A newsy week
Why is it so hard to have a good conversation with a goat?*
Wednesday, July 15 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. In Italy, I saw a lot of cows, wild horses, and even a marmot, which is a European squirrel and a lot less exotic than it sounds. It was nice to come home and see that animals in Dunwoody are still dominating the headlines (see below).
Before we get to the good stuff, here are a few news items.
🍔 People on the latest Discover Dunwoody trolley tour were treated to a surprise appearance from Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame, who hopped on the trolley to give away a tray full of NFA burgers.
🔥 Speaking of flames, Florida-based Adega Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse has announced plans to open its first Georgia location at 1224 Hammond Drive in Dunwoody’s Twelve24 development, in a space that formerly housed Iron Hill Brewery.
📫 Dunwoody is mourning the passing of longtime mail carrier Ridgeley Young, who died while on his route. Audra Hurston Anders’ Aha! Connection has a lovely tribute to him, along with information about how you can help his grieving family.
🛍️ Stage Door has announced the lineup for its 53rd season, which includes “Little Shop of Horrors.”
🚷 Pernoshal Park, oddly named and impossible to pronounce, is undergoing trail repairs through July 31, which means all access to Georgetown Park or Brook Run Park will be inaccessible from Pernoshal. Email Parks and Rec to get more information on phonics and the reasoning behind the name.
Time to get to the stories,
Cathy
🏃 100 miles. Six weeks. One incredible community. Join the Chastain Challenge and help keep Chastain Park clean, safe, and green while reaching your own goals. Details here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Let’s go Kroger-ing
🍎 The Dunwoody City Council at its July 13 meeting held a public hearing about several variances and a request for a Special Land Use Permit for a proposed Ashford Dunwoody Road grocery store.
Kroger is requesting four variances as it redevelops the former Walmart store at Perimeter Village, which will include a drive-thru pharmacy and a gas station.
Kroger is taking about 166,000 square feet of the Walmart footprint, and representatives from Kimco said they are negotiating a lease with another entity that would use the remaining 60,000 square feet.
⚾️ Lots of other discussions occurred during the 3.5-hour meeting, including a possible expansion at Dunwoody Senior Baseball. Read more about it here.
What if your hearing aid was your best-kept secret?
SPONSORED BY CLEARWORKS AUDIOLOGY
✨ Too many people wait years — sometimes decades — to address hearing loss. The fear of looking different. The worry of being seen as less capable. The quiet embarrassment and uncertainty of it all.
Lyric is 100% invisible and is worn through sleep, showers, and everything in between. No daily hassle. Just effortless, natural hearing.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to act, this is it.
ClearWorks Audiology is the most experienced and trusted provider of the Lyric hearing aid in Georgia.
➞ Visit our website to learn more.
School news that affects everyone
🧊 Families and community advocates spoke during public comment at the DeKalb County Board of Education meeting on July 13 in support of the Safe Space to Learn policy to protect immigrant students.
The Safe Space to Learn policy draft would require law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, to have a judicial warrant or court order and be legally verified by school administrators in order to question a student, remove a student from campus, or obtain student information.
Families and students who spoke on Monday expressed concerns about students feeling safe and comfortable enough to thrive at school.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Norman C. Sauce and his staff also gave an update on the controversial Student Assignment Plan, and the board got schooled about decorum and Robert’s Rules of Order by its attorney Winston Denmark.
📁 Here is more on the Safe Space to Learn policy and reactions.
Perimeter Chamber names new development director
🎬 The Greater Perimeter Chamber has named Todd Olesiuk as its new development director.
Olesiuk, a Dunwoody resident, has a background in business development, strategic partnerships, fundraising, and relationship management across the technology, SaaS, fintech, and nonprofit sectors, according to a release from the chamber. Some of those words I do not understand.
He has worked with businesses, nonprofits, and schools to build fundraising partnerships aimed at generating sustainable revenue and strengthening community engagement.
👔 Read more about Olesiuk here.
🏃 100 miles. Six weeks. One incredible community. Join the Chastain Challenge and help keep Chastain Park clean, safe, and green while reaching your own goals. Details here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s it Worth?
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
⛰️ Perched on 1.5± acres along Lake Blue Ridge, this 5,000±-square-foot waterfront estate features a heated pool, double-decker dock, guest residence and panoramic lake views. The turnkey property offers six bedroom suites and includes a pontoon boat.
❓ Guess the price below!
Picture this: Whatever floats your goat
🐐 Last week, Dunwoody police officers responded to an area off Roberts Drive after getting a call about a goat stuck in a hole.
According to the police Facebook page, a herd of goats had been clearing the area for about a week and a half.
In the same area, a female goat ended up in a small sinkhole beside a drainage pipe, discovered by some soccer players.
During the July 13 city council meeting, it was stated that the trapped caprine was not a part of the clearing crew, a claim about which Mayor Lynn Deutsch threw some shade.
Either way, the goat is now safely placed with Animal Control until her owner or some other interested party can sneak over there and pick her up.
⚽️ Here’s more information about the rescue.
* And also the answer to today’s top headline: Because he’s always butting in.
