400 Life April 2021

400 LIFE The home improvement issue

APRIL 2021

The team at Bagley serves North Georgia Glass tinting can help conserve energy, save money

Learn to craft with The Shabby Tree

Inside: Fountain’s Food Adventures finds best barbecue spots | Create a backyard oasis, spring landscape tips and more

contents

Home improvement * Tips to help prepare for home improvement project * Factors to consider when planning year-round outdoor dining spaces

* Get ready: Early spring landscaping tips * Safety first when power washing your home this spring * Create a beautiful backyard oasis * Getting to know succulents Photo by Avi Naim, Unsplash

contributors Publisher Stephanie Woody

Director of Revenue Leah Nelson

Managing Editor Tracie Pike

Advertising Tim Anderson Stacy Clark

Staff writers Erica Schmidt

This magazine is a product of the

Special contributors Nicole Bader Jones Chris Campbell

www.ForsythNews.com Sign up for daily newsletters at ForsythNews.com Cover photo by Element5 Digital, Unsplash

14 Woman turns passion into

successful online business

20 David Fountain and Fountain’s Food

Adventures take on local BBQ spots

10 The team at Bagley Commercial Properties serves north Georgia 12 Solar Control Glass Tinting is the go-to company in Forsyth for glass tinting April 2021 | 400 LIFE | 3

Are you ready for your next big home project?

Here are a few tips to help you better prepare for your next journey into home improvement The planning process is one of the most exciting parts of a home renovation project, and with social distancing keeping us indoors, now is the time to dream big and get ready.

Whether it’s a basement makeover, a pool addition or even building a new house from scratch, here are some tips to get started:

1. Factor in your lifestyle. Think about your priorities and lifestyle – do you work from home without a proper home 4 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

office? Do you enjoy cooking and entertaining? Is your backyard living up to its potential as an extension of your home? Asking these kinds of questions can help you determine the most beneficial focus for your next project.

2. Educate yourself. Take advantage of this extra time

you have to learn about materials, processes and new innovations. You can make smarter purchasing decisions by finding out the answers to key questions, such as: Is this material mold-resistant? How long will it last? Is this a passing fad or will it stand the test of time?

3. Consider sustainability. Products and materials that

reduce your carbon footprint don’t just help the planet — they’re often better for your wallet, too. When doing your research, look for energy-efficient appliances, windows, walls and more to build a greener home that will last longer and save you money in the long run.

4. Disaster-proof your design. The pandemic has taught

us that sometimes the worst can happen. From natural disasters to fires and flooding, we need our homes to offer as much protection as possible. Whether you’re planning an extension to your home, pools and spas for your backyard or a custom-built home, insulated concrete is a smart investment. An eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials like wood, ICFs are disaster resilient, designed to withstand wind, fire, tornados, and more.

5. Budget for smart splurges and savings. Budgeting is

one of the most important parts of the planning process because you want to spend your hard-earned money wisely. You’ll want to splurge on items that will boost your property value, like energy-efficient features, creating more living space and a solid foundation. Upcycling and repurposing furniture, DIY-ing simpler projects like painting, and spending more on nicer hardware but less on cabinets are clever ways to save.

April 2021 | 400 LIFE | 5

Factors to consider when planning year-round outdoor dining spaces Al fresco dining is popular in spring and summer, and that popularity reached new heights in the summer of 2020. With much of the world still grappling with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and government officials fearing rising case numbers if indoor gatherings were allowed, many restaurants were limited to offering only outdoor dining to patrons. Such restrictions reintroduced many people to the pleasure of outdoor dining.

Outdoor dining may be synonymous with summer, but there’s no reason why good meals can’t be enjoyed out6 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

side year-round. That’s especially true when homeowners and hosts take stock of certain factors when planning outdoor dining spaces they intend to use all year long.

• LIGHTING: If you plan to keep outdoor dining going after summer, then some extra lighting may be necessary. The sun sets in late afternoon/early evening in fall and winter, so you won’t be able to rely on natural light to keep the dinner table aglow. Lighting also can make outdoor dining in summer more enjoyable. Outdoor string lights can add

a relaxing vibe to a deck or patio. If you intend to string the lights up year-round, make sure poles are sturdy enough to withstand winter winds.

