Northside Woman December 2013

DECEMBER 2013

healing hoof prints

Therapy horses for kids

Anisland Christmas

Georgia's Golden Isles

e h t r o f e m o H idays

l o H

&

modern natural medicine restore your body's balance.

Using the best of to

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2 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

Georgia’s trusted leader in radiology In radiology, it’s one thing to see; it’s another to understand. Northside’s expert team of board-certified radiologists and sub-specialists are trained extensively to interpret general to specialized imaging—from pediatric MRI to digital mammography and interventional radiology of the spine. We combine exceptional care and the latest technologies, bringing our expertise to convenient locations throughout your community.

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december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 3

staff

Katie VanBrackle

Candy Waylock

katie@northsidewoman.com

candy@northsidewoman.com

Kelly Brooks

Devon Morgan

kelly@northsidewoman.com

devon@photosynthesisatlanta.com

EDITOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

SENIOR WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHER

DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

Christina Appen PUBLISHER

christina@northsidewoman.com

{ INSIDE }

associate publisher Kelly Brooks kelly@northsidewoman.com general manager Hans Appen hans@northsidewoman.com sales executives Hans Appen, Abby Breaux, Linda Cohen, Mike Dorman, Wendy Goddard, June Meltzer, Becky Nelson, Jade Rodgers sales assistants Susan Hernandez, Phyllis Anderton production David Brown, A.J. McNaughton, Suzanne Pacey

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northside women { 6 }

THE INTERVIEW Atlanta Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ Behind the scenes peek

{ 8 }

UNSUNG ‘SHE’RO Healing Hoof Prints Shelley Margow and Emily Dettman

{ 28 } WOMEN IN ART

Home for Christmas

Local actresses take the stage

the cover

Don’t you love it when someone’s name matches their occupation? Interior designer Rachel Greathouse and her “celebrity” front door were the perfect choice for our holiday cover. The bright red entryway won an HGTV Fantastic Front Door contest in 2012, but it was her laundry room that took the national stage in 2013. Read more on page 16.

{ 18 } WINTER GETAWAY

Georgia’s Golden Isles { 20 } HER STYLE

Winter Coat Tutorial

northside lifestyle

{ 22 } SHE BLOGS

Candy Crush Addiction

{ 10 } SHE READS

Gifts for lit lovers

{ 27 } HER HEALTH

Holiday stress-busters

{ 12 } GOOD EATS

Sip Wine and Tapas Bar

New location in Forsyth

{ 29 } PET OF THE MONTH { 34 } DECEMBER CALENDAR

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your

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december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 5

theinterview

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATLANTA BALLET. TOP 3 PHOTOS AND FUN FACTS PHOTO BY C. MCCULLERS.

Behind the scenes at Atlanta Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ Alpharetta woman coordinates student dancers for beloved holiday show

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

A

H e at h e r C o

ttending Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker” at the Fox Theatre is a beloved holiday tradition for many families in the metro area. Each year, Artistic Director John McFall ups the magic ante, keeping the company’s most popular production vibrant and fresh.

Speaking of magic, during the first two weekends of the run, Dec. 6-15, the role of mysterious toymaker Herr Drosselmeyer will be played by master illusionist Drew Thomas, whom you may remember as a finalist on NBC’s hit reality-TV series “America’s Got Talent.”

What won’t change in this year’s production is the appearance of more than 250 Atlanta area school children performing alongside the professional company, which will be the first chance for many of them to experience the magic of being on the Fox Theatre stage.

As you can imagine, it takes quite a bit of organization to corral and coordinate 250 young, costume-clad, nervousjittery dancers behind stage.

Rising to the challenge is Alpharetta resident Heather Conley, Cobb Centre principal of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education.

Conley entered the dance world rather late by ballet standards – taking her first class at age 10. But a natural talent and strong determination propelled her through a college degree in dance, followed by positions with several

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6 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

Heather Conley, an Alpharetta resident and administrator with Atlanta Ballet, instructs young dancers.

professional companies before settling in Georgia as an instructor and administrator with Atlanta Ballet.

During “Nutcracker” season, Conley is extremely involved behind the scenes, making sure all student dancers are accounted for, properly dressed, prepped and ready to go for show time. She also plans and coordinates performances for the Atlanta Ballet Performance Ensemble, which travels around metro Atlanta performing “Nutcracker” vignettes during the holiday season.

Conley’s own experience as a dancer in many “Nutcrackers” through the years helps her understand the excitement of all the young snow fairies and mice under her care.

“When the kids audition, we look for how animated they are and how they project even in a dance studio. These kids are eager to perform.

They may say, ‘I’m nervous’ backstage, but once they step into the lights, they go full out and give it their all and come off stage so excited,” she said.

► See BALLET, Page 24

Fun Facts

Atlanta Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

»» »» »» »» »» »» »»

»» »»

Atlanta Ballet’s female dancers wear out more than 2,000 pairs of pointe shoes each season.

Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker” is the only version in the metro area performed with a live orchestra and choir.

20 pounds of snow fall during each performance.

300,000 watts of electricity are used during each performance, more than enough to light a stadium.

The evil Rat King is 8 feet tall.

Nutcracker’s mask is made of foam and weighs 2 pounds.

Baby animals were the inspiration for last season’s new snow fairy costumes, designed to be softer, sweeter and sparkly versions of the sleek, grownup snowflake costumes.

The dancer, always a man, who wears the 75-pound Mother Matrushka costume stands on a platform 15 feet tall.

It takes five tractor trailers and three Ryder trucks to get all the sets, costumes and props to the Fox Theatre; then it takes 40 crew members more than 16 hours to haul it all inside.

INJURIES DON’T TAKE

HOLIDAYS .

AND NEITHER DO WE. When your pediatrician isn’t available this season, ours are standing by. Open 9am to 7pm on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

* Wait times are updated every 15 minutes and are estimates based on the average time it takes for a patient to be placed in an exam room. Standard messaging fees will apply for texting. ©2013 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.

CHILDREN’S AT NORTHPOINT – 3795 MANSELL ROAD, ALPHARETTA december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 7

KATIE VANBRACKLE

unsung‘she’ro

Shelley Margow, left, and Emily Dettman run the Healing Hoof Prints program at Shelland Place Farm in Milton.

Healing Hoof Prints

Local women offer equine therapy for troubled children

By CAITLIN WAGENSEIL

caitlin@northsidewoman.com

S

ometimes a wrong turn can lead you in the right direction.

Soon after moving to the North Fulton area, Emily Dettman was driving through Milton’s suburban countryside when a wrong turn took her down Hopewell Road and past the entrance of Shelland Place Farm, where she noticed a small sign advertising therapy on horseback. She thought to herself, “that’s what I do,” and picked up her phone to call Shelley Margow, the farm’s owner.

The two women hit it off immediately and soon discovered a common passion for helping children with behavioral disabilities. Dettman’s wrong turn resulted in a friendship and partnership that would last for years to come. One could say, it was meant to happen.

Dettman is a certified equine specialist with a master’s degree in professional counseling. Margow is an occupational therapist and founder of Children’s Therapy Works, a pediatric private therapy practice, as well as the nonprofit Academy at North Fulton, a school for children with behavioral disorders and disabilities.

Margow had previously used the horses on her farm for hippotherapy, which uses the movement of the horse as a physical therapy tool.

Dettman offered something new – a specialty in equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP), which uses horses as a therapeutic tool to address the child’s self-esteem, confidence, communication skills, trust and boundaries.

Margow happily agreed to donate the use of her farm for Emily’s Healing Hoof Prints service, which brings troubled children and their families together with counselors and horses.

While the program primarily benefits students of the academy, the service is available to any child in the community who is struggling – perhaps with depression, an eating disorder, attention problems or other behavioral disabilities.

Margow says working with horses can have amazing benefits, and in light of several recent suicides 8 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

When a child feels like the whole world is against them, and then this huge animal comes up to them and just accepts them and wants their interactions without any judgment— it’s so powerful.”

Emily Dettman Healing Hoof Prints

in the local community, Margow hopes families with troubled children will seek their help.

“We work with all sorts of kids, even severely troubled children who often have nowhere else to go,” said Margow. “These are kids who hide under tables and won’t come out, who throw chairs at teachers and bite and spit. They have been labeled as ‘unable to socialize,’” she said.

One child in particular, Victor, came to them when he was 3. He wouldn’t speak or ask for anything, and would constantly kick and scream.

Victor participated in intense therapy sessions at the academy, but it was at the farm where he made the

► See HORSE, Page 31

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 9

shereads

Books make greatgifts Popular titles to please every lit-lover

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

L

ooking for the perfect present for your lit-loving best friend? Need a tantalizing title for your book club’s holiday gift exchange? Time to turn to the experts.

Millie Enger from Barnes and Noble’s North Point Parkway store in Alpharetta suggests the following popular titles for every book-lover on your list.

The Dogs of Christmas

By W. Bruce Cameron While nursing a broken heart, Josh Michaels is outraged when a neighbor abandons his very pregnant dog, Lucy, at Josh’s Colorado home. But Josh can’t resist Lucy’s soulful brown eyes, and though he’s never had a dog before, he’s determined to do the best he can for Lucy. At the local animal shelter, he meets Kerri, who teaches him to care for Lucy’s tiny puppies and gets them ready to be adopted. Josh soon finds himself falling for Kerri – and for each of the adorable puppies.

As the adoption date looms, he doesn’t know if he can separate himself from any of them. Can a surprise litter of Christmas puppies really change one man’s life?

How to Spell Chanukah and Other Holiday Dilemmas

By Emily Franklin Eighteen writers share essays ranging from the comedic to the snarky, the poignant to the poetic and including such topics as the jealousy experienced in December when the rest of America is celebrating Christmas (we never get to join in the reindeer games!); the problem parents have dampening their children’s desire for more presents (call it Greedikah!); and the weight gain associated with eating 432 latkes in eight nights (dayenu, enough!). This little book proves there are as many ways to celebrate Chanukah as there are ways to spell it.

10 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey

By Emma Rowley Gain unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Downton Abbey in this official Season 4 tie-in book, expertly crafted with generous inside knowledge and facts, in-depth interviews and exclusive photos. Get insight into the actor’s experiences on set as well as the celebrated creative team behind the award-winning drama.

Me Before You

By Jojo Moyes Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life until she takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life – big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel – and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is. Will is acerbic, moody, bossy, but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living. “Me Before You” brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common and asks: What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

Where’d You Go, Bernadette

By Maria Semple Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoftguru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and simply, Mom. Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward:

a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette’s intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic. To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence – creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter’s role in an absurd world.

The Husband’s Secret

By Liane Moriarty Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death.

Imagine, too, that the letter contained the deepest, darkest secret – something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive…

The Other Typist

By Suzanne Rindell As a typist in a New York City Police Department precinct, Rose Baker hears every detail about shootings, knifings and murders.

Confessions are her job.

But as soon as she leaves the interrogation room, she is once again the weaker sex, best suited for filing and making coffee. When glamorous Odalie joins the typing pool, despite her best intentions, Rose falls under Odalie’s spell. As the two women navigate between the sparkling underworld of speakeasies at night and their work at the station by day, Rose is drawn fully into Odalie’s high-stakes world, an obsession from which she may never recover. ■

CALLING ALL book clubs on the northside!

We want to hear from you! Share your group’s story and favorite books with fellow readers through Northside Woman’s She Reads.

Email editor Katie VanBrackle at katie@northsidewoman.com.

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 11

goodeats

Have a second Sip Sip Wine and Tapas Bar opens new location at Collection at Forsyth STORY & PHOTOS

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

T

he holiday rush is here and busy elves are dashing to and fro, searching for just the right gift for each person on their list.

All of that shopping can lead to exhaustion, not to mention hunger. Even elves need to relax a bit, right? Maybe with a light meal and perhaps a sip of wine?

Just in time for harried elves everywhere, Sip Wine and Tapas Bar is opening a new location this month at the Collection at Forsyth (formerly known as the Avenue), moving into the old Firkin and Crown location next to Chick-fil-A. Already a popular spot in Milton’s Crabapple area, Sip offers a variety of $6 to $12 tapas-style plates paired with an extensive wine list sold by the bottle, glass, half-glass or – as the name implies – just by the sip.

New head chef Greg DeMichiel brings a hip urban flair to Sip’s menu and an entertaining personality for the customers.

Food Network fans may recognize DeMichiel from his appearance this fall as a contestant on “Cut Throat Kitchen,” a new show hosted by Georgia’s own Alton Brown. On the show, chefs compete to cook delicious dishes under extreme circumstances, all the while plotting to sabotage their competitors.

Needless to say, the kitchen conditions at Sip are much friendlier.

Diners can get a glimpse of DeMichiel in action at special chef’s table dinners 12 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

on Friday and Saturday nights. Four to six diners sit front and center at Sip’s bar, talking with DeMichiel as he prepares a special off-menu five course meal for them, complete with wine pairings – in addition to handling his regular head chef duties.

DeMichiel calls the chef’s table atmosphere “action-packed.”

“You get to hear me yelling and catch a glimpse of my regular Friday night pain in the kitchen. It’s all good fun,” he said.

DeMichiel grew up in New York where he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He then lived and worked through Europe and in Los Angeles before moving with his former wife to Georgia, where he fell under the charm of North Fulton’s relaxed, suburban vibe.

He calls his cuisine at Sip, “Southern inspired, but with a strong global influence.”

“When I first started experimenting with Southern cooking, I was told that I should never make biscuits again in my life,” he said with a laugh. “I had to work on that a bit. But I love braising. For a Yankee, I can get down on some braised items.”

Where does his creativity come from?

“I eat, sleep, breathe, smell and dream this stuff,” he said. “I love the challenge of blending flavors and finding new ways to use ingredients.”

Owner Foster Smith also adds flavor to Sip’s menu. A native of New Orleans, Smith created several of Sip’s Louisianainspired items such as chocolate beignets

► See SIP, Page 14

1) Chef Greg DeMichiel, right, chats with customers Craig Carrow, Allison Carrow, Cherie Gill and Mike Gill. 2) Owner Foster Smith is a certified wine specialist. 3) Sous Vide Pork Belly with fall succotash and apple cider sage reduction. 4) Nam Sad Lettuce Cups filled with ground pork, ginger, lime, cilantro and hoisin peanut sauce. 5) Tuna Tartare with crispy wonton triangles, avocado, red onion and wasabi aioli. 6) Italian cheese of mozzarella and cream with fig jam and grilled bread. 7) Chocolate cayenne cookie ice cream sandwich. 8) Pistachio polenta croutons with truffle goat cheese and crispy prosciutto.

