By Di Chapman

Don’t laugh, but I’m a dyed-in-the-wool furry critter lover. So, when I say I love four-legged critters and am a pushover pet parent, I’m tummy-rubbing serious. I’m crazy about both cats and dogs. I have no human children, but I’ve had plenty of “kids,” taking care of them from babyhood to end of life. I fall in love again and again with kitties and doggies. I know some of you will shake your heads, so go ahead and talk about how nuts I am, but most of you will acknowledge that I’m preaching to the “love me, love my pets” choir.

The devoted pet lovers whom I know are kindred spirits. We know our kitties have different facial expressions (sometimes men argue that only women can see them) and ears that revolve backwards when they pretend they’re ignoring us but are nosey and don’t want to miss a word we’re saying. There’s even an appropriate expression for this behavior that every cat lover knows: “You’re nobody until you’ve been ignored by a cat.” They express a wide vocal range of purrs, meows of many different tunes, and chirps. My husband and I have named a particularly amusing vocal expression the “yawn meow.” Yes, our cat yawns and meows at the same time. And you know what else?

Cats are as loyal and affectionate as dogs and as quirky and individual as people. Some are adept socializers. Take our neighbor’s cat, Felix. Felix is a social bee. He visits us and the neighbors daily, hanging out on top of covered barbeques, lounging on verandas, and making the rounds to rub and curl his tail up against our legs and accept petting. I asked my husband one afternoon if I could bring Felix inside. “No, Sweetie,” he answered. “That’s what his parents are for.”

Oh, and lest I forget, cats definitely read minds. Ask any cat lover.

I’m nuts about dogs too, and although I could hold the title of “Cat Lady,” I’d be thrilled with a menagerie of happy, smiling canines. Don’t you love a dog’s smile? They rival those of humans, perhaps even more engaging. When you take a holiday family photo with Fido or Fifi, who steals the show? Their tails can wag so fast they’re a blur and can take their whole darn hindquarters for the ride.

If you’re not an animal lover by now, folks, you’re in the minority in this country, and in my travels throughout the western world, you’d be in the minority there, too.

There are 85 million pets in 68% of U.S. households, and I’ve certainly contributed to that statistic all of my life. In fact, at least 80% of the households I knew had pets when I was a kid. We knew them by name, and they wandered in and out of our open doors. (Remember the days of open doors?) My dad was so in love with animals he would bring home cat and dog strays, patch them up if necessary, and adopt them. As a traveling salesman, he would regularly visit the pounds (Remember them?) in his territory. He was a dedicated rescuer, and we loved it. I swear, if our pets had opposable thumbs and could talk, they would have joined us at the dinner table.

“Sacré bleu!” you say. Heck, George Washington had a bunch of dogs wandering throughout his home. They gave Martha surprises like snatching roasted turkeys from her kitchen counters at state dinners, which at the time were held there. Thomas Jefferson constantly brought dogs home on ships from Europe, often surprised by litters born en voyage. Mark Twain adored kitties. He had eleven. Ernest Hemingway had 30. (!!!) To each his own, folks.

I love pet stores overflowing with seasonal pet attire and treats that look like human desserts and snacks. Those look pretty darn tasty. In 2018, we critter lovers spent $72.56 BILLION on these guys. I’ve had holiday conversations with shoppers whose carts were overflowing with toys, treats, and mastodon dog bones. “I have four dogs and don’t want anyone to feel left out on Christmas day,” one told me. In my family, gifts for pets are always under the tree. Dear heavens – we’ve lost our minds.

This brings me to a place I’ve found in Marietta that makes my heart sing: Good Mews. It’s a cage-free, no-kill beautifully bright cat adoption shelter that has placed over 9,000 kitties. At any given time, up to 100 “residents” call it home and each is given a name. These little residents were taken in as homeless, abused, and/or abandoned kitties, or from sad separations. They’re given freedom to roam in large, bright rooms with ample comfort for frequent napping, sunbathing, and being naturally nosey. Humans grant their every wish.

Good Mews is like being in a candy store, only instead of merchandise, there’s sweet, sashaying, curious, and personality-plus felines everywhere. The windows are floor-to-ceiling, and they can birdie-watch overlooking their own private yard and little bird sanctuary. There are toys and cat trees; plenty of self-grooming going on, and kitties lounging all around. There’s mischief and cuteness everywhere.

