Simply Buckhead May/June 2012 by Simply Buckhead

May/June 2012 Issue 10 • free

Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta

Summer in the

City

Where to… Dine outdoors Soak up rays Play with your pooch & much more

The Thrill of Georgia Grille Home Base Inside a Brookhaven retreat

“A Bank That Supports My Passion” “At both Souper Jenny and Café Jonah, my vision is to create a friendly and inviting environment for my customers and staff. I want every customer to feel like they are a personal guest in my home. All of our soups, salads and sandwiches are made fresh every day. I’m glad I get that same level of warm and personal service from my bank. Georgia Commerce Bank has supported me every step of the way helping me to build my business. It’s wonderful to walk into a bank and feel right at home. Georgia Commerce Bank may just be the right ingredient for your business success.” — Jenny Levison, Owner Souper Jenny and Café Jonah

Georgia Commerce Bank now has six locations in metro Atlanta. Acworth • Buckhead • Cumberland Cumming • Marietta • Woodstock Jacki Watson

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Who Needs a Faster, Smarter Brain?

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“I was initially very anxious about making another investment, after trying so many other tutors, etc. because nothing else had worked. However, from the beginning, we were able to see the positive results of the program. Clayton no longer needs me to read his Social Studies or Language Arts reading homework assignments to him. This used to be an almost nightly occurrence before he began the LearningRx program. He has been able to complete school testing within the same timeframe as his classmates. The continuous improvements really helped us feel confident that this program was addressing and meeting all of his needs. We are now looking forward to our other son beginning the program!” -Lisa Victory; Atlanta, GA “Tabitha took the SAT for the first time about a month ago. We just got her scores back. On the Reading and Math portions, she earned a 650 on each section, for a total of 1300 on the "old SAT" portion. On the writing portion she earned a 620. (Tabitha got that question about reality TV that has made the news - a bad question for a kid who doesn't watch TV). Anyway, she earned a grand total of 1920 for the first time! We were thrilled! She only made an 1100 on the PSAT, so this improvement is huge!There was a large amount of reading comprehension on the SAT, and Tabitha says she wouldn't have even been able to complete those sections before brain training at LearningRx Atlanta-Buckhead!” -Glynn Banks; Atlanta, GA

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Reaching Retirement —Now What?

You’ve worked hard your whole life anticipating the day you could finally retire. Well, that day has arrived, but with it comes the realization that you’ll need to carefully manage your assets so that your retirement savings will last.

Review your portfolio regularly Financial Guidance By Gary R. Neigeborn Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorTM

Traditional wisdom holds that retirees should value the safety of their principal above all else. For this reason, some people shift their investment portfolio to fixed-income investments, such as bonds and money market accounts, as they approach retirement. The problem with this approach is that you’ll effectively lose purchasing power if the return on your investments doesn’t keep up with inflation. While generally it makes sense for your portfolio to become progressively more conservative as you grow older, it may be wise to consider maintaining at least a portion of your portfolio in growth investments.

Spend wisely

Gary Neigeborn, CRPC® First Vice President/Investments Financial advisor gneigeborn@janney.com www.garyneigeborn.com 404.926.2001 866.746.4417

W e a l t h

Don’t assume that you’ll be able to live on the earnings generated by your investment portfolio and retirement accounts for the rest of your life. At some point, you’ll probably have to start drawing on the principal. But you’ll want to be careful not to spend too much too soon. This can be a great temptation, particularly early in retirement. A good guideline is to make sure your annual withdrawal rate isn’t greater than 4% to 6% of your portfolio. (The appropriate percentage for you will depend on a number of factors, including the length of your payout period and your portfolio’s asset allocation.) Remember that if you whittle away your principal too quickly, you may not be able to earn enough on the remaining principal to carry you through the later years.

M a n a g e M e n t

Facing a shortfall What if you’re nearing retirement and you determine that your retirement income may not be adequate to meet your retirement expenses? Saving even a little money can really add up if you do it consistently and earn a reasonable rate of return. Also, by making changes to your spending habits, you’ll find that your savings will last even longer. Here are some suggested ways to stretch your retirement dollars: • Refinance your home mortgage if interest rates have dropped since you obtained your loan, or reduce your housing expenses by moving to a less expensive home or apartment. • Access the equity in your home. Use the proceeds from a second mortgage or home equity line of credit to pay off higher-interest-rate debts, or consider a reverse mortgage. • Sell one of your cars if you have two. When your remaining car needs to be replaced, consider buying a used one. • Transfer credit card balances from higherinterest cards to a low- or no-interest card, and then cancel the old accounts. • Ask about insurance discounts and review your insurance needs (e.g., your need for life insurance may have lessened). • Reduce discretionary expenses such as lunches and dinners out. By planning carefully, investing wisely, and spending thoughtfully, you can increase the likelihood that your retirement will be a financially secure one.

S I M P L Y B U C K H E A D ® | may / j u n e 2 0 1 2

A cocktail on MoSaiC’s Buckhead patio makes for a fine summer evening. Photo by Sara Hanna Photography – www.sarahanna.com Model’s outfit: Katie Ermilio dress ($3,420) available at Morgan Kylee. Lisa Stein jewelry ($6,000) available at Tassles. Christian Louboutin shoes ($995) available at Jeffrey’s Atlanta.

Contents /// COVER STORY

/// DEPARTMENTS

a place in the sun Enjoy the spoils of summer in Buckhead with our guide to the best things to see and do.

11 LETTERS

33 SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

13 SIMPLY NOW 41 SIMPLY DELICIOUS 23 SIMPLY STYLISH 61 SIMPLY HAPPENING

/// FEATURES

TRAVEL: when in bath Do as the Romans Do.

Home Base A busy Brookhaven couple creates an intown retreat

ticket to ride Theater Getaways for Spring

the thrill of georgia grillE Southwestern cuisine stays consistent for 22 years

“Whenever you can take something bad and make it into something good what more can you ask for?” – “Remembering Orly: 50 years later,” page 35

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

We buy, sell and trade quality sports and fitness equipment. Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta

PROUD SPONSOR OF NYO SPORTS, BUCKHEAD BASEBALL & ATLANTA YOUTH LACROSSE

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P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 www.simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates call: 404-538-9895

Your neighborhood sporting goods store.

/// BEHIND THE COVER

Publisher

Joanne Hayes Editor-In-Chief

Allison Weiss Entrekin Creative Director

Alan Platten

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Chief Photographer

Sara Hanna

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Senior Account Executive

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It was an unseasonably cool evening when we shot our May/June cover on MoSaiC’s gorgeous patio. Our model, Jessica Miller, was a good sport despite the temps, as was our canine model, a Harlequin Great Dane named Barnabus. During the shoot, our crew sipped cocktails and wine from MoSaiC’s bar, admired Jessica’s carefully curated wardrobe (especially those Louboutins!) and took turns petting Barnabus. It was a chic and fun shoot—just like our summer guide! -Allison Weiss Entrekin

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Producers: Allison Weiss Entrekin and Joanne Hayes Chief Photographer: Sara Hanna Model: Jessica Miller, represented by Factor Women Canine Model: Barnabus, owned and trained by Andrew Zbeeb, Frogs to Dogs Stylist: Morgan Henzlik, Morgan Kylee Hair/Makeup: Crystal Rock, Authentic Beauty Model’s cover outfit: Michael Angel shorts ($400) and top ($300) and Julie Lombardi necklaces ($400), all available at Morgan Kylee; Christian Louboutin shoes ($865) available at Jeffrey’s Atlanta.

Account Executives

Selena C. Bridges Lisa George Elaine Pearson-Gaeckler Marketing Intern

Nicole Cha Contributing Editor

Giannina Smith Bedford Contributing Writers

Katie Kelly Bell Wendell Brock H.M. Cauley Carly Cooper Felicia Feaster Jennifer Bradley Franklin Rachelle Hicks Elsa Simcik Editorial Assistants

Whitney Hensler Teresa Tobat Graphic Designer

Leslie Haugen Copy Editor

Ellen Glass Legal Counsel

Scott I. Zucker

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

carlos.emory.edu Facility rental Group tours Programs Exhibitions

Beauty lives here 8

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Copyright © 2012 by Simply Buckhead®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech, Network Communications, Inc., and Distribution Services Group. Simply Buckhead® is a member of the Buckhead Business Association.

find us online One call is all it takes to get the insurance you need:

AUTO, HOME, BUSINESS, HEALTH and LIFE.

Read Simply Buckhead online at

www.SimplyBuckhead.com with click-through capability Facebook facebook.com “Like” or “Friend” us at Simply Buckhead Magazine Twitter twitter.com Follow us @SimplyBuckhead

/// featured contributor

Wendell Brock Wendell Brock has been reviewing restaurants for Simply Buckhead since the first issue. The longtime AJC theater critic also pens our On Stage features. Brock’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Saveur, Atlanta Magazine and The Sondheim Review. A Southern foodie with deep Georgia roots, Brock has sampled sushi in Japan, feijoada in Brazil and kangaroo in Australia. But more than anything, he loves discovering good eats that are close to home—and sharing his finds with our readers.

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

/// publishers’S LETTER Photo shot on location at Mansion on Peachtree by Sara Hanna.

ith 18 months and 10 issues under our belt, I felt it was time to thank you, the readers, as well as our incredible team and supportive friends.

Arguably the fastest-growing publication in the area, Simply Buckhead has had four increases already, now distributing 20,000 print copies to over 180 locations in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Vinings, Sandy Springs and Decatur. In addition, our website has doubled in viewership month over month, and we have been seen in 39 countries, 48 states and 100 cities and towns in Georgia. We will continue to grow our distribution as the market demands and anticipate several more increases in 2012 alone. There is great power in people actually seeking out the publication in the market where our advertisers are located; it is the added value of putting the community directly in the businesses who serve it. We intentionally place our magazines in high-traffic locations by request and tweet about the locations to help drive traffic. Our readers are smart, savvy and sophisticated, yet approachable, and reach across all demographics of this dynamic area, regardless of their age or financial status. They live, work, shop, dine, entertain, raise families, have homes and participate in charitable events—whether in private homes, on the streets of Buckhead or in ballrooms. Our magazine is also entirely viewable free online, including the current and all past issues. All websites listed editorially and in advertising have click-through capability, yet another example of how we help promote local businesses. Our distribution list, demographics and media kit are all also online, accessible to local readers and visitors alike. Our distribution model allows people who are looking to move to the area, bring their business here, or come for a vacation, to have free access to the information we promote.

Our talented editorial team, with Editor-in-Chief Allison Weiss Entrekin at the helm, consists of some of the best writers Buckhead has to offer. We continue to seek out the hidden, under-the radar gems that are not being showcased by mainstream media. Our Chief Photographer Sara Hanna continually garners high praises from the community for her critical eye, diversity and attention to detail. Creative Director Alan Platten, added to our team late 2011, has enhanced and fine-tuned technical elements and brought a fresh eye to our design and layout. Our highly experienced account executives have a whopping combined 70-plus years of experience in media sales in the Atlanta market and have helped many small businesses become more visible through their relationships and smart consultation for developing long-term branding. I am very thankful for the support of our friends, Mayor Sam Massell, President of the Buckhead Coalition, and the Buckhead Business Association, of which we are a proud member. It is an honor to be an invited sponsor of Share Our Strength, It’s the Journey/2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, and Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, whose founders Patrick Dennis and Randall Fox continue to personally promote our publication at their local events. It is my sincere privilege to publish Simply Buckhead and have a team of professionals who have seen our vision and mission through to a reality. We pledge to continue to be simply the best the community has to offer!

Joanne Hayes publisher@simplybuckhead.com

S I M P L Y B U C K H E A D ® | may / j u n e 2 0 1 2

Letters Thank you for creating such an amazingly interesting, readable and relevant magazine! You somehow find stories that no other media outlet features. The Friends of Peachtree Hills Park have worked for years to make our park a special place, and thanks to you, more people are aware of what we do. Can’t wait to see what you come up with for the next issue. –Betty Hanacek, Chair, Friends of Peachtree Hills Park I am a first-time reader and enjoyed all the articles, the layout, the pictures and especially the Local Salute section by Carly Cooper. The world needs to be reminded of all things good, and all the articles you featured in the Local Salute section are inspiring. Thanks for including these types of stories, recognitions and celebrations. –Elena M. Arosemena Thank you for publishing Helen’s article about my book, The Annoying Ghost Kid. Now even more people will learn of its anti-bullying message, which is so important these days. –Robert Wilson Looks like the issue finally hit Whole Foods West Paces as of this a.m. and it looks great! Planning to take the girls in the evening to see it for themselves. Thanks so much for everything! Best of luck on the continued success of the magazine. –Paul Havey

from our tweet hearts and facebook fans! Follow us @SimplyBuckhead and on Facebook We need a little more SB in our lives. Hope to see you guys soon! –Tre’za via Facebook Beautifully written Green Issue cover story by @jennbradley in the March issue of @SimplyBuckhead. Read about @HandMadeBody Care on pg 49! –@HandMadeBody Woo-hoo! Check out our Artistic Director Christina Hoff interviewed by @MrBrock in @ SimplyBuckhead. –@Fabrefaction Thx to @jennbradley & @ SimplyBuckhead for including @STG_Trattoria in the March/ April issue! –LauraScholz Thank you @SimplyBuckhead for the wonderful article! –@BloBeautyBarATL @SimplyBuckhead is in itself a gem! –@Prettyinmypoc Great article on @FarmBurger as “green leaders” (pic of George by @atlphotos) in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead. –@FarmBurger

Correction: In our Green Cover Feature, we stated that Affairs to Remember had diverted more than 200,000 tons of waste from landfills. The actual amount is 200 tons. We regret the error.

/// LETTER BOX ///

Tell us what you think! Send your comments, compliments and criticisms to editor@simplybuckhead.com. All letters will be considered for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.

/// EDITOR’S LETTER

hen I was a kid, summer meant one thing: Camp Westminster.

My parents would drive me from our hometown of Orlando to the Christian summer camp in Conyers, where I would bolt out of the car, run to hug my friends and forget to tell my parents goodbye. I loved everything about summertime in Georgia: the way it felt in the morning, dewy and a little crisp; how the kudzu cascading toward the lake shone under the noon sun; the camp counselors who offered me glass after glass of sugary-sweet tea. At night, as I sat around the campfire with my cabinmates, I often promised myself that one day I would live in Georgia so I could spend all summer here instead of just a week. Now I’m all grown up and living my dream, I still think this is the best place in the world this time of year. Our magazine’s summer guide is packed to overflowing with ways you and your family can take advantage of this magnificent season. Incredible volunteer opportunities for kids, scenic places to eat outdoors, cheer-worthy day and overnight camps, and even perfect spots for your pooch to experience a summer camp of his or her own. High praise goes to our contributing writer, Felicia Feaster, for curating such a stellar list. Like me, food writer Wendell Brock has Georgia on his mind this summer—the Georgia Grille, that is. This 22-year-old restaurant in a Brookwood Hills shopping center has a cult following, and Brock tells us why. Also, don’t miss our special England travel section, which will transport you to the bucolic English countryside, then shuttle you to one of London’s finest hotels (the place that inspired Ian Fleming’s love of a martini “shaken, not stirred.”) Enjoy this special summer issue.

Allison Weiss Entrekin editor@simplybuckhead.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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Simply now

travel

When in Bath, Page 20

“Old and new, modern lifestyle in a lush historic setting made for a brilliant vacation.”

Statues of eight Roman emperors and generals by the sculptor G. A. Lawson overlook the Great Bath. The last of England’s great medieval churches, Bath Abbey, stands behind the Roman Baths. Photo: Courtesy of www.visitbath.co.uk

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IMP LY n ow

e ve n ts

/// FEATURED EVENT /// Mary Wayne and Bill Dixon present their stylized creativity with a formal English knot garden at their Buckhead home. Atlanta Botanical Gardens

How does your neighbor’s garden grow?

Find out during the Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour

Bill Hudgins’ garden in Buckhead is peppered with hundreds of Japanese maples, his favorite thing to plant. Atlanta Botanical Gardens

e are all familiar with the canopy walk at Atlanta Botanical Garden, the shady fields of Buckhead’s scattered parks and Atlanta History Center’s 33 acres of manicured pathways and forests. But what about the gardens you only know about through word-ofmouth, like the apparently stunning display of Annabelle hydrangeas surrounding a pristine bocce ball court at Denis Reggie’s house?

Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour May 12-13 Gardens for Connoisseurs Featured Garden Owners: Bill Hudgins Denis Reggie

In celebration of Mother’s Day, 11 private garden owners from Buckhead and surrounding neighborhoods are opening their gates to the public for the 28th annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour. The private gardens range from romantic patios to flourishing groves. Highlights include more than 300 kinds of colorful Japanese maples, a stone rain garden, 100-year-old ginkgos, ornate garden sculptures, a formal English knot garden and a parterre modeled

/// FAMILY-FRIENDLY ///

Mmm-Bop

at Buckhead Library

after a French estate. The tour is self-paced so visitors can travel leisurely from one garden to another, following the map included with their ticket purchase. Advance tickets are available for $25 through www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. Tickets are available on tour days at the featured gardens for $30. Guests can also choose to forgo general admission and tour individual gardens for $10 each.

Dr. Kevin Thomas and Dr. Carol Kranig Mary Wayne and Bill Dixon Ryan Gainey Doris and Rezin Pidgeon Susi and Sandy Smith Diane and Nicolas Quintana Scott and Livia Hostetler David and Susan Nethero Tom and Laura Prior

404.591.1539 www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

– Rachelle Hicks

Songsmith Alicia Etchison teaches children and families how to interact with music Alicia Etchison is a professional artist, singer and songsmith whose lyrical tales have found their ways into the hearts of Buckhead families. Once a month, kids, parents and grandparents gather to listen and sing along with her at the Buckhead Library. Through the soft tunes of her fingerstyle acoustic guitar and lyrics that tell of appreciating people and nature, Etchison finds that her greatest way to give back to the community is through her music. Etchison began this event to create an informal setting for parents and children of all ages to interact with music. She encourages her audience to sing, dance, clap, or simply hum along as she performs. To learn more about future performances, sign up on her email list at www.aliciaetchison.com. – Rachelle Hicks

Songs for Children of All Ages by Alicia Etchison May 10 10:30 a.m. Buckhead Library 269 Buckhead Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.814.3500 www.afpls.org www.aliciaetchison.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SI MPLY now

events

/// FREE EVENT ///

Volunteering ... it’s in the bag Spend your Monday evening giving back when you stop by Cathedral of Christ the King’s Parish Hall on May 28 and June 25. The Buckhead church invites volunteers to pack snack bags for hungry individuals who come to its doors. Beginning at 7 p.m., volunteers sort through cans of chili, macaroni and spaghetti to pick out a main dish to accompany the crackers, fruit and bottled water that fill each bag. Snack packers of all ages are welcome to take part and no sign-up is necessary. Volunteers are also welcome to donate nonperishable items to include in the bags. “This ministry was started because one woman did a little something so that the church would always have food available for the hungry. If each of us did a little something, a big ‘problem’ would not be any longer,” says Bernadette Flowers, the church’s stewardship director of time and talent. The snack-bagging gathering, which

has been taking place for seven years, lasts approximately one hour and results in a whopping 300 bags that are kept at the church and given out to a variety of people in need. “We have some people who come each day to supplement their pension or unemployment income. Many homeless individuals supplement their foodstamp allotment with snack bags,” Flowers said. “The snack bags help us develop relationships with the people who receive them so we can help them resolve some of their greater issues.” – Giannina Smith Bedford Snack Bagging at Cathedral of Christ the King May 28 and June 25 Cathedral of Christ the King 2699 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.233.2145 www.cathedralofchristtheking.org

Special Limited Would you like to be a distributor of Size Edition Simply Buckhead? House Ad Contact us at: publisher@simplybuckhead.com Volunteers at Christ the King compile snack bags for distribution to needy locals. Photos: Elizabeth Buyarski and Adrian Stevens

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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S IMP LY n ow

Local Salute story:

Christa Krause has been volunteering with the Northside Hospital Auxiliary for 31 years. Northside Hospital

A “Professional Volunteer” Brookhaven resident Christa Krause donates 30,000 hours of service to Northside Hospital In 1973, Brookhaven resident Christa Krause had a discussion with a friend and tennis partner that would change her life forever. Her friend told her about an organization called the Northside Hospital Auxiliary, for which she was volunteering. Krause signed up almost immediately. She started volunteering in the Escort Services department, transporting patients around the hospital. Two years later, she moved to Women’s Services, where she worked with newborns and new moms. “My favorite part of my work was to see how helpful I could be to patients and their families; seeing their relieved expressions and thankfulness,” she says. But in 1978, Krause’s husband’s job took the family away from Atlanta, to Egypt, Australia, Thailand and Minnesota. No matter where they went,

Krause found a way to give back to the community. In Thailand, she volunteered with children affected by cerebral palsy; in Minnesota, she read to the blind. “I guess I am a ‘professional volunteer,’” she says. When she returned to Atlanta in the mid 1980s, she picked up right where she left off. By now, she has worked in nearly every department at Northside, including Oncology. Krause was also a member of the Auxiliary’s Board of Directors for 25 years, including a stint as president. She started a scholarship program for the hospital, helped organize a group that knitted caps for babies and cancer patients and joined the Auxiliary Puppeteers, warning schoolchildren about the dangers of drugs. “Volunteering has been an enriching part of my life. Northside is home away from home for me. … I still love every minute of it,” she says.

Carly Cooper

A Community Affair NFL Agent Todd France puts on a free all-star football camp in Sandy Springs Buckhead resident Todd France, an NFL agent and founder of France AllPro Athlete Management Inc. (FAAM), which represents more than 50 professional athletes, decided nearly a decade ago that he wanted a way to give back to the community. Given his career choice, it was only natural that he chose a charity related to football. In 2003, he hosted the first FAAM All Star Football Camp— a free annual event in which NFL players lead children ages 8 to 18 in football drills, teaching them fundamentals and providing an opportunity to interact with sports heroes. “Nothing is better than seeing the kids smile, as they have this once-ina-lifetime chance to meet and interact with NFL players,” France says. “Plus, the players really enjoy doing it and look forward to it each year.” Its first year, the camp was one day long and had 17 NFL participants; last year, it was four days and 50 NFL players attended. More than 2,000 children and teenagers participated, some coming from as far as Alabama. The day begins at 9 a.m. with the children divided up according to their age. They rotate through six to eight stations on the field, practicing agility, catching and other basics. Two or three NFL players coach at each station,

Todd France founded the FAAM All Star Football Camp in 2003. Photos courtesy of FAAM

allowing the children to meet each player by noon, when they break for lunch and autographs. “We want to make an impact,” France says. “The goal is to expand the camp—maybe make it five days and have afternoon sessions too.” This year, the camp is being held June 25 through June 28 at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School Glenn Campus at 510 Mount Vernon Highway in Sandy Springs. To register, campers or their parents must email nflcamp@franceathletes.com and specify which day(s) they will be attending. Registration opens May 1 and goes through June 22. Slots are filled on a first-come-first-served basis.

From Buckhead to Kenya John Hightower’s annual battle of the bands raises money for an orphanage in rural Africa An executive at Arke Systems, a technology company located in Buckhead, John Hightower has been improving the quality of life for African children for more than a decade. Founder of the Rockin’ for Rehema event, an annual battle of the bands that raises funds for Kenyan causes, Hightower focuses his attention on the Rehema Orphanage in the western province of the impoverished nation. Every year, Hightower travels to Kenya for a service project. In the past, he’s educated Kenyans about AIDS, spread awareness about the importance of

water sanitation, and assisted with the installation of a drip irrigation field—a sustainable source of fresh water previously unknown in the region. He started Rockin’ for Rehema five years ago to share stories about—and raise funds for—the region. The event took off, attracting more than 100 people and raising $13,000 in the past four years. This year, Hightower has a bigger goal in mind: He is striving to raise $19,341 to build a high school on the property of Rehema Orphanage. He will lead a team of volunteers there for a service week in June and plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro the week after. He hopes Atlantans will support the cause by attending Rockin’ for Rehema May 19 at Backyard in Brookhaven, 3123 Parkridge Crescent. For a donation of $10 per person, attendees can listen

John Hightower sits with a boy from the Rehema Orphanage during a service trip in June 2011. Curt Osmundsen

to four bands, bid on items in the silent auction and learn a little about Rehema. “My passion is helping these Kenyan kids and opening Americans’ eyes to what we’re blessed with here in the U.S.,” he says. “It can be life-changing for everyone involved.” May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IMP LY n ow

TRAVEL

When in Bath

Clockwise from top left: Bath is set in a valley, and some of the best views of the city can be seen from the nearby countryside; the remarkable Roman Baths has extensive remains with original pavements and baths; the majestic Gothic architecture of Bath Abbey provides a dramatic backdrop to Parade Gardens Photos: Courtesy of www.visitbath.co.uk

Do as the Romans do feature:

Joanne Hayes

rading dormant Bermuda grass for green rolling hills, Bath on the River Avon was the place my husband and I started. It’s where the remains of one of the finest spas of ancient times sits—the Romans bathed in its healing pools nearly 2,000 years ago. Closing my eyes, I imagined them living there, sandaled feet on cobblestone streets, kiosks bustling with activity, the only thermal springs in England bringing vitality from deep underground. The Bath Abbey, founded in the seventh century, towers over the Roman baths with Gothic architecture, taking me to another era. From multicultural dining options to boutique shopping, museums to department stores, Bath was vibrant. We enjoyed Greek cuisine under the arches of the River Avon at Opa!, Italian fare at Jamie’s, and bought gifts at Highgrove Shop, whose proceeds benefit The Prince’s Charities. A wedding dress collection and Helmut Lang exhibit at the Fashion Museum were a short walk from architectural beauties The Royal Crescent and The Circus. Bath is home to Jane Austen, John Cleese, Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage and Manolo Blahnik. Accompanied a day each by locals Paul Smart and Liz Davies, lifelong residents of this area, I discovered gems—aqueducts, gardens, the church in Bradford-on-Avon, Lacock Abbey and National Trust Village, where Harry Potter was filmed. I learned all pubs are not alike—a Public

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Left: Enjoy tea and peaceful moments in Bowood Hotel’s morning room. Right: Voted among the top 10 new courses in Britain and top 50 golf destinations in Europe by Golf World Magazine, Bowood boasts one of the finest 18-hole courses in the South of England. Photos: Courtesy of Bowood Hotel, Spa, and Golf Resort, www.bowood-hotel.co.uk.

House must buy its beer from a certain brewery, and a Free House buys from anyone it chooses. I bought pottery from Winston Churchill’s grandson and Cotswold cheese from a farm shop. The four-star luxury Bowood Hotel, which sits on 2,000 acres owned by the Lansdowne family for almost 400 years, is considered one of Wiltshire’s hidden treasures and was a perfect retreat. The Spa boasts a heated infinity pool, aromatherapy showers, a crystal steam room, a rock sauna, and a gym. Massages, walks on the treadmill, hitting golf balls, reading on our room’s balcony overlooking the golf course, and lunch comprised a leisurely day. We drank Prosecco at the hotel’s Shelburne Bar, dined casually at The Brasserie, enjoyed traditional pub fare at Lansdowne Arms at Bowood’s entrance and ate nearby at The George. Vivid memories and images still fill my mind. Old and new, modern lifestyle in a lush historic setting made for a brilliant vacation. Cheers! n

Where to Stay: Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Wiltshire www.bowood-hotel.co.uk Where to Eat: Jamie’s Italian, Bath www.jamieoliver.com Lansdowne Arms, Wiltshire www.lansdownearms.co.uk Opa! Meze Bar Restaurant, Bath www.opabath.com The George Inn, Wiltshire www.thegeorgeinnmere.com Where to Shop: Highgrove Shop Bath, Bath www.highgroveshop.com

London calling The Dukes Boutique Hotel is the perfect escape feature:

Cheryl Isaacs

Dukes Hotel London www.dukeshotel.com

magine flying all the way across the pond to London, only to relax in one of history’s famed hotels. Steeped in British heritage with an ambiance that feels like home, the Dukes Boutique Hotel is more than just an iconic London fixture. It is an independent luxury hotel that has been entertaining guests for centuries. Situated in the heart of London’s discerning St. James district, in a private courtyard near Green Park and Buckingham Palace, the Dukes Hotel is one of England’s best-hidden gems. My husband Phil and I had the good fortune to celebrate a special birthday in this, the most intimate of settings, a 100-year-old relic. The boutique hotel features 90 luxurious rooms, including 11 opulent suites and a penthouse overlooking Green Park. I particularly liked the finer details that included delicious handmade chocolates and Bosque pears that we enjoyed each evening. The hotel’s updated mix of classic and contemporary décor features an outstanding art collection as well. We celebrated one evening with a world-class martini from the internationally renowned Dukes bar. They say that Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond series, frequented this bar where the classic line, “shaken, not stirred,” was inspired. Dinner was served with a modern British twist at their new restaurant, Thirty-Six. After dinner, we strolled into the Cigar Garden, where Phil enjoyed an after-dinner treat of an authentic Cuban cigar and I sipped on some of London’s finest cognac. For me, there was always a comfy corner near a roaring fireplace to relax after a busy day of London sightseeing and shopping. All these special accoutrements coupled with England’s renowned history and charm made our stay at the Dukes Hotel the perfect example of Mayfair living. n

Above: The 90-room Dukes Hotel is tucked away in London’s St. James district. Left: Dukes bar inspired author Ian Fleming’s love for a martini “shaken, not stirred.”

