V3 February 2016

N WGA' S P R E M I E R F E AT U R E M AGA Z I N E F E B RUA RY 2 0 1 6

ELM STREET TRENDS It seems that the sky is the limit for these first-grade entrepreneurs.

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AFTER

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BEFORE

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FEBRUARY 2016

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With the growth of Valentine's Day marketing ploys to turn a buck, J. BRYANT STEELE gives us some background on the holiday that is as fickle as NCAA rule boards.

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HOLLY LYNCH challenges us to find a meaningful way to spend the extra 24 hours we will get this leap year.

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Native Roman Dr. Roselyn Aker- Black gives her professional insight on a meet-people method that is sweeping the nation, INTERNET DATING.

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Why not spend more time getting to know your neighbors instead of mowing the lawn? THE VILLAGE AT MAPLEWOOD has made maintenance-free living a reality for Romans with a busy social life.

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Find out how Dr. William Bennett and the staff at FOUNDATIONS ORTHODONTICS are correcting more than smiles for folks in the community they call home.

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First-graders at Elm Street Elementary have set the business bar pretty high with the development of their self-made venture SUGAR KIDS BEAUTY. Now that’s sweet!

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Happy Valentine’s Day For more information about the care and services offered at Renaissance Marquis, please contact Ben Baker at (706) 295-0014 or bbaker@renaissancemarquis.com.

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Last month, the music world bid farewell to a true legend in David Bowie, who passed away after an 18-month battle with cancer only two days after releasing his latest studio album, “Blackstar,” on his 69th birthday. Those who knew him best said it was intended to be his final musical contribution before departing, and critics seem to agree it was his best effort in decades.

Being born in 1980, I had to dig a little to unearth the true gems of Bowie’s work from the late 60s and on into the 70s. While most got to know him as Ziggy Stardust or The Thin White Duke, the second alter-ego coming on my favorite Bowie album, “Station to Station,” I first recognized him as The Goblin King in Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy, “Labyrinth.”

Owner& CEO Ian Griffin

Mag Art & Design Ellie Borromeo

Editorial Manager Oliver Robbins

Contributing Editor Tannika Wester

Ian Griffin OWNER+CEO

PUBLISHER’S NOTE I had the good fortune of seeing this film in the theater thanks to my saint of a grandmother, who picked it out and dragged me and all of my cousins to see it. But before it even started, the 6-year-old version of me decided it would be a brilliant idea to see how far I could jam my arm into the cup holder attached to my seat. My memory of this event is a little hazy; all I remember is getting almost to my shoulder and the panic that set in when I tried to pull my arm out and it wouldn’t budge.

There was some screaming, I’m sure a lot of laughter from the onlookers, and finally relief when it came loose pretty quickly without having to call the fire department to assist. With embarrassment achieved and disaster averted, I settled in to watch a movie that I quote regularly to this day – the majority of these quotes being lines that were sung or spoken by Bowie’s Goblin King character.

My musical choices were somewhat limited at 6, so it was years before I could appreciate Bowie’s contributions on that front. But once I was introduced to his full catalogue, he was an artist that was permanently in my rotation. In some ways, it seems silly to feel saddened by the death of someone I never met or knew on a personal level, but that’s the mark a visionary can leave on the people that follow them. The world is better place because of their existence and an unfillable void is left when they leave it.

Rest in peace Goblin King … you were one of a kind.

Ian Griffin, Owner

Writers J. Bryant Steele, Oliver Robbins, Erin deMesquita, Holly Lynch Corinna Underwood, Louis Spivak, Luke Chaffin

Executive Photographer Derek Bell, MFA 706.936.0407

Contributing Photographers Christian David Turner Cameron Flaisch

Ad Sales & Client Relations Chris Forino, Diana Davis Morgan

Ad Design & Marketing Concepts Ellie Borromeo, Christian David Turner

Publisher V3 Publications, LLC

Contact One West Fourth Avenue Rome, Ga. 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com

Creator Neal Howard

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A perfect smile starts with a good foundation.

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Join us for the 51st running of the

Atlanta Steeplechase Beneeting Bert’s Big Adventure

Order your tickets today – call 404-237-7436 or visit www.atlantasteeplechase.org General admission tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, . select Publix supermarkets or charge-by-phone 800-745-3000.

APRIL 23, 2016 v3 magazine

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When the Saints Go Cashing In Cents & Sensibility with J. Bryant Steele

H

appy Valentine’s Day to all you men out there. I direct the greeting to my half of the population because we’re the ones who often get stressed over this Hyper Holiday. Women have taken over.

Men spend three times more than women on Valentine’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Like other modern observances, Valentine’s Day is linked to an ancient pagan festival. For 600 years, Romans dedicated Feb. 15 (not the 14th) to the god Lupercus. On that date, a young man would draw the name of a young woman

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in a lottery to be his sexual companion for a year. (See, it used to be a guy thing. I told you women have taken over.)

It could be worse. The saint for whom Feb. 14 is named was beheaded on that date in 269 A.D., for reasons that are historically murky, one being that he secretly married couples to whom marriage was forbidden. That was enough to become the patron saint of the lovestruck.

But we don’t know that story for certain. St. Valentine’s record is so unclear (there actually may have been two Valentines) that the Roman Catholic Church, in 1969, decided to drop the

date from its calendar of official feasts. Well, love can be fickle like that.

