November/December 2014 ISSUE 27 • FREE
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
Helping
Hands
Primate protector Michele Stumpe and 5 other selfless volunteers
INTO AFRICA: AN UNFORGETTABLE KENYAN SAFARI DINNER AT DAVIO’S
“Technically speaking, we chose the best banking partner.” “Georgia Commerce Bank provides excellent customer service and maintains open dialogue with us about our accounts. They’re responsive and intuitive about knowing and meeting our needs. Since they take care of our finances, we can focus on other things like increasing efficiency, productivity and most importantly savings for our clients.”
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We were looking out over the water, and I thought to myself: remember this. Remember the amazing food. Our wine tasting in Provence. The people we met—the friends we made. And, even time alone, when the only sights we saw were each other. It’s funny, I don’t remember a single thing from our Celebrity cruise—I remember everything.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Photo Below: John Mariana
[ C OV E R S T ORY ]
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HELPING HANDS 6 SELFLESS VOLUNTEERS—6 WORTHWHILE CAUSES
Contents [ F E AT U RE S ]
36 26
[ DE PA RT M E N T S ]
HOME: CHANGING WATERS
15 LETTERS
51 SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Suburban transplants find joy in Buckhead city living
17 SIMPLY NOW
57 SIMPLY DELICIOUS
35 SIMPLY STYLISH
87 SIMPLY HAPPENING
TRAVEL NEAR: EXPLORING THE SONG AND SOUL OF THE SOUTH Top 10 “must-see” attractions in Macon
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TRAVEL FAR: INTO AFRICA
52
LOCAL LAUGHS
30 MAC DADDY
A thrilling two-stop exploration of Kenya’s abundant wildlife
Newbie comedian Neal Reddy gathers nerve to make it in the stand-up arena
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Creative and delicious mac ’n’ cheese
DIGGING DAVIO’S A fine-dining restaurant hidden away in a Buckhead retail mecca: Who knew?
Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 27 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 www.simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates call: 404-538-9895 Publisher and Founder
[ F E AT U RE D C ON T RI B U T OR ]
Joanne Hayes Chief Financial Officer
Sonny Hayes Editor-In-Chief
Giannina Smith Bedford Contributing Editor
Karina Timmel Creative Director
Alan Platten Associate Photo Editor
Sandra Platten Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Cheryl Isaacs cheryl.isaacs@simplybuckhead.com
Account Executives
Kyle Wilcox Garges kyle.garges@simplybuckhead.com
Amy Barbieri
Lisa D. Novak Lisa D. Novak is an accomplished freelance hair and makeup artist specializing in commercial print, film, weddings and private events. With more than 15 years experience, this Atlanta native has worked with corporate and private clients all over the United States. She truly loves to make women and men look and feel their best. Whether she is working with a large bridal party or an individual client, Novak strives to help client’s achieve their aesthetic vision. She has assisted corporate-minded women to develop a refined look that instills confidence for job interviews and helped numerous brides achieve that special glow on their wedding day. Novak approaches every job with love, passion and professionalism. In this issue, she is the talent behind the hair and makeup on Simply Buckhead’s cover subject.
amy.barbieri@simplybuckhead.com
Director of Audience Development
Jaime Lin Weinstein WordPress Developer
Jason McCullough Contributing Writers
Wendell Brock H.M. Cauley Maria Carter Carly Cooper D. Aileen Dodd Jim Farmer Jennifer Bradley Franklin Mickey Goodman Alexa Lampasona Olivia Putnal DeLong Kate Parham Kordsmeier Kelly Skinner Chief Photographer
Sara Hanna www.sarahanna.com Photographers
Lynn Crow Sarah Joiner Tyler Welbron Graphic Designer
Gvantsa Giorgini Copy Editor
Ellen Glass Legal Counsel
Scott I. Zucker
We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright © 2014 by Simply Buckhead®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech, Network Communications, Inc., and Distribution Services Group.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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Facebook facebook.com “Like” or “Friend” us at LivingWellATL Twitter twitter.com Follow us @SimplyBuckhead
690 Miami Circle NE, #150 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-467-1200 [ B E H I N D T H E C OV E R ] Our November/December cover photo took us deep into The Ford African Rain Forest of Zoo Atlanta. We arrived just in time to see the gorillas— the largest collection in North America—awaiting their afternoon snack of orange slices. Lead keeper of primates Jodi Carrigan tossed out the fruit, creating the ideal backdrop for a portrait of primate activist Michele Stumpe, who was outfitted in a safari-chic wardrobe put together by stylist Allie Hendee. Twenty-five-year-old silverback Taz, 1-year-old cutie pie Anaka and nine other charismatic apes Producers: Giannina Smith munched and posed, while Chief PhotograBedford and Sara Hanna pher Sara Hanna captured the scene through Chief Photographer: her lens. After several shots, we lingered to Sara Hanna Stylist: Allie Hendee watch the gorillas romp and play and had with Style Design a hard time tearing ourselves away from Wardrobe: Sabot and Tootsies the afternoon spent with such enthralling Hair/makeup: Lisa D. Novak members of the animal kingdom. Shot on-site at Zoo Atlanta.
www.anneirwinfineart.com
[ P ROU D M E M B E R OF ]
[ P ROU D S P ON S OR OF ]
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Letters
[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]
W FROM OUR TWEET HEARTS AND FACEBOOK FANS! Follow us @SimplyBuckhead and on Facebook (LivingWellATL)
e can always find an excuse not to volunteer. After all, who really has extra time on their hands these days
@SimplyBuckhead did us the honor of covering us in the Oct. issue. #AtlantaRestaurants take notice! Give us a shot! – @EatOutAtlanta Just got the Men’s Issue, and the cover is awesome! Great Family Guys feature too! – Jennifer DeBono, Atlanta Hawks & Philips Arena I love your passion and enthusiasm for what you do. You’ve done a wonderful job with the magazine. – Meg (and Ann), Huff Harrington Home Thank you so much. We are thrilled with the article and so grateful for the exposure! – Beth Ardell, LearningRx Just popped online and saw the article about your stay at Loews Atlanta. Wow, thank you! Such a glowing review! I am thrilled the Buckhead community and beyond will get the insider’s view on experiencing the hotel. – Christina VerHeul, Loews Hotels Thank you for all of your support throughout the year as a media sponsor ... We are lucky to have you as a partner to help ensure no child in America goes hungry. – Debbie Shore, Share Our Strength Thank you for the magazines you provided for the Ovarian Cancer Institute’s Evening at Bacchanalia. Your contribution was greatly appreciated by all our guests and it was such a wonderful touch in our gift bag. – Kathryn Harper, Ovarian Cancer Institute CORRECTION: In the October issue feature Takeo’s Second Half, the “and” in “ProFootballTalk” and “Fantasy Football Live” was omitted. To clarify, these are two separate shows, both featuring Takeo Spikes.
(especially during the frantic holiday season)? But the
Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
truth is, many of us know we’ve been blessed in our lives and that we should give back to those who haven’t been
Thanks to @SimplyBuckhead for including the #KatanaATL opening in its restaurant news section! – @ToriAllenPR Looking through @SimplyBuckhead, and look who I see! @TheBertShow @BertShowBert Love him! – @sdoolan89 Check out our very own Jim Whitlow of @DekaAtlanta in the October issue of @SimplyBuckhead! – @LenoxShopGirl Matre Gallery owner @RobertMatre was featured in @SimplyBuckhead’s Sep 2014 issue. – @MatreGallery Check out the teaser for #KatanaATL from @SimplyBuckhead—Katana is opening later this month! – @OneSushiPlus @SimplyBuckhead @Paulmillsap4 @ATLHawks EatOutAtlanta is a bit biased, but for what it’s worth … Best issue ever :) – @EatOutAtlanta
[ L E T T E R B OX ] Tell us what you think! Send your comments, compliments and criticisms to editor@simplybuckhead.com. All letters will be considered for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.
as fortunate. Whether it’s a donation, an afternoon of cleaning up a park or spending one-on-one time with a child in need of mentoring, the end result is always the same: It feels good. The individuals we highlight in our “Helping Hands” cover feature must be on a constant “feel-good” high because their contributions are vast and incredibly commendable. Each volunteer was inspired by a cause and found (or founded) a nonprofit to make an impact. For attorney Michele Stumpe (our cover model), endangered primates in Africa pulled at her heartstrings; for Dan Prucha it was realizing how a meal delivery service can help people retain their independence; and for Aimee Maxwell it was a fiery passion not to see innocent people spend time in jail for crimes they didn’t commit. In our cover story we also feature the altruism of two Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta volunteers whose long-standing commitment to the organization has helped guide kids on positive life paths. We don’t have to start a nonprofit or dedicate our careers to service to give back. We just have to get out of our busy day-to-day crunch—yes, even amidst Christmas shopping—and let ourselves be inspired by a cause. If this issue’s stories are any indication, once we find our volunteer calling, we’ll be inspired to give back again and again.
Giannina Smith Bedford editor@simplybuckhead.com
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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We owe our unprecedented growth to a special group of financial strategists. (Our customers.) Brett, Athens
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More important, they are our friends and neighbors. At Community & Southern, we take the time to get to know every customer. Then together, we design a financial solution that helps them reach their goals. Calvin, Dawsonville
In January, we will be celebrating our fifth anniversary. And, thanks to our customers, we’re also celebrating being one of Georgia’s fastest-growing banks. Stop by one of our 40 offices and work with a bank that’s obsessed with growth. Yours.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
E V E N T S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R AV E L | A P P R O V E D | P E T S
SIMPLY NOW
TRAVEL FAR
Into Africa P28
Tucked into the Maasai Mara National Reserve wilderness, Rekero Camp offers armed Maasai escorts for guests after dark.
At night, you can hear the call of the wild through the canvas tent walls. November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
S I M P LY NOW
E V E N TS
Above: Patrons of the arts have the chance to interact with artists in person during Diversity eARTh’s artist meet-and-greet.
[ F E AT U RE D E V E N T ]
VISUAL APPEAL LOCAL SCULPTORS, PAINTERS, NOVELISTS AND MORE CONVERGE FOR A WEEKLONG EXHIBIT
A
DAC’s exhibition of pop-up galleries was such a success last July that the center is at it again. Showcasing the work of more than 20 artists, authors, blacksmiths and sculptors, the latest installation of Diversity eARTh kicks off Nov. 13 with an evening cocktail reception and artist meet-and-greet ($20 per ticket). Guests are invited to view and shop the creations of Kim Painter Chesney, James P. Garrett, Ann Rhodes and their contemporaries—among their masterpieces are oils, watercolors, Venetian plaster, sculptures, pottery and more. The exhibit will remain open to the public daily through Nov. 21, with special evening events dispersed throughout the week. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy art for a cause: Diversity eARTh’s Nov. 20 wine tasting ($75 per ticket) benefits Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, pairing estate-grown Avant Partir wines with fine Italian fare from Marcello’s Buckhead Italian Restaurant. Bonus: Avant Partir’s owner Michael Coghlan will be there to personally talk guests through the varieties of vino on hand. Also a must-do is the exhibit’s Nov. 21 finale ($15), a book signing featur-
ing the latest novels, thrillers and creative nonfiction from Darryl Bollinger, Marcia Gaddis, Donna Meredith and Jeffrey Small. The authors will read from their respective tomes as guests savor cocktails and light bites, and sign copies afterward. Tickets to Diversity eARTh evening receptions are available at www.eventbrite.com. – Maria Carter
Right: More than 20 painters, sculptors, blacksmiths and other artists will showcase their work at the nine-day exhibit. Below: Mark Boomershine’s superhero portraits sparked conversation at ADAC’s first Diversity eARTh.
DIVERSITY EARTH 2 Nov. 13-21 ADAC 351 Peachtree Hills Avenue N.E. Suite 403 Atlanta 30305 404.231.1720 www.adacatlanta.com/events Opening Reception and Artist Meet & Greet Nov. 13, 6 to 9 p.m. Georgia Lawyers for the Arts – Art Exhibit & Wine Tasting Nov. 20, 6 to 9 p.m. Book Signings & Cocktail Reception Nov. 21, 5 to 9 p.m.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY NOW
E V E N TS
Governor and First Lady Deal’s annual holiday soiree includes cameos by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
[ F RE E E V E N T ]
SEE THE
LIGHT
THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION REOPENS FOR THE SEASON WITH A FESTIVE BUCKHEAD CHRISTMAS TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY Santa Claus is comin’ to town! No, really. Apparently Governor Nathan Deal has some serious connections because he has persuaded the man in red himself, and Mrs. Claus, to join him and the first lady for a special appearance at the Governor’s Mansion annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 7. Best of all, Deal isn’t keeping his celeb friends to himself—you’re invited, too. The event is free and open
to the public, with no reservation required. The mansion, which is normally open to the public for tours, closes its doors from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 to undergo a seasonal makeover in time for Santa and this event. This year’s theme is “With a Servant’s Heart,” in honor of volunteerism throughout the Peach State, and showcases one-of-a-kind ornaments decorated by hundreds of nonprofits, including the Junior League
of Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta and dozens of arts organizations. Be there at 6 p.m. to see the tree lighting, or stop by afterward to enjoy live holiday music, seasonal cookies and hobnobbing with Santa (and the governor and first lady). For those who can’t attend, the mansion will remain open from Dec. 8 through Dec. 19 for holiday tours. – Maria Carter
[ FA M I LY-F R I E N DLY ]
To market, to market ATLANTANS “VÄLKOMMEN” THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, SWEDISH-STYLE The airy tones and natural textures of Scandinavian design are all the rage this winter. Lucky for us, we’ve got the real deal here in town, and no, we’re not referring to IKEA. The annual Swedish Christmas Market, hosted by the Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) on Nov. 22, is a bastion of Scandinavian goods and gifts. Here, you’ll find seasonal floral arrangements, Swedish ornaments, modern and traditional
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gifts crafted by hand, and yes, some darn fine specimens of Scandi home decor. To help guests get in the holiday spirit there will be plenty of glögg (that’s Swedish mulled wine), ginger thins (“pepparkakor”) and saffron buns at the on-site café. At 11:30 a.m., Vasa Drängar, Atlanta’s Swedish men’s choir, will perform, followed by The Kickers—a group of senior “Rockettes-style” dancers with costume changes galore—at 1 p.m.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Don’t miss the traditional St. Lucia procession, a parade of carolers wearing white robes and carrying candles in celebration of the patron saint of the blind, whose feast day is Dec. 13. The kids Lucia procession begins at 11 a.m., followed by the grown-up rendition at 2 p.m. (Celebrating St. Lucia is said to help one survive long winter days with light.) Purchase tickets at the door for $2 each. – Maria Carter
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Dec. 7; 6 to 8 p.m. Georgia Governor’s Mansion 391 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.261.1776 www.mansion.georgia.gov/ 2014-christmas-tours
Above Left: Musical guests include Vasa Drängar, the Atlanta Swedish men’s choir. Above Middle: Sweden’s traditional St. Lucia procession celebrates the patron saint of the blind. Above Right: Dance troupe The Kickers perform Rockettes-inspired numbers with numerous costume changes.
SWEDISH CHRISTMAS MARKET Nov. 22; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dorothy Benson Center 6500 Vernon Woods Drive Sandy Springs 30328 404.402.6261 www.atlanta.swea.org
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
S I M P LY NOW
LOCAL SALUTE BY:
Mickey Goodman
Scott Rafshoon of The Hebrew Benevolent Congregation’s Zaban Couples Center
Zaban Couples Center Provides More than Shelter Helping homeless couples overcome obstacles and become independent As chairman of the board, Brookhaven resident Scott Rafshoon oversees The Hebrew Benevolent Congregation’s (aka The Temple) Zaban Couples Center, one of the few homeless shelters in Atlanta that allow couples to remain together. “From Oct. 15 to April 30, we are a full-service facility helping residents obtain a steady income and stable housing, and learn life skills,” Rafshoon, an attorney at McKenna Long & Aldridge, says. “We began during the winter of 1984 when the media reported homeless people dying on the streets. When Rabbi Alvin Sugarman was approached by a congregant who said, ‘We need to do something,’ he rapidly agreed.” That “something” was helping fulfill the Jewish mission of Tikkun Olam (a Hebrew phrase meaning “repairing the world”) by creating a couples shelter. With
support from congregation president Marvin Botnick and others, religious school classrooms were converted to accommodate seven homeless couples. Within six days, it was up and running. Temple volunteers prepared dinner and breakfast and spent the night. Eventually, a full-time director was hired to provide consistency and enforce the rules: no drugs or alcohol; no fighting—or face eviction. “Thanks to a generous donation by Temple member and Buckhead resident Erwin Zaban eight years ago, we upgraded the third floor of the Selig Building next door for 20 couples,” Rafshoon says. Volunteers from all over Atlanta provide donations and prepare nightly meals for the 501(c)3 organization. l For more information, visit www.zabancouplescenter.org.
Saving the Planet One Takeout Box at a Time Buckhead restaurants embrace eco-friendly products While it was once considered gauche to take restaurant leftovers home, diners now do it in overwhelming numbers, inadvertently creating landfills piled high with plastic or Styrofoam that can take years to degrade. This year, Tucker-based American Fiber Packing Co. launched Bistro, a new line of takeout containers made completely from recycled materials. They are currently in use in all nine Buckhead Life Restaurants as well as at Bhojanic, Seven Lamps, Treehouse and others. “We’ve been focused on eco-friendly products for the food service industry since day one,” says President Joseph Bild, a Buckhead resident. “We source raw materials within a 250-mile radius of the facility and work with companies to deliver products in an earth-friendly way. We also partner with Georgia Power to offset our carbon footprint by purchasing renewable energy credits.”
Joseph Bild of American Fiber Packing Co.
Bistro containers are made from recycled paper and all-natural materials and are 99.9 percent degradable in home composters. Containers can also be customized by American Fiber in low volumes using eco-friendly inks and low-energy printers. American Fiber works closely with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Clean Technology Leadership Council to promote sustainability throughout the metro area. They are also in talks to partner with nonprofits. “Our goals are to create jobs and produce products that are good for the environment and good for your health,” Bild says. l For more information, visit www.afpackaging.com
These eco-friendly to-go containers from American Fiber Packing Co. are 99-percent degradable in home composters.
Donate to Nonprofits Without Spending a Dime Free app donates 2 percent of every online and in-store purchase at no cost to supporters or nonprofits Buckhead resident Ron Herman, CEO of Sionic Mobile, has dual passions: technology development and helping charities. He discovered a way to connect the two by applying smartphone technology to help nonprofits create awareness, raise funds and keep more of each donation. “So many organizations are struggling to stay afloat,” Herman says. “We wanted to tap into the growing $300 billion e-commerce market to aid in
fundraising, engage current donors and attract new supporters.” The result is Shop2Give, a free application launched in July that lets supporters shop both online and at their favorite stores, pay with the app during checkout and automatically trigger a 2-percent donation from Sionic Mobile to their favorite nonprofits—without additional cost. A number of major Buckhead stores have signed up, including Lowe’s,
Barnes & Noble, Staples, Brookstone, GameStop, Hyatt Hotels, Sephora, Papa John’s and more. Users select the organizations they want to support. Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities is one of the first nonprofits using Shop2Give to raise funds for a new house for the families of hospitalized children. “In addition to the 2 percent we donate, supporters can use the app to give any amount at any time to their nonprofits,” Herman says.
