northside woman december 2012
DESCRIPTION
Northside Woman, a woman's work and play publication and companion website that covers news information for the northern Atlanta suburban female.TRANSCRIPT
DECEMBER 2011
10591 Old Alabama Rd. Conn, Alpharetta, GA 30022
770-998-9500
6000 Medlock Bridge Pkwy., Johns Creek, GA 30022
770-418-2828Grocery • Health & Beauty • Vitamins/Supplements
www.naturalfoodswarehouse.com
670 North Main St., Alpharetta, GA 30009
770-619-0435
12315 Crabapple Rd., Roswell, GA 30004
770-772-0113
10591 Old Alabama Rd. Conn, Alpharetta, GA 30022
770-998-9500
6000 Medlock Bridge Pkwy., Johns Creek, GA 30022
770-418-2828Grocery • Health & Beauty • Vitamins/Supplements
www.naturalfoodswarehouse.com
670 North Main St., Alpharetta, GA 30009
770-619-0435
12315 Crabapple Rd., Roswell, GA 30004
770-772-0113
THE ThoughtTHAT COUNTSGifts that give back
Page 30
DECEMBER 2011
Dress your home for the holidaysPage 18
Seasonal DÉCOR
CelebrateTHEHolidaysHolidaysChristmas season opens with ‘Nutcracker’ performancesPage 22
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 3
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4 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Caroline Stroud appears this month in Roswell Dance Theatre's performance of "The Nutcracker." She is a member of the soloist company of the Roswell Dance Theatre, and began taking dance at the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance at the age of 3. Caroline is the daughter of Steve and Kathleen Stroud of Roswell, and is a sophomore at Fellowship Christian High School in Roswell.
thecover
4 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
main office770.442.3278 | 770.475.1216 (fax)319 north main street, alpharetta, ga 30009
publisherChristina [email protected]
sales [email protected], [email protected]@northsidewoman.com, [email protected]@northsidewoman.com, [email protected]@northsidewoman.com, [email protected]
sales [email protected]
production David Brown, Kellie Jureka, Geoffrey [email protected]
associate publisherRay [email protected]
Northside Woman is published monthly and distributed free throughout north metro Atlanta. ©2011 Appen Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.
S T A F F
Devon Morgancover photographer
Devon Morgan opened PhotoSynthesis Studio in 2004 after graduating with a photojournalism degree from the University of Georgia. To complement the documentary style she learned in school, Morgan studied with local photographers to master the subtle nuances of fine art portraiture, giving her clients a cohesive blend of natural emotion and beautiful lighting. She lives in Peachtree Corners with her St. Bernard, Stella. See her work at www.PhotoSynthesisAtlanta.com.
Candy Waylock began working for Appen Newspapers in 1997, primarily as a reporter covering education issues for the weekly publications. She earned her degree in Journalism from Bradley University in 1987 and has been a member of the media ever since. In 2007, Candy helped launch Northside Woman magazine and continues to be a part of each monthly publication. She lives in Alpharetta with her husband, three children and a houseful of rescued pets!
Candy Waylockeditorial
Raised in New Jersey and Tennessee, the product of a Northern mother and a Southern father, Kelly Brooks can’t help but explore every side of the story. In 2006, she earned a bachelor ’s degree in telecommunication arts from the University of Georgia. After working as a reporter, she attended the University of Maryland, where she earned a master’s in multimedia journalism and took a liking to graphic design. She has been a production artist for Appen Newspapers since 2010.
Kelly Brooksproduction manager
Katie VanBrackle inherited a strong creative itch from her artist mother. Too impatient to paint, she chooses instead to capture the human spirit on the page with words. Using her journalism degree from UGA, she enjoys exploring the amazing, brave, funny, generous things people do. Katie lives in Milton with her husband and two sons. She dashes between schools, church and sports fields as a volunteer and depends on her sense of humor and girls’ nights out to stay sane.
Katie VanBrackleeditorial
Caroline Stroudin Roswell Dance Theatre's performance of "The Nutcracker." She is a member of the soloist company of the Roswell Dance Theatre, and began taking dance at the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance at the age of 3. Caroline is the daughter of Steve and Kathleen Stroud of Roswell, and is a sophomore at Fellowship Christian High School in Roswell.
the
DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO
publisher’snoteI am so excited about this month’s Interview subjects – the directors of many of the
dance and ballet theatres throughout the area. As the mother of a ballerina, I know the dedication these women have to their art. Putting on dance performances takes hours and hours and hours of work from all involved. I think you’ll find their stories to be fascinating journeys of where they started and where they are today.
I think you’ll also find the story of our 'She'ros inspirational. These two women have faced, and are continuing to face, hardships in their lives, yet they are still motivated and determined to help others. Their connection with North Fulton Community Charities brought them to our attention, and we were happy to bring their story to you.
Looking for something wonderful to read over the holidays…once you’ve read Northside Woman cover to cover? I think you’ll love the feature on Georgia authors and the wide variety of books available from our local writers.
Lastly, I would like to personally invite you to a “Ladies Night Out” event Thursday, Dec. 8 at The Drake Closet in Roswell. We are thrilled to be hosting the event to celebrate the grand opening and we hope you will join us. This boutique sells new and gently used women’s clothing, with all the proceeds — every single penny — going to The Drake House. No item sells for more than $20 and most items are $8. The Drake House helps single women with families get back on their feet and provides temporary housing. Northside Woman will host the evening of shopping, wine and appetizers and provide many chances to win tickets to local performances of "The Nutcracker." There is no charge for this event, so come out and help support The Drake House. Please RSVP to [email protected] (just so we’ll know how many bottles of wine to uncork!)
So have a wonderful December, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas filled with friends and family. And take an evening and enjoy one of these wonderful performances of "The Nutcracker." You’ll be glad you did!
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 5
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BY CANDY WAYLOCK
Leslie Saunders and Marquita Olive have taken the basket of lemons that life has handed them and planted the seeds to help others. Along the way, they’ve learned the lessons of resiliency, humility, giving back and making a difference in their communities.
As owners/founders of KitchenKids, the duo has created a program that teaches children about cooking, while instilling a foundation of reading, math and other skills they need to be successful. The support they receive from North Fulton Community Charities, of which they are also clients, has provided a platform for their message, which has spread globally.
KitchenKids is built upon the concept that the kitchen has always been the original play and learning center. Key to the program is an interactive website where kids can learn life management skills and explore science, math and logic, geography, history, new languages and other cultures.
Although KitchenKids is a relatively new company, Saunders had been mulling over the concept of KitchenKids for years. It started with a storm that hit in July 2004 that left her stranded with 19 unexpected guests, including Olive and her daughter. As Saunders tried to pull something together for a meal for the masses, she found seven kids under 11 who all wanted to help out.
“To end the children’s argument over who was going to help me cook, I gave each child an important age-appropriate task,” said Saunders. “As I watched the kids work together,
it dawned on me that they were learning how to follow directions, how to work cooperatively, measuring, reading and discussing the nutritional value and the geographic origin of the different dishes we were preparing.”
Olive remembers that day, and recalls Saunders describing her vision of what would eventually become KitchenKids.
“Leslie turned toward me and said, ‘I would love to see a television show where kids could cook and learn about different cultures, geography, history, math, languages, teamwork, etc.,’” recalled Olive.
Little did Saunders know that her best friend was writing down that dream, and soon sent out an email to friends and colleagues introducing them to the KitchenKids idea. The group met in Roswell a few weeks later, and the project soon became a reality.
“It was just that effortless and just that divine,” said Olive. “And despite the few who thought it was a delusion, KitchenKids is now a tangible commodity -- and even the
USDA is now a part of our delusion!”While the television show is still a
dream, the program has expanded to include videos, school-based resources and the interactive website with thousands of members.
The mission of KitchenKids has focused on helping parents, educators and communities grow kids into physically healthy and emotionally intelligent adults who will in turn think frugal, think inclusion, think humanitarian and pay it forward, said the founders.
The quest for funding to grow and expand has been a difficult journey for Saunders and Olive.
“When we first embarked on this mission, we were employed and had
SPECIALMarquita Olive, left, and Leslie Saunders of KitchenKids host a cooking demonstration at North Fulton Community Charities using low-cost food items.
KitchenKids promotes learning skills in the world’s original classroomPersonal setbacks spur business idea
unsung‘she’ro
See 'SHE'RO, Page 38
DIS &
DATWe call this recipe “Dis and Dat”
because the first time we made it we didn’t have much money and needed something healthy and filling. We used what our Southern ancestors used to call “a little bit of dis and a little bit of dat” – food we had on hand. What we created was so delicious that it has become a meal requested by kids and adults! It’s easy to make and takes about 15 minutes.
Ingredients:1 pound of ground turkey or beef1 medium diced onion1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of green beans1 can of black beans1 can of corn3 Tbsp. of minced garlic1 tsp. of black pepper1 tsp. of salt2 Tbsp. of cooking oil
Directions:Brown meat in heated oil. Add
onions and garlic while meat is browning. Add vegetables including juices, salt and pepper. Don’t be afraid to add additional vegetables if you have some handy!
Simmer mixture for 10 minutes. Serve over rice, pasta or grits.
6 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
How you can help KitchenKids♥ Support the Global Tasting
Adventures Program, which helps families understand how people are all more alike than different.The intercultural networking program allows families to experience the culinary traditions of a different culture each month. Passports have been designed allowing kids to track nutritional, geographic and historic facts and insights into each culture they experience.
♥ Buy a membership. The annual cost of a KitchenKids membership is $5 per child – which breaks down to less than 42 cents a month. Olive said people are always amazed when they realize all that a child gets for such a minimal fee. But so many of the kids who could benefit from the program come from homes where parents are already struggling to make ends meet. They can’t afford any extracurricular activities, camp, tutoring and/or language lessons, and an additional $5 may be out of the question.
♥ Make a donation. Olive and Saunders still struggle financially to keep KitchenKids viable and are grateful for any assistance. KitchenKids is currently a nonprofit organization registered in Georgia, but funds are being raised to file as a 501(c)3 organization. This would allow the company to accept tax deductible donations and apply for grants.
♥ For more information on KitchenKids, visit www.kitchenkidz.weebly.com/.
