Georgia Cancer Specialists Collecting Backpacks for Foster Children Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) and Northside Hospital are collecting backpacks and kid-sized suitcases for foster children in Georgia as part of the 13th annual Totes 2 Tots suitcase drive. Approximately 8,500 children, from infants to teenagers, are currently in the foster care system in Georgia. Many of these children shuffle their belongings in garbage bags when they are removed from their homes. Since Totes 2 Tots was first launched in 2003, the annual volunteer event has collected and distributed more than 37,000 bags. Totes 2 Tots originally was held on Martin Luther King Day as a way to honor Dr. King's vision of philanthropy and give back to the community. The event is now held on the preceding Friday, to kick off a weekend of service in Dr. King's honor. Donations of new or nearly new backpacks and suitcases will be accepted at 27 GCS offices across Georgia, including Alpharetta, at 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., January 16. 3330 Preston Ridge Road, Suite 110, Alpharetta. 678-566-6995, GaCancer.com
Cobb EMC to Purchase 101 MW of Solar Energy from Southern Power Cobb EMC board of directors announced approval for the cooperative to execute a 25-year power purchase agreement with Southern Power, a Southern Company subsidiary, to purchase 101 megawatts (MW) of solar energy from a 131-MW photovoltaic (PV) solar project to be constructed in Taylor County, Georgia. "We're always looking for practical ways to diversify our energy mix and expand our renewable energy portfolio while still keeping costs as low as possible for our members," said Chip Nelson, president and CEO of Cobb EMC. "Cobb EMC has been at the forefront of adding solar projects to our energy portfolio. In 2014, we started receiving the full capacity output from the Azalea solar facility in Washington County, and with the addition of this project, Cobb EMC will be receiving approximately 10 percent of our capacity portfolio mix from solar and about 5 percent of the energy needed to serve our members." The solar facility in Taylor County will be the largest single-site project in Georgia and among the largest east of the Mississippi River. This solar facility, of which Cobb will receive 77 percent of its output, will be constructed in Taylor County on a 911-acre site, which is equivalent of 826 football fields for perspective. The other portions of its output will be purchased by Flint Energies and Sawnee EMC, two other Georgia Electric Cooperatives. The facility is expected to consist of approximately 1.6 million thin-film PV solar modules mounted on single-axis tracking tables. Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in September, and the project is expected to achieve commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2016. Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, serving more than 175,000 residential and commercial members in Fulton, Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee and Paulding counties. Cobb EMC's distribution system consists of 9,101 miles of line over 432 square miles. With more than 192,000 meters served, Cobb EMC is one of the largest of Georgia's 41 EMCs and among the largest of the nation's 900 EMCs. CobbEMC.com
Extreme Rush Apparel Opens in Alpharetta Extreme Rush Apparel opened recently at The Silos at North Farm Marketplace in Alpharetta. 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 Alpharetta store is Extreme Rush Apparel's first in a series of brick-and-mortar stores planned to open in close proximity to high-end gyms across the country. Extreme Rush Apparel has partnered with a local manufacturer from Stone Mountain, Ga., to begin production of its high-quality apparel. As a member of the community, Chao hopes that the introduction of a local business will eventually bring jobs and continued growth to the area. "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." 12315 Crabapple Road, Suite 124-B, Alpharetta. ExtremeRush.com
Coffee Bianco Celebrates Roswell Store Opening Coffee Bianco is now open in Roswell. Owner Vara Foroutan says Coffee Bianco is inspired by her travels throughout Europe, bringing the spirit of the European caf to Roswell. Coffee Bianco serves a variety of coffees, teas, frappes, pastries and desserts. Comfortable seating indoors and outdoor patio dining provide a quiet respite from the busy day. "At Coffee Bianco, it's all about the coffee, caf, and community!" Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Sunday. 1585 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. 404-304-6986, CoffeeBianco.com
