C O B B ’ S FA M I LY L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E NOVEMBER 2021
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Our Town
Our Town
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In This Issue
A Note from the Publisher.......................8
N O V E M B E R 2 0 21
Beautiful skin can be a breeze If you follow the expert advice of Eliana Ocheseanu......................................................13
Cover Story Sterling Estates
Cover Story: Welcome to Sterling Estates...........................15
15
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Their Upper School is soaring........................16 Lifestyle Report Top 10 superficial things Tara is thankful for.........................................18
22
Cobb’s Rising Stars! ................................21 Talkin’ Sports Justin is getting excited about the Atlanta Hawks, find out why.......................................22
Talkin’ Sports The Atlanta Hawks
The Smyrna Wellness Collective...30 & 31
36 Holiday Tips Joy in Decorating
32
Granny’s best holiday dishes...............33 Online Shopping this holiday season Our Town’s digital director wants to make your life easier with her expert advice....................35 Don’t let decorating steal your holiday joy Stephanie Mellom has tips for you..................36
Travel Finding Balance
45
Pets Find the Perfect Pup
35 PAGE 6
Are you ready to travel? OTM’s travel expert, Heather Meliski, is here to help you find the best vacation...with balance.....................32
Digital Holiday Online Shopping
Need some ideas for the holiday gifting? Check out Our Town’s Holiday Picks!....38 & 39 Winterizing your home Deborah Ratchford has everything you should know in Real Estate in Our Town...................41 Are you thinking that the holidays may be the perfect time for a new dog? K-9 Coach wants to help you find the perfect pup for you and your family...........................45
Our Town
Our Town onthly M
in this issue
F A M I LY L I F E S T Y L E N EW S M AG A Z I N E
STERLING
Publishers/Editors Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes West Cobb Area. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not Linda Demery & Lori McLinden
in Cobb County. Opinions expressednecessarily by the editorial staff their own reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our are Town reserves the right to Graphics and Design edit and or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not responsible and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Terry Tanner for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made reservesTanner the right toInc. edit and or reject any editorial or advertising Graphics, by advertisers. content. Our Town is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond Account Executive Entire contents copyright 2018 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in sara@ourtownmonthly.com the Sara costYoung, of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher. Feature Photographer Entire contents copyright 2021 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole Our Town Monthly or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher. 109 Anderson Street Contributing Writers
Suite 109 Marietta, GA 30060
PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR 678-337-7844 Tara Hill Hanover Fax: 678-337-7825 info@ourtownmonthly.com
ESTATES
Senior Living Communities
SAFE
SOCIAL
www.ourtownmonthly.com EDITOR/SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR Justin Hanover
DIGITAL EDITOR/SOCIAL MEDIA CONTRIBUTOR Kimberly Watkins-Swenk GRAPHICS AND DESIGN Jules Fandos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES West Cobb Sara Young sara@ourtownmonthly.com Smyrna/Vinings/Galleria/Cumberland Misty Flanders-White misty@ourtownmonthly.com North/South Cobb Stephanie Mellom stephanie@ourtownmonthly.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Eliana Ocheseanu Heather Meliski Stephanie Mellom Deborah Ratchford K-9 Coach Team
STERLING ESTATES COMMUNITIES STRONGER THAN EVER ALL RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED BOOSTER SHOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR OUR RESIDENTS
CALL US FOR TOURS
“What I’ve learned is that all communities talk about wellness and socialization… but they don’t have the wellness center, greenspace, programming and staffing that Sterling Estates has. No one can match what Sterling provides for their residents. My parents are thriving at Sterling Estates… Bet yours will too” - Susan S.
Come See the Differences Best of Cobb
2019-2021 Retirement, Assisted Living & Memory Care
PO Box 813610 Smyrna, GA 30081-8610 (678)337-7844 info@ourtownmonthly.com www.ourtownmonthly.com
SterlingEstates.com
East Cobb:
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IG: @our_town_monthly
678-946-4454 Lacey
STERLING ESTATES Independent, Assisted Living & Memory Care
West Cobb:
770-255-7000 Sherry
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Letter from the Publisher
TARA HILL HANOVER
Happy Holidays!
C
an you believe it is already November? I don’t know about you but this month kicks off the holiday season for me as well as my family. This year hasn’t been the easiest for many but I choose to live in gratitude and choose to count my many blessings! I hope you will too. As I think on this past year (that has seriously flown by), I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for my health, my family, my friends, this magazine, this community, our advertisers and of course YOU! I am reminded, especially now, of the saying, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you will realize they were actually the big things.” Let’s start out this season of thankfulness by realizing that Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be one day of the year...it can be a mindset for every day of the year. Enjoy the season my friends!
Tara
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Our Town
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WHERE WILL WONDER LEAD YOU? Alex, Class of 2021 Bowdoin College
“The teachers and coaches at Walker taught me how to push myself. I know what I am capable of now, and they taught me not to settle for less.”
Hannah, Class of 2021 University of Georgia
“I am most proud of the perseverance and resilience that has shaped me into the person I am today. My favorite memory is playing for the state volleyball championship my junior year.”
