Celebrating 20 years
Dec. 12 — Rough Draft is celebrating Sandy Springs’ 20th anniversary with a special edition of the Sandy Springs Reporter. You can find a copy of the print issue at many of your favorite Sandy Springs businesses, or check out the electronic version here. We are also featuring articles from the anniversary issue in our weekly newsletter over the next several weeks, starting today.
But first, here are some local headlines…
🚨 Atlanta News First reports a Sandy Springs man has been arrested and charged with racketeering in a drug trafficking investigation after the GBI seized more than 400 pounds of suspected marijuana and other items earlier this month.
🦈 Sandy Springs resident Kate Stice Stewart was on ABC’s “Shark Tank” this week hoping to get an investor for her Bauble Stockings. Find out how she did.
🌮 El Azteca is celebrating 45 years on Roswell Road, and this Mexican restaurant staple is still going strong.
💎 Lauderhill’s Fine Jewelry is a family-owned business that has served Sandy Springs residents for more than 43 years. Read more about its history.
SANDY SPRINGS SNAPSHOT: Young participants in last weekend’s Sparkle Sandy Springs annual parade.
🙋🏻♀️ We would love to hear your thoughts on topics you would like us to include in your weekly Sandy Springs newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
The Rough Draft team
✨ Join Brendan Murphy, Director of the Bearing Witness Institute, for a three-part series exploring Jewish–Christian relations—from early antisemitism to the Holocaust and modern reconciliation. Featuring survivor George Rishfeld, this program deepens understanding and strengthens our shared moral responsibility. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Sandy Springs @ 20
SPONSORED BYMWT WINDOWS
🏙️ Sandy Springs’ long journey to cityhood: Businessman, author, and entrepreneur Oliver Porter played an instrumental role in the lobbying, cityhood, and structure of Sandy Springs’ city government more than two decades ago.
Located just north of the Perimeter, Sandy Springs has roots dating back to the 1800s when Native Americans frequented the area’s bubbling springs. Known as one of the first cities to follow a public-private partnership model, today the city boasts a population of 106,000, 950 acres of parks and green space, and a bustling arts-and-dining scene.
Porter was front and center when Eva Galambos, known as the mother of Sandy Springs, Tibby DeJulio (later a city council member), Leadership Perimeter’s Carolyn Axt, and others led a drive to the Georgia State Capitol with the idea that they could be better served as their own entity.
👉🏼 Read more about Sandy Springs’ journey to becoming a city.
ALSO
📌 Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, who was recently elected to his fourth term, shares his plans to build on the momentum he helped create for the city.
✔️ Check out our website for more stories on Sandy Springs celebrating 20 years.
Online coverage of Sandy Springs @ 20 is sponsored byMWT Windows.Get a free consultation today!
Join our January–February series on the history of Jewish–Christian relations
SPONSORED BY BEARING WITNESS INSTITUTE AT MARIST SCHOOL
📜 From the roots of Christian antisemitism to the horrors of the Holocaust and the hopeful pathways of reconciliation today, participants will explore this complex story with clarity and compassion. The series includes an in-depth historical overview, a focused session on the Holocaust, and a moving testimony from survivor George Rishfeld.
✔️ All are welcome to deepen understanding and strengthen interfaith commitment.
GDOT opens new lane to ease traffic on I-285 westbound in Sandy Springs
🚗 Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) opened a new auxiliary lane on I-285 westbound between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive this week.
Drivers now have six travel lanes in operation between the Roswell Road on-ramp and Riverside Drive off-ramp. According to a news release, the auxiliary lane will help motorists merge more safely and reduce conflict points. It is expected to enhance traffic flow and improve operations on the I-285 general-purpose lanes.
The new lane is part of the larger I-285 Westbound Auxiliary Lane Extension project.
🦺 Read more about the project.
Beloved Peachtree Yoga teacher retires
🧘🏻♂️ On Dec. 11, Elizabeth Nix Smith, who was one of the first instructors at Peachtree Yoga Center in Sandy Springs, wished her students “blessings and love – namaste” for the last time.
Smith, whose gentle self-deprecating humor and ability to make yoga a comfortable and accessible practice for all – no matter their skill level – said it’s time for her to make room for the future generation of teachers.
“I’m ready to step aside from teaching and let the new crop of instructors to come through,” Smith said. “I’m stepping away from teaching, but not who I have become during these last 30 years.”
📍 Read more about Smith’s journey.
✨ Join Brendan Murphy, Director of the Bearing Witness Institute, for a three-part series exploring Jewish–Christian relations—from early antisemitism to the Holocaust and modern reconciliation. Featuring survivor George Rishfeld, this program deepens understanding and strengthens our shared moral responsibility. SPONSOR MESSAGE
What’s doin’ around Sandy Springs
🏀 Dec. 12:Holiday Hoops Challenge at Sandy Springs Middle School
🌈 Dec. 12:The Wizard of Oz at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center
🥂 Dec. 13:Minis & Mimosas Brunch Paint & Sip at Battle & Brew (Also Dec. 27)
🥳 Dec. 13: Center for Movement Challenges annual holiday party
🎅🏼 Dec. 13: Dunwoody Community Church Christmas Music Concert
🧸 Dec. 14:Pitmaster Santa Toy Drive at Pontoon Brewing Company
🎼 Dec. 14:The Music Class Holiday Ball at Temple Emanu-El
🕎 Dec. 19:Hanukkah Latke Dinner & Hanukiyah Lighting at Congregation Or Hadash
🗓️ Add your event to our free, online event calendar.
The Sports Section
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCORE ATLANTA
🏀 BOYS BASKETBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (7-2): Saturday vs. Campbell (3-1)
- Lovett (6-2): Friday vs. Cherokee Bluff (5-1); Saturday vs. South Gwinnett (5-3)
- Mt. Vernon (9-0): Monday vs. Marietta (4-3)
- North Springs (1-8): Friday vs. Lithonia (4-6); Saturday vs. Fellowship Christian (3-6)
- Pace Academy (2-4): Friday vs. Midtown (4-3); Saturday @ Westminster (7-0)
- Riverwood (2-6): Friday @ Creekview (4-5); Saturday vs. West Forsyth (5-2)
- Westminster (7-0): Friday @ Wesleyan (3-4); Saturday vs. Pace Academy (2-4)
🏀 GIRLS BASKETBALL
- Holy Innocents’ (4-3): Saturday vs. Milton (5-0)
- Lovett (5-3): Dec. 19 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven, NJ. (N/A)
- Mt. Vernon (0-6): Friday @ Chapel Hill (10-0)
- North Springs (0-6): Friday vs. Lithonia (5-4); Saturday vs. Fellowship Christian (7-2)
- Pace Academy (2-2): Friday vs. Midtown (4-2); Saturday @ Westminster (6-2)
- Riverwood (3-7): Friday @ Creekview (8-1)
- Westminster (6-2): Saturday vs. Pace Academy (2-2)
