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Feeling Fall Forever! LI F E + C U LTU R E

TH E GIVIN G SE A SO N: N O N PRO FITS TO FO LLOW A R T S + C U LTU R E

LE AF PEEPIN G TH ROU GH GEO RGIA STATE PARKS E D U C ATI O N

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Hello friends, Driving around Alpharetta, signs of fall are everywhere. Porches are teeming with pumpkins and wreaths. The leaves on the trees lining our streets are tinged with color. Parks and paths are dotted with folks enjoying one another and the cooler air. Inside, calendars are filling with holiday markets, Thanksgiving plans and community events. Our family is planning for visits from out-of-town guests (hooray!) and my 65th birthday (wait, what?). My daughter is dreaming up Camp Sue Gay - a weekend full of all my favorite things. We'll hike, fish, cook, listen to music, play dominoes and tell stories. I also suggested we each commit to a favorite nonprofit, either by volunteering or making a donation. In this issue, we provide a round-up of nonprofits to inspire us! Whether you are a pet lover, prefer to support families in need or are all about nature, there is a group that needs your help. I know many of you already make philanthropy a priority. We serve on boards, tithe regularly and volunteer to fill the many needs in the community. Grab a friend or neighbor and encourage your family members and colleagues to join forces this holiday season to contribute to a nonprofit that pulls at your heartstrings. There are SO many. Enjoy this issue and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

November 2026 PUBLISHER

Jim Newman | jnewman@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Sue G. Collins | scollins@citylifestyle.com S E N I O R AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Karyn Slovin | karyn.slovin@citylifestyle.com AD M I N I ST R AT I VE D I R E C TO R

Karla Wilkinson | Karla.Wilkinson@citylifestyle.com C O PY E D I TO R

Summer J. Robinson | summerjrobinson2@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashish Bajpai, Agnes Coppage, Branda Peterson

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry

All my best,

CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson

SUE G. COLLINS, EDITOR @ A L P H A R E T TA C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at CityLifestyle.com//Franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Alpharetta City Lifestyle® is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Alpharetta area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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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 City Lifestyle® is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue NOVE M B E R 2 0 2 6 | TH ANK F U L

20 Featured

20 24 30

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

Fall Nearby

State parks make leaf peeping easy.

A Community With Heart

Lionheart Life Center is doing the good work.

Home for the Holidays

Why that paint chip isn't telling you the whole truth.

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE

Road Trip ARTS + CULTURE

Local Limelight ARTS + CULTURE

Education Corner EDUCATION

Curb Appeal HOME + DESIGN

Seasonal Setups LIFE + CULTURE

Events

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Schools News Alpharetta High School’s Counseling Dept. hosted the No. Fulton College Fair, welcoming 100+ colleges for students and families, who connected with admissions reps to learn about college programs, begin planning their futures, attend workshops on college application and essay writing and more. Roswell North Elementary’s year kicked off with the fabulous Dad’s Club volunteers greeting students and 5th-grade peer ambassadors making carpool dropoff smoother and more fun.

Our CVB Wins Again For the 14th consecutive year, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) has been named Best Information Services recipient in Appen Media Group’s 2026 Best of North Atlanta awards. Along with the ACVB’s honor, Alpharetta shopping, dining and entertainment businesses earned top recognition in 19 other categories, highlighting the many memorable experiences that continue to make Alpharetta a favorite destination in North Metro Atlanta.

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The Season of Giving Back Nonprofits to watch and support ATLANTA ANGELS

Atlanta Angels is a local chapter of the National Angels network, which has been transforming the foster care experience since 2010. It began with a simple but powerful idea: relational trauma is healed through healthy relationships. The Atlanta chapter was co-founded by an adoptive mom and foster mom in Cobb County, who both had firsthand experience with Georgia’s foster system. The mission of Atlanta Angels is to walk alongside children, youth and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship. The vision is to ensure that every foster parent feels radically supported and every child and youth in foster care has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. One beautiful example of their programs at work comes from Alana and Pam. Alana connected with Atlanta Angels after recently aging out of care and becoming one of the 20% of young adults experiencing homelessness after aging out of care. A Program Coordinator met her for a warm meal, which ignited a transformation in her life. After being matched with Pam as her mentor, Alana tackled her program milestones with a level of determination and resilience that we admire greatly. Today, Alana has left homelessness and addiction behind, has an apartment of

ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS

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her own, is in school working towards her degree in automotive studies and is working in the automotive industry. Everyone at Atlanta Angels is so proud of Alana. We all need healthy, encouraging relationships to thrive, and it’s incredible to see what she has done with someone in her corner. Volunteers have the opportunity to be matched with youth experiencing foster care or with a fostering family, providing meaningful support and encouragement throughout their journey. AtlantaAngels.org

FURKIDS ANIMAL RESCUE & SHELTERS

Furkids was founded in 2002 by Atlanta native Samantha Shelton after she discovered a frightened mother cat and three kittens outside her home. When she learned the family would likely be euthanized because the local shelter lacked space, Samantha stepped in to save them. What began as a small foster network has grown

Atlanta Angels

into one of Georgia’s largest no-kill animal rescue organizations. Furkids has rescued and altered more than 80,000 animals and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027. Furkids gives animals with nowhere else to turn the time, medical care and compassion they need to heal and find loving homes. Its no-kill model extends to animals who are critically injured, chronically ill, orphaned or frequently overlooked because of their age or medical needs. By healing each animal physically and emotionally, Furkids gives thousands of cats and dogs every year the chance not simply to survive, but to begin again. Its programs also address animal overpopulation and help keep pets with the people who love them through spay and neuter services, affordable veterinary care, fostering, education and community support. For an injured, sick or abandoned animal, the difference between being turned away and being saved often comes down to space and access to medical care. In 2026, Furkids opened two state-of-the-art facilities, the

Giving Kitchen

Furkids

Sutherlin Dog Shelter and Giaquinto Medical Center, at its nineacre headquarters campus near Alpharetta, giving the organization the ability to say yes to more animals with nowhere else to go. Together with its award-winning, cage-free cat shelter, the new facilities bring rescue, veterinary medicine, rehabilitation and adoption together on one campus, while expanding access to affordable veterinary services for community pets. With the full campus now operational, Furkids expects to double the number of animals it can save each year. Readers can adopt or foster an animal, volunteer, make a donation, contribute needed supplies or support Furkids by shopping at or donating gently used items to one of its thrift stores. Furkids’ Johns Creek Thrift Store and Pet Boutique are located at 9850 Nesbit Ferry Road, making it especially easy for North Fulton residents to support the organization locally. Thrift-store revenue provides approximately one-third of Furkids’ annual operating budget, helping fund medical care, shelter and food for hundreds of animals each day. Johns Creek Thrift Store and Furkins Pet Boutique at 9850 Nesbit Ferry Rd. FurKids.org CONTINUED >

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Atlanta Outdoor Club

Giving Kitchen

GIVING KITCHEN

In 2012, Atlanta chef Ryan “Hidi” Hidinger was diagnosed with stage-four cancer. Friends and colleagues across the restaurant community rallied around Ryan and his wife, Jen, helping cover the family’s living expenses during his treatment. That extraordinary response became the foundation for Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit created in 2013 to make sure food service workers facing crisis have somewhere to turn. Today, Giving Kitchen serves food service workers nationwide — from restaurants, bars and coffee shops to catering, concessions, cafeterias and food trucks. Giving Kitchen provides emergency financial assistance to workers facing illness, injury, the death of an immediate family member or a housing disaster, and connects them to a network of community resources spanning housing, health, employment and family services. Since its founding, Giving Kitchen has helped more than 41,000 food service workers and awarded more than $18 million in financial assistance. But supporting the food service industry isn’t only about showing up when something goes wrong — it’s about celebrating the people who make food service what it is. Two out of three Americans have worked in food service. It’s where friendships form, families are supported and communities are built. Giving Kitchen’s vision is to build a food service community where crisis is met with compassion and care. Help support its mission to provide critical support to food service workers during their darkest times.

