Wednesday remembrances
July 30 — Real estate tycoon, philanthropist, and political influencer Tom Cousins has died at age 93. Along with developing some of the city’s most iconic buildings and reviving East Lake Golf Club, Cousins was also a previous owner of our publication, Atlanta Intown. We send condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
⛈️ Thunderstorms with a high of 88° today.
🚂 Union Pacific formally announced Tuesday it is seeking to acquire Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern in a proposed $85 billion deal that would create the first coast-to-coast railroad in U.S. history.
⚖️ A judge has ordered the Atlanta Police Foundation to provide records to journalists regarding the construction of the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly referred to by its opponents as “Cop City.”
📁 A state report shows that a MARTA escalator was missing several parts before it malfunctioned, injuring multiple people who were leaving a Beyoncé concert.
🏢 Pre-leasing has officially begun for The Mitchell, the first residential tower at the Centennial Yards development in Downtown Atlanta. Apartment rents range from $1,450 to $5,753 per month.
🔎 Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has launched an investigation into First Liberty Building and Loan, accused of operating a Ponzi scheme to fund GOP political campaigns.
🗣️ A marathon Dunwoody City Council meeting yesterday resulted in significant changes to its proposed 20-year comprehensive development plan, including addressing a controversial senior-living housing complex.
ELSEWHERE
🇬🇧 Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. will recognize the state of Palestine in September if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.
🚨 The gunman who fatally shot four people in a Manhattan office building on Monday was targeting the NFL office located there.
PICTURE THIS: The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation awarded its inaugural Wade and Mary Lu Mitchell African American Heritage Preservation Grant to the old St. Mark AME Church building in Atlanta on Monday. While all that remains is the facade, the site has become an outdoor event space. The $20,000 grant will support urgently needed masonry repairs to maintain structural integrity.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• New Blue Heron HQ
• Mini cocktails
• Wellness Wednesday
AND
• Concert Picks
♀️ 1 in 8 women will face breast cancer. Join the 2025 Georgia 2‑Day Walk – 30 miles through Cobb County, Oct. 4-5. Since 2002: 570+ grants, $20M+ raised. Walk, crew, volunteer, or sponsor. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Blue Heron Nature Preserve plans new headquarters building
🐦 Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead will get a new headquarters building and is planning improvements to a portion of the park.
The City of Atlanta has begun the planning process for the new nature center building and more details are expected to be announced later this year. Blue Heron is also exploring improvements to the Land O Lakes location, on the south side of the property.
To help guide this vision, Blue Heron is asking for community input through a short public survey. Visitors can weigh in on what kinds of improvements would serve them best.
🌳 Learn more about the new headquarters and improvements here.
Final weeks: Data meets art at the High Museum!
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
✨ Don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in the data-verse! Get ready for a mind-bending experience – Ryoji Ikeda’s captivating light and sound installations are a must-see.
2. Where to find the best mini cocktails in Atlanta
This story is part of a partnership between “City Lights Collective” / WABE and Rough Draft Atlanta called “The Beverage Beat with Beth McKibben.” This story also airs Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. during the WABE/City Lights Collective.
🍸 There comes a point when you have to admit that maybe there’s too much cocktail in your cocktail. If you’ve ever ordered one of those huge, eight-ounce boozy mixtures served in fishbowl-like goblets, you know what we’re talking about.
Thankfully, the majority of today’s cocktails average between four and five ounces, containing around two ounces of alcohol, with the remaining ounces reserved for other ingredients.
However, some Atlanta bars are embracing fun-sized cocktails, dialing down the ingredient proportions even further to create teeny negronis, mini martinis, and snaquiris (snack-sized daiquiris) served frozen or straight up. In other words, drinks you can consume in four sips or less, and typically for half the price.
🍹 For more on these mini cocktails and where to find them, click here.
3. Wellness Wednesday: Goat yoga, candle-making & more
🏥 It’s almost August, which is also Gastroparesis Awareness Month. Take the time to learn more about people living with neuromuscular issues of the stomach.
🐐 Get in some relaxation, exercise, and cuteness by signing up for Weekday Sunset Goga (Goat Yoga) tomorrow in Tucker. (pictured)
🕯️ Relax and make candles at the WAX + WICKS candle-making event at Lotus Flower Om in Colony Square on Saturday.
🌊 Join The Wave, a free monthly meditation event, on Aug. 3 at Piedmont Park. Enjoy a morning of water, movement, mindfulness, and music.
🩸 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory are leading a national trial to improve survival and reduce bleeding in extremely preterm infants.
✨ Food. Drinks. Stories. Improv. Community. L5P Alliance’s annual fundraiser People Make the Place returns Sun., Aug. 17! Experience the spirit of Little Five Points while supporting local arts, safety, and placemaking efforts. Together, we build a better L5P. Learn more here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Concert Picks
VIA HOW DO YOU ATLANTA?
Wed., July 30
🎹 The Fray @ Tabernacle
🌞 Silversun Pickups @ Buckhead Theatre
⛹️♀️ Flau’jae @ Aisle 5
🎶 Jess Ray @ Eddie’s Attic
Thurs., July 31
🌅 Bay Faction @ The Masquerade (Altar)
💔 Ryan Adams @ Tabernacle
✨ Michael Seyer @ Aisle 5
Fri., Aug. 1
🎸 Rod Stewart @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
❤️🔥 Flaming Lips + Modest Mouse @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🏛️ We Came As Romans + After The Burial @ The Eastern
🎤 Rob Thomas @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🔓 Emancipator + Shakes @ Variety Playhouse
🌟 Vandoliers @ Vinyl
Sat., Aug. 2
🤠 Thomas Rhett @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
🎧 keshi + Mac Ayres @ The Eastern
🍂 The Swell Season @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
⚓ HARBOUR (pictured) @ The Loft
📻 Beats Antique @ Center Stage
Sun., Aug. 3
🔊 Volbeat + Halestorm @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
1️⃣ ONEUS @ Tabernacle
🔥 Molly Santana @ The Loft
Mon., Aug. 4
🎵 AJR @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
🐴 7Horse @ Vinyl
👨 KenTheMan @ Center Stage
Tues., Aug. 5
🇮🇳 A.R. Rahman @ Gas South Arena
Wed., Aug. 6
🪦 Sematary @ The Masquerade (Hell)
TUNE IN
🎙️ Don’t miss Sammie with the AJC’s Mike Jordan every Thursday at 9:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. as they preview the top events in town on WABE.
✨ Food. Drinks. Stories. Improv. Community. L5P Alliance’s annual fundraiser People Make the Place returns Sun., Aug. 17! Experience the spirit of Little Five Points while supporting local arts, safety, and placemaking efforts. Together, we build a better L5P. Learn more here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
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