Local Biz Love

Check out these businesses that help you be your best self

Break out those running shoes and jog on over to register for ProstAware’s run4DAD on Sept. 19. An annual race that helps raise funds for prostate cancer awareness, the event

includes a 5K run, a 1-mile walk, kids’ run for those 9 and under, plus options to participate virtually. Registration opens on Father’s Day. Details: 6400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Sandy Springs. www.prostaware.org

For more than 60 years, Tuxedo Pharmacy & Gifts has been Buckhead’s go-to spot for everything from prescriptions to unique presents. Now, they offer residents even more — peace of mind with a COVID-19 vaccine. With help from Mercer University and University of Georgia medical students, the staff has vaccinated hundreds of teachers, seniors, and low-income families.

Details: 164 W. Wieuca Rd. NE., Ste. 7, Atlanta. www.tuxedopharmacy.info This Father’s Day come out to Family Food Fest Atlanta at the Georgia Freight Depot. A multicultural Father’s Day celebration, chefs, caterers, cooks and dads alike will be coming from around the city to put their culinary skills on

display with dozens of tastings and samples available. Proceeds will be donated to Atlanta Culinary Charities after-school program and Communities In Schools of Georgia, the state’s leading drop out-prevention organization. Details: 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW., Atlanta. www.familyfoodfest.org

ART TERRELL

TUXEDO PHARMACY PARTNERS WITH FULTON COUNTY TO PROVIDE COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINES TO THE COMMUNITY.

Between cyberbullying, inappropriate content and online predators, it can be scary letting your child wander the digital landscape. Fortunately, Bark, an Atlanta Tech Village startup, helps you rest easier with an easy-to-use monitoring tool that alerts you to suspicious activity without invading

your child’s digital privacy. Details: www.bark.us Spread the love for Atlanta businesses with an Atlanta Love Gift Box from Unexpected Atlanta. Chock full of locally made goodies,

this box showcases some of the wonderful, hardworking small businesses that can be found across the city. It makes the perfect gift for loved ones who moved away and are feeling a little homesick. $75. Details: shop.unexpectedatlanta.com

{Mindfulness + Joy}

Tips for self-care when it doesn’t come naturally

By India Leigh

One of the positive changes that has come out of our collective experiences of the past year is an acceptance and deeper understanding of the importance of self-care. The intense stress of the pandemic turned up the heat on everyone mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically, and tuning in and taking good, gentle, centering care of ourselves was upgraded from luxury to necessity.

Many men, however, may still face a few extra layers of resistance and difficulty when it comes to taking loving, preventive care of themselves. Centuries of conditioning and training to override their feelings on all levels and tough things out no matter what makes it extremely challenging to move into receiving mode and feel safe letting their guard down and letting go.

When you are putting the time, focus and energy into taking care of you, it will show in every way! You’ll feel better in general, the quality of your work and relationships will improve…

Here are a few bits of guidance to help men practice better self-care in whatever way feels best.

Think about what makes you feel relaxed, clearminded and free. Is it hiking? Relaxing in a lawn chair in the sun? Listening to music? Taking an aimless drive? Hitting golf balls? Reading a great thriller? Anything that takes you out of your head in a healthy, uplifting, connected way totally counts as self-care! Pay attention to what does it for you and do more of that, plain and simple.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Our bodies are astoundingly accurate barometers for how well we’re staying in balance and doing what’s right for us. Listening to the symptoms of anxiety, tension, discomfort or pain and noticing when and where those are popping up will tell you volumes about what you need to reduce or cut out completely as an act of self-care. Often self-care can look like dropping a client that gives you headaches or a toxic friendship that constantly leaves you drained.

Schedule it, write it down, put reminders on your phone … anything that will tell your brain you are serious about taking care of you and that you are making it a priority. Don’t get too stuck on the frequency or duration of your self-care time. Just be consistent, and don’t bump it off your schedule. The feeling you’ll have inside from putting yourself first and seeing concrete proof that you’re doing that is powerful self-care in itself!

