Johns Creek, GA January 2021

JA N UA RY 2 02 1

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

JANUARY 2021 PUBLISHER

Jim Newman | jnewman@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Sue Collins | scollins@lifestylepubs.com

Happy new year, friends MY TEA DRAWER HAS NEVER LOOKED BETTER. When my daughter came home for Christmas, she dove deep into my kitchen, organizing cupboards, cleaning out my baking bins, tossing outdated peanut butter jars and tidying the spice drawer (savory vs sweet).

Now, my Earl Grey keeps company with a fellow caffeinated favorite, Constant Comment.

Peppermint, ginger and turmeric and lavender chamomile are lined up like soldiers ready to do go to battle with what ails me.

Getting organized is a buoyant way to start the new year and I love it!

Outside the kitchen, I’m clearing my head with yoga (we have so many studios here, all keeping cleanliness as a priority). Walking through my neighborhood, biking a nearby path or heading to the nearest trout stream alI keep me upright, aware, stretching and engaged.

I’m truly thankful.

What are you doing to treat yourself with grace and giving? I used to think it was selfish to plan “me time.” As if scheduling a yoga class was showing a chink in my armor.

MARKE T ARE A ADMINISTRATOR

Darce Richardson | darce.richardson@lifestylepubs.com SENIOR ACCO UNT E XECUTI VE

Colleen Nilan | colleen.nilan@lifestylepubs.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Molly Collins | molly.collins@lifestylepubs.com SENIOR ACCO UNT MANAGER

Karyn Slovin | karyn.slovin@lifestylepubs.com ACCO UNT MANAGER

Sandra Reiss | sandra.reiss@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Miranda Read L AYO UT DESIGNER

Emily Lisenbee CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aubry Canales CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amel Alyamani, Kate Flanagan

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

I hope this new year brings less turbulence and more triumph.

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

Less aching and more aaaaaahing.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Enjoy your time with loved ones. And the most important one - you! xo, 514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

ON THE COVER With travel stymied in 2020, we are all dreaming of exotic destinations in the new year. The Willows Historic

Sue G. Collins, Editor

ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN

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and easy access to the wonders of the desert. Enjoy our travelogue on page 34. Let’s go! TheWillowsPalmSprings.com

VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUE G. COLLINS 4

Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsCreek

Proverbs 3:5-6 Johns Creek Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Johns Creek area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Johns Creek Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE JANUARY 2021

FEATURES 22 Our Creative Chamber Meet the three accomplished professionals who power the Johns Creek Chamber.

28 More yoga in '21 Sheila Ewers reminds us to be awake to the moment as it unfolds.

34 Dreaming of Palm Springs Hiking, reading, breathing...

28 34

inspiration from The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn.

22

18 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Around Town

22 Local Limelight 28 Healthy Lifestyle 34 Artist’s Palette

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LEADERS CELEBRATE Although the Leadership Johns Creek class of 2020 had to be postponed because of COVID-19, the teams continued to plan to see their group projects to completion. The class of 2020 (some pictured): Alex Almanza, Lynette Baker, Becky Bennett, Ron Best, Jacob Breeding, Camille Christopher, Ginger Clopper, Karen Cooke, Chip Davis, Stephanie Donaldson, Danelle Elesom, Todd Hood, Sophie Li, Nakia Mattis, Carol Massie, Bob Mullen, Jake Pastore, Neil Pinnock, Rama Rampur, Barbara Rolin, Laura Rosser, Monica Rouse, Chad Smith, Peter Trench, Richard Tyler, Mary Winder and Tana Welch. Leadershipjohnscreek.com.

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Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

GEORGIA’S LEADER IN JOINT REPLACEMENT. We strive to prevent your joints from slowing you down. It’s a big goal—but one we have the expertise and experience to meet. Our board-certified physicians are ready to diagnose and treat joint pain due to arthritis or other conditions. A personalized treatment plan is made for your unique case, with treatments ranging from minimally-invasive operations to anterior hip replacements and robotic knee surgeries.

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AROUND TOWN experience providing evidence-based, obstetric

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SCHOOL NEWS

BYE BYE TREE

Autrey Mill Middle School Counselor Josh

The annual Christmas tree recycling event is on

Williams and his five-year old son Wade were fea-

for Saturday, January 9, 9 AM - 1 PM at the Home

tured on “NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition” for their

Depot, 5950 State Bridge Road in Johns Creek. Not

children’s book “Wade through the Pandemic.”

that you want to say farewell to the holidays, but

It captures the challenges of growing up right

let's move forward into a brighter new year with this

now. Shakerag Elementary School is partnering

recycling opportunity. Check all your ornaments

with area elementary schools in a pen pal pro-

and lights are off the tree and save a few sprigs

gram to reinforce writing skills away from screens.

