Northside Woman February 2014

february 2014

Love is in the aiR New ideas for Valentine's dates

On with the Show Sarah Chandler at the helm of roswell Cultural arts Center

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4 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

northside women { 8 } UNSUNG ‘SHE’RO

Gail Goldberg and dog Biscuit

encourage local students to read { 12 } THE INTERVIEW

Sarah Chandler, Coordinator of the

Roswell Cultural Arts Center { 14 } WOMEN IN ART

Sheila Pree Bright’s photographs

depict “Invisible Suburbia”

northside lifestyle { 6 }

GOOD EATS Chef Bruleé Chocolates and Gâteaux

{ 16 } HER STYLE

Does this purse make my

butt look fat? { 18 } WINTER GETAWAY

Ski Vacation in Beech Mountain, N.C.

the cover The future is bright for the arts in North Fulton, according to Sarah Chandler, who brings a lifelong love of theater to her new role as coordinator of the Roswell Cultural Arts Center (CAC). Learn more about Chandler and the CAC’s latest performing arts series on page 12.

{ 20 } SHE READS Favorite books make the jump

to the silver screen { 26 } TAKE FIVE

New ideas for

Valentine’s Day dates

{ 29 } SHE BLOGS About Sex { 30 } ASK THE VET

Chilly dogs: keeping your pet warm

{ 31 } PET OF THE MONTH { 32 } HER HEALTH Heart-healthy nutrition tips

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goodeats

not just

eye candy

Husband and wife team open artisanal chocolate and cake shop by downtown Roswell

By KELLY BROOKS

editor@northsidewoman.com

B

PHOTOS 1-3 AND 5-8 BY JANE AMIRJANOVA. PHOTO 4 COURTESY OF NATALYA SHAPIRO.

efore Natalya Shapiro and her husband Arthur opened Chef Brulée Chocolates and Gâteaux in Roswell, they created their confections in their East Cobb home. That posed some delicious challenges.

“The kitchen was covered in chocolate,” Natalya said.

The Shapiros also had a pint-sized sweets thief in their midst. Last year, their younger daughter Korina, now 11, absconded with 30 chocolates in three days while Natalya was making the white and gold caramels for a wedding.

But one can hardly blame a sugarhigh Korina, given the artistry and lusciousness of her mom’s chocolates.

“I’m trying to combine beauty, taste and freshness,” Natalya said of her sweets. “I want them to be as beautiful as they taste.”

After about four years of making cakes and then chocolates for friends and family, the Shapiros opened Chef Brulée in November. Business boomed over the 6 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

holidays and Natalya’s loved ones pitched in to put bows on chocolate-filled boxes.

Right from the start, people couldn’t resist the chocolates that look almost too good to eat. Almost.

From the conventional caramel, pecan and coconut fillings to the more exotic combinations such as yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit) with ginger and pine nuts, Natalya decorates her treats with meticulous yet colorful gradients, lines and Jackson Pollock-like splashes. They also come in a medley of shapes including lips, hearts, butterflies and drops.

The 2013 graduate of Vancouver’s Ecole Chocolat professional chocolatier program doesn’t have a formal art

goodeats

background, but used to work as an aesthetician.

“After beautiful skin, I came to beautiful chocolates,” Natalya said.

She uses colored cocoa butter (oil extracted from chocolate) to add the designs directly to a mold, cases the mold in chocolate, fills it in and closes it up.

The Shapiros start with gourmet chocolate from France, Belgium or the United States, and then use highend Italian and German machines for processing.

“You have to heat it up, melt it, cool it to a certain temperature and then reheat it,” Arthur said. “If you want to do chocolate the proper way – when it snaps when you break it – you have to run it through this process.”

As if Chef Brulée isn’t already a strong enough contender for locally sourced Valentine’s Day treats, the owners’ love story is the icing on the cake.

Natalya moved to the U.S. at age 17 from Ukraine. Arthur came to the U.S. from Saint Petersburg, Russia. The two met at a birthday party in a metro Atlanta Russian restaurant in 1998 and married in 1999.

“I saw him and I said, ‘He probably will be mine,’” Natalya said with a playful smirk.

“We have lots of things in common that we like to do together. We enjoy each other.”

1. Colorful chocolates at Chef Brulée.

2. Natalya Shapiro, professional chocolatier and co-owner of Chef Brulée.

3. Cherry mousse.

4. Arthur Shapiro, Chef Brulée co-owner and Natalya's husband.

5. Meticulously painted chocolates.

6. Chocolate-covered cherries.

7. The Shaprios provide customers with beautiful packaging options for their treats.

8. Lemon ganache tart with Italian meringue.

A casual phone conversation between the two rapidly switches from English to Russian and back, displaying the compatibility that makes them a dream team for the delectable.

Most of the individual chocolates in Chef Brulée cost $2. They also sell specially curated $11 bags of coffee, and create custom cakes with elaborate chocolate and sugar sculptures – hence “Gateaux,” or cake in French.

Natalya says her husband’s “hands of gold” make many of the sculptures.

Arthur, part-owner of the Mariettabased Stucco Bell International construction company, enjoys helping out in the shop whenever he has time. He jokes that he likes the flexibility of chocolate versus his full-time gig.

“If you screw up, you admit it’s yourself only. You can melt everything and start over,” he said. “You cannot melt cement.

Once it’s in place, that’s it, you’re done.”

The couple looks forward to potentially growing their business and offering new twists such as sugar-free chocolates. For now, Natalya’s “little pumpkins,” Korina and her older sister, Olivia, who turns 13 Feb. 2, make up the store’s ace sales team. But according to Natalya, all it takes is a taste.

“We have regular customers who come, sometimes even just to have one chocolate and a coffee, espresso or cappuccino,” she said. “When people try, I know they will be my customers.” ■

Chef Brulée Chocolates & Gâteaux 1140 Alpharetta Street, Roswell (next to Thumbs Up Diner) 404-953-0369 | www.chefbrulee.com

february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 7

unsung‘she’ro

Tail Waggin’

Good Times Gail Goldberg and her rescued dog, Biscuit, help children learn to read

By JADE RODGERS jade@northfulton.com

8 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

ABBY BREAUX/STAFF

“U

se the bent pencil.”

It’s not a common saying, but it is an axiom by which Gail Goldberg lives her life – reminding her that all students learn with various tools at different paces – and it sets the stage for Gail’s passion of promoting childhood literacy.

Outside of a classroom setting, most people would not consider reading to be a group activity, but the Roswell resident is determined to prove that notion wrong.

Gail, a retired kindergarten teacher, now volunteers for Therapy Dogs International (TDI). TDI hosts a program called Tail Waggin’ Tutors that promotes literacy in children by allowing kids to read books to therapy dogs. Paired with her Great Pyrenees partner, Biscuit, Gail helps children throughout Georgia improve their reading abilities by promoting the fun side of reading and writing.

Learning to read is a challenge for many children, and the stress of reading aloud in a classroom can be counterproductive to a child’s self-esteem.

“For a child to have the opportunity to sit beside a warm, fuzzy, calm dog and show the dog their book and read it to them, has been shown to give that child an activity to look very forward to and relish,” Gail said. “As the child reads or shares their book with a dog such as Biscuit, the teacher can observe where the weaknesses are and target them in her lessons. It’s just a win-win all the way around and the dogs really enjoy visiting with the children.”

It takes a special kind of animal to be a therapy dog, and Biscuit’s story is an inspiring one. Biscuit was abandoned in the back of an apartment building in Tennessee at the tender age of 4 months. She was tied to a tree and left with little food and water. A neighbor heard her plaintive cries and kindly called Animal Rescue.

From there, Biscuit went on to live in different foster homes throughout Georgia before residing with Gail and her husband, David. The couple instantly noticed Biscuit’s loving and magnetic personality. Gail had a professional U.S. Customs canine trainer work with Biscuit for seven months before submitting her for the therapy dog test for Chapter 193 of Therapy Dogs International. Biscuit passed with flying colors and joined Gail in her mission to help children with their confidence in reading.

