Se eO On ur S Pa ect ge ion 15
February 2016
Conversations start here.
HEALTH p15 presented by North Fulton Hospital • pages 15–18
DON’T WAIT TOO LONG EDNA KENNEDY, STROKE COORDINATOR WOMEN AND MEN ARE DIFFERENT
A NATURAL CONNECTION TO NATURE The CNC Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary PAGE 28
ARTS p 12
GIDDYUP WITH THE COWGIRLS OF ROSWELL LIFE p 19
THE CHA-CHING OF VALENTINE’S DAY FOOD p 24
EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
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PUBLISHERS
Tripp Liles tripp@thecurrenthub.com
Mark Penstone mark@thecurrenthub.com
Tricia Morris (Social Chick) tricia@thecurrenthub.com
EDITORIAL & CREATIVE
Carrie Kutney Art Director carrie@thecurrentplus.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Frank Mack Di Chapman Jessica Diamond Nancy Wallace Fred Mills Send submissions & questions: events@thecurrentplus.com Main Phone Number 770-810-5943
Our Mission: The CurrentHub aspires to communicate in a way that’s useful, engaging, enjoyable, and unique. We strive to reflect the full range of what the area has to offer, also advocating positions that strengthen unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, enjoyable and caring work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, happy employees and profitable growth. The CurrentHub is published monthly. Presort standard postage paid at Atlanta, GA. Postmaster send changes to Current Communications, 1014 Canton St., Roswell, GA 30075 Publisher has the privilege to reject any advertising. Advertiser is responsible for full content of advertisements provided and are responsible for any claims made therein. thecurrenthub.com
Currentchoices The Month in Preview February 2015
>>A DIFFERENT PETER PAN
>>LET’S TALK
Peter And The Star Catcher
Author Talk, Q & A, Pound Cake Cook-Off & Book Signing February 27at East
February 25 – March 13
February 18
A grownup’s prequel to Peter Pan. You will be HOOKED from the moment you let your imagination take flight. Close your The MJCCA (Marcus Jewish eyes and imagine a magical evening of madcap fun! You will Community Center of Atlanta), marvel at the limitless possibilities of make-believe as a dozen welcomes Joel Grey, as he shares his brilliant actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters remarkable life story through his memoir, in this swashbuckling adventure. This is an exclusive Georgia Master of Ceremonies. Grey is best known for portraying the premiere of this 5-Time Tony Award-winning musical play. “Master of Ceremonies” in both the stage and film versions of the Georgia Ensemble Theatre at Roswell Cultural Arts Center Kander & Ebb musical Cabaret, for which he has won the Academy, 950 Forest St. Roswell, GA 30075 Tony, and Golden Globe Awards. Master of Ceremonies is a memoir of a life lived in and out of the limelight, but it is also the story of the man behind the makeup. Drawing back the curtain on a career filled with show-stopping numbers, larger-than-life stars and even singing in the shower with Bjork, Master of Ceremonies is also a portrait of an artist coming to terms with his evolving identity. The author event will take place at the MJCCA (5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody), with a Q & A, and book signing following the program. Ticket prices are $10-$15. www.atlantajcc.org.
>>SWEET TOOTH?
Roswell Recreation Center A new favorite to the Roswell Roots event lineup, the pound cake cook-off features both amateur and professional bakers. If you’re an amateur baker, register to enter the contest and see how your pound cake measures up. Attendees will get to meet and mingle with the competing bakers, swap recipes, sample delicious pound cake, and vote for their favorites. Several local restaurants and bakeries will have cake entries and will provide guest judges. For details about how to enter the competition, visit roswellroots.com/poundcake.
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>>EXTREME CIRCUS
FEBRUARY 2016 THECURRENTHUB.COM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Circus Xtreme
February 10-28 Children of all ages can let their imaginations go wild in an exhilarating adventure with extreme thrills, exotic animals, and extraordinary performers that add up to the ultimate family entertainment experience. High-wire wizards, powerful strongmen, BMX trick riders, trampoline daredevils, inconceivable contortionists, a high-flying human cannonball, a bungee aerial skydiving display and an international assembly of more than 100 worldrenowned artists provide two and a half hours of thrilling entertainment. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available online. Shows at Philips Arena (Feb. 10-15) and Infinite Energy Center (Feb. 18-28) www.philipsarena.com www.infiniteenergycenter.com.
>>YUMMY
Alpharetta Restaurant Week
February 21 – 27
>>SHAKEN NOT STIRRED
Martinis & Music at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
February 12 Four times a year, people gather at Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art for live music, light refreshments, great art, a cash bar, and a lot of fun. The Martinis and Music nights are some of their most popular events at the museum. Cost: This event is open to the public at $10 per person and is free for museum members. Regular museum admission rates do not apply for this event. www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org
There is something to please everyone’s inner foodie during Alpharetta Restaurant Week. This weeklong celebration of Alpharetta’s restaurant scene will take place Feb. 21 through 27. Restaurants have a variety of options on prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Menu prices are $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner. Alpine Bakery & Trattoria, Haiku Sushi & Steakhouse, MADE Kitchen & Cocktails, PURE Taqueria and many more will be participating. Visit awesomealpharetta.com
>>SEE IT FIRST
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This comedy film is about a young man, John Bosco, who came to America to visit an uncle who lives here and upon his arrival in America, discovered that his uncle no longer lives at the address he has and becomes stranded. A rich family took him in as house-help to help him make ends meet. One day, he was asked to go to the bank to withdraw some money for the rich owner he lives with, but he never comes back home and disappears into thin air without a trace. “What happened to John Bosco?” Screening at Aurora Cineplex located at 5100 Commerce Parkway in Roswell.
Winter Adventure at Lake Lanier Islands
Through Feb 15
>> A LEGENDARY SALUTE
The Legends of Jazz: Art Blakey
Enjoy a brand new adventure this year with Winter Adventure: a snow-packed winter playland perfect for building a snowman, delightful tubing and thrilling sledding! Winter Adventure is the perfect adventure for the family that will keep them thrilled throughout the day. We’ve transformed the summer landscape of LanierWorld and made it ready for winter! Where else can you zoom down slides on sleds and snow tube in a wave pool? You can also play large snow play areas where you can build a snow fort and defend it with an army of snowmen and snowballs. www.lanierislands.com
February 21 The Justin Varnes Quartet plays tribute to the music of Art Blakey. As with the entire Legends of Jazz series, Mr. Varnes will guide guests—in engaging, narrative form— through the life of the artist, as well as the impact that his life influences had on his musical legacy. It’s like taking in a concert and taking a jazz history class at the same time. The Velvet Note is located at 4075 Old Milton Pkwy in Alpharetta. www.thevelvetnote.com. >>LAST CHANCE FOR SNOW
Snow Mountain
Through Feb. 28 From snowman building to snowball shooting, tubing to togetherness, enjoy all the moments that will make for the perfect snow day. www.stonemountainpark.com
>>A BIG COVER UP
Great American Cover-Up Quilt Show
March 4 – 13 This 34th annual Show is presented by the Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild. There are close to 200 pieces on display throughout this antebellum home. In addition to the locally made quilts, featured fiber artist, Christine Cetrulo from Lexington, Kentucky will exhibit. Visit March 13 for the Meet the Artists party. This event includes a book signing and sale for guild member, Diane Knott on her new book, Scrap Quilt Secrets. See www.bullochhall.org for more info.
FEBRUARY 2016 THECURRENTHUB.COM
Georgia Premiere of John Bosco In America February 21, 6:00 p.m.
ENTERTAINMENT (
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AREA EVENTS TAKE THE CHILL OFF OF FEBRUARY
Some people will look for any excuse not to wear pants, even outside in February. By Jessica Diamond
Making plans in February can be stressful. You never know if the weather will be beautiful or apocalyptic. Budgets are still hurting from the holidays. No one knows how to feel about Valentine’s Day. And somehow, it’s still flu season. After the novelty of wearing your new winter coat has worn off, you are just ready to pitch everything and move to Cancun. You cannot possibly ask your brain to do one more thing, but you know you can’t just stay in your little hamster wheel hugging your space heater until spring. Okay, now take a breath. The intent of this column is to offer encouragement to go out and explore events in the area that are out of the “norm.” Here are just a few examples to keep your February hotter than ever! Are you a deeply in love couple who forgot to make a restaurant reservation three months ago, or a single person looking for something out of the box to do Valentine’s Day weekend? Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Atlanta has you covered. This show features the best and worst of what love has to offer as actors take suggestions from the audience to create, or in some cases recreate, scenes from different types of relationships. The show features adult humor and should not attended by anyone who can’t appreciate a little innuendo. Grab your tickets now at www.dadsgarage.com for Sat., Feb. 13 at either 8p.m. or 10:30p.m.
Actors take suggestions from the audience to create, or in some cases recreate, scenes from different types of relationships.
the art of “what if ” into a hobby in and of itself. Anachrocon is a “celebration of the imagination” with an emphasis on history, classic Sci-Fi and alternate history. What if you’d been born in a different time? What if America had lost the Revolutionary War? What if Earth was invaded by a race of extraterrestrial creatures with fantastic fashion sense? The possibilities are quite literally endless, and Anachrocon is a unique space in which to discuss and give life to some of these alternate realities. Sound like your kind of thing? Check out Anachrocon Weird Wild West this Feb. 26-28 and get your wheels turning! Learn more at www.anachrocon.org.
Most of us are familiar with names such as 7 Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. Unfortunately, the names that ring bells in our ears make up only a teeny, tiny fraction of the highly influential black American leaders that changed the course of history. What’s more, many of these iconic figures called Atlanta home. This Black History Month, the Historic Oakland Foundation and the City of Atlanta are partnering to host guided walking tours of Oakland Cemetery with a focus on African American History. Stops on the tour include the graves of pioneers like Carrie Steele Logan, founder of Atlanta’s first orphanage for African American children, Maynard Jackson, the first African American mayor of Atlanta. The tours are free, but space is limited and will run out. Bring the family and take a walk with some of the under sung heroes who made Atlanta what it is today. Check dates, times and details at www.oaklandcemetery.com. If none of these things appeal to you, keep an eye on community calendars. Get started with thecurrenthub.com/events. There is always a chance to break out of your shell, try something new, meet new people and get inspired. There is no such thing as “stuck” in the hamster wheel, even when things stressful. We have the choice to take a new path and end up somewhere unexpected! ❍
FEBRUARY 2016 THECURRENTHUB.COM
Tickets will also be available at the door. Some people will look for any excuse not to wear pants, even outside in February. In the case of Cupid’s Undie Run, that excuse is to raise funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The Run is a national phenomenon that raised $3.5 million last year and projects even larger numbers this year. Atlanta is reprising its role this year in the effort to fight Neurofibromatosis (NF), a disease that affects one in every 3,000 births. Cupid’s Undie run puts the “hilarity in charity” by drawing hundreds of crazy do-gooders out into the streets to run, dance and party a mile in their undies. Fully clothed participants are welcome as well, but they may be mocked. This is one of the few instances in which it would be more awkward to arrive fully dressed than not. Register together as a team or solo at www.cupidsundierun.com and go at your own pace. The run will take place Feb. 13 beginning at noon. Ironically, the search for a hobby to relax and reset your mind at the end of a workday can be frustrating and stressful. Those not naturally drawn to painting, woodworking, stamp collecting or advanced Instagramming are often left twiddling their thumbs, wondering “What if my parents had forced me to keep playing piano, even though I openly hated it? I might have had something!” As it happens, thousands of people have actually made
JOHNS CREEK 470-388-3159 8465 Holcomb Bridge Johns Creek, GA 30022 EAST COBB 678-920-9455 1401 Johnson Ferry Rd. Marietta, GA 30062 ROSWELL 770-625-6122 625 W. Crossville Rd. Roswell, GA 30075 ALPHARETTA 770-686-5352 3450 Old Milton Pkwy Alpharetta, GA 30005 SUWANEE 770-688-0622 2615 Peachtree Pkwy. Suwanee, GA 30024
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LIFE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MONEY
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THE BENEFIT OF LONG TERM INVESTING By Robert Fezza and Steve Siders
Yogi Berra may have said it best, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Did you see it coming? Many people didn’t. We’re talking about the not so Happy New Year stock market selloff—the worst start in U.S. stock market history. The combination of bad news about the slowing Chinese economy, dropping Brent crude oil prices, and attempts by the Chinese government to prop up the valuation of the Yuen caused great uncertainty in the China stock market. And the ripple was felt around the world. What should you do now? Since stock market performance is unpredictable, trying to “outsmart” the markets will likely result in actual losses (vs. paper losses), especially when attempted in the short term. History tells us the markets provide positive gains most of the time, especially over longer time periods, why not stay invested and
versified, low cost mutual funds. Unless you are ultra-wealthy or well into your retirement years you need to maintain some allocation of stocks in your portfolio to sustain your purchasing power (your portfolio needs to grow faster than the rate of inflation). If you aren’t sure about your own strategy or don’t have confidence going it alone call The Benefit of Long Term Investing a trusted professional. ❍ Historical Returns of the S&P 500 Index Robert Fezza, CFP® 50 Years of Data (1966-2015) and Steve Siders, CFP® Time Frame Positive Returns Negative Returns own Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors, 500 Daily 53% 47% Sun Valley Drive, Suite A-6, Roswell, GA. Their firm specializes in working with people who are 1 year 78% 22% serious about making progress towards their financial goals. Odyssey manages portfolios 5 Years 90% 10% greater than $500,000. 770-992-4444, www.odysseypfa.com. Securities offered through 10 Years 96% 4% Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Sourced from BTN Research and Returns 2.0
avoid probable mistakes in the short term? Here are some stock market facts that support the benefit of being a long term investor. Here’s what we’re telling our clients. Ignore the noise of short term market cycles and remain (or become) a long term investor; preferably in well-di-
“Goin’ to Chicago” will be shown at the RCAC on Feb. 9. Reception with the director follows. By Tripp Liles
For its 15th year, the city of Roswell and others will commemorate Black History Month with the month-long Roswell Roots Festival. Roswell Roots began with a Black History Month celebration by the Grove Way Community Group. The next year, in partnership with the City of Roswell, the first Roswell Roots Festival added just two or three events on top of what the Groveway group had planned, and the festival has grown in size and importance every year since. This year, there will be 23 different events, ranging from music and art exhibitions to panel discussions and poetry. The festival has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive celebrations of black history and culture in the Southeast and has been awarded the “Gold Award for Best Cultural Event” by the Southeast Festival and Events Association. Here are a few selected highlights of this year’s festival:
EVENTS “Goin’ to Chicago” Film Viewing and Reception with the Director Feb. 9, 4:00-7:00 p.m., Roswell Cultural Arts Center, FREE Enjoy this 50-minute documentary
that chronicles the great migration of African-Americans from the rural south to the cities of the north and west after World War II. After the film, there will be a brief discussion with producer/director George King and a reception hosted by the Roswell Historical Society.
“Slammin’ in the Suburbs” Roswell Poetry Slam Feb. 11, 7:00 p.m., Roswell Historic Cottage, FREE This is Roswell’s 12th annual poetry slam, during which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience on content and performance. For details on the rules and how to participate, visit roswellroots.com/poetryslam.
Southern Sweets 2nd Annual Pound Cake Cook-Off Feb. 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m., East Roswell Recreation Center, FREE A new favorite to the Roswell Roots event lineup, the pound cake cook-off features both amateur and professional bakers. If you’re an amateur baker, regContinues on p.11
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ROSWELL ROOTS FESTIVAL RETURNS IN FEBRUARY ARTS (
MONTH-LONG EXHIBITS Beyond the specific shows and exhibitions Roswell will be hosting six monthlong exhibits highlighting Black history and culture as part of the Roswell Roots Festival. These exhibits showcase cloth paintings, slave life artifacts, photographs, and original art—offering an experience the whole family can interesting structure is believed to be enjoy. These exhibits include: the oldest on the Smith Plantation Kuibuka Home complex. An updated exhibit Jan. 30-Feb. 21, at Bulloch Hall looks at the various aspects of a slave’s Dawn life, including work, food and everyday Williams tasks. Various period artifacts from the Boyd’s Smith Plantation collection will be exhibit of used in the exhibit. cloth paintings Perspectives in Black Art Exhibit reflects her Feb. 5-Feb. 29, at Roswell Visual interests in Arts Center American hisSharon tory, women’s Crumley, a identity, and resident of sexuality, religion, and politics. Roswell, is a Through cutting, patching, surface enself-taught hancement and quilting, bits and artist who pieces of fabric are transformed into creates modern visual storytelling. Most mixed pieces take more than 500 hours to media art. complete. There will be an Opening Crumley’s Reception and Artist Talk on Saturday, work is January 30 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. intricate, colorful and Slave Life in the Piedmont textural, Feb. 1-Feb. 29 at Bulloch Hall using a comThis permanent exhibit is located in bination of textiles, paper, paint and the reconstructed Service Yard. There found elements to create multi-dimenare two slave quarters, a carriage sional art. Her art expresses a variety house, and a four-hole privy. These of subjects, from modern abstractions structures were remembered by and ethnic adaptations to feminine residents Virginia and Tony Wong, themes. There will be an opening who were born in Bulloch Hall in the reception on Friday, February 5, from early 1900s. The exhibit contains arti5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Roswell facts that were excavated at the site. The cabin depicts a period room as the Visual Arts Center. Bulloch slaves might have had in 1840. Inside Bulloch Hall, rooms will be set showing the various chores of the family’s slaves.
