Simply the best
Friday, May 15 — Congratulations to the winners of Atlanta Best Media’s Best of 2026 for Sandy Springs. The city is fortunate to be the home to many great businesses — even those that didn’t make the winners’ list, so let’s make sure we give some love to all our local professionals and establishments.
🌞 We’ll have sunny weather with temperatures in the 80s this weekend.
🚨 The Sandy Springs Police Department arrested a 33-year-old Sandy Springs man on May 13 after he allegedly assaulted the mother of his child and barricaded himself in an apartment.
💰 The Sandy Springs Society announced the recipients of its 2026 Philanthropy Grant Awards during the nonprofit’s annual spring meeting, awarding 45 grants totaling a record-breaking $380,000 to dozens of organizations that serve the community.
👏🏼 The Atlanta Business Chronicle named Natalie DeLancey, executive director of the Sandy Springs Theatre Company, to its 40 Under 40 list. Delancey was recognized for her work managing the operations during COVID-19 and for growing the organization’s membership. (Subscription required to read the article.)
🍗 Sandy Springs-based Inspire Brands confidentially filed for an initial public offering this week. The company is seeking a valuation of around $20 billion, which would make it one of the largest offerings for a restaurant.
🥧 Legendary American singer-songwriter Don McLean will help ring in the country’s 250th birthday when he performs at the City of Sandy Springs’ annual Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration on July 4.
🀄️ The Select in Sandy Springs is holding another Tea & Tiles mahjong event on May 30, starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and include food, drinks, and two hours of parking. Register at OpenTable.
‼️ Don’t forget! Friday, May 15 is the last day for early voting in the primary election, and Election Day is Tuesday, May 19. Get all the info you need at My Voter Page.
Thanks for reading,
The Rough Draft team
🎸 City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs brings unforgettable nights of music under the stars. Enjoy live bands, great vibes, and community fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. These events are free! Learn more and see the full schedule here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Sandy Springs Rotary honors the city’s top teachers
🎉 Principals and teachers from each of the 10 public schools in Sandy Springs celebrated improving student outcomes and making post-pandemic progress on May 11 at the Rotary Club’s annual Teacher Appreciation banquet.
For more than a decade, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs has done something special to recognize some of the top educators in the city’s public schools toward the end of the academic year.
Megan Harris, president of the Sandy Springs Rotary and active community volunteer, said educators don’t have an easy job and thanked principals for finding the classroom instructors who make a difference.
During the event, the principals had an opportunity to brag on the top, teacher-nominated educator from their school.
🥇 Read Hayden Sumlin’s full story.
Teach your old fur new tricks!
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Under Pressure Wine Bar opening in Sandy Springs
🍷 Under Pressure Wine Bar opens this fall at the Fountain Oaks complex in Sandy Springs, just north of Chastain Park. Owned by sommelier Juan Fernando Cortés (The Chastain, Stanky Wine, pictured left) and Atlanta restaurateur Adam Berlin (Buena Vida Tapas, Chicheria Mexican Kitchen, Amasa Mexican Kitchen, pictured right), Under Pressure will feature a wine cellar comprising more than 1,500 bottles, with nearly 20% of its cellar and by-the-glass list dedicated to sparkling wines.
Designed by SOGO Studios, Under Pressure takes over the former Pig-N-Chik BBQ space on Roswell Road. Partially rooted in music, the soundtrack and artwork and concert posters adorning the walls at Under Pressure will create what Cortés and Berlin describe as a “Bowie-inspired vibe.”
🍾 Read more about Sandy Springs’ new wine bar.
🙃 And just in case you didn’t already have Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” running through your head, here is a link to the song so you can join me in humming it the rest of the day.
Sandy Springs state champions
It’s been a busy week for Sandy Springs’ high school athletes with state championships taking place in several sports.
⚽️ The Holy Innocents’ girls soccer team took home the GHSA Private Championship trophy, which was their second state title in four years.
🎾 The Riverwood High School boys tennis team won the GHSA State Tennis Championship.
🥍 The Lovett School’s boys lacrosse team finished their season as state runner-up.
Congratulations on a successful season to everyone. Check out more results below in the Sports Section from Score Atlanta.
What’s it Worth?
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🎸 City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs brings unforgettable nights of music under the stars. Enjoy live bands, great vibes, and community fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. These events are free! Learn more and see the full schedule here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🎾 May 15: Tennis Spring Festival at Sandy Springs Racquet Center
🛝 May 16: National Kids to Parks Day at Hammond Park
🇮🇹 May 16:O’Reilly’s Tours Italy Dinner & Wine Pairing at Thos. O’Reilly’s Public House
🤼♀️ May 21: Women’s Self Defense Class at Sandy Springs Municipal Complex
🗓️ Check out more events here.
The Sports Section
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
⚾️ BOYS BASEBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (27-7): vs. King’s Ridge (30-4) (GHSA Playoffs)
- Lovett (24-11): Season Complete
- Mt. Vernon (13-12): Season Complete
- North Springs (12-20): Season Complete
- Pace Academy (15-15): Season Complete
- Riverwood (12-18): Season Complete
- Westminster (8-20): Season Complete
🥍 BOYS LACROSSE
- Holy Innocents’ (9-10): Season Complete
- Lovett (17-4): GHSA State Championship runner-up
- Mt. Vernon (10-6): Season Complete
- Pace Academy (14-7): Season Complete
- Riverwood (11-8): Season Complete
- Westminster (7-9): Season Complete
🥍 GIRLS LACROSSE
- Holy Innocents’ (9-8): Season Complete
- Lovett (13-6): Season Complete
- North Springs (6-11): Season Complete
- Pace Academy (9-9): Season Complete
- Riverwood (9-9): Season Complete
- Westminster (8-9): Season Complete
⚽️ BOYS SOCCER
- Holy Innocents’ (14-6): Season Complete
- Lovett (10-10): Season Complete
- Mt. Vernon (15-5): Season Complete
- North Springs (6-11): Season Complete
- Pace Academy (10-9): Season Complete
- Riverwood (14-6): Season Complete
- Westminster (6-14): Season Complete
⚽️ GIRLS SOCCER
- Holy Innocents’ (17-4): GHSA Class A-3A Private State Champions
- Lovett (17-4): Season Complete
- Mt. Vernon (7-6-2): Season Complete
- North Springs (9-5): Season Complete
- Pace Academy (11-9): Season Complete
- Riverwood (19-2): Season Complete
- Westminster (15-4): Season Complete
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