?? A packed weekend
Dream-y Friday?
Sept. 20 —?Our heads are spinning just thinking about all of this weekend's events, but we celebrate the Dream making the WNBA playoffs (more below)!
? Partly cloudy and 89° today. More of the same this weekend.?
??? Vice President Kamala Harris visits Atlanta ?today to highlight abortion rights following two Georgia women's deaths after abortion pill complications.?
?? Georgia’s unemployment rate rose in August for the fourth month in a row, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday. The state’s jobless rate of 3.6% last month was up two-tenths from July’s 3.4%.
???The Anti-Defamation League is warning college campuses about anti-Israel protests the week of Oct. 7, the first anniversary of the Hamas terror attack on Israel.
????More than 200 people turned out for a community meeting to discuss the possible closure of Spalding Drive Elementary School .?
?? Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has filed a federal lawsuit against Phenix City, AL for violations of the Clean Water Act.
?? Sen. Jon Ossoff wants Congress to have more control over selecting the U.S. postmaster general after a mail-service breakdown in Georgia.?
???If you missed Tuesday's "Jimmy Carter 100" birthday celebration ?featuring The B-52s, Chuck Leavell, The War and Treaty, and many more, GPB will air the concert on Oct. 1.
ELSEWHERE
?? The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit record highs yesterday.
??For the first time in decades, public health data shows a sudden and hopeful drop in drug overdose deaths across the U.S.?
?? Reports show that North Carolina's GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson made inflammatory comments on porn website forums years ago, including racist remarks and support for slavery. Robinson denies the allegations.
?? Here's what's in today's newsletter:
? Weekend events roundup
? Film review: 'Rebel Ridge'
? The Sports Section
? Top Stories of the Week?
AND?
? A chance to win dinner for two
Have a good weekend,
Collin & Sammie
?? Don’t miss?Party on the PATH , an evening of live music, delicious food, and fun benefiting Livable Buckhead’s programs to create a vibrant community where people want to live, work, and play. On Oct. 6 at Eclipse di Luna, it includes tapas, sangria, and dancing to the sounds of 3rd Stream Big Band.?Buy tickets today.
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1. Food and culture events this weekend in Atlanta
There are a plethora of events going on in Atlanta this weekend from all corners of the world. Check out a few of them below.?
???National Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing now through Oct. 15. This weekend, there are events in Roswell, at the Center for Puppetry Arts, and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons.Check out the rest of the slate here.
???ELEVATE: 50 Years of Culture Festival ?kicks off tonight and runs through Oct. 13 with a series of art installations, discussions, performances, music, short films, and much more.?
???? The Atlanta Greek Festival started yesterday and will be running until Sept. 22, celebrating all things Greek. There will be delicious food, dancing, and so much more to check out.?You can buy your tickets here. ??
?????Chabad Intown is hosting?Unity Shabbat ?on the Atlanta Beltline tonight at 6 p.m.?Organizers are offering dinner on a sliding scale.
???? JapanFest Atlanta (pictured) is celebrating all things Japanese this weekend, Sept. 21-22. Guests will enjoy a wide array of presentations, performances, and authentic cuisine. Tickets are available online.
?? The 18th annual?Kirkwood Wine Stroll ?starts today in downtown Kirkwood. Expect global wine samplings from over 50 local spots and a souvenir wine glass with a ticket purchase. Small bites from local restaurants and four stages of live music are also part of the lineup. Purchase tickets here .
??Block & Drum debuts its listening room and outdoor stage and music courtyard this weekend. Peek at the?new listening room on Fri., Sept. 20 , with drinks, food, and music starting at 7 p.m. Then, on Sat., Sept. 21, check out the?outdoor stage and courtyard? with a day of live music, coffee, drinks, and food.
?? Poncey-Highland restaurant?Sweet Auburn Barbecue? is hosting an Asian Bake Sale on Sat., Sept. 21. Vendors will includeBaolicious , Crinkles by Nina , and?Leftie Lee’s . Expect to sample everything from breakfast bao and cassava cake to ube croissants.?
??Thinking Man Tavern? will celebrate 21 years in Decatur with a big birthday bash on Sat., Sept. 21. Expect music from local bands, food, and a drink menu featuring brand-new cocktails and Oktoberfest beers. Festivities kick off at 7 p.m.
?? The annual?NFA Burger Benefit ?is Sun., Sept. 22, at the award-winning?Dunwoody burger joint . Look for burgers from NFA Burger, celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, Chef Chris Hall, Mia Orino and Carlo Gan of Kamayan ATL, Chef Terry Koval of The Deer and The Dove, and many more. Proceeds benefit?Giving Kitchen . TheBurger Benefit at NFA kicks off at 11 a.m .?
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2. Aaron Pierre is a force to be reckoned with in 'Rebel Ridge'
WEEKLY FILM REVIEW | BY SAMMIE PURCELL
?? If you've never heard of civil forfeiture, the beginning of "Rebel Ridge" might feel slightly ridiculous to you. On his way to bail his cousin out of jail, Terry (Aaron Pierre) is pulled over by the cops. After a few minutes of back and forth, the cops take his money and leave without charging him with a crime.?
This is something that happens more often than you might think.?Civil forfeiture is the process by which law enforcement can confiscate cash or property they believe (key words) were obtained through illegal means. It’s a wild practice, but comes with one upside – it’s the perfect setup for a revenge thriller we can all get on board with.?
Jeremy Saulnier's “Rebel Ridge” feels like a western, the classic story of a guy who comes to town and has to take on corruption at its worst – corruption that starts at the top, but at every level. And it's a wild ride from start to finish.
??Stay in the picture with Scene by Rough Draft, our weekly newsletter about Georgia's film industry.?Subscribe for free .
3. The Dream clinch playoff spot; Falcons host Chiefs
♂? The Sports Section is Sponsored by?Gameday Men’s Health Buckhead,?offering testosterone, weight loss, peptide, and ED therapies so you can get back in the game.?Learn more today!
?? The?Dream clinched a playoff spot by beating New York last night. Tina Charles broke WNBA records for career rebounds (4,014) and double-doubles (194) in the win. Atlanta and New York play again in the first round starting Sun., Sept. 22.
? Matt Olson hit two of Atlanta's six homers as?the Braves routed the Cincinnati Reds ?15-3 yesterday. Chris Sale earned his MLB-leading 18th win, keeping Atlanta two games behind the Mets for the final wild-card spot. The Braves play the Marlins in a three-game weekend series in Miami starting tonight at 7:10 p.m. (BSS)
?? The Falcons are back in primetime on Sunday night when they host the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (and, maybe, Taylor Swift) at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
?? Atlanta is offering 100,000 free hot dogs, chips, and souvenir cups to fans on Sunday as they honor owner Arthur M. Blank's Ring of Honor induction.
????Here are tomorrow's local college games:
?? The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and UGA unveiled a limited-edition bobblehead series featuring all 11 Uga mascots.
?? The Drive for the GHSA State Title continues tonight with Class 6A 9th-ranked North Cobb Warriors (5-0) and the Walton Raiders (3-2), live on the Peachtree Sports Network at 8 p.m. Stream the game on Atlanta News First!
???♂?The Masters is expanding its TV coverage by five hours in 2025, adding streaming on Paramount+. Augusta National said Bank of America will become a fourth "champion partner.
???Come Tog?ther, ?the week of German-speaking countries, returns to Atlanta Sept. 19-28!?Join us in celebrating the language, culture, diverse traditions, and modern lifestyles of German-speaking countries. The week will feature various cultural, educational, and business events!
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4. Top Stories of the Week
A look back at this week's most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.
?? Today's newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.