Peachtree Corners Magazine February/March 2024 by Peachtree Corners Magazine

Summer Camps | Curiosity Lab Criterium Race

OFFICIAL CITY NEWS P65 ►

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ISSUE 31 ■ LIVINGINPEACHTREECORNERS.COM

INTERNATIONAL FOODS & FLAVORS PAGE 18

EXPLORE WHY YOUR NEIGHBORS IN PEACHTREE CORNERS CHOOSE GAC. Infant-12th Grade www.GAC.org 770-243-2273

Scan QR Code to begin you personalized interactive tour!

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage PAID Monroe, GA Permit #15

THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

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With a Gwinnett County Public Library card you have free access to sewing

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Your Dental Experience Awaits You 149

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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IN THIS ISSUE COVER STORY

International Foods

Find Cuisines from Across the Globe Just Down the Road

First Up — Events

A Small Peachtree Corners Business Making Big Waves Among Wine Enthusiasts

Community: Stay Together Furever Aims to Reduce Pets in Local Animal Shelters

City Marshal’s Launch New Program to Curtail Vandalism at Town Center

International Charter Academy of Georgia’s Japan Day at the Capitol

Doing Good: Changes at Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries Help Further Community Mission 44

in 34 Technology Peachtree Corners PHOTO ESSAY

40 Creating Life-Long

Non-Profit Protecting Kids from Predators Hosting St. Paddy’s Event

Business: Pipedream Offers Innovative Last-Mile Delivery Solutions

How AI Can Improve Sales Performance and Management

Peachtree Corners Business Association Donates to Norcross High School Foundation of Excellence

Business Organizations and Events

Move: Deflecting Debilitating Blows One Guardian Cap at a Time

Curiosity Lab Criterium 2024 Scheduled for Peachtree Corners as Part of Speed Week

Nourish: New Owners Bring Neighborliness along with Fresh, Well-Prepared Fare

SUMMER CAMP

Memories for Your Children

ABOUT THE COVER Cafe Songhai is a West African-themed restaurant in Peachtree Corners owned and operated by Catherine and Matthew Owusu. Photography by Tracey Rice.

PEACHTREE CORNERS The official city news and updates

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

PEACHTREE CORNERS MAGAZINE EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR & PUBLISHER

RICO FIGLIOLINI CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

ANNA DEL VILLAR EDITOR EMERITUS

KATHY DEAN EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

THE TEAM & CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE RICO FIGLIOLINI

ANNA DEL VILLAR

Publisher & Executive Editor

Contributing Editor / Newsletter Editor

Rico Figliolini is a creative director and social media strategist, three-time magazine publisher and podcast host. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York and is a political junky, sci-fi and anime fan, and avid reader and movie binger.

Anna is a contributor to Peachtree Corners Magazine. She graduated with a B.A. in English Composition from Georgia State University and has five years of experience performing multimedia writing, editing, and publishing for automotive, small business, and general assignment media.

RITA FIGLIOLINI

ADVERTISING

RITA FIGLIOLINI

ARLINDA SMITH BROADY

JULIE DAVIS

Rita Figliolini has lived in PTC for 23 years with her husband and life partner, Rico Figliolini. Proud mom of 3 — Jason, Kinsey and Jack. Former Managing Editor of the original Inside Gwinnett, she’s now Advisor to PTC Magazine. Telling stories is in our blood!

Arlinda Smith Broady is of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after ancestors moved North. With 30 years of journalism experience, she’s worked in tiny newsrooms to major metropolitans. She brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread news.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

julie@livinginpeachtreecorners.com

SAMIRA ANJUM samira@livinginpeachtreecorners.com

Editorial Consultant

Senior Writer

JULIE DAVIS

KATHY DEAN

Account Executive

Editor Emeritus

Julie Davis is an accomplished sales rep with over 20 years of experience in the telecom industry. When not working or spending time with friends and family, Julie can be found melting glass, as she is an avid fused glass artist.

Kathy Dean has been a writer and editor for over 20 years. Some of the publications she has contributed to are Atlanta Senior Life, Atlanta INtown, Transatlantic Journal and The Guide to Coweta and Fayette Counties.

PATRIZIA WINSPER

HARRY J. PINKNEY, JR

instagram.com/peachtreecornerslife facebook.com/peachtreecornerslife twitter.com/peachtreecrnrs www.pinterest.com/ PeachtreeCornersMagazine

PEACHTREECORNERS PUBLISHED BY MIGHTY ROCKETS LLC. P. O. BOX 923207 Peachtree Corners, GA 30010 678-438-5310 editor@livinginpeachtreecorners.com Peachtree Corners Magazine is published six times a year by Mighty Rockets LLC. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publishers, editors or Peachtree Corners Magazine. The publisher will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement it seems unfit for publication or does not fit in our guidelines.

Graphic Designer

Writer

Harry J. Pinkney, Jr is an accomplished Graphic Designer with over 25 years of experience. A Philadelphia native who now calls Atlanta his home. He enjoys his dog, Chloeé, working out, movies, and running his own freelance graphic/ web design business.

Patrizia hails from Toronto, Canada where she earned an Honors B.A. in French and Italian Studies at York University, and a B.Ed. at the University of Toronto. This trilingual former French teacher has called Georgia home since 1998. Catch her reporting about our vibrant city on the Peachtree Corners Network.

TRACEY RICE

KRISTEN CORLEY

After a long career in global marketing for Fortune 500 companies like The Coca-Cola Company and Texas Instruments, Tracey earned a degree in Commercial Photography and now owns her own photography business. She specializes in portraits, events and real estate photography. She is the President of the Peachtree Corners Photography Club.

Kristen Corley is an Atlanta native with over a decade of experience in content creation. She lives in Historic Norcross with her family and writes “Young Norcross,” a weekly newsletter that focuses on building community and local engagement.

Photographer

GEORGE HUNTER

KENDYL CLARKE

George Hunter is an IT professional from Alaska by way of Texas. His primary hobby is photography, covering a wide range of subjects from pets to cosplay, sports to fashion. Volunteering and fostering dogs brings him much joy. George, his wife Lila and their rescued dogs have made their home in west Gwinnett for almost 20 years.

Kendyl Clarke is from Atlanta, GA and currently studying Writing and Linguistics at Georgia Southern University. She moved to Norcross in 2023 and works for a media publishing company managing music campaigns, while also bartending part time at Cultivation Brewing Co. in Norcross.

Photographer

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 issue Volume 6 Number 31 ©2023 Peachtree Corners Magazine The editors welcome submissions, event listings, achievements and photography. Please direct them to editor@livinginpeachtreecorners.com. This publication is independently and privately owned, and managedby Mighty Rockets LLC

Writer

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Writer

RAINA LOGAN

Writer/Podcast Production

Raina Logan is a highly accomplished audio engineer, music producer, and talented writer. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience as the owner of an esteemed audio production company, Raina seamlessly merges her creative writing skills with her technical expertise, shaping unforgettable auditory journeys.

peachtreecornerslife

To love, Friendship & life, Let’s Celebrate! 5242 Peachtree Pkwy, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 hwsteakhouse www.hwsteakhouse.com #CelebrateEveryday

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

FIRST UP - EVENTS

Events, Programs & Fun Things to Do

ONGOING Yielded Men Fridays weekly. 7-8 a.m. Moe’s Original Barbecue 5005 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 810, Peachtree Corners yieldedmen.org Admission: free Yielded Men (YM) is a weekly safe, small discussion group focused on building relationships and encouraging men in their walk with God. Each week the group addresses a specific issue that most men face in life. All are welcome.

February Peachtree Corners Photography Club Group Meet Up Thursdays, February 8 and March 14. 6:45-8:15 p.m. Atlanta Tech Park 107 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners pcphotoclub.org Admission: free Photographers of all skill levels are welcomed; come early at 6:15 p.m. for social time.

Important Dates FEBRUARY Black History Month 13 Mardi Gras 14 Valentine’s Day 19 Presidents’ Day MARCH Women’s History Month Irish American History Month 10-April 9 Ramadan 10 Daylight Savings Time starts 17 Saint Patrick’s Day 19 Spring Equinox 24 Palm Sunday 24 Purim 25 Holi (Hindu) 29 Good Friday 31 Easter Sunday APRIL 1 15

April Fools’ Day Tax Day

Seven Blessings

24th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival February 13-26 Streaming encore February 27-March 7 Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Tara Theatre in Atlanta, Plaza Theatre in Midtown, GTC Merchants Walk in East Cobb, and Springs Cinema & Taphouse in Sandy Springs AJFF.org Tickets: $18, evening and weekend shows; $16, matinees; details at AJFF.org/tickets An expanded 24-day event includes 14 days of in-theater screenings and 10 days of online streaming. The film festival is hosted across five metro-area venues. This year’s lineup features an array of 48 feature films and 15 shorts from 20 countries.

PCBA Business After Hours — Celebrating Leap Year Latin Style Thursday, February 29. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Latin Fresh, 4941 S. Old Peachtree Rd., Peachtree Corners Peachtree Corners Business Association peachtreecornersba.com, 678-969-3385 Admission: Event registration is $40. Advanced registration is $25 for members and $35 for guests. Includes appetizers and drinks. Celebrate leap year with PCBA. The fun will include a DJ, Salsa dance instruction as well as good food and beverages at Latin Fresh, a restaurant chain inspired by Latin American cuisine.

roadiana, books, art, gear, diecast trucks & cars, airline memorabilia, transportation related items, etc. to the museum by Sunday, March 10. All items will join SRM’s surplus items in a weekend long garage sale held in Building 1. For more info and/or to donate, contact execdirector@train-museum.com.

PCBA Business After Hours Speaker Series Thursday, March 28. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Location TBD Peachtree Corners Business Association peachtreecornersba.com, 678-9693385 Event registration is $40. Advanced registration is $25 for members and $35 for guests. Includes appetizers and drinks.

Presidents Day at Southeastern Railway Museum

March

Speakers will be Erin Hanson, Founder & CEO, and Lee Hanson, Co-Founder & President, of Guardian Innovations.

Saturday and Sunday,

Annual Southeastern Railway Museum Spring Cleaning Sale

Mount Carmel UMC Easter Egg Hunt

Friday-Sunday, March 22-24

Saturday, March 30. 10 a.m.

February 17 and 18 Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth train-museum.org, 770-476-2013 Tickets: Adults, $18; seniors 65+, $15; children ages 2-12, $12

Southeastern Railway Museum

The weekend includes docent-led tours of two Presidential Pullmans — the 1911 Superb used by President Warren Harding and the 1927 Marco Polo used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. On Sunday, the Carter Center joins with a collection of Presidential items.

train-museum.org, 770-476-2013

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth Tickets: Adults, $18; seniors 65+, $15; children ages 2-12, $12 Visit the sale, ride a train, walk the grounds and do some shopping. Proceeds will benefit the general operations of the museum. Donate gently used model RR gear, railpeachtreecornerslife

peachtreecornerslife

5100 S. Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners mtcarmel-umc.org, 770-449-4498 Admission: free Children ages 12 and under are invited to bring a basket and join in the fun at the Easter Egg Hunt. Light refreshments will be provided.

peachtreecornerslife

Faith Services and Special Events

Unity Atlanta Church Palm Sunday and Easter Services Sundays, March 24 and 31 Unity Atlanta Church 3597 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners unityatl.org, 770-441-0585

Black History Month Special Program

The 11 a.m. services are live streamed on the website and Facebook. A continental breakfast is available 10 a.m. Youth Sunday School is offered at 11 a.m. for ages 5-18. Childcare for ages 4 and younger is provided.

Sunday, February 18 The Father’s House 6060 Spalding Dr., Norcross thefathershouseatl.org Everyone is invited to a special celebration in honor of Black History Month.

Mount Carmel UMC Holy Week Services March 24-31 5100 S. Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners mtcarmel-umc.org, 770-449-4498 • Palm Sunday, March 24: Outdoor Service, 8:45 a.m.; Sanctuary Service, 10 a.m.; Hispanic Service, 12 p.m. • Maundy Thursday, March 28: Service, 7 p.m. Childcare will be provided.

• Easter Sunday, March 31: Sunrise Contemplative Service, 7:30 a.m.; in-person only. Easter Celebration Service with special music by the Unity Atlanta Church Celebration Choir and the Tower of Higher Power band, 11 a.m.

Resurrection Sunday Service and Program

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Local Theatre & School Performaces Into the Woods February 9-11 Greater Atlanta Christian School King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org

Internal Revenue Service informs the “couple” they’re going to be investigated. This classic farce is a cross between I Love Lucy and Some Like it Hot.

Capisce?

About the show: GAC High School theatre students perform the Steven Sondheim musical that intertwines the stories of several Brothers Grimm characters.

Friday and Saturday, March 8

Love, Sex and the IRS

mtcarmel-umc.org, 770-449-4498

March 1-17 Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Lionheart Theatre 10 College St., Norcross lionhearttheatre.org, 404-919-4022 Tickets: $18; students and seniors, $16 About the show: Jon Trachtman and Leslie Arthur are out of work musicians who room together in New York City. To save money, Jon has been filing tax returns listing the pair as married. The day of reckoning comes when the

and 9. 7 p.m.

Cornhole ATL has grown to be the home of over 400 cornhole players.

