Northside Woman - July 2018

NSW

JULY 2018

NORTHSIDE WOMAN Covering North Fulton and South Forsyth

Growing Greens

Water-based farming catches on in Cumming

Service to Justice

Alpharetta police officer finds her calling

Experience

Awesome

MEETINGS & EVENTS IN ALPHARETTA!

WEDDINGS

FREE EVENT PLANNING RESOURCES! Think Alpharetta first for your WEDDING, REUNION, MITZVAH, MEETING or SPORTS EVENT. Take advantage of the FREE event planning resources of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau including FREE consultation on venues, service providers, fields and facilities, hotels and more.

Call us and ask for

our free event planning guide.

SPORTS

MITZVAHS

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Reserve rooms for your guests with one call to the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Room rates are collected from Alpharetta’s hotels and provided to you as a comprehensive list of options. Many hotels offer complimentary Wi-Fi, free breakfast and local shuttle service.

VISITOR INFORMATION We offer information about shopping and dining, attractions, events, maps, local coupons and more. Visit our Alpharetta Welcome Center located at 178 South Main Street for more details!

NOW OPEN!

ALPHARETTA CONFERENCE CENTER

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for more details!

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WHEN YOU PROVIDE OUTSTANDING CARE, IT REALLY ATTRACTS A CROWD.

Northside Hospital continues to attract more top doctors and advance our technology. And that makes all the difference for patients. We’re growing throughout Georgia and offering our high level of care to more people. When you take better care of your physicians and staff, they can take better care of patients.

northside.com

HOW DO YOU LISTEN? Appen Media Group is proud to unveil our new lineup of podcasts; Inside the Box, Lunch Break and Overtime with Joe Parker.

Podcasts are recorded radio shows you can listen to via an app or online, for free. But instead of music, you listen to news, stories and interviews. People enjoy podcasts because they are a free flowing, easy to use and affordable outlet for entertainment and news.

How to download our podcasts 1. Go to northfulton.com/podcasts 2. You will see a media player that broadcasts the most recent episode. This will allow you to listen directly from your laptop, computer or phone.

3. If you prefer to listen via an app on your phone, there is a link below each media player to access them, if you have an iPhone (Apple), Android phone or another popular podcast app Stitcher.

VISIT NORTHFULTON.COM/PODCASTS AND LISTEN TODAY

Suzanne Pacey Publisher suzanne@northsidewoman.com

{ INSIDE }

northside women { 6 } THE INTERVIEW Police Officer Caitlin Lawrence is passionate about service, justice and helping those in need.

ABBY BREAUX PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTHSIDE WOMAN staff

{ 20 } WOMEN IN ART Local entrepreneur turns old t-shirts into treasured memories for years to come.

Candy Waylock Senior Writer

Abby Breaux Cover Photographer

Kathleen Sturgeon Julia Grochowski Contributing Writer Contributing Writer

Owner - Christina Appen General Manager - Hans Appen Sales Executives Mike Dorman, Paul Flowers, Wendy Goddard, Dean Larkin, June Meltzer, Steve Neese Sales Assistant - Susan Hernandez Production Suzanne Pacey David Brown, A.J. McNaughton Editor Keith Still

CONTACT

770.442.3278 | 770.475.1216 (fax) 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

NORTHSIDEWOMAN.COM facebook.com/ northsidewoman

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Northside Woman is published monthly & distributed free throughout north metro Atlanta. © 2018 Appen Media Group. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

{ 22 } WOMEN IN BUSINESS Cheri Morris is the force behind vibrant new development in Alpharetta and Woodstock. { 30 } GOOD EATS Circle A Farms in Cumming perfects the perfect lettuce through hydroponic farming.

northside lifestyle { 11 } HER GARDEN Design your patriotic garden with mix and match blooms for year-round color. { 13 } TAKE FIVE Don’t hit the road without these essential items for safe travels. { 14 } GOOD BOOKS Local author Diana Savastano finds literary inspiration in a Civil War relic. { 16 } HER STYLE Staying cool in the summer starts with smart fashion picks.

The Cover

Caitlin Lawrence has been a member of the Alpharetta Police Department since 2017, and is currently a member of the DUI Task Force.

Read more on page 6.

{ 24 } HER BEAUTY Sun goddesses beware – skin cancer rates are climbing every year. { 27 } SHE TRAVELS Less than a year after two devastating hurricanes, Puerto Rico swings its doors wide open.

{ 18 } SHE'S SEXY Fireworks are not just for the night sky – bring them into the bedroom as well!

{ 35 } SHE DESIGNS Whether its quartz, granite or concrete, pick the countertop to match your lifestyle.

{ 19 } HER GUIDE Make the short trip to Southern Belle Farm in McDonough for pick-your-own berries.

{ 36-39 } HER HOME { 46-55 } HER HEALTH { 58 } AROUND TOWN, Magnolia Ball { 56 } JULY CALENDAR

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 5

PHOTOS BY ABBY BREAUX PHOTOGRAPHY

THE INTERVIEW

6 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

THE INTERVIEW

Alpharetta officer ‘born to do this’

By KATHLEEN STURGEON

kathleen@northsidewoman.com

S

ometimes, it takes a sad event to spur something good, ultimately helping others.

Take the case of Caitlin Lawrence. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety officer began working for the city in the Recreation and Parks Department in 2007, but she was always interested in law enforcement.

In 2015, she graduated from the police academy, working first as a patrol officer before joining the DUI Task Force in 2017. Since then, she has become a drug recognition expert and completed more than 550 hours of training in areas related to DUI and crash reconstruction as part of the task force, which was created to address a rise in DUI-related accidents 14 years ago.

“Since my teens, I have been passionate about serving, justice and helping those who couldn’t help themselves,” she said. “Whether it’s encouraging someone to escape the cycle of domestic violence or whether somebody is endangering the lives of others by driving impaired, I know that it is making a difference, even if other people don’t always see it that way.”

But it was one particular accident that led to Lawrence’s passion for DUI enforcement. When her 23-year-old cousin was killed in a DUI wreck, Lawrence knew she had found her calling.

“I wanted to do my part in making sure that others don’t have to experience that kind of pain or loss,” she said. “It is something that is so easily preventable and affects so many lives, yet people still choose to get behind the wheel while impaired; and I have the ability to get them off the road.”

Moreover, Lawrence is fueled by her strong faith.

“This comes down to the core of who I am,” she said. “Colossians

Since my teens, I have been passionate about serving, justice and helping those who couldn’t help themselves.”

Caitlin Lawrence, Alpharetta Police Department DUI Task Force Officer.

► See INTERVIEW, Page 8 july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 7

THE INTERVIEW

▼ INTERVIEW Continued from Page 7 3:23 says, ‘whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.’ Without my faith, I would not be in this job.

I come to work and focus on doing my job to the best of my ability, serving and loving others when I get the opportunity, and hoping to go home at the end of the night unscathed.”

It’s a tough job, but Lawrence feels she was created to do this work.

“I tend to see people when they are in their lowest moments, or even at rock bottom,” she said. “However, I have seen people months or years later who have told me that my involvement in those moments changed their lives for the better. This makes the entire job worth it when someone wants to thank me later — even though originally, they may not have been happy with the action I was taking.”

One memorable moment happened in November 2016, when as a patrol officer, she responded to a home where a family had suddenly lost their husband and father.

“Sometimes, you’re at a loss for words,” Lawrence said. “As I stood near the wife of the man who had just passed, there was nothing I could say to make her situation better. Instead, I got down on the floor, picked 8 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

her up out of a fetal position and held her as she wept. I stayed with her until her daughters could arrive home.”

Later that year, Lawrence was invited to Christmas dinner with the family.

“I was working on Christmas night and away from my family, so I ate Christmas dinner with their whole family and they invited me in like I was one of their own,” she said. “It left a lasting impression on me. You can always find small blessings in the dark times and sadness, and I now have a lasting friendship with this family.”

Before she got into law enforcement, Lawrence said she viewed police as untouchable and superhuman, as though they possessed something that she didn’t. But now she understands police officers are people just like everyone else.

“We face challenges in this job that many people may never know or face,” she said. “We work long hours and many holidays away from our families. However, we are human and face the same challenges at home and in our personal lives that everyone else faces. We have good days and bad days. We are no different and no better than anyone else. I face challenges as they come, just like everyone else, and attempt to tackle each and every challenge.” ■

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july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 9

10 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

HER GARDEN

How American is your garden?

By ABRA LEE

Contributing Writer

I

n today’s America, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution — the right to freedom of speech — is alive and kicking.

The question is, are you using it when it comes to your garden? Is there at least one special outdoor space set aside to reflect the real you?

Or, is someone else’s propaganda doing the talking?

If you are about the fabulous life, speak with garden details that scream luxury. Bring on black and white pieces. Mix with bold colors like yellow, pink, lime and turquoise. Showcase big bloomers like dinnerplate dahlias. Ditch oversized outdoor furniture for something more proportional. You want to look like a star when seated. Embrace geometric topiary in plants such as boxwood. Use ceramic accents like poodles or even elephants. Go glamorous in those details like you mean it!

Are you that eclectic, really special snowflake? Then speak on it! Mix styles, incorporate art and use contrasting materials or colors like pavers, wood and stone. Perhaps you collect a specific item,

like birdcages. Group them in one space outdoors to show off your excitement. This also applies to plants. For instance, if you have a collection of succulents, don’t be a hot mess about it; keep things organized.

So boho-chic is your thing? Show your free spirit. Introduce mixed pillows, outdoor rugs and items from your travels. The goal is balance in the art of mismatch. Furniture and rugs shouldn’t “match,” but should be of the same color scheme. Plants should flow freely. Think wispy flowery textures like gaura next to architecturally interesting leaves or color.

Your lifestyle is in ultimate chill mode, and everyone will know it!

Let Independence Day remind us to exercise our First Amendment rights. Whatever your background, let your garden speak proudly to your authentic self, personality and cultural heritage. That is an American garden. ■ Abra Lee is a horticulturist extraordinaire and unapologetically passionate about all things gardening. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @conquerthesoil

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 11

HER CHILD

AUGUST SPECIAL SECTION

NSW

HER CHILD A resource for education in North Fulton SPONSORED SECTION

By KAY PASCHAL

NORTHSIDE WOMAN

Peachtree Park Prep, Owner

HER CHILD

SPONSORED

SECTION

HER CHILD

KIDS & KAY

By KAY PAS CHAL

Peachtree Park

W

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By JAZZMIN

BE A PREPPIE

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Counselor Collegewise

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Prep Owner

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So take a deep there any acron child! AP, IB, SAT, breath and decision. ym for “how try to remo to ve the stress For the presc from this choose a schoo hool age child or Kind ergarten child l environme education nt that will , you need level so their best match to current skills your child’s Coming from current can be such diverse considerab preschool backg advanced immediate le angst for ly. rounds, a lot of paren students from ts. Kindergar Kindergarten is of little to no ten preschool to academical ly advanced students comi will encompass programs. environme ng from Depe nt your child is coming from, nding on which presc best served? hool How will YOU how can YOU be addressed R child’s stren R child be in these very gths and/o developme impo r weak rtant eleme nesses ntal skills are ntary schoo all over the future learn l years when map and when ing will be at their peak? brain patte For the colleg rns for e-bound or may not be your selec child….oh my goodness… tion! In state, school, party .their selec tion may out of state, school, athle small schoo sororities, etc. tics, l, big etc… my only dorm, apartment, frats & advice… GOO D LUCK ! ■ Kay Paschal is the proud owner of Peach founded in 1995. Enjoy tree Park Prep ing the stude successes, nts' achievemen past and presen ts & t, is her favori te past time!

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CALL YOUr ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE TODAY! 770-442-3278

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12 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

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ATRIOTISM…..what does that mean to you and what type of patriotic role model are you for your child?

The negative political climate these days, even to the point of questioning the patriotism of our national leaders, makes it doubly hard to promote overall patriotism in our homes and to our children.

When I was a child, it didn’t matter if you were Republican or Democrat, Left or Right, no one’s love of their country or their patriotism was EVER in question. We ALL loved our country equally, just with different opinions on governing styles and ideology.

Enough with the adult stuff. How can we get back to a default understanding that everyone loves, supports, and is willing to sacrifice for their country as in years ago …. that “tingly” feeling at a sporting event when everyone stood up to honor the country by singing the National Anthem?

For children, here are some ideas that will get them started or further develop their patriotism: • Take your child with you when you vote. The “secrecy” and the “adult only” status of voting are very alluring to young children.

Making them part of this “insider” activity will make them look forward to the day when they can actually vote.

• Promote citizenship within your neighborhood, school, and community with your child by participating in activities within these organizations that show your child that YOU are a good citizen.

Cleaning up parks, assisting with service-oriented events in your child’s school or in the community lets your child know that you are willing to step outside your home to help others and support the overall good.

• If possible, choose a school environment that promotes patriotism. Again, when I was a child the school day started with the Pledge of Allegiance ~ that was a given and this is something that I uphold each and every day at my preschool, Toddlers through Kindergarten. However, reciting the Pledge is now a point of political argument ~ I want to ask, “Are you kidding?” Teach your child the Pledge of Allegiance, teach them and sing together the National Anthem, My Country ‘tis of Thee, This Land is Your Land, and so many others. As we know about brain patterning in the youngest of children, the sooner this starts the stronger it becomes a “part of them” and something that the brain will constantly recall cognitively and more importantly, emotionally…that “tingly feeling”.