8 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
STORY & PHOTO BY
KATIE VANBRACKLE
Looking for a good book to give as a holiday gift this year? The Georgia Center for the Book (GCB) has taken some of the guesswork out of your search by providing a list entitled “Books All Georgians Should Read.” A joint project with the Georgia Humanities Council, the University of Georgia Press and others, the list includes books by well-established Georgia writers as well as some newcomers with the goal of promoting Georgia’s rich literary traditions.
GCB has created four “Top 25” lists since 2002, bringing the total number of book suggestions to 100, so you are sure to find an interesting title to share with a friend or relative this holiday season.
A “Top 25” list for young readers is also offered for preschoolers to young adults. View all lists at www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.
Authors and illustrators from across the state, including several on GCB’s “must read” list, gathered at the Dahlonega Literary Festival in North Georgia last month to lead panel discussions, meet fans and sign books.
Among them was Joshilyn Jackson of Powder Springs, bestselling author of four published novels: Gods in Alabama; Between, Georgia; The Girl Who Stopped Swimming and Backseat Saints. Her latest book, A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, will be released in January 2012.
Jackson took part in a panel discussion on the use of humor in writing, yet she describes her books as
“Southern gothic” tales. “I don’t write to be funny,” she
claims. “I like to go deep down into the black and salty pits of my own mental issues to find something true to say about hope and redemption. How far can you go into the dark and still see a little light?”
Jackson didn’t start writing until she left Georgia and moved to Chicago with her husband, realizing for the first time how unique her Southern upbringing had been. She felt compelled to try and capture “who we are and what we do” on the page.
In Gods in Alabama, Jackson described a woman who owned a chicken (named Phoebe) who lived in the house and was pampered like a dog or a child. Jackson’s editors felt the situation was too outlandish and that readers would never believe it.
“But they let me keep it in the book,” Jackson laughed. “What they didn’t know was that the real-life Phoebe had outfits! Little rhinestone-studded Dolly Parton chicken dresses complete with rubber cleavage. You can’t make this stuff up!”
Jackson’s third novel, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, was chosen by GCB as one of the “Books All Georgians Should Read” and she is honored to be listed with such well-known authors as Flannery O’Connor (Jackson’s favorite author), Alice Walker, Pat Conroy and Margaret Mitchell.
Each GCB book selection offers a unique perspective on what it means to live in the southern United States, particularly beneath the Georgia pines.
From heart-breaking drama to insightful poetry and mouth-watering recipes, here are a few selections from GCB’s most recent list of Books All Georgians Should Read.
The Girl Who Stopped SwimmingJoshilyn Jackson
Laurel Gray Hawthorne’s life is neatly on track until the night she is visited by the ghost of her 13-year-old neighbor who leads her to the real Molly floating lifelessly in the Hawthorne’s backyard pool. Laurel’s
estranged sister Thalia joins
her on a journey that triggers startling revelations about their family’s guarded past.
A Cry of AngelsJeff Fields
A handful of residents, white and black, dream of a better life in a slum known as Ape Yard in 1950s Georgia. Gifted but rebellious architect Jayell Crooms’ vision of a new boardinghouse, built by its own residents, sets him on a collision course with Doc Bobo, a small town Machiavelli who rules the community like a feudal lord.
The Heart of a Distant ForestPhilip Lee Williams
Retired professor Andrew Lachlan has returned to his family home on a lake in central Georgia. Having taught all his life, he is ready for solitude. But a young country boy and a woman he loved years earlier disrupt his search for order and rekindle memories he thought long dead.
Bon Appetit, Y’all: Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern CookingVirginia Willis
Recipes include stylishly updated Southern and French classics and rib-sticking, old-timey favorites as well as cooking tips and stories from Willis, a chef who has cooked for the White
House and celebrities like Aretha Franklin and Jane Fonda.
Winter Sky: New and Selected Poems, 1968-2008Coleman Barks
Bark’s open-hearted, free verse poetry springs directly from experiences
such as the elation and struggle of raising children, the
grief of losing loved ones or the changing nature and intensity of desire. Barks uses the personal to convey the universal.
100 books all Georgians should read“Buy local” at the bookstore this holiday season
shereads
Authors and illustrators from across the state, including several on GCB’s “must read” list, gathered at the Dahlonega Literary Festival in North Georgia last month to lead panel discussions, meet fans and sign
Among them was Joshilyn Jackson of Powder Springs, bestselling author of four
Gods Between,
The Girl Who and
. Her A Grown-
Jackson took part in
complete with rubber cleavage. You can’t make this stuff up!”
Hawthorne’s backyard pool. Laurel’s estranged sister Thalia joins
of Southern CookingVirginia Willis
Recipes include stylishly updated Southern and French classics and rib-sticking, old-timey favorites as well as cooking tips and stories from Willis, a chef who has cooked for the White
House and celebrities like Aretha Franklin and Jane Fonda.
struggle of raising children, the grief of losing loved ones or the changing nature and intensity of Georgia authors and illustrators gathered at the Dahlonega Book Festival in November. From left,
Laura Knorr (illustrator, Papa Noel), Jackie K. Cooper (author, Back to the Garden), Lauretta Hannon (author, The Cracker Queen), Joshilyn Jackson (author, Backseat Saints), J.F. Lewis (author, Staked) and Mark Braught (illustrator, Cosmo’s Moon).
STORY & PHOTOS BY
KATIE VANBRACKLE
My nose leads the way. Following the scent of fresh herbs and braised apple-brined pork, I find Executive Chef Boyd Rose presiding over the kitchen at Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails, preparing for another evening of delighting diners with his New Southern Cuisine.
One can’t help but feel at home in the 150-year-old restored farmhouse nestled in the heart of historic Crabapple. Small, intimate rooms with fireplaces, a wood-paneled bar and attractive outdoor patio create an inviting, cozy atmosphere. The charming setting, combined with Chef Rose’s regionally inspired comfort food, has earned a loyal following.
Back in the kitchen, Chef Rose smiles as he reaches for an old, well-seasoned cast iron skillet that once belonged to his grandmother. “Granny Alexander” taught him to cook scrambled eggs and cornbread in that skillet when Rose was only 4 years old. He has many happy memories of
watching his grandmother, mother and aunt create Southern meals in their Huntsville, Ala. kitchens, always including Rose in some way. “Taste this dressing, son. Does it need more sage?”
After moving to Charleston, S.C. to earn a degree in culinary arts, Rose spent 13 years blending his cooking roots with time-honored Low Country methods. Working with some of Charleston’s top chefs, he learned to use French techniques to bring out the best in Southern ingredients. Living on the coast also fueled his love for cooking with fresh fish and seafood.
At Milton’s, Chef Rose enjoys surprising people who have fixed ideas of what Southern cooking is all about. When corporate clients bring in executives from other parts of the country, Rose insists they give local stone-ground grits a try.
“Most are converts,” he said with a modest grin, once they sample his pimento cheese grits, lemon grits or cream corn grits with smoked bacon
and asiago cheese.
Chef Rose paired goat cheese grits with crispy seared Niman Ranch pork belly and spicy tomato jam to cinch the award for Best Appetizer at the 2011 Taste of Alpharetta. He also won the Best Fine Dining Entrée award for his jumbo diver sea scallops served with mushroom and spring pea risotto and corn coulis.
Rose believes simplicity is the key to enjoyable food and creates nightly specials based on what’s growing in Milton’s Acre, a private, organic vegetable and herb garden located just behind the restaurant.
Local sources are sought for ingredients that can’t be grown in the garden, such as mountain trout from North Georgia, which is served sesame-crusted with scallion mashed potatoes, asparagus, sweet potato-
shrimp fritters and red chile syrup.Milton’s opens daily at 5 p.m.
and offers a New Southern Brunch on Sundays at 11 a.m. During warmer months, the patio is the place to be with live music Thursday through Saturday and “BBQ and Blues” events on the last Sunday of each month.
Cooking demonstrations are offered year-round with Planters Punch and dishes for a Low Country Christmas Brunch on the menu for Dec. 14. Contact the restaurant for reservations.
Chef Rose’s passion for cooking is shared with other members of his closely-knit staff, many of whom are culinary students themselves. Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails celebrated its five-year anniversary in August and continues to gain recognition as one of the best restaurants in metro Atlanta.
Granny Alexander would be proud.
Turn to page 12 for a holiday recipe from Chef Rose.
Fine dining in a farmhouseMilton’s Cuisine & Cocktails serves New Southern Cuisine
goodeats
10 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Above: Standing in front of Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails’ 150-year-old farmhouse are Sous Chef Derek Dollar, Events Coordinator Heather Testerman and Executive Chef Boyd Rose. Right: Cozy rooms with fireplaces add to the charm of fine dining in a farmhouse.
MILTON’S Cuisine & Cocktails780 Mayfield Road Milton, Ga. 30009
770-817-0161miltonscuisine.com
Left: Shrimp and Grits with red and yellow bell peppers, smoked bacon, mushrooms, scallions, tomatoes and lemon butter sauce. $21. Center: Charleston Crab Bisque with asiago cheese twist and sherry drizzle. $8. Right: Espresso Rubbed Apple-Brined Pork Loin with sweet potato, parsnip and andouille hash, grilled asparagus and a wild mushroom, bourbon, red wine demi-glace. $25
Chef Boyd Rose creates nightly specials based on what's growing
in Milton's Acre, the restaurant's
organic garden.
12 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
goodeatsgood
Ingredients8 cups chicken stock1 cup wild rice1 cup jasmine rice½ cup dried cranberries½ cup chopped pecans1 large shallot, chopped¼ cup red bell pepper¼ cup yellow bell pepper¼ cup fresh basil, chopped¼ cup fresh Italian parsley, choppedsalt and pepper, to taste.butter, as neededextra virgin olive oil, as needed
DirectionsPre-heat oven to 375 degrees.On a baking sheet, spread
pecans in an even layer; bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
In medium saucepan, combine wild rice with 6 cups of chicken stock and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook undisturbed until rice is just tender, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain the wild rice, rinse quickly
and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
In a medium ovenproof saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, 1-2 minutes. Add the jasmine rice and cook for 3 minutes until the rice is hot. Add the remaining two cups of chicken stock and bring to a boil. Stir, cover and bake until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Remove the rice from the oven and let sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the wild rice.
