Atlanta Intown - December 2020

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943 Wildwood Road NE

OFFERED AT $2,698,000

7 BED | 6 BATH | 1 HALF BATH

This custom built modern residence in the coveted Morningside area is exceptional, extremely well-envisioned and built. It features three finished levels with high ceilings throughout and an abundance of natural light in all of the rooms.

1026 Robin Lane NE

CONTACT FOR PRICE

5 BED | 5 BATH | 1 HALF BATH

Rare five-bedroom Morningside home on 1.97 acres. Open floor plan and full finished basement on a quiet cul-de-sac street. Ideal for a growing family.

1617 Lenox Road N.E.

OFFERED AT $899,000

2 BED | 3 BATH

Classic all-brick Morningside Ranch with two bedrooms and three-car garage. Home is situated on almost an acre lot.

1316 N. Highland Avenue N.E.

COMING SOON

3 BED | 3 BATH | 1 HALF BATH

Intown residence, fully modernized, spectacular master suite, topof-the-line kitchen. Walkability to shops, restaurants, BeltLine, and Piedmont Park.

1035 Rosedale Road N.E.

OFFERED AT $1,055,000

4 BED | 4 BATH

Move-in ready, fully modernized home. Hardwood floors, Carrera marble countertops, chef’s kitchen, large island, specialty hardware/details througout.

1332 Briarwood Drive N.E.

OFFERED AT $1,295,000

5 BED | 5 BATH | 1 HALF BATH

Move-in ready, large rooms, open floor plan, 4 car garage. Two master suites, oversized terrace level with kitchenette, bedroom, and gym.

2011 Lenox Road N.E.

UNDER CONTRACT

4 BED | 3 BATH

Like-brand-new construction in pristine condition with flat level yard. Gourmet kitchen. Oversized master suite with spa like bath.

1905 Wellbourne Drive N.E.

UNDER CONTRACT

3 BED | 2 BATH

Move-in ready—Granite countertops, vaulted ceiling, skylights, stone fireplace, brick-floored sunroom, backyard, in-ground pool, hot tub.

1448 N. Morningside Drive

SOLD

5 BED | 4 BATH | 1 HALF BATH

Move-in ready, newly modernized, high ceilings, oversized walk-in closets, three car garage, large backyard, ideal for multi-generation living.

1850 Lenox Road N.E.

UNDER CONTRACT

4 BED | 3 BATH

Striking mid century modern ranch on oversized lot. Open floor plan, high-end finishes and separate studio—an ideal home office.

1235 Pasadena Avenue N.E.

quietest streets.

998 Wildwood Road N.E.

SOLD

4 BED | 4 BATH

Elegant Morningside home on coveted Wildwood Road. 20 foot ceilings, spacious master suite, backyard, fireplace, oversized pool.

1658 Noble Drive NE

CONTACT FOR PRICE

2 BED | 2 BATH | 1 HALF BATH

Classic Morningside, Johnson estate Tudor. Features living room with fireplace and separate dining room. Located on quiet street just steps to park.

CONTACT US

Editorial

Collin Kelley INtown Editor collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

(404) 917-2200, ext. 102

Contributors

Sally Bethea, Kathy Dean, Melody Harclerode, Donna Williams

Lewis, Asep Mawardi, Jacob Nguyen, Clare S. Richie, Tim Sullivan

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Article queries and calendar submissions should be emailed to collin@atlantaintownpaper.com.

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A hard candy Christmas

As we were going to press for the December issue, drug companies Pfizer and Moderna announced they had successfully trialed COVID-19 vaccines. It was a glimmer of light at the end of what has been the long, dark craptacular tunnel of 2020.

While watching President-elect Joe Biden’s acceptance speech on the Saturday night after the networks called the election, I felt an exhausted relief and wondered if some of the divisiveness of the last four years might come to an end. But it became quickly apparent that the 2020 hangover is going to linger well into 2021 and beyond.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Reuters reported on Nov. 18 that half of all Republicans believe that Trump rightfully won the election, but that it was stolen from him by widespread voter fraud. There is still a large swath of America that believes wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is a symbol of oppression and loss of liberty – even as 250,000 people have died. Hard-won human and civil rights are set to be relitigated before a newly realigned Supreme Court. And don’t forget the Jan. 5 runoff here in Georgia with an outcome that will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate. No pressure.

As for Christmas, I expect I’ll be at home for most of it –probably regretting that I binge-watched series four of “The Crown” before Thanksgiving instead of saving it. I’ve talked with my “pod squad” – a group of mindful, virus-free friends – about going to a restaurant, but that seems risky. We might just settle for takeout from Waffle House and getting back to that binge of “Cagney & Lacey” episodes from the ‘80s.

Collin Kelley

collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

Dolly Parton’s tune “Hard Candy Christmas” has been stuck in my head for a few weeks now as the holiday season rolled around. The lyrics remind us that we have to take the hard knocks life throws at us, but there is sweetness underneath, so don’t let sorrow get you down.

Remember those vaccine trials I mentioned at the top of this letter? Dolly Parton quietly funded one of them. Another glimmer of hope.

The Neighborhood News & Features

20 2020

who made

As we close out this crazy year, INtown decided we wanted to give a hat tip to the people, businesses, and organizations that kept us sane. We asked our readers to chime in with their suggestions on the people who went above and beyond to help the community, the restaurants and businesses that adapted overnight to the new normal, the arts group and artists who virtually entertained us, and the nonprofits and civic groups that came to our aid in a time of crisis. We’ve included Instagram, Twitter, and other social media accounts so you can show your support and thanks as well.

Stacey Abrams & Fair Fight

The former Democratic Georgia congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate (@staceyabrams) is being widely credited with getting more people to the polls with her national voting rights organization (@fairfightaction). With Georgia flipping blue for President-elect Joe Biden, attention is now focused on two U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia – between David Perdue (R) and Jon Ossoff (D) and Kelly Loeffler (R) and Raphael Warnock (D) – that could put the Senate in Democratic control.

1 2

Midtown Assistance Center

Residents unable to pay their rent, utility bills, food, MARTA cards to get to work turned to the nonprofit (@themacatlanta) based at Atlanta First United Methodist Church for help during the pandemic.

Plaza Theatre

As the pandemic shuttered movie theaters around the world, the historic cinema (@plazaatlanta) at N. Highland and Ponce partnered with improv company Dad’s Garage (@dadsgarageatl) and movie rental shop Videodrome (@videodrome_atl) to provide an old-fashioned drive-in movie experience and streaming to film lovers at home.

Feeding the Hungry

As restaurant dining rooms closed, servers were laid off, and residents were furloughed, local nonprofits stepped in to help provide food and necessities for those in need. Our readers gave a grateful thumbs up to The Giving Kitchen (@givingkitchen), ATL Family Meal (@atl_familymeal), Meals On Wheels (@mealsonwheelsatlanta), Operation Feed (@operationfeedatl), Atlanta Community Food Bank (@acfb), and Georgia Organic’s Food Fight (@georgiaorganics).

YMCA of Metro Atlanta

The Y (@atlantaymca) reopened in May to provide socially-distanced activities, swimming, and exercise for kids and adults cooped up during lockdown.

Free99 Fridge

Local Musicians

Intowners missing live music were thrilled to see local favorites streaming live concerts and performances during the pandemic, including Yacht Rock Review (@yachtrockrevue), Chelsea Shag (@chelseashag), Ruff Lee (@ruffleemusic), David Berkeley (@davidberkeleymusic), and ATL Collective (atlcollective)

Atlanta entrepreneur and activist Latisha Springer launched the nonprofit (@free99fridge) over the summer to help combat food insecurity by placing community refrigerators in seven neighborhoods that are stocked and maintained by neighborhood volunteers, local farmers, and businesses.

3 4 5 7 8 6

Supermarket Workers

Intown’s supermarkets large and small – including Kroger (@krogerco), Publix (@publix), Whole Foods (@wholefoods), and Candler Park Market (@candlerparkmarket) – never closed during the pandemic and their dedicated staffs risked their health and patience to help keep the city fed. Hat’s off!

Collin Kelley

Healthcare Workers

The city’s overworked, exhausted but always dedicated frontline medical workers are forever in our debt. Our readers specifically pointed to care received at Grady (@gradyhealth), Piedmont (@piedmonthealth), Emory (@emoryhealthcare), and Northside (@northsidehosp).

New Realm Brewing Hand Sanitizer

When all the supermarkets, drug stores, and convenience stores ran out of hand sanitizer, the brewery and eatery (@newrealmbrewing) started making their own and selling it at their BeltLine Eastside Trail window.

MAMA Fund

The Metro Atlanta Mutual Aid Fund (@mama_fund) continues to focus on funding Black, indigenous, and other peoples of color that that been impacted and endured hardships during the pandemic.

Neighborhood Joints

Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation

The nonprofit (@atlfirerescue foundation) arm of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (@atlantafirerescue) delivered hot meals, personal protection equipment, cleaning supplies, and helped repair equipment damaged during the summer’s demonstrations.