If you have not yet started a “campaign” of patriotism with your child ….July is the perfect time to start! ■ Kay Paschal is the proud owner of Peachtree Park Prep​ founded in 1995. Enjoying the students' achievements & successes, past and present, is her favorite past time!

TAKE FIVE

5 tips for the ultimate road trip packing list W hen packing for a road trip, it’s important to bring those things you cannot find along the way.

•

Mini-cooler for drinks, as well as snacks (cheese sticks, jerky, vegetable sticks, single-serve nuts, dried fruit, apples, oranges, bananas, dry cereal, cereal bars, packets of oatmeal for a quick breakfast/snack Water Mini-picnic kit

1. Absolute essentials

• •

• • •

4. Safety

•

First-aid kit (Band-Aids, Tylenol, Tums, ibuprofen, Benadryl) Personal medications – more than enough for your road trip Fleece blanket Cellphone mount (Stay safe when using GPS.) Cash, including change (Bring a roll of quarters for any tolls and/or parking meters.)

2. For fun • • • • •

AUX power adapter for music to stream through the car stereo Travel games Adult coloring book and some colored pencils iPad with preloaded movies/TV series Stamps and address book

3. When hunger strikes •

Mini-garbage pail/plastic bags for garbage

• • • • •

Flashlight Umbrella Spare tire Road atlas (Even if you have a GPS, you’ll inevitably lose service in some places.)

Copy of your own car insurance card

5. For the body • • • • •

Chapstick Hand/face lotion Sunscreen Hand sanitizer Bug spray and anti-itch lotion/cream ■ july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 13

GOOD BOOKS

Civil end for war relic Grave marker, novel's inspiration, returned to Natchez cemetery after 65 years

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI Contributing Writer

F

or author Diana Savastano, truth is no stranger to fiction. In 1991, she bought a Civil War relic purportedly pilfered from Mississippi’s Natchez National Cemetery by a young boy decades earlier. She was so inspired by the piece, a memorial star grave marker, that she eventually wrapped a fictional tale, “The Marker,” around it.

Then, soon after publishing the novel last September, the Johns Creek resident did something so unusual that it made headlines near and far: She returned the five-pointed star to the cemetery from which it was snatched.

While the storyline in Savastano’s romantic, supernatural mystery is the product of her imagination, virtually every detail about the namesake artifact is authentic. Just as her book’s heroine did, Savastano bought the grave marker from a Florida antiques dealer, who claimed his son had taken it during a 1952 family trip to Natchez. Inscribed “Our Comrade Soldier, 1861-1865,” the star had been hidden for decades because the shopkeeper said he feared retribution. When he put the 3-pound, cast-iron piece in Savastano’s hand, however, she felt a connection.

“In my writer’s mind, I heard three simple words: write my story,” she said. Which she did — after paying $35 for the keepsake and spending the next 26 years fitting research and writing in between journalism assignments, magazine editing, penning other books and managing a publishing business.

“The Marker” features a current-day newspaperwoman communicating with a Civil War soldier. Pure fiction. It also details numerous steps involved in verifying the piece. All fact.

14 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

I didn’t want anything like bombs bursting in air or that kind of thing. My patriotism was in returning the piece to where it belonged. It should have never been taken off federal land.”

After the Natchez National Cemetery’s director told Savastano that a cemetery employee recalled a marker reported missing in 1952, she worked with officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Atlanta’s Civil War Museum to learn more. Memorial star grave markers, she discovered, were post-war mementos commissioned by grieving families to leave at gravesites, often those of unknown soldiers. Once the curios started popping up in antiques stores and on online sales sites, however, most national cemeteries removed any that remained. And none missing had AUTHOR, ever been returned — until Savastano’s DIANA SAVASTANO book was finally finished.

“From the beginning, my intention was to return the piece to its rightful place when my novel was completed,” she said. And on Dec. 11, 2017, she did just that. In a two-car caravan filled with five generations of family members — from her 97-year-old mother-in-law to her greatgranddaughter — Savastano traveled to the Natchez National Cemetery, where she was greeted by VA and cemetery officials assembled for a simple ceremony commemorating a five-pointed star coming full circle.

“I didn’t want anything like bombs bursting in air or that kind of thing,” she said.

“My patriotism was in returning the piece to where it belonged. It should have never been taken off federal land.

“I was really blessed with this piece,” she said. “But putting the marker back into that cemetery was a priority with me. It was a sacred piece. It was taken from an unknown soldier’s gravesite.”

Now, in addition to informing the pages of Savastano’s fast-paced, history-packed novel, the 150-year-old grave marker is on display in the Natchez National Cemetery’s administrative office, along with a note from the author explaining how she acquired it.

“I was sad to let go of it,” said Savastano, who is busy promoting her recently completed children’s book, “The Adventures of Marcello Mousetti (The Leaning Mouse of Pisa),” as well as beginning a cozy mystery series. “But I’m happy to know where it is and that others will get to see it and pay honor to the many unknown soldiers of the Civil War.” ■ Contributing journalist, Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi.

Owner of Johns Creek’s KRC Communications.

Connect with her at krccom.com.

GOOD BOOKS

Skip Solomon, left, assistant director of the Natchez National Cemetery, holds the memorial star grave marker returned by author Diana Savastano, far right, in December 2017. Five generations of Savastanos traveled from Johns Creek to Mississippi for the ceremony.

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HER STYLE

Staying stylishly cool in the summertime

16 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

By LORI WYNNE

HER STYLE

Contributing Writer

O

mni-seasonal clothing is all the rage and seems so practical, until the high temperatures of late summer arrive. Those skinny jeans, synthetic tops and lined jackets suddenly create an uncomfortable sweat bath. Give your tried and true capsule wardrobe a break for the summer and embrace a few of these tips to keep stylishly cool in the summertime.

Natural fabrics

Put aside synthetic fabrics that do not breathe. Choose clothing in natural fiber fabrics such as cotton, linen or Tencel. Also known as lyocell, Tencel is a natural fabric made from regenerated wood cellulose.

This eco fabric has natural breathability and 50 percent greater moisture absorption than cotton. Due to its moisture management, lyocell is also anti-bacterial.

Cover up

It may seem counter-intuitive to wear more clothes when the temperatures rise, but a thin layer of fabric keeps the sun from burning your skin and raising your temperature. Look at people who work in the sun every day. They wear long sleeves and wide brimmed hats to keep cool. Don a sun hat and a light scarf to cover your shoulders. Maxi skirts are cooler than shorts. Skip the tank top and wear a natural-fiber blouse with sleeves.

Flowing silhouettes

Bodycon tops, dresses and jeans may add coverage to your skin but can also feel hotter during the summer months. Instead of close-fitting clothes, choose flowing silhouettes to take advantage of the cooling summer breezes. Wide-legged palazzo pants, bohemian peasant tops and filmy flowing dresses will help keep you cool in July and August.

Skip the padded bra

Take a break from the padded bra and go for a single layer bralette instead. Without the added layers of a heavily padded bra, you will feel cooler. The bralette will pair nicely under the flowing silhouettes for summer.

BE A PREPPIE

Lighten your accessories

Wide leather or metal cuffs look dramatic with fall and winter fashions, but layers of heavy accessories right on your wrists (a cooling point on your body) can make you feel warmer. Heat can cause limbs to swell. Store your wide cocktail or left-hand rings for cooler temps. Your sweaty puffy fingers will thank you. Don a pair of simple chandelier earrings, sans a sweaty statement necklace, and your accessorizing is complete.

Final tip

Many women use the same big leather handbag year-round. Give your old trusted carry-all a break. Clean it out and pare down what you carry every day to just the bare necessities. Consider ditching your bloated wallet and use a credit card holder (armor wallet). Choose a lightweight cross-body bag or straw bag. The fewer things you carry around, the less you will exert yourself. Ultimately, you will feel cooler without a big sweaty bag against your side. Stay cool and have a great summer! ■

As a personal wardrobe consultant and owner of Alpharettabased Fashion With Flair, Lori Wynne helps people look their best. Connect with her at fashionwithflair.com.

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Infants • Toddlers • PREPPIES Kindergarten • After School july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 17

By ELAINE WILCO, MA, LPC

SHE's SEXY

Contributing Writer

T No fireworks in the bedroom?

Ways to light up your life — starting tonight!

oo many couples who are having sex regularly have found that their sex lives have become all too regular — that is, boring and predictable.

Any couple can fall into a habit of the same old routine, and while some people are perfectly happy to do what works, others crave a little variety. It isn’t necessary to get a whole new partner in order to get a whole new outlook on sex.

Here are a few ideas on how to introduce some sparkle: 1. Experiment with some new positions. Not every position works for every couple, so try using pillows to adjust the angles. There are even specialty pillows designed for this purpose. Sometimes, the position you start with isn’t the one you will finish with, but what’s the rush?

2. Don’t start by getting undressed and getting into bed. Start by kissing and touching fully dressed, and undress each other s-l-o-w-l-y.

3. Read erotic literature aloud to each other. While men tend to be turned on by visual stimulation, many women prefer to use their imagination. If it makes you blush, so much the better.

4. Get some massage oil, and take turns giving each other massages. To make it really interesting, try it without using your hands.

5. To intensify your sense of touch, wear a blindfold. Take turns, and find out who likes being in the dark.

6. Take it out of the bedroom. Who says the bed is the only place for sex? As long as you have privacy, try a new setting for your lovemaking.

Don’t be afraid to suggest something new. If it doesn’t work out, keep your sense of humor. Both a belly laugh and an orgasm produce positive brain chemicals that increase our overall sense of well-being and connection. So, let the fireworks begin! ■ Elaine Wilco is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience. She maintains a private practice in Alpharetta focused on helping those with intimacy issues. Follow her at facebook.com/IntimacyAtlanta.

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Red, White and Blue

HER GUIDE

Easy, ice-cold, delicious Fourth of July dessert for you!

By CHARMAINE JACKSON Contributing Writer

T

VANILLA ICE CREAM TOPPED WITH FRESH STRAWBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES Scoop ice cream into bowls. Clean and cut strawberries, blackberries and/ or blueberries and put in a big bowl. Scoop fruit on top of ice cream. Enjoy a red, white and blue Fourth of July dessert! (Let the children get creative – they can make fun designs with the berries on top of their ice cream).

he Fourth of July holiday is such a fun time to get together with family and friends and celebrate with barbecue and fireworks.

For a grand finale, why not cap the festivities off with a red, white and blue-themed dessert that requires no cooking? Vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberries, blackberries or blueberries couldn’t be easier to make, and this dessert is ice cold and delicious for those hot July summer days.

Want to taste real, homemade ice cream from a dairy farm with fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or peaches that you picked straight out of the field? You can do just that at Southern Belle Farm in McDonough.

Southern Belle Farm, established in 1938, is a fifth-generation, family-owned 330-acre working farm with seasonal “u-pick” offerings.

Visit in spring from mid-April through June 10 to pick strawberries. In summer, u-pick blackberries are available June 1 to July. Blueberries are ready for picking July 1 to August, and peaches are available June 1 to August — all while fruit lasts!

For fun lasting memories, bring your friends and family to Southern Belle’s berry patches and pick and eat berries to your heart’s content. For u-pick strawberries and blackberries, one gallon costs $12, plus tax. In the peach orchards, one gallon of u-pick peaches costs $10, plus tax or $18, plus tax, for two gallons.

Southern Belle also has a country market where you can watch them make fresh homemade ice cream. Yum! Mimi’s Bakery offers mouth-watering cobblers, fried pies (in the fall) and their specialty — strawberry shortcake! The market also has local honey, seasonal fresh produce, jams and jellies and more.

After picking, relax and enjoy fresh ice cream, freshly picked fruit or strawberry shortcake out on the porch, or take them home.

Southern Belle Farm is open every season. In addition to picking fruit, visitors can head to Belle’s Barn to meet farm animals, or go on hayrides, play activities and enjoy the garden, bees and cow-milking learning experiences.

Southern Belle Farm is located at 1658 Turner Church Road, McDonough, Ga. 30252. For more information, visit www. southernbellefarm.com, or phone 770-288-2582. U-picking hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Check their website or call for u-pick fruit availability and to make reservations for field trips, birthday parties, corporate and group events. ■

As a Tour Operator and Owner of GA Farm & Garden Tours, Inc., Charmaine Jackson creates unique and captivating tour experiences for your group. Contact me at gafarmtours.com. july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 19

Transform old shirts into treasured keepsakes

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI

PHOTOS BY SUZANNE PACEY

WOMEN IN ART

julia@northsidewoman.com

T

-shirts often carry treasured memories from college days, oncein-a-lifetime concerts, sports teams, intense marathons and other special events. It can be hard to let go of them, even when they are well-worn, past their prime or take up too much wardrobe space.

But Amy Walsh of Roswell has found a way to keep those old shirts and give them new life. Her business, Shirt Off Your Back Quilts, repurposes old shirts into quilts, teddy bears and other keepsakes.

