Buckhead Reporter - September 2023

PROPERTY TAX 1ST INSTALLMENT DEADLINE OCT. 2

DeKalb County 2023 property tax bills were mailed Aug. 15. Customers paying their property tax bills at the Memorial Drive tax office will use the UGA Extension Services entrance located at the front of the building from Sept. 20 – Oct. 2 (weekdays).

EXTENDED HOURS: Sept. 25–29, Oct. 2 until 6:00 PM.

Know before you go:

First installment is due Oct 2 since the Sept 30 deadline falls on a weekend If paying the full amount in one payment, it must be paid in full by Oct 2 The second installment is due Nov 15

Remember to bring your tax bill stub and a valid Georgia ID or Georgia driver’s license

Acceptable payment methods include a credit/debit card, check or money order; processing fees apply for credit/debit card payments

Parking is available near the UGA Extension Service lot facing Memorial Dr

Disabled customers may use the Property Tax entrance off Northern Ave Security screening is required for service

Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the responsibility of paying taxes due Property owners who have not received their bill may contact the tax office for assistance, or access a copy of their bill online at https://dekalbtax org/property-information

AVOID LONG LINES AND WAIT TIMES

Please consider the following payment methods:

Online: dekalbtax org/property-information Credit/debit card payments are accepted; processing fees apply There is no service fee for paying by e-Check

Drop box: 24-hour drop box available at all three office locations Payment must be placed in the box by the due date; cash not accepted

Pay-by-phone: Call 770-336-7500, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Payment does not apply to prior year, delinquent payments Credit/debit card payments are accepted; processing fees apply

Mail: Mailed payment must be postmarked by the U S Postal Service by the due date to avoid late fees; metered or kiosk postage dates are not accepted as proof of timely payment

All payments made in the office or online may take 24-48 hours to appear on the website. Due to volume, payments received by mail during payment season may take up to a week or longer to post once received DO NOT cancel payment Please contact the tax office for payment concerns to avoid late fees

DeKalbTax.org/property-tax

p: 404-298-4000 | e: proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov

Vacant Cheesecake Factory demolished, but what comes next?

By Dyana Bagby

The long-vacant Cheesecake Factory restaurant in the heart of Buckhead Village is finally gone.

Crews demolished the two-story building at 3024 Peachtree Road late last month. A concrete slab, a water fountain, and a parking lot remain on the nearly one-acre site along Buckhead’s signature corridor.

In an Aug. 8 email, owner Peter Blum said he had no plans for the high-profile property.

“Sorry, I do not,” he said when asked about future plans for the property.

“I am not planning to sell it,” he said.

In a follow-up email on Aug. 9 in response to questions about possible redevelopment of the site, Blum expanded his statement.

“I do not have any plans to sell or develop it,” he said. “It has been more than 30 years since I negotiated the lease with [The Cheesecake Factory] and am unable to answer your questions.”

The restaurant building was constructed in 1993 and vacated by the Cheesecake Factory in 2014 when it relocated to Lenox Square. At that time, Blum envisioned redeveloping the old Cheesecake Factory property with an upscale “iconic” store, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In 2017, Blum sold his property next door at 3030 Peachtree Road, for more than $33 million. The site is home to the RH Atlanta showroom (formerly Restoration Hardware). But his hopes

for redeveloping the vacant restaurant property never materialized.

In 2020, Blum went back and forth with a Buckhead Development Review Committee about demolishing the vacant restaurant. The committee recommended the building be razed. A demolition permit was issued July 14.

Commercial real estate is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is still no denying the appeal of Buckhead real estate.

In 2019, Jamestown, developer of Ponce City Market, purchased Buckhead Village (formerly The Shops Buckhead Atlanta) and is revitalizing the shopping and dining district. Last year, a developer announced plans for a 20-story apartment building behind RH Atlanta showroom.

“We don’t know what the plans are for that site, but it is a valuable piece of property for sure,” said Garth Peters, director of citizen and government affairs for the Buckhead Coalition.

Fulton County property records lists the fair market value of 3024 Peachtree Road at $3.9 million.

Jonathan Koes, research manager for Colliers Atlanta, said Blum and his investors “would be able to really maximize the value of the land if they can land a notable tenant.”

“The RH Atlanta showroom sold for $33.25 million back in 2017, for perspective,” Koes said. “Land values in Buckhead/Lenox have commanded about a 30-35% premium over the Atlanta average.”

The demolished Cheesecake Factory site. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

BeltLine chooses developers for mixed-use project

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., has selected Pennrose and affordable housing specialists Radiant Development Partners, LLC as the developer finalist of a new mixed-use development in South Buckhead.

The nearly three-acre site at 579 Garson Drive will connect to the regional trail network and the Lindbergh MARTA station

Situated near the intersection of Garson Drive and Piedmont Road, the site is on the future Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail and connector trails with quick access to the growing regional trail network of PATH400, South Fork Confluence Trail, and the Peachtree Creek Greenway.

The proposed mixed-use development will feature a range of affordable housing options with access to public transit, grocery stores, retail, restaurants, and area amenities of one of Atlanta’s premier communities.

“This development is the latest example

of the Atlanta BeltLine’s commitment to controlling and guiding land use around our 22-mile trail system in an effort to increase the supply of affordable housing and affordable commercial space in BeltLine communities,” said Dennis Richards, Vice President of Housing Policy and Development, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., in a press release. “We diligently selected a developer finalist that shares our priorities around equitable economic development for all, and we are excited to see this development move forward.”

Commercial space on the site will include the development of microunits ideal for small businesses. The developer finalist also intends to partner with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs to source and support small, local businesses. The spaces will take advantage of views to Peachtree Creek and that will directly front the BeltLine connector trail to be constructed along the rear of the development.

Lenox Boardwalk work set to begin in November

By Madison Auchincloss

The Lenox Road Complete Street project, originally announced as part of the 2017 BUCKHEAD REdeFINED plan, is projected to start construction this November.

The project is broken up into three sections. Section 1 is the Lenox Boardwalk, an “urban linear park” that includes a 10’-12’ multi-use trail along Lenox Road between the Lenox MARTA Station (on East Paces Ferry Road) and Peachtree Road.

According to Buckhead Community Improvement District (CID) spokesman Tony Peters, bids for construction will be opened in September and construction will likely begin in November.

“Construction [of section I] will be complete in, I will say, fall of 2025,” Peters said.

Section II “will enhance pedestrian infrastructure, traffic flow and overall appearance starting at Peachtree Road and continuing to Phipps Boulevard,” according to the CID website. It is currently in the design stage, and Peters expects construction to start in the

third quarter of 2025.

Section III is also currently in the design phase. This section will include “an elevated pedestrian and bicycle bridge” designed to “improve connectivity at the busy Lenox Rd./GA 400 Interchange.”

Peters estimated a fourth quarter 2025 start for construction for this section. The entire project is estimated to be completed by 2027.

A rendering of the Lenox Boardwalk.

Property taxes to increase in city

By Bob Pepalis

The Sandy Springs City Council voted to keep the millage rate for property taxes at the same rate as established in the city charter, 4.731 mills. However, that effectively serves as a tax increase due to rising property assessments.

The third and final public hearing on the millage rate was held in a special meeting on Aug. 22. No public comment was received, and the council adopted the millage rate.

The city was formed with the principle that any millage rate increase would require approval by city residents at the ballot box.

An increase in property assessments will result in an 8 percent increase in city property taxes, according to a presentation to the council.

The 2023 ad valorem tax digest millage rates for nearby cities, the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate local property taxes, included:

■ Atlanta: 8.520 M&O plus 1.880 bond

■ Alpharetta: 4.951 M&O plus 0.799 bond

■ Milton: 4.469 M&O plus 0.452 bond

■ Sandy Springs: 4.731

■ Roswell: 4.463

■ Johns Creek: 3.986 M&O plus 0.390 bond

Sandy Springs offers a $15,000 basic homestead exemption, plus a 3 percent CPI (consumer price index) exemption. CPI limits the annual increase of a homeowner’s base property assessment to 3 percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less.

City Manager Eden Freeman confirmed that homestead exemptions would be a topic of discussion during the council retreat in January 2024.

“We are looking to get some assistance from our financial advisor on doing a more robust calculation on what it would look like if there was a desire to change the homestead exemption on that variable,” she said.

Other homestead exemptions in the area range from Roswell, which doesn’t offer a city exemption, to the $45,000 available in Alpharetta, according to the presentation. Fulton County Schools offers a $2,000 homestead exemption, plus a 3 percent floating homestead.

Council expands open container district in City Springs area

By Bob Pepalis

Sandy Springs City Council approved the expansion of the City Springs Open Container District to include properties along Hildebrand Drive, Blue Stone Road, and Sandy Springs Circle that the city owns and plans to develop.

“As the City Springs District evolves, we identified the need to expand the open container district boundary with the proposed additional boundaries shown in red on this map,” Assistant City Manager Kristin Byars Smith told the council during its Aug. 15 meeting.

City Councilmember John Paulson, serving as Mayor Pro Tem in Rusty Paul’s absence, asked if he read the map correctly that people could walk up and down Hildebrand Drive with alcohol, but not step off the sidewalk onto private property. Smith said yes.

“We tried to think carefully about where events would be happening, where folks would be walking, and that sort of thing when we came up with the map,” she said.