The kitties are happy to see humans in their home for adoption events – “Reading to Cats” for kids, “Yoga with Cats” which has been a media sensation, “Sound Journey” for those who want to share an evening of vibrational bliss and relaxation with the cats, and more attractions to come like programs for senior days. The “Kitten Shower” is happening now. Resistance is killing me, but my own little senior fur baby, Miss Kitty, needs my constant affection and attention.

This place has my number, y’all. It’s truly a cat-lover’s “must-have” experience. Go!

My father’s sister once said to me, “Sometimes I think I like animals better than people.”

Call me a crazy critter lady, but amen.

Di Chapman is an inspirational author and speaker, and a branding consultant. Di’s latest book is Rekindle Your Purpose: Break through your disappointments, discouragements, and detours to resurrect your purpose and live it! Contact Di at diychapman@icloud.com

By Ethan Craig

We get questioned a lot about the names of the beers we serve at Tap & Six! There are thousands of craft breweries and tens of thousands of individual craft beers. Most breweries rotate the beers they are producing and often brew more than 100 different ones in a year. Most brewers think of every beer as a work of art, and they aren’t going to settle for just any name. It takes thought and creativity to come up with some of the crazy names that come through our doors.

Some breweries follow a theme when they name their beer. Our friend Tim Stevens at From the Earth Brewing names every beer after a song, Panhead Brewing follows a hot-rod motif, and Bach Brewing is all about the beach. After thinking about all of the work that goes into naming a beer, I’d like to share a few of my favorites:

668 The Neighbor of the Beast from New England Brewing. This is my favorite. Get it? The devil lives at 666…
Geriatric Hipster Club from The Bruery is as much a cocktail as it is a beer. The Bruery says, “Whether you are a mustachioed hipster, a WWII veteran or just a person who enjoys a well-made drink, this beer is for you.”

Rasberry Tarty McFly, a raspberry sour from Gate City Brewing. Back to the Future, anyone?
Cashmere – So Soft and So Smooth, a New England-style IPA from Variant Brewing. The name is just begging you to try it on.
Don’t Call it Hotlanta, a quadruple hopped IPA from Monday Night Brewing. What’s the fastest way to make an Atlanta native cringe? Say “Hotlanta.”
A Boysen Named Sue, a fruited sour from Schoolhouse Brewing in Marietta. This one is for all of the Johnny Cash lovers. And by the way, Schoolhouse is new to the craft beer scene, and I’d highly recommend you check them out!
Ryan and the Gosling, an American Brett style pale ale from Evil Twin Brewing in New York. It’s only 4% ABV!
Prize Inside, a cracker jack stout from Wild Leap Brew Co. It tastes of caramel, peanuts and baseball.
Root Beer from Red Hare Brewing. Okay, the name isn’t very creative, but it’s the best tasting root beer I’ve ever had.
Wheat Will Rock You, an American wheat ale from Reformation Brewery. Reformation collaborated with 97.1 The River on this one for a little summertime fun.
Second Chances, a dry hopped IPA collaboration between From the Earth and Tap & Six. I mean, how could I leave this one off? A portion of the proceeds benefit the Atlanta Humane Society to help give their furry friends second chances.

Ethan Craig is Craft Beer Curator at Tap & Six Craft Beer House, a craft beer market and bar in Historic Roswell at 23 Oak Street.

For luscious, soft fresh figs, add a couple of plants to your home landscape

Green Scene by Geri Laufer

Yummy figs can be eaten fresh, stuffed with chocolate or walnuts and blue cheese, dried, preserved, or used for baking and making ice cream. DYK? Because red raspberries don’t grow well in Atlanta, Betty Homemaker of the 1960’s used a packet of raspberry jello and added mashed figs for that “special seedy quality” to replicate homemade red raspberry jam. (Ulp!)

Figs do well in metro-Atlanta landscapes and don’t need pollinating wasps like California figs do. UGA suggests the following varieties: Alma, Brown Turkey, Celeste, Green Ischia, Hunt Dull, Kadota, LSU Purple, Magnolia Bronze, and Hardy Chicago. In a perfect world, you could sample these before buying a couple to plant. To hedge my bets I planted the hardiest (Hardy Chicago) and the most southerly (LSU Purple), although in the past I have grown Brown Turkey and Celeste.

When choosing a location, choose a place in full sun that is free of root-knot nematodes in the soil (microscopic worms that invade the roots). Practically, this means don’t plant figs after tomatoes or other solanaceous plants in the nightshade family.