In a medium sauté pan, add butter and extra virgin olive oil and sauté peppers until tender. Transfer peppers to bowl with rice. Add dried cranberries and toasted pecans. Add basil and parsley and gently fold all ingredients with rice using a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
—Boyd A. Rose, Executive Chef Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails
&CRANBERRY PECAN WILD RICE PILAFYields about 4-6 servings
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14 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
BY CANDY WAYLOCK
You could say Vixen Vodka started with a situation. Or rather the Situation – the Jersey Shore icon whose 15-minute clock has thankfully ticked down to about four minutes.
Over a girls’ weekend last summer, Lee Ann Snyder and two friends were discussing the absurdity of the Situation being paid a cool half million to be the “face” of a vodka. This opened up a conversation about vodka in general, and from there an idea for Vixen Vodka took root.
“We realized there was no vodka out there that specifically targets or ‘talks’ to a woman,” said Snyder, who lives in Roswell and is the operations director for Vixen Enterprises. “We each have marketing, advertising and sales backgrounds and we thought ‘why can’t we do this?’”
In just over a year, the idea has become a product that has become a bold career move for the trio of friends and now business partners. In addition to Snyder, Vixen Ventures includes Alpharetta resident Jenny Policky, director of sales, and Carrie King, director of marketing, who lives in East Cobb.
After the three returned from the beach, they jumped headlong into the business venture, taking care of the legal side of registering the name, incorporating the business and other groundwork needed for the launch. Lost in those early days was a lot of thought about the actual making of the vodka.
“We bought a bunch of websites, and then looked at each other and said, “Wonder how you make vodka?” laughed Snyder. “So we turned
to Google and went from ‘let’s all go to Prague!’ to ‘ok, we’ve got to build a still and hire a chemist!’”
A private label distillery in Denver, Colo., was found, providing what Snyder said was “a match made in
heaven.” “We flew up to Denver and
sat around a conference table sampling different vodka formulas…
tough job, I know,” she said. The three business partners
had forged their friendship through Crossfit, a local fitness center, and wanted their vodka to reflect their commitment to health and wellness.
“A lot of Crossfitters follow a gluten-free lifestyle, so it was very important to us that our vodka be made from a gluten-free base, [so]
we chose corn as the base of Vixen Vodka,” she said.
The end product, said Snyder, is a vodka that represents the personalities of its founders and promotes women empowerment.
“Our brand is memorable, flirty, fun and strong. And so are the three of us!” said Snyder. “We are our own demographic, in that we are ages 33-50, married, single, divorced, with kids, no kids. While we are not ignoring any market segment, our primary target is women 28 plus.”
Though the product is now on the shelves after months of taste testing and focus groups, Snyder said the journey from idea to reality was not always easy. While most supported their venture, others questioned the reality of breaking into the mostly male-dominated liquor business.
“There has only been one person, a gentleman I consulted with early on, who told me I’d never make it in the liquor industry due to my lack of experience in that world,” said Snyder. “His words just motivated us all the more.”
Vixen Vodka is only the first step in the trio’s business plans. The company hopes to soon offer Vixen Grants, which will fund opportunities for women to fulfill their own dreams, said Snyder, whether it’s climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or opening their own business.
And, as far as the initial “naysayer?” He will soon receive an inaugural bottle for his inadvertent assistance in launching the brand, said Snyder.
womeninbusinessVixen Vodka fills niche in women’s drinksCompany looks to future opportunities to empower women
SPECIALCreators of Vixen Vodka, from left, LeeAnn Snyder, Jennifer Policky and Carrie King, celebrate the drink’s debut at the Starry Night fundraiser in October.
”“&
Our brand is memorable, flirty, fun
strong. And so are the
three of us!
VIXEN RECIPES
Holiday VixenIngredients1.5 oz. Vixen Vodka1.5 oz. chocolate liqueur (Godiva, Dove or Creme de Caco)1 oz. half-and-halfShaved chocolateHoneyDirectionsDip the glass into honey then into the shaved chocolate. Combine vodka, liqueur and half-and-half in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
The Merry Vixen(She’s not a bad girl,
she’s just distilled that way!)Ingredients2 oz. Vixen Vodka4 oz. spicy tomato juice1 tsp. Wasabidash Worcestershiredash soyDirectionsCombine vodka and tomato juice in shaker, then add Wasabi, Worcestershire and soy. Shake gently and pour into tall glass with ice. Garnish with celery.
.com | december2011
includes Alpharetta resident Jenny Policky, director of sales, and Carrie King, director of marketing,
After the three returned from the beach, they jumped headlong into the business venture, taking care of the legal side of registering the name, incorporating the business and other groundwork needed for the launch. Lost in those early days was a lot of thought about the actual
“We bought a bunch of websites, and then looked at each other and said, “Wonder how you make vodka?” laughed Snyder. “So we turned
heaven.” “We flew up to Denver and
sat around a conference table sampling different vodka formulas…
Ingredients1.5 oz. Vixen Vodka1.5 oz. chocolate liqueur (Godiva, Dove or Creme de Caco)1 oz. half-and-halfShaved chocolateHoneyDirectionsDip the glass into honey then into the shaved chocolate. Combine vodka, liqueur and half-and-half in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
16 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
BY DEVON MORGAN
PhotoSynthesis Studiowww.PhotoSynthesisAtlanta.com
The holiday season means different things for different people. For me, it means my world will slow down, even if only for a few days, and I can spend great down time with my friends and family. To help you preserve the memorable moments from your holiday get-togethers, here are tips for taking perfect family photos.
Inside or outside? In my experience, natural light is almost always best. So round up the family and go outside for posed shots. Early morning and late afternoon will have the best lighting -- especially the hour before the sun rises, or sets, to get a
beautiful pink glow. Try to avoid the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak to minimize “squinty” faces and deep, under eye shadows.
What to wear? My only real “rule” is stay away from busy patterns near your face. The focus of the pictures should be the people, not the tie-dye scarf from last year’s Secret Santa swap! For group shots, I tell my clients to lay all their clothes together on the bed the night before, and if any piece stands out or doesn’t match, ditch it. Avoid the overused “matchy-matchy” look by picking a general scheme, like earth tones or bright colors, and then add variety with textures and fabrics. Think classic clothes, and avoid trendy pieces. While you may look stylish this year, you’ll look dated in no time.
How many in the photo?
While there is no exact answer to the perfect number of people in a photo, it can be tricky to get creative when trying to pose 20 people! But to do so, have some sit, while others squat, stand or lean to keep it symmetrical. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is to form a triangle with the tallest person in the middle and the shortest on the edges. It’s an easy way to make a large group appear thoughtfully placed. For smaller groups, keep the
posing to a minimum and just capture natural interactions.
How can I add variety
to my composition? I could talk on this topic for hours, but my short answer is to change your angle. Once you’ve taken a photo, think about other ways to shoot the same subject. For kids or pets, get down on the ground and shoot at their level. It will make for a MUCH more interesting picture.
Smile! Tips for taking the perfect holiday photos
DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIOSiblings Cameron, Rory and Harrison Park stroll down Francis Road in Milton, Ga., during their fall photo shoot. The group’s simple yet stylish outfits, combined with the brightly colored leaves that really pop on an overcast day, made for a great shoot.
herviewherviewher
18 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
BY ALLISON HAVILL TODD
Interior Designer
With the holidays approaching, I find that many of my clients enjoy creating a warm and festive atmosphere in their homes. Here are a just a few suggestions to help you give your home a cozy and warm holiday glow.
A beautiful entrance: This is where a great first impression can be made. Consider dressing up your front door with a beautiful holiday wreath. From a natural evergreen wreath to one featuring beautiful dried flowers mixed with silk greenery, a welcoming wreath will definitely set the mood for what awaits inside. I prefer a wreath with fresh materials whenever possible.
A welcoming foyer: Once inside, your foyer sets the stage for your guests. Is yours warm and inviting? A welcoming, well-lit foyer is a must for every home. Mirrors can help brighten these areas. A well-selected area rug will help add a touch of
warmth. An accent lamp on a timer is also a great way to create a warm glow in the evenings.
An inviting living room: Family and friends generally settle in your living or family room. The centerpiece of either room is typically a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. If your room features a fireplace, then mantle decorating is a must. Candles, pinecones and stockings (hung with care!) will add the festive touch to your fireplace area. Once again, I prefer to use touches of natural materials as opposed to artificial pieces.
Typically, furniture needs to be slightly rearranged to accommodate your family Christmas tree. Be sure to keep these newly arranged pieces in comfortable groupings that encourage conversation.
An elegant dining room: Naturally, the dining room should provide an attractive and comfortable atmosphere for your holiday meals. A well set, decorative table is a must. Holiday linens and unique plate chargers can become
the backdrop for a lively – but not overbearing – accent to your special meal.
Thoughtful guest touches: If you have houseguests, think of ways you can make their visit with you even more special. Beautify the guestroom with a touch of holiday magic. Create a welcoming room using holiday-inspired accent pillows on the bed, or drape a holiday throw over a chair.
herstyleherstyleherHome for the holidays: Beautiful ways to make your home shine
Allison Havill Todd is the president and director of Allison Havill Todd Interiors, a firm with more than 15
years of experience designing fine interiors for the home
and office. She also founded Designing Dreams to provide
design for those in crisis. Visit her website at ahtinteriors.com.
SPECIAL
20 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Meet Maui! This super sweet 6-year-old girl was rescued along with her 10 puppies after being abandoned at a shelter. After getting a clean bill of health, she is now looking for a second chance with a family who will truly appreciate and love her, and not leave her behind again. Maui is a true lab, with a constant smile on her face and a tail that never stops wagging (especially if she knows she is
going for a walk). She would be great in a home with another dog to keep her company and a yard to chase squirrels and birds around! Maui has been through a lot in her life, and would love to spend her adult years on a comfy couch or bed, just being someone’s loyal companion.
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december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 21
Imagine waking up one day to find your usual routine disrupted and the house filled with glittery new objects. For your pets, the holidays can be an interesting, and sometimes dangerous, adventure.
Just as you would child-proof your home during the holidays if you have little ones, keep your home safe for your four-legged kids as well.