Slave Cabin Interpretive Exhibit Feb. 1-Feb. 29, at Smith Plantation After stabilization efforts in 2015, people are now able to enter and experience the restored slave cabin. According to research, this modest but
For a full listing of Roswell Roots events, visit www.roswellroots.com.
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...from pg. 9 ister to enter the contest and see how your pound cake measures up. Attendees will get to meet and mingle with the competing bakers, swap recipes, sample delicious pound cake, and vote for their favorites. Several local restaurants and bakeries will have cake entries and will provide guest judges. For details about how to enter the competition, visit roswellroots.com/poundcake.
Giddyup
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With The Cowgirls of Roswell Cowgirl Studios has been open for more than four years now. It began in a space tucked behind the Once upon a time, in the not so distant past, two shops of SOCA shopping center on Oak St. and is now Roswell residents with artistic souls took a trip to relocating to a new space that has yet to be New Mexico. After a whirlwind romance with the culannounced. ture and lifestyle of the southwest, they came home Though they share a space and a love for the desert, cowgirls. both artists draw inspiration from very different Heida Halldorsdottir and Nicole Merkens sources and yield distinctly personal results. originally moved to Roswell with their families for “I’m from Iceland,” Halldorsdottir said. “So my art is their husbands’ careers. They happened upon each based in storytelling and folklore. I draw from the hisother in a clay class and quickly found that they were tory of that part of the world, the Vikings, the elves kindred spirits. After their life changing experiences and their lives in the rocks. I really like to use white in New Mexico, they became inspired to devote themand blue, like the glaciers. I’m inspired by the world selves entirely to their mutual passion and opened a in-between.” studio together as full-time artists. “My work is about a spiritual journey,” Merkens “We’re just on the same page,” Merkens said. “We’ve said. “I tap into things that I question. I like to bring a been on the same page for a long time. We chose to little mysticism into my clay work and my jewelry. A make this our lifestyle and we’ve committed to it. We lot of the stones I use have multiple, even medicinal hope a little of that rubs off on people who come to purposes. I use a lot of ancient symbols and ask visit us.” spiritual questions.” By Jessica Diamond
Nicole Merkens (left) and Heida Halldorsdottir of Cowgirl Studios will be moving to a new address in March.
NEVER TOO YOUNG FOR ACTION! Young local filmmakers have debut at Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. “To maintain the integrity of AJFF, the films were judged on their own merits,” Camp Flix Since its beginning in the year 2000, the founder Tom Karsch said. “They were not held Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has become the to a lesser standard because they largest film festival of its kind in the world. Last were produced by kids. These young talents year’s festival saw more than 38,600 guests. are certainly no less dedicated than adult This year’s lineup includes 77 films from 26 diffilmmakers. To see them come up with the conferent countries, shown over the course of 23 cept, shoot and edit, and end up with such a days in venues all over Atlanta. strong piece in only five days is a testament to The purpose of the festival is to showcase their passion.” films that shed unique perspective on the Camp Flix is a week-long filmmaking camp themes of identity, history and culture. The that provides “real world” training with world premier of one film in particular is receivindustry professionals to teach children ages ing significant attention not only for its creative 11–17 the craft of filmmaking. Campers learn Maddi Barnard (cinemtographer/editor) and Charli Shapiro (Director), working with portrayal of the impact of societal labels on the entire process from pitch to final cut. The professional editor from Ideas United, Andy Leverette. tolerance, but also because of the unique team kids form their own crews and within a matter that created the film. of days turn their own concepts and ideas into professional grade short films. In Our Eyes was created and shot in less than a week on the Emory Campers who choose the overnight option end up making two films, one of University Campus by participants of Camp Flix, a summer filmmaking camp which they work on in the evenings. in Atlanta. The film was directed by 12-year-old Charli Shapiro of Roswell. “The overnight campers work on a second, more cause-related and personal Editor and Cinematographer to the film is 14-year-old Maddi Bernard of Sandy project at night and this past summer Camp Flix’s theme was ‘tolerance,’” Springs. Together with their crew, they have made history as the youngest ever Karsch said. “This was an opportunity for the kids to really speak about the filmmakers in the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. By Jessica Diamond
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Merkens and Halldorsdottir are both active in the international art scene and often host workshops, locally and abroad. Both women are studying for their masters in ceramics and plan to continue reinventing themselves until they eventually retire to their favorite place—the deserts of the southwest. Cowgirl Studios will feature a moving sale on Feb. 26 to prepare for the transition to its new home on March 1. Keep up with them by visiting their site, www.cowgirlstudios.com. “We’ll have much more to show Roswell in the coming days,” the cowgirls promised. “We’d love to see more people come out for our events in the future!” ❍
Image from the film In Our Eyes.
issues of the day and how they were affecting them personally. It was an eyeopening project that produced four really interesting short films.” Four films were submitted to the AJFF, none of which were assured a spot in the festival. In Our Eyes earned a space in the lineup by the same criteria as any film submitted by adult and professional filmmakers. The ageless, universal message spoke to the spirit of the event, making the premier of this film a highly anticipated event. For more info on the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival visit www.ajff.org. ❍
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The Georgian Lakeside Redefines Assisted Living
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breathtaking community. The property rises above the landscape in three levels, each with its own character and purpose. Two stories face Hardscrabble on one side and all three rise above the secluded lake on the other. The suites are designed to be private and spacious offering classic, deluxe, and premier suites for assisted living, and classic and deluxe suites for memory care. The Georgian Lakeside will also offer luxurious amenities and technological enhancements that lead to a resort style living experience. At every turn, you’ll discover new and unexpected amenities to enhance the quality of life residents experience each day such as an in house coffee bistro, The Community beauty salon and even a movie theater. The Georgian Lakeside offers private Not to mention an elegant dining room living suites with accommodations for featuring lakeside views with a choice both assisted living and memory care. of entrées served restaurant style on The suites at The Georgian Lakeside linen draped tables. Beyond that they are unmatched in variety and beauty. also offer an elevated lakeshore Privacy, luxury, and security are sidewalk, outdoor patios, library, fitness delivered in each suite offered in this center, quite lounges, activity rooms and even a mail center. eniors in the U.S. are leading longer and more productive lives than ever before. At every turn many aspects of their lives are writing history each day and that includes the way they live in retirement. Locally, a big part of that definition is being changed by new communities such as The Georgian Lakeside, which is slated to open this spring with the promise of being the premier property of its kind. This beautiful assisted living community is located on a peaceful lake bordering Hardscrabble and Woodstock Roads in Roswell. Roswell resident Matt Griffin, Southeast Division President of Griffin Real Estate Management, who has a vision to make The Georgian Lakeside a flagship community, is developing the property.
The Care
Ruth Cantu, Director of First Impressions; Matt Griffin, President of Southeast Division, Griffin Realty Management; Suzanne Foshee, Community Relations Director; Don Clarke, Executive Director; Pam Paugh, Concierge
At the heart of The Georgian Lakeside mission is care. The staff is there so residents can continue a live full of connectivity, activity and most importantly purpose. Thrive Senior Living partners with The Griffin Group in providing a vibrant senior living experience. They employ top professionals who excel in
senior care. They offer a holistic approach toward meeting residents’ needs and encouraging them to maintain an independent lifestyle while providing excellent care. There is also a local flavor to the staff. Don Clarke, the Executive Director, has over 20 years of senior living experience having completed postgraduate work at Emory University and Georgia State University. Suzanne Foshee is a resident of Roswell and she serves as the Community Relations Director with a specialty in hospice care and other transitional aspects of assisted living. “I am excited to be a resident of Roswell and see such as amazing opportunity for our older adults. They certainly deserve the best and I’m blessed to be representative of this beautiful community and the excellent care we will provide,” said Foshee. All of the staff members have a unique way to approach their roles and the titles are indicative of that uniqueness. They have a Director of Excitement, there is also a registered nurse who is the Director of Health and Wellness. Keeping with the theme of unique titles is The Director of First
Impressions, Ruth Cantu. She has vast experience in marketing and her dedication to brightening everyone’s day is what sets her apart. These are just a few examples on the ways senior living is being redefined at The Georgian Lakes. “We are leading the industry and changing the way we deliver healthy living solutions for our seniors. My team is committed to excellence in the services we provide and integrity in how we provide them,” said Clarke.
See For Yourself The Georgian Lakeside Welcome Center is located in the adjacent Super Target Center on Hardscrabble Road in Roswell. This winter they have special events running that provide you the opportunity to meet staff members and learn more about the growing community. For more information you may call 678-367-4744 or you can visit their site at www.georgianlakeside.com. ❍ Georgian Lakeside Assisted Living and Memory Care 678-367-4744 1070 Hardscrabble Road Roswell, Georgia 30075
health&wellness presented by North Fulton Hospital
DON’T WAIT TOO LONG By Debbie Keel, CEO, North Fulton Hospital
It only takes one time to wait too long, not call an ambulance, or think that nagging chest pain from the last few days is just a pulled muscle. I’ve seen the results of that one time too often. The 40-something male whose trainer watched as he slumped over his weights at the gym. The 55year old woman shopping at North Point Mall now suddenly on the floor in the dressing room of her favorite dress store. It was a heart attack, sudden and fatal. Every one of us knows at least one family member or friend who “was never sick a day in his life and suddenly had a massive heart attack and died.” They leave little children, spouses, grandchildren and parents alone wondering what went wrong. Often, what went wrong was they didn’t know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. For instance, a woman may have right-sided arm and chest pain instead of the classic left-sided chest pain most often felt by men. A man training for a triathlon thought he’d pulled a chest muscle in the gym lifting weights. Or they just ignored those symptoms and perhaps tried to drive to the hospital ER, embarrassed to call 911. Or they didn’t take that aspirin in their nightstand while awaiting the help that they had summoned. It doesn’t have to be this way. In February, you will see many, many reminders from the American Heart Association about all of the above. Also, North Fulton Hospital will be doing all kinds of community outreach to Rotary Clubs and community groups. We will particularly call attention, as we always do, to February 5, Wear Red Day, and hold a special luncheon to highlight women’s heart health. Don’t wait too long to learn everything you can about heart disease and to educate your friends and family, as well, so they don’t wait too long either. ❍
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he art att ck a woman may have right-sided arm and chest pain instead of the classic left-sided chest pain most often felt by men.
North Fulton Hospital Community Calendar February – April 2016 Classroom C. Informal meetings to share experiences and learn from others. Guest speakers Ostomy Support Group occasionally present and we also participate in Third Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m., Classroom C some Lupus Foundation of America events. This group is open to anyone who has or will have an Contact Julie for more info 404-626-2394 or ostomy and any friends, family or supporters. The email: lupusgroup4roswell@gmail.com. meeting structure is informal with group discussion and guest speakers to be scheduled at various COMMUNITY EDUCATION times throughout the year. Call John Dorso at Babysitting Workshop 678-694-8726 to register or to obtain more Saturday 1/30 and 3/19. 10 a.m –2 p.m., information. Sunday 2/28. 1 p.m. –5:30 p.m. Look Good, Feel Better Teaches children ages 11 –14 how to be prepared Wednesday 3/9 and responsible babysitters. Bring a doll or stuffed 10 a.m. to noon animal and a sack lunch and drink. $30. A cosmetologist will discuss how to care for skin American Heart Association and hair to combat the appearance-related side Heartsaver CPR* effects of cancer treatment. Free make-up and skin Saturday 2/27 and 4/30. care products are provided. Call 1-800-227-2345 CPR course for the community. to register. Adult and child CPR, 9 a.m. to noon; $35. Epilepsy Support Group Adult, child and infant CPR, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $45. The third Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Healthcare Provider CPR* Classroom A/B Saturday 3/5. 9 a.m. –1 p.m. People with epilepsy as well as their family and CPR course for healthcare professionals. $55 care-providers are invited to attend this support group. The meetings will provide time for attendees Diabetes Self-Management Workshop to share helpful information and resources from Saturday 2/13, 3/12, and 4/9 their own experiences. Educational presentations The Diabetes Association of Atlanta (DAA) offers by professionals will sometimes be offered. Please classes at NFH to teach diabetes self-management contact Tim for more information at skills. Call Anna Albritton, MS, RD, LD at 770-667-9363. 404-527-7180 for more info and to register.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Stroke Support Group
Water Birth
Fourth Wednesday of every month from 6:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. North Fulton Hospital; ACE Dayroom Please join Stroke survivors, caregivers, and families to share and support one another. The group is facilitated by the Stroke Program Coordinator, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. RSVP to Keisha C. Brown at 770-751-2631 or Keisha.Carter@tenethealth.com
Thursdays 2/11, 2/25, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7, and 4/21. At 7:00 p.m. For couples desiring to learn about the option of a water birth delivery. Completion of the class is required to be considered for water birth at NFH. $30.00 per couple; registration required.
Gamblers Anonymous Every Thursday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Classroom C Anyone interested in stopping gambling is invited to attend this 12- step program. Anonymity is the foundation of fellowship in this group. For more information please call David at 770-862-2564.
Breast Cancer Support Group First Thursday of every month 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Cope and connect with others who are facing the same struggles. Please call Sarah Bentley, RN, Oncology Services Manager, at 770-751-2556 for location and to register.
Lupus Support Group Third Saturday of every month, 11 a.m. –1 p.m.
Maternity Tours Please join one of our Women’s Health nurses in the hospital atrium on alternating Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. for a guided tour of the Labor and Delivery suites, Mother/Baby Unit and the Neonatal ICU. The tour lasts about one hour. *AHA Disclaimer: The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA, and any fees charged for such a course do not represent income to the Association.
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North Fulton Pain & Spine Center physicians receive Top Doctor Honors! North Fulton Hospital is proud to announce that Pain & Spine physicians Dr. Kenneth Joel and Dr. Shazad Wada were both awarded with Top Doc honors. Dr. Wada received the award for being a Top Interventional Pain Management Physician while Dr. Joel received the award for being a Top Anesthesiologists and Interventional Pain Management Physician.
Special Events Chick Clique Corner On Thursday, January 6, North Fulton Hospital held its second monthly “Chick’s Night Out” event at Core Matters on Canton Street in Roswell. Attendees learned about the “Take Down Challenge,” a health and fitness program that offers participants healthy recipes, lifestyle tips, and fitness initiatives. The evening also featured a sampling of some delicious and healthy recipes, a lively and informative discussion with owner Ann-Marie Giglio, as well as a goody bag full of exciting items. The next “Chick’s Night Out” event will be held on Tuesday, February 9 at Glow Anti-Aging Center and Medical Spa in Alpharetta. The evening will feature a discussion with Glow’s medical providers on bio-identical hormones, anti-aging, and women’s health. There will be delicious hors d’oeuvres, wine, and great giveaways. They will also be offering many of their signature services on site during the event. This event is complimentary, but space is limited. RSVP to Christina.kern@tenethealth.com and visit www.checkupforchicks.com to enroll in The Chick Clique and become part of the rapidly growing women’s health and wellness network in the North Fulton community! Members receive a monthly e-blast with great health and wellness tips, information on upcoming events and programs and special member’s only discounts and offers from Chick Clique community partners such as Glow.
Wear Red Day Luncheon Friday, February 5, 11:30a.m., Country Club of Roswell Wear your finest red attire and join us for an educational lunch in honor of National Wear Red Day for Heart Health. This event is complimentary, but space is limited. RSVP to christina.kern@tenethealth.com.
Personal Safety/Self-Defense Class for K–5th grade. Sunday, March 6, 1:00-4:00p.m. Teaches children how to recognize dangerous people, avoid unsafe situations, and escape an attacker. Includes full-force physical self-defense practice. Parents attend with children. Held in the classrooms. For more info & to register, visit www.revvedupkids.org/class-calendar/ or call 678.526.3335. $45 first child/$35 siblings (parents attend free).
Just Yell Fire Self-Defense for Teen Girls (11+) Sunday, March 6, 4:30–7:30p.m. Helps teen girls understand their risk of violence from strangers, acquaintances, and dating partners. Teaches girls to reduce their risk of being targeted for violence, and to defend themselves in an attack. Includes full-force self-defense practice. Held in the classrooms. For more info & to register, visit www.revvedupkids.org/class-calendar/ or call 678.526.3335. $45 first child/$35 siblings.
