tober 2013 Vol. 3 | No. 10 | Oc
FR
EE
Positively Refreshing gazine Your Hometown Ma
THE POWER OF A SONG James Casto, HOME BY DARK Songwriters Show PAGE 3
Power of Pink Fundraiser PAGE 6
St. Ives Fifty Shades of Pink PAGE 7
Student Athletes Of The Month PAGE 11
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Positively Refreshing Editor & Publisher Mark Penstone mark@thehubga.com 770.643.9399
Media Consultant AnneMarie Edwards annemarie@thehubga.com
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Web Development Adam Brown adam@browncreativedesign.com www.browncreativedesign.com
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Community HOME BY DARK Songwriters Show
M
y life has been changed by 12 notes and 26 letters. I’ll bet yours has too!
A song can make you laugh out loud. A song can make you cry a river. A song can bring back memories you thought were lost. A song can reconnect you with love, your youth, or a favorite place. A song is a mysterious and incredible thing. Just words and melody, yet somehow the right song at the right time in the right place can stop you in your tracks and resonate through your soul. I was sitting next to Vince Gill at the Bluebird Café in Nashville years ago when he sang, “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” an angelic tune he had written for his brother’s funeral.I will never forget it, nor will anyone in that room. All of us, including Vince, were moved so deeply that when the song finished, there was silence as if the moment was so reverent that no one felt worthy to speak or make a sound. Maybe it was because we recognized the steep pain of losing someone close. Maybe it was because we were overwhelmed by the idea that heaven could be real. Maybe we just felt a very deep, very real sense of love. As I looked across the room, there were tears, smiles and hugs…. and then a burst of applause. A celebration of what had just happened. We weren’t really sure what had just happened, but it was good, and we responded. All of this from a pallet of 12 notes and 26 letters. I started the HOME BY DARK Songwriters Show because I wanted my friends and neighbors to experience what I had experienced that night in Nashville. I wanted them to feel the power of great songs in environments that were conducive to listening, that respected the song and writer. I knew that if we could introduce people to gifted songwriters in memorable settings, we could make an impact. So, eight years ago we set up some tables and chairs on a few acres in Milton, GA and did a show. Since then, we’ve had a steady stream of a-ha moments, impromptu dancing, laughter, tears, standing ovations, and countless “why I have I never heard of this before?” A few brave souls at that first event grew into sold out crowds and a loyal fan base that champions the HOME BY DARK Songwriters Show. Yes, a song can change your life. It changed mine. A song brought me here.
James Casto – HOME BY DARK Songwriters Show
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Community Wine, Women & Shoes — A Great Success!
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ore than 380 wine savvy, shoe-loving women attended Wine Women and Shoes, benefiting GYN and Ovarian Cancer Research at Northside Hospital, Sunday, Sept. 8, at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of wine tastings from some of the country’s top winemakers, shopped the latest trends in the multi-designer marketplace and swooned over the charming “Shoe Guys” serving up this season’s must-haves on silver platters. Nearly $50,000 was raised from the event for GYN and ovarian cancer research at Northside Hospital’s Cancer Institute. “Best in Shoe” awards went to the sexiest stiletto, most wonderful wedge and sassiest sandal. On the catwalk, Tootsie’s & Guffey’s of Atlanta showcased the latest trends in fashion, shoes, jewelry and accessories for men and women. Atlanta radio’s Vikki Locke served as mistress of ceremonies. As an extra-special treat, Catwalk Productions closed out the fashion show with a collection of haute-couture fashions from local designers with a personal passion for cancer research. Designers included Isaac Spry, Colin Turner, Tian Justman, Joseph Plata, Marian Collier, David Ojeda, Dona Adrian Gibson, Shenelle Evans, TP2 and Sonique Stephens. All of the designers generously offered to donate the proceeds from the auction of their fashions to the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.
For more information about the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, visit www.northside.com
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Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton & Roswell
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Cancer Survivor Gets in the Game
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n February 2009, Bob Falkenberg was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He was treated with chemotherapy and a bone marrow stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor on October 2009. In between treatments, Bob and his wife Karen, residents of Alpharetta, Ga., walked the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, which ultimately sparked Bob’s decision to take an active and energetic road to recovery. “Cycling has been a huge part of my recovery. Ten months post transplant, I completed 100 miles at the Savannah Century with my friend Carl Kooyoomjian,” Bob said. “Quit and give up are not in my vocabulary. After all the chemo and my transplant in 2009, I had trouble just riding 10 miles, I am now in the best physical shape of my life.” Just nine months after the Savannah Century, Bob and Carl took on an even greater cycling challenge. Joined by Bob’s daughter Katie, the three participated in an unsupported ride from Carl’s house in Beverly Farms, Mass. to Key West, Fla. - cycling 1,800 miles in 29 days! They were able to raise over $18,000 for cancer research. In July 2012, Bob met his stem cell donor, a young man from Grand Rapids, Mich. who signed up at a Be The Match college drive years earlier. Today, Bob is a volunteer on the Leadership Council of Be The Match Southeast, which allowed him to create the Be The Match Cycling Challenge. In 2012, Bob rode a total of 5,000 miles for the cycling challenge, and as part of that, participated in the 24 Hours of Booty of Atlanta. Bob’s 2013 goal is to ride 6,000 miles, and the 202 miles he rode at the 24 Hours of Booty in Charlotte last month is all part of that goal. At age 56, Bob is aiming to add another 200 miles to his record at 24 Hours of Booty of Atlanta from October 5-6. He will ride again with Jay Gallagher’s team, Get in the Game: Save a Life. “Some may think I am crazy but I believe that focus and determination can overcome many hurdles,” Bob said. “It took me 15 hours of riding to do the 202 miles (in Charlotte), I rode all night.” Bob and his family have been greatly affected by cancer. His wife, Karen, is also a cancer survivor. Bob’s grandmother, mother, uncle, and Karen’s father all died from cancer. “24 Hours of Booty is a great way to honor and support those going through cancer treatment, to remember those we have lost, and to provide hope,” Bob said. “It is also a lot of fun for riders of all levels. It will be one of the most memorable 24 hours you have ever spent.”
Important Star-Studded Documentary By Donna I. Douglas
“C
inemability is one documentary you won’t want to miss,” declares executive producer and Johns Creek resident, Jim Walchle.
Cinemability stars Jamie Foxx, Gary Sinise, Ben Affleck, Marlee Matlin, William Macy and a plethora of others. Hosted by Jane Seymour, the documentary takes a comprehensive look at how the disabled have been postured in media. Jenni Gold, who has both personal and practical knowledge of the obstacles and challenges detailed in Cinemability directs it. From the early days of silent films to present day, from Chaplin to X-Men, disability portrayals are ever changing. This dynamic documentary takes a detailed look at the evolution of “disability” in entertainment by going behind the scenes to interview Filmmakers, Studio Executives, Film Historians, and Celebrities, and by utilizing vivid clips from Hollywood’s most beloved motion pictures and television programs to focus attention on the powerful impact that entertainment and the media can have on society. Do disability portrayals in the media impact society or does the media simply reflect our ever-changing attitudes? This important documentary aims to find out if the media has had a hand in transforming the societal inclusion of the disabled and determine if an enlightened understanding of disability can have a positive impact on the world. Cinemabilty premiered at Paramount Studio in Los Angeles and makes it’s debut in Atlanta, October 15th, 8pm, Regal Cinema, Atlantic Station. The screening is a fundraiser for ADA Legacy Project, ALS and Nobis Works.
To view the trailer, go to www. cinemability.com and to purchase tickets for the event, go to https://cinemability.ticketbud. com/cinemability-atlanta.
Inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame
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here are few individuals who become a pro at the sport they love, and even fewer who give back to that sport like Shannan Gaudette has. For this reason, and her long list of achievements, she was recently honored as the second woman ever to be inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame! Shannan, an Atlanta native and resident of Johns Creek, joins a distinguished group of individuals whose dedication to the game has made a significant impact on tennis in the state of Georgia. Her achievements include: As a mother of 4 now, Shannan finds fulfillment in teaching children. She holds tennis camps during the summer, teaches lessons for kids, and coaches select tennis teams, one of which brought home the State Championship for their 12U this summer! Her dedication and commitment to our community and to the game of tennis continues as she touches so many little lives in such a positive way. Shannan admits “I was blessed and extremely fortunate to play tennis and do something I loved all of my life. I hope my experiences and knowledge gained through tennis can help the kids that I teach. Tennis is an amazing life long sport and I hope that I can give back to the game as much as I got out of it!”
Congratulations, Shannan!
Left to right: Jay Gallagher, Bob Falkenberg, Carl Kooyoomjian.
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
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Community Hundreds Gather to Raise Funds for Breast Cancer
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ore than 350 people gathered at North Fulton Hospital’s Power of Pink fundraiser on September 20th to celebrate breast cancer survivors and raise funds for the Greater Atlanta Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The fundraiser, which included a luncheon, silent auction, and fashion show, was held at the Country Club of the South in Johns Creek. Three years ago, North Fulton Hospital stepped up to host a fundraiser in North Fulton County to raise awareness of breast health and support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Each year, the event has grown and donations have increased. Over the last several months, 40 businesses stepped up to support the event with sponsorships or in-kind donations of materials needed for the event. In addition, more than 100 silent auction items valued at more than $25,000 were donated for auction. Many of the guests in attendance had been affected by breast cancer, and came to show their support, but everyone was touched by the 11 models in the fashion show, all of whom are breast cancer patients from North Fulton Hospital. The women from North Fulton Hospital’s Breast Program who modeled for the fundraiser this year are Cheryl Becker, Susie Cicero, Melody Corbin, Denise Eilers, Stacy Goe, Christine Hall, Janice Jenkins, Kelly Price, Linda Rundell, Pam Shinholster, and Christina Smith. “We are proud to be able to support the Atlanta Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” said Debbie Keel, CEO of North Fulton Hospital. “We know how important it is for women to get their mammograms, and the money raised today stays here in Metro Atlanta to provide free or low-cost screenings and breast cancer education here in our community.”
For more information about North Fulton Hospital, visit www.nfultonhospital.com or call 770-751-2500.
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Community St. Ives Supports Turning Point with Fifty Shades of Pink
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he St. Ives Women’s Golf Association recently held a fund raiser for Turning Point Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Center. This is the association’s 6th year for holding a charity event for breast cancer research and rehabilitation. This is their 1st year for designating Turning Point as their charity of choice. Turning Point Breast Cancer Rehabilitation is a non-profit 501c3 healthcare organization that was established in 2003 in response to the unmet survivorship needs of women with breast cancer in Greater Atlanta. Since inception, they have cared for over 2,000 women with breast cancer. Turning Point’s clinic provides specialized and evidencebased rehabilitation for women with breast cancer, including physical therapy, massage therapy, counseling and nutritional counseling. The collaboration of clinical services provides each woman with hope, support and education in an atmosphere of wellness. The charity event was held during the association’s annual Member Tournament. The theme this year was Fifty Shades of Pink. To raise money for the event, local businesses donated services and goods for a raffle which offered over $10,000 in prizes. The men of St. Ives also participated with donations for closest to the pin contests. While the origin of the event is competition, the purpose of the event is now helping the women in all of our lives.
Alpharetta Dentist Receives Award
Local Firehouse Subs Makes Donation
he Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is pleased to announce that Bradley R. Hepler, DDS, FAGD, of Alpharetta, Georgia, received the association’s Fellowship Award during the AGD 2013 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held from June 27 to 30 in Nashville, Tenn.
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The AGD Fellowship Award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Hepler completed 500 hours of continuing dental education in a variety of disciplines and passed a rigorous, comprehensive exam. FAGD dentists are an elite group, representing less than four percent of all general dentists in the United States and Canada who have gone above and beyond the basic requirements to care for their patients’ oral health. “We are proud to honor Dr. Bradley Hepler for his commitment to the profession,” says AGD President Linda J. Edgar, DDS, MEd, MAGD. “He has distinguished himself professionally among his peers and is a role model for both fellow dentists and community members of Alpharetta.”
he Firehouse Subs Restaurant on Old Alabama Road and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation have teamed up to award the Johns Creek Fire Department with a BullEx ITS Fire Extinguisher Training System worth over $10.700. The donated system will allow firefighters to instruct the community on the safe and proper use of fire extinguishers through hands-on instruction and in-person demonstrations. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was created in 2005 and has given $6.8 million to hometown heroes in 38 states and Puerto Rico, including more than $633,000 in Georgia. The local Johns Creek Firehouse Subs franchisee sponsoring the donation was Stephen Winker at the Old Alabama Road location. Each Firehouse Subs Restaurant recycles five-gallon pickle buckets and sells them for $2.00. Donation canisters on the register counters explain the non-profit’s mission as spare change is collected for the foundation. Awards and then made throughout the country.
