SANDY SPRINGS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ENCORE :: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

SANDY SPRINGS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

JOE

GRANSDEN

Find out why Sandy Springs is his kind of town in an exclusive interview – page 8

October – November – December 2019 | citysprings.com

LA CENERENTOLA Gioachino Rossini

Nov 2, 5, 8, 10, 2019 Cobb Energy Centre

404-881-8885 ATLANTAOPERA.ORG

Welcome!

Oscar Wilde once said, “The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life.”

Welcome to our new stage... and the new life of Encore!

For the past five months, the Encore team has worked tirelessly behind the curtain to create and curate our new look and feel alongside our fabulous director, Debbi Shapiro, and her amazing cast of brand ambassadors at HSP Marketing.

Our goal? To become the defining voice of performing arts in Atlanta. We offer to you, the Atlanta arts patron, a cleaner, crisper, more updated, more relevant version of our previous self – one that is clearly defined and recognizable from afar, one that has a well-defined stage presence.

Our insides have changed, too. No longer will we perform, editorially, in topics outside of the arts. Readers will now find photos and features focused exclusively on celebrating and chronicling the performing arts, and will enjoy arts-focused content on our newly redesigned website.

Across all platforms, Encore is committed to bringing quality content to Atlanta’s arts patrons – from breaking news to backstage stories, and from season announcements to red carpet excitement.

As this new Encore comes to life, we continue to be so grateful to our partners around town, without whom we couldn’t perform at all: The Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta Ballet, The Atlanta Opera, Rialto Center for the Arts and Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

So please join us as we allow our former Encore to take a bow – and help us raise the curtain on the new and improved Encore! We hope you enjoy it – and we hope you enjoy the show!

Brantley Manderson Publisher

The energy of the stage.

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O C T- N OV- D E C 2 0 1 9

L E T T E R F R O M T H E M AYO R Welcome.

V E N U E

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I N F O R M AT I O N

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center Information.

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F E AT U R E Catching Up With Joe Grandsen. .

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Joe brings his extraordinary talent and passion for teaching to Sandy Springs Story and photos by Marla Shavin and Jason Green S E C T I O N S City Springs Conference Center.

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Coming Soon to City Springs. .

Educational Programs. .

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Sandy Springs Dining Guide..

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Page 22

Curiosity Sparked. No Limits.

Now enrolling Preschool-8th grade

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WELCOME to the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs. We envisioned City Springs as a community gathering spot, the place where we meet old friends and make new ones. It is where we weave a diverse community into a tapestry called Sandy Springs.

We have a season planned that is filled with tales that intrigue, excite and entertain. We promise to provide you with a wide array of programming, intended to entice you to come back again and again.

JOIN OUR JOURNEY

William Shakespeare said “the object of art is to give life shape.” A key goal for this facility is shaping the minds of our young people—our future artists and thinkers—through arts education.

Through partnerships with City Springs Theatre Company and the Sandy Springs Arts Foundation, our inaugural season exposed more than 5,000 students to dance, lectures, musical theatre, opera and more. There are several ways you can make a mark in support of arts programming. Further, in this program, you’ll learn about our seat and paver program, and opportunities are available to underwrite or sponsor diversified arts and education programming.

Enjoy the show!

Rusty Paul Mayor, Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

So many ways to save.

Find tools and resources to help save money and energy.

Georgia Power has energy-saving tips on everything from controlling airflow to adding weatherstripping. Plus you’ll have access to resources like Online Energy Checkup and My Power Usage to learn about your energy consumption.

There are hundreds of simple ways for you to save energy – and saving energy means saving money. To learn more, visit georgiapower.com/save. ©2019 Georgia Power. All rights reserved.

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TICKETING Tickets may be purchased on our website, CitySprings.com, by phone at 770-206-2022, or at the box office. Box office hours are Wednesday–Saturday from noon–6 p.m., and two hours before any ticketed event.

THEATRE SEATING The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center is home to the 1,075-seat Byers Theatre and the 350-seat Studio Theatre. With three levels of seating and 18 side boxes, Byers Theatre offers intimate views from every seat. The Studio Theatre offers 200 full-sized fixed seats on retractable risers, with additional options for table seating and other flexible configurations.

