Thursday bits & bites
Jan. 16 — Gov. Brian Kemp will deliver his annual State of the State address this morning at 11 a.m. at the Gold Dome. Kemp says he will discuss tort reform and putting more money in Georgians’ pockets. Watch live on GPB.
☀️ Sunny and 53° today.
🚰 A second water main break happened last night in DeKalb – this time on North Druid Hills – while repairs and a boil water advisory continue from Tuesday night’s break on Clairmont.
💰 The New Georgia Project, a nonprofit voter registration organization founded by two-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams has agreed to pay the largest fine ever assessed by the Georgia Ethics Commission.
🚌 Sandy Springs officials and parents continue to urge the Fulton County School Board to keep Spalding Drive Elementary open, citing community impact and student needs.
🛑 A stop work order issued to Google Fiber by the City of Brookhaven continues due to missing documentation after a gas main was hit in December.
🧳 Visit Sandy Springs, the city’s tourism marketing arm, has hired Adam Berrios as its new executive director.
🏐 The Atlanta Vibe (1-1) open their home season against the Columbus Fury tonight at Gas South Arena. Top draft pick Merritt Beason leads the team with 31 kills through two matches.
🎨 The Hammonds House Museum has announced its debut 2025 exhibition, the “Sacred Space: Brandywine Workshop & Archive,” featuring printmaking works.
ELSEWHERE
➡ Israel and Hamas agreed to a six-week pause in fighting and the phased release of 33 hostages from Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Israel delayed its cabinet vote on the deal after accusing Hamas of creating a “last-minute crisis.”
🎙️ In his final Oval Office address, President Joe Biden warned of an emerging “tech industrial complex” and concentration of wealth threatening democracy.
🚫 The FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 in food and beverages, more than 30 years after finding it caused cancer in lab rats.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• New Atlanta restaurants
• Kenny Blank talks AJFF
• Senior care app
AND
• Quick Bites
Have a good day,
Collin & Sammie
❤️ As Californians recover from devastating wildfires, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter, and support. Help by donating today at redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Your support makes all the difference. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. The eight most anticipated Atlanta restaurants opening in 2025
🍷 With most of 2025 still ahead of us, it’s simply too difficult to gauge the average number of new restaurants expected to open around Atlanta this year.
But we know of at least a few new restaurants hitting the dining scene in 2025, including eight hotly anticipated establishments opening over the next several months. From wine bars from two James Beard award-winning chefs to Thai and Korean restaurants in Atlanta, Roswell, and Marietta, there’s a lot to look forward to.
🧀 Check out the eight restaurants here.
Red Cross helping in Southern California as thousands face unimaginable loss
IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
🫶 As Californians cope with the trauma and massive destruction of the wildfires, the American Red Cross is helping to ensure no one faces this devastating time alone. We’re working closely with our partners to provide food, shelter, health care, child care, emotional support, and other critical aid.
❤️🩹 A top priority is making sure people have a safe place to stay. Help the Red Cross provide meals and shelter to these families. Donate today by going to redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
We can’t do it without you.
2. Kenny Blank talks Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 25th anniversary
📽️ Over the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s last 25 years, the organization has become more than an annual screening of Jewish films and accompanying discussions – it now offers year-round programming and support for filmmaking.
Executive Director Kenny Blank has led the Jewish arts-and-culture nonprofit for 20 years, taking it from a modest film series to the globally recognized festival that it is today.
“Formative moments over the years have kept us working, engaging, challenging, and given us opportunities to grow,” Blank said.
🍿 Read more about the festival’s history here.
3. After his own experience, this Atlanta founder developed a tool to help people navigate elderly care decisions
👵 Greg Hearn, who spent his early career at automotive giants like Cox Automotive and Ford Motor Company, is now shifting gears to tackle a challenge in AgeTech.
In 2024 he founded Petunia, a “highly specialized project management tool” designed to streamline the process of finding assisted living or memory care facilities – a task he found overwhelming while helping his aging parents navigate the system remotely.
Hearn isn’t alone in facing this challenge: 200,000 families each year must navigate the process of selecting elderly care. The current landscape is dominated by lead-generation websites that bombard users with unwanted sales calls, adding to the stress of the decision-making process.
➡ Read the whole story from Hypepotamus here.
❤️ As Californians recover from devastating wildfires, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter, and support. Help by donating today at redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Your support makes all the difference. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER| SUBSCRIBE HERE
🎟️ Act fast and you may still be able to score tickets for tonight – Les Dames d’Escoffier International-Atlanta is hosting its 12th annual Culinary Futures fundraiser starting at 5:30 p.m. at AmericasMart. The event includes appetizers, beverages, and a raffle, with proceeds benefiting culinary education scholarships for women. Tickets also include access to the Atlanta Winter Market.
🏀Jolene Jolene is hosting a watch party for Unrivaled Basketball League games at NiteOwl Kitchen in Avondale Estates on Fri., Jan. 17 starting at 6:30 p.m. They are also launching new merch and are hiring applicants with restaurant and management experience. To apply, send a resume here.
🧂Atlas at The St. Regis Atlanta is celebrating its 10th anniversary with special dinners this week through Sat., Jan. 18. Executive Chef Freddy Money is featuring a 10-course tasting menu spotlighting dishes from 2015-2025. Plus, former Atlas chefs Chris Grossman (The Chastain) and Aaron Phillips (Lazy Betty) are returning for collaboration dinners on both Jan. 18 and Jan. 25. Follow on Instagram for updates here.
🍕 🏈 Pizza Verdura Sincera will showcase its plant-based pizza at Taste of the Championship at the Georgia Aquarium on Sun., Jan. 19. Tickets are available here. Pizza Verdura Sincera joins 30 additional Atlanta-based restaurants selected by Chef Joey Ward for the event.
👨🍳 Chichería Mexican Kitchen is hosting a “Meet the Chef” event with new Executive Chef Juan Hormiga on Thurs., Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Row location. The preview includes tastings of upcoming menu items including braised short ribs with mole poblano and aguachile rojo de camarón. The restaurant also launched a gluten-free menu this week.
🔊 Portrait Coffee is hosting Record Bar, an after-hours vinyl listening experience with zero-proof drinks on Thurs., Jan. 30 from 6-9 p.m. For more information, check Instagram here.
🧣 Already feeling nostalgic about the snow? Throw on your scarf and head over to InterContinental Buckhead – the Winter Chalet is operating at full speed until Jan. 31. Check out the website for more on live music and private event bookings.
🥩 Braving the cold to fire up the grill for game day? Order from Kinship Butcher & Sundry in Virginia-Highland to fill you up as you cheer on your team during the College Football Championship on Jan. 20. Visit the website to learn more about available burger patties, brats, and steaks.
🍽️ Pendolino in Chastain Park recently kicked off a Chef’s Counter experience where Executive Chef Kevin Maxey is serving multi-course seasonal menus alongside an open kitchen view. The service offers nightly seating with reservations required.
🎸 TWO Urban Licks on the Atlanta Beltline has announced its January music lineup, with performances running weekly Tuesday through Sunday. Stop in to hear such favorites as Larry Griffith, Avery Chaffin, and the Dark Star Brothers.
🇵🇪 Peruvian coastal cuisine restaurant Madre Selva (pictured) is now open in Uptown. Owners Juan Segura and Francisco Puerta launched a menu featuring ceviche, tiraditos, causa, and traditional Peruvian dishes, plus a pisco bar. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, you can learn more here.
📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
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