City Councilman Andy Bauman said he wondered if other property owners in City Springs would want to be included

in the Open Container District, including properties along Roswell Road.

“I certainly would not want to impose it on properties that the city does not control. But would we not want to consider inviting some of these adjacent properties?” he asked.

Smith said all the properties in the Open Container District are city-owned properties.

“If it’s the desire of council, we certainly can approach other property owners and ask them if they have an interest in being included and bring that forward to you all for consideration in the future,” she said.

City Attorney Dan Lee said private property owners can drink outside on their property.

“You already can go out on your own property with alcoholic beverages. But this ordinance applies only to licensed sellers of alcohol,” he said.

Smith said the expansion of the Open Container District goes into effect immediately, but it only applies if the right of way has been closed by the city. It will be in effect for the upcoming Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival on Sept. 29 and 30.

Mayoral, city council candidates qualify for Nov. 7

By Logan C. Ritchie

Election season is underway in Brookhaven as political candidates qualified at city hall to run for office by the Aug. 25 deadline.

Four seats will be on the Nov. 7 ballot, including Mayor and District 1, 2, and 3 for the City Council.

Mayor John Ernst has reached his term limit after eight years in office, originally elected to the post in 2015.

John Park resigned as District 2 City Council member to focus on running for mayor. Also running are former Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission chair Lauren Kiefer, Mark Frost, and

Hilerie Lind.

Jennifer Owens was appointed by Mayor Ernst to serve as interim District 2 City Council member. Owens is planning to declare her campaign next month for a District 2 special election.

District 1 City Council member incumbent Linley Jones is running for reelection. Running against Jones are Alan M. Cole, who has run for Brookhaven City Council and Georgia House of Representatives, and Brookhaven Planning Commissioner Michael Diaz.

District 3 City Council member Madeleine N. Simmons is running for reelection unopposed.

City to invest in Lenox Park shuttle service

By Logan C. Ritchie

The city of Brookhaven beat out a number of government entities to provide a shuttle service for employees of the Lenox Park corporate campus.

At the Aug. 22 meeting, Brookhaven City Council approved a two-year resolution to spend $527,800 from the Special Services District taxes. The effort is being encouraged by Brookhaven’s Economic Development department.

The shuttle service was an integral part of the decision of AT&T and other employers to expand their workforce, activate the Lenox Park campus, and get employees back to work, according to Brookhaven Communications Director Burke Brennan.

Scheduled to run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, the shuttle provides rapid transportation service between Lenox Park buildings and the Brookhaven, Lenox and Buckhead MARTA stations.

In other news, the council approved:

■ Reimbursing $23,502 to the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce for Red White and BlueHaven Car Show expenses.

■ Appropriating $50,000 from the General Fund Tree Fund Assigned Fund Balance for tree canopy landscaping and pruning.

■ Spending $198,000 for stormwater conveyance rehabilitation on Club Place and $253,000 for stormwater repairs on Victor Road and Dunwoody Trail.

■ Spending $10,500 from the General Fund for the installation of five streetlights on Cove Circle NE.

City Council also voted to pass a resolution increasing a contract with Fides Development, LLC, by $500,450 not to exceed $1.7 million. Fides is providing project management services for the Brookhaven City Hall project budgeted for $78 million at the MARTA station at 4047 Peachtree Road NE.

John Park Lauren Kiefer

Lenox Park campus.

Only two races contested for November election

By Cathy Cobbs

The qualifying period for Dunwoody’s at-large and mayoral elections ended Aug. 23, with only two of the races being contested – District 4 and District 5. The mayoral race and District 6 are uncontested, meaning Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Dist. 6 Councilman John Heneghan will retain their seats.

The election is set for Nov. 7

Regarding future plans and widespread speculation that he could be Dunwoody’s next mayor after Deutsch’s tenure ends in 2028, Heneghan said he is

not looking beyond his next four years as a council member.

On an interesting side note, former council member and former mayoral candidate Terry Nall filed paperwork on July 23 indicating his intention to accept campaign donations for a possible run for mayor but did not file qualifying papers by the August deadline, and therefore cannot be considered for office.

Meet the candidates for the contested seats:

Stacey Harris – Incumbent for District 4 Post At-Large

Harris, first elected in 2020, is seeking her second term for the post. She cited the significant advances the city made during the pandemic as one of the highlights of her time on council.

“I was elected and then the world totally changed,” she said. “Despite that, we accomplished so much, and I would like to continue that journey by serving again on the council.”

Harris said she thinks about “the little things” that have been implemented throughout her term that have made a huge difference in Dunwoody.

“Dunwoody Village is a different place now,” she said. “We now have a parks bond on the agenda (in November). Just look at what has happened with public arts.”

Harris came from a military family that moved frequently, but she calls Dunwoody her home, according to her profile on the city’s website, as she spent the most time here. After she graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in international politics and economics, she lived in Russia for two years.

She returned to the United States and Atlanta to work as an assistant housing manager for the Olympic Games and continued her career in event management working for the Goodwill Games until 2001. Harris is now a program director at the MJCCA overseeing gymnastics, aquatics, and tennis programs.

Her campaign website is staceyfordunwoody.com.

Chris Ozor – Candidate for District 4 Post At-Large

Ozar, a three-year resident of Dunwoody is a first-time candidate for public office. He said his priorities if elected, would include safety, security, and educational opportunities.

“I am going to be a grandfather in October, and I am envisioning a

community where my granddaughter will excel,” Ozor said. “That is what spurred me to want to have a voice.”

Ozor, a software engineer, said he is an activist who “believes in equal rights and equal justice for all.”

He is an advocate for gun control.

“I want to reduce the availability of guns within the city,” he said. “I want all children to be safe and be able to play in the parks without being scared.”

While he has never held public office, Ozor has worked on several national campaigns, including that of former president Barak Obama and former threeterm Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm.

Ozor, born in Nigeria, moved to the United States in 1985 and attended several universities in Colorado. He has a bachelor’s degree from Metro State College and a master’s degree from Regents College, both in Colorado.

He is currently developing a campaign website and Facebook page.

Joe Seconder - Incumbent for District 5 Post At-Large

Seconder, a retired Army Major, is running for a second term as the at-large representative for District 5. He said his main goal is to “see the wants and needs

Stacey Harris

Chris Ozor

Joe Seconder

Every Child Reads campaign, tutoring programs show results

school district, called the science of reading fundamental to the changes seen in the school district.

“We’ve known about the science of reading and the pillars of reading for over 20 years as an industry. But it’s really been recently that we’ve had the money and the courage to do all the pillars that are necessary to get an early reader the ability and the support to be able to read a great book,” he said.

Each elementary school has a dedicated literacy coach to help teachers and support the students, Jones said. High-quality resources have been adopted that align to this training. This created a culture of literacy in FCS that saw milestones such as a 4 percent increase in third graders reading at or above grade level, raising it to 76 percent, he said.

goals, he said. Parents reading to their children nightly sets them up for success in the long haul.

Parents also need to be communicative partners with a teacher or an administrator. And they need to follow their child’s progress by using the parent portal. Participating in a PTA or PTO can help students and the community, Jones said.

High school students also improved proficiency to reach milestones not seen during the pandemic, according to statistics. Fulton County exceeded the state and the metro RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) in “proficient and above” in all tested subjects, according to Jones. Scores of proficient and above increased by five percentage points in Algebra I and four percentage points in Biology.

By Bob Pepalis

The Every Child Reads campaign launched by Fulton County Schools has seen student proficiency rates rising above pre-pandemic levels to outpace state and national scores, according to officials.

Every Child Reads is one of the highdosage, small-group tutoring programs set up across the district for grades K-12.

Performance by third-grade students grew by three and four percentage points, respectively, from 2022 to 2023, according to an FCS presentation. Scores in 2023 have exceeded 2019 in both English Language Arts and Math.

FCS has trained its district leaders, principals, and early elementary – K through five –staff on the science of reading. Cliff Jones, who serves as chief of staff for the

Lear n. Lead. Ser ve.

Serving grades 7– 12, Marist School provides an unparalleled Catholic education where achievement exists within a spirit of humility and generosity. Students are challenged by a college-preparatory curriculum and enjoy extensive extracurricular activities as well as opportunities to deepen their faith. The distinctive Marist educational experience forms students into faith-filled, global-ready servant leaders.

A key component of the Every Child Reads campaign is writing, Jones said. The district developed strategies for teachers that may result in parents and other community members receiving letters or notes of gratitude from students.

“We’re really just homing in on this writing piece for our children to grow this year. And we’re excited about creating avenues and strategies where people see our students’ work on display, and where they see their views,” Jones said.

The school system needs parental involvement to help students achieve these

Jones attributed improvements to the tutoring programs offered in the schools.

“This is a high dose, small group tutoring effort, both during the day and after school that we’re paying for with our funds for vendors. And we’re able to support students, all students across the district, who need a little extra support, participating in this program,” he said.

He also said summer school efforts have made a big impact at the high school level where students saw the extra time pay off on tests like Algebra I and Biology.

Battle sworn in as APS interim superintendent

By Collin Kelley

The Atlanta Board of Education swore in Dr. Danielle Battle as interim superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools at its Aug. 28. meeting.

Battle steps in for Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring, whose contract was not renewed by the school board. Herring will remain as a consultant through Dec. 31.