just for fun. According to the National Christmas

Six Johns Creek High School students won

Tree Association, there are close to 350 million

Columbia Scholastic Press Association awards,

Christmas trees currently growing on Christmas

which honor top student publications. Taylor

tree farms in the United States alone and about 25

Road Middle School’s Cross Country Team, won

to 30 million real Christmas trees sold every year.

the State Championship in Cochran. Autrey Mill

Next up? Resolutions and better health. Happy

Middle School eighth grade student Sanjana Shah

new year friends!

was named a winner in the iWRITE publishing

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M A N AGI NG F O OD I NSECU R IT I ES

MEET ANDREA JARON OF SECOND HELPINGS ATLANTA

ARTICLE AMEL ALYAMANI PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

12

Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY’S LEADING NON-PROFIT FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATION, SECOND HELPINGS ATLANTA (SHA), ANDREA JARON IS ON A MISSION TO DRIVE OUT HUNGER ACROSS METRO ATLANTA. With a deep understanding of logistics and coordination, SHA staff and a team of volunteers rescue fresh, nutritious, surplus food from grocers, corporate kitchens, restaurants, and others, and deliver it to hunger relief organizations. Jaron has been instrumental in forging strategic partnerships to drive SHA’s reach even further.

In 2019, one in eight adults and one in six children in Georgia were food insecure, according to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Those numbers have risen over the last year with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Knowing there are so many hungry people struggling with food insecurity in our community keeps me motivated,” said Jaron.

“There’s a great deal of work to be done and I’m honored to be part of the solution.”

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, over 40 percent of food produced in America is never eaten. Jaron leads a network of more than 120 food donors and partner agencies to coordinate the delivery of surpluses, allowing the organization to reduce food waste and food inse-

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curity at the same time.

Since the pandemic began, SHA has amped up its distribution, moving hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh food and now also coordinating the logistics for meal delivery throughout the metro region.

The number of food requests from partner agencies has increased by 50 percent since March, and Jaron is receiving more first-time requests for food assistance.

5805 State Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30097 208 Pirkle ferry Rd., Cumming, GA 30040 678-474-4917 | smilegeorgia.com

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsCreek

13

MANAGING FOOD INSECURITIES (CONTINUED)

“We’ve seen a huge spike in demand and our mission became more critical,” said Jaron. “Thanks to our dedicated

uplifting our communities, and this van will exponentially increase our outgoing support to those in need.”

staff, volunteers and partners, we were able to mobilize

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is also helping SHA raise

quickly to increase our reach and assist our communities

funds toward another delivery truck through its “Dankful IPA

facing food insecurity during the pandemic.”

Program,” which tapped beneficiaries around the nation to

To address the staggering need, this summer, SHA teamed

receive funds from a $1 million pledge.

up with Atlanta Community Food Bank to launch the Atlanta

“Sierra Nevada’s commitment to community empow-

Community Kitchen Project, which connected hunger relief

ers us to continue to feed those in need,” said Jaron.

agencies to commercial kitchens with a goal to provide hun-

“Partnerships like this make the work we do possible. We’re

dreds of thousands of meals to Atlanta families in need.

inspired by Sierra Nevada’s ongoing effort to constantly

“Through this prepared meal program, we were able to

innovate and help make real change.”

fire up under-utilized commercial kitchens to feed our com-

Jaron is no stranger to community relief – she has

munity while also putting food service employees back to

worked in the nonprofit sector for decades. Before Second

work in an innovative way,” said Jaron. “We were incredi-

Helpings Atlanta, she served as chief development officer

bly fortunate to have the support from generous partners

of Meals on Wheels Atlanta and held development posi-

including Atlanta Rotary Club, Mercedes Benz, State Farm

tions with the Weber School, the Anti-Defamation League,

Arena, Bold Catering and Proof of the Pudding to make this

Hands-On Atlanta and more.

program possible.”

SHA is uniquely skilled in the logistics of coordinating between its donors and hunger relief agencies. To that end,

In her spare time, Jaron practices yoga and spends quality time with her family in their neighborhood of Brookhaven. “I love my neighborhood,” said Jaron.

the organization remains a trusted partner to both non-

Andrea’s go-to weekend activity is enjoying a wine tast-

profit and corporate organizations. This fall, SHA partnered

ing at Brookhaven Wines. During the pandemic, the local

to deliver 20,000 meals with ATLFAMILYMEAL, an initiative

wine shop pivoted to offer virtual tastings – Andrea had one

from restaurateur Michael Lennox supporting hospitality

planned in December for the Second Helpings Atlanta board.

workers in need.

“We’re proud to say these initiatives are continuing through the end of the year with existing and new partnerships, said Jaron. “There is strength in numbers.”

