Local news for the win
Friday, April 10 — Happy belated Local News Day! Rough Draft Atlanta is proud to be a founding newsroom for this nationwide effort that launched April 9 to connect communities with local journalism. It’s not too late to celebrate with us by encouraging your friends to sign up for Rough Draft Sandy Springs or one of our many other newsletters.
Speaking of local news, we’ve got lots of it for you this week.
☀️ It’s going to be a sunny weekend with temperatures in the low 80s. Enjoy!
🏠 The Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle 11th annual Southeastern Designer Showhouse, benefitting Solidarity Sandy Springs, returns this weekend and runs through May 10. Get more information here.
👏🏼 North Springs High School is celebrating a standout year in journalism, as three of its educators were recognized by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association for their leadership, innovation, and impact on student media programs.
🚗 Business Wire reports Asbury Automotive Group unveiled a new dealership support center in Sandy Springs. The center is estimated to bring 350 new jobs to the city.
🍗 Sandy Springs-based Inspire Brands reached a $20 billion valuation. The multinational food company operates several fast food chains, including Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, and Jimmy John’s.
🧏🏼♀️ No, it’s not just you — restaurants seem louder these days. And what’s more, there’s no lone factor amplifying the noise. A restaurant’s design, square footage, music, seating arrangement, and even table material and shape all contribute to how sound travels in the dining room. Sarra Sedghi explains what some Rough Draft reporters discovered from recording decibel levels at restaurants around Atlanta.
⁉️ Are there restaurants in Sandy Springs you feel have gotten too loud? Let us know your thoughts.
Thanks for supporting your local news,
The Rough Draft team
📍 More walkable. More to do. More coming. Find out what’s next for Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven on Tues., May 5 at Envision Perimeter, the only event that brings it all into focus. SPONSOR MESSAGE
A new park will bring 23 acres of green space to Sandy Springs
🌳 The Sandy Springs City Council approved a nearly $4 million contract with Eastern Builders to construct a new park on Old Riverside Drive along the Chattahoochee River (pictured), adding to the city’s 28 parks and 950 acres of green space.
Old Riverside Park is located north of the Riverside Swim and Tennis Club and the intersection of Old Riverside and Riverside drives. City officials expect construction to wrap up before the end of the year.
The 23-acre park’s master plan includes public access to the Chattahoochee River, a playground, green infrastructure, nature trails, and a restroom facility, while leaving a majority of the site’s natural features untouched.
🏞️ Learn more about the new park.
The Future of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody & Brookhaven Comes ‘In Focus’ on May 5
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
📍 Your neighborhood has a lot in store: more places to live, more to explore, and a community that keeps getting more vibrant. Envision Perimeter 2026 brings it all into focus, from the developments and infrastructure to the people and ideas shaping what’s next for Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven.
Showstopping district views. Bright conversation. Real momentum. Join us Tues., May 5 at Perimeter Summit, presented by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts.
Campbell-Stone recognized for resident satisfaction
👵🏼 Campbell-Stone’s senior living community in Sandy Springs received an award for resident satisfaction from Holleran Consulting, recognizing the nonprofit’s HUD-subsidized personal care program as among the best across the country.
The Choice Community Award for Resident Satisfaction ranks Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs in the top 15% of retirement and senior living communities nationwide, based on more than 160,000 surveys over the last three years.
In a recent announcement, Campbell-Stone CEO Maria Manahan said the recognition marks an incredible achievement for the nonprofit’s Sandy Springs location. “We take pride in ensuring our residents, guests, and staff feel safe, respected and like they belong,” Manahan said.
Activities include celebrating milestone events, such as Margie Schlesinger’s 100th birthday (pictured).
🏆 Read more about how Campbell-Stone received this recognition.
New ceramics studio opens at Abernathy Arts Center
👨🏽🎨 A new state-of-the-art modular studio, located next to the Abernathy Arts Center, is set to host Art Sandy Springs’ ceramics classes for the public beginning this fall.
An Abernathy Arts Center spokesperson told Rough Draft Atlanta that some permitting is still required before the new classrooms can open, but other arts classes are available.
The modular structure, about 1,200 square feet, is expected to have a lifespan of five to seven years and can be relocated for future use. Last July, the Sandy Springs City Council approved a $600,000 contract with Rubio and Sons to construct the temporary arts facility.
