Points North June 2016 by Points North Atlanta Magazine

In this June 2016

Issue 193

ISSUE

POINTS NORTH Atlanta

Celebrating 16 Years & Counting

8 14 18 32 40 44

A Day in Decatur For our second installment of Tried and True, we were dispatched to Decatur. With pint-sized counterparts in tow, we soon discovered that fun for all sizes awaits.

Fashion from City to Sea Atlanta style blogger Luisa Hammett of Peaches to Pearls shares favorite summer trends and where to shop to borrow her looks.

School’s Out, Learning’s Not Summertime fun often equates to a loss of learning. Experts share how to keep young minds sharp, plus a few educational ﬁeld trips everyone can enjoy.

Affluence Mixed with Awareness With rainforest, lagoons and sandy beaches, four world-class resorts and authentic Mayan traditions to explore, Mayakoba put Mexico’s Riviera Maya on the map for eco-conscious tourism and ceaseless serenity.

Homegrown Hustle “Shopping small” is a return to the way things once were. As the Northside thrives, so do opportunities to support homegrown businesses started by hometown dreamers.

Biotech Boom Could our region be to the biosciences industry what Silicon Valley is to high-tech corporations and trendy dot-coms?

DEPARTMENTS 6 58 62 66

DUE NORTH AFTERTHOUGHTS

ON THE COVER For more beach chic inspiration, ﬂip to page 14 | Photo courtesy of Little Miss Creative

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS 24 Private Schools and Higher Education 52 Medical Experts Guide

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SQUARE PUB; CARTER ROSE | MAYAKOBA

4 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

Editor’s LETTER

PointsNorth Atlanta PRESIDENT / CEO Witt Beckman PUBLISHER Carl Danbury Jr. EDITOR Heather KW Brown

Discovering Detours

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Harrison SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Shannah J. Smith

AS A THREESOME, WE WERE QUITE A SIGHT. Slathered with sunscreen and donning hydration packs, my kids and I looked like experienced hikers as we started our trek up the trail. While the packs made their climb from the bottom of Amicalola Falls State Park to the top (and back) more enticing, the outing certainly set us up for a summer to remember. On Aug. 25, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its centennial birthday and a number of special programs coincide with the milestone. My son is motivated by Every Kid in a Park, an initiative that gives fourth graders, nationwide, a pass to experience America’s parks, lands and waters (everykidinapark.gov). Although done with school, he is not ready to give up being a card-carrying NPS guest and we have until August to check a few more places off the list. Climbing the 604 steps to the top of Georgia’s tallest waterfall was our official warm-up. Our next park remains to be determined, but in keeping with our theme of local expeditions, the next day, we embarked on an urban adventure in Decatur. As the second installment of our quarterly Tried and True series, a day in Decatur was exactly what we needed. We started with a scavenger hunt, scouted more than our fair share of surprises both indoors and out and dove into some of metro Atlanta’s best dishes. Dreaming of sand-swept scenics or tropical trees instead? Check out the fashion-forward beach looks provided by one of our favorite fashionistas and then follow Colleen Ann McNally to the luxuriously eco-conscious locale of Mayakoba in Mexico. If you end up following in her footsteps, be sure to mind the iguanas. This month, we also caught up with Northsiders not interested in trailing but paving a path of their own. Some are busy developing and testing viable vaccines for the prevention and treatment of diseases like the Zika virus and cancer; others are working on “smart lens” technology that could help manage diabetes. Even more contributions to our community are coming from the ﬁve hometown dreamers highlighted in our Homegrown feature. On the trail, I explained to my troop that regardless of its shape, color or dimension, a blaze is a navigational marker typically used in outdoor recreational areas to help others ﬁnd their way. In the absence of blazes, however, carving your own course can lead to surprising redirection, leaving new footprints for others to enjoy. May your summer be full of fun detours!

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Colleen Ann McNally CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Colosimo Linley Mobley Amber Lanier Nagle EDITORIAL INTERN Lauren Vastine ADVERTISING 770-844-0969 sales@pointsnorthatlanta.com SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT Karen Poulsen ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE George Colmant CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Tiffany Willard

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HEATHER KW BROWN, EDITOR heather@pointsnorthatlanta.com

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6 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

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While we love to call the Northside home, we like to keep an eye on the neighborhoods that make our city diverse. In this quarterly series, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re covering some of our favorite spots, whether time-honored or on the rise and a few new hotspots worth the drive.

8 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

A DOORWAY TO

GREAT EXPECTATIONS written by HEATHER KW BROWN

FIVE DOWN, 27 MORE TO GO. Armed with a notebook and a pencil, my son scribbled the

family to try new places and revisit a few favorites.

location of our latest discovery, while my daughter scoured nearby building exteriors for handcrafted, secret doors hidden at ankle height. Eagerly anticipating the next one, she also questioned why anyone would make a fairy-sized door that no one can actually use. Now, we also had to ﬁnd a good answer. Consisting of 32 miniature doors created by 24 local artists, Secret Doors Decatur — organized by resident artist Larry Holland and funded by the Decatur Arts Alliance — was designed to ﬁll the area with whimsy. For us, it furnished a fun excuse to explore the city. Although the doors are sprinkled throughout Decatur, our scavenger hunt started and ended around historic Decatur Square, where copious distractions and delicious detours easily derailed our efforts. Leaving our Northside nook on a quest to entertain the kids soon turned into motivation for the whole

IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME I’ve lived in Atlanta’s suburbs for almost 13 years and my previous visits to Decatur revolved around beer (Decatur Craft Beer Festival) and books (AJC Decatur Book Festival) with a couple of chef-driven restaurants thrown in for obvious reasons. Apparently, coming out of my Kennesaw comfort zone was long overdue and I realized that, when timed properly, the 35-minute drive is as laid-back as the community itself. The Decatur Visitors Center, located one block north of the historic Old DeKalb County Courthouse, is an ideal stop to jumpstart the search for secret doors (hint, hint). While there, learn how the city was established in 1823 at the intersection of two Indian paths, known today as Ponce

de Leon and Clairemont avenues, then mosey to the historic square to start your modern-day exploits. Warning: Decatur’s 4 square miles are packed with more than 200 vendors, and though some are familiar, most are independent boutique shops, restaurants and services that have embraced the local-is-better vibe.

Secret Doors Decatur

For fashionistas hunting original looks, this hometown conviction equates to distinct clothing and funky cool gifts. While Squash Blossom specializes in women’s apparel and accessories, Sq/ft has clothes for men and women

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DECATUR TOURISM BUREAU; RANDY DICKERSON; DECATUR ARTS ALLIANCE

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 9

Squash Blossom

Little Shop of Stories

as well as a wide range of unique gifts that will have you ruminating birthday lists that don’t exist. I spent time in each of these shops, purely for the sake of research, yet somehow, I left with a cute dress, a pair of audacious socks for a friend’s birthday and narrowly escaped investing in a new pair of summer sandals. Typically, bookstores are at the top of our page of priorities. In Decatur, Little Shop of Stories not only has the hearts of residents, it also holds the bookmark for best independent bookshop, some would say, in the state of Georgia (and beyond). As avid readers and library loafers, we lost track of time but gained a greater respect for the true meaning of “small but mighty.” One wall, counter to ceiling, is decorated with sketches of book covers signed by their respective authors while the opposite is home to framed posters

from past AJC Decatur Book Festivals, the largest independent and fourth largest book festival in the country. My kids immediately ran to the stacks in the back, my husband veered off in a different direction and I’d barely ﬁnished reading the ﬁrst book jacket when my son sprinted back saying, “Look what they have!” And so it went for much longer than we thought. By the time we left — bag of books in hand — darkness had put an end to our search for doors and hunger now determined our next move.

A MOVEABLE FEAST Full of acclaimed restaurants and craft beer bars, Decatur can be challenging for indecisive diners like ourselves. Of course, hotspots like Kimball House, Cakes and Ale, Leon’s Full Service and Brickstore Pub continue to accumulate kudos, but our debate began with visions of venturing to

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SQUASH BLOSSOM; HEATHER KW BROWN

10 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

The Iberian Pig for Spanish tapas like the lomo de cerdo — seared Kurobuta pork tenderloin, garlic alioli, crispy onions, chimichurri and shaved one-year Manchego — and the broccolini frito, cast iron seared broccolini, herb fromage blanc, paprika oil, and Espellette pepper, among many others. Or we could pull up a chair at The Pinewood, where the chicken cordon bly decked with a savory cheddar waffle, crispy chicken, shaved ham, Swiss cheese and crystal gravy dip is a clever play on Executive Chef Mike Blydenstein’s name. Speaking of irresistible food, Kevin Gillespie’s Revival is a respite for Southern comfort food fans and residing in the backyard is Communion, a food truck and beer garden guaranteed to tickle the fancy of anyone with valid tokens. Torn in all directions, we decided to hop from one foodie haven to another, sneaking a spot at many of the city’s best tables. No way are we picking favorites, but my kids would certainly vote for Ford Fry’s No. 246, simply because their brief wait included a patio bedecked

SEIZE THE DAY BUILDING ON 20 YEARS of experience in Atlanta’s restaurant industry, Chris Martha’s newest restaurant, Scout, will take over the space formerly occupied by McGowan’s Oakhurst Pub. All signs point to a mid-July debut for Scout’s redeﬁned classic comfort foods. scoutoakhurst.com LET YOUR LITTLE ONES enjoy some time in the sand as Decatur Business Association is bringing back the Decatur Beach Party on June 17. The ticketed event will feature truckloads of sand, live music, food trucks, games and more fun than your kids would likely even have at the beach — minus the long drive. decaturdba.com/events/beach-party

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 11

BE SURE TO swing by the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, just 2.5 miles from The Pinewood, to catch its “Creatures of Light” exhibit, where children and adults can explore what makes some animals reﬂect and emit light, as well as where new bioluminescent discoveries are being made. fernbankmuseum.org

with string lights and a pingpong table. My husband, on the other hand, who has been a patron a number of times, has yet to stray from the meatballs here. He graciously shared a morsel, from which I soon realized the sacriﬁce he’d made. Other stops on our list included a stint at The Square Pub, where the green chile cheeseburger has its own following and Java Monkey, which makes almost everyone happy with its offering of caffeine, wine or both. And then there’s Revolution Doughnuts. It’s worth noting that I’m typically not one to indulge in fried dough topped with sugar often, but sometimes you simply have to give in. Their concoctions are a prime time for submission. Needless to say, we ended our day on a memorable note. Being dispatched back to Decatur to locate the remaining secret doors is already planned, as is a second scavenger hunt called Garden Go Seek, where we’ll ditch the doors in lieu of eight green spaces. If we hunt down all of the answers successfully, a treasure box awaits. And maybe another book. And a sweet treat to share. PN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pinewood’s crispy chicken & waffles; The Square Pub; the hip and happening bar at The Iberian Pig; Gillespie family iron skillet cornbread

FOR MORE INFORMATION decaturbookfestival.com decaturbeerfestival.com littleshopofstories.com secretdoorsdecatur.com visitdecaturgeorgia.com PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUSTEN CLAY; SQUARE PUB; HEIDI GELDHAUSER; REVIVAL

12 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

SOAK

style

SUN-LOVING FASHION FROM CITY TO SEA LUISA HAMMETT was raised in 30A, Fla. before becoming the Atlanta-style authority on her fashionable foodie blog, Peaches to Pearls. So when it comes to haute summer fashion, we turn to Hammett and her hometown’s salty air, sugarwhite sand and shining turquoise waters for inspiration. Incorporating picks from Florida's standout Ophelia Swimwear and jewelry from Georgia's own HW Willow into her wardrobe, you don’t have to be on the coast to want to borrow looks from her beach bag.

Model and styling by Luisa Hammett from Peaches to Pearls, peachestopearls.com Photography courtesy of Little Miss Creative, littlemisscreative.com Hair by Rachel Christine from Dear Bride, dearbrideco.com Makeup by Morgan King Makeup, morgankingmakeup.com Wardrobe from Ophelia Swimwear, opheliaswimwear.com Jewelry from HM Willow, hmwillow.com SANDALS ARE HAMMETT'S OWN

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 15

BEACH FASHION

HAMMETT’S TOP 5 SUMMER STYLE TIPS

Create fresh looks by incorporating old with

new. I had so much fun mixing beautiful pieces from my favorite 30A bouBonus points for matching your bike and bikini. Suit by Triangl Swim. triangl.com

tique Ophelia, with some of my own staples like Jack Rogers sandals and a color-blocked bikini.

