Thinking on Thursday
June 6 — Today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when over 150,000 Allied soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, to push the Nazis out of Western Europe and shift the tide of World War II. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.S. President Joe Biden are among the world leaders at today’s commemorations.
☔️ Rain and 84° today.
🚰 The boil water advisory was lifted this morning for all of Atlanta as Mayor Andre Dickens says he’ll impanel a “Blue Ribbon” committee to make recommendations on fixing the aging infrastructure after the water main break fiasco that has hobbled the city for the past week.
⚖️ The Georgia Court of Appeals has paused the election interference case against Donald Trump until it decides whether to disqualify Fulton DA Fani Willis from the case.
💵 The Atlanta Board of Education approved its 2025 budget, including an 11% pay raise for teachers – the largest increase in Atlanta Public Schools’ history.
🏫 The Fulton County Board of Education’s tentative 2025 budget will have pay increases and step increases for eligible employees to keep pace with inflation.
📱 Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take immediate action to allow cellphone jamming devices to be used inside state prisons and local jails.
🚓 Dunwoody Police have announced a number of promotions, including Oliver Fladrich as the new deputy chief.
ELSEWHERE
🗳️ Senate Republicans voted Wednesday to block a bill put forward by Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception nationwide.
⚕️ The World Health Organization confirmed yesterday that a man in Mexico was the first human to die after being infected with a case of bird flu.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Rolling Down Peachtree
• Recycling in DeKalb
• TravelTech startups
AND
• Quick Bites
Have a good day,
Collin & Sammie
🏫 The Galloway School announced Galloway Forward, a project to revitalize its campus with a new Upper Learning building, safer campus, renovated existing buildings, and preserved legacy, enhancing the learning environment and ensuring the school’s future excellence. Learn more.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Roll-down doors graced with art during the Rolling Down Peachtree ‘mural jam’
VIA SKETCHBOOK, A NEWSLETTER ABOUT ART | SUBSCRIBE
🚲 Rolling Down Peachtree, a large-scale art event, brought in artists to transform otherwise forgotten and ignored roll-down security doors in South Downtown.
This live art event was a collaboration between the Bakery, Cat Eye Creative, A&E Atlanta, South Downtown, Downtown Atlanta, Two Tree Studios, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Councilman Jason Dozier’s office.
The event took place while the road was closed during Atlanta Streets Alive on May 19 and transformed 15 roll-down doors, one storefront, and a community spray paint wall into unique works of art.
🎨 Learn more about the event here.
Sip, savor, and celebrate!
SPONSORED BY FOOD THAT ROCKS
🫒 Join us tonight for Food That Rocks, a tasting event celebrating Sandy Springs’ diverse restaurant scene. This one-of-a-kind food festival brings incredible energy to City Springs where you’ll sip, savor, and celebrate the community’s vibrant culinary scene.
Get unlimited tastes from some of the area’s best restaurants and bakeries – and more than a dozen wine, beer, and cocktail tastings. The evening also includes live music from Oxford Soul and an array of interactive experiences.
🎉 Food That Rocks is a “Party with a Purpose” in partnership with the Community Assistance Center and Second Helpings Atlanta.
2. Center for Hard to Recycle Materials opening second location in Decatur
♻️ DeKalb is celebrating the opening of its Live Thrive Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) on June 12.
The organization’s second CHaRM location offers more recycling opportunities and includes a learning garden and compost space, with plans to add a fruit forest, bee yard, and more.
Made possible through a partnership with DeKalb County’s Parks & Recreation Department, the new CHaRM DeKalb is located at 1225 Columbia Dr. in Decatur.
3. These startups are changing the way we travel
✈️ With the summer travel season in full swing, you may be daydreaming about setting up your next out-of-office message.
According to Allianz Partners, Americans will spend upwards of $221 billion on summer vacations this year, a 3% increase from last year and a gigantic 118% increase from 2019.
