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POINTS NORTH ATLANTA | ISSUE 176 | JANUARY 2015
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER; JENNIFER COLOSIMO; MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS
contents
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44 8 { DEPARTMENTS } 6 8 64 66
MY TURN DUE NORTH CALENDAR THE NORTHSIDE VIEW
{ ON THE COVER } A first-time skier tackles one of the beginner slopes at Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, N.C.
17 NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
44
The flip of a calendar can be motivation for change, sometimes even before it makes the list of resolutions. We’ve shared a few of our own to kick off 2015:
According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, about one in every 300 boys and one in every 333 girls will develop cancer before their 20th birthday. We talked with a Suwanee family, an oncologist and CURE Childhood Cancer about why it happens, how to help and if a cure is close.
QUEST FOR A CURE
18 | SONGWRITING 101 While crafting a song of her own sounds pretty far-fetched, it hasn’t stopped Colleen from turning her dream into a page of lyrics.
52 NEW MEXICO SKIING
24 | GOING GLUTEN-FREE Tired of the side effects, Jenni bravely went where many of us can’t. She panicked, she taste tested and now she has gluten-free gems to share.
30 | PRACTICING MINDFULNESS S P E C I A L A DV E R TI S I N G S E C TI O N S 35 | Real Estate Outlook 50 | Children’s Health Ticker 59 | Northside Bride Wedding Planner
4
Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
Being whisked to the top — or semi-top — of a butterfly-inducing run is hard to come by as Atlanta residents, but we’ve found a few spots for fine skiing and great food in New Mexico, plus a family-friendly option in neighboring North Carolina.
Learning to tune out the noise and focus isn’t easy, but we found two writers who’ve accidentally figured out the art of mindfulness.
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MY
turn PRESIDENT / CEO
Witt Beckman PUBLISHER
Carl Danbury Jr. EDITOR
Heather KW Brown MANAGING EDITOR
Jennifer Colosimo CRE ATIVE DIREC TOR PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBIN HARRISON
Robin Harrison SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Shannah J. Smith
faith
FUELS CHANGE
Inhale, exhale! After
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:34
Colleen Ann McNally CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amber Lanier Nagle Christina Scalera Megan K. Smith EDITORIAL INTERNS
Christine Kirk Xavilaine Hincapie ADVERTISING
770-844-0969 sales@pointsnorthatlanta.com DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES
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Tiffany Willard All Points Interactive Media Corp. 568 Peachtree Parkway Cumming, Georgia 30041 770-844-0969 www.pointsnorthatlanta.com © 2015 Points North All Points Interactive Media Corp. All rights reserved. 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.
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
Pl e as
c yc l e T h i s M a zi n e
To send comments and/or suggestions on this or any other subject, e-mail us at: myturn@pointsnorthatlanta.com.
Re
ag
e
two months (or more) of preparation, wading through retail purgatory and examining the perfect somethings for special someones, when the calendar flips to a new year, suddenly our focus becomes slightly self-skewed. During this time of introspection, our focus is most often upon the physical aspects of renewal, and nearly always trumps our desire for emotional or mental restructuring. In fact, the worldly triumvirate of a physical, mental and emotional overhaul almost always seems more important to many than a spiritual reawakening. Of course, if you ever consult the ancient manuscripts of the Torah, Quran or New Testament, you can find numerous passages about how our desired changes are perhaps a bit more logical and less foreboding when we first alter our soul/spirit before we attempt to fix our minds and bodies. So, as we present our feature, New Year, New You (p. 17), which provides some keen insight on certain ways to reinvigorate your individual thirsts or concerns, I would like to share something with you that I did back in Feb. 2010
when part of my life had become unclear, occasionally dark. I joined a small group through my church because our pastor Andy Stanley advised that participation in a faithful walk is best ministered through others in small circles rather than just sitting in a row listening to him, and others, preach. The circle he described has been invaluable for me, and I now lead a weekly small group of seven men. I hope each of them is benefitting from the group as much as each of them is benefitting me. I am almost certain we must comprehend that our own struggles are not nearly as unique as we perceive them to be. In fact, sharing our imperfections and helping others in their daily lives can trigger positive change within each of us.
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north
AND THE
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOX THEATRE
SHOWS GO ON…
Top: Les Misérables; Bottom: Newsies
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
Atlantans better clear their calendars. This month, two classic stories take local stages for entertaining, make-you-want-to-sing-along performances. First at Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre, “Les Misérables” belts out the ballads starting Jan. 15 through March 1. Aurora's smaller stage is the perfect place to catch an engrossing performance of this epic musical of passion, sacrifice and betrayal (a well-endowed winner of five Suzi Bass Awards) as audiences are made to feel like part of the show. Tickets to regular show times start at $30, with discount weekday matinees at $20. auroratheatre.com or 678-226-6222 Downtown, the classic Fox Theatre brings another favorite – “Newsies” – to its star-studded stage. Between Jan. 20 and 25, patrons can catch the story of underdogs-turned-heroes when they take on some of the most powerful men in New York. Produced by Disney and an award-winning creative team, there’s no wondering why The New York Times called this “a musical worth singing about.” We can bet you still know the words. broadwayinatlanta.com – Christine Kirk
PHOTO COURTESY OF AURORA THEATRE
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THE GOLDEN AGE
january 2015
Resolve to live, sit and sleep more comfortably this year, with some help from furniture gurus Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Their contemporary home décor can be found in the White House, on the set of the CBS television series “The Good Wife” and now, just down the street at Avalon in Alpharetta. Last year, the design duo opened their second store in the state, as well as celebrated 25 successful years in the business, with plenty of sleek metallic pieces to commemorate their silver anniversary. Looking ahead to this spring’s collection, Williams said, “Not only are we going to have more antique brass to complement the silver, we’ve also come up with a palette of very fresh spring colors that are a little different than what you normally see.” Keep a look out for these, arriving in stores next month. Creative colors aren’t the only unique thing here. Gold takes pride in the well-trained staff, which visits the factory to learn how their eco-friendly furniture is made as well as a client’s home to create custom floor plans. In-home design consultations are $200, credited toward your purchase of $2,000 or more. mgbwhome.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS
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artful
AN AUCTION In the 67 years that The Quinlan Visual Arts Center has existed in historic downtown Gainesville, they’ve hammered home their mission “to bring visual arts to life and to the life of the community.” Now, the center is North Georgia’s premier arts organization, connecting both established artists and up-and-coming artists with discerning collectors while earning a reputation for its commitment to quality programs and educational opportunities. Whether you are an artist, art appreciator, instructor, collector or novice, it’s a place to nurture your creativity. The center’s biggest event of the year approaches next month, bringing a two-night black tie event filled with dinner, dancing,
live and silent auctions and a slew of local and national artists. This year, the 37th Annual GALA Fine Art Auction Artist Guest of Honor is the popular Steve Penley, a University of Georgia grad and one of the country’s most celebrated artists. Known for bold brush strokes, vivid colors and historical subject matter, his work is featured across the city, including his most recent and largest piece: a 30-foot mural at the new College Football Hall of Fame. This can’t-miss event kicks off with a chance to meet the artists and bid on silent auction items March 5. The black-tie dinner and live auction follow March 7. Tickets can be purchased at quinlanartscenter.org or by calling 770-536-2575.
PHOTO COURTESY OF QUINLAN ARTS CENTER
POLO WOMEN’S CLUB New kids on the block have something to get back in the groove with this year, thanks to the powerhouse of social butterflies at Polo Golf & Country Club in Cumming. Founded two years ago by then new resident Perrie Tucker, The Polo Women’s Club was a way to meet her neighbors, make new friends and potentially attract new members to the country club. She enlisted the help of fellow residents and the club’s food and beverage services to schedule monthly luncheons where women and their friends could gather to enjoy a great meal, meet other local ladies, hear great speakers and have the chance to get involved with local charities. The lineup this year brings exciting visitors to the club, with the owner of The Cupbearer Coffee & Tea Outfitter, representatives from The Marcus E. and Sharon B. Gunter (MSG) Foundation who work to fight hunger in Cumming and local author Lauren Holly with her debut novel, among others. All year long, the ladies support a variety of charities, including MSG, Head Start, Feel Beautiful Today, Lily’s Run, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Abba House and more. Tickets are only $16, but an R.S.V.P. is required, so check the calendar via their Facebook page and reserve your spot at lunch by emailing polowomensclub@gmail.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF POLO WOMEN’S CLUB
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START YOUR LEGACY Who knew making a difference in the community would involve a ritzy party full of great food, sparkling cocktails, exciting auctions and an energetic dance floor? Well, you do now, with a ticket to the 2nd Annual Legacy Ball benefitting Voice Today. This year’s event will be held January 31 at 7 p.m. on the grounds at Atlanta National Golf Club in Alpharetta. Hosted by master of ceremonies, CNN and HLN’s Christi Paul, the black-tie gala raises awareness and funds for the nonprofit protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as supporting survivors in the community. Last year the event welcomed 300 guests and raised more than $30,000. To help them raise more in 2015, visit voicetoday.org for sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales.
