Podcast 290 – Leadership Perimeter Sparks a Journey to Dunwoody City Hall – Catherine Lautenbacher

Catherine Lautenbacher never saw herself running for office. But after years of leading the Leadership Perimeter program, she found herself pulled into public service. Now representing District 1 on Dunwoody City Council, Catherine focuses on community safety, connectivity, and building up future leaders.

She shares what she has experienced over the last four years and reflects on the moments that stood out during her time on the council. Public safety is at the top of that list. Catherine explains how Dunwoody police are using drones to respond more quickly and assess situations from above before officers even arrive. The city has also built a high-tech command center with live video feeds that help manage emergencies, traffic, and major events like the Fourth of July parade. It’s about being proactive, not just reactive, and she’s proud to see Dunwoody leading the way.

She also continues to mentor the next generation through Leadership Perimeter and remains a strong advocate for making Dunwoody more walkable, one sidewalk at a time.

https://whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-290-leadership-perimeter-sparks-a-journey-to-dunwoody-city-hall-catherine-lautenbacher/

What’s Up Dunwoody Links:

📅 Local events around the city.

whatsupdunwoody.com/events

🍔 Dunwoody restaurant guide.

whatsupdunwoody.com/food

🏠 Find homes for sale.

whatsupdunwoody.com/homes

🚎 ReDiscover Dunwoody tour.

Whatsupdunwoody.com/tour

👙 Summer JCC memberships. whatsupdunwoody.com/jcc

📍 Find local businesses.

whatsupdunwoody.com/local

🇺🇸 Participate in the Parade.

whatsupdunwoody.com/parade

🛎️ Book a hotel staycation.

whatsupdunwoody.com/hotels

🦷 Best orthodontist in town.

whatsupdunwoody.com/village

🙋‍♂️ Get to know Matt.

whatsupdunwoody.com/matt

🎧 All the podcast episodes.

whatsupdunwoody.com/podcasts

📖 Origin story of the podcast.

whatsupdunwoody.com/origins

👕 What’s Up Dunwoody merch.

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Podcast 289 – How Dunwoody Oktoberfest Starts With the 4th of July Parade – Denice Dudley & Katie Prellwitz

Dunwoody’s favorite fall festival is kicking marketing off early this year. Denice Dudley, the lead organizer of Dunwoody Oktoberfest 2025, and main sponsor Katie Prellwitz from Leverage Communications are using the city’s biggest summer stage, the 4th of July Parade, to build buzz for the September celebration.

Oktoberfest is returning to the grounds of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church on September 27 with beer, music, food, and fun. They’re also introducing a new 20-foot inflatable mascot, and the community gets to name it. It’s part of a playful campaign to get locals involved early and often. Proceeds from the festival benefit Malachi’s Storehouse and Anchor Place, two neighborhood gems that serve with heart. If your business wants to sponsor Oktoberfest, now’s the time. Early sponsors get July 4th exposure and a front-row seat to Dunwoody’s newest fall tradition.

Learn more and become a sponsor: whatsupdunwoody.com/oktoberfest

https://whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-289-how-dunwoody-oktoberfest-starts-with-the-4th-of-july-parade-denice-dudley-katie-prellwitz/

What’s Up Dunwoody Links:

📅 Local events around the city.

whatsupdunwoody.com/events

🍔 Dunwoody restaurant guide.

whatsupdunwoody.com/food

👙 Summer JCC memberships. whatsupdunwoody.com/jcc

📍 Find local businesses.

whatsupdunwoody.com/local

🏠 Homes for sale.

whatsupdunwoody.com/homes

🇺🇸 Participate in the Parade.

whatsupdunwoody.com/parade

🛎️ Book a hotel staycation.

whatsupdunwoody.com/hotels

🦷 Best orthodontist in town.

whatsupdunwoody.com/village

🙋‍♂️ Get to know Matt.

whatsupdunwoody.com/matt

🎧 All the podcast episodes.

whatsupdunwoody.com/podcasts

📖 Origin story of the podcast.

whatsupdunwoody.com/origins

👕 What’s Up Dunwoody merch.

whatsupdunwoody.com/merch

Podcast 288 – Smart Branding and Apartment Density Transformed Chamblee Over the Last Decade – Van Pappas

Chamblee has rebranded, reimagined, and revitalized itself. Van Pappas shares how smart city planning and a bold branding push turned an industrial corridor into one of North DeKalb’s hottest areas. The key? Apartment density, a clear identity, and big community pride. Van was there from the start, on the branding committee that helped bring the iconic red Chamblee sign to Peachtree Boulevard. He explains how signage isn't just decoration, it is declaration.

Van also dives into starting his Chamblee Area Restaurant Review Facebook Group during Covid, and growing it nearly as large as my Dunwoody version. What began as a way to support struggling restaurants became a digital town square, where locals post reviews and swap recommendations.

The Chamblee Rail Trail is more than a sidewalk. Van breaks down how the trail is expanding to connect key parts of the city and tie into a larger regional network. With plans to link Chamblee to Doraville’s Assembly development, Brookhaven’s greenways, and eventually the BeltLine, the trail is redefining how locals experience the city, without ever getting in a car.

Learn more about Van: oxygenfinancial.com/van-pappas

https://whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-288-smart-branding-and-apartment-density-transformed-chamblee-over-the-last-decade-van-pappas

What’s Up Dunwoody Links:

📅 Local events around the city.

whatsupdunwoody.com/events

🍔 Dunwoody restaurant guide.

whatsupdunwoody.com/food

👙 Summer JCC memberships. whatsupdunwoody.com/jcc

📍 Find local businesses.

whatsupdunwoody.com/local

🏠 Homes for sale.

whatsupdunwoody.com/homes

🇺🇸 Participate in the Parade.

whatsupdunwoody.com/parade

🛎️ Book a hotel staycation.

whatsupdunwoody.com/hotels

🦷 Best orthodontist in town.

whatsupdunwoody.com/village

🙋‍♂️ Get to know Matt.

whatsupdunwoody.com/matt

🎧 All the podcast episodes.

whatsupdunwoody.com/podcasts

📖 Origin story of the podcast.

whatsupdunwoody.com/origins

👕 What’s Up Dunwoody merch.

whatsupdunwoody.com/merch