Presidential visit

Wednesday, July 22 — President Donald Trump will visit Wheeler High School in Cobb County this afternoon to pitch his Trump Account initiative (What is a Trump Account?). The trip has sparked pushback, including planned demonstrations from the Cobb County Democratic Committee. Expect traffic near Dobbins Air Force Base and Wheeler throughout the day.

🌞 Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 86° today.

🔎 Federal agents arrested over 150 people for human trafficking and child exploitation during FIFA World Cup operations in Atlanta.  

🏃 The Atlanta Track Club wants to partner with Atlanta Public Schools to build an indoor track and field complex in Summerhill, which would be Georgia’s first indoor facility.

🏥 State officials are preparing to build a $409 million facility to address the backlog of people waiting for a spot at a state psychiatric hospital.

🚨 Financing for Fulton County’s more than $1.3 billion jail overhaul is moving forward after a regional jail authority voted Monday to approve the next step in the process.

🏢 A new apartment complex called The Overlook at Garson is coming to South Buckhead. 

🤝 Pebble Tossers’ Teen Leadership Program has taught metro Atlanta high schoolers social and emotional skills through service projects, connecting them with 60 nonprofit partners.

🎗️ Atlanta-born deaf actress Kaylee Hottle, known for her role in the “Godzilla vs. Kong” franchise, died in a car accident on Monday at the age of 18.

ELSEWHERE

🇨🇦 President Trump imposed additional 50% tariffs on some Canadian products, citing a rarely used law that one economist called “the nuclear option for Trump tariffs.”

🇺🇦 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Ukraine’s military commander in chief yesterday, following street protests over the dismissal of a popular defense minister.

🇮🇷🇺🇸 In news about the Iran war:

  • President Trump said the U.S. would strike Pickaxe Mountain, an underground Iranian nuclear site where it’s believed Iran moved centrifuges last fall.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate committee that the war has cost $37.5 billion so far, as the Pentagon requested $1.5 trillion, including $67 billion in immediate Iran war funding.

📺 Sunday’s World Cup final drew nearly 63 million U.S. viewers, setting an all-time soccer ratings record.

PICTURE THIS: Thousands of soccer fans descended on watch parties at Piedmont Park and Decatur Square on Sunday to witness Spain defeat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final. Afterwards, they were treated to concerts by Ludacris in the park and by Decatur’s own hometown heroes, the Indigo Girls. Over the course of the tournament, more than one million people attended matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the FIFA Fan Fest in Centennial Park.

🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

• Schāf Shop

• Upcoming Events

• The Reset: Scalp care

AND 

• Concert Picks


⚽ When the matches end, the dining begins. After cheering on your favorite teams across Atlanta, savor the city’s best tables during Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 27-Aug. 1. More than 50 restaurants serve exclusive prix-fixe menus. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE


Photo by Ansley Kelly

1. A breast cancer diagnosis inspired the opening of this Midtown coffee and skate shop combo

☕ On a weekday afternoon, a local coffee shop is bustling. Two friends order a drink, sit on the couch, and talk without looking at their phones. A customer stands at the counter having a friendly conversation with the owners. Others grab a book to read, or a puzzle from one of the shelves and set about completing it.

What seems like a scene straight out of a 1990s sitcom – a fantasy of connectivity amid the dwindling of third places in many cities – is an actual reality at Schāf Shop in Midtown.

Part coffee shop, part skate shop, owners and wives Lindzey and Taylor Schaffer opened their dream coffee shop earlier this year, prompted by a life-threatening cancer diagnosis six years ago.

🛼 Read Katie Burkholder’s full feature story 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.


2. Upcoming Events

SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA BELTLINE  

🍦Read about some of our favorite spots to grab ice cream on the Beltline here.

🧼 Make your own soap at Peaceful Homestead in Decatur this week, with multiple opportunities to take part.

🥩 The Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão in Buckhead is hosting a Surf & Turf Cocktail Party tomorrow.

🎂 Dad’s Garage is turning 31 years old on Friday, celebrating its birthday with a variety show on July 24.

🥁 See some of the best marching bands in the country at theDrum Corps International (DCI) Southeastern Championship at Center Parc Stadium on July 25.


Photo by Ivan S. at pexels.com

3. Why scalp care is the next beauty trend

THE RESET | SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY

“The Reset by Rough Draft” is edited by Laura Scholz, one of Atlanta’s most respected lifestyle journalists. The Reset is a weekly, Wednesday newsletter with even more content, and you can subscribe here with one click.

☀️ With school starting soon, now is the perfect time to help kids build confidence and healthy routines. If your child is struggling with anxiety, friendships, emotional regulation, or the back-to-school transition, Intown Psychology is here to help. Explore ways to stay connected and engaged.

💆🏼♀️ At a time when people are spending more money on self-care and wellness experiences, scalp care is becoming one of the next big beauty trends.

Fancy serums and moisturizing masks aren’t just for facials anymore. Many people have spent years perfecting elaborate hair and skincare routines. Now they’re adding scalp care to the mix with DIY home scrubs and in-spa treatments offered at dedicated head spas around Metro Atlanta. Read Laura’s feature story

🧘🏽♂️ Roll out your mat to flow with King of Pops Yoga this Saturday at 9 a.m. at Historic Fourth Ward Park, Greenspace D.

💪🏼 Vuori Buckhead Village is hosting an ACTV Studio IRL class on Sunday at 10 a.m. Pvolve Midtown will lead a low-impact outdoor strength class, followed by 20% off in-store shopping and refreshments. RSVP for the event here.

☀️ Kickstart the weekend with Pilates on the Green. Held on the Avondale Estates Town Green, the outdoor, all-levels class is free, but RSVP in advance.

🏃🏽♂️➡️ The Atlanta Track Club’s “Run the Beltline” series continues on Aug. 1 with the first-ever Southside Beltline 8K. The 3K is sold out, but spots remain for the 8K, which starts at Pittsburgh Yards. Snag your spot here.

❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. 


⚽ When the matches end, the dining begins. After cheering on your favorite teams across Atlanta, savor the city’s best tables during Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 27-Aug. 1. More than 50 restaurants serve exclusive prix-fixe menus. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE


4. Concert Picks

Wed., July 22

🍋 Louis Tomlinson @ State Farm Arena

Thurs., July 23

📽️ The Unusual Suspects @ Vinyl

Fri., July 24

📱 Daniel Caesar @ State Farm Arena

🌃 Tomahawk @ Buckhead Theatre

🧪 2slimey @ The Loft

Sat., July 25

🦁 The Lion and the Mouse @ Woodruff Arts Center (also Sun.)

🇯🇲 Buju Banton + Stephen Marley @ Lakewood Amphitheatre

🌇 Stabbing Westward @ The Loft

🍎 Eric Roberson @ Buckhead Theatre

Sun., July 26

🍬 Justine Skye @ Vinyl

💓 The Original Wailers + Steel Pulse @ The Eastern

🇦🇺 The Australian Pink Floyd Show @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

Mon., July 27

🎤 Noah Kahan (pictured) @ Truist Park

Tues., July 28

🥔 Melanie Martinez @ Gas South Arena

📻 Not For Radio @ Fox Theatre

Wed., July 29

🪕 Russell Dickerson @ Buckhead Theatre


🏃 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


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This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.