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Contents
April 2016
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 9
20-22 On the Cover:
R&D Mechanical Services Inc.
28-29 Pets!
Caring for Your Furkids
36-37
2 Wheel Terrain Biking Trails in North GA
[20-22] [36-37]
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
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.......................... Perspective
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............................. Calendar
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....................... Business Life
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................... Senator Speaks
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.................... Mayor’s Minute
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........................ Book Review
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......................... Taste of Life
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......................... Artist Profile
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................... Ribbon Cuttings
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............... Community Partner
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Publisher’s Perspective
PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Editor@FamilyLifePublications.com
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes — then learn how to do it later!”
ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes — then learn how to do it later!” - Richard Branson A couple of months ago, I was asked by the Service League of Cherokee County to dance in their annual Dancing for the Children event. Apparently, someone thought it was a good idea to ask random people, with zero knowledge of dancing and little rhythm, to learn to dance and perform in front of a crowd of hundreds. It is a fun and exciting way for me to learn something new, and it will certainly be entertaining ... in one way or another. So, I’ve until April 23rd to learn how. If you would like to donate to the Dancing for the Children campaign or learn more about how the Service League assists underserved children in Cherokee County, please visit ServiceLeague.net. Those who know me know that no one will ever hear me complain about the weather. We cannot change it; we can only react to it. One of the most exciting things for us to get grasp on is that new and exciting options in life are much like the unpredictable weather in the south. Now, possibilities will continually become available along our given journey. Having a positive reaction to the ebb and flow is simply part of the nature of enjoying life!
Family Life Publishing Group Inc. 150 North Street, Suite A Canton, GA 30114
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com FamilyLifePublications Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct mailed community magazines in our area. North Fulton Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of 25,000, direct mailing over 23,000 copies to Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. 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 written permission from the Publisher.
Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
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© 2016 All rights reserved.
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Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.
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We will plan the work, and work the plan. Other follies may enter our route and find us making quick, last minute adjustments to stay on course. We might find that we make some moves instinctively. Often, our faith is what ultimately moves us to react.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Mayor Mike Bodker, Angela Chambers, Michael Consoli, David Covall, Lisa Ethridge, Hillary Gallagher, Joe Gaston Kevin Head, Amanda Kossick, Juan Reyes, Debra Robinson, Nick Roper, Mark Tolbert, Amanda Wiggins, Keely Woodford
M AG A ZI
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here have been times in our lives when we’ve found ourselves in situations where we may not have been very sure of which way to turn, yet we just trusted “the flow” and went for it. Our life is often like a wild river and tends to carve its way through the sands of time, frequently without regard to our desires or plans, and push us along in its wake. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, we all end up downstream a little wiser, a little more well-rounded and often eager with anticipation as to what may lie around the next bend.
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- Richard Branson
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Calendar APRIL
7-24
Yesterday and Today, the interactive Beatles experience — What’s your favorite Beatles song? Rock to the music of The Beatles as you create the playlist for the night… every night! No two performances will be the same. First love, a first kiss, or a touching story about a parent or the loss of a loved one. Simply put, The Beatles music is the soundtrack of our lives. This show takes this incredible music and personalizes it with the stories and perspectives of audience members. It’s a nostalgic musical celebration with personal stories that connect the audience and the band in a way that no other show can. Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770641-1260. GET.org.
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Spring into Spring Day at Smith Plantation — Come celebrate the awakening of spring on the beautiful Smith Plantation grounds while enjoying open hearth cooking, Free children’s games and crafts, and reduced rate open house tours. 11:00 am., 935 Alpharetta St, Roswell. 770-641-3978. VisitRoswellGa. com.
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Crabapple Knoll Vet Clinic Adoption Day — Several dogs and cats at the clinic are in need of a forever home. 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Crabapple Knoll Vet Clinic, 12604 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta. 770475-8272. AdoptAPet.com
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Mary Poppins Auditions —Roswell UMC’s Acting UP is excited to present a Supercalifragilistical new musical, Mary Poppins, July 28-31, 2016. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd. in the heart of Historic Roswell. 678-8717766. RUMCActingUp.webs.com.
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Roswell Azalea Festival Plant sales, high tea, live music, art exhibitions, dinners,
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
ghost tours, historic homes, farmers and artisans markets and so much more! 770-640-3253. For a complete listing of events, times and locations, visit RoswellAzaleaFestival.com/events/.
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Food Truck Alley — This weekly gathering (each Thursday) will take place on Old Roswell Street with a variety of rotating food trucks, music and fun children’s activities. Approximately six to eight food trucks will roll out some amazing eats with seating available on the street. 5:30-8:00 pm, parking available at 37 Old Roswell Street, Milton Center on Milton Avenue and 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta. 678297-6000. Alpharetta.Ga.us.
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Spring Park Party — Celebrate the spring season at this event, which features children’s activities, games, food and fun for the whole family! FREE! 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Shakerag Park, 10945 Rogers Circle, Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. JohnsCreekGa.gov/ RecreationandParks/Special-Events/ Spring-Park-Party
older. Participants compete in track and field events, a tennis tournament, a golf tournament, a bocce ball competition, Wii bowling, swimming and more. The cost is $20, which includes entry to all events (additional fees may apply to some activities). 9:15 am, Bell Memorial Park, Milton. 678-512-3430. JohnsCreekGa. gov/RecreationandParks/Seniors/FultonGolden-Games.
27-29, May 1
Sesquicentennial Celebration — More than 150 years ago, African American Baptists began worshipping at what is now known as 131 Mill Street, Woodstock, GA. 31 years before the area became an official city, and 4 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the deacons and pastor, Rev. William Thomas, met with Dr. W.H. Dean and the officials of Enon Baptist Church (name changed in 1884 to Woodstock Baptist) to formally organize Mount Olive Baptist Church, the first African American Baptist Church in the area! Wed-Fri 7:30 pm, Sun 10:45 am and 3:00 pm, Mount Olive Church, 131 Mill Street, Woodstock. 770-928-1334. MtOliveMBCWoodstock.com.
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Alive in Roswell — This event is known as the best street party in the metro Atlanta area, so mark your calendars! Every third Thursday of the month through October, enjoy Roswell’s historic Town Square for a family-friendly atmosphere with live bands, displays, shopping, gourmet food trucks on Park Square and plenty of other fun activities to highlight the evening. Shops and restaurants offer discounts and specials. 5:00-9:00 pm, 610 Atlanta Street, Roswell. 678-591-2610. AliveInRoswell.com. Fulton Golden Games Opening Ceremony — The 22nd annual Fulton Golden Games, April 27 - May 26, is a collaborative effort by Fulton cities and provides a month-long series of Olympic-style events and activities (shot put, one-mile run, tennis, golf and bowling) for Fulton adults ages 50 and
Hide & Seek Art in the Park & Resource Fair — Jacob’s Ladder is partnering with Roswell Recreation and Parks for our 4th annual Hide & Seek Art and Resource Fair at Roswell Park. There will be several fun activities taking place in and around the park, as we welcome the spring season by celebrating the impact of art in the community, while providing resources for children and families with specific needs. 11:00 am-1:00 pm, Roswell Park, 10495 Woodstock Rd, Roswell. 770-641-3760. VisitRoswellGa. com. The North Fulton Master Gardeners Annual Garden Faire — There is something for everyone: pass-a-long plants, unique gifts, garden décor, birdhouses, tools and edibles. Entertainment and gardening presentations, as well as food and
LIBRARY EVENTS AFPLS.org
beverages will be available. Master Gardeners are an extension of the University of Georgia. Proceeds benefit the North Fulton Master Gardener demonstration gardens and educational programs for schools and the community. 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Historic Bullock Hall, 180 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell. 678-3151012. www.NFMG.net/.
