Northside Woman May 2013

MAY 2013

That’s a Wrap

Recipes for spring picnics

Spa retreat

Melody Makers

Pamper yourself on Mother’s Day

The talented sisters of the band von Grey

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may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 3

staff

Katie VanBrackle

Candy Waylock

katie@northsidewoman.com

candy@northsidewoman.com

Kelly Brooks

Devon Morgan

kelly@northsidewoman.com

devon@photosynthesisatlanta.com

EDITOR

DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

SENIOR WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHER

Christina Appen

{ INSIDE }

PUBLISHER

christina@northsidewoman.com

associate publisher Kelly Brooks kelly@northsidewoman.com sales manager Lynn Danson lynn@northsidewoman.com sales executives Hans Appen, Helen Bausano, Kaylie Belcik, Abby Breaux, Linda Cohen, Mike Dorman, Wendy Goddard, June Meltzer, Jade Rodgers sales assistants Susan Hernandez, Phyllis Anderton production David Brown, Kellie Jureka, Geoffrey Thurow

770.442.3278 | 770.475.1216 (fax) 319 north main street, alpharetta, ga. 30009

+ stay connected online!

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facebook.com/northsidewoman twitter.com/nsidewoman Northside Woman is published monthly & distributed free throughout north metro Atlanta. © 2013 Appen Media Group. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

4 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

northside women { 6 }

THE INTERVIEW Melody Makers Meet the band von Grey

{ 12 } WOMEN IN ART

Cultural Arts Alliance of Johns Creek { 14 } UNSUNG ‘SHE’RO

Shelley Middleton and Trudy Davies

Former ‘She’Roes receive honors

northside lifestyle { 10 } SHE READS

Author Patti Callahan

Henry’s new novel { 18 } GOOD EATS

That’s a Wrap! Recipes

from Publix Cooking School { 20 } SPA RETREAT

Mother’s Day getaway at Château Élan

the cover The four talented von Grey sisters from Johns Creek, Fiona, 15, Annika, 16, Kathryn, 18, and Petra, 13, are not your typical teen band. The girls, who all play multiple instruments each, are touring the nation as “von Grey,” an alternative folk band, and receiving enthusiastic praise from music critics along the way.

Read more on page 6.

{ 24 } CELEBRITY SOAP

Karin Collins, Milton soap artist { 26 } HER HEALTH

Stress relief for busy moms

{ 28 } HER STYLE

Summer’s best swimwear { 30 } HER BEAUTY Mom’s beauty wisdom { 33 } TAKE FIVE Explore the arts { 34 } MAY CALENDAR

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may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 5

TOP: MEGHAN SINCLAIR/TEAM COCO. BOTTOM FOUR: DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

theinterview

The Talented sisters of von Grey Johns Creek band performs for David Letterman, Conan O’Brien

preening for the spotlight, but very polite, mature and somewhat shy young women who allow their incredible talent to speak for them.

And it speaks beautifully.

Kathryn, 18, Annika, 16, Fiona, 15, and Petra, 13, each play multiple instruments with seemingly effortless skill, a testament to many years of hard work and practice.

By KATIE VanBRACKLE Each girl began taking individual music lessons katie@northsidewoman.com at the age of 5, studying piano and strings at North s parents, Jill and Michael von Grey of Atlanta Talent Education (NATE) in Roswell.

Johns Creek wanted to make sure their four Jill homeschooled her daughters, often teaching young daughters learned to play musical lessons in the hallways at NATE to accommodate the instruments, both for the girls’ own enjoyment and to girls’ music lessons. strengthen their brain development and fine motor NATE instructor Tracy Shealy remembers four skills. talented and very dedicated Those childhood music students. lessons led to a shared “Because they began passion for talented sisters playing together at such Kathryn, Annika, Fiona and young ages, performing has Petra, now all teenagers and become part of who they are. touring the country as the Their style and instruments alternative folk band von may have changed, but Grey. their extensive performance Since the release of their training has led them to first five-song EP “von Grey” where they are now,” she said. in 2012, the band has been The sisters first busy performing at concerts, performed together at festivals, listening rooms weddings as a classical string and cultural arts centers quartet but soon branched across the country, receiving out into other musical The five-song EP “von Grey,” available on iTunes. genres such as bluegrass enthusiastic praise from music critics and journalists. and country, mastering more You may have seen their national television instruments along the way, including guitar for debut on “Late Show with David Letterman” in Fiona, banjo for Annika, lap slide guitar for Petra and February, or more recently, performing for Conan mandolin for Kathryn.

O’Brien who filmed his talk show in Atlanta in Three years ago, the girls began writing their March. own music, drawing particular inspiration from the “Think of them like Mumford and Daughters,” “new grass” sound of progressive acoustic music trio quipped the “Conan” website, referring to von Grey’s Nickel Creek. blend of classical and folk instruments combined Fiona and Annika emerged as the group’s with soulful harmonies. primary singers and songwriters, penning The girls write and perform all of their own surprisingly thoughtful, poetic lyrics at the tender music, displaying a calm confidence and natural ages of 12 and 14. What is the source of such depth in synergy on stage, making it easy to forget they are ones so young? only teenagers.

“I read a lot,” said Annika. “And our parents have Yet even with their considerable success, the always exposed us to as much as possible culturally. four sisters are not your typical pop princesses We may not have a lot of life experience yet to draw upon, but you can learn quite a bit simply by observing other people and their relationships.”

From top to bottom: Von Grey performs on “Conan,” Von Grey’s management team, Red Light, filmed at the Tabernacle in Atlanta; Kathryn von Grey,

A

age 18; Annika von Grey, age 16; Fiona von Grey, age 15; Petra von Grey, age 13.

6 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

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theinterview

Scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit northside woman.com/von-grey to view these von Grey videos: ►“Ghosts” at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in April (pictured above); ► “Ashes” backstage during the March filming of “Conan” at the Tabernacle in Atlanta; ► “Coming for You” on “Late Night with David Letterman” in February

prefers that the girls not use stylists or cowriters, allowing the band to develop and mature naturally, preserving that unique blend of girlish innocence and fierce individuality.

Jill and Michael also give their daughters the freedom to express themselves through personal appearance. Like most teenage girls, the sisters all love to shop (Junkman’s Daughter in Little Five Points is a favorite spot), and hair color and clothing styles frequently change in the household as the mood strikes.

Early in their career, offers came their way to follow a more mainstream, pop music path (think Taylor Swift), but the girls chose to remain “authentic” and blaze their own trail, a decision that made their parents very proud.

Last year, von Grey toured the West Coast with YouTube musical sensation Lindsey Stirling, and this winter, traveled across the northeastern states as the opening act for Company of Thieves, an indie rock group from Chicago.

All of this travel is done in the family van, as the band’s many large instruments are too bulky and heavy to manage on airplanes. Jill serves multiple roles on these cross-country road trips: mother, logistics manager, driver and teacher.

“Unlike many performing groups, my girls do a show, then sleep, then do school,” said Jill who admits that as a typical “ducks in a row” mother, she has had to learn to live with chaos during the past few years.

Hours and hours on the road together can get a bit tense at times for four teenage girls and their mother (Michael flies in to join the family when he can), but Annika says there

DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

Visit northside woman.com for videos & More photos

▼ VON GREY, Continued from Page 6

Jill von Grey and her four talented daughters.

are advantages to spending so much time together.

