Atlanta Intown - November 2022

The Grande Dame of Dining Out

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Food critic Christiane Lauterbach enjoys a bit at Daily Chew in Morningside-Lenox

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by Isadora

Turning up the heat

Editor’s Letter collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com

Turning on the heat has always been the truest marker for the changing season. On the night of Oct. 18, I finally had to flip the thermostat in the other direction as temperatures dipped into the 30s for the first time since March.

Despite having grown up in metro Atlanta, I still don’t like the heat. It seems improbable that I’ve lived here for 53 years and never acclimated, but I dread Georgia’s sticky summers in an existential crisis sort of way.

I remember going to my grandmother’s house in the summer when I was a kid and wondering how she could stand living without air conditioning. She had somehow gotten used to it, and the air conditioning was too cold for her and made her skin dry. As she got older, she relented and bought a window unit for her bedroom because the “nights seem hotter now.”

And it keeps getting hotter.

New climate data show that the first six months of 2022 were the hottest in Atlanta for nearly a century of record-keeping. According to statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, temperatures this year averaged 2.1 degrees above what was considered normal between 1981 and 2010.

The power bill for my little condo was over $100 all summer, which just seems outrageous. With Georgia Power trying to jack up energy bills and persistent inflation, heating and cooling costs are going to be taking more out of our pocketbooks this year and for years to come.

I’m hoping state regulators will squash the 12% rate increase Georgia Power has been floating since cumulative increases over the next three years could see electric bills rise by $200 a year.

A big chunk of that increase will be used by Georgia Power to clean up their own mess: the toxic coal ash ponds that have been polluting the state’s waterways for decades.

Since state regulators have a hard time saying no, I may have to invest in more fans or blankets. We’ll know what they decide in December.

Checking

Note

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

Keith Pepper is the publisher and owner of Atlanta Intown, Reporter Newspapers, Atlanta Senior Life and the Rough Draft newsletter.

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Midtown Assistance Center’s new space promises expanded services

Jobson is proud of MAC’s homeless prevention work and is most excited about its expanded Client Choice Food Pantry that can absorb more food and serve more families.

“We’ve been able to increase our offerings – for example perishable proteins like chicken and salmon,” Jobson said, due to new refrigerator and freezer storage. “Clients can either pick it up by appointment or have it delivered .”

DoorDash delivers to MAC clients for free, which can double the groceries they receive while awaiting benefits or their next paycheck.

“If a family has an insurance, medical or cell phone bill – those are things we don’t help with,” Jobson said. “But we can say ‘come into our food pantry, receive food assistance – that will save you a couple hundred dollars you can divert toward those bills.”

For those with limited access to technology, MAC’s proximity to MARTA makes it easier to receive services and connect with nearby partners like All Saints’, Covenant Community Ministries and Threads. MAC also partners with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to help clients complete the online emergency rental assistance application.

The iconic Spring Street and North Avenue corner is a vehicle for outreach.

By Clare S. Richie

Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) recently celebrated the opening of its new home at 613 Spring Street, across from The Varsity. The renovated location, near the North Avenue MARTA station, doubles its prior space for its expanded food pantry, client services, staff, and volunteers.

After 28 years at Atlanta First United Methodist Church, MAC’s move was necessitated by the church’s affordable housing redevelopment plan.

“We reached out to our congregational partners and All Saints’ Episcopal Church had available retail space for us,” said MAC executive director Jennifer Jobson. “This was an opportunity to design a space to best serve the families seeking our assistance, to welcome our community members to partner with us in the work and to grow our team.”

Founded in 1986 on the All Saints’ campus, MAC works to prevent homelessness and hunger in Midtown,

Downtown and surrounding Atlanta neighborhoods by providing emergency assistance, food, MARTA transit passes, and more to low-income working Atlantans in crisis.

“Everything has come full circle,” said Dorothy Chandler, MAC volunteer and former Executive Director from 1994 to 2019, who reminisced with former clients at the opening. “You don’t forget them and they don’t forget you and the good works –

whether it’s a bag of food or a rent payment.”

In the past year as rents rose during a lingering pandemic, MAC assisted 2,300+ individuals and provided more than $1 million in direct assistance.

“The city has helped hundreds of people with housing but there are hundreds more in the pipeline,” Lisa Gordon, City of Atlanta Chief Operating shared at the opening. “MAC’s work is critical to stem that tide and provide services before people need it.”

“The windows drive the branding so more Atlantans will know who MAC is and the services it provides,” said Jennifer Gibilterra, MAC board member.

“We now have the space to welcome more community members to partner with us in the work,” Jobson said. “Our volunteers often become our best advocates and supporters.”

Learn more at midtownassistance.org.

Freda Lewis and Janet Bernstein, MAC board members and volunteers for more than a decade.

Freda Lewis, MAC Board Member and Elizabeth Robertson, All Saints’ parishioner and MAC volunteer.

MAC Executive Director Jenny Jobson outside MAC’s new home at the corner of North Avenue and Spring Street. (Photos by Chris Hrubesh)

MARTA interim GM/

Collie Greenwood was expected to be officially approved as the permanent leader of the transit agency at the end of October.

Atlanta City Council updated its nuisance animal law that will allow fines to be imposed on pet owners if their dog barks or howls longer than 10 minutes.

The City of Atlanta will require Fulton County to complete a study by the Justice Policy Board before it agrees to lease 700 beds in the mostly empty Atlanta Detention Center. City Council members argue that overcrowding in the Fulton jail results from a lack of diversion programs and failure to charge the incarcerated with crimes.

Moratorium on redevelopment of Atlanta Medical property

By Dyana Bagby

The Atlanta City Council approved legislation that authorizes Mayor Andre Dickens’ executive order to halt any redevelopment plans for Atlanta Medical Center’s 25-acre site after its Nov. 1 closure. Dickens issued an executive order in September directing the Department of City Planning to refuse any applications for rezoning, building permits, land disturbances, special administrative

permits, subdivisions, re-platting, or lot consolidations within Atlanta Medical Center’s footprint. The mayor renewed the executive order on Oct. 4.

The council voted Oct. 17 to extend the mayor’s moratorium for 180 days, instead of two weeks. The city wants the time to review zoning regulations of the hospital site and surrounding areas and possibly implement new rules to guide redevelopment in the rapidly gentrifying Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

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The moratorium could expire sooner if the city approves a new zoning plan before the 180 days are up.

Wellstar Health System’s decision to close AMC shocked city leaders as the metro area deals with an already strained healthcare system. The hospital’s emergency room closed Oct. 14.

AMC is a 460-bed hospital that has been a fixture in the city for 120 years. It provided essential backup and overflow for Grady Hospital as the only other Level I trauma center in metro Atlanta, and serves primarily low-income populations.

The parcels that make up the Atlanta Medical Center campus along Boulevard near the Downtown Connector are currently a mix of zoning categories, including C-1 Community Business District Regulations, C-2 Commercial Service District, and C-4 Central Area Commercial Residential District. Some of the properties fall within both the Beltline Overlay District and Beltline Affordable Workforce Housing District.

The market value for the 15 parcels that make up the AMC site is nearly $107 million, according to Fulton County

property records. Wellstar bought the hospital in 2016 for nearly $66 million.

The mayor has said he would like to see some of the property be used for healthcare services. The prime real estate along Boulevard and northeast of the Downtown Connector, is ripe for mixed-uses, such as housing, retail, and office.

Wellstar, a nonprofit healthcare company, said it was forced to close AMC after reported losses of $107 million last year and that the Covid-19 pandemic and “intense financial headwinds straining healthcare organizations right now only made matters worse at AMC.”

Wellstar has updates on its on its website about the AMC closure and what it is doing to help patients and nearly 2,000 employees in the transition. The company said in a FAQ the decision to close came after two years of trying to find a solution to deal with heavy financial losses at AMC, including searching for a partner or buyer.