Heading to a dockside dinner after a

long day in the sun? To go from sand to glam in seconds, throw on a cute skirt over your swimsuit and add a pair of metallic shoes.

Fun fringe details are a mainstay of sum-

mer style, while playful pom poms add welcomed pops of color. I’m obsessed with this fringe cover up from Ophelia! It’s so elegant while still being casual enough for the beach.

Comfortable and

classic, high-waisted

shorts are in this summer. Evoke seaside vibes with blue stripes and pair with straw accessories for a perfect touch.

What beach look is

complete without a

wide-brim hat? Beach hair is beautiful but can get a bit messy. Throw on a fashionable hat to top off your outﬁt. PN

SKIRT, SANDALS AND HAT ARE HAMMETT'S OWN

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NO LEARNING LOST

Keeping Tiny Minds Tuned This Summer written by JENNIFER COLOSIMO

Asa parent of a

toddler, keeping up on our times tables isn’t the top priority. To be honest, we’re still learning how to use a spoon. But, as the horizon of educational development looms in our future, I can’t help but be concerned when I hear certain statistics. For instance, according to studies reported by RAND Corporation, anywhere from two to three months worth of what your kids learn during the school year is lost over that (coveted, cherished, non-negotiable) summer break. In a word, yikes. Without trading your lazy days 18 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

in the sun, the free time with little ones or the nostalgia for poolside popsicles and summer camp, what’s the answer to keeping tiny minds in tune? Mathnasium franchise owners, Holly and Chris Lee agree that practice is the key to staying on track, and even to getting ahead year to year. They opened Georgia’s ﬁrst location in Johns Creek 11 years ago when Chris felt the call to work with kids. He left his desk job, found the math-tutoring brand online and eventually opened three more locations (Suwanee, South Forsyth and San

Anselmo, Calif.). Now the Lees have three kids of their own taking full advantage of the family business. “Working with kids has always been a passion of mine,” he added, citing the Dick Bolles’ book “What Color is Your Parachute?” as a driving force behind the decision to start this new career path. He remembered reading a particular challenge that asked him to list every job he’d ever had, and single out the ones where he was the happiest. The answer was his stint as a lifeguard, coaching swimming. “It was my sweet spot. I loved being

around kids,” Lee said. “So, I knew God wanted me to work with them.” You can assume that has helped develop a love for math within his own children – sixth-grader Aubrey, fourthgrader Faith and ﬁrst-grader Hudson. They’ve been coming to Mathnasium since kindergarten and although Lee said he never wanted to push the idea too much, he is excited that all have ended up loving it. He added that while they’re each unique in their abilities, they’re all conﬁdent in school and doing great.

FLEXING THE MATH MUSCLE Mathnasium – a custom enrichment program for students in elementary to high school math – is like a gym membership, but to work your math muscle. Each month, students can attend an unlimited number of times for one-hour, after-school or weekend sessions. Obviously, the more committed a student is, the more noticeable his or her results, but even once a week delivers a strong, positive outcome.

In fact, Lee notes that while many students may enroll because they were struggling, many become part of the 40 to 50 percent that are there for enrichment purposes to get ahead of the curve. That success is in part due to the 40-year-old curriculum on which Mathnasium is based. It aligns with Common Core, reaching the same goals such as critical thinking and number sense develop-

ment. Plus, the instructors communicate with teachers to help students with current assignments as a part of their custom program. “We want to make sure their foundation is strong,” Lee said. “Usually, the child isn’t struggling because of the current topic in school. It’s because of what they learned last year or two, three years ago.” As a result, Lee said they’ve been

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER COLOSIMO

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 19

SUMMER

able to see improvements at an average of 20 percent in the last several years. When the kids come in regularly, the math starts to make sense and their conﬁdence level shoots up overall. Seeing those results drives Lee’s passion even further.

CREATIVE THINKING “With any muscle, if you don’t work it regularly, it loses its strength, and the more you condition, the better shape you’re in,” said Drew Moyer, the center director at the Mathnasium of South Forsyth. “For math, or any subject in school, it’s the same. You have to practice – or work it out – to stay good at it, to keep it strong and to get stronger.” So, when summer days bring a slower pace or an assumed excuse to take a break, it may also result in a dip in conﬁdence when that student who excelled last year falls behind shortly after classes resume. What’s worse is that according to a study by Johns Hopkins University (referenced in a 2011 article by Jeff Smink, titled “This is Your Brain on Summer,” in The New York Times), the learning loss is cumulative, meaning it has a huge impact on a student’s success, including whether they complete high school, post-secondary education and what kind of job they’ll be qualiﬁed for in the future.

LEARNING

Another, bigger, yikes. The good news is, according to the National Summer Learning Association, one of the ways you can prioritize summer learning is by ﬁnding ways to get innovative and hands-on. Moyer’s suggestion is music lessons. He says that playing the guitar is what helped him understand math concepts. “I learned the fundamentals behind scales and musical notes,” Moyer explained. “So, now I know why a piece of music plays the way it does. I know what the notes mean, so I can transfer that skill to play different things. It’s more than just memorizing notes. That idea carries over to math – when kids understand fundamentals, and practice putting those to use, they can solve anything we put in front of them.” While the Lees are still spending their summers like many North Atlanta families – attending camps, playing sports and spending time on Florida's 30A – they’ll also use games that challenge “the math muscle” like playing cards or just doing 10 minutes of math every morning (or afternoons at Mathnasium) to stay on track for next year and beyond. Vacation never looked so smart.

FAMILY FIELD TRIPS Hit the Books

f you grew up in the Deep South like me, you’ve heard the stories of Brer Rabbit. Maybe you, too,

used to gather 'round the hearth to hear what the

briar patch gang would be up to next. For more than just nostalgia, at The Wren’s Nest, the historic home of Uncle Remus creator Joel Chandler Harris, children of all ages can gather on Saturdays at 1 p.m. for a lively storytelling session bringing those beloved (and tricky) characters back to life. “It’s the only organization in the United States dedicated to preserving this tradition,” said Executive Director Sue Gilman. For less than $10, listeners hear what inspired some of their favorite present-day characters like Bugs Bunny and Peter Rabbit, soak up the importance of oral tradition and be part of the passing down of a crucial part of Southern, literary and African-American history. Accompanied by a guided tour of the historic home, it’s a day full of fun learning for everyone. wrensnest.org

Take Playtime to New Heights

ath and science are complicated enough to teach in the classroom, so ﬁnding something

that calls on those same cognitive skills in the tangible world can be a real feat. While LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta may not be raw long division,

FOR MORE INFORMATION mathnasium.com summerlearning.org

as a destination that appeals to the minds of budding scientists and engineers, it’s one of the best ways to introduce challenges with colorful, creative play. Fifteen attractions spanning the 30,000 square feet inside Phipps Plaza spark motivation to PHOTOS COURTESY OF WREN'S NEST; LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER ATLANTA; ADOBE STOCK

20 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

practice problem solving, physics and geometry. On the LEGO Factory tour, kids can learn how a LEGO brick is made courtesy of Professor Bricka-Brack’s stage-by-stage display of the creation process. Also, the attraction’s Master Model Builder, Aries Viera, and his team lead Master Builder Academy workshops daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., where young Model Builders-in-training learn tricks and tips to celebrate creativity, imaginative thinking and to enhance tactile skills. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/atlanta

Discover Local History

eing close to a big city usually goes hand-inhand with easy access to historical places,

and in the outskirts of Atlanta, you can step back in

time to discover what once made this place run. Or “chug” in Duluth at the Southeastern Railway Museum, where more than 100 years and 40 pieces of authentic railway equipment reside. Dating back to the early 1900s, you can explore the passenger cars, freight cars, tools, paper trails and timelines and even take a caboose ride on their mile-long, full-scale railroad tracks. Plan to spend anywhere from two hours to half a day exploring the museum. And if you’ve got an amateur buff on your hands (ages 4 to 12), sign them up for half-day summer camps and bring the whole family out for this month’s Locomotive Celebration event held the 11th and 12th. srmduluth.org Heading even farther outside the city limits and into the foothills of The Appalachian Mountains, you’ll ﬁnd an entire subject’s worth of more local history … and in this case, shinier. The Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site is the best place to study our state’s native treasure – gold! Families who schedule their day in historic Dahlonega can

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 21

SUMMER

LEARNING

Get a Global Perspective

ight in the heart of the city, this family ﬁeld trip doesn’t require much car time. That perk

means more time to sip carbonated curations from around the globe and soak up a piece of history, birthed right here in our own town. “Regardless of age, there is something for everyone to enjoy here,” said Jacquie Wansley, group marketing manager at World of Coca-Cola. “History buffs enjoy Milestones of Refreshment, where our company’s history is told in chapters through a vasoak up the site of the very ﬁrst gold rush, hear a

riety of memorabilia and archival displays. Young

brief history of the Cherokee Nation and the Trail

fashionistas love seeing how the latest styles have

of Tears and learn hands-on about native rocks and

been showcased in Coke advertisements from

minerals found in Georgia. They can see rare coins,

1886 right up to today.”

a hydraulic cannon once used to mine the area,

For education-thinking families piling in the car

real gold nuggets, the Chestatee River Diving Bell

for a fun trip to the museum, the online Teacher

– the only remaining 19th-century diving bell in ex-

Toolkit serves as an outline to exploring its ﬂoors in

istence – and watch a short ﬁlm with vivid pictures

a whole new way, including discovering some hid-

and storytelling.

den secrets. The material is broken out by subject

“When you see the historic photos, you get a

and grade level, making it super easy for those of us

sense of how massive the mining industry was and

not paid to write lesson plans. In fact, it just might

how much land it once covered,” said Kim Hatch-

make you say, “Ahh.” worldofcocacola.com PN

er, spokesperson for the museum. “Today, many of these locations are subdivisions or businesses, so you can’t even tell they were once mines.” An added bonus: families with their own history to ﬁnd have the chance to mine for more than sparkly nuggets at nearby panning locales, as employees at the site can sometimes help research people from the past. gastateparks.org/ dahlonegagoldmuseum

Go Wild

ometimes that lesson in taking care of the planet starts under the ground and there is no

better place to see the fruit of strong roots than the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. Just under two hours from Atlanta, they’ve landscaped the 300-plus acres to highlight plants and nature for study and enjoyment. Every month another in-season organic showstopper explodes with color and visitors can hike through trails, attend festivals, peruse artwork and relax with live music. The garden’s programs help educate and entertain children and adults while developing connections with nature. That includes programs about indoor and outdoor activities that allow children to explore, see insects, birds and other wildlife and perform scientiﬁc investigations that teach the importance of safeguarding the environment. botgarden.uga.edu PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACK ANTHONY; WORLD OF COCA-COLA

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S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

PRIVATE S C H O O L S

and

HIGHER

E D U C AT I O N ATTENTION, CLASS. Does anyone know how to determine what school best fits their family’s needs? Anyone…? If you’re completely lost on how to answer this question, have no fear. Points North

Atlanta has compiled tips from our partners in local and regional education to help you [\IZ\ \PQVSQVO IJW]\ \PM [KPWWT \PI\ JM[\ Å\[ aW]Z KPQTLZMV[¼ VMML[ Maybe you’re the one going to school, and searching for the best place to get another degree. Either way, grab your highlighter. Break out the old note cards and pencils. It’s time to take some serious notes.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AN AWARD-WINNING ACADEMY Hebron Christian Academy (HCA) is a coeducational, K-12 Christian School, ser ving more than 900 Atlanta-area students. HCA was awarded “Best Private School” by Gwinnett Daily Post readers two years in a row and 2015 “Best of Gwinnett” by Gwinnett Magazine. HCA offers a college preparatory program with students’ scores outperforming national averages. HCA boasts an DZDUG ZLQQLQJ ƓQH DUWV SURJUDP DQG KROGV VHY-

HUDO *HRUJLD +LJK 6FKRRO $VVRFLDWLRQbUHJLRQDO and state championships stemming from their K-12 athletic programs. Learn more by calling 770-9639250 or visiting hebronlions.org.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR MORE THAN JUST ACADEMICS IN FORSYTH COUNTY Horizon Christian Academy was founded in 2000 as a high school, but has grown into a premierJune 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 25

S P E C I A L

A D V E R T I S I N G

S E C T I O N

EAGER TO TRANSFORM SOCIETY Pinecrest Academy LV D 3UH . WKURXJK bFROOHJH SUHSDUDtory Catholic school, providing an atmosphere of academic ULJRU DQGbFULWLFDO WKLQNLQJ ZKLOH RIIHULQJ SHUVRQDOL]HGbDWWHQWLRQ LQ D &KULVW FHQWHUHG HQYLURQPHQW b)RXQGHG LQ Pinecrest prepares students to become Christian leaders HDJHU WRbWUDQVIRUP VRFLHW\ ZLWKLQ D JHQGHU VSHFLĆ&#x201C;F bFR HG FDPSXV 3LQHFUHVW LPSOHPHQWV WKHbSKLORVRSK\ RI ,QWHJUDO Formation, developing the human, intellectual, spiritual DQGbDSRVWROLF GLPHQVLRQV RI WKH ZKROH FKLOG b 5HFRJQL]LQJ WKH SDUHQW DV WKH SULPDU\b HGXFDWRU 3LQHFUHVWĹ?V PLVVLRQ HPEUDFHVbWKH HQWLUH IDPLO\ 7KH VFKRRO SURYLGHV Db VDIH PRUDO DQG VSLULWXDO HQYLURQPHQW bZKLFK OHDGV WR SRVLWLYH SHHU JURXSV DQGbMR\IXO FDULQJ FRQĆ&#x201C;GHQW VWXGHQWV )RU PRUHbLQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLWbpinecrestacademy. orgbRUbFDOO 770-888-4477. Pinecrest Academy

COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT accredited K-12 educational experience in Forsyth County. Having acquired a beautiful campus situated conveniently between GA 400 and Highway 20, just 1 mile north of downtown Cumming, the school is actively inviting new families in the community to come see just what God is doing in their school. Full accreditation through ACSI and AdvancED reinforces the robust programs they offer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from growing facilLWLHV IRU YDUVLW\ VSRUWV WR HQJLQHHULQJ Ć&#x201C;QH DUWV DQG OLWHUDU\ and academic teams. From the time students begin in kindergarten, there is an emphasis on traditional, success-proven teaching strategies while maintaining a competitive edge by incorporating necessary skills for today, such as foreign language and technology. By providing K-12 education, Horizon Christian Academy fosters the family-like sense of commuQLW\ EHWZHHQ VWXGHQWV DQG IDPLOLHV SXQFWXDWLQJ WKH GHĆ&#x201C;QLQJ difference between all other options. This, in conjunction with an already impressive yet expanding dualâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;enrollment partnership with Truett-McConnell College for high school students, centers the entire academic focus on Christ. For a chance to come experience what is happening at Horizon Christian Academy, Summer Program is the perfect opportunity! Offered the last two weeks of June, the programs range from athletic camps to SAT prep. Please YLVLWb hcaga.org, or call 678-947-0711 for more information regarding Summer Program, as well as the enrollment availability for the 2016-2017 school year.

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At Riverside Military Academy, character development extends beyond building and exercising leadership skills. They are committed to teaching young men time-honored values that promote social responsibility, good citizenship and well-rounded personal growth in all aspects of life. Character development is comprehensive at Riverside and is taught and modeled by all of the faculty, staff and coaches. The Norman P. Blake Family Distinguished Speaker Series at RMA includes bi-weekly distinguished speakers and discussion groups centering on the topics of integrity, leadership, ethical decision-making and sound judgment. Through repeated exposure to these topics, the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objective is to cultivate young men who are able to meet the challenges RI FROOHJH FDUHHU DQG EH\RQG 9LVLWbriversidemilitary.combWR learn about all of the programs offered by Riverside Military Academy.

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL The promise at Swift School is to give students with dyslexia the keys to unlock language, encourage them to explore their strengths, teach them to self-advocate for learning support, and provide unwavering belief in their potential. Swift provides the emotional and educational foundation for students WR WKULYH LQ VFKRRO DQG LQ OLIH b7KH 6ZLIW HIIHFW LV HYLGHQW WKH minute you walk into a classroom where students are smiling, engaged and actively focused on achieving their newest FKDOOHQJH )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLWbtheswiftschool.org.

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HIGHER EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY TO ACCOMPLISH A GOAL Locally, Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC) realizes WKDW RIWHQWLPHV KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ GHSHQGV RQ WKH Ĺ´H[LELOLW\ WR DFFRPSOLVK DQ LQWHQGHG JRDO DQG WKDW LV H[DFWO\ ZKDW WKH\ deliver. Separating them from their peers, AMSC proudly offers FODVVHV VHYHQ GD\V D ZHHN PXOWLSOH VWDUW WLPHV DV ZHOO DV ZHHNHQG DQG RQOLQH FODVVHV IRU WKHLU VWXGHQWV Ĺ?$OWKRXJK ZH KDYH SURJUDPV RI VWXG\ ZH DOVR RIIHU DVVRFLDWH GHJUHHV DQG VL[ EDFKHORU GHJUHHV Ĺ&#x2039; RQH RI ZKLFK LV LQ FRQMXQFWLRQ ZLWK .HQQHVDZ 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ Ĺ? VDLG 6KHLOD Tenney, director of media relations and communications for AMSC. 7HQQH\ HQWKXVLDVWLFDOO\ DGGHG WKDW WKH VFKRROĹ?V QHZHVW EDFKHORU GHJUHH LV LQ EXVLQHVV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ DQG WKDW DV they initially started as a junior college, it is a huge achievePHQW WR EH DEOH WR RIIHU EDFKHORU GHJUHHV WR WKHLU VWXGHQWV $QG WKDWĹ?V MXVW WKH EHJLQQLQJ DV WKH FROOHJH LV DOVR GRLQJ D ORW PRUH SDUWQHUVKLSV ZLWK WKH FRPPXQLW\ ZKLFK LQ WXUQ yields more internship opportunities. Last year, professors at AMSC participated in the ScholDUVKLS RI 7HDFKLQJ DQG /HDUQLQJ 6R7/ FRQIHUHQFH ZKLFK ZDV DWWHQGHG E\ PDQ\ KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ DIĆ&#x201C;OLDWHV DURXQG WKH FRXQWU\ DV ZHOO DV HLJKW IRUHLJQ FRXQWULHV 'UV &XUWLV / 7RGG .RNLOD 5DYL +DUU\ $NRK DQG 9DQFH *UD\ SUHVHQWHG DW WKH HLJKWK $QQXDO Ĺ&#x160; 6FKRODUVKLS RI 7HDFKLQJ DQG /HDUQLQJ 6R7/ &RQIHUHQFH DQG VXEVHTXHQWO\ SXEOLVKHG WKHLU UHVHDUFK Ć&#x201C;QGLQJV LQ Ĺ?7KH 2QOLQH -RXUQDO RI 'LVWDQFH /HDUQLQJ $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ Ĺ? 7R OHDUQ PRUH FDOO 405756-4000 or visit atlm.edu.

PREPARING THE PROFESSIONALS OF TOMORROW Birmingham-Southern College %6& NQRZV WKDW VWXGHQWV OHDUQ EHVW E\ GRLQJ 7KLV \HDU %6& LQWURGXFHG WKH .UXODN ,QVWLWXWH IRU ([SHULHQWLDO (GXFDWLRQ /HDGHUVKLS DQG &LYLF (QJDJHPHQW ,WĹ?V D RQH VWRS VKRS IRU VWXGHQWV ZKR ZDQW WR H[SORUH WKHLU SDVVLRQV H[SHULHQFH OHDUQLQJ KDQGV RQ DQG H[FHO DIWHU JUDGXDWLRQ 6WXGHQWV FDQ JHW D GLVWLQFWLRQ LQ OHDGHUVKLS VWXGLHV WDNH RQ D VHUYLFH SURMHFW DV SDUW RI D FODVV LQ SROLWLFDO VFLHQFH WDFNOH DQ LQWHUQVKLS LQ %LUPLQJKDP RU DFURVV WKH JOREH UHVHDUFK DJULEXVLQHVV LQ 8JDQGD RU SRHWU\ PDQXVFULSWV LQ ,UHODQG EXLOG WKHLU RZQ FRPSDQLHV DQG VR PXFK PRUH 6WXGHQWV KDYH GLUHFWHG SOD\V ZRUNHG ZLWK PHGLFDO SDWLHQWV DQG FUHDWHG H[KLELWV DW ORFDO PXVHXPV 7KH FROOHJHĹ?V XQLTXH -DQXDU\ WHUP JLYHV IRXU ZHHNV RI Ĺ´H[LELOLW\ WR IRFXV RQ LQWHUQVKLSV RU WU\ VRPHWKLQJ QHZ DQG ZLWK PRUH WKDQ academic programs, there are countless routes to the future. PHOTOS COURTESY OF

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June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 29

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Come see why the book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Colleges That Change Livesâ&#x20AC;? lists BSC among just 40 schools that are â&#x20AC;&#x153;what college ought to EH Ĺ? :KDWHYHU \RX FDQ GUHDP XS \RXĹ?OO Ć&#x201C;QG %6& PDNHV LW possible. Are you ready? 800-523-5793, bsc.edu

SMALL UNIVERSITY, BIG IDEAS Life University /,)( bRIIHUV OHDGLQJ HGJH bKHDOWK VFLHQFH GHJUHHV LQ D G\QDPLFbFRPPXQLW\ WKDW HPSRZHUV DQG LQVSLUHV LQGLYLGXDOV WR GHVLJQ OLYHV RI VXFFHVV DQGbVLJQLĆ&#x201C;FDQFH /,)( SURYLGHV VWXGHQWV ZLWKbWKH YLVLRQ WRbIXOĆ&#x201C;OO WKHLU LQQDWH SRWHQWLDO WKH LQVSLUDWLRQ WR HQJDJH LQ D TXHVW IRU VHOI GLVFRYHU\ DQG WKH DELOLW\ WR DSSO\ D SULQFLSOHG DSSURDFK WR WKHLU IXWXUH roles as leaders in humanitarian service and as citizens in WKHLUbFRPPXQLWLHV /,)( LQVWLOOV DQG SUDFWLFHV DbVHW RI YDOXHV a philosophy, a perspective toward wellness and a deeper PHDQLQJ RI VHUYLFH WR KXPDQLW\ ZKLFK SURGXFHV D WUDQVIRUmational experience. LIFE has specialized undergraduate degrees, with GHĆ&#x201C;QHG SUH SURIHVVLRQDObWUDFNV LQ WKH UHDOP RI QDWXUDO DQG YLWDObKHDOWK LQFOXGLQJ DQ DFFHOHUDWHG SUH FKLURSUDFWLF WUDFN IRXU JUDGXDWH SURJUDPV LQ VSRUW KHDOWK VFLHQFH FOLQLFDO QXWULWLRQ SRVLWLYH SV\FKRORJ\ DQG DWKOHWLF WUDLQLQJ DQG WKH ODUJHVW VLQJOH FDPSXVbGRFWRU RI FKLURSUDFWLF SURJUDP LQ WKH ZRUOG 7KH XQLTXHQHVV RI /,)(Ĺ?V FDPSXVbDWPRVSKHUH LV PRUH easily experienced than depicted in words, and they HQFRXUDJH DOO IXWXUH VWXGHQWV WR FRPH ZLWQHVV LW IRU WKHPVHOYHV ,QWHUHVWHG LQ NQRZLQJ PRUH DERXW EHLQJ D /LIH 8QLYHUVLW\ VWXGHQW" /,)( SURYLGHV D YDULHW\ RI RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU you to learn more about the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quarterly based DQG DFFODLPHG DFDGHPLF SURJUDPV bZHOOQHVV EDVHG FXOWXUH QDWLRQDOO\ UDQNHG DWKOHWLFV DQG EHDXWLIXO VXUURXQGLQJV %HbWKHLU JXHVW RQ FDPSXV IRU DQ $FDGHPLFb7RXU /,)( /HDGHUVKLS :HHNHQG RU (DJOH 0DGQHVV 8QGHUJUDGXDWH 3UHYLHZ 'D\ )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQbRQ KRZ WR WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI WKHVH RSSRUWXQLWLHV HPDLO WKH $GPLVVLRQV 2IĆ&#x201C;FH WRGD\ DWb

admissions@life.edubRU FDOO WROO IUHHbDWb 800-543-3202 b life.edu Â? PHOTOS COURTESY OF

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HORIZON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY schedule a tour

HCA would like to welcome all new families to our Forsyth area community! K-12 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Preparing Warriors for Christ by PARTNERING with FAMILIES to provide a Christ-Centered educational environment.