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Cars & Q for the Cause Featuring live music, tasty BBQ, continuous pours from Laguntas Brewing and Unknown Brewery, wine and cocktails and 100+ classic, muscle and exotic cars. This event raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 4:00-7:00 pm, Choate Construction Company Office, 8200 Roberts Drive, Atlanta. 404-325-6973. CarsnQ.PassionCff.org.
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Roswell Beer Festival — Over 250 beers, great bands and much more. Proceeds benefit Star House Foundation, a non-profit that works to foster academic success by empowering life-long achievement for at risk youth. Held in Roswell’s Historic Town Square. 2:00-6:00 pm, RoswellBeerFest.com.
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Down Home Derby — The Down Home Derby celebration benefits the Child Development Association and includes live viewing of the Kentucky Derby, a wine pull, games, dancing, great food and beverages! Live and silent auctions will offer attendees a chance to score a bargain on everything from wine and restaurant gifts to exotic vacations. 5:00-10:30 pm, Iron Horse Farm, 16470 Westbrook Road, Milton. CDAKids.org.
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Milton Hometown Jubilee — Enjoy dishes and signature cocktails from local restaurants and local shopping. 4:00-10:00 pm, downtown Crabapple on Broadwell Road in front of the new Broadwell Pavilion. CityOfMiltonGa.us.
ALPHARETTA 238 Canton St., Alpharetta, 770-740-2425 MILTON 855 Mayfield Road, Milton, 404-613-4402 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
Give Peas a Chance, by Kaiser Permanente April 4, 11:00 am, Roswell A special puppet show comes to the library in place of story time. Kick off Spring Break with this fun activity for all ages! AP Test Prep April 4, 11, 18 & 25, 6:00-7:30 pm; April 9, 23 & 30, 2:00-6:00 pm; April 17, 2:00-6:00 pm, Roswell C2 Education helps you prep for your education with practice tests. Spring Break for Teens: By Teens for Teens! Improv Workshop April 5, 2:00-4:00 pm, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Teens use improve theater games to boost confidence, develop public speaking and acting skills, and learn to think on their feet, all while having fun. Little Green Thumbs April 5-7, 2:00 pm, Roswell This is an introductory gardening program with gardening crafts. Learn about planting and weeding, and spend time outside. Spring Break for Teens: Finance 101 for Teens, Presented by Wells Fargo April 6, 2:00 pm, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Topics to be discussed include: where money comes from, how banking works, how to use your money smartly and how to plan for the future. This program is for ages 12-18. Forensic Science Workshop April 6, 3:30 pm, East Roswell Learn to solve mysteries using forensic science including fingerprint, DNA and handwriting analysis with Discover Science Center. Registration is required. This workshop is for ages 6-11 and is sponsored by Friends for Life Foundation.
Tote Bag Decorating April 11, 4:30 pm, Ocee In an effort to promote use of the library during National Library Week and advocate reusing bags, we’ll supply tote bags to patrons, and each patron will decorate a tote bag however they like. Supplies provided for ages 8+. Seeds, Cuttings and Divisions: How to Propagate Your Favorites April 11, 6:00 pm, East Roswell This program is presented by North Fulton Master Gardeners and is for adults. Home Staging Tips for Everyone April 12, 6:30 pm, Milton Learn to stage your home so that it appeals to all potential buyers. Teen and Kid Top Chef: Chopped April 16, 1:30 pm (ages 13-18) and 3:30 pm (ages 8-12), Ocee Do you consider yourself a snack guru? Do you think you’re great at mixing unusual flavors? Can you take down the competition? Come compete at Ocee’s first ever Chopped. Citizenship and Naturalization Information Session April 19, 6:00-7:00 pm, Roswell U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services hosts a workshop to provide an overview of the requirements and available resources for the Naturalization Test. Learn about eligibility requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen. Identity Theft Seminar April 19, 4:00 pm, East Roswell Protect your personal information from identity thieves, and learn what to do if you’ve been a victim with ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions. Registration is required. This seminar is for adults.
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Business WellStar recently broke ground on a new health park in Vinings that will bring much needed medical care to the community. The facility is being constructed off Atlanta Road.
Morrow Family Medicine will open its
With high-quality outpatient services close to home, the facility is expected to open its
second location early
doors in September 2017.
this month at 12970 Hwy 9, Milton, GA
“The new Vinings Health Park will bring an array of essential healthcare services to the heart of this community,” said Joe Brywczynski, senior vice president of WellStar Health
30004. “Bringing CARE back to Healthcare”
Park Development. “Like other WellStar health parks, the community-based facility will
is the practice’s goal. Morrow Family
make it easier and much more convenient for patients to have outpatient procedures,
Medicine provides a wide range of services,
diagnostic testing, physician visits and even pick up their prescriptions in this one-stop
including complete physical examinations,
location.”
care for acute illnesses, chronic disease management, sports physicals,
The new, three-level, 162,000 square foot facility will primarily serve residents in the south
immunizations, cardiac stress testing,
Cobb County area, including Vinings and Smyrna, as well as Northwest Fulton County.
pulmonary function testing, complete laboratory services and more. The practice
Planned services at the new Vinings Health Park include diagnostic testing, such as medical
will be open for walk-ins Monday-Friday,
imaging, lab, cardiac and sleep studies. It will also house urgent care, physical therapy,
from 7:30 am-8:30 am and appointments
cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, a pharmacy, community education, health screening
from 8:30 am-5:00 pm. They will be closed
and wellness services and a café. Future plans include an outpatient surgery center.
for lunch from 12:00-1:30 pm. For further information, visit them at MorrowFamMed.
Vinings Health Park will be located at 4441 Atlanta Rd. SE, near I-285 and Cumberland Parkway.
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com, or call 770-781-8004.
Running and other highimpact exercises were once thought to be the major cause of arthritis. We now know that’s not completely true. In fact, it may be the lack of physical exercise that can lead to worsening arthritic symptoms. When pain strikes in a hip, knee, ankle or other joint, human nature is to want to avoid doing things that could aggravate the pain. Although that seems logical, this inactivity could actually exacerbate the condition by leading to muscle atrophy and joint stiffness. For those experiencing arthritic pain, frequent walks or occasional runs prescribed by a trusted doctor, and possibly with a trainer’s help, can be a good first step to help ease the pain and improve symptoms, including inflammation.
What’s the magic number of daily steps?
Many people have been told they need 10,000 steps a day, but recent evidence shows that just 6,000 steps per day, or roughly three miles, is the perfect number. If you’re starting off, aim for 3,000 steps, and gradually increase your steps. The more you walk or run, the better off you may be.
How can runners and walkers ward off arthritis? While its specific cause is only now being understood, obesity, aging, anatomy, genetics and prior injuries are all culprits in the onset of arthritis. Runners and walkers who keep the pounds off, and instead pound the sidewalk, are doing themselves a lot of good, if done wisely. A study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that some runners in their 60s, 70s and older, who ran an average of 26 miles a week, experienced 25 percent less pain than those who were inactive. However, it may differ among individual runners with arthritis; a more moderate 6-10 miles per week, in addition to cycling or other cross training, may be more beneficial.
Running From Arthritis By Dr. David Covall
Am I going to cause wear and tear on my joints?
Running and walking is good for the health of your joints, because it keeps the muscles strong and well balanced. But, make sure you’ve got the proper shoes and that you understand proper running form.
How does exercise help the arthritis sufferer?
Running and other proper exercise helps build muscles that dynamically protect against joint damage associated with common types of arthritis and its resultant pain and stiffness. Arthritis sufferers who maintain a good range of motion in their joints will be able to move less stiffly, with less pain, and fight back against the progression of arthritis. And always aim for intelligent, regular and moderate, pain-free exercise.
Dr. David Covall is a board-certified physician with over 30 years of experience providing orthopedic care. He leads the Northside Arthritis Center, which provides conservative, patient-centered personalized care. For more information, call 770-667-4337 or visit NorthsideArthritis.com.
