Points North by Points North Atlanta Magazine

CONTENTS

POINTS NORTH MAGAZINE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER

PHOTO COURTESY OF SWEETWATER BREWING COMPANY

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOONDANCE ADVENTURES

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMERALD COAST CVB

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ATLANTA PRESERVATION CENTER

ISSUE 130 | MARCH 2011

ON THE COVER:

Whether you recognize her as Frau Blücher in “Young Frankenstein,” Granny in the remake of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” or great grandmother Maw Maw in today’s sitcom “Raising Hope,” which

If you’ve been following this special series, here’s an installment you won’t want to miss. Sure, we’ve got all the action you’ve come to expect, from rock climbing and cycling to ﬂy ﬁshing and llama trekking

airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox, there’s no doubt that Cloris Leachman still has the sharp wit and boundless energy that Hollywood directors and producers have relied upon since 1955. This month, Points North caught up with Leachman to discuss

(yes, you read that right), but this month’s feature has yet another incentive – a chance to win one of three exciting escapades of your own!

her career and her upcoming one-woman act at The Buckhead Theatre.

DEPARTMENTS

ANNUAL BEACH PLANNER It’s that time of year again – the time when we start to crave the sun on our faces and the sand between our toes. Looking for family fun beyond the beaches in Northwest Florida, or a little romance in Georgia’s Golden Isles? Want to plan your vacay around some fabulous festivals along the coast? You’re in luck. In this special section, we offer a glimpse at a few glorious Southern beaches, plus the scoop on packages, promotions and events at beach destinations across the Southeast.

CLORIS LEACHMAN

PHOENIX FLIES

Ancient mythology speaks of a beautiful bird with a tail of gold and scarlet that lives 500 years and then ignites into ﬂames, only to be reborn from its own ashes. Fitting, then, that the city of Atlanta For even more information and a list of resources to make planning your beach getaway a breeze, visit us online at www.ptsnorth.com.

chose the Phoenix to become its official symbol after the ﬂames of the Civil War in 1888. In an effort to celebrate our city’s rich history, The Atlanta

www.ptsnorth.com

Preservation Center presents “Phoenix Flies,” a free, three-week celebration of our living landmarks throughout Atlanta.

GENUINE ADVENTURES

CHECK OUT MIX IT UP ONLINE!

Make plans now to attend the special April Fool’s Weekend Wine Dinner at The Inn at Half Mile Farm in Highlands, N.C., featuring wine pairings from Pignatiello Wine Imports. In the meantime, visit us online at www.ptsnorth.com to try your hand at one of guest Chef Todd Ginsberg’s culinary creations at home. 4 Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

On the Cover: St. Pete Beach, Fla. | Photo courtesy of Tradewinds Island Resorts

POINTS OF VIEW

Spring has Finally Sprung! Growing up in landlocked Ohio (Lake Erie, notwithstanding), it was our spring break ritual to pack up our station wagon and head to the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite what that silly groundhog thought or not, it just didn’t feel like spring until we were lathered in sunscreen and felt that warm sand between our toes. Whether we reached the shores of Nagshead, The Outer Banks, The Grand Strand or Hilton Head, the memories are still some of the fondest I have from my childhood. Soon, my husband and I will be joining my family once more for a spring getaway, but this time we are passing on this annual rite of spring passage to our 9-month-old daughter. We are packing up her ﬂowered sunhat, 70+ SPF sunscreen, mermaid beach towel and, of course, her quintessential yellow-polka-dot bikini and heading to a beach house in Hilton Head, S.C. These warm thoughts have kept the chill off during an especially icy Atlanta winter. So, our annual beach planner couldn’t have come at a better time for Atlantans, who are no doubt ready to nearly skip spring all together and soak up some summer sun. This month we’ll take you to the beaches of Navarre, Fla., Miami and St. Simons Island, as well as highlight wave upon wave of wonderful travel packages and popular events and festivals at the beaches we love. We also love giveaways and hey, a little adventure to spice up the season sounds good too, so be sure to check out our 64 Genuine Adventures feature to learn about the fabulous travel giveaways we are offering this month, including a chance to hit the surf in WaterColor with a full-day stand up paddle board rental for two and an incredible adventure in Costa Rica where you’ll visit the beach, a volcano and a jungle all in the same trip! So, I’m making the ofﬁcial announcement, “Spring has sprung in Atlanta!” And if, by chance, Old Man Winter still doesn’t get the memo, just pack your bags for the beach. I think you can outrun him!

Editor Julie Hostetter

Points North All Points Interactive Media Corp. 568 Peachtree Parkway Cumming, Georgia 30041 770-844-0969 www.ptsnorth.com

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Editor

Creative Director

Advertising

Witt Beckman

Julie C. Hostetter

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770-844-0969 sales@ptsnorth.com

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Senior Editor

Assistant Creative Director

Carl Danbury Jr.

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Associate Publisher

Managing Editor

Karen Poulsen

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Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Erica Jackson Tiffany Willard

c yc l e T h i s M azi n e

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Contributing Writers

Points North is published monthly by All Points Interactive Media Corp. The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the editor, the publisher or of Points North. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Tiffany Willard

Andrew Neveils

Editorial Interns

Pl e as

Account Executives

Nate Curtis Tom Tolbert Justin DeCusati Hannah Davis

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A PB MARCH

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SHORES RESORT & SPA

ALL POINTS BULLETIN

ENTER TO WIN A STAY AT THE SHORES RESORT & SPA They say time at The Shores Resort & Spa is measured by the surf and sun. You really can’t ask for a better clock than that when you’re on vacation, and you’d be hard pressed to ﬁnd the kind of style and service that comes standard at Daytona Beach’s only AAA FourDiamond property. While the setting sun might signal the end of a beautiful day anywhere else, it is just the beginning for guests at The Shores Resort & Spa, where ocean-side ﬁre pits await families and friends for memorable moments minus the sun. Its quiet oceanfront setting is conducive for relaxing, whether your preference is the resort’s opulent accommodations (think four-posted feather beds and Italian marble showers), its boutique spa so equipped for pampering it is called Indulge, or the calm but consistent hum of happy guests in poolside cabanas, the Tiki Bar or the resort’s signature restaurant, Azure. Sure, you might have to decide how you’re going to spend your days and nights in Daytona Beach, but at least you won’t have to debate where you’re going to spend it. To shore up your own beach experience, call 866-396-2217 or visit www.shoresresrort.com — Andrew Neveils

The Prize One lucky Points North winner will receive a three-night stay for a family of four; breakfast daily for four and one S’mores kit. This package is valued at $1,310 and is valid through March 2012. Please go to the Giveaway section of our Web site at www.ptsnorth.com to enter the drawing for this prize.

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

ENTER TO WIN A PACKAGE OF SPECIALTY MEATS FROM NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE Sure big box grocery stores might be slightly more convenient when you’re also shopping for a birthday card and a weeks’ worth of meals, but with that convenience comes a cost in quality. Ever met the butcher behind the counter at the grocery store? Doubtful. “Rare quality. Well-done service” is what sets New York Butcher Shoppe apart. Well, that and their delicious line of hand-cut meats, fresh seasonal vegetables, pastas, sauces, wines, salads and dips — and you had the preconceived notion that this was “just” a butcher shop. Not at all, but with locations in Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs, you might as well check this place out for yourself. Something tells me your shopping route will change in the not-so-distant future. For more information or to peruse New York Butcher Shoppe’s specialty meats, sandwiches, prepared foods and catering options, visit www.nybutcher.com.

The Prize Two lucky winners will each win one Broadway Package from New York Butcher Shoppe. This prize, valued at $95, includes two 6-ounce ﬁlets, two 13-ounce ribeyes, two 10-ounce NY strips, two fresh ground Angus Burger patties, two centercut pork chops, two whole boneless all natural chicken breasts, one pork tenderloin and two pounds of fresh ground beef. Please go to the Giveaway section of our Web site at www.ptsnorth.com to enter the drawing for this prize.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMAN’S LANDING

CAST A NET FOR CHARITY If spring fever has you craving a taste of the beach, Norman’s Landing in Cumming is the next best thing, battling its landlocked locale with nautically inspired décor, satisfying seafood and a fun, ﬁsh camp-style setting. Opened since 1995, Norman’s Landing has remained a local favorite dining destination committed to hospitable service, great seafood, quality steaks and plenty of Southern-inspired comfort food. But that’s not the only hook at Norman’s Landing — there’s also plenty of fun to be had in the pingpong room, where you can challenge your friends to a little competition in the name of charity. In fact, owner Bill Norman is setting the standards high for small business Owner Bill Norman owners with his philanthropic efforts. To date, the restaurant has donated a total of more than $1 million to local charities, thanks to ping-pong room donations, tournaments and special events. Are you lured in? Don’t miss Norman’s next ping pong tournament, with a competition for singles on March 22 and doubles on March 23. Registration for either of the single-elimination tournaments is $20 and proceeds beneﬁt Children’s Healthcare of Forsyth. For more information, visit www.normanslanding.com.

FINDING A BETTER PATH Her character on “Three’s Company” made us laugh nonstop, but Suzanne Somers has every intention of making us stop and think when she comes to town this month. Healthcare has been a national debate for decades, and information is the key ingredient to ﬁxing the problems. One Path Summit will bring together some of the best minds in traditional and complementary medicine to Suzanne Somers facilitate dialogue between supporters of these two approaches to care. You can attend just the main sessions, which discuss various medical care approaches, or you can also attend a special luncheon, which will allow the public to listen to a discussion from a panel of renowned physicians whose work has garnered national attention in the areas of cancer, hypertension, neurology, endocrinology, internal medicine and nutrition, as

well as holistic medicine, patient-centered care and community-based care. Many of the physicians featured are bestselling or award-winning authors. Moderators will be Sandy Thurman, former director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, and Nancy Paris, president and CEO of Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education. The special keynote speaker will be Suzanne Somers, the famous actress, bestselling author and 10-year breast cancer survivor, who underwent a lumpectomy and radiation but refused chemotherapy. The two-day event takes place March 26 – 27 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta and costs $280; the luncheon is an additional $85. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please call 404-310-2773 or visit www.onepathsummit.com. — Andrew Neveils

GIVEAWAY WINNERS To ﬁnd a list of giveaway winners, take a look in the “Online Only” section of www.ptsnorth.com!

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

A PB ALL POINTS BULLETIN

MARCH

PHOTO COURTESY OF SEVEN & CO.

