By Osayi Endolyn

Maple Street Guitars has been around since 1981, but owners George and Claire Petsch still hear the same thing from new comers: “We’ve lived here for ages, but never knew you were here!”

Housed in its current location at the corner of Maple Street and Peachtree Road in Buckhead since 1987, the Petsch family and their diverse, talented staff fancy themselves a community resource for all things guitar  – lessons, repairs and sales. They’ve crafted quite the local following and determined customers even come from out of state to experience the care and robust knowledge the team shares with masters and novices alike.

Entering the store, you’ll find rows of beautiful, shiny guitars hanging side-by-side, the soft aroma of various woods honed to specification and of course, the shopper who (with the help of a staff member) points out one gleaming instrument with eyes aglow, is carefully handed the piece and begins to play. It’s fairly romantic.

When a person introduces themselves to a guitar, it is an intimate encounter. That guitar might become the thing that allows a musician to express herself in a way she never could before. It’s magical. That’s why Maple Street Guitars focuses so much of their attention on teaching.

Don’t let the candy-like allure of gorgeous guitars fool you – head towards the back of the shop and you’ll find several rooms where lessons take place. Behind all that beauty lies a committed work ethic and a lot of practice. A lot. Just ask the Petschs, they should know. When George and Claire met in the 1970s, it was at the now-closed Sutherland’s House of Guitars. It was located near where Maple Street Guitars is now. They both took classical guitar lessons there. “Eventually, we opted to go our own way,” says Claire. After that, “we just grew, mostly by word of mouth.”

The Petschs intention was to provide a space for high-quality lessons. “We wanted teachers who played well, followed music education, enjoyed teaching and working with people,” Claire says.

They found several seasoned professionals, the newest of which is Johnna Jeong, who has been at Maple Street for about seven years. “The teaching staff have had our hands in recording, performing extensively, producing and composing,” Jeong says. We all share a desire and drive to improve even more on the guitar.”

“Initially we didn’t intend to sell guitars, too,” says George. “But it turns out lessons and sales are symbiotic. When you have a student who wants to play, it makes sense to offer something that can help them achieve their goals. We found we were good at doing that.”

Before a guitar makes it to the sales floor, the team puts them through a tedious review and servicing process. “We go to tremendous lengths to make sure they’ve been selected and adjusted and are not going to sabotage anyone’s efforts to play,” Claire says.

When homegrown businesses must compete with huge online retailers, it is that kind of attention to detail and compassion for a guitar’s future owner that makes shopping local stand out.

“Our first priority is sound quality,” says Lindsay Petsch, son of George and Claire. About as old as the store itself, Lindsay literally grew up playing with Legos in the back. Now he works in the front as manager, “doing whatever needs to be done.”

When it comes to customers, the focus is clear: “We try to educate people on different brands and we ask a lot of questions about their needs. So it has less to do with sales and more to do with the customer making an informed decision,” Lindsay says.

“They’re a very friendly, very knowledgeable staff,” says Ede Wright, an Atlanta-based guitar player whose credits include jazz vocalist Lizz Wright (no relation) and the acclaimed kd lang. He’s been coming to Maple Street since 1989. “Everyone there has a passion for all things guitar, as it should be.”

“Now,” says George, “it’s pretty cool – we’re starting to see the children of customers who took lessons here as kids.” He grins, “You know, I figure I haven’t aged a bit.”

Visit Maple Street on the web at maplestreetguitars.com.

By Sally Sears

A dozen adults wielding blue-handled swing blades caught drivers’ eyes on Lindbergh Drive on a recent Sunday morning.

Honks and cheers joined the crackle of yanking honeysuckle vines and kudzu as volunteers cleared a new hiking trail along a meadow at the foot of Midtown Atlanta. A whining chain saw bit into privet and mimosa. And a special, hush- hush secret weapon in a Pepsi bottle should keep them from coming back.

I dropped an armload of invasive mimosa branches long enough to show a neighbor and her two dogs where the trail head leads to the creek and a good half mile loop of gentle walking. She couldn’t believe it. Neither could the Green Team from the Georgia Conservancy.

