alpharetta...johns creek, georgia 30022 (770) 674-4446 • sufiidayspa.com visit our website or...

A PRETTY WINTER PICNIC

INSPIRED TABLES FOR TWO

AN AHHHHMAZING DAY AT SUFI DAY SPA

FEBRUARY 2016

AlpharettaLifestylePubs.com

L I F E S T Y L E ™

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5,000 sq. ft. Luxury Full Day Spa

3719 Old Alabama Road, Suite 300 C D & E, Johns Creek, Georgia 30022

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Attending a cooking school recently at The Swag resort in the Great Smoky Mountains of Waynesville, NC, I learned

NOT to flip a crepe, season from high above the pan and to hold a sharp knife on the blade between my pointer finger and thumb. Chef Bledsoe taught our small and enthusiastic class how to score and sear a duck breast and poach a pear in port. Sous Chef Jake Osburn shared his secrets for piping perfect rosettes of goat cheese

mousse. I was inspired to cook all the masterpieces we learned for my family. Someday. Not yet, though. In the meantime, we cook our usual favorite dishes and dine out often. And, why not? We are surrounded by amazing restaurants and chefs. We asked a few to help us pack a picnic for a Valentine's Day and our associate editor Darce Richardson put it all together. Christy Lee shot the picnic at the historic Mansell House. We love the idea of grabbing take-out food from a favorite restaurant (call the friendly staff at Colletta and get a pizza with fontina, apples, pecorino romano to go!).

Make your own picnic magic (and share a few photos with us on our Facebook page)!

Sean OKeefe Events made some magic for us with his gorgeous tables for two, introducing a new flower delivery club . Readers can subscribe to receive a unique arrangement each month from local floral designer, Marty Helling by visiting SeanOkeefeEvents.com. Atlanta pastry whiz, Shirley Hughes, created the dreamy desserts. She is opening her second location of Sweet Cheats off Franklin Road in Marietta this spring.

In other news, Lifestyle Publications is proud to announce our collaboration with the one and only American Cancer Society, as media sponsor for the upcoming third annual Hope Ball on April 30 at the Delta Flight Museum, honoring our friend, cancer survivor Jeff Wigbels. We're working on a fun contest to help you win tickets, but encourage you to consider sponsorship opportunities by visiting HopeBall.org.

Here's hoping your February is full of love and giving.

JOIN US TALK TO US

Sue G. Collins, Editor

publisher

Jim Newman | [email protected]

editor

Sue G. Collins | [email protected]

associate editor

Darce Richardson | [email protected]

advertising director

Karyn Slovin | [email protected]

contributing writers

Rhiannon Bankes, Dennis Malcolm Byron, Ruksana Hussain

contributing photographers

Frekrik Brauer, Ruksana Hussain, Christy Lee, STM Photography

P.O. Box 12608Overland Park, KS 66282-3214

Happy February, Alpharetta

Lifestyle Letter

FEBRUARY 2016

by Community ™

ON THE COVER A beautiful table set for you, plus

one. Who will it be this year? Design and style by

Sean Okeefe Events. Dessert by Sweet Cheats.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREDRIK BRAUER

CORPORATE TEAMCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER | Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | Brad Broockerd

ART DIRECTOR | Sara Minor

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | Nicole Sylvester

AD COORDINATORS | Cyndi Harrington, Chelsi Hornbaker, Kim Foster, Megan Seymour

LAYOUT DESIGNER | Nicolette Martin

DESIGN SPEICALIST | Ashleigh Thomson

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Melanie Carlisle

APPLICATION ARCHITECT | Michael O’Connell

WEB DEVELOPER | Hanna Park

Proverbs 3:5-6

Alpharetta Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Alpharetta’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Alpharetta Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

AlpharettaLifestylePubs.com

To honor stage four lung cancer survivor

raising funds forresearch & education

Jeff Wigbels

100% Of These Donations Will Go To Lung Cancer Research

Hope BallAPRIL 30 , 2016

BE OUR GUEST ATTHE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S

5 LUCKY COUPLES WILL BE CHOSEN TO ATTEND THIS BLACK TIE GALA

Live Music • Dinner • Dancing • Silent Auction

VISIT AlpharettaLifestylePubs.com TOregister & follow link to American Cancer Society to donate

