February 2011, Atlanta INtown

Volume 17• Number 2• ©2011

Progress on National Center for Civil and Human Rights 4

21

Men in Motion Perform this Month 13 Februar y 2011

Ideas and lessons for urban chicken farmers

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Hyperlocal news print | online | social media www.AtlantaINtownPaper.com Twitter: @ATLINtownPaper Wendy G. Binns PUBLISHER (404) 586-0027 wendy@atlantaintownpaper.com Collin Kelley EDITOR (404) 586-0102 collin@atlantaintownpaper.com Elizabeth P. Holmes PRODUCTION/GRAPHIC DESIGN (404) 586-0002 x312 elizabeth@atlantaintownpaper.com ADVERTISING INFO (404) 586-0002 x 302 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Janet Porter REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING (404) 501-0090 janet@atlantaintownpaper.com David Burleson (404) 918-0285 david@atlantaintownpaper.com Linda Howell (404) 586-0002 x320 linda@atlantaintownpaper.com Anthony J. Lombardo (404) 586-0002 x316 anthony@atlantaintownpaper.com CLASSIFIEDS 404-586-0002 x302 classifieds@atlantaintownpaper.com INTERN Gregory Wallace CONTRIBUTORS Cameron Adams, Kate Atwood, Anne Boatwright, Ann Boutwell, Tina Chadwick, Ty Collins, C. Cleo Creech, Tyson Deal, Patrick Dennis, Farmer D, Brigett Flood, Helen Grebe, Jesse Morado, Annie Nichols, Said Rios, B. Scott Sadler, Laura Turner Seydel, Tim Sullivan, Sandy Tyler, Kathy Vogeltanz DISTRIBUTION (404) 586-0027 SUBSCRIPTIONS Send a $15 check to Subscriptions, Atlanta INtown, 154 Krog Street, Suite 135, Atlanta, GA 30307 or read our free e-Edition online at www.

AtlantaINtownPaper.com.

SUBMISSIONS Queries about freelance articles can be made to Collin Kelley, collin@atlantaintownpaper.com Atlanta INtown, 154 Krog Street, Suite 135, Atlanta, GA 30307.

Who We Are and Why

For 15 years, Atlanta INtown’s mission has been to publish local news that helps foster a sense of community. Live, work and play – we cover everything that makes our city home.

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A Note from the Publisher

Table of Contents: IN the Neighborhood 4 Center for Civil & Human Rights ............4 Charity in the City ...................................6 A Look Back ...........................................6 Intown Datebook ....................................7 City of Refuge.........................................8 Letter from the Editor .............................8 Grady High Student Gives Back ..........11 Men in Motion ......................................13 Summer Camp Ideas ...........................13 10 Tips for Green Pets .........................14 Rescuing Pets in Need.........................15 Intown Runaround ...............................16 Exercise in Disguise .............................17 Health Briefs .........................................17 Soul Mate Stories .................................18 Scene & Heard .....................................18 Street Fashion ......................................19

Go Green 21

Dear INtown Readers,

SCOTT LOWDEN

CONTACT US

While covering community news, it’s rare that we hit a nerve with our readers. Last month when we released our 20 Under 20 feature honoring students giving back, we heard from you.

Aside from hearing that it was refreshing news, we also heard that many of you deeply care about our Atlanta Public Schools and were disappointed that APS was not part of this annual 20 Under 20. We agree with you. This was was not intentional. We’ve highlighted amazing APS students before and would like to do more. Going forward, we have taken steps to collaborate more closely with APS so that we are sure to receive nominations and news.

On that note, we are now taking nominations through October 3, 2011 for 2012’s 20 Under 20 (see below). As we have in years past, we’ll remind you throughout the year here, on Facebook, Twitter and our website.

I stay in touch with many previous honorees, some of whom have said that by being honored for giving back, they were encouraged to do even more. I dream of what they will become and if we can foster an ounce of motivation, we want to. Recognition matters. Praise motivates. Please be sure to nominate students you know who are giving back in a big way.

In this current issue, you can read more about (and from) local kids: • 14 year-old Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patient, Kyle Cobb, received a new kidney and is now raising money (already over $3,100) for his friend Kiwane Clay to receive a kidney transplant on page 11; • 10 year-old INtown junior reporter, Said Rios, has been working over his holiday break on a piece about Men in Motion at Moving in the Spirit on page 13;

Olmstead Linear Park ..........................21 • Local dad and one of our newest contributors, Ty Collins, shares information for Eco-Briefs .............................................23 W W W. AT L A N TA I N T O W Nparents PA P E R .to C Oplan M a fun and unique summer with a variety of camps on page 13; Laura Turner Seydel .............................23 The stories you read in INtown are made possible by many people offering to help and we are sustained through advertising dollars. We are a small staff with a small budget – and, big intentions to highlight people and organizations doing good things.

Each month, we try to include stories that will uplift and inform our community. We enjoy where we live and work and want to convey that here. Please contact me at Investing Responsibly ..........................24 wendy@atlantaintownpaper.com if you would like to get involved.

Adopt-the-BeltLine ...............................24 Business & Retail Briefs .......................24 Sincerely,

IN Business 24

The Studio 25 Inside Reality TV...................................25 Patrick Dennis ......................................26 Atlanta PlanIt ........................................28

News You Can Eat 29 Eating Heart Healthy ............................29 Garden for the Hungry .........................30 Quick Bites ...........................................31

Real Estate 32 Home Staging ......................................32 Real Estate Briefs .................................33 Commercial Real Estate Briefs ............33

IN Your Home 34 Urban Chickens ............................. 34-35 Southeastern Flower Show..................35 Gardening ............................................35 Renovation Coach ...............................37

Wendy Binns, Publisher

Celebrating Outstanding Youth Volunteers NOMINATIONS DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

4th Annual

Please consider nominating a student living or going to school in metro Atlanta; who is under 20 years old; and, who deserves a salute for his or her community service.

1. Nominee: full name, age, grade and school, contact info 2. Nominator: your full name, relationship to nominee, contact info 3. Short paragraph describing why this nominee deserves recognition for community service. Include any actions, characteristics, projects, goals and areas of interest that will help illustrate your point Email to: Wendy Binns, Wendy@AtlantaINtownPaper.com

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February 2011 | IN

Center of Attention

National Center for Civil and Human Rights on track for groundbreaking

By Collin Kelley Editor The opening of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown is still two years away, but fundraising, acquisitions and events for the public are in full swing right now.

The center will be located at Pemberton Place next door to the World of CocaCola (Coke donated the property) and the Georgia Aquarium. Highlights of the NCCHR will be the display of The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection and the award-winning Without Sanctuary lynching exhibit. The Center will serve as a hub for ongoing dialogue, attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics.

The space will also be equipped with broadcast and event space, and will host civil and human rights conversations among scholars, organizations and the public.

NCCHR Executive Director Doug

Shipman said a groundbreaking will be held later this year, possibly in October, and the goal is to build without debt.

Delta Air Lines’ donation of $1 million and another $1 million from Newell Rubbermaid and UPS have made a considerable dent, but Shipman said another $13 million in commitments is needed.

The cost for the center is $125 million, with $25 million of that as an endowment to support operations,” Shipman said.

While fundraising continues, Shipman said staff continues to refine exhibition plans, while a researcher is looking for artifacts and photos for the NCCHR collection.

Shipman said he Shipman

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was excited about oral histories that will be donated by West Georgia College and Atlanta History Center and author Rebecca Burns donation of information and documents from her book about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s funeral, Burial for a King.

For the public, there will be film screenings and Richardson educational events announced throughout the year at cchrpartnership. org.

In December, NCCHR announced that Atlanta native

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Richardson said she “lived the experience” of the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta and was excited to be returning home to work with the center.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Judiciary Committee on domestic minor sex trafficking and has been instrumental in creating partnerships to end human trafficking on websites.

“The world is at an interesting moment in time,” Richardson said. “We’ve achieved so much in human and civil rights, but we are also still fragile. There are countries where women can’t own property, sex and violence is used in war and there is sex trafficking.”

Richardson said those topics would be addressed at the center as would health issues like HIV/AIDS and immigration. She said interactive exhibits and programs for all ages are part of the NCCHR mission.

“We see human rights in peril all around us though we live in a time of

unprecedented access to tools to stand up for each other,” she said. “Working with local, national and international supporters, we will create an amazing asset for justice and humanity.”

Shipman said alongside monetary donations, the NCCHR also needs volunteers to assist with current programs and they also want to hear from residents who might have material suitable for exhibition or archiving at the center.

Shipman said he and other staffers was available to come and speak at “friendraisers” with groups large and small to spread the word about NCCHR. For more information about the center, visit cchrpartnership.org.

Charity in the City Kate Atwood

Give love away this Valentine’s Day It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While some celebrate this special day with exuberance and others loathe its existence, one thing remains true: Valentine’s Day is a great reminder of the importance of sharing love with others, including those around us who need it most. This year, especially in the wake of the Arizona tragedy, a month filled with love is just what our country and our communities need.

Here are some fun and creative ways to give love away this Valentine’s Day, and fill your own heart in return as well. From a concert to crafts, these ideas are fun and easy, and most importantly carry a lasting impact.

The African Children’s Choir I haven’t been this excited about a concert in years! The African Children’s Choir will be performing live at the Tabernacle on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. If you have ever wanted to witness how music directly changes the lives of our world’s most vulnerable children, you will want to join me for this spectacular event. The African Children’s Choir is made up of some of the neediest children of various African countries, most of whom have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. The choir helps these children break away from the everyday cycle of poverty and hopelessness, and your ticket purchase helps in this effort. The choir has performed with Paul McCartney, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, and Bono, and even has appeared at the White House. For tickets, visit hopeandmusic.org.

Wear Red February is also National Heart Month, a way to promote awareness and heart-healthy activities. Heart disease is actually the number one cause of death in our country, so it’s important to recognize this month

6 INtown | February 2011

and work towards improving our eating and exercise habits. Other than learning more about the risk factors for heart disease, a fun way to participate in this month is to wear red. Wear red on Fridays at the office and make it a fundraiser-lottery. Have everyone pitch in $5 who wears red, select a winner who gets half the pot of cash, and donate the other half to the American Heart Association.

Valentines for Others A great activity for groups, from classrooms to book clubs, is to come together to make Valentines for those who may otherwise not receive them. You can deliver your cards to a senior assisted living home, Hospice Atlanta or a women’s shelter in Atlanta. It is certain to make their day and to extend a unique type of support they certainly need all throughout the year.

Donate Blood Just like love, we all need blood to live. If you are eligible to donate blood, choose to do so this month. The American Red Cross has made an extra effort to recruit blood donors due to the severe weather in Atlanta this past January. With an unusual frequency of cancellations thus far this year, the American Red Cross needs to make-up for the lost units of blood. To set up an appointment, visit redcrossatlanta.org.

From the words of our President who graciously addressed our nation late month from Tucson, “what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others.”

If you are looking for more ways to get involved, be sure to follow Kate on Facebook and on Twitter at @KateAtwood.

A Look Back Ann Boutwell February 1969: National Geographic Magazine featured a 36-page spread by William S. Ellis – “Atlanta: Pacesetter City of the South.” Focusing on the city’s new modern age, the article featured Peachtree Center and Merchandise Mart, the Commerce Club as the power place to lunch and negotiate political agreements, Ralph McGill’s daily column as the voice of southern liberalism and the Dogwood Festival was held downtown.

Feb 4, 1892: The body of legendary journalist and orator Henry W Grady (1850-1889) was moved from Oakland Cemetery and re-interred at the handsome new family vault in Westview Cemetery.

Feb. 4, 1968: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his renowned sermon “The Drum Major Instinct” at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Two months later on April 8, grieving attendees heard the taped voice of Dr. King delivering his own eulogy: “If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral.

And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long.

And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize – that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards – that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others.”

Feb. 6, 1974: Concert promoter Alex Cooley presented comedian Lily Tomlin in character as Ernestine, the “ringy dingy” telephone operator, at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Tickets ranged from a whopping $4.50 to $5.50.

Feb. 10, 1976: President Gerald Ford issued a statement urging Americans to join in observing February as Black History Month. Roots of Black History Month began with Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the son of former slaves who held a doctorate from Harvard University. In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Many dedicated African American educators at Atlanta University, Clarke College, Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Spelman played a vital role in the group’s mission to study and promote Black History. 2011 marks the 85th observance of Black History Month.

Feb. 25, 1937: At New York’s Hotel Astor, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind was give the most distinguished novel award for 1937 by the 600-member American Booksellers Association. February 2011 marks the beginning of the 75th anniversary of Gone With the Wind in Atlanta and Jonesboro. It begins with a new book by Ellen Brown and John Wiley titled Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood. For more about the book, visit AtlantaINtownPaper.com. w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

February (all month) The Robert C. Williams Paper Museum on the campus of Georgia Tech will unveil a new guided tour in February. Paper in Our World will allow visitors to trace the evolution of papermaking from plants and recycled rags to the discovery of trees as a source of fibers for paper. Participants will learn about the benefits of using trees to create paper and examine the process of recycling. Each student will make a sheet of paper from cotton pulp. Guided tours are $8.50 per person and must be reserved in advance. The tour is ideal for students in grades 1 to 12, and adult groups are also welcome. Tours are offered Mondays through Fridays at 10 a.m., and the museum is wheelchair accessible. ipst.gatech.edu/amp

Black History Month

A look at some of the events happening Intown

By Gregory Wallace

February 12 Fragile Kids will host Dancing for Our Stars Part II at the Foundry at Puritan Mill on Saturday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. There will be a dance competition, food and drinks, silent auction and more. $125 per person.

For more details: fragilekids.org or call (770) 951-6115.

February 16 2011 Children’s Consignment Sale hosted by Intown Atlanta Parents of Multiples Club will hold its on Saturday, Feb. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 2090 N. Druid Hills Road. There will be clothing, shoes, toys, car seats, strollers, high chairs, booster seats, cribs, furniture, books and DVD’s, bedding, maternity items and more. intownatlantapomc.org.

February 25-26 The 24th annual Southeastern Flower Show, see page 35.

February 5 Orchid Daze: Liquid Landscapes is at Atlanta Botanical Garden, featuring thousands of orchids in full bloom and set against the backdrop of flowing water walls, gushing jets and trickling beads.

The displays were designed by Dallas landscape designer Tres Fromme in collaboration with the Garden staff. There will be special events throughout the run of the show. Runs through April 10. atlantabotanicalgarden.org to see the full schedule.