“I can’t believe this is right here, in plain sight, and I’ve never noticed it,” said from Leah Barnett, the conservancy’s community outreach coordinator. That admission cost her a nickel. I’m collecting from everybody who says they had no idea Atlanta had so much gorgeous creek land in hiding.

The neighborhood and the South Fork Conservancy won a grant from Atlanta’s Sustainability Office to reveal the beauty hidden by decades of inattention to this parcel of land. The Love Your Block folks liked our idea of sprucing up the view from Lindbergh Drive, near the I-85 overpass, and encouraging people to walk along the public land through the meadow.

First we parked on the street at Armand Road, and walked across the bridge over the North Fork of Peachtree Creek. The creek bubbled clear that morning, and we all took in the view of the Midtown skyline. It shone like Oz. Below us, a line of green marked the creek bank. The open meadow is full of native grasses. It’s easy to ignore the sound of the I-85 traffic, especially when we dropped down into the meadow itself.

We tugged mulch out of a giant pile, crafted trails and created a 25 foot circle at the head of a circular route around the meadow and creek. One day, a bench and signs here will help direct walkers along the trail, and show how this creek meets the South Fork and forms Peachtree Creek itself, Atlanta’s most important waterway.

The Lindridge Martin Manor Neighborhood Association says more public green space is their first priority. Environmental Chairman Rich Sussman pulls volunteers from three nearby neighborhoods to help. This day, though, he followed the chain saw. South Fork Conservancy Chairman Bob Kerr aimed at privet in the trail. One was chewed to a point by beavers from the creek. Carefully, Bob sliced. Then Rich Sussman took the Pepsi bottle and gently daubed its sponge-topped contents on the stump. It won’t unduly harm creeks, but it’s potent against invasives. I drove all over Atlanta looking for that particular 20 ounce plastic bottle. Not in a million years would I put poison in a Coke bottle.

Who owns it? The City of Atlanta and Georgia DOT. Officials with both are intrigued by the idea of trails connecting green space along the creeks, and working hard on the details. More information at the website southforkconservancy.org.

Hours for the market are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and  8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the art programs at Church of the Common Ground, Emmaus House, and the Church of the Holy Comforter. Tthe Cathedral of St. Philip is located 2744 Peachtree Road.

For more information, visit www.workofhands.com.

Local artists will eventually give Buck a unique look of their own to be displayed in the Bucks on the Streets public art exhibit. And, this month the community can celebrate with Buck at the Buck Naked Party on Thursday, Sept. 22, at Phipps Plaza Court of the South. This event will launch the project and tickets are $10.

The Bucks on the Street project will raise money for Livable Buckhead to develop green space with a network of trails and parks. Project GreenSpace identified Atlanta City Council District 7, greater Buckhead, as having fewer parks per capita than any other district in the entire city.

Spearheading Bucks on the Street are Donna Kain and Elizabeth Gill, both past Buckhead Business Association presidents. “The reaction has been very favorable in the community,” says Gill. “I think, like us, people in Buckhead want to have fun again and see this an opportunity to rebuild a vibrant Buckhead community. The Buckhead Business Foundation selected Livable Buckhead because we thought it was in line with our vision to give back specifically to Buckhead.”

Buckhead CID executive director Jim Durrett attended the Buckhead Business Association quarterly lunch in July and raised a big applause for this effort. “The funds will help us get us this biking and pedestrian greenway built. And, it’s an opportunity for a lot of people to have ownership of it – to have a share in this new investment,” he says. “Not only is it a quirky, interesting and fun project, but all the proceeds are going to benefit all of us. It’s a slam dunk opportunity.”

Sponsors will choose an artist and location of their designed 8-foot tall statue. The final statues will be unveiled at an auction party in 2012 and the whole project will be displayed on the streets in spring 2012. For information to become a sponsor, contact Elizabeth.gill@expresspros.com or donnalkain@charter.net.

For information about The Buck Naked Party and Bucks on the Street, visit BucksontheStreet.org.

Donna Kain

In the years following the financial collapse of 2008, Georgia’s banks have been hit particularly hard. Even harder hit have been the community banks in and around Atlanta. This economic shake-up has meant big changes for the folks behind the scenes, so Atlanta INtown decided to catch up with some of these community bankers to get their take on the state of community banking today and where they see it in the future.

