Atlanta Senior Life - April 2018

Kathy

Contributors

Julie E. Bloemeke, Robin Conte, Gary Goettling, Judi Kanne, Collin Kelley, Donna Williams Lewis, Phil Mosier, Isadora Pennington, Kristen Sumpter, Soojin Yang Advertising

Left

right, Rena Wood and Buddy Barber dance together at one of the weekly ShagAtlanta dances held at Nemoe’s Tavern in Norcross.

PHOTO BY PHIL MOSIER

By Joe Earle

Jimmy Ross leaned to dance

The Shag back in the 1960s, when he was in high school in Atlanta. He danced at Misty Waters, an amusement park near Decatur that offered putt-putt golf, roller skating and a sandy beach alongside a lake. And it had The Shag, the dance from the beach. “It was just a smooth, goodlooking dance,” he said. “It’s fun to do it.”

The Shag, sometimes called The Carolina Shag, was then a dance couples did to Beach Music. Not the Beach Boys’ music or reverb-and-riff-heavy Surf Music of guitarists such as Dick Dale, but the rhythm-and-blues songs that played at bars and beach clubs up and down the Carolina coast starting sometime around the beginning of the Baby

Dancing the Shag

Shag dancers still moving to that ‘smooth, good-looking dance’

Boom.

Beach Music centered on danceable songs such as “Stay” by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs or “Sixty-Minute Man” by the Dominoes. The Shag was the elegant, some say sexy, dance that partners performed to those songs.

Ross met his wife, Donna, at Misty Waters. She attended a different Atlanta high school, but they danced together at the amusement park. They married in 1964. They’re still married –it’ll be 54 years in October, he says proudly – and they’re still dancing The Shag.

In their younger days, the Rosses occasionally danced the old dance at friends’ parties, Ross said, but it wasn’t a regular thing. Then, in 1988, they heard about a group getting together in Marietta to dance to the old

songs. They checked it out, signed up with the club the next year and “we’ve been coming ever since,” Ross said.

A generation later, the couple still turns out about twice a month for the dances put on by the club now known as ShagAtlanta. What keeps them coming back? “The people, the dance, the music … It’s like going back to high school,” Ross, a 72-year-old, retired manufacturers’ rep who now lives in McDonough, said one recent Saturday night as he took a brief break from dancing at a ShagAtlanta dance party.

About 100 dancers usually show up when ShagAtlanta holds its weekly gatherings at Nemoe’s Tavern in Norcross, said club president Dennis Franklin of Roswell. Created in 1989 by the merger of two Atlanta shag

groups, Atlanta Beach Club and the North Atlanta Beach Club, ShagAtlanta now claims 304 members and is among about 100 clubs that are members of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs, Franklin said.

The Atlanta club says it was among the founders of the A.C.S.C., which later spawned a related organization called the Society of Stranders, named for folks who flocked to the “Grand Strand” of beach communities along the Carolina Coast where The Shag was popularized. On its webpage, the Society of Stranders (called “S.O.S.” for short) lists more than 125 clubs, bars and other places scattered from Albermarle, N.C. to York, S.C. where a traveling shagger can find a place to kick back and dance.

S.O.S. also hosts three big

PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

Left, Sharon Franklin dancing with her husband Dennis Franklin. Above right, Sharon Franklin, center, leads the line dance. Below right, Karyl Asta dancing with her husband Biff Asta.

parties a year at Myrtle Beach that draw dancers from all over. And other clubs in cities host their own regional gatherings. Chattanooga calls its party “Choo Choo Shag Tracks.” The one held in Panama City, Fla., is dubbed “Shag-A-Rama.” Atlanta shaggers say they regularly attend those multi-day parties as well as the ones in Myrtle Beach.

“The dance itself is a challenge to learn, but if you stick with it, the lifestyle takes you into a dance world up and down the Eastern seaboard,” said Kathy Stowers of Conyers, treasurer of the Atlanta club. “You meet lots of people in this dance world.”

Stowers says fondness for the dance creates camaraderie among shaggers, who like to get together, share a drink and perhaps dinner and show their stuff on the dance floor. “It’s a huge extended family,” the 71-year-old said. “It really is. I’ve got friends [who dance together] in Tampa, Augusta, Columbia, Myrtle Beach. In church, we call it ‘fellowship.’ There’s a unique fellowship among shaggers similar to the fellowship you have at church.”

“This is a family. It’s a big family,” said Paula Zuelke of Roswell. She’s 77 and has been coming to ShagAtlanta dances for eight years. At first, she “was a little dubious about it” because she doesn’t drink alcohol, she said. But once she took to the

dance floor, she got it. “It’s just a wonderful place to get together with great friends,” she said. Besides, “I love to dance,” she said. Now, she’s a regular at the Saturday night dances. She’s even been on a Shag cruise.

There are other clubs for other those who prefer other dances – swing dancing, for instance –but the shaggers say they come together to dance a particular dance with its own set of rules and special steps. “We’re not a ‘dance club,’ we are a Shag club,” Stowers said. “It’s not a meat market. We’re here to dance.”

And dance they do. They throw in a group line dance occasionally, but the focus stays fixed on The Shag. For those who don’t know how, every gathering starts with lessons, which are free for beginners. The club charges $45 for an annual membership or a $5 cover charge for each dance party. “It beats the heck out of sitting home on a Saturday night and watching television,” Stowers said.

One recent Saturday night, club members gathered in the big back room at Nemoe’s danced to recordings played by DJ Billy Waldrep of Spartanburg, S.C., introduced as a recent inductee into the Shag DJ Hall of Fame.

Waldrep says the music shaggers dance to has changed through the years. The Shag is no longer tied to Beach Music, he said, but now can be performed

to any song with the proper beat. Waldrep says shaggers these days dance to all types of tunes, from a classic by Sam Cooke to a modern dance number by Justin Timberlake. He’ll even throw in a gospel song now and then.

“The music has evolved so much over the years,” he said. “It’s not pigeonholed like it once was. We still have all the Beach Bands – the Embers, The Catalinas, we still play Solomon Burke – but we have some gospel tunes, some country… almost anything that has that beat.”

The music may be different, shaggers say, but the dance remains pretty much the same, even as it has become formalized and scrubbed up enough to become the Official State Dance of both Carolinas. If anything, the dancers say, The Shag may even be a little bit showier than it was in its early days. Back then, it was the dance you could do on the sand and it often was

described as so smooth you could do it without spilling a drop from the can of beer you held in your free hand.

Gary Godwin, who’s 77 and now lives in Cumming, learned The Shag long before he was old enough to have a beer. “I’ve been doing it since I was 12 years old,” he said. More than half a century later, “everybody’s got a different style,” he said. “I dance more like the ‘50s. I don’t hop. I just do a lot of steps. I’m a street dancer.”

Like other ShagAtlanta members, Godwin says he comes to the club’s parties to dance and to hang out with fellow shaggers. And, perhaps, club members say, occasionally to recall what it was like back in high school, when you could travel to some glittery fantasyland like Misty Waters or Myrtle Beach just to show your moves on the dance floor.

“My grandkids tell me, ‘You have more fun than we do,’” Stowers said. “Yeah, we do.”

ShagAtlanta meets on Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.at Nemoe’s Tavern & Grill, 6025 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross 30092. Memberships cost $45 a year. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members. For more information: www.shagatlanta.com.

Dancers at a ShagAtlanta Saturday get-together.

Leading the line dance is Kathy Stowers, center.

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Master Gardener programs offer the chance to grow and connect

By Julie E. Bloemeke

As a Master Gardener coordinator for Cobb County, Renae Lemon helps to select, train, educate volunteers who teach others to be better gardeners.

“Being a Master Gardener coordinator is life-changing; it’s like Master Gardener church,” she said. “We’re here to give back and to educate. We use the information we learn from the University of Georgia so we can teach the correct gardening practices.”

The Master Gardener program originated in the Northwest in the 1970s and came to Georgia to UGA in 1979. It attracts people who want to stay active, meet others who share their passion for gardening, plants and landscaping — and who want to find a way to offer their gardening experience to the community.

“I had four specific objectives in mind when I applied to the Master Gardener program,” said Cobb County volunteer Mike Sumpter, 68. “Stay engaged in something that keeps the mind working after retirement, meet people (as I just relocated here), contribute to the area through volunteer work and learn the area by getting out and about. Master Gardeners has helped me achieve all those objectives by miles.”

There’s more to the Master Gardener Extension Volunteer position than technical knowledge of horticulture, landscaping, gardening, vegetables and pollinators. “These volunteers have a heart for teaching and giving; it’s just a beautiful thing.” Here Lemon paused and laughed. “Can you tell I love my job?”

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One day’s harvest from Cobb County’s Plant a Row for the Hungry.

As a Master Gardener coordinator, Lemon plays an integral role in the volunteer training program designed to help University of Georgia Cooperative Extensive staff educate and certify Master Gardeners. Most of them go on to offer their knowledge and service to organizations and projects like annual plant sales, the butterfly release at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in DeKalb County or Cobb County’s Row for the Hungry.

Elinor Cook, 71, a five-year DeKalb Master Gardener said she was surprised by the extensive nature of the courses and exams, particularly in regard to the more science-oriented aspects of the material. Raised by a mother who taught at garden clubs, judged flower shows and passed on her knowledge not only of landscaping, but of growing, freezing and canning vegetables, Cook was no stranger to gardening life.

“Who knew that I would have to go back and do organic chemistry, which I hadn’t done since college, just to understand soil?” she said. Yet Cook was not intimidated. For her, it was more of a refresher course. “Just because you know how to put stuff in the ground and make it grow doesn’t mean you understand the soil. There was a lot of technical stuff to learn but it only reinforced what I already knew,” she said.

Paul Taylor, 74, a trainee from DeKalb County, echoed Cook’s sentiment. “I’ve been a bit overwhelmed because it’s been long time since I’ve studied,” he said. “And I’ve never studied much scientific stuff and some of this is very, very detailed.”

Sarah Brodd, an Agriculture and Natural Resources County Agent and DeKalb Master Gardener Coordinator, is particularly proud of the diversity of projects the volunteers have undertaken in DeKalb County. They’ve taught and taken classes — some open to the community and homeowners, others reserved for the volunteers — on native Georgia plants, vegetable gardening, how to amend soil [by adding material to improve it for plants], mosquito control, pollinators, invasive plants and seed saving workshops, among others.

Volunteers also host a four-home Garden Tour each year where they showcase their gardens and landscape expertise for other DeKalb extension volunteers. They also take part in plant sales and mobile farmers markets and sponsor butterfly and ladybug releases at locations such as the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

Cobb Master Gardener Extension Volunteers participate in Plant A Row for the Hungry, county garden tours and plant sale fundraisers, to name a few.

Outreach is also a large part of the emphasis; Lemon has helped pull together an increase in education and gardening awareness. “When I began in 2013, we were helping four schools in Cobb County, now we’re in 58 Cobb county schools,” she said.

Cobb extension volunteers also have built two brand new community gardens — Hyde Farm Community Garden in Marietta and Reconnecting

Our Roots in historic Marietta — in the last four years; there are five total.

The Hyde Farm Community Garden project began with 40 4 x 8-foot plots. Lemon was hardly surprised at the popularity of the endeavor. “Within 30 days, the 40 beds [we built] were already rented,” Lemon

Continued on page 8

COURTESY OF RENAE LEMON

The Cobb County Master Gardeners, hosted by Lemon at her home, make hypertufa pots after an hour-long instructional workshop.

said. “We had a waiting list, so we turned around and added 10 new beds. We now have 50 families in East Cobb with beds, and there’s no waiting list, but by the end of the week there could be.”

Lemon notes that there are two beds devoted to veterans, two more that are dedicated to the disabled and are handicapped accessible, and two others that are used by those living with Alzheimer’s. To Lemon, these beds have a special significance. “To get in the sun and fresh air, to smell the rosemary, to taste the vegetables, it helps stimulate the brain,” she said. And it helps families feel more connected, to each other and to the community.

Dr. Helen O’Shea, 81, who has been a DeKalb Master Gardener Extension Volunteer for 10 years, enjoys getting to know members of the community, particularly when she is volunteering on phone duty. She helps answer gardening or landscaping questions, and she says it’s important to listen and engage with the person on the other end of the line.

“The teacher comes out,” O’Shea said. “Look for data before conclusions; ask questions of them before you come up with an answer.” One of the more frequent calls extension volunteers get is how to keep squirrels out of the trees. However, as Brodd observes, unfortunately this is something the extension volunteers are unable to help with.

“The seniors I work with inspire me so much,” Lemon said. “Some have more energy and physical ability than I do because they’ve lived in the garden, stretching and bending. I’ve got volunteers that are well into their 80s and they still show up at the projects that they work on every week.”

She added that some volunteers may be limited by physical constraints, but then they’re active behind the scenes, writing articles for the newsletter, helping to organize garden tours or selling tickets. “They’re going to stay involved,” Lemon said. “If they’re not pulling weeds and planting, they’re going to figure out a way to make our organization what it is today.”

Where to Dig for More

In Cobb County, Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, mark the annual plant sale, while Sunday, May 13 is the home garden tour. For specifics, visit cobbmastergardeners.com.

Upcoming events in DeKalb include 2018 Horticulture Homeowners Classes and Family and Consumer Science Classes. Get further details at extension. uga.edu; click on County Offices, and then DeKalb County.

In North Fulton, Saturday, April 28 is the annual Garden Faire and fundraiser at Bulloch Hall in Roswell. For more information on North Fulton Master Gardeners and events, visit nfmg.net.

Gwinnett County’s upcoming events include the annual plant sale on Saturday, April 28 in Lilburn. Go to gwinnettmastergardeners.com to learn more.

PHOTOS BY JULIE E. BLOEMEKE Master Gardener Elinor Cook.

Lynda Anderson serves snacks and sandwiches during the Master Gardeners’ certification event.

Why Not Solarize?

By Judi Kanne

Dunwoody resident Jason Metzger developed a deep commitment to the environment as a young boy in Long Island, N.Y.

“My mother always had us leave the beach with everything we brought with us,” he said, “and then pick up what other people left behind.”

Even as a youngster, Metzger said, he “understood recycling.”

Metzger, who is an environmental engineer, joined Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division in 2004 to better align his career with his passion for the environment. In addition, he serves on the city of Dunwoody’s (all volunteer) Sustainability Committee.

Dunwoody resident Tina Wilkinson loves things that help protect the environment, too. She wants to do that by encouraging homeowners to generate their own electricity. Last year, Wilkinson started a new program called Solarize Dunwoody that was intended to increase the number of homes in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Brookhaven that use solar power.

As a United Methodist Church Earthkeeper, Wilkinson believes renewable energy is crucial. Earthkeepers focus on community improvements, such as cleaning toxic waste or creating

community gardens. However, promoting solar energy has become Wilkinson’s passion.

“The really great thing I like about solar is the sunlight comes down to all of us,” Wilkinson said. “It’s readily available and that means there are no transportation costs. Solar is not perfect, but it’s better than the alternatives — especially for our environment.”

Before the start of Solarize Dunwoody last September, similar programs were already working in Athens, Decatur and in the TybeeSavannah area, says Wilkinson. She learned what she could from other users and liked the idea of a solar crowd-sourcing campaign to lower purchasing costs.

Crowd-sourcing programs, like the Dunwoody campaign, allow residents to go in together on the costs, and refer to ‘the more the merrier’ model. The more people who sign solar power contracts for homes or businesses, the lower the price will be for all. But, even with multiple volume discounts, solar does not pay for itself (yet).

There are current and potential benefits for homeowners who invest in solar systems, but that’s only part of what attracts them.

“Most of our supporters are as concerned about the environment as they are about tax cuts or selling energy back to the electrical companies,” said Metzger.

He explained that, for an

added cost, the Tesla PowerWall is available for storing excess solar energy. The rechargeable home battery system can then be used to provide power when solar generation is insufficient to meet the home’s power needs.

“The storage unit has been popular and most residents who signed contracts have included at least one of these battery storage units for their home or business,” said Metzger.

More than 250 residents requested free evaluations and about 40 (throughout Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs) signed up for solar panel

installations.

Dunwoody is one of three active solarize campaigns in the Atlanta area. Interested residents in areas contiguous with Atlanta can get information and purchase products through the Solarize Atlanta program. Carroll County residents have the same opportunity through Solarize Carrollton-Carroll.

For more information about the Solarize Dunwoody, Solarize Atlanta and Solarize Carrollton-Carroll programs, visit solarcrowdsource.com, click on Solarize Campaigns and scroll to Active Campaigns.

COURTESY OF TGA COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

Tina Wilkinson in front of her home, with solar panels on the roof.

A Honey of a Hobby

Beekeeping is a sweet pastime for many Metro Atlantans

By Gary Goettling

“I feel like Gulliver when I’m interacting with a bee hive,” laughed Linda Tillman, 69. “It’s an incredible environment — like a tiny civilization.”

The president of the Georgia Beekeepers Association, Tillman maintains two hives at her home in the Virginia-Highland section of Atlanta, two more in a community garden nearby, another pair atop the roof of Springdale Park Elementary School, and she manages a bee colony behind a bed-and-breakfast in Midtown.

A retired clinical psychologist, she took up the hobby in 2006 after hearing a beekeeper on a home-and-garden radio program. Intrigued, she enrolled in a oneday short course offered by the Metropolitan Atlanta Beekeepers Association. Before the day was over, “I had ordered bees and equipment and was rearing to go!”

Once confined to countryside farms, beekeeping as a hobby has been surging in urban and suburban areas for more than a decade. Its popularity is one aspect of a wider concern about environmental sustainability, specifically the sharp decline in bee populations.

Nearly a third of all food produced in the U.S. is the direct result of pollination by insects, particularly honeybees. A diminishing bee population heralds adverse effects on agriculture — everything from large farms to neighborhood gardens and flower beds.

One important consideration in keeping bees in the city versus the country is “having respect for the space that the bees need,” Tillman noted. “I have a postage-stamp-size back yard, so I would never have more than four hives — and even

that would be pushing the limit — because bees have to have enough of their own space for foraging and collecting nectar.”

Access to a water supply is also critical, she added, and a prospective beekeeper should be considerate of neighbors and not place hives where they might be a nuisance to others. That bees produce honey sweetens the hobby. A hive may yield between 20 to 60 pounds or more a year, depending on factors such as location, weather, local flora and temperature.

“I make sure I leave enough honey in the hive so the bees can make it through the winter,” she said. “The rest I put in bottles to sell or give away.”

Beekeeping also provides her with a peaceful respite from everyday life.

“I’m a very fast-moving person and have lots of projects going at the same time,” Tillman explained. “But the only way to work in a bee hive is to move very slowly and respectfully, and that’s lovely. It’s a good thing.”

One of the first questions she’s asked is: How many times have you been stung?

“I don’t keep count,” Tillman responded. “When I started keeping bees and would get stung on my arm, say, it would swell up. Over time, I’ve developed an immunity so that when I get stung now, 20 minutes later I can’t tell you where I was stung.”

She doesn’t wear gloves when tending to the hive. As a consequence, she gets stung more often than some suited-up beekeepers, but it’s still not a frequent occurrence, she said.

“I like to take lots of pictures for my blog, and you want to have your fingers free to do that. It’s also much easier to manage the beehive when you can actually feel what’s going on, and I like the

way it feels when the bees walk on my hands.”

A Life-long Fascination with Bees

Rusty Paul traces his passion for honeybees back to when he was 15 years old.

“My dad bought five hives from a man who was retiring from the bee business,” said Paul, 65, who is serving his second term as mayor of Sandy Springs. Tending to the bees became one of his regular household chores, and he got hooked.

“Bees are fascinating animals and amazing workers,” said Paul, noting that bees must visit about a million flowers to make one pound of honey.

“Their social structure is not unique in the insect world, but it is uncommon. The hierarchical nature of the colony from queen to worker to drone is a great management study. The migration of duties among workers over their fairly short lifes — from nurses to emerging bees to soldiers protecting the colony to foragers — over a matter of days shows their flexibility and adaptability. Every time I open a colony I learn something new, even after all these years.”

He loves the honey, too.

“My wife uses it in tea and

cooking,” he said. “I’m a honeywith-my-biscuit guy, and the rest we share with family and friends.

“My goal,” Paul joked, “is to build up enough hives to sell some honey to supplement my income in my retirement years!”

Paul has kept eight hives in recent years: two at the Sandy Springs city park and conservation center known as Lost Corners, and six at his family farm in north Alabama.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has afflicted all the hives except one at the farm, but Paul isn’t giving up and has ordered replacement bees.

The disorder has received a lot of attention in the popular press. It’s not a specific disease, but a phenomenon that occurs when most of a hive’s worker bees disappear for an as-yet unknown

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA TILLMAN Linda Tillman, Georgia Beekeepers Association president, keeps up with her bees and a beekeeping blog.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RUSTY PAUL Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul has been fascinated by bees since he was a teen.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KEITH DELAPLANE Professor Keith Delaplane, Ph.D., is director of the University of Georgia’s Honey Bee program.

reason, leaving behind the queen and a few nurse bees. Although bee populations have been declining since the 1940s, an acceleration of this trend in recent years has been labeled CCD.

“The bee problem may be a ‘canary in the coal mine’ syndrome that should be alerting us to larger scale environmental problems,” said Keith Delaplane, Ph.D., a professor of entomology and director of the Honey Bee Program at the University of Georgia.

It’s not necessary to become a beekeeper to support local bee populations, according to Paul. “Do a little research and learn what native flowering trees and flowers in your area support honeybees, and plant as many as you can.

“And not just spring bloomers,” he added. “Bees need to gather food from early spring until frost. That requires a diverse flora in their forage area to prevent starvation.”

Get the Buzz on Honeybees

Online resources about bees and beekeeping include:

■ The Georgia Beekeepers Association: gabeekeeping.com

■ The Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association: metroatlantabeekeepers.org

■ Linda Tillman’s blog: beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com

■ Keith Delaplane’s website: caes.uga.edu, click on Departments, scroll to Entomology; click on Research, scroll to Honey Bee Program.

Delaplane noted, “Urban Beekeeping is on our program for this year’s University of Georgia Beekeeping Institute, the largest beekeeping educational event in the Southeast.” It will be held in May at Young Harris College. For details, visit Delaplane’s website and click on ‘Young Harris College – University of Georgia Beekeeping Institute.’

Luxury Living Taking Shape

Vickery Rose

Bring More Birds to Your Backyard

By Isadora Pennington

It’s the year of the bird! 2018 has been deemed the Year of the Bird by 150 organizations — including the National Audubon Society, National Geographic, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and BirdLife International — in celebration of the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which protects migratory birds from being hunted, captured, killed or sold.

Celebrate the year by enticing birds to your home. You can start simply by purchasing a bird feeder for your backyard or porch. Feeder styles include hopper, platform, tube, suet and window feeders, and specialized items like hummingbird feeders can bring the types of birds you want to attract to your property.

This is the perfect time to set up bird-friendly feeders, baths and houses, said Joel Lehmann, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Atlanta. “Early spring is the best time of year,” he said, “but you can purchase and install a birdhouse anytime. Owls, who are cavity nesters, are generally looking to start nesting in the fall to winter, but most songbirds are nesting in the spring and summer.”

An important consideration in choosing your feeder, Lehmann said, is to pick one designed to prevent spreading illness among the birds. Cleaning and maintaining your feeder, and regularly disinfecting your birdbaths, will stop the spread of disease and keep your backyard friends happy and healthy. Lehmann pointed to the EcoClean line of feeders. “Every surface of these feeders is coated with an antimicrobial agent to help prevent molds and bacteria from growing, keeping birds safer as a lot of disease can be transmitted at the feeders from bird to bird,” he said.

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Lehmann suggests that shoppers choose ones that are put together with screws and have easy access to clean out old nesting material. Even if you’re not interested in feeding the birds, there are ways to attract them to your home. “Keep your space as natural as possible,” Lehmann said. Leaves on the ground provide a habitat for bugs and, seeds and fruit from nearby trees, which are natural sources of food for birds.

Area Events & Contacts for Bird-Lovers

This year’s Atlanta Bird Fest, hosted by the Atlanta Audubon Society, will take place from April 14 through May 20, and will feature field trips, paddleboard tours, workshops, art shows and volunteer days.

This past February, bird lovers around the world participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a tradition that brings together birders from around the world. Every year, over the course of four days, birdwatchers contribute photographs and report sightings to compile a comprehensive snapshot of bird species populations and their distribution. For 2018,

more than 170,000 contributors sighted upwards of 27 million birds of 6,219 species. If you’d like to participate in next year’s bird count, you can learn more and register at birdcount.org.

To learn more about backyard birds and how to care for them, visit Wild Birds Unlimited at locations that include Vinings, Atlanta in Chastain Square, Decatur and Marietta, or online at atlanta. wbu.com.

Additional info on birds can be found at the Atlanta Audubon Society’s website: atlantaaudubon.org; All About Birds: allaboutbirds.org; and the Chattahoochee Nature Center: chattnaturecenter.org.

Some Backyard Birds to Look For

Northern Cardinal — Cardinalis cardinalis

Fun fact: the male birds, which are bright red with a black mask and crest, feed their reddish brown female partners beak to beak during courtship. The males also feed the first brood alone while the females build their next nest.

Carolina Wren — Thryothorus ludovicianus

These quirky little birds are very vocal, with males singing up to 40 different types of songs and the female sometimes joining in for duets. They often nest in unusual places such as mailboxes and are year-round residents of Georgia.

White Breasted Nuthatch — Sitta Carolinensis

The nuthatch is a speedy flyer and known for hopping vertically down trees, thanks to an extra-long hind toe. The name originates from a Middle English term referring to the bird’s habit of wedging seeds into cavities of trees and breaking them open with its beak.

Eastern Bluebird — Sialia sialis

These friendly songbirds prefer to nest in open habitats like fields and pastures, and the young of the first brood help to raise the second brood. They rely heavily on man-made birdhouses and can be seen perching on low branches or wires and scanning the ground for prey.

Mourning Dove —Zenaida macroura

The greyish brown, medium-size bird is known and named for its mournful cooing call and prefers to forage for food on the ground, bobbing its head as it walks. When in flight, the wind rushes through its wing feathers which causes a distinct whistling sound.

Broad-winged Hawk — Buteo platypterus

These birds of prey are rather stocky and are common in eastern woodlands in the summer. Typically, they don’t stray far from the edges of the woods, swooping down to capture small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In the fall, thousands of these hawks migrate south and create a visual spectacle as they swarm together above ridgelines and coastlines.

PHOTOS BY ISADORA PENNINGTON

With a Little Help from Their Friends

Area libraries rely on Friends of the Libraries for community programming and projects

throughout the year for the huge event and about 60 volunteers helped pull off this year’s four-day sale.

“It’s been fun,” Gradolf said. “It’s kind of a social event.”

ATLANTA-FULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

at the Friends’ fifth annual book sale, held in

In the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library system, 23 of 34 library branches have Friends groups. Nine volunteers among those groups have been Friends for more than 25 years, according to Heather Staniszewski, the library system’s volunteer services manager.

Friends groups are vital in a library system that no longer has a programming budget, Staniszewski said.

Shoppers look through some of the thousands of books sorted into two rooms of shopping center space at the fifth annual Friends of the East Roswell Library book sale, held in February. The event supports library programming.

By Donna Williams Lewis

Libraries aren’t what they used to be.

The former shhh-be-quiet repositories of books have morphed into virtual community centers, bringing far-flung residents together into everything from Adult Astronomy clubs to Zumba classes.

They hold author talks, bring in petting zoos, show films and teach people how to make their own films.

In metro Atlanta, much of this programming is thanks in large

part to Friends of the Library, volunteer groups that advocate for library branches and systems and give them financial, volunteer and program support.

“Libraries need Friends — it’s just that simple,” the American Library Association says in its information about these helping hands.

The ALA observes the 60th anniversary of National Library Week this month, from April 8–14. Celebrations include Take Action for Libraries Day on April 12.

Friends groups take action for libraries year-round.

“They’re made up of very compassionate and passionate people who support a strong public library system beyond what the county can budget for each year,” she said. “We couldn’t provide the best patron experience possible without our volunteers.”

Friends groups in Milton, East Roswell and Ocee were collecting books for sales to support their library branches even before they opened so that programming could be in place from day one, Staniszewski said.

“Some of the Friends groups are the reason why libraries are in their locations,” she said.

In February, the Friends of the East Roswell Library held their fifth annual book sale, raising about $7,000 for the 3-yearold library at the rate of $2 per hardback and $1 per paperback.

Barbara Gradolf, president of the Friends of the East Roswell Library, said books are collected

Among other things, proceeds from the sale help fund the East Roswell Library’s summer reading program, contribute to the library system’s foundation and help support less financially fortunate Friends groups elsewhere in Fulton, she said.

Across town, Cora S. Cramer, president of Friends of the Roswell Library, said the group is always looking for volunteers to fill Friends management positions and to staff the library’s book store, where donated books are sold.

“Volunteering at the library keeps my brain active,” Cramer said. “It also provides friendship and exercise.”

Twenty of DeKalb County’s public library branches have Friends groups — all but the Gresham Library and the ScottdaleTobie Grant Homework Center. Meanwhile, work has begun to reinvigorate an umbrella organization, the Alliance of Friends of the DeKalb County Public Library. That effort is spearheaded by Jill Joplin, executive director of the DeKalb Library Foundation, who said she sees Friends groups as “community support for each individual branch.”

At a recent meeting of the Friends of DeKalb’s Clarkston Library, members talked with staff about ways to extend the library’s reach to the area’s large refugee community.

Over the past year, the group, chaired by Cynthia Haley Dunn, has sponsored a Chinese dance performance, Ecuadorianinspired jewelry making, monthly films and book clubs for youths and adults at the library.

Continued on page 16

ATLANTA-FULTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

LindaSteele,atright,afive-yearvolunteerwith FriendsoftheEastRoswellLibrary,assistsshoppers

February.Theeventsupportslibraryprogramming.

DEBORAH OSCARSON

Friends of the Gwinnett Library members Merwin Chambers, left, and Corliss Chambers, right, meet Ellis Henican, co-author of “Tuesday’s Promise: One Veteran, One Dog, and Their Bold Quest to Change Lives,” during his appearance at a library system author talk.

Continued from page 14

There is no Friends of the Library organization in Cobb County, but many very detailed volunteer opportunities are listed on the county’s website.

In Gwinnett County, there is one Friends of the Library group, an active organization of currently about 70 members who support all of Gwinnett’s 15 branches.

The group’s treasurer, Merwin Chambers, first became active in

library affairs when he was recruited years ago to help defeat a bookbanning effort. His wife, Corliss, is the group’s secretary. They like being among Friends.

“As seniors, it keeps us active, so we’re not just sitting around,” Merwin Chambers said.

“So we’re not sitting around feeling old,” Corliss Chambers added. “It has given me more of a sense of community and pride in the Gwinnett County library system.”

While book sales are the bread and butter of many other metro Friends groups, the Gwinnett Friends use other means of raising money — a wine bar at the back of an author talk or a silent auction

Family time WITHOUT PAIN.

Don’t

at an event, for example.

Among other activities, they fund prizes for reading programs and contests, rent venues for author talks, help manage and provide refreshments for large events and supply holiday treats for the branches.

Denise Auger, adult programming manager of Gwinnett’s library system, is grateful for the Friends.

“Thank heavens for them,” she said. “They make it possible for us to have those wonderful extras.”

She emphasized the Friends’ assistance with author talks, which she said include on average 25 New York Times bestselling authors each year.

“Our teeny tiny department of myself and two people can’t serve refreshments and manage the county’s TV people who film the shows, keep the authors happy and seat 200 people,” Auger said.

“They literally stand out in the driveway and tell you how to park,” she said, of the Friends. “They’re lovely people who

Be a Friend!

To join a Friends of the Library group, contact your local library branch for information. You can also learn more at the following websites:

• Atlanta-Fulton County — afpls.org; click on Support, then click the Friends of the Library link.

• Cobb County — No Friends groups. But learn how you can help here: cobbcat. org; click on About Us and scroll to Volunteer Opportunities.

• DeKalb County — dekalblibrary.org, click on Support Us, then scroll to Friends of the Library.

• Gwinnett County — friendsgcpl.org, or look up Friends of the Gwinnett County Public Library, Inc. on Facebook.

genuinely care about literacy and their library system.”

A library advisory board, for seniors only

After recently retiring from a healthcare consulting career that usually kept her out of town every Monday through Friday, Cynthia Windsor was ready to reconnect with her community.

The 30-year Decatur resident ran across a flyer about the DeKalb County Public Library’s Senior Advisory Board and attended her first board meeting a year ago.

She soon learned that this group, designed to help the library plan programs for seniors, does that and much more.

“First of all, I was blown away by how much sharing there was within the group,” Windsor said. “It’s such a neighborly community. People come from all different parts of the county, all different socioeconomic groups.”

Members aren’t shy about sharing their opinions, she said, and they want to make sure everyone else there is aware of services and programs for seniors, both inside and outside of the library.

“It’s for seniors, by seniors,” Windsor said. “We want to make sure people know that seniors are active, vibrant and have something to offer to the community.”

Myguail Chappel, the library system’s outreach programming coordinator and the Senior Advisory Board’s facilitator, said the board was formed about 10 years ago by Alison Weissinger, who was then director of adult programming for the library system.

Weissinger, now DeKalb County Public Library Director, felt seniors would be better served by coming up with their own programs, he said.

Open to any DeKalb resident age 55 or older, the board meets quarterly at the Decatur Library. The next meeting is April 25.

Currently there are about 15 to 18 “steady” Senior Advisory Board

Get involved

members, but occasional drop-ins are welcome, too, Chappel said.

“New people bring new ideas,” he said.

As those ideas become programs they can be found listed on light blue flyers with the logo, “Savvy Senior” at DeKalb libraries.

Among classes that have been offered for seniors are self-massage, aromatherapy, herbal health, CPR, dating safety and technology use.

The board is also doing outreach to seniors who can’t make it to the library, and it takes on major projects every two years, such as 2016’s senior anthology — a compilation of stories and poems from contributors around the county that was printed in a professional-grade book.

This year, the group is soliciting pictures for a story quilt that will be sewn by Michelle Griffith, the longest serving Senior Advisory Board member.

Chappel said the board has “given seniors of DeKalb County an opportunity to share their knowledge and skills to bring focus to programming around seniors to library patrons.

“They have gained knowledge and friendship, beyond planning programs for the library,” he said.

Windsor would agree.

“I think we have so many opportunities,” she said, “to transform the library into this lifelong learning and community space.”

To join DeKalb County Public Library’s Senior Advisory Board, call 404-508-7190, ext. 2257. The group’s next meeting is Wednesday, April 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur 30030.

MICHAEL CRAIG

Decatur resident Cynthia Windsor, a retired healthcare consultant, joined DeKalb County Public Library’s Senior Advisory Board a year ago as one way to reconnect with her community.

Charleston: Just Right for a Weekend Getaway

By Isadora Pennington

Situated along South Carolina’s coastline, Charleston is a bustling hub of commerce with strong ties to the past. Known for its Lowcountry food, cobblestone streets and rich Southern history, the city was a focal point in the Civil War after the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter.

A mere five-hour drive from Atlanta, Charleston is the perfect setting for a long weekend. Set on

the Atlantic Ocean, there’s plenty to do, see, eat and experience in the antebellum city.

Architecturally, Charleston is a delight. Ornate ironwork and grand churches line the streets. Mansions, such as the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and the Middleton Place Mansion, are reminders of the city’s grandiose past. Charleston’s downtown is comprised of colorful neighborhoods. One area of particular interest is King Street, a strip that features some of the

city’s best walkable shopping and dining. Battery Park borders the harbor and offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset.

Don’t miss Rainbow Row — a street lined with colorful and historic homes — or City Market, an indoor market that stretches for four blocks and has been a mainstay since the 1790s.

Charleston Harbor is peppered with military sites and forts, including Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie and Fort Johnson. History buffs will want to visit the Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum, the H.L. Hunley Submarine and the Old Slave Mart Museum. There are more fascinating things to find, like alleyways and monuments, along the streets at every turn.

Foodies will delve into the city’s vibrant restaurant scene with its variety of elevated southern foods, no-nonsense

diners and grills and great local seafood. Favorites range from the much-celebrated Husk, a downtown fine dining experience, to Prohibition on King Street, a modern American restaurant known for its creative cocktails and Jazz Age vibe.

There’s also The Griffon, an intimate English brewpub located near Battery Park, and Poogan’s Porch, a popular traditional southern restaurant operating out of a Victorian townhouse in the French Quarter.

Visitors can learn about Charleston’s rich history and enjoy its sights by signing up for a tour. Sightseers can choose from walking tours, ferry rides, ghost tours and historic carriage rides.

Below are some top suggestions for Charleston’s sights, military sites, restaurants and tours. Plan a visit and enjoy exploring!

The Battery Classic Architecture

PHOTOS BY ISADORA PENNINGTON

Livin’ the Dream off my CD interest from GBC!!

Fort Sumter

Handwoven sweetgrass baskets

Sights

► Battery Park, public park with views of the harbor: East Battery & Murray Blvd.; charlestonparksconservancy.org

► Charleston City Market, historic downtown city market: 188 Meeting St.; 843-937-0920; thecharlestoncitymarket.com

► Dock Street Theater, America’s first structure built for theatrical performances: 135 Church St.; 843577-7183; charlestonstage.com

► Folly Beach, barrier island full of wildlife and beautiful beaches, featuring Folly Beach Pier: Folly Island

► King Street Shopping District, long street known for dining and shopping: King St.

► Magnolia Plantation and Garden, historic house and gardens along the Ashley River: 3550 Ashley River Rd.; 843-5711266; magnoliaplantation.com

► Middleton Place Mansion, 18th century rice plantation 15 miles north of Charleston: 4300

Ashley River Rd.; 843-556-6020; middletonplace.org

► Nathaniel Russell House Museum, one of America’s most prominent neoclassical houses: 51 Meeting St.; 843-724-8481; historiccharleston.org

► Old Slave Mart Museum, last surviving slave auction gallery in South Carolina: 6 Chalmers St.; 843-958-6467; oldslavemartmuseum.com

► Rainbow Row, longest row of Georgian houses in the U.S., featuring 13 historic colorful houses: 83 E. Bay St.

Military Sites

► Fort Johnson, historic site located on the northeast point of James Island: 843-953-9301; dnr. sc.gov/marine/mrri/ftjohnson

► Fort Moultrie, a series of fortifications on Sullivan’s

Island: 843-883-3123; nps.gov/nr/ travel/charleston/sum

► Fort Sumter National Monument, historic island fort where the Civil War began: 843883-3123; nps.gov/fosu

► H.L. Hunley Submarine, the world’s first combat submarine: 1250 Supply St.; 843-743-4865; hunley.org

► Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum, home to three museum ships — USS Yorktown, USS Laffey and USS Clamagore: 40 Patriots Point Rd.; 843-884-2727; patriotspoint.org

Restaurants

► 5Church Charleston ($$$), posh new American dining in a former church: 32b, 32 N. Market St.; 843937-8666; 5churchcharleston.com

► Barsa Tapas Lounge & Bar ($$), small plates featuring Spanish tapas, paella and cocktails: 630 King St.; 843-5775393; barsacharleston.com

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Shopping on King Street

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► Butcher & Bee ($), hip vibe and inventive eats: 1085 Morrison Dr.; 843-619-0202; butcherandbee.com

► Charleston Grill ($$$), fine southern dining with a distinctive French flair: 224 King St.; 843-5774522; charlestongrill.com

► FIG ($$$), elevated southern bistro serving refined regional dishes: 232 Meeting St.; 843-8055900; eatatfig.com

► Hominy Grill ($$), relaxed eatery known for Lowcountry

favorites and brunch: 207 Rutledge Ave.; 843-937-0930; hominygrill.com

► Husk ($$$), charming decor and a changing menu of local southern dishes: 76 Queen St.; 843577-2500; huskrestaurant.com

► Poogan’s Porch ($$$), traditional southern meals set in a Victorian townhome: 72 Queen St.; 843-577-2337; poogansporch.com

► Prohibition ($$$), Jazz Age themed gastropub serving modern American dishes: 547 King St.; 843-793-2964; prohibitioncharleston.com

► The Griffon ($), intimate English pub featuring fish & chips, burgers and craft beer: 18 Vendue Range; 843-723-1700; griffoncharleston.com

► The Tattooed Moose ($), upbeat dive bar serving elevated bar food and craft beer: 1137 Morrison Dr.; 843-277-2990; tattooedmoose.com

Tours

► All About Charleston, private

tours: 446 King St.; 843-469-4458; allaboutcharlestontours.com

► Charleston Culinary Tours, unique historical walking tours featuring Charleston’s tastiest eateries: 460 King St., Ste. 200; 843-259-2966; charlestonculinarytours.com

► Charleston Harbor Tours, see 75 historic sites and learn 300 years of history on board the Carolina Bell: Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside St.; 843-7221112; charlestonharbortours.com

► Charleston’s Alleys and Hidden Passages Tour, 2-hour walking tour of the city’s alleys and passageways: 45 Pinckney St.; 843-410-9688; lowcountrywalkingtours.com

► Chilling Charleston Macabre Ghost Tours, 90-minute tour of Charleston’s haunts: 843-5181977; ashleyonthecooper.com

► Evening Private Carriage Tours, intimate carriages perfect for small groups: 8 Guignard St.; 843-7238145; palmettocarriage.com

► Magnolia Plantation

Tours, offers a house tour, boat tour, natural train ride, slavery to freedom tour and an Audubon swamp tour: 3550 Ashley River Rd.; 843-571-1266; magnoliaplantation.com

► Morris Island Lighthouse

Eco-Cruise, 2.5-hour charter boat tour of Folly Island’s estuaries and wildlife: 843-795-0330; charlestonoutdooradventures.com

► Old South Carriage Company, horse-drawn carriage rides: 14 Anson St.; 843-723-9712; oldsouthcarriage.com

► Tideline Tours, boat and kayak tours around Folly Beach and Morris Island: Sunset Cay Marina, 66 W. 9th St. Folly Beach; 843-813-5009; tidelinetours.com

Arbor Terrace offers a beautiful, carefree retirement lifestyle filled with comfortable living spaces, great amenities and plenty of opportunities for golfing, shopping, or visiting with friends, old and new. When you call or stop in, we’ll put you on our Priority List – so you’ll have the opportunity for special savings on select apartments while they last!

Walk with a Doc at Brook Run Park

participants a chance to take active steps toward better health.

Dunwoody’s program began last fall.

When Rachel Waldron, Dunwoody recreation supervisor, learned about Atlanta Beltline’s Walk with a Doc, she said she could easily visualize the program for Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park.

“There is a 1.8-mile path for walkers at Brook Run that we thought would fit right into this idea,” Waldron said.

The local version quickly became reality.

Connecting Heart Disease and Diabetes

About two-thirds of those with diabetes die of a heart or blood vessel disease — not diabetes, according to research studies. That’s because “over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart,” according to the National Institutes of Health.

In fact, for adults with diabetes, the most common causes of death are heart disease and stroke, agrees the American Heart Association: “At least 68 percent of people age 65 or older with diabetes die from some form of heart disease; and 16 percent die of stroke.”

Here’s some information about heart disease that may surprise you: “The number one risk factor for women and heart disease is diabetes,” said Dr. Gina Lundberg at a recent ‘Walk with a Doc’ program held at Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park.

Gina Price Lundberg, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, promoted walking by leading the early Saturday morning session — and shared information about heart-healthy living with her fellow walkers.

There is no charge for the Walk with a Doc program, which is led by personable physicians who help their local communities. The doctors provide credible health information before, during and after an invigorating walk.

Each monthly walk features a physician and a theme. Lundberg’s message for February focused on women and heart disease. The Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department and program partner with Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital to offer Walk with a Doc

“With women, we have a little stress test that men don’t have,” Lundberg revealed to her Saturday walkers. “If you’ve been pregnant and had high blood pressure, even at the end of the pregnancy — or had gestational diabetes or a 9-pound baby — those can become risks for heart disease later,” she said.

“Tell your primary care doctor,” Lundberg told her audience. “Be sure to let your doctors know [that you know] these things are very important.”

It is especially critical for people with diabetes to learn all they can about heart disease, Lundberg said.

Walk with a Doc History

The original Walk with a Doc program started in 2005. Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio, was frustrated with his inability to affect patient behavior change in the clinical setting and invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning, according to the organization’s website, walkwithadoc.org.

To his surprise, more than 100 people showed up that day. And they were “energized [to learn] and ready to move,” the website says.

Today Sabgir’s walking program extends around the globe with more than 300 chapters worldwide. It makes good sense, as walking is one of the simplest ways people can incorporate exercise into their lives, according to sources that include the Mayo Clinic.

“Exercise is medicine,” state the experts at Harvard Health Publishing.

“I do think of [exercise] as medicine, and even better, it’s medicine that’s free and has very few side effects,” said Dr. I-Min Lee in a Harvard Health Letter published in 2014. Lee, a professor at Harvard Medical School, studies the role of physical activity in preventing disease and promoting health.

A major goal with the Walk with a Doc program is to encourage community members to get off their couches. All ages are encouraged to begin a healthier course of exercise with their neighbors.

Winship oncologist Stephen Szabo, M.D., launched Dunwoody’s first Walk with a Doc program at Brook Run along with Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute. The monthly event requires no fee for membership and encourages participants to ask questions while walking with a physician.

As one walker said during the September Szabo walk, “It’s much less intimidating than being in a clinical setting [like a doctor’s office].”

Judith L. Kanne, RN, BSN, BA is a registered nurse and freelance writer who lives in Atlanta.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TGA COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

Above, Gina P. Lundberg, M.D., Emory Heart & Vascular Center, Medical Director, Women’s Cardiovascular (right with Emory cap) hands out heart-healthy recipes among the walkers.

Left to right, Emory nurses Vani Manoharan and Joy Bailey, along with Rachel Waldron, Dunwoody recreation program supervisor, lead the way at the Walk with a Doc at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody.

HEALTH

Green Cleaning in the Spring

After you add up the amount of time you spend inside working, sleeping and relaxing, it’s not surprising to learn that people spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found levels of several common pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes than outside. Yikes! Many of these pollutants come from chemicals that are found in our very own household cleaning products.

We can reduce the chemicals in our homes by replacing cleaning products with homemade green cleaners, store-bought green cleaners or just by using a bit more elbow grease. With spring cleaning on our minds, now is the time to start making the switch.

Here are a few green cleaning facts to get you started on your journey to a healthier home.

• Alkalis such as baking soda and borax scour off dirt and grease. If you need a stronger alkali, find a recipe with washing soda to get the job done.

• Both vinegar and lemon juice can be used to remove hard water stains. While lemon juice smells great, be sure not to use it on silver.

• If you want to disinfect a surface, you must consider its “dwell time.” This is the amount of time the solution must be in contact with the surface; it can be found on the product’s instructions.

• One of the best ways to select a store-bought green cleaning product is to look for a third-party certification, such as Green Seal or EPA’s Safer Choice.

Please note that eco-friendly disinfectants can be used at home, but always read the instructions carefully to make sure you’re using them properly. It’s important to know that these disinfectants should not be used in childcare facilities or commercial food preparation sites.

Do It Yourself

Try making your own green cleaning products. Here are a few recipes to get you started.

Most ingredients can be found in area stores. Borax and washing soda are usually stocked in the laundry aisles. Vegetable oil-based liquid soap (commonly called castile soap) is available at many natural food stores.

Benson Manor is a 76-unit affordable senior housing community designed with stone and sturdy wood-like siding. Each apartment is approximately 540 square feet. Benson Manor is conveniently located close to shopping, churches, medical facilities, and a major bus route.

Residents must be 62 years of age or older. Some units have special features for mobility and sensory impaired persons. Income limitations are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent. Gross income must not exceed $24,400.00 for one person and $27,900.00 for two persons.

The Green Cleaning Booklet, by Sharon Gibson & Pamela Turner, has more recipes and suggestions. Find the pdf at fcs. uga.edu; type “Green Cleaning Booklet” in the search bar.

All-Purpose Cleaner

■ 3 Tbsp. white vinegar

■ ½ tsp. washing soda (sodium carbonate)

■ ½ tsp. vegetable oil-based liquid soap

■ 2 cups hot water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle or bucket. Apply to surface and wipe clean.

Wood Cleaner

■ 2 Tbsp. olive oil

■ 2 Tbsp. white vinegar

■ ¼ cup lemon juice

Mix ingredients. Use a soft cloth to rub into the wood, going in the direction of the grain.

Oven Cleaner

■ 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil-based liquid soap

■ 2 Tbsp. borax (sodium borate)

Mix the soap and borax in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with hot water and shake well. Spray on oven surfaces and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub off.

Kristen Sumpter is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Fulton County. She provides programming on food safety, health and nutrition, financial literacy and the home.

Pet Pick

Meet Leroy! This handsome 1-year-old tabby cat is as sweet as they come. He likes to give hugs, chase colorful toys around the room and lounge in his favorite bed.

He gets along with just about everyone he meets — children, adults and other cats. However, he is looking for a home without any dogs.

Leroy is neutered, microchipped and up-todate on vaccinations. If you think he could be the perfect match for you, meet him at Atlanta Humane Society’s Howell Mill Campus, located at 981 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta 30318.

Visit atlantahumane.org to find more adoptable pets or to learn about becoming a volunteer.

Put the Needle on the Record

Music lovers flock to local shops as vinyl becomes hip again

By Collin Kelley

If you thought vinyl records were musty and dusty old relics from your parents’ or grandparents’ generation, think again. Billboard magazine reports that nearly 15 million vinyl albums were sold in the U.S. alone during 2017. In the United Kingdom, vinyl is now outselling digital music downloads. Vinyl virtually disappeared in the 1990s as new albums were released on CD. In the last decade, vinyl has made a huge comeback as music fans discover the richer sounds, the large sleeve artwork and the simple satisfaction crackle and pop as a turntable needle drops on the record. Most new albums by major acts now get a vinyl release along with the CD and release on streaming services.

Audiophiles and DJs kept vinyl on life support during the dark ages, and so did a handful of Atlanta record shops. Even as CDs, iTunes and Spotify became the go-to source for music, shops like Wax ‘N’ Facts and Wuxtry continued to buy, sell and trade used records to those who refused to part with their vinyl collections. The advent of Record Store Day in 2007 was another indicator that vinyl was making a comeback. Now, major and indie music labels release special and limited edition records that have music-lovers queuing up outside their favorite shop at the crack of dawn. Record Store Day returns on April 21 and you can see the list of releases at recordstoreday.com.

