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Cobb Life March 2011 Volume 7, Issue 2 PUBLISHER
Otis A. Brumby, Jr.
GENERAL MANAGER
Otis Brumby III
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aids Hearing Aid Repair • Assistive Listening Devices Batteries & More!
FREE Zephyr
(from Dry and Store)
Hearing Aid Dehumidifier with purchase of any pair of hearing aids. Not valid on prior purchases. Expires 5-31-2011
75 Day Trial Period on Hearing Aids DR. LAURIE NELSON Audiologist 990 Whitlock Avenue, Suite D • Marietta, GA 30064 Under Whitlock’s Restaurant 770-427-3033 www.MariettaHearing.com
V.P. OF SALES
Jay Whorton
Wade Stephens
EDITORIAL STAFF DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES
Mark Wallace Maguire CONTRIBUTORS
Allen Bell, Laura Braddick, Joan Durbin, Donna Espy, Stacey L. Evans, Therra Gwyn, Kevin Hazzard, Elaine LaMontagne, Michael Pallerino, Ryan Peck, Meredith Pruden, Heather Teilhet, Michael Venezia PHOTOGRAPHER
Mia McCorkle
PHOTOGRAPHY Jennifer Carter, Erin Gray, Laura Moon, Nathan Self LAYOUT AND DESIGN
INDEX OF Appliance Mart Atlanta Communities Atlanta Lyric Theatre Atlanta Swim Academy BBQ Grill Dr Big Shanty BBQ Body Proud Fitness Broadway Across America Carpet Dry Tech Center Academy Center For Allergy & Asthma Childrens Health Care Cobb Civic Center Cobb Hardware Cochran Shutters Dance Stop Davis-Struempf Funeral Home Dental Care Center of Kennestone Emory Adventist Fabric & Fringe Fireplace Company First Cherokee State Bank Fresh N Fit Gail Holman Gas South Broadway Series Geico Georgia Memorial Park Georgia's Own Credit Union Golden Rugs Good Measure Meals Halo Salon Johnson Ferry Baptist Juleps
ADVERTISERS 39 42 22 45 60 16 50 12 44 65 7 5 40 57 60 34 10 31 61 56 52 24 54 56 18 52 29 19 16 17 53 53 41
Kennesaw Dental 45 Kortney Struempf 43 KSU Continuing ED 36 Lasik Eye Center - Joffe Medical 11 Lavida Massage 43 Legacy Landscapes 54 Lisa's Cake Art 47 Marietta Hearing 4 Marlowes 23 Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home 67 Mini Maids 64 New Life Chiropractic 49 Parc @ Piedmont 48 Physicians Choice 41 Piedmont Hospital 68 Pinnacle Orthopaedics 25 Plastic Surgery Center of the South 35 Resurgens 30 Roswell Street Baptist 6 Sawyer Baily Salon 34 Solaris 3 Spot On Cunsulting 44 Sue Hilton 40 Sundial Plumbing 46 The Bottoms Group 9 The Framery 50 Three 13 Salon 55 United Community Bank 13 Wellstar 2 White Rabbit 28 Winnwood Retirement 51
Stacey L. Evans, Mark Wallace Maguire PROOFREADER
Sonja Heck
ADVERTISING STAFF COBB ADVERTISING MANAGER
Becky Opitz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Reneé Aghajanian, Stephanie deJarnette, Katie Berry, Carole Johnson, Dawne Edge, Paula Milton, Cheryl Myrick, Tamara Cuda, Melinda Young GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Caroline Brannen Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Leigh Hall
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Matt Heck
Cobb Life magazine is published nine times a year and distributed to more than 33,500 homes and businesses throughout Cobb County. ADVERTISING: To advertise, contact Wade Stephens at wstephens@cobblifemagazine.com or 770.795.3000 x500 SUBMISSIONS: Please send all editorial correspondence to mmaguire@cobblifemagazine.com
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C O N T E N T S
features 20 SUCCESS ON THE STRINGS A look inside the world’s largest banjo store, located in Marietta
20
32 LOOKIE, LOOKIE Here comes a different type of cookie 37 ON THE RISE Our annual 20 Rising Stars under 40 features some of the up and comers in Cobb
departments 14 SPICE Take a trip south to Vinings and savor some of Soho’s fine cuisine 26 STYLE Smyrna’s hottest new boutique offers eclectic wares 58 WINE Great wines without breaking the bank
in
every issue
8 FROM THE DIRECTOR
62 HIGHLIGHTS
10 LETTERS
63 SCENE
10 NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY
68 SLICE OF COBB
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FROM
THE
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DIRECTOR
Snow resurrects memories o f t h e We s t e r n F l ye r spent a few years of my childhood growing up in the small city of Forest City, N.C., a gorgeous Rockwellian town nestled among the foothills of that fine state. The main street of that town seemed to have everything a boy wanted. There was Smith’s Drugstore that had a long linoleum counter and polished steel stools ringed around it. You could pony up to the counter — the smell of burgers simmering and eggs cooking thick in the air — and order a Coke float or a handmade Cherry Coke. And I mean real Cherry Coke, with the cherry flavor drawn from its own syrup, the type that existed long before it became mass marketed in aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Also on Main Street, sitting back from the road and framed by stately trees sat First Baptist Church of Forest City, where my father served as pastor. It was a regal building, built with brick and stone that paid homage to the 19th century when it was constructed. I’ve been to more than 40 churches throughout America and parts of Europe and the architecture of First Baptist Church of Forest City is still close to the pinnacle of brilliance. Main Street also featured the local newspaper, a handful of clothing shops and The Western Auto Store. Long before Wal-Marts dotted the landscape, small chain stores like Western Auto were part of the fabric of small-town America. Part auto parts store, part hardware store, part general store, Western Auto sold a variety of auto parts, various household goods, bicycles, appliances and the one item that always caught my attention – sleds. The shop had several real sleds on display. And I mean real sleds, not the plastic models you see today. These had steel runners on the bottom that you had to rub candle wax on to ensure maximum speed. The sled also had thick, laminated pieces of wood on top, a leather strap to help you steer at the front and, above all, they had names neatly hand-painted on them in red paint. My favorite was the “Western Flyer,” a name that conjured speed and a sense of Old West danger. My parents bought my brother and me a “Western Flyer” one Christmas and it proved to be a worthy investment. Our backyard was a sledder’s dream and a mower’s nightmare. It went out about 20 or so feet from the backdoor and then plummeted a gorgeous dangerous angle of over 100 feet to the bottom of the yard. We got snow every winter in Forest City, sometimes up to three or four times. One winter, in particular, we got well over half a foot. Far from the quiet hushedness of snow that poets
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write about (myself guilty at times), the neighborhood was alive with the sounds of children laughing, sleds rocketing down the street and in our backyard, my brother’s and my’s exultation of accomplishment after, and only after, we had survived the heart-stopping lightening fast ride to the bottom of the hill. Every morning for what seemed like days on end, we would rise, eat a hot breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate, bundle up, wax the blades of the sled and get ready for another day of sledding. We moved from Forest City a year or so after that winter. The rest of my pre-college days were spent among three cities in the mild piedmont of the Carolinas. During those years, snow ceased to be a regular occurrence, but instead a rare visitor. We would get a dusting every two or three years if we were lucky, but usually just an inch or so of ice. It was just enough to get the TV anchors excited, boost the sale of bread and milk at local stores and tempt enough self-proclaimed macho men to drive in it, a fact they would relish over later. During those years, the “Western Flyer” became a relic in our garage where dust piled upon its once stately frame and its red letters faded. I don’t know what happened to the sled, I imagine it was eventually sold in a garage sale or given away. I write all this, because the last few years, the frequency of snow has changed here. My wife and I figured our five-year-old son Patrick has seen more snow in his time on the planet than we saw in the ten years prior to his birth combined. He, and the members of his generation, have been blessed. They saw a White Christmas. They got an amazing several days off of school for real snow, not ice or sleet. And, Patrick got to sled when the area got blanketed in early January. I even joined him for several trips down our neighborhood hills, reliving a snapshot of my own childhood. There was just one thing missing. You guessed it. “The Western Flyer.” Though I haven’t seen a “Western Flyer” in over two decades, I might be able to still find one online. And with the weather we’ve been having the last few years or so, there is a chance we might get another snow as late as April. If not, I can always reminiscence about it with a Cherry Coke.
Mark Wallace Maguire
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L E T T E R S Chutney choices Note: In his Jan/Feb. column, magazine director Mark Wallace Maguire asked where he could find good chutney. Shari Griffith wrote: I have peach chutney and apple chutney in my fridge right now from Mercier's Orchards in Blue Ridge. They also have green tomato relish that tastes very much like my grandmother's Piccadilly.Very yummy! I also notice that in the Best of Dining section, the West Cobb Diner serves fried chicken topped with green tomato chutney....sounds good! Shari Griffith
Cobb Life is useless Just got the January/February issue of Cobb Life in the mail today. I looked at it. My wife looked at it. We flipped back thru it just to be sure. There can be no best of Cobb without mention of Henry's Louisiana Grill in downtown Acworth. Absolutely no way. No how. From now on, Cobb Life will find its place in the recycle pile with the Herrington catalog. Never having been read, because we know it's useless! T. David Wootten Note: As a reminder, The Best Of was voted on by r eaders who submitted their vote by ballot, not by our editorial staff. Next year’s ballots will appear in the October edition.