• WEATHER: Table cloths can add a touch of class to outdoor dining tables. But those table cloths are only effective if they remain on the table. Summer breezes might not prove too great a challenge in that regard, but fall, winter and spring weather might make it hard to keep table cloths on the table where they belong. A simple set of table cloth clips can

that require the use of a knife and fork will need to make sure all guests have a seat at the table. A foldable picnicstyle table that can be easily stored in a garage or shed can do the trick. In addition, some deck and patio tables are expandable, making them ideal options for hosts who may want to work around social distancing guidelines and serve holiday meals outside this year.

• GRILL: Charcoal grill devotees may find it frustrating to keep coals lit long enough to get hot so they can keep enjoying

Outdoor dining may be synonymous with summer, but there’s no reason why good meals can’t be enjoyed outside year-round. ensure the wind doesn’t blow table cloths around while people are eating or completely off the table when everyone is inside. Hurricane candle holders also can make it easy to maintain the ambiance candles provide without having to worry about the wind extinguishing the candles in one strong gust.

• SEATING: Guests might have no problem dining on traditional summer barbecue fare like burgers and hot dogs while sitting in camping chairs. But hosts who want to serve meals

grilled meals after summer and throughout fall, winter and spring. A hybrid charcoal/grill smoker that does not expose the fire to the elements as much as a traditional charcoal grill can do the trick, and such a grill also gives cooks the chance to slow cook and smoke foods all year long. For those with no special devotion to charcoal grills, a propane grill can light up in a matter of seconds regardless of the weather.

Outdoor dining can be enjoyed year-round, especially when hosts take steps to prepare their outdoor spaces for four seasons’ worth of gatherings.

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Get ready: Early spring landscaping tips During the cold months of winter, many people stare longingly out of the window dreaming of spring and time spent outdoors. For those with green thumbs, images of tending to the garden and other aspects of their landscapes no doubt dominate such daydreams.

Draw inspiration from those budding crocuses and daffodils pushing through the last remnants of snow and employ these tips to prepare for the upcoming gardening season.

tables only to have them zapped by another frosty day.

• One of the first steps is to apply a preemergent weed killer to get a head start knocking out weeds that can plague the lawn during the growing season. Killing weeds at the roots early on can mean far fewer hassles in spring and summer, and may prevent new generations of weeds from cropping up each year.

• Lawn and garden experts at The Home Depot suggest filling in bare patches of lawn now by mixing a few shovelfuls of soil with grass seed. Then apply this patch to the bare areas, water, and continue to care for the area until the spot fills in.

• While it may be tempting to take a prematurely warm day as a sign that spring is in full force and purchase a bunch of annuals, it’s better to know the last of the possible frost dates (check “The Farmer’s Almanac”); otherwise, you may waste time and money planting flowers or vege-

• Amend the soil so that it is the right consistency — just crumbling when lifting it. Soil that is too muddy after spring thaw can harden, making it difficult for plants to flourish later on. Speak with representatives at a local lawn and garden center about which types of amendments you can add to the soil in your particular area to enrich it.

• Spend a day in the garage or shed tending to the lawn mower and other gardening equipment. Clean all tools and ensure that everything works, repairing parts as needed.

• Give outdoor entertaining spaces a good scrubbing,

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clearing away dirt and grime that may have accumulated over the winter. Use a leaf blower to blow away any leftover leaves.

• Check if the front porch, railings or decking need painting and/or staining. Tackle these projects when the weather is cooler so everything will be ready for those peak spring days.

• Think about any annuals you might want to plant in the landscape this year that will complement any existing shrubbery or perennials. Come up with a theme so that the entire yard is cohesive.

Before homeowners know it, winter is gone and it is time to once again enjoy long days spent outdoors. Get a jump start on spring lawn prep as soon as you can.

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The team at Bagley serves North Georgia Story by Nicole Bader Jones

T

hirty seven years ago, Forsyth County native David Bagley began his real estate career, and his family has lived in the county for over five generations.

Early accomplishments include brokering the land acquisition for the Canton Highway Ingles — the first large grocery store in Cumming, and the writing of one of the first leases in Forsyth County. Today Bagley Commercial Properties holds over 150 active leases in the North Georgia area.

Bagley Commercial Properties is a family business that David and his wife, Susan, have grown over the years.

His daughter, Jessica Sills, and son-inlaw, Doug Sills, are following in their footsteps, and will continue to serve the community with the same passion instilled

by David.

Associate Broker David Holloway, who is also like family, has been with the company for years with his niche being in land sales and development.

Bagley Commercial Properties is a local real estate company that specializes in industrial buildings for sale and lease, office buildings and condos for sale and lease, assembling tracts of land for residential, commercial, and retail development, and brokering developed subdivision lots to national and local builders.

The company’s main goal is to create long lasting relationships and to provide excellent customer service to their clients.

Most important to this team is maintaining a stellar reputation in the place they work and call home.

“Forsyth County is growing but this is a tight knit community and even if a deal doesn’t work, I want everybody to feel like we did our best, that we were honest, ethical, and we did things the right way,” Doug said.

“We have several landlords that we helped purchase buildings, and then we have continued that relationship for years,” explains Jessica.

Jessica and Doug add that there are 10 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

advantages to investing in commercial real estate.

Jessica explains, “Purchasing a commercial income producing property has the ability to produce a 7% or more annual return.”

“Commercial real estate investments can result in longer leases, with reliable tenants, presenting investors with reduced risk,” Doug said.

“We are seeing one similarity in local commercial and residential real estate right now, and that is low inventory,” said Jessica. “This is a seller’s market.”

The Bagley Commercial Property team is passionate about what they do and why they do it. They are committed to serving the North Georgia area when it comes to all commercial property needs.

Doug and Jessica hope that their sons will one day continue the family legacy.

To connect with this brokerage, visit www.bagleycommercial.com or @ BagleyCommercial on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Owner Caleb Collar began window tinting in high school and his passion for the work led him to start his own business when he decided to bring his 30 years of experience to the community.

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Glass tinting isn’t just for cars, there are several reasons to consider this service for your home as well.

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Barb Lewis does crafts through The Shabby Tree, both on Facebook live streams and through The Shabby Tree blog.

Not too Shabby

Woman turns passion into successful online business Story and photos by Erica Schmidt

Barb Lewis has been crafting for as far back as she can remember.

When she got married and started having children, Lewis embraced her new role as a stay-at-home mom, but knew that she had to find a way to keep herself busy. So she started making crafts to sell at local antique markets and decided to record herself crafting to post on Facebook.

Lewis’ Facebook live streams started off with a grand total of one, maybe two people watching, but before long, she started gaining followers. In October 2018, Lewis officially began her crafting channel and boutique The Shabby Tree. Now, almost three years later, The Shabby Tree has almost a million followers and continues to grow.

Every day, Lewis does crafts through The Shabby Tree, both on Facebook live streams and through The Shabby Tree blog. She said that her inspiration a lot of times comes from looking at an everyday item and imagining what else it could be.

“A lot of it is just looking at the craft supplies and coming up with something,” Lewis said. “I kind of just go in the dollar tree, look at stuff and see what we could turn it into.”

A recent example of Lewis’ craftiness was making paint rollers into carrots for an Easter decoration. She 14 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

said that this idea came to her when she saw the orange-tinted rollers and thought of carrots. This way of thinking is something she encourages her followers to do too.

“What I tell everybody is to look at it and don’t look at what it’s supposed to be used for,” Lewis said. “We tell them all the time, try to look at it in a different way and turn it into something else.”

Another inspiration for the craft ideas are The Shady Tree’s followers and their ideas.

“The followers will send us ideas too, and I’ll give credit to the follower when [they] send me an idea,” Lewis said. “So we’ll make it and say ‘so-and-so sent us this idea and we’re gonna try it out today’.”

Some of Lewis’ favorite craft items to make are banners, message boards and ornaments. She especially loves making decorations for every holiday, but she says that The Shabby Tree crafts are for all year round.

“We do everything, it’s not just holidays,” Lewis said.

“I always try to teach them to make unique fashion items, jewelry and home decor.”

Another important thing Lewis does through The Shabby Tree is show viewers how to turn trash into treasures, as well as showing them how to hunt down the best craft supplies in the most unexpected places.

“Before the [COVID-19] virus hit we would be in

Goodwill every day on [Facebook Live] and I would show them how to just buy all that Goodwill stuff and turn it into something,” Lewis said. “We haven’t done that as much lately, but a lot of what we’ve done during quarantine is showing people how to make crafts out of stuff they already have around their house.”

The Shabby Tree also has a booth at Antiques and Collectibles of Dahlonega, showcasing clothing and home decor items from the boutique.

While doing her Facebook Live streams, Lewis said she will often get questions about where she bought the clothes she was wearing. Lewis came up with the idea to start her own boutique so viewers could order their own clothes like the pieces she was wearing.

“A store was not in my intentions, it just kind of happened — everybody kept saying ‘where’d you get this?’ So we just opened a store so when they ask they can get it off the boutique,” Lewis said. “And as far as the clothing in the boutique, we try to keep it unique; not something that you’re gonna go in Walmart or Target and find.”

Lewis sells clothing and home decor through her boutique and is continually expanding the items she offers through it.

She said she is impressed by her followers’ creativity in the crafts they send her.

“They spend a lot of time; they really love crafting,” Lewis said. “They’re very creative and there’s a lot of them that are all very special. They just love The Shabby Tree and they’re very sweet people.”

But the fellowship among her followers is more than just sending the crafts to Lewis. She said that her followers are always finding ways to interact with and support one another.

“The Shabby Tree followers are really a family; like there was a family whose daughter was in the hospital and they loved the doll I had in my video, so another follower bought the doll and sent it to them,” Lewis said. “Or like other people will say ‘I have [COVID-19] and I want to craft but I don’t have this’ and someone else will send them a big box of crafting supplies.”

One of the ways Lewis and her followers support each other is through her “prayer thankful room,” a room that is completely filled with paper tags with prayer requests or

things to be thankful for. The followers send in the tags to Lewis, who reads them on her channel and hangs them up in the room.

“We get on and we read their tags out loud, and all of these were sent in by followers,” Lewis said. “And they’re all praying for different things or thankful for different things — this is one of our most popular rooms the followers talk about and it’s just beautiful.”

Not only is Lewis now able to make a living through her business, but it has grown so much that now her entire family is able to work alongside her. Her husband, Wally, and daughter Hope manage shipping, and her daughter, Joy, manages the boutique side of the business. Lewis’ son Bo attends college full-time but is able to help with online orders while he is away at school. Even Hope’s dog, Opal, comes into the warehouse with the family when they’re filling orders or filming videos.

As The Shabby Tree keeps growing, Lewis has plans to keep expanding what she does with the business.

“When we get to a million [followers] then we’re gonna do something fun — I’m not sure what quite yet, but something fun,” Lewis said. “And one day we’re going do a meet and greet if the virus ever goes away; we’re gonna pick a different state and do kind of a craft event where we’re [will] craft and there will be so many tickets to buy.”

Lewis said she loves what she does, and that her followers are the biggest part of what makes up The Shabby Tree.

“I love them and I love crafting with them,” Lewis said. “I could never do this on my own and I could never do this without the followers — it’s a fulltime job so it’s all day every day, but I love it.”

April 2021 | 400 LIFE | 15

washers can cause serious wounds that initially seem minor. However, such wounds can lead to infection or disability if left untreated. In addition, if manufacturer safety instructions are not followed, electric shock can occur due to improper use.

Homeowners who are intending to power wash their own homes this spring should first determine if they’re physically capable of doing so. Power washers can be difficult for some people to control, so it’s imperative that homeowners honestly assess their physical abilities before renting a unit. The CDC urges homeowners who determine they can safely handle power washers to take these additional safety steps to make sure the process of cleaning their home exteriors goes smoothly.

• Never point a pressure washer at yourself or others.

• Do not attempt to push or move objects with spray from the washer. If anything is in your way, turn the power washer off and then move the obstruction.

• Never use a gasoline powered washer in an enclosed space, which can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Always test the ground fault circuit interrupter (circuit breaker or outlet) before using a pressure washer.

• Always plug a properly grounded pressure washer into a properly grounded receptacle.

Safety first when power washing your home this spring Spring cleaning is a great way for homeowners to clear their homes of clutter. As people spend extra time indoors in winter, items can quickly pile up around the house.

Spring is a great time to clean up such clutter, but interior spaces are not the only areas of a home that can benefit from some extra attention once the weather warms up.

Harsh winters can take a toll on home exteriors. Dirt and grime can build up on exterior home surfaces over the course of the winter, affecting the appearance of the siding of a home as well as outdoor entertaining areas.

Power washing is a great way to give a home a fresh, clean look in spring. But there’s more to power than simply renting the right equipment and getting to work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that there are many risks associated with using power washers. For instance, the CDC says strong spray from power 16 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

• If an extension cord must be used, keep the pressure washer’s power cord connection out of and away from any standing water, and use a heavy duty extension cord with components rated for use in wet locations. Keep both the power cord and extension cord connections as far away as possible from the item being washed and away from any water runoff. While power washing, periodically take note of the location of the extension cord connections to ensure they are not in a puddle.

• Wear rubber-soled shoes that provide some insulation when using the pressure washer.

• Never cut or splice the pressure washer’s power cord or extension cords.

• Never remove the grounding prong from the pressure washer’s power cord plug or the extension cord.

• Pause the project if a circuit breaker is tripped. Always have a qualified electrician check the pressure washer for electrical problems after it has tripped a circuit breaker.

• Never allow children to operate a pressure washer.

Keep children at a safe distance when an adult is using a pressure washer.

Power washing can give a home a whole new look after a winter’s worth of dirt and grime builds up on the home’s exterior. Safety must remain the utmost priority when operating a power washer on your own.

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April 2021 | 400 LIFE | 19

BEST BARBECUE QUICK-LIST Here in the South, barbecue is definitely a major building block of our Southern Food Pyramid.

This slow-cooking tradition comes with a variety of different techniques, choice of fuelwood, dry rubs, basting and the oh-so-special sauce of choice. With the warmer weather of Spring arriving, barbecuing makes for a fun and COVID friendly outdoor eating experience. So David wanted to highlight some of our community’s prized BBQ establishments in hoping to provide you, our readers with a new favorite spot, while also helping these restaurants regain some of the business they lost over the last 12 months.

“Barbecue Highway” — at Exit 14 off Ga. 400 you will find 3 of Forsyth’s Best Barbecue joints are within less than a mile of each other.

Best Overall BBQ Experience ‘Cue Barbecue The first stop on “Barbecue Highway” is the best spot where you will find a complete array of delicious BBQ choices! Right when stepping into ‘Cue, you feel the warm relaxing vibe and inviting atmosphere. You are promptly greeted by the accommodating staff, and it is evident that they take much pride in their establishment.

The menu is loaded, and everything is made from scratch. David and fellow foodie Jennifer Asher were enlightened to some of the favorites by server, Jeff, who was very helpful.

They began with the Barbecue Chicken Nachos, loaded with barbecue chicken, shredded Cheddar Jack cheese, queso, diced tomatoes, homemade corn and black bean salsa, fresh jalapenos, and lined with homemade guacamole and sour cream – a supper yummy appetizer or meal for two. Another favorite appetizer is the flavorful Rib Basket. The baby back ribs are cut to share and chargrilled on each side for that special char taste as they fall off the bone.

For the meal, Jeff pointed to the “Big ol’ plates of stuff” for David. The Rib Combo Platter did the trick for David, with their Kansas City baby back ribs braised until tender and finished on the grill with their traditional sauce and cooked to perfection. David enjoyed the ribs with a homemade grilled pork sausage link and 4 smoked jumbo marinated chicken wings.

The Southwestern Barbecue Chicken salad was Jennifer’s delight, with romaine and red lettuces, homemade corn and black bean salsa, fresh-made guacamole, Cheddar and Jack cheese, Roma tomatoes, jalapeños, topped with pulled chicken and served with chipotle ranch. Jennifer also raved about the creamy macaroni and cheese, fried okra, and grilled sauerkraut.

A few other customer favorites were their Smoked Barbecue Sliders, Brunswick Stew, Smoked Pork sandwich, ‘Cue slaw and, Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole with toasted marshmallows.

20 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

Favorite Baby-back BBQ Ribs Tam’s Tupelo Described as “Cajun meets Memphis,” Tam’s Tupelo took us by surprise with their tasty barbecue varieties. While Cajun is not typically paired with barbecue, this fusion offers unique flavors that has deemed Tam’s Tupelo a barbecue location to follow.

For lunch, David and fellow foodie, Caroline Howell, enjoyed the Pulled Pork Shoulder, Pulled Chicken, and Baby Back Ribs. The pulled pork and chicken were tender and flavorful and paired well with the bacon topped Mac n’ Cheese, and glazed brussels sprouts.

The Baby Back Ribs were picture perfect and stood out with their unique flavor and fall off the bone tenderness.

Crafted by chef Michael Hadzmihalis, these ribs are prepared with a Cajun rub, and finished on an open flame, which mixes perfectly with the sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.