Gail and Biscuit visit schools and learning centers throughout Georgia to spread the word on childhood literacy.

“I just want to go to every classroom with Biscuit!”

Gail said. “We go just about anywhere.”

Gail and Biscuit accomplished quite a goal when they visited Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Center in Marietta on Nov. 6, 2013. Handler and dog went to each classroom full of children, acquainting the students with the colossal canine who weighs in at 140 pounds. Despite her intimidating size, the Great Pyrenees is an incredibly gentle giant and inspired smiles amongst the children as they approached to pet her.

“Having Biscuit as an assistant is the greatest joy,”

Gail said.

This visit in particular was distinct for Biscuit because it marked her 150th therapy visit within two years. In honor of this accomplishment, the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy donated 150 books to Sheltering Arms in Biscuit’s name. Gail and Biscuit distributed the books, some of which included Gail’s own book, “Animals A-Z: Poems for Early Readers,” which Gail illustrated with paintings inspired by pictures from her visits with Biscuit.

However, Gail’s books and efforts to promote childhood literacy are just the tip of the iceberg to her list of accomplishments. Gail also seeks to educate every child about dogs and how to treat them by emphasizing the significance of dog safety.

“Don’t go near a dog you don’t know,” Gail instructs.

“If a dog has been abandoned, they can be hurt, or hungry,

Top, Gail Goldberg and Biscuit volunteer with Therapy Dogs International. Left, Gail Goldberg and Biscuit talk with students from St. David’s Preschool.

or scared. Go get a parent or grown up and call the officials.”

Gail also works with Biscuit to display the positive side of dogs.

“Biscuit loves kids,” she said. “She is sweet and calm around them. I love it when the kids bury their faces in her soft fur.”

With her mellow demeanor, Biscuit demonstrates that big dogs are at their best when surrounded by love and structure.

Gail knows that “you may not be able to change the habits of grown-ups, but you can always influence children.” She instructs that crates make excellent training tools because they emulate a den where your dog can feel safe. Also, especially with ► See ‘SHE’RO, Page 10

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unsung‘she’ro

▼ ‘SHE’RO, Continued from Page 8 rescues, it is important to train your dog and make sure you are always kind to them.

Despite being retired, Gail aspires to keep a busy schedule and encourages other retirees to do the same. Biscuit is now roughly 6 years old but Gail also seeks to keep her a happy, working dog.

“As long as we’re happy and healthy, we can be contributing citizens. I

embrace every day,” she said.

Together, Gail and Biscuit make a wonderful team and will continue their mission of improving childhood literacy and teaching students that dogs need the same things people do, especially love.

You can learn more about Gail’s work at www.gailgoldbergbook.com. To learn more about how to volunteer and train your pet to be a therapy dog, visit the Therapy Dog International website at www.tdi-dog.org. ■

Gail Goldberg and Biscuit pose with students from St. David’s Preschool.

ABBY BREAUX/STAFF

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theinterview

Roswell Cultural Arts Center

On withthe Show!

Sarah Chandler brings lifelong love of theater to Roswell Cultural Arts Center

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

J

ust across a shady footbridge from Roswell City Hall lies the Roswell Cultural Arts Center (CAC), a 600-seat house offering a comfortable and intimate theater experience for local residents. Every seat is a good seat, and guests are often able to chat with artists after the show.

The Roswell facility has long been the venue of choice for local dance companies, symphonies and the Georgia Ensemble Theatre, which produces five outstanding stage shows each year.

Lately, the CAC has expanded beyond its role as a rental house to offer more original productions such as the LIVE! in Roswell concert and performing arts series (www. roswellpresents.com), now in its second year.

Blazing the trail in this exciting endeavor is the CAC’s new coordinator, Sarah Chandler, who brings to her position a lifelong love of theater and an extensive background in the performing arts.

Chandler, who grew up in Macon, Ga., jokes that her own stage debut was made at the tender age of 6, as

a farmer in the kindergarten production of “Which Came First – the Chicken or the Egg?” But it was a high school English professor who first inspired her to take her theatrical talent seriously, after praising her emotional reading of a literary monologue.

Chandler’s love of the theater world was cemented when she attended a musical based on the songs of 1970s performer Harry Chapin.

“I found myself weeping during ‘Mr. Tanner,’ and it was the first time that I had that moment of…WOW,” she said. “Theater can change your life and make you feel so many things.”

Chandler attended Wesleyan College in Macon where she worked on every play produced by the theater department for four years.

She knew that she had found what she wanted to do with her life.

By the time she traveled to Virginia Tech to receive her graduate degree in theater management, she had made the decision to focus her energies behind the stage rather that upon it.

“My mother envisioned me acting on Broadway, and I’ll admit that was a fleeting dream of mine for a time at Wesleyan, but at some point, I realized that my true talents

The CAC is a beautiful space right here in the heart of Roswell. You can have dinner at your favorite Canton Street restaurant, then stroll over to see a show ... What better way to support the arts in your local community?”

Sarah Chandler, Roswell Cultural Arts Center Coordinator

12 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

Sarah Chandler, Roswell Cultural Arts Center Coordinator.

were in the creative process and technical side of theater,” she recalled.

“It really helped, though, to have experienced the churning stomach and sweaty palms that come with stage acting. It helped me to become an even better theater creator.”

Chandler spent 11 years working nationally and internationally in stage management, most recently in Philadelphia, a city she describes as hugely supportive of the arts.

But she felt the strong need to return home to the South, encouraged especially by her beloved grandmother from Marietta who regularly sent newspaper clippings announcing theater opportunities in the metro Atlanta area, with notes attached saying, “You could do this!”

When the Roswell Cultural Arts Center position became available, Chandler knew it was the right fit.

“This is a great time to be in Roswell,” she said. “This area is exploding with new businesses, a burgeoning arts scene and youthful energy.”

G. Morgan Timmis, manager of historic and cultural affairs for the city of Roswell, was pleased to find such a highly qualified candidate to manage the CAC. “Sarah brings great experience and innovative ideas for how to enhance everything about the center,” Timmis said. “I had applicants from across the country for this position. All three of the short-list candidates were from out of state, which I feel is a positive statement about our facility – what we’ve been doing and have the potential to do going forward.”

Chandler is already exploring ways for the CAC to be more active in the community, including partnering with local businesses for “Locals Only” events like open mic nights, readings and trivia nights.

► See CHANDLER, Page 28

february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 13

women in art

Suburbia Sheila Pree Bright’s images of African American life on display during Roswell Roots Festival

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

“Y

ou’re black, but you don’t know anything about blackness.”

Sheila Pree Bright’s husband delivered this astute observation of his wife soon after the couple moved to Atlanta in 1997.

Growing up as an “Army brat,” Bright had lived abroad and in the American Midwest, but never in the South, though her parents were originally from rural Georgia.

“I was not used to being around so many African Americans,” Bright admitted. “I needed to try and identify with that part of me.”

As a Georgia State University graduate school student earning her Master of Fine Arts in photography, it was natural for Bright to explore “what it means to be black” from behind the lens of a camera.

She began by hanging around street corners in downtown Atlanta, collecting images of flamboyant street preachers for a “Preaching Souls” series. She got up close and personal with the dental bling of the city’s hip-hop musicians for a series on black males and gold teeth entitled “Gold Rush.”

But these stereotypical images of urban Atlanta didn’t reflect her own story at all. She decided to turn her camera outside the Perimeter, to the middle-class segment of the black population, which is largely overlooked.

“Atlanta has one of the country’s largest areas of African Americans living in suburbia, but you don’t hear much about them,” said Bright. “I had friends from New York who would say, ‘We’ve never heard of your suburbia.’”

This idea of an “invisible” population intrigued Bright, who traveled to predominately black neighborhoods south of the city, as well as in Cobb County and North Fulton. Her subjects’ faces were never shown, emphasizing the theme of invisibility.

“I used depth of field techniques to direct you to what I wanted you to observe in each image,” she said.

“The work is very subtle. I wanted to depict a more realistic picture of normal African American life in the 14 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

Above all, I want my work to start a conversation.”