Got a suggestion? A story idea? A correction? Speak your mind. Just email us at cobblifemagazine@cobblifemagazine.com
NEWS
Davis-Struempf
Funeral Home & Crematory Where Your Confidence is our Sacred Trust ~ A Caring Tradition Three Generations Strong Serving All of Cobb County
James “Jim” Davis
Debbie Davis Struempf
Funeral Director, Owner
Family Counselor, Owner
1975 East-West Connector • Austell, GA 30106
770-944-2900 • www.davisstruempf.com 10 COBB LIFE March
2011
&
NOTEWORTHY
Atlanta Home Show back at The Galleria The 33rd annual Spring Atlanta Home Show comes back to the Cobb Galleria Centre April 1 to 3. It is one of our fave events heralding spring and our staff always tries to make at least one foray. This year, the event features more than 350 local home improvement companies and also features daily demonstrations and seminars from HGTV experts, remodeling and landscaping pros and world-class chefs. Information: www.AtlantaHomeShow.com 770.798.1997
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NEWS
Cobb and the hunger for herbs
Did you know that Cherokeebased Sweetwater Growers hottest market is Cobb County? The herb company, which specializes in basil, but also features rosemary, parsley, dill, oregano, mint, sage and thyme. The herbs — dang fresh from our tastings — can be found at Whole Foods and Kroger. The business doesn’t use pesticides and uses recycled water.
The Vinings Historic Preservation Society is planning an elegant party April 2 to celebrate the Solomon and Penelopy Pace House being named to the National Register of Historic Places. The event will also honor Mary Ann (M. A.) Sikes for her leadership in accomplishing this milestone. Sikes, a long time resident of Vinings, was the president of the Society during the quest for historic designation and it was her mission to see the Pace House listed on the National Register. The event takes place April 2 at 7 p.m. It is black-tie optional. Tickets are $65 per person or $125 per couple. Information: www.vinings.org
&
NOTEWORTHY
VHPS celebrates recognition of the Pace House
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BY JOAN DURBIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY
SOHO Longtime Vinings r e s t a u r a n t ke e p s t h e m e n u s a vo r y a n d eclectic. A n d i t ke e p s t h e i r patrons coming back for more.
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General Joey’s calamari is a savory blend of spices, ginger, peppers and soy glaze.
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If there is one thing Frank and Susan Smith have learned in their 14 years as
owners of the popular Soho restaurant, it’s don’t mess with success. There are three menu items that are sacrosanct to Soho customers, and woe betide the Smiths if those dishes ever disappear. “Chicken tortilla soup, salmon Thai and chocolate bread pudding,” Frank said with a grin. “They’ve all been on the menu since day one.” Open since 1997 in Vinings Jubilee, Soho enjoys a loyal customer base that expects the dishes they love, but also are appreciative of Executive Chef Joey Ahn’s newer creations. To describe Soho’s menu as eclectic is a fair evaluation, Susan said. “It doesn’t matter what you’re in the mood for. You’re going to find it here.” This self-described American bistro’s regular offerings are mostly homey and familiar, ranging from grilled pork chop, hangar steak, braised short ribs and crab cakes to slightly more sophisticated fare like beef Bolognese and elk tenderloin. Yet even what could be prosaic in lesser hands becomes decidedly more special with Chef Joey’s added flair. Everyday ingredients are often enlivened with the unusual, yielding a composed dish that can be unexpectedly different yet completely delightful. Calamari is a staple on many appetizer menus, but at Soho, there’s a twist. Chef Joey’s Calamari is his family recipe. He starts with fresh calamari, breads it lightly and stir-fries it with a ginger and soy glaze, diced sweet peppers and Serrano peppers. Sweet and mildly spicy, this treatment should quickly supplant any preferences lovers of this cephalopod may have had for the ubiquitous deep-fried version. Hawaiian poke tuna is a seldom-seen mixture of cubes of raw ahi tuna tossed with seaweed, sweet onions and a roasted sesame sauce. PEI mussels luxuriate in a broth of lemongrass, Serrano peppers and white wine.
FINE RUGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD! WE BEAT ANYONE’S PRICES! HUGE SELECTION!
GOLDEN RUGS Mon. - Sat. 10am-8pm • Sun. 12pm-6pm
3335 Cobb Pkwy • Ste. 800
UP TO
Acworth (next to Best Buy)
www.atlantagoldenrugs.com
770-966-0801 Many Sizes, Shapes & Colors We Do Rug Repairs
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EVERYTHING IN STORE!
Ahi Tuna with sweet onions, seaweed and roasted soy sauce. T op, owners Frank and Susan Smith.
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And that popular salmon Thai? A delightful mix of chopped basil, mint, cilantro, ginger, lemongrass, peanuts and garlic wrapped in rice paper with grilled salmon and drizzled with a tasty citrus ponzu sauce. No wonder it’s a top seller here. My curiousity was piqued by the elk, which I’d never tasted. With reassurance that it wasn’t gamey because the animal is farm-raised rather than wild, I had to try it. The medium rare medallions accented by a raspberry mustard marinade were tender and immensely flavorful, somewhat reminiscent of lamb but with a pleasantly exotic meatiness of its own. I would definitely order it again. Duck confit is one of the chef ’s personal favorites, and it shows up on his menu in one form or another on a regular basis.
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The gourmet sliders are garnished with several specialities, including goat cheese. Right, the bread pudding is a super way to top off a meal.
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The man behind the magic — Chef Joey.
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S O H O 4300 PACES FERRY RD SE VININGS (770) 8010069 W W W. S O H O AT L ANTA.COM
On the evening I was there, it was in spring rolls, but he also likes putting it in crepes, quesadillas and even pasta. Joey puts a playful spin on his confit, using fresh thyme, bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns and a cinnamon stick to impart a hint of aromatic spice into the richness of the duck. “Joey has the gift of a light touch. Instead of an enormous amount of seasoning, he uses pinches, just enough not to overwhelm,” Susan said. His parents owned a restaurant, and Joey acquired a love of cooking when he was very young. He developed his skills at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and honed his expertise in other people’s kitchens before taking the lead role at Soho 11 years ago. The menu is “by committee,” said Susan, an accomplished home cook who admits to having “quite a few opinions” about what comes out of Soho’s kitchen. She and Frank and Joey put significant effort into getting any new dish just right, tweaking it through several incarnations until it meets their standard and they’re sure guests will embrace it. “When we add another dish, we’re very particular, because it means something else is coming off to make room,” Frank explained. While many items can be found year-round, there are seasonal adjustments. Frank makes the trip to the state farmer’s market at least three times weekly and brings back whatever produce looks good that day. “It could be anything from fava beans to peaches,” he said. Those items will end up in Joey’s daily specials. Small plates and wine pairings are a relatively new feature at Soho. Guests can order these at any time or stop by on Wednesdays for Flight Night, themed tastings from wine regions around the world, with small plates prepared by Chef Joey to complement each of the flight wines. Soho’s gleaming wood, Tuscaninspired colors and paintings by local artists provide a comfortable backdrop, making it equally as appealing to sit and enjoy food at the bar as in the dining areas. Customers will find a well-chosen and reasonably priced wine list as well as a full stock of premium liquors and interesting beers.
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Pickin,’
grinnin’ and sellin’ banjos from the world’s largest banjo music store located in
MARIETTA, GEORGIA BY MICHAEL PALLERINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY
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John Drummond, owner of banjo.com. inside the business.
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It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. P ar t of the r unning of b a n j o. c o m i s r e g u l a r l y t e s t i n g o u t t h e e q u i p m e n t . A b o v e , f r o m l e f t , banjo specialist Grey Ear nest, owner John Dr ummond and General Manager Mark Bramlett.
East Cobb’s John Drummond can still close his eyes and go back to Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, the Pensacola, Fla., hot spot for all things family birthday parties and special occasions.
In the soundtrack to those nostalgic flashbacks, the patrons are always singing along – Dixieland style – with the piano player and banjo player. As a teenager, and already a veteran percussion player who today still plays drums in a rock-n-roll band, Drummond couldn’t take his eyes – or ears – of f of how the banjo player could make that four -string tenor banjo sound. And then he started to pick up the sound everywhere: on the “Beverly Hillbillies” theme song and the eerily pivotal scene in the movie “Deliverance.” He was so captivated that he made his parents buy him one. He was 15. Flash forward to the early 2000s. After successfully launching the website, Unicycle.com (another success story), Drummond had the strategy and infrastructure in place to take his love of the banjo into cyberspace. Enter Marietta-based Banjo.com, which went live Aug. 9, 2003 and serves as a major resource for banjo players, by banjo players.
