Compassionate Therapy for Healing & Growth
Hi, I’m Sara Hong, a licensed professional counselor offering both in-person and virtual sessions throughout metro Atlanta. Since 2014, I’ve helped teens and adults navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, relationship issues, and major life transitions. And as a bilingual therapist fluent in both English and Korean, I have successfully worked with a diverse range of multicultural and multigenerational clients throughout my career.
My enduring curiosity about the human mind—its drives and remarkable resilience—has evolved into a profound passion for counseling. I approach my work with warmth, grounding, and collaboration, blending traditional talk therapy with creative, evidence-based techniques such as art therapy and neurofeedback. This integrative style supports deep emotional healing and nervous system regulation for my clients.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to find clarity, restore balance, and chart a path toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
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Celebrating the ladies in Chamblee!
In this issue, we're celebrating the ladies of Chamblee!
Ladies are making their mark on Chamblee as mothers, business owners, professionals, volunteers, and more, giving of their gifts and talents in a number of ways. And as a community, where would Chamblee be without the ladies? Every day they see a need and they get the job done. That's what ladies do. It’s the love of what we do and who we do it for.
As mothers, we nurture our children and watch them grow. As professionals, we do what is needed so that businesses thrive. We take care of the things and the people in our lives, and more often than not, we're motivated by love.
In this issue you'll meet just a few of the ladies who are contributing to area businesses, organizations, community, and their families. We talk to Chamblee Modern Moms, a group of mothers who are learning from each other while supporting one another as they raise and take care of their families. We meet Jennifer Greene, who together with her husband, set out on the adventure of entrepreneurship bringing Blue Ribbon Grill and Jennovelle to the Chamblee area. We learn about Debi Campbell, a Chamblee resident, and we learn about her desire to help the animals in the local animal shelter and about her love for community. We also learn about The Sandwich Project founded and led by ladies working to fight food insecurity one sandwich at a time.
There are other ladies too. So many others. Every lady contributes something and every lady makes a difference. And hopefully, through their contributions we are motivated, inspired, and above all, we support one another.
To the ladies of Chamblee, thank you for all that you do. Whether you're running a business, running your home, or just running errands, you're doing your part!
So here's to the ladies! This one is for you.
And to all the mothers, we hope your Mother's Day is filled with love and joy!
TANA PONCSAK, EDITOR @CHAMBLEECITYLIFESTYLE
May 2025
PUBLISHER
Kevin Parker | kevin.parker@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Tana Poncsak | tana.poncsak@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Janet Howard | janet.howard@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Polina Williams | polina.williams@citylifestyle.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Proverbs 3:5-6
inside the issue
Chamblee Modern Moms
The
Blue Ribbon Grill and Jenovelle
Blue Ribbon Grill, an Atlanta area tradition, continues serving customers near Chamblee. The Sandwich Project Fighting food insecurity one sandwich at a time.
Chamblee Living
Longtime
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Gavin DeGraw on stage during the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. 2: Residents of Huntley Hills have Donuts in the Park. 3: Artists show their work at the recent SPS Productions Sip and Paint. 4: O. A. R. closes out the first day of the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. 5: Listening to music at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. 6: Performers on the stage at the Taiwan Spring Festival sponsored by the city of Chamblee. 7: It’s that time again! The Atlanta United watch parties begin!
TANA PONCSAK
TANA PONCSAK
TANA PONCSAK
POLINA WILLIAMS
KEVIN PARKER
Chamblee Farmers Market
The Chamblee Farmers Market is off to a great start. Open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 3412 Pierce Drive NE, next to Hopstix. Come shop to for farm fresh eggs, fresh seasonal produce, local honey, baked good, preserves, arts and crafts, gifts, and more. Visit the Chamblee Farmers Market on social media - Facebook and Instagram @chambleefarmersmarket and @chambleegafarmersmarket.
Wild Aster Books
Readers rejoice! Wild Aster Books, a new independent bookstore, is now open in downtown Chamblee. They recently held their grand opening event. You can shop books, toys, apparel, and more. For more information, visit wildasterbooks.com .
Village Park Grand Reopening
City officials attend the Village Park Grand Reopening celebration! The event was part of the city's Live! On Your Block neighborhood block party. New improvements to the park include a new artificial turf field, new shade structures, a walkway to the community garden and more. The improvements were funded by the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities Grant that was awarded to the city. Visit chambleega.com , for more information.
