Tuesday ticker

Sept. 17 — Don’t miss tonight’s very special sky: a harvest moon, supermoon, and partial lunar eclipse. The event peaks at 10:44 p.m. and, unlike solar eclipses, can be viewed safely without eye protection.

🌤️ Mostly sunny and  81° today.

ELECTION 2024

🗳️ Today is National Voter Registration Day, and MARTA is hosting a bipartisan voter registration drive at stations across the system from 2-6 p.m.

🐘 Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Attorney General Chris Carr, and a host of other speakers expressed unity for the GOP ticket at last night’s Faith & Freedom Coalition Victory Dinner in Cobb County. 

🫏 Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz campaigns in Macon and Atlanta today before heading to Asheville, NC. Walz is expected to focus his comments on reproductive rights. 

LOCAL NEWS

🗣️ Opponents of the “Cop City” public safety training center disrupted Monday’s Atlanta City Council meeting by throwing ping pong balls and demanding a referendum on the facility, which has been in legal limbo for a year.

🏫 State School Superintendent Richard Woods said he will push for additional state funding for school safety initiatives during the 2025 General Assembly session.

🚊 MARTA is moving forward with a review of the city’s audit released last month that claims the transit agency could owe the city up to $70 million.

🎨 Create Dunwoody has appointed Rosemary Watts as its new executive director.

🎶 Some tickets remain for tonight’s Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song at the Fox Theatre. Our GPB colleague Kristi York Wooten interviewed musicians Angelique Kidjo and Carlene Carter ahead of the event.

🏆 Our sustainability columnist Sally Bethea will receive the Georgia First Amendment Foundation’s Charles L. Weltner Freedom of Information Award at an Oct. 21 ceremony.  

🏈 Kirk Cousins led a last-minute touchdown drive and the Falcons beat the Eagles 22-21 last night.

ELSEWHERE

🎤 Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested yesterday in New York. His lawyer maintains the music mogul’s innocence after multiple sexual assault lawsuits and a federal trafficking probe.

📱 AT&T reached a tentative deal with southeast union workers, ending a 30-day strike.

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

•  State of the City preview
• Restaurant openings & closings
• Hullinger on East Lake’s renaissance
• Anne Byrn at Decatur Book Festival
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities

Send us your moon shots!
Collin & Sammie

🎨 Experience the 3rd Annual Art Pop-Up + Shop in Town Brookhaven, running Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 12 – 29. This year’s event features 40 artists covering multiple mediums. The event is for the seasoned collector as well as the first-time buyer. SPONSOR MESSAGE

1. Sandy Springs State of the City preview

🗣️ Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul plans to talk about using artificial intelligence and developing the city’s trail system into a series of destinations in his State of the City address on Tuesday.

Paul will give his address during the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber’s Signature Luncheon today at 11:30 a.m.

In a preview of his address, Mayor Paul told Rough Draft that Sandy Springs has faced challenges with software that couldn’t keep up with the city’s permitting needs for years.

Paul also wants to see “micro-businesses” on the city’s trail system, such as coffee and ice cream shops. 

🏛️ Click here for more details on what to expect.

The Capitol Fools at the Rialto

SPONSORED BY RIALTO CENTER FOR THE ARTS

🎭 Continuing in the spirit of Washington’s popular Capitol Steps comedy troupe, the musical comedy team Capitol Fools elevates political satire while holding a mirror to America’s electoral process, near the eve of the 2024 presidential election.

Each performance includes a blend of veteran political satirists – including Capitol Steps alumni – and rising stars of the dramatic and comedic stage.

😜 Audiences will enjoy song parodies, foolish reflections, over-the-top impressions of leading elected (or wannabe elected) officials, and Washington icons. There is equal opportunity for laughing at any political party and ourselves!

🎟️ Learn more and get tickets here.

2. Il Premio opens; Pho Cue closes

SUBSCRIBE TO SIDE DISH, OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT FOOD

🥣 Glenwood Park restaurant Pho Cue closed over the weekend after two years on Garrett Street in the neighborhood, according to an announcement on Instagram. And it’s not the only one. 

According to another announcement on Instagram, Bookhouse Pub will close at the end of the year after 16 years in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood.

🍻 Beth McKibben has more information on both closures. Click here for the full story.

MORE RESTAURANT NEWS

🍗 The first full-service restaurant location of food stall Delilah’s Everyday Soul will open early next year in South Downtown along Hotel Row on Mitchell Street.

🥩 Italian steakhouse and piano bar Il Premio has opened at the Forth Hotel in the Old Fourth Ward. 

3. Jeff Hullinger on East Lake’s renaissance

🏗️ Driving to The Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, you can cut across Historic Druid Hills, Candler Park, Decatur, Agnes Scott, Kirkwood, Lake Claire, and Edgewood – all bustling, all extraordinary neighborhoods to call home.

These neighborhoods have one thing in common. They were all impacted by the vision of 92-year-old developer and philanthropist, Tom Cousins.

Cousins had a remarkable impact on these areas. Although he retreated from public life years ago and now lives in Florida, he still chats with his Atlanta friends and former colleagues, sharing opinions on his beloved property. 

➡ Read more in this story from GPB’s Jeff Hullinger.

4. Baking in the American South

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL

📚 Join New York Times bestselling author Anne Byrn for an engaging panel session where she delves into the rich culinary traditions of Southern baking. Discover the stories and recipes from her latest cookbook, “Baking in the American South,” and learn how history, culture, and innovation shape the delicious flavors of this beloved cuisine.

🗓️  The speaker session will be held on Sat., Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Decatur. Emceed by Ligaya Figueras, AJC’s Senior Editor for Food & Dining, the event will feature a 45-minute discussion with Byrne.

➡ Get more information on the Decatur Book Festival here.

🍷 Uncork & unwind at the Sandy Springs Wine Festival on Sun., Oct. 6. Enjoy an afternoon sampling highly rated wines from across the globe. Taste robust reds, delicate whites, and more. Small bites and live music are included. Get your tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE

5. Volunteer Opportunities

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA

🤝 Community Church Atlanta needs volunteers for their food pantry on Wednesday morning and afternoon. You will distribute and sort food, stock shelves, pack bags, and greet clients.

🌸 Livable Buckhead (pictured) needs volunteers for their Park(ing) Day Event on Friday morning and afternoon. You will assist in transforming their parking lot into a temporary park to encourage the community to rethink urban spaces. Expect to assist staff with set up, general event flow, clean up, and loading and unloading of vehicles.

🌳 Grant Park Conservancy needs help with their Litter & Limb Pickup event on Friday morning. You will be focused solely on picking up trash and tree limbs; trash grabbers and buckets will be provided.

📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.