🎨 Artsapalooza + MARTA's Big Switch

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What's up, neighbors!

Saturday morning we're sleeping in. No alarm, no plans, nothing happening until we're actually ready to move.

Once we peel ourselves off the couch we're heading to Murphey Candler Park for a walk on the Perimeter Trail. It's about two miles through real woods with creek crossings and footbridges over Nancy Creek, and most people don't realize something like that is sitting right on the Dunwoody line. The lake is drained for repairs right now, but go anyway because the wooded north side is the best part of the trail. Bring the dog, parking is free, and it's an easy way to earn the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday for us is Artsapalooza over on Lake Forrest Drive in Sandy Springs. 125 artists, food trucks, live music, and free to get in both days. We're going Sunday because at 2 PM they hide 10,000 eggs across the festival grounds for the Easter egg hunt, and if your kids want in on that you'll want to get there before noon and bring something to collect eggs in.

Full weekend planner is below, plus some local news worth a skim and a biryani spot on Roswell Road we finally got around to trying.

- Andrew

_{This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance}

Easter weekend means a house full of people, kids running through someone else's yard, and that trampoline you swore you'd never buy getting its first real workout of the season.

It's also when a lot of families start pulling out the outdoor stuff: trampolines, swing sets, fire pits, inflatable pools. And here's the thing most people don't think about: your homeowner's insurance has opinions about all of it.

A few things worth knowing before the backyard season really kicks off:

None of this is meant to scare you out of hosting Easter. It's meant to make sure your Saturday is fun and your Monday isn't stressful.

Peachy is Atlanta-based, licensed, and built to give you a straight answer without the runaround.

Get a coverage review and free quote today.

Visit peachyinsurance.com OR text/call us 404-600-1660 (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

6100 Lake Forrest Dr. NE, Sandy Springs
Saturday, April 4 - 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday, April 5 - 11 AM–5 PM
Free

Easter Sunday just got easier.

Artsapalooza is back this weekend for its 15th year, and Sunday is the day to go. Local artists. Food vendors. Live music. It's a real festival, not a parking lot with a bounce house and three sad booths. There's actually stuff to do from the minute you get there.

And then at 2 PM, they hide 10,000 eggs across the grounds. That's not a rounding error. TEN THOUSAND eggs. Free to join. No ticket, no sign-up, just show up and let the kids go.

Here's what makes this work as a plan: you're not just driving somewhere for the egg hunt and killing time before it starts. The festival gives you two, three hours of stuff to do first. Browse the art, eat lunch, walk around. By the time 2 o'clock rolls around, you've already had a good day.

Get there before noon if you want a decent spot. It'll be a full crowd by then, especially with Easter Sunday bringing people out. But the grounds are open and easy to move around in, so it doesn't feel like you're wedged in.

No admission. No ticket fees. Nothing to buy unless you want to. For a full afternoon out, that's a DEAL. Put it on the calendar and go.

We've been meaning to put this one in the newsletter for a while. It's the place we end up when someone at the table can't make up their mind, because the menu is big enough that nobody walks away without something they actually wanted. Indian, Indo-Chinese, dosas, biryanis, a full vegetarian section. The inside is colorful and casual, the parking is easy off Roswell Road, and the takeout line moves.

Start with the chicken biryani. That's the obvious call and it earns it. Gobi Manchurian and Chicken 65 are what most people grab for appetizers and they're worth it. If you're going family style, add garlic naan and butter chicken and you've got a full table. They'll adjust the heat level if you ask, which matters if you've got kids or if you just don't want to suffer through your meal. Mango lassi is a good order either way.

Two things worth knowing before you go: they don't serve alcohol, and it gets loud when it's packed on a Friday night. If that matters to you, go earlier or just do takeout. The food travels well.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon–Thu 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Fri–Sun 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
Phone: (404) 255-5059

⚠️ Heads up: A few reviews flag food temperature issues, specifically dishes that came out cold in the middle. Seems to happen more during busy periods. Off-peak or takeout is the safer bet if consistency matters to you.

If you've ever handed a kid a paintbrush and immediately regretted it, imagine doing that on purpose, in a 9,000-square-foot room, for an hour, with nobody to clean up after you. That's basically the pitch.

The Splatter Studio on Roswell Road is an action painting experience, think Jackson Pollock, not a paint-by-numbers class.

