Mutts, pizza, parks & a 2026 reset

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Happy New Year!

We kicked off 2026 the only way that felt right—sleeping in, zero alarms, and a late brunch that turned into an early dinner.

Me and the wife have made "aggressive relaxation" our January 1st tradition, and I'm not apologizing for it.

This week we're planning one real outing: Mutts Gone Nuts at City Springs on Sunday. A comedy show starring rescue dogs doing backflips?

That's exactly the energy we need to shake off the holiday fog.

Otherwise, we're keeping it simple. Maybe a pizza night at Hearth (their 600-degree oven does things to a pie that my home oven could never), maybe some couch time, definitely a few walks around the neighborhood before the cold snap hits.

If you're in post-holiday recovery mode like us, this issue is built for that. Tree recycling drop-offs for when you're ready to reclaim your living room, a couple of low-key free outings, and just enough weekend options to feel like you have choices without feeling overwhelmed.

Here's to a good year ahead!

- Andrew

(click to jump to the section)

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs
Sunday, Jan 4, 2026
2:00 PM (doors open 1:00 PM)
Prices vary by seat; see box office for details
Details: Event info

If your crew loves dogs and slapstick, Mutts Gone Nuts: Unleashed! is the big “blow off the last of the holiday wiggles” pick.

A dozen highly trained rescue pups (including a Guinness World Record holder and an America's Got Talent favorite) jump, flip, and race through an upbeat, comedy-style show designed to keep both kids and adults laughing.

The show is in Byers Theatre at City Springs, so you get comfy seating, good sightlines, and easy pre- or post-show food options around the plaza.

Plan to arrive early to park and register your car. City Springs offers the first two hours free, but you do need to check in your vehicle when you arrive.

Overall vibe: big, silly, dog-filled fun that still wraps up early enough to keep school-night bedtimes on track.

Hearth Pizza Tavern on Roswell Road is a cozy neighborhood spot built around a blazing 600-degree hearth oven, turning out crisp, charred-edge pies plus shareable salads, flatbreads, and small plates.

Everything is made in-house, from the dough to the toppings, which means you can go classic (pepperoni or margherita) or branch out into specialty pies like Paolo's Pollo.

The brick-lined space and patio keep things casual and loud, kid-friendly, but there's also a solid beer and wine list so adults feel like they've actually gone out to dinner, not just "managed dinner."

Most days they're open for both lunch and dinner, with online ordering and takeout making it an easy win on nights when you want restaurant-quality pizza without committing to a long sit-down.

This is one of my wife and I’s go to spots when we have friends in town. You’ll love it.

Details & menu: Restaurant website

Goldfish Swim School in Sandy Springs is a parent-designed, kid-approved indoor swim school focused on water safety and confidence for little swimmers from 4 months to 12 years old.

Lessons run year-round in a 90-degree, shiver-free pool with small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio, so even hesitant kiddos can ease in at their own pace.

Families from Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and nearby neighborhoods use it as a built-in weekly routine, part safety skill, part energy burn, thanks to flexible scheduling, make-up lessons, and special offerings like family swim sessions and birthday parties.

The facility sits right on Roswell Road at 6335 Roswell Rd, making it an easy add-on before or after errands.

It’s also a clutch winter option when outdoor pools are closed but the kids still want to splash.

Browse/learn more: Business website

Rough Draft Atlanta reports that 17 Ukrainian teenagers spent three weeks in metro Atlanta this month as part of a Global Alliance for Ukraine program designed to give war-affected kids a true break from daily survival mode.

Each teen had lost at least one parent, and the visit blended “normal teen stuff” (skating, hot chocolate, holiday lights) with intentional support aimed at helping them breathe again for a minute.

A memorable local stop was Sparkle Sandy Springs on December 7, where the group watched the parade, skated at City Springs, and met Mayor Rusty Paul at City Hall. The reporting also notes the trip wasn’t only sightseeing. During the third week, the students attended a camp with professional psychologists as part of the healing focus.