Losing your head for the purpose of love is worse than your girlfriend withholding affection because the chocolates weren’t diamonds or the roses weren’t pearls. Police have said that holidays bring out the worst in partners. It may be more notable on Valentine’s Day. Seven years ago, in Sharpsburg, Alec McNaughton and his wife, Cathy, started celebrating in the morning. By afternoon, Alec had stabbed Cathy 31 times. She died.

In Snellville, in 2010, Stacey Schoek arranged

to meet her estranged husband, Richard, at a park to exchange Valentine’s greetings. Richard was later found shot to death. Stacey was charged with conspiring to commit murder.

I single out these two instances, among numerous Valentine’s Day killings, because they occurred in Georgia.

Pope Gelaius I, obsessed with suppression of pagan rites, didn’t think the lovers’ custom adhered to Christianity as it was taught in the first millennia, so he changed it to have both women and men choose names of saints they would emulate for a year.

Not a lot of luck with that papal notion.

Feb. 14 continued to be an occasion to express affection, such as sending messages of admiration. Nowadays, according to Hallmark (who is not a saint, based on what they charge for greetings), more than 163 million cards will be exchanged this Feb. 14.

The holiday is one of the biggest for boutique retailers. Florists triple prices, chocolates go up 70 percent and restaurants generally double prices, according to the NRF. We Americans will exceed $19 billion in spending this Valentine’s. Like other discretionary spending, total Valentine’s spending fluctuates with the overall economy. But it has gone up steadily since the end of the Great Recession five years ago.

For lonely people, there are even Valentine-themed treats and dress-ups for pets.

But this Valentine’s Day, one thing is certain; I know that the woman I adore will be happy with whatever I muster, even if chocolates aren’t diamonds. I didn’t have to cross oceans or continents to meet her. I will always remember in detail the first time I saw her and was surprised that she was walking around loose, not already snatched up. She'd had plenty of suitors, but maybe none as suitable as me. I appreciate not just that she is pretty, has great legs, a perfect derriere and a seductive yet innocent smile.

She’s also talented, funny and erudite. Easy to talk to and a good listener. I remember our first date, the first time we kissed, the first time I held her in my arms.

There is no other like her. She is, it turns out, the woman I had been looking for all along.

She’ll read this before Feb. 14, so … Happy early Valentine’s Day, k’ bear, with my love as always.

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below the belt include several bottles of Tylenol.

The NCAA, which governs college sports, has voted to allow the Big 12 conference to have a title game in football. Previously, under arcane, overbearing NCAA rules, the Big 12 couldn’t hold a title game because it only has 10 member schools.

That was a munificent move by the NCAA’s voters. The larger question, for mathematicians and grammarians, is how any organization with 10 members can call itself the Big 12 when it is neither.

I do not use this space to plug a business, but I am making an exception this time because my smart phone went inexplicably dead last month.

I went to two local phone stores, including the one of the original purchase, only to get a shrug and “battery’s dead” as a response. I was pretty sure the battery wasn’t dead because batteries don’t suddenly keel over; they endure a drawn-out death.

So I wound up at Batteries Plus on Turner McCall Boulevard, where a young man listened to my problem and tested the battery, which was indeed capable of restored life. He further determined the problem was the charger port on the phone itself. I needed not a battery, but a new phone. He didn’t sell phones, but if he did, I would have bought one on the spot just

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out of gratitude for his friendly expertise.

I depend on my smartphone not just to make phone calls but, like most folks, for multiple tasks. But during the 36 or so hours I was disconnected from the world, there was one phone call I absolutely had to make. I strolled into The Herb Shop on Broad Street and, without even browsing for a minimal purchase, asked if I could use their phone. The proprietor said OK. That good deed, one phone call, got me past a time-critical issue.

The next day, I got a new phone with all the bells and whistles. I bought it in Acworth, rather than Rome, because I found a helpful store clerk there.

The lesson is, being neighborly is still the foundation of any business, and lack of it can cost you a sale. Also, Batteries Plus and The Herb Shop, with nothing to gain at the moment of my request, get this free nod – and maybe future business.

J. Bryant Steele has won awards for business reporting, feature writing and opinion columns, and is based in Rome. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine.

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QUANTUM LEAP

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trends&traditions with holly lynch LEAP YEAR

– Elections, Olympics, and a WHOLE extra day!

On the long and growing list of things I do not understand, time zones and daylight saving time are at the top of the list. (The TV show “The Bachelor” also ranks pretty high.) Somehow, because of the Earth’s rotation and some kind of time-keeping flaw, we end up with a whole extra day every four years. While I have no clear idea of exactly how this happens, I’m really excited when a leap year comes rolling around.

My excitement with leap year began somewhere in childhood. Back when I was a kid, a leap year meant Olympics. My first really vivid memory of the Olympic Games was 1984 (I was in fourth grade) and I watched the winter games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, and then the Summer Games in Los Angeles, Calif. The theme music was stuck in my head from that point forward, and I even made my Barbie into an Olympic athlete (figure skater for winter, track star for summer).