YOU’RE HOME K - 1 2 E D U C AT I O N hca g a . o rg • 6 7 8 - 9 4 7 - 0 7 11 • 1 2 70 S awnee Dr ive, Cumming, Georgia 30040

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA

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PARADISE,

Uninterrupted Wi l d beau ty me e ts p re c is e d e s ig n in M E X I C O ’ S M A Y A K O B A

written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY

HE IGUANA IS NEVER IN A RUSH.

There is no hurry in her world and everything comes in due time. She’s content and appreciates life as is. I found the lizard lying below my pillow. I held its tiny green spotted body in my palm, admiring its smooth stomach and the details of its pointed head and painted red mouth. Intricately hand carved in the state of Oaxaca, the authentic ﬁgurine was no longer than my pinky ﬁnger. I continued reading the card accompanying the colorful Alebrije folk art, learning that Mexicans created the beautiful carvings to serve as guardians and healers while we sleep. My little lizard — or “kan” — gift was meant as a symbol of fortune and prosperity. While the only animals wanted in my suite are wooden, just outside the doors is another world. Built upon hundreds of acres of mangrove forest and jungle under the vast blue skies of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the eco-conscious Mayakoba is home to several luxury resort properties with much care taken to enhance, rather than replace, the natural environment and its indigenous species.

SETTING YOUR PACE Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, the area is considered the safest in Mexico. Although it’s just 40 minutes from Cancun International Airport and 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen, once you enter the world of Mayakoba, these locales are easily forgotten. Instead, the new relevant coordinates to remember are the four distinct destinations, operated by some of the country’s most celebrated hotels: the romantic Rosewood, the family-friendly Fairmont, the Eastern-inspired Banyan Tree and the still-under-construction Andaz. June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 33

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BANYAN TREE HAAB; CARTER ROSE | MAYAKOBA; JAMES BATT; EL PUEBLITO EN MAYAKOBA

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While each has unique aesthetics and amenities appealing to varying types of travelers, their common ground allows guests of one property to enjoy fine dining, spas and activities offered by the others. Iguanas (much larger than the replica found in my suite) might cross your path on The Nature Trail, which connects the hotels with Mexico’s only golf course to host a PGA Tour event, the OHL Classic. While traversing on land by foot or golf cart are options, the preferred mode of transportation among most guests is the boats — or “lanchas” — through the freshwater canals. After all, Mayakoba loosely translates to “city on water” and the waterways have garnered the nickname “the Venice of the Yucatan.” These boats, however, are not gondolas. Instead, each is replete with plush seats, canvas covers for protection from the hot Mexican sun and butlers ready to serve a refreshing drink. Upon check-in to the Rosewood Mayakoba’s breathtaking open-air lobby, guests are whisked by ferry service over the azure water to their freestanding suites — nearly a dozen differing floor plan options, with some overlooking the lagoon, beach or both. As the boat follows a curve, each modern suite’s artfully constructed exteriors and glass walls slowly reveal themselves, creating individual vignettes framed by lush green plants and promising a peaceful retreat. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to see what the Rainforest Alliance and United Nations World Tourism Organization did when awarding Mayakoba as a Sustainable Standard Setter and Ulysses Prize for Responsible Tourism Development, respectively. “Bienvenida. Welcome home,” the driver said as the boat pulled alongside a suite’s dock, before my appointed butler for the evening guided me to the door of a Lagoon Studio Suite. Those that enjoy attention at the snap of their fingers, or a tap on their smartphone app, can employ the personal attendant in a number of ways: to unpack a suitcase, open the complimentary bottle of Clase Azul, draw a bath in the oversized soaking tub, warm the rooftop plunge pool or perhaps cover the round sun lounger with sheets for stargazing under the night sky.

Despite my lesson with Gabaldón, no panoramic snapshot could do justice for the enchanting resort. Mayakoba is as impeccably manicured and exclusively contained as it is wildly beautiful.

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MAYA OH MY Commemorating how Mayans once cultivated their food in agricultural fields and forest gardens, HAAB is the first dining experience of its kind, offering a fully immersive cultural experience that is also educational. HAAB takes its name from the Mayan Zodiac, an integral part of the Mayan calendar and culture, and is inspired by the four basic elements of earth, wind, fire and water, which are apparent throughout the evening. Located within Banyan Tree, HAAB is available to just 16 guests nightly. banyantree.com/ en/em-mexico-mayakoba

INDULGENCE WITH AWARENESS Boats, all quietly powered by electricity, are also the preferred method for getting a closer look at one of Mayakoba’s biggest attractions: more than 150 species of birds. Lucky lookers will catch a ﬂash of the bright pink feathers belonging to a Roseate Spoonbill. In fact, Mayakoba recently became host to National Geographic Photographers’ Masterclass Weekends. Even amateurs with point-and-shoot cameras can make reservations for the three-day educational cruise, available year round with at least 48 hours notice to schedule. At $800 per workshop, professional Iván Gabaldón is apt to offer technical advice as well as help to identify the blue wings, golden eye ring and yellow beak of Mayakoba’s iconic Yucatan Jay, among many more. Another unique point of view is offered by way of Hobie kayaks. Operated by pedals, these hands-free kayaks don’t require traditional paddling, which is a major plus for those hoping to snap the varieties of PHOTOS COURTESY BANYAN TREE HAAB; CARTER ROSE | MAYAKOBA

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Award-winning Chefs colorful plumage on camera. Photography is an appropriate hobby in a place where so much work is paid to protecting the pristine ground and the life that inhabits it, offering guests a way to capture a small part of it without taking anything away. Regardless of the time or money invested on a bird-watching expedition, a rare winged beauty can’t be summoned easily like an assigned butler. On the flipside, some surprised guests enjoying Nespresso and chilaquiles for breakfast on their balconies might find a bird — or a whole flock — making a morning appearance.

DELIGHT, DIVULGE, DETOX Eat like a bird, I did not. Mayakoba’s expansive acres are worth exploring, and its restaurants are no exception. Further delivering on the goal to fulfill any craving a guest might have, Casa del Lago fuses Oaxacan flavor with Italian influence, while Agave Azul pulls menu inspiration from Asia and Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant, Saffron serves contemporary Thai cuisine. I fell partial to a sunset dinner at Punta Bonita for delivering the Mexican dining experience I had dreamed about, but also its proximity to both the Caribbean Sea and my suite. Daylight was traded for candlelight and the sound of ocean waves occasionally replaced by traditional Mariachi tunes. Those that come to Mexico in search of guacamole, tequila and tacos can get their fill here, however would be foolish not to also toast their fortune with regional mezcal and taste the tostados from La Fondita. The first messy bite into the latter offers a satisfying crunch, one that can be attributed, in part, to Rosewood Mayakoba’s decorated Executive Chef Juan Pablo Loza. Since coming aboard in March 2015, he has embraced a mission to reintroduce Mexico’s indigenous flavors with a fresh spin. The tasty street foods at La Fondita’s are one example, but El Pubelito Village, its surrounding locale, is a larger-than-life metaphor. Modeled after the historic plazas such

Art

Where Atlanta Comes to Play!

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June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 37

MAYAKOB A

as Colonial Merida and San Miguel de Allende, El Pueblito opened last fall, drawing crowds for Sunday mass, markets selling crafts from local communities and traditional attractions like piñata breaking, marimba and Huichol art classes. In addition to La Fondita, the gathering spot is anchored by a beautiful white chapel, christened La Santa Cruz, and surrounded by an art gallery, boutiques and other sidewalk eateries to browse, like El Cafecito for coffee, pastries and ice cream. El Pubelito may be the “corazon” — the heart — of Mayakoba, but for soul searching, spend time at Sense, a Rosewood Spa. Designed as a retreat-within-a-retreat, visitors cross the Puente del Balneario (“spa bridge”) to reach the private sanctuary. Here, you can dip your toes into the pool, or dip into Mayan techniques for well being with massage or skin treatments harnessing power from natural elements. Or, you can plunge. Take a walk through the Sensory Garden, meet with a shaman or find balance with a Sense of Place journey, ranging from two-and-a-half to six hours. Each strives to impart serene insight into a story about culture, nature and personal inner landscape, filled with ancient healing remedies, aromas, colors, textures, tastes and sounds to leave you invigorated and inspired. Those that rolled their eyes at mention of a shaman, know this: in my limited time with the grandmotherly shaman, I too skeptically studied her long silver braid and the soft wrinkles around her smile, wondering if any shortcomings, strengths and vibrancy of my aura were, in fact, visible to this stranger. That was, until she asked me to close my eyes and focus on my breath. Tequila intake aside, my time thus far had been a stimulating blur to see, taste, hear, smell and feel as much of Mayakoba as possible. With the shaman’s guidance and spiritual assessment, I found myself focused on the present moment — content, appreciative and in no hurry to leave it, finally embodying my “kan.” After one last fish-taco-filled lunch, I was definitely in no hurry to move fast and especially not to drive through the exit gates. Despite my lesson with Gabaldón and a phone full of photos, no panoramic snapshot could do justice for the enchanting property. Mayakoba is as impeccably manicured and exclusively contained as it is wildly beautiful. I did, however, have the handcrafted iguana souvenir packed safely in my purse. I would take her home to sit on my nightstand, a reminder of appreciation for my Mexican adventure; but more importantly, of the dedicated conservation, so that in my own due time, I could return. PN FOR MORE INFORMATION mayakoba.com rosewoodhotels.com/mayakoba

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+ + ++

MAKING

HAPPEN + + + ++

FIVE

HOMEGROWN COMPANIES THAT CASHED IN ON THEIR

DREAMS written by LINLEY MOBLEY

Many people have great business ideas and even greater goals, but not everyone has the time or drive to make those ideas come to life. We’re here to shed light on several people who did. They felt passionate enough to quit their day jobs and start businesses that offer something unique, from custom-made furniture to memorable experiences. Take a glimpse into ﬁve companies that call North Georgia home.

