaapplefestival.org for information.

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sought-after spots is Wildcat, a mountain ridge neighborhood with a private reserve. Nearly half of the 700-acre area is set aside for usable green space, including 12 miles of walking paths and trails. Home sites share spectacular views of the neighboring mountains, wildflower meadows and lush forests.

Wercholuk said that other frequent

requests include a master bedroom on the main level, open floor plans, four-season rooms, such as covered screened porches with fireplaces and grilling areas, and longrange mountain views and water views.

Slusser agreed that log and cottage style homes on a lake or with longrange mountain views are in the greatest demand. Many homebuyers are seeking a home off the grid, as well as tiny homes.

“Smart home technology is becoming a necessary feature for the out-of-town buyer,” she added. “Locks, security systems and thermostats that can all be controlled from a smartphone are increasingly important.”

Intown living is in big demand, too. She has a list of buyers looking to purchase a loft or cottage type dwelling within walking distance to the quaint downtown areas.

Gilmore has also noticed that intown living is popular. “It’s nice to put away the car and walk to town or the grocery store. Close proximity to town, spectacular views, and lakefront or golf community properties tick most of the boxes for location,” he said.

Cashiers has a new development in the construction phase which will be the first in-town eight-cottage community, just two blocks from the crossroads. Highlands’ new construction is increasing in-town and there are many resale homes and condos in the area at prices ranging from $300,000 to $6 million-plus.

Real estate has always been robust on the plateau, and the area is known for its expensive homes, so affordability is not something folks often look for, Gilmore stated. He quickly added that there are still homes and townhomes for every budget. Communities like Sapphire and Whispering Lake offer great values starting in the $300,000s. Many homes are sold fully furnished, allowing new residents to move right in and enjoy their mountain homes.

“Lots of homeowners can’t make it to the mountains every weekend, so they rent their homes using VRBO or one of the many rental management companies. It’s a great way to utilize your home and capture some funds for expenses,” he explained. “Clients in this area are typically very nice families that respect and care for others’ property.”

With all the interest in the Blue Ridge, some new developments have gained in popularity. The Heights at Cashes Valley offers elevated rustic living and is one of the most upscale communities in the area, according to Fitts.

“The prices per square foot in the community have yielded higher returns than anywhere in the county,” he said.

“The homes are architecturally designed using many natural materials, including rough sawn wood, natural poplar bark siding, live edge siding, board and batten, cedar shake and lots of natural stone accents and columns.”

A few other Blue Ridge communities with new construction include Shepherds

The inflatable obstacle course at The Swim Club in Big Canoe.

Multiple levels for multiple views.

Ridge and Little Creek Overlook, located in the popular Aska Adventure Area. Necowa Cove is a community that offers lakefront living as well as properties with panoramic views along miles of Lake Blue Ridge with layered mountains in the distance.

“For lake lovers and those who enjoy boating, water skiing, stand up paddle boarding and jet skiing, this community is perfect,” noted Fitts. The homes overlooking the lake are in the $400,000$600,000 range and the lakefront homes range from $1 million to $1.5 million. Leading builders Big South Builders and Watkins Home Builders are responsible for many of the newly designed homes in the area.

Fitts added that the trend for Atlanta residents purchasing in the mountains

has transitioned from the log cabin look to more of a modern rustic design. “This term in the north Georgia mountains simply means that the homes offer rustic charm and warmth with the modern amenities that most city folks are used to.”

Other requested design features are a wall of windows to take in the mountain or lake views, along with a fully stocked wet bar and fireplace to add to the ambiance. Also popular are finished basements with areas for entertaining, including media rooms, home theaters and game/billiard rooms typically equipped with pool tables, ping pong tables or shuffleboard.

“Most homebuyers want a spacious open floor plan because it’s family time when they’re in the mountains, especially when they’re here just for the

weekend,” Fitts said. “Outdoor living space is key, so folks want lots of covered porches, decks and outdoor party porches featuring rock fireplaces, creating a spot that’s perfect for relaxing in the evening.”

Outdoor seating and a fire pit next to the stream means you enjoy the outdoors most of the year.

WhereWork Ends and Dreams Begin

A getaway-hideaway designed by nature.

A log home sanctuary is the perfect place to gather dreams, memories, and family for your retirement years. Nestled within its strength and comfort on a rolling hill or a scenic mountain, your log home is the perfect venue for good times with family and friends. A welcoming place that can light the night with fellowship and brighten your days with merriment.

Customized to your lifestyle.

At Satterwhite Log Homes, we encourage you to “customize” any of our 45 standard floorplans... or design your own. So go ahead… add that sun porch for your resident green thumb, enlarge the master bedroom or bath, or include an upstairs playroom for the kiddos.