GENERATIONS OF FUN

Makeover with Mother Nature Sometimes all it takes is a new haircut, a fresh color and just the right make-up to change a gal’s mood from gloomy to glam. If there’s a woman in your life who deserves such a makeover, take note: Seven & Co., an Aveda concept salon in Buford, is seeking nominations for makeover recipients. Simply visit Seven & Co.’s Web site to let them know why your friend or family member deserves a complimentary cut, color and make-up application through March 25. Three ﬁnalists will be chosen, and voting for the winner will take place at the salon throughout the month of April. Donate $1 for each vote you cast, and Seven & Co. will pass every cent of the proceeds to Aveda’s Earth Month mission to raise money for clean water in partnership with the Gulf Restoration Network. Looks like Mother Nature is getting a makeover, too. For more information, visit www.sevenandcompany.com.

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Grandmother always did have the best stories. Remember how vividly they played out in your mind? Patricia Babuka and Scott Schaefer, founders of Atlanta-based GrandCamp Adventures, understand the importance of the grandparent/ PHOTO grandchild relationship, and experts recognize COURTE SY OF SH ANNAH SMITH factors such as busy parents, high tech devices, expensive vacations, and geographic challenges create a gap in that relationship. If there was ever a need for playtime, it’s now. So, with the launch of their company, Babuka and Schaefer want to provide you with the opportunity to bring those magical stories to life, allowing your special relationship to be nurtured and to grow. Written by award-winning author Walter Sorrells and animated with the help of former Disney illustrator Victor Tavares, GrandCamp Adventures takes the story beyond the page and into the reality of your own backyard, where you become the characters. Each story has its own activities, games and music, bringing you the joys of quality-time with your grandchild while allowing their imaginations to run care-free in themes that celebrate family and inspire sharing. GrandCamp provides the young and the young-at-heart the chance to imagine and play together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. For more information, visit www.grandcamp.com. — Erica Jackson

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY RHODES

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL PEARMAN

FEELING CRAFTY? Dear craft-lovers, if basketry, ceramics, fashion wearables or handmade furniture makes your heart go pitter-patter, mark your calendars to welcome the American Craft Council Show to Atlanta for its 22nd year. The show will take place March 10 – 13 at the Cobb Galleria Centre and will offer its guests the chance to meet and purchase work from respected artists who have had their work displayed in some of the most supreme art and craft galleries in the country. This year will feature the addition of a new category, Handmade Under $100, as well as the return of the AltCraft section of the show, which features 10 artists demonstrating the indie craft/new handmade movement. And if your love for arts and crafts makes you anxious for an early start, you are invited to the Preview Party on Thursday, March 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. The party beneﬁts the Museum of Design Atlanta and allows you to shop ahead of the crowds while spending quality time with the artists. For more information, updates on featured artists, special offers, show news and prices, visit www.craftcouncil.org. — Erica Jackson

Making Success Fun

PHOTO COURTESY OF BROWNELL LANDRUM / DRAWSUCCESS

Corporate teams are most frequently the combination of oil and water – they just don’t mix. DrawSuccess was born speciﬁcally to alleviate this problem in a fun and proﬁtable way. Born in Atlanta, this organization seeks to draw out the education, intelligence and experience of each individual in the program so as to provide the potential to perform their job at a higher level. Translation: They make a connection through common backgrounds. What makes this fun? It’s administered through a board game that uses questions to peel back the layers of structure within your team as well as personal questions that build trust. Many companies have utilized DrawSuccess and have seen desirable results. Coming off of a terrible economy, this is a great way to invest in your employees! For more information visit www.drawsuccess.com or call 800-890-3729. — Andrew Neveils

CORRECTION In February, Points North listed an incorrect Web site for PhotoSynthesis Studio, which provided a photo for our Northside Wedding Guide. The correct site is www.photosynthesisatlanta.com. We regret the error. ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

ADVERTISMENT

GULF SHORES ORANGE BEACH

THE ALABAMA GULF COASTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Idyllic Family Beach Destination SPRING EVENTS SPRING BIRD BANDING April 2-14, Fort Morgan Banding hours are from before dawn to midafternoon, depending on the flow of birds.

WITH 32-MILES OF SUGAR-WHITE BEACHES yawning along a 30,000 acre island on the northernmost coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have attracted families for spring break and summer vacations for decades. Sand dunes covered in sea oats and

GULF COAST BOAT SUPER SHOW April 8-10, Orange Beach More than 100 boats in the water and 150 boats on land, demonstrations, surfing contests, vendors and more.

turquoise waters are the norm on the coast while inland areas feature live

14TH ANNUAL WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL May 7-8, Nearby Elberta Local artists, boat builders, marine sales, music, food and sailboat races.

offers four diverse ecosystems, all uniquely located within one area. These

THE HANGOUT BEACH, MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL May 20-22, Gulf Shores More than 60 bands performing on four stages right on the beach.

oaks and pines. Freshwater lakes, rivers, bayous and coves add nearly 400,000 acres of protected water to the area. This serene coastal landscape

ecosystems include an ancient maritime live oak forest, wet longleaf pine savanna, fresh water marsh and small stream swamp forest. Located within an easy drive from Atlanta (approximately 370 miles), Gulf Shores and Orange Beach feature an array of outdoor activities, both on- and offthe-beach that will keep your family entertained for days or weeks.

FISHING

caliber golf at nine courses. Kiva

Gulf State Park. A series of bikeways

One of the Gulf Coast’s ﬁnest ﬁsh-

Dunes is the No. 1 rated golf course

offers the chance to investigate things

ing destinations, the Alabama Gulf

in the state of Alabama, Craft Farms

up close and get your exercise at the

Coast proudly showcases the largest

offers two 18-hole courses designed

same time. Grab your binoculars and

artiﬁcial reef program in the na-

by Arnold Palmer and Soldiers Creek

head out on the Alabama Coastal

tion. With about 1,200 square miles

Golf Club in nearby Elberta provides

Birding Trail is a birders paradise,

of ﬁsh habitat, the area is a haven

an entertaining layout that winds

where you’re likely to spot everything

for anglers. Blue marlin, yellow ﬁn

through rolling hills, lakes and nature

from the tiniest hummingbird to the

tuna, amberjack, cobia, red snapper

trails. Numerous Stay-and-Play golf

statuesque Great Blue Heron. Rent a

and speckled trout are bountiful, and

packages are available at

kayak and paddle your way through

ﬁshing charters and cruises depart

www.golf.gulfshores.com.

serene back bays, or learn how local

daily. In addition, educational dolphin

shrimpers catch the prized crustaceans

sightseeing tours also are offered. For

BACK TO NATURE

those anglers who would rather stay

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Alabama’s Gulf Coast, where sched-

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do-lists aren’t nearly as important as

toll-free 1-877-280-6368 or visit

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tide charts and each change of season

www.GulfShores.com now.

in the Alabama Gulf State Park.

brings something awe-inspiring. Hike along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcoun-

GOLF

try Trail, which winds through the

Gulf Shores Golf Association show-

rich ﬂora and fauna of Orange Beach

cases 189 holes of championship-

all the way to the pristine beach of

we all love!

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMERALD COAST CVB

Destin Commons

beyond the beach When You’ve Had Enough Sun Bathing and Boogie Boarding, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton and Okaloosa Island Provide Plenty of Options for Family Fun [ W RI T T E N BY T I F FA N Y W I L L A RD ]

off the Florida coast of Navarre Beach, I somehow found myself 65 feet in the air, zipping over the white sandy shores of Coldwater Creek. I quickly realized this wasn’t the typical beach vacation I’d come to know. The last time I was in Navarre Beach, my day consisted of a boom box, a beach towel and baby oil mixed with iodine. Of course, times have changed. SPF 50 and iPods have replaced those long-ago beach favorites. And while soaking up the rays on the most beautiful beaches in the world still sits atop my list for vacations, having kids in tow also means you need to keep moving. Sandcastles and boogie boarding will keep them entertained for only so long. Thankfully, the beach towns of Northwest Florida have plenty of options to entertain families of all ages. Situated between Pensacola and Destin on Santa Rosa Island, Navarre Beach is a laid-back community completely surrounded by Zipline

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA ROSA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

After waking to a beautiful sunrise

Camp Walton Schoolhouse

a protected natural coastline, with a county park to the east and the Gulf Gulf Breeze Zoo Islands National Seashore to the west. Hit hard by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Navarre Beach has pulled itself back together and offers condos and rental homes to suit any size family. While the beaches are unmistakably gorgeous, there is much more to do in this hamlet than laze around on the shore. Exploring Nature in Navarre Having visited this area many times in the past, my son and I set out to discover the fun to be had off the beach and away from the outlet malls. One hour north of Navarre, we found ourselves in the self-described “canoe capital” of Florida in the town of Milton. A top outfitter in the area, Adventures Unlimited, is an 88-acre wooded oasis for outdoor adventurers, providing kayaks, canoes and tubing. The daring among you will delight in a series of 14 zip lines totaling almost a mile in length. The 900-foot final zip launches you from a 60-foot platform over Coldwater Creek and the kayakers below. Heading back to Navarre, the privately owned Gulf Breeze Zoo is a gem. Howler monkeys, Australian Singing Dogs, lions, tigers and bears share the 50-acre wildlife sanctuary with toucans, bats, peacocks and tamarins. Never having had a giraffe come when called, we were delighted when resident giraffes Gabby and Geronimo lumbered toward us. It surely had something to do with the plastic cup of food my son was holding, but feeding them was a highlight of his visit. Every hour the Safari Limited train takes off on a 15-minute tour of 30 secluded acres, where antelope, deer, zebras and ostrich roam free. I’ve been in bigger, more celebrated zoos, but this little zoo has an intimacy with the animals that you won’t find in its larger counterparts. Back on the beach, one of Navarre’s landmarks, the Navarre

Beach Pier, which was destroyed during Hurricane Ivan, has now been rebuilt and stretches 1,545 feet, making it the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico. Planned for this spring, an outdoor café is being built at the foot of it to serve breakfast and lunch. In keeping with the laid-back mood, you’ll find plenty of dining choices in the area, where cover-ups and flip-flops are acceptable dress. Old Florida Fun in Fort Walton Just about 15 miles east of Navarre, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island were once a spring break haven for rowdy college kids. More recently, the area has made a name for itself as a family-friendly destination. Florida’s legendary Gulfarium, circa 1955, continues to thrill with crowd-soaking dolphin and sea lion shows performed just feet away from the Gulf of Mexico. And while we Atlantans have access to Georgia’s grandest aquarium, there’s a reminiscent charm to Gulfarium that harkens back to the days of Old Florida’s roadside destinations. Budding scientists will enjoy the Emerald Coast Science Center, where exhibits explain static electricity, gravity and the workings of the human body in a very hands-on environment. History buffs will like the Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, with its Camp Walton Schoolhouse and Garnier Post Office museums. Adjacent to the museums, the Fort Walton Temple Mound was once an important Indian ceremonial structure. When you’re ready to get your muscles moving, Liquid Surf & Sail offers choices ranging from windsurfing to YOLO boarding and kayaks. For less physical watersports, head to Luther’s Pontoon & Jet Ski Rentals, just down the road in Destin; here, you’ll find the horsepower you’re craving, so even the novice boatsman can enjoy a day on the water. F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N With so many activities Navarre Beach available, you may not get much www.beachestorivers.com rest lying on the beach, but you Fort Walton/Okaloosa Island can be sure you’ll sleep well www.emeraldcoastfl.com at night. 5

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMERALD COAST CVB

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA ROSA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Everglades

sunscreen with a side of shears A Mission to Do Good in the Everglades and Feel Good in Miami [ WRIT T EN BY H EAT H E R K W B R OW N ]

In my mind, I was bushwacking through

unchartered territory while alligators lurked in the thick soupy swamp around me. In reality, my biggest challenge was trying to keep oversized work gloves secure on my hands as I clipped overgrown palm fronds along a 1-mile asphalt trail. Precarious, it was not, but in true journalistic fashion, I had successfully immersed myself in Miami’s other “wild” side and while part of me really wanted to don a pair of waders and slosh through the swamp, the other — much wiser — part of me was quite content exploring wildlife from the safety of paved paths and wooden walkways in Everglades National Park.