As demand grows, Jaron and her team remain focused on continuing to foster partnerships and secure resources

“While brainstorming safe, but engaging, social events for our board, I immediately thought of Brookhaven Wines and didn’t ask anyone else,” said Jaron.

This ease of access to stores and businesses contrasts with her everyday work in food insecurity in Metro Atlanta, and it’s her main driver of why she does what she does.

that help drive their mission. This month, longtime donor

“Community is central to Second Helpings Atlanta’s mis-

organization, Whole Foods chose SHA as a recipient of its

sion,” said Jaron. “I’m grateful to live in my neighborhood,

“Nourishing Our Neighborhoods” initiative that donates

and I will continue to work until everyone has access to a

vans to food rescue nonprofits. The new refrigerated van

welcoming, resourceful and food-secure community.”

will help SHA in its mission to deliver fresh food and perishables to communities experiencing food insecurity.

“We’re grateful for our continued partnership with Whole Foods,” said Jaron. “They are truly dedicated to

14

Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

For more information, please visit SecondHelpingsAtlanta.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Yo u r N e w Worklife

ARTICLE KATE FLANAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

 A FLEXIBLE WORKSPACE IS THE KEY TO FINDING CONTROL AND BALANCE.

18

IF THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED YOU TO FEEL A

There is a new definition of worklife and it is marked

LACK OF CONTROL OVER YOUR WORK LIFE, YOU

by balance, control, mobility, flexibility and most excit-

ARE NOT ALONE. We have all been forced to let go of

ing: employee empowerment. For employees who have

our routines and take things day by day. If there is one

proven that they can fulfill their work obligations while

positive outcome of watching the pendulum swing from

remote, companies are now loosening the reigns on what

stringent office expectations (and a long stretch of desk

the traditional workday looks like. It is an exciting time to

time sandwiched between a painful commute) to 100%

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Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

So, where to begin with this new flexibility and freedom? Take a close look at your work obligations and your personal responsibilities and determine how to best integrate the two. One problem that has arisen as so many people began working from home without warning is the inability to set boundaries. If you are obsessively checking emails while preparing your family dinner, then you are blurring the lines of a work life balance. We all know deep down you can never effectively do two things at once, CONTINUED >

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YOUR NEW WORKLIFE (CONTINUED)

but when you share your workspace with your personal space the

surrounding residential areas. The goal is a quick drive to a safe and

temptation to multi-task can be overwhelming. Having separate and

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Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

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LOCAL LIMELIGHT ARTICLE SUE G. COLLINS | PHOTOGRAPHY AUBRY CANALES

LAURA HOUSTON,

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, JOHNS CREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

W H I T N E Y B R YA N T,

2020-2021 BOARD CHAIRMAN AND AN INVESTMENT ADVISOR WITH FINANCIAL STRATEGIES OF GEORGIA

R O B I N B U C K L E Y,

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

JCL: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE JC CHAMBER IN 2021 AND HOW WILL YOU MAKE THOSE HAPPEN?

MEET THE THREE ACCOMPLISHED PROFESSIONALS WHO POWER THE JOHNS CREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Our C r e at i v e Chamber

RB: Our goal moving into 2021 is to stay flexible and responsive to our membership. If nothing else, COVID taught us that we need to be able to adjust quickly to new situations, not rely on “what we always do.”

WB: We want to be the best support and resource for our members that we can be. We have maintained full operations throughout the pandemic (even if we are doing it from home), networking, as well as board meetings, and fundraisers. We have tapped the great resource that is our Board of Directors, full of incredible local leadership, to come up with creative ways to be the best Chamber for our members and community.

LH: Double the Chamber’s social media engagement enhancing our ability to spotlight members and streamline communication channels. Working on actual engagement vs pushing information, creating loyalty to the Chamber and member to member. We can make that happen through sharing relevant data and staying on top of “mentions”. Now more than ever, members are turning to online for business, so we want to continue to make engagements as useful as possible for members.

22

Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

Robin Buckley, Chief Operations Officer

Whitney Bryant Financial Advisor, Financial Strategies of Georgia Chairwoman of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce

JCL: YOU ARE BUSY! HOW DO YOU KEEP THE BALANCE? RB: Personally, I have learned to ask for time to make decisions and how to say “no” when the situation doesn’t work for me.

WB: This is a struggle, but I force myself to unplug from obligations at least once a day – whether that’s reading a book, vegging out to a show I’m binge-watching, or walking my dog around the block.

LH: I make sure I schedule time for the things important to me and my family. Schedules for Chambers are unique with events at different times of the day and different locations as well. If you stay on top of your calendar, you can balance all aspects of life. Fortunately for me, I work for a very “family-friendly” organization.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsCreek

23

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

JCL: WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO GO WALKING TO CLEAR YOUR MIND IN JC? RB: Newtown Park – As a Navy Veteran I have a serious soft spot for the Veteran’s Memorial & Wall That Heals. When I have my dog with me, we like the trails and tunnels with the murals, etc.

