Rough Draft Atlanta

11/29/2025

26-foot eastern red cedar takes center stage at Georgia Capitol

The Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta has been decorated for the holiday season with a 26-foot tall eastern red cedar, donated by a resident of Lindale, and will be illuminated during the annual tree-lighting ceremony with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp....

Experience the magic of the holiday season as Georgia's state Capitol in Atlanta transforms with a stunning Christmas tree and thousands of lights.

11/28/2025

🦃 Post-turkey time

The tryptophan edition Nov. 28 — It's Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Tucker. Well, we survived Thanksgiving, and I hope you found joy in the day, no matter where you were, who you were with, and what you overate. As we are technically off for the holidays, this newsletter will be short and sweet. First, a few items for your paper calendar. 💈 North Pole at Tucker Town Green will open Dec. 6 from 4-7 p.m. 🟢 A Winter Wreath Making Workshop takes place on Friday, Dec....

The tryptophan edition Nov. 28 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Tucker. Well, we survived Thanksgiving, and I hope you found joy in the day, no matter where you were, who you were with, and what you overate. As we are technically off for the holidays, this newsletter ...

11/28/2025

McAuley Station second phase to add nearly 100 affordable apartments for seniors

Pennrose and Mercy Care recently broke ground on McAuley Station Phase II, the next step in a new mixed-use, mixed-income property being constructed in Atlanta. Located in the neighborhood of Sweet Auburn, McAuley Station’s second phase will create 97 affordable apartments (95 one-bedrooms and two studio apartments) for adults 55-and-older. This newest development builds off the project’s initial phase, which added 170 mixed-income family apartments and various amenities. According to a release, the aim of McAuley Station is to assist seniors (particularly those living on fixed incomes) amidst rising housing and healthcare costs....

Pennrose (real estate company) and Mercy Care (nonprofit health center) recently broke ground on McAuley Station Phase II

11/28/2025

Out on Film to screen ‘Chocolate Babies’ for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1

Out On Film and Gilead will present a screening of Stephen Winter's "Chocolate Babies" on Dec. 1 at Midtown Art Cinema, followed by a discussion of HIV/AIDS in the media and the continued importance of advocacy. Special guests will include Atlanta activists, including Craig Washington and Mark King. The screening, held on World AIDS Day, begins at 7 p.m., followed by the discussion. A reception will follow at 9 p.m. at Apres Diem. "Chocolate Babies" tells the story of an underground band of HIV-positive, q***r, urban, genderq***r activists of color making headlines in New York....

Join Out On Film and Gilead for a screening of 'Chocolate Babies' on World AIDS Day, followed by a discussion on HIV/AIDS advocacy.

11/28/2025

🗳️ Election Day part deux

Runoff reminder Nov. 28 — We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. We intended to keep today's newsletter brief while the team enjoys time off for the holiday, but it turns out the happenings in Sandy Springs don't take a break. 🗳️ Don't forget we have an important runoff election for mayor on Tuesday, Dec. 2 — people in District 4 have two runoff races. Bob Pepalis reports early voting turnout was low, with only 5,207 people casting ballots through Tuesday. 👨🏽‍💻 When you're not watching football or taking a nap this weekend, …...

Get ready for the Sandy Springs mayoral runoff election on Dec. 2. Find out about early voting, forums, and more in this important race.

11/28/2025

Untitled

Happy Thanksgiving! Nov. 28 — Happy Friday! Hope you're having the most wonderful of post-Thanksgiving food hangovers, with plenty of delicious leftovers on the horizon. I always find that the best way to enjoy the day after Thanksgiving is by plopping myself on the couch, regaling myself with some seasonal favorite films of mine, and not moving an inch for the rest of the day. By and large, my favorite Thanksgiving movies don't have much to do with Thanksgiving the holiday in practice, but I think you'll find they capture the moment spiritually....

Get into the holiday spirit with a cozy movie marathon! Discover the best Thanksgiving films, from 'Knives Out' to 'The Lord of the Rings.'