Sheila Pree Bright suburbs and to show the many commonalities between us all.

“I’ve given lectures at universities in Atlanta, and I tell the students that if others only see negative stereotypes in the media, then that’s all they will understand about our culture,” she said. “African Americans are actually a very diverse group, but you don’t often see that balance portrayed.”

Sally Hansell, a local journalist and art writer, discovered Bright’s work while searching for artists to feature in the 13th annual Roswell Roots Festival, which celebrates and explores the city’s African American history and culture.

“As soon as I saw Sheila’s ‘Suburbia’ photographs, I knew they would be an amazing fit,” said Hansell. “Roswell is known for its antebellum mansions and cotton mill, but the Roots Festival spotlights the complicated African American history in the city while celebrating a rich cultural heritage.”

During the 2014 festival, which runs throughout the month of February, Bright’s “Suburbia” photographs will be displayed inside Barrington Hall, one of Roswell’s white-columned antebellum homes, formerly owned by Barrington King, the largest slave owner in Roswell – a

Fine art photographer Sheila Pree Bright. Top, Suburbia series, "Untitled No. 12."

juxtaposition Bright considers “fascinating.”

“The portraits of African American middle-class homes in Barrington Hall suggests that history has come full circle,” said Hansell, who serves as the exhibit’s curator. “The exhibit foregrounds the rising middle-class African American home within the context of its bleak origins.”

Bright’s photographs have been displayed in prestigious museums and galleries across the country.

Her body of work is very much centered around personal identity, a subject she explores through a variety of thought-provoking photography series.

Her series “Plastic Bodies” blends Barbie doll features with the faces of real women to explore the feminine need to conform to an idealized, unrealistic depiction of beauty.

In “Young Americans,” she includes portraits of Generation Y millennials posing with the American flag in a way that expresses their feelings for their country.

Bright’s “Project 1960” features striking images of the aged faces of former student members of the civil rights movement in Atlanta.

“Plastic Bodies,” in particular, opened a floodgate of comments from viewers, prompting Bright to consider a new body of work in response to the dialogue.

“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Photography is not just about a beautiful image –it’s the concept behind the image. Above all, I want my work to start a conversation.”

For more information on the Roswell Roots Festival, visit www.roswellroots.com. Learn more about Bright’s work at www.sheilapreebright.com. ■

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Does this purse

herstyle

make my buttlook big?

Finding the best bag for your body and budget

By LORI WYNNE

fashionwithflair.com

B

elieve it or not, this question has merit for all of us. The size of your girth and stature dictates the size of purse you should carry.

If you are petite in stature and frame, meaning around 5 feet tall, and wear a size 2 or less, do not overwhelm yourself with an oversized bag. The width of a shoulder bag for example, should not extend past the width of your body. The length of the bag should never extend past your waist.

Conversely, if you are a curvy, plus-size gal, carry a purse that is in proportion to your figure. Formal clutches and wristlets for a quick run to the outlet mall excluded, choose a bag that is as least as wide as you are thick. Carrying a dainty purse on your shoulder emphasizes a full upper arm and makes you look bigger than you are.

When shopping for a purse, along with function, find a purse that complements your body frame. Try on the purse. Why do you think retailers

put mirrors in the purse department?

Since shoulder bags are so popular, I will use this style as an example. Hang the purse on your shoulder and turn sideways in the mirror. Make sure the length of the purse straps do not allow the bottom of the purse to stop at the thickest part of your body. If the widest part of your body is your hips, season, too. make sure the purse ends at your waist, Finally, do you have a passion for the smallest part of your body. designer purses but pale at the prices?

How many purses should a Check out Bag Borrow or Steal (www. woman own? That depends on you bagborroworsteal.com), a website and your passion for purses. Since that rents the latest in designer bags.

I also emphasize organization with Customers can rent purses as long as my clients, I suggest keeping your they want or buy gently used purses collection to a minimum. Excessive from the outlet at a discount. ■ amounts of purses that you do not use add clutter to your closet. For starters, I urge my clients to own a black purse, brown purse and cream or bonecolored purse. Fabric and As a personal wardrobe style is up to you. consultant and owner For spring/summer of Alpharetta-based 2014, look for radiant orchidFashion With Flair, Lori colored purses. This color Wynne helps people look “pops” any outfit. Light gray their best. Contact her at is a great “new” neutral this fashionwithflair.com.

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16 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

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february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 17

winter getaway

Courtesy of Beech Mountain tourism

Ski High

Skiing

Beech Mountain Ski Resort offers exceptional skiing at the highest elevation in the East

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

W

e arrived in Beech Mountain, N.C., late one afternoon just moments before Winter Storm Hercules unleashed its snowy charm across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Within a few hours, the wintry mix made traveling the winding mountain roads a bit dicey, but the destination was well worth the white knuckles.

The snow may have disrupted travel plans, but it proved to be perfect for skiers who came to Beech Mountain over a long holiday weekend and found a base of fresh snow, courtesy of Hercules.

The resort sits at the highest point east of the Mississippi River – 5,506 feet above sea level – and I was surprised to learn the area receives 80 to 120 inches of

18 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

snow annually, creating a solid base of real snow supplemented by an active snowmaking operation.

Beech Mountain has 15 slopes on 98 acres of skiable area, with runs for every skill level, from beginner to highly advanced. A vertical drop of 830 feet provides a challenging run for skiers looking to spend more time on the slopes than a lift.

We awoke our first morning to more than four inches of fresh, heavy snow, which unfortunately, trapped our Suburban in its firm grip in the parking lot. We learned our first lesson – we were lacking the “must have” accessories for Beech Mountain when it snows: tire chains (or 4-wheel drive).

A good set of snow chains will cost you less than $50 in Atlanta, but skyrocket to $200 if you’re trying to find them--as we

were--if you need them.

As we considered our options on how to make the one mile trek from our hotel to the ski resort, luck appeared in the form of a most gracious hotel manager. We stayed at the 4 Seasons at Beech, a well-known lodge in the town of fewer than 400 residents, with a wonderful restaurant on site and a roaring fire in the lobby all day.

What the hotel may lack in modern amenities (Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby) it more than makes up for in hospitality. Calder Smoot, the inn’s manager, spent the morning making coffee and transporting his snowbound guests from the hotel to the ski resort, salvaging a day of skiing we feared we lost.

At the ski resort, we picked up our

equipment and lift tickets and were on the lift and to the slopes within an hour of our arrival. The green slopes were truly made for beginners and my three children, though relatively new to skiing, quickly moved to the blue runs after a few easy runs were under the belt. The black runs are designed for the advanced skier seeking a high level of challenge—and delivered as advertised.

What I appreciated about Beech Mountain is a layout which allows snowboarders and skiers to coexist peacefully. One freestyle run diverts off a main artery and is “snowboard only” allowing boarders to practice their jumps and twists—well out of the pathway of skiers. The wayward skier (my husband) looking for a chance to jump off a snowboard hill, was politely told to stick to the ski runs!

Beech Mountain has four lifts, however only three were in operation the weekend we visited. The fourth lift leads to a ski run which was scheduled to open once adequate snow was on the ground.

Talia Freeman, the marketing manager for Beech Mountain, said the lifts can deliver 10,000 people to the top of the mountain each hour, seriously minimizing wait times in line.

Amenities are the complete package at Beech Ski Resort, with a cafeteria for quick meals, a full-service restaurant, along with a bar at the top of the mountain, and a brewery at the bottom.

Perfect to begin, and end, the day.

Beech Mountain is a five-hour drive from Atlanta, making it perfect for a weekend ski getaway when a week out West doesn’t fit the time or the budget.

What you’ll find is a town that is built around its ski resort, with wonderful

Courtesy of Beech Mountain tourism Courtesy of Beech Mountain tourism

Beech Mountain is a five-hour drive from Atlanta, making it perfect for a weekend ski getaway when a week out West doesn’t fit the time or the budget.

restaurants, shopping, and charming shops. I loved that Christmas extended well into January here, with the town lit up with holiday displays everywhere you looked.

