Fall Singles and Doubles Tournament of Champions is set
Everyone, mark your calendars for the weekend of December 2 - 3.
The biggest Visionary Tournament of Champions ever comes to Bitsy Grant Tennis Center and North Fulton Tennis Center. Free prizes, raffles, and giveaways throughout the weekend.
Semifinals begin at 9:00 am Saturday at historic Bitsy Grant Tennis Center.
Finals begin at 11:00 am Sunday at North Fulton Tennis Center.
Doubles draws will be posted online on November 15.
Singles draws will be posted online on November 27.
Everyone is invited for a weekend of fun!
Visionary Tennis welcomes presenting sponsor for 2007
Thank you to founder Michael Higgins and his entire Clear Choice staff for their gracious support.
Visionary Tennis is proud to introduce Clear Choice Telephones, Inc as our presenting sponsor for 2007. We are excited to add a company with such a rich tennis history to our banner.
| |
From Clear Choice Telephones:
Dear VISIONS Readers,
Clear Choice Telephones, Inc, a provider of business phone systems, local phone service, and wiring, is proud to be the Name Sponsor for Visionary Tennis.
Our tennis heritage goes back over eleven years. In the early years the founder of Clear Choice Telephones, Michael Higgins, relied on revenue from night time tennis lessons to fund the start up of the company. Our involvement with tennis took another giant step in 2004 with the addition of Paul Mancini to our sales staff.
Clear Choice Telephones, Inc., has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
Today we have over 700 customers spread out over 30 states. We are one of the four largest dealers in the country for ESI phone systems and are currently the largest dealer in the Southeast for Cbeyond Communications.
Clear Choice Telephones can help small and medium sized business owners several ways. First and foremost Clear Choice can help business owners with purchasing a new phone system. The ESI phone system is simply the best bargain on the market. It also has features not available in any other phone system. We will gladly do a live demo at a customer’s site.
Secondly, Clear Choice can do service work or train on a large variety of phone systems.
We also have a technician in house 10 hours a day. Often he can dial into a phone system and solve the problem at ½ the cost of sending a technician to a site.
Lastly, we are experts at helping customers reduce their phone bills. In the past 5 years our dial tone department has never had a phone bill they could not reduce.
There is no charge for this service.
For information on Sales Please call Paul Mancini at 678-387-3200.
For Service please call 770-255-3333 and press 1. Or visit our web site at www.clearchoiceinc.com. |
|
Summer Singles Tournament of Champions “Really Big Trophy” winners:
On Saturday November 4th, bountiful sunshine and cool temperatures greeted the final 44 singles players at historic Bitsy Grant Tennis Center for an exciting day of tennis. The following champions were crowned:
| Women's 4.5+ |
|
Cee Jai Jones |
|
Men's 5.0 |
|
Jubril Braimah |
| Women's 4.0 |
Katie Soskin |
Men's 4.5 |
Jeff Wahrer |
| Women's 3.5 |
Nina Murari |
Men's 4.0 |
Kevin Switzer |
| Women's 3.0 |
Cheris Craig |
Men's 3.5 |
Sergey Senatorov |
| Women's 2.5 |
Janice Ockerman |
Men's 3.0 |
Paul Marino |
| |
|
Men's 2.5 |
Chris Wooldridge |
For a full list of all Summer trophy winners or to see the final draws, visit the Tournament of Champions area at www.VisionaryTennis.com.
Thanks to all who came out to Bitsy Grant Tennis Center to play and watch this EXCITING event.
A special thanks to our Summer Tournament sponsors — Dick's Sporting Goods, I Play Tennis, and the wonderful staff at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center.
| |
Registration for next season!
Online registration for both Singles and Doubles will open on December 1st at www.visionarytennis.com.
Leagues will start on the 1st of February.