Dr. Bradley Hepler has been trained in different areas of modern general dentistry, as well as short-term orthodontics, TMJ (jaw-joint) disorders, dental implants, conscious sedation, sleep medicine, comprehensive dentistry, and advanced restorative and cosmetic techniques. “While there are basic requirements every dentist must adhere to for continuing education, it’s important to recognize that dental technology and materials are changing daily. Basic educational requirements are no longer enough to stay current,” says Dr. Hepler. “Today’s dentists need to be life-long students who continually expand their knowledge base in order to offer patients the best options for long-term oral health.”
For more information about the AGD, visit www.agd.org.
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
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Community Boy Scouts Donate $5K
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he Boy Scouts of Troop 69 recently donated $5,000 to the Bus Replacement Campaign at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church. Senior Pastor Dr. Don Martin accepted a check from representatives of the troop. “The generous gift made by the Scouts and leaders of Troop 69 is very much appreciated. I am so grateful for the excellent leadership that points young men in a good direction,” said Dr. Martin. Troop 69 frequently uses the church’s facilities and equipment, including the buses for transportation. According to troop committee chairman Rick Leigh, “Mobilizing a group of 175-plus Scouts is a monumental task. Our access to the buses certainly is a big help, and we appreciate being allowed to use them.” Troop 69 is sponsored by Alpharetta Methodist and currently serves over 175 boys. The troop is the oldest continuously operating troop in Fulton County.
Learn more at www.miltontroop69.org.
Brother & Sister Duo Named Finalists in Band-Aid® Contest
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arlier this Fall, Band-Aid® Brand announced a national search for singers of their famous advertising jingle, “Stuck on Me.” One day after school, Johns Creek residents Luke Michaelis (age 10) and his little sister Nora (age 5), put together a submission video with the help of their mom. Now, the Michaelis kids’ video is one of twelve national finalists in the “Stuck On Me” video contest. The Medlock Bridge Elementary 5th grader and Kindergartener could win a $5,000 Toys ‘R’ Us gift card. Luke and Nora are both avid readers. If they win, they would like to make a large donation to the Medlock Bridge Elementary Media Center so that lots of children would benefit from their prize for many years to come.
To show your support for Luke and Nora Michaelis, visit Band-Aid® Brand on Facebook. “Like” their page and register to vote for the video entitled “You Wanna Rock? Band-Aid Style.” To vote, visit www. bandaid.com/ then click on “VOTE NOW”. You can vote once per day through October 31.
Three Georgia Tech Students Win Job Interviews with Top Atlanta Technology Company
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ardlytics, an Atlanta-based advertising and technology company, took talent recruitment to a new and exciting level this week with the first-ever Cardlytics Software Engineering Competition at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Nicola De Franceschi, a Georgia Tech graduate student from Italy, won the competition and was named IronCoder 2013, taking home a cash prize of $2,000 and, more importantly, securing an interview with the company. Albert Shaw, a freshman from Johns Creek, GA, took home second prize ($1000) and Matt Hagy, a graduate student from Greensburg, PA, came in third place ($500 prize). Both Shaw and Hagy will also get interviews with the Cardlytics engineering team. The six-hour competition took place Sept. 17 on the Georgia Tech campus, with 20 students participating. The challenge was a closely guarded secret until the competition began. Competitors were asked to develop a guitar tablature generator that created every possible permutation from an input of 99 different musical chords. They had to solve the problem by developing a working software prototype in any technology stack (e.g. Java, C#, C, C++, etc.). The winners were chosen based on accuracy, speed of development, and implementation. Cardlytics CEO Scott Grimes said: “As Cardlytics scales globally, we are always looking for great technologists. We created the IronCoder challenge as a fun way to introduce Cardlytics to the fantastic technical talent at Georgia Tech.” Grimes added: “We were thrilled at the level of response we received as well as the caliber of work turned in by the competitors. Our sincere congratulations go to Nicola, Albert and Matt and we look forward to meeting all of them in the weeks ahead.” Cardlytics is always on the look out for high–level technology professionals including software engineers, project managers, analysts and developers.
For more information, visit www.cardlytics.com.
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Georgia Tech student Albert Shaw, from Johns Creek, accepts a check from Cardlytics CEO Scott Grimes as a prize for taking second place in the Cardlytics Ironcoder computer programming competition.
Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton & Roswell
Kids & Kay You Can Lead a Horse To Water.....
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e’ve all done it….bargaining for every bite our child takes…. every meal a power struggle. As parents, it’s difficult to follow the advice of countless pediatricians, psychologists, and nutritionists that tell us to present a variety of foods to our children, in small quantities, and leave it up to them to either eat or not eat…they will not starve. By coaxing, negotiating, bargaining, and threatening day after day, a young child quickly recognizes the immense power they have and the brain of a young child is always searching for ways to control and exhibit independence ~ this is a healthy and necessary developmental stage and accomplishment. So, as parents what we are wanting to accomplish~healthy and robust eating habits~turns into just the opposite….a picky and dissatisfied eater. They know we can’t MAKE them eat and this power of manipulation can be more attractive to young children than eating, as some of us unfortunately can attest to.
Here are just a few tips (that you may have heard before from the experts): • Establish eating times so a child learns when to expect nourishment.
• Don’t bargain for bites with a dessert as the
reward. This sends the message that “junk food” is more valuable than the nutritious habits you are trying to establish.
Kay Paschal
Owner, Peachtree Park Prep
• (This is the hard one….) Don’t “rescue” their
hunger outside the established meal or snack time. The cycle will just continue since they will again not be hungry for the meal and the power struggle (and their control) continues.
• Allow children to feed themselves, which should
begin around 9 months of age. Assisting when necessary is obvious; however a child needs to start practicing feeding themselves as well as establishing important internal cues that they are full or not hungry at this time. Force feeding a child or controlling the spoon does not allow this phase of development and can establish unhealthy eating patterns.
So…bottom line….leading a child to the table in a positive way with healthy and appealing food choices and the power to control if and how much they eat is the best way to get what we want – a healthy eater.
Bon appétit!
Broadway's
David Rossetti
current Dance Captain of Annie on Broadway is coming to Chambers Performing Arts on
October 10, 2013
to give Master Classes in Musical Theatre: 6:30-7:30pm - Intermediate - Ages 7-16 7:30-8:30pm - Advanced - Ages 12+
www.ChambersPerformingArts.com
JOHNS CREEK/ALPHARETTA: 770-772-9798 • SUGAR HILL/ SUWANEE: 770-614-3381
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
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Chase Elliott of King’s Ridge Wins NASCAR Truck Series
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n Sunday September 1, King’s Ridge Christian School Senior Chase Elliott, driving the No. 94 Dream Machine, won the NASCAR Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Elliott, driving for Hendrick Motorsports in only his sixth series start, conquered the 2.459-mile road course resulting in his first series victory. At 17 years of age, Chase became the youngest winner in the NASCAR Truck Series history. Chase is the son of 1988 Sprint Cup Series champ, Bill Elliott.