With over 40 years in the banking industry, Marvin Cosgray has certainly ridden the highs and lows of this ever-changing economic climate. He’s served as president and CEO of several community banks in metro Atlanta since 1985, including The Buckhead Community Bank, which was acquired by State Bank & Trust in late 2009. The Buckhead Community Bank grew quickly during the real estate boom in the early 2000s, and like so many other community banks, took a big hit once the housing market collapsed.

But nearly two years later, Cosgray is pleased to report that he is no longer in survival mode. “I feel that there is a bright future for a well capitalized, well managed community bank,” he says.  “Unfortunately there will be more community banks closed in Georgia, but it will present an opportunity for the surviving banks to develop new business and grow.”

Today he’s managing director of Private Banking at Georgia Commerce Bank where his focus has shifted from real estate to local business development. “Georgia Commerce Bank raised additional capital from the local marketplace, allowing us to become the first bank in Georgia to pay back our TARP money to the U. S. Treasury,” he says. “We opened a new office in Buckhead that has been successful in developing a strong private banking customer base.”

As senior vice president of human resources at Georgia Commerce Bank, Katherine Kay has a unique perspective on the changes in community banking. She, too, was with The Buckhead Community Bank until its acquisition in 2009, but today she is happy to put those difficult times behind her.

“Being in HR in a community bank in 2008, my job was focused on cost reductions and doing more with less,” she says. “Now I’m with a well-capitalized bank and we are growing, hiring people, and most importantly, able to help our customers and the communities we serve. It’s a great feeling to get back to what community banking should be.”

Another veteran of The Buckhead Community Bank is Donna Kain, who has 30 years of experience working with local business owners. She moved to Fifth Third Bank in early 2011, and today she says the banking climate is growing stronger and more competitive all the time.

Brian McGuire

“My first love in banking has always been working directly with clients, and I am back to doing that on a daily basis,” she says. “The previous three years, I spent most of my time trying to manage problems. I’m thankful for that to be history.”

Kain believes Atlanta is still a great place to do business, but she recognizes the importance of keeping strong relationships with her clients. “I will say that banks are much more interested in the total relationship now than they might have been in the past,” she says. “Contrary to what many people think, banks are eager to lend money and are offering competitive rates.”

It is this community banking model that keeps Brian McGuire, Vice President of treasury management services at Private Bank of Buckhead, optimistic about the economic future of Atlanta.

“If anything, community bank customers have been more loyal during the challenging economy because they are getting the service other consumers are not,” he says. “Clients of a community bank don’t necessarily think bigger is better. On the contrary, they choose to do business with a local community bank that is small enough to know their customer and tailor their services to the needs of the local businesses and consumers.”

As with many places, community banking in Atlanta remains in flux, but according to McGuire, that’s not altogether a bad thing for consumers. “That climate of change has in many ways presented them with choices and opportunity,” he says. “There are some banks that remain on regulatory watch lists, but there also are some strong healthy banks. I am pleased to say that both through luck and strategic vision, ours is one of those healthy banks.”

After three years of big changes for community banks, one thing’s for sure. This crew remains committed to the local market. “Community bankers have always been viewed as the most trusted advisors in their communities,” Kay says. “Even during these difficult times, we have always maintained that level of trust. Our customers are loyal, and they’ve weathered the storm with us.”

By Cat Tesla

Have you visited the Tula Art Center lately? Tucked away at the end of Bennett Street, just off Peachtree Road across from Fresh Market, Tula contains the largest concentration of art studios in one building in Atlanta. Spanning two floors, it’s a virtual treasure trove of art and photography with styles ranging from historical to traditional, and from modern to contemporary. Tula also houses a fashion studio that features a couture dress designer.

Lisa Moore of Studio M says, “It’s our job as artists to keep art alive by being accessible, by educating, by interacting with our community and sharing information. Tula is about meeting the artists, seeing them in action, wandering around their studios, and experiencing that world apart where the artist pauses to envision and create. It’s a richer and more personal experience than your typical gallery visit.”