The company also closed its hospital in East Point earlier this year.

City Council passes ordinance to halt dissolution of NPU-R, redrawing of boundaries

By Collin Kelley

A move by the City of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning to dissolve a neighborhood planning unit (NPU) and redraw the boundaries of others in Southwest Atlanta prompted action on Monday by the City Council.

The DCP’s proposal would reduce the number of Southwest Atlanta NPUs from four to three, redraw boundary lines, reassign neighborhoods and completely dissolve NPU-R, which includes the Adams Park, Greenbriar, and Campbellton Road communities.

The Atlanta City Council approved legislation Oct. 3 to amend the city’s Code of Ordinances to require that the council approve any changes to the existing boundaries of NPUs (22-O-1747). This legislation requires any modifications to the boundaries to be reviewed and approved by council.

The council also approved legislation requesting the current proposed reconfiguration of NPU boundaries in Southwest Atlanta be reevaluated and that the city’s chief operating officer bring the current proposed reconfiguration to an immediate halt.

Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet introduced the legislation to put the brakes on the boundary changes.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for approving this legislation unanimously,” Overstreet said in a statement. “Our NPUs are the pulse of our communities, and as elected representatives, it’s important to have an extra set of eyes on any boundary changes. The NPU system should properly reflect the character of neighborhoods, and this is particularly important as our city grows and changes. I’m thankful for the feedback I received from the Department of City Planning, as well as for the thoughtful responses I heard from my constituents as we considered this legislation. This is a wise step in the right direction to make sure any boundary changes to our NPUs are reviewed and approved by the Council.”

Councilmember Keisha Waites said she was “deeply troubled” by the threat to dissolve NPU-R. She called the proposed effort to dissolve NPU-R “unprecedented.”

“NPUs are one of the most, if not the most significant, contributions of one of Atlanta’s greatest mayors. Mayor Maynard Jackson created the NPU system in 1974 to provide citizens with a direct pathway to actively participate in plans, programs, and promises that directly impact our communities,” Waites said in a statement. “I want every Atlanta resident to be rest assured that I, along with other members of the City Council, will do everything possible to protect the rights of communities and the long-standing legacy of the NPU process.”

In a recent report, Atlanta Progressive News cited potential reasons behind the move to dissolve NPU-R, including infighting on the board and a new economic focus on the area, which one DCP official said had the most vacant and undeveloped land of any of the city’s 25 NPUs.

Record-setting early voting in Georgia ahead of Nov. 8

By Collin Kelley

Early voting is underway across Georgia ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm election, which will see ballots cast in fraught races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and more.

Ballots can be cast Monday through Friday until Nov. 4 at polling places in Fulton and DeKalb counties.

In Fulton, advance voting takes place 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can see polling places and sample ballots at fultoncountyga.gov and click on the General Election 2022 tab.

In DeKalb, advance voting is also Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You see locations and a sample ballot

at dekalbcountyga.gov and clock on the “How Do I” tab for voter information.

On Oct. 17, the first day of early voting in Georgia, the Secretary of State reported that the more than 125,000 votes cast surpassed the first-day midterm record of 72,000 in 2018.

More than 4 million Georgians are expected to vote in this year’s midterms as high-profile issues like abortion rights, inflation, and education continue to spark conflict.

To find out more about each candidate, be sure to visit the 2022 Election Guide created by Atlanta Civic Circle and Atlanta Journal-Constitution at atlantaciviccircle. org.

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Peace Bell rings to honor Jimmy Carter’s 98th birthday

By Dyana Bagby

“The magnificent bell once again delivers beautiful sound in all directions, the wondrous resonance returns to the ultimate realm of peace.” — From a prayer to dedicate the Peace Bell Tower.

Former president Jimmy Carter celebrated his 98th birthday on Oct. 1 and received the gift of an ancient, Japanese peace bell ringing for the first time in decades.

The more than 500-pound bell tolled during a ceremony the day before at the Carter Center to dedicate the Peace Bell Tower. The bell tower, a gift from the Japanese community to the former president and Georgia’s former governor, is an ornate structure carved from 150-yearold Japanese cypress trees by Japanese carpenters. The beams were shipped to the U.S. and constructed over the summer on the grounds of the Carter Center by local and Japanese carpenters.

Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and chairperson of the board of trustees of the Carter Center, spoke at the ceremony. He said his grandparents are grateful for the symbol of cooperation and friendship between Georgia and Japan.

“But I have to say on the eve of his 98th birthday the thing that he would have appreciated the most, and that when he comes up here next he will spend his time doing, is looking at the craftsmanship,” he said. “Because he is at heart a woodworker and this is a beautiful tribute and personal tribute for him.”

Last year, Kazuyuki Takeuchi, consul general of Japan based in Atlanta, brought together leaders of the Japan-America Society of Georgia, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Japan External Trade Organization. He wanted to build a lasting symbol of the friendship between Japan and Georgia.

“This tower is my dream come through because of its symbol of the friendship between Georgia and Japan is so instrumental for the relationship between the two in future development,” he said at the event.

He also noted the location of the peace bell and tower at the Carter Center is where the Freedom Farmers’ Market takes place year-round on Saturdays.

“I’m aware that every weekend a farmers market is at this location,” he said. “My wish is to hear the bell ring with laughter and joy every week as the symbol of peace and friendship in the future.”

A ceremony was held Sept. 30 to welcome the Peace Bell to The Carter Center. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

There’s no fest like Oakhurst Porchfest

May I Be Excused?

Tim Sullivan

Tim Sullivan is an award winning columnist who writes about family life and thinks everything is at least a little funny. tim@sullivanfinerugs. com.

A band by the name of The Editors was on the radio and it was a soaring, anthemic sounding tune so I was surprised to see the song title was “Munch.” I wasn’t following the lyrics intently but it seemed far too passionate to have such a flippant name. It was off-putting in a literary sense – like going to a nice restaurant and ordering a something called a Sammich. I will munch on the Sammich, please.

At second glance I realized the song name was “Munich” and that probably made more sense. Munich literally means home of the monks so gravitas achieved and it’s doubtful the song had anything to do with casually chewing food. Two things I learned in that moment were that 1) I really need to get my eyes checked and 2) If I’m going to venture to write about music I probably ought to stick to setting the scene rather than dissecting the actual product. Still, in German Munich is “Munchen” so maybe I wasn’t completely off base.

Anyway, the Oktoberfest of note around here is Oakhurst Porchfest. Last month I wrote how I love seeing live music and going to bed early and how those two things don’t always go together. Well, Porchfest always delivers because I can wander around my neighborhood all day, seeing great live music and be home on the couch by 7 p.m. Some call it pathetic, I call it perfect.

The kids had their own Porchfest plans so Kristen and I were free to roam on this clear, crisp day. We started with a mellow set of Fleetwood Mac covers and then ambled around the corner to see a lively band named Pound Cake. They had a sizable crowd and a familiar sound and after about twenty minutes I realized they were the very band that played in our driveway about four years ago!

Porchfest is all grown up, I tell you. The music keeps getting better, the crowds keep getting bigger and I guarantee you will get your steps in. We ran into Margo trooping with her gaggle of friends and while we were content to let her enjoy the freedom, we couldn’t resist pushing through the eye-rolls and forcing them each to take a bottle of water. We spied Elliott from across the street at one point but he deftly pretended he had no idea who we were. Well played, son.

There were plenty of others who were happy enough to run into us. The theme of the day seemed to be that people Kristen works out with at FitWit loved seeing her dressed up and looking cute while current and former co-workers of hers at American Cancer Society loved seeing her dressed down and looking cute. I was just happy to be the cute-adjacent guy that carried the little cooler of drinks around.

