Artist Profile: Leticia Bernadac "A Multi-Cultural Approach" By Heike Hellmann-Brown Originally from Durango, Mexico, Leticia Bernadac always appreciated the citys colonial architecture. Founded in 1563 by Spanish Basque explorer, Francisco de Ibarra, Durangos eclectic architecture and baroque-style buildings are reminiscent of Spain, Italy or France, Bernadac states. With a keen interest in drawing, it was the beautiful frescos in the government buildings that left a lasting impact on her while growing up. In spite of her love for art, Bernadac studied business administration. At age 19, she moved to Finland with her family, where she enrolled at the Mikkeli Campus of the Helsinki School of Economics to continue her studies. After marrying a Finnish engineer, Bernadac followed her husband around the world to various job assignments. We lived in Japan, Sweden, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Chile, the artist remembers. In 1998, the family finally settled in Milton, Georgia. The unique knowledge she gained from those different cultures heavily influenced Bernadacs artistic path. Although Bernadac has always created art or tackled interior design projects from painting china to refinishing furniture, now that the family would stay in the U.S., she wanted to refine her artistic skills. For two years, Leticia Bernadac took painting classes and studied the techniques of the old masters, such as da Vinci, Sargent or Velasques. At some point, I did not want to do class after class anymore and began looking at obtaining an art degree, Bernadac recalls. During a summer vacation in Finland, she heard about a one-year art program at the Repin Institute in Kotka, Finland, which was taught by professors of Russias most important art education institution, the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. Studies at the Repin Institute focus on classical arts with daily work in the areas of painting, drawing, plastic anatomy, perspective, technology of painting and composition. Having the courage to do what was meaningful to me, Finland appeared the most natural place to continue my dream of getting a formal art education in the traditional approach of the old masters, Bernadac says. In 2010, she and her then 13-year-old daughter spent a year in Finland, while her husband made the commitment to stop traveling and take care of their 10-year-old son in the U.S. Today, Bernadacs landscapes, still lifes and portraits showcase a graceful use of color and brush strokes, using glazing techniques in combination with the palette knife. She paints in oil, watercolor and pastel along with charcoal drawing and lately incorporated encaustic into her repertoire. I dont paint a precise image of what I see, but rather stress what is meaningful to me. My work represents an expression of my view, my feelings, my interest in the subject matter and what really talks to me, the artist explains. The bold colors in my artwork represent what I am, my passion for art, my persistence and the cultural influences acquired during my travels. Leticia Bernadacs work is currently exhibited at Avalon in Alpharetta, and in 2016 she will participate in the Repin Institutes 10th Year Exhibition in Kotka, Finland. LeticiaBernadacArt.com
Pro Roofing Painting, Gutters & Siding Professionalism, Reliability, Sincerity! By Kathleen Boehmig Juan Reyes, Owner and President of Pro Roofing and Siding, is a man on a mission. He not only wants your home or commercial building to be beautiful, but he wants to make the world a better place, and his staff shares this vision. Juan founded the company in 2008 to serve the metro Atlanta area with an emphasis on PRS: Professionalism, Reliability and Sincerity. The companys success is evident via great reviews on Angies List as a Super Service Award winner, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and glowing customer testimonials. In addition, PRS has been a Consumers Choice Award winner for Exterior Contractor of the Year for the last four years. Office Manager, Tracey Arnold, says, We are always pushing ourselves to be the best. To this end, PRS has garnered the GAF Master Elite Contractor status, granted to only 2% of Georgia roofing contractors. Tracey adds, We earned this certification based on our proficiency in quality installation, education, insurance requirements and consumer protection. To maintain our Master Elite status, we participate in annual continuing education programs through GAF, (the largest shingle manufacturer in America), and of course we use this knowledge in every installation. The company is also a Certified Green Roofer, (there are only three of these in Georgia), which makes Pro Roofing an environmental leader in the community. The primary materials the company recycles are asphalt shingles and metals from removed gutters. Green roofing practices give back to the environment, Kelvin Stembridge, Production Manager, explains. During the last two years, we recycled 310 tons of materials, which would have gone to landfills. Now they are being used for things