SPONSORED BY

4 AlpharettaLifestylePubs.com | February 2016

To honor stage four lung cancer survivor

raising funds forresearch & education

Jeff Wigbels

100% Of These Donations Will Go To Lung Cancer Research

Hope BallAPRIL 30 , 2016

BE OUR GUEST ATTHE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S

5 LUCKY COUPLES WILL BE CHOSEN TO ATTEND THIS BLACK TIE GALA

Live Music • Dinner • Dancing • Silent Auction

VISIT AlpharettaLifestylePubs.com TOregister & follow link to American Cancer Society to donate

SPONSORED BY

Good Times

Seeing Red on 30ACelebrating its silver anniversary, the SEASIDE® Seeing Red Wine Festival earns recognition as a “Top 10 Can’t-Miss Fall

Wine Festival” by Fodor’s Travel. As loyal attendees we agree, just a short drive from Atlanta, it is by far our favorite event year after year. PHOTOGRAPHY STM PHOTOGRAPHY


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VALENTINE'S DAY JAZZTreat your loved one to a special Valentine's Day evening with

Gretchen Parlato -- February 13 and 14 at the Velvet Note. In the 10 years since her arrival in New York City, Gretchen Parlato has emerged as one of the most inventive and mesmerizing vocalists of her generation. In an artful communion of space, texture and a genre-bending repertoire, she has introduced a musical sea-change, making the power of subtlety front and center in jazz. For these performances, Gretchen’s ensemble will feature Taylor Eigsti, piano, Alan Hampton, bass and vocals and Mark Guiliana, drums. TheVelvetNote.com for tickets.

CHAMBER BOWL CHAMPSFor the sixth year running the Chamber Bowl, an all-star game

for high school football seniors from the north Metro Atlanta area, took place on December 19th at Alpharetta High School. The game is sponsored by XL212 and the North Georgia Touchdown Club, of which all public and private schools in North Fulton and Forsyth counties are members. Players from Centennial, Chattahoochee and Mount Pisgah played for the South team while players from For-syth Central, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, South Forsyth, North Forsyth, Northview and King’s Ridge suited up with the North team. XL212’s Mike Haynes, who played 11 seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and New Or-leans Saints, says the Chamber Bowl pro-vides players with a chance to play in an all-star setting in their final high school game. The North took the victory 18-8 over the South team in the final score. Congratu-lations to both teams on a fantastic game.

NEW SIGNAL ENHANCES SAFETY Pedestrians have a safe and convenient way to cross Main

Street in the heart of Downtown Alpharetta. The City activated a new mid-block pedestrian crossing on December 21. The cross-ing features a crossing signal, known as the HAWK Pedestrian Beacon, similar to one in use on Old Milton Parkway near Wills Park. When activated by a pedestrian, the HAWK signal will first turn yellow to warn drivers before turning to red to indicate that traffic should come to a complete stop. After a few moments the red signal will begin to flash, indicating that drivers can proceed if no pedestrian is in the crosswalk.

TEA TIMEThe Ninth Annual Peachtree Tea will be held on February 23, 2016,

from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Country Club of the South. The morning will begin with a Champagne Silent Auction and Raffle followed by an elegant seated lunch featuring delicious edibles and a selection of freshly-brewed teas. A prominent keynote speaker and HomeStretch graduate will tell their story. Also this year, for the second time, there will be an online auction beginning in February for those who just can’t wait until the 23rd. You can access this on-line auction from at Tea2016.auction-bid.org or visit the HomeStretch website page Homestretch.org for details about the event or to pur-chase individual tickets, purchase an entire table for all of your friends, or even become a sponsor on one of many levels. Remember, your donations stay right here in our community and help your neighbors.

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SUFI DAY SPA OWNER OFFERS THE BEST

ARTICLE RHIANNON BANKES | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Living here in Perimeter North, we spend our days battling traffic, steeling ourselves against more stressors than we realize. No wonder

so many new spas have opened in our community. Lucky for us! With many spas offering seemingly identical services, why chose one spa over another? When we look for a spa to treat ourselves, we are also looking for an escape, a beautiful oasis of relaxation that puts them at ease the mo-ment we walk in the door. Rather than visiting a cold, chain spa location with no personality, you can be transported to warm, welcoming Europe-an-style spa that caters to your every need. Fortunately, Perimeter North readers, you have the ideal spa right in your neighborhood. Sufii Day Spa provides the ambiance of luxury, peace and well-being.

