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Cobb Life
December 2011 Volume 7, Issue 9 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
Otis A. Brumby, Jr. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Otis Brumby III V.P. ADVERTISING Wade Stephens
Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aids Hearing Aid Repair • Assistive Listening Devices Batteries & More!
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
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(from Dry and Store)
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Hearing Aid Dehumidifier with purchase of any pair of hearing aids. Not valid on prior purchases. Expires 01-31-2012
Allen Bell, Joan Durbin, Stacey L. Evans, Michael Pallerino Meredith Pruden, Heather Teilhet, Michael Venezia PHOTOGRAPHER
Reid Traylor 990 Whitlock Avenue, Suite D • Marietta, GA 30064 Under Whitlock’s Restaurant 770-427-3033 www.MariettaHearing.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Joshua Campbell, Nathan Self PROOFREADERS
Caroline Brannen, Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall A D V E R T I S I N G S TA F F
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Atlanta Lyric Theatre BBQ Grill Dr Beltone Blackwells Jewelers Carpet Dry Tech Center For Allergy & Asthma Chatahoochee Technical College Children's HealthCare Cobb Civic Center Cobb Hardware Cochran Shutters Cumberland Diamond Exchange Dance Stop Dermatology Consultants Fabric & Fringe Fireplace Company First Cherokee State Bank Fresh N Fit Gail Holman - Remax Around Atlanta Geico Golden Rugs Halo Salon Harry Norman Henry's Johnson Ferry Baptist Juleps Kennesaw Dental KSU Continuing ED Lavida Massage Marietta Hearing
57 63 58 47 63 3 13 2 52 60 46 34 57 61 41 39 25 23 12 11 39 11 21 21 54 23 64 53 17 4
Marlowes Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home New Life Chiropractic New Times Culture Parc @ Piedmont Pinnacle Orthopaedics Plastic Surgery Center of the South Presbyterian Village Resurgens Roswell Street Baptist Roy Davis Funeral Home Rug Décor of Kennesaw Savannah Court Sawyer Baily Salon Spot On Consulting Sue Hilton - Keller Williams Sundial Plumbing The Bottoms Group The Framery The Henssler Financial Group The Proven Team Three - 13 Salon United Community Bank Wellstar Wellstar Atherton Place West Cobb Funeral Home White Rabbit Winnwood Retirement
COBB ADVERTISING MANAGER
Becky Opitz 24 67 51 56 35 5 50 22 65 20 20 28 32 59 62 32 6 9 41 33 28 14 7 68 43 15 29 10
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Reneé Aghajanian, Stephanie deJarnette, Carole Johnson, Dawne Edge, Paula Milton, Cheryl Myrick, Tamara Heil, Melinda Young, Candace Hallford, Tara Guest GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Caroline Brannen, Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Leigh Hall CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Matt Heck I N F O R M AT I O N
Cobb Life magazine is published nine times a year by The Marietta Daily Journal and distributed to more than 33,500 homes and businesses. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
To request a copy or to subscribe, contact Matt Heck at 770.795.5001 ADVERTISING
To advertise, contact Wade Stephens at 770.795.4001 SUBMISSIONS
Please send all editorial correspondence to mmaguire@cobblifemagazine. com Follow us on facebook
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W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
48
features 16 VEGGIE TALES Cooking the perfect holiday meal - vegetarian style 30 PEACE IN THE DESERT A Powder Spring pastor looks back on Christmas in Iraq 44 HARE IT IS Inside Cobb’s first brewery
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departments 18 SPICE Cobb’s ItalianAmericans enjoy traditional feast 30 PULSE AntiGravity Yoga comes to Cobb 36 HOME Decorators give their tips on fireplaces 48 WINE A letter to Santa
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in every issue ON THE COVER: Dr. Rev. Higgins, senior pastor at McEachern Memorial Methodist Church in Powder Springs with his wife, Pam.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
08
NEWS & NOTEWORTHY
10
HIGHLIGHTS
52
EDITORIAL CALENDAR
55
SLICE OF COBB
66
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Celebrating the present this holiday season My good friend Henry Atkins left this world for a brighter and better place this year. Though I had not seen him in a year or so, his death in November opened up wounds for me in places long since forgotten and I found myself delving into a nostalgic part of myself I generally avoid. (Being of Irish descent, I forcefully try to avoid that place, as my people can be over-sentimental by nature). For those of you who have been reading Cobb Life for many years, you might recall a column I wrote on Henry and his fine wife Iris several years ago. The Atkins were my neighbors for over three years in the charming neighborhood of Norton Park in Smyrna. Living there, they both taught me an immense amount about life. And their teaching was the best teaching. There were no books involved. I was not lectured to. I simply listened and watched them live. Though he was already in his mid-90s when I met him, Henry was still a very active man. I witnessed him deliver extra vegetables from his glorious garden to his church where they were cooked and distributed to the hungry and homeless. I discovered that he and his wife had a dorm named after them at Lee University near Chattanooga, Tenn. even though he never told me such.
And I watched as he helped a young man awaken a dormant farmer inside of him, discover grace in the simplicity of things and re-learn that the most important thing is living in the now, instead of trying to decipher the future. That young man was me. The great Johnny Cash once wrote that there are three types of Christians. “Preaching Christians, church-playing Christians, and there’s practicing Christians.” Henry Atkins was that third type and he held a high standard that I strive for, but doubt I will reach one day. I miss Henry. I missed him when we moved and I miss him now more than ever, because I know I will not see him again here in these shadowlands. Each of us has lost someone in the last year. Either through death, or distance or the cruel passage of time that has no remorse for us mortals. As we enter the apex of the holiday season, there is tendency to mourn them. And while that is natural enough, I encourage everyone this year to focus on those who are with us. Take the extra effort to immerse yourself in the joy of visiting with others, sing a little louder the old familiar tunes and take the extra step to make that holiday dinner memorable or bring some joy into others’ lives. I always hate to hear at a funeral or a memorial someone say, “I wish I would have said this,” or “They had no idea how much this meant to me.” Don’t let that be the case this year. Say what needs to be said. Leave no good thought hidden. Live in the moment. As Billy Shakespeare once penned in the play, “King Lear” we should, “Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” There is nothing wrong with commemorating in either our hearts or words missing those who have left us on this path. But we should not sacrifice the moment of life for the moments that have passed. Have a happy holiday season.
Mark Wallace Maguire
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news & noteworthy [people] Cobb Life Rising Star in Marietta Daily Journal
Above, from left, Justin Merletti, director of operations for The Color Spot, Mike Feldberg, CEO of The Color Spot and John Golemo, operations director of Stars Media Imaging and Jeff Walsh, general manager of The Color Spot. Photo by Jon-Michael Sullivan
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Mike Feldberg, a former Cobb Life 20 Rising Star under 40, was featured in a recent article in the Marietta Daily Journal’s Business section. Feldberg, 28, is the owner of The Color Spot, a graphic design and services company based in Smyrna. The Color Spot recently acquired Stars Media Imaging which also works with design and graphics on a smaller scale. Feldberg has also kept up his community involvement, working with dozens of nonprofits in the area. Well done Mike! Information: www.colorspotink.com.
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[food]
Seed Kitchen and Bar
East Cobb restaurant scene continues to rise
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Town Center Mall gets new food option with a local flavor Callie’s Cupcakes and Creations joined the phlanx of food options at the food court in Town Center Mall in October. The business is owned and operated by Kennesaw residents Callie Richardson and mother, Kim. The shop offers a variety of desserts, but their speciality is their cupcakes that come in a variety of flavors.
Graham Webb
Seed Kitchen and Bar has opened in Merchant’s Walk on Johnson Ferry Road in east Cobb. Helmed by chef/owner Doug Turbush, the restaurant is serving modern American cuisine. Formerly executive chef at Bluepointe restaurant in Atlanta, Turbush has traveled extensively, broadening his culinary repertoire and stoking his passion for bold, flavorful foods. The menu changes frequently, reflecting seasonality and availability of fresh, sustainable ingredients. Some of the dinner offerings on his initial menu include seared Maine scallops and pork belly with butternut squash, cider brown butter and fennel and apple salad; crispy duck leg confit with sweet and sour braised cabbage; and a 22-ounce bone in cowboy ribeye steak served with a choice of sauces such as Bernaise, shallot peppercorn and blue cheese garlic butter. Information: www.eatatseed.com
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COBB LIFE December
2011
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[the arts] Earl Smith Strand Theatre unveils ‘new’ organ Marietta’s The Earl Smith Strand Theatre and the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society held a concert in mid-November at the theatre to officially dedicate the theatre’s new organ. The organ, which is used to accompany a variety of events at The Strand, was obtained in August 2010 through a trade with an Ohio couple. The Strand now stands as one of only four venues in the state to house a theater organ.
[shopping] Kirkland’s re-opens in Kennesaw Kirkland’s, a national specialty retailer of home decor and gifts, re-opened in Kennesaw in late October. The Kennesaw location replaces the one that closed in January 2009. It is located in a 7,798-square-foot building in Town Center Plaza across the street from the mall. Kirkland’s operates 296 stores in 30 states, with 16 in Georgia and seven in the Atlanta area.
[things we love] The Man in Black and the Good Book
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Want something with a bit more gravitas for the Christmas holidays? Check out “Johnny Cash Reads the New Testament.” Originally released in 1990, Thomas Nelson re-released the project this fall with a new package and new rare photos. Hearing the Man in Black read The New Testament is a moving experience that we’ve been digging on for a few months. It definitely brings a new, modern and re-invigorating tone to the words. The new Cash product features the entire New Testament in the New King James Version on 16 audio compact discs, as well as 16 full-color rare Johnny and June Carter Cash photographs shown on the double slipcase. Thomas Nelson is one of the oldest and largest Bible publishers, and is a leading provider of products and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family-value themes. Visit www.ThomasNelsonBibles.com for more information. You can also buy the CD set at local bookstores.
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[things we love] Local BITES are yummy Pure Bliss Organics, a Marietta company that creates organic granola, gourmet nuts and energy bars will have two new flavors hitting the shelves this winter. Their vegan PB&J and Appleachia Energy Bar BITES are full of healthy morsels like almonds, sunflower seeds, brown rice, flax meal and fruits packed neatly into yummy bite-size pieces. What’s more, the two new flavors are gluten-free. We think the Appleachia flavor is especially yummy and an easy way to boost energy when afternoon doldrums set in. You can find Pure Bliss products at Whole Foods. Find more information at www.pureblissorganics.com.
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on the web Click and catch up You never know what’s happening with us on the web. Whether it is our home website, www.cobblifemagazine.com, our facebook page or twitter, we’re always bringing exclusive content to, from and by Cobb County residents. We’ve got contests, behind-thescene photos, videos, blogs and much more. These behind-the-scene fashion shots are just a small sample of what we’ve recently featured.
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How to be
happily
for the holidays Every year, my extended family gathers for holiday feasting, and food literally covers the entire kitchen. The counters are full of side dishes, served buffet style, and a special table is set up for desserts—having a sweet tooth runs in my family. The dining table is set, and the centerpiece is usually a ham or turkey, or both. Being the lone vegetarian in my Southern bred and buttered family, it goes without fail there will be some mention about all that tasty meat I’m missing. My first few years of being vegetarian, my sister and brother even tried to sneak bits of meat onto my plate. Though I’ve been quite happy stuffing my cheeks with casseroles, soufflés, potato salad and steamed veggies, this year I’m going in armed — I’m talking Tofurky. In years past, cooking the meat-free turkey substitute for just myself never seemed a practical option. Also, my college roommate and I cooked one once, and the results were only ho-hum, probably due to our lackluster culinary skills. But when I recently decided to give the vegetarian roast another shot, I was literally wowed. The dish is now stuffed with a savory wild rice mixture, which is a perfect complement to the tender tofu. Drizzled with Tofurky brown gravy, the organic dish is a tantalizing mix of flavors. The roast can be flavored just as you would a traditional turkey, so you can follow your own recipe or try one of the hundreds shared online. Having never cooked a turkey myself, I opted to follow the directions on the box. First I created the basting mixture, three parts olive oil to one part soy sauce with a dash of Sage. The directions suggest wrapping vegetables with the roast in aluminum foil, but I decided to cook my veggies separately. After 1 1/2 hours of baking, the Tofurky had a golden brown “skin” and was ready to eat. The tasty premade gravy simply requires a minute heating in the microwave, so I wasted no time digging in. I sliced open the roast, breathed in the savory smell, smothered a portion with gravy and took my first bite. Then it hit me. Now that’s what I’ve been missing. To see if Tofurky passed the universal taste test, I invited a non-vegetarian to join me for dinner. She was thoroughly impressed, and had not only seconds, but a third helping. We even ate the leftovers for lunch the next day. So this Christmas, I’m going to sneak pieces of Tofurky onto the plates of family members, so they can see who’s really missing out. words and photos by stacey l. evans
No holiday dinner would be complete without dessert, and the Tofurky Vegetarian Feast package, shown at right, includes an organic chocolate cake and fun Jurky Wishstixs. After heating the cake in the microwave, for a little more pizzazz I added raspberries and a dash of powdered sugar on top. Tofurky is available at Harry’s/Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Ingles and Life Grocery.
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Gluttony goes hand in hand with holiday meals, but if you’re trying to cut back, or planning a holiday party with a few close friends, keeping it simple and healthy may be the way to go. For an easy, yet filling holiday meal, I added cranberry green beans, glazed carrots and a refreshing broccoli-cranberry salad as side dishes to complement the organic Tofurky Roast.
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feast of the
seven fishes By Joan Durbin Photography by Reid Traylor
Cobb’s Italian-Americans share their story on this Christmas Eve tradition
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s Opposite page: A whole Branzino - also called an Italian sea bass - prepares to be grilled at Caffe Fortunato. Here, the seafood pasta. It features spaghetti with squid ink as its main ingredient. The dish is also laced with calamari, fresh shrimp and clams.
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Unless you have friends whose heritage is southern Italian, it’s likely you have never heard of one of the most ancient customs to still be honored by Italian families gathered together on Christmas Eve.
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In the Old World, for those who observed Catholic rituals, the hours leading up to the midnight birth of Jesus are a sacred vigil to be accompanied by a semi-fast of meatless meals. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an integral part of that vigil, incorporating seven or even sometimes more courses of seafood dishes made from recipes handed down from generation to generation. There are several theories explaining the feast’s symbolism. Some say it is because it took God seven days to create the universe. Others point to the miracle of the seven loaves and fishes. But the most widely held is that the seven fishes signify the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The feast’s origins can be traced to Sicily and southern Italy, where coastal villages had access to an abundance of fish and shellfish. Like the Southern staple of greens and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, consuming seafood on Christmas Eve is said to bring good luck in the coming year. As Italians migrated to the United States, they brought The Feast of the Seven Fishes with them. Although it is not as widely practiced now as it was in previous generations, there are still plenty of modern-day Italian Americans whose memories of the wonderful dishes they had growing up inspire them to continue the tradition with their own families. Some, like east Cobb resident Marge DeBenedetto, have limited their participation to just one or two dishes. “As a child, I remember my mother preparing baccala, which is dried cod fish, but we never had the Seven Fishes meal,” said DeBenedetto, a member of the Italian club La Societa Italiana. “However, my husband and I had taken up the tradition a number of years ago when we found a recipe in a magazine for a Seven Fishes recipe and we liked it so much, we prepared it every Christmas Eve.” The recipe heaps seven different types of fish and seafood into one dish, which DeBenedetto said was a perfect way to observe the Feast. “But there are only two of us now and we sort of let it go by the way side,” she said. For folks like the DeBenedettos, who enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes experience but don’t want to cook, or for those who want to partake for the first time, a pair of local Italian restaurants offer some spectacular seafood dishes in the spirit of the Feast.
Vincent’s Italian Restaurant The seductive sounds of Dean Martin cheerfully crooning “That’s Amore,” the cozy, dimly lit interior, old family pictures on the walls, the deep burgundy leather booths, the owner’s unmistakable urban New York accent – if I didn’t know I was in Georgia I’d think I was in one of those wonderful mom-and-pops on every corner in New York’s Little Italy.
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Like the atmosphere, the food here is unabashedly old school. And that’s a very good thing. Owner Paul Varsalona takes pride in his recipes, most of which have been passed down through his family for 60 years. His father, Rocky, who has been in the restaurant business his whole life, owned the original Frankie’s restaurants in east Cobb before selling them seven years ago. Now semi-retired, the elder Varsalona can recall the many dishes on the family table every December 24. In particular, he remembers an incident when he was a child. It was Christmas Eve day and he had to visit the bathroom. “Behind the shower curtain, in the tub I heard swish, swish, swish,” Rocky said. “It was a live eel that my mother was keeping to be one of the entrees in our Feast of Seven Fishes.” Every Italian family will have dishes that are special to them for the Feast, said Paul’s mother Elaine, but certain ingredients are common. “You have shellfish, usually mussels and clams, scallops and shrimp,” she said. Additionally, she always made baccala, cod that is dried and preserved with salt. When ready to cook, it is rinsed of its salinity and baked with tomatoes and olives. Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and anchovies would also find a place in the Varsalona lineup, as would smelts, small white fish that generally are breaded and fried. Paul always has fresh seafood on his restaurant menu, both as regular items and in specials of the day. One of the most extraordinary is the zuppa de pesce, an abundance of mussels, middleneck clams, shrimp, calamari, scallops and whitefish in the house marinara, which is enlivened with clam juice and a bit more garlic. The mussels, Paul said, are a special Mediterranean Owner Paul Varsalona variety that are larger and takes great pride in his meatier than most but are restaurant’s traditional still succulent and tender. “Everybody raves about our Italian dishes like the dish on the opposite mussels,” he affirmed. page, Flounder Francese, Other dishes fit for the egg dipped and lightly Feast that are either menu breaded filet of flounder staples or specials at Vincent’s include parmesan- with orange citrus beurre encrusted Pacific flounder, blanc, shrimp and spinach over capellini. grouper in a white wine, garlic and feta cheese sauce with roasted red peppers, seafood cannelloni, sautéed salmon with white wine, Romano cheese and lemon cream sauce, and shrimp with lime, garlic, white wine, fresh basil, capers and roasted red peppers. Portions are large, service is friendly. This is home cooking at its best, and celebrating the Seven Fishes feast here would make Italian grandmas proud.
Vincent’s Italian Restaurant 3412 Ernest W Barrett Parkway NW Marietta 30064 (678) 290-2031 www.vincentsrestaurant.webs.com
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Caffe Fortunato
If Vincent’s is reminiscent of a wonderful old school family-run eatery straight from the streets of the Big Apple, Caffe Fortunato resembles a small trattoria nestled in a sundrenched coastal village in Italy. Perhaps that’s no surprise, as much of owner Michael Fortunato’s family can be found in Positano, a little Mediterranean town that morphed from a poor fishing village to a chic tourist destination. Caffe Fortunato’s interior is simple, yet with elegant touches that create a bright and stylish atmosphere. Outside, there’s an incredibly comfortable and quiet deck overlooking a tranquil pond and fountain.
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Born in New York to second generation Italian parents, Fortunato grew up in Pennsylvania. He is the baby of five children, and his father is the youngest of seven. “There would always be at least 60 people at my grandmother’s house for dinner every Sunday,” he said. “Being Italian, food is very special to us.” The Feast of the Seven Fishes was always a major event for the Fortunato family every Christmas Eve. “A lot of old timers who came over back in the day brought the Feast tradition with them,” Fortunato said. “We always observed it and never ate meat, only fish and pasta.” Scallops, crabmeat, calamari, octopus, baked baccala and butterflied and fried smelts were consistent stars of their family’s Feast. The octopus had to be absolutely fresh, preferably alive until ready to cook. “You always boil it with a wine cork in the water because it absorbs any toxins,” Fortunato said. The cephalopod is then marinated in lemon and olive oil, chilled, sliced and served. While octopus isn’t on the Caffe Fortunato menu, many other excellent seafood dishes are. Ahi tuna carpaccio, topped with cherry tomato confit, Ligurian olives, crispy capers, lemon and extra virgin olive oil is an unusual appetizer that dances on the tongue. The restaurant’s pasta is all made in house, and a spaghetti with squid ink as its main ingredient is black, briny and delicious. Laced with calamari, fresh shrimp and clams, this entree is one of Caffe Fortunato’s signature dishes. Branzino, which is whole Mediterranean sea bass, is first grilled then pan roasted to crisp the skin. It’s a terrific way to be introduced to the flaky goodness of fish still on the bone, which keeps flavor and texture ideal. And no Feast of the Seven Fishes would be complete without some type of seafood soup or stew. At Caffe Fortunato, cioppino is always on the menu. The seafood stew features prawns, calamari, mussels, clams and the catch of the day in a richly seasoned broth of tomatoes, garlic and Mediterranean herbs. One cautionary note, however. If you want to try one of these noble seafood creations, you’ll have to stop by the Caffe before or after Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Fortunato closes on those days to spend the holiday with his family.
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Owner Michael Fortunato uses recipes passed down from his grandmother, above.
Caffe Fortunato 301 Village Parkway NE Marietta 30067 (770) 951-1394 www.caffefortunato.com
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Recipe from a reader: Marietta’s Marge and Georgia DeBenedetto share their fave Marge and George DeBenedetto love this recipe, which they credit to a December 1993 issue of Good Housekeeping. DeBenedetto said she uses a whole pound of shrimp rather than the 12 ounces called for in the recipe, and substitutes fresh crabmeat for the squid. Additionally, DeBenedetto adds
a half cup of dry Vermouth or white wine towards the end of the cooking time. Christmas Stew 2 Tbsp. olive oil 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 28-oz. can Italian plum tomatoes 2 8-oz. bottles clam juice 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
½ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper ½ tsp. crushed red pepper 2 doz. littleneck clams 1 doz. mussels ¾ lb. large shrimp ½ lb. sea scallops ½ lb. cleaned squid ¼ lb. flounder fillet ¼ lb. cod or scrod fillet 1 loaf Italian bread (optional)
About 1 ½ hours before serving: In 8-quart Dutch oven or saucepot over medium heat, in hot olive oil, cook garlic until tender but not browned. Stir in tomatoes with their liquid, clam juice, parsley flakes, basil leaves, black pepper, and crushed red pepper; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, with stiff brush, scrub clams and mussels under running cold water to remove any sand; remove beards from mussels. Shell and devein shrimp; rinse with running cold water. Rinse scallops with running cold water to remove sand from crevices. Cut squid crosswise into ½-inch-thick slices. Cut flounder and cod into 1-inch chunks. After sauce has simmered 30 minutes, add clams and mussels to Dutch oven. Over medium-high heat, cook, covered, until shells just begin to open, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp, scallops, squid, flounder, cod and Vermouth or white wine, if using. Over medium-high heat, heat to boiling. Cook 1 minute or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork and shrimp and scallops turn opaque throughout. To serve, spoon stew into 6 large soup bowls and serve with Italian bread for sopping up the gravy. Makes 6 main-dish servings. Each serving without bread: About 255 calories, 7 g fat, 206 mg. cholesterol, 605 mg. sodium.
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photos by reid traylor
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feeling uplifted
upside down
A N T I G R AV I T Y Y O G A T A K E S F L I G H T I N K E N N E S AW by stacey l. evans I can’t help but laugh as I look at all the heads bobbing around me, floating inches off the shiny cork floor. I feel giddy, like I’ve entered some alternate universe, and suddenly I’m a kid again, finding joy in silly things. There’s something euphoric about hanging upside down, especially when it’s been a decade since I’ve done so. (Unless you count roller coasters, but that’s not quite the same thing.) Inversions are an essential part of AntiGravity Yoga, a new fitness trend catching fire in cities like L.A. and NYC. And thanks to the foresight of Cobb residents Kelli Carraway and Jane de Albuquerque, the gravity-defying, playful yet challenging workout is available right here, at Launch Awareness Yoga Centre in Kennesaw. AntiGravity is a yoga-based fitness practice that’s infused with elements of dance, gymnastics, pilates, calisthentics and aerial artistry. It’s like an amped-up version of yoga — you still get the stretching poses and some of the zen, but it also gives you a complete workout. (And it’s OK to laugh.) You might sweat a bit, but you’re having so much fun it doesn’t feel like exercise. During a class you might be hanging upside down like a bat, swinging back and forth, doing handstands or other invigorating poses like Flying Dog, Stargazer, and Yin Yang — all with the support of a silky hammock hanging from the ceiling. “It’s a full body workout but you’re also exercising your spirit,” said Carraway. I took a series of classes shortly after Launch
Awareness opened in May and was hooked right away. That seems to be the case for most who try it. “My body just fell in love with it,” said Carraway, co-owner of Launch Awareness. “I went to a weekend immersion last August in New York City. My body completely vibrated at a different level, so I knew I had to do the training.”
Launch Awareness Yoga Centre owners Jane de Albuquerque and Kelli Carraway. Opposite page: Acworth resident Amy Marsh practices the Flying Dog.
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From left, Acworth residents Becky Willingham and Marianne Mabry practice a pull up to build strength during an AntiGravity Yoga class at Launch Awareness Yoga Centre.
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After training with AntiGravity Yoga founder Christopher Harrison, she recruited de Albuquerque and the two launched the business. Prior to opening the studio, Carraway taught private lessons in her basement. Acworth resident Marianne Mabry took her first lesson there earlier this year, and now you can find her hanging upside-down at Launch Awareness once or twice every week. “It’s a great learning experience,” she said. “Once you try it, you want to just keep going. It makes me feel healthier and more comfortable in my body. I’ve noticed since that first time a difference in my body. It’s toned my body a lot and it’s given me better posture. I’ve always had tight hips and shoulders, and it’s helped me strengthen those so I don’t feel as tight as I used to. I love the challenge, too. What you thought you couldn’t do a month ago, all of a sudden you’re doing it. It’s amazing how quickly your body strengthens up to take you to that next level.” In addition to strengthening, AntiGravity Yoga gives you unbelievably dynamic stretches. Carraway and de Albuquerque said practicing AntiGravity Yoga elongates the spine and helps align the body. The hammock allows for a zero compression inversion, which makes hanging upside down accessible for people who can’t normally do a handstand. Inversions refresh various systems of the body, and are also good for combatting depression, said Carraway. The hammock also allows you to hold yoga poses longer and go deeper into them. Another benefit of AntiGravity is the lymphatic massage you get in poses such as Flying Dog, said de Albuquerque.
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In Flying Dog, you’re lying face down, balancing your hips on the band of fabric while swinging back and forth. The pressure of your weight balancing on the fabric works like a deep tissue massage on the hip flexors, and cleanses the system. It also helps lengthen the psoas muscle, which tends to get wound really tight from poor posture. The more you regularly stretch the psoas, the less back pain you will have. I hadn’t worked out in a while before taking the AntiGravity classes, and I noticed a tremendous difference in how flexible and open my body felt after just a few classes. The classes always end with Cocooning, which is a deep relaxation pose that’s nearly impossible to experience anywhere else; I equate it to nirvana. Launch Awareness also offers traditional yoga, and a variety of new classes and workshops are being planned for 2012. “We want to be a community center,” said de Albuquerque. “We want people to come in and get healthy, mentally and physically. We want them to come in and feel safe, like it’s a sacred spot. We’ve had tears and laughter and people tell us things and it just doesn’t go past these doors.” “In this society there is not really space for us to slow down,” said Carraway. “I want a place in my community where people can be happy and slow down. Only when you can shut down all that chitter chatter in your mind can you really get to what’s really important in your lives, in your family, in your marriage, in your relationships and your friendships. I am able to create that space for myself and I want it for my family and my friends and my community.”
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Right, Amy Marsh of Acworth and writer Stacey L. Evans stretch their legs in the Sledgehammer pose. Above, the class takes time to meditate in Coccoon.
Read Stacey L. Evan’s blogs about her experience in AntiGravity Yoga class at www.cobblifemagazine.com.
Launch Awareness Yoga Centre 3450 Acworth Due West Road, Kennesaw
770.975.4795 http://launchawareness.com If you’re feeling a bit shy about trying something new, Launch offers private sessions. The studio can also be rented for all types of events from kid’s birthdays to business team building workshops.
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Cin Iraq By Michael Pallerino Photography by Reid Traylor
hristmas
Powder Springs’ Jim Higgins will never
forget the experience. It was May 2007. While attending a showing of “Spiderman 3” at LSA Anaconda, an auditorium located in the Balad Airport in Iraq, just north of Baghdad, he stood at attention along with 1,000 other soldiers for the customary playing of the National Anthem. About three-quarters of the way through, the music stopped. After several minutes, it began, only to stop again. What happened next still inspires Higgins. As they stood at attention, eyes intently focused forward, a lone voice began to sing from where the recording left off. Soon, a chorus of voices filled the room: “And the rocket’s red glare; The bombs bursting in air; Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave; O’er the land of the free, And the home of the brave.”
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“Most people would have moved on to the movie; but not our soldiers,” says Higgins, who served as an Army Reserve Chaplin after being deployed to Iraq in 2006.
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“Our soldiers carry a lot of patriotism with them. There was no way they were going to disrespect the Anthem. They were going to finish it.” At the time, Higgins, who today serves as senior pastor at McEachern Memorial Methodist Church in Powder Springs, was in the midst of an 18-month tour (12 months in Iraq and six at Fort Hood in Texas). While in Iraq, he counseled a large helicopter unit that helped patrol the area in and around Baghdad. They were intense times – some of the deadliest years on record, as Higgins recalls. His experience enabled him to bear witness to the power, the promise and the many consequences of war. “I can’t say that I ever felt afraid, but there were times I felt very vulnerable. I knew when things were happening around me.” That intuition served Higgins well. Camp Anaconda, or “Mortaritaville” as it was called, was a tough place to be. The base was a frequent target of indirect fire attacks. As it would turn out, Higgins would pick up a similar nickname. “My chaplain assistant used to call me ‘mortar magnet’ because I always seemed to be around whenever something was being blown up.” The most memorable incident came on January 20, 2007, when 12 people died after a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter reportedly crashed in northeast Baghdad. As Higgins would discover later, an RPG downed the Blackhawk, killing four crewmembers and eight senior officials from the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., whom were on the last leg of a three-week tour of the area. In the days that followed, he helped lead what would be the largest memorial service in Iraq at that time. The ceremony was just one of the many ways Higgins, who had 13 chaplains and chaplain assistants under him, helped support the troops. Along with conducting Sunday services, he set up a series of group and individual workshops that helped soldiers get reconnected with their families upon their return home. He also spearheaded a number of programs geared toward helping the soldiers celebrate the holidays, including a Christmas Eve candlelight service. But perhaps one of his most endearing programs was Operation You’ve Got Mail, where he received goodies for the troops from people around the world. “It got to be so huge that at one time I was receiving more packages every day than any company in our brigade.”