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

My whereabouts h e r e i n t h e t h i rd largest park in the U.S. National Parks system is what had lured me to Miami. Comprised of mangrove swamps, a subtropical jungle and sawgrass prairies, these 1.5 million acres known as the “River of Grass” are home to rare birds and endangered animals such as the American crocodile. Now don’t get me wrong, aside from a few snapshots well out of harm’s way, I want nothing to do with alligators or crocodiles, rare species or not. But when I learned the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, located just an hour’s drive from the Everglades, had launched a voluntourism program, I couldn’t resist. This is precisely how I found myself beside a knowledgeable park ranger and several other volunteers, all of us armed with shears and dutifully clearing a trail. We talked. We discovered new creatures. And when quiet settled in among our group, I’m inclined to think each of us was processing the experience. Truth is, I’m a beach girl whose love of nature previously didn’t include relinquishing a place in the sun or swapping a swimsuit for shears. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOME213

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI

Oasis Beach Club at Mandarin Oriental, Miami

S ! N 19 PE H O RC

Let the adventure begin! Explore the nooks and crannies of a multi-level clubhouse, shimmy up the inside of a mighty red oak tree, walk through a virtual waterfall and more in Fernbankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ground-breaking NEW childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibition.

Visit fernbankmuseum.org/naturequest for tickets and details.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami PHOTO COURTESY OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI

That was just one of many pleasant surprises to come from my stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Pampering and Preservation Partnering with the Everglades National Park, I soon discovered, isn’t limited to the park itself. Preservation of the park surprisingly also coincided with my own — albeit in the hands of a masseuse inside the newly renovated Spa at Mandarin Oriental. With my hands out, palms down, she swabbed a medicinal grade herb on each hand and explained how the herbs soak into the skin, affecting the body for 24 hours. I had all intentions of selecting the scent I liked best but that’s not how the Herbal Thai Compress Ritual works. The body tells you which one you need or don’t need: if you can’t smell it, you don’t need it. Apparently, after spending quality time at the Oasis Beach Club, the Mandarin Oriental’s private beach complete with swinging hammocks, cocoon day beds, cabanas, an inﬁnity-edge pool and a front row seat to the shore, I was already relaxed. So much so, that now I needed to be energized. The masseuse pressed what she described as weighted tea bags made of naturally therapeutic ingredients up and down my back, legs and arms. The treatment, designed for soothing your muscles while relaxing the mind and body, left me woozy with relaxation, yet just as she had said, later in the day I was energized. And from this pampering came preservation: one live oak, bald cypress, slash pine or gumbo limbo tree gets planted in the park for each guest who books the Herbal Thai Compress Ritual here at Miami’s only Five-Star spa. Sufﬁce it to say that nothing about the Mandarin Oriental,

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Azul PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE APOSTOLIDUS

Miami is standard. Not the 30-foot Tropical Black Bamboo tree that graces the north side of the lobby, not the unique Kimono robes on the walls, the Champagne bar made of sleek aluminum to keep drinks cold while guests socialize at Azul, the hotel’s incredible restaurant, and certainly not the M-Bar, the hip martini bar where more than 250 creative martinis await sophisticated palates. In celebration of its 10th anniversary last year, the hotel underwent grand renovations throughout the property. The guestrooms, at the hands of our very own Atlanta-based designer Jan Clausen, are luxuriously chic with understated Asian accents. It’s easy to stay put in luxury like this, but remember, this is Miami. Get out and see the scene. When you do, my don’t-miss-this-in-Miami suggestion is to dine at Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita, located in Mary Brickell Village. Built in 1923, this restaurant was once the home of Miami’s Fire Station No. 4. Opt for rooftop dining for a F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N fabulous meal and an unparalMandarin Oriental, Miami leled panoramic view of Miami’s www.mandarinoriental.com skyline — just be sure to take Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita the stairs instead of the ﬁre pole www.doloreslolita.com back down when you leave! 5

PHOTO COURTESY OF OCEAN LODGE

Ocean Lodge

isles of gold St. Simons Islands’ Ocean Lodge Provides the Perfect Place for A Little Romance and Southern Charm [ WRIT T EN BY B R E H U M P H R I E S ]

Maybe it’s the historical reminders

of a storied past, the untamed beauty of live oaks and natural marshland, or simply the Southern hospitality that greets guests at every turn. In any case, there’s something alluring about Georgia’s Golden Isles, a magical quality with a hint of romance that’s unlike many other coastal destinations within driving distance of Atlanta. St. Simons Island in particular has a distinctive appeal. The largest of Georgia’s barrier islands, St. Simons is a far cry from the clamoring commercialization in other popular vacation spots, with just enough activities and entertainment to make it an attractive choice for families. But it was the romance in the air that drew my husband and I here for a special weekend celebration that left us captivated by the magic of this place. Isn’t It Romantic? “Come coast awhile,” the invitation read, and the idea of spending lazy days in the sun before a grand low country wedding was all it took to set our plans into motion for a getaway to St. Simons. Since we happened to be celebrating a special occasion of our own, we decided to make a long weekend out of it and booked an opulent suite at Ocean Lodge. If romance was our goal, I knew our mission would be

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OCEAN LODGE

Clockwise from top left: Ocean Lodge suite; endless pool on the Ocean Lodge tanning deck; Rooftop Terrace & Restaurant.

accomplished as soon as the hotel came into sight. A tribute to the Spanish and Mediterranean influences up and down the coast, Ocean Lodge’s dramatic architecture also blends French and Italian nuances to create an Old World paradise steeped in Southern charm. Suites are spacious and impeccably decorated to resemble European villas, with little details that make all the difference, like custom oil paintings and Spanish porcelain tiles, plus an ocean view from each and every room. We arrived just in time for dinner at the hotel’s Rooftop Terrace & Restaurant. With a line-up of live music, this is a popular spot on weekends, and even on a Thursday night, a lively crowd gathered in the bar, so we requested a private spot near the back for a quiet dinner. The breeze from the ocean was strong but refreshing, and moonlight danced off the water in the distance as we dined on sophisticated Southern fare with an emphasis on local ingredients, like wild Georgia shrimp, local oysters and artisanal cheeses from South Georgia’s Sweet Grass Dairy. Island Exploration Increasing its appeal, Ocean Lodge offers the same level of service you’d expect from a destination resort without the nickel-anddime approach you so often encounter in luxury travel. Here, most amenities are complimentary, including a tabletop breakfast in the

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

hotel’s Old World living room, where options like apple pancakes and croissant French toast are decadent and just what you need to kick-start your day. Public beach access is available across the street, but don’t bother packing beach chairs, towels or umbrellas — Ocean Lodge provides all that for you, plus bicycles for scouting the island. Since this particular stretch of beach is bordered by rocks, it nearly disappears at high tide, so it’s best to plan your beach time for midafternoon, or soak up some sun from the lodge’s tanning deck, where an endless pool makes it possible to take a waist-high dip or swim “laps” against a current. In the meantime, I took advantage of those aforementioned complimentary bikes. Sidewalks along most of the roads make St. Simons easy to explore, and I enjoyed a leisurely ride to shop in the village before paying a visit to the St. Simons Lighthouse, a working lighthouse in operation since 1872, and the ﬁshing pier at the center of town. If you want to venture deeper into island exploration, catch a ride on the St. Simons Trolley, where guests can learn about the island’s 400-year history aboard a 1930s antique trolley. One stop on the 90-minute tour is Christ Church, where a haunting love story of a minister and his wife lies deep in the heart of the island. The next evening, we watched a different love story begin at yet another charming church shrouded in live oaks and Spanish moss as wedding bells rang through the air. F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N Yes, the history lessons here Ocean Lodge are enchanting indeed, but 866-932-0593 history is still in the making www.oceanlodgessi.com in St. Simons. 5

beach briefs

PH O TO

COUR

TE SY O F ST ER LI

N G R ES OR

A Whirlwind Tour of Our Southern Beaches [ W R I T T EN BY A ND R E W NE V E I L S ]

“On the beach, you can live in bliss.” — Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys

All in the Family Culinary Perks

PHOTO COURTESY OF HENDERSON PARK INN

Perched on a mile of undeveloped beach in Destin, Fla., Henderson Park Inn offers a peaceful paradise for beach lovers. The New Englandstyle bed and breakfast is a foodlover’s dream, thanks to its onsite, ﬁne-dining restaurant, BeachWalk. True epicureans can take advantage of the special “Toes in the Sand” dining packages, and this month, Points North readers who book a stay at Henderson Park Inn can enjoy a special offer — a free copy of “Exceptional Taste,” a gorgeous hardcover cookbook by Beachwalk restaurant founder and chef Tim Creehan, chocked full of decadent recipes and historical information about the Inn and the Destin area. Simply mention “Points North” as a promo code when you call for reservations through March 31. 866-398-4432, www.hendersonparkinn.com