We caught an outfit called Chickens and Pigs that we remembered from the Virginia Highlands bar scene over twenty years ago. They haven’t changed at all—have we? Then we saw a polished sounding group called Thrillbillies who specialized in covering songs I knew but hadn’t thought about in forever. I overheard someone say that one of the tunes was originally done by Three Dog Night. It was like a game of trivia wrapped inside a concert.

We checked in with some favorites to close the day out. The New Teardowns played loud and grungy and injected us with a dose of our 1990’s selves. Plus, I appreciate that the lead singer admitted to being a little winded in between songs. Lastly, it was the Britrock sounds of Her Majesty’s Request which I think rightfully retained its clever name despite recent events. They attract such a large crowd that we settled for obstructed view, standing room only. Either they have gotten too big for Porchfest or the Caiola’s need to trim back that oak tree.

by

Oakhurst Porchfest

Cirque’s ‘Kurios’ is a steampunk delight

steampunk aesthetic in this show? – and then the evening’s first big set piece gets underway and will, literally, have you seeing double.

A group of characters is having a jolly dinner at a large round table at center stage when the candelabra levitates. High up in the big top amid the lighting rigs, the same group appears to be having dinner – except they’re upside down. The main acrobats begin stacking chairs both up and down trying to reach the candelabra – and each other. It’s a dizzying, gasp-inducing moment as the acrobats scale the wobbly chairs.

The second act opens with a troupe of alien-like fish bouncing and somersaulting in a giant net stretched over the stage – gaining impressive air as they jump higher and higher. Two impressively muscled men perform an aerial duet that sends them soaring out over the audience.

By Jacob Nguyen

If you commute along the Downtown Connector, you might have noticed the giant, white circus tent in Atlantic Station’s event lot. That can only mean one thing: Cirque du Soleil is back in town.

I attended the opening night of Cirque’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities” on Thursday already knowing what to expect, but delighted by what I saw just the same.

The famed Quebec-based circus –created almost 40 years ago – has multiple touring shows, and although each has a different theme, Cirque never strays far from its classic acrobatic and aerial roots.

I’ve seen other Cirque shows, including the high-energy “Volta” in 2019 – which added parkour and BMX-style bike riding to the mix – but “Kurios” is a much more traditional circus, albeit with a steampunk and David Lynch sense of production.

Cirque shows typically have a loose storyline, and this one required a quick internet search as the show started to see exactly what this one was all about. It actually doesn’t matter, but for the curious: a 19th-century inventor creates a machine that opens a tunnel to a strange new world and a train full of oddities

spills out in his laboratory.

The set crackles with old-fashioned lightbulbs, music comes from old Victrola phonographs, and a diminutive woman named Mini Lili – who speaks French and lives in an elegant apartment inside the overcoat of a character named Mr. Microcosmos – appears unexpectedly like a “Twin Peaks” fever dream.

The high-flying stunts kick off with a woman riding a bicycle before it suddenly takes flight and she performs a series of tricks high over the stage.

A ringleader presides over a misbehaving group of invisible circus animals, followed by contortionists who cavort atop a giant steampunk finger – did I mention there is A LOT of

The steampunk hand reappears to become a stage where a funny fingerpuppet show is screened on a giant lantern suspended above the stage. And then there’s an extended bit of audience participation where a young woman is pulled on stage to contend with an actor who impressively – and hilariously –transforms into a cat.

The acrobat who climbs atop a rolling, wobbling bowling ball and series of platforms – both onstage and lifted high above it – surely has nerves of steel and no fear of heights.

The finale of the evening sees a large group of acrobats leaping from shoulders, seemingly running in mid-air, and performing other butt-clenching stunts that could easily end in a broken bone or three. They make it look fun and effortless, and their precision in these stunts is beyond impressive.

I’ll add a special note of praise for the live singers and musicians who accompany the scenes with a blend of whimsical circus-style tunes and what sounds like tango music. I actually went back and listened to the soundtrack on Spotify after the show.

“Kurios” is playing through Dec. 24, so there is plenty of time to grab a ticket. It’s perfect for the whole family. This is a Cirque du Soleil performance I would happily see again because there is so much to see and admire for both its simplicity and energetic performances. “Kurios” definitely earned the extended standing ovation it received at the end of the show. Cirque du Soleil might be familiar, but it never ceases to amaze.

Photos by Jacob Nguyen

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The Art of Fine Liquor The Distillery of Modern Art offers unique space in Chamblee

By Isadora Pennington

Tucked away down a winding street in Chamblee, the Distillery of Modern Art (DOMA) offers a refreshing new way to see artwork and engage with local artists. The unique concept combines a craft distillery with an art gallery and event space.

I recently met with owner Seth Watson who showed me around, shared all the ins and outs of distilling, and highlighted the number of artists whose works are on display there.

DOMA opened its doors on June 1 after years of careful planning, research, and fundraising. But before all that, it was a dream.

Originally from New York, Watson’s love for spirits traces back to his college days in Gainesville, Florida when he would find himself at campus bars, drinking draught beer and generally not enjoying the experience. He wanted something else, which led to his first taste of whiskey. In that moment he was inspired. “I just wanted to try everything. I spent the next ten years or so trying every kind of spirit I could get my hands on.”

For 20 years Watson channeled his passion into design and production for private events that ranged from a couple hundred to thousands of people. Though it was a successful role for Watson, he longed to pursue something that was uniquely his.

And so, after officially resigning from his job, Watson dove in head first. He spent years traveling across the country and visiting as many craft distilleries as he could. As he chatted with the owners he would ask questions, hoping to learn more about the industry. He wanted to know what worked and what didn’t, and he didn’t understand why there weren’t more craft distilleries.

In his research, he unearthed the true cost of launching a distillery and the legal

requirements, not to mention the highly involved process of making and selling good quality spirits. From the law to the label, Watson was all in on making sure everything about DOMA would be perfect.

That’s just kind of who Seth Watson is. I doubt he could do anything halfway.

The space, which was once just a warehouse, has been extensively transformed into a gathering space that is both sleek and approachable. Watson shared that the total build-out cost was around $3 million, while the equipment was another $1.5 million on top of that. “I knew exactly what I wanted to build and found the right people to help me do it,” said Watson.

The gallery is situated towards the front of the building with a door that opens to the patio. Visitors heading to the entrance catch glimpses of art and color through the glass, enticing them to enter. Just a few feet inside is a floor-to-ceiling installation of liquor bottles that have been filled with varying levels of colored liquid. It’s a relatively simple concept with a big impact. Beyond the wall is the Watson Gallery.

At one end of the space a wide window near the ceiling reveals a mirror reflecting the workstation on the other side of the wall. That area is the Distillery’s lab, where the hands of Head Distiller Matt Greif can sometimes be seen experimenting with ingredients and processes to develop new varieties of their offerings. It’s an immersive experience that reminds you that you are still in a working distillery, and the drink in your hand is a product of that.

That’s not the only secret spot in DOMA. From the gallery, a hidden door leads to the production room where spirits are bottled, labeled, and packaged. The machine that handles this process is massive, snaking around the width of the entire space. Watson led me to the fermenter and showed the giant bags of

Seth Watson in the still room at The Distillery of Modern Art in Chamblee.

(Photos by Isadora Pennington) )

grain that they receive from local farms.

Perhaps the most impressive, and rightfully so, is the monumental still room. Surrounded by huge glass windows and even protruding up through the roof, DOMA’s massive stills positively gleam in the sunlight. The stills are the heart of the Distillery of Modern Art. It is in this space, surrounded by glass and steel, that the mash of raw grains is finally transformed into fine spirits.