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Photographs of Higgins’ time served in Iraq.
During his stay in Iraq, Higgins was recognized for his compassion and dedication to his unit. Among his many commendations, he received the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. He also was named Army Reserve Chaplain of the Year in 2009. Today, Higgins, who still holds the rank of Major and is the Deputy Command Chaplain for the 335th Signal Command (Theater) continues to administer his faith, tending to McEachern’s more than 3,300 members. He says the church continues to stay active in support of the troops, doing, among other things, stitching boxer shorts, making handmade greeting cards and standing in airports to greet them as they return home, among other activities. “It is perfect that I have ended up here at McEachern,” Higgins says. “We have partnerships all over the world. I’ve taught in Venezuela, and for the past four years have taught and preached in the Czech Republic. We also are developing a partnership in Kenya. That’s what being a Methodist is all about. It’s also what being an Army chaplain is all about. We travel all over the world and try to do well by doing good.”
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Dr. Rev. Higgins and his wife, Pam.
JIM HIGGINS FILE Graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University (1983) Master of divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta (1986) Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur (2000) Lives in Powder Springs with his wife, Pam, and their three kids, Bo, 21, and twins, Carley and Chris, 19 Served the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church in a variety of leadership positions, chairperson of the Spiritual Formation Committee; Conference spiritual director for the North Georgia Walk to Emmaus; and chairperson of the Augusta District Council on Ministries 34
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holiday fireplaces
Three local design pros share secrets for creating mantel that sizzle
In the immortal words of Perry Como, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go … but the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door.” Sure, holly on the door is pretty, but it’s often the indoor decor that brings out that good, old fashioned holiday spirit in people. Instead of decorating the whole house this Christmas, why not create a festive centerpiece by adorning only the fireplace and mantel? Not only is the fireplace the natural focal point in most living rooms, keeping the holiday ornamentation simple will leave more time to relax and enjoy your handiwork with friends and family. We asked three Cobb County interior designers to spruce up some fireplaces to show us how it’s done. By Meredith Pruden Left, a Santa-inspired fireplace decorated by Tony Whitlock of Acorn Home and Garden in Marietta. Above, Cheryl Draa of Cheryl Draa Interior Designs says its possible to create a beautiful holiday mantel even on a budget.
Photos by Reid Traylor
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Loriann Thibodeaux of Acorn Home and Garden.
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SANTA’S WORKSHOP
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Tony Whitlock
by Tony Whitlock of Acorn Home and Garden in Marietta
Designer Tony Whitlock, co-owner of Acorn Home and Garden, was inspired by the theme ‘Santa’s Workshop’ and added unusual (and super fun) details like wooden elves, ladders and sleds to tie the fireplace mantle in with the adjoining Christmas tree. Although the mantel and surrounding fireplace look extravagant, Whitlock’s partner, Loriann Thibodeaux, said the team designed the space very simply so anyone can recreate it at home. The traditional, Santa themed area features a large portrait crowned by holly and a wooden statue of jolly old St. Nick. Oversized poinsettia blooms (red on the mantle and red and green on the tree) are sprinkled throughout, and seasonal berries act as a rather unique tree topper. The team added string lights to the garland, electric candles along the mantel and even scented candles on heavy wooden bases on the ground to draw the eye with twinkling lights. FINE RUGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD! WE BEAT ANYONE’S PRICES! HUGE SELECTION!
Thibodeaux’s Tips: Fluff your garland. “It makes all the difference in the world to spend five minutes fluffing it,” she said. “Anyone who doesn’t know what that means can come see us.” Be creative. “If you don’t like the way it looks, you can take it down and do it again,” she said. “It won’t hurt anything.”
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M O D E R N M I N I M A L I ST by Wendy Beville of Defining Spaces, inc. in Marietta
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Defining Spaces owner and lead designer Wendy Beville (opposite page) wanted to create a modern minimalist fireplace with all things sparkly for the home of Leigh and Rick Steele. “One of my favorite things about Christmas is when the lights are dim and everything is glittering and sparkling,” Beville said. “It’s just beautiful.” To achieve a sparkly, modern minimalist look, Beville chose to use textural richness over quantity of items, starting with a snow dusted, thin garland then decorating in mostly neutral colors with pops of red throughout the design. The use of reflective surfaces like mercury glass, silver cups and metallic sprigs for detail paired with glittery poinsettias and red, green, silver and white mini balls add to the effect. If you look closely, you’ll even notice a floral motif in several of the details. Rather than light the fireplace at the Steele’s, Beville chose to stack white birch wood and decorate the inside of the fireplace.
Beville’s Tips: Gather like items. “Gather like items that are reflective like mercury glass, crystal, fine china or candle holders and fill them with anything colorful,” Beville said. Decorate in groupings. “It’s better to put things in groups than all spread out because it’s a bigger visual impact,” Beville said.
Right, Leigh Steele holds a lantern used in Wendy Beville’s design of a modern minimalist fireplace in her home.
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Opposites Attract for Cheryl Draa of Cheryl Draa Interior Designs in Marietta Cheryl Draa of Cheryl Draa Interior Designs chose to decorate two fireplaces at the home of Wayne McGee: a more traditional living room fireplace and a subtle, modern holiday flair in the master bedroom. The living room features a large scale fireplace as its focal point, which called for the base of the decor to be a thick, pre-lighted garland. Draa then embellished the garland with glittering poinsettias, red glittery sprays, a
sprinkle of oversized ornaments in red and green and hand-crafted bows that highlight colors that work in the space and with the holiday theme. “We make our own bows so we pick colors that are conducive to the room,” Draa said. “You get something custom and the right scale.” Next, Draa added some height with sparkly red trees on either side of the homeowner’s artwork, which stays up all year round.
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Draa’s tips Budget, budget, budget. “We decorate for Christmas for clients all over Cobb County and talk to them about their budget and then prioritize,” Draa said. “Sometimes we start from scratch and sometimes we work with what they have but we can come back every year and add a little more so they’re adding to their inventory without breaking the budget.” Don’t create a fire hazard. “If someone has a working fireplace, don’t drape things down really far,” Draa said. The master bedroom fireplace is a modern, masculine take on Christmas decor with its greens, blues, coppers and dark wood highlights. Draa wanted the overall feeling of this space to be cozy and warm while saying it’s a spe-
cial time of year without screaming Christmas. Draa built this look around McGee’s existing mantel items, adding peacock and chocolate colored feathers and coppery ornaments into the garland.
Above, designer Cheryl Draa stands near the mantel she decorated. Left, Wayne McGee relaxes by the fireplace in the master bedroom of his Marietta home.
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B Y A L L E N B E L L PHOTOGRAPHY BY REID TRAYLOR
Over the course of just three years, Red Hare Brewing Company has grown from an experiment in a stainless steel pot in the kitchen of 53-year-old Roger Davis, to Cobb County’s first fullfledged craft brewery.
Red Hare now makes beer in a 20-barrel brewhouse inside an 11,000-square feet location among the warehouses and manufacturers on Delk Industrial Boulevard. They currently brew three beers – a lager, an India pale ale and a brown ale. They usually have a fourth beer in stock as well, which varies from month to month and is only created in small batches. “Ales are very popular in the craft brewing community, which is a big community that most people don’t see,” Davis explained. “I didn’t know it was there. And there is a large market for craft-brewed ales.”
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Above, master brewer Bobby Thomas. Below right, owner Roger Davis checks on the process in one of the brewery’s massive tanks. And yes, the brew and the kegs.
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Davis, a Marietta resident, originally wanted to establish a vineyard and winery, but the high cost of investment caused him to defer that dream. Mariettans Charlie and Sharon Griffith recently enjoyed a tasting tour at the brewery. Red Hare Brewing Company Tasting and Tour Schedule Fridays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Souvenir glasses for beer tasting are available for $8.
