Welcome to Thursday, Atlanta! We love that you're reading us this morning.

🌤️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny. Highs around 93 and a lows around 73.

This newsletter is 981 words, a 3.5-minute read.

Work is underway to fill a major gap of Atlanta Beltline connectivity in Buckhead.

Why it matters: A new 1-mile Beltline segment opens up a brand new pedestrian and bicyclist path connecting Loring Heights, Brookwood and Ardmore to Buckhead's trail network.

• It also offers users a safe way to get around I-75, one of the most daunting obstacles in the area for pedestrians and bicyclists, and improves connections to Peachtree Road.

Driving the news: City and Beltline leaders this morning will mark the construction of the project, which is officially called Northwest Trail - Segment 3B.

• Preliminary work has already begun on the new pedestrian bridge and on the tail end of the existing path that leads to Ardmore and Taynard Creek parks.

Zoom in: The path includes a new pedestrian bridge over Northside Drive before passing the Atlanta Technology Center and traveling under I-75.

• It then cuts through a residential complex and hugs a channeled segment of Tanyard Creek before linking up with the Beltline's Northside Trail in Tanyard Creek Park.

The big picture: Beltline officials say 78% of the project's 22-mile "mainline" trails are completed.

• Segments under construction include a section connecting Blandtown with the Atlanta Waterworks, while a West End project will eventually eliminate the need for Beltline users to detour onto the sidewalk and cross White Street.

What's next: Construction on Segment 3B is expected to wrap up in late 2028.

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The weekend is upon us, and there's never a shortage of events in Atlanta.

• Let us help you build an itinerary with these weekend happenings:

😋 The four-day Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns to The Home Depot Backyard (more on that below). (through Sun.)

🎭 Hamilton, the popular production about the Founding Father, returns to the Fox Theatre. (through Sept. 20)

🔎 Learn about forensics and solve a whodunit at Fernbank After Dark. (Fri.)

🎟️ Les Misérables, the classic French musical based on the book with the same title, begins its two-week run at Byers Theater. (Fri. through Sept. 27)

⚾ The Braves finish their three-game series against the Rays on Thursday and will play the Phillies again this weekend. (Fri.-Sun.)

🥘 Celebrate cultures from around the world through dance, food and music at the Beloved Community International Expo. (Sat.)

🍷 The Kirkwood Wine Stroll celebrates its 20th anniversary with a chance to mix with neighbors while sipping wine. (Sat.)

🎨 Peruse the works of artists, jewelers and crafters at the Sandy Springs Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. (Sat.-Sun.)

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Foodies and vino snobs will have four days to satisfy their cravings at the 2026 Atlanta Food and Wine Festival this weekend at The Home Depot Backyard.

Why it matters: Food. Wine. Samples. Cooking demonstrations. What else is there to say?

The latest: Expect a "culinary extravaganza spotlighting incomparable food, wine, beer, and craft spirits of the South and beyond," the festival says.

Catch up quick: 2026 is the second year the Food & Wine Festival has called The Home Depot Backyard home. Before, the festivities were held at Historic Fourth Ward Park.

Zoom in: Along with tasting tents offering sample bites and drinks from more than 200 chefs, mixologists and sommeliers, the festival will also feature talks and discussions about Atlanta's restaurant scene.

The fine print: The host chefs will have tasting stations at their events. A cooking demonstration will be held at the Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage by hosts stationed at tasting tents.

Go: Visit the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival website to learn about the schedule, ticket pricing and other details.

Tell a fellow food and wine snob

Nothing has improved my work and life more than my new operating philosophy: Simplify, writes Axios co-founder Mike Allen.

• I've seen such a dramatic improvement at Axios, and in my personal life, that I co-wrote a new book explaining step by step how it works. It's called "Simplify: Do 50% More with 50% Less."

Why it matters: Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei, Roy Schwartz and I dig deep into real-world experience and science to show you why most people waste years of their lives doing needless stuff out of habit or inertia.

• You'll learn the three-step Simplify operating system we've personally stress-tested: Confront what you do, Delete what you shouldn't do, and Amplify what brings you joy and achievement.

💡 Simplify is a method and a mindset — a set of power tools to help you kill complexity in your life and work so you can be happier and more productive.

• Smart Brevity, our first book, was about simplifying how you communicate. Simplify extends that superpower to how you lead, manage, work and live.

Preorder Simplify today from a spot in your area like 44th & 3rd Bookseller or wherever you get your books.

🏈 The Rome Red Cats, a new American Arena League football team, will take the field in April 2027. (WSB-TV)

👀 Georgia child welfare officials' use of police-grade surveillance technology to track children in the state's care has raised privacy and legal concerns among lawmakers and child advocates. (Center Square)

A 19-year-old man who was a passenger in a pick-up truck that was struck by a Georgia State Patrol trooper during a chase has died. (ANF)

🚗 The Atlanta City Council approved a parking bill of rights that requires parking lot and garage operators to clearly post payment details and contact information. (11 Alive)

☺️ Thomas is embracing every second of this wonderful weather.

📖 Kristal is reading "What (TF) Do I Do Now?" and highly recommends it.

This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill.