🎬 City Springs film fest + Chef Rob’s + a Ridgeview Park reset

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Howdy, neighbors!

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is at City Springs this weekend and honestly it's a great excuse to get out of the house without making a whole thing of it. Pick a film, grab a seat, and you don't have to drive into the city. Seriously - its a legit event worth checking out and I'm underplaying.

On Saturday the wife and I are heading to the DHA Farmers Market at Brook Run in the morning. We'll be there, coffee in hand meandering around with no real agenda. If the weather holds, we'll probably hang a while and ease into the weekend.

Then, on Saturday night we might swing by Game Night at Donaldson-Bannister Farm in Dunwoody (free to get in!). If you like board games, it's a low-pressure way to meet people in the neighborhood without much pressure to make small talk.

If you haven't been to Puttshack yet, it's right there at High Street in Dunwoody. Tech mini golf, food, cocktails. Book ahead if you're going Friday or Saturday night, they fill up.

Ridgeview Park is in this week's issue too if you just want fresh air and a loose plan that gets you outdoors. Good trails and free parking make for a low stress Sunday.

Full planner is below.

- Andrew

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_{This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance}

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Location: Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (City Springs District)
Address: 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Dates (in-theater): Feb 18–Mar 3, 2026 (City Springs/Sandy Springs PAC)
Showtimes: Vary by film (screenings run throughout the day/evening—check the schedule)

Typical Ticket Price:

AJFF is the largest Jewish film festival in the world and one of the biggest film festivals in Atlanta. Nearly 40,000 people go every year aka... this isn't a small community event. It's a legitimate festival that happens to be in your backyard, so take advantage of that!

This year's lineup pulls from 20 countries across drama, documentary, and comedy. Several screenings end with a live Q&A with the filmmaker, which makes it feel like more than just a typical movie. You get context, conversation, and something to talk about over dinner after.

The best part this weekend? You don't have to go anywhere. It's right at City Springs. Walk in, grab a drink, find your seat. At under $20 a ticket its a STEAL. Browse the schedule at AJFF.org, pick something that sounds good, and bring someone worth sitting next to in the dark.

Box Office / Help: AJFF: 678-701-6104
More: Event info

If you've never had real Caribbean food and want to try it close to home, this is the place. Chef Rob's has been in Sandy Springs since 2006 and it's a local institution at this point.

The inside has a warm, island vibe with music and enough going on that it works for a date night or a group dinner. It stays busy, so go with a little patience and give yourself some time. The oxtail is what people consistently rave about and come back for. Multiple reviews (and me) call them the best in Atlanta. They're braised and fall right off the bone. The Jerk Chicken and the Rasta Pasta are also crowd favorites.

If you want to try something a little different, the Blackened Mango Chicken with coconut rice and plantains gets a lot of love from my wife. Save room for the White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bailey's cream sauce if it's on the menu.

If its your thing, they do a Caribbean brunch on Sundays from 12 to 4, and happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 7pm with a live DJ on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9.

Price: $$
Hours: Closed Mon, Tue–Thu 12pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 12pm–12am, Sun 12pm–9pm
Location: 5920 Roswell Rd, Suite A117, Sandy Springs (next to Whole Foods)
Website: chefrobscafe.com

If you haven't made it over to High Street yet, Puttshack is a good reason to go. Velvet Taco, Nando's, Cuddlefish, and the Hampton Social are all right there too, so you can make a full afternoon or evening of it. Puttshack is an upscale mini golf experience with four nine-hole courses.

Their Trackaball technology tracks every shot automatically so nobody has to keep score. Each round takes about 30 to 45 minutes inside a massive 26,000 square foot venue with a full bar and a real food menu. I'd start with the Georgia Tailpipes, crispy spring rolls stuffed with smoked pulled chicken, collard greens, and pimento cheese.

Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m. Works for date nights, groups, or a family afternoon (21+ after 8 p.m.). Book ahead on weekends. Walk-ins are first come, first served.

One practical heads-up: the parking garage only takes card through a mobile app. No cash, no kiosk.

