A burger, a bridge, and Pink Floyd

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What's up, neighbors!

The World Cup circus finally packed up and left town, and I will be honest, the quiet feels pretty good. Back to a normal, although possibly wet, summer weekend around here, and we have a good one lined up.

Sunday night is the headliner. The Australian Pink Floyd Show rolls into Chastain, and if you have never caught these guys, they run the whole catalog note for note with a light show that turns the amphitheater into a spaceship. Pack a picnic, pour a glass of wine, and let "Comfortably Numb" roll over you under the trees.

Want dinner first? We finally have to talk about HAVEN over in Brookhaven. Twenty-two years on Dresden, a burger people genuinely argue about, and a garden patio worth the valet line.

We also wandered into Kazoo Toys in Buckhead this week and walked out with a birthday gift. And say hi to Jaga, a young tuxedo cat who survived being abandoned in a park and somehow still turned out sweet.

Scroll down for the full July 24 to 26 lineup, a new Emory-funded bridge headed to Brookhaven, and a Sandy Springs showcase worth a guess.

- Andrew

When was the last time you actually looked at your homeowners policy?

For most folks in Atlanta and the Outside the Perimeter area, the honest answer is "when we bought the house." Which would be fine, except home values around here are up $150K to $200K+ since 2020. If your policy hasn't kept up, your dwelling limit is probably short of what it would actually cost to rebuild today. That gap won't show up on your bill. It only shows up when you file a claim, which is the worst time to find out.

Peachy Insurance is Atlanta-based and built to make this kind of check painless. No call center, no upselling, no runaround. Just a licensed local agent who looks at your full picture and gives you a straight answer on where you stand.

Three things worth a quick look while it's on your mind:

Takes about 5 minutes. Free, no pressure.

Get a free coverage review OR text/call 770-520-7095 (Mon-Fri, closed weekends)

Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
4469 Stella Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Sunday, July 26
8:00 PM (doors 6:30 PM)
Ticketed | parking $30
See the Show’s Details

Plenty of tribute bands play the songs. The Australian Pink Floyd Show rebuilds the entire experience. These guys have been at it for more than 30 years, they have sold over five million tickets worldwide, and David Gilmour himself once hired them to play his birthday party. That is the resume.

Here is what you actually get. The classic Floyd catalog note for note, "Wish You Were Here," "Money," "Comfortably Numb," all of it, wrapped in a laser and light show that turns Chastain into something close to the real arena production.

And Chastain is the right room for it. It is the picnic-and-wine amphitheater, so bring a spread, pour a glass, and settle in under the summer sky. Most sections let you bring coolers and outside food and drink, since it is a table show. Just confirm what your specific ticket allows before you pack up.

Two heads-ups: it is a cashless, clear-bag venue, and Chastain traffic is real, so give yourself extra time and plan for the $30 parking. Get there early, spread out the blanket, and let the sun go down.

Then hang on for "Comfortably Numb." You will feel it in your chest.

This is the Brookhaven place you pick when the night actually matters. A birthday. An anniversary. The dinner where you want to impress somebody and not think about it. HAVEN has anchored Dresden Drive for more than 22 years, and it pulls off that rare combination of refined and warm, a real neighborhood room that still knows how to put on a show.

Ask around and the same two dishes come up every time. The HAVEN Burger, which people will genuinely argue is one of the best in the area, and the roasted Green Circle chicken, which one regular swore was so moist it fell apart on the fork. Start with the grilled artichoke or Timmy's BBQ shrimp and you are already ahead.

And if a fancy dinner is not in the cards, brunch is great. Come Saturday or Sunday morning for the eggs Benedict and a seat on the garden patio. Just know the basics before you drive over: closed Mondays, dinner does not start until 5, and valet is the easy call for parking.

Price: $$$
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue-Thu 11:30 AM-3 PM & 5-9 PM
Fri 11:30 AM-3 PM & 5-10 PM
Sat brunch 10 AM-3 PM & dinner 5-10 PM
Sun brunch 10 AM-3 PM & dinner 5-9 PM
Website

Every parent hits the same wall. A birthday party starts in three hours, you have no gift, and you cannot face one more lap around the big-box aisle of plastic. Kazoo Toys is the fix for that exact panic, and it has been since 2012.

Tucked into Powers Ferry Square right on the Buckhead and Sandy Springs line, Kazoo is a family-owned specialty toy shop with one of the deepest curated selections around, toys, games, puzzles, and books for babies on up through the middle-school crowd, plus plenty for kids with special needs. It even took home Business of the Year from the Buckhead Business Association back in 2016.

But here is what people actually rave about. The staff. Tell them the age and a little about the kid, and they walk you straight to the right thing, then gift wrap it while you wait. Do the prices run a little above the big stores? Sure. You are paying for stuff you will not see everywhere else, and for never showing up to a party empty-handed. Worth it.

Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 11 AM-3 PM
Website

6 beds
7 Baths
9,433 sq ft
2.2 acre lot

A) $1,395,000

B) $1,595,000

C) $1,750,000

D) $1,950,000

On July 14, the Brookhaven City Council signed off on a deal with Emory University to fund a new pedestrian and bike bridge over Interstate 85, connecting the Peachtree Creek Greenway to Emory's Executive Park and DeKalb County's growing trail network.

Here is the part that matters for your wallet: Emory is putting in $15.8 million through payments over 10 years, and city leaders say no residential property taxes go toward the design or construction.

Once it is up, the bridge ties the greenway into PATH400, the DeKalb trail network, and eventually the BeltLine. Final design is not expected until late 2027, with construction likely starting in 2028, so this is a long game. Worth tracking now, though. A walkable connection like this quietly moves property values and changes daily life up and down the corridor.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

The old Walmart at Perimeter Village has sat dark long enough to turn into a genuine eyesore, and Kroger wants to fix that.

At the July 13 council meeting, Dunwoody held a public hearing on the variances and special-use permit Kroger needs to move in, including a drive-thru pharmacy and a gas station. The plan fills about 166,000 square feet, with the landlord shopping the rest of the space.

Here is where it got interesting. Neighbors over in Ashford Chase said they want the store but asked the city to tighten the delivery hours, and the mayor and council pushed Kroger to narrow that window. Staff recommended approval with conditions, so now it heads back for a second read. If a full grocery anchor with a pharmacy and fuel on that corner sits on your daily loop, watch the next agenda.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

At that same July 14 meeting, Brookhaven accepted a donation of about six acres at 1578 Lenox Overlook Road to turn into a public park. In a city that lands near the bottom of metro Atlanta for green space per resident, six free acres is a real win, and it costs taxpayers nothing to pick up.

No design, no timeline yet. That is actually the good news, because it means there is still time to tell the city what you want out of it, whether that is trails, a playground, or just the trees left where they are. That same meeting also saw District 2 Council Member Jen Owens step down after a move to Chamblee, with Planning Commission chair Conor Sen sworn in to hold the seat until a November special election.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Jaga has packed more into one year than most cats see in fifteen, and somehow she came out the other side sweet. Someone abandoned her in a park, zipped inside a carrier, with four kittens depending on her. She protected them. She nursed them. Then she took in five more orphaned kittens on top of that. Nine babies at once, and she raised every single one.

Now it is her turn. She is a young tuxedo, just over a year old, and the rescue calls her playful, social, and affectionate. She warms up on her own clock, so give her a minute, and once she decides she trusts you it is all purrs, head-bumps, and follow-you-around attention.

She is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and litter-box trained, and she is good with kids. The rescue has not tested her with dogs or other cats yet, so bring that up early if you have a full house.

Jaga is with Catz 4 Life, a foster-based rescue out of Sandy Springs, so there is no shelter lobby to visit. Start with the online application through her listing and they will set up a meet from there. The adoption fee is $150.

🎭 American Tall Tales - Center for Puppetry Arts | 1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA | 10 AM & 12 PM | $19 child / $25 adult | More: puppet.org
A foot-stomping puppet retelling of Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill, perfect for the elementary crowd.

🦕 Dino Talk - Fernbank Museum | 767 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | 2 PM-2:30 PM | Included with admission | More: fernbankmuseum.org
A quick guided talk under the museum's giant dinosaur skeletons.

🦋 Butterfly Encounter - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA | 10 AM-5 PM | Included with admission ($14-$20) | More: chattnaturecenter.org
Walk into the flight house and native butterflies drift right past you.

🧱 LEGO Discovery Center - Phipps Plaza | 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | From 10 AM | Ticketed | More: legodiscoverycenter.com
Indoor build zones and rides, air-conditioned and easy on a hot day.

💦 City Springs Splash Pad - City Green | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA | 9 AM-10 PM | Free | More: citysprings.com
Push the button, the jets fire, the kids cool off. Free.

🐑 Smith Farm - Atlanta History Center | 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA | Museum hours | Included with admission | More: atlantahistorycenter.com
An 1860s living-history farm with goats, sheep, and costumed interpreters.

🎨 Greene Family Learning Gallery - High Museum of Art | 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA | Museum hours | General admission | More: high.org
Hands-on creative-play galleries built for kids from infants to age 8.

🥬 Sandy Springs Farmers Market - City Green | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA | 8:30 AM-12:30 PM | Free | More: citysprings.com
Local produce, bakers, and prepared food right next to the splash pad.