Just outside, a hallway leads to the event space and back door. The walls, lined with abstract paintings, hold special significance to Watson. As someone who has always loved art, particularly abstracts, he wanted to find a way to incorporate artwork into DOMA on a more permanent basis in addition to the revolving gallery shows. And so he curated a collection of original pieces that were inspired by DOMA’s seven signature

spirits: Rye Whiskey, Corn Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, Atlanta Vodka, Peach Flavored Vodka, Nouveau Gin, and Amaro Peach. You’ll also spy a few murals peppered throughout the space, with plans to continue adding more down the line.

“Intertwining art with this building to create an event space, an atmosphere, a vibe and to create our spirits, it was all built to intertwine art and create an experience,” said Watson.

The bar and tasting room at the Distillery of Modern Art is both comfortable and a little swanky. Modern lighting and upscale furniture elevate the experience to something that’s appropriate for date nights, corporate events, girls’ night out, and even drinks with your grandparents. Craft cocktails and spirits, presented in a sophisticated manner, have a broad appeal that entices new and established drinkers alike.

DOMA has the next two years allotted for artists to showcase there, and it has been wildly successful, particularly once Watson announced that DOMA would take no commission. Meanwhile, one of the larger spaces in the building is the 2,800 square-foot event space which hosts events ranging from weddings to performance art and comedy shows.

“You want to feel safe, and you want to feel like you’re getting an experience. Otherwise, why come out?” posed Watson as we sat at the bar, sipping some incredible cocktails. He leaned back in his chair and scanned the room, gesturing to the bartenders’ mixing drinks and the tours meandering through the still room.

“The idea of being taken care of –hospitality as an industry is the idea that someone is taking care of you – that’s something that is deeply important to us here.”

of the Horst Estate

Close Encounters

First survey of Deana Lawson’s photography at the High

By Isadora Pennington

The High Museum of Art is debuting the first exhibition surveying the work of photographer Deana Lawson, showcasing 58 works produced over the past two decades.

The pictures are large, with figures that are nearly full-size who often gaze out confidently toward the viewer.

“Deana is one of the most exciting photographers working today,” said Assistant Curator of Photography Maria Kelly. “Her works straddle the line between photography and contemporary art.”

Lawson is an artist and educator based in Brooklyn, New York, and her works are known to explore topics of intimacy, family, spirituality, sexuality, Black culture, and identity. She has won numerous awards including the Hugo Boss Prize in 2020 for achievements in contemporary art. This show comes to Atlanta from ICA Boston and MoMA PS and PS1 and is the last stop on this collection’s tour. The High Museum has been on the list waiting for this opportunity for at least two years, which was plenty of time to build anticipation and excitement.

This show is unlike many other photography exhibitions that have been shown at the High Museum of Art. Not only are there crystals in corners of the space which have been positioned there to “keep the energy right” but also “clouds” of 4×6 prints from pop culture, history, and Lawson’s own family. In one smaller room a film is projected on the wall, with found footage juxtaposed with chanting music, and on the wall is a hologram that is so convincing it can actually trick viewers into thinking the glass is revealing a hole in the wall.

Kelly pointed out the expressions on the subjects in these images that look back at the viewer through the glass. “It doesn’t really allow you to be a passive voyeur of the images,” explained Kelly. “We think of photography as us looking at it, not it looking at us. With these images, it’s very much an encounter with the person who is in the portrait and I think that’s important.”

There is a pervasive sense of the importance of family and lineage in Lawson’s works. Showing the intimate inner worlds of her subjects they invite viewers to stop and linger, taking in the number of details captured by her large format camera. “You can kind of get lost in these images with everything you can see and read,” continued Kelly. “You have to really come in to experience it in person. You can see these works online but seeing it in person is such a different revelatory experience.”

Deana Lawson is on display at the High Museum through Feb. 19, 2023.

Deana Lawson Collage

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The Grande Dame of Dining Out Food critic Christiane Lauterbach roams Atlanta seeking the next great meal

Christiane Lauterbach at the Daily Chew in Morningside-Lenox Park. (Photo by Isadora Pennington)

By Dyana Bagby

Christiane Lauterbach would rather eat an Oscar Meyer hot dog slathered in German mustard than a seasoned sausage that costs ten bucks.

“I would never say one duplicates the other,” says Lauterbach, the renowned restaurant critic for Atlanta magazine who is not afraid to share her opinions — glowing and critical — about the city’s dining scene.

“But nobody talks about the ratio of price to pleasure … there is a simplicity factor,” she says, explaining the difference between a cheap, tasty mass-produced hot dog and a chef-made, tasty hot dog.

“But I do love hot dogs, they are one of my vices,” she adds with a chuckle. This is pretty high praise from someone who served nearly 20 years on the James Beard Awards Committee tasked with selecting the best of America’s food culture.

Lauterbach, who says she is “70ish,” was born in Paris. Her mother abandoned her when she was an infant and she was raised by her father and a stern grandmother. As a child, she wandered the streets of Paris and discovered a world of architecture, parks, and food.

“I was a very lonely kid growing up in a very big city,” she says. “So, when you don’t have anybody and you live in Paris, you walk incessantly. And you look at stuff, you follow your own intuition.”

The young explorer observed what her family could and could not afford, and

she was very interested to see what other people were eating. She would taste the free bites of food handed out by vendors, noticing the textures of a pâté or a pastry, for example. She also began paying attention to how different foods made her feel — excited, warm, sensual. These emotions come back to her still today when she writes about dining.

She continued her explorations and moved to Munich, Germany, in her 20s and then later to New York City. She eventually settled in Atlanta where her husband attended Emory Law School. In the early 1980s, she helped found Knife and Fork, the premier guide to local restaurants that was mailed to subscribers.

The popular newsletter is currently on hiatus after nearly 40 years. In Knife and Fork’s heyday not too long ago, however, it caught the attention of Jeff Bezos who advertised subscriptions to the newsletter on Amazon. He didn’t ask Lauterbach before doing so and didn’t have copies of Knife and Fork. Lauterbach angrily sent him a letter demanding he take her product off his website. He did.

“He listed it for so much more money than it really is,” she says, anger in her voice. And she adds, only half-joking. “It is worth living long enough to see him die.”

Although she has lived in Atlanta since the 1970s, Lauterbach identifies solidly as a Parisian.

“There’s many, many cultural differences between Americans in general, but of course between Southerners and

NEW RESTAURANT RADAR

Westside Motor Lounge is open at Echo Street West in the English Avenue neighborhood serving up serving a menu of Southern dishes, snacks, and cocktails. Info: westsidemotor lounge.com

UK-based brewpub BrewDog is now open at Krog Street Market with 28 taps, beers brewed onsite, and a full kitchen serving pub grub. Info: brewdog.com/usa/ atlanta.

Dolo’s Pizza, which combines New York pizzas and Caribbean flavors, has opened its brick-and-mortar res taurant along Lower Alabama Street at Underground Atlanta. Info: @dolospizza.co on IG.

Atlanta coffee lovers can now experience the full taste of Italy with illy Caffé, the European-style café and coffee bar set to open at Atlantic Station at 264 19th Street.

where I come from, where we are the world champion of pessimism,” she says. “I’m an admirer of many things about the South but I still feel like I’m an odd duck at times.”

People here are mostly shocked by criticisms of anything, including some of her negative reviews of restaurants. She’s received death threats. But Lauterbach cannot write what years of experience in the global food scene has taught her.

“I can’t lie. I don’t lie,” she says.

“I don’t think there’s anybody who does what I do,” she says. “I have eaten more meals at more restaurants than anyone in Atlanta. The main concern nowadays has been the lack of opinion journalists — that nobody expresses strong opinion. It’s all descriptive.”

In the past several years, only two restaurants stand out to Lauterbach for their fine dining experiences: Lazy Betty in Candler Park; and Japanese restaurant Mujo in West Midtown, where she said she had her best meal in 20 years.

One of the terrible things about being a food critic, she says, is being

only interested in the extremes. If a meal is very bad, food critics can have fun writing about the disaster. Peak experiences at a restaurant also help words flow.