Art Beats ATL

When all of the city’s live theater, art, and concert venues closed during the pandemic, the arts groups joined forces to create a virtual calendar of streaming events (@artbeatsatl) to keep Intowner’s entertained.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

The Atlanta’s mayor (@keishabottoms) call for mandatory masks and citywide stay-at-home order put her at odds with state officials, but readers applauded her leadership during the crisis.

Book Delivery

Intown’s independent bookstores kept readers busy during the pandemic by offering delivery and shipping, including Charis Books & More (@charisbooksandmore), A Cappella (@acappellabooks), Bookish (@bookishatl), Eagle Eye (@eagleeyebooks), and Tall Tales (@talltalesbooks).

Mask & PPE Makers

When hospitals ran out of masks and other personal protective equipment, volunteers mobilized to make more – including a group who organized on Facebook and then took its appeal to the public through SewingMasksForAtlantaHospitals.com.

Local arts groups – including Alliance Theatre (@alliancetheatre), Atlanta Opera (@theatlantaopera), and Atlanta Ballet (@atlantaballet) – turned their closed costume shops into PPE assembly shops.

Intown restaurants and liquor stores switched gears to provide takeout, delivery, and event markets. Our readers specifically mentioned Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits (@toweratl), Six Feet Under (@sixfeetunderatl), Wrecking Bar (@wreckingbarbrewpub), El Tesoro (@eltesoroatl), Brash Coffee (@brashcoffee), Vinoteca (@shopvinoteca), Nakato (@nakatorestaurant), Java Jive (@javajiveponce), Ruben’s Deli (@rubensdeliatl), King of Pops (@kingofpops), Moe’s & Joe’s (@moesandjoesatl), Agave (@agaverestaurant), Sun in My Belly (@suninmybelly), and Elemental Spirits (@elementalspirits.co).

Streaming

We would have lost our minds without Netflix (@netflix), Hulu (@hulu), Prime (@amazonprimevideo), Disney+ (@disneyplus) and the myriad of other streaming networks keeping us in television and movies.

State Farm Arena Voting

With all the concerts and sporting events on hold, Fulton County joined forces with the Atlanta Hawks to turn the arena (@statefarmarena) into a massive early voting site. Voters were in and out in a matter of minutes.

Teachers

After school systems went virtual last spring, Intown’s educators worked overtime to make adjustments for at-home learning. When some schools reopened in the fall, many teachers were pulling double duty by teaching in person and online. While having the kids at home was a challenge, our teachers kept students learning and engaged, and there’s not enough thanks in the world for that.

News Roundup

The Atlanta City Council adopted legislation during its Nov. 16 meeting to urge the Georgia General Assembly to amend state law to allow vehicles to be temporarily seized when used in connection with offenses related to street racing. The council voted Nov. 2 to approve an ordinance to jail street racing offenders before an arraignment hearing in Atlanta Municipal Court.

Attention turns to Senate runoff after fraught presidential election

MARTA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Nov. 12 to extend the contract of General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker for three years, through 2026.

The Atlanta City Council approved legislation last week that prohibits commercial harassment by investors seeking to intimidate and pressure homeowners into selling their properties for prices far below fair market value.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the formation of the Progressive Atlanta Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will consist of community leaders who will make recommendations for achieving the administration’s goal of creating a more equitable city to increase access to opportunity for all residents.

Atlanta is getting a new area code, 943 , after the Georgia Public Service Commission announced that current codes – 404, 770, 678, and 470 – will be used up by 2023. The area code will be used metro-wide. 943 will be the first new code assigned since 470 was introduced in 2010.

By Collin Kelley

While audits, recounts, and debates continue nationwide over Joe Biden’s election as the 46th President of the United States, all eyes will be on Georgia this month in the lead up to a Jan. 5, 2021 runoff for two U.S. Senate seats.

Georgia hasn’t gone for a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1992, and the state has been reliably conservative red ever since. That all changed on Nov. 3 as Biden beat lame duck Donald Trump and put two high profile senate seats in contention.

Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff will face each other once again after both fell short of reaching a 50 percent majority.

Democrat Raphael Warnock will face Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a special election runoff after beating a crowded field of 18 other candidates for the seat. Loeffler was appointed to the

seat by Gov. Brian Kemp after Johnny Isakson resigned for health reasons.

If Ossoff and Warnock win, it would put Democrats in control of the U.S. Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris acting as tiebreaker against Republicans.

Fulton and DeKalb counties began mailing absentee ballots on Nov. 18. Other key dates include Dec. 7, which is the deadline to register to vote in the runoff, and Dec. 14, which is when inperson early voting begins.

Also of note, 5th Congressional District voters are going back to the polls on Dec. 1 to decide if former Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall or former Morehouse College President Robert Franklin will fill the seat for about six weeks until Nikema Williams is sworn in after winning a full term on Nov. 3 to succeed the late John Lewis.

For more information about voting, visit fultoncountyga.gov or dekalbcountyga.gov.

Will Atlanta Public Schools resume in-person learning in January?

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Herring says her administration is “working diligently and passionately” in preparation for in-person learning in January 2021, but a spike in COVID-19 cases may ultimately scupper the plan.

With Georgia back in the coronavirus red zone as cases rise, there’s also uncertainty over whether President-elect Joe Biden will institute a nationwide lockdown. That could mean APS students remain at home until spring or possibly until the 202122 school year.

Nevertheless, parents received another “intent to return” declaration form last month. The same options created for October’s abandoned return plan were still offered: face-to-face learning and two forms of virtual learning.

“We remain in substantial spread of COVID, so we will continue to operate in a virtual capacity,” Herring said at the November meeting of the Atlanta Board of Education. “The district is preparing for a January 2021 return.”

Herring said there would be more virtual town hall events for parents as the district determines whether face-to-face learning will resume.

APS had hoped to begin returning to students to face-toface learning in phases from Oct. 26 through Nov. 16. However, COVID-19 cases began trending up and parents and teachers expressed concern about safety.

The delayed return has divided APS parents, especially in Buckhead, which has become a hotbed of back-to-theclassroom advocacy. At least two grassroots organizations of parents, teachers and staff are pushing for and against the delay.

A Facebrook group calling itself “Let Atlanta Parents Choose” put pressure on APS to reopen classrooms, event taking a billboards in the city.

However, an opposing parents’ group, “We Demand Safety APS,” submitted a letter to Herring with more than 3,500 signatures from parents, teachers, and staff members demanding classes remain virtual.

In early November, Herring herself tested positive for COVID-19 and went into quarantine.

City Schools of Decatur and DeKalb County Schools also postponed a return to in-person learning until January, while Fulton County Schools moved to a hybrid system in the fall.

Kelly Loeffler Raphael Warnock

David Perdue Jon Ossoff

Superintendent Lisa Herring

Atlanta school board poised to rename Grady High after student vote

By Collin Kelley

The Atlanta Board of Education is expected to vote on renaming Midtown’s Henry W. Grady High School at its Dec. 7 meeting after hearing from the student body.

The board had originally planned to vote in November on a recommendation to change the name to Ida B. Wells High School, but community outcry about the process led to a postponement.

During the month of November, every student at Grady was given the opportunity to anonymously vote for the three names forwarded by a renaming

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committee, including Wells, Midtown High School, and Piedmont High School.

Board member Leslie Grant said the committee, which she chaired, agreed that whichever name the students choose in ranked voting will be forwarded to the school board as a final recommendation. The board could choose to accept the student body decision or choose another name.

The renaming of Grady has caused division in the community as evidenced by fighting on community message boards and dueling online petitions.

The decision to postpone and let students vote was met with a mixture of opinions by parents and community members commenting during the Nov. 2 virtual meeting. Many were upset that Grady alumni would not be included in the vote. Board member Cynthia Briscoe Brown suggested that Howard Middle School students also be given a vote as a feeder school in the Grady cluster, but her recommendation failed to get any traction.

The controversy over the renaming reached a tipping point after a survey sent to parents, students, faculty, and alumni showed a decisive preference for Midtown High School. Ida. B. Wells came in second and Piedmont third. There were two other names on the survey – Freedom High School and Thomas E. Adger, in honor of the school’s first Black principal.

However, Grant said the survey was merely used to inform the committee’s decision, which leaned toward equity rather than popular vote.

The move to rename Grady began in March as communities across the nation re-examined the legacy of racism and white supremacy in the names of its buildings, streets, parks, and monuments.

Grady was named after journalist, orator, and white supremacist Henry W. Grady. Ida B. Wells was a pioneering Black journalist who investigated lynchings in the South after the Civil War.

Chairman Jason Esteves said the board would likely consider new names for Brown Middle School and Forrest Hill Academy – both named after notorious Civil War-era white supremacists – in December or January. Esteves also empaneled a new naming committee which must decide what to rename Grady’s football stadium.

The Dec. 7 board meeting begins at 6 p.m. and can be watched on the Atlanta School Board’s Facebook page.