LEGENDS Come To Life This year, it’s time to believe in the unbelievable, and with the allnew show from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey coming to town, you just might. “LEGENDS” reintroduces you to your childhood fantasies with epic, legendary circus artists from around the world performing awe-inspiring, daring and wondrous feats before wrangling mystifying creatures like the Unicorn, Pegasus and the Woolly Mammoth. This unforgettable family night runs at Philips Arena, Feb. 11 through 16 and hits Duluth at The Arena at Gwinnett Center Feb. 19 through March 1. Tickets will go fast, so snag yours now. The all access pre-show starts an hour before the event, where families can meet the performers of “The Greatest Show On Earth,” get autographs, take photos and enter to win a one-of-a-kind Pachyderm Painting. ringling.com – Xavilaine Hincapie 12
Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY
RAVE REVIEWS
at pointsnorthatlanta.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF MAVERICKS
Mavericks It’s time to let your taste buds hang loose – or hang ten – as they say in sunny California. Now that Mavericks is open in Johns Creek, you’ve got the new Mexican-inspired watering hole to do so. Named for the popular surf spot on the West Coast, Mavericks’ equally cool menu of delicious, fresh entrées and its casual, laid-back atmosphere is also the perfect place to recover, refuel and head back out into the world with a renewed attitude. They’re open from 11:30 a.m. until late for hanging out on Friday and Saturday, and til 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. No reservation required – although more than a wetsuit is. Get your mouth watering by reading the full review online at pointsnorthatlanta.com/mavericks.
Rise UP
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELEVATE BARRE STUDIO
There are plenty of ways to knock out your list of New Year’s resolutions. If you aren’t planning to “misplace” your list, we suggest signing up for classes at Elevate Barre Studio — Johns Creek’s answer to a slew of new barre workouts. With the motto, “Offering classes to lift your spirit … and your seat,” you can experience the rush of endorphins that comes with a workout and capitalize on the benefits of targeted toning. With the perfect motivating mix of high-energy music, isometric movements and stretching, you’ve got a recipe for long, lean muscles and improved posture and flexibility. “The camaraderie of the group fitness environment coupled with the challenging and ever-changing routine is an addictive combination,” said owner Colleen Wanek. With that kind of combination, we’re confident you can post that resolution list to the fridge, rather than lose it in the junk drawer. elevatebarrestudio.com
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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A SUCCESSFUL EVENING It’s more than nice to end the year on a good note — and even better to start the next one with a recap of just how good it was. That is why retelling the evening we spent honoring our 11 Savvy & Successful Women of The Northside is top of mind. In November, in conjunction with Founder’s Hall, Talk of the Town, Bacardi and Northside Hospital, we welcomed the nominated ladies, their friends, family and our wonderful sponsors to feast, toast and mingle in honor of our community’s great female assets. Presenting sponsor Shane Co. gifted our golden ladies with gift cards and accessories, while we presented each with a memento of her full-page feature from the November issue. We listened to more inspiring stories emceed by last year’s winner, Jackie Cannizzo as well as shared memories from an incredible photo shoot made possible by Le Méridien Hotel Atlanta, Studio NV, Bohemia and Derek Wintermute Photography. Finally, we got an intimate look into what’s next for many of the organizations that are the source of the women’s passions. As it goes every year, we were moved, inspired and driven to do more ourselves, not to mention thankful to have met such an incredible group of women and have the opportunity to share their stories with our readers.
{ P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y O F D E R E K W I N T E R M U T E }
Bohemia
J E T L A G G E D?
N O
O N E
W I L L N O T I C E.
NEW Sometimes, all you need is a reset button. Rather than writing about resolutions we won’t keep, we’re dedicating 2015 to projects — some that promise mind and body improvement, others simply because we’ve always wanted to give it a go. It’s our take on a New Year, New You theme and, so far, we’ve learned that starting from scratch is challenging, but a lot of fun.
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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NEW
FROM THE SONGWRITING 101, AS TAUGHT BY LOCAL LEGENDS
HEART { W R I TTE N BY C O L L E E N AN N MC N AL LY } PHOTO G R APHY C O URTE SY O F VI O L E T K E Y
We all have songs that
get stuck in our heads, but I have a habit of actually getting stuck on the lyrics. I’m not hooked on simply listening to them, but pouring over them. I’ve long admired — and envied — a songwriter’s ability to cleverly craft words powerful enough to make us listen, empathize and
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
sing along. Their messages transcend such short verses and stick with us for decades. With a catchy or soulful tune … bam! There’s musical magic. My writing, on the other hand, tends to take many more words to get to the point and rarely sounds as pretty. Speaking of hands, I wouldn’t even know where to
Clockwise from Left: RCMF lights up downtown Duluth; Songwriters-in-the-Round; Eddie Owen hosts Songwriters Open Mic; Levi Lowrey shares the stories behind his songs
properly place mine on a guitar, so crafting a song of my own sounds pretty farfetched, but that hasn’t stopped this idea from evolving out of a closet dream into a tangible reality in 2015. And thanks to the Red Clay Music Foundry (RCMF), I got an early start on making that happen — or at least trying it — in public.
New Suburban Sound Founded by Eddie Owen, the RCMF is his own longtime dream coming to fruition, with the help of Gwinnett School of Music and the city of Duluth. Housed below the Red Clay Theatre’s 260-seat listening room, state-of-the-art sound system and bright lights, is a freshly renovated
basement filled with classrooms and eager students. “Part of the vision of this place and why this is so cool to me is that this physical facility allows for community, based on the premise of create, collaborate and connect,” said Owen, who has been an integral part of Atlanta’s music scene for more than 30 years. He is also two degrees of separation from one of my most-admired songwriters, John Mayer back when when he played at Owen’s first venue, Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, in 1998. Now, will I also become a seven-time Grammy award winner? Probably not. But as Owen puts it, “There’s not a person playing in an amphitheater, to sold-out festival stages, to sold-out big rooms that didn’t start somewhere in a little bitty room.” There are common threads he sees in artists that become successful commercially
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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{ N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U: S O N G W R I T I N G }
MUDROOM MAKEOVER BAD DESIGN AND A NEW SAW INSP IR E O NE MO M TO TAKE MAT T ER S IN HER OW N HANDS Written by Heather KW Brown
— and he’s seen many pass through his door — including Jennifer Nettles, Zac Brown, The Indigo Girls, The Civil Wars and more, from his early days at Trackside Tavern in Decatur to his recent venture making suburban cool in Duluth. Owen is humble in the role he played in the beginning of these big stars’ careers. Instead, he believes there is a simple equation to making the jump from his Songwriters Open Mic nights to the top of the Billboard charts. “Talent, diligence, perseverance, work and being in the right place at the right time,” Owen said. What about some advice for those at the beginner’s level? “If you want to do it, there’s no such thing as a level,” he said. “If you’re wearing your heart and your soul and your gut in words and in melody, well then, you’re successful. You’ve accomplished a huge goal in being able to do that.” Three Unsuspecting Teachers With that wisdom in hand, last November, I enrolled in RCMF’s inaugural Songwriters In-The-Round and Songwriting
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
WHILE COLLEEN WAS BUSY CUTTING HER TEETH as a budding songwriter, I’ve been sawing my way closer to a home improvement project that has annoyed me for years. As much as I would like to say I was singing or practicing a mindful activity while I confidently cut each board, in reality, I held onto that saw for dear life and, every time the blade spun, I had to remind myself I knew what I was doing. That’s a stretch, at best. I’ve sanded boards, fed lumber through a planer and matched grain for high-end custom kitchens, but this undertaking is different. This time, I’m not helping with part of it; I’m doing all of it. First came the dumpster diving for abandoned shipping pallets, which proved to be much more of a workout than I’d planned (some of those suckers are heavy!). When I could no longer pull them into my garage, it was time to start deconstructing. I started with a hammer and cat claw, prying each and every nail out of the boards. Don’t do that! Buy a reciprocating saw and let the frustration fly – who cares if you cut the nails in half, as long as it comes apart and all body parts are still in tact! When neighbors walked through our cul-de-sac and couldn’t stop staring, I knew it had nothing to do with my safety goggles. They were wondering what I was doing and why. I did too. Truth be told, I’m not sure why, except that I dislike the particle board cubbies that should be an easy target, but have proven impossible for my kids to hit when they walk in the door after school. Perhaps the better question was “Why not?” I have the tools, a workbench and with the New Year came the sudden gumption to finally give it a go. The vision (crafted perfectly in my head) is to demolish the open cubes and replace with a closed bench that has two hinged lids. As long as one lid is closed, the kids can sit on the bench, thanks to a cushion I’ve Pinned but not yet made. When open, each individual side of the bench can hold book bags and shoes, eliminating any more potential falls while walking through my mudroom in the dark. I bought another new saw recently — one with a guide — that just might help me make a straight cut. Next up, a long weekend of sawing and sanding. Assembly of the bench comes after, along with more sanding, a light coat of polyurethane and the cushion. It sounds awesome in my head, though I have little doubt the finished project will lend itself to my own DIY show. Whether it marks the end of my constructive creativity for 2015, or the beginning, is all part of the fun.