Photography by Kevin Parker
Photography by Grace Smith
Photography by City of Chamblee
CHAMBLEE Modern Moms
The group provides moms with friendship, fun and support.
ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD
We’ve been here since 1996, and you can’t beat the location. It’s tucked away and a lot of people are just starting to find out about it. And I love all the new restaurants and new development coming into the Chamblee area.
We caught up with Chamblee Modern Moms, a group of mothers in the Chamblee and surrounding areas who get together each month for an outing in and around Chamblee. The group was started by Polina Williams on June 19, 2023, and currently Polina says there are almost 300 moms on the list, and the list is growing.
"Being a mom is one of the most rewarding yet isolating roles in the world," Polina says. "I spent all my time with Silas [her son], and when I wasn’t with him, I was thinking about him. I wanted to create a space where moms can come together — a place to have fun, share experiences, and connect with others who truly understand what they’re going through."
And Polina says since starting the group, it couldn’t be going any better.
"Our monthly outings keep growing, and more and more members are starting playdates and forming deeper connections," she says. "In our group, there’s no such thing as a stranger. From the moment you join, it feels like we’ve known you forever. Everything is relaxed, welcoming, and effortless."
And Polina says they're always welcoming new mothers.
"The only criteria to join are that you must be a mama or a mama to be and live in Chamblee or surrounding areas," Polina says.
During their recent meeting at Chamblee Tap and Market, we asked them what they love about the group and what they love about Chamblee. This is what they had to say.
For more information, visit the groups Facebook and Instagram page @chambleemodernmoms.
PAM ADAMS
SARAH WATKINS
What I really love about this area is the food selection and how it’s really grown and expanded since I was a kid....It’s amazing to see the variety of wonderful places to go out to eat and have fun.
I love the community feel! My husband and I live near (the downtown Chamblee area) and we can bring our daughter and walk around and get dinner and get dessert. It’s just a fun atmosphere.
LINDSEY MICHAEL
Oh I love Chamblee. It’s got that really great small town feeling with Atlanta right there. You can walk tons of places. And everything is growing so much. It's so quaint, but so diverse at the same time We’ve been here about five years and we just love it.
What do I love being in the moms group? I love meeting other moms that are in the same stage as I am. It’s great to connect. So great to get out of the house and have a night off.
We moved to Chamblee about six months ago looking for a community that’s art focused. So that’s probably my favorite thing about Chambleehow much art there is here. We also love that we can walk to all the businesses here. There's always something fun to do!
I love it (referring to Chamblee Modern Moms group). I joined when I became a stay-at-home mom looking to connect with other moms in the Chamblee area. I've met a lot of cool moms in the group. It’s been really fun to connect and to feel supported as a mom.
VANESSA LASKEY
KATIE WHITE
STACY MCCORMICK
FALECIA FREDERICK
MAHEALANI'S
REVUE
Stage shows including cultural performances from Tahiti, Samoa, Hawaii, and New Zealand
Food Truck feat. Hawaiian Comfort
Cuisine by Hapa Kitchen
Hands-on cultural stations
Photo opportunities
LUXURY OUTDOOR LIVING
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
From Stem To Vase:
TRANSFORMING FLORALS INTO ART
Flowers have a rich history of symbolic meanings.
As far back as the 19th century, they were used to convey secret messages. Stories throughout history recount how flowers were used to send hidden messages between people. French publishers began producing flower dictionaries that cataloged the many floral codes that had been gathered over time. Some of these meanings were linked to the flower’s root name, often derived from mythology, while others were drawn from the flowers themselves. The colors, medicinal properties, and even the superstitions
associated with these flowers all contributed to the creation of this secret language.
In addition to their symbolic significance, flowers bring natural beauty to any interior, enhancing spaces with their color, texture, and mood-boosting qualities. Floral arrangements not only create a cozy atmosphere but also infuse a room with personality, elevating the overall ambiance. There are multiple ways to creatively integrate florals into your home, and whether using fresh or artificial flowers, creative displays can make quite the statement piece.
Hanging Florals
For a dramatic effect, try creating a hanging floral display. Floral cones are available for this style, or you can craft your own for a more personalized, organic look. The contrast between long-stemmed white flowers and a dark wall creates a striking visual impact. No matter how you choose to display them, flowers are a wonderful addition to any room. They boost mood, improve air quality, spark creativity, and bring a decorative charm to any space.
