🍂 Spooky Springs Festival + High Street Expansion + I-285 Express Lanes This Weekend

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Hey, neighbors!

October might be my favorite time of year. The weather's finally cooperating (flannel without sweating!), the leaves are starting to turn, and our neighborhoods are transforming into elaborate Halloween displays.

Speaking of which, Sandy Springs has you covered this Saturday with their Spooky Springs festival at Abernathy Greenway – fog machines, face painting, food trucks, the works. Pro tip: arrive early for parking or just walk if you're close enough.

The dining scene keeps getting better too. We've got wood-fired Neapolitan pizza coming to High Street and an Oaxacan spot landing in Georgetown Shopping Center. 

Meanwhile, big changes are coming to our infrastructure – High Street Residential just broke ground on 392 units next to City Springs, and GDOT's planning express lanes for I-285's east side. Yes, that means years of construction, but maybe we'll actually get to the airport in under an hour someday.

So grab your coffee and let's dive into everything happening this weekend. And if you see me at the farmers market on Saturday, say hi – I'll be the guy buying way too many apple cider donuts.

Best,
Andrew

Abernathy Greenway Playable Art Park
6405 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs
5–7 PM
Saturday, October 25

Get ready for Sandy Springs' premier free Halloween celebration! This isn't your average trunk-or-treat – we're talking a full-scale festival with candy stations scattered throughout the park, professional face painters transforming kids into their favorite characters, atmospheric fog machines creating that perfect spooky ambiance, and live DJ music keeping the energy high. Multiple food trucks will be on-site serving everything from BBQ to desserts (bring cash or cards). The Playable Art Park's unique interactive features add an extra layer of fun – kids can climb, slide, and explore while showing off their costumes.

Free admission and free parking, though spaces fill up fast – consider carpooling or arriving early. The event runs rain or shine, and costumes are highly encouraged for all ages. Last year drew over 2,000 attendees, so expect a bustling but family-friendly atmosphere. Perfect for ages 2-12, though teens and adults in costume are welcome to join the fun!

Learn more about Spooky Springs.

Opening November/December 2025

From the heart of downtown Atlanta, owner Luca Varuni brings true Neapolitan pizza to Dunwoody with this soon-to-be third location. Known for personally sourcing San Marzano tomatoes directly from Naples during harvest season. Wood-fired pies follow strict Neapolitan standards with anticipated pricing at $15-25 per pizza.

Browse more about Varuni Napoli here and read more about its upcoming opening OTP here.

The former Concourse Athletic Club transforms into a 79,000-square-foot luxury athletic resort with eight outdoor pickleball courts, multiple pools, four boutique studios, and an executive work lounge. Recovery amenities include cold plunge, infrared saunas, and metabolic testing.

Learn more about the luxury gym experience here.

High Street Residential started construction October 21 on 392 apartments, 30 townhomes, and 19,000 square feet of retail adjacent to City Springs. The project includes rooftop amenities, public parking, and curated retail from wine bars to fitness studios. Completion expected late 2027.

Read more about the development here.

The multi-billion dollar project will add two barrier-separated express lanes in each direction along 13 miles of I-285's east side. Construction spans 8-10 years (pain!) with bus rapid transit included. Public forums continue addressing property and environmental concerns for the corridor serving 240,000 vehicles daily.

Read more about the project here.

Brookhaven launched a public survey running through November 30 to determine the best site for a new DeKalb County library. The web-based campaign represents major progress on a decades-long dispute, with Council Member Simmons citing improved cooperation since new DeKalb leadership took office.

Read more about the survey here.

Named after the French word for lilacs, Lilas is as sweet and lovely as her name suggests. This young cat has already shown incredible heart as a devoted mother to her kittens, but now it's her turn to be cherished in a loving home of her own.

Lilas has been spayed and is up-to-date on all vaccinations. She's a true people-lover who adores humans of all ages and will happily chat with you about your day, curl up on your bed at night, or hop into your lap while you're watching TV or working. She's an affectionate companion who loves being petted all over and melts when you rub her chin.

Still young and playful, Lilas has plenty of energy for catnip toys and balls—her favorites! She's also wonderfully social with other cats, often snuggling next to the senior cat in her foster home or playing spirited games of tag with younger felines. While she tolerates the resident dog, she's not looking to become best friends with canines—she'd prefer feline or human companionship.

Lilas uses the litter box reliably and scratches appropriately on towers and scratching posts. She's a beautiful, well-mannered kitty who just needs someone to give her a chance to show how wonderful she truly is.

Learn more about adopting sweet Lilas here.

🥕 Sandy Springs Farmers Market | City Springs | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 8:30 AM–noon | More
Weekly tradition with local produce, artisan breads, and that honey vendor who knows everyone.

👻 Spooky Springs | Abernathy Greenway | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 5–7 PM | Free | More
Candy stations, face painting, fog machines, and food trucks for the perfect pre-Halloween party.

🥋 Tai Chi on the City Green | City Springs | Friday, Oct. 24 | 10 AM | Free | More
Outdoor wellness session for all fitness levels, no experience needed.

🎶 Sundown Social | City Springs | Thursday, Oct. 23 | Evening | Free admission | More
Community gathering with live music and food trucks on the City Green. Get there early—parking limited!

🎵 Straight No Chaser Holiday Tour | Sandy Springs Performing Arts | Friday, Oct. 24 | 8 PM | More
Nine-man a cappella group brings holiday harmonies and humor. Tickets from $66.70. Listen to the group on Spotify here.

🎤 MANSOUR Concert | Sandy Springs Performing Arts | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 8 PM | More
Iconic Iranian artist performs for Farsi-speaking fans. Advance tickets required. Listen to the artist on Spotify here.

🎃 UTOPIA FEST Halloween Edition | BLOCK & DRUM, Chamblee | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 PM–2 AM | More
21+ Latin music festival with two stages, DJs, food trucks, and costume contests. Tickets from $19.28.