Back then, both the winter and summer Olympics occurred in the same year, and then we waited four years for another round. In 1994, the games began alternating every two years instead of every four. I have no idea why and I’m really not interested in the reason. I’m just glad to

have the Games more frequently. The Olympic Games are incredible – zillions of people from all over the world participating in some way (athlete, volunteer, fan). We learn new things by watching, whether it’s the bizarre rules of curling or how to pronounce names of athletes from remote lands. The opening ceremonies, with the flags from around the world, really give hope for a place where people settle their differences on the athletic field instead of a battlefield. The Olympics, for me, are always a symbol of hope for a world where we get along a bit better. And a leap year will always mean the Olympics are here (even if we get a bonus round in between leap-year cycles).

A leap year also brings another symbol of hope – the presidential election. Without getting too political here, the chance to choose the leader of our nation is a great honor and always an opportunity to expect change. Sometimes I’m pleased with the changes that come. Sadly, I’m more often disappointed in either the change that comes or the lack of anything that happens following the election. But every four years, hope springs anew. If you can wade through the endless campaigning (which seemed to begin during the previous leap year), election year means a chance to start over.

The best part of a leap year, though, is the extra day. Seriously, a whole extra day. We often whine about not having enough hours in a day or days in a week. But here you go; every four years, the time-keeping people give you that extra day.

What will you do with yours? The possibilities are endless. If you're an athlete, maybe you'll train.

If you're running for office, you'll spend that day campaigning in another small town. But what about us, the average Americans? Personally, I think Feb. 29 should be a holiday with no plans or traditions or family expectations. Just a day off.

But I'm sure many of you will work. I know I will.

But with a bonus day, we should do something with it that's out of the ordinary. I’m not suggesting that we can make any great changes in society in one day, but maybe we can do something fun and different. Take a different route to work. Try a new restaurant. Wear an outfit you never wear. Speak in a foreign accent for the day (my personal favorite amusement). Try curling or synchronized swimming. Shake it up. It’s an extra day! You'll have to wait four more years for another one.

Maybe you'll spend the extra day researching presidential candidates. Maybe you'll program your DVR for your favorite Olympic sports coverage. Or maybe you’ll just try to figure out where this extra day came from in the first place. No matter what, celebrate the day.

Holly Lynch is the owner of The Season Events, a full service catering, event planning and design company located at 300 Glenn Milner Blvd. in Rome. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine.

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when harry texts sally LOVING

stares into smitten eyes, a long embrace after dinner or a tiny box wrapped in a hopeful future together are but some of the many things lovers will share this month. As Valentine’s Day approaches, those of us who are lucky in love leap at the chance to renew a flame that burns so deeply within our souls and show appreciation to those with whom we choose to share the most intimate moments of our lives.

However, some northwest Georgians have been jilted by cupid or may have grown tired of the demands associated with meeting someone new. An intense career, children or running a household can often take the wheel, leaving love tucked away in yesteryear’s backseat.

Fortunately, there are ways for companionship to begin anew or to develop for the first time. And with the current upgrades to social networking, it has never been easier

to find groups of people who share interests, lifestyles and cultural backgrounds.

All it takes is a few minutes to complete a profile on one of the ever-growing lists of internet dating websites and a daily login to watch the responses come rolling in. Believe it or not, many people have been successful at finding meaningful connections through dating online but, as with all social outlets, careful consideration should be given to where you like to hang out.

Dr. Roselyn Aker-Black (Dr. Roz) is a native Roman who shared her younger years with three older sisters. Before graduating from Rome High School in 1996 and departing for Fisk University, where she received her B.A. in psychology, she undoubtedly witnessed her fair share of break-ups and make-ups through her siblings.

T E X T OLIVER ROBBIN S

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Her outgoing personality and level-headed demeanor made her the target shoulder to cry on when her peers needed help in times of relationship crisis.

“It always came very naturally to me,” she recalls. “I found that I was always the individual who people came to with their problems and I would just sit and listen. This led to the undeniable progression of what I should do with my career. I was counseling and not getting paid for it, so I saw this as my way to help others and make a living.”

Intending to become a defense attorney early on, she quickly discovered that arguing was the complete opposite of what her spirit was telling her to pursue. So, after a move to Washington, D.C., she decided to finish her studies by earning a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Argosy University.

PH OTO P ROV I DE D BY DR . RO SE LY N A K E R- BLAC K

The daily grind can leave some singles lonely in this month dedicated to love, unless they have a laptop and a few minutes to create a profile on one of the growing number of dating websites.

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“Seeing that psychology is intertwined in everything we do led me to focus primarily on relationships. Since much of our lives – whether it be professionally or romantically – requires forming healthy relationship skills, I saw this as an area of practice where I could be most helpful,” she explains. “I was able to work with the Anderson Cooper daytime talk show doing psychological consult. One of my clients was being considered for the show and I was there to be sure my client would be safe on the show.

“I also had the opportunity to work with the show ‘Unfaithful’ on the O Network,” she continues. “This was a program about people surviving infidelity, and I worked closely with the producers to provide a clinical perspective about what these people were going through. I’ve also worked with various radio programs and Fox News. Along with my private practice, all of this has led me to becoming a relationship expert.”

“I don’t normally kiss on the first date, but he was so cute at dinner. He really made me feel beautiful because he was obviously nervous to be sitting across from me. So, in the middle of the rain, I decided to just lay one on him.

