V3 February 2020

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2020

LET IT BURN Two talented musicians from Kindred Fire discover what happens when they stoke the fire in their souls.

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It's All In Our Name...

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JANUARY2020 COLUMNS

FEATURES

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Hardy Realty offers a sprawling estate where one lucky family will enjoy million dollar views coupled with all the comforts of home.

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When two souls meet who are destined to create more than music without meaning, they strike up a conversation and light a Kindred Fire.

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Rome Axe Throwing is offering a new game that features concentration, skill and a new way to throw down.

If there is one more season where he has to watch Oklahoma get mauled in the NCAA College Football playoffs, Jim Alred is going to throw his yellow flag and call foul.

FEATURES

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From fresh haddock to homemade margaritas, Maine Street Coastal aims to set diners on a course for the coast.

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Leaving her marks in places like the Dominican Republic all the way to Rome, International Muralist Xaivier Ringer works to bring communities together through public art.

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Publisher's Note OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino EDITOR IN CHIEF Oliver Robbins, Jr. MAG DESIGN Elizabeth Childers

O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin

It’s funny how some memories stick more than others, but I will never forget my mother’s 40th birthday.

It began like any other, but when she returned home with black balloons, flowers and a magnet that read “OVER THE HILL,” she began to share her story from her day at work.

Her colleagues hired an actor who showed up dressed in black from head to toe with flowers, balloons and tissues in tow. She cried as she walked through the office asking for my mother, singing the old hymn “Shall We Gather at the River,” truly selling that she was mourning for her as her journey up “the Hill” had come to an end and her decent was now beginning.

Her friends and co-workers pulled off a great prank that made her feel appreciated, made obvious to me based on the way she recalled it to my family and I when she got home, and then again on the telephone with both her aunts and my grandmother later that night.

Sure she was “over the hill,” but she was surrounded by people who loved her and made the milestone a special day.

As my 40th birthday speeds towards me like a bullet train I realize just how much her experience polarized the 40th year of life for me and what it means. 30 was weird enough, and now another decade of my life is coming to an end. There are days I still feel like I’m in my 20’s, but many more where I’m grounded in reality. Lack of hair, shoulder pain and my disdain for kids on my lawn are just a few of those daily reminders.

My kids are 19, 12 and four, so that makes me feel young and old at the same time. I’m ready for bed around 9 p.m. most nights and fall asleep more often than not when I try to stay up and watch a ballgame. It’s a mixed bag and I suppose that’s why it’s labeled as, (sigh), being middle-aged.

Sure people are living into their hundreds these days, but 40 is still a pretty good halfway mark on average, and it is an age where you have experienced enough to have some serious perspective about what you have done and what you did to get to this point. I’m sure there are some who don’t blink an eye when this day comes, but I am not one of them. I’m nostalgic and sentimental by nature so any extra reason to reflect on my four decades of existence can be a little emotional.

I’ll process it the best I can, I suppose. I’ll tell myself age is just a number, and after the moment has come and gone, it won’t be such a big deal anymore. I’ll just be a 40-something and won’t have to hit the panic button until 50 starts approaching, right?

Easier said than done.

That leaves me to struggle with this milestone in my own way, but thinking back to the day my mother reached the top of the Hill gives me hope that my friends will help me enjoy the ride.

It’s all downhill from here.

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MANAGING EDITOR McKenzie Todd WRITERS Oliver Robbins, Jr., Jim Alred, McKenzie Todd, Ian Griffin, DeMarcus Daniel, Ashlee Bagnell, Cassie LaJeunesse, Nina Lovel EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER Cameron Flaisch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Huynh Andy Calvert AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers Ellie Borromeo PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome Ga, 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com CREATOR Neal Howard V3MAGAZINE.COM

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care 706.295.0014 • 3126 Cedartown Hwy SW, Rome, GA 30161-4314 • www.RenaissanceMarquis.com READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME A REF FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME WITH

JIM ALRED

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this year’s college football playoffs presented us with a microcosm of amazing storylines.

From underreported Cinderella stories to whiny, complainy fan bases and a team that continues to get into situations it shouldn’t be allowed, the national playoffs gave us all plenty of fodder.

How ESPN/ABC/Disney managed to not put the Cinderella stories of LSU coach Ed Orgeron and LSU quarterback Joe Burrow front and center during the event still shocks me.

Burrow entered the transfer portal after not winning the starting job at Ohio State. So of course colleges were lined up to grab Super Joe. Wrong.

Nebraska, a place Burrow really wanted to play because some family members played there, wouldn’t give him the time of day. Cincinnati was the most likely landing spot until LSU’s Orgeron managed to lure him to the Bayou.

Imagine that. A future Heisman trophy, all-world caliber quarterback almost ended up at Cincinnati. And his coach, Orgeron, was never really LSU’s first choice to be a head coach.

Orgeron had a bad run at Ole Miss where his squads managed a 1026 record over three years. He did serve as interim coach at Southern Cal and did well, but got passed over for the head coaching gig. He took over at LSU in the interim role when Les Miles got canned.

LSU fans wanted a big hire, but the Bayou Bengals settled for Orgeron after failing to attract some big-name candidates. So a quarterback and head coach hardly anyone wanted team up to help put together one of the best seasons in college football history. If it wasn’t real life, most people probably wouldn't even believe it.

And the Disney conglomerate which loves the rags-to-riches storyline failed to capitalize on this one.

Speaking of failure to capitalize, how many more times are we going to give Oklahoma a free pass into a meaningful postseason game?

Granted they only had one regular-season loss, but did the selection committee not give any thought to how many times Oklahoma has been put in this same situation? Since Oklahoma won a snoozer of a national championship game over FSU in 2000, the Sooners have played in seven BCS or playoff games. Their record, a perfect 0-7 with several blow outs and other lackluster performances.