Ageless Remedies Partners with Innovative Skincare to Pamper Breast Cancer Patients Ageless Remedies, located in Roswell, partnered with Innovative Skincare in hosting a special iS CANCER CARE Program recently. The event offered a day of pampering for patients undergoing cancer treatments and therapies. Guests received complimentary facials, massage, and product education. The iS CANCER CARE Program has assisted with both the physiological and emotional challenges of patients dealing with cancer. The program provides skincare solutions and education programs for patients undergoing cancer treatment. INNOVATIVE SKINCARE co-founders Bryan Johns and Alec Call have made it their personal mission to help end breast cancer by 2020, and currently serve on the President's Council for the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Ageless Remedies of Roswell is led by Mark Beaty, M.D., board-certified facial plastic surgeon; Bhair Ghazi, M.D., board-certified facial and body plastic surgeon; and Mark McKenna, M.D. (weight loss). Dr. Beaty and Dr. Ghazi are available in the spa for consultations and services. Ageless Remedies also has two physician assistants on staff to closely manage the quality of services provided. 625 W. Crossville Road, Suite 128, Roswell. 770-587-0101, AgelessRemediesRoswell.com
Moxie Burger Opens in Roswell Moxie Burger has opened a new location at Founders Square in Roswell. Owned and operated by Chas D'Huyvetter, along with general managers Brandon Eisenhart and Jordan Pearl, Moxie Burger features a variety of menu selections, including burgers, "dawgs," sandwiches, salads, sides, and King of Pops hand-crafted, all-natural popsicles all created "with a little moxie!" In addition to the new Roswell location, Moxie Burger has a location in East Cobb. Moxie Burger in Roswell is open 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday; and 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sunday. 555 S. Atlanta St., Suite A600, Roswell. 678-878-4411, MoxieBurger.net
Kamal Ummed, M.D. Joins Georgia Cancer Specialists Georgia Cancer Specialists recently welcomed Kamal Ummed, M.D. as the newest physician at its Alpharetta and Sandy Springs (Center Pointe) locations. Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Ummed joins a team of nationally recognized physicians and other health care professionals in advanced cancer treatment and research. Dr. Ummed completed his undergraduate education at the State University of New York and received a medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. In 1997, he returned to the United States, where he completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, followed by a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Before joining Georgia Cancer Specialists this year, Dr. Ummed spent 10 years in private practice in Honolulu and was an assistant clinical professor at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. "Our increasing knowledge of how cancers grow and spread has allowed for better targeted treatments with improved outcomes and reduced side effects," said Dr. Ummed. "Understanding the strengths of a cancer is helping us locate and target its Achilles heel. The future gets brighter with each step forward." Dr. Ummed is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and has special interests in the treatment of lung, breast and urological cancers, as well as benign and malignant hematology. 3330 Preston Ridge Road, Suite 110, Alpharetta. 678-566-6995, GACancer.com
Vein Center of North Georgia Moves to New Alpharetta Location Vein Center of North Georgia has moved to a new location in Alpharetta. The new office is located at 5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 214, Alpharetta. Led by Dr. Laura Garvey (M.D., FACS), Vein Center of North Georgia provides treatment of varicose and spider veins; relief from leg pain, swelling, and leg ulcers; on-site vascular ultrasounds; and sclerotherapy, vein ligation and stripping, and endovenous laser vein treatment. All procedures are performed by a board-certified vascular surgeon. 770-664-5713, VeinCenterOfNorthGeorgia.com
Avalon to Open October 30 Avalon, a $600 million, 86-acre, mixed-use development in Alpharetta by North American Properties, will celebrate the grand opening of Phase I on October 30. Special events beginning on October 30 and continuing through November 2 will include music, family entertainment, chef demonstrations, a surprise headliner, and many other attractions, activities and offers. Avalon combines retail shopping, dining, entertainment, residential living, hotel accommodations, commercial space, and other features in a central development. In addition to a wide variety of retailers and restaurants, Avalon will include a 12-screen movie theater; 250 luxury-rental and 101 single-family homes; 750,000 square feet of Class A office space and 108,000 square feet of loft office space; and a four-star, 300-room hotel and convention center. 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. ExperienceAvalon.com
Wireless Communications Opens Johns Creek Location Wireless Communications, along with the Johns Creek Chamber and Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker, celebrated the grand opening of its retail location at 3005 Old Alabama Road, Suite 20, in Johns Creek. Wireless Communications was established in 2008 under the leadership of Krish V. Patel, president. It is an exclusive premium retailer for Verizon Wireless products and services. Based in Greenville, S.C., Wireless Communications has more than 40 locations nationwide and has been recognized in Inc. Magazine's Top 10 Retail Companies. Rashard Izzard is manager of the new Johns Creek store. 404-917-5218, TheWCInc.com