CONTENTS
POINTS NORTH MAGAZINE
PHOTO COURTESY OF CONCENTRICS RESTAURANTS
ISSUE 141 | FEBRUARY 2012
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ON THE COVER: LOCAL BOOKSTORES They’re your neighbor, your soon-to-be friend, and they want to ignite your imagination, entertain your children and broaden your mind, yet local bookshops are an endangered species, closing in droves, not only in Atlanta but across the country. Before your community casts away its last remaining indie bookshop, stop and think about what’s at stake. We happen to think something as magical as Tolkien’s world awaits inside, so check out these nooks and their books.
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GEORGIA MOVIE SETS While we can’t lay claim to countless celebrities born in our state, the Peach State has become a star in its own right. And who needs native celebs when movie stars regularly make cameos at restaurants and local landmarks in our communities? “Quiet on the set” has become a common phrase around Georgia, and here are a few hotspots from past and upcoming flicks filmed right here in our back yard.
On the Cover:
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MOJO VINYL RECORDS Despite the notion that vinyl is a forgotten pastime and most of us haven’t even thought about records in decades, it has managed to keep its cool, protected perhaps by a varnish of nostalgic dust adorning album covers in Baby Boomer basements. It’s history. It’s art. And yes, vinyl has resurfaced with vigor in the suburbs of Atlanta. We spin over to Mojo Vinyl Records to find out why.
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DEPARTMENTS COLUMNS 6|
POINTS OF VIEW
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ALL POINTS BULLETIN
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THE NORTHSIDE VIEW: MARCIE KREAGER
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HOME INTERIORS: TUB & TILE
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HEALTH BEAT
MARDI GRAS PARTIES
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CALENDAR
An old-world French tradition, better established by the ragin’ Cajuns themselves, Mardi Gras is now equally recognized throughout the country, even right here in our own little fried-chicken-fed southern city. From Marietta to Midtown, Atlanta is no stranger to superb seafood and bayou savorings, so whether you’re after King Cakes, colored beads or simply the smell of red beans and rice, you’ll find it at any of these Cajun-inspired hotspots.
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5 THINGS I MUST DO THIS MONTH
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FoxTale Book Shoppe, Woodstock | Photo Courtesy of Rob Smith, www.kelleandrobphotography.com
4 Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBELLA HOME COLLECTION
PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA LAYNE | THE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION
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TRAVEL | RECREATION 53 |
CABIN BLUFF
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS 47 | SPRING BREAK ADVISOR 60 | HEART & VASCULAR
POINTS OF VIEW PRESIDENT / CEO
Witt Beckman PUBLISHER
Carl Danbury Jr. A SSOCIATE PUBLISHE R
Karen Poulsen
EDITOR
Bre Humphries
local
CONNECTIONS
SENIOR EDITOR
Heather KW Brown CRE ATIVE DIRECTOR
Robin Harrison A S S I S TA N T C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R
Shannah J. Smith
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Long before my career
I heard Constantine Tzortzis tell Ashley Hebert that she was the prettiest girl to ever prepare a salad in that kitchen on the last season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” Really, I was glued to the TV as the local restaurateur showed Hebert around his hometown and the restaurant where I cut my teeth in the working world. It’s fun to find local haunts on TV land and the silver screen, and these days, there’s no shortage of scenes set in our great state. (See “Shot on Location” on page 22.) This month’s issue drums up a few more memories for me, as well, like Saturdays spent scouring the shelves at the local bookseller, Humpus Bumpus (see cover story, page 16) or listening to Emmylou Harris records playing on my family’s old turntable (see “Cranking the Volume on Vinyl,” page 24). As you peruse our unofficial arts & entertainment issue, perhaps you’ll find a few local connections of your own.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Hostetter Olja Lakic Elisabeth Warrick Jenni Williams Kathy Witt
ADVERTISING
770-844-0969 sales@ptsnorth.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Marita Kahler ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Tom Tolbert CIRCUL ATION MANAGE R
Tiffany Willard
All Points Interactive Media Corp. 568 Peachtree Parkway Cumming, Georgia 30041 770-844-0969 www.ptsnorth.com © 2011 Points North All Points Interactive Media Corp. All rights reserved. Points North is published monthly by All Points Interactive Media Corp. The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the editor, the publisher or of Points North. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
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Bre Humphries, Editor
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Pl e as
c yc l e T h i s M a zi n e
To send comments and/or suggestions on this or any other subject, e-mail us at: myturn@ptsnorth.com.
Re
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included deadlines, writing and red pens, I held my first job as a hostess at Giorgio’s Italian Restaurant in Cumming. Looking back, I’m not sure you could really call what I did “work.” I was friends with the other hostesses, and there were usually two of us on duty, so my typical shift consisted of gabbing with my girlfriends between customers. The restaurant is fairly small, so seating was a snap, and though we usually had a steady flow of diners, we rarely had to deal with grumpy customers waiting for a table. In fact, I never even learned how to calculate the wait time. If someone asked, we simply told them “15 minutes,” and they were never disappointed because it never took that long. At the end of the night, we’d place our orders with the kitchen and feast upon Greek and Italian food while we rolled silverware. A budding foodie even then, my goal was to work my way through the entire menu. My job responsibilities did include the occasional evening on salad duty in the kitchen (I can still smell the pepperoncinis), so I gasped in mock offense when
Rachel Buckley Artisha Johnson
A PB ALL POINTS BULLETIN
FEBRUARY
WIN A “DAY WITH THE BEACH” AT TURNER FIELD Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Brandon Beachy, who will be featured in the March issue of Points North, has graciously offered a very special and exclusive opportunity for our readers when the 2012 Major League Baseball season begins. Beachy, an undrafted free agent from Kokomo, Ind., set the Braves’ modern-day franchise rookie record with 169 strikeouts while going 7-3 with a 3.68 ERA last season. The oldest of seven children, Beachy understands the importance of familyoriented activities and outings and what they mean to both children and their parents. As such, the 25-year-old right-hander has personally offered this incredible family opportunity.
The Prize One lucky winner will receive up to eight tickets and two parking passes for an upcoming Braves home game. But better yet, the winning family also will have a chance to go behind-the-scenes at Turner Field to meet other players and coaches, watch batting practice up-close and get a feel for what major league baseball players go through prior to games. In addition, Beachy will autograph up to eight baseballs for the winners. To register for this incredible opportunity, visit www.ptsnorth.com and select the “Enter to Win” tab. The deadline to enter is March 31, 2012, and some restrictions may apply based upon availability of tickets to certain games.
PHOTO COURTESY OF POUYA DIANAT/ATLANTA BRAVES/GETTY IMAGES
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
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A PB ALL POINTS BULLETIN
FEBRUARY
Valentine?
WILL YOU BE MY
GIVEAWAY WINNERS To find a list of giveaway winners, take a look in the “Online Only” section of www.ptsnorth.com!
Rotta Romance Week, a weeklong celebration of things that will capture your heart, begins Mon. Feb. 13 at Fusco’s via Roma Italian Trattoria in Acworth. Think flowers, fine chocolates, candlelit dinners and fine wines as winemaker Mark Caporale of historic Rotta Winery in Templeton, Calif., co-hosts an evening of love with Michael Fusco, along with Rotta’s local connections Rene Busque and Rick Kaiser. Guests will enjoy a spectacular menu paired with wonderful Rotta wines with romantic music setting the mood for the evening. All ladies attending will receive flowers, a sweet treat from Maison Robert Fine Chocolates and perfume samples from Blend Custom Parfum Studio in Buckhead. Rotta Winery, founded in 1908, is one of just 10 wineries in California that sells Cabernet Franc as a stand alone varietal. Its estate Zinfandel comes from the second oldest Zinfandel vineyard in California, while Rotta’s
Black Monukka dessert wine is the only Black Monukka cream sherry produced in the States. Rotta also offers Chardonnay, Merlot, Meritage (Trinity), Cabernet Sauvignon, an incredible Zinfandel Port and Muscat Canelli. Caporale will host several other Rotta Romance Week celebrations, including a uniquely entertaining Valentine’s Day dinner (Tuesday, Feb. 14) at Blue Moon Pizza’s newest location in Sandy Springs, a winemaker’s dinner at Mia Ristorante Italiano in Cumming (Wednesday, Feb. 15), and meet the winemaker tastings at Niko’s Wine Corner in Lawrenceville (Thursday, Feb. 16) and the fabulous Marietta Wine Market in Marietta (Saturday Feb. 18, 2 – 4 p.m.). For complete details of all Rotta Romance Week dinners and venues, please visit our Facebook events page or the special events page at www.ptsnorth.com.
Enter to Win Salon Services at William David Salon Roses and chocolate just don’t compare to leaving a hair salon with a new ‘do. You know what we’re talking about — the one that puts a pep in your step and bounce in your hair. Unlike most salons, William David Salon invites you to bypass the typical waiting room in lieu of a comfortable gourmet kitchen where you’ll chat with a salon professional about your styling needs over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. After that, you’ll be whisked away to experience just how dedicated the staff is to ensuring your complete satisfaction. Among the many professional services available are color, highlights, extensions, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. For more information on William David Salon, visit www.williamdavidsalon.com.
The Prize Two lucky Points North readers will each win $125 worth of hair and skin care services of their choice from William David Salon. This prize is valid until December 31, 2012. To enter to win, please visit the “Giveaway” section online at www.ptsnorth.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
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WILLIAM DAVID SALO
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
A PB ALL POINTS BULLETIN
FEBRUARY
FIND, TRAIN THE ONE YOU LOVE ON MANSELL ROAD
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEN ROSE
WINTER BEER FEST In a month touted to be about love, the Winter Beer Carnival is set to pour plenty of passion directly into your glass. Whether you’re a beer lover or simply someone looking to spark some excitement — with or without a sampling glass — head to Atlantic Station in Midtown on Feb. 11 from 3 to 7 p.m. where more than 100 types of beers, carnival games, activities, DJs and great food await. The event, now in its third year, draws thousands of revelers each year, and this year promises to be the best yet. Huddle with your honey under a giant tent or mingle with singles in the outdoor areas designed for patrons to enjoy beers including traditional favorites like Abita and Blue Moon, premium craft beers such as Rogue, Stone Brewing, Sweetwater and Terrapin, and an assortment of the best winter brews from near and far. General admission tickets are $40 in advance/$50 day of the event, and include all
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the beer you can safely consume, a commemorative Winter Beer Carnival sampling glass (while supplies last), plus unlimited carnival games and activities. VIP tickets are $60 and grant patrons exclusive access to the best craft brews available, private bathrooms and early entry to the event beginning at 2 p.m. Must be 21 and up. Not interested in the beer tastings? Designated drivers are $20 advance/$30 day of show, which includes all the carnival games you can play. Visit www.ticketalternative.com or call 877-725-8849 to buy tickets. For more information about the 2012 Winter Beer Carnival, check out www.winterbeercarnival.com.