“What’s happened in the middle is not all that fascinating to us,” she says.

“But I have to remind myself all the time that it is people’s real lives. I think whatever your critics or your customers say, it doesn’t matter all that much in terms of economics,” she says.

There are plenty of bad but incredibly successful restaurants there are many very good but not as successful restaurants, she says.

“Whatever my influence is … I say to the restauranteurs it is best to listen to your cash register.

“But I guess I am addicted to knowledge and to mastery,” she says. “Mastery is important. … I want people to know I am still looking out for their best interest.”

Dining out for Turkey Day

Urban Hai is now open in the former BugerFi space on 12th Street with a full bar and a menu featuring Peking duck, dim sum, and mapo tofu. Info: urbanhai.com.

Dorian Gray is now open in Buckhead serving continental cuisine and craft cock tails accompanied by a soundtrack of Deep House music. Info: @ doriangrayatlanta on IG.

By Collin Kelley

While traditional turkey and dressing will be on many menus this Thanksgiving, the bird is not the last word. Why not try Japanese, Turkish, or French food? Many Atlanta restaurants will be open for the holiday offering something for all tastes. Be sure to check OpenTable.com or with your favorite restaurant to see what their plans are for Thanksgiving.

South City Kitchen Midtown: Turkey Day reservations are going fast, so get yours today at southcitykitchen.com.

5Church Midtown: A Thanksgiving Buffett is on the menu at 5church-atlanta. com.

STK: The Midtown steakhouse will be serving up Thanksgiving in its dining room and for takeout and delivery. Visit stksteakhouse.com for details.

Tiny Lou’s: Head to the Clermont Hotel for a taste of France on Turkey Day. Reservations are going fast at tinylous. com.

Ray’s in the City: Seafood is on the menu at this Downtown eatery. Reservations at raysrestaurants.com.

Truva: Virginia-Highland restaurant offers up Turkish food at truvahighland.com.

Nakato: This Buckhead favorite will be firing up the hibachi for Thanksgiving. Visit nakatorestaurant.com.

Hard Rock Café: The Downtown tourist favorite is cooking up a Thanksgiving at exploretock.com/hardrockcafeatlanta.

The Sun Dial: Zoom to the top of the Westin Peachtree in Downtown for a special Thanksgiving dinner with a view. Reservations are required at sundialresaturant.com.

HOBNOB: Head to Atlantic Station for a three-course Thanksgiving meal. Reservations at hobnobatlanta.com.

Petite Violette: Dine out on turkey and all the trimmings. Reservations at petitevioletterestaurant.com.

Star Provisions: A la carte Thanksgiving to go with all the fixins. To order, visit starprovisions.com.

Cocktail bar Mambo Zombi is now open above Georgia Beer Garden on Edgewood Avenue. Info: @mam bozombi on IG.

Bubble milk tea store Rebel Teahouse is now at open on East Ponce de Leon in downtown Decataur. Info: rebelteahouse. com.

Lauterbach's famed Knife & Fork newsletter mailed to subscribers.

Talking wine – and turkey – for Thanksgiving pairings

Wine

There are a lot of things that come with November: sweater weather, high school football season, too many leaves to rake. But the best day of the month comes on the fourth Thursday – Thanksgiving!

The legend of Thanksgiving is based on a feast that occurred in 1621 with some of the first settlers and the Indigenous People from the Wampanoag. George Washington actually declared the first recognized Thanksgiving in 1789 when he wished to build morale among the colonies after a hard-fought Revolutionary War and express gratitude for a newly ratified Constitution.

In the wine business, Thanksgiving is our Super Bowl. Choosing wines that pair well with people’s dinners is really a favorite part of our jobs and Thanksgiving allows us to really flex. This month we show off our skills and ask certified sommelier and field wine manager for Savannah Distributing Kate White for some of her favorite Turkey Day wines.

First things first, we have to consider what we drink before we drink. What wines pair well with cooking, what wine works while we put together our awardwinning tablescape, and maybe what gives us the courage to face our uncle’s inquisition?

Kate’s go-to is bubbles. Cava, Cremant d’Alsace Rose, and of course, Champagne. “Everyone knows bubbles pair well with festivities, but don’t overlook how well they pair with the grunt work of preparing the meal. Remember it’s important to have a nice reward for kitchen helpers, especially the ones who roll up their sleeves to wash the gnarly pots and pans. I pour them the finest I have to offer.”

Not only does sparkling wine put us in a great mood, it

also pairs well with appetizers like shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, and Katie’s husband’s traditional dip made with cream cheese, ketchup and horseradish. Kate suggests Allimant Laugner Cremant d’Alsace Rose, and any Vilmart & Cie Champagne. For Cava, Katie loves Pere Mata ‘Cupada 21’, Brut Nature.

Now let’s talk turkey! The most important component of the table is the bird. Everyone has their own twist, be it fried, smoked, brined or tofurkey, it is still white meat and luckily, this makes it rather easy to think of wines to gobble up. Katie’s favorite is Chardonnay, whether it’s a rich California style or a tropical, elegant Chablis, this grape’s acidity and fruit-forward palate really accentuates the main course. Try Sandhi Central Coast Chardonnay for its subtle creaminess, flinty undertones and ripe pear and apple notes. For red, Gamay is a go-to, especially if they come from their birthplace of Beaujolais. The complimenting acidity, low tannins and juicy mouthfeel really balances with white meat. Kate suggests a classic from Perrachon, from the cru of Juliénas.

Another table staple is the damn ham! Kate suggests rosé from Tavel. These classic wines contain grapes like Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault and have a beautiful vibrant hue, red wine complexity and definite notes of red berries and stony minerality that cuts right through the fat. Sarah will be pouring Hobo Wine Co. ‘Camp’ Zinfandel. This wine has all of the juicy red fruits that complement a brown sugar glaze and enough acid to balance out the savory.

When we are thinking about the sides, it is important to remember that there are a lot of flavors going on. Kate suggests, “because Thanksgiving meals can be complicated in breadth of flavors and people consuming the meal, I like to stay with generally food friendly wines and non polarizing flavor profiles. I’m shopping for a wine that will play diplomatically with turkey, ham, or turducken. Bonus points if it stands a chance to pair with Aunt Suzanne’s annual wildcard side dish.”

Options here include: Riesling (hear us out!) When you ask Somm what their favorite wines are, you will often hear Riesling and Thanksgiving is a perfect time to explore what this beloved grape can do. First, look for a wine that says

dry or specifically ‘Troken.’ These wines are not the sugar ridden blue bottles that everyone fears, rather higher in acid, rich in mineral and versatile with cutting saltiness, balancing spice and complimenting heavy seasoning. Katie will be serving Lingenfelder ‘Bird Label’ Riesling from Pfaltz, Germany. Sarah also loves Seppeltsfield Eden Valley Riesling from Barossa, Australia for its lemon-lime acid and honeyed mouthfeel.

Another white suggestion is wines made from the grapes of the Rhône Valley. This French region grows predominantly Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Grenache Blanc, but in other parts of the world, these combinations have been duplicated. The blend brings out balanced acidity, ripe stone fruits, and a honeyed richness that compliments white meats, baking spices and anything rich. Kate suggests two South African optins: Kumusha ‘Flame Lilly’ or Avondale ‘Jonty’s Ducks’ Pekin White.

For reds, Pinot Noir is the classic suggestion. This wine’s bright acidity and versatility is a no-brainer when it comes to complimenting the variety of dishes on your table. Whether the earthiness of Old World Pinot or the fruity and juicy New World options, Pinot is a crowd pleaser for even the most fickle guest at the table. Katie loves Domaine René Leclerc Bourgogne and Kate loves The Vice Pinot Noir from Carneros, California and Sarah is serving Fossil & Fawn Willamette Valley, Oregon Pinot Noir.

