Juneteenth + World Cup Events

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What's up, neighbors!

Big weekend, and it starts Friday with Juneteenth. The celebration at City Springs is back, and this year it's bigger and fully outdoors on the City Green. It's free, it runs till 10, and Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven all pitched in to put it on. We're getting there early to grab dinner from the food vendors and let the kids run around before the Namari Dance Center performance starts.

The World Cup is finally here too. The USA opens against Australia on Friday afternoon, and Ashford Lane is putting the match up on a big screen out on The Lawn. Free, outdoors, drinks to-go. That's our easy plan before we head over to City Springs. Expect a lot of red, white, and blue around the Perimeter all weekend.

Then Sunday is Father's Day. If you still don't have a plan for Dad, you've got better options than another necktie. Spruill Gallery has 20% off through Sunday if you need a real gift, or just point everyone toward a long, lazy brunch and call it a win.

Scroll down for the full weekend planner, a Jersey-style pizza spot worth knowing about, this week's listings, who's hiring around the Perimeter, and Hubie, a coonhound pup still looking for his couch.

- Andrew

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

For most folks in Atlanta and 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)

City Green at City Springs
1 Galambos Wy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Friday, June 19
5:00 – 10:00 PM
Free
Learn More

Three cities put their weight behind this one. Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven teamed up again on the Juneteenth Celebration, and it pulls in more than 4,000 people a year. That's not a small community thing. That's the whole Perimeter showing up.

This year it grew. The whole event moved outdoors onto the City Green, with live music, local food vendors, and family stuff running all evening.

There's an original dance and spoken-word performance from the Namari Dance Center, a STEAM art gallery the local high schoolers built themselves, and a genealogy station where you can actually dig into your own family history with help from the Fulton County Library and the Georgia Archives.

And it's free. Right in your backyard, running till 10. Bring the family, bring a chair, and make a night of it.

Vintage Pizzeria is where you go when you want really good pizza and don't want to turn dinner into an event.

The crust is thin, New Jersey style, which still feels a little rare around here. The room is casual enough that nobody blinks when you bring the kids on a random Tuesday or roll in after a ball game. Sandy Springs regulars keep it in the rotation for a reason.

Carmen's Own is the pie people rave about, a mozzarella blend on a crust that actually holds up instead of folding in half on you.

Start with the Caesar. And if someone in your group isn't feeling pizza, the chicken piccata and the spaghetti and meatballs both deliver. More than 800 reviews at 4.4 stars. Which to me signals a solidified track record, not a fluke.

One heads up: they're closed Mondays, and on Saturday and Sunday they don't open until 4. So plan it for weekend dinner, not lunch.

Pizza / Italian | 4.4★ (800+ reviews)
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue–Thu 11:30 AM–9 PM
Fri 11:30 AM–10 PM
Sat 4–10 PM
Sun 4–9 PM
Website

Walk into APG Nails & Spa with a Pinterest screenshot and there's a real chance you walk out with something better than what you saved. One walk-in customer did exactly that. She showed the tech her inspiration photo, and Brian freestyled something that beat the original idea entirely.

The salon sits on Sandy Springs Circle, and it has built its repeat business on the basics done really well. Clean space. Kind staff. Techs who actually sweat the details. Hoa and Sonny get called out by name in reviews, which usually tells you the people there know their regulars. One reviewer has been bringing her daughter in for over a year. You don't earn that by being good once. You earn it by making someone feel good every single visit.

Right now they're running 20% off for new clients, so if you've been meaning to lock in a go-to spot, that's an easy reason to try them. At 4.6 stars across 200-plus reviews, this isn't a place still finding its feet. It's established, it's consistent, and it's right here in Sandy Springs.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue - Fri 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Sat 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Website

4 beds
3 Baths
2,717 sq ft
0.42 acre lot

A) $700,000

B) $799,000

C) $825,000

D) $900,000

Brookhaven City Council held the first of three public hearings June 10 on a millage rate increase that would raise the rate 1.233 mills to 3.850 mills, about a 47% jump generating roughly $4 million in new revenue. For a home with a fair market value of $800,000, the city estimates the increase at about $394.56 a year.

City Manager Christian Sigman said the hike is needed to maintain current services, citing a residential property freeze and successful commercial tax appeals that have eaten into revenue. Even with it, the city says Brookhaven would keep the second-lowest millage rate in the area, behind Dunwoody.

Two more public hearings are set for June 23 at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. before the council votes. If you own property in Brookhaven, June 23 is worth a spot on your calendar. That vote lands straight on your tax bill.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Mayor Rusty Paul told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on June 9 that Sandy Springs wants to buy its water system from Atlanta and is willing to risk state and federal funding to get there. Atlanta owns the system and supplies the city's water, an arrangement residents have fought over rates and maintenance for 30 years.

Fulton County and its 15 cities are required by state law to begin mediation on service delivery by June 25, with resolutions targeted for September. Water distribution and wastewater remain the major sticking points. A December court ruling let Atlanta keep charging outside customers a 21% surcharge, so this affects both what local households pay and how reliably the taps run.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

The Spruill Center for the Arts cut the ribbon June 13 on Spruill Studios, a new affordable artist-studio facility inside the former Chamblee City Hall in downtown Chamblee. Sixteen artists, two of them Chamblee residents, were selected through a competitive process for the space, which was two years in the making.