“Creatively, we need to know each other very well and feel like we don’t have any barriers up when we try to write music that is personal and emotional,” she said.

With so many hours spent on the road, practicing in the family basement “band cave,” and working on school lessons, there isn’t much time left over for typical teen pursuits such as hanging out with friends or dating, but Jill says the girls knew there would be tradeoffs when they chose to pursue this dream.

“For example, Kathryn will graduate this year and is ready for college, but we have agreed to be flexible about the timing of her higher education,” she said. “All of our girls are excellent students, very determined and ambitious, so we are just taking it as it comes and trying not to hold them to a predetermined timetable.”

The girls are currently recording their second album and preparing for a

PLANNING A SUMMER SCHEDULE?

Most divorce decrees and custody parenting plans contain a provision which describes parental contact during the summer months. Such a provision often provides for a period of uninterrupted vacation with the child or children for each parent and a revised schedule during the summer months. These provisions often have a date certain for the selection of parenting time for each parent. Sounds great, but what often occurs is that one parent is ready to select their weeks by the cutoff date, and the other is not. Or, one parent never communicates their vacation dates by the cutoff date. How are you to make any plans?

busy summer of concerts and appearances including Atlanta’s new Shaky Knees Music Festival on May 4 and 5, and Sandy Springs’ Rhythm and Brews on June 27.

Jill will put yet more miles on the family van, driving her daughters to California to perform in front of important music industry professionals in Los Angeles, to Tennessee for the hugely popular Woodstock-style music event Bonnaroo and to Colorado to open for the Indigo Girls at the Denver Botanical Gardens.

The girls’ former music teachers at NATE are enjoying watching von Grey’s star on the rise.

“We were beyond excited to see them on David Letterman,” said Shealy. “They have become so polished and sounded so good and we are very proud and happy for them. We started out as teachers, but now we’ve become fans.”

To learn more about the band, go to: www.vongreymusic.com. ■

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We have entered the summer vacation planning season, the time of year when camp decisions are made, grandparent visits are planned and sports clinics are scheduled. It’s pretty hard to schedule activities for your child if you only have half of the information.

To Continue Reading this article by Karen Williams, visit www.NorthFulton.com and to check out more legal advice from Karen!

◄ KAREN BROWN WILLIAMS, ESQ. • • • • • •

Emory: Graduate of Emory Law | Boston College: MBA Former Cobb County Magistrate Private Practice since 1994 Guardian Ad Litem with area courts Family Law Executive Committee for State Bar of GA 2002-12 Frequent Speaker state wide on Family Law issues

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shereads

+Friend Request Adopted daughter finds birth mother via Facebook; Emotional story inspires new novel

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

T

hree years ago, Barbi Callahan Burris of Milton was at home finishing up her morning routine after getting her two teenage sons out the door for school. She checked her email and noticed a message from Facebook saying she had a “friend request” from someone named Catherine Janelle Barbee.

The name was not familiar, although whenever Burris came across the name Janelle, her heart skipped a beat, remembering the baby girl she had given birth to over twenty years ago, also named Janelle, meaning “precious gift from God.” A single, 23-year-old woman at the time, Burris had made the difficult choice to place Janelle for an “anonymous adoption by a hand-chosen family,” hoping that Janelle’s new, loving home would provide a firmer foundation than she, Burris, could offer at that point in time.

Barbi Callahan Burris While investigating her new friend request, Burris noticed that Catherine Janelle Barbee was also listed as a friend of Patti Callahan Henry, Burris’ sister.

Henry, a New York Times bestselling author with a large fan following on Facebook, didn’t recognize the name when Burris questioned her about their mutual “friend.”

When Henry visited Catherine’s page and learned that she was a 21-year-old college student in Pennsylvania, a little red flag went up in Henry’s mind, but she didn’t want to upset Burris unnecessarily.

She instead turned to younger sister, Jeannie Cunnion, who confirmed that the birthday listed on Catherine’s Facebook page was in fact the same date and year as the birth date of baby Janelle.

Henry, in tears, immediately called Burris.

“She found you,” Henry whispered.

Burris, stunned, accepted the friend 10 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

KATIE VANBRACKLE

For me, it’s a story of God’s faithfulness.

And I hope that will bring comfort to others facing the same choice.”

request and went straight to Catherine’s photo page, where she saw a smiling, blonde, blue-eyed young woman.

“And I knew that I knew,” said Burris.

Communication soon flowed between Burris, Catherine and her adoptive family, the Barbees of Pennsylvania.

Burris learned that Catherine, who has always known she was adopted, had stumbled across her old adoption papers while searching for cell phone records in her father’s office. The Wite-Out used to cover her birth mother’s name had flaked away over the years, revealing the name Barbara Jean Callahan.

A quick Google search revealed lots of information on Patti Callahan Henry, who had once dedicated a book to her sister, thereby linking the two names online. After “friending” Henry, Catherine located her birth mother among the list of Henry’s online friends.

Burris says the strong faith of Colleen Barbee, Catherine’s mother, gave Barbee the courage to help her daughter track down her birth mother.

“The three of us all shared our hearts and were very open and honest about our excitement as well as our fears,” said Burris who soon flew to Pennsylvania to meet the Barbee family and reconnect with Catherine Janelle.

In time, Catherine’s birth father was also brought into the picture and today, the Burris and Barbee families remain in close touch, with frequent visits.

All involved agreed that the remarkable tale would make a great novel, but when Henry tried to write the nonfiction story, she wasn’t pleased with the result.

“It just didn’t work,” said Henry. “I was too close to the subject. So Barbi told me to do what I do best and fictionalize the story.”

The result is “And Then I Found You,” Henry’s 9th novel, which is inspired by, but not based on her sister’s life.

Through the emotional, fictional story of heroine Kate Vaughn and childhood love Jack Adams, Henry addresses the complexities of adoption from both sides of the coin, with Vaughn discovering that in order to move forward, she must first make peace with her past. Reviewers are praising the new novel as Henry’s “most personal and powerful story to date.”

Readers who are intrigued by the true story which sets the stage for “And Then I Found You,” can download “Friend Request,” an e-original short non-fiction story co-written by Burris and Henry and covering the unforgettable true events of just one day: April 20, 2010, when Burris received her Facebook friend request from Catherine Janelle.

After working on “Friend Request,” Burris felt compelled to write the complete story of Janelle’s birth, adoption and rediscovery in her own words, a project she

Sisters Patti Callahan Henry and Barbi Callahan Burris were guests at an author event held at Gibbs Gardens in April.

is working on slowly, as most of her time is currently spent raising two active teenage sons and working full time as a flight attendant.

Though sharing such an intensely personal experience from her past with the public is not an easy thing for Burris to do, she hopes that her story will help others going through or considering an adoption.

“For me, it’s a story of God’s faithfulness,” she said. “And I hope that will bring comfort to others facing the same choice.”

Friend Request

By Patti Callahan Henry with Barbi Callahan Burris A 22-page, short e-story, detailing the true events of one unforgettable day: April 20, 2010, when Barbi Callahan Burris received a Facebook friend request from the daughter she had placed for adoption twenty-one years before.

And Then I Found You

By Patti Callahan Henry A fictional novel inspired by the true events detailed in “Friend Request.”

When Kate Vaughn discovers the small velvet box hidden in devoted boyfriend Rowan’s drawer, she panics. Just when she believes she can love, she’s filled with dread.