Earlybird phone registration is currently open at 866-200-1812. |
|
|
|
| MiMi Cain, editor |
 |
|
|
 |
This month’s contributors:
Paul Albrecht
Jim Heinz
Carolyn O'Neil
|
| |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Our Partners, Sponsors and Supporters
Nothing of real value can be accomplished all alone — it takes the hard work and support of many! Visionary Tennis would like to extend warm thanks to all those who have helped us turn the vision of America's most exciting tennis leagues into reality. |
|
|
| |
Advertise in VISIONS!
Reach a wider audience of tennis players and fans through this newsletter! Visionary Tennis welcomes all inquiries and will help style your promotion to best suit your needs. For more information, please contact Mimi Cain at 770-329-1219, or email mimi1951@comcast.net. |
| Back to top |
|
|
Message from the Editor
Can you believe we just had another Tournament of Champions? Visionary Tennis IS a reality AND a very successful one. The weather cooperated and a good time was had by all! Winners and runners up, you’re all champions in my book. Great job!
Moving forward into the 2006 Holiday season ...
Radio stations have started playing the carols (ouch). Stores are decked out in their Holiday finest. And it’s time to give some thought about what to buy our loved ones. Visionary Tennis sponsors (right above this article)) are offering some wonderful Holiday gift suggestions. From PTA to Fly-Away, Jet Tennis is offering the ultimate day trip for all you tennis enthusiasts.
Or why not pamper yourself and a friend with a trip to the Natural Body Spa. After those long hours on the courts, one can nearly have visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads while having a massage and/or manicure/pedicure.
And for the Ultimate Sports Junkie, Dick’s Sporting Goods is one-stop shopping. What a time saver!
Still can’t find the right gift? How about a gift certificate to dinner at the Forum in Norcross. Mambo Italiano and the Fishbone Grill are highly recommended. For more information on any of these recommendations, just click on the links.
As the weather turns cool (OK, cold) remember to bundle up, drink lots of water, stay hydrated, warm up before all your matches (I sound like my Mother — but she WAS always right) and just remember: work hard ... play hard ... and just have fun!
MiMi Cain
VISIONS Editor
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lifestyle & Leisure
Healthy Eating Out in Atlanta — Convenience store snacks aren’t necessarily bad
Story by Carolyn O'Neil, as told in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's “Better Health” section.
As the weather gets cooler and the night comes sooner and the leaves start to turn, it seems to signal a change in our appetite. Menus feature heartier soups and stews, and the chilled dishes of summer go out of style like white shoes after Labor Day.
Soups are a year-round thing, of course. But falling temperatures often mean a rise in soup pots on the stove to help warm us from the inside out. Soups have long been associated with stick-to-your-ribs, good-for-what-ails-you nourishment. But if your top health concern is weight control and keeping your cholesterol in check, there are a few guidelines to follow when choosing what to ladle into your bowl.
Did you know that eating more of the right kinds of soup can help you lose weight? Dr. Barbara Rolls, a weight control researcher at Pennsylvania State University and author of "The Volumetrics Eating Plan," found that eating soup as a first course helped study participants lose weight because they consumed fewer calories in the rest of the meal.
That doesn't mean you can gorge on New England clam chowder made with heavy cream. The broth-based soups study participants consumed, even though they were lower in fat and calories than other food choices, helped to increase feelings of satiety. Rolls' theory is that the more water a food contains, the fuller we feel. "If you don't like soup, start your meal with a salad, a piece of fruit or a glass of vegetable juice," she says.
