Spring has sprung and there are lots of exciting changes and growth to tell you about at Intown and our parent company, Springs Publishing.
First, I am thrilled – no, elated! – that veteran journalist Dyana Bagby has joined us as a staff writer. Many of you will remember Dyana as editor of Georgia Voice, a writer with our sister publications Reporter Newspapers, and, more recently, with the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Dyana will be writing features and covering Buckhead for both Intown and the Reporter, and you can read her first piece on the Georgia Film Academy here.
Also joining us is another industry veteran, Neal Maziar, who will be leading Springs’ advertising sales efforts. Neal is an Atlanta native who has deep roots in the community and local media, including WSB-AM/FM and Big League Broadcasting.
There’s also the arrival of Tim “TimmyDaddy” Sullivan’s newly rebranded monthly column, “May I Be Excused?” After more than a decade, it was time for a refresh, but Tim’s irreverent look at parenting and community continues here.
And if that’s not enough, your favorite newsletter, Rough Draft, is now five days a week! Along with your morning fix on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we’re now producing Rough Draft PM on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Expect a mix of headlines, entertainment, food, and nonprofit news you can use.
And while I’m excited about our new arrivals, I want to acknowledge a few departures to report as well.
Amy Arno, who was a co-founder of Reporter Newspapers, has left us to work in the senior care industry. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for the publications will be missed.
Also leaving us is Chad Radford, who has been the editor of Rough Draft for more than a year. You’re likely to see Chad on the BeltLine or in a local park as he’s taken on a new role with Trees Atlanta. Luckily, that will leave him enough time to write occasional pieces for Intown.
The other big departure – and this one is more personal – is my car. Yes, folks, I sold my car. Now that I’m living in Midtown, it was parked more than driven, and cutting out my loan payment, insurance, gas(!), and maintenance is saving me hundreds of dollars a month.
I’m walking most everywhere I need to go, and if there’s something more far afield, I jump in a Lyft or on MARTA. I’ve fully embraced city living, which is something I’ve wanted to do forever. I’ve always been jealous of New Yorkers and Londoners who didn’t need a car, and now I’ve joined them.
And since I’m saving all that money, maybe I can add another streaming service. I kid, I kid. Or not.
You might have noticed on the cover that this is our 16th annual Sustainability Issue and we’ve got some great features on the Wylde Center, Food Well Alliance, and much more.
This is our biggest issue of Intown since 2015, and I’m excited to share it with you!