Last call for Mean Girls + Kids to Parks Day

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What's up, neighbors!

City Springs Theatre Company (CSTC) is closing Mean Girls this weekend, and Sunday at 2 PM is your last shot. We've been to a couple CSTC shows and they punch above what you'd expect from regional theater. Tickets start at $70, the Byers Theatre is a beautiful room, and matinee timing means you can grab lunch beforehand and still keep your evening free. If you've been curious about what CSTC actually does, closing weekend of a Broadway hit is a good entry point.

Saturday's looking easy. Brookhaven Farmers Market runs 9 to noon, and then at 3 PM Sandy Springs is doing National Kids to Parks Day at Hammond Park. Inflatables, water slides, a DJ, free temporary tattoos, and it's all free. Bring a chair, throw a couple of towels in the car for the ride home, and let the kids do their thing.

Friday night, Pontoon Brewing opens its taproom at 3 PM with food trucks and usually live music. Easiest way to start the weekend without committing to an actual plan.

Scroll down for the full weekend planner, a sweet cat named Gina looking for a home, and a few other things worth your time.

- Andrew

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

For most folks in East Cobb, 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)

Byers Theatre at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center
1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs
Sun, May 17
2 PM matinee
Tickets start at $70
Event Info

The Mean Girls Broadway musical is at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center for closing weekend, and Sunday's matinee is your last shot. City Springs Theatre Company has quietly built a reputation for doing regional premieres of big Broadway titles at a level that punches well above what you'd expect from local theater. The Mean Girls run is no exception.

If you remember the 2004 movie, you already know the bones. The musical pulls every iconic line you're hoping for and adds catchy numbers that fans actually love. Sunday at 2 PM is a clean matinee, so you can do lunch before, drinks after, and still have your evening. The Byers Theatre is a beautiful room, and catching a closing-weekend show of a Broadway hit this close to home is a STEAL.

Sunnyside Pizzeria is one of those places that keeps showing up in conversations for a reason. It's in the Sandy Springs Circle shopping center and does really well for a casual dinner out or an easy Friday night with the family. The rating speaks for itself, over a thousand reviews and still sitting at 4.7.

The Hot Honey Char pizza gets a lot of attention and for good reason. The Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are also a must-order appetizer, sweet and a little spicy in a way that works. The Caesar Salad is a solid starter if you want something simple done right. People save their wing sauce to dip their pizza crust in, which tells you everything you need to know.

They're closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue-Thu 11:30am- 9pm
Fri 11:30am-9:30pm
Sat 12-9:30pm
Sun 12-9pm

If you've been meaning to get serious about your skin but keep putting it off, Angela Michael Skincare & Spa in Dunwoody might be the nudge you need.

Angela Kaupe founded the spa back in 2005 and has been doing this work for more than 25 years. She's a master aesthetician, which means she's not just applying product and sending you home. She's the person who actually knows what your skin needs and why. This year she was named a Beauty Boss 2026, a recognition that tends to go to people who've earned it the old-fashioned way.

The spa has a reputation for being the opposite of a factory facial. No rushing, no upsell pressure, no one-size-fits-all approach. Clients who've been going for years tend to stay for years, which tells you something.

It's a local, owner-operated business that's been in the community for two decades. If you're looking for a skincare appointment that actually makes a difference, this one is worth a call.

Price: $$$
Hours:
Sun-Mon Closed
Tue 10am-2pm
Wed-Sat 10am-5pm

4 beds
2.5 baths
4,018 sq ft
450 acre lot

A) $939,000

B) $1,139,000

C) $839,000

D) $725,000

Sandy Springs City Council is opening discussions on the 2026 operating budget, and two big-ticket items are already front and center: the cost of a new fire station and the future of the city's TSPLOST program. Both have direct implications for city services and what residents pay.

If you have opinions on how the city spends its money, now is the time to pay attention. Budget discussions are typically open to public comment before final votes. Check the City of Sandy Springs website for meeting dates and agendas.

Source: Atlanta News First

Good news for shade lovers: a recent city study shows Sandy Springs's tree canopy has increased slightly over the past two years, reversing a trend that had concerned environmental advocates.

Trees matter beyond aesthetics. A healthy canopy reduces stormwater runoff, lowers summer temperatures, and boosts property values. The city has been investing in tree protection policies, and this data suggests those efforts are starting to show results.

Source: appenmedia.com

Sandy Springs Police Officer Citta is back on the job after a lengthy recovery from a crash in which he was struck by a speeding motorcycle, suffering two broken legs and a concussion. The department welcomed him back with a video shared on Facebook.

It's a feel-good milestone for the department after what was clearly a difficult recovery. The crash is a reminder of the dangers officers face during routine traffic stops.