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This holiday season, the need is greater than ever. Help make sure no food service worker faces crisis alone by making a gift and supporting GK’s mission: Donate.GivingKitchen.org/Save-a-Seat

ATLANTA OUTDOOR CLUB

On any given day in metro Atlanta, a group of strangers is lacing up at a trailhead along the Chattahoochee, at Sweetwater Creek or on Kennesaw Mountain. By the end of the hike, they aren’t strangers anymore. The trails are where connections begin. Founded in 2000, the AOC is one of Atlanta’s largest outdoor communities, with about 2,500 members and more than 50 events every week. Membership is free and open to adults 21 and older. Every event is led by a volunteer trip leader, and each carries a difficulty rating so members can pick their challenge and work their way up. You’ll find weekday evening loops, early-morning in-town walks, BeltLine urban hikes and full-day climbs in the North Georgia and Carolina mountains. But hiking is just the start. Members backpack, kayak, go caving, whitewater raft, bike and paddleboard. Multi-day trips take groups to national parks, along the Appalachian Trail, and past trips to destinations include Peru, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland. AOC Learn events teach skills from beginner hiking to backpacking, and social events keep friendships going off the trail. The club also gives back to the places members love, volunteering with the Chattahoochee

River National Recreation Area, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Gerrilyn grew up in a family where “hike” wasn’t in the vocabulary. After retiring as a federal judge, she signed up for a trail run. “I had no idea what a trail run was,” she admits. A patient trip leader waited at every intersection. Seven years and 600-plus hikes later, she leads events herself. For longtime member Bob, the club offers “the social network to enjoy the outdoors with people who have similar interests.” Christa, who once hiked alone, puts it simply: “The best adventures are the ones we share.” Some members come for the big adventures. Clay called the 12-day Tour du Mont Blanc his favorite event: “Words cannot describe the beauty you will see.” Kip says, “When I began to hike regularly with the AOC, my health and fitness improved dramatically.” Greg grew up hiking the Appalachian foothills as a Boy Scout, then discovered Georgia’s Blue Ridge trails after coming to Atlanta for college.

Lekotek

Atlanta Angels

Furkids

“Lekotek Leaders create individualized play experiences using adapted toys, assistive technology and other resources designed around each child's abilities and interests.” Ann, a member since 2006, says: “Returning to the outdoors is a satisfying spiritual experience.” Kiran, a member since 2007, discovered his love of hiking in India’s Western Ghats. Others start small and messy. Deema, a lifelong city girl, took her first trail hike on a cold January evening in 2024, trying to keep up with strangers in the dark and dodging mud puddles. “I ruined my favorite sneakers, and I’ve never been happier.” atlantaoutdoorclub.com

CONTINUED >

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Lekotek

LEKOTEK OF GEORGIA

Founded in 1983 by Helene Prokesch, a special education teacher who saw the potential of using play to help children with disabilities learn, develop skills and connect with their families. Helene remains Lekotek’s Executive Director today. Lekotek of Georgia facilitates the inclusion of children with disabilities into their families, schools and communities by providing accessible play, adapted toys, technology, information and resources. “Our vision is a world where children with disabilities are included and empowered through play.” At Lekotek, play is more than fun—it is a way for children to explore, communicate, build skills and connect with the people around them. Lekotek Leaders create individualized play experiences using adapted toys, assistive technology and other resources designed around each child’s Lekotek

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abilities and interests. Families also borrow toys to continue learning and playing together at home. Lekotek offers computer clubs and LekoPals, family and sibling programs, music and Happy Tails, summer camps and community events that give children with disabilities opportunities to learn, socialize and participate alongside their families and peers. With six locations in Tucker, Kennesaw, Duluth, Alpharetta, Gainesville and Peachtree City, Lekotek brings these opportunities to families throughout the greater Atlanta area. Volunteer and help at family events, special events and other volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Donations help Lekotek provide adapted toys, technology, individualized play experiences and family programs. Get your company involved: Businesses can volunteer, sponsor events, become a corporate partner or support Lekotek through employee engagement opportunities. LekotekGA.org

N O M I N AT I O N S N OW O P E N

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Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of people in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign. But none of it is possible without you. If you know someone quietly struggling or facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Your nomination could make all the difference.