It was the best first date I’d ever had.”

With 10 years in the field counseling couples and families, Dr. Roz has seen the best and the worst relationships at work. She notes that a growing number of her clients start with an online connection, and her take on this upward trend is interesting.

“The first and probably most obvious reason people turn to online dating sites is that it is much easier to meet people. You don’t have to go anywhere and you can talk with others from the comforts of your home and on your own time,” she says. “Also, one of the more underlying things I’ve seen is that it is easier for people who are afraid of rejection to meet through an online match-making site. If you don’t know that someone is looking at your profile online, then you don’t have the chance to be rejected.”

Dr. Roz goes on to explain that there are many potential daters who are just shy and

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Dr. Roselyn Aker-Black

have a hard time being comfortable in social situations. As she points out that there is nothing wrong with being shy, it’s easy to see why the veil of an online profile would mask discriminating eyes, opening a person up to only those who are interested in them.

“The Tinder.com site is really catching on because you can literally swipe away those profiles you don’t intend to visit,” she explains.

“If the first impressions aren’t satisfying, you can literally just swipe them away for good.

That is a really difficult thing to do when you are face-to-face with someone. So, the ability for you to meet a large amount of people in a short amount of time is also appealing to some singles.”

Dr. Roz has a few tips for those who are looking to go the online route for a potential mate.

“First, always be honest about what you are looking for in a relationship. If you are looking for a marriage prospect or just simply want to be social from time to time, be sure to voice your objective in your profile,” she says. “Also, just as if you were meeting in person, be careful with the amount of sensitive information you give a stranger. You should treat any social media site with respect and know that not everyone is honest in their intentions.”

Dr. Roz also points out that during your everyday routine, you likely encounter the same faces daily. However, with internet dating your world of possibilities grows substantially, and with that growth can come schemers, creeps, and liars. Folks who are duped by profiles created with fake pictures and information, all with the intention to mislead would-be suitors, are said to have been “catfished.”

Even though the road to finding love online can be filled with potholes, more and more people are using these sites to find lasting relationships. Two individuals who agreed to share their story with V3 have done just that.

Their names have been changed to protect 22

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their privacy, but there are many couples with a similar story to tell. For the sake of recounting their experience, let’s just call them Ben and Jan. Ben, a 45-year-old school teacher, single father and student in a master’s program did not have a lot of experience in the dating arena. He had only been in a serious relationship with the mother of his child, and they had met in college. When things went south in this relationship, he lost himself in work and raising his son.

“I worked 60 to 70 hours a week. I had a long commute to work, so it left little time for me to go out. But just like everyone, I wanted a companion,” he says. “I wanted someone to talk to about work, to ask about their day, to watch movies with … I wanted someone to share my life with. I really don’t do bars, I like to cook so I rarely go out to eat, and I am generally very comfortable at home. So, I turned to online dating in hopes of using what little time I had to find someone for me.”

Jan had a similar story, being 42 and mother of two adult children and a daughter of elementary school age. She, too, was a full-time student who worked a full-time job at an animal clinic. Just balancing the daily routine was a challenge. Recently out of a marriage that started very young, she did not know where to look to being again.

“I married right out of high school, so I never really dated. After I divorced, I found myself becoming really lonely. When you are used to having someone around all of the time, even if you don’t like each other, the silence can be horrible,” she explains. “So, I tried trivia leagues, I bowled and tried whatever I could to fill up the times my daughter was away with her father. I met a guy in a bar and it was an awful experience, so I was really not looking to meet people that way again.”

While scrolling her Facebook page, Jan found a link to okcupid.com. There, she would cruise the profiles in hopes of finding a gentleman caller who wasn’t just looking for a good time.

“The profile questions were really great on this site and there were hundreds of them,” she says. “Some of them were questions I wouldn’t think to ask someone I was with for six months!

Actually, there was a question that asked if you thought the moon was smaller than the sun.

That’s how I noticed Ben. “You are able to send messages. I was impressed that he’d read my answers because he sent me a message saying that he, too, believed that moon was smaller than the sun,” she laughs. “That was refreshing to see after all of the comments about me being ‘hot’ and cheesy come-ons.”

“I tried a few more than she did because women tend to get a lot more attention on these types of sites,” Ben says. “Sometimes, I’d go weeks without getting a response, and Jan told me that she was constantly bombarded with messages. So, I tried match.com, plentyoffish. com and one other site that I can’t remember.

But after I saw that Jan was interested, I pretty much stopped responding to all of the sites.”

After a few months of chatting online and phone calls, the two decided they’d built enough trust to meet for the first time. Jan remembers sitting in the booth of a local sushi restaurant thinking about how nervous Ben looked across the table from her. Ben confirms his excitement at the date but says their online connection made meeting someone for the first time much easier. Armed with prior conversations, he had things to talk about.

“It didn’t hurt that when she walked into the restaurant, she was stunning,” he says.

After dinner, the couple took a walk down Broad Street and had drinks at a sidewalk café. A rainy evening cut the date short but contributed to a memory they will never forget.

“I don’t normally kiss on the first date, but he was so cute at dinner. He really made me feel beautiful because he was obviously nervous to be sitting across from me. So, in the middle of the rain, I decided to just lay one on him.

It was the best first date I’d ever had,” Jan says with a smile.