March 22 and 23

Kiss Me, Kate

Cornerstone Christian Academy

March 8-10

5295 Triangle Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

Greater Atlanta Christian School King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org, 770243-2000 About the show: Greater Atlanta Christian High School students perform the musical centered

cornerstonecougars.org, 770-4419222 About the show: Disney’s “Finding Nemo KIDS” is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the 2003 Pixar movie. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore

5100 S. Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners Tickets: Adults, $25; students age 10+, $20; kids 5-10, $15; free nursery for ages 4 and under About the show: The 2024 Mt. Carmel Youth Dinner Theatre presents a mystery in the style of old detective films set in an Italian restaurant. There are situations stickier than overcooked pasta, featuring Tony “The Tough” Moretti, a has-been private eye, a gorgeous femme fatale, a waitress who knows more than anyone suspects and a simply dreadful cook — not to mention a city full of thugs bent on getting their mitts on the Moretti family business. All funds raised go toward the Mt.

Scan QR for more information ►

Through February 22. 6-9 p.m.

Finding Nemo KIDS Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m.

Mt Carmel UMC

5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners theforumpeachtree.com/events

Cornhole League

Carmel Youth’s summer mission trip to Coastal Georgia. Visit Eventbrite for tickets.

Cornhole is an easy-to-play social game with a league at The Forum. The seven-week Winter League includes a season-ending tournament with prizes and a Champi-

around the production of a version of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” There’s conflict on and off-stage between the show’s director/producer/star and his leading lady, who also happens to be his ex-wife.

the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean.

onship Trophy. Note that players must be registered with Cornhole ATL to compete. For further info, email info@cornholeatl.com.

ing sessions are open to Alloy Personal Training members as well as anyone looking to squeeze in a quick workout. Alloy provides all necessary equipment, but participants are welcome to bring yoga mats, water bottles and other personal workout equipment.

New Year, New You Through February 28 Mondays, 9 a.m.; Wednesdays, 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. Admission: free

Galentine’s Day at The Forum

Complimentary 30-minute train-

Tuesday, February 13. 6-8 p.m. Admission: free

Luck of The Forum

Girl gangs are invited for a Galentine’s celebration with treats and deals. More details will be released on the website soon.

Luck of The Forum Saturday, March 16. 3-5 p.m. Admission: free It’s a purely gold St. Patrick’s Day celebration at The Forum with music, dancing and Irish flair. Watch the online calendar for more information.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Gwinnett County Public Library - Norcross 5735 Buford Hwy., Norcross

gwinnettpl.org, 770-978-5154

Norcross Gallery and Studios

116 Carlyle St., Norcross | norcrossgalleryandstudios.org, 770-840-9844

The Peachtree Corners Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library is undergoing renovations through February and March 2024. Programming will be suspended until sometime in Spring when the branch reopens.

Exhibit

Black History Month: Weaving Yarn Art

Through February 17

Thursday, February 8. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Admission: free Ages 19 and up are invited to learn a new skill in honor of Black History Month.

Join the library for a Leap Day Celebration. Learn all about Leap Day and why it happens every four years. Then choose an activity — origami leaping frogs or making a time capsule to open on the next Leap Day.

Book Talk: MARVELous March

Lunar New Year Storytime

Saturday, March 9. 1-4 p.m.

Thursday, February 8.

Everyone can meet characters from the Marvel universe and participate in themed games, trivia and crafts. Costumes are welcome and all ages are invited to participate.

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Admission: free Celebrate Lunar New Year with a fun and informative DIY dragon session. Learn about the history and significance of Lunar New Year while crafting beautiful dragons. All ages are welcome.

Admission: free

Moderators: Lynda Ellis, lyndaellis@gmail.com; Anne Hall, annehallstudio@yahoo.com

Warm Hearts Reception: Sunday, February 11. 3-5 p.m.

Daytime Open Studio Thursdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Warm Hearts features artwork by members of the studio’s Management Council.

Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

Ongoing

Evening Open Studio

Figure & Portrait Study Sessions Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. Cost: $16 for members; $22 for non-members; package pricing available

Moderator: Anne Labaire, labaireart@gmail.com Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members Moderator: Patty Grewe-Mullins, pgrewemullins@gmail.com

How to Sign the Alphabet for Deaf History Month Thursday, March 14. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Admission: free Adults 19+ will learn how to sign the alphabet and their own names.

Great Women in History Team Trivia

Black History Month: African Folktales

Tuesday, March 19.

Tuesday, February 27.

Admission: free

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with a game of team trivia. Winners will receive a prize. Ages 12 and up are welcome.

Admission: free Young children (up to age 5) are encouraged to visit and listen to African Folklore tales told by professional storyteller Sharon Riggs in celebration of Black History Month.

6-7 p.m. Funk Cake

Day of Dance Wednesday, March 20. 4-5 p.m. Admission: free

Leap Day Origami Frogs and Time Capsules Thursday, February 29. 5-6 p.m.

The whole family is invited to gather with others on the International Day of Happiness and learn some dance moves practice them together.

Admission: free FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA 5600 W. Jones Bridge Rd., Peachtree Corners facebook.com/FowlerY/ 770-246-9622

aunt/uncle) for a night of dancing and fun. Crafts, games and light refreshments are provided. Ages 4 to 99 are welcome. For more info, contact LolaH@ymcaatlanta.org.

Soccer at the Y Spring Season runs February 26-May 4 One practice per week; games held

Clinic Fee: $93 for facility members; $118 for program members; fee includes uniform and ball. The program focuses on building teamwork, sportsmanship and self-esteem. Register at ymcaatlanta.org. Reach out to Katieb@ ymcaatlanta.org for more info.

March Madness Wednesday, March 20. 6-7:30 p.m. Admission: free It’s a fun family night! Ages 5 to 70 are invited to work as a team to compete in a series of challenges throughout the branch to earn tickets and win prizes. Comfortable clothing is recommended. Registration is required. Contact LolaH@ymcaatlanta.org for details.

Senior Activities Family Activities Sweetheart Dance Tuesday, February 13. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Admission: $7 for facility members, $15 for program members Kids are invited to bring their favorite adult (parent/grandparent/

on Saturday. U6—Wednesdays or Thursdays, 6 p.m.; U8 Girls—Tuesdays, 5:15 p.m.; U8 Boys—Tuesdays, 6:15 p.m. Fee: $120 for facility members; $145 for program members; fee includes uniform. Spring Season runs March 6-May 2 U4—Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m.

GWINNETT COUNTY PARKS

Pinckneyville Park Community Center 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake Open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. GwinnettParks.com, 678-277-0920

Grief and Loss Support Group Mondays. 11 a.m. Grief and loss are two of the most difficult emotions to face, but you don’t have to face them alone. This is a safe and caring environment for participants. Held in the Senior Meeting Room. For more information, contact Ellie Garrett at ejgarrett@gmail.com.

standard 52-card deck. To register, contact Mary Fender at 678-357-6709 or maryrfender@ yahoo.com.

Gwinnett Chess Club Every other Saturday.

Guitars for Vets

Admission: free

9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Mondays. 12-3 p.m.

For more information, contact JoAnne Leisen at 571-330-4730.

Admission: free

Admission: free This program helps Veterans cope with PTSD through music. Participants get 10 weeks of one-onone lessons. When finished with lessons, participants receive a free guitar. To register, contact Cliff Meinhardt at 404-234-8040. Learn more at guitars4vets.org.

Bridge Act II Fourth Monday of the month. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Book Club Last Tuesday of the month Admission: free Join in on the reading fun.

Senior Bridge Club Thursdays. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission: free Experienced Bridge players ages 50 and up are invited to participate in this trick-taking card game using a

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Caring for Those Who Care Tuesdays. 11:45 a.m. The YMCA’s weekly Caregivers Group provides a dedicated meeting space for caregivers to offer and receive emotional support. If you are providing care for a loved one, or want to learn more about long term caregiving, this group is for you. The group offers practical information while respecting confidentiality and encouraging camaraderie. Held in the Senior Meeting Room. For more information, contact Mary Crawley at mcrawley@wans. net.

Lifelong Learners Every other Friday. 12:15 p.m. For ages 50 and up, Lifelong Learners offers seniors the chance to come together and enjoy guest speakers, local field trips and spirited cultural discussions. Held in the Senior Center. For more information, contact Rob Wilson at robertw@ymcaatlanta.org. Other senior activities include: • Canasta — Mondays, 2 p.m. in the Senior Meeting Room • Dominoes — Thursdays, 10:45 a.m. in the Senior Meeting Room

Burleson at 404-932-8108 or wlenbl@gmail.com.

Atlanta Gourd Patch Second Saturday of the month Admission: free Residents aged 18 and up are invited to apply their creative talents to natural gourds.

Chess for all ages. All experiences are welcomed. To register, contact Tom Emch at 770-605-0429 or ibemch@charter. net.

Contact KMR01@aol.com for more info and the supply list. Call 678277-0920 for details.

Atlanta Hobby Robotics Club Third Saturday of the month. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. All ages are welcome to share their robotics ideas. To register contact Walter peachtreecornerslife

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PRIVATE OFFICES for RENT with Complimentary Access To Luxury Amenities

Introducing Second Story at Broadstone Peachtree Corners - Gwinnett County’s newest private office collective. Second Story features furnished private office space for rent on flexible monthly terms and includes two private conference rooms, a co-working lounge with outdoor terrace and a community kitchen. Memberships at Second Story provide complimentary access to Broadstone Peachtree Corner’s luxury amenities, including a resort style pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, clubroom and game lounge with golf simulator. Join the thriving community of innovators and entrepreneurs that call Peachtree Corners home while seamlessly incorporating wellness into your routine. Start Your Second Story Membership Today!

678.710.3317 3375 Oak Harbor Drive Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

The Spirit of RUSH 3116 Main St., Duluth eddieowenpresents.com

Songwriters in the Round: Amelia White, Carter Sampson and Michelle Malone February 8. 8 p.m. Amelia White has built a folk-pop catalog full of hooks and moody singing. Oklahoma-bred Carter Sampson is a singer/songwriter whose songs resonate with the heartland. Michelle Malone has the soul of a bluesman, heart of a folksinger and guts of a rock and roll star.

R&B Inc. February 9. 8 p.m. The nine-piece R&B and soul band R&B Inc. is made up of seasoned professionals who’ve entertained audiences and appeared with top artists for more than five decades.

Matthew Kaminski’s Mondo Hammondo

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Louise Mosrie is a classically trained singer and award-winning songwriter. Marc Douglas Berardo writes charming, gripping songs about unusual characters and places.

Yoshee So: The Experience February 22. 7 and 9 p.m. Yoshee So is a nationally touring comedian who’s opened for comedy royalty like Chris Tucker and slayed festival stages. He’s co-founded the Red Pill Players, an improv troupe that will be featured.

Lee Roy Parnell February 23. 8 p.m. Guitar-slinger Lee Roy Parnell performs frequently at the Grand Ole Opry and has been inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

February 10. 8 p.m. A jazz organist, pianist, accordionist — and the official organist for the Atlanta Braves — Matthew Kaminski adventures into obscure music genres like Space Age Pop and Lounge Jazz.

February 24. 8 p.m. Georgia’s premier Rush tribute band performs the “Moving Pictures” album.

Jazz Legacy Project Presents the Life of Billie Holiday February 26. 7 p.m. The show features singer Maria Howell and includes a multimedia experience of live music, narration, images and video footage as it explores the life of a musical legend.

Stand Up Comedy Night Hosted by Yoshee! March 1. 8 p.m. The first Friday of the month features a night of comedy, hosted by Yoshee So. The Atlanta-based comic says he was raised by immigrant parents and TV sitcoms of the 80s and 90s.

A Tale of Two March 2. 8 p.m. Combining Americana and blues melodies with Southern storytelling, vocalist Stephanie Adlington and guitarist Aaron Lessard draw influence from the likes of Tom Waits, Ray LaMontagne and Patsy Cline.

Stand Up Comedy Night Hosted by Yoshee

Mama Said String Band March 8. 8 p.m. The Louisville, KY-based fourpiece Mama Said String Band delivers a refreshing reinvention of once-forgotten sounds through their own brand of grassroots.

Shawn Mullins Birthday Shows! March 15 and 16. 8 p.m. Atlanta-born singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins, most known for his hit “Lullaby,” celebrates by sharing his music.

Nashville Celts with Matt Menefee of Mumford & Sons March 22. 8 p.m. Irish musicians have united with Nashville players to create the new sound and energy of The Nashville Celts. They perform a fresh hybrid that they call Irish Americana music.

Canyonland March 23. 8 p.m. If you like artists Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills & Nash, you’ll love Canyonland’s versions of their hit songs.

Last Chance Riders March 29. 8 p.m.

Christopher Paul Stelling Georgia-based songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling is known for his intricate finger-style guitar and vocal delivery.

Inspired by the Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones and David Bowie, the Last Chance Riders have a unique high-octane sound all their own. The show features Jessie Albright from Troubadour Project.

Love the One You’re With (An Evening of Love and Music)

Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam — A Tribute to Earl Scruggs

February 16. 8 p.m.

April 4. 8 p.m.

February 17. 8 p.m.

Consummate banjo artist Tony Trischka honors the music of Earl Scruggs, pioneer of the three-finger banjo style and one of the most important musicians in bluegrass.

Hey Dreamer and the Pussywillows perform a celebration of love.

Louise Mosrie & Marc Douglas Berardo February 18. 8 p.m.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

peachtreecornerslife

Peachtree Corners Budget-Friendly Sets Sights on Future Thrift Shop Multicultural Festival

By Arlinda Smith Broady With Gwinnett County being perhaps the most diverse county in the state and Peachtree Corners right along with it, recognizing different cultures, ethnicities and religions becomes important. The city is looking for a way to honor all members of the community in a special way. “We’re trying to be a city that maintains a much leaner workforce than your average municipality,” said City Manager Brian Johnson. “And as a result, there are some types of things that we are sometimes careful to not step into.” Still, celebrating Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Latin Heritage Month, etc. make sense, Johnson said. So, the city is looking to create an international or a multicultural event to honor its citizens while not overburdening its resources. “We would have one event in which we create an itinerary with aspects of all sorts of cultural components,” said Johnson. “There are lots of examples of this. I think Gwinnett County does a multicultural event.” The details are still coming together. The name or date hasn’t been solidified, but Johnson said it will hopefully kick off next year. Diana Wheeler, community development director for Peachtree Corners, is in charge of managing the special events at the Town Center, he noted. “She’s looking at coming up with some options on how that event would look. And we’re going to propose to council for it to get on the 2025 event calendar,” said Johnson. “We recognize that there’s value in celebrating diversity of culture, diversity of thought, diversity of religion,” he added. “And I think we could create a pretty cool event where we’re celebrating all of it.” Johnson said the city will send out a notice when it’s ready to gather ideas and seek volunteers for the event. He explained that while Peachtree Corners hasn’t held individual events to celebrate specific months, it isn’t because the city doesn’t want to support diversity. “It’s that we want do it right,” Johnson stressed. ■

Christ Church Thrift Shop, a fixture in Norcross for over 42 years, operates as a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Located at 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd, on the campus of Christ Church Episcopal, this thrift shop is staffed entirely by volunteers and plays a pivotal role in supporting families in the Norcross and Peachtree Corners areas. Budget-friendly shoppers will find an array of gently used clothing, household items and toys at affordable prices. All proceeds from the shop benefit the Outreach Ministries of Christ Church Episcopal. The shop is open for business every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents are encouraged to participate as volunteers, with flexible half-day shifts available either in the morning or afternoon. Those interested in donating seasonally appropriate clothing and household goods can do so during shop hours or by contacting the Shop Manager, Rosa Hernandez, at rosaurahernandez796@gmail.com or 404-868-8237. ■ Christ Church Thrift Shop 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd Norcross, GA 30071 www.ccnorcross.org 404-868-8237

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

COVER STORY

International Foods: Find Cuisines from

lthough the U.S. Census Bureau uses five racial and ethnic categories (six if you count “other”), the world is made up of so many diverse cultures that it would be nearly impossible to categorize them all. Perhaps more interesting than categorizing people is learning to enjoy the different cuisines they share with others. One of the greatest aspects of living in one of the most diverse counties in the country is that Gwinnett is home to a variety of food styles. While Italian, Mexican and Chinese dishes may be familiar, have you ever tried a West African, Jamaican or Persian dish? Peachtree Corners Magazine visited purveyors of these different fares operating here in town. We encourage you to give them a try. You’ll never know if your taste buds have more in common with a place across the globe than with the food you’ve been eating your entire life. Bon appetit! Or, in other words, Ɛyε dε, Eat good or Nooshe jân!

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Cafe Songhai on Holcomb Bridge Road

Cafe Songhai: Western African cuisine meets high-end dining

f you’re craving fufu or jollof rice, you’re in luck. Those traditional Nigerian dishes are on the menu at Cafe Songhai, a West African-themed restaurant in Peachtree Corners. Owners Matthew and Catherine Owusu opened the restaurant in 2017 with a desire to feature the cuisine of Matthew’s native land.

Photos by Tracey Rice

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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“My husband is Ghanian by birth and moved away from there in his early twenties,” said Catherine. He went to England to study and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.” But his passion for cooking was strong. So, he worked part-time in an African restaurant as well. He eventually moved to the U.S., where the two met. Catherine is Bahamian and a professional in the banking industry. While studying in South Carolina, she applied for a Green Card during a lottery period for Bahamians. She was awarded permanent residency but was required to maintain a full-time job. To do that, she worked at her uncle’s dental office in Nashville. Upon graduation, she applied for a banking job, but the city didn’t have many options for international banking, her specialty. So, she ended up in Atlanta at Wells Fargo. peachtreecornerslife

peachtreecornerslife

m Across the Globe Just Down the Road

cause I still have a full-time position,” she said. Catherine now works in fintech but enjoys her role at Cafe Songhai.

A new concept is born With Matthew’s strong culinary skills and science background, it was clear that he would run the kitchen. The two came up with the concept together and chose the name based on an old West African kingdom, the Songhai Empire. “My husband did a lot of work to open the place, renovating it and everything,” she said. “I am typically the one who is there in the front, overseeing and managing it while interacting with customers and the Jazz night every weekend. staff.” Cafe Songhai opened in 2017. Its goal was to be By 2008, Matthew was working with and helpan upscale West African restaurant for metro ing one of the major West African restaurants in Atlantans. Atlanta. As a result, he wanted to open his own “We knew that there was a market for it. That’s with his wife helping in the background. why we chose a location in Peachtree Corners,” “He’s the one that manages the restaurant day she said. “It met certain criteria — it had a diverse to day. I am typically there on the weekends be-

population, it was close to a population who would perhaps not be West African but would be open to trying that sort of food, and it had a patio for outside dining, was accessible and had parking.” She added that Atlanta parking can be challenging to find, and accessibility is so crucial to customer satisfaction. Finding parking can add another $20 to the evening’s expenses. A few years after Cafe Songhai opened, the COVID pandemic wreaked havoc on the restaurant industry, but Matthew’s versatility was a saving grace. “Where many places had to close down or lay off their staff because they just weren’t getting the business, he was able to cook it, serve it up and hand it to those customers who were ordering takeout,” Catherine recalled. “There were times when he was there by himself doing takeout online orders. We made it through because he could handle it,” she explained. At the time, the couple revamped their restaurant style and pivoted to online takeout only. “I distinctly remember that day; it was a Friday. That sounds like a song or an intro to a book,” she said. “It was a Friday, and I was there, and I remember we just started getting a lot of phone orders.” Again, luck was on their side. They had just implemented an online takeout system and managed to keep up with the demand of loyal patrons FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

who still wanted Ghanaian and Nigerian dishes but wouldn’t eat out in public. “We never closed. I know a lot of places closed for a couple of weeks,” she said. We reopened to full service a little later than others, but we needed to rebuild our staff, and we wanted to do it right.” Catherine credits resilience, reputation, and customer loyalty for their continued success. “We have customers who have been with us from the beginning,” she explained. “I wouldn’t want to go through that again, but [my husband] was able to keep us going, whereas maybe some other owners weren’t necessarily able to do that.”

Lillie J’s Kitchen & Cocktails: Jamaican spice with Southern American soul

Come for the food, stay for the ambiance Now that everything is back up to speed, the Owusus continue offering an excellent West African dining experience. During the day, the focus is more on takeout and quick orders. But in the evening, the operation turns to upscale dining. “We aim to educate people,” she said. “I know there are some who come, and they just want to try West African food. They’re not familiar with it.” She and the staff have no problem explaining the options. “We’ll even try and equate the food to the familiar,” she said. “For instance, I will ask someone, ‘Where are you from? Where is your family from?’” Those familiar with Black American soul food can relate to black-eyed peas, rice and okra. Someone with Caribbean roots might be steered toward a whole grilled fish, plantains and spicier options. “We might have someone who just wants to try a certain dish like fufu,” she said. More Americans are familiar with African fare thanks to food and travel channels and social media. “There was a big fufu challenge on TikTok or Instagram not long ago,” she said. “So, we had quite a few people who would say, ‘I want to try fufu.’” “It’s a starch that you eat with something else,” she said. “There are soups and stews that go with fufu.” For the complete experience, the eatery offers live music on some Friday evenings. “We have good food portions and a really good quiet but comfortable atmosphere,” she said. “My husband has excellent music. He plays anything from Marley to Afrobeat to jazz to pop. And we’ve had customers who will ask for a copy of his playlist.” The Owusus work hard to make Cafe Songhai very personable and unique based on the food, the atmosphere and the art. ■

Tiffany Coleman

f you look at Tiffany Coleman’s resume, you’ll see an extensive background in talent management and talent production in film and television. “I’m definitely a behind-the-scenes person, for sure. I’m too shy to be out front,” she said. “I’m good at managing things — schedules and stuff like that.” But, if you look into her heart, you’ll find a person who loves her roots and the art of perfecting a delicious dish. Although she hasn’t given up her career in entertainment, Coleman has branched out into another field – restaurateur. “I’m originally from New Jersey, but my mom was born in Jamaica. She came to America when she was very young,” said Tiffany. “She stayed in the kitchen with her mom, and that’s where she learned to cook.” Like in many close-knit communities, neighbors and aunts also contributed to Annette Coleman’s

culinary training. “She just loves the kitchen,” said Tiffany. “I guess that was therapeutic for her because she left Jamaica at such a young age to come to America that her cooking brings the families together. It was like a focal point for people to fall in love with her.” Subsequently, the craft was passed down to Tiffany, who experiences the same love of cooking. But, unlike her mother, she doesn’t work at a quick pace. “I know how to cook because I was always in the kitchen with my mom,” Tiffany explained. “But I really like to take my time. It’ll take me hours to cook a meal. So, I’m not the one cooking for a restaurant. But my mom can do it in no time with her eyes closed.” Multi-talented Annette has owned, managed and consulted on numerous food businesses in the metro Atlanta area. “This is actually our, well, my mother’s fifth restaurant,” Tiffany said. “It’s my first one all

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Photos by George Hunter

Generations of culinary love

Cafe Songhai 3380 Holcomb Bridge Rd Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.cafesonghai.com 470-359-2969

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Left, and above passionate customers at Lillie J’s Tiffany Coleman (Courtesy of LIllie J’s)

her love of cooking. “The restaurant is actually named after my dad’s mother, Lillie Jones,” she said. “We were trying to be funny. She doesn’t know how to cook at all. She can barely boil two eggs.” But Jones loved good food and good conversation. “She’d sit in the kitchen with my mother while she cooked, and they’d talk and have a good time,” said Tiffany. “So, my mom wanted people to be like Lillie J and enjoy a meal in the same way my grandmother did.” Annette is the head chef at Lillie J’s, but the concept and the management belong to Tiffany. She comes in early, gets things going, and moves through the many restaurant tasks. “People think she’s Lillie J because they are her recipes,” said Tiffany.

Jamaica meets the South

hands in.” Annette started a restaurant in New Jersey with Rita Owens, Queen Latifah’s mom before she moved to Georgia. The family also owned a breakfast bar in Jersey. “When we moved down to Georgia in 2009, she opened another restaurant,” said Coleman. “We had two in Georgia before opening Lillie J’s.”

What’s in a name? Ironically, Tiffany didn’t name her first restaurant after her mother, the person who nurtured

The food blends Jamaican spice and American soul, with Annette’s creativity thrown in for good measure. Many of her New York area friends and family had Southern roots and taught her how the South fixes collard greens, yams and a whole slew of other mouth-watering dishes. “I would say it’s a fusion restaurant,” said Tiffany. “We’ve got a little Jamaican, a little Southern American and a lot of love.” Traditional fare such as shrimp and grits and Southern fried chicken are expected, as well as curry chicken and braised oxtail. But there are twists on the menu, like brussels sprouts tossed in guava or avocado toast topped with plantains. Even the cocktails are diverse. You could order an “Island Mule” or a “Dark and Lovely” as easily as a “Listen Linda” or a “Wrecked Side Car.” Although she loves everything on the menu, Tiffany said one of her absolute favorites is the

honey cornbread. “I’m always mixing it on my plate with yams or even the mac and cheese – it’s just ridiculous!” she said. Anyone who likes to lick their fingers and get personal with their meal will have a dilemma in choosing what to try. “Just get one of everything,” Tiffany said. “You won’t be disappointed.”

Best of both worlds Lillie J’s is in its second year and doing well, said Tiffany, but she wants it to do better. Splitting her time between two careers isn’t easy, but she believes she can make it work. Besides being a phenomenal cook, Annette is a successful hairdresser. “My mom has done hair for a very long time. Well, my whole, honestly,” said Coleman. She worked on the Ricki Lake Show, the Queen Latifah Show and the Court Show with Judge Glenda Hatchett. Her connections helped open doors for her daughter, and the two formed a community within the television and film industry. “I’d always go to work with [my mom] when I was on break from college,” she said. “I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and I fell into TV and film.” Coleman said she loves what she does but wanted to try something different. “For the past decade, I’ve been dedicating my life to other people’s lives, and I just felt like I wanted something of my own,” she said. She doesn’t have plans to leave the film and television industry. “It’s something I can’t get away from, but it’s more like I could do all my eyes closed,” she said. So, the restaurant business is a new challenge she hopes will succeed – one bite at a time. ■

Lillie J’s Kitchen & Cocktails 5975 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 102 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.lilliejs.com 678-395-4095

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

DiBar Grill: A taste of Persia in Peachtree Corners help him with this process. Larose has been in the service industry for several years but was looking for a change when he came across Taaj Market. After hearing about Fadavi‘s new ideas for the restaurant, Larose stepped up to help bring them to life. To really elevate the experience, DiBar Grill added a full bar and designed the space with a more eye-appealing look. Revamping an established brand was a new experience for Fadavi and Larose, but together, they created and executed a beautiful vision for DiBar Grill.