The other consideration when siting figs is to be sure to allow enough room because planting a large-growing shrub in a small landscape space, requiring heavy yearly pruning, will result in poor fruiting. I allowed a fair amount of room when I planted mine two years ago, but I also have been channeling my next-door neighbor’s Greek Grandmother’s technique of pruning back all her figs to about four feet during the summer as well as in early winter to keep them at a manageable height for picking. When pruning, cut off the leaders of each branch and encourage horizontal shoots because they bear most of the fruits.

Care and Maintenance

• Figs respond to regular applications of fertilizer lightly spread under the canopy in March, May, and June (too late for August, but put on the calendar for next spring).
  
• It’s good practice to keep your figs well-watered while the fruit is swelling, just like keeping blueberries watered when the berries are ripening.

Recipe
Grilled Balsamic Figs with Goat Cheese
Split a dozen fresh figs lengthwise and set cut side down on a slow grill.
Remove and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with goat cheese.
Devour!

Digging Deeper
You may want to investigate the UGA publication for further reading: Home Garden Figs

Have you harvested figs from your home landscape? Let me know by posting on The Current Hub facebook page.

Geri Laufer lives in Atlanta, where she, graphic designer husband David, and English Coonhound Lily are working on designing and installing a never-finished landscape. You can reach her at Geri Laufer

It’s Worth the Ride

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw Opens August 2nd

By Britt Argo

We first meet Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) in Furious 7 (2015). Meeting again in The Fate of the Furious (2017), the duo start off on opposite sides and then begrudgingly are paired together. To say it’s a contentious relationship would be an understatement. However, Hobbs and Shaw are forced to rely on each other to fight the baddies.

What it’s about — In Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, the duo forms an unlikely alliance to battle against a cyber-genetically enhanced supervillain, Brixton (Idris Elba). Villain Brixton gets his hands on a bio-threat virus that could wipe out half the world’s population. Rogue MI6 agent Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby) steals the virus to prevent him from unleashing it. When the mission is compromised, the agency reaches out to the two best trackers, her brother Deckard Shaw and Agent Hobbs, to help her keep the virus safe. When Brixton discovers they are harboring Hattie, he calls them out on the Jumbotron in Piccadilly Circus (London) and challenges them to a war if they don’t return the virus.

Of course, they resist working together. Shaw would prefer to take care of his “family business” on his own, but Hobbs insists that when it affects the “fate of the world” it becomes his business. Shaw’s delightful mum (Helen Mirren) pleads with him from prison—he must look after his sister. Finally, Hattie gets through to them that if the three of them don’t team up, billions of people will die. Hobbs is immediately taken with Hattie, and refers to her as “one of the toughest, baddest, most capable women I’ve ever encountered.” Now teamed up, the trio go through a high-octane barrage of attacks from the army of mercenaries and untouchable, bulletproof “Superman” villain Brixton. Car and motorcycle chases in the streets of London, repelling down a skyscraper, jumping out of airplanes, escaping exploding buildings—it has it all. But, in order to fight the ultimate baddie, they need the ultimate arsenal of guns and fast cars.

Hobbs decides to get “off the grid” and bring the fight to his home turf, luring the baddies to his family home in Samoa. They enlist his mom, brothers, and local friends for, as momma calls it, a “Samoan ass whooping.” When he finds out momma got rid of all his guns in the shed, they decide to fight old school, with the traditional ceremonial Samoan sticks, clubs, and mallets. They must do whatever it takes to save the world. Do they win? No spoilers—you’ll have to see the movie to find out who prevails. But it’s worth the ride!

Why you will love it — This film is different in tone. It still has fast cars and the high-energy action you love from the series, but unlike serious Dom (Vin Diesel), these two have more of a cat and mouse comedic banter. Their pairing is great for this movie. Dwayne Johnson always portrays his characters a little lighter, more fun-spirited, even in dire “save the world” situations. Even though Jason Statham’s character never smiles and his delivery is always very matter-of-fact, there is never anything menacing about him. The two characters, despite their bickering, work well together and have real buddy chemistry.

Gotta love the over-the-top action scenes! In the streets of downtown London, we get the trio scaling down a high-rise building, eluding a high-octane motorcycle, and sliding under the truck bed with their hot rod. It’s eye candy, pulse-racing action sequences, although totally implausible and outlandish, keep you glued to the screen. Brixton’s motorcycle is enhanced, it can ride without him and he can pop on and off as he needs. It’s very cool to see the gadgets and slow-motion flying cars grazing past bullets and avoiding exploding buildings. And yes, in Samoa, they do chain the truck and cars to a helicopter and fly dangling over a cliff to try and thwart Brixton’s escape. This last big, blockbuster car chase is worth seeing the movie.

Do you need to be a fan of The Fast and the Furious to understand this movie? No, but it helps to re-watch Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious to be introduced to the characters in Hobbs & Shaw and to understand just why they hate each other so much. This movie does stand alone—gives us a whole new villain. So if you jump in and only see this one, you’ll still enjoy it.

FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW IMAGES COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Britt Argo, an avid movie fan, sees an average of 150 movies a year in the movie theaters. She is the marketing coordinator at Aurora Cineplex at Area 51: Aurora Cineplex and The Fringe Miniature Golf—5100 Commerce Parkway, Roswell. 770-518-0977. auroracineplex.com and a51fun.com.

By Robert Fezza and Steve Siders

How good is it to be average? Well, it depends. A batting average of .300 in the major leagues is good, but saving the employee average percentage into your employer’s 401k plan? Not so much. What about in the world of investing? Is earning the average investment return a good thing? As it turns out, it is!

But how often does the average return occur? The US stock market has delivered an average annual return of around 10% since 1926 (source: S&P Dow Jones Indices). But short-term results may vary, and in any given period stock returns can be positive, negative, or flat.

This is an important aspect to investing as it drives our expectations for future results. To broaden your understanding look at Exhibit 1 below. Do you see the range of historical outcomes experienced by investors? How often have the stock market’s annual returns actually aligned with its long-term average of about 10%?

As it turns out, not very often. Exhibit 1 shows calendar-year returns for the S&P 500 Index since 1926. The shaded band marks the historical average of 10%, plus or minus 2 percentage points. The S&P 500 Index had a return within this range in only six of the past 93 calendar years. In most years, the index’s return was outside of the range—often above or below by a wide margin—with no obvious pattern. For investors, the data highlights the importance of looking beyond average returns and being aware of the range of potential outcomes. This will help to properly manage your own expectations of future results. But remember – to earn the average return of about 10% you must remain invested throughout the whole time period.

It is important to have an investment philosophy. One that is disciplined and consistent so that you can stick with it through good and bad market results – this is paramount. Life is a journey. Navigate it wisely.

Robert Fezza, CFP® and Steve Siders, CFP® own Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors, 500 Sun Valley Drive, Suite A-6, Roswell, GA. Their firm specializes in working with people who are serious about making progress toward financial goals. Odyssey manages portfolios greater than $250,000. 770-992-4444, Visit their site at www.odysseypfa.comOdyssey. Securities offered through Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera entities are under separate ownership from any other named entity.

Current Hubville has progressed into a diverse Peruvian food—well, hub. There are at least three restaurants with distinct interpretations. Mambo’s Cafe is perhaps more renowned for Cuban food, but the seafood-heavy Peruvian segment of the menu is where I’ve gravitated towards for a dozen or so years, including their previous locale. Touched on in “Sound Bites” last month, the recently-debuted A-Pollo Taqueria also features a Mexican bill of fare with handmade tortillas. However, their specialty is Peruvian roasted chicken (pollo a la brasa).

Let’s home in on an eatery with a Roswell mailing address, located in East Cobb—The Freakin Incan. The cookery commenced as a food truck but now features two brick and mortar locations, the other in Tucker.

Born in Peru, chef/owner Mikiel Arnold’s family moved to the US when he was six. However, in fulfilling his culinary school graduation requirements, Arnold went back to Peru for an externship under Chef Gaston Acurio at Astrid y Gaston in Lima. It appears he was a learned apprentice.

The Freakin Incan boasts at last two standout cold appetizers that most Americans might associate with as generally served hot. The Instagram-friendly causa de camaron is as flavorsome as it is visually appealing. Mashed potatoes are enhanced with lemon juice, mayonnaise, and yellow chili paste. The taste and texture are almost perfectly balanced with dispersed, small chunks of avocado. Ensconced with shrimp, this dish is an excellent beginning to a multi-course night.

To the less adventurous Americans among you, don’t be dissuaded by the thought of cold mashed potatoes. You like potato salad, right? So, chill (pun intended). It’s a similar concept. A bit more avocado would have established the ideal counterbalance, but this is a highly recommended plate.

