Collin
Sammie
Dyana Bagby, Katie Burkholder, Bob Pepalis, Logan C. Ritchie, Sarra Sedghi
Contributors
Rebecca Grapevine, Isadora Pennington, Dave
SATURDAY, MAR 29 SUNDAY, MAR 30 SPLASH ARTISTS MARKET FOOD TRUCKS KIDZ ZONE PET WORLD CLASSIC CAR SHOW
CHERRY BLOSSOM 5K PRESENTED BY BLADE INJURY LAW: SATURDAY, MAR 22
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
‘When I was your age’ –the
EDITOR'S NOTE
people on the receiving end of this wisdom feel the same way.
I have reached the age where “backin-my-day” diatribes don’t feel that cringy, especially when it’s coming out of my mouth. I’m sure the
What a better segue to discuss this month’s cover story on camps with a twist? Back in my day, I was given two choices for my summer camp experience – 4H Camp, or Stay in Your Room for a Week and Like It Camp.
Well, fast forward a couple of decades, and now you have a niche camp for every single inkling or interest – from clowns to cooks to critters –
there’s even one for adults who want to relive those days of slip-and-slide water sports, rock-climbing walls and tie-dye parties. Our comprehensive story starts on page 26.
Also on our city pages, we talk about some pressing issues in our coverage area, like the protracted fight between Spalding Drive Elementary School parents and Fulton County School officials about
closing its popular, but under-populated school.
We also shine the spotlight on DeKalb’s new CEO, Lorraine CochranJohnson, who was in conversation with Brookhaven Council Member John Funny about her goals for the county, which includes tackling massive and needed infrastructure upgrades.
In addition, Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts gave a comprehensive snapshot of the role of the county and its importance to Georgia (page 14).
This edition contains the latest update regarding the long-running Tucker pickleball court controversy, detailing a council meeting that made an unexpected, and ugly turn.
And as always, our dining stories are filled with enticing content that will inspire your next restaurant visit, and, on the practical side, inform you about how professional chefs are dealing with expensive and sometimes-elusive eggs.
Finally, our arts and entertainment pages include so much information about upcoming exhibitions and events all around the city, including Pollinator Art at the Goat Farm.
One more thing before I go in search for the best frozen yogurt while on my way to the senior-discount movie –I’d like to thank you for reading this publication and continuing to support our news offerings.
Email me at cathy@roughdraftatlanta. com with questions, comments, ideas, or concerns.
By Logan C. Ritchie
Brendan Murphy, an award-winning educator with a distinguished 30-year career at Marist School in Brookhaven, has launched an institute for religious collaboration and dialogue.
The Bearing Witness Institute for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue is a national initiative aimed at fostering mutual understanding among diverse communities, particularly Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is being housed at Marist.
As the founder, Murphy is well known for lecturing on the history of the Holocaust, and his dedication to fostering inter-religious dialogue. His “History and the Holocaust” seminar and co-curricular
field trips, efforts to combat antisemitism, and promotion of religious understanding have earned him numerous accolades and honors, including the Outstanding Educator Award from the Anne Frank Center and the ADL’s Abe Goldstein Human Relations and Unsung Hero Award.
Murphy’s lectures on antisemitism have evolved through community-wide and nationwide engagements. Murphy’s “Why the Jews?” lectures have been praised for igniting conversations about faith, history, and social justice.
“At Marist School, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and build bridges between communities,” Murphy said. “The launch of the Bearing Witness Institute is a significant step
Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival 5K Mar. 22, 8 a.m. Blackburn Park 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
Mar. 29, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mar 30, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Blackburn Park 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Wednesday, Mar. 5 Planning Commission
7 p.m. (5:30 p.m. work session)
Tuesday, Mar. 11 City Council
6:30 p m (4:30 p m work session)
Wednesday, Mar. 12 Arts & Culture Commission 5:30 p m
Tuesday, Mar. 18 Advisory Audit Committee 4 p m
Wednesday, Mar. 19 Board of Appeals
7 p m (5:30 p m work session)
Tuesday, Mar. 25 City Council 6:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. work session)
forward in our mission to promote understanding and peace among people of all faiths. Through this work, we aim to build a community of conscience, united by a commitment to justice and compassion.”
The Bearing Witness Institute reflects the school’s commitment to promoting religious solidarity and combating hate and prejudice. Grants from The Marcus Foundation, the Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Rosenberg Family Foundation, The Roberts Charitable Foundation, and donations from individuals have totaled more than $1 million.
“We commend Marist for its commitment to this institute and the important role it will play in teaching a broad audience the lessons of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism and other forms of religious intolerance,” said Fay Twersky, president of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
The institute will offer lectures, Holocaust education seminars, and teacher training in partnership with the
Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights, the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust, and The Breman.
Bearing Witness trips to Munich, Prague, and Krakow are designed to build and expand the community of students and adults who are committed to religious solidarity.
The institute will also expand Peace by Piece, an initiative created with Marist School, The Weber School and Mohammed Schools of Atlanta to unite students from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities in fostering friendship and understanding. Peace by Piece will be replicated nationwide thanks to a partnership with the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion at the University of Notre Dame.
Marist School President J.D. Childs said the Bearing Witness Institute will offer Marist School “the opportunity to be a more compelling participant in efforts to combat prejudice through education, dialogue, and friendship.”
By Logan C. Ritchie
Newly-elected DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, at the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce meeting, said her administration will focus on public safety, economic development, and infrastructure.
Cochran-Johnson, the first Black woman to be elected as CEO, made her remarks while in conversation with Brookhaven City Council member John Funny on Thursday, Feb. 20.
The CEO announced recently that the county is investing $10.43 million into the DeKalb County Police Department to fill 300 open positions.
Cochran-Johnson said she plans to use her time in office to focus on public safety,
economic development, and infrastructure. She’s laser-focused on the redevelopment and reinvigoration of Memorial Drive and the southern part of the county.
Due to high crime rates in the low income area, businesses cannot obtain premise liability insurance. If a personal injury occurs, the business is not covered, she said.
“Now business owners are deciding whether or not they will continue to do business in these communities, because if you don’t have insurance, you open yourself potentially to liability,” CochranJohnson said.
To raise the cost of insurance is understandable, she said, but to deny coverage is “criminal” and “modern-day redlining.”
“The Mason-Dixon line of DeKalb County is Memorial Drive,” CochranJohnson said.
Cochran-Johnson served as DeKalb County commissioner from 2019 to 2024, where she was known to speak out against ideas that she believed wouldn’t serve her constituents.
“There is a difference between a politician and an elected official ... When it comes to public service, it requires an individual to be selfless, not selfish,” she said.
Now responsible for a $1.8 billion budget with massive infrastructure needs, she was quick to point out that when she got started in local government she was not required to have empirical knowledge about finance or management.
Regardless, the hardest part of the journey to CEO was being elected, she said.
Prior to DeKalb County government, Cochran-Johnson built a career in mass marketing and communications. She encourages “non-traditional” candidates to run for office.
“It is time we think differently when it comes to government,” she said, adding
that people of all backgrounds can serve their government well.
The annual luncheon to celebrate Black History Month drew a crowd of about 150 people. Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman, city council member Michael Diaz, and Explore Brookhaven CEO Renee Areng were in attendance.
IRVIN J. JOHNSON
DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson is reminding new homeowners to review their homestead exemption status. Homeowners may meet eligibility requirements for a special exemption, property assessment freeze, or basic exemption for the current tax year.
Conveniently check your exemption status online at DeKalbTax org or call 404-298-4000 during business hours for assistance If you’re a homeowner with an H4, H9 or A6 exemption, no further action is required.
Don’t have a homestead exemption on file? Apply online, or in person, before the April 1 deadline. Age and income requirements must be met to qualify for senior exemptions A basic homestead exemption must be on file to apply for special exemptions.
Homestead exemptions provide a reduction in annual property taxes.
Special tax exemptions are also available for eligible s eniors, disabled residents, disabled veterans or surviving spouse, surviving spouse of a U.S. service member, and surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter. Apply by April 1.
Age and income requirements must be met to qualify for all senior exemptions; seniors must be 62 years of age by Jan. 1 to apply
Property owners must own and live at their primary residence as of Jan 1, have all vehicles registered at the primary residence, have a Georgia ID or Georgia driver’s license showing residency at the property, file income taxes from the property, and not have a homestead exemption anywhere else.
Homeowners who do not have an existing homestead exemption have until the April 1 deadline to apply for all exemptions.