CITYBAR Located between the Byers and Studio Theatres, CityBar. offers patrons a convenient spot to grab a drink or a quick bite before the show. CityBar. features a full-service bar offering delectable small plates and craft cocktails.

ON-SITE PARKING Ample parking is available on-site with more than 800 parking spaces in the underground parking deck. The parking deck is accessible from Mount Vernon Highway (east entrance) and from Sandy Springs Circle (west entrance, underneath The Aston apartments).

Street-level parking spaces have a two-hour maximum, and arts patrons are encouraged to use the underground parking deck.

Secured drop-off for patrons is available in front of the box office.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center is on MARTA bus routes 87 and 5. These bus routes can be accessed from the Dunwoody MARTA Station for those traveling on MARTA rail. An alternative route could be the Sandy Springs MARTA station and a ride share service.

1 Galambos Way Sandy Springs, GA 30328 citysprings.com

THE SANDY SPRINGS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER STAFF Shaun Albrechtson . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director Emma Schenkenberger . . . . .Senior Operations Manager Ramin Djaved . . . . . . . . Director of Food and Beverage Amy Harris . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Events and Sales Brandon Wagner . . . . . . . . . . . . Box Office Manager Aldo Cardenas . Food and Beverage Operations Manager Rodney Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Chef Terrick Bostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rental Manager Taylor Haas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operations Manager MARKETING TEAM Jason Green . . . . . . . . . Visual Communications Manager Marla Shavin . . . . . . . . . . . Communications Specialist Anna Nikolas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Events Manager Sarah Wilson . . Graphic Designer and Multimedia Specialist Jared Oates . . .Graphic Designer and Multimedia Specialist Jennifer Cruce . . . Executive Director, Visit Sandy Springs Samantha Marks . . . . Marketing & Social Media Manager, Visit Sandy Springs

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS Mayor Rusty Paul City Council John Paulson, Steve Soteres, Chris Burnett, Jody Reichel, Tibby DeJulio, and Andy Bauman Interim City Manager Peggy Merriss

For information on corporate partnership opportunities, please email reedmarketing@bellsouth.net.

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citysprings @citysprings @visitcitysprings

Where AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN MISSION and ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE aren’t mutually exclusive VISIT CAMPUS: WWW.WESLEYANSCHOOL.ORG/EVENTS

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CATCHING UP WITH JOE GRANSDEN STORY AND PHOTOS

Marla Shavin and Jason Green

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

encoreatlanta.com

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J

oe Gransden is no stranger to our local music scene - or to City Springs for that matter. Joe helped christen City Springs as part of inaugural week festivities and was part of last year’s New Year’s Eve celebration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Next summer, Joe is planning to bring Joe’s Jazz Camp to City Springs. We recently caught up with Joe just prior to his City Green Live Encore performance.

How’d you get started? When did you fall in love with music?

My father was a piano player, so there was always music in the house growing up. My grandfather was a great trumpet player in the New York City area and made a living as a musician. He played with all the big bands, including greats like Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. He would always bring his horn with him on visits, and I loved hearing the sound of it. In 6th grade, our school band director brought in a very famous trumpet player, Allen Vizzutti, to perform with us. I was almost brought to tears. Even though I grew up hearing my grandfather play, hearing this stranger perform really resonated with me. Then, in high school, my father heard some new music from Chet Baker on the radio and purchased the album. Until then, I had

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always heard the trumpet played fast and high and loud and strong, but hadn’t heard this sensitive side of the instrument. I fell in love again. I’d come home every day after school, sit in my room, listen to the album, and play along with it.

Who else influenced your development as a musician?

My biggest influence on the trumpet was Chet Baker, but also other greats like Freddy Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Durham, and Doc Severinson. In fact, I just saw Doc, and he’s still going strong at 92 years old! I was also really into singing along with Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Mel Torme. I’d sing myself to sleep. I sing like I play.

Tell us about your favorite collaborators to date.

Any dream collaborations?

One of my favorite collaborations has been with Kenny G. I was hired to play a party for Clint Eastwood in Los Angeles, and my band was the opener for Kenny G. Clint introduced us and suggested we play something together, and we played Over the Rainbow. Kenny then invited me to record a smooth jazz record with him, and we’ve been friends ever since. We have toured together, and I brought him in to play tenor sax on my album Go Getta. If I could time travel, I would love to collaborate with Chet Baker or Stan Getz.

