BuckHaven, GA June 2023

Band of Brothers

FOOD + BEVERAGE

TASTEFUL GROWTH AT WORD OF MOUTH RESTAURANTS

ARTS + CULTURE

DOUG MCKENDRICK’S GREATEST JOY

FITNESS DO YOU PICKLEBALL?

Your North Georgia Real Estate Team

This newly constructed home is a stunning example of mountain modern architecture. The home is situated on 3 acres, including 439 feet of Fightingtown Creek frontage. Natural light-filled, this home bodes high-end appliances and fixtures throughout on both the upper and lower levels. A standout feature of this property is the extensive use of steel beams throughout the home, adding a modern industrial aesthetic. Built by the highly-regarded builder Tommy Wosyluk, the combination of his expertise and the home’s outstanding design and finishes make this property truly unique and one-of-a-kind!

*Additional lot space available. Call for details.

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When you’re TIMELESS you’re always IN FASHION.

Hello friends,

Growing up with four older brothers, I felt forever protected. Even now, with one fewer brother (we lost Dan to AIDS), I never feel it’s just me against the world. I feel their unconditional love and support every day, through all my moves (more than 20), my challenges and dreams. I am a lucky little sister.

My dad, Spud Sparling, taught me to shake hands with eyes locked and a strong grip. Men comment on it now, surprised that a little lady has such a solid grip. No limp fish here. We lost dad to lung cancer 23 years ago. I was seven months pregnant with my son when I sang a medley of my dad’s greatest hits with my brothers at his memorial service. He played the piano enthusiastically and once accompanied Frank Sinatra during his front-line tour when The Chairman of the Board’s keyboard player came down with the flu. Spud lasted two numbers, so the story goes, until Ol’ Blue Eyes dismissed him with minimal appreciation. He played for his Rotary club’s singalongs and for my friend’s wedding when her musicians were snowed in on her January date in Michigan. I remember hiding out under the grand piano in our living room while he played his medley, watching his feet pump the pedals and create his own percussion. He was an eternal optimist, something else I inherited. Thanks, Dad.

My dear friend Sean O'Keefe (pictured here with me) is my brother from another mother and I adore him. He lost his dad last year and I know he will be toasting to all the memories and lessons on Father's Day.

This month, we’re honoring men who make family and philanthropy a priority. Enjoy our MEN'S issue and go shake the hands of all the men in your life who make you laugh.

XO,

June 2023

PUBLISHER

Jim Newman | jnewman@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Sue G. Collins | scollins@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Stacy Conde | stacy.conde@citylifestyle.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

Karyn Slovin | karyn.slovin@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Karla Wilkinson | Karla.Wilkinson@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sylvia Small, Mindy Valone

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fredrik Brauer, Aubrey Canales, John Becker

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Buy & Sell

Georgia Roof Advisors Honored

Georgia Roof Advisors has been awarded the exclusive GAF President’s Club! This award is given to contractors who demonstrate exceptional performance and quality workmanship in their roofing installations. Their team has achieved the highest level of excellence in the roofing industry. The team is proud of this recognition, and it motivates them to continue striving for excellence. Homeowners can trust that they are receiving the best service and workmanship available in the industry.

Want to be featured?

Classic Blinds and Shutters Renovating

Classic Blinds and Shutters showroom will be closed the first two weeks of June for major renovations. They are still scheduling in-home consultations and/or virtual consultations during this time. Call 770.924.0282 or visit  ClassicBlindsAndShutters.com You can also find them on Instagram @classicblindsalpharetta. We can't wait to see their new showroom when they reopen mid-June!

Your Pet in the Magazine!

We're featuring the pets of BuckHaven in our August issue. Please send a photo of your pet OR you and your pet. We want to know your name, your pet's name, and your favorite story about your pet in a few sentences (How did you two find each other? Does he/she have a special talent?). Email SCollins@citylifestyle.com with an original photo from a smartphone, or a professional photo. By June 15.

the FOOD FRATERNITY

To say the management team at Word of Mouth Restaurants is a well oiled machine is like saying Pappy Van Winkle is just a bottle of old brown booze.

They talk every day and meet to brainstorm, commiserate and create every week. They share a vision for the business and a common understanding of the hospitality industry that gives them a shorthand. A natural fraternity has developed among Chefs Stephen Herman, Chef Matt Swickerath, director of operations Ron Eyester, and Word of Mouth owner, Michel Arnette, which allows the team to transcend and grow the 20- year old restaurant business to an exciting new level.

Michel is credited for the strength of the partnership and vision for the group. Ground was broken recently on two new concepts adjoining Arnette’s Chop Shop and the employee team is nearly 100 strong. “Michel gives us a lot of latitude and doesn’t micromanage us at all,” says Eyester, himself a former restaurant owner, Top Chef competitor and long-time industry pro. “He welcomes our input. He doesn’t have to be the only voice at the table.”

"Michel has made a career out of giving people what they want," notes Ron. “Now, the team can bring Michel’s vision to fruition, overcome kinks and challenges to make the business fluid, train staff, nourish the growth of managers, and mentor more often.”

Word of Mouth Restaurants

“And, he understands that to scale healthy growth, consistent systems must be established with effort invested in the staff so each member is executing as if he or she were Michel Arnette.”

There seems to be a healthy but concrete chain of command fed by constant interaction between the front and back of the house. Michel greets all the valets by name, and knows the table numbers in all the restaurants and the names of all the front-of-house staff. “I’ve never worked in an environment that’s so collaborative,” says Ron.

Ron met Stephen and Matt more than 20 years ago when they ran in the same industry circles and worked culinary events together. Stephen and Matt would grab dinner at Ron’s Virginia Highland restaurant, Rosebud, and their friendship strengthened. Ron joined the band four years ago. Stephen Herman was the first employee at Word of Mouth and is now executive chef at Haven, though he can be found in the kitchen at Chop Shop on busy Saturday nights. Chef Matt Swickerath continues to grow Valenza.

Michel will spend his working nights starting on Dresden where Haven, Valenza and Vero are located, then head up to Chop Shop where the crowd runs later.

Ron believes that Michel exhibits a deliberate level of patience and while all the growth is exciting and ambitious, their conversations and goals are realistic. “We have to scale growth properly not to dilute the overall brand,” says Ron.

And, what’s more exciting? Opening up two new concepts or celebrating Haven’s 20th anniversary? For the Word of Mouth team, there will be toasts for both, and then some.

WordOfMouthRestaurantGroup.com

This stunning 19th-floor unit at 1010 Midtown offers breathtaking views down Peachtree Street from an expansive balcony. Enjoy the vibrant charm of Midtown with its abundance of amenities, including Piedmont Park, shops, and restaurants-all steps away.

If your home is currently listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation of your business. This

Art in War

SAMURAI: ARMOR FROM THE COLLECTION OF ©THE ANN & GABRIEL BARBIER-MUELLER

The High presents the largest collection of samurai armor outside of Japan in this exhibition, which illuminates the artistic legacy of the samurai warrior. Look for these pieces when you visit.

The bold colors of this suit would help a samurai stand out on the battlefield. The horizontal chest plates provided protection against firearms. The armored sleeves are fitted with reinforcement plates on the upper arms, each embellished with two Sanskrit characters in gold lacquer. These symbols refer to four of the “Five Great Buddhas” of the mandala from esoteric Buddhism. Fewer plates and less lacing made this suit faster to manufacture without sacrificing protection or appearance.

HELMET

This exquisitely crafted helmet takes the form of the flaming jewel, a common symbol in Buddhist imagery. Each of the flanges has been cut from a single piece of iron into a series of flickering flames that join at the crown to form a larger flame. The turned-back side deflectors are also shaped like flames. The frontal crest, which looks like an upside-down heart, inome (“boar’s eye”), within a circle symbolizes Marishiten, Buddhist goddess of archers.

This impressive suit of armor originally belonged to the great commander Kobayakawa Takakage (1533–1597), who led twenty thousand Japanese troops to victory in the Battle of Pyokje in Korea in the 1590s. It was kept in the possession of the same family, the Mōri, for 300 years. In 1923, a British missionary purchased the suit and eventually sent it to England. The ensemble has changed hands only three times since leaving the Mōri lineage.

The exhibit opens June 23 and runs through September 17, 2023. High.org

Our Favorite Bourbons

Under $150

We were recently asked to suggest the Best Bourbon under $150 and as I reflected on my list of favorites, providing a single answer wasn’t as straightforward as it appeared.

Think of it like this. If we asked 100 people in our community what their favorite restaurant is—the answers would be varied based on the individual’s personal palate or even the moment you asked them in!

Here is our list of favorites that will have you covered at any price point and occasion.

BLANTON’S SINGLE BARREL BOURBON

Blanton’s is recognizable on sight due to the round bottle with a brass horse and jockey for a stopper. Taken from the center-cut or middle sections of the famous Warehouse H. The taste profile is sweet, with notes of citrus and oak. The creamy vanilla nose is teased with caramel and butterscotch, all underscored by familiar baking spices such as clove, nutmeg, or cinnamon.

— BlantonsBourbon.com ($100-$150)

BASIL HAYDEN’S RYE BOURBON –AGED 10 YEARS

In a sea of cask-strength offerings, Basil Hayden’s stays true to its 80 proof roots. The high rye content of its mash bill charges the nose and palate with notes of caraway and spice, while 10 years in the barrel have added leather and an attractive nuttiness. If you aren’t looking for high proof, this is a remarkable bourbon.

— BasilHaydens.com ($75-$100)

PINHOOK ‘BOURBON WAR’ VERTICAL SERIES 5 YEARS

Pinhook pulls 150 barrels from a special lot to create this straight bourbon whiskey with a lively nose of butterscotch,

cinnamon stick, licorice, and vanilla. These aromas set the stage for a robust palate of cherry, chocolate, toasted brown sugar, and chicory. With the additional 5th year of age, what was tropical fruit transitions to darker fruit flavors and what was brighter candy is now rich and caramelized; hints of smoke now start to appear for the first time.

— PinhookBourbon.com ($75-$50)

EAGLE RARE 10 YEAR

Eagle Rare 10 Year lives somewhat in the shadow of its 17-yearold elder sibling, but don’t let that shy you away. This is a sweet and mellow bourbon with definite signs of maturity and its orange peel and toffee aromas are a little shy, but the palate serves sturdy sweet and spice notes and a toasty finish.

— EagleRare.com ($30-$50)

OLD FORESTER 86 PROOF

While others in Old Forester’s impressive lineup claim the hearts of bourbon geeks (such as the 1920 Prohibition Style), this bottle stands head and shoulders above everything at this proof and price point. It oozes aromatic charm and follows with a palate that is lithe but in no way lacking flavor.

— OldForester.com ($20-$30)

MCAFEE’S BENCHMARK OLD NO. 8

Sometimes you find a $20 laying around or just need a good mixing bourbon. Benchmark Old No. 8 is made at the same distillery as Blanton’s and the ever-coveted Pappy Van Winkle! The nose bears caramel notes with a delicate stone-fruit backdrop. A robust and sturdy palate with some fine leather notes mingling with dry tobacco, a touch of oak, and a hint of dried cherries. The finish is smooth and calming.

— BuffaloTraceDistillery.com (Under $20)

The Atlanta BeltLine: Where Atlanta Comes Together

BUCKHEAD HERITAGE WELCOMES JIM MORGENS

Atlanta BeltLine is a 22-mile open and planned loop of multi-use trail and light rail transit system on a former railway corridor around the core of Atlanta. The International Real Estate Federation recognized the Atlanta BeltLine as the best environmental rehabilitation project in the world during its 2014 World Conference focused on Building Humanity, awarding it the Prix d’Excellence Award.

The Beltline’s weighty mission is to reconnect neighborhoods, improve transportation, add green space, promote redevelopment, create and preserve affordable housing, and showcase arts and culture, according to Jim Morgens, a Life Member of the Georgia State Advisory Board of the Trust for Public Land (TPL). Morgens made his remarks at a recent presentation for Buckhead Heritage members and guests.

Thousands of visitors flock to the Atlanta BeltLine to exercise, explore Atlanta’s neighborhoods, and spend time with family and friends. The BeltLine’s slogan is “Where Atlanta Comes Together.”

Working closely with the City of Atlanta, new, expanded, and renovated parks along the BeltLine may include Piedmont Park (expansion), Boulevard Crossing Park, Enota Park, Westside Park, and enhanced Tanyard Creek and Ardmore Parks.

Early city plans in the 1950s recognized the potential of using the existing ring of railroads around the central city. In fact, the City of Atlanta Trail Corridor plan created by the PATH Foundation in 1992 included much of the same loop.

In 1999 Ryan Gravel completed his master’s thesis at Georgia Tech that detailed how passenger transit could be constructed around the loop. Morgens helped seed the funding of the 2004 TPL study, known as “The BeltLine Emerald Necklace” by Alex Garvin. That study shaped the master plan for the Atlanta BeltLine. Morgens also served on the committee that oversaw TPL’s acquisition of $44 million of property for the BeltLine.

UP TO

$1,900 IN REBATES

on a complete Ultimate Comfort System™*

OR

Qualified buyers make no payments, incur NO INTEREST FOR 6 MONTHS when financing a new Lennox system**

(404) 618-0588

rsandrews.com

www.lennox.com/terms-and-conditions for complete terms and conditions. **Offer available March 13, 2023 to June 16, 2023. All applications are subject to credit review and approval. Not all applicants will qualify. Requires purchase of qualifying Lennox® system and credit approval. No down payment required. If you qualify for this promotion (“Promotion”) and elect to participate, Finance Charges (interest) will not accrue for the first six months (Promotional Period), and you will not be required to make payments during the Promotional Period. If you pay the entire amount financed on or before the last day of the Promotional Period (Promotional Expiration Date), you will not have to pay any Finance Charges. However, if you qualify and elect to participate in the Promotion and do not pay the entire amount financed on or before the Promotion Expiration Date, you will be charged Finance Charges starting the first day after the Promotion Expiration

Date at an annual percentage rate (APR) of 8.99%, and the balance will be payable in 120 scheduled monthly payments of $12.60 per $1,000 of the amount financed. No prepayment penalties. Minimum and maximum amount financed of $3,000 and $100,000, respectively. Late charges may apply. Complete terms and conditions and Truth in Lending disclosures will be set forth in the Retail Installment Contract which you should review carefully.

©2023 Lennox Dealers are independently owned and operated businesses.

PCKL BORN IN BUCKHEAD

Pickleball fever is on the rise. The game is now America’s fastest-growing sport with an estimated 36 million pickleball players in the United States. People of all ages – from high schoolers to seniors– have picked up their paddles and formed teams. The surrounding BuckHaven area is no different and as summer approaches, indoor and outdoor courts are filling up with pickleball players.

Within the throng of local picklers, you will find residents whose passion for pickleball rises to the top. Buckhead residents Ashish Mistry and Mike Gottfried co-founded an Atlanta-based pickleball gear company, PCKL, that has gained some major traction nationwide. Mistry and Gottfried formerly worked together at a successful e-sports venture, but when they saw the trend in pickleball surging, they joined forces with previous team members to take on traditional sports. The duo set out to develop pickleball paddles and balls for players of all levels with thoughtfully designed features for beginners, intermediate, and pro players.

Most recently, PCKL teamed up with both the Amateur Pickleball Association and the Southern Pickleball Association as the official ball sponsor. Giving back to the community is a priority. The company donated products and time to metro Atlanta YMCAs for Healthy Kids Day.

Gottfried, president and CEO of PCKL, cannot get enough of the game. He plays with friends two to three times a week. “Pickleball is contagious. It is the most accessible form of adult competition out there. It has given me an amazing vehicle to meet so many new people who also enjoy the game and to build a new community of friends that I otherwise would not have had.”

One of those people is pro player and Buckhead resident, Dan Granot, whom you might run into on the court perfecting his serve. Granot, a commercial real estate agent by day, is ranked nationally as one of the top 10 pickleball players over age 50. He has received accolades in senior pickleball categories including professional mixed doubles and men’s doubles.

Granot says, “Pickleball has opened up so many opportunities for me. It allows me to compete professionally, and it has also led to clients seeking real estate for courts across the country.”