Now Open

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 13

goodeats

▼ SIP, Continued from Page 12 with banana mousseline and praline sauce. Paired, of course, with the perfect dessert wine.

Smith is a certified wine specialist who enjoys talking with his customers and answering their questions. Sip offers 50 wines by the glass and 250 by the bottle. Smith’s wine pairing suggestions are listed on the menu next to each food item.

“It’s like receiving a wine education with your meal,” said regular customer Mike Gill of Milton. “The tapas menu allows you to try a wide variety of dishes, especially things you might not order normally.”

Gill and his wife Cherie frequent Sip’s Milton location with friends Craig and Allison Carrow. Their favorites?

Tuna Tartare, Nam Sad Lettuce Cups and the Carnitas Tacos – slow-cooked pork in a flour tortilla with Granny Smith apple slaw and peach chipotle barbecue sauce.

Sip also features a full Sunday brunch and live music

1) Handcrafted wine candles made from Sip’s recycled bottles.

2) Wine is sold by the bottle, the glass, half-glass or sip.

on Friday and Saturday nights. Wine tastings are held every Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with proceeds benefitting local charities.

When you visit Sip, be sure to notice the wine bottle candles on each table, handcrafted by Smith’s wife Amy, who also creates bowls and plates from melted wine bottles. Her creations are sold at each Sip location.

Just a little shopping tip for all you busy elves out there. ■

Sip Wine & Tapas Bar

Milton: Downtown Crabapple, 12635 Crabapple Road Cumming: The Collection at Forsyth, 440 Peachtree Parkway www.sipwineshop.com

Holiday Leftover Turkey Salad ▲ Chef Greg DeMichiel of Sip Wine and Tapas Bar shares this original recipe as a clever way to make good use of that leftover holiday turkey – and those leftover sweet potatoes. At Sip, he serves this colorful salad inside little cones fashioned from wonton wrappers.

• • • • • • • •

¼ cup Duke’s mayonnaise ¼ cup finely chopped green onions ¼ cup finely chopped celery 2 Tbsp. dried cranberries 2 Tbsp. pomegranate seeds ¼ cup cilantro 4 Tbsp. sweet potato (cooked and chilled) 2 cups chopped cooked turkey

Combine dressing, vegetables and cranberries in a large bowl. Add turkey and mix lightly. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

(770) 476-8400 JOHNS CREEK

4265 Johns Creek Pkwy., Ste B Johns Creek, GA 30024

CONTACT: Call (770) 476-8400 for more information HOURS: Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 9am-4pm

Transportation and Funding Options Available. Free day of care limited to 4 hours. ©2012 SarahCare

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december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 15

herstyle

PHOTOS 1 AND 3 BY DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

A really Great House Home of Milton designer featured in national media

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

E

veryone dreams of their 15 minutes of fame, but few imagine their moment in the spotlight will come while doing laundry at home. Yet that’s exactly what recently happened to one Milton mom and her family.

Rachel Greathouse, an interior designer from Milton, posts her work on Houzz.com, a digital “look book” for home design and decorating ideas.

Photos of her stylishly redesigned laundry room were spotted on Houzz by casting agents looking for the perfect location and family to appear in a Whirlpool washer and dryer commercial. The next thing Rachel knew, a crew of 25 people arrived at her home ready to film.

“So there I was crammed

into my laundry room with a dozen people, multiple cameras and three guys with bright lights.

Then they yelled ‘Action!’ and I had to calmly pretend like I was doing laundry on any normal day. It was over 100 degrees in that room and I could feel my hair getting bigger by the minute from the humidity. It was crazy,” she said.

The minute-long television spot shows the entire Greathouse family in action – husband Brian and son Ryan cooking in the kitchen and daughter Ashtyn riding horses. All smiling and

looking great – and of course, generating lots of dirty laundry.

“The kids loved it,” said Rachel. “It was a really fun experience for all of us.”

This was not the first time Rachel’s home was featured in the national spotlight. Back in 2012, she read about a contest in HGTV Magazine, seeking “Fantastic Front Doors.” She had recently redone her own front door, painting it a bright, vivid red and adding white ribbon curtains in the windows and tall topiaries on either side.

On a whim, she entered

the contest and was shocked to receive a call four months later saying her door had been chosen out of more than 1,000 entries.

“A front door should be fun and welcoming and a real reflection of your personality,” said Rachel. “I’m still amazed at how people have responded to that red door.”

To date, more than 26,000 people have added the photo of Rachel’s front door to their idea books on Houzz.

Not to be outdone, Rachel’s laundry room continues to enjoy a bit of fame as well.

From left to right: 1. This stylish laundry room was featured in a Whirlpool commercial.

2. Rachel’s colorful entryway was named HGTV’s 2012 “Fantastic Front Door”.

3. Rachel Greathouse.

The Greathouse family’s Whirlpool commercial is currently airing on HGTV and Food Network.

To see it, visit http://www. ispot.tv/ad/7qoZ/whirlpoolduet-washer-and-dryer-productreview. ■

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december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 17

winter getaway

Season’s Golden Greetings Events

Relish a winter retreat on Georgia’s beautiful Golden Isles

First Friday in Historic Downtown Brunswick

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and Friday, Jan. 3. Visit the shops, galleries and restaurants of Historic Downtown Brunswick. Enjoy live performances from local musicians and food and beverage samples. Newcastle and Gloucester streets, Brunswick. www.brunswickgeorgia.net

A

n off-season road trip down I-75 to Georgia's idyllic Golden Isles warrants a less weighty wardrobe, and a uniquely Southern state of mind.

Pristine beaches and luxurious resorts host a flood of weddings each weekend.

Hotel buffets and restaurants dish up their own takes on oysters, biscuits and gravy, and shrimp and grits. Sunsets flood the horizon with hues of orange and purple.

Southern drawls run as thick as the Spanish moss.

During the holidays, Christmas lights amplify the Golden Isles' trademark beauty, and temperate weather and affordable resort packages can further boost high holiday spirits. The Isles contain year-round attractions, including simply soaking in their charm via bike ride or history tour. But there's no shortage of seasonal celebrations for Christmas or New Year's. Atlantans looking for a nearby holiday escapade in a place that feels thousands of miles away instead of just 350 should head toward Brunswick, Ga. For a comprehensive listing of events, visit www.goldenisles.com.

—Compiled by Kelly Brooks

Attractions

Jekyll Island Museum

Bask in the rich heritage of Jekyll Island, home to such historical events as the conception of the Federal Reserve and 18 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

Christmas Boat Parade of Lights the first transcontinental phone call.

The Jekyll Island Club was founded in 1886 as a winter retreat for America’s wealthiest families. Its members included J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, William Rockefeller and William K. Vanderbilt.