Free High School Physicals Watch the website, www.nfultonhospital.com, for a confirmation of a date in April. Students may receive a free sports physical from a team of primary care and orthopedics physicians. No appointment necessary. Please call 770-751-2660 or visit www.nfultonhospital.com for more information, to register for classes, or to find a physician.
HEALTH
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TAKING CONTROL OF HEART HEALTH FOR THE FUTURE This February, the CDC and Million Hearts are encouraging all Americans to get familiar with their blood pressure. Their slogan, “Make Control Your Goal,” speaks to the more than 67 million Americans with high blood pressure. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking are among the main risk factors for heart disease and contribute heavily to the mortality rate of those who suffer from heart attack or stroke. “Patients need to know their cholesterol, whether or not they have diabetes, whether or not they have family history of heart disease and what their risk factors are,” Dr. Hunt Anderson of North Fulton Cardiovascular Medicine said. “They should be checked. It can really cut down their risk of heart atHunt Anderson, M.D. tack or stroke. You can only know your risk if you are aware of your health.” As the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, a significant amount of time and resources are dedicated to improving the treatment of heart disease each year. However, the largest push from the medical community is still towards prevention with lifestyle choices and awareness. Thirty minutes of light aerobic exercise six times per week could mean all of the difference. The exercise does not need to be intense or strenuous, but just enough to raise the heart rate. A brisk daily walk could help to prevent heart attack or stroke. “When most people think of heart disease, they’re thinking specifically of Coronary Artery Disease,” Dr. Anderson said. “We know that lowering cholesterol, the component that the plaque in our arteries is made of, can greatly reduce the risk. We also know that smoking can cause heart disease to occur much earlier in life than it may have otherwise.” Cholesterol in and of itself is not harmful to the body. Rather, it is required to keep the body healthy. The human body makes and takes in a certain amount of cholesterol from food. However, abnormally high levels of LDL cholesterol can build in the arteries, decreasing blood flow or even cutting it off completely. When this happens, the result is typically a heart attack. Patients with high cholesterol may require changes to their diet and exercise regimens. Research has shown that the lowering of cholesterol can actually repair some of the damage that has been done. “If we get the cholesterol low enough, we’ve seen the plaque reduce and improve slowly with time. That’s a pretty exciting discovery,” Dr. Anderson said. “It’s not just slowing down, but actually reversing and healing.” This February, take charge of your heart health by learning about your risk factors. Encourage your friends and family to get checked. Add a little more physical activity to your day and share what you’ve learned with those around you. Million Hearts is a nationwide campaign to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. With a little effort, America can knock this number one killer off its pedestal.
“Cholesterol in and of itself is not harmful to the body.”
Edna Kennedy worked as a critical care nurse for more than 35 years before finding a role that spoke to her many varied interests. As a healer and an educator, Kennedy now spends her days in the Certified Stroke Center at North Fulton Hospital.
Q
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
ANSWER: I’m originally from the Philippines. I came here when I finished nursing school and started in Florida. Then I moved to Georgia when I had kids. I have 2 boys, now grown.
Q
WHERE DID YOU ATTEND SCHOOL?
ANSWER: I was originally trained in the Philippines and finished my masters in nursing in 2009. I went to college when my kids went to college and got my masters. It eased me through the empty nester period. I went back to working full time while I was in school.
Q
WHAT IN YOUR LIFE LEAD YOU TO A CAREER IN THE MEDICAL FIELD?
ANSWER: Originally, I wanted to be a doctor. Growing up, I’d give exams to my dolls with my little stethoscope. I was the oldest of 8 children and my family couldn’t afford medical school, so I thought nursing was the next best thing. It’s been very useful in my career and my personal life. It’s been great.
Q
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HADN’T GONE INTO MEDICINE?
ANSWER: If I had another chance to have a life on Earth, I’d be a landscaper. I love to garden. When I retire, I might just volunteer to plant flowers.
Q
WHAT IS A STROKE COORDINATOR?
ANSWER: Basically, you manage the whole stroke program. It has to align with the mission of the hospital, while also meeting the requirements to be a primary stroke center. You coordinate all of the necessary requirements to maintain your certification. You have to make sure evidence-based practices are being implemented. The care should
align with the national standards of care. Also, we make sure all of those measures are taken in the clinical area and monitor them to provide information and data input to the American Stroke Association, which becomes national data. I provide education through the continuum of care. We provide community education, such as to senior centers. We educate about early recognition of signs and symptoms, and timely activation of the emergency response system. We also collaborate with the EMS to provide timely intervention to our patients with a goal of prevention or reduced disability, functional deficits and reduce mortality. I provide initial and ongoing education to the staff and physicians to make sure those measures are implemented bedside.
Q
HOW DID YOU DETERMINE THAT THIS JOB WAS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?
ANSWER: As a critical care educator, I worked closely with the previous stroke coordinator. I was looking for a different challenge this time. Now I get to work with the community and go to these different areas and centers. I’m more involved in the lives of the patients. It’s a more personal connection to the community. The other part is that I’m an educator at heart, so that is the primary function of the job.
will hopefully prevent or reduce disability in the patient. We are also more aware if that patient is not a candidate, in which case he or she may be a candidate for interventional treatment. We work closely with Atlanta Medical Center and others that can provide intravascular intervention. If they don’t meet the 3-hour window for thrombolytic therapy, but are still in the window of 6-8 hours since the onset of stroke, we are able to assist in facilitating inCAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE STROKE tervention. There are so many advances right now CARE PROGRAM AT NORTH FULTON? ANSWER: Since I started, there are so many exciting with interventional treatment. Some stroke patients things. Stroke care is evolving, and one of the things may be candidates for up to 24 hours. It depends what the CT scan says. The goal is to reduce that challenged me in the beginning is “how can we disability or even prevent it. Every minute really provide the best in a timely manner?” we looked at counts. Every minute that you don’t intervene, you our process, from the EMS to the ER, and we lose 1.9 million neurons. implemented the “door to CT” process. This means the patient comes in via EMS, the stroke team meets WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THIS JOB? them at the door, they do a quick assessment and if ANSWER: I enjoy educating the community the patient is stable, they go straight to the CT scan. and working with the different disciplines within the They are able to do the scan right away to tell if the health care system. I love collaborating with a patient is hemorrhaging. If the CT is negative, that multidisciplinary team. patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy. This
Q
Q Q
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
ANSWER: Paperwork really is the worst part. I’m still learning the data extraction, which can be tricky, but I know the importance of that data. The data helps identify the gaps in the process to improve it. That’s the key, that’s why we give and share data. Even the length of stay will help you determine outcomes.
Q
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE LIKE OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL / WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WITH YOUR FREE TIME?
ANSWER: I love to play tennis! And of course gardening. I love to play in the dirt.
FEBRUARY 2016 THECURRENTHUB.COM
Q A with Edna Kennedy, Stroke Coordinator
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HEALTH
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WOMEN AND MEN ARE DIFFERENT IN SO MANY WAYS!
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nce thought to be the same but simply smaller than men, women are finally being recognized as being different in body, mind and spirit! We laugh and cry at different things and we even tend to enjoy and excel at different activities. From the chemical make-up in our brains to our physical bodies, we are different than men… and our hearts are no exception! Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women, regardless of race. It is more fatal than all forms of cancer combined and claims the lives of nearly 350,000 women every year. Why? Women typically develop heart disease later on in life, when they may already be living with other health conditions such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s. These health conditions can mask the signs and symptoms of heart disease. Women are also more likely to have less obvious heart attack symptoms, such as shoulder pain, nausea, vomiting and heart flutters. Most of the research conducted so far has been on men… new studies, however, are targeting women to advance diagnosis and treatment of their special and genderspecific needs. Scientists are studying whether women’s smaller blood vessels (due to their smaller bodies) increase their heart disease risk since blood has a more difficult time passing through narrowed or smaller vessels, making them more vulnerable to blockage. Women tend to seek medical treatment later than men but ensure their husbands and fathers never miss an appointment! Heart disease is one of the most preventable health concerns. Take action and make an investment in your heart health! Remember: one of the reasons this disease fatally affects more women than men is that women are reluctant to put themselves and their needs first. If this sounds like you, keep in mind that your family needs you to be healthy! The list at right can protect you from heart disease as well as improve you overall health.