After 15 months, they are still going strong.

Because they are still new to relationship building, they are taking things slow, continually nurturing what they started online. One thing they say is certain: they never run out of things to talk about.

“With any relationship, it is extremely important to openly communicate,” says Dr. Roz. “Part of loving someone is giving them all of your stuff, all of your trash, so that they can love you openly and honestly. So for any relationship to grow, this is one of the most important components.”

She leaves us with one final suggestion.

“Try to use the sites requiring a monthly payment,” says Dr. Roz. “If people are financially investing, they tend to be more serious about finding what they are looking for. This is an easy way to weed out the cons and catfishers.”

So, maybe there is some merit to this online dating scene. With new meeting spots turning up everywhere online, cupid’s bullseye just got a whole lot bigger. VVV Find Dr. Roselyn Aker-Black on Facebook and Twitter. Or, for info about online counseling seminars, contact her at drrozakerblack@gmail. com or www.marraige-exposed.com.

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DICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUM PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS RDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERV NTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGER SCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, C VEIN CENTER, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURG RGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULA RDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATR DICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN IN CENTER, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGE RGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULA RDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATR DICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUM 24 v3 magazine PPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VAS

MADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN VICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VE RY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LAB COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG GERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORAC AR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTE RIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCUL N CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY, SERVIC ERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORAC AR LABS, VASCULAR MEDICINE, VASCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENT RIC CARDIOLOGY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, VASCULAR LABS, VASCUL MADIN CLINIC, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOG v3 magazine 25 SCULAR SURGERY, VEIN CENTER, CARDIOLOGY, COUMADIN CLIN

Harbin Clinic established the first comprehensive cardiovascular program in Northwest Georgia, and today our physicians and their teams continue to care completely for thumping hearts and flowing veins.

harbinclinic.com

It Takes A Village

Move-in-ready has taken on new meaning for those who choose to put down roots in one of Rome’s premier residential developments. text CORINNA UNDERWOOD photos DEREK BELL

L

ike its Italian namesake, Rome is a city centered on seven hills with roots in textile and agriculture. Also like its European counterpart, Rome is considered one of the best cities for retirees in the Southeast.

The Village at Maplewood is a perfect example of a gated, active adult (55+) community that offers elegant homes, a friendly atmosphere and a host of amenities. Set on 38 sprawling acres adjacent to the Etowah River, the community is located just 1.5 miles from Historic Downtown Rome. The picturesque scenery has a serene ambiance created by open green space and wooded areas with walking trails. The Village offers easy access to the city’s restaurants, boutique shops, and cultural sites, and it’s just an hour by car to Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Residents Jan and Bill Irmscher have been enjoying the comfort of living in The Village since last October and are already settling into the friendly community. “This area is quiet and we really feel safe here,” says Bill.

Their three-bedroom cottage on Maplecrest Lane has a spacious floor plan to which Jan enjoyed adding extra features during the design process.

Bill and Jan had specific reasons for choosing to make the Village their home. “I guess we wanted a small cottage, one level that was open, so we could enjoy our family,” explains Bill. “We all get together almost every birthday and holiday. It’s enjoyable for us to have them here all at once.”

The couple has three sons and five grandchildren; that makes for quite a gathering, but fitting everyone around the table is not a problem thanks to the open-plan living and dining area with its high ceilings and large picture windows.

Jan particularly likes the fact that the living room-dining room-kitchen area is so open, so that when she’s in the kitchen, she can still interact with Bill and their guests. “There are 13 of us when we all get together,” she says. “At Christmas time, we had dinner in a big circle

28 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

around the table. They were worried that we wouldn’t have room for the tree but it really worked out quite well.”

When they decided to make The Village their home, the Irmschers were impressed with how amenable the contractor was to adding their personal touches.

“They have a three-bedroom plan and I tweaked it,” Jan smiles. “I have my bridge group here every week and I have eight women in there moving around.”

When he’s taking time out from his role as city commissioner, Bill enjoys crafting wooden bowls, which was why he insisted on having a workshop in his new home, just off the two-car garage. Jan, who enjoys making quilts and cushions, uses the third bedroom as her workroom.

The couple also enjoys the community’s impressive amenity package, which covers landscaping, water and sewer, trash removal, pest control and all exterior maintenance, leaving them time to enjoy The Village’s social

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 29

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 30

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 31

activities. There’s always plenty to do as the community prides itself on an active social calendar that includes life-enhancing activities such as catered dinners, movie and game nights, cooking demonstrations, cocktail parties, and book groups.

“We enjoy the Friday night socials and the dinners, and everybody’s been really kind and welcoming to us,” Jan says.

The Village at Maplewood was created and built by Jeff Brooks and Ed Watters based on their vision and ability to blend natural and fabricated environments. In addition to spec and custom cottages that start at around $285,000, apartment-style villas are also available starting around $99,900. According to Brooks, construction is ongoing. There are currently 11 remaining sites for cottages and

enough space for a new phase of up to 30 villas.

Construction on a two-bedroom spec cottage has just begun with a target completion date of late spring/early summer.