🎨 Read more about the new art studio.
📍 More walkable. More to do. More coming. Find out what’s next for Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven on Tues., May 5 at Envision Perimeter, the only event that brings it all into focus. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🫢 April 10:No Shame Theatre at Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Fridays)
🦖 April 11:Dino Egg Hunt for kids with disabilities at Morgan Falls Overlook Park
🎺 April 11:Spring Fling with Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp at The Dorothy C. Benson Senior Complex
🌎 April 11:History That Doesn’t Suck at Byers Theatre
🦷 April 15: Free oral cancer screenings at Peachtree Dunwoody Oral & Facial Surgery in Sandy Springs
The Sports Section
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
⚾️ BOYS BASEBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (17-7): Friday @ Riverwood (9-17); Monday @ Lovett (17-6)
- Lovett (17-6): Friday vs. Brookwood (20-6); Monday vs. Holy Innocents’ (17-7)
- Mt. Vernon (11-8): Friday vs. Whitefield Academy (15-8); Tuesday @ Fellowship Christian (17-7)
- North Springs (7-18): Friday vs. TBD (Tournament); Saturday vs. Oxford, AL. (18-10); Saturday @ Campbell (8-15)
- Pace Academy (14-10): Friday @ Northgate (23-2); Monday @ Midtown (12-7)
- Riverwood (9-17): Friday vs. Holy Innocents’ (17-7); Tuesday @ Sprayberry (5-19)
- Westminster (7-15): Friday vs. Woodstock (9-14); Tuesday @ Cambridge (18-7)
🥍 BOYS LACROSSE
- Holy Innocents’ (5-7): Friday @ Mt. Pisgah (2-9); Tuesday @ Mt. Vernon (9-2)
- Lovett (12-1): Wednesday vs. Cambridge (7-8)
- Mt. Vernon (9-2): Tuesday vs. Holy Innocents’ (5-7)
- Pace Academy (8-5): Monday vs. Trinity Christian (8-6)
- Riverwood (10-7): April 21 vs. Lanier (7-7)
- Westminster (4-6): Tuesday @ Whitefield Academy (5-9)
🥍 GIRLS LACROSSE
- Holy Innocents’ (8-4): Tuesday vs. Centennial (8-4)
- Lovett (10-4): Tuesday vs. Allatoona (8-4)
- North Springs (5-10): April 17 vs. Collins Hill (0-10)
- Pace Academy (7-6): April 16 @ Lovett (10-4)
- Riverwood (8-7): Wednesday vs. Chamblee (8-4)
- Westminster (4-7): Tuesday vs. Hillgrove (6-8)
⚽️ BOYS SOCCER
- Holy Innocents’ (10-4): Friday vs. Lovett (8-6)
- Lovett (8-6): Friday @ Holy Innocents’ (10-4); Monday @ Riverwood (10-5)
- Mt. Vernon (11-2): Friday @ Wesleyan (7-8); Monday vs. Woodward Academy (9-3)
- North Springs (6-9): Tuesday vs. Callaway (11-4)
- Pace Academy (9-5): Friday @ Woodward Academy (9-3); Tuesday @ Jackson (6-7)
- Riverwood (10-5): Monday vs. Lovett (8-6)
- Westminster (4-10): Friday @ Baylor, TN. (9-1-1); Saturday @ McCallie, TN. (5-1-2); Tuesday @ Centennial (9-5)
⚽️ GIRLS SOCCER
- Holy Innocents’ (11-3): Friday vs. Lovett (11-2); Tuesday @ Mt. Bethel Christian (3-7)
- Lovett (11-2): Friday @ Holy Innocents’ (11-3); Monday @ Riverwood (16-0)
- Mt. Vernon (6-4-2): Friday @ Wesleyan (14-1); Monday vs. Woodward Academy (8-4)
- North Springs (7-5): Tuesday vs. Callaway (10-5)
- Pace Academy (8-6): Friday @ Woodward Academy (8-4); Tuesday vs. Jackson (8-5)
- Riverwood (16-0): Monday vs. Lovett (11-2)
- Westminster (9-3): Saturday vs. Buford (8-6); Tuesday @ Centennial (4-11)
School records do not include April 9 matches.