And the lower the energy density of a food (its concentration of fat and calories), the more we can eat. Two hundred calories will buy you just 1 cup of cream of broccoli soup with cheese. The same number of calories will get you 2 1/2 cups of vegetable soup with beef broth. Enjoy this calorie-reduced soup recipe:
Recipe of the Month: Cheddar & Beer Potato Soup — makes 8 servings
 |
2 medium leeks (white & pale green parts only), cut into ¼ inch dice (~ 2 cups) |
| 1 tbsp. canola oil |
| 3 celery ribs, diced (~ 1½ cups) |
| 2 tsp. minced or crushed garlic |
| 1/3 cup flour |
| 2 cups fat-free or low-fat milk |
| 1¾ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth |
| 1 12-ounce bottle non-alcoholic amber-type beer (regular beer can also be used) |
| 1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce |
| 1 tbsp. dry mustard |
| ½ tsp. salt (optional) |
| ¼ tsp. black pepper |
| 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese |
| 2 large potatoes, cooked and diced |
| |
| GARNISH |
| 4 slices cooked turkey bacon, crumbled |
| chopped green onion |
| |
| Put leeks in a colander; rinse and drain well. |
| Add oil to a large non-stick saucepan, heat over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, garlic and sauté. Stir occasionally until veggies are lightly cooked, ~ 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low. |
| Quickly add flour & 2/3 cup of half & half or milk to a 2-cup measure and stir to blend well. Whisk in the remaining milk. Pour immediately into the saucepan with leeks and whisk in the broth and beer. Cook, whisking occasionally for about 5 minutes. |
| Stir in Worchestshire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper. Add in the cheese and diced potatoes stirring constantly until cheese is nicely melted (about 2 minutes). Make sure soup doesn't boil. |
| Ladle into 8 serving bowls or cups. Garnish with bacon and/or chopped green onions before serving. |
| |
| Per serving: only 296 calories |
Carolyn O'Neil is a registered dietician and former CNN Food & Health correspondent, and co-author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous. Check out more tips and recipes on her website: www.dishdivas.com.
|
 |
|
Chef of the Month — Paul Albrecht — Paul’s Restaurant
'A passion for tennis and cooking ... cooking and tennis.'
This seems to be a theme with many Atlanta-area chefs, but November's Chef of the Month, Paul Albrecht, is more than that. He is a world-renowned chef known for his culinary talents, most recently at Spice Restaurant in Midtown.
Paul grew up in a resort area near Munich, Germany. His love of the game began as a ballboy at a Bavarian Alps resort. All the club players quickly recognized Paul's quickness on the court and his enthusiasm for the game which made him their number one choice when they played.
Many years later, in 1968, Paul came to the United States. Now 45 years young, Chef Paul started opening new restaurants every three years for the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. The toll of working 16-hour days left little time for family and fitness. On a suggestion from his doctor, Chef Paul re-emerged in the game he so loved as a little boy in Germany. He could trade his culinary delights for tennis lessons, and would play during mid-afternoons at courts near his restaurants.
Chef Paul has had the privilege of playing with and against such top players as Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, and entertained John McEnroe, Mats Wilander and Stephen Edberg. He also generously donates his time to local charity events, including Brian Vahaly's Brighter Future Foundation.
Today you can find Chef Paul doing what he does best: cooking at his newly opened restaurant, Paul’s, located at 10 Kings Circle in Atlanta (404-231-4113). Come see why so many locals will wait an hour for a table just to sample some of his fare (like his famous Fried Lobster Tails).
Geniessen Sie!
|
Restaurant of the Month — Paul’s
 IF YOU'RE A native Atlantan of a certain age (and there are fewer and fewer of us), you've probably dined at Pano's and Paul's. For nearly three decades, this restaurant has been on the Continental-loving crowd's A-list for special occasions, even when the occasion was special simply because it was Friday after 5.
The dynamic duo of Pano Karatassos and Paul Albrecht has become legend here, even though the two parted company almost 10 years ago. Today, Paul has his own restaurant, appropriately named "PAUL'S" . When another legendary Atlanta restaurant, Philippe's, closed, Albrecht left Spice and moved in, with an official opening last November 2005.
And for the swinging, Rat-Pack-worshipping crowd that digs Albrecht's signature fried lobster tails and veal chop, life couldn't be better: Shady Lain is tinkling the keys on his vibraphone (which is a little like a cross between a xylophone and a glockenspiel), drinks are being poured at the bar, and there's even sushi.