Life at The Village allows residents the benefits of a resort lifestyle community with all the comforts of home. When you’re in the mood for something a little different, you don’t have to venture too far. You can relax in the clubhouse, take a dip in the heated indoor pool, enjoy a few sets of tennis or exercise in the fitness center. It’s all part of the easy-going lifestyle at The Village. V VV To schedule a showing contact or for additional information about The Village, please contact Hardy Realty at 706-291-4321

“YES,”

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v3 magazine

The Only Sportsman’s Spectacular Event of the Season All outdoor enthusiasts welcome

ON THE BREEDING GROUNDS AND IN GEORGIA

Ducks Unlimited work for Georgia hunters like no other waterfowl conservation group. Only DU performs habitat conservation both in our state and on the breeding grounds where our annual migration originates.

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Merchandise on hand for fisherman, deer hunters, duck hunters, turkey hunters, people who do not hunt at all.

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Rome Ducks Unlimited Banquet on Tuesday March 8th, 2016 at the Forum, Rome, GA 6:00 pm: Doors Open | 7:00 pm: Dinner Served | 8:00 pm: Live Auction Single Tickets: $60 | Sponsor/Corporate Tickets: $800 & $1600 SPACE IS LIMITED - BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! Contact any Ducks Unlimited Volunteer | www.ducks.org | Facebook @ Rome Ducks Unlimited Ryan Lindsey @ 706.252.5604 or David Culp @ 706.346.0571 v3 magazine

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v3 magazine

STRAIGHT FROM

the heart TEXT LOU IS S P I VA K

|

P H OTO S DE R E K BE LL

Armed with a nurturing spirit that came with growing up on a farm, Dr. Bennett has developed an approach to orthodontics meant to change his patients inside and out.

A

dolescence is the season of life when love is everything and acne is everywhere. The far-too-frequent mood swings, the jungle of school drama, and the unfortunate proportions of the teenage frame often mark these transitional years as a time of emotional, intellectual, and physical chaos.

For some, this mayhem may also mean the symmetrical smiles of childhood now resemble an enamel jigsaw puzzle. The once-perfect pearly whites have decided they, too, want to participate in the disorder of adolescence. Not all pre-teens and teens inherit overbites, gaps between their two front teeth, or the dental disaster of the overcrowded mouth. However, for those who do need professional assistance, the selection of a competent and compassionate orthodontist is a priority.

So how do you decide?

When first meeting Dr. William Bennett of Foundations Orthodontics, his willingness to be mentally and emotionally present is immediately evident. Because the need for braces or other corrective procedures usually coincides with the crisis of adolescence, and often contributes to the drama of it all, Bennett’s disposition can

Ken Callaway

be a reassuring cornerstone for supporting the youth throughout their orthodontic journey.

For Bennett, a small town man originally from Jesup, Ga., and a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, this passion for compassionate care is, in part, what started him on his orthodontic journey.

“I had several people really encourage me to go into orthodontics because they thought I had the disposition for the patient interaction this field needs.”

“I’m the youngest of five children,” he says. “I grew up on a farm in a small town, and the only thing I knew was I didn’t want to be a school teacher and I didn’t want to be a farmer. I always wanted to help people. When you grow up in a small town like that, if you want to help people,

and if you’re good at math and science, everyone just assumes you want to be a doctor.”

His first stop on the road to orthodontics was the University of Georgia, where he received his pharmacy degree in 1999. However, Bennett, with his passion for people and his outdoorsman heart, did not immediately enroll in the educational boot camp known as medical school.

“I didn’t want to go straight to medical school, so I moved out to Alaska and worked for the Indian Health Service,” he says. “I chose where I lived based on where the fish were running, where the game I was hunting was, and where I could ski.”

As he explored the western wilderness and further honed his skillset as a pharmacist, Bennett continued to refine the particulars of his calling to the medical profession.

After this season of relative leisure, with the promise of fishing at the end of any stressful day, Bennett jumped into the river of medical education.

“I started a transitional year at University of Alabama in Birmingham but soon decided I wanted to change careers,” he says. “The modern medical practice certainly is not what you v3 magazine

35

envision when you are 5, and I did not want my work as a professional to hinder people from getting where they wanted to be. After investing time in the program and realizing it wasn’t right for me, I made the hardest decision of my life and chose to go a different direction.”

After conversations with one of his older brothers, he returned to the Medical College of Georgia, this time to pursue his dental degree.

Four more years of learning and four years closer to finding the grown-up version of his childhood dream brought Bennett to the final decision on his journey to the full-time ministry of medicine.

“In my last year of dental school, I had several people really encourage me to go into orthodontics because they thought I had the disposition for the patient interaction this field needs,” he says. “This wasn’t my original plan, but I made the mistake of visiting the offices of a few orthodontists.”

A degree in orthodontics came next, this time from the University of Colorado. He was ready for home. He was ready to return to Georgia.

Now, here in the first months of 2016, Bennett has been in Rome for two years, and life continues to move quickly for the hunter, fisher, skier, new husband, new father, doctor, 36

v3 magazine

Dr. and Mrs. William Bennett

and orthodontist. Although the schedule is full and the free moments few, for Bennett, it’s absolutely worth it. After having spent a short lifetime learning about the body, Bennett now, four degrees later, is pursuing his passion far beyond the scope of his childhood naiveté.