In town, we learned if the word “Famous” was in the name of the restaurant, you couldn’t go wrong. Our first night we visited the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria, a family-run business that was packed with locals (always a good sign).

Owner Ilena Accardi ran the front of the restaurant, while her sons and nephews manned the ovens, turning out incredible garlic bread, calzones and pizza that made for happy kids. Make sure you leave room to sample the homemade desserts.

The second night, Famous Fast Eddie’s was our destination since my boys were craving ribs and wings. Here again, the owner, Eddie, was a constant presence on the floor, and had a huge “hello” for everyone walking through the door.

Beech Mountain comes across as a trip to see old friends, in a comfortable setting, without the corporate bells and whistles you often find in tourist towns.

With this season’s record breaking snowfall, we’re scouring our calendar to find a few days for a repeat visit.

For more information on Beech Mountain Ski Resort visit www.beechmtn. com. ■

february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 19

Best-selling books dominate the silver screen in 2014

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

Movie opens Feb. 7, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman and Hugh Bonneville (yes, that’s Lord Grantham from “Downton Abbey”) George Clooney directs and stars in the movie version of Robert M. Edsel’s novel, which tells the true story of a special force of American and British museum directors, curators, art historians George Clooney and others, who risked their lives scouring Europe during the 11-month period between D-Day and V-E Day during WWII to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture by saving the world’s great art from the Nazis.

The HundredFoot Journey Novel by Richard C. Morais Movie opens Aug. 8, starring Helen Mirren, Rohan Chand and Charlotte Le Bon Okay, this may not be a familiar title, but when Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey team up to produce a movie starring Dame Helen Mirren, it’s worth a mention.

The story centers on the boisterous Haji family, which moves from India to a small village in the French Alps where they open an inexpensive Indian dining spot across the street from the highly rated French restaurant of famous chef Madame Mallory.

Mallory wages culinary war against the family before finally agreeing to mentor young Hassan Helen Mirren Haji and lead him to new adventures in Paris.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” represents the gulf between different cultures and desires and is a testament to the inevitability of destiny.

COURTESY OF ANGELA GEORGE

See you at the movies!

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History Novel by Robert M. Edsel COURTESY OF NICOLAS GENIN

shereads

katie@northsidewoman.com

Novel by Gillian Flynn Movie opens Oct. 3, starring Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck and Missi Pyle After Amy Dunne disappears from the mansion she shares with her husband, Nick, passages from her diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone on edge, and

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Nick is oddly evasive and definitely bitter, but is he really a killer?

This book has been called a fastpaced, devilishly dark and ingeniously plotted thriller.

COURTESY OF ANGELA GEORGE

N

Gone Girl

ow’s the time to catch up on all those great books you’ve been meaning to read – because many of them will probably wind up on the silver screen in movie form during 2014.

The list of best-selling novels snatched up by movie producers seems longer than ever this year. Here are just a few of the familiar titles coming soon to a theater near you.

Ben Affleck

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Novel by Laura Hillenbrand Movie opens Dec. 25, directed

by Angelina Jolie and

COURTESY OF IAN SMITH

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

shereads starring Jack O’Connell, Domnhall Gleeson and Garrett Hedlund.

A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini answered desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve and humor; brutality with rebellion.

L

ike "The Giver," both "Divergent" and "Hunger Games: Mockingjay" are young adult novels featuring teen lead characters exposing the dark side of fictitious utopian societies.:

Divergent

Novel by Veronica Roth Movie opens March 21, starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet Beatrice Prior, a teenager with a special mind, finds her life threatened when an authoritarian leader seeks to exterminate her kind in an effort to seize control of their divided society.

Jack O'Connell

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail Novel by Cheryl Strayed

The GIVER Novel by Lois Lowry Movie opens Aug. 15, starring Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges, Alexander Skarsgard and Taylor Swift

Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

Reese Witherspoon

This haunting novel by Lois Lowry won the Newbery Medal for children’s literature.

In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, Jeff Bridges suffering, differences or choice, a young boy, Jonas, is selected to become The Receiver, who must learn from an elderly man, The Giver, about the true pain and pleasure of the “real” world.

COURTESY OF SIEBBI

released in 2014.

In the wake of death and divorce, Cheryl Strayed made the most impulsive decision of her life – to hike, solo, the 1,100-mile Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State. Her memoir captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened and ultimately healed her.

COURTESY OF PETE SOUZA

Movie, starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, will be

Novel by Suzanne Collins Movie opens Nov. 21, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson Katniss Everdeen reluctantly becomes the symbol of both hope and rebellion to the districts of Panem who attempt to overthrow the tyrannical Capitol.

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february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 21

Winter Sale Snuggle Up in a Custom Designed Room From Home Fashion Interiors

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herstyle

&

SPONSORED SECTION

Design

N

Interiors

orth Atlanta is a hub for trendy-yet-refined interior decor. With plenty of brick and mortar stores to choose from, the difficult part is picking which styles best reflect your personality and taste. Below, experts offer their views on the staples and fads.

CROCODILE ROCK

A

t the High Point Furniture Market in October, one of the hottest trends was “moc-croc,” or mock crocodile leather.

These pressed cowhides look like authentic crocodile at a reasonable price point. Few vendors show the real thing; think of how expensive a crocodile handbag is!

Colored crocodile was also a big trend.

Pearl whites, turquoise, red, platinum grey—the entire color spectrum was represented by all the quality vendors.

I recommend using this rich texture of crocodile in a wing chair, ottomans or coffee table for that perfect luxurious accent piece!

Mark Sunderland is an Allied Member of ASID and an Interior Designer for Home Fashion Interiors in Alpharetta. www.homefashioncenter.com, 770-664-9544.

The Union Jack

F

or the latest trends in home décor, the world comes to Atlanta. During an annual trade show held each July, the 54 floors of AmericasMart downtown are filled with buyers from stores all over the globe, browsing a mind-boggling collection of permanent and temporary showrooms filled with furniture, rugs, artwork and every type of home furnishing imaginable.

Though the styles displayed are as varied as the homes they were designed for, some clear trends shine through.

From the hugely successful TV show “Downton Abbey” to the birth of the new Royal baby, people across the globe are looking to bring a bit of Great Britain into their homes.

The Union Jack is everywhere—on trunks, trays, rugs, pillows and furniture. This leather pillow shows the trend can be used in way that doesn’t clash with an established color palette.

Beauty Inside & Out

H

ere’s a bright idea: Protect yourself, your family and your furniture from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The Problem: The sun’s rays can pass freely through unprotected windows and onto the next surface, whether it’s furniture, floor or skin.

Fortunately, professionally installed window film can block up to 99 percent of harmful UV rays and reduce solar heat gain to save homeowners as much as 30 percent on cooling costs.

An Answer: That’s one reason why, as the popularity of large windows in­creases, the nonprofit International Window Film Association has a free, consumer-friendly book­let illustrating the unhealthy effect of indoor sunlight on the skin and the steps to take to prevent it. “As we spend more time in­doors both winter and summer, we open ourselves up to skin damage,” explained Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. “Consumers should know that professionally installed window film can block nearly all the harm­ful rays from the sun, and once installed, it can immediately protect us indoors, while still allowing abundant natural light.” A free booklet can be found at www.iwfa.com.

—North American Precis Syndicate

Show me the light

L

ighting has the potential to transform a room and is critical to a successful design plan. Proper lighting choices will make your space come alive. Without good lighting, all other details about your room will be dull or lost.

There are several types of lighting to consider. Do you want a space to be warm and cozy or functional and practical? Is your personal preference hidden lighting, side lighting or overhead?

How do you need to set the mood for a specific part of your home or office?

Ambient or mood lighting is exactly as it implies: lighting which will immediately evoke the type of emotion wanted for an event, a room or a project. This type of lighting is typically found in rooms that crave a dramatic flair. For instance, using a beautiful chandelier with intricate details will make a room come together.

Sophisticated lighting allows elegance to literally permeate every corner of the area. Pendant lighting is a stylish option instead of lamps on each side of your sofa or bed. Sophisticated lighting can be subtle touches or grandiose as long as the lighting fixture is consistent with the furnishings and accessories.