Joel Barr’s oil paintings incorporate involved textures which contribute directly to the mood or story in the piece. At the end of each painting session, Joel scrapes blobs of leftover oil paint onto boards, forming colorful texture-filled sculptures, a favorite of visitors to Tula. A self-taught artist, Barr’s work has been exhibited at the Knoxville Museum of Art and the National Baseball Art Invitational Exhibition.

Strolling through Ann Rhodes’ studio, you’ll learn that her landscapes are primed with a red under-painting, reminiscent of native Georgia red clay. Influenced by her travels to Italy and France, her vibrant oil paintings appear to have been dipped in the sun’s rays.

A few doors down, you’ll be sure to recognize Whitney Wood’s enigmatic organic paintings, recently featured in the July issue of New American Paintings. Using both organic and highly controlled painting techniques, the resulting composition is a compromise between excess and restraint, impulse and logic.

Down the spiral steps to the first floor of Tula, there are more than a dozen artists working away. You’ll smell the beeswax used in Judie Jacobs’ mixed media works of art. Combining the ancient art of encaustic (painting with wax) with modern digital imagery, the resulting image is richly layered and sensual. Jacobs combines a wide range of subject matter into her works, utilizing text from Hebrew prayers as well as images of disappearing rural buildings, barns, and farmhouses from the Southern landscape.

Across the atrium, visit the Atlanta Photography Group (APG) Gallery, whose members host photographic exhibitions throughout the year. APG seeks to challenge photographic conventions and stimulate new thinking and exploration of experimental forms of photographic expression.

There are many more artists to meet and studios to explore at Tula. Now that you’re in the know, bring a friend and come on by to discover Atlanta’s best kept art secret. Drop by Tula on Thursday,  Sept. 1, for the Studio Tour and Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Along with great art, enjoy savory treats from local food trucks. For more information, visit www.tulaartcenter.com

Cat Tesla – artist, visionary, and red-wine drinker – has a studio at the Tula Art Center. A former genetic counselor on faculty at Emory’s Department of Human Genetics, she initially went part time to pursue her art. Tesla ditched the genetics and now her third act is all art, all the time. Catch her at Tula in Suite D-2, adjacent to MOCA.

The festival will feature more than 100 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craftpersons, glass blowers, jewelers, an “antiques alley” and more. Organizer Randall Fox said more than 90 percent of the artists will be from the metro area.

The festival will also offer a children’s play area, food (including Moe’s, Barefoot Wines and Gigi’s Cupcakes) and live music. More than 150,000 people attended last year’s event and Fox said he’s expecting a bigger turnout for 2011.

For a full line-up of events and artists visit, buckheadartsfestival.com.

Sweet Auburn Springfest
The historic Sweet Auburn district of Downtown comes alive with a weekend of music, activities, food and more on May 7 – 8.
Auburn Avenue is the focal point for the festival, which will feature a seniors pavilion, artists market, business and tech expo, car and bike show, heath and fitness fair, sports zone, a theater performance by teens called “Through the Lens,” kids fun zone, green pavilion, voter registration drive and the annual Sweet Auburn 5K Run/Walk.
For more information, visit sweetaburn.com.

West Fest
Atlanta’s Historic West End community will host West Fest 2011 May 6 – 8. Presented by West End Neighborhood Development Inc., the event includes an annual benefit concert, dog parade, artist market and festival, and tour of historic homes. The concert kicks off the weekend of events with performances by soul songstress Dawn McClain at the Wren’s Nest Amphitheatre on Friday at 7 p.m.

The West End Tour of Homes consists of a self-guided walking tour of over a dozen Craftsman, Victorian and Queen Anne-style private homes. Tour tickets will be available at the Wren’s Nest, where the tour begins.

The Dog Parade is Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to noon at White Street and Rose Circle. The Neighborhood Festival & Artists Market takes place Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. in Gordon-White Park.

Tickets for the concert are $25, while tickets for the Tour of Homes are $20, or $40 for a combo Concert and Tour of Homes pass. Tickets can be purchased online at Admission to the festival and artist market is free. For tickets and more information, atlantawestfest.com.

Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes
The 9^th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Home is Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, at Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive. The festival will feature an open air artist market, 5k run, live music, children’s area and food and beverage vendors.

The home tour will showcase a diverse collection of building styles from classic Victorian cottages to Craftsman bungalows to Modern living spaces. The tour of homes will be held Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.  Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

The festival portion of the weekend is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and admission is free. Music continues to 11 p.m. and will feature No Parachute, Wild Rice, Snaz, Third Candle, The Axis featuring Cherry Royale and a surprise guest.
All proceeds go to benefit the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization, a local nonprofit group dedicated community improvement.
For more information, visit kirkwoodfling.com.

Artful Garden Tour
The Artful Garden Tour is back for springtime inspiration on Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s self–guided tour highlights seven private gardens in Buckhead, Ansley Park, Midtown and Druid Hills.

Of special note is a 1935 Tudor home surrounded by a garden that blends formal English and natural styles, as well as a home featuring a multilevel water garden with a koi pond and a 60-foot stream that meanders around a stone patio.

The Artful Garden Tour distinguishes itself from other garden tours by showcasing art in the gardens. Plein–air painters will be working and other local artists will showcase their designs. All proceeds benefit the High Museum of Art.

Tickets are $20 per person if purchased before May 12 and $25 thereafter. Visit high.org for tickets and details.

Decatur Arts Festival
More than 160 artists from around the nation selling paintings, jewelry and more, live music, cutting-edge dance, literary events and a parade – these are just a few of the activities at the 23rd annual Decatur Arts Festival set for Memorial Day weekend, May 28 – 29.

This interactive, inclusive arts extravaganza, presented by the Decatur Arts Alliance, includes art and artists from all disciplines and features hands-on participatory art as well as demonstrating and performing arts. All events are free.

The weekend actually kicks off with the Art Walk on Friday, May 27, night from 5 to 10 p.m. with special events and artists at local galleries and businesses.

The Artists Market will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, while live music will be staged on the community banstand on the square featuring ConunDrums, Cowboy Envy, Nicole Chillemi Band, Mieka Pauley, Von Grey, 7 Day Fool, Sewhee Village Percussion, Doria Roberts, The Bonaventure Quartet, Davin McCoy and The Coming Attractions and ending the weekend with Delta Moon.

To see a full line-up of events, visit decaturartsfestival.com.

Buckhead Spring Arts and Craft Festival
The 2^nd annual festival is set for Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chastain Park.

The festival will feature more than 100 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craftpersons, glass blowers, jewelers, an “antiques alley” and more. Organize Randall Fox said more than 90 percent of the artists will be from the metro area.

The festival will also offer a children’s play area, food (including Moe’s, Barefoot Wines and Gigi’s Cupcakes) and live music. More than 150,000 people attended last year’s event and Fox said he’s expecting a bigger turnout for 2011.
For a full line-up of events and artists visit, buckheadartsfestival.com.

Atlanta Jazz Festival
The 34th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is a month-long event, capped off by a Memorial Day weekend festival in Piedmont Park.

The Piedmont Park event will feature local and nationally-renowned artists including the Warren Wolf Quintet with Christian McBride, Sean Jones Quintet, Ninety Miles, Marea Alta, Myrna Clayton, The Infinite Sound Family, Oliver Santana & Ellison Jazz, Tropical Breeze, Wild Rice, Neo4 and Rua6.

There will also be a late night performance by Mike Phillips at the Lowe’s Atlanta Hotel on May 28, 10 p.m. and a special concert by George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn (calling themselves DMS) at Chastain Park on May 30, 7 p.m.

For tickets, details and the full schedule, visit atlantafestivals.com.

Fiesta Latina
The 5^th annual Fiesta Atlanta in celebration of Cinco De Mayo will be held Sunday, May 1, at Centennial Olympic Park. Hours for this year’s event are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free. Fiesta Atlanta features a daylong celebration of Latino culture, featuring continuous live musical performances on two stages by international, national and local recording artists, sponsor displays with many free product samples, arts and crafts and authentic Latin foods. This years musical line-up includes classic rock band War, Tiger!Tiger!, Local 34, Bachaco, Con Clase, Orquesta Macuba and more. There is also a 5k race starting at 8:30 a.m. in the park to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For details on the festival, visit fiestatlanta.com.