PCKL.com

• Caregiving by Certified Nursing Assistants experienced with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cancer, Depression and Mobility Issues

• Assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders and personal errands

EVs For Life

Mercedes-Benz plans to establish a global network of over 10,000 high-power charging stations to support its all-electric strategy. The North America plans include a network size of more than 400 charging hubs and more than 2,500 DC high-power chargers. Significant investments in network development and partnerships with industry experts like MN8, one of the U.S.'s largest solar energy and battery storage owners and operators, will help ensure exceptional service and maintenance. The public charging network will be open and available to all vehicle brands. We sat down with Geoff Meeker, general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead, to catch up and get his take on electric vehicles (EVs).

BUCKHAVEN CITY LIFESTYLE: WHAT DO YOU FIND ARE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT EVS IN GENERAL?

Geoff Meeker: Charging will be complicated and inconvenient. Whereas if you have a home charger, you plug it in like a phone or earbuds and forget about it overnight. Going to a gas station is inconvenient.

BCL: YOUR STAFF IS FULL OF SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONALS. WHAT KIND OF TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS EACH YEAR TO KEEP THEM ON THEIR GAME?

GM: Mercedes-Benz has a certification program that all of our staff must follow. This includes online, in store,

and sending the team to the Jaxonville training center. More recently they have added the plant in Tuscaloosa for very specific EV training that includes on-road, off-road and autocross driving, as well as a tour of the assembly plant to see how the vehicles are produced.

BCL:  WE KNOW YOUR TEAM IS ALWAYS GIVING BACK. ARE YOU STILL INVOLVED IN SOCCER IN THE STREETS?

GM: Yes, very much so. We just had the Nations Cup tournament that is held each year as a fundraiser. Next, we will be working on how to leverage the upcoming World Cup that will have matches here in Atlanta. We want to use the excitement around this to help draw attention to the organization and what they are doing for children in Atlanta.

BCL: THIS MONTH, YOU'LL BE CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.

GM: I have been married for 20 years to my wife Cristin. We have two girls, aged 15 and 12. The youngest is in her last year at Schenck School and will be joining our oldest at Woodward Academy next year. I was recruited by Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead from another MercedesBenz dealer in Chicago almost 20 years ago and have been at Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead ever since.

MercedesOfBuckhead.com

MARIPOSA SUSPENSION LAMP

Designed by Marcel Wanders.

Suspension in striped cotton, black and white, on PVC. Diffuser in blown borosilicate glass with a sanded finish.

MODERN CLASSICS

ARTICLE BY BUCKHAVEN

CITY LIFESTYLE STAFF

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREDRIK BRAUER

DOLPHIN

CHAIR & OTTOMAN

Designed by Cédric Ragot, the seat of this chair balances on a wooden structure that was inspired by the shape of dolphins. This expertly designed leather chair is as elegant as it is comfortable.

CARACTERE SOFA

Designed by Sacha Lakic.

The Caractere sofa is original and generous, with its simple and effective design, careful finishing, easy-to-use manual mechanism, exceptional fabric that is bright and very soft to the touch, and incredible modularity. This model is also highly customizable, with many elements available, a large choice of upholstery options, and the possibility to adjust the height of the backrest.  CONTINUED

MAH JONG SOFA

Designed by Hans Hopper in 1971, the Mah Jong sofa is an iconic model of the Roche Bobois collections and offers total freedom of form and function. From three simple elements, stacked or juxtaposed, the Mah Jong allows for infinite compositions.

Straight or corner, modular and customizable, upholstered in leather or fabric- a sofa is the focal point of any living room. All Roche Bobois sofa collections combine expertise and comfort, design, and high-end finishes.

MEET THE BUCKHEAD DESIGNERS

The Roche Bobois decoration consulting service consists of teams of interior decorators and 3D experts available to bring your projects to life. They put their design expertise and know-how at your service to support you at every stage of the process.

Esperanza Koop - Design Consultant

Miracle Jackson - Design Consultant

Darren Godfrey - Showroom Manager

333 Buckhead Ave NE 404.467.1900

Roche-Bobois.com

Mah Jong sofa

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