See ya, March
Tuesday, March 31 — The chef and restaurant finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards will be announced today at 10:30 a.m. We’ll have the complete list of Atlanta finalists after the nominations drop. Here’s a look at the Atlanta semifinalists.
🌤️ It’ll be partly sunny with a high of 78° today.
⏱️ With paychecks to TSA workers flowing again, wait times at Hartsfield-Jackson are getting back to normal. As of 6:45 a.m., the airport’s website showed wait times of less than 10 minutes.
😟 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that FIFA returned hundreds of pre-booked hotel rooms to local properties, raising concerns about a sluggish booking pace, but hoteliers say they remain optimistic ahead of the city’s eight matches this summer.
💸 The Georgia Senate passed its own version of a $38.5 billion state budget for the next fiscal year, including more funding for public safety and care of people with disabilities. The bill differs from the House’s version, and the two chambers will try to settle the differences in a conference committee.
📹 At a March 23 meeting, the Dunwoody City Council heard a myriad of concerns about Flock cameras installed around the city, and again postponed a vote on renewing a $15,000 contract with the organization.
📦 After pleading their case in court last week, Fulton election leaders are waiting to hear if a judge will order the return of hundreds of boxes of ballots from the 2020 election seized by the FBI earlier this year.
⚽ The USMNT faces a Portugal team without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in an International Friendly tonight at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 7 p.m. The U.S. is looking to rebound after letting Belgium score four unanswered goals in a 5-2 loss Saturday.
🐝 Congratulations to 12-year-old sixth grader Sarv Dharavane from Peachtree Middle School in Dunwoody, who won the 65th Annual Georgia Association of Educators State Spelling Bee for the third consecutive year.
ELSEWHERE
🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Here are some updates on the war in Iran:
- U.S. gas prices topped $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, one dollar higher than a month ago. Georgia drivers are paying about $3.63, thanks to a 60-day gas tax suspension.
- President Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s civilian energy and water infrastructure if a cease-fire is not reached soon.
- Spain closed its airspace to the U.S. military, escalating tensions with Washington after previously denying access to jointly operated bases.
- Read live updates here.
🇨🇦 Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau announced his retirement, weeks after drawing widespread condemnation for delivering an English-only condolence message following a deadly crash.
🌙 As soon as tomorrow, a four-person NASA crew could launch on a mission to the moon for the first time since 1972.
⛹️♀️ The NCAA women’s Final Four is set, with UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina advancing, the same four teams as last year.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Van Parys @ Wylde Center
• TrustDALE
• A semiquincentennial playlist
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🏥 Join Move For Grady on April 25! Three intown biking distances and two run/walk options means there’s something for everyone. Come to move, stay for the party – plenty of food and drinks to celebrate at GSU’s Center Parc Stadium. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Stephanie Van Parys returns to helm Wylde Center
🐌 After a tumultuous few years, the Wylde Center is on an even keel once again with the return of Stephanie Van Parys as its executive director.
Van Parys returned to the Decatur-based community garden last summer on an interim basis to help stabilize the garden’s finances and programs. She had retired in 2023 after 20 years as the nonprofit’s leader, but viewed her return as a necessity. The results have been immediate.
“We have completely flipped our financial situation from a year ago,” Van Parys said. “We are now strong financially. Important donors and longtime friends gave significant gifts to help secure us, and we’re on target to reach our financial goals this year.”
👒 More on this story from Collin Kelley here.
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2. Spring gutter cleaning before storm season hits
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
☔ Spring has a way of making everything look manageable right up until the skies open. One hard rain can expose problems that have been quietly building all winter, especially along the roofline.
When gutters are packed with leaves, grit, and shingle granules, water stops moving where it should and starts looking for other places to go. That’s why this job deserves attention before storm season gets comfortable.
This week, the folks at TrustDALE tell you why spring gutter cleaning matters, what a proper cleanup should include, how to tell when the work has moved beyond DIY territory, and what to look for when hiring a professional to get the house ready for heavy rain.
🏡 Read more at TrustDALE here.
3. A lo-fi celebration of America’s 250th birthday is coming to a playlist near you
🇺🇸 Atlanta music producer and author Kabir Sehgal visited cities around the country to search for the sounds of a nation at 250 years old. He found “Stars and Static.”
Across two decades at the nexus of music and politics, Sehgal has released 18 albums, published books including 2007’s “Jazzocracy” and made meditation albums with everyone from Lil Jon to Deepak Chopra, which earned him a reputation for being the industry’s leading refiner of spoken word soundbeds.
His latest project, “Stars and Static,” is a mostly instrumental album that combines found and field recordings with smooth electro beats, synthesizer blips, and plucked guitar to ponder the role of sound in what it means to be an American in 2026.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
🪴 Shop the Trees Atlanta Native Plant Sale in person on Sat., April 4 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Carter Center. Find native favorites for birds and pollinators and get expert advice while you shop. Don’t miss it! SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
👚 The Welcome Co-Op needs volunteers on Wednesday morning in Tucker to assist in their Shop of Hope, a clothing closet for refugee families. Volunteers will sort clothing and shoe donations and prepare them for the store floor.
📦 New Life Community Alliance is seeking volunteers to work in their food pantry on Saturday morning in Decatur. Plan to unpack and sort donated food items and package food for distribution.
🐰 Community Church Atlanta (pictured) is looking for volunteers on Saturday morning in Atlanta to help set up for a family Easter Extravaganza. Expect to prepare event stations, food and gift bags, and decorations.
🏥 Join Move For Grady on April 25! Three intown biking distances and two run/walk options means there’s something for everyone. Come to move, stay for the party – plenty of food and drinks to celebrate at GSU’s Center Parc Stadium. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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