Kate understands that a woman can never undo what can never be undone. Yet for the first time in her life she also knows that she won’t fully love until she confronts those from her past. It’s time to act. Can she do it? Can she travel to the place where it all began, to the one who shares her secret? Can the lost ever be found? ■

CALLING ALL book clubs on the northside!

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Email editor Katie VanBrackle at katie@northsidewoman.com.

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women in art

Arts Alliance board members are, from left, Margarita Moldovan, Kitty Garrison,Sue Haggerty, Joan Compton, Dorota Lato and Linda Johnson. Not pictured: Gail Hisle.

Arts Alliance of Johns Creek says art matters Goal to make city center for art, music, dance, theater

Arts Alliance of Johns Creek Johns Creek Arts Center has since 1996 provided quality art classes, workshops and camps. Its mission is to inspire artistic development for youth and adults.

6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Bldg. 700 • 770-623-8448

STORY & PHOTOS

By HATCHER HURD

hatcher@northsidewoman.com

B

efore there was a city of Johns Creek, there were the arts in Johns Creek. Dance, fine art, music and theater not only stimulate the mind but help create an awareness of place that is Johns Creek.

With the city’s incorporation, the arts have continued to grow – nurtured by seven women who have set as a mission to promote all of the visual, performing and cultural arts to raise the quality of life in the Johns Creek area. The seven women who came together to create the Arts Alliance of Johns Creek are already full-time administrators of their individual nonprofit arts organizations with all the headaches and responsibilities that they entail. They are: • Sue Haggerty, executive director of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, • Kitty Garrison, executive director of Atlanta Dance Theater, • Margarita Moldovan, artistic director of Performing Arts North, • Dorota Lato, president and founder of Chopin Society of Atlanta, • Gail Hisle, executive director of the Johns Creek Art Center, • Joan Compton, Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center Board vice president, • Linda Johnson, founder and president of Johns Creek Beautification Inc. These women are the backbone of the organizations that are raising arts consciousness in the community.

Five years ago, these ladies came together to form the Arts Alliance and play off the synergies that would create a common identity for the Johns Creek area as a center for the arts.

“There was a flurry of meetings, ideas and action to make this come together,” 12 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

said the JC Symphony’s Haggerty who also chairs the Arts Alliance. “Everybody is already so busy running a viable organization. But we see opportunities that will allow all arts organizations to become stronger.”

Garrison of Atlanta Dance Theater agrees. It is a way to promote all the arts, she said. That led to the Arts Alliance Village with all of the arts under one tent at Arts on the Creek last year.

“As we grow stronger together, the more visibility we have – and the louder our voice becomes,” said Chopin Society’s Lato.

Another catalyst for the arts, the Alliance Board, has been the emergence of the Verizon Amphitheatre, which gives all of North Fulton legitimacy as an arts center.

“But that still points to a big hole for all of us. We need a performing arts center, we all need a venue,” said Moldovan, of Performing Arts North.

Nevertheless, the Arts Alliance has become a force in the community. The board members, all women, were asked why that was so?

Moldovan said it is that nurturing instinct that continues on even after the children go on to college.

“Women roll up their sleeves when a job needs doing. It’s a PTA thing,” said Haggerty.

The arts are a male-dominated field.

But the organizations that support them are driven by “amazing women who do a lot with a little money, and do it quickly,” said Haggerty.

Meanwhile, these ladies continue to hunt around for venues and scrape for nickels and dimes to keep the lights turned on and the tickets printed. They're driven to succeed. “This is our legacy.

That is our motivation for doing this,” said Johnson of Johns Creek Beautification. ■

Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra

brings a variety of the best symphonic music performed at the highest possible professional level to Johns Creek. Since its inaugural season in 2007, the orchestra has presented four concerts per season with an ensemble of 45 professional musicians from the metro Atlanta.

678-748-5802 • info@johnscreeksymphony.org

The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve

and Heritage Center has 46 acres of woodlands and trails. It serves the community as a cultural resource with historic buildings, heritage gardens, Native American dwellings, an oral history project and research into past area inhabitants. Programming includes art and heritage exhibits, classes and festivals.

9770 Autrey Mill Road • 678-366-3511 • autreymill@bellsouth.net

North Atlanta Dance Theatre was founded in

1998 by Michael and Kitty Garrison. It has since expanded into a semi-professional organization by utilizing the services of guest artists and with the development of a professional freelance resident artist program. NADT presents two performances a year – “The Nutcracker” in December and a spring performance.

10960 State Bridge Road • 770-772-8000 • northatlantad658@bellsouth.net

Performing Arts North is a collection of theater companies (The Shakespeare Studio, Curtain Climbers and the MAN Presents) dedicated to bringing professional theater and art to metro Atlanta.

It also offers classes in directing, lighting, costuming, sound, stage management, house management, set design and makeup.

10945 State Bridge Road, Suite 401293 • 770-781-4534 Admin@PerformingArtsNorth.org

The Chopin Society of Atlanta was established in

2000 as a nonprofit for the promotion of music, culture and the arts in metro Atlanta. Its goal is to generate understanding and appreciation of Frederick Chopin’s music and its influence on piano performance and compositions.

404-245-6133 • info@chopinatlanta.org

John Creek Beautification is a nonprofit

dedicated to enhancing and preserving the natural beauty in the city’s common areas and public space through landscaping installations, environmental preservation and public works of art.

5805 State Bridge Road, Suite G-99 • ourboard@johnscreekbeautification.org

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may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 13

unsung‘she’ro

Making her ‘second act’ meaningful

Trudy Davies uses her crown to inspire other cancer survivors

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

T

rudy Davies is defying the idea that “there are no second acts in American life.”

With apologies to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Davies would like to disagree. Five years ago, on the other end of a phone call, Davies heard the three words most dreaded to women, “you have cancer.”

“Needless to say, it was the shock of my life,” said Davies, a lifelong Georgian who has lived in Roswell for 30 years. “I was at work and the doctor called and said, ‘Trudy, honey, it’s cancer.’ I honestly didn’t hear a word she said after that.”

At the time, Davies was a single mother of two teenagers, the sole financial provider and caregiver. But her church and friends rallied around her, and helped her family through the next 18 months.

“I know we hold the Guinness book of world records for the most meals delivered to a home,” she said, laughing. “My friends even set up a fund to offset the enormous financial burden that battling stage 3 breast

cancer can be. People we didn’t even know contributed to the fund. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.”

Today, a four-year survivor of breast cancer and a former trauma nurse, she works to give back what she has received. Davies is a vocal activist in the fight for breast cancer awareness and cure. She will serve as the honorary chairperson for the Race for the Cure over Mother’s Day weekend, as well as the Quilted Northern’s Soft and Strong Champion for the race.

In March, Davies was handed an even higher platform from which to spread the message. She was crowned the 2013 Mrs. Georgia International, and her message during her year-long reign will focus on helping women maintain their self-esteem while battling breast cancer.

“My platform chose me,” said Davies, who was also Mrs. Georgia of the Year in 2001 as well as America’s Mrs. of the Year in 2001. “My goal is to give hope to women and their families battling breast cancer and equip women with [tools] to maintain a sense of dignity throughout the battle.”

Last year, Davies founded the Image Academy, a full-service imaging

company that helps women reach their full potential through consulting and professional development. She also works part-time for a reconstructive and plastic surgeon in Buckhead. In between, Davies and her husband, Jefferson, find time to be parents to six sons and six grandchildren.

