GOAL!!!
Friday, Jun. 12 — If you’re not a soccer fan, the energy and excitement around the FIFA World Cup games that are underway may make you a convert. This week’s newsletter includes lots of ways you can get involved, even if you didn’t splurge for tickets to any of the matches.
🥵 For those who enjoy the summertime heat, this is your weekend. Temperatures will be around the 90s with high humidity.
🚔 A video from WSB-TV captures officers using a Grappler Police Bumper to stop a driver in Sandy Springs this week who was wanted on several felony warrants.
💰 The Sandy Springs Society awarded Sandy Springs Education Force a $15,000 grant to support its After-School All-Stars program at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School.
🚒 Sandy Springs is hosting an open house on Wednesday, June 17 in advance of construction of Fire Station 4 at 5275 Roswell Road. Attendees will be able to view renderings, explore the site layout, and learn about emergency response.
👀 Here’s a sneak peek of Taste Wine Bar due to open later this month in City Springs.
🏡 Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris sold his Sandy Springs home for $9.75 million, which is a record price for a residential property in the city. An Atlanta Business Chronicle subscription is required to read the full article.
🚊 Since we have been warned traffic is going to be heavier than usual during the local World Cup matches, it may be a good time to try MARTA’s new app and web tools that will offer real-time transit information, trip planning assistance, and safety reporting.
PICTURE THIS:The next time you’re at Hartsfield-Jackson, make sure you check out “Atlas,” the 14-foot sphere in the atrium installed just in time to greet travelers in town for the World Cup.
Enjoy the weekend!
The Rough Draft team
⚽🐶🇨🇭 Join Atlanta’s most unique Soccer World Cup Watch Party! Watch Switzerland vs. Qatar at Fetch Park Buckhead tomorrow, June 13 at 2 p.m. Explore Switzerland through music, culture, games, and giveaways, and friendly dogs. No dog required—everyone is welcome! Register here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Sandy Springs World Cup watch parties
⚽️ If you are looking for the best spot to watch your favorite team play in the World Cup, there are lots of options in Sandy Springs.
🏟️ CityBar. & Café at City Springs has transformed into a match-day destination as the venue celebrates the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta.
The multi-week “Fútbol Fever Watch Party” series kicked off at CityBar on June 11 and continues through July 19, culminating with a championship celebration. The venue will have wall-to-wall match coverage on a 15.7-foot LED screen, team-inspired cocktails, globally influenced food specials, and a lively atmosphere designed for soccer fans from around the world. Read more about City Springs’ World Cup festivities.
🍔 Mutation Brewing will also be showing the games on their 150-inch projection screen.
🍹 North River Tavern is offering drink specials during its watch parties.
🇿🇦 Cafe I Am hosted a South African-inspired watch party to kick off Thursday’s first match as Fox 5 reported.
RELATED
🥅 The Rough Draft team compiled a list of World Cup watch parties and fan festivals taking place all over Atlanta.
Run for Dads. Fight Prostate Cancer.
SPONSORED BY PROST AWARE
💙 Celebrate Father’s Day with purpose at run4DAD 2026. This family-friendly event invites you to honor the dads in your life while supporting prostate cancer awareness and research.
Choose from a 5K run, 1-mile walk, or kids’ race—there’s something for everyone. Gather your friends, bring the family, and enjoy a meaningful morning of movement and community impact. Make this Father’s Day weekend one to remember by giving back and showing up.
➞ Join us Sun., June 21, and run for the dads who matter most.
Sandy Springs wants to own its water system
🚰 Fulton County and its 15 cities must agree on water service delivery before the end of the year to be eligible for state and federal funding.
Mayor Rusty Paul said at a June 9 Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting that he’s willing to risk state and federal funding to get Sandy Springs’ first-ever Service Delivery Strategy agreement with Atlanta on water supply and distribution.
Paul has made water reliability a priority during his 12 years in office. Residents and the city have battled Atlanta for 30 years over water rates and system maintenance. Atlanta provides water for Sandy Springs and owns the water system.
“Our position is that we prefer to buy the system from the City of Atlanta and operate it,” Paul said. “What is the capital investment plan for the water system in Sandy Springs that they are currently managing? We have not heard anything from the city of Atlanta.”
💦 Read more on the next steps for Sandy Springs‘ water service.
Sandy Springs invites community to help shape its future
🏙️ Sandy Springs is inviting community members to help determine “The Next Chapter,” with input on the city’s update to its comprehensive plan and recreation and parks master plan.
The first public workshop for next year’s update to the Sandy Springs Comprehensive Plan and Recreation & Parks Master Plan is on Tuesday, June 23, from 6-8 p.m. in the City Springs conference center.
The comprehensive plan is the city’s primary policy document, guiding council and staff decisions related to future growth, land use, infrastructure, housing, and economic development. Sandy Springs must update the 20-year plan every five years.
📌 Learn more about how you can have a say in the future of Sandy Springs.
What’s it Worth?
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
🏡 More private resort than residence, this 11,000-plus-square-foot custom estate by renowned architect Linda MacArthur features disappearing walls of glass, a heated saltwater pool, sprawling covered terraces for entertaining, and the privacy of bordering protected parkland.
❓ Guess the price below!
🖼️ Ahlers & Ogletree presents a 600-lot Modern & Contemporary Art & Design Auction featuring Picasso, Dalí, Chagall, and more. Explore fine art, furniture, and sculpture. Preview June 15–16; reception June 16. Register and start bidding today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🤎 June 12:African American & People of Color Speed Dating at Hudson Grille
🎸 June 12:The 77Zeros at Avenue East Cobb
🪩 June 13: Prom Night: Re-Do at Starlight Lounge & Grill
🌳 June 17:Georgia Perimeter Chamber Signature Breakfast: Business for a Better Outdoors at City Springs
🔫 June 18:Citizen Handgun Marksmanship Class at Sandy Springs Gun Range