Now, the 240-acre Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District is one of the largest ongoing restoration projects in the Southeast. Museum admission is free. A worthwhile $16 tram tour takes guests through the district and into two restored cottages. Gawk at the club’s array of architecture; styles include Queen Anne and Italian Renaissance. 100 Stable Road, Jekyll Island. www.jekyllisland.com/history/musuem

Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Migrate over to this marine turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility and see these beautiful sea creatures up close. Jekyll Island is unique among Georgia’s developed islands for its

significant annual turtle nesting. Visitors can explore exhibits and wave to turtles in their tanks. 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island. www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse is one of only five surviving light towers in Georgia and casts its light as far as 23 miles out to sea. Visitors can climb the 129 steps to experience views of the Golden Isles. 610 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island. www.saintsimonslighthouse.org

Little St. Simons Island

An acclaimed resort and destination for nature enthusiasts. Reached only by boat, the island houses 10,000 wilderness acres and 7 miles of deserted beaches. Enjoy shelling, kayaking, birding and other island adventures led by a team of naturalists. www.littlestsimonsisland.com

6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The Golden Isles Sailing Club’s fourth annual parade features up to 50 boats of all sizes bedecked with holiday lights and decorations. A Christmas party at the Brunswick Landing Marina Yacht Club follows. 1530 Newcastle St., Brunswick. www.goldenislessailingclub.com

Holiday shows at the Ritz Theatre

Performed as live radio dramas with period costume and sound effects. 1530 Newcastle St., Brunswick.

“It’s A Wonderful Life,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and Friday, Dec. 20; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. An angel helps a despairing businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he never existed.

“A Christmas Carol, ” 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, Thursday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 21. Charles Dickens’ immortal tale of the mean old miser Scrooge and his magical night discovering the true meaning of Christmas. www.goldenislesarts.org

winter getaway

Santa & the Sea Turtles

Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Children can visit with Santa, make an ornament and hear the sea turtles' special Christmas story. 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island. www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, through Tuesday, Dec. 24. A Scottish bagpiper heralds the season on the grounds of the hotel, Cherokee Cottage and Crane Cottage. 371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island.

Christmas & New Year’s Celebrations

Some of the Golden Isles’ most renowned resorts are hosting a medley of activities and/or special menus this holiday season.

Read full schedules and menus online.

Sea Island

The Cloister on Sea Island and the Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club: Christmas highlights include feasts galore, a naturalist-led walk on the beach and blown snow on the Cloister lawn. www.seaisland.com

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island Club Hotel: From Tuesday, Dec. 31, to 2 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, ring in the New Year millionaire-style. The hotel hosts an after-dinner party featuring a DJ, dancing and a menu that includes chocolate fondue and a gourmet grilled cheese station. Admission is $25, or free to Grand Dining Room patrons. 8 p.m. 371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island. www.jekyllclub.com/events

Island Treasures on Jekyll

Wednesday, Jan. 1, to Friday, Feb. 28. A two-month, island-wide treasure hunt for handcrafted glass floats called island treasures. The treasures mimic floats once used on fishermen’s nets in the early 1900s. Successful hunters can obtain a certificate and artist biography at the Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center.

38th annual New Year’s Bluegrass Festival

The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort: A four-course Christmas day menu includes sweet potato bisque, and Sunset Farm Queen of Dixie Smoked Ham from Valdosta, Ga. www.kingandprince.com Sea Palms Resort: Highlights include an

Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, through Saturday, Jan. 4. More than 30 performances add up to a popular destination for bluegrass fans and musicians. Acts include Rhonda Vincent and Grand Ole Opry stars Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Jekyll Island Convention Center, 75 Beach View Drive North, Jekyll Island. www.adamsbluegrass.com ■

1. Jekyll Island held its popular Christmas Tree Lighting Festival Nov. 30.

2. Monarch Butterflies migrate south through Jekyll in October.

3. A seafood-lover's dream: the Jekyll Island Club Hotel's Christmas buffet.

4. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel's Federal Reserve Room all decked out for the holidays. In 1910, a series of meetings here laid the groundwork for the Fed. 5. The Christmas Boat Parade of Lights.

6. Becca Cozad, a 2012 graduate of Emory University, conducts a monthly weighing of Eastern Box Turtles at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

7. Jekyll Island's oak trees adorned with both Spanish moss and Christmas lights.

8. Island Treasures on Jekyll's Driftwood Beach, which resembles a tree graveyard.

9. The Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick.

10. The New Year's Eve After Dinner Party at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

St. Simons Island

PHOTOS 1, 3, 4, 7, 10: JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB HOTEL. PHOTOS 8 AND 9: GOLDENISLES.COM. PHOTOS 2 AND 6: KELLY BROOKS. PHOTO 5: COURTESY OF LESLIE HAMRICK

The Christmas Bagpiper at Jekyll Island Club Hotel

extensive Christmas buffet with peel-andeat Georgia shrimp. A New Year’s Eve Gala features a gourmet dinner and live music. www.seapalms.com

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 19

herstyle

Winter coatS: your first impression Figure-flattering styles every woman should own

By LORI WYNNE fashionwithflair.com

A

fabulous winter wardrobe is not complete without updated cold weather outerwear. Every welldressed woman should own these four essentials: a fur, a wool coat, a puffer coat and a statement coat.

Fur coat. Real or faux, this classic cold weather outerwear never goes out of style. For a truly updated look, wear bicolor fur or dyed fur. If you worry about looking too bear-ish in a full fur coat, choose a belted vest, which enhances the waist and shows off your skinny arms.

Wool coat. This investment piece is best in neutral colors (black, gray, camel, winter white.) Camel looks great on blondes and never goes out of style. Winter white is a wonderful change from serious black.

20 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

For true warmth, a cold weather wool coat should contain at least 60 percent wool. A sleek silhouette is key to looking updated.

The shoulder pads of the coat should not go past the edge of your own shoulders by more than an inch. They should add shape to the coat without making you look like you play for the Atlanta Falcons.

Avoid too many accoutrements such as breast pocket flaps, extra wide lapels, epaulettes and oversized buttons. If you are busty, stay away from double breasted coats. Knee length wool coats look great on women of all heights. If you are on the petite side, do not wear a coat hem past your knees. Belted coats are classic and sophisticated and ideal for a range of body types. The belt accentuates or creates a waist.

Future fashion fixation alert: 2014 will be the year of navy blue and blush pink winter coats.

Puffer coats do not have to be thick to be warm. North Face carries a wonderful line of coats for “adventure girls” who still want to look like a girl.

Their puffer coats contain synthetic insulation technology using round Thermoball clusters that trap and retain heat to achieve phenomenal warmth in

cold and wet weather. With stitching that accentuates a feminine figure, you can be warm without looking like the Michelin Man. Statement coats come in vibrant colors or patterns to add flair to your winter wardrobe. My personal favorite is a leopard print trench coat. Large houndstooth prints and colors like cobalt are a wonderful addition to this winter’s wardrobe.

Your coat is the first impression you will make. Make it your best possible impression by updating your look with a figure-flattering coat. ■ As a personal wardrobe consultant and owner of Alpharetta-based Fashion With Flair, Lori Wynne’s expert advice helps people look their best. fashionwithflair.com

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 21

sheblogs

Candy CrushShame

By ELEXIS HAYS

andapossuminthedishwasher.com

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22 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

just spent 15 minutes tearing around my house in a middle-aged rage, all because I could not, once again, locate my cellphone.

This is a common occurrence in our house.

