WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
1
Contents
April 2015
Volume 2 | Issue 9
24-25 On the Cover:
Pro Roofing Painting, Gutters & Siding
40-41
Traveling with Your Pets
[24-25]
[40-41] 2
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
04
.......................... Perspective
06
............................. Calendar
10
....................... Business Life
12
................... Senator Speaks
14
.................... Mayor’s Minute
22
....................... Scoop of Life
27
............. Community Partners
30
......................... Artist Profile
39
........................ Book Review
46
............................. Chamber
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
3
Publisher’sPerspective
PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Cherryl Greenman Editor@FamilyLifePublications.com ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com
H
as anyone noticed recently a decline in the quantity of drama since the last time you checked? I must say that I’ve found a little hope since I quit making marks on yesterday’s calendar. It’s come to my attention that the day flows better when it starts fresh, clean and new. Waking up may not be the favorite part of your day, but we all do if we’re inclined to and allowed the opportunity. We may or may not wake to fortune, good looks or fame, but we all wake by grace — we awaken to a new beginning and a new set of circumstances that no doubt fall into place. As days pass in the dusk, regardless of daylight savings, time zones or latitudes, each of us will become not a sum of an array of simple circumstances that we surely will find ourselves in, but divided or multiplied by our individual reactions to each of them. “We are either in the process of denying God’s will or in the process of being shaped and molded by it.” — Charles Stanley Our attitude and the choices we make within the given allotment of those circumstances is how we will perceive and thereby define our individual happiness. If we can find a way to acknowledge that the hand we’ve been dealt are the cards we have to play, and then do the best we can to make the right choice; that’s something to be happy about. When given the chance to make a little happiness, create some comfort or peace for someone; I hope I find the courage — and look forward to seeing their life change for the better, even if only by one shared smile.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Laura Biel, Mayor Mike Bodker, Kathleen Boehmig, Michael Buckner, Crystal Bryant, Michael Consoli, Lisa Ethridge, Susan Gillespie, Catherine Groves, Fred Hawkins, Kevin Head, Heike Hellmann-Brown, Travis Jones, Michelle Knapp, Michelle Kraft, Amanda Kossick, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Luis Quiles, Debra Robinson, Suzanne Taylor, Mark Tolbert, Keely Woodford
Family Life Publishing Group Inc. 150 North Street, Suite A Canton, GA 30114
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com FamilyLifePublications North Fulton Family Life welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. North Fulton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission from the Publisher. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.
Ple
as
e r ec y c le
Jack Tuszynski, publisher
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
m ag a zi
n
th
is
4
e
© 2015 All rights reserved.
Electrical Safety &
Sm ke Alarms By Fred Hawkins Electrical accidents and fires cause millions of dollars of damage to homes each year. These tragedies often result from improper installation, electrical systems that have not been maintained, and corrosive or outdated wiring. Almost two-thirds of home-fire deaths in 2005-2009 resulted from fires in homes either without a smoke alarm or with non-working smoke alarms. Your smoke alarm should be replaced every
8 to 10 years. In addition, smoke-alarm batteries should be replaced each year, and the entire system should be checked to make sure the alarms are working properly. Typically, smoke alarms fail because batteries are missing, are disconnected or are dead; in fact, almost one-quarter of smoke-alarm failures are due to dead batteries. Teach your kids the sound a smoke alarm makes and what to do when they hear that sound. The electrical industry is constantly improving with new codes to make your home safer for you and your family. Arch fault breakers are designed to stop electrical problems and fires — from a staple or nail in a wire to a bad ceiling fan. They are designed to trip as soon as they detect an arch, usually sooner than conventional breakers. This may eliminate a problem in your wall and decrease the chance of fire. GFI receptacles lessen the chance of electrical shock from a wet location while using an electrical device. Tamper-proof
outlets prevent children from inserting metal objects into outlets, which may cause electrical shock. CO2 detectors and smoke CO2 combo units are required in all new homes today. CO2 detectors save lives from CO2 leaks commonly caused by bad vent pipes in water heaters and furnaces. Every house should have at least one CO2 detector on the main floor and near bedrooms. With homeowner education, improved safety standards and programs like a Home Protection Plan — a contract that offers service at a discounted rate — homes are being protected and lives are being saved. Have your home or business checked by a professional electrician each year to protect your family and pets.
Fred Hawkins is owner of H&H Electric and Security LLC. 770-735-1136, MyAtlantaElectrician.net
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
5
Calendar APRIL
4
Taste of Forsyth — The City of Cumming will bring “Taste of Forsyth” and Easter Egg Hunt back to the Cumming Fairgrounds. Admission is free and samples may be purchased from $1.00 up to $4.00. More than 25 restaurants will tempt your taste buds and fill your sense. 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Cumming Fairgrounds. 770-423-1330, PJEzerinac@ IRMManagement.com
4
Farm Day — Earth Day Kids Fest Celebration of Earth month, market place with emphasis on farm to table movement and Unity Garden which provides produce for NFCC. 10:00 a.m.3:00 p.m. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell
7
Theatre Night 2015 — The Roswell Historical Society will host this event which will include heavy hors d’oeuvres served with a silent auction in the RHS office to benefit the Roswell Historical Society. 5:30-7:00 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dress rehearsal. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 404992-1665
11-20
First Annual Roswell Azalea Festival Events will take place throughout
Roswell as organizers prepare to pay tribute to the azalea which is a heat and drought tolerant plant native to Georgia. The festival began as an effort to increase awareness of The Cottage School and to create a scholarship endowment fund for that school. However, it was quickly realized that the festival should embrace all of Roswell and focus on the beauty of the Azaleas during their peak blooming season. Visit RoswellAzaleaFestival.com for complete details for festival.
18-19
Alpharetta Arts StreetFest — The streets of Historic Downtown Alpharetta will be closed as nearly 100 artists, musicians and performers from throughout the U.S. are showcased. Enjoy outdoor galleries filled with fine art in 14 medium expressions, create children’s art and experience live jazz, Celtic music, cultural dancing and more. Admission and parking are free. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Alpharetta Arts StreetFest, Milton Ave. and Main Street, Alpharetta. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
18
22
18
25
RNEF Spring Soiree — The Paris-theme spring soiree and silent auction hosted by The Roswell North Elementary Foundation includes a silent auction, dinner and dancing. Proceeds benefit the Licata Science Lab and the Foundation’s educational initiatives. Tickets are $75 per person. 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Country Club of Roswell. 678-549-1200. AWilliamsPr@ gmail.com 6th Annual Milton Earth Day Festival — Milton Grows Green is hosting this fun filled and educational festival bringing sustainability information and inspiration on protecting our environment and community! 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Friendship Community Park, 12785 Birmingham Hwy., Milton. Rain date April 19. 678-242-2533, Courtney.Spriggs@CityofMiltonGa.US
Earth Day Annual Shred Day During Earth Day, Carper Wealth Management will safely shred and recycle your documents on site. Refreshments will be available, limit is 5 boxes. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Carper Wealth Management, 12600 Deerfield Parkway, Alpharetta 678-566-3682 Admin@CarperWealthManagement.com
Serenade Heights 2nd Annual Benefit Ride & BBQ — Serenade Heights is a supportive transitional housing ministry for single-mother families in our community and surrounding areas. Signup begins at 8:30 a.m. Kick Stands up at 10:00 a.m. First Baptist Church Woodstock main entrance. 770-733-9728
25
The Garden Faire — North Fulton Master Gardeners will host this event which includes two workshops – ‘Wild about Spring’ by Rena Sartain, and ‘No Fuss Roses for Landscape Use’ by James Kelley. There will also be music entertainment, vintage goods, garden vendors, garden art, craft vendors, garden tools, a bake sale and food trucks. 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Historic Bulloch Hall, rain or shine.
25-26
Cycling Festival The 14th annual cycling festival held in Roswell includes mountain bike races at Big Creek Park
6
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Library Events AFPLS.org Alpharetta
leading up to the featured road races, plus the inaugural Craft Beer Tasting event. Proceeds will benefit Bike Roswell. 7:30 a.m. Bike Roswell Georgia for details visit RoswellCyclingFestival.com
MAY
2
6th Annual Drake Walk — The 1-mile and the 5K walk all begin at Roswell United Methodist Church and finish with a fun-filled, family festival. The walk benefits The Drake House in Roswell. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, rain or shine, Roswell UMC, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-587-4712 x 307 www.TheDrakeHouse.org
2
Down Home Derby 2015 — The 141th running of the Kentucky Derby will mark the Child Development Association’s (CDA) 7th Annual Down Home Derby. The Down Home Derby celebration includes live and silent auctions, live viewing of the Kentucky Derby, a wine pull, games, dancing, great food and beverages! 5:00-10:00 p.m., Iron Horse Farm, 16470 Westbrook Road, Milton. CDAKids.org
4-6
Used Book Sale — Roswell North Elementary School will host a used book sale with all books 2 for $1 or $.50/each. Prior to the book sale the Medial Center is accepting donations of books for pre-K-6th grade and cookbooks. 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Roswell North ES Media Center.
7
25th Annual Taste of Alpharetta — Set in historic downtown Alpharetta, the festival celebrates Alpharetta’s diverse flavors by featuring over 50 local restaurants. Festival goers will enjoy samples of appetizers, entrees, and indulgent desserts while strolling through the beautiful scenery of downtown Alpharetta. Admission and parking for the event are free and patrons are encouraged to purchase food and activity tickets to use throughout the event. A pack of 10 tickets is $5. 678-297-2811. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
9
Cashin’s Sculpture Garden — A beautiful trail in a hardwood forest located in Alpharetta. Cashin’s Sculpture Garden Grand Opening will offer the public an opportunity to view large scale sculptures while walking a trail. Cashin’s Sculpture Garden, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta. Susan Wright, 678-899-0509 wrightsusan277@ gmail.com or Jack Cashin, 770-664-1533 JackCashin@ Bellsouth.net, www.ChukkarFarmPoloClub.com
238 Canton St., Alpharetta, 770-740-2425
Northeast/Spruill Oaks
9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek, 770-360-8820
Ocee
5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek 770-360-8897
Roswell
115 Norcross Street, Roswell, 770-640-3075
east roswell
2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, 404-613-4050
Art Exhibit Throughout April. Alpharetta Art work by members of the Alpha Arts Guild, an organization for North Fulton based artists. ESL Conversation Class Mondays in April (no class on April 6). Alpharetta Join Terry for lower intermediate level ESL classes. No textbook or registration is necessary. All are welcome. Class follows the schedule of Fulton County Schools Youth Bridge Club Mondays, 3:30 p.m. Alpharetta Learn how to play bridge and meet other players. No prior experience is necessary, and players do not have to attend every session in order to participate. Registration required, Email Anne.Vagts@FultonCountyGa.gov. Ages 8-18. Happy Tails/READing Paws Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. Alpharetta Children sign up for 15-minute sessions to read to Echo, a trained and registered therapy dog. Work on reading skills with a great listener who loves hearing all kinds of stories. Registration required, email Anne.Vagts@ FultonCountyGa.gov to register. Ages 5 and up. Sahaja Meditation Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. Alpharetta Learn and practice meditation for relaxation and stress relief. Adults. Friends of the Alpharetta Library Book Sale Saturday, April 4, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Alpharetta Come support the library and library programs by shopping at the Friends’ Book Sale! All are welcome. Spring Break! Filmmaking Boot Camp for Teens April 4-9, 2:00 p.m. Northeast/Spruill Oaks Each day teens will spend one hour on a specific area of the filmmaking process. Teens are welcome to bring their own smart phones, tablets, video capable cameras, etc. Ages 12-18. Registration required. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
7
Library Continued . . .
Georgia Peach Scrappers April 9, 23, May 14, 28, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Alpharetta Scrapbook lovers, join us! Learn ways to make your scrapbooking better while bonding with others who share your enthusiasm. Kids in the Kitchen Saturday, April 11, 2:00 p.m. Ocee Join us for a fun hour of health and wellness discussion followed by making a healthy snack. Tickets will be given out one hour prior to the start of the program. Ages 5-12. First 30 students. Digital Photography 101 for Teens Saturday, April 11, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Northeast/Spruill Oaks Learn the basics of using a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera while applying advanced lighting techniques to make your photos shine! Cameras and access to specialized photo-editing software will be provided. Ages 12-18. Limit 12. Registration required. Spring & Summer Vegetable Gardening Wednesday, April 15, 12:00 p.m. East Roswell Bring your lunch and learn some valuable vegetable gardening tips. Adults. Reservations required. Kids in the Kitchen Saturday, April 18, 3:00 p.m. Roswell Kids will hear a story, complete a fun craft project and enjoy a delicious healthy snack. Kids get to take home a copy of the book presented in the program. Presented by the Junior League of Atlanta. Ages 3-8. Reservations required. Money Smart Kids Tuesday, April 21, 4:00 p.m. Roswell In celebration of Money Smart Week, we will feature stories and activities for children that focus on teaching kids how to be smart consumers. Ages 4-7. Reservations required. Protect Mother Earth Storytime & Craft Tuesday, April 21, 4:30 p.m. Northeast/Spruill Oaks Come listen to stories and make a craft made of recycled items to give to Mother Earth. Pinterest Party Saturday, April 25, 2:00 p.m. Roswell We will create a spring-themed project chosen from the vast selection on Pinterest. Adults. Reservations required. Atlanta Authors Presents Saturday, April 25, 2:00 p.m., Roswell In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, author Sandy Berman will discuss her book, ‘Klara with a K’ Friends of the Roswell Library’s Book Sale April 29-May 3, Roswell Wednesday, 2:00-5:30 pm., Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 1:00-4:30 p.m.
8
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Creating
Peaceful Outdoor Sanctuaries
LIFESTYLE As our patios and porches are becoming more sophisticated and refined, today’s homeowners are driven to find peaceful sanctuaries as a prescription for their stressful lives. Creating your perfect outdoor space will be the result of the successful combination of many design elements – landscaping, stonework, carpentry, furnishings, lighting and accessories. Careful pre-planning will be the key to the creation of your personal sanctuary, so begin with creating your personal “wish list”. You may be amazed at
how long this list might become! Think about incorporating your year round needs. Do you frequently entertain outdoors? Do you spend time outdoors in the evenings simply relaxing? Is an outdoor grilling season a year round requirement for you? Do you enjoy planning simple family meals outdoors? Once you’ve accessed your needs, then planning your outdoor space becomes much easier. Think about incorporating these simple ideas: 1. Comfortable Furniture! This should be most important element in your design. Today’s outdoor furnishings have been manufactured to withstand all that Mother Nature can bestow. The age of folding, vinyl strapped furniture is definitely now obsolete. Many furniture pieces of today look identical to indoor furniture, but have been constructed and designed to stand up to all the outdoor elements.
in outdoor fabrics today is Sunbrella. This company’s collection of fabrics is colorful, design oriented, and totally durable. Sunbrella features gorgeous fabrics manufactured to resist fading from ultraviolet rays, mildewing from damp conditions, and odor absorption. It is just the ultimate outdoor upholstery or drapery fabric that will be used and enjoyed by your family for years. 3. Let there be Light! Be sure to consider incorporating various types of lighting in your outdoor space design, just as you would inside your home. Landscape lighting, overhead lighting, ceiling fans, sconces and decorative side table lighting are all great ideas. Develop a creative lighting plan to help you create a space with increased ambiance and functionality. L Keely Woodford is a franchise owner of Decorating Den Interiors. 770-926-0383, Keely@DecoratingDen.com
2. Fabulous Fabrics! The biggest name
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
9
Business Urban Escape Games in Alpharetta, brings the latest craze in entertainment to North Fulton. – live room-escape games! Teams enter a themed game room and have one hour to figure out how to escape. Participants will need to find clues, solve puzzles, crack codes, and investigate everything to make it out in time. Teamwork and communication are critical making Urban Escape Games the perfect activity for friends, families, co-workers, couples, and corporate team builders. Games can be booked online and are available Thursday and Friday 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturday 3:0010:00 p.m. Corporate teams are scheduled by appointment. 20 Mansell Ct. E. Suite 275, Alpharetta. UrbanEscapeGames.com
European Inspiration
never bitter. Unlike other brands, we never over roast our beans.
Inspired by our travels through Europe, Coffee Bianco brings the
Our roasting facilities are all U.S. based, and never warehoused
famous European café experience to Roswell. Coffee Bianco is
by distributors, eliminating dependence on overseas production
the perfect place to enjoy the seductive quietness during the rush
schedules and guaranteeing freshness. Stop by and enjoy a great
hours of life. At Coffee Bianco, every detail has been meticulously
cup of coffee at Coffee
designed for your enjoyment, whether you’re in a hurry, or would
Bianco – you can
like to stay and linger for a while. It’s our pleasure to bring you
smell the difference!
the highest quality offerings with timely service, in a welcoming
CoffeeBianco.com
atmosphere. Our coffee and espresso is brewed from the freshest
and visit us at 1585
and most delicious beans possible. Fresh from our roaster ensures
Holcomb Bridge Road,
a rich full-bodied cup of coffee that is consistently smooth and
Roswell. 770-992-7298.
10
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
North Fulton Remodels for Extra Elbow Room... Green Basements & Remodeling – Green Granite & Remodeling was awarded work to be featured in 5 or perhaps 6 episodes of the Emmy Award winning show, Elbow Room. Hosted by Chip Wade, one of HGTV’s top 10-rated designers; owner of Green Basements, Laura Green and her team were filmed completing several remodeling projects including finishing a basement in one episode which included a custom barn door, enclosed a garage and added a carport in another episode, gutted 4 rooms including a ceiling to make an open kitchen/family room floor plan with detailed brick work in a third episode, extended a deck as a kids playhouse in the fourth episode, and performed LVT installation and painting in the fifth episode. Elbow Room filmed 3 field trips to Green Basements & Remodeling locations: their Granite Shop in Woodstock, the Showroom in Roswell, and the Cabinet Shop in Roswell. Laura said, “There was brief talk of my team helping them on all 6 episodes since we have finished the ones they gave us and they may need help speeding up completion of the sixth episode. We are thrilled we had this opportunity to work with a designer as talented as Chip Wade and are pleased at how elated the customers were with how the projects turned out!” The episodes do not have a set time to air, but Laura believed it could be as soon as May. Green Basements & Remodeling, Green Granite & Remodeling, 13987 Hwy 92, Woodstock. 678-4455533. www.GreenRemodeling.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
11
Senator Speaks
Georgia
Overcomes Challenges By Senator John Albers
T
he recession of 2008 struck the entire country with a swift blow below the economy’s belt. Recovery has been difficult to say the least, and individual states have gone to great lengths to strengthen the quality of life for their citizens. Georgia is at the forefront of these movements, and has not only met expectations, but has exceeded plans for economic development. Unfortunately, the federal government as a whole has fallen behind. I look forward to better results with the new Congress sworn in earlier this year. I am most proud of our state for its outstanding increase in job creation and reduction of the unemployment rate. According to Gov. Nathan Deal, Georgia has gained approximately 93,000 jobs just within the past year. That is a remarkable number of parents who are now able to support their children, and a notable number of workers who contribute to making Georgia the best it can possibly be. The state’s unemployment rate has gone from more than 10 percent in 2010 to a solid 6.9 percent today. I would say that is a drastic change that can be credited to effective leadership and state government planning. We are not satisfied with the percentage and will continue to make job creation our top priority. While Georgia is continually adding job opportunities throughout the state, our federal government seems to be working to ensure we create as few jobs as possible. A prime example of this is President Obama’s vetoing of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a proposed 1,179-mile pipeline that is a critical infrastructure project for the energy security of the United States and for strengthening the American economy. Not only would this pipeline have increased oil
12
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
production and independence for the U.S., but it would have brought thousands of jobs and billions in increased revenue for the United States. It is my hope that the federal government will learn from states like Georgia when it comes to growing the national economy. Georgia continues to successfully operate on a balanced budget year after year. The federal government has an $18 trillion and growing debt and continues deficit spending. Most people, including myself, can barely comprehend a number like 18 trillion, but this is enough money to buy a $50,000 car for every person in America. Remedying this situation would need to be ignited by significant job creation, an opportunity presented in the form of the Keystone XL pipeline. It seems there are infinite opportunities being created in Georgia helping us
to continue improving our economic climate. With the recent announcement of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche America moving to Georgia, as well as our efforts to deepen the Savannah Harbor, I am positive Georgia will continue to thrive and rise above expectations. You have my commitment to work tirelessly to support economic development and job growth.
Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton county. 404-463-8055, John.Albers@Senate. Ga.Gov
On the Go with Fido! By Laure Biel Last month we provided road trip tips for you and your family, but what if you bring your pets? Pet travel safety is important as you prepare to travel because if you’re in an accident, your pet is as likely (or more likely) to be seriously injured as you are. Here are some tips for preparing for a road trip and traveling safely when your fur babies are in the car. • Use a safety harness or pet carrier. Animals can surprise you and if they get scared, can jump in the front seat or go underfoot by the pedals and cause a dangerous situation. If you are in an accident and your pet is not secured, it could also become a projectile. • Don’t forget water and a water bowl. Pets get thirsty on the road so be sure to pack a water supply and container ready so your pet can stay cool and quenched. • Eat before you leave. Make sure you feed your pet a few hours before you leave. This helps to prevent car sickness. To avoid choking, don’t feed them in the car even if it is a long drive. Plan frequent stops for bathroom breaks and feed them meals when appropriate. • Don’t leave your pet alone. Don’t leave your pet alone in a parked car in hot or cold weather. Leave the AC on if you have to step inside for a minute but in general, don’t leave them alone. • Bring identification. Make sure you have a collar with ID tags. A microchip is also important and could save your pet’s life. Don’t forget vaccination records and other important documents from your vet. If your pet gets sick while you are traveling, you will need them. • Cover the seats or floor. If you travel frequently, look into investing in rubber floor liners and/or plastic seat/ door covers to keep you car protected. With proper planning, you will be able to travel with peace of mind for your entire family!
Laure Biel is an agent with Dykstra & Kemp Insurance in Alpharetta. 770-442-9339, DykstraKempInsurance.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
13
Mayor’s Minute
Springtime in
Johns Creek By Mayor Mike Bodker
W
ith the arrival of springtime, the City of Johns Creek is offering a cornucopia of opportunities and events. Spring is a time of optimism and new beginnings. It’s a time for shaking off the lethargy of winter, getting outside, and trying new adventures. The City is taking this to heart, exploring a bold vision to create a downtown sense of place on a 728-acre area centered around Technology Park. “The District” will be a catalyst to transform Johns Creek into a world-class city, and create an economic engine to sustain our local tax digest. We need your input to ensure The District reflects the best of Johns Creek. During the week of April 13, drop in and share your thoughts with our multi-disciplined team of experts who are crafting a plan for The District. The team will share the feedback received at the initial public meeting in February, as well as the beginnings of the master plan. The District will be our legacy to future generations – I encourage you to be part of the legacy. Visit our website to learn more including ongoing 14
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
opportunities for the public to weigh in. The City is also offering new and exciting things for residents to explore. People who want to try new foods should come to our Farmer’s Market, which was so successful that we expanded it by three months. Instead of just being open during the summer, it now runs on Saturday mornings from April 18 to Oct. 31. It’s now at the Amphitheater at Newtown Park so people can get out of the weather while they look for the perfect apple or that special pasta. We require all our vendors to sell organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables. To make the experience even more fun, we’ve included stuff for kids to do and live music. Now that it’s spring, baseball and softball players from 7 to 14 years old can test their skills April 25 at the Scotts Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition at Ocee Park. The contest is free, and winners from each category and age group move on to the Sectional Competition, and then to the
Team Championship at a Major League Ballpark. At the end are National Finals, and bragging rights to last a lifetime. Also on April 25, the Johns Creek Fire Department will sponsor one of our CPR Saturdays to teach cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator. The classes are free and take two hours but the knowledge can give a lifetime. So please consider learning these precious skills. For the chronologically advanced but young in spirit and even body, the North Fulton Golden Games commence April 29. The Olympics-style competition allows seniors to try their hand at multiple sports and events. To learn more, visit www.RoswellRamblers.org. So enjoy the spring and be daring!
Mike Bodker is the mayor of Johns Creek. 678-512-3200, Mike.Bodker@JohnsCreekGa.gov, JohnsCreekGa.gov.
Community Feature Johns Creek Foundation Elects Officers The Johns Creek Foundation has elected Wayne Carrel, President/CEO, A ClearView Corporation, as President along with James Saffell, retired, Left to right: Wayne Carrel, John Bemont, Rob Anderson, Mayor Pro BellSouth Corporation, as Tem Steve Broadbent, Jim Saffell. Treasurer. Mr. Carrel has been a board member for the past 3 years, and has been instrumental in the fundraising and success of the annual gala. Mr. Saffell has been a member of the board for the last two years bringing a strong community background contributing to the Foundation’s vision. Both gentlemen are long-time residents of Johns Creek, have served in many other non-profit and civic organizations, and are joined on the board by Vicki Templet, Sandeep Vohra, Rob Anderson, John Bemont and ex-officio members, Mayor Mike Bodker and Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Broadbent. For more information on the Johns Creek Foundation and a complete list of our beneficiaries, please visit www. JohnsCreekFoundation.org
Roswell Sets EV Charging Station Fees The City of Roswell took another step forward with its plans to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations when City Council approved EV station user fees. The user fee was set at $1.00 per hour for the first four (4) hours of use, and $20.00 per hour thereafter. The user fee will allow the recovery of ongoing costs associated with the charging stations. Roswell was among a select group of public organizations chosen to receive support through Charge Georgia, an incentive program designed by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to increase the number of EV charging stations throughout the state. Two charging stations are located at City Hall (38 Hill Street). A charging station at Roswell Area Park (10495 Woodstock Road) and a charging station at East Roswell Park (9000 Fouts Road). The City of Roswell has begun the installation process, and the stations are expected to be ready for public use by April 2015.
Congratulations to our February “7 Differences” winner, Morgan Griffin!
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
15
Community Feature Roswell Tennis Wins State Award The 2014 Roswell Racquet Scorcher Junior Tournament has been named Junior Tournament of the Year by the Georgia chapter of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Roswell’s level-4 junior tournament, which is for beginner to intermediate Don Bradley, Tournament Director, and Scott Lasko, players, was held in August and Recreation & Racquet Sports was selected from among several Supervisor for Roswell’s hundred junior tournaments held Recreation, Parks, Historic and in Georgia last year. The Racquet Cultural Affairs Department Scorcher tournament has been held in Roswell for several years and has always been well attended. In 2014, 130 players participated, traveling in from as far away as Phoenix, Arizona, and Naples, Florida. The City of Roswell offers a wide variety of racquet sports – including tennis, racquetball, badminton, and pickleball – for all age groups through its Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department. Roswell also offers 26 tennis courts at parks throughout the City. To learn more about the courts and upcoming spring racquet sports classes and programs, visit www.RoswelGov.com/Spring2015.
16
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Milton First Special Needs Certified City The City of Milton, in partnership with the Better Together citizen volunteer committee, has joined forces with Georgiabased, Special Needs Certified, to educate employees on understanding, engaging and serving residents with special needs. This honor makes Milton the first ‘Special Needs Certified’ city in the country. As Milton is the home of Canine Assistants and Camp Joyful Souls, a recreation partner to BlazeSports, and a leader in community engagement for individuals of all ability levels, the training is a natural progression for the city, said Chris Lagerbloom, city manager. “We are excited to bring this important and relevant training to our city staff,” he said.
What is a Living Trust? By Debra Robinson
and stock. The Grantor can also name the Living Trust as beneficiary of life insurance, annuities or retirement accounts.
A Living Trust is a trust created during lifetime. It is also called a Revocable Living Trust, because it can be amended or revoked at any time. The person who creates the Living Trust is called the Grantor (or the Settlor, Donor, or Trustmaker). The Grantor is the lifetime beneficiary of the Trust, and usually serves as the Trustee. The Grantor retitles assets to the Living Trust, by recorded deeds if the asset is real estate, or by changing the ownership of investment assets such as bank accounts, brokerage accounts,
As Trustee, the Grantor is able to change investments, purchase and sell assets, and use the assets as needed. If the Grantor becomes unable to serve as Trustee because of incapacity, a successor Trustee steps in to administer the Living Trust and provide for the Grantor’s needs. At the Grantor’s death, if all of the assets have been retitled to the Living Trust, it will not be necessary to probate the estate. The successor Trustee will simply follow the instructions in the Living Trust document for distribution of assets to the beneficiaries.
The Grantor must still have a Will, to cover any assets that might be overlooked when retitling assets to the Living Trust. The Will is called a “Pour Over Will” because it pours over left out assets to the Living Trust. To avoid probate, the Grantor has to make certain that all assets are properly retitled to the Living Trust. If it is important to you to make it as easy as possible for your family to access assets in the event of your incapacity or death, you should consider creating a Living Trust.
Debra Robinson is an attorney in Alpharetta. 770-817-4999, DebraRobinsonLaw.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
17
Community Feature Haynes Bridge Students Win Awards
Front row (left to right): Reilly Johnson, Brittain Pinkston, Leigh Norsworthy, and science teacher Emily Adams. Back row: Easton Howard, Chantal Sharp, Courtney Lewis, and Sarah Condon
Walker Students Present Projects Easton Howard of Roswell is one of seven members of The Walker School’s Guided Scientific Research class who have been invited to present their research at the 40th annual Georgia Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (GJSHS). These seven students are among only 50 students in the state of Georgia invited to do so. At the GJSHS, students present the results of their original scientific, engineering, or mathematics research to judges and peer and compete for scholarships and other awards. This year’s Walker School students and their official project titles are: Brittain PinkstonWoodstock: Effects of Antibiotic Use on Nasal Microbiota and Allergies. Easton Howard- Roswell: Feasibility of Airborne Fungi DNA Barcoding in a School Setting. Sarah Condon-Marietta: Outbreak Simulation with Hand Hygiene Education Intervention. Reilly Johnson-Marietta: Effects of Social Determinants on the Self-Efficacy of LGBT Youth. Courtney Lewis-Kennesaw: TGF-ß Expression in Prostate Cancer: A Case-Control Study. Leigh Norsworthy-Marietta: Filaggrin Polymorphisms and Self-reported Eczema Severity. Chantal Sharp-Marietta: S. pyogenes Infection and Interleukin 1-Beta 31-T/C Polymorphism.