Once an exemption is granted, it automatically renews as long as you reside at the property or until a different exemption is filed and granted.
Check your exemption status and apply online today!
Adriane Jefferson named director of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs
by Rough Draft Atlanta
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has appointed Adriane V. Jefferson as the new executive director of the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA).
Jefferson is an award-winning cultural equity leader who has spent the past two decades “transforming cultural landscapes, shaping policy and redefining arts administration,” said a City of Atlanta release.
An advocate for diverse artistic voices, she previously served as director of Cultural Affairs for New Haven and executive director of New Haven Festivals Inc., along with launching several initiatives like the Arts for Anti-Racism Pledge, The Unapologetically Radical Conference and Connecticut’s first cultural equity plan.
In addition, she also established the New Haven Black Wall Street Festival and led the Core Race Equity Task Force, a committee that advises city leadership on race equity and system improvements.
Among her list of accolades include the 40 Under 40 Award from the Urban Professionals Network and Connecticut Magazine, as well as the American Express Emerging Leadership Award.
“Atlanta’s arts and culture are deeply woven into the fabric of our community, reflecting creativity, diversity, progress and authenticity,” Dickenssaid. “Adriane Jefferson is the transformative leader we need to amplify our cultural presence and further our commitment to fostering a city where art and equity thrive together.”
According to the press release, in her new role, Jefferson will lead efforts to promote and preserve cultural initiatives that enhance Atlanta’s overall quality of life.
Some of the goals of OCA under her leadership include expanding grants and
support for artists and arts organizations, advancing public art initiatives citywide, delivering cultural experiences through events like the Atlanta Jazz Festival and more.
“Atlanta is a city with a powerful cultural identity, fueled by its history, resilience and creativity. I am deeply honored to join this vibrant community and to collaborate with its incredible artists, organizations, creative entrepreneurs and residents to build on this legacy while innovating for the future in bold and transformative ways,” Jefferson said.
The OCA executive director position was previously held by Camille Russell Love, who served in the role since 1998. She exits her longtime position to become the new senior advisor to the mayor.
Jefferson’s first official day as the Office of Cultural Affairs’ executive director was Feb. 28.
Atlanta City Council approves homelessness task force, pause on encampment sweeps
by Dyana Bagby
The Atlanta City Council approved legislation at its Feb. 3 meeting to create a homelessness task force and to pause the use of heavy machinery during sweeps of encampments.
The measures come in the wake of the Jan. 16 death of Cornelius Taylor, who
was crushed in his tent by a city vehicle as it cleared an encampment on Old Wheat Road.
The funeral for Taylor was also held on Feb. 3 at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Following the funeral, a horse-drawn carriage carried his coffin to city hall as a call to action for city leaders to make systemic change in its policies addressing
unsheltered people.
The resolution to temporarily halt the use of encampment sweep is in effect for 45 days. The resolution also mandates Partners for HOME, the city’s designated partner to coordinate homelessness services, to present a detailed report to the city council within 45 days on proposed procedures, precautions, and contingencies necessary to ensure encampment sweeps are safe.
The homelessness task force resolution, backed by Mayor Andre Dickens, will review existing policies and procedures followed by city departments and partners
when addressing unhoused residents.
“The homelessness task force shall work to make recommendations concerning whether these policies and procedures adequately address the current needs of persons experiencing homelessness, and the public safety concerns of residents and visitors to the city of Atlanta,” the resolution states.
The task force will meet publicly every two weeks and make an initial report of recommendations to the mayor and the Atlanta City Council within 45 days. A final report is to be completed within 90 days.
UNBOUND. UNSTOPPABLE. UNIVERSAL. UNITED.
Discover the vibrant culture of Black Atlanta with AJC’s UATL. It’s all about U.
by Cathy Cobbs
A Buckhead-based beauty education institute announced it will move into a building formerly occupied by the Atlanta School of Massage in Dunwoody.
According to the Elaine Sterling Institute, the school will move into the larger of the two buildings that ASM had occupied.
While the Buckhead
location at 3393 Peachtree Road NE will continue to offer programs in esthetics, barbering, massage therapy, nail care, and cosmetology, the new Dunwoody location will include programs in massage therapy, nail care, and cosmetology.
“We are excited to announce that while many schools around the country are facing many hurdles, we have decided to grow,” said Elaine Sterling, its founder and CEO. “I believe in this industry and the incredible opportunities it offers. Our mission remains to provide top-tier education for aspiring beauty and wellness professionals.”
According to company officials, the Dunwoody location will undergo extensive renovations prior to opening.
According to its website, ESI’s tuition, including books and supplies, for the 1,500-hour barbering and cosmetology programs is $22,000, while the 1,000-hour esthetics course costs $19,000.
The 600-hour massage and nail care programs are $12,000 and $11,000 respectively. ESI offers scholarships, financial aid, and grants for qualified students. The school will also offer student-run clinics featuring services at reduced prices.
The new Dunwoody location will
feature modern classrooms, advanced spaand salon-training facilities, and expanded resources to meet the growing demand for education in the beauty and wellness sector, according to the release.
“As the industry evolves, we are proud to evolve with it,” Sterling said. “We look forward to continuing to support the community, our students, and the beauty professionals of tomorrow.”
ESI, founded in 2008, will move into a 27,000 square-foot building at 2 Perimeter Park S. that formerly housed ASM, which abruptly shut down last September.
Within three days, its owners closed ASM, as well as Miami-based Acupuncture and Massage College, citing declining enrollment and economic factors.
ASM staff members were reportedly called to a mandatory 9 a.m. meeting last September and told of its immediate closure as a moving truck idled in the parking lot, ready to dismantle the operation as soon as the news dropped.
Both schools had been in operation for more than 40 years. AMC was founded in 1983 by Dr. Richard Brown and touted itself as the oldest acupuncture school in Florida. ASM was also recognized as the first licensed massage school in Georgia.
by Cathy Cobbs
Zoning
As Spruill Center for the Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary, a new organizational logo will be revealed at its 39th annual Artistic Affair on March 29.
The new logo, according to Spruill Center CEO Alan Mothner, “captures, under one umbrella, the classes at the education and the exhibits and shop at the gallery, while also creating distinctive branding for each location as well as any future endeavors.”
Artistic Affair will be held at the center’s new event space, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., and will incorporate a ‘70s theme with its decor and music by DJ Bismark.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best funky attire from the decade, Mothner said. Along with the logo reveal, there will be other major announcements involving the center’s future.
The party will also focus on raising $50,000 for scholarships for those who are financially unable to take classes at the center.
In addition to the live and silent auctions, the evening will feature a competitive raffle where the winners will
be determined by a rock-paper-scissors competition.
Spruill is experiencing record numbers of class participants since its facility expanded by an additional 8,300 square feet, which was completed last January.
Disciplines taught at the Spruill Center include ceramics, decorative arts, drawing, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, mosaics, painting, photography, and sculpture.
The Spruill Gallery, which is located in an historic 1867-1905 home on Ashford Dunwoody Road in the Perimeter area, mounts four to six exhibitions each year in a variety of mediums, including its Holiday Artists Market.
The gallery’s exhibits promote emerging artists, established artists and the artwork created at the education center each year during the Spruill Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition.
Tickets for Artistic Affair, which are now on sale, include a full buffet, free valet parking, and an open bar.
By Cathy Cobbs
Several Dunwoody City Council members are split on whether or not to spend $1 million to install turf on a DeKalb School-owned field.
The panel is hesitating despite assurances that the DeKalb County School District officials have promised to contribute monies if the construction costs exceed the budget.
The turf installation expenditure at a Peachtree Middle School has been discussed for the last several years, with users complaining about its lack of grass and uneven ground.
The field, which is owned by the county, was part of a 25-year land lease transaction between DeKalb and the City of Dunwoody that resulted in the city being able to access it during certain hours of the day.
As part of the agreement, the city promised to make certain improvements to the field, including lighting and maintenance, which was completed in 2019.
A citizen’s advisory capital improvement committee report submitted in May 2023 listed installing a turf field as its top priority among hundreds of other options.
While youth-sports representatives have been lobbying for the turf installation, city officials and council have alluded to a reluctance to move forward.
Council member John Heneghan during previous meetings had been pushing city staff for a report about the fields, which Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Waldron presented at the Feb. 24 meeting.
Preliminary estimates put the cost of the turf installation around $1.25 million,
she said, although an official project bid package has not been released.
Heneghan said that he believes the turf project should advance to the bid stage.