Battle, a 19-year veteran of APS, has held a wide variety of leadership positions throughout the district. Prior to her retirement in June 2021, she served as Principal of Parkside Elementary and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Associate Superintendent and Interim Chief of Schools and Academics.

said. “My initial focus will be on advancing literacy, fostering classroom success, and collaboratively engaging with our teachers, principals, and community. Together, we will build upon APS’s strong foundations to achieve continued success for all.”

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Battle as our new interim superintendent. With her proven track record in education and leadership, we are confident that she is the right person to guide us during this pivotal time,” said ABOE Board Chair Eshé P. Collins.

“We look forward to working with Dr. Battle to implement APS’s strategic plan and vision to build a high-performing and equitable school system. Her top priorities for our educators, students, and key stakeholders, mirror those of the Board.”

The school board is expected to vote in September on choosing a search firm to lead a nationwide hunt for a permanent superintendent. LEARN

“Stepping into this role, I am fully committed to ensuring a stable and productive environment for our district during this period of transition,” Battle

Emmy Iannone teaches a kindergarten class at Heards Ferry Elementary. (Photo courtesy Anne Boatwright/FCS)

Dr. Danielle Battle

Backpack Buddies expands reach with new facility

By Cathy Cobbs

Dunwoody-based Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta is growing in every way. The program, which grew from humble beginnings in 2017 and officially launched

as a 501(c)3 organization in 2022, has grown from serving 800 food-insecure children a week with weekend meals to more than 1.600 a week last year.

And the organization isn’t resting after doubling its distribution numbers, according to Jesse Adams, the chief operating officer of Backpack Buddies. The goal for the end of 2025 is to serve 2,500 children in need

each week.

The organization, located in the Williamsburg at Dunwoody Shopping Center, is expanding into an additional 4,000-square-foot space, which will allow it to triple its storage capacity.

“In this new space, there are much higher ceilings and double doors so we will be able to greatly increase the amount of food we can store,” Adams said. “And the Atlanta Community Food Bank has donated a forklift, which will also help us a

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR 2023 OPEN HOUSE EVENTS

Upper School –Wednesday, November 8

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lot in storing and moving our food.”

The original 2,000-square-foot space in the same shopping center will be retained as the organization’s administrative headquarters.

BPBMA, which provides food at no cost to students at 41 Metro Atlanta schools, will celebrate its new distribution center on Aug. 13 from 2-5 p.m. at 2480 Jett Ferry Road. The event is free and open to the public.

Backpack Buddies COO Jesse Adams commended the community for its help in stocking the new distribution center in The Williamsburg of Dunwoody Shopping Center. Photo: Backpack Buddies

“In my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined that our board and staff could have accomplished so much in such a short period of time,” BPBMA Founder and Chair Ron Robbins said in a statement released by the organization. “We thank our team in addition to, our incredible community buddies, participating schools, and volunteers for enabling BPBMA to feed hungry children on weekends.”

Adams said the typical “backpack,” which is actually delivered in a grocery bag, contains six meals that include fruits, vegetables, protein, and snacks, enough to cover the needs of each child over the weekend. Backpack Buddies does not vet the potential recipients, instead relying on the educational institutions to determine eligibility.

Adams commended the Atlanta community for allowing the quick expansion of the program, which has included significant donations by the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Coldwell Banker, Brad Stein, Edwin Rothberg, and Barlett O’Neill Consulting Group.

“The community has been so helpful, but we need an ongoing base of support to sustain it,” Adams said. “We are always looking for volunteers and donors.”

For more information about assisting with BPBMA’s mission, visit backpackbuddiesatl.org.

EXPLORE WHY YOUR NEIGHBORS CHOOSE GAC.

Volunteers at work in Backpack Buddies’ new distribution facility in Dunwoody. (Photo courtesy Backpack Buddies)

Mt. Vernon partners with Vietnamese schools for exchange program

By Bob Pepalis

The Mount Vernon School announced it has formed a strategic partnership with The Dewey Schools in Vietnam.

The graduating class of 2025 will be the first to include a cohort from Vietnam, who will also receive a diploma from the Sandy Springs-based private school.

Mount Vernon Head of School Kristy Lundstrom told Rough Draft that students will benefit from the connection with The Dewey Schools (TDS) through interacting with friends from different cultures in everyday activities. They may learn a new skill together, visit new places, and talk about their interests and ambitions.

“The more we know, the more we grow. We want Mount Vernon to be a diverse community. This enduring partnership is an important step in achieving that goal,” she said.

Mount Vernon hopes to have five to seven students from Vietnam during the first year and with additional students in the years to come.

“So far, they are loving Atlanta during their summer exchange program,” Lundstrom said.

Mount Vernon Ventures, (MVV) – the strategy, research, and consulting arm of The Mount Vernon School – developed the initial partnership in 2020. It provided TDS access to Mount Vernon’s K-12 curriculum which focuses on inquirybased learning and competency-based educational pedagogical approaches, according to a press release.

Through the relationship, TDS students will have the opportunity to attend The Mount Vernon School for their junior and/or senior year to receive a Mount Vernon School diploma. Or they can participate online via The Mount

Vernon School Online and receive a dual diploma from both schools.

“In the Mount Vernon mission statement, we aim to graduate ‘globally competitive’ students. This is of high value to The Dewey Schools as well. The partnership between Mount Vernon and The Dewey Schools will provide cultural immersion and prepare them to be globally competitive,” Lundstrom said.

The partnership will provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff in both countries to increase their global perspective through curriculum development, onsite visits, and opportunities for exchange, according to a press release from Mount Vernon School.

Members of the MVV team traveled to Vietnam in September 2022 to visit two TDS campuses, Tay Ho Tay in Hanoi and Hai Phong. The team observed classrooms, interviewed teachers, and provided feedback to administrators and teachers. The MVV team saw Mount Vernon School norms on walls, maker labs, and art rooms with projects from Mount Vernon’s campus.

A group of Mount Vernon Upper School students traveled to Vietnam and visited TDS Tay Ho Tay in March. The meeting helped the students of both schools get to know each other and broaden their understanding of the country and people of the two nations.

Fourteen TDS students visited metro Atlanta from July 7-21 for a Summer Cultural Immersion Program on The Mount Vernon School campus. The program focused on design thinking, humanities, art innovation, and maker, and included visits to Savannah College of Arts and Design, Georgia Tech, and the University of Georgia.

An evidence-based approach to teaching, with focus on the link between ACADEMIC SUCCESS and SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING is

Students from The Dewey School in Vietnam visited the Mount Vernon campus over the summer. (Courtesy The Mount Vernon School)

Where authentic Christian mission and academic excellence aren’t mutually exclusive

Start at Trinity, thrive for life. McClymond first woman appointed president at Oglethorpe

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404-231-8118

By Logan C. Ritchie

Oglethorpe University has welcomed the first woman to the school’s Office of the President, Interim President Dr. Kathryn McClymond. She previously served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

When students moved into campus housing on Aug. 25, McClymond was there to pass out water in the Atlanta heat wave, talk to parents, and meet with new students as they settled in and started decorating.

“The number one perk of this job is getting to interact with students in all of the settings a university campus offers –classroom, social gatherings, performances, athletic events and just being out for a walk,” McClymond said. “There’s no better way to connect with students than walking around campus.”

McClymond was associate dean of Faculty Affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences at Georgia State University, where she was a faculty member for 22 years. She hails from Pittsburgh, Pa., and received her doctorate and master’s degree in religious studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard University.

Since her appointment in June, McClymond has strengthened her connections with summer faculty events. She’s already looking forward to regular town hall meetings and lunches with faculty, staff, and students in the dining hall. McClymond said details will be out soon about a series of talks called Coffee with the President.

“I’m amazed when I hear people say they’ve never been to the President’s Office. I believe the office belongs to the campus,” she said.

With a new MBA program launching and an intercultural center, the energy on campus is buzzing.

In November, Oglethorpe will host a conference on supporting college students who are the first in their families to attend college. The event will highlight and celebrate the experiences of first-generation college students by engaging in conversations focused on building and instituting best practices related to student development.

“The future of Oglethorpe is bright,” said McClymond.

Dr. Kathryn McClymond

Oglethorpe University launches MBA for working professionals

By Logan C. Ritchie

Oglethorpe University is now offering a Master of Business Administration degree program with a select cohort of 24 students. The program has been requested for several years, the university said.

An MBA through the liberal arts lens, Oglethorpe’s program consists of 30 credit hours that can be completed in one year. It will be taught by Hammack School of Business faculty, and students will not have to take prerequisites. Instead, they will have a self-paced, online bootcamp at the start of each semester to prepare.

In-person instruction maximizes face time with faculty and peers while virtual access to the live lectures helps with students’ flexibility. Evening classes are

offered Monday to Thursday.

“We have designed this degree program with the working professional in mind,” said Hammack School of Business Dean Stephen Craft. “The learner will have full control and flexibility in how they want to participate all while keeping live teaching with real professors as the cornerstone of the program.”

Like admission to all degree programs at Oglethorpe, standard tests like the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), are optional. Test scores can be submitted with the application but are not required.

“The Oglethorpe MBA is the ideal business-focused credential to pair with any undergraduate degree from any

discipline,” Craft said. “By focusing on critical thinking and communication skills, delivering excellence in student-focused classroom instruction, and keeping live teaching in modest sized classes, our MBA will be an extension of the Oglethorpe experience to the graduate degree level.”