Florals and Fruit
Flower Frogs
Using a frog to display flowers creates a minimalist yet elegant look that highlights the individuality of each bloom. It helps the stems stay in place. To set it up, place the frog on your chosen display base, whether it’s a vase, bowl, platter, or any container you prefer. Then, simply insert the flower stems by gently pressing them into the prongs. Tip: Flowers with sturdy stems and a lighter top work best in a frog, as delicate blooms tend to lose their shape more quickly.
Add an extra burst of color and texture to your floral arrangement by layering fruit around the edges of your vase. To achieve this, place a smaller vase inside a larger one, ensuring the flowers stay contained in the inner vase to preserve their shape. Fill the surrounding space with water and then arrange sliced fruit along the vase’s outer sides. For a fresh touch, add ice cubes to keep the fruit looking vibrant longer and to hold them in place. Not only will the flowers’ fragrance fill the air, but the citrus notes from the fruit will add a refreshing scent.
Blue Ribbon Grill has served the metro Atlanta community since the mid 1980s.
Sip a drink and shop at Jenovelle European Cafe and Gift Shop.
Blue Ribbon GRILL AND Jenovelle
People in the Atlanta area have flocked to Blue Ribbon Grill, a Restaurant that was originally located in the Northlake area since the mid 1980s. Eric and Jennifer Greene acquired the restaurant and then the rising rent forced the new restaurant owners to relocate. Jennifer says that finding a new location wasn’t easy and took some time – longer than they anticipated.
Fortunately the new location is centrally located and just a short drive from the original location in Northlake and between Chamblee and Doraville at 3352 Chamblee Tucker Road. Blue Ribbon Grill officially opened in its new location in December 2024.
Jennifer says they haven’t changed much on the traditional menu, and they’re still using the same recipes. “My husband and I didn’t play with the food very much,” she says. “We just tweaked a couple of things.” Jennifer says they’ve added images items to the menu, so customers can see what the prepared dish looks like before ordering. The restaurant also has full bar.
Blue Ribbon Grill, an Atlanta area tradition, continues serving customers near Chamblee.
ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JANET HOWARD
Blue Ribbon Grill in its new space that opened in December 2024.
Enjoy your choice of cocktail at Blue Ribbon Grill.
The menu features starters like the French Onion Soup and Golden-Brown Onion Strings, a variety of salads and hearty entrees, such as the Chicken Pot Pie and the Blue Ribbon Grill Meatloaf. And they offer brunch that features traditional egg dishes such as Eggs Benedict and a variety of Omelets.
In addition to the traditional Blue Ribbon Grill, Jennifer says they’ve added a new café and gift shop adjacent to Blue Ribbon called Jenovelle. Jenovelle is a European café and gift shop that was inspired by a family trip the Greene family took to Europe with the notion of bringing a little bit of Europe to those who can’t make the trip across the pond and bringing a European experience close to home for a reasonable price.
Jennifer says the menu in the café features chicken salad with golden raisins, celery, and walnuts and internationally inspired foods. And the gifts – the gift selection includes curated products from Europe such as jewelry from Lithuania, food items, Irish teas, books, and unique, one-of-a kind gifts. They also carry T-shirts, purses, aprons, totes, and more.
Since opening in December 2024, Jennifer says that customers have given them a lot of feedback and they’re listening and making some changes – a little at a time. Recently they've added events such as live music and Trivia Nights to the calendar. And this month, they’re adding specials for Mother’s Day. “We are really trying hard to keep the tradition going,” Jennifer says.
For more information about Blue Ribbon Grill the menu and hours, visit blueribbongrill.com . For more information about Jenovelle, the European Café and Gift Shop, visit Jenovelle.com
Ribbon Grill and Jenovelle European cafe and gift Shop is located is located at 3352 Chamblee Tucker Road.
more information about Blue Ribbon Grill, visit blueribbongrill.com.
more information about Jenovelle, visit Jenovelle.com
Jennifer Greene and her husband, Eric, bring the tradition of Blue Ribbon Grill close to Chamblee.
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
THE SANDWICH PROJECT
FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY ONE SANDWICH AT A TIME.
It was during COVID-19, and many were sheltering at home but wanted to help in some way. Marcy Louza and Lisa Hiles decided to make sandwiches to help those who were struggling with food insecurity. Little did they know, the grassroots effort would outlast the pandemic.
ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD
Sandwiches are made and delivered with love and care.
Marcy says it was a combination of good-hearted people that wanted to do something during the pandemic to help, combined with the fact that many people were working from home that they created The Sandwich Project. “Personally, I’ve always believed that every human being deserves to have fresh food, and the amount that’s needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle,” Marcy says. “So I feel that we really put our heart into it.”
The initiative’s growth was driven by social media.
With the end of the pandemic, Marcy says they thought requests for sandwiches would drop off, but that’s not the case.
“The people who need food are in our community, but they’re not always our neighbors, so we want people to understand the need that’s out there. And honestly, right now with the price of food rising, we’ve had more requests than ever,” she says.
The nonprofit organization has volunteers and groups, corporations, and organizations, working throughout the metro Atlanta area making sandwiches that are distributed each week via a number of charitable organizations in the metro Atlanta area. Marcy says the variety of sandwiches includes ham, turkey and peanut butter, along with fresh fruit
The Haskell Company, located in in Century Center, makes sandwiches for The Sandwich Project.
“...EVERY
HUMAN BEING
DESERVES TO HAVE FRESH FOOD."
MARCY LOUZA, CO-FOUNDER
and protein bars. Marcy says they always reached their goal when it comes to the number of sandwiches each week, and any leftover are distributed to a number of local charitable organizations with ongoing needs, including St. Vincent de Paul in Chamblee.
Once the sandwiches are made, the sandwiches, fresh fruits and other items are distributed. “Many of the people receiving this don’t have very good health care coverage and some are suffering from illnesses, so they’re more susceptible to bacteria,” Marcy says, adding that they are very diligent about safety when it comes to handling and distributing the food.
Sandwiches are kept refrigerated and the organization has a refrigerated truck for making deliveries.
The Sandwich Project received an innovation grant from the Jewish Federation. Other funds come from corporate, organization, and individual donations. Groups and organizations that make the sandwiches donate the food and items, as well as the time and manpower they spend to make the sandwiches.
Marcy says it’s important that recipients know that the food was prepared with love, so note cards may be included. “Kids who are too young to make sandwiches will make note cards,” she says.
“They might say ‘Have a great day’ or ‘Enjoy your sandwich.’” And Marcy says one of the biggest things they’ve received feedback on from the recipient organizations is that the people who received the food say they feel loved and cared for.
And they don’t stop at food. They see a need and try to fill that need. For example, during the winter they hold a winter coat drive. And when a student mentioned not being able take a class because they needed an expensive calculator that the student couldn’t afford, Marcy said they asked around and got the calculators the students needed.
“I’ve met the most amazing people I’ve ever met in my life,” Marcy says, talking about the people she encounters because of The Sandwich Project. “The cumulative effect of this is what’s really been surprising and pleasing to me. When everyone comes together…we could really decrease the amount of food insecurity in Georgia pretty fast.”
For more information about The Sandwich Project, visit the sandwichproject.org
Food safety is a priority of The Sandwich Project and those who volunteer.
Stephanie Merling, from The Sandwich Project, was on hand at The Haskell Group to oversee the sandwich making process.
realty report
CHAMBLEE LIVING
Longtime Chamblee resident Debi Campbell shares how her heart for animals prompted her to volunteer.
ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD
Longtime Chamblee resident Debi Campbell has a goal for 2025. Her goal is to become a volunteer at the Lifeline Animal Project located in Chamblee. Debi says she's in the early stages of achieving that goal. "Over the last years, I've just really become a very strong proponent for dog rescue," Debi says.
“I’m excited to go through the mentorship and to figure out what I can do to help.” —Debi Campbell
She has attended the initial orientation at the facility and is preparing for a mentorship meeting. "I'm excited to go through the mentorship and to figure out what I can do to help." She says that when hearing that the shelter was struggling with overcrowding, she was prompted to get involved and volunteer. Her own dog, Halo, is a rescue, and within the past year, Debi, along with her husband Jon, have fostered two dogs from different Georgia facilities, a Pitbull mix breed they named Falco and a Brittany Spaniel named Beau, that have since gone on to their forever homes. Debi says both dogs went to amazing homes. "Doing our job of learning as much as we could and connecting them with their
new family, it was just so incredibly rewarding," Debi says. She says she still stays in touch with the families that adopted the dogs and that makes her happy. She can continue to see the dogs as they thrive in their new homes.