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Drummond and company began developing new products for banjo players that no one else had thought of. Their warehouse, which is open to the public, has some 500 banjos so that people who live in the area – or those passing through – can visit the showroom, compare their favorite banjos side-by-side, and select one that speaks to them best. “Banjo.com isn’t a traditional music store,” Drummond says, whose prized musical possession is a 1994 Gibson RB-250 Mastertone, five-string banjo his wife, Amy, gave to him on his 40th birthday. “We don’t sell pianos, drums or electric guitars. We focus on the banjo player and the acoustic bluegrass musician. Our stock is world class and our service is local. We sell and ship instruments to people all around the world, but call Marietta home.” The website offers a variety of models (the best-seller is Deering Sierra), a drop-down menu that enables pickers to choose the combination they like best and video and sound clips that provides samples of what most of its instruments sound like. One of its biggest calling cards is the uncanny and renowned customer service it offers. For example, since setting up a banjo is an art form, general manager Mark Bramlett, a professional banjo player, is among the best in the nation at the craft. People come from all over the Southeast to have their banjos set up by him. To date, Banjo.com ships about 75 percent of its orders. The No. 1 rule: Shipping an unopened box to a customer is forbidden. Each instrument is taken out of the box to make sure it is in pristine condition and easy to play. “Our value is in the setup, which can take up to an hour on a banjo,” Drummond says. “A new banjo typically sounds dreadful until it’s properly set up. I believe in adding value to whatever we do, especially if we're getting paid for it.” And while it is not the biggest banjo store in cyber space, Drummond says the race is on. “We’re in our seventh year, competing with companies that have been around for more than 30 years. We are a recognized leader within the bluegrass instrument industry.” So, just how much of an impact does Banjo.com and its merry band of pickers have on Banjo Nation? In 2006, the site and its followers set a world record for the largest banjo ensemble. With Turner Field as its stage, 240 banjo players from all over the world (including Japan) played Foggy Mountain Breakdown for 5 minutes as the Jumbotron clock ticked on. Famed picker Earl Scruggs, who wrote the song, was in attendance with his family. The feat, which was dedicated to him, was appropriately called “A Tribute to Earl Scruggs.”
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D I D YO U K N OW ? Drummond transferred to Atlanta area in 1993 while working for IBM. After a year in the Vinings area, he built a home in East Cobb. He and his wife have three musical sons, who all play the drums: Casey (drums and guitar), a senior at Georgia Tech, Zach (drums and piano), a sophomore at UGA,
and Sawyer (drums), a sophomore at Walton High School. Did you know? Banjos originally came from Egypt. Folklore has it that the fifth string was added in the United States. www.banjo.com 1148 JVL Court Suite 170 Marietta, GA 30066
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Pa t i n a H o m e F u r n i s h i n g s i n S m y r n a a one-stop-shop to help y ou get creative in
styling spaces
P
BY MEREDITH PRUDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIA MCCORKLE
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There’s no question about it, Patina Home Furnishings, located in Smyrna on Concord Road, is a veritable treasure trove of all things home decor.
Whether you’re looking for furniture, accessories or art (oil and prints; framed and unframed), Patina is a onestop-shop of stylish goodies. In fact, they even have the much sought after Tyler Candle Company perfumed candles to make sure your home smells as good as it looks. When owner George Scott first opened the store, originally named Love Street Home, he had a vision to bring affordable, unique furniture to Cobb County, and he’s certainly succeeded. Now, nine years later, Scott and his savvy team still have the most distinctive furniture around, including some truly outstanding American and English wooden antiques. “It’s so neat to see the craftsmanship of antique pieces,” said Scott, who has been known to restore antiques for sale in the store. “It’s great to mix old and
Patina has vignettes set up throughout the store to help customers get ideas on how to decorate. The store carries a variety of fur nishings and decor.
Patina Home Furnishings 1125-B Concord Rd. Smyrna, Ga 30080 678.556.3878 www.patinahomefurn.com 28 COBB LIFE March
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Decorative items from Patina add style and flair to any room. Far left, a green distressed lamp with a print shade. Left, a plum linen pillow with braid design on a linen cloth nailhead chair.
Patina owner George Scott strives to bring affordable and unique furniture to Cobb.
new pieces for an eclectic look. Plus, a lot of new furniture is actually made to look old!” The store also carries some recycled wood pieces, which are as much a conversation piece as they are home decor. One glance around Patina Home Furnishings and it’s clear that the store is a labor of love for Scott, who said he loves meeting new people and helping them furnish their homes. Each piece seems tailor made for the surprisingly expansive space. Have a larger home design project you’d like help with? He also has excellent relationships with several talented local interior designers that he’s happy to recommend. “I really love giving people ideas to help make their homes nice,” Scott said. “My customers come first.” Scott is a longtime Smyrna resident who moved from southern Florida to Georgia in the late 1970s to attend Georgia Tech. He went on to graduate with a computer science degree and work for Bell South for 17 years. So, how did a computer whiz with a prestigious Tech degree end up with the owner of Patina Home Furnishings? There’s just no accounting for personal passion, and Scott’s passion for home decor really shines through at Patina.
Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, serving the metro area for over fifty years, is devoted to delivering the highest level of service and satisfaction possible to families. We are committed to excellence daily by each member of our staff. As an honored Dignity Memorial™ provider, we are empowered to create a meaningful service. Contact us to find out how a Dignity Memorial Provider can be of benefit to your family and receive a valuable Personal Planning Guide.
2000 Cobb Pkwy SE • Marietta, GA 30060 770.432.0771 • 770.952.4478 www.georgiamemorialpark.com Al Harris - General Manager
Paula Kirchhofer - Sales Manager COBB LIFE March
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- Chinese Proverb When visiting the Dental Care Center at Kennestone we want you to experience a visit that is different from the usual. Our office wants you to feel welcome and comfortable in our practice. We will listen to your concerns, determine your needs, and design a treatment plan just for you. We have intraoral cameras that allow you to see exactly what we see. We are confident that we can help you get the smile you have always wanted, pledged to stay abreast of advances in dentistry for the benefit of patients and the betterment of dentistry.
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Above, an assor tment of cookies at Ali’s Cookies on Johnson Fer ry Road in Marietta. Right, Brody Smith, 4, of East Cobb enjoys a sugar cookie with sprinkles at Ali’s Cookies.
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with a taste so rich and yummy, these local treats should be called
fortune cookies Be prepared to have your will power sorely tested when you walk into Ali’s Cookies.
If the
tantalizing aroma doesn’t immediately seduce your senses,
more than 20 varieties of freshly baked cookies will crumble any lingering resistance.
the sight of trays and more trays of
BY JOAN DURBIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIA MCCORKLE
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On a recent visit, the apple pie cookies had just come out of the oven. One bite of the moist chunks of apple melted into the warm spiced dough was enough to convince me that I had found cookie nirvana. And apparently so have a host of other happy customers. It was a cold, rainy afternoon, but a steady stream of cookie-seekers flowed through the door. East Cobb resident Jennifer Frankel has been patronizing the shop for several years. Her three children “won’t eat any other cookie. These cookies are phenomenal,” she said as she paid for her order . That sentiment was echoed by Marc Ratlif f, who was making his daily purchase. “If it’s not cookies from here and it’s not chocolate chip, my wife won’ t eat it,” he said with a grin. So regular are Ratliff’s visits that shop owners Jeff and Alison Rosengarten used to be concerned if they didn’t see him for a day or two. “W e tracked down his phone number and would call to see if he was alright,” Jeff laughed. “Now if he’s going on vacation or something, he tells us.” It’s easy to understand this kind of loyalty. The cookies are simply unlike any other, unless they’re from your mom’s kitchen. There’s no stinting on the quality of ingredients and no shortcuts in preparation. “We use Belgian chocolate, pure vanilla and real butter. Instead of using processed frozen eggs, we go through 70 dozen eggs a week and we crack every one by hand,” Jeff said. “Every cookie is scooped by hand and baked the way you’d bake it yourself in your own home oven.”
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Right, Ali’s Cookies owners Alison and Jeff Rosengarten of East Cobb pull out some freshly baked cookies.
Like everyone in the food industry, the Rosengartens have been hit with spiraling costs for ingredients, yet they refuse to skimp in their recipes and have held the line on retail prices. A half dozen cookies, with a bonus cookie thrown in, is $9; a dozen, which has two extra cookies, is $18. They’re worth every penny. Measuring three to four inches in diameter and weighing around 2.5 ounces each, studded with chocolate, fruit and nuts, these are the Goliaths of the cookie world. From the quintessential chocolate chip and home-style oatmeal raisin to the more exotic white chocolate macadamia nut, toffee crunch and praline pecan, there’s a cookie for every taste and preference. One of my favorites is the playfully named George Washington’s Revenge, a palate-pleasing mixture of dried cherries, toffee bits, semi-sweet chocolate chunks and oatmeal. The Rosengartens have owned the shop for three years, but it has been in existence in the same shopping center since 1981. Through the years recipes have been tweaked a bit, but they are essentially the same as three decades ago. Formerly Chocolate Chips, the Rosengartens renamed the shop Ali’s Cookies and Alison quit her job managing a dentist office to run it full time. Jeff, a retired children’s clothing manufacturer, is the marketing end while Alison oversees operations. The shop
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Praline pecan cookies.
employs seven people, including two pastry chefs and a cake decorator, but Ali does some of the baking herself. “My mother’s parents owned a restaurant and bakery, so she grew up in the business. She always baked everything from scratch, and I picked everything up from her,” Ali said. Since owning the shop, Ali has added a few of her own cookie varieties to the menu. The German chocolate cookie, for instance, is an original Ali creation. “It’s our double chocolate chunk cookie with coconut, caramel, white chocolate and pecans,” she said. Customer service is an essential part of Ali’s Cookies. “It’s extremely important,” Jeff said. “We never say ‘no’ to a customer.” That even applies to one who asks for one of their astounding cookie cakes on very short notice. In high demand, the round or rectangular cakes can be customized with molded chocolate in a multitude of different shapes and pictures of honorees. The cakes feed anywhere from two to 60. No other cookie cake I’ve tasted can compare texturally or is packed with such pure flavor. All baking is done in the spacious kitchen behind the shop. Its three ovens are constantly in use, so the cases are always fully stocked and special orders can be accommodated quickly. Corporate customers of Ali’s Cookies include Turner Field, Turner Broadcasting and the InterContinental Buckhead. All of Ali’s offerings are certified kosher, and many are lactose free. Glutenfree goods are made to order. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The shop is closed on Saturday.
