🌱 Buckhead Cityhood Update + The Michael & Eleanor Blass Endowment

Good morning, everybody! Today, we remember Rebecca Webb Carranza’s great idea as we snack along on National Tortilla Chip Day. I'm back with your fresh copy of the Buckhead Patch newsletter. Follow along for the most important things happening in town, including news on...

• ⚠️ Gunfire hitting two children
• ⭐️ Dedication of the “Bends Toward Justice” sculpture
• 👟 The 39th annual Hunger Walk/Run

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🌧️ But first, today's weather:

Showers around; not as warm. High: 67 Low: 51.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Looking to buy or sell a home in the Buckhead area? Betsy Meagher has over 20 years of experience in the Atlanta market and is proud to have been named Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty's #1 Agent in units in the Buckhead office for 2021. Betsy works with both buyers and sellers, and utilizes her extensive background in the financial services industry to negotiate the best possible results for her clients. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, visit Betsy's website today.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Buckhead

• EZ Mart at 1535 Chattahoochee Ave NW, $3.15
• QuikTrip at 761 Sidney Marcus Blvd NE, $3.19
• BP at 3340 Cobb Pkwy SE, $3.29

🍰 Spring Dessert Poll! 🍓
The first day of spring is March 20! Among the things we look forward to in spring are refreshing desserts. Which is your favorite spring dessert? So far, 26.7% choose peach cobbler, 16.7% each select ambrosia salad and lemon bars. 13.3% opt for fruit tarts and 3.3% each for mixed berry buckle and strawberry icebox cake. The write-in candidate Key lime pie is coming in at 19.9%.

📰 Here are the top stories in Buckhead today:

1. Two children were shot — but lived — at 585 McDaniel Street Southwest. A group of juveniles had a dispute, and the 12-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy ended up getting shot when the dispute escalated. The Aggravated Assault Unit is now working the case. (Atlanta Police Department)
2. Buckhead cityhood update: Wednesday’s State and Local Government Operations Committee meeting was attended by Buckhead residents who lobbied “lawmakers to let them vote to secede from the city of Atlanta.” Heard for the second time in the committee, Senate Bill 114 would put the issue on the November 2024 ballot as a referendum. Proponents cited crime, drugs, violence and street racing as the catalysts for their request. Opponents cited problems with honoring debts, navigating the Atlanta Public School system, and dealing with city taxes. On February 27, the committee will vote whether to send the bill to the Rules Committee. (Rough Draft Atlanta)
3. On Monday evening, Mayor Andre Dickens dedicated a sculpture at the Central United Methodist Church at 501 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southwest. Named “Bends Toward Justice,” the sculpture is made of steel and is 32’ tall and 75’ long. The dedication is part of the city’s Black History Month celebration. (ANF)
4. An anonymous but generous donor established the Michael and Eleanor Blass Endowment at the Carl Sanders YMCA. Michael Blass was a dentist who also became a certified tennis coach, who wouldn’t charge for lessons. Students with deeper pockets donated, and the money paid for students who didn’t have the means. Now, his legacy continues. We learned on Wednesday that you’re welcome to contribute to the scholarship at the Y. (Northside Neighbor)
5. The Food Bank is encouraging residents to sign up for the 39th annual Hunger Walk/Run on March 12. Participants meet at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s Home Depot Backyard. This year’s need is dire. Insiders say that many of our neighbors are “experiencing food insecurity for the first time in their lives.” If you’re not big on running, come to the party! It includes “food trucks, a children's play zone, live entertainment, appearances by 11Alive's Chesley McNeil and Aisha Howard and a Zumba warm up led by Midday personality Jackie Paige of Majic 107.5/97.5.” (Northside Neighbor)

📆 Today in Buckhead:

• Come to Pitch Practice at the Atlanta Tech Village (1 PM)
• Learn about Getting Started With Mac at the Apple Lenox Square (7 PM)
• CYP invites you to come to a Moroccan-Themed Shabbat Dinner at 3040 Peachtree Road Northwest (7 PM)
• Enjoy "The Purple Madness" tribute to Prince at the Buckhead Theatre (8 PM)
• "Last Comic Standing" winner John Heffron performs at The Punchline Comedy Club (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Paces Ferry United Methodist Church was also the home of Pleasant Hill Academy in the 1890s. The first teacher was Ida Williams, an educational pioneer and visionary, who later founded the Northside Library Association." (Buckhead Heritage Society via Facebook)
• "Riding the wave with Danny Ocean was nothing short of a dream!! We're gonna be carrying the shades inside vibe through the rest of this week 😎 🌊 📸" (Buckhead Theatre via Facebook)
• "2022 in Review: Atlanta's appeal & influence is global. Last year, we welcomed 100 delegations from over 60 countries. The Mayor’s Office of International & Immigrant Affairs organized nearly 250 events & programs to support immigrant Atlantans." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "📈Atlanta is a booming hub for Black business and entrepreneurship. According to a new report by Lending Tree, Atlanta has the highest percentage of Black-owned businesses among U.S. metros. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Etnnfx" (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• City of Atlanta Government: "#ICYMI - Yesterday, we gathered at the Uppercuts Barbershop in SW Atlanta for a Clippers & Cops conversation between public safety & community leaders. Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked questions & committed to creating change i..." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "This dog has been hanging out in the area near Sugar Creek Marina - anyone recognize him? - Male Bull Terrier or similar mix. Call: 4o4 three 1 four seven eight45" (Nextdoor)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Buckhead?

• Median Listing Home Price $705K
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $340
• Median Sold Home Price $466K

Check out more Buckhead real estate information!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women Workshop (February 25)
• Open House in Cross Creek (February 26)
• LiveLifeFun Sand Volleyball Leagues - Registration Deadline March 2nd (March 2)
• Minority Men's Health Discussion (March 9)
• PRIDE Kickball Spring '23 League - Registration Deadline March 9th (March 9)
• GO Kickball Spring Leagues - Registration Deadline March 9th (March 9)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Buckhead Patch newsletter? Contact me at Buckhead@Patch.com