Partner with your doctor. Keep a list of signs and symptoms you feel may be indicators of heart disease (such as fatigue, lightheadedness, chest, neck or jaw pain, nausea, or trouble breathing) and discuss your family history of heart disease. Have your blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly—stay on top of your heart health with your physician! Control other health conditions that increase your risk: High blood pressure makes the heart work harder than normal. Women have increased risk of developing high blood pressure if they are 20 or more pounds overweight, have a family history for it or have reached the age of menopause (more than 73% of women aged 65-74 have high blood pressure). Cholesterol is a soft fat-like substance found in all the body’s cells. Abnormal blood cholesterol levels can lead to plaque building up on and within the artery walls, causing them to narrow or “shrink,” which can reduce blood flow. Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. Women who smoke risk the occurrence of a heart attack 19 years earlier then non-smoking women. Limit alcohol (no more than 1 drink a day). Drinking too much raises blood pressure and triglyceride levels and can cause heart failure. Maintain a healthy weight. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third are obese. Don’t become a “yo-yo” dieter; lose the excess fat and keep it off—for good. Eat a balanced diet of foods that are rich in nutrients. Focus on fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Avoid saturated fats, found in animal products, and trans fats, found in fried and processed foods, and monitor your sodium intake. Enjoy 20-30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Exercise refreshes the system, flushes out toxins, gets our hearts and lungs pumping and clears and recharges the mind—get moving! Reduce stress! Take time out of the day for yourself: A simple 10 minutes of quiet time to rest and breathe deeply is an easy and effective method to melt away tension and stress. Massage, meditation, or a fabulous night out are also great ways to reduce stress. You can greatly improve your longevity and quality of life by taking care of your heart and your overall health!
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LIFE By Di Chapman
I hope I won’t be looked upon as the “Mrs. Scrooge” of Valentine’s Day this year. Yes, I know, for the second year in a row I’m choosing not to wax poetically about l’amour, but have no fear, I seek not to disrespect the day while I talk about its “dollars and cents” statistical trivia and sweets. Yes, I’m a mortal with a romantic streak, even while being a research junkie. I decided it might be fascinating to look at the billions that are made in preparation for, and on, this fun and glorious “date night.” It’s a very important evening for many, including dating couples, wives who have the very overwhelming job of managing children, home and hearth, and longtime married couples who are always up for a night out of fun. And let’s not forget the children, who exchange valentines at school and oh, boy oh boy, those boxed valentine heart candies. I squirrel away those babies even today.
If you’re looking into senior living options for yourself or a loved one, you may already have learned that the differences—and discrepancies—between retirement communities can be enormous. From the quality of the actual living spaces to the services and amenities provided, the spectrum of offerings is all over the board. Cost, of course, is a very important factor and quite often the deciding factor in choosing a retirement community. “Can I afford it?” is one of the first questions you may ask. Did you know that you could choose a specific type of retirement community that will actually protect the financial assets you’ve worked so hard to accumulate? A life care community like St. George Village can do exactly that. Here’s how: uA life care community offers a secure plan that covers the possibility of escalating health needs. vA life care community allows you to maintain your standard of living with-
likely to celebrate it, and I put my husband and myself in that group. Okay, maybe not, but I’ll only cop to being a slight outlier. Like most couples celebrating Valentine’s Day, we dress up to join 35% of Americans for a dinner date. I don’t want to sound naive, but I was taken by surprise at Waffle House’s invitation to dine with them last year, with candlelit white linen table settings. Anything this campy, I must try. If you’d prefer White Castle takeout, speak up! Their annual Valentine’s Day dinners require reservations. Now, just how do we gals get ready for the big date? We’ll spend a chunk of the $55 billion-plus beauty products industry, and that doesn’t even count hairstyling. That clocks in at about $3.5 billion for the month. Men, I’m sure you’ll laugh that 42% of women say it takes them only 30 minutes to get ready to go out. Wasn’t me! Wasn’t me! And you’ll reward us plenty for the wait. Do you hear me singing “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” while I write? Diamond jewelry comprises 8.6% of specialty jewelers’ Valentine’s sales. Valentine’s is only outsold by the December holiday season at number one, and Mother’s Continues on p. 20
out worrying about unanticipated costs. wA life care community alleviates your family’s worry about your safety and quality of life. xA life care community’s contract offers a refundable deposit as well as predictable monthly expenses, thereby protecting your assets. yA secure, worry-free future is within your reach when you plan ahead. Life care is a way to plan for that kind of future at a price you can afford. St. George Village is pleased to offer life care, ensuring that its residents enjoy an active, independent lifestyle in a residential setting that includes: • fine and casual restaurant-style dining • 24-hour security • housekeeping • linen service • fitness center • indoor pool • home maintenance • scheduled transportation • onsite wellness services
• a full schedule of fitness, recreational and intellectually stimulating activities Last, but not least, because St. George Village is a nonprofit entity, its residents also enjoy superb estate protection through plans that offer 80% or 90% refundable entrance fees, along with predictable monthly services fees. Come see what a financially secure, worry-free future looks like in a life care community, right in the heart of beautiful, historic Roswell! Call St. George Village at 678-987-0402 for more information or to schedule a tour. We’re online, too! See more details about our community, lifestyle and residents on our website, www.stgeorgevillage.com, or by liking our Facebook page and following us on Pinterest. St. George Village St. George Village 11350 Woodstock Rd Free Technology Workshops iPhone & iPad Roswell, GA 30075 Cathy Parker 678-987-0402 678-987-0406 stgeorgevillage.com
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A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY THAT PROTECTS YOUR ASSETS
The topic of the dollars spent for this big night is not really distasteful. I write this column mostly out of curiosity about how Valentine’s Day translates into numbers. I honestly think you’ll enjoy the results. In fact, did you know that eight billion of those little sweetheart candies were produced for Valentine’s Day 2016? I know, right? I’m thrilled to have so much inventory. While we’re on the topic of the sweet stuff, guess how many pounds of chocolate sell for the occasion? Aha! 58 million pounds! And I tried to eat it all! What about those beautiful heart shaped boxes that contain those irresistible goodies? 36 million of them were sold last year. Friends, nearly $1.8 billion of candy changed hands last year. Valentine’s Day retail spending was approximately $19 billion last year. Apparently Americans between 35 and 44 years of age are most
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THE CHA-CHING OF VALENTINE’S DAY
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Valentines continued from page 19
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Day at number two for diamonds. Don’t fret gentlemen, most of us ladies love receiving jewelry of any kind simply because it means you took a moment to find us something special. If you love fresh bouquets like I do, Valentine’s Day is a hit in your home as well as mine. For American florists, Valentine’s is the Holy Grail! I personally always love flowers and certainly had never thought about how many roses “die for the cause” of celebrating that day. Yes, I’ve been oblivious to the 257 million roses cultivated for Valentine’s alone, giving up their garden homes to sit in stale water. Of course, they’re better off in that stale water than in my garden at any time of year. I have a special talent for killing almost anything planted in dirt. In comparison, my eye for fluffing flower arrangements is absolutely stellar. Flower purchases like roses make Valentine’s Day the number one volume day for florists’ fresh flower revenues. Last year, about 38% of us
bought flowers, spending over $2 billion. Roses are the top contender. Call me old-fashioned, but I love roses. Yes, I know, there are so many other beautiful and intricate flowers to choose from, so why roses? Well, perhaps it’s because they’re classic. You don’t usually see a 16th-century playwright refer to a rescued damsel with a begonia or bromeliad in her hand. Or perhaps it’s just because I’m a boomer and not a millennial. In this case, however, roses trump all other flowers. Valentine’s Day is the red rose day of the year. They account for 63% of sales. Ah, one more thing. About 58% of us will buy gifts for other family members. Which members? Well, there’s mom, siblings, children, and “pet kids.” More than 21 percent of us say we’ll buy gifts for our furry ones. I’m a sucker for this one! Sign me up. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Our beautiful neck of the woods is a great place to have a valentine! ❍
ENTERTAINMENT (
The Bitteroots are a high energy, eclectic, soulful rock band from Decatur. By Fred Mills
February is the month of love and musically speaking there is plenty to fall in love with. Of course Valentine’s Day is a central date for this month and the Velvet Note in Alpharetta has a great show featuring vocalist Michelle Walker on the 14th. Armed with a provocative, whiskey-soaked tone, jazz vocalist Michelle Walker is a charismatic singer who uses an artful blend of blues, bebop, swing, and soul with playful rhythmic expressiveness. Dave Nathan at AllAboutJazz.com says, “Walker demonstrates an extraordinary degree of musicality.” Walker is often compared to Cassandra Wilson, Nina Simone, and Betty Carter in style and tone but has developed her own unique sound and singular voice. This is sure to be a great show anytime but especially true for Valentine’s. For tickets and more info visit www.thevelvetnote.com. On Saturday the 13th, The Bitteroots will be performing in Roswell at Studio ON, located within Muse & Co. Fine Art, located at 23 Oak Street in Roswell. This little gem of a concert series is produced each month with some of the area’s best original musicians. The Bitteroots are a high energy, eclectic, soulful rock band from Decatur. No two gigs are the same
with this group of exceptionally talented artists. For more info visit www.lowfrequencystudio.com. If musical theater is more your style then a short trip to the Marietta Square may be in your future. From Feb. 12 through the 28th the Full Monty, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek, will be performed at the Lyric Studio Theater. Based on the cult-hit film of the same name, The Full Monty is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies, and the most highly anticipated closing number of any show. While spying on their wives at a “Girls’ Night Out,” a group of unemployed steelworkers from Buffalo see how much they enjoy watching male strippers. Jealous, out of work, and feeling emasculated, the men come up with a bold and unclothed way to make some quick cash. The Full Monty is a story full of heart, which makes it perfect for the season of love. The Lyric Studio Theatre is located at 12 Powder Springs Street in Marietta. For more info visit www.atlantalyrictheatre.com. Be sure to check our website for more info on local events and concerts at www.thecurrenthub.com. Next month we’ll have a more in depth look at all of the concerts on tap for a busy spring of musical happenings. ❍
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THE SOUNDS OF FEBRUARY
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GARDEN TRENDS MEAN BETTER CHOICES FOR CONSUMERS HOME
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This year's Pantone color palette was inspired by the romantic pink and blue tones of a hydrangea blossom.