Ali’s Cookies
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1255 Johnson Ferry Road Market Plaza Shopping Center, Marietta 770.971.8566 www.shipacookie.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIA MCCORKLE, JENNIFER CARTER AND ERIN GRAY
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
James Eubanks
VICE PRESIDENT, WHARTON MANAGEMENT, INC.
James Eubanks’ life is a whirlwind of activity. The 32-
year-old Marietta native and his wife, Julie, have a four-year-old daughter, twoyear-old son, and a baby on the way. Add that to his job and numerous community positions and you have one busy life. “I try to get involved and stay out of trouble at the same time,” jokes Eubanks, who serves as vice president of Wharton Management, a family-run business managing over 140,000 square feet of commercial rental property leased to more than 60 leaseholders. The company is located in the Marietta Station complex just off the Marietta Square. Community service is also important, he says, because “I have a vested interest in Marietta – I work here, live here – everything we do is within a half-mile of the Marietta Square.” He is a property owner member of the Downtown Marietta Development Authority, and sits on the Historic Board of Review and the Height Guidance for Historic Marietta Square Task Force. He also helps his wife with her newlyopened business, Be Yoga, located on the
Laura Kirkland
Square. Seeing the Marietta Square thrive and many of his clients there do well is important, says Eubanks, for the future of his family and others who call Marietta home. — By Donna Espy
the stats Age: 32 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Rice University, Master’s Degree, Stanford University. Family: Wife, Julie. The couple has a daughter, Charlotte, 4 and son, Thomas, 2. Role Model: “I look up to my father, Gary F. Eubanks, and father-in-law, Larry J. Muensterman, of Evansville, Ind. Both men have strong character and firm moral grounding.” Favorite Quote: From J.R. Eubanks, his late grandfather: “If you want to do something badly enough, you’ll find time to do it.” Additional Volunteer Activities: Staff Parish Relations Committee, First United Methodist Church in Marietta; Member of Marietta Rotary Club; Past board member of Cobb Christmas; Leadership Cobb Class of 2011.
ENTREPRENEUR, ARTIST
A self-proclaimed “artsy person” with a love for crafting, Laura
Kirkland did not realize art could be a career until she was almost finished with college. “I was teaching ceramics at Camp Greystone for girls in Tuxedo, N.C. I stayed up late at night making and painting ceramic crosses,” the Kennesaw resident said. “People started offering to buy them.” Just 13 years later, the 34-year-old’s work is now sold in more than 7,000 stores nationwide. “I started on a wing and a prayer with a hand-me-down kiln from an artist back home in St. Simons [Island] and free room and board in the basement of the home of one of my pastors and his wife, Terry and Patty Cantrell.” After selling custom-made items to clients for about nine years, Kirkland partnered with friend Molly Holm and Mariettabased Glory Haus inspirational gifts three years ago. Since then, the business has launched her creations to the forefront of the niche gift and décor market. “One of the greatest challenges is that being an entrepreneur is busy,” said Kirkland. “I have surrounded myself by
some amazing people who can support me with their gifts and talents. So, I am able to delegate out parts of the design process. I also try not to take myself too seriously.” But even with the challenges, she said her passion for her work continues to grow stronger. “In my eyes, my creative talent is clearly a gift from God,” she said. “And it never ceases to amaze me that the ideas keep coming.” — By Laura Braddick
the stats Age: 34 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, University of Georgia. Personal: Married to husband Sean. The couple has three children, daughter Zoe and sons Henry and Finn. Role model: “… People who lead by serving… Their praises go unsung, but they know who they are created to be.” Favorite Quote: “The only way to find your life is to lay your own life down, and I believe it’s an easy price for the life that we have found.” - Andrew Peterson Volunteer work/Additional activities: Children’s ministry, missionary outreach and co-leader of small community group at Vintage 242 church.
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
Javier Reto
ORTHOPEDIST, PINNACLE ORTHOPEDICS
Marietta orthopedist Javier Reto is truly a rising star in spine care and
surgery and he’s only just begun. “I decided to go into medithe stats cine after I graduated from college and had my own accident Age: 36 Education: Bachelor’s that required surgery on my Degree, University of Chicago. back,” Reto said. “The path to Residency: University of being a doctor all stems from Illinois Chicago – MD. Spine my own personal experience Surgery Fellowship: Twin with that surgery.” Cities Spine Center. Reto, who was born in Peru Personal: Married with two and moved stateside with his children. family when he was only 5 Role model: Father who years old, recently relocated to came to the United States Cobb County from Chicago, with two young kids, a wife where he completed his spine and $200 in his pocket. center fellowship, to begin his Favorite Quote: “If I have practice at Pinnacle seen further than others, it is Orthopedics. “I love it here,” by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” — Isaac Reto said, “It’s great to finally Newton put to use the years of training I’ve been through. The biggest thing for me is just the amazing difference you can make in people’s lives and quality of life with the right care whether that means surgery or not. Sometimes it means deciding against surgery.” — By Meredith Pruden
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
Jevares Myrick
ACTOR, SINGER, TELEVISION HOST, PRODUCER
awards for his stage performances with several musical theatre groups including the Atlanta Lyric Theatre and Six Flags Over Georgia, and in January, he was hired as the host and emcee for the Grand Am Rolex Racing Tour, a branch of NASCAR. You can also see him on the SPEED Network traveling the world to give viewers a behind the scenes look at the races. It all began when he was accepted to Pebblebrook High School’s prestigious performing arts program and studied under two of his mentors – Frank Timmerman, current director of the arts program who was Myrick’s vocal coach at Pebblebrook, and Earl Reece, former director of the program and current executive director for the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in A successful songwriter and producer. A television host. An award-winning musical theatre performer. A musi- Marietta. “If it wasn’t for them, I definitecian and singer embarking on a solo career. Each one of ly wouldn’t be where I am today. these careers takes a special kind of talent. Pebblebrook played a huge role in But they’re all rolled into one in Jevares Myrick. my life,” Myrick said. Myrick, a Powder Springs native and current resident of From Pebblebrook, Myrick studAcworth, has been a ghost producer for some of the nation’ s ied opera on a full scholarship to top R&B and hip hop artists, has won state and national
Wright State University, followed by a few years traveling the globe on Royal Carribean and Holland America cruise lines as a performer. Myrick said his favorite composer is Guiseppe Verdi, and still has a strong love and passion for operas. He has also just set out to produce for himself, creating what he calls a “hip pop” sound with a retro vibe thrown in, much like artists such as Cee Lo Green and Mumford and Sons. “Sometimes I wake up and I’m like, really?” Myrick said, with a laugh. “People always ask me, ‘When do you sleep?’ And honestly, I don’t think about it. I just keep going.” — By Katy Ruth Camp
the stats Age: 23 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Wright State University. Personal: Single.
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
David Eldridge
PASTOR, STONEBRIDGE CHURCH
The Lord works in mysterious ways. Or does He? To hear Pastor David Eldridge tell it, His ways are pretty straightforward. A lifelong Marietta resident, Eldridge returned home after seminary with the goal of setting up a church in the community that nurtured him. “I have a heart for this place,” he
the stats Age: 36 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, UGA. Masters of Divinity, Asbury Theological Seminary. Personal/Family: Married to Misty. The couple has four children: Mary Davidson, 11, Tom, 9, Nate, 5, and Ty, 1. Role model: Anyone who is living the life God created them to live. Favorite Quote: “Never make a principle out of your experience; let God be as original with other people as he is with you.” — Oswald Chambers. Volunteer work/Additional activities: Work Matters, youth soccer coach, youth basketball coach.
says, “and to me, the Square is the heart of Marietta.” The young pastor started working out of a house with 30 congregants and soon both his church and his following grew, thanks to his simple yet inspired vision: To help people be better citizens through their God-given talents. “God has a plan for everyone,” Eldridge says. “He wants to work through them in their everyday lives. Whether that’s being a great soccer coach or a great businessman.” Rather than preach, Eldridge likes to help others unlock their potential and that, he says, is as close as any of us can come to the divine. “Anything can be important,” he says. “All I do is help people discover their gift. I love to see the light bulb go off in someone’s head as they realize they’re serving God in their everyday actions.” Today Stonebridge Church has over 400 congregants who pour their varied talents into everything from music festivals, to youth athletics, to foster care.
Eldridge is quick to note many of the programs are secular and nearly all are unrelated to the church. “I’m just helping people do their own thing, whatever it is.” — By Kevin Hazzard
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
Carrie E. Friedewald, DVM
VETERINARIAN, KENNESAW MT. ANIMAL HOSPITAL
All children dream of what
they’ll become when they grow up — actor, fireman, teacher — but most of those dreams never come to fruition. Not so with Kennesaw veterinarian Carrie Friedewald. “I’ve known I wanted to take care of animals my whole life,” she said. “I never wavered and am really lucky I’ve gotten to live out my dream.” Now, after a little more than eight years as a vet, Friedewald has partnered with a long-time colleague and friend to start Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital, caring for both small and large animals with specialties including oncology and cardiology. Friedewald says she credits her parents as outstanding role models who encouraged her to follow her dreams and her husband, Chris Bethel, as a constant inspiration to forge ahead. With such a wonderful support system and her eyes on the prize, it’s no wonder that Friedewald’s young daughter wants to follow in her DVM footsteps. But Friedewald’s passion for veterinary medicine isn’t just contagious in the family, it’s also catching on around town where her genuine, caring nature has created quite a buzz. “I just love animals and the relation-
ships with their owners,” Friedewald said. “We put the pet first, the client next and ourselves last.” And that’s why her clients (and their pets) love her. — By Meredith Pruden
the stats Age: 35 Education: Bachelor’s Degrees, Davidson College, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine: Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Personal: Married to Christopher Bethel. The couple has a five-year-old daughter, Emma Louise. Role Model: J. Thad Riddle, D.V.M. “I was lucky enough to work for him at the Veterinary Clinic in Marietta before he retired and consider him my mentor. He had the perfect balance of bedside manner and intellectual chops.” Favorite quote: “We strive to put the pet first, the client second and ourselves last.” — J. Thad Riddle, D.V.M. Volunteer work/additional activities: Cobb County Humane Society, WellStar Golden Leaf Society, Reconnecting Families, SafePATH, MUST Ministries, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Veterinary Medical Society, Georgia Veterinary Medicine Association, American Veterinary Medicine Association, North Metro Community Church.