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www.norrisbroyles.com | 404.257.1430

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H O M E | FA S H I O N | W E L L N E S S

Simply stylish

Home

Southern Sanctuary, Page 24

“We really like to travel, but we always like to come home. I think that’s when you know you have it right.”

Monogrammed glassware sits atop the coffee table in the Falettis’ redecorated gray-andwhite living room. Photo by Sara Hanna Photography – www.SaraHanna.com

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SIMPLY stylish

home

Home Base A busy Brookhaven couple creates an intown retreat feature:

Giannina Smith Bedford Photos: Sara Hanna Photography

arrie and Paul (Paton) Faletti are constantly on the move. Carrie, a real estate agent with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, runs from client meetings to home showings, while Paton, president and CEO of automotive consultancy NCM Associates, is based in Kansas City and commutes to Atlanta on the weekends. When the 30-something husband and wife aren’t working or traveling, they like to relax and entertain in their four-bedroom, threeand-a-half-bath Brookhaven townhome with friends, family and their four-legged babies, Chihuahuas Pumpkin, Patch and Peanut.

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“We really like to travel, but we always like to come home. I think that’s when you know you have it right,” Carrie says. “I think your home should represent who you are, but also who you want to be.” Carrie and Paton met at Marist School while still in high school. After going on a few dates, Paton (two years Carrie’s senior) left for college, but the couple rekindled their flame at the University of Georgia. They got engaged before Paton graduated; he then moved to Munich to pursue his lifelong passion, a career in the automotive industry (he’s since worked for luxury car

brands like BMW Group and Maserati). The couple married four weeks after Carrie’s college graduation and lived in Germany and England before returning to their hometown of Atlanta in 2003, armed with an appreciation for all things European. In fact, they purchased their townhome in 2005 in large part because of its location near shops and restaurants on Dresden Drive that provide a European-like walkable lifestyle. Although the Falettis built and moved into a larger home nearby and used the townhome as a rental property from 2007 to 2010, they were drawn to move back in

room conveys an upscale, yet welcoming environment for relaxing with a glass of wine—just watch the red wine on the pure white sofa from North Carolina-based Hickory Chair. “Carrie is my first client ever that has let me do a white sofa,” Dunaway says with a smile. Carrie says her desire for a crisp, clean look outweighed any worry of stains or spills on the pristine upholstery. “Form over function,” she says. The living room is also furnished with a console table from Noir Furniture, 1950sstyle Copenhagen chairs from Restoration Hardware, Moroccan stools from Global Views and an acrylic coffee table set upon a gray-and-white rug from Surya.

Above Left: Married for more than 10 years, the Falettis’ on-the-go lifestyle happily fits with their renovated townhome, which also houses a garage with Paton’s collection of vintage cars, including a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, 1963 Porsche 356B and a 1959 BMW Isetta. Top: Bringing a more casual vibe to a formal setting, the large wooden dining table can seat a dinner party of up to 12 people. Above: A focal point of the renovation, the spruced-up kitchen is a popular gathering area for friends and family during dinner parties and holidays.

largely because their hectic lifestyles and bi-state living meant they didn’t need a lot of space. “For the amount of time I’m gone or she’s traveling or meeting me somewhere, we just don’t need a lot of room,” Paton says. Before moving back in, the Falettis spent six weeks renovating the stucco, stone and shingle townhome to match their matured tastes, hiring friend and interior designer Cindy Lynn Dunaway of Cindy Lynn Dunaway Interiors to help with the revamp. “We really wanted something that represented who we were. Our lives are so crazy, so something cool and comforting and sleek, with modern touches, but still classic,” Carrie says. The Falettis painted the interior from top to bottom, choosing Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray for the walls and a slightly darkerhued Dorian Gray for the kitchen cabinets, which were formerly a cherry wood. They also refinished the townhome’s maple floors with a dark walnut and Jacobean finish and freshened up the kitchen with carrera white marble countertops and a coordinating backsplash of herringbone-pattern marble tile. Just a few steps away, the Faletti living

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY stylish

home

Above: Paton discovered this painting, which hangs in the couple’s master bedroom, in a gallery in St. Augustine, Fla., and purchased the first “blonde” version the artist, Peter O’Neill, created. He says it is his favorite piece of art in the house. Right: The living room, which doesn’t have a television, is a place for the Falettis to read, talk or have a drink by the fire. Below: Once the guest bedroom, Carrie’s ample closet houses her vast collection of clothes, shoes and purses and is furnished with a table purchased at Summerhouse, a rustic mountain furniture store in Highlands, N.C.

“I think your home should represent who you are, but also who you want to be.” The muted color palette is livened up with splashes of gold from the curtains, Arteriors Home lamps, a gold-leafed side table and Ballard Designs’ mirrors. On the home’s third level, the biggest overhaul occurred in the master closet. To accommodate Paton’s wardrobe and give Carrie a place to dress and store her collection of apparel, the Falettis bravely broke through the end of the original master closet into the guest bedroom, which now serves as Carrie’s dressing room.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Although the beginning of an evening out for Carrie begins in her dressing room, it often culminates in the master bedroom, where you can view a painting that Paton says “epitomizes Carrie at the end of a formal evening.” The framed Peter O’Neill painting of a blonde woman in a formal gown lounging on a couch is Paton’s favorite piece of art in the house, although the original version of the painting showcased a brunette. “We were in a gallery and Paton really loved this piece. I said, ‘I can’t have a

brunette hanging in the house,’ so he stayed in touch with the artist and this was the first blonde he ever did,” Carrie says. “People always ask if it’s me, which it is not.” Although this painting is Paton’s favorite, he and Carrie both love many of their home’s adornments—particularly the ones they bought in Europe. From the Praguepurchased crystal chandelier above the breakfast table to the 1900s Bavarian cabinet in the dining room and the worn leather chairs in the downstairs den picked up in England, the European influence on this home is apparent. Then step into the garage, and European road art is what you’ll find in pristinely restored vintage cars— some of Paton’s most prized possessions. “I like cars that make people smile,” he says.

“Doesn’t matter if they are expensive or easily affordable; rare or readily available; massively successful or complete flops in their time. The fact that they came to be and some of us are entrusted with their continued existence and exposure, that’s where the passion, fun and what I see as an awesome responsibility is,” he says. Although they are often on the move—be it by plane or on the road in one of Paton’s vintage vehicles—the Falettis appreciate having a home base that fits their lifestyles and showcases their personalities. “If someone walked into our home, I want them to think, ‘A young professional couple lives here,’” Carrie says. “‘They are busy and successful, but they take time out to enjoy life and each other. I like these people.’” n

renovating on a busy schedule: the faletti's top 5 tips. 1. Decide what look you are trying to create before you start. 2. Prioritize! Don’t try to do everything at once, and remember small changes add up to major impact. 3. Hire good contractors. 4. Breathe! It’s just a house. Know that everything will take longer and cost more. 5. Work with a designer who will make decisions easier and bring your vision to life.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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meet the experts Stephanie White Carter An Atlantabased image consultant who helps many Buckhead clients revamp their wardrobes, Carteris a packing pro. While working in sales for a fashion designer, she traveled the globe. When helping her clients with travel planning, she says, “One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is overpacking.” www.imageconsultingatlanta.com

Packing with style Travel light and look great, without the extra baggage story:

www.brownelltravel.com

Elsa K. Simcik

ost of us have our go-to methods when it comes to packing—flat folding, rolling or just piling it all in. But with summer travel about to heat up, we want to know, how can we pack more efficiently? And more importantly, how can we look incredible at our final destination?

This Pack-It Folder from Eagle Creek can hold 12 to 15 clothing items.

Wrinkle Release When image consultant Stephanie White Carter travels in the name of fashion, she certainly can’t show up in wrinkled slacks that were rolled up in her suitcase. Her secret weapon? Tissue paper. She lays down a piece of tissue paper, flat packs a clothing item on top of it and then folds the tissue paper around it like a present. Travel agent Martha Gaughen is a fan of the Eagle Creek Pack-It System (left) (www.eaglecreek.com), which provides lug-

Martha Gaughen A 28-year travel-agency veteran (she’s vice president of Brownell, a travel agency in Buckhead), Gaughen specializes in leisure trips and often gives talks on packing to garden clubs and other area organizations. Her packing pet peeve? “When people wait until the last minute,” she says.

gage, gear and gadgets to help travelers get organized. “Their Pack-It Folders have revolutionized packing,” she says. “They’re better than hanging bags for keeping clothes pressed.” Plan Before You Pack “Just as it takes you longer than a day or two to plan your trip, it’s going to take you longer than a day or two to plan to pack for your trip,” Gaughen says. She recommends looking at your itinerary to get an idea of the type of clothes you will need—cocktail, hiking, casual? “Then refresh yourself on what you’ve got and what you need to buy,” she says. Start from the Bottom You should “build your entire travel wardrobe around the shoes you’re going to bring,” Carter explains. “If you’re going to New York and you need to be in your black pumps, then make most of your wardrobe complement the pumps.” This helps limit your shoe count. “Three is best, no more than four,” she says.

Stay Stylish “Color is so big this summer. A good way to travel with this trend is to incorporate a pop of color with silk blend t-shirts in tangerine or coral,” Carter suggests. “For men, I would say pull in color with ties in lavender or lime green.” Colored accessories like belts and small purses add style while still saving space. Make It Fit Gaughen recommends following this sequence: main clothing items flat packed (preferably in the folders), undergarments and night clothes rolled up, Dopp kit and electrical appliances stuffed in an extra space. And those shoes that will serve as the centerpiece of your travel wardrobe? They go in last. Then, she says, “You close it up and the number one rule is you do not add anything. Don’t say, ‘I might need this.’ That’s the biggest mistake that people make.” n

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Swim-ready spa treatments Reveal glowing skin just in time for summer

overed-up winter attire makes it easy to hide your skin, but summer’s soaring temperatures and requisite swimsuits leave you more, well, exposed. It’s time to unveil your smoothest summer skin—worthy of swim trunks and bikinis— and we’ve found some spas around Buckhead to help.

Glow & Go 2 Sage Spa, a retreat in the heart of Buckhead, offers an Instant Back Glow to banish pesky acne and flaky skin that can congregate on the back and shoulders. During the 60-minute treatment ($150), the therapist scrubs the skin on the back and shoulders, applying glycolic acid to open pores. Extractions—to remove any impurities holding on—follow, and a hot stone leg massage finishes the service on a relaxing note. You’ll leave with radiant skin.

Caffeine Fix 3 “Caffeine reduces the appearance of cellulite, especially on trouble areas like thighs and legs,” Esthetician Julie Wittle explains, making the Espresso Slimming Wrap ($205, 80 minutes)

from The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Buckhead a perfect summer treatment. The treatment begins with all-over dry brushing to exfoliate and then espresso and cinnamon oil is massaged into the skin. Next, you’ll spend time wrapped in a cocoon of soft cotton (to allow the oils to absorb). Your skin will emerge noticeably smoother, with improved tone.

Au Natural 1 The skin is the body’s largest organ and breakouts or cellulite can be an external symptom of a sluggish lymphatic system. Natural Body Spa in Brookhaven offers a Detoxifying Massage & Body Polish ($130 for 75 minutes) to help eliminate skin toxins. This treatment begins with a detoxifying full body massage with woodsy cypress oil to increase circulation. A stimulating

story:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

body polish of mineral-rich sea salt, finely ground olive stone and organic witch hazel leaf sloughs away any dead skin cells on the surface, revealing a healthy tone and texture. “The skin will glow because you’re drawing blood to the surface with both the massage and the scrub,” says Founder Cici Coffee. “This would be a perfect jump-start to a weight loss program.”

Smooth Operator If the idea of shaving daily makes you cringe, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser treatments at Radiance Medspa in Vinings might be the answer. The IPL laser is attracted to the pigment in hair (or in skin, which means you’ll want to stay out of the sun before a treatment), penetrating the hair follicle to end growth on the back, arms, bikini line, underarms and legs. Spa owner Kellie Fargason tells us clients typically need five to 10 treatments ($125 per treatment, per area with series discounts available) to achieve desired results.

Sage Skincare & Spa 3005 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30305 404.477.0107 www.sageskin.com The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Buckhead 3434 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.2700 www.ritzcarlton.com/buckhead Natural Body Brookhaven 1432 Dresden Drive Atlanta 30319 404.816.8801 www.naturalbody.com Radiance MedSpa 2810 Paces Ferry Road S.E. Atlanta 30339 770.435.7700 www.radiancemedspaatlanta.com

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The Big Adventure was created by The Children's Museum of Houston in collaboration with the Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative (YMEC).

A RT V I E W | L I T E R A RY | O N S TA G E

Simply arts & entertainment

on stage

Ticket to Ride, Page 38

“While Atlanta is never short on entertainment options, we can’t think of a better diversion than a theater getaway.”