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RUSTIC TRADES FURNITURE RUSTIC TRADES FURNITURE ALL STARTED WHEN newlyweds Clay and Maggie Adams were in search of a dining room table that could grow old with them. After visiting many stores and finding the same, cheaply made tables, Clay decided to take matters into his own hands and promised to build their table himself. Adams enjoyed the task so much that he decided to build a few more to try and sell. “My first table didn’t sell for nine months,” Adams said. But that didn’t discourage him. He started a blog and from there, people all over the country began to see his work and contact him for custom-built tables. “People want something that is custom-made just for them, something that will be loved and appreciated by the family,” Adams said. His business flourished enough that in 2010, he established the company, and in 2012, he was able to leave his full-time job and focus on the new business. Adams and his team are now building 300 to 400 tables each year. Adams has a showroom in downtown Roswell, where customers can learn more about his work. rustictradesfurniture.comSOCKS’ SOCKS’

SOCKS’ LOVE RUB GRILLING OUT WITH FRIENDS IS A SUMMERTIME staple in Georgia, so if you want some killer locally made seasonings to add 100 percent natural flavor to your meats and veggies, you have to check out Socks’ Love Rub. Steven Hartsock, a Suwannee resident and the owner and mastermind behind Socks’ Love Rub, is a man passionate about food, family and his wonderful wife, Kim. He created his very first rub (appropriately named Original Seasoning) to use on meats that he cooked during barbecue competitions, but the seasonings didn’t get a name until the couple’s wedding when they gave bottles of it away as favors and dubbed it “Love Rub.” “When the seasonings were first created, I had no idea that it would turn into a business,” Hartsock said. “It

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUSTIC TRADES FURNITURE; SOCKS’ LOVE RUB

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 41

HOMEGR OWN HUSTLE

was simply me sharing something with the important people in our life.” Once things started to take off, Kim encouraged him to follow his passion, so Hartsock worked hard to get his business going and eventually was able to quit his former job to take on Socks’ Love Rub full time. What started as just one rub turned into a line of seven seasonings, two sauces and a catering company. Hartsock sells his spices online and in several local stores throughout the metro Atlanta area. socksloverub.com

FRANK THE CHAIR IF YOU ASKED LAWRENCEVILLE RESIDENT JESS Freeman what she was doing a year ago, she’d excitedly tell you that she successfully wrote, designed and self-published a children’s book called “Frank The Chair Goes to Kansas.” This book is about a little green chair that goes all over Kansas to ﬁnd his friend, Mr. Cow, meanwhile teaching children about life, love, joy and sadness. Frank the Chair came to be in June 2014 when Freeman and her husband, Aaron, decided to start a fun photography project. “We took Frank all over the place — restaurants, mountains, parks, road trips — and took pictures of him,” Freeman said. It wasn’t until she lost her mom in a car accident in Dec. 2014, that she decided to honor her mother, a gradeschool librarian of more than 20 years, by turning her photography project into a children’s book. The whole process happened very quickly for the Freemans. The couple began a Kickstarter campaign in

March 2015, ﬂushed out the story in April and launched the book in October. When she’s not following the chair, Freeman helps other people’s ideas come to life through her graphic design and web ﬁrm, Jess Creatives — work that helped her snag the title of Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015 from the Gwinnett Chamber. frankthechair.com; jesscreatives.com

SUGARBOO & CO. IF YOU LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE METRO ATLANTA area, you’ve likely heard of Sugarboo & Co., the cute little store ﬁlled with art, antiques, jewelry, paper goods, gifts, outdoor décor and more. While you may have perused one of their unique stores, you might not know the woman behind the treasures or that the branding was inspired by nicknames given to her kids. Rebecca Puig, a resident of Roswell and University of Georgia grad, is an artist who has sold her art all over the world. While she enjoyed selling her art at wholesale, she also wanted a space where she could sell her pieces along with the work of the local artisans she loved. So, three years ago, Puig opened the ﬁrst Sugarboo & Co. store in PHOTOS COURTESY OF JESS CREATIVES; ROBIN HARRISON; CRAFTED

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Town Brookhaven, creating a place that provides wonder and joy for many people. “Our mission is to put good things into the world, so we strive to do this every day,” Puig said. “We put positive messages throughout the store, and I’m interested in any piece that will add soul to a home.” Aside from the store in Town Brookhaven, you can ﬁnd Sugarboo & Co. at The Collection in Cumming as well as Ponce City Market. Puig also has a branch in Birmingham, Ala., and will soon be opening two locations in Florida — in Boca Raton and at Disney World. sugarbooandco.com Browsing through one of their whimsical spaces can feel like an escape from the ordinary, but those that want a truly immersive experience can book a stay at Sugarboo Farms. Located in Blairsville, the private retreat sits next to the North Georgia Mountains and Chattahoochee National Forest, perhaps making it the perfect space for your next outdoor vacation or event venue. sugarboofarms.com

CRAFTED PRODUCTIONS EMMA PITTS, THE FOUNDER AND “PRODUCTION Wizard” of Crafted Productions, has spent more than 10 years in the conference and event industry. “Too many times, I saw people pay a lot of money to attend an event and leave the conference feeling disconnected,” Pitts said. “I wanted to reinvent how we plan events and conferences.” So Pitts, a resident of Norcross, took a leap and started Crafted, a production company that programs events, which focus on creating a unique experience and valuable peer-to-peer interaction. In addition to event programming, Crafted also specializes in online streaming and video production. Pitts and some of her team recently had the opportunity to travel to Paraguay with The John Maxwell Company to interview Gaby, a woman who began the Transform Paraguay conference out of a love for her country and a desire to see her people thrive. “Having the opportunity to meet with Gaby was incredibly inspirational,” Pitts said. With support from her team, Pitts doesn’t settle for doing things well; they strive to become experts at doing great work and serving others. craftedproductions.com PN June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 43

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FROM MICROSCOPES TO BUSINESS SCOPES The Boom in Local Biotech Research written by AMBER LANIER NAGLE

a small laboratory in the Engineered Biosystems Building on the north side of the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, young, sleep-deprived doctoral candidate Robert Demont works alongside a crew of faculty and other graduate research assistants in pursuit of the next big biotechnology breakthrough: a game-changing discovery that could potentially beneﬁt all of humanity. “In simple terms, my research focuses on the development of new, novel vaccines,” he said. “Traditional vaccines incorporate a piece of the disease to activate the human immune system, but these are sometimes ineffective. I develop a different agent that will trigger a stronger immune response and produce a greater quantity and quality of antibodies to ﬁght off the disease.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OFCOURTESY OF ALCON PHOTO

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BIOTECH RESEAR CH

Moreover, Demont’s work employs inﬁnitesimal agents known as nanoparticles — particles a mere 28 nanometers in size — to build better vaccines. The technology seems torn from the pages of science ﬁction, but the characters plotting how metro Atlanta became its setting lends itself more to a business textbook.

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK With his research showing great promise, he and a small band of colleagues launched NanoCliq, an Atlanta-based, biotechnology startup that partners with pharmaceutical companies to develop, test and roll out viable vaccines for the prevention and treatment of diseases including the Zika virus, Ebola and cancer. “Our nanoparticle system — developed right here at Georgia Tech — can reduce the drug discovery timeline from years to months,” he said. “NanoCliq can shorten the testing timeline required to identify high potential vaccine candidates,

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reducing [research and development] costs and pushing vaccines out to human clinical trials faster than traditional methodologies.” Demont and his NanoCliq associates give a tremendous amount of credit to TI:GER (Technological Innovations: Generating Economic Results), a program housed at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business that addresses the multidisciplinary challenges that are part of technology commercialization. This ingenious program assembles students into four- or ﬁve-member teams where two MBAs and one or two Emory University School of Law students focus on building a business around a Ph.D. student’s research. “The TI:GER Program put us on the fast track from research to business,” NanoCliq CEO Indra Datta added. “Not only did the program bring our team together, but TI:GER gave us special access to the Georgia Tech startup incubator [ATDC,

the Advanced Technology Development Center] and GRA [Georgia Research Alliance].” NanoCliq’s birth demonstrates the interdisciplinary collaboration common in North Georgia – a key reason why the region, not just Atlanta and college campuses, has emerged as a hotbed for rising biotechnology companies.

BECOMING A BIOTECH NUCLEUS Indeed, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Developments (GDEcD), more than 400 life science companies and 225 health information technology (health IT) companies call the state home, employing more than 30,000 people. North Georgia’s biotech companies range from small startups like NanoCliq to giants such as vision innovator, Alcon Laboratories; global biopharmaceutical company, Baxalta; and medical device leader, Ethicon.

“We’ve developed an environment in North Georgia that fosters collaboration and offers the necessary resources to grow technology ideas into companies,” said Alpharetta-based Senator Brandon Beach, who chairs the Science and Technology Committee in the Georgia Senate. “Engineers, biologists, chemists and researchers probably won’t discover new vaccines, life-saving medical devices and therapies by working alone. The significant biotech solutions of our time will probably result from cooperative efforts between institutions and companies working across disciplines. That’s what we are doing in North Georgia,” Beach continued. He points out that the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) is headquartered nearby, and major educational and research institutions have joined forces to attract the brightest biotech minds from around the world to the region. For example, the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory demonstrates a unique partnership between a leading public engineering school and a highly respected private medical school. It’s now ranked second in the nation in medical device innovation. And another example: late last year, Eurofins Scientific, a global leader in bio-analytical testing, and one of the world leaders in genomic services, announced a joint venture with Emory Genetics Laboratory (EGL), known for testing rare genetic disorders and leading the industry in gene panels including cancer testing and exome sequencing to aid diagnosis, prognosis, management and targeted drug therapy. The newly formed company, EGL Genetic Diagnostics LLC, will create more than 50 new jobs and generate a $16.9-million investment in DeKalb County. “Again, we’ve developed a culture of collaboration here. It’s about working together,” Beach said. “Georgia also offers a business-friendly climate that is quite attractive to new ventures and companies considering relocating to our state. Compared to other locations, it is very affordable to do business here.”

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BIOTECH RESEAR ES R CH CH Statistics from the Georgia Department ent nt nt of Economic Development:

• • • •

2 6 Georgia 2016 Geor eo org Bio Innovation Summit or ATLANTA, N GEORGIA O

Medical device companies account for 27 percent of Georgia’s life

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science workforce.

For more than 14 years, Georgia Bio has presented the state's premier bio-

Hematology and immunology companies represent 21 percent of

science and medtech conference welcoming 600-plus CEOs, senior execu-

Georgia’s life science workforce.

tives, scientists and public policy officials from across America. Join as they

More than 2,400 clinical trials are currently being conducted in Georgia

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(2012).

facturing, to improve the health and well being of people, animals and the

More than 400 life science companies and 225 health IT companies call

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Georgia home.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE Another contributing factor for North Georgia’s biotech boom is the state’s growing, experienced workforce and training capacity. “Georgia’s public college and university network confers more than 3,300 undergraduate and graduate degrees in biotechnology and life science related programs annually,” said Kerry Norton, project manager for the GDEcD’s Life Sciences team. “The Technical College System of Georgia also has a broad range of targeted, fast-track certiﬁcation programs to prepare students for careers in bio-manufacturing, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, testing, research or environmental labs.” Then there’s Georgia Quick Start — the state’s signature program that has consistently ranked No. 1 in the country among workforce training partnerships.

Provided at no charge by the Technical College System of Georgia, Quick Start’s training is conducted in classrooms, mobile labs, onsite at companies and at the Georgia BioScience Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility reinforcing Georgia’s commitment to supporting research, technology transfer and providing the trained workforce critical to bioscience and bio-manufacturing operations. “Quick Start provides free, comprehensive workforce solutions for new and expanding companies that meet qualiﬁcations,” Norton said. “Based on a company’s speciﬁc needs, Georgia Quick Start can model the training programs accordingly.” Baxalta (formerly part of Baxter International) took advantage of Georgia’s Quick Start program to help build a workforce for their plasma fractionation facility in Covington and so did Roswell’s Plasma Surgical, a company that produces

a groundbreaking surgical device. Alcon partnered with Quick Start, too. “We took advantage of the Quick Start Program to expand our production facility in Johns Creek,” said Rob Meyers, Alcon general manager, Atlanta Manufacturing. “We also work with the Technical College System of Georgia and major local universities to engage, and hire, scientiﬁc and technical talent.” Alcon, a global leader in eye care, currently employs more than 1,700 full-time employees and contractors in Johns Creek. Inside one of the company's largest and most strategic locations, work is underway to drastically improve the way people see the world. In 2014, Alcon entered into an agreement with Verily, formerly known as Google Life Sciences, to develop and commercialize Google’s “smart lens” technology, which involves sensors, microchips and other miniaturized electronics embedded within lenses. Associates from the Johns Creek facility are on Alcon/Verily’s key project teams. As part of the collaboration, their efforts are currently focused on developing three key projects: glucose sensing lens, accommodating contact lens and accommodating intraocular lens. “We address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues with science-based innovation,” wrote Patrick Barth, Director of Global Media Relations for Novartis International AG, the parent company for Alcon. “Based on this, [our] interest is currently focused on helping diabetic patients manage their disease by providing a continuous, minimally invasive measurement of the body’s glucose levels via a ‘smart contact lens,’ which is designed to measure tear ﬂuid in the eye and connects wirelessly with a mobile device.” PHOTO COURTESY OF ALCON

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Barth also explained that for people who can no longer read without glasses, this “smart lens” also has “the potential to provide accommodative vision correction to help restore the eye’s natural al autofocus on near objects in the form of an accomcc modative contact lens or intraocular lenss as part of the refractive cataract treatment.” Aside from the region’s ability to

ensure a steady ea ﬂow of skilled workers, there was another oth he reason North Georgia was the right choice e ffor Alcon.