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Spring Break with the family doesn’t have to break the bank. Now through May 24, Northwest Florida’s Sterling Resorts is offering a package deal you simply can’t pass up — pay to stay for three nights and receive a fourth night free, plus unlimited free DVD rentals and two free large pizzas. Now that’s amore! And with more than 1,000 luxurious, family-friendly condominium units along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sterling guests can enjoy any number of beachfront accommodations with a full range of amenities, like fully equipped kitchens and private balconies. Bonus: Guests at select locations will also receive exclusive access and discounts to area golf courses, spas, restaurants and more. 877-496-1690, www.sterlingresorts.com

Spring Fling Located in Northwest Florida’s Beaches of South Walton, the tranquil town of Seaside exudes charm with hints of nostalgia, reminding us that sometimes, all you need is a bucket, a beach towel and an idyllic setting in which to enjoy some old-fashioned, quality time together. This spring, take advantage of 20 percent off already reduced seasonal rates through the Seaside Cottage Rental Agency, which allows visitors to feel at home in charming cottage accommodations while taking advantage of the most luxurious amenities. These discounts are available March 1 – 10, March 27 – 31 and May 1 – 19. Make the most of your beach retreat by planning your visit around Seaside’s special spring events, like First Friday Artwalks or the exciting ArtsQuest weekend on May 6 – 8. 866-966-2565, www.cottagerentalagency.com

Super Savings on St. George Island Savor all the rest and relaxation you need in a peaceful beachfront paradise on St. George Island, a barrier island off Florida’s Forgotten Coast known for its sugar-white sands, striking beauty and natural activities like ﬁshing, birding, boating and trail hiking. And there’s no time like the present to take advantage of a special offer from Resort Vacation Properties, which offers access to a variety of beach homes to host your family — save 10 percent off the advertised rate through May 20, and an extra 5 percent if you’re a return visitor with the Repeat Rental Discount. 877-272-8206, www.resortvacationproperties.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILD DUNES RESORT

Spring Seaside Saver South Carolina’s Southern charm and elegance meets beach life living in Isle of Palms’ Wild Dunes Resort outside of Charleston. This place is all about access — access to the beach, golf, dining and so much more. You can plan as much or as little as you want because life around Wild Dunes is simply uncomplicated. Breathe in the salty air, smile wildly at views otherwise reserved for postcards and rest comfortably with your wallet packed full of money you’ve saved on this vacation. From March 1 through May 26, this AAA Four-Diamond resort offers a 10 percent discount for a 2- or 3-night stay and a 15 percent discount for a 4-night stay or longer. The longer you stay, the more you save and the more relaxed you feel. 888-778-1876, www.wilddunes.com

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUPITER BEACH RESORT & SPA

Time Out Something fun, fresh and family-friendly can be tough to come by these days. Jupiter Beach Resort in Jupiter, Fla., has recently opened its new Little Loggerheads Kid’s Club with younger guests in mind. With activities such as cupcake decorating, seaside stargazing, movie nights and poolside arts and crafts, Jupiter offers an out-of-this-world experience for the kids. For only $25 per child, all activities and either lunch or dinner are available so your kids can be entertained all day long. The “Family Time Out” package includes luxurious accommodations; daily breakfast; cookies and milk upon arrival; a welcome gift bag with candy, sunscreen, game tokens and stuffed sea creature; choice of Kid’s Night Out or Little Loggerheads Daytime Kids’ Club; and a guaranteed late check-out, with nightly rates starting at just $299 through April 30. This is one “time out” you and your kids won’t mind enduring! 866-943-0950, www.jupiterbeachresort.com

Family Fun in The Sun Whether you’re traveling with tiny tots or teenagers, TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Fla., has endless fun for all ages. While Mom and Dad enjoy amenities like heated pools or the intimate Oasis Courtyard, kids can’t get enough of the resorts’ bungee trampoline, High Tide Slide, RedBear’d Pirate Show, Fisherman Tim’s Fishing Exhibitions, and glowin-the-dark beach volleyball games. And their newest program, which launched last year, is becoming all the rage for teens. The Teen Marine Bio-Adventure offers the opportunity to get ﬁrst-hand experience in marine biology on a boat trip to Shell Island, an uninhabited barrier island, to cast nets, search for shells and swim. Families can enjoy these activities and more by booking a stay in the Island Grand Beach Resort or the Sandpiper Hotel and Suites. 800-360-4016, www.tradewindsresort.com

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Love The One You’re With Nestled between Key West Harbor and Mallory Square in Key West, Fla., is Ocean Key Resort & Spa, a dream away from home with 100 large rooms with views that inspire and energize. The resort offers warm breezes, breathtaking views, bright colors, island-style art and unique, hand-painted furniture throughout. The romantically inspired “Love The One You’re With” package includes a stay in the Ocean View Boutique Suite overlooking Mallory Square and the Gulf as well as a Liquid Jelly Monkey Love welcome cocktail at The Sunset Pier, daily breakfast at the Hot Tin Roof, two tropical cocktails and a Conch Fusion appetizer each evening, and $50 credit each day for a SpaTerre experience. Be careful, you may just decide to retire early and stay forever. If you do, be sure to send a postcard! 800-328-9815, www.oceankey.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEMPO MIAMI, A ROCK RESORT

Spring Break On Us This sweet deal from Tempo Miami is such a steal, it’ll feel like it’s on the house. Perfectly situated across from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and American Airlines Arena, this RockResort location is settled in the 67-story Marquis Residences and overlooks Biscayne Bay, offering 56 luxurious guest rooms and spacious suites, a gourmet restaurant, Amuse, and an 8,000-square-foot RockResorts Spa. The “Spring Break On Us” offer includes a free night to guests during peak Spring Break season, but is valid until April 30 and upon availability. 866-513-7625, www.tempomiami.rockresorts.com

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

beach calendar [ C O M P I L ED BY A ND R E W NE V E I L S ] G A R D E N S H OW AT A M E LI A I S L A N D

A LYS B E AC H S P R I N G CONCERT SERIES

[March 5 – 6] Hosted by the

Fernandina

[March 16, 23; April 6, 13, 27] Bring your dancing shoes and join

Farmer’s Market, this event will showcase nature’s brightest colors for two days at Central Park. With growers and nurseries from around Florida, the

Alys Beach, Fla., as they showcase various local and regional acts in their local amphitheatre. This is sure to be a beautiful getaway. Alys Beach, 866-732-1760,

show will feature more than 50 vendors with a full assortment of ﬂowers, plants and ac-

www.alysbeach.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

cessories. Mention “GARDGU” and enjoy a special show rate at Amelia Hotel at the Beach. Amelia Island, 904-491-4872,

Concours D’Elegance

www.ameliagarden.com

CONCOURS D’ E LE G A N C E [March 11 – 13] With more than 250 classic production and racecars from seldom-seen private collections on display at The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, it’ll be tough to focus on your putting. The event also includes road rallies, RM Auction of vintage cars, seminars, a black tie gala dinner and silent auction. Amelia Island, 904-636-0027,

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDESTIN GOLF & BEACH RESORT

www.ameliaconcours.org

Sandestin Wine Festival

[March 26] You might already know Miami’s Bal Harbour is one of the most prestigious fashion meccas in the world, but it’s now garnering distinction as one of South Florida’s premier tourist attractions, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy cultural happenings as well. In collaboration with ArtNexus, the Bal Harbour Shops are hosting themed collector-worthy installations. Each month, the Shops will feature displays and collections inspired by fashion, the art scene in Miami, and video installations. At night, Movies on the Beach take place under the stars at Bal Harbour Beach. This month is a double feature, which opens with a collection of past winners from

O R A N G E B E AC H F E S T I VA L O F A R T

the Museum of Contemporary Art’s annual Optic Nerve ﬁlm

[March 12 – 13] Juried artists

festival, followed by the award winning “La Vie En Rose,” the story about brilliant but tortured

from

Orange

Beach, Ala., and throughout the nation display their ﬁne art and crafts this season on the beautiful Wolf Bay. Additionally, there will be a Literary Arts Tent, Drama and Dance Stage, Children’s Fine Art Gallery and a Songwriters and Musicians stage to showcase other areas of art. The talent is immense; the price of admission is free. For area information, visit www.gulfshores.com. Orange Beach, 251-981-2787, www.obfoa.com

B A L H A R B O U R M OV I E S O N TH E B E AC H

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

French singer, Edith Piaf. Bal Harbour Village, 800-847-9222, www.balharbourﬂorida.com

G U LF C OA S T S A LU T E A I R S H OW [March 26 – 27] This patriotic event will be highlighted by the U.S. Thunderbirds in their 57th year representing the men and women of the United States Air Force. The two-day show will also

feature a variety of aerial shows as well as food, games and attractions. For accommodations in nearby Mexico Beach, visit www.mexico-beach.com. Tyndall Air Force Base, www.tyndall.af.mil

LI N G D I N G TO U R N A M E N T S [Weekends in April] This old fishing festival was popular 20 years ago, and now it’s back and better than ever! Boaters can fish it out for cash prizes, and all proceeds benefit the Forgotten Coast Warrior Weekend and the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association. Mexico Beach, Fla., 888-723-2546, www.mexico-beach.com

SANDESTIN WINE F E S T I VA L [April 28 – May 1] White tents, ﬂowing

wine, gourmet food, ladies strolling in hats and live music sum up one of the best events of the season. The grand wine tasting will captivate even the casual wine drinker with more than 600 wines. The Culinary Pavilion will feature the food treasures of Spain. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 800-622-1038, www.sandestinwinefestival.com

P LE I N A I R PA I N T- O U T [May 13 – 22] Nationally recognized Plein Air artists have been tasked with capturing the allure of Florida’s Forgotten Coast on canvas. Visi-

HANGOUT MUSIC F E S T I VA L [May 20 – 22] A smile will cross your face when you think about relaxing on a beautiful beach, listening to some good vibrations and getting a great deal. This festival is headlined by Paul Simon, The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and so many more fabulous artists that Gulf Shores, Ala., might burst with excitement. Brett/Robinson Real Estate will give you four nights for the price of three, with some restrictions on locations and subject to availability. Visit www.brettrobinson.com for rates. Gulf Shores, www.hangoutmusicfest.com

W I LD A M E LI A N AT U R E F E S T I VA L [May 20 – 22] Residents and visitors are invited to experience the wild side of Amelia Island, Fla. With more than 25 seminars and experiences, the three-day festival offers something for everyone. You can take a Segway tour of Ft. George Island, kayak the marshes along Ft. Clinch State Park and explore bird habitats by bike. There are several programs designed speciﬁcally for children, including a Kids Niche with hands-on nature activities. Amelia Island, 904-251-0016, www.wildamelia.com