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
Are you looking for a new love this Valentine’s Day, or do you need to train the one you have? Either way, the Atlanta Humane Society may have what you need. The Atlanta Humane Society recently opened a new 7-acre facility in North Fulton, expecting to double the number of animals adopted and rescued each year. The new campus located at 1565 Mansell Road in Alpharetta, which marks the first operational expansion in the organization’s 138-year history, features cage-free dog and puppy sections, free-roaming cat rooms, and a full acre dog exercise arena. For pet owners who have already connected with the love of their lives, the campus offers dog training and spaying and neutering services. A newly equipped veterinarian clinic is available onsite for pet owners in the area and animals housed at the campus. In order to support its historic expansion of services, the Atlanta Humane Society launched a $10 million fundraising campaign and is looking to meet its fundraising goal by the end of March. Donations can be mailed to the Howell Mill Campus at 981 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 or made online at www.atlantahumane.org. – Artisha Johnson
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNCLE MADDIOS
A New Kind of Pizza Joint Indulge your inner pizza fanatic with made-to-order pizza that tastes as good as it looks — designed by you! Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint, the highly anticipated fast-casual pizza restaurant, offers guests a variety of made-fromscratch choices including hormone-free chicken, natural angus rib eye steak, more than 20 gluten-free options, organic baby spinach and field greens. Watch your pizza transform from boring to mouth-watering in a mere six minutes … right in front of your eyes. The warm, coastal Italian contemporary décor makes for a perfect atmosphere as you devour sizzling pizzas, toasted paninis and gourmet salads. The twoyear-old franchise will be expanding across the entire state, so make sure to stop by for a tasty and novel experience. Current locations include Atlanta and Woodstock. For more information, please call 404-929-6700 (Atlanta); 770-591-2685 (Woodstock), or visit www.unclemaddios.com. – Olja Lakic
ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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A PB ALL POINTS BULLETIN
FEBRUARY PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GREEN COLLECTION
PASSAGES OFFERS AN INTERACTIVE GETAWAY TO ANOTHER WORLD Don’t believe in time travel? The “Passages” exhibit just might change your mind. The exhibit touts a collection of 450 rare biblical texts and artifacts and a 23,000-square-foot, interactive presentation of the history of the Bible. A myriad of feature rooms capture realistic snapshots of biblical times. For example, the Corrections exhibit features a working reproduction of a press used to print the first edition of the King James Bible. In Jerome’s Cave, a re-creation of the cave where St. Jerome translated the Bible, visitors will have the opportunity to copy scripture by candlelight. The “Passages” exhibit will also give visitors the opportunity to experience printing with blocks, operate a replica Gutenberg printing press, and participate in a scavenger hunt. Showcased at the Perimeter Expo Center in Atlanta, the exhibit will remain open until mid-May. Worldrenowned Bible scholars will conduct a free lecture series during the exhibition, which will end May 15. For more about pricing, tickets and exhibit features, visit www.explorepassages.com. – Artisha Johnson
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
Craving Cajun? Boudreaux’s Cajun Market & Café in Duluth is undergoing several noteworthy changes that are sure to please its growing customer base and loyal following, including the branding of a new location under a new name, utilizing Boudreaux’s current kitchen staff. Boudreaux’s Café Acadiana, located just a short distance from its existing location at 2750 Buford Highway, Suite 800, is upscale and spacious, and features 60-inch flat screen televisions in the Death Valley and Bayou rooms, the gorgeous Cypress Bar, and a 1,000-square-foot patio perfect for al fresco dining. The market location, Boudreaux’s Cajun Market at 3067 Main St., will offer an expanded line of Cajun food items, expanded seafood, Cajun meats and other specialty selections. With the opening of this new location, Boudreaux’s Café Acadiana will become the Northside’s Mardi Gras Headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 21, with beignets and coffee beginning the celebration at 7 a.m. The early morning festivities will give way to a wide array of Cajun entrées, Po Boys and side items for the remainder of Fat Tuesday.
Chef Codie Williams has enhanced one of the Northside’s finest Cajun menus by incorporating ribeye, filet mignon and Cajun stuffed pork chops along with glorious seafood platters. Ahi tuna, red snapper, speckled trout, flounder and other fresh fish from the Gulf of Mexico (from Texas) and the Atlantic Ocean will be added to their offerings. Longtime favorites such as seafood gumbo, crawfish, shrimp, crab, oysters and alligator served in a variety of ways remain on the menu. Boudreaux’s Café Acadiana also will feature a deep selection of draft and bottled beer, along with a varied selection of hard-to-find wines, as soon as the appropriate licenses are obtained (mid-March). Live musical performances by the popular ESOEBO and other local bands are planned several nights each week. For additional Mardi Gras celebration information and the new menu, please visit www.boudreauxscajun.com, or www.cafe-acadiana.com (under construction), or find Boudreaux’s Cafe Acadiana on Facebook.
HEALTH
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PAT I E NT STO O RY R I went w to o Atlanta Atlan Dental Spa to improve my smile with Invisalign, but first I needed to get my mouth and gums healthy. I never dreamed that doing this would improve my quality of life! After using the Perio Protect Trays, I started feeling better all over. My physician noticed my overall health getting better and reduced my medication doses. I started walking and doing all of my old hobbies again. I feel 20 years younger, and I give credit to Atlanta Dental Spa for restoring so many aspects of my life that I thought were gone forever. My next step? Invisalign visalign to make my smile as gorgeous as I now feel inside. Thank yo you! Donna
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Battling the Digital Age, Big Boxes and the Ubiquitous Electronic Readers, Local Bookstores are Fighting the Good Fight to Survive [ WRIT TE N BY JUL I E HO STE TTE R ]
It’s a long stretch of road to
Tupelo, Miss., from her home in Milton, but local bestselling author Karen White is on a mission. As we talk over the phone, her GPS interjects to turn here and there, while all the way White’s passion for the indie bookshop never loses course. “The reason I’m traveling all this way is because it’s an independent bookstore … and has been a part of their downtown community for many, many years,” White explained. “What is so wonderful is that you have that personal rapport going [with local bookshops]. These are people that read the books, that know what kinds of books their customers like to read, can recommend books to their customers, and they’ve been wonderful
proponents of brand-new authors. I’m not knocking big chain stores, they sell my books too, but when it comes to really knowing what I write and who likes to read my books, the independents win hands down.” But the local bookshop is an endangered species. They are closing in droves, not only in Atlanta, but across the country, and a flagging economy isn’t the only culprit. No, the trouble began with the advent of big boxes selling discounted books. Next, the online retailers started selling books at pennies on the dollar, and then the last straw was the fancy new e-readers that dazzled the tech-savvy customers. Why should you care, you ask? Survival of the fittest, right? But before your community casts away its last
Clockwise from left: FoxTale Book Shoppe, Woodstock; Horton’s Books & Gifts, Carrollton; Humpus Bumpus Books, Cumming; Little Shop of Stories, Decatur
ABOVE: PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB SMITH | KELLEANDROBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM; PHOTOS ON THE RIGHT COURTESY OF JULIE HOSTETTER
ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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LOCAL BOOKSTORES
Shel Silverstein. No doubt you could find the same book online or in a big box, but I doubt you would find such passionate promotion and customer service. In the Cumming community for more than two decades, Humpus Bumpus Books is a remaining indie bookshop, stop classic example of the charms and think about what’s really of a local bookstore. Paul at stake. There is something Cossman, owner and founder, as magical as Tolkien’s world represents the spirit of why inside our few remaining bookpeople become booksellers in shops. They never expected the first place. to get rich being bookshop “I was tired of doing jobs owners. No, something else that I really didn’t enjoy, and drives them. These dedicated I decided to do something that people love the written word, really gave me personal satisfacthe turn of a page, and sharing tion,” Cossman explained. that joy of reading with the He wanted his bookstore community. They, along with The difference between to be a “feast of books,” so other independent local busiwhat we offer and a he named his shop after the nesses, are the heartbeat of our big box is service. We know big island feast in the classic community, because they are novel “Mutiny on the Bounty.” intrinsically a part of it. They the books, we know our Since 1990, Humpus Bumpus are your neighbors, your sooninventory. We have fantastic has been a successful part of to-be friends, and they want to people that work here so the community, offering new ignite your imagination, enterand used books and a popular tain your children and broaden we can make suggestions trade-in service. your mind. we know you’ll love. “I think [the big box and DAVID SHALLENBERGER | Co-Owner, Little Shop of Stories e-readers] have affected indeThe Last Bastion pendent bookstores very badly. of Bookshops I would say from 1990 to 2005, It all began with my own perthis bookstore was very sucsonal mission to visit as many cessful and every year had bigger sales figures than the year local bookshops as I could and see what the community was before,” Cossman said. But between the economy and rising on the precipice of losing. competition, it’s been a steady decline year after year since Turns out, we are all in danger of losing a lot. During then. “I feel like I’m one of the last holdouts here, I’m one of my adventures, I visited Georgia’s oldest bookstore, Horton’s the few that can stay afloat,” he continued. Books & Gifts on Carrollton’s historic square, and bonded He somberly remembers when the popular children’s with Miss Miniver, the resident cat, who slept near the store’s bookstore Hobbit Hall closed and what that meant to other working antique cash register. Opened in 1892, Horton’s area bookshops. But Cossman, like other local booksellers, was recently named the second oldest bookstore in the South has no plans to give up the fight to stay in business and (due to the recent closing of another of the South’s beloved remains dedicated to serving the community. treasures) and is the 10th oldest in the country, according to Little Shop of Stories in Decatur is the last children’s the American Booksellers Association. bookshop in the Atlanta area, and is a treasure for our I also overheard the bookseller at Blue Elephant Book community. Enabling it to stay afloat is a rich breadth of Shop in Decatur introducing a woman to the beloved poet
Clockwise from top left: Miss Miniver, the resident cat at Horton’s Books & Gifts; “The Night Circus” window display at FoxTale Book Shoppe; Story time with Jackie Tanase at FoxTale Book Shoppe; Historical photos of Horton’s Books & Gifts
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TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM LEFT PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIE HOSTETTER; TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROB SMITH | KELLEANDROBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
programs and the unique support of the tight-knit Decatur community, which boasts four local bookshops within miles of each other, a marvel unheard of in the Northside. “The difference between what we offer and a big box is service,” explained co-owner Dave Shallenberger. “We know the books, we know our inventory. We have fantastic people that work here so we can make suggestions you’ll love.” A Happily Ever After Tale? With all this doom and gloom in the forecast for bookshops, what would inspire three women to open a bookshop in the worst economy since the Great Depression? Well, as with all great stories, it was a twist of fate, or should I say a twist of a fox tale? FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock opened in the summer of 2007, the brainchild of three writers, Karen Schwettman, Jackie Tanase and Ellen Ward. They became friends while taking a writing class at Kennesaw State University and began to travel together, visiting a lot of bookshops and brainstorming about opening their own. One day, while traveling in Colorado, Schwettman and Ward saw a fox cross their path. Inspired, they looked up its spiritual meaning and discovered it signified a creative phase to one’s life, and its tail symbolized strength and creativity. “That just resonated with us,” Ward said. “We decided to give it a try and name the store FoxTale, and we’ve been part of the community ever since. We are not making a ton of money, we are paying our bills and making less than minimum wage, but that’s more than what many bookstores are making nowadays. I guess why it works for us is because we have really tied into the community ... they want us to succeed.” Every year their shop gets bigger-name authors for signings (including Karen White and Mary Kay Andrews) and they offer several writing and journaling classes as well as kids’ camps in the summer time. They’ve even created a new book section called Indigo Fox, where Schwettman, who is a designer, offers a variety of fascinating books on interior design. Their fox-like tenaciousness has paid off, as their business grew by 18 percent between 2009 and 2010. “The e-reader has its place. I know people use it when they are traveling but there is so much you can’t do with the e-reader,” Ward pointed out. “Like coming in and meeting the author and getting your book signed, like browsing the book store and just finding something that jumps out at you and underlining a passage and passing it on to your friends.” One such book they’re passing around quite a lot lately is from a first-time author, Erin Morgenstern. ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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LOCAL BOOKSTORES
“We love the book, ‘The Night Circus’ and we’ve sold a lot of copies,” Ward explained. “We have a customer who loved the book so much she designed a whole window display for us — it’s just phenomenal. It’s the kind of manifestation of being excited about a book that can only take place in an independent bookstore.” And White credits bookstores like FoxTale for supporting unknown authors and finding the next big writer. “I know that I would not be where I am now without the independent booksellers … who read the books, loved the books, and recommended them to their readers,” White claimed. “It’s because of that hand selling you get from independents that authors get noticed.” Local best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews agreed. “When you have only a couple big businesses selecting books, it narrows the choice. If only Amazon gets to decide what the big book in the Christmas season [will be], that really takes a lot of the possibilities out,” she said. Ward admits you can always find a book cheaper online, but there is a real, tangible value to buying local. “Sometimes people will call and say I can get this cheaper at Wal-Mart or Amazon or wherever, and I’ll say if that’s what you want to be in your community a year from now, then that’s who you need to spend your money with, but if you want FoxTale to be in your community then spend your money with us,” Ward said. “Vote with your dollar, and give it to the business that you want to keep around. We try to
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB SMITH | KELLEANDROBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Right: Jackie Tanase & Ellen Ward of FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock
enrich the community, and that can’t be said of most of these mega retailers.” The Book is Not Closed, Yet The frightening thought is not that local bookstores may fail during this stale economy, but that they may not reopen again when the economy renews. So if you love books and your community, make a friendly visit to one of these shops and be a part of the book lover’s revolution. “We are so blessed to have so many small indie bookshops in the Atlanta area,” Andrews concluded. “I’ve never met a millionaire bookseller. You do it because you love putting books in the hands of readers. I think that stores who understand that will stick around. At least I certainly hope so.” PN
discover your own local bookshop
Blue Elephant Bookshop Decatur, 404-373-1565 www.blueelephantbookshop.com
Eagle Eye Bookshop Decatur, 404-486-0307 www.eagleeyebooks.com
Humpus Bumpus Cumming, 770-781-9705 www.humpusbumpus.com
Book Exchange Marietta, 770-427-4848 www.bookexchangemarietta.com
FoxTale Book Shoppe Woodstock, 770-516-9989 www.foxtalebookshoppe.com
Little Shop of Stories Decatur, 404-373-6300 www.littleshopofstories.com
Books Again Decatur, 404-377-1444 www.abebooks.com
Horton’s Book and Gifts Carrollton, 770-832-8021 www.hortonsbooks.com
Roswell Bookstore Roswell, 770-992-8485 www.roswellbookstore.com
U P CO M I N G E V E NTS AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP [ WRIT TEN BY ARTISHA JOHNSON ] Book Club Meet Feb. 8 Join the Blue Elephant Book Group on the second Wednesday of every month. This month the group will be reading “At the End of the Road” by local author Grant Jerkins. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. at the Blue Elephant Book Shop in Decatur and all store purchases of the book are 10 percent off until the meeting. Valentine’s Storytime Feb. 9 Little Shop of Stories in Decatur will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Love Storytime and an opportunity to make your own Valentines starting at 7 p.m. Little Shop has storytime three times each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. “The Buzz on Honeybees” Book Signing Feb. 18 Cathy Kaemmerlen, a professional storyteller and author, will be signing her book, “The Buzz on Honeybees,” at Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Itty Bitty Betty, a honey bee who collects gossip rather than nectar, will be “buzzing with stories.” Author Appearance: Jonathan Odell March 12 Have a one-on-one chat with Jonathan Odell, author of “The Healing,” and obtain a signed copy of his book at the FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock. The book signing will begin at 7 p.m.
