Contents
July 2016
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 12
28-29 On the Cover:
Branches, Brooklynn’s & Madisonn Ave.
36-37
Freshman Formula Tips for College Students
37-39
Fashion Formula
[28-29]
School Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
36-39
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Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
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.......................... Perspective
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.............................. Calendar
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....................... Business Life
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................ Woodstock Minute
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................... Senator Speaks
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............... Community Partner
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........................ Book Review
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......................... Taste of Life
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......................... Artist Profile
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......... Main Street Woodstock
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.................... Ribbon Cuttings
Publisher’s Perspective PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com Rachel Sprouse, Intern Rachel@FamilyLifePublications.com
ver since I was a young boy, dreams have been interesting and intriguing to me. Seldom do I recall dreams I have while sleeping; however, on occasion, I may wake in the night to revisit a dream I’ve just had. As early as fourth grade, my most memorable, recurring dream would be the one of flying from the second story balcony of a large concrete building, drifting in the wind like a well-piloted kite, soaring above misty mountain tops and the still waters of a vast lake. Years passed, but the first day of my senior year at Etowah High, in Mrs. Kit Miller’s homeroom, while taking photos for the yearbook company, I walked out onto that very same large, beige balcony. Before my eyes, were those mountain ridges, and just over the hills, Lake Allatoona reached out into her valleys. In some way, at that very moment, I was completely aware that my personal journey had begun. My belief is that our minds still work as we sleep, organizing and defragmenting our days to prepare us for what may be over the horizon. Some of the best things in my life have had an air of déjà vu about them. Often, we get a subconscious spark as we rest, which may ignite a fire — a pilot light within us; a flame that forges our perceptions of whatever circumstances may be before us that fuels the day ahead. When people are smiling and seem to be enjoying their life, I admire and respect them for doing what gives them joy. When a person is doing what they love and making good happen in place, wherever and whenever that may be, that is the sweetest success. It is heartwarming, and we, too, feel the glow. Be glad for them, and feel blessed enough to be a witness. Happiness, after all, is of what the best dreams are made.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Anderson, Jose Baez, Sen. Brandon Beach, Kyle Bennett, Cyndi Braun, Chris Bryant, Cobb EMC, Michael Consoli, Jyl Craven, Natalie del Valle, Kristi Estes, Joshua Fuder, Hillary Gallagher, H&H Electric & Security, Corey Harkins, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Cameron Johnson, Scott Lavelle, James E. Leake, Kelly Marulanda, Robbie Matiak, Jeff Moon, Tim Morris, Anthony Musarra, Vishant Nath, Michael Petrosky, Farris Yawn
Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 150 North Street, Suite A Canton, GA 30114
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Woodstock Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of 25,000, direct mailing over 23,000 copies to Towne Lake, downtown Woodstock up to Hickory Flat and toward the Roswell border. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Woodstock Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
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© 2016 All rights reserved.
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Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.
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SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com
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~ Lewis Carroll
Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com
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“… a dream is not reality.” “But who is it to say which is which?”
ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com
Calendar 13-27
Snoopy the Musical! — Based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz. It’s the world according to Snoopy! Come join Charlie Brown, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Linus and Sally as they celebrate the wisdom of Charles Schulz and the world’s most famous beagle in this delightful musical that’s fun for the whole family. Wednesday 10:00 am, Saturday/Sunday 2:00 pm, City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org
ONGOING Woodstock Farm Fresh Market — Locally grown, fresh produce and other goodies will be available every Saturday through October. 8:30 am-12:00 pm, Market Street, Downtown Woodstock. 770-9240406. DowntownWoodstock.org/farmer Food Truck Fridays — Enjoy delicious food and treats while visiting with neighbors, listening to music, and more! Food trucks will rotate each week. Seats may be limited, so bring a blanket and chairs. 6:00-9:00 pm, Recreation Center, 7545 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. CRPA.net
JULY
Main Street Woodstock’s Bluegrass Concert Series Wilson Banjo Company, FREE concert! 7:00-9:00 pm, Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage at the Elm Street Arts Event Green by Market Street, Downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. VisitWoodstockGa.com
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Wilson Banjo Company
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iThink Improv Brew Haha — Unique comedy at each event, along with all brewery tours conducted improv style by the iThink Improv Troupe. Comedy is free, but we encourage tips and donations to Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. 5:30 pm, Reformation Brewery, 500 Arnold Mill Way, Woodstock. ElmStreetArts.org
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Cherokee Aquatic Center’s Teen Night — Teen Nights are good, wholesome fun for your teen! There will be different, fun activities like inner tube water polo, log rolling, etc. Pizza dinner is included! This is for ages 13+. 6:00-9:00 pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Pkwy, Holly Springs. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net
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Family Fun Night — Enjoy family activities and games at the Oasis outdoor pool! This event is included in regular daily admissions. 5:00-7:00 pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Pkwy, Holly Springs. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net
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Saving Herbs and Seeds — Learn how to preserve your garden herbs for winter use. You’ll also receive information on how to save seeds from your garden allstars, so you can plant them next year, or share them with the Cherokee County Seed Library. 10:00 am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-7217803. CAES.UGA.edu/extension/Cherokee
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5th Annual Collins Dixon Bend Your Knees 5k — There will be a 5k run and 1 mile “Brave” fun run. This is a meaningful community event and a great way to raise awareness of childhood brain cancer, along with raising money to support families that are facing the battle and journey of a child with a cancerous brain tumor. 7:30 am, First Baptist Canton, 1 Mission Point, Canton. 678-922-1560. BendYourKnees.org
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2016 C.O.P. Shop — CPR/ AED & First Aid Training In the event of an emergency, your CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and First Aid training could mean the difference between life and death. By properly administering CPR, you can help stabilize someone who is injured or ailing until help arrives. A representative from the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services will teach the class. *Must be 14 years of age to receive certification. 8:30 am, Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. CherokeeChamber.com
AUGUST
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32nd Annual Police Department National Night Out — National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen police and community partnerships and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are uniting together to fight crime. This event will feature K-9 demonstrations, Georgia State Patrol helicopter viewing, bounce houses and more. Food and drinks will be made available courtesy of City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department, with music provided by DJ Tim Cahill. 6:00-9:00 pm, The Park at City Center, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 ext. 1172. VisitWoodstockGa.com
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Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast — The Chamber’s monthly ‘Good Morning Cherokee’ Breakfast Meetings offer both current and future Chamber members the opportunity to conduct business and network with more than 200 fellow business leaders. 7:00 am, Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 770345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com
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LIBRARY EVENTS
Calendar continued from page 7
SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org HICKORY FLAT 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, 770-345-7565 ROSE CREEK 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, 770-591-1491 WOODSTOCK 7735 Main Street, Woodstock, 770-926-5859 KNITTING & CROCHETING GROUP Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 pm, Rose Creek Let Mrs. Darlene help you get started! Bring your needles and yarn, and be prepared to have fun! No registration or prior knowledge required. SCRIBBLES & SCRABBLES Wednesdays, 2:00-4:00 pm, Rose Creek Get your creative juices flowing by playing a game of Scrabble or coloring a picture. All materials will be provided. SIT & STITCH SOCIAL Thursdays, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Woodstock Enjoy the company of other creative people while you stitch on your current project. WELLSTAR PRESENTS: DIABETES July 7, 10:30 am, Woodstock Learn how to take control and prevent the disease and its complications by making simple, but important lifestyle changes. LEGO CLUB July 9, 3:00-4:00 pm, Rose Creek July 17, 3:00-4:30 pm, Woodstock Children can work alone or in teams to make their special creation, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. All ages are invited; ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FIELD DAY FINALE July 12, 10:30 am, Rose Creek July 14, 10:30 am, Hickory Flat July 14, 3:00 pm, Woodstock There will be lots of cool, active games for kids of all ages to play and enjoy. Children 9 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult. ZOO ENCOUNTER July 13, 10:30 am, Woodstock Let the Zoo come to YOU in this Zoo Atlanta Animal Encounter. This program is limited to 60 guests, ages 5+, and requires registration. LIBRARY BINGO BOOK CLUB July 14, 10:30-11:30 am, Rose Creek A new kind of book club that lets you decide what to read and when. The library provides the criteria; you choose
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what to read while filling up your bingo board. For more information, contact Amy at 770-591-1491. READY TO SAIL? July 14, 3:00 pm, Rose Creek Come hear about sailing on Lake Allatoona. Learn about the different kinds of sailboats and equipment needed to sail. PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES July 15, 10:30 am, Hickory Flat Come and learn printmaking techniques. Take the finished products home. Registration is required. SAVING HERBS AND SEEDS July 16, 10:00 am, Hickory Flat Learn how to preserve garden herbs for winter use. Information on how to save seeds from garden all-stars so you can plant them next year or share them with the Cherokee County Seed Library will also be presented. BOOK CLUB July 19, 12:00 pm, Woodstock All the Light We Cannot See is this month’s title. LEGO ROBOTICS STEAM TEAM July 19, 3:30 pm, Rose Creek July 27, 2:00 pm, R.T. Jones Create, build, control and play with LEGO Robotics. This program is for ages 9-14. Registration is required. T-SHIRT TOTE BAG July 19, 10:30 am, Hickory Flat Bring your own t-shirt, or use one that’s provided, to create a no-sew tote. LEGO ROBOTICS: FAMILY NIGHT July 20, 5:00 pm, Hickory Flat Bring the family and build a LEGO Robot as a team. Each family will have their own robot to create, build, control and play with. Children 9 and under must have adult supervision. This program requires registration. TAI-CHI July 21, 5:30 pm, Rose Creek Reduce stress, relax, and find some balance in your life. All fitness levels are welcome. Loose fitting clothing and flat shoes are suggested.
Friday Night Live:
Downtown
From clowns, street performers, games and live music, the sidewalks of downtown will be a fun place to hang out! Many restaurants and stores in the downtown area stay open late for this event.