like roadways, and lacrosse and football sports field surfaces. Juan adds, We are the number two shingle recycler in the state, and recognized by the US Green Council GA. PRS not only tends to the roof of your home, according to Kelvin, We want to be the leading exterior finishing company in metro Atlanta. We believe in combining our knowledge of fashion and function to provide quality roofing, gutters, insulation, skylights, windows, siding and exterior painting. We can make your home beautiful, with lasting quality from the roof to the ground.Professionalism and attention to detail set PRS apart from other contractors. Tracey says, Replacing a roof isnt a task most homeowners look forward to. Sometimes they have had less than thrilling experiences with other contractors in the past. The difference with PRS begins with our impeccable reputation. Our website, (www.MyProRoofing.com), provides a wealth of information regarding all of the products and services we offer. We provide an expectation of excellence to every customer. She continues, We are firm believers that the customers experience after the sale is very important. After installation, our project managers conduct a final walk-through to be certain everything has been completed to the customers satisfaction. We stand behind our warranties and conduct a formal follow-up each quarter for one year to make sure the customer has the opportunity to express any feedback they would like to share. Aside from residential business, Pro Roofing also services multi-family buildings, assisted living and retirement homes, and medical facilities, beyond the metro area. On the walls of the PRS offices, several Core Values and Mission Statements are prominently displayed, emphasizing integrity, continuous improvement, excellence, safety and customer service. The office staff of fifteen all had input. Giving back to the community is a big core value for the company, Kelvin explains. We recently took part in a charity event benefitting a local family. We donated their roof replacement, and ABC Supply in Smyrna donated shingles and materials. We helped in yard cleanup, oversaw the demolition of an unsafe deck, and refurbished drywall and cabinetry. In their Roofs for Troops program, PRS is partnering with GAF to offer members of the military up to a $600 rebate off of Lifetime Roofing Systems, with an additional $500 off Lifetime Deluxe Warranties. PRS is also currently teaming up with five local charities to form a new, online points-redemption referral program, where customers may redeem dollars earned for referrals to give back to the community. Juan Reyes is accomplishing his mission every day through integrity, skill and high quality at Pro Roofing and Siding. Its nice to know that when your installation is finished, not only have you improved your propertyyou have given back to the environment and to your community. ProRoofing Painting, Gutters & Siding2558 Canton Road, Marietta, Georgia 30066770-777-1733www.MyProRoofing.com
Green Basements & Remodeling On FOX's Tv Show HOME FREE By Julie Senger Arriving on the set of FOXs television show, Home Free, one would notice cast trailers, equipment tents, and tons of staff running around and doing their jobs. Despite all of the busy commotion, the General Contractor for this show, Laura Green of Green Basements and Remodeling, is very easy to spot. Shes the lady in the pink hard-hat, pink tool belt and work boots, who is confidently flitting around the set, making things happen. Family Life Publications sat down with Laura to find out more about the role her company plays in this television show, which is hosted by Mike Holmes, and airs on Wednesday nights at 9 pm. FLP: So, is this your first television show? LG: Actually, its not, but its by far the largest. We previously worked on a show for HGTV, called Elbow Room. There were six shows in that season, and we were awarded work for five out of the six episodes. We learned a lot and enjoyed working on some of the difficult, unique projects that we were presented with. Working on that show gave us the opportunity to meet several different project managers, one of which came to work for Home Free and recommended my company. FLP: What are your responsibilities on this show? LG: On this show, we remodel one house per week for a deserving family. Due to production and filming schedules, we actually only have three and a half days to remodel the entire house, inside and out. We run shifts of crews 24 hours a day, for 80 to 90 hours straight, with few breaks. There are a total of eight episodes, so eight houses in eight weeks! FLP: How has doing these television shows benefitted Green Basements and Remodeling? LG: We recently started fabricating our own countertops at our Woodstock, GA location. Silestone has sponsored the countertops for all of the houses, and we were lucky enough to be awarded the contract to install their product. We had worked with their standard quartz product in the past, but were able to receive training and get certified to install their specialty