Some people, including myself, get upset when an overrated team like Notre Dame gets a playoff spot. But I’m livid that for some unknown reason the rest of the world hasn’t figured out that Chokelahoma will continue to show up and do just that, robbing other teams of a chance.

In 2004, everyone got to watch the beat down that Southern Cal laid on them while undefeated Auburn was on the outside looking in. And yes, Oklahoma has played some close games. But close doesn’t count, and the last time they won a meaningful post-season game, some of their current players weren’t born.

I’m not saying Oregon or another team would have beaten LSU, but I guarantee at least that team would have shown up. Oklahoma looked like they were barely going through the motions.

Yes, a few of their star players were hurt or suspended. So what?

Georgia had something like 15 players not on the field against Baylor and still whipped the Bears. By the way, Baylor almost beat Oklahoma twice when the Sooners were full strength.

Now let’s look at Ohio State. The Buckeyes deserved their slot in the playoffs, but they’re here for another reason.

In the hours following Clemson's comeback win over the Buckeyes in the semifinals something strange happened. There were a couple of calls both overruled or initiated by replay per the NCAA rulebook that didn’t go the Buckeyes’ way. I have issues with ejecting a player for targeting when it was unintentional, but that’s the way the rule is written.

Numerous people across the social media universe went nuts over the officials some even claiming conspiracy theories to get Clemson into the championship. Ohio State's Athletic Director tweeted a sports journalist telling him to let everyone know he was very upset about the calls.

An NFL referee even weighed in calling the calls egregious which I think is hysterical. NFL officiating has been so bad for several years now that maybe this ref should worry about his own league. You know the old adage about not throwing rocks when you live in a glass house?

Several years ago Ohio State beat Miami in the BCS finals. The game went into overtime and the Hurricanes appeared to have stopped the Buckeyes offense late, claiming a second-straight national crown. I was in a newsroom in South Florida watching the game and helping put the newspaper to bed that night.

On that fateful play, I said out loud that the referee could call pass interference if he wanted to. The very pro Miami newsroom heckled me for about three seconds until a referee reached in his pocket and tossed the flag. The penalty flag was very late, and when it flew the newsroom exploded in rage. Moments later the Buckeyes capitalized by scoring and winning the national title.

Needless to say, Miami fans had a beef with the call. Although this happened well before social media began, plenty of Ohio State fans took to web sites defending the call. It’s even possible to still find posts with a picture of a crying baby with the Miami logo emblazoned across it as a response to Miami fans complaining about the call.

Although there is no clearly accurate account, there are sites that report when then Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel was asked about the call by someone with Miami ties his quick response was, “If the officials called it, then it was a penalty.”

The Buckeyes could learn a few things from Clemson.

We all know now that LSU beat Clemson for the national title. And much like the semifinals there were a few calls, no calls and replies that had some effect on the outcome. One of Clemson's best defenders got ejected after a targeting call, and a Clemson touchdown was inexplicably called back for a questionable pass interference call. That and an LSU touchdown drive got extended thanks to a call and lack of replay on another play.

Needless to say the Tigers, the orange and purple Tigers that is, could have had some legitimate beefs. That being said, LSU was the better team and deserved to win.

But what I found most interesting was Clemson's AD didn’t take to social media or send texts lambasting officials. When Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was asked about the close calls and no calls in the post game press conference, he mentioned he’d like to see the calls again but quickly added something that speaks volumes. “That’s football.”

I hope some lessons are learned here. For the playoff committee, please find us someone other than Oklahoma. For Ohio State, instead of whining and complaining take your lumps and move on. You’ve gotten the benefits of weird calls plenty of times; this time they didn’t go your way.

And congratulations to Burrow, Orgeron and LSU for putting together a magical, amazing run that was fun to watch, and let’s be honest. It would have been impossible to believe if we hadn’t all witnessed it.

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Fresh From The Coast This Bartow County restaurant is making waves with a fresh take on seafood menu items.

Text: Ashlee Bagnell | Photos: Cameron Flaisch

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CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA IS NOT EXACTLY LOCATED NEAR THE OCEAN. The next best thing is Lake Allatoona or the Etowah River.

So, the idea of getting fresh, quality seafood seems a little far-fetched. But not too long ago, John Pettinati found Cartersville and said that it would be perfect to house his seafood restaurant.

In 2015 Maine Street Coastal opened its doors and Cartersville was skeptical. They had been promised quality seafood before, but every time something didn’t quite work out. Pettinati and his staff say that since serving the first dish and greeting the first diner at the door, Cartersville has not been disappointed.

Maine Street Coastal is Pentinatti’s first restaurant ownership but this isn’t his first rodeo in the industry.

With 20 years of experience under his belt, Pettinati knows how to run a restaurant successfully. “I started in the industry in 1980 in Charlotte, North Carolina. I started as a busser and a dishwasher, and then I was a waiter and a bartender and did a little bit of everything. I then went into management. I was in management for several restaurant chains in North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey.”

But it was always a dream of his to own his own restaurant. When he found Cartersville, he knew that this was the place to begin.

Why seafood, you may ask?

Jakob Monroe

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John Pettinati

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Pettinati says it felt like the perfect niche in Cartersville.

"At the time there were no other seafood restaurants other than Red Lobster and Captain D’s,” he recalls. Luckily, he found his place here and Cartersville has enjoyed his food ever since.

“We’ve had growth, mostly over the last two years. I thank many of our regular customers who have supported us since the beginning, because they are the reason we are successful.

Some come daily, some weekly, and some monthly; we have a lot of supportive people come into our restaurant. Cartersville has supported us from the start.”

But his main supporter has been his wife, Colleen.

“My wife has been the most supportive of anyone. She is just outstanding. She has been a sport through the whole thing. She likes the restaurant business, but she doesn’t love the restaurant business. Still, she has supported me wholeheartedly throughout the whole process. She did all of the interior decorating and people love it.”

All of this love and support translates to the plates, and when asking around most say the food is top notch.

The top menu items are the Fish and Chips, which are beer battered before being fried. The Shrimp and Scallop grits are another hit. “ Our shrimp and scallop grits are unique because the dish is made with Tasso Ham, Andouille sausage and a white wine garlic tomato sauce. It’s just a little twist on traditional shrimp and grits.”

And finally, the Trout is another favorite. Taken from the waters of North Carolina, pan seared and topped with a lemon beurre blanc and a few capers, this menu item is a favorite among Maine Street Coastal regulars.

These delicious dishes can be served with your favorite drink. Pettinati says that one favorite is the house margarita.

“It’s made with our own sour mix that we make here in house with fresh juices and pure cane sugar.” You can get a half priced margarita on Fiesta Fridays which pairs well with $10 tacos. Some of the other specials he runs are half-priced appetizers at the bar and high tops Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m.

Oysters are half-price on Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. at the bar and high tops. Lunch specials run every day with haddock, catfish and flounder for $12, along with a burger, a chicken sandwich or fish sandwich with a soft drink and a side for $8.

But maintaining the quality his patrons have come to expect wouldn’t be possible without his staff.

Hannah Lusk is the Head Chef and Kitchen Manager. Lusk has been in the restaurant business her whole life due to her mother running a catering business. She has been running the kitchen for four months now.

Pettinati says that his friend Orlando Pal helped him get off the ground. He also contributes the quality of food and service to his loyal staff who have been with him for over a year now.

With a strong team and an innovative menu, Maine Street Coastal hopes to continue offering the fresh seafood that foodies have come to know and love.

The next time you have a hankering for bounty from the sea, have a margarita, imagine that you are on a beach and let the flavors of Maine Street Coastal take you away from the ordinary.

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Seeing the Bigger Picture This international muralist is on a mission to help color cities, near and far, with her creativity and works of art.

Text: McKenzie Todd | Photos: Cameron Flaisch & contributions by Xaivier Ringer

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IF YOU HAVE TRAVELED INTO SOUTH ROME LATELY, you have likely noticed a beautiful mural painted on the wall of Super Latino Foods, a business located at the corner of South Broad Street and Cherokee Street.

In April of 2018, Xaivier(ex–ZAH–vee–air) Ringer, with contributions from several other members of the community, aimed to bring more color to our beloved Rome. Not only was this project something Ringer was passionate about, but the art serves as a small step towards a bigger movement—the idea to bring more creative projects to the place she calls home.

“The mural here in South Rome was very symbolic to me for many reasons,” explains Ringer as she thinks back to the weekend-long art project. “I used to live in South Rome, and I also completed that mural in the two different languages I speak, and that are spoken in South Rome; English and Spanish. I wanted something to commemorate my love for South Rome and show people that we can put more color in this city.”

Ringer’s enthusiasm to promote the arts in Rome is evident by her positive vibes. Soon, those speaking with her begin to understand why she, and others who know her, call her the "International Muralist.”

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Ringer moved to Rome from California when she was nine years old but claims Rome as her hometown. Currently, she has an impressive resume of 55 murals in four different countries and 14 cities, and her hope is to expand upon that in 2020. But this artist didn’t begin her love affair with murals until college.

“I first discovered my love of art in high school. I attended Rome High School before I transferred to Darlington, where I took my first art class during my senior year. It was a general art class, and at the end of the semester I ended up receiving the art award,” recalls Ringer.

“I never really thought much about art being something I’d pursue, but after I won that award, I started thinking that maybe this is something I would like to take more seriously,” she adds. “I never thought art was something I would make a career out of, so I like to say that that moment is what awakened my desire to practice art.”

After high school, Ringer attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “Initially, I was interested in earning a law degree, but I started noticing that I loved my art classes just as much as my other classes. I minored in Art and Spanish and paired my two minors with a bachelor's degree in Government.”

Ringer completed her first mural in 2005, which was a four-by-eight-foot mural on

Photo: Sebastiano Massimino

Georgetown’s multi-cultural student house.

Shortly after, she created a mural for Martha’s Table and Garfield Elementary School in Washington, D.C., when she decided that mural art was more than simply a hobby but could be used to inspire communities far and wide.

“Since I was young, I have always been interested in community,” says Ringer. “How people can grow together and truly get to know one another so well is interesting to me. And in Rome, I really gained access to having that sense of community and devotedness.”

But Ringer was not simply on a mission to help morph Rome into a more engaging city, as she dreamed of painting in places off Broad Street and beyond. Once graduating from Georgetown, she made the Dominican Republic her new home, all with hopes of engaging communities through the power of public art in this Caribbean country.

“Once I graduated college, I had this dream of living in a foreign country and working with communities, more specifically thinking about development,” explains Ringer. “How could I use my knowledge to help other people use their available resources to improve?”

Ringer found a career working at a small consulting firm in the D.R., in hopes of helping to change the narrative and perception of the island. “There, we worked for organizations like the United Nations; I traveled to Barbados with them on a project. We also worked with a reproductive health organization that is pretty revolutionary in the country. It was a big learning curve, and I am truly grateful for the

time I spent there because it helped me realize that I could do all of this stuff. The world was at my fingertips.”

And with the world in her hands, make boss-moves she did. During her time at the firm, Ringer applied for a matching grant, which she received, to fund another mural.

“That was in 2009; we received the grant and I successfully managed my first community art project abroad.”

In 2013, Ringer decided to make her own path and work as a social entrepreneur; a path she has continually followed even today.

“I think I used to have a negative perception towards being an artist. I didn't feel as if the discipline was an accepted career, as it is now, and people were not open-minded about the idea of major projects,” says Ringer. “But, it’s so much deeper than what meets the eye. It’s the promotion of local talent, the engagement of community members, and being able to turn a promising city with empty walls into a huge public canvas that can have lasting and positive effects on neighborhoods.”