Reliability tested by time.

At Satterwhite, we only use naturally cured logs. This means excessive shrinking will not compromise your home, ensuring reliability. This material advantage is also backed by a guarantee of sound construction techniques, enduring design and simple attention to detail in every home we craft. It’s been that way since 1974.

Company Experience - Family owned and operated for over

Melody L. Harclerode

Celebrating skyscrapers of the present and past

New skyscrapers will adorn the Atlanta skyline in the coming months. The Three Alliance Center in Buckhead from Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects earns raves for its eye-catching glass panels projecting from its exterior. Further south along Peachtree Road, ODA Architecture from New York City, in partnership with local architectural firm Rule Joy Trammel + Rubio, builds excitement for its proposed Emerson skyscraper. This cascading glass tower features patios jutting into the sky. After a depressed market for skyscrapers during the recession, this year signals an ideal time to rejoice in the construction of these cutting-edge skyscrapers and to reflect on interesting architectural history.

One hundred twenty-five years ago in 1891, foundation work began on the Equitable Building, Atlanta’s first skyscraper, at the corner of Edgewood Avenue and the street now called Park Place. The revered Chicago-based architectural firm Burnham and Root designed their only building in Georgia as an eight-story, steel-framed skyscraper in the Beaux Arts style of architecture. The building expressed the growing affluence of Atlanta with its elaborate ornamentation and its monumental presence. John Wellborn Root, an architect who spent his childhood in Atlanta, and business partner Daniel Burnham, advanced the development of the early skyscraper with their design for two celebrated Chicago buildings: the Monadnock Building and the Rookery.

The Equitable Building struggled for tenants upon its 1892 opening, but

its fortune improved when the Trust Company of Georgia moved into the skyscraper in 1893. A powerful bank with deep ties to the steel and coal industries and to the Coca-Cola Company, the Trust Company of Georgia soon placed its name on the building. By the 1960s and 1970s, the Equitable Building was surrounded by sleek, taller and modern skyscrapers. Critics deemed the classical-inspired architectural style of the Equitable Building as outdated and onerous against the streamline style of the Sun Trust Building.

Recognized as the first fireproof building in the Southeast and as an architectural gem in Atlanta at one time, the Equitable Building was demolished in 1971 for the addition of a new Lobby Building and Plaza to the Sun Trust skyscraper. Architectural ruins of the Equitable Building were placed outside these modern structures, giving little solace to historic preservationists then and now. In the 1970s, the historic preservation movement in Atlanta only started to gain some traction. Through a stronger historic preservation community and greater public awareness about the importance of diverse architecture to the vitality of our city, perhaps more of the new cutting-edge skyscrapers of today will still be valued decades into the future.

Melody L. Harclerode AIA, a local architect, promotes significant historical, cultural and natural sites as the Program Coordinator for the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance (arabiaalliance.org).

The old Equitable Building before its demolition in 1971.

Real Estate Briefs Parting Shots

The Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League has voted in favor of Fuqua Development’s new mixed-use development, Madison Yards, at 905 Memorial Drive. The 17.5 acre site, the former Legget and Platt warehouse facility, is at the corner of Bill Kennedy Way and adjacent to the Atlanta BeltLine. The plan calls for a grocery store, an eight-screen theater, a fitness center, retail space, office space, restaurants, and 700 apartments and condos. There will be 500 parking spaces tucked behind building facades and on the end of the property facing Interstate 20. Fuqua is also developing the nearby Glenwood Place, another mixed-use community on the BeltLine, anchored by a Kroger supermarket. The Madison Yards project will still have to be approved by NPU-N, the city’s zoning board and city council.

Pollack Shores Real Estate Group’s planned mixed-use development with 325 apartments at the corner of Pharr Road and North Fulton Drive in Buckhead has been shelved, according to a report at Atlanta Business Chronicle.

A mixed-use apartment, hotel and retail high-rise called Ascent Midtown has broken ground on West Peachtree and Spring streets, just south of 18th Street, according to Curbed Atlanta. Designed by R2L:Architects and being built by Greystar, the development is planned to feature 176 hotel rooms and 328 apartments. Ground floor retail space will also be part of the finished project.

Art-based nonprofit Paint Love regularly hosts art classes for the City of Refuge, Atlanta’s largest women and children’s shelter. Artist Denise Stewart was one of the recent instructors for children living in the shelter. In the photo at right, Stewart hugs Kiersten, 10, who proudly shows off her caterpillar. For more about Paint Love, visit gopaintlove.org.

The Midtown Rotary Club honored its Volunteer of the Year, Magie Ringfield (second from right), with a luncheon. Ringfield was recognized for her 30 years of service to the Georgia PTA, where she is currently the membership chair. Also pictured are (from left), Julie Goldberg, Midtown Rotary President, Shiree Lynch, Georgia PTA and Barbara Rose, Awards Founder.