February 5 The Diamond Jubilee of the Buckhead Rotary Club, founded in 1951, will be celebrated at the 5th annual Rotary Club Ball, chaired by Kay Quigley and Shannon Price who are returning as “encore” chairmen following the outstanding success and tripling of funds raised at the previous gala. The event is Saturday, Feb. 5, at 103 West on West Paces Ferry Road. Proceeds from the evening are allocated to the Rotary Club’s principal community and international beneficiaries ranging from youth and education (including two scholarships at Oglethorpe University), health programs in the Atlanta Public Schools, Rotary’s International Student scholarships, and the economically challenged for whom Habitat for Humanity builds homes. buckheadrotary.com w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

February 26 Chicks in the City Symposium, see page 34.

February 26-27 Moving in the Spirit’s Men in Motion Spring Show, see page 13.

March 6 7th annual “Dream in Green” gala at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, see page 21.

March 14 American Cancer Society’s Auxiliary 20th annual Hope Fashion Show Monday, March 14, at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. Tickets are now on sale now and the show sold out last year and has raised almost $1,000,000 for the American Cancer Society. hopefashionshow.org.

Underground Atlanta Underground Atlanta has a variety of events celebrating Black History Month. Black in Film: A Series of Conversations and a Showcase of Historical Lineage in Cinema presents a different speaker each Saturday in February. Presented by the African American Cinema Gallery and The Peachtree Village International Film Festival, the series is to inspire people to appreciate the value of black film and literature through creative thinking, dreaming and turning that dream into a reality. The African-American Cinema Gallery exhibit is an inspirational tribute to Black actors, actresses and authors whose creativity has inspired the nation throughout history. It’s a touring multimedia presentation, which consists of an exhibit that covers numerous African American films, more than 100 actors and actresses, and many drama series and sitcoms.

Take a guided history tour. From Civil War to Civil Rights, for a glimpse of Atlanta and Underground Atlanta’s past, present, and future. Tickets are $6 per person. Tours are offered Fridays and Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3p.m., and Sunday 1p.m. to 3p.m. Test your knowledge and receive free gifts, coupons and giveaways. Correctly name all of the pictured influential African Americans in history and walk away with an Underground Atlanta prize. The contest will be held throughout the month of February. underground-atlanta.com Imagine It! Children can celebrate Black History Month by learning about Georgia’s famous African-Americans in the arts, science, and sports at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The Imaginators will bring to life wonderful stories celebrating black history and children will explore music that graced the radio airwaves in the 1960s on Atlanta’s radio station 1380 WAOK. Children will have a chance to learn about Georgia’s famous African-Americans as the Imaginators lead them through an interactive history lesson with their musical “Turn the Mystery into History.” childrensmuseumatlanta.org Atlanta History Center Join the Atlanta History Center for Fridays in February to celebrate Black History Month. This program has been specially designed for students to learn about the significant impact and achievements of African Americans. Each Friday explores a different time period: A Day in the Life of a Slave, From Slave to Soldier, Early Fight for Civil Rights, The Civil Rights Movement.

Admission is $7 per person. One chaperone is admitted free per 5 students. For more information, visit atlantahistorycenter.com.

Black History Parade The second annual Black History Month Parade is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, in Downtown. This event celebrates the culture, history heritage and accomplishments of the African-American community, including performances, speeches and food. sweetauburn.com

Read More Happenings!

Arts & Culture, page 28; News You Can Eat, page 31; and,

atlantaintownpaper.com every day

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February 2011 | IN

Help Where It’s Needed Most City of Refuge helps the homeless transition to normal life Helping Atlanta’s homeless through classes, such as the 180˚ Kitchen (right) and activities for youth are helping to keep families intact. Photos courtesy Lylephotos.com & CoR.

By Tina Chadwick “The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves” seems to sum up the driving force behind the 13-year success of City of Refuge.

Far from simply doling handouts to those in need, COR first “restores dignity” with a shower, good meal, clean clothes and a warm bed complete with roof over head. The very next thing they require (yes, require) of the people in the four to nine month programs is “increased responsibility.” This can mean any kind of job needed to maintain the 210,000 squarefoot facility that is a temporary but lifechanging home to hundreds of families and people needing help.

One option is to learn culinary skills through the 180˚ Kitchen program. But it’s not a half-day of cutting potatoes for a certificate of completion. The kitchens put out two meals a day for 263 people. Not only are participants learning food prep and actual cooking, but they learn to work in a group, learn responsibility and what success feels like when that many people are eating what their hands made. The 180˚ Kitchen program boasts 100 percent job placement for the 18 to 24-year -olds who finish.

Another option is to work at the onsite clinic, a new addition of the HEALing Community Center. Started by Dr. Charles Moore, who teaches at Emory and works for Grady, the clinic provides services for 500 people monthly and hosts over 60 volunteer physicians from Atlanta’s prominent medical centers including Emory, Grady, Morehouse School of Medicine and Piedmont.

Other programs run at the City of Refuge to support the families living there while preparing to transition back out, include the Georgia State After-School All Stars Program, where kids learn the importance

8 INtown | February 2011

of physical activity from actual athletes or those studying sports science. This group also provides vital tutoring. The Atlanta Ballet also teaches dance classes, and the children can participate in “Carrot Seeds” to help with raising and caring for an organic garden that provides fresh food to the kitchen.

The iron gates that surround the City of Refuge are open. Although most inhabitants come through Gateway 24/7, which identifies candidates for the program, anyone wanting help can come in and ask for it. Those entering to stay are placed in Eden Village 1 (families), 2 (single women) or 3 (men). Program Director Rena Simpson says, “Once they go through our complete program, they will have all the necessary skills to succeed in mainstream society.”

There is, though, a staff of both paid and volunteer people who keep the program rolling along and even growing. At the head of this group is Pastor Bruce Deel, the executive director and founder. Deel laid the beginnings of the City of Refuge in 1970, after what was supposed to be only a six-month street feeding assignment. That assignment never ended for him and his family.

Asked how he finds the financial support to keep a giant undertaking like City of Refuge afloat, he smiles – “faith and a lot of asking.” He got the entire City of Refuge property donated in 2003 after returning each month for six months to ask for it.

He said the downturn in the economy, especially last year, had made finding funds more difficult.

“The big corporate donations are steady,” he says. “It’s the micro-givers who donate $100 a month or so that have had to cut back.”

Another dynamic changed by the downturn is the profile of those being helped.

“We have a lot more intact families who find themselves homeless for the first time after losing a job that has supported them for years,” Deel says. “We have a lot of single parents who can’t afford daycare and they lose one paycheck caring for a child and they find themselves out of a job and then, out of their home.”

Ever the optimist and fiercely committed to a “half-full” attitude, Deel says “as the dollars are harder to find, volunteers were actually easier because people wanted to help and if they can’t with their wallets, they do with their hands.”

For more about City of Refuge, visit cityofrefugeinc.com.

Letter from the Editor Collin Kelley, Editor We usually plan our cover stories several months in advance, but as we were putting this issue together (much of it by phone and email during Atlanta’s snow and ice storm), the cover story suddenly shifted gears because of chickens.

We’ve reported in the past on Intown residents’ fascination with raising chickens in their own backyard coops and enjoying the fresh eggs. When Stephanie Van Parys sent me a press release about the upcoming Chicks in the City symposium and fellow Inman Alley tenant Mark Cohen sent photos of his chickens, it just seemed like synergy.

Is this case, the chicken came before the egg, but we hope you’ll enjoy the stories on urban chickens as much as we do.

Other big stories in this month’s issue include an update on the Center for Civil and Human Rights (Page 4), eating heart healthy (Page 29) and how staging is selling homes faster and for more money in Atlanta (Page 32).

Back to the snow and ice storm for a moment: While our office was closed for most of the week, we were praising the technology gods for being able to work from home laying out the February issue.

Since I’m the head tweeter in charge, I was also trying to keep readers abreast of closings, road conditions and what was open in our coverage are via Twitter. From Jan. 9 to Jan. 14, I sent out roughly 200 tweets, many of those retweets by our readers, contributors and fellow media outlets.

Many of you told me that you were relying on Twitter for news about the storm, so my goal was to provide as clear and concise information without relying on hyperbole. We gained 150 new followers that week, and we are close to having an amazing 10,000 followers at @ATLINtownPaper.

We appreciate each and every one of you. We’re planning to hold a “Tweet Up” at our office in the very near future, so keep watching those tweets.

- collin@atlantaintownpaper.com w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

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14-Year-Old Transplant Recipient Gives Back LAK LAKE CLAIRE IRE Grady High student raises over $10,000 for kids awaiting transplants

After last month’s 20 Under 20 recognizing students giving back, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta enthusiastically told us a story brimming with hope. Their patient, Kyle William-Andrew Cobb, is a 14 year old ninth grade student at Henry W. Grady High School. He’s also a hero.

Kyle, the son of Rhonda and Casey Cobb, was diagnosed with total renal failure in

2009 due to degenerate dysplasia. One year after receiving his gift of life with a kidney transplant, he is helping others with the foundation he created – Kyle’s Kids.

Kyle’s Kids helps children on dialysis by bringing awareness to their individual situation. And, they work to educate the African American community about organ donation, renal failure and dialysis.

Kyle is an Martin, active Keller member of Cascade Brenda UnitedWilliams Methodist youth department P'treeChurch Rd., and an404-861-6555 honor student who participates in the Beta Club, the debate team, junior varsity basketball team, the track and field team and junior varsity soccer team.

He is also an honorary member of The Men of Iron Bred Motorcycle Club. Last year over 1,000 bikers came out to support Kyle’s vision to bring awareness to transplants and organ donations – over $10,000 was raised.

This past year, Kyle’s Kids along with The Men of Iron Bred Motorcycle Club sponsored a charity flag football game at the DeKalb County Memorial Stadium. This event raised over $3,100 to help his friend Kwiane Clay, a 16-year-old dialysis patient awaiting a kidney transplant at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Kwiane has been on dialysis most of his life. “Kyle found it in his heart to want to help Kwiane enjoy some of the blessing he had received throughout his own ordeal,” said his mother Rhonda Cobb.

Kyle’s story and contribution has also been featured on Children’s Healthcare Television, YouTube and nationally featured on CNN.

INTERIOR DECORATOR

Columnist Brigette Flood debuts next month

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BRENDA MARTIN KELLER WILLIAMS/P'TREE ROAD 404-861-6555

Tamala Smith & Associates

NEW! Making Sense of Social Media Everyone from my niece to my grandmother has a Facebook account these days. Not surprisingly, businesses were quick to notice Facebook’s world domination, I mean, high market penetration (last I heard it was 75 percent. To contrast, Google has 25 percent).

Even though many businesses are effectively using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, blogs and other social media outlets to engage audiences, the social media landscape continues to change on a daily basis.

This year it’s Facebook and Twitter, next year it could be Tumblr and Amplify. Or something new noone’s even heard of yet.

Trying to make sense of the social media sphere, I attended the inaugural Social Media Atlanta conference in November last year. I spent the week talking with strategists and start-ups, listening to panelists full of talented, savvy people. I realized how many inspiring efforts are taking place in Atlanta. Beginning in March, I’ll be sharing these fantastic resources and stories with Atlanta INtown readers my column, Making Sense of Social.

- Brigette Flood

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Men in Motion Show, Feb. 26-27 These unique summer camps for kids go beyond swimming and sports

By Ty Collins Specialty camps are an unconventional antidote to childhood boredom during those long summer months, and the Atlanta area has many to choose from. With locations in Decatur and Dunwoody, Circus Camp staffs professional circus performers and varietyarts entertainers to instruct and perform for kids ages 5 and up. Here, it’s all about fun, not competition. Tim Dwyer, co-director of says his camp builds self-esteem through the magic of circus arts.

“We celebrate a child learning to do a summersault as much as we do a child learning to ride a six-foot unicycle,” says Dwyer.

Days include: magic, tightrope walking, clown skits, and acrobatics. The first of eight one-week sessions begins June 1. Winter and spring camps are also available. Each session ends with a show for parents and campers. For more information, visit circuscamp.org or call (404) 370-0001.

The big top isn’t for everyone, though. with locations in Sandy Springs and the Emory area, is tailored for freshmen foodies. Chefs and nutritional experts provide an interactive learning experience for children 3-14. Each facility has kidfriendly kitchens where campers spend the morning preparing lunch. Even picky eaters enjoy the three-course meals (dessert included).

“When kids know the ingredients going into [a meal],” says Rita Glaser, owner of the Toco Hills academy, “they’re more apt to eat it. It broadens their horizons as far as what they’ll eat.

Parents see the menus for that day and say: ‘no way is my child going to eat that.’”

To parents’ amazement, kids not only try the healthy dishes they prepare but confess to liking them, too, says Glaser.

The Young Chefs Academy offers classes June to August. Register at youngchefsacademy. com or call (404) 633-2633.

If making Baked Alaska isn’t your kid’s thing either, is great for youngsters with more cerebral tendencies.

This camp offers a different writing genre every week. Themes include: fantasy writing, stream-of-consciousness writing, journaling, and free-verse poetry. Kids hone their skills with the help of Atlanta writers, appropriately, in the former home of the city’s most celebrated author.

Melanie Eisenhart, Manager of Literary Programs at the Margaret Mitchell House, says some kids hope to use her camp as a stepping-stone for a career in writing. Creative Writing Camp is for children 7-18. It starts June 7. Visit margaretmitchellhouse.com. for more information.

Said Rios, front, performing Men in Motion’s Super Hero dance routine with other students.

By Said Rios Junior Reporter Hello, my name is Said Rios. I’m 12 years old, and a dancer with Moving in the Spirit’s Men in Motion program. Moving in the Spirit is a very fun organization that uses dance to inspire kids and teenagers to become leaders in their community, social lives and schools.

Being a leader, I like people to look up to me because I like to make people smile and have fun and to inspire them.

Moving in the Spirit taught me that to be a leader, I need to take care of things when I have to, work hard and listen. Also, it’s okay to have a flaw to work on, because nobody’s perfect. For example, I was having problems with math at school. Moving in the Spirit challenged me to figure out what I could do to improve and learn, and by the end of the year I was getting straight As. Now, I think a leader is a person who respects his followers as equals, and takes care of what he needs to do so he can help others.

Everyone at Moving in the Spirit is welcoming and outgoing, and they always like to help out. Although I love dancing, what I like most at Moving in the Spirit is the positive energy. It makes me feel like I’m at home, and everyone is like a family.

My program, Men in Motion, is performing Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Our show this year is about the game of chess and strategy,

2011

SUMMER CAMP

(Top Left) Creative Writing Camp at the Margaret Mitchell House, (Above) Unicycling at Circus Camp (Left) Learning to bake at The Young Chefs Academy.