Workshop, bringing local legends Kevin Kinney, Michelle Malone and Levi Lowrey to the stage — and in front of the blackboard. My fi rst instructor of the night was Kinney, of the Atlanta-based Southern rock band Drivin’ N Cryin’. I had seen Kinney perform with the band before, but from the back of the crowded, smoke-filled Hummingbird in Macon, Ga. Now, I was sitting in the front row with a clear view of his acoustic guitar that is as old as I am. Nervously scanning the quiet room, I see fellow classmates of all ages — husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, those who have been to Nashville and back — tuned in, notebooks and pens ready, to hear the seasoned songwriter like never before. I was at ease when the irony of Kinney’s fi rst statement made me laugh: his initial interest in songwriting — he wanted to be a “real” writer, but didn’t have the discipline for longer forms. “I write from a feeling,” the unconventional artist, who actually doesn’t read music, said of his ragamuffin prose. He encourages all ages to song write — especially hormonal teenagers, as it’s a way to cope with emotion without slamming doors. He admitted he didn’t prepare anything to say, yet kept the class laughing as he fielded their questions before turning his chair over to Lowrey. A big-bearded man from Dacula, Ga., Lowrey’s look and sound is reminiscent of the Zac Brown Band, and rightly so, as Lowrey signed to Brown’s record label Southern Ground and has co-written with the fellow Georgia artist on a few tracks including “Colder Weather.” For weeks
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pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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{ N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U: S O N G W R I T I N G }
this No. 1 hit was played daily on country stations, but it’s not everyday you get to hear the stories behind what you sing along to on the radio. It’ll give you goosebumps. Both men were tough acts to follow, but the quick-witted Malone, who totes an impressive recording history, did so with ease. “Give yourself permission to write whatever you want to write,” Malone answered to a question of overcoming the fear that a song is silly or not good enough
“I see fellow classmates of all ages ... tuned in, notebooks and pens ready, to hear the seasoned songwriter like never before.
”
to share with others. I turn to a blank page and start scribbling and scratching out, giving it a shot: I live somewhere between Southern and city girl but I live to see what’s beyond these walls I have got notebooks full of half-baked ideas and I’m trying to make sense of it all... Like lyrics stuck in my head, the resounding lesson to speak from the heart is resonating in my own. Dreams of Grammy awards aside, that is one resolution I want to keep this year. PN
TUNE IN The next Songwriting Workshop is Feb. 8 and features Celtic Fiddle Festival. Tickets available at eddieowenpresents.com or 404-478-2749. Stream all RCMF’s open mic shows live for free at omplive.com.
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NEW
TO BE A A BREAD & BEER LOVER GIVES UP THE GOOD STUFF
glutton { W R I TTE N AN D PHOTO G R APHE D BY JE N N I F E R C O LO S I M O }
When my cousin said
she had to give up gluten three years ago, my first thought was, oh my gosh, that means beer. Unable to picture a diet also void of pizza pies and ooey gooey baked goods for myself, I realized my own digestive system was trying to warn me. And, just a year after she was diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease, my doctor told me that if I wanted to feel better, I’d need to give up gluten too. I panicked, at first, over the thought of never sinking my teeth into a deep-dish,
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extra-cheesy pepperoni pie, and toyed with defiance that I couldn’t still eat what I wanted. But then the side effects would surface — for me, a nagging headache, bloating, serious fatigue and a feeling that I may never be able to eat again. The decision to go gluten-free (for real) came a couple of years ago, bringing with it a lifestyle overhaul and a summoning of every last ounce of willpower I had to give. Now, with experience under my belt, I can say I’ve settled into a pretty good routine
(I still lose the battle every now and then when faced with said pizza), helped by the gluten-free gems in our neighborhood and a lot of ingredient research. So, what’s a Celiac? Since my cousin was diagnosed, I’ve met many a Celiac sufferer. Unofficially, it is defined as someone who can’t digest gluten, whether via an allergy, a genetic predisposition or otherwise. It gets bad for some, tearing up the small intestine and bringing with that a long list of varying symptoms that when left undiagnosed or untreated can result in serious lifelong complications. For the rest of us who “just don’t feel good” when we eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye), it may not be a medical reason doctors can pinpoint, but it’s a trial-and-error process that brings us to realize our body loves us more when we simply avoid the stuff. Whether you’re on one end of the spectrum or the other, there’s a lot to think about when you order off a menu, shop at the grocery store and browse the finger foods at a dinner party. Like me, or my cousin, it might take months of those headaches, belly aches and downright disgusting taste tests to get it right – but once the new diet clicks (and you realize how many people have Pinned gluten-free goodies), the light at the end of the tunnel starts to look a little more tasty … and less daunting.
Left: Black and Blue Steak Salad at Marlow's Tavern Below: Turkey Sub at Good Grub Subs
Restaurant Swaps Good ole Mexican food — it’s a staple for many of us. At home, it’s simple enough to use fresh ingredients, avoid flavor packets (almost all of them have MSG or monosodium glutamate, a highly processed form of gluten) and stick with corn tortillas; it’s a different story out on the town. And
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{ N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U: G LU T E N - F R E E } Death by Chocolate flourless cake at Mambo Italiano Below: Carpaccio di Manzo at Mambo Italiano
noodle styles at the grocery store. We use Mary’s Gone Crackers products for the crunch we need in chicken parmesan, or to hold together meatballs. And, for our pie-nights, we go for gluten-free Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough. When we’re craving someone else’s Italian cooking (read: we don’t want to do the dishes), we head to Mambo Italiano at The Forum. From the endless pasta dishes served with gluten-free pasta, or the naturally wheat-free Carpaccio di Manzo and Ahi Tuna Salad, we’ve got a meal to please me and my Calabrian family.
since I crave some serious queso, tangy guacamole and a layered beef, bean and everything-else burrito almost all of the time, it’s imperative I know how to order it. Luckily, most Mexican-style restaurants already serve a lot of dishes on corn, and fry up the same to dip into their fresh-made salsas. Some, like Cinco in Cumming, have dedicated gluten-free menus, but double check that the server knows you’re after a gluten-free option, in case there’s a little more mystery to their menu. Spreading my wings outside of a cheesy concoction usually lands us at one of my favorite restaurant chains in
26
metro Atlanta, Marlow’s Tavern. Their gluten-friendly menu includes a huge chunk of their traditional one with substitution suggestions and how much crosscontamination happens, not to mention options under every category that quickly become a sacrificing food lover’s dream. My favorites are the shrimp & grits and the fish tacos with their famous jalapeño corn grits. Lately, I’ve branched out and discovered the creamy, rich and colorful quinoa, beet and goat cheese appetizer and the tender, savory and fresh black and blue steak salad. Wearing the Wheat-Free Apron As a married-into Italian wife, I relish pasta and garlic-bread-filled dinners almost as much as my husband. With a gluten-free gavel of doom, would I be cast out, forced to dine alone during family dinners? Fortunately, no. We’ve found an array of products we can use at home to create those same language-of-love dishes – even fooling my in-laws on occasion! The best cook-at-home pasta is De Boles, which you can get in various
Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
Sweets, Snacks and Sandwiches I am a sucker for fresh deli sandwiches and anything loaded with sugar. When I ran across Good Grub Subs and Mama Bakes Safe Cakes, both in Alpharetta, my lunchtime crisis was averted. Good Grub serves every one of their signature subs on glutenfree bread options, so whether you’re a classic turkey gal or crave a napkins-please meatball sub, you can eat guilt free as well. And, since no one (admit it) likes to polish off a meal without a sweet treat, the freshmade madness at Safe Cakes is perfect. My favorites include the Strawberry Topped and the Chocolate Boston cupcakes, but I’d be lying if I said that with those I could call it a day. Thanks to a boatload of other restaurants jumping on the gluten-free flavor train, the options for sensitive diners are always growing. I’ve even found a few pizzas I could eat with gusto (Domino’s and Mellow Mushroom). I’m lucky to simply have an intolerance, so I can cheat when I want to, but for anyone with a serious sensitivity, it’s encouraging to know our neighborhoods have our appetite — and our health — in mind. PN
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{ N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U: G LU T E N F R E E }
F RI E D CHIC KEN SE C RET S F RO M A GLU T EN- FR EE CHEF
It’s always comforting to vent and trade secrets
with a fellow gluten-free dieter, so when I got to go inside the kitchen at The Omni Hotel with Executive Chef Greg White, I felt like it was my chance for true insider secrets. When White was diagnosed with Celiac’s Disease, he had to say goodbye to classic NY-style bagels, his favorite pizza and most of his go-to baked goods. The good news was that his new lifestyle helped evolve the kitchen at The Omni Hotel, making it a destination for wheat-free Atlantans and visitors. What we’re most excited about is the fact that he can still make his favorite dishes — they’re now easier for him (and fellow Celiacs and intolerants) to digest. And while we can’t stalk his kitchens, we can take him up on the offer to share his Famous Fried Chicken recipe.
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THE INGREDIENTS:
THE METHOD:
1 chicken, cut into eight pieces 2 cups buttermilk 3 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour ½ tablespoon paprika salt and pepper vegetable oil
After cutting the chicken, put it in a bowl and pour in the buttermilk. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes, turning at least twice. In another bowl, combine the gluten-free flour and the paprika. Next, drain the excess buttermilk off of the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour and coat well. Place the chicken on parchment paper and let sit until the flour takes on a paste-like consistency. (The chicken will not be crispy without following the preceding step.) Season with salt and pepper again. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill a skillet half-way with oil and place on a range at medium-high heat. After a few minutes, check the temperature by dropping a bit of flour in the hot oil. It should bubble. If the oil starts smoking, it’s getting too hot. Place the chicken carefully in the hot oil and brown both sides well. When the chicken is browned well, transfer to a cookie sheet and place in the oven. Continue cooking for 30 to 40 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees.
Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
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pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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NEW
MINDFUL HOW TO FIND THE FOCUS YOU NEED AND WHY IT MATTERS
{ WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA SCALERA }
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
The
Meditation is just one popular way tip of his muzzle twitched of learning how to be mindful. The most and swirled around several blades of grass common form of meditation involves sitat a time. Then his lips pulled back to ting, with the eyes barely open or closed, reveal his incisors. Bite and pull. Slowly, paying attention to your breath for short one hoof tilted, lifted and then landed episodes of 10 to 30 minutes. During your gently as he moved forward at the pace of a meditation, certain thoughts will flit in sloth. I sat there, mesmerized by the simple and out of your mind — “Did I turn off act of watching the horse graze. I was 12, the stove?” and “Don’t forget to pick up and though I’d certainly been exposed to the kids at 3 p.m. today.” Sometimes the more engaging forms of entertainment, I thoughts are much heavier, such as, “I was enjoying one of the most interesting, wonder if I need to get help for Mom, she intriguing moments of my young life. can’t even get up the stairs anymore.” It would be years before I could Enter mindfulness, the tool that takes appreciate how special that morning was us away from these thoughts and back into — before I could appreciate the amount the present moment. Every time a thought of time and energy it takes to re-achieve a comes up during meditation, we are to state of mind like that when you are trying. notice it and refocus our attention on the At the time, it was just a nice morning. present moment. But now, I realize that I had entered a state Helen Vantine, co of mindfulness. It wouldn’t be until my early 20s that Living mindfully founder of the Atlanta Mindfulness Institute, I would be formally introchanges you t e ac h e s m i nd f u l n e s s duced to the concept of based stress relief (MBSR) meditation, and even longer in ways both before I realized you can seen and unseen. courses. Vantine describes mindfulness as a tool akin bring a state of mindfulness to weights at a gym. Every to any activity. time you lift a weight, your muscle gets stronger. Every time you notice a thought The Mindfulness Concept and bring your attention back to the What is this concept of mindfulness? Do present moment, your brain gets better you really need to meditate to achieve a at being mindful. In addition to Vantine’s mindful state of awareness? What benefits, mindfulness classes, there are many traif any, do we gain from it? ditions (such as the Shambhala, Zen and Mindfulness is the concept of paying Transcendental meditation) with centers in attention to your body and surroundings Atlanta that host inexpensive or free classes at any given moment; your mind is wholly that teach you how to meditate. committed to the present moment as if the Of course, sitting on a pillow for future and past do not and will never exist. hours on end isn’t ideal for everyone. Just It can be achieved while you participate in as I found mindfulness through watching almost any activity.
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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{ N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U: M I N D F U L N E S S }
S EW SMALL
A M OM’S MI S S I O N TO FIND P EACE AMO NG PAT T ER NS Written by Megan K. Smith WHO HAS TIME to meditate or sit still when you’re a mom with two little ones? That’s my question. My answer, however, wasn’t quite as stitched together — at least, not initially. At 34 weeks, my older daughter Kessen was born weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces. The first year of her life was filled with scary numbers, new terms and more medical procedures than I care to count. Initially tagged with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) along with Necrotizing Enter Colitis (NEC) shortly thereafter, which earned her a spot in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), her grand total reached 157 days in the NICU, nine surgeries and six trips to the pediatric emergency room. While she had taken on the daunting task of learning to survive, I had to learn how to be present and stay positive. I had to fight for her and, more importantly, I had to know deep in my heart that she had a future. What I didn’t know was how to concentrate on that without distraction until one of our amazing NICU nurses brought a Ziploc bag full of handmade hair bows to Kessen. Not only was the gift confirmation that she believed my daughter would survive to wear those darling bows, it was exactly the nudge I needed.
That night, I pulled out a stash of fabric and told myself I would sew for Kessen. Every moment not spent bedside, I spent sewing burp cloths and simple dresses. My daughter was still too small for preemie clothes, but she eventually wore the first dress I made, sized six to nine months. Almost six years later, Kessen is still small, but healthy and 100-percent spitfire. These days that spunk presents itself in constant negotiations over pretty much everything. Even the everyday tasks have taken a toll, nothing like the past, but a toll just the same. In search of a change — and perhaps a little peace — I came across an article on mindfulness. I read one and immediately looked for more. Then I decided to try it. For some, mindfulness equates to meditation, yoga or running. Not for me. As a new mom again, if I sit down in a quiet place, the only thing happening is a nap and just for the record, the idea of a downward dog pose does not bring me peace. In fact, the thought
of yoga gives me heart palpitations … and running? The closest I get is a shirt that reads, “If I am running, someone is chasing me.” Thankfully, salvation came a few days later when I found the first dress I ever made. I felt a wave of peace, quickly attributed to the fact that I have a second daughter who can wear it, but as I held the dress, I realized sewing is my mindful activity. That statement of a bright future also happens to be the process that quiets my mind and brings a sense of calm to an otherwise slightly crazed day. Matching fabric with trim, cutting and creating, the hum of the sewing machine, even the concentration required to rip out a mistaken seam — in an unexpected way, these simple actions kept me aware and in the moment five years ago, just as they do today. Turns out, piecing together a little peace is what I’d been missing lately, and both of my daughters now have a new handmade dress to prove it.
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
a horse graze, you have probably already experienced a mindful state accidentally. Maybe it was while you were vacuuming, listening intently to the hum of the machine. Perhaps it was while exercising or commuting to work. While you were in this “zone,” it was as if nothing else existed — there was no future or past. You felt no anxiety, no depression, no fear. Maybe you didn’t feel anything. Most likely you felt deeply satisfied, elated even. Bottom line: if you are doing something, you can always do it mindfully. Benefits of Living Mindfully That’s good news for all of us because the health benefits of living mindfully — in ways both seen and unseen — are many. Eating mindfully, for example, can
lead to a shrinking waistline as you consciously consider what foods enter your body. Additionally, mindfulness has been proven to alleviate diabetes-related conditions and even manage chronic pain. The American Association of Diabetes Educators studied diabetic veterans and found those who engaged in mindfulness techniques improved their glucose levels and decreased their diabetes-related problems by 41 percent. And what of the unseen? According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, an analysis of 47 studies on mindfulness found a strong correlation to the reduction of depression and anxiety among individuals who engaged in mindfulness techniques. Finally, there is a Chinese proverb
often repeated in reference to mindfulness: “Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.” Should this proverb hold true, you just might see the entirety of your life positively affected by living mindfully. PN
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : Atlanta Mindfulness Institute atlantamindfulness.com Transcendental Meditation meditationatlanta.org
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
REAL ESTATE
OUTLOOK Last September, when the leaves started to change in beautiful North Georgia, we asked local and regional real estate experts about the state of the current housing market. As the fall foliage fell to the ground, they reported prospects were looking up for people looking to buy. Now as the seasons change once again, we’ve rounded up our trusted community builders to see what’s in store for 2015. They shared their insight, highlighting what makes these properties worth a phone call to your agent. Whether retirees with grandkids in tow, young families needing more room to play or couples ready to invest in another lifestyle, these soughtafter communities are perfectly situated and have the amenities to help you spend the future where you love to live.
Bellmoore Park PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PROVIDENCE GROUP AND STEPHEN FULLER DESIGNS
FROM HOUSE TO HOME
A Walk in the Park [ BE LLMOORE PARK ] Set on more than 200 beautiful Johns Creek
The Grand Opening for Bellmoore Park is anticipated for mid- to late January 2015.
acres, the brand-new Bellmoore Park invites future residents to escape to a different
popular Garden Style layouts with pri-
kind of community. This master planned,
vate courtyards and rear entry garages.
gated community will feature more than
Home pricing will range from the $400s to
600 luxury and low maintenance homes
$1 million and up. Interested home buyers
and an amenity-rich lifestyle including a
can learn more by joining the Bellmoore
clubhouse, two pools, eight lighted tennis
Park VIP List at bellmoorepark.com.
courts, a 5-acre natural park, more than 70 acres of green space and HOA-maintained landscaping. Inside this old-world luxury style of
Masters of Building Community
living, Bellmoore Park will feature four
[ BIG CANOE ]
distinct home collections including more
As a winner of multiple awards, including
than 20 unique layouts, including the
the Silver for Masterplanned Community of
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
35
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK
Big Canoe the Year 2014 by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as well as the Bliss Award in 2014 for Mountain Community of the year, it’s no surprise Big Canoe continues to break ground on new homes.
