Holiday weekend in sight
Thursday, Sept. 3 — Gloria Steinem, the pioneering feminist and journalist, died yesterday at her home in New York City. Her 1963 undercover exposé on Playboy bunnies launched her career, and she went on to co-found Ms. magazine while championing reproductive rights and workplace equality for decades. At 66, she surprised followers by marrying entrepreneur David Bale, having long dismissed marriage as relationship-wrecking, and later explained, “I didn’t change. Marriage changed.” She was 92.
🥵 Sunny and hot with a high of 93° today. It will feel like it’s 103°.
💰 Fulton County continues negotiations to purchase the Atlanta City Detention Center after Commission Chair Rob Pitts said Wednesday that the parties have agreed on a price.
🏫 Under Atlanta Public Schools’ ongoing redistricting plan, Parkside Elementary in Grant Park would be divided, and Sylvan Hills Middle would become an elementary school.
🌳 DeKalb County leaders will hold multiple meetings through September about proposed updates to the county’s tree protection ordinance.
💸 The Sandy Springs City Council approved a $1.5 million construction contract for about 3,000 feet of sidewalk along the west side of Lake Forrest Drive.
🐛 A recently discovered invasive insect could pose a serious threat to Georgia cattle ranchers and farmers.
🏛️ Leaders from around Gwinnett County officially cut the ribbon at the new Norcross Public Safety Building on Buford Highway.
🏈 As the college football season begins:
- Georgia Tech opens its season tonight at 8 p.m. against Deion Sanders and Colorado at Bobby Dodd Stadium (93.7 FM; ESPN).
- West Georgia plays at Kennesaw State tonight at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is urging the SEC to consider suspending or removing LSU if it plays former NFL players this season.
ELSEWHERE
🛢️ Days after the U.S. claimed access to 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, Chevron said it will expand its existing operations there.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 Iran fired on U.S. allies in the Gulf yesterday, following a night of American attacks, including one that Iranian officials say hit a wedding party.
⚖️ A Massachusetts jury said it remained deadlocked on murder charges against Lindsay Clancy, despite a judge’s urging to reach a verdict.
🎗️ Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy-winning jazz vocalist known for her deep, sultry contralto, died at 70.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Dragon Con
• Upcoming Events
• Jason Martin at Callanwolde
• UGA FinTech
AND
• Quick Bites
🍁 Whether you’re looking to unwind, reconnect, or explore, Lake Oconee is Georgia’s hidden gem for fall getaways. Find your reason for an easy escape from Atlanta with this Ultimate Fall Getaway Guide. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Dragon Con returns to Atlanta today
🦸 Dragon Con, one of the biggest pop culture and gaming conventions in the country, returns to Atlanta today.
The biggest event of the weekend will be the Dragon Con Parade, which takes place on Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. and runs along Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. The parade is free and open to the public.
This year’s guests include the likes of Sean Astin (“The Lord of the Rings”), Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”), James Callis (“Battlestar Galactica”), and more. In addition to famous faces, Dragon Con will have plenty of other programming to enjoy.
🍿 Learn more about what to expect here.
Les Misérables opens in one week in Sandy Springs!
SPONSORED BY CITY SPRINGS THEATRE COMPANY
🎭 Experience the iconic musical Les Misérables in its first Atlanta-area local production in more than a decade.
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, this powerful story of redemption and revolution features Broadway stars and is directed by Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley. Sept. 11-27, Byers Theatre.
→ Visit here for tickets & more information.
2. Upcoming Events
🎤 Chance the Rapper performs at 8 p.m. tonight at Coca-Cola Roxy.
🗣️ V-103’s 50th Anniversary Gospel Extravaganza featuring Yolanda Adams is this Friday at 8 p.m. at Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park.
🎉 Hard Rock Cafe in Downtown is hosting a Dragon Con Parade View & Brunch on Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon.
🏈 Baylor vs. Auburn in the Aflac Kickoff Game; Sat., Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
📍The third annual Southside Day is Sept. 6, from 2-8 p.m. at Wolf Creek Amphitheater.
📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft.
🗓️ For more events, visitRoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
3. Five things about Callanwolde’s new executive director Jason Martin
VIA SKETCHBOOK, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT ART | SUBSCRIBE
🎨 Callanwolde Fine Arts Center has a new leader. Jason Martin took over as executive director effective Aug. 31. He succeeds Andrew Keenan, who retired after nine years leading the organization.
Martin steps into the role as Callanwolde works to complete The Warren, a multi-million-dollar campus expansion. For Sketchbook this week, Sherri Daye Scott spoke to Martin about his fundraising experience and what he sees as his top priority.
💬 Check out their conversation here.
4. UGA students turned a class project into NIL FinTech startup
🍎 A group of hopeful entrepreneurs stands in front of a panel of industry executives. After hearing the pitch, an executive from The Clearing House leans over to the host and whispers, “this one’s got teeth. They should run with it.”
But this isn’t an accelerator or Silicon Valley boardroom. This was a group of students presenting their idea, Purpose Payment, in Professor Bob Trotter’s “Principles of Fintech” class at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
The idea started when a professor and an athletic director walked into a bar.
➡ Read the whole story from Hypepotamus here.
🌱 Come spend a day on the farm! Love is Love’s Fall Plant Sale & Family Day is Sept. 12 in Mansfield. Shop certified organic plants, enjoy FREE gardening and foraging workshops, farm tours, local food, artisans, kids’ activities and more. Pre-order plants by Sept. 6! Details here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
5. Quick Bites
VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER |
😋 In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on a Michelin-recommended pizzeria’s opening in Inman Park, a trio of restaurant closures, and a long-awaited vegan brunch menu debut in Reynoldstown. We’ve also rounded up some upcoming food events to put on your calendar, including a matcha workshop in Chamblee and a Halloween cake swap.
👉 Get the latest Atlanta dining news here.
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
💡 Help support independent local media by becoming a Rough Draft member today. Pick up some cool swag, including our new, limited-edition LOCAL hoodie.
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