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and will include Men in Motion students and professional dancers from Atlanta.

My classmates and I are helping to create our piece. I’ll also get to be a leader in the show by performing in a special dance, and by helping younger dancers learn their choreography.

You can support my fellow dancers and me by coming to see our show in February, and by volunteering at Moving in the Spirit.

Volunteers help with our shows, and some even become mentors to students like me. Information about volunteering is at movinginthespirit.org.

I hope to see you in February!

DANCE AT CAMP! Moving in the Spirit’s Summer Dance Camp features an exciting variety of dance and educational activities for students ages 8 to14, designed to keep children moving and having fun! Students will take lively classes in Modern Dance and Hip Hop, explore the art of creating choreography, and participate in recreational activities such as swimming and roller skating.

Classes are taught by professional dance artists from the Atlanta community. At the end of camp, students will showcase what they’ve learned in a performance for friends and family. Summer Dance Camp will take place July 18 - 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Moving in the Spirit’s home theater, The Beam, located at 750 Glenwood Ave. movinginthespirit.org/programs/.

A FULL DAY 7AM-6:30PM at NO EXTRA CHARGE! SESSION ONE / 4 weeks of June SESSION TWO / 4 weeks of July $850 for 4 week session $1,600 for 8 week session.

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Visit ThePhoenixSchool.com to register

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Pets: 10 Tips to Reducing Your Pet’s Carbon Paw Print If the family is recycling, eating organic foods and steering clear of chemicals, why shouldn’t our furry friends do the same? With such a myriad of eco-friendly pet products available, we can’t begin to “scratch” the surface of what’s out there, but here are just a few ideas to get you started on greening your pet.

Go For Organic Organic pet foods use meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones. Certified organic pet foods must meet strict USDA standards that identify how ingredients are produced and processed, which means no pesticides, antibiotics or artificial preservatives or ingredients.

Choose Sustainable Supplies Leashes, collars, toys and beds made from recycled materials or sustainable fibers will make all your friends “green” with envy. The Good Dog Company (thegooddogcompany. com) or Earth Dog (earthdog.com) offers earth-friendly hemp canvas trimmed leashes and collars in unique, fun patterns along with hemp dog beds and toys.

in a landfill where it will remain for years incased in plastic bags. A company called Doggie Dooley (doggiedooley.com) has devised a new earth-friendly way to dispose of pet waste. The Doggie Dooley system automatically reduces dog waste to a ground absorbing liquid making it easy to keep your yard and kennel area clean. The prism shaped digester is buried into a hole in your yard setting you up for convenient waste disposal. If burying a digester system in your yard simply isn’t an option you’re willing to explore, go for biodegradable pet-waste bags.

Natural Pet Care & Cleaning Products Because so many cleaning agents contain harmful, toxic chemicals that are harmful to the planet as well as your pet, it’s sensible to choose safe, non-toxic pet care products.

Clay & Chemical Free Scooping Most people simply aren’t aware of the dangers associated with many kitty litter products. Not only are they bad for the planet, the clay sediment contains carcinogenic silicaat dust that canof coat kitty 1) Position the logo the top the Pet Waste without the Plastic lungs. Additionally, the sodium bentonite, ad, butthat delete phoneagent number & American dogs and cats create 10 million acts asthe a clumping – it’s also tons of waste a year. Most of it ends up web site address that arcs along the

used as a grouting, sealing and plugging material - can swell up to 15 times their dry size and clog kitty’s insides. Felinefriendly alternatives with wheat contain no silica dust, sodium bentonite, chemicals or fragrances making them good choices for your cat.

Sustainable Silver Tags Everything involved in searching for a lost pet takes up environmental resources.

Whether you’re printing flyers or driving around the neighborhood, losing your pet is a stressful process. Wagg Tags (mommytags. com) offers adorable custom tags from recycled silver imprinted with your pet’s name.

Recycle Food Containers Whether it comes in cans, bottles or bags, chances are your pet’s food containers can be recycled. Remember, a can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now and recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for four hours.

Help Control Population Spaying and neutering your pets can have environmental impacts. Plus, spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating the possibility

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Eco Guides Take the time to learn more about nontoxic, planet-friendly pet care. Pick up one of the many books available offering information on organic treats and earthfriendly grooming products and accessories.

Saving the planet and helping your fourlegged friend live a longer, healthier life begins with just a few simple changes.

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To the Rescue

Businesses, organizations help pets find homes

By Collin Kelley Editor There are many local organizations helping abandoned pets find homes. For this article, we decided to look at what some local businesses were doing to aid in the rescue efforts.

Barking Hound Village Barking Hound Village, which provides daycare, grooming and training, has been active with rescue organizations for more than a decade.

“We believe every dog is special but we’ve always had a special place in our hearts for those less fortunate dogs,” director Scott Powers said. “I have two rescue dogs of my

own and I understand how important the work of local rescue organizations is and that’s why I am proud of how we contribute to those efforts here at BHV.” BHV has an on-going relationship with Adopt A Golden Atlanta, Atlanta Pet Rescue, spearheaded the 2009 Georgia Puppy Caravan and has created the Barking Hound Village Foundation Rescue (bhvfrescue. org) to provide positive impact to the rescue community.

at 54 Pharr Road in Buckhead to heighten awareness and bring financial support to unwanted pets, while giving Atlantans tasty baked goods. Pastry chefs Patrick Dineen and Annemarie Pizzi make an array of homemade desserts, espresso, cappuccino coffee, ice cream, yogurt, salads, sandwiches, soups and more. And the icing on the cake is that 25 percent of proceeds benefit pet rescue organizations. For more information, visit sophiesuptown.com.

Woof Gang Bakery The recently opened Woof Gang Bakery has a special affection for pet rescue groups.

New to the Atlanta market, the pet-centric boutique has embraced the local rescue community by offering its location as a venue for adoption days, benefit shopping events and a retail outlet for selling products such as calendars that directly raise funds for rescue groups.

For example, the store donates a percentage of their daily sales during rescue event days to help raise funds and awareness for such groups. Woof Gang is at 2815 Peachtree Road. facebook.com/ woofgangbakerybuckhead.

Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital works with rescue groups by providing reduced rates and often times, free services. While they perform routine care such as vaccines, spay/neuter, etc., the practice tends to treat more medical problems that occur frequently with rescue animals that have been homeless, neglected or not cared for.

Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital works primarily with Atlanta Lab Rescue and Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta. They also provide services for Adopt a Golden.

Often times, the practice is introduced to additional rescue groups though their clients, such as National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network. Many of the staff members volunteer their free time to provide leadership and hands-on assistance

Sophie’s Uptown David York has opened Sophie’s Uptown

to local pet rescue groups including Atlanta Pet Rescue and the Atlanta Humane Society. peachtreehillsvet.com Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends The organization is working on renovating its new space at 6570 James B. Rivers Drive in Stone Mountain. The new community pet center will be filled with cats rescued from county shelters, dogs learning manners and more in dog training classes, weekend dog adoption days, education seminars, pet first aid classes, and quality pet products. Donations are still needed to help get the new center open. aarfcentral. blogspot.com/ Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation Rescued pets in the Atlanta area will soon have access to a state-of-the-art facility to help them recover more quickly after injury or surgery. GVR is scheduled to open its 4,600 square foot facility in east Marietta on Feb. 18. GVR will offer rehabilitation services to dogs and cats who have had surgery, those who need to lose weight and more. The facility will have underwater treadmills, a gym, kennel facilities, acupuncture service, chiropractic care and more. GaVetRehab.com.

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February 2011 | IN

Summer Camp Information Available February 15th

AtlantaGymnasticsCenter.com 2011

INtown Runaround Tim Sullivan

The Cult of FitWit Oakhurst resident and father of three (soon to be four) Josh Guerrieri is the founder and lead trainer of FitWit fitness camp. He and his wife Erin have developed a program that reaps charity dollars out of every pushup, squat and lunge.

What are the origins of FitWit? First give me the Fit, then the Wit. We started in 2006 working with kids in after-school programs providing a cool way to do group exercise (fit) as well as smallgroup tutoring (wit). When we started working with adults, we exploded. Now FitWit is a fitness camp training for grownups and The FitWit Foundation is a nonprofit organization to help kids lead healthy and successful lives.

2617-B Talley Street Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: 404.687.9911 Fax: 404.687.9177 www.AtlantaGymnasticsCenter.com

How many campers are currently enrolled?

How many teens have benefited from the FitTeen program?

About 250 people in two different locations – Grant Park and Decatur. Every time someone signs up for a FitWit camp, they’ve also just provided a full week of FitWit for a student in our Foundation-run program, FitTeens. We call it Get Fit, Give Fit. Aside from the charitable component, what makes FitWit different than other boot camps?

Three big differences. First, we track workout performances so you compete against yourself to beat your previous best.

Secondly, we use a variety of equipment from kettlebells to heavy ropes which makes us much different than the standard “run around the park and stop here to do some push-ups” boot camp. Third, we are very intentional about building community.

Describe your typical camper. Ever feel like Walter Matthau coaching the Bad News Bears?

Our campers come from a variety of athletic backgrounds from zilch to fairly competitive middle-ager trying to reclaim former glory.

Worse injury: box jump failure or kettle bell failure?

I have to say kettle bell failure is worse.

Fortunately, we haven’t seen what happens when a 30-pound kettle bell gets the better end of a camper’s head.

You have an amazing retention rate of campers and exemplary staff consistency.

Tell me the truth – is this a cult?

Yikes, cult is a strong word. I prefer “fiercely loyal supporters committed to a supremely awesome program.” Okay, it’s a cult.

When you tell stories that start with “back in my day…” what sports are you generally referring to?

For me, it’s basketball and track. I was a decathlete champion in college, and played a year of college hoops before retiring. Sniff – that one still stings.

Don’t sweat it. I personally just consider it saving my eligibility. How tall are you? I’ve often thought that if there was boot camp that could promise an increase in height it would have an angle. I’m 6’3” now, but back in 2006 I was only 4’10”.

When does FitWit go nationwide?

Hoping to open up a few more metroAtlanta locations this year, as well as a nationwide affiliate package for trainers interested in running their own FitWits. For more info go to FitWit.com.

Tim Sullivan heads up the Cabbagetown Running Club and is a Buckhead business owner. Look for his column every month and visit his blog at www.timmydaddy.com.

Josh Guerrieri and family.

16 INtown | February 2011

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Exercise in Disguise Pole dancing for trimming and toning

By Wendy Binns & Elizabeth Holmes Excuse us, please. We hate to interrupt your routine. Perhaps you’re pedaling away on the stationary bike or sweating through another hill on the treadmill as you read this. But, we’re back and we must ask again: when was the last time you tried one of the latest Intown fitness trends?

If you made it out for a hula-hooping class after our article last month (you can still read it at atlantaintownpaper.com), then bravo to you! This month Elizabeth Holmes and I return to explain another exercise in disguise: pole dancing. We heard that this is a good way to get fit, increase flexibility, build confidence and vary the routine.

So, this is where Elizabeth steps – or shimmies – into the research. She said, “My 5-year-old takes a hip-hop class at Dance 411 and they offer so many really cool classes, pole dancing being one of them.

I just had to check it out!” She geared-up, headed over to the neighborhood pole dancing class and learned some things on behalf of all us wondering about this workout.

Like me, you might first wonder what to wear. Elizabeth says you can wear anything from stiletto thigh-high boots to bare feet and sweats. You should wear what makes

you comfortable. Elizabeth wore jeans and a t-shirt, which was fine for her.

She says it was really “freeing” to take the class and will probably take more. “The class is more about having and finding confidence in yourself, whatever your size or shape or age,” she said. “I think the main thing that was refreshing and different was the amount of encouragement you are given to be yourself, to toss away all the worries you may have about your appearance and just be free and you’ll feel sexy no matter what.”

The class instructor, Ninja, encourages her students while conducting a tough class and teaching new moves. And, the students get results. Elizabeth spoke to 28-year-old woman L.J., who’s been taking classes since 2008. L.J had tried everything to get into and help her stay in shape, but she often got bored and couldn’t find the fellowship she craved – until she found pole dancing at 411.

L.J. said, “By staying consistent with attendance, I’ve been able to maintain strength and toning in my abs and lower body for the first time. I started going 5-6 times a week, starting with the drop-in class.” Then, she advanced to the cardiopole, which is good for toning if you stay with it. She added, “It’s really been fun and

Class at Dance 411 you get in shape without realizing it.”

Ahhh, now that’s the best way to exercise.

Dance 411 is located at 475 Moreland Ave. in East Atlanta. Check out poledance411. com or call (404) 622-4110.

Health & Wellness Briefs Grady Memorial Hospital has been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s Partnership for Health and Accountability Quality Honor Roll. Grady is one of 56 hospitals in Georgia to be placed in the Presidential category, one of the highest on the list. The honor roll is based on clinical data provided by the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services, which administers the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. The data was collected from July 2009 to June 2010.

Piedmont Hospital’s Dr. James Ingvoldstad was awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Heroes Award at the Georgia Hospital Association’s annual Hospital Heroes Awards luncheon last month in Atlanta. Ingvoldstad, who was one of only 10 individuals statewide to receive the award, was recognized for his tireless efforts in providing care to Haitian earthquake victims.

Sunday, March 20, is the date for the 5th annual Publix Georgia Marathon Half Marathon, previously called the ING w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

Georgia Marathon Half Marathon. The 2011 event will have the same Start-Finish area at Centennial Olympic Park and the same course through Atlanta and Decatur as in 2010. Detailed Community information, including the course, street closure times, and frequently asked questions, are at georgiamarathon.com.

Catalyst Fitness, Georgia’s only fully accredited and medically recognized Personal Training and Performance Enhancement facility, has moved from Kennesaw to the heart of Midtown, taking over the space formerly occupied by Urban Body Fitness at 742 Ponce Place. They offer one on one, partner and dynamic and innovative group training sessions based on scientific principles, developed and delivered by internationally known fitness industry professionals on their in house staff. (404) 856-0513 or Catalystfitness.com Operation Boot Camp is in session for 2011, and there is no better time to try the program firsthand with free Saturday preview workouts. Operation Boot Camp’s preview workouts are offered each Saturday at various locations. To find out more visit operationbootcamp.com.

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February 2011 | IN

By Annie Kinnett Nichols Picture a girl reading magazines sitting at the gate of a small North Carolina airport bummed that her departure is an hour late.

Now, picture a boy walking by on his way to the ticket counter. “Super cute,” the girl thinks, so at least they’ll be something to look at while waiting.

Boy sits down, pulls out a Wired magazine. Girl is a copywriter and her first ad ever is in this magazine. No one – at least back then – read Wired but total nerds and here is this seriously smokin’ boy with a copy in his hands.

