🌱 MARTA Audit + Sickle Cell Consortium + National Exposure For PCKL

Hi all! Today’s Gryffindor Pride Day; did you know author J.K. Rowling got the idea for Harry Potter in 1990 while waiting for a train? I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Buckhead Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today, including...

• 💻 An Atlanta Public Safety Training Center update
• 🤝 Good news for pickleheads
• 📕 A new book on Atlanta record stores

💗 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 and warmer. High: 71 Low: 48.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Buckhead, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Buckhead Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Buckhead

• RaceTrac at 2429 Bolton Rd NW, $3.18
• QuikTrip at 630 10th St NW, $3.19
• BP at 3340 Cobb Pkwy SE, $3.29

😋 Fair Food Poll!
Fair food is the ultimate cheat meal. Although we all know it’s unhealthy, everyone has a guilty pleasure. Which is your favorite?

• 26.2% Funnel cake
• 24.6% Candy apples
• 18.4% Corndogs
• 4.6% Guacamole
• 3.1% Cotton candy, Cheesecake, Tri-Tip sandwiches, Turkey legs
• 1.5% Guacamole with cheese, Pork chop on a stick. Deep-fried bacon-wrapped pickle, Cinnamon rolls, Spicy sausage link on a French roll, Fried cheese curds, Deep-fried butter, Blooming onions

The rest have the willpower to stay away from fair food.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Buckhead:

1. Last month, we discussed MARTA dismissing light-rail transit for the Clifton Corridor project, based on savings. On Tuesday, we learned the City Council is asking MARTA to account for its use of new revenues. Its resolution also suggests that the city should handle the audit, not MARTA. Representatives from MARTA say the audit is “a stall tactic to delay work for political reasons.” (Patch, WSB-TV)
2. Atlanta Public Safety Training Center update: While protesters spent a lot of time in front of City Hall, Mayor Andre Dickens headed to the Boulder Walk neighborhood, which is close to the South River Forest green space and the site for the proposed training center. Monday’s walk showed that residents are well-informed and “supported several key elements of the site plans and green space that improves their quality of life.” (City of Atlanta)
3. Who are the groups of people at the Hilton Garden Inn? They’re most likely participants in the Sickle Cell Consortium’s 7th Annual Leadership Summit. The event runs from March 23 to 27, and participants include “experts, advocates, and leaders from the sickle cell disease (SCD) community.” If you’re affected by the condition, consider attending. It’s open to the public. (Digital Journal)
4. Are you a picklehead? If so, you might be familiar with PCKL, a company that specializes in pickleball gear. (Did you know that its Executive Chairman A. Mistry and President and Chief Executive Officer M Gottfried live in Buckhead?) Their company is the “official ball partner of both the Amateur Pickleball Association (APA) and the Southern Pickleball Association (SPA).” (PCKL, Hypepotamus)
5. If you’re a vinyl aficionado who knows that some recordings just sound best on records, you can read about local rock history. Music journalist Chad Radford penned “Atlanta Record Stores: An Oral History.” Coming out this month, the book recalls the history of Fantasyland at 360 Pharr Road Northeast, which began in 1976 and is still going strong. It also critically examines the venues we lost, such as The Great Southeast Music Hall at 2581 Piedmont Road Northeast, which is now a parking lot. (Saporta Report)

📆 Today in Buckhead:

• Join the Home Depot Designer Tour at 3107 Peachtree Rd NE (9 AM)
• It's StoryTime at the Northside Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• Local Three in Buckhead hosts the Gent's Lunch benefiting the High Museum Wine Auction (11:30 AM)
• Come to the Braves Country Podcast Live at Smith's Olde Bar (7 PM)
• Win prizes at Fado's Pub Quiz with Dirty South Trivia (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We are committed to helping our city’s creative industry thrive. Last week, the City of Atlanta Government awarded more than $700,000 in grants to 125 independent content creators & creative entrepreneurs." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "We wish those who celebrate a Happy Naw-Rúz. May this time of renewal bring you happiness and joy." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "Spring Into Safety with APD at Our Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training. Citywide Neighborhood Watch Training is being hosted by the Crime Prevention Unit to be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9:00am - 1:00pm. 226 Peachtree St SW." (City of Atlanta Police Department via Facebook)
• "Atlanta's first jail was a 12-foot square, windowless building made of rough-hewn logs. It had one doorway, which was secured from the outside by a brass lock and key. But Atlanta soon learned you can't operate a jail on the honor system." (Buckhead Heritage Society via Facebook)
• "Need to get away and spend quality time with your family without going too far? Y Family Retreats offer a great way for families to disconnect from everyday stresses and reconnect with each other on the beautiful Lake Allatoona, or Lake Burton." (Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead via Facebook)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Buckhead?

• Median Listing Home Price $715K
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $340
• Median Sold Home Price $435K
• Check out more Buckhead real estate information!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Gent's Lunch - A Benefit for the High Museum Wine Auction (March 22)
• High Revelry, a benefit for the High Museum Wine Auction (March 23)
• Angela Davis @ the 20th Annual Walter Rodney Symposium (March 24)
• Viernes Tropicales Latin Night Atlanta @ Sanctuary Night Club - Bonus Hustle/top 40s (March 24)
• 3hr Bachata Boot camp Atlanta @ HDC Dance & Fitness, Sat March 25, 2023 (March 25)
• John Stango Solo Artist Show (March 25)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at Buckhead@Patch.com