Ida B. Wells

Places in Peril

Georgia Trust for Historic Places releases 2021 endangered list

By Collin Kelley

The Midtown building that house the The Atlanta Eagle nightclub, the adjacent Kodak film building, and the the old Ashby Street Theatre on the Westside top the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s newly released 2021 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state. Here’s what the Trust had to say about the Atlanta places in peril:

▲Atlanta Eagle and Kodak Buildings

Originally constructed as expansive private residences in 1898 and 1905 respectively, the Atlanta Eagle and Kodak Buildings reflect over a century of urban evolution and social history in the city of Atlanta. The Atlanta Eagle Building – altered for commercial use in 1949 – eventually became a place of prominence in the LGBTQ community, significant as a site for public social interaction. The Kodak Building was originally constructed as an Italian Renaissance house but underwent a commercial alteration in the 1940s with the opening of Star Photo. Currently, the structures suffer from lack of maintenance and a direct threat of demolition. The Atlanta Eagle has recently announced plans to close due to financial hardship brought on by the pandemic. Despite both buildings being contributing properties in the Midtown National Register Historic District, the properties are highly susceptible to demolition without the addition of local preservation protections.

Ashby Street Theatre ►

The Ashby Street Theatre was one of Atlanta’s first theaters to serve the African American community. Opened in 1934, the theater provided a space for African Americans to enjoy the latest movies in their own community without having to suffer segregated entrances and seating areas during the Jim Crow era. The Ashby Street Theatre has not been occupied for many years and suffers from a lack of maintenance. Despite its continued disrepair, there is now significant development occurring around the Ashby Street Theatre, creating an opportunity for its revitalization as a community gathering spot once again.

“This is the Trust’s sixteenth annual Places in Peril list,” said Mark C. McDonald, president and CEO of the Trust. “We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia’s imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites.”

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

Through Places in Peril, the Trust encourages owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reuse, reinvest and revitalize historic properties that are in peril.

Other sites on the 2021 list include: Blackshear City Jail in Blackshear (Pierce County); Cherry Grove Schoolhouse in Washington (Wilkes County); Cohutta African American Civic District in Cohutta (Whitfield County); Downtown Toomsboro in Wilkinson County; Kiah House Museum in Savannah (Chatham County); Old Monticello United Methodist Church in Monticello (Jasper County); Terrell County Courthouse in Dawson; and Vineville Avenue Corridor in Macon (Bibb County).

Visit georgiatrust.org for more information.

Danielson

Try A Little Tenderness

By Donna Williams Lewis

Jahira Arias-Romo was a single mother with a five-month-old baby when she lost her job at a trucking company in May due to COVID-19 cuts.

“That was basically my entire financial line at the moment,” she said. “That meant I didn’t have any sort of income coming in.”

While the Riverdale resident worked on getting public assistance, she was faced with some urgent needs. Diapers topped the list.

Searching online for help, she ran across The Tender Foundation, a group that helps mothers shift from crisis mode to stabilization with immediate “gap assistance” and connection to long-term resources.

To date, the fledgling Atlanta nonprofit has helped keep 60 families in their homes with rent assistance, paid 36 utility bills, and given grocery store gift cards to 39 mothers.

It serves up aid with a hefty side of tender loving care, starting with the soothing tone of its website – part of what the foundation calls its “safe and compassionate space.”

Arias-Romo felt relief the moment she logged on to the site.

“The first thing I saw was something like ‘Do you need diapers and wipes?’ I was like ‘Oh, thank God,’” she said.

Within two days she met the

Romo.

“It meant one less headache for me. It was such a relief,” she said.

It also meant a lot to her that The Tender Foundation’s founder, Jaycina Almond, is a mother, too. But not only is she a mom, Almond understands the financial struggle. She’s lived it herself.

It all began with a bassinet

Almond is a full-time model and single mom who’s worked internationally and has 50,000 followers on Instagram. But just a few years ago, her life was very different.

When her daughter, Syx, was born in 2017, Almond was a struggling 21-year-old enrolled in the state’s health insurance program for low-income pregnant women.

She left DeKalb Medical Center with more than her baby. She was given a bassinet. She didn’t know who left it for her, but the bassinet inspired her.

“I thought it was super intentional and thoughtful,” she said.

Enamored with the pregnancy/ motherhood experience, Almond came up with the idea of selling items for expectant mothers through a subscription box service called Tender. With every order, diapers and wipes would be donated to a local mother.

Her modeling career was taking off and just as she was about to launch her business, Tender began to take a turn.

She realized she didn’t care about selling anything. “All I really cared about was how I was going to get those diapers and wipes to our moms,” Almond said.

While she was in New York in September 2019 for Fashion Week she chatted with a Lyft driver who told her about an organization she runs that supports low-income moms in Brooklyn with deliveries of car seats and strollers.

Almond took that interaction as a sign she was on the right path. She restructured, gathered a team of volunteers, and launched The Tender Foundation in January.

It takes a village

Almond currently does all of the foundation’s intake, reading about the mothers’ needs and reassuring them that help is on the way.

“It’s heavy work because you wish you could change everything for everybody, but there’s also gratitude that … we’re able to do the work,” Almond said.

Emily Strongwater, a criminal defense attorney who represents many indigent defendants, was searching for help for one of her clients when she found The Tender Foundation online.

Grateful for the nonprofit’s assistance, the Midtown area resident later participated in the foundation’s “It Takes A Village” family and friends fundraiser in August that netted $35,000.

Since then, Strongwater – who is mom to Archer, a soonto-be 4-year-old girl who prefers to go by “Archie” – has joined The Tender Foundation’s board of directors.

“Personally, I really struggled with the transition to motherhood and I had every resource available. I had health care. I had my parents 20 minutes away. I had paid maternity leave, and it was still incredibly challenging,” Strongwater said. “It changed my perspective on just how much support mothers need.”

She calls Almond a “true believer,” who deeply believes that the community can’t thrive unless its mothers are thriving.

“There’s a lot of excitement right now about politics changing, but I think what we have to remember is that an election’s not going to save us and politicians are not going to save us,” Strongwater said. “We really need to work together as a community, and I think that’s Tender’s main philosophy. We just happen to do that by focusing on the moms.”

Learn more about this organization at thetenderfoundation.com.

organization’s founder to pick up a month’s supply of diapers for her daughter Paige, bigger diapers for down the road, and more diapers for a relative who was also in need. The donation was a huge deal for Arias-

From left, Jaycina Almond, founder of The Tender Foundation, hands off a donation of diapers to Riverdale resident Jahira Arias-Romo.

(Photo by Nicole Hernandez)

The Tender Foundation founder Jaycina Almond and her daughter, Syx.

(Photo by Emma Craft)

Emily Strongwater, a Tender Foundation board member, at home with her daughter, Archie. (Photo by Piera Moore)

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Imposters, elections, and surviving 2020

Our lockdown lifestyle means Kristen, the kids and I spend some evenings playing Among Us, a quirky, online video game we can enjoy as a group from our individual phones. That’s 2020 for you! The characters look like Teletubby astronauts and it is set in some sort of nuclear reactor map. Each round there is one Impostor who pretends to be a common taskmaster whilst killing off his fellow contestants. The rest of the crewmates do, in fact, complete the tasks while they try to collectively out the Impostor.

Honestly, I have next to zero idea what is happening but the kids get a kick out of my naivete and that alone is entertaining. To make up for a lack of skill or strategy I offer up an evil sounding hehheh-hehhh at the onset of each round so they always think I’m the Impostor. Mostly I’m just pretending to be the Impostor. An impostor impostor. So yeah, the social life is really great these days.

TIMMY DADDY

By Tim Sullivan

Last Saturday was exciting though. I drove through downtown Decatur after the news outlets declared Joe Biden the winner of the Presidential Election. It had been so long since I’ve seen genuine joy and happiness in the face of strangers it was well worth inserting myself into a traffic jam. Once home, I needed to post a video and gleefully report to Facebook that people were partying like it was Subaru Freaknik. That’s a pretty good quip right? Worth repeating? I mean, it’s 2020 – cut me some slack!

After the Election of 2016, I wrote right in this space that I worried we would be shielding our kids from something awful in the coming years – that Kristen and I and parents all over the country would be absorbing a lot of worry. I didn’t know if it would be a deep recession or an erosion civil and social progress. Or if it could be something even more dire with the wrong people at the helm to handle it. Turns out it was all three. Not that I want a prize for the prognostication or to strain the purview of this column with political punditry. But man, it’s been a tough haul, so outing the biggest impostor of our time sure feels good. (And I do understand that 72 million of my readers might disagree…)

That same night I had a rare function to attend. It was a birthday gathering for my buddy Mike that was planned well in advance of the election announcement although it ended up serving as a dual celebration. The invite came with strict enough CDC guidelines that I know better than to call it a “party.” It was more a Friends-of-Mike awareness congregation.

It was outside, a short time frame, masks and social distancing required. This year has conditioned me to feel like if I’m not in my pajamas by 7 p.m. then I’m doing something naughty but everyone was so conscientious that I didn’t fear for a second about contracting coronavirus. And it sure was heartwarming to see some familiar, smiling eyes at least. I miss seeing their whole faces but in their eyes I saw a sense of relief and a sparkle of hope. It was a reminder that mostly, there are good people among us.

