🎶 The High Kings Saturday + AJFF's Last Call

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What's up, neighbors!

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival wraps up its in-person run this weekend at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. After Sunday, the whole thing goes virtual-only, so if you've been meaning to check it out, this is it. Nearly 40,000 people go every year, films from 20 countries, filmmaker Q&As after select screenings, and tickets are under $20. We're planning to grab one of the Sunday afternoon slots and make it a slow start to March.

Saturday morning, we're doing our usual farmers market run at Brook Run Park. Coffee, baked goods, kids running around the park after. Then we might swing by the Chattahoochee Nature Center for the Enchanted Woodland Trail before lunch. It's the last day for that one. Fairy houses and gnome homes built by local artists along the trails. We've been saying we'd go all winter so we're officially out of excuses.

Saturday night, The High Kings are at the PAC with the Byrne Brothers opening. Big Irish folk show, tickets start at $41, and you don't have to leave the neighborhood. Dinner on the plaza, walk to the theater, home by 10. That's a hard deal to beat for a February Saturday.

Scroll down for the full weekend planner, local news, a restaurant worth knowing about, and a few listings if you're watching the market.

- Andrew

(click to jump to the section)

_{This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance}

Storm season in north Georgia starts in March, and its worth a few minutes to give your insurance policy a second look before the first severe weather watch hits your phone.

A lot can change in a year.

Maybe you added a deck, finished a basement, put up a fence, or had a tree removed. Any of those shifts what your home actually needs to be covered for — and what a claim looks like if a storm rolls through.

Most people don't find out they're underinsured until they're filing a claim. That's the wrong time to learn because its too late to get the proper coverage at that point.

Peachy Insurance is an Atlanta-based company built to move quickly and keep things simple: fast quoting, clear explanations, and licensed professionals who'll help check your coverage without the runaround.

A few things Peachy can help you review in 10–15 minutes:

Get a quote or coverage review here: peachyinsurance.com OR text/call us 404-600-1660 (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

Saturday, Feb 28
7:00 PM
Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (Byers Theatre)
$41–$73
Get Tickets

The High Kings have been selling out theaters across the U.S. and Ireland for years, and Saturday night they're playing Sandy Springs. Four voices, tight harmonies, and the kind of energy that makes a room feel twice as full as it is. If you know Irish folk music, you know these guys. If you don't, you will by the second song.

The Byrne Brothers open the show, and they're worth showing up early for. This is a family of musicians from Donegal who've been playing together since the kids were practically in diapers. It's a full night of live music without the downtown hassle or the $15 parking garage.

Here's what makes this one easy: it's right at City Springs. Grab dinner at one of the restaurants on the plaza, walk over, and you're in your seat. No traffic stress, no long drive home after. At $41 to start, it's a SOLID Saturday night out that's five minutes from your house. Tickets are still available but this room isn't huge, so don't wait on it.

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This is my go-to when you need a meal that basically everyone can agree on. It's counter service, the line moves fast, and the menu hits the right notes without trying too hard. Soups, sandwiches, salads, and baked goods, all made from scratch in-house. Their famous sweet bread alone is worth the trip. If you're in a hurry, the grab-and-go market section makes it easy to be out the door in minutes.

With kids, this is a genuinely easy call. Nothing intimidating on the menu, portions are solid, and the vibe is casual enough that nobody's stressed. It also works just as well for a quick lunch meeting or a weekday pickup on the way home. Just know they close by 5 or 6pm depending on the day, so plan accordingly.

They've been doing this since 2005, and it shows. The food is consistent, the ingredients are fresh, and it punches well above what you'd expect from a neighborhood lunch spot.

📍 Sandy Springs: 220 Sandy Springs Circle NW, Atlanta, GA 30328
📍 Dunwoody: 5482 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
🔗 Learn more

When kids grow three sizes in a year, the math on buying everything new stops making sense. Kid to Kid in Dunwoody carries gently used clothes, shoes, toys, and baby gear at prices that reflect how fast kids actually go through things. Reviewers mention finding name brands like Melissa & Doug alongside everyday basics - clean store, easy to browse, well-stocked most days.

The part that keeps people coming back is the trade-in. Bring in what they've outgrown, get paid for it, and put that toward the next round. It's not a dramatic savings scheme, just a smarter loop. One heads-up from reviews: prices can vary, so it's worth checking before assuming everything is deeply discounted.

Easy stop off Chamblee Dunwoody Road, and worth having on your rotation if you've got little ones at home.

Price: $
Hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM - 8 PM | Sun 12-6 PM
Where: 4498 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd C, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Website: kidtokid.com/location/dunwoody

DeKalb County's Bend Creek Sewer Improvement Project has had Dunwoody Club Drive closed between Braddock Court and Bend Creek Road since Feb. 5, and the closure runs through March 27. Work hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with detour signage in place. Outside of work hours, the road reopens.