🥕 DHA Farmers Market - Brook Run Park | 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA | 9 AM-12 PM | Free | More: dunwoodyga.org
Thirty-plus vendors, live music, and a playground right there.

🌽 Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market - Roswell City Hall | 38 Hill St, Roswell, GA | 8:30 AM-12 PM | Free | More: downtownroswell.com
Produce and handmade goods under the oaks, steps from Canton Street.

🍅 Brookhaven Farmers Market - Blackburn Park | 1375 Fernwood Cir NE, Brookhaven, GA | 9 AM-12 PM | Free | More: brookhavenfarmersmarket.com
A friendly neighborhood market with produce, makers, and live music.

🌲 Family Nature Walk + Dino Talk - Fernbank Museum | 767 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | Walk 11:30 AM, Dino Talk 2 PM | Included with admission | More: fernbankmuseum.org
A ranger-led walk through Fernbank Forest plus a dinosaur talk in the Great Hall.

🦉 Guided Trail Walk + Creature Feature - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA | Walks 11 AM & 1 PM, Creature Feature 2 PM | Included with admission ($14-$20) | More: chattnaturecenter.org
A docent trail walk and a live animal meet-and-greet by the river.

🤖 Penguin Brothers Robotics Club - Fernbank Museum | 767 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | 10 AM-1 PM | Included with admission | More: fernbankmuseum.org
A hands-on STEAM lab where kids meet robotic animal friends.

🦌 Meet a Ranger + Live Animal Encounter - Fernbank Museum | 767 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | Ranger 11:30 AM, Animals 2 PM | Included with admission | More: fernbankmuseum.org
Talk with a forest ranger, then meet live animal ambassadors.

🎸 Tomahawk with Melvins - Buckhead Theatre | 3110 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | More: livenation.com
Tomahawk's first tour in 13 years, with alt-metal legends Melvins opening.

🎤 Dustin Ross (stand-up) - City Winery Atlanta | 650 North Ave NE, Atlanta, GA | Early & late shows | Ticketed | More: citywinery.com
A dinner-and-show comedy night in City Winery's seated room.

🎶 Spencer Thomas - From the Earth Brewing | 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA | 8-11 PM | Free | More: ftebrewing.com
Atlanta artist touring his new album, retro synths and fuzzed-out guitars.

🎹 Dueling Pianos - Morty's Meat and Supply | 5509 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA | 8-11 PM | Free, table minimum | More: mortysmeatandsupply.com
Shout out your requests and sing along at the rowdiest piano night in the Village.

🎵 Summer Fridays - Buckhead Village District | 3035 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | 4:30-8 PM | Free | More: buckheadvillagedistrict.com
Live music down Buckhead Avenue while you stroll and grab a bite.

🍺 Pontoon Brewing Taproom - Pontoon Brewing | 8601 Dunwoody Place, Sandy Springs, GA | 12-10 PM | Free entry | More: pontoonbrewing.com
Dog-friendly patio, rotating taps, no agenda. A reliable Friday hang.

🎷 Live Music at Block and Drum - Block and Drum | 5105 Peachtree Blvd, Chamblee, GA | 6:30 PM-late | Varies | More: blockanddrum.com
Craft spirits and live music make this Chamblee distillery a smooth night out.

💃 Noche Tropical at El Super Pan - The Battery Atlanta | 455 Legends Place SE, Atlanta, GA | 11 PM-2 AM | Free entry | More: batteryatl.com
DJ Luis Treviño spins salsa and bachata for the late-night crowd.

🎤 Eric Roberson - Buckhead Theatre | 3110 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA | 8 PM | Ticketed | More: livenation.com
Grammy-nominated independent R&B and soul singer-songwriter.

🎭 Moe Mitch: Therapy In Real Time - City Winery Atlanta | 650 North Ave NE, Atlanta, GA | 7 PM | Ticketed | More: citywinery.com
A comedy and variety show in the seated dinner room.

🎶 Trina Meade - From the Earth Brewing | 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA | 8-11 PM | Free | More: ftebrewing.com
A veteran Atlanta performer who has recorded with TLC, Babyface, and OutKast.

💃 Salsa Saturday with Atlanta Show Band - Gate City Brewing | 43 Magnolia St, Roswell, GA | 6:30-11 PM | Check venue | More: gatecitybrewingcompany.com
Live music and salsa dancing at the Canton Street craft brewery.

🥃 Whiskey Tour and Tasting - ASW Distillery | 900 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA | Saturday tours | From about $18 | More: aswdistillery.com
Tour Atlanta's hometown whiskey maker steps from Truist Park and taste the lineup.

🎷 Jazz Brunch at C. Ellet's - The Battery Atlanta | 2605 Circle 75 Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA | 11 AM-3 PM | Free entry | More: batteryatl.com
A live jazz duo over steakhouse brunch. Reserve for the good section.