Just how does one person complete these massive murals, you may ask? According to Ringer, it is not as difficult as it may seem.

“Murals are like metaphors for challenges.

You take them on one step at a time, one day at a time and with help.

“Murals are very large pieces of art, but they are less intimidating to me than a small canvas.

To me, it’s fun,” she says. “The way I do it is by engaging people, and I use that as a tool to help others understand their worth and their value

in their community. That’s very important to me and the value that I put into my work.”

Ringer’s process is community based. In fact, the community in which she is hoping to liven plays an enormous part in the planning of the project, from start to finish.

“I always start my community murals with a workshop alongside the members of that community. To me, they have to be a part of the process from beginning to end,” says Ringer.

“So, we start with a workshop that leads the vision-making process. Here, we try to understand who we are, what we want to represent to the world, and other factors to consider. Our intent is to have an understanding of our vision before I begin the design process,” she continues.

The design process, for Ringer, includes taking the measurements, choosing paints, colors, creating a budget for the project and more.

“After the workshop, I step away for a couple of weeks and begin designing it. Then, I present the design to the community members, or organization. They approve what they like and give feedback in the areas they want to change. I complete a second draft and then we start scaling the design on the wall.”

Not only does Ringer consult the community with a workshop and throughout the design process, but she also encourages the community to actually paint with her.

“The painting process becomes almost a paint by numbers process,” she explains.

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"

“I think I used to have a negative perception towards being an artist. I didn't feel as if the discipline was an accepted career, as it is now, and people were not open-minded about the idea of major projects.

But, it’s so much deeper than what meets the eye.

It’s the promotion of local talent, the engagement of community members, and being able to turn a promising city with empty walls into a huge public canvas that can have lasting and positive effects on neighborhoods.”

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“It’s very fun and gives the community an opportunity to take part in every single facet of the project. I think that’s so important because they come back and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I painted that part!’ They feel a part of it, and they take ownership of it. You know, I may hold the vision of the piece, but they have to walk through the process with me.

“I have worked with many communities that are considered vulnerable, like the communities of people of color or people of different faiths.

A lot of times, they don’t feel seen or don’t understand how powerful they are. So, it is very important for me to make my murals be loud representations of who they are so that they can communicate to the public, I exist and I am proud.”

Ringer recently returned home from a trip to Satun, Thailand where she was busy working with the U.S. Embassy and their Cultural Affairs Department on an important assignment. “That was incredible because, to me, it was an example of taking my art to the next level, but also getting to see how other people saw my vision,” she explains. “Work like this can be used as a tool to create community. The mural was used to help engage different young people in the community who have different faiths (Muslim and Buddhist), different ideas, backgrounds, etc.

It was an example of how to bring all of these different elements together into one cohesive story.”

Not only was this trip a feat for Ringer on an artistic level, but on a personal level as well. She transformed from the International Muralist into a muralist mom with an even bigger drive to pursue her dreams.

“When I decided to grow my family, my biggest fear was not being able to continue on with my dream. It’s so cliché, but when you are truly passionate about something, you find out how to make it work. And I definitely found a way to make it work,” she says.

Ringer traveled to Satun with her sister and a friend who helped her care for her son, Nasir, when she was busy painting. “Thailand is very baby friendly,” smiles Ringer. “That’s why Thailand has been my proudest project, because I went in as a mom, a working mom. I took my nine-month old baby 10,000 miles away—I was so scared, but I made it work. That, if anything, definitely made me feel like a bad ass.”

Nasir has been a part of the process since he was in the womb. “I did seven mural projects in 2018, my last one I finished a few days before I gave birth. I really enjoy having him be a part of my artistic process.”

Another one of Ringer’s favorite murals is one she completed in Caberete, Dominican Republic with the Mariposa Foundation. “That particular mural was done with the youth in the local school. We took the Mariposa girls and essentially turned them into leaders. They were almost like my little assistants; they walked along the process with me, helped teach the younger girls how to paint, etc. It was a very devout moment.”

Other international destinations Ringer has painted in are Santo Domingo, Guadaloupe and more. She hopes to continue her travels in the upcoming years, with her first stop in Santo Domingo with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Here, Ringer will be helping to design a metro stop. “That is very exciting to me, because I am very interested in community development and how we can utilize art, especially public art, to engage the community. I will be designing crosswalks in hopes that my work improves safety for their citizens,” she explains.

On top of international travel, Ringer also hopes to move into more individualized projects, like taking more commissions, and extending more focus on simple affirmations, prints, canvas paintings, etc.

In addition to mural painting, she also does community development consulting, service tours and women’s empowerment workshops.

“I created a movement called Black Girl Free, which was born out of a need to just affirm women of color’s existence, presence and beauty,” explains Ringer. You can follow Black Girl Free on Instagram at @blackgirlfree.

Bringing her story full circle and back to Rome, Ringer hopes to organize another project that mimics themes of positivity and love, as all of her murals do.

“I am really excited that Rome has come to embrace public art,” smiles Ringer. “I’ve seen a lot of people begin to dabble in different things, and just seeing this town grow, creatively, and welcome more creatives with open arms is exciting. I would love for this city to be a space where the sky is the limit, and I want to be a part of that, or help to inspire that change.”

To learn more about Xaiv ier and her missions, v isit her website at: w w w.theinternationalmuralist.com.

You can also follow Xaiv ier on Instagram: @ theinternationalmuralist

Xaivier and her son Nasir READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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Riverside and Hilltop Views Find time for family in a home where luxury meets the land. text CASSIE LAJEUNESSE

B

photos KEITH BEAUCHAMP

eyond the stone gates of North River Farm’s landscaped community entrance, a private drive leads to a riverside retreat, a custom home situated on over 14 acres overlooking the Oostanaula River.