“Our goal is always to make something that will be cherished for many, many years,” Walsh said. “To create a gift that is so special that you can’t wait to give it to someone. To create something that every time you see it or cover up with it, it will bring you wonderful memories.”

Walsh’s quilts come in a variety of shapes and can be used as gifts for graduations, anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions. Some of the quilts are made in memory of a lost loved one.

No matter the occasion, each one tells a unique and personal story.

20 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

“One woman brought us shirts that included the Rod Stewart shirt that she had been saving for over 25 years. It was the shirt that she was wearing when she met her husband,” Walsh said. “Another young man brought me 20 shirts that he wanted to combine to create a ‘proposal quilt’ for his girlfriend — all the special places that they had been to, their favorite restaurants, hangouts and TV shows. The final square was a photo of the two of them and ‘Will You Marry Me’ added to the corner of the photo.”

Although the business generally uses shirts, Walsh said almost any fabric can be incorporated into a quilt, including housecoats and bathrobes.

“We made a quilt for a woman who had lost her grandmother, and she brought us all of her aprons, which she wore all the time,” Walsh said. “We used the aprons, plus we were able to scan and print some of her grandmother’s recipes in her own handwriting and make them part

WOMEN IN ART

Angie George, Shannon Shipley, Amy Walsh, Sara Boyle and Haruko Peak.

of the quilt as well.”

Prior to starting her own business, Walsh worked for several years as a fabric designer. After she had children, Walsh kept her love of all things textile alive by creating quilts for her friends and family.

The feedback she received was so positive that Walsh soon took her products to local craft fairs and artist markets. She eventually created her own webpage and officially launched Shirt Off Your Teddy bears can be made from up to five Back Quilts in May 2006. clothing pieces and make an adorable She hasn’t looked back keepsake. since.

But the best part of the business and what keeps her coming back every morning, Walsh said, are all of the personal connections she has made over the years – both with customers and employees.

“I love meeting so many wonderful people, hearing their stories, then knowing that we have created something really special for them that will literally last them many lifetimes,” Walsh said. “I also really enjoy the women who work with me. We are all moms and have all had different careers in our past, but took time off to be stay-at-home moms … I have been incredibly lucky to find these women and feel so fortunate to have them work with me.”

To see examples, order a quilt or learn how to prepare the shirts for quilting, visit shirtoffyourbackquilts.com. ■ july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 21

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MORRIS & FELLOWS

The woman under the hard hat

women in business

RESTAURANTS OPENING JULY 2018 THROUGH MARCH 2019 Restaurant Holmes, will open in June in the historic Jones House, which sits in The Shade Garden.

Chiringa, by the team behind the popular Chiringo on Florida’s Highway 30A will open in August in one of the Town Green jewelboxes. The concept is based on “chiringuitas,” little open-air restaurants and bars on the beaches along the coast of Spain.

Citizen Soul, will open in The Shade Garden in September. The building design pays homage to Hard Bailey’s blacksmith shop that occupied the site at the end of the 19th century.

SHADE Street Food and Bar co-owner of Ceviche, Mikka Orrick, will open in The Carriage House in the fall.

Never Enough Thyme, is moving from its McGinnis Ferry location to The Mercantile Building on Main Street in early October.

JINYA Ramen Bar, will complete The Shade Garden when it opens in October/November ( locations also in Buckhead and Sandy Springs).

Lapeer, a fine seafood restaurant, will open in November in The Meeting House with a patio overlooking Market Street Park. This is the third restaurant in downtown Alpharetta for owner (also owner of Butcher & Brew and South Main Kitchen).

Highland Bakery, which will offer an assortment of fresh bakery goods as well as Southern comfort food such as crab cake benedict and cornbread panzanella salad.

22 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

Cheri Morris, developer and president of Morris & Fellows.

Downtown developer fueled by creativity

By KATHLEEN STURGEON

kathleen@northsidewoman.com

A

nyone who has visited the vibrant downtowns and bustling mixeduse communities in north Atlanta can thank Cheri Morris.

Morris, the president of Morris & Fellows, develops and owns many of the upscale areas with a focus on downtown revitalizations.

She was on the teams behind Main Street Woodstock, Vickery Village in Forsyth County, Town Brookhaven and downtown Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District.

“I had consulted on downtown and mixed-use retail districts for decades and decided that if I really wanted to set the vision and control the quality of execution, I needed to just jump in and do it,” Morris said. “I find that creativity attracts creativity. So I get to spend my days with really talented chefs, artistic retailers and great designers. These people are at the top of their game, are passionate about their specialty, and I can’t tell you how much fun it is to be part of that energy.”

Now, she’s working on something a little closer to home with the City Center project in Alpharetta.

The 25-acre complex includes City Hall, which opened in 2015, a new library, town green and parking deck. Morris’ company was chosen as a developer team to expand the development, which will comprise 105,000-square-feet of retail including free-standing restaurants along Main Street, retail below offices and residential homes. In total, the center will cover six blocks of shopping and dining, five parks, 12 restaurants, 25 shops, an office building and 200 homes.

Morris’ job is to lead the “place making” from site planning and building design to parks and open spaces.

“Even though retail is not the largest amount of footage in a mixeduse project, it sets the brand, it is the visual face and it draws the people,” she said. “It is also the easiest to get wrong functionally, and if the retail

women in business

Alpharetta City Center is nearly 100 percent leased, with several restaurants on the roster.

doesn’t work, nothing works. Because the retail interacts so closely with the city’s public realm, I have been the liaison between the private partnership and city leadership as we move through the myriad issues around developing and operating this complex property.”

In order to do your job well, Morris said it’s important to grow and learn every day. She is the most proud of this recent project, because, she said, it has the benefits of the lessons she’s learned along the way.

However, downtown Woodstock holds a special place in her heart.

“When we went out there in 2004, everybody thought we were crazy and that we would fail,” she said. “But we pulled it off.

And it has been a great boon to that city, as it drove an economic development boom that saw every property in downtown brought up to its highest purpose. Downtown Woodstock is a now a hotbed of prosperity, with a really enviable lifestyle.”

The marketplace was always the social heart of any city, she said, from the stone plazas of ancient Europe to the town squares of the small town South. But in the late 20th century, Morris said America began to put retail in isolated buildings behind vast parking lots, killing the natural social interaction that comes with the shopping experience.

That has been a rewarding financial model for the industry, but has not created community in towns and cities, she said.

“There is a better way to do it,” Morris said. “The world of real estate development is all about the numbers, but I want to also make positive social impacts with my projects. I consider myself a developer of social environments. If I can create community through the built environment, I will be rewarded with financial success.”

Even with that mindset, she still realizes how important her work is.

“Some days, it’s just making sure I don’t drop a ball and embarrass myself,” she said. “These are very public projects. Failure is not an option.” ■

OPENING JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER OF 2018 IN THE SHOP SPACES KNOWN AS THE DISTRICT: Anna Bella: Fine lingerie and beautiful sleepwear with an emphasis on custom fittings.

The Ballog: Carefully curated items handcrafted by independent artisans and socially conscious companies.

Chic Evolution in Art: Avant-garde, modern paintings, cast glass, home furnishings, sculptures, crafts, and collectibles.

premium ingredients and original recipes.

Mountain High Outfitters: Active lifestyle boutique with an extensive array of apparel and equipment.

Natural Body Spa and Shoppe: Renown for nail, body, aesthetic, and anti-aging treatments.

The Red Hound: Unique, highquality gifts and accessories

Core 57: A fitness studio with highly trained coaches and state-of-the-art equipment for both kids and adults.

Perched: An eclectic clothing and gift boutique for all things fun, feminine and festive.

Dress Up: Women’s boutique offering affordable and trendy new styles every week.

The Pink Valise: Trendy clothes and accessories with Southern charm for all ages and sizes.

Exquisite Living: Hand-selected furniture, unique housewares, and complementary design services.

SkinReMEDI – A medical day spa

by Natural Body offering a range of treatments

Hemline: Contemporary women’s boutique known for fashion-forward designer apparel, shoes, and accessories.

Southern Local: Locally sourced clothing, accessories, and gifts with classic, Southern flair.

Home Expressions Interiors by Laura Bloom: Interior design that focuses on an individual’s needs, budget, and lifestyle.

Kilwin’s: Chocolates, caramels, toffee, ice cream and other confections, hand-made with fresh,

Spirited: Boho chic high fashion and handcrafted artisan jewelry combine for a boutique of sensory experiences.

Vitality Bowls: Bowls, smoothies, juices, paninis, salads and soups featuring the freshest ingredients and superfoods july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 23

HER BEAUTY

Sun

Smarts

24 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

Avoiding skin cancer begins with good choices

HER BEAUTY

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

H

ow well you know your own body, and the subtle changes that occur over the years, can make the difference between life and death when it comes to skin cancer. And in nearly every case, skin cancer is linked to your past and present relationship with the sun.

While breast cancer grabs the headlines and the dollars, and deservedly so, skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions among women, with more new cases diagnosed annually than the combined incidence of breast, lung and colon cancers.

In 2015, the latest year for available data, 80,442 new cases of melanomas of the skin were reported in the United States, and 8,885 people died from melanoma skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Georgia, with its nearly year-round sunshine, is among the top 10 states for skin cancer diagnosis, as well as deaths reported. Among women, it is those under age 45 who are disproportionately affected.

Melanoma skin cancer accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths annually. But it has a five-year survival rate of nearly 99 percent when detected early.

According to the Melanoma Research Foundation, (www.melanoma.org), skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

So while genetics play some role in skin cancer, it is nearly always linked to lifestyle choices. “Melanoma risk is predominantly associated with sun exposure in early life, whereas non-melanoma risk is associated with sun exposure in both adulthood and early life,� according to statistics from the CDC. Pale skin was once associated with wealth and health, but there has been a paradigm shift in the past century.

Today, the medical benefits of sunlight and the outdoors is touted, along with the desire for tanned skin. Not coincidentally, the invention of the bikini in the 1940s also coincided with the rise in skin cancer incidents.

In a study of skin cancer diagnoses in Connecticut (selected because of its diligence in recording cancer statistics) there was a 2,000 percent increase in reports of skin cancer between 1950 and 2007. The population, on the other hand, only increased by 75 percent in that same time period.

Health officials put much of the blame on the popularity of tanning beds beginning in the 1980s,

â–ş See HER BEAUTY, Page 26 july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 25

HER BEAUTY

CATEGORIES OF SKIN CANCER Actinic Keratoses (AK) – Dry patches or spots that are precancerous growths, and are generally found in people with fair skin.

• Most people see their first AKs after age 40, because it tends to develop after years of sun exposure.

• AKs usually form on skin that gets lots of sun exposure, such as the head, neck, hands and forearms.

• Because an AK can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), treatment is important.

▼ HER BEAUTY Continued from Page 25 which delivered a dramatic increase in overall UV exposure and ultimately led to the biggest blow to women’s health when it comes to skin cancer.

While operators of tanning salons often tout the beds as a safe alternative to the sun, health officials say there is no such thing as a safe level of indoor tanning.

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) strongly discourages anyone from using indoor tanning devices.

“This year, over 178,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and 90 percent of these cases are linked to UV exposure from the sun and artificial sources like tanning beds,” said Shelby Moneer, director of education for the MRF. “Young people who use tanning beds are eight times more likely to develop melanoma, which is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25-30.”

Once detected, the standard of care for melanoma is surgical excision. On delicate areas that remain visible, such as on the lips, nose or eyelids, doctors use Mohs surgery that provides the highest cure rate and leaves the smallest surgical defect.

Looking ahead, advances in skin cancer treatment are promising, even for the most challenging cases. Five drugs have recently gained Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of advanced melanoma, with several others in the pipeline awaiting approval.

And similar to breast cancer detection, monthly screenings and annual checkups are the best course of successful treatment and 26 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

ultimate survival for skin cancer.

Prevention

Women should consistently use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, regardless of sun exposure. Although many cosmetics have integrated sun protection factor in their products, health officials say these are not enough, and are often weaker than stand-alone sunscreen.

Stay in the shade when outdoors, and wear protective clothing as often as possible for optimal full body protection.

For women pursuing a “healthy glow,” the American Academy of Dermatology recommends self-tanning products as an alternative to tanning in UV light from the sun or indoor tanning.

Detection

Finding melanoma early can save your life. Each month, do a full body screen for spots or moles on the skin. See something unusual?

Make an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Be on the lookout for moles that itch or bleed, a spot that does not heal, any dark spots under toenails or fingernails, flat red spots that are dry, rough or scaly and any spots that are painful or tender.

Check your entire body and all of its nooks and crannies. Early detection of skin cancer improves prognosis, promotes survival and reduces the burden of invasive treatment procedures. Patients, through self-screening, are usually the first to detect suspicious skin lesions.

Remember, if found early, melanoma skin cancer is nearly always treatable. ■

Basal cell carcinoma The most common type of skin cancer; found mainly in people who have fair skin, but can be seen in those with darker skin.

• Look like a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump or a pinkish patch of skin.

• Develop after years of frequent sun exposure or indoor tanning.

• Common on the head, neck and arms, but also appear on the chest, abdomen and legs.