Rose Shields, Andrew Crigler and Emma Jackson in Serenbe Playhouse’s 2011 production of “The Ugly Duckling,” performed outdoors in the southside community of Serenbe. Photo: Mark Winter

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ar t vie w

Remembering Orly:

50 years later How disaster inspired a world-class cultural center story:

H.M. Cauley

or many Atlantans, and Buckhead residents in particular, June 3, 1962, was the day when life as they knew it came to an abrupt end. On that date, a chartered jet carrying 106 of the city’s leading cultural and civic supporters crashed on a Paris runway, shattering families and the city’s cultural dreams in what was then the worst crash in aviation history. The victims, all members of the Atlanta Art Association, were wrapping up a three-week tour of Europe’s great art destinations. The goal was to find inspiration and ideas for establishing an arts center in Atlanta. Despite the journey’s grim ending at Orly Field, it left a legacy. Four years later, construction began on the Memorial Arts Center, named in honor of those who perished. That structure blossomed into the Woodruff Arts Center, now a world-class destination for theater, music and art. With the 50th anniversary of the disaster at hand, it’s not a sad story anymore, says Penny Armstrong Hart, who was 20 when her mother Henrietta Collier Armstrong Ayer died in the crash. “As somebody who was victimized by that event, I see no reason for it to be a depressing story,” says Hart, whose family has lived in Buckhead for six generations. Now 69, she is able to speak candidly about the disaster, recalling how she was a student at the Sorbonne in Paris that spring in 1962 when her mother flew in from Atlanta. The two enjoyed dinner together when she first arrived and again on the last night before Ayer was to fly home. “I still thank heaven I didn’t go to the airport—I was saved by the bell of procrastination,” Hart recalls. “It was

the middle of exam time, and naturally I hadn’t studied. I was cramming in a little room in a house in Montmartre when they told me I had an overseas call. It was my stepfather, telling me about the crash.” Hart immediately returned to Atlanta, but eventually finished her studies in Paris. Twenty-five years after the accident, she was asked to track down descendants of the deceased for a memorial event. “I managed to find the vast majority,” she says, “and they were all over the place since many children were sent away to live with other relatives. When we got together, everyone talked and talked because nobody had talked about it before.” This year, the city marks the anniversary of the disaster by bringing together members of the victims’ families and art supporters, as well as many Atlantans who may not know the Orly story. The Buckhead Heritage Society is taking the lead, organizing several events to celebrate the legacy of those who died and to honor their vision of Atlanta as a cultural center. “So many young people—me being one of them—don’t understand the impact the crash had,” says Erica Danylchak, the society’s director. “Our mission is to raise awareness of Buckhead’s history, and so many on the plane were from Buckhead or had strong Buckhead ties. We want to help others understand the significance of the event.” Hart says she is glad even more people will come to understand the event that shook her world, but ultimately led to a positive legacy. “Whenever you can take something bad and make it into something good,” she says, “what more can you ask for?” n

Above: Penny Armstrong Hart was 20 when her mother died in the plane crash at Orly Field in 1962. Left: A plaque at Woodruff Arts Center commemorates those who lost their lives in the crash. Photos by Sara Hanna Photography – www.sarahanna.com

Remembering Orly Two events sponsored by the Buckhead Heritage Society mark the 50th anniversary of the Orly crash. May 11: Lecture by author Ann Uhry Abrams at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road. At 6:30 p.m., Abrams will discuss her book, Explosion at Orly: The Disaster that Transformed Atlanta, and introduce a screening of the GPB documentary, The Day Atlanta Stood Still. Tickets are $5 for Buckhead Heritage members; $15 for others. May 12: An art exhibit at the Millennium Gate Georgia History Museum, 395 17th Street. From noon to 5 p.m., the public is invited to tour works inspired by the event and its effects on the city’s cultural scene. At 7 p.m., a reception for Buckhead Heritage Society members and non-members will include a tour of the exhibit as well as an art auction. Tickets are $25 for Buckhead Heritage members or descendants of those who died in the crash; $35 for others. Tickets for both are online at www.buckheadheritage.com; 404.467.9447. Archive Photo: [Atlanta Art Association Tour] Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

By J.M. Barrie; Adapted and directed Ages by Michael Haverty 4+

Clay Walker

Now through May 27 A new adaptation for everyone who is young at heart, with original music, songs and a Neverland full of adventure. Supported in part by:

By Tears of Joy Theatre Ages of Portland, OR 4+

June 1 - 10 Travel back to the 18th century with this stylish musical adaptation of the beloved fairy tale. Courtesy of Tears of Joy Theatre

ATLANTA FISH MAR KET BISTRO NIK O

June 14 - July 15

Previews: June 12 & 13 Hoist up the main sail and get ready for Hans Christian Andersen’s tale with a swashbuckling, musical twist! Bill Jones

404.873.3391 • www.puppet.org 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Limited FREE Parking • MARTA Accessible Advance purchase is highly recommended. Season supported in part by: Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Council for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

NE W AME R I CAN

C HOPS LOBSTE R BA R

PR I ME STE AK S & SE AFO O D

EUR O PE AN STYLE CAFÉ & BAK E RY

K Y MA

M EDIT ERRANEAN SE AFO O D

N AVA

S OUT H WES T ERN

PRIC C I

Adapted and directed Ages by Jon Ludwig 4+

NEIGHBO R HO O D FR E NCH BI STR O

BUC K HE AD D INE R C ORNE R C AFÉ

SE AFO O D

CONT EM PORARY I TALI AN

V E NI V ID I V IC I 103 WE ST

CLASSI C I TALI AN

PRIVAT E EVE NTS

BOC A RATON C HOPS LOBSTE R BA R C ITY FISH MARK E T

PR I ME STE AK S & SE AFO O D

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Ruth Barnwell has facilitated a memoir-writing class in Buckhead for 11 years. Photo by Sara Hanna Photography – www.SaraHanna.com

Making memories A Buckhead class helps locals write their memoirs

ine senior citizens sit around the table scattered with books and papers and listen with rapt attention to the story Ruth Barnwell is reading about her six-year courtship and eventual marriage. The World War II-era tale is punctuated with humor, drama and surprise and keeps her audience hanging on every word. When she finishes, Barnwell adds yet another memoir to one of the thick albums where she archives her life’s story. It’s a project she’s been working on for 30 years. “I’ve been doing this such a long time, I’ve got a million stories,” says Barnwell with a laugh. The Buckhead resident and Atlanta native first began putting her recollections down on paper when she and her husband, James, signed up for a memoir class through Lifespan Resources, a nonprofit that offers educational and enrichment programs for senior citizens. The volunteer organization is based at Trinity Presbyterian Church, and its programs rotate among several Buckhead congregations that provide classroom space and lunch for the par-

ticipants. “My husband was not one to just sit around, and when he retired, he suggested we take this class on writing your life’s story,” says Barnwell, 86. “I was the one who always kept up with the family history, so I came with him.” And she kept coming, enjoying the writing and workshopping more each year. When the instructor could no longer lead the class, Barnwell volunteered not to teach, but to become the facilitator, a task she’s performed for 11 years. She usually leads anywhere from four to 10 fellow writers, whose average age is in the 70s. Many in the group have been coming for at least five years to the weekly, hour-long sessions that give the writers a chance to share their work and receive feedback. “The main thing we’re doing is motivating each other to write,” says Barnwell. “Most of us are doing it for our families, but I know, for me, it’s just fun to write about things I like.” During Barnwell’s tenure at the head of the class, two members have written and published their stories. Her own accounts tell of family roots that go back to the 1700s.

story:

H.M. Cauley

“I love doing this, and I hope my four children and eight grandchildren will learn something from it,” she says. Frances Harrold joined the class for similar reasons: Her family kept pestering her to do a family history. “Just hearing another person’s story, it stimulates you to write,” she says. “I try to write every week so I have something to bring to the class.” Barnwell has no shortage of writers. According to Lifespan director Laurie Stokes, the memoir classes are among the first to fill up when registration opens. “They ask me every quarter if I’ll still be willing to do this,” Barnwell says. “All I can promise is that I’ll be here every time. There are lots more stories to tell.” n

Tell your story The memoir-writing class is one of many sessions offered by Lifespan Resources Inc., 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta 30327. Details about programs and services are available by calling 404.237.7307 or visiting www.lifespanseniorresources.com.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY A&E

on stage

Gamming it up: In Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s “Henry VIII,” Vanessa Morosco plays Anne; Timothy Carter plays the title role. The show runs through May 20 at the Montgomery playhouse. Photo: Stephen Poff Atlanta actor Mark Kincaid in Serenbe Playhouse’s “Shipwrecked!” by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies. Performed during the summer of 2011, the storm-tossed story featured drinking songs and shots of rum for audience revelers. Photo: Loran Hygema

Ticket to Ride Theater getaways for spring feature:

inner. Play. Overnight stay. Might there be a thespian-flavored destination in your future? While Atlanta is never short on entertainment options, we can’t think of a better diversion than a theater getaway. Whether you are looking for a short drive to the country or a breezy sojourn in the Blue Ridge Mountains, here are three options to get you started.

Serenbe Playhouse At the end of “The Jungle Book,” the orphaned “man cub” Mowgli decides to return to civilization. But at Serenbe Playhouse, Mowgli doesn’t just exit stage right. He sprints through a canopy of trees into the pristine forest of this bucolic southside community. Since founding the professional theater two summers ago with “Jungle Book,” artistic director Brian Clowdus has excelled at site-specific, open-air events

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Wendell Brock

that incorporate the landscape into the drama. This summer, you can catch a worldpremiere adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” ( June 1-July 28); Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in a glorious hidden “room” that looks like the ruins of a Tuscan garden ( June 28-July 15); and the contemporary musical, “Time Between Us,” featuring Clowdus and Atlanta actress Laura Floyd ( July 26-Aug. 18). Serenbe is about 30 minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Be sure to take insect repellent. But be forewarned: It may not stop you from being bitten by the Serenbe bug.

770.463.1110 www.serenbeplayhouse.com

Alabama Shakespeare Festival It’s hard not to have a “wow” moment as you approach the monumental, red brick Palladian-style theater that houses the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) in Montgomery.

ASF is 162 miles southwest of Atlanta, a straight shot down Interstate 85 South. Budget about three hours for the drive, and plan your day around a play or two. ASF offers four options through May 20: “Henry VIII” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” (both by the Bard); “Travels with My Aunt” (adapted from the Graham Greene novel) and “The 39 Steps” (the wildly physical farce in which four actors, including Atlanta’s Brik Berkes, play 140 roles from the Hitchcock thriller). While in Montgomery, check out the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage, a historic site where then-pastor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. organized the 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott from his basement office. 800.841.4273 www.asf.net

Flat Rock Playhouse The State Theatre of North Carolina may

Since founding Serenbe Playhouse in 2009, Executive Artistic Director Brian Clowdus has made a splash with sitespecific work that puts the landscape in a starring role. Shown here is actress Dasie Thames in the 2011 production of “The Ugly Duckling,” performed in and around a lake at the bucolic southside community of Serenbe. Photo: Mark Winter

A red brick Palladian-style theater houses the Alabama Shakespeare Festival Photo: Phil Scarsbrook

Serenbe Playhouse Executive Artistic Director and Founder Brian Clowdus opened his 2011 summer season with “Ordinary Days,” which costarred actress Laura Floyd (right). The pair returns this summer in Tess Barker and Brett Schrier’s two-person musical “Time Between Us.” Photo: Loran Hygema

Erica Sweany (Roxie Hart) and Michael Marotta (Billy Flynn) perform in Kander and Ebb’s “Chicago” at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina. Photo: www.bluebendphotography.com At North Carolina’s Flat Rock Playhouse: Preston Dyar (Edna Turnblad), LaVon Fisher-Wilson (Motormouth Maybelle) and Amy Toporek (Tracy Turnblad) perform the song “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” from the musical “Hairspray.” Photo: www.bluebendphotography.com

WHERE TO STAY

Flat Rock Playhouse Photo: www.treadshots.com

be nestled in a sleepy Blue Ridge Mountain village, but the playhouse produces quite an extravagant line-up of shows. Eighteen plays and musicals are scheduled for the 60th anniversary season. The May-June calendar brings “Our Show of Shows,” “Say Goodnight, Gracie,” “Nunsense,” “The Spitfire Grill” and “Red.” The playhouse is located just across the road from poet Carl Sandburg’s white-clapboard retreat, Connemara. Founded as the playground of wealthy Carolinians trying to escape the oppressive summer heat, the town was known as “Little Charleston of the Mountains.” Today, Flat Rock kind of feels like the rustic country cousin of posh Asheville, 30 miles to the north and site of George Vanderbilt’s famous little 250-room château. Perhaps for one weekend, Flat Rock is destined to be your “Little Buckhead of the Mountains.” 866.732.8008 www.flatrockplayhouse.org

Serenbe The Inn at Serenbe is a world-class property anchored by a 1905 farmhouse and surrounded by gardens, barns, cottages, pasturing farm animals and a pool. Take your afternoon tea or cocktail in a wicker chair on the sprawling porch, and awake to a hearty country breakfast in the Farmhouse restaurant. (Loved the French toast with apples, toasted pecans and maple syrup.) 770.463.2610 www.serenbeinn.com Montgomery The Marriott Courtyard is right down the street from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Ask for special ASF rates when you book. 334.272.5533 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mgmchcourtyard-montgomery.

NC Playhouse Downtown

Flat Rock Folks in the know recommend Highland Lake Inn. Situated on 26 lakeside acres, the property includes an elegant 16-room main house, a 20-room mountain lodge, poolside cottages and cozy cabins. 800.635.5101 www.hlinn.com.

Photo: www.bluebendphotography.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

TASTE OF THE SOUTH reinvented

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Located on the Lobby Level of the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

3315 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30326 Reservations: 404.946.9070 www.southernart.com

40â&#x20AC;&#x192;

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R E V I E W | W I N E | F O O D I E J O U R NA L | TA S T E M A K E R | R E S TAU R A N T S

Simply delicious

review

The Thrill of Georgia Grille, Page 42

“Atlanta has plenty of regional restaurants. But a good Southwestern place is hard to find.”

The Key lime margarita at Georgia Grille. Photo by Georgia Grille

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

R E VIE W

Left: Georgia Grille Owner and Chef Karen Hilliard Middle: The $28 lobster taco Right: Flat-iron steak served with a macaroni-and-cheesestuffed poblano

the thrill of

georgia grillE Southwestern cuisine stays consistent for 22 years feature:

Wendell Brock Photos: Georgia Grille

hen Atlanta-born Karen Hilliard decided to name her Southwestern-style restaurant Georgia Grille, she had a backup plan. If her chile rellenos and enchiladas didn’t suit the taste buds of her clientele, the chef could revert to the Southern cooking of her childhood, pretend she’d named the place for her home state and never whisper a peep about Georgia O’Keeffe, the iconic painter whose independent spirit had actually inspired the name. That was May 1990, and Hilliard has yet to switch to Plan B. Twenty-two years later, Georgia Grille remains true to her original vision, which means she still splashes the bright flavors of Santa Fe onto the plates of her happy and devoted customers. Hilliard’s highly personal, 84-seat Peachtree Battle café has a fiercely loyal following. Regulars believe in the consistency and integrity of the place. Out-of-towners treat it as they would a favorite haunt in Paris or New Orleans: They come back looking for the same memorable meal they experienced last time, trusting Hilliard’s repertoire of now-burnished classics to remain virtually unchanged. While its neighborhood has grown up around it, this cozy, 2,000-square-foot establishment stays lost in time. Every night but Monday (when the restaurant is closed), you will see couples or small groups chitchatting over bowls of perky salsa or freshly