Let the results speak for themselves. When you are putting the time, focus and energy into taking care of you, it will show in every way! You’ll feel better in general, the quality of your work and relationships will improve, and you’ll be able to tune in to your higher knowing, or intuition, much more consistently and clearly. Give it a couple of weeks and see for yourself.

Voice your self-care needs vulnerably. Men in relationships have historically been known to fall into patterns of using the things they love to do as “escapes” from connecting and staying involved with those they love. This is because men sadly have not been taught to voice their needs for self-care in a vulnerable way that lets them speak from the heart instead of the defensive mind. Talk openly about the ways you are trying to be more present and connected within yourself in order to be the best self and partner you can be, and you may find you are much more supported in doing the things you truly love than you ever thought you could be.

{Beauty + Anti-Aging}

Tips to tame your beard from expert stylists

Hair care is important. And the hair on your face is just as important as the hair on your head. So to make sure you’re doing right by your bushy bristles; we’ve talked to some of Atlanta’s hair (and beard) experts at Bob Steele Salon and 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon - Brookhaven to bring you some tips, tools and products to keep your beard looking its best.

TOOLS

Every man knows the importance of having the right tool for the job. Caring for your beard is no different. In order to shape and groom your beard, there are a few tools that you need to have on hand. • CLIPPERS - Andis® and Wahl® are both professional brands and come with guards to help you with the consistency and length of your beard. • HAIR CUTTING COMB - It’s important to have a comb when trying to line off your beard along the jawline. • SMALL HAIR CUTTING SHEARS -

These should only be used for trimming your beard, lining around your lip as well as your nose.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BEARD

Beard hair is a different texture than the hair on your head. It needs daily cleaning and conditioning. Depending on your activities during the day, it may need it more than once in a day. Every time you shampoo your beard, it should be conditioned to avoid it becoming dry.

➝ REDKEN® BREWS 3-in-1 A great shampoo, conditioner and body wash. This tackles all of a man’s cleaning and conditioning needs in one bottle.

REUZEL® BEARD FOAM ➝ A fast and easy leave-in conditioner. It absorbs quickly, deodorizes, helps to soften your hair and reduces itchiness.

TAKING CARE OF WHAT LIES BENEATH

Caring for the skin beneath your beard is essential. Using beard oils can be a great way to protect your skin. They will also add shine and protection to your beard. For a little more hold or styling capability, you can opt for a beard balm instead. Here are some recommended products to try: • REDKEN BREWS BEARD OIL • BAXTER BEARD OIL • REUZEL BEARD BALM

Got sensitive skin? Try ANTHONY’S PRE-SHAVE + CONDITIONING OIL or REDKEN BREWS CLEANSING BAR

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Make sure to always trace the upper lip line of your mustache, it really cleans up the overall look. To play it safe, always use your trimmer in a down motion, it takes off less hair than going upwards. Regular combing and brushing your beard will help train the hair to go where you want it to. 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon - Brookhaven

305 Brookhaven Ave., Ste. A1140, Atlanta, www.eighteeneight.com

After applying product to your beard, make sure you always comb it through, starting at the beard line closest to your eye and working down to the chin. At the time you purchase the clippers, get a set of clipper guards by matching up the guard with your beard. This way you will be able to keep or adjust your beard to your desired length. Bob Steele Salon

Five metro Atlanta locations, www.bobsteele.com

{Relationships + Family}

Father's Day Fun: Local Ways to Show Dad You Care

By Lisa R. Schoolcraft

This June, celebrate that special man in your life called Dad. Whether he enjoys some friendly competition, a glass of fine spirits or listening to his favorite album, we’ve rounded up some of the best local gifts for Father’s Day.