CONNECTING THE DOTS DO Logistics infrastructure also pl plays a vital role in North Georgia’s a s ability ab to lure topnotch ch biotech companies co to the state. “A major driving force in the decision

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to establish the company’s presence in Georgia was the international, world-class airport,” said Rick Weisbarth, O.D., Vice President of Professional Affairs at Alcon. The he Jo Johns Creek location clocks less than 40 miles from Hartsfi field-Jackson Atlanta-International. “Not only did we need an airport that would allow our people to travel, we ship thousands of orders daily and we rely heavily on an infrastructure that helps us ensure reliable supply.” North Georgia's strong, uninterrupted temperature-controlled supply chain is used to help extend and ensure the shelf life of products such as chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs and blood plasma. “Hartsfield-Jackson’s 42,000-squarefoot Perishables Complex is the only facility in the Southeast approved by the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] to apply cold treatment, an alternative to methyl bromide,” GDEcD’s Kerry Norton remarked. “And Georgia Ports Authority has more than doubled its refrigerated cargo volume in less than 10 years.” She also noted that our airport hosts 16 cargo-only airlines, has two million square feet of cargo handling space and 85 percent of the world’s top third-party logistics providers (3PLs) have facilities in Georgia. Significant factors, much like the small but mighty nanoparticles that could collectively affect the lives of many, position North Georgia as an ideal location for biotech companies to thrive. Many have already landed here, boasting a culture of collaboration, a network of highly acclaimed educational and research institutions, an army of skilled workers, an affordable business climate and a logistics infrastructure that’s hard to beat. “Here, an idea can be born, researched, tested, transformed into product, commercialized and delivered quickly to almost anywhere in the world,” Norton said. We can’t help but wonder who or what will come next. PN FOR MORE INFORMATION georgia.org nanocliq.net gatech.edu georgiaquickstart.org alcon.com

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MEDICAL EXPERTS GUIDE Modern OB/GYN HE EXPERT PHYSICIANS OF MODERN OB/GYN continue to provide outstanding care for their patients. Physicians Dr. John Reyes, Dr. Ingrid Reyes and Dr. Natu Mmbaga provide comprehensive women’s care ranging from adolescents through menopause for issues such as heavy or irregular cycles, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, hysterectomies and routine as well as high-risk pregnancies. With two convenient locations in Johns Creek and Cumming, they are helping women in our area with issues ranging from pregnancy and delivery to management of complex gynecologic and surgical issues.

Personalized, Compassionate Care The field of gynecologic medicine has advanced by leaps and bounds over the last several years. With no time to be sick, in pain, or have surgery, the physicians of Modern OB/GYN know that educating women with different options for surgery is important. They understand that one way of helping women in this busy world is through cutting edge technology with surgical options. Minimally invasive robotic surgery allows the physicians at Modern OB/GYN to operate through just a few small incisions. Featuring a high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist, da Vinci enables them to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control. Endometriosis, pelvic pain, fibroids, cysts, and other common issues are sometimes best addressed with robotic surgery. Modern OB/GYN dedicates its gynecologic practice to minimally invasive surgeries and is an experienced leader in our community for robotic gynecologic surgery, performing these procedures at Emory Johns Creek Hospital and Northside Hospital-Forsyth. “The da Vinci robotic system is a minimally invasive surgical option that allows me to be a better surgeon for my patients,” said Dr. Ingrid Reyes. “The da Vinci robot is really just an extension of the surgeon. It allows for more precise and delicate movements that really give patients better results. Typically, patients can expect less pain, less scars, a shorter stay in the hospital and a faster recovery time. It really is amazing what we are able to do with minimally invasive surgeries, especially with the da Vinci robot, and see the patients have such great outcomes. It’s very rewarding.”

Dr. John Reyes

Dr. Ingrid Reyes

“It’s the full spectrum of caring for what so important to a woman’s life – her health and her family…that’s the best part.” Dr. Natu Mmbaga The physicians enjoy providing second opinions and consultations because they believe it is vital to make patients aware of their choices. They offer a personalized and tailored approach to each patient. “We are here to do our very best for the women of this community,” said Dr. John Reyes. “This is why we went to school and trained for so long – we really value the work we do and how we can help our patients. It’s a blessing to be able to do minimally invasive and robotic surgeries on patients suffering from long-standing issues such as infertility from endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic adhesive disease. Afterwards, we can help them become pregnant and come full-circle to care for them during their pregnancy and delivery. It’s the full spectrum of caring for what so important to a woman’s life – her health and her family…that’s the best part.”

What does “minimally invasive” really mean? Minimally invasive surgeries also refer to in-office procedures, which include treatment of heavy bleeding with endometrial ablation and incision free permanent sterilization. In-office procedures allow the patient to get back to their life so quickly, sometimes the same day. Gone is the necessity for large incisions and long recoveries. Minimally invasive procedures are almost always the best options for the patients, especially in regards to hysterectomies.. “There are so many great options for women; it’s our job to get that information to them and make them aware they don’t need large incisions, long hospital stays, or painful recovery times,” Dr. Johns Reyes said.

404-446-2496

10692 MEDLOCK BRIDGE ROAD SUITE 100A JOHNS CREEK, GA 30097 reyesobgyn.com

1800 NORTHSIDE FORSYTH DRIVE SUITE 360 CUMMING, GA 30041

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 51

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MEDICAL EXPERTS GUIDE

North Georgia Eye Clinic One place for all of your eye care needs. From routine examinations for glasses and contact lenses to pediatric ophthalmology to most advanced, state-of-the-art cataract surgical techniques and equipment available in the North Georgia region, North Georgia Eye Clinic offers only the very best in patient eye care. Matthew B. Kaufman, M.D. is a comprehensive board certified ophthalmologist who is fellowship trained to sub-specialize in LASIK surgery, corneal disorders and treatments, and cataract surgery. He is the director of refractive and cataract surgery at North Georgia Eye Clinic. His specific areas of eye care service include:

• The most advanced cataract surgical techniques • Bladeless and laser-assisted cataract surgery • Advanced intraocular lens technology (IOLs), including multifocal, accommodative, and toric lenses

• State-of-the-art diagnostic and testing equipment • Cutting Edge Laser Vision Correction • Bladeless Lasik Surgery with Intralase Femtosecond Laser • Corneal Evaluation and Treatment • New non-invasive procedure as seen on “The Doctors” and “The Dr. Oz Show”

Christina Weeks, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist. She provides comprehensive eye care for children. These services include the treatment of amblyopia, infections, trauma, tear drainage problems, cataracts, and eyelid abnormalities such as ptosis. She specializes in strabismus, and performs eye muscle surgery. Dr. Weeks also treats adults with strabismus. She successfully manages ocular misalignment and double vision with both prisms and surgery. Patricia Bonomolo Fukuzato, O.D. specializes in routine eye examinations, specialty contact lens fitting, pediatrics, ocular disease and cataract post-operative care. Dr. Bonomolo holds degrees from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. as well as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Her training has included ocular pathology rotations in the Manchester Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Manchester, N.H. and the Southern Vision Institute in New Orleans, La. The optical department offers top of the line lens technology incorporating the Visioffice measuring system along with advanced digital lens technology and features the latest trends in eyewear design and styling. From budget eyewear to custom-made frame styles, NGEC has any style of eyewear to fit your needs and your pocketbook.

(IPL - Intense Pulse Light)

• General Ophthalmology • Glaucoma evaluation and treatment • General retinal evaluation and treatment • Diabetic eye evaluations

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Please call their office today for your appointment!

770-292-1999

1230 BALD RIDGE MARINA RD. SUITE 100 CUMMING, GA 30041 northgeorgiaeyeclinic.com

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MEDICAL EXPERTS GUIDE VEINatlanta ET HEALTHY LEGS! VEINatlanta is here to correct your vein problems. If you suffer from tired, heavy, achy legs, night cramps, restless legs, leg swelling or just leg pain, your symptoms can be caused by venous insufficiency. This venous disorder is a medical issue, not merely a cosmetic one and is generally covered by insurance. “We treat patients the way we would want to be treated,” said Dr. Louis Prevosti. Both physicians offer patients the careful attention to detail and precision care that comes from their training as heart surgeons and vein specialization. The staff also takes time to explain everything, and the procedures are performed with gentle hands.

Success with a Second Location Throughout the past five years, VEINatlanta in Sandy Springs has grown into one of the busiest and most respected vein clinics in the United States. Twenty-five years of experience performing cardiovascular surgery, 100 percent full-time commitment to vein treatment and a staff solely focused on venous disease has allowed VEINatlanta to make a difference in leg vein health. The success has lead to VEINatlanta expanding to a second location in Gwinnett County, which opened in January 2016. “Our Sandy Springs office has made a significant impact in our community. With many of our patients making the long commute to our Atlanta office, it was important to us to be able to offer the same expertise, knowledge and care to an extended area. Gwinnett County was the ideal choice,” said Dr. Prevosti. In April 2015, cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. James Fonger, joined the VEINatlanta team. Dr. Fonger trained and was on staff at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and has performed thousands of heart operations. He is nationally known for his innovations in medical devices and new surgical technology. As a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery as well as the founder and past president of the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery and the 21st Century Cardiothoracic Surgical Society, Dr. Fonger brings a wealth of expertise and training to Gwinnett.

678-214-4299

1100 JOHNSON FERRY ROAD NE SUITE 165 ATLANTA veinatlanta.com

(left to right): Louis Prevosti, M.D. and James Fonger, M.D.

BOARD CERIFICATIONS American Board of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine AFFILIATIONS Society of Thoracic Surgeons American College of Phlebology American College of Surgeons American Medical Association Medical Association of Georgia Medical Association of Atlanta Good Samaritan Health Clinic

FAST FACTS:

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VEINatlanta treats all venous problems including venous insufficiency, leg pain, tired, heavy, achy legs, night cramps, restless leg, leg swelling, varicose veins and spider veins. They also treat facial veins, hand veins, and vulvar veins. One of the largest vein clinics in the United States. “Best Vein Center in Atlanta” award winner for four consecutive years from Best Self Magazine based on public votes. The only Accredited Vein Center in Atlanta by the Intersocietal Accreditation Council (IAC). All VEINatlanta doctors are full-time board certified surgeons that exclusively treat vein disorders.

601A PROFESSIONAL DRIVE SUITE 170 LAWRENCEVILLE June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 53

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MEDICAL EXPERTS GUIDE Byrd Dental Group N EXPERIENCED TEAM OF RESTORATIVE DENTISTS AND SURGEONS who have been in practice ranging from 18 years to more than 30 years, the doctors at Byrd Dental Group attend hundreds of hours of continuing education courses each year to provide patients the highest level of care in dental implant services. Their restorative doctors and surgeons collaborate in one location to provide an unrivaled patient experience. More importantly, this face-to-face communication between the restorative dentist and surgeon facilitates exceptional results. Byrd Dental Group has recently undergone certification to become TeethXpress Providers, which allows the team to perform extractions, implant placement and replacement of teeth on the implants all in just one day! This is accomplished by very careful treatment planning and diagnostic workup after the initial patient consultation.

What you need to know about dental implants There are some questions to ask yourself before you decide on dental implants. Certain lifestyle issues and medical conditions can affect the health of your dental implant. You may not be a candidate for dental implants if you suffer from any of the following: Uncontrolled diabetes Cancer or a history of radiation to your jaws Smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol

North Pointe OB/GYN

COMPREHENSIVE OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY PRACTICE, North Pointe OB/GYN serves the residents of Cumming and the surrounding areas. Their team is made up of dedicated physicians, certified nurse-midwives and medical support staff. Together they work hard to make your visits to their office educational and enjoyable. By providing individualized care and open lines of communication, they promote health and wellness for women in all stages of life. Whether you come into their office for a prenatal visit or an annual exam, you will be treated with the utmost care and respect.