“We have budgeted it and we’ve put it on the back burner for some reason, but I’d like to see it move forward,” he said.
During public comment during the meeting, DCDS Board 1 Member Andrew Ziffer said he had consulted with school CEO Dr. Devon Horton, who promised to fund cost overruns should the project exceed $1 million.
“We are committed to being good partners with the city of Dunwoody,” Ziffer said. “If we have not been a good partner in the past, we need to fix that.”
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch, while thanking Ziffer for the commitment, said she has been wary of partnering with the
school because of a variety of poor past experiences.
“They haven’t always been the best partners, and I will leave it at that,” she said.
Tom Lambert and Deutsch also pushed back on the expenditure, saying that since a $60 million parks and trails bond referendum was defeated in 2023, the council needs to re-evaluate its priorities for funding capital improvement projects.
“We need to reassess our priorities with our very limited available dollars,” Lambert said. “It may be that our money would be better used on properties that the city owns.”
Deutsch said the council will discuss the proposal at its mid-March council retreat.
By Bob Pepalis
Fulton County Commission
Chairman Robb Pitts touted successes like the construction of a $350 million water reclamation facility and identified challenges such as the jail’s need for up to $300 million in repairs.
Pitts delivered a 2025 State of the County address on Feb. 18 at Flourish Atlanta in Buckhead. The event was hosted by the county and the Council for Quality Growth. More than 400 people, including council members, business leaders, elected officials, residents, county staff, and partners attended the event.
A press release about the event recounted highlights from the meeting.
Former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, who made remarks to open the event, stressed the importance of Fulton County to the state of Georgia. “If you keep this county together, you keep this state together,” he said.
Pitts said Fulton County’s unique opportunities and experiences make it a thriving place to do business.
The commission chairman touted the opening of the $350 million Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility in October 2024, its largest capital project. South Fulton County will get a similar $500
million facility to help protect waterways.
Pitts described the challenges the county has faced with cybersecurity and the county jail. In January, Pitts and Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat laid out a detailed plan for addressing jail conditions. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners has committed up to $300 million for facility repairs.
“While we are facing challenges, we have proven time and time again that we are able to meet whatever comes our way,” Pitts said. “Whether a pandemic, a natural disaster, a ransomware attack, or whatever waits around the corner, Fulton County is resilient, and the people in this room are the source of our strength.”
Fulton County is the transportation hub of the region, according to Pitts. He noted the Georgia Department of Transportation’s 1-285 transformation, MARTA’s Bus Rapid Transit expansion, and a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) pilot project launched last year. The Fulton County Airport got more than $6 million in Federal Aviation Administration funding for direct flights to Europe.
Pitts also touted the county’s education systems, including an elite group of historically black colleges and universities, Atlanta Technical College, and K-12 public school systems. He stressed the
importance of improved access to healthcare and mental healthcare and noted that several new primary care and mental health facilities have opened. The county is also working to create new Grady clinics and facilities.
Pitts listed as accomplishents Fulton’s lowered millage rate and its first-ever AAA bond rating.
“Fulton County plays a central role in the ongoing economic growth of our region,” said Michael Paris, president & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. “We are proud of our continued collaboration with the county and its 15
municipalities as we work together to bring in new investment and enhance quality of life for all who live and work in Fulton County.”
Amazon, Develop Fulton, and the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority also presented at the breakfast. It was held in partnership with Legendary Events.
Sandy Springs applying for state funds to build $13.9 million trail
By Bob Pepalis
Sandy Springs will apply for a Georgia Department of Natural Resources grant to pay half of the estimated $13.9 million to construct a trail along the Chattahoochee River starting at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
The Sandy Springs City Council during its Feb. 18 meeting authorized the application for an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Grant to fund the design and construction of the 1.6-mile Springway Trail Segment 2C. The grant program provides new or significantly improved recreation opportunities in urban, disadvantaged communities lacking access to walkable outdoor recreation.
The city council named its trails the Springway Trail system in June 2023.
The trail would start at Morgan Falls Overlook Park and go north along the Chattahoochee River. As it turns east, the trail would run in buffer and setback areas belonging to several apartment complexes. It would also be near Grogan’s Bluff, a 126-acre protected neighborhood. The trail would connect to Adair Lane and continue to Grogan’s Ferry Road, following it to Roswell Road.
Trail segment 2C connects to the first section of this trail system and segment 2E construction is nearly complete for that initial trail segment, which starts at the park and runs south past the Morgan Falls Dam and the city’s dog park before turning east and crossing Orkin Lake before connecting to Roswell Road.
“Conceptual design is underway
through our partnership with the PATH Foundation. And we are working with the Sandy Springs Conservancy to connect with the property owners along this future segment,” Sandy Springs Assistant City Manager Kristin Byars Smith said.
The city has approximately $3 million available within its city trail design capital project to fund part of the city’s match. Smith said the Sandy Springs Conservancy has committed $25,000 to support the grant application.
Council member Melody Kelley said Grogan’s Bluff residents want to provide input on the trail.
“This will be our first piece of trail that is adjacent to a protected neighborhood, so it may require us to approach engagement a little differently,” Kelley said.
Smith said property owners within the trail route have been contacted. The rest of the community will have a chance to submit input.
Smith said the initial application was due Feb. 28, but it will be a long process. The final application will be due in September 2026.
Council member Andy Bauman followed up on council member Jody Reichel’s questions about funding and timelines for trail construction regarding funding plans and how long it would take to build each trail segment.
He noted that there are also plans to make improvements at Hammond Park, Morgan Falls Overlook Park, and the park on Lake Forrest, so the city may need a conversation on a trail and park bond in order to get the work done in their children’s and grandchildren’s lifetimes.
Since the spring of 1934, golf enthusiasts from across the nation have journeyed to Augusta, Georgia, to witness the legendary Masters Tournament.
Conveniently located halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, Lake Oconee offers an unforgettable experience during Masters week.
From luxurious lodging at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, to savoring a delectable meal at local favorites, there are plenty of ways to indulge during your stay. For golf lovers, the area’s stunning courses provide the perfect opportunity to test your skills while soaking in the beauty of Greene County.
Celebrate one of the biggest sporting events in the world by letting The RitzCarlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee be your premier golfing destination April 7-13. Indulgent culinary experiences, championship golf courses and a newly transformed spa welcome you back after a visit to Augusta National.
Linger Longer
A stylish Lake Oconee restaurant overlooking the Oconee Golf Course. Guests can savor the finest cuts of prime meat, fresh seafood, and an extraordinary selection of wines.
Hidden behind a wall of tales, Oconee Cove is the lake’s only speakeasy. Indulge in an unparalleled collection of rare spirits and sophisticated small plates.
Gaby’s by the Lake
At Gaby’s by the Lake, you can watch The Masters Tournament at the bar while enjoying Masters inspired cocktails and craft beer. They also offer the perfect golf snacks like BBQ pork nachos or the lobster grilled cheese.
Amore Del Lago
Indulge in the ultimate Italian experience. Savor homemade pizza and pasta inspired by Chef Andrea Rodella’s family recipes. Enjoy fine wine and al fresco dining.
The Spa
Immerse in the opulence of the newly transformed 27,000-square-foot spa, boasting redesigned spaces and innovative treatments. Choose from invigorating body treatments, specialized massages, custom-tailored facials, and four exquisite signature wellness treatments.
Guestroom rates start at $1,599 per night; please contact resort reservations at 706-467-7057 for additional details and bookings.
From breathtaking lake views to shaded forests, each course presents a unique layout that caters to golfers of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your game or simply soak in the stunning surroundings, the award-winning courses in Greensboro provide the perfect setting for an exceptional Masters week golfing experience.
Named one of the top three places to play in the state of Georgia by Golfweek, Harbor Club is the only public course in Greene County and a must do on your Greensboro golf checklist!
Reynolds Lake Oconee
If you’re staying at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, or one of the cottages or condos through Reynolds Lake Oconee Vacation Rentals, you’ll have access to the incredible Reynolds courses: Great Waters, The Landing, The Preserve, The National, and The Oconee.
The courses at Lake Oconee are a mustadd to your Masters checklist. Designed by legendary architects like Tom Weiskopf, Jack Nicklaus, Bob Cupp, and others, these courses offer an unforgettable blend of challenge and beauty.
Reynolds Kingdom of Golf Presented by TaylorMade
Offering an integration of superior equipment technology with golf instruction, Reynolds Kingdom of Golf presented by TaylorMade is one of only two such facilities in the country, providing hotel guests with an exclusive retreat for fullgame improvement.