It is not just for the artists. Spruill Studios will be open to the public through a dedicated gallery plus select open-studio events and tours, adding another arts anchor a short drive from Dunwoody.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

A new wine bar and market, Taste Wine Bar & Market, is set to open Saturday, June 27 near City Springs in Sandy Springs, joining the growing cluster of food and drink spots around the district.

If you have been looking for another walkable place for a glass and a bite before a show at the Performing Arts Center, mark the date.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Perimeter Pursuit, a free challenge from the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, turns exploring Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven into a game. Through June 30, you complete missions around the area to earn points toward prizes and local offers from businesses like Foxtail Coffee.

Rewards include gift cards, Braves tickets, dining experiences, and hotel stays. It is an easy, no-cost way to find a few new spots before the summer challenge wraps.

Source: Perimeter Pursuit

Named after the longtime NBA coach who retired this year, this Hubie has the looks to match the legacy. He's a coonhound mix, somewhere around 8 to 9 months old, and right at that age where everything is exciting and everyone is a new friend.

He's a love bug with people and gets along with every dog he meets. At this age he's still figuring out the world, and he soaks up cues from the dogs around him, so the right home is one that already has a confident adult dog he can shadow and learn from. Think of it less as a requirement and more as Hubie getting a built-in mentor.

He's good with kids and good with other dogs. His history with cats isn't known yet, so if you've got one, a slow introduction is the smart move. He's already neutered and fully vaccinated, so the settling-in part is easy.

Rescue Me GA is a foster-based rescue out of Dunwoody, which means Hubie is living in a home right now and they know his personality well. The first step is an application at rmgdogs.org. Visits are by appointment only.

Rescue Me GA Inc
Dunwoody, GA
Apply: rmgdogs.org
Visits by appointment only

📋 City Hall Closed - Dunwoody Parks & Recreation Events | Dunwoody, GA | All day | N/A | More: dunwoodyga.gov
Dunwoody City Hall is closed Friday in observance of Juneteenth, good to know if you had any permits, payments, or city business planned.

🎉 2026 Juneteenth Celebration - City Springs | Dunwoody, GA | 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Check website | More: dunwoodyga.gov
Dunwoody is a community partner in the Juneteenth Celebration at City Springs, running Friday evening from 5 to 10 PM, a five-hour community event worth putting on the calendar for the whole family.

⚽ World Cup USA vs. Australia Watch Party on The Lawn - Ashford Lane, The Lawn | 4500 Olde Perimeter Way, Dunwoody, GA 30346 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Free; drinks to-go available | More: ashfordln.com
Free outdoor watch party on The Lawn at Ashford Lane for the USA vs. Australia World Cup match Friday afternoon, big screen, drinks to-go, and no cover, a rare free community sports event that works for all ages.

🌱 DHA Farmers Market - Dunwoody Parks & Recreation Events | Dunwoody, GA | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Free to attend | More: dunwoodyga.org
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association's weekly farmers market runs every Saturday morning and is one of the better local spots to grab fresh produce and grab coffee while the kids wander the stalls.

📚 Stars, Stripes & Storytime with Mayor Deutsch - Dunwoody City Events | Dunwoody, GA | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Free | More: dunwoodyga.gov
Mayor Deutsch reads aloud as part of Georgia Reads for America 250, a free storytime that ties into the national 250th anniversary programming and is a low-lift, genuinely sweet Saturday morning activity for young kids.

🎭 Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves — Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs | 2:00 PM or 6:00 PM | Ticketed | More: sandyspringspac.com
Two shows, and the early one is the easy call for little ones who fade by dinner. Elmo, Abby, and Cookie Monster doing the singalong thing. Heads up for sensitive kids: there's flashing lights, haze, and confetti. Under-2s are free on a lap.

🎨 Father's Day Sale at Spruill Gallery + Shop - Spruill Gallery | 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Georgia | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | 20% off storewide; runs June 16-21 | More: spruillarts.org
Twenty percent off artisan and artist-made gifts including garden art and ceramics through Father's Day, so if you still need something for Dad that isn't a gift card, this is worth a stop.

🌱 Shops of Dunwoody Farmers Market - The Shops of Dunwoody | 5468 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Free to attend | More: instagram.com
Fresh produce, handmade goods, food vendors, and live music every Sunday morning at the Shops of Dunwoody, one of the more walkable and pleasant weekend routines in the area.

🧘 Tai Chi on City Green — City Green at City Springs | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs | 10:00 AM | Free | More: citysprings.com
Free outdoor Tai Chi, every Wednesday and Friday morning. Gentle, all-ages, and a nice low-key start before the Juneteenth crowds roll in that evening. Your call whether it lives in Family or Adult.

🎹 Dueling Pianos at Morty's Meat & Supply - Morty's Meat & Supply | 5509 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 | 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM | $25 food & beverage minimum per seat | More: barndunwoody.com
Live dueling pianos every Friday and Saturday on the Smokehouse Stage at Morty's, the crowd-participation format means the energy builds fast and you'll probably end up singing along whether you planned to or not.