Callie Rigsbee, 8th grade student at Haynes Bridge Middle School recently received a first place award in the Sons of the American Revolution brochure contest for Middle School students. Callie produced a brochure on the national theme Foundational Documents. Her entry was sponsored by the Piedmont Chapter that meets in Roswell. Callie received a check for $50 for her school entry along with a certificate. Justin Wright was the first runner up, receiving a check for $25 and a certificate. School entries were made under the encouragement of their teacher, Dani-Sue Boldus for 8th grade Social Studies. Students were encouraged through their research to exhibit knowledge and understanding of American history using any of the five foundational documents as the brochure theme. The Sons of the American Revolution is a national patriotic, historical and educational society whose members are direct descendents of the patriots who earned our independence. Men and boys who are interested in documenting their relationship to their American Revolutionary ancestors and in joining an active group with similar interest, are Left to right: George Thurmond, Justin Wright, Callie Rigsbee, Rick Reese and encouraged to contact Carl Bhame at cbhame@ Bill Kabel, President. bellsouth.net or 770-394-1282
IHS Attend Enrichment Program For the second consecutive year, Independence High School students attended the Hewlett-Packard Annual Student Enrichment Event at HP headquarters in Alpharetta. The 16 IHS students began their day at a continental breakfast meet and greet and learned about different career opportunities at HewlettPackard. They were given a tour of the Graphics Center, led by Mr. James Cooper and a demonstration of HP SPROUT by Ms. Tammie Trinh. HP SPROUT is a Windows 8 desktop. But it’s also a dual-screen creative console with its own projector, a giant touch-enabled screen and a 3D-capable scanner. The product is the result of a partnership between HP, Microsoft, Intel and 3M. After a catered lunch break, the students wrapped up their visit with a tour of the Next Gen Data Center, led by Ms. Deborah Thornton.
Lake Windward Elementary students collected donated goods for Operation Sandbox, the 5th grade community service project. In addition to collecting the items for the care packages, the 5th grade students made cards that were sent with the care packages thanking the US military men and women for their service.
18
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
19
Ankle Replacement
Puts You Back on Your Feet
By Travis Jones, D.P.M., Northside Cherokee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Most people have heard of knee or hip replacements, but there’s another aging joint being replaced that’s gaining ground. By replacing arthritic or injured ankles with artificial joints, foot and ankle surgeons help to get people back on their feet. Ankle replacement surgery relieves debilitating pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, while restoring and maintaining ankle motion in people with compromised ankle function. During the 2-to-3 hour surgical procedure, the ankle joint is exposed, diseased cartilage and bone is removed and a metal and lightweight plastic bearing is inserted. In general, healthy, non-diabetic older patients who have exhausted non-surgical treatment and continue to experience painful and disabling ankle arthritis are ideal candidates for ankle replacement. Ankle arthritis is the progressive loss of the smooth gliding surface that lines the ends of the bones that form the ankle. This produces pain, stiffness, swelling and warmth at the joint. These detrimental effects lead to discomfort and endurance for everyday activities such as standing and walking. Many people might not have heard of ankle replacement surgery
20
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
because when compared to the other major joints, arthritis of the ankle is uncommon. About 50,000 people a year experience end-stage ankle arthritis, when the ankle cartilage wears away completely, causing bone-on-bone contact. How long an ankle replacement lasts depends on many factors, including the type of implant used and the patient’s physical condition, activity level and lifestyle. While prosthetic joints can provide increased mobility and pain relief for many years, most patients can expect their ankle replacement to last 10-20 years. As with any surgery, there is always a risk of infections or complications, including nerve, vessel, tendon or bone injuries and persistent pain. A surgeon specialized in foot and ankle surgery can best evaluate your condition and determine if an ankle replacement is right for you.
Dr. Travis Jones is a foot and ankle surgeon at Northside Cherokee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. For more information, please visit www.northsidecherokeeortho.com, or call 770-517-6636 to make an appointment.
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
21
The Dog Days Are Back!
Scoopof by Michelle Knapp & suzanne taylor
The winter months are enough to make most people a little stir crazy. With the weather starting to get back to an acceptable temperature, it’s time to get out of the house with your furry friends – they have been enduring the long winter too! Its fun to be able to take your dog out on the town and let him socialize, especially if it involves being able to get a great meal or drink! We’ve done the research for you and come up with a list of OTP businesses that welcome you and your dog on their patio.
Roswell By overwhelming response, we heard about Lucky’s Burgers
In Alpharetta, feel free to bring your dog to
Alpharetta
The Corner Deli or Mugs on Milton for a visit. If you’re out for a shopping day, your leashed dog may join you at The Green Bean Exchange! And by all
and Brew in Roswell. Lucky’s was
means, take them with you to Scottsdale Farms in
named after the owner’s dog, and
Milton to stroll the garden.
they welcome you to bring yours too! The Roswell Tap, OTP Tap
& Grill and Nosh Table & Tap
Woodstock
are also eateries with dog-friendly patios. With several outdoor eating
Visit Woofstock Park in Woodstock
areas that allow pups, Downtown
and take the new walking trails into
Roswell is another great place to
Downtown Woodstock where you can sit
take your dog.
outside in the courtyard between Canyons and Pure. Copper Coin Coffee and
Village Market & Café both have outdoor seating areas for you and your
Canton
dog to relax after your walk from the park.
In Canton, your dog can tag along with you to
Donovan’s Irish Cobbler in the Towne
Riverstone Corner Bistro and to the new Butcher and Bottle on Sixes Road. And of course, don’t forget the Dairy Queen and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream stands where
Lake area is happy to bring your dog a
you can treat him to something sweet.
So wherever you and your furry friend may find yourselves OTP, there are many places that will welcome you both as long as you don’t
bucket full of water while you enjoy a beer on their patio.
Marietta Marietta has several dog-friendly establishments along the Historic Marietta Square. Pressed Panini Bar, Taqueria Tsunami, Marietta Pizza Company, Johnny MacCracken’s and Sugar Cakes all have outdoor seating for you and your dog, as well as The Schoolhouse Beer Shop on Whitlock Avenue.
mind sitting outside and chatting with the rest of the dog lovers who are enjoying their day. Your dog will thank you for it!
Scoop of Life is compiled by Scoop OTP owners Suzanne Taylor and Michelle Knapp. For more Outside The Perimeter “Scoop,” visit ScoopOTP.com.
22
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Spring
Cleaning By Susan Gillespie
What comes to your mind when you think of spring? Warm sunshine, new blooms, evening walks and spring cleaning — that’s what I think of! Spring feels like a fresh start doesn’t it? Warm weather can certainly motivate us to start anew whether it is kicking off a new exercise routine, getting a new project underway on our house or deciding to finally clean out all of the unnecessary items in our homes. It’s tough knowing where to start, but honestly there’s really nothing like that euphoric feeling when you’ve finally cleaned out that garage, closet or those kitchen cabinets. Let’s be honest, how many giant plastic logo cups do you really need anyway? I know that once I decide to clean, my home feels infinitely better, even if my floors haven’t been mopped yet. Keeping your home clean is hard enough, but think about how much harder that task is when our “stuff” gets out of hand? So where do I start you ask? Pick one small area, maybe one kitchen cabinet and spend 15-20 minutes cleaning it out. Decide what you absolutely need to keep and what to toss, give away, or sell. You’ll be amazed on how quickly this goes once you get in the purging mindset (and you’ll be amazing at how many veggie peelers and measuring cups you’ve acquired too). Have a garage sale! Spring is the perfect time to do this! Whatever you are giving away, bag it up and take it to your local Goodwill or thrift shop immediately. There’s nothing more freeing than seeing a car load of “stuff” leaving your home!
North Atlanta Women’s Care Providing Personalized Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Services General & High-Risk Pregnancy Pre-Pregnancy Counseling & Family Planning Annual Exams & Preventative Care Menstrual and other Gynecological Disorders Ultrasounds and Office-Based Procedures Surgery - Laparascopic, Minimally Invasive Surgery
770-771-5270 www.nawcare.com
Give yourself a big pat on the back! That first step is always the hardest, but once you decide to live more simply, you’ll be motivated to keep going!
6300 Hospital Pkwy., Suite 375 Johns Creek, GA 30097 Dr.Sujatha Vivek, MD
Susan Gillespie is co-owner of Maid Right of North Fulton, East Cobb and Cumming. 770-552-6243. MaidRight.NorthFulton.com
FACOG MRCOG (London) Board Certified Ob/Gyn
3400-A Old Milton Pkwy., Suite 300 Alpharetta, GA 30005
Hospital Affiliations with Emory Johns Creek Hospital and North Fulton Regional Hospital. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
23
COVER STORY
Juan Reyes, Owner and President of Pro Roofing and Siding, is a man on a mission. He not only wants your home or commercial building to be beautiful, but he wants to make the world a better place, and his staff shares this vision. By Kathleen Boehmig
uan founded the company in 2008 to serve the metro Atlanta area with an emphasis on “PRS”: Professionalism, Reliability and Sincerity. The company’s success is evident via great reviews on Angie’s List as a Super Service Award winner, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and glowing customer testimonials. In addition, PRS has been a Consumer’s Choice Award winner for Exterior Contractor of the Year for the last four years. Office Manager Tracey Arnold says,
“We are always pushing ourselves to be the best.” To this end, PRS has garnered the GAF Master Elite Contractor status, granted to only 2% of Georgia roofing contractors. Tracey adds, “We earned this certification based on our proficiency in quality installation, education, insurance requirements and consumer protection. To maintain our Master Elite status, we participate in annual continuing education programs through GAF (the largest shingle manufacturer in America). And of course we use this knowledge in every installation.”