No matter what, this holiday is about sharing a meal with the ones who are most important. When we asked Kate about her most favorite pairing her answer was “any decent wine and chillin’ with my dad, turns out sharing pairs well with most wine.”

The reason we all work in wine is the camaraderie that it brings. The conversations around the table, the experimentation with different flavors and the stories that these wines tell are why we do what we do. This is truly why this holiday is a favorite – it allows us to expand our customers palates while making them look good to the in-laws. Choosing the perfect wines fills our cup. Cheers to family, both blood and chosen, great wines and a moist bird.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Katie Rice & Sarah Pierre Rice owns VinoTeca in Inman Park and Pierre

Savannah Distributing field wine manager Kate White.

that matters.

Westside Paper announces new culinary offerings

By Collin Kelley

Westside Paper is welcoming four new culinary offerings to its 245,000-square-foot mixed-use development.

The new additions include:

■ Elsewhere Brewing: A traditional pub offering barrel-aged beer, cask ale and oakaged lagers, as well as seltzer and cocktails.

■ El Santo Gallo: A taqueria from well-known chef Santiago Gomez of Palo Santo.

■ Ancestral Bottle Shop + Market: A bottle shop curated by restaurateur Roxana Aguirre with a focus on micro-batch, single-village Mexican spirits and South American wines.

■ King of Pops: The local popsicle company latest outpost serving pops, soft serve, pop-tails, slush-tails, beer and wine.

“Westside Paper is an ideal location for Elsewhere Brewing, El Santo Gallo, Ancestral and King of Pops,” said Shelbi Bodner, director of brokerage services with Bridger Properties, the company that is leading the retail leasing on behalf of Third & Urban and FCP. “It is one of the last large-scale historic mixed-use opportunities in the Upper Westside urban core and it’s on the BeltLine.”

Located at 950 West Marietta Street, across from the King Plow Arts Center and adjacent to Puritan Mill, Westside Paper is a mixed-use space focused around a 1950s paper warehouse with new construction elements.

According to project partners, 90 percent of the site is leased to a variety of retailers, including Pancake Social, Glide Pizza, Girl Diver, and Boxcar Betty’s.

The first phase of Westside Paper’s 15-acre campus is set to open in early 2023.

For more information, visit westsidepaper.com.

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Midtown projects will impact historic buildings

By Collin Kelley

Anew mixed-use development that would surround a historic apart ment building and the demoli tion of a nearly century-old hotel building were on the Midtown Development Review Committee’s agenda this week.

1450 West Peachtree Street

A second project on the DRC agenda would leave the historic Winnwood Apartments at West Peachtree and 19th intact but would surround them on two sides with a 20-story mixed-use development.

10th Street Ventures with Blur Studios plans to construct an L-shaped, 20-story tower with 171 residential units, 141 hotel rooms, and 29,000 square feet of commercial space, including a rooftop restaurant. There would also be a 286-space parking deck.

Fronting West Peachtree Street, a 2,000 square foot café and residential lobby as part of the adaptive reuse of the front portion of the existing 3-story ‘Mastermind’ building.

The DRC praised the adaptive reuse of the Mastermind building but made numerous recommendations for changes to the plan, including a minimum 10-foot setback between the new building and the Winnwood Apartments, shifting the

parking deck away from the apartments and adding windows and relocating the restaurant patio to create more space and connectivity.

It was announced earlier this year that the Winnwood Apartments would be transformed into micro and one-bedroom studios while preserving the historic facade of the 90-year-old building.

GBX Group LLC, in partnership with developer Urban Landings, and preservation organization, Easements Atlanta, plan to create 50 units with

modern amenities at the property.

Built in 1931 by H.W. Nicholes and Sons, the complex features a two-story brick Georgian Revival-style building and courtyard synonymous with early-to-mid20th century architecture. It is one of the last of this style in Atlanta.

Atlanta Preservation Center Executive Director David Y. Mitchell called the surrounding 20-story mixed-use tower “lamentable” and a project that would have benefitted from civic engagement for the plan. He said while the preservation

of the Winnwood was good news, the historic building would be “besieged” by the scale of the surrounding tower.

14 17th Street

Dewberry Capital got a green light from the DRC to demolish the former hotel, a two-story brick building at 14 17th Street. The developer said the building was now beyond repair and has become a magnet for trespassers.

Dewberry has no current plans for the property, so would transform the lot into a grass lawn. The DRC asked Dewberry to update the sidewalks so they are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA)

The building, constructed in the 1930s, was originally apartments then became the Northwood Hotel. Last used as office space, the building has fallen into disrepair since Dewberry bought it more than a decade ago.

Mitchell said the building was one of the last remnants of a thriving area once known as Pershing Point. He said the former hotel should be considered for affordable housing rather than demolition.

He said the Atlanta Preservation Center supports “any attempts to preserve, adaptive reuse or simply reimagine a role for this building, and hope that a discussion can still be had and we will offer our space to host any meetings to create a different outcome for this historic building.”

Two apartment towers planned for South Dwntn project

By Dyana Bagby

Newport RE plans to build two new two apartment towers with a total of 650 units between them on Broad Street as part of its massive redevelopment of South Downtown.

The residential towers would stand 18 and 21 stories. They would be built ground-up and face each other, standing on the east and west side of Broad Street on several parcels between Mitchell Street and MLK Jr. Drive, and between Peachtree and Forsyth streets.

Newport also plans to renovate some of the existing, historic buildings on Broad Street for retail and restaurant spaces. Construction is slated to start in early 2023 and be completed by 2025, according to a news release.

The apartment towers are the newest component of Newport’s long-term, $500 million vision to revitalize South

Downtown, once a vibrant hub as part of Atlanta’s beginnings as a railroad town.

Newport is putting the final touches on its renovations to historic Hotel Row and the 222 Mitchell building where office, retail and restaurant tenants are already moving in. The company owns 48 buildings and several parking lots spanning some 10 blocks in the area.

Newport’s residential project includes the “West building” and include 300 units; the “East building” will have 350 units. Both will include a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom units including many with private outdoor space.

More than 7,000 square feet of retail will also be offered at reduced rates, according to Newport.

The two new buildings are designed by Studios Architecture and will be built by Brasfield & Gorrie.

A rendering of 1450 West Peachtree Street

A rendering of the planned apartment tower in South Dwntn.

Devastating hurricane strikes beloved island

from Atlanta, my father ever certain we wouldn’t make it in time. We always did. Fifteen years ago, a new causeway replaced and upgraded the original, but it was no match for Ian’s destructive force.

A Disaster Waiting to Happen

My father worried every year that a deadly hurricane might hit Sanibel and harm the island and the house he and my mother built there in the early 1970s. He was well aware they had chosen a site on the beautiful but shifting sands of a barrier island, vulnerable to storms and the sea. He also knew that nearby Fort Myers on the mainland had once been a maze of swamps and mangroves, prone to frequent flooding. It was all a disaster waiting to happen.

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

On an overcast morning in midOctober, my journalist son Charles Bethea boarded a small boat to reach the shores of Sanibel Island—three miles across the choppy waters of San Carlos Bay on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The cause way to the island was in pieces, damaged

by 150-mile-per-hour winds and extreme storm surges that washed away portions of two man-made islands connecting spans of the bridge.

In my heart and mind, I was with him, waiting anxiously to learn the extent of the damage from Hurricane Ian: the nightmare storm called historic for its intensity. The maelstrom bashed the southwest coast of Florida on Sept. 28—the day my mother would have turned 102. My sister and I were relieved that neither she nor our father lived to see the catastrophic destruction of the place they—and we—so love.

Sanibel Memories

In the late 1950s, when my family first vacationed on Sanibel, it was largely undeveloped. We loved the island’s natural beauty despite the relentless no-see-ums and rustic accommodations. We collected shells

on its beaches, visited the national wildlife refuge that comprises a third of the island, boated with friends, fished for snook, and painted watercolors of coconut palms waving in the ocean breezes.