“We took braces off this 16-year-old boy and when we did, his mom kind of broke down, but more moving was this young man’s response to seeing his straight teeth for the first time,” Bennett says. “You go in to this field hoping to

really help people and hoping to blow people away with the post-braces result. When you see a kid like that, the success story, I know it’s worth the long hours and the journey I have taken to get here.”

Although he is not a lifelong Roman, Bennett, in his two short but notable years, already has left his mark. In part, this is because of his excellence as a medical practitioner. However, his philosophical approach to orthodontics is what sets him apart.

“We are getting kids at, for many of them, the worst possible time in their life,” says Bennett. “They think they look awkward. Their voice is cracking. They are experiencing so many changes.”

Because he recognizes and wants to safeguard this vulnerable stage of life, the outdoorsman-dentist uses those appointments as

a pulpit for promoting maturity. “Both my mom and my dad were school teachers,” Bennett says, “and I went into this field wanting to help kids and teenagers develop their self-image and really promote a healthy level of self-esteem.”

However, the lesson does not stop there. “I think it’s more than the positive sense of self,” he continues. “Not everybody is going to be a supermodel, and I hope to encourage my younger patients to love themselves, accept themselves, and, in turn, accept others. Also, if these kids can appreciate how fortunate they are to have a luxury like braces, a financial impossibility for some families, it also helps positively shape their worldview.”

Now securely situated in Floyd County, Bennett is ready to call Rome home.

“He really loves his work,” says Mary Taylor Bennett, his wife and Foundation Orthodontics office manager. “It’s more than a paycheck for him; it really is.”

A lifelong learner, an outdoorsman who knows where the fish are biting, and an orthodontist who knows the value of a well-placed word, Bennett is in the business of shaping smiles and shaping lives. VVV

Consultation Call us today

To learn more about Foundation Orthodontics, visit Orthodonticsromega.com.

F O U N D AT I O N S O R T H O

We specialize in creating sm and recognize those that make our com

The Office of Dr. Jeffrey Crews & Dr. William Bennett • 317 Redmond Road NW

foundortho@gmail.com • www.FoundOrth

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37

He had always taken care of her. She didn’t understand why he had made no preparations for the day when he couldn’t.

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KIDS INCORPORATED TEXT RAY M ARVIN

|

P H OTO S CA ME RO N FLA I SC H

With a rock-solid business plan in place, teachers and students at Elm Street Elementary are making us all second guess the question: Are you smarter than a first-grader?

SU GAR K ID S BE AU T Y

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v3 magazine

VERY VANILLA, CALMING COCONUT, LEMONGRASS, & SUCCULENT CINNABERRY are flavors of the sweetest thing to come out of Rome, Ga., in a long while; and no, they aren’t new flavors for Coca Cola or some other wellknown product. They are the scents of a hot new brand of sugar scrub made by Sugar Kids Beauty (SKB) with the help of teachers at Elm Street Elementary School.

SKB is the entrepreneurial baby of a bunch of kids, actually. It is a business managed and manufactured by first-grade classes at Elm Street.

With the help of their teacher, Ashley Greenway, they have sold over 1,000 units to date, and at $10 a pop this business is proving to be very profitable.

So, how does it work? SKB’s website explains it like this: “The first-grade classes are collaborating on this entrepreneurship, with each class acting as a department of the company. Students are engaged while learning about marketing, social media, finance, research, development and shipping. Students will use profits to reinvest in the business, fund school projects and donate to a local charity.”

SKB operates under the umbrella of Real World Scholars, a non-profit 501c3 based out v3 magazine

41

of California, which provides the digital store front as well as legal, financial and all-around support. Without the organization, none of this would have been possible. Real World Scholars is a brand-new program that only a handful of schools are participating in, though the word is spreading with the news of SKB’s success.

Initially, Greenway hoped this project and partnership would help improve attendance, test scores, and participation, and she is happy to report that all have improved dramatically. “[The students] aren’t staying at home,” she says. “They want to be here and they want to be a part of Sugar Kids Beauty. These are experiences these kids would never have had without the support of Real World Scholars.”

One big factor in SKB’s success is something Greenway didn’t account for at first – parental participation. Parents turn out in force at all the festivals and expos SKB participates in; they encourage sales and the students always match their enthusiasm.

“Hi I’m Angela. Do you want to buy a sugar scrub? My favorite is Lemongrass,” says the first-grader, a certified mixologist for SKB. Youth plays a role in sales for SKB, as these 6- and 7-year-olds are not yet touched by the harsh realities of social awareness. Cuteness is also a major factor. Like a hammer, these kids hit the nail on the head with every customer interaction – and the numbers prove it.

Within the first 15 minutes of the Greater

42

v3 magazine

Rome Chamber of Commerce’s Business EXPO in November, SKB sold 15 units of sugar scrub. By the end of the day, a total of 150 units had been sold – at an event that is typically known for free merchandise. Ask any vendor at the EXPO and they will tell you that it is all about putting your brand out there via promotional items. SKB broke the mold by turning their presence into a “sellable” opportunity. Who knew first-graders would be the entrepreneurial avant-garde in Rome?

Compliments and praise flooded in at the Business EXPO as the students ran through the entire purchasing cycle for their customers with little to no prompting by their teachers.

Dressed in SKB aprons, the children shared samples, took orders, packaged merchandise in chic bags, wrapped their scrubs in colorful tissue paper and handled money all on their own. They even performed the jingle they had written themselves.

