The Top Weight Loss Clinic in Cooks Crossing, GA

Christian Fuller

BBC News, South East

A man who ran the length of Africa has announced his next challenge – running the London Marathon.

After complications with visas, health scares, geopolitical issues and an armed robbery, Russell Cook, nicknamed “Hardest Geezer”, crossed the finish line in Tunisia on 7 April after 352 days.

The 27-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, has raised more than £944,000 ($1.17m) for charity.

Less than two weeks after finishing the mammoth challenge, Mr Cook said he will be helping to pace younger participants at the London Marathon.

Speaking on JaackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast, he said participating in the event on Sunday as part of his work with The Running Charity would help him keep his body “ticking over” while he plans his future.

“In terms of my next big challenge, it’s going to be a hard one to top. And I don’t really want to be away for another year,” he said.

“There are a few young people running, so I’m going to pace someone if they want to do a sub four-hour or something. But I ain’t got a fast one in me, I won’t lie.”

Mr Cook also announced he will be taking part in the Sahara Marathon next year.

Mr Cook’s extreme challenge began at South Africa's most southerly point on 22 April 2023, and finished more than 10,190 miles (16,400km) north in Tunisia.

He had originally planned to complete the equivalent of 360 marathons in 240 days but extended the challenge due to complications.

Before he set off, he said he hoped to look back at his life and have no regrets after admitting to struggling with his mental health, gambling and drinking.

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Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, released new photography of Notion, a mid-rise apartment community located outside of Atlanta in Decatur, Ga. MCA designed more than 8,000 sf of interior and exterior amenity space at Notion, which celebrated its grand opening earlier this spring.

Located at 125 N. Arcadia Ave., Notion is part of the larger Sam’s Crossing Village mixed-use development, which includes 12,000 sf of retail anchored by a Publix grocery store. The community’s 290 upscale apartment residences include studios, one- and two-bedroom units.

Mary Cook Associates-designed interiors with coffee shop atmosphere

The design team at MCA worked closely with developer Toll Brothers Apartment Living and design architect Dwell Design Studio to develop an interior concept for Notion inspired by Decatur’s tree-lined streets, boutique retail and vibrant restaurant and coffee shop scene. Notion features a mix of contemporary furnishings, inviting textures, curated accessories and artwork—including a colorful branded wall made up of repurposed book spines—and three separate coffee bars to accentuate the coffeehouse atmosphere.

“The unique makeup of downtown Decatur presented our design team with an opportunity to create a living environment that mirrors the eclectic energy of the neighborhood while speaking to the sophistication and active lifestyle of today's renters,” said Mary Cook, president and found of Mary Cook Associates. “MCA’s researched design approach is guided by our deep understanding of the psychographics—the values, attitudes, interests, lifestyles and aspirations—of the end-users, allowing our team to execute aesthetically pleasing and high-performing spaces that foster creative expression, productivity and social engagement among residents.”

Notion incorporates high-end design elements that provide optimal functionality in its common areas, such as a hospitality-inspired lobby lounge and mailroom; expansive co-working space featuring communal and private workstations; a well-appointed exhibition kitchen and adjacent library lounge; and a 24-hour gaming lounge offering billiards, a beverage hub with beer and wine on tap, and a variety of seating options.

Additional amenities include a resort-style pool with cabanas; a landscaped courtyard with grills and lawn games; a dog park and “paw-spa;” a self-serve bicycle shop and storage area; and a club-quality fitness center with state-of-the-art machines for cardio and weight training, a fitness-on-demand studio and WellBeats for HIIT.

“It was important to understand what motivates residents and how they can interact with the spaces,” noted Cook. “Our research showed residents value functionality, flexibility and productivity, so we designed the common areas to support a variety of activities, and also transition seamlessly from day to night use. The end result provides multiple opportunities for residents to gather, converse, read, peruse social media, enjoy a beverage and collaborate on professional work.”

According to Cook, the holistic and site-specific interior design approach at Notion contributed to the community outperforming original leasing projections, quickly approaching full capacity following its grand opening. Notion represents the latest partnership between Mary Cook Associates and Toll Brothers Apartment Living and the second Atlanta-area collaboration between the two firms, following the completion of Oleander in Brookhaven in 2019.