In the backwaters of mangrove swamps, we waded barefoot—at times in waist-deep water—cautiously exploring the muddy bottom with our toes, seeking king’s crown conches. We watched the ever-changing shoreline, altered through the seasons and years by wind, waves, and currents. My parents loved Sanibel’s wild nature—its red mangrove forests, flocks of roseate spoonbills, and rare junonia shells—and did what they could to help preserve it.

Until 1963, when the original Sanibel Causeway was completed, we took a ferry, then in operation for more than fifty years, to reach the island. We would race in our hot, unairconditioned car to make the last departure of the day after the long drive

Yet, as the years passed, people continued to move into the region: one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. New houses were built and mobile homes were placed mere feet from the water, often on “land” created by developers who used dredge-and-fill methods. River bottoms, marshes, and lowlands were scoured for fill material to elevate building sites surrounded by artificial canals to manage drainage and create “waterfront” property.

Sanibel employed a different approach for its inevitable growth, one that in all likelihood saved lives and property from the wrath of Ian. Beginning in the 1970s, local officials and residents (about 7,000 people live on the island year-round) decided to work with nature to protect the island’s environment and curtail overdevelopment. Ordinances limited development and officials rejected engineered structures, such as sea walls; instead, living shorelines were installed with natural materials, and environmentally sensitive areas were preserved. Today, two-thirds of the island is designated as conservation land.

Prior to its incorporation in 1974, when Sanibel secured autonomy to make land use decisions, county officials projected that

Destruction on Sanibel Island, Florida. (Courtesy of CNN)

30,000 residential units could be built on the island: a sandy strip of land twelve miles long and three miles across at its widest with an average elevation of about four feet. Although it’s difficult to acknowledge at the moment, Ian’s devastation could have been much worse.

Climate Change

More than 90 percent of the excess heat from global warming over the past fifty years has been absorbed by oceans, which is where storms gain strength. Higher surface

water temperatures allow hurricanes to reach high sustained wind levels. Warmer oceans also make the rate of intensification more rapid. Globally, oceans have warmed an average of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century and their surface temperatures continue to rise.

Climate scientists say there haven’t been more hurricanes in recent years, but that, since 1980, storm intensity has increased. More storms have been major hurricanes (Category 3 or above) with an increase in those that undergo rapid intensification; they are also producing more rainfall than in the past—another result of climate change.

I finally heard from Charles the morning after his long day of reporting on Sanibel. Apocalyptic was the single word he chose to describe the wreckage. When Gulf waters submerged the island, the ground level of every building was ruined; where walls were still standing, interiors were filled with mud and mold. Smells were

nauseating from broken sewage lines, dead animals, oily substances, and general decay.

Unable to reach my parents’ former house, which they sold in the 1990s, Charles serendipitously met a neighbor who showed him a post-hurricane photo. The sturdy concrete walls and roof appeared intact; however, the interior was a dirty wasteland like every other building in the neighborhood. The house my parents loved may have to be demolished.

Charles spoke to many people, all of whom said they hoped to rebuild, once insurance checks arrived. Will they erect the same expensive homes? Will the city of Sanibel adopt building codes requiring more storm-resilient structures? Will new land conservation and restoration projects be prioritized? Perhaps the most important question of all: Does it make any sense to rebuild on a barrier island in the age of climate change?

Trees Atlanta’s new Westside headquarters to be a hub for environmental action

By Savannah Seydel

Trees Atlanta is nearing completion of its new Westside headquarters which will be named the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse.

The new facility at 825 Warner Street SW is located on 2.9 acres of a former industrial lot facing the Atlanta Beltline’s Westside Trail. Trees Atlanta is transforming the largely concrete property into over 1.5 acres of restored greenspace and two large buildings to house their growing operations, community space, classrooms, and offices for themselves and three other environmental nonprofit organizations: The Conservation Fund, Georgia Audubon, and The Nature Conservancy in Georgia.

Coming Together Under One Roof

The new Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse is equipped to tackle the urban canopy challenges of today and tomorrow.

The property was originally acquired in 2019, but construction was delayed due

to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trees Atlanta persevered and initiated demolition in August 2021. All of the old structure has since been removed, except for a former grain silo that will be incorporated into the new facility’s design.

Trees Atlanta collaborated with local architecture and design firm Lord Aeck

Sargent to bring the organization’s vision of fostering collaboration, building community and inspiring action to life.

With 23,000 square feet of interior space, the new facility will accommodate both Trees Atlanta’s continued growth and staff from the Conservation Fund, Georgia Audubon, and The Nature Conservancy in Georgia.

The building includes all the necessary ingredients for building community among the non-profit groups and interested Atlantans: airy, open workspaces with big windows, generous wi-fi that extends into the greenspace, and easy access to the Atlanta Beltline and MARTA.

As Greg Levine, Co-Executive Director and Chief Program Officer of Trees Atlanta, walked through the construction site, he reflected that the four nonprofit organizations “…are community organizations that actively change the environment for the better.” And now, Levine says, they are creating the space for their community to come together to build solutions for Atlanta’s urgent environmental issues.

To realize this vision, they dedicated over 10,000 square feet of the main building and outdoor greenspace to community engagement and education. The first floor will feature several modular classrooms with garage doors that open into the surrounding greenspace, and a catering kitchen. Local environmental organizations and neighborhood community groups can rent the classrooms for free, but please note there is a small fee associated with bringing in food and drink or renting in the evenings.

At the heart of their mission remains taking action, which the design reflects. The front entrance of the new headquarters

will lead one immediately to what will be the heavily trafficked volunteer check-in center and programming station.

“Volunteers are the center of the organization,” Levine said. “And so we wanted them to be the hub of the building.”

The building also features thermal, bird-safe windows, a comprehensive stormwater runoff management system to protect Atlanta’s creeks and sewer system, and a granite outcrop circle at the front entrance reclaimed from the Atlanta History Center. The team even gave up additional parking space to further expand the facility’s greenspace, which will boast over 200 new trees and thousands of plants.

Growing Risks to Our City in the Forest

Levine understands that Trees Atlanta’s growth coincides with growing risks to Atlanta’s tree canopy.

“I wish we weren’t needed and that everything was going smoothly,” he said.

But their work is needed, desperately. The City in the Forest faces threats from many directions, namely increasing urbanization and climate change.

According to a 2018 report from the U.S. Forest Service, Georgia leads the nation in tree loss, with Georgia losing an average of 18,000 acres of urban tree cover per year –more than any other state.

Climate change exacerbates these conditions, with 36% of Atlanta’s native tree species diminishing due to climate change, per a Georgia Tech study. In fact, some of Atlanta’s most popular trees, such as dogwood, sugar maple, and redbud, cannot withstand today’s prolonged heat and little frost-time, and must be planted sparingly.

How Atlantans Can Get Involved

Thankfully, Atlanta has a new hub and home for taking action on urgent local environmental issues in the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse, which will be open to the public in early 2023.

Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit community group founded in 1985 by Marcia Bansley with the mission to protect and improve Atlanta’s urban forest canopy by planting, conserving, and educating. For more information on the TreeHouse, ongoing programming and volunteer opportunities, or ways to support the organization, please visit treesatlanta.org.

A rendering of the new Trees Atlanta headquarters.

MARTA moves forward with developments at Arts Center and Bankhead stations

By Collin Kelley

MARTA is moving forward with more transit-orient ed developments (TOD) at the Arts Center and Bankhead rail stations.

The transit agency has issued a call for proposals to build a TOD at Arts Center station in Midtown, which is located on six acres of land between 15th and 16th Streets and fronting on West Peachtree and Arts Center Way.

Midtown,” said MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood.