Debi says she's not sure exactly what her volunteer role will entail - but whether she takes the dogs for walks and writes shelter notes or something else, she says she's happy to help. She says she thinks about the fact she could become attached to the animals and that it could be emotional. “I hope I don’t come home crying every day,” she says, knowing it’s going to be a challenge not to become too attached, but she adds that she’s excited to help.
An expansion to the Chamblee facility was announced recently. The expansion will help to relieve some of the overcrowding at the facility. "I'm so excited to see that growth," Debi says. "It'll be nice."
Debi, a mortgage banker with Ameris Bank, says she loves the Chamblee community having lived in the area for most of her adult life, and she’s fortunate to be able to work from home with the opportunity and flexibility to spend more time in the community. "We have really watched Chamblee grow, and we have come to love it more every year that we're here because of all the great things that have come into the community," she says. "My husband and I are both very outdoorsy, and there are so many awesome things in this community for us to do outdoors."
On the weekends, Debi says they try hard not to use their cars. "We love to be able to walk or bike to places. It just makes it much more interesting and much more enjoyable for us,” she says.
And Debi adds what makes it even more fun to be in Chamblee, is that they've developed strong friendships with their neighbors. "We run into friends and neighbors, and it makes you feel a part of a great community," Debi says. It's something you don't always find in metro Atlanta. And the fact that Chamblee is dog friendly, she says they love to include Halo in some of their outings.
Top: Debi Campbell with her dog, Halo. Bottom: Debi and Halo take a stroll in the neighborhood.
“Doing our job of learning as much as we could and connecting them with their new family, it was just so incredibly rewarding.” —Debi Campbell, about fostering
and placing two dogs in their forever homes.
Given the chance, she says she’s proud to tell others she lives in Chamblee. "I very proudly say I live in Chamblee," Debi says. "I credit our leadership here in the city for turning Chamblee into a place people want to invest in."
As for volunteering, if you have a passion on your heart for animals, Debi encourages others to volunteer too. "They have so many different needs," she says. "It's a great way to put your talents to use in whatever role suits you."
According to the website, Lifeline is the largest animal welfare organization in Georgia, and helps more than 43,000 animals per year. Their mission is to end euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals through innovative programs, lowcost spaying and neutering, affordable veterinary care, and pet retention services. Those who want to help can adopt a pet, foster a pet or volunteer in a number of ways. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at the shelter in Chamblee or to donate, visit lifelineanimalproject.org
events
MAY 2ND
FUNdamental Fridays: Paint and Pints
Spruill Center for the Arts | 6:00 PM
Come create at the Spruill Event Studio located at 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, in Dunwoody. The Paint and Pints event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p..m., May 2. Registration is required. For more information, visit spruillarts.org
MAY 4TH
Plaza Fiesta's Cinco de Mayo Festival
Plaza Fiesta | 12:00 PM
Celebrate this Cinco de Mayo at this family-friendly event with live music, games and prizes from noon to 5 p.m. at the Plaze Fiesta located at 4166 Buford Highway NE. For more information, visit plazafiesta.net
MAY 10TH
Alice’s Wonderland
Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave NE | 9:00 AM
Visit Alice’s Wonderland of sculptures and installations at the Atlanta Botanical Garden! Inspired by Lewis Carroll, visit the gardens to see Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts and more. For hours, details, and tickets, visit atlantabg.org.
MAY 10TH
Dunwoody Arts Festival
Dunwoody Village Parkway | 10:00 AM
The Dunwoody Arts Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 10 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 11 on Dunwoody Village Parkway. Festival goers can expect to see paintings, folk art, glasswork, metal art, photography and more. For more information, visit splashfestivals.com
MAY 18TH
Mahealani's Polynesian Revue
Chamblee City Hall | 11:00 AM
The city of Chamblee presents Mahealani's Polynesian Review! Two show times at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. It's a free, family-friendly celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Bring a picnic blanket to the green space at Chamblee City Hall for a day of culture, community, and celebration. For details, visit chambleega.com
MAY 24TH
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Piedmont Park | 1:00 PM
Join other jazz fans for a Memorial Day weekend full of music and fun at what's been deemed one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country! The festival lineup begins at 1 p.m. on May 24 and runs through May 26 at Piedmont Park. For more information and the lineup of musicians, visit atljazzfest.com
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