Ron Herman, CEO of Sionic Mobile
l For more information, visit www.s2gnow.com
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY NOW
TR AV E L N E A R
Below: SOHO combines French and Southern influences in an innovative menu. Natural lighting flows into the dining room from large warehouse-style windows.
Season’s greetings from Savannah Experience the Southern charm of Savannah’s culture and dining scene during holiday festivities
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astel colonial townhomes shielded by rows of mossdraped live oaks, horse-drawn carriages bowling along brick-paved streets—welcome to Savannah, where centuries-old buildings contrast with modern structures designed by the Savannah College of Art and Design. If you’re looking for a charming, Southern holiday retreat, this itinerary narrows down the must-sees and dos. And if you happen to visit Dec. 5 and 6, you’ll encounter a weekend full of holiday festivities, with arts and entertainment thanks to the city’s annual celebration “Christmas on the River.”
STAY If you want to escape the bustling tourist crowds, stay farther from River Street and try Airbnb. With prices starting at $85 per night (not including cleaning fees and taxes), it’s a deal for the location and you will feel more connected to the native culture living like a local within a residential neighborhood. For example, one Airbnb townhome is located just three blocks from Forsyth Park and one mile from
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River Street. The owner rents out his upstairs guest bedroom to couples. The worn wooden floors, the fourposter bed and the fireplace are a nod to the pleasantries of Savannah.
SEE Prime sightseeing real estate begins north of Oglethorpe Street, where blocks are lined with parks, boutique shops and charming restaurants. For a shaded stroll under Savannah’s classic oak trees, weave through the historical squares, small parks of green space sandwiched between city blocks. You will find 10 squares within a four-block radius between York Street and State Street, and Congress Street and Bryan Street. One not to miss: Reynolds Square, on Abercorn and St. Julian Street, is home to the worn statue of the Reverend John Wesley, known as the founder of Methodism. Also in this square is the iconic Olde Pink House. Although today it has been refurbished into one of Savannah’s fine dining establishments, rumors abound that this 1771 historical house is haunted.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
BEACH Tybee Island, only 40 minutes from downtown, is Savannah’s beach. November and December are its off-season, but despite cooler and breezier temperatures, there are plenty of activities off the sand. Plan your trip around the “Lights on for Tybee” annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Dec. 5, followed by the Tybee Island Christmas parade on Dec. 6. Decorated boats float along the shore, led by Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
SHOP If you have a sweet tooth for liquid gold, Savannah Bee Company is the place to get your fix. Every day, the flagship store on Broughton Street offers honey tastings, where an employee guides you through a sampling of the store’s artisanal honeys and honeycomb. A favorite is the single-origin raw tupelo honey, local to parts of North Florida and South Georgia, or the “Winter White,” a creamed raw honey that is light in color, but thick and full of caramel and vanilla flavors. Don’t miss out on
Above: Savannah’s downtown district buzzes with tourists during the summer and winter seasons. Right: Airbnb rentals allow you to stay in authentic, historic parts of the city.
STORY:
Alexa Lampasona
the natural line of skincare products. Honey is an environmentally friendly, natural elixir. The Royal Jelly Body Butter smells heavenly and leaves your skin smooth and supple.
DINE Savannah is seeing an increase in knowledgeable diners, which allows for more experimentation on restaurant menus. Daniel Reed Hospitality Group harnesses Southern cuisine, adds eloquent French influences and serves it up in their three Savannah concepts: Local11ten, SOHO South Cafe and The Public Kitchen & Bar. Executive Chef Brandy Williamson changes the menus at each location seasonally and each restaurant’s design is an elegant interplay utilizing the restored facades of Savannah’s historical buildings. Come to Local11ten to dine in multiple courses, with offerings that range from Prince Edward Island mussels and braised lamb belly to an 8-ounce filet mignon. Bridging the gap between fine and casual dining is SOHO South Cafe, a staple brunch and lunch gem, serving
Above: A view of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge from Top Deck Bar.
If you go... Stay. Airbnb www.airbnb.com
See. Historical Squares www.visitsavannah.com/ essential-savannah/ squares-parks
Southern-Inspired Brice Hotel Finds a Home in Savannah
Shop. Savannah Bee Company 104 W. Broughton Street 912.233.7873 www.savannahbee.com
Dine.
STORY:
Local11ten 1110 Bull Street 912.790.9000 www.local11ten.com SOHO South Cafe 12 W. Liberty Street 912.233.1633 www.sohosouthcafe.com
Nightlife. Jazz’d Tapas Bar 52 Barnard Street 912.236.7777 www.jazzdtapasbar.com Top Deck Bar 125 W. River Street 912.436.6828 www.topdeckbar.com
up “eggs Savannah” with a jumbo lump crab cake, poached egg and hollandaise sauce; creamy tomato basil soup; and a Southern-style salmon croquette with sweet corn gravy. The open dining area boasts an arrangement of foliage and mismatched spindle chairs as well as live piano music performed Friday and Saturday nights and during Sunday brunch.
On weekends, the room is abuzz with music. Young crowds linger inside around the whitewashed bar or at the balcony to view the Talmadge Memorial Bridge and River Street’s holiday lights. Craft cocktails are the way to go and offer twists on the classics, such as the Top Deck mojito with açaí spirit and coconut rum, or GBG with gin, whiskey, ginger beer, lemon and maraschino liqueur. n
NIGHTLIFE HOLIDAY EVENTS Christmas on the River Dec. 6 & 7 www.riverstreetsavannah.com/ event/christmas-on-the-river Lights on for Tybee Dec. 5 www.tybeefortheholidays.com/ lights-on-for-tybee Tybee Island Christmas Parade Dec. 6 www.tybeefortheholidays.com/ tybee-island-christmas-parade
Photos: Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants
The atmosphere at the chic underground Jazz’d Tapas Bar hums with energy as soon as the live jazz starts. You can’t beat a wine list that starts at $6.25 per glass, with options that are approachable and predominantly New World varietals. The fruity martinis are equally appealing at $9 each. Top Deck Bar, which opened earlier this year on the roof of the Cotton Sail Hotel, is a trendy rooftop bar that is sure to become a classic spot for the well-heeled.
Kate Parham Kordsmeier
The Southeast may lay claim to sweet tea, sprawling green space and unsurpassed hospitality, but it has been lacking one major travel component: a Kimpton hotel. That was until The Brice Hotel, a member of the beloved boutique-style hotel group, recently opened its doors in Savannah. This 145-room Southern gem lives in the heart of Washington Square, a stone’s throw from Savannah’s scenic riverfront, and, in typical Kimpton fashion, draws on the rich history of the city. Housed in Savannah’s first Coca-Cola bottling plant, the eclectic, ethereal hotel pays tribute to the building’s industrial roots (the site was also once a livery circa the 1860s, cotton warehouse, foundry and machine shop, wholesale grocer and, most recently, The Mulberry Inn) with king-sized horse imagery, factory windows, handmade concrete tile flooring and whimsical swings throughout the hotel. There’s a reason Kimptons are adored in the travel community, and The Brice is no different: The pet-friendly hotels offer often-forgotten travel essentials on request (think curling irons and iPhone chargers) and cozy, super-plush robes (The Brice’s are seersucker … naturally!). Add European bike cruisers for sightseeing on Savannah’s charming cobblestone streets, in-room yoga mats and On-Demand wellness channels and even goldfish for a unique experience. Another reason to choose Kimpton: its signature Wine Hour (complimentary wine is poured in all of their hotels from 5 to 6 p.m. daily). Don’t miss The Brice’s wine hour in the hotel’s Secret Garden, a lush sanctuary in the center of the property, where the bow-tie-clad staff will even teach you how to tie your own. And be sure to pop into Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar, a chef-driven restaurant and craft cocktail bar comingling Southern fare with age-old Italian cooking methods, for Coke-glazed short ribs and asparagus carbonara with farm eggs. Did we mention they also offer bottomless brunch on the weekends? Cin Cin! THE BRICE HOTEL SAVANNAH 601 E. Bay Street Savannah 31401 912.238.1200 www.bricehotel.com
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY NOW
TR AV E L N E A R
Above: Macon’s Third Street Plaza offers one of the best scenes of budding Cherry Blossoms each March. Right: There are more than 3,000 artifacts on display at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
Exploring the song and soul of
Top: A family relaxes with a picnic lunch on the lawn of the Historic Hay House. Above: Ocmulgee National Monument is home to 17,000 artifacts of Native American history and culture. It also offers trails for biking and walking.
the South Top 10 “must-see” attractions in Macon
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n a recent visit to Macon, the central Georgia city just 90 miles south of Buckhead, Southern hospitality was all around. To give Macon its due, I planned out three days to explore. Rich in history, music, festivals and dining, it offers plenty to lure everyone in the family. Here are 10 of the must-stops along the way.
l Hay House, built in the mid-1800s by William Butler Johnston, is one of the finest antebellum houses in America. A property of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, it’s been featured on A&E’s “America’s Castles” and C-SPAN’s “Cities Tour.” Climb the seven stories to the top of the 80-foot cupola and get a view of downtown Macon.
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native Little Richard’s hit song “Good Golly Miss Molly”) exudes charm with its shabby-chic décor and friendly staff. Molly’s Famous Chicken Salad (featured in Southern Lady magazine) lives up to its name, as does the Apple Salad.
l Ocmulgee National Monument showcases 17,000 years of Native American heritage and has the only reconstructed earth lodge on the continent. Climbing the Great Temple Mound—the tallest of seven mounds in the park—yields a spectacular view of downtown Macon. Each September, the colorful Ocmulgee Indian Festival features ceremonial dances, craftsman demonstrations, arts, music and storytelling. The National Park site includes a museum and a picnic area.
l Tubman Museum, moving the summer of 2015 to a much larger 49,000-square-foot facility in downtown Macon, is named in honor of the courageous Harriet Tubman, who led hundreds of slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The largest Southeastern museum dedicated to African-American art, history and culture, it houses a nine-panel mural by local artist Wilfred Stroud that chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the African-American experience. Ongoing exhibits and events include All That Jazz; the International Taste of Soul; and the Pan-African Festival of Georgia, held each April.
l The famous corner lunch spot Molly’s Café (aptly named for Macon
l At Dovetail, Macon’s first farm-totable restaurant, I enjoyed deviled eggs
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Left: The colorful Ocmulgee Indian festival features many aspects of Native American heritage.
STORY:
Joanne Hayes
and filet mignon “au poivre,” savoring every perfect bite. My sweet tooth was drawn to the Cracked Pie, a slice of giant oatmeal cookie topped with salted caramel ice cream and toffee. l At the Museum of Arts and Sciences I acquainted myself with Ziggy, the 40-million-year-old whale fossil, and wandered through the galleries, marveling at the 70-plus live animals in the mini-zoo. The newly renovated, state-of-the-art planetarium also allows visitors a look at visualizations of the outer limits of space. l Was there a teenager in the 1970s who didn’t love The Allman Brothers? The 1969 revolution of Southern rock was launched from Macon’s streets, with guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and a spirited brotherhood, turning Macon into the recording hotbed of the ’70s. From 1969 to 1973, the Big House, now a museum housing the world’s largest collection of Allman Brothers memorabilia, sheltered the band and their families, along with their roadies. l The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the largest state sports hall in America, displays more than 3,000 artifacts, includes 14,000 square feet of exhibits and interactive games, and
offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the more than 300 Sports Hall of Fame inductees. l I settled in at Macon landmark The Rookery, home of the best burgers in town, for lunch. The Ray Charles burger (pepper jack cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and guacamole) and the famous Double Chocolate Shake, definitely did it for me. l Macon is home to several great festivals throughout the year. The Macon Beer Festival, held annually in August to support local breweries and prostate cancer awareness, was the last stop before heading home. Macon’s annual festivals include the 10-day International Cherry Blossom Festival in March, celebrating the more than 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees that qualify Macon for its title of “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.” Other popular celebrations are fall’s Octoberfest and the Bragg Jam in July—a rock, blues and soulinfused concert crawl with more than 50 bands—as well as the twinkling lights of Christmas at the Hay House and the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve. l For more information, see www.visitmacon.org.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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FAR
Into Africa STORY:
Giannina Smith Bedford
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n my 30 years, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to more places than most people can claim in a lifetime. But I’d never been to Africa. I always wondered about the world’s second-largest continent—the people, the wildlife and the culture so different from my own. When the opportunity arose to explore a small part of this vast land with a trip to Kenya, I jumped at the chance. As I held my boarding pass with its final destination of Nairobi, butterflies gathered in my stomach. This bucket-list dream was finally coming true. CHAPTER 1: Amboseli After a lengthy flight across the globe (17 grueling hours in the air) I arrived at Nairobi’s elegant Villa Rosa Kempinski, an ornate pink hotel that opened in 2013, and met the small group of journalists I’d be adventuring with. It was a quick overnight at the city center lodgings, which resemble a luxurious fortress with a high-security gate and metal detector at the front entrance—not a rare sight for Kenya’s capital. The next day started with a 6:30 a.m. departure to Wilson Airport to catch a Safarilink flight to Amboseli National Park near the Kenya-Tanzania border, the first stop. After a one-hour flight, the 12-seat puddle jumper descended to the dusty airstrip. I gasped at the view of zebras, gazelles and wildebeests
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
A Maasai tribesman keeps watch for wildlife during a “sundowner” in the Kenyan bush.
A thrilling two-stop exploration of Kenya’s abundant wildlife
prancing across the savannah grassland— something I didn’t expect to see before the wheels of the plane even touched the ground. I took a closer look at the welcome party during the ride in the open-air Land Rover to Satao Elerai Camp. At one point, our guide had to stop to let a group of about 10 slowly strolling elephants cross the road in front of the vehicle. An incredible sight: so different from my typical rush hour. The next two days in Amboseli National Park were filled with moments like this. Each morning started with coffee and biscuits brought to my tent before breakfast (heavenly) and game drives to see elephants, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, ostriches, hippos and even wildebeests—many stragglers from the great wildebeest migration, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. From the Amboseli’s elevated Observation Hill, where we stopped for lunch one day, you could see nearly the entire animal kingdom in one breathtaking view, as well as the delineation of the park’s ecosystems—from swamps to savannah. When not out on safari, I relaxed on the porch of my thatched-roof tent taking in striking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, and swimming in the camp’s pool while listening to elephants drinking at a nearby watering hole. Evenings were filled with leisurely dinners and fireside “sundowners” in the bush where a Maasai tribesman (from the seminomadic ethnic group that inhabits the area) kept the
wildlife at bay as we socialized and sipped traditional Dawa cocktails—a strong concoction of vodka, lime juice and honey—while watching the sun set behind acacia trees. CHAPTER 2: Maasai Mara While Amboseli National Park is known for its herds of elephants, Maasai Mara National Reserve in southwest Kenya is the place to see the “Big Five,” including the head honchos themselves: lions. We started our adventuring through its 580 square miles as soon as we got off the plane. Our gregarious Maasai guide and driver, Martin, confidently navigated the park’s bumpy, rocky terrain as he told us about his exciting morning, which included a lion chase through Rekero Camp, our destination. As our group became engrossed in the story, Martin used his expert tracking knowledge to drive right up to three lionesses napping under a tree. We were astounded by the sight of the majestic creatures just 15 to 20 feet away. Although I’d seen lions in zoos before, nothing compared to seeing them in their natural habitat. I was so awestruck, I almost forgot to get out my camera. Martin assured us there would be plenty more cats to come. As if this wasn’t enough arrival excitement, the remaining drive took us past a hippo carcass that had been mangled by these very cats—not the most appealing sight, but a memorable one for sure.
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1: Although Cheetahs are the fastest animal on earth, this Kenyan cat shows it can also take time for an afternoon break.
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4: A lone male lion lounges in Maasai Mara’s savanna grass.
2: Wildebeest, zebras, elephants and gazelles all coexist in Amboseli National Park.
5: Naboisho Camp’s communal dinners are held in the organically constructed main lodge and allow visitors to get to know one another.
3: Much of the wildlife in Kenya’s national parks, including this curious elephant, are accustomed to safari vehicles and visitors.
6: Rekero Camp’s spacious tents feature large verandahs with day beds—the perfect spot to relax and unwind between game drives.
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We arrived at Rekero Camp to the cheerful greetings of the camp managers and Maasai staff. Situated on the banks of the Talek River and veiled in vegetation, Rekero caters to just 20 guests in nine luxurious tents adorned in wood furnishings and local crafts and textiles. The well-appointed accommodations may lack running water, but they are outfitted with decorative glass bottles of H2O for drinking and “bush-style” bucket showers that are filled with perfectly warmed water upon request. A true “glamping” experience, the camp is ideal for guests looking to step just a little out of their comfort zone, but remain completely pampered. Thanks to the riverside breakfasts and lunches, delicious afternoon teas with homemade cake and the four-course candlelit group dinners in the mess hall, after just 24 hours, the camp felt like home. Outside camp, we took long game drives through the plains to spot the residents of the reserve. And spot them we did. From a lone male lion and a group of three young cheetahs lounging lazily under a tree to intimidating buffalo, the wildlife was mind-blowing. We continued to come across elephants, giraffes, zebras and wildebeests at every turn and even spotted a huge crocodile and a noisy group of hippos during a riverside sundowner. And the close animal encounters didn’t
end with the game drives. Rekero has no fence or wall (the reason nightfall comes with armed Maasai escorts). In fact, I had an on-foot animal encounter the first day with a large male baboon that walked up from the river to the observation deck, where I remained very still until he decided I wasn’t interesting. At night, you can hear the call of the wild through the canvas tent walls. It proved a soothing bedtime lullaby for most of the trip. After a short stay at Rekero, we headed to its sister property, Naboisho Camp, located in a private conservancy right outside the borders of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Not for the faint of heart, the “bush walk” (an on-foot hike) was led by Naboisho’s manager, Roelof Schutte, a burly South African who packs an enormous rifle. We’d heard rumors that the previous day’s game walk included a face-to-face encounter with a female lion. Thank goodness we didn’t have a similar occurrence during our two-hour jaunt, but we did come across the vulture-covered carcass of a recently devoured gazelle (the reason for the previous evening’s loud cat calls). As we walked in single file and remained completely silent, we listened to galloping wildebeests, gazelles and zebras, and learned about the plants, insects and birds, which are difficult to spot when traversing the plains in a motorized vehicle.
