Around Towne
by Kara Kiefer

I love the month of June, and I know the kids do as well. It's the first "official" month of summer, with the longest day of the year occurring on June 21, the first day of summer. It's also the month we celebrate the dads in our lives 1 ours and our children's. On Father's Day, I will lavish two gifts upon my husband 1 one a material gift and the other the joy of spending the day with our two boys. After all, if it wasn't for them, he wouldn't be receiving the first gift. Come to think of it, Mother's Day was a bit like Father's Day as well. Because it was on Mother's Day, I got two gifts: one a material gift and the boys got to spend some quality time with their father. That's how it works. No matter the Day (Mother's or Father's), my husband always gets the bonus gift 1 a day with our precious boys.

What's New?

Eagle Drive will be closed from Rose Creek Drive to Putnam Ford Drive beginning on May 31 for approximately two months. The road will be closed for the reconstruction of the Eagle Drive and Putnam Ford Drive intersection. Eagle Drive will be open east of the detour to allow access to businesses on Eagle Drive.

The South Pointe shopping center has seen a lot of activity lately. Tuesday Morning recently opened in the space formerly occupied by Towne Lake Fitness. Soho Bagel Company will be opening their second location in the space formerly occupied by Sui Fung restaurant. New Creation Hair Salon, next to Johnny's Pizza, relocated to the Shoppes at Towne Lake (Publix shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway.)

April Kosbe, owner of the Salon at Towne Lake, soon will be opening her new studio, Halo. Halo will be located in The Club at Towne Lake fitness center. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (770) 592-9933.

Pizza Inn, located in the Phillips 66 convenience store at Towne Lake Parkway and I-575, recently opened. The eatery features fresh, personal or full sized pizzas homemade daily. They also serve breakfast, pastries, sandwiches, wings and more. Pizza Inn is open from 5 a.m. 1 midnight every day. For more information, please call (678) 445-6364.

Home Inventory Specialists recently opened in Towne Lake. The business, owned by Jennifer and Pat Marcotte, provides a confidential inventory of homeowner's valuables for insurance purposes. For more information, please call (770) 312-0749 or visit www.homeinventoryga.com.

The Woodstock Public Library celebrated the grand opening of it's new state-of-the-art facility, which features a reading area with coffee bar and fireplace. Stop by and be amazed!

What's Ongoing?

Streetside Developers have been busy at the northeast corner of Bells Ferry Road and Eagle Drive. Residents will notice a building being constructed on the north end. That will be home to a restaurant called "Up the Creek." It is described as an upscale Applebee's, with an emphasis on seafood. The 55,000 square foot strip center also will have four to five more restaurants including Bobby G's and Chilitoes Mexican Burritos and Wraps (Moe's-style restaurant). The decision hasn't been made regarding the other two possible eateries. The center also will be the home to a health club, Fitness 19 out of California, as well as a dry cleaner, nail salon and hair salon. The entire center is scheduled to be completed by this October.

A Fond Farewell

The TowneLaker would like to extend a special farewell to the Gagain family, Sue, Ed, Brendan and Jake. They are relocating to the Tampa area at the end of June. Sue has been a bright light in Towne Lake since moving here 11 years ago. She is a five year breast cancer survivor and through that trial, she founded the Towne Lake Breast Cancer Support Group. She has spent countless hours raising money for breast cancer research and was The TowneLaker's Pathfinder of the Month in October 2003. She also was an active volunteer at her children's' schools. Good Luck Gagain family! You will be missed!

Kara is the Editor of The TowneLaker magazine. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and their two sons Brandon and Garrett. Feel free to send your comments or questions to editor@townelaker.com.

Towne Lake Diner
Rainbow Asia

Asian restaurants are not uncommon. Most major strip malls will have one. What is unusual is to find one that offers Chinese, Thai and Japanese cuisine under one roof. Rainbow Asia, located in the Bridge Pointe Plaza shopping center on Sixes Road, offers delicious Asian cuisine and excellent service, all in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

When I first visited Rainbow Asia, I was in the mood for Chinese. I figured I would order my usual, General Tso's chicken, but when I browsed the menu, a whole new world of options opened up. Rainbow Asia offers Thai specialties such as Pad Thai, Panang with chicken or shrimp and Curry. Then there were the Japanese Hibachi Grill choices 1 chicken with vegetable, lobster tail with vegetable or teriyaki shrimp 1 too many choices to list. Chinese selections included all the traditional favorites as well as some very interesting specials, such as salt and pepper seafood, sizzling black pepper beef and Peking duck.

All three cuisine choices are available for lunch or dinner. For lunch, they have 33 Chinese lunch combo choices, 6 Thai and 12 Hibachi Grill selections. They are all very reasonably priced and freshly prepared, and the service is quick and efficient, which leaves enough time to enjoy a Bubble Tea. A "what?" you may ask? A Bubble Tea, or "fun in a cup" is a smoothie-type of drink in a variety of flavors such as mango, mocha, coconut and green tea latte to name a few. The "bubbles" are actually tapioca balls which add quite a unique texture to the drink. Definitely a "thumbs up" experience!

Rainbow Asia is owned and operated by Mariana Antonio and managed by her daughter, Linda Gan. They are excited about their new restaurant and have big plans for the patrons. "We are anxiously awaiting our wine/beer license as we'd like to hold some outdoor parties this summer on our new patio, which should be complete by July," said Linda. They have live music every Friday and Saturday. Linda also mentioned they have specials every night of the week, alternating between Chinese, Japanese and Thai delicacies.

Next time you're looking for a great Asian dining experience, try Rainbow Asia, and be sure you try a Bubble Tea!

Correction
In the May 2005 issue of The TowneLaker online, it was reported in the story titled "Lynn Laney - To Know Her Was To Love Her" that the Lynn Laney Medical Fund was an active fund continuing to solicit tax-deductible donations for the payment of medical expenses. Since Ms. Laney has passed away, The TowneLaker nor its affiliates, agents or employees has no knowledge as to the current status of either this fund or whether it is a tax-deductible fund recognized under the United States Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, The TowneLaker nor its affiliates, agents or employees has no knowledge as to the status of either the Geoffry Laney College Fund or whether it is a tax-deductible fund recognized under the United States Internal Revenue Code. The TowneLaker in no way is soliciting nor should it be construed that The TowneLaker endorses solicitation of funds for either of these funds.