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Red Hare Brewing Company 1998 Delk Industrial Blvd. Marietta, GA 30067 Phone: 770.331.8763 Web site: www.redharebrewing.com
“By the time everything became inexpensive, I was too old,” Davis remembered. “My business partner and co-founder, Bobby, worked for me at the time, and he was all for the idea of starting a brewery.” While Davis plays the role of owner and manager, Bobby Thomas is the brewer. The process of brewing beer is time-consuming, scientific, and requires meticulous attention to detail. Thomas ensures that the process of creating each beer follows the specific recipe and appropriate protocol for the type of beer. “It’s fourteen hours a day, seven days a week,” Thomas confessed. “And ninety percent of my time is spent cleaning.” Although being an independent brewery owner is a lot of work, it’s all part of the vision shared by Davis and Thomas. “Our little tag line is ‘Chase the rabbit,’” Davis revealed. “So far we were able to gather up enough money and intestinal fortitude to start up an enterprise, not work in the corporate world, and do something we love. We’re chasing that dream to have our own little business. Hopefully the American dream is still alive and other people can chase their rabbits, too.” Red Hare Brewing Company is on the fast track to becoming one of Atlanta’s favorite craft breweries, but that doesn’t mean the group plans to grow too fast, too soon. They still maintain the feisty, yet humble, attitude and approach of a start-up. “We made several recipes in my basement that we’re trying to move over to the brewery now,” Davis elaborated. “We still use the same 15-gallon brew kettles in my basement. That’s still how we do practice runs on beer.”
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R e d
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H a r e
Long Day Lager (5.25% alcohol by volume) An unfiltered brew, this rich and tasty beer has more body compared to the typical lager. A Bohemian style pilsner with North American hops, Long Day lager is spicy and hoppy, while at the same time remaining sweet and balanced with the quality that comes with craftbrewed flavor. Gangway IPA (6.2% alcohol by volume) This India pale ale has a lot of bite, but finishes clean on the backside. As the beer settles in, it has a slight milky mouthfeel, and the hops begin to really dominate. By the end of the pint, Gangway becomes a hopfest. This is definitely a beer for fans of hoppy brews. ExperimentAle (7% alcohol by volume) One of the small specialty brews that Red Hare creates in small batches every once in a while, this is one of the beers in what they call Rabbit’s Reserve Series. This unfiltered ale is very hoppy and sits somewhere on the spectrum between the IPA and the brown ale. The next brew in Rabbit’s Reserve Series is a chocolate porter. Watership Brown
(7.2% alcohol by volume) A brown ale named after the novel, “Watership Down,” this is a malty and roasty brew, with caramel undertones and bit of a syrupy texture. This is a light, easy drinking brown that is somewhat sweet and slightly hoppy. This is an excellent brew for those who like darker beers.
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hristmas letter
Dear Santa,
I hope all is well and that you are preparing for your annual trip on Christmas Eve. Surely you know that I have been particularly good this year and perhaps you might grant me a few extra special wine gifts to share with family and friends over the 2011 holiday season. You know that champagne makes everyone smile. The bubbles have a special effect on people. Rose- champagnes with their pink color, red berry fruit flavors, spice aromas and depth of flavors are enjoyed by young and old alike. A little splash in Rudolph’s cup prior to your North Pole departure will surely make his red nose glow even brighter. I am not advocating drinking and driving but the sleigh will definitely arrive on time to its destination with perhaps time to spare. Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte is my rose- of choice. BY MICHAEL VENEZIA * PHOTOGRAPHY BY REID TRAYLOR
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E
y Gift Holida tes a Certific le! b Availa
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njoying both white and red wines during the Christmas meal is part of my dinner plan and if you could leave under my tree a bottle of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Karia Chardonnay from Napa Valley and a fine bottle of Brunello di Montalcino produced by Mastrojanni, our dinner plan will be complete. The chardonnay will nicely complement the alderwood smoked salmon and dill crème fraiche, while the Brunello will be great to enjoy with the garlic and rosemary roasted rack of lamb. The 2004 vintage will be fine but I will be thrilled to receive the 2006, a particularly fine year in this remote part of Tuscany. For dessert this year my wife Patti will prepare a fig tart and a dark chocolate ganache cake with traditional crème anglaise. Perhaps in your bag you can find a vintage porto. Sitting by the fire, sipping on the wonderful ripe cherry flavors will easily encourage a long winter’s nap. I promise to leave at the kitchen table a bottle of Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet that you can take with you to enjoy with Mrs. Claus once you return home to the North Pole. Let me know if you need two bottles to introduce your elves to the pleasure of sharing the bounty of the world’s vineyards. With best wishes to all Cobb Life Magazine readers. Merry Christmas to all and to all a fine wine!
C
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ONLY $20 TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP BUT HAS NEVER BEEN TO A CHIROPRACTOR BEFORE (Or Hasn't Been In A Long Time) Dear Friend, If you've ever thought about going to a chiropractor but you've hesitated because you weren't sure it was right for you, please read on… My name is Dr. Erin Arnold. I would like to show my heartfelt thanks to the community by celebrating the Christmas season with the announcement of Community Health Week. It's my way of saying THANK YOU to the people who have been so helpful and mean so much. I hope this will benefit you and yours. I have agreed to "give away" (to anyone who asks for it) $200 worth of my services for only $20. That's right–$20. In the years that I have been practicing I have helped many people in the North Georgia area feel better and live healthier, more productive lives through chiropractic care. I would now like to introduce you to the many benefits my profession has to offer. For instance, chiropractic care may be able to help you if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.
• Low back pain • Neck pain • Migraines • Sciatica • Herniated discs • Degenerated discs • Shoulder/arm pain • Fibromyalgia These symptoms can be caused whenever the vertebrae in your spine are out of alignment because this "misalignment" directly affects your nervous system. Fortunately, if you are suffering from such problems or similar conditions right now, they may be relieved or eliminated by proper chiropractic treatment (commonly called "adjustments"). So if you've always wanted to check out chiropractic care and see what is in it for you, now is the best time because... ...right now $20 will get you all the services I normally charge my new patients $200 for!
©TPMI
WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE?
DOES CHIROPRACTIC REALLY WORK?
GUARANTEE OF GREAT SERVICE
Everything. Take a look at what you'll get: • An in-depth private consultation about your health and well being... • A chiropractic spinal examination... • A set of specialized Xrays to determine if a misalignment in your spine is causing your pain or symptoms ... (NOTE: Nobody gives these kinds of X-rays FREE. They would usually cost $100!) • An analysis of your Xrays and spinal exam results so we can see what needs to be done to help. • Helpful literature that shows how your body works and why you experience pain… • Answers to all your most probing questions about chiropractic care and what it can do for you…
Absolutely! When you come in I'll provide you with studies that show why chiropractic is a preferred method of treatment. But what provides the best "proof" on how well chiropractic works is what our patients say about it.
Obviously we can't guarantee results. No one can. But there is one guarantee we can give you and that's a guarantee to accept your case only if we truly feel we can help.
The appointment will not take long at all. And like I said, we normally charge $200 for this (most of which just covers the cost of the set of X-rays). But now, as a part of this one-time offer, you can come in and find out for certain if you need chiropractic care and how it can help you eliminate the pain you are feeling. Before you come in, though, you'll probably want to know a little bit about me. So let me tell you...
MEET THE DOCTOR Prior to obtaining my Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Marietta, GA, I received my B.S. degree in Biology. I am nationally and state board-certified in Chiropractic and Physiotherapy. I am one of the few doctors in this area that is certified and performs specific Activator analysis technique for the treatment of degenerative discs, scoliosis, and herniated discs just to name a few. I have happily donated my time to organizations such as MUST Ministries, YWCA (Domestic Violence Shelter for Women), and Ross Memorial, just to name a few. I am very proud to be a wife and mother of two beautiful daughters and a member of Liberty Church in Marietta, GA.