These shops are perfect for an afternoon of crate digging for old and new treasures.

PHOTO BY JULIE BLOEMEKE Decatur CD & Vinyl

Criminal Records

1154-A Euclid Ave. , Atlanta criminalatl.com

The Little Five Points shop is a goto not only for used vinyl, but new releases and Record Store Day limited editions. The shop also has a selection of CDs, cassette tapes (remember those?!), comics and other pop memorabilia. There’s also plenty of in-store events and music, so be sure to check out the shop’s website and Facebook page for details.

Wax ‘n’ Facts

432 Moreland Ave., Atlanta waxnfacts.com

The granddaddy of Atlanta records shops has been selling vinyl for more than 40 years and the Little Five Points store is packed to the brim with goodies. On a recent Friday afternoon visit, audiophiles were digging through the crates for everything from Neil Diamond and Dionne Warwick to Blondie and Heart. The shop caters to all tastes – from pop and jazz to hip-hop and country and most stops in between. There’s also a good selection of jazz reissues (Miles Davis, Nina Simone, John Coltrane), plus 45 rpms, CDs and rare releases.

Wuxtry

2096 N. Decatur Road, Decatur wuxtryrecords.com

The original Wuxtry opened in downtown Athens in 1976. The Decatur outpost near Emory University opened two years later. The shop is small but literally packed to the ceiling with both new and used vinyl. There’s also an impressive back room full of jazz, R&B, classical and soundtracks. Whether you’re looking for a delux reissue of Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 self-titled album or a rare boxed-set of U2’s classic “The Joshua Tree,” Wuxtry has you covered.

Moods Music

1131 Euclid Ave., Atlanta moodsmusic.net

This Little Five Points shop specializes in underground soul, hip-hop, jazz, dance and imports. With regular in-store appearances, movie nights and pop-up shops, Moods is popular with DJs and those looking for more a specialized experience.

Ella Guru Record Shop

2747 Lavista Road, Decatur ellaguru.com

The tiny, tidy shop deals mostly with used records, but they have very discerning taste. If you’re looking for some vintage David Bowie, John Lee Hooker, Charles Mingus, Black Flag and even Sonny and Cher, go check them out. Be sure to follow the shop on Instagram, too, where they regular post new arrivals in the store: @itstheblimp.

Decatur CD & Vinyl

356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur facebook.com/decaturcdvinyl

The downtown Decatur shop has a great selection of new and used vinyl, including classic rock, reggae and jazz. If you have deep pockets, there’s some rare and collectible jazz (hello, original pressing of Miles Davis’ “Kinda Blue”) There’s also an extensive collection of CDs, cassette tapes and music-related DVDs. Another great spot for Record Store Day finds, too.

Fantasyland Records

360 Pharr Road, Atlanta fantasylandrecords.com

A Buckhead staple since 1976, Fantasyland sells new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, posters, stickers and music magazines. Specifically for the vinyl lover, there’s a big selection of 45s from the 50s to the 80s and used LPS in all genres. There’s also a large section of new vinyl and reissues. Plan to spend an afternoon here digging through the crates for a treasure or two.

Sunbrimmer Records

4 N. Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates sunbrimmer.com

In the heart of Avondale Estates, Sunbrimmer is buying, selling and trading vinyl, and if you love soul, R&B and jazz this is definitely the shop you want to visit. You’ll also find a good mix of other genres like classic rock, soundtracks and indie artists.

Sweet Melissa Records

146 South Park Square, Marietta sweetmelissarecords.net

An independent record store that offers new, used, rare and autographed music.

Comeback Vinyl

1 South Main St., Alpharetta comebackvinyl.com

The shop has a huge audiophile reissue selection with a heavy focus on hard bop jazz.

Mojo Vinyl Records

26 Webb St., #2, Roswell mojovinylrecords.com

Mojo buys and sells new and used records and sells audiophile quality turntables.

Waterloo Sunset Records

1529 Spring Road, Ste. D, Smyrna waterloosunsetsmyrna.com

A shop run by collectors, Waterloo Sunset boasts an enormous selection of rare records.

PHOTO BY JULIE E. BLOEMEKE Wuxtry Records in Decatur

The Oxford Comma

I confess that I am, in fact, a Grammar Snob. I am one of those people (there are three of us) who finds robust humor in Jack Sparrow’s use of parallel structure in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, where he states, “I think we’ve all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.” Ha! Ha! I’m giggling right now.

But I reserve special affection for the comma. It is so often misused, unused, and underused, I feel that the least I can do is devote six hundred and seventyfive words to the little guy. Honestly, the comma is an invention of our civilized world that is not unlike the zipper: Even though we might occasionally get hung-up on it, it truly makes our lives easier.

Ironically, another construct of our modern world is hastening the demise of our friend, comma. I am referring, of course, to texting. You can find a teenager at a Barry Manilow concert more often than you’ll find a comma in a text. My texts, however, will come to you properly punctuated. I can’t help it.

I take heart in the fact that I’m in good company regarding my respect for the comma, as there is an Oscar Wilde anecdote that has been entertaining Grammar Snobs for decades. The story goes that when Wilde was questioned smugly about what kind of work he did all day, he responded that he spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest

Robin’s Nest

of the day taking it out.

Go, Oscar! I do, too! (Or is it, “Go Oscar; I do, too”?)

Anyhoo, then my editor gets in the game with me, because I’ll put a comma in, and he’ll take it out. I happen to enjoy writing the occasional long, breezy and rhythmic, free-flowing sentence — not so free-flowing and stream-of-consciousness as James Joyce, per se, but lengthy enough to cover the lumpy parts and loose enough to be comfortable, like a swing-top. But my editor doesn’t like long sentences. He likes them short. He likes them punchy. He likes them short and punchy. He takes out commas and puts in periods.

This brings me to another comma entirely, which is the serial comma, a.k.a. the Oxford comma, my absolute favorite comma of all. I think of it as a rare gem when I see it glowing brightly in its perfect setting between the penultimate word in a series and a conjunction. My editor, however, uses the Associated Press comma, which is invisible. So I’ll write a phrase such as, “planes, trains, and automobiles,” and as soon as I pass it along to my editor, my attentively placed serial comma (the one after “trains”) will disappear like my kids when it’s time to do yardwork.

I maintain that the conjunction is not enough. Imagine us walking through a garden, stopping along the way to smell the roses, as it were, and then when we near the end of our stroll,

we are shoved right past the final bed of flowers. Well, that would be rude. It’s the same way with the written word. We walk along through a series, pausing politely after each word or phrase in it, and then we hit the no-man’s land of comma blankage and stumble clumsily, head-first into the final word. It’s madness.

My affection for the serial comma was rekindled several months ago when I learned about a court case in Maine that involved said comma; it had to do with dairy workers and the tasks they performed that would or would not garner them overtime pay. Without going into journalistic details, I will tell you that the final two items on the list of tasks ineligible for overtime pay were not separated by a comma. The judge stated, “For want of a comma, we have this case,” and, in fact, for want of a comma, the dairy workers won.

The devil is in the details, and the clarity is in the comma.

Why you should make visiting The Solana

The Solana offers a beautiful, carefree lifestyle filled with comfortable living spaces, great amenities and plenty of opportunities with friends, old and new. When you call or stop in, we’ll put you on our Priority List – so you’ll have the opportunity for special savings on select apartments while they last!

America’s Native Cuisine

Barbecue exhibit at Atlanta History Center celebrates “the most truly American food”

By Joe Earle

Barbecue. It was born and named in the Caribbean and is older than the United States, but it still is considered a significant part of America’s native cuisine.

A taste for smoked meat both unites and divides us: Barbecue brings together fans from coast to coast while the never-resolved questions about barbecue — What kind of meat to use? How best to cook it? Chopped or sliced? Sauce or no sauce? — splinter us by region, state, even county and community.

The Atlanta History Center plans a new exhibition starting May 5 to examine the enduring allure of what the center describes as “the most truly American food.” The exhibition, called Barbecue Nation and scheduled to last through June 3, 2019, will survey barbecue’s role in American history.

“Barbecue touches on almost every part of our national history,” Barbecue Nation, consulting curator, and Atlanta author Jim Auchmutey, who is working on a book telling the story of barbecue, said in a press release from the history center.

“It involves the age of discovery, the colonial era, the Civil War, the settling of the West, the coming of immigrants, the Great Migration of blacks and whites from the South, the spread of automobiles, the expansion of suburbia and the rejiggering of gender roles. It is entwined with our politics and tangled up with our race relations.”