• Early diagnosis and treatment is important. BCC can invade the surrounding tissue and grow into the nerves and bones, causing damage and disfigurement.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) – The second most common type of skin cancer; found mainly in people who have light skin, but can develop in darker-skinned people.

• Often looks like a red firm bump, scaly patch or a sore that heals and then re-opens.

• Tends to form on skin that gets frequent sun exposure, such as the rim of the ear, face, neck, arms, chest and back.

• SCC can grow deep in the skin and cause damage and disfigurement. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this and stop SCC from spreading to other areas of the body.

Melanoma – The deadliest form of skin cancer.

• Frequently develops in a mole or suddenly appears as a new dark spot on the skin.

• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

• Knowing the early signs can help you find an early melanoma.

• include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.

Source: The American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org)

Island time

SHE TRAVELS

Puerto Rico welcomes visitors back after hurricanes

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 27

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUERTO RICO TOURISM COMPANY

SHE TRAVELS

28 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

A

lmost one year after Hurricanes Irma and Maria nearly blew Puerto Rico off the Caribbean map, the routine of life is returning to the tiny island.

But everywhere are subtle reminders that Puerto Rico is adjusting to its post-hurricane “new normal,” and still struggling in recovery.

I recently spent a week in the San Juan area, the most populated region of Puerto Rico, exploring both the everyday aspects of the island, as well as the tourist offerings.

Here, I had to look closely for signs of hurricane damage — the occasional torn billboard and still-boarded up Order a pina colada at Mojitos businesses were clues — but restaurant in San Juan and you'll the intensive recovery efforts get the entire pineapple (and a very have certainly taken hold. healthy serving of rum.)

Venturing away from the population center, however, it’s a different story of active recovery with much left to do.

In San Juan, the hotels are bustling, thanks to legions of federal contractors still working on recovery programs, as well as tourists who make the port of San Juan a regular stop on their cruise destination. (I learned “volunteer cruises” are popular for those looking to combine time on the seas with volunteer work in Puerto Rico).

Open-air restaurants and bars in the popular Condado district spill people and the sounds of reggae into the streets late into the night, and you can’t travel far without hearing “Despacito” (the nonJustin Bieber version only).

Visitors and their money are a boon to the battered island. Its population has plummeted by nearly 500,000 residents, who have relocated to the U.S. mainland since Maria and Irma blew ashore last October. In a nation of fewer than four million, it represents a huge loss in both revenue and “brain drain,” say locals, who suggest those who left will likely not return.

I had heard reports of routine power outages. The entire island lost power twice in the weeks before I arrived, so I was braced for the worst. But in San Juan and the more populated areas, power was restored within weeks after the hurricanes, and is no longer an issue. That is not the case in the more remote areas of the island, where an estimated 20,000 residents are still waiting for the return of electricity.

What is surprising in San Juan is many traffic signals still remain dark, primarily on the side streets, which makes for a harrowing commute at times. Heed the advice of tourism guides, who warn guests from renting a car.

When I asked our shuttle driver why some intersections remain without signals, he simply replied it was not a priority yet for the government. He seemed unfazed by the game of cat and mouse required when approaching some intersections (the idea of a fourway stop is lost on local drivers), but I spent most of my rides braced for impact!

Puerto Rico has never enjoyed the upscale reputation of its t Old San Juan, with its rich history and unique architecture, is popular with tourists.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUERTO RICO TOURISM COMPANY

SHE TRAVELS FAST FACTS • • •

• •

San Felipe del Morro was built in 1539 by Spain to guard the entrance to San Juan Bay, and defend the city of San Juan from its enemies.

Bartender Reynaldo Garcia serves up the perfect drink and atmosphere at Yuerba Buena in the Condado district of San Juan.

sister islands....the Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Bart...and others that draw tourists in for the luxury and amenities. To me, Puerto Rico is the working man’s island — the authentic version of everyday life far removed from the mainland.

Beaches are open to all — not walled off from the locals like you often find on touristdriven islands — so pull up a chair next to a raucous family of 20 or the grizzled fishermen catching dinner for the day. The sand is lovely, and the water is clear and blue.

There are more than 300 beaches on the island, from heavily used to secluded and sparse. In San Juan, Condado and Ocean Park are the top two tourist draws and are located near the luxury hotels that dot the coastline.

Here, the vibe can be rowdy and crowded. If you are looking for something more low-key, travel outside San Juan, by car or ferry, to find

your quiet spot.

Luquillo Beach, about 30 miles east of San Juan, boasts warm, shallow waters, and is a stone’s throw from the El Yunque National Rainforest, one of Puerto Rico’s top natural attractions.

Or take the short boat or seaplane trip to the small islands just offshore, Vieques and Culebra, where pristine, unpopulated beaches await the traveler searching for a unique experience.

But let’s turn to what Puerto Rico is most known for — food and drinks. Nearly every conversation I had with residents quickly turned into the best places to both eat and get a great cup of coffee. Sorry Starbucks, even Burger King offers some of the best coffee I’ve ever had — and this is coming from an eightcups-a-day drinker.

Our large party tried numerous restaurants during our eight-day stay in San Juan, and we were rarely disappointed by the service, the quality and especially the bill at the end of the meal.

Service staff seemed genuinely interested in giving their guests an “experience.” Guests are not just viewed as tourists ripe for the picking and never to be seen again.

I loved everything from the juice bar, Crush, across the street from my hotel, where $10 bought the acai bowl loaded with fresh fruit, to the hole-in-the-wall restaurant, Mojitos, where that same $10 bought a pina colada loaded with rum and made from (and served in) an actual pineapple.

Down the street at Yerba Buena, a massive pork chop (referred to as a “chuleta can can”) spilled off the edges of my companion’s plate and rivaled the line of beautifully butterflied shrimp with fresh coconut shavings that others selected.

No meal is complete without “mofongo,” the unofficial national dish of Puerto Rico, which is made by mashing fried green plantains into a bowl in which various ingredients are nestled.

We also quickly found moonshine is both readily available and shared — and to be

•

•

• • •

There are more than 40 flights a day from Atlanta to San Juan. Flight time is three-and-a-half hours.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so U.S. citizens do not need passports.

Puerto Rico is approximately 100 miles long by 35 miles wide and is the smallest and most eastern island of the Greater Antilles, which also includes Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica.

The island is about the size of Connecticut and has 300 miles of coastline.

About 120 hotels are up and running; ranging from budget to high-end luxury hotels; there are 4,000 restaurants on the island.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus “discovered” Puerto Rico. He landed in what is now known as Old San Juan, the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico and a major tourist destination.

The island is divided into 78 municipalities, similar to counties in the United States, run by an elected mayor and a municipal legislature.

It is always summer in Puerto Rico, which has a year-round average of 82 degrees.

The island does not follow Daylight Saving Time, so from March to November, it shares the same time as Atlanta.

Go ahead and drink the water — often a bad decision in foreign countries.

But Puerto Rico follows and meets the same standards for water set by the Environmental Protection Agency for the United States.

approached with caution when early wake-up calls are in order. Find a trusted local to share his homemade brew.

Although Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, it is clearly an independent entity with its own unique identity. Sure, they use the dollar, but do not expect English to be used or understood across the board.

We found the employees of hotels and other tourist-centric places to be somewhat bilingual, but for most everyone else, it was a series of hand signals and Google translator that got us through (usually).

As for safety and security, Puerto Rico is like many other islands that advise their tourists to be watchful. We traveled in large groups, stayed on only busy streets and never went exploring off the beaten path. I rarely saw police officers, other than in hotels, (and at the many, many traffic accidents we saw every day) but never felt a need to be any more cautious than I am on the streets of downtown Atlanta.

At the end of the day, it was the spirit of the Puerto Ricans that made my week most memorable. The hurricane aftermath is certainly a recent memory, but life moves on, and there is another meal to enjoy and friends to laugh with and share. ■ july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 29

GOOD EATS

growing Cumming farmer uses hydroponics to produce high-quality lettuce

30 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

GOOD EATS

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

green PHOTOS BY SUZANNE PACEY

I

n the world of vegetables, lettuce may not occupy the top spot on the list of what’s trending, but try to imagine a world (or a burger) without the trusty sidekick.

Circle A Farms in Cumming is taking a new approach to the leafy green, and collecting fans and kudos for its natural approach to growing lettuce with enhanced nutrition, as well as taste.

Owner Jeff Adams opened the greenhouses at Circle A Farms in 2011, using hydroponics to grow his crops in water — without soil. The process was developed in California decades ago, after growers struggled through persistent drought conditions and sought a more efficient way to use the land and natural resources.

At Circle A Farms, Adams uses the most minimal amount of land for his 45,000 “holes” — occupying a fourbay greenhouse of just under 15,000 square feet. What started as an operation growing just four kinds of lettuce has grown to 10 varieties of greens and herbs, including bibb, kale, romaine, arugula, spring mix and basil.

Adams grew up working on the family farm in Alabama alongside his dad, but initially opted for a career in the construction industry. Two decades later, the land called him back.

“I always wanted to farm full-time, but wanted to do it on a smaller footprint of land,” he said. “After a fair amount of research, I found hydroponics and realized it was a very efficient, clean and healthy way to grow greens.”

So why lettuce?

“I wanted to grow something that almost everyone would buy,” explained Adams. “Since lettuce is something almost everyone eats to some degree, in salads, sandwiches … I thought for marketing purposes, this would sell the best.”

And he was correct. In 2011, he broke ground on the property in Cumming, and constructed the greenhouses along with his dad. Soon, the seeds arrived to be transplanted in their water-based, state-of-the-art system.

One month later, the first harvest was ready to go and quickly made its way to restaurants and tables across the area.

Adams admits there was a learning curve in the

► See GOOD EATS, Page 32 july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 31

GOOD EATS ▼ GOOD EATS Continued from Page 31

how the magic happens...

32 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

PHOTOS BY SUZANNE PACEY

beginning, as he and his staff learned the intricacies of hydroponic farming.

“We didn't have a template of how to make this business work,” he said. “It has all been trial and error and a positive attitude.

Hydroponics is a simple process, but it isn't always easy.”

The opening of Circle A Farms also paired nicely with the “clean eating” movement, and the farm-to-table trend that still thrives today.

Marketing director and co-owner Cheryl Howlin says much of the food Americans eat is coming from sources far away, and the quality is often in question. Often by the time it makes the trek around the globe, it arrives on the dinner plate virtually tasteless, she said.

“Our lettuce is harvested and delivered daily and is grown with all the proper nutrients that lettuce needs to be both healthy and delicious,” said Howlin.

Every 60 days, the water used in the production process is evaluated by Clemson Agricultural Department and analyzed for 14 nutrients.

“All of our nutrients are derived from natural sources and made water-soluble,”

Our lettuce is harvested and delivered daily and is grown with all the proper nutrients that lettuce needs to be both healthy and delicious.”

said Howlin. “Nutrients serve two important purposes: it helps our lettuce taste amazing, as well as being a natural preservative.”

Howlin met Adams just two months into his first harvest and knew immediately she wanted to be involved in the business. She had

SALES AND MARKETING, CHERYL HOWLIN

a degree in dietetics and nutrition, and was excited by this new concept in farming.

“I wanted to help get the word out,” said Howlin. “While Jeff focused on the facilities and growing of the greens, I focused on the business development. We now partner is all aspects of the business and make a great team.”

The lettuce from Circle A Farms was initially sold to restaurants, at farmers markets and directly to customers from the greenhouse. In 2017, Howlin developed Circle A’s farm-to-porch delivery program, which

GOOD EATS allows customers to order and pay online and then delivers the products directly to their doorstep.

“Our delivery zones currently serve all of Forsyth County, as well as parts of North Fulton,” she said.

Looking ahead, Howlin wants to bring their products to an even wider customer base, and spread the word of the options in healthy eating.

“We are creating a ‘Salad Bar Party’ concept where you can sample our greens, enjoy a healthy salad, learn about the nutritional benefits of our greens, as well how to incorporate our greens into your daily meals,” said Howlin, who envisions holding the “parties” at offices, schools and private events.

She loves telling the story of hydroponics and how it not only enhances the nutritional aspect of lettuce, but also helps the environment through water conservation and reduced pesticides. Howlin said Circle A Farms uses ladybugs, instead of pesticides, to cut down on “lettuce loving bugs.”

“We simply love what we do, and that’s important,” she said. “People want to know who is growing their food, where it is grown and have a relationship with the grower … the way it used to be when we gathered food from the farms in our own community.” ■

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

2895 Dishroom Road, Cumming, GA 30028 770-406-9345 • www.circlealettuce.com Cheryl Howlin, co-owner and marketing director and Jeff Adams, owner/grower of Circle A Farms.

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 33

HER MONEY

5 little-known facts about your 401K

By ALLISON NYE Contributing Writer

W

hile it’s still summer and things are slow, now is the perfect time to revisit your 401K. Here are five little known facts you might not know about your 401K: • Maximum contribution: One common misconception is that “maxing out” your contributions means contributing up to the employer match.

Maxing actually means contributing up to the limit allowable by law, which is $18,500 in 2018.

• Catch-up contribution: Once you turn 50, you are allowed a “catch-up” contribution, which lets you contribute an additional $6,000 per year to your 401K, totaling $24,500 in 2018.