NECK PAIN AND TINGLING ARM PAIN I came to NLCC with moderate to severe neck pain and tingling sensations (paresthesia) in my left arm. I feel better and do not have the pain anymore. I sleep better and have more time to spend playing sports with my children. They have an incredible team here and they make me feel like a part of their family! Thanks, Dr. Francisco Puentes Endocrinologist
SEVERE LOW BACK PAIN AND LEG NUMBNESS Before I came in to the office I was having severe pain in my low back and numbness down my leg constantly. I had been suffering with this for three years. I had two nerve abrasions, multiple shots in my back, pain killers, PT, water therapy and nothing worked. After the first treatment I could stand up straight with little pain. I can now sleep through the night and exercise again. I am 90-100% better and I am so thankful I found this office. Thank you, John R.
MIGRAINES I had 2-3 migraines a week before I started getting care. I had trouble sleeping and it was hard to take care of my children the way that I wanted to. Now that I have been going to NLCC, my vision is improved, I have less headaches and I no longer have sensitivity to light. I can now focus more on my kids and do more for them. I don't have to worry about getting a headache if I move my head a certain way. Thanks! Your friend, Tammy T.
PAID ADVERTISING
LIMITED TIME OFFER Obviously, with an offer like this we can't afford to do it for very long. So we've picked the dates of Dec. 115th. If you would like to take us up on our offer and see what chiropractic can do for you, all you have to do is call our office and set up an appointment.
Call our 24 hour helpline @ 678-574-5678 and tell the receptionist you'd like to come in for the Special Introductory Examination during Dec.1-15TH. I expect to get flooded with appointments for this event, so please call me as soon as possible to be sure that you don't miss out. Thank you very much, and I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more productive life. God bless.
Sincerely,
Dr. Erin Arnold, D.C.
New Life Chiropractic Center 3451 Cobb Parkway, Suite 6 Acworth, GA Call Today:
678-574-5678
H
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ig h lights A closer look at events and activities throughout Cobb County in December
Jennie T. Anderson Theatre PRESENTS
THE SOUND OF MUSIC >> Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents the classic musical made famous by Julie Andrews in the blockbuster movie “The Sound of Music.” This final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents “The Sound of Music” from Dec. 2 through 18 at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square. Performance times and ticket prices vary. Call for details. Information:: 404.377.9948 or www.atlantalyrictheatre.com
SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS >>
Dec. 16th & 17th • 8pm ~ Dec. 18th • 3pm Cobb County Civic Center
Encore Series January 26-29, 2012 & Feburary 3-5, 2012 ................Hairspray by Pebblebrook High School February 18 ..............................Peter Noone March 3 ............................Chubby Checker March 16 ................Jay and the Americans March 31......Coaster, Platters and Marvelettes April 14 ........................................Larry Gatlin CALL
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
770.528.8490 548 S. MARIETTA PARKWAY • MARIETTA, GA 30060 52
December 2011
COBB LIFE
The perennial favorite holiday show has the sunny-voiced Sanders Family back just before the beginning of World War II. They're quirky, saintly and delightfully melodic as they interpret everybody's favorite bluegrass gospel music. The Sanders Family returns to Theatre in the Square for the 13th holiday season. Performances of “Sanders Family Christmas” are Nov. 22 through Jan. 1. Performance times and ticket prices vary. Call for details. Information:: 770.422.8369 or www.theatreinthesquare.com
KINGS OF SALSA >> “Kings of Salsa” is a high-energy dance show direct from Cuba featuring the very best of Havana’s cool street salsa and hip hop scene seamlessly mixed with traditional Afro-Caribbean moves and the Cuban classics, Mambo, Rumba, and Cha Cha Cha. Backed by the spectacular 9-piece band, Cuba Ashire, the performers unleash their Latin rhythms and stratospheric brass arrangements showcasing a slice of cool contemporary Cuba. “Kings of Salsa” is Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Ticket prices range from $38 to $64. Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS >> “Home for the Holidays” is a holiday show for the entire family, with beautiful costumes, outstanding and creative choreography, plus favorite holiday tunes. A show not to miss, audiences will leave with a wonderful holiday feeling. “Home for the Holidays” is Dec. 16 and 17, at 8 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. in the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta. Ticket prices are $15. Information: 770.528.8490 or prca.cobbcountyga.gov/anderson_ theatre.htm
THE NUTCRACKER >> Revel in the timeless classic, “The Nutcracker,” with The Georgia Ballet. This enchanting production features toy soldiers, mischievous mice, Chinese dragons, and even a Christmas tree that grows. There is no better way to begin the holiday season than at The Georgia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Performances are Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center in Marietta. Ticket prices range from $15 to $36. The evening performance on Dec. 3 is a fund raising performance to benefit the YWCA of Northwest Georgia. Information: 770.528.0881 or www.georgiaballet.com
WONDERLAND>> Atlanta Ballet presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s “Wonderland,” a dynamic re-interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s beloved characters, events and themes that is sure to surprise and delight. The Queen of Hearts, The White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter are all on hand, displaying generous doses of wit, camp, and humor. The surreal and dark elements that lurk at the original story’s fringes are bravely realized in explosive passages of breathtaking dance and innovative multimedia. “Wonderland” is a multi-sensory experience, with edgy and athletic movement, an inventive electro-acoustic soundscape, and unexpected visual treats. Performances are Jan. 12, 13, and 14 at 8 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Call for ticket prices. This show is suitable for audiences age 6 and older. Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com
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G IN FEB! BRIDES COMIN
2012, here we come! We are excited about the issues we have planned for next year and want you to part of it! Here is a brief look ahead to what we have in store for the first few months of the year. As always, please send us your article ideas, photos and feedback to cobblifemagazine@cobblifemagazine.com. And you can follow us on facebook, twitter and our home website www.cobblifemagazine.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY Our Best Of Cobb issue - Before and After Home FEBRUARY
Cobb Life presents our Bridal Issue
MARCH 20 RISING STARS UNDER 40
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December 2011
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Urban exploring in Cobb
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Cobb Arts Ball
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The annual Cobb Arts Ball took place in October at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in the Kessel D. Stelling Jr. Ballroom. All proceeds from the event help benefit the endowment fund of the United Arts of Cobb. The theme this year was a Masquerade Ball. Cobb Life was one of the event’s sponsors. 1. From left, Keith and Helen Bromwich of Kennesaw with Jennifer and John York of Acworth. 2. From left, David and Michelle Swann of Atlanta with Sandy Miller of Smyrna. 3. From left, Annette Lee of Marietta, Earl and Terri Reece of Marietta and Mitzy Moore of Marietta. 4. From left, Erroll and Beth Eckford of Marietta with Steve and Leigh Barr of Kennesaw. 5. From left, Keith and Veronica Bowermaster of Cumming with Sharon and Joe Brywczynski of Acworth.
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6. From left, Jeff Perren of Kennesaw, Jim Ivey of Kennesaw, Madison Perren of Kennesaw, James Sutherland of Marietta and, seated, Emma Allen of Kennesaw. 7. Selina Butts of Kennesaw and Angela Flowers of Dallas. 8. Claire Frances of Marietta and Lena Wehunt of Atlanta.
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Cobb Arts Ball
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9 9. From left, Heather Pitstick, Amber Camilla, Andrew Thomas and Bethany Thomas, all of Marietta. 10. From left, Beverly Kelly of Marietta, Helen Hrushka of Marietta, Paulette Basham of Kennesaw and Kathy Swinford of Marietta.