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Creative Combinations By Keely Woodford
LIFESTYLE Want to add a spark to a humdrum room in your home? If so, you may want to consider adding a lively and vibrant print fabric to your room’s overall design.
If your style is more traditional, side panels, a traversing drapery, billowing balloon shade or swag and jabot treatment might just be your perfect choice.
Focusing on your window treatments is a wonderful way to add a bit of drama and pizzazz to your decorating plan. You can create a great impact by using a print fabric on your windows. Prints can be used in a variety of creative ways.
Mixing and matching prints and colors can bring even more vitality into any room. Often tricky for the untrained eye to visualize multiple combinations used in harmony, a professional decorator can help you make wise and long lasting design decisions. L
If your home is a bit more contemporarily styled, incorporating an impressionist print in a cornice, or a Roman Shade, would definitely revitalize your room’s atmosphere.
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Keely Woodford is a franchise owner of Decorating Den Interiors. 770-926-0383. Keely.DecoratingDen.com
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Senator Speaks
Key Legislation for a Better Georgia By Senator John Albers
T
here has been no shortage of vetting, debating and passing legislation during the 2016 Legislative Session. Several key pieces have been passed and will have a positive effect on Georgia. One of the bills to win approval was Senate Bill 277, which clarifies that neither a franchisee nor a franchisee’s employee can be considered an employee of the franchisor. I sponsored SB 277 to protect and support small business owners and to give them the power to maintain control of their business operations. Local control allows the small businesses to achieve their goals of growth and prosperity. Small businesses drive the positive progress of our economy, and we must continue to do all we can to support their success. As legislators, it’s our job to ensure there’s growth and success within our education system. This session, Senate Bill 355, the Student/Teacher Protection Act, addressed the issue of standardized tests forcing students to focus more on memorization and multiple choice practices rather than independent thinking and true problem solving skills. SB 355 limits the time that can be dedicated to standardized testing to two percent of total instructional time, including the test preparation that occurs prior to these tests. We can ensure the continued success of our children by reducing the amount of testing we force in the classroom.
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Another important measure that passed is Senate Bill 308, which creates the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program. This grant program, under the direction of the Department of Public Health, will award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy and parenting support services. SB 308 requires that each nonprofit agree that grant money be used to provide pregnancy support services and is prohibited from performing, promoting or acting as a referral for an abortion. The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget included additions to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to increase security around Georgia. Twenty additional investigators were added to protect our communities. Citizen safety remains a primary duty of the government. Georgia Homeland Security is hard at work identifying those areas most at risk and maintaining the security presence necessary to not only deter attacks, but to prevent them. On the federal legislation side, the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act
(ABLE), passed by the United States Congress, sets up a new standard for creating tax-free savings accounts for those with disabilities. These new savings accounts will live tax-free, cover only qualified disability expenses and will not affect a disabled person’s eligibility for social security or food assistance benefits. Before implementation of these accounts can take place in Georgia, the General Assembly must pass its own law establishing the creation of ABLE accounts, and establish a cohesive system that falls in line with the national guidelines for Georgians to apply. As always, I’m available to answer any of your questions. I urge you to contact me by phone or email with any questions, concerns or feedback. L
Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the State and Local Government Operations Committee. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton and Cherokee counties. 404.463.8055. John.Albers@Senate.Ga.Gov.
Multitasking:
High Stress and Low Production
By Nick Roper
Multitasking is a term we frequently hear. It’s defined as the handling of more than one task at the same time by one person. However, the growing consensus is that multitasking is actually unproductive to businesses as a whole. Having multiple tasks that need to be completed is not an issue; it’s a blessing for businesses and employees, alike. However, countless studies show that employees who multitask get overwhelmed, and performance decreases. Personally, if I’m trying to juggle too many tasks at once, my brain will shut down, and my productivity level decreases exponentially. After reading Navy Seals Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s Extreme Ownership, I realized that the shutdown I experienced was my fault, because I didn’t prioritize my tasks, create a plan to accomplish them and then execute the plan.
Think of it this way — you’re on the operating table receiving a major surgical procedure, and while the doctor is operating on you, he talks on the phone telling other patients how important it is to have a yearly checkup. Obviously, that’s an exaggerated situation, as no doctor would do that, but the principle applies to all jobs. If you’re 100% focused on one job, it’s impossible to be 100% focused on another job. When you’re able to focus on one task, you’re more likely to complete it quicker and more accurately. However, your most important task can change throughout your work day, and you
have to be mindful of the goals of the company, and adjust your priority level as needed. I’m not advising you to tell your employer to stop giving you multiple tasks to complete during the day, because if you do, chances are, you’ll be out of a job. Not multitasking is not an excuse to be lazy; you still want to be trusted to receive and complete multiple tasks, because it makes you valuable to your employer. However, studies show if you prioritize, plan, focus and complete Nick Roper is tasks one-at-a-time, manager of business development for H&H you’ll become a Electric and Security more valuable asset LLC. 770-735-1136. to your company. MyAtlantaElectrician.net
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Community Feature acquire at least one, 100-plus acre tract of land. The purchase price, which includes the Cauley Creek Water Reclamation Plant, is $152,500 per acre for a total of a little more than $20.3 million. As part of a partnership with Trust for Public Land, announced in January 2016, the Trust for Public Land contributed $1.5 million towards the purchase price.
City of Johns Creek Closes on Cauley Creek Land Purchase
The City Council made the decision to purchase the approximately 133 acres of land for recreation and parks. With this purchase, Johns Creek now has more than 300 acres of park land. The property will be utilized for recreation and open space for the benefit of the community. The purchase aligns with the top recommendation from the Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan to
The Cauley Creek property is located in the eastern half of the city, adjacent to the Rogers Bridge Trail and the proposed Rogers Bridge connection to Duluth. It has vehicular access from Bell Road, as well as significant frontage along the Chattahoochee River. The property is bordered to the west by Cauley Creek and to the east by the Rogers Bridge Trail. Cauley Creek Water Reclamation, LLC, which is selling the property to the city, will continue to maintain the plant for one year following the transaction. The plant is not in use, but the city will consider all options regarding the future of the plant. The final park site plan has yet to be determined. Later this year, the city will begin to develop plans on how to utilize the parks. The public will be included in the process to help determine the final park layout.
Congratulations to our March “7 Differences� winner, Tricia Thompson! 14
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
Join Forces this Month for North Fulton’s Warrior Weekend Help create lasting, quality improvements to the homes and lives of aging veterans in the North Fulton community by signing up to volunteer or sponsor the Weekend Warrior Project. On April 30, teams of approximately 75 volunteers will come together to repair and enhance at least three homes in North Fulton that belong to eligible, aging veterans, as identified by Senior Services North Fulton. Led by Leadership North Fulton, a program of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Weekend Warrior Project seeks not only volunteers, but also individuals and businesses willing to sponsor this event. Sponsorships range from $100 to $1,000, with a unique set of promotional benefits offered to each level. For more information, to volunteer or to become a sponsor, contact Paul Cantrell, Warrior Weekend Project Captain, at 678-792-4404 or Paul.Cantrell@RaymondJames.com.
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Community Feature Cambridge HS Student Receives Awards for Music Excellence Marta Palombo, a senior at Cambridge High School, recently received two awards recognizing her for musical excellence. Palombo won the high school category of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Composition Competition for her musical composition “I Am.” Then, at the GMEA All State Chorus event in Athens, Palombo was awarded the first-ever American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) scholarship for being a six-year All State Chorus Student and three-year ACDA Honor Choir participant. Palombo will graduate from Cambridge in May and plans to attend either Belmont College in Nashville or the Berklee College of Music in Boston to study commercial music and performance, with an emphasis in songwriting.