This season, giving starts with you. S CA N B E LOW TO N O M I N AT E

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FALL

Nearby

ARTICLE BY AGNES COPPAGE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

State parks make leaf peeping easy No need to go far for fall fun. Georgia State Parks have you covered.

THE BIG COLOR ENERGY FALL

For peak foliage, wide views and classic mountain drama. These are the places where fall shows up in its most familiar form with bold color, elevation and sweeping views. Fort Mountain State Park — Ridge-top forests and historic stonework framed by seasonal color offer some of Georgia’s most beautiful trails for hiking, biking or riding. Mountain scenery and horseback riding trails combine for one of Georgia’s most scenic fall riding experiences. Black Rock Mountain State Park — Georgia’s highest state park shines with panoramic fall views and mountaintop cabins. F.D. Roosevelt State Park — Rolling Pine Mountain foothills, hardwood forests and scenic overlooks provide beautiful fall color along Georgia’s longest state park trail system. Victoria Bryant State Park — Nestled in the rolling hills of Georgia’s upper Piedmont, this is one of northern Georgia’s bestkept secrets. Wooded creek valleys and quiet foothill scenery create an underrated North Georgia destination for experiencing the season.

THE LOW & SLOW FALL

For still water, soft light, fewer crowds and a quieter seasonal rhythm Stephen C. Foster State Park — Cooler fall temperatures make fall one of the best seasons to explore this swamp park. Peaceful

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paddles, abundant wildlife and reflective blackwater create a quiet, immersive escape. Crooked River State Park — Tidal creeks, golden marsh grasses and seasonal bird migrations showcase a quieter expression of fall along Georgia’s coast. Seminole State Park — Peaceful days on the water, casting lines from the shore and sweeping lake views feel even more tranquil in the crisp autumn air. General Coffee State Park — Beyond its peaceful cypress swamps and quiet nature trails, this South Georgia favorite is also home to scenic equestrian trails that make for a memorable horseback camping getaway.

THE EASY WEEKEND FALL RESET

For close-to-home escapes, lake loops and simple seasonal time outside. Red Top Mountain State Park — Lake Allatoona shoreline, colorful forests and waterfront views offer a convenient fall escape near Atlanta, with cabins and campsites providing an easy overnight retreat. High Falls State Park — Waterfall-centered landscapes, wooded trails and peaceful lake views create a high-reward weekend getaway with cottages and campsites just steps from the season’s best scenery. Reed Bingham State Park — South Georgia camping feels slower and softer in fall, with lakefront sites, wildlife viewing and warm daylight stretching into quiet evenings.

A.H. Stephens State Park — Historic CCC-built cottages and campsites, peaceful woodlands and miles of scenic trails for both hikers and horseback riders make this one of Georgia’s most underrated destinations for a relaxed fall weekend.

THE GLAMPING/CAMPING FALL RESET

For experiencing fall as something you live inside, not just visit. Chattahoochee Bend State Park — Riverside camping just outside Atlanta makes it easy to slip into a quieter fall rhythm without traveling far from the city. Elijah Clark State Park — Lakefront camping on Clarks Hill Lake offers long, slow fall days on the water, where cooler evenings and still mornings define the experience. Vogel State Park — Set at the base of the North Georgia mountains, fall camping here brings crisp air, forest color and classic Appalachian foothills scenery. For travelers who love the outdoors without giving up comfort, Georgia State Parks offer plenty of unique overnight experiences that combine the comforts of home with the beauty of the outdoors. George L. Smith State Park — Moss-draped cypress trees, glassy mill pond reflections and quiet forest scenery

“No need to go far for fall fun. Georgia State Parks have you covered.” create one of Georgia’s most peaceful fall escapes. This fall, the park is expected to welcome new glamping-style yurts, offering another unique way to spend the night surrounded by nature. Indian Springs State Park — One of Georgia’s oldest parks, where spring-fed waters, historic trails and quiet forest landscapes pair with glamping yurts, cottages and campsites for a slower, heritage-inspired fall escape. Fort Yargo State Park — Nestled along the shores of a 260acre lake, Fort Yargo’s yurts combine waterfront views with modern comforts, creating an easy fall getaway just outside metro Atlanta. Tugaloo State Park — Overlooking beautiful Lake Hartwell, Tugaloo’s glamping yurts provide a cozy home base for enjoying colorful fall mornings, lakeside sunsets and outdoor adventures in Northeast Georgia. For more information on leaf watching and to plan your CONTINUED > visit, please visit GaStateParks.org. NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A L P HA R E T TA