Persian cuisine 101 Persian cuisine is a diverse culinary tradition that reflects the region’s long history and varied climate. It’s characterized by its bold and distinct flavors, including hardy meats, filling starches and savory sides. Spices, including saffron, turmeric, cinnamon, dried lime, cardamom and rose petals are staples in Persian cuisine. Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, dill and mint are also frequently used. “Expect a lot of red meat in many dishes, “ Kamel said. Lamb is one of the most popular meats in Persia, so when dining at a Persian restaurant, you can expect to see many different lamb preparations. Lamb shanks and kebabs are two classic dishes that foodies can relish. While these lamb dishes are Persian must-haves, customers can also enjoy a variety of chicken, beef and seafood dishes.

Larry Larose

n the heart of Peachtree Corners, a culinary gem is weaving rich Persian flavors into the fabric of the community. The epicenter of ancient Persia was located in what is now modern-day southwest Iran, and its cuisine is known for unique spice blends, savory meats, and herbaceous vegetables. Kamel Fadavi is originally from the Middle East and moved to the Peachtree Corners area in 2014. When moving to the area, Fadavi wanted to make sure he brought some of Persia with him. Fadavi attempted to open his first restaurant in 2014 but had a few setbacks during production. “It was very difficult at first, trying to find a space,” Fadavi said about finding the perfect location for his restaurant. He also faced difficulties trying to get a license and permit to open his restaurant. Yet, Fadavi persevered and was able to pursue his dream. His first restaurant opened in Septem-

The full Persian experience

ber of 2015. Originally named Taaj Market and Restaurant, this eatery offered both shopping and dining experiences, allowing customers to experience Persia inside and outside their homes. Despite the success of Taaj Market in marrying the market and restaurant experience, Fadavi felt inspired to elevate the concept further.

DiBar Grill offers flavorful spreads and appetizers, such as hummus, labneh and roasted red peppers, along with its variety of lamb dishes. These small appetizer plates are also entirely vegan on their own. You can expect these spreads to be served with a warm sangak, a whole wheat leavened flatbread. Cheese is another favorite in Persian dishes, but labneh is a distinctive dish patrons must try. Yogurt strained in cheesecloth for two to three days produces a smooth, creamy spread with a tangy flavor. Whether you are in for a full meal or a palatable snack, DiBar Grill gives customers the perfect Persian dishes. DiBar Grill offers delivery for its entire menu, which you can order from its website. Whether you’re celebrating a Sunday night at home or a special occasion at a location of your choice, DiBar Grill has you covered. ■

Brand new look, same great food

Words and photos by Kendyl Clarke

In 2023, Fadavi decided to redesign the restaurant and offer customers a more elegant and exciting experience. Thus, DiBar Grill was launched. Fadavi hired a new manager, Larry Larose, to

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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DiBar Grill 6385 Spalding Dr Suite B Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.dibargrill.com 770-559-8799 peachtreecornerslife

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Atlanta Urgent Care at Peachtree Corners is located at the northeast corner of Peachtree Parkway and Peachtree Corners Circle. In the Georgia Clinic building, next door to Chase bank. Across the street from J. Alexanders Across the street from the Forum on Peachtree Parkway.

Experience the difference of Doctor-Designed Care • Insurance and Cash Patients Accepted • Walk-ins Always Welcomed

What’s Happening at The Forum Tuesday, February 13th | 6 - 8PM Grab your girl gang for a galentine’s celebration at The Forum! Enjoy treats, deals and raising a glass with your gals.

Saturday, March 16th | 3 -5PM Experience a purely gold St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring music, dancing and Irish flair.

To stay up to date on The Forum’s Redevelopment, visit theforumpeachtree.com/redevelopment

@THEFORUMPTC | THEFORUMPEACHTREE.COM | 5155 PEACHTREE PARKWAY | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA 30092

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Restaurante Guatemalteco Fuente de Bendición Inc.: Delicious home-made Guatemalan fare

24 great restuarants with international foods and drinks 1804 Caribbean Cuisine

Lon U (Chinese)

Adnaf Restaurant (African)

M&J Caribbean Cuisine

(Haitian) 3435 Medlock Bridge Rd Suite 204 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 678-691-9071 6405 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Suite E Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.adnafrestaurant.com 470-416-6416

Aomi (Japanese)

5145 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 470A Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.aomijapanese.com 770-840-8710

Bull Gogi (Korean)

5500 Spalding Dr Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 678-691-5884

Choong Man Chicken (Korean)

By Kendyl Clarke

ringing international restaurants to Peachtree Corners is a way for the community to experience new cultures in a unique way. The Torres Family decided their dream was to bring Guatemalan cuisine to the community.

La familia Restaurante Guatemalteco Fuente de Bendición Inc. is a family-owned restaurant that serves traditional Guatemalan dishes. “First, it was a dream of my parents, and we together, as a family, decided to give them our support,” Yoselin Torres, the owner’s daughter, said. When discussing the opening of their restaurant, they chose the Peachtree Corners area because they were attracted to the environment and community. When opening their restaurant, The Torres family had to put a significant amount of time and effort into crafting the perfect environment, menu and dishes. “We developed our menu by not just putting the menu in Spanish, but writing it in English too,” Yoselin said. This allows customers from all different backgrounds to experience their restaurant whether they are familiar with or new to Guatemalan cuisine.

A taste of Guatemala Guatemalan cuisine is a vibrant and flavorful reflection of the country’s cultural heritage, including influences from its Mayan roots and Spanish colonialism. Typical Guatemalan dishes use various local ingredients, including corn, beans, chilies, fruits and vegetables. “The seasoning is another step for us to be authentic. That is what makes us unique,” Yoselin said. The Torres family is continuously putting in hard work to improve their restaurant and experience for their customers. At the beginning of their journey, Yoselin stated it was very challenging, and they did not have much experience, but they are continuing to learn new things every day. “We are so thankful because God has helped us a lot in everything. There are some ups and downs, but we believe that we will get through this together,” she said.

Restaurante Guatemalteco Fuente de Bendición Inc. 5510 Spalding Dr Suite C Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.restauranteguatemaltecofuentedebendicioninc.business.site 470-359-5170 ■

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

5005 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 860 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.lonunorcrosstogo.com 770-441-0200 3380 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite7A Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 470-395-5192

Mojitos (Cuban)

5161 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 630 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.mojitosbistro.com 770-686-3254

Pho Viet Number One Peachtree Corners (Vietnamese) 6025 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 9 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-710-0565

Royal Bistro (Thai)

5270 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 115 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-676-0306

6365 Spalding Dr Suite A Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.royal-bistro.com 678-404-7733

Four Seasons (Asian fusion)

Shah’s Halal (Middle Eastern)

JinBei West (Korean with

Spice it Up (Caribbean)

7722 Spalding Dr Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.fourseasonsasiancuisine.com 770-446-5555 Japanese influences) 5170 Town Center Blvd Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.jinbeiwest.com 678-587-5323

Kiko’s Tacos & More (Mexican) 3435 Medlock Bridge Rd Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.kikosmexican.com 770-441-1818

Kool Runnings (Jamaican)

5450 Peachtree Pkwy Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.koolrunningsrestaurant.com 770-441-0207

La Parilla (Mexican)

5131 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 1005 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.laparrilla.com 770-242-0766

La Ruana (Columbian)

4015 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite 200 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 470-275-3968

Latin Fresh (Latin-American) 4941 S Old Peachtree Rd Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.latinfreshgroup.com 470-861-7786

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5450 Peachtree Pkwy NW Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.shahshalalfood.com 678-292-6426

3375 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite D Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.spiceitupfusion.com 770-582-6682

Sushi Mito (Japanese)

6470 Spalding Dr Suite P Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.sushimito.com 770-734-0398

Sushi Osawa (Japanese)

5270 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 119 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.sushiosawa.online 678-691-3034

Taichi Bubble Tea (Taiwanese) 6135 Peachtree Pkwy Suite 200 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 678-691-3577

Tortugas Cuban Grill

3466 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite AA Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 www.tortugascubangrill.com 470-275-5599

Xela pan #2 (Guatemalan)

3375 Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite A Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-674-1808 Compiled by Kristen Corley

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

A Small Peachtree Corners Business Making Big Waves Among Wine Enthusiasts

rbinich Wines has been thriving in Peachtree Corners since 2019, serving over 50 accounts primarily in Gwinnett County with others in North Fulton, Cobb and DeKalb. Margo Grbinich-Hunt began the business after a successful career in the medical field as the owner of Sunrise Health Management. She had retired and was “enjoying life” when her travels started her on a new path.

Returning to her roots: Živjeli! (Croatian for Cheers!) Though her father spoke Serbo-Croatian fluently, the career Army officer focused on becoming all-American, putting his family heritage on the backburner in favor of assimilating. Curious about her European roots, Grbinich travelled to Donja Kupčina, her father’s birthplace, as an adult, in search of the long-lost relatives she’d always heard of. While she delighted in connecting with her paternal kinfolk and soaking up the beauty of Croatia, she was struck by the phenomenal natural resource in their grape cultivation and the world-class wines they produce. She emerged a wine adventurer. “A big part of my vacation was spent enjoying the wines and varietals throughout the country. When I came back to Atlanta, it was disappointing that wine boutiques didn’t carry wines from the Balkans,” she shared. Seemingly, the rest of the world began to discover Croatia’s charm with its 1,104-mile-long coast lapped by the crystal waters of the Adriatic Sea, just as Grbinich did. Today, several Croatian ports are popular tourist destinations. Grbinich was drawn to the picturesque, central-southeastern European country and the warmth of its people who remain grateful for America’s support during the Balkan war of the 1990s.

Encore career: the birth of a wine diva A few more trips and sips and Grbinich delved deeper into the world of Balkan wine production.

By Patrizia Winsper

Margo Grbinich-Hunt in Croatia this past September.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Unique terroirs and microclimates characterize the diverse wine regions of Croatia. The northernmost Istrian peninsula produces modern whites and rich reds. The islands and mountains of Dalmatia gifted the world with high quality white and red wines from vines growing on treacherous slopes, as well as the dignified Dalmatian dog breed. Inland Slavonia’s continental climate and fertile soil produce light, crisp, mildly aromatic white wines. The island of Krk is known for its dry white wines and domestic reds. Hvar produces fruity whites and bold reds. Once she discovered this hole in the American wine scene and realized there was fun to be had in the world of wine distribution, her second career was born. “I’ve always had a lot of business acumen. I love starting businesses, realizing where there are certain market niches to fill. I went from one type of medicine to another, in some respects,” Grbinich chuckled. Grbinich Wine’s small, efficient staff covers sales, operations, deliveries, bookkeeping and advertising. The company seeks to satisfy retailers with the right price point and products for whatever customers request.

Building relationships Though Grbinich holds a license to import international wines herself, this lady boss prefers to work closely with local importers concentrating on distribution to restaurants, wine boutiques, liquor stores and specialty European markets. Her product line has expanded to reflect the multicultural city of Atlanta and diverse communities like Gwinnett County. Today, Grbinich is the largest distributor of Romanian wines in Atlanta. Wines from the Republic of Georgia, located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia, make up her second largest product by volume. Croatian wines comprise her third largest-selling category. Curiosity and attentive customer service have Grbinich branching out to carry wines from all over the world, in addition to those from former Yugoslavia that started it all. The wines and spirits she stocks from other Balkan countries include products from Bulgaria, Bosnia, Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine. Vendors also demand wines from France, Italy, Turkey and South America. In-person meetings keep Grbinich abreast of her customers’ needs. She relishes guiding them in their buying choices and customizing inventory to satisfy them. Hosting educational events and tastings on site or in her warehouse tasting room also proves to be beneficial for her retailers. The price point of Grbinich Wines is approachable, with bottles retailing from $10 to $40. “I try to purchase wines that are reasonable, especially in today’s economic climate. People are buying down. They want a fine Cabernet but instead of spending $30 for a bottle, they’re looking to spend $15 to $20,” Grbinich added.

Tastings When it comes to wine degustation to familiarize customers with her exclusive products, Grbinich recommends a maximum of six: a mix of whites, rosés and reds. “Everything will taste good after the sixth one, including Boone’s Farm,” she laughed. Or one might choose to do a tasting of all reds, all

whites or all dessert wines. “It’s easier for consumers to notice variations within one kind,” she said. Training your palate to identify different notes of a wine, flavors and spices, is comparable to training your ear to hear different notes when you’re playing an instrument, according to Grbinich. “Once you start on that journey, it’s really fascinating,” she smiled.

Don’t balk at trying Balkan Wines You’ve never heard of Balkan wines? All the more reason to try them! With 2,500 years of wine production history, vehement vintners who’ve been perfecting their craft for centuries, taking great pride in maintaining European winemaking traditions and countless indigenous grape varieties, one would be amiss not to try these wines. Whether you’re a wine aficionado or someone who appreciates an occasional glass with a nice meal, it would be a shame to limit your exposure to just a select few grape varietals commonly appreciated in the United States. “You could probably name on one hand each of the reds and whites we customarily enjoy. In Europe, there are dozens of grape varietals that I was totally unfamiliar with and yet they’re so delicious, refreshing and pure,” Grbinich expounded. Also worth highlighting are the health bene-

fits of more organic, natural wines from small-scale, family-based European viniculture prioritizing a love of the land, immediate consumption and enjoyment of the fruits of the earth as they are harvested. In contrast, millions of barrels of one varietal mass-produced in the United States necessitate manipulation and not-so-natural processes to preserve the wine. Besides those seeking wines from their home-

Top, Grbinich exploring wineries in Europe to import to the States. Above, map of Croatia and the regions Grbinich has toured for new wines. Next page, Margo Grbinich-Hunt, Owner of Grbinich Wines in Peachtree Corners, supplying Corners Fine Wine and Spirits with a selection of Balkan wines.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

lands, more and more Atlantans and residents of surrounding areas are craving something new. Grbinich describes Atlanta as a “wine city,” evidenced by an explosion of wine boutiques. Coaxing people into testing their comfort zones and trying new vinos is Grbinich’s mission, “Life is too short to get stuck on one or two favorites!”

Difficult to say, delicious to drink The most beloved red wine along

the Adriatic Coast comes from a grape called Plavac Mali which is genetically linked to Zinfandel. Zinfandel, known as Tribidrag in Croatia, is thought to be a California born grape. However, it was introduced to California during the Gold Rush in the 1850s from Croatia. Plavac Mali is known for producing flavorful, deep red wines ranging from medium to full-bodied, high in tannins, alcohol content and minerality resulting from rocky, coastal growing conditions. Its characteristic aromas span from sour cherry, red plum, licorice and spices to figs and dark berries. If you like Zinfandel, you’ll love Dingac Plavac Mali, available upon request by retailers. Although most Croatian wines aren’t meant to be aged, Plavac Mali ages well. Ukrainians make an incredible Cabernet: Stefania Cabernet Sauvignon. Find it at Buford Farmers Market. It’s full-bodied, aromatic and affordable. Sauvignon Blanc fans would love fruity, Malvazija with its surprising floral aroma. Ask for Vina Laguna Malvasia from the Istrian peninsula at Corners Fine Wine and Spirits in Peachtree Corners. Grbinich’s newest Piazza Mistrichi Italian Proseccos are coming soon to Italian restaurants with impeccable taste near you! Do you fancy German pilsners?

Try Romania’s Timișoreana, a golden, well-balanced lager with hop aroma dating back to 1718. Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits in Doraville carries it. The stylishly packaged Hafner Premium X.O. brandy from Austria with notes of dark vanilla, caramel, molasses and a hint of tobacco is kosher, organic and vegan. Break the rules and pick a wine you like! “If you want a red with your trout, that’s fine! If you want a nice white with a steak, it doesn’t matter. It’s your money,” Grbinich stated.

quenting a number of wine schools to train her palate. Broadening her own knowledge of wines better enables her to guide others in enjoying them without insecurities. You don’t have to be a cork dork or understand the complex science behind winemaking in Grbinich’s view — it’s fine to simply enjoy it! ■

Cork or cap? Nothing can replicate the ceremonial uncorking of a bottle of wine nor the popping perfection of that celebratory sound but contrary to popular belief, a cork doesn’t necessarily denote a higher quality bottle of wine, according to Grbinich, who carries both cork and screw cap bottles. In fact, since corks are porous, they can invite spoilage. A twist top doesn’t require special equipment to open, so Grbinich finds them less intimidating. Plus, transporting an opened bottle is easier with a cap. Wineries are turning to screw caps and looking to make them more environmentally friendly.

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Ordering Grbinich Wines & Spirits The small wine distributor has not had an order they couldn’t handle yet, whether the request has been for large seasonal orders, weddings or festivals. Grbinich offers beer, wine and spirits. She carries a variety of beers — ales, pilsners and lagers — from around the world including Germany and the Czech Republic. Pisco, a South American Brandy, is sought after in Peruvian and Chilean restaurants. To learn more about Grbinich’s merchandise visit grbinichwines.com.

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COMMUNITY

Stay Together Furever Aims to Reduce Pets in Local Animal Shelters

ur pets are our family, and sometimes families fall on hard times, which often means furry friends tragically end up at local rescue centers or shelters. These heart-breaking surrenders are usually due to circumstances beyond the owner’s control. But what if a pet safety net fostering program could provide short-term support and reunite families with their pets once they are back on their feet? That’s what Vicki Chin thought when she had the idea for Stay Together Furever (STF), a non-profit startup launched in October 2023 that focuses on helping lower-income and fixed-income families facing a life crisis retain possession of their beloved pets. “I got started in dog rescue in 2007 and have served in numerous volunteer roles over the years, first with Small Dog Rescue and then Angels Among Us Pet Rescue,” said Chin. “In that time, I have fostered over 80 dogs, most of which were rescued from local animal shelters. Most recently, I served on the board of directors for Angels.” “The idea for Stay Together Furever came about

By Anna del Villar

unexpectedly in July 2023 when a friend and director of a local community charity contacted me to inquire about temporary help for two cats whose elderly owner was being evicted,” she recounted. Chin was familiar with Paws Between Homes (PBH), a nonprofit that provides foster services to pets whose owners are facing a housing crisis. Unfortunately, the cats’ owner resided outside PBH’s service area, so they could not help. However, the incident opened Chin’s eyes to the widespread need for pet safety net fostering. PBH invited her to join its Steering Committee and learn more about the organization. “[PHB has] been extremely supportive in helping me launch STF,” she added. Overcrowding in local animal shelters is placing undue strain on county animal shelters, resulting in increased euthanasia rates in kill shelters while forcing traditionally non-kill shelters to reevaluate their euthanasia policies. The mission of Stay Together Furever is to help reduce the number of pets being surrendered to local animal shelters by providing temporary foster homes for dogs and cats whose owners are facing a non-emergency crisis that could put their pets’ security or well-being at risk. Examples of applicable crisis situations include an eviction notice, a critical illness or a messy domestic breakup. “Animal shelters are overrun with owner-surrendered pets, and overcrowding in animal shelters has led to a three-year spike in euthanasia rates,” Chin explained. “I know first-hand that rescue groups are struggling to save as many lives as possible, but what I

Left, Vicki Chin and one of her first “foster fails,” Jimmy Middle, from left, Karen Bates, STF Chief Financial Officer and Vicki Chin at a 2023 benefit gala Above from left, Don Rorabaug, STF Chief Technology Officer; Vicki Chin, STF Founder and CEO; and Kay Smarr, STF Board Secretary at a 2023 benefit gala

have learned from my 17 years in pet rescue is that we cannot simply rescue our way out of the animal shelter overcrowding problem,” she stated. Through its network of foster homes, Stay Together Furever will provide up to ninety days of pet care. During that time, the non-profit will cover the costs of necessary veterinary services, including spaying or neutering, vaccinations and other routine medical care. The goal is to reunite the pets with their loving owners. The non-profit is targeting the second quarter of 2024 to begin helping local-area families in need. The non-profit will initially concentrate on assisting families residing in Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Duluth and Berkeley Lake. Stay Together Furever is actively recruiting foster homes to provide short-term fostering of cats and dogs to local-area families in need. If you are interested in becoming a short-term foster volunteer, email fostering@staytogetherfurever. org or visit www.staytogetherfurever.org/foster. This 501(c)(3) non-profit also accepts monetary donations and gently used pet supplies. To help or for more information, visit www.staytogetherfurever.org or follow them on Facebook. ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

C E L E B R A T E

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Easter Egg Hunt & Dinner | March 27 4:30 to 7 p.m. | Simpsonwood Park

Holy Thursday | March 28 7 p.m. | Sanctuary

A worship service remembering Jesus’ last supper with his disciples

Good Friday | March 29 Noon to 3 p.m. | Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary will be open for individual prayer

Easter Sunday | March 31

A celebration of Christ's Resurrection featuring beautiful music in all services

7 a.m.| Sunrise Service in Simpsonwood Park 10:55 a.m. | Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 11:05 a.m. | Modern Worship in the Family Life Center Simpsonwood United Methodist Church 4511 Jones Bridge Circle NW | Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 simpsonwoodumc.org | (770) 441-2181

My greatest source of satisfaction is serving others, both in real estate and in my community.

Whether you are looking to make our community your new home, moving locally or across the world, I am proud to offer the highest level of service. As a real estate expert who understands market trends, I am passionate about leveraging my acumen and the unrivaled marketing and resources of Sotheby’s International Realty® to achieve the best value for your investment.

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City Marshal’s Launch New Program to Curtail Vandalism at Town Center By Peachtree Corners Magazine Staff The City of Peachtree Corners’ Marshal’s Office, in conjunction with the Gwinnett County Police Department, is currently developing a program to address the increase in vandalism-related incidents at the Town Center and The Forum. Over the past 45 One of many days, several vandalcameras being ism-related events used by City have occurred in Marshals to the stairwells of the combat crime, Town Center parktagging and ing deck. As a result graffiti. of the vandalism, the Marshal’s Office has developed and implemented both a short-term and longterm solution. As an immediate action, the Marshal’s Office placed temporary motion-activated cameras in strategic locations within the Town Center parking deck stairwells. The placement of these cameras has led to the identification and capture of several of the individuals responsible for multiple incidents of tagging and graffiti that were occurring. As a long-term solution, the city has installed video cameras that are equipped with geofencing, motion alerting, object detection and speaker features to aid in the identification of suspects as well as curtail any future vandalism of the deck and stairwells. More recently, the Marshal’s Office has seen additional tagging and graffiti spread to other areas of the Town Center property. The city has deployed temporary solutions to other areas that have led to the successful identification of several suspects responsible for these illegal activities. The City of Peachtree Corners and the Marshal’s Office want the public to understand that safety is of the highest priority and the destruction and defacing of city property will not be tolerated. The city will continue to use the latest technologies and preventative strategies to ensure that visitors to the Town Center feel safe and have the best experience possible. If any member of the public observes any illegal activity at the Town Center, The Forum, or any other locations within Peachtree Corners, the city urges them to contact 911 and report the incident. ■

Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

International Charter Academy of Georgia’s Japan Day at the Capitol

By Kendyl Clarke

nternational Charter Academy of Georgia, located in Norcross, GA, offers a dual language education for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. On January 23, 2024, International Charter Academy hosted a “Japan Day at the Capitol,” during which 20 students from fourth and fifth grade were selected to sing a variety of songs in both English and Japanese. Ms. Norika Harada conducted the performance with assistant Ms. Mayuko Nelson, while Governor Brian Kemp and Consul General of Japan Mio Maeda watched on.

Peachtree Corners Magazine

Top photo — at left, Robert N. Johnson, Board Secretary Jessica Cork and Board Member Mellissa Takeuchi; at right, Felecia Tucker-Jones, Junko Jones and Daniela Britton

Kemp and Maeda recognized the school and the students performing as well as the 50th anniversary of the Consulate General of Japan’s office in Atlanta just before the performance. During the performance, the students performed “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “My Country Home,” “My Grandfather’s Clock,” and “It’s a Small World.” Many families, supporters and businesses attended the event to support International Charter Academy of Georgia on this special occasion. ■

Middle left photo — from left, Chairman of the ICAGeorgia Board Robert N. Johnson, School Principal Felecia Tucker-Jones, CFO Junko Jones and Board Member Daniela Britton Photos above and to the left — Consul General of Japan Mio Maeda (above) and Governor Brian Kemp (left) recognized the 50-year Anniversary of the Consulate General of Japan’s Office in Atlanta and a much longer, prosperous friendship and business relationship. peachtreecornerslife

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Technology in Pea B

eginning with the development of Technology Park in 1967, Peachtree Corners has become increasingly known for embracing smart technology and for attracting the talent and businesses that develop it. As a result, we are surrounded by smart technology and on the leading edge of testing potential new technologies that will improve our lives, make us safer, save us time, help the environment and connect us to each other. Enjoy these photos taken by members of the Peachtree Corners Photography Club which highlight the technology integrations in the city (like the EV charging stations, Urban Canopee, smart streetlights and surveillance cameras), the technology buildings and signage (like Curiosity Lab and Atlanta Tech Park), and people interacting with technology in places like labs and medical practices. The monthly meetings of the Club are free and open to everyone, from beginners to pros. For more information about the Club, go to their website at www.pcphotoclub.org. ■

Scan QR to find out more about the club.

Peachtree Corners Magazine

Top row from left, Tracey Rice —The Urban Canopee Nicole Brna — SWCell-4 Anna Niziol — Tower of Food Middle row from left, Marcia Brandes — solar roadway in front of city hall Tracey Rice — Technology Hub in Peachtree Corners Tracey Rice — Curiosity Fuels The Engine Of Technology Bottom row, Brian Walton — Equipped

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Top row, Eric Richter — Photographing Particles at 1000X Rafael Garcia - ASHRAE Middle row from left, Richard Phillips — Learning Robotic Surgery Anna Niziol — Pet Technology Third row from left, Richard Phillips — Try Your Surgical Skills Marcia Brandes —Tesla charging station

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Left column top down, Eric Richter — Reading the HPLC Separation Data Rafael Garcia — local street crossing Tracey Rice — State Of The Art Dental Technology Marcia Brandes — City Council room at City Hall Middle column top town, Marcia Brandes — EV charging at city hall Left, Richard Phillips — All in One Right, Richard Phillips — Ollie Remembered Anna Niziol — 3D machine

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SUMMER

Summer Camps 2024 Edition: Creating Life-Long Memories for Your Children

any of us can probably recall fond childhood memories of camp. I know I can. From conquering my fear of heights on a rock wall to learning how to throw pottery and perfecting my serve in tennis, summer camps allowed me to explore my curiosities and try new things. I can still remember Jenna, my favorite camp counselor, blasting Queen’s famous “I Want to Ride My

Compiled and edited by Anna del Villar

Bicycle” while a gaggle of 13-year-old girls sang at the top of their lungs. Now more than ever, it’s important for kids to feel safe in a fun environment, free of stress, where they can make similar memories that will last a lifetime. Below, we’ve compiled a list of upcoming summer camps in the Peachtree Corners area. Whether at a local school, park or museum, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect summer camp for your children.

