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4 Points North | December 2012 | ptsnorth.com

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16 HOLIDAY COOKIE QUEST As basic as it might seem, baking cookies — the

gooey, chewy, soft and satisfying ones that send us

into a tasting tizzy — is not simple. Thankfully, we

had a number of readers eager to share their cookies

with us, and here, we share the recipes from the

finalists of our holiday cookie quest with you.

24 BABY, IT’S

COLD OUTSIDE We know Atlanta isn’t exactly a winter wonderland

but, later on, when you conspire and dream by the

fire ... well, we’ve found a few fireside hotspots

that just might do the trick. Their dancing flames,

spectrum of colors, soothing warmth, and perhaps

most importantly, congenial tenor among those who

are enjoying its elements will surely make these

fireplaces memorable.

30 FITNESS: TO FLY OR STAY GROUNDED Who says you have to wait until the New Year to get

into shape? Whether you choose to fly through your

workouts at Flywheel in Buckhead or to stay planted

via Grounded yoga classes in Milton, we’ve discovered

two distinct fitness outlets sure to tempt you — almost

as much as the holiday treats.

45 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVALIf there’s one beach locale that beckons time and time

again, it’s the year-round appeal of South Walton,

Fla. In the summer, it’s bike rides and family-friendly

movies on the lawn. In late fall, it’s the 70-degree

weather and Seeing Red Wine Festival. And in the

midst of winter, when everyone else is hibernating

back home, it’s the 30A Songwriters Festival. Tune in

for more details.

{ DEPARTMENTS }

6 MY TURN

8 DUE NORTH

42 PASSION FOR

FASHION:

OUTERWEAR

62 CALENDAR

66 5 THINGS

{ ON THE COVER }

Holiday Cookies by Bear

Maker Bakery

bearmakerbakery.com Photography

by Rob Smith,

robertstevensmith.com

S PE C I A L A DV E R TI S I N G

S E C TI O N S

52 | 2013 Health Resolutions56 | Winter Escapes

60 | Last-minute Shopping Guide

POINTS NORTH ATLANTA | ISSUE 151 | DECEMBER 2012

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Witt Beckman

P U B L I S H E R

Carl Danbury Jr.

E D I T O R

Bre Humphries

S E N I O R E D I T O R

Heather KW Brown

C R E A T I V E D I R E C T O R

Robin Harrison

A S S I S TA N T C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R

Shannah J. Smith

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S

Aubrey BoothEryn KillianSusan SextonEllie HensleyAmelia Pavlik

Jennifer Smith Williams

A D V E R T I S I N G

[email protected]

A D V E R T I S I N G D I R E C T O R

Marita Kahler

S E N I O R M E D I A C O N S U L T A N T

Karen Poulsen

A C C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

Tom Tolbert

C I R C U L A T I O N M A N A G E R

Tiffany Willard


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Ple

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Recycle This M

agazin

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MYturn

baking

To send comments and/or suggestions on this or any other subject, e-mail us at: [email protected].

Not too long ago, I was a

ninja named Cole, saving the universe from

evil powers. Before that, I was a teacher

whose students included seven baby dolls,

one Fancy Nancy, a Tar Heel cheerleader,

a princess, an elephant, and a dog.

Most recently, the action moved to

my kitchen, where cinnamon and nutmeg

dusted the fl oor, mounds of all-purpose

fl our covered the countertop, and side-by-

side in the midst of it all were both of my

children, smiling from ear to ear.

Inspired by the cookie recipes in our

cover story (page 16), I had recruited a

few in-house elves to make cookies from

scratch. Dressed in aprons and chef hats,

they were obviously excited and up for the

challenge. I watched as my son, who only

minutes before had learned the difference

between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, mea-

sured the ingredients, and as my daughter

held onto the mixing bowl for dear life,

while she stirred it all together.

It was messy. It was fun. But I wouldn’t

say I’m any better at baking than I am at

being a ninja or a teacher. Luckily, they

don’t seem to mind and honestly, neither

do I.

As much as I love a perfectly baked,

delicious cookie, the best part is slowing

down to enjoy the warmth it brings. And

that’s exactly what this season means to

me.

Whether you’re looking to settle down

with old friends for a fi reside chat at local

hotspots (page 24) or you’re in search of

that perfect piece to complete your winter

wardrobe (page 42), we’ve come up with

a few cozy ways to revel in the warmth of

the holidays.

On my Christmas wish list this year are

wonder and happiness. Maybe both will

come from fi nally getting the homemade

cookies to come out of the oven right.

Maybe not. One thing’s for sure, I’ll prob-

ably be dressed as a ninja and surrounded

by baby dolls, but I wouldn’t have it any

other way.

I wish you safe travels and only the

warmest holiday memories.

Heather KW Brown,

Senior Editor

MEMORIES


One lucky Points North reader will win two-night accommodations for

two, spa treatments for two and dinner for two at The Hot Tin Roof at

Ocean Key Resort & Spa in Key West, Fla. This prize, valued at more

than $1,000 will be valid until December 20, 2013, and will include

traditional blackout dates and exclude holidays. To register for this

giveaway, visit the “Enter to Win” page at ptsnorth.com by Dec. 31.

the PRIZE

Nestled between Key West Harbor and Mallory Square, where historic Duval Street begins the old town experience is Ocean Key Resort & Spa. A dream escape in Key West, Fla. with 100 large rooms, views that both inspire and energize, not to mention amazing cuisine, all overlooking the placid waters where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean. More than just another Key West Hotel, this beautiful island resort greets you with warm breezes, breathtaking views and bright colors. Interiors boast shades of indigo, turquoise and lime green, and embrace the elegance of the West Indies, while still capturing the playfulness of the Florida Keys. Ocean Key is a lively but laid-back Key West destination. With the prestigious acclaim of No. 6 on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top 40 Resorts in Florida,” as well as being named to Travel + Leisure’s list of “Top 500 Hotels in the World,” Ocean Key Resort & Spa is sure to satisfy even the most discerning travelers. For more information call 1-800-328-9815 or visit oceankey.com

Photos courtesy of Ocean Key Resort & Spa

{ }winENTER TO

A TRIP TO OCEAN KEY RESORT & SPA

DUEnorth

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OCEAN KEY RESORT & SPA

Bypass that dinner-and-a-movie date and go

for the Grand Chapiteau, better known as the

Big Top at Atlantic Station, where a

phenomenal night awaits. Cirque du Soleil

is back with “Totem” (pronounced to-TEM),

touted as “a fascinating journey into the

evolution of mankind.”

Told through visual and acrobatic

language that transports the viewer to another

world full of heart-thumping music, energetic

performances and pure adventure, “Totem” is

captivating from the very first moment, when

an acrobat in a disco ball-inspired costume

emerges headfirst from the ceiling and spirals

down onto the stage.

Cirque is a potpourri of dance, acrobat-

ics, comedy and a few spectacles you won’t

expect. Watch the characters evolve from our

amphibious ancestors to monkeys and from

modern-day businessmen to spacemen. The

tightly choreographed performances and

lushly orchestrated costumes make it nearly

impossible to look away, but make sure you

don’t miss the stunning live vocal and musical

performances going on in the periphery. The

overall effect will give you chills.

To truly appreciate the grandeur of Cirque

du Soleil’s “Totem,” make sure to see it for

yourself before the end of this month, when

the production moves to Miami. Prices vary by

seat location; for more information, call 1-800-

450-1480 or visit cirquedusoleil.com.

– Ellie Hensley

THE

CIRQUE RETURNS

december 2012

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The Long-

Awaited

LAUNCHMuch like having to circle the

parking lot in hopes of scoring

a space during the holidays,

we have been patiently wait-

ing to finally announce the

debut of our brand new Points

North website! We’re sport-

ing an all-new look, featuring

tons of new content to keep

you in the loop on what’s

happening around Atlanta’s

stylish Northside. If you love

freebies — and we know you

do — be sure to check out

Point Taken, a new section on

our homepage where we’ll

ask a simple question and

once the banter gets going,

we’ll pick someone directly

from the posts to win a prize.

For example, our first give-

away will be the “Peaches

and Cream” treatment (valued

at $280) compliments of The

Spa at Mandarin Oriental,

Atlanta. Why wait? Check it

out! ptsnorth.com

PICTURED: Winner of our 2012 Wedding Photo ContestSARAH CARVER STRZEMIENSKI

PHOTO COURTESY OF TESSA MARIE WEDDINGS

{ COVER GIRL } The editors of Points North need your help

choosing the cover for our January issue!

Visit our Facebook page, peruse the final-

ists in contention for the cover of our

Annual Guide for the Northside Bride

and “like” your favorite. Vote for the

image that best portrays romance,

love and happiness, but don’t dilly

dally – the last chance to vote is

Friday, Dec. 7. Editorial discretion

will ultimately take precedence.

DUEnorth



DUEnorth

Make Room

for ModernChic and super sexy, Buckhead’s newest beauty is Modern

Restaurant + Bar. Located one block north of Terminus,

Modern is renowned restaurateur Kane Xu’s first Atlanta

concept, but don’t be surprised if his name becomes as popu-

lar around town as it is in New York City. When he moved

to Atlanta, Xu brought his talent for creating a restaurant

space that can appeal to almost everyone. Want to see and

be seen? Grab a seat at the bar where plenty of sightseeing

occurs over beverages and bites.

Groups in search of coziness with their culinary experi-

ence at the hands of Chef Mark Alba have three private

dining options. Believe it or not, the scene is secondary to

the fabulous food. Alba balances fresh local ingredients with

high-end menu items like the Hamachi sashimi–yellowtail

from Japan served with canteloupe sorbet and lime-mint

oil–and New Zealand venison served with a fruit compote of

strawberries, blueberries, apricots and cherries.

You’ll also find unique dishes like the Sonoma foie

gras served with pineapple-upside down cake, ginger snap

crumbs and poached pineapple reduction. And don’t even

let me start about the dessert. I’m convinced I will dream of

the chocolate banana tort for which the world momentarily

stopped each time I took another bite — at least, until my

next sophisticated seating at Modern. 404-554-1100,

modernbuckhead.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SARA HANNA PHOTOGRAPHY

ptsnorth.com | December 2012 | Points North 13

GIVING THE Gift OF LITERACYBeing able to read

is like being able

to ride a bike or

drive a car — it

gives us the ability

to change locations, to meet new people

and oftentimes, to help others. Thankfully,

organizations like Reach Out and Read

help to expand early literacy intervention

throughout Georgia.

An evidence-based, national

nonprofi t organization, Reach Out and

Read promotes early literacy and school

readiness by giving new books to chil-

dren and advice to parents about the

importance of reading aloud at regular

pediatric checkups. The model includes

providing a new, age-appropriate book for

each child to take home at every checkup

from 6 months through 5 years. Along

with the free book, doctors and nurses

also provide guidance to parents about

the importance of reading aloud with their

children every day.