Another exciting perk at Naboisho was the nighttime game drives, where a red light (less intrusive to the animals after sunset) reveals wildlife in their predatory behaviors. After our sundowner in the open plain, we hopped back on the Landcruiser to discover that a pride of eight lions was beginning their evening patrol only a five-minute drive away. We were also lucky enough to see lion cubs hidden in the grass while their mother was out hunting for dinner. Between bush walks, day and night game drives and fabulous dinners of African cuisine (goat stew, traditional maize bread and sticky toffee pudding were some of my favorites), there was little time to relax in Naboisho’s simple elegance. When I did carve out a few moments, I took pleasure in unwinding in my canvas suite’s lounger and sipping tea on the porch of the main lodge. Naboisho’s eight luxury tents, while STAY: similar to Rekero’s, had the extra perks of running water in the sinks Villa Rosa Kempinski and a dreamy outdoor “bucket www.kempinski.com/en/ nairobi/hotel-villa-rosa shower.” As I bathed beneath the Kenyan sky on my last night on safaSatao Elerai Camp ri, I thanked all the lucky stars above www.sataoelerai.com for bringing me to Africa, a place Rekero Camp everyone should be able to experirekero.asiliaafrica.com ence at least once in a lifetime. Naboisho Camp As for me, I’m hoping I can make naboisho.asiliaafrica.com that at least twice in a lifetime. n
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY NOW
A PP ROV E D
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MAC DADDY Creative and delicious mac ’n’ cheese STORY:
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Jennifer Bradley Franklin PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
4. Chops Lobster Bar: Creamy Curly Mac and Smoked Gouda ($9.50)
A favorite year-round, macaroni and cheese feels particularly appropriate now that there’s a chill infusing Atlanta’s air. We scoured our neighborhood’s restaurants and picked a few favorite noodle- and cheese-laden dishes to share.
1. Seven Lamps: Lobster Mac and Cheese ($18) Chef Drew Van Leuvan’s version folds buttery, rich lobster into his macaroni, upping the luxury quotient of this dish. He keeps it interesting with African squash and dried chorizo, as well as decadent Gruyère and mascarpone cheeses. It’s large enough to share— a good plan because of its richness. 3400 Around Lenox Road Atlanta 30326 404.467.8950 www.sevenlampsatl.com
2. Cook Hall: Pimento Mac and Cheese ($7) This tasty dish is (almost) all about the South. Chef David Gross takes salty rosemary Virginia ham, sharp yellow cheddar and fresh corkscrew pasta, and adds in bright red pimentos and tart Italian Cerignola olives to create a dish that’s bal-
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
anced and flavorful. It’s topped with panko before being heated and crisped in the oven.
Perhaps the richest of the macaroni and cheeses we tried, Chef Ryan Delesandro’s version goes perfectly with one of Chops’ cookedto-order aged steaks. The curved shape of serpentini pasta is just right to cradle the impossibly creamy cheese sauce, made with white cheddar and smoked Gouda. It’s topped with Parmesan cheese and just a bit of parsley.
3377 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.523.3600 www.cookhallatlanta.com
70 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 404.262.2675 www.buckheadrestaurants.com/ chops-lobster-bar
3. Smokebelly:
5. Yebo: White Cheddar, Manchego
Pig’s Tail Mac and Cheese ($3)
and Panko Mac and Cheese ($7)
Vegetarians rejoice! This deceptively named dish contains no meat. In fact, its cute moniker comes from the curly cavatappi pasta that holds the savory, viscous cheese sauce. Made with milk, heavy cream, allspice, yellow American cheese, a bit of cream cheese and cheddar cheese, it’s topped with the restaurant’s piquant secret dry rub spice blend. Meat eaters can order it alongside Smokebelly’s fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs.
This crunchy-topped mac and cheese makes it easy to say “yes” (no surprise— yebo is South African slang for the affirmative). Served in a cast-iron skillet and big enough to share—if you’re feeling generous—the dish is made with Vermont white cheddar and nutty Manchego folded into luscious béchamel cream sauce and pasta, topped with feather-light panko crumbs. The crunch is just the right complement to the creamy, soft macaroni.
128 East Andrews Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.848.9100 www.smokebellybbq.com
3500 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.467.4988 www.yeborestaurant.com
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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PE TS
Poochie presents Surprise your dog with his very own stocking stuffer
STORY:
Karina Timmel
G
et ready for some extra-sloppy kisses this holiday season. Not only for all of the delicious scraps that seem to make their way under the table, but also for the presents that speak to your four-legged baby’s fur-covered heart. Is your gal a pint-sized princess? Is your big boy’s life’s purpose to find a good chew whenever he can? The following four stocking stuffers from Buckhead, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs retailers are sure to delight.
s A Soft Spot
The Girly Girl Let your little lady channel Coco Chanel and play dress-up with this classic ensemble. The appropriately named Coco Ruffle Dress by Dogs of Glamour is super soft and comes with a ruffly cotton tank, crystal buttons and a tiered skirt. It’s an impeccable outfit for a Buckhead shopping spree with her mama. $59; Bark Fifth
This cozy doormat-slash-crate liner is not only your puppy’s new favorite lounging spot, it’s also your new favorite item in the house. The Soggy Doggy Doormat deters muddy or wet paws from stepping onto your hardwoods with durable, microfiber chenille noodles that absorb five times more water than regular cotton doormats. Plus, “magically,” it’s odor-free and dries quickly. $39.99-$84.99; Dog City Bakery; www.mydogcity.com
Avenue; www.barkfifthave.com
Reindeer Games Love to give your dog a bone, but hate the aftereffects—grease and crumbs all over the floor? Solution: These dog-favorite Deer Antler chews are odorless, long lasting and won’t splinter or leave a mess. Choose from petite to extrajumbo sized, depending on the mouth size of your pup. $3.99-$21.99;
Squeaky-Clean Fun Your buddy knows he has it good. But now he can chew on that thought for a little while with his Life is Good JOY toy. The soft and squeaky bone-shaped present is made with recycled fill and offers endless hours of fetch games—a perfect activity with the kids to keep his spirits high through the holidays. $11.99; CityDog
Red Bandanna; www.redbandannapetfood.com
Market; www.citydogmarket.com
Home for the Holidays Sad fact: More than 300,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in the state of Georgia every year. Whether you’re looking to adopt or donate this holiday season, consider these rescues caring for abandoned or neglected animals in the Buckhead area.
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1. Animal Companion Rescue Foundation (ACRF)
2. Furkids
3. Adopt a Golden Atlanta
ACRF, located in Sandy Springs, offers a noninstitutional option for aging, terminally ill, or incapacitated dog or cat owners to arrange for the care of their pet. They re-home pets, or can provide a permanent residence at their sanctuary.
Georgia’s largest no-kill animal shelter houses 275-plus cats and cares for hundreds of small dogs awaiting their forever homes. Adopt their pups and kitties from retail partners PetSmart and Petco, with locations in Sandy Springs and Buckhead.
This Brookhaven-based volunteer, nonprofit organization— the second-largest of its kind in the nation—is dedicated to finding permanent homes for golden retrievers, and relies solely on donations.
www.animalcrf.org
www.furkids.org
www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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Big Peach Running Co.
HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY
18/8 Fine Men’s Salon • Brookhaven Orthodontics European Wax Center • Fantastic Sams • GNC (General Nutrition Center) InShapeMD • The Joint - The Chiropractic Place Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare • Massage Heights Nail Talk & Tan • Salon Red • Salon Red Kids • Town Dentistry Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo, The Hydration Station
DINING
Baci by Café at Pharr • Bua Thai and Sushi • The Flying Biscuit Café Lucky’s Burger & Brew • Marble Slab Creamery • Moe’s Southwest Grill Newk’s Express Café • Noche • Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub • Olive Bistro Shucks Oyster & Wine Bar • Smash Kitchen & Bar There Restaurant and Bar • Which Wich? • Yogurtland
HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR
MODA Floors & Interiors • Sugarboo & Co.
SERVICES
Bell Partners • Brookhaven Alterations Brookhaven Animal Hospital • Community & Southern Bank Keller Williams • Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners
ELECTRONICS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT AT&T
www.townbrookhaven.net Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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c a r p e t
styles to fit your style 404.352.8141 | www.myerscarpetatlanta.com | 1500 northside drive, atlanta, ga 30318
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
HOM E | FA S H ION | B E AU T Y | AC C E S S ORI Z E | W E L L N E S S | TA S T E M A K E R
SIMPLY STYLISH
HOME
Changing Waters P36
“We were interested in having something brand-new that featured our art pieces and the things we love.” - Julie Waters
Gold-leafed bowls nailed to a wall covering made of wood slats create a unique artistic vignette in the living room of Dan and Julie Waters. Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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CHANGING WATERS Suburban transplants find joy in Buckhead city living STORY:
D
Married for nearly 20 years, Dan and Julie Waters have embraced their new downsized, city-centric lifestyle.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Giannina Smith Bedford PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
an and Julie Waters haven’t always been the condo type. But when Julie took a job in Atlanta as payroll director of Koch Business Solutions, they left Birmingham, Alabama—their home of more than two decades—and traded a five-bedroom suburban home for high-rise intown living. They liquidated the majority of their furniture in an estate sale and kept only the pieces they loved. On arriving in Atlanta in January 2013, they looked at various condos within a 10-mile radius of Julie’s downtown office. Initially, they planned to lease temporary housing, but fell in love with The Brookwood condominiums on Peachtree Road and decided to buy instead. “We were definitely up for more of that metropolitan living, something closer to downtown. It’s an experience we never had before,” Julie says. “We were at a time in our lives where we were ready to downsize so this was a perfect fit.” The couple was sold on the condo’s ideal
South Buckhead location surrounded by restaurants (three—Watershed, Saltyard and Egg Harbor Café—located on the building’s first floor), and the gorgeous nature-meets-city view of a green tree canopy and bustling Peachtree Road through floor-to-ceiling windows. At 1,700 square feet with three bedrooms (one a multipurpose study/guest room) and three full bathrooms, the condo also gave them more than enough space to welcome out-of-town friends and family. Before invitations went out, however, Julie and Dan, a real estate attorney, hired interior designer John Ishmael of Nandina Home and Design to outfit the new space in a sophisticated modern look that stylishly incorporated their artwork and saved furnishings. “We were interested in having something brand-new that featured our art pieces and the things we love,” Julie says. “We wanted to get someone to help us start with a blank slate and build it from scratch.”
Left: The relaxed modern condo features a gray palette dressed up in various textures and creative accessories. Right: The sunlit living area features attractive—yet comfortable— furnishings that invite guests to sit and not be afraid to eat popcorn and drink red wine. Below: The kitchen is the place where Dan regularly cooks up gourmet meals with ingredients from Whole Foods Market and Peachtree Road Farmers Market.
“We were definitely up for more of that metropolitan living, something closer to downtown.” - Julie Waters
a curved banquette from Vanguard Furniture upholstered in two different Kravet Fabrics patterns and striped chairs from Lee Industries. Nearby, a built-in bar designed to complement the kitchen cabinets frames an abstract artwork they acquired at a benefit in Birmingham. “They have a great collection of art so it was fun to get to emphasize their collection, but be playful with the other things we did so it enhanced the art,” Ishmael says. The wall behind the living room’s large flat-screen television is an example of one of these playful touches. Adorned in an Innovations wall covering made of small slats of gray wood, it features an arrangement of black metallic bowls with goldleafed interiors and spiked exteriors. s
Round the corner from the foyer into the main living space and the first thing that catches your eye is the captivating view framing an open kitchen, dining and living room decked out in soft contemporary style. The kitchen, with two-toned gray and white cabinetry, features Viking appliances, granite countertops and pendant light fixtures from Hudson Valley Lighting as well as sleek Nuevo barstools that Ishmael covered in custom fabric. In fact, all the draperies and pillows in the condo are custom by Nandina. One of the most striking décor items is a Cyan Design light fixture of clustered glass orbs hanging above the main dining table— a wood Henredon that was the first kitchen table the couple purchased together. Surrounding this inviting eating spot is
John Ishmael designed and local craftsman Adam Burke constructed the built-in bar near the dining area to frame one of Julie and Dan’s favorite art pieces.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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HOM E
“When you get close to them you’ll see they look like little sea urchins,” Julie says. The living room is perfect for watching football and the nearby patio is the spot for viewing stunning sunsets over Kennesaw Mountain and the Buckhead downtown skyline. Although the living room’s gray leather Room and Board sofas and Lee Industries chairs might look too pretty to lounge on, Dan and Julie don’t hesitate to eat, drink and put their feet up—and encourage guests to do the same. “Every piece we put in, we made sure it was comfortable for them to sit in, but it looks like a million bucks because of the shape,” Ishmael says. “Although the place is big by condo standards, you can’t waste space putting something in that people aren’t going to use.” For a quiet place to read, the Waterses head to the study/guest room off the main living area, where a striking orange-hued landscape above the Lee Industries’ pullout sofa catches the eye. The piece, which Julie purchased for Dan in Taos, New Mexico, for their 10th anniversary, is the work of artist Lynn Rowan Myers. Another artistic piece housed in the study is a custom-built partners’ desk. Done in oak veneer and a gray wash, it features staggered drawers and thin metal legs. “We designed the top so they can sit across from each other. It’s very much an art piece in itself. It was designed to be very special so it doesn’t just look like a home office,” Ishmael says. Although getting rid of years of accumulated furnishings, moving to a new city and embracing a new style of living all at once could prove too much for many couples, Julie and Dan have welcomed their fresh start with exuberance.
Soon, they will be tackling the design of their master bedroom and guest suite and are excited for the future projects. The experience of redesigning their life has been nothing but smooth sailing so far. “There is nothing that I’ve said, ‘I wish we would have done this’ or ‘we made a bad decision here.’ There is not one thing,” Julie says. “And I can’t wait to do more.” n
Above: Matching the main living area’s gray hues, the study also features pops of vibrant reds and oranges inspired by a painting Julie purchased in Taos, New Mexico.
Dan and Julie’s favorite neighborhood stops: 1. Date night: Lusca “We love this new restaurant across the street. Dan and I both love fresh seafood. Lusca caters to our dining preference: Order lots of small plates and try a variety of interesting and creative preparations. The octopus and oysters are must-haves.”
2. Happy hour: Saltyard “We typically enjoy traditional martinis or Champagne, but Saltyard’s specialty drinks are sipping sensations. My favorite is the “swift kick in the Tito”—vodka, jalapeño, basil, simple syrup and lime. The blend of flavors is truly unique. The atmosphere is always vibrant, dress up or down, making it a perfect after-work stop or a great Friday night start to the weekend. Food is fantastic too.” 3. Sunday brunch: Watershed “It’s one of our favorites for brunch. We are lucky to have this right in the building! Chef Joe Truex is from Louisiana and went to LSU, my alma mater. We love the Cajun influence in the food and the jazz band is great. Feels like home. The milk cake is a must-have—the best.”
Above: Julie and Dan purchased this landscape painting at the Clos Pegase Winery in Napa Valley after striking up a conversation about football with the artist, Jim Stallings, the nephew of former University of Alabama football coach Gene Stallings.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Left: Contrasted by modern furnishings and lighting, the classic Henredon dining table can be expanded with two additional leaves to seat up to 10 guests.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COREY HORTMAN
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404.817.7773 jameshurleydesigns.com Call us for a complimentary consultation.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY S T Y LIS H
FA S HION
Just-right
JEANS The best options for dressing your body in denim
STORY:
Olivia Putnal DeLong
T
he oh-so-necessary jeans shopping day can be dreaded or loved. After you read on below, we hope it’s the latter. Jeans are a closet staple, but in order to find a pair that fits properly, a little research is worthwhile. Knowing what style your body needs will help you find that perfect pair—and you may never want to take them off! We’ve broken it down by body type, and listed a jean option that goes best with each build. From skinny jeans to boot cut, shop around to learn a little about what choices will be the most flattering.
Lengthy and slender women need fitted jeans that show off their enviable long limbs! These Paige Skyline Boot-cut jeans have just the right amount of flare at the bottom for a slightly structured look that is ideal for dressier events, but hold their shape elsewhere, making them flirty, too. Tall women should search for jeans with a longer than 34-inch inseam so that they fit properly at the waist. This pick by Paige has a 34½-inch inseam, fitting the ideal jeans bill for the lofty woman. While they sit higher on the hips, the bottom’s boot-cut design is a versatile investment as they fit well over various shoe styles, from ankle boots to stilettos. Paige Skyline Boot: $199, fab’rik. fab’rik 3400 Around Lenox Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.816.6221 www.fabrikstyle.com
Athletic
Pear-Shaped
Toned, athletic women need to create soft curves with the clothing they wear. These recently released C. Wonder Stretch Curvy jeans feature a fabric that provides lots of comfort, while keeping the flattering contoured fit intact. The skinny style is fashionable and sleek, with room in the thigh and hip areas for a muscular build. The gorgeous indigo color transitions from day to night, and pairs with just about anything.
A dark-wash jean is always flattering, but especially so for pear-shaped gals. These Banana Republic Curvy boot-cut jeans are ideal for concealing the waistline due to their color and slight flare at the hemline. The jeans flow through the hip and thigh areas, creating a slimming look. Pear-shaped women should avoid light-wash denim and styles with many pockets—those two features can often accentuate the bottom half of the body. These jeans can pair with booties for the cooler fall and winter months, but can also fall right in place with flats or sandals in the spring. Banana
Stretch Curvy C. Denim in Indigo Rinse: $118 without zipper, $128 with zipper, C. Wonder. C. Wonder 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.816.3847 www.cwonder.com
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Long and Lean
Republic Curvy Dark-Wash Boot-cut Jean in Indigo: $75, Banana Republic. Banana Republic 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.231.4905 www.bananarepublic.com
Hourglass
Petite
A comfortable yet flattering option for the hourglass body type is this Coco Curvy Straight jean from DL 1961. The DLX-four-way stretch denim material makes them light and breathable, but also keeps the jean’s shape intact without stretching out. A key tip to remember for those with an hourglass shape is to purchase a high-waisted jean to properly fit the seat area. This pair has an 8.5-inch front rise, helping to tuck in the tummy. There is also extra room in the hips, butt and thigh areas to accentuate your best assets. The comfort and fit will have you living in them 24/7—and the super-dark wash is always in style.
Having a petite build (typically a height of 5’5” or less) makes for challenging jean shopping if you want to find a pair that doesn’t require a trip to the tailor. For petite women, it’s exciting when designers and brands create ankleor cropped-length bottoms. These Current/ Elliot Stiletto jeans will hit in just the right spot above your heels or sandals with its 27½-inch inseam. The skinny style, when paired with heels, will elongate the legs, and the mixture of cotton, polyester and spandex holds form for a sexier look, but also allows for movement, because let’s face it, comfort is important too.
DL 1961 Coco Curvy Straight in Flatiron wash: $180, Tootsies.
Current/Elliot Stiletto Stretch Jeans in Townie: $196, Nordstrom.