About Mary Cook AssociatesEstablished in 1986, Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a fully integrated interior architecture and design firm nationally known for creating innovative interiors for leading owners and developers of real estate. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants, and hospitality environments. MCA’s work emphasizes functionality, showcases possibilities, and delivers a measurable Return on Environment (ROE℠). MCA’s team includes more than two dozen designers and architects that are strategic, imaginative and skilled at designing a wide variety of spaces that respond to demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. Smart, functional spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and boost Living Better by Design℠, increase property value, and accelerate sales and occupancy rates are the hallmarks of the results MCA consistently achieves. In its 36th year, the firm continues to expand its national presence with award-winning work across the country.

Earlier this month, the City of New York broke ground on the new $18.2 million Marlboro Agricultural Education Center (MAEC) at the New York City Housing Authority’s Marlboro Houses in Brooklyn. In line with the mission of its nonprofit operator, The Campaign Against Hunger, MAEC aims to strengthen food autonomy and security in underserved neighborhoods. MAEC will provide Marlboro Houses with diverse, community-oriented programs.

SOM unveils ‘branching’ structural design for new Satellite Concourse 1 at O’Hare Airport

The Chicago Department of Aviation has revealed the design for Satellite Concourse 1 at O’Hare International Airport, one of the nation’s business airports. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup, the concourse will be the first new building in the Terminal Area Program, the largest concourse area expansion and revitalization in the airport’s almost seven-decade history.

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New York’s office to residential conversion program draws interest from 64 owners

New York City’s Office Conversion Accelerator Program has been contacted by the owners of 64 commercial buildings interested in converting their properties to residential use.

On December 11, Blackwell Auctions will offer a Walther P-38 pistol, taken from a German soldier by American paratrooper MAJ Julian Aaron Cook during the doomed 1944 Allied offensive, codenamed Operation Market Garden. Cook, who was portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1977 movie, A Bridge Too Far, was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism and knighted by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

“It’s an honor to handle the sale of such a significant piece of military history,” said Edwin Bailey of Blackwell. “Major Cook’s crossing of the Waal River represented arguably the only fully successful aspect of Operation Market Garden.”

As with any item of historical importance, irrefutable provenance is key.

“Without provenance, this would be just another Walther P-38,” Bailey said. “But we could scarcely have more solid proof of authenticity.”

The consignor, who has been deeply involved with veterans affairs since the early 1970s, made certain that Cook and his family were given VIP treatment for the premiere of the movie, A Bridge Too Far. As a token of thanks, Cook gave him the Walther. Included with the pistol is a framed note from Cook to the consignor which reads, in part: “As a memento of that event [the movie premiere], please accept this P-38 pistol which I took from a German officer during the course of that operation.” Also included is a copy of the Bridge Too Far book, signed by Cook and inscribed to the consignor. And, finally, the auction lot includes a candid photograph of Cook presenting the pistol to the consignor, who’s holding the holster.

“It’s not often that we’re able to offer a piece this important with provenance this absolute,” Bailey stated. “I’m not sure it could possibly be improved upon.”

Outstanding provenance accompanies the piece, including a personal letter, signed by Cook, stating when and where the pistol was acquired.

Important WWII pistol, captured by Bridge Too Far war hero, to be sold at Blackwell Auctions on December 11, 2021. MAJ Julian Aaron Cook, recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during Operation Market Garden in 1944, took this Walther P-38 from a German officer during the course of the ill-fated invasion. Cook, portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1977 movie, was involved in one of the only successful actions of the entire operation.

Additional WWII pieces in the sale include a document signed by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, a German Luger pistol, several WWII-era edged weapons, and more.

For additional information, visit www.blackwellauctions.com or contact Edwin Bailey at 727-546-0200. Bidding is available online through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Bidsquare, Proxibid and HiBid, as well as absentee and by phone.

Nintendo's last major free content update to Animal Crossing: New Horizons has officially dropped — and with is comes a new cooking update, giving you the option to cook new recipes with ingredients you can harvest right on your island. But how do you cook? Here's everything you need to know about how to cook with the new update.

