Tuesday countdown
Dec. 30 — A group of Buddhist monks on a “Walk for Peace” from Fort Worth, TX to Washington, D.C. stopped in Morrow yesterday and will be in Decatur today for a peace gathering at 105 Electric Ave. at 2:30 p.m. The 2,300-mile journey will conclude in mid-February.
☀️ Sunny and 43° today.
🏠 School district property tax exemptions for seniors in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County go into effect on Jan. 1.
🚗 Little 5 Pub fired an employee who was arrested after she drove her car onto the sidewalk and crashed into the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club on Saturday night.
🕯️ The Tucker community is mourning the loss of Judge Stanley Baum, who died on Dec. 27 following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
🌳 Sandy Springs renamed Windsor Meadows Park in honor of Tibby DeJulio for his 18 years of work on the city’s creation and his 20 years on its city council.
🏈 A 93-yard touchdown run from Bijan Robinson led the Falcons over the Rams 27-24 last night for their third straight win. Atlanta closes the season on Sun., Jan. 4, at home against New Orleans.
🏀 The Hawks lost their seventh game in a row, falling to the Thunder 140-129 last night in Oklahoma City. Atlanta hosts Minnesota tomorrow at 3 p.m.
ELSEWHERE
🗣️ President Donald Trump warned Iran and Hamas of severe consequences after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, as he pushed to revive stalled negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire.
➡ A Virginia man charged with placing pipe bombs outside of the Republican and Democratic headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2021 told investigators he “did not like either party.”
💰 Beyoncé joined the billionaire club after a banner year that included a Grammy-winning album, joining Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and her husband Jay-Z, according to Forbes.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Saddest restaurant closures of 2025
• Atlanta Water Gardens anniversary
AND
• Health savings accounts
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1. The saddest restaurant closures of 2025
😭 Metro Atlanta’s restaurant community saw a rough wave of restaurant closures in 2025. While not as widespread as in 2024, closures this year included a number of legacy restaurants, like Eats, Julianna’s, and the original J’s Mini Hot Pot.
Rising rent and operating costs, overdevelopment, and changes in ownership were common themes among this year’s restaurant closures. It’s also worth noting that some older restaurants were priced out of the original neighborhoods in which they opened.
➡ See Sarra Sedghi’s list here.
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2. Atlanta Water Gardens celebrates 30 years of serene backyard designs
⛲ When you step into the Atlanta Water Gardens showroom on Cheshire Bridge Road, you’re transported into an oasis of ponds, fountains, and beautiful garden fixtures. The company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, seeks to bring this same serenity to the backyards of Atlanta.
Co-owner Randle Ross came to Atlanta from Mississippi in 1999 to work at Atlanta Water Gardens, and he immediately fell in love with the company and bought into it soon after.
“Something about walking in the door of this business, it really does something to your inner being because there’s just a peace when you walk in here, a serenity,” he said.
➡ Read more in Katie Burkholder’s story here.
⚡ A smarter way to move around Atlanta. Lime is expanding safe, sustainable micromobility with free e-bike lessons, dynamic speed zones, and new vehicles – helping residents and World Cup visitors travel confidently on and beyond the Beltline. Ride, learn, and explore Atlanta differently. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. More Georgians with ACA coverage are eligible for health savings accounts in 2026
⚕️ When health savings accounts (HSAs) came into existence more than 20 years ago, only people with a high-deductible health plan were qualified to contribute to one.
But beginning in January, purchasers of a “bronze” or “catastrophic coverage” policy or equivalent through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange are now deemed HSA-qualified.
This expands the potential audience of HSAs to millions of Americans.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
✨ Ring in 2026 at Starlight Lounge & Grill with a high-energy NYE celebration – galaxy vibes, live DJ, fusion cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, countdown moments, and late-night magic in Sandy Springs. Dress to impress and celebrate among the stars. Reserve now. Tonight. Early. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🙋♂️ Volunteer Opportunities will return next week.
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