No visit to Greensboro is complete without savoring the flavors of the unique local cuisine, from Southern-inspired dishes to fresh, farm-to-table creations. With a variety of charming restaurants and hidden gems, there’s something to delight every palate.
The Yesterday Cafe
Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Greensboro, The Yesterday Cafe is a beloved Southern eatery known for its warm hospitality, charming atmosphere, and signature Buttermilk Pie—a dessert so famous it has been featured in Southern Living. Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday.
Café 44
Grab a breakfast sammie and a cup of coffee on your way out to Augusta. This cute café serves breakfast, lunch, and pastries Monday through Saturday.
The National Tavern
The quintessential urban tavern is situated in the heart of Reynolds right on The National Golf Course. Join them for lunch or dinner at the bar and lounge, in the dining room, or on either of their verandas with sweeping views of the course. In case you need a little more golf in your life, there is even a putting green right outside for fun!
Table at the Lake
Table at the Lake is a charming restaurant located in Greensboro, Georgia. They focus on thoughtfully sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. Open for dinner or Sunday brunch. The Spanish octopus is a must try.
Find your reason to linger longer during Masters Week
March 15, 1-5 p.m.
by Cathy Cobbs
The highly emotional battle surrounding the construction of a 12-court pickleball complex at the Tucker Recreation Center took a hard left turn, as one councilor accused a fellow member of the panel of addressing opponents’ concerns in a demeaning manner.
Alexis Weaver, at the end of the Feb. 24 Tucker City Council meeting, said she was surprised by Amy Trocchi’s tone while addressing people who oppose its construction.
“I’m so sorry you [the opposition] would be so talked down to by these people,” Weaver said, adding that she felt affected residents “were intentionally excluded from decisions that were being made.”
Her remarks were greeted by hearty applause from about 50 attendees, most of whom appear to be against the complex’s construction.
Weaver’s remarks came after council member Amy Trocchi, point by point, refuted some of the statements that have been voiced by public speakers who are opposed to its construction. She also asked residents to become more educated about the city beyond projects they oppose and said she believes that pickleball is needed and necessary.
Trocchi, whose district includes the affected areas, said she supports the construction of pickleball courts for a less-served community – active older adults – but asked if city staff could research the costs involved with building the complex at Henderson Park instead.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy., Ste. 350B, Tucker, GA 30084
• MARCH 3, 6:30 P.M. Downtown Development Authority
• MARCH 5, 9 A.M. Just a Walk in the Park Probst Park
• MARCH 8, 2-4 P.M. Rubber Ducky Scavenger Hunt Kelley Cofer Park
• MARCH 10, 7 P.M. City Council Meeting
• MARCH 14, 6 P.M. PI Day Pie-K Tucker Rec. Center
• MARCH 15, 1-5 P.M. Tucker Chili Cook-Off Main Street
• MARCH 20, 7 P. M. Planning Commission
• MARCH 23, 2-4 P.M. Spring into Action Workday Johns Homestead Park
• MARCH 24, 7 P.M. City Council Meeting
• MARCH 29 9:30A.M.-1 P.M. SPRING FLING Fitzgerald Park
Trocchi also apologized to Morgan Road residents for not incorporating their input earlier in the process, and forcing the group to advocate for themselves in an adversarial manner.
At the Feb. 24 meeting, Tucker Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson recapped the timeline for the proposed courts, which had been under discussion for several years.
The construction cost is one that detractors say would be a huge expenditure for an amenity that few Tucker residents want. In addition, residents on nearby Morgan Road, some of whose houses are close to the park, say the noise of play and traffic congestion will reduce their home values and their quality of life, and have threatened to initiate litigation against the city if the plan goes forward.
Mayor Frank Auman said he believes that the concerns brought by project opponents – including traffic congestion, costs, and noise – have been addressed adequately, but emphasized that the project is still in the discussion phase.
As per established protocol at the city’s second meeting of the month, no public comment was allowed, but the 50 or so attendees at the meeting muttered amongst themselves during Robertson’s presentation.
At one point, Auman was forced to
bang his gavel for silence while Robertson was discussing the proposed scope of the project and its budget.
The $3 million price tag includes improvements to TRC’s parking lot, which would widen the entrance and add 40 more slots to the already- existing 97. Soundproofing the courts as recommended by a consultant Tucker engaged, could add another $50,000 to the bottom line.
Robertson also discussed the possibility of restricting open hours or mandating the use of soft paddles or balls during certain times.
Four existing outdoor pickleball courts, which are located at Rosenfeld Park, are open until 9 p.m., Robertson said, but council member Vinh Nguyen said several of those courts are deteriorating and sometimes unplayable.
The indoor courts at TRC that are used for pickleball are time-restricted because they are also used for youth sports and other recreational purposes, Robertson said.
During a question-and-answer period between Robertson and the council, several members asked about specifics on the project, including how much has been allocated for stormwater retention, the court construction and lighting.
Virginia Rece asked if the scope of the project could be reduced, and whether or not other measures could be taken to address the raised concerns.
I think that continuing to look at ways that show the community that we are listening would go a long way,” Rece said.
After the meeting, several members of the group opposing the complex said they applauded the fact that the council may be amenable to exploring other locations, including Henderson Park.
Shelia Daniel, a 23-year Morgan Road resident, said she was encouraged that “another location is being considered.”
Other residents said they were glad that the council broached such subjects as reducing the scope of the project or mandating noise-mitigation solutions.
In other action, the council voted 6-1 to opt out of a floating tax exemption that has been offered to municipalities under House Bill 581.
Mayor Frank Auman said he would be voting against opting out, but “has no real strong feelings about it.”
The council also:
■ Approved on its consent agenda a revised contract for the Lake Erin Dam construction contract;
■ Heard a preview about potential upcoming agenda items, including some zoning changes and financial reports;
■ Promoted events surrounding Tucker Restaurant, which runs from Feb. 25 to March 2;
■ Reviewed the final version of the city standard guideline book.
by Sarra Sedghi
Michelin-starred restaurant Omakase Table will open at Buckhead Landing on March 12, while its original home on West Marietta Street will transform into something new in April.
Chef Leonard Yu plans to replace his
Westside Atlanta restaurant with an entrylevel omakase spot called Neko, which translates to “cat” in Japanese. Neko will offer fewer courses than Omakase Table at a lower price point. (Think $150-$180 per person for 10-12 courses.)
“At Omakase Table, we do about six to seven otsumami (small plates), 10 to 11
nigiri (plain sushi on white rice), a hand roll, and dessert,” general manager Jypzi Suepongsa said. “Neko will do maybe two to three small plates, seven nigiri, then desserts.”
Yu noted that the high price point for an omakase experience can intimidate potential customers, especially people new to the chef-driven, multi-course meal. “I want to make it more approachable,” he said.
With a reduced menu, the omakase at Neko will also be shorter. Diners can expect to shave an hour off the meal. However, Yu hasn’t determined the number of omakase seatings he’ll allow at Neko each night. “I don’t want people to get rushed out,” he said.
Neko isn’t Yu’s first foray into a separate omakase experience.
In December, he opened Ryokou, an intimate, less expensive omakase restaurant led by chef Paul Gutting at Adair Park’s Abrams Fixtures development. Located next door to private wine club The Vine Club, Ryokou seats 10 customers and offers an eight-course meal featuring more cooked dishes and a dash of Southern inspiration from Gutting’s Savannah upbringing.
Omakase Table planned to close on West Marietta Street after service
by Beth McKibben
Georgia is among 15 states impacted by the highly contagious HPAI virus (bird flu) affecting commercial flocks of egglaying chickens.
At last check, the USDA estimates more than 23 million egg-laying hens have either succumbed to the virus or been destroyed due to exposure.
Two poultry facilities in Elbert County, Georgia, tested positive for the virus in January, leading the Georgia Department of Agriculture to cull close to 176,000 egg-laying hens from the flocks and suspend livestock markets, auctions, and other gatherings in the state involving live birds.
While the number of hens culled in Georgia may seem low compared to states with major viral outbreaks affecting millions of birds, not all of the state’s eggs come from Georgia farms. This means egg shortages and surging prices will likely continue.
Kroger, for instance, struck a deal with Indiana-based farm Kipster in 2023 to source cage-free eggs for its stores. Publix sells eggs from a variety of local and regional farms as well as from industrial poultry operations. Aldi sources many of its eggs from Rose Acre Farms, which has 15 laying facilities in seven states, including Georgia.