The over 9,000-square-foot house includes two riverfront terraces and a variety of other stunning features.

“Most properties have either a river view or a mountain view,” real estate agent Rozanne Collins says. “This one sits up on a hill and it has both.”

The stone and brick house sits with its back to the river, surrounded by trees and offering gorgeous views at first sight. A stone pathway leads to the front doors, where windows display a view of the house’s interior. From the front entrance, a two-story entryway opens to the coffered-ceiling great room, where floor-to-ceiling windows on the back wall showcase the beauty of the river beyond and let natural light illuminate the room. A fireplace makes this room a perfect place to gather with family and friends.

The common spaces of the main floor include a study or library area and a large laundry room. There are custom cabinets, closets and doors throughout this executive home. All of the rooms in the common spaces have refinished hardwood floors and freshly painted walls. For dinner parties or other indoor entertaining, the main floor also includes a formal dining room and wet bar.

34 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

The master suite is on the main level of the house and features a sitting room and study area with screened-in access to a portion of the main-level terrace.

The carpeted suite includes custom double closets with wooden doors and shelving, as well as a master bathroom with heated tile floors, two vanities with mirrors, granite countertops and wooden cabinets, a shower and wood and granitetrimmed bathtub. Another bedroom on the main floor also has a full private bathroom, and three bedroom suites upstairs also include private bathrooms.

Also on the main floor is a gourmet kitchen with hardwood floors. It features custom floor-to-ceiling cabinets, granite countertops, a tile backsplash, recessed lighting and pendant light fixtures over the island. Appliances include an oven and a gas range. The granite-topped island includes a sink and plenty of prep space for cooking or entertaining.

A bright, open space, the kitchen opens onto the keeping room, which offers a stone fireplace and French doors to access the main-level terrace. The stonefloored terrace stretches the length of the house and looks out over the Oostanaula, providing an excellent space for outdoor entertaining with incredible scenic views.

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36 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

Two staircases on the main level provide access to the upper level and the lower terrace level. At about 4,000 square feet, the lower level offers even more amenities to make this a wonderful home for family and entertaining.

It features another full bathroom, family room and kitchen Like the upper-level kitchen, the downstairs kitchen also includes granite countertops, recessed and pendant light fixtures and a tile backsplash.

The windows on the lower level allow in an abundance of natural light and highlight the view of the river. The lower level accesses a stone-columned terrace that looks out over the Oostanaula. Both terraces offer ample space for outdoor entertaining and enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.

“There are great views and sunsets over the river,” Collins says. “The riverfront location is one of the best features.”

North River Farm, a premiere mini-farm community not far from Downtown Rome, offers residents incredible access to the surrounding natural resources, as well as all the benefits of life in an exclusive residential setting. Designed for the conservation and enjoyment of the scenic natural area, North River Farm properties are perfect for residents looking to surround themselves with nature’s beauty.

Besides the riverfront view afforded by the home itself, residents can enjoy 75 acres of common area on the river, perfect for a variety of recreational activities. A nature trail along the river is the ideal setting for hiking, biking or horseback riding, while a spring-fed lake offers the opportunity for activities such as fishing and boating.

The North River Farm Homeowners Association also oversees a lakeside pavilion for large functions or smaller gatherings, complete with a fireplace and other entertainment amenities.

For additional information about the property or to schedule a showing, please contact Hardy Realty at 706-291-4321.

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 37

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ER

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— Lorenzo Rome, GA

Emergency symptoms are good at hiding.

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WINDOW

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W THE SOUL TO

Crack open the diary of two musicians who some say are red hot and ready to burn.

Text: DeMarcus Daniel | Photos: Cameron Flaisch

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OFTENTIMES, THE BEST THINGS HAPPEN WITHOUT A PLAN AND ARE BORN OF THE BLUES.

Some of the best music comes from a dark place, only illuminated a fire lit by an innermost passion. The light offers others direction when they too become lost on life's journey. It is then that musicians become our saviors and let us know that we can share more than we segregate. Whether it is the strum of a string or the hum of a familiar hymn, we stare into their souls and we are comforted by their art. Music makes a way and lets us know that we are not alone. It connects us and calls us back to our roots. In the end, we all are kith and kin, relatives born from the notes on a staff.

Meet multi-talented musicians and songwriters, Austin Earp and Haley Smith. They are Kindred Fire, a band who has diced up different genres like bluegrass, rhythm and blues, rock, blues and Motown, tossed them in a metaphorical pot, and stewed them into what Earp calls ‘Swamp-Stomping, Roots Rock’ music.

Earp and Smith were friends in college over ten years ago. They both played music but never in the same room. Chance, circumstance and life happened, and they started playing together a little over two years ago.

“It was kind of one of those things where we started jamming for therapy. We were both going through a bunch of life stuff,” says Smith.

“We put a little tune on social media and people liked it more than we thought they would. We then decided to play at some bars and our fan base started to grow. We really didn’t have any intent on being a band; it kind of just happened organically.”

Since then, the band has been performing live shows all over the Southeast. They also released a five-song EP (extended play record) during November 2019. “The plan is to get back into the studio and release a full length album this year; we’re just not sure about a date yet,” Earp explains.

When pulling back the curtain, folks will find that this is more than just music to the duo. Most of us will see difficult times and go through life's storms. Earp and Smith will let you know that they are no different.

“With music, it is different than just saying something. There is a feeling behind it, an aura,” Smith says when describing how words in a

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song are different than words anywhere else.“All the pieces of how you feel are bundled into one big piece of work. You are not just saying words. How they are coupled with guitar sounds and the rhythm of the song sets the mood. The lights on stage and the energy from the crowd are important.

All of those different things create the aura, they create the feeling. For me, I was going through a lot of stuff at that time of my life. You can talk about it, but to be able to feel it out was a completely different situation.”

