‘Think spring’ Tuesday
Jan. 27 — With the inclement weather and freezing temperatures, this week’s newsletter features two stories that are leaning towards the green.
🦉 2026 marks the centennial celebration year for Birds Georgia. Scroll down for details on initiatives related to the milestone, including specifics on the addition of a new Georgia Birding Trail. And Burdett Park, a small pocket park designed to connect neighborhoods around Abernathy, Johnson Ferry, and Brandon Mill roads, opened this month in Sandy Springs.
Plus, the Red Cross is in urgent need. Winter weather has led to the cancellation of numerous blood drives, creating an escalating demand for donors. Find out how you can help below.
And now for a few headlines:
🚫 Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) say they will not support DHS funding in the wake of a second fatal shooting in Minnesota.
💰 The Fulton County Commission passed this year’s $1.041 billion operating budget, keeping the assumed property tax rate flat at 8.87 mills.
🚧 The City of Sandy Springs is moving forward with a redesign of the Roswell Road corridor before the Chattahoochee River with the help of $5 million in federal funds.
🏳️🌈 Atlanta Pride appointed three new members to its Board of Directors.
🏥 A GoFundMe has been established for “The Blind Side” actor Quinton Aaron, who is on life support after collapsing at his Atlanta home.
🕓 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter.
• Birds Georgia turns 100
• Burdett Park opens in Sandy Springs
• Blood donors in demand
AND
• Stories of Atlanta | Lance Russell
Enjoy!
Birds Georgia celebrating 100 years in 2026
🦆 Birds Georgia will celebrate its 100th anniversary of bird conservation efforts in 2026 with a yearlong series of events and programs throughout the state.
Among the plans the organization announced are guided birding trips, habitat restoration workdays, festivals, and community gatherings that Birds Georgia says are “designed to welcome birders and nature lovers of all experience levels.”
In addition to the events, to commemorate its storied history, Birds Georgia has launched an interactive timeline that features several historic photographs and archival materials from the University of Georgia, the Atlanta History Center and the organization’s own scrapbook collection.
The largest artist market in the Southeast opens today through Saturday
SPONSORED BY TRINITY SCHOOL
🎨 44 Years! See the work of more than 400 artists from around the country at the annual Spotlight on Art Artists Market at Trinity School, open through Sat., Jan. 31.
✨ Opening day update! We’re celebrating with newly extended Market hours today from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and an Opening Day Celebration tonight from 6-9 p.m. that features complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres!
➡ New art daily! The Market features an ever-changing variety of art in 6,000 square feet of gallery space!
➡ Free entry all week long! And don’t miss Friday’s Cocktails & Canvases (6-8 p.m.)! Beverages and hors d’oeuvres are complimentary at our two evening events; no tickets required.
🖌️ Click here for details, including hours and parking.
New green space Burdett Park connects Sandy Springs communities
🌺 In mid-January, Sandy Springs leaders cut the ribbon at the city’s newest green space off Burdett Drive, a small pocket park that connects several neighborhoods around Abernathy, Johnson Ferry, and Brandon Mill roads.
Two dozen people, including residents, city staff, contractors, and elected officials, attended the park’s grand opening. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul recognized Council of Neighborhoods President Ronda Smith, who worked with nearby residents in advocating for the park.
The park enhances the aesthetics along Johnson Ferry Road, one of the main corridors connecting Sandy Springs to east Cobb County. A new modular building and improvements at the Abernathy Arts Center next door will wrap up in the next few months.
🦋 Find out more about Burdett Park here.
Blood donors are urgently needed in Georgia after ice storm
🩸 The Red Cross is trying to replenish its storage supply of blood, platelets and plasma after losing more than 7,000 units of blood to canceled blood drives across the nation, said Garrett Reid with the American Red Cross in Georgia.
He said people with Type O blood, also referred to as universal donors, are particularly in demand.
Georgia has seen about a 5% to 7% increase on unit demand because hospitals are filled with influenza patients and emergency room traumas.
‘Face to Face’: Stories of Atlanta by Lance Russell
VIA SAPORTAREPORT
⏱️ In a city known for its “out with the old, in with the new attitude,” architect William Stoddart’s buildings have defied the odds.
Two of these turn-of-the-century buildings have stood the Atlanta test of time, and they just happen to be right across the street from one another.
📐 Find out more about these architectural neighbors on this week’s Stories of Atlanta.
🖋️ Today’s Silver Streak was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.