For Perimeter families, it’s a powerful reminder that the same community events we attend for fun can also be a bright spot for visitors carrying far heavier burdens.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Keep North Fulton Beautiful highlights “Bring One for the Chipper” as the post-holiday move that’s both practical and oddly satisfying: drop your real tree off, clear the living room, and know it’s being turned into mulch instead of headed to the landfill. The big “don’t forget” note is to remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and stands before you load up.

For Perimeter-area families, KNFB notes Sandy Springs has collection tied to two local drop points. The Home Depot on Peachtree-Dunwoody Road and the Sandy Springs Recycling Center. So you can pick whichever is closer when you’re already out running errands. It’s one of those small January tasks that instantly makes your home feel calmer.

Source: Keep North Fulton Beautiful

Urbanize Atlanta reports that Alliance Residential Company closed on 10.7 acres in Peachtree Corners to build Broadstone Innovation, a 326-unit “Class A” apartment community planned for 20 Innovation Drive—described as the heart of Technology Park. The story frames the project as another bet on the area’s long-term pull for tech employers and the continued evolution of Technology Park as a modern, mixed-use ecosystem.

The reporting also digs into what makes this one feel “2026-coded”: wellness-forward amenities like an infrared salt-sauna, red-light therapy pods, and steam showers, plus a resort-style pool, dog park and pet spa, outdoor kitchen, EV charging, and even dedicated food-truck parking (with no on-site retail planned). The projected opening cited is spring 2027, with proximity to The Forum and multi-use trails positioned as part of the appeal.

Source: Urbanize Atlanta

Winter is an affectionate “velcro dog” who loves being close to her people and absolutely lights up for treats, pets, and attention.

In the play yard she’s all zoomies and joy, hopping on benches and exploring every corner.

Once she’s had her fun, she settles into a nice walking pace on leash.

She’d be a great fit for a family that wants a playful buddy who can also curl up on the couch for movie night and soak up cuddles.

Available at Fulton County Animal Services - 1251 Fulton Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30336

Hours: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM Mon-Fri • 11:00 AM-6:00 PM Sat-Sun
Phone: (404) 613-0357
Profile: Adoption Link

⛸️ Skate City Springs: Glow Skate Night — City Green at City Springs, Sandy Springs | Glow Skate starts 6:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Tickets & session times
A super easy “get out of the house” win—open skate with a party feel once Glow Skate kicks in.

⛸️ Skate City Springs: Glow Skate Night — City Green at City Springs, Sandy Springs | Glow Skate starts 6:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Tickets & session times
Same low-lift plan as Thursday—show up, lace up, and let the kids burn energy on the ice.

🎨 Dunwoody Fine Art Association “Best of the Best” Exhibit — Dunwoody Library Hallway, Dunwoody | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Free | More: Exhibit info
A quick, free “pop-in” outing with local paintings, mixed media, and photography—great for a low-key reset day.

🔨 Home Depot Kids Workshop (in-store) — Home Depot (all locations) | 9:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
The classic first-Saturday workshop—kids build a small project and leave with bragging rights (registration encouraged).

🎨 Dunwoody Fine Art Association “Best of the Best” Exhibit — Dunwoody Library Hallway, Dunwoody | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Free | More: Exhibit info
If Saturday errands put you near Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd, this is a “bonus stop” that feels surprisingly special.

🦊 Free First Saturday: Paws, Claws & Tracks — Dunwoody Nature Center, Dunwoody | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free | More: Event info
A guided family hike where kids learn to spot animal tracks, scat, nests, and other “who lives here?” clues.

🍽️ Twelfth Night Banquet — St Barnabas Anglican Church, 4795 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody | 6:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Banquet info
Close out the Christmas season with an old-fashioned Twelfth Night feast, songs, and a cozy small-parish vibe.

⛸️ Skate City Springs: Saturday Themed Night — City Green at City Springs, Sandy Springs | 8:00–10:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Tickets & session times
A fun evening option for older kids/teens—this is the higher-energy, music-forward session.