Big Canoe
“We’re excited about the ‘new construcPHOTOS COURTESY OF BIG CANOE
tion’ homes being built by The Big Canoe
Join the Club
Building Group in our neighborhoods,”
future residents as well. And since North
Mike Rhodes, director of sales for Big Canoe
Georgia is known for its packed calendar
Realty, said. “New home sales have really
of festivals and outdoor fun, it’s easy to
[ THE MANOR GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB ]
increased in the last six months. It’s getting
find an excuse to swing by and check out
The look and construction of homes, as
which one is perfect for you and your family.
well as nearby schools including the new
bigcanoe.com
Cambridge High School, make Alpharetta’s
tough to keep up with the demand.” The spec homes in their collection of
The Manor Golf and Country Club stand
neighborhoods provide a big benefit for
out from other premier golf clubs. Add the
The Manor
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY NEW HOMES DIVISION
surrounding shops, restaurants and quick access to GA 400 and the sum is a place perfect for stylish, discerning families to call home. Established in 2006, the club takes pride in world-class amenities, including the only golf course in Georgia designed by six-time PGA Player of the Year Tom Watson, and now membership to the newly established Sequoia Club. Combining benefits of White Columns Country Club and Atlanta National Golf Club, members enjoy unparalleled benefits including 30 tennis courts, three pools, two fitness facilities, multiple dining venues and a rustic lodge for entertaining. All things considered, it’s no surprise
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
37
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK 2014 was a banner year in sales for The Manor, reaching more than $30 million and making it the top-selling luxury golf course community in Milton, according to Anne Schwall, vice president of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty New Homes Division. Don’t miss your chance to build a manor of your own. “The Manor has selected a team of premier custom home builders who have several pre-sale and custom-build opportunities available for closings in 2015,” Schwall added. Newly released home sites are available now starting in the high $100s and new homes starting at $1 million. manorgcc.com
Jump into Lake Living [ MARINA BAY ON L AKE L ANIE R ]
River Club PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RIVER CLUB / BRILLIANCE PHOTOGRAPHY
dent of residential division for Georgia,
and Forsyth. With a stellar reputation for
said homebuilding is very active with more
building quality homes in the most sought
Wish you could grab a blanket and sit on
than 25 new homes being built in the last
after locations, and recognitions such as
your porch as you watch the sun set over
24 months.
being named a Top 20 Atlanta Home Builder
Lake Lanier? How about being able to
Located in North Gwinnett, River Club
for the second year in a row, SR Homes is
do that every day? When it’s your back
is adjacent to the natural forest and quiet
thriving in a new home market that shows
yard, you can. At Marina Bay on Lake
flow of the Chattahoochee River. The club’s
ample positivity for the coming year.
Lanier, a luxury, gated community and its
622-acre community includes one-of-a-
“We’ve seen an upward trend in pricing
14,000-square-foot clubhouse overlook the
kind, custom-built homes, a Greg Norman-
and demand, especially in North Fulton,”
northern shore. Almost 400 home sites sit
designed championship golf course, a
Tetterton said. “We continue to see an
on nearly 4 miles of lakefront views, atop
30,000-square-foot clubhouse with dining,
opportunity to provide new homes to buyers
mountain vistas or in the tennis village,
members’ locker rooms, an award-winning
looking in very specific areas.” They are
making your backyard dream-come-true
spa and fully stocked pro shop. The amenity
also seeing demand overflowing to areas
just an hour’s drive from Atlanta. Swim-
center includes a full-time activity director
of South and West Forsyth County. Cap-
ming, boating, socializing and more fun
and tennis pro, a fitness facility, three pools,
turing buyers in highly regarded zip codes,
await, so pull your vehicle into your garage
a water slide and eight lighted tennis courts.
SR Homes expects to see more closings this
… on the water. marinabayonlanier.com
All residents are members of the club and
year with several topnotch communities on
the community has a special program for
the ground and ready to sell.
Plant Your Roots [ RIVE R CLUB ]
outside golf memberships. riverclub.com
“What we will see is an issue with land scarcity,” Tetterton said, adding that by 2016 and 2017, the issue regarding supply
Crescent Communities, LLC continues their
New Year, New Outlook
tradition of creating an idyllic retreat for
[ SR HOME S ]
existing lots and land being developed will
Atlanta homeowners in River Club. Scott
SR Homes President, Alex G. Tetterton has
be out of the market place. If there was ever
Dozier, Crescent Communities’ vice presi-
a handle on what’s selling in North Fulton
a time to buy, it is now. SRHomes.com
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
and demand will be even greater, because
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Altogether More [ TR ATON HOME S ] From grand curved staircases to gourmet kitchens and elegant baths, the new homes at Traton’s gated enclave community Greenwich Park offer altogether more. Located in Johns Creek, one of metro Atlanta’s most desirable areas, homes at Greenwich Park create a stunning impression both inside and out. A variety of master-on-main and master-up home designs can be customized to meet the buyer’s needs. “Our state-of-the-art design center
Traton Homes
offers a wide array of options for buyers to personalize their home,” Kimberly Garwood, director of marketing for Traton Homes, said. “From keeping rooms and media rooms, to
“Our state-of-the-art design center offers a wide array of options for buyers to personalize their home.” –Kimberly Garwood, director of marketing for Traton Homes
outdoor living areas, these exceptional
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
39
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK homes are as comfortable as they are luxurious.” Homes at Greenwich Park are priced from the $800’s to $1 million. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of living at Greenwich Park is the exceptional surrounding schools – State Bridge Crossing Elementary, Autry Mill Middle and Johns Creek High schools. Traton Homes has been a local homebuilder in the Atlanta area for more than 40 strong years, and in 2015 Traton will continue to open communities throughout metro Atlanta including The Reserve at Old Atlanta located on Old Atlanta Road in South Forsyth in the Lambert High district. For more information on Greenwich Park, contact Steve Lee, New Homes Specialist,
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals
at 678-858-1984 or visit tratonhomes.com.
ENJOY TRUE
Southern Hospitality AT I T S F I N E S T
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706-258-3737
info@southerncomfortcabinrentals.com
Blue Ridge Cottage
40
Creek Song
Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
www.SouthernComfortCabinRentals.com
Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOUTHERN COMFORT CABIN RENTALS
Sweet Southern Comfort [ SOUTHE RN COMFORT CABIN RE NTALS ] Just 90 minutes from Atlanta exists a quaint mountain town that is experiencing tremendous growth in tourism and thriving development in its historic downtown. With recent accolades from Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch and TripAdvisor, the word is out and Blue Ridge, Ga. is waiting for you to discover it, too. When you think about diversifying your investments, think of Blue Ridge. Many people have found the joy of owning a vacation home close to home. Sharp Real Estate Services can assist you in building a gorgeous dream cabin in the right location to maximize potential on your investment, or select a “turnkey” cabin from the Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals portfolio, fully furnished with future bookings. Call Maggie S. Jett, Associate Broker for Sharp Real Estate Services at 706-946-9400 to start discovering all that Blue Ridge has to offer. southerncomfortcabinrentals.com sharp-res.com
pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
41
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK LISA HUGHLEY BEACH PROPERTIES
Associate Broker
Financing Your Dream [ COMMUNITY & SOUTHERN BANK ]
Selling real estate from North Atlanta to Florida’s Emerald Coast, including 30A, Destin and Panama City. Multiple places to live or invest, one dedicated realtor!
678-923-5152 Cell
KW Luxury International, KW Emerald Coast www.liveandplayon30A.com
Agent of Change [ HE RITAG E IN THE MOUNTAINS ] According to Heritage in the Mountains Broker/ Realtor Linda Davis, asking prices are lower than they have been in years. Regardless of what type of property you are looking for, Davis has more than 25 years experience in scouting the best buys for cabins, lake front views and commercial property in Blue Ridge, Hiawassee, Ellijay and Blairsville. If you’re ready to buy a mountain property in North Georgia, now is the time. northgeorgiamtnproperty.com lindadavisrealtor.com
An Emerald Investment [ LISA H UG H LE Y BE ACH PROPE RTIE S ] After many successful years in North Georgia, Keller Williams Luxury International Associate Broker Lisa Hughley has expanded her real estate business to the emerald green waters and pristine beaches of Destin, Scenic Highway 30A and Panama City. Your own weekly rental for investment, family vacation home or permanent residence is only six hours away – five and a half on a good day! hughleyhollingsworth.com
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
$
Buying a home is a big deal and a life event to celebrate – that’s exactly the way Community & Southern Bank treats home ownership. They strive to offer customers the best service, rates, terms and financing options available, while being a trusted partner in becoming a homeowner. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, purchasing or refinancing a second home or investment property, their seasoned team of mortgage professionals will work closely with you to customize a loan program designed to suit your needs. Their goal is to deliver an exceptional customer service experience with a commitment to keeping you informed throughout the process. When it comes to one of life’s biggest purchases, look to the team of mortgage professionals at Community & Southern Bank. They are passionate about helping you make your home buying dream a reality. mycsbonline.com/mortgage
U PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY TATE
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
U
T H E
NTHINKABLE
A closer look at pediatric cancers and the mission to find a cure
C
{ WRITTEN BY AMB E R L AN I E R N AG L E }
HRISTY AND MARK TATE of Suwanee
have lived through every parent’s nightmare – not once, but twice. While on a much-anticipated beach getaway to Pensacola, Fla. in April 2004, the Tates noticed their 2-year-old toddler, Olivia, tilting her head to one side and stumbling a bit while walking. Later that night, little Liv woke in a state of distress – crying, vomiting and clutching the back of her head. “We rushed her to the emergency room,” Christy recalled. “They did a CAT scan and told us it was a brain tumor. Our world stopped at that moment. It was like the walls were closing in on us.” Time was of the essence. The Tate’s pediatrician arranged for the family to be flown immediately from Florida to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).