“ DA M E S AT S E A” [June 3 – July 1] SummerTide Theatre is proud to present this ﬂashy, glitzy story

tors can watch as they paint on the beach, across the marsh, beside the lakes and through-

set in the 1930s. Ruby, a talented tap dancer from the country who longs for Broadway success, has

out the streets of coastal towns from Mexico Beach to Carabelle, Fla. Florida’s Forgotten Coast, www.pleinairﬂ.com

a story that’s full of love, laughter and big musical numbers. Gulf Shores, 251-968-6721, www.summertide.org PN

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Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Well,

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For Heavenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sake

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Shining the Spotlight on Cloris Leachman and Her Upcoming One-Woman-Act at the Buckhead Theatre

[ WRITTEN BY CARL DANBURY, JR. ] PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES BUSCH

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

portrays great grandmother Maw Maw in the sitcom “Raising Hope” (airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox), still has the sharp wit and boundless energy that Hollywood directors and producers have relied upon, seemingly endlessly, since 1955. “I don’t know why I have been so successful,” Leachman told Points North recently. “I just try to be as real, truthful and authentic as possible, and as interesting as possible. I just throw myself into each role.” Leachman, who won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the 1971 ﬁlm “The Last Picture Show,” also has won nine Emmy Awards, more than any other actor. “I love acting. It’s kind of detective work, it’s emotional, you discover things, and you learn every time you do something. The wonderful people you meet and work with — I am so grateful, so privileged, and I am aware of it every minute,” she related.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOR MEGAERA

If Cloris Leachman’s entire life as an actress was filmed, it would have been difficult for director Cecil B. DeMille to keep it shorter than his “The Ten Commandments,” and prolific author James Michener’s “Hawaii” might seem like a short story. Spanning 65 years of portraying many extraordinary characters on stage, film and television, Leachman maintains a busy schedule despite the fact she is approaching her 85th birthday in April. Leachman will visit Atlanta this month and perform “Cloris: A One Woman Show,” at The Buckhead Theatre, March 18 and 19. Leachman, who currently

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

From Rural Iowa to the Great White Way In all great success stories, there is always one character that played the biggest supporting role. For Leachman, that was her mother. “Without my mother, I would be on some chicken farm or something, probably still in Iowa,” Leachman chuckled. “She was the most darling, sweetest, most adorable person you’ve ever seen. She was just beautiful. She had brown eyes, brown hair, was about 5-foot-1, and she wore about a size-3 shoe, darling little high heels. She always had little stories she would tell us.” Leachman was the oldest of three girls, each separated in age by three years. She recalled a trip to nearby Des Moines with her sisters and her mother for voice lessons. “We lived way out in the country and my youngest sister thought that’s why we had lessons so that we could entertain Mom and Dad. Of course it wasn’t true.”

Despite tough times during the Depression, Leachman’s mother always found ways to keep her daughter entertained. “She bought a paper [piano] keyboard and set it in front of me, and then she would sing the notes when I’d play them. When I played with the left hand, she’d sing the harmony, and when I played with the right hand she’d sing the melody and I’d sing the harmony. So, I can sing harmony to anything and even some songs that I haven’t sung yet,” Leachman offered. “When I’d play something well, Mama would just say ‘Well, for Heaven’s sake.’ She never would rave about any of us. She said I had a mobile face at one point, but she’d never say I was pretty,” Leachman said. In 1946, her talents and beauty became widely recognized. As Miss Chicago, Leachman entered the Miss America pageant, ﬁ nished as a ﬁ nalist and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Her father Buck, who owned a lumber company, was so impressed that he gave Leachman $60, a train ticket to New York and a three-day deadline to see if she could capitalize on her newfound fame. “I took the train, got off at Grand Central Station, kept putting a nickel in the phone to call names from this contacts’ list that I had [received] after the contest,” Leachman said. “Only one man answered. He said, ‘Come on over here and maybe I can help you.’ I was on the East Side at 42nd Street and I walked in my high heels and sexy little dress over to the West Side, Broadway and 45th Street.” “[I got] a job that afternoon as an extra in the movie ‘Carnegie Hall.’ They were shooting it at Carnegie Hall with William Prince. I earned $30 that day, and the next day $30, and I was able to stay, as it turned out, for eight years. They took care of me like I was Snow White. They made sure I had a dinner every night and a place to stay,” she added. Three months later at the premiere of “Mr. Peebles and Mr. Hooker,” Leachman was introduced to William Liebling, who would become her New York agent for the

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

Cloris Leachman

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next eight years. With his connections, she got the lead in a Rodgers and Hammerstein comedy, played Nellie Forbush for four weeks in the Broadway production of “South Paciﬁc,” and in 1950, she appeared in the Shakespeare play, “As You Like It.” She was asked to read for the part of Celia, when lead actress Katharine Hepburn had heard rave reviews about Leachman’s performance in “Come Back Little Sheba,” which had recently opened at the Westport Country Playhouse. Hooray for Hollywood Soon after leaving New York for California, Leachman landed a role as a mental institution escapee picked up as a hitchhiker in the 1955 production of “Kiss Me Deadly.” She played Timmy’s mother, Ruth Martin, in “Lassie” for two seasons, made appearances on “The Twilight Zone,” “The Untouchables,” “Gunsmoke,” “Route 66,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Dr. Kildare,” “The Virginian” and countless others. In 1969, she portrayed Agnes in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The next year, she played Bernice Henderson in “Lovers and Other Strangers” and began her noteworthy role as Phyllis Lindstrom on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” That role led to the offshoot show, “Phyllis,” in which Leachman played the same character for 48 episodes. From 1974 to 1981, she was a sensation in three Mel Brooks’ films. Her portrayal of the hideous Frau Blücher in “Young Frankenstein,” the raucous Madame Defarge in “History of the World: Part I,” and the very disturbing Nurse Diesel in the Hitchcock spoof “High

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s See That Smile! t 4FSWJOH UIF %FOUBM /FFET PG $IJMESFO "HFT UP t 4UBUF PG UIF "SU 'BDJMJUZ Anxietyâ&#x20AC;? showed the depth and range of her abilities as a comedian, not to mention her gift for nailing foreign accents. In 1986, she began another 48-episode run as Beverly Ann Stickle in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Facts of Life,â&#x20AC;? and from 2001 to 2006 she portrayed Grandma Ida for 11 episodes in the series â&#x20AC;&#x153;Malcolm in the Middle.â&#x20AC;? On the silver screen, she played Granny in the remake of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Beverly Hillbillies,â&#x20AC;? Evelyn Wright in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spanglish,â&#x20AC;? along with cameo appearances in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Santa,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Longest Yardâ&#x20AC;? (2005), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sky High,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scary Movie 4.â&#x20AC;? She is awaiting the upcoming release of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fields,â&#x20AC;? a suspense thriller in which she portrays another grandmother. In her current series, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Raising Hope,â&#x20AC;? she portrays a great grandmother who snaps in and out of dementia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I adore it and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to carry the show. I could, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what is wonderful. It is so easy for me. They take such good care of me and are so good to me, that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be happier.â&#x20AC;? Leachman claims to have turned down only one role that she really wanted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I turned down [Meryl Streepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in] â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Out of Africa.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; No, not really,â&#x20AC;? she chuckled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t she fabulous in that?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I turned down â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mad About You,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which Carol Burnett won an Emmy for in 1997. But it was nothing I regret.â&#x20AC;? In 2008, Leachman showed the world that her talents on the screen also extend to talent on the dance floor when she belied her age and became the oldest contestant at 82 to appear on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dancing with the Stars.â&#x20AC;? She and dance partner Corky Ballas were a big hit with TV audiences.

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Cloris Leachman

“I never thought I was a sexy,

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”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAT JOHNSON

Back on Stage When she’s not ﬁlming her series, Leachman does her one-woman show or gives talks, which provides her with the opportunity to perform again for live audiences, in tune with her Broadway roots. “I love live audiences. It’s a wonderful thing and it certainly teaches you everything you need to know. They tell you everything,” Leachman related. In the ’90s, she played Parthy Ann Hawkes several times in a national tour of the musical, “Show Boat.” “I had six different Cap’n Andys but Ned Beatty was my favorite. He was marvelous,” Leachman said. Although she wouldn’t provide too many details of what she has in store for her audience at The Buckhead Theatre, she did say that her show has a few surprises. “I think it is vibrant and alive. It talks about my experiences, some of them are touching or sad or heartbreaking. There are a lot of other things in it too; singing and I play the piano a little bit. I think they will love the evening. It’s very full,” she said. “I will not do clichés,” she continued. “I don’t want to do them. I never want an audience to watch me and be disappointed.” And it would have been easy for her, like so many

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

CLORIS LEACHMAN

others, to simply capitalize upon her beauty pageant looks and shapely ﬁgure. “I never thought I was a sexy, beauty queen type. I thought it was too funny and I’d just laugh. I can play that role, but I am just not normally that,” Leachman said. Out of the spotlight, Leachman remains busy. She recently launched her own clothing line, was Grand Marshall of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2009 and even had a knee replacement. While her performances will long surpass her lifetime, she agrees, “1,000 percent,” that her enduring legacy will be that of mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Although her career slowed quite a bit in the ’50s and ’60s when she was raising her four sons and a daughter with husband George Englund, a ﬁ lm editor, director, producer and actor, she always tried to place more emphasis on her life at home with her family. The couple divorced in 1979, but remain good friends. “He used to tell me that I was soft on Communism because I never wanted to punish my children,” she laughed. “I didn’t guide them. I didn’t tell them anything. I was with them! I just can’t wait to be with them. I love them and I love being with them more than anything, anything,” she said. For that, especially in the bright spotlight of Hollywood and the demands of her profession, she deserves yet another standing ovation! PN

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : www.cloris.com www.thebuckheadtheatre.com

The Atlanta Preservation Center Presents

“PHOENIX FLIES”

the

— A FREE, Three-week, Citywide Celebration of Our Living Landmarks

PHOENIX [ W R I TTE N BY J UL I E H OST E T T E R ]

Ancient mythology

PHOTOGRAPHY/ LOGO COURTESY OF ATLANTA PRESERVATION CENTER

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

speaks of a beautiful bird with a tail of gold and scarlet that lives 500 years and then ignites into flames, only to be reborn from its own ashes. Throughout the ages, the mystical Phoenix has symbolized that immortality and rebirth occurs, despite the ravages of time and turmoil. That is why in 1888 the city of Atlanta chose the Phoenix to become its official symbol, as it too would “rise from the ashes” after the flames of the Civil War turned the city to dust. Today, the Phoenix flies over Atlanta once more, thanks to the Atlanta Preservation Center and an innovative program it created that encourages the community to explore our city’s historic landmarks. But instead of waiting 500 years, you are in luck as “Phoenix Flies” is reborn each

year, and takes place this month. During the 16-day celebration starting March 5, at least 58 participating historic sites offer more than 150 free events to entertain and engage people of all ages. The Golden Egg the Fox Laid In 1978, saving the Fox Theatre from the wrecking ball stirred something in the hearts and minds of Atlantans who had grown accustomed to the continued loss of its historic treasures in the name of “progress.” It gave them a reason to hope. “[The Save the Fox movement] really made people start to think about what we already lost in the city, and what we didn’t want to lose in the future,” said Carolyn McLaughlin, coordinator of Phoenix Flies.