I feel belligerent and rebellious about being tethered to this device. My family constantly begs the question of me, “Why do you even have a phone?”

The problem with the misplacement comes because I keep the device on silent.

I do this because I secretly, and with much shame and self-loathing, play Candy Crush.

There, I’ve said it. I keep it quiet so that when the game pops up, the music doesn’t erupt and alert my family to the fact that I’m not doing something selfless and focused solely on them.

I frequently sigh and mutter about lowering bills and checking grades when I’m on my phone. I feign exhaustion from work emails. I hide my secret shame.

But, like any other junkie scam, I have passed my addiction on to my offspring, roping Cricket in with the typical gateway words of “here, try this, you’ll like it.”

Only with her do I share the level of my evil (128). Only to her can I talk freely of doughnut bombs and striped candy. Only she understands my slurred “Divine!”

Game addiction is not new to me. When I was first pregnant, a good friend gave me a Nintendo to keep me and my bags of Cheddar Cheese Ruffles company.

When the Goose would come home from work, stunning in a suit and tie, there I’d be, glassy eyed and sweaty, trying to save Princess Peach. I dreamed about

eating mushrooms – the cartoon kind, not the Jefferson Airplane kind. I couldn’t pass a flower without wanting to jump on it in hopes of super powers.

The Trophy Wife and I once shared a handheld Tetris game for 11 hours while driving back from south Florida. We traded back and forth at rest stops and gas stations, texting foul and taunting messages at each other, insulting the other’s mother and soul, while I eviscerated her with a high score that has yet to be challenged. Yes, I said it. I still hold highest score. And while the device has been dead for years, there is a picture that I can produce any time she gets mouthy about her abilities. But now the problem has reared its ugly head with Candy Crush. I just saw where a friend has publicly renounced the game and has sworn to abstain for nine months, during the school year. I’m not ready to do this yet, but after looking for my silent phone all over the house this morning, only to find it tucked inside my BRA (this begs other questions that I am not yet ready to address), I might be able to take the first step and admit I might have a problem. Is there a 12-step for this? ■ Elexis Hays is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who lives on a farm in Cumming with her husband Buddy (a.k.a. The Goose), daughter Amelia (a.k.a. Cricket), son Shep and WAY too many animals. Her blog: andapossumin thedishwasher.com.

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december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 23

theinterview

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Left: Sophia Morro of Roswell. Right: Madeline Murray of Johns Creek.

▼ BALLET, Continued from Page 6 New to the cast this year is 10-yearold Sophia Morro, a fifth-grader at Roswell North Elementary School, who will appear as “Mabel Mouse.”

“I’m the second mouse to come onstage,” said Morro. “Mabel is sort of a mischievous mouse. I get to kick somebody and if the cheese prop gets out of control, I have to handle it. I’ve had to get used to dancing in a mouse head at every rehearsal. It’s sort of like a helmet and pretty heavy. But I’m so excited to be there that I don’t mind at all.”

Madeline Murray, a 15-year-old from Johns Creek, will be returning for her third year at the Fox Theatre, this time in multiple roles as a member of the infantry and the cavalry and also as a dream fairy. “‘The Nutcracker’ is my favorite part of the year,” she said. “I love performing at the Fox with the company. It’s my dream to dance with Atlanta Ballet as a

professional.”

Previously a student at Chattahoochee High School, Murray is now home-schooled, which allows her to attend daily dance rehearsals. She performed in Atlanta Ballet’s “Snow White” and will appear as an Italian dancer in “Pinocchio” in February.

Helping girls like Madeline and Sophia follow their dreams and develop as ballet dancers is what drives Conley every day as an instructor and Atlanta Ballet administrator. It’s what makes the long hours and endless checklists during “Nutcracker” season easy to handle. She is thrilled to share her love of ballet with the next generation.

Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker” runs from Dec. 6 – 29 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.

Tickets start as low as $20 and can be purchased by phone at 855-ATL-TIXX, in person at the Fox Theatre Box Office and the Atlanta Ballet Box Office or online at www.atlantaballet.com. ■

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 25

herbeauty

Luscious lipsall year long

By CYNTHIA MORRISSON EIKE Visage Designs by Cynthia, LLC

O

ur lips deserve a lot of tender loving care, especially in the dry winter months.

The delicate skin of the lips has no hair, oil or sweat glands, which leaves them prone to dryness from the elements and lifestyle. Here are some great tips for preserving your lips and keeping them kissably soft and luscious all year long.

Drink lots of water. This is not only good for lip care, but for overall skin health and hydration. Gently blotting lips after drinking or eating instead of rubbing with your napkin also maintains hydration. Limit spicy or very salty foods to avoid the dehydrating effects they have and always use lip balm before and after eating them.

Speaking of lip balms, look for a balm that does not contain menthol, camphor, or plumping agents like mint or cinnamon. Many popular balms and glosses have those ingredients to relieve cold sore pain or increase lip volume (by increasing circulation) but they can actually make your lips drier because they evaporate quickly and cause you to lick your lips more frequently, leading to a rebound effect. Look for balms with natural oils and simple ingredients. My personal favorite is Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm ($4) because the ingredients are natural and few. Another great choice is Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Lip Cream Protectant Stick Sunscreen SPF 15 ($19.50). It offers hours of hydration plus the benefit of a sunscreen and it comes in a beautiful range of sheer lip shades for any skin tone. Ingredients

like petrolatum (Vaseline $3-$6)) and lanolin (Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 for $7) are also great for chapped lips because of their ability to hold moisture in and penetrate into the lips.

The key is to keep your lips from getting chapped in the first place, but if they should get flaky, mix equal parts of baking soda and honey into a paste. Rub onto lips to gently exfoliate and let rest on lips for a few minutes before rinsing. The honey acts as a great natural antiseptic and soothes irritation. After rinsing, massage olive oil into lips (and cuticles too), blot with tissue and apply lip balm liberally Balms can also make a great primer while moisturizing at the same time. Keep lip colors of all formulas from fading and feathering by coating lips with Elizabeth Arden’s Advanced Lip Fix Cream ($21.50). â–

Cynthia has been a makeup artist for more than 25 years.

She provides consulting and makeup application services through Visage Designs

by Cynthia. Contact her at visagedesigns@gmail.com.

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herhealth

Make time for YOU Simple solutions to reduce holiday stress

By CAROLYN ASPENSON

E

craspen@comcast.net

veryone loves the holidays, but let’s face it, they’re most stressful for women. With social obligations, decorating, entertaining and gift shopping, women can reach maximum stress levels.

We become so wrapped up in the holidays that we forget to take time for ourselves, time to de-stress. Here are a few simple solutions to help get a little “me time” during the holiday season.

Schedule breaks in your calendar Like work outs, alone time is often the first thing to go when you’re busy, but the fix is easy. Schedule them into your day. Give yourself a 30-minute to an hour break from everything each day and if you’re really daring, schedule a weekend night without any obligation and soak in a glorious bath with candles, soft music and a bath pillow. If we don’t make time for ourselves, we don’t take time for ourselves.

Scheduling it like an appointment and keeping it is a sure fire way to make it happen.

Say no

Come on, you know you can.

Instead of volunteering for everything and promising to attend every cookie exchange, party or school play, just say no.

