🌱 Jump Start Gym Signs Lease In Sandy Springs + Upcoming Road Closure

Morning, friends! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Sunshine. High: 87 Low: 66.
• Sunday: A t-storm or two; not as warm. High: 79 Low: 67.

Here are the top three stories in Sandy Springs today:

1. Jump Start Gym, the sole respondent to Sandy Springs' request for proposals, has signed a lease to operate gymnastics at Hammond Park Gym for up to five years, starting on Aug. 1. In addition to a monthly payment of $5,000 and nearly $4,000 for utilities, the new contractor will offer financial assistance to 20 percent of its participants, according to Michael Perry, director of Recreation and Parks. Despite concerns about the facility's condition, repairs have been made, and the city's facilities department will continue to monitor its status regularly while considering a potential demolition in the next five years as part of a master plan for the site. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
2. Sandy Springs residents should take note of upcoming traffic impacts on Mt Vernon Highway between Roswell Road and Boylston Road from Wednesday, Jun. 14, to Saturday, Jun. 17. The road will be fully closed overnight on Wednesday and Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., and on Friday from 10:00 p.m. to Saturday at 5:00 a.m. There will also be intermittent daytime lane closures on Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The roadwork is being conducted for the construction of Veterans Park, and while the closures are in effect, businesses along Mt Vernon Highway will still be accessible. (Sandy Springs Police via Facebook)
3. An Atlanta-native rapper's foundation, Future's Freewishes Foundation, has opened a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) lab in Atlanta to support marginalized students pursuing careers in STEM fields and bridge the educational gap in technology and science. Freewishes Foundation's S.T.E.A.M. lab, in partnership with the 2K Foundation, aims to provide equal access to STEM education for all students, irrespective of their backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of innovative learning opportunities in a technology-driven world. The lab, located in Bessie Branham Park in the Kirkwood area (about 20 miles from Sandy Springs) near Future's hometown, also incorporates art to promote creativity and ensure inclusive and high-quality education for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. To register, click here. (WSB Atlanta)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Sandy Springs:

Saturday, June 10

• Trail Blazers Guided Walk At Ridgeview Park (8:30 AM)

Sunday, June 11

• Corey Holcomb At Atlanta Comedy Theater [Norcross] (7:00 PM)
• Live Dinner Music With Barbria DeAnne At The Gaslight [Roswell] (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Georgia Department of Drivers Services introduced the Georgia Digital Driver's License and ID on Apple Wallet, enabling users to store their Georgia driver's license or state ID on their iPhone or Apple Watch for convenient and secure access at TSA checkpoints. However, a physical copy of the driver's license is still mandatory while driving in Georgia, so ensure you have it with you for compliance and safety reasons. (Sandy Springs Police via Facebook)
• In nearby Underwood Hills (about 30 minutes from Sandy Springs), Second Self Beer Co. will be closing its doors on Jun. 17. According to co-owner Jason Santamaria, the brewery was unable to rebound to its pre-pandemic revenue levels. (Eater Atlanta)
• The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber will host a grand opening celebration on Monday, Jun. 12, at 11:00 a.m. for WaterWalk Atlanta - Perimeter Center at 6096 Barfield Road in Sandy Springs. The event is free to attend and light refreshments will be served. (Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek