Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone
Wi n e r y
the
Traditional and Alternative Plans for NYE
Inside the World of
The Beat Geeks
Letter From the Editor Winter 2010 Issue
Although I’ve stopped making actual resolutions, as the New Year closes in, I’m beginning to take stock of my life and the mistakes, failures, joys and accomplishments of 2010. I think it’s always important, as we close out another year, to recognize the lessons, reflect on them and take joy in what we’ve learned. My biggest challenge of 2010 was moving from television broadcasting into the world of online communities, print and magazine publishing. Along with taking on the launch of Athens Talks, the Athens Banner-Herald’s web community, I also was given the opportunity to re-launch BLVD, a brand that’s battled for its identity over the past year. Designer Annie Griffin, who’s profiled in this issue, knows what it’s like to chase a dream, and so does our staff here at BLVD. As we head into 2011, I carry with me a lesson they’ve taught me: Nothing is impossible when there is passion behind it. This creative, committed and talented group of young professionals has worked tirelessly to create the future of BLVD magazine. This digital issue focuses on what’s been the “heart” of BLVD — the nightlife, local fashion and the up-and-comers who wear it. But, as you look through our last offering of the year, you’ll begin to see our vision for 2011. Fashion is the centerpiece for all that makes up a beautiful life and, in BLVD’s first travel feature, we use the 110-acre vineyard and winery that runs along Persimmon Creek in Clayton as a majestic backdrop for fall/winter fashions. Athens has a world famous music scene, and BLVD was able to catch up with The Beat Geeks to showcase their blend of hip-hop, rock and R&B. Want to know what music is going to be hot before anyone else does? In the coming months, Power 100.1’s Kobe Fargo teams up with BLVD for the top picks on brand-new tunes. BLVD is known for its charitable events but, as you’ll find in our piece on Luke Johnson of Emergent Heart, we’re encouraging others to give back even more by highlighting those who are leading efforts in our community. We are looking forward to a new year and all of the music, art, people and culture to come in 2011, and we’re so glad that you’ll be here to share it with us!
Andrea Griffith Executive Director
Table of Contents Winter 2010 Issue
GIVING BACK Emergent Heart EVENTS Jingle in the City HOLIDAY DIY Chocolate Fashionista Gift Guide DESIGNER PROFILE Annie Griffin GIFT GUIDE Gifts for all Types STYLE Holiday Glamour HOTSPOTS Great Styles In Athens MUSIC The Beat Geeks BEAUTY New Years Glitz! POWER PAGE Hot New Music EVENTS NYE Hotspots TRAVEL The Winery
Executive Director Andrea Griffith
Assistant Director Ivey Hamby Media Director Lauren Cleland
Production Director Ryan Pannell Creative Director Andy Moon Fashion Director Geoffrey Brown Style Director Michelle Labovitz Public Relations Director Andrea Davis Events Director Lindsay Naylor Promotions Director Christine Wang Editorial Director Jillian Radetsky Lead Graphic Designer Justin Gaymon
Emergent Heart
By: Sarah-Page Maxwell Photos by: Michelle Norris
With all of the money-grubbing that occurs on a daily basis in the entertainment industry, it is refreshing to see someone publicly marketing his creative talent for the benefit of others. Luke Johnson wants to help people, and more importantly, wants to give others the chance to help people too. Along with the help of artists from across the country, he has collaborated efforts to create a project that requests compensation through donation to Nuci’s Space. The project, an EP named Emergent Heart, currently consists of four songs; however more are expected to come with time. Nuci’s Space is an Athens mental health resource center established in 2000. The organization provides a warm and welcoming environment for artists to socialize and practice with their bands. Nuci’s Space also offers modestly priced mental healthcare for a variety of budgets. The help and support Johnson found at Nuci’s Space, filled him with the drive to give back. He hopes his music will inspire others to do the same. Taught in his garage at 12 on how to keep the beat, Johnson has been hooked ever since. He graduated from the University of Richmond, yet habitually visited Athens in his youth, finding solace in the music scene. After getting his master’s at New York University, Johnson eventually relocated to Athens and is pursuing a doctorate in philosophy, while teaching ethics to undergraduate students. Emergent Heart is meant solely to be a recorded project, described by Johnson as “layered sound, the way a painter would layer his paints”. The project aims to have more longevity than a normal band, with a rotating ensemble that can withstand the tribulations life brings.
Samuel Kim is the co-producer of Emergent Heart. A pastor and instrumentalist singer/songwriter from the D.C. area, Kim adds a depth that only someone with his kind of multi-cultural background would have the aptitude to contribute. After meeting briefly at a concert in D.C., the two made an instant connection. Johnson describes Kim’s transference of the drum and bass samples he sends him as “turning something good into something extraordinary”. Some of the most present contributors to Emergent Heart include Suny Lyons, of local band Hope For Agoldensummer, and Kai Riedl, a former UGA professor and founder of the band Macha. Graham Ulicny, of the Athens band Reptar, is also included on the first track of the EP. When discussing the inspirations behind the conceptual formation of Emergent Heart, a few bands came up such as Broken Social Scene and The Postal Service’s album “Give Up.” Following in the footsteps of the Beta Band, Johnson’s goal is to release his music in a series of EP’s. He cites DJ Shadow, Flaming Lips, Tortoise, The Who and Menomena as musical inspirations. However, do not let his wide variety of musical taste confuse you. Johnson is an avid local music fan, who frequents Caledonia Lounge and New Earth Music Hall. And
why
the
name
Emergent
Heart?
“Emergent Heart is “an organic way to go about making music,” said Johnson. It is pure, with no financial reward. The glory is shared. Ego is not present. It’s about building a community through music.” Please visit http://www.emergentheart.com/ to download the EP, or visit Nuci’s Space at nuci.org.
e e l h t g y n t n i i i J C This holiday season, at least for one local Christmas musical, the message was the reminder that even in the midst of sorrow, at the bottom of any financial (or emotional) debt lies a tinselcovered, bright red of package of pure, abundant, life-renewing hope. Athens’ own Morton Theater hosted the 1940s jazz-inspired production, “Jingle in the City.” “Jingle in the City” was no mere rehash of holiday music classics with some feelgood message slapped together at the end. As it hurls you into a hectic 1940s New York City setting, with its bright colors, big band instruments booming in the background, and a rush of singers making their entrance past the aisle seats of the historic theater you can’t help but get swept up in the excitement. “Everyone’s out tonight!”, the cast emphatically announces in song. And so begins our journey into a New York City Christmas. We begin looking out over the whole city, but soon narrow into a cast of 4 homeless children: Georgie, Lily, Clara, Stuart
and Harvey. It becomes quickly apparent that each of them were abandoned by their parents, and left to fend for themselves, they gradually lose hope that they’ll ever find “someone to belong to.” The children, having to resort to pick pocketing those more fortunate to support themselves, almost get caught doing so early on in the musical and in running away stumble upon a new place to hide out: the attic of a store owned by a religious, childless couple. The couple is aware of the children’s presence and allows them to stay. Over the course of the musical the group of children meet an assortment of people in the city that help change them for the better. One person persuades them to stop pick pocketing, giving them an alternate way to get food. Another, this time the childless couple, helps to instill hope into the children as they catalyze the children’s conversion to a life following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Hope
The last half of the musical centers around Christian ideology, as it elegantly portrays the Nativity Scene. The message of hope and the healing of loneliness through Christ, doesn’t come off as a stubbornly advocated Campaign for Christ. The story of the Nativity and Jesus’ positive impact on the other characters is sensitively told. It becomes a genuine reminder that redemption and hope are always available, to anyone but especially at Christmas. As many people are prone to depressive episodes during this time of year, it’s nice to see a musical that doesn’t just focus on the presents, or on miracles beyond our understanding. “Jingle in the City” takes those themes and weaves them into an honest portrayal of human nature. The ending was especially moving, not because Georgie finally softened her hardened heart, or because the children began to turn their lives over to Christ. It was because the once fast-paced blur of colors and song, finally slowed down to a stunning vision of unity and candor. That final scene where you see these once unnaturally happy characters, suddenly open up to the audience with cardboard signs inscribed with their past sins, or personal problems scrawled on them, that’s when it clicks.
That’s when you realize that you’re not the only one who has problems and that it does get better. The musical fades out with the fulfillment of Georgie’s earlier wish, a wish that resonates with us all:
“I’m not alone.”
For entertainment value, “Jingle in the City” cannot be beat. Its interactive and talented cast, special effects, and wonderful musical arrangements will have you singing and humming carols for days afterward. At its heart though, what “Jingle in the City” offers best is that lesson in hope. You finally learn that hope isn’t a liability or some childhood relic. You learn that hope doesn’t kill us with its lofty dreams; giving up does that.
Hope sustains us. From a show that only lasts two hours, that’s not a bad lesson to learn during a particularly economically trying holiday season. So here’s to the cast, crew and musicians of “Jingle in the City”: May you continue to bring this tradition of hope for many more holiday seasons to come. By: Anita George Photos by: Cynthia Nist and Michelle Norris
The Perfect Gift For A
Fashionista
gs n i r r Ea e s i o TurquPitaya $6 s e c a l ck 53 e N y sse ch for $ a M l Jil ky Pea Chee
tch u l ia C r z axA $53 M G ery’s B BC He
es i t o o B y $39 e d u N Galer te a v i r P
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Perfecting Chocolates One Truffle at a Time…
W hen the
By: Aspen Smith Photos: Cynthia Nist
French chef Auguste Escoffier stumbled upon a concoction so rich, so sumptuous, and oh so chocolaty, he probably had a slight suspicion that his decadent chocolate truffle would satisfy the taste buds of chocolate lovers across the world. Thanks to Chef Escoffier, people from here to China walk into chocolate shops, gaze at the rows of neatly lined variations of the truffle, choose one that satisfies their cravings, and enjoy all the bitefuls it has to offer. Once the magic is over, they may then wonder how on earth something so good is made from scratch. The hands of master chocolatiers have perfected the art of creating delicious sweets, and you can too! Yes, learning from the culinary giants in the French countryside is a dream, but if you are planning a party or just want to make tasty treats for your friends, you can refine the art of chocolatemaking in your own kitchen. With this simple recipe, you can create truffles with one flavor or a variety of chocolate flavors, whether it’s milk chocolate, white chocolate, vanilla bean white chocolate, or hazelnut milk chocolate. To spice things up, try making a truffle with Ghirardelli’s Vanilla Bean White Chocolate center and a Hazelnut Milk Chocolate finish. The possibilities are endless in customizing your own work of culinary art- without the double boiler. It’s fun, easy, and well-worth the extra calories!
Method
1. Line a jelly roll pan with a sheet of parchment paper. 2. In a small pan, bring the mixture of cream and butter to a boil, while stirring constantly. Boil for only 1 minute, then remove the pan from the heat. 3. Break the chocolate into small pieces and add to the cream mixture. Stir constantly until melted. Pour onto the jelly pan and chill for between 1 and 2 hours. 4. Break off pieces of the mixture and roll into balls. Chill for another 30 minutes before finishing the truffles. 5. To finish, heat the cream on very low heat for 2 minutes. Add chocolate, stirring constantly. Watch chocolate carefully to keep it from burning.* 6. Once chocolate is melted, use a spoon to drizzle chocolate mixture over prepared chocolate balls. Let harden.
Ingredients 2 tbsp. unsalted butter 5 tbsp. heavy whipping cream 8 oz. good-quality chocolate*
Makes 12
to finish 2 tbsp. heavy whipping cream 4 oz. good-quality chocolate*
*Depending on the kind of chocolate truffle desired, any type of chocolate can be used (white, dark, milk, Ghirardelli’s vanilla bean white chocolate or hazelnut milk chocolate, etc.)
Annie Griffin Designing Her Own Way By Emily Patrick
THE ATLANTA DESIGN SHARES HER EXPERIENCES FROM COLLEGE TO BECOMING A DESIGNER/BUSINESS OWNER
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‘Tis the Season for Holiday Shopping In Athens By: Allison Goldstein
It is that time of year again! Time for North Face jackets and Ugg boots, time for hot chocolate and marshmallows and most importantly, time for holiday shopping. 2010 has flown by, and the season for giftgiving will soon be upon us. We have spent the last few weeks turning on our heaters, gathering new Thanksgiving recipes, finalizing upcoming vacation plans and (hopefully) crossing off the last few items on our autumn to-do lists. But in the midst of it all, we suddenly realize that we have not even thought about holiday shopping! Between everything else going on in our lives, now we somehow must find
the time (and money!) to find the perfect gifts for our families, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends with benefits, friends of friends, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, pet-sitters and the mailman. But have no fear; you are in Athens, a city full of fashion shops and vintage boutiques. Time may be of the essence, but a quick visit to downtown may be the solution to curing all your gift-shopping woes. Whether you are on a time crunch or on a budget, here are a few Athens-based gift ideas to help you have a happy holiday season.
For the Intellect
Take a stroll up Jackson Street and wander into the Jackson Street Bookstore to find the perfect gift for any avid or casual reader. 50,000 used and rare books line the shelves of this shop from front to back. From dramatic novels to entire collections of comics, you will not walk out empty- handed. For the Christmas enthusiast, there is even an entire section dedicated to seasonal stories. How about this: “The Lives and Times of Ebenezer Scrooge” by Paul Davis, $20
For the Romantics
Having a hard time finding a suitable gift for your favorite couple? Stop stressing and keep it simple with a gift certificate from the Last Resort Grill. Renowned for its delicious desserts, the Last Resort is the perfect start to a romantic night out. All gift certificates are hand written, so you can give whatever amount you’d like. To order or find out more, call 706-549-0810.
For the Music Junkie
The music scene in Athens is one unlike any other. If you are looking to find a great gift for a rock n’ roller or a collector, Wuxtry is the place where you need to be. The shop is filled with thousands of new and used records and CDs. The selection encompasses music from all genres, including classic rock, alternative, pop, country, jazz, classical, show tunes and more. Just in time for the holidays, Wuxtry is featuring a collection of Christmas albums for one dollar each. You cannot go wrong with the gift of music! Check it out: Used Records from $3, New from $5
For the Art Appreciator
You may have seen the pickup truck covered in bottle caps driving around Athens from time to time and speculated about its owner. Well, wonder no more, because it belongs to a local artist who calls himself the Cap Man. If you are looking to find an aesthetically pleasing gift for a visual friend, consider investing in one of his unique and inexpensive pieces of art. See the art for yourself outside of Frontier on East Clayton. It could make a visible addition to a friend’s home. For more information, visit http:// thecapman.us. How about this: Cap Man Flower Painting, $25
For the Men of the Hour
If you are looking to please your favorite boy (or boys) during the holiday season, give him something that will remind him of his true passion – the Georgia Bulldogs! Stop by the Red Zone for an enormous selection of UGA apparel and other merchandise. Although the football season is coming to an end, it is never too late to support the Dawgs. Stick to winter-specific items for extra creativity points.
For the Others
You are just about done with all your shopping, but there are still a few people left on your list that you just cannot figure out. If you cannot fit them into any of the categories, there is probably no need to spend a great deal of time or money on their holiday gift. Instead, get them something that will put a smile on their face. To make this happen, visit Helix, a unique and crafty store full of miscellaneous items and great gift ideas. From stay-at-home moms to hipsters to Christmas fanatics, there is certainly something for everyone here.
Dress (Fetish), Jewelry(Private Gallery) Pernos’ Tux Dress and Leggings (Cheeky Peach) Pernos’ Tux
Dress (Fetish), Jewelry(Private Gallery) Pernos’ Tux
Left to Right- Perno’s Tux, Dress(Cheeky Peach), Perno’s Tux, Dress(Cheeky Peach), Dress(Cheeky Peach), Perno’s Tux, Gold Dress (Heery’s)
adds a touch of holiday sparkle to Athens this season. Photos by: Michelle Norris Location: Hoyt House Hair: Brittany Andrews Makeup: Tammy Cousins
www.athensblvd.com
“Fist pumping, body rocking, jumping, beach balls flying, crazy pandemonium,” Bobby Drake says. This is what you can expect at a live performance by The Beat Geeks, the crossover pop trio hailing from Atlanta, GA. During their high-energy concerts, the Beat Geeks’ number one goal is to get the crowd involved. “We want you to feel like you are a part of this movement,” says Luke Galloway, the synthesizing specialist for The Beat Geeks who grew up in a small town in England.
The Beat Geek movement is certainly catching on as the trio recently opened for Ludacris at the University of Georgia Homecoming concert held at Legion Field. The Ludacris opening slot was The Beat Geeks’ biggest, most outrageous performance yet, and it was only their second performance as a group ever. Even in the rain, the audience was as pumped-up as The Beat Geeks were. “Everyone was jumping in the rain. What more could you ask for than 4,000 people rocking out with your songs?” says Drake.
Wriiten by Jamie Lamberski, Photos by Anna Pierce
“It still blows us away,” says Karissa Smith (a.k.a. K Poindexter), who brings her fad feminine class and stunning vocals to The Beat Geeks trio. Smith says the band still watches the YouTube video of their pre-Ludacris performance, a reminder that opening for Ludacris wasn’t just a dream. “UGA is where the party’s at, apparently,” Smith says. In case you missed their killer performance here in Athens, the band is luckily based only an hour away in Atlanta, making future Athens appearances and performances very promising.
The band is yet to be signed, but their danceable beats and funkyfresh style are getting enormous attention. Their sound is best described as “crossover pop” because their influences range from alternative rock to hip-hop to techno.
producing electronic pop beats but knew no one else at the time with similar intentions and interests. “I’ve always loved electronic,” says Drake, “but I just didn’t have someone to work on it seriously with.”
After growing up in England,
Tiesto, Deadmau5 and Daftpunk changed his world. Drake says the day when Galloway joined him and Smith to complete The Beat Geeks, the stars must have been aligned. The evidence: Eiffel 65’s hit album “Europop” was both Drake and Galloway’s first album they ever owned.
The band promises not only banging beats at their performances but eye-catchingcostumes, props, and/or accessories to keep you entertained musically and visually. Galloway spent most of high school and college playing in alternative rock bands. He started experimenting with electronic music right before meeting Drake and Smith, who were producing and recording hip-hop and R&B music together at Valdosta State University. Drake had been working on
The Beat Geeks’ genrebreaking sound is a result of their converging and diverging influences. Drake says he’s a huge Prince fan, while Karissa says three words, “Michael, Michael, Michael.” And across the pond, Galloway was listening to Muse and Radiohead until the beats of electronic front-runners
Although chance brought them together, The Beat Geeks know their success is in their own hands. The band admits to spending an extraordinary amount of time and effort preparing for shows, rehearsing right up until the show starts. “There is an attention to detail
I feel we all have in this group, whether recording in the studio or performing live,” said Drake. “Even though we have lots of improv, crazy moments on stage, we always want to make sure we know what were doing at all times.” The band believes the more prepared they are, the more comfortable they feel on stage, allowing them to really get into their Beat Geek character. The Beat Geek characters wouldn’t be complete, of course, without their animated looks. The band promises not only banging beats at their performances but eye-catching costumes, props and/or accessories to keep you entertained musically and visually.
Each member of The Beat Geeks mixes their individual styles like they do their music, breaking the molds to come up with their own combination of unique flavors. Smith tends to rock a glove, a tribute to her favorite musician, Michael Jackson. “I try to wear a different glove every performance,” Smith says. Galloway is known for his colorfully loud pants and wacky, neon patterned tank tops. Whether he’s sporting two different colored kicks or his Mad Hatter hat, Drake’s duds will always keep you guessing. Although Smith says she loves Vera Wang and Galloway says his playground is any American Apparel or Urban Outfitters store, all three of them believe you can find something that suits you anywhere. The trio
has fun shopping at thrift stores, Wal-Mart and even Party City as Galloway keeps his eye out for tour t-shirts, Drake for comic book t-shirts and Smith for go-go boots. “It’s all about putting it together – that’s when the real creative party comes in,” Galloway says. Right now, though, The Beat Geeks are channeling all of their mixing creativity to finish producing sparkling new jams that they promise will be epically Geekin’. “We’re wrapping up a project that is, overall, going to be really impressive,” Drake says. “There are a lot of different sounds, and we’re really pushing the envelope for ourselves.” Expect to see and hear a lot more from the Beat Geeks as they are also in the final stages of mapping out a possible music video shoot here in Athens.
N P E W ew
Y E
alette
HOT NEW
MUSIC You havent heard yet Title
Artist 1. Diddy-Dirty
Money feat. Skylar Grey 2. Sick Puppies 3. Taio Cruz feat. Travie McCoy 4. Fareast Movement feat. Ryan Tedder 5.Dev feat. The Cataracs
“Coming Home” “Maybe” “Higher” “Rocketeer” “Bass Down Low”
Meet Kobe My name is Kobe, and welcome to The Power Page! I am the Program Director and Afternoon DJ on The New Power 100.1. I am basically the guy who decides what songs we play. So, yes it is my fault that you can’t get “Only Girl in the World” out of your head. However, I can also let you in on some songs that are coming out that aren’t on the radio, yet. So, I felt like the least I could do in each BLVD issue is give you the heads up on the freshest, new music you may want to spend all of those iTunes gift cards you got for the Holidays on. www.powerathens.com
The PlaceTOBe ON
' NewYears New Years
A Totally ’80s New Year’s Eve with the Highballs The Melting Point 295 E. Dougherty St. 7 p.m. Dec. 31 www.meltingpointathens.com
New Year’s Eve with Of Montreal, Yip Deceiver 40 Watt 285 W. Washington St. 8 p.m. Dec. 31 www.40watt.com
The Glitch Mob New Year’s With Dubconscious New Earth Music Hall 227 W. Doughtery St. 9 p.m. Dec. 31 www.newearthmusichall.com
New Year’s Eve at Hotel Indigo and the Rialto Room 500 College Ave. Dec. 31 www.indigoathens.com.
First Night Atlanta New Year’s Eve Festival Peachtree Street downtown Atlanta Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve
With Thanksgiving come and gone, the holiday season is now in full swing. Christmas and Hannukah celebrations abound. Going to so many parties can get pretty exhausting. Once they are over though, everyone is ready for some quiet time. But wait! New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. What will you do? Instead of throwing another party, try celebrating the New Year in a different way. Here are eight non-party ideas to ring in the New Year:
1. Plan a small get together with close friends and family. Have everyone make his or her own time capsule of 2010. Write down your best memories from the year, place some of your favorite objects and write your resolutions down. Seal the box and hide it somewhere safe. When the next New Year’s Eve comes, open it and see what has changed within a year. It will be nostalgic but also a fun way to recap the year and think about the next. 2. Go to a concert! There will be plenty of music venues hosting concerts. What is better than live music by a great band? The 40 Watt Club will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration with Athens’ own, Of Montreal. 3. If you are a homebody, then why not watch some New Year’s Eve movies to get you into the spirit. “The Apartment,” “About a Boy,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary” are all great films to watch to ring in the New Year. Watch with friends or that special someone.
4. Like cooking? Then why not have a “Top Chef” showdown between you and your friends this New Year’s Eve. Make the theme of the competition “New Year” by putting a new spin on your favorite foods. It will be a fun way to practice your skills. Declare a winner by 11:55 p.m. and when the clock strikes midnight, bang on your pots to ring in the year. You can host other games and tournaments too. 5. Find a fireworks show near your house. Stone Mountain Park has a fireworks show every year. Even though you may want to do your own fireworks for the New Year, they will not be nearly as amazing or fantastic as a professional show. Plus they can put a hole in your wallet. Instead, sit back and enjoy a colorful spectacle with family and friends.
More Than Just a Party
6. Comedy shows are always fun. They say how you spend your New Year’s Eve is an indication of how the next year will go for you. So what better way is there to celebrate than to spend the night laughing with friends? Comedian Tom Simmons will be performing at the Laughing Skull Lounge in Atlanta. 7. If you have the money, then go travel. Go to New York to see the ball drop or go to Australia for its amazing fireworks. But if you do not have much cash to spend, Atlanta has its very own Peach Drop. Experience the South’s own celebration. Go with friends to make braving the cold more enjoyable.