If this stretch is part of your usual route to Perimeter or I-285, plan around it for another five weeks. The project is part of DeKalb's ongoing EPA consent decree work to repair aging sewer infrastructure across the county.

More: Rough Draft Atlanta

Dunwoody is hosting a public information open house for the Village Crossing project, a planned overhaul of the 0.8-mile Chamblee Dunwoody Road corridor through Dunwoody Village from Womack Road to Roberts Drive. The city has secured $6 million in federal construction funding and $1.85 million for design, and plans call for wider sidewalks, separated bike lanes on both sides, new street trees and lighting, and intersection improvements at Mount Vernon Road and Roberts Drive.

The open house runs 5-7 p.m. at Vintage Pizzeria, 5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Drop in anytime, no formal presentation, and a court reporter will be on hand if you want your comments on record. Construction isn't until 2029, but the comment period closes March 17. This is the time to flag concerns about the design before it gets locked in.

More: City of Dunwoody

Airy is that rare cat you notice from across the room. She’s a white domestic shorthair with heterochromia, one blue eye and one green eye, so she looks like she’s always slightly judging your life choices in the cutest way. She’s 1 year, 7 months old, medium-sized, and she’s bonded with her brother Tai, so they need to be adopted together.

Her backstory explains her vibe. Airy was born to a semi-feral mama and was street-smart for a while. A run-in with neighborhood dogs made her cautious around people, so she’s not going to launch herself into your lap on day one. But once she decides you’re safe, it’s game over in the best way. The listing says you’ll get sweet purrs, and sometimes a little happy drool, plus gentle hand licks. If she rolls over for belly rubs, you have officially been accepted.

She’s house-trained, spayed, and vaccinated. Her compatibility with kids and dogs is listed as unknown, so if you’ve got little ones or other pets, ask about meet-and-greets and what the rescue has observed so far.

To meet Airy and Tai, start with an inquiry, then the rescue will guide you through an application and an online interview. Visits are by appointment only.

Catz 4 Life, Inc.
Sandy Springs, GA 30350 (foster-based, visits by appointment only)
(404) 434-1559
[email protected]
Hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Profile: PetFinder

🐾 Pete the Cat — Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta | 10:00 AM–12:30 PM | Ticketed, starts at $20/kids, $26/adults | Event info
For families who missed it Thursday, or who want a morning activity before the weekend officially starts.

🌿 Enchanted Woodland Trail — Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Ticketed | Event info
Second-to-last day for this one. If Saturday fills up, Friday afternoon works just as well and the trails are usually less crowded on weekdays.

🎬 AJFF Evening Screening — Sandy Springs PAC and other metro theaters | Showtimes vary | Ticketed | Event info
A solid Friday night option that feels a little more intentional than a random movie. Pick your film at ajff.org — older kids can absolutely handle some of these.

🥕 DHA Farmers Market — Brook Run Park (4770 N. Peachtree Rd.), Dunwoody | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free | Event info
Easy Saturday plan with coffee, baked goods, local vendors, and room for the kids to run at the park after. Rain or shine, year-round.

🎻 The High Kings (with Byrne Brothers opening) — Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (Byers Theatre) | 7:00 PM | Ticketed | Event info
The High Kings headline with four-part Irish folk harmonies and big crowd energy. Byrne Brothers opens the night. Good pick for families with older kids who can sit through a show.

🏃 Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend — Downtown Atlanta, start/finish at The Home Depot Backyard | All day | Free to spectate | Event info
The 5K is Saturday — if you want a reason to drag the kids downtown, cheering spectators are always welcome. The full marathon and half marathon are Sunday.

🌿 Enchanted Woodland Trail — Last Day — Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Ticketed | Event info
Today is the final day. If you've been meaning to go all winter, this is it.

🎭 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — Fox Theatre, Atlanta | 7:30 PM | Ticketed | Event info
Opening night of the Atlanta run. No matinee tonight — just the 7:30 PM show. It runs through March 15, but opening weekend has the energy.

🐾 Pete the Cat — Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | Ticketed | Event info
Saturday morning show is a clean 11 AM slot — easy to pair with the farmers market or a Midtown lunch after.

💪 Fit4Mom Body Ignite — City Green (City Springs), Sandy Springs | 7:00 AM | Ticketed | Event info
Mom-only strength workout at sunrise. A solid Sunday reset before the week starts.

🏃 Publix Atlanta Marathon & Half Marathon — Downtown Atlanta, The Home Depot Backyard | 7:15 AM start | Ticketed to run, free to spectate | Event info
The full marathon and half marathon are Sunday morning. Great energy downtown if you want to take the kids to see runners cross the finish line.

🎬 AJFF Weekend Screening — Sandy Springs PAC + other metro theaters | Showtimes vary | Ticketed | Event info
Sunday afternoon is a natural fit for a film festival screening. Pick something mellow and make it a slow start to the week.