Tam’s Tupelo offers both dine-in and curbside take-away, perfect for your pandemic needs. They pride themselves on southern cuisine and hospitality by offering wonderful Cajun flavors in a relaxed environment.

Best Brisket & Bacon Burnt Ends Socks’ Love Barbecue Right next door to the Cajun BBQ establishment is our pick for best beef brisket. The Texas-inspired slow roasted meat is tender, moist, smoky flavored and shows off a gorgeous salt-and-pepper bark — picture perfect!

This place may be small and only open for 3 hours a day (or until sold out), but it is packed with some perfect takeout barbecue meals. Owner Steve Hartsock has been smokin’ and creating rubs and concoctions for over a decade now, turning a hobby into a passion of barbecue love!

If you are looking for a crowd pleaser, order up The Nankipooh-Pu Platter. Pick 5 different meats; Brisket, pulled Pork or Chicken, smoked Sausage or Turkey, along with 5 sides; like “OMG” Mac and Cheese, Fire Roasted Cream Corn, Cowboy Beans, Collard Greens, Country Coleslaw, or the Frito Chili Pie. If you’re anything like David, then you’ll want to make a special trip when Socks’ has their oh so delicious Bacon Burnt Ends — pop these like candy!!

WORTH THE DRIVE Since smokin’ and grillin’ barbecue is an art and creation, we hit the road and found a couple of spots that delivered an experience that is well worth the drivin’ and tastin’!

Favorite Southern & Asian Twist BBQ Sweet Auburn BBQ (Poncey-Highlands/Atlanta)

Favorite Southern Style Ribs Big D’s BBQ This BBQ shack might not be off the “barbecue highway” but the North Carolina-based smokin’ fills the air surrounding downtown Cumming.

President Darin Muenchow opened their first restaurant in Alpharetta in 2007 before moving to the outlet mall in Dawsonville a couple of years later, and serving homemade country breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week.

They have a large barbecue menu with all the trimmins’. David found their hickory smoked ribs to be a winner — tender, flavorful, smokey, with a nice char crust, and no need for barbecue sauce. Surprisingly, their BBQ sauce does something special to their creamy Mac and Cheese. Another great choice is the “Brownie Sandwich” with burnt ends, served on garlic Texas toast and their house-made spicy ranch.

Local’s Favorite Home-style BBQ Slope’s BBQ Now the spot for Georgia-inspired southern home-style BBQ, this is the restaurant where locals go. For decades, the family-friendly atmosphere of Slope’s has been providing folks with a great barbecue experience.

With a good selection of sandwiches, plate combinations and many sides and trimmings to choose from, you are sure to find the BBQ spread perfect for you. The Jumbo Brisket Melt Special, with grilled onions and blend of cheese served on Texas toast, and a bowl of jalapeno cheese grits was David’s savory lunch.

Atlanta-Style Favorite Barbecue Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Little Five Points/Atlanta) This spot is the official BBQ of the Atlanta Falcons, so bring your appetite and this barbecue shack will deliver some true Atlanta-style comfort food. David, said go all in and start off with the Chicken Fried Ribs which are rolled in flour, hot sauce and then flash fried and served with their white BBQ sauce — delicious!

Order The Everything Plate, pulled pork, beef brisket, ¼ chicken and smoked ribs and you’ll definitely find lots of tasty enjoyment.

Let’s not forget the dozen plus sides.

Another treat for the big boys is their Beef Short Rib, which is 1.5 pounds of succulent beef on a 9” short rib that is slow cooked, and even tastier than grandma’s pot roast — certainly a sight to see!!

Our last stop brings barbecue to a whole new level, combining the traditional barbecue style with an innovative Asian twist.

UGA grad and owners Howard and Anita Hsu have created an excellent menu, inviting environment, and exceptional food and hospitality.

Our server, Hannah, helped build a perfect meal for our table to share. We started with the Barbecue Nachos, fully loaded with pulled pork, charred corn pico, shredded Cheddar, queso fresco and scallions, which was a pleasant treat.

The House Smoked Beef Brisket was some of the best we’ve had, and the Curb Market Spare Ribs put the babies to rest!

Take a drive, you will be glad you did!

Across the Pond

On the other side of Lake Lanier in Hall County you can find our favorites, l i ke T h e I n ke d P i g . C h e c k o u t GainesvilleTimes.com for the complete article.

Follow the adventure at Fountain’s Food Adventures on Facebook and Instagram

April 2021 | 400 LIFE | 21

Getting to know succulents

Succulents can be just what indoor or outdoor gardens need. Even though succulents are becoming more popular, there are still some people who are unaware of their attributes. By learning more about succulents, people may become devotees of these unique plants.

The word “succulent” brings to mind juicy, savory foods.

But succulents aren’t meant to be consumed. In fact, they get their mouth-watering name from their uncanny ability to store water in fleshy stems or leaves. That means they do not require frequent watering like other plants might.

Succulents also may prove more durable in the face of drought and are a handy plant for forgetful gardeners or those who travel often and want something more hands-off in their gardens.

According to the succulents resource ‘Succulents and Sunshine,’ most succulents prefer warm temperatures and

Even though succulents are becoming more popular, there are still some people who are unaware of their attributes. By learning more about succulents, people may become devotees of these unique plants. are not very cold-tolerant. However, there are some varieties that can survive freezing temperatures. Still, for most succulents, it’s best if they are kept in warm, moderately sunny conditions. The DIY Network says succulents grow best in bright light, but not always in full, hot sun.

Succulents also may attract gardeners thanks to their diverse looks. Better Homes & Gardens says that color variations of succulents are quite varied and include green, yellow, burgundy, white, blue-green, pink, red, and variegated combinations. Their shapes can be just as diverse, with many having pointy, rounded, spiky, or ruffled leaves.

People may be particularly familiar with one type of succulent: Cacti. These traditional desert-dwellers are prized for their water-retention abilities, but some seem downright scary with prickly exteriors. While all cacti are succulents, it’s important to note that not all succulents are cacti. Less needle-like succulents include aloe, jade, snake plant, and agave. Hens and chicks (sempervivum) and wax plant (hoya) are other succulents to consider.

Searching for succulents online is another great way for gardeners to discover these wonderful plants.

22 | 400 LIFE | April 2021

Best Barbecue Quick-list

We have good news if you are looking for some smokin’ good ol’ bar-b-cue! David Fountain, a local foodie enthusiast and our community’s Best of Forsyth financial planner and investment advisor continues his monthly mission to uncover and support FoCo’s local favorites.

Here in the South barbecue is definitely a major building block of our Southern Food Pyramid.

This slow-cooking tradition comes with a variety of different techniques, choice of fuelwood, dry rubs, basting and the oh so special sauce of choice.

With the warmer weather of Spring arriving, barbecuing makes for a fun and COVID friendly outdoor eating experience. So, David wanted to highlight some of our community’s prized BBQ establishments in hoping to provide you, our readers with a new favorite spot, while also helping these restaurants regain some of the business they lost over the past 12 months.

“BARBECUE HIGHWAY”

– right at exit 14 off GA400 you will find 3 of Forsyth’s Best Barbecue joints all within less than a mile of each other.

BEST OVERALL BBQ EXPERIENCE ‘Cue Barbecue (Buford Rd/Hwy 20) FAVORITE BABY-BACK BBQ RIBS Tam’s Tupelo (Buford Rd/Hwy 20) BEST BRISKET & BACON BURNT ENDS Socks’ Love Barbecue (Buford Rd/Hwy 20) FAVORITE SOUTHERN STYLE RIBS Big D’s BBQ (Downtown Cumming) LOCAL’S FAVORITE HOME-STYLE BBQ Slope’s BBQ (West of Downtown Cumming)

WORTH THE DRIVE

Since smokin’ and grillin’ barbecue is an art and creation, we hit the road and found a couple of spots that delivered an experience that is well worth the drivin’ and tastin’!

ATLANTA-STYLE FAVORITE BARBECUE Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Little Five Points/Atlanta) FAVORITE SOUTHERN & ASIAN TWIST BBQ Sweet Auburn BBQ (Poncey-Highlands/Atlanta)

ACROSS THE POND

On the other side of Lake Lanier in Hall County you can find our favorites, like The Inked Pig. Check out GainesvilleTimes.com for the complete article of this week’s write-up.

The Monthly Food Adventure Continues with SUSHI We can’t wait to hear from you on where to find the best Sashimi, favorite Maki and Nigiri creations!

You can read the complete brunch review, or reach David, at www.FountainsFoodAdventures.com.

Follow the “Food Adventure” on Facebook and Instagram.

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