It’s a new year, and that means new trends in the garden. Each year The Pantone Color Institute selects a new color based upon anticipated trends across several industries, namely: fashion, housing, and travel. Pantone broke its own mold this year and selected two colors, instead of one: Rose Quartz (pale pink) and Serenity (baby blue). The softer shades for 2016 were inspired by the chameleon-like qualities of a hydrangea blossom. Think about the hydrangeas you have in your own garden, and the way the flowers change color throughout the season. On a single plant there may be a range of pastel-infused pink, lavender, blue, and mauve, depending on soil type and particular cultivar. If you don’t already have an area in the garden designated for hydrangeas, this is the time to make one. Hydrangea macrophylla (mophead hydrangea) is best grown in the shade, but there are
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other hydrangeas that perform beautifully in full sun: Hydrangea paniculata (panicle hydrangea) and Hydrangea arborescens (smooth hydrangea). Within each group there are hydrangeas that will grow to almost tree-size, and others that are small enough to grow in containers, so there is a hydrangea to suit virtually any horticultural condition. Working along this same Pantone palette, let’s talk about a couple of other landscape plants that aren’t just pretty splashes of momentous color, but are true garden workhorses requiring a nominal amount of effort on the part of the gardener. The pale hues of pink and blue work well in the the garden because they complement each other and light up shady areas of the landscape. Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ (creeping phlox) is a native evergreen groundcover that is not only deer resistant, but it’s a profuse spring bloomer, blanketing the landscape with hundreds of tiny flowers. Use it in rock gardens or underplanted near This pretty native groundcover, Creeping Phlox, is evergreen deciduous shrubs. and deer resistant. If you don’t yet have pink-flowering spring trees to serenade you after a long winter’s nap, it may be time to tuck one of those into the landscape too. Consider either the Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) for sun, or a Cherokee Chief Dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief ’) for the shade. Either way, there are a number of ways to incorporate the muted tones of pink and blue into the landscape that will add beauty and value to your home. One of the best new garden trends that seems destined to stick around for a while is that of “outdoor living.” Who doesn’t want to spend more time outside in spring and fall? This trend encompasses everything from outdoor furniture with big comfy, weather-hardy cushions in bold colors, to fire pits with flagstone patios and stately garden benches, to edible container gardens, and strings of vintage-style Edison lights for the deck and patio. These trends mean a better selection for us as consumers when we decide to update or expand our outdoor living spaces. (I’m already envisioning a new bistro set for the deck!) Another trend around the bend is a new color palette for houses and outside structures to better showcase the garden. Darker, bolder colors like charcoal gray, black, midnight blue, and deep forest green help set the landscape off from the house. These colors can be used on fences, arbors, and patio furniture, not just on houses themselves. Imagine the contrast created between garden and home if your white frame house suddenly transitioned to a dark, charcoal gray. The garden becomes much more dramatic with the new backdrop. A new dimension and perspective can be achieved with something as simple as a change in paint color. So go ahead, be bold (but be sure to check with your homeowners association first), and have fun creating new additions in the garden, while touching upon some of the latest garden trends. ❍ Nancy provides garden design & renovation services. Follow her blog: wallacegardens.tumblr.com
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FOOD
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THE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
Korean traditional kiln sauna. By Frank Mack
Recently, I had the most amazing experience with amazing food. I went in hoping to survive for an hour maybe two. Eight and a half hours later I poured myself out the door having been fed, melted, and restored. Two weeks later my body is still buzzing. You have got to hear about this place. It’s called JeJu Sauna and it is in Duluth just off I-85 and Pleasant Hill Road. It is a 35,000 square foot Korean bathhouse of immaculate marble, all steam heated from underneath by what must be miles and miles of pipe. Inside is a unique one of a kind experience. Jeju is not the type of place I normally write about. This is spa, bathhouse, sauna, and restaurant in one location. It’s a place offering incredible massage, reflexology, body scrubs, and a thing the ladies call a Hip Bath. Public bathing isn’t unique in other parts of the world. We once had Warm Springs Georgia that FDR made so famous, for instance. We lost it. Now we have tiny, expensive, personal service “spas” that cater to a crowd I know little about. Years back, you could still find the odd bathhouse in larger cities. In New York City you still can. But out here in suburbia? Forget about it. Well until now. In
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The hot tubs offer another great relaxing place.
know this is a cultural thing and you can tell from the people who has been there before and who the nubies are. What To Expect But after an hour or so I felt right at They offer memberships or a simple home. Speaking of home, the whole one-time fee of $25 for entry that is building is heated through the heavy good for a 24-hour time frame. You get marble floor. You go from room to a T-shirt, gym shorts, a towel and a room. You melt here, cool there, grab a locker key attached to a wristband. All massage, and then take a short nap alof the other services are a la carte and most anywhere. very reasonable. I am so stupid antsy it’s legend. Going in I thought, two hours, maybe. My date was worried we wouldn’t stay long enough. Hoping to keep me there three or four hours. Long story short nearly nine hours later we flowed out the door. Oh, I almost forgot this is a food column. The food is great! There’s an incredible traditional Korean restaurant right in the middle of it all, with most items at ten bucks or less. Korean restaurant It’s home cooking, it’s pro, it’s fresh, As for the interior, think a posh and it is flat out good. If it were a food country club. They have huge truck you’d throw your body in front of whirlpool tubs, a redwood steam sauna it to get lunch, seriously. you won’t believe, and full grooming So there you have it. A restaurant reservices, not to mention a lounge to view wrapped in a bathhouse, hiding in cool off in. a spa, which happens to be a uniquely Body scrubbing is big and you’ve new family business being run locally never been this clean or felt this good. just over there in Duluth, all while servSeveral of these services are in areas ing as a cultural melting pot unlike designated for either men or women. anything I have ever seen here. In the common area there is a pool and Need a break from the normal access to the massage, acupressure, routine? You deserve it. Take a friend and reflexology rooms. Basically if you and they will be yours for life. need to be pampered, these guys can For more info on JeJu Sauna visit do any and everything. their site at jejusauna.com. They are It takes some getting used to located at 3555 Gwinnett Place Drive because there are bodies everywhere. I in Duluth. ❍ our area of the world Jeju is original, its local, it’s remarkable, and I Love It!
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KIDS/EDUC.
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HOW DO YOU TREAT YOUR CHILD? >> KIDS & KAY
By Kay Paschal
As parents we say and we think that we treat our children the same, right? Well, to be honest we really don’t, nor should we. “First child favoritism” or ”spoilKay Paschal, Owner ing the baby,” most Peachtree Park Prep sayings like these have truth as well. A mom and dad bring different things to the table as far as parenting skills. Our children are just like us in this regard, each child brings something unique to the family and therefore, cannot, or should not, be treated the same as another child in the family with a different set of skills, strengths and weaknesses, not to mention specific needs and personality. If you have been a reader of Kids & Kay over the past 3 years you know I have made a lot of references to my own two boys who were already adults when I started writing these articles. Why did I encourage one child that he could do a lot better than a B and celebrate my other child making a C minus? Why did I encourage one child to “step out of the box a little more” and “threaten” the other child that he better not get out of line? Because my two boys, like your children, I’m sure, are completely different and there was no way that I could treat them the same. Because of the difference in their strengths and personalities, my husband and I were able to bask in the joy of all the accomplishments of one son in the classroom and one son on the athletic field, both
obtaining college scholarships through their particular strengths and both needing support in areas of their particular weaknesses. We are all going to hear from our kids, “Why did you get him a phone when he’s 11 and you made me wait until I was 13?” or ”Why do you let her stay out later than me?” When my boys were teenagers and could understand my sarcasm, I would respond, “Because I love him more.” This of course would get eye-rolls from them and became a family joke because they knew this wasn’t true, but it was what, in their child-like way, they were “accusing” me of. They began to understand that circumstances surrounding decisions made were made for a specific reason and in the end was a good decision at that time.