Tootsies 3400 Around Lenox Road #219 Atlanta 30326 404.842.9990 www.tootsies.com
Nordstrom 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.442.3000 www.nordstrom.com
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Offering homes and homesites in the Sea Island and St. Simons communities. 912-638-5161 • seaislandproperties.com
Adapted and Directed by Jon Ludwig Based on the classic television special
NOV 13 - DEC 28 Rudolph soars back into town for this faithful adaptation of the wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us!
Your Luxury Market Leader in the Golden Isles. Please visit our Sea Island Properties website at seaislandproperties.com to view all Sea Island listings as well as the Sea Island neighborhood listings on St. Simons Island. Lewis Glenn, Patrick Dunn, Judy Gordon, Don Lewis, Brin Meredith, Chris Moline, Nancy Pandolfi, Laura Peebles, Debbie Taylor, and Linton “Bubba” West
sponsored in part by:
1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 Limited FREE Parking • MARTA Accessible ®
®
Advance purchase is highly recommended as many shows sell out quickly. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all elements from the 1964 television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer © and ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC. Photo by Clay Walker. Season supported in part by: Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council; the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs; and Georgia Council for the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY S T Y LISH
BE AUTY
BEAUTY BASICS See what pampering products our staff members can’t live without
C
hoosing a facial cleanser that doesn’t dry you out, or finding a shade of lipstick that compliments your skin tone and has a long-lasting formula, are tasks that require an investment of time and money. Trying new products can be both frustrating and pricey, but when you find just the right one,
STORY:
Olivia Putnal DeLong
it’s a huge relief. The best way to learn about beauty products is to read reviews from people who have tried them, learn from the experts and review their lists of ingredients. Here, a few Simply Buckhead staff members confess their tried-and-true beauty favorites—all available in Buckhead.
Hair Envy Skintastic Dermalogica is known for its innovative skincare products, and the AGE Smart line helps prevent aging before it starts. Publisher Joanne Hayes believes in the line’s purpose—a formula that directly affects the biochemical reactions that cause maturing. “I use only the Dermalogica skin care line on my face, and have the entire AGE Smart collection on my makeup tray— the Ultra Calming Cleanser, Skin ResurJOANNE HAYES PUBLISHER facing Cleanser, Antioxidant Hydrating Mist, Age Reversal Eye Complex, Multivitamin Power Serum, Super Rich Repair, SkinPerfect Primer with SPF30, and the Renewal Lip Complex,” she says. “I have about 20 products on my tray, and I vary their use depending on the season. I have been using Dermalogica for over 10 years, and it’s essential for hydrating my sensitive, dry skin.” Dermalogica
Facial Focus Aveda products never disappoint, so it’s no surprise the Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque wows Editor-in-Chief Giannina Smith Bedford in every way. The masque cleanses, moisturizes and tones up the skin in the face and neck areas during the five-minute weekly regime. The interesting combination of clay removes dirt and oil gently, and leaves your face feeling cool and cleansed. “I love how natural Aveda products are and this masque is a perfect example. It’s a nontoxic way to deep-clean skin and clear breakouts. It has a subtle smell and the smooth texture makes it easy to apply and remove. The best part is it doesn’t harden on the face like other masks and, when removed, reveals a really well-hydrated complexion.”
AGE Smart Products, $25-$180, WooSkincare and Cosmetics.
Aveda Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque: $22, Van Michael Buckhead
Woo Skincare and Cosmetics 2339 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30305 404.477.5000 www.wooskincareandcosmetics.com
Van Michael 39 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.237.4664 www.vanmichael.com
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
GIANNINA SMITH BEDFORD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Oribe’s Moisture Control and Conditioner helps achieve healthy, shiny hair, is safe for color-treated locks and soft enough to use daily. The conditioning formula contains watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower extracts to protect; a blend of shea butter, illipe butter and olive oil for weightless shine and softness; and proteins for strengthening and repairing from damaging elements, such as UV rays. “As the years go by, my colortreated, fine hair has become damaged and is always in need of moisturizing. Picks OLIVIA PUTNAL in the past have left DELONG WRITER my hair feeling greasy and looking dirty, but I’ve finally found a shampoo and conditioner combination that doesn’t weigh my hair down, is safe for my ultra-blonde highlights and leaves my hair feeling silky—a texture I’ve never been able to achieve! I don’t dread blow-drying and styling anymore because I know my locks will look clean and feel hydrated.” Oribe Shampoo
Pucker Up NARS lipstick is an essential beauty item to add to your makeup bag. The long-lasting formula comes in many hues, but the bright orangered color Heat Wave has captured Contributing Editor Karina Timmel’s heart. Not only does the lipstick stay on for hours, it moisturizes and protects your lips too. “I love NARS lipsticks first and foremost for the spectrum of rich and vibrant colors they offer. Before a makeup artist friend recommended the brand to me, I was nervous about trying a bold red lip since other lipsticks seemed to spread beyond the lip line. Now I have three different red shades that I rock on a regular basis. NARS lip color stays put for a long time, goes on smoothly and gives an instant glamorous boost, even (or especially!) on my most casual days. I also have some of their nude shades, which I love equally for the same great attributes.” NARS
and Conditioner for Moisture and Control: $42 for shampoo, $48 for conditioner, Bluemercury Buckhead
Semi Matte Lipstick: $26, Bloomingdale’s
Bluemercury 37 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.467.9100 www.bluemercury.com
Bloomingdale’s 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.495.2800 www.bloomingdales.com
KARINA TIMMEL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
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ON PEACHTREE ROAD AT W. PACES 404.864.1252
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Gordon Biersch
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3242 Peachtree Rd Atlanta, GA 30305 404.264.0253
848 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30308 404.870.0805
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY S T Y LIS H
ACCE S SORIZE
Haute hats Top off your look with one of these chic head coverings STORY:
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Lillian Charles PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
I
n recent years, those daring enough to wear a hat—other than a baseball cap—have reached for something small and sassy: the fedora. This season, trends across the globe are pointing to women’s hats with a little more breadth, depth and bold design. Take a look at the head-turning options we found in our own backyard.
MODEL: Grace Dwyer, Click Models of Atlanta | STYLIST: Lillian Charles | HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST: Lisa D. Novak
Fabulously Festive If you typically lean toward neutral clothing, a bright accessory (or two or three) is a great way to spice things up, especially around the holidays. Linda King at Brookhaven’s Collage Boutique let me sport this festive hat around the shop before I walked out with it for our photo shoot, where it was an instant team favorite. Pair it with denim, a soft sweater and some whimsical earrings to create the perfect wearall-winter look; we guarantee it’ll garner compliments! Collage Boutique: San Diego Hat Company, $66; Stella & Dot Reverie chandelier earrings, $39
Glam Girl We have celebrity stylist and TV personality Rachel Zoe to thank for showing us just how sexy the “floppy hat” can be. Our model looked positively posh in one of Fab’rik’s top-selling wool hats with a thin chain detail. I love this oversized, easy-to-wear accessory with a maxi skirt, short boots, a long-sleeve T-shirt and layered necklaces or, as pictured, with a chunky turtleneck and a subtle touch of glamour—local artist Lisa Stein’s earrings do the trick. Get to Fab’rik while supplies last; these hot hats will not spend much time on the shelf! Fab’rik: wool floppy brim hat, $45; Tassels: LA Stein white gold with diamond hoop earrings, $1,200
Southern Tradition We picked up this Barbour treasure from London Trading Company to represent quintessential Southern outdoorswoman style. Fashion meets function with this waxed cotton trench-style hat. Whether you’re turkey hunting with family or fly-fishing with friends, it will serve as a waterproofed version of your favorite fashionable headpiece. The beautiful feather pen-ornament, handmade by an artisan in South Carolina, provides extra flair for the Southern woman who loves the great outdoors. London Trading Company: Barbour Briar Trench Hat, $79; fly feather (pen), $33
SHOP: Collage Boutique – Town Brookhaven 705 Town Boulevard, Suite S540 Atlanta 30319 404.736.6424 www.thecollageboutique.com Fab’rik – Shops Around Lenox 3400 Around Lenox Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.816.6221 www.fabrikstyle.com
s Dark & Stormy We might not have come across this beautifully-designed piece had Madewell not partnered with the ageold Canadian hat craftsman Biltmore. We chose this hat because of the perfect width of the brim (two and a half inches), which is not overly dramatic but not too understated. Biltmore began as a menswear hat company and the design of this hat holds a hint of virility. Here, we’ve carefully paired it with statement earrings and a white cashmere wrap to create a juxtaposition of soft luxury and a touch of masculinity. Madewell: Biltmore & Madewell double ribbon felt hat, $68; Stella & Dot convertible Melanie earrings, $59
London Trading Company 30 East Andrews Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.233.1225 www.londontradingcompany.com Madewell – Lenox Square Mall 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.816.4178 www.madewell.com Stella & Dot www.stelladot.com/lilliancharles Tassels 3802 Roswell Road N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.364.9434 www.tasselsjewelry.com
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY S T Y LIS H OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS
Photo: Amy Henry Photography
W E LLN E SS
Four local experts help you to combat seasonal blues
Alexa Lampasona
I
t’s not uncommon for people to feel more tense and emotional during the holidays. We’re off our normal schedules, family and social dynamics change and it seems like the checklist of things to do never ends. And frivolous, happy-golucky television commercials and movies depicting the “holiday spirit” may lead you to wonder, “Why don’t I feel that way?” We consulted four wellness professionals in the area for advice regarding some of the most common questions they’re asked during the holiday season. Here is what they had to say.
Why am I just now thinking of something that happened in the past? Laura Bodner: If something in your present is triggering you to think about a situation that has not been worked through, then your mind will bring it into consciousness for you to work on it. You can identify the issue(s) and explore a solution to the conflict. You could talk it out with a family member, talk to a therapist, or work on letting it go and move on. My schedule is out of alignment and I feel overwhelmed. How can I restore balance in my daily routine? Gedaliah Genin: Take time to treat yourself and pause for a moment. Marma, a form of Ayurveda, works on sensitive pressure points in the body. While most people think of massage as a form of relief over the holidays, Marma is focused more on body awareness, incorporating sounds and light touch to heal and restore the body. Marma is a specialized practice by licensed professionals, and I offer it at Atlanta Holistic Medicine. If you need a quick break at home, try an abhyanga massage by rubbing oil on key tense spots, like your neck or calves.
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Use organic sesame oil because it relieves fatigue, provides stamina and enhances the complexity of your skin. All I think about is the buffet table at the holiday party. How can I keep myself distracted? Alyza Berman: Have a plan. First, eat normally until that “buffet meal” is served. If you go to a buffet starving from not eating all day, you will be doomed! Stay in a different room or engage in an activity to distract yourself. Give yourself boundaries, such as allowing yourself to fill your plate one time and only go back for the dessert, and communicate to someone you trust what your plan is. I find myself getting distracted and don’t know how to juggle work and family time. How can I find balance? Jane Ann Covington: Balance can sometimes be misconstrued for perfection and perfection isn’t possible. This is one of the most important times to be with your family. Talk to your boss to give you feedback about what you can do to help meet your goals more effectively. If you have too much on your plate, you may not be good at setting bound-
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
aries. Not being able to set boundaries means you don’t value yourself enough. This can be corrected with good coaching, support and training. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. What are the signs that I have low energy? What are ways to increase my energy? GG: You may feel disconnected, scattered or have a lack of focus. Some people get insomnia when they think about everything at night. Deep belly breathing, like how a baby breathes, is helpful to invigorate yourself and improve sleep quality. Why do I feel depressed during the holidays, when it seems that everyone else is happy? LB: Number one, “everyone else” isn’t happy—that is an irrational thought. Two, if you feel depressed during the holidays, explore it. A key component is self-awareness. Know your triggers, your issues, and how your body responds to stress and you will be proactive about the situation. What are ways to avoid emotional eating during the holidays? AB: The first step is to identify what emotions are coming up for you during the holiday and why they exist. Sweets give a sense of comfort, so allow your self a bit of indulgence. When you become aware of the emotions, write them down, talk to yourself, and let yourself feel them rather than repress them. Most importantly, communicate them to someone you trust so you don’t internalize confused emotions. n
LAURA BODNER Licensed professional counselor, Counseling Through Change 2801 Buford Highway, Suite T-60 Atlanta 30329 404.388.4990 www.therapywithlaura.com
Photo: Kristin Hankins
STORY:
JANE ANN COVINGTON Founder, Executive Solutions Institute 3495 Piedmont Road N.E., Building 12 Suite 112, Atlanta 30305 404.276.8789 www.executivesolutionsinstitute.com
Photo: Leigh Germy
Winter wisdom
Photo: Alexa Lampasona
ALYZA BERMAN Psychotherapist, co-founder of Body Matters Program 4015 South Cobb Drive, Suite 10 Smyrna 30080 404.694.0204 www.alyzaberman.com
GEDALIAH GENIN Wellness practitioner and Ayurveda lifestyle consultant, Atlanta Holistic Medicine 1401 Dresden Drive Atlanta 30319 404.814.9808 www.atlantaholisticmedicine.com
Buckhead Business Association presents
2015 Annual Luncheon Thursday, January 22, 2015 The BBA hosts an Annual Luncheon each January, which brings together BBA members, community and civic leaders, business executives, and local media. The Annual Luncheon features a keynote address by one of Georgia’s business elite as well as the presentation of several community awards, including the prestigious Buckhead Business of the Year Award. Each year, the BBA honors five Buckhead businesses that fill a niche in the market, showcase excellent customer service, and demonstrate a commitment to the community. Other BBA annual awards include Bullish on Buckhead, the Buckhead Beautification Award and Entrepreneur of the Year. For additional information and to register, please visit www.buckheadbusiness.org
Always Tired? You’re Not Alone 70 million people in the United States suffer from sleep disorders. A good night’s sleep can fuel your day with energy, keeping you refreshed, alert, and less-stressed. However, for more than 70 million Americans, sleep does not come easy. Northside Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center is here to help. With more than 30 years of experience, our specialists will help you find personalized solutions. To learn more about the benefits of sleep, please contact the center nearest you. Relaxing & Comfortable Settings in 3 Convenient Locations.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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TA S TE M A K ER
“I’m seeing more masculine interiors ... whole room[s] lacquered in dark gray or navy—that’s very ‘in’ right now.”
ADAC’s Katie Miner Belveal talks gold chandeliers, emerging design trends and her obsession with skull wallpaper STORY:
Maria Carter Photo: CatMax Photography, LLC
Decorative arts dame I
f you ask her colleagues, they’ll tell you Brookhaven resident Katie Miner Belveal eats, breathes and sleeps design. The Macon native and College of Charleston alum began her career in sales at AmericasMart, working her way up to executive director. In 2012, Buckhead’s Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) tapped Belveal to be general manager, just as the showroom space was opening its doors to the public for the first time ever. (ADAC serves a 10-state region—the largest of any design center.) As a result of Belveal’s leadership, ADAC’s reach has become so expansive that the organization regularly attracts top industry names. “We’re very happy to have this right here in Atlanta and for it to be free and open to the public,” she says. Here, the industry vet shares her insights on interior design, working with color and where the decorative arts are headed in 2015.
There are 90 showrooms and more than 1,200 product lines displayed at ADAC. Which are your favorites? There would be no way I could ever have a favorite or even several favorites. Specifically there’s this really cool wallpaper from Studio Printworks in the Paul Plus showroom—it’s a black-on-black skull wallpaper. You would never say, “I want skull wallpaper in my home,” but when you look at this, you don’t see the little skulls at first and it’s so beautifully done. That’s the kind of thing that stops us. What other design elements stop you in your tracks? There was another piece that obviously stopped all of us because we ended up using it in our marketing: the Lucille chandelier in the Bradley showroom. It’s very delicate and pretty. It’s this gold color that is elegant but not in a romantic way. And apparently they’ve done really well with it because it’s in J. Crew stores all over the country. What interior trends do you see on the horizon for 2015?
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I’m seeing more masculine interiors, if you will. I love an all-white kitchen with Carrara marble but there are some amazing darker marbles coming out that people are using in their homes. I still very much love the lacquered look: for a study, for example, if you had built-ins and had the whole room lacquered in a dark gray or navy—that’s very ‘in’ right now. What are you doing in your own home? At the moment, I’m about to embark on a whole home project. I’m bubbling with all kinds of ideas for many rooms in the house. I have been saving magazine clips and photos of all of my favorite interiors so I am excited to pull bits and pieces from those and use the ideas in my own home. I grew up in a home decorated by an interior designer who wasn’t afraid of color and she incorporated a lot of color throughout our home. Today, I imagine using color in a different way. I love incorporating bold pops of color and bold prints next to neutral tones. n
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Lakemont - Rabun County
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10/12/2014 8:36:09 PM
ON S TAG E | A RT V I E W
SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ON STAGE
Local Laughs P52
“All I care about is getting laughs. We’re up there baring our souls. When you don’t get it, it’s rough.” - Neal Reddy
The many faces of Neal Reddy, finding humor mostly within himself.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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ON S TAGE
Local
laughs Newbie comedian Neal Reddy gathers nerve to make it in the stand-up arena STORY:
Jim Farmer
I
t was always his dream to be a comedian. From an early age, Neal Reddy knew he wanted to make people laugh but after college he buried his ambition and settled into a nine-to-five business routine. Yet the time came when Reddy, a Brookhaven resident, finally found the strength to do it—and he hasn’t looked back. A regular at Buckhead’s Atlanta Improv Comedy Club, Reddy—a Jacksonville, Florida, native who attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and moved to the Atlanta area in 2003 to start a marketing/graphic design firm with a friend—now has regular stand-up gigs around town. Reddy, 33, still works at his Aleven Creatives firm during the day but fishes for laughs at night. He remembers his first gig vividly. It was three years ago at the Laughing Skull Lounge in Midtown. Before that, he “didn’t have the balls to do it,” but the time came when it felt right going onstage. Reddy had certainly put in the preparations and brought a friendly crowd with him. “I invited a lot of my friends, which is a good thing to do because they’ll laugh at all your jokes,” he says. “It went well. I had thought about it so long, I started it so late. I took it very seriously. I didn’t go up and half-ass it. I wrote jokes and practiced and practiced. I had more confidence than if I had not prepared, like a lot of young comics.” That night, he got noticed. Now he performs a least a few times a week, but his peak times are weekends when he
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and comedy clubs have more hours to play with. Observational humor is not his forte. Instead he gathers his material from within. He went through a breakup recently and while it’s been painful, it’s given him plenty of stand-up fodder. “I talk a lot about the relationships in my life and being single,” he says. His regular gigs are much easier than shorter, opening ones, which can be rushed and pressure-filled. Reddy feels the longer time gives him freedom. “You get 25 minutes,” he says. “That is awesome. You can relax. When you are given five to 10 minutes you really can’t; you’re trying to get through your material. With a longer routine, you can take a drink and enjoy the moment more.” Yet no night or audience is ever the same. He’s rocked the joint and also bombed one memorable evening. “The first time I bombed was shocking, since I had been doing so well from the beginning,” he recalls. “I bombed because I didn’t take it seriously. I took a few months off and went onstage and it was terrible. I felt awful. I contemplated quitting comedy. It’s an awful feeling not to get the one thing you need to validate your existence. All I care about is getting laughs. We’re up there baring our souls. When you don’t get it, it’s rough.” After he finished that routine, his friends made fun of him and eventually it helped take the edge off. An Atlanta resident for almost 10 years now, Reddy is very fond of the area and thinks the comedy scene is getting
noticed on a national level. When he first moved here from North Carolina after college, he knew virtually no one but found different scenes all over the city. He has made a lot of friends—many in Buckhead due to his work and his regular engagements at the Improv Club—and is attached to the area. Every once in a while, he’s tempted to move to New York or Los Angeles, but just can’t do it. He does have a few goals. One is to land a plum gig at The Punchline Comedy Club; a bigger one is to branch out into television and film. Comedy has always been a vital part of his life, but Reddy acknowledges current comedians have it much easier than their predecessors. Technology and communications have made it a different world. “Before, you had to have a linear path,” he says. “You had to travel the road and hope someone found you. Now with the Internet you can reach people. What’s important now is that you are funny.” n
See Neal Reddy Catch Reddy every Wednesday at Laughing Skull’s Open Mic Night and in comedy clubs regularly around town. Laughing Skull Lounge 878 Peachtree Street Atlanta 30309 877.523.3288 www.laughingskulllounge.com
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“I believe in exposure to and training in the arts, as well as having performance opportunities for students...”