While summer is a time for many people to take a vacation, it is “go time” for many founders in the TravelTech space. Our partners at Hypepotamus have details on several Atlanta-based startups focused on streamlining the vacation experience, including Swiftstay, Travelsist, Camping Tools, and Flaire.
📲 Read more from Maija Ehlinger.
🏫 The Galloway School announced Galloway Forward, a project to revitalize its campus with a new Upper Learning building, safer campus, renovated existing buildings, and preserved legacy, enhancing the learning environment and ensuring the school’s future excellence. Learn more.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER| SUBSCRIBE HERE
🥃 On Saturday, Goin’Solo is hosting the Bourbon & Brisket Festival at the Battery. This free, family-friendly event is a way to support CURE Childhood Cancer, all while enjoying barbecue, live music, and the Braves game on the big screen. Visit here for more information.
🍅 Georgia Organics’ longstanding fundraiser, Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival (pictured), is back. Mark your calendars for Sun., July 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Westside Motor Lounge and expect a slew of dishes and cocktails crafted from tomatoes grown by Georgia farmers. Click here for the full list of chefs and bartenders, and visit here for tickets.
🎉 Home Depot Backyard (HDBY), the greenspace next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, will host Truist Night Market: Juneteenth Edition on Thurs., June 13 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Showcasing more than 50 Black-owned small businesses, entrepreneurs, chefs, creators, and artisans, you can expect menu selections from favorites like Heritage Supper Club, DJ Waffles, Loose Lips Eatery, Chef Patricia M. Parks, and more. Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased at BigTickets.com.
🪕 June 17 kicks off the week-long Alabama takeover at Garden & Gun Club at The Battery. Chris Hastings of Birmingham’s Hot and Hot Fish Club will offer a signature menu items and cocktails will be created by Justin Owens of 23 Court Cigar & Whiskey Bar in Montgomery. There will also be a special Sunday Supper on June 23. Reservations can be made here.
🌮 BOCA, Summerhill’s Mexican kitchen and bar, is offering a host of specials: $4 tacos on Tuesdays, $7 margaritas on Thursdays, and $20 bottomless mimosas on Saturdays and Sundays.
🧁 Henri’s Bakery & Deli — known for their pastries, desserts, and homemade breads and sandwiches — will open a sixth Georgia location in Clayton this fall. Stay tuned to their Instagram for more details.
🍖 Taffer’s Tavern is coming to Midtown Atlanta. The 1382 Peachtree St. storefront will be their third; other locations include Alpharetta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Stay tuned to their Instagram for updates.
🦐 Dips Kitchen mobile is coming to The Works. Featuring dips as full meals – think pimento cheese, hot chicken, and low-country shrimp – you can check out their menu here.
😎 With Father’s Day on the horizon, here are a few places offering brunch celebrations on Sun., June 16:
- C. Ellet’s at the Battery will kick off at 11 a.m. with live jazz.
- City Winery has a jazz brunch with saxophonist and recording artist, Antoine Gibson, starting at noon.
- The Americano’s brunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Expect house-made favorites like wagyu beef cheek hash and a tableside Bloody Mary cart.
- If handmade pasta and seafood are your vibe, check out Northern Italian restaurant Serena Pastifico in Midtown.
- Buckhead Village’s Le Colonial will have specials including PEI Mussels with coconut and lemongrass and a special Father’s Day cocktail.
- For early risers, Le Bon Nosh on Irby Avenue kicks off brunch at 9 a.m.
🎯 If food plus family-friendly activities are more your speed, be sure to check out this list:
- Your 3rd Spot at Westside in Underwood Hills will offer its menu alongside rock-painting stations, a photo booth, a beer station, and more than 85 interactive games for the whole family.
- Epicurean Atlanta is throwing a Father’s Day BBQ & Brews celebration with lawn games; menu selections from Reverence, Aerial Kitchen & Bar, and The Office Bar; and a complimentary beer for Dad.
- If Dad is a chocolate lover, look to Bitzel’s Chocolate in Suwanee. Reserve your space for a behind-the-scenes peek at the production process and end your tour with gelato or bourbon truffles.
📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