Source: Fox5Atlanta

Her foster calls her the best cat ever, and honestly, that tracks. Gina is about 11 months old, only five pounds, and has basically maintained full kitten mode despite being nearly a year old. She came to Mostly Mutts as part of the Go-Gos litter, got adopted, and then came back after developing some stomach issues. Several months of vet care and food changes later, she's doing well, though she does still vomit sometimes and the cause hasn't been pinned down. That's the honest truth, and the right person for Gina already knows that some cats just have sensitive systems and it's not a dealbreaker.

Outside of that, she is genuinely sweet, playful, and independent enough to entertain herself but snuggly enough to want to curl up with you when the mood hits. She lives with two adult cats in her foster home and does great with them. She's also met a leashed dog without flinching, and she's been good around kids who know how to be gentle.

Because she's on a special diet, she'd do best as an only cat, or in a home where feeding time can be managed separately so she's not getting into another cat's food. If that sounds workable, she's worth meeting. Mostly Mutts is in Kennesaw. You can start the process on their website or visit during adoption hours.

Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue
2769 George Busbee Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 975-0004

🌳 National Kids to Parks Day - Hammond Park | 705 Hammond Dr NE, Sandy Springs | 3:00 PM | Free | More: sandyspringsga.gov
Sandy Springs hosts this annual outdoor celebration with inflatables, water slides, a DJ, games, prizes, and temporary tattoos, all free, making it a solid low-effort Saturday afternoon for families with younger kids who just want to run around outside. See the next section for a full write-up on this event.

🎈 Dunwoody Kids to Parks Day - Brook Run Park (front field) | 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Free | More: dunwoodyga.gov
Morning version of the Sandy Springs event, hosted by Dunwoody Parks & Rec. Face painters, balloon artists, DJ, bubbles, and concessions on the front field by the playground.

🏘️ Dunwoody Homeowners Association Farmers Market - Brook Run Park | Dunwoody, GA | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Free | More: dunwoodyga.org
The Dunwoody HOA is hosting a farmers market. Fresh air, neighbors, and great produce.

🌱 Brookhaven Farmers Market - Brookhaven Farmers Market | Brookhaven, GA | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Free to attend | More: brookhavenfarmersmarket.com
Running every Saturday through November, this is a solid morning anchor with fresh produce, baked goods, eggs, honey, and flowers, plus rotating vendors each week so there's usually something new to explore with kids in tow.

🌽 Peachtree Corners Farmers Market - Opening Day - Town Green | 5140 Town Center Blvd, Peachtree Corners | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Free | More: peachtreecornersga.gov
Season opener at a new spot on the Town Green this year. Local produce, artisanal foods, handmade goods, and easy free parking in the Town Center deck.

🌿 Garden Charms - Dunwoody Library | 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody | 2:30 PM-4 PM | Free | dekalblibrary.org
Decorate your garden with beaded charms you can use to label herbs and flowers. Family-friendly drop-in craft, no registration needed. Good rainy-afternoon backup if the weather flips.

🎮 Power Hour Gaming - Battle & Brew Sandy Springs | Sandy Springs, GA | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Check website for current pricing | More: battleandbrew.com
Every Saturday morning Battle & Brew opens early so you can claim a gaming station before the afternoon crowds roll in; the Sandy Springs location works well for families who want a relaxed, kid-friendly gaming hangout without the wait.

🥕 Shops of Dunwoody Farmers Market - Shops of Dunwoody | 5468 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody | 9 AM-1 PM | Free | discoverdunwoody.com
40+ rotating vendors with local produce, organic meats, a build-your-own bouquet bar, fresh mini donuts, Mexican street food, plus face painting and caricatures for the kids. Different vibe from Saturday's DHA market at Brook Run, and a different vendor lineup. Great Sunday-morning family beat right in Dunwoody.

🍺 Friday Taproom Hours - Pontoon Brewing | 8601 Dunwoody Place Bldg 500, Sandy Springs | 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Free entry; drinks priced per order | More: pontoonbrewing.com
Sandy Springs' biggest craft brewery opens the taproom at 3 on Fridays, with food trucks, live music most weekends, and an 11,000-square-foot space that never feels too crowded early in the evening.

🎨 Returns Exhibition - Spruill Gallery | 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody | Gallery hours vary | Free | More: spruillarts.org
New show at the Spruill Gallery featuring Charity Hamidullah, Sayma Hossain, and Masela Nkolo through June 19. Worth a low-key Friday afternoon or Saturday morning stop if a quiet hour with good local art sounds right.

🎤 Sherri Shepherd: Make It Make Sense Tour - Buckhead Theatre | 3110 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta | 7:00 PM | Tickets from $87 | More: ticketmaster.com
Sherri Shepherd's stand-up tour rolls into the Buckhead Theatre Saturday night. The room is intimate enough that her comedy lands the way it's supposed to, and the Perimeter is about a 15-minute drive home.