Here are tips to keep your home safe for your pets this holiday season, courtesy of PetSmart:
♦ Nicotine can be fatal to pets. If guests smoke or use tobacco and you don’t, your pets may be curious about the cigarettes or cigars. Be sure to provide ashtrays that can be placed out of pets’ reach. If ingested, tobacco products cause serious gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiac arrest or death.
♦ Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias, though somewhat toxic,
are only mildly dangerous, generally causing only serious stomach upset. However, lilies found in many holiday arrangements are very dangerous, especially to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested.
♦ Small ornaments, especially balls and bells, are attractive to pets -- but deadly if consumed. Consider decorating your tree with “pet safe” ornaments, and put garland and tinsel out of reach.
♦ Artificial snow, aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be poisonous and also obstruct the intestinal tract, causing severe
gastrointestinal problems.♦ Take a pass on bubbling
Christmas lights and snow globes. The bubblers contain toxic methylene chloride, and snow globes often contain anti-freeze, which is fatal to pets.
♦ After the presents are opened, check for small parts from children’s toys that may be left within reach. Put children’s toys behind closed doors once gifts are opened.
♦ String tree lights, then hide the connecting cords under the tree skirt or tape them down to help prevent shocks, burns or more serious injuries. Even a well-behaved pet could trip on an electrical cord and take down the entire tree!
♦ Secure the Christmas tree by anchoring it to the floor with weights and run fishing line from the top of the tree to the ceiling. This will keep curious pets from knocking it over.
♦ Keep pets from drinking Christmas tree water! Never add fertilizers to the water, and change it regularly. This helps keep the tree fresh, and also avoids dangerous bacterial build-up. Consider using a decorative fencing around the tree to keep pets away.
♦ Don’t leave burning candles within pets’ reach or unattended. Candles can singe curious noses and paws, and can spark a fire if knocked over. Consider flameless candles.
♦ Reduce pets’ stress when entertaining guests. Keep pets in a quiet room or indoor kennel away from the action, and with their favorite bedding and toys. This will also keep them from escaping through doors left open by guests. It can also prevent fighting among pets that usually get along but might become competitive over attention.
—Candy Waylock
Pet-proof your home during the holidayswoman'sbestfriend
Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz, founder/artistic director ▼Roswell Dance Theatre/Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance
Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz laughs as she mentally “crunches” the number of students who have passed through the doors of her company, the Roswell Dance Theatre, since she opened the doors more than three decades ago.
“Whew! That’s 33 years of teaching approximately 500 dancers a year…so about 16,500 dancers,” she concluded. “I am now teaching the children of the first children I taught. I have three generations of dancers in this year’s ‘Nutcracker.’”
Although this will be her 20th year of sugar plum fairies and dancing rat kings, Tolbert Yilmaz says she has never grown tired of the annual performance.
“Every year is a new and different cast,” she said. “We work on changing up the show each year, with new costumes, new choreography, new ideas…it is the highlight of our performing year.”
Tolbert Yilmaz has extensive dance training in ballet, tap and jazz, studying with such notable teachers as Robert Joffrey of the Joffrey Ballet New York, David Howard, Pittman Corry, Igor Schwezoff and Gabriela Taub-Darvash.
She was also a featured performer in the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
As she works toward the opening performance of “The Nutcracker” this season, Tolbert Yilmaz reflects on the many elements that make it successful.
“We are like a big family. We work together, play together and take care of each other,” she said. “Our ‘Nutcracker’ is so special because it brings out the best in each of us and we enjoy every minute.”
Roswell Dance Theatre/Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance10400 D Alpharetta Street, Roswell
770-998-0259 | www.tysod.com
Kitty Garrison, executive director ▼North Atlanta Dance Academy/Theatre
It is no surprise that Kitty Garrison is actively involved with the arts and, in particular, responsible for all the details that result in well-run performances.
As the daughter of professional musicians, she spent many hours as a child roaming the aisles of Symphony Hall in El Paso, Texas. She attended every ballet performance available, including several performances by the Ballet Russe, which was still touring in the late 1950s.
“From age 8 to 15, I studied ballet and flute, and I spent summers organizing neighborhood shows, creating programs and selling tickets!” Garrison recalled. “It was those early experiences that made me realize I enjoyed being behind the scenes - rather than in the spotlight.”
As an adult, Garrison raised four children, pursued a career in interior design and stayed involved with various dance organizations. In 1997, she and her husband Michael Garrison, opened North Atlanta Dance Academy. Two years later, they founded North Atlanta Dance Theatre, a performing dance company in Johns Creek.
“My 10 years of experience as an interior decorator has proven very valuable in the family business,” said Garrison. “I design all the costumes for every production, oversee the fittings, find or make headpieces and props and arrange for backdrops, flooring and production transportation.”
She said her skill at backstage organization is disciplined, while pleasant, making for a wonderful experience for the 100+ dancers who depend on “Miss Kitty” to have the right answer at any given moment!
Maniya Barredo, director ▼Metropolitan Ballet Theatre
After dancing the lead roles in Atlanta Ballet productions for nearly 20 years, Maniya Barredo opened her own theater in downtown Alpharetta in 1998, to train the next generation of performers.
Since 2003, Metropolitan Ballet Theatre has performed “The Nutcracker” and Barredo looks forward to this season’s performance with the same enthusiasm as her first performance.
“Oh my, I’ve danced in about a thousand ‘Nutcrackers’ and I loved it every time,” said Barredo. “It’s really about the child in all of us, from 2 to 92, and everything that is special about Christmas.”
The former prima ballerina (a title bestowed upon her by Dame Margot Fonteyn) said she selected the suburbs of Atlanta to place her school, noting the area is a thriving locale for the arts.
A native of the Philippines, Barredo began her ballet career at 2 years old and by age 7 was a
professional dancer with her own television show. At 17, she left the Philippines to attend a ballet workshop in New York, which led to an audition and acceptance into the prestigious Joffrey School. She danced with the Joffrey Ballet for
several years before heading to Montreal where she performed with Les Grandes Ballets Canadiens.
In Canada, she was “discovered” by Robert Barnett, the artistic director of the Atlanta Ballet, who brought her to Georgia in 1977, where she danced until her retirement in 1995. Barredo has danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov, toured with the Stars of the World Ballet and performed the leading roles in many performances with the Atlanta Ballet.
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre11460 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta
678-297-2800
◄ Rose Barile, directorAlpharetta Dance Theatre
A graduate of the prestigious New York School of Performing Arts and Julliard, Rose Barile
has been the director of the Alpharetta Dance Theatre
for nearly three decades. There,
theinterviewinterview
Maniya Barredo, director ▼Metropolitan Ballet Theatre
theinterviewinterviewDance theaters thrive under direction of talented women
BY CANDY WAYLOCK
[email protected] every successful theater performance, stands the person
who makes it all happen through sheer determination, vision and talent. In north metro Atlanta, the holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Sugar Plum Fairy takes the stage in “The Nutcracker.” Here are profiles of the many women who lead the premier dance and ballet theaters throughout the area.
22 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
North Atlanta Dance Academy10700 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek
770-772-8000www.northatlantadanceacademy.com
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 23
she offers instruction for all the major and national dance organizations, focused on providing the best atmosphere of discipline, learning and fun.
“It has been a phenomenal experience,” said Barile. “I have taught thousands of students over the years and now I teach the children of my former students. “
This year marks the 15th time the Alpharetta Dance Theatre will be performing “The Nutcracker,” but Barile says she never tires of the annual holiday event.
“‘The Nutcracker’ has been a tradition my entire professional career,” said Barile. “As a ballerina,
I performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy with the Atlanta Ballet. As a director, it is extremely rewarding to see my students rehearse their roles. My holidays always begin with ‘The Nutcracker!’”
She is especially proud that her “Nutcracker” is performed, with only one exception, entirely of her
company members. “We have never had the need to import dancers,
therefore giving our students the opportunity to work towards and perform their dream,” she said.
Throughout her 30 years with the Alpharetta Dance Theatre, Barile has been most proud of the number of her students who have gone on to become members of professional ballet and modern companies and perform in leading roles on Broadway.
“Many of our students have earned their teaching degree and currently teach at our studio,” said Barile. “That was my dream when I started the studio 29 years ago. It is beyond rewarding to see the important part dance played in my student’s life, and how their most special friendships were formed here.”
Alpharetta Dance Theatre180 Roswell Street, Alpharetta
770-664-4797 www.alpharettadancetheatre.com
Joan Kall Stewart, owner/artistic directorSawnee School of Ballet/Sawnee Ballet Theatre
A native New Yorker, Joan Kall Stewart received her formative training at the Westbury Studio of Fine Arts, and studied at the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo under the guidance of Anatole Vilzak and Ludmilla Shollar.
Stewart has taught ballet in Atlanta since 1967. In 1990, Stewart became the owner of the Sawnee School of Ballet and artistic director of the Sawnee Ballet Theatre in Cumming.
Her professional resume is vast, and includes the Broadway companies of “Camelot” and “Hello Dolly” and national companies of “Fiorello,” “The Sound of Music,” “Hello Dolly” and “How to Succeed in
Business With Really Trying.” Her summer stock credits include the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “Half a Sixpence” and the Music Fair’s circuit productions of “Half a Sixpence” and “Gypsy.”
She performed in roles for Atlanta’s Theatre of the Stars: Liat in “South Pacific,” Gloria Upson in “Mame,” Sue Ellen Bradbury in “How Now Dow Jones,” Liesl in “The Sound of Music” and Ermengarde in “Hello Dolly.” Stewart has appeared on the “Patty Duke Show” and the “Woody Allen TV Special.”
An accomplished choreographer, Stewart’s works have been performed by the Georgia Ballet, Ruth Mitchell Dance Company, Phoenix Opera Company, Mercer University, DeKalb Concert Ballet, Chattahoochee Dance Theatre, the Sandy Springs Dunwoody Civic Ballet, the Sawnee Ballet Theatre and St. Petersburg Florida’s Chamber Ballet Company. Sawnee School of Ballet/Sawnee Ballet Theatre
433 Canton Hwy, Suite 312, Cumming770-887-0756
www.sawneeschoolofballet.com
Niki Jernigan-Watkins, owner/artistic director ▼Cumming Dance Academy
Niki Jernigan-Watkins began her training at the age of 3 with the Carol Eason School of Dance and Pritchett-Pippin Studios in Americus, Ga., and is classically trained in ballet, pointe, tap and jazz.