Georgia ranks sixth in egg production behind Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas, according to farmer cooperative United Egg Producers.
UGA’s Poultry Science Department estimates Georgia produces around 7.8 million table eggs on average each day.
Currently, a dozen eggs from grocery stores in Georgia average $4.48 (medium) to $6.69 (extra large). Prices double when purchasing eggs through membership programs like a CSA (communitysupported agriculture) or Fresh Harvest. Services such as these prioritize purchasing produce, meat, and other ingredients from local farmers.
on March 2, ahead of its relocation to Buckhead. Neko will replace it a month later.
Over in Buckhead, the new location for Omakase Table will offer much more space, allowing for the potential to stagger seatings and host more private events. While the original Omakase Table location seats 16, the Buckhead location will seat 18 guests in two separate rooms.
In addition to Yu’s 20-course omakase at $295 per person, Buckhead will feature a 10-seat cocktail bar. Cocktail pairings with an omakase experience begin sometime in April or May.
“We’re looking at about four different cocktails pairing with our small plates,” Suepongsa said.
For Yu, opening in Buckhead sees Omakase Table coming full circle. He founded Omakase Table as a pop-up before the pandemic, first hosted nearby at Silom Thai & Sushi on Lenox Road. Three years later, Yu opened a permanent location of Omakase Table on West Marietta Street, with the restaurant receiving its first Michelin star in 2024.
Omakase Table, 3300 Piedmont Road, Buckhead. Open Wednesday - Sunday, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Neko, 788 West Marietta St. Opening in April.
By by Bob Pepalis
The Fulton County Schools Board of Education at its Feb. 20 meeting voted 4-3 to close Spalding Drive Elementary School at the end of the school year.
Board members Michelle Morancie, Katie Gregory and Franchesca Warren voted against the closure. Board members Kristin McCabe, Kimberly Dove, Sara Gillespie, and Lillie Pozatek voted for the closure.
“The board members who voted for closure simply did not understand that we value the community school we have,” Steven Guy, strategy chair for the Save Spalding Drive Elementary committee, told Rough Draft Atlanta after the vote. “While we might go to a school that has similar performance metrics, it is not a community school.”
Guy said the community group appreciated the board members who voted to keep the school open.
“We simply wish they had listened to the entire community and political leaders to delay the vote allowing the proper time to make a truly informed decision,” Guy said.
Before the vote, Morancie asked why the district moved to close the schools without giving parents more notice. She asked that the board give the community a chance to work with the district to increase enrollment and improve the building.
“The community was understandably frustrated to hear that just as ground was broken for the North Springs, a feeder school would be taken away,” Morancie said. “Many Spalding parents felt that they were blindsided by this proposal, and the anxiety within the community is palpable.”
Alienating those parents who run student government councils, PTAs, and booster organizations would not help fill North Springs with students, Gregory said.
Board Chair Kristin McCabe cited declining enrollment as a problem across the district. She said the school district’s student population has dropped by 8,000 in the last six or seven years.
McCabe noted that Spalding Drive’s student-teacher ratio for fifth grade is 18 students per teacher. District policy allows for up to 30 students per classroom. Keeping small classroom sizes would require higher tax rates, he said.
McCabe asked Superintendent Mike Looney if they should keep from closing schools that show high performance in academics. Looney said that would be discriminatory.
Gillespie said the district needs to spend taxpayer dollars on academic success and not on buildings that are becoming more expensive to maintain.
Three public meetings were held last fall to develop the redistricting plan. The board voted on Jan. 24 to move forward with the closure. The district held public
hearings on Feb. 11 and 20.
The board’s vote moved forward a redistricting plan involving four Sandy Springs elementary schools. Current Spalding Drive students will attend Heards Ferry or Woodland Elementary Schools. Some Woodland students will attend Ison Springs Elementary School for the 20252026 school year.
Parents will be notified in late March about the closure, redistricting, and Change of School Assignments (COSA). Parents can request that their children attend a specific school outside of their attendance zone through COSA.
by Cathy Cobbs
Austin Elementary School fifth grader Sarv Dharavane is heading to the Georgia State Spelling Bee once again, after winning the Georgia Association of Educators Region 4 crown on Feb. 22. The state competition will be held March 21 at the Georgia State University Student Center.
Specific details about Dharavane’s win have not been released officially by the GAE, but his family and others revealed that the fifth-grader is heading to state competition for the second consecutive year.
Dharavane’s journey began when he won his school’s spelling bee, and on Jan. 28, took the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) crown, with Adhvik Ravikumar, a fifth grader at Vanderlyn Elementary as runner up.
The pair competed against 18 other qualifiers in the January contest, which had been delayed because of inclement weather. The contest went 19 rounds, with Dharavane and Ravikumar the lone competitors for the last four of them.
After the two breezed through words like “nonage,” dactylic,” and “alpestrine,” Ravikumar stumbled, and Dharavane won by spelling correctly “bruxism,” a condition where people clench, grind, or gnash their teeth either while awake or in their sleep,
Tarika Peeks, executive director of operational planning, said the closure will affect 264 current K-4 Spalding Drive students and redistricting will affect 276 students. Rising fifth graders at Woodland can choose to stay at their current school, but they must maintain satisfactory attendance, behavior, and academics and must supply their own transportation. The school board also voted to close Parklane Elementary School as the district opens a new Conley Hill Elementary School. Warren, Gregory and Morancie also voted against the Parklane closure.
according to DeKalb County School District officials.
In 2024, Dharavane, then 10 years old, ran the table over 18 rounds, winning the 63rd Annual Georgia Association of Educators State Spelling Bee without missing a word (including vocabulary). He, along with runner up Matthew Baber, an eighth grader from Rising Starr Middle, represented Georgia in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championships in National Harbor, MD. Barber came in 60th and Dharavane tied for 22nd.
Dharavane’s plan, he told Rough Draft in an earlier interview, is to continue to progress to the national competition each year until he wins it all. As a riser fifth grader, he could, theoretically, have four more chances.
APRIL 26, 2025
BUCKHEAD | 6PM - MIDNIGHT
Cocktail reception, silent and live auction, dinner, live entertainment and an even livelier dance floor! All event proceeds benefit Kate’s Club programs for grieving kids, families and young adults.
by Dave Williams
A New York City man has pleaded guilty to running a massive investment fraud scheme involving a planned commercial real estate project in the Buckhead area of Atlanta.
Elchonon “Elie” Schwartz, 46, admitted his guilt on one count of wire fraud in federal court Wednesday and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. According to information presented in court, Schwartz began soliciting investments in the proposed Atlanta Financial Center in May 2022 and subsequently in a mixed-use building in Miami Beach, Fla. He ultimately raised $62.8 million from more than 800 investors.
However, before either real estate project closed, Schwartz diverted the funds to his personal bank account and accounts for other unrelated commercial real estate investments he controlled.
Schwartz spent the money, among other things, on luxury watches and stocks and options in a brokerage account. In July 2023, both of the corporate entities he formed to receive investments in the two projects filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“Seeking to do nothing more than pad his own bank accounts and buy expensive luxury items, Elie Schwartz betrayed hundreds of investors who sought the opportunity to invest in these commercial real estate projects,” said Richard Moultrie Jr., acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
“This office is committed to protecting investors from individuals, like Schwartz, who defraud donors out of their hardearned money and seek to prioritize their own greed at the expense of legitimate investors.”
Schwartz is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
By Dyana Bagby
Atlanta’s largest green space is being renamed for former Mayor Shirley Franklin.
The Atlanta City Council at its Feb. 3 meeting approved an ordinance to rename Westside Reservoir Park to “Shirley Clarke Franklin Park.”
In 2016, the city began drilling what was known as the Bellwood Quarry, located between Bankhead and West Midtown, into a 2.4 billion gallon reservoir. The quarry was a popular spot for filming and was seen in “The Walking Dead,” “The Hunger Games” and “Stranger Things.”
The city then developed the roughly 300 acres around it into Atlanta’s largest park –Westside Reservoir Park. After five years of work, the park opened in 2021.
The ordinance to rename Westside Reservoir Park includes comments from Neighborhood Planning Unit G in northwest Atlanta with members saying they opposed the idea of naming the park “after a political figure or living person.”
Comments were also made that there was a lack of community engagement.
The council also approved an ordinance renaming Downtown’s Central Avenue to “Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard.”