To promote more of a romantic or relaxing atmosphere a simple solution would be to install a dimmer. The flexibility of increasing (or decreasing) your lighting allows a living area to be very accommodating.

Lighting that is rarely forgotten, however, is task lighting. Kitchen counters, desk tops or an overstuffed reading chair are all examples of where specific task lighting is needed. This type of light can be controlled individually or in a group.

Because lighting is so important to creating a comfortable room, you may start your decorating plan with the perfect fixture. Once you find the lighting type or fixture that you love, then you can fill the room with furnishings and accessories that you love to be around too.

Kathy McConnell is an interior designer and owner of Tuscany Fine Furnishings, located at 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 315, Roswell, Ga., 30022. Open Monday through Friday 10-6 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. 770-9930640, tuscanyfinefurnishings.com. U.S. Commerce Department Best of Roswell Award Winner for Customer Service in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 23

herbeauty

Damage Control for acomplexion Spotless Reversing the effects of sun exposure

By CYNTHIA MORRISSON EIKE Visage Designs by Cynthia, LLC

T

he cooler winter months present a perfect opportunity to undo the sun damage from years of sun exposure.

Here are some tips to perfect and protect your skin all year long. ► Start your sun damage reversal with “spring cleaning” of your skin. Remove dull, dry winter skin with a gentle exfoliation by applying Peter Thomas Roth’s Clinical Peel and Reveal Dermal Resurfacer ($58) one to two times a week to reveal new skin cells. Aveeno Positively Ageless Resurfacing Scrub ($10) offers a gentle exfoliating scrub with retexturizing microbeads, when used daily for a week, for a milder impurity and cell removal treatment. ► Treat all-over surface hyper pigmentation and sun damage while preventing future discoloration with complete brightening regimens like Rodan and Fields’ Reverse Regimen for Brown Spots, Dullness and Sun Damage ($160 – through independent consultants – contact me for more information). This “A-List” pick by Allure Magazine offers a four-step program that effectively erases premature signs of aging caused by sun exposure by exfoliating, lightening, brightening and protecting. Bobbi Brown’s Extra Bright Skincare ($33 to $95 per piece) reverses and prevents discoloration with its unique naturally based, SuperCitrus Complex, while lightly moisturizing. Each treatment regimen (cleanser, toner, serum and SPF moisturizer) is formulated for maximum effectiveness when used together. ► For direct spot treatment, topical serums like Olay’s ProX Even Skin Tone Spot Fading Treatment ($38) has high concentrations of vitamin B3 derivative, Niacinamide, to target spots at their 24 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

source. Revlon’s Age Defying Targeted Spot Concealer Treatment ($13) comes in four, blemish concealing tones and hides discoloration while eliminating spots. ► Replenish and protect your skin during the day with a broad spectrum, minimum 30 SPF moisturizer. (Shielding your skin from UV rays while treating for discoloration is vital to seeing results and preventing further damage.) Super Goop!

Save Face SPF 35+ A.M. Moisturizer ($28) or Bobbi Brown’s SPF 50 Protective Face Base offer light moisture and protection.

Bobbi’s Face Base multitasks with a makeup primer built in to its high SPF formula. ► Saturate your skin with a surge of collagen-boosting (firming) moisture at night with Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream ($21) for instant skin drenching hydration. Mimic your skin’s younger self with Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream ($70). This award winning cream plumps and firms skin to support moisture levels while immersing it with ceramides that are found in abundance in young, firm skins. ► Continue weekly exfoliation and address newly de-pigmented skin’s antiaging needs with appropriate skincare after reaching desired results with your tone correcting regimen. ■ Cynthia provides consulting and makeup application services through Visage Designs by Cynthia. Contact her at visagedesigns@ gmail.com

girlpower

Northwestern sixth-grader Allie Maloney recently won the national championship for kneeboarding in her age division.

Local girlwins

national KNEEBOARDING

championship

E

leven-year-old Alpharetta resident and Northwestern Middle School sixth-grader Allie Maloney won the 2013 National Kneeboard Championship earlier this fall. Held at the Orlando Watersports Complex in Florida, the championship was hosted by the American Kneeboard Association, which is a division of USA Water Ski, the national governing body for water skiing.

Maloney competes in the junior girls’ division made up of girls 12 and under.

Competitions have two events: slalom and tricks. In the slalom event, competitors must kneeboard through a slalom course made up of six buoys.

Upon the successful completion of the course, the boat speed is increased 2 miles per hour starting at 14 mph until the boat speed reaches 20 mph for each successful pass.

In the trick event, each competitor has two 20-second trick runs where they perform various approved tricks worth points based on difficulty.

Maloney swept both slalom and trick titles.

This was her third year competing at the national kneeboarding competition and her second national championship title.

Maloney’s trainers are former Alpharetta residents, David, Cori and Joey Deutsch. Both Cori and Joey are former national champions who were trained by their father David.

In addition to kneeboarding, Maloney is an experienced wakeboarder, slalom skier and wakesurfer.

She was also a member of the Cambridge Bears sixth-grade feeder team cheer squad. ■

This was her third year competing at the national kneeboarding competition and her second national championship title. february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 25

to Remember

Great ideas for romantic Valentine’s Day dates

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

D

inner and a movie are fine, but you can do that any night of the year. It’s Valentine’s Day! Step outside the box this year and treat your loved one to a unique experience and fun memories.

FOOD LOVERS “Valentine, Be Mine” cooking demonstration in Alpharetta Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

Sip a glass of wine and chat with professional chefs as they prepare an elegant multi-course meal for you and your sweetheart, sharing cooking tips along the way.

Menu: Crab-stuffed Shrimp with Choron Sauce; Grilled Lobster with Braised

26 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

KE

5

& e w tip ome s for n

Fennel Salad, Filet Mignon with Roasted Asparagus Risotto and Marchands de Vin, Brown Sugar Angel Food Cake with Chocolate Ice Cream and Strawberry Consommé.

Publix Aprons Cooking School at Alpharetta Commons, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-751-8560. $65. Register online at www.publix.com/aprons/schools/ Alpharetta.

DANCE LOVERS Atlanta Ballet’s “Romeo et Juliette” at Cobb Energy Center Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

All the way from Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Southeast premiere of this alluring, ethereal production of “Romeo et Juliette” redefines the classic love story of the two star-crossed lovers of Verona, taking you on an emotional, cinematic journey. $20 - $120. Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster.com. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. www.atlantaballet.com

ATLANTA BALLET, ANGELA STERLING

a Night

s ea d fi v e i dr t h s i no

Make it

TA

takefive

Big Apple Circus: “Luminocity!” In Alpharetta Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

Enjoy Valentine’s Day desserts with the world’s greatest circus artists in the ring after they treat you to high-spirits and pulse-racing thrills under the Big Top. “Luminocity!” celebrates the vitality of life with rowdy performing pups, double trapeze artists, clowns, acrobats, a juggler extraordinaire, prancing horses and wirewalkers suspended in mid-air during the two-hour show. Parking Lot A, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 1775 Founders Parkway, Alpharetta. There is a $10 cashonly parking fee at the gate. Tickets range from $20 - $60. www.bigapplecircus.org

Megan Mashburn

JOSH HALLETT

MUSIC LOVERS Ludwig Symphony Orchestra presents “A Romantic Valentine’s Day Gala” in Roswell Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

The Ludwig Symphony Orchestra presents a gala concert featuring renowned tenor saxophonist James Houlik from Chicago, Atlanta Opera soprano Megan Mashburn and the flamboyant Mexican guest conductor Jose Luis Hernandez Estrada conducting Tchaikovsky’s romantic Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. $22.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 770-623-8623 or online at www.ludwigsymphony.org.