Sarah, Class of 2021 Boston University
“Taking advantage of all the amazing opportunities offered and pushing myself to become a better student, classmate and friend has allowed me to become the best version of myself.”
RANKED #1 PRIVATE SCHOOL IN COBB Walker is open for small group tours with limited spacing. Register for our all-school Open Houses on Sunday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Jan. 23, at: PK(3)-12 thewalkerschool.org/admission or call (678) 540-7229. 700 Cobb Parkway N. Marietta, Ga. 30062
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Home is where the heart is at Dogwood Forest Acworth Assisted Living & Memory Care and so is the CARE. We love our residents like family and you can visit our website and hear from family members why they love us, too.
WE OFFER: • Short Term Stays • Studio & 1BR Apartments • On-site Rehab • Robust Activities & Programs • 3 Miles from Local Hospitals • Pastoral Chaplain as we are a Faith-based Company
Call Lori Ghassedi today for more information at: 678-628-9274 | www.dogwoodforest.com
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4461 South Main St. l Acworth, GA 30101
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Our Town
The Science of Beauty By Eliana Ocheseanu, the Skin Whisperer at Refinery21 Aesthetique
N
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LIFESTYLE TIPS TO BLEMISH-PROOF YOUR SKIN
ow that daily face masks are finally coming off, it’s time to double down on treating breakouts and lingering “maskne” issues. For year-round blemish control, check out these lifestyle and product tips. How many of them are you already doing?
3
Remove makeup every night. Remnants of makeup that remain in pores can not only aggravate existing blemishes, but can also cause little round bumps (or milia) to pop up. Milia are those little white spots that develop when tiny flakes of skin, or surface debris get trapped in small pockets near the skin surface. Milia don’t have an opening onto the skin surface, like a pore, so they can’t be extracted by squeezing. Trying to pop them can cause redness and inflammation, or even scarring. So be proactive—be sure to remove makeup every night and exfoliate once or twice a week.
Make friends with “Sal”—salicylic acid, that is. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid derived from willow bark, which helps degrease skin and de-clog pores. To control excess oil and congested pores that lead to blemishes, use skincare products that contain salicylic acid, such as Exfoliating Cleansing Gel from LeMieux to cleanse and Beta Acid to exfoliate.
Hydrate your skin throughout the day. Certain acne medications can cause patches of skin to dry out. For a non-pore-clogging hydrator, use a Hyaluronic Serum, to keep blemish-prone skin in a moist, mineral-rich environment.
1
Wash your face every night, no matter how tired you may be. Washing your face every night, not just in the morning, creates a kind of “clean slate” for your skin, which helps your nighttime products absorb better, and gives skin a boost as it renews itself during those nighttime hours.
2
4
Eat a balanced diet. Choose nutrient-rich dark leafy greens, broccoli, berries, flaxseed, and brown rice, which have high levels of vitamin B and other nutrients that help regulate hormone levels, because out-of-whack hormones can lead to acne breakouts. Include probiotic foods in your diet, like Greek yogurt, kefir, kombucha—because research has shown that there is a link between probiotics and helping skin heal from acne.
5
Avoid picking at your face. Popping pimples or picking at your face might be hard to resist, but dig deep for that willpower and resist temptation! Messing with blemishes can cause infections and eventual scarring.
6
7
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Be gentle with your touch. Don’t scrub your face, which can irritate skin and make acne worse.
Go easy on salt, sugar, and alcohol. Not to be a buzzkill, but eating too many salty foods and drinking alcohol can dehydrate skin, leading to swelling and making it more difficult for blemish-prone skin to correct itself. Watch out for too many sugary foods, which can raise blood sugar levels and increase levels of insulin, which can boost sebum production and create conditions leading to congested pores and blemishes.
8
Watch your caffeine intake. Eliminate or cut down on energy drinks high in caffeine or taurine, because while caffeine can make you feel alert, it can also increase a stress response in the body that could increase the amount of oil skin produces… which can in turn make skin more prone to break-outs.
