December 2016
Features
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Best of Atlanta 2016
It’s that time of year again, when we bring you our guide to the best the city has to offer. After months of research, our team of testers arrived at the winners featured here, which include everything from the friendliest bike repair shop to the coziest first date to the toughtest new workout.
Police never found who shot and raped Susan Schuenemann, but she hopes science might
For years, Susan lived with a hyperawareness of her surroundings, an obsession with safety. A slamming door would bring her back to the sound of the gunshot and that fetid crawl space. She would wake from a nightmare, heart pounding, listening for unexpected sounds in the house.
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The Connector
5 things to know about the City Springs development in Sandy Springs
When the Fulton County city was incorporated in 2005, officials quickly pinpointed a 15-acre parcel at Roswell Road and Mount Vernon Highway as prime real estate for a new city center.
At 50, Foxfire has a new generation of fans
When Foxfire published its first book in 1972, the volume went through three printings and became a New York Times bestseller in just one month. Embraced by the era’s back-to-the-land enthusiasts (not unlike today’s maker movement), Foxfire became a phenomenon, inspiring bestselling books and a Tony-winning play.
Into the Spotlight: Forgotten African American films finally get national recognition
Metro Atlantan Bret Wood’s most recent project—Pioneers of African-American Cinema, a five-DVD box set released in July—has been such a welcome surprise, garnering a resume’s worth of superlatives from such publications as the New Yorker and the New York Times.
A new installation at Atlanta’s airport transports visitors to a fantasy forest
The recently debuted Flight Paths is a permanent installation that puts travelers under a stylized tree canopy, complete with bird calls, cricket chirps, and a simulated thunderstorm.
Tiny houses—or at least very small ones—are coming to metro Atlanta
“It’s really about intentional living, intentional community, less space, more life,” says Will Johnston, 36, founder and executive director of Tiny House Atlanta, an education and advocacy group, and a consultant to the developer Tiny South. “Less footprint, less stuff.”
The Agenda
Atlanta Ballet dancer John Welker looks back at his 20-year career
After two decades with the Atlanta Ballet, principal dancer John Welker is pivoting to a new role.
Deck the paws at the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Reindog Parade
Each year since 2008, pooches have participated in the Reindog Parade—the only day of the year that pets can set paw inside the garden—to compete for awards like best dog-owner dress-alike or best botanical (picture a pup disguised as a poinsettia).
6 things you’ll find at the Atlanta in 50 Objects exhibition
If you were to choose a single object or idea to represent the city of Atlanta, what would it be? Two years ago, the Atlanta History Center posed this question to visitors, school groups, and the general public, inviting the community to help curate its exhibition Atlanta in 50 Objects.
Marietta’s Pilgrimage vs. Madison’s Holiday Tour of Homes
Marietta marks a milestone this year with the 30th incarnation of the Pilgrimage, a yuletide showcase of the city’s most beautifully preserved historic homes. But an hour east of Atlanta, the picturesque town of Madison has been in the holiday home tour business even longer.
Atlanta Ballet begins a new act under artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin
As the Atlanta Ballet’s first new artistic director in two decades, Nedvigin enters at a pivotal point in the organization’s 87-year history. Infrastructure is strong. Dancers show remarkable versatility. The company culture, based on individual creativity and collaboration, gives its performers a unique radiance onstage. Now it’s Nedvigin’s task to take the company to new heights.
From Radiohead to James Brown, ATL Collective re-creates iconic albums in concert
In an era when you can hear any song by any artist in any order you choose, does anyone have the patience to listen to an entire album, front to back, without interruption? Songwriter and musician Micah Dalton says yes.
The Bite
How to make Star Provisions shortbread cookies
This time of year, shortbread cookies at Star Provisions come dressed for the season—as snowflakes, Christmas trees, and whatever else pastry chef Zibaa Sammander might dream up for this versatile, durable dough.
Why you can’t find a six-pack of Tropicália anywhere
Every 10 days or so, a few cases of Tropicália—a hoppy, citrusy IPA made by Creature Comforts—arrive at Ale Yeah in Decatur. From there, it’s moved promptly to the back of the store, out of reach and view of customers. Doesn’t matter, though; by day’s end, it’s sold out, bought by customers who know enough to ask for it.
5 holiday-themed foodie festivities in Atlanta
Roast marshmallows at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, drink hot cocoa at the St. Regis’s skating rink, and more.
Impress holiday guests at Bonanza, Kimball House’s new private dining space
Bonanza isn’t just the title of the 1960s television series with Michael Landon as “Little Joe.” It’s also the name of the 600-square-foot private dining room inside Decatur’s popular Kimball House restaurant.
Commentary: When it comes to dining, Atlanta should look inward
Atlanta is a city that looks outward far more than inward, or even nearby. Outward, say, to the Lower East Side (the General Muir’s pastrami), or to China (Gu’s Dumplings), or to France (Bread & Butterfly’s tender, airy omelets). With the glorious exception of Ryan Smith at Staplehouse, I didn’t find a posse of young, or youngish, chefs all cooking as much for each other as for the public. The priority in Atlanta is less innovation based on local ingredients, as at Staplehouse, than finding a formula that works and then pumping out food to fit it. This makes for generous, untweezed food. But it also means food that, once successful, can become rote.
Lolli and Pops is a whimsical candy land
Like a mashup of Harry Potter’s and Willy Wonka’s respective worlds, Lolli and Pops at Perimeter Mall is pure, sweet magic.
The Christiane Chronicles: A good meal is worth a wait
While the warnings of “must be ordered an hour ahead” or “takes 45 minutes” on dishes like risotto or whole-roasted chicken may turn off many a diner, I adore that fine print.
The Goods
Atlanta Gift Guide 2016
Searching for a perfect gift this holiday season and want to shop local? Our guide to great gifts for him, her, and kids—all either made in Atlanta or sold in local shops.
Giving back: 3 Atlanta do-good organizations to donate to
Get in the holiday spirit by donating to these three local charities.
3 new Buckhead blowdry spots
Chairs fill up fast at Atlanta’s blowdry bars; come holiday season, you’re lucky to land an appointment. Here, three new Buckhead spots to try.
Five reasons to love Marietta
The original 1835 layout of Marietta Square was modeled after squares in Savannah, with grid-like streets converging at a tree-shaded, bench-lined oasis
Old-school tradition meets modern amenities in this Sandy Springs home bar
Features include a television, a built-in kegerator, and (of course) plenty of spirits. “There’s even a secret door behind the bar that leads to a hidden golf simulator and media room,” says interior designer Karen Ferguson of Harrison Design Associates.
Spin City: Indoor cycling has taken over Atlanta
Boutique cycling studios have been rolling into town like mad. Here’s an overview of the local clip-in craze.
Miscellaneous
Editor’s Note: Change is Afoot
A few months ago our brilliant young food editor, Evan Mah, left us to join the wine empire of James Suckling. I’m happy to announce that as of early November, Julia Bainbridge is our new food editor.
One Square Mile: Hooping to the beat
By day, 73-year-old Joyce Walters handles finances for a Buford church, and though her preacher has ribbed her for it, Walters never misses Hooplovers Hula Sculpt on Tuesday.