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

smashed guacamole. You’ll find them sipping handcrafted margaritas and polishing off fish tacos. The French-trained Hilliard dresses her creations in voluptuous cream sauces accented with smoky poblanos or tart tomatillos—and drizzles them with colorful squirt-bottle squiggles of flavor. Food snobs may quibble that the presentation is dated, but they can never say that the big bold flavors are anything less than muy rico. The beer and wine list is unexceptional and yet wholly adequate for a place where tequila is so essential to the experience. Margaritas are the rule here: The Key lime-and-Sauza version brings a chest-warming flush; the acidic zing of the silver tequila-based option has a cooling effect. Either drink will get you in an appropriately blurry state, so that the room’s two Georgia O’Keeffe portraits dance with magic. The paintings are by Steve Penley, a now-famous artist who Hilliard says used to come here when he was young and hungry. She fed him beer and tacos; he gave her a couple of canvases. The intimately scaled dining room seems downright palatial next to the cozy bar that’s tacked to the far end of the joint like an afterthought. (It’s really nothing more than a closed-in deck.) A mix between a shoebox and a chapel, it has the slightly ramshackle appeal of a Mexican cantina—making it a fine hideaway for a leisurely romantic dinner or a

quick cerveza. (Though I didn’t get to try them, shoestring fries with chipotle ketchup or a pile of green nachos with salsa verde and guacamole sound like good drinking snacks to me.) If you are feeling peckish, start with “the combo” of dips. Melted Monterey Jack is flecked with jalapeños; spicy tomato salsa is vivid and fresh; and the guacamole is garlicky good. Black-bean soup is a comforting purée with hints of smoky bacon, a dash of cumin, a sprinkling of Jack, and a dollop of tomato salsa. Twirl it all together and carry on. Dip a chip in it if you like. I’m also crazy about the chile relleno, a long pointy Anaheim stuffed with cheese, fried till crispy and anchored in a pond of tomatillo-kissed cream sauce. Without the fresh corn salsa, it would be just another decadent dish. But those kernels transform it into something exciting. Hilliard likes to smoke chicken, shred it and roll it into flautas or enchiladas. We dug her smoked-pollo enchiladas, which are stuffed with onion and sour cream, smothered with green-chile sauce and tomato salsa and served with a little salad in a taco-shell cup. The flat-iron steak, rubbed with salt and spices and cooked until its crust is charred, was another solid choice, even though the macaroni-and-cheese-stuffed poblano that came with it was a bit bland. At $28, the signature lobster enchilada was tasty but hardly mind-blowing, and does a pile of

Corn kernels make the difference in the chile relleno.

slender tortilla strips count as a side dish? Really? The skinny chips don’t add much of a contrast to the crispy flour tortilla, either. Come to think of it, the lobsta is kind of like the service here—OK but a little flat. Hilliard likes to brag that her wait staff has been around for years. That’s nice. But perhaps after so long, complacency creeps in. When it comes to something sweet, Hilliard keeps it simple. There’s a classic chocolate mousse, a crème brûlée with Kahlúa and a blackberry-and-peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. The cobbler is delicious and harks back to Hilliard’s Southern roots. Speaking of which, I’m glad she has stayed true to her original intent. Atlanta has plenty of regional restaurants. But a good Southwestern place is hard to find. Hilliard, who lives in nearby Peachtree Hills, knows what her neighbors want, and she dares not let them down. For Georgia Grille’s legions of fans, that’s why it’s the full enchilada. n

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Chef Karen Hilliard, who lives in Peachtree Hills, knows what her neighbors want, and she dares not let them down. Georgia Grille 2290 Peachtree Road N.W. Atlanta 30309 404.352.3517 www.georgiagrille.com Entrées: $15-$31 Bottom line: Southwestern classics remain unchanged at Georgia Grille.

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

wine

Drink outside the box A special tasting of boxed wine reveals some tasty surprises

arm weather is upon us and Buckhead’s ample green spaces beckon for a leisurely picnic in the sunshine. Of course, no picnic would be complete without wine, but rather than lug a cumbersome bottle along, why not bring box or tetra pack carton wine? Before you dismiss the idea as a tasteless (on many levels) suggestion, consider this: Boxed wine stays fresh a minimum of four weeks, it’s shatter-proof, portable, will never have cork taint, and is more environmentally conscious. In fact, the total energy used to produce one box or tetra pack is about one-third the energy required to produce a glass bottle, leaving a carbon footprint one-half that of a wine bottle. Feeling virtuous about your consumption is a nice idea, but what really matters at the end of the day is taste. There’s good news on this front as well: boxed wines have come a long way since the el cheapo days. The variety is impressive, with producers offering everything from Moscato to Monastrell and many smaller, family-owned wineries selling boxed versions of their wines. There are even producers, such as Yellow+Blue, who sell only organic boxed wines. For our tasting, we put 17 boxed wines to the test, inviting friends and neighbors (read: no formal wine judges) over to play critic for an evening. Overall, the biggest surprise was the quality and, as testimonial, one taster quipped, “Most of these wines are actually too good to serve to my mother-in-law.” n

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

story:

Katie Kelly Bell

Reds: From the Tank Vin Rouge, (3 liters) 2010, $35.99. From France’s Côtes-du-Rhône region, this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan was the most highly rated wine overall. Praised for its smoothness, balance and ripe cherry fruits, it’s a crowd pleaser. Overall Winner Maipe Malbec, (3 liters) 2010, $29.99. Loads of chocolate and dark cherry come together in the glass with lots of delicious vanilla and warm spices. It’s a heart-warming wine with a playful spank of white pepper at the finish. Red wine lovers will be pleased. Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon, (3 liters) 2010, $24.99. A lighter styled Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberries and some chocolate. It has a pinch of Zinfandel and Syrah, which makes things interesting. Yellow+Blue Malbec, (1 liter) 2010, $12. Tasters liked the light, easy pleasing berry fruit that popped out of the glass. Perfect for a light red on a warm day.

4.5

3.5

Photos: Sara Hanna Photography – www.sarahanna.com

Whites: French Rabbit Chardonnay, (1 liter) 2010, $9.99. The tropical fruits, such as peaches and apricots, had great crowd-appeal. Not at all an oaky wine, very clean and bright. Bandit Pinot Grigio, (1 liter) 2010, $8.99. Crisp and refreshing, this very typical Pinot Grigio has notes of lime and pear. Tasters agreed it would be great by the pool on a hot day. La Petite Frog, Picpoul de Pinet (3 liters), 2010, $29.99. This bright, zippy wine with lots of mineral freshness and personality is made from the Picpoul grape. Tasters loved the peachy-lime notes, comparing it to a New Zealand-styled Sauvignon Blanc without the intense grapefruit qualities.

Our Rating Scale: 1. Swill: I wouldn’t even cook with it. 2. Blah: What I’d expect from a box wine. 3. Average: I’d serve it to my mother-in-law. 4. Really good stuff. 5. Fabulous: Would never know it came from a box.

Wines can be found at Atlanta area Whole Foods Market stores or through special order at your favorite wine retailer. Buckhead Whole Foods Market 77 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. 404.324.4100 www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ stores/buckhead

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

foodie journal | Culinary News & Notes Jennifer Bradley Franklin s

Healthy Start

The St. Regis Atlanta is known for its high level of luxury. So when the hotel announced that breakfast is being served on the posh Astor Court, there was no doubt it would be decadent. However, summer is upon us, and while we’re all casting a wary eye toward the scale, newly minted Executive Chef Joseph Trevino has trim waistlines in mind with some of the menu offerings. The squeezed-to-order Power Juice is a blend of cucumber, celery, apple and lemon juices, with spicy ginger. It’s so tasty, you won’t even notice it’s healthy. For a hearty main dish, the European-style muesli is soaked in almond milk and adorned with fresh peach coulis, topped with apples and berries. To really earn your breakfast, ask a member of the friendly staff for a complimentary map detailing running paths of varying lengths through Buckhead’s scenic residential areas.

kiss F

ew restaurants in Buckhead have the kind of longevity and cult status that Cafe at Pharr enjoys. (Have you had their chicken salad? Stop me before I wax poetic.) So, naturally when the masterminds behind the institution decided to open another, more upscale concept in bustling Town Brookhaven, our interest was piqued. Meet Baci, which means “kiss” in Italian, imagined by Johnny Liu and chef and co-owner Nellie Chudnovsky. The menu combines the cultural influences the partners share— Russian, Israeli, Italian, Asian and Spanish—and changes slightly on a weekly basis to accommodate the freshest ingredients available. “We joke that our menu is like a culinary trip around the world,” Chudnovsky says. The trip is on the reasonable side, with appetizers like bacon-wrapped shrimp priced at just $6 and entrées like ahi tuna salad and roasted chicken served with white beans starting at $14. Here, Chef Chudnovsky shares her recipe for Lobster Mac & Cheese, which is quickly becoming a favorite menu staple, particularly when served alongside a juicy

burger. “It’s the best comfort food!” she enthuses.

Baci Lobster Mac & Cheese Yields 4 servings

2 cups elbow pasta 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 4 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 cups lobster meat 1 teaspoon chile flakes salt and pepper Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook pasta according to cooking directions and drain, but do not rinse. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and taste for salt and pepper. If needed, salt and pepper some more. Divide into four soufflé dishes. Top with additional shredded mozzarella. Place on a cookie sheet and put them into the oven. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese has melted and has a golden color on top.

Movin’ on Up

an italian

The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 404.563.7900 www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/atlanta

Watershed has a new address, across town from its original downtown Decatur location. Chef-partner Joe Truex (below) has labeled the restaurant’s new digs— in the upscale Brookwood building overlooking Peachtree Road— “uptown.” At the helm of the kitchen (opening in late May), Truex will work his magic, creating Southern cuisine inspired by flavors from the Georgia coast to the Louisiana bayous and everything in between, with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients when possible. One noteworthy design element: the bar will be adorned with a hand-stitched quilt by Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin (www.alabamachanin. com), displaying Watershed’s famous recipe for fried chicken. The food will match the homey, but upscale, style. “This is going to be a great new chapter in Watershed’s history,” Truex says. “It’s an iconic restaurant, and we’re bringing it into today.” Watershed 1820 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30309 www.watershedrestaurant.com

Photo by Sara Hanna Photography – www.sarahanna.com

It’s the Jam

story:

You have to love a restaurant that—aside from being serious about good food and service—doesn’t take itself seriously. The playful name Fig Jam is an indication that the new player in South Buckhead is precisely that sort of place. Co-owner Costanzo Astarita explains that, while looking for a name to re-brand the short-lived Baroni in the same space, all suggestions fell short. “We had a sample jar of fig jam we were snacking on and my partner, Mario Maccarrone, said, ‘Why don’t we call it Fig Jam?’” Astarita explains. “The name was a perfect fit and began to stick.” The restaurant exudes a cozy vibe and the small plate-heavy menu emphasizes its design as a gathering place where guests can enjoy not only the food, but socializing as well. “Small plates” might be a misnomer, as some of them are quite hearty, so plan to order along as you go. The creamy hot crab dip served with naan bread is a menu standout, as are short rib sliders (from the “medium plates” section) presented on fluffy white buns and topped with tart marinated cabbage slaw. Fig Jam 1745 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.724.9100 www.figjamatlanta.com

Baci 705 Town Boulevard, Suite 510 Atlanta 30319 678.705.7628 www.baciatlanta.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IMP LY D EL I C IOUS

tast em aker

Pop star Creator of a good-for-you artisan Pop-Tart, Candice Reynolds

story:

Felicia Feaster

he fertile, idea-rich Atlanta food scene has shown great ingenuity—and changeability—in the realm of sweets. One minute the whoopie pie is queen, only to be replaced by the cupcake. The macaron gains a small foothold, until pie takes over as the new dessert in town. And the James Beard Foundation predicts doughnuts and the molded Bordeaux cakes, canelés, to be big food trends in 2012. Carving out her own special niche in this epic confectionary battle is caterer-turned-tart-mistress Candice Reynolds, 35, whose succulent, highly addictive tarts offer a grown-up, good-for-you take on the corn syrup and preservative-laden Pop-Tarts that define American childhood. Linked to the changing seasons, Reynolds’ tarts enrobe a thrillingly diverse array of ingredients like amaretto almond, hazelnut chocolate and port-poached pear in a flaky, granulated sugardusted tart. Find Reynolds and her tarts every Saturday from April through December at one of the city’s best farmers markets, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market at the Cathedral of St. Philip (www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket. com). For those who get a hankering outside a Saturday, Red Queen Tarts can also be sourced at Brookhaven’s Savi Urban Market (www.saviurbanmarket.com).

Sara Hanna Photography – www.SaraHanna.com

Where did your passion for creating pure, local, organic food come from? Did your parents have a particular philosophy that made your childhood junk-food-free? Were they hippies? Big hippies. We grew up with our own garden, we raised our own bees, we were drinking raw milk when I don’t think anyone knew what raw milk was. We were the strange people in the neighborhood because of the way we ate. My mom would make peanut butter cookies with fresh ground peanuts and honey from our bees. They were better than any of the junky stuff, but tasted better than the quote unquote organic, healthy, clean stuff that you were supposed to get in the grocery store. So basically you are now baking and selling the very thing you were forbidden to eat as a child? Exactly.

Photo: Mike Hipple

On average, how many tarts will you make in a week? Next week we’re making over a thousand. This week we’re making just a few hundred. It really varies. Who are your foodie heroes? My mom is the one who’s taught me this way. She was a housewife. It was a pound cake every Sunday and dessert every other night of the week and everything was made from scratch. Have you ever tried anything crazy that just did not work? Banana just does not work! It turns to baby food. What are you cooking when you aren’t making tarts? I love a great vegetable plate. You are one of the vendors at the very successful Peachtree Road Farmers Market. Tell me about the ambiance there and what you like about that particular market. I love the energy and the regular people you get to see every week—I really look forward to that. What is your biggest seller? Meyer lemon curd and the prosecco, fig and Brie. n

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

featured restaurants A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead by:

Rachelle Hicks

n American Roadhouse 842 North Highland Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30306 404.872.2822 www.american-roadhouse.com

n Basil’s Mediterranean Café 2985 Grandview Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.233.9755 www.basils.net

This friendly diner is a staple breakfast spot along the North Highland strip. The breakfast and lunch plates are noticeably fresh and served in hearty portions. Anything with eggs is amazing, but our favorite breakfast meals are the breakfast burrito—served with peppers, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and blended cheese, all folded with scrambled eggs in a flour tortilla—and the banana bread French toast topped with sautéed bananas and vanilla cream sauce. Be sure to try the Chicken Under a Brick—an herbed half-chicken served with a dollop of creamy mashed potatoes and green beans … did we mention it’s incredible? American Roadhouse’s location makes it an excellent spot for a business meal, family gathering or quick morning meal for couples, and they cater as well.

