First time ever I saw Tuesday
Feb. 25 — Roberta Flack, the soulful singer of the timeless hits “Killing Me Softly” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” died Monday at age 88. Flack has a small role in Atlanta’s political history as Mayor Maynard Jackson and Valerie Jackson (née Richardson) met at a party at her New York City apartment.
☀️ Sunny and 67° today.
🏓 Last night’s Tucker City Council meeting turned contentious over a proposed $3 million pickleball complex, with one council member accusing colleagues of talking down to opponents concerned about noise, traffic, and costs.
🏙️ Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivers his 2025 State of the City address (subscription required) at the Woodruff Arts Center this evening.
🗣️ DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson told the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce that she would focus on public safety, economic development, and infrastructure. After the meeting, her police chief was put on leave.
💰 The State Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $40.5 billion mid-year budget that would add $125 million to the $812 million Gov. Brian Kemp and the House already earmarked for victims of Hurricane Helene.
🤠 Cowboys & Caviar in Dunwoody’s Park Place appears to have closed, with furniture and kitchen equipment being removed. The closure follows several other recent retail shutdowns at the shopping center.
🌳 Piedmont Park Conservancy will host a virtual public meeting on Wed., Feb. 26, from 6-7 p.m., to get input on the future of the Midtown greenspace.
🎨 The Sandy Springs Arts Foundation announced that ARTBEAT, its visual and performing arts showcase, raised $75,000 to support the arts in local schools.
ELSEWHERE
🇺🇳 The U.S. voted against a European-drafted UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, then proposed a resolution calling for peace without criticizing Russia. Both resolutions passed.
📱 Apple announced plans to build an AI server facility in Houston as part of a $500 billion U.S. investment that includes hiring 20,000 employees.
☕ Starbucks will undergo a major global restructuring, cutting 1,100 corporate roles.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• The Battery gets a food hall
• Dunwoody student to state spelling bee
• GPB: Dickey Betts tribute
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
Enjoy this weather,
Collin & Sammie
🏡 Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, this gated Greek Revival-style estate features 10 bedrooms and is priced at $5.299 million. Highlights include a bifurcated staircase, a banquet-sized dining room, a guest house, an elevator, a wine cellar, a home theater, a sauna, and an outdoor oasis with a pool. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Food hall opening at The Battery Atlanta
⚾ A new food hall will open this spring in Metro Atlanta, this time inside baseball stadium Truist Park at The Battery, home to the Atlanta Braves.
Called Outfield Market, the food hall should open before the April 4 Braves’ home opener against the Miami Marlins.
Located on the right field concourse across from The Pen bullpen lounge, Outfield Market will include eight restaurant stalls with food from both new and current vendors at the ballpark. Outfield Market will feature a covered communal seating area, grab-n-go concessions, a large LED screen for watching games, and a retail shop selling Atlanta Braves gear.
🍻 More on the new food hall here.
Join us for the 2025 Mourning Glory Gala
IN SUPPORT OF KATE’S CLUB
💙 You’re invited to the 2025 Mourning Glory Gala, benefiting the kids, families and young adults of Kate’s Club. On Sat., April 26, we will come together at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead as a community of grievers and supporters, ready to embrace our vision of a world in which it’s okay to grieve – all while enjoying a fun and memorable evening!
✨ Guests will enjoy an inspiring program, live entertainment, and meaningful opportunities to support grieving children, their families, and young adults. Save me a seat!
2. Dunwoody fifth grader headed to state spelling bee again
🐝 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 featuring winners from other regional contests.
Specific details about Dharavane’s win have not been released officially by the GAE, but his family and others revealed that he is heading to the state competition for the second consecutive year.
✏️ Check out the full story here.
3. Duane Betts plans tribute to Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts
🎸 A special concert is happening this week at the historic city auditorium in Macon, GA, where former members of the Allman Brothers Band and generations of musicians will pay tribute to the band’s guitarist and songwriter Dickey Betts, who died last year.
The concert will take place on Feb. 28. Macon was known as the stomping ground for the Allman Brothers Band, whose members moved there in 1969 and furthered the city’s reputation as the heart of Georgia and as a hub for music icons such as Little Richard and Otis Redding.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
🍸 Join us at Sip Brookhaven at Oglethorpe on April 12 to discover amazing restaurants and beverage brands right in your backyard. An afternoon of sipping, savoring, and socializing awaits! Early bird tickets are available until Feb. 28 at Sipbrookhaven.com! SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Volunteer Opportunities4. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🪴 Wylde Center (pictured) in Decatur needs plant nursery support volunteers on Wednesday morning. Expect to help with outside plant care and assist in the greenhouse.
🥕 Higher Calling Foundation, Inc. is looking for help with community food distribution on Thursday morning in Decatur. Volunteers will organize food and pack boxes for distribution.
🥇 Atlanta Track Club is seeking full-day volunteers on Friday to help prepare for the 2025 Publix Atlanta Marathon on March 1 and 2. Expect to help with race preparation and setup.
GET READY
💧 For the 15th year in a row, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) is once again hosting its annual “Sweep the Hooch” volunteer cleanup on Sat., March 22.
🏡 Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, this gated Greek Revival-style estate features 10 bedrooms and is priced at $5.299 million. Highlights include a bifurcated staircase, a banquet-sized dining room, a guest house, an elevator, a wine cellar, a home theater, a sauna, and an outdoor oasis with a pool. SPONSOR MESSAGE
📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
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