You show up, they suit you up in a full Tyvek coverall, goggles, gloves, the whole thing, and then turn you loose with brushes, squirt bottles, paint blasters, and whatever technique feels right.

The floors, walls, and ceiling are all canvased. You walk out with your paintings boxed up and ready to hang.

It's owned by Howard Krinsky, who also runs Binders Art Supplies, and the staff are working Atlanta artists. They'll give you tips if you want them and leave you alone if you don't. Sessions run an hour and you can bring your own drinks. They offer themed nights, private parties, date nights, and a glow-in-the-dark experience that books up fast on weekends.

Walk-ins are welcome but booking ahead is smarter, especially on Saturdays. Ages 13 and up.

Price: $55 per person (standard session)
Hours:
Wed–Fri 2:00–8:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sun 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

MARTA officially launched its Better Breeze fare system on Saturday, March 28, replacing the decades-old Breeze card with a modern tap-to-pay setup. You can now pay your fare by tapping a credit or debit card, a phone, or a smartwatch directly at the faregate or bus validator. A new app and redesigned orange Breeze cards are also available at stations and at breezecard.com.

If you still have a balance on your old card or the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app, you have until May 2 to spend it down. Balance transfers open May 5 through October 30 for anyone who can't use up their remaining funds. Expect some construction zones and temporary entrances at rail stations through early May while the rollout continues.

Sources: Rough Draft Atlanta | MARTA

Dunwoody kicked off its annual paving season this week, with resurfacing now active across 32 streets covering 13.8 lane miles. The city is putting $2.75 million in SPLOST funds into the effort, with an additional $564,000 from the Georgia DOT through its Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant. Streets on the list include Jett Ferry Road, Mount Vernon Way, Chamblee Dunwoody Road, and Glaze Drive, among others.

If your commute or school drop-off gets louder or hits a detour in the coming weeks, this is why. The city's Public Works Director noted that over 90% of Dunwoody streets are now in fair or better condition, and pavement repair costs have been cut in half since the paving program launched. Updates on specific streets are posted at dunwoodyga.gov/paving.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Sandy Springs City Council voted unanimously on March 17 to back a citizen referendum that would give the city new tools to drive redevelopment, including the ability to create tax allocation districts (TADs). If the supporting state legislation clears the General Assembly and voters approve it in November, the city could redirect future property tax growth in targeted areas toward infrastructure improvements and development incentives, without raising anyone's taxes.

The North End along Roswell Road is the primary area on the city's radar, where commercial vacancies and below-average rents have stalled redevelopment conversations for years. Nothing is final yet — the bill still needs to pass both chambers in Atlanta before voters weigh in.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Sandy Springs is taking applications for its 2026 Eco-Stewardship Program, a free monthly field course that trains residents to restore and protect local urban forests and green spaces. Sessions run one Saturday a month from April 25 through December 18, led by master naturalist Kathryn Kolb of EcoAddendum. Participants learn native plant ID, invasive species removal, and forest restoration, then go on to lead their own volunteer efforts.

The program is free for adults and older teens, but space is limited. If you or someone in your family is into the outdoors and wants structured, hands-on conservation work close to home, this is worth a look. Apply at spr.gs/ecosteward.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Orange cats have a reputation of being lovers, and Eugene is a living embodiment of that. He's about 7 years old, fully neutered and vaccinated, and living with Three Paws Rescue in Chamblee while he waits for someone patient enough to earn his trust.

He's shy at first. He will absolutely disappear on you the moment you walk in. But if you give him time and space, he'll start doing laps around you, quietly closing the distance until he's close enough to let you pet him. Once he decides you're his person, he'll be purring in your lap and making biscuits before you even realize what happened.

He does have some special needs, so reaching out to Three Paws Rescue directly is the right first step to understand what that looks like day to day. He's not a fan of being picked up on your schedule, so he'd do best in a calm household where he can come to you. He's fine with other cats and dogs, which helps.

Getting started is easy. Submit an inquiry on his Petfinder page and Three Paws will take it from there.

🐰 Photos with the Bunny - Perimeter Mall (4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30346) | Various times (15-min slots; walk-ups welcome) | Photo packages available | More: Learn more
Good if you want to knock out Bunny pics before the weekend rush.

🎬 Food & Film Fridays - Pontoon Brewing (8601 Dunwoody Pl, Suite 500, Sandy Springs, GA 30350) | 5:00–9:00 PM | Free admission | More: Learn more
Outdoor double-feature movie night (one family-friendly, one adult) plus rotating food trucks, 10+ local artisans, yard games, and 15+ craft beers on tap. All ages, dog-friendly.