Community camps

Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, located off Peachtree Industrial Blvd in Berkeley Lake, is offering two Summer Specialty camps for children ages 8 to 12. From Tuesday, May 28, to Friday, May 31, campers will learn old and new world drawing, painting, and sculpting techniques to create their very own masterpieces. The second Summer Specialty camp is for the young actors in

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

the family. From Monday, July 8, to Friday, July 12, campers will stretch their creative muscles and showcase their passion for performance. There is a $40 supply fee due to instructor Chris Harris on the first day of camp. Campers are advised to bring lunches and snacks with them. Registration is now open. Call 678277-0920 for more information.

Top from left, Greater Atlanta Christian and Wesleyan School Below, Marcus Jewish Community Center

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) is offering a mind-blowing ten weeks of summer days camps from May 27 to August 2, for children of all ages. MJCCA has a diverse range of activities, including sports, dance, faith, leadership, arts and cooking. The center also has a brand new outdoor aquatic center for summer 2024. This facility offers a zero-entry pool, shallow areas with multiple options for all ages, an in-pool sundeck, a water slide, a shaded pool, deck areas, renovated locker rooms, picnic areas and more! At MJCCA, summers are truly life peachtreecornerslife

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changing. Campers will master new skills, form friendships that will last a lifetime and strengthen their Jewish identities. Visit mjccadaycamps. org/camps to see the full lineup of camp offerings. Summer is a time for kids to find their sense of adventure and expand the limits of their imagination. From exploring nature to building imaginary worlds, Robert D. Fowler YMCA focuses on social-emotional learning and offers kids new experiences to discover what they love. Robert D. Fowler YMCA has over 100 half-day and full-day traditional and specialty camp options happening from May 28 to August 2. Specialty camps allow kids to expand their interests and learn new skills. Whether it’s cooking, basketball, drama or STEAM, children will have space to grow stronger, try new things and build their confidence in a safe and nurturing environment. The traditional campers will have fun engaging in a wide variety of games, activities and team projects, in an environment that allows them to connect with new people. Preschool-aged children, teenagers

and everyone in between can find their perfect camp at ymcaatlanta. org/camp/day-camp. Give your child a summer adventure to remember at Duluth’s Shorty Howell Park. Campers ages 7 to 13 can choose from four diverse day camp options. From natural wonders to cultural traditions, campers will explore every corner of the globe during Around the World from June 24 through June 28. Mix it Up features a variety of classic camp activities to keep kids entertained and engaged. This camp will take place from July 8 to July 12. The Shorty Howell Olympics are also back from July 15 to July 19. Campers can go for the gold through friendly competition, athletic showdowns and inter-camp games. The last camp of the season, Build It, allows participants to unleash their creativity and design their best craft creations from July 22 to July 26. Lunch is provided, but campers are welcome to bring their own. Registration is now open and can be completed by calling 678-277-0900.

CAMP QUESTS

Let the journey begin!

These summer camps feature weekly themes with engaging activities. Lunch and snack included. Best Friend Park, Norcross | Ages 7 – 13 Lucky Shoals Park, Norcross | Ages 5 – 13

Registration open! $101/week | CAPS approved GwinnettParks.com | 770.822.8840

School camps

Greater Atlanta Christian camps are where active play, enriching experiences and true relationships meet. With more than 30 summer enrichment programs in athletics, arts, academics and fun, campers can make new friends, discover new talents and explore in a safe, Christian environment. With a group of trained counselors, your child will be encouraged and celebrated in all they do. GAC parent Erica Pierre was thrilled with her children’s camp experience. “From the contagious smiles of the counselors that greet them in the mornings to fun times at the pool, this camp finds so many ways to create not only a fun, but also a meaningful time for each child.” Learn more at greateratlantachristian.org/campus-life/summer-camp. Wesleyan School’s summer camps have been a highlight for kids ages 5 to 14. With a blend of arts, athletics, STEM and life skills, these camps offer a rich mix of activities for kids. Wesleyan offers flexible half-day options starting at $175 and full-day camps for $400, fitting both schedules and budgets. This summer, the fun runs from June 10-28 and July 8-19. These camps have everything from sports like soccer and lacrosse to creative pursuits like chess and sewing.

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Kids can also dive into science with robotics programming or get artistic with photography. Each session is led by skilled counselors and coaches, ensuring a safe and engaging experience. Contact Kelly Weatherly, Wesleyan’s Director of Auxiliary Programs and Outreach for more information at kweatherly@wesleyanschool.org. Marist School invites children and teens, ages 5 to 17, to enjoy a summer filled with a wide array of camps that cater to a myriad of interests. For those with a passion for athletics, multiple sports camps are available. Budding musicians and producers can explore their talents in the music technology and production camp. For students seeking to boost their academic skills, Marist School provides a personal essay startup workshop and an intensive SAT/ACT boot camp. STEM fans will find the science camp both educational and exciting, while those interested in health and wellness can dive into the sports medicine camp. Future broadcasters can develop their skills in the sports center and entertainment tonight broadcasting camps. Additionally, the theater camp is the perfect stage for aspiring actors and performers to shine. These programs run from June 3 to August 2, promising a summer of learning, fun and personal growth for young individuals at Marist School. For the full list of available programs, visit maristschoolga. myrec.com/info/activities. For nearly three decades, Pinecrest Academy has hosted an array of summer camps filled with fun and educational value. These camps play a pivotal role in boosting confidence, fostering friendships and imparting new skills to children in a secure and caring Christian environment. Pinecrest welcomes children of many ages, from rising kindergartners to 12th graders, at their 68-acre campus. The schedule of activities includes a Coding Camp, Spanish Immersion Camp, Culinary Arts Camp and many more specialized programs like Paladin Boys Basketball Boot Camp, Play-Well TEKnologies and Sewing Camp. The camps are scheduled from June 3 to July 19. Registration is forthcoming and the complete camp lineup can be found at pinecre-

stacademy.org/campus-life/summer-camps.

Arts, sports and STEM

Creativity and fun await at Spruill Summer Art Camp! This summer, young artists ages 5 to 14 are invited to an extraordinary journey of discovery. From May 28 to August 9, each camp has its own captivating theme. Camp hours are set from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional before-care and after-care options available to accommodate various schedules. For the younger age group (5 to 10 years), campers start with a morning session led by a teacher, followed by a lunch break, and then an afternoon session with a different instructor. This format allows children to create an array of artworks, which are then showcased to parents at week’s end. A dedicated team of volunteers, including many former campers, is always ready to assist, ensuring that each camper receives the necessary support to thrive. For rising sixth to ninth graders, the Spruill offers specialized Stu-

exhibitions and develop their artistic skills in drawing, painting and design. Guided by professional teaching artists, campers will engage in activities that enhance their creativity and allow them to experiment with new techniques. The camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during various weeks from June 3 through August 2, with morning drop-off starting at 8:30 a.m. and afternoon pick-up until 4 p.m. There is also an aftercare option available until 6 p.m. for late pickups at an additional cost. Members of the High Museum are eligible for discounts and early registration, and non-members can easily add a membership during registration. For more details or assistance, the Museum provides a Camp FAQ and can be contacted at HMAcamps@ high.org or 404-800-0547. The 2024 season at Top Dog Volleyball Club is underway, focusing on teams from 12U to 17U. This summer, the club is planning clinics

United Fútbol Academy Norcross

dio Art Camps. These sessions are conducted by professional teaching artists who introduce new art skills, assist in refining techniques and provide opportunities for campers to express their creative ideas. Visit spruillarts.org/camps to register. This summer, the High Museum of Art invites young artists to immerse themselves in fine art through its weeklong camps designed for first through eighth graders. The 2024 Summer Art Camp, opening for registration on February 13 (early access now available for members), offers a unique way for children to explore the Museum’s galleries and learn about its collections. They will also get to visit special

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

and open gyms for May and June, which are open to everyone, not just club members. Key dates to watch out for include the club tryouts scheduled for July 12-14. For the latest events and registration, the club suggests subscribing to their newsletter and is open to queries at info@topdogvolleyball. com or 678-333-0982. United Fútbol Academy Norcross will host its 2024 Summer Ball Mastery Camp this June and July. Players of all skill levels born between 2011 and 2018 are welcome to participate. Directed by Juan Cruz, this camp is an excellent opportunity for young soccer players to improve their ball-handling skills, foot speed, peachtreecornerslife

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1v1 moves, stop/start techniques, and clever maneuvers that keep opponents guessing. The camp runs weekly from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, with sessions scheduled for June 3-7, June 10-14, June 17-21 and July 8-12. The Academy meets at Summerour Middle School in Norcross. Participants must bring their own ball, shin guards, plenty of water or ice, snacks or sports drinks and any necessary medications or EpiPens. Parents can reach Juan Cruz at norcrosscamps@unitedfa.org for further information or to register their children for this rigorous training experience. Club SciKidz believes that every child is a scientist and that they can become better scientists! This summer, Club SciKidz will introduce a new format with many different camp options for a wide range of age groups. For Pre-K to Kindergarten, camp themes include “Jurassic,” “Little Scientist” and “Mini Medical School,” among others. First through third graders can choose from “3D Creator,” “Junior Robot Engineer,” “Video Game Maker” and more. Fourth through seventh graders have more advanced options like “Emergency Vet,” “Forensic Detective” and “Young EcoExplorer.” Camps run Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, parents can contact Club SciKidz at 678-483-5651 or support@ clubscikidz.com. Paul Duke STEM High School in Norcross is hosting an array of Summer STEM camps for ages 7 through 12, with dates including June 3-7, June 10-14 and June 17-21. Campers will learn tons of new skills like Scratch, game development, Roblox, Python and robotics, with an emphasis on hands-on learning and building technological acumen. The camps have small class sizes and a 7:1 student-to-instructor ratio and are taught by vetted instructors from top universities. Paul Duke STEM provides full-day and half-day options, along with precamp and post-camp care for additional fees. Half-day summer programs are also available for younger participants, specially tailored for those at least five years old, focusing on educational Minecraft lessons and creative projects. ■

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

DOING GOOD

Changes at Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries Help Further Community Mission

eighborhood Cooperative Ministries has been battling poverty, food insecurity and homelessness, among other crisis events, in southwest Gwinnett, for 27 years. In total, NCM served more than 25,000 individuals in 2023, through direct support and personal empowerment programs. Over time, the county’s demographics have changed, meaning the organization has needed to adapt to serve the community.

By Arlinda Smith Broady

New truck to help deliver refrigerated products

Families now face long-term needs due to fixed incomes, homelessness, abuse, language barriers, single-parent homes and many other circumstances, according to the NCM website. NCM now serves 50 to 70 families each day from a 12,000-square-foot facility. In addition to a food pantry, NCM offers job readiness classes, on-site hiring events, money management courses and regular health fairs.

A new course of leadership Perhaps one of the biggest changes took effect this January. After almost 30 years of service to NCM, Executive Director Shirley Cabe will now give her primary focus to what she loves the most, the organization’s clients. Cabe has been with NCM since its inception and has helped grow the organization tremendously as needs in this service area have drastically changed. NCM’s Board of Directors supported Cabe’s request and developed a new role specifically for her. She will now serve as Director of Client Operations, allowing her to use her exceptional gifts and talents to serve those in need.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Additionally, Cabe will lead the expansion of the food program as refrigerated products will be added to client food offerings. Healthier food options such as protein, produce, reclaimed food and more will also be added. “Healthier intake directly correlates to improved health and more productivity,” said Cabe in a news release. “This new initiative is huge for the clients we serve. We want to positively contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty. I am excited about the opportunities ahead for NCM and grateful to transition into this new role, focusing on more impactful service to our clients.” With Cabe’s new role, former Director of Community Relations Ryan Jones will take over as Executive Director. Jones has been with NCM for three years. Under Jones’ leadership, the organization held its most successful fundraising event to date, bringing in over $519,000 to continue its mission of making a difference one family at a time. “Building out our team and people is the next step in the process,” said Jones. The big thing with the staffing change is just honoring Shirley and

peachtreecornerslife

Chuck Waters

Ryan Jones

the United States is wasted. With new resources in place to access surpluses from supermarkets, restaurants, distributors, farmers and more, NCM can put a sizeable dent in southwest Gwinnett county’s share of the waste. “We hope to use food as a resource, as we have more touch points with families that we see. So, as things come up in their lives, they’re seeing us more often, and we can step in when unexpected emergencies happen and try to address kind of the issues that have brought them to us in the first place,” Jones explained. “And with that comes just a lot more work.”