RETURNS F.H. Boyd Coons, executive director of the Atlanta Preservation Center added, “It was kind of felt [in Atlanta] that if it was announced something was going to be torn down, it was just going to happen. This was the ﬁrst time the community rallied and said, ‘this is too much, we can’t lose this.’ Out of that success of saving the Fox, the Preservation Center was formed to be an advocate and educate the city itself about preservation.” Working tirelessly with other groups, the Preservation Center has helped save thousands of buildings and landmarks, including its seven-year battle to save Peter’s House, now called Ivy Hall, which was turned over to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to ensure its preservation for future generations. So for the 25th anniversary of saving

the Fox, the Atlanta Preservation Center felt they had to do something magical for the community. And the Phoenix Flies event was hatched. The name “Phoenix Flies” was chosen to illustrate that history is alive all around us in Atlanta. “The concept of flying, moving and being alive is very important to the celebration, I think, because sometimes people perceive preservation as trying to keep everything exactly as it was,” McLaughlin said. “We can’t expect everyone who lives in a 100-year-old house to keep the building as it was. You have to honor what was there and preserve the things that work really well, and then you have to ﬁgure out how to make the building alive. You can only make your present more rich by remembering the past.”

Now in its eighth year, Phoenix Flies promises a stellar lineup of engaging tours and special events to enrich the community’s appreciation for the treasured gems often taken for granted in the cityscape. Come Soar With Me The Phoenix will spread its wings over the city from March 5 through March 20, from our city hall and state capitol to our famed parks, churches, homes, universities and cemeteries. The center has worked jointly with the historic sites to make sure the events will be as informative and entertaining as possible. “We have been able to put together a couple of interesting connections between different events,” McLaughlin said. “I’m really excited about a day that you can learn a lot about Atlanta’s Civil Rights

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

Phoenix Flies

Grant Mansion Restoration

1890

history. You can start in the morning with a special tour at the Georgia Capitol museum that displays what was the Capitol’s place in the Civil Rights movement in Georgia. And then in the afternoon the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Sites are going to present a walking tour of the King Historic District and you will be able to tour his birth home. And after that, Georgia State University has a great heritage preservation program and several of their students did historic structure reports of two buildings that are two doors down from the King home, and they are going to talk about those homes.” These tours present a special opportunity to appreciate Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights movement. “While we [Atlanta] hold ourselves up as the center of Civil Rights, we have not been wonderful stewards about that in the city,” Coons said. “I think this event will highlight … where these events that changed the world took place.” Another special event close to the center’s heart is the Grant Mansion, which currently serves as their center headquarters and is in the process of a major reconstruction to return it to its former glory.

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Future

“In the beginning, there were no floors in two of the main rooms in the front. Literally there was just grass,” McLaughlin recalled. “And now we have the windows repaired, one floor, a roof, and we are installing a lovely front porch as we speak. For the first time during Phoenix Flies, we are going to have the house open to the public with a small exhibit about the history of the house.” She added, “There are also going to be a lot of places that have not been on the tour before, such as the Atlanta’s Women’s Club and the Edward Gay House, which are two of the few residential houses left on Peachtree.” But as they say, that’s just the beginning of the story. Here is a sampling of other Phoenix Flies highlights: ☛ Grant Park Walking Tour: Discover the rich history

of LP Grant Park, its Olmsted design, fresh-water springs, forest and unique historic structures and art works during a family-friendly stroll. ☛ Fox Theatre Guided Tour: Unravel the mystery of the Fabulous Fox Theatre, one of the few remaining

2004

2010

exotic movie palaces of the 1920s. ☛ Rhodes Hall Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Called the “Castle on Peachtree Street,” Rhodes Hall was built in 1904 and is now a museum and headquarters for The Georgia Trust. Tours will take visitors through the museum, Georgia Trust offices and up to the tower roof. ☛ The African-American Grounds of Oakland Cemetery: This historic cemetery is more than just a final resting place, but an outstanding example of a Victorian garden cemetery with its magnificent sculpture and botanical gardens and wildlife. During this tour, learn about the storied African Americans who helped shape the history of Atlanta. ☛ Stonehenge Mansion & Sanctuary Tour: This tour at St. John’s Lutheran Church will include a visit to the 1914 mansion, the church sanctuary and a short demonstration of the Zimmer tracker-action pipe organ.

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

Phoenix Flies

☛ Ivy Hall House Tour: SCAD welcomes guests inside

this award-winning architectural treasure. Designed by noted architect Gottfried L. Norrman in 1883, this stunning building serves as a creative learning environment for the university’s writing programs. ☛ Swan House Tour: Enjoy a guided tour of the Swan House, considered one of Atlanta’s most elegant landmarks, and see how Atlanta’s most prominent families lived and entertained in the 1920s and 1930s. Now, remember there are more than 100 events to choose from, but whichever story piques your fascination, this celebration is just the beginning. “Even if you are not able to attend this 16-day celebration, go to our Web site or get a hold of the Phoenix Flies color catalog,” McLaughlin advised. “Phoenix Flies is not just about getting attendance during the event, but also about getting out

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

information for people to visit these places and attend their events year-round.” And you can help preserve our history, just by visiting these local treasures. “If you go to the Puppetry Arts, you are participating in preservation; if you go to the Wren’s Nest you are participating in preservation; if you go to a historic church, you are participating in preservation,” Coons concluded. “Preservation for us is not freezing something in amber, it’s adapting the best of the past to make a richer future. We hope everyone who can will come out and join us and make the most of this opportunity.” PN

To learn more about Phoenix Flies, please call 404-6883353 or visit www.phoenixﬂies.org for full event information. If you would like to learn how you could help preserve Atlanta’s historic treasures, please visit the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Web site, www.preserveatlanta.com.

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topics

TOWN

TALK AROUND TOWN Check Out Our Community Bulletin Board For Local Announcements HERE AT POINTS NORTH, we have the pleasure of scouting Atlanta’s Northside for new discoveries each and every month, and we gotta say, we like what we ﬁnd. To that end, we want to encourage you to explore your communities along with us, so we’re introducing this periodic section as the ultimate source for community news. Use it as a guide to ﬁnd out what’s going on in your neck of the woods, or as an outlet for sharing community information. That’s right, we’re welcoming input from you, our readers. The next edition of Town Topics will appear in June; please feel free to share suggestions by emailing editorial@ptsnorth.com.

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Big Creek Park

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PH OT O

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SUMMER CAMP’S A-COMING

CE NT ER

Sure, summer vacation may be months away, but before you let it sneak up on you, consider how your kids are going to spend all that free time. Spare their inevitable boredom (and save your sanity) by securing a spot at summer camp. The options across the Northside are endless, and Roswell in particular is making planning a breeze with their Summer Camps & Program Fair on March 26 from 4 – 6 p.m. and April 12 from 9:30 a.m. – noon. This “one-stop shop” gives you access to traditional day camps, performing arts, gymnastics, athletics, specialty camps and visual arts at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building. For budding artists, register now for a variety of one-week sessions in themes like drawing, painting, mixed media and clay sculpture at The Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth (www.thehudgens.org), or take advantage of online registration beginning March 7 for Abernathy Arts Center Summer Art Weeks in Sandy Springs. This year’s theme is “Art Through the Ages” with a focus on pottery, multimedia, drawing, painting, jewelry, animal sculpture, cartooning and more for ages 6 though 16 (www.fultonarts.org). If your kids are little naturalists, the popular Camp Kingﬁsher at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell will be right up their alley with sessions exploring the great outdoors, plus a new drama/nature camp in partnership with the Georgia Ensemble Theater (www.chattnaturecenter.org). Registration is also open for Dunwoody Nature Center’s Summer Camp 2011, which includes weekly mini-camps for 3- and 4-year olds, as well as weekly full-day camps for rising kindergarteners through ﬁfth graders in categories like “Music & Mayhem,” “Mysteries!” and “Natural Wonders” (www.dunwoodynature.org).

Camp Kin gﬁsher

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for the A rts ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Saint Paddy’s Day Delights Durty Kelly’s and Other Northside Pubs Serve Up Authentic Irish Fare with Warmth and Charm [ WRI TTEN BY J UL I E HOSTETTER ]

Irish eyes were indeed

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBIN HARRISON

Bangers and Mash

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

smiling on me as I stepped into Durty Kelly’s Public House in Alpharetta. Now, I know what you are thinking. Irish pubs can be long on ambiance, but short on food. Hey, who needs to worry much about the menu when Guinness is flowing freely from the tap and toe-tapping music fills the air into the wee hours of the night? So, I was more than tickled green to discover that Durty Kelly’s emphasis on authentic Irish recipes would be as scrumptious as dishes served in the Old Country. You see, everything here is made from scratch. Their motto is “The freshest of food, the oldest of drink,” and their delectable handmade bacon and corned beef and slew of microbrews prove they deliver on that promise. The corned beef is so flavorful you can actually taste the pride that went into making it, as it takes them eight hours to perfect and then steeps for an additional 24 hours before being served to guests. The options are plentiful from the corned beef and cabbage entrée, a Reuben sandwich, or my personal favorite, the corned beef and cabbage Boxty rolls appetizer, where the beef is rolled in a potato crepe with green onion slaw and remoulade sauce. Durty Kelly’s cherishes Irish fare, but tweaks it ever so gently to appeal more to the American palate. Old World favorites such as Bangers and Mash, fish and chips, and Shepherd’s pie are delicious, but so are the New World dishes, such as Keegan Durty Burger (blackened angus, marinated in Guinness beer and stuffed with cheese), and the Guinness baby back ribs

Everything here is made from scratch. Their motto is “The freshest of food, the oldest of drink.”