I started writing this column a decade ago because life with kids can get blurry. The days, months, and years clip off all too quickly and I wanted to document some anecdotes before they slipped away. But this year it seems simply turning another page on the calendar is something of an accomplishment and hopefully bringing us closer to some semblance of normalcy. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my crewmates soon, however remotely that needs to be. There are more tasks to be done, more impostors to be outed and there is more joy to be had. I’m ready to bring on 2021. How about you?

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

Rich in character and in comfort, Ardyn boasts an ideal address at the doorway of Atlanta’s popular Virginia Highland neighborhood.

Thank

- ERIN YABROUDY & ASSOCIATES

Gift Guide

Holiday ideas from affordable to luxury at some of Intown’s favorite shopping destinations

By Collin Kelley

Whether you’re looking for something fun and affordable or high-end and luxurious, Intown’s retailers have you covered for the holiday season. We checked in at Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward and the shops at Buckhead Village to see what was on offer from a variety of shops. We

favorite weirdo.

XO, Your BFF,” ”Call your mother. XO, Your Mother,” and “I think to myself what a wonderful world. XO, Louis.” ($16)

Cotopaxi Fuego Down Jacket from Mountain High Outfitters

~ The Fuego is a quintessential down insulation layer made with responsibly sourced, waterresistant 800-fill goose down, making it the lightweight down jacket that’s perfect for fall through spring – or even camping in the summer. ($250)

Ponce City Market

poncecitymarket.com

(clockwise from top left)

Gavin Sneakers from Citizen Supply

~ From Matt & Nat, these vegan leather sneakers are sleek and modern and perfect for your stylish loved one. ($124)

Weekender Bag from Onward Reserve

~ Luggage brand Meanwhile Back on the Farm collaborated with Onward Reserve to create this limited-edition luggage collection designed for a weekend getaway trip. ($350)

Boheme Fragrances Candles from Citizen Supply ~ These candles come in a luxurious colored glass vessel, and each reflects the distinctive spirit of a singular location. ($45 each)

Mugs from Sugarboo & Co. ~ Each of these microwave- and dishwasher-safe mugs displays a note, like “You’re my

2021 Lemon Desk Calendar from Archer Paper Goods ~ 2020 was the year of lemons, and this desk calendar can turn 2021 into lemonade, Made by Rifle Paper Co, the 7.5” x 6”, spiral-bound desk calendar is the perfect accessory for any desk. ($20)

Marty Moose from Rhen’s Nest ~ A quirky playtime pal for kids, this moose has impressively squishy antlers and is perfect for nighttime cuddling, too. ($24.99)

Celebrity Prayer Candles from Modern Mystic Shop ~ From Beyonce to Dolly Parton to Stacey Abrams, these candles make for great stocking stuffers and a white elephant gift exchange. ($17)

Bourbon + Whiskey Lovers Gift set from 18.21 Bitters ~ The Bourbon+Whiskey lovers gift set is the perfect present for whiskey drinkers to try out several bitters flavors. Each kit comes with three 1-oz bitters flavors that perfectly pair with Bourbon, Whiskey and Scotch cocktails. ($25.99)

also took some side trips to other favorite retailers around the city to come up with this gift guide.

With the ongoing pandemic, most shops are offering delivery or contactless pickup, but be sure to check before you buy.

Buckhead Village

buckheadvillagedistrict.com (clockwise from top left)

Lion Pendant from Kimberly McDonald ~ From the Signature KMD King Collection, the lion pendant with diamond eyes is set in 18k green gold. ($8,525)

Ai Shoulder Bag from Akris ~ This medium-sized bag in the “Strokes” print from the Swiss luxury clothing and accessory shop is sure to make a statement. ($1,690)

Candle Lantern from Diptyque ~ Driven by the heat of the candle, the silver lantern rotates as if by magic, projecting animals leaping around the flame. ($85)

Pizza Party Kit from Bella Cucina ~ Create a pizza party right at home with Bella Cucina sauces made from vine ripened Italian tomatoes. ($45)

Christmas Tree Dozen from Georgetown Cupcake ~ 12 different classic Christmasinspired flavors including Chocolate Eggnog, Gingerbread, Rudolph Red Velvet, Christmas Butterscotch, Chocolate Peppermint and more. ($41/dozen).

Black Suede Mules from Jimmy Choo ~ Go on and treat yourself to a pair of shoes, like these mules with crystal and pearl on the strap. ($995)

Women’s Maire Jacket from Moncler ~ This festive-colored down jacket is perfect to be worn all winter long. ($1,290)

More Shopping

Suggestions

(clockwise from top left)

Woo Skincare + Cosmetics ~ Find favorite makeup and skincare brands at this Peachtree Battle shop or give a gift card for someone to pamper themselves. wooskincareandcosmetics.com.

Abbadabba’s ~ The local chain (with locations in Buckhead and Little Five Points) If you’re looking for Dr. Marten’s, Birkenstock, or other cool shoe brands. coolshoes.com.

Blabla Kids ~ These one-of-a-kind ethical, cuddly dolls and animals make the perfect gift for kids of all ages. There’s also blankets, pillows, and other cute décor from this Virginia-Highland shop. blablakids.com.

The Cook’s Warehouse ~ For the chef in your life, the Ansley Mall shop has a big assortment of cookware, bakeware, cutlery and more. cookswarehouse.com.

Urban Cottage ~ Unique, hand-picked furniture, accessories, and gifts for the home have made this Virginia-Highland shop a must-visit for nearly two decades. urbancottageatlanta. com.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Bowlero has opened in Atlantic Station, its 13th location in Georgia. The bowling alley offers signature blacklight bowling, an interactive arcade and upscale sports bar with extensive food and beverage offerings at the 36,000 square-foot venue. New protocols and health standards include a limit of 4-6 guests per lane, no sharing of bowling balls between guests and selfordering of food and beverage. More information can be found at bowlero.com.

The Buckhead location of SweatHouz has opened. The infrared sauna studio delivers wellness to the mind and body at its spa-like facilities. Members enjoy a one-hour getaway in a private suite for a 45-minute sweat and 15-minute refreshing shower designed to rehydrate and tone skin. SweatHouz relieves COVID-19 concerns with Touchless check-in and deeply sanitized suites. Other SweatHouz locations include Vinings and Sandy Springs. Find out more at SweatHouz.com.

The Danish men’s clothing brand LINDBERGH will open its newest location at Atlantic Station in 2021. The menswear store will fill a 6,000-square-foot space and offer formal and casual apparel. Visit lindberghshop.com to find out more.

Leading dog daycare provider Dogtopia is expanding into Decatur. This is its third Atlantaarea location; the others are in Roswell and West Midtown. Visit dogtopia.com for more information.

The Southeast regional headquarters of Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) is moving from Tower Place after 10 years and relocating to the City Club of Buckhead’s former space at Atlanta Financial Center (AFC Buckhead) on Peachtree Road in Atlanta. The real estate company will occupy AFC Buckhead’s top two floors, totaling approximately 17,000 square feet, when the move is complete in March 2021. Learn more at transwestern.com.

Amy Selig has opened the third Stellar Bodies at The Works, an 80-acre adaptive mixed-use development in Upper Westside. Adding to locations in Buckhead and Midtown, the new Stellar Bodies features 2,200 square feet of space. As featured in Goop, Stellar Bodies’ workout combines cardio and strength training to burn calories, build core muscles and improve posture. Visit stellarbodiesatl.com for details.

Continued on page 22

Continued from page 19

◄Onward Reserve, a specialty men’s apparel and lifestyle brand with 12 locations across the southeast, has named Emmie Henderson Howard, founder of Southern Proper, as its new President to work alongside the company Founder and CEO, T.J. Callaway. Howard is credited with being an industry trailblazer by launching a first of its kind clothing brand. “For years I’ve worked closely with T.J. and his incredibly talented team, and it is a true honor to step in and serve as a brand advocate and support system for the Onward organization,” Howard said. Onward Reserve has three locations in Atlanta. For details and to shop, visit onwardreserve.com.

Cushman & Wakefield has been retained to oversee the leasing of two medical office buildings on behalf of Caddis Healthcare Real Estate. George Olmstead and Brandon Wallace of Cushman & Wakefield will lease the buildings. Olmstead will lease a 76,382-square-foot building located in Buckhead. It recently underwent a major renovation including enhanced common areas, new HVAC equipment, a new roof and a new covered parking garage which is due to deliver by the summer of 2021. The property’s new landscaped plaza will be shared with Caddis’ neighboring upscale 213-unit senior living facility, Heartis Buckhead, currently under construction and slated for completion in 2022. Wallace will lease the second location, a new 21,263-square-foot building in Marietta near Wellstar Kennestone Hospital that was delivered in 2019. To learn more, visit cushmanwakefield.com.