🎶 The Pussycat Dolls: PCD Forever Tour - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | 2200 Encore Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA | 6:30 PM | Ticketed | More: livenation.com
A 20th-anniversary reunion with Lil' Kim and Mýa, a short drive north.

🎙️ The Walls Group - City Winery Atlanta | 650 North Ave NE, Atlanta, GA | 8 PM | Ticketed | More: citywinery.com
The Grammy-nominated gospel group in an intimate seated show.

🎶 Pigs on a String - From the Earth Brewing | 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA | 3-6 PM | Free | More: ftebrewing.com
Acoustic Pink Floyd from members of Interstellar Echoes. A nice warm-up for Chastain.

🎷 Sunday Jazz Brunch - Louisiana Bistreaux | 237 Perimeter Center Pkwy NE, Dunwoody, GA | 11 AM-3 PM | Free entry | More: louisianabistreaux.com
Live jazz with a Cajun brunch, right at Perimeter.

If you only do one easy, free thing this weekend, make it this market. The Dunwoody Homeowners Association has run it at Brook Run Park for years, and it has quietly grown into one of the best in North Atlanta, 30-plus vendors and around 500 shoppers most Saturdays.

Here is how it works. You wander the stalls at the front of the park, right across from the playground, and load up on local produce, meats, seafood, eggs, honey, baked goods, and sauces. A lot of it is ready to eat, so grab a coffee and a King of Pops popsicle and let the kids run while the live music plays.

It is a real family and dog affair, leashed pups welcome, kids encouraged, and parking is free and easy at Brook Run, Dunwoody's biggest park. It runs rain or shine within reason, closing only for lightning or ice. Come hungry, bring a tote, and make a morning of it.

If you have got a kid heading to a dorm in a few weeks, here is a little piece of good news buried in your homeowners policy. Most standard policies extend personal-property coverage to a full-time student living in campus housing, usually up to a set percentage of your total contents limit. That laptop, that mini-fridge, that stack of overpriced textbooks can be covered even though it is all sitting in a dorm room miles from your house.

Two quick things to check before move-in. One, an off-campus apartment is a different animal, because a kid in a private apartment usually needs their own renters policy, which is cheap and worth it. Two, if they are taking a car to school in another county or state, your auto coverage and your rate can move, so make the call. A five-minute conversation now beats finding out the hard way after a break-in or a fender bender.

Not sure how your policy handles a student living away from home? That is exactly what your Peachy agent can knock out in a few minutes. Ask us.

Brought to you by Peachy Insurance

City of Dunwoody is hiring a Systems Administrator in Dunwoody, GA.

This one runs IT for a small, well-run city government. If you are sick of a long commute, it is a strong landing spot right here in the Perimeter, full benefits, public-sector stability, and a desk close to home.

Apply: Apply here

City of Sandy Springs is hiring across several departments in Sandy Springs, GA.

Right now they have openings in planning and zoning, permitting, code enforcement, and the police department, plus the seasonal parks and rec roles. Sandy Springs runs a tight, well-funded operation and the pay and benefits reflect that. If you live nearby and you are tired of handing an hour a day to I-285, working for your own city is about as close to home as it gets.

Apply: Apply here

City of Brookhaven is hiring in Brookhaven, GA.

Brookhaven keeps a steady list going, from parks and grounds crews to public works, police, and admin roles at City Hall on Peachtree Road. It is a young city still building out its teams, so there is real room to grow if you get in now. Good benefits, a short drive for most folks on this side of the Perimeter, and you are working for the neighborhood you already live in.

Apply: Apply here

City of Chamblee is hiring in Chamblee, GA.

Chamblee is the fastest-growing city in DeKalb, and they hire for police, 911 dispatch, public works, and city admin. Here is a detail worth knowing if you are close by: sworn officers who live inside the city limits get an extra $800 a month. That is real money on top of the base pay. Add the short commute and the benefits and it earns a look.

Apply: Apply here

DeKalb County is hiring county-wide, and a lot of it is right in our backyard.

DeKalb covers Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville, and the unincorporated stretches in between, and the county posts new roles every week across more than 40 departments. Think public works, parks, public safety, courts, and finance. Every listing shows the full salary range up front, so you know what you are walking into before you apply. Filter by location and start with what is closest to home.

Apply: Apply here

City of Peachtree Corners is hiring in Peachtree Corners, GA.

Peachtree Corners runs lean and contracts out a lot of its day-to-day services, so the city's own job list stays short. Still worth a check, because the roles it does hire directly tend to be good ones. And since Peachtree Corners sits inside Gwinnett, the county government is the bigger pipeline for that side of the map, with openings from police and 911 to engineering, parks, and water services. Between the two, there is usually something.

Apply: Apply here