Basil’s allures with a mood that is both exotic and familiar. Everything from ornate metalwork decorations to a background of Mediterranean guitar is enchanting, yet it’s also an environment for guests to feel at home. Tapas are the menu’s main squeeze, including small plates like piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese and garnished with scallions and mint, and traditional baba ganoush—puréed eggplant with a side of fresh pita bread for dipping. There are also entrée options like the tempting beef tenderloin accompanied by a savory basil-curry sauce. Basil’s serves exotic cocktails like the peach mojito—a refreshing mix of light rum, club soda, mint, lime, and pulpy, muddled peach—and a dessert espresso martini made with Van Gogh espresso vodka, amaretto and Godiva chocolate liqueur.

n Another Broken Egg Café 2355 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.254.0219 www.anotherbrokenegg.com Reminiscent of French breakfast restaurants, this quaint cottage-style spot offers some exceptional plates. They make a number of egg-stravagant omelettes, like the bacquezo—baked bacon, cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, chorizo and scallions—or the lobster et fromage—brie, garlic-sautéed Maine lobster meat, diced tomatoes and a light champagne cream sauce. They also serve cinnamon roll French toast layered with warm cream cheese, bananas Foster sauce, warm berries and whipped cream. Signature sandwich plates served for lunch include the Cajun tuna sandwich served on a Kaiser roll with smoked tomato mayo, cucumbers, tomato and alfalfa sprouts. If you’re feeling a little sleepy after the feast, you’ll certainly wake up with the Gold Cup Awardwinning house coffee brewed from New Orleans’ favorite Community Coffee.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

n Blue Ridge Grill 1261 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30327 404.233.5030 www.blueridgegrill.com Blue Ridge Grill is one of Buckhead’s finest dining experiences. The atmosphere is modeled after a rustic cabin, complete with exposed-beam ceilings, antique furniture and a dining porch. Our favorite meal starters here are the duck confit with plums, frisée, arugula and citrus vinaigrette, and the crab cake with mustard crème and frisée. As for the entrées, the grilled Georgia trout with arugula, dill and lemon butter, as well as the braised short rib with corona beans, Edward’s bacon and Brussels sprouts, are two of the restaurant’s top choices. For the trout, we recommend the Blue Ridge Grill Reserve Chardonnay by Steele Vineyards, and for the short ribs they serve a divine Napa Valley Cabernet called Stag’s Leap.

Spotlight n Taqueria Tsunami 2293 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.963.5049 www.taqueriatsunami.com This unassuming Latin-Asian fusion restaurant located in south Buckhead packs an imPhotos: Truview Imagery pressive punch with its unique décor and exotic plates. After walking through the entrance in the back of the building, guests are greeted with a lively, yet intimate atmosphere perfect for a dinner for two or a festive gathering, particularly on Thursday open mic nights. The art adorning the walls consists of blown-up black and white photos that visually define the Latin-Asian fusion with bold accents of red and lime green. The food includes fusion tacos, bowls, salads and appetizers inspired by alluring Asian spice and Latin piquant flavors. Appetizers include small bites like avocado cilantro egg rolls with a side of Santa Fe ranch and sweet and spicy Thai sauce. Our favorite entrées are the Pacific rim tacos—grilled mahi topped with lettuce, pico de gallo and hoisin lime aioli—and the short rib quesadilla made with Kogi barbeque sauce, grilled onions and Mexican cheese. Taqueria Tsunami also serves specialty cocktails with names like Bamboo Bellini, a refreshing potation of lychee wine topped with champagne, and the Thai Down, a sweet mix of Jose Cuervo, ginger root essence, lime juice and strawberry.

n Cassis at the Grand Hyatt 3300 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.995.4212 www.grandatlanta.hyatt.com A morning or lunch feast at the Grand Hyatt’s Cassis in Buckhead should be had at least once. Executive Chef Thomas McKeown puts together an impressive menu, including a grand breakfast buffet or à la carte meals through lunch. Morning menu options include Georgia’s market omelette, made with Pine Street

Market prosciutto, heirloom tomatoes, and AtlantaFresh mozzarella; and the roasted fall squash frittata made with Egg Beaters, crimini mushrooms, arugula and red onions. What’s more, the full coffee menu offers drinks brewed with Italian roasted coffee Torrefazione Italia. For lunch, there are sandwiches, salads and specialties like crisp Clear Springs trout with jumbo lump crab, herbed couscous, toasted almond, and citrus marmalade. This is also a great place to consider taking Mom on Mother’s Day or for special holiday meals.

January/February 2012 ISSUE 08 • FREE

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

Our expert panel, led by Clark Howard, presents:

LIVE WELL

FOR LESS

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

ways to do more and spend less in Buckhead

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 www.simplybuckhead.com • 404-538-9895

n Mirko Pasta 4233 Roswell Road N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.303.2110 www.mirkopasta.com This casual spot lets customers pair their pastas and sauces for a truly personalized experience. Guests choose their pasta, which ranges from corta and lunga (short and long pasta) to ravioli stuffed with fillings like Granny Smith apples and sausage. Next is the sauce. Options range from the classic pomodoro—Italian tomato and basil—to the carbonara—egg yolks, pancetta, cream, black pepper and pecorino. There are also entrées available like the caciucco alla Livornese—a Tuscan-style seafood stew with grilled garlic-bread croutons—or the lasagna verde—a casserole of spinach lasagna sheets folded over meat sauce, mozzarella, Parmigiano and béchamel. For dessert, Mirko Pasta offers a tasty cappuccino to accompany a crêpe topped with sliced strawberries and Italian hazelnut spread.

n The Palm Westin Buckhead Hotel 3391 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.814.1955 www.thepalm.com

Founded by Italian natives Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi in New York in 1926, The Palm still retains its essential philosophy of delivering exceptional food, great service and treating customers like family. The restaurant serves up lunch and dinner plates ranging from sandwiches and steak burgers to chops and lobster. The 837 Club, a signature steak burger, is a tempting 12 ounces of prime beef with prosciutto di Parma, roasted red peppers, pesto aioli and Fontina cheese. Other specialties include the double cut lamb rib chops with fresh mint sauce and the jumbo Nova Scotia lobster. The Palm also boasts some delightful desserts, including the crème brûlée and “bag of warm doughnuts,” fresh made and topped with cinnamon sugar and chocolate and raspberry sauce. There are a number of signature drinks, but among the most refreshing during this heat is the Palm Refresh—Prairie organic vodka and fresh lemon juice with muddled basil, cucumber and agave nectar.

handsome when looking for food.” As mysterious as this quote is, the dishes served at Rumi’s namesake Iranian restaurant are no less intriguing. A traditional basket of flatbread, along with a mix of parsley, mint, walnuts and feta, is brought out to begin the meal. They also serve tender Rumi’s wings marinated in saffron sauce and charbroiled on skewers. Starter plates consist of dips such as Rumi’s dip—a blend of puréed chickpeas, sesame tahini and garlic, drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. Main kabob plates of beef, Cornish hen, chicken, lamb and salmon dominate the menu and are each served with rich side options of rice, including the saffron basmati mixed with almond slivers and orange zest sauce.

n Rumi’s Kitchen 6152 Roswell Road N.E. Atlanta 30328 404.477.2100 www.rumiskitchen.com

This romantic restaurant is just simply sushi! Tucked away in a shopping plaza in south Buckhead, it’s perfect for a date or long conversations over sushi and sake. Specialty orders include the Happy Sumo roll—salmon, tuna, crab, avocado, tempura crust and spicy mayonnaise— and the Graduation Roll—a California roll

The 13th century Persian poet Jelaluddin Rumi once said, “The lion is most

n Sushi House 2221 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.603.5282 www.sushihouseint.com

Training Day

Threedom Reigns

Local clubs get you to the finish line faster

Local Three brings speakeasy vibe to the neighborhood

wrapped in salmon, scallops, crab and tempura flakes, topped with spicy mayonnaise and chili. They even offer tuna guacamole, a serving of guacamole atop thin strips of tuna soaked in citrus ponzu served with crispy chips. The house sake comes in lychee, plum, Fuji apple and raspberry flavors and guests can sign up for a monthly sushi-making class taught by a trained sushi chef.

n Tartufo Italian Pizzeria 3137 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.806.9957 www.tartufopizza.com We love starting off our meal here with the insalata caprese. It’s a shareable mix of red and yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. And that’s just the beginning— the handmade pizzas at Tartufo Italian Pizzeria are what get customers talking (or mmm-ing). Try signature pies like the Siciliana, made with roasted eggplant, capers, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and oregano; or the bianca, a white pizza topped with Robiola Bosina, mozzarella, ricotta and Gorgonzola cheeses and garlic. There’s also a heavenly selection of fresh-made gelato offered in daily-changing unique flavors like white chocolate lime and fig lavender.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SI MPLY B UCKHEAD COVER STO RY

Photo: Courtesy of the St. Regis Atlanta

A Place

Sun in the

feature:

Felicia Feaster

This time of year offers a chance to slow down and savor the very best of the area, whether a weekend retreat at a swanky hotel pool, an al fresco dinner on one of Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charming patios or an engaging summer camp perfectly calibrated to the quirks of your precious offspring (and pooches too!). Whether you want to stroll into a nonprofit to volunteer or just take a restorative stroll in the woods, Simply Buckhead is your source for the very best things to do this summer.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

Get Outside Alfresco activities are where it’s at this summer

Buckhead is filled with gorgeous places to bike, hike, ride and sup. Some of our favorites follow.

Take a Hike! If you have small children in tow, the grounds of the Atlanta History Center offer an intown hike beneath a gorgeous canopy of trees and an outdoor escape in your own backyard. Specifically dedicated to young children, the Connor Brown Discovery Trail is a self-guided tour of the Atlanta History Center’s campus, featuring gardens and historic houses. The halfmile-long trail teaches children about indigenous plants and animals, with discovery stations positioned along the way to keep them engaged. For more ambitious hikers, the Swan Woods Trail spans 10 acres, winding through the leafy Atlanta History Center’s grounds, where wildlife and native plants are plentiful. Atlanta History Center www.atlantahistorycenter.com

Rock Out! Beyond the usual concerts at the ever-popular Chastain Park Amphitheatre, which this year features acts like Steve Winwood (May 19), K.C. and the Sunshine Band (May 25), Sting (June 7), Willie Nelson (June 15), Earth Wind & Fire (June 27), Al Green (June 29), Sarah McLachlan (July 3), and Chicago and the Doobie Brothers (July 24), there are other opportunities to enjoy some

Jazz on the Lawn series at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center attracts hundreds of music lovers. Photo: Courtesy of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

alfresco entertainment in Buckhead. The bucolic banks of the Chattahoochee River become the site of concerts by emerging artists during Canoe’s Song of the South concert series featuring live, local music every Wednesday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. There are riverside Adirondack chairs, and the River Bar features specialty cocktails and talent like Josh Erwin and Michael Paynter from Packway Handle Band (May 2), Ben Deignan (May 9), Lauren Staley Morrow and Jason Morrow from Whiskey Gentry (May 16), Sydney Eloise (May 23), Sam Thacker (May 30), Tim Brantley (June 6), Ben Deignan (June 13) and Lauren St. Jane (June 20). The resplendent summer foliage of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a great backdrop for its showcase of some of the big names in the golden throat realm, including Merle Haggard (August 10) and Mary Chapin Carpenter (August 24), among many others. Another gorgeous open-air musical venue, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center features an annual Jazz on the Lawn series with an eclectic mix of up-and-coming performers like the Latin jazz, samba and salsa band Serenata (June 15) and classic jazz combo Joe Gransden and Maria Howell (June 29). Chastain Park Amphitheatre www.chastainseries.com Canoe www.canoeatl.com Atlanta Botanical Garden www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org Callanwolde Fine Arts Center www.callanwolde.org

Escape! If time is of the essence and a trip to St. Barts or even Highlands is out of the question, consider a brief respite at one of Buckhead’s most glamorous hotels, the St. Regis. Through August 31, the St. Regis’ Summer Friday Package allows those in need of some hospitality-therapy to take advantage of the hotel’s 40,000-squarefoot Pool Piazza. The package offers an early noon check-in, waterside butler service, two complimentary cocktails and even poolside Wi-Fi if you are wrapping up some workweek projects. Every hour, poolside guests can choose from a different refreshing treat, including a fresh fruit smoothie sampler, Evian spritz, chilled towels, an iced cappuccino sampler, frozen fruit skewer, iced coconut water and frozen red and green grapes. St. Regis www.stregisatlanta.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Eat Out! In the summertime, the umbrellas come out and the seen-and-be-seen crowd gathers at a host of area bistros with atmospheric patios and outdoor dining. Situated on a charming tree-lined street, Mosaic offers a mix of Southern-inspired and Mediterranean-influenced fare and a popular, idyllic patio perfect for warm-weather dining. For those who want to feel like they’re noshing in a Mykonos taverna, the patio at Kyma coupled with Chef Pano Karatassos’ small-bite plates are a match made in heaven. For a more scene-y outdoor dining experience with a view of all the Peachtree Road action, the patio at Bistro Niko with its distinctive red umbrellas evokes the feel of a bustling St. Germain café. For even more European languor, try the Italian restaurant Portofino, on a quiet Paces Ferry Place side street and the equally charming, intimate French bistro Anis on Grandview Avenue, with its well-prepared lunchtime salads and sandwiches. And if you’re longing for the beach, the next best thing is surely the rustic wooden deck at Coast Seafood and Raw Bar on West Paces Ferry Road, where the plentiful beer and cocktail specials and a plate of raw oysters will make you feel like you’ve escaped to Tybee Island. Mosaic www.mosaicatl.com Kyma www.buckheadrestaurants.com/kyma Bistro Niko www.buckheadrestaurants.com/bistro-niko Portofino www.portofinobistro.com Anis www.anisbistro.com Coast Seafood and Raw Bar www.h2sr.com/coast

Get Sporty! The beautiful 199-acre Atlanta Memorial Park at Northside Drive and Woodward Way offers a plethora of sports for summer diversions, including the Bobby Jones Golf Course and 23 tennis courts (13 clay, 10 hard) that compose the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. Rates are $6 to $6.50 per hour for clay and $3 to $5 per hour for hard. Seniors 55-74 pay half price, and super seniors 75 and over play for free. Courts are available on a first-come-first-served basis. The 268-acre Chastain Memorial Park also has sporty amenities galore, including an 18-hole golf course, the Chastain Pool and nine tennis courts. Atlanta Memorial Park www.buckhead.net/parks/atlanta-memorial/ Bitsy Grant Tennis Center www.bitsytennis.com Chastain Memorial Park www.chastainpark.org

S IMP LY B U CK H EAD COV ER STORY

Locals can enjoy a staycation at the St. Regis’ 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza. Photo: Courtesy of the St. Regis Atlanta

Swim!

Get Natural!

The City of Atlanta’s Garden Hills Pool at 335 Pine Tree Drive is a public space open to all City of Atlanta residents. Seasonal memberships ranging from $175-$400 are available, and between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. every day in-season, the pool is open for daily admissions at a cost of $4 per adult and $2 per child. Craving something a bit more glamorous and kiddie-free? The W Atlanta Buckhead’s WET Deck is open for weekend visits throughout the summer from noon until 7 p.m. starting from $69 for two passes. Once on the roof, you’ll enjoy lounging, signature sips, chilled towels and live DJs on Sundays. To make a reservation, visit their website (listed below).

The Blue Heron Nature Preserve around Nancy Creek and the remnants of Lake Emma at 4055 Roswell Road offers 25 acres of pristine nature in the middle of Buckhead, right off busy Roswell Road. In addition to the beautiful scenery, the nature preserve has an impressive array of diversions for outdoorsy types. It offers a bee-keeping program, a community garden, ranger-led nature walks, bird-watching opportunities and an assortment of classes for young children and adults taught by naturalists. Children can learn about birds or build a bluebird nest box; adult classes focus on topics such as identifying wild mushrooms.