• Self-directed brokerage account: Some 401K plans offer what’s called a self-directed brokerage account. This is a separate account inside your 401K that gives access to investment options you wouldn’t normally find in your regular 401K. Remember, these can be managed with the help of a financial advisor and all investment options should be thoroughly researched.

• Taking distributions before age 59.5: The rule of thumb for qualified distributions is a 10 percent penalty assessed if the money is distributed before age 59.5. However, if you separate from employment in the year you turn 55 or later, the 10 percent penalty is waived. Be sure to talk to your human resources department about your specific plan before making any decisions.

• Target date funds: Many people use them, but not many know how they work. Target date funds are designed for you to invest the funds in your 401K and not touch it until you retire. The risk is auto-adjusted to become less risky as you near retirement age.

Visit oXYGenFinancial.net with any questions about your 401K or how to make the most of your retirement! ■

Allison Nye, Wealth plan design specialist at oXYGen Financial.

Co-host of “They Don’t Teach You This” podcast.

PET OF THE MONTH

M

Volleyball

eet Volleyball, a 6-month old terrier mix who is seeking a forever home (and perhaps a new name from her forever family!). She is a sweet girl who loves to cuddle on the sofa, play with her toys and roll over to get belly rubs. Volleyball is working on potty training and crate training, and is to learning basic commands. She needs a patient family who understands she is still a puppy and there is a lot to learn. Volleyball does love cats – to chase – so a cat-free home would be best. She does get along with small dogs, though. As a terrier, Volleyball has lots of energy and loves to run outside, so a fenced in yard would keep her happy and healthy. She is fully-vetted and will be spayed. To inquire about making Volleyball part of your family, send a note to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue at inquiry@angelsrescue.org, or submit an adoption application at http://www. angelsrescue.org/adopt/adoption-forms. ■ 34 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

ME T P O D A

KELLY NAVE PHOTOGRAPHY

SHE DESIGNS

Marble countertops require special care to ensure a lifetome of beauty.

Confused about countertops?

A guide to different countertop materials

By TRACY HARKNESS Contributing Writer

W

ith so much new construction and renovations happening, my clients are constantly quizzing me on countertop facts and wondering what’s the best option. Swapping out countertops is a big investment, but the return is tremendous. Hopefully this guide will create some clarity in choosing the best countertops for your home.

Granite — Due to its wide range of color options and affordability, granite has been overwhelmingly popular for many years. It is extremely easy to maintain, and is also heat resistant, scratch resistant and easy to clean if it is sealed properly. Granite can be polished, which is most common, or honed to give it a matte finish. The downside to granite is that most options tend to look “busy” instead of a clean, classic look.

Marble — Although it is widely popular and a natural beauty, marble is extremely porous. That means it can stain and etch easily, especially from acidic items (think lemons and wine). Spills should be

wiped immediately and surfaces should be sealed yearly. Marble can also be honed or polished. As for cost, marble is expensive, but you are paying for a classic, timeless look to last a lifetime.

Quartz — Not to be confused with quartzite, quartz is a manmade surface. Quartz has become more popular in recent years because it is low maintenance. This countertop is stain, scratch and heat resistant, and there is no need to seal quartz, as it is not a porous surface. Some quartz tends to give you the marble look without the maintenance.

However, quartz has a pretty hefty price tag, like marble.

Quartzite — Contrary to popular belief, quartzite is a natural stone, extracted from the Earth. Unlike quartz, no two slabs are completely similar, because quartzite is natural. Quartzite is believed to be harder than granite and has a beautiful variegated look like marble, without the maintenance. However, quartzite needs to be sealed once a year and is one of the most expensive options available. ■ As an Interior Designer and Owner of j. gray design & interiors, Inc., Tracy Harkness creates spaces that are chic, timeless, and comfortable. Every space should be functional and livable with attention to detail.

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 35

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or nearly 30 years, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams has been making the world a more comfortable place with luxurious home furnishings that are warm and inviting. CEO and Chair-man Mitchell Gold believes, “When a home is successfully furnished, just walking in the door is like getting a hug.”

In keeping with this comfortable design mantra, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams offers eco-friendly, American-made upholstery, bench-made by skilled artisans in vivid colors and a range of fabrics, leathers and finishes.

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At The Custom Shop, located in the Alpharetta Signature Store, you’ll meet friendly and talented designers ready to work with you one-on-one, while sharing their ideas and expertise. As the creative seat of our stores, The Custom Shop is an experiential and interactive workspace. From deciding on the perfect fabric for a single chair, to creating an entire design scheme for a living room or your entire home, we’re here to help make your vision a reality.

COLLABORATE & CREATE Our designers are masters at helping you create the perfect mix of style and comfort in a range of styles, fabrics and finishes. From finding colors that make a space serene, to selecting tables and storage, and finishing touches

like rugs, lighting and draperies, we will help create a personalized plan for a room, or your entire house, either in-store or in the comfort of your own home.

IN-HOME DESIGN SERVICES Perfect for busy schedules, in-home design services let us bring our expertise to you. Not only can we help in determining the right scale for each piece, but we can seamlessly incorporate your new décor with the rest of your home. We can work with your schedule, and your personal designer will be available for questions via phone or email, as well as in person.

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END OF SEASON SALE For a limited time: Comfort Club members enjoy up to 60% on sofas, sleepers, tables, rugs, lighting, and more, in stores and online. Shop early for best selection, in stores and online.

Visit the beautiful 9,000-sq.-ft. showroom, located among the shops and restaurants of Avalon at the Old Milton Parkway, 5185 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy convenient valet and complimentary parking. For more information, call 678.248.5185 or visit mgbwhome.com. ■

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Alpharetta - Crabapple/Roswell/Milton 282 Rucker Road, Suite 110 • Alpharetta, GA 30004 | Office: (678) 240-2201 Atlanta NE - Norcross 4870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. • Norcross, GA 30071 | Office: (770) 255-3380 Cartersville 477 East Main Street • Cartersville, GA 30121 | Office: (770) 607-2801 Cumming 5940 Bethelview Road • Cumming, GA 30040 | Office: (678) 845-1200 Dawsonville 391 Quill Lane, Suite 150 • Dawsonville, GA 30534 | Office: (706) 265-3273 Douglasville 2092 Fairburn Road • Douglasville, GA 30135 | Office: (770) 947-2400

Hall County/Lake Lanier 956 B Dawsonville Hwy, Suite 301 • Gainesville, GA 30501 | Office: (770) 535-8301 Johns Creek/Alpharetta/Duluth 9945 Jones Bridge Rd, Suite 201 • Johns Creek, GA 30022 | Office: (678) 867-2345 McDonough/Southern Crescent 2124 Jodeco Road • McDonough, GA 30253 | Office: (678) 583-9995 Smyrna 1322 Concord Rd SE • Smyrna, GA 30080 | Office: (770) 805-9652 Woodstock - Cobb Cherokee 13190 Highway 92, Suite 100-110 • Woodstock, GA 30188 | Office: (770) 517-2272 Commercial Division 282 Rucker Road • Alpharetta, GA 30004 | Office: (678) 240-2206

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Design N

Interiors

orth Atlanta is a hub for trendy-yet-refined interior decor. With plenty of brick and mortar stores to choose from, the difficult part is picking which styles best reflect your personality and taste.

Below, experts offer their views on designing for the Life Styles of today.

Buying furniture 101…4 key areas to consider…

ERGONOMICS Start with function... having furniture "fit" the way you live and use your room, is much more important than just considering how it "looks".

How will your family use the room? Look at the size of the pieces to see if they "fit" your family. If you have tall family members, you don't want a sofa or chairs that are too low to the floor, or your family will be uncomfortable while sitting. In the dining room, we often hear the request for "three-hour chairs," meaning that seats need to be comfortable for long meals and conversation at the table.

Just because something looks nice in a showroom or online doesn't mean it will work in your home.

DIMENSIONS Catalog photos are deceiving, and never depict the size and scale of items accurately. Look carefully at the dimensions before you order something. You need to know how a piece will fit in the intended room, as well as how it will get there. "It didn’t fit in the stairwell or through my front door," one frustrated buyer lamented.

Before buying, use painter’s tape to block out where the piece will go in the room, and take measurements of all the doors and stairwells it will traverse to get the piece where it is supposed to go.

CONSTRUCTION Find out where a piece of furniture was made and its materials, and avoid products that might contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde or fire retardants. Both substances have historically been common in furniture construction. When buying upholstery (sofa, chair, etc.) be sure to look if they have hardwood frames, steel spring

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construction, high resiliency foam cushions, and fabric matching from top to bottom with a finished tailored look.

SHAPES To get a pleasing mix of furniture pieces in a single room, try varying their basic shapes. We typically do this by considering how many rectangles, diamonds, and circles are in a space. Then make sure one shape isn’t overly dominant in the scheme.

For instance, if you have a round lampshade and a round mirror above a fireplace, then maybe you do a rectangular coffee table and a rug that has a graphic pattern, just to balance out the shapes.

Tuscany Fine Furnishings specializes in crafting home interiors from start-to-finish, from space planning to final furniture selection. ■

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Katrinka Favaloro, an accomplished, award winning ASID Interior Designer, with Tuscany Fine Furnishings, Offering Life Style Fine Furnishings, Decorative Accessories and Design Services for Every Room in Your Home, 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 315, in Roswell, 770993-0640 ext. 2, Showroom Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m… Featuring… 14,313 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS! TUSCANYFINEFURNISHINGS.COM

The slide at the PHOTOS CREDIT OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

OUTDOOR WOMAN

Sliding Rock is a 60 foot natural water slide that ends in a 8 foot deep pool of water, with 2 observation platforms.

By STEVE HUDSON Contributing Writer

L

ooking for a summertime adventure that’s really out there? Here’s a thought: check out what may be the mother of all waterslides — Sliding Rock in northeast Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge State Park.

It’s definitely not your everyday low-effort adventure, but it is worth the effort it takes to get there.

Tallulah Gorge — you must experience it firsthand to fully understand just how impressive it is. With a length of about 2 miles and a depth of as much as 1,000 feet (that’s almost two-tenths of a mile), the gorge is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the eastern United States.

Hyperbole? Not at all.

Tallulah Gorge is also the centerpiece of Tallulah Gorge State Park. This 2,700-acre park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, a sand beach (open seasonally), playgrounds and more.

Thanks to a great system of hiking trails, visitors have the opportunity to experience much of the gorge on foot. Many stick to the “open-access” trails — that is, to the trails that require no permit. These include the North Rim and South Rim trails, which together offer about 2.5 miles of great hiking with unforgettable views.

But other hikers want more. They’re drawn by the lure of another set of trails — the more challenging and more strenuous routes that carry 40 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

We tell folks that the round-trip hike averages about four hours, including about one hour to play at Sliding Rock.”

visitors deep into the heart of the gorge.

One of those routes is the Sliding Rock Trail, which eventually leads you to Sliding Rock at Bridal Veil Falls. To call parts of it (especially the lower part of it) a “trail” is really not accurate; it’s more of a rocky route along the water.

With a round-trip distance of a bit more than 3 miles and topography that would challenge PARK RANGER, even a determined mountain goat, WEST MALENKE the Sliding Rock Trail is by any definition a tough hike. Make no mistake about that.

“We tell folks that the round-trip hike averages about four hours, including about one hour to play at Sliding Rock,” said park ranger West Malenke.

From the park’s visitor center , the trail descends into the gorge via a route that challenges you with what eventually seems like about 900,000 stairsteps; though in reality, it’s not quite that many. Just don’t forget that any descent (where gravity is your friend) must eventually be balanced by an ascent when it’s time to head for home. Darn that gravity

end of the trail

The Hurricane Falls Trail descends a pulse-raising number of stairs to the park’s suspension bridge, crossing the 80-foot high bridge over the roaring Tallulah River.

sometimes!

Because of all the steps you have to climb along the way, dogs are not allowed on this trail. When I broke that news to Ellie, the resident miniature Schnauzer, she took it well (and possibly with a sigh of relief).

One of the neatest things you’ll encounter on the way to Sliding Rock is a swinging footbridge, which at one point carries you across the river. It soars about 80 feet above the canyon floor, bouncing and swaying with every step as you float through the air and across the river far below. Thank goodness for those thin steel cables that support everything like gossamer strands of optimism in an uncertain world.

Some folks, especially those with a touch of acrophobia, don’t

OUTDOOR WOMAN

particularly like the bridge. I confess that even I, ruggedly seasoned outdoor adventurer and tamer of wilderness that I am, get a little touch of vertigo every time I peer over its edge. But it draws me anyway.

It’s a heady thing, making that crossing, but you’ve gotta do it if you’re bound for Sliding Rock.

So you cross the bridge. What then? First, you face some rugged, rocky trail.

Then, you have to wade across the river. There’s no bridge to help you this time.

Safely ensconced on the river’s far bank, you must make a downstream trek along what some have described as a “boulder-strewn route” on the side of the river. Others optimistically call it a “primitive path.” Whatever you call it, you’ll find that it certainly stretches muscles you didn’t know you had.

Eventually, you come to Bridal Veil Falls.