Independence Alumna Ceramics Artist, Heather Knight, Connects with Ceramics Students Recently, IHS ceramics students gathered around a large new Recordex screen to say good morning to Asheville, North Carolina ceramics artist, Heather Knight. A few weeks prior, Independence High School art teacher, Mr. J. Chase Campbell, had taught his ceramics class about Knight’s work, which he had seen while visiting Asheville’s Woolworth Walk artist market. When he asked the students if he should contact the internationally known artist to request an artist talk, they said, “Why not? The worst she could say is ‘no.’” She said yes. The students loved the fact that Knight graduated from IHS. Junior, Lazalde, said, “What she shared about finding her purpose meant so much more because she once sat where we now sit.” Knight described how she started her business and how she kept up with the growing demands of her collectors and buyers, which currently includes 40 art galleries. She answered questions about the creative process and the techniques she employs to make her unique, nature-inspired, porcelain clay sculptures. You can learn more about Heather Knight by visiting the website: ElementClayStudio.com/
2 Centennial HS Students Win Recognition for Fundraising Efforts Raising $26,722 in just six weeks, Olivia McDonnold and Mira Shah, seniors at Centennial High School, won top three recognition at the 2016 Georgia Student of the Year Awards Gala, sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. McDonnold and Shah were two of only 15 students/teams accepted into the fundraising campaign. The Student of the Year campaign is an opportunity for local area high school students who are enthusiastic about volunteerism, philanthropy, community outreach and developing leadership skills to participate in the fight against blood cancers. Each team that raised the $10,000 minimum received a $1,000 scholarship.
Taylor Road MS Wins First Place in Reading Bowl Taylor Road Middle School won first place in the regional Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, the unique reading competition that tests students’ knowledge on selected books. Students Ravi Andhavarapu, Won-Seok Jung, Hyoungjin Kim, Abigail Lee, Yeseo Lee, Shruti Nemal, Ramya Ramaswamy, Haeyn Seo, Jonah Turner and Rhea Yendamuri received first place honors in the Fulton County competition before moving on to the regional contest. In a competition similar to an academic bowl, students were quizzed on their knowledge of 20 books that were selected from the Georgia Children’s Book Awards. Players were selected at the school-level based on their performance on a test about the books. The top 10 students were chosen to represent the school. The team was coached by teachers Anne Alarcon and Lindsay Resnick.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
Johns Creek HS Student Serves in U.S. Senate Youth Program Meredith McCain, a senior and student council representative at Johns Creek High School, is one of two students from Georgia who recently served in the United States Senate Youth Program. McCain received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., during March 5-12, where she attended meetings and briefings with the president, U.S. senators, U.S. House representatives, congressional staff, a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, an ambassador to the United States and senior members of the national media. She also toured many of the national monuments and several museums. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation paid for all expenses for the trip and they’ve also made available a $5,000 scholarship for each delegate, which can be used within the next four years.
Should I Paint My House? By Juan Reyes
Painting the exterior of your residence is a chore. The time, effort and money involved means that you’ll want it to last for quite some time. Therefore, you’ll need the right tools and equipment to reach those awkward places, as well as proper guidance to make it look its best and last as long as possible. Hiring a professional will take the stress off of you, as they’ll help to sustain your home by examining and repairing any potential issues, which could include peeling paint, cracked window panes, loose caulking and more. Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
• Check the exterior for damage. If you’re deciding whether or not to paint, take a walk around your home. Check your siding for peeling paint, caulk that needs fixing and wood rot. You’ll need to paint if your house is showing major signs of weather damage. • How long does paint last? A good paint job will last around 5-7 years, weather permitting. Don’t put off the project because it’s time consuming or expensive; that could lead to even further damage to your home and cause major problems. • Hire some help. Hiring a professional will cost more
money upfront, but it will save you stress and upkeep costs later. It’s worth the investment! An experienced painter will know the proper procedures, which will make your home’s exterior paint job last longer and protect it from weather and other hazards. • Color trends… Choose your color carefully. Remember, this is a long-term investment. A trendy color this year may be out of style next year or even next season. Color trends come and go, but classics will always be in style. Go with light colors that will not seem outdated before their time. Colors such as green, blue and brown always seem to stay in style.
Juan Reyes is owner of Pro Roofing & Siding. 770-777-1733, MyProRoofing. com
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Mayor’s Minute
Johns Creek’s
Strategic Economic Development Plan By Mayor Mike Bodker
T
he City of Johns Creek is facing an increasingly competitive environment for recruiting new businesses and retaining existing ones. Each city is jockeying for an advantage, trying to attract similar businesses and industries. Up until now, Johns Creek lacked a strategic economic vision for the types of businesses to attract, clarity on our economic strengths and weaknesses and a focused plan to maintain the character of the City throughout this process. As such, the Johns Creek City Council recently approved a Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) that will serve as a blueprint for monitoring the economic climate of the City and also act as a framework from which City Council members can better make decisions that directly impact the long-term sustainability of the City. With the adopted Plan, the City can now move forward in a deliberate way to enhance fiscal health and expand the tax base, which will help to create quality jobs. The strategies in the Plan help to increase the opportunities for optimizing Johns Creek’s business environment while protecting the character of our exceptional residential living. In analyzing the City’s strengths, the
Plan identified our largest assets as our exceptional schools, great neighborhoods, educated residents and a premier quality of life. Our biggest challenge is traffic congestion, which the SEDP keeps at the forefront of any development decision. We also face a lack of quality office space, and what exists is aging, putting us on the potential path of a declining business environment. The SEDP strategy identifies six target industries to recruit: high technology, information technology, software publishing, financial services, medical and healthcare and professional services. The Plan also envisions economic development opportunities in collaboration between the public and private sectors. The SEDP was drafted by the Strategic Planning Group, an economic development planning firm, with the guidance of Council members Bob Gray and Steve Broadbent, members of the Johns Creek Advantage and the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce and the City staff.
image, climate and brand for economic development; develop infrastructure for balanced growth; position the City for economic development; collaborate with public and private sectors to provide quality development opportunity, and maintain the quality of our residential neighborhoods, which will be taken into account with each decision. The strategies in the SEDP are subject to City Council approval through the budget process. The City will solicit significant public input prior to commencement of many strategies. We also recognize traffic as a crucial component to be factored in before moving any detailed plan forward, and it will remain as one of the top priorities to address throughout this process. Implementing the Plan and reaping the resulting success will require commitment and collaboration with our partners, but together, we can move forward and make Johns Creek a thriving and prosperous community well into the future.
This economic blueprint sets goals and provides a framework to implement the Plan. The goals include: promote the City
Mike Bodker is the mayor of Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. Mike.Bodker@JohnsCreekGa.gov, JohnsCreekGa.gov.
For more information about the Strategic Economic Development Plan, please visit
JohnsCreekga.gov/Businesses/EconomicDevelopment/Strategic-Economic-Development-Plan 18
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
Baby Teeth = Practice Teeth By Amanda Kossick, D.M.D.
There is a common misconception that children’s baby teeth are not valuable, and if a cavity forms on one of them, then “it’s no big deal.” This is not true at all! A child’s primary (baby) teeth are just as important for many reasons:
First, you’re training your child how to properly care for their teeth by limiting their sugar and simple carbohydrate intake and how to brush and floss.
Second, if a child has cavities in their
baby teeth, the bacterial count in their mouth is automatically higher, increasing their risk of cavities in their permanent teeth. Third, a large cavity can be traumatizing for a child to have filled and make them fearful of future dentist visits.
Lastly, if a large enough cavity occurs, it can cause damage to the erupting adult tooth that is coming up behind it.
Once we help children understand how important proper oral hygiene is, we’ll have a generation of people who are much more aware of their oral and overall health. Their dentist can also help them prevent cavities from forming. Starting a relationship with children at a young age can decrease the fear of an unknown environment, making them more likely to continue a relationship as they get older. At their cleaning appointments, we can help them learn how to properly brush and floss, along with applying a controlled amount of fluoride to their teeth to give them some “muscles” to fight off the “cavity bugs.” The benefits of fluoride are very important for cavity prevention in young people. The sad truth is 28% of children ages 2-5 have already had decay, and by the age of 11, this number grows to 50%! That’s an extremely high percentage, and it’s within
our control to change it. As parents, we’re able to guide our children and help them in cavity prevention. Please assist your dental health care provider in bringing that percentage down, and help our children have healthier mouths and lives.