“I’m not sure I have many ‘typical’ days because of all the different hats I wear,” said Davies. “When a person has been given a second chance at life, they probably push themselves a little harder.”

Her husband is the silver lining in her battle with breast cancer. The two were dating when she received her diagnosis, and instead of cancer driving them apart, it brought them closer.

“Jefferson proposed to me in the hospital after my first surgery for breast cancer,” said Davies. “I was in the hospital bed with bandages and IVs everywhere. Even the doctors and nurses were crying. He kept telling me that we still have a lot of life to live.”

As she looks down the road and where she sees herself in 10 years, her answer is simply, “Alive…and that’s enough for me.” ■

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unsung‘she’ro

Shelley Middleton is a 2012 Pink Power Mom Honored as an inspiring breast cancer survivor

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

S

helley Middleton of Alpharetta has been selected a 2012 Pink Power Mom, and will receive $5,000 to use toward breast cancer research for the Atlanta chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Middleton was one of seven women from across the nation who were selected as Pink Power Moms from among 375 nominees — the most nominees ever submitted in the program’s six-year history.

Middleton, who was nominated by a friend, was honored for her bravery in the struggle against breast cancer, as well as for her efforts to help others join the fight against breast cancer. She has participated in multiple breast cancer walks and marathons, and her team, “Nancy’s Angels,” named in memory of her mother, has raised more than $75,000 for breast cancer research over the past seven years.

Middleton, the mother of triplets, was featured in the October 2012 edition of Northside Woman. There she describes her diagnosis of breast cancer just days

16 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

OCTOBER 2012

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Above: Shelley Middelton with a $5,000 check for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Right: Middleton and her three children— Griffin, Ashton and Hall—on the cover of the October 2012 Northside Woman.

after her wedding at age 27. To read the article, visit northsidewoman.com/ grateful-for-each-day.

“The (Northside Woman) article answered my prayer and became an amazing reality,” said Middleton. “My prayer was to reach out to our community, and the article brought awareness to this disease and encouraged those fighting their own battle.” ■

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goodeats

Chef Michael Maliska, right, teaches students how to make a variety of tasty wraps.

That’s a

Wrap Practicing the culinary arts in Alpharetta STORY & PHOTOS By KATIE VanBRACKLE katie@northsidewoman.com

C

ooking is an art requiring patience and practice. Like any creative endeavor, it often helps to take a class or two to learn new techniques, try new materials and meet others who share your passion.

Mother and daughter duo Hellen Brown and Delynn James of Johns Creek recently attended a Thursday night “That’s a Wrap!” class at the Publix Aprons Cooking School in Alpharetta, where they joined four other women in making a variety of flavorful wrap sandwiches.

“My daughter is actually the better cook,” admitted Brown. “I’m just along for the fun.”

Three resident chefs lead 30 or so cooking classes each month at the Publix at Alpharetta Commons, 4305 State Bridge Road, teaching students proper techniques, sharing a wide variety of recipes and hosting special guest appearances by local and national celebrity chefs and cookbook authors such as Paula Deen, Kevin Gillespie and Iron Chef Michael Symon.

Students can choose hands-on classes where they do 18 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

1. Grilled Vegetable & Mozzarella Wrap with pesto SERVES 4

the cooking themselves, or demonstration classes where participants relax, sip wine and simply observe while the chef does the work and answers questions. Course offerings are listed online at www.publix.com/aprons/schools/Alpharetta/ Calendar.do.

For Natalia Davis of Cumming, a bonus of the “That’s a Wrap!” class was the opportunity to try out new cookware and kitchen gizmos in the well-stocked Publix kitchen.

“With food preparation, the right tool can make all the difference,” she said.

Frequent cooking class attendee Sandra Miller of Marietta brought along her sister Linda Worley and sister-inlaw Alice Miller, both visiting from Arkansas.

Chef Michael Maliska wasted no time in putting the ladies to work chopping veggies, toasting pine nuts, grilling chicken, making hummus and assembling wraps.

Maliska believes cooking is a bridge that can bring people together, and sure enough, by the end of his two-hour class, the six women were laughing and joking together like old friends.

As the students tasted the fruits of their labor, James proclaimed the grilled mahi-mahi lettuce wrap with roasted corn salsa and cilantro lime vinaigrette “fantastic” while Brown applauded the “great taste” of the grilled veggie and mozzarella wrap. Sandra Miller couldn’t decide which she liked best, so she took home extras of everything.

Maliska enjoys serving wraps as a popular, tasty and convenient choice for spring picnics and summer poolside dining.

“Any time you can walk around and eat and still have a spare hand free, it’s a good thing,” he said.

• • • • • • • • •

2 yellow squash, sliced ½-inch thick, lengthwise 2 zucchini, sliced ½-inch thick, lengthwise 1 eggplant, sliced ½-inch thick, lengthwise ½ cup pesto, divided Salt and pepper to taste 4 (8-inch) flour tortillas 2 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled and julienned 8 slices fresh mozzarella Pesto, recipe follows

Preheat grill on high. In a large bowl, toss first three ingredients with ½ cup pesto, salt and pepper.

Place vegetables on grill and cook two minutes on each side.

Remove from grill. Spread remaining pesto on tortillas. Place one slice of each vegetable onto the middle of the tortilla. Next add 1 ounce red pepper and top with two slices mozzarella. Wrap tortilla tightly. Place wraps on grill for 30 seconds on each side, remove from grill and serve.

Pesto: • ½ cup pine nuts • 3 garlic cloves, peeled • 2 cups basil leaves, stems removed • ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated • 1 cup olive oil Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pine nuts and toast until golden brown. Keep pan moving to ensure even cooking.

Place garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until finely minced. Add basil and pulse until minced. Add Parmigiano and oil. Pulse until well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

goodeats

2

3

4 2. Grilled Mahi-Mahi Lettuce Wrap with roasted corn salsa & cilantro lime vinaigrette SERVES 6 • • • • • • • • • •

6 limes, zested and juiced 1 cup sugar 1 cup apple cider vinegar Salt, to taste 4-8 ounces canola oil 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped fine 1 pound mahi-mahi, sliced into 1.5-inch thick slices Salt and pepper to taste 12 Bibb lettuce leaves 2 cups roasted corn and black bean salsa, recipe follows

Preheat grill on high. Place zest, sugar and vinegar into a small saucepot. Place over high heat, bring to a boil and reduce by half or to a syrup-like consistency. Remove from heat, transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. Add lime juice and whisk in oil in small increments until desired balance of oil to acidity is achieved. Add cilantro. Season with salt to taste and reserve in refrigerator until ready to use. Stir well before each use.

Season mahi with salt and pepper. Grill three minutes on each side or until done. Remove from grill. Allow to cool slightly. Place two pieces of mahi on each lettuce leaf and top with vinaigrette. Spoon corn salsa over fish and serve.

Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salsa: Makes about 3 cups • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 4 ears of corn, roasted and cut from cob 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 1 sweet onion, peeled and diced ½ cup cilantro, stemmed and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder 1 tablespoon oregano 1 lime, juiced 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to develop flavors. Refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.

3. Grilled Chicken Wrap with tabbouleh & hummus SERVES 6 • • • • • • • •

8 ounces bulgur wheat 1 bunch Italian parsley, chopped 1 small red onion, chopped fine 1 large tomato, diced fine 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 ounces olive oil 1 ounce lemon juice Salt and pepper

• • •

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed 6 (8-inch) tortilla wraps 3 cups hummus, recipe follows

Preheat grill on high. Place the bulgur wheat into a large mixing bowl and add warm water to cover. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand until all of the water is absorbed, about 30-40 minutes. Drain off any excess water; the bulgur should be dry. Mix in parsley, onion, tomato, garlic, olive oil and lemon. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Chill.

Season chicken with salt and pepper and grill 10-12 minutes, or until 165 degrees. Cool slightly; cut into bitesized pieces. Toss with tabbouleh.

Spread about ½ cup of hummus on each wrap, spoon about ½ cup of prepared tabbouleh on the lower third of the wrap. Wrap tightly and serve.

Hummus: Makes about 4 cups • • • • • • • • •

6 garlic cloves 2 (15-ounce) cans chick peas, drained 1/3 cup tahini, well stirred ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, or to taste ½ cup olive oil, or to taste ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley leaves 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1 tablespoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor, puree garlic with chick peas, tahini, lemon juice and ¼ cup oil, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until the hummus is smooth. Add remaining ingredients and puree until smooth. Add water and oil if necessary to thin the hummus to the desired consistency and season the hummus to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps SERVES 4 • • • •

½ cup dark soy sauce 3 tablespoons fish sauce 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 pound skirt steak, trimmed

Vinaigrette: • 2 ounces fresh lime juice • 5 small scallions, sliced on a bias • 5 tablespoons fish sauce • 2 Thai chilies, minced • 2 tablespoons brown sugar Salad: • 1 medium tomato, julienned • 1 European cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeds removed and sliced on a bias • ½ red onion, julienned • ½ cup chopped cilantro leaves • 8 Bibb lettuce leaves Preheat grill on high. Combine soy sauce, fish sauce and garlic in a bowl or zip-top bag. Add steak and marinate for one hour. In a large bowl, mix lime juice, scallions, fish sauce, chiles and sugar; stir to dissolve the sugar. Adjust seasoning, if necessary. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.

Remove steak from marinade and drain off excess.

From top to bottom: Linda Worley, left, and Natalia Davis slice roasted red peppers. Delynn James, left, and Alice Miller fry onions for a roast beef wrap. Sandra Miller, left, and Hellen Brown assemble roasted vegetable wraps.

Place steak on grill and cook for about three minutes on each side or until desired doneness is achieved. Remove from grill and allow to rest for five minutes. Slice meat into 2-inch sections, slicing with the grain, then slice each section across the grain into thin slices.

In a small bowl, toss beef, tomato, cucumber, red onion and cilantro leaves with vinaigrette. Serve on tops of Bibb lettuce leaves. ■ may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 19

girlfriends' getaway

Day of pampering is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day Chateâu Élan aims to be destination spa for metro area

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

I

COURTESY OF CHÂTEAU ÉLAN

t’s been nearly 20 years since I visited Château Élan in Braselton for a weekend getaway with my husband.

And after an afternoon spent at the spa, I wonder why I waited so long to return.

Much is the same….the beautiful setting, the impeccable service, the attention to detail that Château Élan has embodied since opening in 1982 as a winery and golfing destination. But what brought me back for a quick day trip was the Spa at Château Élan, which opened in 1992, and which recently underwent a $3 million renovation.

I brought my husband with me for the day, luring him away from Monday morning business fires with the promise of lunch and a full-body massage, while I would indulge in a much needed facial. But our wonderful host, Doug Rollins, vice president for sales and marketing at Château Élan, arranged a “couples retreat” so both of us could get the services together.

► See CHÂTEAU, Page 22 Top: The couples treatment room. Bottom: The Spa at Château Élan overlooks the lake and gazebo.

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girlfriends' getaway

I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never had a massage before, preferring to pound out my stress on a keyboard, but I was ready to expand my horizons. Eddie, my husband, was a bit more reluctant on the facial, and questioned whether his man card was in jeopardy!

(Although Eddie was one of the few men in the spa on a Monday afternoon, our aesthetician said men comprise a large number of the spa clients and promised he would enjoy the experience. He did.)

Before heading to our appointments, we stopped for lunch in the spa restaurant, Fleur-de-Lis, one of nine restaurants on the Château Élan property. The spa restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, and offers a wide option of menu items—most well under 500 calories- and prepared with fresh ingredients.

Upon the recommendation of our server, Erica, we tried the restaurant specialty, crab cakes as well as the baby greens salad with salmon. Since we were at Georgia’s largest winery, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sample their house chardonnay.

Despite the limited calories and emphasis on healthy selections, our lunches were delicious and plentiful. We barely had room for the chocolate mousse, served in a martini glass and a perfect end to the meal at only 229 calories.

During lunch we noticed we were the only couple in street clothes, with every other table seated with women lounging in

TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF CHÂTEAU ÉLAN; OTHERS: CANDY WAYLOCK

▼ CHÂTEAU, Continued from Page 20

Top left: One of 14 spa suites available for overnight guests at Château Élan. Bottom left: The spa waiting room.

Right: The crabcakes are a specialty at the Fleur de Lis cafe at the spa.

robes and slippers. Erica, explained most clients stay overnight, changing into spa robes upon arrival and going from service to service within the spa facility. How perfect?

The spa is spread out over three floors, with 14 guest suites and 35 treatment rooms, along with whirlpools, saunas, lounging rooms and other areas, leaving few reasons to venture outside the building during your stay.

In addition to massages and skin care, the spa offers a variety of other treatments including body wraps, detoxifications, health and fitness and nail care. Packages are available, and Rollins mentioned there are weekday savings if you prefer to avoid

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the busy weekends.

After lunch it was downstairs to the couple’s treatment room to receive our massages. Slipping into warm sheets with the scent of eucalyptus, and surrounded by burning candles and soft music, I completely forgot about kids, carpools, deadlines and the phone calls I had to return.

While I enjoyed the massage, I loved the facial at our next appointment. The spa uses a product specifically developed for them, using ingredients found in wine to create the facial products. The end result is a unique experience that left my skin looking and feeling beautiful for days.

The spa experience was enhanced by

the staff who are determined to ensure a relaxing, stress free experience for their clients. This client-centered approach is evident from the gentleman who parked our car, to the lobby staff, to those who perform the treatments.

The Spa at Château Élan is less than an hour from North Fulton, just minutes from the Mall of Georgia in Gwinnett, but seemingly days and miles away from suburban sprawl. The Spa at Château Élan aims to be the premier destination spa in the Atlanta area. From my relaxed and glowing vantage point, I think it hits the mark.

For more information about the Spa at Château Élan, visit ChateauElan.com. ■

may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 23

women in business

Soap artist Karin Collins at the 2012 Holiday Bazaar at Milton High School.

Celebrity Soaps Local artist creates ‘Water Lilies’ for the Cannes Film Festival

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

W

hen glamorous international film stars flock to Cannes, France this month for the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival, Karin Collins of Milton will be paying close attention.

Not necessarily as an avid film fan, but rather as a local soap maker with a special connection to this year’s world-famous event.

What does soap have to do with Leonardo DiCaprio, star of Cannes’ opening film, “The Great Gatsby,” you might ask?

It is likely that DiCaprio and many other celebrities visiting Cannes will receive a gift basket from the Artisan Group, an art promotions group representing artisans at Hollywood’s best celebrity gift lounges at events such as the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards.

Among other handcrafted items such as jewelry, scarves and paintings, each Artisan Group basket sent to France will contain a colorful bar of “Water Lilies”

24 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

(above) glycerin soap created by Collins specifically for the Cannes Film Festival.