{ QUEST FOR A CURE }
“There are few words
“Six hours after we arrived at Children’s, Liv had surgery to drain fluid off her brain,” Christy said. “Less than 24 hours after the first surgery, she had a second surgery that successfully removed the tumor. She recovered quickly, and for three years, the MRIs showed no trace of a recurrent tumor.” Until a recurrent tumor was detected in 2007, and in June of 2008, a neurosurgeon removed the growth from a maze of brain tissue. Olivia has been tumor-free since.
to comfort a family dealing with pediatric cancer, but we encourage others to accept help when it is offered; be hopeful; never stop fighting.
”
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY TATE
Just as life was feeling normal again, another nightmare ensued. On April 6, 2009 – exactly five years to the day from Liv’s diagnosis — the Tate’s older daughter, Elena, was diagnosed with leukemia. “Elena had been complaining about back and leg pain, but we had brushed it off at first thinking she had probably injured herself on the playground,” Christy said. “But after her pain intensified, tests revealed acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]. We were in disbelief. It was almost impossible to process it.” Elena endured 28 months of aggressive treatment including blood and platelet
Let’s See That Smile! transfusions and chemotherapy. Then less than six months after her treatment ended, she relapsed. “Elena’s body didn’t respond to the chemo,” her mother said. “We were scared and frustrated and running out of options when we learned that Elena met the criteria to be part of a clinical trial at CHOA Egleston. The experimental treatment was very hard on her and she was in the hospital for several months, but the treatment cured Elena.” It Takes a Village Cancer forever changed the Tate family. Today, Elena and Olivia — now aged 15 and 13 — are both beautiful, caring, compassionate survivor sisters, but like so many children who’ve defeated pediatric cancer, they deal daily with the long-term side effects of their treatments. And, the entire family has become tireless advocates and spokespeople for CURE Childhood Cancer, a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta that helped provide funding for the clinical trial that saved Elena’s life. “Just as other CURE parents helped us, we help other families now,” Christy remarked. “There are few words to comfort a family dealing with pediatric cancer, but we encourage others to accept help when it is offered; be hopeful; never stop fighting; ask lots of questions; and most of all, make the conscious effort to choose joy every day.” Wondering how to help a family dealing with childhood cancer? It all starts with saying something. Don’t be silent! Instead, take the time to make a phone call, send a text, shoot an email to the family or send a card in the mail with a thoughtful message such as, “You guys are always in our thoughts and prayers,” or “Just wanted you to know how much we care.”
• Serving the Dental Needs of Children Ages 1 to 21 • State-of-the Art Facility • Internet Access & WI-FI • Teens Have Their Own Wing • School Forms • Board Certified Pediatric Dentist serving Atlanta’s Northside for 15 years.
Christy Haffner
D.M.D.
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Haffner is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist specially trained to treat the dental needs of children. Dr. Haffner is also on staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Christy Haffner Pediatric Dentistry 3300 Old Milton Parkway Suite 250 Alpharetta, GA 30005
770-777-9400 www.drchristyhaffner.com
Pediatric Center | 3300 Old Milton Pkwy | Suite 250 | Alpharetta, GA, 30005
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{ QUEST FOR A CURE }
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
A kind gesture, such as offering to make and deliver dinner to the family on a particular night, is another suggestion. If there are other children in the family, offer to take them to and pick them up from school for a week or two. Do the family’s lawn maintenance for a month. Make a whimsical blanket or pillow for the child. Raise money to help fight cancer and fund research. And because dealing with a child with cancer can be financially devastating to families, consider giving them gift cards for gas, groceries, fast food restaurants, coffee shops or anything that can momentarily make life a little easier. Last — and perhaps most importantly — be there for the long haul. Treatment can go on for months and years. While many friends circle the wagons during the initial diagnosis and early treatment period, attention often tapers with time. Continue sending notes, personally delivering warm hugs and showering them with offers to help them throughout the journey.
Taking a Closer Look According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, about 13,400 children (newborns to 19-year-olds) are diagnosed with cancer each year in the States. About one in every 300 boys and one in every 333 girls will develop cancer before their 20th birthday. “Although it seems like the number of pediatric cancer cases is increasing, statistically, the incidence rate is about the same,” noted Glen Lew, M.D., a pediatric oncologist at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at CHOA. “The number of children has increased, and so the number of children diagnosed with cancer has increased.” According to Lew, the types of cancers that occur most often in children are quite different from cancers affecting adults. Childhood cancers are usually lumped into three main categories: leukemia and lymphomas, brain tumors and other solid tumors. Of these, leukemias – cancers of
the blood and bone marrow – are the most common and account for about 31 percent of all childhood cancers. Brain and central nervous system cancers are the second most common cancer in children, making up about 21 percent. “No one knows what causes childhood cancer,” Lew said. “Research suggests that there are multiple factors that contribute to the disease, and there seems to be a small genetic component that makes some children more likely to develop cancer than others.” There are some silver linings to the dark clouds of pediatric cancer. Although cancer kills more children in the United States than any other disease, the mortality rate has declined. The five-year survival rate for all childhood cancers combined has increased from 50 percent to 86 percent over the last four decades thanks to better treatments, strong participation in clinical trials and the sharing of information between children’s hospitals and researchers. “The physical cure is not easy. There are many hurdles,” Lew said. “We typically treat these cancers with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Getting
through the complications and side effects of these treatments is very challenging.” “Kids are tougher than adults,” he added. “They tend to heal very well both physically and mentally. They maintain a positive outlook – perhaps their innocence protects them. Most children actually enjoy coming to the clinic because everyone is friendly, they can play video games or make crafts.” He describes what he calls a “psychosocial support team” that reaches out to children and families during their journeys. “Our team of psychologists, social workers and chaplains are also available to patients and families. Cancer is not just a medical challenge – it is a mental challenge, as well. It often challenges a person’s faith.” Organizations like CURE understand this well. They offer their support to every family dealing with pediatric cancer. “We try to connect with families at the time of the diagnosis and let them know that they aren’t alone,” remarked Kristin Connor, who is not only the executive director at CURE, but the mother of a child who battled cancer in 2001. “Nurses give families CURE totes full of
useful items like resource booklets and tips from other parents. We connect families with volunteers who’ve been through the same ordeal. Our volunteer families understand and can help new patients and their families navigate through the process and manage the emotional ups and downs.” Connor said that the support structure is in place, but there are some deficiencies that need to be corrected. “There’s a dramatic lack of funding for pediatric cancer research,” she said. “So little of the national cancer research budget targets childhood cancer. It comes down to private philanthropy.” “We need to invest more and fi nd a cure, and that’s part of our mission,” she continued. “We believe that we can find a cure for this disease in our lifetime, but we have to direct more funds toward research, studies and clinical trials. A cure is within our grasp.” PN
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : CURE Childhood Cancer 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite N-402 Atlanta, GA 30338 770-986-0035 curechildhoodcancer.org
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CHILDREN’S HEALTH TICKER
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
WHETHER AS SPECIFIC as getting those twice-a-day brushing techniques perfected or as big picture as ensuring long-term health and wellness down the road, Points North Atlanta’s valued partners in healthcare provide more than relevant information and useful tips for our readers. They are experts in their field and carry reputations for innovative, trusted care — which comes first when it concerns our children.
A Lifetime of Smiles When it comes to keeping kids happy and healthy, dental care is no exception. The good news is there are great choices for care close to home and finding the right fit for your family definitely deserves a big grin.
ALLURING COSMETIC DENTISTRY
THERE’S PEDIATRICS, AND THEN THERE’S
CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA
OTHER HOSPITALS HAVE PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENTS, but pediatrics has been Children’s Health Care of Atlanta’s only focus for nearly 100 years. Everything about Children’s is designed just for kids and teens, from the equipment to pediatric-trained doctors and nurses. But there’s more to treating a child than specialized equipment and clinical care. Children’s offers support services for the entire family, including chaplains, child-life specialists, onsite teachers and libraries — even therapy dogs. Offering more than 60 pediatric specialties that range from sports medicine and radiology to cardiac and transplant services, Children’s has received national recognition for groundbreaking achievements in cancer and blood disorders, transplantation, neurosciences and more. They are consistently ranked as a top pediatric hospital by Parents magazine and U.S. News & World Report. They have also been recognized as one of the best places to work in the nation by Fortune magazine. With three hospitals and 24 neighborhood locations throughout metro Atlanta, Children’s handles 850,000 patient visits each year. No health system in Georgia provides more expertise, services and amenities that help kids get back to being kids. That’s why at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta they say they are dedicated to “all better.” Learn more by visiting their blog at dedicatedtoallbetter.org and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. Egleston, 404-785-6000; Hughes Spalding, 404-785-9500; Scottish Rite, 404-785-5252; choa.org
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Parents may not know that untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. The good news is tooth decay and other oral diseases are preventable — and Dr. Mastro at Alluring Cosmetic Dentistry is here to help your kids stay healthy and happy. He and his staff recommend the following to parents and caregivers along with a daily oral health routine: • Avoid soda drinks. The acid dissolves calcium from teeth. • Strengthen your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste and treatments. • Talk to your dentist about sealants to further protect the teeth from decay. Roswell, 770-642-9900 alluringcosmeticdentistry.com
BYRD DENTAL GROUP Byrd Dental understands that teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifelong healthy smile. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth. As those baby teeth begin coming through the gums after approximately six months, they help set the stage for future smiles by keeping space in the jaw for
adult teeth. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they arrive. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care and continuing practices through childhood can help protect their teeth for decades to come. The ADA recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist. North Point, 770-777-0911, byrddentalgroup.com
CHRISTY HAFFNER PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY The approach to dental care in the 21st century is prevention rather than restoration, which means children should go to the dentist when they get teeth rather than waiting for all their teeth to come in – usually before the candles on the first birthday cake are blown out. Dr. Christy Haffner emphasizes the value in starting good dental habits early. Helping a child to brush and floss are essential to a lifetime of good dental care, and early visits teach that healthy teeth are important. If a child goes early to a dentist, simple changes in color on parts of the teeth can alert the dentist and parents to cavities trying to form and possibly be prevented. Alpharetta, 770-777-9400 drchristyhaffner.com
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westward &
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NEW MEXICO’S OASIS FOR SKIERS
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ot a winter goes by that I don’t miss the chance to click my snow boots into a pair of skis, crunch my way to the lift line and be whisked to the top (well, the semi-top) of a butterfly-inducing run. I miss it because that’s pretty hard to come by when you’re a Georgia girl. Other than yearly trips in my younger days when I'd slide across the icy slush in Gatlinburg, Tenn. or slice my way through various Virginia resorts, there’s nothing like landing on the soft, fresh powder of a West Coast run. That, my ski-loving (or curiously novice) friends, is worth planning for more than a weekend’s drive. The ticket to book? Delta has a direct flight to Albuquerque, N.M., where less than an hour away lies a handful of some of the best skiing I’ve ever done. And whether your group is ready to road trip it through a lot of slope miles, or settle in and get to know a resort like a rescue dog, there’s a perfect spot to stick your poles.