She is currently in her eighth season as the owner and artistic director of the Cumming Dance Academy, teaching dance to students of all ages.
“I opened CDA to give young girls the opportunity to grow as young ladies by providing them with self esteem and grace. We teach dance, but we
understand that we are teaching much, much more to these young ladies,” said Jernigan-
Watkins.Jernigan-Watkins performed for 10
years before joining The Dance Company-Americus to begin her career as a dance instructor. She is a graduate of Valdosta State University where she received a
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre/Dance, and was recently named a Distinguished Alumni.
Her passion for teaching led Jernigan-Watkins to use her talents to teach the magic of dance to students from all over, of all ages.
“Over 75 percent of our students have been with us since the day we opened, I think that speaks volumes. We learn with them, we grow with them, we dance with them - but most of all, we love them,” she said.
Jernigan-Watkins resides in Cumming with her
See BALLET, Page 29
“THE NUTCRACKER” Performance Schedule
Alpharetta Dance TheatreDec. 17-18
Milton High School Auditorium13025 Birmingham Highway, Miltonwww.alpharettadancetheatre.com
Atlanta Ballet*Dec. 8-24
Fabulous Fox Theatre, Atlantawww.atlantaballet.com
Atlanta Dance Theatre“Babes in Toyland”
Dec. 9-10Roswell Cultural Arts Center 950 Forrest Street, Roswell
www.atlantadancetheatre.org
Fleetwood Dance Center (Alpharetta)Dec. 9-11
Blessed Trinity Performing Arts Center11320 Woodstock Road, Roswell
www.fleetwooddance.com
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre*Dec. 2 – 18
Gwinnett Centerwww.gwinnettcenter.com
Metropolitan Ballet TheatreDec. 16-18
Blessed Trinity Performing Arts Center11320 Woodstock Road, Roswell
www.metropolitanballet.org
North Atlanta Dance TheatreDec. 2-4
Blessed Trinity Performing Arts Center11320 Woodstock Road, Roswell
www.northatlantadance.com
Sawnee School of BalletDec. 15-18
South Forsyth High School Auditorium585 Peachtree Pkwy Cumming,www.sawneeballettheatre.org
Tolbert Yilmaz / Roswell Dance Theatre
Dec. 1-4Roswell Cultural Arts Center 950 Forrest Street, Roswell
www.tysod.com
*See page 35 for more information
24 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 25
26 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Calling all Northside Women! Take a break from the holiday madness and treat yourself to a gals’ night out on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.! Come celebrate the opening of The Drake Closet, a new ladies’ resale boutique in Roswell with a special shopping night hosted by Northside Woman. Enjoy appetizers, wine and music while you browse The Drake Closet’s large inventory of upscale, new and gently worn women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. The event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends!
Shop to your heart’s content knowing that every penny goes to support The Drake House, which provides short-term crisis housing and support to homeless mothers and their children in the North Fulton area.
The Drake Closet is located in a cozy grey cottage at 825 Mimosa Boulevard in Historic Roswell, across the street from Roswell United Methodist Church.
todo
Join Northside Woman to celebrate the opening of The Drake Closet in Roswell
KATIE VANBRACKLE
&Shopping fun, all for a great cause!
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 27
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28 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
BY CYNTHIA
MORRISON EIKE
Visage Designs by Cynthia, LLC
Working all day, then heading straight to a holiday party leaves little time to reapply your makeup. Here’s how to get “party perfect” in a jiffy by stashing a few extra items in your makeup bag to get that freshly applied look (without having to start over).
Remove all lip color by massaging lip balm over lips and wiping with a tissue. Then, generously re-apply a rich lip balm like pure minerals’ Lip Revival ($23) to soften, plump and hydrate while you refresh the rest of your makeup.
Revive tired eyes and faded concealer by dabbing eye cream then concealer over existing eye makeup. Olay’s Regenerist Eye Touch of Concealer Regenerating Cream
($22) pulls double duty by hydrating and concealing in one step.
Smooth out existing foundation around hairline, jaw line and T-zone with a clean sponge. Then reapply lightly just through the center of your face, blending o u t w a r d . Try Benefit’s Some Kind-A Gorgeous ($29) in translucent. It is a universal color that “fakes” fresh foundation without caking. Lightly dust with a colorless powder from a compact (using a brush) like Bare Escentual’s bareMineral Ready SPF 15 Touch Up Veil in translucent ($22).
Fill in faded brows with your usual brow color. Then sharpen their shape with a Q-tip by swiping lightly under
and over brow line. Set brows with a dusting of translucent powder. Decrease daylong eye shadows by gently rubbing with fingertips to re-
smooth. Lightly dust translucent powder over lids and brows with a clean fluff brush (Japonesque Travel Eye Shadow Fluff - medium $15.50) and reapply the same or darker shadow
on lids. Intensify eyes with a sweep of black eyeliner to lash lines (for added glamour, line the inner rims of eyes) and smudge lightly with a Q-tip.
Reenergize by adding more blush or bronzer over cheeks, forehead and throat area. Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer in Malibu Strip/Pink Sand Bronzer ($13)
blends five colors in a light shimmer for all over color. Dab your brush in the lightest shade alone to add extra gleam to tops of cheekbones, inner corners of eyes and just under the arch of your brow bone for the perfect party glow.
Blot any excess lip balm and finish your look by adding fresh lip liner and color to newly hydrated lips and blot. Dab super shimmery lip gloss like Rimmel London’s Stay Glossy Lip Gloss in Unlimited Gold ($5) just to the center of your lips for a perfect party pout.
Go from ‘office wear’ to ‘party perfect’ in minutesherbeauty
Cynthia has been a makeup artist for more than 25 years. She
provides consulting and makeup
application services through
Visage Designs by Cynthia.
Contact her at [email protected] or at
770-331-9957.
around hairline, jaw line and T-zone with a clean sponge. Then reapply lightly just through the center of your face, blending o u t w a r d . Try Benefit’s Some Kind-A Gorgeous ($29) in translucent. It is a universal color that
gently rubbing with fingertips to re-smooth. Lightly dust
translucent powder over lids and brows with a clean fluff brush (Japonesque Travel Eye Shadow Fluff - medium $15.50) and reapply the same or darker shadow
on lids. Intensify eyes
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 29
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Cumming Dance Academy419 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming
770-781-4922www.cummingdanceacademy.com
Jonnie Kelley, artistic director ▼Atlanta Dance Theatre
Jonnie Kelley received her early training in Atlanta, New York City and the National Ballet School in Canada. In 1981, she formed Atlanta Dance Theatre, which resides at The Dancer’s Studio/Backstage. Kelley has taught for many major dance organizations and is active in several arts organizations. Her credits include regional ballet, musical comedy productions, dinner theaters and touring groups, both as a performer and a choreographer.
As an Honor Company member of the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association (SERBA),
a regional organization within Regional Dance America (RDA), Atlanta Dance Theatre maintains high-profile performances under professional choreographers. ADT will present repertory works at this season’s national RDA festival to be held in Toronto, Canada, in May of 2012.
ADT is celebrating its 30th year with the annual holiday production of Babes In Toyland, now in its 21st season.
Atlanta Dance Theatre8560 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite
118, Alpharetta404-438-3028
www.atlantadancetheatre.org
Ballet: Director profilesContinued from Page 23
30 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
GIVE: HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS ▼Support: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Each year, patients of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta donate pieces of original artwork that are made into an assortment of colorful holiday greeting cards. Browse an online catalog to meet the artists, read their stories and select your favorite card design. Each card benefits a specific area of Children’s such as the Sibley Heart Center or Pediatric Intensive Care Units. To order cards, visit www.choa.org/cards or call 404-785-7380.
Holiday gifts that give backAll holiday gifts are not created
equal. Some work double duty. Here are five gifts to share with friends and relatives that will not only delight the
recipient, but will directly benefit some very deserving local charities. This year, give gifts that really do keep on giving!
TA
KE
5five ideas & tips for
northside w omen
BY KATIE VANBRACKLE
[email protected]{ }recipient, but will directly benefit }recipient, but will directly benefit some very deserving local charities. }some very deserving local charities. This year, give gifts that really do keep }This year, give gifts that really do keep
GIVE: A CHILDREN’S BOOK ▼Support: Foster Care Support Foundation
“Hark and Shep, the Christmas Misfits” is a charming self-esteem story about an angel and a shepherd who somehow seem to mess everything up. After getting lost, the two misfits somehow find themselves on the scene when a new baby is born in a lowly manger. All of the proceeds go to Foster Care Support Foundation, which provides resources and support to families hosting foster children in the state of Georgia. The books may be purchased for $10 at the new Fostering Hope Bargain Resale shop at 1425 Market Boulevard in Roswell or online at http://fostercares.org.
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 31
GIVE: AN “ADOPTED” HORSE ▲Support: Save the Horses
As a special gift for any horse lover, you may “adopt” any of the more than 100 animals who live at Save the Horses farm, a volunteer-run rescue and rehabilitation facility for abused and abandoned horses and equines in Cumming. Your gift recipient will receive a photo and status updates on their adopted horse while your donation provides much-needed food and medical care. A special fundraising event will be held at the Save the Horses farm on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy old-fashioned Christmas fun including pony rides, games, raffles, treats and photos with “Santa” horse.
www.savethehorses.org
GIVE: A CD OF HOLIDAY MUSIC ▼Support: Open Arms Ministry
Enjoy the sounds of Christmas with professionally recorded performances by adult, children’s and handbell choirs, pianists, violinists, classical guitarists and lyric sopranos, all members of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Proceeds from “An Open Arms Christmas” will support the Open Arms ministry of the church, which offers a professionally staffed special needs Promise Class on Sundays for children on the autism spectrum, as well as support for elderly shut-ins and those facing cancer. $15. Order online at www.alpharettapres.com.