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SHOT ON
LOCATION BEHIND THE SCENES ON
GEORGIA’S STAR-STUDDED SETS [ W R I T T E N B Y K AT H Y W I T T ]
These days, thanks to a lot of movies and television shows, Georgia has not only been on our minds but also on the screens for millions to view. In 2011 alone, movies filmed in the Peach State included the recent remake of “Footloose,” “The Change-Up,” “The Greening of Whitney Brown,” “X-Men: First Class,” “Hall Pass,” “Water for Elephants,” Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family” and Vin Diesel’s “Fast Five.” Meanwhile, in TV land, VH1 presented its first hour-long scripted series, the Georgia-filmed “Single Ladies,” which premiered in late May. “Teen Wolf” debuted on MTV in early June, and the third season of “Drop Dead Diva” quickly followed, airing on Lifetime. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the 2008 Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act helped the state’s entertainment industry achieve record numbers in the 2011 fiscal year. The number of combined productions tallied 327 and encompassed features, independent movies, TV/episodic films, commercials and music videos. The total value of these production budgets? A cool $683.5 million, which accounted for an economic impact of $2.4 billion. That’s one sweet song! Sweeter still is that some of the attractions and restaurants in the vicinity of location shoots were visited by cast and crew. Come along as we scout out some of the celebrity hangouts and star-studded settings around Georgia.
FORSYTH COUNTY In Cumming, Lake Lanier’s Mary Alice Park provided the backdrop for part of “American Reunion,” scheduled for release in April. According to Dave Horton, director of Cumming Fairgrounds, a couple of the movie’s producers dined at Tam’s Backstage, tucked into the historic 1927 Cumming Schoolhouse. Cumming also figured prominently into last season’s “The Bachelorette” as Constantine Tzortzis made it into the show’s final four. Tzortzis’ family owns Giorgio’s, a comfy fine Italian, Greek and American restaurant featuring recipes passed down through the families for generations. Viewers of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelor” will be familiar with Ben Flajnik on the current season. Rumor has it Flajnik may be visiting Cumming and Giorgio’s during the season for the restaurant’s Monday night viewing parties. (Open to all; check Giorgio’s Web site for updates about specific appearances). Diners will also see Tzortzis blogging officially for ABC during Flajnik’s season on “The Bachelor.” 24
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COBB COUNTY “Footloose,” starring Andie MacDowell and Julianne Hough, was released in theaters last year but filmed in Acworth, Hiram, Franklin and Fayetteville among other towns in 2010. Notable locations include the Starlight Six Drive-In Theatre in Atlanta, Stone Mountain, New Senoia Raceway and Cowboys Bar in Kennesaw.
ROSWELL The Country Club of Roswell was transformed into a movie set last December to film scenes for the family comedy, “Parental Guidance,” which stars Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott. Country club members and staff got to step into roles as extras in the film for scenes that included Tomei and Scott.
MARIETTA: CITY OF ‘RE-PREMIERES’ In April, Marietta will mark the 150th anniversary of “The Great Locomotive Chase,” when Union soldiers hijacked the Confederate train, The General, during its Great Locomotive Chase Weekend planned specially for the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. The 1956 Disney movie portraying this event will be re-premiered during a red carpet event that also includes a Civil War Music organ recital; “Homes & Heroes of the Civil War” exhibit at the Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art; “Flyin’ West,” a post-Civil War drama presented by Theatre in The Square; and an appearance by Russell Bonds, author of “Stealing the General.” Bonds’ book is the true story of the Civil War raid that resulted in the first award of the nation’s highest decoration for valor. Tickets for the Thursday re-premiere during Marietta’s Great Locomotive Chase Weekend will go on sale at the Strand Theatre on Feb 27. For more information, visit http://MariettaSquare.com, or www. mariettacivilwar.com, or contact the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 770-293-0080, www.EarlSmithStrand.org.
COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU: “Joyful Noise,” Jan. 13 Filmed in Atlanta, Conyers, Dallas (Georgia), Decatur, Smyrna, Peachtree City and other cities “Wanderlust,” Feb. 24 Filmed in Clarkesville, Lawrenceville and Atlanta “Three Stooges,” April 4 Filmed in Cartersville, Atlanta and other cities “American Reunion,” April 6 Filmed in Conyers and other cities “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” Aug. 15 Filmed in Albany (Georgia), Atlanta, Canton, Dawsonville, Decatur, Alpharetta and Newnan “The Wettest County,” Aug. 31 Filmed in Atlanta, LaGrange, Senoia, Newnan, Grantville and other cities “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,” 2013 Filmed in Cedartown, Decatur, Atlanta and LaGrange
ALPHARETTA Scenes for “Parental Guidance” were also shot in Alpharetta, as were those for “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” with Birmingham United Methodist Church being one of the locales. Other movies filmed at least partly in Alpharetta are “The Change-Up” with Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, which filmed in 2010 — look for scenes shot at the upscale shopping haven, North Point Mall; and “The Joneses” starring David Duchovny and Demi Moore, filmed in 2008, with the car crash scene filmed in front of Downtown’s Corner Deli. Also filmed here: “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Enough said.
LaGRANGE In LaGrange, visitors can dine on the new American cuisine sampled by some of Hollywood’s most well-known celebs at the casually elegant C’Sons. Downshift to burgers, wings and chili at the chummy neighborhood watering hole, Idle Hour Pub. Both were the restaurants du jour of Robert Duvall, Kevin Bacon and Billy Bob Thornton when in town last summer for the filming of “Jayne Mansfield’s Car.” Duvall also toured two of the area’s premier attractions, the 35-acre Hills & Dales Estate, famous for its orchids, camellias, dwarf English boxwoods, calla lilies, magnolias and other signature plants, and the historic Ferrell Gardens, whose formal boxwood garden is among the best preserved 19th-century gardens in the Southeastern United States. The Brickhouse Grille and Tavern caught the fancy of another movie star: Shia LaBeouf, who visited last spring while filming “The Wettest County.” ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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Cranking the Volume on Vinyl RECORDS ARE SPINNING THEIR WAY BACK TO THE FOREFRONT AND INTO SUBURBAN STOREFRONTS [ WRIT T E N BY HE ATHER KW BR OW N ]
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JESSICA LAYNE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION
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As I type, iTunes is importing “El Camino,” the latest album by The Black Keys. A friendly ding claims the song tracks are now officially part of my music library and ready to play in the car, in my office and during a run. Thing is, this album is so good that all I want to do is listen — I don’t want to listen and multitask. That’s a bold statement coming from someone who likes to be in overdrive most of the time. Me? Sit still and listen? Surely, you jest. While I fully admit to loving my busy lifestyle, I’ve also learned to appreciate the finer things in life and it recently dawned on me that, like wine, craft beer and gourmet food, music falls into this category, too. My generation is so programmed to download and retrieve, rather than flip and play that I can’t even remember the last time I slid a vinyl album out of a sleeve. Can you? Despite the notion that vinyl is a forgotten pastime and most of us haven’t even thought about records in decades, it has managed to keep its cool, protected perhaps by a varnish of nostalgic dust adorning album covers and a bevy of boxes in Baby Boomer basements.
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
It’s history. It’s art. It’s a memento that comes with a built-in urge to collect, to share — to experience — unlike any other format. And it’s baaaaack!
Old School Comes Full Circle The long-lost art of playing precious vinyl copies of former and current favorites has finally made its way to the suburbs of metro Atlanta. Behind
this vinyl revival in the ‘burbs is Rand Cabus, whose own “ah ha moment” descended while flipping through albums with his son in Little Five Points. “I saw a re-mastered version of ‘Jimi Hendrix, Are you Experienced’ and it just sort of hit me,” Cabus said. “Here was something that was one of my favorite albums of all time and I was wanting that experience again.”
Though he admits a light bulb essentially went off that day, it wasn’t until a similar stop in Asheville that really sent his idea into a full-tilt spin. “The real thing that kick-started me was a visit to an upscale record store in Asheville,” Cabus recalled, adding, “It was the Pottery Barn version of a record store — clean, upscale — and I thought ‘This is cool.’” The combination of those two thoughts became the lightening rod he needed and on May 1 last year, Cabus opened Mojo Vinyl Records. The sophisticated, affluent big brother to the grungy, college town record shops, Mojo Vinyl is an upscale brick-and-mortar store tucked into the folds on Webb Street in historic downtown Roswell. Catering mostly to Baby Boomers looking for classic Jimi
Hendrix, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin records that have been re-released, Mojo Vinyl is home to roughly 4,000 albums, with selections in a number of other categories including country, blues and current bands like the Avett Brothers, Adele, Mumford & Sons, The Killers, Pearl Jam, Tom Waits and The Black Keys. After chatting with Cabus and flipping through his ever-expanding collection of new and used vinyl, I found myself deep in thought,
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Mojo Vinyl Continued Heading
music when you first started listening to it,” he said. “There’s a resurgence going on and it’s all about the vinyl experience.” Curious to rediscover what listening to vinyl as opposed to listening to my iPod was all about, I left Mojo Vinyl with a different album by The Black Keys and readied myself for another epiphany.