{ W R I TTEN BY J ENNI FER COLOSIMO } PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKI SANTA FE
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKI SANTA FE; JENNIFER COLOSIMO; RED RIVER SKI REA
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Riding the Winter Sun Sure, it really and truly feels like you’re on an Alpine vacation when the snow is falling and your fingers are freezing, but the benefit of Ski Santa Fe is that the blue skies deliver topnotch powder with temperatures to tempt your tropical side. Families of skiers and single young bucks who want nights downtown to match their days on the slopes should look to cut their edges here. Just 15 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, you’re easily in and out for a day on or off the mountain. It boasts some of best views from its highest lift — which sits 12,000 feet in the air, second in height only to Jackson Hole and Breckenridge. Lift tickets are less than $80 and ski school is low maintenance, for 54
6- or 60-year-old first timers alike. With long, winding blue runs through sun-dappled alleys, row after row of bumpy, treedotted black diamonds and even a terrain park where kids can race through tunnels, Ski Santa Fe has something for everyone. In town, recover and refuel with the guacamole from Blue Corn Café. Or, indulge in a steaming bowl of posole or cheesy chorizo enchiladas from The Shed. Both are downtown, both offer red and green chile sauce (a distinguishing palate staple in New Mexico) and both will leave you in a food coma until the next day’s skiing starts. I slept through that coma at the luxurious Hotel Santa Fe,
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enjoying complimentary happy hours and cozy breakfasts, an in-room fireplace and plenty of Native American charm. Locals will also tell you that a cozy, lodge feel for less rests at Sage Inn. Small Town Seclusion As much as the entire trip was something to remember, I will never forget the culture of Red River Ski Area. Whether a cocktail shared at The Lift House or a sight seeing drive around town, there’s a moment when you feel like the hours it took to get you there actually brought you right back home. Nestled in the tiny town of Red River, about three hours from Santa
{ N E W M E X I CO S K I I N G }
Fe, it’s a place for friends and families of seasoned skiers or beginners who cherish the thought of “getting away.” Designate a driver because it only takes a mile outside the stoplights to get hypnotized by the endless horizon of mountains, the Rio Grande Gorge and the occasional big horn sheep scaling the roadside cliffs. But get ready to trade in your nostalgia for ski gear, because the crew working this mountain is ready to ride the lifts. With the staff, you’ll hear stories of the night before, the crazy jump someone did last week or get in on the plans to meet for a spot in the “Shot Ski” line once the lifts close. It’s a stay that promises new friends, good skiing and a full belly. Locals cite Shotgun Willie’s as a must for breakfast. Plus, the owner is from the Southeast, so they know how to serve up buttermilk biscuits and bacon. Since the lifts are closed after dark, my group boarded a snowcat and crawled the face of the slope toward a steak dinner, live music and plenty of wine atop the mountain at The Tip Restaurant. It was worth sacrificing the night’s soak in the hot tub simply for the experience. To build on that homegrown, mountain town feeling, rest your head — and finally soak your limbs! — at Auslander Condominiums. From here, you can walk right up to the lifts, the bar and over to the town’s adorable coffee shops, restaurants and shopping.
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Taos Ski Valley I spent the several hours’ drive to Taos frantically scoping the landscapes for something that would seem like Julia Roberts’ house. Even though I’m not sure I ever found it, it is clear there’s a reason she made Taos her home. In my opinion, it’s an unbeatable chemistry of an adorable
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF APPALACHIAN SKI MOUNTAIN
LOCAL LIFTS for FAMILY FUN {
W R I TTE N BY HE ATHE R K W B R OW N
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college, but the response was so great, an independent ski school was born shortly thereafter. By 2005, The French-Swiss Ski College had taught more than one million lessons and continues to be the oldest and best known ski school in the Southeast. For beginners of all ages, the special attention and patience for which the school and its instructors are known is invaluable, here I was at the bottom of a snow-covered making Appalachian Ski Mountain the top choice for families. Of course, the Bavarian-style ski lodge, 12 slopes, three terrain mountain, staring at the top in anticipation and, admitparks and panoramic outdoor ice arena certainly seal the deal. tedly, a fair amount of maternal panic. There she was In addition to private and group lessons for all ages, the teetering at the edge of Strudel, one of several blue runs school also offers a Skiwee program that introduces first-time at Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, N.C., anxious skiers aged 4 to 10 to the sport and a Cruisers Camp on weekends to ski the same steep slope the rest of us had. With her dad in and holidays for first-time snowboarders aged 7 to 12. tow, she took off down the hill. Though unexpected, I couldn’t My son, the first of our brood to abandon the easy slopes for help but smile. the more challenging ones, has already asked to go back next year Earlier in the day, my husband and I helped our children pull for snowboarding lessons, and if watching my daughter “pizza” on bibs, boots, helmets and goggles for their first experience on down the side of an intermediate slope is any indication, she skis, then watched as they waddled in the snow behind their will undoubtedly be nipping at his ski boots. instructor. During the next hour, they learned how I’m not sure which caused my heart to pound to get in and out of their skis, how to get up after An easy drive from Atlanta into faster: the fact that she’s feisty enough to keep a fall, how to turn and how to “French Fry” or Blowing Rock, N.C., Appalaup or that, with cautionary pride, I trust that “Pizza” — the fun, kid-friendly cues for accelchian Ski Mtn. sits on a former she can, which means my own skills on the erating and slowing down, respectively. It was apple orchard so each of the runs is named accordingly. The slopes need to improve or I will be the one evident they were not only learning new skills season starts in mid-November left behind. to build upon later; they were making memoand lasts through late March with night skiing offered seven ries in the snow. nights a week. This, I learned, is what Jim Cottrell had in F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : mind when he created the French-Swiss Ski Col800-322-2373 lege during the winter of 1968. Cottrell, then a ski Appskimtn.com instructor and head of the National Ski Patrol at Appalachian skifrenchswiss.com Ski Mountain, decided to offer a snow skiing course at a local
Finding Dixie downhills and more than a little courage in Blowing Rock, N.C.
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{ N E W M E X I CO S K I I N G }
downtown rich in history, unique art and good food, not to mention a trail map that winds its way through Aspen trees along the ridge and an abundance of diverse food dotted along the Ski Valley Resort. Originally family owned and operated, it still maintains a close-knit feel that radiates throughout the mountain, with friendly faces offering hellos (and “on your rights!”) all the way down. Cash in on an après ski cocktail at Tim’s Stray Dog Cantina daily if you choose, but only with the assumption a reservation for The Bavarian is confirmed at some point. Authentic schnitzel, rich gnocchi and a hoard of other comfort food staples enjoyed at grand tables lit by soft, warm light transport you to another place. For slope-side luxury, ski lockers and a fire-warmed lounge, head for Edleweiss – a modern apartment-style lodge overlooking the slopes. Traditional travelers will appreciate the charismatic hospitality at Hotel Saint Bernard, one of the valley’s oldest lodging spots (boasting yet another great spot to dine). Off the resort are a multitude of independently owned retreats perfect for transporting your skis.
DINE-IN, PICK-UP & CATERING AVAILABLE Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday Noon-9 p.m. 2300 Bethelview Rd., Suite 104, Cumming • 770-887-3000 • miaitaliano.com
Red River, Taos and Ski Santa Fe are just a handful of the well-appreciated resorts in New Mexico, all with welcoming staff, gorgeous terrain, smaller crowds and more affordable vacation packages than the populous spots in surrounding states. For a place known for its desert climate, rest assured they’ve locked down on what it takes to entertain even the most apt of skiers. In fact, I miss it again … already.
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : skisantafe.com taosskivalley.com redriverskiarea.com pointsnorthatlanta.com | January 2015 | Points North
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W E DDI NG
planner WITH ENGAGEMENT SEASON in full swing, we know you’ve got to get started on that ever-growing to-do list. Whether you’re a three-ring binder kind of bride or hiring someone else to rein in the Pinterest-inspired ideas, we’ve got the scoop on something new this wedding season.
