Cobb Life Magazine May 2012

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Cobb Life

May 2012 Volume 8, Issue 4 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

Otis A. Brumby, Jr. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Otis Brumby III V.P. ADVERTISING Wade Stephens

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Jay Whorton E D I T O R I A L S TA F F DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES

Mark Wallace Maguire

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Stacey L. Evans, Mark Wallace Maguire CONTRIBUTORS

Allen Bell, Joan Durbin, Stacey L. Evans, Kevin Hazzard, Anne Murray, Meredith Pruden, Michael Venezia

DR. LAURIE NELSON Audiologist

PHOTOGRAPHER

Reid Traylor PHOTOGRAPHY

990 Whitlock Ave, Ste D • Marietta, GA 30064

Jennifer Carter, Nathan Self

Under Sophie’s Bar & Grill (formerly Whitlock’s Grill)

PROOFREADERS

770-427-3033 • MariettaHearing.com

Caroline Brannen, Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall A D V E R T I S I N G S TA F F COBB ADVERTISING MANAGER

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Atlanta Kubota Atlanta Lyric Theatre BBQ Grill Doctor Beltone Hearing Blackwell's Jewelers Canton Art Festival Carpet Dry Tech Center For Allergy & Asthma Champion Windows Childrens Healthcare Cobb Hardware Compassionate Care Ministries Cumberland Diamond Exchange Dermatology Consultants DK Gallery Emory Adventist Expert CarMedics Fireplace Company Fleming Carpet Fresh N Fit Gaines Park Assisted Living Home Georgia Memorial Park Harry Norman Harry Norman - Blake Surber Henry's Louisiana Grill Heywood's Provisions Hong Kong Star Hutcheson Horticulture Johnson Ferry Baptist Church KSU Continuing Education Leafguard Gutters Life Grocery Marietta Funeral Home

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Marietta Hearing Marlowe's Tavern Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home New Life Chiropractic Northside Hospital Northside Sleep Center Parc at Piedmont Pinnacle Orthopaedics Plastic Surgery Center of the South Private Gallery R & D Mechanical Resurgens Robbins Realty Roswell Street Baptist Sawyer Bailey Salon Sterling Senior Living Sue Hilton Sumner Neurology Sundial Plumbing Superior Plumbing The Bottoms Group The Framery The Henssler Financial Group The Wild Wing Café Trust Mark Gold Vision Shutters & Blinds Wells Fargo Advisors - Chris Busby WellStar WellStar Atherton Place West Georgia Crematory White Rabbit Cottage Winnwood Retirement Woodstock Antiques

Becky Opitz 4 19 67 33 9 48 50 5 12 14 60 39 14 42 46 47 38 11 32 51 7 12 27 11 58 61 18 68 29 60 20 63 46

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Reneé Aghajanian, Stephanie deJarnette, Carole Johnson, Dawne Edge, Paula Milton, 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, visit our website at www.cobblifemagazine.com ADVERTISING

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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 departments

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16 SPICE Get a taste of Derby Day traditions 24 EYE ON BUSINESS East Cobb is an enigma in the economy. And that’s good news.

52 WINE Cobb’s wine guru discovers new treasures

in every issue F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R NEWS & NOTEWORTHY H I G H L I G H TS SCENE REFLECTIONS

08 10 66 70 82

44 16

features 16 FLOWER POWER Get ready for the Day Lily show at Cobb Galleria 30 OPA! Savor the culture and food of Greece without leaving Cobb 34 CELEBRATING MOM Two Cobb celebrities share what their moms mean to them 44 SUMMER READING GUIDE Our staff gives you picks for the heat

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

The end is nigh...

I have witnessed many signs of the apocalypse during the last decade.

I said I would never work for a newspaper, yet, have spent over 14 years in newspaper and magazine publishing.

How did that happen?

Then I got married nine years ago - the forever-sworn-singlerambling man made the jump.

Yep, definitely another sign of the end times approaching.

The wife and I bought a house.

We were blessed with two sons.

We bought a minivan.

Yep, all harbingers of the Four Horsemen on the horizon. All the things my wife had heard me say I would never do were coming true. Next I was trading in reading time on biographies, theology and science fiction for colorful books about cows doing a barnyard dance and saying “Goodnight Moon” and giving mice cookies.

The end was near.

I was sure.

This spring, another sign appeared.

I took my first coaching position. I would love to write that UNC basketball coach Roy Williams phoned me after hearing about my enlightenment in dissecting the triangle-and-two defense or UGA football coach Mark Richt invited me to join his staff because he wanted more trickeration in his offensive playbook.

Instead my first position was not as stellar in nature, but quite rewarding in itself.

I became the head coach of an Upward soccer team. The “head coach” moniker in itself did not freak me out so much. It was the word “soccer” that threw me for a loop. I enjoy watching the World Cup, but otherwise, soccer is a bit foreign to me. I was never coordinated enough with my feet or fast enough to decipher the intricacies of the game and play on any level, and I don’t know or understand all the nuances and rules of the game. (Something in my nature likes sports where you can hit the other players so I stuck to basketball and football.)

But when my six-year-old son Patrick’s soccer team needed a coach, well, a void needed to be filled.

A team needs a coach.

Nobody else was stepping up.

And it is darn near impossible to turn down five- and six-yearolds.

So this fool stepped up to fill it.

I learned a few things.

There is a reason my father told me to never coach your own son. It is tough. To Patrick’s credit, he always called me “Coach” on the field and his only faults were being too emotional and narrating his own plays. (Yes, one of his future jobs he told me, in addition to being a fireman and policeman, is to work for ESPN). My fault was being too tough on him. I actually had to let the referee know in one game that if I seemed super hard on one kid in particular, it was for a simple reason – he was my son. I didn’t want to get tossed out of Upward Soccer for being a hard-nose, so I eased back and asked our assistant coach to work more with Patrick, instead of me.

I learned that, thankfully, in the 5 and 6-year-old level, you don’t have to know all the rules. They just kind of herd around the field and you follow them and constantly tell them to space out, shoot at the right goal, not cry and pay attention to where the ball is more than the butterflies.

I also learned that when you ask things like, “Does anyone have any questions?” during halftime, you need to be prepared for anything. My favorite being, “Yes coach, I have a question. Do lions have babies?”

Of course, the best part of coaching is just seeing kids celebrate and have fun.

I can’t tell you I mastered the basics of soccer in one season, but I taught the kids the proper way to give a high-five and a belly bump.

I couldn’t tell you all the secrets of the game, but I gave a heck of a pre-game speech.

I imagine this will be my one-and-done season as a soccer coach.

This dog is getting too old to learn new sports.

But, I also get an inkling that if Patrick plays basketball this fall and they need a spot filled, I will be there whistle and all, doing my best in a sport I do know.

I will also keep looking over my shoulder for the Four Horsemen. With the year 2012 already filled with fear and yours truly running madly on a soccer field, it might be sooner than you think.

Mark Wallace Maguire

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[business]

[arts]

Ultra-hip shoe store arrives in East Cobb Abbadabba’s, longtime mecca for all hip footwear in Atlanta, has opened a new store in East Cobb. The shop is located at 1255 Johnson Ferry Road in Market Plaza, just south of Merchants Walk. The store features more than 4,800 square feet of footwear offerings.

Since the opening of their first store

in Little 5 Points in 1981, the company has focused on offering footwear that helps people enhance their overall health, activities and passions.

The store store has five locations in metro Atlanta, including one in Kennesaw.

Information: www.coolshoes.com.

Akers and the arts East Cobb resident takes arts post East Cobb’s Mary Akers was recently named executive director of the Cherokee Arts Center. Akers was tapped to take the post, which was vacant since former executive director Dianne Langston quit in May. Akers said she wants to focus on building the arts center’s programs, and already has some ideas in mind.