Not only has the music been helpful to Smith, working with Earp has been equally, if not more helpful than she could have imagined.

“I was in the music industry before and I quit. I got really burned out.

But sometimes just talking about your problems isn't enough. Making music with Austin is like being with my brother and being with my best friend. I really don't have to elaborate about what I’m thinking. Being able to put everything on a plate, leave it there and walk away was exceptionally healing for me during our first year playing together. Then it became something I felt I needed to do all the time. First, because it is good for my heart and but it is also good for other people who were also feeling the same things that I felt. They may not know how to release it. But they can listen, and they can feel it at the time. So yes, I feel that playing in this band has been extremely therapeutic.”

Earp echoes her saying, “I’m not very good at expressing my feelings verbally; I’m really kind of like an emotional robot to most people. And then, there are those feelings that are so intense that words don’t really cut it, and those feelings just spill out into a song. That is satisfying, especially when it starts happening and then you get on a roll. When working with someone else on music, and you both find the vision or the sound that you want to pull off, it all feels so natural. My favorite part of it all is the creative process of it. When everything comes together and just clicks, it is satisfying. It doesn’t always happen that way. The chemistry isn’t always there. I’m grateful to be working with someone I know and trust, and brings it to a deeper level when we get into the songwriting.”

“And its satisfying that people like it,” Smith says with a smile. “That’s just like the gravy.” Earp says nearly completing Smith’s sentence.

Luke Robinson

“It could have been one of those things where all we did was jam and write, and no one cared about it. But what’s really been interesting about the whole journey has been that once we did start making all of this public, it very quickly started to be something where more and more people listened to it,” Smith says as she continues to describe origins of Kindred Fire. “Usually when you’re a musician, you’re grinding, and there’s still a grind with this. However, what’s really interesting is people were gravitating towards us, labels, tours, and all of that, gravitating towards us.

"And yes, it was the music, but also the story behind it," Smith continues. "We’re not just out there making pop songs and talking about how much we love or don’t love our significant others; there are stories within the lyrics of our songs. We write about where we come from.

People identify with that, so our music is more of an experience. Most people don't just hear our songs, like the music and nod their head to it. We feel like where we are now is more of a cherry on top of a career in music. We are so excited that there are people who have been in the industry for a very long time and telling us that they want to do something with us because what we do is really special to them. Of course, we think our music special. But for someone else to say that...hell yeah! That’s really awesome.”

Smith explains that people can be a musician, or a songwriter, and still be unsatisfied. But she will tell anyone that she is overwhelmed with how grateful she is to finally see the breakthrough and she couldn't imagine sharing the experience with anyone else but Earp.

"We are able to write the music that we want to write. I was in the industry and I couldn’t do that before. I don’t really know how to explain how satisfying it really is; I can't keep emphasizing it enough. It’s just one of those things where you wake up and you’re extremely grateful that you have a passion in your life.”

Kindred Fire wants people who come to their shows to feel and experience their songs, and take a part of their art home.

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experience that you will not forget. We love to see the crowd hootin’ and hollerin’, and then there are parts of the show that makes people feel something else. We hope to encourage others to go create and collaborate with other people the same way that we have, in whatever it is they want to do,” says Smith. Earp follows up with “Yes, we want to inspire people as much as possible.”

A key to success for Kindred Fire is letting everything happen organically and being completely open and honest with each other.

“A lot of times in the industry, people want you to come out with a song and you have a quota to meet as a songwriter and things like that,” Smith explains. “But with us, we are going to do this until we get we are getting really irritated with the work. Then we’re going to stop. And we’re going to chill, and then we are going to come back to it. It is about just letting things happen. Every week we have a songwriting session. One day we may both be on our games and other days not so much. Being able to say to each other that it is okay and not try to force something out is key.

Everyone wants to hear the real you anyway.

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“Artists over think crap all the time, and often, they are their own biggest critic. There are such things as false truths about yourself and what you have created. Having someone to trust, someone standing just a little bit outside of your situation, can really put everything into perspective. So, some of the thoughts that artists have are not actually reality. We are able to be transparent with one another and not worry about hurting feelings. We have the reassurance that we are not going to lie to each other. If Austin has an off night, after the show, I’m gonna ask, ‘Bruh, what happened?’” Haley says before Austin interrupts her.

“She’s good at that,” he says with a laugh. “But I sometimes need that push. As someone who creates, a lot of times you get in your own head and you don’t know when to walk away and leave something alone. That is what is so cool about our relationship.

Obviously, you’re going to be vulnerable if you are writing what we are writing with someone else because you’re putting your

whole self right out there, even before the audience hears it. That’s a level of vulnerability that not a lot of people have. And when you have that honesty, but you also have a person who is not going to BS you, it makes the process easy and comfortable. The critique is always constructive criticism and always offered in an honest way. We want to be the best that we can be and we’re both open to the criticism from each other.”

When speaking to their songs, both Earp and Smith have a favorite song that happens to be their most heart-touching song.

“My most heart touching song is a song we wrote called 'Make Believe'" Haley says. “This song is the most vulnerable that I’ve ever been while writing. It speaks to heartbreak, crappy men, the struggles of being a young woman with parental issues, and what all that can do to a woman in her life. I’ve always been private and always handled my stuff alone.

So, writing that song - and I really don’t think that I ever intended to sing it out loud - has been a therapy session for me. The song has helped me realize that I’m not alone, as there are so many other women that have gone through the same thing. I found out that those experiences doesn’t make any of us less valuable.”

Earp’s song is a song about his wife called 'Busy Woman.'

“That song came easy and it just happened,” Earp says. “One day of writing, and boom. It was done. They don’t come easy that often. "Busy READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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Woman" was just a point of authenticity where something bubbled up inside of me and spilled out into music.