“You read Wired?” she asks.

“Huh?” “Wired magazine. I’ve got an ad in there, wanna see it? It’s my first – it made it into CA, the advertising bible of good work.

I just wrote the body copy, not the headline so I don’t really get credit.”

“Uh-Huh.” the boy says.

Girl takes the magazine out of his hands, deftly flips to the page and says, “Here, read this! I wrote this!”

That’s how I met my husband, Tim. I might have spoken first, but he was happy to reciprocate. The plane was delayed a

whopping five hours. We talked the whole time. Travel talk, comparing scars (I won), betting on how many light fixtures were at the gate (he won), comparing gum under our seats (clearly a draw).

By the time we actually got on the airplane, we were hooked. We landed in Atlanta, he asked me out for the next three days in a row and then followed me to New Orleans for the Jazz Fest with his best friend.

I mean come on, who can not fall in love in New Orleans with a beginning like that?

If you had told me I would meet my hubby at the airport, I would’ve laughed.

But since that day, I have told all my friends, “Dress cute when you go to the airport. No sweats and tees. You could meet your soul mate there – no kidding.”

Through the years I’ve collected different stories from friends, families and acquaintances. Here are some Atlanta couples I know that have unique tales.

My friend, Dr. Bob, met his wife, Lydia, on an airplane. She was a Delta flight attendant and he was in the Navy. He kept getting bumped and finally got on the last plane out that night. Love at first sight. Been together 37 years.

My Aunt Judy met my Uncle Frank on a

blind date. My friend Karen from Portfolio Center met my husband’s friend Hermann when I took her to an architect mixer at Columbia, now they’re married with child.

David and Geri met in high school, went to the senior prom, married at 19, and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. Christine met hubby Kenyan at a wedding, he was the saxophonist for the wedding band. Annette met Baye in New York City. She was there for a big soiree for the Hunger Project and after the event, went to a bar in Brooklyn, where Baye was playing the drums.

I introduced Eric to Liz, both divorced, both with daughters the same age. The girls became best friends and so did Eric and Liz. My friend Charley met Jim at Banana Republic through friends. They dated. Broke up. Jim moved to New York. They got reacquainted, fell back in love, Jim moved to Atlanta and in with Charley.

It’s clear to me that truly, you can meet your mate anywhere. When I met my husband it wasn’t at all where or when I thought it would happen. Tim told me, for him, it was at the exact moment when he had stopped looking.

He had me at “Huh?”

Tim & Annie

Karen & Hermann

Liz & Eric

Scene and Heard Wendy Binns, Publisher Community Green Up on MLK Day: about 100 volunteers helped with a community Green Up, clean the Beltline and clear the lot at WonderRoot. They were from GreenPlate, Trees Atlanta, Revive Atlanta, WonderRoot, Georgia Tech, Generation Green and Volunteer Emory.

To volunteer with GreenPlate and help with the next Green Up, contact volunteer@greenplate.org.

Read about Adopt the BeltLine initiative on page 24.

BEFORE

18 INtown | February 2011

AFTER

Spring will be here before we know it! The Druid Hills Home and Garden Tour & Artist Market committee members and sponsors are gearing up for this April’s event. Lisa Hill took the photo above of the sponsors at the annual winter sponsor breakfast: Front Row, L to R Curt and Lori Bohling of Masterpiece Events; Rod Pittam of Pittam Associates; Jayme Persons of Whole Foods Market; Mary Walsh from Rapid Signs; Bonnie Wolf of Harry Norman Realtors; Lisa Angler of Angler Construction Second Row: David Burleson of Atlanta INtown; Rob Schochett of Emory Village Flowers & Gifts; Jim Walsh of Rapid Signs; Warner McConaughey of Hammersmith; Mary Hallenberg of Harry Norman Realtors (friend of Tom Cross) Third Row: Leslie Sifford of Whole Foods Market; Wallace Bryan, Interior Designer with At the Collective; Debbie Callas with some Q Care. w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

Street Fashion Photographer Cameron Adams is documenting Intown’s style trends on his blog, www.atlantastreetfashion.blogspot.com.

Cameron’s Newest Neighborhood Fashion Finds

. Such a lovely word and one rarely heard nowadays, mil-li-ner-y rolls off the tongue with all the elegance and promise of twen-ty e-lev-en. Her cocktail hat is an original creation of Jessica Amber Jones. Others like it come from RENÉ RENÉ in Atlanta or the etsy shop Mi Amore. Their feathers and veil netting become the crowning touch for any modern day flapper.

This posting brings to mind memories of swanning around Atlanta aboard my own Vespa scooters to coffee shops and markets, of Dr. Martens and stringback gloves. Of her look, she said: “I’m a sucker for ruffles.

Anthropologie is about the only place I shop. For jewelry, Beehive is where I bought this necklace. It’s good to support local artists and they sell beautiful work.”

Often umbrellas block our view. Her clear canopy allows an unobstructed look at the world and ensures that she does not escape notice, either.

The prairie style dress is from Target; the necklace from The Beehive in Atlanta; the cardigan from J. Crew; belt from Urban Outfitters; and boots from Matisse.

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February 2011 | IN

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Go Green A GUIDE TO AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE

Olmsted Linear Park has endured as one of Atlanta’s most visible and beautiful landmarks. Over the years, the Ponce de Leon Avenue park’s nonstop usage, combined with inadequate maintenance, had resulted in its gradual decline.

To help recapture its former grandeur, concerned citizens launched a grassroots effort more than a decade ago. In 1997, the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance (OLPA) was established to ensure the rehabilitation and preservation of the park for future generations. With support from individuals, foundations and government agencies, OLPA raised more than $9 million for the park’s reconstruction.

Five of the park’s six segments – Oak Grove, Shadyside, Virgilee, Dellwood and Springdale – have been completed.

The final segment, Deepdene, is nearly complete.

A celebration of the park’s completion will be part of the seventh annual “Dream in Green” gala at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History on Sunday, March 6, from 7 to 10 p.m.

“It’s open to the public, so anyone can come,” explains gala co-chair Rhonda Mullen. “It’s become a neighborhood party, in a sense, but it’s not just the neighborhood in Druid Hills, it’s the whole Intown community that it draws on.

This is a public resource, so it’s very much a public event.”

Highlights will include live jazz, hors d’oeuvres, and a specialty cocktail developed for the gala by Affairs to Remember. Live and silent auctions will run side by side, with gifts Mullen describes as ranging from “the practical to the beautifully aesthetic.” Luxury items set to be auctioned off include Air Tran tickets, a weekend at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville, and high end wines, as well as photography and artwork by local artists. On the more practical side, Decatur-based Oriental rug dealer and

restoration service Sharian has donated a free rug cleaning.

According to Mullen, the gala will accomplish more than simply celebrating the completion of the park. The funds raised will also help to ensure its future.

“We [OLPA] are at the point with the parks where we’ve done a lot of the restoration, and now we want to start building an endowment because we want to make sure that they keep going,” she say. “Because every year, you have plants die or things that come up that need attention. So even when this first phase is finished, we’re trying to really preserve them for the next hundred years.”

In 1890 Atlanta businessman Joel Hurt engaged Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., to prepare a plan for developing the area now known as Druid Hills. The designer of parks and public spaces, including Central Park in New York City, the Emerald Necklace of Boston, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville and the nation’s Capitol Grounds, Olmsted approached the Druid Hills project as a mature artist late in his career.

Although Olmsted died before his 1904 design for park was complete, his touch is visible throughout. Olmstead’s

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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE sons completed the work, creating promenades to allow for easy access, and widening and narrowing vistas create a sense of movement. His design was inclusive enough to allow for an extra wide road that would accommodate buggies and mules and cars, as well as a streetcar that ran from downtown Atlanta to the suburb.

In August 1995, interested citizens and non-profit organizations joined forces to plan for the stabilization and rehabilitation of the Olmsted Linear Park. OLPA, a publicprivate partnership, was founded two years later, tasked with implementing a master plan by the city of Atlanta, DeKalb County and Fernbank, Inc. To interpret the plan, OLPA turned to Atlanta-based landscape architect Spencer Tunnel. Sticking to Olmsted’s original 1904 plan wherever possible, Tunnel, began with the northernmost segments of the park. Tunnel tried to use native plants that Olmsted preferred, and made changes only as necessary, such as to accommodate the narrowing of Oak Grove, which had been sacrificed to the widened Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Tunnell’s interpretation of the plan has been extremely well-received. Charles Beveridge, who has edited nine volumes of Olmsted’s papers and consulted on Olmsted restoration projects throughout the nation, went so far as to call the project “the most thorough and comprehensive replanting of any Olmsted project undertaken in the last 25 years.”

For more information on Olmstead Park and the gala, visit atlantaolmstedpark. org. Tickets to the gala may be purchased by emailing olpa.atl@att.net or by calling (404) 377-5361.

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Eco-Briefs The Atlanta Regional Commission has certified Fulton County as a “Green Community” based on its environmentallyfriendly policies and practices. According to ARC Director Charles Krautler, “In becoming a certified Green Community, Fulton County has demonstrated leadership in reducing its environmental impact by investing in programs that lead to a more sustainable community.” The Fulton County Green Team played a key role in the certification process. The Green Team is an interdepartmental team established in 2007 to recommend environmentallyconscious policies and practices throughout Fulton County Government. Key Fulton County green initiatives include a “lights out” campaign encouraging employees to power down equipment and lights in their workspaces, a no idling policy and emphasis on commute alternatives, and paper reduction strategies. Fulton County opened its first LEED-certified facility, the East Atlanta Library, in 2005. In addition, Fulton County has several other facilities and programs that emphasize green practices, including the new Johns Creek Environmental Campus project, a new partnership with Trees Atlanta, and several community garden projects. atlantaregional.com As part of a collaboration between Philips’ Simply Healthy @ Schools project and Earth Day Network’s Green Schools campaign, Philips Lighting donated 350 of the most energy-efficient replacement lamps available to Atlanta Charter Middle School,

which will provide up to $8,000 in energy savings over the life of the lamps.

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), a non-profit organization that engages communities of faith in stewardship of the planet, has announced that former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard will be the keynote speaker for its Fifth Annual GIPPY Awards Ceremony. This year’s celebration will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 6:30 p.m. at The Temple on Peachtree.

The GIPPY’s honor congregations that have shown creativity and determination in incorporating creation care into all aspects of congregational life. Woolard worked to bring the Atlanta BeltLine to fruition and is now executive vice president for global advocacy and external Relations at CARE USA. gipl. org

The City of Atlanta has been selected as one of only eight U.S. cities to participate in the Beta phase of the STAR Communities Index program in development by ICLEI-USA. As a participant in the Beta program, Atlanta has the opportunity to receive technical support for its sustainability efforts while serving as a demonstration market in the creation of a national standard that cities throughout the United States will one day be able to use in creating more sustainable communities.

“The City of Atlanta is honored to be chosen as a part of the Star Beta Communities Program,” Mayor Kasim Reed said. “As we make strides toward becoming a top 10 city for sustainability, measuring our progress and achievements is just as important as

Community building with Old 4th Ward garden “We’re changing the land. We’re transforming people. We’re transforming community,” says Rashid Nuri.

If you’ve driven down Wheat Street in the past couple of months, you’ve noticed a changed landscape - one that will be growing this spring with a healthy crop.

Since its groundbreaking in December, Rashid has been working on the newest Truly Living Well garden, The Wheat Street Garden, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The motto is “reconnecting people to their food and the land.” The Wheat Street Baptist Church, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the community have rallied around the development.

Rashid says, “There is enough land in the metropolitan area to feed all of it’s residents if it were exploited.” And, he is teaching the residents with classes and events. For MLK Day, they gathered for a fruit tree planting.

I asked Rashid how our readers might be able to help (you all are resourceful).

He says, “We need a fence, walk-in cooler, truck, money to obtain the other four acres, irrigation system, hoop house, food w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

prep area, educational pavilion and large garden art.”

Learn more at trulylivingwell.com.

– Wendy Binns, Publisher

Rashid Nuri at the Wheat Street Garden.

reaching our end goal. Having the expertise of ICLEI-USA is invaluable and we are proud to be among such great peer cities.” atlantaga.gov/mayor/sustainability.

Decatur resident Thomas Walsh, founding principal of Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates, was recently elected to the EarthCraft Communities (ECC) Regional Advisory Council. He will join a group of leaders involved in community design and planning across the Southeast to provide technical criteria revisions and final review of projects applying for certification in the ECC program. In addition, he and the other members of the Regional Advisory Council will offer outreach support and assistance to the ECC Program Manager. tunspan.com.

Green Insider Laura Turner Seydel

Zero Waste Zones Anniversary In February 2009, Atlanta received national recognition as a Pioneer City in Sustainability with the launch of the Zero Waste Zone (ZWZ) in Downtown Atlanta, a pilot initiative to make the foodservice industry more sustainable. Focusing first on Downtown, with businesses including Ted’s Montana Grill and Philips Arena, ZWZ marks its two-year anniversary with participants in Downtown, Buckhead, Midtown and the catering industry.

Created in partnership with Atlanta Recycles, US Environmental Protection Agency and the Sustainability Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, I joined Holly Elmore in establishing ZWZ in Downtown. The initiative leads the charge in changing the standard operating practices in the foodservice industry and aims to divert the maximum amount of recyclable items and organic matter from landfills and back into the production cycle.

Participants of ZWZ are required to collect spent grease for production of biofuel, engage in a recycling program of glass, cardboard, plastic and paper, donate excess food to help feed the hungry in compliance with Good Samaritan Food Donation legislation, and compost all remaining organic and food residuals.

In its first two years, participating businesses, ranging from hotels to caterers to entertainment venues, have seen many cost-cutting savings and improved customer and employee loyalties, all thanks to this benchmark program. Because of the ZWZ successes in Atlanta, it has become a template for national expansion.

Holly, my good friend and eco-pioneer, is at the helm of the ZWZ movement and has been an instrumental force behind the program’s expansion and success. In addition to creating the recent Ambassador Program, which will be the foundation for regional and national expansion, she has spread the ZWZ’s important message and best practices to eager audiences such as Waste Management and was named the first SSO (Source Separated Organics) Superhero

by Harvest Power.

Through blogging, speaking engagements and Holly’s overall enthusiasm and passion for creating a zero waste future, I know ZWZ will meet its 100-member goal in the near future.