6:00-9:00 pm, Downtown Woodstock. 770-924-0406. DowntownWoodstock.org
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Fall in the Vegetable Garden — Fall is the best time of year to garden. Learn how to extend your garden season to enjoy fresh vegetables into the holidays, or if weeds have ruined your interest for the year, learn about cover cropping options to build soil health. 10:00 am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-721-7803. CAES.UGA.edu/ extension/Cherokee
Scan to submit your upcoming event!
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Business
Legendary Alpine Bakery has opened a brand new bakery and storefront, located at 405 Toonigh Road in Woodstock. The bakery offers over 80 freshly prepared cakes, pies, cupcakes, truffles, pastries and other confections, all baked on site and available for the general public to purchase. An extensive coffee and tea bar, along with multiple bottled beverages are offered to accompany croissants and various breakfast pastries. Customers can pop in and quickly grab coffee and choose from a variety of freshly baked pastries for an early morning breakfast. The staggering 60 feet of bakery cases offer a fantastic opportunity to window shop. Anthony DeTommaso, one of Alpine’s three owners, says that while Alpine Bakery & Trattoria is a much beloved restaurant in
Crabapple, “we really wanted to focus on the bakery aspect in Woodstock, which is how the original model began nearly 10 years ago. We want to offer a beautiful environment for our customers to enjoy, even if they are only stopping by for coffee.” An important distinction to note is that Alpine Woodstock will NOT have the trattoria component like its Crabapple sibling — Alpine Bakery and Trattoria, which serves both lunch and dinner and is known for its elevated Italian cuisine. In addition to offering customers a breathtaking array of desserts and special occasion cakes to purchase, the 10,000 square foot bakery provides cakes and other desserts to over 80 restaurants all over the southeast.
Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 7:00 am-7:00 pm. For more information, visit AlpineBakeries.com.
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Vincent Financial Group is an independent financial services firm that has opened at 14205 Highway 92, Suite 104, in Woodstock. At Vincent Financial Group, they understand that so many of us lack professional guidance in an ever-growing, complex financial landscape and believe that people are more time-strapped than ever, desiring simplicity. The process employed by the team of professionals at Vincent Financial Group differs from other financial professionals who may focus on products or only on certain aspects of your finances. Instead, they take a holistic approach by serving as “concierge” for any of your broad financial needs including: Financial Planning • Investment Management • Insurance
Tax Efficient & Estate Planning Strategies For more information, call 770-485-1876, or visit TheVincentFinancialGroup.com
Announcing the grand opening of neighborhood store,
YUMSA, located at 106 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. They offer homemade meat pies and desserts along with a fully stocked grocery selection from South Africa, England, Ireland, Australia as well as a variety of Cajun dips, spices and hot sauces. Menu items will include curry mince, steak n’ onion and chicken-mushroom pot pies along with beef, chicken and veggie samosas. Additionally, they have all of the South African favorites such as koeksisters, melktert, boerewors sausage, biltong and droëwors, which is beef that has been cured and dried. Check out their selection of cheeses from England, Ireland and France that will make your picnic unforgettable. For more information, visit yumsa.com.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
asked if any family members suffer from similar symptoms. An x-ray may reveal characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis, including: • Swelling of the non-bony structures • Joint space narrowing • Decreased bone density • Erosions near joints There are also several blood tests that can confirm the clinical diagnosis.
Hand Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Treatment is designed to decrease inflammation, relieve pain and maintain function. While there is no cure, there are medications that slow the progression of the disease. Hand therapy may help relieve pain and protect the joints. Exercises, splints and adaptive devices can also help you cope with daily activities.
in the Hands By Jose Baez, M.D.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the cells that lubricate and line joints, causing the tissue to become inflamed and swollen. The swollen tissue stretches the ligaments and tendons, causing the joint deformity and instability. Joint cartilage and bone also erodes. Your knuckle may feel hot and look red. Rheumatoid arthritis most often occurs in the wrist and knuckles. The disease is symmetric, meaning what occurs in one hand usually occurs in the other.
Signs and Symptoms of Hand Rheumatoid Arthritis While common arthritis symptoms such as stiffness, swelling and pain may occur, classic features of rheumatoid arthritis include: • Firm nodules along fingers or the elbow • Soft lump on the back of the hand that moves as the fingers straighten • Angulation or collapse of fingers • Sudden inability to straighten or
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•
•
•
bend a finger because of tendon rupture Deformity in which the middle finger joint becomes bent (Boutonniere deformity) Deformity where the end of the finger is bent and the middle joint overextends (swan-neck deformity) Prominent bones in the wrist
You may also experience numbness and tingling in your hands (carpal tunnel syndrome) because the swelling of the tendons causes pressure on the adjacent nerve. They may make a squeaky sound as they move (crepitus), and sometimes, the joints snap or lock because of the swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be a progressive disease. Surgical intervention may be necessary to maximize function and minimize deformity. In certain cases, preventative surgery may be recommended, which could include: • Removing nodules • Decreasing pressure on the joints and tendons by removing inflamed tissue • Removing bone spurs that may rub on tendons or ligaments Several types of procedures treat joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis including: • Removal of inflamed joint lining • Joint replacements • Joint fusions The recommended procedure will depend on many factors, including which joint is involved, the degree of damage present and the condition of surrounding joints.
How is it Diagnosed? Usually, the physician will perform a clinical examination, x-rays and lab tests. The physician will also ask about your symptoms and how your activities may have been affected. Because rheumatoid arthritis may be hereditary, you may be
Dr. Jose Baez is a physician with Atlanta Hand Specialist, located in Canton, Marietta, Smyrna, and Douglasville. 770-333-7888. AtlantaHandSpecialist.com
Feed the Bees While
Beating the Weeds By Joshua Fuder
Each year, gardens are started with grand visions of endless bounty. However, something happens around the first part of July. There’s often an over-abundance of squash and cucumbers, and sometimes, a few choice tomatoes. This over-abundance can make it tough to keep up with the invading army of weeds and pests. The spring veggies are petering out as well as some of those early squash and cucumbers. Then, there is the stifling heat and humidity that makes going out in the garden almost impossible before 7:00 pm. Here’s a plan to help keep those garden beds from turning into pasture. No, it’s not mountains of mulch or more hours with the hoe and tiller. Enter buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum); buckwheat is an unusually fast-growing plant that is grown for its grain-like seeds in commercial agriculture. In the home garden, it is one of the best summer cover crops available.
Buckwheat is easy to grow. You simply broadcast seeds and lightly rake them in. You can’t really put too much seed down, and since you will usually have to buy it in bulk from a local feed store, better to err on the side of too much. You should start to see germination in 3-4 days, and within 10-14 days, the ground should be fully covered with emerging leaves. This quick leaf cover will protect your soil from erosion, retain moisture and shade out those dastardly weed seeds. An added bonus is the plant produces prolific flowers, which are a great nectar source for honeybees and other pollinators. Just be sure to cut the plants or till them under about 2-3 weeks after flowering to prevent seed development.
Joshua Fuder is an agriculture and natural resources agent at the UGA Cooperative Extension Cherokee County. Contact the UGA Extension office for any gardening assistance, 770-721-7830 or CAES.UGA.Edu/extension/cherokee
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Woodstock Minute
ck Receives a o t s od o W
9/11
Artifact from the
By Jeff Moon
Artifact from the
World Trade Center Subway Station to Create a Memorial By Jeff Moon
S
ince September 11, 2006, the City has partnered with the Woodstock Jaycees to host the 9-11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony in the Park at City Center. The purpose of the ceremony is to commemorate the lives lost in the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001.This annual ceremony stands as a solemn reminder that we should not take our freedoms for granted. This year’s upcoming ceremony promises to be even more special.
Several months ago, a resident of Woodstock made me aware of a newspaper article concerning the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey distributing artifacts salvaged from Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. Distribution of these artifacts was being offered as a way to remind future generations of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001.The Mayor 14
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immediately sent a letter to the Port Authority requesting that the City of Woodstock be considered for an artifact. Several months went by before we received notification that we had been selected to receive two twelve foot sections of subway track that were from the subway station located beneath the World Trade Center. On May 25th, 2016, two Woodstock Public
Works employees attended a ceremony at JFK International Airport in New York and retrieved the sections of track from a storage facility to bring to Woodstock. The design of the permanent memorial, to be located in the Park at City Center in Downtown Woodstock, is currently being finalized. The memorial will be dedicated this year at the 9-11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony. It will serve as a reminder to generations of Woodstock residents of that fateful day when some 3,000 people lost their lives in the largest terrorist attack in history to ever occur on our nation’s soil. We hope that you will be able to join us for what will prove to be an emotional and historical event.
Jeff Moon is the City Manager for the City of Woodstock. 770-592-6000. JMoon@WoodstockGa.gov
Community Feature Woodstock Named One of Georgia’s Fastest Growing Cities According to new population estimates recently released by the United States Census Bureau, Woodstock ranked ninth in the state’s top 10 fastest growing cities, seeing a population increase of 7.6 percent.
Recently, the Woodstock City Council began considering the approval of a 69acre, mixed-use development to include a Costco and a slew of residential units near The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta and Woodstock City Church.
City Manager Jeff Moon contributes that growth to Woodstock’s safe community, great schools and amenities.
Mayor Donnie Henriques also said Woodstock still has room for improvement in terms of parts of the city that are unincorporated or undeveloped. “With growth, comes issues and structure, but we have plans in place to make things better,” Henriques said.
“There’s probably no one thing you could put your finger on,” Moon said. “I think all of those things contribute to make it a desirable place to live…It’s still got a small town feel to it. It’s still got a strong sense of community.”
The city’s population was 27,823 as last reported by the U.S. Census.