Garden Hills Pool www.gardenhillspool.net W Atlanta Buckhead’s WET Deck www.watlantabuckhead.com/poolsideonpeachtree

Giddy Up! Located at the Powers Ferry Road entrance to Chastain Park, the Chastain Horse Park recently underwent a $2 million rebuilding project that has greatly enhanced the grounds of this stunning 13acre equestrian center. Riding lessons are available for $65 to $130 an hour for all skill levels, and the on-site clubhouse offers a tack room, snack bar and consignment shop if you feel like lingering. Chastain Horse Park www.chastainhorsepark.org

The Blue Heron Nature Preserve www.bhnp.org

Go to the Dogs Atlanta Memorial Park, accessed at Collier Road, offers a shady, peaceful environment for some frisky Frisbee-tossing without the hustle and bustle of Piedmont Park. The almost two-mile loop around the park is perfect for a run with your pooch. The tucked-away one-acre Ardmore Park is also a lovely site for dog walking and is located on Ardmore Road, off Collier Road near Piedmont Hospital. Alexander Park at East Wesley Road across from the Garden Hills Pool is an undeveloped, wooded area perfect for an impromptu dog walk. Finally, the 14.5-acre Tanyard Creek Park at Collier Road and Walthall Drive in

the Collier Hills neighborhood, is a lovely, tree-canopied space with a creek running through it to add to the woodsy charm. Atlanta Memorial Park www.buckhead.net/parks/atlanta-memorial Ardmore Park www.ardmorepark.org Alexander Park www.buckhead.net/parks/sunnybrook/ Tanyard Creek Park www.buckhead.net/parks/tanyard-creek

Pedal Power! If a brisk bike ride or roller blade in sunny weather is your speed, look no further than 260-acre Chastain Park, which features a 3.3-mile biking, jogging and roller-blading path, part of Atlanta’s nonprofit PATH network of trails. For more ambitious cyclists, the Map My Ride website allows cyclists to share their favorite bike route maps in Buckhead, some of which even include elevation variations. The Southeastern Cycling Group also offers Buckhead routes of varying lengths on its website. Chastain Park www.chastainpark.org Map My Ride www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Buckhead The Southeastern Cycling Group www.sadlebred.com/gamaps.html.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Happy Campers From sporty to artsy, summer day camps for all! If you need any more evidence that the Buckhead area has something for everyone, look no further than the plethora of summer camp options for children and teenagers. Whether your child is sporty or a budding intellectual, has a fascination with history or a love of roller hockey, there is a camp to suit his or her interests.

n Chastain Horse Park Camps May 21-August 10 Chastain Horse Park 4371 Powers Ferry Road Atlanta 30327 404.252.4244 x5 www.chastainhorsepark.org Horse-crazy children and budding equestrians will love this popular summer camp for ages 4 to 16. It teaches horsemanship through riding lessons and games at Chastain Horse Park, a premier equestrian facility on the beautiful Chastain Park grounds. Camps are broken into morning or afternoon sessions and feature trained instructors and horses from Chastain’s stable of 30 noble steeds.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

n Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead Camps May 24-August 10 Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead 1160 Moores Mill Road Atlanta 30327 404.350.9292 www.ymcaatlanta.org Half-day, full-day and extendedcare programs make these walletfriendly YMCA day camps an ideal choice for working parents. The YMCA offers a variety of camps for ages 4 to 15, including the Explorers Camp, which features a host of daily activities such as sports, games, and arts and crafts. Also offered: sports camps in tennis, soccer, basketball swimming and dance.

n Peachtree Presbyterian Summer Camps May 29-August 27 Peachtree Presbyterian 3434 Roswell Road Atlanta 30305 404.842.5852 www.peachtreepres.org/thegym With its sleek, fully equipped gym in the heart of Buckhead, Peachtree Pres offers summer camps for an array of interests, from basketball, golf, gymnastics, soccer and all-sports camps to ballet, cheerleading and hip-hop dance camps serving ages 3 to 12.

n Atlanta History Center Camps June 4-August 3 Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 www.atlantahistorycenter.com Adults already know that the Atlanta History Center, with its rotating exhibits and lectures, is a great local resource. But parents may not know that this is also a creative hotspot for their children come summer-

time. Beneath a leafy Buckhead canopy of trees in modern but still cozy classrooms, children ages 4 to 14 can devote a week of their summer to any number of historycentric topics. The camps cover a range of topics, from “Adventures in History” for younger children to “Follow that Food” for elementaryschool kids. Parents who are tired of packing lunches will appreciate that kids have the option of a dailychanging Chick-fil-A lunch.

n Northside United Methodist Congregation Summer Camps June 4-August 17 Northside Church 2799 Northside Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.355.6477 www.sportsandrec.northsideumc.org There is something for every child age 3 to 14 at this impressive Roswell Road church complex, from mission camps for community-minded children to roller hockey, art, soccer and martial arts camps. There’s even a sleep-away camp on Lake Burton, Camp Evergreen, for an old-fashioned summer experience.

S IMP LY B U CK H EAD COV ER STORY

Children immerse themselves in Spanish during The Spanish Academy Summer Camps.

Northside United Methodist offers dozens of camps for kids ages 3 to 14. The Atlanta International School’s camp selections range from Spanish to soccer.

Kids have fun while learning about history during camps at the Atlanta History Center. Photo courtesy of Atlanta History Center

n Pinnacle Fitness Gym Youth Athletic Program June 4-July 21

bound drama queen or king focus on singing, dancing and acting.

Pinnacle Fitness Gym 3215 Cains Hill Place Atlanta 30305 404.228.3705 www.pinnaclefitnessgym.com

n Atlanta Rocks! Summer Camps June 11-Aug. 3

At this Buckhead gym, athlete and trainer Brandon Butler leads kids from 9 to 13 in one-week and twoweek fitness camps focusing on speed, agility and strength training to give them that competitive edge. A healthy lunch is provided to campers each day.

n Atlanta International School Summer Camps June 11-July 27 Atlanta International School 2890 North Fulton Drive Atlanta 30305 404.841.3840 x149 www.aischool.org/summercamp This Buckhead private school offers an array of camps for everyone from kindergartners to high school seniors. In addition to language camps in French, German, Spanish, Chinese and English as a Second Language (ESL), the Atlanta International School has sports camps in basketball, soccer, volleyball and tae kwon do. There are also activity camps featuring Lego Robotics, chess, videogame programming and more; and don’t miss the theater camp, Camp Stardust, which lets your Broadway-

Atlanta Rocks! 1019 Collier Road Atlanta 30318 404.351.3009 www.atlantarocks.com/camps.html Climbing camps for children ages 8 to 16 offer opportunities for both beginner and intermediate climbers. Novices will learn basics like how to put on a harness, tie safety knots and climb correctly. For intermediate climbers, the camp will focus on developing better footwork, improving balance and enhancing overall performance.

n Camp Jam June 11-29 Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30319 800.513.0930 www.campjam.com For your budding Jack White or Fiona Apple, Camp Jam caters to both beginners and experienced kid musicians ages 7 to 17. This music camp is focused on not just playing, but promoting your band and performing for an audience. The camp offers both day and overnight camp options and culminates in a Friday after-camp musical performance.

Camp Jam was co-founded by Jeff Carlisi of .38 Special and bills itself as “No Canoes. Lots of Rock.”

n The Spanish Academy Summer Camps June 11-August 10 Peachtree Presbyterian 3434 Roswell Road Atlanta 30305 770.751.3646 www.thespanishacademy.com/ summercamp

their on-air performance, a culinary tour of America highlighting cuisine from New England to New Mexico; and a camp focused on international cooking.

n North Georgia School of Ballet Children’s Summer Camps June 25-July 31 North Georgia School of Ballet 7740 Roswell Road, Suite 400 Atlanta 30350 404.455.0983 www.ngaschoolofballet.com

This location of The Spanish Academy meets at Peachtree Presbyterian and offers camps for children ages 2 to 6. The emphasis is on fun, with puppets, movement, crafts and songs to keep young children engaged.

Dancers ages 3 to 14 can twirl and sashay in morning and afternoon sessions called “Fairy Garden” and “Summer Swans,” while older, more experienced dancers can enjoy a more intensive ballet experience.

n Hal’s Kitchen Cooking Camps June 4-July 29

n CampFlix July 23-27

Hal’s Kitchen 206-B Johnson Ferry Road Sandy Springs 30328 404.847.6991 www.halskitchen.com

Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30319 855.296.9723 www.campflix.com/WhenWhere.html

Cooking on the best Wolf and Viking appliances, your budding Mario Batali can learn techniques and recipes to better equip him or her for a foodie career (or just a better range of afterschool snacks). Catering to children ages 7 to 14, the camps offer participants a variety of options, including the chance to star in their very own cooking show, complete with a take-home DVD of

A movie-making camp for kids ages 11 to 17, this immersive experience teaches the process of filmmaking— from screenwriting, location scouting, lighting and sound techniques to acting and editing. The camp is offered either as a day or an overnight camp and is taught by industry professionals with an end-of-camp Friday night gala premiere where students show off their Francis Ford Coppola skills.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Everyday Heroes 10

Woodward Academy senior Emily Isenstein has spent her summers volunteering with Chastain Horse Park’s therapeutic riding program. Images Courtesy of Woodward Academy

Ways kids can give back this summer

n the lazy days of summers past, sleep-away camps and beach vacations constituted a satisfying break for most kids. But no more. Today’s students are motivated, charity-minded and just as likely to spend a break working to better their world as they are working on their tans. Whether your student is a locavore-minded gardening fiend or a college-bound junior anxious to try out an area of interest, Atlanta charities and organizations offer countless ways for them to share their gifts and make a difference. Emily Isenstein, a senior at Woodward Academy, has been volunteering with the therapeutic riding program at Buckhead’s Chastain Horse Park since she was 14, though she has been riding at Chastain since she was 7. “I always told myself that once I was old enough, I would go back and volunteer because I feel so grateful to own my own horse,” she says. “I want to give back as much as I can.” Driven by her love of horses and her desire to help others, Isenstein works with children ages 4 to 10 who have autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities, help-

ing them experience the pleasure and connection of horseback riding. As a volunteer, Isenstein helps exercise, groom and tack up the horses. During the children’s lessons, she assists the head instructor in leading the horse or walking alongside the riders. Isenstein has been especially delighted by the change she can see in the children when they mount a horse. “Most of them absolutely love it,” she says. “Even kids who are nonverbal; you can see the smiles on their faces, especially trotting.” But the benefits haven’t been just for the children she has assisted. Isenstein has also discovered an interest in neuroscience, which she hopes to study in college. “In part because of all of the work that I’ve done at Chastain with the kids with developmental disabilities,” Isenstein says. “It’s gotten me really interested in it.” As Isenstein explains, “A lot of it has to do with the progress that I’ve seen these kids make. I’ve seen them get stronger, more responsive. Something as simple as sitting on a horse—it just really intrigued me on how that could affect the brain, the inner workings of a human, and how it could really affect them. I’d love to find out.” n

There are a host of opportunities for kids to volunteer at local charities and organizations, according to Atlanta’s volunteer resource Hands On Atlanta (www.handsonatlanta.org), which can provide additional information about all opportunities. Some of our favorites:

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IMP LY B U CK H EAD COV ER STORY

The therapeutic riding program at Chastain Horse Park lets teens assist developmentally challenged riders. Photo courtesy of Chastain Horse Park

n Atlanta Community Food Bank Food for Thought

n Chastain Memorial Park Conservancy

n Global Soap Project Warehouse Team

The Atlanta Community Food Bank fights hunger by engaging, educating and empowering the community. Volunteers ages 8 and up are needed to sort, inspect and pack donated food, beverages and health products in the Food Bank’s Product Rescue Center. www.acfb.org

Kids ages 8 to 15 with adult supervision (and kids 16 and older without) can help the Chastain Memorial Park Conservancy restore, maintain and enhance sections of Atlanta’s largest park, which spans more than 260 acres. Volunteers clear overgrowth, spread mulch, plant trees and perform general park cleanup. www.chastainpark.org

The Global Soap Project in Norcross recovers and recycles soap from American hotels and facilitates a process by which the soap is sanitized and remolded into new bars, then distributed to vulnerable populations worldwide. Volunteers ages 12 and up are needed to perform tasks such as sort the soap donations from hotels, take inventory, put soap in boxes and move boxes to a storage area of the warehouse. www.globalsoap.org

n Books for Africa Books For Africa in Smyrna is dedicated to collecting and shipping quality new and used books for use in areas of Africa in need of books. Volunteers ages 12 and up are needed to organize and sort books. www.booksforafrica.org

n Chastain Horse Park The horse park’s therapeutic riding program offers a great opportunity for kids, even those who don’t consider themselves horse people, to do something positive to help developmentally challenged riders. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; they’ll help with leading horses and assisting riders during activities, therapies and riding. www.chastainpark.org

n Dunwoody Nature Center Dunwoody Nature Center is working to return its 22-acre nature preserve to its original state with native plantings so that it can be used as a natural classroom for environmental education. Volunteers ages 8 and up are invited to help remove non-native and invasive plants, thus allowing the reintroduction of native plants to the wetlands and forest trails. Volunteers help with grounds maintenance: pruning limbs, hauling debris, picking up litter and spreading woodchip mulch along the nature trails. www.dunwoodynature.org

n Nursecare of Buckhead Nursecare of Buckhead in Northwest Atlanta is in need of volunteers who can spend one evening a month helping lead Bingo. Volunteers ages 14 and older play alongside the residents from June 26 to September 25. www.nursecareofbuckhead.com

n Piedmont Park Conservancy Clean & Green Makeover This great opportunity for younger children ages 5 and up allows kids to enhance and preserve Piedmont Park as a vital urban green space by

working on weekly maintenance and operational projects with Piedmont Park Conservancy. Daily projects may vary from watering trees and shrubs to seasonal planting to mulching. www.piedmontpark.org

n Reece Center for Handicapped Horsemanship The Reece Center for Handicapped Horsemanship in Palmetto provides people with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through equine-oriented activities. Volunteers help with horses, clean up the barn and walk alongside the children/adults during their riding classes. Training is provided for volunteers ages 16 and up. www.reececenter.org

n Sunrise Senior Living at Buckhead Sunrise volunteers, who must be at least 16 years old with adult supervision, help in providing both small and large group activities as well as engaging in one-on-one time with residents. Volunteer opportunities are available weekdays and weekends. www.sunriseseniorliving.com/ communities/sunrise-at-buckhead

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY B UC K HE A D COV ER STORY

