Wednesday’s word
Nov. 26 — If you’re still looking for a place to dine out tomorrow for Turkey Day, check out our list here. And if you’re cooking, don’t miss the North vs. South smackdown on Thanksgiving side dishes to see which region makes the best.
⛅ Clouds and 64° today, but getting colder overnight with Thanksgiving morning temps around 35°.
🗳️ Today is the final day of early voting in local municipal runoffs, including mayoral races in Roswell and Sandy Springs, plus several city council and school board contests in Atlanta. Election Day is Tues., Dec. 2.
✈️ A coast-to-coast storm system triggered ground stops at several major airports yesterday, briefly evacuating Atlanta’s control tower during one of the year’s busiest days.
🔎 The DeKalb County School District is investigating an alleged sexual assault involving three students on a school bus.
⚡ Georgia’s Public Service Commission staff says Georgia Power is vastly overestimating its need for new capacity for data centers and that customer bills will rise.
🎢 Six Flags Over Georgia has dropped its annual “Holiday in the Park” and will be closing a month earlier than usual this Sunday.
ELSEWHERE
🇷🇺🇺🇦 U.S. officials said Ukraine had “agreed to a peace deal,” but Bloomberg reported that a leaked call shows American special envoy Steve Witkoff appearing to coach a Kremlin adviser.
🕵️♀️ The FBI moved to interview six Democratic lawmakers after President Donald Trump accused them of “seditious behavior” for a video urging troops not to follow illegal orders.
PICTURE THIS: The Piedmont Park Conservancy held its inaugural Light Up the Season event on Sunday, which saw a Christmas tree, menorah, and kinara illuminated in The Meadow. See more photos here.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Hug the Block
• Sandy Springs turns 20
• Wellness Wednesday
AND
• Concert Picks
🎉 Grab your friends and head to Midtown Alliance’s Jingle Mingle Holiday Party on Dec. 10 from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy free live music on the plaza at Peachtree and 15th streets, churros, hot chocolate, and a prize raffle for local experiences. RSVP here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. An Edgewood Avenue bar’s Thanksgiving community service event is more than just charity
🫂 Hug the Block – a meal, celebration, and act of service rolled into one – returns today for its sixth year in Sweet Auburn. In what’s become an annual tradition for Our Bar ATL, the Edgewood Avenue bar closes to the public the night before Thanksgiving and throws an event specifically meant to assist the area’s homeless population.
Since opening in 2020, Our Bar has had an intimate relationship with the Sweet Auburn and Old Fourth Ward unhoused communities. The bar opened right before the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with a desire to serve amidst the lockdown, the staff at Our Bar pivoted to making brown bag lunches for people in need.
🦃 Read more about Hug the Block here.
Fashion meets art at the High Museum!
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
👗 Experience Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Statements – a bold, breathtaking exhibition celebrating avant-garde fashion visionaries who blurred the line between haute couture and art. Only at the High, the exhibition’s sole U.S. stop.
➞ On view through Feb. 8, 2026.
2. Sandy Springs celebrates 20 years during community picnic
🎂 Sandy Springs continued its 20th anniversary celebration with a community picnic on Nov. 22 that had residents singing the city’s praises.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul welcomed the crowd and introduced a special video as an oral history in which children interviewed city employees and some of the key people who helped create the city and get it incorporated.
Chanae LeGrier, a marketing director for a pharmaceutical company, told Rough Draft she moved to the city five years ago and met some amazing people.
“The community has just grown, and I love this part of town,” LeGrier said. “I tell anybody that … as long as I’m in Atlanta, I will be in Sandy Springs. It’s one of my favorite places. I tell everyone to come.”
🥂 Read more about the celebration here.
3. Wellness Wednesday
🪷 Take a break from Thanksgiving festivities with a Tibetan Mother Bowl Clearing with Trice Dorval on Friday starting at 12:45 p.m. at Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs.
🏃 Work off some Turkey Day indulging on Saturday at the Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble Trot 5K/10K/13.1 in Decatur on the South Peachtree Creek Trail. Events start at 7:30 a.m.
🌿 Don your favorite onesie on Sunday at 10 a.m. for Onesie Wander: A Cozy Hiking Adventure at Island Ford Parkway in Sandy Springs.
🧶 The Cashmere Sale POP UP has returned! Get ready to shop the coziest fall trends, timeless styles, exceptional quality, and a little seasonal magic. We offer luxury cashmere at prices you’ll love. Open now until Dec. 14 at 3872 Roswell Rd., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. every day. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Concert Picks
Wed., Nov. 26
❤️ Manny’s Band Benefit @ Buckhead Theatre
🏎️ Autoheart @ The Loft
🐈 KATSEYE @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🌹 Sydney Rose @ Terminal West
Fri., Nov. 28
☀️ Avery Sunshine @ Center Stage
🏛️ Congress the Band @ Buckhead Theatre
🐦⬛ Futurebirds @ The Eastern
⛵ Yacht Rock Schooner @ Variety Playhouse
Sat., Nov. 29
🪨 Allen Stone + Ripe @ Tabernacle
⛺ Adventure Club @ The Eastern
🐟 American Aquarium @ Terminal West
🥁 Jeffrey Osborne @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
☔ Rain @ Coca-Cola Roxy
Sun., Nov. 30
👑 Fit For a King @ Tabernacle
🇲🇽 Christian Nodal @ State Farm Arena
🇻🇪 Elena Rose @ Buckhead Theatre
Mon., Dec. 1
🎤 Playboi Carti @ State Farm Arena
Tues., Dec. 2
🌆 David Byrne (pictured) @ Fox Theatre (also Wednesday)
Wed., Dec. 3
👼 Ariel Posen @ Vinyl
🍂 This Thanksgiving, embrace new traditions. Join the Waldorf Astoria for an abundant Thanksgiving Day Buffet where familiar flavors experience an elegant twist. Reserve your table today and prepare for an unforgettable celebration. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Don’t miss News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
🦋 Connect with us on Bluesky.
📤 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.