9
Overall, the key to managing blemish-prone skin is not only choosing the right products, it’s also making appropriate lifestyle choices. Keep the above tips in mind for banishing blemishes and putting your best face forward. Sources: LeMieuxskincare.com
Eliana has over 20 years of experience in skin care. She is the owner of Refinery21 Aesthetique and she is always available for free consultations. Email her with any skin care related questions at eliana@refinery21studio.com
PAGE 13
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Dr. Puentes has more than 30 years experience as a physician and more than 17 years as an Endocrinologist
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PAGE 14
4450 Calibre Crossing NW Suite 1130 Acworth, GA 30101
770.771.6991
www.vpcenters.com
Our Town
COVER STORY
STERLING ESTATES
Senior Living Communities
C
ome tour our two Retirement Communities in Marietta and see why so many seniors are choosing to call Sterling Estates home. These communities, built like residential neighborhoods, were developed by six partners who have lived in greater Atlanta most of their adult lives and have over 125 years of combined senior living industry experience. These individuals are committed to providing the finest lifestyle, services and care for their residents. Three of the six partners are Marietta locals - so there were no questions in their minds when deciding where to locate these properties. Sterling Estates Managing Partner Mike Brown tells us that every aspect of planning, designing and developing Sterling Estates had one primary objective, “What would we want for our own loved ones?” In partnership with families, Sterling’s commitment is to encourage and empower each resident to stay active and independent by focusing on wellness and socialization activities that promote physical and mental stimulation, which is proven to enhance quality of life. Wellness programs and socialization activities that maintain one’s quality of life are not an afterthought for these communities, they are central to what the owners and staff are trying to deliver for their residents. Cobb Life Magazine and the Marietta Daily Journal named Sterling Estates senior communities to its 2021 “Best of Cobb” list. Sterling Estates of East Cobb was voted Best Assisted Living Community in Cobb County, while its sister property Sterling Estates of West Cobb was voted Best Retirement Living Community. The West Cobb community, The Grande at Sterling Estates was also named Best Memory Care Community. This is the third year in a row for the senior living communities to receive top honors in the contest, which awards businesses based on voting open to the public. “We’re very proud that our Sterling Estates Communities once again won Best of Cobb in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic obviously has presented significant challenges worldwide, with no one more impacted than our seniors and their families,” said Brown. “Our team has met those challenges head on throughout the year. In fact, our communities are the only senior living communities in the state of Georgia approved as direct suppliers of the vaccine, allowing our residents, staff and loved ones to achieve full vaccination back in January. We believe we’ve led the way in not only keeping our residents safe throughout the last year but also socially engaged and physically active. In the face of this pandemic new residents even more so, continue to choose our communities over living alone in their homes, isolated and physically inactive. We are grateful for the continuing recognition of our efforts by Best of Cobb voters.”
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Sterling Estates’ two senior living communities are located in East Cobb and West Cobb, with a future development underway in Cumming, Sterling Estates of Forsyth. Unlike typical senior living communities, these are built on substantial acreage with plenty of green space and room for extensive outdoor amenities for residents’ enjoyment and use.
STERLING ESTATES OF WEST COBB
Situated on 30 acres in a classic neighborhood setting with walking paths, large resident garden, beautifully landscaped courtyards and parks, Sterling Estates of West Cobb - which opened in 2016 - offers independent living cottages, garden homes and apartments. Additionally, its main building, The Landmark, provides apartment living and is licensed to provide assisted living services to residents residing there. The Landmark has a variety of dining options and a state-of-the-art $1,000,000+ Sterling Way Wellness Center with an indoor heated, saltwater, aerobic pool. The West Cobb property opened in June of 2019 a new (The Hampton) independent living residence with additional oneand two-bedroom apartments, a large clubhouse (The Club), with indoor and outdoor seating, and a bar for socializing and “happy hours.” The Club also includes areas for art, sculpturing and woodworking, as well as a technology/media center. In addition to the new independent living apartments and clubhouse, a state-of-the-art memory care residence (The Grande) opened in June of 2019 as well. The single-story building with 36 resident suites features three strategically placed “engagement centers” as well as a secure central interior therapeutic garden and courtyard. Partner Mike Brown added, “We were determined to deliver Marietta and greater Atlanta a cutting-edge, evidence-based memory care center, and believe we have done so.”
STERLING ESTATES OF EAST COBB
Much like its sister community, Sterling Estates of East Cobb is situated on 10 acres on Lower Roswell Road just off of Johnson Ferry Road. Located across from Indian Hills Country Club, it too has plenty of green space, gardens and outdoor amenities.
Like West Cobb, the East Cobb community offers residents the choice of living in cottage homes or in its Landmark residence where they can live independently in apartments, and if needed receive assistance with daily living. The same common area amenities and features of West Cobb are included in the East Cobb property, including a 5,000 sq. ft. Sterling Way Wellness Center featuring an indoor heated, saltwater, aerobic pool and large multi-dimensional exercise area. Well-known locally for its excellent dining experiences and delicious meals, Sterling Estates of East Cobb is the recent two-time winner of the “Taste of East Cobb” competition. Each of these communities offers exceptional living accommodations, a myriad of opportunities for continued good health, happiness and a warm, friendly environment conducive to making new friends and enjoying family. The staff strives to uphold what it feels are life’s most important values: service, faith and dependability, as well as to inspire enduring hope in hearts of families who entrust loved ones to their care.
