To your health
Wednesday, July 29 — Welcome back!
I spent my weekend watching the USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships, along with the final stages of the Tour de France. Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar claimed his fifth title overall, tying four other riders for the most wins ever at the iconic cycling event. The Tour de France Femmes starts on Saturday.
📚 I can’t believe it’s back-to-school season here in Georgia. This week’s feature story is about Intentional Minds, a local organization that brings yoga and mindfulness classes to Atlanta kids and families — perfect for this hectic time of year.
☀️ I didn’t need permission, but The New York Times says It’s OK to Hate Summer now. I have *the* worst summer SAD (yes, seasonal depression in the summer is very much a thing). Who else is counting the days until fall?
👟 For runners of all ages, fall not only marks the end of brutal summer training, but the beginning of cross-country season. Get ready with Weststride’s Spike Your Stride event this Saturday, with expert trainer and spike fittings, giveaways, and discounts for middle- and high-school cross-country athletes.
💆🏽♀️ I recently wrote about why scalp health is the next big beauty trend. Check out Elle’s roundup of the best scalp rinses.
🩲 Last week, I mentioned the European Broadcasting Union’s new standards for covering female track and field athletes. My friend (and former Georgia State track athlete) Abby Carney wrote a great piece for Runner’s World about why athletes choose to race in briefs and common misconceptions people have about them.
The Atlanta Track Club (ATC) wants to partner with Atlanta Public Schools to build an indoor track and field complex in Summerhill, which would be Georgia’s first indoor facility. On Aug. 12, ATC will host a community meeting to discuss facility plans and neighborhood impact.
Be well!
✨ Laura
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Intentional Minds Brings Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness Classes to Atlanta
🧘🏼 Yoga isn’t just for adults. At Intentional Minds, small bodies move through downward-facing dogs and deep-breathing exercises on a circle of colorful mats. The children pause occasionally to sing, discuss their feelings, or even giggle. This local organization offers yoga, mindfulness, and other wellness classes for metro Atlanta children and families.
🦋 Read my story about Intentional Minds, which is opening a permanent location inside Small Craft Kids Club in Scottdale on Aug. 1.
USMNT Midfielder Tyler Adams Unveils New South Fulton Mini-Pitch
The new mini-pitch is part of a national effort by Allstate, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Adams to bring permanent soccer facilities to communities with limited access to the sport. By converting underused spaces into mini-pitches, the initiative aims to give young players a safe place to play, while building on soccer’s growing popularity in the United States.
South Fulton became the latest stop in that effort, following mini-pitch unveilings in Detroit and Philadelphia.
Read Ansley Kelly’s story here.
A confident school year starts now. SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY
📚 With just a few weeks left before school starts, now is the ideal time to help children and teens prepare for a successful transition back to the classroom.
Parents can help by:
• gradually re-establishing school routines and sleep schedules
• encouraging face-to-face time with friends before school begins
• helping kids practice problem-solving and independence
• focusing on strengths and celebrating small successes
➞ If your child is struggling with anxiety, friendships, confidence, emotional regulation, or the transition back to school, Intown Psychology is here to help.
Learn more:
• 5 Strategies to Build Self-Esteem and Resilience in Kids
• Helping Kids Navigate Friendship and Social Challenges
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Inspires Couple to Open Schāf Shop
On a weekday afternoon, a local coffee shop is bustling. Two friends order a drink, sit on the couch, and talk without looking at their phones. A customer stands at the counter having a friendly conversation with the owners. Others grab a book to read, or a puzzle from one of the shelves and set about completing it.
What seems like a scene straight out of a 1990s sitcom – a fantasy of connectivity amid the dwindling of third places in many cities – is an actual reality at Schāf Shop in Midtown.
Part coffee shop, part skate shop, owners and wives Lindzey and Taylor Schaffer opened their dream coffee shop earlier this year, prompted by a life-threatening cancer diagnosis six years ago.
Read Katie Burkholder’s feature story on the coffee shop here.
The Short List
🚗 This weekend, I absolutely devoured “Ride or Die,” the new Amazon Prime miniseries starring Hannah Waddingham as an assassin and Octavia Spencer as her equally quick-thinking best friend. More shows about middle-aged women that don’t center romantic relationships or children, please (see also: “Dead to Me”).
🎧 Lizzy McAlpine’s new single, “The Light in the Painting,” is dreamy, ethereal summer perfection. I can’t wait for her new album, “Angel,” which drops in September.
🌸 The Gap is so back. And that includes updates to nostalgic ‘90s scents like Grass and Heaven. With earthy-spicy notes of sandalwood, oud, and coriander, Om was absolutely my jam in college.
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Book It
💪🏻 If you know anything about me, you know I love a good mat-based workout. It’s why I’m a fan of Pvolve. Also a favorite of Jennifer Aniston, the low-impact workout incorporates resistance bands, balls, and light ankle and hand weights into functional, full-body movements. You can book classes now at the West Midtown and at Krog Street Market locations, with a location in the Chastain neighborhood opening soon.
The Rundown
🌕 Mark the full moon in Aquarius with a mat Pilates class, followed by restorative reflection and a sound bath at {sacred} thread on Friday. Register here for the 90-minute session.
🏃🏾♀️ The Boyz of C.O.R.E. and South Fulton Run Club are teaming up for a Back to School 5K Run & Walk and Field Day on Saturday at Candler Park. Registrations support a backpack drive for local students, and the family-friendly event also includes a live DJ and fitness challenges like kickball.
👣 The Atlanta Track Club’s “Run the Beltline” series continues on Saturday with the first-ever Southside Beltline 8K. The 3K is sold out, but spots remain for the 8K, which starts at Pittsburgh Yards. Snag your spot here. I’ll be volunteering on the course, so come say hi!
🎨 Intentional Minds and Small Craft Kids Club are hosting a fall open house on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event includes free family yoga, story time, and self-led art-making stations. RSVP to reserve your spot.
🧘🏼♀️ Join Hops & Flow for an all-levels yoga class at Monday Night Brewing’s The Grove on Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. The $20 admission includes a post-class coffee or beer.
🔔 Local experts Jess Pfeffer and Ruby Velle will lead SETTLE + Sound: The Shift, a wellness pop-up for women in their 40s and 50s at The Interlock on Aug. 13.
🏃🏼 Registration is open for the Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5K on Aug. 22. Funds support the Grant Park Conservancy.