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A Community WITH HEART Lionheart Life Center ARTICLE BY BRANDA PETERSON

On a September afternoon in Downtown Alpharetta, the aroma of barbecue filled the streets behind Truck & Tap as professional chefs, restaurant teams and backyard pitmasters fired up their grills. Families gathered around the big screen for college football, children enjoyed games and activities and local businesses joined neighbors for an afternoon of live music and friendly competition. This was Grilling & Gridiron—Lionheart Life Center’s annual community celebration where great food and football come together for a greater cause. At the heart of the event is a mission that extends far beyond barbecue: providing individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental challenges—and the families who love them—with hope, support and a stronger path toward the future. Lionheart was founded in 2000 by a group of parents and professionals who recognized the need for a supportive, nurturing environment for children experiencing challenges with communication and relationships. The organization began in a small cottage on the grounds of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, where its founders developed a model centered on each child’s individual differences. Today, The Lionheart School combines individualized education, therapeutic support and relationship-based learning. Its programs help students strengthen communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and social-emotional skills within an environment designed to see, understand and develop the whole child. As its students grew older, Lionheart recognized another critical need: meaningful opportunities for neurodiverse adults transitioning beyond the classroom.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Lionheart WORKS was established in 2015 to provide vocational training, community engagement and pathways toward sustainable employment for adults ages 18 and older. Through its teamWORKS and iWORKS programs, participants develop practical skills, explore their interests and work toward greater confidence and independence. Since its founding, Lionheart WORKS has served more than 90 adults. That continuum of support—from childhood development through adult employment readiness—is part of what makes Lionheart’s work distinctive. It reflects the belief that every individual deserves to be recognized for their abilities and given meaningful opportunities to grow. The Greater North Fulton Chamber recently honored that impact by naming Lionheart Life Center a Nonprofit of the Year alongside Children’s Development Academy. Lionheart’s connection to the community is also vividly demonstrated through Grilling & Gridiron. Held in Downtown Alpharetta since 2014, the event is built on generosity. Restaurants and individual cooks do not attend simply to sell food; they donate their time, ingredients and talents to support Lionheart families. One of the afternoon’s signature attractions is the Golden Pig Cook-Off, where restaurant teams and individual cooks compete for bragging rights while helping raise critical funds for Lionheart’s programs. The Best in Alpharetta Contest adds another layer of friendly competition, celebrating the food, talent and businesses that help make the city special.

Awesome Alpharetta and the City of Alpharetta also play important roles in making the event possible, helping Lionheart bring restaurants, sponsors, volunteers and families together in the heart of the community. For the families Lionheart serves, an event like Grilling & Gridiron provides more than financial support. It creates a visible community around children and young adults whose futures can sometimes feel uncertain—and reminds their families that they do not have to navigate that future alone. Readers can support Lionheart by volunteering, donating, sponsoring an event, contributing goods or services or connecting Lionheart WORKS with local employment partners. Attending community events, subscribing to the organization’s newsletter and sharing its mission also help expand its reach. Every wristband, sponsorship, donation and volunteer hour contributes to Lionheart’s ability to provide educational, therapeutic and vocational services. Every connection helps build a community in which neurodiverse children and adults are not simply accommodated, but encouraged to pursue lives filled with greater purpose and possibility. When the grills cool and the final football game ends, the true measure of Grilling & Gridiron is not who earned the winning title. It is what the community made possible for Lionheart families. Food brings people together. Community gives people hope. Lionheart transforms that generosity into opportunities that can last a lifetime. Lionheart Foundation NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A L P HA R E T TA

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Kids are Thankful For School!