Working behind the scenes ArtsBridge coordinator puts theater training to good use
N
atalie Barrow was one of those “Glee” kids—the ones who sang and danced their way through high school. For the East Cobb native, the setting was Pebblebrook High, Cobb County’s performing arts magnet school where she trained before heading to Kennesaw State to earn a bachelor’s in theater and performance. Barrow graduated from college four years ago and moved to Buckhead, but having a performing arts background didn’t lead to the stage. Instead, having an extensive education in the theater and arts world provided the credentials to work behind the scenes to extend arts education and appreciation to students around the metro area. “I’ve danced since I was very young, but I didn’t get into musical theater until Pebblebrook,” Barrow says. “Even though I realized that’s what I love, I didn’t want to perform for a living; I wanted to use the arts to inspire students the same way I was. The arts changed my life forever; they’ve taught me a lot of character traits I may not have developed otherwise, such as teamwork and leadership.” Barrow, now 26, began her career at the Woodruff Arts Center in October 2013, when she started working with the Arts
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STORY:
for Learning (formerly Young Audiences) outreach that sends artists who teach into the local schools. Within nine months, she was managing a roster of artists, evaluating the quality of their programming, handling sales and developing programs aimed specifically at teen audiences. That work led to an invitation to participate in the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards, an annual event that honors outstanding productions staged at high schools around the state. For the last four years, Barrow has been one of the award judges, and for the past two years, has served on the advisory committee. “It’s a great way to celebrate excellence in musical theater in the state,” Barrow says. “The qualifying period goes from October 1 through April 23, and this year we have 50 schools from 20 counties signed up. The awards show in April at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is modeled after the Tony Awards, with a big red carpet and all the festivities.” Three months ago, Barrow was named Director of Arts Education and Community Outreach for the ArtsBridge Foundation, the nonprofit educational arm of the Cobb Centre with programs designed to engage young audiences
H.M. Cauley
in the arts. That outreach takes a variety of forms, from backstage tours of the Centre to workshops and master classes in acting, dance, musical theater, voice and more. “I believe in exposure to and training in the arts, as well as having performance opportunities for students, so I was excited to have the chance to work with ArtsBridge,” Barrow says. “And I’d looking forward to adding professional development programs to educate teachers and working with school systems to find more ways to work with educators.” Barrow credits her ongoing passion for the arts as the driving force that led her to be successful at a young age. “It’s helped me accomplish a lot in a short amount of time,” she says. “Sometimes I end up working seven days a week, but it’s because I love what I do. The arts are my outlet, and I’ve made a lot of really good friends through them.” When she isn’t working, Barrow finds a few hours to catch a theatrical production, musical or otherwise. At some point, she plans to take up voice lessons again. “Singing is like therapy for me,” she says. “It keeps me current with the music—even if, for now, I only get to do it in my car.” n
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
RE V I E W | DRI N K S | F O ODI E J OU RNA L | TA S T E M A K E R | RE S TAU R A N T S
SIMPLY DELICIOUS
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Davio’s tuna tartare is a show-stopping pile of avocado, fresh fish and crispy squid.
Digging Davio’s P58
Davio’s—the brainchild of Massachusetts-based chef/entrepreneur Steve DiFillippo—sets a high standard.
Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
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Right: Davio’s baby arugula salad is a study in simplicity: greens sprinkled with shaved Parmesan and drizzled with lemon olive oil. Below: Roasted tomato soup is a constant on the Davio’s menu. Served with goat cheese and chive crostini, it’s always delicious, too.
Above: Tagliatelle is smothered in a classic Bolognese sauce, made from braised veal, beef, pork and tomato. Right: Top sirloin with a Gorgonzola crust, wilted greens and crispy fries is a dish fit for a king, especially when paired with Davio’s Reserve Cabernet.
Digging Davio’s I
’ve a feeling we aren’t at the food court anymore. It’s 6 p.m. on a Sunday evening, and though my dinner companion and I are tucked away inside Phipps Plaza, we are far from the retail crowd. Forget the turquoise Tiffany boxes, the Louis Vuitton bags, the photos with Santa and the sales racks at Belk’s. We have slipped into a booth at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, the Atlanta outpost of Massachusetts-based chefpreneur Steve DiFillippo. DiFillippo bought the first Davio’s—an existing family-style restaurant in Boston—in 1985 and went on to turn it into a well-regarded national chain. The Phipps branch opened in 2010. But except for a couple of private events, I had never experienced the pleasures of Davio’s until just recently. Final markdowns aside, you see, I have an aversion to malls—not to mention the greasy, high-calorie horrors that reside in food-court steam tables. (Sweet and sour chicken, anyone?) But Davio’s—a commodious room with an open kitchen, inviting bar and covered patio—sets a higher standard. Handmade pasta,
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A fine-dining restaurant hidden away in a Buckhead retail mecca: Who knew? STORY:
terrific steaks, lots of classic Italian dishes that resist the vagaries of fashion and time: These are the cornerstones of Davio’s—conceived by DiFillippo at his Boston original, executed in Atlanta by Executive Chef Richard Lee and his team, and brought to table by a top-notch bunch of servers. (When DiFillippo published his memoir-slash-guide to running a restaurant in 2013, he called it It’s All About the Guest, and we can see why.) So back to that Sunday night of my first full-out visit: The weekend is lurching into its 11th hour, I’m in the mood for a martini, and the straight-up Ketel One concoction I request is well-nigh perfect: icy, dry, crisp, delicious, potent. We dig into our starters—crispy fried calamari with cherry peppers and citrus aioli; a plate of tagliatelle noodles bathed in meaty Bolognese sauce—and find them to be the essence of good comfort food. They are rich and abundant portions, too—to the point that my wispy guest demurs on entrées and goes for tuna tartare and a
Wendell Brock PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
green salad. The tartare—a dramatic pile of cool chopped avocado and fresh fish, topped with crispy squid—is a nice contrast of tastes and textures. Baby arugula tossed with lemon olive oil and shaved Parmesan is lovely little palate cleanser. My appetite, on the other hand, is less restrained than my friend’s. After all, I’m in a place known for steak, right? So how could I not? While you can order an aged rib eye or filet here—and go steakhouse style with à la carte sides like Brussels sprouts, onion rings, asparagus and potatoes done many ways—I find the dish that has it all under the section titled Caserecci (that’s Italian for “simple” or “homemade”). A tall buttery medallion of impeccably grilled top sirloin, slathered with Gorgonzola and paired with wilted spinach and sea-saltand-truffle-oil fries, it’s pure heaven. I can’t say enough about this wonderfully balanced dish of melted greens, crispy fries and juicy pink protein. And to drink: Davio’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a collaborative effort
Davio’s is a destination restaurant worthy of its haute couture neighbors at Phipps. from DiFillippo and Sonoma’s Merriam Vineyards, is a wonderfully bright red that’s just big enough to pair with red meat without overpowering it. This is bliss. And I’m happy to report that my second stop at Davio’s was just as satisfactory, if not as gluttonous. I could swim in the roasted tomato soup with goat cheese and chive crostini, which my friend, a Davio’s regular, ordered and insisted I try. I also loved her choice of salad: spinach, roasted peppers and portabellas, goat cheese and just the right amount of balsamic and olive oil. Very smart choice. No wonder they call this stuff “super food.” I was pretty smitten with my two-course $16 “executive lunch,” too: a fabulous wedge salad with plenty of bacon and blue cheese; followed by a nice hunk of pan-seared cod with quinoa, Swiss chard, roasted tomatoes and a creamy-zingy citrus sauce. It’s the kind of midday meal that satisfies you without weighing you down, even after a few bites of dessert. Speaking of which: Pastry Chef Kathleen
Miliotis appreciates the beauty of a sweet that is classically informed, delicately balanced and playful. Cookies and milk is a riff on Oreos: chocolate shortbread stuffed with white-chocolate filling and paired with “adult chocolate milk” (vanilla vodka, Baileys, crème de cacao). It sure rang true with the inner child in me. I love the way you can get “mini” portions of dessert, too. So for those moments when you just want a little taste of something dolce, try the panna cotta (with citrus, basil syrup and candied pine nuts) or tiramisù (ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone, Kahlúa and espresso ice cream). It may sound like an oxymoron to call a place in a mall a “hidden gem,” but there it is. In a world of Subways and Moe’s Southwest Grills, Davio’s is a destination restaurant worthy of its haute couture neighbors. But whether you come dripping in Gucci or dressed down in your old Lucky jeans, you’ll be treated like a king. In this frantic beehive of shopping and spending, it’s a great place to savor the moment and sop till you drop. n
A trio of desserts: Pastry Chef Kathleen Miliotis loves dairy and treats it playfully. Above left: Cookies and milk is a spin on Oreos and comes with a boozy little milkshake. Above right: Panna cotta is crowned with citrus, basil syrup and candied pine nuts. Left: Tiramisú is a layering of ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone and espresso ice cream.
DAVIO’S NORTHERN ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE 3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30326 404.844.4810 www.davios.com/atl Appetizers and salads: $9-$16 Pastas, entrées and steaks: $18-$48 Recommended dishes: Tuna tartare, fried calamari, tagliatelle Bolognese, arugula salad, warm spinach salad, prime top sirloin with Gorgonzola, spinach and fries. Cookies and milk, panna cotta, tiramisù. Bottom line: Delicious food and stellar service—in a mall.
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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D R IN KS
Distill
our hearts American Spirit Whiskey is opening the Buckhead area’s first distillery STORY:
Kelly Skinner
J
im Chasteen and Charlie Thompson have long fancied themselves whiskey connoisseurs. Heck, they swilled the stuff with urgency during their college days as roommates at the University of Georgia (someone’s gotta do it) more than a decade ago. At some point, they talked about making their own whiskey. And then they did. “To this day, I don’t know why we did it,” laughs Chasteen. Chasteen, 38, who has relocated to Garden Hills, and his Brookwood Hills-located partner Thompson, 37, launched their spirit whiskey label, American Spirit Whiskey, in 2011 in Atlanta. (Spirit whiskeys are a classification of whiskey that incorporates neutral spirits, creating a mellower whiskey, and one that is quicker to produce.) Their flagship brand, available in more than 500 bottle shops and restaurants in the state and various others across the country (including The St. Regis Atlanta, Local Three Kitchen & Bar, Savi Provisions and Shula’s Steak House in Buckhead) is a mellow white whiskey or “moonshine” that’s easy to drink and translates well to cocktails. Instead of being aged in barrels for prolonged periods of time like most whiskeys, American Spirit Whiskey is stored briefly in oak barrels, then is filtered with ultrasonic waves, speeding up the maturation process and producing a clean, smooth whiskey that more closely resembles a vodka or light rum with more grain character. It is made with bourbon-quality mash and softened using 100-percent corn neutral spirits.
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Photo: James Camp Photography
While you won’t find the word “moonshine” on the bottle, the founders pay playful homage to America’s bootlegging legacy with a prominent white dog (another name for white whiskey or moonshine) on the logo. The duo has been producing their spirit whiskey in North Charleston since its inception, but, thanks to a brand-new distillery, Chasteen and Thompson will soon move all of their operations to south Buckhead’s Armour Industrial District, adjacent to Brookwood Hills. “The goal has always been to have an aged product,” Chasteen confides, and due to recent developments, that’s on the agenda in the near future. This winter, Chasteen and Thompson are taking over 6,500 square feet at the former location of Mason Murer Fine Art and are transforming it into a distillery that they’ll call American Spirit Works. (Local company Novare Events has taken over 16,000 square feet of the building and will be using
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
it as an event space called The Stave when it opens in 2015.) “Once we get the distillery going, we’ll be rolling out some very unique things. We’ll be focusing on whiskey and brandy and will be incorporating Georgia-grown produce [apples, grapes, peaches, muscadines] and eventually grains,” Chasteen says. “In addition, we want to offer visitors a soil-to-still experience … you’ll get to witness the entire process right here in Buckhead.” Thanks to its current operations, American Spirit Whiskey’s production will be uninterrupted throughout the transition. But when the distillery is complete in the next 18 months or so (they aim to open in mid 2015 with production starting soon after), you’ll be able to enjoy tastings, seminars and tours. Paired with the recent opening of Old Fourth Ward Distillery, it’s easy to feel a bit intoxicated with the knowledge that Atlanta is in the beginnings of a distillery boom. We’ll drink to that. n
BOTTOMS UP! LOCAL THREE’S CHEF CHRIS HALL OFFERS THIS SPICED-APPLE CONCOCTION WITH AMERICAN SPIRIT WHISKEY TO WARM YOU UP THIS WINTER.
Laws of Motion (Yields 1 cocktail) INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 ounces American Spirit Whiskey 1/2 ounce apple cider 1/4 ounce allspice dram 1/2 ounce Laird’s Applejack 1/2 ounce simple syrup 1 dash Bar Keep Apple Bitters 1 egg white cinnamon stick for garnish Place ingredients in a shaker with no ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Add ice to the shaker and shake again for 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail or martini glass. Shave cinnamon lightly over glass. Enjoy.
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November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY:
Kate Parham Kordsmeier
Gerry Klaskala’s Atlas completes the courtyard G
erry Klaskala is at it again—the founder of Aria and Canoe is set to open his third restaurant, Atlas, this winter. Backed by Tavistock Group, the $5 million, dinner-only restaurant will take up residence on the second floor of The St. Regis Atlanta with a second entrance from the Buckhead courtyard other foodie heavyweights, like Umi, Chops and King + Duke, already call home. And with Bill Johnson (you’ve seen his work around town at KR Steakbar, Bistro Niko and Aria) taking the design reins, we know Atlas will quickly become a jewel in Buckhead’s restaurant crown. Here, Chef Klaskala gives us the lowdown on all things Atlas: SB: I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised you’re opening a hotel restaurant. What gives?
GK: All respect to The St. Regis, but everything we do is separate. Tavistock wanted this space, and it’s a great spot, but it’s a totally different look and feel than the hotel. We’re really trying to create an out-of-hotel experience within a hotel—it’s a very special restaurant. SB: And how do you do that? GK: Our menu will be constantly changing—we’ll receive local produce daily—as opposed to many hotel restaurants that get lulled into always serving the same thing. And when you look at Atlas, you’ll see this super-slick, superglossy glass separating it from the hotel—the idea is that you’re transitioning into this members-only club, like the lounges at the airport.
at Chanel. This is not your grandfather’s favorite restaurant; it has a real hipness to it. There’s an explosion of colors, from the lipstick glossy walls to the artwork we handpicked from the principal of Tavistock’s impressive personal collection. It’s this real eclectic, curated look. SB: Looking around, I see so many different seating areas. What’s the best seat in the house?
GK: There are five seats at the main bar, another high top bar and an outdoor terrace with fire pits that are great for grabbing cocktails. Or you can cozy up in one of the nooks with overstuffed settees or in the library lounge, where there’s this huge marble fireplace and tons of little conversation areas. Look at the books and art in there, too—everything has something to say about Atlanta. SB: Tell me more about this outdoor
SB: And once you’re inside,
terrace.
what will you find?
GK: You’ve got the lushness of the gardens, more fireplaces and an outdoor dining room. Essentially, everything inside is mirrored outside, except the incredible exhibition kitchen.
GK: Every sightline is a visual feast: the arched Venetian plaster ceilings, the columns, the walnut and brass bar, and the floating glass case that showcases afterdinner drinks, like cognac, single-malt scotch and single-barrel bourbon, in the same way purses might be showcased
SB: Oh, that sounds exciting! GK: Yes. So in the indoor dining room,
you’re looking back at a dream chef’s kitchen with every doodad and gizmo you could ever imagine. There’s a large table that has the best view of the exhibition kitchen, and there’s also a private dining room with another marble fireplace, state of the art A/V, and you have to walk through the kitchen to get there.
s A rendering of the Venetian-inspired dining room at forthcoming Atlas. t Chef Gerry Klaskala.
SB: Very cool. You must have the dream team assembled to run this beautiful place?