►Floral design studio and art exhibition

Pinker Times has expanded from its original pop-up location to a larger space at Buckhead Village. The newly expanded pop-up will be open through March 2021. Founded by artist Skye Lin, the studio offers unique florals that include amaranthus, dahlias, peonies and more. Pinker Times also has a choose-yourown flower bar and bespoke floral arranging workshops. For more information, visit pinkertimes.com.

Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers, LLP has been recognized through its inclusion on the 2021 U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” list, which recognizes quality and breadth of service provided, based on reviews from both clients and peers. Visit swiftcurrie.com for details.

Resident Home has joined the diverse lineup at The Interlock, the $450 million mixed-use development in Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood. The 1,590-square-foot store will include curated products from brands like Nectar, DreamCloud, Awara and Bundle and offer an array of home furnishing products, such as bedding, mattresses, furniture, area rugs, home décor and other accessories. The Interlock is slated to open in spring 2021.For more information, visit residenthome.com.

In October, Georgia Tech announced a partnership with Facebook that will make Artificial Intelligence (AI) education more accessible and increase ways into the field for diverse candidates. As part of the pilot program, Facebook is co-teaching and funding a deep learning course at Georgia Tech this semester. The social media company intends to scale this program to thousands of underrepresented students by building a consortium with 5-6 other universities, including minority serving institutions. “The Facebook lectures provide students with real-world examples and techniques that are needed to deploy and scale algorithms. This is something that students always ask me for, and being able to provide them this information from a large, well-known company that uses these algorithms to process billions of pieces of data per day is invaluable to our students’ education and growth,” said Zsolt Kira, associate director of the Machine Learning Center at Georgia Tech.

Sustainability

Signs of hope in new forest preserve, tree protection efforts

deal with Waste Management for $4.7 million; this past August, the nonprofit sold the land to the city for the same price. After tires and other debris are removed from the site and parking accommodations are made, the city plans to open the preserve to the public in about a year.

Stacy told WABE reporter Molly Samuel: “I believe it’ll be a crown jewel in the city and even in the region. A forest that people will come from all over the city to visit and spend time in because it is such a unique place.” The potential for the preserve to become an outdoor learning laboratory about nature and the people who once lived here is enormous. Several acres of the tract are part of Soapstone Ridge, which contains archaeological sites dating back several thousand years.

been reduced.

The city hired consultants to advise them on an ordinance revision and, in 2019, began to engage stakeholders. This time last year, these discussions had devolved into finger-pointing, as the city appeared to be ignoring the significant input of residents and tree advocates. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the negotiations this year, but also provided time for a small group of stakeholders to work through the ordinance, line by line; they are making progress.

“This is a real forest!”

exclaimed Atlanta naturalist Kathryn Kolb as we walked through the woods in the city’s recently-acquired Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve on a glorious day in November. We had just admired tall shagbark hickories, massive white oaks, sassafras, persimmons and a huge beech tree: at least 175 years old based on its circumference.

Our tour leader for this special visit to the newest and largest public park in the city of Atlanta (at 216 acres) was Stacy Funderburke, regional counsel with The Conservation Fund (TCF), a national nonprofit organization. He was instrumental in striking the deal to permanently protect this natural treasure located in southeast Atlanta – working with landowner Waste Management, the city, residents, tree advocates and others. If the parties had not moved quickly, a proposal

to clear-cut the forest and grade the land to develop another industrial park would already be underway.

Once a small lakefront retreat in the middle of the last century, the property and deteriorating homes were sold to a developer in the 1980s and Lake Charlotte – created by damming a tributary to the South River—was drained. Several years later, Waste Management purchased the property that is next to its Live Oak Landfill: the largest landfill in metro Atlanta, which closed in 2004. Local residents have long worried that the Lake Charlotte property would become another landfill or industrial site.

Instead, the forest has continued to grow untouched for decades – as vines, trees and other vegetation took over old street signs, light poles, porches and collapsing roofs. After a study identified the Lake Charlotte forest as the most critical property in Atlanta to protect, TCF negotiated the

To purchase the property, the city of Atlanta used money from its tree recompense fund: fees collected from developers when they cut down trees for new construction, as required by an amendment to the city’s tree ordinance adopted five years ago. This is first time that the fund has been used to protect existing trees, instead of planting new ones—demonstrating the importance of the fund for preserving intact forests before they are destroyed. Thanks to a recent audit of fund expenditures, necessary controls will soon be in place to ensure that recompense funds are used solely as intended, instead of being siphoned off to support department expenses, as has happened to some of the money in recent years.

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

City Councilman Matt Westmoreland –chair of the Community Development and Human Services Committee, which oversees the work of the planning department – has led the effort to bring the parties together to revise the tree ordinance. He told me recently that he is “very grateful that the city, tree advocates, and members of the development community continue to share their various perspectives in ongoing discussions to get us to a solid end point.” He expects that the Council will receive a draft ordinance from the planning department soon and will work toward adoption in the first quarter of 2021.

By Sally Bethea Sally Bethea is the retired executive director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and current board president of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy whose mission is to build a community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

As I noted here in an earlier article, since its passage twenty years ago, Atlanta’s tree ordinance has been beat on, beat up, revised and shrugged off by most affected parties: developers, city planners, elected officials, residents, and tree protection and clean water advocates. Virtually everyone agrees that the ordinance has never worked to protect existing trees – high quality trees – during development and redevelopment. It has also permitted larger volumes of storm runoff from expanding impervious surfaces, allowing ambient temperatures to increase, while the shade canopy of mature trees has

At the end of this difficult and tragic year, I find signs of hope in many places: one of them is in the steadfast commitment of the people who are working hard to find agreement on ways to protect our city in the forest. They realize the immense value of Atlanta’s tree canopy to the health and sense of well-being of all who live, work and play in the city.

If I never have the opportunity to walk the peaceful, deep woods of the Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve again, I am content in the knowledge that this special place cannot be harmed – that it will be loved by tens of thousands of people over the years – and that the large beech, whose trunk I hugged when I couldn’t hug my friends for fear of the pandemic, may now be able to reach its full maturity and live several hundred more years.

Mushrooms at Lake Charlotte Preserve

Fashion

Atlanta designer committed to eco-friendly fabrics and materials

By Clare S. Richie

Tired of leggings? Atlanta native and recent SCAD Atlanta graduate turned Masterclass instructor, Christina Yother, just launched her first spring line.

“My goal is to create sustainable, comfortable, unique pieces,” Yother said. “The inspiration for this collection is yoga; ‘the dance between control and surrender.’ I use gatherings and drawstring details to control the fabric and create the surrender in the drape.”

Yother’s collection features six pieces: three dresses, a top, a tunic, and wide leg pants plus masks and scarf accessories made from excess fabric.

“I absolutely love wearing the Rachelle dress. It is so sophisticated and stylish, yet sexy without trying too hard. Love the movement in it, how light and airy it is and unexpected asymmetry throughout. It will definitely be on a heavy rotation for the spring/summer season,” shared Tatiana Barburasi, local Atlanta blogger.

From making her own clothes in high school, to honing her skills at SCAD Atlanta, to learning the business side of the industry at Carter’s – Yother has always set her sights on starting her own business.

“I’ve been working on my line for a long time, sourcing fabrics, finding a factory, getting samples, making sure the fit was perfect,” Yother said.

At the core of her brand is sustainability – to avoid contributing to the excessive waste produced by the fashion industry.

“I’ve always been passionate about the environment,” she said “At the age of 12, I asked my family to start recycling as my birthday present.”

That’s why she chose eco-friendly fabrics like micro modal made from Beech tree wood pulp and cupro made from cotton production leftover fibers and only uses Global Organic Textile Standard Approved dyes. But her sensitivity to her brand’s environmental footprint doesn’t end there.

“I’m using zippers, branding labels, hand tags and packaging that are all made from recycled materials. The straps on one of the dresses are made from a fiber created from recycled ocean plastic,” Yother said.

Her factory in New Orleans even recycles excess fabric into accessories, whose profits Yother plans to donate to a women’s shelter in Atlanta.

Her environmentally conscious creations are already well-received.

“I absolutely adore my Jasmine tunic. It has the softest material with a super flattering and timeless fit. I can dress it up or dress it down. It’s definitely one of my go-to’s” stylist Roz Kaur Roz shared.

Photographer:

Makeup: Najah Mansur

In September 2018, Yother showed her collection at Vancouver Fashion Week and the positive response helped her take the leap this fall. With 50 backers she exceeded her $22,000 Kickstarter goal with fulfillment expected in March 2021.

About half of Yother’s customers are from Atlanta with the rest scattered across the U.S. and abroad. Her pricing reflects one-of-a kind pieces, high quality materials and production in an U.S. based factory that pays fair and living wages, provides a safe working environment and follows sustainable practices.

Yother is already designing her fall 2021 collection.

“I’m excited to incorporate some more casual pieces mixed with my comfortable fabrics into that fall collection,” Yother said. “You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style, comfort or sustainability in your clothes.”

To order from the Christina Yother collection, visit christinayotherdesigns.com.