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Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s Upper School
M
t. Bethel Christian Academy’s Upper School students continue to soar! The Upper School prepares students to succeed in college and impact the world for Christ in a nurturing, challenging environment. Thanks to small class sizes, Mt. Bethel teachers develop meaningful relationships with their students and know them as individuals. Academy teachers encourage each student to strive for the highest academic and personal standards. A comprehensive, proprietary college counseling program, COMPASS, helps students increase their self-awareness to identify colleges and universities that will prove to be a good match for them. Mt. Bethel graduates go into the world confident and well prepared to use their God-given talents to impact the world for Christ in whatever endeavors they pursue. COMPASS begins during the freshman year. Starting in 9th grade, students have a weekly appointment with the college counselor to help them evaluate options and lead them through curriculum which consists of four main components: Academic Development, College Planning, Career Development, and Personal Development.
sentation of the student’s argument before a board of judges and a community audience, followed by a 15-minute defense as the student answers questions from the judges. Small class sizes, STEM Honors and Certificate Programs, and offering of American Sign Language as one of the world languages, are just a few of the things that set us apart. Outside of the classroom, students participate in championship GHSA athletics, arts, service, mission trips, international travel, and leadership development. Plus, we like to have fun! MBCA students enjoy homecoming festivities, all-school retreats, spirit days, alumni visits, Prom, and more. Our community is vibrant, active, and cheering for your child. Dr. Jim Cianca recently joined the Academy as the new Head of School after an exhaustive two-year search for the ideal person to lead the school in its next chapter. Dr. Cianca was selected because of his passion for Christ-centered education and his excitement about the opportunities Mt. Bethel Christian Academy offers both its students and the local community. Enrollment for 2021-2022 is at a record high, with almost 700 students coming “home” to MBCA each day.
COMPASS is implemented through all four years of a student’s Upper School experience during the school day. As students become more selfaware of their God-given learning styles, personalities, interests, and aptitudes, they will be able to plan for college and a career with increased confidence and intentionality. The 45 members of the Class of 2021 received academic, athletic, and achievement scholarships totaling more than $6.7 million, not counting the HOPE Scholarship.
For over 20 years, MBCA has approached education as a true partnership between parents, teachers and students. The comprehensive needs of the children are at the forefront of every decision made and all that is done to provide a challenging educational curriculum, always in tandem with a biblical worldview. The Academy strives to be a premier developer of highly successful, Christ-centered, servant leaders of tomorrow.
All seniors complete a thesis project which is the capstone of the MBCA academic program. The thesis work culminates in a 20-minute oral pre-
Come check out our Upper School at an upcoming Open House, or email admission@mtbethelchristian.org to arrange for a tour of our beautiful, wooded, 34-acre campus.
Begin your next chapter with a superior, Christ-centered education at our Upper School. Join us for an Open House Friday, November 12th l 8:30am Please RSVP at admission@mtbethelchristian.org
mtbethelchristian.org l 2509 Post Oak Tritt Rd l Marietta, GA 30062 l 770.971.0245 PAGE 16
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Call (770) 738-4143 to learn more. Why are the people in our ads so happy? Because they’re actual residents. Even the dog! 100 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta - One block from the historic Marietta Square - Learn more at www.WinnwoodRetire.com
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Lifestyle Report By Tara Hanover
MY MUST-HAVES
I
n the month of November, we are reminded to take minute to stop and think about what we are most thankful for in life. For me, of course, the “biggies” are my family, my health and my friends. Then there’s my home, my job…I could go on and on but how boring would that be. My point is, I try to wake up every day and be thankful for what I have...AND especially thankful that I wake up and get to spend another day with all the AMAZING people in my life. So now that you know I am thankful for the REALLY important things in life... I am putting all serious topics aside and I will tell you about the top 10 totally superficial things I am thankful for…MY PERSONAL FAVORITE BEAUTY and SELF CARE PRODUCTS!
FAKE EYELASHES - My absolute favorite lashes used to be the “demiwispys” from Ardell. But it is true what they say, the more you wear them the bigger you want. So now I am addicted to KISS brand “so wispy #9”. If I have make-up on, I will ALWAYS have lashes on. They make all the difference-seriously! Tip: Always buy them in multi-packs and always apply them with dark glue.
BODY SHAPERS - I really don’t discriminate when it comes to brands of shapers (SPANX, Bali, Maidenform). If they are tight and hold it all in, I love it! Tip: I have found that typically you need a full shaper (think armpits to thighs). If it doesn’t cover enough area you can create a new “trouble spot”. MOISTURIZER - I have very sensitive skin but I like a heavy moisturiz-
er, especially at night. My absolute favorite is Cetaphil in the tub (not the pump). It is amazing for your entire body. It is moisturizing but not greasy.
MASCARA-BLACK...ALWAYS BLACK! I will try any product but the darker the better. My personal favorite, that I always go back to, is L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. It works well and (bonus) you can buy it anywhere. Tip: If you wear lashes, any mascara will do, you just need a quick swipe to “seal” your lashes to the false ones.
EYELINER - I always use a black liquid liner and believe it or not I like
ELF brand. It lasts all day and is super inexpensive. If you are afraid of a liquid go for either a creme or coal pencil. But eyeliner is definitely one of the products I am thankful for...without it on people ALWAYS ask me “Do you feel ok?”...clearly that is not a good sign. I am not trying to endorse or “push” these products above, but I do often get asked what products I use or what I like best. Clearly, it is all personal preference but as someone who has tried tons and tons of products these are what I like and are personally thankful for. “My life is not perfect, but I am THANKFUL for everything I have.” Remember, whatever life throws your way, EVERYDAY be THANKFUL & Get up, Dress Up, Show up and NEVER Give up!