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Vinings Oktoberfest
Robert Meyring and the Vinings Business Association hosted an Oktoberfest party at Meyring's law office in Vinings this fall. The event included authentic German food and beverages. 1. From left, Joel Peksin of Austell, Marietta Business Association President Meral Clarke of Marietta and Will Caraway of Johns Creek. 2. From left, Oliver Yarbrough of Mableton, Brittney Stroud of Smyrna, Vinings Business Association President Glenn Christian of Vinings and Eric Flamm of East Cobb. 3. Rhonda Freeman of Smyrna and Maia Esenberg of Vinings. 4. Maxine and Don Lellie of Smyrna. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN SELF
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Vinings Oktoberfest
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8 5. Dan Smith of Smyrna and Joy Povenz of Acworth. 6. From left, Mark Zangari of Kennesaw, Krystine Shonfelt of Marietta and John Cole of Smyrna. 7. Shannon and Robert Meyring of Vinings. 8. Bonnie Ross of Smyrna and Gillian Greer of the Vinings Historic Preservation Society from Vinings.
S h a r e yo u r p h o t o s f r o m l o c a l eve n t s o n l i n e a t w w w. co b b l i fe m a g a z i n e. co m
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Feed My Lambs Boots ‘n BBQ
Feed My Lambs hosted the inaugural Boots ‘n BBQ fundraiser at Summerour Studio in west Midtown. Feed My Lambs is a Marietta-based international nonprofit whose mission is to partner with local businesses, communities and area churches to open tuition-free Christian schools in economically impoverished areas. 1. From left, Feed My Lambs Founder Elizabeth Weatherby of Marietta with son Blake and daughter-in-law Shannon Weatherby of Kennesaw. 2. From left, Tanzi Mitchell of Kennesaw, Tonya Jones of Marietta and Bobby Mitchell of Kennesaw. 3. John and Stacey Sewell of Austell. 4. Boots ‘n BBQ Co-Chair Nancy Race of Buckhead, Kells Weatherby of Kennesaw and Feed My Lambs Founder Elizabeth Weatherby of Marietta. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN SELF
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COBB LIFE
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Moulthrop Dinner
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A special dinner celebrating the exhibit MOULTHROP: A Southern Legacy took place at the Marietta Cobb Musuem of Art in October. Attendees had dinner with Matt and Philip Moulthrop. The dinner coincided with the exhibit that ran from September to November and featured three generations of the acclaimed woodworking family. 1. From left, Amanda Moulthroup of Marietta and Ellen and Howard Stewart of Atlanta. 2. From left, Steve and Terri Cole of Marietta with Matt Moulthrop of Marietta. 3. Bill Garvin of Marietta, Susan Miller of Marietta and Beth Sessoms of Marietta. 4. Kathy Young of Marietta and Pat Chilton of Marietta. 5. Ashley Tumlin and Ty Tumlin of Vinings.
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Benjamin J. Kelly, M.D.
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Mistletoe Market Preview Party
The Junior League of Cobb/Marietta held its annual Mistletoe Market Preview Party in October at the Cobb Civic Center. The event featured dozens of merchants throughout the Southeast. Funds raised help support the league and their service projects each year. 1. From left, Kristen Rambler of Kennesaw, Kim Sproull of Kennesaw, Carey Merritt of Marietta and Nancy Grant of Kennesaw. 2. From left, Kim Fleming, Lilly Fleming and Stuart Fleming, all of Marietta. 3. From left, Amy Cowart of Acworth, Susan Martin of Marietta and Angie Green of Marietta. 4. Blaire Misiaszek of Marietta and Lynne Patterson of Dallas. 5. Margie Land of Powder Springs and Melissa Nelson of Acworth.
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9 6. Blake Spang of Smyrna and April Anderson of Marietta. 7. From left, Liz Shaw of Acworth, Dana Rohulich of Acworth, Cristy Kesling of Acworth, Paula Weiss of Acworth and Stacy Dickerson of Acworth. 8. Pril Buege of Marietta and Deborah Lindsay of Marietta. 9. Lauren McGrath of Smyrna with Donny and Kim McGarth of Acworth.
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Mistletoe Market Preview Party
11 10 10. From left, Alison Brannon of Smyrna, Tammy Brannon of Smyrna and Erin Brannon of Smyrna. 11. Abby Packman of Marietta and Melissa Packman of Marietta. 12. Kather Walker of Marietta and Alison Walker of Buckhead. 13. Kendall Andrews of East Cobb and Christy Mire of East Cobb. 14. Janice Dunbar of Smyrna and Lori Lofton of Marietta. PHOTOGRAPHY BY REID TRAYLOR
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Slice of Cobb BY HEATHER TEILHET
A
Tree trips and tips
s a kid, one of my favorite family Christmas traditions was the Sunday afternoon trip to the Christmas tree farm to choose and cut our own tree. My brother and I would debate short and fat trees versus tall and skinny trees. Our dog would romp through the farm, and I think my dad enjoyed breaking a sweat in his work gloves and waving around his saw. While the tree farm staff tied the tree to the top of our car, we’d sip apple cider in the farm’s business office. Then as a teenager, I began to begrudge the forced family fun. I resented that my parents required my devoted attention for an entire Sunday. A forced march, and that same Amy Grant Christmas album playing in the background. After we got home with the tree we spent hours dragging boxes of decorations down from the attic. I was just sick over all the fun I was missing at the Dollar Theater with my girlfriends. Then, in college, I came home to discover that my parents had traded our annual tromp through the tree farm for a fake green tree in a box. It could be assembled in a flash, with no haranguing of family schedules, and no grumpy teenager complaints. Ever since then, I’ve teased my parents mercilessly for taking the easy route, and giving up on our long-standing tradition. It is a beautiful fake tree, and as a busy mom I can fully appreciate the effort to simplify the holiday season. But through the years of my (exaggerated) shock, (for show) disappointment about the fake tree, I may have stumbled on a sliver of real motivation for my protest. Those real trees didn’t just provide a Christmas pine fragrance throughout the house, or couple of hours of out-door entertainment for the kids. The trees that stood in our living room at Christmas time throughout my childhood represented critical lessons of respect, sacrifice, priority setting and spending quality family time. The trips to the tree farm represented a stage of my life that is long gone, and perhaps a little anxiety that now the responsibility of passing on those important lessons lies with me. My parents’ job is done, and their years of wrangling us during the holidays have earned them the right to choose any type of tree they like. Now it’s our turn. Hopefully, even in a forced march our little foursome can discover some genuine fun and make some holiday memories.
Thankfully, at least for a couple more years, our daughters are in that pliable stage of childhood where everything is an adventure and most bad attitudes can still be reversed with a candy cane. If you too are planning your family outing for a real tree, check out the Georgia Christmas Tree Association’s (GACTA) “farm finder” on the website: www.gacta.com. Just click on the link “farm finder” to find an interactive map of Georgia, pinpointing Christmas tree farms throughout the state. Some farms in Cobb County include Hazelip Christmas Tree Farm in Kennesaw, Coker Tree Farm in Marietta and Sleepy Hollow Christmas Tree Farm in Powder Springs. Buying products that were grown locally always gives me a little satisfaction that we’re doing our small part to support Georgia’s agriculture industry. Georgia’s Christmas tree growers have offered a few tips to help you choose your tree. Leyland Cypress- This is of the state’s most popular Christmas trees. It’s a dark green color, and is popular because it doesn’t shed needles and it’s non-allergenic. The Leyland Cypress retains water and stays fresh longer than other trees. The limbs are not as strong as others, so lightweight ornaments should be used. Carolina Sapphire- This tree is a bluish-gray color. It has a strong, pleasant fragrance. It is dense and strong, and holds ornaments with no difficulty. It will dry out faster than a Leyland Cypress or a pine. White Pine- This tree has been popular for decades, because it is usually trim and straight. It has long needles with soft branches and a soft pine smell. Virginia Pine- This is another popular Christmas tree. It has short needles and stiff branches and is suitable for holding heavy ornaments. It has a strong pine fragrance. Red Cedar- This Christmas tree grows in forests throughout the state, and has a strong, pleasant cedar smell. The limbs are not strong, but will hold light weight ornaments. The Red Cedar will dry out more quickly than some other varieties.
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