If you check out a map, you’ll see that Bridal Veil Falls is quite a ways down the length of the gorge. By that point, the river has dropped a good bit, and much of the thunder is gone — used up in those upriver falls with names like Hurricane and Oceana. At Bridal Veil, things have softened a little bit, and one result of that moderation of topography is Sliding Rock.

The slide itself, with a vertical drop of more than 15 feet and length of about 30 yards, offers the opportunity for a fast ride down a smooth rock face and into a cool, refreshing swimming hole (which is, in fact, the only place that the park allows you to swim in the river). At the bottom of the slide, you climb out of the pool (an experience that can

► See OUTDOOR WOMAN, Page 42 july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 41

OUTDOOR WOMAN

▼ OUTDOOR WOMAN Continued from Page 41 be challenging on the slick rocks) and will probably want to climb back up the slope to enjoy the ride again … and again … and again!

Just remember, there are no lifeguards. This is the backcountry, and you are on your own.

Eventually, you’ll have to bid adieu to the canyon floor and make the long, long climb out of the gorge and back to higher ground and your car. Some adventurers choose to backtrack and follow the same route they came in on.

“But you can also make a loop out of it,” said Malenke.

To do so, he said, you’ll need to cross to the south side of the river at Sliding Rock and then ascend the Sliding Rock Trail from the gorge floor to the canyon’s south rim.

“That trail is only a quarter-mile long, but it climbs through 800 feet of elevation — and there are no stairs,” he said.

Like I said, it’s a long way from your basic urban adventure!

Still want to give it a go? Note that hiking down into the gorge requires a free permit, and only 100 permits are issued each day. On good-weather days (especially weekends), those permits go fast; so get there 42 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

early to be sure you get one. They can’t be reserved in advance. Note too that at times, depending on weather or river conditions, access to the floor of the gorge may be restricted. Hiking in the gorge is also not allowed during “aesthetic water releases” or during whitewater boating weekends. Check the park’s website for specific dates for 2018, and remember that it’s not a bad idea to call before you go just to be sure.

Particularly during the summertime, when it’s hot, be sure that you carry plenty of water. Wear good shoes, too. As the park’s web page says, “no flip-flops or Crocs.”

One more thing to keep in mind is that the hike to Bridal Veil Falls/Sliding Rock is definitely in the strenuous category. It’s not a good hike for young kids. In any case, don’t wear yourself out playing on the slide.

Remember that you still must climb out of the gorge, and no matter what route you take, it’s a long way back to your car.

Tallulah Gorge State Park is located in Tallulah Falls (338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr.) in northeast Georgia’s Rabun County. For more info, visit gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge or call 706-754-7981. ■

Hurricane falls at Tallulejah Gorge.

Send us your recipe you might see it in the next issue!

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reeze Red, White and Blue Frozen Pops for a patriotic treat that will be a block party fave!

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Combine dry cherry gelatin mix and 1/2 cup sugar in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir 2 minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add enough ice cubes to 1 cup of cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Pour evenly into 16 (5-oz.) paper or plastic cups, adding about 1/4 cup gelatin to each cup. Freeze 1 hour.

2. Meanwhile, combine dry blue gelatin mix and remaining sugar in medium bowl.

Add remaining boiling water; stir 2 minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved.

Add enough ice cubes to remaining cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 1 hour.

3. Spoon about 3 tablespoons COOL WHIP over red gelatin in each cup; top evenly with blue gelatin, adding about 1/4 cup gelatin to each cup. Freeze 1 hour, or until almost firm. Insert wooden pop stick or plastic spoon into center of each cup for handle. Freeze 4 hours or until firm. To remove pops from cups, place bottoms of cups under warm running water for 15 sec. Press firmly on bottoms of cups to release pops. (Do not twist or pull pop sticks.)

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Pick up Northside Woman at any of the following locations: Alpharetta 2B Whole Bakery Alpha Soda ARIA Salon BELSO Home Studio Brazilian Wax by Andreia Cactus Car Wash Capstone Chiropractic Cuzi Fresh Café Exquisite Living Expedia Cruiseship Centers Fresco Art Galerie & Café Honey & Hazel Boutique Iroff & Son Jewelry Mammoth Car Wash & Detail Salon Marmi Shoes – Avalon Metropolitan Club Never Enough Thyme Queen of Hearts Southern Porch Youthtopia Med Spa Cumming ARIA Salon Atlanta Diamond Design Celebration Village Senior Living Cumming-Forsyth

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Health benefits of pets to humans

Dr. JOANNE ROESNER, DVM, DABVP

Loving Hands Animal Clinic • www.lovinghands.com

I

come into a room and am met with the warmest brown eyes and a wagging tail, which progresses to a full body wag. I bury my face in soft, luxurious golden retriever hair. I am showered with dog kisses, and if I am very lucky, get 70 pounds of pure love, joy and tactile comfort in my lap. My heart rate goes down, my breaths become deep and relaxing, all tension disappears from my muscles. I feel a complete sense of belonging, acceptance, love, comfort and sheer bliss. Am I unique? Dr. Joanne Roesner, DVM, Research has demonstrated I am not DABVP with Charlie and Kurt. alone. Pets have been shown to provide mental and physical health benefits to their people. They decrease anxiety and depression. They give physical and emotional comfort, increased sensory stimulation, lessen stress and promote a sense of autonomy, competence and self esteem. In one study, children aged 7 to 8 identified pets as a greater source of comfort than the people in the household. In adverse circumstances, animals have been shown to increase psychological resilience and facilitate emotional recovery in people. In a laboratory setting, animals were shown to decrease negativity and distress when their people were subjected to overt social rejection. Pets are absolutely trustworthy confidants.

Pets also play a role in building social support networks. Lack of social relationships has been identified as causing an increase in mortality on par with smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Animal family members are a source of social support in their own right, but can also facilitate human-to-human interaction. In a study of four cities in the United States and Australia, 51 percent of dog owners indicated that they met both other dog people, as well as non-dog owners, in their neighborhoods because of their dog. Canine family members act as ice breakers and increase initiation of conversation. They represent a safe topic of discussion. In the same study,

ASK THE VET

27 percent of dog owners reported forming important human friendships because of their dogs. Forty-two percent of pet owners in general, and of dog owners in this study, report obtaining social support from people met through their animal family. In our society of increasing disconnectedness and isolation, pets are a remarkable benefit.

What about benefits of animal family on human physical health?

Again, numerous studies exist.

Pets have been found to lower If you wish to learn more your blood pressure, decrease about service animals, your risk of stroke and heart attack Roswell author Donnie and improve your sleep. As a pet Winokur will sign her newperson, you might expect to visit est book, “Chancer: How the doctor fewer times per year than One Good Boy Saved Ansomeone whose family does not other Good Boy,” July 21, include animals. In Australia, from from 3 - 5 p.m. at Loving 1994 to 1995, it was estimated that Hands Animal Clinic. pet ownership decreased medical costs by $988 million. People in animal families are more likely to be normal body weight. Dogs especially, increase physical activity in their human parents and siblings. Diabetic youths, aged 9 -19 years, showed better control of blood sugar levels if they had pets, and especially if they were involved in taking care of that pet. Experiments have also shown that interaction between humans and dogs increases the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which lowers the stress-related chemical cortisol and helps to attenuate the health detriments of stress chemicals.

I cannot begin to discuss the many benefits of true service animals to human health. These are not pets who are just placed in a vest purchased online. They are animals who undergo years of training and socialization to perform specific functions for their person. Dogs are most common and assist in mobility impairment, visual impairment, managing blood sugar and seizures, cardiac alert and psychological and developmental disease, among other things.

Our next Pet Care University offering will be Aug. 18 from 3 - 5 p.m., when Dr. Eric Schimler will discuss arthritis in pets. See Appen News publications and Loving Hand social media pages for more information. ■ july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 45

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

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PAGES 46 - 55

Minimally invasive surgical options in gynecologic medicine

T

he field of gynecologic medicine has advanced by leaps and bounds over the last several years. Gone is the necessity for large incisions and long recoveries. According to Dr. John Reyes, Dr. Ingrid Reyes, Dr. Natu Mmbaga, Dr. Annie Kim and Dr. Stacey Pereira of Modern Ob/Gyn, minimally invasive procedures are almost always the best options for patients.

Heavy bleeding and painful cycles can now be treated with same day convenient in-office procedures that require no downtime and can be done in the office. “There are so many great options for women; it’s our job to get that information to them and make them aware they don’t need large incisions, long hospital stays, or painful recovery times,” Dr. John Reyes said. “da Vinci robotic surgery is also an amazing service.” Endometriosis, pelvic pain, fibroids, cysts and other common issues are sometimes best addressed with robotic surgery. As the first surgeons to perform da Vinci gynecologic robotic surgeries at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Dr. Ingrid and Dr. John Reyes pioneered the implementation of this fast-growing service in our community. Patients benefit from robotic surgery by having less risk for complications, short overnight hospital stays, faster recovery times, and minimal pain. Modern Ob/Gyn dedicates its gynecologic practice to minimally invasive surgeries and is an experienced leader in our community for robotic gynecologic surgery, performing these procedures at Emory Johns Creek Hospital and Northside HospitalForsyth. The physicians at Modern ObGyn enjoy providing second opinions and consultations because they believe it is vital to make patients aware of their choices. “We really value educating our patients so they understand their medical issues, why certain treatments are better than others, and what their options are for treatment,” said Dr. Ingrid. ■

There are so many great options for women; it’s our job to get that information to them and make them aware they don’t need large incisions, long hospital stays, or painful recovery times.”

MODERN OB/GYN

DR. J. REYES

DR. I. REYES

DR. KIM

DR. NATU

DR. PEREIRA

Womens oral health concerns

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

Thank you for Voting us Best Dentist, Again!

By DR. DAVID REMALEY, DDS Roswell Dental Care

A

LTHOUGH MEN AND WOMEN have a lot in common, there are a few differences when it comes to oral health. Women have some advantages men lack, but also some disadvantages men don’t have to worry about. Let’s take a look at the main ones.

TMJ And Sjögren’s Syndrome Women account for 90 percent of people suffering DR. REMALEY from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome, or chronic pain or soreness in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. The most obvious cause is bruxism (teeth grinding). It can be the result of stress, joint structure, vitamin deficiency, medical conditions like arthritis, and even hormones.

Another condition women are far more prone to than men is Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks salivary glands and tear ducts (resulting in dry mouth and dry eye) before moving on to other tissues and organs. Dry mouth, aside from making chewing and swallowing difficult, is very dangerous to oral health. This is because saliva washes away food particles, fights bacteria, and neutralizes the mouth’s pH. With both syndromes, regular dental visits are crucial so that you can get a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that will keep your mouth healthy.

Puberty, Pregnancy, And Menopause Hormones play a large role in women’s dental health, particularly when they are going through significant changes, such as during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Gingivitis and inflamed gums are common during puberty and pregnancy. So it’s especially important to maintain good oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing under these conditions.

Dry mouth is a common problem for women going through menopause, and bone loss is another. When bone loss occurs in the jaw, it can compromise the gums and the roots of the teeth. It’s very important for menopausal women to discuss these potential effects with their dentists, ideally before any negative symptoms appear!

Eating Disorders And Teeth More than twice as many teenage girls suffer from eating disorders than teenage boys, and that ratio persists in different age groups. Eating disorders are life-threatening. They have negative effects on every system in the body, and the mouth is no exception.

Malnutrition, particularly a deficiency in vitamins and minerals essential to keeping teeth and gums healthy, can lead to a variety of oral health problems. Eating disorders can do more direct harm as well. Bulimia in particular can lead to tooth erosion from frequent exposure to stomach acid during purges.

You And Your Dentist Make A Great Team!

One major advantage women have is their tendency to take better care of their teeth. Women are more likely to brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with their regular dental appointments than men. They’re also much less likely to try toughing it out whenever they experience tooth pain or other symptoms. These healthy habits combine to greatly reduce the impact of all the above conditions.

At Roswell Dental Care, we promise personal and professional service as extraordinary as the innovative technology we use for our procedures.

We will evaluate your needs and determine the best solution to satisfy you.

We were recently voted Best Dentist of North Atlanta in “The Best of the Best” contest, and we can help you maintain that healthy smile for a lifetime.

We have been treating patients like family for over 30 years in Roswell and the North Atlanta area.

We always welcome new patients! We will be happy to offer a COMPLIMENTARY evaluation if you or any family member is experiencing any dental complications or discomfort. Give our office a call at (470) 3759243 to schedule an appointment. ■

Dr. David Remaley

Dedicated to providing exceptional dentistry and creating beautiful, healthy smiles for over 30 years.