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
Jason B. Fincher
STATE COURT JUDGE
State Court Judge Jason Fincher, standing, watches the results come in with campaign manager Phyllis Collins, left, and Christine Sloane during his recent election to state cour t judge.
Integrity. Humility. Purpose. Ask Cobb State Court Judge Jason B. Fincher what it takes to be successful and that’s what the lifelong Cobb County resident will say. Born at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and a proud product of the Cobb County Public School system — he graduated from McEachern High School — Fincher quickly ascended from law clerk, to prosecutor , to state judge. The law profession has taught him resolve conflicts in a positive way, the stats operating under Age: 35 his steadfast Education: College: Bachelor’s belief that you Degree, Kennesaw State must treat each University, Law Degree, John person — each Marshall Law School. case — with Personal: Married to Deena. The the respect and couple has three children, Natalie, dignity he 9, Will, 7, and Mitchell, 4. Role model: My father, who deserves, taught me the values that make regardless of me who I am today. the situation. Favorite quote: “Blessed are they When he who maintain justice, who contook the oath of stantly do what is right.” – Psalm State Court 106:3 Judge, he made Volunteer work/Additional activia promise from ties: Coach Baseball at Oregon a colleague’s Park, Coach Upward Basketball at advice to Roswell Street Baptist Church. always stay grounded and never forget those who helped him get to where he is. When he is not in a courtroom, he and his family can often be found cruising Lake Allatoona on their pontoon boat. — By Michael Pallerino COBB LIFE March
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Erica Crosling
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, LOCKHEED
From the time she was a little girl growing up in New Jersey,
Erica Crosling knew what she wanted to do with her life. “I knew from the time I could read, at age 4, that I wanted to be a writer ,” she says. In high school she was editor of the school paper and on the yearbook staf f. In college she idolized Toni Morrison and Charlayne Hunter-Gault. The day after graduating from Rutgers, Croslingmoved to Atlanta where her focus and love of communication eventually took her to HD Supply, a multi-billion dollar wholesale distribution company where she served at Director of Public Relations and Community Affairs. Before that she was VP of Communications at Citigroup. Now at Lockheed Martin she describes settling into a job that she feel was made for her, “This is the job that God has been preparing me for since I decided to do this for a living… I have the most talented team I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.” Even as she racks up kudos in her career, she credits other people for her success, “I have had good role models my whole life. I’ve had a number of mentors who believed in me far sooner Superior Carpet, Flooring & Upholstery Care
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Age:38 Education: Bachelor’s Degrees, Rutgers University. Family: Married to Ivan; a daughter, age 6 and a son, age 4. Role models: Has had several important role models but credits her mother, Doris, for making the largest impact. “My mother taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance and living your dreams.” Croslingsays, “ She worked full-time and obtained her B.S. in Nursing and then her Master’s degree in Public Administration while raising two children and being a dedicated wife and supporting my father’s career. She always found time to spend with my sister and me, attending our school activities and encouraging us to be the best at whatever we wanted to do.” Volunteer activities: Junior Achievement, March of Dimes, United Way, Dress for Success and a variety of mentoring and tutoring activities in the metro area. “I have a love of education and any time I can participate in volunteer activities that focus on preparing our workforce of the future, I don’t hesitate to get involved,” Crosling says. Favorite Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
Scott McKee
CARDIOLOGIST, WELLSTAR HOSPITALS
Scott McKee was exposed to the medical field at an early age.
The son of a pharmaceutical sales rep, McKee enjoyed an up-close-andpersonal view of medicine as a youngster through his father’s relationships with business associates. As the years went by, a natural love of science and his own personal experiences made McKee long for a career in patient care. “I’ve always enjoyed science and logic and there’s a lot of that in medicine,” said McKee. “That appealed to me a lot as I got older.” Throw in a desire to help sick people in need, and McKee decided to embark down the path to becoming a doctor. After achieving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and advancing through medical school and a subsequent residency in North Carolina, cardiology emerged as McKee’s field of expertise. McKee eventually landed at Wellstar in 2007, where he is on staf f at the Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding hospitals. He specializes in interventional cardiology, which deals
with patients in need of stents to relieve blockage due to coronary artery disease. “I get the opportunity to help people who are acutely ill and in need of immediate help, but there’s also the opportunity to follow people longterm and help them understand the disease process and the path back to health,” he said. — By Ryan Peck
the stats Age: 37 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Chemistry, Georgia Tech M.D., Medical College of Georgia. Personal: Married to Meredith. The couple has three children: Ryan, 6, Nathan, 4, and Macie, 1. Role model: My parents. Favorite Quote: “The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well.” — William Osler. Volunteer work/Additional activities: Youth soccer and flag football coach; MUST ministries; American Heart Association.
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20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
Chris James Chris James admits his journey to becoming
TEACHER, OSBORNE HIGH SCHOOL
an educator followed an unexpected and circuitous path. But looking back, it is difficult for James to envision himself as anything else. “You tell people you have a role you’re supposed to fulfill in life. It actually found me,” said James. “I had family members as educators, and that is one thing I did not want to do (as a child). But, I guess, you have to do what’s in you.” After obtaining a bachelor ’s degree in music, James gained accounting experience as an intern before being hired to a clerical position at Atlanta’s SIA Tech Charter High School in 2002. It was not long before James transitioned to education at SIA Tech, where he worked hands-on with former dropouts and encouraged them to get a diploma. Eager to identify and reach at-risk students early, James next accepted a teaching post at Osborne High School in 2006. “That was to keep kids from being
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dropouts and actually be high school graduates the first time around,” he said of the move. Four years later, James was named Cobb County Teacher of the Year for 2010-2011. He surmised his presence at Osborne has transformed about seven or eight students from potential dropouts to eventual high school graduates. “It just takes somebody who cares to tell a kid they can do it,” said James. “When I see them actually understand concepts …They end up believing in themselves. Those types of things are my rewards.” James said his future goals include working in administration and one day opening up his own school. — By Ryan Peck
the stats Age: 32 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Mississippi Valley State University. Earning a Master’s Degree, Education, University of Phoenix. Personal/Family: Single. Son of Reverend Sylvester James and Gloria. Role models: Parents, SFC James C. Marshall and Bishop Marvin Winans. Favorite Quote: “Great men cultivate love...only little men cherish a spirit of hatred.” — Booker T. Washington. Volunteer work/Additional activities: Head coach of tennis and cheerleaders at Osborne High School; Learnto-Earn After School Program Volunteer; Praise and Worship Leader at Thy Kingdom Has Come International Ministries; BOSS United Mentor.
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Casey Smith
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PRESIDENT, WISER WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Disillusionment is nothing new.
An idealistic college grad enters the world only to learn all is not as he expected. He either accepts the realities as they are or walks away. Casey Smith, in his own way, did both. Smith grew up in a conservative family and attended the private college, Berry College, sheltered environments by his own admission, but his first job with a lar ge brokerage firm provided a larger culture shock than he’d anticipated. He was doing more selling than advising and was surrounded, to his horror, by stock jockeys. So he quit and spent eight months following his passion for aviation from the confines of training aircraft all the way to the hectic schedule of a junior pilot at a small airline. Eventually the airline was bought out and Casey , suddenly not so junior, had his pick of schedules. With more time on his hands, he decided to return to finance. This time, however, he’d do it on his terms. In 2001, he founded Wiser Wealth Management Inc. where he teamed with a group of mavericks espousing a feeonly approach, steering clients not toward stocks but the emerging world of index funds. The Marietta-based business has done well. “At the time we were ahead of the curve on this,” he says. Eventually the world caught up. He has spoken at conferences worldwide and became his airline’s 401k specialist, offering every pilot two free hours of financial consultation. His expertise on fiduciary-only stock management has also landed him interviews in news outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, CNN Radio, and the Marietta Daily Journal.”— By Kevin Hazzard
the stats Age: 33 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Berry College. Tax Training; Estate Planning Training; Pilot School. Personal: Married to Angela. The couple has two children, Ethan, 5 and Katelyn, 3. Role Model: “My grandfather Rev. Charles Sims — Always forgiving, always showing Christlike love to everyone, never afraid of work.” Favorite Quote: “Investing has always been, and will remain, an operation in which wealth is transferred from those without working knowledge of financial history to those who have one.” — William Bernstein Additional Activities/Volunteer work: Partner with Leading the Way with Dr. Michael Youssef www.leadingtheway.org. Board Member, Berry College Board of Visitors, Campbell School of Business Executive Advisory Council, Berry College Planned Giving Council Member, Berry College Student Run Enterprises Board Member.