Owner Amy Bafi opened her spa after looking for a large space and an ideal location, and finding the perfect spot in Johns Creek. Nestled between the Country Club of the South, Country Club of Roswell, and St. Ives, the spa spans three suites and has now been providing services for a full year. Focusing on relaxation and rejuve-nation of the mind, body and spirit, Amy is passionate in ensuring that her guests every needs are not just met but exceeded.

The plentiful seating area can accommodate large groups for cor-porate and group events, parties and showers. Guests can chat as they enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments such as wine, herbal tea, fruits, nuts and chocolates. The spa is also able to provide guests with lunch from several nearby restaurants.

Beyond the large relaxation area, the spa features 11 individually decorated treatment rooms (four accommodate couples) and a hand and foot area outfitted with decadent chairs and gauzy curtains. There are also two large, private shower rooms, as well as lockers for guests’ personal belongings. Scheduling is staggered in an effort to maintain privacy as guests move between treatments.

Providing a full list of services was not the only thing on Amy’s mind when she envisioned her perfect spa. She wanted to provide

Healthy Lifestyle

unique treatments original to her location. So while you will still see your favorite services, you will also have the option to try some-thing new, such as the Lomi-Lomi, bamboo specialty massages or a Chocolate Facial Peel. For facial treatments she promotes healthy skin and focuses on pampering and product. Her estheticians are pros at microdermabrasion and a variety of peels. All products used in treatments and sold at the spa are all natural and paraben-free. The aromatherapy treatments incorporate essential oils into the service and are also diffused into your treatment room, allowing for maximum exposure.

Hands and feet are treated to so much more than manicures, pedi-cures and polishes at Sufii Day Spa. Anti-aging hand treatments and Biofreeze foot massages are just a few of the specialty hand and foot treatments. With sanitation being of the utmost importance, foot baths feature direct water lines and new bags of tools are opened in front of each client.

Additional services offered include waxings, permanent makeup, eyebrow and eyelash tint, and semi-permanent eyelash extensions. Sufii Day Spa members receive additional discounts on services and retail discounts, and reduced rates when adding family members to their membership. The spa accepts all Spa Finder, Spa Wish, Way Spa and Spa Week certificates as well as all major credit cards.

With her impressive list of services and prime location, Amy has found success in the first year of her second career and wants others to have the same possibilities. Sufii Day Spa is now offering fran-chise opportunities. Now when you relax and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit at Sufii Day Spa, you may consider making your own career change.

For more information visit SufiiDaySpa.com or call 770.674.4446.

A Passion forPampering

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1295 HEMBREE ROAD BUILDING B SUITE 100 Roswell, Georgia 3OO76(770) 772-0695 • WWW.THEGRAIVIERCENTER.COM

Our Graivier Center family would like to thank our patients and the community for your trust, confidence and support. We value our friendship and relationship with you and wish

all a New Year filled with peace, happiness, and beauty.

Every Day is Valentine's Day at The Graivier Center and Medspa

Table for TwoLove is served!ARTICLE SUE G. COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHER FREDRIK BRAUER STYLING SEAN O'KEEFE EVENTS SHOT ON LOCATION ATEVENTS RENTALS UNLIMITED A soft pink natural

silk tablecloth, opalescent chargers, bright white plates, traditional silver, a pop of color with burnt tangerine goblets, milk glass votives and a Marty Helling’s barn wood box popping with Gerbera daisies, cream stock, cherry brandy roses, delphinium, bells of Ireland, flowering kale and hydrangeas.

The pastries are fruit tarts with blueberries,

raspberries and kiwi, topped with slivered almonds.

Southern Garden Charm


An ivory and delicate gold brocade tablecloth, gold lace trim chargers, fine ivory china with a thin gold border, crystal glassware with an etched gold rim, gold stemware. A tall regal stemmed vase showcases flowering kale, cherry brandy roses, mini green hydrangeas, iceberg spray white roses, cream stock and bells of Ireland.

The sweets are soft hues of milk chocolate covered cookie

dough petits fours and strawberry champagne petits fours with hand-

painted gold filigree accents..

ClassicElegance

CONTINUED >

February 2016 | AlpharettaLifestylePubs.com 17

Hot red silk tablecloth, Art Deco-inspired beveled mirrored chargers, white china with a

silver rim, mercury glass votives, crystal glasses, traditional silverware. What else but a corazon

red rose pavé bouquet!

The sweets are a strawberry napoleon stack of

puff pastry filled with cream, and strawberries and chocolate ganache

dusted with powdered sugar.

The WowSean OKeefe Events designed each table with love. Visit the dream team's new location at 2126 Faulkner Rd and tune into Atlanta Bon Vivant on Atlanta and Company every Tuesday for more of Sean's tips on living well. SeanOkeefeEvents.com

The SweetsDesserts are from Sweet Cheats in Cabbagetown, coming soon to Marietta, with an espresso bar, breakfast and lunch and their famous hand-crafted cake pops, petits fours, French macaroons, pies, cupcakes and brownies. Catering, too. 404.590.6086 SweetCheatsAtlanta

The FlowersReaders can join a new flower delivery service and receive a unique arrangement each month from Sean OKeefe Events’ head floral designer, Marty Helling. Marty will chose the freshest flowers blooming each month and design an arrangement for your dining table, foyer or office. Subscribe early and you’ll land an invitation to a grand opening cocktail party. Our readers will get two months free with a year long subscription! [email protected]. 404.228.7903 SeanOkeefeEvents.com

Glam ValentineTABLE FOR TWO (CONTINUED)


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If you suffer from foot or ankle pain, then our practice is designed for you. We specialize in the latest in conservative and surgical management of conditions and injuries of the foot and ankle, focusing on returning you to activity. Utilizing the latest in minimally-invasive approaches and plastic surgery techniques, our board-certified physician, Dr. Brian Harley, is an expert in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, and brings over 10 years of experience practicing in the Atlanta area. Our practice prides itself on a patient-centered experience where your time is valuable, and your health and understanding is paramount.

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With LoveA Valentine’s Day Winter Picnic

ARTICLE SUE G. COLLINS | PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTY LEE | STYLING DARCE RICHARDSON

Al Fresco Alpharetta,


Who needs sunshine and 80 degree weather for a picnic? Not us! Liv-

ing here in Alpharetta, we are blessed with mild temperatures year-around, and a healthy appetite for adventure and good liv-ing. For Valentine’s Day this year, why not take your honey bun on a picnic at one of the city’s parks or historic places. We chose the grounds of the lovely Mansell House and Gardens on Old Milton Parkway, home of the Alpharetta Historical Society. The Queen Anne style house was built in 1912 and sits on beautifully maintained grounds. Or, chose your favorite nearby park and look for a dry hilltop or covered picnic table to claim as your own for a few hours.

Next, pack the food. Think big! Think lo-cal! We knocked on the door of Wildflour and owner and chef Michael Field made us a fab basil chicken salad sandwich and a sa-vory salmon sandwich, adding his pasta sal-ad with balsamic vinaigrette and a pocketful of cookies (chocolate chip, sweet potato and Butterfinger brownies).

We also like what’s happening at Nev-er Enough Thyme. Culinary Institute of America chef, Robert Pniewski suggested we pack blackberry Sweet and Spicy Pecan Salad with English cranberry cheese top-

CONTINUED >


AL FRESCO ALPHARETTA , WITH LOVE (CONTINUED)

ping, his famous Mediterranean chicken artichoke salad, a chicken salad sandwich on Por-tugese roll and a fresh tomato mozzarella sandwich on ciabatta bread. The icing on the cake? Freshly baked red velvet cupcakes or a slice of pecan pie.

If you want to think outside the lunchbox, we will applaud enthusiastically and remind you to pack appropriate cutlery and plates for a juicy steak, like the one Village Tavern would gladly pack up for you. They will add grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Any of your favorite foods will work for a picnic, as long as you are prepared (like a good Scout), and everything tastes better when you’re with the one you love, outdoors under the winter sunshine.

Finally, chose something a little more special than the perfunctory picnic lemonade, like a nice-ly chilled white wine or even your favorite red. The folks at Johns Creek Wine and Crystal will help you chose the right bottle and stemware.

Have fun and post your picnic pictures on our Facebook page (one lucky posting picnick-er will win a little something from Alpharetta Lifestyle Magazine).

DETAILS

Wildflour5815 Windward Pkwy # 210Open for lunch and cateringWildFlourAtlanta.com

Village Tavern11555 Rainwater DrVillageTavern.com

NEVER ENOUGH THYME 5354 McGinnis Ferry RdNeverEnoughThyme.net

Johns Creek Wine and Crystal9810 Medlock Bridge Rd #700,Johns CreekJohnsCreekWineAndCrystal.com

Kathleen’s Catch9810 Medlock Bridge Rd, Suite 800,Johns Creek

Winter picnic packing promptsA soft blanket to sit on and another to toss over chilly shoulders (stadium blanket, favorite beach towel or a sturdy throw from the sofa) plus a few pillows for a more comfy occasion.

Real cutlery, steak knives, serving spoons, wrapped in fabric napkins (no plastic or paper for this picnic please). Add a bow!

Kitchen towel to wrap used cutlery in after the picnic and tidy up any tiny spills.

A basket or box with a flat top for a serving surface and for carrying your goodies.

Food - the good kind! See our suggestions and don't be afraid to think outside the lunchbox. Order from your favorite restaurant and explain your idea - they will pack the food thoughtfully. If you visit one of our favorites, tell them we sent you!

Something to sip on - don't forget the corkscrew and glasses, plus a bottle or two of water.

Provided Smoked Salmon and New England Lobster Spreads, and Crab, Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Bruschettini Rosmary and Garlic Italian Bruschetta Toasts

Smoked salmon and New England lobster spreads, dips and toasts from Kathleen's Catch


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ACURA REDEFINES THE WORD ‘ELECTRIFYING’ WITH THIS LUXURY SEDAN

ARTICLE DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ACURA

Driver's Notebook

Acura continues to shine in the luxury sector’s fields of style, reliability, am-

ple features and overall quality. The all-new RLX Sport Hybrid sedan effortlessly solidi-fies this automaker’s high accolades.

Upon first sight, the sleek body is en-hanced by 19-inch alloy wheels and Jew-el Eye LED headlights that emulate 20 gleaming diamonds to help drivers navigate through the most unfavorable conditions.

Behind the wheel, the driving experience carves its own lane from its competitors with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission managing 377 horses packed in the V6, 3.5 Liter VTECH engine. RLX’s Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive directly linked with the electric motor in the front paired with a duo of rear electric motors results in outstanding power, precise handling, and the most important factor to many—lengthy gas mileage at a combined 30 miles per gallon.

The Tech Package is graciously stan-dard for the $65,950 price tag, including voice-recognizing navigation, adaptive cruise control, road departure alert, a re-mote engine starter, the signature Acura-Link Communication System, and the collision mitigation braking system for mind-easing safety. Passengers are also pampered by the perforated leather seat-ing, tri-zone climate control, the premium Krell audio system that pleases ears with 14 speakers, a heated steering wheel, tempera-ture-controlled seats throughout the cabin and sunshades for all rear windows to name a few of the riding pleasures.

Ultimately, the 2016 RLX Sport Hybrid not only maintains its brand’s luster, but proves that owning a hybrid can be eco-nomically, environmentally and stylistically rewarding at the same time.

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ARTICLE SUE G. COLLINS | PHOTOGRAPHY SUE G. COLLINS AND PROVIDED

Pulling up the long welcoming driveway to the The Ritz-Carl-ton Reynolds, Lake Oconee after a short but taxing drive east

from Atlanta, I checked my watch (for the last time, I promised myself) and bolted across the courtyard to the spa. The warm staff showed me to my locker and I changed into the thick robe and spa sandals, sinking into one of the over-stuffed armchairs in the softly lit lounge. My 50-minute Winter Resistance Ritual massage was, hands-down, one of the best full-body, multi-sensory treatments I’ve

ever had. I was a pool of happiness after the dry

Road Trip

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee

CONTINUED >

Fire pits with s'mores, hammocks, lake-view suites, groomed walking

trails, an infinity pool and a warm welcome at The Ritz

body brushing (for exfo-liation), a massage with tea tree and eucalyptus oils (my new favorite), a very warm rain shower with infused steamed towels around my feet and warmed volcanic stones in my willing palms and cooling mois-turizer again massaged into my renewed skin. The large sauna, steam room, whirlpool tubs and private showers beckoned in the

newly expanded women’s lounge. I was welcome to lounge then or, as a hotel guest, was encouraged to come back anytime during my stay. I couldn’t imagine staying away.

Too soon, I floated the few steps through the cool lake country air to the lodge-like lobby of The Ritz-Carlton. Just 75 miles from noisy Atlanta, the AAA Five Diamond lakeside resort is glowing from a multi-million dollar renovation. Through the bank of win-dows in the grand beamed lobby, the tranquil outdoor infinity pool, whale-shaped kids pool, updated sun deck, and fire pits dot the broad lawn leading to the lake.


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My travel companions, still glowing from their massages,

ventured out to the 6,000-square-foot ice rink where hot cocoa was

being served. A lakeside bonfire was being stoked, ready for s’mores later. We found a sofa inside in front

of another roaring fire and chatted with guests - a group of ladies celebrating decades of friendships and coworkers attending a team-building weekend. Lucky them! Cock-tails were served all around by a friendly waitress.

Later, we savored a surprisingly original meal at the recently opened restaurant and lounge at the National Golf Village (there are five championship courses and six clubhouses for Ritz and Reynolds Plantation members and guests on the property). Executive Chef Derin Moore filled the menu of The National Tavern with authentic twists on familiar and local dishes. Chef sent out some of his favor-ites which soon become ours, too. “Shareable bites” included the steamed pork buns, Mason jar shrimp and prosciutto and melon. Each had plenty of merits. The incredibly juicy wood-grilled pork chop burst with flavor thanks to careful barding (that is, securing a bit of pork fat to the chop during roasting) served up with tender cider beets and crispy fingerling potatoes. The savory rosemary lamb meatballs were served atop a bed of house-made lemon pasta and the grilled mountain trout was complemented by an arugula salad. These pairings on the plate reflected the kitchen’s skill and care to detail and flavor. Fab cocktails and a sophisticated wine list showed off the bar staff’s experience and thoughtfulness. After a few bites of handcrafted toffee and a cup of Zinger Longer Coffee (blended for

Reynolds Lake Oconee by the folks at Jittery Joe’s in Athens) we indulged in a starlit constitution-al around the lovely lawns of The Ritz, where swings and hammocks are tucked away among the tall hardwoods. I opted to tuck myself into the dreamy king-sized bed in the gor-geous lake-view room. Dreams included.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, GA

706.467.0600RitzCarlton.com

The National Tavern, Greensboro, GA706.467.3151

ReynoldsLakeOconee.comOpen daily at 11 a.m.

CHARITIES & FUNDRAISERSAmerican Cancer Society (Atlanta)(404) 327-6477cancer.org

EDUCATIONLearning Rx Atlanta(404) 252-7246learningrx.com

FASHION & ACCESSORIESShaneCo(678) 393-0701ShaneCo.com

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERSGreen Basement and Remodeling(678) 445-5533greenremodeling.com

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGSClassic Blinds & Shutters(770) 924-0282classicblindsandshutters.com

Leisure Time Decks(404) 939-2201ltdecks.com

The Dumpthedump.com

HOME SERVICESClosets by Design Atlanta(770) 418-2112closetsbydesign.com

Dream House Painting(678) 873-2821dreamhousepainting.com

Milton Mechanical(770) 360-1297miltonhvac.com

Sewell(404) 255-0604subzero-wolf.com atlanta

LEGAL SERVICESWilliams & Williams Law Firm(770) 823-2711wwattorneys.com

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIESAesthetic Speciality(770) 393-9000asc-psd.com

Northside Vascular Surgery(770) 292-3490nvs-ga.com

Sculpted Contours(404) 872-8578sculptedcontours.com

The Graivier Center(770) 772-0695THEGRAIVIERCENTER.COM

PROPERTY & REAL ESTATELondon Properties(404) 642-2127

SALONS & SPASSufii Day Spa(770) 674-4446sufiidayspa.com

Van Michael(404) 250-3356vanmichael.com

business directory

Road Trip (CONTINUED)

The gang's all here! Associate editor Darce

Richardson and publisher Jim Newman

reading our sister publication, BuckHaven

Lifestyle by a roaring Ritz fire


We provide our clients personal consultation with our experienced decorators to help you make the best color selections.

Work with our experts and leave the hard work to them.

SERVICE AREAS:

ALPHARETTA • ROSWELL • CUMMING • SUWANEE • JOHNS CREEK DULUTH • BUCKHEAD • NORCROSS • MARIETTA • WOODSTOCK • CANTON

ATLANTA • SANDY SPRING • DUNWOODY GEORGIA.

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

678-873-2821 [email protected]

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL. HAND BRUSH AND SPRAY APPLICATIONS

FULL AREA PRESSURE WASHING • WOOD ROT REPLACEMENTWALLPAPER REMOVAL • CABINET REPAINTING • DECK STAININGENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTS • ACCEPT ALL MAJOR

CREDIT CARDS • LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN ALPHARETTA

MLS Statistics from 12/1/15 - 12/31/15. All information herein has not been verified and is not guaranteed.

Tammy Dunn [email protected]

404-642-2127

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Community List Price Sales Price Days On Mar SP/OLP% Bedrooms Full Baths Half Baths

Alpharetta 1,225,000 1,258,350 183 102 5 5 2

Alpharetta 1,149,000 1,087,500 27 94.65 6 6 1

Milton 950,000 895,000 227 94.21 5 4 2

Alpharetta 850,000 825,000 107 97.06 5 4 2

Johns Creek 819,900 782,710 164 95.46 6 5 0

Alpharetta 825,000 760,000 369 92.12 5 5 1

Milton 780,000 740,000 37 94.87 5 5 1

Milton 855,000 765,000 52 89.47 6 6 1

Alpharetta 775,000 748,000 186 96.52 4 4 1

Milton 672,500 708,507 147 105.35 5 4 0

Alpharetta 699,900 680,000 26 97.16 5 5 1

Crabapple 695,000 640,000 4 92.09 6 5 1

Milton 699,900 637,500 53 91.08 5 4 1

Milton 689,205 650,000 20 94.31 5 4 0

Crabapple 719,500 630,000 152 87.56 5 4 2

Birmingham 699,995 609,200 192 87.03 6 5 1

Alpharetta 639,900 638,000 11 99.7 4 4 1

Alpharetta 625,000 580,000 86 92.8 6 4 1

Milton 644,800 574,000 22 89.02 4 4 1

Alpharetta 595,000 577,000 12 96.98 4 4 1

Milton 541,416 525,000 177 96.97 5 4 0

Recently SOLD Alpharetta PropertiesSold Properties


FEBRUARY 9LOVE THE SKIN YOU'RE INAESTHETIC SPECIALTY CENTER Love the Skin You're In! Aesthetic Specialty Center in Roswell is having an open house to introduce and demo the latest prod-ucts and procedures in skin care. Readers will enjoy light bites, wine and special giveaways and pricing throughout the night. Call 770.393.9000 to RSVP.

FEBRUARY 21 - 27ALPHARETTA RESTAURANT WEEKALPHARETTA There is something to please everyone’s inner foodie during Alpharet-ta Restaurant Week. Restaurants have a variety of options on prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Menu prices are $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner. If prix fixe isn't your style, try some of the delicious restaurants featured in this month's issue for great take-away options.

FEBRUARY 2717TH ANNUAL ART PAPERS AUCTIONBOBO INTRIGUING OBJECTSCelebrate ART PAPERS’ 40th Anniversary. The Auction will take place at Bobo Intriguing Objects in one fast-paced, art-filled eve-ning. VIP preview 6-8 p.m., Art Auction + Party from 8-11 p.m. ART PAPERS has also teamed up with 501 Auctions to provide mobile bidding for the first time, making the collectible art available to bid-ders throughout the globe.

FEBRUARY 27"SIDE BY SIDE"THEATER AT JOHN'S CREEK HIGH SCHOOL John's Creek Symphony Orchestra's special evening provides professional assis-tance to the area’s best high school musicians by having them perform on stage with the JCSO. For the first part of the evening, there will be over 80 musicians on stage at the same time. This year JSCO wel-comes the Georgia Piedmont Youth Orchestra (GPYO) and their con-ductor Rolando Salazar.

FEBRUARY 4SCULPT YOUR WAY INTO 2016ATLANTA FACE AND BODY CENTERVisit the newest location, enjoy light bites, drinks and lots of give-aways and prizes. Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker and her staff at Atlanta Face and Body Center is excited to share their news as the first plastic sur-gery practice in Atlanta offering a game-changing body contouring treatment. It is the world’s first and only noninvasive body contouring system for the reduction of stubborn fat in just 25 minutes. 678.888.FACE (3223).

FEBRUARY 5 - 20DOGFIGHTACT3 PLAYHOUSE IN SANDY SPRINGSAct3 Productions Presents Dog-fight is a hauntingly beautiful mu-sical about the power of love and compassion with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and book by Peter Duchan. The pro-duction is directed by Liane LeMaster. Tickets are $15 to $28 and may be purchased at Act3Productions.org

FEBRUARY 6GEORGIA ENTERTAINMENT GALAGEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTERThe Georgia Entertainment Gala is a one-of-a-kind award show honoring and celebrating individuals who have made an impact in Georgia’s entertainment industry. The gala highlights and features many of Georgia's own talented artists and musicians and in the process allows them the opportunity to share the stage with world-class celebrities.

FEBRUARY 6FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCEALPHARETTA COMMUNITY CENTERA special time of sweet memories await participants at the Father/Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance. Activities include dancing, refresh-ments, desserts, a keepsake photo, and the always dazzling DJ light show. $20/pp (Alpharetta/ Milton Resident) or $30/pp (non-resi-dent). Deadline to register is February 4th, or when space is filled – whichever comes first. For more information, call 678.297.6100.

FebruaryLifestyle Calendar


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Parting Thoughts

WORDS DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON

Besides the Meadowcreek High School students who are already scheduled to

report to her classes throughout the day, it is a regular occurrence for alumni, aspiring chefs, industry professionals and faculty to pay Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Simone Byron a visit. Their reasons for stopping by range from simply saying hello, to getting a dose of Chef Simone’s humorous, yet au-thoritative instruction; or simply catching a whiff and—if lucky—a forkful of whatever delectable dish is being prepared. Her lab-oratory is a recently erected state-of-the-art kitchen rivaling the most upscale restau-rants in Atlanta, courtesy of the Gwinnett County School System that realized the potential of her current and future students.

Chef Simone and her pupils have garnered accolades and awards locally and nationally in her brief three-year tenure.

Chef Simone, age 32 and a graduate of the Atlanta Art Institute, is devoted to her diverse student body and reminds them they are all one family, and she graciously accepts the role as the mama. She can’t help it. It’s in her blood.

When our great grandfather Cyril Byron Sr. served as the executive chef on Mar-cus Garvey’s Black Star Line on the way to America by way of Jamaica, he went on to start the Byron Catering Company in Bronx, New York, during the early 1900s. Since its inception, the Byrons’ Thanksgiv-ings were on Saturdays because they had to work on the traditional Thursdays, leading to a family tradition that is still honored.

Chef Simone’s mother Brenda Byron was an incredible elementary school teacher for

more than 40 years earning numerous acco-lades in education and appearing on national television shows including the CBS Morning News and the Oprah Winfrey Show; the lat-ter reunited Brenda with one of her students from decades ago while she was instructing her third grade class at Hapeville Elementary School in front of millions of viewers. (Sim-one was an honorary student in the back-ground at age 8 that day.) Fittingly, mom was also a phenomenal cook who perfectly reinvented recipes she came across in cook-books, magazines and eventually online. Be-fore Brenda’s passing from the unforgiving return of cancer the day before Thanksgiving in 2012, Simone was by her side mentally re-cording every chop, stir and dash of spice.

Even I, Simone’s oldest brother, played a small role by sharing what I learned at one of the most lauded hospitality institutions in the world, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

We all knew Simone was destined for greatness. Now, others are investing in Sim-one’s prerogative to provide her Meadow-creek students with a future.

World-class hotels including Loews At-lanta provide her wide-eyed pupils tours of their hectic back-of-the-house opera-tions; restaurants such as Surin of Thai-land, Foundation Social Eatery, and South City Kitchen host heavily discounted—if not free—dining experiences; esteemed Atlanta-based culinary authorities such as Certified Master Chef Daryl Shular and Westminster Academy Executive Chef Eric Centeno happily give lectures

on what their occupations demand; culi-nary-themed field trips hundreds of miles away in cities such as Philadelphia, Pa., occur annually; and Publix, United Way, the Gwinnett Health Department and Vulcan have recently funded a Meadow-creek High School community garden Chef Simone wrote a proposal to support neighborhood sustainability.

And when her students are not winning silver and gold medals during regional and national culinary competitions, Chef Sim-one balances being a National ProStart In-vitational Competition coach and the per-fect mother of her 8-year-old son, Cameron, who is also destined to be a chef. Oh, and she is also catering for realty gurus, politi-cians, lawyers, corporations, and school of-ficials to name a few under her burgeoning company Dishful Thinking.

Ultimately, Chef Simone does her best to use the finest, freshest and most flavor-ful ingredients for anything she serves up, but the one that is the most immeasurable is love, and her students, growing clientele, and family savor it with every heavenly bite.

Dennis is a monthly contributor to Lifestyle

Publications and, while honoring his sister, they

would also like to pay respects to Chef Simone

Byron’s lead student and mentee for four years

before his tragic death in a car accident, Ab-

dirahman Bashir.

We all knew Simone was destined for greatness. Now, others are investing in Simone’s prerogative to provide her Meadowcreek students with a future.

Cooking withlove


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