Call for Reservation
Enroll today!
Omega Learning - Johns Creek 3005 Old Alabama Rd., Suite 170 Johns Creek, GA 30022 northfulton@omegalearning.com
SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this service. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc.
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Schools Touchdown Club
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he North Fulton Forsyth Touchdown Club held the season’s first Player of the Week Dinner on Monday, September 23rd. Buck Lanford of Fox 5′s Good Day Atlanta emceed the event that recognizes players from 23 schools in the North Fulton Forsyth area. The dinner was a great way to kick off the 2013 season that will surely see many more great performances. Dave Hubbard was the keynote speaker for the evening. Dave played professional football for the New Orleans Saints and went on to become a renowned speaker and author on the topic of fitness, earning him the title of America’s Fitness Coach. He shared his incredible story of how a near death experience shaped his life. He has a great perspective on life that he was able to share with the players and parents alike. Week 1: Offensive Player of the Week: Treyvon Paulk, RB, Milton Defensive Player of the Week, Carter McManes, LB, Blessed Trinity Week 2: Offensive Player of the Week, Kyle Watford, OT, South Forsyth Defensive Player of the Week, Connor McCann, DE , Lambert Week 3: Offensive Player of the Week, Grant Drakeford, QB, Riverwood Defensive Player of the Week, Connor Owens, DE, Northview Week 4: Offensive Player of the Week, Luke Able, QB, Centennial Defensive Player of the Week, Hunter Stewart, DE, West Forsyth
Week 3 Offensive Player of the Week Nominees with winner Grant Drakeford
Student Athletes Of The Month
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L212 and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce are pleased to once again present the Student Athlete of the Month Award to well-deserving students in the North Fulton Area.
The female Student Athlete of the Month for September is Paige Elliott from Centennial High School. Paige is a 3 sport athlete that is in the middle of a very successful volleyball season. She is averaging over 7 kills per match and almost 3 blocks. In the classroom she is an honor student with a 4.0 GPA and has received numerous awards, including the Excalibur Award which is the highest honor to be given to a student. Among her many other honors and accomplishments, she is a Scholar Athlete, Team Captain and a member of Operation Smile, Student Council, National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Anchor Club.
Pictured L-R - Mike Haynes (XL212), Paige Elliott, Bob Mejerle (SpeedPro Imaging), Roger Wise Jr. (University of Phoenix)
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
The Male Student Athlete of the Month for September is Hunter Bryant from Fellowship Christian. He is a 3 sport athlete for the Paladins and is a captain on the football team. He has lead his team to an impressive 3 - 1 start this season, throwing for over 449 yards and 7 touchdowns. Academically he has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is in a FCA leadership position, and is involved with Roswell United Methodist Church, Beta Club and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. We are proud to recognize these Student-Athletes for their incredible accomplishments in their sports, schools and communities.
For more information, visit: www.flipcitysouth.com or www.trinityathleticsgym.com
Pictured L-R - Brandon Beach (GNFCC), Eric Douglas (XL212), Mike Haynes (XL212), Hunter Bryant, Bob Mejerle (SpeedPro Imaging)
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Schools IHS Hosts 2nd Annual Oreos® & Opportunities
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ndependence High School recently hosted its second annual Oreos® & Opportunities, a community-wide open house designed to introduce the school and its programs to potential students, area residents and civic leaders. Established in 1991, Independence is a fully accredited Fulton County public school of choice located in historic downtown Alpharetta. For over 21 years, Independence High School has served the needs of students who seek to complete their education in a less traditional setting, offering the possibility of early graduation as well as credit recovery. During the evening, IHS InterAct Club officers presented a Certificate of Commitment to Mr. Richard Rowland of Alpharetta First United Methodist Church signifying their support of Operation Oreo®, a church program created to collect packages of Oreos® to be distributed to United States military personnel serving overseas. The ongoing fundraiser will be used to purchase the cookies which will be donated to help AFUMC surpass last year’s total of 6100 packages sent to our troops. For more information about Independence High School, please visit their website at www.independencehighschool.org.
’ r eeks Johns C ger... r u B t Bes
SANDWICHES • WINGS PASTA • SALADS
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Cliques, Coping, and Keeping Up
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he middle school years are the toughest years to navigate for adolescents. Socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically, your kids are changing and maturing, but so much change at once can be difficult and frightening. So, as a parent, how do you help them navigate this crazy time without holding them back from developing necessary and age-appropriate independence? Erin Pridgen, M.S., LPC, RPT from The Summit Counseling Center recently spoke with the Haynes Bridge Middle School PTA on September 20th, to address these concerns.
For more information, about The Summit call 678-893-5300 or visit www.summitcounseling.org.
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11030 Medlock Bridge Rd. #240 Johns Creek, GA 30097 (Inside Johns Creek Walk) Mon-Fri: 11 am to 9 pm Sat: 11 am to 9 pm (Brunch 11 am to 3 pm) Sun: 11 am to 3 pm (Brunch 11 am to 3 pm)
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Love & Relationships Being Proactive As We Age
O
ctober is breast cancer awareness month and with it comes the opportunity to educate women around the world about breast cancer, including preventative measures, risk factors and treatments. Age is the strongest risk factor associated with the possibility of developing breast cancer. As women age, the chances of developing breast cancer eventually become 1 in 8 after the age of 70. Now there’s certainly nothing women can do to prevent aging. But there are ways to be proactive as we age. There are new genetic tests that can reveal a gene mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2) that is shown to be present in as much as one-half of all breast cancer occurrences. New testing procedures, such as advanced MRI’s, thermography, and tissue sampling are all being investigated as highly beneficial diagnostic tools. There is also a bevy of new, stronger medicine than what was available even just 10 years ago. Kadcycla is a new FDA-approved medication that has shown great promise in shrinking breast cancer tumors. And so, although as women age, the chances of developing breast cancer increase, new steps toward a cure are happening every day. And with advances in technology, the odds are we may just see this happen within our lifetime. In the meantime, we can continue doing what we already know to prevent breast cancer. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, stop smoking, and practice stressreduction techniques. And remember to always keep your mammogram appointments and notify your physician of any suspicious lumps.
Kerri J. Groen
Director of Nursing and Wellness Services, Assisted Choice
Meet The Silent Partner in Your Relationship
W
hen it comes to your relationship, do you ever find yourself asking, “Why did I behave that way?” or “Why did I say that?” If so, meet the “Silent Partner” in your relationship. The “Silent Partner”, better known as your subconscious mind, pulls the strings in your life behind the scenes, yet so many people are unaware of this. It wasn’t until my husband and I addressed the “Silent Partner” in our relationship that we truly became happy in our marriage. For example, early in our marriage my husband was obsessed with controlling time. This concept may sound like a benefit, but try going on vacation with someone obsessed with time. Vacations just gave him more time to focus on time. He would obsess over getting to breakfast on time, so we could get to the cruise on time, so we could get to bed on time, in order to get to breakfast on time the next day. It was exhausting! If I ran late to an event this might result in an argument, which created constant tension. Unfortunately, my husband was raised in a home with an alcoholic. While in marital counseling we discovered that children of alcoholics develop coping skills. He coped with his out-of-control environment by controlling what he could, his time! When you think about how the subconscious mind works, it all makes sense. With or without your permission all of the ideas, images, concepts that come through the conscious mind are acted out by the subconscious mind. The concept
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
that developed was, controlling time brings calm. This worked for him as a child, but once we got married it wreaked havoc in our relationship. This is just one example of the “Silent Partner” at work. We both brought many concepts to our relationships that were continuously being acted out by the subconscious mind. Acknowledging the role of the subconscious was the first step. Once both of us reprogrammed our subconscious minds, through hypnotherapy, meditation, and prayer, we found greater happiness than we could ever imagine. If you have tried everything and nothing is working, work on the subconscious mind, you’ll be amazed by the results.
Valerie Odom Cobbin, BA, MBA
Certified Master Hypnotherapist, Brighter Tomorrow Hypnotherapy 404-459-2705 www.brightertomorrowhypnotherapy.com
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Health & Wellness 3D Mammography – A Major Advance in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
M
ammograms have consistently been shown to reduce the death rate from breast cancer, but standard 2 dimensional (2D) mammography has some limitations. Because this technology creates a 2D image of a 3 dimensional (3D) part of the body, tissues from one part of the breast can overlap with tissues from another part, which can mask cancer or create false impressions of a mass. In breast tomosynthesis or 3D mammography, images are obtained from multiple angles around the breast and synthesized by a computer into a series of images 1 mm thick. This allows the radiologist to view the inner structures of the breast and helps eliminate the problem of overlapping tissue. Studies so far have shown a 27 – 30% increase in cancer detection with 3D mammography and a 30 - 40% decrease in recalls for additional imaging. Benefits have been proven for all breast densities. Still, 3D mammography is not perfect, and is currently only approved by the FDA for use as a combination exam with standard 2D mammography.
For more information go to www.northside.com/ cancerinstitute, or call 404-851-6577 to schedule an exam.
By Lynn D. Baxter, MD, Director of Breast Imaging, Northside Radiology Associates, Northside Hospital
Use October to Create an Inspiring Holiday Gift of Health!
O
ctober brings thoughts of holidays and the big question: what will I give my loved ones this year?
Here is a priceless gift for the people you love, and one that helps you take advantage of having met -- or meeting -- your insurance deductible before it starts again January 1, 2014. Head-to-toe and from the ground up, think about your health and take action to make October your month for self care. If your feet hurt, you can’t or won’t exercise as much, and you may be throwing your whole body out of alignment. A simple footprint test will tell you whether or not -- from the ground up -- you’re putting undue pressure on your skeletal
system. (You can see how to do this at the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society website: www.aofas.org/footcaremd/how-to/foot-health/ Pages/How-to-Read-Your-Footprint.aspx In your mind, scan the rest of your body and think of aches, pains, and concerns: Suspicious moles? Do you squint to see or strain to hear? Does snoring keep a loved one awake? Do restless legs keep you both up? Do you have heavy, tired legs? Varicose or spider veins? Concerns about your heart, headaches, or digestive system? Your health challenges may be impacting your ability to communicate, exercise, relax, and enjoy precious time with loved ones. Imagine how grateful they will be when you share your improved health report as a holiday gift. Share this at Thanksgiving, and chances are they may follow suit in time to return the peace of mind to you by New Year’s. That way, you can all wrap up any needed tests or treatments before your deductible starts all over again!
By: David Martin CEO/President, VEININNOVATIONS
14
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Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton & Roswell
Are you an athlete with tired, heavy, achy legs? Your hurting legs could be from training for the race – muscle aches or joint pain. But that pain could also be caused by something called venous insufficiency.
When valves in leg veins don’t work properly, blood flows backward, making
running shorts MADE POSSIBLE BY:
legs feel heavy or restless; may or may not result in varicose or spider veins.
Don’t let varicose veins, spider veins, or tired, achy legs keep you from feeling good and looking good. Get your legs done!
Atlanta Darrell Caudill, MD, FACS - Medical Director Frank Ferrier, MD, FACS
Johns Creek Alexander Park, MD, FACS David Park, MD, FACS
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 340
4255 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite D
678-731-9815
VEININNOVATIONS.com
www.
Technology For all your skin care needs • Diagnosis & Treatment of Skin Cancer • Treatment of Skin, Hair Loss, Nail Diseases, Acne, Warts, Moles, Psoriasis, Eczema, etc. • Vbeam Vascular Laser for Rosacea and Treatment of Leg & Facial Veins • Laser Hair Removal (All Skin Types) • Sclerotherapy for Fine Leg Veins • Botox, Dysport, Latisse, Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm & Chemical Peels
RADIESSE SPECIAL (1.5 cc syringe)
$150 OFF
thru November 29, 2013 while supplies last.
We welcome Dr. Stephanie Gardner, MD & Kristin Gregory, PA-C to our practice. Gabrielle M. Sabini, MD Charles J. Douchy, MD Matthew J. Reschly, MD A. Damian Dhar, MD Stephanie S. Gardner, MD Anjana M. Patel, PA-C Sara A. Barr, PA-C Stacey Olivier, PA-C Scarlett Melton, PA-C Kristin Gregory, PA-C Karly Kincaid, PA-C All Board Certified
6610 McGinnis Ferry Rd., Suite 200 Johns Creek, GA 30097
(Behind Panera Bread and Community Bank)
3850 Pleasant Hill Rd. Duluth, GA 30096
(Between Peachtree Industrial & Buford Highway)
3331 Hamilton Mill Rd., Suite 1106 Buford, GA 30519 (Across from the Kroger Shopping Center)
NORTH ATLANTA
DERMATOLOGY Adult & Pediatric Dermatology
www.naderm.com
770.814.8222
The Future of Gaming – Ingress
D
o you or your kids play video games? If so, odds are that you don’t stray far from the game console when playing a game. If Google has anything to do with it that will change.
“Ingress,” is a mobile device-based, Augmented Reality, Massive Multiplayer Online (AR-MMO) game developed by Google. “Ingress” is the brain child of a group of developers from the Google earth division with the code name, “Niantic Project.” Public knowledge of this game is almost non-existent, so it may surprise you to know that the game is currently being played in public places (in plain sight) by tens of thousands of beta testers. This is not a game that allows you to sit still in one spot if you wish to advance. As a matter of a fact, most of us will not be able to play the game inside our houses. It is a near relative of the GPS based treasure hunt game called “Geocaching” (from early 2000). The difference is you do not dig up physical treasures or objects. You interact with and collect virtual items that are stashed at in and around historical sites, landmarks, monuments or artwork. In the process of playing the game you discover the unseen world around you that is “Ingress”. This is the “Augmented Reality” portion of the game.
the real world, I have leveraged that portion of the game to learn more about my local history. As a matter of a fact, I have gotten my ¬¬8year old daughter and 6-year old son involved by having them play the game with me. We get to spend quality, outdoor time together and they satisfy their need to game in the virtual world and I get satisfaction of them learning something relevant in the real world via the historical landmarks. I have access to a limited number of invitations to this unique, interactive game. If you would like to experience firsthand, “Ingress,” the game (FREE), then please send an email with your first and last name as well as your associated email address (ideally a Gmail account to get full use) to feedback@1USM.net or you can request an invitation directly at http://www.Ingress.com. The only requirement to play the game is an android mobile device (phone or tablet).
As always I would like your feedback on this article. Please email me at feedback@1USM.net
The jest of the game is to choose a “Faction”, either Resistance or Enlightened (opposing teams) and to establish and hack portals (physical places in our world), then gather virtual items (portal keys, exotic matter, shields, weapons, etc), which help you advance in the game. Each team vies for control of the portals and the establishment of what is called a control field (linked portals). I have been playing the closed BETA version of the game “Ingress” for months now. Since the portals are typically tied to a historical markers in
Todd Wahl
President/CEO Atlanta Technology Force, Inc. dba Unified Systems Management Toddw@1USM.net
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New Business Spotlight
E N A C I R R A HU OMING! IS C
NOW H OPEN!
Hurricane Grill & Wings Medlock Crossing Shopping Center, near Regal Cinema. 9700 Medlock Bridge Road ®
urricane Grill & Wings® a family-friendly restaurant with a relaxed beach atmosphere newly opened its first Georgia location in Johns Creek. With an extensive menu offering savory appetizers, entrees and sides at affordable prices, this new location is sure to bring a delightful burst of flavor for the first time to Georgia. Offering 32 flavors of award-winning jumbo chicken wings, Hurricane Grill & Wings® also specializes in quality food with big island-inspired flavor, all served in a tropical environment. The menu is packed with tempting starters like Hurricane’s Fried Pickles and Firecracker Shrimp; entrees such as the Grilled Mahi-Mahi and 100% Half-Pound Angus Steak Burgers’ and desserts including Chocolate Chocolate Cheesecake and Salted Caramel Crunch Cake.
(678) 279-5505
s U e k i L
9700 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek | (678) 279-5505
www.facebook.com/hgwmedlockcrossing
FREE
s e l k c i P d e i Fr
with the purchase of any menu entrée
Located in the Regal Shopping Center @ the intersection of Medlock Bridge Rd. & State Bridge Rd.
Hours: Mon - Thu: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Fri - Sat: 11:00 am - 12:00 am Sun: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
One coupon per visit, per table. Cannot be combined with any other offers or specials. Offer expires November 30, 2013. Valid only at Medlock Crossing location.
FOR A SMOKIN’ HOT BODY...
TRAIN with PAYNE
L
ocal dignitaries and guests braved the rainy weather on September 21st to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of Johns Creek newest business, Olivia’s Dollhouse & Tearoom. Mayor of Johns Creek Mike Bodker and members of the Johns Creek and Atlanta Chamber all took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration. Owner Brandi Hightower commented, “We are thrilled to present the first Olivia’s Dollhouse & Tearoom on the East Coast. We know the local little princesses are going to love it! It’s simply heaven for the little girl in all of us.”
Creating Princesses since 1991
5075 Abbotts Bridge Road, Suite 500 Located in the Dynamo Retail Shopping Center
www.oliviasdollhouseatl.com • (404) 908-9073
We shape bodies. It’s what we do.
The official training facility for IAFS
4565 Lawrenceville Hwy. | Lilburn, GA 30047 www.trainwithpayne.com | 678.641.9188
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
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Food & Beverage r Ou
w
Ne
LL
Margherita Pizza
A EB
CC urt is en! O B Co p w
No
O
Cold Antipasta
Full Bar, Extensive Wine & Bourbon List
Serving Classic Italian Cuisine Tuscan Rigatoni
Your neighborhood Italian Eatery
4090 Johns Creek Pkwy Suwanee, GA 30024 678-215-0400
www.toscanatrattoria.net Sunday: 12pm–9pm Monday–Thursday: 11am–9pm Friday, Saturday: 11am–10pm
Top Five Reasons to Drink Craft Beers
W
hat is Craft Beer? According to the Brewers Association, Craft Beers are defined as small, independent and traditional. To fit in this category, you have to produce under 2 million barrels with less than 25% owned or controlled by a beverage industry member.
5. Craft Beer Pairs With Good Food. I mentioned the dessert
beers earlier. Some of them are amazing with ice cream. Some beers pair well with spicy foods, like a good IPA can cut through the spiciness. Many beers match perfectly with grilled meats or barbeque.
Here are my Top 5 Reasons to Drink Craft Beer: 1. Craft Beer Tastes Better. It is not mass produced “beer
water.” Large brewers spend all their time and money watering down and adding corn or rice to extend the flavor and color. Then they advertise to convince you it tastes better. Bottom line: it’s bland and boring.
Life is too short to Drink Boring Beer. Go taste some and discover your next favorite beer!
Don Edwards The Beer Growler Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs
thebeergrowler.net
2. More Choices. Match your personal preferences. You don’t
have to buy a big, hoppy beer unless that’s what you want to drink. You also don’t have to drink fruity beers if you find them too sweet. There are tons of beers that fit each person’s preferred flavor profile. Most growler shops offer 3-4 samples to taste prior to purchase (each city has their own laws). Big favorites are Founders Breakfast Stout (chocolate and coffee), Southern Tier Crème Brûlée (which tastes exactly like it sounds --dessert beer). Seasonals are big with Oktoberfest and Pumpkins such as Southern Tier PumpKing or New Belgium Pumpkick, which is like a taste of pumpkin pie. Other favorites are Bourbon barrel aged beers that will never let you go back to boring Beer Water!