EYE CREAM - The older I get, the more I appreciate this product. I switch often but for you I looked up the best of 2021: NourishMax Diamond Infused, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair, Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating and SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream. Tip: For INSTANT tightening and brightening try Science Serum TIGHTEYE Serum (and there is a discount code! Look! c). HIGH HEELS - No need for explanation, heels ALWAYS make your legs look longer and leaner Tip: (Especially in nude or skin tone). They also make me feel a bit more confident. CONTROL TOP PANTY HOSE - No need for explanation here either, however, (maybe this is the old southern lady that lives inside of me) I feel that at a certain age showing bare legs in a dress is just not appropriate and control top, especially after babies, never hurts. And yes, I wear control top panty hose WITH a body shaper........I’ll take all the help I can get. Tip: Make sure they are sheer, match your skin tone and do not have a reinforced toe. CONTOUR/HIGHLIGHT - I talk about these 2 products ALL OF THE TIME, as nothing changes a face like contour and highlight! Contour makes you thinner and highlight makes you younger...what else could you ask for in a product?
FOUNDATION - Personally I feel like there is no professional beauty line that can compete with MAC cosmetics when it comes to foundation. If you like good coverage, try it. My favorite product is mineralized powder foundation. (Clearly there are tons of great products, but this brand just happens to be MY favorite.)
PAGE 18
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s ’ b b Co ing Ris s! r a t S
2
1
3
5 4
6
8 7 1. MT BETHEL Upper School VOLLEYBALL 2. SANAI YOUNG, AVERI URQUHART, TORI IORILLO - Harrison High School 3. STEVEN BAKER - Mt. Paran Christian 4. RYAN GOLD - Campbell High School 5. JOSHUA ACEVEDO - Campbell High School
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9 6. ELIZABETH SHAYLOR - N. Cobb Christian 7. ELIZABETH TILT - Marietta High School 8. MASON MEADOWS - N. Cobb Christian 9. HARRISON High School SOFTBALL Team 10. SMYRNA SLAMMERS 10U
10
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Talkin’ Sports
By Justin Hanover
Atlanta Hawks: NBA Champion?
C
razy? Maybe. But last season’s playoff run showed the potential and upside of this team, giving us some true hope. Is it possible that we are still the “same old Hawks”? Maybe. Could this current version with Trae Young and the fellas be the real deal? It’s at least a possibility! Let’s dive in and take a look at what this franchise has been over the past 40 or so years and what we are seeing today. The NBA’s theme in the 1980’s was “NBA Action...It’s Fantastic”. And it was. We had Magic Johnson and Larry Bird and a young fresh face from North Carolina named Michael Jordan leading the way. The league was thriving and the rivalries were fun. The Hawks? Well, we had Dominique who was certainly an amazing athlete and fun to watch and Kevin Willis, who was as good of a rebounder as there was in the league, but all in “the Hawks were the Hawks.” Atlanta was “good”, nothing more. The team won some ballgames and made the playoffs but all in all never really gave the impression that they could go all the way. That mediocre to good trend pretty much continued in the 1990’s and 2000’s. We had talent with Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock and Dikembe Mutombo and Christian Laettner and a Hall of Fame Coach in Lenny Wilkens. Once again, solid teams that played hard, won ballgames and
made the playoffs but also, once again, teams that could never really get over the hump, nor did anybody really expect them to. Fast forward to Coach Bud and the 60-win no name Hawks of 2015 and dare I repeat myself. There were some moments and the building did get very loud during that amazing, undefeated 17-0 month in January but ho hum, in the end, same old same old. Nobody really believed Al Horford and company would become an NBA Champion no matter how many regular-season victories they piled up. The bottom line is that Atlanta has been a “good” NBA organization, but truth be told, the Hawks have really never had a legitimate chance to win it all. There seemed to be constant road blocks that were always going to be too much to overcome. If we were honest with ourselves, we knew deep down that there was no way the end of those seasons could result in earning the trophy. And now fast forward to today, circa 2021-2022 and the new season. What do we have? Well, I guess, possibly history repeating itself from the 80’s with Trae Young as the new Dominique and Clint Capela as the new Willis and a team that only wins a round or two in the playoffs and no more? That would seem to be the more negative approach but also one that we have been conditioned to accept over and over and over again. Quite possibly could last season’s playoff run have just been step one of an ultra-bright future Championship contender? This certainly would be the more positive approach. But are we just kidding ourselves? What Nate McMillan did after becoming the Head Coach mid-way through last season was amazing. Reaching the Eastern Conference Final was certainly not supposed to happen so early in the process. Trae Young is an absolute superstar who destroyed the Knicks and the top seeded 76ers in the playoffs and was only derailed by that bone bruise in his ankle. Who knows what could have been had he stayed healthy? The front office deserves a ton of credit for bringing in high quality players around Young. Guys like Capela, Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu and former South Gwinnett High School star Lou Williams played major minutes and stepped up immensely in the run. Let’s also not forget the upsides of recent draft picks Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter who missed a ton of time last season due to injuries along with the 2021 draft picks in Jalen Johnson and McEachern High School’s very own Sharife Cooper. Side note: Cooper and current Cleveland Cavalier forward Isaac Okoro both played on that 2019 Indian state Championship team where the boys from Powder Springs earned the honor of being the nation’s top team. How amazing was that bunch!?!?!? But I digress. Here is the bottom line: The Hawks may not win an NBA title with Young and company and maybe we will look back and say, yup same old Hawks, as we have said for decades now. But if last season was any indication at all of the upside and promise that this franchise currently possesses, from the players to management to coaching, then maybe, just maybe, we will earn the honor of saying: Atlanta Hawks, NBA Champions. Justin Hanover is a sports reporter/analyst who has worked in the business since 1996. His stops have included ESPN, CNN, 790 The Zone and 680 The Fan. He has also done play-byplay analysis and color commentary ranging from the high school level all the way through the professional level. Justin lives in Smyrna with his wife and three children.
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Finding the Right Balance
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ravel is back (yay!) and recently I’ve been noticing a trend with a number of my clients – they are so excited to finally take their long-awaited vacations that they are trying to build way too many things into their itineraries. Visiting all four of the Hawaiian Islands in seven days? Sorry friend, but that’s not going to work. The best vacations have balance. With too little planning the vacation can fall apart and with too much planning it feels like one endless to-do list that needs to be checked off. So how do you achieve the right balance for your vacation? First, know the travel style of everyone taking the vacation. Some people love to have an action-packed vacation full of planned activities while others take the approach of booking a few things in advance and seeing where the vacation takes them. Knowing which end of the spectrum you and your travel party fall on matters. You also need to know your destination. While you can have an amazing time with essentially nothing planned for your week-long beach house rental vacation, a trip to a destination such as Italy requires more advanced and detailed planning. For example, you (generally) can’t just show up to see The Last Supper in Milan. Tickets are sold in advance and sell out quickly, so this would be an activity you would definitely want to plan as far out as possible. Knowing what level of planning your destination requires will help you avoid missing out on something important to you.
Make sure to have a mix of planned and unplanned time and activities. Having the right balance with this is crucial for a great vacation. How that mix shakes out depends on both your travel style and the destination you’re visiting. In my personal and professional experience, I have found that building in unscheduled time is the key to successful vacations and having free time to explore often leads to some of the best vacation memories. Use a professional to assist you with your vacation. As my clients’ trusted travel advisor, I take the time to get to know them, their travel style, and their personalities. We start the planning process by chatting about their vacation wish list and I then use my expertise and experience to help them strike the right balance of planned time and activities for their vacations. And I’m not afraid to let my clients know when I think they want to do too much or aren’t planning enough. Finally, remember that you can’t do it all. I often see this issue with my clients booking Disney vacations where their wish list far exceeds their vacation time, and I have to remind them that they can’t experience all of Disney in one visit. Regardless of the destination, you simply cannot do all of the things in one trip. My advice is to choose the most important activities for you and really take the time to enjoy them. I hope you find your perfect balance with your upcoming travel plans!
Heather Meliski is a travel agent specializing in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the South Pacific, cruises, theme parks, and more. She lives in Smyrna with her husband two sons. Heather@yellowshoetravel.com FB @heatheryellowshoetravel IG @yellowshoetravelheather
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I
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Sweet Tooth: Sugarfina - The store for all gifts containing sugar. Just don’t tell your dietitian or dentist. https://www.sugarfina.com Unique Gift For A Techie Junkie: 3D Laser Gifts - Everything you buy in this store is made with a laser. https://3dlasergifts.
The thought of holiday shopping in person makes me want to scream and run the other way. I would rather go to the dentist than go out shopping during the holiday season. Well, maybe just for a teeth cleaning. I am okay with hitting Lenox Mall at 2 pm the Saturday before Christmas to avoid something like a root canal.