Bank of America funds 100 Black Men financial literacy program

By Rough Draft Staff

Bank of America is supporting the 100 Black Men of Atlanta nonprofit organization with grant funding to help launch a new financial literacy training program for students in Atlanta.

“We are committed to the advancement of local economies and being a leader of positive change in our community,” said Al McRae, president, Bank of America Atlanta. “Providing support to organizations like the 100 Black Men of Atlanta that are providing critical support to the future leaders of Atlanta is one of the ways we are impacting the broader community while also contributing to Mayor Dicken’s Year of the Youth proclamation.”

Established in 1986, 100 Black Men of Atlanta is an African American volunteer organization that focuses on education and empowerment.

The organization currently offers its Project Success. Project Success is a postsecondary preparation, tuition assistance and mentoring program for Atlanta Public Schools.

The program currently operates

at the B.E.S.T. Academy and Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Both schools are public, single-gender with grades six through 12.

The recent grant will allow the organization to enhance and launch the program in additional partner schools.

The new program will teach basic financial skills, including:

■ Building an emergency fund

■ Budgeting

■ Paying bills

■ Saving for longterm goals

“The goal of our financial literacy program is to introduce and instill smart money habits, breaking the cycle of the current disparity in rates of financial literacy across racial and ethnic groups.

We are delighted to increase the impact of this initiative through the generosity of Bank of America and donors who make this possible,” said Sidney Barron, chairman of 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

The grant was announced on Aug. 10 in conjunction with National Financial Awareness Day on Aug. 14.

Bank of America will also assist by providing resources through its Better Money Habits financial literacy curriculum. For more information, visit 100blackmen-atlanta.org.

100 Black Men of Atlanta offers its Project Success curriculum to Atlanta Public Schools. (Courtesy BOA)

Galloway students confidently embrace challenges while developing the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence to thrive as enlightened contributors in their chosen pathways.

Established in 1985 at the highest point in the city of Roswell, GA, The Cottage School equips students with learning differences to face the challenges of a changing world by meeting the students where they are today.

Our unique experiential programming and business-based model sets us apart from all the rest.

Springmont’s authentic Montessori experience balances academic learning with social/emotional well-being. Highly experienced and caring teachers guide individualized learning that inspires students to become creative, independent and globally-minded.

18 MONTHS – 8TH GRADE

THE JOY OF LEARNING

Take 5 with Nsenga K. Burton, Clark Atlanta’s new entrepreneurship director

By Teri Elam

As a true multi-hyphenate, there’s an art to everything Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., has done over the last 25+ years.

Because of the breadth of diversity of her knowledge and experience, Burton has been able to inform and impact many, which includes students at Clark Atlanta and Emory recently, as well as readers at The Huffington Post, The Root, and her very own, The Burton Wire.

And we have her English teacher, Ms. Arkin, at Binford Elementary School in Richmond, VA to thank (more about that below). You may spot her at SCAD FASH or the Museum of Design Atlanta when she’s not creating or hanging out at home near Decatur.

If I plotted your career experiences on a Venn Diagram, what would be their intersection – that thing they have in common that draws you to them?

The one thing that draws everything I do together (entrepreneur, writer, producer, artist, activist, curator, professor, cultural critic) is critical thinking—the ability to see beyond the surface, analyze factual data, and produce something meaningful.

You hold advanced degrees in film and communication, including from NYU and the University of Southern California – when and how did you first fall in love with the art of communication/writing?

I was a voracious reader. I pulled Black nationalist books from my parents’ bookshelves in middle school, including “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “Black Fire,” which were game-changing. My mother also bought my sister and me all of the “Wizard of Oz” books by Frank Oz from a book fair. As for Ms. Arkin, I remember reading “A Christmas Carol” and “A Wrinkle in Time,” and it was in her English class, where she encouraged us to write creatively, that I fell in love with writing. That’s where I got the bug. Eventually, my love of reading dovetailed with my love of writing. Practicing one craft makes you better in the other.

I recently saw a Khalil Gibran quote: “Art arises when the secret vision of the artist and the manifestation of nature agree to find new shapes.” What does this quote mean to you and your work?

Interesting…I love the work of Khalil Gibran. My favorite quote of his is, “A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.” I think the essence of his work is that art and knowledge should constantly evolve and move. If they are moving, they will eventually intersect with nature or the universe to create new meaning.

Congratulations on being named the new regional director of Clark Atlanta University’s National Center for Entrepreneurship. Part of the center’s work is to “support expanded opportunities for Black entrepreneurship through ownership, innovation, and creativity.” You are also an entrepreneur – can you share your thoughts on the intersection of art and/or artful thinking and business?

Thank you! When many people think business, particularly on college campuses, they think about traditional categories like accounting, finance, economics, or management. Rarely do people think about media or entertainment industries as businesses, even in a city with a $10 billion film and television industry and an iconic music industry that brings in over $1 billion each year. All facets of art and entertainment intersect with business and drive economies, develop the workforce, and have a significant economic impact on local, state, national, and international economies. A lot of the technology that people easily see as businessrelated comes from these media-related industries; for example, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and even fiber-optic technologies. It is important for people to understand that art, media, entertainment, and culture offer viable opportunities to build short and long-term (generational) wealth while stimulating economies and the mind.

As a serial entrepreneur who has done well in many areas of art and media, what are your thoughts on what it takes to have a successful business in these areas?

Vision, focus, drive, and resiliency—and I believe it is critical to remind people that there are many ways to be in business for yourself. Some of the most rewarding businesses can be in the form of art, media, and writing.

Our

students find joy and purpose in learning by doing.

Lake Forest Elementary one of 31 schools enjoying free meals

By Bob Pepalis

Lake Forest Elementary School is among 31 Fulton County Schools enjoying the benefit of breakfast and lunch at the school for all students at no charge.

The school district’s food service receives support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

“Children need healthy meals to learn. Fulton County Schools offers healthy meals every school day at no charge to your child(ren),” a spokesperson said in a press

The Community Eligibility Provision eliminates the need for meal applications. That reduces administrative and printing costs for Fulton County Schools. Families benefit from the elimination of completing and submitting meal applications.

For families at other schools, the school

district said that all children in households receiving benefits from SNAP or TANF are eligible for free meals. Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are also eligible.

Parents and guardians who haven’t done so yet can visit fulton.schoollunchapp.com to learn more about the online application process. Contact the School Nutrition Program at (470) 254-2220 or email freeandreduced@fultonschools.org with questions about the online application. Applications must be made each year.

Children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if the household income falls at or below the limits of the Federal Eligibility Income chart on the back of the application. The reduced price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.

Nominations now open for 20 Under 20

By Rough Draft Staff

The 15th annual 20 Under 20 will appear in our January 2024 issue and we are now seeking

Here’s the information we need:

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

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

Characteristics and service: Please provide a paragraph describing why this nominee deserves recognition. Include service projects, goals, and areas of interest to help illustrate your point.

contributed to the community in a significant way. Nominations are welcome from teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, siblings, fellow students or community leaders.

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

The deadline for nominations is Nov. 1, 2023.

Students in the lunchroom at Lake Forest Elementary School in Sandy Springs. (Courtesy Fulton County Schools)

Saving wild species

Grover Cleveland created the Olympic Forest Preserve to protect the ecosystem from the intensive logging that was deforesting Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Twelve years later, when he was president, Teddy established Mount Olympus National Monument, primarily to protect the elk and their habitat. The animals had been hunted nearly to extinction; at the time, upper canine elk teeth were in vogue as watch fobs for members of the Elks Lodge.

Jewell traveled to Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge on Georgia’s coast to announce the wood stork would be downlisted from endangered to threatened; the number of nesting pairs had significantly increased. At Harris Neck and on other land, investments in wetlands restoration over decades helped ensure the bird’s survival.

Other wildlife populations in Georgia have benefited from strong conservation programs, including the white-tailed deer (nearly extinct in the early 1900s), wild turkeys (also nearly extinct a century ago), red-cockaded woodpeckers (federally-listed as endangered species for fifty years, recently downlisted), and the gopher tortoise, among others.

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

Sally Bethea

I was just beginning to open my eyes early one morning in August when I heard mewing and chirping sounds outside my tent; otherwise, the campground in the Hoh Rain Forest was quiet. Unzipping the tent door and peering outside, I saw my friend Andrea quietly walking toward a herd of Roosevelt elk, all cows, and calves—the source of the chirping.

As a campground host, she had been trained to make certain gestures and sounds to move the huge animals away from the camping area and toward the nearby Hoh River. Keeping them outside the campground would be especially important in early fall, when rutting and bugling bulls, some weighing more than a thousand pounds, could become dangerous.

Scrambling into clothes and shoes, I followed Andrea and her co-hosts Julie and David toward the beautiful animals with dark brown heads, pale brown bodies, and cream-colored rumps; they were feeding on

grasses, ferns, and shrubs. Eventually, they moved away from the campers and deeper into the forest of moss-covered Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and bigleaf maple. One bull cohabits with this non-migratory elk herd, but he was nowhere to be seen. The evening before I had admired him and his harem from a distance, as the group rested on a gravel bar beside the glacial Hoh River, sparkling in the setting sun.