Swanky Staycation

Located in West Midtown at The Interlock, the 161-room Bellyard hotel offers guests a lively atmosphere to stay, work, dine, lounge and connect in Atlanta. Treat Dad to a staycation that includes a two-night stay in a junior suite, a whiskey tasting for two at Drawbar, $45 in food and

beverage credit and valet parking. Dates are available June 14-30, with booking beginning May 18. Bookings must be made a minimum of five days in advance. $800 with taxes. Details: 1 Interlock Ave. NW., Atlanta. www.bellyardhotel.com

The Perfect Polo

Work from home means every day is casual Friday, but if Dad is in need of a new look, try Onward Reserve’s line of performance polos. Made with moisture-wicking fabric and available in stylish prints like the fun cocktail-themed transfusion print,

these polos are great for an afternoon on the green or a day at the office. Use the code BESTSELF at checkout to get free shipping with no minimum purchase. $95. Details: www.onwardreserve.com

Awesome Audio

Is your dad a music guy? Then Audality wireless speakers are the perfect gift. Audality is an audio technology company based in Lawrenceville with a line of wireless speakers that can transmit uncompressed, 24-bit HD audio for a better

listening experience using their proprietary WiC® technology. Being wireless, setup and transport are a breeze. Use the transmitter provided to connect to your device and listen away! Audality currently has four models available, ranging in price from just under $400 to $1,300. Details: 1730 Spectrum Dr., Ste. 204, Lawrenceville. www.audality.com

Puzzles With Pops

Located at The Battery Atlanta, The Escape Game is an immersive 60-minute adventure great for competitive Dads. Participants start with a theme — Prison Break, Gold Rush, The Heist and more — and then follow clues, solve puzzles, overcome challenges and work together to complete the mission within the

time limit. Games provide a unique hands-on experience designed for an elevated, unplugged adventure! Tickets are $35 each, with most games for two to eight players. Details: 900 Battery Ave. SE., Ste. 1020, Atlanta. www.theescapegame.com/atlanta

Brunch Buddies

It’s your turn to treat Dad to brunch at C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar. Choose from a delicious menu of classic dishes like their shrimp and grits, made with jumbo shrimp, New Orleans barbecue sauce, lardon, green onion, red bell pepper and creamy

Logan Turnpike Mill grits. Don’t forget to pair it with a tasty cocktail or two. Details: www.candsoysterbar.com

Pick Up a Picnic

Give Dad the gift of family time with a picnic in the park, featuring a delicious basket put together by the brand-new provisions shop, Kinship Butcher & Sundry. Packed to the brim with delicious treats like housemade pork rillettes, freshly baked bread, artisan spreads and gourmet cheeses, this is

one meal he won’t forget (and neither will you). Details: 1019 Virginia Ave. NE., Atlanta. www.kinship-atl.com

Wow With Whiskey

Take Dad on an adult field trip! ASW Distillery at The Battery Atlanta offers tours and tastings. Choose an experience featuring his favorite ASW spirit, with options like Fiddler Unison Bourbon or Resurgens Rye. Experiences include one souvenir bottle, one distillery tour and three tickets toward whiskey

samples and/or half cocktails (cocktails are two tickets each). Prices range from $37 to $53. Distillery tours are on Saturdays only at this location. Details: 900 Battery Ave. SE., Ste. 1035, Atlanta. www.aswdistillery.com

Drive a Dream Car

Has Dad always dreamed of driving a Porsche? Now, he’ll have his chance at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta. Select Dad’s favorite model (or even compare two) and let him zip his way through the 1.6-mile track with

six modules designed to show off the world-renowned performance and handling of a Porsche. Starting at $365. Details: One Porsche Dr., Atlanta. www.porschedriving.com/atlanta

Score a Hole-In-One

Take Dad for a round of minigolf like he’s never experienced before at Puttshack. This high-tech experience combines all the fun of putt-putt with crazy themed holes like

beer pong, Skee-Ball, trivia and more for a game that’s like no other. While you’re puttering around the course, enjoy craft cocktails and plates to share. Tickets start at $12 per game for players 13 and older, $8 for 12 and under. Details: 1115 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta. www.puttshack.com

A Spa Day for Pa’s Day

Spa days aren’t just for Mom! Dad could use a little pampering, too. Institut’ DERMed has just the thing with its men’s clarifying facial treatment, which purifies pores, exfoliates dead skin, helps

to restore the skin’s moisture balance, and can even reduce the appearance of fine lines while leaving skin feeling refreshed and invigorated. $95. Details: 3726 Roswell Rd. NE., Atlanta. www.idermed.com