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Here is my list of online sites that can keep you out of the stores this holiday season. Who is on your gift list? I hope these suggestions help keep you out of the stores, jammed-packed parking lots, gridlocked traffic, and away from stressed-out retail workers. I know I won’t be there. Kimberly Watkins-Swenk is a social media professional and also OTM’s Digital Content Director & Editor. Kimberly and her family split their time between Smyrna and Durango, Colorado. She is married to Jason and has two sons, Luke and Chase, and two cats she loves more than anything
Our Town
Furniture/Decor Lovers: Wayfair - Pretty much everyone knows Wayfair. If you don’t, I am sorry. www.wayfair.com Green Living/Eco-Conscious: VivaTerra - Everything Is Hand Made www.vivaterra.com Hard To Shop For: Amazon - If you can’t find something there, you are out of luck. Sorry. www.amazon.com Vintage Lover: 3P4 - This online shop is known for spicing up vintage housewares and making them ideal gift items. Data/Info Nerd: Pop Chart Lab - This online store is one of my favorites. The store has a professional team of designers who come up with informative, nifty charts and graphs. Check out their incredible scratch-off posters. https://popchart.co The Child Artist: Pirasta - Big colorful coloring books and pages that will entertain your child for hours. Well, maybe long enough for you to drink a bottle of wine from Vinebox. www.pirastanyc.com
Wine Lover: Vinebox - And these are no ordinary wines but the best wines in the world. www.getvinebox.com Those Wanting To Support Independent Artists: Buy Olympia - The company brands itself as “The original indie retailer, selling great things from independent artists since 1999.” https://buyolympia.com
Unique & Odd Gifts: Kikkerland - I don’t know where this store finds their inventory, but if you have someone you literally cannot find anything to buy for, and they are a little on the creative side, try Kikkerland. https://kikkerland.com
The Attention Seeker: Bold Faced Goods - This store bills itself as “Good Gifts For Bad People.” Think napkins with puns, customizable wine labels, and Elvis-themed dish towels - all items sure to draw attention to the receiver. The Travel Bag Lover: Boarding Pass - This company sells unique backpacks, duffle bags, and briefs, all with one-of-a-kind
designs. www.boardingpassnyc.com
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I
Tips for Decorating this Holiday Season
t happens every year, often two weeks before Halloween. Love it or hate it, stores are already putting out Christmas decorations at the same time they are selling large bags of candy for trick-or-treating. So, pull those bins down from the attic. Untangle the tree lights. It’s time to decorate for the Christmas holidays. Often a daunting task, here is a list of suggestions to try this year:
Forgo Traditions While red and green may be the go-to colors of Christmas, they often don’t mesh well with the style of your home. Break away from the common holiday color palette and focus rather on coordinating your holiday decorating around your home’s everyday décor. For example, a cream and black plaid may be better suited for a farmhouse style home. Blue and green color combinations are great for beach houses. A palette of turquoise, yellow, and orange in vivid hues sets the tone for a home done in mid-century style. Metallics work for a more glamourous look. Bring The Outside In On a budget? Fresh greenery, free in your backyard, adds a festive spirit to your home and the wintery aroma is a bonus. Some of the most popular choices available locally are pine, rosemary, and juniper. Cut off the stray branches on a live cypress tree to use as garland on the mantle or dress up a stair banister. Put holly branches with red berries in a vase to use as a centerpiece. Magnolia leaves make a great table runner. Fill a basket with pinecones spray painted white.
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Light It Up Lighting can really showcase everything from the tree to the mantle to the front door wreath. Place seasonal candles throughout the home. Put battery lights in mason jars and throughout garland to add more sparkle. Add string lights to stair banisters. Don’t forget the outside too. Hang a pre-lit wreath on the front door. Dangle Christmas lanterns from low tree branches. Add fairy lights to tomato cages to create trees. To Box Or Bag It Gift-wrapped presents are more personal than bags and add a special touch to your holiday décor. Make sure the patterns and designs complement your tree’s theme. Also, lining the stairs with beautiful, gift-wrapped presents is a creative way to show off that space. Remember To Let It Flow While it is not necessary to decorate every room, adding holiday touches to select areas, other than the living and dining rooms, can spread Christmas joy throughout the home. Place a seasonal hand towel in the kitchen or a holiday scented candle in the bathroom. Drape garland over the foyer mirror. Throw a festive blanket at the foot of the bed. These little holiday touches make a home feel complete. All done? Sit back and enjoy the holidays. Soon it will be time to pack everything back up to store for next year. In next month’s issue we will provide a list of suggestions on how to tackle that daunting task. Stephanie Mellom is a home stager/realtor in the West Cobb area. Her hobbies include reading and tennis. A mom of two, she currently resides in Dallas.
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Our Town
How do you “Winterize” a house?
By Deborah Ratchford
I
f a house needs to be vacant and unsupervised for an extended period of time during the winter, you need to winterize it! Winterization is the process of removing water from a home’s supply by draining the home’s pipe systems and introducing antifreeze to prevent remaining water from freezing. Why do you need to remove water from the house? Because the pipes can burst if water freezes in the pipes! As water freezes it expands and because water supply lines are already pressurized, water that freezes can cause pipes to expand, rupture, and break.
STEPS TO TAKE FOR WINTERIZATION:
1. Power off your furnace. You can do this by switching off your electrical power.
2. Close the main water shut-off and open all faucets. They are typi-
cally located in the basement or laundry room. Then open all interior and exterior faucets to drain water from the pipes.
3. Power off and drain your water heater. If your water heater is powered by electricity or oil, turn off the power at the switch; if your water heater is gas-powered, turn off the gas valve. To drain the water heater, connect a hose to the drain at the bottom of the unit and allow the water to run into the floor drain. If there’s no floor drain, extend the hose to the exterior, or start a “bucket brigade” to a nearby laundry tub. After you drain the water heater close the drain valve. 4. Flush, dry and treat all toilets and traps. Flush toilets, then open
tanks and sponge away all of the remaining water. Dip out water in the toilet bowl, then add diluted non-toxic propylene glycol anti-freeze; don’t use auto anti-freeze! Some water must remain in the toilet bowl to adequately seal the traps, which prevents sewer gas from entering the home through the drain system. When you’re finished with the toilets, pour the non-toxic solution into all the drains: basins, sinks, laundry tubs, bath tubs, and showers.