“I wanted to try something new with a French theme,” said Collins, who drew inspiration from French impressionist painter Claude Monet and his famous water lily paintings. The blue bar soap contains vivid blocks of green, lavender, pink and yellow floating like lilies in a serene pond.

“Water Lilies” is not the first of Collins’ soaps to be received by celebrities.

Her “Champagne Kisses” (next page, far right) soap was presented to Renée Zellweger as a birthday gift. Brandi

Glanville of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” was given a whimsical pink-swirled soap entitled “Don’t Get Your Panties in a Twist” (right).

Collins discovered the Artisan Group through Facebook and said it has become a valuable networking tool connecting her with over 700 other artists across the nation, including several from North Fulton.

While the celebrity connections are fun, Collins spends most of her time close to home selling her paraben-free and phthalate-free glycerin soaps at festivals, bazaars and farmers markets here in North Fulton.

women in business

She enjoys the challenge of pairing colors, shapes and fragrances to create a wide variety of eye-catching soaps, ranging from elegant flowers and striking modern art designs to whimsical glaze-covered doughnuts, tennis rackets and slices of cake. “The possibilities are endless and it’s great fun to play with new ideas,” said Collins.

Look for Collins’ The Lost Arts soap booth at the Brookwood Farmers Market at Caney Creek Preserve in the South Forsyth/Johns Creek area beginning May 17— brookwoodfarmersmarket.com. For your own personal Hollywood connection, you can order a bar of the Cannes Film Festival “Water Lilies” soap from The Lost Arts website, thelostarts.storenvy.com. ■

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herhealth and just might make your partner more willing to take on additional tasks. Bonus!

2. Breathe deeply

Slow, focused, deep breaths in and out increase oxygen levels and improve blood flow, which improves bodily functions. Do 10 – 15 of these throughout the day and you’ll see a noticeable difference in stress levels.

3. Positive visualization

Every morning, take a few minutes and visualize a positive, productive day. Similar to the laws of attraction, what you put out for yourself impacts what you feel and rejuvenates the body.

4. Stretch

Time out for busy moms

Tension–relieving tricks for multitasking mothers

By CAROLYN ASPENSON

M

oms don’t get a day off. In fact, moms rarely get a few hours off. Stay-at-home moms and working moms alike experience stress that, if not alleviated, can cause long-term damage. Damage like heart disease, risk of stroke and yes, even cancer.

Of course, a proper diet and exercise program and getting at least seven hours of sleep are the key factors to stress reduction, but we live in the real world and the real

world doesn’t always play nice.

There are other ways to help reduce stress. The next time you’re feeling the pressure, consider trying these:

1. Short bursts of exercise

No time to go to the gym? No problem. Spend five or 10 minutes squatting, lunging or even doing jumping jacks. Something to get blood circulating and to release feel-good endorphins relieves stress and instantly improves moods. A “quickie” will have a similar result,

A few head rolls (never back, always to the sides and forward), shoulder, upper back stretches and anything to elongate your torso will provide instant relief and improve flexibility. A few of these each morning and whenever possible throughout the day can perform miracles.

5. Hydrate

Dehydration causes headaches, bloating, tight muscles and a many other medical issues. Increased water intake improves body functions. Once your body is in a constant state of hydration, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

Remember, stress is the cause of several physical and emotional ailments, but practicing a few simple yet effective tension-relieving tricks can minimize current damage and even halt potential issues. ■ Carolyn has been a fitness and nutrition enthusiast for over 15 years. She holds certifications from nationally recognized organizations in both fitness and nutrition. She can be reached at craspen@comcast.net.

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herstyle

Cute suits!

Choosing the right swimwear for summer fun in the sun

By LORI WYNNE

fashionwithflair.com

H

ey, all you Southern gals! Will you be spending time in the pool, lake, boat, river or ocean this summer? I hear a resounding, “Yes!” For the few of you who said a dreaded, “No,” with a shudder, is it because you don’t have a swimsuit that makes you feel confident and secure?

Perhaps you have many suits, but do you have the right one for the activity? ► Sporty tankinis with a modest skirt or boyshorts for boating with your teenage son’s friends, or mom/toddler day at the pool. ► Fashionably sleek one- or two-piece with matching cover-up for lounging on the deck of a cruise ship. ► Rash guard shirt and board shorts for kayaking or whitewater rafting on one of the many North Georgia rivers.

One of the most frustrating things to shop for is women’s swimsuits. Let’s face it; the lighting in most store dressing rooms is awful.

The mirrors may not give the right view or maybe TOO MANY views.

28 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

Black Label Boutique’s Camilla Franks suits and kaftans.

Here are my online suggestions for shopping for swim and beachwear this year:

Lands End has cute and modest swimwear that lasts. Go to http://www. landsend.com/ for that perfect “family boating day” swimsuit. You will feel confident knowing that you are securely covered while tubing, hauling gear in and out of the boat or going down the waterslide.

Athleta has many coordinating tops and bottoms to create your own personalized look in your individual size even if you are a different size on top and bottom. Go to http://www.athleta. com/ for two-piece suits and rash guard tops and bottoms that are feminine and fun. A must have for “Adventure Barbie” whitewater kayaking on the river or long boarding in the Caribbean.

Black Label Boutique carries a line of distinctive cover-ups for the fashionably elite: http://www.blacklabelboutique.com/camilla/. Worn by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Gwen Stefani, Camilla kaftans are colorful and sure to make a statement at the finer resorts you visit.

Tips for shopping online for suits: Check sizing charts, know the difference between regular, short and long torso suits and read customer reviews. Take advantage of free return shipping

or in-store return policy.

Tips for trying on suits at home: Try them on in the morning when you feel fresh and thinner. Wear high heels. I am not joking. Your legs will look longer and give you a more positive perspective about your body and the suit.

Complete the outfit with coordinating coverup, hat, statement sunglasses and sandals. (This is where you are supposed to wear flip-flops: not the mall, restaurant, office or church.)

Ladies, I dare you to wear high-heeled sandals

Left: Lands End Women’s Beach Living V-neck Solid Tankini and Batik Mini Skirt in Deep Sea ($34, $39) with Solid Sun Hat in white ($29).

Right: V-neck Wave Tankini and Solid Mini Skirt in Buttercup ($39, $34)

herstyle

with your cruise ship suit. Where else can you get away with it? Those other cruisers will never see you again. Your legs will look long and fabulous while you strut on the promenade deck like a pageant queen.

Final tips: If you find a suit that makes you feel and look fabulous, buy it! Cost doesn’t matter when it comes to your self-confidence. A drawer full of cheap suits that you don’t wear is worthless. A swimsuit that makes you look and feel like a million bucks: Priceless. ■ ▼ As a personal wardrobe consultant and owner of Alpharetta-based Fashion With Flair, Lori Wynne’s expert advice helps people look their personal best. Contact her at fashionwithflair.com.

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herbeauty

Beauty wisdom from MOM never grows old

By CYNTHIA MORRISON EIKE Visage Design by Cynthia, LLC

A

s we celebrate mothers this May, I am gratefully reminded of the beauty example my European mother has always been for me. Even at 80 years old, she is still the most beautiful woman I know, and my most inspirational beauty icon. Here are some of her timeless beauty tips:

► Always wash your face nightly. The

busiest of moms can follow this tip by keeping premoistened cleansing cloths on hand. Neutrogena’s Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes 25 count ($8) effectively dissolves all traces of dirt, oil and makeup – even waterproof mascara – for clean, fresh skin in one easy step. Even new moms have no excuse not to wash up. Baby wipes are a staple around the house and serve double duty as gentle face cloths for us. Try Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Baby Wipes ($6) for both you and baby.