remembering when my dad had first shared a few of his own favorite albums — The Doors, Led Zepplin and Janis Joplin. I thought I was so much cooler than he was because my generation had cassette tapes (at the time) instead of those old school albums, but when I eventually took the time to listen to them, I understood why he’d decided to share them. Cabus is quietly doing the same. “[Vinyl] is a little niche. I’m targeting to rediscover what you loved about
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Why Vinyl, Why Now? While some would argue that vinyl records never actually went away — kept alive under the radar by aging hippies, vintage enthusiasts, audiophile collectors and genres like punk, hiphop, electronica and indie rock that continued to produce on vinyl regardless of industry trends — there is no disputing the fact that the medium has become popular in the mainstream again. We’re not talking Beatlemania here, but according to statistics compiled by Billboard and the Nielsen Co., vinyl sales increased to 2.8 million in 2010 and according to information provided by Cabus, vinyl sales upped
the ante yet again in 2011 with approximately 3.9 million sold. The number one vinyl album for the third year in a row was “Abbey Road” by The Beatles, which beat new releases from Fleet Foxes, Adele, Wilco and The Black Keys, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Radiohead was the biggest selling vinyl artist with 64,000 vinyl albums sold across their catalogue, but fans of Bon Iver and The Black Keys aren’t lagging too far behind the buying curve. But why? “It’s all about the listening experience,” Cabus said. Yes, that once considered-to-be cumbersome process of pulling out the turntable, gently placing a delicate needle on the record and listening to the all-familiar static while waiting for the music to start is, ironically, the tangible connection to music we now lack. It is this hands-on experience that most of us quickly and readily abandoned with the dawn of digital files that has resurfaced and, surprisingly, it’s not just Baby Boomers who are clamoring for the vinyl experience
anymore. The classics are being re-circulated and re-introduced to generations of music savvy fans with attractive tags like re-mastered, 180 gram (the weight of the album) and audio file quality. These specific labels are geared more for audiophiles and collectors who understand their value, but there’s plenty of benefit for the average listener in investing in these albums as well. “Vinyl has a lot of depth to it,” said Jim Brown, owner of Mymusicfix.com, an invaluable, online-only site for music collectors. “It’s analog so it breathes. It is a 12-inch substrate with thick grooves and a needle that can pick up sounds you’ll never hear on a CD.” On the flip side, there’s digital music, which is compressed and takes out all of the breathing ambience from a recording. Brown, who has been in the industry for 12 years, and an audiophile all of his life, said that vinyl definitely has superior sound — and one that audiophile or not, is easy to detect. “Vinyl explodes at you and brings you into it. If you want to hear a song the way it was originally done, if you really want to feel like you’re in the studio with the artist, then you’re going to get that experience with vinyl,” Brown emphasized. Besides sound quality, the allure of records also lies in the fact that vinyl is something we can “do.” Unlike selecting an iPod playlist that could potentially last a couple of months, vinyl forces its fans to participate in the listening experience. “It’s exercise — you can’t just sit back and let it play forever — you’ve got to get up and flip the record over,” Brown joked. It must be worth it, both in the experience of listening to vinyl and the art of collecting it. “In 2001, our average sale for collectible vinyl was $34 an item; this last year, it was $179 for the same out-of-print item. So, let’s say you buy an album by The Black Keys (which costs $25 today) and don’t open it, when it goes out of print, that same album could be worth a couple hundred one day in the collector’s market,” said Brown, whose business is selling out-of-print editions. My iPod still gets plenty of playing time but it no longer replaces the turntable in our house. Guess you could say it got its mojo back! PN
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : Mojo Vinyl Records 34 Webb St., Roswell 678-534-5042 www.mojovinylrecords.com
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amously known as a masked carnival overrun with purple, green and gold costumed revelers in the low country of New Orleans, Mardis Gras has also become one of the year’s best excuses to chow down. And the beneďŹ ts don’t stop there. An old-world French tradition, better established by the ragin’ Cajuns themselves, is now equally recognized throughout the country, even right here in our own little fried-chicken-fed southern city. French for “Fat Tuesday,â€? it’s most easily deďŹ ned as one’s last chance to indulge before Ash Wednesday, which, for many Catholics, starts a Lenten period, where they might fast from certain foods or sacriďŹ ce their favorite things until Easter. Gluttony empowered, Mardi Gras has become a nationwide festival of all things wild and extreme. Mostly, though, it’s an annual invitation to laissez les bons temps rouler, and what better way to “let the good times roll,â€? than with a plate of mouthwatering food! Now, I’m not French, Catholic or Cajun, but despite my lack of qualiďŹ cation for that spice-loving palate, I have one. And it’s not for a dash of cayenne pepper here and there, it’s for the whole shebang: fresh seafood, steamy piles of pasta and a huge
hankering to top it all off with a sugary concoction. Luckily for my metro Atlanta zip code, there’s plenty of N’awlins-style noshing available and with one of my favorite places for indulging right around the corner, I’ve got some insight on where you might want to answer the call for that Louisiana longing on Feb. 21. From Marietta to Midtown, Atlanta is no stranger to superb seafood and bayou savorings, so whether you’re after King Cakes, colored beads or simply the smell of red beans and rice, you’ll ďŹ nd vigor and authenticity at any of these Cajun-inspired hotspots.
PARISH FOODS & GOODS Inman Park Here’s the excuse to make your night out inside the perimeter: One of Inman Park’s quaintest, heartiest takes on a neighborhood restaurant will serve all-you-can-eat Mardi Gras treats on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. And it’s not just good eats you can indulge in either — get rowdy with live music and sample some not-so-ordinary libations. Our picks? Tasty shrimp, classic Po-boys, spicy red beans and rice and, of course, a piece of their big, fat roasted ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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Continued Heading
PHOTO COURTESY OF CONCENTRICS RESTAURANTS
Mardi Gras Parties
Clockwise from top left: Po-boy fom Parish; Oysters on the halfshell at Roux on Canton; RA Sushi; Boudreaux’s Louisiana shrimp boil.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK LAZARO
pig. The pastry chef completes your beadthrowing evening with a homemade King Cake and the bar serves up all-you-candrink Abita beer. Still thinking you can take more party? Slurp down oysters from the raw bar and order Whynatte shots and other specialty cocktails from a cash bar. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. 240 N. Highland Ave. NE, 404-681-4434, www.parishatl.com
FONTAINE’S OYSTER HOUSE Virginia Highlands In the heart of the Highlands lies this
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tucked away place, not quite a secret, but seriously underestimated. Channeling the character of Bourbon Street and the sweet avor of the Gulf, they’ve got a menu full of spicy, succulent seafood, pasta and Poboys to rival any Cajun corner bar. Every Tuesday, they tout half-priced house raw oysters from 4 p.m. ‘til midnight, serving up a freshly shucked dozen on ice for just $6. Want something to wash it down? Gulp one of their always-$2.50 Sam Adams draft beers or a classic $2 PBR. Ready for the cherry on top? Mardi Gras is the much-anticipated occasion where they have loads of crawďŹ sh on the menu. That, mixed with the neighborhood-famous cheesy, marinara-drenched rice balls and
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RA SUSHI Midtown Okay, it’s not exactly a bayou tradition — sushi, that is — but any twist on the Cajun celebration is a party all the same. And the “Mardi RA” Masquerade Ball is a can’t-miss party for swanky, city-faring Atlantans that might not want all the spicy seasonings. Plus, it’s free. Last year’s event drew a crowd of costume-clad people, all competing for cash prizes and soaking up serious amounts of fresh sushi and sake. On a regular day, the menu favorites include a daily happy hour of half-priced sushi and Japanese-inspired entrées plus an extensive list of cool cocktails. If you can catch a hint of warmer weather, they’ve got an outdoor patio and bar overlooking one of the best scenes in Midtown. 1080 Peachtree St., 404-267-0114, www.rasushi.com ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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BOUDREAUX’S CAJUN MARKET & CAFÉ Duluth
In case you’ve missed something, this Mardi Gras thing we’re talking about is all about the food. And maybe for some of you, getting lost in food-colored sugar and ashy beads is nothing but an obstacle
preventing you from getting the taste bud satisfaction you’re really after. That said, a quick trip to a traditional Cajun kitchen like Boudreaux’s in Duluth may be just what the avor-doctor ordered — with all the spice and avor you crave, no vibrant distractions required. Sink your teeth into a signature, golden-fried Po-boy, one of
Mardi Gras Parties
their fresh-off-the-boat seafood entrĂŠes, a light and tangy seafood-topped salad or a steaming cup of their house-made, packedwith-all-your-favorite-swimmers gumbo. Want to feel a little more like a Louisiana local? Sample the daily delivery of live and boiled crawďŹ sh, a spicy ĂŠtouffeĂŠ and one of four different breeds of their hot and heaping pots of jambalaya. 3067 Main Street, 770-814-8388, www.boudreauxscajun.com
AJ’S FAMOUS SEAFOOD AND PO-BOYS Marietta Ok, it’s time to get casual. No drive into the city required, no reservations accepted and nothing but a simple menu of out-ofthis-world avor at your ďŹ ngertips. AJ’s isn’t throwing a ashy party come Mardi Gras, but their red beans and rice just about make a celebration out of every serving. Just ask the locals — one bite of a pipin’ hot roast beef Po-boy, a basket of crispyfried softshell crab, a hot out-of-the-oven loaf of fog-up-your-glasses French bread and hush puppies that will make you want to swear off a need for protein — you don’t need a holiday to eat this well, you just need directions to AJ’s. 2100 Roswell Road, 678-999-0767
ROUX ON CANTON Historic Roswell With all this talk of flashy parties and greasy-fried goodness, I want to make sure and round out a Gulf-inspired gorge-fest with something a little more sophisticated. That effort takes us to historic Roswell, where the restaurant-guru Bramblett family serves up fresh Cajun seafood with an endearing Southern twist (and no paper napkins in sight). To be specific, we’re talking salty oysters baked on the half-shell just long enough for the pimento cheese to
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crawďŹ sh that are ash-fried and tossed with Tasso, spinach and roasted garlic in Henry’s spicy cream sauce, all served over angel hair pasta! For a little more lagniappe — that’s Cajun for “something extraâ€? — order the Bayou Cakes. You can thank us later. 4835 N. Main St., 770-966-1515, www.chefhenrys.com PN
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANNAH J. SMITH
around with beads over his chef coat as he stops to talk to patrons at each table throughout the restaurant. The food is always fabulous, Abita ows like water and the setting will have you feeling like you’ve stepped onto a family-friendly Bourbon Street. Order the Louisiana Ooh La La, packed with succulent oysters, shrimp or
Chef Henry
morph into something we can’t describe with English-language words. And for the big eaters, a staple muffaletta sandwich is piled high with generous slices of sopressata salami, rich Black Forest ham, creamy mozzarella and provolone cheese and a dousing of their perfected olive salad spread. Entertain your palate with live music on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, and come hungry for all-you-caneat crawďŹ sh all day on Mardi Gras. 946 Canton Street, 770-993-0007, www.rouxoncanton.com
HENRY’S LOUISIANA GRILL Acworth For a true taste of the Bayou State and, hands down, the most authentic and delicious Mardi Gras experience you’ll ďŹ nd on this side of Lake Pontchartrain, head to Henry’s Louisiana Grill. Located on Main Street in charming downtown Acworth, Henry’s is the real deal, where you’ll hear zydeco music playing both inside and out, see the staff bedecked in all things festive, and even Chef Henry himself walking ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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NORTHSIDE VIEW
MARCIE KREAGER M U N ICI PA L M A R K E T I NG M A NAGER , A DVA N C E D D I S P O S A L A N D E AGLE POINT L A NDFILL
Marcie Kreager is on a mission.
As municipal marketing manager for Advanced Disposal and Forsyth County’s Eagle Point Landfill, Kreager knows that many people wouldn’t naturally associate waste management and community service as entities that go hand in hand — but that’s not stopping her from making sure they do. “Most people don’t think of the positive impact [that] landfills have on our community,” Kreager said, “but a landfill is a vital infrastructure, just like a hospital or a waste water treatment plant.” “It’s the kind of community service you don’t think of until you need it,” she explained. Beyond providing a public service, however, Kreager said that she is proud to be able to support many worthy organizations and causes through her position. The company provides volunteers, monetary support and in-kind donations for an extensive list of nonprofit organizations
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANACHEL PHOTOGRAPHY
[ W R I T TEN BY ELI SA BETH WA RRICK ]
and events throughout the year. This year, for example, the company sponsored a group in Forsyth County’s Relay for Life event in addition to providing complementary garbage service after the event. Asked where her passions lie, Kreager spoke of both the environment and her community. “Advanced Disposal and Eagle Point Landfill take its environmental stewardship responsibilities very seriously. Our employees, our neighbors and our families live in the communities we service. We believe it is our primary job to ensure that these communities are clean, safe and healthy for many years to come,” she related, adding, “This commitment to civic involvement and environmental preservation is unwavering — as long as we’re serving a community, we’ll never stop trying to protect and improve it.” Since its inception, Eagle Point Landfill has contributed more than $200,000 to area schools and nonprofit organizations. (continued on pg. 38)
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
NORTHSIDE VIEW
Home is Where the Heart is Kreager said she feels that her job — speaking on behalf of the landfill — is a good fit for her because she is also so passionate about supporting Forsyth County. Having lived in the area for more than 30 years, Kreager considers Forsyth County her home. “I moved here when this area was home to fewer than 25,000 residents. I’ve seen it grow and develop into a modern and progressive community, and I’m proud to be able to work for a company that continues to encourage that progress,” she said. Both Kreager and her husband Paul moved around a good deal as children — she because of her family’s various business ventures throughout southern Georgia and northern Florida, and Paul because of his father’s work with the federal government. Both were ready to put down roots. “After we got married, we moved here, and we decided we were going to get involved. We knew we wanted this to be our home, and we wanted to become a part of the community,” she said. Kreager began her work in public service soon after moving to the area when a friend from church was looking for volunteers to help a nonprofit called The Wilson Clinic (now known as the Georgia Highlands Medical Services). Kreager spent time volunteering at The Wilson Clinic and eventually was asked to join the organization’s Board of Directors. From that position, she met others around the community, made additional connections and became involved in other areas of public service. Most people don’t “Public service is one of my greatest think of the positive passions, and I happily accept the responsibility of the civic debt that comes impact [that] landfills with being a part of a community,” have on our community said Kreager, a current member of the Keep Forsyth County Beautiful Board but a landfill is a vital of Directors, the South Forsyth Rotary infrastructure, just like Club, the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber a hospital or a waste of Commerce, and the Lake Lanier Association. water treatment plant In the past, she has been a member … It’s the kind of of the Forsyth County Library Board of community service you Directors and was even the first woman in the county elected to the Forsyth don’t think of until you County Board of Commissioners. need it. Kreager said that Forsyth County is the first place she’s lived that’s felt like MARCIE KREAGER home and her love for the area is what has driven her commitment to give back. “I have been so blessed. I get to work out my passion for giving back in a job that I love — and get paid to do.” PN
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
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HINTERIORS OME TUB AND TILE Expert Recommendations for
beautiful
Right: The Ski Shower System by Graff, available at Cowan Supply, offers settings for a relaxing, cascading rainfall shower or an invigorating massage with jets of water. A thermostatic valve even allows users to pre-select a desired water temperature. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEABROOK
Above: Wallpaper is back in style, and graphic prints like this are particularly good for a dramatic effect in your powder room, according to Allison Havill Todd of AHT Interiors. Just be sure to select a wall covering that is appropriate for a high-moisture area, she advised. Vessel sinks are also a popular option for powder rooms, though Todd discourages them in master bathrooms, where they’re likely to add too much height to your counter. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAFF
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Bathroom Designs
Left: Cabinetry that resembles a free-standing chest adds a nice decorative touch to your master bath, Todd said. If space allows, side wall sconces are her preferred choice for lighting, and an area rug on a stone floor and nice, fluffy bath towels are great options for adding texture to all the hard, clean surfaces of this room.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LUXOR TILE & STONE
Above: This room features travertine tiles and a 3-centimeter travertine slab that has been fabricated for the vanity. This material is an excellent choice to upgrade a master bath, said Azita Nekooi of Luxor Tile & Stone — just make sure they are sealed after installation.
(continued on pg. 43) PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBELLA COLLECTION
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HOME INTERIORS TUB & TILE TIPS & TRENDS • FORM AND FUNCTION — “The biggest consideration is to plan the design of the bathroom,” said Lenia Pilkonis of Cowan Supply. “The reason I stress this is because of the high importance this room plays in our daily lives. We utilize this space multiple times a day and for vital tasks. It is important that the fixtures we specify are able to meet not only the aesthetic needs of our clients but be functional and safe for continued use over the years.” Azita Nekooi of Luxor Tile and Stone agreed. “What is most beautiful about your bathroom and shower project is not just aesthetics — you have to ensure that your stunning design also performs beautifully. Use quality tile and setting material. Use waterproofing systems for your shower to prevent mold growth and protect wall cavities from water and vapor penetration,” she recommended. • FRAMELESS SHOWER DOORS — According to Allison Havill Todd, one of the most popular elements in bathroom design continues to be frameless shower doors, which replace the old brass-framed versions in most existing homes. • GLASS BLOCK TILE — “You continue to see a lot of [this] in the bathroom,” Todd said, noting that these tiles are good options for a backsplash, around the tub, or as a shower accent to break up the stone. “They can be color specific, but they don’t need to be. Someone can stay very neutral, but if there’s this one that has a little bit of color in it, then it can be a whole launching point for the rest of the room,” she said.
• TERRACOTTA-INSPIRED TILE — “Hot [tile] trends are dusty colors, beautiful gray tones and terracottainspired tiles,” Nekooi said. “Many Italian companies have combined the hand-worked warmth and charm of ancient terracotta with modern size, colors and finishes ... More companies are introducing slimmer tiles and using more recycled content and waste from the production process,” she added. • HOTEL LUXURIES AT HOME — Many homeowners are asking for what Todd describes as “luxury hotel chic” in their home bathrooms, incorporating little elements of luxury. “That doesn’t mean a gob of accessories, that just means really nice fluffy bath towels or some tasteful fixtures or some bling in the light fixtures.” • HEATED ELEMENTS — If you’re already planning to replace your bathroom floors, Todd recommends considering heated tile. “That’s one of those nice little elements that gives you that little bit of luxury, and boy does it feel great on the stone floors.” Speaking of floors, stone is certainly the way to go. “Carpet, forget it. If it’s there, it’s because the home is a little older and it probably needs to go.” Another little luxury you can incorporate without a huge expense is heated towel bars, she added. • GOOD LIGHTING — This is particularly important in the room where you get ready, and the old Hollywood lights in the vanity mirrors are now commonly replaced with lighting that is less harsh, Todd said.
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HOME INTERIORS If you have space on the sides of your mirror, she recommends wall sconces; if not, sconces that direct light down are the way to go. t NEW TECHNOLOGIES — Consider incorporating technological advances in bathroom fixtures such as tubs, showers, toilets and faucets, Pilkonis said. “Features such as aromatherapy, Chroma therapy, advance valves and thermostatic controls, and sanitation features clearly show why updating your bathroom is a high priority for consumers,” she said. “When this vital room functions at a higher and more efficient level, it sets the stage for your whole day!” PN
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F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N Allison Havill Todd Interiors An established interior design firm with a 2,500-square-foot custom design studio and extensive resource library 5325 Lake Point Center Drive Cumming 770-887-7612 www.ahtinteriors.com Cowan Supply A full-line residential/commercial plumbing distributor with a 4,000-square-foot luxury showroom 3032 Bankers Industrial Drive Suite A Atlanta 404-351-6351 www.cowansupply.com Luxor Tile & Stone A local expert in custom fabrication and installation of granite, marble, travertine and all quartz material plus installation, repair and restoration of tile surfaces 1265 Warsaw Road Roswell 770-569-9501 www.luxortile.com
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
2012 Food & Wine Series Château Élan Food & Wine Series Overnight Package ($399 to $514 + tax) This package includes overnight accommodations in the Inn; a multi-course dinner for two; a bottle of Château Élan Wine with special private label; and a 6:00 p.m. late check out. Gratuity also included. Dinner Only for Two $260 includes tax and gratuity
Executive Chef Marc Suennemann will partner with some of Atlanta’s top chefs to create an unforgettable dining experience celebrating regional cuisine with the use of local ingredients and seasonal fare.
Saturday, Feb. 25 The evening will kick off with cocktails in the Winery at 7 p.m. followed by a multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Marc and private chef Seien Raugei. Dinner will be paired with a selection of wines presented by Winemaker Karen Van der Vort.
Chef Seien (pronounced say-en) Raugei was born in Seoul, Korea, and was educated in Tokyo. She learned gourmet Italian cuisine from her husband, who grew up in Tuscany. After moving to the U.S., she attended the course “La Tecnique” at the French Culinary Institute in New York, but her specialty is preparing classic Florentine dishes with great care and extraordinary execution. Raugei is currently working as a private chef after several years at her own restaurant, Chef SayWhen in Duluth.
Future Dates March 24 Ngamta Thongyoung Nahm Thai Cuisine, Alpharetta nahmthaicuisine.com Book Online at www.chateauelan.com or call 678-425-0900 ext. 41 Don’t miss these upcoming Wine Tasting Experiences: Old World Wines Feb. 17, 7 p.m. New World Wines March 9, 7 p.m.
July 2007 | Po int s Nor t h
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Barnsley Gardens Resort, Adairsville, Ga. You don’t have to wait for spring to experience Barnsley Gardens. In fact, this month is a perfect time to take advantage of the resort’s Valentine’s Weekend Package, including a two-night stay with breakfast each morning, chocolatecovered strawberries at turndown the first night, their special Valentine’s dinner at the Rice House on either Friday or Saturday evening, as well as $150 in resort credit to use towards additional dining, activities or merchandise. Rates begin at $914 for a Double Manor Room. (Package price includes all applicable taxes and dining gratuities and is based on two guests. Additional charges will apply for additional guests. Alcoholic beverages are not included in package meals.) If you are planning ahead, there are a few more great events on the horizon. Mark your calendar for a Newton Vineyard Wine Dinner on Feb. 18, featuring winemaker Chris Millard, for $175 per person plus tax and gratuity, or Hob Nob with the Wine Snob on Feb. 25 for a casual evening of wine tasting for $35 per person plus tax. This spring, visit Barnsley for the SpringBank Plantation Pheasant Release on March 17 or a Blue Rock Wine Dinner on March 31 ($160 per person plus tax and gratuity). And don’t miss Easter Weekend, April 6 – 8, for garden tours, family scavenger hunts, lawn games, Easter bonnet making and egg coloring with the Fairy Godmother, and an Easter lunch buffet. For more information about any event, or to make reservations, call 877-773-2447 or visit www.barnsleyresort.com. __________________________________________
Mexico Beach, Fla. Along the quiet shores of the Gulf of Mexico nestled between white sandy beaches and a family-friendly vacation community lays Mexico Beach. This three-and-a-half mile-long paradise in the Florida Panhandle prides itself on not having any high-rises, traffic lights or fast food chains. Summer specials and vacation rental promotions are now underway.