With a two-year anniversary press conference slated for late February, ZWZ celebrates with the recent commitment of the City of Atlanta to become an official supporter of the cause. The press conference will also debut the new ZWZ website and be a call to action for, not just members of Atlanta’s foodservice industry, but all Atlantans. While ZWZ speaks to the foodservice industry, its principles of recycling and minimizing our waste stream are important actions you can introduce into your own home or workplace. Let’s continue to show our nation just how great of a Pioneer in Sustainability we are!

To learn more about ZWZ, view a complete listing of participating businesses or to learn how to become a participant, visit elementalimpact.org. For more eco-living tips, visit lauraturnerseydel.com.

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February 2011 | IN

IN Business RETAIL | MONEY & FINANCE | DEVELOPMENT

Adopt-the-BeltLine!

Businesses, organizations help maintain project Adopt-the-Atlanta BeltLine – a partnership between Park Pride, the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, and Atlanta BeltLine Inc. – is an opportunity for community groups to play a direct role in improving and maintaining the 22-mile circle of paths and future transit.

Organizations interested in adopting a segment of the Atlanta BeltLine will engage in activities to maintain their area at least monthly, including picking up litter, maintaining greenspace through weeding, cleaning benches, signage and other fixtures within their segment of the corridor.

Adopters will also assist in reporting maintenance concerns, vandalism and suspicious activities.

“As we continue to open sections of the Atlanta BeltLine to the public, this program will augment the City’s ability to maintain our investment.” said Atlanta BeltLine Inc. CEO Brian Leary.

Adoptions are currently available in two quadrants of the BeltLine corridor – Northeast and Southwest. To adopt a segment, organizations simply log onto adopt.beltline.org to identify a segment they would like to adopt and complete the form located on the page. From there, a contact from Park Pride will facilitate the adoption process.

For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, visit www.BeltLine.org.

At press time, nearly 20 groups had adopted a portion of the BeltLine, including:

· Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation · Center for Sustainable Communities · Construction Management Club at Westwood College · Fitzgerald Realty, Inc. · Fourth Ward Neighbors · Heelguard USA LLC · Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy · Inman Alley (home of Atlanta INtown) · Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Georgia State University · North Atlanta High School Outward Bound Club · RE/MAX Metro Atlanta Cityside · Sanctuary Real Estate Inman Park · Sock Monkey Clean-up Crew · Studioplex Condominium Association · Trees Atlanta · UrbanEcoGroup.com · Urban Body Studios · Wonder Root (see photos on page 18)

Duty to Invest Responsibly?

By B. Scott Sadler Many laws and regulations govern how we invest, but nothing says that we need to be “responsible” about which investments we choose. Yet many large institutional investors, from multi-billion dollar pension funds to college endowments, are choosing to do precisely that: Investing with a “Sustainable and Responsible” (SRI) mandate. As fiduciaries, these investment pools must identify risks and address them.

Can we learn from their work?

As individual investors, our definition of risk is likely to be generic in nature – the risk of losing money! But institutions are concerned about any issues that could impact a company’s value or its profitability.

Climate change and potential emission regulations are at the top of the list. Surely new regs could negatively impact their portfolio companies. These investors need to understand which companies are prepared for potential changes and which are not.

Similarly, companies face risks to their reputation when lax policies are identified in foreign factories, when poor safety procedures result in accidents, or when weak board oversight allows malfeasance to go undetected.

Sustainable and responsible investing seeks to utilize new, higher levels of disclosure to identify the best and worst companies at managing these

environmental, eocial and governance issues. “Own the leaders and avoid the laggards” is the mantra of the day.

For individual investors, personal values enter the equation. Human rights or the treatment of animals may top your list of concerns. For someone else, environmental issues take center stage. The good news: today’s investors can find this information.

Websites such as CSRHub.com are excellent resources for company research.

There is better news for the “timeconstrained” investor. There are a multitude of investment vehicles including dozens of active and passive mutual funds and ETFs, with more launched each month. Likewise there are many boutique investment managers available on advisor “separate account platforms” that specialize in SRI, while scores of others routinely adapt their existing models to an SRI framework.

The first step for any investor is to find out what you already own. That mutual fund company, brokerage firm or bank is sending you statements. Read them! With a little information, and some planning, your portfolio can better reflect your values while being more ready for a future that may include new and different challenges.

For more information on Sustainable and Responsible Investing, visit BoardwalkCM. com or check out TheSustainableInvestor. blogspot.com. B. Scott Sadler, CFA, is president and CIO at Boardwalk Capital Management in Atlanta. Contact him at scott@BoardwalkCM.com

Business & Retail Briefs Labels Resale Boutique has a new location in Vinings, offering a wide variety of designer men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Labels also accepts gently used designer clothing. Labels Vinings is located at 4199 Paces Ferry Road and is open Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. labelsresaleboutique.com or (770) 436-4800.

Eat Soccer, a local organization that provides soccer training, has been selected

by British Airways as a 2010 Face-ofOpportunity winner and has been awarded travel to anywhere in the world to conduct vital business meetings as well as attend the British Airways Face-of-Opportunity business conference. Eat Soccer owner Qiana Martin will attend the conference in New York City on Feb. 2, where she will receive free counsel from international business experts while networking with

24 INtown | February 2011

venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, media and other small business owners. For more information, visit faceofopporunity.com.

benefits Path to Shine, a unique after-school mentoring and tutoring program for at-risk and underserved children. attheworks.net or (404) 876 1359.

S.N.O.B. Inc. (Slightly North of Buckhead) owner/designer Amy Spanier has been selected to decorate the Roswell Woman’s Club Show House as part of the 15th annual Showcase Home Tour in March.

She will also be the project’s design coordinator, selecting other decorators to keep a cohesive feel to the house. For more information about the Show House, visit roswellwomansclub.org.

The Children’s Boutique Warehouse Sale will set up shop for one-day only at Atlantic Station (above Z Gallerie) on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shoppers can save as much as 75 percent on designer children’s clothes from Addy’s Closet, K knoodles, Wiggle, Anklebiters, inc., and Due Maternity. A $5 donation at the door

Suite Spot, purveyor of affordable luxury linens, furnishings and gifts, is now open in West Midtown at 1465 Chattahoochee Ave. The shop is divided up into “suites” including spa, organic, scents and more.

Suite Spot will host “Around the World” evenings with products from exotic locales and complimentary cuisines prepared in the

“Suite and Savory” custom kitchen. More information on these events, wine tastings and trunk shows can be found at suitespot. net.

The Warwick Dunn Family Foundation, which provides opportunites for the economically disadvantaged, has moved its headquarters from Tampa to 3223 Howell Mill Road in Atlanta.

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The Studio ARTS & CULTURE

Getting the inside dish from a local producer

By Brigette Flood and Sandy M. Tyler We admit it. We’ve been watching a lot of reality TV lately. Fortunately, we’ve turned it into something “productive” by providing Atlanta INtown readers with a weekly recap of each delectable Real Housewives of Atlanta episode served up by Bravo TV every Sunday night.

Watching all the wig-pulling, tablethrowing, back-stabbing and general goingover-the-topping left us curious about what goes on behind the scenes of a reality show.

How much of reality TV is real? We’re lucky enough to know someone who can fill us in.

Producer Pamela Berger lives here in intown Atlanta, but works all over the world.

Over dinner at Paul Lunacy’s Black Market (delicious and highly recommended), we coerced Pam to spill all the beans she could. Lunacy’s food and wine are excellently paired with secrets of the trade.

Thanks for agreeing to chat with us. To get started, can you name some shows you’ve worked on? PB: Flavor of Love, Strange Love, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Rock of Love, My Fair Brady, Atlanta’s Bait Car and most recently Braxton Family Values with Toni Braxton. I’m producing another season of Real World/Road Rules Challenge for MTV next.

How did a nice girl like you wind up in a Flavor Flav/Keeping up with the Kardashians world like this? (Wouldn’t that be a nightmare love-child!) PB: I started out at Turner and originally worked on children’s programming – teaching kids about what scientists do, nature shows, et cetera. I’m a documentarian at heart, and I fought moving into reality television for a long time. But, I’ve really grown to like it because of the people I work with on set and also because of the spontaneity of what happens in front of the cameras. Although w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, it always amazes me what people do and say when the cameras are rolling.

What do you do when you’re working on a show? PB: On a reality TV set, I’m usually a story producer. As a story producer, I follow the story points as they unfold on the set each day and write a summary of what happens. Then, I interview cast members about the story points from each day’s shoot.

From hours of interviews, I’ll pull out the sound bites I want to use, and then I create a story arc along with the show’s editors. It’s a team effort, and it takes time to mold it and figure out the strongest storylines for each episode, so what we start with and end with can be two completely different things. A typical reality show season is shot over 4 to 6 weeks and edited over about 3 months with each episode taking about 3 days to shoot.

Reality shows give us people to root for, but they’re even better at giving us people we love to hate. Does it all come down to editing, as some cast members claim? Do story producers “create” a cast member’s personality? PB: No, we can’t make someone do something in a scene. If someone fights, hooks up, or acts in a certain way, that’s real.

We don’t, and can’t, create that, although we can certainly enhance it. However, if producers try to manipulate the situation too much, it becomes clear to the cast members, and they’ll stop cooperating.

A reality show where the storyline is too manipulated ultimately won’t succeed.

Audiences can tell.

How hard is it to pull information out of cast members when you interview them?

PB: These days you have to do less to pull things out of the cast. People want to get on these shows, and they’re sophisticated about it. They come to the party with their characters in place. New York, one of the women on Flavor of Love, came “in character” and never broke character throughout the show, on or off camera.

What’s your favorite part of the job? PB: Interviewing the subjects. It’s a big part of what I do. The interviews are what hold the storylines together and provide the narrative.

Fortunately, I happen to have a knack for it.

During a typical shooting schedule, a reality show producer will do interviews with cast members twice a week for 8 to 10 hours, so you’ve got to like that part of the job.

How do you balance your relationships with cast members and keep your objectivity.

Do you get personally involved? PB: It’s an

How “real” is reality television? PB: Even though we are documenting what happens, we shoot hundreds of hours of footage and then show you 40 minutes. You tell me how real that is.

Just like any reality TV show, this article has been edited to fit our time slot. To read the full interview, visit the In the Loop section of atlantaintownpaper.com.

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JON FAddIS JAzz ORCHESTRA OF NEW YORK Saturday, February 12

“…the world’s greatest trumpeter…brash soloist logic and breathtaking technical acuity.”

We can’t imagine wanting to be so exposed.

Not only are you letting everyone in on your personal life on television, but the action lives on in repeats. Who wants this to be their 15 minutes of fame? PB: Think about all of the people who go to L.A. to become actors. Now, they can go to be reality stars.

How do you put together the sound bites for your episodes? We’ve heard them called Frankenbites? PB: Yes, they’re called Frankenbites. On some shows, everything we shoot is logged and transcribed, so we can review what each person has said throughout our shoot. Sometimes, to support a scene or a storyline, we need more concise commentary from a cast member about what happened, so we’ll piece together sound bites to get a point across or support the action. To be clear, I wouldn’t change the context of what someone said or make them say something that’s not true, but this is a useful tool for storytelling purposes.

important part of the job to have personal relationships with your subjects, especially since you’ll be spending a lot of time interviewing them. You have to balance the needs of the cast with the needs of the show. Ultimately, cast members are driven by their desire for fame, so they’re there for the good, the bad and the ugly, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t mini breakdowns along the way. Producers on reality sets are forced into the role of part-time therapists and psychologists, but the only relationship I have with the cast members is on the set.

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February 2011 | IN

There’s Something in the Water

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dried baby alligator heads and gooey ice cream confections. Yes, a dazzling display of uselessness that helps make Florida famous.

We wandered around town with Anita, Patrick Dennis the Chamber of Commerce Director (apalachicolabay.org), who has been living I am an artist and I’ve been thinking… there since time began, as our guide. We It’s entirely possible that spending discovered more than 25 independent several days with my beautiful, single galleries and art-centric shops within one daughter and my two angelic grandchildren square mile of coastal bliss along a causeway in the sleepy seaside town of Apalachicola, with docks and houseboats. I found Fla. has given me new perspective on art. seascapes that were museum quality and This is quite unexpected in view of experimental mixed media pieces that could the fact that the start a revolution. sum total of their This is the town that artistic curiosity lies time forgot but art hidden in the shelves remembered. of Dollar General How did it happen or in the case of that this town of 2,000 Apalachicola, the wax slow souls attracted lips and mustaches the talents of so many found on the tourist fine painters and trapping shelves of entrepreneurs? Could it the Old Time Soda be that they found each “... my beautiful, single daughter Fountain on Market other using some kind and my two angelic grandchildren in the St. where one can buy of built in art radar like sleepy seaside town of Apalachicola ...” a seashell treasure survivors of a nuclear box, snapping turtle calamity? I mean, I’ve head on a stick, aforementioned wax lips, seen that in movies but I never thought it “I left my husband on the boat” t-shirts,

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just wake me up! (1009 A Marietta St.; was a real possibility until now. sandlerhudson.com) Check Ms. Colarusso’s As my own art radar was beeping like crazy, I filled my calendar with art gatherings website at corrinecolarusso.org.

Feb. 26: The Marsha Wood Gallery will back home in Atlanta hoping to hone in put up two solo shows at once: Frances Barth on a local connection before my radar got and Mernet Larsen. If you liked the glib, jammed with static, which is another way of modern vibe from the Kai Lin gallery shows, describing my daily life. I found some likely you’ll love this Castleberry Hill experience. possibilities.

(263 Walker St. SW, Atlanta 30313; So, in the compassionate interest of marciawoodgallery.com) introducing you, dear readers to the water I If these offerings don’t make you thirsty have been drinking like a thirsty St. Bernard, to drink that “special water,” I brought back I would like to steer you to the pool of local from Apalachicola, then clearly you need to resources I have found. put down your Co-cola, hop in the car and Feb. 5: The 12th annual Art Papers Art head to the panhandle, dive into the gulf and Auction at Mason Murer Fine Art (199 swim until you realize that you need to find Armour Dr., masonmurer.com). This event features 300 artworks and benefits Art Papers your compatriots or at least a school of like minded fish. They are waiting for you back programs to support the arts. If you know anything about Mason Murer, you know that in Atlanta with that crazy look in their eyes their innovative display “pods,” “portals” and that all artists have that says, “feed me.” their support of a wide range of emerging Patrick Dennis is an artist, gallery owner talent is impressive. The collaboration is an and President of the Atlanta Foundation for irresistible mix.

Public Spaces. He lives in Atlanta. Email him Feb. 12: The Decatur Gallery will host a at Patrick@affps.com. group show: “New Beginningslient – Expressions writes: of Love.” This non-Valentine Here's offering whatwill I would like to include copy, but I'm fine with a showcase the sublime charmsinofthesilverwork & Studios is pleased to host input or creative suggestions jewelry, organic mixed medialittle construction, as to what would best fit in ABSTRACT the ad.