The company is also a Certified Green Roofer (there are only three of these in Georgia), which makes Pro Roofing an environmental leader in the community. The primary materials the company recycles are asphalt shingles and metals from removed gutters. “Green roofing practices give back to the environment,” Kelvin Stembridge, Production Manager, explains. “During the last two years we recycled 310 tons of materials which would have gone to landfills. Now they are being used for things like roadways, and lacrosse and football sports field surfaces.” Juan adds, “We are the number two shingle recycler in the state, and recognized by the US Green Council GA.” PRS not only tends to the roof of your home. According to Kelvin, “We want to be the leading exterior finishing company in metro Atlanta. We believe in combining our knowledge of fashion and function to provide quality roofing, gutters, insulation, skylights, windows, siding and exterior painting. We can make your home beautiful, with lasting quality, from the roof to the ground.”
24
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Professionalism and attention to detail set PRS apart from other contractors. Tracey says, “Replacing a roof isn’t a task most homeowners look forward to. Sometimes they have had less than thrilling experiences with other contractors in the past. The difference with PRS begins with our impeccable reputation. Our website (www. MyProRoofing.com) provides a wealth of information regarding all of the products and services we offer. We provide an expectation of excellence to every customer.” She continues, “We are firm believers that the customer’s experience after the sale is very important. After installation, our project managers conduct a final walk-through to be certain everything has been completed to the customer’s satisfaction. We stand behind our warranties and conduct a formal follow-up each quarter for one year to make sure the customer has the opportunity to express any feedback they would like to share.” Aside from residential business, Pro Roofing also services multifamily buildings, assisted living and
retirement homes, and medical facilities, beyond the metro area. On the walls of the PRS offices, several Core Values and Mission statements are prominently displayed, emphasizing integrity, continuous improvement, excellence, safety and customer service. The office staff of fifteen all had input. “Giving back to the community is a big core value for the company,” Kelvin explains. “We recently took part in a charity event benefitting a local family. We donated their roof replacement, and ABC Supply in Smyrna donated shingles and materials. We helped in yard cleanup, oversaw the demolition of an unsafe deck, and refurbished drywall and cabinetry.” In their Roofs for Troops program, PRS is partnering with GAF to offer members of the military up to a $600 rebate off of Lifetime Roofing Systems, with an additional $500 off Lifetime Deluxe Warranties. PRS is also currently teaming up with five local charities to form a new
online points-redemption referral program, where customers may redeem dollars earned for referrals to give back to the community. Juan Reyes is accomplishing his mission every day through integrity, skill and high quality at Pro Roofing and Siding. It’s nice to know that when your installation is finished, not only have you improved your property…you have given back to the environment and to your community.
2558 Canton Road, Marietta, Georgia 30066
770-777-1733
www.MyProRoofing.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
25
Restorative Options to Consider By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.
Advances in technology occur all of the time. Just think of how often we get updates for software on our smart phones, for example. In dentistry, even with new approaches available to us, sometimes the “old-fashioned” way of doing things can still be a viable option. When it comes to deciding what sort of treatment is best for restoring your child’s tooth structure, both old and new options should be carefully considered. If the cavity is small, a composite-resin may be an option. These fillings are made of plastic and are tooth-colored to give a natural look. They are not as durable as metal fillings, so they may not be an option in certain areas of the mouth. They are more technique-sensitive to fill and they are also more expensive than metal fillings.
26
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Amalgam fillings have been used in dentistry for over 100 years. They are made of a mixture of metals and are usually the lowest cost option for filling small to moderately sized cavities. They are very durable, so they are usually a good option if parents want it for filling cavities in the back teeth. Not all offices offer amalgam fillings. If the cavity is large, a stainless steel crown may be prescribed. This is because after removing the decayed area of the tooth, there may not be enough tooth structure left to support a simple filling. Stainless steel crowns have been used in dentistry for 50 years. As with metal fillings, they are very durable and cost-effective. They will typically last longer than metal fillings. These crowns are the most gum friendly and least problematic for kids. Tooth colored crowns are another option. They are either made of stainless steel then coated with tooth-colored veneer, or they
are solid porcelain (Zirconia). As with the composite fillings, tooth-colored crowns are more costly than stainless steel crowns. Also, they can be less durable, may take more time to apply to the tooth structure, require much more removal of tooth structure (and can therefore come off more easily), and possibly could require a nerve treatment.
Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090, KidsHappyTeeth.com
Community Partners
A
ngie Johnson starts her day like many of us, struggling to get three-year-old Sophie out of bed, dressed and to the breakfast table. The next stop is the Child Development Association (CDA) where a brand new school day is underway. Sophie gets a hug from her teacher, Ms. Kami, who has a full day of creative, stimulating activities planned. Angie heads off to work in a neighborhood grocery confident that Sophie is in good hands. The CDA is filled with bright, lively children like Sophie, ages one to five years. What makes CDA children extra special is that their parents cannot afford quality preschool. Our youngsters come from low-income families who are working very hard to maintain employment and to provide an economically secure future for their families. The going rate for private childcare in our community is $13,000-16,000 per year per child, but the CDA median family income is only $18,200 – although parents work full-time and pay taxes and often hold more than one job. Thanks to charitable contributions from the community, the CDA offers parents about a 70% discount compared to private preschool tuition. Tuition is still about 20% of their income to tuition, so our parents’ commitment to their children’s education is tangible and they understand the value proposition of great early education. But, they cannot do it without scholarships, which are made possible by generous financial contributions from individuals, local businesses, faith and civic organizations. Brain research is very clear – the early investment is the one that pays off big. 90% of brain development occurs by the age of five, so the seeds of success are sown in
preschool. Affordable, quality early childhood education is essential to the child and essential to the parent and essential to the community. We need all children to grow up smart, strong, willing and able. We must prepare them for success – and that means getting them ready for school. The CDA mission is to give these children nothing less than a “great start toward a bright future”, so our education program must be the very best. The CDA has earned the highest national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Fewer than 6% of Georgia’s preschools hold this distinction. The proof is in the pudding. . . and we are proud of the young alumni of the CDA: Reverend Sabin Strickland of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Kim Burse, Creative Director for Beyonce Tybo – an 8th grader taking all advanced classes, including two high school classes in math and Spanish; he will be in all honors courses when he enters high school in the fall. Deborah Luquin – holds an MS in Accounting from Georgia State and is currently an accountant with Newport Partners in California. (This young woman was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama.) Sometimes it is hard to recognize families in need in our prosperous, popular North Fulton community. But, CDA parents are the low-wage workers who are the foundation of the economy. They are building the shopping centers, cleaning the office buildings, stocking shelves and cashiering at the grocery, and taking your order at the drive-thru. Low-income workers play an important part in our lives. With community support, the CDA is nurturing and educating their children for school success.
The Down Home Derby is a fabulous fundraising event that fills the CDA’s scholarship coffers. The party will be Saturday, May 2 at 5:00 p.m. at the Iron Horse Farm on Westbrook Road, Milton. Put on your Derby hat and join us for a lively evening of horseracing, wonderful food and drink, live music and dancing. Call 770-992-4339 or email Info@CDAKids.org for more information. Friend us on Facebook!
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
27
Carper Wealth Management Erin Carper, CFP® still smiles when asked about the early days of her financial career, working on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade Building... the ivy league of training grounds for financial planners. Working in the heart of the city certainly had its benefits. Not the least of which was that it made for an impressive curriculum vitae. But, for Erin, the somewhat detached atmosphere of the bustling commodity exchange venue didn’t feed her lifelong passion to help people on a more personal level. “I had a vision early on of working alongside people who were going through transitional stages in their lives. I wanted to help them navigate the changes, choices and challenges they were facing – to ease the journey for them and offer them the same experience, strength and guidance I 21982289_0316
28
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
would give a family member or close friend.” In 1992 Erin began personal, holistic financial planning, forming Carper Wealth Management, LLC in 2003. Whether facing retirement, a career transition, divorce or the death of a spouse, Erin’s relentless devotion and attention to her clients’ wants and needs has earned her a reputation that is second to none in the profession. As an independent advisor distinguished with the CERTIFITED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Erin offers the unique advantage of investment planning free from the conflict of interest of commission based sales. Her commitment is to her client, and only her client. This is why so often her lifelong clients refer others to benefit from Erin’s firm.
in the
limelight
Erin M Carper, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Investment Advisor Representative. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Voya Financial Advisors, Inc., Member SIPC. Carper Wealth Management, LLC is not a subsidiary of nor controlled by Voya Financial Advisors. E-mail: Erin@CarperWealthManagement.com.
Twelve Benefits of Strength Training LIFESTYLE Evidence is mounting that physical inactivity is bad for our health and is leading to excessive weight gain. But if this bad news has not inspired you to make a change, consider these twelve benefits of strength training. Following is an integrated list of the benefits extolled in the book, ‘Body by Science’, (McGuff/Little) and in an article by Wayne Westcott, PhD, professor of exercise science. 1) Increase Lean Muscle and Strength. Activities you do every day take less effort and you can continue doing things you enjoy that add to quality of life – e.g., active vacations, gardening, and hobbies. 2) Increase Resting Metabolism. Lean muscle can burn more calories all day long and reduce the risk of slow weight gain as you age. 3) Increase Insulin Sensitivity. Intense strength training depletes muscle glycogen (storage form of glucose). As a necessity,
muscle cells become more sensitive to insulin and shuttle blood glucose in to replace the depleted glycogen stores. 4) Improve Cardiovascular Fitness. Intense strength training provides a tremendous stimulus to the CV system. 5) Reduce Body Fat. Lower body fat is related to increase resting metabolism and reduced levels of circulating insulin. 6) Improve Blood Cholesterol. Improvements to blood cholesterol levels can be seen after only a few weeks of high intensity strength training. 7) Improve Blood Pressure. Strength training can help reduce blood pressure for those who are mildly hypertensive. 8) Increase Bone Mineral Density. Numerous studies have shown that performing strength training at an adequate intensity can stimulate the
By Luis Quiles body to add more bone. 9) Reduce Arthritis Pain. Research has shown that strength training can help ease joint pain and strengthen the muscles and connective tissues that support/protect the joints. 10) Reduce Lower Back Pain. Stronger muscles result in lower risk of injury. 11) Improve Flexibility. Build strength through the whole range of motion and provide protection for joints. 12) Improved Gastrointestinal Transit Time. Strength training has been shown to increase transit time by 56 percent. L
Luis Quiles is the owner of SuperSlow Zone Milton and an IACET Certified Trainer
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
29
ArtistProfile by Heike Hellmann-Brown
Kathleen Craft Boehmig A Perennial Student
“I don’t feel fully alive unless I am creative in any way — be it through painting, clay works, jewelry design, mosaic, papier-mâché, writing or any other creative outlet,” states artist and writer Kathleen Craft Boehmig. “Life is not long enough for all the techniques I want to explore.” Boehmig, an Atlanta native, started her artistic endeavor, “As soon as I was able to hold a pen in my chubby hands,” she says. As a 6th grader she published her own newspaper and was sure that one day she would be a writer or an illustrator. Later she studied linguistics and psychology and worked in the travel industry as a tour operator. Her appreciation for world languages opened her eyes for other cultures. “I was raised Christian, but I embrace Buddhism,” Boehmig elaborates. “I firmly believe that our level of happiness depends on how creative we are in every area of life. That’s why I am extremely inspired by ordinary people who show beautiful spirit in spite of unfortunate circumstances. Most successful people had pain and growth in their past, yet they draw strength from it and move forward.” Art and writing are Kathleen Craft Boehmig’s way to make her voice heard. “On a personal level, creativity can be a catharsis; on a public level, it can be impactful.” Her quest to inspire and
30
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
empower others with her art and her writing stems from a fear of failure that she shares with many aspiring artists. “Instead of telling our kids to go as far as they want and to conquer the world, we try to protect them from failure. It took me almost half a century to learn that fear, not hate, is the opposite of love. Fear stops us from creating! Now that I overcame those restrictions, it’s my passion to help people see their own worth, and thus make the world a better place.” Most of Boehmig’s pieces convey a story. As a writer she prefers a 1,000 to 2,000 word memoir style, while as an artist she focuses on uniqueness in her particular artwork. “My all-time favorite is a clay figure called ‘A Reptile Dysfunction’ that depicts an alligator on a psychiatrist’s couch for his fear of chickens,” Boehmig states. She still takes art classes and visits an artist retreat in North Carolina twice a year to honor her creative side. “I was 48 years old when I submitted my first piece of writing, and it took me a long time to work up self-esteem and murder the editor on my shoulder. I am not quite there with my art, yet, though every sale is a validation for me.” Boehmig has served as a board member of the Atlanta Writers Club, she appeared on the Writers Radio Show, and taught at the Blue Ridge Writers Conference and at the Spruill Center for the Arts. Her pieces have appeared in local magazines and publications such as Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul.
www.MySparrowsSong.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
31
Understand Your
Pet’s Care Needs Pets are a wonderful addition to our family, but they are not human. To truly love them, we must learn how to care for their special needs. We have a seventy-eight pound husky mix dog who is at least seventyseven pounds of trouble. After a recent incident in which my neighbor’s dog attacked ours, I have learned a lot about treating wounds on dogs. The first rule, of course, is not to panic. The second rule is damage control. We confined my dog to a bathroom to access her condition, and keep her from flinging blood through every room in the house. She had a tear in her ear that bled quite a bit, which was made worse by her shaking her head.
32
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Third, flour is a wonderful, pain-free way to help stop bleeding. We all have it in our homes and can easily get to it, especially in an “emergency.” Our home is lucky to also have a bearded dragon. He is an adolescent and is very friendly. He really likes to snuggle. I have never owned a reptile before and it has been a learning experience. When I purchased his terrarium, it came with sand, lights and containers for food and water. Since then, however, I have learned carpet is better for young dragons. They have trouble digesting the sand, which they end up ingesting as they eat the crickets fed to them. The carpet is better because they don’t pick it up with the crickets when they eat. He has shed his skin a couple of times, and will again between now and adulthood. He has a wooden branch in his tank that helps him with the shedding. He also prefers to be at the
highest point he can be, to watch the world around him. He diet is mostly meal worms and dragon “pellets,” a special food made specifically for his nutritional needs. However, he loves to stalk live crickets dusted with a calcium supplement around his cage. The most challenging aspect of raising a dragon has been the lighting. As he is an exothermic creature (no internal thermostat) he relies on special lighting to keep warm. He even needs a special “night light” that emits heat, but not light when he sleeps. Learning how to properly care for our pets is the best way we can love them.
Crystal Bryant is the wife of Pastor Chris Bryant at City On A Hill United Methodist Church in Woodstock. She is involved in women’s, prayer and children’s ministries. 678-445-3480, COAHUMC.org
Mo t or i z a t i on I must say that there are very few things cooler than making the client’s alarm clock trigger the shades to open, playlist to play, thermostat to warm up the room, and lights fade to on.
I got my mind blown 2 weeks ago. Let me preface what I saw by first telling you that I am really into integrating motorization into homes lately. For example, we have been installing a TV mount that comes down in front of the fireplace, and then goes back up when you’re finished watching. Since I do all forms of home automation, the ability to make window shades go up and down automatically is also really cool to me. We have been doing this for years now in super high-end installations, and
But back to my mind getting blown… there is a new player in the shade industry, QMotion. Founded by the guy that started Wayne Dalton garage door openers, QMotion is employing garage door technology into shades. What first got my attention were their new wireless shades that have 3-year battery life, using normal D Cell batteries. In the past, we’ve had to replace these expensive lithium battery packs every 18 months or so. Second, they are silent. Third, and most importantly, they make a wireless drapery rod that dropped my jaw. This rod has vertical rings that hold the fabric to the pole, making the drapery appear totally normal, but (and it’s a big but)
By Michael Buckner
with this one, at the press of a button, the horizontal bar starts to spin, causing the curtains to open or close. Honestly, it looks like movie special effects, in front of your eyes. I was so blown away when I saw the video of this that I drove to Pensacola to see it in person, attended a 2-day training on its installation. Now I can buy and sell them. Since I’m buying one for myself, I encourage you to stop by our shop in a month or so and see what I’m talking about in person. For now, type this site in: YouTube.com/ watch?v=yM4tBKswfzk
Michael Buckner is owner of Audio Intersection, a provider of audio and video in Georgia. 770-479-1000, AudioIntersection.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
33
Preventative Measures to
Protect Your Teeth By Amanda Kossick, D.M.D.
For those of you that have children you most likely know the different measures that are taken to prevent cavities in those newly erupted permanent teeth. Fluoride can be a significant aid in repairing and making our teeth stronger for the rest of our lives. One form of fluoride used is in a varnish (tacky solution that sticks to the teeth and delivers fluoride over a 4-6 hour period of time) or trays filled with foam fluoride. Varnish is the preferred method of delivery in most offices due to less ingestion and ease of patient application. The fluoride varnish is an excellent tool to help re-mineralize weak areas in the teeth that have started to break down and to strengthen the enamel layer of our teeth. This is a very viable option for adults as well. We do not hit a magical age where we stop being susceptible to cavities. Fluoride varnish is one of many options for cavity prevention. There also are over the counter fluoride mouth rinses that are not as concentrated form of fluoride, but that can be affective with daily long-term use.
34
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
In addition to fluoride we have the option of sealants. Sealants are a liquid material that is applied to the cracks and crevices in our back teeth and then cured to form a hard protective layer. This prevents the bacteria that cause cavities from working their way down into those nooks and crannies that are hard to cleanse and are more likely to form cavities. Sealants can come out depending on a person’s diet and habits over a long period of time. They need to be monitored by your dentist to ensure they are still in place and serving their purpose. If they do come out they can always be replaced with ease. These methods, along with regular brushing and flossing, can significantly decrease your likelihood of forming cavities as a child and as an adult! Your healthy natural teeth are the strongest and most enduring. Fillings are better than the decay process that begins, but if we can prevent the decay process from ever starting, your teeth, health and mouth will all be better off in the long term.
Dr. Amanda Kossick is a dentist with DeMercy Dental in Roswell. 770-641-8010, DeMercyDental.com
Royal Caribbean Brings ‘WOW’ Closer to Atlanta! By Michael Consoli
n, the Caribbea in re e h w ry Eve lorida from South F conveniently
•
LIFESTYLE Royal Caribbean International announced the upcoming Caribbean openings for the cruise line’s new 2016-17 Adventure Collection. Vacationers can book an unforgettable Caribbean cruise aboard 15 of the world’s most innovative and award-winning cruise ships, sailing from nine convenient U.S. homeports to 39 spectacular ports of call in 18 Caribbean countries, and Bermuda and Canada. The new Caribbean adventures will mark the Quantum class’ maiden call and season in Bermuda with Anthem
will t of the Seas Enchantmen as m ha From Miami, Ba t or sh d four-night or of sail three- an while Navigat , nd ou -r ar mas ha Ba getaways ye t nigh alternate fivenaire, Bo a, the Seas will ub Ar ht ith nine-nig w o ic inter. ex w M e d th an ses in Labadee crui as Se e Curacao and th of Allure the Seas and two new d an • Oasis of an be tern Carib will sail a Wes in summer an itineraries be rib Ca Eastern th and ng n nights in le 2016, all seve es in Fort ad gl er Port Ev be departing from Seas will then Allure of the Oasis, ng Lauderdale. ki ea br next ground joined by the of the Seas to ip Harmony sh se ui class cr and Western night Eastern offer a sevenr 2016-17. te in w nerary for n Caribbean iti will repositio , meanwhile, as Se e th l ra of Oasis Port Canave ter home of to its new win s Coast. ill along Florida’ of the Seas w dependence In r, te t in w gh e • In th and five-ni ence of fourfollow a sequ neraries from iti an be Carib m short Western -ship Freedo er es, while sist ad gl tern er es Ev W t rt Po six-nigh ill alternate a n er st of the Seas w Ea ght ith an eight-ni n, Caribbean w longer vacatio a r Fo . ry ra ne iti d an an be rib 10 a Ca rnates the Seas alte . ry ra Serenade of ne iti an hern Caribbe 11-night Sout
Out-of-this -world Caribbean Vacations from Florida’s S pace Coas t
•
Freedom o f the Seas will contin alternating ue seven-nigh t Eastern an Western C d aribbean it ineraries d summer 2 uring the 016, and th en repositi Everglades on to Port for its new • For th winter seas e winter 20 on. 16-17, Oas will inaugu is of the S rate Oasis-c eas lass adven from Port tures Canaveral, al ternating a night Easte sevenrn and Wes tern Caribb itinerary. R ean hapsody o f the Seas over threewill take and four-n ight Baham cruises fro as m Enchantm • Vacat ent of the ioners also S eas. can choose and five-nig quick fourht Western Caribbean throughou cruises t winter ab oard Brillian Seas from ce of the Tampa, Fla.