BARNSLEY GARDENS RESORT PHOTO COURTESY OF BARNSLEY GARDENS
Book t h at be ac h f ront home that you’ve always dreamed of, where you can walk right out onto the sand and relax. Have kids? Book a beach-view condo with access to swimming pool, or for the fisherman, book a canal front home with a boat slip right off MEXICO BEACH, FLA. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICO BEACH the dock. From the clean, uncrowded beaches to the beautiful turquoise water, which makes a perfect backdrop for a relaxing afternoon, there is no place quite like Mexico Beach. This spring, the tranquil
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
golfers competing for the covet e d Ta r t a n jac k et . Lodging options close to the tournament fill fast, so act quickly for the best options. Plan your spring getaway with ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals. Call 888-781-0524 or visit www.resortquesthiltonhead.com. ______________________
Sandestin, Fla.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLA. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA ROSA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
communit y invites you to come see what awaits you a nd you r f a m i ly SANDESTIN, FLA. on your next vacat ion. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDESTIN GOLF & BEACH RESORT The possibilities are endless and can be found by visiting www.mexico-beach.com. __________________________________________
ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island, S.C., comes to life in the spring. Azaleas bloom. Temperatures rise. Marsh grasses, the ecosystem’s source of life, become vibrant green — as do the numerous fairways. It’s an exciting time of year to be refreshed with nature’s majesty surrounded by the calm of the sea. ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals specializes in bringing the beauty of spring indoors by making your vacation “home-away-from-home” a wonderful escape. Whether you are a beachcomber and want a private house by the sea, or you are a golf lover and prefer to sleep by the links, there are a variety of lodging options for long weekend getaways or week-long stays. While on the island, take advantage of the area’s special events. On March 5 – 10, the island welcomes the 27th annual Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, featuring the East Coast’s largest outdoor wine tasting on Saturday, March 10. Held on the historic grounds of the Coastal Discovery Museum, the event showcases internationally acclaimed wines, wine makers, local cuisine, chefs and more. For golf fans, the RBC Heritage PGA TOUR returns for its 44th annual tournament on April 9 – 15 at the world-famous Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines. The tournament attracts some of the world’s premier
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
For generations, Sandestin has been the destination of choice for beautiful weather, sugar white sand beaches, golf, tennis, biking, spa and more with more than 2,400 acres of deluxe waterfront accom modat ions, recreational activities and scenic areas. For 2012, this luxury beach resort is making it easy with special offers. Options include a free night with the purchase of four (promotion code: FREE5); 25 percent off weekly rates (promotion code: WEEKLY); 25 percent off an advance purchase for guests who commit 21 days or more in advance of their arrival (promotion code: LOWEST); and hot dates and rates for people who want to make a last-minute decision and are interested in off-peak spring times (promotion code: HOT). New this year is an expanded children’s program and the resort’s Club KZ program. Children can enjoy a funfi lled day camp or a “Kids Night” out on the weekend. The Village of Baytowne Wharf has also expanded its Adventure Zone, which now includes a Euro-Bungy, 50-foot high Ropes Course, Climbing Wall and its trademark Zipline. Also new in 2012 is the expanded Sandestin Wine Festival on April 28 and 29, which will feature a Mediterranean-themed Food Pavilion and more than 100 wines from around the world. Guests at Sandestin can also enjoy the resort’s f ull beach ser vices including umbrellas, chairs, YOLO stand up paddle boards, and complimentary kayak or boogie board rental. For more information on special offers, accommodations and events, visit www.sandestin.com or call 866-91-BEACH. __________________________________________
Santa Rosa County, Fla. Santa Rosa County, Fla., is known for its “beaches to rivers” scenery, and offers a wide variety of activities
for the whole family. Vacationers will love this slice of paradise tucked between Pensacola and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach. This area offers gulf front condominiums, vacation cottages and hotels, but this is not a place where you’ll find theme parks, packed beaches and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Among Florida’s treasured barrier islands, Navarre Beach is a natural retreat, surrounded by protected natural coastline, and is home to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, an eight-mile haven of pristine undeveloped coastline that give families room to explore the beach, dunes and miles of trails. The area also encompasses the Blackwater River State Park. Known as the “Canoe Capital of Florida” with more than 190,000 acres of woodlands, lakes and waterways, it is Florida’s largest state forest with plenty to keep even the most active families entertained, from canoeing, kayaking, tubing and the newest adventure sport Ziplining. Vacationers can also enjoy fishing from the new Navarre Beach Pier, the Gulf of Mexico’s longest fishing pier in Florida, golf at two highly acclaimed courses, and visiting the recently re-opened Gulf Breeze Zoo, a 50-acre facility featuring animals from around the world. In nearby Milton and Bagdad, the two closest towns to the north, there are quaint historic homes, antique shops, parks and restaurants. Close by there are scores of hiking and biking trails including the Eglin Trail, 56 miles on Eglin Air Force Base. For more information, visit www.floridabeachestorivers.com. ________________________________
Sea Escapes Cruise Planners Sea Escapes currently offers amazing rates for your Spring Break escape. Cruise with Mickey and friends on a four-night Disney cruise to the Bahamas, including Disney’s amazing private island Castaway Cay. Fares start at $824 for grownups — kids sail for even less! Enjoy a five-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. Visit Ocho Rios and Labadee in an
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Oceanview Suite starting at $719 Seaside, Fla. per guest. Seaside, Fla., invites visitors Looking for a shorter break? to kick off spring with a fl ing Take a three-night Bahamian cruise into great savings. Plan a vacaSEASIDE, FLA. on the Norwegian Sky in a gorgeous tion to Seaside between April PHOTO COURTESY OF WALTON COUNTY TDC/BEACHES OF SOUTH WALTON Balcony Suite for as low as $529 per 22 and May 19 and enjoy 20 guest. percent off rentals at the Cottage Rental Agency, where Want more than a cruise? Take advantage of one of you’ll experience the simplicity of small-town living and Sea Escapes’ “Completely Packaged” Vacations, like a take in stunning views of the Gulf’s sugar white sand package that includes one free night hotel stay, transfer beaches and emerald-green waters. (The Cottage Rental to the ship and a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise Agency’s “Spring Fling in Seaside” offer is available for on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. See Labadee, stays through April 22 – May 19, 2012; limited availFalmouth and Cozumel, and enjoy on-board attractions ability; not applicable to existing reservations or groups; like the Flow Rider, Zip Line, Boardwalk with Carousel additional restrictions may apply.) and more! Balcony suites start at $1,305 per guest. Can’t wait for spring break? Enjoy Mardi Gras the Thinking of visiting Mickey on land? Take advantage Seaside way, where you’ll experience a peaceful vacation of this great combo package — a four-night hotel stay, away from the overbearing crowds, or take advantage of airport/hotel transfers and a five-day Disney Magic Your a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy savings of Way Base Ticket starting at $506! Prices vary based on 30 percent off in Seaside now through Feb. 29. hotel, and prices are available for a limited time. Call For more information about either of these offers, 877-600-8166 now to make sure you don’t miss out! For visit www.cottagerentalagency.com, or call the Cottage more information, visit www.sea-escapes.com. Rental Agency at 877-433-9070 for availability and __________________________________________ reservations. ❂
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
>i\\k`e^j
from Mexico Beach Just half an hour past Panama City, the pace settles back into your comfort zone. You’ve reached Mexico Beach, the secluded seaside village that’s kept generations of families coming back for our sugar-white beaches, waterfront restaurants, charming shops, spectacular fishing and affordable rentals.
/ To plan your escape to paradise… refreshingly free of high-rise condos and crowds at every turn
Call 888-723-2546.
/ Or find things to do, lodging specials and our live beach cam at
www.mexico-beach.com
ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
Low Country
Deep South IN THE
IN SOUTH GEORGIA, CABIN BLUFF OFFERS A RUSTIC RETREAT ON THE COAST OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER
[ W R I TTE N BY B R E H U M P H R IE S ]
W
e parked our golf cart at
✶
the edge of the course and took in our surroundings — quintessential low country terrain with longleaf pines and live oaks laced with Spanish moss, spartina grass sprouting from a nearby pond, and the surrounding marshland wrapping us in her musky scent, part salt air and part damp earth. We were certainly out in the boondocks here at Cabin Bluff, a South Georgia retreat steeped in rustic charm on
the coast of the Cumberland River, and this moment was particularly peaceful, as we had the golf course to ourselves. In fact, our group had the entire property to ourselves on this weekend in early May, a personalized experience that is not uncommon at Cabin Bluff, which specializes in group travel with a maximum capacity of 40 guests. Founded in 1928 by automobile pioneer Howard Coffi n, Cabin Bluff has a
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTSEY OF CABIN BLUFF ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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Cabin Bluff
Today, Cabin Bluff continues to elicit avid groups of hunters, thanks to more than 1,500 acres of quail fields. long-standing reputation as a premier hunting and fishing destination and is said to be the oldest commercial hunting camp in the country. In the early years, the property’s renown spread by word of mouth, drawing such clientele as legendary industrialists and former President Calvin Coolidge. Today, Cabin Bluff continues to elicit avid groups of hunters, thanks to more than 1,500 acres of quail fields, but it’s also a popular haven for corporate retreats, family reunions, bachelor parties and even wedding groups looking for an array of activities, comfortable lodges and
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
cabins, downright good dining and oldfashioned fun in the great outdoors. Into the Wild Guests at Cabin Bluff are presented with personal golf carts for traversing the property, and since the cooler in the back was already stocked with beer, we wasted no time heading out for a little exploration, beginning, naturally, with the golf course. Designed by Davis Love III, the 18-hole course features six different greens creatively constructed to feature three holes each. As we putted around, we soon
YOUR KITCHEN COUNTER TOP & MASTER BATHROOM CHANGES EVERY THING realized that we were not alone after all; at one of the ponds, we spotted an alligator lurking below the surface, and later found an osprey nest high in a tree. For those who prefer to hunt rather than watch wildlife from afar, the biggest draw this time of year is quail hunting, and Cabin Bluff promises an extraordinary hunting experience as an affiliate of the Beretta Trident program. Groups of experienced and novice hunters alike will feel comfortable participating in Cabin Bluff’s controlled hunts with certified shooting instructors. Since our visit did not coincide
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Cabin Bluff
The Cumberland River, which merges with the Intracoastal Waterway, is teeming with redfish, bluefish, sea trout, tarpon and more. with quail season, we opted for a tour of the quail fields instead, which revealed beautiful scenery of palmetto trees, coastal bluestem grasses, and even a view of the water from one spot. Cabin Bluff also employs their own trainers for their hunting dogs, and we met a couple of setters and one black lab for a dog demonstration. The dogs are trained using positive reinforcement, and their obedience amazed me. Perhaps my own dog needs a lesson or two! Guests can also take advantage of deer, turkey and wild boar hunting during their respective seasons. Though I didn’t wield a gun during our trip through the hunting fields, I did try my hand at shooting on Cabin Bluff’s sporting clays course, which features 13 stations designed to imitate natural hunting conditions. While I didn’t fare quite as well as my avid hunter husband, I was proud of 56
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
my unexpected accuracy with the rifle they provided for me. Big Fish to Fry Cabin Bluff offers plenty of other opportunities for adventure by land, like trails for hiking and biking and tennis and bocce ball courts, but we were anxious to hit the water. Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities, as is swimming or sunbathing by the lap pool, but we chose to go fishing, and we needed only to stroll down the
dock to cast our first line. Here, live bait and rods are provided, and lights shining into the water attract aquatic creatures, making for good night fishing. The Cumberland River, which merges with the Intracoastal Waterway, is teeming with redfish, bluefish, sea trout, tarpon and more, and guests can take full advantage through inshore or offshore fishing trips. We boarded a 24-foot center console for a guided inshore fishing excursion and ventured through inlets and estuaries, stopping along the way to cast our lines off the banks of small barrier islands. It was a great day on the water for the men in our group, both experienced anglers, as well as the women, who picked up fishing tips and encouragement from our guide, Capt. Toby. While we were out, we cruised around nearby Cumberland Island, hoping for a glimpse of the famed wild horses, but
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Points North | December 2011 | ptsnorth.com
Cabin Bluff
Each mealtime featured more home-cooked goodness, from barbecue and unbeatable brownies to some of the best fried chicken you’ll find in Dixie.
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
they never showed their manes. Luckily, we were more successful with the fish, and returned to the dock with a few trout for the kitchen to fry for our breakfast the next morning. And that’s not the only fried food we consumed. This is, after all, the South, and each mealtime featured more home-cooked goodness, from barbecue and unbeatable brownies to some of the best fried chicken you’ll find in Dixie, with all meals included in your rate. Breakfast and lunch are casual, served in the main dining hall, but dinner is a special affair. Most evenings started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres like mini boar chops in the pool house, where a breathtaking view of the bay provides a fabulous backdrop at sunset. Afterward, we’d move to Coolidge Tavern for gourmet dinners like hand-rubbed tenderloin with plenty of wine. The Tavern is a great hangout spot after dinner, too, with a pool table and darts upstairs, and fi re pits right outside. For special occasions, guests may opt for an oyster roast by the marsh, with steamed oysters fresh from the pot and ready for shucking, or an open-air cookout with campfires and a fish fry feast spread out on picnic tables. For us, it was the perfect casual evening to end an adventurefilled weekend in the great outdoors. PN
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N Cabin Bluff Woodbine, Ga. 912-729-5960 www.cabinbluff.com
SPECIAL ADVE RTI S I N G S E C TI O N
2012
HEART & VASCULAR
GUIDE
Points North talks to a few of the Northside’s medical professionals to offer invaluable information about your heart and vascular health. To find out even more about the health specialists profiled in this section, scan the QR code on each of these pages with your smart phone.