GA All-Star Gymnastics Raises the Bar with Rising Star Sydney Barros
Woodstock’s Georgia All-Star Gymnastics (GASG) is all about striving for the best and giving each one of their gymnasts opportunities to shine in their own light. Recently, one of their very own stars, Sydney Barros, was able to travel to Texas to compete in one of the hardest Elite meets, The Hopes Classic. This meet is all about giving young gymnasts an opportunity to enhance their career and compete with the very best in the nation. While Sydney was competing with 150 other young, aspiring gymnasts, she was able to come out on top by placing continued on page 16
Congratulations our June “7“7Differences” Reed! Melanie Tugman! Congratulations to to our October Differences”winner, winner,Kimberley Joyce McMichael!
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Community Feature
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Sydney Barros, © Liebe PR Photograpy Network
10th in the Hopes division. This qualified her to move on to the Hopes National Championship. Only the top .002 percent of gymnasts in the country make it to this level. Sydney’s journey began two years ago with her coach, Jorgen Falk. The training process involves not only countless hours and days of working on skills and originality, but also building up confidence. Mr. Falk stated, “We are aiming for the highest rank possible.” They were successful. Sydney became the first ever gymnast from GASG to qualify for the Hopes Nationals.
Mayors’ Recycling Challenge The 5th Annual Mayors’ Recycling Challenge is currently underway in Cherokee County. This Going Green initiative is aimed at sparking continued awareness surrounding community recycling, while spurring a little friendly competition among the cities involved. During the months of June and July, cities in Cherokee County are in competition to see which one can collect the most recycling. Awards will be given for most pounds of recycling collected overall and per capita. North Metro Waste and Waste Management are partnering with the Chamber of Commerce on this initiative by providing recycling containers to participating cities and tracking each city’s weigh slips as well as tracking curbside recycling within the city. The mission of the Chamber’s Going Green initiative is to encourage the community to implement green practices that conserve community resources, while helping businesses thrive. For more information on the Going Green initiative or to download a recycling guide, please visit CherokeeChamber.com or call 770-345-0400.
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Fine Motor Milestones By Kristi Estes, OTR/L With school starting back soon, it’s important to understand what fine motor skills your child should have and at what age. Often, if a child doesn’t possess such skills at the age-appropriate time, it could be indicative of a bigger issue such as weakness, poor dexterity, visual motor or perception deficits, difficulties with coordination, among other things. Here’s a basic list of fine motor skills and the approximate age at which children should be proficient at them. Children who’re delayed in fine motor skills often receive occupational therapy to assist with skill development.
By 9-12 Months • Claps hands • Transfers objects between hands • Points with index finger • Has tip-to-tip pincer grasp on small items • Places items into an open container or an adult’s hand
12-18 Months • Stacks 2-3 small blocks
• Holds crayon in closed fist • Scribbles with a crayon using whole arm movements • Starts turning pages in a cardboard book • Holds object with one hand and manipulates it with the other • Places 1-2 shapes in a 3-shape geometric puzzle • Places large pegs in a pegboard
18-24 Months • • • •
Stacks 3-5 blocks Snips paper with scissors Strings 2-3 beads Imitates vertical and circular scribbles • Turns pages of a book one at a time • Places 3 shapes in a 3-shape geometric puzzle
2-3 Years • Imitates simple block designs • Imitates a circle, vertical and horizontal lines • Unscrews lid • Cuts paper into 2 pieces • Holds crayon with fingers, not fist • May use one hand consistently in most activities
3-4 Years • Stacks 5-7 small blocks • Imitates circle and cross • Manipulates clay and dough (pinches, rolls balls, snakes)
4-5 Years • Copies a square and cross • Cuts on a straight line • Begins to use thumb and index finger to hold pencil/ crayon (tripod grasp) • Buttons/unbuttons one button • Stacks 10+ small blocks
5-6 Years • • • • • •
Colors inside the lines Cuts out simple shapes Copies triangles Writes first and last name Handedness well established Mature, adult grasp of pencil well established (dynamic tripod)
Kristi Estes is an occupational therapist and co-owns In Harmony Pediatric Therapy with Jennifer Puckett. 770-345-2804. InHarmonyPediatricTherapy.com
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Community Feature Woodstock MS Teacher Selected for National Food Science Program A Cherokee County School District teacher has been selected for the 2016 National Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Professional Development Program in Food Science! Woodstock Middle School teacher Georgia Heard will join middle and high school science and family and consumer science educators from across the country this summer at an all-expenses paid, week-long workshop in Washington, D.C. Participants learn best practices for teaching topically relevant lessons in food science to their students. The program, sponsored by the FDA and the National Science Teachers Association, is in its 17th year. Classes are conducted by a leadership team of master teachers and representatives of FDA and the Graduate School USA. Ms. Heard plans to redeliver the knowledge she attains in this workshop to Woodstock MS science teachers and family and consumer science teachers from across the District.
Sequoyah High School Graduate Earns National Merit Scholarship! Class of 2016 graduate Mackenzie R. Joy, who was named her Class Valedictorian for the highest GPA and STAR Student for the highest SAT score, was selected for a National Merit University of Georgia Scholarship. She plans to study astrophysics and science at UGA to pursue a career as a physicist. In her junior year at Sequoyah HS, Mackenzie earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn this top composite score. Mackenzie is one of only 3,000 winners nationwide of National Merit Scholarships financed by a college or university. Officials of each sponsor institution select their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually, for up to four years of undergraduate study, at the institution financing the scholarship.
Four CCSD Class of 2016 Graduating Seniors Win NeoCom Solutions Scholarships The Woodstock-based telecommunication engineering and construction firm annually sponsors a scholarship contest open to Cherokee County residents who are currently or who will be enrolled in a four-year college, university or two-year technical college, community college or trade school. Academic achievement and financial need are considered. The winners of the $1,000 scholarships are: Sarah Jayne Burgess of Cherokee HS, who will study biology with a pre-med concentration at Reinhardt University; Anneliese Conrad of Creekview HS, who will study industrial engineering at Georgia Tech; Madison Evans of Sequoyah HS, who will study chemical engineering at Auburn University; and Peyton Heath of Creekview HS, who will study industrial engineering at Georgia Tech.
CCSD Back-to-School Registration and Class Schedule Info The Cherokee County School District’s 2016-17 school year will begin on Monday, August 1. Each school’s front office will be open daily beginning Tuesday, July 19. For students who are new to CCSD, parents may register them anytime between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, beginning on July 19th. Class schedules and teacher assignments will be available at each school’s scheduled open house/walk-through event. These events are held the week of July 25th. Please visit Cherokee.k12.ga.us for more information.
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Community Feature
Cherokee’s Top 10 in 10 Honorees Named The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce recently recognized the 2016 group of Cherokee County’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. “The Top 10 in 10 initiative is designed to cultivate and showcase exceptional Cherokee County young professionals,” said Pam Carnes, Chamber President and CEO. This recognition program focuses on Cherokee County residents under age 40, who are considered to be Cherokee County’s up-and-coming leaders over the next 10 years.
“We were extremely pleased with the number and caliber of candidates for this year’s recognition. Far more than 10 nominees were submitted. Each application was carefully reviewed by a panel of judges that found the task of only choosing ten honorees challenging,” shared Chamber Board Chairman Steve Garrison, owner of Canton Tire & Wheel. Judging criteria included past professional achievements and awards, 5-10 year professional goals as well as the nominees’ volunteer and community activities.
The rising stars recognized as Cherokee County’s next generation of community leaders include (front row, left to right): Todd Hayes, Chief Assistant Solicitor General, Office of the Cherokee County Solicitor-General; Angela Weaver Reece, Manager, Mauldin Body Shop & Towing; Brittany Duncan, Administrative Coordinator/Public Information Officer, City of Woodstock; Ashley Carlile, Attorney/ Partner, Thompson, Meier & King, PC; Rachel Ashe, Assistant Solicitor, Office of the Cherokee County Solicitor-General (back row, left to right): Cory Wilson, Vice President & Regional Retail Manager, Bank of North Georgia; Melissa Forrester, Accounting Services Manager, City of Canton; Amy Graham, Principal, Johnston Elementary School — Cherokee County School District; Will Carlan, Attorney, Hasty Pope, LLP & part-time judge, Cherokee County Magistrate Court. Not pictured: Dr. Rory Hekking, Medical Director, Etowah Veterinary Clinic
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CATARACT SURGERY Are Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Right for Me? By Cameron Johnson, M.D. A cataract is caused by the clouding of the natural human lens. When the cloudy lens is removed with surgery, a new artificial lens is placed in the eye to focus images properly. When considering cataract surgery, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery with your eye doctor. With advancements in artificial lens technology over the last decade, discussing the type of new lens to be placed in the eye has become very important as well. When a person reaches their 40s, they begin to note that they are no longer able to see up close without glasses. While patients often have much decreased need for glasses for distance vision after cataract surgery, with a standard lens, they will still need reading glasses for near vision. Fortunately, patients now have additional lens options. One of these options is called a multifocal lens. This type of lens corrects both near and distance vision. One survey found that 4 out of 5 patients with this type of lens reported never wearing glasses. Many patients find that these lenses are positive additions to their quality of life, and they enjoy the convenience of not having to keep up with reading glasses. However, these lenses are not for all patients. In order for these lenses to work well, patients must have relatively healthy eyes. Those with severe dry eye, macular degeneration or advanced glaucoma are not good candidates. A patient also must not have much astigmatism in order for these lenses to work well. Patients with
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larger amounts of astigmatism would likely benefit more from an astigmatism correcting intraocular lens. Patient personality plays a role as well. While multifocal lenses are very good, they are not capable of giving patients the vision they had when they were 20 years old. Like all technologies, they have limitations. Patients often note haloes around lights and can have glare issues, especially at night. However, these symptoms are less noticeable with time. In one study, six months after surgery, only about 6% of patients described these problems as severe. Reading with these lenses requires adequate lighting, so patients may still need reading glasses in a dimly lit restaurant. There may be some decreased sharpness as compared to standard lenses, especially at night and in rainy or foggy conditions. This means that patients wanting the clearest possible vision at every distance may do better with a standard lens and reading glasses. Finally, these lenses are considered to be similar to LASIK or cosmetic surgery by insurance companies. Therefore, they are not covered by insurance and require an additional fee. However, even given these limitations, 93% of patients receiving one popular type of multifocal lens say they would choose to have a multifocal lens again.