🎵 Friday Night Live at The Forum - The Forum (5155 Peachtree Pkwy, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092) | ~5:30–7:30 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Weekly live music on The Plaza with local artists and a pop-up bar. Bring lawn chairs.

🐼 Panda Fest (Opening Night) - Atlantic Station Pinnacle Lot (221 20th St, Atlanta, GA 30363) | 4:00 PM–10:00 PM | Tickets required | More: Learn more
Food vendors + performances. Kids under 6 get in free; ages 6 and up need a ticket.

🛍️ DHA Farmers Market - Brook Run Park (4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30360) | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Easy morning outing with snacks, coffee, and room for kids to move.

🥕 Sandy Springs Farmers Market (Season Opener) - City Green at City Springs (1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328) | 8:30 AM–12:30 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Opening day for the 2026 season. Local farmers, artisan foods, baked goods, and live music. Rain or shine.

🐰 Bunny Hop at The Forum - The Forum (5155 Peachtree Pkwy, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092) | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | $5 per ticket (egg hunt + priority Bunny photo); free activities for walk-ups | More: Learn more
Age-separated egg hunts, bounce house, airbrush tattoos, mimosa/OJ bar, live DJ. One of the biggest Easter events in Peachtree Corners.

🧺 Community Easter Egg Hunt - Dunwoody Baptist Church (1445 Mt. Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338) | Starting at 10:00 AM | Free | More: Learn more
Staggered hunts by age group — arrive early to get settled before the first wave goes off.

🎨 Sandy Springs Artsapalooza (Day 1) - 6100 Lake Forrest Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Great for browsing art booths and grabbing lunch from vendors.

🐣 Brookhaven Easter Egg Hunt - Blackburn Park (3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Brookhaven, GA 30319) | 11:00 AM | Free (no registration) | More: Learn more
Light breakfast, age-separated hunts (3 and under, 4–6, 7+), meet Peter Rabbit, face painting, and crafts. Pets can pose with the Easter Bunny at the dog park after.

🐞 Free First Saturday: Pollinator Power! - Dunwoody Nature Center (5343 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338) | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Educator-led program on bees, butterflies, and the creatures that keep things blooming. Good for younger kids.

🐰 High Street Hops on The Green (Easter) - High Street (101 High St, Atlanta, GA 30346) | 1:00–3:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Interactive egg hunt (BYOB basket, collect 10 eggs for a gift), roaming Easter Bunny photos, face painting, lawn games, and live music. First 100 guests at the concierge get a surprise sweet treat.

🎬 Flicks on the Green: Peter Pan - Peachtree Corners Town Green (5140 Town Center Blvd, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092) | 7:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Outdoor movie screening under the stars. Free parking in Town Center lots and parking deck.

🎨 Sandy Springs Artsapalooza (Day 2) + 2 PM Egg Hunt - 6100 Lake Forrest Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Plan to arrive before 2 PM if your kids want the egg hunt — 10,000+ eggs hidden across the festival grounds.

🐼 Panda Fest (Day 3) - Atlantic Station Pinnacle Lot (221 20th St, Atlanta, GA 30363) | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Tickets required | More: Learn more
Go earlier to avoid the heaviest crowds.

🏺 Adult Clay Class (Fairy House Workshop) - Dunwoody Nature Center (5343 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338) | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | $50 | More: Learn more
Hands-on and ends early enough for a normal bedtime.

🌸 Orchid Daze: Living Canvas - Atlanta Botanical Garden (1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) | During Garden hours | Tickets required | More: Learn more
A calm, pretty option if you want a slower pace.

🎤 Feel Good Fridays - Cigar City Club (5006 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30342) | 9:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Learn more
Live soulful performances by MarQ Soul, curated DJ sets, premium cocktails, and cigar-lounge atmosphere. Grown-and-sexy energy.

🎷 KUSH (Vennie Kush) - The Velvet Note (4075 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005) | 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM | $40 | More: Learn more
Genre-blending fusion of R&B, hip-hop, soul, and Afro-percussion. Intimate listening room about 20 minutes north.

🎲 Dungeons & Drafts: TTRPG Saturday - Battle & Brew (5920 Roswell Rd Suite A-120, Sandy Springs, GA 30328) | 12:30 PM–5:00 PM | TBD | More: Learn more
A structured hang if you want something more than dinner and drinks.