Crofton Barksdale Alpharetta Elementary School

There are lots of reasons I’m thankful for AES. I’ve made great friends. I’ve been taught by great teachers. They help me learn reading and math, but have also taught me how to be a good person. It is a small school and everyone feels like family.

Aiden Arun Manning Oaks Elementary

I’m very thankful for my school, but one experience stands out. Last year, I had a close friend group, so when two new Korean students joined the class, I invited them to my group. They didn’t understand, so I spent days writing a letter in Korean. It felt fun, inspiring me to learn the language and culture for them. Now I’ve been learning Korean ever since!

Pierce Anderson Manning Oaks Elementary

I’m thankful for my school, Manning Oaks Elementary. I have been at this

EDU CAT ION COR N E R | ED U CAT ION

school since Pre-K, and it has brought me to meet my best friends. I’m also grateful for all the opportunities we have at school, like the clubs I’ve been a part of - Science Olympiad and Yearbook. They help me show my creativity and love for science. I’m very grateful for the options we have at lunch as well. General Tso’s chicken is my favorite! These are reasons I am thankful for my school.

Serafyma Meshcheriakova Manning Oaks Elementary

I see my friends and favorite teachers at school every day, and I am thankful for them. I am thankful for the fun memories that I have saved. I am thankful for my family and friends who are always there for me. I am thankful for the teachers who always tell me to go beyond my knowledge. These are the things I am thankful for, and what I will never let go of.

UPTOWN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY Counseling Practice in the Heart of Alpharetta

Looking for support as you navigate life’s challenges?

Uptown Counseling and Psychotherapy, conveniently located near Downtown Alpharetta, provides a safe, welcoming, and confidential space for healing and personal growth. We offer professional counseling services for: Individuals | Couples | Families

I F YO U A R E READING THIS... S O I S YO U R

Services offered in English and German Our licensed, highly trained therapists are dedicated to helping you strengthen relationships, overcome challenges, and achieve lasting emotional well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, or simply seeking personal growth, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

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2 OU T O F 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.

Silke Leber MS, LPC, NCC

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404.509.8163 uptowncounselingalpharetta.org 1040 Cambridge Square Suite D Alpharetta, GA 30009 uptowncounseling26@gmail.com

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A L P HA R E T TA

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WHY THAT PAINT CHIP ISN'T TELLING YOU THE WHOLE TRUTH

ARTICLE BY ASHISH BAJPAI

C UR B A P P E A L | HO M E + D E SIGN

Almost every color regret I have watched happen started the same way. Somebody held a chip up against the wall in a store, liked it and bought three gallons. The color was fine. The conditions were the problem. A paint chip is a two-inch square printed on paper, lit by fluorescent light, surrounded by forty other colors. Your wall is two hundred square feet lit by a west window at four in the afternoon, next to oak floors, across from a sofa. Those are not remotely the same test, and the color you liked is going to behave differently in the second one. Three things move a color once it is on a wall. The first is orientation. North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light all day, which pushes grays toward blue and can make a warm white look slightly dirty. South and west rooms get warm light that amplifies yellow and can turn a soft beige into something closer to butter by evening. The second is everything else in the room. Floors, cabinets, brick and even a large rug throw color back onto the walls, which is why the same white reads differently in a room with red oak than in one with white oak. The third is sheen, which changes how much light bounces and can make one color look like two. There is also a number worth knowing. Light reflectance value, usually printed on the back of the chip. It tells you how much light a color returns on a scale of zero to one hundred. It is the most useful thing on that card and almost nobody uses it. Two colors that look nearly identical on paper can sit ten points apart, and in a dim room that gap is the difference between cozy and cave. So test properly. Buy samples rather than trusting chips, paint them large and put them on at least two walls facing different directions. Leave them up for a few days and look in the morning, at dusk and at night under your own lamps, since that last one is when you actually live in the room. I will admit I have been overruled on color by clients more than once and been wrong about it every time. The chip is not the enemy. It is just a very small piece of evidence about a very large surface, and it is being asked to do a job it was never designed for. Ashish Bajpai is the owner of Elite Finishes — Painting & Decorative Finishes Ashish Bajpai Contact his team at EliteFinishesGA.com NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A L P HA R E T TA

nathaniel.carney;Atlanta;R.S. Andrews Services;B37890;7.083”x4.75”-4C (26Fa)