Dr. Cameron Johnson is a board-certified ophthalmologist with Milan Eye Center, located in Canton. 470-326-0320. MilanEyeCenter.com
Spare Kids the Shock:
Summer Electricity Safety Tips By Cobb EMC Staff During summer months, our kids spend more time outdoors, so it’s important to teach them electricity safety basics. Take a few minutes and share with your children these reminders on how to stay safe around electricity: • Look up before flying a kite. If it’s rainy or there are overhead power lines nearby, it’s not safe to fly a kite. • Never climb a tree that is near a power line or power pole. • If you see power lines on the ground, go inside immediately, and tell your parents to call their energy provider. • Do not play near pad-mounted transformers. Padmounted transformers are the green metal boxes that contain the above-ground portion of underground electrical installation. • Stay away from electrical equipment, especially if you see signs that say “Danger” or “Keep Out.” (Show your kids images of these signs, so they can immediately recognize what to avoid). • Power poles are not meant for climbing; don’t do it. • Water and electricity don’t mix. Never play with or use electronics around water. • Remember the rule of thumb from the National Weather Service, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Remember, your actions can help your family stay safe. Only use extension cords that are marked for outdoor use, and if an outdoor project requires power tools, never leave them unattended where These tips were provided by Cobb EMC, curious children could find a non-for-profit electric cooperative. them. 770-429-2100. CobbEMC.com Sources: Electrical Safety Foundation International, Safe Electricity
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Senator Speaks
By Senator Brandon Beach
I
n the heat of the Georgia summer, many Georgians take the opportunity to visit Georgia’s coastline or spend time on a beautiful lake. There are many great natural and historical attractions in our state. As a result of the great tourism industry performance, the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics said that the Georgia’s tourism industry generated $58.9 billion in business sales in 2015. This represents a three percent increase over the previous year and a new record for the total economic impact of tourism in Georgia. The Governor’s office estimates that the tourism industry sustains an estimated 439,000 jobs across the state. The strong tourism industry in our state is a common topic in the Senate Economic Development Committee. The Georgia General Assembly will always focus on maintaining a robust state economy. This is just one piece of the good news that comes from the great work
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of Georgia’s Department of Economic Development. They work hard to bring new companies to Georgia and help existing businesses to expand every day. The middle of summer also brings a time to remember our nation’s founding as a free, self-governing society on the Fourth of July. In 1776, patriots gathered to declare that excessive taxes and harsh regulation handed down by a large, inaccessible government would no longer be tolerated. Through freedom and capitalism, the thirteen colonies chose to make their own path towards prosperity. Through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the United States of America ratified one of the most powerful phrases in history: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In the years since, the freedom of our country has been
tested and defended by brave men and women in our armed services. Study committees are up next for the members of the Senate. These committees will be appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments and the Lt. Governor’s office to study important issues for the upcoming legislative session. The list of potential study committees is published on the Senate website. Over the course of these study committees, I will continue to advocate for the issues that matter in North Fulton and Cherokee. Thank you for the opportunity to represent the interests of Senate District 21 at the capitol.
Brandon Beach is a State Senator, District 21, who represents a portion of Cherokee County in the Georgia General Assembly.
Community Partners
changes the lives of families in the midst of fighting pediatric brain cancer.
For those of you who have lost a loved one, you may find comfort in little signs or reminders from heaven; perhaps a butterfly floating on a sunny day, a red cardinal or a song on the radio that warms your heart and takes you back to precious memories. One of those awesome winks from God for the family and friends of Collins Dixon is when they see someone wearing a previous year’s 5k t-shirt or a FINISH STRONG!!! t-shirt and sharing a hug, a smile and sometimes a tear with one of the families who have helped build the Bend Your Knees Foundation and helped the Dixon’s find purpose in their successful non-profit, which
Bend Your Knees (BYK) events have raised over $40,000. This has allowed the Foundation to help local families in Cherokee County as well as many other families who need support and encouragement while battling pediatric brain cancer. Because of your support, the Dixons are able to provide hope, financial help and fortitude to these families, so they know they are not alone. The Dixon Family and their team of supporters are stronger and more passionate than ever, constantly working
This year, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the 5th Annual Collins Dixon Bend Your Knees Run on Saturday, July 23rd, 2016.
hard to keep the memory, mission and momentum of the Bend Your Knees Foundation growing, so they can help more families each year! While the pain of losing Collins will never be gone, it is a great comfort to be able to celebrate what has been accomplished as the Foundation celebrates its 5th year of giving back! Collins never gave up on his faith in God and refused to accept any of cancer’s imposed limitations. Collins lived with hope and wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, so the Foundation prays that its 5th year is its biggest and most successful year yet! YOU are the reason the Foundation is able to give back to others! Please join them as they continue sharing Collins’ story and the testimony of his UNWAVERING faith and desire to change lives.
The Bend Your Knees Foundation is a Georgia 501(c) 3 non-profit, which was started in loving memory of Collins Dixon to raise money to be able to give back to others. Their focus is to spread awareness of brain tumors in children, support families with a child that has a brain tumor and support other organizations that work with children with brain tumors, such as the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children. For more information or to sign up for the run, please visit BendYourKnees.org.
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Children naturally desire independence. They desire to do things on their own. Your heart may always want them to depend on you, but your brain tells you to “cut the apron strings.” Here are three rules that will help you.
Rule #1: Learn Patience. Your child may never learn how to dress herself until she does it. We’re often pressed for time. However, giving your child time is the gateway to independence. They may not always get the buttons right, but success comes with patience. Each opportunity encourages them to try and learn other tasks. Are you a “button controller?” Rule#2: Pick Your Battles. Many parents have set timelines by which they want their children to learn certain skills. However, your child may not willingly adhere to your schedule. There is a time and place to encourage your child’s independence and a time to refrain. If they are not ready
CE R L B E
T A E
Your Child’s Independence! By Kelly Marulanda
to learn a certain skill, they may become upset if pushed. Your child is not going to learn when they are upset. Take a deep breath, and remember to pick your battles.
Learning independence can be an unpleasant experience for your child.
Rule#3: Be Flexible. Forget perfection, and embrace flexibility. Milk will spill, your daughter’s clothing choice will scare you, and your son’s idea of a clean bathroom will raise an eyebrow, but we praise them for trying; we applaud good decisions and discuss the bad ones. We remind them they will do better next time...and there has to be a next time, so they can try again. As long as their health, safety and well-being are not in jeopardy, allow your children to learn from their own mistakes. Think of ways you can help your child become more independent, and ask them what they would like to do. You might be surprised at how short those “apron strings” are becoming.
Kelly Marulanda is the practice manager at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, 2000 Professional Way, #200 Woodstock. 770-517-0250. WoodstockPeds.com
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By Robbie Matiak
The history of HVAC could almost be studied as a mechanical evolution through the ages, beginning with the enormous HVAC boiler systems of the late 1800s and concluding with the smaller, more efficient and more technologically advanced models found in most modern homes today. The first air conditioning systems were crude constructs that blew air through cloth that was saturated with melted ice water. The device, although simplistic in design, could lower a room’s temperature by an impressive twenty degrees. The concept was great, but today, most of us do not have access to one million pounds of ice to cool our homes for two months. Willis Carrier, a leading pioneer in the evolution of HVAC, later took this concept and revolutionized the mechanical aspect of the HVAC industry with a highly capable and industrialsized device that would go on to service the cooling needs of the meat, tobacco and banking industry. These gamechanging machines were impressive for the time, but safer and more efficient
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models were on the horizon. Carrier continued to push forward in his efforts to better the HVAC industry. He made major advancements regarding the refrigerant used to cool the air in early HVAC systems. In addition to using more efficient refrigerant, he was able to greatly reduce the size of his HVAC systems. Improvements in manufacturing continued until the outbreak of WWII, when many of the commercial refrigeration devices were donated by companies across the United States for use in Navy ships in order to keep the supplies fresh. Carrier’s final breakthrough would be the invention of the rotary compressor, which would bring the size of the air conditioning unit down to smaller, more manageable sizes. This would mark the start of the transition of air conditioning units from large industrial corporations to the air conditioning units currently found in homes across America. From this, we also have the creation of the small pair of air conditioning units that were developed for the space suits worn on the first moon mission.
Improvements are still being made in the industry. Efficient and environmentally friendly air conditioners are the current rage. HVAC has gone from a curiosity, to a manufacturing tool, to a necessity, which is used in nearly every human endeavor. These advancements have paved the way to more stable working conditions, comfortable living conditions and so much more. In 2007, the number of homes in the U.S. with an air conditioning unit was approximately 86%; in 2015, approximately 90% of newly constructed homes included a central air conditioning system. This simple, yet complex, and ever-changing industry has made so many advancements and improvements in our day-to-day lives, and it will continue to do so for many years to come.
