🌱 Demands For Separate Buckhead City + Isla & Co. Opens On Andrews

Welcome back, Buckhead! Today, we continue our food trend with National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! I'm here in your inbox to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news about...

• 🤔 The pro and con of one-year crime statistics
• 🖊️ How to weigh in on the Chastain Park Master Plan
• 💻 What’s New Atlanta is a new real estate site.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌞 But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 52 Low: 38.

⚡️ Attention, local business owners and marketers in Buckhead! I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to secure your spot now. Click here to learn more.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Buckhead

• EZ Mart at 1535 Chattahoochee Ave NW, $2.87
• Shell at 1539 Piedmont Ave NE, $2.93
• Chevron at 4341 Roswell Rd NE, $3.19

⏰ New Year’s Resolutions Poll! 🎶
According to Forbes, only 8% of people making New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. Even so, the experts suggest making resolutions because they encourage intentionality, optimism, and a positive effect on others. So, what are your resolutions for 2023? So far, 50% intend to meet new people or interact more with current friends. Another 25% each plan to travel or experience something new, while the other group wants to embrace change.

📰 Here are the top stories in Buckhead today:

1. Should Buckhead become its own city? As of Thursday the discussion is being revisited, after previously becoming muted. The recent murder of a 77-year-old resident is the catalyst. The mayor’s office believes that “creating a separate government just for Buckhead would not impact crime.” However, critics assert that putting control of Buckhead’s tax base into the hands of a local government would mean “many more police officers could be hired.” An insider notes that in the last 48 hours, some 900 residents requested yard signs in favor of the idea. (Fox)
2. How bad is crime in Buckhead? According to the mayor’s Tuesday statement, “here in Buckhead, crime is down in almost every single category. The only one that is still up is in shoplifting.” Yet experts warn that “comparing crime from one single year to the next doesn't give full context, good or bad, like having one less homicide than last year, with two weeks left in the year.” While statistics prove the mayor’s statement to be factually true, they don’t reveal a multi-year trend showing real crime reduction. (11 Alive)
3. Help shape the Chastain Park Master Plan by participating in the online survey. But hurry! You only have until January 4 to make your voice heard. The Chastain Park Conservancy would like to know how you use the park. Special attention is on the amenities that residents enjoy. Most importantly, let folks know which amenities you'd like to see in the future. Examples include pickleball, exercise stations and educational classes. (Patch)
4. We learned on Thursday that Engel and Völkers Buckhead Atlanta launched a video-focused real estate social media site called "What’s New Atlanta." The goal is to let you “preview new home communities under construction” and get a head start on choosing your home. Watch onsite community tours “before most people even know about them.” (The Neighbor)
5. Isla & Co. at 56 East Andrews Drive Northwest officially opened for business last Thursday. Part of New York’s Parched Hospitality Group, its guests enjoy dishes “mixing Australian-inspired cuisine with the flavors of Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean” in a cozy setting. You can also enjoy the restaurant’s signature drink known as the “What the Buck, featuring rye whiskey, mint, lemon, maple, and ginger beer.” (Thrillist)

📆 Today in Buckhead:

• Zipporah Camille Thompson's solo exhibition The Ocean Wept Rainbows at the MOCA (12 PM)
• Winter Wonderland Holiday Tea service at Brassica (1 PM)
• Art Lab for Kids: Make Your Own Emoji at the Apple Lenox Square (5:30 PM)
• LCA Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Loganville Christian Academy at AIHS (7:30 PM)
• Annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at Tongue and Groove (9 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Class 276 Swear-In Ceremony: 21 officers from Class 271 were sworn into the Atlanta Police Department on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in a private ceremony at the new Atlanta Police Academy." (City of Atlanta Police Department via Facebook)
• "Stylish Santa will be back this Saturday from noon to 6pm to brighten your day 🎅" (Buckhead Village District via Instagram)
• "Mayor Andre Dickens joined Fulton County mayors & Fulton County Government Commission members to formalize an agreement to keep the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) in place for another 10 years." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "Atlanta Magazine, the city's premier general interest publication, has recognized PATH400 as Atlanta's best new walking path in their December issue." (Livable Buckhead via Facebook)
• "ICYMI: Earlier this month, Darin Schierbaum was sworn in as the Chief of City of Atlanta Police Department by Mayor Andre Dickens." (Buckhead Community Improvement District via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Procrastinator's Pop-Up: local artisan market (December 17)
• Holidays on Stage and Screen (December 17)
• Relax your body and mind - gentle stretching and Tai Chi basics (December 20)
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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at Buckhead@Patch.com