Dedicated board members Les Harper, who succeeded Elizabeth Gross, has taken over as chairman of the board of directors to help with the vision for that work. “My wife and I have been involved with Neighborhood Coop for a long time, volunteered through the church, and supported financially through the church over the years,” said Harper. When I retired from working a couple of years ago and was looking for opportunities to give back to the community … one thing led to another, and I had the opportunity to join the board,” he added. “I started on the board a couple of years ago, and then last year, I was asked if I would consider stepping into the board chair role [this year], which I was excited to do.”

her years at this organization and allowing her to serve people, which is the heartbeat of our organization; that’s how she best serves–interacting with our clients in our community.” Cabe’s larger role in the food program will help keep it running smoothly, he added. There is already an established pickup schedule from Publix and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Jones explained that about 40% of food in

Harper’s experience on the board and working closely with Gross for an entire year allowed him to step in almost seamlessly into the new position. “Elizabeth and I had a chance to work together in some leadership roles at church over the years. So, we have chaired and co-chaired a number of things over the years,” he said. “For the past 12 months, she’s been great at including me in everything and making sure that I was up to speed on everything, fully involved, and ready to go,” he said. Anyone involved in large-scale non-profit activities appreciates the time, energy, and resources that go into community organizing. To be good stewards of community trust, funds and well-being, NCM has focused on making operations run smoothly. “NCM is definitely a feet-washing ministry, especially with the food. … A lot of times it’s heavy, and it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s well worth it,” Jones said. “I’m moving from strictly fundraising to overseeing all aspects of the organization and strategic oversight of all the initiatives that we have going on. … I was born in Gwinnett County. “So, really, the big reasons that I left my corporate job to come to NCM is how impressed I was with the board and the staff when I met them before coming on and the fact that it serves an area where I grew up that has a lot of need,” he commented. Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries 500 Pinnacle Ct Norcross, GA 30071 www.ourncm.org 770-263-8268

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Non-Profit Protecting Kids from Predators Hosting St. Paddy’s Event

Images from last year’s successful Shamrock ‘n’ Roll event. (Courtesy of Revved Up Kids)

By Peachtree Corners Magazine Staff Alli and David Neal and their non-profit, Revved Up Kids, have been working diligently for the past 14 years to address an issue that most would prefer to avoid altogether. During that time, Revved Up Kids has equipped more than 45,000 Atlanta-area children and teens to be safer from sexual predators and traffickers. “We recognize the challenge that this issue presents on so many levels,” said Alli Neal. “It’s scary, it’s horrible, it’s unsavory and it’s challenging for parents to talk about it with their kids.” “That’s why we founded Revved Up Kids. We believe wholeheartedly that the easiest target for a predator is a child who doesn’t know predators exist. We want to help families with this difficult dialogue and equip kids with a response if they’re ever approached,” she added. Revved Up Kids is uniquely positioned in the Atlanta metro area. It is the only Atlanta-based non-profit focused solely on sexual abuse prevention training. Based in Peachtree Corners, they partner with youth-serving organizations, municipalities and private groups across the metro area to provide exceptional prevention training programs for children, teens, parents and other organizations. Revved Up Kids charges tuition when groups can afford to pay, but one of the top priorities for its Board of Directors is ensuring that all children have access to this critical training. Whenever a group pays

tuition for training, Revved Up Kids trains at least one other group at no charge. Revved Up Kids relies on community donations, corporate sponsors and grants to provide free training programs for low-income and high-risk groups. Hosting special events is vital to their ability to reach more children. “That’s where the community comes in,” said Neal. “Our signature fundraising event, Shamrock ‘n’ Roll, will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Norcross on Saturday, March 9, and we want to sell out this year.” Shamrock ‘n’ Roll is an adults-only event that features casino-style gaming, dancing, an exciting raffle, auction items and exquisite food and drinks. Tickets are on sale now, and sponsorships are also available for the event. Visit revvedupkids.org/shamrock for

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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details. “The support of our community, including our amazing sponsors, has a huge impact on our ability to reach more children with our life-saving training. This event is a fun way for everyone to join Revved Up Kids in protecting children,” said Neal. ■ Scan the QR Code to Learn More

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

BUSINESS

Pipedream Offers Innovative Last-Mile Delivery Solutions

Robot bridge at Curiosity Lab , right, delivering the lunch into the office. (Photos courtesy Pipedream)

icture this—a cold, blustery day perfect for snuggling on the couch with a good book and a steaming bowl of chowder. Even though your favorite restaurant is less than a mile away, it will take at least half an hour to bundle up, get in the car and pick up the order. Or you’re preparing your masterpiece dish for a special someone arriving in a few minutes. But you realize you’re out an essential spice and a conventional grocery delivery service will take about two hours to transport the ingredient. Well, for a lucky few, a new autonomous underground logistics system has recently revolutionized what the industry calls “last-mile” delivery in Peachtree Corners. Thanks to the vision of a company called Pipedream, fast, reliable, affordable and emission-less delivery of takeout food and grocery items can be delivered via an underground tunnel system in about 10 minutes. Garrett McCurrach, CEO of Pipedream, recently spoke with Peachtree Corners Magazine and shared insight into the world of hyper-logistics.

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Where it all started With a background in mechanical engineering, McCurrach didn’t begin his career dreaming of a way to streamline delivery services. “[I] realized that there are so many things, not just on the engineering side, but on the business side, that go into changing how things are done,” said McCurrach. “So, after finishing engineering school, I decided not to take a job right away, and I figured I needed to learn business. I started building apps to make rent and learned to code. Just started building things for small businesses that help them with their day-to-day,” he explained. McCurrach started in business development at a company called Martin Bionics. “I’ve always wanted to do prosthetics. It’s really what I went to engineering school for. I used that time to think about the one big thing that I could spend the next decade of my life on something that … was so important that even if I spend a decade on it, and it doesn’t work, but something we learn helps someone else make it work, that’s ten years of my life well spent,” he said. He thought about payment apps but concluded that there are not many ways to revolutionize them. “They’re not really changing the way we live,” he said. “They’re not making people’s lives better.” He soon realized that the logistics industry is core to how we live. “It’s the thing that separates whether someone has access to something or not, just the cost of delivery,” he said. Costs may be prohibitive to people who need groceries or medication delivered. “If we all had access to laundry and groceries

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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and medication [delivery] and then even new product lines like tools and clothes … and make delivery cheap, we can provide that access to more people,” he said. That became McCurrach’s mission. His team became passionate about it and locked into an industry they believed they could impact.

Making Pipedream a reality The adage that it takes years or even decades to become a sensation isn’t lost on McCurrach. In the same way entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk grew ideas into the empires of today, Pipedream looked for a way to improve delivery efficiency — but it took time to come to fruition. “What Amazon did with back then — three-tofive-day delivery — they saw books as this really interesting way to start that industry because a bookstore can’t contain all the books in the world,” McCurrach explained. “So, you need this big catalog of a bunch of books that you can send to people. That was the perfect beachhead for Amazon,” he said. “And then they expanded into other categories.” He said he sees food delivery as being similar. The customer demand is already there, so it doesn’t have to be created. “We all love getting food delivered, but we all hate how expensive it is and how much it just seems to add up. Then, by the time you get to your delivery, you’re like, oh, how did it get to be $50 to get my $10 cheeseburger delivered?” he said.

Focusing on food The model used by services like DoorDash has a driver dispatched to pick up a single order at a restaurant. peachtreecornerslife

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For the first time, the Light Up The Corners Race Committee is asking for design submissions for the 2024 Glow Run & Twilight Trot T-Shirt. Artists must submit their design by May 10, 2024. The winning design will appear on all 2024 Glow Run & Twilight Trot race t-shirts and promotional materials. The winning artist will receive a $1,000 check, social media shoutouts, and race night recognition.

For more information and submission details, visit LIGHTUPTHECORNERS.COM/LOGO-CONTEST

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Top 5 Reasons to Work with a Business Broker

Whether you’ve spent a lifetime operating your business or have just recently taken the reins, when it comes time to sell, you want the experience to go well. Achieving your goals becomes much easier when you enlist the aid of an experienced business broker. Here are the top five reasons to work with a qualified broker: REASON

REASON

Valuing your business - Brokers will value your company realistically and advise you on the best time to market and sell your business to maximize the potential profit. Preparing the business - Brokers can help you get all the business’s legal and financial records in order while managing the process ensuring all aspects of the sale run seamlessly.

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Finding the right buyer – Brokers market the business and find the best buyer all while keeping the business sale confidential.

REASON

Managing the details - Brokers are experts in selling a business, with an understanding of all the financial ins and outs of a sale.

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“They go to a restaurant, and 15 to 20 other orders are sitting on a shelf. And they go through the orders, grab the one that they’re going to deliver, go all the way to your house, drop it off, and then they go out to another restaurant that is another three or four miles away, pick up one other order and drive it to another house,” he described. If Amazon used that model, it would be like picking up one package, traveling across the country, dropping it off and then going back to the warehouse for the next order. On that scale, the typical food delivery model is impossible to sustain. So, Amazon uses a hub-and-spoke model, where a delivery driver goes to a warehouse and picks up all the packages being delivered that day. They drive to a hub and drop it off. All those books disperse out to the nearest hub to the consumer, and a delivery driver goes and picks up all the packages that need to be delivered that day. “They do what is called the ‘milk run’ and drop it off at a bunch of different houses,” said McCurrah. “Logistics has always mirrored each other on different scales. So global logistics has always worked how national logistics has worked and national logistics has always worked the same way that last-mile works, and they all kind of use the same truths, and the hub-and-spoke model being kind of that main one,” he explained. He said that instant delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats don’t use that tried-and-true method because the infrastructure doesn’t exist. “So, Pipedream is creating that hub-and-spoke model within cities so that they can take advantage of the same efficiencies of delivering things from hub to hub while not foregoing their fast delivery time.”

expand the number of items that can be delivered. “That’s been the focus,” said McCurrah. “We make sure that we never fall in love with any technology or anything we build. We really want to fall in love with the problem and solve that problem.” With that perspective in mind, the technology has changed over time. “It has always been pipe-based, but we’ve changed how it interacts with the pipe,” he said. “The very first prototype we built worked, and it went through, but there were a lot of smaller details that didn’t exist then that exist today.” Pipedream utilizes higher food safety standards than other delivery services. “We make sure that the food is sealed. It is sealed within a container, and then it is put into the robot, which seals the container. The pipe that it is being sealed in is kept clean and is sealed off from the outside world,” he said. “There were product lines we didn’t know about when we started,” he said. “By talking to customers, [we are finding] the biggest pain points. There’s some, like instant pickup and other products we’re working on, that take advantage of the same core system.” Pipedream is building the infrastructure to deliver more than 95% of consumer products in an extremely low-cost, emission-free, and congestion-free way through its autonomous, underground delivery system. And the company is getting noticed. Time magazine listed it as one of the Best Inventions of 2023. ■

Scan the QR to watch or listen to Rico Figliolini’s UrbanEBB podcast with CEO, Garrett McCurrach

The future of underground delivery Pipedream’s goal is to decrease the cost of delivery, expand people’s access to getting things delivered and

www.tworld.com/locations/atlantapeachtree @TransworldBusinessAdvisorsAtlantaPeachtree @TBAAtlantaPeach www.linkedin.com/showcase/transworldbusiness-advisors-of-atlanta-peachtree

770-766-9855 ■ atlantapeachtree@tworld.com

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

How AI Can Improve Sales Performance and Management? Al Simon

a usable way get pretty complex information,” he said. “Back in the day, I hated searching through all those public documents trying to find information.”

Sales management uses for AI

l Simon has a simple message for business owners: if you’re not using AI, you’re about as far behind technology as if you’re using candlelight instead of electricity. This was the core message of his talk at the January Peachtree Corners Business Association’s After-Hours Speaker Series. As a consultant for sales management with Sandler by Neuberger, Simon focuses on small to medium businesses with sales teams of 35 members or less and revenues up to $200 million. He works with management teams and trains salespeople to improve sales revenue, gross profit margins, and other business metrics. “Overall, it helps people thrive in their sales and sales management roles,” he said. His topic, artificial intelligence for selling, involves teaching managers how to use AI to gather and interpret data. A simple Google search uses artificial intelligence, he said, but he also teaches salespeople how to use that information to improve their skills and processes.

Boosting sales enablement Simon explained that AI could be used for precall planning. It’s not difficult to prompt a generative AI program to give you what you need.