Akers is eyeing bringing in several new programs to the center including new classes, such as sewing and sculpture, and hosting more live performances at the venue.

Information: http://www.cherokeearts.org/

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news & noteworthy [people and business]

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Jawaid Ahsan, MD Board Certified Neurologist, Fellowship trained in movement disorders (Tremors/Parkinson’s Disease) from Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Ahsan treats General Neurological Disorders, Epilepsy, Stroke, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Hip, Back, and Neck Pain with injections/BOTOX for immediate relief.

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Rolling south Trolley business growing success into Atlanta Marietta residents and tourism leaders Brian and Cassandra Buckalew officially expanded south into Atlanta with the launch of Peachtree Trolley Company.

The Buckalews, partners in marriage and in business, operate the Historic Marietta Trolley Company and Marietta Pedicabs, and lead the Marietta Ghost Tours. Marietta Trolley Company earned a “Best Of” Cobb award this year by readers of Cobb Life magazine.

Now the duo can add Atlanta history and sightseeing to their business portfolio with Peachtree Trolley Company, the only trolley sightseeing service in Atlanta. There is currently a loading zone at 265 Parke Ave. West NW, but the business is eyeing adding a ticket booth or storefront in the future.

Information: www.thepeachtreetrolley.com or call 770.425.1006.

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[style]

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Your attention, please: One of the easiest ways to spruce up your wardrobe this spring is with a splash of color. It doesn't have to go on your lips or over your shoulder — and not across your chest, either.

This season, the place for bold color is on the bottom.

Colored denim and, by extension, every other kind of pants and trousers in hues as bright as the rainbow are a key look in stores at every end of the shopping spectrum. Part of the pervasiveness is that it's pretty democratic: You find the shape and silhouette that you like best and find the shade that best complements your skin tone. Swap out blue or khaki and, voila, you're on trend.

Think of it as you would a fresh coat of paint.

"You can't deny what's going on with color," says Daniel Guez, CEO and creative director of the upscale denim label Dylan George. "Everyone can participate in this."

Yes, bright yellow bottoms might seem a little intimidating at first, says Tana Ward, American Eagle's chief merchandising officer, but adds: "We see colored bottoms as easy to wear, believe it or not."

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Make mom a cake

[food]

A recipe for a super special treat

Taking mom out for dinner is a great way to honor her hard work, but for something extra special, make her a cake.

Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake Servings: 12 For the batter: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 1/4 cups sour cream (not light or non-fat) 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups sifted flour (sift before measuring) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt For the cinnamon-sugar filling: 1 cup pecans, chopped 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon Pinch of sea salt Heat the oven to 325 F. Coat a 12cup (large) Bundt pan with a bit of vegetable oil or cooking spray (do not

use baking spray).

To make the batter, in a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat until light and fluffy. Add the sour cream, eggs and vanilla, then mix again until well incorporated.

Measure and sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add the flour mixture to the buttersugar mixture a little at a time, mixing between additions and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until well mixed. Set aside.

To make the filling, in a large bowl combine the pecans, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Mix well. Spoon a shallow layer of the filling mixture over the bottom of the Bundt pan. Spoon half the batter into the pan over the filling. Sprinkle all but 1/4 cup of the remaining filling evenly over the batter.

Pour the rest of the batter over the filling, smoothing it with a silicone spatula. Sprinkle with the remaining filling.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the cake pulls away from sides and a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. Start testing for doneness after the cake has baked for 40 minutes since ovens and pans vary in the way they bake. Remove from oven and transfer cake pan to a cooling rack. Let cool before slicing.

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[travel]

Beat the heat in western North Carolina

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We got a heads-up from our buds in western North Carolina about a new retreat and community that might be worth checking out.

Located roughly half and hour from Asheville, Balsam Mountain Preserve is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers a ton of amenities for homeowners and vacationers alike.

At almost 4,000 feet above sea level, the community has over 230 home sites.

It offers a variety of excursions for vacationers that range from one-bedroom secluded mountain cabins to four-bedroom mountain homes.

On the site is a variety of activities.

Notable is the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, a lodge, fishing, and perhaps the most breathtaking of all – the equestrian center.

The center features an onsite stable manager, club horses and pasture boarding for members’ horses. Guided trail rides are available and the bulk of the trails are under the tree canopy.

The preserve’s trail system also connects to the verdant Nantahala National Forest that offers more than 500,000 acres of unspoiled riding habitat.

Information: 866.452.3456. balsammountainpreserve.com

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The “Run for the Roses,� as the Derby is known, is part of the Triple Crown of horse racing. It started over 125 years ago and is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The other two races in the Triple Crown are the Preakness Stakes (Baltimore, Md.) and the Belmont Stakes (Elmont, NY).

forget the horses ...

DERBY DAY is about food and fashion The Kentucky Derby is one of the major horse racing events of the year and is steeped in tradition.

This year it will be held May 5.

To find out the entire Derby scoop, go to www.kentuckyderby.info

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At the Derby, the food and fashion are almost as important as the horses and jockeys. On the first weekend each May, “dapper men and beautiful women in hats” drink mint juleps (a mix of ice, bourbon, mint and sugar, shown at right) and feast on culinary delights such as Burgoo (a lamb and vegetable stew), ham, salads, sweet potato biscuits, and many other traditional dishes.

Jennifer and Chris Forberg, who met as students at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, often enjoyed races and thoroughbred sales at Lexington’s Keenland track, but never made it to that most venerable of Bluegrass State events, the Kentucky Derby.

“We went to a lot of Derby parties, though,” Jen said with a laugh.

After graduation, the Forbergs lived in several states before they landed in the metro area, where they bought their east Cobb home in 2004. Chris is the finance manager for the Boys and Girls Club and Jen is a web designer for Emergint Technologies.

Two years ago, the Forbergs decided to have their own Derby party to introduce some of

By Joan Durbin their friends to the tradition.

Photography by If you’ve Reid Traylor never been to a Kentucky Derby soiree, think of it as a football game day bash, only with generally better food and a voluntary dress code.

It’s an opportunity for ladies to break out their favorite spring ensembles, Jen said. And, as they are at the Derby itself, colorful, fashionable hats are the order of the day.

Even the gentlemen guests will spiff up a bit. Chris always wears a tie.

The Forbergs invite around 50 couples and as guests arrive at the party, couples draw tickets with Derby entrants’ names. “That way not everyone is picking the same horse,” Jen explained. After the big race, guests holding the win, place and show tickets get prizes, usually commemorative Derby glasses.

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Chris and Jen Forberg host about 50 couples in their East Cobb home for a derby party each year.

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The food is catered, with barbecue being the star. Chris plays bartender and the first round is always mint juleps, the bourbon cocktail that is a Kentucky Derby must-have.

“There are two ways to make a mint julep, the easy recipe or the traditional one. We have done both ways and highly recommend the easy recipe if you have a larger crowd. Although it was fun making it and experiencing how to make it,” Jen said.

Crushed ice is essential to the cocktail, not only for authenticity but to ensure the proper frostiness and blend of flavors, Chris noted.

“When you first hand a julep to the ladies, it’s usually too strong for them, so I advise them to let it sit a couple of minutes and let the ice draw it down,” he said.

Any good quality bourbon may be used, but Woodford, a premium small batch bourbon whiskey, is the official bourbon of the Derby. Early Times and Makers Mark also have a large following among Derby patrons.

This year, Jen is taking her father, Gary Lee Combs, an honorary Kentucky Colonel, to the Derby for his 70th birthday. It will be the first Derby she has ever seen in person. Chris is staying at home with the couple’s son, Lee, 10, and daughter Kirsten, 5.