Durty Kelly’s Public House

Rock shrimp and grits

or chicken wings. As for the most unique offering, why not give the Pub Egg a try? Two hard-boiled eggs wrapped in Irish sausage, breaded and deep-fried with a side of spicy mustard. Or perhaps the Rock shrimp and grits that merges Southern and Irish flavors. It’s a bit spicy, but you can say you ate a Southern dish and still kept one foot in Ireland. If ever there was a time to sample Irish delicacies, this is the place, but for those whose tastes travel elsewhere, no worries, there are plenty of popular options like fried green tomatoes, strawberry salad, Prime Rib, crab cakes and a good, old-fashioned ham and cheese sandwich. Modeled after 1920s Ireland, the pub boasts a charming city and country setting, and kilt-laden servers run to and fro while roaring fires emanate from stone fireplaces. The country side boasts charming private “nooks” that are perfect for small intimate dinners or large family get-togethers, while the patio overlooks a spouting fountain, a popular hot spot on spring days. There is always free entertainment every day of the week, from cornhole game tournaments and billiards to darts and live bands. And then of course, we are talking about an Irish pub, so the beer list is phenomenal. Durty Kelly’s has a 100-bottle beer selection and 30 drafts on tap, and boasts everything from Russian Imperial Styles to IPAs. You can join the “Drunken Leprechaun

Club” and be treated to special offers and perks throughout the year, like enjoying two for one drafts on Monday evenings. And St. Paddy’s Day will be an extravaganza that offers to be the largest celebration in all of North Fulton. The three-day event on Mar. 17 – 19 is called the “Get Lucky” Campaign, and will boast two massive tents, beer trailers and “Dirty Bomb Shelters” where you can hide out and enjoy the popular “Irish Car bomb” drink. All the while, bagpipe players along with Irish and American bands will entertain the crowds and parking shuttles will see you safely to and from your cars. And of course, you’ll need to ﬁll your stomach so all that beer doesn’t go to your head! So, even if you may never have born a craving for Irish food, I suggest you skip Italian or Mexican for one night and give it a try. The funny thing is I never craved Irish food myself … that is until I ate at Durty Kelly’s.

Durty Kelly’s Public House 488 North Main St. Alpharetta 770-667-0599 www.durtykellys.com

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

C H E C K O UT TH E S E I R I S H PU B S TH AT A L S O S E RV E U P D E LI C I O U S D I S H E S Corned beef and cabbage

FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARL DANBURY, JR.

Petit Fours at Creations Bakery

Homemade bread pudding

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHELSEA EDISON Olde Blind Dog Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub Irish Pub Party with St. Paddy: They’ve been prepping for March 17 with “St. Practice Days” on the 17th of each month, so you know the main event is going to be grand – plenty of Irish food and drink, prize drawings and a tented outdoor kitchen and bar make this the block

party to remember. Location: 12650 Crabapple Road, Milton For More Information: 678-624-1090, www.oldeblinddog.com

meets historic Ireland.” The restaurant’s ambiance alone is worth

For another heaping of hearty Irish fare, no need to traverse the sea, simply head to the Olde Blind Dog pub where “historic Crabapple

the trip as guests may dine in a dramatic Celtic pub setting that takes you back nearly 300 years. As a special treat, you may enjoy a private meal in one of their many charming “snugs,” which gained

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Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

popularity with 18th-century Irish pub goers who would pay extra for a cozy and private dining booth. The menu is chocked full of Irish delicacies and a few Southern favorites, too. Here, you’ll ﬁnd Graedog (appetizers) like Kerrygold cheddar dip with pretzel bread and beef sliders with Guinness barbecue sauce alongside Tobasco deep-fried pickles. Of course, all the traditional treats are available, too, like Shepherd’s pie and Bangers & Mash, plus less common offerings like Guinness onion soup and the Kildare Rashers, Greens and Reds, a unique take on a BLT with Scottish smoked salmon, avocado, bacon and tomato on fresh marbled rye bread with the chef’s special tartar sauce. The menu also offers a bit of practical advice: “Never, ever skip dessert,” and we must concur – the homemade bread pudding with Bailey’s crème anglaise is sinfully good no matter which side of the pond you call home.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HEATHER KW BROWN

— Julie Hostetter and Bre Humphries

Keegan’s Irish Pub Party with St. Paddy: The party starts at 10 a.m. with Kegs and Eggs featuring Keegan’s Irish breakfast and popular Potatoes O’Brien. Then, at noon, The Ballybeg Band will perform, as will students from a local Irish dancing school, and don’t be surprised if you see bagpipers ﬁltering through the crowd under tents that will surely scream: Block Party Here! Corned beef & cabbage served all day. Location: 1625 Ridenour Blvd., Suite 301, Kennesaw For More Information: 678-213-2460, www.keeganspublichouse.com Brothers Mike and Patrick Ford have taken their Irish heritage and turned it into the quintessential neighborhood pub, where good friends, good times and good food come standard. While Keegan’s Public House lives up to its reputation as an Irish pub with its lively atmosphere and endless pints of Guinness, what surprises me most is the food. Yes, you’ll ﬁnd traditional Irish fare such as Bangers & Mash, Mulligan Stew and Shepherd’s pie, but the chef-driven kitchen here is not content to crank out the same old

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Keegan’s has a grilled cheese that might as well be the gold at the end of the rainbow. It might not be Irish but this grilled cheese sandwich is stuffed with pulled pork barbecue, caramelized onions and mac n’ cheese, then served with a homemade tomato bisque — that’s no blarney! dishes without tinkering this or tweaking that. The meatloaf here, for example, is a huge hit and word on the street in Kennesaw is that Keegan’s has a grilled cheese that might as well be the gold at the end of the rainbow. It might not be Irish but this grilled cheese sandwich is stuffed with pulled pork barbecue, caramelized onions and mac n’ cheese, then served with a homemade tomato bisque — that’s no blarney! And don’t leave Keegan’s without trying the award-winning Irish spring rolls and the award-winning Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. The homemade egg rolls are stuffed with corned beef, cabbage and Swiss cheese, then served with a sweet Thousand Island dressing, while the bread pudding is simply heaven on a plate for those of us who love to indulge our sweet tooth from time to time. Now that’s what I call lucky. — Heather KW Brown

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL DANBURY, JR.

check out our INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE online at ptsnorth.com

All issues since June of 2009 available.

Meatloaf with red wine gravy Meehan’s Public House Party with St. Paddy: With live music already offered four nights a week, there’s no reason not to enjoy Chef Linda Harrell’s slow-cooked corned beef brisket and cabbage, a couple of pints of Guinness, Smithwick’s or Harp (with no green food coloring) while tapping your feet on March 17. Locations: 227 Sandy Springs Place, Sandy Springs, 404-843-8058 2810 Paces Ferry Road NW, Vinings, 770-433-1920 180 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 404-214-9821 For More Information: http://101concepts.com

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

Exceptional OB/GYN care in Johns Creek from our family to yours

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The area’s only husband & wife OB/GYN team.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL DANBURY, JR.

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Chocolate Irish soda bread pudding Owned by the same restaurateurs that have wowed us at Food 101 since 1999, Meehan’s Public House has grabbed a strong foothold in the Irish Pub sector with all three locations. Meehan’s Vinings’ location opened in 2002. Sandy Springs followed in 2005 and the downtown location was unveiled last March. Although Irish cuisine has never been at the top of the food chain, Meehan’s has taken their Irish fare to the next level. Chef Linda Harrell, whose mother grew up in Belfast, has taken the traditional Irish menu items and added an uncommon panache to each. For her wonderfully moist meatloaf, Harrell combines bison, Angus beef and Italian sausage served with red wine gravy. The fennel from the sausage enlivens the mixture and the result is incredible. For her Bangers & Mash, mushrooms and onions are added, while the Shepherd’s pie is served in a flavorful mashed potato jacket. Fresh cod is used for her fish and chips and don’t pass up her yummy Irish soda bread muffins. For dessert, you’ll be hard pressed to find an equivalent for her glorious Chocolate Irish soda bread pudding. You don’t have to be a Celt to enjoy these items, but if you wish to stray from the traditional, her creative culinary muscles are flexed every day with her Chef’s menu. Duck confit and apple ravioli served with oyster mushrooms in a tomato duck jus had us clamoring for more, and the Guinness fish tacos from the appetizer menu are some of the best you’ll have anywhere! “The idea was to mix friendly service, the quality of food served at a fine restaurant and combine it with the atmosphere and friendliness of an Irish Pub,” said Phil Roness, managing partner of the Sandy Springs location. “We weren’t sure how it was going to pan out, but it has worked out very well for us.” We say, “good craic!” — Carl Danbury, Jr.

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

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CALENDAR

MARCH

[ C O M P I LE D BY A N D R E W N E V E I L S ]

Welcome to the Points North calendar. Events are listed by genre and each listing includes a description, date, a Web address (if available) and a phone number. Calendar submissions should be sent to calendar@ptsnorth.com two months prior to the month in which the event will occur. Please be advised that dates and times might change.

PERFORMING ARTS “THE CURIOUS SAVAGE”

the story of a hip-swinging, guitar-playing stranger who comes to town and the romantic mayhem that follows. The Act 3 Playhouse, 770-241-1905, www.act3productions.org

[Through March 5]

The Polk Street Players present this warm and insightful tale of Ethel Savage, a very wealthy widow matching wits and will with her foolish adult children who have committed her to a mental institution because they object to her plan to create a memorial fund honoring her late husband. St. James’ Episcopal Church, 770-218-9669, http://stjames-marietta.episcopalatlanta.org/

“SUPERIOR DONUTS”

“BURN THE FLOOR”

[Through March 27]

This production from Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author Tracy Letts offers a tasty tale of friendship and the struggles of a community grappling with change. The humor may rise with the dough, but can you take the heat? Horizons Theatre, 404-5847450, www.horizontheatre.com

“ALL SHOOK UP”

[March 3 – 13]

Act 3 Productions presents this lively musical based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” It has the ﬂair of “Grease” and is reminiscent of “Bye-Bye Birdie.” If those hints don’t ring any bells, then perhaps the songs of Elvis will! Set in 1955, this production follows

ART EXHIBITS TWO SOLO EXHIBITS [March 1 – April 9] Frances Barth is a noted American artist and teacher. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1977 and held the position of director of the Multi-Disciplinary Graduate School at Maryland Institute College of Art. Mernet Larsen is professor emeritus of painting at the University of South Florida. Many of her works are permanent ﬁxtures in numerous museums across the United States. Marcia Wood Gallery, 404-8270030, www.marciawoodgallery.com

[ March 19 – 28] “Dear Edwina” PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE DOWD PHOTOGRAPHY

RISPA Theatrical Productions is proud to explore the hysterical and inspiring story of Edwina Spoonapple, a 13 year old who would do just about anything to be part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-palooza Festival. Her siblings’ accomplishments are proudly displayed on her fridge while she has nothing to show. Her friends and family help her along the way to becoming a star in her own right. Milton Center Theatre, 678-620-3500, www.rispa.net