🀄 Mahjongg Beginner-Friendly Tournament — Spruill Center for the Arts, Dunwoody | 12:00 PM–4:00 PM | Ticketed | Event info
A fun daytime plan if you want something social that is not another restaurant table.

🌱 Rare Tropical Plant Sale and Artist Market — Mutation Brewing Company, Roswell | 1:00 PM | Free to browse | Event info
Plants, local artists, and craft beer in Roswell. Easy Saturday afternoon stop before the High Kings show — or its own low-key plan if you want to skip the concert crowd.

🎬 AJFF Screening — Sandy Springs PAC + other metro theaters | Showtimes vary | Ticketed | Event info
Daytime or early evening screening before dinner is a clean way to use a Saturday without it feeling like you forced plans.

Corner of Vernon Springs Dr & Vernon Oaks Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338

If your ideal outing is less "load up the minivan" and more "we just need some air," Vernon Oaks Park is worth knowing about. It's a half-acre pocket park tucked into a tree-lined Dunwoody neighborhood with a short walking trail, seating, and a historic stone spring house built by early area settlers. Nothing flashy — just a genuinely calm spot that doesn't ask much of you.

Slow morning reset: Walk the trail, find a seat, let the kids explore the spring house. It's the kind of place where a 20-minute stop actually feels like a break instead of a task.

Stroller-friendly outing: The path is short and manageable, making it a low-effort way to get outside without a full park production. Good option when you want movement without commitment.

Good to know: This one's for the calm reset, not the energy burn — there's no playground or sports equipment on site. Park hours are 7:00 a.m. to sunset.

Info: Official Site

Google Maps

Spring weather in Atlanta can flip from 75 and sunny to sideways rain and hail in about an hour, and if your home isn't prepped for it, that's when the small stuff turns into expensive stuff. This is the week to spend ten minutes walking through a quick reset before storm season kicks in.

Start outside: clean out gutters and downspouts so the first heavy rain pushes water away from your foundation, not toward it. Trim back any branches hanging over your roof, driveway, or power lines—spring storms love to turn those into projectiles. Walk your yard and look for anything loose (patio furniture, grill covers, kids' toys). If wind picks it up and it hits your car or your neighbor's window, that's a claim you'd rather avoid.

Inside: swap your HVAC filters now, not when you start sneezing. A clean filter makes a noticeable difference once pollen season hits, and your system runs more efficiently too. Wipe down return vents and check that nothing is blocking airflow. If you have a crawl space or basement, check for any signs of moisture or standing water—catching it early is always cheaper than catching it late.

Storm-ready basics: charge power banks, confirm flashlights and batteries are all in the same easy-to-find spot (not three different drawers), and make sure everyone in the house knows where the main water shutoff valve is. Pro tip: take a quick phone video walkthrough of each room. If you ever need to file a claim, having a dated, visual record of your home and belongings before damage happens makes the process dramatically easier.

Helpful resource: https://www.iii.org/article/how-create-home-inventory

Learn more: peachyinsurance.com

This is one of the easiest ways to make an immediate impact. Volunteers help keep a community pantry running with tasks like stocking shelves, organizing donations, food distribution, recycling and donation pickups, and occasional admin help. It’s also one of the more family-friendly options depending on the shift, and they’re clear about age guidelines for teens and kids with a parent. If you want a “show up and be useful” volunteer gig, start here.

Sign up: Learn more (solidaritysandysprings.org)

If you like being outdoors and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this is a great fit. Their volunteer days focus on parks and trails with real, visible outcomes: clean-ups, basic maintenance, improvement projects, and general beautification. It’s a strong option for people who want a physical volunteer day and want to see the difference immediately when they’re done.

Get involved: Learn more (sandyspringsconservancy.org)

Want to plug into the city in a low-stress way? Dunwoody VIPS is a good “say yes when you can” option. Opportunities can include helping at community events and supporting city needs as they come up. This is a nice choice if you want to volunteer locally but don’t want to commit to a weekly schedule.

Learn more: Learn more (dunwoodyga.gov)

If you’re the type who loves festivals, concerts, markets, or anything arts-related, this is your lane. Volunteers support arts and culture programming throughout the year, which can mean event help, setup and breakdown, hospitality, or general support during programming. Great option if you want something social and upbeat.

Sign up: Learn more (createdunwoody.org)

This one is for people who want real outdoor work with a purpose. Think trail projects, invasive plant removal, mulching, plantings, and seasonal restoration. It’s hands-on and satisfying, and it’s also a good group option if you have a team, scout group, or neighborhood crew looking for a project day.

Details: Learn more (dunwoodynature.org)

A great pick if you want to support arts education in the community. Volunteers can help with events, gallery support, and behind-the-scenes roles that keep programming running smoothly. This is a nice fit if you prefer something structured indoors, or if you already love what Spruill offers and want to be part of it.

Apply: Learn more (spruillarts.org)