of the Seas, and offers a choice of three industryacclaimed Oasis-class ships, including the new record-setting Harmony of the Seas. On most Caribbean cruises, guests will enjoy more than 400 total acres of pristine beaches, exhilarating thrill rides and activities, and plenty of opportunities to relax under the Caribbean sun during a call at Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay or its exclusive beach destination Labadee. It’s very exciting that we will have one of the world’s largest and most innovative ships within driving distance! These itineraries are open for sale now — and can be booked today! L
Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667, PlanMyCruise.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
35
36
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
in the
limelight
“If it were my tooth or a family members tooth,” is what you will often hear Dr. Jill Golsen say as she is discussing dental care at Golsen Family Dentistry. Raised in dentistry, she knew early on that this was her passion. She continues to take that passion even further now as the Vice President of the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Raising her two boys in the Alpharetta area and practicing in the Northside/ Alpharetta medical campus for over 21 years shows you Dr. Jill is not a ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ dentist, she appreciates the wonderful community we have in North Fulton. Golsen Family Dentistry is proud of our 3 generations of families and patients ranging from 2 to 102, we have a place for everyone. As dentists we are often the only doctor to see a patient twice a year. The mouth is the window to the body so we try to access the patient’s oral conditions as well as help refer patients to specialist such as ENTs, cardiologist and dermatologist for conditions we might see during a thorough examination provided at each dental visit. It is very common for people to have acid reflux, snoring and other conditions that are not known; often we are the first to see these conditions in the oral cavity. From snoring men and teens, prep less veneers and other beautiful smile designs we pride ourselves in being the right dental team for thousands in the North Atlanta area.
Our highly trained dental team is located at 3400-A Old Milton Parkway, Suite 430 in Alpharetta. For more information visit their website at http://www.GolsenDental.com or call for an appointment at 770-667-0669.
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
37
In the late 1960s, individuals and politicians embraced environmentalism. Graphic proof of the decline of water and air quality presented ominous images of international abuse of the planet. Activists made it clear that in order to secure a decent quality of life and a sustainable future, laws must be enacted and behaviors must be changed.
political action produced unprecedented victories for the environment. Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970, and two years later the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts followed. President Nixon proposed the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain and enforce environmental laws, work with industry to develop best practices, and co-ordinate educational outreach. By Lisa Ethridge While there is still room for improvement, the outlook for the environment is positive.
In 1970 politicians added Earth Day to the calendar to strengthen the message and unite supporters. Cartoonist Walt Kelly’s iconic poster designed to promote the first celebration By Lisa Ethridge depicts Pogo the possum Through the years the number surveying the trash-covered of government agencies and Okefenokee Swamp declaring, “We have non-government organizations has met the enemy and he is us.” Message burgeoned. The Internet provides links received – millions paid tribute to Mother to millions of informative, eco-centered Earth on April 22, 45 years ago. websites dedicated to raising awareness of the green movement. Widgets that Grass roots initiatives and meaningful calculate every aspect of our carbon
footprint are available. Social media allows people from all over the world to comment and contribute. Bloggers raise awareness of issues and share personal views of timely topics. We no longer have to be our own enemy. Individuals can get involved and share responsibility for protecting the planet. This year, make plans to celebrate the earth on April 22 and throughout the year. Whether you attend a community event, plant vegetables or flowers, pick up trash, or enjoy a walk, take time to focus on being a good steward of the environment. As one blogger put it, “To do something nice for the planet ultimately does something nice for you and all those you care about because, for now, we all live here.”
Lisa Ethridge is a certified master gardener with North Fulton Master Gardeners, part of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. 404-613-7670, NFMG.net
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
38
Book Review by catherine groves
On October 3, 1916, James Alfred Wight was born in Sunderland, England. The world now knows him as James Herriot, as he became one of the world’s most beloved writers of all time. Having been a veterinarian his entire adult life, Herriot, at the age of 50, began writing and in 1969 published his first book. Sales were slow until he became published in America; the first book was called “All Creatures Great and Small.” He followed this with “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, “All Things Wise and Wonderful”, “The Lord God Made Them All”, and “Every Living Thing”, which he finished shortly before his death in 1995. All of his books were bestsellers.
James Herriot a True Lover of all Animals
Herriot’s books portray his life as a Yorkshire county vet during a time when times were tough, horses were used to farm, and penicillin was not yet discovered. The reader will fall in love with not only James and his furry patients, but also with the two brothers with whom he worked closely his entire life. Siegfred, his somewhat eccentric partner, and Tristan, the dare devil with hilarious charm, enrich the already compelling stories.
Although the books have been in print for decades, they are ageless. Herriot’s wholesome yet poignant ability to share stories based on truth will move the reader to tears and within the same paragraph bring laughter. The books take us through the journey of Herriot’s life as he begins practicing in rural England, to his falling in love, going to war, and having kids. He brings the farmers, the farm animals, and the pets to life in a way that makes one understand, even with his literary success; how he stood by he was first and foremost a veterinarian. These books are a must read for animal lovers and for those whom lives have already been touched by Herriot in the past, they are the perfect books to be reread, again and again.
Catherine Groves is an avid reader and book collector (owning more than 5,000 books). She also is publisher of two neighborhood magazines and is writing her first novel.
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
39
with Dr. Michelle Kraft, DVM
It’s that time of year again! Time for spring break and summer vacation. Time for trips to the park, the mountains, the lake or the beach. Most pet owners love going out of town to relax and unwind but dread leaving their furry friends behind. Nowadays, it is relatively easy to travel with your pets, whether it is a short car ride or traveling across country via automobile or airplane. PHOTOJACK.NET
D
ogs make perfect travel companions – most of the time. Most dogs love to jump in the car on a nice day to go for a ride to the park. However, not all dogs are so enthusiastic in the beginning. Many dogs can get car sick or very anxious on rides, especially if this is a new experience for them. For those nervous dogs, it is important to not only take them on many car rides but also take them to places they enjoy, rather than just a trip to the veterinarian every time they get in the car. Usually with a few trips to the park, those nervous dogs are more than willing to go
40
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
for a ride. If your dog tends to vomit due to motion sickness, there are some over the counter medications you can give after a discussion with your veterinarian. If those medications aren’t helping, stronger medications for sedation can be prescribed after an examination with your veterinarian to be sure they are safe to administer. Another thing to consider for your canine passenger is a safety belt that attaches to a harness. Not only will this keep your dog safer in an accident, but it will help prevent your dog from jumping all over the car and causing a collision. You can purchase these canine
seat belts at your local pet store or online. Remember, it is never safe to ride with your dog on your lap, especially in the event that your airbag is deployed. Travelling with our feline friends may be a bit more challenging as they are not as accustomed to riding or flying and prefer to stay in their home. Since cats can stress out or panic easily in transit, it is highly advised that you purchase a secure cat carrier for them to ride in. Pet stores carry anything from plastic crates to zip up soft nylon carriers that resemble duffle bags. For long trips, anxious cats do well with a sedative that can be prescribed by your veterinarian after an examination. If you plan
on travelling a long distance in the car with your feline companion, I would be sure to have a litter box on hand so you can let them use it occasionally when you take a break from driving. Many cats won’t use the litter box due to nervousness. Other cats may vomit, urinate or have a bowel movement in their cat carrier. Therefore, it is probably a good idea to bring some paper towels, cleaning supplies and some fresh blankets in case this happens. If you are looking to travel with your pet on an airline, you must make sure the carrier is approved for airline travel. Even if the product is labeled airline approved, I would
PHOTOJACK.NET
call your specific airline and be certain it is allowed. Also, different airlines require different dimensions if you are carrying your pet on with you. For instance, Air Tran requires smaller dimensions for a carry on carrier than Delta, so it can fit under the seats on that airline. Different airlines also have different weight restrictions if you want to bring your pet in the cabin with you. Most allow you to bring one pet on with you if the pet weighs less than 15 pounds in lieu of a carry on. Larger dogs must fly in cargo, unless you have a canine assistance dog. If you are shipping your pet in cargo, I would purchase the strongest and most secure kennel you can find. Fees range anywhere from $100 to carry on, up to $300 to ship in cargo one way. There are also restrictions on the age of your pet. Often puppies and kittens must be older than 10 weeks old to fly. You should research your airline’s specific requirements before travelling. It is always recommended to see your veterinarian a few days prior to traveling to purchase a health certificate. This is important to
make sure your pet is healthy enough for travel and to have the appropriate legal documentation of their vaccination status, proof of negative heartworm tests, fecal exams, and any deworming or parasite treatment. If you are flying with your pet anywhere in the United States, I recommend having a health certificate on hand in case there is a problem. If you are travelling internationally, a health certificate is required. Often other countries will have strict and detailed requirements months prior to travel, especially when it comes to rabies vaccination. So if you are planning on travelling with your pet to another country in the next year, I would recommend researching the requirements needed for travel far in advance. You can find stipulations for the different countries on the website www.usda.gov. Finally, no matter where you are travelling with your pet, it is important for them to have identification tags attached to their collar or a microchip in the event they get lost. These upcoming months are some of the best for travel and recreation. Be sure to include your furry friends on your excursions and if you have any questions be sure to contact your local veterinarian. Dr. Michelle Kraft is a veterinarian with Little River Animal Hospital, 15710 Birmingham Hwy, Alpharetta. 770-619-1616, Animal-Dr.com WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
41
Travel & pet care categories
42
Travel Agent
Campground
Cruise Planners/Micore Travel
Black Rock Mountain State Park
770-650-7667, PlanMyCruise.com
706-746-2141, GAStateParks.org/BlackRockMountain
Auto Repairs/Maintenance
Bed and Breakfast
Mike the Mechanic
Beechwood Inn
770-992-2223, MikeTheMechanic.com
706-782-5485, BeechwoodInn.ws
Body Shop
Pet Care/Grooming & Boarding
Performance Auto Collision, Inc.