20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
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Mazi Mazloom
CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
The American Dream. It is at
once tangible and ethereal, a standard by which to mark achievement and a gilded destination for millions. Though the details change, the spirit remains – it is a search for belonging, a journey home. For Mazi Mazloom the search began in Iran, the journey took him to America and home is right here in Marietta.
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Born in 1972, Mazloom’s family fled Iran in 1979 just days before Iranian protestors overran the US Embassy. The family settled in Columbia, S.C. and though their application for political asylum was granted, they were not yet home. “It was a tough time to be Iranian,” Mazloom admits. At the time he was seven and when he entered school he did so without a working knowledge of English. But, like the millions before them, the family prevailed. Despite the bias they felt in those early years, the family never missed an opportunity to help the less fortunate. Mazloom’s father ran a grocery store and was endlessly generous, a fact not lost on the young Mazloom and when he and his wife settled in Marietta, that giving spirit became a defining trait. “As soon as we got here,” he says of Marietta, “I felt at home for the first time in my life.” Today Mazloom’s own children often take part in the family’s charity work, continuing a legacy of giving back that started all those years ago. Mazloom has proven to be a force in the legal community in Cobb. Just a few highlights from his years in the legal
arena include, serving as a Cobb District Attorney, Cobb County Solicitor General, Associate Judge for the City of Marietta and an instructor at Kennesaw State University. I’ve lived a very fortunate life,” he says, “and I want to give back to my community.” — By Kevin Hazzard
the stats Age: 38 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Georgia State University. Law Degree, John Marshall Law School. Personal: Married to Elin. The couple has two children, Leila, 7, and Arian, 5. Volunteer work/Additional Activities: Mazloom’s extensive list includes involvement in Cobb County Bar Association, Partners In Education, Marietta Lawyers Club, Leadership Cobb, West Side Elementary PTA, Cobb County Library Foundation, Marietta Housing Authority, Marietta Kiwanis Club, American Cancer Society, Cobb County Annual Swordsman’s Ball, Pink Ribbon Golf Tournament, MUST Ministries, coach for children’s soccer teams, and much more.
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ONLY $20 TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP BUT HAS NEVER BEEN TO A CHIROPRACTOR BEFORE (Or Hasn't Been In A Long Time) Dear Friend, If you've ever thought about going to a chiropractor but you've hesitated because you weren't sure it was right for you please read on… My name is Dr. Erin Arnold. I would like to show my heartfelt thanks to the community with the announc ement of Community Health Week. It's my way of saying THANK YOU to the people who ha ve been so helpful and mean so much. I hope this will benefit you and yours. I have agreed to "give away" (to anyone who asks for it) $200 worth of my services for only $20. That's right-$20. In the years that I ha ve been practicing I ha ve helped man y people in the North Georgia area feel better and live healthier, more productive lives through chiropractic care. I would now like to introduce you to the many benefits my profession has to offer. For instance, chiropractic care may be able to help you if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.
• Low back pain • Neck Pain • Migraines • Sciatica • Herniated discs • Degenerated discs • Shoulder/arm pain And a whole host of other pr oblems, ranging from TMJ to carpal tunnel. These symptoms can be caused whenever the vertebrae in your spine are out of alignment , because this "misalignment" directly affects your nervous system. Fortunately, if you are suffering from such pr oblems or similar c onditions right now, they may be relieved or eliminated by proper chiropractic treatment (commonly called "adjustments"). So if y ou've always wanted to "check out" chiropractic care and see what is in it f or you, now is the best time because….. Right now $20 will get y ou all the services I normally char ge my new patients $200 for!
WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE? Everything. Take a look at what you'll get…. • An in-depth priv ate consultation about your health and well being. • A chiropractic spinal examination…. • A set of specializ ed X-rays to determine if a misalignment in your spine is
©TPMI
causing your pain or symptoms…(NOTE: Nobody gives these kinds of X-r ays FREE. They would usually cost $100)… • An analysis of y our X-rays and spinal exam results so we can see what needs t o be done to help. • Helpful literature that shows how your body works and wh y you experience pain… • Answers to all y our most probing questions about chir opractic care and what it can do for you…. The appointment will not take long at all. And like I said, we normally charge $200 f or this (most of which just covers the c ost of the set of X-r ays). But now, as a part of this one time offer, you can come in and find out for certain if y ou need chir opractic care and how it can help you eliminate the pain you are feeling. Before you come in, though, you'll probably want t o know a little bit about me. So let me tell you….
MEET THE DOCTOR Prior to obtaining m y Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Marietta, GA, I received my B.S. degree in Biology. I am nationally and state board certified in Chir opractic and Physiotherapy. I am one of the f ew doctors in this area that is c ertified and per forms specific Activator analysis t echnique for the tr eatment of degener ative discs, scoliosis, herniated discs just t o name a few. I have happily donated my time to organizations such as MUST Ministries, YWCA (Domestic Violence Shelter for Women), and Ross Memorial, just name a few. I am v ery proud to be a wif e and mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a member of Liberty Church in Marietta, GA.
DOES CHIROPRACTIC REALLY WORK Absolutely! When you come in I'll provide you with studies that sho w why chiropractic is a pr eferred method of treatment. But what provides the best "proof" on ho w well chiropractic works is what our patients sa y about it.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS What brought me t o New Lif e Chiropractic Center was m y GREAT, GREAT PAIN. Chiropractic has helped me because m y pain has subsided , I can get out of bed and off of the sofa. I move better with less pain and I am more of a " h a p p y camper" these days. Better yet, my husband isn't as stressed knowing that I am getting b e t t e r . Everyone that works here is v ery suppor tive, caring and friendly. In one word… FANTASTIC! Thanks, Lois Diehl
ALLERGIES AND FATIGUE I started seeking chiropractic help for allergies, fatigue and back aches. Chiropractic has helped m y problems diminish. I can ex ercise more, sleep better and just enjo y life. I know that chiropractic is essential f or overall well-being and that is wh y my entire family is under car e here. Now that I am happier, my family is also, happier. The doctors and staff her e are really gentle and caring. Thanks for your help, Bridgett Dunk
LOW BACK PAIN AND HEADACHES When I first came t o the office I had a lot of pain in my back, headaches and allergies. I did not have any idea how chiropractic help. Now that I ha ve been getting adjust ed, I no longer have headaches, low back pain and my allergies have improved greatly! Getting care here has impr oved my quality of life! I have more to offer my family and I have more energy to play with my son. The atmosphere is warm, caring and helpful. Thanks, Pastor John Schubert
SCIATICA I came t o NLCC with pain in m y low back due to two "crushed" discs. Now that I ha ve been under chir opractic care I can take walks, get in and out of bed and get out of m y chair. I have
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less pain and I do not ha ve Charlie horses anymore. My family is happy because I do not c omplain as much and I can do things without hobbling around. I love coming here! Sincerely, James Wood
SCOLIOSIS I was having pain in my hip, knee and leg all the way down to my ankle. The pain kept me up at night! The pain is now almost entirely gone and a good night sleep has returned! I never realized how wonderful it was t o sleep! I was amazed at how quickly I responded. I have had chiropractic care before but never such a gentle pr ogressive healing. Thank you for your help! Phyillis Waddle
GUARANTEE OF GREAT SERVICE Obviously we can't guarantee results. No one can. But there is one guar antee we can give you and that's a guarantee to accept your case only if w e truly feel we can help.
LIMITED TIME OFFER Obviously, with an off er like this w e can't afford to do it f or very long. So we've picked the dates of Mar. 7-21st. If you would like to take us up on our offer and see what chiropractic can do for you, all you have to do is call our office and set up an appointment. Call our 24 hour help line @ 678574-5678 and tell the r eceptionist you'd like to come in f or the Special Introductory Examination during Mar. 7-21st. I expect to get flooded with appointments for this event, so please call me as soon as possible t o be sure that you don't miss out. Thank you very much, and I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more productive life. God bless. Sincerely,
Dr. Erin Arnold, D.C.
New Life Chiropratic Center 3451 Cobb Parkway, Suite 6 Acworth, GA Call Today:
678-574-5678
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Dr. Anna V. Longacre
ATLANTA GASTROENTEROLOGIST ASSOCIATES the stats
Dr. Anna Longacre’s blueprint for success is pretty
straightforward. She believes everybody’s personal playbook should include the attributes of empathy, hard work and knowing when to put aside personal desires to achieve the ultimate goal. As a Gastroenterologist at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, she feels blessed to have a job that affords her the opportunity to make a positive difference in somebody’s
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life. Her career also offers, what she calls, just the right amount of “thinking” and “doing.” A dedicated wife and mom, Anna also understands the important role family plays in achieving ultimate success. That’s why she loves Cobb County, where outings such as the Marietta Pilgrimage and outdoor concerts on the Square help bring her and her family closer to the community they call home. — By Michael Pallerino
Age: 37 Education: Bachaelor’s Degree, UNC Chapel Hill; Medical school: SUNY Downstate (Brooklyn, N.Y.); residency, chief residency, fellow: Yale University. Personal: Married to Jonathan McMurry, professor at Kennesaw State University. Children: Sarah, 6, Sam 4, and Nathaniel, 2. Role model: My mom, my fellowship mentor, and a few other exceptional women along the way who knew their priorities and brought excellence to their work and lives. Favorite quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” — Jim Elliot Volunteer work/Additional activities: First United Methodist Church of Marietta Children’s Ministry Team, Adjunct Faculty Morehouse School of Medicine.