Receive up to $1,800 in rebates* when you purchase the Ultimate Comfort System™**

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OR Qualiﬁed Buyers make no payments, incur no interest for 60 months when ﬁnancing a new Lennox® system^ PLUS, ask about local utility rebates that may be available^^

(404) 618-0588 rsandrews.com TACLA39769C Offer expires December 4, 2026. ** Rebate requires purchase of qualifying items between September 14, 2026 and December 4, 2026 from a participating Lennox® dealer. Contact your local participating Lennox® dealer for promotion details. Qualifying items must be installed by December 11, 2026. This offer applies to residential installations only. Rebate claims must be submitted (with the Dealer’s invoice to the homeowner listing all models and serial numbers) to www.lennoxconsumerrebates.com no later than January 10, 2027 11:59:59 p.m. ET. Rebate is paid in the form of a Lennox Prepaid Mastercard®. Use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted. This card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank, N.A.; Member FDIC. This is not a gift card. This card is issued for loyalty, award or promotional purposes. Please note that prepaid cards are subject to expiration, so pay close attention to the expiration date of the card. Conditions apply. See www.lennox.com/terms-and-conditions for complete terms and conditions. ^Offer available between September 14, 2026 and December 4, 2026. Requires purchase of qualifying Lennox® system. All applications for promotional financing are subject to credit review and approval. Minimum loan amount ranges from $500- $3,000 based on financing offer. Not all applicants will qualify. If approved, qualified buyers will receive 0% interest for 60 months (“Promotion Period”), with equal monthly payments of the financed principal amount. No penalty for prepayment at any time. If the amount financed is not paid in full prior to the expiration of the Promotion Period, or if a scheduled monthly payment is 31 days or more past due during the Promotion Period, the promotional terms are void and the Promotion Period will end. On the first calendar date following the end of the Promotion Period, the remaining unpaid portion of the amount financed will accrue interest at an Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”), which is the yearly rate of interest that is owed on the amount financed. Applicant’s APR will vary from 2.99% to 25%, based on applicant’s state, total financed amount, term length, and credit profile. Following the end of the Promotion Period, applicant must make equal monthly payments of remaining unpaid financed principal amount and accrued interest for a period of 36 to 60 months. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Complete terms and conditions and Truth in Lending disclosures will be set forth in the Retail Installment Contract which you should review carefully. ^^Savings vary based on local energy provider and where you live. Contact your local utility provider or ask your local dealer for details. ©2026 Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses.

B37890-26Fa-7.083x4.75.indd 1

7/21/26 12:57 PM

800 Battery Ave, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA, 30339

THE BEST PART OF A HOME IS THE LIFE THAT HAPPENS INSIDE IT. The traditions. The laughter. The full tables. The people who always know they’re welcome. This season, I’m especially thankful for the clients, friends and neighbors who allow me to be part of their stories.

404.433.7329 Direct Cell 855.450.0442 Office robonrealestate@gmail.com When you’re ready for a home that fits your next chapter, I’m ready to help. Call or text me to start the conversation.

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C I T Y L I FEST Y L E G I V ES BAC K

GIVING TOGETHER A Community That Shows Up

Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of families in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign and our nonprofit arm, Kingdom Building Foundation. But none of it would be possible without you. We can only help the people we know about, and

S EASON A L SE T U P S | L I FE + CU LT U RE

that’s where our readers come in. If you know someone quietly struggling, whether it’s a single parent, a senior citizen, or a family facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Nominations are what make this whole campaign possible.

We provided a chair lift for a teenager paralyzed in a gymnastics accident so she could move freely through her own home again. We helped a child who lost an eye to cancer get the prosthetic because insurance wouldn’t cover it. We covered dental work for a man who needed his smile back just to walk into a job interview. We got heat turned back on for a family who had spent part of the winter without it. We helped a family keep up with bills while a husband and father fought pancreatic cancer, and we helped another family cover medical expenses after the unimaginable loss of a child. These are just a few examples of some of the hundreds of individuals that have been helped through nominations from readers like you. None of it happens without someone noticing first and speaking up. "We don't just send checks," says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle.