Is it possible for pico de gallo to be too good? The choros a la chalaca is another cold choice with black mussels topped with the previously stated salsa cruda. But the pico de gallo is so robust it obscures the shellfish. This die-hard carnivore will tell you it’s the salsa that is the most addicting component of this first course. For the most conventional state-siders among you, my wife and son enjoyed the chicken wings, made with the highest quality Springer Mountain chicken. I assure you, they’ve had chicken wings from most of the highly rated providers within 20 miles.

Onward to the entrees. The opposite of the robust pico de gallo mussels dish, the sudado de pescado has delicate, though highly productive flavors. Essentially a very well-stocked soup, steamed mahi-mahi has a subtly tasty aji infused mussel broth, completed with rice.

Need a little more punch? Try the seco de res, a stew with large chunks of cilantro CAB beef, delivered with trimmings of canary beans and rice. Don’t take those beans for granted. As good as any bean dish I’ve had, it perfectly rounded out the repast.

My shrimp-adoring daughter delighted in the shrimp tallarin saltado so much that she ordered it on a return visit. Faintly analogous to lo mein it consists of stir-fried noodles blended with grilled green onions, fresh tomatoes, and soy sauce. Chicken and angus beef are other protein alternatives in addition to my offspring’s beloved shrimp.

We finished off the meal with the uncomplicated but enjoyable alfajores, which is simply dulce de leche squeezed between two shortbread cookies.

Premiering his restaurant in 2015, Arnold moved the East Cobb/Roswell location to Woodstock Road and Sandy Plains in the Movie Tavern shopping center. Some will recall the unit as previously inhabited by Corner Pizza. The bright and casual establishment is family friendly. The craft beer list is relatively short, but impressive, loyal to the Georgia breweries.

Thus far, I’ve basked in a pleasurable medley of both moderately spicy and gentle, yet ambrosial dishes. Perhaps next excursion I will seek the Heritage Farm pork stew or maybe the Maple Leaf duck entree. I’m not sure, but what I am certain of is that a next time is required.

Sound Bites:

If you follow me (and why wouldn’t you) on Twitter @CalVulcan, you are aware of my adoration for all things Mitch’s Meats. The quality and quantity of soups headline the expansive inventory of reasons. I’ve consumed 55 or so different soups. But there are still a good dozen or so “Mitch’s quality” broths, pottages, stews, bisques, and chowders in Hubville. All three clam chowders at C&S Chowder House—Manhattan, New England, and Rhode Island—are sparkling examples. In the northernmost sector of Sandy Springs, Samad Mediterranean Grill and Market produces a wicket kibbey ball. Never Enough Thyme, which just opened up a second location, generates competition caliber Texas sirloin chili…

Taste… a Seasonal Bistro in Roswell has one of the least adventurous menus. Don’t discount it though. Best thing I’ve had here is the Friday special of shrimp and grits. That’s been taken up a notch with shrimp and chicken étouffée on grits. Also, the beef burgundy sandwich on baguette is worthwhile. The menu is safe as conceivable, but above average, with just-mentioned Friday special the shining city on a hill…

And another excellent addition for Alpharetta City Center. Ponce City Market import Botiwalla adds Indian to the “street food” craze that is overtaking Alpharetta. On my first tour, I had lamb boti kabab roll with masala smashed potatoes. The latter is served with a sweet and slightly hot Maggi catchup. It’s a little roomier than the big-city location…

Once upon a year or so ago, bride snatched takeout from the dinner offerings at Emidio’s, a venerable Portuguese restaurant in the northern tip of North Springs. The family approved of the takeaway chow. My fledgling expedition in the interior and also for the lunchtime menu was a triumphant one. Some of the most flavorful marinara sauce I’ve ever relished hoisted the Italian clams to elite status.

The francesinhas (“little Frenchie”) is one of the most ascendant open-faced sandwiches I’ve swallowed this side of The Brown Hotel in Louisville, home of the acclaimed hot brown. The creation has “bottom layer of bread, topped with linguiça, with a fried egg then covered with melted cheese in a creamy tomato and beef sauce accompanied with fries.” I crowned it with pork as alternatives were chicken and steak. It’s no shock this place has thrived for years in the extreme right corner of a shoddy shopping center abounding with vacant units. ❍

When he’s not eating, which is rare, the author is CEO of Sports Handicapping website Offshore Insiders. His bride’s gift site, Duffy Gifts is the place to go for gifts for all occasions from My Thirty One Gifts.