[March 22 – 27]

Before “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” turned ballroom dancing into must-see TV, “Burn The Floor” was setting stages ablaze around the globe. This electrifying dance spectacular has thrilled audiences in more than 30 countries. Fox Theatre, 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PETER BUREGA & KIM SCHUESSLER [March 18 – April 5] Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta is proud to present Santa Fe artist Peter Burega’s abstract paintings, which are richly layered onto birch panels. Atlanta favorite Kim Schuessler will also be featured with her bold paintings depicting friendships, family relationships and whimsical characters. Pryor Fine Art, 404352-8775, www.pryorﬁneart.com

CULTURESHOCK

[March 26]

Come on out to a special event featuring Burlesque dancers, Parisian

street food and musical performances inspired by the exhibitions currently on view. Tickets are available through the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office. High Museum of Art, 404-733-5000, www.high.org

[ March 2 – 6]

HILLSONG UNITED

[March 7]

Fronted by worship leaders Joel Houston, Jad Gillies and JD, this diverse band is an evolving collaboration of pastors, worship leaders, musicians and songwriters giving voice to a generation passionate about God. Gwinnett Arena, 800-745-3000, www.gwinnettcenter.com

GOSPEL COMEDY TOUR

[March 19]

Comedic icon Steve Harvey and Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin join forces for this unique and entertaining evening. Philips Arena, 800-745-3000, www.philipsarena.com

SINGING PSALMS: POETRY AND PRAYER

[March 20]

The Cherokee Community Chorale presents its spring concert, conducted by Dr. Melissa Arasi with accompaniment by members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The performance features Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and guest performers from the Creekview High School Chorus. Canton First United Methodist Church, 678-439-8625, www.cherokeechorale.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUNICHI TAKAHASHI

CONCERTS COMEDY

STOMP STOMP has been striking, plucking, shaking, ﬁghting with and scraping everyday items for the purpose of music since 1991. The creators/directors have updated and added to their incredible show; they’re still ﬁnding ways to repurpose everyday items for entertainment. Come on out and prepare to stomp! The Fox Theatre, 800-982-2787, www.foxtheatre.org

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

CALENDAR

MARCH

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GREAT AMERICAN BAKING CONTEST

[March 2]

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the judging and sampling of the sweet treats. General Admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $35 and include early admittance and a Champagne reception with emcee Jenn Hobby. All proceeds are tax deductible and beneďŹ t Share Our Strengthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to end childhood hunger. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, 770-938-4711,

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DARE TO DREAM GALA [March 12] Join EnAble of Georgia for its largest fundraiser of the year. The evening features dinner and dancing, plus live and silent auctions, and all proceeds beneďŹ t EnAbleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission to serve adults with intellectual disabilities. Crown Plaza Ravinia, 770-664-4347, ext. 106, www.enablega.org [March 19] THE PINK AFFAIR This evening of dinner, dancing, games and auctions beneďŹ ts TurningPoint Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Healthcare at Northside Hospital and the Zeta Tau Alpha foundation for ongoing breast cancer awareness and education. Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, www.thepinkaffair.org HIGH MUSEUM OF ART WINE AUCTION [March 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 26] Touted to be the top charity fundraising event in Atlanta and the sixth largest charity wine auction in the country, this event features more than 100 vintners and more than 250 live and silent auction lots, as well as the chance to purchase cult wines, rare vintages and large-format bottles. Proceeds beneďŹ t the High Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acquisition, exhibition and educational programming. High Museum of Art, www.atlanta-wineauction.org [March 29] 1873 SOCIAL CLUB SweetWater Brewing Co. and Yacht Rock Revue present this fundraiser for the 1873 Social Club, which supports the mission of the Atlanta Humane Society. The event features all-you-candrink beer and incredible music. Order tickets by March 1 for a promotional rate. SweetWater Brewing Co., www.atlantahumane.org

SPECIAL EVENTS JAZZ ON TAP & BALLETFEST [March 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6, 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13] These two dance festivals feature various performances and workshops for the participants and the public. Joe Mack Wilson Student Center Theatre, Southern Polytechnic State University, Marietta, 770-516-7229, www.dancefestinc.com

Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

BREW YOUR CASK OFF [March 5] SweetWater Brewing Co. presents this second annual festival to discover and promote guest brewers, local retailers, home brewers and charities. Each brewer will create their own oneof-a-kind cask for festival attendees to sample and judge. This inspired event is a way for SweetWater to thank those who sell and enjoy their products. SweetWater Brewing Co., 404-691-2537, www.brewyourcaskoff.com [March 6] WILD & SCIENCE FILM FESTIVAL This festival will educate and inspire you about our world and your role in preserving it with a selection of films from the largest film festival in North America. The event is hosted by Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia River Network and Georgia ForestWatch. The Tara Theater, Atlanta, 404-352-9828, www.ucriverkeeper.org/environmental-film-festival.php [March 10 – 27] HISTORIC ROSWELL HOME TOUR Roswell Woman’s Club will showcase a tour of homes at The Providence Brownstones in Historic Roswell. Shops and restaurants up and down Canton Street will be participating in events during the tour. The Providence Brownstones, 770-715-2700, www.roswellwomansclub.org [March 11 – 12] TOTS TO TWEEN CONSIGNMENT SALE Are you looking for newborn to juniors clothing, accessories, toys, play equipment, strollers, car seats, furniture and much more? If so, this event, sponsored by Northwest Atlanta Moms of Multiples, is where you want to be. Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 678-453-6993, www.nowamom.org [March 19 – 20] THIS IS THE ONE BRIDAL SALE Brides on a budget can shop for designer consigned gowns, new and sample gowns and additional wedding attire all in one place at this inaugural event. Le Fais do do, Atlanta, 404-3873027, www.thisistheone.com

March 2011 SUNDAY BRUNCH 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th END THE WINTER BLUES CELEBRATION WITH LIVE JAZZ $30 per person plus tax and HSBUVJUZ r 8JOF BEEJUJPOBM CZ UIF HMBTT PS CPUUMF r 4FBUJOHT BU 12:30 and 2:30pm

VINEYARD CAFE Cafe Lunch will be served beginning March 3rd Thurs-Sat:12-3pm TASTING ROOM Opens March 3rd Thurs-Sat: 12-5pm Sun: 12:30-5pm

TASTING ROOM (continued) ESTATE TASTING - $10 (Includes a tasting of our estate still wines) RESERVE TASTING - $20 (Includes a tasting of our still & sparkling wines)

www.wolfmountainvineyards.com | 706-867-9862 Reservations required for all Food Service

DOES YOUR HOUSE NEED HELP? If your décor is incomplete, in need of an update, some fresh ideas, or the experienced eye of a professional to “pull it all together” - I can help. SERVICES DESIGNED TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET:

• Redecorating “With What You Own” • Room planning • Color selection • Furniture, artwork and accessory purchases • Advice re: structural additions or changes. • Kitchen Re-Design and build out • After-move organization. • Preparing your home for sale. EILEEN WALPOLE Interior Re-Design Consultant

TEL:

770-393-3243

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CELL:

404-840-8999

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NORCROSS ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW [March 26] Have you ever wondered how much that painting in your grandfather’s attic is worth? What about Aunt Sue’s plate that she always hung on the wall? Selma Paul of HGTV fame will be appraising one item per person for free. The Norcross Welcome Center and The Shops of Antique Traditions sponsor this event. Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 770-4482122, www.aplacetoimagine.com [March 26 – 27] PAPER MILL MARKET The third annual European-style market returns for anyone with an eye for the eclectic and unique. The market will feature art, handcrafted jewelry, fashion accessories, vintage furnishings, unusual ﬁnds and gourmet edibles. Paper Mill Village, 678-361-4113, www.villagemarketatpapermill.com

ptsnorth.com | March 2011 | Points North

[ W R I T T E N BY AN DR E W N EV EILS ]

5 THINGS F

JIM

MARCH

NY MPA CO ON NS E H

PHO TO C

I MUST DO THIS MONTH

Get a Free Fraggle Fix. The Center for Puppetry Arts is offering free admission to all Fulton County residents on the ﬁrst Saturday of every month. Admission includes entrance into the permanent “Puppets: The Power of Wonder” collection and three special exhibits featuring the art of Jim Henson, plus eligible participants may purchase tickets to performances or workshops on Free Museum Saturdays at a 25 percent discount, subject to availability. March 5 will be a great time to get out and explore the puppeteer in you! If that date doesn’t work, plan your puppet day on April 2, May 7 or June 4. Visit www.puppet.org for more information.

Keep up the Pace. Forget four-leaf clovers and shamrocks for this March event, all you need is a pair of running shoes and a race number. So grab your lucky sneakers, and run to sign up for Your Pace or Mine 5K. As far as races go, this Peachtree Road Race qualiﬁer is sure to inspire times that will be almost as quick as sliding over the rainbow into a pot of gold. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and will take you on a beautiful tree-lined, paved trail, while the 1-mile run starts at 9 a.m. with a Tot Trot to follow. The race will start at Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville on March 5, with registration closing on March 3. Register today at www.active.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAFE CIRCA

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Points North | March 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Get the Blues. Feeling blue never felt so good! Café Circa in Atlanta has extended its popular “Dinner and the Blues” evenings with celebrated vocalist Francine Reed. On March 7, 14 and 28 from 7 to 10 p.m., diners are invited to enjoy special two-course dinners of Chef Hopeton S. Hibbert’s Caribbean Latin fare for just $20 as Reed belts the blues. Visit www.cafecircaatl.com or call 404-477-0008 for more information. Party with St. Paddy. Shamrockin’ for a Cure is back to benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and this is sure to be a St. Patrick’s Day party to remember. Taking place March 12 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Shamrockin’ will feature live music and an auction with amazing items like a room makeover from celebrity designer Vern Yip, an African safari and custom motorcycles. Enjoy all the food, beer, wine and Firefly Vodka your heart desires. Tickets are $75; to purchase, visit www.shamrockinforacure.org or call 770-335-2427 for information. Get A Dose of Vitamin D. Amp up the benefits of your routine workout by mixing in some fresh air and sunshine during free previews of Operation Boot Camp’s green workouts, which take place outdoors at various venues around town. Studies show that exercising outside gives your body a dose of vitamin D to promote healthy bones and muscles, and also allows for a more intense workout. Give them a try at Wills Park in Alpharetta on March 3 and 19 or The Boys & Girls Club in Brookhaven on March 25. For more information, visit www.operationbootcamp.com.