Dr. Amanda Kossick is a dentist with DeMercy Dental in Roswell. 770-641-8010. DeMercyDental.com
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COVER STORY
“We want the R & D Mechanical name to mean something. We want R & D Mechanical to be the best of the best.”
S
ince starting R & D Mechanical Services in 2000, owners Robbie and Dana Matiak have followed a single principle that serves as the foundation of the entire company: to meet your HVAC needs with integrity. “We know there are a lot of HVAC companies out there, so we have set our own high standards to make R & D Mechanical different,” says Robbie. “We want the R & D Mechanical name to mean something. We want R & D
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Mechanical to be the best of the best.” Robbie, who has more than 27 years of field and operations experience in the HVAC industry, says he always knew he would have his own company. “I feel like I was ‘called’ to the HVAC industry. I love fixing problems and serving people,” he says. “This company isn’t just about making money; it’s about trust and relationships. We are willing
to sacrifice revenue in order to maintain our own high standards for quality and integrity.” As R & D Mechanical has grown over the years, Robbie and Dana have welcomed their children into the family business. Their son, Heath Matiak, is operations manager, and their daughter, Ashleigh Rich, has moved from the role of dispatcher over to the role of bookkeeper. Robbie says,
“With Heath and Ashleigh working in the company, customers have confidence in knowing R & D will continue to offer the same quality, dependable service for many years to come.” R & D also wants to make sure that everyone who works within their company understands that doing the right thing and treating other employees as they would like to be treated is intrinsic in their company’s work ethic. In fact, R & D Mechanical operates under 16 core values. They use these values as standards when hiring new team members. Some key points include living and working with the highest sense of integrity and character, being themselves, whether in public or in private, always doing as they have promised, being fair and honest, treating customers with respect, giving customers more than they expect and meeting customers’ needs without “selling,” just to name a few. Robbie and the R & D Mechanical team stand by their core values day-in-and-dayout — conscientiously displaying them on the company website and on advertising campaigns. “I have always believed that if you concentrate on doing what is right, then everything else will work out,” he says.
“We believe in informing and educating customers on all available options based on their individual needs. We help customers make the best decision that is right for them — because, ultimately, that is best for the company.”
After securing quality team members, R & D Mechanical also wants to make sure that they are making their lives better. Every January, the team members meet to discuss the expectations, goals and focus for the year. R & D Mechanical’s team members are at the top of their priority list. Heath notes, “If we serve each other first, we will serve our customers even more so.” The term ‘team member’ was a very deliberate decision for the company; Robbie wants everyone at R & D to know that they are, “working with us and not for us. The focus on valuing family time is also conveyed by allowing the on-call service technicians to control their schedules when emergency calls
are needed. If there is a planned family activity, technicians are encouraged to make it known and to ask other technicians to assist in the emergency service calls with customers. As always with R & D, family is first priority.” It should also be noted that all R & D Mechanical’s service technicians participate in ongoing education of new industry requirements and new products released. Their level of commitment to quality, in both service and employees, has established R & D Mechanical as a dependable, trustworthy company with consistent results. People return and refer others because they know R & D values them as customers first. “We don’t try to ‘up-sell’ our customers, and we don’t offer cookie-cutter systems and solutions,” Robbie says. “We believe in informing and educating customers on all available options based on their individual needs. We help customers make the best decision that is right for them — because, ultimately, that is best for the company.” In addition to putting the focus on customers, family and team members, Robbie and his crew are Continued on page 22
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Continued from page 21
active in the community. R & D Mechanical has sponsored the Kennesaw Grand Prix Series, and they also partner heavily with MUST Ministries and their Save It Forward program, with which Dana Matiak is heavily involved. Other organizations that they have partnered with include Next Steps Ministry in Woodstock and Cloud Walk Ministry in Alpharetta. However, the team members at R & D are most proud of quietly helping individuals in their community. Whether it’s installing a new, low or no-cost furnace or system for someone who
“We aim to under-promise and over-deliver at all times”
was without heat during the winter or doing labor at cost to help families in need save money, R & D continues to show their actions speak louder than their words. R & D Mechanical currently operates at about a 70/30 split between commercial and residential work. They offer HVAC installation, repair, upgrades and preventative maintenance. The company uses reputable, name
brand products that are known for quality, durability and affordability — including Trane, Carrier and Liebert. R & D Mechanical is a NATE-certified company. They back all work according to manufacturer’s warranty, as well as their own 1-year labor warranty. Technicians are on call until 8 pm, Friday-Monday, to assist existing customers in emergency service situations. “We aim to under-promise and over-deliver at all times,” says Robbie. To learn more about the company’s values, its people, what they do and what sets them apart, please visit RandDMechanical.net/video/
3448 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton
770-917-1795 RandDMechanical.net 22
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
it herself but left her estate in the hands of someone she no longer trusted.
By Debra Robinson The concept of do-ityourself is everywhere these days. But, when it comes to legal documents, doing it yourself can end up costing your heirs. A married couple owned a residence with their son, as joint tenants with right of survivorship. That meant there would be no probate when one of the three died. They wanted to take their son’s name off the deed, but instead of hiring an attorney, they bought a form and prepared the deed themselves. After their death, their son learned that the deed was not with right of survivorship, so each of them owned 50% of the property. That meant probate was required for two estates instead of one. By doing it themselves,
they saved a few hundred dollars, but cost their son five times that much after their deaths. A widow redid her will shortly after her husband died, with the assistance of a lawyer. A few years later, she decided she wanted to change the executor, but didn’t want to pay the lawyer to make the change. She crossed out the executor’s name, handwrote in the name of the person she now wanted, dated and initialed the change. After she died, her family learned that you can’t make changes to a will by crossing out and initialing. The person she no longer wanted as executor was the one appointed by the court. She saved money by doing
A young couple used a do-it-yourself program to prepare their wills. After the wife died, the husband discovered that she’d reversed names when she filled in the blanks, and her sister was named executor instead of her husband. Not only did the sister live out of state, but she was a terrible procrastinator. They saved money by do-it-yourself wills, but caused the grieving husband unnecessary delays and frustration. You won’t know what mistakes might be made when you do it yourself. By the time your heirs find out, it will be too late.
Debra Robinson is an attorney in Johns Creek. 770-817-4999, DebraRobinsonLaw.com
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New & Exciting
Viking Star Itineraries! By Michael Consoli
LIFESTYLE Viking Ocean Cruises® announced that the line will expand its destination-focused cruising to North America and the Caribbean with five new itineraries launching in September 2016. As a nod to the most famous Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who set foot on North American soil 500 years before Columbus, Viking Star will also cross the North Atlantic.
Highlights from the new program include: In the Wake of the Vikings (15 days; Bergen to Montreal) – Trace the route of Viking, Leif Eriksson, setting off from his homeland of Norway, sailing from the old mercantile city of Bergen to the rustic Shetland Islands of Scotland, the Faroe Islands, once home to the Viking Parliament. Witness the magnificent natural beauty of Iceland and Greenland; then, as Eriksson before you, land at Newfoundland, where L’Anse aux Meadows reveals evidence of Norse settlements. Sail on to Quebec, with explorations of Saguenay and Quebec City, before arriving in Montreal Eastern Seaboard Explorer (13 days; Montreal to New York) – Witness the shores of Canada and New England coming alive with fall’s vibrant hues during this onceannual sailing. From cosmopolitan Montreal, cruise the St. Lawrence River to French-flavored Quebec City. Learn about Canada’s colonial past in Saguenay and about its Scottish and Acadian heritage 24
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
on Prince Edward Island and in Halifax. An overnight in Boston gives you ample time to visit its historic treasures. Then, enjoy a rare crossing of the Cape Cod Canal en route to New York City, where you’ll experience the highlights of Manhattan. Eastern Seaboard to the West Indies (15 days; New York to San Juan) – Trace the Atlantic seaboard of the United States into the Caribbean, calling on an array of vibrant capitals and lush islands. An overnight in exhilarating New York City lets you take in its dazzling sights. Next, you will explore Newport’s grand mansions and Baltimore’s historic riches. Immerse yourself in colonial Jamestown from our port in Norfolk, and enjoy an overnight stay amid the coastal beauty of Port Everglades. Finally, explore the lush and lively Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos, Antigua and St. Thomas West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan to San Juan) – After time to explore the colonial treasures of San Juan, Puerto Rico, immerse yourself in the British, French
and Dutch cultures of the Lesser Antilles. Take in the steep green hills of Tortola and Antigua. Explore settlement towns on St. Lucia and Barbados. Witness the rainforest beauty of Guadeloupe and the rich past of St. Kitts. You’ll marvel at the French and Dutch sides of St. Martin and the splendid vistas of St. Thomas. NEW for 2017! West Indies to Iberia (18 days; San Juan to Barcelona) – Embark in colonial San Juan, and call upon the Dutch side of St. Martin. Then, enjoy a leisurely six-day transAtlantic crossing, savoring the offerings onboard Viking Star. You’ll make landfall on the garden-draped Portuguese island of Madeira and visit the French-inflected Moroccan city of Casablanca before exploring Spain in Cádiz, Valencia and finally, Barcelona. L
Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com
Book Review BY AMANDA WIGGINS
If
you are a dog owner, you need to read this book! I’ve had dogs all my life, yet Jordan Rothman’s book, WinWin, brought me a deeper understanding of canine behavior and how training
methods affect the outcome. For years, the idea of dominance was bandied about by professional trainers along with such absurd notions as “dogs shouldn’t exit through doors before you,” or “dogs shouldn’t eat before you.” With insight and wit, Rothman debunks these notions and emphasizes positive reinforcement and associations. When we travel to a foreign country, we don’t know the language, customs or expectations. Doing something as simple as maintaining eye contact while speaking can be perceived as rude or offensive in some cultures. Likewise, dogs are adrift in the human world without a map or Google translate. “We shake hands; dogs sniff butts. We log in to Facebook; dogs check in to curbs, trees and fire hydrants. We spray ourselves with cologne or perfume; dogs roll around in dirt. We put valuables in a bank vault; dogs put valuables under the couch cushion, or they bury them in the yard.”
Rothman provides tools to apply in all areas of training. He teaches marking, prompting, luring, shaping and more to add to your toolbox. Using charming cartoons and poems from the dog’s viewpoint, as well as concrete examples and metaphors, he guides the reader through understanding and applying the techniques as surely as he would guide a dog through training. I’ve only just begun to use some of the techniques in training my rescue dogs, and I can already see positive results. I wish this book had been available years ago. Win-Win is available on Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle formats.
Amanda Wiggins is part of the team at Jera Publishing, your one-stop selfpublishing shop, located in Roswell. 770-642-6400. JeraPublishing.com
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SMOKED SALMON
Tasteof BY CHEF HILLARY GALLAGHER
And Dill
QUICHE Serves 6-8
Hillary Gallagher, CCC is the Culinary Arts Program Director and Lead Instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College in East Cobb. Hillary.Gallagher@ChattahoocheeTech.edu. 770-509.6350 ChattahoocheeTech.edu
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
4 oz. smoked salmon, diced 6 oz. heavy cream 6 oz. milk 4 eggs 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ground black pepper 4 oz. cream cheese 2 tbsp. dill, chopped 1 tbsp. chives, minced 1 pinch ground nutmeg 1 deep dish pie crust, pre-baked
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Whisk together the cream, milk and eggs, then whisk in the salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Scatter the smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill and chives evenly over the pre-baked crust.
• Gradually add the egg mixture, stirring it gently with the back of a fork to distribute the filling ingredients evenly.
• Set the quiche on a sheet pan, and bake in a 350 degree oven until a knife blade inserted in the center comes out clean (40-45 minutes).
• Serve hot or at room temperature.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
Stop Summer
Brain Drain! By Mark Tolbert
Brain drain, or summer learning loss, is nothing new. It’s the reason behind the year-round school movement and why high performing schools send their students into summer vacation with backpacks filled with math packets, summer reading lists and essay assignments. It’s real. • Everyone experiences learning loss when they don’t engage in educational activities during the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.
•
•
•
Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in math skills over the summer months. A recent survey of teachers found that 66% said they’re spending 3-4 weeks at the beginning of the school year teaching old concepts that’ve been forgotten. Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time to ensure that their children have productive things to do.
•
• Summer is a great break from school, but it shouldn’t be a break from learning. What can you do to keep your child sharp over the summer? •
•
Keep lots of books around, and make regular trips to the library. Most libraries schedule special summer events for kids. Think about what your kids may be learning next year when you plan the family vacation. Talk with teachers to find out what they’ll be covering in class, and try to
plan outings or trips to incorporate those subjects. Since kids lose more math skills than anything else over the summer, try to do some special planning to find math-related activities. Ask your child to help you bake, but double the recipe, and ask for the new amounts. While at the store, your child can keep track of the total cost or calculate the change. Dining out? Ask your child what tip to leave. Consider a summer academic program. Struggling kids can get a lot of different kinds of help from these programs. Summer academic programs can also enrich and accelerate learning in order to get ahead next year.
Mark Tolbert is executive director of Huntington Learning Center in Alpharetta. 678-240-9221. Alpharetta.HungtingtonHelps.com
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By Joe Gaston
Pet care begins with the decision to purchase or adopt a pet. This is one of the most critical parts of pet care, because the decision will impact your life and the life of the pet for the next 10-15 years. It should be a carefully considered decision.
1 2 3
Things to Consider Before Adopting: Your living situation (apartment vs. home) Need for and access to an exercise area for a dog vs. none for a cat
Your life style, including how long you’re away at work or traveling, which impacts your ability to interact with your pet
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4 Your financial ability to provide daily care, as well as health care 5 The time demands of family, friends and work
Exercise, Nutrition and Weather Precautions Exercise is essential for a healthy life style — for pets as well as people. Indoor cats and dogs tend to be more obese due to lack of regular exercise, so it’s important to reduce their caloric intake to match their lifestyle. This can be achieved by feeding a less calorie-dense food with high fiber, feeding them less and/or increase exercise. Cats tend to do a better job of weight management with high protein, low carbohydrate diets. Weight can result in a cat or dog becoming diabetic and requiring insulin injections twice daily. Some diets are selected specifically for
medical conditions your pet may have, such as allergies, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, pancreatitis, etc. It’s important to make dietary changes in all pets slowly, so you can avoid pathogen bacterial overgrowth and colitis. Exercise will also impact the diet choices for your pet. Working dogs often require a higher fat content in their diets to prevent weight loss. You must also take precautions during hot, humid days to avoid a heat stroke for yourself and your
pet. Dogs and cats cool themselves by panting. You can exceed their ability to regulate their temperature when you run long distances on a hot, humid day. It’s far better to run early in the morning or late in the evening, and wet your pet’s coat to act as sweat, which will help to cool them as they run.
Potty Training Your Pet
Medical Expenses to Consider When Owning a Pet
If you’re away from home for 8-10 hours each day without someone to allow the dog to go outside to the restroom, it would be unwise to have a dog. Keeping a dog in a crate when you’re not observing them is a good way to house train a dog. However, it is unfair and ineffective to keep a pet in a crate for greater than 4-6 hours, because you cannot expect them not to mess up their cage/crate. Housebreaking a puppy requires that you take them out first thing in the morning, 15 minutes after feeding and generally every 3-4 hours during the day until they get to be six months or older, which is when they have self-control for longer periods of time. It’s best to take up food and water at about 6:00 pm when training a puppy, so they will not have to go to the restroom in the middle of the night.