Meet the Physicians

• Robert R. Barrett, M.S., M.D.

• • •

If you are in good health, dental implants are the best choice for tooth replacement. They can replace one or several missing teeth. Dental implants can also provide a supportive foundation for a denture, called an overdenture.

Dental implants allow the patient to experience

• More cosmetic beauty, because they look just like your natural teeth • More stability, because they don’t move around • More permanence, because they are a permanent part of your smile • More convenience, because you don’t have to take them

•

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out to clean them Dental implants are also highly successful, with a success rate over 95 percent! They are more successful than any other surgically placed implant. An added benefit is that they help to preserve the youthful contours of your face by conserving the bone in your jaw. Quite often with partials and dentures, the pressure of the appliance sitting on your jaw can actually cause bone destruction over time. Bone destruction doesn’t happen with dental implants.

770-777-0911

4000 NORTH POINT PARKWAY SUITE 500 • ALPHARETTA, GA 30022 byrddentalgroup.com 54 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

Byrd Dental Group is providing a free implant consultation through July 2016.

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“Our approach to medicine is simply providing exceptional care to women so that there are good outcomes for both mom and baby.”

FACOG, is also board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He was the former chairman of the Department of Surgery and a member of the Ethics Board at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Washington. Nancy M. Walsh, M.D., MPH, FACOG, is board certified in OB/ GYN and has been serving the area for five years. Originally from Rochester, N.Y., she moved to this thriving community to raise her family while pursuing her goal of providing healthcare to all women. She enjoys educating her patients on the constantly evolving evidenced-based changes in health. Alex K. Eaccarino, D.O., An Atlanta native , Dr. Eaccarino manages high and low risk obstetrics, performs minimally invasive procedures and is passionate about educating patients on diet and exercise. Gretchen Mitchell, M.D., FACOG, provides adolescent and adult gynecologic care with a compassionate touch. She spent more than a decade working with world-renowned urogynecologists, broadening her knowledge of women’s health. She specializes in hormone replacement and individualized treatment. Sean J. Lambert, M.D., FACOG, is a Chicago native, and the son of a retired OB/GYN. He received his medical degree from Emory University and now serves on the Northside Hospital Executive Committee. His research on the biochemistry of hormonal action has been published in journals. Dr. Lambert is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

770-886-3555

1800 NORTHSIDE FORSYTH DRIVE, SUITE 350 | CUMMING, GA 30041 81 NORTHSIDE DAWSON DRIVE, SUITE 305 | DAWSONVILLE, GA 30534

npobgyn.com

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MEDICAL EXPERTS GUIDE The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery HEN THE SWAN CENTER FOR PLASTIC SURGERY was first established in 1993, founder Dr. Joseph Bauer had a vision. He wanted to construct the most reputable surgery practice in the Southeast – He has succeeded. Using cutting edge technology, a state-of-the-art facility, the most highly skilled and board certified plastic surgeons and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accreditation; he continues to exceed the standards set by the surrounding aesthetic community. The Swan Center remains the premier plastic surgery center for the Greater Atlanta area, and one of the top surgical centers in the country. Patients range from local mothers to household-name celebrities. “The future of cosmetic surgery is staying ahead of the curve,” Dr. Bauer stated. “Our aim has always been to offer the most dynamic and natural result using the least invasive surgical interventions. Our team is dedicated to utilizing the latest techniques, and we are able to deliver incredible results with minimum recovery time.”

The Swan Difference

The Swan Center takes its patient/provider relationships to another level. Utilizing the latest software, such as TouchMD and text interaction, patients are able to review their surgical plan, before and after photographs, as well as surgeon’s bios using their smart device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “The patient consultation has become a truly exciting and informative experience. Using technology here at the practice, we

THE FUTURE OF FAT REMOVAL, FEMALE WELLNESS, AND BEYOND… You may have heard about exciting new technology that eliminates fat cells without surgery, or the latest procedure in Hollywood that tightens the internal and external vaginal area without needles or incisions… You may have even heard of a fractional laser that erases wrinkles, pigmentation issues and blemishes without downtime. It’s easy to see that noninvasive technologies are the way of the future and The Swan Center proudly offers all of these procedures in the CoolSpa, a designated spa facility within the surgical center. While undergoing these treatments, patients are able to relax and enjoy flats screen televisions with Netflix, open Wi-Fi, and catered spa-inspired cuisine. The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, the leader in aesthetic innovation and incredible patient results.

Left to Right: Dr. Joseph G. Bauer, Dr. Amy K. Alderman, Dr. Dean J. Fardo

are able to show patients the differences between various techniques, projected patient outcomes, and access specific before and after photographs from our extensive database. Patients leave their consultation excited for their cosmetic procedure because all of their questions have been answered and they can review our appointment at any time, simply by turning on their cell phone. Our staff is highly trained to assist the patient in any capacity. Our patients know their surgeon is with them every step of the way, throughout the entire process,” remarked Dr. Dean Fardo, board certified plastic surgeon of The Swan Center. “It is so important to stay current in the advances being made every day in cosmetic surgery,” explained Dr. Amy Alderman. “By taking part in clinical trials, publishing our findings in respected medical journals, and traveling the country to mentor our peers, we are always on the forefront of the newest procedures available. Tummy tucks without drains, breast augmentation with undetectable incisions; the latest techniques in the field. This is only a sampling of what we offer here at The Swan Center,” stated Dr. Alderman, after having just returned from Aesthetica, a well-known symposium in the aesthetic community, where she was served as chairperson for the body contouring portion of the meeting.

770-667-0904 or 800-816-1057 4165 OLD MILTON PARKWAY SUITE 200 EAST ALPHARETTA, GA 30005 swancenteratlanta.com

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 55

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MEDICAL EXPERTS GUIDE Forsyth County Wellness

Alluring Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

N INTEGRATED OFFICE designed to offer the highest quality healthcare to their patients, Forsyth County Wellness has combined the best possible group of chiropractors, nurse practitioners, athletic trainers and massage therapists working together under one roof to better serve you. Their chiropractors offer specific adjustments and spinal traction to alleviate symptoms of back pain, sciatica, headaches, neck pain and shoulder pain. They also provide specialized care for auto accidents, sports injuries, and disc herniations. The nurse practitioner is available for any additional recommendations including blood work, allergy testing, physical therapy or general prescriptions. This not only gives a higher quality of healthcare to the patient, but also the convenience of staying under one roof. Working closely with the nurse practitioner, the athletic trainers can provide on-site physical therapy and strengthening to alleviate symptoms and facilitate the healing process to prevent future injuries. Currently, this dedicated team includes:

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Dr. Tracy Maloney, who has more than 25 years of experience in the direction and supervision of chiropractic clinics in the state of Georgia and 15 years experience as a practicing doctor in a high volume private practice. She earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta. Dr. Burl Buchkowski, who also earned his Doctorate in Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta, specializes in a variety of adjusting and physical therapy techniques to provide the highest level of individualized care for patients of all ages. Kelleigh Strickland, RN, who worked in a hospital for several years and has a masters in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner. She has since been working with chiropractors specializing in muscular skeletal injuries. Mary Washell, ATC, who received her Bachelors of Science in athletic training from the University of North Georgia and has since been aiding in the rehabilitation process for patients with soft tissue injuries as well as strengthening patients for prevention of injuries in the future. In addition, there are three deep 564 LAKELAND PLAZA tissue massage CUMMING, GA 30040 therapist on staff.

770-781-9050 forsythcountywellness.com

56 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

David Mastro, D.D.S.

ITH A PROVEN 30-YEAR TRACK RECORD of more than 50,000 procedures performed in our local community and around the world, Dr. David Mastro’s patients believe he is the right choice when it comes to their family’s smiles and oral health. Dr. Mastro offers a comprehensive list of dental services including restorative, endodontic (root canals), periodontal, oral surgery, cosmetic, cleanings and more. Dr. Mastro attended Emory University School of Dentistry, where he graduated first in his class with honors. As a former clinical instructor for Emory and Washington University, he helped other dentists and dental professionals. His father’s missionary work in the Philippine Islands influenced his desire for compassionate patient care. The number of awards and recognition from dental societies, the U.S. Army, the mayor and others for academic rankings, meritorious service and contributions to the profession demonstrate his success. Dr. Mastro continues to evolve his practice with the latest in dental technology including CEREC which enables his ability to design and fabricate custom crowns and bridges in-house as well as offer same-day crowns and veneers. In July 2016, the practice will be adding the newest in implant technology to help serve their patients with the best available patient care in today’s marketplace.

Alluring COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY

770-642-9900

DAVID MASTRO, D.D.S.

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that Byrd feels is not the right one, she will f you want a procedure that is advise better options that achieve the desired minimally invasive without much results. Noninvasive body sculpting methods downtime, then you want to visit such as Vanquish are used for the removal of Marcia Byrd, M.D., the medical director of fat and skin tightening. It destroys fat without Byrd Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center. She touching a patients’ body and takes inches off has spent over 20 years fine-tuning her thighs and saddlebags, painlessly. approach to body sculpting, facial rejuvenaSome of the newest and most retion, weight loss, weight maintenance and quested services are: Sculptra Aesthetic, a anti-aging techniques. This devotion is what filler designed to restore volume to the face led her to winning the “Best Overall Facial (requires a series of injections over several Make-Over Enhancement” Award by the weeks); Restylane Silk, which yields precise Aesthetic Guide. shaping, smoothing and line control of lips; Her practice offers a comprehensive and Ultherapy, an ultrasound procedure that range of treatments for men and women lifts eyebrows, face and neck as well as arms including cellulite treatments, hair replaceDr. Marcia Byrd and knees. ment, facial injectables, bio-idenitcal Byrd is also one of the country’s foremost authorities on hormone replacements, abdominoplasty, breast surgery, face and lipedema, a painful disorder often misjudged as common obestity. neck lifts, brachioplasty, blepharoplasty and more. Dr. Byrd also Her practice specializes in WAL, a lymph-sparing procedure offercarries the leading anti-aging equipment to provide superior reing the most advanced treatment for lipedema. sults for both the face and body. However, Byrd’s passion and most “A consultation is the first step,” she said. “Come in. Let’s talk requested procedures are for body sculpting. about your vision for your body, and we’ll go from there.” “I’ve trained with many body sculpting procedures,” Byrd

said. Because she makes it a priority to remain current in all the latest aesthetic and cosmetic procedures, she has received advanced training and has been certified in each procedure that she performs. She has studied under some of the world’s leading aesthetic surgeons, including Dr. Giorgio Fischer, Rome, Italy, one of the creators of Liposuction, Dr. Roger Amar of Spain, creator of the FAMI procedure, Dr. Pierre Fournier of Paris, France, considered the father of aesthetic surgery and Dr. Josef Stutz, of Germany, lipedema surgeon and pioneer of Water-Jet Assisted Liposuction (WAL). “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see the smile that a patient gives me after having had liposuction or a tummy tuck,” said Byrd. For many of my patients it’s a life changing experience and a great confidence booster and I’m so happy that I am able to do this for them.” She prides herself on her trademark approach, which she calls “Soft Beautification” and refers to customizing a combination of techniques and treatments to best fit a patient’s needs and obtain optimal results. If a patient requests a certain procedure

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Guy’s TIME

Reeling Them In written by WITT BECKMAN

It was early last summer

when I took my grandson fly fishing. We headed up the road to Noontootla Creek Farms in Blue Ridge, one of the top trout fishing streams in the whole Southeast. After we were fitted with everything we’d need, we were led out onto their 2.5 miles of private trophy waters by a guide named Carter Morris, a tremendous teacher who’s great with kids. I learned a ton from Carter myself. He took then 10-year-old Liam, who had been fishing with me since he was 3, under his wing and really worked with him – to the point that Liam, who had never fly fished, was almost like an expert when we were done. It was unbelievable. I was following behind, walking through the cool creek, letting Liam and Carter lead the way. He must have hooked at least 10 big trout, but for whatever reason, he kept losing them. A couple of them broke off and a couple of them threw the hook, but a few of those were big. I mean, real big. It was getting later in the morning, and the day started getting hot. Then, Liam hooked one. He worked that big fish like a pro. He finally got him in and,

man, it was a 7-to-8-pound rainbow trout with a bright red stripe down the side of its speckled body, probably the same length as Liam’s arms. He was so thrilled as Carter helped him hold the ﬁsh with both hands. My grandson turned to me with a big grin on his face so I could snap a photo, but I think Carter and I were just as happy as Liam to see that moment happen.