KATIE VANBRACKLE/STAFF

CIRCUS LOVERS

takefive

ART LOVERS Valentine’s Day at the High Museum in Atlanta Feb. 14, 6 to 10 p.m.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with artistic flair at the High. Take a stroll through the permanent collection with Love and Romance tours and dance the night away to music

by Full Tilt. Enjoy date-night games, a photo booth and romantic music in the Margaretta Taylor lobby. End the night with a complimentary flower (while supplies last). Valentine’s Day-inspired appetizers, desserts and drinks will be available for purchase. $20 ($10 for museum members), High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, 404-733-4444. www.high.org

James Houlik

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▼ CHANDLER, Continued from Page 12

We are lucky to have quality entertainment so close to home. We want to continue to enhance the live/work/play possibilities in Roswell.”

Sarah Chandler, Roswell Cultural Arts Center Coordinator She also hopes to connect with other arts groups in metro Atlanta with the goal of making the CAC “a hub and an incubator for the arts in North Fulton.”

“There are so many great things going on in the arts all over metro Atlanta, and we are lucky to have quality entertainment so close to home. We want to continue to enhance the live/work/play possibilities in Roswell,” she said.

Chandler is especially excited about the current LIVE! in Roswell concert and performing arts series, kicked off in October 2013 by American Idol alum Crystal Bowersox, followed by Sixpence None the Richer in December.

Masters of Soul, an energetic Motown cover group will perform in February – a show complete with costumes and acting that Chandler calls “a whole lot of fun.” Singersongwriter and pianist Spencer Day will croon Mel Tormestyle standards in May, and June will see the return of the ever-popular Second City improv comedy troupe from

the legendary Chicago theater that served as the training ground for numerous famous comedians including John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Steve Carrell and Stephen Colbert.

“Second City sold out last summer, so we are adding two shows this year,” said Chandler.

To keep abreast of CAC’s many offerings, visit www. roswellcac.com and make plans to add more cultural

experiences to your calendar in 2014. Chandler, who says her favorite activity in the world is hosting people, is ready to welcome you.

“The CAC is a beautiful space right here in the heart of Roswell. You can have dinner at your favorite Canton Street restaurant, then stroll over to see a show,” she said. “What better way to support the arts in your local community?” ■

Music and Voice Lessons for All Ages and Styles Piano • Voice • Guitar • Violin • Drums • Brass • Woodwinds • Accordian • Organ

We have over 30 experienced and talented instructors. We offer many performance opportunities throughout the year including 4 standard recitals and one advanced recital, community festivals, open mics, internal practical assessment, and student album projects recorded in our very own professional recording facility, Lucky Dog Studios.

formerly known as Peggy Still School of Music

Mon-Fri 12pm - 9pm • Sat 9am - 3pm | 11775 Northfall Ln, Ste 203, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | www.northfultonschoolofmusic.com | (770) 753-0322 Call for your FREE 30 min. lesson 28 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

sheblogs

About Sex:

Cause It’s Funny

By ELEXIS HAYS

Andapossuminthedishwasher.com

I

f there is anything in my mind that points toward the Theory of Evolution, it would be sex. I have a hard time imagining God with his clipboard, saying “Walking apparatus, check. Nutrition system, check. Beelzebub, do you have the reproduction system ready to go online?”

And, from the bowels of the earth, comes an evil laugh.

Can you imagine the conversation between Adam and Eve? You want me to do WHAT? Did they even have tennis bracelets back then?

Sex is funny. From the time The Goose and I got together, we would covertly point to old couples and whisper, “they do it.” Our worst insults have begun “yo mama…” and we don’t even have to finish with what. Nothing says gross like parents doing, uh, that.

One would think this would have dissipated over the years, but we still glance at other couples and raise our eyebrows to each other. The picture in our minds is just too funny to ignore. I mean, really, Barbara Bush? My fourth-grade math teacher? Mr. Rogers???

Sex becomes unfunny, however, when

one has kids. The first time I realized this is when it came time to name their private parts.

Those of you who feel kids must learn anatomically correct names can stop reading here, because I feel it’s perfectly acceptable to use those time-honored, more mannerly names, “whooha” and “willie.” I feel confident that if they are in some sort of accident involving these parts, they will be able to adequately convey to the emergency room doctor what their problem might be.

Left up to me, my kids would still believe that a public toilet seat, a house with no parent home, hot tubs and sharing swimsuits can all cause spontaneous pregnancy. I felt this covered two great issues, early pregnancy and germs, but The Goose took it upon himself to educate them at a very young age. Driving them home from a baseball game, when the kids were around 9 and 7, he apparently blurted out a convoluted version of where babies come from that included Tim McGraw, our neighbors and Subway sandwiches.

During this talk, when my poor daughter asked why anyone would do this, instead of answering that it’s a sacrifice we made so we could have our wonderful

special children, he answered, “Because it’s fun.”

One never wants to think that their child might someday, well, you know. It has helped though, as they’ve grown, that they are as disgusted with us as we might be about them. I feel this might be the greatest deterrent ever. Because they are nearly grown, The Goose and I can spend a lot of time away together and the tables have turned. When they start to get uppity, we play it to the hilt and mime deep and amorous kisses at every chance, allude to romantic dates and try to throw the word “snuggle” into our conversations within their earshot. This bothers them greatly. It worries and disturbs them. My son shakes his head and whispers “no…no” and our

daughter coughs and gags. They say we burn their eyes. This weekend, Cricket was spending the weekend downtown with friends, and I texted her and asked her when she was coming home. When she had the audacity to ask why, I responded, “Because it takes a lot of time to roll up the trapeze and put away all these handcuffs properly.” I got the response, “I just threw up.”

In this way, I know my ploy is working and I am still doing my job as a responsible parent. ■

Elexis Hays is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who lives on a farm in Cumming with her family. Her blog: andapossuminthedishwasher.com.

MODEL & TALENT EVENT

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Carter Photography

Monument Entertainment, based in Atlanta Georgia, specializes in promoting talent and bringing talent to a new level. Monument Entertainment is holding open auditions at no cost in the fields of music, dance, modeling (both fashion and print), and acting for ages 4 to 29. At the completion of the audition sessions, participants with will be selected by special invitation to attend the 2014 Dreamz Showcase in Daphne Alabama. The showcase will feature top talent scouts from across the United States.

Monumententertainmentllc.com for more information or email info@monumententertainmentllc.com

Webb Photography

Mae-Ann Webb is a Monument Entertainment Model and since the age of 14 has been involved in pageantry. Mae-Ann has been featured on the TLC show “King of the Crown” on the episode The Southern Belle vs. the Bombshell. She has done extra work in the upcoming television shows, a pilot episode for “Shelter” and the Marvel Production movie, “Iron Man 3”.

Along with various local titles, Mae-Ann was crowned Miss Teen South Carolina United States in 2010, Miss Columbia USA in 2011, Miss Galaxy International in 2013, and currently holds the prestigious title of Miss South Carolina United States 2014. february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 29

ask the vet

Chilly Dogs: Keeping your pet warm this winter

Q A

“When do pets need help staying warm?

Are pet clothes really necessary?”

When it comes to deciding on whether or not to dress up our dogs in colorful sweaters and jackets, the most important decision to make is whether or not they truly need an extra layer of protection against the cold weather. This is made easier when we have a good understanding of how dogs maintain their body temperature.

Dogs only have sweat glands on their paws. This is why dogs’ main mode of thermoregulation relies mostly on their ability to pant.

But like humans, if the temperature is too cold, body heat is lost through the skin. The one thing that keeps them better insulated is their much thicker coat of hair. Longer-haired breeds such as Siberian huskies have an undercoat that further aids in maintaining their body temperature. Many Nordic breeds get particularly frisky when the temperatures drop because they are so comfortable. The same may not be true of all breeds, especially small, short-haired breeds such as chihuahuas and Italian greyhounds, among others.

Small, short-haired breeds have it tough when it comes to thermoregulation in the cold winter

months. Small breeds have a larger surface area in proportion to their size, meaning the heat has more space through which it can escape. Thus, small, short-haired breeds will benefit from warm sweaters or coats.

Another consideration is booties. Dogs are not fond of booties and start biting at them or goosestepping as soon as they come on. They usually come off in 1.5 seconds. I feel that this is a clear indication that they are uncomfortable with them and that they don’t really need them. Up North, booties may be helpful because of the extreme winter conditions.