Robbie Matiak is a project coordinator at R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. 770-917-1795. RandDMechanical.net
The Importance of the Society seems to be losing its social graces. Our manners seem to be slipping a little bit from time-to-time. It started small, with gentlemen not holding doors or people rushing onto elevators before letting others exit. Now, people also seem very comfortable with talking on the cell phone while conducting business or while in conversation with others. While all of these things can be seen as illmannered, when we stop taking the time to appreciate the gifts of others, whether it is a gift of money, material items or time, then we really need to take a look at ourselves. Parents and students please understand: “Thank you” notes
Note are important. If a person takes the time and effort to select a card or gift, sit through a ceremony that is hours and hours long, come to a party or even drop something in the mail, it is important to send them a “thank you” note. Establishing a house rule that no one is allowed to play with the new toy, wear the new outfit or cash the check someone sent (for any occasion) until the “thank you” note is mailed is a great way to ensure that everyone minds their manners. No one should have to learn that a gift was received by having to check their bank statement. It only takes a few minutes
By Lisa-Marie Haygood
to let someone know that their gift was appreciated. In the hustle and bustle of getting so many things done at this time of year, finding the time to follow through on the responsibility and good etiquette of expressing our gratitude has become a basic courtesy that is often overlooked. When our children make the time to show how much they appreciate the thoughtfulness of others, it’s a reflection of good parenting and, in turn, becomes a moment of pride for mom and dad, as they see their child follow through on the good manners that have been instilled in them.
Lisa-Marie Haygood is the President of Georgia PTA. 404-659-0214. LMHaygood@GeorgiaPTA.org
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BACK-TO-SCHOOL COVER STORY
Shopping in Style
Woodstock Boutiques Bring the Latest Fashion Home
By Cyndi Braun
W
hether it’s back-to-school shopping or updating a fall wardrobe, Branches, Brooklynn’s and Madisonn Ave. provide great shopping choices for girls and women of all ages. The shops are conveniently located in downtown Woodstock.
“When customers come to our stores, they get the experience of shopping at a boutique, complete with the latest, coolest styles at affordable prices,” says Jodi Tiberio, the business owner. Located behind Pure Taqueria, Brooklynn’s appeals to all women, especially younger ladies and teens.
trendy styles, Branches is the store for you,” says Tiberio.
Madisonn Ave. great places to shop, they’re also great places to work.
In addition to the three stores in downtown Woodstock, Tiberio has a second Branches location in Towne Lake and a second Brooklynn’s location in Town Center Mall. The stores are open seven days a week.
Raychale Dukeman, marketing manager, started working for the company right after graduating from the University of Georgia.
“Teens, college students, moms, grandmothers and girls — our fashions appeal to everyone, and we strive to make everyone feel comfortable with the personal attention they deserve,” says Tiberio. Not only are Brooklynn’s, Branches and
“I was interested in a job that had more of a family feeling instead of working for a big corporation. I knew I’d prefer working locally, for a community business, with people who would help me develop in my field,” says Dukeman. “Full-time employees receive a benefits package, and all associates receive generous discounts while working in a fun environment.”
“Brooklynn’s is a fun gathering place for our customers. It’s like a fashion show by the fitting rooms,” says Tiberio. “We have a very loyal following because we carry the trendiest fashions that everyone wants to wear.” This summer, Brooklynn’s is moving one door down from its previous location, effectively doubling its size. “We had to expand to make shopping a better experience for our customers,” says Tiberio, adding that the store was often packed to capacity. “We changed the design to be brighter and more open, and we gave our guests more space to move around, linger, and be comfortable.” When pre-teens are interested in styles offered at Brooklynn’s, they are directed to Madisonn Ave., a boutique for girls and tweens. Currently located near the Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill, the shop will soon move to Brooklynn’s old location. This move will put all three shops in the same block in Woodstock. The new location will offer a large area with trendy clothes similar to Brooklynn’s in sizes for tweens, and a separate section with a selection of classic southern styles for younger girls, including smocks and traditional toddler and little girl dresses. Of the three stores, Branches is most like a true boutique. Employees actively assist customers in finding sizes and outfits to fit their taste. The color palette is more neutral, and styles range from bohemian to conservative. “If you’re more interested in unique styles than
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Above: Brooklynn’s is stocked with Southern Cross and other favorite brands, so you can add to your collection. Left: Maxi skirts and slouchy pocket tees keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout the day.
480 Chambers Street, Downtown Woodstock & Town Center Mall, Kennesaw 770-485-0744 • www.brooklynns.com Instagram.com/_brooklynns_/
Facebook.com/shopthreads/
UPCOMING Specials and
Left: Easily switch your look from work to play with our wide range of transitional styles! Below: Branches Boutique’s cold-shoulder style dresses and tops pair effortlessly with lots of accessories.
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Discounts
Just in time for back-to-school, shoppers can take advantage of a spectacular deal during tax-free weekend at all the stores. From 9:00 am-noon on Saturday, July 30, customers who spend $100 will receive a $50 gift card for later use.
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Shops will offer other specials in July, including free Brooklynn’s and Madisonn Ave. t-shirts with a minimum purchase of $50, and discounts on t-shirt dresses for fall, the newest plaid shirts and Piko shirts and much more.
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From now through the end of August, Brooklynn’s customers making any purchase on Saturdays from 1:00-6:00 pm will receive a free Sans Souci bracelet (French for “no worries”). Store associates create the personalized bracelets, using hand-dyed silk ribbon, in the colors the customer chooses. Pictured models are wearing the bracelets.
370 Chambers Street, Downtown Woodstock
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2295 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock
A great way to find out about upcoming specials is by checking the Facebook and Instagram pages for each of the stores.
678-540-5483
Instagram.com/branchesboutique/
Facebook.com/branchesboutique/
The best way to make sure you don’t miss out on discounts is to sign up for store texts. Text subscribers are also offered pre-sale announcements that aren’t posted on social media.
Interested in Working at Brooklynn’s, Branches or Madisonn Ave.? Email: Manager@brooklynns.com
102 Fowler Street, Downtown Woodstock 770-575-9481 Instagram.com/madi_ave/ Facebook.com/madisonnavekids/
Sign up for the Brooklynn’s Friends and Family (BFF) Program by texting “BFFSTYLE” to 51660 then follow the prompts. Above: You’ll find new patterns and accessories for every occasion, available in sizes from newborn to 14! Right: Keep your little one stylish and carefree with Madisonn Ave.’s back-to-school outfits.
Sign up for the Branches VIP Program by texting “BranchVIP” to 51660 then follow the prompts.
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TACKLING TEXTURE…
For Finer Folks By Jyl Craven
Do you have fine hair texture and struggle with creating that perfect hairstyle? Understanding fine hair texture and its unique characteristics is key if you want to maintain daily fashion sense. LIFESTYLE
To begin with, determining the difference between fine hair and thinning hair is a bit confusing to most people. While thinning hair refers to the number of hairs per square inch, fine hair refers to the diameter of the hair. Fine hair can appear translucent at times, have very little elasticity and even be more susceptible to damage when coloring. But despite these traits, if cared for properly, you can be one of the finest folks around.
Fine Hair Care
Transforming those flat strands into bouncy, voluminous locks begins with knowing what hair care regimen to follow. Many shampoos can weigh down your hair with added moisturizing ingredients. Use a volumizing shampoo, as it will work to remove the oil and product residue while depositing polymers to plump up the hair shaft. And don’t go too heavy on the conditioner, as some can weigh down your hair. Instead of using conditioner on your entire head, try applying it only from mid-shaft to the ends. When styling, make sure to include a root lifting or thickening spray, focusing near the first inch of the hair strand, doing this will help to lift the hair from the scalp and give the illusion of fuller, thicker hair.
Fine Hairstyles
Though not the Golden Rule, keeping fine hair shorter is generally better. Variations of the bob with concave layers, a short pixie haircut or a disheveled, short-layered haircut are ideal hairstyles for fine-textured locks. For medium to longer length hair, consider adding concave layers for movement and weight. For longer fine-textured hairstyles, boost your volume by using a large barrel curling iron for shoulder length curls. For a more elegant style, try a ponytail hairstyle with backcombing to create lift around the face or a side up-do to showcase and bolster that malleable mane.
Fine Color
So suffer no more from those limp, lifeless tresses. With proper care, products and style, those bad hair days can finally be a thing of the past. Remember, your hair is just one of the many things that makes you unique, and when cared for properly, it can make you one of the finest folks around. L
Jyl Craven is owner of Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton. 770-345-9411. JylCraven.com
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Hair color is not just fashionably fun — it’s also highly effective for giving a voluminous appearance. With fine hair textures, try introducing a beautiful mix of highlights near the top and brown tones at the root. This color combination helps to diminish the color contrast between the hair and scalp. Multidimensional colors with 2-3 shades can give the illusion of depth and added body. Remember fine friends, your hair is more susceptible to damage than those with thicker, coarser hair, so always consult a professional before coloring your hair.
Book Review BY FARRIS YAWN
I
n They Call Me Strange, by Alexa Andres, we meet Rose as a young girl, who doesn’t understand why everyone considers her “strange.” She meets and befriends a wolf in the woods. As Rose grows older and their friendship grows deeper, the wolf helps her as she struggles to fit in, and eventually, he helps her understand that being different is not a bad thing. As students prepare for the new school year, some for the first time, many children (and parents) will face extra challenges in addition to mastering the three R’s. Alexa Andres knows and understands those challenges all too well. Alexa has sensory processing disorder, which has exacerbated her general anxiety disorder. She wrote They Call Me Strange for children and young adults like her, who don’t quite fit in because of their challenges.
Andres says, “To anyone reading this book, remember that you can be whoever you want to be, whatever you want to be and however you want to get there; there is nothing more important in life than being true to yourself, no matter how corny that sounds, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. There is never anything ‘wrong’ with you. Embrace your differences; they may end up helping you one day. Believe what you believe, no matter how many people believe the opposite. Somewhere, there are people who believe you, too, no matter how ‘weird’ it is, and to absolutely everyone: stay strange.” Whether you are “strange” or just know someone who is, this book is highly recommended. It can help you see “strange” in a whole new light.
Farris Yawn is the owner of Yawns Publishing, 198 North Canton Street, Canton. 678-880-1922. YawnsBooks.com
A Parent’s Guide to Some Common
Tooth Conditions By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.