►

A sparkling, sincere smile is your best

accessory. Keep your teeth white and smile healthy by adding some baking soda to your toothpaste occasionally.

Many brands have incorporated it into their tubes but in insufficient quantities to make much difference. Dip your pre-pasted toothbrush into a container of Arm and

Hammer Baking soda ($1) and brush at least twice a week; more if you’re a coffee, tea and red wine drinker.

► The right shade of red lipstick solves all problems. Enhance those pearly whites with a flattering shade of red. Even the fairest skin tones look poised and “put together” in a shade like Bobbi Brown’s Burnt Red ($24). For extra teeth and smile enhancing, try Cover Girl LipPerfection Lip Color in Tempt ($7). Smile at yourself after putting it on; it really helps!

► Model yourself after someone you admire and respect. I admire and respect my mother more than anyone in the world and aspire to be such for my daughters by the time I grow up. In the meantime, the words of Audrey Hepburn sum up my mother’s (and my) philosophy about beauty: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others.

For beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness, and for poise, walk with the knowledge you are never alone.” —Audrey Hepburn

► Wear perfume even if you’re the only one who will smell it. Fragrance is scientifically proven to affect our mood for good or bad. Spritz yourself with your favorite fragrance anytime you need a lift or indulge in nostalgia by wearing one associated with pleasant memories. (I get a virtual hug every time I smell my mother’s favorite perfume.)

Cynthia has been a makeup artist for more than 25 years. She provides consulting and makeup application services through Visage Designs by Cynthia. Contact her at visagedesigns@gmail.com.

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herhealth

Almost summer…

finally

By DEBBIE KEEL

North Fulton Hospital CEO

I

admit it. This is a public apology. I was the reason that our coldest days of the winter, complete with blustery north winds and freezing rain, came AFTER Easter. Duh…weren’t we supposed to start wearing our summer clothes that week?

It’s clear to me now. My friends told me this when I moved here, but I didn’t listen. You see, I took my winter coats and scarves to the cleaner right BEFORE Easter. Sort of like washing your car causing the biggest rainfall of the year.

But now it’s May, and we’ve had a gradual warming ever since. The shorts and sandals are out in force, at least at a recent Keel clan gathering. So, it’s not too early to give your family some summer safety reminders:

1. Stock up on suntan lotion, and

use it early (yes, you can get sunburned even if it’s still a little cool outside) and often. As you can see, I had three blond, blue-eyed carbon copies of my husband

32 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

Keel summer family gatherings involve plenty of suntan lotion, water and sunglasses.

(and now they have re-prints of their own) so I bought and used suntan lotion by the gallon.

Also, be sure the lotion you have left over isn’t expired – yes, suntan lotion does expire. Some lotions have an expiration date, but many lose their effectiveness after a year. If you store your lotion in a hot place, it is more likely to be less effective.

2. Drink plenty of fluids…excluding sodas, of course. How about good, old fashioned water? Every system in your

body depends on it. It doesn’t even have to be in a bottle, but could come right out of your tap.

3. Protect your eyes. You only have

two (except moms who have been known to have “eyes in the back of their head” to see what their kids are doing). You don’t have to spend $300 on a pair of sunglasses to do this. Just be sure they have an ultraviolet protection, preferably 100 percent UV protection. Also, children need UV protection even more than adults.

These are just three things to

remember. I didn’t even include things like “Be nice to your kids ‘cause they will be back in school before you know it,” or “Yes, you should have been a teacher so you’d have the summer off!”

Oh, and one more, in the words of Henry James, “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ■

takefive

Explore the arts!

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

1. Wheel pottery (Roswell)

Explore form and surface in a demonstration-based atmosphere while learning to wedge, center and throw basic forms such as mugs, bowls and vases. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., June 4 – July 10. $200 for Roswell residents, $300 for nonresidents. Arts Center West, 1355 Woodstock Road, Roswell. www.RoswellClayCollective.com

2. Belly dance (Roswell)

Belly dance is based on natural body movements and is a thorough

e id h fi v e n o r t

W

ho says kids are the only ones who get to play?

Try something new this summer with a wide variety of adult art and dance classes offered through local city parks and recreation programs. From ballroom dancing to pet portrait painting, you’ll find something to get your creative juices flowing. Sign up now for summer classes and have fun exploring the arts!

TA

katie@northsidewoman.com

KE

5

a si d s & t e w ips for o men

and effective exercise for every part of the body. Foundational movements such as hip circles, snake arms and shimmies will be introduced. Ages 15 and up. Mondays, 7 – 8 p.m., June 3 – July 29. $72 for Roswell residents, $108 for non-residents. East Roswell Recreation Center, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

3. Painting

(Alpharetta/Milton)

Instructor Maureen Engle will lead hands-on instruction of palette knife painting and brush painting with oil, acrylic and watercolor – you select the medium. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m., from June 4 to July 16.

A supply list will be provided. $100 for residents of Alpharetta or Milton, $150 for non-residents. Alpharetta Arts Center at Crabapple, 12624

Great new things are about to happen at The Red Hound!

Stay tuned...

Broadwell Road, Milton. www.alpharetta.ga.us/recreation

4. Beaded jewelry (Cumming)

Learn how to sew peyote (gourd) stitch and make beaded components to create a bracelet. Also learn stringing and crimping. Tools are provided. $8 supply fee.

Ages 14 and up. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – noon, June 4 – 11. Sharon Springs Park, 1950 Sharon Road, Cumming. $30 for Forsyth County residents, $36 for non-residents. www.forsythco.com/parks

5. East Coast Swing basics

12

5 34

(Cumming)

East Coast Swing can be danced to a variety of music including rock and roll, Big Band and rhythm and blues. This class for new dancers will cover lead and follow, patterns, footwork, partnering and technique.

Singles or couples welcome. Ages 18 and up. Thursdays at 6:15 p.m., June 6 – 27. Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming. $40 for Forsyth County residents, $48 for non-residents. www.forsythco.com/parks ■

...stop in and check out what’s new!

10955 Jones Bridge Rd. | Alpharetta | 678-624-7733

Corner of State Bridge Road & Jones Bridge Road | theredhound.com | Mon-Sat 11am-5pm may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 33

todo

MAY

4

Fourth annual Drake Walk 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. This rain or shine family event follows walking routes of various distances through historic Roswell, followed by a Finish Line Festival with refreshments and family fun, all in support of the Drake House, an emergency housing facility for women and children in crisis. The walk begins in the Roswell United Methodist Church parking lot at the corner of Mimosa Boulevard and Magnolia Street. $15 registration fee, discounts for families and groups. www.thedrakewalk.org

Down Home Derby ▲ 5 p.m. Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with live horses, Bluegrass music, a Blue Ribbon Hat Parade, fabulous food, mint juleps and live and silent auctions at In Your Dreams Farm in Alpharetta during the Down Home Derby, the annual fundraiser for the Children’s Development Association of Georgia, headquartered in Roswell. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased online. In Your Dreams Farm, 17875 Birmingham Highway, Alpharetta. www.cdakids.org

tastes from The Avenue, stroll the beautifully lit grounds, dance under the stars to live music at the Lakeside Pavilion and bid on live and silent auction items.