Feeding and providing healthcare for a pet will far exceed the purchase price of a pet. The largest expense occurs in the first year of life, when the pet is spayed or neutered, given a series of vaccines and treated for intestinal parasites. Between youth and old age, the pet will require grooming, annual exams, preventatives for parasites and disease and often special foods or supplements. These expenses can be exceeded by care for a geriatric patient when they develop diseases of age, including osteoarthritis, immune mediated diseases, metabolic diseases and cancer. This is when there is a greater need for hospitalization and longer term care. Often, these expenses are occurring at the same time the family is facing expenses for their own health care, education for children, business expenses and home owner expenses. This can often lead to the pet being put last on the list of financial needs. As long as one is prepared for this, a pet will provide the unconditional love we all need and will become your faithful companion and a wonderful addition to your family.
Cats are usually easily trained to use a litter box. For them to continue the good habit, it’s important to keep the litter clean and odor-free. If dogs or cats develop indiscriminant urination or defecation, we first try to determine if there is a physiological problem and /or a psychological problem, and treat appropriately.
Joe Gaston is a veterinarian at Crabapple Knoll Veterinary Clinic, 12604 Crabapple Rd, Alpharetta. 770-475-8272. YourCKVC.com/
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Hosted by North Fulton Master Gardeners and chaired by Linda Cline, Garden Faire has something for every level of gardener−novice to seasoned. The Faire takes place, rain or shine, at Roswell’s Bulloch Hall, April 30, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. Check the “events” tab at BullochHall. org for general information and directions.
Roswell Ramblers, student musicians from Centennial High, among others will provide popular melodies to round out the experience. Bring your gardening questions, too. The famous “Ask a Master Gardener” booth will be available, and any of the workers
Inspiration at
Don’t worry about breakfast or lunch, Master Gardeners, many of whom are also master bakers, provide goodies for purchase at the bake sale. Visitors can also enjoy a cup of coffee while perusing the vendor area, listening to a speaker, or browsing the “Fleatique,” which boasts all types of gently used household goods, books and garden ephemera. Food trucks and other vendors will provide tempting lunch selections.
will be happy to provide good advice on any topic of interest to you. A wide variety of plant and garden art vendors will sell specialty items and chat about “best practices” throughout the day.
Plan to stay a while to hear a variety of great music. The Kingsmen, the
The Garden Faire’s most popular attraction is the Pass-Along-Plant Sale.
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Garden Faire By Lisa Ethridge
Throughout the chilly months, Master Gardeners have nurtured seedlings, root cuttings, divided rhizomes, landscape volunteer plants and much more. The plants are strong, healthy, inexpensive and ready for a new home. Before you go, pinpoint a spot in your yard that could use some sprucing up. Bring the measurements and approximate number of hours of sun the area receives. The experts will help you select the perfect specimens, tell you how to plant them correctly, and give instructions on care and feeding. The end of April is the perfect time to buy and plant perennials and annuals, and the Garden Faire is the place to start making those gardening dreams come true.
Lisa Ethridge is a certified master gardener with North Fulton Master Gardeners, part of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. 404-613-7670. NFMG.net
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with Jerk Marinade and Tropical Fruit Salsa Ingredients
1 - 7 oz. red grouper ½ cup jerk marinade 3 oz. green beans 3 oz. red bell pepper (julienned) ½ cup tropical fruit salsa
Ingredients for Jerk Marinade
1
½ cup jerk seasoning 2 red bell peppers (diced) 2 poblano peppers (diced) 6 oz. soy sauce ½ cup honey
2
Ingredients for Tropical Fruit Salsa
1 cup mango (diced) 1 cup pineapple (diced) 2 tbsp. shallot (diced) ¼ cup poblano peppers (diced) ¼ cup red bell pepper (diced) 1 tbsp. cilantro (chopped) 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice ½ tsp. kosher salt • Combine the jerk seasoning, red bell pepper, poblano pepper, ¼ tsp. ground black pepper 2 tbsp. olive oil soy sauce & honey in a blender. • Puree until smooth.
Procedure
3
Procedure for Island Grouper
Procedure
• Combine all of the ingredients, and mix together in a mixing bowl.
• Dredge the grouper in the jerk marinade then place in a hot sauté pan with cooking oil. • Allow to cook for 4-5 minutes then flip the fish, and cook for another 4-5 minutes. • Reserve the fish, and allow it to rest. • Sauté the green beans in a pan until almost tender, or about 4-5 minutes. • Add the red bell peppers, and cook for a couple minutes more. • Place the peppers and green beans on a plate, put the jerked fish on the peppers and green beans, and top with tropical fruit salsa.
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New Possibilities By Kevin Head, Ph.D.
I was talking with someone this past week who was very discouraged. My friend asked me, “What can we do when we get discouraged in life?” As we talked, I was reminded of a real-life story I heard many years ago. There was a man who was feeling somewhat discouraged. As he went to his mailbox to get the mail, he found himself thinking, “Is this all my life is going to be from now on—just sitting around waiting for the mail to arrive?” His discouragement began to grow and build. So the man decided to take a legal pad and write down all the blessings he had in life. He listed everything, even the small things. For example, he included the fact that he was the only person in the world who knew his mother’s recipe for fried chicken. This small blessing changed his life.
As the prophet Habakkuk wrote, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” All it takes is a new perspective!
The man decided to go to a local restaurant and ask if he could get job cooking their chicken, using his mother’s recipe. Soon, the chicken became the most popular item on the menu, so this gentleman opened his own restaurant in his small town in Kentucky. The restaurant was so successful that he opened a string of restaurants and eventually sold his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise to a national organization for millions of dollars. Colonel Sanders became their public representative until his death. Discouraging times can open our eyes to new possibilities in life. Focusing on what we have, rather than what we don’t have, can encourage us to use the gifts and abilities God has given us to experience new blessings. Keeping our focus on God’s blessings is a tremendous source of encouragement during discouraging times.
Dr. Kevin Head is interim pastor of First Baptist Roswell. 770-587-6980. RKevinHead@fbroswell.org
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
Artist Profile BY JULIE SENGER
All Original Plays and Musicals, All the Time Husband and wife team, Cheryl Lambert and Ralph Zaffino, have had the pleasure of being involved in almost all facets of the theatre industry throughout the course of their life and careers. Cheryl is a retired television producer/director who’s also an accomplished stage director, actor and choreographer. Ralph’s background is in educational theater, and he has worked as an actor and director in community theatre for many years. When Cheryl and Ralph were offered the opportunity to produce and direct two original works, they decided to form their own production company, and in April of 2014, Broadway Bound Productions, Inc. (BBP) was born. The uniquely wonderful thing about BBP is that they’ve made it their mission to “give back” to the theatre community that they love so much by exclusively producing all original plays and musicals for playwrights who need their works performed in order to get them published. In turn, this gives local actors some great opportunities to be the first to bring a new character to life, while also offering north Georgia theatregoers the chance to be the inaugural audience for these exciting, original works. Cheryl states, “It was important to us to “give back” to the theater community, since
Ralph and I had both been doing theater for many years. We didn’t want to step on the toes of other local theater groups, so we believed sticking with original works would fit a niche that wasn’t being served.” Thus far, BBP has produced five original shows, with their very first show, Thomas Rieser’s Ordinary Time, winning the 2015 Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award for “Best Original Work” and subsequently being accepted for publication by the Dramatic Publishing Company. “Choosing to create our small, creative business so late in life, we were uncertain as to whether or not we were doing the right thing. However, when Tom’s play was accepted for publication and received the MAT award — that was validation that we had chosen the right path,” Ralph says. BBP’s sixth and final production of the 2015-2016 season, MANopause, the midlife crisis, musical comedy, is set to hit the stage next month, May 12-22, with convenient performance times on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm at the Canton Theatre. If you’re a playwright who’s interested in submitting your work to BBP for consideration, please email a perusal script/query to BroadwayBoundProductionsInc@ gmail.com. They are currently seeking scripts for their 2017-2018 season. If you’re interested seeing one of their productions or being cast in a role, check out their website for upcoming shows and auditions.