“We send a message: You are seen, you are loved, and you are not forgotten.” Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond the holiday season. "This is about community," Matthew says. "We believe we've been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing." Often, the person making the nomination gets just as much out of the experience as the recipient. There's something powerful about being part of the reason someone else's burden got lighter, especially when that need might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The campaign is completely confidential. No names are ever shared or publicized, and nominating someone is as simple as telling us their story. We are looking for those in our communities who fall between the cracks of getting help, and together as a community, we can meet those needs.

Nominations open November 1st and close December 3rd. To nominate someone in your community, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and find the form in our bio, or visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.org.

This season, giving starts with you. Let's do it together. Nominate someone in need today.

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/A L P HA R E T TA

WE ARE OPEN!

Installation view, Alaïa-Adrian: Masters of Cut, 2020

Style and grace. All in one place.

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NOVEMBER 2026

LUXURY LIVING IN HAWKS RIDGE Space. Privacy. Prestige.

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events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S

THR OUGH NOVEMBER 8TH

Arcadia Theater Presents: Vanya & Sasha & Masha & Spike The Spotlight - 1000 North Point Circle

1000 Overlook Terrace, Ball Ground, GA 30107 Set on 2.58 private acres in the exclusive Hawks Ridge Golf Club community, this exceptional estate offers over 7,700 sq. ft. of refined living space, elegant interiors and resort-style amenities.

Siblings Vanya and Sonia live a quiet life in the family farmhouse in Pennsylvania, caring for their parents. Their peaceful routine is disrupted when their movie-star sister Masha visits for the weekend with her young lover (Spike) and announces her plans to sell their childhood home. A weekend of rivalry, regret and raucousness follows in this multi-award-winning play. NOVEMBER 14 TH

5th Annual Cocktail Crawl Alpharetta Downtown Alpharetta | 12:00 PM

A chef’s kitchen, grand living spaces, a luxurious owner’s suite, and resort-style poolside living; all designed for the ultimate private retreat.

Come check out some of the best downtown restaurants, sample amazing cocktails and make some new friends along the way. Admission required. For more information: barcrawlusa.com/event/alpharettafall-cocktail-crawl NOVEMBER 20 TH - DECEMB ER 24 T H

Lawrenceville Christkindl Market Lawrenceville Lawn, 210 Luckie Street

Indulge in your own private wellness retreat with a spa, steam room, and personal gym, or enjoy the golf simulator room for recreation at home. An elevator-capable design adds flexibility for future convenience.

Experience Luxury Living at Its Finest. Tammie Carter ENGEL & VÖLKERS ATLANTA M +1 770-820-7127 | O +1 404-845-7724 tammie.carter@evatlanta.com tammiecarter.evatlanta.com 2610 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 110 Alpharetta, Georgia 30009

EVE N TS

Discover your private retreat at 1000 Overlook Terrace. Contact me today to schedule your private tour and experience this extraordinary estate firsthand.

Founded in 2016, the Atlanta Christkindl Market brings the authentic traditions of Germany’s centuries-old Christmas markets to metro Atlanta. The markets feature artisan vendors, handcrafted gifts, authentic German food and beverages, holiday entertainment and family-friendly experiences. ChristkindlMarket.org

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A New Height of Excellence

Now Accepting Reservations · Corso Atlanta’s South Tower Expansion introduces one hundred and ten premium residences, new world-class restaurants, and holistic wellness retreats. Opening Spring 2028 Secure Your Private Residence · (678) 562-7922 · corsoatlanta.com 3200 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

Specializing in Milton & Alpharetta Since 2016 $32.5M+ & 21 HOMES SOLD IN 2026

Monica Blanco c. 404.409.9388 | o. 770.284.9900 MONICA@ANSLEYRE.COM 31 CHURCH STREET, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 770.284.9900 ANSLEYRE.COM

MONICA BLANCO REALTOR®

All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. Ansley upholds Equal Housing Opportunity & Federal Fair Housing policies. If you have an existing relationship with another brokerage, this is not intended as a solicitation.