“That was one of those moments where you hear a song and you don’t forget where you were," Smith adds, "and it hits you. It is a really special song and very true to who his wife is.”

The band members share a favorite song, one of their latest releases called "Valentine."

“I used to sing lead in all of the songs, so we wanted to balance things out a little bit more,” Smith says. “I hadn’t ever really written rock music; I just went to his concerts with his rock band and watched him scream a lot (Earp laughs). I started writing a song that I believed Austin could really sing. The style I used was a little bit more Bluegrass. But when he interjected his vocals, it was a crazy marriage of a vision that I had. Bringing him in and asking him to be a part of creating it made that song so much better than what I imagined it would be.”

“The sum is greater than its parts," Earp says of their collaboration on "Valentine."

“You have an idea, but it’s never gonna be what it could be when you’re working with someone in that open kind of way. That’s the magic of it.”

Kindred Fire is looking forward to 2020 and continuing to work together. They also want to continue to have an effect on their fans and the community.

Now, they are having to make decisions about new opportunities and who they potentially would want to partner with. They also plan to have a spring tour, participate in various festivals, and of course write a lot of songs for a full length album.

However, they are sticking to the script and working to make sure that nothing is forced.

They are also very grateful for where they are in their music careers.

A little birdie recently advised them to enjoy this time of discovery and prepare for what could soon become a more rigorous schedule, because things could very well be different soon. They have been told that people are going to know who they are, and they should remember what it was like to build up to the expectations they are likely to exceed. And with their preparation for whatever the future holds, they were advised to hold on to their principles.

“The name Kindred Fire comes from us being kindred spirits," Smith says, "and we are both passionate about something similar. Our mission is not just to create music, but to live that life."

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The family you know, The name you trust.

“Rome’s Locally Owned Funeral Homes” Barry R. Henderson

Joe Paul Henderson (1919-2008)

www.hendersonandsons.com 50

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THAT HIT THE SPOT

The owner and staff members of this new entertainment venue are hoping to teach others the basics of this growing trend in sports.

Text: DeMarcus Daniel Photos: Cameron Flaisch READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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ROME AXE THROWING OWNER JEFFREY “JEFF” BURKE WENT TO VISIT A BUDDY OF HIS IN CHARLOTTE, NC LAST YEAR. While there, he was able to take part in an activity that would soon inspire him to bring Rome, Ga. a unique opportunity to roll up their sleeves and do something primal, all in the name of sport. Now, he hopes to show others why hitting a bull's-eye with a hatchet is wholly satisfying.

Burke threw a few frames while in North Carolina, and he loved it.

Axe throwing is very similar to darts, but you are throwing an axe at a target. You stand behind a line at a specified distance, aim at a regulation size board and score points. The Rome venue has a few of their own takes on various games you can play. However, but during league games the rules are more structured. Throwers play a ten-frame game like bowling.

To score in league-style play, throwers accumulate a point total based on what they hit in the first four frames. If a thrower hits the line of the higher score, they record the higher score. Beginning in the fifth frame, throwers have the option to call (or not call) a "kill shot." A kill shot is accomplished by hitting one of two "buttons" outside of the point ring on 52

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the target board. The buttons are hard to target because they are small and out of the usual target frame. If one is hit in the fifth frame, throwers can get a higher score. Nailing a kill shot when you call it is eight points for the player that can shift the game in or out of their favor.

But if the player misses the kill shot, they get nothing. Even if they have hit any other areas on the board, the score is not counted because once you call the kill shot, you must hit one of the buttons.

In frames six through nine, you again accumulate whatever point totals you hit and on the tenth frame you have another option to call the kill shot.

“We had a blast,” Burke says, “so the first thing I did when I got back home was build myself a target at my own woodshop in Calhoun, Ga. Then, as I grew to love it more and more, I thought to myself that Rome would be the perfect place for this.”

Burke broke down two factors that supported his theory. “Rome needs something to do and there are a high volume of college kids in the city, so things kind of fell into place.”

What was formerly Duke's Military Museum was a location that caught Burke's eye and he was able to secure the property for his new business venture. After a little renovating, like adding lanes and targets, Rome Axe Throwing opened their doors in August of 2019.

Sharon Talley, who goes by the handle Talley, is an axe throwing coach who works at Burke's establishment. She agrees with him about Rome being a great location for the venue.

“Rome Axe Throwing is a cool addition to this town that has so many limitations as far as entertainment options, that don't involve alcohol. We have needed somewhere like this for a long time. And with the owner Burke being a thrower himself, he figured this would be a good place to open a venue.”

At Rome Axe throwing, what you have is an entertainment venue where you can go and let off some steam. You could bring a date, or you could have a birthday party.

They are also working to start throwing leagues as well as hold weekly tournaments. Talley anticipates a good turnout. “We want to get our venue to a competitive level like the venues in Atlanta. We have even had people come from Atlanta to visit us to throw because it is so much cheaper. Plus,

our business is growing every month because people are learning that we are here.”

Axe throwing is a national sport that is quickly becoming a worldwide sport. “The fact that there’s one in Rome, Georgia is amazing,” says Talley.

In Atlanta there are already several axe throwing venues. There is also a national chain of axe throwing venues, and there is a national league of axe throwing. Another Axe coach, Brady Truelove, who has been with Rome Axe Throwing since it opened and has a long history with the sport, speaks on the game's history and its place in society.

“Axe throwing started out as an urban sport and it has grown in the last few years," Truelove says. "Leagues have begun popping up as well as more tournaments. It can even be seen on ESPN because they broadcast the World Championships.”

Truelove has thrown in numerous tournaments and participated in leagues. He points out the intangibles of the sport. “I like the competitive aspect of axe throwing, the social aspect of it, and the fact that it’s something different to do. You meet different people who also love the sport. I have met so many cool people on the league circuit. I have friends that travel the country for competitions.”