GK: Oh yeah. We handpicked everyone, including our Chef de Cuisine Christopher Grossman, who comes from Napa Valley’s The French Laundry. SB: Sounds like Atlas is going to be a winner. GK: I think so. It’s all about trying to create these little niches. Atlas 88 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 www.atlasrestaurant.com
Holiday Happenings ’Tis the season for holiday parties, festive feasts and decadent desserts galore! If the idea of hosting Thanksgiving dinner conjures up images of your head in the oven, don’t miss the Thanksgiving Day buffet at Southern Art ($67 for adults and $32 for children), where traditional favorites, like cornbread stuffing, aged cheddar mac and cheese and pumpkin tarts reign supreme. Southern Art also hosts a Christmas Day brunch ($67 for adults and $32 for children) chock-full of Holeman & Finch breads, crab legs, a baked turkey carving station with cranberry jam, an omelet station and apple cobbler. www.southernart.com. 103 West is also hosting their annual Thanksgiving Day Tradition ($72 adults,
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s 103 West’s Thanksgiving dinner spread. $35 children 6 to 12 years old), filling each table with a whole-roasted turkey, delicious trimmings and pastries and even the chef’s turkey leftovers recipe. www.buckheadrestaurants.com/103-west
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Pasta lovers rejoice! Pricci’s December Regional Menu will feature holiday dishes from Chef Piero Premoli’s childhood in Milan, including panettone (naturally!) and risotto with saffron and housemade Marsala. www.buckheadrestaurants.com/pricci Last-minute holiday guests? Head to Corner Café and Buckhead Bread Company and pick up delectable holiday desserts to go—we’re partial to the chocolate toffee crunch pie and tiramisù Yule logs. www.buckheadrestaurants.com/corner-cafe Perhaps nowhere else in town are the halls more decked than The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead—from their lavish Thanksgiving Brunch ($109 per adult, $59 per child) with more than 100 menu items to choose
from to Tea with Santa ($59 per adult, $52 per child ages 5 to 12; contact the hotel for specific dates) in the lobby lounge complete with live carolers; an à la carte Christmas Eve dinner; Christmas Day brunch ($109 per adult, $59 per child); and a New Year’s Eve party ($25 cover charge, waived for those who have dinner in The Café)—merriment and cheer are sure to be found around every corner. The festive decorations are spectacular: Think Christmas trees, custom wreaths, a children’s letter-to-Santa writing station and an alpine train scene, modeled after Bavaria’s famed Neuschwanstein Castle. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ Buckhead
FIRST LOOK:
Photo: Tyler Oxford
SOUTHBOUND
I
t’s been nearly six months since Southbound opened in Chamblee’s folksy antique-shopping neighborhood, which is adjacent to Brookhaven. Here, we look at what’s happening now at the industrial hotspot: THE PLAYERS:: An eclectic cast of characters make up the team at farm-forward Southbound—owners Mike Plummer, a Midwesterner with an unexpected background in construction and winemaking, and Dennis Lange, who hails from 5 Seasons Brewing and Yakitori Den-Chan, costar alongside dinner chef Ryan Smith (you may recognize him from Watershed) and wine director Maggie Meroney, who founded Atlanta’s own Nectar Wine Consulting. THE LOOK: Buckhead tends to be all about the newest, shiniest restaurants, but there’s something to be said for buildings with a story to tell. Southbound calls a former Masonic lodge from the 1800s home, and it’s got the exposed brick, train track views, industrial lighting and sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows to prove it! THE FOOD: It’s no surprise Southbound’s fare has a Southern lilt—traditional, heavy plates of shrimp and grits make an appearance, as does a Fred Flintstone-sized short rib. But it’s the fresh, reimagined dishes that truly shine. Go for the smoky wood-grilled octopus with green tomatoes or the cherryglazed duck served over a bed of farroto (farro cooked risotto-style, read: earthier than its conventional counterpart). Equally impressive: the wine list, which features hard to find natural wines (made with minimal chemical and technological intervens Southbound’s shrimp s Southbound’s wine list tion), such as Sicilian and grits with crispy features under-the-radar, Frappato and Spanish smoked pork belly, natural wines. Godello, at a price you tomatoes, leeks and herbs. can actually swallow. THE VERDICT: Southbound is truly a diamond in the rough in the underserved neighborhood of Chamblee, yet one that can hold its own with other Buckhead bigwigs.
Handmade pasta, perfectly cooked steaks & fresh seafood expertly prepared using the �nest ingredients.
For reservations please call 404.844.4810
Southbound 5394 Peachtree Road Chamblee 30341 687.580.5579 www.baconsnobs.com
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S I M P LY D E LICIOUS
TA S TE MAKER
KING PIN Thomas Collins is the man behind the menu at Buckhead’s boutique bowling alley, The Painted Pin
T
he Painted Pin is not your grandfather’s bowling alley. The upscale entertainment venue on Miami Circle boasts a sleek décor, an elaborate craft cocktail list and an elevated menu comparable to that of any chef-driven restaurant in the city. Born and raised in Atlanta, Executive Chef Thomas Collins knows this well. He started his career working under Richard Blais at ONE Midtown Kitchen, was part of the opening team at Trois, and dished out Southern farm-to-table fare at Parish. His style of cooking is “simple, approachable, comforting.” He says he prefers the flavors in proteins and vegetables to speak for themselves. At The Painted Pin, he focuses on succulent small plates like waffle dogs and grilled Mexican corn, influenced by the various chefs he’s worked with throughout his career. Here, we get to know a little more about the ingenious chef.
How did you know you wanted to be a chef? At age 5, I started following my grandmother around the kitchen. I would lend a helping hand, cutting this, stirring that. I developed a passion for food just seeing how food brought our family together.
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What did you learn from her? She cooked Southern comfort food, but the only recipes she had were for baking. The rest came out of her head. A little of this, a pinch of that. You just watched and learned to eyeball the quantities. You stir and taste and add seasoning accordingly. What inspires you? Food in general inspires me. There are endless possibilities of the way it can be manipulated or prepared to make a vision in your head come true. I’m a creative person and [my dishes] stem from the experiences I’ve had in the kitchen. I might take a recipe I’ve seen or done 10 years ago, tweak it or add a creative touch. How did the process for menu design for The Painted Pin differ from that of more traditional restaurants? It’s a gaming venue so we wanted to go with a menu that is not heavy on knife and fork and is conducive to sharing. We have
Photo: Heidi Geldhauser/Our Labor of Love
STORY:
Carly Cooper
a lot of small plates and some finger foods. It was a two-month process. We had eight to 10 tastings for this menu, and did three to four items a week. Buckhead diners are renowned for having very high standards. How do you ensure the menu is up to par? We have a great menu that was not at all put on the back burner. It stands up to the look of this beautiful place. Compared to traditional gaming venues where the fare is typically pizzas and chicken fingers, we’re already setting ourselves apart with hummus, edamame and tuna poke salad. n
THE PAINTED PIN 737 Miami Circle N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.814.8736 www.thepaintedpin.com
Buckhead
Full service b ar live music Festive patio
BuckheaD 404.841.8472 3400 Aroun d L en ox D r, Buc khead, GA 30326
TradiTional indian food in a n o n T r a d i T i o n a l aT m o s p h e r e
D e c at u r 404.633.9233 1363 C l airmon t R d, D ec at ur, GA 30033
w w w. b h o j a n i c . c o m
Shops Around Lenox Next to Crate & Barrel™
Just North of N.Decatur and Clairmont Rd Intersection
In the OK Cafe center off West Paces
Atlanta 30327 (404) 343-1764
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S I M P LY D E LICIOUS
FEATURED RESTAURANTS A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead BY: Wendell
Brock
PHOTOS:
Sara Hanna
10 DEGREES SOUTH After 15 years on the scene, this Roswell Road establishment is a highly original destination where food and wine from the tip of the Southern Hemisphere are celebrated with flair. Before we could pose the server with a query on the peri-peri, we got the hard sell on South African reds—particularly the Rupert & Rothschild 2009 “Classique.” The big, full-bodied R&R was the perfect match for the luscious, spicy food that followed. I may not be an expert on South African cuisine, but I’ll wager that nobody makes bobotie (the national dish) like 10 Degrees South. The dish consists of tantalizingly sweet curried ground beef topped with a custardy crust. It’s time to get your head out of the sand and indulge in the kind of stuff our parents enjoyed when “Continental” cuisine was in vogue. Appetizers: $10-$16 Entrées: $21-$38 www.10degreessouth.com
BUCKHEAD DINER This indispensible, neon-splashed diner is a jewel in the crown of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which includes the Greek temple-like Kyma next door and the Atlanta Fish Market
down the street. For 27 years, fans have flocked here for the housemade chips with Maytag blue, the “sweet heat” Thai-chili calamari, juicy burgers and the decadent white chocolate banana cream pie—all classics. Simply by virtue of the way it lights up Piedmont Road, this diner has always been, and will always be, a star. Appetizers: $6-$12 Sandwiches and burgers: $13-$16 Entrees: $17-$30 www.buckheadrestaurants.com/ buckhead-diner Fogo de Chão’s skewer-wielding “gauchos” bring an endless parade of meats to the table, trimming them onto your plate with high drama.
CAFÉ SUNFLOWER In a town that’s burger-crazed and churrascaria-packed, chef-owners Lin and Edward Sun’s casual, mid-priced kitchen is an anomaly: a veggie haunt that samples freely from world cuisine with mainstream diners in mind. Here, patrons take delight in consistently delicious salads and soups; soy-based replicas of everyday grub like burgers and ravioli; and a stellar lineup of original dishes. The food is freshly prepared, beautifully presented and accessible to both hardcore vegans and omnivores. Lunch entrées: $9-$12 Dinner entrées: $12-$18 www.cafesunflower.com
CO’M VIETNAMESE GRILL In a Buford Highway strip mall on the edge of Brookhaven, Co’m has for some time now been my favorite place for the vibrant, aromatic flavors of the Southeast Asian nation that owner-brothers Duc and Henry Tran once called home. While Atlanta has pho shops aplenty, the stars here are the rice and noodle dishes, which can be ordered with heavenly grilled meats, chicken or fish. The pièce de résistance, though, is the grilled grape-leaf rolls, stuffed with bits of beef, lamb, salmon, duck or tofu; doused in a pool of sweet-fishy vinaigrette and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and crispy fried scallions. Heaven! Appetizers: $3-$10 Entrées: $7-$18 www.comgrillrestaurant.com
FOGO DE CHÃO
Grindhouse Killer Burgers’ Cowboy Style patty—with cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beer-battered onion ring—is a whole lotta good eatin’.
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You don’t have to brave the pampas of South America or the wilds of Africa to witness the most primitive form of cooking—and eating—on the planet. Every day of the week, deep in the heart of Buckhead, hunks of meat sizzle over an open fire, and grown men smack their lips and engage in gluttony as a kind of participatory sport. At this Brazilian churrascaria, you can sip caipirinhas and nibble cheese bread; graze from a beau-
tiful, bottomless salad bar; then indulge in an endless parade of meats, carved straight onto your plate by servers in gaucho drag. It’s all quite delicious, though the place can get Vegas crazy at times, so just be prepared for a mob. The full experience: $51.50 (dinner); $32.50 (lunch) Salad bar only: $24.50 (dinner); $22.50 (lunch) www.fogodechao.com
GRINDHOUSE KILLER BURGERS The Piedmont Avenue location of burger-preneur Alex Brounstein’s success story is where you go for a superbly flavorful, juice-dripping, napkin-soaking beef patty with all the trimmings. Though you can customize your sandwich, consider the signature “Cowboy” treatment: cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beer-battered onion ring—for a slim $7.99. To gild the lily, add an order of Frings (that’s fries and rings), and ask for a side of the chipotle ranch dipping sauce. Here you can quaff a draft brew, slurp down a boozy shake, like the banana-flavored Puddin’ Out, or sip a “Snooty” cocktail such as the mezcal-based El Guapo. Burgers: $4.50-$7.99 Starters and sides: $2.50-$5.50 www.grindhouseburgers.com
JOY CAFÉ
NEWK’S EATERY
Every Sunday at sunrise, Joy Austin Beber goes to her Buckhead café and makes a whopping pile of her greatgrandmother’s biscuits. After church, she serves a hallelujah chorus of a brunch: fluffy buttermilk pancakes; eggs Benedict; and those famous biscuits topped with gravy, sausage and scrambled eggs. I arrived at the 3 p.m. cutoff for the breakfast-y brunch items, and enjoyed a terrific cobb salad with loads of blue cheese, bacon, avocado, boiled egg and grilled chicken. The Joy’s pièce de résistance, though, is the Crack Pie, with its oatmeal-cookie crust and gooey interior. Joy got a kick out of hearing that I am wack for her crack. This self-taught chef keeps it simple and fresh.
This Mississippi-based chain has popped up in the Atlanta market, and though it looks like a fast-food joint, it tastes like homemade. Salads—from shrimp rémoulade salad to a delicious steakand-blue-cheese version to oldfashioned chicken sal—are a standout. At this casual, family friendly, crowdpleasing spot you can also get sandwiches, pizzas and mac-and-cheese but, refreshingly, no burgers! We are pretty crazy about the sausage-and-pepperoni pie, with its thin crust and warm and gooey toppings. And who can resist a crispy rice treat with chocolate and peanut butter? Not us.
Brunch: $7-$14 Lunch: $8-$12 www.joycafeatl.com
LITTLE BANGKOK Little Bangkok is a decidedly humble hole-in-the-wall, yet many Atlanta ethnic-foodies insist that it is their favorite go-to joint for casual Thai. Not the fussy business of intricately carved radishes and gilded bowls. Not the throwaway curries and stir-fries of last-chance airport concessions and mall food courts. Little Bangkok is that happy place somewhere in the middle—a spot where the spring rolls are always crispy and the pad thai always a plate of tangy-sweet comfort, and where adventuresome diners can savor the green-peppercorn bite of spicy catfish and the sweet, Rice-Krispie weirdness of mee krob. At its best, Little Bangkok is like a brief, belly-pleasing adventure to the Land of Smiles. Entrées: $8-$18 www.littlebangkokatlanta.com
Salads, sandwiches and pizzas: $7-$11 www.newks.com
Taka excels at appetizers like this ocean trout carpaccio with yuzu-miso-wasabi dressing and a little shredded veggie garnish.
OK CAFÉ
PASTA VINO
Just as I send diners to Bone’s for the definitive steakhouse experience, I suggest OK Café as a classic diner with a strong Southern twang. The offerings here are anchored in time and tradition: Root beer floats and cherry lemonade are called Black Cows and Pink Ladies. Meat-and-twos and veggie plates laden with silken collards and exquisite mac and cheese are meant to be washed down with sweet iced tea and sopped up with a perfect corn muffin. Fat slices of meatloaf encrusted with tomato sauce; roast turkey with cornbread dressing and gravy; chicken pot pie with an adorable little “OK” stamped onto its puff-pastry blanket—this stuff draws a crowd. If you don’t want to play the waiting game, you’d better arrive before 11 a.m. or between the lunch and dinner rush. After a quarter-century, OK Café never goes out of style.
You can surely find trendier pizza parlors or posher places to eat Italian in Atlanta. But if you are looking for old-fashioned linguini with clam sauce or chicken Florentine in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with a loyal following, this Buckhead favorite has got you covered. The restaurant is beloved by many for its home-style cooking, casual ambiance, reasonable prices and a staff of servers who have acquired faithful customers of their own. Owner Nancy Powell treasures her crew, most of whom have been on the job for more than 10 years. Given the refined state of Italian dining in America today, Pasta Vino is not likely to win any awards for innovation or inspiration. But it remains a perfectly fine, frequently delicious, middle-of-the-road trattoria.
Appetizers: $4-$8 Burgers and sandwiches: $4-$13 Mains: $12-$16 www.okcafe.com
Starters and salads: $2-$10 Entrées: $10-$22 www.pastavinoatlanta.com
TAKA SUSHI AND PASSION Chef Taka Moriuchi learned from perhaps the most famously finicky
and cult-inspiring Japanese chef Atlanta has ever known: Sotohiro Kosugi, owner of Buckhead’s legendary (but now shuttered) Soto Japanese Restaurant. Today, Moriuchi holds court at his own Pharr Road sushi bar, where his impeccably fresh fish and hot and cold appetizers compare to the best Japanese food in town. The only difference: His prices won’t shipwreck your budget. Among our faves, the UPS roll is a delicious nod to the Atlanta-based Big Brown fleet, and the black cod and okra tempura are packages you’ll be happy to see arrive at your table. Appetizers: $6-$20 Nigiri: $2.50-$11 Sushi rolls: $4.50-$19.50 www.takasushiatlanta.com
Hungry for more? Visit the Simply Buckhead website to read all of our Restaurant Reviews! www.simplybuckhead.com
Holiday on the Town Thursday, December 4th 5:30-8pm Christmas Tree Lighting Sleigh Rides Music
Visits with Santa Merchant Specials And So Much More! Located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University
To learn more, visit facebook.com/TownBrookhaven
www.townbrookhaven.net
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S IMPLY B U CKHEAD COV ER S TORY
HELPING HANDS Our community’s exceptional volunteers find unique ways to give back STORY:
Mickey Goodman PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
Photo: John Mariana
The six volunteers on the following pages—and the wide range of nonprofits they support—are a testament to the generosity of Buckhead residents who open their hands and their hearts to help others. Their stories chronicle decades of service. One couple is so passionate about saving endangered species, they founded an organization to prevent poaching and provide education for the children of sanctuary workers in Africa. Another volunteer has dedicated her legal career to freeing prisoners who have been wrongly imprisoned—most after decades of incarceration for crimes they didn’t commit. The other volunteers range from an artist to a music industry executive to a childhood cancer survivor. What they all have in common is a selflessness that epitomizes the real reason for the season of giving.