🎭 Mean Girls at Byers Theatre (Saturday Evening) - Byers Theatre at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs | 8:00 PM | Tickets from $70 | More: cityspringstheatre.com
If the Sunday matinee is sold out or doesn't fit, Saturday's 8 PM show is the back-up. Dinner before in Sandy Springs, walk to the theater, walk back for a drink after.

Sandy Springs goes big on National Kids to Parks Day, and Hammond Park turns into a community block party with inflatables, water slides, games, prizes, a DJ keeping the energy up, and free temporary tattoos.

It's free, it's outside, and it requires zero planning beyond throwing a couple towels in the car.

What it is: Hammond Park's annual National Kids to Parks Day celebration, hosted by the City of Sandy Springs. Inflatables, water slides, a DJ, games, raffles, and free temporary tattoos for the kids. Sandy Springs has run it for years and it's become a low-stress Saturday afternoon staple for families across the area. Adults can grab a chair and let the kids run, which is honestly the dream.

Plan it (Saturday afternoon): Kicks off at 3 PM. Mid-afternoon on a May Saturday in Georgia usually means hot sun, so plan accordingly. Hammond Park has shade in spots but the inflatable area sits in the open. Aim to get there a little after 3 so the early lines have settled but the energy is still high. Most kids last about 90 minutes to two hours before the heat catches up.

On the ground: Bring water bottles, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if the water slide is in the mix (it usually is). Towels for the drive home are smart. The park has a playground for downtime between bounce-house rounds. Food and drinks aren't typically sold on-site, so eat lunch beforehand or pack snacks.

Logistics: Free admission. Hammond Park is at 705 Hammond Dr NE in Sandy Springs, just off Mt. Vernon Highway. On-site parking fills up fast for events this size; if the main lot is full, neighborhood streets nearby are usually available. Restrooms are at the park.

Heads up: Things move quickly when a few hundred kids are in a park together. Keep an eye on smaller ones around the inflatables, and pick a meet-up spot for older kids who want to roam. Weather is the wildcard. Check the City of Sandy Springs page or social channels morning-of in case of rain delays.

🚗 Get Directions on Google Maps

🚶 See the trail map + info

If you financed or leased your car, there's a good chance gap insurance is already baked into your policy. It's a smart thing to carry, but it's also one of the most misunderstood pieces of an auto policy.

Why it exists: A new car can lose 20% or more of its value the first year, but your loan balance doesn't drop that fast. If the car gets totaled early on, standard insurance only pays out what the car is currently worth, which can leave you owing thousands on a vehicle you can't even drive. Gap insurance closes that difference.

What gap insurance covers:

What it does NOT cover:

When it stops being useful: Once your loan balance dips below your car's actual value, gap insurance stops earning its keep. That's why a lot of people drop it after a few years.

The bigger takeaway: it's easy to assume you're more covered than you really are, especially when you've got a stack of policies and add-ons you barely remember signing up for. Knowing what each piece of your coverage actually does is the difference between a stressful claim and a smooth one.

Not sure what your auto policy actually includes? Your Peachy agent will walk through every line with you and make sure it still fits where you are today.

👉 Learn more about Peachy Insurance

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) is hiring across the system, including the Brookhaven facility on Northeast Expressway. Open roles include senior cooks, family experience specialists, insurance verifiers, HR service center staff, and procurement specialists, plus a deep bench of clinical nursing and allied health roles. CHOA is the largest pediatric health care provider in Georgia and is consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals nationally.

👉 Browse openings

Mercedes-Benz USA is staffing up its Sandy Springs HQ ahead of a major R&D hub expansion (the new 1MB facility wraps in August 2026 and will house corporate, sales, and financial services teams). Current openings include receptionist, customer service, sales, and corporate roles. RBM of Atlanta, the local dealership, was named a 2025 J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence and is also hiring.

👉 Browse openings

Cox Enterprises has 60+ openings at its Sandy Springs headquarters across Cox Communications, Cox Automotive, and the parent company. Roles span retention reps, sales reps, account executives, marketing, business operations, and corporate functions. It's a big hometown employer with hybrid schedules and serious benefits.

👉 Browse openings

Northside Hospital Atlanta (the Sandy Springs flagship) has thousands of open positions across its system, with the Atlanta campus accounting for the bulk. Clinical roles include RNs, monitor technicians, support technicians, and emergency medicine providers. Northside also runs 250+ outpatient locations across the state, so if you'd prefer something closer to home in Dunwoody or Brookhaven, the broader system has options.

👉 Browse openings

Bonus help (free): Goodwill of North Georgia's career centers offer free resume help, computer access, job coaching, and a 16-week Technology Career Program at the Smyrna center on South Cobb Drive (the closest career center to the Perimeter footprint). Walk-ins welcome.

👉 Visit Goodwill Career Centers