Let’s face it, you aren’t Wonder Woman and you don’t have to pretend you are, either. Over-extending ourselves can lead to elevated heart rates, a weakened immune system and nasty inconveniences

like colds and the flu. Realize the world won’t end and you won’t lose your friends if you don’t show up for their event. Saying no is liberating. Trust me.

Keep it simple

The holidays aren’t about how well your house is decorated or how many cookies you baked. It’s about the people.

Think about the holidays when you grew up. What do you remember most? Was it that your mother had every single room decorated to the nines or that the whole family sat and played games together?

Nobody is perfect and nobody expects you or your holiday to be perfect either. Some of the best holiday memories are of the mistakes – the turkey that the dog got to first, the burned sugar cookies. Take the time to enjoy what’s going on instead of making it the best it can be for everyone else.

Exercise regularly

If you’re already working out, don’t stop. If you aren’t, now is a great time to hit the gym or do something physical.

Exercising reduces stress and increases ‘happy’ endorphins. While you may think you don’t have the time to exercise, your mind and your body will be thankful you did. ■ Carolyn has been a fitness and nutrition enthusiast for over 15 years and holds certifications from nationally recognized organizations. december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 27

women in art

‘Home forChristmas’ Alpharetta actresses play dueling sisters in local production

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

Gertrude, who would rather ignore her poor upbringing, does not come willingly – setting the stage for drama, laughter and some heartwarming revelations.

I sat down recently with Dtoty and Walsh for chat about theater, family dynamics and their own memories of being home for the holidays.

katie@northsidewoman.com

H

ome for Christmas. Such pleasant words – evoking mental pictures of twinkling lights on the tree and loved ones gathered by a warm fireside, laughing merrily.

In reality, family gatherings are rarely quite as perfect as we would wish, especially when relatives have become estranged through time and distance.

ACT1 Theater in Alpharetta explores a somewhat strained family yuletide reunion with their December show, “Home for Christmas,” in which the Clayton family siblings, two of whom left for college and never looked back, return to the humble family farm in 1935 to visit their mother.

Alpharetta actresses Kerrie Dtoty and Karen Walsh play sisters Nan Clayton and Gertrude Clayton Eldridge, respectively.

Nan knows that this may be Mother’s last Christmas but has been sworn to secrecy and must find a way to entice her urban socialite sister to make the trip home.

On careers & acting Walsh: I’ve been acting since I was a little kid. I worked as a lawyer for 10 years, then retired and I now run an online bookstore for a local ministry. But acting has always been a part of my life.

In addition to three or four stage shows each year, I perform with Atlanta Theater To Go, a traveling group that performs at retirement communities. I’ve performed many times with ACT1 Theater. My favorites were “Into the Woods,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Nunsense.”

Dtoty: I have a degree in Russian and worked for the government during the Cold War years when there was a demand

Happy Holidays from

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Karen Walsh, left, and Kerrie Dtoty play dueling sisters in ACT1 Theater’s “Home for Christmas.”

for Russian linguists. I have great spy stories – I just can’t tell you any of them.

After that, I became a stay-at-home mom, then started decorating houses. I work now at Karen’s Fabrics in Alpharetta and act whenever I can. My mother and two of my sisters are actors and directors as well, so it’s in my blood.

On holiday family gatherings Dtoty: Looking back, the holidays were much more fun when I was a kid and someone else did all the work! No planning, no baking, no shopping.

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woman's best friend

Walsh: Family stuff has a tendency to be stressful. I’m also the youngest in my family with an older brother and sister.

These days, when we all travel to Texas to visit my parents for Christmas, as the youngest sibling I always get the couch.

What’s up with that? I’m 46 years old!

When do I get my own room?

At least I have finally graduated to the adult table now.

On their “Home for Christmas” characters MIKE GLATZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Just that wonderful moment of running down the stairs early in the morning to see what Santa left under the tree. I’m the youngest of five siblings.

We grew up in Utah, but now my mother lives in Arizona. It’s hard to recreate the childhood Christmas scene when the family home is gone.

Walsh: In coming back to the farm after so many years, Gertrude is really having to face her past for the first time. She feels a bit unfulfilled and misunderstood.

Dtoty: Well, Nan would call her uptight and snooty!

Nan doesn’t particularly want to be the family peacemaker, but she lives the closest to Mother who has never left the family farm.

It’s hard to relate today to that strong sense of place – of home. Our society is so mobile these days. It was a different time then.

To see Dtoty and Walsh perform in ACT1 Theater’s “Home for Christmas,” purchase tickets online at www.act1theater. com. Shows run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. ACT1 Theater is located inside Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta. ■

Petof theMonth

A

ll dressed up in her holiday finest, Dane is dreaming of a forever home this Christmas season. Her foster mom says Dane is a sweet kitty with energy to spare and who loves attention from her people. If she’s ignored for too long, a gentle “pat pat” on the arm is certain to draw your attention.

Dane loves to play with feather

toys, loves other cats and is curious around dogs. She is a gray and white tuxedo kitten with medium-length fur, is almost 7 months old, already spayed and microchipped and fully vaccinated.

If you can find room on your holiday list for Dane, please visit www.angelsrescue.org to submit an adoption application or email cats@ angelsrescue.org. ■

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 29

woman's best friend

Ask the Vet preying on plants Question

My indoor-only cats tend to nibble on whatever houseplants I bring into our home. How do I know which plants are toxic to cats and which are safe? What about holiday poinsettias?

Answer

C

ats are very curious creatures. You so much as place a box in the middle of the room and in just half a second your feline friend has found a way right into it. Cats seem to feel the same way about bags.

But their curiosity is not limited to boxes and bags. As picky as cats can be about their food, when given the opportunity, cats will eat plants.

Cats that like eating plants may not always get into trouble just as long as the plants consumed are not poisonous.

Unfortunately, there are several house plants that are toxic to cats, poinsettias being one of them. Toxicity from eating poisonous plants is the second most common type of toxicity in indoor and outdoor cats. In case you are wondering, pain control medication such as aspirin and

Tylenol is No. 1.

The truth of the matter is that “the dose makes the poison,” so if a cat ingests enough of a certain plant, even if it is not a particularly toxic one, he or she may develop symptoms of toxicity, such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. If you ever find yourself in this predicament, be sure to take your cat to your veterinarian so that supportive care can be implemented as soon as possible.

The ASPCA website can help you identify plants that are toxic to cats and dogs. You can go to www.aspca.org and type in “toxic plants” in the search box. Then click on the link that reads “toxic and nontoxic plants.” This website has a list, as well as pictures, of plants that are

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toxic and nontoxic to cats and dogs.

So if your cat just loves to chew on plants, and you would like to give him/her an option without the risk of toxicity, consider wheat grass. Wheat grass is a safe alternative for your cat’s plant eating craving. ■ Dr. Beatriz Segarra is the owner and veterinarian at the Village Animal Hospital on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek. www.thevillage animalhospital.com

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▼ HORSE, Continued from Page 8 biggest improvements.

“He started communicating with the horses,” Dettman said. “He learned coping skills by watching how the horses dealt with change and emotion. He now rides horses and also cares for them. He says that when he comes to the farm, he can feel freedom.”

After being at the academy for three years and participating in EAP, Victor was able to transition into public school and Dettman says horse therapy was a main factor in his transformation.