As parents, we’re on constant alert when it comes to our child’s overall development. Here are some relatively common observations that parents have regarding their child’s overall dental development. My child’s permanent teeth are coming in before the primary teeth have fallen out. This occurs in ~10% of children. Normally, as permanent teeth push up through the gums, the roots of the primary teeth dissolve, causing them to fall out and make room for erupting permanent teeth. Typically, this issue will resolve itself with the primary teeth loosening and falling out. The permanent teeth then slowly move forward into the space left by the primary teeth. This may happen fairly quickly, or it may take some time. My child has an extra tooth. The extra primary tooth is called a supernumerary tooth. Children typically have 20 primary teeth, which are followed by 32 permanent teeth. Supernumerary teeth occur in ~3% of children. The occurrence of extra teeth can sometimes be associated with certain syndromes, but they can also occur in healthy children. The extra tooth may appear as a normal tooth, or it may be shaped differently. If the extra tooth has erupted abnormally or may prevent future permanent teeth from erupting, it may be best to remove the extra tooth. This condition is best evaluated by a pediatric dentist. My child is missing a tooth. There’s a broad range of occurrence of missing teeth in children, depending on the tooth location. It’s more common with permanent teeth. Absence of primary teeth occurs in <1% of the population, while absence of certain permanent teeth occurs in up to 20% of the population. When a primary tooth is missing, the permanent tooth behind it will also be missing. This condition can be genetically linked or may be associated with any number of syndromes. Treatment varies, depending on the individual situation. Orthodontics, bridges or implants can be used to fill the gaps left by missing teeth.
Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com
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Tasteof BY CHEF HILLARY GALLAGHER
Dressing Ingredients s 1 shallot s 1 tablespoon Dijon or other mustard s ¾ teaspoon kosher salt s ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper s 6 oranges, peeled and white pith removed s 3/8 cup white wine or apple cider vinegar s ½ cup orange juice s 1 ¼ cup vegetable oil or light olive oil s 2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, grated
Salad Ingredients s 4-6 boneless chicken breasts, depending on the size and number of portions, (skin on or off depending on your preference) s 3 tablespoons vegetable or light olive oil s 1 teaspoon kosher salt s ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper s 1 red pepper, cut into strips s 1 avocado, firm and ripe s 2 papayas s 2 heads Boston or Bibb lettuce, or a bag of butter lettuce s ½ cup almonds, roasted, salted and chopped
Dressing Procedure s Dice the shallot or place it in a blender or food processor. s Combine the diced or pureed shallot with the mustard, salt, pepper and orange segments and puree. s Add the orange juice and vinegar, combine, then slowly add the oil until the dressing is combined. s Stir in the ginger root and set the dressing aside. The dressing can be made a day ahead, if desired.
Salad Procedure s Preheat the grill. s Season the chicken breasts with the 3 tablespoons of oil, salt and pepper. s Wipe the chicken of any excess oil, and place it on the grill, skin side down, allowing it to cook for 7-8 minutes. Move the chicken or adjust the flame as needed. s Flip the chicken, and finish cooking on the other side, approximately 5-8 minutes (depending on the size). s Cook the chicken to 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness. s Remove the chicken from the grill, and set aside. s Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and score with a paring knife while in the skin. Use a large spoon to remove the avocado from the skin. s Peel, slice and remove the seeds from the papaya. s Wash and tear the lettuce, combine it with the red pepper strips, and toss with enough dressing to coat the leaves but not enough to make the leaves soggy. s Arrange the leaves and red pepper on individual plates, and place slices of the avocado and papaya on top of them. s Slice each chicken breast into 4-6 pieces, and arrange it on top of the lettuce. s Sprinkle with the chopped almonds, and drizzle with more dressing as needed.
Hillary Gallagher, CCC is the Culinary Arts Program Director and Lead Instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College in East Cobb. Hillary.Gallagher@ChattahoocheeTech.edu. 770-509-6350. ChattahoocheeTech.edu
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#BeachBodyReady By Drs. Petrosky, Musarra, Harkins and Leake Summer is here! If you’re stressing about wearing swimsuits, shorts and sleeveless tops — stress no more! Consider one of the following fat reduction systems: liposuction, CoolSculpting or ThermiTight. These are great solutions for people who need to get beach-body ready. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise. The chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, back, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles are areas that can be treated. The best candidates are in good
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health, with firm, elastic skin. You’ll wear a surgical compression garment after your surgery. In most cases, patients return to work after a few days and then are cleared for all normal activities after about 3 weeks. CoolSculpting is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment, using controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat. No needles, no surgery and no downtime, anesthesia or incisions. The procedure is effective on many of the same body parts as liposuction – particularly around the mid-section, back, flanks and thighs, and patients love the easy treatment process. The procedure takes only 1 hour, and you can return to your normal activities immediately. Although results aren’t as extensive as with liposuction, CoolSculpting is perfect for certain candidates. ThermiTight actually tightens the skin
tissue while melting fat cells. Loose, sagging skin is tightened by this revolutionary new technology. It’s used primarily in the lower face, neck, arms and other problem areas. The technology focuses on radio frequency energy to heat specific tissues to a pre-determined, therapeutic temperature. A painless, single-treatment solution, with little or no downtime, is what you can expect. It can also be used in conjunction with liposuction. Before any procedure, it’s critical to find an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Talk to friends and family, do some research, and schedule consultations to ensure you select the best qualified specialist for you. Drs. Petrosky, Musarra, Harkins and Leake are board-certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. 770-421-1242. PlasticSurgery CenterOf TheSouth.net
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By Rachel Sprouse
As a new college student, moving away from home and/or learning to navigate college life can be very exciting. However, it can also be a bit overwhelming. It gets easier with time, but for students about to start their first semester, the anxiety of packing and adjusting to a new school and environment can be a bit much. So for incoming freshmen, here are some tips to make the adjustment easier.
Lock Your Door and Bring the Key
1
Do Not Over-Pack
Unless permanently moving to the area the school’s in, there’s no reason everything from back home has to come along. Dorms are traditionally tinier than the average bedroom, and most on-campus living situations have students sharing their living space with at least one other person. By bringing only what’s absolutely necessary and packing two items from home for comfort, students will minimize their move-in stress. Check with your college’s housing website to see the items that will be provided in the space so unnecessary items aren’t lugged up the stairs or in a tiny elevator. For instance, some dorms may allow toaster ovens, while others don’t.
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2
For the sakes of your resident assistant and future roommates, remember to bring your dorm key when you leave. Being locked out and having to pay a lockout fee, or having to wait for a roommate to return from class to unlock the door, is not fun for anyone. Several frantic phone calls to a roommate can be avoided by buying a lanyard or keeping the key in your backpack at all times.
Get Involved! Join a New Club
Δ
This will seem redundant, especially after hearing it again at orientation, but it’s stressed to incoming students because it really is great advice. During class, there are only a few minutes to talk to other classmates. Through student organizations and campus activities, many connections and friendships can be made. Going Greek can also introduce students to new people, but it’s not the only way to make friends on campus. Your college experience is what you make of it. The more you do, the better it will be, but don’t sign up for every single thing. While college is certainly a fun, social experience, don’t forget to make time to study. After all, that’s the main reason you’re there. College can be a great time to learn how to balance fun and responsibility before you begin your career and have bills to pay.
3
Ω
4
Don’t Eat Alone
For most out-of-state students, it’s unlikely that friends from your old high school will be on the same campus. Just because a student comes into college knowing no one does not mean that’s how they’ll be at the end of the year. Do not eat alone. Knock on a suitemate’s door and ask if they want to grab lunch, or talk to the person in line at Starbucks. Never miss an opportunity to talk to someone new.
It’s Okay to Fail the First Quiz
F
5
That may come as a shock, but it’s not the end of the world. College is nothing like high school. Depending upon the major and course load, it might be easier or more difficult. High school students who waited until the night before to cram for a major test, and somehow managed to do well, may need to change their study habits. Cramming does not work well in college, especially with courses that require hundreds of pages of reading each night. By learning the professor’s test format and knowing what to review, your one failure can be turned into a semester of success. Just don’t let it become a habit. If necessary, talk to your professor during office hours.
Unplug Once in a While Technology is pertinent in college for group projects, writing papers and completing assignments. But don’t let it replace the college experience by spending hours scrolling through a social feed. By logging out of social media every once in a while, students can focus more on what’s happening around them and discover new things about their campus.
6
College is a wonderful time where many young adults figure out what they want to do with their lives. No one is expected to know everything on day one. That is what college is for — learning and trying new things. You’ll soon discover that your college years fly by faster than you expected. So take advantage of the opportunities it presents, and enjoy every minute of it.
By Rachel Sprouse
Back-to-school seems to be a season in itself, where parents and children spend weeks preparing for the upcoming school year. It means attending open houses, purchasing school supplies, preparing for classes and yes, buying clothes for back-to-school. It may seem like a hassle, bringing the kids from store to store, trying to plan shopping trips during the back-to-school sales, but it does not have to be. By avoiding these common mistakes, back-to-school shopping will be a smoother process. Continued on page 38
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Continued from page 37
Buying Everything at the Beginning of the Year While it’s not a bad idea to plan ahead and buy winter coats at a discount in August, buying everything at once for the entire school year may be detrimental. Children grow at varying degrees throughout the year, and the size you bought at the beginning of the year may not fit your child by the time the season arrives for them to wear it. Not to mention, you may forget what you bought in August and accidentally buy unnecessary duplicates. If you must buy everything at the beginning of the year, you may want to consider purchasing a size larger than your child is currently wearing.
a power struggle and a stressful start to everyone’s day. Instead, ask your child what they like before you go shopping. Have them show you examples from magazines, sale papers or websites. By allowing your child to have some input in what you buy for them, they’ll be more likely to wear it.