But they did celebrate together before the big race with a brunch of some classic Kentucky dishes. One is the Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey and cheese-sauced sandwich first made famous by The Brown Hotel in Louisville in the 1920s. It’s classic Derby fare.

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Left, Kentucky Brown Toast combines turkey, cheese, tomato and bacon. Right, Lee, 10, and Kristen Forberg, 5, get ready to dig into a pecan pie.

Another must-have is Derby Pie, first created in 1950 at a Prospect, Kentucky hotel by a man named George Kern. The real recipe for the luscious chocolate, walnut and bourbon pastry is a secret closely guarded by the Kern family, which is why many cooks have their own versions. Jen makes the pie according to her mom’s recipe.

Chef Rosemary Rutland, one of the culinary instructors at Cook’s Warehouse in east Cobb, has a Derby Day menu she said is easy enough for the home cook to accomplish but never fails to impress.

“Ham is something that classically is served at the Derby, and ham croquettes are easy to make,” she said. “My version is similar to those my grandmother made. The pineapple adds a little sweetness and you really get the flavor of the ham.”

Sweet potato biscuits are an ideal pairing with the croquettes, as is the fresh, zingy slaw. Chef Rosemary suggests adding any other veggies you wish to the slaw, such as shredded carrots, zucchini, red cabbage or green bell pepper.

As a sweet ending, Kentucky bourbon balls are a clear winner. Make them a day ahead so the flavors can fully developed.

Before she became a chef, Rosemary Rutland’s food packaging career took her to more than 30 countries, sparking a love of travel, foreign cultures and local cuisines. After exiting the corporate world, she embarked on a culinary path that led first to the Art Institute of

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Baked Brown Sugar Ham Croquettes

Chef Rosemary Rutland Atlanta where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2004 with a degree in Culinary Arts and an emphasis in baking and pastry.

After a baking internship at the Ritz-Carlton Downtown Atlanta and a restaurant internship with Woodfire Grill, she started Chef’s Table Personal Chef Service in 2005. As a certified personal chef, she teaches cooking and baking classes, creates dinners for special

occasions and multi-meal service for a broad range of clients.

She has worked in the pastry kitchens of Bold American Catering and the contemporary French restaurant Trois. At the Art Institute of Atlanta she is an adjunct culinary instructor and is a corporate chef for Calphalon. Since 2008, Rosemary has been a featured presenter at the annual Atlanta Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show.

Yield: about 4 to 5 servings (3 pieces each)

Croquette ingredients: 1 pound ham steak, ground ½ pound ground pork ½ Tbsp. butter 1/4 cup minced sweet onion 1 tsp. ground ginger 3/4 cup minced fresh breadcrumbs 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper ½ cup whole milk (more if needed) Sauce ingredients: ½ cup pineapple juice 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 tsps. Dijon mustard 3 Tbsps cider vinegar (substitute rice vinegar if necessary)

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Preheat oven to 375 F. Grind the ham using a meat grinder or food processor.

Place ham and pork in a bowl and set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the onion for about 3 minutes until soft.

Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Place all croquette ingredients in the bowl and with gloved hands, mix gently until mostly combined. Do not over mix.

Butter the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Form the mixture into 1 x 2 ½ inch finger-shaped logs and place about 1 inch apart in the baking dish. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes.

While croquettes are baking, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

Pour over the croquettes and reduce heat to 350 F. Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until browned and bubbly.

To serve, place croquettes on serving plate and spoon sauce over them. Serve warm.

— Chef Rosemary Rutland

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Sweet Potato Biscuits

Kentucky Bourbon Balls

Yield: about 18 biscuits

(adapted from Sheila Lukens); Yield: about 36 balls

12 oz. unbleached all-purpose flour plus more for rolling out dough 1 ½ tsps. salt 2 Tbsps. plus 2 tsps. baking powder ¼ cup brown sugar 8 oz. cold unsalted butter (2 sticks) ½ cup dry milk powder 25 oz. (2 2/3 cups) baked sweet potato, mashed and cooled

Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and brown sugar. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles a uniform, coarse meal.

Combine potatoes with milk powder and blend until smooth. Stir into the flour mixture. Knead lightly just until smooth, about 15 times, adding a little more flour as needed. Dough will be soft.

On a clean, floured surface roll or pat out the dough to about ½-inch thick. Cut and bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve immediately.

Note: Biscuits may be cut and then frozen until ready to bake. The easiest way to do this is to place biscuits on a small parchment-lined sheet tray, cover with foil or plastic wrap, and freeze. Once frozen, remove biscuits and store in a freezer bag or in an air-tight container. These biscuits are great plain or with ham & mustard or jam/jelly.

— Chef Rosemary Rutland

2 ½ cups ground vanilla wafers (one 11- or 12-ounce box) ½ cup toasted pecan halves 2 Tbsps. unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ cup bourbon ½ cup golden raisins 6 Tbsps. light corn syrup About 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (or cocoa powder if you wish)

Place the ground vanilla wafers, pecans, cocoa powder, bourbon, raisins, and corn syrup in the bowl of a food processor.

Process until all ingredients are finely ground and well blended.

Place confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl or in a lunch size paper sack. Roll the mixture between your palms to form balls the size of cherries. Roll the balls in the confectioners’ sugar (or shake in the bag) to coat completely.

Store in an air tight container with wax paper or parchment paper between the layers until ready to serve. These keep for several weeks. — Chef Rosemary Rutland

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By Anne Murray

s spring days become warmer, bright orange flowers begin to bloom in the ditches beside the road.

It is a vivid sight that lifts our hearts and signals that, indeed, summer is almost here.

That is the image that comes to mind when most people think of daylilies.

Cobb residents can get a closer look at these amazing flowers with a unique history at the Greater Atlanta Daylily Show on June 9 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria.

But how did this once-lowly flower gain so much attention?

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Once thought to be in the lily family, daylilies are now placed in their own family. The botanical genus name Hemerocallis originates from the Greek meaning “beautiful for a day.”

Each flower opens for only one day; spent by evening, to be succeeded the next day by another beautiful blossom.

Introduced to the 17th-century American garden, the flower soon escaped to roadsides and other natural environs. It was no longer cultivated as a gardening flower. All that changed with the 1920s introduction of Hemerocallis “Hyperion."

A large flowered, bright yellow plant, it marked the reintroduction of daylilies into the American garden.

Today, the daylily has developed into one of the most widely grown garden plants.

Few people think of growing daylilies as a business, but daylily breeding has become a specialty in the United States. Hemerocallis is one of the very highly hybridized garden plants. The color range of the flowers has been extended from the yellow, orange and pale pink of the species to vibrant reds, purples, lavenders, greenish tones, near white, near black and more.

Many daylily gardeners find information and support in local Daylily Societies. Cobb County has a Daylily Society that meets quarterly. Many members find they form friendships with others who share an interest and passion for the daylily.

“We come for the flower and stay for the people,” said Cobb resident Kay Day Piccola.

One might say the daylily is the perfect perennial. Because daylilies come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes, there is something for everyone.

Daylilies can be grown in almost any soil, landscape, and climate; are drought tolerant and relatively disease resistant; and bloom from late spring to early autumn.

Wa n t m o re D a y l i l i e s ?

Visit the show.

June 9 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Cobb Galleria Presented by: The Cobb County Daylily Society and the Daylily Society of Greater Atlanta

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Top, enjoy the silence while you can.

The revitalized and refurbished Merchant’s Walk shopping center has become one hot spot in East Cobb.

Above, Michelle Kong enjoys good business at Hong Kong Star’s East Cobb location. Barry Watson, pictured above her, has been in business in East Cobb as owner of The Framery since 1979.

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E A S T

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C O B B

E conomically,

East Cobb is an enigma.

While countless communities in the metro area, state and nation were hurt by recent declining property values, East Cobb seemed immune to the real estate slide.

As retail spaces in commercial centers became vacant at a rapid rate, small businesses in East Cobb continued to thrive. Because of location, affluence, excellent schools and quality of life, East Cobb has continued to attract new businesses even in the face of the largest economic recession since the Great Depression.

Why? Ask Ed Fogarty, president of the East Cobb Business Association, a coalition of more than 100 businesses in the East Cobb area. The association works to develop business leaders for the area through networking and education, all with a focus on community.

“In a short geographic area, we have a tremendous amount of business diversity,” he said.

“Everything from entrepreneurial to service-based to restaurants, and some of the schools are the best. Some of the higher earning and creative people tend to lump in the East Cobb area.

And East Cobb is still the financial district of Cobb County.”

By Allen Bell : Photography by Reid Traylor

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Seed owner Doug Turbush, left, said the demographic in East Cobb was prime for a restaurant like his. Whole Foods, above, opened one of their highline stores in East Cobb last year.

One of the more unique businesses in East Cobb is FJ Lancaster, a custom apparel store for men.

Located on Johnson Ferry Road, the haberdashery works mostly with repeat clientele to build a hand-crafted, personalized wardrobe over years. Lancaster often meets customers at their place of business or home to work with the client on their clothing needs.

“A woman’s number one accessory is a well-dressed man,” said Lancaster, one of the shop’s owners. “A lot of the men don’t want to take the time to shop for themselves. I keep measurements and samples of everything a guy buys. So we know what ties go with what jackets and what shirts. It makes it simple for people to come in and pick out something for birthdays or anniversaries or something like that.”

For a shop like FJ Lancaster, East Cobb is the prime market and location.

“I felt like it was an unserved area,” Lancaster elaborated. “It’s affluent enough to support a custom clothing store. And I can be at the Perimeter, or in Buckhead, to reach clients who are beyond East Cobb. So I’m not just tied to East Cobb.”

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High end boutiques and restaurants dishing up savory menus, like Hong Kong Star, above, keep the community business scene vibrant and strong.

There has often been a flurry of new restaurants opening in the area the past few years.

Grand Champion Barbecue, Caffe Fortunato, Moxie Burger, Marlowe’s Tavern and one of the most recent, Seed Kitchen & Bar. “There was an incredible void in the dining scene up here,” said Doug Turbush, owner of Seed, which opened in November 2011. “I wanted to bring some of the flavors that you find inside the perimeter up here.”

A 12-year resident of East Cobb, Turbush, 39, initially moved to the area for the quality of life and education. After working in Buckhead for twelve years at Blue Pointe and Nava, the restaurateur wanted to open his business in East Cobb, as well.

Gourmet grocers have also made a dent in the market with Trader Joe’s opening several years ago and the always hip Whole Foods Market opening July 2011 at Merchant’s Walk.

A corporate chain based in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods designs their stores to fit each individual community, including product lines and décor tailored to the locale.

Their location criteria include availability, cost of real estate, income, population density, education, and interest in natural and organic foods.

“East Cobb certainly had a good mix of all of these factors,” said Liz Towery, Marketing Team Leader for the local Whole Foods. “It’s a community-focused area and there are so many families, so many active people, people that are participating in the community. We’re able to fill up classes here in East Cobb that we may not be able to in all of our stores.

This community has been very active, very involved.”

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The Avenue at East Cobb has been a strong shopping fixture in the area for roughly a decade. Here, Brooke Merrill of Smyrna loads up on a shopping trip.

Even local entrepreneurs who started in other areas of the county are expanding into East Cobb. Michelle Kong, Kennesaw resident and owner of Hong Kong Star, opened her first restaurant in Acworth in 2002.

Although she sold her original location in 2011, that was only after she opened a second restaurant in East Cobb in May 2010.

“I have a lot of customers in East Cobb who used to come to the north,” she said. “The East Cobb customer is more knowledgeable about authentic Chinese food.”

But it is not all new businesses that reap the rewards of the area’s tremendous opportunities. Longtime businesses such as The Framery are still going strong. In business for more than three decades, The Framery is a niche business handling original artwork, rare documents and other memorabilia.

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editorial calendar We’re rolling into summer and are geared up for the second half of 2012. We’ve got a ton of spectacular stories coming up in future issues. Below is a brief look at what’s in store for the next few months. If you have any article ideas, events you want us to cover or just want to say hello, please email us at mmaguire@cobblifemagazine.com.

And follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

IN COBB A Z Z I P !

IN JUNE G N I M O C

June/July Cobb’s Best Pizza Father’s Day gift ideas Aug/Sept DIY issue

Eye on Marietta Business

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Above, the always deliciously indulgent baklava.

Left, from left, Stephanie Lilly of Marietta, Katie Jacobs of Roswell, Yeoryia Papadopouids of Roswell and Sofia Niarchos of Marietta.

Far left, Father Panayiotis Papageorgio in the church’s glorious sanctuary.

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BY JOAN DURBIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY REID TRAYLOR

For the 22nd year, one of Cobb County’s most delicious festivals will bring thousands of hungry folks to the grounds of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in northeast Cobb.

There they’ll find a dazzling array of authentic Greek entrees, desserts and snacks lovingly prepared by church members and offered for sale to eat at the festival or take home.

Main dishes include chicken baked in olive oil, lemon and oregano, marinated and grilled pork tenderloin kebabs, Greek-style meatballs in seasoned tomato sauce, ground beef and rice-stuffed grape leaves and flaky-crusted spinach and feta cheese pie.

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And baklava, that wonderful syrup and nut torte made with layers and layers of buttered phyllo dough, is only one of the wide spectrum of sweets to choose from.

Steve Tingas, who is chairing the event, said food will be served cafeteria style this year so people can pick their food and pay for it all in the same line.

“We’ll have menus with pictures and descriptions of the different foods to give to people while they’re waiting in line,” he said.

Live music and professional dance troupes will add color and spirit with both modern and traditional Greek performances.

A marketplace of vendors will have jewelry, linens, scarves, cookbooks, arts and crafts and more. “They are all Greek items, either religious or culture related,” Tingas said.

Guided tours of Holy Transfiguration’s beautiful Byzantine chapel and sanctuary are one of the festival’s most popular activities, he added. “People have a strong interest about Greek Orthodoxy, and this is a good chance to show what we believe and what our religion is all about.”

Free parking and shuttle service will be available at Simpson Middle School, Lassiter High School and Shallowford Crossing Shopping Center.

Friday admission is free; on Saturday and Sunday it is $3.

The festival occurs rain or shine.

What began at the Cobb Civic Center 22 years ago as a small festival with around 2,000 visitors has grown into a major event, attracting as many as 14,000 last year.

“We do a lot with a church that has only 400 members,”

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Tingas said. “To put on the festival it takes 125 volunteers working at any one time and 60 to 70 dancers. The whole congregation gets involved and we are really proud of what we’ve done over the years.”

He credited his deputy coordinator, Becky Valagohar, as being “critical to the festival’s success.”

INFORMATION May 18, 3 to 11 p.m.

May 19, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

May 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church 3431 Trickum Road, Marietta (770) 924-8080 www.mariettagreekfestival.org

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Finally Free from Arthritis Pain Without Drugs or Harmful Side Effects Living with arthritis pain can affect every part of your life. It keeps you from enjoying the good things in life – time with grandkids,playing golf, even working in the yard.