Less Pain, Smaller Scars and Faster Recovery for Heart Surgery Patients
M
Many patients who need heart valve surgery are now leaving the hospital sooner, with less pain and scarring, thanks to advanced minimally invasive procedures offered at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville (Georgia’s #1 Heart Hospital, according to HealthGrades®). As one of a few surgeons in the nation who specialize in minimally invasive mitral valve reconstruction and minimally invasive aortic valve reconstruction, I’ve developed techniques to treat patients from across the U.S. and other parts of the world. These procedures are my passion because they offer patients tremendous benefits versus traditional procedures, such as: • Shorter hospital stays
• Quicker return to normal activities • Less pain and scarring • Less risk of infection • Less blood loss and fewer transfusions You can learn more about these procedures, watch a surgery and hear real patients talk about their experiences at www.nghs.com/HeartValve. You can also call my practice, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, at 770-219-7099 if you have any questions. I’m excited to be part of an organization that’s dedicated to staying at the forefront of medical technology in order to provide exceptional patient care, and proud to have the opportunity to serve you so close to Forsyth County.
NORTHEAST GEORGIA PHYSICIANS GROUP CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGEONS J. Alan Wolfe, MD 200 South Enota Drive, Suite 380, Gainesville | www.nghs.com/HeartValve 60
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
SPECIA L ADVE RTI S I N G S E C TI O N
Circulatory Centers: A New Standard in Vascular Care
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Have you ever looked at your legs and noticed those large bulging unsightly veins and wondered if they are the cause of your tired and achy legs? Or maybe you just have clusters of small purple veins and wondered what can be done about them? You are not alone. About one in three adults has signs and symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins are superficial veins that have lost the ability to effectively transport blood back to the heart. They can range from large ugly ropy veins to smaller clusters of superficial (close to the surface) purple veins that if traumatized, will bleed or bruise. Many patients will experience pain, achiness, and swelling. Frequently, their legs will feel heavy and tired. Varicose veins can even cause night cramps and restless leg symptoms. If left untreated, these varicose veins can lead to inflammation of the vein (phlebitis), skin discoloration of the lower legs and in worse cases, skin breakdown and ulcers. Years ago patients either ignored this problem or if they did seek medical/ surgical help the results were often disappointing sometimes patients were left with large disfiguring scars only to have recurrence of their veins within five years. Today, we know much more about this medical problem and the diagnosis and treatment is far superior to that of time past. The use of painless, noninvasive ultrasound to diagnose the problem and pinpoint the cause is standard of care. Treatment for even the largest and most problematic veins can take less than an hour, require little or no
anesthesia, and allow patients to return to most of their normal activities immediately. All of this is done in the safety and comfort of an office setting. Sounds unbelievable given the stories we have all heard about the treatment of varicose veins in the past. This is standard of care for the physicians at the Circulatory Centers. All new patients are initially evaluated at a no cost, no obligation consultation. Following the consultation, a state of the art ultrasound evaluation is performed in our ICAVL accredited vascular lab to diagnose any venous problems. The Circulatory Center staff members will then offer a customized treatment plan based on each patient’s specific needs. At the Circulatory Centers only “Gold Standard” treatment protocols like sclerotherapy or Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) are utilized. Sclerotherapy, performed by an experienced provider, is used to treat smaller veins. This is a twenty minute office visit and involves no ‘down time.’ EVLA, is used to treat large vein problems. A very fine laser fiber is inserted into the problem vein. This procedure — performed under local anesthesia and in the comfort and safety of our office — takes about forty five minutes with patients returning to most of their normal daily activities immediately. Believe it or not, 95% of our procedures are covered by insurance. At the Circulatory Center each patient is assigned a Patient Account Representative who will help them navigate the often confusing sea of insurance regulations and billing. So what do you have to lose? Only those painful varicose veins.
CIRCULATORY CENTERS Dr. Lisa Perez 303 Bombay Lane, Roswell, GA 678.954.7710 | www.VeinHealth.com ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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Vein Atlanta’s Modern Treatments Give You Healthy Legs Again!
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You exercise, eat right, keep your weight down, take nutritional supplements, but those darn legs veins won’t go away! While “heart healthy” activities are good for your heart and arteries, they will not reduce varicose veins and spider veins. Heart disease and venous disease have very different causes. Heart attacks are caused by a blockage in an artery due to a buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. Venous insufficiency (also called venous reflux) is caused by the failure of one way valves in the leg veins. Nothing you can do will make those valves work properly again. And with time, they will only get worse. Venous reflux is not only a cosmetic issue, but a real medical condition. Stagnant venous blood can lead to leg fatigue, aching, swelling, itching, burning, skin discoloration, and clotting. The good news is that practically all abnormal veins can be completely eradicated in an office setting under local anesthesia. Modern vein treatments get rid of the aching, tiredness, pain, and swelling of venous reflux, as well as eliminate the unsightly appearance of veins. All without interfering with your daily activities.
HOW TO CHOOSE A VEIN DOCTOR So you made the resolve to get your leg vein fixed. Congratulations, you have just invested in improving your health for the long term. But who will be your vein doctor? How should you choose? First, make sure you are being evaluated and treated by a doctor. Not all vein clinics are run by a doctor. At such places,
your initial evaluation, and many of the procedures themselves are done by a nurse or PA, not by a physician. Why settle for this when you can have the same doctor evaluate you, treat you, and see you in follow-up? Choose a doctor that can offer all the modern options. Some vein clinics offer limited options, such as only laser ablation (EVLA) or only radiofrequency closure (VNUS Closure). Many do not offer microphlebectomy or surface laser treatments. Why limit your options? Choose a doctor that can do it all. A doctor with experience in vascular surgery and phlebology (vein medicine) is best. Choose a local doctor that owns and operates his/her own center. Do you want to be treated by a visiting doctor that lives in another city, or by a doctor that lives in Atlanta and is part of the medical community here? Do you want to be treated at a clinic that is owned and operated by an out of state corporation or non-physician, or at a center owned and operated by a well-known local physician that is dedicated to making sure you receive personal, high quality care? Choose a doctor that specializes in veins. Some doctors spend most of their professional time treating other medical disorders, and treat veins part time. Why not choose a surgeon that dedicates 100% of his/her time to the treatment of veins? Full time specialization and focus on veins only can elevate the patient experience and final results. Visit us for a free vein screening: Monday, February 20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, February 21, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VEIN ATLANTA Dr. Louis Prevosti 1100 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Center Pointe Building 2, Suite 165 Atlanta, GA 30342 404.446.2800 | www.VeinAtlanta.com
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
SPECIA L ADVE RTI S I N G S E C TI O N
WellStar’s “Know Your Heart” Program Takes a Proactive Stance on Heart Health
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It’s important to take a proactive interest in your heart health as prevention, early detection and education are the primary steps to a healthy heart. That is why WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine, offers Know Your Heart, a complimentary program to a Heart Screening that provides a comprehensive analysis of your overall cardiovascular health. A Heart Screening, also known as a CT Cardiac Calcium Score, is a fast and non-invasive CT Scan used to determine the risk of coronary artery disease. Using a multislice scan, the heart screening can help cardiologists determine the participant’s level of risk for heart disease or future cardiac issues. The screening is recommended for those who have diabetes, family history of heart disease, history of smoking or tobacco use, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a “man’s disease,” around the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk for heart disease. Know Your Heart is a preventive program designed to determine your risk of heart disease, stroke, carotid artery disease, peripheral arterial disease and other serious conditions. All testing is performed by registered technologists, with test interpretation by board-certified WellStar physicians. Each participant receives a personalized report with test results, risk factor education and diet, weight
and exercise recommendations. The WellStar Cardiac Network provides comprehensive cardiac service offerings, proven expertise in preventative care, cutting-edge treatment of acute and chronic cardiac conditions and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for its patients. Interventional cardiac procedures are offered at WellStar Cobb, Douglas and Kennestone hospitals and WellStar Kennestone offers an adult cardiac surgery program. Additionally, WellStar Cobb, Douglas and Kennestone’s Emergency Departments are all accredited Chest Pain Centers. These hospitals can quickly treat or transfer patients for the interventions they need. Know Your Heart is offered at the WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine office in East Cobb. Please call 770-321-3490 to schedule your personalized preventive screening. For more information visit wellstar.org.
"ASIC 2ISK !SSESSMENT s Cardiac-related lab work and non-invasive screening tests including lipid profile, glucose blood test, C-Reactive protein and EKG.
Risk Assessment including .ON )NVASIVE 3CREENING 4ESTS s Cardiac-related lab work and non-invasive screening tests including lipid profile, glucose blood test, C-Reactive protein, ABI, carotid ultrasound, screening Echo and EKG
KNOW YOUR HEART WellStar Cardiovascular Medicine East Cobb 770.321.3490 | www.wellstar.org ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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[ W R IT T E N BY ART IS HA J OH N S ON ]
HEALTHBEAT
PHOTO COURTESY OF STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
If you are disappointed that you have not been able to enjoy any snow this winter, don’t worry. There will be plenty of snow and fun to be had on Feb. 12 when the Visiting Nurse Health System holds its annual BigTo-Do benefit for the first time at Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park. Families will have the opportunity to go tubing down Snow Mountain, make a snowman, climb through snow tunnels and shoot snowballs. After you have had enough of the snow, your family can enjoy some warm S’mores at SnoFire Point. The event will benefit the Visiting Nurse Health System’s Children Program, which provides help to pediatric patients who need hospice care at home or at the Hospice Atlanta Center. The program assists children of all ages, from neonates to adolescents. Families will have access to Snow Mountain all day and two hours of use of the snow tubing slopes from 3 – 6 p.m. Tickets are $60. Admission for children under 36 inches tall is free. Tickets include free parking and a memorable gift for the little ones. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.vnhs.org.
NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL EXPANDS ACCESS TO GYN CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS Cancer is a tough opponent. It has an arsenal of weapons and has won many battles. However, research and clinical trials leading to advancements in treatment is its Achilles heel. Giving women access to clinical trials and the latest gynecological cancer treatments, Northside Hospital has joined the Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG) through an affiliation with the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (CORE). GOG is a national nonprofit organization with a mission of promoting excellence in clinical and basic scientific research in the field of gynecological cancer. Northside Hospital reports that more than 2,000 cases of gynecological cancers are diagnosed each year in Georgia according to the National Cancer Institute. Clinical research aids in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of such cancers. GOG has approximately 45 active clinical trials ongoing at any given time. General information about many of the clinical trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov. For information about clinical trials available at Northside Hospital, visit www.northside.com and for information about GOG visit www.gog.org.
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS SAVAS PHOTOGRAPHY
BIG-TO-DO BENEFIT MOVES TO SNOW MOUNTAIN FOR BIG WINTER FUN
Emory Healthcare and Saint Joseph’s Hospital Join Forces It is said that two are better than one. Emory Healthcare and Saint Joseph’s Health System will be putting it into practice, combining Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta with Emory Johns Creek Hospital under the Emory Healthcare umbrella. Saint Joseph’s Hospital, founded in 1880 by the Sisters of Mercy, is esteemed as being the first medical facility in Atlanta after the Civil War. Emory Healthcare reports being the largest, most comprehensive healthcare system in Georgia. Both healthcare systems will bring resources and strengths to the partnership. The partnership will lead to the expansion of services for patients and allow the healthcare systems to share patients’ electronic medical records. Emory Healthcare will obtain majority ownership of Saint Joseph’s Hospital. However, Saint Joseph’s will remain involved in the governance of the company and will maintain majority voting rights on issues critical to its religious directives and its mission, which includes providing quality healthcare to the poor and vulnerable. For more information about Emory Healthcare, visit www.emoryhealthcare.org and for more information about Saint Joseph’s Hospital, visit www.saintjosephsatlanta.org.
[ C OMP IL ED BY RAC H E L B U CKL E Y ]
FEBRUARY
Calendar submissions should be sent to calendar@ptsnorth.com two months prior to the month in which the event will occur. Please note that dates and times might change.