The Jasmine Tunic and Tia Pants

South Atlanta Photography

connections to nature

Perspectives in Architecture

By Melody Harclerode

Sustainable design has become a widely accepted strategy to develop architectural projects. City of Atlanta requires all major renovations and new construction of cityowned facilities exceeding 5,000 square feet to comply with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines for criteria, such as water conservation, energy savings, and use of environmentally-friendly materials. Decades ago, architectural firm Thompson Hancock Witte (now THW Design) received

national and international recognition in 1978 for their pioneering environmental design of the Simmons Company Corporate Headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia.

With this success, Thompson Hancock Witte founding principal Bill Witte applied principles of sustainable design for their new firm headquarters in Atlanta saying, “We didn’t’ want to have to tell prospective clients about what we could do. We wanted to show them what we could do.” Firm leaders found the perfect location to

showcase their passion for sustainability at 4055 Roswell Road, a property enlivened with a lake, flora, and wildlife including ducks, beavers, frogs, and Great Blue Heron birds.

Witte christened their new headquarters completed in 1980 as the Beech Building reflecting the abundance of beech trees onsite and synergy of the building to the landscape. The architect positioned the building with a northsouth orientation to capture sunlight

and spectacular lake views. Stonework along the entry exterior wall flowed seamlessly into the airy lobby. Secondfloor ceiling trusses permitted natural light from clerestory windows into expansive working spaces. Underground water and heating reinforced the commitment to selfsufficiency and energy conservation.

Designed as a “polite neighbor” to the community through the contextual use of wood siding, stone, and cedar roofing on the building exterior, the Beech Building drew a flurry of attention from clients, government officials, and media for physically and visually connecting people to nature. Site restraints eventually limited building expansion opportunities for the growing firm. Though Thompson Hancock Witte moved to another location ten years ago and continued their sustainable approach to projects ranging from health care to senior living residences, longtime employees still speak glowingly of the Beech Building and its surrounding, wildlife-filled land.

These days, the building and site are managed by Blue Heron Nature Preserve, housing this nonprofit organization and partners Georgia Audubon and The Amphibian Foundation. The property has evolved as the lake has transitioned slowly to become a marsh. Blue Heron Nature Preserve has expanded the original seven-acre parcel into a thirty-acre nature preserve hosting environmental education, conservation initiatives, and arts programs. Forty years after its construction, this extraordinary building and site inspire a new generation of building users and visitors to connect with nature.

Melody L. Harclerode, AIA, promotes significant historical, cultural, and natural sites as an organizational leader, architect and writer.

Days at the Beech Building 2010

Beech Building Entry Today as Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Rendered Site Plan for the Beech Building

ECO BRIEFS

Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Piedmont Park Conservancy for preservation and enhancement projects. In the midst of a global pandemic, the Conservancy has continued its commitment to manage over 90 percent of the daily maintenance of Piedmont Park so that Atlantans can escape their homes and engage in physical activity during a stressful year. “Piedmont Park Conservancy’s work facilitates the long-term sustainability of Atlanta’s most iconic park,” said Wendy Stewart, Atlanta market president for Bank of America. “Partnering with the Conservancy aligns with our commitment to the local community’s economic and environmental health and will ensure the park can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

return, helped cultivate additional space to grow lettuce, leafy greens, onions, beets and other produce. The grant program honors of Arnold’s new, organic recipes which combine environmentally friendly ingredients and baking processes.

Invest Atlanta recently awarded two new Brownfield Loan Fund (BRLF) grants – one to The Conservation Fund for its Paul Avenue Project and another to Trees Atlanta for its Warner Avenue Project. Clean-up of the Paul Avenue project will convert the contaminated site into a new park for the Riverside neighborhood, while also creating key trail connections for both the Whetstone Creek Trail and the future Chattahoochee River Trail. The Warner Avenue project will include Trees Atlanta Urban Ecology Center with indoor and outdoor programming. It will also include a 21,000 SF facility for office spaces, community education spaces, as well as storage and workspace for tree planting implementation.

RECENT ACTIVITY

▲ With more than 16 years of experience in commercial construction, real estate development, project management and LEED consulting, Charlie Cichetti has been named a 2020 LEED Fellow by Green Business Certification Inc. Cichetti, the CEO of Sustainable Investment Group & Green Building Education Services, is among 25 professionals who represent exceptional practitioners and leaders within the green building community and have demonstrated mastery of the technical application of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building rating system.

Arnold Bread has partnered with SeedMoney – a Maine-based nonprofit that provides grants, crowdfunding opportunities and training to food garden projects across the country and around the world – to provide a $5,000 grant to Collegetown Farm, Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture in Atlanta . After being hand selected for this grant, Collegetown Farm used the grant funds to support food production and farm operations which in

Home & Real Estate

Holiday Home

Five beautiful ways to ease into an unprecedented holiday season

From the Balance Design Team

We have an unprecedented holiday this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. While this year has been full of anxiety, questions and unease, there has also been gratitude, appreciation for quality time with friends and family, and a renewed passion for the home. It is in this spirit, that we show you some of the things we’re doing at home to ease into the holiday season.

►Fire Vessels

Speaking of fire, we really love these modern fire vessels, like these from Food52, that burn on ethyl alcohol. Easy to enjoy, safe and interesting – these little beauties come in all shapes and sizes.

▲Seasonal Wreaths

No more dusty wreaths from the attic this year. Invest in a new one! Wreaths signify the eternity of life and love with their circle. This one that from CB2 is organic, subtle, textural and can be left on my door for the next three months.

▲Forced Blooms

If you have a green thumb, a forced blooms can make for beautiful display. Our favorite is amaryllis. To watch it grow in 4-6 weeks is both amazing and deeply satisfying. You can buy them at Lowe’s and then line my mantle with three to five of these regal beauties. At the end of their blooming, plant them and, surprisingly, the ones in the yard come up at the most wonderful times.

We love masculine and woodsy scented candles. The trick is not too strong or they can give you a headache. As there are so many wonderful choices, try a couple different moods – like this Frasier Fir candle from Thymes, or even eucalyptus and perhaps some green tea.

As the weather has gotten cooler, we are enjoying the fire pit again. We had a box of firewood delivered from Cutting Edge Firewood with everything that you need for a great fire: matches, kiln dried kindling, and perfectly seasoned logs. A bit expensive for every day, but it’s perfect for special occasions.

For more about Candler Park-based Balance Design, visit balancedesignatlanta.com.

Ponce City Market expansion will feature residential tower, office building

By Collin Kelley

Ponce City Market unveiled plans Nov. 10 for a 500,000 square foot expansion, which will include a residential tower and office building at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Glen Iris Drive in Old Fourth Ward.

Although not detailed in the press release, a rendering of the residential tower, which will include retail space on the ground floor, appears to rise at least 20 stories and will contain more than 400 units.

Jamestown, the company behind the creation of Ponce City Market, said the residential tower would be a first-of-its-kind concept called “hospitality living,” According to press materials, “the hospitality units will offer thoughtfully designed spaces with flexible short-term and long-term leases at accessible price points. Residents will also benefit from hotel-like services and amenities, including regular housekeeping and laundry services, a rooftop terrace and pool, and in-building storage units. The building will also include around 13,000 square feet of retail space.”

The 100,000 square foot, four-story LEED-Gold commercial office building, will offer tenants customizable space with an option to create outdoor, private balconies. The ground floor will house 25,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and offer a direct connection to a new courtyard space between the residential tower.

Jamestown said the office building will be constructed using cross laminated timber (CLT), keeping in line with the company’s commitment to reduce embedded carbon in their buildings, and achieve zero net operational carbon throughout its portfolio by 2050.

The expansion will sit on what is now Ponce City Market’s west parking lot. Jamestown did not release any details about parking for the new office building or residential tower but said it would encourage micro-mobility with bike and scooter parking, designated rideshare drop-off sites, an electric bike share program, and electric car charging stations.

Along with the new buildings, Jamestown said Ponce City Market’s busy Central Food Hall will also get a 2,000 square foot expansion by reworking former office and retail space.

“With this next chapter, we’re looking forward to adding more space for the community to work, eat, shop, and enjoy Ponce City Market,” said Matt Bronfman, CEO of Jamestown. “These plans keep sustainability top-of-mind with ample outdoor space, new technologies, green materials, and design that draws on the beauty of nature while honoring the history of Ponce City Market.”

Ponce City Market first opened its doors in 2013 and has since been credited as the catalyst for revitalizing the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. The former Sears & Roebuck catalog distribution and retail center and later City Hall East has been a fixture on Ponce for nearly a century.

ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY proudly welcomes Nancy Thorpe to the Buckhead Office

◄The City of Refuge and the Westside Future Fund recently welcomed the first residents to The 1300: A Beloved Inspired Community, located directly across City of Refuge’s campus on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Where there had once stood an apartment complex in complete disrepair, there is now a 47-unit complex of 2- and 3-bedroom / 2-bath apartments – perfect for families previously at risk of displacement. City of Refuge and Westside Future Fund will jointly own and manage the property, offering about one third of the units to graduates of City of Refuge’s workforce training programs and residential program participants. The two organizations formed a joint venture to complete The 1300, with the help of local firm Nelson Mullins, which provided pro bono legal services. For more information, visit cityofrefugeatl.org.

IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) has awarded its Real Estate Management Excellence (REME) Innovator Award to Cortland – a multifamily real estate investment, development and management company headquartered in Atlanta – for its bed bug monitoring device. The device, which is patented and currently undergoing testing, seeks to provide a proactive and less invasive approach to bed bug detection and remediation. Cortland was also chosen as one of five finalists out of 560 organizations overall for Accredited Management Organization (AMO) of the Year.

►The Brightstar Team | COMPASS has reached a sales milestone at Pontiac Place – 50 percent sold out.

Built by O’Dwyer Homes, the community in the Ormewood Park neighborhood features new singlefamily homes priced from the high $300,000s.

The homes at Pontiac Place are semi-custom, energy efficient and Energy Star-certified, and they feature craftsman architecture with historical details. Homes include four bedrooms and two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms and front porches. To learn more, visit OwnPontiac.com or TheBrightstarTeam.com.

◄Alexan Eight West, a luxury apartment complex in West Midtown, has welcomed its first residents. The community of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments is located on 3rd Street and Northside Drive. Visit alexaneightwest.com for additional information.

News You Can Eat

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Pop-up bars, special events planned for the holidays around Intown

By Collin Kelley

Holiday pop-up bars are popping up all over, including The Fox Theatre in its first ticketed event since the pandemic began. If you want to get in a festive moode and share a cocktail or two with friends –socially distanced, of course – then check out this guide for mingling and jingling.

Miracle Bar Pop-Up

The Fox Theatre will host its first ticketed event since the pandemic began with the kitschy Christmas pop-up bar, Miracle at Marquee Club, every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Jan. 1. Patrons can reserve their own sociallydistanced table and 90-minute experience that includes photo opportunities, live entertainment, complimentary snacks, and a signature Miracle Santa cocktail mug. There will also be cocktails and food for purchase. The Miracle Bar popup will also be happening at Atlanta Dairies on Memorial Drive with Miracle at Wonderkid, at Golden Eagle in Reynoldstown and Bon Ton in Midtown with Sippin’ Santa, and at Parish in Inman Park with Miracle on Highland. For more information and ticketing for all the Miracle events, visit miraclebaratlanta.com.

Mingle & Jingle

Christmas Pop-Up

Best End Brewing in southwest Atlanta is hosting this special holiday pop-up Tuesdays to Sundays through the holiday. There will be Instagram worthy backdrops for selfies including a giant Christmas wreath, a life-size teddy bear, and bow wall. Each night a different Christmas movie will be projected

on the wall. There will also be a “Drunken Reindeer Raffle” with prizes like Best End gear and gifts associated with the movie of the night. For more information, visit bestendbrewing.com.

The Roof at Ponce City Market

RFD Social at The Roof at Ponce City Market will transform into Holiday Social Bar, complete with whimsical décor, themed music, and holiday-inspired drinks. The pop-up bar cocktail menu will feature drinks like the “Sleigh Fuel” (Old Grandad BIB Bourbon, Cinnamon, Egg Nog, Coffee) and “The Toddy Who Stole Christmas” (Belvedere Vodka, Lemon,

Mint, Ginger, Angostura, Orange). For those who are feeling the holiday spirit but want a more elevated experience, 12 Cocktail Bar will offer a holiday menu which includes “Coconuts Roasting On An Open Fire ” (Plantation Dark Rum, Mezcal, Coconut, Cacao, Pineapple, Chocolate, Cream) and the “This Christmas I Gave You a Daiquiri” ( Plantation Dark Rum, Lime, Pineapple, Allspice, Cherry). For more, visit poncecitymarket.com.

A Miracle on 10th Street Strap on your ice skates and grab a cocktail as The Rink at Park Tavern returns to Midtown through the holidays and continues until Valentine’s Day. Festive and kitschy décor makes for unforgettable Instagrammable moments, along with an array of seasonal cocktails served in playful glassware, delicious food, special events, all day skate sessions, themed skate nights, cozy fire pits, and much more. To purchase tickets and get more details, visit parktavern. com.

Bloody Mary Festival –Holiday Edition

Celebrate the new year and your New Year’s Eve hangover with the virtual Blood Mary Festival on Jan. 1. Six bottles of small-batch craft Bloody Marys from around the country will be shipped to each ticket holder, in advance of the event. Each box contains enough mix for 12 cocktails each, so it can be perfectly split by two people. Boxes will be shipped in early December so that they arrive in time for the holidays, making them the perfect holiday gift. Ticket holders can drink the Bloody Marys during the virtual event together with fellow Bloody Mary lovers from around the country, then join in the world’s largest Bloody Mary toast. The box also contains garnishes and Bloody Mary swag, including a Bloody Mary tote bag and enamel pin. Tickets are $82.50 and include the Bloody Marys, shipping, and admission to the virtual event. Visit Eventbrite and search for the event to buy tickets.

Miracle on 10th Street

Bloody Mary Festival

Miracle Bar Pop-up

QUICK BITES

West Midtown’s Firelight Coffee Roasters has a new espresso cart on the Buckhead Village Veranda, the recently opened community space at the shopping complex. Fireside’s pop-up will be open daily through December offering a variety of espresso drinks, hot chocolate, bagged coffee beans and other merchandise. The cart will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

►The Waffle Experience, a unique take on the popular breakfast and brunch staple, will open its first location on the east coast at The Works, Selig’s 80-acre adaptive mixeduse development on the Upper Westside. Occupying 2,200 square feet of space within Chattahoochee Row, the restaurant is slated to open next summer. Founded in 2014 in Sacramento, California by Marine Corp Veteran and Executive Chef Michael Donoho, the restaurant specializes in new American dishes anchored by one key ingredient: waffles. Food rescue nonprofit, Second Helpings Atlanta, was chosen as a partner for Sierra Nevada Brewing on their upcoming beer release, “Dankful,” an IPA that supports nonprofits all over the country standing up for social equality, economic well-being, and environmental protection. Second Helpings Atlanta still needs volunteers and urges the local community to contribute. Volunteers can commit to driving a regular route each week or month and be part of a team that works together to make sure nutritious, surplus food reaches people across Metro Atlanta. Visit secondhelpingsatlanta.org for more information.

▲Con Leche is officially open for business at 181 Flat Shoals Ave., Unit 1 in Reynoldstown offering coffee and a limited food menu, sourced from local suppliers and purveyors including Radio Roasters, Root Baking Co, Georgia Grinders, Honey Next Door, Rockhouse Creamery, Condor Chocolates and Blackberry Patch, all native to Georgia. Con Leche is set up for a pandemic world, focused entirely on a takeaway model. Guests can order in advance using the Con Leche app or website for a quick grab-and-go, or order at the small counter for takeaway. The coffee shop was founded by Ivan Romero, a Colombian native and political refugee who has now made Atlanta his home. For more, visit conlechecoffee.com.

What do Varuni Napoli, Jonathan Van Ness of “Queer Eye” and Olympic Medalist Simone Biles have in common? A national ad campaign for Uber Eats! The delivery service released their latest series of commercials in November and chose Varuni Napoli since it’s in the top 5 perent of Uber Eats deliveries across the U.S. The new ad spot is part of the same campaign that feature Mark Hamill and Patrick Stewart trading “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” jabs and namechecking the Atlanta Fish Market and Tin Lizzy’s.

►Blue Martini Lounge, a contemporary upscale martini bar concept known for its cocktails, sharable plates and live entertainment, is now open in Buckhead at 3402 Piedmont Road. Visit bluemartini.com for more.

Making Merry & Bright

Intown’s arts & culture scene offering socially distanced fun for the holidays

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta’s arts and culture scene continues to adapt to the ongoing pandemic, and the December calendar is buzzing with both live and virtual events. Be sure to visit AtlantaINtownPaper.com and Instagram (@atlantaintown) for even more upcoming seasonal events.

The Nutcracker 2020 Experience

The Atlanta Ballet will host a drive-in movie version of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 2-6 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. Patrons will be able to watch a new filmed version of the classic ballet from the comfort and safety of their cars. There will also be on-demand home access to previous filmed versions of “The Nutcracker.” For tickets and details, visit atlantaballet.com.

Stan the Lovesick Snowman

The Center for Puppetry Arts will host this socially distanced holiday show (only 50 seats per performance) about a snowman who falls in love with a woodburning stove through Jan. 3. There will also be puppet making workshops and a special exhibition, “Very Merry Puppetry: Puppets of Holidays Past, Present and Future.” For tickets and information, visit puppet.org.

Tacky

Sweater Sips Under The Sea

The Georgia Aquarium in Downtown will host a 21+ holiday party on Dec. 4 from 8 to 11 p.m. and guests are encouraged to wear their tackiest holiday sweater and matching face mask combo. The socially distanced even will feature cocktails, food options, and live DJ. For more information, visit georgiaaquarium.org.