J oe performed with American jazz singer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., winner of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” during opening week festivities at City Springs.

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

encoreatlanta.com

What do you think of City Springs?

I love City Springs! Early on, a fan of mine from Club 290 encouraged me to meet the team at the Performing Arts Center and get involved.

I was thrilled to be part of the opening week line-up working with Landau Eugene Murphy, and to perform with the inimitable Francine Reed for New Year’s Eve. When I first saw the Studio Theatre, I envisioned doing three of four shows each year, including a ballroom dance night with lessons and my big band. I’d love to create a jazz program similar to Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. I can see it now: Jazz at City Springs, my band is the house band, and bring in big names like Michael Feinstein and Norah Jones. Until now, there was no place to do all of this, but now feels like the right time, and City Springs has it all – the two theatres, the Green, and even classrooms in the conference center, which will host my jazz camp this summer.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

When I was in high school, like many guys my age, I was obsessed with Trans Am cars. I worked for two years, saved up, and bought my dream car – a 1979 Black Trans Am Y-84 Special Edition 4-speed.

From running errands with my dad to driving around town with my high school sweetheart, this car was my everything, and I created countless memories in it. To come up with tuition money for college, I had to sell the car, which I always regretted. A few years back I was diagnosed with cancer, and I told my wife that if I kick this thing, I’m going to do two things: get the trumpet of my dreams, a gold Monette trumpet, handmade in Portland, Oregon; and find that car.

Prompted by my son, I contacted a private eye who immediately empathized with my quest, and he found my car – parked under a tree in Democracy, Alabama! Now I’m undertaking the daunting task of restoring it to its former glory.

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THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT CITY SPRINGS Where Meetings Take Center Stage Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

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he Conference T Center at City Springs offers spaces for meetings, events, celebrations, and more.

M

eetings, events, and celebrations can literally take center stage at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center and Conference Center at City Springs.

Ideally located and easily accessible in Atlanta’s metropolitan area, the City Springs complex offers the latest sight and sound technologies along with versatility for meetings, events, and celebrations that require boardroom, ballroom, or performance hall accomodations.

The Conference Center is comprised of six separate areas that can be configured to serve a variety of events. Want to elevate your guests’ experience?

The City View terrace adjacent to the Conference Center at City Springs offers spectacular views of Atlanta to the south and the lush tree canopy stretching to the horizon in the north, and is perfect for small events, receptions, and more.

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For events requiring theater-style seating, the Byers Theatre comfortably seats 1,075 in an intimate theater setting. The adjacent lobby and CityBar offer an ideal space for cocktail receptions.

The smaller Studio Theatre is a versatile space that can host small-scale performances with theater seating or can seat 350 in banquet-style.

To schedule a tour or to get more information: citysprings.com/conference-center ity Springs C Catering designs innovative menus that creatively combine fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Taking tried and true favorites mixed with current dining trends, keeps the menu offerings new, exciting, and most of all delicious.

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

he 4,830 square T foot Terrace Room features moveable walls that allow the room to be divided into thirds to provide flexible capacity.

PK3-12

Inspire each mind. Schedule your tour today at Fire each heart. www.hies.org

T H E B E V E R LY B E L L E S Don’t miss the Beverly Belles salute our Veterans on Saturday, November 9.

Find your tickets at CitySprings.com Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

encoreatlanta.com

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COMING SOON TO CITY SPRINGS Friday October 4

Joe Gransden: Sinatra and Friends

October 5-13

The Atlanta Opera presents Frida

Friday October 25

Chanticleer

Saturday October 19

Atlanta Youth Ballet Gala his production combines classical T

et Joe’s big band fly you to L the moon where you can play among the stars at this encore presentation of City Green Live.

Bring a picnic or purchase food from a selection of onsite food trucks.

Frida enlists mariachi instruments to heat up this blend of tango, zarzuela, ragtime, 1930s jazz, and vaudeville, conjuring a vivid portrait of the courageous revolutionary and magical realist.

nown around the world as “an K orchestra of voices,” Chanticleer brings their brilliant harmonies to City Springs as part of their 40th anniversary tour.

ballet and contemporary works that explore minimalism and the beauty of movement created through the human body.