Dog Days

“Campers” at Pupcakes Playcare spend their days socializing before curling up for a snooze. Photos: Courtesy of Pupcakes Playcare

of Summer

Treat your pets to a day camp experience

or generations, parents have been sending their offspring to a variety of enriching camps to keep their minds and bodies stimulated during the doldrums of summer. But animal companions deserve the same kind of break from the mundane, a chance to romp with their peers and be engaged. The numbers tell us Americans are increasingly willing to spend cash to keep their four-legged friends occupied: The American Pet Products Association reports that pet owners spent $50 billion on their pets in 2011. “Animals have become such a part of the family, [their owners] want to make sure that they’re cared for too,” says Arlene Sinanian, owner of Pupcakes Playcare, a Buckhead boarding and grooming destination specializing in dogs 36 pounds and under. An average day-in-the-life at Pupcakes, which has seven staff members within its grooming/day care and boarding facility, sounds very much like a satisfying day at an upscale kindergarten. The day begins with a morning meet and greet followed by play and activity time, a late-morning nap, lunch, more outdoor play time, and a 4 p.m. late-day last burst of energy before dinner. “By 6:30 to 6:45, they have found a bed, they are curled up and they are done. And then the whole thing starts over again the next morning before 7 a.m.,” Sinanian laughs. With summer comes a kiddie pool for watery outdoor frolics and an Astro-

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

turf outdoor play area partially shaded with market umbrellas. “When it’s really pretty out, they love to hang out there,” Sinanian says. Monthly social events with clients and potential clients often feature summertime treats like LickALots frozen ice creams. The idea of giving your dog a change of scenery makes sense to Sinanian, who has personally seen the toll loneliness takes on puppies. “Dogs are pack animals. They need companionship,” she says. “Dogs can be very destructive if they’re bored; dogs can be very destructive if they’re anxious. I think dogs are happier when they’re busy. And tired. And supervised.” Treating your pup to a sleepaway “camp” becomes cheaper with longer stays. At Pupcakes Playcare, overnight boarding is $40 a night for the first seven days. The second week drops to $38 a night; more than 15 days brings it to $36 a night. Pupcakes isn’t the only Atlanta pet care facility offering discounts for longer stays— Barking Hound Village, with locations on the Westside, in Poncey-Highland and in Morningside/Lenox Park, takes 10 percent off if your dog comes for 10 days or longer. Mini swimming pools also come out in the warm months for lots of summer fun. At the cage-free, play-centric Dog Days Atlanta in Buckhead, where a baby pool is also offered on hot days, the $40 per day rate for overnight drops to $25 for each additional dog

from the same owner. For daily puppy camps, full day rates are $28. A 10-day “camp” package is $250 and a 20-day “camp” is $460. Erika Bullard, who owns Buckhead’s Puddle of Pooch with her husband Bill, takes her role as a “camp counselor” for dogs seriously. “We don’t like the word kennel. We do like to call our boarding a dog camp. Because we don’t lock them up all day. It’s communal. And we have them separated by sizes. And when the weather’s beautiful we’ve got a 2,000-squarefoot fenced-in backyard and we sit out there in our beach chairs with our books and coffee and the dogs just go crazy. They love running around,” she says. Puddle of Pooch charges $28 a night, with that rate dropping nightly according to the number of dogs in your family. During the summer, Erika offers kiddie pools to the dogs and even dresses the dogs up and serves hot dogs from the grill for the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. Whether you are taking a summer break of your own and looking for a friendly spot to park your pooch, or are just anxious to treat your pup to a fur-filled, action-packed sleepaway camp, everybody gets a break at these intown doggie escapes. Pupcakes Playcare www.pupcakesplaycare.com Barking Hound Village www.barkinghoundvillage.com Dog Days Atlanta www.dogdaysatlanta.com Puddle of Pooch www.puddleofpoochonline.com

Stop, shop and stroll. June 9-10

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Belle Isle Barking News Sandy Springs animal hospital announces extended hours and a new addition to the team. By Giannina Smith Bedford

Belle Isle Animal Hospital in Sandy Springs is enjoying a busy spring. So busy, in fact, the full–service veterinary hospital is offering new extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. It also added a new doctor to the staff. Joining the practice in March 2012, Dr. Carrie Unger is a 2007 graduate of The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Along with treating four-legged patients at Belle Isle, Dr. Unger is also involved in veterinary medicine outside the hospital, working with the VISION Program sponsored by Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind Inc. She also spends time giving back through the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s equine rehabilitation program. When Dr. Unger isn’t making animals feel better, she enjoys tennis, hiking, Georgia football, and spending leisure time with her Labrador Retriever, Indiana, and her two cats, Louie and Somoygi. If you want to meet Dr. Unger (or learn some more about her four-legged family) stop by Belle Isle on May 12 from 12 to 4 p.m. for the hospital’s annual open house—the “Belle Isle Block Party.” The lively event invites the entire family (Fido included) to enjoy Southern style comfort food from Nancy G’s Cafe and a kid’s fun zone. “It will be an open house with raffles and fun, fun for the whole family both two-legged and four-legged,” says Dr. Riva Wolkow, owner of Belle Isle Animal Hospital. Raffle prizes will range from free baths for a year and free yearly vaccines to Falcons and Braves tickets, so mark your calendars and pick out Fido’s finest attire for this howl-worthy event. For more information, visit www.belleisleanimal.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY BU Z Z | S I M P LY C H A R I TA B L E | S I M P LY S C E N E

Simply happening

Guests are invited to sip on fine teas and taste savory bites during St. Regis’ Afternoon Tea in Astor Court. Photo by Sara Hanna Photography - www.sarahanna.com

Spotlight St. Regis Afternoon Tea Daily from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.563.7799 www.stregis.com/Atlanta

Put on your finest and step back in time to a tradition started by Caroline Astor, the mother of St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV, at the St. Regis Atlanta’s afternoon tea. Delight in refined teas paired with savory sandwiches, freshly baked scones, pastries and petits fours, all flawlessly served by St. Regis butlers

attired in tuxedos and white gloves. Served daily from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Buckhead hotel’s luxurious Astor Court, afternoon tea follows a theme each month. May’s theme is a Mad Hatter’s Tea, inspired by the children’s tale, where guests are encouraged to wear fanciful hats. June’s Go Red Tea

supports the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Initiative and features heart-healthy food and teas. Afternoon Tea is $40 for adults; it’s $44 for Celebration Tea, which includes a glass of sparkling wine. Children’s Tea is priced at $22 for ages 12 and under. Reservations are required.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY happening

simply buzz | Events, exhibits, galas and more by:

Designer: Dave Whitling, Title: Morris Lounge

n Stories in Form: Chair Design by Portfolio Center Feb. 5-June 3 Museum of Design Atlanta 1315 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.979.6455 www.museumofdesign.org or www.portfoliocenter.edu It’s your last chance to discover art through the medium of a chair at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) and Portfolio Center’s exhibition, Stories in Form. Art pieces are created as part of the Portfolio Center’s course, “Modernism: History, Criticism and Theory,” exploring design history as a catalyst for new design ideas. Each chair is inspired by a historical period and the personal experiences of the student artist. The three-dimensional art pieces are displayed with the stories of their creation, including the step-by-step design processes that brought the chairs to fruition. Portfolio Center’s Stories in Form design process has gained nationwide acclaim for its outside-the-box approach, and the class was featured in the new book Design School Confidential: Extraordinary Class Projects from the International Design Schools, Colleges, and Institutes by Steven Heller and Lita Talarico. Admission to MODA is free for members, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $5 for students and children over 5.

n Atlanta Botanical Garden Cocktails in the Garden Thursdays May-Sept. Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.876.5859 www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org Stroll through a blooming wonderland with a drink in hand during Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Cocktails in the Garden,

Giannina Smith Bedford

taking place each Thursday from May to September. From 6 to 10 p.m., the annual event invites visitors to mix and mingle in a picturesque outdoor environment while enjoying complimentary light bites from a local restaurant and tunes from Lethal Rhythms Atlanta DJs. There will also be surprise cultural performances throughout the season and a Science Café every third Thursday that brings science to the public through lively events and discussions. Along with the strategically placed full cash bars, Cocktails in the Garden’s monthly themes pair a specialty cocktail with a plant or garden feature—May is Azaleas and Aviations and June is Hydrangeas and Honeybees. Admission is $18.95 for guests and free for Garden members.

n Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival May 5-6 Park Drive at Chastain Park Atlanta 30327 404.845.0793 www.buckheadartsfestival.com Usher in the delightful spring weather at the Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival. Taking place on Park Drive at Chastain Park, the third annual event will feature 175 artists and artisans and live acoustic music as well as tasty local food and beverages. The children’s area will also boast fun diversions like inflatables, sand art and more. Last year, approximately 25,000 visitors enjoyed the festival and the 2012 event is expected to be even bigger. Hosted by Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces (AFFPS), the festival is free and welcomes both children and pets. Visit the festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

n Portofino Restaurant Wine Tastings May 6 and June 10 Portofino 3199 Paces Ferry Place Atlanta 30305 404.231.1136 www.portofinoatl.com

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Buckhead’s Portofino restaurant invites wine aficionados to partake in an educational wine sampling. Tastings begin promptly at 6:30 p.m., preceded by a short reception, and include five flights of three wines as well as small food samples aimed at cleansing the palate. Each tasting is focused on a specific wine or region—the May tasting will include Cabernets and the June tasting will focus on summer wines. Led by wine connoisseur Michael Gallant, these wine tastings are $30. “What we try to do is give [attendees] the information they can use when they travel or when they are buying wines in the store,” says Portofino Owner George Tice.

n Parent’s Night Out at Leapin’ Lizards May 12 and June 9 Leapin’ Lizards 185 Sams Street Decatur 30030 404.537.3030 www.leapinlizardsplay.com Enjoy an adults’ night out at the movies or dinner while the little ones have their own play and party time at Leapin’ Lizards in Decatur, the first eco-friendly indoor inflatable facility in Georgia. The kids’ fun center welcomes children from potty trained to 10 years old for an evening filled with playtime, arts and crafts. Also included are pizza, chips and a drink for each child and entertaining science shows from Big Thinkers Science Exploration. Leapin’ Lizards Parent’s Night Out takes place the second Saturday of each month from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Pre-registration is advised and prices are $25 per child and $20 for each additional sibling. A $5 discount is offered for registration before the first Saturday of the month.

n Chastain Arts Center Spring Show and Sale May 17-June 2 Chastain Arts Center 135 West Wieuca Road N.W. Atlanta 30342 404.252.2927 www.ocaatlanta.com/ chastain-arts-center

Get first dibs on artwork created by Chastain Arts Center’s instructors and students at the center’s annual Spring Art Show and Sale. Kicking off with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 17, the sale continues until June 2 to give you more than enough time to shop the jewelry, paintings, pottery and other works showcased by more than 70 artists. The mixed-media event offers something for a variety of tastes and budgets and is free and open to the public.

n 2012 Brookhaven Bolt May 19 Village Place Brookhaven 1430 Dresden Drive Atlanta 30319 678.457.3468 www.brookhavenbolt.com Enjoy a run through the rolling hills of Ashford Park in Brookhaven at the 2012 Brookhaven Bolt presented by The Goddard School Buckhead. The event kicks off at Village Place Brookhaven on Dresden Drive at 8 a.m. and culminates with a race festival complete with prize giveaways from sponsors like The Goddard School Buckhead, Powerade Zero, Costco, Noche and Yoforia, among others. More than 1,200 runners showed up in 2011 to raise nearly $30,000 for Ashford Park Elementary School and the race is hoping to surpass the 1,500-runner mark in 2012 as it celebrates its fifth year. Over the last four years, the community event has raised nearly $90,000 for Ashford Park Elementary. Welcoming runners of all ages and skills—as well as walkers, strollers and pets—the 5K race will be certified by the USATF and offer chip timing from Zulu Racing. Online registration is $25 through May 13, then $30 through May 17. Register at Big Peach Running Company Brookhaven on May 18 for $30. Race-day signup is $35.

n Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts June 9-10

Peachtree Hills Recreation Center 308 Peachtree Hills Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.237.2756 www.peachtreehillsfestival.com Experience the artistic enthusiasm of Peachtree Hills as the picturesque community comes out to peruse and purchase art from up to 150 painters, photographers and sculptors. There will also be a variety of artisans showcasing leather, metal, glass and jewelry at the two-day inaugural event held on a tree-lined thoroughfare near Peachtree Hills Park. Along with a variety of arts and crafts, the festival will feature artist demonstrations, live entertainment, hands-on arts activities, food and beverages. Additional activities for families will also be held at the Peachtree Hills Recreation Center, including a 5K “Commissioner’s Run” beginning and ending at the center on Saturday morning. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

n Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Jazz on the Lawn June 15 Callanwolde Fine Arts Center 980 Briarcliff Road N.E. Atlanta 30306 404.872.5338 www.callanwolde.org Spread out a blanket under the stars and enjoy a gourmet picnic while listening to the sounds of Atlanta Latin jazz band Serenata. The seven-piece band’s performance is the first of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center’s Jazz on the Lawn summer concert series, which showcases monthly performances from a lineup of jazz artists, ranging from contemporary and swing genres to fusion, Latin and blues. The live music begins at 7:30 p.m. on the picturesque grounds of Callanwolde, where parking is free for concert attendees. In case of rain, the performance will be moved to the indoor courtyard. Tickets are $15 if purchased online in advance and $20 at the door.

SIMPLY happening

c ha r itabl e

Guests mixed and mingled at the private Buckhead mansion.

Andrea Appel, Ralph Hawthorne and Paige Stills.

John and Helen Gordon. The Millners’ home once belonged to Robert Woodruff.

Jonathan Charlton and Caroline Hunter.

Fix Georgia Pets launch event The evening’s food was provided by A Legendary Event.

Therapy monkey Dr. Irving with his trainer, Bobby.

Photos by Sara Hanna Photography – www.sarahanna.com

ore than 150 people attended a soiree at the home of Guy and Ginny Millner in Buckhead to mark the formal launch of Fix Georgia Pets, a new outreach program that raises money to spay and neuter the area’s dogs and cats. Tony Conway of A Legendary Event presented the food; silent auction items included pearl earrings from Laura Pearce. More than $60,000 was raised, but organizers say they have a long way to go to help local animals. For more information, visit www.fixgeorgiapets.org.

Becky Cross, hostess Ginny Millner, Carey Sipp and Marilyn Krone.

Susan LeCraw and Rhonda Milner.

Frazier Hollis bids on a silent auction item.

May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY happening

simply scene

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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May/June 2012 | Simply Buckhead

HOW TO GIFT WRAP A LU X U RY R E S ORT AND SPA FOR MOM

gift cards order online or call 678-425-0900 www.chateauelan.com Join us at www.facebook.com/chateauelan for exclusive offers. Château Élan | 100 Tour De France, Braselton, Georgia 30517 Located I-85 North, Exit 126 - 30 Minutes North of Downtown Atlanta