Both Dettman and Margow grew up loving horses and said they are special creatures with a sort of “healing power.”

“Horses have the same social and emotional needs as humans, so right off the bat they have a deeper understanding of you,” said Dettman. “They are also experts on body language so they pick up on communication that we don’t even realize we are giving off.”

She added that the horses give troubled children one thing that is hard for them to find anywhere else – unconditional acceptance.

“When a child feels like the whole world is against them, and then this huge animal comes up to them and just accepts them and wants their interactions without any judgment – it’s so powerful,” Dettman said.

Dettman and Margow can both attest to the incredible feeling of helping children work through their troubles.

“This is my calling and what I was put here to do,” said Margow. “I could never give it up. I love seeing the changes and the impact we can have on a child and a family. We give them the chance to thrive and grow.”

Dettman agreed, adding that watching a child transform from when they first arrive to how they behave after therapy is like unwrapping the most prized gift.

“To be able to use something that has been such a passion in my life to help some of the most vulnerable, precious little ones is such a true pleasure and an honor.

It’s life-changing,” she said.

For more information on the Healing Hoof Prints program at Shelland Place Farm, 15146 Hopewell Road, Milton, call 404-583-4577. For information on the Academy at North Fulton, visit www.academy@ northfulton.org and for Children’s Therapy Works, visit www.childrenstherapyworks.com. ■

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herhealth

Keeping our loved ones safe

By DEBBIE KEEL

North Fulton Hospital CEO

M

y grandchildren love grapes.

They eat them like candy…and I like to give them grapes in place

of candy.

Recently, I bought some of the most beautiful green seedless grapes I’ve ever seen – including my six years of living in California, known for its grapes.

They were almost as large as golf balls and sweet as sugar. The perfect mid-morning snack for little kids with big appetites who were underfoot in my kitchen.

I was cutting the grapes in half as fast as I could to provide their treat when I noticed my husband staring at me with a grin on his face. As I looked up he said, “You’re cutting the grapes.”

“So?” I asked.

“You never did that for our kids,” he remarked.

He was right – it had never even crossed my mind to take this choking precaution for my own girls. But recently my oldest daughter told me she read in a magazine that grapes (along with hot dogs, which I already knew about) were one of the most frequent causes of choking in children.

32 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

It’s nice to know that cutting grapes in half will help keep my grandchildren safe.

And it’s nice to know that the people who I work with every day will do whatever it takes to keep our patients safe.

I want to be a fun grandmother, but I want to be a safe grandmother even more. And our kids have the benefit of knowledge we didn’t have, so I listen to them about these things.

I also listen to the nurses and physicians, other clinical staff and other hospital personnel when they tell me how to make my hospital the safest place possible for our patients.

They know because they work here every day, using our instruments and equipment and implementing our policies and procedures to care for our patients. They know that hand washing is the most effective way to prevent infections. They know how to properly count instruments and sponges at the end of a surgical case to keep from forgetting one in a patient. They know how to prevent patients from harming themselves by getting out of bed too early after an illness.

Most importantly, they live and thrive in a culture of safety here at North Fulton Hospital, where they continually “Blow the Whistle” for patient safety when they see something that might do harm to a patient under our care.

That is how they earned a special distinction for their hospital, your hospital, North Fulton Hospital: a grade of A on the recently released Leapfrog Hospital Safety Report Card. The score is based on surveys submitted by hospitals across the country that have demonstrated a commitment to transparency by participating in the voluntary Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The survey assesses hospitals on three key areas: how patients

fare, resources used in caring for patients and leadership and structures that promote patient safety.

It’s nice to know that cutting grapes in half will help keep my grandchildren safe. And it’s nice to know that the people who I work with every day will do whatever it takes to keep our patients safe. ■ Debbie Keel ►

Want some good old-fashioned sales training?

Don’t call us.

Sandler Training® utilizes continual reinforcement through ongoing training and individual coaching sessions not only to help you learn but also to ensure your success. With over 200 training centers worldwide to provide support, you won’t fail…because we won’t let you.

Lissa Versteegh 3625 Brookside Parkway, Suite 165 Alpharetta, GA 30022 770-475-3835 www.georgiasales.sandler.com

S Sandler Training Finding Power In Reinforcement (with design) and Sandler Training are registered service marks of Sandler Systems, Inc. © 2009 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Who is your favorite

?

Do you know an Unsung She’ro who works tirelessly?

A fabulously creative artist, author or musician?

Talented teacher or mentor?

Successful businesswoman or entrepreneur?

Outstanding athlete or fitness guru?

Or a best friend, mom or neighbor with an inspiring, funny or touching story to share?

We want to hear from you!!

Northside Woman is all about celebrating and connecting the amazing women who live in the North Fulton and South Forsyth communities of Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek and Cumming – helping you get to know your neighbors and build business and social networks which allow women to support and encourage each other.

Please share your story ideas with our staff by emailing Editor Katie VanBrackle at katie@northsidewoman.com.

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 33

todo

Holidays Along the Divine 9 Through Dec. 31. The Alpharetta and Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureaus have teamed up to promote a special list of holiday events such as Santa sightings, Christmas services, ghost tours, tree lightings, historic home tours, open houses, caroling, historic event reenactments and special promotions in stores and galleries. Download your free copy of Holidays Along the Divine 9 online and you will be eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card. www.divine9ga.com

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Girls’ Night Out at Roswell Drake Closet 5 – 8 p.m. Treat yourself to a night of shopping for new and gently used women’s clothing and accessories at the Drake Closet’s Roswell location.

All proceeds benefit the Drake House, which provides emergency housing and counseling for women and children in crisis in North Fulton. 825 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. See also: corresponding Dec. 12 event in Alpharetta. www.thedrakehouse.org Von Grey performs at Callanwolde mansion 6-9 p.m. The Johns Creek band “von Grey” will perform at Christmas at Callanwolde’s Premiere Party, featuring the historic mansion decorated for the season by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers.

Enjoy a spread of festive gourmet food stations and a complimentary bar. $75 tickets by advance reservation only. 980 Briarcliff Road Northeast, Atlanta. www.callanwolde.org

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1850s Heirloom Holidays in Roswell Through Sunday, Dec. 8. This “living history” weekend includes a tour of the Southern Trilogy historic homes, a period dinner, special holiday bizarre in the barn at Barrington Hall, a bonfire and much more. Enjoy period-related activities at the Teaching Museum North. This uniquely Roswell event is sure to become a favorite family tradition. www.roswellheirloomholidays.com

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Founders Day Parade and Santa Jam in Johns Creek ▲ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 11Alive news anchor and Johns Creek resident Karyn Greer will emcee the seventh annual Founders Day Parade, which will take place on State Bridge Road between Kimball Bridge and West Morton Roads. It will be followed immediately by Santa Jam featuring photos with Santa, games, activities, food, moonwalks and family entertainment.

Santa Jam will be held at Ocee Park, 10900 Buice Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekga.gov/calendar.html Snow on the Square and Santa in Alpharetta 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Browse through a Christmas Farmers Market on the streets of downtown Alpharetta, then enjoy a taste of winter as the corner park fills with snow 34 | northsidewoman.com | december2013

DECEMBER and Santa and Mrs. Claus visit the gazebo for photos. Hot chocolate will keep you warm as you build a snowman. 2 South Main St., Alpharetta. www.awesomealpharetta.com Christmas in Crabapple 2 – 5 p.m. Perk up those ears for sleigh bells and pack your mittens for the Crabapple holiday celebration featuring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites from local children’s choirs, a community bonfire and photos with Santa.