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Saturday October 26

The 6th Annual Tower of Talent

Sunday October 27

Sergei Babayan Piano Recital Hailed for his emotional intensity

enefiting Children’s Healthcare of B Atlanta, the 6th Annual Tower of Talent showcases the region’s most talented children.

and bold energy, Babayan brings a deep understanding and insight to an exceptionally diverse repertoire.

Saturday November 2

Lee Haney Games 2019

Saturday November 9

The Beverly Belles Salute Our Veterans

he Lee Haney Games is an annual T National Physique Committee’s (NPC) National Qualifier in bodybuilding, and a highlight of the Georgia NPC USA bodybuilding year.

he Beverly Belles are an Andrews T Sisters-inspired trio whose vintage style and patriotic performances are upbeat and perfect for all ages.

Tuesday November 12

“For the Love” Podcast with Jen Hatmaker Jen is taking her popular podcast, “For the Love,” on the road to record her latest episodes in front of a live audience. She will be joined

by Knox and Jamie from Popcast.

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

Schedule a tour today to experience Epstein for yourself.

At Epstein, students experience an exceptional education led by specialized STEAM and Hebrew language programs. The school prepares confident lifelong learners grounded in their unique Jewish identities.

NEW THIS YEAR: Kindergarten–8th graders will also be learning the language of coding.

335 COLEWOOD WAY NW | SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328-2956 EPSTEINATLANTA.ORG

Our audience is your audience.

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9/26/19 2:18 PM

Advertise with Encore and reach a targeted group of performing arts lovers.

CO N TAC T Patti Ruesch 808-927-5115 patti@encoreatlanta.com

Donna Choate 678-778-1573 donna@encoreatlanta.com

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HOLIDAYS AT CITY SPRINGS

This holiday season at City Springs will be bright, sparkly, and colorful! The Roswell Dance Theatre will kick-off the holiday festivities with dancing sugarplums and other delights during their run of The Nutcracker. Elvis tribute act Dean Z will usher in a Blue Christmas, followed by a White Christmas courtesy of City Springs Theatre Company’s production of Holiday Inn. On New Year’s Eve, the Byers Theatre will be classically bubbly as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra helps ring in the new year. Throughout the holiday season, the City Green will sparkle with the annual life-size and festively-decorated gingerbread houses.

November 29 – Roswell Dance Theatre presents December 8 The Nutcracker

This 12-show run features 350 performers, gorgeous costumes, magical scenery, beloved music, and exquisite dancing. A holiday tradition.

Monday December 2

Dean Z’s Blue Christmas Considered one of the greatest Elvis tribute acts in the world, Dean Z has toured Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Don’t miss his show when he comes to Georgia.

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION • Rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum from Preschool to Grade 12.

• Full immersion Preschool and partial immersion Primary programs in Chinese, French, German, and Spanish.

• A welcoming community with local roots and global reach, composed of families from over 90 countries.

Revealing possibilities.

for college for life forever Holy Spirit Prep embraces the traditions of Catholic education to form students of deep faith, advanced intellect, and heroic virtue.

An independent Catholic school for students age 6 months-12th grade. holyspiritprep.org

aischool.org

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Sunday Sparkle Sandy Springs Holiday December 8 Parade and Tree Lighting

he third annual Sparkle Sandy T Springs celebration will kick-off with a holiday parade and tree lighting. Sparkle Sandy Springs is a free, month-long holiday light and art display featuring six-foot tall wooden houses painted in festive themes and adorned with lights to create a magical, walkable light display perfect for a winter stroll.

December 13-22 Holiday Inn

eaturing the music of Irving F Berlin, this picture-perfect holiday extravaganza is based on the classic Fred Astaire-Bing Crosby film of the same name. Holiday Inn features the songs “Blue Skies,” “Easter Parade,” “White Christmas,” and many more.

Tuesday December 31

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Eve Celebration Ring in 2020 with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra! For the second year in a row, New Year’s Eve revelers can celebrate in the Byers Theatre at City Springs with the internationally-acclaimed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

Offering the best in academics—enriched with more than 80 classes in the Fine Arts, all taught by professional artists.

www.lovett.org

The Lovett School practices a nondiscriminatory admission policy. Financial aid is available.