3. More Alcohol. It’s also a volume thing so you don’t spend your whole night going to the restroom. Most craft beers are in the ranges of 5-13 % ABV. Some of the more popular Beer Waters are 2.5 to 4%. Boring!!!
4. Support Local. The Atlanta area currently has 15 breweries and
is growing! Not all of them bottle their products, but can still be found in local growlers stores. In addition to Sweetwater, Terrapin, Red Hare, Wild Heaven and Monday Night, there are new breweries that are now up and running that have excellent beers. Jailhouse (Hampton), Jekyll (Alpharetta) Three Taverns (Decatur) , Cherry St (Cumming), and Fannin (Blue Ridge) all have a tremendous selection of beers. Visit the breweries on their tasting tours, you will be amazed every time.
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Food & Beverage October’s Trick or Cheat
O
ctober is upon us with beautiful fall weather and Halloween celebrations. As a mom and a teacher, I know that Halloween becomes a month-long holiday with all of the goodies, treats, and parties. My children are given candy at school, church, neighbors’ house, and let’s don’t forgot the grandparents’ house. Don’t get me wrong; I love a piece of chocolate just like the next person. However, too much of a good thing can be bad. I think as an adult we need to be role models for our children. We know our children shouldn’t eat a bag of candy and neither should us, the parents. Here are some tips that will make a healthier October and Halloween for you and your family. Your waistline and dentist will thank you!
Halloween Nutrition DON’TS: • Don’t buy Halloween candy on October 1st. If it’s in your pantry, you will want to eat it. • Don’t sit down and eat your kids’ leftover candy from trick or treating. Pick your 2 favorite pieces of candy and enjoy those. Make your children do the same thing.
Healthy Veggie Dip: 8 oz. Cottage cheese
Halloween Nutrition DO’s:
7 oz. Greek yogurt
• Instead of buying candy, buy individual packages of pretzels or apple slices.
3 oz. Onion soup mix
• If you have to buy candy, buy candy you DON’T like. Then you will have NO worries about eating it.
Combine all ingredients and chill for 2 hours. Eat with favorite veggies.
• If going to a party, bring a healthy party snack. Example, veggies and a healthy dip.
Jennifer Wade
Mom Teacher NPC National Level Competitor Fitness Model Personal Trainer House of Payne Client
• Take your children to the local neighborhood or mall to trick or treat. This allows you to walk with your children. You will get your exercise in, while looking at the fun costumes. (This is my favorite and my kids love it!)
W ! O N EN OP
The Fish House SEAFOOD • STEAKS
JUMBO
CRAB CAKE S T HE BEST!
Gulf Coast Traditions
Oysters • Grouper • Red Snapper • Catfish • Chilean Sea Bass • Creole Dishes Po’ Boys • Gumbo • New England Clam Chowder • She-Crab Soup
770.674.7903
Serving Lunch and Dinner • 11am - midnight
12890 Hwy 9, Milton, GA 30005 (Hwy 9 & Windward Pkwy across from Walmart)
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
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Money Matters The Power of Saving Early
M
oney Matters, my Sunday radio show on 95.5 FM News Talk WSB deals mostly with how to invest the money you already have. But what if you’re responsible for someone else’s financial wellbeing? Budgeting for yourself is one thing, but how do you budget for your elderly, and perhaps ailing, mom and dad? It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” As important and accurate as he is, I think I can improve on that bit of Founding Father wisdom by adding, “And a penny saved today is worth a lot more pennies than a penny saved tomorrow.” You know you should be saving for retirement right now. But here’s yet another reminder of the importance of getting time on your side. If you put $1 away at age 20, that dollar would be worth $21.00 by age 65, assuming an average 7% return over the years. If you wait until 30 to invest that same $1, it will be worth $10.68. Start at 40 and you will have $5.43. Wait until you turn 50 to invest that same $1 and you’ll get a measly $2.76. So a dollar invested at age 20 is nearly twice as productive as a dollar invested at 30 and 7 ½ times as powerful as a buck that gets put to work at age 50! If you haven’t started already, start saving TODAY. Every day that you wait is costing you serious money. But it’s not enough to just save; you need to have a plan to maximize your return. My Hierarchy of Investment Savings will do just that. It clearly outlines where to put your money and in what order. First, start by creating emergency cash savings. This should include enough money to pay for anywhere from three to six months of your fixed expenses. Keep these funds in a money market account or other very liquid investment in case you need it immediately. Use this money only for true emergencies, such as job loss or catastrophic medical costs. Secondly, IF you have a known large expense coming up in the next 12 to 18 months, like a down payment on a house or need a new roof, set this aside in cash as well. It doesn’t make sense to have your emergency fund wiped out due to a planned financial event, even if its a year or year and a half away. Once your emergency fund is in place, you make the maximum contribution to your employer’s matching 401K program. While not all
companies offer this, a typical matching program is 50% of the first 6%. Find out if your company offers this type of program and what percentage they offer so you can take full advantage of this great benefit. Next, start funding a Roth IRA. Contributions are made with after tax dollars and can be withdrawn at any time without penalty. Once you reach 59 ½, all withdrawals are tax-free, and there is no mandatory distribution age. Once you’ve funded your Roth IRA, go back and try to max out your 401k if possible. In 2013, the max contribution was set at $17,500. If you’ve done all of the above and still have money to save, put those funds in a brokerage account.
Got a question about this system or any other aspect of your personal financial situation? Let’s talk. My email, radio@yourwealth.com and twitter @WesMossWSB About Wes Moss: Certified financial planner Wes Moss is the Chief Investment Strategist at Capital Investment Advisors and host of “Money Matters” on Atlanta’s WSB radio. To reach Wes, visit www.YourWealth.com or call 404-531-0018 to schedule a meeting with one of CIA’s expert financial advisors.
Let Us Help You find Your Next Favorite Beer!
Alpharetta Johns Creek
865 N. Main Street
770.696.2542
3000 Old Alabama Rd.
770.676.9434
Monday–Tuesday: 1pm–9pm Wednesday–Saturday: 10am–9pm Sunday: 1pm–6pm
www.TheBeerGrowler.net 20
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t n e m e v o r p m I The Hub’s Home Small Equipment Storage for Winter
W
elcome fall! Last month we talked about getting your yard ready for spring by acting now. Hopefully, you’ve been able to do a little bit of preparation that will result in a healthier and more beautiful lawn next spring. The weather in Atlanta has been cooler this year, and you probably don’t have many more lawn cuttings. Now’s the time to prepare for how you’ll store your lawn mower and other summer-use 2-cycle equipment after you use it for the last time this year.