Historic downtown Crabapple, 790 Mayfield Road, Milton.

Roswell’s Holiday Celebration on the Square 5 p.m. This fun, family event includes carolers from area schools, lighting of the Historic Town Square, a reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a special visit from Santa Claus. Photos with Santa will be available for a nominal fee. Holiday shuttle bus runs to Santa’s Secret Gift Shop. Historic Town Square, intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 120, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com Evening in Bethlehem 5, 6 and 7 p.m. This live nativity production allows you to roam through an antiquity marketplace with shepherds, soldiers, shopkeepers, artisans and live animals, as you experience the story of the first Noel. Roswell United Methodist Church – Dodson Youth Building, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. www.rumc.com/bethlehem Christmas Gala and Holiday Pops Concert 8 p.m. The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will perform all your holiday favorites accompanied by adult and children’s choirs, soloists and a few surprises. A delicious champagne dessert reception follows. Tickets range from $16.50 to $30. St. Benedict Church, 11045 Parsons Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreeksymphony.org

at the Drake Closet’s Alpharetta location.

All proceeds benefit the Drake House, which provides emergency housing and counseling for women and children in crisis in North Fulton. 26 Old Roswell St., Alpharetta. See also: corresponding Dec. 5 event in Roswell. www.thedrakehouse.org

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‘Babes in Toyland’ and ‘The Nutcracker Land of Sweets’ at Atlanta Dance Theatre ▲ Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 14 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Two holiday classics, “Babes in Toyland” and “The Nutcracker – Land of Sweets” will be performed in this family-friendly Roswell tradition. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Purchase tickets online. http://atlantadancetheatre.org ‘Home for Christmas’ by ACT1 Theater 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 22. Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with the Clayton family as they return from all over the country for a yuletide reunion. Alpharetta Christian Theater is located inside Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta. Tickets available online. www.act1theater.com Santa Night Atlanta Join a merry band of Santa wannabes on a trolley tour of North Fulton establishments while singing carols and collecting funds for Child Development Association’s scholarship fund. Learn more online. www.cdakids.org

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Roswell Fine Arts Alliance Holiday Bazaar 1 – 4 p.m. Shop for artistic treasures and seasonal paintings at the Roswell Art Center East (ACE) gallery. Light refreshments and a few surprises will be in store. Also held 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. 9100 Fouts Road. www.rfaa.org

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High Teas at Bulloch Hall 4 p.m., also Dec. 12, 17. Ladies in period clothing serve a twocourse tea in the 1839 childhood home of Mittie Bulloch, followed by a tour of the house decorated for Christmas.

Reservations needed. $40 per person.180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell. http://bullochhall.org

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Girls’ Night Out at Alpharetta Drake Closet 5 – 8 p.m. Treat yourself to a night of shopping for new and gently used women’s clothing and accessories

Reindeer Day at Chattahoochee Nature Center 1 – 4 p.m. Live reindeer will make a special holiday appearance in Roswell during Chattahoochee Nature Center’s unique holiday tradition. Create reindeer crafts and warm up with campfire treats.

9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. www.chattnaturecenter.org Milton Mayor’s Holiday Open House 4 – 7 p.m. Every Milton resident is invited to an informal holiday party at the home of Mayor Joe Lockwood. All food and drinks will be donated by the City Council and local businesses. Shuttled parking available from 4 to 7 p.m. at Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway. To RSVP, please email rsvp@cityofmiltonga. us and include your name and address to verify your Milton residence. You will be sent an invitation to print out.

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Mittie Bulloch Roosevelt’s 1853 Wedding Reenactment Multiple shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. Step back in time and be a special guest of Mittie Bulloch and Theodore Roosevelt (Sr.). Hear the gentlemen discussing politics of the day in the library while the ladies discuss fashion in the parlor. A special frozen dessert will be served. $12 adults, $5 ages 6-18.

Reservations required: 770-992-1731. www.bullochhall.org North Georgia Barbershop Singers Christmas 8 p.m. Enjoy Christmas classics sung in harmony by a group of classic barbershop singers from all over North Georgia.

Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming. Tickets available online. www.playhousecumming.com

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Sixpence None the Richer in Roswell The Live in Roswell series presents Sixpence None the Richer, a Nashville-based, Grammy-nominated band with hit singles such as “Kiss Me,” and “There She Goes.” Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.roswellpresents.com

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Pet Photos with Santa 6 p.m. North Point Mall has reserved special times for your furry friends to visit Santa. It’s a waggin’ good time.

Reserved for dogs and cats only please.

Enter your photo for a chance to win a $500 mall gift card. 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. www.northpointmall.com/events

‘A Christmas Carol’ at Bulloch Hall 8 p.m. through Dec. 23. Gather at Roswell’s grand Bulloch Hall for an intimate 45seat performance of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic featuring Brink Miller as Ebenezer Scrooge, a role he has played for 18 straight years. Tickets are $15; reserve them early. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell. bullochhall.org/a-christmas-carol.html

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Breakfast with Santa in Johns Creek ▲ 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Music, gingerbread cookie decorating and holiday crafts. Write a letter and handdeliver it to Santa. Parents can take photos of their children with Santa. $15 for Johns Creek residents, per child, $22.50 for nonresidents. Park Place at Newtown School, 3125 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. www.johnscreekga.gov Jingle Bell Ride 3 p.m. Bike Roswell is sponsoring a gentle pace ride for families on the Riverside/ Azalea Multi-Use Trail followed by hot chocolate and cookies. Riders must supply their own bikes and helmets. 770-643-8010.

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Beatles Tribute Band in Cumming ▲ 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. “The Return” recreates the early 60s Beatles concert experience in great detail, sounding and looking amazingly like the original Fab Four. This New Year’s Eve event is one of the most popular concert acts at Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming.

Reserve tickets online. http://playhousecumming.com

december2013 | northsidewoman.com | 35

O U R S TA F F

Welcome to

North Fulton Women’s Specialists

Sowmya Reddy, MD Board-Certified OB/GYN

The specialized care you want. The personal attention you deserve.

Sheila V. Garnica, MD Board Certified OB/GYN Certified Menopause Practitioner

OB/GYN SERVICES

IN-OFFICE PROCEDURES

• Preventive Exams and Pap Smears

• Birth Control

• Preconception, Family Planning and Contraception Consults • Prenatal Care and Delivery

(IUD, Nexplanon, Depo Provera) • Treatment for Heavy or Frequent Periods

• Teenage and Adolescent Care

• Investigation of Incontinence

• Menopause/Peri-Menopause Management

• Colposcopy and LEEP

• Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery • Waterbirths

(treatment for abnormal paps) • Ultrasonography

Alexandre K. Eaccarino, DO

To learn more about the services and physicians at North Fulton Women’s Specialists, visit NorthFultonWomensSpecialists.com. Now accepting new patients and most major insurance plans. Same-day appointments available; call (770) 410-4388.

Michele P. Clark, MSN, CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife

www.NorthFultonWomensSpecialists.com

36 | northsidewoman.com | december2013