Visionary leadership

How bereft our spiritual lives would be without the beauty and diversity of life that has evolved on this planet—if we were not able to at least occasionally “come into the peace of wild things,” as Wendell Berry wrote in his beloved poem. Natural beauty makes living worthwhile. Safeguarding wild things in the remaining wild places is a moral act. That visitors to Olympic National Park and other protected areas can still experience the sight of Roosevelt elk is an important conservation success story. Thanks to visionary leaders, there are other, similar stories to tell, but not nearly enough, as species extinction rates accelerate.

The second largest member of the deer family behind moose, the Roosevelt elk was named for the great conservationist Teddy Roosevelt. That same year, then-president

Three decades later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt toured the Olympic region and saw the elk named after his distant cousin—as well as the devastation caused by (often illegal) activities of the timber industry. In 1938, Franklin redesignated the federal land to receive greater protection as a national park. Today, Olympic National Park is a World Heritage site with nearly 5,000 Roosevelt elk: the largest, unmanaged herd in the Pacific Northwest.

Wildlife conservation in Georgia

As we paddled through wetlands in south Georgia’s Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, a dozen or more wood storks circled high above our kayaks, gliding with the thermals: the upward convection of warm, rising air. It was my first viewing of these tall, white-and-black birds with bald heads, small eyes, and large bills—gawky on land, but graceful in the air. I’ll never forget the thrill of seeing them.

That paddle trip took place in the late 1980s, decades after the storks began disappearing and five years after the bird was added to the federal endangered species list. They had been declining at a rate of 5 percent per year, a trend that would have wiped them out by 2000 without intervention. The draining and development of wetlands, particularly in Florida where the majority of the birds lived then, resulted in their near extinction.

In 2014, U.S. Secretary of Interior Sally

Considered a keystone species, the gopher tortoise is linked to the survival of more than 350 other wildlife species that benefit from their spacious burrows in longleaf pine forests across the Southeast. Development, agriculture, climate change, invasive species, and other issues have resulted in serious habitat loss and a federally threatened species listing in some states. In Georgia, a collaborative initiative with private landowners has succeeded in permanently protecting nearly 65 viable gopher tortoise populations.

Right whales need help

Efforts to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, whose winter calving grounds include Georgia’s coast, are not going so well; fewer than 350 exist. Hunted to near extinction, listed as an endangered species fifty years ago, and now “in crisis,” this whale faces familiar enemies: human greed and ignorance.

Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter (R-Savannah) and others are fighting a proposed revision to the federal rule governing speeds for boats over thirty-five feet in length. Imposed only during winter months, the speed reduction would help minimize vessel collisions with whales. Carter has stated, without proof, that the shipping industry and jobs will be negatively impacted. Will we allow yet another wild species to become extinct on our watch?

Roosevelt Elk (Courtesy National Park Service)

Wood Stork (Courtesy National Audubon Society)

K. Schilling, J.D., CPA, CFP®

Christopher Escobar on the challenges of reopening the Tara

By Sammie Purcell

When the Tara Theatre reopened in late May, the initial response was electric.

“The first weekend was tremendous,” said Christopher Escobar, executive director of the Atlanta Film Society. Escobar took over operations at the Tara after Regal Cinemas closed the theater in 2022 after more than 50 years in service.

“We had a lot of the diehards who were incredibly excited – probably had the most people in the building that the Tara had seen in a few years,” Escobar said.

But after that initial weekend, business started to slow down a bit. These past couple of months have come with their own set of challenges for Escobar and the rest of the team working to keep the Tara open. Escobar said business has picked

Yourself Treat

up periodically – particularly over the weekend of July 21 when both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” debuted – but other than that, business has been in a sort of middle, gray area.

“Up until [“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”], it was interesting, because it was neither going so great that I was like, ok we’re totally set, but it also wasn’t going so poorly that I was panicking,” Escobar

said.

Escobar said it helps that Halpern Enterprises, which owns the Cheshire Square shopping center where the cinema is located, agreed to not charge full rent for the first year of the theater’s reopening. Escobar reopened the Tara with the help of Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Executive Director Kenny Blank, who has a relationship with the Halpern family and

Christopher Escobar (Photo courtesy Maria Saporta/Saporta Report)

Whether you are craving comfort food, the perfect place for your family to share a meal, or fine dining, Chamblee makes each meal a treat. So, treat yourself in Chamblee today. in

helped facilitate those conversations.

According to Escobar, the Tara is doing double the numbers now that it was at the same time last year. However, it’s only doing 80% of the numbers it was doing at the same time in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously played a role in the number of people going to movie theaters over the past three years, but the Plaza Theatre – the other independent movie theater Escobar owns – is doing better business now than it was pre-pandemic, Escobar said.

“We’re doing good,” Escobar said of business at the Tara. “But we need to be doing better by this time next year. And I think we’re heading that way.”

While Escobar expected many of the challenges that come with opening a movie theater in 2023, there were still a few surprises. He said over the past two months, the Tara has experienced four power outages that have lasted more than an hour.

This difference could be chalked up to the demographics of each theaters’ audience. Escobar didn’t want to overgeneralize but said that there does tend to be an older crowd at the Tara. That age difference translates to movie times as well –at the Tara, movies should rarely start after 9 p.m. while at the Plaza, movies shouldn’t play before 3 p.m. except for maybe on a weekend.

Escobar said that because so many tickets sold at the Tara are senior or matinee tickets, the Tara often has to sell a lot more tickets than the Plaza would for a similar film to make the same amount of money. Concessions also tend to be more popular at the Plaza, which sells liquor, beer, and wine in addition to popcorn and candy (the Tara does not have a bar, but Escobar said one is in the works). However, Escobar also said that the people who do buy tickets online for movies at the Tara are far more likely to add a donation to that ticket price than their Plaza counterparts. The reopening of the Tara was accompanied by a fundraising campaign that raised over $50,000 in seven weeks.

“When we have these projectors with 6,000-watt bulbs and nine air conditioners cooling the building, it would be impossible for us to have a battery backup for that much power,” Escobar said.

But despite some challenges, Escobar said he has felt validated in the business plan set forth for the Tara. Before the cinema’s reopening, it was announced that there would be screenings of older films as well as new releases. With the exception of the joint “Barbenheimer” weekend, the majority of the cinema’s ticket sales – nearly 60% – have been for older films rather than new ones.

The Plaza also plays a healthy mix of old and new movies, but the differences between the two theaters have been eyeopening, Escobar said. At the Plaza, most people who come in have bought a ticket online. At the Tara, there are a lot more people walking up and deciding on the spot what they’d like to see that day.

“Because of that, it’s really hard to have a sense of how many people we’re going to have ultimately, because so much of it is walk-up sales as opposed to tickets in advance,” Escobar said. “That makes it kind of difficult to make sure we have the right amount of staff on hand and that sort of thing.”

In the near future, the Tara will have a Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan retrospective, as well as an Alfred Hitchcock series. Escobar also said the Tara is looking to forge more community partnerships such as the Plaza’s ongoing relationships with organizations like Videodrome and Wussy Magazine.

“I think the Tara will also have its own unique programming partners from the community,” Escobar said. “That’s also going to be an important part of its success.”

He said no partners are firmed up right now, but he’s hoping to link up with organizations like the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and The Atlanta Opera. He also said there are plans to cycle through different decor in the Tara lobby, which includes the antique film equipment on display. On occasion, there will also be special exhibits.

Escobar said throughout the reopening, he’s heard a lot of Plaza regulars say they’re going to make it a point to also visit the Tara, and vice versa. He said he hopes the Tara’s resurgence will remind moviegoers not to take independent theaters for granted.

“People realize, oh yeah – these places don’t just exist regardless of me,” he said. “They can only continue to exist because I go to them and support them.”

Check out the current movie lineup and buy tickets at taraatlanta.com.

Veterans Resource Expo & Fellowship Lunch

Monday, September 11, 2023

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Central DeKalb Senior Center

1346 McConnell Drive Decatur, GA 30033

Out on Film announces 2023 festival lineup

VA BENEFITS AND RESOURCES DEPARTMENTS WILL BE PRESENT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

Your logo here?

Sponsorship opportunities available. Email Alesia Brooks for more information: adbrooks@dekalbcountyga.gov

By Sammie Purcell

Out On Film, Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ film festival, has announced the lineup of films for its 2023 fest.

The festival will run from Sept. 21 to Oct. 1 at theaters all over the Atlanta area. The opening night film, “Our Son,” will premiere on Sept. 21 at Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema. “Our Son” is from director Bill Oliver and stars Luke Evans and Billy Porter.

The festival will close with a screening of “Glitter and Doom” on Sept. 30, a film that features music from Atlanta’s own Indigo Girls.

According to a news release, the centerpiece screenings of the festival will be “Cora Bora,” starring comedian and “Hacks” star Megan Stalter, as well as “The Mattachine Family,” starring Juan Pablo Di Pace, Nico Tortorella, and Emily Hampshire.

The festival will also include the U.S. premiere of “A Big Gay Hairy Hit! Where the Bears Are: The Documentary,” and the previously announced films “Golden Delicious,” “Jewelle: A Just Vision” and “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn.”

A complete list of films playing at the festival and tickets can be found at outonfilm.org.

Party on the PATH to celebrate art, greenspace

By Collin Kelley

On Sunday, Oct. 1, Livable Buckhead will host an evening of live music, delicious food, and fun at the intersection of two Buckhead landmarks – PATH400 and the Miami Circle gallery district.

