COVER STORY

Georgia’s Winning Wines
By Krista Reese
The state’s burgeoning wine industry is producing a surprising array of reds, whites, pinks and dessert wines, as reflected in the results of Georgia Trend’s inaugural tasting of Georgia wines.

ABOUT THE COVER: Distinguished Georgia artist Thomas Arvid, left, created the oil painting, A Little Southern Charm, especially for this issue of Georgia Trend (Copyright © 2007 Thomas Arvid Fine Art, Inc. Reproduced with permission. www.thomasarvid.com). The work features the four wines that were the winners in the magazine’s wine tasting. Arvid, who is nationally and internationally knownfor his iconic portrayals of the wine experience, works in Acworth, where he lives with his wife Vanessa and their two sons. More of Arvid’s work can be viewed at www.thomasarvid.com.

FEATURES

Lights, Camera, Kudzu
By Jerry Grillo
It’s been more than 30 years since Deliverance jump-started Georgia’s film industry, and now movies, TV, commercials and videos have a $450-million impact on the state’s economy. But the competition is fierce, especially from other Southern states ready for their close-ups.

Big Banking Presence
Susan Percy
Wachovia’s Bill Liginfelter says his bank’s size and structure is a plus, when it comes to customer service and community involvement. As chairman-elect of the Metro Atlanta chamber, he’ll be tackling some tough transportation problems.

Healing Hearts
By Jerry Grillo
Angioplasty, once performed only at hospitals with onsite cardiac surgery capabilities, is now available at 10 smaller community institutions in Georgia, thanks to a ground-breaking study.

How Sweet The Sound
By Jerry Grillo
Hometown music festivals around the state draw legions of fans who come with lawn chairs to sit in and cash to spend. The celebrations combine culture, commerce and civic pride. There’s often a charitable cause and always a good time.

Big Banking Presence
By Susan Percy
Wachovia’s Bill Liginfelter says his bank’s size and structure is a plus, when it comes to customer service and community involvement. As chairman-elect of the Metro Atlanta chamber, he’ll be tackling some tough transportation problems.

OUR STATE

Dalton/Whitfield County: A Changing Community
Embracing new industry and new culture
Plus, Dalton/Whitfield County At-A-Glance
By Randy Southerland

Augusta/Richmond County: Military Industrial Complex
Fort Gordon’s expansion may bring new business to town
Plus, Augusta/Richmond County At-A-Glance
By Ed Lightsey

Gwinnett County: Promising Partnership
A public-private initiative seeks to create jobs and wealth
Plus, Gwinnett County At-A-Glance
By Katheryn Hayes Tucker

DEPARTMENTS

Ben Massell Dental Clinic
By Kenna Simmons

The GreenRoom
By Ben Young

Political RoundUp
By Tom Crawford

Neely Young: Great Coaches, Great Lessons
Some of Georgia’s best coaches – Doc Ayers, Escue Rogers, Wright Bazemore and Vince Dooley among them – have excelled at teaching lessons that apply to life off the field.

Business Casual: Gray Matters
By Susan Percy
So, the demand for older workers is going up, and gray is the new green? Experience and maturity are the new watchwords? We’ll see about that.

Guest Commentary: Transportation For The Future
By Steve Davis
A legislator argues in favor of more toll roads and streamlining local and state agencies involved in planning.

State Of The Economy: Too Quiet On The Homefront
By Jeffrey Humphreys
Few if any of Georgia’s single-family housing markets are dodging the recession, but the turnaround in new home construction should begin in the second quarter of 2008.

Profile: Engineering The Future
By Patty Rasmussen
ARCADIS’ Wassim Selman draws on past service to solve tomorrow’s problems

Legends: Winner's Circle
By Gene Asher
The Gulletts have been showing horses and winning blue ribbons for 40 years

Art Of The Meal: Capital View
By Krista Reese
How much you like Capital Grille might depend on what you’re looking for. But its entrees, including the Delmonico steak, are outstanding.

Politics: Life Without Grady
By Tom Crawford
If political leaders in Fulton and DeKalb won’t make the governance changes that Grady Memorial Hospital needs, then the General Assembly should put it under control of a state authority.