WINNER 2015

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

2016

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

Our services include: • • • • • •

Crowns & Bridges Porcelain Veneers Extractions Tooth Colored Fillings- BPA Free Teeth Whitening Teeth Cleanings, Exams & Oral Cancer Screenings • Digital X-Rays & Intra-oral Camera Photos • Dental Vibe® Painless Injections • Smile Makeovers

& Full Mouth Reconstruction • FREE Nitrous Oxide & Oral Conscious Sedation • Metal FREE Dentistry & Safe Amalgam Removal • Periodontal Treatment Therapy • Occlusal Guards & Bite Adjustments • Snore Guards and TAP® Appliances • Spa-like, relaxed atmosphere

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Excellence in Dentistry

470.375.9244 • roswelldentalcare.com 1570 Old Alabama Rd • Ste 102 • Roswell, GA 30076

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 47

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

How to C.A.R.E. about being your best

A

ccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60 to 85 percent of the population worldwide does not engage in enough activity, making physical inactivity the fourthleading risk factor for global mortality. With many spending hours commuting and sitting at their desks and moving less, more people are putting their health at risk for weight gain, muscle loss, weak bones, poor blood circulation and inflammation that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and increased feelings of depression.

Any amount of physical activity is beneficial, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Ideally, though, adults should do at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (such as walking), or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity, or a combination of both, each week.

Helpful Hints To help you live a healthier, happier, more active lifestyle, former Olympic runner, personal trainer, and current vice president of Worldwide Sports & Fitness at Herbalife Nutrition, Samantha Clayton, offers this reminder to C.A.R.E.: • Create specific and achievable goals and resolutions. Remember, this is a lifestyle change that can lead to sustainable, lasting results. “Crash diets” and gym overload are temporary and not sustainable long term.

For example, if your goal is to start running, don’t shoot for a marathon right away. Start with short jogs and challenge yourself by signing up for a 5K, 10K and so on. The incremental successes will build your physical strength, your endurance and confidence. Remember to celebrate your achievements!

• Activate your social networks to help you achieve your goals.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can help you stay on track. At Herbalife Nutrition Clubs, for example, people come together to improve their health, fitness and well-being, all while benefiting from a supportive community that provides encouragement and guidance.

• Resolve to take action by making little lifestyle changes. It takes three weeks to make a habit, so start with something you know you can achieve. Add fruits and vegetables to every meal, go for a walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park your car farther from the door and walk.

• Eat balanced meals that include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and proteins that will help maintain energy and curb appetite. Many people find that an easy way to jump-start their diet is to replace two meals with a meal replacement shake or bar, such as Herbalife Nutrition Formula 1, then have a calorie-controlled, healthy entrée as their third meal, with extra veggies and salad on the side.

How To Get Started Weight management is a result of balanced nutrition and exercise.

Free video tutorials of exercises you can do at home, in the office or on the road are available at www.Herbalife.com. There, you will find Clayton and other fitness experts demonstrating exercise routines that are from five to 15 minutes long. You will also find recipes for nutritious, balanced meals.

Whether you’re new to exercise or are training for the next bodybuilding competition, the exercise video library caters to your goals and aims to help you achieve a healthier and happier life. ■ 48 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

Helping seniors recover from cataract surgery

By HOME HELPERS OF ALPHARETTA

T

he National Eye Institute reports at least 50 percent of men and women 80 or older have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery. It is one of the most common and safest operations performed in the United States. If your senior loved one is Hilary and Greg Eldridge, owners of undergoing the surgery, Home Helpers Home Care of Alpharetta. be prepared to help with these steps to recovery.

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts is a condition where one or both lenses in the eye becomes cloudy. It's caused when proteins in the fluid in the eye start to clump together and block areas of the lens creating blurred vision.

Cataracts can make it hard to drive at night. Often glare forms around headlights and lamps. Developing double vision or the inability to differentiate similar colors is also a symptom.

There is no cure for cataracts. Surgery usually isn't an option until vision is diminishing. Once that time comes, cataract surgery is a safe, effective option. The entire process takes an hour and a patient can typically undergo surgery while awake with an anesthetic numbing the eye. If there are cataracts in both eyes, two surgeries are scheduled a few weeks apart.

Make Sure Your Senior Follows these Steps to Recovery After surgery, your loved one will need a ride home from surgery and to follow up appointments. Driving should be avoided after surgery until they have their doctor’s approval.

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops will be prescribed to help with healing and to prevent infection. Arrange to get this medication in advance, as it usually needs to be administered three to four times a day. In many cases seniors need help getting the drops in their eye and reminders when it's time to apply more drops.

Itching and mild discomfort is normal after cataract surgery.

Make sure your loved one avoids rubbing or pressing on their eye.

Light may be bothersome at first and wearing sunglasses throughout the day will help, even when inside. This can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks. An eye shield will also be used when sleeping or napping to prevent injury. Avoid getting shampoo or soap in the eye, so assistance with bathing may be needed.

Some patients see well the day after surgery, others in a few days or a few weeks - often they can watch TV or read the same day. Prepare a sitting area so their most used items are within easy reach.

After surgery they cannot pick up heavier items or bend over at the waist for a couple of weeks, as it increases pressure in the eye.

Avoid straining and strenuous activity. Make sure someone is available to carry in groceries, prepare meals, bring in delivered packages, help with housework or lift the laundry basket. It can take up to eight weeks to completely heal. Check in often and set up a shared support schedule in advance with family or friends.

This may be a perfect time to consider professional in-home care to ensure your loved one is on a quick road to recovery. A skilled, heartcentered caregiver from Home Helpers will also connect with their youthful spirit.

For a free in-home consultation to determine the personalized services that are best for you, call us at (678) 430-8511. ■

Thank you for voting Home Helpers Best Home Care for Seniors!

Personalized Home Care that nurtures a youthful spirit

Greg and Hilary Eldridge,

Owners – Home Helpers of Alpharetta Certified Senior Advisors(CSA)®

Serving Communities North of Atlanta

www.HomeHelpersHomeCare.com/Alpharetta

Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills.

It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.

At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. This thoughtful selection helps establish a bond between a caregiver and client that bolsters the young at heart spirit waiting to come out in each client.

For a free consultation, please call 678-430-8511

Each office is independently owned and operated.

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

Risks and limitations of orthodontic treatment

By DR. JEFFREY JORDAN Jordan Orthodontics

S

uccessful orthodontic treatment is a partnership between the orthodontist and the patient. The doctor and staff are dedicated to achieving the best possible result for each patient. As a general rule, informed and cooperative patients can achieve excellent orthodontic results. While recognizing the benefits of a beautiful healthy smile, patients should also know that, as with all healing arts, orthodontic treatment has limitations and potential results. These DR. JORDAN are seldom serious enough to indicate that the patient should not have treatment. However, all patients should seriously consider the option of no orthodontic treatment at all by accepting their present oral condition. Alternatives to orthodontic treatment vary with each individual’s specific problems, and prosthetic solutions or limited orthodontic treatment may be considerations. The patient should discuss alternatives with the orthodontist prior to beginning treatment.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has completed at least two years of additional graduate training in orthodontics at an accredited program after graduating from dental school.

Orthodontic treatment usually proceeds as planned, and we intend

to do everything possible to achieve the best results for every patient. The success of treatment depends on the patient’s cooperation in keeping appointments, maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding loose and broken braces, and following the orthodontist’s instructions carefully.

The length of treatment depends on a number of issues, including the severity of the problem, the patient’s growth and the level of patient cooperation. The actual treatment time is usually close to the estimated treatment time, but treatment may be lengthened if, for example, unanticipated growth occurs or no growth occurs. Also, if there are habits affecting the dentofacial structures, or if periodontal problems occur or if patient cooperation is not adequate treatment times can be extended.

Fortunately, the risks and limitations of orthodontic treatments are minimal compared to the amazing results that can be achieved. So remember, you are never fully dressed without a smile! ■

Alpha Family Medicine welcomes new doctor

A

lpha Family Medicine is pleased to welcome Dr. Michelle Lee to our practice. She has more than 21 years of diverse medical experience and is board certified in internal medicine. She completed her residency at the University of FloridaJacksonville. She served in the military on Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force in MO and Korea. Later she worked as a civilian hospitalist in Tampa, FL before DR. LEE serving in the U.S. Army as a civilian in both Korea and Germany. Dr. Lee also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and has a special interest in chronic diseases, preventive medicine, public health, and infectious diseases.

As a physician, she provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office by managing both common and complex illness in adolescents, adults and the elderly. As a provider she can help you with disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs, treatment of cancer, infections and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints and digestive, respiratory and vascular systems.

The providers and medical staff at Alpha Family Medicine are available to help you achieve your optimal level of health. We can support you and your family with all your medical needs from routine wellness check-ups, annual physicals, DOT physicals, general and specialized geriatric care, along with the management of even more serious health conditions. (480 N Main St #202, Alpharetta, GA 30009, 678-619-1974, alphafammed.com) ■ 50 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

What allergy and asthma patients should think about now

By LILY G. HWANG, MD

Board Certified Allergist, Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Prepare for the summer season During the summer, patients with allergies and asthma should be aware of outdoor triggers such as grass pollen, insect stings, and poor air quality. When traveling, keep your action plans, medications, inhalers, and epinephrine on you, not in your luggage. A visit with your allergist before you leave can help you prepare for travel.

Prepare for the school year Summer is a great time to see your allergist and DR. HWANG assess action plans for allergies and asthma. Review the different epinephrine auto-injectors and work with your allergist to decide which one is best for your family. Make sure you have two of everything you need, one for school and one for home. Use the summer to build-up to maintenance dosage on your allergen immunotherapy so that when school starts your symptoms will be under control.

Re-test for food allergies Depending on the specific food allergen, repeat skin testing can be done on a yearly basis or every few years. Food allergy diagnosis and management is changing rapidly, so working closely with your allergist will provide you with state-of-the-art testing tools and management plans.

Dr. Hwang sees patients in Atlanta Allergy & Asthma’s Alpharetta and Lawrenceville offices. To schedule an appointment, visit AtlantaAllergy.com ■

Same Day/Next Day Appointments Available We are pleased to announce that Lily Hwang, MD is now seeing patients in our Alpharetta office.

Specializing in custom treatment plans for families with allergies, asthma, food allergy, and eczema.

NORTHMEADOW MEDICAL CENTER

1357 Hembree Road, Suite 200 Roswell, GA 30076

Wills Park

Hospital

Hembree Rd.

Maxwell Rd.

S Main St.

y.

Hw

Wills Rd.

Alp ha re tta

770.475.0807

Since 1972 | Atlanta’s Largest Allergy & Asthma Practice 17 locations | 17 Board Certified Allergist/Immunologists AtlantaAllergy.com 52 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

Skin myths

By DR. BRENT TAYLOR

Premier Dermatology and MOHS surgery of Atlanta

D

istinguishing fact from fiction is key when it comes to health care related matters. Multiple misconceptions exist when it comes to our skin.

Some myths likely don’t cause much harm – like the myth that 8 glasses of water is all that you need for healthy skin or that shaving makes hair growth thicker or that apple cider vinegar cures smallpox, leprosy and bubonic plague. But some myths bear repeating and correcting.

DR. TAYLOR Myth #1: Basal cells are just cosmetic.

Some patients occasionally mention that they were told by a family member or even a health care worker that basal cell carcinomas are just cosmetic and that treating them is elective. This myth arose because basal cell carcinomas, the most common type of skin cancer, are sometimes slow growing and can occasionally smolder on for multiple years before they cause any significant damage. However, left untreated they can be disasters.

Basal cells are locally destructive cancers that, when allowed to grow, can spread to other parts of the body. All too often, patients allow basal cells to grow unnecessarily large. Untreated, these cancers can cause significant morbidity.

By the time it becomes clear that a basal cell is not just cosmetic, a large painful and draining sore can already have begun posing a threat to nearby structures like eyelids or ears, nerves, muscle or cartilage.

Especially when caught early, basal cell carcinomas can often be treated without significant inconvenience. They are worth treating before they become a problem.

Myth #2: Cold sores are caused by the sun.

Misinformation exists about cold sores, and as a result cold sores often go untreated or undertreated. This myth arose because the sun does actually decrease the strength of the immune system in the skin.

When someone gets a sunburn on the face, a cold sore break out is more likely to occur. Sunlight inactivates skin immunity, which is why sunlight can sometimes help people with diseases of excess immunity such as psoriasis.

But preventing cold sore outbreaks requires a functioning immune system. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1).

This virus is a cousin of the viruses that cause chicken pox and genital herpes.

HSV1 lives in a person’s sensory nerves. No cure currently exists, so the virus is with the individual for life, but very effective treatments are available to decrease outbreak severity and shorten the contagious period.

A few of the real dangers of cold sores occur when infants and small children and those with compromised immune systems are exposed.

These patients can develop infections in the brain, liver, lungs and other organs and even die from infection. Never allow someone with a cold sore to kiss a newborn.

Myth #3: The higher the SPF the longer I can stay in the sun.

SPF is only one factor that determines the time before you burn.

Whether the sunscreen is waterproof, whether you are swimming or sweating, how thickly the sunscreen is applied, whether the sunscreen is a durable physical blocker (like zinc) or a chemical blocker (which can effectively get “used up” by the sun’s rays), all are also important factors in whether a sunscreen maintains its high SPF number for a few minutes or several hours.

Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF that you don’t mind putting on, that doesn’t cause acne (Non-comedogenic) and that matches your activity (waterproof or not). Then, Reapply. Reapply. Reapply. ■

Accepting Patients Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology • Vein Care • Cosmetic Services

Insist on the BEST Voted: •Best Vein Specialist •1st Runner Up for Best Dermatologist Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a FellowshipTrained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

Dr. Taylor has performed thousands of Mohs surgeries and reconstructions, dermatologic surgeries and procedures while in private practice in Florida where local and even international patients have sought him out for the best care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

He now brings his highly sought after expertise back home to Alpharetta with the opening of Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta!