Buying Clothes the Kids Won’t Wear Not every child enjoys clothes shopping. Some go kicking and screaming, while others want to buy everything in the store. It may seem easier to go shopping without your child, but if you don’t incorporate your child’s tastes and preferences, they probably won’t wear the clothes. You may spend hundreds of dollars on items you think are cute or quality-made. However, if children don’t like the clothes that were selected for them and are forced to wear them, having them get dressed for school in the morning can prove to be
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Forgetting to Consult the School Dress Code Dress codes can be strict, depending on the school and the school district. To avoid a dress code issue, consult the school’s dress code policy before purchasing clothes. For example, researching the proper skirt and shorts length in the school’s dress code policy can spare your child from a dress code violation. This will keep you from buying items that your child can’t even wear to school. However, there are some modifications that can be made to certain clothing items that will keep them out of violation, such as adding a jacket or cardigan over a sleeveless shirt your child really wants to wear.
Not Finding the Balance Between Trendy Clothes and the Basics Fashion trends change frequently. With this in mind, try to find a balance between basics and trends. Buying trendy items is fun, just be sure you also purchase enough basics to pair with them. Middle and high school-aged kids tend to gravitate towards trendy clothing. Often, the best places to find unique, trendy items are in independent, local stores and boutiques. This also makes it less likely that your child will show up on the first day of school wearing the same trendy item as someone else.
Leaving Your Coupons at Home The best way to get more bang for your buck is to look up each storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deals and coupons online before you leave the house. Even independent specialty boutiques have websites that will inform customers of their deals. Parents can save money by printing out their coupons beforehand or saving them to their phone. Make sure to remember to bring your coupons and have them out and ready at the checkout counter. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go to all of the trouble of researching and then forget to take advantage of your discounts. Keeping these suggestions in mind, enjoy the last few weeks of summer, and happy back-to-school shopping!
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Dental Implants:
The Tooth Fairy’s
Second Chance! By Dr. Steven Anderson, DMD
Losing an adult tooth often has significant, long-term, damaging effects that many people do not realize until it is too late. If you have lost a tooth, for whatever reason, decide today to speak to your dentist about dental implants and how they can improve your quality of life. In many circumstances, dental implants are the optimal method to restore lost function and prevent future, serious jaw bone disease. With an implant, the tooth is completely restored, which allows you to chew, brush and floss as you normally would with your natural teeth. Dental implants also look very natural. Often, no one knows you have implants, unless you tell them. Does implant surgery hurt? The short answer is, “It’s not that bad of a surgery.” The dentist will certainly make your jaw numb, just like you were having a filling or other treatment. You should not feel any pain during the surgery. Any post-surgery pain or discomfort can be managed effectively by your dentist. There are certainly other common life events
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Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
(non-dental related) that are clearly more painful. Bottom line, dental implant surgery pain is very manageable. Fear of pain should not be a limiting factor. Does implant surgery cost a lot? Cost is almost always a relative thing. What is the “cost” of non-treatment? There are significant financial costs associated with non-treatment that patients sometimes overlook. However, all “costs” must be carefully considered. What “costs” will be saved by preventing gum and bone disease because you chose to replace your missing tooth with an implant? An implant will help you maintain a healthy, functioning mouth during your lifetime; that is priceless. Decide to make your teeth a priority. Will it make you feel better? You bet! It will do wonders for your overall health and give your self-confidence a serious boost, as well. You owe it to yourself to have a healthy mouth your whole life. Your dental care should be all about you. It should be personalized care that
“
With an implant, the tooth is completely restored, which allows you to chew, brush and floss as you normally would with your natural teeth.”
meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Make time to talk with your dentist to collectively come up with a plan to ensure your overall dental health. Get ready to enjoy your new happy, healthy mouth! After all, you deserve the best!
Dr. Steven Anderson is owner/dentist with Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Ste. 200, Woodstock. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson.com
Ingredients:
(serves 8)
Procedure:
w 32 scallops (size U10, divers preferred)
w In a medium sauce pan, cook the bacon
w 3 strips bacon, raw and chopped
until it starts to crisp.
w 1 medium onion, minced
w Add the onion, garlic, corn, tomatoes and
w 2 cloves of garlic, minced
lima beans. Cook for two minutes on
w 2 ears of yellow corn, revived from the cob
medium heat.
w 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
w Add the vinegar, and then add the
w 2 cups baby lima beans
vegetable stock.
w 1 teaspoon each of fresh dill and thyme,
w Reduce/simmer the stock until it is level
chopped
with the vegetables.
w 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
w Add the dill, thyme and salt and pepper
w 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
to finish.
w 3 cups vegetable stock
w Sear the scallops, then plate them and top them with the succotash. w Enjoy this dish with a nice white wine or light beer!
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Basement Finishing: It’s By H&H Electric & Security
If you are considering a summer project inside your home, finishing your basement could be a great idea. A properly designed and finished basement can add value to your home by turning that space into a variety of usable rooms. To save on costs, many homeowners choose to finish their basement on their own. While this method can be effective, it is important to make sure that the electrical wiring portion of the project is completed by a licensed electrician. According the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 47,820 reported home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction from 2007-2011. These fires resulted in 455 civilian deaths, 1,518 civilian injuries and $1.5 billion
Electric!
in direct property damage. Finishing a basement on a budget is preferable, the added cost for a licensed electrician is minimal in comparison to the possible loss of property due to faulty wiring. It is also important to make sure that the electrical contractor that you select has a proven track record. If something were to not function properly, or if you want to add anything in the future, you need to feel confident that the company you hire will be available to come back to your house for these repairs or additions. Once the HVAC ducts and plumbing pipes have been installed, the electrical wiring needs to be installed. At this point, don’t forget to have the electrician pre-wire for surround sound speakers (if your design calls for them) to keep unsightly wires out of sight.
After the electrical wiring has been installed, you can then install drywall, flooring and trim work. Before you know it, you’ll have that movie room, bar, office or home gym that you’ve always wanted.
H&H Electric and Security, LLC. 770-735-1136. MyAtlantaElectrician.net
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Let’s Remember to
Honor Our Veterans By Tim Morris
LIFESTYLE Even though the 4th is not Veterans Day, it’s still important to remember those who fought and died for our independence. When I started working in aging, I met so many WWII veterans. I was so proud to just sit and talk to them. They would only talk about things that humored them, not what happened. One veteran, named Herb, was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Herb said he was 125 pounds soaking wet, giving out orders to guys twice his size. He once ordered Private Schwartz to dig a hole, and as Herb tells it, Schwartz was 8 feet tall and 400 pounds, or so it seemed to Herb. Schwartz looked at him with a shovel in his hands and
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Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
told Herb he was not digging a hole, and if he wanted one, he had to dig it. Herb said he never said a word; he just took the shovel and started digging. He put the shovel in the ground twice and looked beside him. Schwartz had joined him in digging that hole. While digging that hole, Schwartz told Herb he was the kind of leader with whom he’d gladly fight. Herb never flinched; he wanted to prove no job was too big for him. Though Herb was scared, he never showed his fear. As the years pass, we have less and less of those veterans to tell their stories. At the Canton Senior Center, we’re proud to have three WWII veterans, Jack, Jack and Larry, to share their stories. They’re truly part of the greatest generation. We can learn so much from them. We cherish every day we have them in our presence. The Canton Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. We would love to have any veteran over the age 60 to come out and join us. We have activities, and we serve lunch every day. Come by, have a cup of coffee, and introduce yourself to Jack, Jack and Larry. L
Tim Morris is the Director of Cherokee County Senior Services. 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 770-479-7438. CherokeeGa.com/ Senior-Services
Vacation Bible School is a highlight for many children each year, and many congregations get behind this very traditional form of mission. The church I pastor is expecting over 200 children to participate this year, with over 60% of those not currently involved in church. It’s a great outreach.
CHAMPIONING Jesus for Children By Pastor Chris Bryant
Many adults and teens will serve in VBS at their church this year. Decorations will go up everywhere — congregations go all out! It’s just so much fun to creatively share Christ and various Biblical concepts with children, and to think that many of them may not otherwise participate in the life of a church. For some, it is the only week each year that they experience Christian spirituality. Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them!” Evidently, the disciples had some issue with parents bringing their children to Jesus. We
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Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
we would have never hindered the children from going to Jesus... Yet, the vast majority of kids in our community this year will not participate in Vacation Bible School. The vast majority will not be in worship or Sunday School this weekend. The vast majority of children in our community will probably not enter a church more than 10 weekends in 2016, if that. “Oh, those silly disciples,” people think. Meanwhile off to practice, off to the sports fields, off to this camp or that outing instead of worship, instead of Sunday School, instead of VBS and there Jesus is, still saying, “Let the children come to Me... Why are you hindering them?”
can’t imagine this; can we? We hear this story, and we shake our heads, “Oh, those silly disciples.” It’s so obvious to us that if we were them,
Chris Bryant is lead pastor at City On A Hill United Methodist Church. 678445-3480. COAHUMC.org
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Great Prices and Free Amenities! Some of the Best Cruise Deals are NOW! By Michael Consoli
LIFESTYLE People are always looking for a great deal on a cruise. Often, there are some strong offers or group pricing deals that can be combined with cruise line offerings so that a wonderful value can be provided.
