?? Winter storm watch

Thursday thoughts

Jan. 9—Banks, financial markets, and the Post Office are closed today for President Jimmy Carter's state funeral.?The service is at 10 a.m. at the Washington National Cathedral, after which Carter's remains will travel back to Plains, GA,?for a private service at Maranatha Baptist Church and?interment at the Carter home.?

?? Sunny and a high of?43° today, ahead of tomorrow's forecasted winter storm. More below.

??? Sandy Springs Councilwoman Jody Reichel?announced her candidacy for mayor.?Mayor Rusty Paul previously said he will seek a fourth term in the November election.

??? Brookhaven is holding three public meetings for residents to discuss opting out of a homestead exemption bill signed into law last year.

???The new Chick-fil-A restaurant next door to the Clermont Hotel on Ponce de Leon Avenue is set to open today.

?? Our Cathy Cobbs went to the opening night of "& Juliet" at The Fox and writes that it's a lively romp.

???The January issue of LGBTQ+ publication Georgia Voice is out now. You can see the digital issue here?and?subscribe to our new Crosswalk newsletter, which debuts next week.

ELSEWHERE

?? Catastrophic wildfires killed five people and forced 100,000 to evacuate in Los Angeles. The Palisades Fire became L.A. County's most destructive, while a new blaze threatened Hollywood Hills landmarks. Get live updates here.

???Unpaid medical bills will no longer appear on credit reports.

?? The College Football Playoff semifinals start tonight, with Notre Dame facing Penn State in Miami (7:30 p.m., ESPN). Texas meets Ohio State tomorrow in Dallas for the other championship spot.

?? Here's what's in today's newsletter:

? Winter storm watch

? Booze-free bars

? Atlanta Tech Village

AND?

? Quick Bites

Have a good day,

Collin?

Hey, ATL ?? Warm up your week with a hot matchup as Trae and the Hawks take on KD and the Phoenix Suns on Tues., Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Score seats now!

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1. Winter storm watch for North Georgia

?? The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the northern half of Georgia from 7 a.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Saturday, predicting significant accumulations of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across North Georgia.

NWS said there could be as much as two inches of snow and ice above I-20. The Georgia Department of Transportation and its Atlanta counterpart began treating roads with brine last night and will continue today and this evening.

? We'll be tracking the storm, school closures, and more with our media partner GPB Newson our website.?

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2. Booze-free bars and restaurants for 'Dry January'

?? A 2024?survey?found that 41% of American adults planned to drink less last year — an increase from 2023. The “sober curious” trend, largely made popular on?social media, is expected to continue rising in popularity this year.?

Whether you’re joining in on the trend, completely sober, or just need a booze break, Atlanta restaurants, bars, and bottle shops are offering a variety of alcohol-free beers, wines, and cocktails for keeping your nights fun and your mornings hangover-free.

? Contributing writer Katie Burkholder visited the Author's Den (pictured), Zero Co., Soberish, and?four more worth checking out?for a booze-free tipple.

3. Atlanta Tech Village opens in South Downtown ?

??? The local startup community gathered Wednesday for the official opening of Atlanta Tech Village’s (ATV) second location in South Downtown.

The cold weather?didn’t deter local leaders and ecosystem builders from coming out to see what the South Downtown and Atlanta Tech Village teams — spearheaded by?David Cummings,?Jon Birdsong, and other prominent tech names in town — had created inside ATV’s new location.

This time last year it would be hard to imagine a gathering of a hundred people would happen in South Downtown, as the neighborhood grid was filled with abandoned pieces of real estate.?

But the ATV team spent the last year?renovating the historic Sylvan Hotel on Atlanta’s Mitchell Street, a once-bustling commerce district that fell into disrepair over the last several decades.

? Read the whole story from Hypepotamus here.

Hey, ATL ?? Warm up your week with a hot matchup as Trae and the Hawks take on KD and the Phoenix Suns on Tues., Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Score seats now!

SPONSOR MESSAGE

4. Quick Bites

VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER|SUBSCRIBE HERE

??? Southern Proper Hospitality Group is temporarily closing Buckhead Village restaurants?Gypsy Kitchen?and?The Southern Gentleman?until early February 2025 for HVAC upgrades and design improvements.?

??Looking for some fun events centered around “Dry January”??Check out the lineup at Epicurean?– from a Vision Board Workshop to a Coffee Connoisseur experience (including a coffee-tasting flight, pastries, and a deep dive into the secret history of coffee) – they have you covered.And, while you are thinking about January events, be sure to check out our full roundup here.

?? Need some “Dry January” NA teasers? Check out a few of these zero-proof cocktails that give a fresh take on going spirit-free.?From Pendolino's?herb-forward “Basilicata" – combining fresh basil with zesty lemon and ginger tonic?–?to Elektra's tropical?“Under the Palm” featuring Lyre's White Cane with pineapple and elderflower,?to O-Ku's aromatic“Rosemary's Baby”?with ginger and fresh pineapple,?andTiconderoga Club's?“Rosebush” with 20-year cider vinegar, pineapple, and lemon?–?there is "proof" that going alcohol-free doesn't mean sacrificing depth or complexity.

???Delbar's new Buckhead location?has launched a weekday lunch service. You can look forward to signature spreads, salads, kabobs, and seabass, plus new additions such as the lamb and labneh sandwich with dill labneh and zereshk.?

???? Mark your calendars for Sun., April 27 for the 30th annual Taste of Marietta on the historic Marietta Square. Featuring over 50 restaurants, chef demonstrations, a kids alley, Georgia Grown Member Village, beer garden, and live music,?you can stay tuned for updates on their website here.

???Kinship Butcher & Sundry?is partnering with Nate Ready, founder and winemaker of?Hiyu Wine Farm, on Tues., Jan. 14 for a collaboration dinner. The six-course meal will be paired with seven winery selections. You can direct your reservation inquiries here.?

?? Atlanta restaurateur Gocha Hawkins, owner of?Gocha's Breakfast Bar?and?Gocha's Tapas Bar,?is embarking on major expansions in 2025, including a new fusion concept at Atlantic Station. The celebrity chef and WE TV star is also temporarily closing her Cascade location for renovations while launching franchise opportunities beyond Atlanta.?Stay tuned for updates here.

???Grant Park’s Beautiful Briny Sea?has launched Pocketful of Starlight Twinkle Sugar, an edible vanilla sugar blend with sea salt and glitter stars for baking and drinks. The company makes its products by hand and continues its commitment to sustainability through partnerships with local growers and foragers for their herbs, mushrooms, and spices.

?? Today's newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.

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