In Georgia, Reach Out and Read

serves 60,343 children annually via 57

program sites. Each year, Reach Out and

Read medical providers distribute 88,262

books statewide to the children who need

them most.

For more information on Reach Out

and Read, visit reachoutandread.org

Mouth Off to Feed the Hungry

In the spirit of giving,

the easiest way to

feed the hungry this

season is to join

Project 7, a company whose sole mission is

to enable consumers the ability to give back

and do good with their everyday purchases

such as gum, mints, water and coff ee found at

Caribou Coff ee locations as well as Target and

Wal-mart stores nationwide. Getting the point

across quickly are the Feed the Hungry T-shirts

($25 provides 25 meals) and iPhone cases

($25 provides 10 meals), both of which can be

customized to feature “Atlanta.” There’s also

The Giving Kit ($100 provides 50 meals). Visit

project7.com/feedthehungry/

PHOTO COURTESY OF PROJECT 7


DUEnorth

Holiday

Lights

of HopeLight up the holiday for others while immersing yourself in the sights of

the season. From December 13 – 22, Hobgood Park in Woodstock will

be home to Lights of Hope, a large-scale walk through light display with

more than 100,000 lights! In addition to a magical mixture of traditional

holiday lights and animated light displays from 6 to 10 p.m., there will

also be Santa’s Village with a live Santa ready for photo opportunities, a

Christmas village with vendor and activity areas, seasonal concessions,

bouncers, games and more. All proceeds benefi t the Anna Crawford

Children’s Center, a 501-c3 nonprofi t that provides intervention and treat-

ment services to children and families impacted by sexual, physical and

emotional abuse. 770-345-8100, cherokeechildadvocates.org

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On VIXENThree Southern women recently shook up the booze busi-

ness with the debut of their delicious vodka, aptly named

Vixen Vodka. Talk about girl power! LeeAnn Maxwell,

Jenny Policky and Carrie King — all three metro Atlanta

residents — were enjoying a girls’ beach weekend when

they decided to combine their talents to create a female-

centric spirit made from corn and pure spring water and

distilled fi ve times. The result is a crisp, clean, fi gure-

friendly vodka without the burn factor. Perhaps, King,

partner and director of marketing, said it best, “We stand

for strength and real women, so much so that the legs of

the logo are a real woman’s legs. We want our brand to

bring out the vixen in everyone, because let’s fact it, there’s

nothing wrong with being sexy, sassy and strong.” These

gals have just jumped into the ring — both stilettos fi rst!

vixenvodka.com

As basic as it might seem, baking cookies — the gooey, chewy, soft and satisfying ones that send us into a tasting tizzy — is not so simple.

Perhaps this explains why I love to eat them rather than make them. In hopes of continuing my

ongoing quest for these sweet treats, we asked our readers to submit their favorite holiday cookie

recipes. Thankfully, we’ve got a number of bakers in our midst ... one of which even calls herself

Keebler Karen, which coming from the self-appointed Points North Cookie Monster, I found to be

quite clever. Turns out, she does have a knack in the kitchen — her cookies were voted as the offi ce

favorite. Then again, whether the cookies crumbled or not, we still ate them and here, we share the

recipes of our fi nalists with you. More cookie recipes available online at ptsnorth.com.

{ WRITTEN BY HEATHER KW BROWN }

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB SMITH | ROBERTSTEVENSMITH.COM

Victorian House Tour Cookies & German Chocolate Cookies submitted by Karen Christanell



VICTORIAN HOUSE

TOUR COOKIES

Recipe submitted by Karen

Christanell (a.k.a. Keebler Karen)

2 sticks of butter at room temperature

(I prefer salted butter)

¾ cup of granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt

2 ¼ cups of all-purpose fl our

½ cup of pecan pieces

¼ cup of semi-sweet

chocolate chips

¼ cup of milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 F. Cream the

butter, sugar and vanilla together

until creamy. Gradually add in the

fl our and salt, mixing well to form the

dough. Add both types of chocolate

chips and the pecans. Mix together

all ingredients.

Drop by mounded teaspoon onto

a lightly greased cookie sheet. Flatten

the cookie dough slightly before

baking. Bake cookies until lightly

browned, about 14 to 15 minutes.

(My oven takes 15 minutes to

bake these but we prefer

them crispy.)

GHIRARDELLI ULTIMATE

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Recipe submitted by Shelby Marston

1 bag (11.5 ounces) Ghirardelli

60-percent Cacao Bittersweet

Chocolate Chips

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

¹/³ cup all-purpose fl our

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 bag (12 ounces) Ghirardelli

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 cup chopped walnuts, about

4 ounces

In a double boiler over hot water,

melt the bittersweet chips and

butter. In a large bowl with

electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar

until thick, then stir in chocolate

mixture. In a small bowl, stir

together fl our and baking powder,

stir into chocolate mixture.

Gently mix in semi-sweet chips

and walnuts.

Using a sheet of plastic wrap,

form dough into two logs, each

about 2 inches in diameter and

about 8 inches long. As dough

will be very soft, use plastic wrap

to hold dough in log shape. Wrap

tightly. Refrigerate at least 1 hour

or until fi rm.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Unwrap

dough, then with sharp knife, cut

into 3/4-inch slices. Place slices

1 1/2 inches apart on greased or

parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until

shiny crust forms on top, but

interior is still soft.

Cool on baking sheet. Enjoy!

Ghirardelli Ultimate Double Chocolate Cookies submitted by Shelby Marston

{ FEATURE HEADER }{ COOKIES }

KAREN’S

CHOCOLATE

BISCOTTI

Recipe submitted by Karen Goldstein

½ cup sugar

½ cup oil

2 eggs

¾ teaspoon baking powder

12-ounce bag chocolate chips (I prefer

Ghirardelli milk chocolate, or

semi-sweet)

1 tablespoon of imitation vanilla,

butter and nut fl avoring

2 ½ cups all-purpose unbleached fl our

Sugar and cinnamon mix to taste

Mix together sugar and oil, add eggs

and baking powder, then mix. Add

chocolate chips and vanilla. Mix

ingredients and add unbleached fl our

in batches until absorbed. Have a mix

of sugar and cinnamon available.

Grease a large cookie sheet with

oil. Have some oil in a small dish for

your hands. Grab a large handful

of dough and place on cookie sheet.

Gently form a loaf about 2 ½ inches

wide and ¾ inch thick. Loaves don’t

spread, so you can fi t a few on a

cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon

sugar mix.

Bake at 350 F for 18 to 22 minutes

or until the edges are golden brown.

When done, remove cookie sheets

from oven, and turn oven down —

not off — to 200 F. While oven is still

on, let loaves cool for 10 minutes. Be

sure to keep oven on, at this point.

Now, slice loaves diagonally into

pieces about ¾ inch thick. Turn each

piece cut-side up and place back on

cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar mix

and put back into oven.

Now, you can turn off oven and

let the cookies dry for several hours or

overnight.

Karen’s Chocolate Biscotti submitted by Karen Goldstein



MD

Who will be your vein doctor?

A doctor who is trained in cardiovascular surgery and phlebology.

A doctor who has practiced in Atlanta for 20 years.

A doctor who offers all the modern vein treatments.

A doctor who owns and operates his/her own clinic.

A doctor who will take care of you from beginning to end of your treatment.

1 1 0 0 J o h n s o n F e r r y R d . N E | S u i t e 1 6 5 | A t l a n t a , G e o r g i a 3 0 3 4 2 | 4 0 4 . 4 4 6 . 2 8 0 0

w w w . V E I N a t l a n t a . c o m

DR. LOUIS PREVOSTICardiovascular Surgeon

My name is LuAnn. I am a Nurse Prac-titioner and I stand on my feet all day long in my job. In the last few years, I had begun to have a lot of problems with deep aching pain and swelling in my leg. I started to have to limit my activity and the pain began to interfere with my life. I had been to several doctors who could not help me because of a complicated venous condition that I have had my

entire life. Then I was referred to Dr. Prevosti. The procedures that he performed for me completely eliminated the pain and swelling. I am now able to do things that I have never been able to do before! Dr. Prevosti’s compassion and expertise in the treatments that he provides are the best in his fi eld.

“


{ FEATURE HEADER }{ COOKIES }

PECAN PRALINE COOKIES

Recipe submitted by Kim Brown

½ cup butter, softened

1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ²/³ cups all-purpose fl our

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

For the icing:

1 cup packed light brown sugar

½ cup whipping cream

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup whole pecans

Heat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing

bowl, beat butter and 1 ½ cups brown

sugar until fl uffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

In another bowl, mix fl our, baking powder

and salt; mix into butter mixture to blend thor-

oughly. Form tablespoons of dough into balls and

place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Bake

10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pans

for 10 minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely.

To make icing: In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix brown sugar and

cream; bring to boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in pow-

dered sugar; stir until smooth. Dip bottoms of pecans into icing and place two on

each cookie; drizzle tops with icing.

A L P I N E B A K E R Y

& T R A T T O R I A

Pasta Veal Authentic N.Y. Pizza CalzoneStromboli Salads Seafood

Cookies Cakes Fresh Pies Artisan BreadsPastries Occasion Cakes Corporate Gifts

“Alpine Bakery has evolved into one of the better destinations for Italian fare, whether in or outside of the city.”

★★★ 2011 – AJC’S JON WATSON

AJC’S CRITIC’S CHOICE:BEST RED VELVET CAKE

2011

SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE:THE SOUTH’S BEST CAKES

JANUARY 2012

Place your Holiday orders now!Cakes & Pies

Decorated Cookie PlattersCorporate GiftsCatering Trays

1 2 3 15 C r a b a p p l e Ro ad , a l p h a r e t t a , G eor g i a | 7 70 . 4 10 .9883www.A lp i n eBake r yandTra t t o r i a . c om


ROLLE D SUGAR COOKIE DOUGHRecipe submitted by Bear Maker Bakery

6 cups all-purpose fl our

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

(using a high butterfat butter like Plugra

makes a diff erence)

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

4 teaspoons vanilla (using a good qual-

ity bourbon vanilla like Nielsen-Massey

Vanilla makes a diff erence)

Sift together fl our and salt to create dry mix.

Cream together butter and sugar on medium

speed until sugar is well incorporated (about

2 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, to butter

and sugar mixture. Add vanilla. Gradually

add dry mix until incorporated. Divide dough

into four equal parts. Shape into a disc and

wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness and freeze.

Cut into desired shapes, place on parchment

paper and freeze. Bake on parchment-lined

sheet tray at 300 F for 12 to 16 minutes,

rotate half way through.

ROYA L I C I N G

4 cups powdered sugar

6 tablespoons pasteurized egg whites

4 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed)

2 teaspoons lemon extract

Assorted gel-based food colors

Combine sugar, egg whites, lemon juice, and

extract. Mix on low until all ingredients are

combined. Increase speed to medium and

mix for 10 minutes. Divide frosting into small

bowls and cover all of them but the one you

are working with (it will crust quickly if left

exposed). Color to taste. Divide icing. Attach

tip to a piping bag and fi ll with icing. Add 1

tablespoon of water to the remaining icing to

thin. Pour into a squeeze bottle. Repeat for

each color.

Outline cookies with piping icing. Let

dry at least 10 minutes before fl ooding the

cookie with thinned icing. Let decorated

cookies dry 48 hours before packaging.

{ COOKIES }

COLOSSAL COOKIES

Recipe submitted by Diane Malucci

½ cup butter

1 ½ cups sugar

1 ½ cups brown sugar packed fi rmly

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups peanut butter

2 cups rolled oats

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

2 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat butter and sugars

together in a very large bowl. Blend in eggs

and vanilla. Add peanut butter. Mix well.

Stir in baking soda, baking powder, oats and

chips. Variation: you can add peanuts, rai-

sins, butterscotch chips, M & M’s, sunfl ower

seeds, peanut butter chips, coconut, etc.

Drop by ice cream scoops onto ungreased

cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.


{ WRITTEN BY SUSAN SEXTON AND CARL DANBURY }

THERE’S SOMETHING ETHEREAL about a fireplace. The dancing flames, the spectrum of colors,

the soothing warmth, and perhaps most importantly, the congenial tenor among those who are enjoying its elements; such a combination exudes relaxation, pleas-antness and fellowship.

In downtown Woodstock, which boasts many of those same elements, the preeminent fireplace is located in the courtyard patio at Firestone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill. Playing sentinel over guests, the wood-burning fireplace is not only a haven for those enjoying dinner, having a glass of wine or other adult bev-erage on a cool afternoon or evening, it is thematic for the entire experience at Firestone.

Owner David Johnson, who knows a bit about hospitality having worked at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and with James Beard award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, said the fireplace is more than a conversation piece.

“There is something primal about the aspect of fire, the preparation of food and the communal nature of it,” Johnson related. “It also promotes the ability to relax, unwind and converse while enjoying your favorite libation and good food. The fireplace is central to the theme and name of our restaurant and the elements used to create it.”

While enjoying the smell and warmth of the fire, enjoy one of Chef Steve Mas-ters’ hearty signature small plates, like crispy lamb meatballs, Guinness braised short ribs and sweet potato mash, wild mushroom risotto or warm up with a bowl of butternut squash bisque. Of course, you also can opt for a wood-fired pizza from one of Firestone’s imported pizza ovens from Tuscany. And for added warmth, don’t miss the chocolate soufflé cake for dessert.

coldBABY, IT’S OUTSIDE

ADD A LITTLE FLARE TO YOUR HOLIDAY

AT THESE FIREPLACE HOTSPOTS

120 Chambers Street

Woodstock

770-926-6778

firestonerestaurants.com{24 Points North | December 2012 | ptsnorth.com

�

THE FOCAL POINT OF ASPENS Signature Steaks on Shallowford Road in Marietta is the gorgeous,

two-sided bluestone fireplace, which provides patrons on one side a cozy, romantic fireside dining opportunity. On the opposite side, guests can enjoy a glass of wine or one of the many bourbons or scotches from Aspens’ prolific list while seated on a comfy half-moon shaped leather couch. Those seated at the bar, or at the intimate tables surrounding it, can enjoy small plates and a view of the toasty, roaring fire.

Part of the Sedgwick Restaurant Group (Vinny’s on Windward, Bistro VG, Theo’s Brother’s Bakery, Pure Taqueria and Aspens’ other location in The Avenue West Cobb), Aspens’ cedar beams, lanterns and fine art exudes the tempting aesthetics of a Rocky Moun-tain ski lodge. Combined with a deep menu of finely prepared steaks, seafood and other signature entrées, Aspens warrants a visit for special occasions or weekly dinners.

Open daily at 5 p.m., plan upon arriving by 6 p.m. to secure a seat at the bar or by the fireplace due to the prepon-derance of regulars. However, there is a great opportunity to enjoy Aspens’ ambi-ance on Sundays for their brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Made-to-order omelets, waffles, French toast and grits may be accompanied by roasted sir-loin, carved pork loin and peel-and-eat shrimp. Take a seat by the fire for a spell and then circle back around to your table for the glazed beignets bread pudding.

2942 Shallowford Road

Marietta

678-236-1400

sedgwickrestaurantgroup.com/aspens_east.html{

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB SMITH |

ROBERTSTEVENSMITH.COM


{ F IREPL ACE HOTSPOTS }

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON26 Points North | December 2012 | ptsnorth.com


F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, ZELDA, Hemmingway and f r iends preferred the Ritz, and it’s no

wonder, as wonders abound, in this world-class hotel. No matter what year and where in the world, you’ll always be treated like royalty.

Cozy up in Old World tradition, at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead where three generations of guests have been spoiled while celebrating the holidays for almost 30 years.

Start by relaxing near the 200-year-old wood burning “rouge” fireplace in the Lobby Lounge — it’s one of life’s simple pleasures and perfectly sets the stage for romance. This regal fireplace, imported from Europe and fashioned in Louis XV style, features the hand-carved Acanthus Leaf motif in rich, red and gray marble.


Afterward, choose one of the comfy seats surrounding the grand fi replace and settle in with The J.W. Burmester, Port, “Rio Torte”, Late Bottle Vintage, Douro, Portugal, 1900, a very rare selection secured for guests with discerning tastes. This century-old port is available by the glass and can only be found at this Ritz in Atlanta. This month only, enjoy a 1-ounce pour for $90, while it lasts.

More indulgences await like the “Hot–Toddy” for the body massage with warm cinnamon, nutmeg and almond available at the Spa and decadent desserts made by the in-house pastry chef. Last year, the hotel served more than 24,000 cookies during the season. Slip away for a spot of tea Thursday through Sunday afternoons, with seatings at 2:30 p.m. and 3. For the little ones, the “Tea with Teddy” is sure to be a hit with caroling by the Dickens singers, and for overnight guests, don’t forget to make an appointment for a special tuck–in with Santa!

This Ritz-Carlton remains the tradi-tional star of Buckhead, where over the fi replace, Lord Craven, in an 18th-century oil painting, prepares for the hunt with his dappled gray mare. Definitely the most valuable real estate in the Lobby Lounge, this remarkable fi replace is where fashion sits, “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” PN

This Ritz-Carlton remains the traditional star of Buckhead, where over the fi replace, Lord Craven, in an 18th-century oil painting, prepares for the hunt with his dappled gray mare. Defi nitely the most valuable real estate in the Lobby Lounge, this remarkable fi replace is where fashion sits, “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

{ F IREPL ACE HOTSPOTS }

}The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead

3334 Peachtree Road

Atlanta

404-237-2700

ritzcarlton.com/buckhead

give the gift of

imagination.

AN ANNUAL IMAGINATION PASS to the Georgia Aquarium is a unique gift that’s always in fashion. Good for a year’s worth of visits, you’ll be remembered long after the holidays are over. Shop for yours online today. GeorgiaAquarium.org | 404.581.4000WHERE IMAGINATIONS GO TO PLAY. |

A SPIN to Remember

The cycling workout

where time fl ies

{ WRITTEN BY AMELIA PAVLIK }

Surrounded by the eager chatter of

spin virgins and triathletes alike,

I situated my bike to the proper

settings and clicked my cycling shoes

into place.

I could feel the excitement building

in the stadium-style room as the lights

dimmed and the “thump, thump” of the

music coursed through my body. As the

whir of bikes around me grew stronger,

the outside world faded away.

It was time to “fl y.”


PHOTOS COURTESY OF

ATLANTA SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY


the Buckhead Flywheel location — cur-

rently the only one in Atlanta — did an

excellent job of meeting them.

Pulling into the spacious parking

lot outside of Flywheel, located on West

Paces Ferry Road, certainly set the tone

for a good experience (knowing you can

easily park at a gym is always a plus in

my book). After checking in, I was tickled

to find cycling shoes — in my size —

waiting for me in a designated cubby.

On this sunny Saturday, the sitting area

and boutique, decorated in whites and

the company’s signature teal, was fi lled

with natural light. It’s a warm and wel-

coming spot where you can have a seat

to put on your cycling shoes or chat with

a friend after class.

Once I’d stowed my gear and fi lled

my water bottle at the nifty purified

water station, I strapped on my cycling

shoes and toddled into the studio, a ter-

raced room where the bikes are set up

stadium-style and the instructor bike is

front and center. Although not new to

cycling, I was new to Flywheel’s equip-

ment, and the Atlanta Regional Manager

Becca McWaters was more than happy

to show me how to lock the shoes into

place and set up my bike.

PEDAL! PEDAL! PEDAL!

While 60-minute classes are sprinkled

into the lineup for those who want more

{ FLYWHEEL ATLANTA }

READY, SET ...

Welcome to my first Flywheel experi-

ence, a stadium cycling concept created

by Ruth Zukerman, a New York-based

veteran cycling instructor who got an itch

to try something new. In 2010, she and

two partners opened their fi rst location

in New York, which has since multiplied

into 14 Flywheels across the nation.

“I wanted to create a fun, energetic

and welcoming environment where

people could come to escape their

day, work hard and see real results,”

Zukerman said.

At this point, I should confess that

I am a bit picky when it comes to trying

new workout trends. I’ve been a certi-

fi ed group fi tness instructor for 10 years

and have taught everything from step to

cycling. My expectations are high, but


time in the saddle, the majority of classes

at Flywheel are 45 minutes, which Zuk-

erman described as being the “perfect

amount of time to get optimal results.”

“To me, the best part of the whole

Flywheel experience is that you don’t

realize how hard you are working,” Zuk-

erman said.

And I’d have to agree with her —

time flew past because I always felt

engaged in my workout.

My instructor Cara cheered us

through a series of climbs and descents

set to a soundtrack of everything from

classic rock to rap. During the ride, we

also used weighted bars to challenge

our upper bodies.

What truly forced me to actively par-

ticipate in the workout was the perfor-

mance tracking system found on each

of Flywheel’s unique bikes. The system

monitors each rider’s real-time stats. For

example, Cara would provide a target

resistance level (torq) and/or speed

(RPM) that provided us with a point of

reference as to what we should be doing

from song to song.

Competitive souls like myself will

love the Leaderboard concept in each

class. For those who choose to partici-

pate, their performance data is displayed

on one of the two “Torqboards” — two

large fl at-screen televisions above the

instructor’s bike. I was so busy trying

to compete with the other leaders

that I barely noticed when 45 minutes

had passed.

Even if participants don’t opt to

compete against others in the class,

they can check performance data fol-

lowing each ride to track their progress,

once an account at fl ywheelsports.com

has been established. I was pleased to

discover that I had burned an estimated

855 or more calories and rode 25 miles

during my fi rst experience.

After each class, showers are

available along with complimentary

bath towels and Bliss hair and body

products.

So what’s my verdict? Flywheel is a

workout that will leave you adequately

sweaty and mentally energized. And it

left me counting down the minutes until

I could “fl y” again. PN

F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N :

Flywheel Atlanta102 W Paces Ferry Road NW

Suite A

Atlanta, GA 30305

678-702-5684

atlanta.fl ywheelsports.com

{ FLY WHEEL ATL ANTA }

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATLANTA SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY


POSES

even girls between the ages of

8 and 10 stood quietly on yoga

mats at the Bethwell Community

Center in Milton. The whole class

moved into the next pose twice — once

leading from the front of the body, once

from the back.

“Which feels more powerful?”

asked Amy Haysman, who co-created

Grounded with her business partner

Cheryl Crawford.

The girls agreed that the second felt

stronger. Haysman beamed, and said,

“You see? You are already connected to

that power.”

Throughout the class, she continued

to ask them questions about the poses,

their feelings and how their lives outside

relate to what they are learning inside the

yoga studio.

This respect for her students and

her confidence in them to discover

these answers for themselves character-

izes the entire philosophy of Grounded.

Haysman and Crawford, both former

school teachers, believe that as much as

kids need to play, they also need — and

want — seriousness and calm, which is

why they now dedicate their time to pro-

moting yoga for all ages.

Enrichment through Elevation

Haysman has a seemingly eff ortless ability

YOGA CLASSES THAT TEACH YOUNGSTERS HOW TO GAIN

PEACE AND STRENGTH FROM THE GROUND UP

The

of a

{ WRITTEN BY ERYN KILLIAN }

power


{ GROUNDED }

to maintain a balance between the silly

and the serious. One moment she has the

girls loosen up by exhaling silly noises or

doing a pose called Laughter Milkshake,

and the next, they are perfectly still in

silent meditation. The kids understand

instinctively when to sit quietly and follow

Haysman’s instructions, as well as when

it’s appropriate to laugh or crack jokes —

and both seem equally fun for them.

In a special program called Quest for

Elevation, developed by Haysman and

Crawford, the students master a series of

accomplishments, much like in a martial

arts class. By the end of the program, they

will become “Certifi ed Grounded Kids,”

meaning they will not only have mastered

a range of yoga poses and concepts, but

they will also be able to teach what they

have learned to their friends outside of

the class.

“We teach them [that] it ’s their

responsibility to share [what they learn]

with others,” Haysman said, adding, “and

they want to. Kids that age love teaching

others … it gives them ownership over

what they’re learning.”

These girls are already well on their

way to that goal. Even those who have only

been in the class for a short while have

a clear grasp of what yoga gives them.

Between school, family, friends and other

activities, their lives are very “busy,” as

many of the students put it. When I asked

them what they like about yoga, they all

immediately noted that their classes with

Grounded give them a peaceful space

away from all that stress.

“When I walk out, I feel like the world

is so noisy, and this is where I find my

peace,” said Kathryn Amstutz, while her

classmate Emily Siegel, acknowledged

that yoga has taught her a lot about

herself.

“I’m really not that much of a person

who calms down easily,” Emily admitted.

“Yoga makes me feel like it’s a good thing

to be [less] hyper. It makes me feel relaxed

and happy.”

The girls agree that yes, yoga can be

challenging, but they know that the chal-

lenge also makes them stronger.

Standing Strong

The physical benefi ts of yoga for kids (and

adults) are easy to imagine — fl exibility,

strength, balance and posture — but the

emotional benefits can be even more

dramatic.

“It helps bring kids to a balance

of energy, a balance of emotion,” said

Haysman, highlighting the benefits of

yoga, both for kids who are hyperactive,

and those who are depressed, as well as

anywhere in between. She also spoke

about the ways in which yoga teaches

self-confi dence and inner strength.

“In Grounded, we teach kids to plug-

in to who they really are at their core. And

we believe everyone is good at [the] core,

that we have this source of goodness, this

light ... [and that] they don’t have to do any-

thing or be anything to be loved and be

who they are.”

This philosophy not only combats the


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{ GROUNDED }

self-consciousness that sometimes leads

to bullying, but also teaches kids how to

stand up to bullies and other problems

in their lives. Grounded teaches them

how to stand strong — literally, as well

as fi guratively. By learning how to stand

in a way that feels stable and confi dent,

they also learn the strength to stand up for

themselves.

“Not from a place of getting angry

or yelling,” Haysman clarifi ed, “but from

courage and compassion. We teach them

how to embody these qualities that some-

times get clouded or hidden. We teach

them how to reveal their best self.”

In addition to Quest for Elevation,

Grounded also offers “Pre-Grounded”

classes for children ages 3 to 6, as well as

Grounded Tweens (10 to 12) and Teens (13

and up) programs for older kids. Readers

can sign students up for classes at Beth-

well Community Center (Pre-Grounded

and Grounded) and Johns Creek Yoga

(Pre-Grounded through Grounded Teens).

Many schools in the Atlanta area pro-

vide after-school yoga classes through

Grounded, and training courses for

new instructors are off ered throughout

the year.

Haysman and Crawford also bring

this determination for a better self to

Grounded for Good, the nonprofi t yoga

initiative they developed to bring a holistic

yoga and mindfulness program to abused,

homeless, under-served and other school-

aged youths in metro Atlanta. PN

FOR MOR E

I N FOR M ATION

Grounded

678-974-5198

groundedkids.com

HORIZON CHRISTIAN ACADEMYHorizon Christian Academy is a Christ-centered, college prep, non-

denominational school located in Forsyth County that serves the

surrounding communities.

Up to 60 words emphasizing specifi cs about your school or a quote from a school professional

Application Deadlines

Best Time to Visit

Reservations Requested

Horizon Christian Academy2160 Freedom Parkway, Cumming, GA, 30041678-947-3583 | www.Horizonchristian.org

AP Courses

Drama, Band, Chorus

Accredited

Varsity Athletics“Horizon Christian Academy is a college prep school primarily focused on spiritual growth and academic excellence. Our goal is to graduate academically successful students to go out into the world and make a positive difference.”

– Lisa Stiles, Academic Advisor

Our School Highlights

Please join us for

one of our upcoming

Admissions Open

Houses:December 13 at 10am

January 17 at 10am

January 27 at 2pm

February 28 at 10am

Call for Reservations.


PASSIONFORfash ion WRITTEN BY JENNIFER SMITH WILLIAMS

BUNDLE UP!

You’ve stocked up on fi re-

wood to cut the chilly air and

you’ve dressed the house for

the holidays. Now it’s time to

do the same for yourself!

We’ve got the lowdown on

making you look good, feel

warm and be completely on

par with the cool-weather

clothing trend, from head to

toe ... literally.

If there was an Oscar

for riding boots, this is

the winner. The perfect

combination of rustic

and awesome, these

handmade, topstitched

beauties show off the

company’s special knack

for understated detail.

Plus, Frye boots last

forever — much ado to the

hardest shopping, I mean,

working women. Available

at Abbadabba’s for $348.

With a stand-up collar,

sweet pleats and

deep pockets, this

coat seals the deal

for looking dapper

and staying warm. It’s

made with a sweater-

knit face for that

classic, fashionable

look, but lined with

fl eece and double-

thick fabric to keep

everything on the

inside cozy. Looking

good never felt so

nice. Available at

Patagonia Atlanta for

$180.

We can’t all shoot the

backyard squirrels like

Katniss Everdeen, but

heck, we can defi nitely

look that good with this

fabulous knee-high boot.

Rich, full-grain leather

guarantees you can be

warm and functional in

cold weather. Available at

Abbadabba’s for $270.

FOR YOUR TOES

FOR YOUR CORE


BOOT PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABBADABBA’S; FLEECE COAT PHOTO COURTESY

OF PATAGONIA; SCARF PHOTO COURTESY OF A. BARCLAY; SUNGLASSES PHOTO

COURTESY OF MAUI JIM; FAUX FUR VEST PHOTO COURTESY OF LAVENDER BOUTIQUE;

CAR COAT PHOTO COURTESY OF MERRELL

Put a fl awless fi nishing touch on your

look this season with a wrap by A.

Barclay. Young, hip and unique to

the accessory world, these Italian

hand-made scarves are the statement

piece every woman needs. The new

cashmere line promises elegance and

style for any rendezvous. Available at

A. Barclay for $495.

The sun doesn’t hide in winter, no

matter how cold it gets. Protect

your peepers with the new line of

sleek, feminine shades from the

sunglass king himself. Available at

The Sunglass Hut. $219

Add texture to any

ensemble with this

fuzzy statement piece

that promises to add

warmth to your winter

wardrobe. Available at

Lavender Boutique for

$65.

Wrap up in something

comfortable and

super savvy once the

temperature starts

to drop. It’s durable,

waterproof and breathable,

which keeps Old Man Winter

at bay. Available at Merrell

Atlanta for $219.

FOR YOUR HEAD

{ PHOTOGR APHY COURTESY OF DEREK WINTERMUTE }

On November 8, Points North recognized 10 inspirational women at the

1st annual Savvy & Successful Women of the Northside celebration, held at North Point Mall. Ten

honorees, profi led in the November issue of Points North, and guests mingled with sponsors Ming

Wang, Von Maur, North Point Mall and The Metropolitan Club and partners SocialBox USA, Talk of

the Town Catering & Special Events, Alpine Bakery & Trattoria, All Good Wine & Spirits, Finest Event

Rentals, Services & Accessories, Derek Wintermute Photography, Jay K Videography, The Rental

Place and Sketch Sounds Productions.

HOOKS, LINES &

SINGERS

{ WRITTEN BY BRE HUMPHRIES }

SOUTH WALTON’S

30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL FILLS THE AIR

WITH MUSIC ALL ALONG THE BEACH


PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE WELLS PHOTOGRAPHY


Taking place each January, the festival fea-

tures more than 125 singer-songwriters per-

forming in 20 different venues along Scenic

Highway 30A, from Santa Rosa to Rose-

mary Beach. Overall, there are more than

250 songwriter sets taking place during the

three-day weekend, produced by the Cul-

tural Arts Alliance of Walton County and

presented by Visit South Walton. These are

not loud, rowdy concert settings, but rather

intimate, listening room experiences with

audiences paying rapt attention. The fes-

tival covers an eclectic mix of genres, from

country to Christian to Americana, some

acoustic musicians and some full bands,

some playing solo and others in round, but

all displaying their true talent and passion

for songwriting.

You may hear beloved songs that

have become big hits, or discover a few

new favorites, but the highlight is often

hearing the stories that inspired each song

and watching the songwriters interact with

one another. While some have worked

together in the past, many are meeting for

the first time, but that doesn’t stop them

from piping in with harmony on songs

they’ve never heard.

The 4th Annual 30A Songwriters Fes-

tival is scheduled for Jan. 18 – 20, 2013.

Consider this a cheat sheet for making the

most of your festival experience!

FESTIVAL FACTS & TIPS Early bird ticket pricing starts at $150

for a weekend pass; purchase online at

30asongwritersfestival.com.

With more than 250 performances

during the course of the weekend, it can

be hard to choose which sets to attend.

A festival schedule will be released the

week of the event; pick your top perfor-

mances first, and plan the rest of your

weekend around them. Don’t forget

to factor in travel time from venue to

venue. For a digital schedule and real-

time updates on performances, down-

load the 30A Songwriters Festival app

on your smart phone.

Venue seating is first come, first serve.

Some venues don’t open until 15 minutes

before the set begins, but lines tend to

form prior to that. I suggest showing up

at least half an hour early in order to get

a good seat. Because of this, your best

bet is to pick one venue for the night

As much as I love exploring new travel destinations, there’s one beach locale that beckons me back time and time again. Perhaps it’s the year-round appeal of South Walton, Fla., with its sophistication coupled with small-town charm. But more likely, I’m drawn to the diverse offerings of the area, which change with the seasons. In the summer, it’s beach time and bike rides and family-friendly movies on the lawn. In late fall, it’s the 70-degree weather and Seeing Red Wine Festival. And in the midst of winter, when everyone else is hibernating back home, it’s the 30A Songwriters Festival.

{ SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL }

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHELLY SWANGER PHOTOGRAPHY; STEVE WELLS PHOTOGRAPHY

Previous Page: Singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins at the 2012 festival; Left from top: Susana Hoffs of The Bangles; a set at the Lyceum Lawn in Seaside; songwriters chatting at a festival press conference; Right: Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe


PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE WELLS PHOTOGRAPHY



and settle in for all the sets they have

scheduled.

Each set lasts for 1 hour with a half-hour

break in between, and festival organizers

are strict about sticking to the schedule.

This helps if you do plan to move from

one venue to another.

VENUESTHE BOATHOUSE — This intimate setting

on WaterColor’s Western Lake is a popular

spot for weddings throughout the year,

and one of my favorite festival venues. It’s

open-air, but nice and toasty thanks to heat

lamps, and the rustic atmosphere is espe-

cially appropriate for acoustic and bluegrass

sets. A food tent outside serves casual meal

options like chili and shrimp baskets.

CALIZA POOL — This chic venue in Alys

Beach offers more seating than many

others, and tends to draw a more energetic

crowd. The pool itself looks like something

you’d fi nd in Miami or Vegas, with modern

architecture, lots of sun-facing loungers

and covered cabanas. This is a popular

spot for the party-loving crowd at night;

even during the 10 a.m. sets, many festival-

goers here sip Bloody Marys.

You may hear beloved songs that have become big hits, or discover a few new favorites, but the highlight is often hearing the stories that inspired each song and watching the songwriters interact with one another.

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Experience the

Magic of the Season

with Us

Fleetwood Dance Theatre, Inc.

Proudly Presents

NutcrackertheDecember 14th, 15th, & 16th

Blessed Trinity Performing Arts Theater11320 Woodstock RoadRoswell, Georgia 30075

Friday 14th @ 8pm

Saturday 15th @ 11am, 3pm and 8pm

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Tickets $18 in advance * $22 at the doorGirl Scouts: 11 am performance, Backstage Tour and Patch $10.00

For tickets, please call or email Kim at 404-309-7735 or fl [email protected] eetwooddance.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFESCAPE IMAGES


FISH OUT OF WATER — WaterColor’s repu-

table restaurant, which typically closes for

the month of January, opens exclusively for

festival weekend as one of the most pop-

ular venues for nighttime sets. The trendy

indoor space offers rows of seating plus

a few coveted tables, and serves a limited

version of its fi ne dining menu (think Gulf

coast oysters, fi sh & chips and lobster mac

‘n’ cheese). Though Fish is larger than

some of the other indoor venues, it’s still

standing-room only by show time, and a

lively crowd often overfl ows into the lobby,

where you can still hear the music and grab

drinks from the bar.

GULF PLACE AMPHITHEATER — Located in

Santa Rosa, this is one of the largest festival

venues. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to

spread in front of the stage on the lawn, and

plan to pick up food to go from one of the

restaurants in Gulf Place’s retail section.

HIBISCUS — Dubbed the “Backyard of

Love,” this expansive garden behind a small

coffeehouse in Grayton Beach provides a

mystical atmosphere that is especially good

for smooth, sultry sounds. Snag a seat or

bench by the fi repits scattered amid low-

hanging trees strung with lights.

PIZZA BAR — The incredibly small, intimate

environment in Seaside and comfortable

cushioned chairs make this another favorite

venue, plus, it boasts some of the best food.

If you catch a set here anywhere near meal-

time, plan to eat — the smell of fresh-from-

the-oven pizza is hard to resist!

WATCH FOR THESE ARTISTSThough the schedule will not be announced

until the week of the festival, keep your eye

out for these artists. If they return in 2013,

you don’t want to miss them!

SHAWN MULLINS — One of the most pop-

ular acts to play the festival year after

year, Mullins specializes in folk rock,

instrumental rock, adult alternative and

Americana music, and often serves as a

30A Songwriters Festival headliner.



BILLY MONTANA — With chart-topping hits

like Garth Brooks’ “Better as a Memory”

and Sara Evans’ “Suds in a Bucket,” Mon-

tana’s sets promise country tunes and a

healthy dose of his fun-loving sense of

humor.

EMILY LYNCH — With a sweet, smooth

voice that has been compared to Alison

Krauss and Emmylou Harris, Lynch is on

the brink of success as both an artist and

a songwriter.

LARKIN POE — These Georgia-bred sisters

rock the house at even the smallest venues

with pitch-perfect vocal harmonies, ener-

getic instrumental riffs and a funky folk-

rock style.

WHERE TO STAYWaterColor Inn & Resort, the festival’s

official headquarters, is the perfect choice

because it’s smack dab in the middle of

the venues along 30A (when you fold

your venue map list in half, it’s literally

in the crease). The resort offers all kinds

of accommodations, from single rooms in

the inn to condos and rental homes if you

come with the whole family or a group of

friends. Plus, visitors can also take advan-

tage of additional amenities such as bicycle

and kayak rentals.

F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N

30asongwritersfestival.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF WATERCOLOR INN & RESORT

WaterColor Inn & Resort


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Whether you’re grilling a steak, smoking a turkey or baking a pizza. The Big Green Egg is the only outdoor cooker you’ll ever need.

MON-SAT 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. SUN 12 TO 6 P.M.

WHETHER HE’S BEEN GOOD OR BAD, IT’S THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

HEALTHS P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

Get Rid Of Restless Legs and Night CrampsJAN. 1, 2013 HAS ARRIVED! As you go to

sleep, you create a mental list of your New

Year’s resolutions. You think to yourself, “This

is the year I’m finally going to take that trip

I’ve always wanted to go on.” But, all of a sud-

den, an all too familiar, annoying discomfort

surges through your legs. You massage your

legs. You walk around. You go back to bed.

However, just a few hours later, your sleep is

interrupted by yet another painful leg cramp.

Or, your spouse is awakened by kicks from

your restless legs.

According to Dr. Prevosti of VEINatlanta,

“Restless legs and leg cramps become more

pronounced at night, and these maladies

tend to worsen with age.” These two night-

time conditions — night cramps and restless

legs — interfere with a good night’s sleep for

both you and your spouse. But there is hope

that your symptoms can be cured and without

having to take medication the rest of your life!

Your symptoms may be caused by venous

insufficiency, also called venous reflux, the

same disorder responsible for varicose and

spider veins.

“At VEINatlanta, we have a high success

rate of alleviating restless legs and night

cramps, as well as eliminating achy, tired,

heavy legs. Treatments are performed in our

office and are completed in about 30 min-

utes,” said Dr. Prevosti. Normal daily activities

can be resumed immediately after treatment

with little to no downtime. With more than

20 years of experience as a cardiovascular

surgeon and 100-percent dedication to the

treatment of venous disease, Dr. Prevosti is

Atlanta’s vein doctor. “Our personalized care

and years of experience make the difference.”

Dr. Louis Prevosti, MD, FACS, 404-446-2800,

veinatlanta.com

2013


“At VEINatlanta, we have a high success rate of alleviating restless legs and night cramps, as well as eliminating achy, tired, heavy legs.”

loving Your Look PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY BOTH WORK TO RESTORE a patient’s

former appearance, typically improving self-esteem and confidence as well. Georgia

Plastic Surgery Consultants offers a full spectrum of cosmetic procedures that enable

them to help patients achieve the look they desire. Delivering both comprehensive

full-body reconstructive and cosmetic procedures to North Georgia, Georgia Plastic

Surgery Consultants focuses their patient-centered approach on maintaining patients’

privacy and providing personalized attention in a comfortable, relaxed setting.

Dr. Killingsworth completed an award-winning research thesis in the area of vascu-

lar surgery (“Lifeline Foundation Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease”) and spent

a five-year residency in general surgery, where he focused on breast and cancer sur-

gery, vascular surgery and minimally-invasive (laparascopic) techniques. After serving

as chief resident, he went on to complete a dynamic fellowship in plastic surgery at

the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received excellent operative train-

ing with broad exposure to complex reconstruction and advanced cosmetic surgery.

Some of the specific areas of training include breast reconstruction with microvas-

cular and implant techniques, cosmetic surgery of the face, breast and body, complex

hand injury management including microvascular surgery and replantation. Georgia

Plastic Surgery Consultants, 678-208-6008, gpscmd.com

If you are over 50, we’ve got your resolution.Here’s why there are no excuses: Co-

lon cancer is a preventable form of

cancer, often curable when detected

early, yet is the number two cause of

death in the U.S. The American College

of Gastroenterology and The American

Cancer Society recommend that colon

cancer screenings begin at the age of

50. However, if there is a history or

risk factors in your family, it is recom-

mended that you get the screening at

least 10 years prior to the age when

the family member was diagnosed. A

colonoscopy is a quick, outpatient pro-

cedure and will remove any potentially

pre-cancerous polyps that are identi-

fied. Don’t make any excuses, make

an appointment. Call 678-475-1606

or contact www.advgastro.com. Ad-

vanced Gastroenterology Associates,

Brian Hudes, M.D., Medical Director

A New Step in the New Year Periodontal disease, a disease of the gums and supporting bone of the teeth, ranges from mild to very severe, and the risk factors — cavities, gingivitis, missing teeth, bad breath and bleeding gums — are very common. Studies show that people with any level of periodontal disease are twice as likely to also have heart disease. Improve your overall health in 2013 with good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly! Dr. David Mastro DDS, 770-642-9900,

alluringcosmeticdentistry.com


Kicking Kidney Stones to the Curb THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF KIDNEY STONES, but all types respond to cer-

tain basic dietary changes! To prevent kidney stones, everyone should drink their body

weight divided by two in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, your normal fl uid

intake would be 75 ounces every 24 hours.

If you exercise more than 45 minutes a day or have a job that keeps you outside

most of the time, you may need more fl uids. Another tip to prevent kidney stones is to

avoid salt! In general, less than 2000 mg of sodium in 24 hours is recommended for most

people. There is a lot of hidden sodium in fast foods, restaurant foods and cheeses.

Avoiding a high protein diet is another way to help prevent kidney stones. A person

who weighs 150 pounds should have around 65 grams of protein in 24 hours. This should

be in divided in three to four meals. If you are having more than 65 grams of protein in 24

hours, you are at an increased risk for kidney stone formation.

If you are taking Vitamin D, be sure it is under the advice of a physician as taking

too much can cause you to process calcium in a manner that can cause calcium kidney

stones.

Citrate can help dissolve kidney stones! High citrate containing foods are lemons, or-

anges and grapefruit. The perfect beverage for a kidney stone former is lemon water. By

squeezing an entire lemon into 2 liters of spring water and drinking it on a daily basis, you

can greatly reduce all kidney stone formation.

Please remember, you can drink too much water. There is a phenomenon known

as “water toxicity.” So, drink enough, but don’t drink too much! Dr. Martha Boone,

404-705-8366, drmarthaboone.com

Your Children Deserve the Best Dental Care Make a New Year’s resolution to visit Dr.

Michael P. Healey’s pediatric dental prac-

tice to experience the “Concierge Care”

or personalized attention that we deliver

to our patients and their families. Today’s

lifestyle is very busy for parents and we

appreciate your time. We are a solo prac-

tice that allows us precise scheduling of

appointments and seating our patients on

time. We do not see large volumes of pa-

tients on a daily basis; therefore, we are

able to give quality care and the emotional

nurturing that our patients and families

deserve. In today’s society, it is important

to feel that you are choosing the very best

dental care for your children, and parents

who put their trust into a business de-

serve the very best in the quality of care

in both the dentist and staff . Make fi nding

a dentist and staff that will take the time

to provide topnotch, personalized care for

your children in an effi cient and pleasant

environment one of your best decisions

in 2013! Michael P. Healey, D.D.S., P.C,

770-993-9395, dochealey.com

Transform the way you look…at life.

Now off ering SmartLipo® and Cellulaze®.

Georgia Plastic Surgery Consultants is a full-service cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery practice. We are dedicated to providing personalized patient care while maintaining the highest standards of safety and comfort.

Call today for your free consultation.

1100 Northside Forsyth Drive, Suite 420Cumming GA 30041

678.208.6008 | www.gpscmd.comChris Killingsworth, MD

FACE | BREAST | BODY | LASER THERAPY | BOTOX® | JUVEDERM®


S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

HEALTH2013 Bye-bye Belly, Hello Hormone HelpDESCRIPTIONS LIKE “MUFFIN TOP,” “saddle

bags,” “pot belly,” and “love handles” are funny

names for a not-so-funny situation. As you age,

metabolism slows down and you’re likely to burn

fewer calories, resulting in weight gain that often

shifts to the mid-section. Genetics, too, can play a

role and for women, menopause causes changes

in sex hormones, which only adds to the problem.

If diet and exercise don’t give you the re-

sults you desire in 2013, make a resolution to

visit Byrd Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Center, where

options to reduce these stubborn areas await.

Cool Sculpting “Freeze Your Fat” by Zeltiq is

a non-invasive, safe and clinically proven pro-

cedure that gently cools unwanted fat cells to

induce a controlled elimination of fat cells dam-

aged by selective exposure to cold.

A variety of liposuction methods — Tumes-

cent Liposuction, Aqualipo, Smart Lipo, LipoSe-

lection by Vaser — are often used in combina-

tion to achieve the desired results for patients.

According to Byrd, “Each body is different and

requires a customized individual approach.”

When it comes to feeling good, it certainly

helps when your hormones are in balance. With

the onset of menopause, your body immediately

begins to reduce the production of estrogen, pro-

gesterone and other hormones. This decrease

continues as you age, but Byrd Aesthetic and Anti-

Aging Center can help with natural bio-identical

hormones, and replacement therapy, which is de-

signed to alleviate symptoms caused by the natural

decrease of hormones by the body, re-establish the

protective benefits which were originally produced

by naturally occurring hormones, decrease the dis-

eases of aging such as cardiovascular disease, de-

mentia and osteoporosis, and improve the quality

of life long term. Dr. Marcia V. Byrd and Dr. Paul

McCluskey, 770-587-1711, byrdaesthetic.com

“Liposuction is one of the most satisfying procedures for my patients. Not only are they slimmer and shapelier, but [liposuction] often helps to increase self-esteem and confidence.”

the non-surgical solution to Herniated Discs, Sciatica & Lower Back PainVAX-D IS A FDA-APPROVED, non-surgical lumbar decompression system that has proven to be

more than 75 percent effective in the treatment of bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc

disease, and sciatic pain! Spinal Decompression is designed to relieve pressure off the interver-

tebral disc and facet joints allowing the structures to move freely and reduce the pain caused

from the compression or degeneration in the lower back.

C. Proctor had this to say about the positive results he experienced through VAX-D: “I

endured pain for several months and after two ER visits and one MRI later, I was left with a

diagnosis that I had two herniated disc (L4 & L5). I opted for Chiropractic treatment given the

non-invasive and drug-free approach. The results I got from Vax-D were immediate — for the

first time in nine years, I actually slept more than four hours in a row. Over the next few weeks,

the lower back pain and, more importantly, the sciatic pain lessened. I remain leg and back pain

free as of the writing of this testimony.”

At Lakeland Chiropractic Center your health is in good hands with Dr. Tracy Maloney, who

has been involved in the Forsyth County community since 1989, and Dr. Burl Buchkowski.

The center focuses on your optimal health utilizing chiropractic adjustments, stretching, diet

and exercise, physical therapy and massage. Lakeland Chiropractic Center, 770-781-9050,

lakelandchiropracticonline.com


The Non-Surgical Solution…TO HERNIATED DISCS, SCIATICA & LOWER BACK PAIN

VAX-D is a FDA approved, non-surgical lumbar decompression system that has proven to be

over 75% effective in the treatment of bulging or herniated discs, degenera-tive disc disease, and sciatic pain! VAX-D treatment reduces the pres-sure in the lumbar spine, relieving the pain from pinched nerves and helps the body heal itself.

Get Relief From:

Neck Pain

Headaches

Lower Back Pain

Sciatica

Disc Herniation

Disc Bulge

Shoulder Pain

Knee Pain

Auto Accidents

Sports Injuries

LAKELAND CHIROPRACTIC CENTER /FORSYTH COUNTY WELLNESS

563 Lakeland Plaza • Cumming, GA 30040

770-781-9050www.lakelandchiropracticonline.com

Call for an Appointment Today!


winter escapesSPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WHY STAY INSIDE WHEN YOU CAN

ESCAPE TO A FUN DESTINATION

WHERE OLD MAN WINTER SIMPLY

ADDS TO THE FUN!

Surround yourself with beauty, relaxation and natural fun in Blue Ridge, just 90 miles north of Atlanta. The newest addition to a long list of fun family activities is an ice skating rink in the down-town Blue Ridge city park! Enjoy skating in the crisp mountain air of a magical winter wonderland. You can experience “Blue Ridge on Ice” now through mid-February.

Besides its proud, small-town atmosphere and friendly people, Blue Ridge also happens to be an art town, filled with galleries, antique and specialty shops, and restaurants. So when you’re done on the rink, stroll through the historic streets of downtown Blue Ridge, where the local boutiques will help cross everyone off your shopping list this season. This month, bring the kids to sing Christmas carols and see Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves when you ride the holiday train. cityofblueridgega.gov

Henderson Park Inn is the perfect winter escape in Destin. As the only all-inclusive hotel in the region, the Inn has earned the reputation as one of the finest lodgings in the area. No detail is overlooked including a bottle of wine, roses and chocolates upon arrival, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, sitting areas and writing desks. After a peaceful night sleep-ing to the sound of the waves, guests are treated to a breakfast like no other at “Beach Walk” restaurant, in a casual atmosphere located directly on the Gulf. For dining in the evening (the only meal not included in the cost of the stay), the restaurant features a more intimate atmosphere with dining available inside with a cozy fireplace and magnificent views.

With an abundance of sunshine and mild temperatures year round, the Henderson Park Inn’s natural surroundings offer many options for both indoor and outdoor activities. The expert and friendly staff can arrange a charter boat for deep-sea fishing, dolphin tours or water sports such as surfing, parasailing, kayaking, Yolo boarding, jet skis and more. Golfing guests can play Regatta Bay at a substantial discount off published rates. Other Inn activities include weekly cooking classes with wine pairings and of course, the Inn can recommend upscale spa experiences and world-class shopping opportunities.

All the wonderful things aside, the true luxury you’ll encounter is the staff. Ryan Olin, the Innkeeper explains, “For the most part, when folks come to The Henderson, they are looking for total relaxation, recon-necting to themselves, their partner or just their lives. We take pride in helping our guests achieve that by being aware and taking care of ev-ery detail, before they worry about or even know they might desire it.”

Few resorts offer more than a mile of the world’s most beautiful, secluded beaches and the ultimate romantic experience. The only thing some guests may return home with is a restored peace of mind and wondering when they can come back to their picture perfect winter getaway. Fall and winter rates make a special occasion or weekend splurge more affordable. For a complete listing of room rates and avail-ability, call 866-398-4432 or visit hendersonparkinn.com.

Hit the Ice and then the Shops

Head to Henderson Park Inn


Seaside, Fla. is a destination to be enjoyed year-round. With cooler weather and fewer crowds in the late fall and winter months, it’s the perfect place to escape for an idyllic getaway, whether with your signifi -cant other or with the whole family. As the premier provider of the best Seaside rentals, the Cottage Rental Agency offers the largest collection of private vacation homes. Book the CRA “Double Your Fun” package, available December 1, 2012 – February 28, 2013 and you’ll enjoy sav-ings up to 50 percent off rates along with vouchers valued at more than $1,000 in savings from area merchants. Call toll-free at 1-866-976-6389 or visit CottageRentalAgency.com

The Double Your Fun Getaway is an adventure-packed package offered only once a year and includes not only the best value along the popular 30A beach community, but also features more than $1,000 worth of “double your fun” EXCLUSIVE Cottage Rental Agency deals including:

The Cottage Rental Agency’s “Double Your Fun” package is available for stays at participating cottages; Two (2)-night minimum consecutive stays required; limited availability and not applicable to existing reserva-tions or groups; some additional restrictions may apply to “Double your Fun” coupons, golf reservations must be booked 72 hours in advance (call our expert concierge) and a minimum stay of two nights is required for cottage rentals. Book today for the best cottage selection and don’t miss out on the lowest rates in Seaside — guaranteed — as well as more than $1,000 worth of vouchers from area merchants!

Happiness is Found Year-round in Seaside

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

winterescapes

Who needs that high-maintenance elf on the shelf when you can make your Christmas experience even more magical by treating your

kids to a surprise visit from Santa’s Elves in Blue Ridge! The elves will read your kids the Christmas story, answer any questions they might have about Santa

and the North Pole, and bring

them a special gift. For more details and to book your visit from the North Pole, call 706-258- 6220 or email [email protected]

Santa’s Elves Stop at Mountaintop Cabin Rentals n FREE souvenir beach blanket and

beach tote bag n FREE bottle of wine and wine

openern Unlimited DVD Rentals available

during your entire stay for the whole family to enjoy

n FREE cocktail at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Dining, located directly on the beach. Sunsets are FREE too!

n FREE glass of house wine at CRUSH Wine Bar with purchase of lunch or dinner.

n Bike Rentals (kids or adults): Buy 1 bike, get 1 bike FREE (delivery included), provided by CRA Bike Shop

n Golf Cart Rentals (street legal): Buy 1 day, get 1 day FREE (delivery included), provided by Gulf Cart Rentals

n Spa Services: Buy 1 manicure or custom body polish and get 1 FREE, provided by Beach Ready Spa

n Paint your own Pottery: Buy 1 mug and get 1 FREE provided by Fired Up! Pottery

n Stand-up Paddle Boards: Buy 1

board and get 1 FREE for 3 hours OR buy 1 board for 3 hours and get additional 3 hours FREE (deliv-ery included), provided by Stand Up Paddle

n Half-Day Deep Sea Fishing Charter: Buy 2 hours and get 2 hours FREE with “No fi sh- No pay” guarantee provided by Fish On

n Babysitting/Childcare Services (licensed and insured): Buy 4 hours and get 2 hours FREE pro-vided by Babysitter at the Beach

n Golf: Buy 1 round of golf, get 1 round FREE at award-winning Baytown, Raven or Links golf courses in Sandestin (includes cart) provided by Sandestin Golf

n Mimosas: Buy 1 mimosa and get 1 FREE at Modica Market — the best in town!

n Dolphin Tour (USCG licensed and insured): Buy 1 admission, get 1 FREE provided by Osprey Charters

n Kayak Rentals: Enjoy 50% OFF a 3- or 7-day kayak rental provided by Yellowfi n Ocean Sports

n Yoga Class: Buy 1 yoga class and get 1 FREE with The Studio at Seaside, Florida.


GIFT IDEAS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONLAST MINUTEGift Certificatefor FootwearABBADABBA’Scoolshoes.comCLOSEST LOCATIONS:EAST COBB1255 Johnson Ferry Road #7Market Plaza, Marietta770-565-3569 BUCKHEAD4389 Roswell Road, Atlanta404-262-3356GWINNETT3360 Satellite Blvd. #1A, Duluth770-623-0033KENNESAW2615 George Busbee Parkway NW #5, Kennesaw, 770-423-0405Abbadabba’s is Atlanta’s premier source for innovative comfort footwear. Popular brands for gift-giving are Ugg and Frye boots, Toms, Vibram Five Fingers, Naot, Dansko, Dr. Martens, Birkenstocks, Vans and Converse. Gift cards available.

Home Accessories & GiftsACCENTRICS

3719 Old Alabama Road, Suite 300 A&BJohns Creek, 678-867-0310accentrics-home.comLocated in Johns Creek, Accentrics’ showroom presents a beautiful display of art, lamps, custom florals, furniture and gifts. Of particular interest are their local sources for custom art and furniture.

Spa Gift CertificateALL ABOUT YOU LUXURY DAY SPA

3005 Old Alabama Road, Suite 310Johns Creek770-772-7225allaboutudayspa.bizJohns Creek’s most luxurious day spa offering the finest in facials, massage and nail services. Relax for an hour or spend the day in the serene surroundings. Gift certificates available.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights TicketsATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN

855-GLHN-TIXatlantabotanicalgarden.orgGarden Lights, Holiday Nights is back and brighter than ever! Every evening from November 17th to January 5th. For tickets and information, visit atlantabotanicalgarden.org or call 855-GLHN-TIX.

Annual Imagination PassGEORGIA AQUARIUM

404.581.4000 GeorgiaAquarium.org Give the gift of imagination! Purchase a Georgia Aquarium Annual Pass to receive one year of visits, discounts on tickets, tours, and more! Visit GeorgiaAquarium.org to learn more.

NCAA, NFL & MLB ProductsMAD DAWG CREATIONS

1595 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste 126Cumming, 678-965-4488maddawgcreations.comUnique and one-of-a-kind high quality wooden wall art, furniture and liscensed products for decorating your home and showing your team support. Buy one UGA hat before 12/24 and get one free when you mention this ad!

Shoes, Apparel, AccessoriesMERRELL

5185 Peachtree ParkwayNorcross678-969-0787merrell.comThe holiday season is in full swing at Merrell Atlanta! We have all of your gift-giving needs covered with men’s, women’s and kid’s shoes, apparel, accessories, gift cards and more!

Cabin Rental Gift CertificateMOUNTAIN TOP CABIN RENTALS

44 Boardtown Road, Blue Ridge866-40 CABIN or 706-258-6220mountaintopcabinrentals.comMountain Top Cabin Rentals offers gift certificates for any dollar amount. Certificates are valid for 2 years and can be used toward any cabin rental. The perfect Christmas gift for the mountain lovers in your life!

Gift Certificate for Face & BodyTHE NOUVEAU CLINIC

5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 40Alpharetta404-936-6931nouveaufaceandbody.comPermanent cosmetics, brow and lash line restoration, scalp hair camouflage, scar treatments, painless cellulite treat-ments, painless and no downtime face and body lip, and sculpting treatments.

iPads, iPods, Mac & Apple TVPEACHMAC

Norcross, East Cobb, West Cobb, Forsythpeachmac.comAs an Apple Specialist, PeachMac carries the hottest gifts of the season including iPad, iPod, Mac and Apple TV. PeachMac also offers the largest selection of Apple device accessories in the state.

Pure Silk Scarves, Dresses & TopsSTRAW DOG

The Avenue Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Pkwyfacebook.com/strawdogPaper Mill Village, 255 Village Pkwyfacebook.com/strawdogeastcobb100% pure silk Tolani scarves, dresses and tops are a favorite at the holiday. Beautiful, timeless designs make wonderful gifts for women of all ages. Starting at $88.


Open Tuesday -Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday Noon - 9 p.m.

2300 Bethelview Rd., Suite 104, Cumming • 770-887-3000

www.miaitaliano.com or facebook.com/MiaRistoranteItaliano

“An evening at Mia is like a visit to Central or Southern Italy?”

Authentic fare from a chef and two owners who were born in Italy!

MOUTH-WATERING SPECIALS • GREAT WINE LIST • DELICIOUS HOME-MADE SEASONAL SOUPS

ignature Total Car Care specializes in personalized automotive services

for owners of European vehicles, such as Mercedes Benz, BMW,

Audi, Volvo and Volkswagen. We also service Asian and domestic vehi-

cles.

Our unrivaled quality in service and affordable rates provides a

smart, cost-effi cient alternative to more expensive dealer services. Our

technicians perform only the repairs that you request and we will never

perform any work without your full consent. We work on your cars like we

owned them! 2655 Northgate Ave. off Ronald Reagan Pkwy., Cumming770.889.5959 • www.signaturetotalcarcare.com


calendar

PERFORMING ARTSTHE NUTCRACKER[Nov. 30 – Dec. 16]

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre will continue

the tradition of performing the be-

loved Christmas favorite, “The Nut-

cracker.” Tickets range from $13.50 to

$29.50 and can be purchased through

Ticketmaster, visiting the box office or

by calling.

Gwinnett Performing Arts Center,

Duluth

404-249-6400

gwinnettballet.org

BABES IN TOYLAND[Dec. 7 & 8]

In this exquisite interactive dance

production of a favorite childhood

story, families of all ages will enjoy

their time together. It’s as magical on

the stage as the first time you heard

the story. Tickets range from $12.50

to $23.50.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center,

Roswell

404-438-3028

atlantadancetheatre.org

WINTER POLAR EXPRESS[Dec. 14 & 15]

The Academy Dance Company pres-

ents their 5th annual “The Winter Po-

lar Express,” continuing an enchanting

holiday tradition for the Atlanta area.

Enjoy being transported to a world full

of elves, Santa Claus and the magic

of the North Pole. Tickets are $12 for

students, $10 for children.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center,

Roswell

770-578-8272

bapa.us

CONCERTSHOLIDAY POPS CONCERT[Dec. 8]

The Georgia Symphony will join the

GSO Chorus and the Georgia Youth

Symphony Chorus as they perform

holiday hits from your favorite Hol-

lywood Christmas movies. Bring

the whole family to a musical event

everyone will enjoy.

Murray Arts Center of Mount Paran

Christian School, Kennesaw

770-429-7016

georgiasymphony.org

GOOD NEWS AND GREAT JOY[Dec. 8 & 9]

In celebration of the Cherokee

Chorale’s 25th season, they will be

performing beautiful festive songs.

Advanced tickets may be purchased,

$10 for adults and $5 for students.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic oppor-

tunity to celebrate the season!

Canton First United Methodist

Church, Canton

678-439-8625

cherokeechorale.org

JINGLE BALL [Dec. 12]

Atlanta’s newest hit music station

Power 96.1 recently announced the

lineup for its star-studded inaugural

holiday concert. With names like Jus-

tin Bieber, Enrique Iglesias, Ke$ha and

Flo Rida scheduled to take the stage

this month, this is one concert you

won’t want to miss and the best part

is that the concert supports Atlanta

Community Food Bank.

Phillips Arena, Atlanta

power961.com

SPECIAL EVENTSFLIP THE SWITCH ON TWO DECADES OF TWINKLE[Through Dec. 31]

Enjoy magical lights and celebrate

the season at Georgia’s Lake Lanier

Islands Resort with all the people you

love. There will be an old-fashioned

ice skating rink, holiday village,

vintage trolleys, Nativity Show, Night

Light Canopy Tours, Santa himself and

much more. Admission is based on the

carload.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort

770-945-8787

lakelanierislands.com

DAHLONEGA’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS [Through Dec. 23]

For an entire month, you and your

family can celebrate Christmas the

old fashioned way! With a hometown

parade, Santa Claus and all sorts of

festive events, you’ll make memories

to last a lifetime. There will even be

wine sampling and live theater ... now

we’re talking.

Town Square, Dahlonega

706-864-3513

dahlonega.org

SEASONAL DELIGHTS IN DUNWOODY[Dec. 1 – 31]

Shop til you drop, getaway with the

girls and deck the halls with the best

Calendar submissions should be sent to [email protected] two months prior to the month in which the event will occur. Please note that dates and times might change.

COMPILED BY AUBREY BOOTH

[DEC. 6, 15, 20] Holiday Events at Barnsley


accessories in Dunwoody. Adorable

Dunwoody knows how to do Christmas

right, with ballets, spas, shopping,

wine bars and artist markets. Plan your

day or weekend with the girls before

the holidays get too hectic.

678-244-9805

cvbdunwoody.com

ANTI -AGING FACTS & FICTION [Dec. 5]

It could be the most important book

you’ll ever read. At this event that

combines information about thyroid

problems and some of the best doctors

in the business, you can learn essential

health concepts from the book “Dan-

gerous Medicine.”

Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery &

Aesthetics Center, Marietta

770-425-7575

dangerousmedicine.org

CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS AT BULLOCH HALL [Dec. 8]

The perfect way to celebrate this time

of year with your children comes in

the form of non-stop fun and all sorts

of holiday cheer! You’ll find fun games

like the yule log and candy cane hunt,

as well as a visit from the famous Mr.

Claus. Tickets are $10 per person.

Bulloch Hall

Roswell

770-992-1731

DEATH AT THE DOO -WOP [Dec. 14 & 20]

Dust off your penny loafers and don

your best poodle skirts for this one!

The murder will take place at a 1950s

prom with some pretty swell suspects.

Tickets cost $60, but mention Points

[THROUGH JAN. 6] Winter Wonderland Exhibit

PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNBANK MUSEUM OF HISTORY

Heating & Air Conditioning

Specialist

“Quality You Can Count On”

Serving North Atlanta for over 38 years.

Call for a Free In-Home Estimate

(770) 886-1998www.reliance-hvac.com

15-Point Tune-up for Your Heating System for only $79.95 for the First Unit

and $59.95 for Each Additional Unit!

MENTION THIS AD


calendarNorth Magazine and pay only $45!

Blue Mark Studios

892 Jefferson St NW, Atlanta

888-643-2583

grimprov.com/murder-mystery-dinner-atlanta/

HOLIDAY EVENTS AT BARNSLEY[Dec. 15]

Barnsley Gardens offers several sweet

reasons to celebrate this season with

its Cocktails in the Classroom events.

Sign up to bake cookies and sip

cocktails at the Bake and Take class

on December 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. If you

don’t have much of a sweet tooth or

you’d rather pour your heart and effort

into liquid treasures, try the Art of

Mixology class, where adults can learn

how to mix classic cocktails and hot

trendy beverages with the Wine Snob

on Dec. 6 and Dec. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Barnsley Gardens Resort,

Adairsville

barnsleyresort.com

FIRST DAY HIKE[Jan. 1, 2013]

Last year, 620 Georgians rang in the

New Year with a guided hike through

Georgia’s beautiful natural parks.

This year, you’ll have a chance to

do the same! To help start 2013 in a

healthy way, grab some friends and

participate in a hike at your closest

state park.

Various State Parks across Georgia

1-800-864-7275

georgiastateparks.org

ARTS/EXHIBITSWINTER WONDERLAND EXHIBIT[Through Jan. 6]

This exciting holiday exhibition will

feature different types of festive

traditions from around the world.

Besides the trees, twinkling lights,

music and displays you might expect,

there will also be a kid-friendly area of

the exhibit, including train rides and

children’s art opportunities. Tickets

can be purchased online.

Fernbank Museum of

Natural History

Atlanta

404-929-6400

fernbankmuseum.org

CHRISTMAS IN CUMMING[Dec. 7 & 8]

Celebrate the season with a festive

arts and crafts show, where you can

purchase all sorts of handmade items

for people on your list at more than

100 booths. There will also be Christ-

mas activities for everyone to enjoy,

[DEC. 8 – 9] 18th Annual Virginia Highland

Tour of Homes

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For great gifts visit our website or our retail store. Mad Dawg Creations is the place to shop!

678-671-3545 | maddawgcreations.com1595 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 126, Cumming, Georgia 30041

High quality NCAA, NFL and MLB licensed products If you are looking to decorate your office, business, house, TV room, family room, fan or man cave, we have unique and one of a kind items!

MAD DAWG CREATIONS FOR THE SPORTS FAN!


from light shows to hay rides. Tickets

are $1/each and admission is free for

children under 12.

City of Cumming Fairgrounds,

Cumming

770-423-1330

[email protected]

NORTH GEORGIA ART RAMBLE[Dec. 8 & 9]

Ever wanted to have a conversation

with a real artist and fi nd out how

they create such beautiful pieces?

Well, here’s your chance. Chat with

artists, watch them create their work

and see the fi nal product. Before you

come to the Ramble, make sure you

stop by the Pre-Ramble Art Party on

December 7.

Cherokee Arts Center,

Canton

770-605-9915

ngaartramble.com

CHARITY EVENTSOPEN HOUSE TO BENEFIT MAKE -A-WISH [Dec. 2, 9 & 16]

At this free open house from 1 to 4

p.m., you can browse through displays

of beautiful holiday wreaths and

purchase one for your own home.

Proceeds from the wreath sales go to

the Make-A-Wish Foundation, giving

you an opportunity to spread some

holiday cheer.

Barrington Hall, Roswell

770-640-3855

CHRISTMAS AT THE TATE HOUSE[Dec. 7-9 & 14-16]

Enjoy gallivanting through the deco-

rated halls of a historic landmark in

Georgia and imagining what it would

be like to celebrate your Christmas in

such a breathtaking home. There will

be light refreshments included and a

tour of the mansion. Tickets are $15

for adults and $5 for children. Pro-

ceeds go to the Salvation Army Camp

Grandview in Jasper.

Tate House

Tate

770-735-3122

tatehouse.com

18TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND TOUR OF HOMES[Dec. 8 & 9]

You can tour one of Atlanta’s most

charming and beautiful neighbor-

hoods. There will be exquisite

architecture, historic homes, holiday

decor, caroling and even a few sweet

deals from local vendors. Homes you’ll

be able to visit include a 1930s bun-

galow and a 1910 home with original

fl ooring. Tickets are $25 in advance

or $30 weekend of the tour. Proceeds

help support various charities and

organizations!

Virginia-Highlands

404-805-6363

vahi.org/tour-of-homes/

ATLANTA WIND SYMPHONY [Dec. 9]

Enjoy beautiful music and help those

in need at the same time. The Atlanta

Wind Symphony will be performing

some of your favorite holiday songs

and spreading the Christmas cheer.

Don’t forget to bring your Toys for Tots

to donate at the concert.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center

770-641-1260

atlantawindsymphony.org

CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL AND TOY DRIVE [Dec. 22]

The folks behind the nonprofi t Lift

Up Atlanta organization certainly

know how to bring joy to children in

need. Their Christmas Carnival and

Toy Drive event promises to be fi lled

with cotton candy, clowns, popcorn,

live entertainment and all sorts of

festivities. The event will benefi t the

Lift Up Atlanta organization, which

assists homeless children and families

in need throughout the year, as well as

provides toys to the homeless children

during Christmastime. Admission is $6

for this fun-fi lled family day.

Lift Up Atlanta

678-245-4622

liftupatlanta.org

NEW YEAR’S EVE ADULT & PETIT SOIREE [Dec. 31]

Count down to the New Year with a

fun-fi lled evening that’s also for a

good cause. Proceeds from this fancy

soiree will go to benefi t JJ’s Playhouse

Children’s Museum & Gym. You’ll be

ringing in the New Year and doing a

great thing for our community at the

same time!

Sheraton Suites Galleria

678-557-4230

jjsplayhouse.org

Y O U R F A V O R I T E

C L O T H E S

Ella Moss

Wild Fox

AG Denim

Hudson

Free People

BB Dakota

Old Gringo

Velvet

STRAW DOG - FORSYTHThe Avenue Forsyth

410 Peachtree ParkwayGA 400 N, Exit 13

facebook.com/strawdog

STRAW DOG - EAST COBBPaper Mill Village

255 Village ParkwayJohnson Ferry Rd. - N of the River

facebook.com/strawdogeastcobb

B R I N G T H I S A D I N F O R 1 0 % O F F A P U R C H A S E O F $ 7 5 O R M O R E .V A L I D T H R O U G H J A N U A R Y 2 0 , 2 0 1 3 . C O D E P N M

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WRITTEN BY AUBREY BOOTHFIVEthingsRevel in Timeless Tradition. What do you get when you add 20

pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, lighting and a 38-foot-tall

Christmas tree to young Marya’s story? Presented by Belk, Atlanta

Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” a holiday tradition for more than 53

years, comes to the stage. At least 250 of Atlanta’s young dancers

will join the Atlanta Ballet professional company for this extrava-

gant production with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Georgia

Youth Choir. Performances run Dec. 7 – Dec. 26 at The Fabulous

Fox Theatre. Visit atlantaballet.com.

Grab a Date and Skate. One of Atlanta’s most beautiful holiday

experiences glides into the picture this season compliments of an

enchanting ice rink at The St. Regis Atlanta. Adorned with whim-

sical white lights and featuring festive holiday tunes, the Astor

Skating Soirees promise to be as elegant as they sound. The new

adults-only skating soirees take place Dec. 6, 13 and 27 and have

packages that include romantic desserts, cocktails or Champagne

and plenty of time on the ice. The Astor Holiday Rink will be open

through January 2. Skating sessions start every hour and cost $30

per hour for adults and $18 per hour for children under 16. Visit

stregisatlanta.com.

Give the Gift of Creativity. Be that person who gives the gift

everyone “oohs” and “ahhs” about this year. Glass reindeer beads

aren’t something you can fi nd just anywhere — that’s because you

have to make them yourself! Sign up for a class that teaches you

how to make these cool reindeer, snowman or polar bear beads

that can be used for bracelets, necklaces or ornaments. Classes

run through December and January at Woodstock Art & Glass. Call

404-806-0448 or visit woodstockartglass.com

Build Lego Memories. From December 1 - 24, bring your family to

the Holly Jolly Holidays at Legoland Discovery Center, which has

been completely overcome by holiday favorites, including a giant

Christmas tree, jolly Santa and ornament builds. For those with

a competitive side, be sure to take part in the Advent Calendar

building challenge. Let’s not forget that prizes like Lego sets and

Legoland tickets are up for grabs from the Legoland Santa sack.

For more information, visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com

Visit Jewels from the Titanic. Atlanta is the fi rst of three cities to

debut the largest collection of recovered jewels from the Titanic.

In the “Jewels of Titanic” exhibit, an array of 15 treasured artifacts

reminds us of life aboard the famous boat that not only became

part of history but also inspired one of our all-time favorite movies.

The exhibit, featuring jewels such as this pair of 18k yellow gold

diamond and black onyx button covers, will be open to the public

through January 6, 2013. To plan your visit, buy tickets or fi nd more

information, visit titanicatlanta.com.

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Documents

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o r e d i t o rheather

e d i t o rbre humphriess

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i s h e rcarl danbury

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