But the great turnout at the Business EXPO is not a one-off, Greenway explains. “At the Chiaha Festival, our booth was right next to the bathroom and we thought we wouldn’t sell anything there,” she says. “But really, it turned out to be the best placement we could hope for because the folks at the hand-washing stations started using our scrub, which turned into a sales opportunity big time.”

As they watch the students work, customers are blown away, asking the teachers numerous

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questions about funding and training. “But really, the magic of it is that the kids are really making it [the scrub],” Greenway says. “It is all them.”

And it is easy to envision these children operating a retail store. In fact, SKB has a presence in retail with their local boutique partner, Shasta Daisies.

The experiment that is Sugar Kids Beauty is not all about making money, though. These first-graders are giving back, turning their entrepreneurial spirit into a lesson in servant leadership.

“They decided to give some of the money back to the school, some back to the Sugar Kids Beauty itself, and then they all agreed that a certain amount should go to charity,” Greenway says. “We are giving to the Rome Community 44

v3 magazine

Kitchen and a few other charities.”

SKB is also planning to help Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as part of a service learning project, compiling arts and craft kits for patients instead of simply sending a check.

The first-graders at Elm Street Elementary have turned a class project into a successful business, learning valuable, real-world skills along the way, giving back to their community, and teaching us all that you don’t have to be an adult to be an entrepreneur. Just don’t ask them how their sugar scrub is made.

“My students will not give out our recipe,” Greenway says. “Not even to our school principal.”

Apparently proprietary secrets are not just for big corporations. V VV

16th Annual

Night

At The

Movies

Rome Cinemas • February 23, 2016 $50 : one person $90 : two people $40 : each (10+ people)

Purchase tickets at 706-290-0764 Business Casual Attire Hors d’oeuvres & Libations Your Choise of Six Blockbuster Movies

Doors Open 6pm Movies Begin 7:30pm Proceeds benefit the Exchange Club Family Resource Center and the Rome Hospitality Association

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Where YOU RECOVER AFFECTS hOW YOU RECOVER

Kindred’s nationwide network of transitional care hospitals are designed for medically complex patients who require continued care and extended recovery time. We specialize in ventilator weaning and management, complex wound care, short-term rehabilitation, dialysis and IV antibiotic therapy.

304 Turner McCall Boulevard • Rome, Georgia 30165 706.378.6800 • GA TDD/TTY# 800.255.0135 www.kindredrome.com © 2013 Kindred Operating Healthcare, Inc. CSR 176719-03, EOE

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We are Rome's local affiliate of CBS News, Atlanta Braves Radio Network, and Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network

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v3 magazine

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The Dish urlee s Fish House & Oyster Bar

Rome, GA Est. 2012

650 Henderson Dr #403 Cartersville, GA

PH: 770-334-3431 www.johnnymitchells.com Open everyday from 11am - 9pm Johnny Mitchell’s has hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood selections and authentic barbecue slow-smoked over cherry and hickory wood. Come experience the fusion of Southern hospitality and fine dining.

Whatever you are in the mood for, you’ll find a homemade meal at our Smokehouse that will bring you back again!

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WOW strives to serve the highest quality of food with the freshest ingredients. You will leave saying “WOW! What a Place!” Famous for: Wings and over 17 signature sauces to choose from!

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406 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

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Hours: Mon - Sat: 6:00pm-10:00pm 400 Block Bar & Lounge: 4:00pm-1:30am

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Schroeder’s menu includes sandwiches, calzones, soups, salads, potato skins, nachos, wings, and more. And don’t forget our pizza!

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Live music each weekend.

La Scala offers both first-rate service and terrific Italian Cuisine in an upscale casual atmosphere.

50% off cafe menu from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

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PH: (706) 204-8173 www.curlees.com Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm Curlee’s offers casual dining, fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, chicken and more! It is located on Broad Street in the center of the city, and it has a family-friendly atmosphere!

Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins

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Sandwiches built with the finest ingredients: Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, Zelma’s Blue Ribbon Jams and Jellies, fresh sourdough bread, premium Boars Head thick cut bacon and farm-to-table produce.

595 Riverside Parkway Rome, GA 30161

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Fri - Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm

Fuddruckers catering can help you feed just about any size group, anytime, anywhere. Our menu will please the most discerning tastes and meet the high standards you require. We know how to make your event spectacular with the WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING.

3401 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, GA 30165

PH: 706-291-1881 Hours: Sun -Thu: 11:00am-10:00pm

Fri - Sat: 11:00am-11:00pm Dine in, Take out, or delivery...

Authentic Italian is what we do! We have enjoyed great success by providing our guests with a casual, friendly atmosphere and excellent service. In addition to the healthy portions of our food, you will see our entrees range from homemade sandwiches, pizzas and calzones to pastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishes. www.romamiagrill.com

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia. v3 magazine

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Baby its a brand new year!

Come see what’s new at Heritage Auto.

N O H U S T L E , J U S T H E R I TAG E .

706-622-3783 965 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE Rome, GA 30161 www.heritageromehonda.com 48

v3 magazine

706-622-3783 965 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE Rome, GA 30161 www.gmcrome.com

706-291-1981 1500 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE Rome, GA 30161 www.romenissan.com