8. End the year with a bang. Do something on New Year’s Eve that you have always wanted to do. Go skydiving, learn how to ice skate or buy the jacket you have been dying for. Whatever it is, just do it. You will end the year feeling invigorated and ready to celebrate. No matter what you do for New Year’s Eve, just have fun. Spend time with friends and family and make sure not to let the year’s lows get you down because once the countdown begins; it is the beginning of a fresh
Winery
The
N
estled among contours of the Northeast Georgia mountains is Persimmon Creek Vineyards, a 110acre oasis owned by Sonny and Mary Ann Hardman. What began as ten acres lined with grape vines is now an expanse of vineyards, vegetable gardens, creeks, cottages and a winery.
Marc by Marc Jacobs, cardigan - Brooks Brother’s, red pants – Brooks Brothers
The idea of starting a vineyard sprang from Sonny’s interest in the biochemistry of grape growing and wine making. The science behind this craft is similar to Sonny’s profession of dermapathology, the study of skin diseases on a microscopic level. Maintaining a vineyard would satisfy Sonny’s biological interest in both flora and fauna. In 1999, Sonny’s aspiration met with nostalgia when he discovered a piece of land close to Rabun County, where his mother grew up and
he had visited often as a child. Comfort and love filled the air; this was the perfect environment for a new vineyard. Sonny and Mary Ann purchased the ten acres and immediately began planting grape vines. Over a decade later, Persimmon Creek Vineyards is tenfold in size and exudes just as much love and tranquility. Currently amid the vineyards are three elegant and cozy guest cottages that offer refuge from the hectic everyday life. “I hope that guests of Persimmon Creek find a reconnection to the earth here,” Mary Ann stated.
Antonio Lazulo jacket, Gap pants and shirt
The cottages offer breathtaking views of the vineyards and local landscape and have no televisions or computers. Instead, each cottage is packed with books and a bevy of comfortable sitting indoors and outside. Every morning, Sonny and Mary Ann serve a homemade breakfast cooked with ingredients from the property’s gardens, and throughout the day provide wine tastings of their award-winning collection.
Article by Megan Kluttz
Cream feather dress – Sheri Bodello Black shorts – Antonio Lazulo, Black blazer – Top Man
Etro tweed and camel suits
Top Man suits
Photos by: Chelsea Goff Austin Phelps Cynthia Nist Michelle Norris Brent Fink Alex Orellana David Cheroff
On the Cover: Red Dress Romona Keveza, purple shoes – Stuart Wietzman, gold drop earrings – Cillie’s, gold clutch – Cillies
Styled by: Geoffrey Brown Holly Jones
Produced by: Ivey Hamby
On the Back (from left to right): Khaki, blue and yellow tie – J.Crew, blue stripe shirt – J.Crew, blue sweater –J.Crew, jacket – Victor Glemaud Burgundy bow miniskirt – LK, brown Leather Jacket – Tori Burch, white cowl neck tee shirt – Gap, booties – Etro,
Hair by: Jason Sapp Makeup by: Patty Miranda
black leggings – Gap, plaid jacket – Tibi, royal blue shoes – Pitaya Red shirt – Top Man, black suspenders – Top Man
Assisted by: Kate Davis Victor Pivetta Drew Standrod Olivia Dorman
And, just a final thought. We would like to thank the following interns for their hard work and dedication this semester: Abriauna Welch Aerica Siegel Alex Orellana Allison Goldstein An Nguyen Andrea Paton-Ash Anita George Ashlyn Stolz Austin Phelps Bora Shehu Brittany Biddy Brittney Knight Chelsea Goff Cynthia Nist Drew Standrod Eleanor Garrett Eric Walcot Von Ceesay Erica Kennon Erika Arnold Hailey Bryant Hannah Greenberg Jacqueline Childers Jamie Lamberski Jeanette Hutchins
Jessie Friedrich Kathryn Hannon Katie Lindley Katie Slater Kelsey Hensley Lauren Friedman Leslie Crews Marlyncia Pierce Michelle Norris Monica Flamini Natalie Sween Olivia Scarborough Rachel Stanford Rebecca Thames River Callaway Robyn Abree Rosie Hobbs Shelby Lits Sloane Wimberly Staci Schmidt Stephanie Arbetter Tammy Cousins Taylor Henriquez