GIVE: JEWELRY, HOLIDAY AND HOME DÉCOR ▲Support: Global Artisans
and Forsyth County Charities
Shop for handcrafted home décor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe at Ten Thousand Villages at the Avenue Forsyth, a fair trade organization that benefits under or unemployed artisans in poor countries. In addition, each Friday in December, Ten Thousand Villages will donate 15 percent of all purchases to local charities such as the Forsyth County Humane Society, CASA (protecting abused and neglected children in court), Family Haven (for families in crisis) and the Brian Parks Foundation (serving families facing pediatric cancer).
http://cumming.tenthousandvillages.com
GIVE: A CD OF HOLIDAY MUSIC
Support: Open Arms Ministry
recorded performances by adult, children’s and handbell choirs, pianists, violinists, classical guitarists and lyric sopranos, all members of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Proceeds from “An Open Arms Christmas” will support the Open Arms ministry of the church, which offers a professionally staffed special needs Promise Class on Sundays for children on the autism spectrum, as well as support for elderly shut-ins and those facing cancer. $15. Order online at www.alpharettapres.com.
32 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
SPECIALGary Casey began portraying Santa Claus in 1995 and now owns SantaAtlanta.com.
BY MATTHEW W. QUINN
Gary Casey, owner of SantaAtlanta.com, advertises that he can provide Santas for Christmas parties and other occasions. So he sat down with Northside Woman to tell more about his business.
Northside Woman: Exactly what is your “Santa business?” How does it work? How many Santas do you have?
Gary Casey: “I’m an agency for Santas in the metro Atlanta area."
Typically, someone who wants a Santa will call Casey, who will quote a price and arrange the presence of a Santa for the client. Casey does all the paperwork.
Casey employs 100 Santas. All have been background-checked. They are also all trained at his Santa Claus school and are insured.
Casey then explained how he came to be a Santa provider. One year, he didn’t shave and his hairdresser told him he looked like Santa Claus. The hairdresser arranged for Casey to portray Santa a couple of times. The following year, 1996, his hairdresser did not wish to do that again, so Casey decided to do it himself.
Casey worked as a courier at the
time and used the job to distribute his business cards. He described that strategy as “guerrilla marketing.”
In 1998, he hired his first additional Santa Claus, a man he met at Home Depot.
NSW: I bet you have some stories to tell.
GC: One time in a Harry’s Farmers Market, a little girl climbed into his lap and, loud enough for her mother to hear him, asked him to please get her parents to stop fighting. She then asked for more conventional Christmas presents.
“Mommy did not escape me."He sat the mother on his lap
and told her to fulfill her daughter’s request. He doesn’t know how things ended up with that family.
NSW: What is the best aspect of your business?
GC: “It’s all about having fun when it’s all said and done."
Casey gets to associate and have fun with both children and adults.
NSW: What is the worst aspect?GC: “Parents are my biggest
problem."In particular, it’s parents yelling
at their kids to demand they smile. If children come up to him screaming, he sends them on their way. One isn’t
The Santa BrokerMan supplies Santas for malls, parties
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 33
going to hear what the child wants for Christmas or get a good picture if they’re in that condition.
NSW: What advice do you have for someone who wants to become a Santa?
GC: “Stay healthy [and] don’t get fat. Get a fat suit—it’ll serve you better.”
One should take classes on how to be a Santa and sign up with an agency, because that will provide referrals in addition to the business one gathers oneself.
He recommended the Santa Claus Academy, a business he owns along with SantaAtlanta.
NSW: What kind of money do Santas make?
GC: “Not much."He does not know where the
stories come from of mall Santas making hundreds of thousands of dollars. A typical rate is between $7,000 and $10,000 for a season. He was paid $7,000 in 1996, and the figure hasn’t changed since.
Making $25,000 to $50,000 is an outside figure, something someone
who has been at the same location for 10 to 20 years would make.
NSW: Have you seen any changes in the kids since you first started?
GC: “Kids will be kids. They ask the funniest questions and say the funniest things.”
One thing that has changed in the 15 years he has been Santa Claus is that kids are more interested in electronics than in the past.
NSW: Tell me about the best Santa you have ever had.
GC: “I’ve had a couple best Santas I’ve ever had."
A Santa should be an outgoing, jovial man who is rehired year after year by the same client. If someone isn’t rehired, that needs to be explained.
Santas that generate repeated business for SantaAtlanta.com are the best Santas.
Due to his health, Casey has had to delegate more and more of his Santa duties to others and this season does not anticipate serving as Santa at all. He picks his best Santas to replace him.
34 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
I truly believe there are people who make, and people who buy what others make. It’s a wonderful yin-yang that keeps the world’s economy in balance. That said, I decided this year to stop paying for someone else to make my Christmas bows, since it seems it was a basic skill I could probably muster (if not master). Not trusting my own two hands, I bought a device that promised me “designer” bows.
The Product
Bowdabra Designer Bowmaker. It’s essentially a T-shaped plastic product that holds the ribbon in place to allow loops to be made. I purchased the standard size, however a mini version for hair bows and smaller uses is also available. $14.99 at craft shops (I used the coupon in the paper and
picked it up for less than $10!) www.bowdabra.com.
The Promise
Bowdabra promises “bow-making made easy!” The product claims you can “create spectacular bows, designer swags, holiday decorations, hair bows, party favors, corsages and more in just a few easy steps.”
The Results
I’ve had great intent to make my own bows, so my closet was filled with rolls of ribbons just waiting to deck out my home for the holidays. I dusted off the rolls and set to work creating my ribbon masterpieces. I started with the instruction book and got a bit confused with directions on 180 degree twists and
“right” and “wrong” sides. Skip that and go straight to the CD where you can actually see how it is supposed to be done. It took me about three times to make a bow that I would actually
keep. The first time, I loaded the ribbon the wrong way; the second time my loops were a bit crazy; but the third time was a keeper. I will probably keep using the Bowdabra since I’m
craft-challenged, but I think the art of making bows is easily
l e a r n e d without this product.
Bowdabra promises “bow-making made easy!” The product claims you can “create spectacular bows, designer swags, holiday decorations, hair bows, party favors, corsages and more in just a few easy steps.”
I’ve had great intent to make my own bows, so my closet was filled with rolls of ribbons just waiting to deck out my home for the holidays. I dusted off the rolls and set to work creating my ribbon masterpieces. I started with the instruction book and got a bit confused with directions
times to make a bow that I would actually
keep using the Bowdabra since I’m craft-challenged, but I think the
art of making bows is easily l e a r n e d
without this product.
Bowdabra – Designer BowmakerBowdabra – Designer Bowmakergive it a whirl
The Rating
Three out of four stars.—Candy Waylock
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 35
Kid’s Creek is celebrating it’s 7th year of helping children reach their potential in North Atlanta.
• Physical Therapy • Speech Therapy • Interactive Metronome • Hippotherapy• Handwriting Groups
• Occupational Therapy• Oral Motor Myofunctional Therapy• P.R.O.M.P.T. Speech Therapy• Feeding Therapy• Social Skills Groups
Call now to sign up for our Summer Camps!Social Skills campBelly Dancing campMoving with a Purpose CampArt CampHandwriting CampSummer Fun CampPROMPT and Play Summer Camp (an intensive speechcamp utilizing the P.R.O.M.P.T. - Prompts for RestructuringOral Motor Phonetic Targets - technique)
Feeding TherapyAre you up a creek about what to feed yourpicky eater? Find help at the Food Explorersgroup! (utilizing SOS therapeutic feeding techniqueswith a licensed nutritionist, ST and OT)
Lindamood Bell PhonemeSequencing® Program(phonemic awareness for reading, spelling,and speech and develops cognitive processesrelated to word attack, and phonologicalprocessing)
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Check out our website atwww.kidscreektherapy.comKids Creek Therapy
3905 Johns Creek Court, Suite 250, Suwanee, GA 30024 | www.kidscreektherapy.com | 770.888.5221
Kid’s Creek is excited to announce the addition of new OTs and new STs on staff. We invite you to call or visit to learn about immediate therapy openings.
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre will celebrate its 30th anniversary production of the “The Nutcracker” beginning Dec. 2 and running through Dec. 18, in the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center. The production includes 11 public performances and five outreach shows, involving more than 150 dancers on stage.
Although this Nutcracker represents 30 years of tradition, there is much about the production that is new. Audiences will enjoy new backdrops, sets, costumes, and choreography that will update this
traditional telling of the story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.
Ticket prices begin at $13.50, and group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased through any Ticketmaster location, by calling Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400, or by visiting the Gwinnett Center Box Office in the Gwinnett Arena Building, also located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.
For more information, contact the GBT office at 770-978-0188 or visit the web site at www.gwinnettballet.org.
todoAtlanta Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre Dec. 8-24
The curtain will rise on “Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker” at the Fabulous Fox Theatre Dec. 8 - Dec. 24, where it has been staged continuously since 1959.
Joined by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra for all performances, the production also includes 20 pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, and a 38-foot tall Christmas tree. Each year, Atlanta Ballet invites Atlanta area school children to audition and perform alongside company members and apprentices in this holiday spectacular.
Tickets start at $20. To purchase tickets, call the Ticketmaster Arts Hotline at 800-982-2787, visit the Fox Theatre Box Office or go to www.atlantaballet.com. For groups of ten or more, call Atlanta Ballet Group Sales at 404-873-5811 x207.
SPECIALAbigrace Diprima dances as the Snow Queen in the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s produc-tion of “The Nutcracker.”
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents ‘The Nutcracker’in 30th Anniversary production Dec. 2-18
36 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Open House
Before Photo
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Skin Tightening and LiftingDecember 8th, 6:30 p.m.
• Tightens jawline and chin• Lifts the brows• Learn about how this revolutionary treatment works• See before and afters • Light hor d’oeuvres• Special discounts available for attendees
770-649-0094
RSVP [email protected]
Cobbwellness.com 1905 Woodstock Rd, • Ste 6150
Roswell, GA 30075
BY MARIA WALDEN-SULLIVAN
It’s that time of year again, ladies, when holiday festivities take place -- whether it’s going to an office party, fancy night out on the town, informal gathering with friends or private shindigs.
Instead of pulling out the standard “holiday wear” we always put on this time of year, try one of the season’s hottest styles for 2011.
Perfect choices include single shoulder dresses, baby doll cocktail dresses and maxi dresses for casual and dressy occasions. Rich color is making a major comeback this holiday season, as we go beyond just “go-to” black. Formal wear for holiday parties is bold and fashion-forward in jewel tones such as radical red and emerald green.
Long dresses are always a classic way to turn heads. For cocktail parties, slip into a strapless baby doll dress in an eye-catching color like hot pink or royal blue.
Alternatively, classic black paired with white is also a good choice for holiday formal wear. Consider all shades, including pale black and deep ebony along with winter white and ivory. Want to have even more fun? Try a “black and white and chic all over” style with plaids, polka dots and patterns to create a fun and
festive look. Vintage accessories such as
“Aurora Borealis” earrings and bracelets provide the needed “bling” to pull the entire outfit together.
While holiday parties provide an opportunity to express yourself, avoid too much of a good thing. Corporate parties are not the venue for low-cut gowns or mini dresses
that land several inches above the knee. Avoid excessive accessories and maintain a sense of decorum, especially if corporate holiday parties include clients.
Private parties, on the other hand, are an opportunity to sparkle. Fitted gowns with a short train are sure to set the room ablaze. Dare to reveal a bit of décolletage or wear a mini dress to show off shapely legs. Dresses of all lengths are in vogue for the 2011 holiday season — there’s no one perfect length this year.
Keep in mind that a vintage cashmere or fur wrap or opera coat is a great way to add interest to any holiday outfit as you fight off winter winds and chilly nights.
With glamour in mind, evening gowns featuring hand-sewn embellishments, sequins and metallic mesh inlays are sizzling choices for holiday parties. Old Hollywood is making a comeback, and you can find some authentic types in vintage stores such as Vintage and Vogue.
But the best fashion accessory is always confidence. So let your inner beauty radiate this holiday season – no extra “bling” or dazzle needed.
Sparkle at holiday parties with season’s hottest stylesherstyleherstyleher
Maria Walden-Sullivan is the owner of Vintage
& Vogue, a clothing and accessories
boutique in Roswell.
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 37
W E
S
Ingredients• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow
cake mix• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin,
divided• 1/2 cup milk• 4 eggs• 1/3 cup canola oil• 1-1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice,
divided• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar• 1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed• 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping• 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
goodeatsgoodeatsCRANBERRY TEA
I love sweet potatoes, but it’s hard to find a recipe that doesn’t add more sugar or sweetener. I love the natural sweetness of the potatoes. I found this recipe several years ago and now it’s a permanent addition to every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It’s a bit indulgent, but a little bit goes a long way.
Ingredients• 1 tsp. salt (I reduce this
amount)• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. ground white pepper
• 1 Tbsp. butter, softened• 1 pound sweet potatoes,
sliced very thin (a mandolin works best)
• 1 cup heavy cream• ½ cup shredded
Parmesan cheese (not grated)
Directions In a small bowl, combine salt, nutmeg and pepper. Rub a small baking dish with butter. Place one layer of sweet potatoes in the
baking dish; using a small spoon, sprinkle with spices, then cover with a small amount of cream. Repeat until sweet potatoes are done. Pour any remaining cream over top and sprinkle with cheese.Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15-25 minutes until the top is brown and a knife easily goes through the potatoes. Note: I generally double the spices (except the salt).
—Candy Waylock, Staff
SWEET POTATO GRATIN
NORTHSIDE WOMANHOLIDAY RECIPES
Brewing this tea on the stove fills
your kitchen with a wonderful, spicy holiday scent. Serve it warm or Southern-style over ice.
Ingredients• 2 ½ quarts water• 1 (32-ounce) jar
cranberry juice cocktail
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 cups sugar• 4 (3-inch) cinnamon
sticks• 1 Tbsp. whole cloves• 3 family-size tea bags• 1 cup orange juice• Garnish: fresh mint
sprigs
Directions Bring first six ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven; reduce heat and simmer 10
minutes. Remove from heat, and add tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove and discard tea bags, cinnamon and cloves; stir in orange juice. Serve warm or chill and serve over ice with lemon wedges. Garnish, if desired. Yield: about 4 quarts.
—Katie VanBrackle, Staff
PUMPKIN TORTE
Yield: 10-12 servings
Directions In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 cup pumpkin, milk, eggs, oil and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and remaining pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with a fourth of the filling. Repeat layers three times. Drizzle with caramel topping; sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator.
—Susan Hernandez, Staff
””a wonderful, spicy ”a wonderful, spicy holiday scent. Serve it ”holiday scent. Serve it warm or Southern-style ”warm or Southern-style over ice.”over ice.””””””””““
HOLIDAY RECIPES
“HOLIDAY RECIPESHOLIDAY RECIPES
“HOLIDAY RECIPES
“““Yield: 10-12 servings“Yield: 10-12 servings
My favorite holiday recipe is staying out of the kitchen while My
Lady Wife makes it all happen. Turns out
great every time.—Hatcher Hurd,
Staff
38 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Call now to receive your free, no-obligation estimate
770-579-6442www.MAIDS.com
Referred for a reason.
Everyone can appreciate a thorough clean from The Maids.
DON’T LET THE OF THE HOLIDAYS CLUTTER UP YOUR HOME.
DON’T LET THE OF THE HOLIDAYS CLUTTER UP YOUR HOME.
DON’T LET THE OF THE HOLIDAYS CLUTTER UP YOUR HOME.
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no problem funding the organization ourselves,” said Olive. “However, when we both experienced severe downturns, self-funding became extremely more difficult.”
It was not long ago that Saunders and Olive were both fully vested in the American dream, with stable housing, good jobs and prospects. But the “economic tsunami,” as Olive describes it, washed away much of their foundation, leaving them both adrift.
Prior to 2007, Saunders, who has lived in Roswell for 10 years, frequently donated food, clothing, furniture and other items to charity groups because she had much to share.
“However, in mid-2007, I experienced a series of tragedies that resulted in me nearly losing everything I once thought was important,” she said. “As a result, my relationship with community charity groups changed from being on the giving end to being on the receiving end.”
The story is not much different for Olive, whose job was lost in March 2009 when the company she worked for in Florida went bankrupt. She reached out to her best friend, Saunders, who generously opened up her Roswell home to Olive and her daughter.
Tough times continued for both, and soon Olive found herself in the waiting room of North Fulton Community Charities, adrift and seeking help.
“Asking for help is hard, and it is beyond humiliating for anyone who has always been the giver,” said Olive, who grew up in Mississippi. “That fateful morning, I cried in the NFCC waiting room where the staff and many of the recipients tried to console me. As I sat there sobbing, I made a decision that NFCC would be at the top of my list of organizations I wanted to pay it forward to, once I regained financial stability.”
Though KitchenKids has yet to reach financial stability, the two work tirelessly to promote its message,
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'She'ro: KitchenKids Continued from Page 6
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 39
All performances live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
December 8 – 24, 2011 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
Tickets as low as $20 on sale now!
Call at 800-982-2787or visit atlantaballet.comGroups of 10 or more call 404-873-5811 x207
Season sponsored by
Anne Tyler Harshbarger; photo by Jim Fiscus. Additional photos by Charlie McCullers.
Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
confident that growth will come in time, and every day brings small miracles and progress.
“People from humble beginnings share a connectedness with the world where ‘paying it forward’ is a given,” said Olive. “I believe this and am passionately paying it forward with KitchenKids. All children should have access to educational resources despite their humble beginnings.”
One recent addition to the website is a listing of recipes, using most frequently donated food items.
“As I brought home the food [from NFCC], Leslie would create extraordinary meals and friends would beg for the recipes,” said
Olive, whose friendship with Saunders goes back years to when they both lived in Memphis.
The recipes and story behind the meals came to the attention of NFCC, which now brings in KitchenKids to host cooking demonstrations for its NFCC clients.
“[We promote] how to ‘eat healthy without being wealthy’ and how NFCC families could benefit from information we could share from or own experiences,” said Saunders.
Looking to the future, Saunders would love to see KitchenKids resources and programs used in school system across the country, and activity kiosks in the waiting areas of pediatric doctors’ and dentists’ offices, public assistance provider offices, airports and malls. But she knows KitchenKids is a dream that can’t be abandoned.
And when times get particularly dark, she is inspired by one of her favorite quotes: “When you hit rock bottom, remember that God made the rocks.”
promotes learning
”“People from humble beginnings ”“People from humble beginnings
“People from humble beginnings share a connectedness with
the world where ‘paying it forward’
is a given.
40 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
Dr. Timani has established herself as of the leading dermatologists in the North Georgia region, but her secondary specialty in dermatopathology gives her additional expertise with her hair loss patients. As she constantly researches cutting-edge techniques, Dr. Timani now offers remarkable treatment options for her hair loss patients.
Revolutionary findings regarding hair loss are a hot topic. Recently, an emphasis has been placed on genetic testing to predict the risk for hair loss or thinning. The test is based on a recent discovery of two genetic variants that produce an astounding increase in the risk of hair loss. The test involves taking a simple swab sample from the inside of your mouth, which is then tested for the two genes identified by researchers at McGill University.
The genetic hair loss test can predict your risk for hair loss or thinning and is ideal for those patients who want to treat hair loss before it is noticeable. Current therapies and treatments such as Minoxidil are more effective when used on thinning hair, rather than an area with already severe balding. The genetic test for male pattern baldness will report the absence of two specific genes, a positive result suggesting that the patient has the high-risk genes. Men who test negative have an 85 percent chance of not going bald by the age of 40. Men who test positive have a
60 percent chance of going bald by the age of 40.
In addition to hair transplants, Dr. Timani also performs eyebrow and eye lash transplants. Dr. Timani has a wealth of expertise and looks forward to consulting with you in an effort to help achieve the most favorable results with individualized treatment options. All procedures are performed at her practice in Johns Creek.
Dr. Shereen Timani of Johns Creek
Dermatology and Family Medicine.
herhealthNew hair loss treatments
december2011 | northsidewoman.com | 41
BY DEBBIE KEEL
With 2012 looming before us, it’s a good time to take stock. There’s no better start to a New Year than making resolutions. I’m not talking about the ones we don’t keep – I will lose weight, I will be on time for meetings, I will not lose my temper when my teenager rolls her eyes. I’m talking about the real ones that we can’t afford NOT to keep.
