Wondering Wednesday
Aug. 6 — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $3.89 billion loan to help build toll lanes on Georgia 400. It’s the largest loan to a single borrower in the Transportation Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act program’s history.
🌧️ More rain and 81° today. A flood watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. tonight.
🗳️ Former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond launched his campaign for governor this morning, joining former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and State Sen. Jason Esteves in the Democratic primary.
🫏 Former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan announced his switch to the Democratic Party in an editorial published in yesterday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
⚖️ A Fulton County grand jury declined to indict a former Atlanta police officer in the death of Johnny Hollman after he was tasered during a 2023 traffic stop.
🔍 After a rash of business break-ins, Tucker Mayor Frank Auman issued a warning to criminals – “We will make your lives miserable” – as he announced a series of initiatives to combat the crimes.
👵🏻 The Atlanta City Council passed a resolution at Monday’s meeting to develop a “senior zone” to promote age-friendly infrastructure, accessible housing, and safe communities.
💻 Amazon has purchased 984 acres in Lamar County, south of Atlanta, for a potential new data center.
🎭 The Essential Theatre Festival kicks off Aug. 8 at 7Stages Theatre with four weeks of new work by Georgia playwrights.
ELSEWHERE
🇯🇵 Today marks 80 years since the U.S. dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing 140,000 people.
📺 ESPN acquired the NFL Network and RedZone channel in a deal that gives the NFL a 10% equity stake in ESPN.
➳ A statue of Confederate General Albert Pike in Washington, D.C., that was toppled during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, is being reinstalled.
PICTURE THIS: The third annual Peachies Awards honoring LGBTQ+ nightlife were handed out Monday night in a ceremony at Lips Atlanta. Sponsored by Wussy Mag, the awards are given to performers, patrons, and employees. My Sister’s Room bartender Nicky Castelli is shown above (center) accepting her award. See the full winners’ list and more photos.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Cascade business disruption
• Sugar Loaf cafe
• Wellness Wednesday
AND
• Concert Picks
🫶 Fear and stigma around mental health and addiction persist – but change is happening. See how one community is breaking the silence. Southern Live Oak Wellness is working to educate and provide resources. Learn more here.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Cascade Road business owners seek support amid ongoing construction, road closure
🚧 Years into still incomplete construction along the Cascade Road Corridor in southwest Atlanta, community members turned to Atlanta City Council to plead for support amid ongoing economic disruption.
Construction for the Cascade Road Complete Street project began in November 2021. While the project was meant to revitalize the community by resurfacing roads, extending bike lanes, and enhancing bus stops, business owners on the road say the road closure put in place in Feb. 2024 has significantly harmed their businesses.
During the public comment at an Aug. 4 council meeting, Cascade business owners described drops in sales and foot traffic, with customers now struggling to access their establishments.
🗣️ Read more in Katie Burkholder’s story here.
Final days: 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.
➞ On view through this Thurs., Aug. 10.
2. Farmers Market biscuit and bakery stall Sugar Loaf becoming a Reynoldstown cafe
🥖 Farmers market bakery and biscuit stall Sugar Loaf will become a cafe later this winter, taking over the former Chick n’ Cone space in Reynoldstown.
Located across from Atlanta Dairies on Memorial Drive, the cafe will offer breakfast and lunch, include a small bakery, and serve Ethiopian and Albanian-inspired coffee and coffee drinks.
Expect the pop-up’s biscuits and biscuit sandwiches to return to the menu, as well as Sugar Loaf’s Liege waffles and smashburgers.
🍳 Learn more about Sugar Loaf’s journey here.
3. Wellness Wednesday: Puppy yoga, Pilates on Ponce, and more
🩺 August is Psoriasis Action Month. Learn about this autoimmune disease that affects the skin and joints.
🐶 Join the Atlanta Humane Society’s Puppy Yoga: Tiki Tails on Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for a tiki-themed yoga session with puppies and tropical drinks.
🧘♀️ Head to Historic Fourth Ward Park for Pilates on Ponce (pictured) on Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. for a free beginner Core Mat Pilates class.
🐾 The Vinings Down Hill 1K Fun Run and Doggie Dash returns on Aug. 9 at 9 a.m., welcoming runners, walkers, and four-legged friends for a relaxed community race.
🏥 Georgia ranks fourth worst in the nation for healthcare, with poor scores in access, outcomes, and affordability, according to a new WalletHub report.
🫶 Fear and stigma around mental health and addiction persist – but change is happening. See how one community is breaking the silence. Southern Live Oak Wellness is working to educate and provide resources. Learn more here.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Concert Picks
VIA HOW DO YOU ATLANTA?
Wed., Aug. 6
🪦 Sematary @ The Masquerade (Hell)
Thurs., Aug. 7
👭 Kesha + Scissor Sisters @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Fri., Aug. 8
🤠 All Nashville Roadshow: Milton @ Market District Crabapple (SOLD OUT)
☠️ $uicideboy$ @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
🪄 The Magic of Motown @ Gas South Theater
🦸 Xdinary Heroes @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🌲 East Forest @ Terminal West
🎤 Henry Morris @ Vinyl
Sat., Aug. 9
✨ Collective Soul + +LIVE+ @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
🎸 The REMakes + Five Eight (pictured) @ Variety Playhouse
💨 Blackberry Smoke + Mike Campbell + The Dirty Knobs @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
🎶 Eslabon Armado @ Tabernacle
🐎 Bronco @ Atlanta Coliseum
Sun., Aug. 10
📻 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
🎵 The Band CAMINO @ The Masquerade (Altar)
🌊 Big Ocean @ Vinyl
😴 Ocean Sleeper @ The Masquerade (Purgatory)
Tues., Aug. 12
🏊♂️ Teddy Swims @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park (Also Wed.)
⚔️ Attack Attack! @ The Masquerade (Hell)
Wed., Aug. 13
🎧 Charlotte Lawrence @ Aisle 5
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.
🫶 Fear and stigma around mental health and addiction persist – but change is happening. See how one community is breaking the silence. Southern Live Oak Wellness is working to educate and provide resources. Learn more here.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Don’t miss News Word Atlanta, our new, daily word game.
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