North by northwest
Tuesday, Sept. 8 — The Atlanta Beltline presented recommendations for a $3.5 billion light rail system with three routes, including one loop to run the entirety of the 22-mile corridor, and Northern and Southern Loops that would provide service into Downtown Atlanta. In other news, a groundbreaking for the final segment of the Northwest Trail is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. at Atlanta Technology Center.
🌤️ Mostly sunny and 85° today.
🫡 Warm Springs police officer Sgt. Christopher Fisher, who was fatally shot on Sept. 1, will be laid to rest today in Fayetteville.
🏈 The Falcons plan to start quarterback Tua Tagovailoa against the Steelers in Sunday’s season opener.
🏠 The Atlanta Regional Commission identified more than 100,000 vacant or underutilized properties in its 11-county area that could be transformed into affordable housing.
🎉 The City of Atlanta will celebrate Microsoft’s donation of land in Grove Park for future affordable housing during a community event on Sept. 12.
💰 Tucker’s American Legion Post #207, destroyed in a 2019 fire, will be fully restored after an anonymous donor gifted $150,000 to the organization.
👠 Two SCAD Atlanta fashion design students, Jujuan (JJ) Lewis and Samalie Kabenge, were awarded the prestigious 2026 CFDA X Melvin and Monique Rodriguez Family Foundation Scholarship.
ELSEWHERE
🇨🇦🇺🇸 Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods took effect this morning, deepening a trade rift after talks between Ottawa and Washington collapsed.
🥷 Two thieves broke into the Renoir Museum in France today, stealing four works valued at roughly $10 million and dropping one painting as they fled.
👑 King Charles III confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not be working royals on their return to the United Kingdom.
🎾 Coco Gauff advanced to the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time since her 2023 title, while Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek both lost. Ben Shelton faces defending champion Carlos Alcaraz today, with two all-American quarterfinals also on the schedule.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Meant to Meet • TrustDALE
• Recovery-friendly workplaces
• Upcoming Events
• Unmissable DBF authors
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
⛰️ Escape to Big Canoe, about 90 minutes north of Atlanta, with this nearly 9,000±-square-foot estate, listed with Mountain Sotheby’s International Realty. Set at 2,800 feet, the one-owner retreat offers nine bedrooms, a guest house, mountain views, a hidden wine room, and memorable outdoor spaces designed for year-round gatherings. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. LifeLine launches ‘Meant to Meet’ where dogs pick their new owners
🐕 Sometimes people pick their pets, and sometimes the pets pick them. LifeLine Animal Project is adding that concept to its arsenal of options with its new “Meant to Meet” initiative, featuring highly adoptable dogs.
The first event was held on Aug. 30, when three ready-to-adopt couples were offered the opportunity for a personal meet-and-greet with three staff favorites, Anthony Field, Penelope, and Linguista.
Inspired by online videos of similar reverse adoption efforts, the events are designed to give potential pet owners a more personal way to meet shelter dogs and see which connections feel natural.
🐾 Read Cathy Cobbs’ full story here.
Atlanta’s Trusted Source for Orthopedic Care
SPONSORED BY PEACHTREE ORTHOPEDICS ⛳ The last thing anybody has time for is an injury that disrupts their week. But Peachtree Orthopedics is here to make life easier.
For 70 years, we’ve been committed to helping Atlantans return to the activities they love. At our 11 convenient locations, we have 42 leading physicians, all of whom are fellowship-trained, with specialties in every body part.
Injured in the evening or on the weekend? Skip the ER. Our UrgentORTHO clinic offers same-day, evening, and Saturday hours.
➞ It’s time to get back to doing what you love. Peachtree Orthopedics is here to help you Get Better.
2. Transform your backyard into more living space
TOGETHER WITH TRUSTDALE
☀️ You want room for weeknight dinners, birthday parties, quiet coffee, or a place where children can play within view. Expanding your yard into a functional outdoor living space adds usable square footage and improves overall home value, often at a fraction of an interior home addition’s cost.
Learning how to transform your backyard into more living space starts before you choose a fire pit or order patio furniture. Proper planning can turn underused yard areas into an enjoyable outdoor space while accounting for traffic flow, water, utilities, safety, permits, and costs.
🏡 Learn more from the folks at TrustDALE here.
👨🍳 Your favorite chefs are going to Southern Chefs Potluck! Are you? Join us at the Serenbe Pavilion on Sun., Oct. 4 for an EPIC Potluck that raises funds for Wholesome Wave Georgia. Grab your tickets today. SPONSOR MESSAGE
3. GROW is creating recovery-friendly workplaces for people with substance use disorder
🤝 The Georgia Recovery-Ready Workplace Initiative (GROW) expands employment opportunities for people in recovery from substance misuse.
According to the Georgia Council for Recovery, it builds supportive, stigma-free workplaces that address addiction and promote overall well-being. Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) lead the way locally.
“We are educating employers around the state of Georgia on recovery-friendly practices and how to better support individuals who may be experiencing substance use challenges in the workplace or at home or their family members,” Program Manager for Recovery Community Organization Development Brian Kite said.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
4. Upcoming Events
🎸 Staind brings its 25th anniversary“Break the Cycle” tour to Lakewood Amphitheater tonight at 6:30 p.m.
🧂 “Salt, Time, and the Smoky Mountain Ham”: A Conversation with Darrell Bentonis tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Museum of Design Atlanta.
🎤 Sonia Tetlow and Ali Angelplay at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur on Thurs., Sept. 10, at 9 p.m.
🎺 Callanwolde Jazz on the Lawn features Devon Gates with harpist Charles Overton on Fri., Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
🛻 Monster Jam brings big trucks and stunts to Gas South Arena on Sat., Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
📧 Find out how you can get your event featured in Rough Draft.
🗓️ For more events, visit RoughDraftAtlanta.com/events.
5. Two unmissable author sessions bookend this year’s festival
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL
📚 The festival will kick off with bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi and her new novel, “The Siren,” about rage, longing, and a woman’s darkness that will leave readers breathless (Sat., Oct. 3, 10 a.m.).
As an exciting cap to the day, the award-winning Tayari Jones takes the stage to discuss her blockbuster new novel, “Kin” (Sat., Oct. 3, 4 p.m.).
Both events will take place in the First Baptist Church of Decatur sanctuary.
➡️ See the full schedule here.
6. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🥪 The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is looking for volunteers to help with their sandwich outreach on Wednesday morning in downtown Atlanta. Be ready to make and pass out snack bags.
🌾 Food Well Alliance needs help with community gardening on Thursday morning in Atlanta. Work will include weeding, mulching, and harvesting.
🤝 Hands on Atlanta (pictured) is looking for assistance for their Sept. 11 day of service on Friday afternoon in Atlanta. Expect to help with packing meals, registration, and event hospitality.
💡 TEDxAtlanta 2026 is Oct. 2 & 3 in Sandy Springs. Hear leaders in AI, art, design, technology, and venture capital share bold, brave ideas that enlighten, embolden, and inspire you. Get tickets. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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