🎶 Social Fridays on The Green - High Street Atlanta | 101 High Street, Dunwoody, GA 30346 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Free | More: highstreetatlanta.com
Select Fridays at High Street bring live music, drinks, and bites from the surrounding restaurants onto The Green, an outdoor communal hang that's one of the better reasons to be in Dunwoody on a Friday evening.

⚽ USA vs. Australia, Scotland vs. Morocco, Brazil vs. Haiti, and UEFA C vs. Paraguay Watch Party - CT Cantina and Taqueria | 244 Perimeter Center Pkwy Suite 1, Dunwoody, GA 30346 | Starts at 3:00 PM | Cost varies | More: cttacos.com
The USA opens against Australia and CT Cantina at Perimeter Center has game-day specials and a shareable appetizer spread, so if you want to watch the Americans with a crowd and some tostadas, this is where to be.

⚽ Visit Sandy Springs Clubhouse - City Bar. & Café | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | Starts at 3:00 PM | Cost varies | More: visitsandysprings.org
Open-air fan zone on the City Bar patio in Sandy Springs built specifically for World Cup match days, so if you want to watch with actual energy around you rather than just a restaurant TV, this is the spot.

✂️ Crafternoon - Spruill Center for the Arts | 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Free with registration | More: spruillarts.org
Bring whatever creative project you've been putting off and work on it in a room full of other people doing the same thing, Spruill provides the space and the community, you provide the supplies and the good intentions.

⚽ World Cup: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia — Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) | 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta | 12:00 PM kickoff | Tickets via FIFA resale | More: atlantafwc26.com
The World Cup is literally in town. Spain, with Lamine Yamal, plays a group match downtown Sunday at noon. Twenty minutes on MARTA from the Perimeter and you skip the parking nightmare entirely. Resale tickets only at this point and they go fast.

⚽ Fútbol Fever Watch Party — CityBar. & Café at City Springs | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs | Sunday match days | Cost varies | More: citysprings.com
If you'd rather watch Spain vs. Saudi Arabia with a crowd and a cold one without leaving Sandy Springs, CityBar is running match-day watch parties all tournament. Same spot the issue already flags for Friday, open again Sunday.

The World Cup is on home soil this summer, and the USA opens group play against Australia on Friday. Ashford Lane is throwing the match up on a big screen out on The Lawn. Drinks to-go, no cover. Grab a spot on the grass, throw on your red, white, and blue, and watch the USMNT with an actual crowd instead of solo on your couch. Free, outdoors, and about as low-effort as a Friday afternoon gets.

🚗 Get Directions on Google Maps

May and June are the busiest wedding months of the year, and there's an insurance angle most families never think about until something goes sideways.

Wedding insurance (sometimes called special event insurance) can cover your cancellation costs if a vendor folds, a venue closes out of nowhere, or a family emergency forces you to postpone.

There's also a liability piece that covers injuries or property damage during the event itself.

Here's a pro tip before you buy anything standalone: check your homeowners or renters policy first. A lot of existing policies already extend liability coverage to events you're hosting, so you may already be partly covered and not know it.

Not sure what your current policy actually covers for events? Your local Peachy Insurance agent can pull it up and tell you in about five minutes. Just call or text (770) 520-7095.

📖 Learn more about wedding insurance from NerdWallet

Brought to you by Peachy Insurance

Mercedes-Benz USA is wrapping up its move to make Sandy Springs its North American headquarters, with up to 500 roles consolidating at its campus on Mercedes-Benz Drive this summer. As that finishes, expect a steady run of corporate openings in finance, IT, and marketing. Want a marquee name on your resume without leaving the Perimeter? Start watching this board.

👉 Browse Mercedes-Benz careers

Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital in Sandy Springs is hiring across the building, from registered nurses and new grads to patient-facing support roles. Benefits kick in on day one, and Emory throws in student-loan repayment help, which is a real draw if you or your new grad is early in a healthcare career. The Sandy Springs campus keeps the commute short for most of the neighborhood.

👉 Search Emory Healthcare jobs

The City of Sandy Springs posts its openings through its own career center: administrative and permitting work, parks and recreation, and public-safety support. City jobs tend to come with stable schedules and solid benefits. Like the idea of working for the place you actually live? Start here.

👉 Visit the Sandy Springs career center

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody has its Summer 2026 staff application open, hiring camp counselors, coaches, instructors, and activity leaders for rising 10th graders and up. It also hires year-round in fitness, aquatics, and youth programs. It's a repeat AJC Top Workplace, which makes it a genuinely good first job for a local teen and an easy part-time fit for an adult.

👉 Find MJCCA jobs

Bonus help (free): The Community Assistance Center's Empowerment Center at 1130 Hightower Trail in Sandy Springs offers free career services, adult-education classes, and job-training resources to Sandy Springs and Dunwoody neighbors. Its "Thrive" program even helps with childcare, transportation, and tuition so you can earn a certification toward a better-paying job.

👉 Visit the CAC Empowerment Center