Rough Draft Atlanta

11/14/2025

Our film critic says “The Running Man” is too absurd for how seriously it takes itself. While director Edgar Wright is a capable action filmmaker and finds the right balance in a few key moments, convoluted plotting and characterization and a third act that tanks whatever good will earned early on, drags the movie down.

🍿Read Sammie’s full review at the link in our bio.

11/14/2025

The air is getting crisp, twinkling lights are beginning to appear, and the unmistakable buzz of the holiday season is returning to Atlanta. This year, Buckhead is set to transform into a winter wonderland as Livable Buckhead presents its “Miracle on Peachtree” celebration. With a full calendar of festive, family-friendly events, the district is ready to welcome everyone to sip, stroll and create lasting memories. Under the theme “Buckhead Shines Bright,” this year’s festivities are designed to bring the community together through a series of unforgettable experiences. Many events are free to attend, making it easy for everyone to join the fun....

Experience the holiday magic in Buckhead with the 'Miracle on Peachtree' celebration. Join festive, family-friendly events.

11/14/2025

The 98 14th Street site. (Courtesy Midtown Alliance) The Midtown Improvement District and Midtown Alliance have selected global design firm Field Operations to lead the design of a new public space at 98 14th Street, a four-acre site purchased by the Midtown Improvement District earlier this year. According to a press release, Field Operations will lead a multi-disciplinary design team initially responsible for developing concept designs, renderings, and cost estimates. The team’s work will continue into the final design as Midtown Alliance prepares to launch a capital campaign in early 2026....

Field Operations to design new public space at 98 14th Street in Midtown. Vision includes tree canopy, performance stage, art, and more.

11/14/2025

Husband-and-wife duo Mike and Shyretha Sheats will open Mule Train in South Downtown next year. The Southern-leaning restaurant is an evolution of their pop-up supper club, The Plate Sale, which has been running for nearly a decade. Mule Train will offer lunch and dinner, include a full bar, and feature dishes from The Plate Sale, like the popular fried quail....

Husband-and-wife duo Mike and Shyretha Sheats will open Mule Train in South Downtown next year. The Southern-leaning restaurant is an evolution of their pop-up supper club, The Plate Sale, which has been running for nearly a decade. Mule Train will offer lunch and dinner, include a full bar, and fea...

11/14/2025

Artists like welder Ryan Durrett were left with destroyed tools, work, and studios after a fire broke out at South River Arts Studio on Nov. 12. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Durrett) South Atlanta artists are raising money after a fire destroyed the main building at South River Art Studios on Nov. 12. DeKalb County firefighters arrived at South River Art Studios – four acres of unused land and warehouses turned into 45 artist studios, gallery, and event spaces in South Atlanta – shortly after 4 a.m. to find the main warehouse engulfed in flames....

South River Art Studios in Atlanta was destroyed by a fire, leaving artists to raise money for lost tools and work. Fundraisers are underway.

11/14/2025

Peter J. Skandalakis (Photo via Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia) The Georgia election interference case against President Donald Trump appears to live on after the head of a nonpartisan state agency appointed himself the new prosecutor in the case. Peter J. Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, will take over the case from embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Skandalakis announced Friday. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee had tasked Skandalakis with finding a replacement for Willis by Friday or he would allow the case to be dismissed....

Peter J. Skandalakis takes over Georgia election interference case against Trump after conflict of interest disqualifies DA Fani Willis.

11/14/2025

Thawing out Nov. 14 — Did you see any snow flurries in Sandy Springs this week? Send us your pictures if you captured the flake or two that fell in our city. 🍎 District 7 Fulton County School Board member Dr. Michelle Morancie will hold a virtual meeting open to the community on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Join the meeting here. 🚨 WSB-TV has the body cam footage Sandy Springs police released showing a suspect opening fire on officers last month, injuring one. 🌳 Sandy Springs property owners may be eligible to have trees planted in their yard for no cost through the Trees Atlanta Front Yard Tree Program....

Discover the vibrant art scene, events, and high school graduation rates in Sandy Springs. Stay informed about the latest happenings in the area.

11/14/2025

Georgia Tech’s public policy school is now the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy. University officials honored the former president and first lady at a renaming ceremony inside the school of public policy Thursday. The Carters’ grandson and Georgia Tech alum Josh Carter said the renaming is an honor for his family. He hopes students at the newly-named school will keep his grandparents’ legacy in mind. “When you have that humanitarian focus and you craft public policies with that focus, you're going to improve society," he said. "So as long as this school keeps my grandparents as a North Star, we're going have some amazing leaders come out of this building....

Georgia Tech's public policy school is renamed after Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. The renaming honors their legacy and inspires students.

11/14/2025

Time is a thief Nov. 13 (22 Heshvan 5786) 🚗 Are we there yet? The fall feels like a race through back-to-school season, the Jewish holidays, and Halloween celebrations. Now, Thanksgiving is sneaking up quickly. My to-do list includes ordering a turkey, donating to food banks, and volunteering. 🦃 Speaking of turkey day, join American Jewish Committee, Daily Chew, and Rough Draft for the Friendsgiving Dinner at Rina on the Beltline on Thursday, Nov. 20. Get tickets here. 🍩 Alton Brown made a splash at the MJCCA Book Festival this week....

Discover mental health awareness resources and events in Atlanta, including workshops, training, and community gatherings during May.

11/14/2025

Neighbors in the Lake Claire and Decatur area will come together for a community walk on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 9 a.m. inspired by the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boyd Baker, a Lake Claire resident, had the idea to host a three-mile walk for people in the area to slow down and talk with their neighbors after feeling despondent about the lack of neighbor interaction and connection he felt. “I thought this is a chance where people can get together and they can meet a neighbor, maybe somebody they don’t know, maybe somebody who’s one street over, and you can find you can still get along and be good humans,” he told Rough Draft....

Join the Beloved Community Walk in Lake Claire and Decatur on Nov. 15. A three-mile walk to connect with neighbors and support local charities.

11/14/2025

Friday limbo Nov. 14 — The government has reopened, but GPB News reports that Affordable Care Act tax subsidies hang in the balance as Georgians navigate open enrollment with more questions than answers. ☀️ Sunny and 71° today. The springlike weather continues through the weekend. ⚖️ A North Carolina man has been convicted of a hate crime targeting Georgia State Rep. Esther Panitch and a Macon, GA, rabbi. 🗳️ Early voting ends today for voters in Fulton and Cobb counties deciding between six candidates for Senate District 35, ahead of the…...

Get the latest news on MARTA's interim CEO appointment, Atlanta's population growth, and the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival rebranding.

11/14/2025

Actor Clayton Farris, who plays the character Terry in "Weapons." (Photo provided by Warner Bros.) Clayton Farris feels he got lucky with his role in the 2025 hit “Weapons.” He had seen filmmaker Zach Cregger’s previous movie, the well-received “Barbarian,” and was such a fan he decided that he really wanted to be a part of Cregger’s next project. It’s almost like he willed himself to be involved. “Somehow, some way magically, I got offered a role in this movie,” Farris said. “I really don’t even know how it happened. If I didn’t believe in manifestation, I do now.”...

Actor Clayton Farris talks q***r representation and his role in the summer horror hit "Weapons," written and directed by Zach Cregger.