quartz product called Dekton. This quartz can withstand very high temperatures, and its best attribute is that it can be used outdoors. We also got two displays for both of our showrooms (Roswell and Woodstock) of the color options for this product. We are excited to be able to provide this product for our customers!However, I feel that the primary benefit from our involvement in the show is that it has shown what we can accomplish as a company when we work together as a team. It has tested everyone in our company from our carpenters, to schedulers, to project managers, and we feel like we have passed with flying colors! In addition, the accelerated work schedule has taught us many ways in which we can compress our own remodeling schedules and complete our jobs faster. If we can shave a day or 2 off of our current schedules, it means one less day our clients are without their kitchen or bathroom. FLP: With all of your success and your busy filming schedule for television, how are you able to manage your everyday business outside of this arena?LG: The television production schedule has been pretty grueling, but mostly for me. Before taking on the Elbow Room project, I promoted many from within to management positions as well as hired some of the industrys top professionals to not only handle things while I am away, but to position us to be able to handle the continued growth we have been blessed with experiencing over the past few years. I dont want people to get the impression that because we are on television, that we are too busy to take care of them. We will continue to add new crews, who will continue to be overseen by seasoned project managers. FLP: Are there any other television shows in the works? LG: Chip Wade, from Elbow Room, has now got a new show on the DIY Network called Super Great Rooms. We are simultaneously filming one of the episodes for that show at the same time Ive been filming this show for FOX. FLP: Lastly, what are your future plans for filming for Green Basements and Remodeling? LG: I would love to create our own show on Green Remodeling. I would love to teach customers about advancements in technologies that improve your indoor air quality, such as using drywall that can now clean your air for 75 years, with up to 26 coats of paint on it! Doing these shows has been great, but I would also love to help people in my own community as a byproduct of our remodeling business. For example, we would take cabinets out of a clients house that we are renovating, and then refurbish them and install them for a deserving family. I enjoy repurposing things, and if I can help someone while doing that, it would be very rewarding. If there are readers who know a deserving family or would like to donate their skills for these type projects, Id love to have them email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Green Basements & Remodeling836 N. Atlanta St.Roswell, GA 30075678-445-5533GreenRemodeling.com
Canton Termite & Pest Control By Meghan Griffin When Tim McWhirter Jr. of Canton Termite and Pest Control started his business, he pledged that hard work, dedicated service and respect for others would be his companys watchwords. As a lifetime Cherokee County resident, his reputation with his local area means a great deal to him. Tims family is well known in the Canton area. As many may recall, Reeves Florist serviced the county for many years before the death of Tims grandfather, John Reeves. If youve been around Cherokee County for a while, you might have hired Tim and Canton Termite and Pest Control under a different name. In fact, the company was originally called Systematic Service, and Tim only recently made the decision to change the companys name. Canton Termite and Pest Control was originally run for 35 years by one of Tims inspirations, Mr. Winston Stringer of Cartersville. Tim worked for Mr. Stringer for many years and respected him greatly for never letting his disability stop him. In fact, Tim said that it truly made Mr. Stringer work harder. He never quit. Tim carried on the legacy of Canton Termite and Pest Control after Winston Stringer passed away. Another inspiration for Tim was the farm where he grew up; the McCurley Dairy Farm on Univeter Road. He credits both the farm and Mr. Stringer with his hard work ethic and strong moral compass. There wasnt a day that wasnt filled with hard work. It was a matter of pride to work hard and do well, Tim said. Both Mr. Stringer and the McCurley Farm also instilled in Tim a call of service. The farm put their people first. From family to customers to employees, everyone was valued and treated with respect. Testimonials from customers prove that this core value is put into action by Tim and his service manager, William Botts, both professionally and personally. The company is frequently commended for their integrity and quality of service. As evidence, Tims company offers a 58 point Pest Analysis and a no risk, 100% money back guarantee. If you are not completely happy with Canton Termites work, they will make it right or you wont pay a