Another caveat of the game is after the fifth frame, throwers trade places or swap boards with their opponent. Talley explains the significance of the board swap. “It doesn’t seem like much, but you wouldn’t believe how much it can throw you off going from one side of the game to the other.”

There are numerous other variables that can throw players off, which is another factor that makes the game so much fun. But it is not necessarily easy for everyone. “The difficulty of the game varies from person to person,” Talley explains. "It’s different if you’re speaking about league games or just throwing in general. The difficulty is based on the person because I’ve seen little, bitty, tiny people come in here and throw like they’ve been doing it for years. Also, I’ve seen big, hulking dudes come in and not be able to hit a thing. It depends on your confidence level, which can go south really fast based on your attitude.”

Talley continues, shifting the conversation to her duties as an axe coach. “Typically, we can instruct you to get where you need to be. We take a lot of pride in our ability to be laid back and show you the ropes.

Our goal is to give you what you need to be able to make your axe throw stick into the board. We’re not going to take your money, and for an hour you try and you can't get the hang of it. We actually work with you until you feel like you can start making good progress. Some people nail it at the very beginning, some pick it up halfway through, and some people won’t get a board stick until the very end. But usually, we can get people to a comfortable skill level and enjoying the game. Unfortunately, there are some instances where people just cannot grasp it at all. For them it is extremely difficult. But for the majority of people who have come in while it is tricky - they can get it. Teaching others about axe throwing is fun though.”

“We will break down the anatomy of your throw and give you the proper knowledge of how to position your body, because everything has to do with your throw," Talley continues. Where you stand, how tall you are, and the speed of your rotation all matter. It all has to come together,

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and that’s our job. We work to help pull it out of you, because again, most people have it.

"No two people throw their axes the same, but it is really all physics.

Plus, you don’t have to hum it, meaning you don’t have to power it into the wall. It is a light throw, but not too light.”

Emiko Underwood

LR: Savannah Daniels, Jeffrey Burke, Brady Trulove, Jon Opleia

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Some patrons find the activity very therapeutic. It helps them get their mind off of things and relieve some stress.

“Throwing is very therapeutic for me,” says Talley. “They say the key to centering yourself in anything, whether you have anxiety, depression, or whatever, is becoming present in what you are doing. I think that’s why sports are relaxing to some people, especially axe throwing. When you’re throwing axes, you can’t be anywhere else in your head. You need to be mentally centered and paying attention. It forces you out of your brain and you’re able to focus on just the axe and throwing. Once people understand how to center themselves and be in the moment, it becomes a lot of fun.

That’s what I love so much about it, and I honestly didn’t know that I would. I just came in here looking for a job and now I’m totally obsessed with it.”

“You don’t realize how much fun it is, until you actually do it,” says Burke. “When you finally get an axe to stick on the target, things are different from then on. We have a lot of people who are scared. They are so timid at first and once they get one to stick, they’re hopping up and down and screaming and having a good time,” he says with a laugh.

"Watching their reaction is the most rewarding part,” adds Talley Rome Axe Throwing is a family friendly environment, so they currently do not serve alcohol and the venue is not meant to be a bar atmosphere. Age ten is the youngest age to throw in the regulation lanes, and there is a play area for children younger than ten.

Rome Axe Throw ing is located at 110 East. 8th Avenue in Rome, Ga. Their website is w w w.romeaxethrow ing.com. To book parties or other events, please call ahead or drop in to reser ve your lanes.

The Dish

bistro

MEDITERRANEAN

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www.getjamwiched.com

www.lascalaromega.com 413 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

706-238-9000

Hours: Mon - Sat: 6pm - 10pm 400 Block Bar & Lounge: 4pm-1:30am Live music each weekend.

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50% off cafe menu from 4-6 p.m.

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706-234-4613

Hours: Mon-Thur: 11am-9pm Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm Sun: 11:30am-3pm

Schroeder’s menu includes sandwiches, calzones, soups, salads, potato skins, nachos, wings, and more. And don’t forget our pizza! It’s the best in town... and for a sweet treat, try our Cheesecake Calzone! (Draft and Bottled Beers & Wine also offered) Famous for: Their Roast Beef Relief!

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1204 Turner McCall Blvd • Rome, GA 30161 2300 Shorter Ave • Rome, GA 30165 3110 Cedartown Hwy • Rome, GA 30161 104 S Tennessee St • Cartersville, GA 30120

We’re known as the place to go for juicy, delicious charbroiled burgers & made from scratch biscuits. Because if you’re gonna eat, you should Eat Like You Mean It!

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www.moesoriginalbbq.com/rome 101 West 1st Street Rome, GA 30161

706-622-2977

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am - 10pm Fri- Sat: 11am - 2am

Moe’s Original BBQ is a Southern soul food revival where great food is served in an atmosphere that is relaxed, spontaneous, yet civilized….well, sometimes.

www.swheatmarketdeli.com Hours: Mon-Sat: 5am-10pm Sun: 6am-10pm

706.291.2021

595 Riverside Parkway Rome, GA 30161

510 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

5 E Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

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Hours: Mon and Tue 11-4 Wed and Thur 11-4 Fri and Sat 11-8 Sun 11-3

Casual counter serve offering sandwiches, salads & American comfort food

www.maineonmain.com Hours: Sun -Thu: 11am-9pm Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm

Fuddruckers catering can help you feed just about any size group, anytime, anywhere. Our menu will please the most discerning tastes and meet the high standards you require. We know how to make your event spectacular with the WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING.

24 W Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-334-3813

Hours: Mon - Thurs: 11am - 9pm Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm Sun: 11am - 8pm

At Maine Street Coastal Cuisine, in the heart of historic downtown Cartersville, we pride ourselves on sourcing seafood from sustainable fisheries. Our passion is to provide a restaurant free of artificial flavors and ingredients.

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia.

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