Central Avenue runs alongside City Hall between Decatur Street and Pryor Street.
The renaming of the park and street
were recommendations made by a commission to honor the city’s 58th mayor. A survey on the city’s website had asked participants to check a box asking if they wanted to honor the former mayor by naming a street, building, park or “other” after her.
Franklin served two terms, from 2002 through 2010. She was the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major urban city in the south.
During her tenure, Franklin prioritized fixing Atlanta’s sewer system. The city also purchased the former Bellwood Quarry site that became Westside Reservoir Park while she was mayor.
“It’s with great pride that we permanently weave Mayor Franklin’s name into the fabric of Atlanta. This honor serves as a constant reminder of her visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to public service, and the positive impact she’s had on generations of Atlantans,” council member Andrea Boone said in a statement.
“[Mayor Franklin] led efforts to enhance Atlanta’s infrastructure, foster community engagement, and shape the city’s future,” council member Marci Collier Overstreet said. “The ordinances reflect the importance of the Atlanta City Council’s continued efforts to honor and recognize our leaders.”
by Rough Draft Staff
For the 15th year in a row, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) is once again hosting its annual “Sweep the Hooch” volunteer cleanup on Saturday, March 22.
Taking place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the initiative brings local volunteers together at more than 60 different locations throughout the Chattahoochee River watershed (including the Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy, Blue Heron Nature Preserve and Riverwalk Atlanta, among others) to remove litter and debris.
According to CRK, litter pollution poses a significant threat to the Chattahoochee River, with potential impacts including harm to wildlife, ruined outdoor spaces for communities, as well as broken down microplastics that endanger aquatic ecosystems and water supplies.
In response to this issue, CRK launched its Sweep the Hooch program back in 2011. During that inaugural year, 360 volunteers gathered to help remove 7,100 pounds of trash in a single day, the organization said.
Since then, the initiative has grown exponentially, with over 1,200 volunteers removing 65,000 pounds (32.5 tons) of waste last year alone.
“Sweep the Hooch began as an ambitious project to clean up the Chattahoochee,” said Tammy Bates, director of CRK Outings. “It has steadily grown into an event that people look forward to year after year. The impact is undeniable: since 2010, we’ve seen our volunteer base more than triple and the amount of trash removed increase nearly tenfold. It’s a testament to how communities truly care about the Chattahoochee River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it.”
Interested participants can sign up at sweepthehooch.org. Registration is free but required.
CRK will provide supplies for the event. As a token of appreciation, CRK said that it will give all participating volunteers a complimentary one-year CRK membership (normally $35, includes perks such as member-exclusive social events, a free decal and more).
By Sammie Purcell
A lost Nigerian film will return to Atlanta for the first time in 50 years, along with a new exhibition of photos from the film’s production.
Presented as a collaboration between Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta and the Alliance Francaise d’Atlanta, the photography exhibition “Things Fall Apart – Film Stills by Stephen Goldblatt” will start at Gallery 72 in Downtown on Feb. 20 and run through April 4. “Things Fall Apart” is a Nigerian film directed by German filmmaker Hans Jürgen Pohland based on the novel of the same name by Chinua Achebe. The film was produced by the late Francis Oladele, who was also the brother-in-law of former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.
The film itself will screen in Atlanta during the exhibition. No date has been set, but a spokesperson said the date will be sometime in March.
The film first premiered in Atlanta in 1974, the same year that Lagos, Nigeria became a sister city to Atlanta, and the same year that the city established the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. However, the film then disappeared.
“I know that the film premiered in Atlanta, and thereafter we didn’t hear anything about it,” said Frances Oladele’s son Lanre, who will be present at the exhibition’s opening reception on Feb. 20. “So when I was contacted …I just could not believe I was seeing the film.”
The film, along with more than 2,000 photographs of the production, was found roughly five years ago in storage at the German Kinemathek, a film archive.
Mareike Palmeira, founder of the Modern Art Film Archive Berlin, said while there were people who knew that the film was in the archive, no one thought it was that important for a long time.
“The German director – he was, in the ‘60s, one of the very important ones … but later, he got a bit forgotten. The film was there, but nobody realized that this was an important thing,” Palmeira said. “Like it is with archives, there’s a lot of stuff inside … What is really necessary is that people like us or journalists have access to, then go inside and find stories and histories, and make them accessible.”
The film “Things Fall Apart” follows a student named Obi Okonkwo who, upon finishing his studies in England, returns to Nigeria and finds himself in a country steeped in deep political turmoil.
According to information provided by Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta, the film was the second one made under Francis Oladele’s Calpenny Nigeria Films Limited. His first film, 1970’s “Kongi’s Harvest,” was directed by American filmmaker Ossie Davis. These two films helped pave the way for Nigeria’s film industry, dubbed Nollywood, to take off.
When Palmeira first discovered the film and the photographs, she started the process of restoring the film and researching its
production. She was delighted to find that many of the cast and crew members who worked on “Things Fall Apart” went on to have prolific careers. For example, Stephen Goldblatt – who acted in the film and shot the still photographs in the exhibition –became a celebrated cinematographer known for movies like “The Help” and “The Prince of Tides,” with a couple of Academy Award nominations under his belt.
Palmeira said the process of restoring the film and setting up the exhibition has been one of international cooperation, much like the making of the film more than 50 years ago – “Things Fall Apart” is a movie based on the work of a Nigerian author with a Nigerian producer, a German director, and
an American screenwriter.
“It was this kind of international co-production,” Palmeira said. “It’s really nice for me to have this kind of working together.”
Lanre Oladele said he believes international cooperation can help crosscultural growth in a meaningful way.
“In those days, they called it a handshake across the ocean,” Lanre Oladele said. “When we have a handshake, culture becomes more robust. Stories become not just localized, but globalized. A lot will have to be done by artists, the government, to ensure that culture and story and film become pivotal to the eventual emergence of the people’s history.”
by Isadora Pennington
The Pollinator Art Space, which opened at The Goat Farm in 2024, is an intimate pop-up art exhibition space that is offering opportunities to artists on the Westside of Atlanta.
“I’m trying to give artists an audience,” founder Sabre Esler said.
Esler is a multi-disciplinary artist whose works explore the intersections of art and science. She has exhibited extensively, both in Atlanta and in cities across the country, and her exhibition “Magical Meta Meditations” was featured at Palazzo Bembo at the Venice Biennale in 2024.
.A lifelong creative, she recalls first falling in love with art when in the third grade she recreated “Sunflowers” by Van Gogh in dried beans for a project. “I had so much fun,” she said.
Later, Esler studied art at Miami University in Oxford, OH, Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art, and SCAD Atlanta, where she received her MFA.
For many years, Esler focused on her individual creative practice. As an exhibiting artist, she first started contemplating the need for a venue like The Pollinator Art
Space when she was seeking out a location for her thesis in 2015. Years later, she pitched an exhibition to several local galleries and was denied. These experiences made her consider alternative models for exhibition spaces in Atlanta.
The ideas of an artist co-op, or a pop-up art space, had come up in conversations with fellow artists and colleagues over the years. The final push came when Esler drew close to the end of her residency at Atlanta
Contemporary in 2024.
During the four years that she maintained a studio at Atlanta Contemporary, she was able to experience what it would be like to operate a publicfacing business model and design for her art practice.
Residents at Atlanta Contemporary participate in twice-yearly open studios events, and the resulting conversations and engagements she had with the Atlanta art
ecosystem emboldened her to consider her next move.
“Making those connections and having that network is really, really important,” she said.
Previously a studio artist at a satellite Goat Farm location in Castleberry Hill, Esler reached out to founder Anthony Harper with the idea for an exhibition space. Though the plan for The Pollinator Art Space evolved from a co-op concept into a standalone exhibition space that she ran on her own, she decided she would regret it if she didn’t really give it a try. And so, she did.
“It’s crazy,” Esler said. “I mean, it is a full time job, and in order to support it I thought I’d be an adjunct professor, so I did that last fall and I also had my own practice… that was just like trying to ride two bicycles at the same time.”
She ultimately dropped her teaching job in order to focus on building The Pollinator into something sustainable and meaningful both to her and others.
And what about the name? When Esler was coming up with initial plans for the gallery, she considered a few options,
Continued on page 24
most of which were related to the gallery’s current location. While she liked the names she worried that one day, if she ever had to relocate, it would not make as much sense. A good friend, Ramie Little, actually came up with the winning name; The Pollinator Art Space.