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Peachtree Corners Magazine

A sample query for ChatGPT could be: “I’m a sales rep in the plastics manufacturing industry, and my prospect is an injection molding manufacturer. What are the three best questions I can ask their plant manager? He emphasized that when prompting the AI, it’s vital to include the role you’re playing, the role of the people you’ll be meeting with and the challenge at hand. “A prompt that has those components in it will be very effective in terms of coming back with three specific questions to ask,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.” The biggest advantage of using AI is saving time, he said. Even though the pre-call planning questioning strategies are important for sales reps, they should also gather information that they can use based on the prospect organization itself. “I did one for a client of mine, a nonprofit, and … I asked the prompter how this organization can get revenue?” Simon said. “I got a great response —five or six bullet points on exactly how they get the revenue stream.” He explained that the information is available in other ways, but by using AI, you can save the time it would take to weed through hundreds of pages of documents and reference materials. “It’s a great way to quickly and efficiently and in

Photos by Tracey Rice Courtesy of PCBA peachtreecornerslife

On the sales management or even executive leadership side, Simon said there are many tools that gather metrics and interpret data. He mentioned a platform called Gong that uncovers what’s happening in customer conversations so revenue teams can do more of what’s working and set themselves apart from the competition. “It analyzes a sales call by looking at how many questions you asked, how much talking you did and how much talking the client did,” said Simon. “You then start to build a database of your sales calls. You’ll be able to see trends.” The manager can then help the employee ask enough questions or ask the right questions that are important to the sales call. “Those kinds of things come out of a tool like that,” he said. He also recommends utilizing a platform that measures close rates for salespeople. “How often you win deals when you’re not talking to the main decision maker is important data,” he said. “If you’ve got someone who is consistently not calling high enough, so they’re always presenting proposals to a recommender who then has to take the proposal to their boss, it will decrease your close rate.” Management can review the data and give the salesperson tips on connecting with people higher in the company. At the end of the day, Simon said those who embrace AI technology will have a leg up on the competition because they are saving time and making better use of resources. “The whole reason for these management tools is to coach the reps to be more effective,” said Simon. One of the most valuable investments a business has is in its people, and making them better – even incrementally – can have a significant impact on business, he added. Even if the business is so small that the owner is the primary salesperson, there’s a lot to learn from AI. ■

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Peachtree Corners Business Association Donates to Norcross High School Foundation of Excellence

Business Organizations and Events Atlanta Tech Park

107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 404-797-1221 | atlantatechpark.com

Wine Wednesdays / Open Pitch Nights Wednesdays, February 28 and March 27. 5-6:30 p.m. Entrepreneurs are invited to pitch their business to other business owners and potential investors. Wine, beer and small bites provided.

Atlanta Tech Meet Up Tuesdays, March 5 and April 2. 6-8 p.m. Sponsored by Resolvit, the monthly meet-up welcomes tech admirers and professionals to discuss all things emerging in technology in the café.

Peachtree Corners Business Association Pms 350 c Pms 369 c

4989 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners 678-969-3385 | peachtreecornersba.com

PCBA Connecting Over Coffee Morning Meetup Above, left to right, Toby Anderson (PCBA Board), Allison Reinert (PCBA Board), Lisa Proctor, (PCBA Board), Erin Griffin (NHS Foundation of Excellence),Suzanna Martinez (PCBA Board) and Donna Linden (PCBA Board).

By Peachtree Corners Magazine Staff Photos by Tracey Rice, Courtesy of PCBA The Peachtree Corners Business Association has awarded a check for $500 to The NHS Foundation of Excellence (NHSFE) at the January 2024 Business After Hours Speaker Series Event. The mission of the NHS Foundation of Excellence includes raising funds to help generate resources necessary to provide the level of excellence and education all students deserve. NHS is a Title I school and offers the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme curriculum. The school’s population is diverse. Approximately 52% of students are Hispanic, over 28% are African American, 13% are White, nearly 4% are Asian and 3% identify as Other. Two-thirds of these students qualify for free and reduced lunch. It is estimated that over 35 different languages are spoken at home. “The PCBA is proud to donate a check for $500 to NHSFE in support of their belief that all students are capable of being successful. Our Outreach Committee and Board are impressed with NHSFE programs of excellence in academics, arts and athletics,” said PCBA President Lisa Proctor. “With PCBA’s continuous commitment to supporting our community in a meaningful way, we are excited to be a part of the success of their students,” she added. Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorship and annual charity events. Donations and scholarships are awarded at monthly events so members can learn more about these organizations. For more information, call 678-969-3385, email membership@ peachtreecornersba.com, or visit www.peachtreecornersba.com. ■

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Tuesdays, February 13, March 12 and April 9. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 5215 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners Free admission for PCBA members and their guests. Register online as space is limited. Meet with other PCBA and business professionals over coffee in a positive atmosphere on the second Tuesday of the month. Business cards will be shared with all attendees.

PCBA Lunch Club Wednesday, February 21 and Thursday, March 21. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Marlow’s Tavern, Peachtree Corners Town Center, 5210 Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners Open to PCBA members and their guests. Advance registration is appreciated. Meet up with PCBA members for an enjoyable way to network and save 15% off your lunch check.

Latin Fresh, 4941 S. Old Peachtree Rd., Peachtree Corners Event registration is $40. Advanced registration is $25 for members and $35 for guests. Includes appetizers and drinks. Join in the festivities and celebrate leap year with good food, beverages and networking at Latin Fresh, a fast casual restaurant chain inspired by Latin American cuisine.

PCBA Business After Hours Speaker Series Thursday, March 28. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Location TBD Event registration is $40. Advanced registration is $25 for members and $35 for guests. Includes appetizers and drinks. Speakers will be Erin Hanson, Founder & CEO, and Lee Hanson, Co-Founder & President, of Guardian Innovations.

PCBA Business After Hours — Celebrating Leap Year Latin Style Thursday, February 29. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

peachtreecornerslife

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce 107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092 southwestgwinnettchamber.com

SWGC Coffee Connections Thursdays, February 8, 15, 22. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Free admission for SWGC members and visitors. Meet up with local business professionals over coffee. Meetings are normally held in the large meeting space behind the SWGC office at Atlanta Tech Park.

First Friday Breakfast — Cybersecurity Update

trial Blvd, Peachtree Corners Stanton Gatewood, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security/CISA — Region 4 Cyber Security Coordinator/Advisor — State of Georgia, will discuss recent and anticipated cyber threats as well as offering info on how to protect ourselves.

Stanton Gatewood

Friday, March 1. 7:30-9 a.m. Admission is $28 for members, $35 for non-members Atlanta Northeast Hilton 5993 Peachtree Indus-

Care. Connection. Community. At Vineyard, we don’t just care for you, we care about you.

Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners

The Hickory Room 5260 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Peachtree Corners, GA 30071 peachtreecornersrotary.org

Club Meetings

Monday, February 12. 11:45 a.m. On February 12, Steve Ring of the Pantry in Hamilton Mill will speak. Meetings are held on most Mondays; check the website for more info.

Schedule Your Tour!

Duluth Business Association

Meetings held the second Tuesday of every month. Meeting locations are announced monthly. duluthbusiness.org

Monthly Meetings

The February 13 meeting will be held at Business RadioX at the Gas South Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy. in Duluth. To RSVP, email duluthbusiness@gmail.com.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

MOVE

Deflecting Debilitating Blows One Guardian Cap at a Time Clemson University football team using the Guardian Cap. (photo courtesy of Guardian Sports)

stand the science behind their technology.

try to solve their material science problems,” she explained.

ith football season in the rearview for most players, the effects of injuries–especially those blows to the head–can alter careers and live well after the final play. A relatively new piece of equipment manufactured in Peachtree Corners helps alleviate much of the impact from those hits that a helmet alone can’t deflect. Husband and wife team Lee and Erin Hanson started Guardian Sports in 2011 with one goal: innovating equipment to better serve athletes. But one must go back even further to under-

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Erin Hanson

“[Our initial company] really had nothing to do with sports,” said Erin. She and her husband started the Hanson Group, a material science company, about 30 years ago. “The Hanson Group solves problems for other companies–material science problems,” she said. “Lee is a chemical engineer from Georgia Tech. … [He created] things for the military and all kinds of applications for all kinds of Fortune 500 companies. If they need something done quickly, they come to the Hanson Group and we

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

peachtreecornerslife

Lee Hanson

By chance, someone from the helmet industry came to them looking to make a more flexible helmet. “We saw the data behind what it could do to flex the exterior of a helmet,” she said. “And even though that company didn’t make it, we decided that if we could retrofit any football helmet inexpensively, we could cut down on the impact that all players were feeling.”

Making football fun and safe for all When the idea for Guardian Caps came to-

peachtreecornerslife

gether, the Hansons weren’t considering adding another division to the company. The drive to make the helmet accessory grew from the passion to help the game. “Quite honestly, Lee and I were pretty far along in our lives. We had raised five children, and he had been at the Hanson Group for at least 20 years by then,” said Erin. The couple questioned whether they wanted to launch something new and revolutionary. There was nothing like it on the market.

who’s already buying all that equipment for her child to play youth football? How can we create a one-size-fits-all?” he recalled. He said they worked with a cut-and-sew facility and seamstress and made up the first prototypes before testing them in a laboratory. Their son and his teammates at Wesleyan became the first to practice with the new equipment. In 2012, The University of South Carolina and Clemson were the first college adopters, and the

“Now, obviously, safety is a concern amongst athletes. So, Guardian Cap has come up with this soft-shell layer that goes on top of the hard shell of the helmet,” said Lee. In 2018, testing done by NFL and NFLPA-appointed engineers revealed that Guardian Caps made a statistically significant improvement over hard-shell helmets alone, company literature said. By August 2020, the NFL allowed its teams to wear Guardian Caps during practice. The Jacksonville Jaguars were the first to do so. In July 2022, Guardian Caps were featured at NFL training camps for all 32 teams. This year, the NFL mandated that Guardian Caps be used for the 2023 season in all pre-season, regular season, and post-season practices. Players in position groups with the most head contact will be required to wear Guardian Caps in addition to running backs and fullbacks, as well as linemen and linebackers.

No one-hit-wonder

Pearl for LaCross (close up, inset)

company experienced solid grassroots growth after that.

Joining the Peachtree Corners business community

Loop Product.

“We felt like if we’re going to go direct to consumer, we’re going to branch off to a whole new company and just go for it and see if we can make a difference,” said Erin. Through trial and error, Lee and his team analyzed data that showed what a softer helmet exterior could do to reduce impact, which would translate into reducing injury rates. “And how can we do it in a way that’s affordable and could be available for mass adoption?” Lee said during an interview with the city of Peachtree Corners. “How can I make it affordable to that mom

By 2014, the Hansons moved their company to Peachtree Corners to benefit from the pro-business, family-friendly community and strong Georgia Tech connections. The Guardian Cap is now used by over 300,000 youth high school and college athletes nationwide and mandated by the NFL for all 32 teams. The cap dramatically reduces the force of impact upon collision, as experienced by football and lacrosse players. This topic has come to national attention due to CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and its relation to concussions. According to company literature, in 2017, Guardian won the first NFL HeadHealth TECH challenge to “develop new and improved helmet and protective equipment.” While the football helmet itself has undergone many changes since the early days of the small leather hats that only covered the tops of the head and the ears (no face mask and nothing to absorb blows from tackles and other hits), Guardian Caps are an accessory that builds upon modern technology. Some college and professional players wear helmets made so that the interior conforms to their heads. Guardian Caps adds a layer of protection on the outside, absorbing shock before the impact even reaches the helmet.

Genius doesn’t take a timeout, and Guardian Sports isn’t resting on the Caps’ success alone. “We’re constantly evolving, and although Guardian Caps is our flagship product, we’ve got others,” said Erin. Their son Jake was a lacrosse goalie at Georgia Tech, dodging rock-hard projectiles flying at him at 93 miles an hour. “So, we said, ‘You know, why don’t we make lacrosse balls out of rubber?’” Erin said. Thus, Lee created a urethane ball. Called the “Pearl,” it is now the official ball of the NCAA lacrosse tournament. The Hansons have also developed infill for artificial turf fields that isn’t made of used car tires. Without the chemicals and carcinogens of rubber tires, the smoother pellets are puffed with air, cause fewer abrasions and lower the temperature of the field by as much as 30 degrees. “As we see things, it’s really difficult not to want to solve things when you see our children being affected by it,” said Erin. Investors initially wanted to sell Guardian Caps at $1,000 each, but the Hansons knew that families couldn’t afford that price tag for youth sports. At the end of the day, they are a dad and a mom who are looking out for the safety of kids. “The NFL is really cool, and they’ve helped us with exposure, but, you know, we’ve got a real passion for helping those young developing players, for sure,” she said. ■ Guardian Sports 3044 Adriatic Ct NW Peachtree Corners, GA 30071 www.guardiansports.com 770-667-6004

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

Curiosity Lab Criterium 2024 Scheduled for Peachtree Corners as Part of Speed Week By Peachtree Corners Magazine Staff The City of Peachtree Corners is proud to announce the scheduling of the second Annual Curiosity Lab Criterium as part of Speed Week on Sunday, April 28, 2024. This year’s event will also feature a running race, kid’s races, food trucks, vendors and other activities for the family. Speed Week is a premiere week-long event on the U.S. Pro Cycling Circuit that draws cyclists from around the world, including Olympic medalists and world and national champions. In 2023, the professional men’s and women’s events drew cyclists from over 30 states and more than 20 countries. The 2024 Curiosity Lab Criterium will take place on a course in the world-famous Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, a 5G-enabled 500-acre living laboratory ecosystem designed specifically as a proving ground for IoT, mobility and smart city emerging technologies. The Criterium will feature an array of innovative technologies currently being deployed to help protect vulnerable road users (VRUs). This event will also showcase the VRU technology of tomorrow as exhibited by private sector V2X companies and sensor innovators, OEMs hardware and software manufacturers, government officials, bike companies, advocacy groups and more. Enter a race, or just come to enjoy the festivities. ■

Criterium 2023 Event (Photo courtesy of City of Peachtree Corners, photo by Roxy Stone, Tytan Pictures)