100 Tuesday
May 27 — Welcome to Tuesday, Silver Streak readers!
This week we have a story on celebrating centenarians in Buckhead, more on Atlanta’s ParkScore rating (hint: we climbed four spots ahead of last year’s ranking!), and details on Juneteenth festivities in Metro Atlanta.
But first, a few headlines:
🏆 The Council for Quality Growth will honor Tommy Holder of Holder Construction with its annual Four Pillar Tribute award. Previous honorees include Carol Tome, Doug Hertz, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
🏡 Intown’s real estate market continues to chug along despite economic shockwaves, weakened consumer confidence, and increased tariffs.
⚽ Decatur FC is 2-0 after winning its first conference game of the season on Sunday against Atlanta Fire United, 5-2. On Friday, the team set a new attendance record.
🔌 The Georgia Public Service Commission is set to hold a second round of hearings in July on Georgia Power’s controversial long-range plans – including unit construction and upgrades, an increase in fossil fuels, and electricity-hogging data centers.
🕓 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter.
• Celebrating centenarians
• Atlanta’s ParkScore
• Juneteenth celebrations
AND
• Stories of Atlanta | Lance Russell
Enjoy!
Renaissance on Peachtree celebrates 100-year-old residents
💯 On May 21, residents, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the lives of the six 100-year-old and older residents of Renaissance on Peachtree in Buckhead.
The community celebrated Sandra McNeil, 100; Ruth Lewis, 100; Iris Finkel, 100; June Macklin, 100; Morton Waitzman, 101; and Rosa Fitterman, 102, with cake, gifts, and the commemoration of six incredible and long lives.
Each resident received a copy of a proclamation from the City of Brookhaven, as well as congratulations from the City of Atlanta and a message from Gov. Brian Kemp.
➳ Find out more about each centenarian here.
The best new ride to Perimeter? Rapid Ride.
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
🚗 Live outside the city, work in Perimeter, and looking for ways to cut commute costs?
Rapid Ride is a new vanpool program that matches people who live near each other and work in Perimeter. For just $75/month,* you’ll get a comfortable, reliable ride with pick-up near home and drop-off at the office. The cost covers everything: Express Lane access, gas, insurance, and maintenance.
Routes are created based on rider interest, so early sign-ups help decide where the service goes next.
Brought to you by Perimeter Community Improvement Districts in partnership with Commute with Enterprise and support from the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority.
➞ Learn More + Be Among the First to Sign Up for Perimeter Rapid Ride!
*Assuming standard vehicle and six riders.
Atlanta’s parks are among the best
🐞 The Trust for Public Land announced that Atlanta placed 21st on the 2025 ParkScore index, climbing four spots ahead of last year’s 25th place rank and continuing a long-term pattern of steady improvement.
Atop the rankings, Washington, DC, retained the ParkScore title, outpacing Irvine (2nd), Minneapolis (3rd), and Cincinnati (4th). The annual ParkScore index ranks park systems in the 100 most populous U.S. cities.
Atlanta’s ParkScore was boosted by strong marks for park access, with 82% of Atlanta residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park.
🌳 Read more about Atlanta’s ParkScore here.
Sandy Springs plans interactive, educational Juneteenth activities
🎶 Sandy Springs will present its free, family-friendly 2025 Juneteenth Celebration from 5-8 p.m. on June 19 at City Springs with a mix of live performances, educational experiences, and immersive art exhibits.
Collaborations with local arts and educational organizations will include Namari Dance Center, LIQUID Arts & Productions, and the Fulton County Public Library. Organizers will curate contributions from students and community partners to reflect the cultural diversity and historical significance of the day.
Highlights include a dance production, digital art exhibition, genealogical exhibits, and other interactive and educational activities.
‘Not all Fun and Games’: Stories of Atlanta by Lance Russell
VIA SAPORTAREPORT
🛤️ In response to competition from South Carolina, the state of Georgia embraced the fledgling railroad industry. The idea was to establish new trade opportunities by building a railroad system that would connect Georgia to the rest of the United States. Key to that plan was constructing a state-owned railroad line that would terminate in northern Georgia at a point south of the Chattahoochee River. That point, of course, would one day become the City of Atlanta.
Initially, the budding community around the terminus point consisted mostly of men employed to construct the rail lines, and those businesspeople who catered to the roughneck railroad community. But, as word of the coming new form of transportation began to spread throughout the region, the area around the terminus site became a magnet for those seeking a better life for themselves and their families. This dynamic would eventually set in motion a clash between the two factions for the soul of the community – a clash that would begin with the granting of a city charter that gave citizens the right to, among other things, establish laws.
Explore more of our newsletters
💡 Did you know Silver Streak has other newsletters that go deeper into what’s happening across metro Atlanta?
➡ Stacks: Our newest newsletter covering Atlanta’s literary scene, author profiles, book reviews, and more comes out the second Sunday of each month.
➡ Sketchbook: All about Atlanta’s art scene. Artist profiles, art openings, museum events. Wednesdays.
➡ Side Dish: News about the food scene. Beyond just openings and closings, Side Dish includes recipes and a regular feature on pop-ups. Thursdays.
➡ Scene: The only newsletter focused on the movie world. Reviews, interviews, podcasts. Fridays.
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🖋️ Today’s Silver Streak was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.