Tickets are $150 and up. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. www.chattnaturecenter.org

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Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Each Saturday through mid-October. Browse homegrown fruits and vegetables from local farms as well as all natural meats, fresh flowers and plants, desserts, raw honey, homemade soaps, sauces and jellies. City Hall parking lot, Old Canton Street in downtown Alpharetta. www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com

Rock Me Home Paw Jam ▲ 6 – 10 p.m. Join Angels Among Us animal rescue group for a fun night of great bands and great food for a great cause.

Entertainment by Bo Bice, Chris Cauley, Kevin Rowe, ComradeBlue and Victoria Stilwell. Tickets are $50, $25 for kids 12 and under and $100 for special VIP reception where you can mingle with the artists.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. www.angelsrescue.org

8

‘Crazy Sexy Kitchen’ chef demo at Harry’s 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Chef Chad Sarno is the co-author of the best-selling cookbook “Crazy Sexy Kitchen” and the senior culinary educator for Harry’s Farmers Market’s Health Starts Here program. In this Salud Cooking School healthy eating demonstration, Sarno will take seasonal vegetables to a new level with bright presentations. $45. Harry’s Whole Foods, 1180 Upper Hembree Road, Alpharetta. www.wholefoods.com/?saladalpharetta 34 | northsidewoman.com | may2013

18

Taste of Alpharetta ▲ 5 – 10 p.m. Enjoy the largest “Taste of” event in the South, attracting over 50,000 festival-goers each year. Satisfy your taste buds with specialties from more than 60 restaurants. Expect cooking demonstrations, chef competitions, three entertainment stages, art exhibits and a Kids Korner. Free admission, parking and shuttles. $1-3 per food sample. Downtown Alpharetta, 2 South Main St. www.awesomealpharetta.com Shakespeare on the lawn at Barrington Hall 8 p.m. The North Fulton Drama Club presents William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” one of the Bard’s sleeper comedies, a hilariously bawdy romp that sneaks in some thoughtprovoking insights on what’s really happening behind your neighbor’s front doors. General admission is free with a suggested donation of $5. Reserve table seating or bring a picnic and lawn chairs.

Seating begins at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings through May 18 with a special Mother’s Day matinee at 4 p.m. on May 12. Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. www.northfultondramaclub.org

Komen Atlanta Race for the Cure The 2013 Komen Atlanta Race for the Cure will be held at Atlantic Station, 171 17th St., Atlanta. Events will include a 5K run/walk, a one-mile family walk and a Kids for the Cure area. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. $35 for adults and $25 for children. Funds raised will enable women to detect and survive breast cancer. www.komenatlanta.org Tea with Beatrix Potter at Barrington Hall 1 – 3 p.m. Barrington Hall in Roswell will once again welcome beloved children’s author “Beatrix Potter,” portrayed by Atlanta actress Holly Stevenson, as she brings to life her friends Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, Tom Kitten and other characters through storytelling and puppetry. The event in Barrington Hall’s formal garden includes games, a takehome craft, bunnies to pet and afternoon tea. Tickets are $10 per person. Attendance is limited and reservations fill quickly. Call Barrington Hall at 770-640-3855.

Rockin’ at the River Benefit Gala 6:30 – 11 p.m. Enjoy nature, music, food and drink during this benefit gala for the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Sample

17

Jazz Beneath the Stars at Chukkar Farm Time TBA. Atlanta Jazz Party presents “Jazz Beneath the Stars” at Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta. You will hear music in the tradition of Chicago/ New York, BG Quartet, West Coast, New Orleans jazz bands and combos. General admission is $25. Tables for four are $120; tables for eight are $240. Check website to reserve tickets or confirm event details. www.atlantajazzparty.com

12

Colors Festival of the Arts in Roswell ▲ Also on Saturday, May 11.

Celebrate the arts and springtime with the Colors Festival of Arts, presented by the Roswell Jr. Women’s Club. Artists from the Southeast present a dazzling and colorful array of fine arts, original crafts, children’s activities, music and performing arts and a selection of food vendors to help you celebrate Mom’s special day. Historic Town Square, Roswell. www.visitroswellga.com Mother’s Day Open House in Historic Roswell Homes Bring a canned food donation to benefit the North Fulton Food Bank and enjoy free admission to the Southern Trilogy historic sites in Roswell: Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Smith Plantation Home. www.southerntrilogy.com

16

Forsyth County Newcomers and Women’s Club 11 a.m. The Forsyth County Newcomers and Women’s Club holds monthly luncheons on the third Thursday of each month at the Windermere Golf Club, 5000 Davis Love Drive, Cumming.

All women are encouraged to attend.

For more information, email Mary Beth Magallanes at Marybeth.magallanes@ gmail.com. Visit the club website. www.newcomersclubofforsyth.org

Darius Rucker in concert in Alpharetta 7:30 p.m. Darius Rucker, former front man for Hootie and the Blowfish, will perform songs from his second solo country album, “Charleston, S.C. 1966” in a concert with Justin Moore and Jana Kramer. Rucker has been called the most successful African-American country singer since Charley Pride. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. www.vzwamp.com

19

Mutts and More Festival Noon – 6 p.m. Enjoy dog shows, live bands, pets for adoption, arts and crafts, food vendors, bounce houses and a Mutt Strut dog walk, all to raise money for the Humane Society of Forsyth County, a no-kill shelter. Pets are welcome (on a leash of course) to this rain or shine event. Parking and admission are free. Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming. For more information, call 770-887-6480.

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Alpharetta Art in the Park On the last full weekend each month from April through October, look for artists at work creating masterpieces right before your eyes at this outdoor market under the trees in Old Milton Park in downtown Alpharetta, presented by Gallery 35. Combine this event with the Alpharetta Farmers Market to create a fun-filled weekend. Old Milton Park, 35 Milton Ave., Alpharetta.

27

Roswell Remembers Memorial Dayz 11 a.m. Pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes at a Memorial Day ceremony held in the Memorial Gardens at Roswell City Hall, complete with Honor Guard, Color Guard, guest speaker, tribute to all branches of service, laying of the wreath and patriotic music. Afterward, picnic on the grounds or enjoy barbecue available on site. Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St. www.roswellmemorialday.com

Looking Ahead Alpharetta Food Truck Alley every Thursday ▲ 5 – 9 p.m. Kick off the weekend early every Thursday in downtown Alpharetta with a variety of food trucks and music.

Six to eight food trucks will roll out some amazing eats. For more information, call 678-297-6000. Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta. Enter at the corner of Roswell Street down from 37 Old Roswell St. www.alpharetta.ga.us Alive After Five 5 p.m. Come to downtown Roswell for live music, outside vendors and extended retail hours, face painting, free trolley and more.

Canton Street, downtown Roswell. www.aliveafterfiveroswell.com

1

JUNE

Possum Trot 10K and Fun Run The Possum Trot along the Chattahoochee River is an official qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race and is a fast-paced benefit for the Chattahoochee Nature Center. The event also includes a one-mile Fun Run. Register online. chattnaturecenter.org/possum-trot.html Brew Moon Summer Fest 6:30 p.m. Downtown Alpharetta comes alive for this annual beer fest with great food and beverages for purchase. Bring your own chairs or purchase a table. 35 Milton Ave., Alpharetta. www.alpharettabusinessassociation.com

may2013 | northsidewoman.com | 35

36 | northsidewoman.com | may2013