Some owners spray Pam cooking oil on their dog’s paws to prevent the snow from sticking between their toes, but in comparison, our mild winters do not call for these types of measures.

Common sense is as important as anything else you may read. Some dogs will be shivering at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while others start shivering at 40. Shivering is always a good indicator. Pets that are shivering are trying to thermoregulate, so keeping them indoors or bundling them up is important.

To summarize, here in Georgia, large dog breeds going out for their daily walks will most likely never need any type of extra insulation. As for the smaller breeds, they will probably benefit from a little bit of clothing, especially the short-hair breeds. ■

Dr. Beatriz Segarra is the owner and veterinarian at the Village Animal Hospital on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek. www.thevillageanimalhospital.com

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(770) 407-6700

girlpower

Girl Scout Cookies

Go High Tech It’s easier than ever to get your Thin Mints fix!

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

I

can live without boxes of chocolates on Valentine’s Day. For me, the real sweet tooth temptation to be found this time of year comes inside bright purple boxes sold for $3.50 by little girls in green sashes.

You know what I’m talking about. Yep. The coconut-caramel-chocolatey goodness of Samoas.

We all have our favorite Girl Scout cookies. What’s yours? Thin Mints?

Tagalongs?

Luckily, our neighborhood has its

very own resident Girl Scout, Emily, who dutifully climbs the steps to our front door each year. If she is lucky, my husband answers the door – an easy target.

After all, he says, Thin Mints keep forever in the freezer!

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the nation and cookie sales have been booming since 1915, five years after Juliette Gordon Low of Savannah, Ga., founded Girl Scouting in the United States.

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

encourages you to buy your cookies directly from a Girl Scout in person, thereby helping her grow in confidence, character and business experience.

If your neighborhood does not have its own Emily, never fear. Beginning Feb. 14, Girl Scout booths will appear all over North Fulton, and modern technology can help you find them, making it easier than ever to get your Thin Mints fix.

Why yes, there IS an app for that! A free Cookie Locator app for iPhone or Android allows users to locate Girl Scout cookie booths in their area.

In addition, a website entitled ShowMeTheCookies.com allows you to

type in your zip code to produce a specific list of days, times and locations for cookie booths in your local area.

Most booths are set up on the sidewalk outside neighborhood grocery stores.

But those little girls in the green sashes are business-savvy. Many troops also set up shop outside hardware stores – targeting soft-hearted dads toting honey-do lists.

If you are faced with the “What do I do with all of the cookies?” dilemma after your husband’s most recent trip to Lowe’s, the Girl Scouts have thoughtfully provided recipes online: littlebrowniebakers.com/ cookies/mmmmm-try-girl-scout-cookiesin-recipes/.

For instance, did you know that chopped Samoas combined with breadcrumbs and a little kick of cayenne pepper makes a clever breading for fried shrimp?

Hmm…better call Emily. Looks like I’m going to need another box or two.

For more information on the 2014 Cookie Program or about Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, visit www.gsgatl.org.

february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 31

herhealth

Heart-Healthy Nutrition Tips A few simple diet changes can make a world of difference to your heart

By CAROLYN ASPENSON

L

et’s face it, none of us are getting any younger. No matter what your age, taking care of your heart should be a top priority. For most of us, it isn’t.

Unlike the liver, the heart isn’t as quick to repair itself from the abuse it receives, but there are things we can do to keep it pumping: exercise, rest, reduce stress and eat healthy.

If we have to choose only one of the above, it should be to eat healthy. A few simple changes to our diets can make a world of difference to our hearts.

Here’s a list of good of heart-healthy foods to incorporate into your daily diet.

Eat a cup of pineapple or any fruit

or vegetable rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C fights off free radicals, cell-damaging molecules that impact the heart as well as every other internal organ.

Pineapple also has zeaxanthin and lutein, which are also found in leafy green vegetables and are great for vision heath and help stop arteries from thickening, which is the No. 1 cause of heart disease.

Add a couple handfuls of kale and spinach to your salads to lower blood pressure and improve heart function.

They’re full of nitrates and antioxidants, both excellent sources for good heart health.

Speaking of antioxidants, both tomatoes and watermelon are full of them.

Studies show that lycopene, a powerful antioxidant protects the blood vessels in the neck, thus possibly reducing the risk of stroke. It has also been shown to reduce

the risk of heart disease in women above other carotenoid nutrients – the colorful plant pigments found in fruits and vegetables.

Oranges, apples and other fibrous fruits and vegetables will drop cholesterol levels in a heartbeat – pun intended.

Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries – all berries, really – are also full of antioxidants and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Do you see a pattern here?

Antioxidant-rich foods are important to heart health.

Maintaining a balanced diet with colorful vegetables, fiber, good fats from nuts, beans and whole grains, and limiting saturated fats and high cholesterol foods like red meat and whole dairy products will help keep your heart healthy.

If all of this sounds like too much, take baby steps. Swap out the bag of chips for a handful of berries with a little Stevia.

Go for the whole grain bun on your burger instead of the enriched white bread bun.

Instead of a steak, have a salad with a few slices of grilled steak on it.

A few smart choices can make a big difference to your ticker. ■

Carolyn has been a fitness and nutrition enthusiast for over 15 years and holds certifications from nationally recognized organizations.

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herhealth

A face that’s impossible to ignore

By DEBBIE KEEL

North Fulton Hospital CEO

S

teve Jobs is memorialized for many things but in my world, there’s been nothing Apple has done better for humanity than develop FaceTime and put it on my phone.

Like all good grandmothers, I have become adept at using FaceTime – not to visit with my daughters so much as to see my four beautiful grandchildren. It’s become a nightly routine for me (when I get home before their bedtime… and mine). It’s given me the ability to watch them grow on a daily basis. As they have begun to have more life experiences – like learning about aardvarks at school (I didn’t know there was such an animal) – I can also watch them move from little babies to expressive toddlers to conversationalists.

But there is one thing Mr. Jobs, or whoever designed FaceTime, didn’t build into the remarkable app: a rose-colored view of me. If you think you don’t have wrinkles, call someone on FaceTime. If you think all those years in the sun without sunscreen didn’t damage your skin, call someone on FaceTime. If you think you couldn’t use “a little work,” as my own mother says, call someone on FaceTime.

FaceTime has likely resulted in many of us thinking for the first time in our lives about a pinch there, a tuck there, a lift there or Botox all

Want some good old-fashioned sales training?

Don’t call us.

over. And why shouldn’t we? A quality physician doing facial plastic surgery can renew your appearance pretty quickly. All those years of worrying about your kids or your job or both, all those years of not taking the best care of your skin can be effectively dealt with by an experienced and well-trained surgeon who does facial plastic surgery.

At North Fulton Hospital, we are proud to have outstanding relationships with a large number of these high-quality physicians. And we offer competitive rates at our hospital and our outpatient facility that may make these procedures affordable to you.

To hear more about these offerings, and maybe finally be convinced it’s time to take this step, you can attend our Beauty Inside and Out Wine Walk and Mini-Lectures on Feb. 27.

We will have a variety of physicians on-hand to introduce you to the latest medical procedures that will help you find a more beautiful you. For more information about the event, visit www. nfultonhospital.com or call 770-751-2660.

Who knows? Next time you see my photo with this column, you may notice a change. And I certainly would like to see that on FaceTime. ■ Debbie Keel ►

Sandler Training® utilizes continual reinforcement through ongoing training and individual coaching sessions not only to help you learn but also to ensure your success. With over 200 training centers worldwide to provide support, you won’t fail…because we won’t let you.

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february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 33

todo

FEBRUARY To purchase tickets, call 770-623-8623 or go online. www.ludwigsymphony.org

“Masters of Soul” in Roswell ▲ 8 p.m. Featuring music made famous by record labels including Motown and Stax, “Masters of Soul” is a celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined soul music. The 90-minute show features fully costumed and choreographed performances by both male and female groups backed by a live band. $35. Part of the LIVE! in Roswell series. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

8 Roswell Roots Festival ▲ All month. The city of Roswell celebrates Black History Month with a series of unique and fun events for everyone.