WB: If I want to really, truly get away and clear my head, I go sit by the river off of Barnwell Rd. My quick, get-out-of-the-house walk though, is to Webb Bridge Park just over the Alpharetta border from my house. I can’t wait until the trails at Cauley Creek Park are complete. That sounds like it is going to be a wonderful place to escape.

LH: Newtown park, the Veteran’s Memorial Walk is a wonderful place to walk through. I really enjoy the Vietnam Veteran’s Wall that Heals as I helped fundraise to have that monument installed. It’s nice to see the community’s efforts come to fruition.

Laura Houston Executive Director, Marketing Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce

24

Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

From left to right: Laura Houston, Robin Buckley, Whitney Bryant

JCL: WHERE IS HOME, SWEET HOME? RB: I live off of Old Milton Pkwy in Bridge Pointe S/D – 1.5 miles from 400/Avalon. It is a great neighborhood/location. My dog, Rocky (13-year-old boxer/bully mix) and I have lived there for seven years. Prior to that, we lived in South Forsyth for 16 years.

WB: I’ve lived in the Abbotts Cove neighborhood for just over four years with my husband, Dave, and two sons (James 11 and Matthew 6), and our dog Otter, cat Maple, and snake Neville.

LH: Although I work in JC, I live in Milton. Twenty plus years in Milton. My husband and I are semi-empty nesters (two sons in college). We are also parents of a Carolina Dog named Jane and a “Shepweiler” (half German Shepard/half Rottweiler) named Whiskey and three cats.

CityLifestyle.com/JohnsCreek

25

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Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

SHEILA EWERS REMINDS US TO BE MORE PRESENT AND AWAKE TO THE MOMENT AS IT UNFOLDS. ARTICLE SUE G. COLLINS

SC: WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO BREATHING EASIER IN 2021. What breathing exercises can you recommend for us to do at our desk or at home?

SE: Studies show that the breath is the most powerful tool at our disposal for down-regulating the nervous system and managing stress. In addition, the movement of the diaphragm can create a sort of internal massage for the digestive system and heart that helps to keep both working optimally. Â Most people use approximately 70% of their full lung capacity, and that number tends to decrease with age, illness, and lack of mobility, but we can train the body to breathe fully and properly with relative ease by taking full, conscious diaphragmatic breaths. With the spine straight and the chest upright, place a hand on your abdomen and a hand on your chest. Take a long, deep inhalation through the nostrils as you feel your abdomen swell. Then draw the breath all the way up to your collar bones. Breathe out CONTINUED >

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Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE (CONTINUED)

YOGA HELPS TO ANCHOR THE MIND IN THE PRESENT MOMENT BY C A L L I N G AT T E N T I O N T O W H AT I S H A P P E N I N G R I G H T N O W.

Sheila Ewers of Johns Creek Yoga JohnsCreekYoga.com 770.619.1283 Readers can take advantage of a new student special of $60 for one month of unlimited yoga (a $105 value)!

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Johns Creek Lifestyle | January 2021

slowly and completely through the nostrils.

Repeat 10 times and notice if you feel more settled and peaceful afterward.

SC: WHY DOES YOGA WORK FOR SO MANY PEOPLE AS A REMEDY FOR STRESS? SE: The very definition of Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and ancient Sanskrit text, is “the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.” When we experience stress, the mind is overactive, projecting into the future, revisiting the past and scattering in multiple directions. Yoga helps to anchor the mind in the present moment by calling attention to what is happening right NOW. Movements in Yoga asana emphasize awareness of sensation and breath. Breath awareness, literally noticing each inhalation and exhalation, harnesses the mind to keep it from wandering, and meditation helps us to more keenly observe the transient nature of thoughts and emotions. Over time, as we learn to be more present and awake to the moment as it unfolds, the mind becomes more settled. In addition, the deep diaphragmatic breath we practice in yoga stimulates the vagus nerve which can reduce the physical symptoms of stress.

SC: FOR BODIES THAT AREN’T FLEXIBLE OR FIT, CAN YOGA OFFER A SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE? SE: Absolutely! There are many ways to practice yoga, and it is important for beginning students and experienced practitioners alike to find what will works for their unique body and goals. Vinyasa yoga can be vigorous, building strength and stamina, but a more slower-paced-gentle practice is equally valuable. The goal of yoga is not flexibility or fitness, it is presence and equanimity, and every person can arrive at that destination no matter where they begin. Good teachers can help students adapt poses and use props to modify the practice, and practices like Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra that emphasize stillness offer enormous benefits. Even when movement isn’t possible at all, we can still breathe and meditate which may be the most important yoga practice of all.

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