⛪ Sunday Worship (multiple service styles) — Dunwoody United Methodist Church, Dunwoody | 8:30 AM (Chapel) + 9:00 AM (Modern) + 11:15 AM (Traditional) | Free | More: Event info
If you want an early start (or a lower-key modern service) before brunch/errands.

⛪ Epiphany Worship — Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, Sandy Springs | 10:30 AM | Free | More: Event info
A New-Year reset service with the Epiphany House Blessing known as “Chalking the Door,” a ritual that began in Medieval.

🐶 Mutts Gone Nuts: Unleashed! — Byers Theatre at City Springs, Sandy Springs | 2:00 PM or 7:30 PM | Ticketed | More: Event info
Your “big outing” pick—stunt dogs, comedy, and a perfect excuse to make City Springs an easy afternoon.

🎨 Happy New Year! A Stellar View! (Paint Night) — Painting with a Twist (Sandy Springs) | 7:00–9:00 PM | Ticketed ($40-$50 per person) | More: Event page
Low-pressure date night or girls night out that still feels like you did something (and it’s BYOB beer/wine).

✍️ Weekend Retreat: Spiritual Writing & Reflection — Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, Sandy Springs | 6:00 PM (Fri)–12:00 PM (Sun) | Ticketed | More: Retreat details
A true “reset” weekend—quiet space, guided reflection, and journaling-focused sessions on a beautiful campus.

🥟 Handmade Empanadas Class — Unity Atlanta Church, Peachtree Corners | Time: TBD (afternoon) | Ticketed | More: Class details
Learn to make empanadas from scratch in a hands-on group class, a fun date afternoon or friends' outing.

✨ White Stone Sunday Service: "Sharing the Spirit" — Unity Atlanta Church, Peachtree Corners | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Free (registration recommended) | More: Event info
A reflective service with guided meditation and a chance to set intentions for 2026.

🧠 Vision & Vibration Meditation Workshop — Absolute Health Chiropractic, 95 Cliftwood Dr NE Suite B, Sandy Springs | 2:00-4:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Workshop details
Dig deeper into visualization and meditation in a small-group setting.

4865 Lakeside Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30360

Start at the shaded playground, which has separate structures for little kids and bigger kids plus ramps and a soft surface.

That means toddlers and early walkers can explore without you hovering every second.

Bring coffee and breakfast snacks, grab a spot at the nearby picnic pavilion, and let kids make loops between the slides, swings, and open meadow.

You can keep an eye on everyone from one central spot.

Walk the short nature trail out-and-back for a low-key "hike" that even preschoolers can handle.

Then head back to the open meadow for soccer, tag, or kite flying if there’s a breeze.

If you’ve got older kids or teens, bring racquets and split off for a set or two on the tennis courts while younger siblings stay on the playground with another adult.

The courts aren’t lit, so wrap up by late afternoon.

The park sits across from a scenic reservoir, so your walk to and from the car can double as a mini “lake walk.”

It's a nice spot for bird-spotting and calm water views.

There’s also a small set of outdoor fitness equipment near the trail.

It’s handy if you want to sneak in a few stretches or bodyweight moves while the kids play.

Parking is in a small lot right by the playground and pavilion, which keeps the logistics simple with strollers and gear.

Restrooms and water fountains are available near the courts and playground area.

Visit the Park Website

The first week of January is a great time to do a quick safety sweep—especially if you’ve been running the fireplace more, hosting family, or doing extra laundry.

Atlanta Chimney Doctor
Family-owned, CSIA-certified chimney sweep & fireplace team offering inspections, cleanings, and repairs for Sandy Springs-area homes (and nearby Dunwoody).
(678) 525-7943
Website

Dryer Vent Doctor of Metro Atlanta
C-DET (CSIA) certified dryer vent specialists for cleaning, repair, and installation in Dunwoody (and across Metro Atlanta).
(404) 901-4412
Website

Bell Electric Services LLC
Residential & light commercial electrical contractor serving Peachtree Corners (and surrounding metro neighborhoods) for repairs, installs, and troubleshooting.
(770) 676-7382
Website