PLUS: BIG BENEVOLENCE, P82 Two Buckhead professionals who make a difference in the lives of kids
C OVE R S T O RY HELPING HANDS
MICHELE STUMPE Children of Conservation
M
WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Organization: Children of Conservation Purpose: Conservation and protection of endangered species in Third World countries through education, habitat preservation and wildlife sanctuary support. Help needed: Make a donation or sponsor a child’s schooling. 404.840.4139 www.childrenofconservation.org
ichele Stumpe fell in love with endangered primates as a teen volunteering at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. Her affection never abated, so in 1999, she and her husband, Kerry, attorneys at Taylor English Duma, volunteered at the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, Africa. There the Buckhead resident saw firsthand the dire need to teach villagers that their continued poaching would permanently destroy tourism, a primary livelihood. “At the turn of the 20th century, there were 2 million wild chimpanzees in 25 African countries,” Stumpe says. “Today, they are extinct in four countries, and only 200,000 chimps remain in the wild.” The reasons are complex, but poaching tops the list. Baby primates are coveted by individuals seeking pets, as well as by zoos and research facilities. Since the adults are protective of their young, poachers often kill entire families, further decimating endangered populations. In addition, bushmeat (particularly gorilla and chimp) is considered a delicacy, so primates are slaughtered for consumption or for their so-called medicinal qualities. “One of the most significant issues is a lack of education,” Stumpe says. “Public schools end with the second grade in Africa and only 15 percent of the parents can afford private schools. Without education, we can never build community-wide appreciation and respect for conservation.” In 2009, the couple decided to pay for the education of 15 of the Limbe workers’ most promising children. “Interested parents filled out an application form and kids were chosen on their prior grades, involvement in the Nature’s Club, the number of
years their parents had been working at the sanctuary and the recommendation of sanctuary directors,” Stumpe says. “Once we commit to a child, we stay with him or her through graduation, contingent upon their grades, conservation involvement and parents’ continued work at the sanctuary.” But since no single donor can make a significant impact, the couple founded Children of Conservation in 2009 to protect endangered species through habitat preservation, sanctuary support and education. The Stumpes selected three existing sanctuaries in Cameroon, Uganda and Kenya that care for endangered primates and elephants. Each was vetted for fiscal responsibility through the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance. “Our first undertaking was to sponsor additional children from the Limbe Wildlife Centre so they could attend private schools. We now support 100 children from the three sanctuaries, and since the workers come from many areas, we partner with schools near their villages,” Stumpe says. To ensure that 100 percent of the donations go directly to the foundation, the Stumpes pay the administrative costs of running the organization. Several fundraisers help support it. “Eats and Beats” at the Buckhead Theatre takes place every spring when Children of Conservation joins forces with The Giving Kitchen and Yacht Rock Revue for the evening of food and live entertainment. Another, “Dinner and A Cause Card” is a $40 dining card sold on the website that entitles holders to 20 percent off meals at more than 100 restaurants, including many in Buckhead. In 2015, the Stumpes, who travel to Africa twice a year, will lead a fundraising and volunteerism trip to visit the sanctuaries and schools the organization supports. Currently, Stumpe is drafting contracts between sanctuaries, governments and forestry administrators to set aside protected land and severely prosecute poachers. n
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C OV ER STORY HELPING HANDS
KIM CHESNEY Art for a Cause
K
im Chesney’s maiden name, Painter, was a sign of things to come. The Buckhead resident and artist who specializes in encaustic painting—an ancient hot wax technique invented before 100 A.D.—uses her talents to help raise money for numerous nonprofits, most benefiting children. Though she has studied oil, watercolor and graphite, she developed her own brand of encaustic painting that combines photographs, hot wax, resin and oil pastels to create unique pieces of three-dimensional art. Her introduction to fundraising began in 1992 when her husband, Lamar—a board member— asked her if she would host a small affair benefiting a nonprofit then called Medically Fragile Children that provided daycare for critically ill children to give parents some respite. “I was thinking of an intimate affair at the house, but as the list grew to 475, I realized I’d need to rent space,” Chesney says. “You might say I didn’t just dip my toe into fundraising. I jumped into the pool headfirst.” Chesney continues to raise money for worthy causes by connecting donors and artists. Her endeavors focus primarily on helping children in need. She developed a culinary arts program for children at the Viking Culinary Arts Center and CHRIS Kids Community Kitchen. She also supports Jerusalem House, Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential (GCAPP), Sheltering Arms, The Children’s Restoration Network, Visiting Nurse Hospice Atlanta and their Camp Stars program for
Kim Chesney (center) with some of the artists she brings together to support charitable causes.
bereaved kids and more. “Artisans Market,” a threeday event she hosted at her home in October for Camp Stars, netted $80,000. It featured music performed by the Buckhead Youth Orchestra and honored a neighbor who had died of cancer. In November, Chesney is doing what she loves most—hosting several events in Suite 403, a 9,000-square-foot showroom at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC). “It’s a perfect venue to showcase art for a cause,” she says. Named “Diversity eARTh, Taming the Elements Through the Beauty of Art,” the fundraiser kicks off with a cocktail reception the evening of Nov. 13 and features 24 award-winning artists including painters, photographers, metal sculptors, a glass artist and more whose work will remain on view until Nov. 21. (For more details see page 19.) Despite raising thousands for nonprofits, Chesney feels her biggest contribution was donating bone marrow to save the life of a man with leukemia. “A neighbor distributed an email asking people to be swabbed for possible matches for another neighbor in need of platelets to fight leukemia,” she says. Chesney wasn’t a match for her neighbor, but in 2007 she got a call saying that she was a match for a 48-year-old man dying from leukemia. Would she still be willing to help? “I jumped at the chance,” she says. “I donated marrow at Northside Hospital, an experience I found unbelievably satisfying. It’s not every day that we have an opportunity to save a life.” Another of Chesney’s great joys is featuring emerging artists who are “immensely talented” but have not yet attained the following to be exhibited in galleries. The November ADAC events showcase a number of them. “I’m especially touched by one artist who is showing her work for the first time since her recovery from stage 3 lung cancer,” she says. n
WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Organization: Art for a Cause Purpose: Raising funds for nonprofits with a focus on children Help needed: Attend the Nov. 13-21 events at ADAC; purchase original art to help emerging artists and contribute to a worthy cause. 678.773.5262 www.adacatlanta.com/events
“You might say I didn’t just dip my toe into fundraising. I jumped into the pool headfirst.” November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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C OVE R S T O RY HELPING HANDS
AIMEE MAXWELL Georgia Innocence Project
“I WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Organization: Georgia Innocence Project Purpose: To free the wrongfully convicted. Help needed: Funds are urgently needed if GIF is to continue exonerating wrongfully convicted prisoners. Also seeking graphic designers and artists for an upcoming project. 404.373.4433 www.georgiainnocenceproject.org
was in the fourth grade when I realized that my goal was to help save the world,” says Aimee Maxwell, executive director of the Georgia Innocence Project (GIP). “I decided early on to become a public defender.” True to her dream, the Buckhead resident graduated from the Georgia State University (GSU) College of Law in 1987 and was hired by the state-funded Georgia Indigent Defense Council (currently the Public Defender Standards Council). She remained until 2002 when two GSU law students, Jill Polster and September Guy, asked her to start an Innocence Project in Georgia to free wrongfully convicted prisoners. The State Bar Association donated $25,000 and GIP had to raise another $75,000 to get started. “My first class of interns came on board in 2003. Since then, we’ve exonerated five men who spent decades in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. Another case will be heard by the Georgia Supreme Court in January,” Maxwell says. “We aren’t soft on crime or pro- or anti-death penalty. We just don’t like to see innocent people in jail.” After an article about GIP appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2002, requests for help poured in from prisoners and their families. In the following 12 years, 6,000 cases have crossed Maxwell’s desk. Sixty have been accepted, all involving stranger-on-stranger crimes like rape where new DNA methods can prove innocence or guilt. “Even though we may feel strongly that an individual was wrongly convicted, we can’t take their
case unless the DNA evidence has been preserved,” she says. “And that’s where the problems arise.” Case files and evidence boxes are frequently missing from the county clerk’s office where they are supposed to be retained. By sheer persistence, interns have located misplaced files in the attic of a retired court reporter, a district attorney’s file drawer and at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation office. The interns—some 300 since GIP’s inception— do the heavy lifting. They sort through the letters, help investigate the cases and search for transcripts, lab reports, police reports and evidence boxes. Maxwell—with help from Attorney Christina Cribbs, a former intern—takes the cases to hearings. Maxwell, Cribbs and Operations Manager Melissa Arends are GIP’s only full-time employees. About 200 cases remain open, including a few involving murders. “When evidence starts falling into place, the interns often remain with the case even after they return to law school. I tell them, ‘This is the best thing you’ll probably do in your entire lives—and you’re not even out of school yet.’” GIP depends on donations for court costs and currently, funds have reached rock bottom. To keep the doors open, Maxwell has offered to forgo her salary. “How can we close when there is so much more work to be done?” Maxwell asks. For former prisoners, exoneration is just the beginning. To help them transition into society, the Georgia Legislature awards up to $1.2 million to those with the longest prison times. But managing a sum of that magnitude is fraught with pitfalls. The Life After Exoneration program, an arm of GIP, helps with job searches, life skills and money management. “Justice is what turns me on and has been my motivating factor all my life,” Maxwell says. “This is my piece of the world where I can make a true impact.” n
“We aren’t soft on crime or pro- or anti-death penalty. We just don’t like to see innocent people in jail.” 74
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C OV ER STORY HELPING HANDS
FOTEMAH MBA Books For Africa
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hen Fotemah Mba planned a visit to his mother in their native Cameroon in January 2014 after living in America for 17 years, he asked her what he should bring for the children at the private school she founded. “Bring pencils and pens,” she said. “Lots of pencils and pens.” It wasn’t until he saw the joy on the children’s faces that he realized what a precious gift pencils are to kids in a country where millions have never set foot in a classroom. Of those who do attend school, many have never owned a book, and often 10 or 20 share a single text. He vowed to find a way to help. Once back in Atlanta, the Buckhead resident and vice president of artists and repertoire for record label Konvict Muzik connected with Books For Africa (BFA) through friends. Though the organization has been named a “4-Star Charity” by Charity Navigator for the seventh consecutive year and attracts 14,000 volunteers per year to its Atlanta warehouse, it flies under the radar. “I was stunned to learn that over the last 26 years, BFA has shipped 35 million books to 49 African countries,” Mba says. “It was a perfect fit for my goal.” BFA was created in 1988 by Tom Warth in his Minnesota garage after a visit to Uganda where he found the shelves of a local library nearly empty. Back home, he met with members of the Minnesota Book Publishers’ Roundtable and formed a nucleus to ship discarded texts and library books to Africa. Each book costs 50 cents to ship and will be read by at least 50 children. The organization quickly outgrew Warth’s garage and he eventually moved the warehouse to Atlanta. Numerous publishing houses and booksellers, such as Better World Books, Follett and more, donate books.
Other corporations, including the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, donate containers and funds. Jim Munson, Chairman of Atlanta’s South African-American Business Chamber, has worked to fill a void in marketing and fundraising for the organization. “My wife and I host intimate fundraisers at our home with generous help from Chef Kyle Reynolds and his staff from Le Cordon Bleu, who have become big supporters,” he says. Taking a cue from Munson, Mba also began holding small events to fund the $11,600 needed to ship his own container of 22,000 books to his mother’s school in Cameroon. (Although all the books were donated through BFA, extra money was needed to transport his container seven additional hours into the grassland.) Mba uses social media to enlist the help of thousands of fans and friends. “Now that one container is complete, I plan to ship 25 more containers during the next five years,” he says. Mba volunteers three or four days a week at BFA’s 35,000-square-foot warehouse in Smyrna, which is filled with racks 24 feet high holding thousands of books. BFA counts on volunteers and referrals from Hands On Atlanta to sort books and fill the 40-foot containers that normally cost $10,300 each to ship. “Education is the only way out of poverty in Africa,” Mba says. “In Atlanta, I mentor kids to stay in school. In Africa, the children’s hunger for education is as acute as their need for good nutrition.” n
WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Organization: Books For Africa Purpose: To end the book famine in Africa by collecting, sorting, shipping and distributing books to schools, libraries and more. Help needed: Volunteers, especially during the winter months, as well as engineering, math and science books; textbooks from schools and colleges. 404.603.8680 www.booksforafrica.org
“In Atlanta, I mentor kids to stay in school. In Africa, the children’s hunger for education is as acute as their need for good nutrition.” November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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C OVE R S T O RY HELPING HANDS
LAUREN GEARON CURE Childhood Cancer
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WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Organization: CURE Childhood Cancer Purpose: Dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research and supporting patients and their families. Help needed: Send holiday cards benefiting CURE; donate funds; sponsor a “Caps for Cure” fundraiser; support sponsors. 770.986.0035 www.curechildhoodcancer.org
hen Lauren Gearon was in the seventh grade, she experienced a litany of debilitating symptoms—nosebleeds, fatigue, bruising and pounding headaches. Her pediatrician suspected leukemia and sent her to Scottish Rite Hospital, where Dr. Abdel Ragab, Emory University’s first pediatric oncologist, diagnosed aplastic anemia, a rare fatal disease that affects the bone marrow. With no known successful protocol, he put her on prednisone and blood transfusions. Before long, she required daily transfusions and in 1981 she was accepted into a month-long National Institutes of Health experimental drug trial at UCLA Hospital testing anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). It proved successful, but still nothing was normal. “I visited the hematology/oncology lab every morning, couldn’t play sports and had to stay away from anyone who was sick.” It wasn’t until she was slowly weaned off prednisone that she could resume a more normal childhood. “Twenty years later, the same treatment I received is still being used,” Gearon says. “I’m thrilled to say I rode the wave of experimentation that became the first line of defense and continues to save lives.” Once normalcy returned to the household, Gearon’s parents, Claudeen and Eric Lindberg, became involved with CURE Childhood Cancer, a local organization founded by Dr. Ragab in 1975 to fund targeted research and support patients and their families. Claudeen served on the executive board for 10 years and the couple chaired numerous fundraisers. One of CURE’s first purchases was a pediatric diagnostic microscope; next came funding to train Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellows. Gearon attended college in Massachusetts, then worked in New York and Washington before moving back to Atlanta and marrying her
husband, Michael, in 1996. The couple has three children—17, 14, and 10—and CURE is a family affair. Michael, who builds cell tower networks in Indonesia and is co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, is extremely supportive. Gearon’s 17-year-old son served on CURE’s Youth Council for two years and her 14-year-old daughter creates jewelry through Good Deed Beads that she sells on Etsy and donates 50 percent of the sales to CURE. Gearon followed in her mother’s footsteps by serving on the CURE board for 17 years and has been involved in nearly every capacity from the Board and Youth Council to fundraising. “Outside my marriage and family, this is the most important thing I’ve ever done,” she says. “I love that we are making a difference in children’s lives.” “Cancer is the number one killer of children and impacts more kids than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and pediatric AIDS combined,” she says. “Yet only two to four percent of federal research dollars go to childhood vs. adult cancers. Not only do we need to find a cure, we need to find ways that are toxic only to the cancer cells, not to the children.” To call attention to the urgent need for a cure, in 2009, Governor Sonny Perdue proclaimed September “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” a movement CURE members hope will spread nationwide. Gearon was among those honored at the presentation. CURE also successfully lobbied the Georgia legislature to support a bill that would mandate Georgia insurers to support experimental therapies for childhood cancer. As one of the largest pediatric oncology programs in the country, CURE’s work is making an impact. “Our partnerships with other leading organizations has led to a promising drug for acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” Gearon says. “We hope our programs will continue to make headway in this battle, eventually leading to a cure.” n
“Outside my marriage and family, this is the most important thing I’ve ever done ... I love that we are making a difference in children’s lives.” 78
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C OV ER STORY HELPING HANDS
DAN PRUCHA Open Hand Atlanta
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an Prucha can blame it all on his wife, Jackie. For years, she’d urged her Sandy Springs family to volunteer at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. Prucha, a retired Army dentist, didn’t relent until 2005, after the kids had gone to college. “I did some online research and discovered Open Hand,” he says. “I knew I had found my niche.” Not only did the couple volunteer that year, Prucha stuck with it and has delivered 12 to 25 Meals on Wheels, Open Hand’s primary endeavor, every week for the last nine years. He occasionally enlists others to join him, and Jackie also delivers, but on a less regular schedule. One of his first stops sealed his commitment. “An elderly gentleman who had lost limbs and much of his eyesight to diabetes came to the door in a wheelchair. Yet he was able to stay in his home because of Open Hand,” Prucha says. “It made me realize the enormous difference the organization makes to so many lives.” Open Hand began in California to serve the AIDS community, but broadened its services in Atlanta to serve the growing number of people disabled by chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that chronic diseases affect 40 percent of the population; and the CDC forecasts the cost of healthcare will be $4.2 trillion by 2023. This year marks Open Hand’s 26th anniversary and by spring 2015, it will have delivered 25 million nutritious meals to senior citizens, Medicaid recipients, people suffering from HIV/AIDS and those who are critically or terminally ill, have chronic illnesses or are fee-for-service clients. All meal recipients are referred by healthcare professionals and must meet certain criteria. “A misconception is that obesity and diabetes are caused by gluttony or lack of discipline,” says Shawan Allen, director of volunteer services. “But the real culprit is the lack of access to nutritious food. That’s why we’re so committed to delivering healthy meals every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
To do the job, Open Hand uses over 10,000 unique volunteers per year (up to 100 each day) and has an annual budget of $9.8 million, which comes primarily through donations. Since 2004, Good Measure Meals, a company that prepares and delivers healthy meals to fee-paying clients, has donated 100 percent of the net proceeds to Open Hand. The organization’s annual Party in the Kitchen features cuisine prepared by chefs from Atlanta’s finest restaurants. The 2014 event in September was the most successful ever, raising $435,000 compared to $258,000 in 2013, thanks to the talents of Chef Kevin Rathbun, owner and chef at KR SteakBar, and Chef Gerry Klaskala, owner and chef of Aria, as well as numerous other top Atlanta chefs. One of the things that attracted Prucha to Open Hand was the professional way it was run. For Buckhead resident and Open Hand volunteer Suzanne Gaensbauer, it was a connection to her father. “My dad had a stroke and was unable to buy groceries or cook. If he had had access to Meals on Wheels, he might have been able to manage at home a while longer. Finally, he made the difficult decision to move into a retirement home. I volunteer so others can retain their independence,” she says. Each day, people like Gaensbauer gather at Open Hand’s newly expanded facility on Armour Drive to help assemble, package and deliver 4,500 meals that exceed standards set by the American Dietetic Association. Other programs include a Pantry Program and the Emergency Nutrition Supplement Program for eligible Grady Hospital patients. “Open Hand serves the community in so many ways,” Prucha says. “I’ve been very blessed in my life and I’m happy I can be of service to others.” n
WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Organization: Open Hand Atlanta Purpose: Helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease by combining home-delivered meals and nutrition education. Help needed: Volunteer; sponsor a fundraiser; sign up for Amazon Smile (www.smile.amazon.com) and specify Open Hand Atlanta. (A portion of the purchase is given to the organization by Amazon without extra cost to the customer); donate your old car. 404.872.2707 www.projectopenhand.org
Prucha has delivered 12 to 25 Meals on Wheels every week for the last nine years. November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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C OVE R S T O RY HELPING HANDS
BIG BENEVOLENCE Two Buckhead professionals who make a difference in the lives of kids STORY:
FROM “LITTLE BROTHER” TO BIG BROTHER
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dam Meisenheimer of Buckhead knows what it’s like to be a boy in need of a father figure. His parents divorced and his dad moved out when he was 15. His older brother stepped up to fill the void in his life. It didn’t take him long to repay the kindness. In 2003, when Meisenheimer was just a sophomore at the
D. Aileen Dodd
Each month, Buckhead residents Adam Meisenheimer and Molly Butler make a commitment to care for kids in need by dedicating their time, talents and treasure to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. They help with homework and take children to concerts, movies and ball games. And sometimes, they simply lend an ear to kids who need someone to talk to. These volunteers know the hardships that children in Georgia face every day and they want to lighten the load. State poverty data shows:
ADAM MEISENHEIMER
l More than one in four kids live in poverty in families of three who earn below $18,284.
Years mentoring matched child: 7 Favorite outing: “Every year, I take him to a football game and a basketball game at UGA. I tell him as we are driving up that in a few years I will be coming up to visit him in college at UGA.”
l About four in 10 kids are raised in single-parent homes. l Some 60,000 kids face homelessness each year. About half of them are under age six.
What volunteering has taught me: “Having him in my life has shown me that I really want to have a family of my own.”
As volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, these Buckhead professionals are helping children succeed in spite of the challenges at home.
BIG SIS LEADS BY EXAMPLE
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idden by the dark, round lenses of designer sunglasses, Molly Butler, one of Buckhead’s stylish singles, talks about the child in her life as if she were a minivan-driving PTA mom. Kayla Dunlap was only six when they first met. They were as different as two people could be. Butler’s white. Dunlap’s black. And there was an age gap that could have made conversation cumbersome. Butler was 31, career-driven, college-educated, and still finding her way in life. Dunlap was an impressionable elementary school girl in plaits, the middle child of a single mother who was out of
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work and struggling to raise three kids on her own. “I didn’t have anyone in my life who came from that type of background,” says Butler, now 42, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta about the child in need that she mentors. “It is amazing to see how well she has done. She is very sweet, very kind and loving … and she just made the honor roll last year.” Butler and Dunlap had an instant connection when they met nine years ago through matchmakers at Big Brothers Big Sisters. In no time, they were swapping secrets over pizza at Fellini’s and going on adventures from hiking to museums.