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February 2011 | IN

A guide for arts and cultural entertainment for the entire family.

Visual Arts & Museums

Americas and beyond. Opens February 19. $13 to $15. fernbankmuseum.org

Performing Arts neoPhonia New Music Ensemble: This concert presented by the Georgia State University School of Music at Kopleff Recital Hall features a new composition for two performers doubling on six different instruments. February 8. Free! music.gsu.edu Haus von Dracul: This original rock opera written by veterans of Atlanta’s underground music scene and presented by 7 Stages tells the true tale of the vampire. February 10 through February 13. $20 to $25. 7stages.org

Monsters, Demons and Winged-Beasts: Composite Creatures in the Ancient World: This exhibition at the Michael C. Carlos Museum explores from the Greek perspective the menagerie of monsters that inhabited the rich world of myth, legend and high adventure. Opens February 5. $6 to $8. carlos.emory.edu The Come Back Artist: This solo exhibition at VSA Arts of Georgia’s Arts for All Gallery features work by Atlanta artist Allen London, who survived a traumatic brain injury and re-learned to paint during recovery. Closes February 18. Admission is free. vsaartsga.org Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century: Visit the High Museum of Art to see this retrospective of work by the French photographer, one of the greatest portraitists of the 20th century. Opens February 19. $11 to $18. high.org Turn Your Back to the Forest, Your Front to Me: This exhibit at Whitespace Gallery features works by Wendy Givens that were conceived and produced during a month-long artist residency at Caldera and Blue Lake in Idyllic Sisters, Oregon. Closes February 26. Admission is free. whitespace814.com Escape: Atlanta-based photographers David Walter Banks and Kendrick Brinson explore the theme of escapism through two new photographic bodies of work at Jennifer Schwartz Gallery. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

Admission is free. jenniferschwartzgallery.com Rabbits and Wolves: This Marcia Wood Gallery exhibit presents sculptures of animals

by Mary Engel made from a range of found objects. Closes February 19. Admission is free. marciawoodgallery.com Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids: This exhibit at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History traces the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythological creatures from Asia, Europe, the

28 INtown | February 2011

town in 1865 at the Ferst Center for the Arts.

February 18. $20 to $44. ferstcenter.gatech.edu Bale Folclorico da Bahia: This troupe of dancers, musicians and singers performs an athletic, highenergy repertory based on the “Bahian” folkloric dances of African origin at the Rialto Center for the Arts. February 18 and February 19. $34 to $58. rialtocenter.org The Red Balloon: This magical story based on the beloved 1956 French film and children’s story comes to life on stage in a new adaptation featuring puppetry and live original music presented by Théâtre du Rêve at 7 Stages.

February 18 through February 27. $15 to $25. theatredureve.com that his bargain with success may have cost him his only son. Closes February 20. $15 to $35. theatricaloutfit.org

Sleeping Beauty: Take your family on a magical journey to an enchanted kingdom where good triumphs over evil with a single kiss at this show by the Atlanta Ballet at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. February 11 through February 13. $20 to $120. atlantaballet.com

Porgy & Bess: Get to know the amazing characters in this quintessential America opera composed by George Gershwin and presented by The Atlanta Opera at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Opens February 26. $25 to $140. atlantaopera.org

Aladdin and the Arabian Nights: Larger-thanlife puppets vividly recreate the fantastic tales of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade (based on Arabian Nights) in this special family series Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert. February 13. $15 to $20. atlantasymphony.org Gloria! Expressions of Joy: This concert by The Michael O’Neal Singers at Peachtree Presbyterian Church features 20th century French composer Francis Poulenc’s exuberant and jazzy “Gloria,” as well as other choral declarations of joy and praise. February 15. $10. mosinger.com Buried Child: Presented by Theater Emory, this intense and groundbreaking drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard depicts a dysfunctional family harboring a grotesque secret.

February 17 through February 27. $18. theater.emory.edu Cirque Mechanics Boomtown: The incomparable Cirque Mechanics fly, climb and contort their way through their new show set in a Wild West mining

Masterworks: Bach Mass in B Minor: Experience the drama, brilliance and power of Bach’s magnificent masterpiece performed by Atlanta Sacred Chorale at Emory’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. February 27. $20 to $30. atlantasacredchorale.org

Superior Donuts: In this show at Horizon Theatre, the author of the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Awardwinning “August: Osage County” turns up the comedic heat on a man who owns a donut shop and a community grappling with change. Opens February 25. $20 to $30. horizontheatre.com The Brand New Kid: This musical, presented by Synchronicity Theatre at 7 Stages, is based on the children’s book by Katie Couric about a lonely new kid at school whose outlook changes after he is befriended by a popular classmate. Opens February 22. $15 to $18. synchrotheatre.com

Reeds, Strings and Hammers: This concert by the Atlanta Chamber Players at Ahavath Achim Synagogue spotlights Mozart’s “Piano Quartet in G Minor, K. 478,” Bach’s “Trio Sonata in G Major,” and Russian composer Mikhail Glinka’s “Trio Pathétique.” February 27. $10 to $20. atlantachamberplayers.com Tango Buenos Aires: Sometimes playful, sometimes dramatic and always sensuous, these crowd-pleasing performers of the tango are back by popular demand at The Fabulous Fox Theatre.

February 28. $40 to $60. foxtheatre.org.

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead: This hysterical comedy at Fabrefaction Theatre is a slightly irreverent yet poignant “unauthorized parody” of the beloved characters from the comic strip “Peanuts,” imagined as hormonal teenagers. Opens February 24. $15 to $30. fabrefaction.org Godspell: The Playcrafters Musical Theatre of Georgia Perimeter College presents this famed rock musical about the life-affirming parables of Jesus. February 25 through February 27. $10. gpc.edu/~clafa The Young Man From Atlanta: In this Pulitzer Prize-winning play presented by Theatrical Outfit, 1950s salesman Will Kidder, in the style of Arthur Miller’s tragic hero Willy Loman, learns too late w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

News You Can Eat EATING OUT | EATING IN | FOOD NEWS | WINE

By Helen Grebe It’s the season of love when one ponders affairs of the heart. Speaking of affairs of the heart, according to the CDC heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

In 2010 alone, heart disease cost the U.S. approximately $316.4 billion dollars and made no exceptions to sex, race or ethnicity. The short takeaway, we could all start taking better care of this great organ.

So this Valentine’s Day, love your heart back with some helpful tips (and restaurant recommendations) for eating heart healthy in Atlanta.

Start a Love Affair

… with veggies. Green is good for the heart.

Leaf vegetables are typically low in calories, low in fat, high in protein per calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in iron and calcium, and very high in phytochemicals such as vitamin C, folic acid as well as Vitamin K. One study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that an increment of one daily serving of green leafy vegetables, lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 11 percent. Don’t forget your herbs, too, which are high in polyphenol compounds that reduce oxidative stress and prevent chronic heart disease. Incorporate rosemary, garden sage and thyme to flavor your veggies for an extra heart-healthy punch.

Get Steamy

The American Diabetes Association notes while raw is best, steaming your vegetables (rather than boiling or cooking with oil) enables them to retain more of their phenolic acid and vitamins (which promotes a healthy heart). Plus steaming your food cuts down on the salt and sodium often used to bake or cook produce. A key part to a heart healthy diet is to reduce salt and sodium intake.

Ideas for Eating Out Seasons 52: Incorporating the fresh appeal of a farmer’s market and appropriate portions, this restaurant is a nice addition to the Atlanta scene. They have a scrumptious cedar-plank roasted salmon but considering nothing on the menu is over 475 calories, you can’t go wrong! seasons52.com Miller Union: With simple, rustic preparation and fresh produce of the week, it’s fair to say Diet Coke is not on this menu. Try their Sapelo Island clams & fish of the day with citrus aioli and have them make you a hand-made organic soda to accompany it. millerunion.com Zoe’s Kitchen: Zoe’s makes it easy with all heart healthy fares marked on their menu with a heart. zoeskitchen.com w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

Size Matters

According to the American Heart Association, practicing portion control is a key component in being kind to your heart.

Eating five small meals a day was proven to help your body digest your food better and also limited over-eating, a known cause for added weight to the body which can stress your heart. Choose lean, low-fat protein choices for your entrée (think chicken, turkey or fish) and keep them to a 3 or 4 oz. serving. Ask your server to grill, bake or broil your choice of entrée for a hearthealthy preparation. If you must have red meat, opt for the filet which is the leanest cut and limit servings of red meat to no more than once a week. If your portions are large when ordering out, get a doggy bag and take half home.

server when dining out what your entrée will be cooked in. Ask for salad dressings on the side (and dip your fork tongs in before hitting the plate versus dumping the dressing over the salad). Many restaurants will substitute a salad or fruit for fries (high in saturated fat). Don’t be fooled by turkey burgers or other items on a menu that look “lean.” Always ask for details…is that turkey burger made out of 99% fat free breast?

Remember, you are your best advocate.

You Make Me Sweat

Olive You, Too

Get active and sweat! According to the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute, exercise is good for your heart and your overall health, reducing cholesterol, excess body fat and promoting the flow of oxygen rich blood throughout your system. While eating healthy is important, combining a healthy diet with an active lifestyle is a must.

The AHA recommends you get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

Uncle Maddio’s: This pizza joint is ahead of the trend with heart healthy, vegan options like Daiya cheese, whole wheat crusts and a plethora of veggies on their menu. unclemaddios.com Souper Jenny: This neighborhood café has standing room only for a reason. Try their turkey chili to warm up your heart. souperjennyatl.com F20: Try the Mediterranean salad with heart healthy olives, tomatoes and red grapes. fresh2order.com Evos: With menu items like their air fries (baked versus deep fried) and a whole kids section called healthy kids that incorporates 50-70 percent less fat than leading restaurants, this menu is a heart-healthy smorgasbord! evos.com Café Sunflower: Start with the steamed dumplings and move on to their roasted portabella mushroom melt.

cafesunflower.com R. Thomas Grill: Offering fresh to order juices, macrobiotic fare and raw foods, health is an order away. We like their veggie omelet with egg whites and their Grilled Range Chicken accompanied with broccoli and fennel. rthomasdeluxegrill.net Menchie’s: This frozen yogurt is a diamond in the city offering yogurts that are fat free or reduced fat but taste as good as the real stuff. Just watch the toppings. menchies.com Cacoa Atlanta: Chocolate divinity is what you encounter when at Cacoa Atlanta. Try their “Love Bar” composed of 75 percent dark chocolate derived from Hispaniola beans. Just don’t eat the whole bar in one sitting. cacaoatlanta.com.

Your heart is begging you to cut out trans and saturated fats, which are abundant in today’s American diet. While going completely fat free isn’t good, limiting our fat intake is smart. When you eat or cook, use monounsaturated fats, which are known to be heart friendly and include olive and canola oil. Don’t forget to ask your

Be Sweet

You don’t have to swear off the good stuff. When that sweet craving hits, head for dark chocolate, which is rich in antioxidants that are good for the heart, according to teh Mayo Clinic. Chocolate is also high in polyphenols, so treat yourself. Just make sure you don’t over-indulge, adding large portions of fat to your diet. If you favor a glass of wine versus dessert, opt for red wine.

Make it Whole

Choose whole grains over processed, bleached flour products like white bread.

Whole grains have fiber, which not only fills you up but also helps lower your cholesterol and risk for heart disease.

Tell us your favorite healthy eating spot at atlantaintownpaper.com.

town 29

February 2011 | IN

Garden for the Hungry

Buckhead project provides fresh fruit and veggies to homeless

By Anne Boatwright Tucked back in an unassuming meadow off a busy thoroughfare in Buckhead grows a little garden plot that helps feeds the homeless at Crossroads Community Ministries in Downtown Atlanta.

Its name is the Garden for the Hungry, and it is nestled within the larger collection of plots that make up the organic community garden in the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. The Preserve, part of Park Pride’s network of community gardens, began in 2000 on a mere 7 acres and now spans a 25-acre area of urban green space along Nancy Creek.

In 2006, the BHNP Community Garden opened to willing gardeners and now sports 32 active plots with a waiting list. Garden member Sue Certain was asked three years ago by the garden’s founder and president Kevin McCauley to take the “Plant a Row for the Hungry” challenge, initiated by the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Atlanta gardeners were encouraged to plant one extra row of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers in their gardens and then donate surplus produce to one of the drop-off sites of hungerrelief organizations throughout metro Atlanta. Certain found a willing recipient in Crossroads Community Ministries, a 40-yearold organization that feeds 74,000 meals per year to hundreds of homeless men, women and children on the property of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

After speaking with Crossroads’ Executive Director Stan Dawson, she felt it was the right match. Spearheading and managing this project became Certain’s mission and she has overseen the gardeners’ efforts in planting, tending and harvesting, and has personally transported the produce on a regular basis to the warm

Crossroads Community Ministries Executive Director Stan Dawson, BHNP Garden for the Hungry Sue Certain, and Crossroads Kitchen Director Clyde Corbin and friendly kitchen of Chef Clyde Corbin at Crossroads.

Each growing season throughout the year, the G4H plot, as it’s called by the gardeners, is tilled over and new vegetables are planted.

Certain regularly solicits fellow gardeners for crop overstocks from their own plots and sometimes carts in excess of 20 pounds of fresh, chemical-free, organic food to the shelter in a single trip.

One of the most heartening aspects of this project is embracing the opportunity to add a natural component to the canned food staples that stock much of the shelter’s pantry. The shorter time span between grower and end-user makes for the most nutritionally viable produce. Chef Corbin, a former military cook, appreciates the high quality of food and the spirit in which it’s given throughout the year.

Of the Garden’s regular donations, Dawson remarked, “Each time Sue brings produce, it’s that much less I take out of our food budget. And nutritional food is extra important because for many guests, this is the one meal they will get that day.”

For more information, visit crossroadsatlanta.org and bhnp.org.

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Quick Bites News & Happenings The Event Space at White Provision is now open for reservations. The 5,000-squarefoot venue sits on top of the White Provision building at the intersection of 14th Street and Howell Mill Road. Surrounded by the artistic and industrial-inspired district, The Event Space offers stunning views of the Atlanta skyline, preferred catering from a collection of award-winning Westside restaurants and valet parking. whiteprovision.com

The second annual Winter Beer Carnival is Saturday, Feb. 19, at Spring and 8th streets and will feature beer tasting stations under two climatecontrolled tents along with food, live music carnival games and activities.