So—endnote. Celebrate what each of your children has to offer and help them build to the fullest on that potential. Not every child can be the best academically, nor can every child be an elite athlete, a musician, or a social butterfly. But when we treat them each with the love, respect, and support, necessary for their particular personality, then we treat each of our children the same. ❍ Kay Paschal is the owner of Peachtree Park Prep.
The Great Cover-Up The Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild (BHQG) will be having their 34th Great American Cover-Up Quilt Show to be presented at historic Bulloch Hall in Roswell. Held March 4-13 featuring around 200 quilts made by local artists and displayed throughout this beautiful antebellum home. A special exhibit by fiber artist Christine Cetrulo from Lexington, KY will be on display all ten days with a “Meet the Artist” party on Sunday, March 13, 2p.m. The show will also feature quilts made by guild member, Diane Knott, from her new book from C&T Publishing, Scrap Quilt Secrets. A wine and cheese reception will be held Sunday, March 6, 5 – 7p.m. for a meet and greet with the author. This display of lovely quilts in a historic home provides a warmth and ambiance unique from other area quilt shows. You’ll also have the chance to purchase items made by the artists, including some of the quilts on show at The Bulloch Hall gift shop. For more information about the Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild, go to www.bhqg.org.
Single? Looking For Love? Valentine’s Day often leaves singles behind, but not at The Velvet Note. On Friday, February 12, you can mingle with others who are flying solo, enjoy a world-class performance, treat yourself to dinner, and enjoy the festivities of one of the year’s best holidays. This is a special show featuring The Shana Tucker Quartet. Tucker is a singer-songwriter and cellist who credits her genre-bending Chamber Soul journey to the influences of her jazz and classical roots interwoven with 80s and 90s pop music, movie soundtracks, and world music. The Velvet Note is located at 4075 Old Milton Pkwy. In Alpharetta. For more info visit www.thevelvetnote.com.
A 4-Alarm Chili Cook Off Enjoy dozens of chili samples made by Alpharetta firefighters and police officers. Kids can enjoy hot dogs, inflatable jump houses, and face painting. This event raises money for the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides funds and support for the city’s police and fire fighters. This event takes place on Feb. 27 from 11am to 3pm at Alpharetta Fire Station 1 located at 2970 Webb Bridge Rd. in Alpharetta.
Shamrockin’ For A Cure We’re a little early on this but in March the Shamrockin’ For A Cure returns for its 8th year and promises to be bigger and better than ever. You’ll be able to eat, drink and help cure Cystic Fibrosis with a night filled with music that will rock the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre stage while attendees dance the night away. Regular tickets include food, beer, wine, cocktails and giveaways. The exciting live and silent auctions will be packed with something for everyone-trips, dining, adventure, jewelry, gift certificates and a raffle. For more info visit www.shamrockinforacure.com.
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The pavilion offers great entertainment throughout the year. By Jessica Diamond
For 40 years, The Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) has been a vital fixture in the North Metro Atlanta community and a beloved icon for the city of Roswell. It has also earned multiple national distinctions,
A Natural Connection To Nature The Chattahoochee Nature Center Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary
Cover photo: Dawn Ellerman of the Chattahoochee Nature Center with a Red Tail Hawk.
including a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor in 2015. This year the CNC is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a full year of celebration and innovation. Since 1976, The CNC has been working tirelessly to connect the community to its most important ecological resources—the Chattahoochee River and the expansive national park that surrounds it. “We had more than 150,000 visitors in the last year, many of them students,” Executive Director Chris Nelson said. “We also had more than 30,000 volunteer hours logged for everything from administrative work to gardening to the wildlife exhibits and more. It’s been incredible to see. There’s hardly a week that goes by that I don’t meet someone who asks what I do and they say ‘Wow, I went to camp there as a kid,’ or ‘my child goes there’ or they find some other connection. We have made impressions on so many people.” The Chattahoochee Nature Center was established in the same year as the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, a national park that stretches from the Buford Dam at Lake Lanier south past the city of Atlanta, for a very specific purpose. The creators of The CNC wanted to establish an interpreting center where people within the community could come and learn just how important this area really is and what challenges it faces, as the cities grow larger and more dependent upon the river. “We are making people aware how incredibly important the area is to the entire state and how critical it will be in the future,” Nelson said. “The city of Atlanta currently draws 70% of its drinking water from the Chattahoochee River and the demand will grow as the city does. Our economic success and development depend on it. We still have a lot of work to do, alongside our partners and like-minded organizations, such as the Georgia River Network, and others to protect our waterways and lands. Our key partners are the National Parks Service, Fulton County and, of course, the City of Roswell. We are the 4th leg of the table. It’s a great platform to depend on.”
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Children of all ages enjoy connecting with nature
A recent celebration at The CNC rewarded and recognized all of the volunteers who had given more than 40 hours during the year. Three of the volunteers present had been involved with The CNC since its opening and continued to devote their time to its efforts. “One of our first employees was actually Dotty Etris, now Executive Director of the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau,” Senior Director of Community Relations Lynn McIntyre said. “Private non-profits struggle sometimes, but we had resources like Dotty who made it work and kept it going. We’ve been able to secure a robust staff and board and volunteers that got us through the difficult years so that now we are excelling.” The CNC, on any given day, offers a variety of activities ranging from the Wildlife Walk, in which visitors can catch a glimpse of the beavers and the native birds of prey, to the Discovery Center with interactive habitat exhibits, the many hiking trails through the woodlands and the wetlands, a number of unique gardens and a full calendar of special events. This year, rather than plan one large anniversary event, The CNC anniversary committee has decided to spread the celebration over the course of the full year with new and returning events. A new logo is also being rolled out with the Kingfisher mascot and a 40th Anniversary banner for 2016. Among the events featured, Harvest on the Hooch will be returning to raise funds for the Unity Garden and other horticultural operations. The CNC will also see the addition of a Sunday concert series featuring a line up of jazz bands. In the coming months, The CNC will play host to a 5K run and festival to get out the word about the importance of water and water conservation to the entire region, as well as live music and drinks during Alive After 5 in Historic Roswell. The spring fundraiser, Rockin’ on the River, is expected to be the biggest and best yet, as is the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival and the Possum Trot 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run. In addition to filling the events calendar, The CNC team has been hard at work on a new strategic plan to fully modernize and optimize the reach of their message. According to the new plan, funds will be used to renovate and restore the boardwalk on the river, make updates to Kingfisher Hall and improve the road frontage and parking lot areas. Updates will also be made Continues on p. 30
CNC continued from page 29
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Educational exhibits, concerts, and guided nature walks are just a few of many programs and resources at CNC.
to the campus wide technology and the website. “Our annual budget this year is about 3.1 million,” Nelson said. “Of that, two-thirds is earned income. Our programs, like summer camps, are off to a record start with enrollment and just general admission, festivals and events, weddings, etc… are all revenue streams that help us achieve that. We are very proud of this fact. Our events help to widen the audience and bring a wider base in to discover who we are. The income goes to support the core mission programs and educational programs that connect people with nature. We are making people aware how incredibly important the area is to the entire state and how critical it will be in the future.” Throughout the course of the year, The CNC will be chronicling its history in the form of quarterly newsletters. Each newsletter will focus on a different decade in the history of the Nature Center. The team hopes to use these newsletters to reconnect with
past volunteers and board members in an effort to re-engage them. “The key word in our strategic plan is ‘connecting to nature.’ This is ‘reconnecting with people.’ We are pooling our social media contacts to that end as well, and hoping to collect photos, stories, and other bits of history. What these people do with passion makes a difference to the future of the community.” Nelson said. The CNC will have an impressive selection of events and adventures for 2016. For those who know it, this is a good chance to reconnect with a familiar place that will offer new surprises each season. For those who don’t, there has never been a better time to get engaged. To learn more about the mission of The Chattahoochee Nature Center and its history, visit www.chattnaturecenter.org. ❍