Frying is apparently something Albrecht likes to do, and his signature fried lobster tails are just as plump, juicy and crispy here as they ever were. He also wins with fried oysters. and offers a varied Vegetarian menu. Albrecht, along with sons Chris and Patrick, is forever present, working the dining room the way Sinatra worked the Sands. And the crowds love him. His mix of music, familiar food and hospitality is like a mini-cruise getaway.
Now Open for Lunch Monday through Saturday 11:30 to 3:00. Dinners are served Sunday through Thursday 5-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 5-11pm. Don't forget to join Paul and Company for a luscious Sunday Brunch 11 to 3pm. On Sundays, every bottle of wine on the list is half off.
10 King’s Circle, Atlanta, 404-231-4113 |
| Back to top |
|
|
Your Health with Dr. Jim Heinz
After an Injury — It’s Time for a Change |
|
 It seems that as we get older, things take longer to mend. For some the rehab can be long and drawn out. For others it seems the problem never quite goes away.
I started playing tennis in 1971 with a $15.00 Jack Kramer autograph wooden racquet. After college, I took a brief (28 year) break from tennis. When I returned to the game, things had changed - quite a bit. Racquets were different. The strokes weren't the same as those of Laver and McEnroe in the Early 70's and 80's. When I tried to play the game I had learned as a 16 year-old, my pushing 50-something body would have nothing to do with it. The price for my antique game was a very painful shoulder. I thought I'd have to give up tennis again.
Fortunately I met a great coach who helped me bring my game into the era of Federer, Blake, and Nadal. He told me, "When you do it right - it will feel effortless." |
| |
Effortless means there is very little stress being placed on your body. Effortless means that you are saving energy that you may need later in a long match. Effortless means there is less chance of re-injury. But getting to the point where it feels effortless may take some work as well as someone to help point out what needs to be changed.
So if you've had an injury, it's a good time to re-examine your biomechanics to see if you are doing things properly. Many people work through a long rehab only to re-injure the area again because they aren't using proper technique.
Find a good coach and improve your technique as you rehab. It'll make your game better and reduce the chance of injury in the future.
See you on the courts!
Dr. Jim Heinz, D.C.
Family Chiropractic Group
1376 Church Street
Decatur, GA
404-377-3377
heinzjim@bellsouth.net
A massage makes a great gift. Call Eileen Steil at 678-231-2619 to schedule a special treat for a loved one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Charity Update
Phil Keaggy Live Sponsorships
The board of Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc. is pleased to announce that their Second Annual “Boot Scootin’ Barn Raiser” will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2006 in the Entertainment Building at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. We hope that you will be able to join us this year for an evening of good eats, good music and a “Denim to Diamonds” good time.
Proceeds will provide much needed education, skills training, therapy and equipment for Georgia’s medically fragile children. Dream House is dedicated to increase opportunities for medically fragile children to live in a stable, permanent home environment through the development of support resources and programs, which increase the number of families and communities prepared to care for them.
For more information, contact Jeff Jansma or Beverly Wylie at Dream House (770-717-7410) or visit www.dreamhouseforkids.org.
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Last Word...
|
|
Somewhere along the path of ‘growing up’, the essence of play becomes more and more elusive, like a dream’s receding memory. Many of us give in and allow the sheer fun of life to be discredited, forced to cower behind a wall of ‘reasonable expectations’.
But once in awhile, something rekindles that spark, awakens that child to come out and play.
It is that moment that gives us all hope.
Visionary Tennis is all about that moment, and about bringing it back to you again and again and again. We want you to play. We want to remind you that ‘playing tennis’ really is just that. It’s not a job, it’s not a discipline —
it’s a game.
 |
|
| Know anybody else who’s into sports as much as you? Why not forward VISIONS to them and spread the word! |
| Back to top |
VISIONS is the official newsletter of Visionary Tennis, and is published on the first Friday of every month.
All written content © Visionary Tennis Inc., 2006. No part of this work may be copied without the express permission of Visionary Tennis.
You may unsubscribe from the VISIONS newsletter here. |
| |
|
|
