Southface gives top award to former Mayor Andrew Young
At the Southface Visionary Awards luncheon on Oct. 30 at the Georgia Aquarium, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young received the nonprofit’s Argon Award for his leadership in improving the global environment.
Young was introduced by Rawson Haverty, a business leader who has traveled with Young internationally and partnered with him on some projects.
“When I turned 75, I had done everything I thought I could do,” Young said. “But I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to get into heaven.”
Young then described how on a trip to Uganda he was told about the how duckweed had choked up a major dam.
“Why did God make this?” Young wondered. “I brought some it home.”
From that point on, Young said his foundation has been understand ways that duckweed is beneficial. It contains eight essential minerals and protein, for one. Now he’s working with Clayton County on “the world’s largest aquaponics farm” on 10 acres.
“I’ve stumbled into a lot of things in my 93 years,” Young said. “It’s continuing God’s creation here on earth.”
Southface is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that promotes sustainability and environmental building practices.
— Maria Saporta
SCAD Savannah Film Festival names 2025 award winners
The Savannah College of Art and Design announced winners of the 28th annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival, which featured 167 films including seven world premieres. The festival remains one of the top events leading into awards season.
“Frankenstein” earned the Audience Award, with actor Oscar Isaac attending the sold-out screening and receiving the Icon Award. “Rental Family” was runner-up, and “No Other Choice” won the International Audience Award, with director Park Chan-wook honored with the Auteur Award.
Out of more than 2,500 submissions, 24 awards were presented across categories such as narrative and documentary features, shorts and animation. Top professional awards went to “Charliebird” for Best Narrative Feature, “Yanuni” for Best Documentary Feature, and “Rise” for Best Professional Short.
The Katie Spikes Legacy Award, honoring excellence in student filmmaking, went to Isabella Sullivan for “Drag Me to Church.”
This year’s festival also recognized a roster of honorees including Dakota Fanning, Spike Lee, Brendan Fraser, Sydney Sweeney, Park Chan-wook and Oscar Isaac.
— Derek Prall
Decatur announces holiday events and promotions for 2025 season
The Decatur Downtown Development Authority has unveiled a full slate of “Holidays in Decatur” events and promotions designed to attract visitors and support local businesses throughout the season.
Weekly “Terrific Thursday” events begin Nov. 6 and continue through mid-December, featuring activities such as the city’s official ornament unveiling, photos with Santa, a tree lighting ceremony, and a community bonfire. Other highlights include a menorah lighting Dec. 14 and a free outdoor screening of “Happy Feet” Dec. 18.
Additional promotions encourage residents to shop locally, including a “Shop Early, Shop Local” incentive offering $20 restaurant gift cards for every $200 spent at Decatur retailers in November. Downtown businesses will also participate in a “Gingerbread Takeover,” and letters to Santa can be dropped off at several city locations.
City officials said the festivities come as construction continues on the $8.5 million renovation of Decatur Square, set to reopen in April 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The redesigned space will serve as the hub for Decatur WatchFest ’26, a 34-day soccer and music celebration.
Event details are available here.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta Ballet brings The Nutcracker back to Cobb Energy Centre
Atlanta Ballet will return to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre with its annual production of The Nutcracker, running Dec. 6–27. The show features choreography by Yuri Possokhov and a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s score by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.
Originally reimagined for Atlanta Ballet in 2018, Possokhov’s version combines intricate costumes, hand-painted sets and advanced staging to create one of the most elaborate Nutcracker productions in the Southeast. This year’s performances will include 195 students from the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, with 35 children appearing in each show.
The theater will be decorated with Christmas trees, snowflakes and photo stations, and the lobby will offer seasonal drinks and holiday shopping. Executive Director Tom West said the production continues a 66-year Atlanta tradition, offering audiences “a chance to make special holiday memories.”
Atlanta Ballet will also host four Kids In Step performances Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 17, providing children a behind-the-scenes experience.
Tickets are available at atlantaballet.com or the Cobb Energy Centre box office.
— Derek Prall
SouthState Bank opens new Atlanta regional headquarters in Buckhead
SouthState Bank has opened its new 87,000-square-foot regional headquarters at Prominence in Buckhead, consolidating several Atlanta offices into a single location. The move makes the bank the building’s largest tenant and adds prominent signage atop the 19-story tower. JLL represented SouthState in the transaction.
The new headquarters spans three and a half floors and brings together more than 175 employees. The space includes a flagship retail branch on the ground floor, designed to provide a premium banking experience and strengthen community ties.
SouthState, headquartered in Winter Haven, Fla., is expanding across the Southeast with regional hubs in Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa and Dallas.
Prominence, located at 3475 Piedmont Road NE, recently underwent $8 million in renovations to add modern amenities such as a fitness center, coffee bar and conference facilities.
JLL’s Patrick Baughman said SouthState’s move reflects a broader trend of financial institutions consolidating teams in high-quality office environments that promote collaboration and visibility. According to JLL research, Atlanta’s financial services sector is growing nearly 10 percent, reinforcing the city’s role as a hub for banking and innovation.
— Derek Prall