The MARTA Board of Directors has also approved a resolution authorizing the agency to enter into negotiations with the Peebles Corporation for a TOD at Bankhead Station.

The Bankhead TOD is located on just under five-and-a-half acres at 1335 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. The rail station is adjacent to Microsoft’s future 90-acre campus and a half-mile southeast of Westside Reservoir Park.

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More crucially, it’s adjacent to the Woodruff Arts Center – home to the High Museum, Alliance Theatre, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – and across the street from the newly opened Midtown Union development.

The site is zoned SPI-16 providing for significant mixed-use density, including affordable housing. Proposals are due by Dec. 15.

“Arts Center Station presents a tremendous development opportunity which we hope will enhance our customer experience and ridership, positively influence the neighborhood and add amenities, including affordable housing, which is so desperately needed in

The development plan would include 495 multi-family housing units, with 148 of them designated as affordable at 80 to 120% of the area median income by zip code.

The concept also includes office and workshare space, retail and a hotel, along with over an acre of open space.

To further support the type of mixeduse density that defines successful TODs, MARTA, with support from Atlanta City Councilmember Dustin Hillis, had the station rezoned to Mixed Residential Commercial District 3 (MRC-3).

Arts Center Station in Midtown.

A rendering of the development at Bankhead Station.

Kroger to close supermarkets in Buckhead and Decatur

By Collin Kelley

Kroger has announced plans to close its supermarkets at 720 Commerce Drive in Decatur, and 3330 Piedmont Road in Buckhead before Christmas.

Kroger said the Decatur store will close Dec. 2, while the Buckhead store will shutter on Dec. 9.

“We appreciate the loyalty and support of our customers and look forward to continuing to serve their needs at nearby Kroger locations,” said Victor Smith, president of Kroger’s Atlanta Division, in a press release.

Company officials said the Decatur location, nicknamed “Baby Kroger” for its small size and in operation for 21 years, “has experienced declining sales and negative profit over an extended period and its closure is necessary to make Kroger more

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competitive in the market.”

The Buckhead location has been in business for 47 years and is affectionately known as “Disco Kroger” thanks to a former neighbor, the glitzy Limelight discotheque. Company officials said the lease is set to expire in 2023 as redevelopment in the area continues.

The owners of the shopping center, Regency Development, announced the store’s closure last year and said a new grocery store will take Kroger’s place.

All 59 associates at the Commerce Drive location and all 84 associates at the Piedmont Road location will be reassigned to other Kroger locations as outlined in the company’s collective bargaining agreement,” Smith said.

Kroger announced the closures the same week it purchased rival Albertsons for $24.6 billion.

“Disco Kroger” in Buckhead.

On your own with early dementia? Looking out for someone who is? We’d like to ask you a few questions.

Researchers at Emory University are conducting interviews with:

■ Adults who have mild cognitive impairment or early dementia and don’t have a spouse, partner, or adult children living in the same state

■ Adults who have been informal caregivers for someone with dementia who is not their spouse or parent

Caregiving can include:

Helping with personal needs like shopping, cooking, or rides

Helping to arrange medical appointments and care

Being a health care proxy or decision maker

Interviews last about 1 hour and can be done by phone. palliative_research@emory.edu

New retailers join Lee + White container village

Containers are in place for the new retail village at Lee + White on the Westside.

Seeking nominations of students for our 14th Annual

Under 20 issue.

Here’s the information we need:

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

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

■ Characteristics and service:

Please provide a paragraph describing why this nominee deserves rec ognition. Include service projects, goals, and areas of interest.

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

The deadline for nominations is Nov. 18, 2022. To submit nominations and photos visit reporternewspapers.net/20Under20.

By Collin Kelley

Progress continues in Atlanta’s West End as the Lee + White project welcomes five new retailers to its container village.

The container village will open in early November facing White Street and with direct access to the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail. The new concepts are:

■ Atlo, specializing in eco-friendly refills of everyday products

■ Coastal Green Wellness, a seller of organically produced CBD and hemp products

■ Edison Bicycles, a locally-owned business selling its own brand of electric bikes

■ Erin Smith Art, offering unique greeting cards, gift items and party supplies

■ Highfalutin Press, selling a variety of gift products and specialty items

“We’re excited about the unique mix of businesses that will be opening in our container village providing an affordable alternative for retailers to grow their businesses, and we are thrilled that sustainable and eco-friendly products are part of the mix of items offered,” said Kelly Wilson, senior vice president for Ackerman & Co., which is developing the Lee + White project with MDH Partners.

Upon completion of the redevelopment, Lee + White will be home to the container village, along with a 19-vendor food hall, creative office spaces and a large event space.

Lee + White is a mixed-use development project that will open to the public in early 2023.

Worthmore Jewelers bold message confronts cancer

By Clare S. Richie

Worthmore Jewelers co-owners Joan Wasser, Harris Botnick, and Geri Botnick have worked side-by-side for nearly three decades and are like family. So, when Wasser’s stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis rocked their worlds, the Botnicks teamed up with their jewelry design partner Lika Behar to create a powerful necklace that boldly says – F-CK CANCER!

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

8“Harris, Geri and Lika are a special part of my life and for them to come together to collaborate on a piece that exactly describes this horrific disease is incredible,” Wasser said. “It’s made even more special by making a generous donation to the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) so that women who are diagnosed will receive a bag of goodies to help them get through their treatments.”

By donating a portion of the necklace proceeds, the Botnicks and Behar expect to give 100+ Bags of Hope – including blankets, water bottles, and other comfort items to newly diagnosed women – by the end of 2022. Items that Wasser confirmed provide comfort during cancer treatments.

“It all happened very quickly,” Wasser said. “I went for my normal yearly female appointment. My pap smear came back abnormal, and I had to get a biopsy and ultrasound. When my doctor sent me to a gynecological oncologist for surgery, I was sure that they were wrong because I wasn’t sick. This is a very silent cancer. It can sneak up on you in a matter of months and there is no test for it.”

Wasser says she’s lucky because most women with ovarian cancer have a more advanced stage by the time it’s detected – sometimes in the emergency room with pain similar to appendicitis.

“When this happened to Joan, my thought was just – f-ck cancer,” Geri said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to fight it and beat it. We’d been helping the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance for many years and the fact that now it touched us personally gave us a bigger desire to help.”

The Botnicks reached out to their jewelry design partner and dear friend, Lika Behar to fulfill their vision.

“The C word always elicits in me – ‘Oh, what can I do to help’ – because I’m a survivor,” Behar said. “I’ve had breast cancer and luckily am cancer free for the last 12 years.”

Behar designs and sells fine jewelry in stores across the U.S. Her aesthetic is inspired by the “old and new” of the romantic city of Istanbul. That’s where her pieces are crafted with gems sourced primarily from the U.S. She speaks of Geri, Harris, and Joan with sincere warmth as “the fairest, kindest, nicest people.”

Behar was reluctant about the word choice but the Botnicks insisted.

“I’d do anything for Joan,” Behar said. “So I did something very counterintuitive – to use a swear word. But then again, cancer does deserve a swear word doesn’t it?”

The necklace comes in three styles, an all silver version ($159) and two versions silver or oxidized black that include a turquoise stone beveled in 24K gold ($319). Turquoise was chosen as the natural stone closest to teal, the color for ovarian cancer.

“The handwriting is mine,” Behar said. “I learned to write in cursive with a fountain pen.”

Customers have responded positively to the necklace, which is a definite conversation starter.

“We realized that a lot of people like the F-word,” Harris said. “And a lot of people give a f-ck.”

Necklaces are available online at worthmorejewelers.com or at Worthmore Jewelers Midtown and Decatur stores.

Geri Botnick, Lika Behar, Joan Wasser, Harris Botnick at the launch of Behar’s in-store boutique at the Midtown Worthmore location.

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