This year, cruise lines have had some wonderful offers, and the deals are getting better and better. Cruise lines are working hard to maintain their pricing. They want to change the client’s mentality of booking last-minute cruises because they are increasing the price as the cruise date draws nearer. However, they are adding incredible incentives to encourage early bookings, for example: Royal Caribbean is offering “Buy One Get One Half Off” on almost all their sailings. This is a huge savings for families, and there are some great onboard credit offers for the holidays. American Express card holders can combine this deal with the “Destination Family” offer, which provides free soda packages for children 17 and under, a free 48
Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
Johnny Rockets family experience and VIP embarkation. Celebrity Cruise Line is offering your choice of two of the following: free gratuities, free beverage packages, $300 onboard credit and free Wi-Fi! — That’s FREE money to spend onboard! Combine this offer with some incredible agency group pricing, and you have big savings! Holland America is offering their “Explore 4 Deal” on many of their 2016 sailings, which includes: a free classic beverage package (including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), free specialty dining, 50% off deposits and reduced third and fourth guest pricing. This is Holland America’s strongest offer ever. Regent Seven Seas is offering free airfare and free shore excursions for all sailings and special free pre-cruise hotel packages. They’re even offering free Wi-Fi on many of their cruises. Regent also includes EVERYTHING — specialty dining, gratuities and all beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). This
offer is combinable with agency offers of up to $300 onboard credit, which makes this an outstanding deal on an outstanding cruise line. Viking River Cruises is offering up to free air, 50% off pricing specials and free wine and beer included with lunch and dinner. Viking includes an excursion in every port. Combine this with a $200 onboard credit and free, custom air, and you have an incredible deal! Viking is even offering free air and free gratuities on many of their Caribbean sailings. These are available in November and December. Of course, all of these offers are subject to certain terms and conditions, but they are all amazing offers that just make cruising the BEST value in today’s travel market. Now is the time to get the best deal on your cruise! L
Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com
Artist Profile BY NATALIE DEL VALLE
“Never stop growing as an artist;” that is the motto that serves as inspiration for Georgia painter and sculptor, Sandra Milton. “My goal is to be able to create the best work and continue to learn and grow as an artist. There is so much to see; I could never accept complacency,” she says. Born into a military family, Sandra grew up in Germany, Korea and various military bases across the country before settling in Georgia.
artist
“I’ve lived in Georgia for many years — long enough to call it home,” Sandra says. Living in various locations throughout her life has given her a unique perspective. “The beauty, music and images of Korean and German culture are deeply embedded in my memories, and this helps to create fragments of identity in my work,” she says. One of her influences is Anselm Kiefer, a German painter and sculptor. She’s also inspired
by the fearless, powerful and emotional work of Egon Schiele and Alice Neel. In her own paintings and sculptures, Sandra usually focuses on the human figure, the nature of humanity and the attraction and tension of opposites. “My work delves into the connections, disconnections and all the fragments that bind us together. This takes me continued on page 50
“Never stop growing as an
.” WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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Artist Profile
continued from page 49
back through the history of mankind, from Genesis to who we are today,” Sandra explains. When painting or sculpting, Sandra likes to pace herself, allowing the image to reveal itself over time. “There may be a shadow of an image there, but not enough of a form to work with until I draw into it, sand out marks, edit and redraw. I may allow it to rest for awhile until it shows me what it needs,” Sandra says. When Sandra is not working on her art, she’s researching. “When I’m not physically creating, I’m mentally focused on the foundations of art, studying the shapes, forms, lines and colors of things, and absorbing it into my memory,” Sandra says. She uses paints, pastels, acrylics, oils and water-based oils in her paintings. She uses terra cotta clay or stoneware to create her sculptures. Sandra Milton built her studio and gallery in the historic district of Roswell 15 years ago. “My work is intense, so my environment is important. It is a light-filled, open space. The gallery is separate from the studio,” Sandra says. She has involved 50
Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
herself in the art community for many years and has participated in many juried shows. She has won “Best in Show,” numerous “Honorable Mentions,” and several 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. In 2008, Sandra was a co-winner of the Roswell Cultural Arts Board Choice Award. “My biggest accomplishment isn’t something I’ve created. It’s the wholeness of being an artist,” says Sandra.
SandraMilton.com
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A
Q: A:
&A
Q
Tell us about your role with City of Woodstock.
As marketing and tourism coordinator, I help other members of the economic development team spread the word about the activities of Main Street Woodstock, the Woodstock Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Development Authority. I specialize in web and graphic design and manage email campaigns. I’ll also be sharing information with tourists and helping to bring more Georgiamade products to the Visitors Center.
Q: A:
What prepared you for this role?
Until April, I was the manager of the Welcome Center for the Marietta Visitors Bureau. As a native
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Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
with Stacy Brown, Woodstock’s New Marketing and Tourism Coordinator
of Marietta and a former director in the effort to build a museum on the Lockheed Martin/Dobbins Air Reserve Base property, I knew a lot about Marietta’s history and attractions, but I learned so much about economic development and tourism in that position.
Q: A:
What are you looking forward to most in your new position?
I’ve lived in Woodstock since 2009, but I’ve stayed pretty involved in Marietta. I look forward to meeting the people who work to make Woodstock such a great place to live. I’m excited to be working in my own hometown.
Q: A:
How do you spend your free time around town?
I’m the mom of two boys, so with their sports and activities, there’s not a lot of free time. However,
By Kyle Bennett
we love eating at the restaurants in Downtown Woodstock after a game. My dog is always up for a run at Noonday Creek Trail, and I’m a huge fan of the classes at Ember Yoga.
Q: A:
What do you like most about Downtown Woodstock?
The old mixed with new, the walkability and the amenities, like trails and concerts, all come to mind, but what I like most is the warmth and positive atmosphere. People are happy to be here, whether they’re working or out having fun. That translates into a very happy work life for me.
Kyle Bennett is director of tourism and operations for the Woodstock Visitors Center. 770-924-0406. KBennett@WoodstockGa.gov
When Should My Child Start Music Lessons?
This excellent question may just be the most frequently heard within the walls of our music academy. Through years of teaching and research, we have found the need to first define “music lessons.” Immersion in music by singing, playing music in your house, going to age-appropriate concerts and even just plucking around on the piano with your young one, should begin anytime from birth to around 3 years old. At age 3+, a parent and child music class can be fun and beneficial. At this age, there is movement and learning about basic beats and melody. While the method is important, it is more about the experience and exposure at this age. Ages 6-9 are a great time to look at more formal and focused lessons on a given instrument. When thinking about the best age for your child during this developmental period, choosing the best instrument will often depend on the individual personality traits of your child. Are they focused and thoughtful? If so, guitar at age 7 may be a great fit. If they are more energetic and like to move, perhaps
in the
limelight
a drum-set might be a better fit. There are excellent/affordable electronic options for those concerned about volume levels. When in doubt, consult an expert who teaches these ages, and consider trial lesson. In a 30 minute period, an experienced teacher can assess whether or not a student is ready for a given instrument. The piano is also a popular first instrument because you press a key and Voila! It sounds fantastic! Lastly, we tend to see accelerated progress in learning during the summer break months, due to a more open schedule and a “relaxed brain.” Consider starting lessons and classes at the beginning of summer to give your young musician a head start!
CantonArtsAcademy.com 6768 Hickory Flat Hwy., Suite 112 Canton, GA 30115
770-345-7529
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Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings and Celebrations
Garland Mountain Sporting Clays
R & D Mechanical Services, Inc.
2618 Garland Mountain Trail Waleska 770-345-0303 Sports/Entertainment
3448 Holly Springs Parkway Canton 770-917-1795 Heating & Air Sales & Service (Commercial), Heating & Air Sales & Service
AdvoCare Laura Mikszan
Final Touch Flooring Group
678 Gold Valley Pass Canton 770-617-6895 Health & Nutrition
5455 Bells Ferry Road Acworth 770-709-1092 Floor Covering Retailer
For information on upcoming events, please visit
CherokeeChamber.com
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Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
Are “Free”
Business Websites
Really Free?
1. You should own everything. You
should have the domain registered to yourself, not a third party. You should be able to walk from the company with a copy of your website that can be hosted anywhere.
By Scott Lavelle There are many services clamoring for the attention of business owners — including website building services. There are companies advertising that you can have a “custom website designed for free” and others promoting websites that build themselves. But what’s the truth? Like most business models, these companies exist to make money. In these two situations, the catch is that they aren’t free in the long-run. For example, one builds the initial site for free but has monthly costs that exist in perpetuity. So what should a business owner look for when considering their own site?
2. Your site should be responsive.
With the popularity of mobile devices at many screen sizes, you want to be sure that your website conforms to the size of the device being used to view it. You don’t want your visitors to have to zoom and scroll or fight with your menus to get to your business information. 3. Your whole site should be built on one platform. Many websites that
are built in phases are not cohesive.
You want your site to be built with expandability in mind, so new components can be added that look and feel like an original part of the site and allow a single administrative area. 4. Your site should be updatable. If you want to call your web developer whenever you need your site changed, they should be available for this service (unlike most outsourced companies). However, you should also have a site that’s built so that you’re able to make quick changes yourself, which allows you to maintain a site that stays interesting for viewers and search engines. These are some examples that give you an advantage when talking to a developer. Be prepared, and get the website that your company deserves.
Scott Lavelle, MCSE is the co-owner/ technical director of Technical Resource Solutions. 678-928-9491. TechnicalRS.com
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Advertiser Index 770-Arborist, LLC Anderson Dental Atlanta Hand Specialist Branches/Brooklynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s/Madisonn Ave. Burns Law Group C&T Auto Service Canton Arts Academy Chattahoochee Technical College Cobb EMC Cruise Planners Dance & Music Academy Dance Imagination Dawn Sams, Realtor Downtown Kitchen Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill GA All-Stars Gymnastics H&H Electric & Security, LLC In Harmony Pediatric Therapy The Joint Chiropractic Jyl Craven Hair Design Landscape Matters LGE Community Credit Union Masterpiece Framer Milan Eye Center Northside Hospital-Cherokee Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Dentistry at Canton PharMoore & Woodstock Health Mart Pharmacy Pigtails and Crewcuts Plastic Surgery Center of the South R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. Rejoice Maids Salon Spa Venessa Seeds Thrift Store Semper Fi Bar & Grille Summit Financial Solutions Three Sisters Gifts & Home Accents Technical Resource Solutions Wellstar Family Medicine WellStar Health System Woodstock Funeral Home Woodstock Pediatric Medicine Urban Secrets Boutique 56
Woodstock Family Life | JULY 2016
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POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage
PAID
Stone Mountain, GA
Permit #1037