BroadwayBoundProductionsInc.com
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By Angela Chambers
N
orth Georgia is very lucky to have many amazing biking trails. In fact, not utilizing our trails would be like living next to a world class ski resort and not skiing. We have world class, off-road trails and a progressive attitude about creating paved trails. There are two mountain bike trail systems in Cherokee County that offer almost 30 miles of trail and can be used by joggers, walkers and hikers, as well. But, if you think mountain biking is only for the young, brave or fit, you are wrong! Beginner trails were built for just that — beginners. Canton’s Blankets Creek has two beginner trails, an intermediate trail, and two advanced trails from which to choose. This is a great place for any level rider to enjoy the best of singletrack mountain biking. Blankets Creek is often listed as one of the best trail systems in the south and U.S.
Woodstock has the Taylor Randahl Memorial Bike Trails at Olde Rope Mill Park, which offer several beginner to
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
Biking Trails in North GA advanced level options, and Cherokee’s Dupree Family Mountain Bike Trail is the best place to start your mountain biking habit. Beginner level trails are laid out in three loops on wooded land. Just a mile in length, the system is designed for kids and those just getting off-road for the first time. SORBA Woodstock is the non-profit that builds and maintains these trails. In addition, they hold a monthly social ride that caters to every ability level — especially beginners and novices. They also have monthly work parties to maintain the trails. For more information about trails and activities, visit SORBAWoodstock.org.
Along with the off-road trails in Cherokee County, Greenprints Alliance has created an amazing system of
concrete, multi-use trails that are the beginning of a master planned system. Already completed and in use is the Noonday Creek Trail, which is 1.5 miles long and runs from Downtown Woodstock to Hwy 92, along the Noonday Creek corridor. It also connects to the Woofstock Dog Park via a beautiful, spanning bridge. Connections to Towne Lake, Olde Rope Mill Park and Cobb County trails are planned by 2021. In Northern Fulton County, there are also several biking trail options. Big Creek Greenway features 7.5 miles of 8-foot-wide concrete track, a 0.4 mile wood chip path and a combination mountain bike/hiking trail, all of which meanders through a flood plain formed by Big Creek. It is paved, with the exception of the hiking trail, the
BIKING TRAILS: Blankets Creek 2261 Sixes Rd., Canton
Big Creek Greenway Access points at Alpharetta YMCA, Haynes Bridge Road, North Point Mall, Kimball Bridge Road and Marconi Drive in Alpharetta
Charleston Park 5850 Charleston Park Rd., Cumming
Dupree Family Mountain Bike Trail 513 Neese Rd., Woodstock
Haw Creek Park 2205 Echols Rd., Cumming
mountain biking/hiking trail and the “boardwalk,” which is a section of Greenway between the original Northpoint entrance and the original end of the trail, about 600 feet north of Mansell Road. Bikes are not permitted on the boardwalk section.
Also in the North Georgia area is Charleston Park, which includes 5.5 miles of XC single-track trails along the edges of Lake Lanier. These trails are for intermediate bikers and consist of short and long climbs/descents, roots and rocks.
Another trail system in North Fulton is Haw Creek Park, which is roughly 85 acres and includes approximately 3.3 miles of multi-use trails for foot travel and mountain bikes. If you are interested in learning more about North Fulton’s trails and activities, visit the Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization (RAMBO) at RAMBO-MTB.org/. The RAMBO Chapter of SORBA is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving off-road biking and recreational
opportunities through their advocacy for quality trail systems. All of these trail systems are used by those in the metro area and beyond. Be sure to take advantage of them!
Angela Chambers is a teacher in Cherokee County, an avid mountain biker and the vice president of SORBA Woodstock. SORBAWoodstock.org
Noonday Creek Trail 9500 Alabama Rd., Woodstock
The Taylor Randahl Memorial Bike Trails at Olde Rope Mill Park 690 Olde Rope Mill Park Rd., Woodstock
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR BIKERS: May 7th 7th Annual Trailfest TrailFest.org (Woodstock)
May 7th 3rd Annual Big Creek Quick Six Enduro
RAMBO-MTB.org (Roswell)
May 14th SORBA Woodstock’s Pedalpalooza SORBAWoodstock.org (Woodstock)
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Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings
Brightway Insurance
2615 George Busbee Parkway, Suite 10 Kennesaw 855-723-5348 Insurance
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
11605 Haynes Bridge Rd, Suite 100, Alpharetta, 30009 770-993-8806 Gnfcc.com
Planet Fitness
13071 Highway 9, Deerfield Place Milton 770-750-0024 Exercise/Fitness
Community Partners
Providing Affordable Care Options for Children with Special Needs
Corrigan Care’s mission is to provide affordable, developmentally appropriate care for children with special needs and support for their families. Corrigan Care serves children from birth-12 years of age in the Atlanta area, with the goal of opening Emmy’s Academy, an early intervention childcare center, in the northwest metro Atlanta area this spring. The inspiration for Corrigan Care is Emily “Emmy” Corrigan who was born in April 2007 with Down’s syndrome. Emmy became sick in 2009 with Parvovirus (Fifth Disease), but after a courageous fight, Emmy ultimately lost her battle and passed away on December 11, 2009 at the age of two. After Emmy’s passing, her mother, Amy Corrigan, found there is a tremendous need in the Atlanta community for affordable, early intervention childcare for children with special needs. Early intervention childcare is extremely challenging to find in the Atlanta metro area, and if a family can find this level of care for their child, the costs can be astronomical — as in thousands of dollars per week. In an attempt to honor Emmy’s life, Corrigan Care was incorporated in May 2010 to fill that void. Under Amy’s leadership, Corrigan Care’s
community efforts are led by a part-time, paid caregiver, a committed board of directors and advisory board and a dedicated group of community volunteers. 100% of Corrigan Care’s board of directors give from their personal funds and bring a combined 75 years of experience in the areas of special needs care, fundraising, special events, early childcare education, marketing, business, accounting and therapy services. Corrigan Care believes that every child with special needs is unique, even if they have the same diagnosis. They aim to provide a warm, friendly environment, free from generalizations and preconceived perceptions based on condition or appearance. Corrigan Care offers group respite nights, parent’s morning out, music therapy, in-home respite care, and they will soon be expanding to offer full-time childcare through their Emmy’s Academy childcare facility. Corrigan Care currently serves over 150 children in 9 metro Atlanta counties (Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall and Paulding). Over 100 volunteers from local schools, small corporations, faith-based organizations and community groups have contributed over
10,500 hours of service to Corrigan Care in the last year. Their growing list of partnerships includes Pope, Walton and Lassiter High Schools, Kennesaw State University, including various sororities and fraternities, VolunteerMatch and the Junior League of Atlanta. They are proud of what they’ve accomplished in the nearly 6 short years of serving the metro Atlanta community and are excited to finally open Emmy’s Academy. There are currently no available options for childcare for kids with special needs in the north metro Atlanta area that include early intervention, education and therapy. Emmy’s Academy will be the first! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter or visit CorriganCare.org.
9205 Coleman Road Roswell, Georgia 30075 (678)509-EMMY Infor@CorriganCare.org
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Advertiser Index Alpharetta Foot & Ankle Specialists The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill
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Camp Invention
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Camp Juliette Low
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My Clayground
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Newtown Medical Associates
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North Roswell Internal Medicine Northside Arthritis Center
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Play by Play Camps/Sports Broadcasting Camps
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2016
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Pete’s Plumbing, Inc.
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