It would be nice to get out of bed, just one morning, without pain.

Every time you try and push through the pain, like standing or walking for a long period of time, you pay for it for the next 2-3 days with even more pain.

Do you have any of these arthritic problems?

• Osteoarthritis • Rheumatoid arthritis • Bursitis/tendonitis • Degenerative joint disease • Lumbar disc problems • Aching pain in the arms or legs

Pain Pills Are Not The Answer Do you remember the Vioxx scandal? It was a medication designed to relieve arthritis pain... but like all drugs,it had side effects.After years of use worldwide, the makers withdrew it from the market because of the overwhelming evidence it caused heart attacks and strokes.

There's a time to use pain medications, but not before seeking a natural way to correct the cause of the problem! Ask yourself – after taking all these pain medications, maybe for years... are you any better off?

Pain Is Not Just “Old Age” Have you had one doctor after another tell you this is just the natural process of the body getting older - that you should expect to have arthritis?

Sure, if you don't take care of your damaged joints now, as you get older they will be worse (which is why you shouldn't wait any longer to see if I can help you.) However, old age is not the cause of your arthritis. I'll venture to say all 360 joints in your body are the same age, yet arthritis and joint degeneration has not affected every one of them – only your previously injured joints that have never healed properly.

My name is Dr. Amy Valente, owner of North Cobb Spine & Nerve Institute. Over the past six years since we've opened the doors, I've seen hundreds of people come in suffering with arthritis and leave the office pain-free.

I've made it my mission in practice to help those suffering with chronic pain like you.

“I only wish I had found you sooner...”

I hear this too often, so I decided to do something about it. Just call before May 25th, 2012 and you'll get my "Arthritis Evaluation" for only $20. Here’s what you’ll get: • An in-depth consultation about your arthritis where I will listen – really listen.

• A complete nerve, muscle and spinal exam to find the cause of your problem.

• A full set of specialized x-rays to look for joint degeneration (arthritis) (These would normally cost you at least $200).

• A thorough analysis of your exam and x-ray findings so I can show you how to fix the problems.

I'll answer all your questions about chiropractic and arthritis pain. The appointment will not take long at all and you won't be sitting in a waiting room all day either.

To take me up on this special offer, you must call before May 25th, 2012.

Call Today!

678-574-5678 Feel the improvement and say "Yes" to life again!

Listen to what someone else has to say about it…..

"I came into the office with terrible hip pain and stiffness.Now I am able to move around without all of the pain! Before I came to the office I had a lot of trouble sleeping but now I can sleep 7 hours a night without taking any medication!"

Thanks! – D. Hames "When I came in I was dealing with pain that at times left me unable to function normally.

Activities such as working out, doing yardwork and lifting my grandson were difficult. Now that I am getting well I feel like a normal person again. I can exercise, lift weights and even pick up my grandson without worrying about the pain!"

Thanks again! – K. Sears With my "Arthritis Evaluation," we can find the problem and then correct it.Think of how you could feel in just a few short weeks! See and feel your life change for the better. Start your body on the way to pain-free, normal living.

Feel tight joints rest, relax, free up. Feel PA I D A DV E RT I S I N G

muscles tied in knots become more supple.

Feel strength in your muscles increase.

As you begin to see motion returning to your joints, you're preventing and reducing chances of disability and a crippling future.

You're playing golf again – hitting longer drives, smoother putts, and lower scores – without pain.

Arthritis can be successfully treated.

Healthy, pain-free living should be yours.

Please call our 24-Hour Helpline at 678-5745678 and tell the receptionist you'd like to come in for the Special Arthritis Evaluation before May 25th, 2012.

We can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there's an opening in the schedule. Our office is located on the corner of Mars Hill Road and Hwy 41.

I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more joyful life.

Sincerely, Dr. Amy Valente, D.C. P.S. The only real question to ask yourself is this... isn’t life too short to live in pain? Call us today and soon I'll be giving you the green light to have fun again!

North Cobb Spine & Nerve Institute 3451 Cobb Parkway, Suite 4 Acworth, GA Call Today:

678-574-5678

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By Meredith Pruden : Photography by Reid Traylor

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Vintage pictures of moms through the years. Above, from left, Wynn, Yvonne and Ty Pennington. Opposite page, Holly Firfer and her mother, Nancy, on her wedding day.

Two Cobb families share special memories of their mothers

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Partners in Crime

For Holly Firfer-Arnold and Nancy Firfer, every day is Mother’s Day

Nancy Firfer and Holly Firfer-Arnold play with Holly’s dogs in her backyard in Vinings.

“We both loved animals, and I wanted to rescue every stray and would hide kittens in my room. My dad said no animals but my mom would always help me hide it until we found a good home. She was a good partner in crime for a good cause.”

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Holly Firfer-Arnold, Vinings resident, Emmy-nominated journalist, CNN correspondent and Star94 deejay, and her mother, Nancy Firfer, share a positively infectious enthusiasm for life and for each other.

Although this dynamic duo have enjoyed a strong bond for as long as either one of them can remember and need no excuse to celebrate their mutual respect and admiration for one another, the consistent dedication they show to each other is a prime example of the underlying meaning of Mother’s Day.

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Holly Firfer-Arnold and her mom Nancy have always been close.

“The best advice she ever gave me is don’t forget to moisturize your neck!”

Nancy, who lives in Chicago and has a long history of philanthropy in her hometown, said Holly was born wise beyond her years, making her an almost effortless child to raise. “I was a purposely young mother, and Holly was the first of my three children and my only daughter,” Nancy said. “I was very lucky she was mother’s little helper.”

Holly and Nancy quickly developed a friendship through mutual loves, such as shopping, animals and giving back, as well as Holly’s childhood passions, including dance.

But the pair also brought the rest of the brood together around Sunday family days and even an annual family trip scheduled around the Major League Baseball All-Star Game each summer.

“We were always together, but my mom always encouraged us to have a lot of friends, so we were always very social. I always loved hanging out with my mom,” Holly said. “Even when I was in college at Northwestern, my mom would come every year for my birthday and take me to lunch or shopping.”

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Today, Holly and Nancy still carve out time from their busy schedules for regular visits despite living in different cities. “We still love getting together and have a great time even today,” Nancy said. “Holly always tells me when I get old she has her basement ready for me.”

So, what forges the kind of solid motherdaughter bond that can span hundreds of miles and hectic schedules for all these years?

“My mom was a really good confidante and really understanding,” Holly said. “We both loved animals, and I wanted to rescue every stray and would hide kittens in my room. My dad said no animals but my mom would always help me hide it until we found a good home. She was a good partner in crime for a good cause.”

Shared secrets for a good cause, shared passions and plenty of quality family time built the foundation for Holly and Nancy to enjoy a lifetime of making memories together, but it was

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Though they live miles apart, Nancy Firfer and daughter Holly spend as much time as possible together. Holly still gets advice from her mom on redecorating and landscaping whenever she visits.

Nancy’s parenting style that laid the groundwork for Holly’s professional success.

“I believe kids should be free to make their own choices as long as they have the right guidance,” Nancy said.

“She made us very independent and gave us a lot of free reign,” Holly said. “That gave me a lot of confidence because I was always encouraged to take chances and feel my way.

My mom used to say, ‘Go around the block and stop in every driveway,’ and that’s a metaphor for life. That’s why I like to travel and be the journalist asking questions and engaging with people. My mom does a million things at once and never stands still. I got that from her. She’s always taught me to keep moving forward, and I’m really thankful for that. Plus, she’s got great genes!”

And, really, who can ask for more than that?

Tell us what you love about your mother.

Share your story on our website, www. cobblifemagazine.com or post us a note on facebook.

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YVONNE PENNINGTON MOTHER OF WYNN AND TY

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A Mother’s Day lesson in

Southern Charm “Mother’s Day is the day we should let our moms know how much they mean to us,” said Ty Pennington, host of the hit ABC show Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the new show The Revolution.

“My mom means everything to me because she’s given everything to me. She gave me her heart and, with it, what it feels like to love and be loved. She gave me her strength to

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conquer any obstacles life throws my way. And, she gave me the greatest gift of all … her laugh and sense of humor. I truly believe laughter can make everything better, and it’s those family gatherings (the good, bad and ugly) that we look back at and laugh the hardest. After all, we should because, just like my mom, they mean everything to me.”

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“... she gave me the greatest gift of all … her laugh and sense of humor. I truly believe laughter can make everything better, and it’s those family gatherings (the good, bad and ugly) that we look back at and laugh the hardest.”

Ty Pennington loves his mama.

And, let’s face it, there’s nothing sweeter than a Southern gentleman whose mother raised him right. But Dr. Yvonne Pennington, a psychologist living and working in East Cobb, didn’t raise just one successful Southern gentleman … she raised two! Her eldest son, Wynn Pennington, lives in metro Atlanta and owns Motovino Wine Company, a wine importer and distributor. According to Yvonne, he’s also a “really great dad” to his daughter Sloan. And, boy, he loves his mama too!

“My mom is the best mom in the mom business,” Wynn said. “She’s a role model. I mean, she’s perfect. She’s very well educated, diligent and just works her butt off, but there was also a lot of laughter in our house growing up.”

So, how did Yvonne, who struggles with severe respiratory problems and spent several years as a single mother before remarrying, raise two confident, thriving Southern gentlemen while finishing her own advanced education?

“Encouragement, encouragement, encouragement,” Yvonne said. “I gave

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freedom to make their own decisions, and once they were free to go play (our rule was first you work, then you play) I wasn’t constantly in their business. I also always tried to find their passions and nurture them even when I couldn’t afford it.”

But, at least with Ty, who once climbed out a classroom window and into another one to pretend he was in that class, it wasn’t always easy.

“They’re both really sweet guys,” Yvonne said. “Wynn seemed to almost raise himself and sailed through everything but Ty was a handful. He has ADHD and spent everyday of the second grade in the principal’s office.”

Yvonne’s graduate and doctoral work helped her help Ty with his ADHD in a time when medication wasn’t readily available, but it wasn’t necessarily her education that

“My mom taught us that everything is open and a possibility and we shouldn’t be afraid of anything.” made her “the best mom in the mom business.”

“My mom taught us that everything is open and a possibility and we shouldn’t be afraid of anything,” Wynn said. “I got through three years of college before I went into the wine business and she was okay with that. She saw my passion and always told us it’s okay whatever path you choose. There’s no right or wrong … it’s whatever works for you.”

Dr. Yvonne Pennington is a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist and certified Sandplay Therapist who’s worked in the mental health field for 40 years but she’s also much more than that. She’s that quintessentially strong, hardworking Southern woman with a great big heart, a spring in her step and a sparkle in her eye. And that, my dears, has been the secret to her motherly success!

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The Hundred Secret Senses

Down Town

By Amy Tan

By Ferrol Sams

One of my favorite authors, I consider Tan to be an expert at understanding and describing human nature and interactions.

This is her story of two half sisters, American-born Olivia and Kwan, who is Chinese and 12 years older. The two meet when Kwan is 18 and Olivia 6. Kwan believes she can see ghosts, and Olivia listens to her stories with a resentful ear. The novel delves into their childhood but is mostly set 30 years after their first meeting. Fate sends them to China, to Kwan’s village, where Olivia discovers Kwan’s unique abilities may not be so strange after all. Like most of Tan’s novels, the story weaves together the past and present and is full of rich characters. With Amy Tan books, you always walk away feeling as if you’ve learned a great life lesson.

–Stacey L. Evans

Ferrol Sams initially gained his presence in the literary world with his Porter Osborne, Jr. series, “Run with the Horsemen,” “Whisper of the River” and “When All the World was Young.” Though I find the trilogy to be among some of the best writing in Southern literature, his latest book, “Down Town” is a winner as well.

In typical Sams fashion, the book mixes poignancy, tragedy and humor to produce a delicious cocktail of stories chronicling the life of James Aloysius “Buster” Holcombe, Jr., as he observes the evolution of life in his hometown through almost a century.

The last third of the book in itself is some of the best writing I have read in the last decade. The book is complete with fascinating stories, enchanting characters and the superb storytelling skills that mark all of - Mark Wallace Maguire Sams’ works.

Don’t try this at home

As a food writer, I tend to devour (pun intended) any and all books having to do with cooking and chefs. “Don’t Try This at Home” regales readers with tales of disaster and derring-do in the kitchens of more than 40 chefs with stellar national and international reputations.

Each chef tells his or her own story in a single chapter, which makes this a fun, quick read. Some of my personal favorites are “New Year’s Meltdown,” Anthony Bourdain’s recollection of a catastrophic banquet he worked when he was still a line cook, and Scott Conant’s “The Whole Place is Slithering,” a shudder-inducing tale of his effort as a 21-year-old saucier to keep himself on track during a dinner service in the face of a - Joan Durbin major distraction.

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City of Thieves

By David Benioff The siege of Leningrad hasn’t inspired too many comedies, and reading David Benioff’s fictionalized account of his grandparents’ experiences during the Nazi invasion of Russia, it’s easy to see why. But Benioff manages to weave war, starvation and cannibalism into an adventure tale that’s not only harrowing but, yes, downright hilarious.

-Kevin Hazzard

The Art of Fielding

By Chad Harbach Hailed as one of America’s new great voices in fiction, Chad Harbach does a pretty good job of living up to the moniker. This book, Harbach’s first, is a must for summer reading. While the bulk of the narrative revolves around playing baseball at a small college, the book is much more than a sports story. It delves into several other plot lines that include a strong look at fate, friendship, love, relationships and, the great prerequisites to all summer reading, a dose of sex.

How can I guarantee you’ll like it? I hate baseball and found it a grand read.

– Mark Wallace Maguire

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By Chitra Divakaruni I picked this book up from the bargain bin hoping to find a quick but substantial read that I could immerse myself in for a week or two. I was not disappointed. Somehow Divakaruni manages to pack a lot of stories, detail and emotion into a 220-page novel. The story opens with an earthquake at a visa office that traps nine people inside. As the nine strangers struggle to find a way out over the course of a few days, with food, water, oxygen and patience dwindling, power struggles ensue and tensions flare. Soon, a young graduate student suggests they share personal stories to help them stay calm. Each character tells a story of significance from their life, perhaps an event that shaped them into who they are now. The stories are as diverse as the characters—but work to connect the people as they identify with each other’s pain, sorrow and joy. As their world seems to be ending and death impending, the tales breathe life into the room, reviving the human spirit. The compelling stories, along with glimpses of the inner thoughts of humans facing disaster, also connects the reader to group, and by the end, it leaves you wanting more.

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Imperium

By Robert Harris This book is perfect for the lover of historical or military fiction. “Imperium” is a fictional account of the Roman philosopher and politician Cicero. Told from the point of view of his personal secretary Tiro, the book chronicles Cicero’s rise in power throughout the world of Roman politics.

Author Robert Harris has a gift for making the ancient past come alive in this piece that is more than a documentation of the time.

In addition to outstanding narration, vast historical figures such as Caesar, Crassus and Pompey inhabit this book, breathing life into a tale that is centuries old.