THINK INSIDE THE BOX CONGRATULATIONS you are engaged! So now what? Where do you start the wedding planning? We suggest going straight to your laptop and ordering the StudioWed Box. Simply go online and pick your subscription based on your wedding date. The StudioWed Box is delivered to your front door every month. Inside, you’ll find helpful tips and fun products to help you along this wonderful journey of planning your big day. As an added bonus, you’ll get to enjoy samples curated by experts in the wedding planning industry and collected from the best vendors around the country. So, if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, start thinking inside the box. It’s the easiest wedding planner any brideto-be can hire, and better yet, it comes to you. studiowedbox.com
TIED & FEATHERED SIMPLY PUT, the Brackish bow tie itself has built a new tradition as a perfect groomsman gift, and it’s making a pretty big statement. Ben Ross and Jeff Plotner, South Carolina-based co-founders, lead a creative team of fashion-forward thinkers who hand select every feather and craft each bow tie by hand. That means no two ties are the same, making each one a uniquely donned accessory and a sustainable work of art. Brackish Bow Ties prides itself on genuine, intricate detail not found in mass production, so give your guys something they haven’t seen before, but can wear again and again. brackishbowties.com
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF STUDIOWEDBOX; BRACKISH BOWTIES
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planner
DATE NIGHT DO-OVER IN THE MIDST OF THE WEDDING COUNTDOWN, take a break from planning for a date night. To quote the experts, “A new era has begun for the secret supper club.” And for creative innovators Michelle Gainey of Lemiga Events and Liana Hall of Wares & Notions, this is one worth telling. Late last year, they introduced Society 414, an exclusive, ticketed date night event for couples wanting more than dinner and a movie. “Society 414 packages a fun date-night experience for the couple who wants to do something different but doesn’t have the time or energy to plan it themselves,” Hall said. “We are experience-driven versus food-driven. It’s about the total package including connecting with other couples,” Gainey added. Every event includes four curated elements: the location, a styled environment, food and entertainment. The catch is that you won’t know what they are until you get there. All you have to go on is one single clue – and a reputation that boasts some of the best cures for dilapidated date nights. In? Tickets are released to those on the mailing list first, so be sure to sign up on the website at society414.com. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SOCIETY 414
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a day to remember
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planner
LOVE IS BLIND Even after your invitations have been licked, sealed and stamped, you still have thank you notes to send and bridesmaids to shower. Foglio Press specializes in custom stationery for making a statement in the small details. Their brand-new blind embossed note card sets are popular for sending that very special thank you to those you love — whether a subtle “thank you” at the top, or a cute phrase stamped on the edge, its crafty, classic and utterly unique. Plus, these perfect paper creations are ready to order online right away, so you’ve got one more thing checked off your list. Way to go, bride. fogliopress.com
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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calendar
C OMP IL E D BY C OL L E E N A N N M C N A LLY Calendar submissions should be sent to calendar@pointsnorthatlanta.com two months prior to the month in which the event will occur. Please note that dates and times might change.
[JAN. 15 – 18] Progressive Insurance Atlanta Boat Show Georgia World Congress Center
CONCERTS | COMEDY
ICE FEST 2015
VON GREY WITH KSU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND WIND ENSEMBLE
[Jan. 24 and 25] Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell, 770-992-2055, childrenscharitiesga.org/projects.html
[Jan. 8] Bailey Performance Center, Kennesaw, 470-578-6650, arts.kennesaw.edu
AURORA COMEDY NIGHTS: JAKE HEAD, CALEB SYNAN & DONTEÉ RAY [Jan. 9 and 10] Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville, 678-226-6222, auroratheatre.com
ME & 4 OTHERS: 50S AND 60S ROCK ‘N ROLL
PERFORMING ARTS GEORGIA ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRESENTS “ONE SLIGHT HITCH” [Jan. 8 – 25] Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 770-641-1260, get.org
THE LIZARD AND EL SOL [Jan. 12 – 31] Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, 404-733-4702, alliancetheatre.org
DISNEY’S “THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.” [Jan. 30 and 31] Roswell Cultural Arts Center, Roswell, 770-594-6232, roswellcac.com
FRIED CHICKEN AND LATKES, A RAIN PRYOR SOLO SHOW
ARTS | EXHIBITS
[Jan. 15 – 17] Southwest Arts Center, Atlanta, 1-877-725-8849, truecolorstheatre.org
FLOURISHING MINDS ARTS IN ATLANTA [Jan. 7 – 31] Gallery 4463, Acworth, 770-485-8554, gallery4463.com
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL [Jan. 13 – 18] Earl Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta, 770-293-0080, earlsmithstrand.org
THE BIG BAD, LITTLE RED, PIG SHOW [Jan. 14 – 25] Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta, 404-873-3391, puppet.org
LAST LAUGH! [Jan. 16 – 24] Elm Street Theatre, Woodstock, 678-494-4251, elmstreetarts.org
TUCK EVERLASTING [Jan. 21 – Feb. 22] Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, 404-733-4702, alliancetheatre.org
MARDI GRAS MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW [Jan. 23 – 25] Cumming Playhouse, Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com
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[Jan. 9 – 11] Cumming Playhouse, Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com
NEW TAKES [Through Jan. 10] Hagedorn Foundation Gallery, Midtown, 404-492-7718, hfgallery.org
HELEN LEVITT: IN THE STREET [Jan. 10 – May 31] High Museum of Art, Midtown, 404-733-4444, high.org
SUSTAINABLE SHELTER: DWELLING WITHIN THE FORCES OF NATURE [Jan. 18 – April 5] Museum of Design Atlanta, Midtown, 404-979-6455, museumofdesign.org
SWEET TEA IV [Through Jan. 25] Booth Western Museum, Cartersville, 770-387-1300, boothmuseum.org
Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
HARLAND WILLIAMS [Jan. 22 – 24] Atlanta Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre, Buckhead, 678-244-3612, improvatlanta.com
AURORA COMEDY NIGHTS: EMMETT FURROW, ARTHUR ATSMA & CORWIN OGLESBY [Jan. 23 and 24] Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville, 678-226-6222, auroratheatre.com
JAMES GREGORY “FUNNIEST MAN IN AMERICA” [Jan. 30] Earl Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta, 770-293-0080, earlsmithstrand.org
CHARITY EVENTS THE GATSBY GALA: FUNDRAISER FOR PERFORMING ARTS NORTH [Jan. 17] The Pubhouse, Johns Creek, 770-772-0762, performingartsnorth.org
SPOTLIGHT ON ART PREVIEW MARKET [Through Jan. 27] Neiman Marcus Lenox Square, Buckhead, 404-231-8100, spotlightonart.com
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA’S “TASTE OF LOVE” GALA [Feb. 7] The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, 404-527-7155, epilepsyga.org
SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE ATLANTA BOAT SHOW [Jan. 15 – 18] Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, 404-222-5200, atlantaboatshow.com
FREE ENTRANCE DAY AT NATIONAL PARKS [Jan. 19] Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Sandy Springs, 678-538-1200, nps.gov/chat
GWINNETT COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS: TERRARIUM GARDENING [Jan. 19 and 31] Bethesda Senior Center, Lawrenceville, gwinnettmastergardeners.com
LEARN TO HOMEBREW CLASSES [Jan. 22 and 29] Dunwoody Nature Center, Dunwoody, 770-394-3322, dunwoodynature.org
11TH ANNUAL ATLANTA CASK ALE TASTING [Jan. 24] 5 Seasons Brewing Sandy Springs and Taco Mac Prado, Sandy Springs, 706-254-2739, classiccitybrew.com/acat.html
GEORGIA BRIDAL SHOW [Jan. 25] Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, Duluth, 800-532-8917, eliteevents.com
ROSWELL ROOTS: FESTIVAL OF BLACK HISTORY AND CULTURE PROCLAMATION [Jan. 26] Roswell City Hall Council Chambers, Roswell, 770-641-3705, roswellroots.com
ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL [Jan. 28 – Feb. 19] Various venues in metro Atlanta, 866-214-2072, ajff.org
hed 2002 ablis Est
3631 Hwy. 53 East at Etowah River Road Dawsonville, GA 30534 706-265-6030 gallery@aroundbackatrockysplace.com aroundbackatrockysplace.com HOURS: Saturday 11-5, Sunday 1-5 GA 400 N, pass the outlet mall to next traffic light, at GA Hwy. 53, turn left go thru next light, go 3 miles, turn right on Etowah River Road, 1st drive on right.Look for the big blue angel, “Our Lady of Dawson”
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THE NORTHSIDE
view
We’re starting the year with something new by ending each issue with black and white photography submitted by our readers. Send your images of the Northside to editorial@pointsnorthatlanta.com. All photos not printed will be saved and considered for the December issue, when The Northside View returns in full.
PHOTO GRAPHER | ANDREW SAWYER
What better time to face an open road and the endless opportunities inviting us to reect, review and renew our own journey?
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Points North | January 2015 | pointsnorthatlanta.com
EveryBODY is Beautiful Everybody wants to reach their full potential, and our goal as your surgery partner is to help you get there. At The Swan Center, we believe that even the smallest changes in appearance can drastically change the way you feel about yourself.