penny. Tim also offers another service on his website, where he writes pest control advice blog posts. If you have a question about pests, you might want to take a look at www.CantonTermite.com. Tim may have an answer for you. When asked about local pest control concerns, Tim stressed the issue of termites in the southeast. Did you know that, statistically speaking, termites will do far more damage to your home than fire? Canton Termite and Pest Control will help prevent termites or mitigate damage thats already been done. Canton Termite and Pest Control also handles wildlife control issues like squirrels, raccoons, and groundhogs. Tim and William are also happy to help local homeowners with that most annoying of all pests the mosquito. Call for a backyard treatment to protect your family for the remainder of the warm months. Mosquitoes are also vectors (transmitters) of several viruses that can cause severe disease and even death in humans, including West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis. In addition to putting service first professionally, Tim and his wife, Robin, are active with First Baptist Church in Woodstock, where their daughter Bethany cheers with the Upward Program. The program focuses on building skills in sports and teaching Christian values that athletes will have for life. Tim and Robin have also served through AWANA, Boy Scouts, and by leading youth groups at church. Tim feels that in addition to his family, his biggest inspiration is his faith. He is guided by a passage from Proverbs 22:29. It reads, Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings and not before obscure men. The apple doesnt fall far from the tree when it comes to a tradition of community service. The McWhirters three sons, Joshua, Aaron and Adam are active with Boy Scout Troop 125, chartered by the Canton United Methodist Church. Tim is also heavily involved in the Scouts, and proudly guided his two oldest sons through the Eagle Scout rank. Joshua, who now attends North Georgia College, worked actively with the Bryan Center in Canton for his Eagle Scout project. He helped to create a beautiful courtyard for residents of the Center, near what long time Cherokee County residents will recognize as the former home of Dr. Coker. Aaron, who attends Kings Academy with Adam and Bethany, partnered with TurnAround Ministries in Woodstock to build a play and storage area. TurnAround Ministries provides a home for displaced children and currently has 20 permanent residents under the age of 18. Tims Service Manager, William Botts, shares this dedication to hard work and service. William, also a Cherokee County native, grew up in Holly Springs near the fire station. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Beth Daniel, and for the next eight years continued to work in management. After witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Botts family made the decision to serve as missionaries. With their three children; Dakota, Mason and Grace, they traveled all over the US and overseas to serve others. William, who is bilingual in Spanish and English, also attended school at Tennessee Temple University and completed his degree in Intercultural Studies. After returning to Cherokee County, William searched for a vocation that matched his and his familys values. He and Canton Termite and Pest Control were a perfect fit. William is also currently serving as interim student pastor at First Baptist Church of Holly Springs. As we move into another autumn, be sure to reach out to your hometown neighbors at Canton Termite and Pest Control for all of your pest control needs. 770-479-1598CantonTermite.com
Extreme Rush Apparel Opens in Kennesaw Extreme Rush Apparel opened recently at Town Center Mall in Kennesaw. Owned by Atlanta native Don Chao, Extreme Rush Apparel started as an online retailer of fitness apparel for elite athletes performing in such sports as Mixed Martial Arts, CrossFit and powerlifting. Shortly after launching, Amazon and Sears began selling Extreme Rush Apparel on their websites as well. The Kennesaw store is Extreme Rush Apparel's second in a series of brick-and-mortar stores planned to open in close proximity to high-end gyms across the country. Extreme Rush Apparel also is located at The Silos at North Farm Marketplace in Alpharetta. Extreme Rush Apparel has partnered with a local manufacturer from Stone Mountain, Ga., to begin production of its high-quality apparel. "Extreme Rush Apparel represents a unique brand because we don't mass-produce any of our styles. Customers can feel confident in knowing they are wearing exclusive fitness clothing," said Chao. "Extreme Rush Apparel prides itself on being designed and tested by the athletes we serve. In the end, we want the Extreme Rush Apparel community to feel good about working out and feel great in the workout apparel they choose. As an Atlanta area native, I'm excited to bring a lifestyle brand to residents." Town Center Mall, 400 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway, N.W., Suite 607, Kennesaw. ExtremeRush.com