That Dirty Dog
770-752-0099, BodyShopATL.com
770-993-7877, ThatDirtyDog.com
Marina
Veterinarian
Port Royale on Lake Lanier
Little River Animal Hospital
770-887-5715, BestInBoating.com
770-619-1616, Animal-Dr.com/LittleRiver/Little-River-Animal-Hospital.shtml
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Prevent Summer Learning Loss Summer is a great time. The snow and ice have finally melted away, the sun is shining, and the outdoors beckons. Summer is a wonderful time to reconnect the family after a busy school year. Summer is also a time when learning begins to fade. You and your child invested a great deal of time and effort to be successful in school, don’t waste that investment during the summer. Students that re-enforce their schooling during the summer are more confident and successful when school starts in the fall. Elementary School Summer Tips: Strengthen fundamental skills. 1. Encourage your child to read 20 minutes a day. Ask your child to describe the story to you. Be sure to include “why” questions. 2. Assign 3 – 4 daily math problems each day. 3. Boost reading comprehension, grammar, and math skills with a summer tutoring program. Middle School Summer Tips: Build critical thinking skills. 1. Assign weekly creative writing projects. Share the stories with grandparents and other relatives to boost confidence. 2. Ask your child to write and solve three real world word problems each day.
By Mark Tolbert
3. A study skills tutoring program is a great way to help your child have a successful start to the next school year. High School Summer Tips: Preparing for college! 1. Rising freshmen – it is imperative to keep your math, reading, and writing skills sharp. Rising freshmen should write weekly short essays and practice their algebra skills. 2. Rising sophomores and juniors need to prepare for the SAT or ACT over the summer and start planning college campus visits. 3. Rising seniors need to use the summer to boost their SAT or ACT scores and prepare college applications. Your family invested a great deal of time and effort during the school year; don’t waste that investment. Start the next school year stronger than ever; students of all ages benefit from summer tutoring.
Mark Tolbert is executive director of Huntington Learning Center in Alpharetta. 678-240-9221, Alpharetta.HungtingtonHelps.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
43
Plan Ahead
For Relaxing Vacation By Christy Noll Planning for a family vacation can be overwhelming, especially if you have kids who require baby necessities. AlpharettaMoms.Org put together a few vacation planning tips to help take some of the stress off of planning your family fun. These are ideas that I need to put into practice myself so I thought that maybe by sharing my thoughts it would help me to become more organized!
44
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
Some suggestions are obviously to plan ahead but also to take into consideration where everyone in the family wants to go and what fits into the budget. Do you want an educational trip to DC, hiking in the mountains, staycation and doing things around the house, warm weather and the beach? Factor in the temperature of your destination and make a list of items that can be checked off once packed. For ski trips pack hand warmers, thermal underwear, ski socks, and bathing suit for the hot tub! Buying a ski helmet, gloves, and ski socks online ahead of time will save you the exorbitant prices at the ski resort. We bought snacks at the local store to keep on hand for the slopes and also because a granola bar in the ski restaurant is at least double what you would pay at the grocery store. If you are renting a condo or house at the beach or warm destination, some things we include on our list are paper towels, toilet paper, cooking spray,
coffee/filters, salt/pepper, condiments and general kitchen items that you have on hand so you won’t need to make such a big purchase once you arrive. Other items to include might be: Sunscreen, beach chairs, towels, hats, beach toys, baby powder (to help get the sand off your body), games, buckets/nets and flashlights (to catch crabs at night). Sign up for the kids favorite camps early to help give you the available week that is best for your family’s schedule. The earlier you can book the arrangements might also help you get the condo/ house of your choice. The more organized you can be ahead of time will reduce stress once you are at your destination.
Christy Noll is founder of AlpharettaMoms.org, a resource that connects North Fulton families with community organizations, programs and events.
By Kevin Head, Ph.D.
We all have hopes, dreams, aspirations, and expectations of our teens. Sometimes our adolescents live up to and even surpass our projections we place on them, but there are also those other times. Teenagers often act, think, and behave in ways that don’t always mesh with what we want or expect, and parents often struggle with “forcing” teens into the mold we have for them. Conflict arises, words are exchanged, and loving your teenager often becomes much “easier said than done.”
Last month I wrote about parenting children, so this month my thoughts turn toward parenting teens. Sometimes good advice comes from the most unexpected places. An old song by Stephen Stills says, “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, then love the one you’re with.” You may think I’m crazy (and you may be right), but I think this line says something significant to those of us who parent teenagers.
Adolescence is a time when teens are forming their own identity, and part of the formation process is accepting and rejecting the world-view of their parents. This sometimes looks and feels like rebellion, but often it’s just the teenager becoming a unique individual. Not all teenage rebellion looks the same. Leonard Sweet reminds us that when middle-class teens in the 60’s wanted to rebel, they grew beards and smashed stereos. When Amish youth of the same
Loving
Our Teens
time period rebelled, they shaved their beards and bought stereos. The behavior of both groups was considered rebellion – but both groups were also just trying to have a voice and develop their own identity. Your teenager might not always live up to your expectations – but ultimately, our job as parents is to help our teens become the individuals God has created them to be, which may or may not always be the same as our own expectations of them. To rephrase Stephen Stills song, “If you can’t have the teen you want or expect, honey, then love the one God has given you.” Blessings!
Dr. Kevin Head is interim pastor of First Baptist Roswell. 770-587-6980, KHead@FBRoswell.org
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
45
11605 Haynes Bridge Rd, Suite 100, Alpharetta, 30009 770-993-8806 www.gnfcc.com
Free Wheelchair Mission
Taqueria Tsunami
10900 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta 404-998-9094 FreeWheelchairMission.org
1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell 770-993-1530 TaqueriaTsunami.com
Pit Stop For Pets, Inc.
Inspiration Paints Home Design Center
12315 Crabapple Road, Suite 154, Alpharetta 770-559-1578 PitStopForPets.com
Business After Hours
Thursday, April 9 Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau 5:30-7:30 p.m. Historic Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau 617 Atlanta Street, Roswell 770-640-3253 Join us for Business After Hours, hosted by Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau! You won’t want to miss this great networking opportunity! As always, GREAT food and drink, GREAT networking and GREAT door prizes! Members $10.00, non-members $20.00. Contact information: Debbie Ryals at 678-397-0556 46
Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
1255 Alpharetta Street, Roswell 678-502-7760 InspirationPaintsHomeDesign.com
42nd Annual Chairman’s Gala
Saturday, April 18 6:00-11:00 p.m. The Grand Hyatt Atlanta 3300 Peachtree Road, Atlanta The Annual Chairman’s Gala is the highlight of the year for the GNFCC, and provides a showcase for North Fulton’s successes. The evening’s festivities, sponsored by Northside Hospital, will include remarks from several distinguished guests and an announcement of the winners for several key Chamber awards. The Black-Tie Optional evening begins with a cocktail reception from 6:00-7:30 pm at The Grand Hyatt Atlanta, followed by dinner and an awards program. The After Party continues with live music by The FREE and dancing from 9:00-11:00 pm. Overnight accommodations are available at The Grand Hyatt Atlanta. The GNFCC room rate is $159 single/double. Room reservations may be made at 404-237-1234 until April 1, 2015. To register: GNFCC.com/Events
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
47
Advertiser Index Alpharetta Arts Streetfest
Inside Back Cover
Anchors Seafood & Ale House
32
Audio Intersection
34
Camp Invent
21
Camp Juliette Low
21
Carper Wealth Management
28
Cruise Planners
8, 33
Debra Robinson Law, P.C.
13
Decorating Den Interiors
47
DeMercy Dental
11
Dentistry at Milton-Alpharetta
Inside Front
Dykstra & Kemp Insurance
17
Edible Arrangements
48
The Framing Studio, LLC
43
Golsen Family Dentistry
36
Gratitude Goodies
47
H&H Electric & Security, LLC
5
Herbert Sparks Law Group
28
Huntington Learning Center
45
LGE Community Credit Union
19
Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, P.C.
9
Living Science Home Studies, Inc
21
Maid Right of North Fulton
23
Main Event Entertainment
10
Mosquito Squad
Back Cover
North Atlanta Vascular & Vein Clinic
44
North Atlanta Women’s Care
23
Northside Hospital Forsyth
1
Northside Total Joint Specialists
3
Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
3
Pete’s Plumbing, Inc.
38
Photojack.net 39 Play by Play Sports Broadcasting Camps
21
Pro Martial Arts of Alpharetta
13
Pro Roofing and Siding
Cover, 24 & 25
Southern Chic Dress Boutique
48
SuperSlow Zone
26
Technical Resource Solutions
19
Terrell Team
17
TrailFest 29 Tutor Doctor
36
Vickery Creek Capital Management
16
Vein Center of North Georgia Vickery Creek Capital Management
48
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2015
9 16
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage
PAID
Stone Mountain, GA
Permit #1037