HOW TO HOOK KIDS It’s the same feeling of pride I got when he picked up the game of golf, when I watched him score his ﬁrst bucket while helping to coach his basketball team or when I watched in disbelief as he shot his ﬁrst deer, which was a nice eight pointer — but the real joy in these activities is spending time together in ways we both can enjoy. In the summertime, the kids are out of school and looking for things to do. ILLUSTRATION BY ROBIN HARRISON

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There are many activities in which to get them involved and places to visit, but how much time are you actually getting to spend with your kids or grandkids? When you introduce them to the things you love, you can only hope it sticks. For me, it’s about being outdoors. Now when I take Liam golfing, I’m able to spend four to five hours of quality time with him. Watching my grandson make his first par and then birdie on the golf course was way more enjoyable than all the birdies and eagles I’ve ever made. Fishing is another great activity for kids, but you’ll want to make sure to take them somewhere they can catch something or they’ll get bored and might end up not liking it. Lucky for us, Blue Ridge has a reputation as the “Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia.” There’s also Lake Lanier, if you prefer lake fishing. And then there are expert guides like Carter, who have a knack for making a connection with kids. He spent 25 years as a social studies teacher and football coach before switching textbooks and touchdowns for trout and tackle boxes. “Most of the kids [open to learning to fish] are probably middle-school-aged and up,” Carter said, adding that any younger, they are more likely to find interest in skipping rocks or searching for salamanders. “A parent or grandparent should make sure that a kid is mature enough to want to learn. The biggest mis-

“

Patience is one thing they need to learn,” Carter said, as calmly and smoothly as the wake of a gliding canoe. “Not every cast is going to catch a ﬁsh.

”

take is to force one to do it before they’re ready or you’ll really turn them off.” Of course, Carter has met some students that may not feel passionate about the pastime. On the other hand, there are those kids that wake up every morning wanting to be on the water. As you might guess, even as a child, Carter exists squarely in the second camp. His dad was a fly fisher and was Carter’s original guide into the sport. “He taught me how to paddle the boat first, and then fly fish second,” he said with a chuckle. “I would paddle him around. He’d catch bass; bring them in on the fly rod. I always admired the way he did it, and usually for about the last 30 minutes, he’d swap places and let me fish a little bit.”

LESSONS OF A LIFETIME

“Patience is one thing they need to learn,” Carter said, as calmly and smoothly as the wake of a gliding canoe. “Not every cast is going to catch a fish.” On a quiet creek, kids are also given a chance to listen and discover how following directions can lead to reward. “[They can learn to] take instructions from someone who knows what they are doing,” Carter said. “Some kids don’t want instruction; they just won’t listen. The ones that do, will turn out to be pretty good fly fishers. It doesn’t take long, once they get the technique down. They will eventually get to the point where they don’t need a guide or parent there with them.”

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Guy’s TIME

I can only imagine what it felt like for him when he hooked his first trout, but I know it was special and he’ll remember it for years to come. In fact, Carter’s son, Hunter Morris is also a guide at Noontootla Creek Farms. “He was actually the one that got me in the game,” Carter said. “I was getting ready to retire from teaching and he suggested I try it. I’m the one that taught him, probably at 5 years old, to fly fish. He’s been doing it all his life too.” As for Liam, I can only imagine what it felt like for him when he hooked his first trout, but I know it was special and he’ll remember it for years to come. Believe me, that moment was something I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. This isn’t all about your kids having fun but also the enjoyment you get with being with them for some of their first big moments. Get your kids outside and enjoy the outdoors. Your kids will thank you for it later and you’ll end up enjoying it even more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ncfga.net FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION ON TWITTER @GUYSTIME

Exploring the

“TROUT FISHING C A P I TA L O F G E O R G I A”

eed a guide? Here’s where you’ll find a couple of our favorites. No experience is necessary. They are well equipped to give clients at the most basic level as well as seasoned, experienced fly fisherman everything they want and need to get out on the water and fish. More fly fishing outfitters can be found by visiting flyfishingguidedirectory.com/georgia.html

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Noontootla Creek Farms Tucked into the southern pocket of Fannin County, fly fishing at Noontootla Creek Farms is a small stream experience unique to its region. We’re talking classic North Georgia trout water on beautiful Noontootla Creek. It doesn’t get much better than this. NCF water is easily wadeable by anyone. The upper section is a little “tighter” requiring careful casting. The middle two and lowest sections are more open from a casting perspective. Hatches are limited in the fall and winter but spring brings out the stonefly, caddis, mayfly and midge hatches. Summer brings out the terrestrials. You won’t get bored on this water as it can, at times, be challenging – but the rewards are big as well. Noontootla Creek normally runs gin clear and takes anywhere from a half-day to one-and-a-half days to clear after a rain event. This can be a fly fishing trip lifesaver if other waters in the state are “blown-out.” Year-round time slots available, seven days per week from 8 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m until 5 p.m. Must call to make reservations. Ask for Carter or Hunter Morris. 3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge 706-838-0585 ncfga.net/fly-fishing

Blue Ridge Fly Fishing Open seven day a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Blue Ridge Fly Fishing offers classes, guides and the right gear and accessories in the store as well as sells to customers online. Don’t have your own gear, or aren’t ready to buy? That’s just fine! They provide everything that you will need, from boots and waders to rod and reel, for their trips. Even flies are provided at no additional cost and – these guides think of everything – a cooler with ice for any food or drinks the client may wish to bring. To avoid missed fishing time, a valid Georgia fishing license with trout stamp should be purchased by the client in advance of the scheduled trip. Don’t know where to begin? Why not get your feet wet with a simple two-hour introductory class that will cover everything from choosing a rod and reel, tying the knots, making the cast and presenting the fly. Classes start at $150, but cost just $25 more for each additional student up to six anglers. 490 East Main Street, Blue Ridge 706-258-4080 blueridgeflyfishing.com

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 61

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Wear THIS SEASON at Bohemia, find vacation-friendly, festival-ready fashion for all women. Locally made artisan jewelry beautifully completes the perfect outfit for any occasion with boho-chic flair. Dresses, shorts, leggings, gorgeous sandals, tops in all sizes – they’ve got you and all the women in your family covered! Wedding season is upon us, and whether you are a bride, guest or attendee, Bohemia also has the most lovely, unique collection for the special day. Stop by one of our favorite neighborhood boutiques in Alpharetta and check out what’s new. bohemiausa.com

Shop NOT THAT YOU’D NEED an excuse to splurge on a pair of shoes, but Stuart Weitzman is providing one just in case. As a partner with Pencils of Promise (PoP), an organization founded with the goal of increasing access to quality education for children in the developing world, Stuart Weitzman has created an exclusive yellow suede version of the NEARLYNUDE block-heel sandal – one of the hottest styles from the spring collection — and proceeds will beneﬁt the

62 | POINTS NORTH | June 2016

June 2016 The HOTLANTA Half Marathon tradition continues on June 12 at Atlanta’s Pemberton Place – World of Coca-Cola. building of the three schools: one each in Ghana, Guatemala and Laos. With a suggested retail price of $398, this limited-edition charity style is available only on their website and at Stuart Weitzman ﬂagship boutiques locally as well as in select cities across the country. pencilsofpromise.org, stuartweitzman.com

Give LOOKING FOR YOUR oneway ticket to a discounted meal all while supporting a great cause? Purchase a Dinner & A Cause card for $60 to receive 20 percent off your meal every time you dine at more than 75 highly rated restaurants and eateries, including big names and go-to favorites like Common Quarter, Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, King + Duke and many more. Proﬁts will go to local organizations The Giving Kitchen and Children of Conservation, both doing incredible work not only in Atlanta, but all over

the world. The card can be purchased and used until Aug. 31, but the positive effects of its life-changing mission will echo for years to come. childrenofconservation.org/ dinner-a-cause/participating-restaurants –Lauren Vastine

Go THE HOTTEST THING to hit Atlanta the past few summers — besides the heat — has also hit the record books as one of the coolest events all year! The HOTLANTA Half Marathon tradition continues on June 12 at Atlanta’s Pemberton Place – World of Coca-Cola. Take part in the race that brings the love of running to the best of Atlanta. The course will run through the beautiful city streets and feature many of the city’s icons. All ﬁnishers will receive a HOTLANTA Half medal and a premium race shirt. If you want to join the fun this month, register online at active.com through June 5 or register at any Big Peach Running Co. store through June 2. Late registration will be available during packet pickup dates at various Big Peach Running Co. stores. hotlantahalf.com

selling author and resident of Milton, is told through generations of family mystery and drama, beekeepers and Tupelo honey and antique Limoges china. Autographed copies will be sold locally at Bookmiser in Roswell, Book Exchange in Marietta and FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock. karen-white.com Throughout the year, the Marcus Jewish Community

Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody brings bestselling authors to the stage as part of their Page from the Book Festival. On June 30 at 7:30 p.m., they’re welcoming back Atlanta’s own Emily Giffin. After her ﬁrst book “Something Borrowed” became a major motion picture, her stories continue to garner new fans and greater success. Her eighth novel, “First Comes

Read IF YOU MISSED “The Queen of Southern Fiction” when she was in town recently, you can still pick up Karen White’s stunning new novel, “Flight Patterns” at a bookshop near you! This, the 20th novel from The New York Times bestPHOTOS COURTESY OF BOHEMIA; CHILDREN OF CONSERVATION; HOTLANTA HALF MARATHON

June 2016 | PointsNorthAtlanta.com | 63

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Love” is released this month and the MJCCA is celebrating with a book launch party including a Q&A session, book signing, door prizes, a photo booth and wine and bites. To make the event more fun, MJCCA asked local media darling Mara Davis to host the evening. Tickets are $28 for MJCAA or $33 for the community and include a copy of the book. atlantajcc.org

Gasp ALREADY MISSING the bright blue and yellow big top at Atlantic Station for Cirque du Soleil’s latest success, or did you miss “KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities” altogether? Good news – we’ve got another chance for you to catch a glimpse at the trademark, high-flying fun, but you’ll have to move fast. Based on the James Cameron’s record-breaking film “AVATAR,” Cirque is bringing “TORUK – The First Flight” to Infinite Energy Center in Gwinnett for only seven performances between June 15 and 19. The live arena show takes audiences to a world beyond imagination, set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film.

Tickets range from $34.50 to $125. cirquedusoleil.com/ toruk

Watch ONION MAN Productions’ signature “Summer Harvest” series returns, but in a new Chamblee location. Now housed in Plaza Del Sol Shopping Center at 5522 New Peachtree Road No. 111, the series features playwrights from all over the country, and even one from England. As “Summer Harvest” expands in location, creator and artistic director James Beck wants to expand in content, as well, by creating a different collection of eight 10-minute plays staged each month of the summer. The ﬁrst collection runs June 9 to 26 with performances held Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3. The common theme for the plays this year? A lakeside setting! “It is going to be one heck of a summer and a great introduction of the type of entertainment Onion Man will create month after month, year after year,” Beck said. onionmanproductions.com –Lauren Vastine

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After THOUGHTS

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t go to the beach without (not including sunscreen!)?

“Let’s see ... hat ... cooler ... beach chair ... book. This year’s title is ‘Paciﬁc Vortex’ by Clive Cussler.” — George

“A cooking schedule for the week and new recipes to try. Teams of two take turns shopping, serving and cleaning up meals in the beach house. Last year’s grilled sweet potato turkey burgers were a hit, so it’s time to up the ante.” — Colleen

“A large beach towel.” — Robin

“Apparently, only one of us can narrow it to one item! Gone are the days when I would escape to the beach for peace and quiet … now, I go for the giddiness that my son and daughter have as they race to the water, jump the waves and dig for sand ﬁddlers with me in the sand.” – Heather

Share your answer with us on social media using #PNAfterThoughts

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