Worth knowing before you pull in. If you've been looking for a reason to check out High Street, this is probably it — grab a tee time at puttshack.com/locations/dunwoody.

Price: $$$
Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm | Fri–Sat 11am–1am | Sun 11am–10pm
Location: 111 High St, Suite 210, Dunwoody, GA 30346
Website: puttshack.com/locations/dunwoody

The city is kicking off a new Transportation Master Plan and hosting three listening sessions in late February to hear from residents about congestion, safety, and options for walking, biking, and transit.

Your feedback will help shape which projects get prioritized for the upcoming TSPLOST referendum, the city's biggest source of transportation funding.

Here are the sessions:

Learn more at the Sandy Springs page for the project here.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

The council's annual retreat covered a wide range of topics, with housing affordability and a possible youth recreation center among the headline items. Crime trends and new fire stations were also on the agenda.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Leaders at City Springs Theatre Company warned that potential changes to the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center's Presenting Partner program could affect their productions. Worth watching if you're a subscriber or regular attendee of their shows.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Perimeter Mall submitted a plan to the city to relocate the food court to the corridor outside Macy's. The current food court space would be converted into concourse and retail.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

The Arbor Day Foundation named Dunwoody a 2025 Tree City USA, marking 14 consecutive years of the designation. To celebrate, the city is hosting a tree planting ceremony for Georgia Arbor Day on Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 AM at Wildcat Park (5435 Roberts Drive). Residents are welcome to attend.

Source: City of Dunwoody

Mocha is a super sweet pittie girl who just wants a person to love.

She was one of four dogs rescued on a cold day in November 2024 after being found wandering alone in a rural South Georgia county with a small shelter.

In her foster home, she loves playing with her dog friends, then settles in for a quiet night of family TV time. Her profile lists kids, cats, and other animals as unknown, so ask before you meet.

Available through Rescue Me Ga Inc (foster-based) Dunwoody, GA Visits by appointment only

Email: [email protected]

See her profile here.

🌳 Georgia Arbor Day Planting — Wildcat Park, Dunwoody (5435 Roberts Drive) | 10:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
Quick, kid-friendly volunteer moment. Great excuse to talk about trees and civic pride.

🏮 Chinese Lantern Workshop — Sandy Springs Library | 1:00 PM-2:30 PM | Free, registration required | More: Event info
Hands-on craft for older kids/teens (and adults) who want to make something you can take home.

🎬 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) at City Springs — Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | Various showtimes | Ticketed | More: Event info
Pick a screening that fits your crew. Plan ahead for run time.

🥕 DHA Farmers Market — Brook Run Park, Dunwoody | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Free to browse | More: Event info
Produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat options. Easy morning outing.

🎨 Crafternoon — Spruill Center for the Arts (Mosaics), Dunwoody | 12:00 PM-4:00 PM | Free but Must Register | More: Event info
Drop in for a creative afternoon. Check Spruill for pricing and format.

🎲 Game Night — Donaldson-Bannister Farm, Dunwoody | 5:00 PM-10:00 PM | Free (donations appreciated) | More: Event info
Board games and casual hang. Under 18 must be with a parent.

🎬 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) at City Springs — Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | Various showtimes | Ticketed | More: Event info
If Saturday is packed, Sunday screenings can be the easier grab.

🎤 Funny Fridays with Joel Byars — Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (Studio Theatre) | 7:00 PM (Happy hour 6:00 PM) | Ticketed | More: Event info
High-energy comedy showcase featuring Big Rich Brock, Erica Benefield, and Mookie G. Ages 16+.

🩺 Grey's Anatomy Theme Trivia — North River Tavern, Sandy Springs | 7:00 PM | Free to play | More: Event info
Theme trivia tends to fill up. Bring your most competitive friend. (Call to confirm.)

🍻 Service Industry Night — North River Tavern, Sandy Springs | All day | Specials | More: Event info
If you work weekends, this is the kind of Sunday that feels like a reset. (Call to confirm.)

🎬 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) at City Springs — Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | Various showtimes | Ticketed | More: Event info
Pick a shorter film if you want to be home early.