Fuel
Remember, because of ethanol in the gasoline, your fuel will quickly go bad and cause all kinds of mechanical problems unless you address the problem now. Before you use your power equipment for the last time, fill your fuel tank with just enough to run your engine. When you can cut no more, let the engine continue to run until it stalls out due to lack of gasoline. Try to crank the engine a few more times to push through any remaining fuel in the tank or lines. Some lawn mowers make it easier to drain remaining fuel, but at the very least, follow these steps, and you’ll be in good shape. Next, we recommend filling your tank with an ethanol free fuel, such as SEF94, Motomix or Trufuel. Run the motor for a few minutes, just to allow that ethanol free fuel to get in the carburetor and fuel lines. These ethanol free fuels can remain in the tank for at least 6 months or until you need to pull out the equipment for use.
Sparkplugs/Filters/Cleaning
Now is an ideal time to replace sparkplugs and filters on your equipment. These consumable parts probably need to be replaced anyway after the long summer of usage. While you replace these parts, take some time to clean up the surface of your mower. Dirt, oil and grass might not seem like that big of a deal, but you can increase the life expectancy of your equipment by keeping it clean.
And while you’re at it… now is a perfect time to replace or sharpen your blade. This will get your mower completely set for its first use next spring. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on replacing these parts.
Storage
Store your equipment in a dry environment. If your mower has a battery, you should disconnect the battery and store it in a warmer place. This will lengthen the life of your battery. Remember that pests need a place to hang out in the winter. There are lots of great places that they can create a nest on a lawn mower. Put some mothballs or other deterrents near your equipment to lessen the chance that they will take up residence. By the way, if you are pulling out those pieces of equipment that normally only get used in the fall and winter, such as blowers, chainsaws or generators, and you know the fuel is bad, there are some fuel additives that you can get to add to the engine. Even if the engine does not fail to fire, with bad fuel you could cause damage to the equipment unless you get it checked out by a trained technician. Winterizing your equipment the correct way isn’t difficult to do. Make plans to do it, but if you need assistance, find a small engine repair shop you trust. If you don’t already have a partner you trust, check out Howard Brothers. We will be glad to help!
Andy Darnell
Manager of Marketing and Communications Howard Brothers
Your Life, Your Home, Your REALTOR Thinking of selling? Not sure where to start? From de-cluttering to pricing to SOLD! My team of experts will guide you every step of the way!
Scan here to see all homes & enter code: KW1WiS8LV (FREE Mobile App)
Kate Boccia cell 678.849.5836
www.NorthFultonHouseHunter.com www.kboccia.featuredblog.com kateboccia@kw.com
Keller Williams Realty Consultants
695 Mansell Road, Suite 120, Alpharetta, GA 30076
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
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The Hub’s Home Improvement
Preparing for Moving Day ”Five Decisions to Achieve Peace of Mind”
P
eople who have accumulated a large number of possessions are confronted with a daunting task regarding what to do with their belongs in preparation for selling their home. Homeowners have little experience on how to organize this work effort. This lack of experience and the seemingly herculean effort of reviewing all of one’s possessions can add significant stress to a moving experience. By breaking down the details of a move and using a proven 5 step approach the task of moving can be simplified. All of your possessions will fall into one of these 5 categories:
1. Keep 2 Toss 3 Donate 4. Sell 5. I don’t know When you start the process of empting closets and drawers each item will go to one of these categories. Use different areas of the home to house the items as you sort, for example, use the garage as your toss/donate area, the dining room for items you will keep, etc. As you get further along you will find the process becomes easier. Once you have completed the process of sorting, you can begin packing items that won’t be needed to stage your home for sale. Using a professional home stager, a licensed Realtor and approved vendors, you will be certain your home will be ready to face the competition!
Kate Boccia
770-810-7266
Your Life, Your Home, Your REALTOR 678.849.5836 C www.NorthFultonHouseHunter.com www.kboccia.featuredblog.com
Click here to download my Mobile App to search for homes! Keller Williams Realty Consultants
695 Mansell Road Suite 120, Alpharetta, GA 30076
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The Hub’s Home Improvement
Home Sales Are The Highest They’ve Been In Six Years And Rates Are Still Low It’s a great time to sell or buy. Call me to make your next move...404-918-7112.
MY FEATURED PROPERTIES ACT CONTR UNDER
TED JUST LIS
WHY BUY NOW?
T
he recent upswing in the market has many buyers feeling like they may have missed out on an opportunity to get a good deal, but there are many reasons why now is still a great time to buy!
1. HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE
OLD JUST S
The gains in home prices over the past several months make it easy to forget that we are still way below the market bust. Housing prices are still down, but reliable data says that prices will continue to steadily climb over the next year.
2. RATES ARE STILL VERY LOW
ELLARD IN ALPHARETTA
LITCHFIELD IN ROSWELL
ACT CONTR UNDER
OLD JUST S
NORTHCLIFF IN ROSWELL
OLD JUST S
Rates on 30 year fixed mortgages edged up a bit in the 4’s this year, but rates are still historically low and appealing for many homebuyers.
3. GETTING A MORTGAGE MAY BE EASIER
Lending conditions constricted considerably during the credit crunch have eased a bit. Banks and credit unions slow to open their doors to less-than-stellar borrowers are easing requirements for some qualified buyers.
4. BETTER CHOICES, LESS COMPETITION BROOKWOOD IN ALPHARETTA
OLD JUST S
DEVONSHIRE IN ALPHARETTA
OLD JUST S
WILLIAMSBURG IN ALPHARETTA
WINDWARD IN ALPHARETTA
Jane McAuley®
CMMS,CMRS, Previews Property Specialist, Million Dollar Club
Cell: 404-918-7112 jane.mcauley@cbatlanta.com www.janemcauley.com
October 2013 • Vol. 3 No. 10
HEATHERTON IN ROSWELL
ACT CONTR UNDER
Investors came in this year and bought big blocks of distressed properties. That is a twofold win for buyers. First, by removing a lot of the foreclosures from the market they left the quality inventory. And, secondly, they are no longer competing for these properties because they are less attractive as a short term investment.
HIGHLANDS IN SANDY SPRINGS
Jane McAuley is a Top Producer with Coldwell Banker specialzing in North Fulton.
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We’re honored to serve you It’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. Look a little closer and you’ll discover that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in Georgia. While people chooseNorthside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care. Visit us online at www.northside.com