Ascent Midtown

fireplace. 5Bed/4Bath $799,900 FMLS: 5636278 or 5636283 Kathleen Sickeler 404-368-3234

SOUTH BUCKHEAD - Like new home w/split bedroom plan. 2 large balconies overlook courtyard & tree tops. Hardwood floors in living areas. Granite & marble counters. White wood cabinets. S/S Viking appliances. Large laundry closet. 2Bed/2.5Bath $499,900 FMLS: 5678007 Sam Morgan 404-556-6110

DECATUR - Beautiful Oakhurst home w/renovated kitchen and baths. Screened porch overlooks level backyard. Large rocking chair front porch.

4Bed/3Bath $725,000 FMLS: 5685299

Melissa Stratton 404-713-5850

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - This double porch home w/stepless entry through rear 2 car garage looks and lives like newer construction. Timeless design w/ gracious room sizes & open, flowing floor plan. 5Bed/4.5Bath $999,900 FMLS: 5676428 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845

PONCEY HIGHLAND - Renovated 1930’s brick bungalow. Open floor plan. Front sunroom. Screened-in porch and private back yard. High ceilings. Original hardwoods. Off street parking.

4Bed/2Bath. $725,000 FMLS: 5682931

Ann Finley 404-276-8290

PONCE SPRINGS LOFTS - Fantastic top floor unit. Beautiful view of Ponce City Market. Steps to restaurants, entertainment & Beltline. Corner unit has extra windows, hardwoods & large open floor plan.

2Bed/2Bath $359,900 FMLS: 5662178

Bru Krebs 404-984-0243

MIDTOWN - Exceptional loft living. Move-in ready. Open floor plan. Wide plank hardwoods. Exposed concrete-soaring ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Gated-deeded parking space. Walk to everything.

1Bed/1Bath $175,000 FMLS: 5665396

Helen Kacur 404-408-1853

OAKHURST - Custom new construction home built by Smith Reid Ventures LLC. Walking distance to Oakhurst Village, schools & parks. Open bright floor plan. Full finish basement w/media room. Cedar screen porch & deck. 6Bed/5Bath $995,000 FMLS: 5661829 Melissa Stratton 404-713-5850

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Priceless location. One of Highland’s most desirable streets. Brick bungalow features high ceilings, hardwoods, and is lightfilled throughout. Private yard and brick patio.

3Bed/3Bath $699,000 FMLS: 5630542

Bonnie Smith 404-406-1993

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Spacious brick home on wide low-maintenance lot. Just a short stroll from Morningside Elementary. Tastefully updated and renovated. 5Bed/3.5Bath $749,000

FMLS: 5649861 Erin Fye 404-771-9822 or Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845

DOWNTOWN - W Residences. Beautiful spacious unit with incredible views. Hardwoods. Custom window shades. Designer touches throughout. Fully furnished. Barely lived in. 2Bed/2Bath $699,000 FMLS: 5642103 Bru Krebs 404-984-0243

SOUTH BUCKHEAD - Popular Brookwood floorplan. Floor to ceiling windows. Storage unit. Over 2100 sf. South treetop view overlooking courtyard and pool. Hardwood floors. Oversized closets. Upgraded surround sound. 2Bed/2.5Bath $769,000 FMLS: 5685016 Lisa O’Connor 404-307-5700

INTOWN - Home is larger than it looks. Lots of closets. Very bright and open. Huge sunroom.

Full in-law suite in lower level. Covered patio. Private back yard. Walk to Emory/CDC.

4Bed/3Bath $489,900 FMLS: 5686573

Ann Hudson 404-307-9902

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - Larger than it looks ranch with tons of natural light, hardwood floors, spacious living-dining area, bright white kitchen, daylight terrace level, deck, lower patio, large private back yard. 4Bed/2.5bath $300,000 FMLS: 5689633 Sherry Warner 404-784-8848

MIDTOWN - Beautiful 1 bedroom with den in the highly coveted Atlantic Station. Showcase home boasts hardwood floors, walk-in closets and amazing views of Atlantic Station to Buckhead. Transferable leasing permit included. 1Bed/1.5Bath $315,000 FMLS: 5645523 Sean Carter 404-981-0639

Sunbelt Lending

DECATUR - End unit with fenced backyard. Open floorplan. Lots of natural light. Hardwood floors on main. Large terrace level w/bedroom and half bath near laundry. Near Emory, VA and CDC.

3Bed/2Bath/2 Half Baths $410,000 FMLS: 5685641 Mike Kondalski 404-234-9379