A complete meal-in-a-bowl designed to satisfy your hunger and fuel your life

Blended Fruit Bowls & Smoothies

…whatever your RUSH might be!

1110 Hammond Drive Suite 25 Sandy Springs • GA 30328 M - F 7:30a - 7:30p Sa 8:30a - 7:30p Su 8:30a - 4:30p

www.rushbowls.com/sandysprings

Covered parking inside the building!

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INTRODUCING FLYING PIG POPCORN

Flying Pig Popcorn flavors Sweet & Spicy Crunch (top) and Rainbow Blast.

Legend has it that during the decades-long efforts to incorporate, organizers were told that Sandy Springs would become a city when pigs fly. Well, pigs having been flying in Sandy Springs since 2005! Now they’re soaring to new heights with our exclusive (and undeniably delicious) Flying Pig Popcorn! Each kernel of our gourmet, small batch popcorn is bursting with flavor. Handcrafted and locally produced, Flying Pig Popcorn is next level snacking and available at the concession stands!

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

Proven results in Sandy Springs.

Anne’s listings have sold on average in 16 days for 96.7% of asking price!

Represented Buyer

Anne Cooper

Top Producer M 404.550.4818 O 404.352.2010 annesellsatl@gmail.com

Represented Buyer

100 West Paces Ferry Road | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 | 404.352.2010 | dorseyalston.com Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Share in the Spirit

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 8 1– 4 p.m.

Serving grades 7–12, Marist School provides an education where achievement exists within a spirit of humility and generosity. Students are challenged by an extensive college-preparatory curriculum while an array of extracurricular activities inspire exploration and uncover hidden talents. Through it all, students gain a unique strength of character and skill and a joy of serving others that prepares them to be compassionate, confident leaders.

Come visit to experience Marist’s spirit yourself.

An Independent Catholic School of the Marist Fathers and Brothers

marist.com

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INSPIRING YO U N G M I N D S

A

rts education is a critical component of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s mission to educate, enrich, and inspire young minds.

Workshops, summer camps and special events introduce younger residents to the visual and performing arts and heighten their appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the universal and timeless qualities that identify all great art.

Through a partnership with the City Springs Theatre Company, our education programming has served more than 45 schools in the metropolitan area, touching the lives of more than 5,000 children. Funding for arts education and community programming initiatives is provided by grants from the Sandy Springs Arts Foundation (ssarts.org), and by the generosity of our patrons. For more information visit, CitySprings.com/SupportArts.

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

SUPPORT THE ARTS Learn how you can educate, enrich and inspire young minds.

Stone Paving Bricks Contributions of $300 are recognized with a personalized name or message engraved in a stone paving brick.

Theatre Seats Contributions of $1,000 are recognized with a personalized name or message etched in a brass plaque affixed to the back of a seat in the Byers Theatre.

CitySprings.com/SupportArts

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ENCORE’S SANDY SPRINGS DINING GUIDE

Looking for a great night out?

Try one of these local restaurants before or after the show!

RUSH BOWLS

THE SELECT

A Rush Bowl is a thick,

Contemporary Continental

creamy blend of all-natural

Cuisine in a timeless setting

fruit and nutrients, topped

in the City Springs

with delicious, crunchy

development. The

granola and a drizzle of

restaurant is adjacent to the

honey. It is a complete

only open container park in

meal-in-a-bowl designed to

the Atlanta area, making it

satisfy your hunger and fuel

possible to stroll the park

your life.

with a cocktail or glass of

1110 Hammond Drive, Suite 25

wine.

678-404-7573

6405 Bluestone Road, Suite 200

rushbowls.com/sandy-springs

770-637-2240 theselectatl.com

Check out Encore Atlanta’s list of great dining spots around town: EncoreAtlanta.com/dining-guide

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center | citysprings.com

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RECOVERIES HAPPEN HERE. TOP-LEVEL STROKE PROGRAM WellStar is home to one of the best comprehensive stroke centers in Georgia. With a team of specialists trained to perform a revolutionary procedure that gives stroke patients a real chance to survive and avoid side effects. Helping people beat the odds against stroke is just one way that WellStar’s neurosciences program is caring for the whole you.

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