The thing I’m resolutely going to resolve is to keep in more frequent touch with my siblings – there are six of them, mostly in the South and one in California. I’m not talking about just at holidays and birthdays, but all through the year. Other than our own children, they are the closest thing we have to an extension of ourselves. And I’m very fortunate to have so many.
The other resolution none of us can take lightly in 2012 and the years beyond is that we will try to stay healthy, keeping up with necessary health screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies and
even regular dental appointments. How many times have you been at a party
or PTA meeting and heard about a friend or acquaintance’s sudden illness or even death from some recently diagnosed malady? My eldest daughter recently recounted to me the story of a high school friend’s mother, who was preparing for her son’s wedding, when she finally went for her screening colonoscopy. It was about five years after her GYN recommended it for the first time. Every year, she thought about it and every year she put it off.
The colonoscopy was the foundation for her sudden diagnosis of colon cancer. It was
stunning to mother and daughter and all who knew her. A few months later, she lay dying and did not, in fact, make
it to her son’s wedding.Perhaps an earlier screening
colonoscopy would not have seen the cancer. But other than the uncomfortable inconvenience, what would
have been the downside of getting the screening when it was due, at the age of 50?
One good result was that I scheduled and underwent my 50-year-old colonoscopy – six years late at the age of 56. I was fine – but it became more than uncomfortable, it was stressful knowing how long I had procrastinated.
Maybe your resolution, despite that new high-deductible health plan, should be to go through with the most uncomfortable and inconvenient screenings, per your doctor’s recommendation. If you don’t have a physician, call us at 770-751-2660 and we will help you find one that suits you. This may be the best New Year’s promise you ever made and kept – for you and your family.
Debbie Keel is the CEO of North Fulton
Hospital.
herhealthMake a resolution that could save your life
own children, they are the closest thing we have to an extension of ourselves. And I’m
and the years beyond is that we will try to stay healthy, keeping up with necessary health screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies and
stunning to mother and daughter and all who knew her. A few months later, she lay dying and did not, in fact, make
it to her son’s wedding.Perhaps an earlier screening
colonoscopy would not have
42 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
1 ▲ “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Cumming PlayhouseGypsy Theatre Company
presents the classic story of George Bailey, the Everyman from Bedford Falls who reaches rock bottom only to learn that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming.
playhousecumming.com
High Teas at Bulloch HallDec. 1, 6, 8, 13 and 15. Ladies in period clothing serve a two-course tea in candlelight followed by a tour of the house decorated for Christmas. Reservations needed. $35 per person. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell.
bullochhall.org
2 “Oliver!” Presented by ACT1 in AlpharettaThrough Dec. 18. Alpharetta
Christian Theater presents a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of an orphan on the run who hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets. Tickets are $18.
act1theater.com
3 Michael O’Neal Singers present “A Joyous Noel”3 p.m. The Michael O’Neal
Singers’ concert with special guest ensemble the Georgia Regional Girls Choir will include traditional Christmas selections, sing-a-longs and a visit from Santa Claus himself. Tickets are $15/$20 in advance. Children age 12 and under free. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell.
mosingers.com
▲ Johns Creek Founders Day Parade and Santa Jam10 a.m. – 1 p.m. A lively parade travels west on State Bridge from West Morton to Ocee Elementary
on Kimball Bridge Road. Santa then rides his fire truck to Johns Creek High School to visit children and take photos at Santa Jam, featuring live music, games, inflatables, crafts, food and fun for the whole family.
johnscreekga.gov/parks/foundersday.asp
Back to Nature Holiday Market10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Features local artisans selling original art, eco-friendly items, toys and winter greenery. Free admission plus holiday music from local schools and lunch available for purchase. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell.
chattnaturecenter.org
Roswell’s Lighting of the Square5 p.m. Festivities include carolers, holiday lights, hot chocolate, a reading of T’was the Night Before Christmas and Santa arriving by fire truck. Intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 120 in Roswell.
roswellgov.com
City of Milton Annual Tree Lighting7 – 8:30 p.m. Join Santa on the corner of Webb Road and Highway 9 near the Milton Super Target for music, refreshments and a countdown to the annual tree lighting.
cityofmiltonga.us
Christmas Gala& Holiday Pops Concert8 p.m. The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra plays your holiday favorites accompanied by several choirs and soloists. A champagne dessert reception follows the concert. $30 adults, $16.50 students. St. Benedict Church, 11045 Parsons Road, Johns Creek.
johnscreeksymphony.org
▲ A Christmas Carol at Bulloch Hall8 p.m. Dec. 3, 16, 17, 23. Gather at Roswell’s grand Bulloch Hall for an intimate 45-seat performance of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic featuring Brink Miller as Ebenezer Scrooge, a role he has played for 16 straight years. Tickets are $15. Reserve them early! 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell.
bullochhall.org/a-christmas-carol.html
4 Alpharetta Christmas Farmers Market1 – 6:30 p.m. The Farmers Market,
Art in the Park and the downtown Alpharetta shops team up for an open house event that continues through
the Alpharetta tree lighting at dusk. Milton Avenue between Highway 9 and Canton St., Alpharetta.
Christmas Tree Lighting in Alpharetta5 p.m. Enjoy the traditional lighting of Alpharetta’s 45-foot live tree with 10,000 lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by city fire truck to enjoy live holiday music, caroling, children’s activities and lighted train rides. FREE.Milton Avenue at 2 South Main St., Alpharetta.
alpharetta.ga.us
7 Cookies with the ClausesNoon – 2:30 p.m. Children will decorate cookies, make
crafts and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free, but please bring new, unwrapped gift for a local donation. Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell St.
alpharetta.ga.us
9 Babes in Toyland by Atlanta Dance TheatreDec. 9 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A holiday classic that will be enjoyed by the entire family. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell.
atlantadancetheatre.org
10 Breakfast with Santa8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. Enjoy music, gingerbread cookie
decorating, crafts and photos with Santa. For Johns Creek residents only. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. $15 per child. Newtown Park Community Clubhouse, 3115 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek.johnscreekga.gov/parks/
events.asp
Pet Photos with Santa ►Noon – 2 p.m. Bring your pet to the lawn behind the Alpharetta Community Center near Waggy World Paw Park for one free photo with Santa per family. You may bring your own camera for additional photos. 175 Roswell St., Alpharetta.
alpharetta.ga.us
▲ A Southern Trilogy Candlelight Tour5 – 9 p.m. Visit Roswell’s three antebellum homes in beautiful candlelight and enjoy holiday decorations, children’s activities, seasonal treats and entertainment. $20 adults, $10 children ages 6-18.
southerntrilogy.com
11 Save the Horses’ Christmas at the Farm 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enjoy
an old fashioned day of family fun at Save the Horses’ farm in Cumming. Pony rides, petting zoo, plate lunches, games, cakewalk, raffles and photos with “Santa Horse.” Proceeds benefit the rescued animals on the farm. 1768 Newt Green Road, Cumming.
savethehorses.org
12 Larry, Carols & Mo7 p.m. A FREE annual holiday event at the Fox Theatre
in Atlanta featuring an organ sing-along, snow on Peachtree Street and inside the Fox, photos with Santa and The Muppet Christmas Carol movie. This is a ticketed event.
foxtheatre.org
16 Fourth annual “Winter Polar Express”7 p.m. Through Dec. 17.
The Academy Dance Company presents the story of a girl who boards a mysterious train to the North Pole where she dances with Santa, meets the elves and discovers the magic of believing. $12 students and $10 children. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell.
bapa.us
18 Chanukah Palooza ►12:30 –
2:30 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate
Chanukah in a warm, family-friendly environment. Festivities include lunch, raffles, crafts, games and prizes for all ages. Admission
$5. Temple Kehillat Chaim, 1145 Green St., Roswell.
kehillatchaim.org
20 Christmas Classics in Cumming8 p.m. Local talented
singers, dancers, actors and musicians perform holiday classics in addition to the North Georgia Chamber
Symphony, Inc. The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming.
playhousecumming.com
21 1853 Wedding Reenactment at Bulloch Hall
6:30 – 9 p.m. Be a guest at the wedding reenactment of Mittie Bulloch and Theodore Roosevelt Sr. who were married in Bulloch Hall on Dec. 22, 1853. Ladies discuss fashion of the day while the gentlemen discuss events of the times. Tours on the half-hour. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell.
bullochhall.org
22 Men’s Night Out at Queen of Hearts6 – 8 p.m. Ladies, fill out your
wish list and send your men to Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors in Alpharetta for this annual last-minute shopping run. Pizza and beer will be served and free gift-wrapping will be provided. 670 North Main St., Alpharetta.queenofheartsantiques-interiors.com
Santa. For Johns Creek residents only. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. $15 per child. Newtown Park Community Clubhouse, 3115 Old Alabama Road,
johnscreekga.gov/parks/
Pet Photos with Santa ►Noon – 2 p.m. Bring your pet to the lawn behind the Alpharetta Community Center near Waggy World Paw Park for one free photo with Santa per family. You may bring your own camera for additional photos. 175 Roswell St., Alpharetta.
2:30 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate
Chanukah in a warm, family-friendly environment. Festivities include lunch, raffles, crafts, games and prizes for all ages. Admission
$5. Temple Kehillat Chaim, 1145 Green St., Roswell.
20singers, dancers, actors and musicians perform holiday classics in addition to the North Georgia Chamber
invited to celebrate Chanukah in a
warm, family-friendly
▲ A Christmas Carol at Bulloch Hall
▲ Johns Creek Founders Day
todo
1▲ “It’s a Wonderful Life”
DECEMBER
44 | northsidewoman.com | december2011
at Holcomb Bridge
2612 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 100 in Alpharetta | www.NorthFultonPrimaryCare.comLocated in the East Village Shopping Center, next to Super Target
Extended Hours at Holcomb BridgeSaturdays—beginning Nov. 12 | 8 a.m. to noon
Walk-ins Welcome | Call 770-650-8980 for an appointment.
A N N O U N C I N G . . .
We look forward to caring for you and your family!Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 7:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.Tuesday, Thursday | 9 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.Saturday—beginning Nov. 12 | 8 a.m.– noon
Now accepting new patients and most major insurance plans, including Medicare.
The Doctor Is IN