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John Wills
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, STATUS BLUE
John Wills has his priorities in order. As a businessman, he has founded a venture that is growing and offers a unique service to hospitals. As a father, he keeps busy with four young children. And as a mentor, he gives back to his community because of his beliefs. Wills is founder and president of S tatus Blue, a company that offers software to hospitals that is used to manage their suppliers. With over $3 million in revenue and recent franchise growth into Canada, Wills is enjoying the fruits of his labor – but is always looking to other ventures. “I personally enjoy all things new and am currently involved in some start-up projects,” says Wills, who runs the business from his Kennesaw Avenue office in Marietta. Speaking of Marietta, Wills moved there five years ago to start the operation because of its proximity to I-75, lower taxes, and lower cost of living than his native Atlanta. “Marietta is such a nice community and we’ve really settled in here and become very involved,” says Wills, who has started a group called “Marietta Work Matters,” which bridges the gap between
one’s faith and work. Why is he so active in the community? “It’s what I am supposed to do,” says Wills. “It’s not about me. It’s about serving the Lord through my family, my business and my community.” — By Donna Espy
the stats Age: 34 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Georgia State University. Family: Married to Kristen; four children ages 8, 6, 4, 2. Favorite Quote: From Peter in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Additional Volunteer Work: Works with inner-city youth with Atlanta Youth Project; Active member of Grace Community Church.
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Cassandra Buckalew
The vivacious and fun-loving Cassandra Buckalew of Marietta has taken an active and pivotal role in turning downtown Marietta a more vibrant, youthful and inviting destination. And while she is likely best known for co-founding the Marietta Trolley Company with her husband, Brian, Buckalew also has an interior design degree from the Art Institute of
FOUNDER, HISTORIC MARIETT A TROLLEY COMPANY Atlanta and is a member of a slew of local boards and civic groups. The Marietta Trolley Company, the city’s only trolley tour, is a throwback to earlier times when a trolley would carry residents to and from destinations around the city. The tour explores the city from the Marietta Square to remarkable antebellum homes and Civil War landmarks, as well as the distinctive depot off of Church Street across from the Marietta First Baptist Church that now serves as the Marietta Welcome Center. The trolley company was named the Cobb County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Attraction Member of the Year for 2010, and noted that the Trolley has “made a big impact in a short amount of time.” In 2009, she and Brian purchased Marietta Pedicabs, which mainly serves visitors on the Marietta Square, and have also since purchased the Ghosts of Marietta, which tours all of Marietta’s most haunted places. Some residents may have recognized Buckalew in the Strand’s production of “The Sunshine Boys” in April as a flirty nurse, for which her performance
“brought the house down,” Strand Executive Director Earl Reece said. With a very active role in the community, Buckalew somehow finds time for it all. “I am still very much focused on my design career and remain very passionate about all types of art and design. Now that I have that the trolley up and running, I am slowly focusing more and more on growing my interior design firm,” Buckalew said. — By Katy Ruth Camp
the stats Age: 36 Education: Art Institute of Atlanta Personal/Family: Married to Brian. Role model: Grandmother Favorite Quote: "Destiny is not matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." — William Jennings Bryan Volunteer work/Additional activities: Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta Square Branding Project, The Strand 60Grand, Honorary Commanders, Leadership Cobb, American Cancer SocietySwordsman’s Ball, United Arts of Cobb, Cobb County Hall Pass and more.
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Brandt Kessler
PRESIDENT, FIRST CLASS MAIL
It started as a teenager’s need for gas money. Through
the stats Age: 36 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Kennesaw State University. Personal: Married to Libby. The couple has a two-year-old son, Carson. Role model: Father and mother. Favorite Quote: Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Volunteer work/Additional activities: Member of Classic Glass Corvette Club in Marietta, which does volunteer events to raise money for local charities such as Calvary Children’s Homes; Lifetime Member of the National Corvette Museum; donates to St. Judes Children’s Hospital. Woodstock First Baptist Church.
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and stole, and the company grew.” Now, each day they send out more than 400,000 pieces of what Kessler light-heartedly describes as “the junk mail you hate getting.” And with customers like Coke, UPS and former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, they’re planning an expansion to double their current capacity. In fact, all that could slow down this seemingly recession-proof company, Kessler jokes, is nepotism. “It gets a little heated around here sometimes. I’ve fired my dad twice,” he says. “But at the end of the day , I know he’ll be there. I know I can count on him.” — By Kevin Hazzard
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Evan Alex Cole
ACTOR, DIRECTOR, SINGER
Cobb native Evan Alex Cole started his acting career young and before the ink
on his high school diploma was dry he lit out for Los Angeles and somewhat promptly landed a role in “Back When We Were Grownups,” a Hallmark film with Blythe Danner, Jack Palance, Peter Fonda and Faye Dunaway. Seven years later he still sounds impressed with his good fortune. “I got to watch the masters work,” he says of his co-stars. From L.A. he headed to Pittsburgh to attend Carnegie Mellon. In 2009 he was cast as Hunter on the durable soap opera “As The World Turns.” When the show filmed its final episode in 2010 after 54 years on the air it was a bittersweet moment for fans and cast members. So much so that Alex recorded a song called “World Turns” (available on iTunes). When he came home for Thanksgiving last year he found “a city alive with action and arts… and something like 36 movies coming to the state to film,” he says. Impressed with what his home state now had to of fer he
fulfilling career decisions, based on both work and what makes me happy.” Since being back in Cobb County he’s auditioned at Georgia Shakespeare and for film and TV roles. He still enjoys traveling for work, such as a recent commercial he filmed in Philadelphia but acknowledges, “Being in a place without support and family is tough. Coming back has been the best decision I’ve made.” — By Therra C. Gwyn
the stats
decided to let his lease expire on a Big Apple apartment and stay. The future for Alex includes getting a grad degree and he credits his parents for his focus on education. Other goals? “There are some Shakespearean roles I’d like to play in the next 10 years,” he says, “ I’d like to see myself making
Age: 26 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Carnegie Mellon. Studied business and biology online at Kennesaw State University while working on both coasts as an actor. Personal/Family: Single. Role model: “I have wonderful parents who have and always will be my number one role models,” he says. Fave quote: “The readiness is all.” — from Hamlet.
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Susan Thompson Powder Springs resident Susan Thompson would be the first to admit integrity and credibility
are not words that immediately come to mind when conjuring up the image of a lobbyist. After 15 legislative sessions, she is accustomed to the puzzling looks that accompany her admission that she is, in fact, just that: a lobbyist with integrity. “I have no expense account and I don’t take people to dinner,” she says. “I simply educate lawmakers on healthcare issues.” As the Head of Government Affairs for WellStar, Thompson works with a delegation of 33 lawmakers on issues ranging from community education to indigent care. But it is to her roots she looks when explaining how she has so successfully navigated what at times can be murky waters. “I started at Grady [Hospital] and will always have a soft spot in my heart for it,” she says. The job was only supposed to be a brief detour on the road to law school but, as is so often the case, an early
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, WELLSTAR the stats Age: 35 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Furman University. Personal/Family: Married to Eric C. Thompson. The couple has a six-yearold son, Jack. Role model: My grandmother, Mary Van Iten. Favorite Quote: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Volunteer work/Additional activities: Sanctuary Church children’s ministry; Board of Directors for the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce; recipient, Top Ten Young Professionals of Douglas County, 2010.
mentor reshaped her career. After seven years at Grady, Thompson went to work for WellStar to be closer to home and found, upon arriving, her dream job. Surveying her achievements, it is her role with WellStar’s community education boards that have brought her the most
satisfaction. “WellStar serves a vibrant, diverse population. It’s a wonderful community to work for,” she said. — By Kevin Hazzard
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Jamie Carroll
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, FONTIS WATER
Jamie Carroll is proud to follow in the foot steps of his family’s business traditions. Carroll, a 35-year-old East Cobb resident, is Founder and President of Fontis Water, located on Canton Road in Marietta. His father, Jim, and uncle, Steve, founded Georgia Mountain Water in 1980 and were very involved in community service in Cobb and the North Georgia area. Carroll says the duo sold their business to Crystal Springs in 2000 and Jamie worked there until 2003. It was then he began Fortis and has never looked back. “It takes a certain amount of commitment and willingness to put the time and effort into your own business,” says Carroll. “But it definitely pays off.” Carroll is active in the Kennesaw and Acworth Business Associations as well as the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. He has over 2,000 business and residen-
tial customers throughout Georgia, and he has also added coffee service and single cup brew service. “The past two years have been slower because of the economy, but things seem to be moving forward and growing,” says Carroll, who remembers some wise words his father gave him. “Dad told me that you have to be involved in your community – that’s your backyard,” says Carroll. — By Donna Espy
the stats Age: 35 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Kennesaw State University. Personal: Single. Volunteer Work: Active in Kennesaw and Acworth Business Associations; Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
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Adam Malone Graduating college was a turning point
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
for Marietta resident Adam Malone, a time when “everything came into better focus,” he said. It was then he adopted a philosophy of living one day at a time, and doing his best in everything he does. His “best” proved to be pretty phenomenal, propelling him to the top of his class at John Marshall Law School, where he graduated valedictorian. In his 11 years practicing law, Malone has racked up a long list of accomplishments and wins. His first civil case resulted in a $760,000 jury verdict for his client, a 9-year -old who was struck by a truck as a result of an apartment’ s after-school program’s failure to provide adequate supervision. A more recent $24.5 million settlement was won against a physician’s group and hospital for an unneccesary amputation a 14-year -old athlete’s leg. One of his most significant cases led to a Geor gia Supreme Court ruling last year that legislature cannot take away the right of jurors to decide damages in medical malpractice cases, striking down legislation passed in 2005 that set the maximum award at $350,000. “From times of earliest memory I had always wanted to be a lawyer and I know then it was because my dad and grandfather were my heroes and I wanted to be just like them. When I got older I asked myself if it was what I really wanted to do. I
really wanted to be useful and make a difference for other people in whatever I did. Seeing what my father and grandfather were able to do for people — giving them hope when they had none before, giving them financial security when they became disabled — seemed to me to be a perfect fit in how to accomplish that goal.” It’s his drive to make a difference and determination to do his best that gets him out of bed at 5:15 a.m. each morning for exercise before heading into the office around 7:30, and motivates him through the 12hour or more days he spends pouring over cases and litigation. To him, success is “knowing that I’ve done the best I possibly can. As long as I know that, even if the jury disagrees with me I can live with it.” — By Stacey L. Evans
the stats Age: 38 Education: Bachelor’s Degree, North Georgia Military College. Law Degree, John Marshall Law School. Personal: Married to Barbara Berry Malone. The couple has three children Maddie, Emilie, and Rosser, Jr. Role model: “My role model for my professional life is my father. I’ve always considered him to be my hero. My role model for how I should treat others and make myself useful is Barbara, my wife. Favorite quote: “My grandfather [Judge Rosser Malone] was full of quotes, and one he used to say often is ‘A man is no better than his word.’ That’s a personal quote that I think about often.” Volunteer work/Additional activities: American Association for Justice, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Civil Justice Foundation, Melvin M. Belli Society and much more.