Roswell Roots is the largest and most comprehensive celebration of black history and culture in the state of Georgia, including special exhibits, concerts, workshops, art, cooking demonstrations, storytelling and drama. View the complete list of events online. www.roswellgov.com

Queen of Hearts appraisal fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring up to three items to Queen of Hearts Antiques in Alpharetta to have them verbally appraised by a team of experts. $5 charity donation for each item. 670 North Main St., Alpharetta. www.queenofheartsantiquesinteriors.com

1

5

6

Big Apple Circus in Alpharetta Through Feb. 17. Catch the high spirits and pulse-racing thrills of the world’s greatest circus artists in one ring under the Big Top Tent located in Parking Lot A, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 1775 Founders Parkway, Alpharetta. There is a $10 cash-only parking fee at the gate.

Tickets range from $20 to $60. www.bigapplecircus.org

7

First Friday Art Gallery Walk in Roswell 6 – 8 p.m. Take a free self-guided walking tour of the Roswell Art District’s galleries located from Plum Tree Village on Canton Street to Elizabeth Way to Oak Street and the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Ongoing events take place each month on the first friday, rain or shine. Something for all tastes, from contemporary geo-cubist art to modern landscapes, sculptures and folk art. View participating galleries online. www.roswellartdistrict.com

34 | northsidewoman.com | february2014

10

Southeastern Pastel Society Art Exhibit Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., through March 7. “Pastel Renaissance” is a juried event that features more than 50 exquisite pastel paintings by members of the Southeastern Pastel Society. Paintings are available for purchase. Free to the public. Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekarts.org

12

“Chocolate for Valentine’s Day” cooking demonstration 7 p.m. Enjoy an exclusive cooking demonstration straight from Italy’s Perugina La Scuola del Cioccolato (School of Chocolate), taught by Francine Segan, food historian, cookbook author and a Perugina chocolate expert. Menu: salad with balsamic vinaigrette; pork ragu with hints of chocolate; Macedonian fruit salad; Baci demonstration; chocolate bar tasting. $40. Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-7518560. www.publix.com/aprons/schools/ Alpharetta

Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!

11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily through Feb. 16. Ann Jackson Gallery in Roswell exhibits never-before-seen fantastical hats from Theodor Seuss Geisel’s (a.k.a.

Dr. Seuss) Private Collection along with prints and sculptures from the Art of Dr. Seuss Collection. All artwork on exhibition is available for purchase. Ann Jackson Gallery, 932 Canton St., Roswell. www.annjacksongallery.com

Juried Art Show for North Fulton High Schools The Roswell Arts Commission sponsored a juried art show for talented artists in North Fulton’s high schools.

The art will be on display through Feb. 6 at the Roswell Visual Arts Center, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell.

Fifth annual Bowls Event in Johns Creek 3 – 7 p.m. Celebrate art, food and fun at this annual event providing an opportunity to purchase handmade pottery created by exceptional ceramic instructors and students at the Johns Creek Arts Center.

With a $25 ticket, choose from more than 300 beautiful ceramic pieces and enjoy a variety of chili and refreshments. Also enjoy ceramic wheel and hand-building demonstrations. Entrance is free for your family with one ticket purchase. Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Building 700, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekarts.org

Chattahoochee Challenge 10K Race and 1-mile Fun Run ▲ 8 a.m. Get your personal record on this flat and fast course along the Chattahoochee River, a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race. The 10K begins at 8 a.m. with a 1-mile Fun Run at 7:30 a.m. $27. Register online at Active.com or at any Big Peach Running Company store. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. http://chattnaturecenter.org

Valentine’s Evening Dinner Club in Johns Creek 5:30 p.m. Bring your sweetheart to Park Place at Newtown School in Johns Creek to celebrate a delightful evening with wonderful food, great friends and sweet treats. RSVP with the number of attendants and the food item you’ll bring by emailing Park Place at parkplace@ johnscreekga.gov or calling 770-667-5030. www.JohnsCreekGA.gov/ParkPlace

22

11th Annual Jog for a Cause in Milton 7:30 a.m. The City of Milton presents the 11th annual Jog for a Cause to the community as part of the fifth annual Milton Mayor’s Run, including a 5K race and tot trot. Jog for a Cause benefits the fight against childhood cancer. The route will begin and end at Milton’s Freedom Park located at the corner of Deerfield Parkway and Webb Road. Cost is $25 before Feb. 14 and $30 after. www.cityofmiltonga.us Roswell Green Expo 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Keep Roswell Beautiful announces the Roswell Green Expo, featuring family-friendly activities such as art projects, a puppet show, a cooking demonstration, costumed characters, a green market, rain barrel workshop, photo booth, Earth balloon and more.

Free. Hembree Park, 850 Hembree Road, Roswell. www.roswellgreenexpo.org

13

“On Golden Pond” at Cumming Playhouse 8 p.m. Performances continue through March 9. This is the story of elderly couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the 48th year with their teenage grandson in tow. Presented by the Gypsy Theatre Company in celebration of the Cumming Playhouse’s 10th anniversary. Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming. www.playhousecumming.com

14 A Romantic Valentine’s Day Gala ▲ 7:30 p.m. The Ludwig Symphony Orchestra presents a gala concert featuring renowned tenor saxophonist James Houlik from Chicago, Atlanta Opera soprano Megan Mashburn, and the flamboyant Mexican guest conductor Jose Luis Hernandez Estrada conducting Tschaikovsky’s romantic “Romeo and Juliet” Overture-Fantasy. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. $22.

with Dave Holland, make birdhouses and Valentines for Mother Nature and participate in a Q&A with Mother Nature herself. Included with center admission. $6 child, $10 adult. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. http://chattnaturecenter.org

“Romance in Rome: Wine and Dine like a Local” cooking demonstration 6:30 – 9 p.m. Italians are genuine locavores and this cooking demonstration will spotlight the distinctive wines and seasonal ingredients of Rome. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style. Menu: chef’s choice antipasto and bruschetta; spaghetti carbonara; costolette di agnello over semolina gnocchi (rosemary lamb chops); and lemon almond cake with raspberries. $55. Harry’s Whole Foods Market Salud!

Cooking School, 1180 Upper Hembree Road, Roswell. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/ Alpharetta

15

“I Love Nature!” at Chattahoochee Nature Center 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A day of natureloving fun for the whole family. Drum

27

“The Great Gatsby” by Georgia Ensemble Theatre ▲ Through March 16. Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan.

Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. The breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age come to the stage in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, adapted for stage by Simon Levy. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.get.org

Looking Ahead

8

MARCH

Shamrockin’ for a Cure 7 p.m. Shamrockin’ for a Cure returns to Alpharetta to rock your night with great food, amazing bands, and of course, dancing. Help cure Cystic Fibrosis with a night filled with music that will rock the stage at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. www.shamrockinforacure.com

february2014 | northsidewoman.com | 35

O U R S TA F F

Welcome to

North Fulton Women’s Specialists

Sowmya Reddy, MD Board-Certified OB/GYN

The specialized care you want. The personal attention you deserve.

Sheila V. Garnica, MD Board Certified OB/GYN Certified Menopause Practitioner

OB/GYN SERVICES

IN-OFFICE PROCEDURES

• Preventive Exams and Pap Smears

• Birth Control

• Preconception, Family Planning and Contraception Consults • Prenatal Care and Delivery

(IUD, Nexplanon, Depo Provera) • Treatment for Heavy or Frequent Periods

• Teenage and Adolescent Care

• Investigation of Incontinence

• Menopause/Peri-Menopause Management

• Colposcopy and LEEP

• Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery • Waterbirths

(treatment for abnormal paps) • Ultrasonography

Alexandre K. Eaccarino, DO

To learn more about the services and physicians at North Fulton Women’s Specialists, visit NorthFultonWomensSpecialists.com. Now accepting new patients and most major insurance plans. Same-day appointments available; call (770) 410-4388.

Michele P. Clark, MSN, CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife

www.NorthFultonWomensSpecialists.com 36 | northsidewoman.com | february2014