5. Protect all exposed pipes. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation and in cases in which water can’t be totally removed from pipes that are exposed you can apply heat tape.
DE-WINTERIZATION:
1. Close all faucets, then open the main water valve. While water
is filling the system, stand near one sink or tub with the faucet(s) open. When water begins to flow from the cold water faucet turn it off and leave the hot water faucet open until water flows from the hot water faucet, which indicates that the hot water heater is full; turn off the hot water faucet. Open each faucet until water flows without any air spitting out.
2. Turn on the hot water heater. Important note regarding electric
water heaters – water tanks must be re-filled with water prior to restoring electrical power to the unit to prevent damage to the heating element.
3. Flush the non-toxic solution from all toilets. It’s good piece of mind to have a friend check on the house too. In cases where your home may be unoccupied for a relatively short period (vacation), we recommend that the property be supervised to prevent any surprises. Ask a friend to visit daily to check the power and heating system to help ensure that the pipes don’t freeze. The person monitoring your home should have access to utility and service company contact information in case of emergency. Please feel free to contact me with any of your Real Estate questions. Deborah Ratchford 678-570-4779 Debratchford@kw.com
Note: If your home has a hot water heating system (e.g., baseboard or conventional radiators), don’t consider DIY unless you’re an expert. Hire a plumber!
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Photo by Baptist-Standaert-Unsplash
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Our Town
TOP THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DOG
A
s the holidays approach, many families begin thinking about getting a new pup or dog to share their lives with. On average, a dog will live 10 to 15 years. That’s a big commitment. Every family has their own needs, schedule, personality, space and time limitations, etc… Unfortunately, many families often choose pups based on appearance and not on those characteristics that will make the dog a good fit for their specific family. You and your potential dog deserve a lifetime of happiness together and we are happy to provide the following to assist you in this goal. Do you have any children, or are you planning to have children? Pick breeds known to tolerate children well – some breeds may surprise you. Boxers, Bichon Frises, Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Pugs, Keeshonds and Collies are good choices.
Do you have allergies? Try these breeds:
· Cairn Terrier. Shaggy outer coat with a soft undercoat. Its natural “bedhead” coat does need careful maintenance, but hardly sheds at all. · Portuguese Water Dogs. This strong, muscular breed, once valued as “work dogs” that herded & caught fish, and carried messages between ships, has a single-layered, non-shedding coat. · Shih Tzus (correctly pronounced “sure-ds,” not “sheetsue”), meaning “lion” dog. This breed needs daily grooming with a bristle brush, but sheds little hair. · Irish Water Spaniels. This breed has long, curly hair and a thick undercoat (to keep them warm in cold water), needs expert grooming, but still sheds little to no hair.
· Bichon Frise, a toy breed. Virtually hypoallergenic, this breed sports a double coat of loose curls with a fine, silky undercoat, and needs skillful grooming. · Belgian (or Brussels) Griffon. Comes in two types: rough-coated and smooth. Dogs of this breed with a rough, wiry and dense coat are non-shedding, however the smooth-coated variety does shed.
What activities do you want to do with your dog? Pick a breed that suits those activities and understand that genetics cannot be changed. Like to train? Pick a breed that needs and desires lots of work. If you want to go to the lake, pick dogs who love to swim. Like to run? Pick dogs that are high energy. Want to go to dog parks? Pick a breed that is historically social.
How active is your lifestyle? Some breeds such as Border Collies, Boxers, Retrievers and all hunting breeds, require several hours of heavy exercise every day - such as daycare or long runs. Other breeds such as Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Pomeranians and Westies have lower exercise requirements.
Check out local rescues and do not buy from the Internet or a pet store. Internet breeders may be puppy mills, selling mentally unsound or physically sick puppies and dogs as well as pet stores dogs. However, many very good dogs are waiting for new homes, and local shelters often have already done some of the training for you. Groups we like include: · Adopt a Golden Angels Among Us Atlanta Boxer Rescue Atlanta Humane Society Georgia Homeless Pets Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS)
· · · · ·
Need more help making a decision? If you would like additional help, please do not hesitate to contact K-9 Coach for one of our Matchmaker Consultations. Just call our training department for more information. Already have a new puppy? Join any of our three weekly off-leash puppy classes (Fri., 6:00 PM, Sat. 10:30 AM and Sun 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM.) Open for puppies between 10 and 20 weeks of age. Classes run year-round. Join at any time. Come to whatever classes work for you from week to week. It couldn’t be easier! We hope that the above will help you in making the best decision for you and your family. Whether it’s matchmaker consultations, off-leash socialization classes, private lessons, or our all-inclusive Premier Puppy Package, you and your new puppy are covered at K-9 Coach!
Amber, Jarrette & the K-9 Coach Team
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