- Mark Wallace Maguire

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Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War

By Tony Horwitz Few clichés are more, well cliché, than to say the Civil War is still being fought in the South. But in the hands of travel writer Tony Horwitz the thought becomes reality. Horwitz spent months traveling the American South with Civil War reenactors, getting not only in their heads but also in their clothes. The result is one of the most entertaining and illuminating looks into America’s Great Divide this side of Ken Burns.

-Kevin Hazzard

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The Mists of Avalon

By Marion Zimmer Bradley Perhaps the best retelling of the Arthurian legend ever, “The Mists of Avalon” is a book I have read and reread several times since I first discovered it more than two decades ago.

Written from the perspective of Arthur’s half sister, Morgaine le Fay, the story takes place in a world where the ancient Celtic religion is still prevalent and Morgaine is one of its most powerful priestesses.

Every event is permeated with the magic of the Mother Goddess, whose followers were the dominant force in the British Isles prior to the 7th century.

Arthur’s pragmatic transformation from a matriarchal pagan to patriarchal Christian is crucial to the story. But the female characters — Viviane, the Lady of the Lake; Igraine, Arthur’s mother; Gwenhwyfar, his unfaithful wife; and Morgaine, his half sister — are the true stars of the narrative. All of them are strongly written and utterly mesmerizing.

“Mists” won author Marion Zimmer Bradley wide acclaim as a fantasy novelist. This is not a book easily read in a day or two, but Bradley’s epic version of what is essentially a story of the power of love framed by the ever-widening chasm between the Old Religion and the New always speaks to me in a way no other Arthurian tale ever has.

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My Reading Life

By Pat Conroy Conroy’s writing has a tendency to destroy and to uplift not only through the stories he tells, but with the craft that he tells them. If you’re expecting this autobiographical chronicle of Conroy’s life of books and how they influenced him to be more of a placid ride, you’re wrong. With the same approach he brings to all of his books, this work is at once beautiful, illuminating and painful. But is it good? Oh, yes. It enlightens us to Conroy’s influences, his past, his entry into the world of words and even provides us with some humor.

The book alone is worth reading just to hear Conroy wax about J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and the impact it had on him.

– Mark Wallace Maguire

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VOYAGE INTO

VINTAGE Director’s note: This is part two of a three-part series of our wine writer Michael Venezia’s adventures uncovering discarded boxes of wine in an East Cobb basement.

My flashlight illuminated the wooden box’s interior and six bottles came into view. They were carefully positioned so the respective punts and necks of each vintage were reposing head to toe like corpses resting in a mausoleum.

My hope was that once rescued they would magically come to life and share with me their journey through space and time.

BY MICHAEL VENEZIA P H OTG R A P H Y BY R E I D T R AY LO R

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VINTA Paying great care as not to disturb the wines, I removed them one by one and placed them on a white cloth which I had draped across a table just outside the cellar door.

Several of the labels had disintegrated and considerable mold was apparent. The first bottle was severely compromised, its cork half destroyed and floating in the remaining contents of a bottle which had a familiar shape but not immediately identifiable.

The remnants of the faded label identified the wine as Cockburn Porto. It was imported by the Irish firm of John Morgan & Sons, Ltd. Located in Dublin, the Morgans purchased the barrel directly from the producer and once received it was then bottled in their cellars and sold to the trade. Founded in 1825, they were an important Irish merchant for more than 160 years. The wine was vintage 1950, the year of my birth. It was a thrilling moment.

The next bottle was German, easily recognizable in its amber colored “Hock Style” bottle. The label was in very good condition, although the German script was very classic, with very long unpronounceable names of village, vineyard and precise definitions of the wines style. It was from the vintage 1976 and it bore the emblem “Grosser Preis,” indicating it won the top prize in a German wine tasting held in 1979. It was called Hochheimer Domdechaney, a Riesling Beerenauslese from a family winery or “Weingut” called Werner. Although I am not an expert in this category, I knew that the wine was very rare. Produced from riesling berries specifically selected from extremely ripe bunches, the wine’s pedigree was worthy of royalty. The capsule was covered with white and blue mold, its lead capsule had been breached, allowing glistening golden drops of wine to cover the top of the bottle.

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It glistened a golden honey color and was viscous to the touch.

Although the cork had seemed to expand slightly above the bottle’s lip it looked like it was in very good condition.

Then two familiar wines came into view, their aristocratic labels in very good condition. The first was a Chateau Margaux, one of the most famous wine estates in the Haut Medoc region of Bordeaux, vintage 1970. This wine is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot. It was written about in the 18th century, was a favorite of Ernest Hemmingway and has been one of the most coveted wines in the global market.

Although the fill level was slightly below the shoulder it seemed to be in fine condition.

The other Bordeaux was even more unique. It hailed from the prized appellation of St. Emilion, a region in France known for its more than 800 years of wine growing history. It is a Unesco World Heritage site and is home to some of the world’s most desired wines.

I was speechless as I gazed at the famous Chateau Blanc, vintage 1981.

Produced from cabernet franc and merlot, it was in pristine condition. I took a few deep breaths to regain my composure ....

Read part three of Venezia’s discovery in our June/July issue.

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ig h lights A closer look at events and activities throughout Cobb County in May

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK>>The new

season of First Friday Art Walks on the Marietta Square continues on May 4, June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, and Oct. 5. Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of the Marietta Square’s eclectic art scene. Galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants and boutiques host artists within their businesses from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, rain or shine. Look for an official Art Walk banner in the window to identify participating venues. Choose your own route, or begin from Artists' Alley at Dupre's Antique Market at 17 Whitlock Ave. Art Walk informational maps are provided at each participating location. Pick one up to learn about the various locations and artists participating in Art Walk. There is no admission charge.

Information: 770.429.1115 or www.artwalkmarietta.com

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MARIETTA/COBB MUSEUM OF ART>>Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art presents two exhibits, “The Best of the Fred Bentley, Sr. Collection” through June 24 and “Homes and Heroes of the Civil War” through Sept.

9. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art is located in downtown Marietta at 30 Atlanta Street. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, free for children younger than six years and free for members.

Information: 770.528.1444 or www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org

BONNIE RAITT>>Bonnie Raitt performs on May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Bonnie Raitt releases a new album this year, her first in seven years. "Slipstream" follows a long break from studio work for the Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member. The remainder of the album is self-produced with her touring band. Ticket prices range from $35 to $89.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

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IMAGINATION MOVERS>>Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty – of the Emmy-winning Disney Channel TV series “Imagination Movers” – bring their high-octane rock concert to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and it's an event the whole family can enjoy. On the Rock-OMatic tour, the guys play all of their favorite songs from their wildly popular TV series and they debut new material from their brand-new “Rock-O-Matic” album.

Imagination Movers perform on May 19 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at the Cobb Energy Centre. Ticket prices range from $27 to $37.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com HALF DOZEN BRASS BAND>>A handful of Athens’ most in-demand horn players have come together to form the Half Dozen Brass Band, an ensemble that brings its unique blend of jazz, hip-hop, funk, and Dixieland to the Classic City. As the only New Orleansstyle brass band in Athens, Georgia, Half Dozen Brass Band offers the kind of celebratory music that thrives in the streets of the Big Easy. Equally at home on stages or sidewalks, members of the Half Dozen Brass Band have performed in New Orleans and around the country with the likes of Ray Charles, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The O’Jays, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Tommy Smothers, Lou Rawls, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. The Half Dozen Brass Band performs on June 1 at 8 p.m. at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the performance.