The history center’s exhibition will touch on styles of barbecue spread from North Carolina to Texas and from Kansas City to Memphis to Chicago; present an array of artifacts ranging from cookbooks to cooking gadgets; display vintage grills; and offer oral histories from restaurants, festivals and community gatherings, the history center said.

Barbecue Nation also will survey barbecue’s contributions to politics, including a presentation on a 1909 banquet in Atlanta for then President-elect William Howard Taft that featured barbecued possum, and another on a barbecue in 1889 that drew thousands of Union and Confederate vets to dine together in Chickamauga.

The Atlanta History Center is located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost $18 for seniors (aged 65+), $21.50 for adults, $18 for students (aged 13+), $9 for youths aged 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger. For more information: 404-814-4000 or AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

“Saint Anne’s Terrace has a beautiful setting with waterfalls, a fish pond and flower gardens. The staff is professional, friendly, courteous, which creates a family atmosphere. I’m very happy to be a part of this community.”

Rodney Scott, a celebrated barbecue restaurateur in Charleston, South Carolina, is an example of the new traditionalists who are reinvigorating barbecue by doing it the old-fashioned way. He sources his own meat and fuel, going so far as to choose and cut his own wood. His story will be one of many told in the Atlanta History Center’s exhibition Barbecue Nation, opening on May 5.

►Out & about

The Arts

Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band

Tuesday, April 17, 8 p.m.

Jimmy Buffett brings his “I Don’t Know” tour to Atlanta for one night only. Tickets are $75 for lawn and $146 for reserved seats. Verizon Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Pkwy., Alpharetta 30009. Go to vzwamp. com for details and tickets.

$15. Discounted tickets, $12 for seniors and $5 for students, are available at the door. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Dr., Atlanta 30305. Tickets and info at cgatl.org.

Yanni 25 — Live at the Acropolis Anniversary Concert Tour

Stories I Only Tell My Friends: Live!

Friday, April 27, 8 p.m.

Rob Lowe has created an allnew, peek behind the curtain at Hollywood, fame, fatherhood, marriage and a life lived at the forefront of culture for four decades. Tickets range from $45$200, plus applicable fees. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30309. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Choral Guild of Atlanta Presents

“The Glory of Mendelsson”

Sunday, April 29, 4:00 p.m.

Choral Guild of Atlanta, now in its 78th year, performs Mendelsson’s Sacred Works:

“Hear My Prayer,” excerpts from the oratorio “Elijah”; and “Sacred Anthems,” works for piano and organ. Tickets are

Wednesday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Legendary performer and composer Yanni will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of “Live At The Acropolis,” released in 1994, with a world tour. Tickets start at $49.50, plus applicable fees. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308. For info and tickets, visit FoxTheatre.org, or call 855-2858499.

Stirring the Pot with Superstar

Southern Chefs

Wednesday, May 2, 7:30-9 p.m.

Part of the Page from the Book Festival, this panel discussion brings together chefs Hugh Acheson, Eddie Hernandez, Todd Richards and Virginia Willis. All of them have new cookbooks that push the bounds of how we think about comfort food and

Continued

SCANNING TREND GROUP OF COSMETIC SURGEONS

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5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Suite 108-A, Norcross, GA 30071 277 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 401, Buckhead, GA 30309

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Buddy thehollybuddystory

APRIL 12 - APRIL 29, 2018

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be The Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on the “The Day The Music Died.” The show features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” and “Rave On,” plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.”

FOR TICKETS: 770.641.1260 GET.ORG

At the Roswell Cultural Arts Center - 950 Forrest St. Roswell

Show Sponsor

Nose Lift (Before & After)

Face Lift (Before & After)

Southern cooking. A Q&A, booksigning and dessert reception follows the discussion. Cost for Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta members is $18; cost for community members is $24.

MJCCA-Zaban Park, Brill Rooms, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Learn more and register at atlantajcc.org.

What War Zone:

The Comedy of Benji Lovitt

Thursday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. Benji Lovitt presents a hilarious picture of Israel by deconstructing cultural differences and the immigrant experience in Israel. His energy and enthusiasm will make you laugh out loud as he sheds light on embarrassing Hebrew mistakes, Jewish holidays and

exactly what makes Diaspora and Israeli Jews different from each other. Cost for Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta members is $18; cost for community members is $24.

MJCCA-Zaban Park, Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Atlantajcc. org is the place for details and to reserve your seat.

Special Events

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K

Saturday, April 14, 8 a.m. Celebrate spring with a morning run and mimosa toast. The 5K follows a charming course through historic Midtown. After the race, runners can enjoy a fresh mimosa in Piedmont Park (for runners 21+) and stay for the Dogwood Festival, which opens at 10 a.m. $25 fee through March 9, $35 after that. No registration on the day of the race. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Dr., Atlanta

30309. Runners will gather at the corner of Charles Allen Drive and 10th Street. To register, go to active.com and type “Dogwood” in the search bar.

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day, April 14 to June 3, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The festival grounds are reminiscent of 16th century England and offer a delightful backdrop to nonstop entertainment, music, rides, demonstrations, food and shops. Tickets are $23.95 at the gate and $19.95 online for adults, $11.95 at the gate and $9.95 online for kids 6-12 years old. Georgia Renaissance Festival, 905 Virlyn B. Smith

f r e e b o o k s

a jEWISH THEMED BOOK FOR YOUR CHILD EVERY MONTH!

Rd., Fairburn 30213. For tickets, special offers, group discounts and info on themed weekends, visit garenfest.com.

Ask Granny Seminar

Saturday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Join Athens genealogist and “Ask Granny” founder Judy Russell for this innovative program. The seminar is designed to help Grandpas and Grannies get information about their family (and their spouse’s family) down on paper — no computers involved. Everything needed to create your family tree will be provided free of charge, including a special pencil. Just bring your memories! Free. Space is limited; reservations required. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta 30305. Reserve your spot by calling 404-814-4150. For more information, call 404-814-4042 or visit atlantahistorycenter.com; click on Programs and scroll to Genealogy Programs.

Roswell Area Park Fishing Derby

Saturday, April 21, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Fishermen and women of all ages are invited to compete. Various prize categories are available for different age groups. Grand prizes will be awarded for the heaviest catfish and bass. Fee is $6 for Roswell residents, $9 for non-residents. Roswell Area Park Lake, 10495 Woodstock Rd., Roswell 30075. For more info and a link to register, go to the Event Calendar at visitroswellga.com.

Cars and ‘Q for the Cause

Saturday, Apr. 21, 4-7 p.m. Now in its ninth year, Cars and ‘Q raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation while visitors enjoy tasty BBQ, favorite brews and live music — and check out more than 100 stellar cars. Advance tickets are $20 for event entry and dinner; $40 for entry, dinner and drinks (legal age permitting). Tickets at the door are $30 and $50. Choate Construction, 8200 Roberts Dr., Atlanta 30350. For tickets and more info, go to carsnq.passioncff.org.

Learn Something

Canning 101

Saturday, April 14, 2 p.m. Presented by Gwinnett County Public Library in partnership with UGA Extension Gwinnett. Get hands-on experience on food preservation by canning your own apple preserves. Cost is $10 per person; payment will be taken on the day of the event by cash or check. Gwinnett County Public Library, Suwanee Branch, 361 Main St., Suwanee 30024. Participants must register by April 11 by emailing Ines.Beltran@ gwinnettcounty.com or calling 678-377-4010. Click on gwinnettpl. org to find out more.

Aging with a Healthy Brain

Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. Join Family & Consumer Science Agent Ines

Beltran to learn about ways to prevent Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Learn about the risk factors and how to get started on a healthier lifestyle to age with a healthy brain. Take a personal assessment to determine your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Gwinnett County Public Library, Five Forks Branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Rd., Lawrenceville 30044. For details about events at the Gwinnett Public Libraries, visit gwinnettpl.org.

Medicare Supplement Plans

Thursday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Dr. Marcia McIntosh presents information about Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap. Medicare Parts A and B pay for many of your health-care services and supplies, but it doesn’t pay for everything. Unlike Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement plan is offered through private insurance companies and have plans to help pay some of the hospital and medical costs that Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance and yearly deductibles. Free; Registration required. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 S. Hurt Rd., Smyrna 30082, 770-801-3400. For more info and to register, go to cobbcounty.org.

Spring Cleaning Your Diet: Spring Salads

Thursday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Spring is here, and with that comes a renewed opportunity for fresh, satisfying salads. Cobb Senior Services’ dietician Jobcy Alexander will show the basis of creating a satisfyingly delicious balanced salad. Free. Registration required. North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main St., Acworth 30101, 770975-7740. Visit cobbcounty.org to register and find more events.

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