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“I feel comfortable coming to her with things that I might not be comfortable coming to my mom about,” says Dunlap, now 15. Butler became a Big Brother Big Sister volunteer because she was new to Atlanta and wanted to do something meaningful with her free time. She figured that building a bond with a “little sister” would give her someone to share her life experiences and values with. So Butler became a role model, cheerleader and tutor for Dunlap as her little sister moved from elementary to high school. Their bond has survived career changes, new addresses and new schools. Dunlap is now a sopho-
more at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School. Butler launched a successful pet-sitting business, Wag & Purr, which keeps her busy. “We have a lot in common— we love shopping, movies, and good food,” Butler says. “We have done everything under the sun you can do with children in Atlanta. We are very close.” Butler gives Dunlap motivational talks about working hard, being honest and getting a college education. She also makes time to hear Dunlap’s concerns about life. “She’s like my second mom,” Dunlap says. “I feel like during college—since she went to college and my mom didn’t—she will be the one I can call on who can relate to what I’m doing and push me along the way.” n
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University of Georgia, he signed on as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. His first “little brother” was a seventh-grader living in a poor neighborhood in Athens. The child’s mother was in jail, his father wasn’t around much, and his grandparents were overwhelmed by trying to care for his needs. “It was my first time around kids,” recalls Meisenheimer, now 31, who works in the strategy and finance department at Coca-Cola. “I wanted to spend my free time wisely in college rather than wasting it by playing video games. In between classes, once a week, I would pick my little brother up from school or go to his house. We became good friends.” Seeing the influence he had on his little brother inspired Meisenheimer to stick with the program after he graduated from UGA in 2005. His second little brother, Andrew Joseph “AJ” Cyrus, is literally following in his footsteps. Cyrus is attending Roswell High, the school that Meisenheimer graduated from. He also lives in the same apartment
building Meisenheimer once lived in. They have been friends for seven years. “We believe that this match with Adam was ordained by God,” says Deidra Cyrus, the teen’s mom. “The commitment he has to my son is something you don’t see that often in young single men, especially across the racial line. I don’t know where I would be without him.” Meisenheimer has helped Cyrus ace multiplication tests and has given him advice on becoming a man, saving money and choosing a career. Meisenheimer is a staple at Cyrus’ birthday parties. “He always brings the cake,” Cyrus says. “I feel like he is more family than some of my actual family.” Meisenheimer hopes his little brother will follow him to UGA. Cyrus says it is because of his big brother’s influence that he believes college is within reach. “Looking back over my life, I have been blessed with so much,” Meisenheimer says. “A lot of kids don’t have a dad or a brother. I really want to be that person that he can look up to.” n
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MOLLY BUTLER Years mentoring matched child: 9 Favorite outing: “I took the entire family to Six Flags. Love her mom and brothers too!” What volunteering has taught me: “Volunteering is one of the best things we can all do to take the focus off ourselves and onto others.”
To volunteer or donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, visit www.bbbsatl.org
Independent LIvIng | AssIsted LIvIng | ALzheImer’s CAre extended CongregAte CAre | WeLLness
AL#9197
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Buckhead’s team for total wellness. PROVEN SCIENCE IS THE CORE OF OUR APPROACH.
Jamie Bodner
Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness Expert
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Certified Personal Trainer & Licensed Professional Counselor
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404.228.3705
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
believe
LIKE THE CHILDREN BELIEVE Your gift to CURE Childhood Cancer creates quite an impact. On a scientist’s grueling search for a cure. On a family’s frightful battle. On a child’s tomorrow. This year, include CURE in your holiday giving. It will be the gift that saves a child’s life. Donate online today at www.curechildhoodcancer.org.
1 1 1 7 Pe r i m e t e r C e n t e r We s t • S u i t e N - 4 0 2 • At l a n t a , G A 3 0 3 3 8 | 7 7 0 9 8 6 0 0 3 5 • 8 0 0 4 4 3 2 8 7 3 • 7 7 0 9 8 6 0 0 3 8 Fa x w w w. c u re c h i l d h o o d c a nc e r. o r g
CURE 056 13C Simply Buckhead Ad Nov/Dec_FINAL.indd 1
10/24/14 11:35 AM
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S I M P LY B U Z Z | S I M P LY C H A RI TA B L E | S I M P LY S C E N E
SIMPLY HAPPENING
The Reindeer Romp race has dual benefits: a 5K workout and supporting the local nonprofit shemoves. Photo: Jeremy Freeman
SPOTLIGHT: RUN
Whether you’re looking for a race to keep off the holiday weight gain, or one to buffer your holiday indulgences, these three 5K races aim to empower, raise funds and support the community. Duck, Duck, Goose 5K at Murphey Candler Park Nov. 15 Murphey Candler Park 1551 West Nancy Creek Drive N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.980.5045 www.facebook.com/DDGoose5k
Brookhaven’s Duck, Duck, Goose 5K and one-mile fun run celebrate the 60th anniversary of Murphey Candler Park, the largest park in Brookhaven. The course starts and ends at the 135-acre park, and follows the 2-mile trail that loops around Murphey Candler Lake, ribboning over wetlands, wooded areas, bridges and neighborhood paths alongside the water. Murphey Candler Park Conservancy, a nonprofit aimed at preserving the park for many years to come, sponsors the event. The 5K begins at 9 a.m., followed by the one-mile fun run at 9:45 a.m. Registration online is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the fun run. Runners can pick up packets at Big Peach Running Company in Brookhaven on Nov. 13.
Reindeer Romp
Winter Harvest Coat Drive 5K
Dec. 6 Chastain Park Tennis Center 110 West Wieuca Road N.W. Atlanta 30342 678.372.5954 www.shemovesatl.com/events/ reindeer-romp-5k-2014
Dec. 20 Keswick Park 3524 Keswick Drive Chamblee 30341 478.986.4908 www.planetreg.com
Don your reindeer antlers, tie on some jingle bells and head to Chastain Park for the Reindeer Romp. The 5K is sponsored by shemoves, a nonprofit that looks to empower women by providing support and events that encourage an active, healthy, balanced lifestyle. Runners will power up Chastain Park’s rolling hills and cruise around the perimeter of the golf course. Coincidentally, the race takes place on the same day the park prepares for Christmas by setting up decorations on the roof of the tennis center. Revel in victory with a post-race awards ceremony and party at the tennis center, complete with hot chocolate, Whole Foods breakfast goodies and staycation raffles, including a stay at the Westin on Peachtree. Registration is $35 and there are three options to pay: online at www.shemovesatl. com/events/reindeer-romp-5k-2014, in-store at Big Peach Running Company in Brookhaven on Dec. 5, or on-site Dec. 6. The race begins at 9:30 a.m.
When you lace up your shoes for this race, someone in need will get to zip up a new coat. The Winter Harvest Coat Drive 5K supports the nonprofit Charity Benevolent Fund, which partners with One Warm Coat to provide winter clothing, including new and gently used coats, gloves, scarves and blankets, to people in the metro Atlanta area. Last year’s race raised $1,800 and this year, the goal is $5,000. The out-and-back course follows the park’s walking trail into Chamblee’s scenic neighborhoods. A postrace awards ceremony includes drawings to win coupons for local and national merchants. Registration is $25 in advance online and $30 on race day. The race begins at 9 a.m., and any participants who bring their children will receive a free go-kart ticket to Norcross’s Malibu Grand Prix.
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S I M P LY H APP E N ING
SIMPLY BUZZ
Events, exhibits, galas and more
BY:
Alexa Lampasona
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is illuminated with brilliant colors at the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event.
An array of artisan crafts, jewelry and clothing vendors display their work at the Elegant Elf Marketplace.
Cook Hall’s patio provides the perfect backdrop for sipping cocktails and listening to the sounds of local musicians.
Photo: Joey Ivansco
Photo: Sandy Springs Society
Photo: James Camp Photography
NORTHSIDE METHODIST PRESCHOOL ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW Nov. 14, 15 Northside United Methodist Church 2799 Northside Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.355.6475 www.giftshow.northsideumc.org Northside Methodist Preschool’s (NMP) largest annual fundraiser celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. “We have been amazed at how much the NMP Gift Show has grown over the years, and to see the selection of unique vendors and local artists that come to this show,” says Holly Randall, one of the show’s founders. Timed for the start of the holiday season, guests can browse for gifts through more than 75 retailers. Peruse the creative artists’ booths for great gifts, like the fun shapes of Cheeky Maiden’s handcrafted soaps for children; the fashionable scarves from TuLi Designs; or frames from Quite a Pair Keepsakes. The show is open on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there is a special ladies’ night on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is $3. All proceeds benefit the Northside United Methodist Preschool Fund.
GARDEN LIGHTS, HOLIDAY NIGHTS Nov. 15-Jan. 3 Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Avenue Atlanta 30309 404.876.5859 www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org Garden Lights, Holiday Nights brings a spectacle of warm colors to the fourth annual light show
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as more than 1.5 million energyefficient LED lights illuminate the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The design team has replaced the lights this year, so expect to see towering cone trees made with strands of lights and lightwrapped crepe myrtles glow yellow, fiery red and intense orange. Stroll through the gardens and revel in dazzling plant sculptures like the Ice Goddess and Unicorn. Make plans to stop by the Orchestral Orbs for a musical light show; the train garden to see new gingerbread man, elf and snowman cutouts; and the Fuqua Conservatory to see the towering display of poinsettias. Ticket prices range from $17 to $20 and are available online at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
ELEGANT ELF MARKETPLACE Nov. 15, 16 Lake Forest Elementary School 5920 Sandy Springs Circle Sandy Springs 30328 404.441.4463 www.sandyspringssociety.org/ elegant-elf Shop for a cause at the fourth annual Elegant Elf Marketplace, which benefits the Sandy Springs Society. A nonprofit committed to improving the quality of life for local residents, it donates 100 percent of profits to more than 25 local nonprofit organizations. This holiday shopping extravaganza features more than 75 local and regional vendors, giving plenty of options to buy holiday gifts, such as handmade fashions, distinguished crafts and home décor. When shopping piques your appetite, enjoy a signature
November/December 2014 | Simply Buckhead
lunch at the Polar Express Café. The marketplace hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. There is a $5 entry fee, and children 10 and under are free.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHOW HOUSE AND MARKETPLACE Nov. 19-Dec. 7 2865 Habersham Road Atlanta 30305 404.252.6670 www.atlantaholidayhome.com An annual showcase of Atlanta’s leading home designers invites guests into the newly constructed “Home for the Holidays” residence. Located in Buckhead on Habersham Road, the abode was designed in the style of Sir Edwin Lutyens, taking a leaf from the late-1800s English Arts and Crafts movement. Visitors can revel in inspiration from 15 carefully selected local designers, including elegant home accessories designer Boxwoods Gardens and Gifts and Barbara Heath of contemporary furnishing boutique The Mercantile. There will be plenty of seasonal activities, such as caroling and sampling holiday treats. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Southeast Horticultural Society’s Children’s Learning Gardens and Farms. An opening night party on Nov. 18—Moonlight and Mistletoe—gives guests an opportunity to get a sneak peek of the show house, chat with the designers and nosh on holiday appetizers before the general public. Tickets for the opening party are $125. The show house will be open for tours from The Deadfields Wednesday to Saturday 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets purchased before Nov. 19 are $20 online and increase to $25 after that date. Visitors can purchase tickets at www.atlantaholidayhome.com or at the door.
COOK HALL FALL CONCERT SERIES Nov. 21, Dec. 19 Cook Hall 3377 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.523.3600 www.cookhallatlanta.com Cook Hall welcomes local musicians to their patio for the fall concert series. Take an opportunity to slow down and relax while sipping craft cocktails and snacking on shared plates, such as deviled eggs and crispy duck tacos. On Nov. 21, singer-songwriter Cary Hudson strums his guitar in alternative-country and Southern-rock styles. On Dec. 19, Danny Hutchens of Bloodkin takes the stage with singer Donna Hopkins for a Southern rock- and blues-inspired set. Complimentary three-hour valet parking is available at the W Hotel-Buckhead. The concerts are free and begin at 9 p.m.
CANDLELIGHT NIGHTS Dec. 4, 18 Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 www.atlantahistorycenter.com Candlelight Nights invites you to step back to the pioneer days and experience how Civil War-era Southerners celebrated Christmas. Stroll through the crisp,
wooded trails and let candlelight guide you through three of the Center’s historic houses: the Swan House, Margaret Mitchell House and Smith Family Farm. The special holiday program includes carolers, cookie and tree decorating, and holiday theater performances. The program runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 for Atlanta History Center members, $15 for nonmembers and $8 for children. Tickets can be purchased at www. atlantahistorycenter.com/family.
CAPTAIN PLANET FOUNDATION GALA Dec. 5 InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta 3315 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.522.4270 www.captainplanetfoundation.org/ gala2014 One of the Southeast’s largest eco-benefits brings together local and national celebrities to support the nonprofit Captain Planet Foundation. Larry King hosts the evening, where guests have the opportunity to meet “green carpet” icons like Jane Goodall and Ted Turner. The gala features cocktails and dinner, live entertainment and a live and silent auction with items like tickets to the Country Music Awards, a winter cabin getaway in Vail, or two tickets to the opening night of Blue Man Group at the Fox. The benefit raises funds to support and promote environmental educational projects for children in K-12 schools. The evening runs from 6 until 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $750 for individuals or $1,500 for a patron, and can be purchased online at www.captainplanetfoundation.org/gala2014.
Support Local - Shop Local The Best Gifts for the Holidays are at Atlanta MADE
Atlanta MADE 1187 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30318 Westside Provisions District 855.ATL.MADE www.atlantamade.us
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Mary Norwood and Mark Shaver
Cindy Green, Ann Wolverton and Janina Hobby Jamon Davis and Sade Bentley
James and Brooke LeBow and Phil and Barbara Beaudette
Bucky with Chef Art Smith and Lauren Lestin
Photos: Tyler Welbron and Sarah Joiner
TASTE OF BUCKHEAD
T
Isabella Kissoon and Glenn Jadooram
Linnea Ashley and Chef Sean Woods
Winton Noah, Laura Ring, Susan Hill and Hal Ainsworth
he Buckhead Business Association’s 10th annual Taste of Buckhead welcomed 675 patrons to sip, sample and socialize at the Buckhead Theatre. Neighborhood chefs, including Linton Hopkins, Sean Woods and Philippe Haddad, put on cooking demonstrations while area eateries— from The Capital Grille and Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse to Bhojanic—offered tempting tastes from their diverse menus. The crowd also enjoyed more than 50 wine and beer tastings, products from local vendors and a silent and live auction featuring trips, restaurant certificates and gift baskets from area retailers. Event proceeds went to the Buckhead Heritage Society and Livable Buckhead.
Jill Berry, Chef Linton Hopkins and Sharon Silva
Kim and Tom Bigelow and Kelly Green Bartenders filled glasses with tastes of local craft brews
Bob and Bonnie Helget
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Independent Family Owned Since 1979 Turnke y Office,Virtual & Meeting Spaces Professional Barista Free Zone
(404) 250-3200 www.PeachtreeOffices.com LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configuration and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group.
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Jill Becker, Sarah Barr, Rich Boustead, Joshua Mack, Tom and Chris Glavine, Kennedy Cobble, Elena Tate, Kevin Kennedy, Will Wagner and Kristin Connor
Photos: Lynn Crow Photography
CURE Childhood Cancer’s A Tribute To Our Quiet Heroes Ellen and John Yates and Carlos and Luisa Alvarado
C
URE Childhood Cancer celebrated the 10th year of its annual luncheon, A Tribute To Our Quiet Heroes, at the InterContinental Buckhead. The inspiring event, hosted by Chris Glavine, wife of baseball superstar Tom Glavine, honors the mothers of children with cancer. Approximately 240 honored moms were in attendance among the 600 total attendees who helped raise $430,000 (up $70,000 from 2013) through a silent auction featuring concert tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, jewelry, vacations and more. The money raised during the event supports research at leading children’s hospitals nationwide, including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Since its inception in 2005, the luncheon has raised more than $2.5 million for CURE Childhood Cancer.
Barrie Lackey, Paige Jansen and Allyson Tuck Lynn Crow, Sandra and Chris Cauley and Linda Terrana
Beth Phelps and Chandler Phelps Amber Glavine and Peyton Glavine
Renee Schramm, Lisa Specht, Leigh Ann Herrin, Donna Broom, Kelly Hartman and Sherri Wright
Lisa Branch, Tressa Harris, Rhetta Ascari and Karen McCarthy
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GORILLA GAMES A Zoo Atlanta ape puts on a show during our cover photo shoot. PHOTO: Sara
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We don’t expect perfection from our work. We insist on it. We know the style of your home or business is often defined by its finishing touches. Castle is the premier provider for your painting and remodeling needs. Using only the highest quality products, we provide onsite project management to deliver our legendary five-star service. We’ve served thousands of satisfied customers in the greater Atlanta area and we would love to serve you.
Three coats of service. Four coats of craftsmanship. 1-855-MYCASTLE (692-2785) • CastlePaintingGA.com
A leading provider of new beginnings.
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute diagnoses and treats more women with breast and gynecologic cancers than anyone in Georgia. The experienced, caring team and the survival rates are why so many women from across the country trust Northside with their cancer care. Northside helps thousands of women through their cancer journey. So they can take the ďŹ rst steps into their cancer free life. For help ďŹ nding a cancer specialist, call 404-531-4444.
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Let us add some sparkle to your holiday season. Let us help you relax with a massage after a day of shopping. Let us craft a seasonal cocktail just for you. Let us create a new holiday tradition that fills you with joy.
Fill your holiday with lasting memories at The Ritz-Carlton. Reserve a getaway with family and friends at our three locations in Georgia. To reserve, contact your travel professional, call The Ritz-Carlton at 1-800-542-8680 or visit ritzcarlton.com.
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SAVOR STOLI® RESPONSIBLY. Stolichnaya®. Blueberry Flavored Premium Vodka. 37.5% Alc/Vol. (75 proof). Stoli Group USA, LLC, New York, NY ©2014 Spirits International, B.V.
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
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earth ART FO R T HE CAUSE 2 0 + G e o rg i a A r t i s t s M a k i n g A D i ff e re n c e
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NOVEMBER EVENTS AT ADAC ADACATLANTA.COM/EVENTS THURSDAY 13TH, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
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Do You Hear What I Hear?
This Holiday season, arrive in style with the sleek look and yes, the sound of the engine from this Italian iconic brand: Maserati. Your Maserati awaits at Jim Ellis Maserati Atlanta. No bow necessary. Listen to the unmistakable Maserati sound by scanning the QR code below. J i m El l i s M a s e r a t i 5 8 5 5 Pe a c h t r e e B l v d At l a n t a , GA 3 0 3 41 8 8 8 . 219 . 18 0 3
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