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert

The annual concert will be streamed online Dec. 4-6 and celebrates the chorus’

25th year performing at the Cathedral of St. Philip. The concert will feature pop and holiday classics. For ticket and streaming information, visit voicesofnote. org.

Alfred Uhry Lecture

The Breman Museum, Southern Jewish Historical Society, and The Temple will host celebrated playwright Alfred Uhry (“Driving Miss Daisy”), who will give the Janice Rothschild Blumberg Keynote Lecture on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. Uhry will discuss his own reflections

on the intersection between race and religion through his award-winning plays based on Jewish life in Atlanta and the American South. For streaming information, visit thebreman.org.

Wagner and Beethoven at the ASO

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will feature an evening of German Romantic delights on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. via its

The Nutcracker 2020 Experience

Stan the Lovesick Snowman

Virtual State with opera-star-turnedconductor Nathalie Stutzman making her ASO debut. The evening will also feature new work by composer Missy Mazzoli. For more information, visit atlantasymphony.org.

Our Holidays Together – Apart

The Chorale Guild of Atlanta will hold its annual holiday concert via Zoom this year on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit cgatl.org.

Atlanta NYElectric 2021

Countdown

The annual New Year’s Eve shindig at the Westin Peachtree Plaza is still on but following CDC guidelines and social distancing. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. featuring open bars, DJs, and more. For ticket information, visit vipnightlife.com.

Skate the Station

Head to Atlantic Station through Jan. 18 and take some laps around the 10,000 square foot ice rink decked out for the holidays. General admission is $15. Due to the ongoing pandemic, there is reduced capacity and timed ticketing, so visit atlanticstation.com to make reservations.

Holidays at Fernbank

The Fernbank Museum is hosting a Winter Wonderland exhibit through Jan. 8 with decorated trees and cultural displays, Sock Skating Rink, giant snow globes are more. Details can be found at fernbankmuseum.org.

Scent Discovery

Head to The World of Coca-Cola in Downtown for the museum’s latest interactive exhibition, Scent Discovery, where small groups will be led by the nose to discover the aromas that make up Coke’s products – present and future. For tickets, visit worldofcoca-cola.com.

Drive-In Menorah Lighting

Ponce City Market and Chabad Intown will host a traditional menorah lighting ceremony and screening of a short Chanukah Film on Dec. 13. This year’s celebration will take place in the parking lot by West Elm (alongside Glen Iris Drive and Ponce de Leon Ave), and guests are invited to park their cars and enjoy a BYO car picnic starting at 4:30 p.m. The brief film will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Menorah Lighting Ceremony and a feature presentation at 6 p.m. Visit ponceitymarket.com for more information.

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.

Wagner and Beethoven at the ASO

Skate the Station

The Gift of Reading

Books by local authors for the bibliophiles on your shopping list

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for the bibliophile in your life – or maybe just something new for yourself to curl up with this winter – check out our roundup of books in a variety of genres by local authors.

By Jacob Nguyen

Mother Mary Comes To Me: A Pop Culture Poetry Anthology

Co-edited by Karen Head and Collin Kelley

The newly installed Fulton County Poet Laureate Karen Head and INtown editor Collin Kelley co-edited this international anthology of poems that riff on the enduring fascination and devotion to the Virgin Mary, including contributions by Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown, Rick Campbell, Denise Duhamel, Maureen Seaton, and Laure-Anne Bosselaar. (Madville Publishing)

Buckhead Chronicles

By Jim Tate

This light-hearted and often poignant memoir takes a fond look back at the Atlanta neighborhood and some of its most beloved and well-known denizens. (Amazon)

Murder at the Estate Sale: A Molly and Emma Bookseller Adventure

By Lily Charles

The first in a series of cozy mysteries set in Atlanta and featuring murder and occult mayhem solved by antiquarian booksellers, Molly and Emma, who just might also be falling in love with each other. The author is actually a co-writing pseudonym for Libby Ware and Charlene Ball. (Black Opal Books)

Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

By Jonah McDonald

Beyond the standard Atlanta tourist attractions, visitors and natives alike will find a city full of secrets in the history, art, culture, nature, and places that are just plain weird. Tour the most hidden spots in the metro area or see the famous sites through a new lens. (Reedy Press)

111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss

By Travis Swann Taylor

For visitors and natives alike, this travel guide traces the city from its Native American origins through the tumultuous Civil War while uncovering contemporary oddities. (Emons)

Dominga Rescues the Flag/Dominga Rescata la Bandera

By Mariana Mcdonald and Margaret Randall

A bilingual oral history of Dominga de la Cruz, the Puerto Rican activist who became a heroine after her role in the bloody U.S.-ordered assault on a peaceful demonstration on March 21, 1937, known as the Ponce Massacre. (Two Wings Press/Editorial Dos Alas)

Welcome to Buttermilk Kitchen

By Suzanne Vizethann

This cookbook features 100 recipes designed for the home cook using traditional cooking techniques and farm-fresh ingredients. There are pastry recipes, beverages, vegan and vegetarian options, and even a chapter on what to do with leftovers. (Gibbs Smith)

Yes, No, Maybe So

By Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

Two teens meet while politically canvassing for state senate candidate in this young adult novel about navigating cross-cultural crushes and the power of love and resistance. (Balzer + Bray)

The Summer of Impossibilities

By Rachael Allen

Skyler, Ellie, Scarlett, and Amelia Grace are forced to spend the summer at the lake house where their moms became best friends in this teen/young adult novel. (Harry N. Abrams)

Slide to Unlock: Poems

By Julie E. Bloemeke

From Ohio, to England, to France, Bloemeke’s country-hopping collection examines the rekindling of a teenage love affair and the repercussions that ripple through past and present. (Sibling Rivalry Press)

Body Braille: Poems

By Beth Gylys

This collection explores the failures and complications of existing in the world as a sentient being. Broken into five sections, the poems focus on the senses of touch, taste, vision, and hearing. (Iris Press)

The Nature of Remains

By Ginger Eager

When Doreen Swilley discovers that her boss and lover of 30 years intends to fire her to placate his dying wife, she devises a plan to steal his business from him in this novel set during the great recession. (New Issues)

You Were There Too

By Colleen Oakley

Mia Graydon’s has a lovely home, a loving husband, and dreams of starting a family. But she has other dreams too – unexplained, recurring ones starring the same man. When she comes face to face with her dream man, he tells her he’s been dreaming of her, too. (Berkley)

Native: Identity, Belonging & Rediscovering God

By Kaitlin Curtice

As both a citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and a Christian, Curtice offers a unique perspective on identity, soul-searching, and the never-ending journey of finding ourselves and God. (Brazos Press)

Salty, Bitter, Sweet

By Mayra Cuevas

Seventeen-year-old Isabella Fields finds unexpected romance on a teen cooking show where she falls for a competitor as the two race to become the next top chef. (Blink)

Exclusively Listed

2800 BAYARD STREET ATLANTA, GA

30344

OFFERED AT $229,000 3 BED | 2 BATH

This beautiful three bedroom, two bathroom home has plenty of curb appeal and new modernizations inside and out. There are all new windows that provide ample amounts of natural light. New snow quartz countertops and subway tile backsplash elegantly dress the stainless steel farmer sink and white themed kitchen. The living room and master bedroom are both equipped with decorative fireplaces. Enjoy the new deck with memorable outdoor activities. In terms of location, this home is only a three minute drive to Atlanta’s premier seafood restaurant Spondivits, is nestled only one block away from Wellstar Atlanta Medical, and only five miles from the airport. Please submit all offers to the Listing Agent and Co-Listing Agent.

BY LEAH CHRISTIAN AND GABE MOULD ENGEL & VÖLKERS ATLANTA

Leah Robinson-Christian • Engel & Völkers Atlanta 1745 Peachtree St • Atlanta • GA 30309 Office +1 404-845-7724 • Mobile +1 313-995-6990 leah@leahchristian.com leahchristian.com

Gabe Mould • Engel & Völkers Atlanta 1745 Peachtree St • Atlanta • GA 30309 Office +1 404-845-7724 • Mobile +1 404-673-5776 gabe.mould@evatlanta.com gabemould.evatlanta.com

Top photos: Intowners took to the streets of Midtown on Nov. 7 after the networks called the election for Joe Biden. (Photos by Malory Mibab)

Middle Left: Voters cast ballots on Nov. 3 at Dad’s Garage Theatre in O4W.

Middle right and bottom: The Georgia World Congress Center was used for the Fulton County vote recount on Nov. 14-15. (Photos by Asep Mawardi)

All Directions Home

Atlanta smells like fresh-brewed opportunity served in a mug handed to you by your favorite neighbor. You greet the morning on your front porch and drink it in. Every road leads home because every road is home.

People land here from all walks of life. They look for new starts, outstretched hands, a picnic blanket stretched under a canopy of trees. They seek and they find, home at last.

At Compass, bringing clients home is our life’s work. We’ve designed CompassATLGuide.com to help you feel more informed about the state of the Greater Atlanta real estate market, to equip you to make a more informed decision as to where you call home. If you’re considering a change in perspective, we’re ready and here for you.

1409 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 404.668.6621