11/28/2025

APS hosts final APS Forward 2040 community meeting on Dec. 2

Atlanta Public Schools is inviting students, families, staff and community members to an upcoming APS Forward 2040 Meeting, an event focused on sharing the community’s visions for the future of teaching and learning in Atlanta. The meeting, which will take place at Herman J. Russell West End Academy on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., will focus on building a districtwide vision around four key areas: early college, technology, arts, and biomedical and health sciences. The Comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan, also known as APS Forward 2040: Reshaping the Future of Education, is a districtwide initiative to ensure APS schools and facilities align with the needs of students and families for decades to come....

Join the APS Forward 2040 Meeting in Atlanta to share your vision for the future of teaching and learning.

11/28/2025

⛄🎄🎁 Tis the season for holiday bars, which return for another round this year.
From Atlanta to Alpharetta to Marietta, we’ve compiled a list of more than 30 holiday-themed restaurants and pop-up bars decked in good cheer serving festive cocktails, dishes, and desserts from now until the New Year. 🍸🍹
(link in bio)

11/28/2025

Lostintheletters announces free 2026 youth writing program

Key Points: Non-profit Lostintheletters will host a free writing program for teenagers 14-18 from January to May 2026. Admission will be prioritized for teenagers from disinvested neighborhoods. The organization will host an open house for the program on Dec. 12. Lostintheletters, a non-profit hosting creative writing and literacy empowerment programs, has announced the launch of the 2026 Young Writers Studio, a free creative writing and professional development program for high school students in Atlanta. Running from January to May 2026 in the new Lostintheletters Writing Studio and Bookstore, the Young Writers Studio will offer students 14-18 the opportunity to learn directly from award-winning authors, explore their creative identities, and join a thriving literary community....

Lostintheletters offers a free writing program for teenagers in Atlanta from January to May 2026. Open to students aged 14-18. Learn more!

11/28/2025

🥂 Holiday pop-up bars

Black Friday Nov. 28 — The rivalry known as Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate between No. 4 Georgia and No. 23 Georgia Tech plays its 119th installment today at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 3:30 p.m. (ABC; 95.5 FM, 93.7 FM). For the third time in series history, the Dawgs have beaten the Jackets seven straight times, but the Jackets hold the record for most wins in a row, which is eight (1949–1956). ☀️ After a morning with temperatures below freezing, it will be sunny and cold today with a high of 46°. 🎄 Now that you've fully digested your turkey dinner, it's time to load up the fam and head out to see some holiday lights....

Get ready for the rivalry between Georgia and Georgia Tech in the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate game. Find out more about the event and other news.

11/28/2025

Ridgeview Middle School student named REACH Scholar

Key Points:• Ridgeview Middle eighth-grader Jhoselin Carmona-Santana was named a REACH Scholar.• The student must commit to graduating from high school and maintaining her GPA to earn a $10,000 scholarship. Celebrating Jhoselin Carmona-Santana's selection as a REACH Scholar were FCS Superintendent Mike Looney, FCS District 7 Board member Michelle Morancie, Jhoselin's sister, Yareimi Carmona-Santana, REACH Georgia Scholar Jhoselin Carmona-Santana, her mother Rosalinda Santana-Duque, her father Jose Alberto Carmona Anicasio, RMS Principal Thomas Garrett, and RMS counselor Iveth Cenicerios. (Provided by Fulton County Schools) Ridgeview Charter Middle School eighth-grade student Jhoselin Carmona-Santana’s commitment to finish high school will net her a $10,000 scholarship when she meets the requirements of a REACH scholar....

Ridgeview Middle School student Jhoselin Carmona-Santana earns a $10,000 scholarship as a REACH Scholar. She aims to become an immigration lawyer.

11/28/2025

Get festive at these holiday pop-up bars around Atlanta

Tis the season for holiday bars, which return for another round this year. From Atlanta to Alpharetta to Marietta, we’ve compiled more than 30 holiday-themed restaurants and pop-up bars decked in good cheer serving festive cocktails, dishes, and desserts from now until the New Year....

Tis the season for holiday bars, which return for another round this year. From Atlanta to Alpharetta to Marietta, we’ve compiled more than 30 holiday-themed restaurants and pop-up bars decked in good cheer serving festive cocktails, dishes, and desserts from now until the New Year.