A shaded, low-key park tucked off South Trimble Road that feels bigger once you get past the entrance. At nearly 21 acres, it's one of those spots that rewards you for actually getting out of the car. The canopy coverage is solid, so even on warmer days you're not baking in the sun the whole time.

5200 South Trimble Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30342. Free parking on-site. The lot is small but rarely packed, especially on weekday mornings. If you're coming from Roswell Road, it's a quick turn and you're there in under two minutes.

Playground, walking and hiking trails, a picnic pavilion with tables, and tennis and pickleball courts. The playground is great for younger kids and sits close to the parking area, so you're not hauling gear across the park to get there. The trails wind through a wooded area and give the visit a nature-walk feel without requiring hiking boots or a major commitment. You can realistically do a playground stop plus a short trail loop in about an hour, or stretch it into a half-day thing if you pack a lunch and claim a pavilion.

The pickleball and tennis courts are open for play if you want to add a quick game to the visit. Pickleball has been growing fast in Sandy Springs, and Ridgeview is one of the better spots to play without dealing with a reservation system. Check the Pickleball Open Play Rules before heading out so you know the court etiquette and scheduling. If you've been wanting to try pickleball but haven't pulled the trigger, this is a no-pressure place to start.

Pavilions are first-come, first-served. If one is open, it's yours. But if you're planning something bigger like a birthday party or family gathering, you'll need a permit to guarantee your spot. For a casual weekend lunch with the family, you'll almost always find a table open. Restrooms are available on-site. The park is also dog-friendly, so don't be surprised if you end up chatting with other pet owners on the trail.

The park is just a few minutes from the Roswell Road corridor, so you can easily turn this into a morning-at-the-park, lunch-nearby kind of outing. Plenty of casual spots within a short drive if you don't want to pack your own food.

More: Ridgeview Park’s official page 
Map: Google Maps

If you've already felt the first wave of itchy eyes + morning sniffles, the best move is a quick pollen-proofing reset at home and in the car. The goal isn't perfection. It's keeping pollen from hitchhiking inside and camping out in your bedroom.

If you're already doing a spring home reset, it's also a smart time to sanity-check your homeowners/renters coverage. Especially if you've upgraded anything (HVAC/air quality improvements) or you've had any "surprise" water/leak moments this winter. Peachy can help you do a quick review and make sure you're not missing an easy discount or important coverage detail.

Visit peachyinsurance.com to learn more.

Food pantry and community support volunteers needed for stocking shelves, food distribution, recycling and donation pickups, and admin help. They serve an average of 400 families a week, so the need is real and consistent. Adults, teens 15+ (solo), or families with kids 6-14 (with a parent). Groups are welcome too, whether it's a corporate team, school class, or church small group. Shifts run six days a week, so there's almost always a time that works.

Sign up here on their Volunteer page.

Parks and trails volunteer work for neighbors who want a physical, outdoor option. The Conservancy focuses on creating, conserving, and connecting parks, trails, and greenspace across Sandy Springs. Fill out their volunteer form and they'll loop you in when opportunities come up.

Sign up here on their Volunteer page.

City-supported volunteer program with roles tied to community events and city needs as they come up. A good entry point if you want to help but aren't sure where to start in Dunwoody.

Sign up here on their Volunteer page.

Arts and culture programming support throughout the year. Create Dunwoody hosts events like the Black History Cultural Celebration, Holi, a Comedy Festival, Diwali, and more, and they need volunteers to help plan and run them. Sign up through their SignUpGenius page and pick the events that interest you.

Sign up here on their Volunteer page.

Hands-on outdoor volunteer work like trail clearing, invasive plant removal, mulching, and plantings. They host a standing volunteer day on the second Saturday of each month from 9-11 AM, open to all ages (kids must be with an adult). Groups can also schedule a private volunteer day if you want something customized for your crew.

Sign up here on their Volunteer page.

Gallery, events, and community programming support for Dunwoody's nonprofit arts center. Spruill takes volunteers at all commitment and skill levels, and they also have a separate summer camp volunteer track for teens 13-18. Fill out their application and they'll match you with what fits.

Sign up here on their Volunteer page.