Event goers can sample more than 100

types of beer including traditional favorites, premium craft beers and an assortment of the best winter brews from breweries near and far. Tickets are for $35 in advance or $40 the day of the show. Tickets include all the beer you can safely consume plus unlimited plays of various carnival games and activities. winterbeercarnival.com

lunch and brunch items and will also have big specialty catering component. anotherbrokenegg.com Facebook fans of the recently opened Sugar-Coated Radical say the hand-made

The closed Yoforia yogurt shop at 1402 N. Highland Ave. in Virginia Highland has re-opened as a self-service location where you can mix your own flavors and toppings. yoforia.com EVOS is expected to re-open its Midtown location this month under new management after shutting down last October. Located at 855 Peachtree Street in the Viewpoint building, the restaurant has an ecofriendly menu including sustainable produce and a focus on veggies and soy-based “fast food.” evos.com Another Broken Egg Cafe will open its first Georgia location this spring in the former Savor Specialty Foods spot in Peachtree Battle Shopping Center this spring. The Florida-based chain serves classic breakfast,

pizza DELIVERY & CARRY-OUT

chocolate “is smooth like Al Green in the 70s.” INtown sampled some over the holidays, including the sipping chocolate and chocolate covered coriander. Delish! www.sugarcoatedradical.org Chef Paul Albrecht was expected to open Vinings Fish Co. in his former Burger Club restaurant in the Vinings Jubilee shopping center at the end of January. greatfoodinc.com Inman Park-based Cacao Atlanta has opened a second location at 2815 Peachtree Road offering gourmet, artisan chocolate. cacaoatlanta.com

Doc Chey’s 6th annual Chinese New Year Celebration kicks off Feb. 3 with a party at the Virginia-Highland location, followed by parties at Emory Village on Feb. 12 and Feb. 17 at Grant Park. During these events, diners will receive a fortune cookie with a special prize inside and enjoy beer specials, traditional lucky foods and a lion dance performance. If you can’t make it out to the new year celebration, stop by any time Feb. 3-7 to enjoy traditional fair, including the Lucky Chinese New Year Platter. $2 from each sampler ordered goes to a local charity.

Now that’s good karma! doccheys.com The Glennwood gastro pub has re-opened in East Atlanta Village. theglenwoodatlanta. com

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town 31

February 2011 | IN

Setting the Stage Increase value with home staging

By Kathy Vogeltanz The current real estate market can make it a real challenge to sell a home. But there is a way to gain an edge. Many sellers are using home staging to sell their properties quicker and for a higher price.

The premise of home staging is simple: buying a house is an emotional event.

Potential buyers have to feel good about a home before they’ll make a commitment.

With the help of expert staging, buyers can easily imagine themselves living in a

house. And when done properly, staging can also make rooms look larger and give the appearance of more storage space.

Just how important is home staging?

A Maritz Research poll revealed that 63 percent of buyers will pay more for a house that is move-in ready. Additionally, an AOL Money and Finance poll showed that 87 percent of buyers said home presentation makes the difference in most sales.

Greg Lyles, Broker at Conrad Lyles Realtors, said that staging should not be confused with decorating. “A well-decorated

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house is a good start, but decorating appeals to the owner while staging is designed to maximize the appeal to a potential buyer,” he explained.

Of course, Lyles warned that no amount of staging will make up for a house that’s not clean or well maintained, especially in such a strong buyers market.

He recommended that before listing their homes, sellers should have their house inspected, make repairs and clean it thoroughly.

Paige Earles, president of Pearle Staging & Design and chapter president of the Real Estate Staging Association, knows the importance of a good first impression.

She shared a long list of success stories, most notably that of a home that was sold one day after it was staged – for the full asking price. “The buyers had viewed the property previously when it was vacant, but weren’t interested in purchasing. They viewed the property again after it was staged and said they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”

The 2010 home staging statistics released

by RESA show that a staged home spends 78 percent less time on the market than an unstaged home; and the National Association of Realtors has found that the longer a home sits on the market, the lower the sales price will be.

“Buyers don’t make emotional connections to dirty spaces, outdated fixtures, taste specific décor, personal memorabilia, clutter or homes that need repairs,” said Earles. “Buyers also don’t connect with vacant properties; empty spaces are cold and unwelcoming.”

Krisztina Bell of Virtually Staging Properties said that empty rooms actually seem smaller than furnished rooms, leaving buyers to wonder whether their furnishings will even fit. She and her husband Jay have virtually staged vacant homes all around North America from their Atlanta offices.

They also offer traditional vacant home staging through No Vacancy.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 90 percent of homebuyers view

404.237.5000

© MMXI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Farm of Jas de Bouffan, Paul Cezanne used with permission. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

32 INtown | February 2011

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Previous page: Virtually Staging Properties adds tasteful furnishings to photos of vacant home on real estate websites to give potential buyers an idea of what rooms will look like.

This page: Pearle Staging & Design said staged homes sell faster, and the National Association of Realtors agreed: Staged homes spend 78 percent less time on the market. properties online. Unfortunately, every vacant home appears identical online, like a big empty box. By adding tasteful furnishings to the photos of a vacant home, virtual staging can make a house stand out and get potential buyers in the door.

“We use our technology to transform cold, empty photos of vacant homes into inviting scenes that help the buyers see its many attributes,” Krisztina said. “Simply put, if a buyer doesn’t understand the home and recognize its best qualities in the first

five to seven seconds they view it online, they won’t want to see it in person.”

Many homeowners try to do the staging themselves, but it’s a good idea to call in the talents of a professional. Few homeowners have access to the appropriate furnishings or the patience and skill needed to cost effectively stage a home while maintaining their already hectic schedules.

Is it worth the money to pay for staging? Definitely! The average return on investment for a professional home stager

is 343 percent once the house sells. And the average cost of a complete staging project is usually much less than a property’s first price reduction.

After recently listing a vacant home, Liz Bankston of The Bankston Group tapped into the expertise of Virtually Staging Properties. “We were able to draw two offers within the first week and actually closed on the property in just 17 days, capturing 96 percent of its list price,” she said.

Often, homeowners list their home first

and only consider staging after it’s been on the market for a while. Experts claim that it’s not a good strategy; additional real estate statistics prove that homes that have been staged before being listed sell quicker than homes that were listed first and then staged.

Bankston summed it up: “When selling your home, be the hot new dish, not sloppy seconds.”

Real Estate Briefs Homebuilder Ashton Woods is building townhomes from the $300s at The Battery on Paces Ferry in Vinings. The three-story homes will feature 10-foot ceilings, gourmet kitchens, lush greenspace and more. ashtonwoods.com/atlanta or (404) 696-9146.

Commercial Real Estate A new developer will take over Ben Carter’s Streets of Buckhead project, which has been dormant for more than two years. OliverMcMillan, a San Diego firm known for mixed-used developments, has not indicated when it will start work on the project. Carter demolished a sizable portion of Buckhead Village to make way for what he envisioned as an Atlanta version of Rodeo Drive with luxury retail, restaurants, hotels and condos. streetsofbuckhead.com.

Tickets for the third annual Decatur Old House Fair on Saturday, March 19, are now on sale. The day of seminars will be held at Holiday Inn Conference Center and include topics like home energy efficiency, maintenance plans, landscaping, kitchen and bath ideas and much more. For a complete seminar schedule, exhibitor details, and ticket information, visit DecaturOldHouseFair.com. Tickets are $10 when purchased in advance, $15 at the door.

Renewal Design-Build will kick off its 10th anniversary by hosting three free seminars, each starting at 7 p.m. at Renewal’s headquarters at 124 S. Columbia Dr. in Deecatur.

Renovating Your Ranch on Thursday, Feb. 17; Re-Inventing Your Kitchen on Wednesday, Feb. 23; and Renovation Solutions for a Lifetime on Tuesday, March 1. Renewal’s award-winning design team will be available after each seminar for free design consultations. Seating is limited, so reserve your space today. To reserve a space at the seminars, call (404) 378-6962 or online at RenewalDesignBuild.com/seminars w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

Village Place Brookhaven announces that Litigation Presentation, Inc., a nine-year old Atlanta-based boutique firm that specializes in creating presentations for the legal community, has purchased a 4,300 sq. ft. office condominium at the mixed-use development near Peachtree Road in the heart of Brookhaven. litpres.com.

Cousins Properties has formed a partnership with Publix developer Watkins Retail Group, investing $14.9 million to gain a 50.5 percent equity position in four Publix-anchored neighborhood shopping centers in Florida and Tennessee.

Additionally, Cousins has the first option to jointly develop two other sites in Florida owned by Watkins when development is appropriate. cousinsproperties.com.

The retail and office portion of the 50-story Sovereign building in Buckhead has been sold to Parkway Properties, an investment firm based in Jackson, Miss., for $167.3 million. The building is 93 percent leased and his home to law offices, corporate offices, The Buckhead Club and Bistro Niko.

Wildmor Realty has executed a new 8,760-square-foot lease for Colibrium Partners with Cousins Properties on the 15th floor of 15 Piedmont Center located at 3575 Piedmont Road.

Colibrium Partners offers business and IT solutions to the health insurance industry. wildmorrealty.com.

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...

Chicken Symposium set for Feb. 26 in Decatur

On the wings of Oakhurst Community Garden Project’s wildly popular “Chicks in the City” classes comes a full day of urban poultry-keeping.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, the Chicks in the City Symposium offers attendees a full plate of essentials on backyard chickens. Taught by local experts, the five sessions highlight how-to tips from coop design to breeds and from chicken first aid to getting started with backyard poultry. The symposium will

also feature the return of Andy Schneider, The Chicken Whisperer, whose Saturday morning national radio show will broadcast live from the event.

With urban farming on the rise, and as concerns about how food is made increase, this full day of workshops will engage and enlighten both the committed “locavore” and the merely curious alike. New topics this year are chickens as food, predator proofing your coop and first aid. There will

also be a silent auction to familiarize you with the best local chicken care products.

The Chicks in the City Symposium runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. The cost is $65. Oakhurst Community Garden Project members and City of Decatur residents pay just $50. Preregistration is requested and limited to the first 100 registrants. For more info, visit Oakhurstgarden.org.

A few thoughts with chick-a-holic, Stacy Reno: and by the by, her RE company is named ROOST Realty. I’m just sayin’ How long have you had chickens and why did you get them in the first place. Besides the smell and all?

I got my first chicks last spring. My grandmother always had chickens and I have very

fond memories of going over to her house, feeding them and collecting eggs. As I grew older and had kids of my own they had a chance to know her as well and their favorite thing to do at her house was to feed the chickens. She passed away a couple of years ago and I was inspired to raise a flock of my own.

What is the process of being able to have chickens: permits? recommendations? visits to the home? background checks?

It’s not necessary to obtain a permit, however, every county or city government has their own code regarding keeping chickens, so I would suggest checking with them. For example, the cities of Atlanta and Decatur allow chickens, but unincorporated Dekalb county does not. However, I know many in the areas that do not allow them that have them anyway. There is a takeoff on the old saying, “If you outlaw chickens, then only outlaws will have chickens.”

About how much a month do you spend on them, and is it worth it- also is the upkeep strenuous & is it a daily thing (excluding feeding of course?)

I tell folks that they can spend as much or

34 INtown | January 2011

as little as they like on their flock. You can buy 50 pounds of organic feed for $32 and you can buy the non organic for less than half of that. Once you have your coop up and running, feed is really your main cost. I also keep fresh pine shavings in my coop at all times which could run anywhere from $6 to $20 a bag depending on where you get it.

Other items you could invest in are nesting boxes, heat lamps and feed and water containers. However, I’ve seen folks make nesting boxes out of items around the house & see no need for heat lamps.

Coop or no coop and why? What are the pros and cons of the coop vs. no coop?

I highly recommend having a coop. It protects your flock from the elements and predators. Again, you can spend as much or as little as you want. I have seen people spend into the thousands on their coop and I’ve seen folks build their own with scrap lumber basically for free.

How many do you have now? Any preference in the species? (are some loving, some aloof while others might be snooty?)

Let’s just say I have several. In addition to my hens, I have a Royal Palm turkey. In the

city of Atlanta, you are allowed up to 25, but most back yard flocks have about five or six hens. I would encourage anyone starting a new flock to do their research. You will find that certain breeds are aggressive or easily handled. I am partial to an English breed known as the Orpington. I would also suggest to buy local if you can. It is helpful to know where your chickens come from.

How are they with other animals, or how are other animal with the chickens?

My dogs and chickens get along very well.

I often let my hens free range in the back yard right along side the dogs. It is important to keep an eye on the little ones as the pets seem to think they are toys, but as the chickens get older, they are usually able to hold their own. Of course, you would want to make sure that your pet is open to having feathered friends, not a feathery snack.

Your favorite chicken name?

Usually the kids name them, but I have a breed known as a Jersey Giant that I named Snooki.

For advertising,

Find her on Twitter as @CrazChickenLady 404-586-0002 ext 302 and www.crazychickenlady.wordpress.com.

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Southeastern Flower Show returns this month

Bawk This Way

Q & A with chicken owner, Mark Cohen Who is this little one on your head?

The little chicken on my head is named Surprisey. She was named by my eldest daughter when, after we ordered three chicks, we discovered a bonus fourth. Thus she was a surprise.

Are you reconsidering the coop now that some chicks have been “taken” by predators? My coop is safe, but I let my

The 24th annual Southeastern Flower Show returns to the Cobb Galleria Centre on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Show chairs Mary and Felton Norwood and honorary chair Coach Vince Dooley selected this year’s theme, In Tune with Blooms, to emphasize the delight of music in the garden and there will be live performances throughout each day.

Visitors can get up close and ask questions about professionally landscaped gardens and floral design. There will also be areas on photography, Bonsai, and a marketplace and bookstore for shopping.

Headlining speakers include Vince Dooley, TV gardening hosts P. Allen Smith, Walter Reeves and Erica Glasner, horticulture professor Dr. Allan Armitage and Chef John Grady Burnes; informal flower arranging gardening and cooking demos are offered daily. Family and children’s discovery workshops add to the experience.

General Admission is $18 on the days of the show, but advanced tickets can be purchased at sehort.org for $15.

An opening night party will be Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. to benefit the Southeastern Horticultural Society. Tickets are $125 each and can be purchased by calling (404) 351-1074.

chickens run free in the backyard during the day. Live free or die, I say. Unfortunately, the latter is often the case.

What’s your favorite part of owning chickens? Besides the fresh/free eggs, they

become our pets. We raise our chickens from the time they’re two days old so they don’t mind sitting in our laps or anywhere else they deem perch-worthy.

If you need some humor in your life, contact Mark at mcohen@witamerica.com.