[ FEB. 7 – 2 6] Ruth and the Green Book Center for Puppetry Arts Atlanta
C O M I N G A PA R T
R E D LE T TE R J E S U S
[Feb. 3 – 18] Laugh out loud as the Polk Street Players perform this unique, romantic comedy. Stellar Cellar at St. James’ Episcopal Church Marietta 770-218-9669
[Feb. 8 – March 10] As told in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Brad Sherrill brings the life of Jesus to the stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Jesus’ teachings in a new, inspiring way. Theatre in the Square. Marietta 770-422-8369 www.theatreinthesquare.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF LERNER PUBLISHING GROUP
TH E FA I RY TA LE LI V E S OF RUSSIAN GIRLS
TH E R E D B A LLO O N
PERFORMING ARTS G O D O F C A R N AG E [Through Feb. 4] As a winner of multiple Tony Awards including “Best Play,” this production will give audiences an insightful view into the world of parenthood and temperament. Alliance Theatre Atlanta 404-733-4650 www.alliancetheatre.org
MEMPHIS [Through Feb. 5] This energetic musical, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, will submerge its audience into the thrilling world of 1950s music and culture. The Fox Theatre 800-745-3000 www.foxtheatre.org
A B O DY O F WATE R [Through Feb. 12] The Aurora Theatre is proud to present this mysterious tale. With unexpected twists and turns, this drama is sure to have audiences on the edge of their seats. Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville 678-226-6222 www.auroratheatre.com
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[Through Feb. 12] Theatre du Reve presents an encore presentation of this widely popular story. Performed in both French and English, it will surely bring joy to audiences of all ages. 7 Stages Back Stage Theatre Atlanta, 404-875-3829 www.theatredureve.com
[Feb. 3 – 26] Enjoy a journey of culture and imagination as a young Russian American searches for her roots in this awardwinning play. Alliance Theatre, Atlanta 404-733-4650 www.alliancetheatre.com
R UTH A N D TH E G R E E N B O O K [Feb. 7 – 26] In this moving production, experience the challenges brought upon African Americans during the 1950s. While an African American family struggles to find acceptance in a Jim Crow South, “The Green Book” becomes their guide. Center for Puppetry Arts Atlanta 404-873-3391 www.puppet.org
BRIGADOON [Feb. 10 – 18] This heartwarming love story gives audiences the perfect opportunity for a romantic night out. While performing a wonderful tale, this musical also features classic love songs such as “Almost Like Being in Love.” City Center, Woodstock 678-494-4251 www.elmstreetarts.org
TH E P R I N C E S S A N D TH E G O B LI N [Feb. 10 – 19] The Atlanta Ballet is proud to present this classic children’s tale. Beautifully choreographed by Twyla Tharp, this ballet will warm the hearts of all audiences. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta, 800-982-2787 www.atlantaballet.com
TH E L A D I E S M A N [Through Feb. 26] Theatre in the Square presents a hilarious performance of Charles Morey’s comedy. Laugh out loud as you see one man’s little lie throw his life and relationships into comedic chaos. Theatre in the Square Marietta 770-422-8369 www.theatreinthesquare.com
S PAC E ! [Through March 11] This kid-friendly production introduces audiences to the amazing discoveries of outer space. While exploring gravity with Sir Isaac Newton, children will learn about our sun, Saturn’s rings and much more. Center for Puppetry Arts Atlanta 404-873-3391 www.puppet.org
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
[FE B . 10 – 18] Brigadoon, City Center, Woodstock
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELMSTREETARTS.ORG
CALENDAR
TH E W I Z A R D O F O Z [Feb. 25 – March 11] Children and adults are invited to visit Oz and all of its iconic characters at the Alliance Theatre. Take a trip down memory lane while enjoying this timeless story. Alliance Theatre, Atlanta 404-733-4650 www.alliancetheatre.com
ART/EXHIBITS
M O M E NT S O F C O LO R : F E ATU R I N G A R TI S T LI N DA D R AG O N E T TE [Through Feb. 19] Enjoy the vibrant artwork of legally blind painter Linda Dragonette as her pieces are displayed in the Jack and Sandra Bailey Gallery. Quinlan Visual Arts Center Gainesville, 770-536-2575 www.quinlanartscenter.org
D E L S A R TE M A R TI N LUTH E R K I N G , J R . MEMORIAL MURAL [Through Feb. 29] Come celebrate the life achievements
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in mural form. The Defoor Centre is offering free admission as smaller versions of these inspiring murals are displayed. The Defoor Centre, Atlanta 404-591-3900 www.defoorcentre.com
LOV E A N D C O M M E R C I A LI S M [Feb. 3 – 24] Just in time for Valentine’s Day, view the thought-provoking artwork of 12 artists as they explore mass media’s effect on love in modern society. 2 Rules Fine Art Gallery Marietta 404-355-6897 www.2rulesďŹ neart.com
S P OTLI G HT O N A R T: A R TI S T S M A R K E T [Feb. 6 – 11] Enjoy original artwork by 350 artists, ranging from folk art to sculpture. Guests may take advantage of free admission and free parking. Trinity School Atlanta www.spotlightonart.com
R O S W E LL F I N E A R T S A LLI A N C E [Feb. 17 – 24] Students from various North Fulton County schools will compete for prizes while exhibiting their best drawing, sculpture and painting. The closing awards reception will be held Feb. 24. Roswell Visual Arts Center 770-594-6122 www.roswellgov.com
CONCERTS/COMEDY ATL A NTA S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S TR A’ S C I N D E R E LL A
[Feb. 12] Children and adults will love this hilarious rendition of a classic fable. With life-sized puppets, masks and beautiful music, this production is sure to wow audiences of all ages. Atlanta Symphony Hall www.atlantasymphony.org
ATL A NTA S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S TR A G A L A [Feb. 18] Award-winning actress, singer and
comedian Bernadette Peters performs with orchestra members at the second annual gala. While bringing awareness to music’s impact on children, this performance will take audiences on a fantastic journey. Atlanta Symphony Hall www.atlantasymphony.org
CHARITY EVENTS
A R T F R O M TH E H E A R T FOR SENIORS GALA [Feb. 11] Offer your support to North Fulton seniors by experiencing art, dance and entertainment during this early Valentine’s Day celebration from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek 770-993-1906 www.ssnorthfulton.org
A TA S TE O F LOV E GALA [Feb. 11] The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia is eager to raise awareness and support for Georgia’s epilepsy community. Guests will enjoy silent and
770-887-3000 Green Corners Shopping Center Bethelview & Hwy. 20 in Cumming
Authentic Italian Cuisine by Chef Luigi Tartaglione, originally from Roma. Friendly management and wait staff. Solid wine list. Casual atmosphere.
Join us Wednesday Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. for a Rotta Romance Week winemaker’s dinner with visiting winemaker Mark Caporale from Rotta Winery of Templeton, Calif.
XXX NJBJUBMJBOP DPN t Bethelview Rd., Suite 104 See our special offers on Facebook! www.facebook.com/MiaRistoranteItaliano
ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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CALENDAR
SPECIAL EVENTS S TO RY TI M E W ITH B E LL A
[Feb. 18] Nearly 650 guests will gather for cocktails, dancing and dinner at the beautiful InterContinental Buckhead for this benefit for Atlanta’s Trinity School. After enjoying a live and silent auction, guests may stay overnight at discounted rates. InterContinental Buckhead 404-946-9000 www.spotlightonart.com
[Feb. 2, 7] Parents and children are invited to a special story hour featuring Cowlicks Yogurt and Floats mascot, Bella, and a seasonal storybook on Feb. 2 in Sandy Springs and Feb. 7 in Vinings. Children 6 and younger may enjoy a free 8-ounce cup of yogurt with the purchase of one Cowlicks yogurt cup or float. Cowlicks Yogurt and Floats Sandy Springs/Vinings www.cowlicksyogurtandfloats.com
F I F TH A N N UA L P E AC HTR E E TE A
B A R R I N GTO N H A LL COOKING CLASSES
[Feb. 21] Help support the community housing organization HomeStretch at this event. Guests will indulge in a silent auction followed by a seated morning tea. Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek 770-642-9185 www.homestretch.org
[Feb. 7, 21] Join Chef John Wilson as he demonstrates the unique techniques used in French cooking on Feb. 7 and Asian cooking on Feb. 21. Classes are $50 per person and include the lesson, food and wine. Barrington Hall Roswell 770-640-3855
SPOTLIGHT ON ART: GALA
S H A R E O U R S TR E N GTH ’ S G R E AT A M E R I C A N B A K I N G C O NTE S T [Feb. 29] Pastry chefs, culinary students, amateurs and children are invited to participate in this contest, with all proceeds going toward ending childhood hunger in America. The entry deadline is Feb. 10. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta join.strength.org/bakingcontest
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N O R TH ATL A NTA H O M E S H OW [Feb. 10 – 12] Join experts in the home remodeling and landscaping industries as they showcase the latest services and products for your next home improvement project. Gwinnett Center, Duluth 770-998-9800 www.gwinnettcenter.com
Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF HEIDI GELDHAUSER
live auctions, live entertainment and a sit-down dinner. Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead www.epilepsyga.org
[FE B . 7 – 29] Share Our Strength’s Great American Baking Contest, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta O P E N H O U S E AT H O R I ZO N C H R I S TI A N AC A D E M Y [Feb. 16] Those interested are welcome to visit Horizon’s elementary school and 6th grade academy from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The middle and high school open house will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Individual tours are available by appointment. Horizon Christian Academy Cumming 678-947-3583 www.horizonchristian.org
WO M E N ’ S R E TR E AT: LI V I N G L A R G E [Feb. 17 – 19] Atlanta’s contemporary Christian trio Beloved invites women to renew their spirits at this red-carpet event featuring music, guest speakers, door prizes, games, fellowship and more. Atlanta Marriot Gwinnett Place Duluth www.belovedga.com
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www.reliance-hvac.com ptsnorth.com | February 2012 | Points North
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[ W R IT T E N BY R ACHE L B U C K LE Y ]
5 THINGS SY
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FEBRUARY
HOTOGRAPHY ON P ALL GF U DO
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PHO TO
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I MUST DO THIS MONTH
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LOGO COURTESY OF
PHOTO COURTESY OF HEIDI GELDHAUSER FOR THE REYNOLDS GROUP
NFCC
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON
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Give Your Valentine a Little R&R. Create the ultimate day of relaxation for your special someone with SoRen Teas, a gourmet line of blended, loose-leaf teas, and a gift certificate to their favorite salon or spa. All of SoRen Teas are organic and some are fair trade, with flavors like Cashmere Crème, Bohemian Peach, Vanilla Rouge and Coco Chic. Include a massage or mani/pedi in the mix and you are sure to have one happy, healthy valentine! To purchase, visit www.sorentea.com. Have a Heart for NFCC. On Feb. 25, join North Fulton Community Charities for a few fundraisers in honor of its month-long “Have a Heart” initiative. From 10 a.m. – noon, couponing enthusiasts will be delighted to learn couponing secrets from The Coupon Mom at Roswell Presbyterian Church for a $10 admission fee. Later in the evening, rock out at Cumming’s Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee as a local band jams at 7 p.m. A $5 donation is encouraged, and all proceeds directly support NFCC, which prevents homelessness and hunger in our community. For more information, visit www.heartfornfcc.org. Bask in Chocolate Romance. The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead invites lovebirds to indulge in romance — and chocolate — this Valentine’s Day. On Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 26, a Haute Chocolate Bar features decadent drinking chocolates with an assortment of house-made garnishes, while couples can learn to make chocolate candies with Chef Dallas Marsteller on Feb. 11. For information on the numerous chocolate-themed activities hosted by the Ritz-Carlton, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/buckhead or call 404-237-2700.
OK-OFF HILI CO & ICE C OF FIRE RTESY CO U LOGO
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Jump to New Heights. The entire family will enjoy Suwanee’s newest attraction, Sky Zone. Filled with wall-to-wall trampolines, Sky Zone provides a brand new way to move, and sets the stage for a variety of activities such as Open Jump, SkyRobics, a foam pit, Toddler Time, birthday parties and more. Join a game of 3-D Dodgeball with one arena for the little kids and a separate, more “energetic” arena for teens and adults. A snack bar is available for refueling. Visit www.skyzoneatlanta.com for more information.
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Points North | February 2012 | ptsnorth.com
Be Cool and Embrace the Heat. The city of Blue Ridge will host a Fire & Ice Chili Cook Off on Feb. 18 from 12 – 5 p.m. Interact with professional ice sculptors and their creations while walking up and down the quaint streets of town. If the excitement doesn’t keep you warm, the chili surely will. Taste a variety of chili recipes as contestants compete for your approval and prizes. To register your own chili, email blueridgebusinessassociation@yahoo.com.