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If you love wine but don’t wish to spend lots of your disposable income on the fruit of the vine in the retail supply chain, you are not alone. If you enjoy a glass or two daily and wish to be conservative in your expenditure on good juice, read on. I am going to share with you some of the great values available in the marketplace. No fuss, no pretentions, no wine snobbery, just honest-togoodness varietal character. The following brands reward you my thirsty friends with great return on investment and are often less than $10 for a 750 ml bottle, a fifth, 25 ounces, the standard bottles measure, six 4 oz glasses.
These two wines shown here are great bargains for the taste and perfect for entertaining.
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These wines really over deliver so grab a glass pour yourself a few ounces of pure pleasure and enjoy reading about my top value wine picks of the past twelve months. Many of these are produced by lar ge companies whose vineyard holdings, long-term contracts with growers and economies of scale give wine lovers plenty to smile about. For starters, look to Washington State for great options, especially for riesling and merlot. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better bang for the buck than Columbia Crest Grand Estates. California’s Beringer Vineyards Founders Estate controls thousands of acres all along the coast which from Santa Barbara, Monterey and the northern vineyards of Sonoma and Napa. They offer great examples of chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Clos Du Bois is another brand which utilizes multiple vineyard parcels to give wine consumers plenty to enjoy. If you are really looking to save a few bucks get yourself a 1.5 liter (magnum-double size bottle) of Woodbridge, by Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc, a dry, medium bodied white with great citrus notes, or if you like a little sweetness in your glass try Sutter Home 1.5 liter Moscato. A bit of a trade up but also great juice is the Trinchero Family Main Street line. I particularly enjoy their Chardonnay. The company has familyowned lots of vineyards under their management and a commitment to giving the consumer wines which over deliver. And if you want a wine to really turn your day brighter check out Rex Goliath Pinot Noir and Shiraz. They are fruit-laden with great midpalate texture and real depth. All of these are available in Kroger , Publix, and many independent retail outlets.
Got a question for the wine guru? Email him at mvenezia@ uniteddistinc.com
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Highlights
A closer look at events and activities throughout Cobb County in March COMPILED BY ALLEN BELL
MARIETTA/COBB MUSEUM OF ART TindelMichi reunite for their latest exhibition, “Relics,” on display at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. Visitors to the exhibit will be met by the heavily layered, large-scale paintings, sculptural works, and sound installations that explore the ghosts of the South’s haunted history and remixed narratives, both historical and personal. TindelMichi is John Tindel and Michi Meko, a collaborative duo working together to create a unique aesthetic influenced by the American South. “Relics” will be on display through March 27. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art is located in downtown Marietta at 30 Atlanta Street. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, free for children younger than six years old, and free for members. Information: 770.528.1444 or www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS Shen Yun Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in a lavishly colorful and exhilarating show. The masterful choreography ranges from grand imperial processions to legions of thunderous drums, with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in stunning synchronized patterns. Spectacular visuals take you to another world, with blossoming landscapes and celestial palaces appearing on beautiful animated backdrops. Ancient legends of virtue and modern tales of courage are brought to life by over a dozen dances and songs, making for an extraordinary, uplifting, and unforgettable experience. Shen Yun Performing Arts brings together over a hundred of the world's foremost classically trained dancers, choreographers, and musicians on March 8, 9, and 10 at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in the John A Williams Theatre. Call for ticket prices. Information: 770.916.2800 or www.cobbenergycentre.com A CHORUS LINE
CSO JAZZ AT THE STRAND Relive the swinging days of a bygone era as a whole new team of jazz giants delivers powerful performances and soulful memories under the direction of Sam Skelton. The 16-piece CSO Jazz continues to be the best band in all of Atlanta. The CSO Jazz performs April 2 at 8 p.m. in the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students. Information: 770.429.7016 or www.cobbsymphony.org
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for – with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed – to have the chance to dance. This is “A Chorus Line,” the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now “A Chorus Line” returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. Performances are March 17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and March 19 and 20 at 2 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Ticket prices range from $25 to $63. Information: 770.916.2800 or www.cobbenergycentre.com
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SCENE Earl Smith Strand Theatre double birthday party
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joint birthday party was held in January to celebrate two years of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre and for Smith’s 80th birthday. The event took place at the historic theater. Funds from the event benefitted the theater.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY
1. Marietta residents Claire and Emily Abernathy. 2. Ashley and Les Saunders of Marietta. 3. Theatre namesake and birthday honoree Earl Smith with wife, Rachel. 4. Randy and Annie Cook of Marietta. 5. Betty Van-Gerpen of Atlanta and Margaret Sudderth of Marietta. 6. Kennesaw resident Renee Sims with Donna Sims of Marietta. 7. Marietta residents Martha Leatherwood with Kim Gresh.
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SCENE Cobb Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala
he Cobb Chamber of Commerce held its 69th annual gala at the Cobb Galleria. At the event, Bank of North Georgia President and COO Rob Garcia extended his leadership role as the Cobb Chamber’s Chairman of the Board of Directors for 2011 and Earl Reece, executive director of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, was named Citizen of the Year by the Marietta Daily Journal.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIA MCCORKLE
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1. From left, Ron and Pam Younker and Stuart and Stephanie Sims, all of Marietta. 2. Chris Davala of East Cobb and Rev. Bryan Crute of Marietta.
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SCENE Cobb Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala
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3. From left, Bob and Judy Humphries of Lawrenceville and Faye and Tom DiMassimo of Powder Springs. 4. Margaret Kelly and Dianne Weeks both of Marietta. 5. Murdan Corvelis and Lisa Crossman, both of Marietta.
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slice of cobb by Heather Teilhet
Smyrna neighborhood reminiscent of Mayberry Mayberry was a fictional town. It never really existed. But despite a steady stream of apartment fires and crime reports in metro Atlanta I can’t seem to suppress a recurring feeling of gratitude for the impact our little Smyrna neighborhood has on my family’s quality of life. On our block kids actually still play outside after school until sunlight fades into dinnertime. Parents gather in the middle of the neighborhood shared driveway for a beer after work. Our very own Aunt Bee and adopted neighborhood mom rounds up our families for impromptu and delicious dinners, and still invites us back even after my kids scribble on her white dining room chairs with a blue marker. Day after day, my running buddies drag me out of bed before the sun comes up, making me feel healthy and worthwhile before the daily chaos drags me down. My playgroup moms discover me in a stressful pinch and rush over to scoop up my girls, entertaining them so I can finish a conference call, take a deep breath and find an aspirin. My chivalrous neighbor who works from home comes running to investigate when he spots an unusual car and an uninvited stranger peeking in the window of my house. And my two good friends, the creative genius and our neighborhood Betty Crocker, turn my mediocre
half attempt at a third birthday party into a toddler party extravaganza with homemade invitations, a plant potting station and a two-tieredladybug cake. I’m no anthropologist. Maybe our tight knit, neighborly group began with the vision of our homebuilder who designed our homes with a shared back driveway, physically linking us to each other as we come and go. Or maybe it’s just a lucky random assortment of people who happen to be in the same stage of life, and share the same values and interests. A thought occurred to me during the icy snow week in early January. I watched as a half dozen parents and kids shared one sled, and then again as we gathered over a pot of soup and a glass of wine in my neighbor ’s cozy kitchen. I suddenly became very grateful for these friends that we met through mere geographic happenstance. These friends now add so many layers to our lives. Maybe it’s not unique to our little corner of Cobb. Maybe it is happening in neighborhoods all over the state of Georgia. I am not naïve enough to think we’ll all be here in 15 years. My girls probably won’t graduate from high school with the same four friends that taught them to have a snowball fight in the front yard at age three. But for the present, our Cobb County version of modern day Mayberry fits our family perfectly.
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