“We talked about the concept that the goal of the space is to expand the reach of artists by connecting artists, collectors, critics, curators and anyone else in the industry,” Esler said. “I especially like creating new relationships between younger and older artists as well. Creating art can be isolating, so artists need a strong network to succeed.”
The response from the artistic community has been a positive one, with her exhibitions garnering attention and support from participating artists, some of whom have even volunteered to host open hours during the exhibitions. “It was a big love fest, it was just delightful,” Esler said, referring to the successes of the small works show she hosted last fall.
The Art Space operates a bit differently than many commercial galleries, as Esler doesn’t represent artists and instead welcomes guest curators to bring new ideas to use and activate the space. Calling it a “pop-up art space,” Esler has endeavored to keep the process simple and streamlined for artists who have no obligation to the gallery once their exhibition is over.
She also has been working with young, emerging art professionals who want experience operating an art space, such as Brooklyn Carr, her current intern who she describes as “dynamic.”
“I love materiality, and I am particularly interested in installation art,” said Esler when asked about the guiding principles of her curation process. “Although I am a painter in my longest practice, I really enjoy different ways artists use materials to flesh out their ideas.”
One key element to The Pollinator Art Space is that she prefers pairing up artists in thoughtful and compelling duos, and is not particularly interested in solo exhibitions. The exception to that rule is MFA thesis exhibitions, for which she has one available exhibition slot towards the end of 2025.
Up next at The Pollinator Art Space is “You Kissed Me First,” a collaborative photo collage exhibition by artists Jody Fausett and Sharon Shapiro.
The two actually developed the works in this exhibition during a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. In the series, themes of personal facades, tension, longing, vulnerabilities, and hidden pleasures are explored through the combination of vintage photographs with added textural elements.
“When they approached me and told me about their collaboration and experimentation, I thought they were a perfect fit for my programming,” Esler said. “They have stretched their practice and have helped each other grow. It’s perfect for The Pollinator Art Space concept!”
“You Kissed Me First” debuted on Thurs. Feb. 27 at The Pollinator Art Space, located at 1200 Foster St. NW, Studio 109. Felicia Feaster will moderate an artist talk with Faussett and Shapiro on Mar. 29 at 3 p.m. and the exhibition will remain on view through April 10, 2025.
By Sammie Purcell
The birth of Studio of the Americas, the first full-service Native Americanowned film and television studio, is more than 10 years in the making.
A decade ago, a mutual friend introduced Robert Wilson and Clifton Chippewa to each other. Wilson was in the process of trying to produce a film version of his novel, “Crooked Tree.” Since the book dealt heavily with Native American themes, Wilson was looking for Native people to work on the film. Chippewa, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, fit the bill.
The relationship gave birth to the idea for Studio of the Americas, which officially opened last week. Chippewa and Wilson co-founded the studio, with Chippewa also serving as chairman and Wilson as CEO. The men initially described their idea as “Tyler Perry, but for Native Americans;” fitting then, that the studio is located on the Tyler Perry Studios campus in Atlanta.
“There are thousands and thousands and thousands of stories to be told that have never been told in the Native tradition,” Chippewa said. “To me, Native storytelling is a part of our healing process as well … It’s like medicine for the soul.”
In addition to the studio space from Tyler Perry, Georgia’s production tax incentives and experienced workforce drew Wilson and Chippewa to the state. They’ve also established a partnership with the Georgia Film Academy, launching a production training program specifically for Native American students. When Rough Draft spoke with Wilson and Chippewa, they were on their way to meet with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina to recruit the first group of students for the program.
“The aim of [the academy] is to be able to primarily train Native American students,” Wilson said. “Our goal is to be able to provide life sustaining skills to Native students.”
Wilson said that Studio of the Americas has a slate of 15 projects in development. The two at the forefront right now are an adaptation of Wilson’s book “Crooked Tree,” which he hopes to turn into a multi-film franchise; and “Smoke Alarm,” an anti-smoking documentary that also focuses on the ceremonial origins of tobacco within Native communities.
“[We’re] not only a studio, but we have our own intellectual property that we’re producing and developing,” Wilson said. “We’ll continue that process, and hopefully through the academy … be able to nurture the storytellers of the future.”
Over the past several years, there has been a rise in the number of indigenous stories told in television and movies, from Seminole filmmaker Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi’s television show “Reservation Dogs” to the movie “Fancy Dance,” directed by Native filmmaker Erica Tremblay. Last year, Lily Gladstone became the first Native American to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and the first to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for their work in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Chippewa acknowledged that there has been a greater influx of Native stories recently, but said there is still work to be done. He mentioned “Killers of the Flower Moon” specifically, which was directed by non-Native director Martin Scorsese.
“There are [574] federally recognized tribes [in the United States], and each one of them has their own story related to their history and historical trauma throughout hundreds of years,” Chippewa said. “For somebody non-Native telling those stories, it’s not a true version of what really went on. I really would like to see it from a true Native perspective on our side.”
Wilson said that in the best case scenario, the studio hopes to have a project ready a year from this spring.
by Katie Burkholder
When Michael Edwards-Pruitt founded Open Hand in 1988, he wanted to cook and deliver meals to his friends who were dying from AIDS and, thus, too sick to cook for themselves.
The project began in the kitchen of a church with 14 friends, and in the 37 years since, it has grown into a nonprofit organization sending 5,000 made-fromscratch meals a day to people living with serious chronic health conditions.
“We’re all about healthy here,” Open Hand CEO Matthew Pieper told Rough Draft. “Everything we do is through the ‘food as medicine’ lens. The meals that we cook have very few preservatives, very few canned goods.”
Meals are made from scratch at Open Hand by a team of skilled staff and around 60 volunteers every day and designed by registered dieticians to meet the specific nutritional targets that individuals need. Along with delivering frozen, heat-and-eat meals across Atlanta, the organization also provides nutrition counseling to its clients with HIV, heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, cancer, and other conditions.
“We’re going to teach you the kind of meals you need to eat and why, we’ll help explain [what] is going to help you absorb your medications or tolerate chemo better or tolerate radiation [for example],” Pieper said.
In October 2024, Open Hand announced the relocation and expansion of its headquarters to West Midtown, near Westside Reservoir Park, recently renamed for former Mayor Shirley Franklin.
The new 43,000-square-foot facility,
equipped with a 75-percent increase in storage, 100-percent increase in warehouse space, and seven more loading docks, allows for more efficient and expansive service to the people relying on the organization’s work.
“We’ve built a lot of capacity here,” Pieper said. “We won’t have to move for another 75 years.”
Along with making their day-to-day operations easier and more cost-efficient, Open Hand’s expansion has extended to the services it offers the community, officials said.
They have introduced the Stephen Woods Workforce Development Program, a project aimed at empowering unemployed and underemployed individuals with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in the food service industry.
They have also kicked off a cooking course with clients of Covenant House, an organization supporting young people facing homelessness that’s located across the street from Open Hand, to teach them how to grocery shop and cook nutritious meals at home.
According to data from the USDA, 13.5 percent of households in the U.S. were food-insecure, meaning they did not have access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all members of the household.
From 2019-2021, Georgia had an average of 4.2 million households facing food insecurity, the ninth worst rate in the country, and even among those who are food secure, data show that most American adults are not meeting nutritional recommendations; according to findings from a 2022 CDC study,
About 12 percent and 10 percent of adults met fruit and vegetable recommendations, respectively.
For those facing chronic health conditions, the support of Open Hand’s nutritional education and meal delivery is crucial – not just to their physical health, but their mental health as well.
“Food is love, and that’s biblical. In biblical times, when someone’s ill, what’s one way to show them that they’re cared about? Bring them a meal, cook them a meal,” Pieper said. “…That’s why [EdwardsPruitt] founded Project Open Hand. He was horrified that so many people dying of AIDS were being ostracized, marginalized, thrown out of their homes, fired from their jobs, abandoned by their friends.”
“He thought if there are no treatments
for people with HIV, at least we can cook them a meal,” Pieper continued. “A lot of individuals who are dealing with serious illnesses are also battling depression, and it really makes a difference to have someone come deliver a meal.”
Those not facing serious health issues can still benefit from Open Hand’s “foodas-medicine” philosophy, as well as support their work, by purchasing meals from Good Measure.
Customers can get delicious and nutritious meals like turkey tetrazzini, chicken and asparagus risotto, and beef stir fry delivered to their doors, with 100 percent of profits benefiting Open Hand. To learn more about Open Hand, visit openhandatlanta.org.
by Rebecca Grapevine, Healthbeat Atlanta
The Trump administration’s threat to cut funding for global health initiatives is being felt in Atlanta, where nonprofits administer millions in USAID awards.