Where to find recipes in 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons.'

Before you can begin collecting recipes, you'll have to upgrade your Nook Phone at the kiosk in Resident Services. Purchase the "Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+" pack for 2,000 Nook Miles to upgrade your phone to support recipes. This bundle also comes with eight cooking recipes to get you started.

From there, you can start expanding your collection of recipes. You can buy a starter pack of recipes at Nook's Cranny; the Basic Cooking Recipes pack is 4,980 Bells and gives you eight more recipes.

From here, you acquire new cooking recipes like you do new DIY recipes. Every day, you can find a bottle on the beach with either a DIY recipe or a cooking recipe in it. You can also go into different villagers homes to greet them, and there's a chance that instead of finding them at a DIY workbench you'll find them at a kitchen.

If you walk in on a villager cooking, interact with them like you would when they're crafting to learn whatever recipe they're making.

You can also come up with new cooking recipes on your own as you fish and gather ingredients in your daily tasks, just as you would with DIY recipes when collecting items around your island. Some balloons that float over your island will also have cooking recipes in them.

At this time, there are 35 recipes you can find in-game. It's unclear if more will be added in future updates, since Nintendo made it clear the 2.0 update is its last major free update.

How to cook in 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons.'

Cooking is actually super simple to do in Animal Crossing. To start, you'll want to be sure that you have all of the ingredients for the recipe you're looking to make.

To do this, open your DIY app on your phone and look at the recipe you're looking to craft. Gather the ingredients. A lot of recipes require the new crops added to the game in the 2.0 update, so you will either have to buy the crops from Leif or get them from an island on a tour from Kapp'n.

Once you have all of the ingredients, you can make food at any kitchen setup you have in your home. If you don't already have one, the Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+ comes with a DIY for a stonework kitchen, giving you a way to cook.

Make sure you have all of the ingredients you need in your pocket when you walk up to the kitchen and interact with it. Select the recipe you want to make and you'll cook it up like you do any regular DIY recipe.

Eating any of the recipes you make gives you the power to break multiple rocks or dig up multiple trees, like eating fruit does. You can also gift these dishes to your villagers, like you can other food items.

It may not sound like an honor to be called a terrible cook, but McKayla Carter from Blackshear, Georgia, is running with it.

Season 21 of “Worst Cooks in America” premieres on Food Network on Sunday, and Carter will be one of the 14 contestants learning how to go from culinary disaster to culinary master.

For those unfamiliar with the show, two chefs, Carla Hall and Anne Burrell, form teams of “terrible cooks.” Each team goes through a boot camp of themed challenges with the hopes of being the final contestant left to claim the $25,000 grand prize, and hopefully, better cooking skills.

Carter said that she was thrilled to be chosen to compete, but it wasn’t her initial idea.

“My sister and my mom always watch the show,” said Carter. “They were like, McKayla, you definitely need to apply to the show.”

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Carter laughed at their suggestion, but applied anyway.

“I tried to cook something and completely ruined it, and it crossed my mind. Maybe I should give this whole ‘Worst Cooks in America’ a chance.

“And then [the show] called me and I was like, oh, crap, it's really going to happen.”

Carter, of course, wasn’t allowed to say much about her filming experience, though it was obvious from her tone that she’s excited to be part of the new season.

She’s no stranger to film sets since she’s been an extra on projects like “Bad Boys for Life” and “Legacies,” but filming for a competition show is a little different.

“There's a lot more cameras.”

Carter said filming for “Worst Cooks in America” made her more conscious of what her face was doing while she was trying to cook.

“I talk out of my face. You can just see how I'm feeling with my face. Sometimes I would just forget I'm on camera, and then I would make the most ridiculous face.”

Regardless of what her facial expressions say about her experience, it will be fun to cheer on Carter.

WHAT: McKayla Carter on "Worst Cooks in America"

WHEN: Sunday at 9 p.m.

WHERE: Food Network, channel 1484 on Xfinity

INFO: foodnetwork.com/shows/worst-cooks-in-america