🎭 Steel Magnolias (Opening Night) - Stage Door Theatre (5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338) | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | More: Learn more
Opening night of Robert Harling's classic, directed by Jaclyn Hofmann with an all-female production team. Runs through April 19. Ages 12+. About 2 hours with intermission.

🎷 Playing the Cool — Jazz - The Velvet Note (4075 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005) | 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM | $42 | More: Learn more
Cool jazz featuring saxophonist Mike Jones, drummer Lil' John Roberts, bassist Joel Powell, and keyboard maestro Phil Davis. Intimate listening room.

🌸 Orchid Daze: Living Canvas - Atlanta Botanical Garden (1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) | During Garden hours | Tickets required | More: Learn more
Works well as a quieter, uncrowded Sunday plan.

🎭 Steel Magnolias (Sunday Matinee) - Stage Door Theatre (5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338) | 2:30 PM | Ticketed | More: Learn more
A solid Easter afternoon plan if you want something after brunch that isn't another egg hunt.

🎷 The Gospel of Jazz — Easter Sunday - The Velvet Note (4075 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005) | 2:00–5:00 PM | $30 (dinner included) | More: Learn more
Gospel songs reimagined through jazz. Special Easter afternoon performance with dinner.

🀄 Mahjong Social: Riichi - Battle & Brew (5920 Roswell Rd Suite A-120, Sandy Springs, GA 30328) | 12:00–5:00 PM | Free | More: Learn more
Monthly first-Sunday event in partnership with the Atlanta Riichi Club. Beginners welcome.

🥂 Parkwoods Easter Brunch - Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, Dunwoody | 11:00 AM–2:30 PM | Reservation required | More: Learn more
Bountiful buffet with action stations, carving corner, chilled seafood, live jazz, and a kids' egg hunt. One of the area's most upscale options.

One of the best free options for getting everyone outside is the Perimeter Trail at Murphey Candler Park, a roughly 2-mile loop through 135 acres of shaded forest, creek crossings, and wooded wetlands.

It works for all ages: stroller walks, scooters, a light jog, or a slow lap with the dog.

Worth knowing before you go: the lake is currently drained while the city completes repair and dredging work, so don't expect water views on this visit.

The trail is still worth it.

The wooded north side feels like a real nature walk, with footbridges over Nancy Creek and marsh sections that most people don't expect to find this close to I-285.

Parking is free across multiple lots off West Nancy Creek Drive. The main lot near the ball fields is the easiest place to start.

April is when north Georgia's severe weather really picks up. Hail, straight-line winds, fallen trees, tornado warnings, it all tends to cluster in the next eight weeks. And the single best thing you can do for yourself right now takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing.

Walk through your house and record everything.

Open your phone camera and do a slow lap. Hit every room, every closet, the garage, the attic. Get your appliances, electronics, furniture, anything you'd need to replace. Then go outside: roof line, siding, gutters, fence, deck, HVAC unit, cars in the driveway. Upload the video to Google Drive or iCloud so it's not just sitting on the phone that might get damaged.

This is what adjusters call a "pre-loss inventory," and it is the difference between a smooth claim and a months-long argument about what you owned.

A few more things worth doing this week:

1. Know your wind/hail deductible. In Georgia, many homeowner's policies have a separate, percentage-based deductible for wind and hail. Often 1% to 2% of your dwelling coverage. On a $500K home, that's $5,000 to $10,000 out of pocket before your policy kicks in. If you don't know your number, look it up now so it's not a surprise at the worst possible time.

2. Trim what's hanging over your roof. Dead limbs and overhanging branches are the number one source of storm damage claims in our area. If a dead tree on your property falls on your house, your policy generally covers it. If a healthy tree falls, same thing. But if an insurer can show you ignored a known hazard, it gets complicated. A few hundred dollars on a tree service now can save you a five-figure headache later.

3. Check your sump pump and backup. If your home has a basement or crawl space, confirm the sump pump runs when you pour water into the pit. Battery backups die quietly. Test yours. Standard homeowner's policies usually don't cover flooding from backed-up pumps unless you've added that endorsement specifically.

Not sure what your wind/hail deductible actually is? Peachy can pull your declarations page and walk you through it in 10 minutes. No runaround, no pressure.

Learn more: peachyinsurance.com | Call 404-600-1660 (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)

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