Information: 770.293.0080 or www.earlsmithstrand.org GYPSY>>From the first trumpet blast of its legendary overture, to the last white-hot spotlight, “Gypsy” is considered by many to be the greatest American musical ever. “Gypsy” is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. The story focuses on her mother, Momma Rose, whose name has become synonymous with “the ultimate show business mother.” The musical follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including “Small World,” “Everything’s Coming up Roses,” “Some People,” and “Let Me Entertain You.” Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents “Gypsy” from June 15 through July 1 at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in downtown Marietta. Performance times vary.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $45.

Information: 404.377.9948 or www.atlantalyrictheatre.com ART OF THE HORSE>> As a painter, Susan Easton Burns is influenced by her environment and a desire to make some simple connection with the viewer.

Previously a resident of Chicago, her subject matter has changed to reflect a less urban life with a more organic feel to it than the cityscapes of earlier years. She and her daughter, Julia, attend horse shows throughout the southeastern United States. The Marietta Square’s DK Gallery hosts “Art of the Horse: A Mother and Daughter Show” featuring work by Susan Easton Burns and Julia Burns beginning May 4.

Information: 770.427.5377 or www.dkgallery.us

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Ain’t We Got Fun

The Circle for Children, a Cobb-based nonprofit that helps at-risk children, held a Roaring ‘20s style fundraiser at the Marietta Conference Center in late March titled “Aint We Got Fun.” 1. From left, Keith and Elizabeth Waddell with Cindy and Mike Samples, all of East Cobb. 2. Jenny Broderick, Anna Holt and Alacia Zehmer, all of Marietta. 3. Samantha and Bobby Johnson of Marietta.

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Valari’s Picnic Party

Valari’s Picnic Party for a Cure was held at The Brickyard at Marietta Station. The event, held in memory of Valari Camp, raised funds for the Brick House Crows team for the Susan G. Komen Atlanta Race for the Cure. 1. From left, Kelly White, Valari’s husband John Camp and Renee White, all of Marietta. 2. Dana Gallaty and Danielle Fielder, both of Kennesaw. 3. Shannon and Brian Grundmeyer, both of Marietta. 4. Ray and Sherry Wiedman of Kennesaw.

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Breakfast of Champions

The Bobby Dodd Institute held its annual Breakfast of Champions in March at the Cobb Galleria Center. The event honors and recognizes the nonprofit’s clients, donors, volunteers and supporters whose work has helped individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment and greater acceptance in the workforce. 1. From left, President and CEO of the Bobby Dodd Institute Wayne McMillan gives an award of appreciation to keynote speaker David Kendrick. 2. Guest speaker and Circle of Excellence Honoree Jerry Weiner with wife, April, of Sandy Springs. 3. Jack Corbin of Marietta and Leslie McCall of Whitesburg, Ga. 4. From left, Rosa McHugh of Atlanta, Rafa San Miguel of Vinings and Pegui Mariduena of Alpharetta.

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Vinings Historic Easter Egg Hunt

Children and parents gathered at the Pace House and Old Pavillion in Vinings for the annual Historic Egg Hunt supporting the Vinings Historic Preservation Society. 1. From left, Ann Sullivan of Vinings with her grandchildren, Erin Sullivan, 7, left, and Arden Sullivan, 9, daughters of Cary and Kelly Sullivan of Vinings. 2. Morgan Elliott, 2, daughter of Mindi and Scott Elliott of Kennesaw with grandmother Jane Trinkle of East Cobb. 3. Lauren Ashley Gonzales, 2, with her mother Tamekia of Vinings. 4. Chase Hunsicker, 7, with his mother Tina of Vinings. 5. Isabella Gray, 6, daughter of Genie and Russell Gray of Vinings with grandmother Victoria Christian of Vinings.

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reflections

A special thank you to those who helped me to be a mom I've celebrated Mother's Day for 33 years. In the first few years my Dad was the catalyst behind my handmade cards for Mom. Now I have two, precious little boys of my own and still a whole lot to learn about being a Mom. We all have different mothering styles, but we couldn’t be who we are as mothers — or grow and learn along the way — without some very important people who travel this journey with us.

So this Mother’s Day, I’m thinking about all the people who help me be a better Mom. My list is too long to mention them all, but here are a few many can relate to: >Mom – Our Mom is the person who teaches us the most about being a mom and gratefully, I learned from one of the best. It still amazes me that Mom made it through raising five – yes, five! – kids. She was creative, spent time teaching us about things that mattered, cared more about our character than our accomplishments, and exemplified unconditional love. Each of us have character traits we hope to emulate from our Moms; luckily, I have a lot I hope to pass on.

serving others looks like. And sorry, ladies, all her boys are married. Good luck finding one like mine! >Friends without kids – They provide a rich perspective as well as a fresh dose of reality. They offer lunch dates where the topic of conversation is not “how to get your kids to eat veggies” or what the latest kid-related craze is. You spend time talking about common interests, current events and whatever else floats your boat (and isn’t at Toys R Us). It is refreshing and much needed. >Grandmothers – Life moved at a slower pace when my grandmothers were raising kids. They didn’t cart their children to nightly activities or enroll a 6-month-old in music class. I will always remember one of my grandmothers for making me laugh, another for her heartfelt, handwritten notes and still another for her warm meals made especially for us. It is the simple things that I know will make the best memories with my boys. I should spend more time making them laugh, writing notes or cooking their favorite foods. An extra dose of simplicity would do us all a world of good. >Boss – Don’t take for granted the boss who shares your priorities and looks for ways employees can get home to spend time with their kids. I am sure he doesn’t remember, but I’ll never forget the day after a long, challenging week at work, my boss popped his head into my office on Friday afternoon and told me to beat traffic, get home to my baby boy and enjoy the sunshine. It was an unexpected and precious gift of time with my son. And for those of you who don’t have a good thing to say about politicians, I will disagree with you. This is a true story about your Lt. Governor.

>First dog – I always say I have the worst/best dog ever. Alex leapt into our arms as a 13-week-old puppy and life has never

By Jaillene Hunter been the same. Our first stop was Wal-Mart to buy a crate, where he jumped out of the >Babysitter who goes the extra mile – cart and onto his head, causing a scene. Then he threw up on It is rare, and precious, when you can find a sitter who really the drive home and knocked me over as he bounded into our loves your children, plays creatively with them, picks the garage. I can’t count how much we have spent on the socks, house up and even (gasp!) starts dinner for you. Our family is shoes, and stuffed animals that he destroyed, but he was my blessed by a babysitter like this and I hope yours is, too. And first baby. He taught me that your baby will stop crying in the no, you cannot have her phone number! middle of the night and the joy that comes from caring for one of God’s creatures. >What about your husband? I know mine is the perfect balance for me. We still have so much fun together and our >Friends who challenge you to think differently – As boys make our relationship even richer. But he also makes me the Proverbs say, “iron sharpens iron.” I relish a good frienda better mom. By giving me a break, encouraging me to purship that challenges my thinking and calls me out when sue my interests, challenging me to think outside the box and change is needed. Friends who aren’t afraid to tell you worry- loving me when I’m not very lovable. ing needs to stop, we are a tad bit controlling in that area, to take a break, or change the courses on that discipline techWhat is clear is no one person can – or will — do it all nique because it isn’t working. I have these friends, and conright. We should lean on others and look outside ourselves for sider them gold. the expertise, creativity and insight we do not possess.

Being a Mom can be the greatest challenge as well as the >Mother-in-Law - For weeks after each of my babies were richest blessing. It is a wonderful gift. So Moms — and I born, my MIL spent mornings at my house emptying the dish- know there are a lot of you out there — choose this Mother’s washer, folding laundry, making beds and bathing my newDay to take a few minutes to thank those who help you do born while I rested after a long night. She has taught me what what you do so well. We’ll all be better for it.

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