Livable Buckhead’s annual Party on the PATH celebrates art and greenspace, two areas of the nonprofit organization’s work to make Buckhead an even better place to live, work, and play.

Eclipse di Luna is the venue for an artful evening that starts with a stroll of Atlanta’s leading art galleries, followed by an interactive, artist-led fiber art project and a silent auction. The evening will feature Spanish-style tapas, icy mojitos and dancing to the sounds of 3rd Stream

Big Band, which performs a mix of Rock, Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Latin beats.

“Livable Buckhead’s work is all about creating connections in Buckhead, which PATH400 exemplifies perfectly,” said

celebrates and supports our work to continue adding greenspace and art to Buckhead – and it’s a great time! Beautiful

Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead. “Party on the PATH

Billy Porter and Luke Evans in “Our Son,” which will be playing at Out on Film (Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival).

art, amazing food, and a vibrant outdoor experience make this an evening not to be missed.”

General admission tickets for Party on the PATH are $55 each and include tapas and two drink tickets. VIP tickets are $75 each and include tapas, an open bar, a commemorative glass, and other giveaways. Tickets can be purchased at livablebuckhead.org/pop and proceeds from the event support Livable Buckhead, a nonprofit organization working to ensure the long-term viability and prosperity of the Buckhead community.

PATH400, Livable Buckhead’s signature project, is transforming Buckhead by creating pedestrian connections between many of the area’s most popular shopping and dining destinations. The 5.2-mile trail is approximately 80 percent complete,

and its final major segment between Wieuca Road and Loridans Drive is under construction. Several other trails will connect to PATH400 in Buckhead, the Atlanta BeltLine, and extensions of PATH400 through Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Roswell.

Party on the PATH is presented by Lululemon. Event sponsors include Audi Atlanta, RoughDraft Atlanta, Astra, Cannon Equities, Coro Realty, Engel & Volkers, Georgia, Power, Georgia Primary Bank, Selig and Owen & Associates. The Party on the PATH host committee includes Fred Andrew, Nancy Bliwise, Jeff Clark, Cherie Fields, Deirdre and Kenny Greenfield, Sonjui and Anil Kumar, Anne McKillips, Brigitte and Bill Peck, Nancy Sagar, Sumi Shetty, Bob Stasiowski, Kim and Andy Sumlin, and Debra Wathen.

Van Gogh, King Tut immersives keep Exhibition Hub hopping

By Cathy Cobbs

Although it had a rocky start, “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” at Doraville’s Exhibition Hub has recovered nicely, with thousands of patrons coming through the doors.

The expanded experience, featuring two immersive “wow rooms” in its 12,000-square-foot space, had its VIP preview party in July, but a massive afternoon thunderstorm knocked out all

popularity to the fact that Van Gogh is a “fascinating subject who draws a diverse group of people to want to experience his life.”

“The exhibit appeals to all kinds of learning types, so that everyone can find something to enjoy,” he said. “It’s been great to see such a diversity of visitors from all ages and every part of Atlanta come to see Van Gogh.”

Zaller said Exhibition Hub is already lining up its next exhibit, “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures,” which will open at the center on Sept. 28, alongside Van Gogh.

power along Buford Highway, leaving attendees touring the available exhibits using their phone flashlights.

However, according to Exhibition Hub Executive Producer John Zaller, the auspicious start was just a blip on the radar.

“We are having hundreds on the weekdays and thousands on the weekends touring Van Gogh,” he said. “We’ve also had lots of walk-ins, which has been great.”

For people who purchase VIP tickets, a virtual reality experience takes visitors on a “new 10-minute journey through Van Gogh’s world in Arles, France, a new soaring musical soundtrack, and an immersive gallery dedicated to the significant influence of Japanese art on Van Gogh’s work,” according to a statement released by Exhibition Hub.

Zaller attributes the exhibition’s

According to a release from Exhibition Hub, “guests will be taken on a once-ina-lifetime journey looking at the burial chambers and treasures of King Tut.”

Tutankhamun’s tomb, discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, is the only royal burial found intact in modern times which allowed archeologists to record what an Egyptian king’s tomb looked like.

“Each of the three chambers are about the size of a New York City apartment, but contains more than 3,600 artifacts,” Zaller said. “The replicas of the artifacts are crafted beautifully by Egyptian craftsmen.”

To date, more than 7 million visitors have seen the exhibition as it traveled across much of Europe and Asia. Zaller said this is the exhibition’s first foray into the southeast.

Tickets for “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” are on sale now. For more information go to tutankhamunexpo. com/atlanta.

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures

OPINION

Local news is good for business

By Dean Ridings America’s Newspapers

It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the Community News & Small Business Support Act, that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough.

Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or — worse yet — close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the long (and short) run. However, despite the challenges, what remains true is that local newspapers make a difference in their communities.

But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s look at the numbers and why America’s Newspapers has been pushing for the Community News & Small Business Support Act to be introduced.

A recent national study of 5,000 Americans over the age of 18 was conducted by the independent research firm Coda Ventures for America’s Newspapers, and provides compelling evidence of the importance, relevance and vitality of today’s newspapers in the American media landscape.

Readers told us that their local newspaper makes a difference. The study shows that 79 percent of Americans read/ use local news “to stay informed” about their cities, counties and communities. They also said they rely on their local paper to feel connected to their community, to decide where they stand on local issues, to find places and things to do, to talk with people about things happening in the

community, because they find it enjoyable/ entertaining and to be a better citizen.

And, contrary to popular belief, readers across all age groups turn to local newspapers and their digital products to stay informed about their communities.

Readers also told us they need more local news from their community paper. As one survey respondent in California said, “Our paper keeps getting smaller. I would like to see more news items, what’s happening in town, what’s new in politics, etc. And they need to be quicker to respond to breaking news.”

All of that takes a committed, local staff — something the legislation introduced by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-1) will help to make happen.

Good for local businesses

So, what would this legislation mean to your local community?

Local businesses with fewer than 50 employees would receive a five-year non-refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 in the first year and up to $2,500 in the subsequent four years based on their spending level with local newspapers and local media.

Our study showed that six out of 10 American adults use newspaper advertising to help them decide what brands, products and local services to buy. Newspaper readers also are almost twice as likely to purchase products from a number of important advertising categories than nonnewspaper readers, including automobiles, trucks and SUVs; home furnishings; home improvement products and services; and home services like pest control, plumbing, heating, etc.

With this legislation, we expect to see more businesses being able to afford to

advertise to consumers, which — in turn — helps communities thrive.

Good for local media companies

For local newspapers, a five-year refundable tax credit would help them hire more journalists to bring you more news! It’s a win-win for local communities. Newspapers would receive a tax credit to be used for the compensation of journalists. The credit would cover 50% of journalists’ compensation in the first year and 30% of compensation (up to $50,000) in the subsequent four years. This tax credit would only be available to local community papers with fewer than 750 employees and, if they don’t invest in their newsroom, they don’t get the credit.

And these tax credits are only available to local newspapers. National newspaper outlets are not eligible.

The importance of local newspapers and local business is the reason Reps. Tenney and DelBene introduced the legislation. We are most grateful for their support.

BUSINESS

How you can help

We need your support, as well, to encourage legislators to enact this legislation.

Please contact the offices of your senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress and encourage them to add their support to this legislation. These tax credits aren’t permanent; they will sunset in five years. But, these critical five years will allow the newspaper industry the time needed to address the challenges that it is facing from Big Tech, which often uses newspapers’ content without compensation, as well as other technological and market challenges. Visit www.usa.gov/elected-officials for the contact information for your legislators. More local reporting means more access for hometown news that citizens like you rely on. And stronger newspapers mean stronger advertising vehicles for local businesses.

Dean Ridings is the CEO of America’s Newspapers, an organization serving more than 1,550 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at newspapers.org.

Spear Street Capital to enhance Perimeter Summit

By Bob Pepalis

Spear Street Capital has announced it will make “significant improvements” to the office component of the Perimeter Summit mixed-used development in Brookhaven.

Spanning nearly 1.3 million square feet of Class-A office space in the heart of the Central Perimeter, the development was purchased by Spear Street earlier this year.

Perimeter Summit office space includes Summit One, a 21-story, 520,000-squarefoot tower; Summit Two, an 18-story, 415,000-square-foot tower; and Summit Four, a 16-story, 360,000-square-foot tower.

Spear Capital said it plans to enhance outdoor amenities at the property, including walking trails, outdoor workspaces with high-speed WiFi, gardens, and bocce ball courts. Weekly events for tenants such as outdoor yoga, food trucks, and markets with local artisans are already being held.

Plans within the office buildings will include the modernization of lobbies and enhanced common areas.

In addition to the office building cafes, an airstream trailer serving coffee, smoothies and small bites will pop up next to Summit Four. SRS Real Estate Partners was hired to enhance the food

and beverage options at the campus, which already features Savi Provisions, Villa Christina Restaurant, Summit Coffee Shop, and an outpost of Sweetgreen.

CBRE handles property management and tenant engagement for Perimeter Summit. New York-based Fogarty Finger is leading the architecture and design for the renovations.

JLL Executive Managing Director Adam Viente, Senior Managing Director

Brooke Dewey and Senior Associate Alexis Easterling are handling office leasing on behalf of Spear Street.