The nation’s main foreign aid agency funds Atlanta-based organizations like CARE, The Task Force for Global Health, and The Carter Center’s work on global health projects.
USAID’s work is important to Atlanta on “many levels,” from supporting nonprofits to preventing disease,” said Mark Rosenberg, former president and CEO of the Decatur-based task force.
“If we do work overseas in global health to prevent the spread of Ebola, it protects us. If we do work around the world and prevent multiple drug resistant TB, it helps us,” Rosenberg said. “The other reason why we should be supporting global health and a lot of the
work that USAID does is because we are compassionate people.”
A statement from CARE provided to Healthbeat said “there will undoubtedly be reductions” at the organization.
A five-year USAID-funded project administered by the task force has been paused, spokesperson Jessica Wurst said. The project aimed to improve how subSaharan governments and organizations prevent and treat neglected tropical diseases, including river blindness, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected blackflies that breed in rivers and streams.
The $45 million award involved a partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana and an African research network, according to a 2024 news release.
“That USAID-funded program has been paused, in compliance with federal directives,” Wurst said.
The task force received just over $95 million in revenue in 2023, according
to its annual report. Typically more than half of its program funds come from government sources. The organization also helps manage $961 million in medicines donated by pharmaceutical companies.
Founded in 1961, USAID distributed more than $43 billion in global aid in fiscal 2023, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.
“The abrupt suspension of USAID funding has jeopardized Georgia’s robust global health sector,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, president of Georgia Life Sciences, a non-profit group that promotes the life sciences industry.
A 2020 study of global health found the field contributes more than $3 billion annually to Georgia’s GDP and supports more than 33,000 jobs, Thacker Goethe said.
The status of USAID workers and projects is unclear. Some employees were told they would be put on leave — and others were — in early February. Work
was halted following a Jan. 20 executive order from President Donald Trump calling for “reviewing and realigning” U.S. foreign aid. The order included a 90day pause on foreign aid spending.
In February, a federal judge issued a temporary order stopping USAID from placing people on administrative leave.
“It’s a very fluid and evolving situation,” said Sarah McCool, a professor at Georgia State University who has worked with USAID.
She’s worried about the agency’s humanitarian work.
“Consider … a child that is suffering from severe, acute malnutrition and the program that’s helping feed the child has immediately been halted,” McCool said.
“People will die.”
USAID is also key to U.S. “soft power” abroad, she said. “USAID having the global stop-work order is indicative of … a retreat from the broader global stage in terms of humanitarian and global health work.”
by Cathy Cobbs
It’s not your parent’s summer camp anymore.
The Atlanta area has an abundance of camps that serve a variety of niche interests - from a camp that teaches circus skills to a culinary camp that fosters children’s love of creating delectable, yet healthy meals to an overnight camp specifically for children suffering from health issues that might preclude their inclusion in the regular camp experience.
There’s even an adult day camp for people who want to make or recreate their favorite camp memories.
While the variety of camps seem infinite, they have one thing in common - to foster connections through mutual interest.
Since 2006, Young Chefs Academy’s Arielle Williams has been guiding children on how to make simple, yet nutritious and flavorful dishes.
“One of the things the kids say is, ‘I don’t eat that,’ but once we start cooking it and it smells so good, they change their mind,” Williams said.
Campers learn such skills as
measurement and cooking techniques, and even how to make pasta from scratch, she said.
“You can kind of sneak in the math and science in that way,” said Williams, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta and worked at restaurants like Canoe and Ray’s on the River.
Children are divided by age – 6-8, 9-11, and 12 and up – and introduced to cooking skills that they can master.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as learning how to make popcorn without burning it,” Williams said. “I love sharing with the kids the joy and love for cooking.”
The Young Chefs Academy has three-hour camps that run each day throughout the summer for ages six to 15. More information can be found at sandyspringsga.youngchefsacademy.com.
At its heart, the Riverside Prep ACE camp experience focuses on individual growth. It’s a place where academic learning meets outdoor excitement. Designed to spark curiosity, our program includes sports, STEM challenges, and camping trips. Our approach at Riverside ACE is hands-on, crafted to pull your son out of his comfort zones.
‘The greatest camp on earth’ Decatur-based Circus Camp in its 33rd year, encourages children to “move around, be noisy, act funny and be messy,” said teacher Caroline
Cunningham
of mediums surrounding the theme of the week,” Spruill Center for the Arts CEO Alan Mothner said. “Campers get to work in a professional studio, which they might not have the chance to do.”
options like the Jedi Sports Academy. For more information, visit atlantajcc.org.
geared towards children who share a love of reading. More information can be found at littleshopofstories.com.
of the Circus Arts Institute.
“These kids have the freedom to be themselves, and our kid-centered staff is so kind and focused on them,” she said. “Kids have always dreamed of running away and joining the circus, and for a week in the summer, they get the chance to do just that.”
The week-long program, with options like unicycling, juggling, clowning, and an aerial program, culminates at the end of the week with a “superadorable” show where families can see the children’s accomplishments, Cunningham said.
The camp, which is staffed exclusively by former campers, is a screen-free experience, and accepts special-needs children, she said.
While most camps are held in Decatur, there are also sessions held at satellite locations in Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Buckhead throughout the summer.
The Circus Arts Institute is located at 2969 E Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur. More information can be found at circuscamp.org.
Taking it off the grid at
While Dunwoody’s Spruill Center for the Arts offers traditional artsy choices during its 11-week camps, there are also very niche options, including animation techniques, crochet creation, metalsmithing, magical creations, and pet portraits.
“All of our camp offerings are based around creativity, and we offer a variety
There’s also plenty of opportunities to be active during the day, and we provide a lot of variety within the day,” Mothner said.
At the end of each week, the campers’ creations are displayed in the hallway at the Spruill Education Center and parents and friends are invited to see the fruit of the artists’ labor.
“It’s absolutely my favorite day,” he said.
Spruill offers early and late care options. For more information and to see camp offerings, visit spruillarts.org
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Camp Oasis gives children living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis the opportunity to “just be kids.”
According to Elizabeth Fligor Vallery, the senior manager of Camp Oasis, about 100 children will attend the camp this summer, which is held at Camp Twin Lakes in Winder, GA.
“We have a lot of things that people offer at a traditional camp, like ziplining and water sports, but we also try to give them lots of options so we can respect their health issues,” Vallery said.
An all-volunteer medical team is on site during the camp, including nurses, dieticians and mental health providers, for any issues that arise while the camp is in session.
“None of the campers are ‘the sick kids,’ because all of them are going through the same thing,” she said. “It’s a place where they feel like they belong.”
■ Trybal Gatherings, hosted at the MJCCA, offers a day camp for adults offering “powerful ways to find connections through nostalgia,” said founder and CEO Carine Warswaski. For more information, visit trybalgatherings.com.
■ Critter Camp, run by the Amphibian Foundation, gives children the opportunity to learn everything about salamanders, frogs, turtles, snakes, and lizards. More information can be found at critter-camp.org.
■ Entering its 20th year, The Little Shop of Stories is a book-focused camp
■ Atlanta Zoo’s Safari Camp , now in its 25th year, gives children from ages five to 14 the opportunity to “make a difference for wild animals and wild places,” said Staci Wiech, the vice president of education at the Atlanta Zoo. More information can be found at zooatlanta.org/program/summer-camp.
■ The Museum of Design Atlanta’s Design Camp is geared towards young creators who want to explore the power of design in fun and meaningful ways. More information can be found at museumofdesign.org/designcamp.
The camp also includes one education session, where children are offered coping mechanisms, self-care tips, and have the chance to interact with others who are experiencing the same challenges.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Camp Oasis runs from June 15-20 this year. Scholarships are available to defray the $400 cost. More information can be found at crohnscolitisfoundation.org/getinvolved/camp-oasis.
Other camps of note:
■ The Marcus Jewish Community Center offers a variety of traditional camps, as well as graphic design, a Taylor Swift-themed camp, set lighting and design, and other character-based
Register today for the summer of a lifetime!
June–July 2025 | Ages 2–17
Register now for a fun-filled summer of dance, movement and creativity! Programs for all ages and levels. No audition required.
Two studio locations:
Virginia-Highland Centre 404-883-2178
Buckhead Centre 404-303-1501
Learn more at centre.atlantaballet.com/summer-programs