Bottom right photo (left to right): Felton Norwood, Robert Balentine, Board President of SHS (seated), Kate Chura, Executive Director of SHS, and Mary Norwood.

Gardening Farmer D. and Tyson Deal

Spring is Here Before You Know It Wake up sleepy garden heads! Even though your gardens have been covered in snow, spring will be here before you know it. Procrastinators should take heed: the time is now to plan for your future veggies.

Eager beavers can simmer down because there is still time to get everything ready for planting season.

Though it doesn’t seem to have much personality, soil should be the liveliest part of your garden. It’s, literally, the foundation of the garden, and the livelier the better. Soil w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

microorganisms are not only beneficial but essential to the life-giving properties of soil.

Compost is the best way to get those little critters into your dirt.

To go the extra green mile, take a soil sample and have it tested, or test it yourself to figure out what amendments to add before spring. For laissez-faire types, at least throw some compost on top, because you will have tastier veggies equipped to ward off insects and disease.

Now that your dirt is ready, you

can focus on the green. Early February is prime time to get your spring veggies started indoors for late March planting.

The Brassica family plants (broccoli, cabbage, etc) like to be planted as transplants, so these are good ones to get started inside. Leafy greens and lettuces are also easy to get growing for a “head” start. Not the seed starting type?

Don’t fret, because there are plenty of seeds and transplants you can buy to throw in the ground when the time comes.

In the event you want to get the dirt on dirt or the skinny on seed starting, Farmer D Organics can help. We hold workshops on Sundays, but stop by the store anytime to pick our brain. We’ll help you get growing organically this spring.

Check us out at farmerd.com.

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Architecture Built On Involvement AIA Atlanta offers innovative programs to public

By Melody Harclerode

Look for Signs of Renewal All Around Your Neighborhood For kitchens, baths, master suites and more, our award-winning team of architects, interior designers and builders make your project easy from design through construction.

Ready to start? Contact us today to set up a consultation.

Since its creation by 13 New York City architects in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has expanded to become an association with over 73,000 architects, emerging professionals and allied partners.

The local chapter of AIA, or AIA Atlanta, represents approximately 2,000 members and can provide invaluable services for the architecture community.

Continuing education classes, such as “Moisture Penetration in Masonry Construction,” may not warm the hearts of the public, yet these courses help architects to maintain their license and stay knowledgeable about the products, technology and regulations affecting the public.

The chapter also sponsors the lively Wednesday Night Drafting Club and netWorking Women get-togethers monthly for design professionals to connect with others in the highly competitive architecture field.

At the same time, leaders in AIA Atlanta recognize that the organization can’t concentrate on the development of architects to remain a vital and relevant profession for the public. Led by President Robert Farrow, a Principal at HKS, Inc., and Executive Director Susan Ellis Proper, volunteers organize interesting seminars, educational programs, lectures, exhibits, building tours, and competitions as far north as Gwinnett County to as far south as the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport for members and the public.

February marks a flurry of activity for the chapter. The AIA+2030 Professional Series helps professionals to design superefficient buildings that meet the 2030 Challenge of 50 percent reduction in fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Many scientists associate fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions with the rise of global temperatures and subsequent damage to the environment. Open to the public, these seminars raise awareness of this provocative issue.

The 6th Annual AIA Atlanta High School Student Design Competition builds with excitement during this month as aspiring architects from high schools around Georgia create designs for an emergency relief shelter. Another student programs shifts into high gear as the Discover ARCHITECTURE architecture-based after school program resumes at Atlanta elementary schools.

By spring, AIA Atlanta Public Tours starts its annual nine-month run. As many as 100 people attend these monthly tours of newly constructed and renovated buildings hosted by the project architect or designer. Several of the tours featuring environmentally friendly buildings are organized through an alliance with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

AIA Atlanta works with other designoriented organizations including the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the High Museum to develop programs. These partnerships increase the number of volunteers and participants and increase the profile of fundraisers like CANstruction and Red and Green Scene.

The inaugural AIA Atlanta Architecture Week starts in April 2011. Coinciding with this celebration, the chapter will offer an array of building tours, seminars and exhibits.

With the involvement of the AIA Atlanta committee called Young Architects Forum as event planners, expect the AIA Atlanta Architecture Week programs to be fun and inventive.

Over this year, the Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects plans dozens of events for members and the public. If you enjoy architecture and design, AIA Atlanta has an abundance of innovative activities to stir your creativity and satisfy your interest.

For more information visit AIAAtlanta.org.

Steiner Construction www.SteinerConstructionAtlanta.com

404.378.6962

RenewalDesignBuild.com

124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur 30030 RDB_INtown_signs.indd 1 36 INtown | February 2011

404.378.6962 RenewalDesignBuild.com

124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur 30030

1/6/11 5:39:05 PM

Remodeling and restoration of Intown and Buckhead fine homes since 1980

770.316.7897

References Available State Licensed & Insured

Steiner Construction www.SteinerConstructionAtlanta.com

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Renovation Coach Jesse Morado

Remodeling for Multi-Generational Living Multigenerational living in America has been on the rise and the recession has driven more and more extended families to come together under one roof. Multiple generations of the same family are finding themselves living under one roof, as twentysomething’s take longer to leave home, grandparents become care givers for grandchildren and adult children help care for aging parents.

Since 1980 this trend has increased due to a variety of economic factors, which affected many over the last decade.

According to the Pew Research Centers analysis of Census Data, as of 2008 a record 49 million Americans, or 16.1 percent of the total U.S. population, lived in a family household that contained at least two adult generations living under one roof.

Remodeling trends to accommodate this new life style are the focus now for many remodeling contractors and homebuilders.

If you are considering bringing additional family members into your home you may want to consider a renovation to meet your needs. Carving out separate spaces from areas within the home that see little utilization is a good place to start such as a first floor living room which can be converted into an in-law suite.

Generating a first floor master suite works well for aging parents and facilitates access in and out of the home. An unfinished basement can also be renovated to create a separate rental apartment for additional rental income or to accommodate a returning twenty something family member. If you are considering this please check with your local zoning ordinances before moving forward.

Separate entrances for any additional spaces generated are great for reducing traffic through other areas of the home and to create more privacy. Consider designing any new space for each generation to enhance a blended household.

Other areas of the home that may be renovated to accommodate additional family members are: • Attic areas above a garage or accessing space from an extra bay.

• An addition to an existing garage is another way to gain extra space.

• A large attic area in your home – can be accessed with a new stair case to carve out a bedroom, bath, and sitting area.

• Lower level areas within a split level home can easily be converted into an in-law suite by simply adding a small kitchen.

• Space from a rear deck or porch to create a separate suite.

The rising wave in home consolidation is a reality due to a variety of economic pressures and many builders and remodelers are beginning to understand the value of generating designs that work to accommodate expanded family living.

As always, plan properly and secure the assistance of a design professional to work through the details. A well planned project will meet your families needs and increase the value of your home.

Jesse Morado is CEO of Renovation Coach, Inc. a consulting firm providing preconstruction guidance and risk management for homeowners and business coaching of best practices for contractors. renovationcoach.com.

Get performance improvement where it really counts – in your wallet.

More than half of our project costs were covered

by Georgia Power rebates, SHINE rebates, and tax credits.

— KIM P. • ATLANTA It pays to make energy efficient home improvements. Call Renewal today and start enjoying lower costs in a more comfortable home.

404.378.6962 • RenewalSystemSolutions.com 124 S. Columbia Dr. • Decatur • 30030 rss-INtown-jan11-sixth.indd w w w.

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Before & After

BEFORE

AFTER

Talk about a transformation! Hawthorn Inc. / Laurel Projects took the back of this plain Intown home and created a façade-altering screened porch for the clients. However, this is more than just a screen porch.

With a vaulted ceiling and fireplace, Hawthorn created an additional living space for the homeowners. This rustic addition can be used year-round. For more about Hawthorn Inc., visit hawthorninc.com or call (404) 325-1004.

Send before & after project photos to collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

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CARPET Wrinkled carpet?

THIS IS THE LOGO-----Carpet Restretch Specialist call david for Quote 404.217.5547

Now offering 857 Collieralso Road, Atlanta 30318 remote support!!

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& Residential Support Specialists

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Been declined for health insurance in the past?

Now available in Georgia a truly “guaranteed issue” No health questions asked- medical policy.

Covers hospital-surgical, accidents, critical illness and doctor visits. call for more information:

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Painting Services

Atlanta Technical Jack’s Service BILLY JACK'S BBQ AND SHRIMPPainting CO. Resources Fine, slow-cooked southern barbecue and sides.

Exterior/Interior Painting FREE Phone Consultation

678.358.4395

Pressure Washing Insured

www.AtlantaTechnicalResources.com

770-978-9462

HOME REPAIR

ORGANIZING SERVICES

Linton Furniture Shop

Experienced and Honest Handyman Team - BEST RATES IN TOWN

-Pro pickup and Delivery -On-site service at your home or office -Complete workshop refinishing/repairs

Electrical, Carpentry, Plumbing, Landscaping, Yard Clean-up, YOU NAME IT! Great neighborhood references! No Job Too Small!

Call Jacob Franklin today for a FREE ESTIMATE!

Organized Closets An Orderly Office Space for Everyone Organized. Happy.

Call Becky 404-982-7128

FURNITURE REPAIR Since 1969 Metro Atlanta

Refinishing • Repairs • Touch-ups

Danny Linton

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HOME REPAIR CREW

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404-586-0002 ext 302

PETS & PET SERVICES SANDY’S SERVICES

Petsitting, house cleaning, and more.

Call Sandy

404-966-1526 HAVE LEASH … WILL TRAVEL!

PETS AND PET SERVICES DOG ADOPTIONS Meet the mutts and find your new best friend!

EVERY 1st and 3rd SUNDAY of the Month 11:30am – 4pm at 1544 Piedmont Avenue at Ansley Mall

Check out adoptable dogs at www.mostlymutts.org or e-mail dianad@bellsouth.net

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TUTORING Is your child struggling in English?

Are you a college student stressed out over papers?

Office • Retail Showroom • Live/Work

for Sale or Lease Suites from 2,000 – 10,000 square feet 437 Memorial Drive, Atlanta, GA 30312

Greg Wallace can help.

Former Oglethorpe University Writing Center tutor Freelance writer for Atlanta INtown High school and college Copy editing services also available

Call Greg at (678) 701-3795 or email atlwritinghelp@gmail.com.

38 INtown | February 2011

Jeff Pollock, CCIM

404-865-3877 www.pollockcommercial.com w w w. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m

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ATLANTA INTOWN OFFICE

Building the blocks of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods since 1979!

404-874-2262 Intown@ColdwellBankerAtlanta.com

Over 87% of homebuyers start their search online. Start yours at www.ColdwellBankerAtlanta.com. www.ColdwellBankerPreviews.com

AMBERWOOD. Spacious 5BR/4.5BA home near Emory/CDC, w/hardwoods, gourmet kit, huge deck. $595,000 Derek Scheidt 404-593-4754 Stephen Simonson 404-326-0876 FMLS: 4164880

MORNINGSIDE. Large end unit townhome with full finished basement, backs up to Morningside Nature Preserve. Great space at a great value. 2Bed/2.5Bath $279,500 Kevin McGlynn 404-285-5674 FMLS: 4165889

Luxury Properties need Previews Marketing

GRANT PARK. Bungalow with hdwoods, period mouldings, updated baths, sep LR & DR, lg. basmnt, 2 car garage. 3Bed/2Bath $299,000 Sherry Nemeth 404-784-8848 Rich Baxter 404-931-3431 FMLS: 4139858

GRANT PARK. Located steps from Grant Park, this home features beautiful new screened porch, heart of pine floors, new bathroom, finished basement. 4Bed/3Bath. $319,900 Kathleen Sickeler 404-368-3234 FMLS: 4166704

Agent of the Month

JOHNSON ESTATES. Renovated traditional 4BR/3BA home w/fireside living room, box bay window, gourmet kitchen, screened porch, large heated pool & pool house. $649,500. Ron Pope 678-420-1833 FMLS: 4160355

ATLANTIC STATION. End unit t’home featuring granite & SS in kit, large living room w/fireplace & builtins, hardwoods, high ceilings.

2Bed/2Bath/2Half Bath. $399,999 Mike Kondalski 404-234-9379 FMLS: 4155572

DECATUR. New Stoney River Homes construction in sought after MAK district. Perfect floor plan for today’s lifestyle. 4Bed/3Bath $679,900 Kathleen Sickeler 404-368-3234 FMLS: 4159721

DECATUR. Work with Stoney River Homes to customize your new dream home. Summer 2011 completion date. 4Bed/3.5 Bath $569,900 Kathleen Sickeler 404-368-3234 FMLS: 4158875

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MORNINGSIDE. Features new zoned high efficiency HVAC, tasteful updates in kitchen & baths, 2 car garage, huge basement. 5Bed/3Bath $649,900 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845 FMLS: 4158240

EMORY PARC MANOR. Monte Hewett resale featuring gracious floor plan with a wonderful flow, high ceilings, many upgrades, 3Bed/3.5Bath $579,000 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845 FMLS: 4163568

MORNINGSIDE. Classic updated Tudor with spacious rooms, 2 car garage, high ceilings, beautiful windows. 4Bed/3Bath $625,000 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845 FMLS: 4168897

OLMSTED. Large floor plan w/formal living room, open family room, kit w/granite & SS, tons of cabinet storage. 4Bed/2.5Bath $345,500 Mike Kondalski 404-234-9379 FMLS: 4155689

MORNINGSIDE. Designed by famous Atlanta architect Arthur Neal Robinson. Renovated w/tremendous care – Authenticity throughout.

4Bed/4.5Bath. $699,000 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845 FMLS: 4152662

Any House • Any Where!

Whether you’re moving across the state or across the country, we can help. We are networked with superior real estate professionals throughout the US. Give us a call and we’ll find you an agent.

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Lindsay Yonadi 404-602-2861

... We never stop moving!

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Careers in Real Estate:

There’s never been a better time to pursue a career in Real Estate! Whether you’re a new agent or had your license for years, Coldwell Banker can help you! For more information call 404-874-2262. ... We look forward to having you on our team!

Atlanta’s #1 Coldwell Banker Office - 2006, 2007, 2008 Intown Office - 1370 North Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 - (404) 874-2262 Lisa Johnson, Managing Broker ® Ow ne d & Ope r a te d by NRT, L L C , – G A R E LI C # 5 9 7 3 0 – A l l I n f or m a t i on i s b el i ev ed ac c u r a t e b u t n ot war ran ted – E q u al Hou s i n g O p p ortu n i ty

40 INtown | February 2011

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