“Perimeter Summit’s existing amenities and strategic location combined with our planned improvements will create an exceptional workplace experience that today’s office users are looking for. With JLL on board, we are confident that we will be successful in continuing to attract large-scale corporate users seeking a highly amenitized office environment,” Laura Dunn, managing director at Spear Street, said in a press release.

Perimeter Summit

A Sunday visit to Limoges Cellars

Nebbiolo. Their second vineyard was planted last spring with Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grüner Veltliner. Each varietal has posed it’s own set of challenges and Dan and Kristina are finding out quickly what is working and how to adapt.

A day trip to a local winery is a perfect way to spend a weekend. In less than two hours from Atlanta, there are over 40 wineries and our very own AVA (American Viticultural Appellation)

Dahlonega Plateau.

This region was established in 2018 and encompasses 344 square miles, including Lumpkin, Dawson, White, Pickens and Cherokee counties. The viticultural portion is approximately 133 square miles, encompassing most of Lumpkin County and part of White County.

Georgia has a long history of winemaking and it was actually the sixth largest wine growing region in the U.S. when Prohibition passed. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the industry was reborn.

Each unique winery in Georgia is creating wines from grapes that are not only locally planted but also sourced from other states. The continental climate that sits in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains brings its own set of challenges, especially our wretched humidity. Every establishment has had to adapt and create their own identity and we love visiting and seeing what is new.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, we ventured up to the newest established winery, Limoges Cellars (limogescellars.

com). Located on a quiet country road outside of Cleveland, it sits adjacent to the Dahlonega Plateau. The entrance is marked by a stone gate that gives way to a gravel road which winds up at a a hillside surrounded by neat vines.

The first building you notice is a sleek, black A-frame style house where owners Kristina and Daniel Limoges live with their nearly year old daughter. Further up the lane, lies the winery. Constructed as a modern barn, the building is country cool with a welcoming side porch that overlooks the vines.

Once inside, shelves behind a tasting counter hold the winery's current offerings. The labels are simple and neat which adds to the modern aesthetic. An unfinished loft creates high ceilings that give the building a dramatic feel. There are several tables for seating and meats and cheeses available in a small cooler.

Located behind a secret wall is their small winery – a room filled with boxes of bottles, fermentation tanks, a destemmer, a small bottling machine, a freezer that Dan uses for disgorgement and one barrel that is aging last year's wine. As we entered the winery, we were greeted by Dan and Kristina, who sat with us and shared their journey from corporate life in Avondale Estates to farm life in north Georgia.

The founding of Limoges Cellars is a passion project that began when Dan spent time working in Austria. After spending a month in Italy with Kristina and staying at a winery, he found his calling. Kristina described Dan as someone who fully immerses himself in something and can remember every detail.

They decided to deep dive into wine by going to local shops and trying as much wine as they could. With friends, the couple would blind taste complete selections of varietals from around the world. In his spare time, Dan began taking winemaking classes and traveling to California and around the world where he took in all he could with the dreams of starting their own project.

He began making wine in his Avondale house while working with the University of Georgia viticultural program and searching for land throughout North Georgia. The pandemic obviously slowed this process, but they settled on land in Ellijay near Engelheim Cellars, but were unsuccessful with securing neighbor support, so they started over.

The property they found sat on a slope perfect for planting vines. With sun drenched slopes and space to build, Dan and Kristina purchased 37 acres and went to work. Dan continued to work in his corporate role and commuted to Norcross while spending any spare time planting and building. Eventually, the winery took precedence and, in 2022, they officially opened.

The focus for the plantings includes varietals that they fell in love with through their tasting regimen and in 2021 planted Vidal Blanc, Albariño, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Teroldego, Tannat,

Currently they are offering an apple wine, two whites from grapes they have grown and two reds made from sourced Virginia grapes. The first offering is a sparkling apple wine made from local Mercier Apples. It is made by traditional Champagne method and is surprisingly dry and fresh with soft bubbles and an extremely clean finish. Their Cheval is made from the estate Vidal Blanc. The wine is light with notes of citrus and white peach and refreshing acidity.

The second estate wine is the Femme Sallee. This “salty girl” is made from estate Albariño (a nod to Kristina’s Spanish heritage) and has floral notes and a definite saline element. While their estate red grapes are maturing and going through their growing pains, Dan is using grapes from Virginia. The Cabernet Franc is unlike any in North Georgia. This wine is made in a style that Dan wanted to represent wines he loves. It is light and fresh with dark fruits and unmistakable Cab Franc spice. The Petite Verdot is more classic with darker ripe fruits and savory herbs.

A day trip to North Georgia is always a welcome reprieve from the city and we are lucky that the Limoges family has found its home here. These wines will redefine what is being produced in this evolving landscape.

WOMEN + WINE

Katie Rice & Sarah Pierre

Limoges Cellars

Kristina and Dan Limoges with their daughter.

Politan Row to take over Ashford Lane food hall

By Cathy Cobbs

The Hall at Ashford Lane, which closed abruptly in July after only six weeks in operation, has a new owner.

New Orleans-based Politan Row, which operates a popular food hall at Colony Square in Midtown, announced today its plan to reopen the Dunwoody dining spot this fall with nine individual food stalls, Bar Politan — the group’s craft-oriented neighborhood bar — and a cocktail lounge.

The 17,000-square-foot food hall, which was previously operated by Jamal Wilson, will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. In a statement released by Politan Row, the location will now be known as Politan Row at Ashford Lane.

“As the food hall environment matures in Atlanta, we continue to be an advocate for the best local talent,” Politan Row CEO Will Donaldson said. “The goal of Politan Row is to be the safe space for flourishing food and beverage startups in Atlanta by offering low-risk, beautiful, functional, and well-located restaurant options.”

The restaurants that have signed on so far include:

■ Chef Michaela Merrick, Pretty Little Tacos – a Creole-Mexican Street food option;

■ Jack Bai, Gekko — a hibachi and ramen experience;

■ Chef Archna Becker, Tandoori Pizza & Wings Co. — an Indian twist on popular comfort staples;

■ Niki Pattharakositkul, 26 Thai — authentic Thai food made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients;

■ Gregory Vivier, Smokehouse Q — BBQ with a focus on the natural flavors of the meat accompanied by traditional and savory side items;

■ Chefs Charlie Sunyapong and Paul Thai, Sheesh — from the team behind Stäge Kitchen & Bar, a new Mediterranean concept focused on the fresh and eclectic.

In an interview with Rough Draft,

Donaldson said he is holding the last three stalls in order to “keep the slate open for emerging local talent.”

Donaldson said he has been watching the location since 2020, when Wilson began building out the concept. He visited the restaurant several times after it opened in late May.

“I think the location is a great one,” he said. “However, after it opened, I saw the classic signs that signaled problems for the restaurant – a lack of signage, service issues, and operational issues, like the inconsistent food and the music going in and out at times. These were things that should have been fixed as time went on.”

Donaldson said he was pleasantly surprised by some elements of the Hall’s decor but will refine it by adding some softer elements “to contrast with the harder elements” in the interior. Plans also include a reworking of the entrance area so that the stalls can be more clearly viewed.

Politan Row at Ashford Lane’s cocktail lounge, operated by one of the original creators of Jojo’s, Benton Bourgeois, will advance Midtown’s 1970’s concept 10 years into the future with “a custom design, curated soundtrack, and eraappropriate cocktail flair, focusing on the time period from 1988 to 1992,” according to the Politan Row statement.

The Hall at Ashford Lane, which opened to great fanfare at the end of May, shuttered its doors abruptly on July 5 and left in its wake dozens of employees, some of them undocumented workers, owed thousands of dollars in back wages. Wilson, in a brief statement after its closing, promised to make good on the issue, but most ex-employees say they are yet to be paid.

Donaldson said plans are to open Politan Row at Ashford Lane sometime between late October and Thanksgiving. A job fair that is open to the public will be held about 10 days before the opening. He said all are welcome to attend but that standard hiring practices will be in place, including I-9 verification.

DINING

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns Sept. 20-24

By Sammie Purcell

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival has announced its chef lineup for its tasting tents and gourmet gatherings.

The festival takes place Sept. 20-24 in Historic Fourth Ward Park, according to a press release. The festival’s tasting tents are its signature event, offering unlimited food, wine, and cocktails as well as live chef demonstrations and interactive experiences. The festival’s “gourmet gatherings” will be a series of intimate in-restaurant experiences ranging from brunch to dinner, and will be hosted throughout the city.

Friday, Sept. 22, 7-10 p.m.

Day one’s tasting tent experience includes a new addition called “Atlanta After Dark.” This event will offer a selection of drinks from Atlanta’s best mixologists, cocktail bars, and liquor brands. Friday talent also includes Katsuji Tanabe of Cary, North Carolina’s a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library, Trader Vic’s, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Superica, Foundation Social Eatery, and more.

Saturday, Sept. 23, 4-8 p.m.

Day two’s tasting tent experience includes DAS BBQ, Delbar, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Ladybird, Tiny Lou’s, TWO Urban Licks, Alon’s Bakery, The Southern Gentleman, and

Sunday, Sept. 24, 1-5 p.m.