Now accepting new patients. We accept Medicare.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Taylor today.

Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 Alpharetta, Georgia 30005 Dr. Brent Taylor

PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

Teeth whitening

By DR. USHMA PATEL, D.M.D and DR. BRITTANY CORBETT, D.D.S Center For Advanced Dentistry

N

atural tooth color can be altered by any number of things. Teeth can be stained by tobacco, foods and beverages such as tea and berries, and by deposits of calculus or tartar. Teeth can also be discolored internally through the DR. PATEL DR. CORBETT effects of aging, injury and certain illness. The result can be a yellowish dingy-looking smile. Severe staining can even occur as a result of taking tetracycline during childhood.

A generation ago, only people in the public eye had “movie star” smiles, but all that has changed. Today, the procedure is quite easy, inexpensive and within budget of most working people.

The most commonly used procedure is called bleaching. This can be done either in the dentist’s office (chair side bleaching like Zoom), or after an initial office visit, at home by the patient (night bleaching). For most patients a combination of both procedures is recommended for optimal results.

In either approach, a bleaching agent is carefully applied to the teeth (at home, the patient uses a custom fitted mouth guard) until the teeth achieve the desired amount of whiteness. Teeth whitening doesn’t

“Doctors trust us to care for them and their families.”

Discover Your Perfect

SMILE

Today it’s easier and more affordable than ever.

• Sedation Dentistry – snooze through your entire visit • Dental Implants – permanent replacements for missing teeth • Straight Teeth in Six Months or less • Teeth Whitening, dazzling results – ZOOM! • Metal-Free, tooth colored white fillings • Porcelain veneers for crooked or stained teeth • Digital X-Rays - 90% less radiation • Botox for TMJ and migraines ($500 OFF)

Dr. Ushma Patel, D.M.D

Our doctors are members of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Hinman Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.

Dr. Brittany Corbett, D.D.S.

www.HiTechSmiles.com | 770-884-6623 6916 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 500 • Suwanee, GA 54 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

remove any of the tooth’s structure and even teeth that have had root canals can be easily whitened.

A bright, gleaming smile can go a long way to improve your appearance. The results can be dazzling! Take advantage of our whitening specials until 7/31! Get $50 off Zoom Whitening and $20 off custom whitening trays!

For more information and a complimentary consultation on the latest advancements in cosmetic dentistry call Center For Advanced Dentistry at 678-894-7926 or visit us at www.HiTechSmiles.com. ■

LET'S TALK! Send NSW your comments and photos on our social media channels or by e-mailing us at suzanne@northsidewoman.com.

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

facebook.com/ northsidewoman twitter.com/ nsidewoman

HER HEALTH SPONSORED SECTION

Vickery Rose retirement resort

I

magine coming home to a warm, friendly community that’s luxurious, safe and comfortable. Maintenance and housekeeping included, and every meal of the day is expertly prepared and pleasing to the palette. With all the work done, you have time for family, friends and the important things in life. That can be your life at Vickery Rose Retirement Resort.

Designed for your comfort, our community will feature studios, to 3-bedroom apartments with a variety of floor plans and smart details.

Each apartment will feature window coverings, climate-controlled thermostat, ceiling fans, and ample closet space.

Our kitchens will be fully equipped with a dishwasher, range, microwave, refrigerator and a garbage disposal. Washer/dryer hookups are located in a separate laundry closet within the apartment. Our professional staff will provide as-needed maintenance repairs and light housekeeping on a weekly basis.

Vickery Rose’s stunning main dining room is the perfect setting to savor meals prepared fresh daily by the chefs in our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. Experience our signature Freedom Dining program, which includes flexible dining hours throughout the day, plus these dining experience options: • Fine dining • Casual buffet • Chef’s Pantry on-the-go snacks • Room service Residents can access to on-site banking, salon, general store, and pharmacy services. Through our 24/7 concierge services, everything

you need will be available at the touch of a button, even scheduled transportation on our shuttle.

Relax by the fireplace in our community lounges, or a night of movies or live entertainment in the 150-seat theater. At Vickery Rose, there will be no shortage of social activities. Our community Lifestyle Directors consistently schedule unique activities designed to meet the resident’s requests. Ultimately, companionship and interaction with others are powerful tools to enjoy retirement and with so many entertaining options and the caring community staff on hand, Vickery Rose brings residents together. ■

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 55

TO DO

July Events

ALL MONTH

Alpharetta Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturdays through Oct. 28. The Alpharetta Farmers Market features fruits, vegetables, natural meats, fresh flowers and herbs and a variety of home goods. Old Canton Street in downtown Alpharetta. www.alpharetta.ga.us Alpharetta Food Truck Alley XL 5 – 9 p.m. Alpharetta’s Food Truck Alley on Thursday evenings offers a variety of six to eight rotating area food trucks along Old Roswell Street in the Historic District. Enjoy live music with dinner to start the weekend early every Thursday through October. www.awesomealpharetta.com Garden Tour Mondays 9:30 a.m. each Monday through Sept. 25. Enjoy a free 30-minute tour of the gardens and historic plants on the grounds of Barrington Hall. Learn how the gardens have been restored and receive gardening tips. No reservations necessary. Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market 8 a.m. – noon each Saturday throughout summer. Browse a large selection of fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, breads, pastries, cheese, grass-fed meats, eggs, drinks, jams, artisan bath products and more. A typical Saturday includes live music, mini-workshops, children’s programs and chef demonstrations.

A bistro area allows shoppers to relax, eat and enjoy. 38 Hill St., Roswell. www.roswellfam.com Spotlight Artist: Margaret J. Novotny Through Aug. 31, view the works of Margaret Novotny, a freelance photographer who showcases nature through compositions that tell a story. The exhibit features work from her travels and can be viewed at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.mjnovotny.photography 56 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

JULY 2

Summer Puppet Series: ‘Peter and the Wolf’ July 2 – 3 and 5 – 7. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.

Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Set in turn-of-the-century Russia, the story follows Peter and his animal friends as they capture the wolf. Tickets are $5 each. Summer passes available at $30. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.roswellpuppets.com

JULY 3

JULY 8

Slip-n-Slide Extravaganza 1 – 4 p.m. This free event offers three different age-appropriate slides (150 feet, 100 feet and 50 feet), along with food and music. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult to sign a waiver. Garrard Landing Park, 8000 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

JULY 9

Johns Creek Independence Day Celebration 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Celebrate our country's independence with live music, activities, food and an exceptional fireworks display. Visitors are asked not to bring alcohol, pets or personal fireworks. Table reservations are available.

Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekga.gov

Summer Puppet Series: ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ July 9 – 14. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.

Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Princess Penelope loves to read about dragons.

Imagine her surprise when she actually meets and befriends a dragon. Tickets are $5 each.

Summer passes available at $30. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.roswellpuppets.com

JULY 4

JULY 11

Fireworks and Festivities in Alpharetta 6 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket, pets or a picnic and celebrate Independence Day with family and friends. Rain or shine. Wills Park, 1825 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. www.awesomealpharetta.com Barbecue and Bluegrass 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enjoy barbecue and bluegrass music in the backyard of Barrington Hall, just in time for the Fourth of July. Admission is free. There will be a children’s area. 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com Roswell Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza Begins at 5:30 p.m. This Roswell tradition is a family event filled with live stage performances, a kids’ zone and food. Dogs are not allowed. Roswell High School front lawn, 11595 King Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com July 4 Celebration at Cumming Fairgrounds July 4 kicks off with the famous Steam Engine Parade at 10 a.m., followed by food vendors, music, dance contest, kids’ zone and fireworks.

Free admission and parking. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming. www.cummingfair.net

JULY 7

Riverside Sounds Concert Series 7 – 9 p.m., first Saturday of each month through October. This month’s free concert will feature the Joe Alterman Quartet. Food trucks will be on location for spectators to enjoy dinner while watching live music. Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

Growth and Development in Alpharetta 6:30 p.m. Learn about the latest public projects, like the Alpha Loop, and what private developers are building around town. The director of community development will be available to answer questions. Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. www.alpharetta.ga.us Wednesday Evening Lectures 7 – 9 p.m. Each month, Barrington Hall hosts lectures on the Civil War and other areas of interest to local residents. This month’s lecture is on the “History of the Western and Atlantic Railroad,” by Robert Jones. There is a $5 suggested donation. Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

JULY 12

‘Camelot’ July 12 – Aug. 5. Thursday – Saturday, 8 p.m.

Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Follow the story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere. Tickets start at $27.50. The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming. www.playhousecumming.com

JULY 14

Movies at Newtown Park 7 p.m. A free featured movie presented on a huge outdoor screen offers family fun for the summer. Pre-show includes an inflatable moonwalk, face painting, children’s activities and more. Film starts at dusk. 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekga.gov Open-Hearth Cooking and Living History 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Living history interpreter and open-hearth cooking expert Clarissa Clifton

will demonstrate making traditional Southern food in the Cook House with old cooking methods. Free. Cook House is part of the Smith Plantation, 953 Alpharetta St., Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

Publisher's Pick ALL MONTH

Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market 8 a.m. – noon each Saturday throughout summer. Browse a large selection of fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, breads, pastries, cheese, grass-fed meats, eggs, drinks, jams, artisan bath products and more.

A typical Saturday includes live music, mini-workshops, children’s programs and chef demonstrations. A bistro area allows shoppers to relax, eat and enjoy. 38 Hill St., Roswell. www.roswellfam.com

JULY 15

Movies Under the Stars 7:30 p.m. Bring a picnic along with your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening under the stars filled with music, playground fun and “Finding Dory.” A concession stand will provide food and drinks. Admission is free, and the movie begins at dark. Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

JULY 16

Summer Puppet Series: ‘Cardboard Explosion!’

July 9 – 14. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.

Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The series brings four original stories to life using nothing but cardboard and the power of imagination. Audience members will help the puppeteer create new puppets. Tickets are $5 each. Summer passes available at $30. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.roswellpuppets.com

JULY 17

Alive at 25 Driver Safety Course 2 – 6 p.m. This program addresses driver’s attitude, knowledge and behavior, rather than being a technical, hands-on driver training course. It complements driver’s education and training; thus it is not a replacement for these courses. Course fees are $35 per student.

Ages 15 – 24. Milton Police Department, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107F, Milton. www.cityofmiltonga.us

JULY 19

Alive in Roswell 5 – 9 p.m. Head to Canton Street in downtown Roswell for one of the best street parties in the metro Atlanta area. Live music, food, displays and shopping make this event a fun and family-friendly event. The event is free, with trolleys moving between Canton Street and Roswell City Hall. www.aliveinroswell.com Forsyth County Women’s Club Monthly Luncheon 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join the Forsyth County Women’s Club for its monthly luncheon. It is open to all women of Forsyth County and the surrounding counties. The luncheon costs $22.

Polo Golf and Country Club, 6300 Polo Club Drive, Cumming. www.forsythcountywomensclub.net

TO DO

JULY 21

Free Family Movie Series Movie starts at dark. Bring a picnic along with lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening under the stars. Food and drinks may be purchased at the concession stand. This month’s movie is “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

JULY 27

Moonlight and Martinis 8 – 10 p.m. Join for a full moon, martinis and light appetizers along with a garden exhibit of local artists’ works. Self-guided candlelit tours are also available of the summer exhibit “Here Comes the Bride.” Reservations are $25 per person and include one free martini. Rain or shine. Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell. www.bullochhall.org

Riverside Sounds Concert Series 7 – 9 p.m., first Saturday of each month through October. This month’s free concert will feature Dangermuffin. Food trucks will be on location for spectators to enjoy dinner while watching live music. Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

August 18

Taste of Johns Creek 4 – 9 p.m. Sample more than 20 local restaurants from $1 to $4 at the Taste of Johns Creek. There will be an Art Walk. Enjoy live music, local entertainment, kids’ activities and some of the best food the Johns Creek area has to offer at this family-friendly event.

Chattahoochee High School, 5230 Taylor Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekga.gov

JULY 28

Home by Dark Concert Series 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. On July 28, guests include soulful-pop indie singer-songwriter Nathan Angelo and Georgia Middleman, who wrote Keith Urban’s Top 10 hit “I’m In.” Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. www.awesomealpharetta.com

In August...

August 4

Old Soldiers Day Parade 9:15 a.m. The city of Alpharetta and American Legion Post 201 will host the annual Old Soldiers Day Parade. The parade honors our country’s war veterans and recognizes their service to our country. There will be free hotdogs, drinks and activities. www.alpharetta.ga.us

july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 57

AROUND TOWN

Magnolia Ball

58 | northsidewoman.com | july2018

PHOTOS BY SUZANNE PACEY

June 9, 2018 Cherokee Town Club ATLANTA, GA

Life is too short to take mediocre vacations…

770.952.8300 • tcava.com • M-F 9-6 | Sa 11-3

HOTELS • RESORTS • CRUISES • ADVENTURE • TOURS • MEETINGS/INCENTIVE TRAVEL july2018 | northsidewoman.com | 59

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