The final day of tasting tents includes the likes of DAS BBQ, Delbar, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Le Bon Nosh, One Flew South, and more. Tickets for gourmet gatherings can be purchased online, and the full lineup can be found below.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Chef Josue Peña of the Iberian Pig and Chef Liron Eisenberg of Stateside Kitchen at the Dream Hotel in Nashville are teaming up for a dinner experience at The Iberian Pig in Buckhead.

Chef Santiago Gomez of Palo Santo and Chef Parnass Savang of Talat Market will

come together for a meal that blends Mexican cuisine and Thai street food at Palo Santo.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Chefs Aaron Phillips of Lazy Betty and Freddy Money of Atlas are joining forces at Lazy Betty to celebrate the best of both of their establishments.

Friday, Sept. 22

The Sound of Food, Taste of Music at Trolley Barn: Anthony Saunders of The Atlanta Breakfast Club is teaming up with Chefs John Thomas, Briana Riddock, Andre Gomez, George Lopez, and Christan Willis for a multi-course meal that includes live musical performances.

Western Europe Meets the South: Chef Jared Hucks of The Alden and Pat Pascarella of The Porchetta Group will join forces at The Alden to offer up delicious Southern flavor with a twist.

Rough Draft Presents: A Delicious Harvest Harmony: In partnership with Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Rough Draft will present a culinary collaboration between two of Atlanta’s most innovative chefs, Jarrett Stieber of Little Bear and Olivia McCoy of Daily Chew.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Not Your Average Southern Dinner: Chef Robert Butts of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours and Michael Straniewicz of Wrecking Bar Brewpub will introduce you to innovative soul food creations and libations.

A Night at the Americano: Chef Scott Conant of The Americano and a surprise guest chef present an Italian meal combined with the storytelling power of food.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Sunday Slice of Humble Pie: Enjoy a Sunday brunch at Humble Pie with a delicious menu from Chefs Ron Hsu, Lorien Vilchez and Megan Allen of 7acre.

Get tickets and more details about the festival at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.

In conversation with Leslie Schilling, dietician and author of ‘Feed Yourself’

By Sammie Purcell

Leslie Schilling is a dietitian who specializes in disordered eating, sports nutrition, and family nutrition. While she practices an anti-diet approach with her clients now, that wasn’t always the case.

With the release of “Feed Yourself: Step Away From the Lies of Diet Culture and into Your Divine Design,” Schilling debunks the ways that diet culture permeates our culture, and even interrogates the way her own beliefs about weight and health have radically changed since she began her career.

Schilling writes frankly and empathetically about the prevalence of diet culture in our lives. She pays special attention to the ways in which it shows up in the church and sheds light on how Bible verses have been weaponized to promote a culture that they were never intended to represent. But you don’t have to be particularly religious to take something away from Schilling’s book.

You had co-written a book before this one, but when and why did you decide that you wanted to write “Feeding Yourself?” Schilling: It’s funny because my first book is called “Born to Eat.” And like, I have believed this to my core for a very long time [laughs] … And then “Born to Eat” became a feeding babies, get rid of diet culture from the get-go kind of book. Then I moved to this book, which even my co-author and my really good friends were like – finally, you’re doing this book! This is the book that has been in your heart for so long.

Once I could see diet culture for myself in personal and professional spaces, I kept seeing how it showed up in what should be safe places and harmed people. And the more I saw diet culture showing up in the socalled safe spaces – which would be medical offices, churches, schools, and sometimes even homes, based on working with my clients – I was like, we’ve got to talk about how insidious this is and how it’s so wrapped up in health, but it’s actually harming us.

The book focuses a lot on the presence of

diet culture in organized religion, Christianity specifically. When did you start noticing just how prevalent that culture can be in religious spaces and why do you think that is?

Schilling: It’s baked right in because we don’t see diet culture, and because we all live here, so no one gets out unscathed. It’s baked into health lessons. We take verses from the Bible and we read them with a diet culture lens because that’s all we know. We grew up this way.

I will say, I’ve been writing this book in my heart for a decade. I kept seeing things show up. After I had switched gears professionally and personally, I kept seeing it show up in ways that I was like – if a pastor just made a food-shaming comment or body-shaming comment, the hurt that just landed on all the people sitting in the pews … my heart was breaking for the person who felt like not only were they unrighteous possibly because of the message, but their bodies weren’t welcome.

So just hearing messages over the years – and people know that I’m into this, so … people send me stuff. My stories are not just from churches I’ve been to, but from what people have shared with me over the years. And like you said, being not particularly religious now, but having grown up in it … those stories kind of resonated with you.

To read the full Q&A with Lauren Schilling, scan the QR code.

Produced by Flavors Magazine

SCAN HERE for the full lineup of participating restaurants and to view menus being offered

Leslie Schilling

Gygax. Some of Moorcock’s stuff has been done by Blue Oyster Cult, so we worked to get the lead singer, and damned if we didn’t. He was onstage doing songs inspired by Moorcock with Michael singing along. It was just a great time.

I gather that your growth was not without its challenges.

In 2000, my wife and I were beat. There was just too much to do. We were almost at the point of tears. We were on the second floor of the Hyatt and looked down and the 501st [“Star Wars” Stormtrooper costuming group] were escorting Jeremy Bulloch and David Prowse [Boba Fett and Darth Vader from franchise]. Everything got deathly quiet. They escorted them downstairs to the Centennial Ballroom and the crowd went crazy. Sherry and I looked at each other and said, ‘We can’t quit. This is what it’s all about.’

What’s been some of the best programming you’ve done over the years?

William Shatner. Wow, what a guest the first time he came. We had Leonard Nimoy coming to the show and at the last minute, Shatner became available. It was like a “Star Trek” dream team. Bill had another engagement and was going to leave on Saturday, but we wanted a panel with him and Nimoy on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we had Leonard do an “In Search Of” panel. Then 30 minutes into it Bill, who had decided to stay, crashed it! That was one of those ‘only at Dragon Con’ moments.

What is involved in putting a large show like this together?

A better question is what isn’t involved? Recruiting staff, committing to buy space, securing guest commitments, finding audio-visual help, selling vending space, financing the project, getting permits and concessions, hiring security, promoting the show, and selling memberships. I’m sure

there are other things, but you get the idea. How has the sci-fi fandom audience changed over the years?

We were ‘nerds and geeks’ and we can joke about it now because we’re not. We were the trailblazers and we’ve got all these other people who are getting in. People see Dragon Con and instead of thinking “Oh

God” they think “That’s amazing.” Now we’re respected. What about the future?

The kids [his daughters Mandy Collier and Rachel Reeves] will do more, and I’ll do less. What I want to do is keep the venue and size the same as long as we can. We have to limit attendance now and that’s fine

with me. We went virtual in 2020 because of the pandemic and were at half-strength in 2021. That’s one of the things we found out during Covid is that having a little room to move around is a good thing.

For more about Dragon Con, visit dragoncon.org.

Stormtroopers on the march.

Cosplay is a big part of the Dragon Con experience.

Novel raises awareness about dementia

By Rough Draft Staff

Sandy Springs residents Kenneth Crooks, Jr. and daughter Shelly Michael have co-authored the novel “Heart Love to Head Love” to raise awareness about dementia.

The story is fiction but is also loosely based on their own family experiences. The storyline depicts the effects of the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on members of a blended family.

Two families are forced to face and conquer the reality of caregiving in its rawest form. The family members’ creativity and resilience intersect as they face the challenge of memory care issues, health decisions, planning for the future, and day-to-day survival. There’s even a love story threaded into the plot.

According to Crooks and Michael, “Our story shows a journey of survival and coping where acknowledgment, acceptance, and healing merge to define reality, resulting in the strongest family bonds.”

Crooks, who is 91, and Michael found the writing process to be cathartic as they lived through some of the challenges of caregiving.

“We hope that our story will be a beacon of awareness for all people and encouragement for caregivers

and families with loved ones battling dementia and Alzheimer’s. Maybe people will see parts of our story in their own journeys and will come to love in a different way.”

According to research, more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia; this includes 6 million Americans. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and makes up about 60-70% of cases. Alzheimer’s is twice as common in women than in men.

The book is available from True Vine Publishing at truevinepublishing.com.

Fulton recruiting volunteers for senior companion program

By Amanda Andrews | GPB News

Fulton County Department of Senior Services is recruiting older volunteers for a new program to help people live safe and healthy lives as they age at home.

Americorps is partnering with Fulton County to find volunteers for the Senior Companion Program. Eligible volunteers must be over age 55. The program focuses on assisting those who may have trouble with daily living tasks like cleaning or paying bills.

Americorps Program Coordinator Betty Anderson said it’s not always physical support seniors need.

“We have clients, as you know, that are home by themselves; They have no loved ones anymore,” Anderson said. “So they just need companionship to just to just to have someone to talk, to read to or just

to support them emotionally at a medical appointment.”

Each volunteer goes through a background check and specialized training before they start. Duane Tolson works with the Department of Senior Services. He said since the pandemic it’s been hard to recruit volunteers.

“We had plenty of people that would like to benefit from the companionship program and people that are shut in their homes, and things of that nature, for them to get out again,” he said. “But then we had to get volunteers that would actually do the work to create these relationships with individuals they don’t know.”

Fulton County hosts orientation for new volunteers each month. Currently the program has 160 seniors and 40 volunteer companions. Visit fultoncountyga.gov and look for Senior Services.

THE DUST Y COIN

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