CITIZEN
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gwinnett Est. 1988 Covering Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Lilburn, Berkeley Lake, Duluth
Vol. 31 No. 10
Back to School
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www.gwinnettcitizen.com
AUGUST 2019
Timothy Jones walks by faith and not by sight onto Georgia State Campus By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com
Life Enrichment page 9
This fall, Timothy Jones begins his first semester at Georgia State University pursuing a Master’s in Piano Pedagogy. Blind since birth, Timothy is something of a keys prodigy, and it’s his dream to help others who are visually impaired find a place in society through music. “I’ve been fortunate,” Timothy said. “Many blind people today are going to have to live on welfare the rest of their life because they were not given the tools and resources at the time they needed them. Now, there are a lot of blind seniors out there who went blind either in their teenage or early adult years, and because no one was able to give them a chance, there’s no way they are ever going to be able to find work.” At an early age, Timothy exhibited exceptional musical ability. He had what musicians call “perfect pitch,” meaning he could aptly distinguish notes without training. When he was two, his mom, Nancy Jones, caught Timothy picking out the tune to “Lamb of God” by Twila Paris. Following the suggestion of a friend, she decided to put him in music lessons immediately. But finding someone to teach him was easier said
See FAITH on Page 18 Interior Experts page 15
Photo by Julie Thompson
Timothy Jones, crossing Beaver Ruin Rd. independently at the new crosswalk with Hawk Signal created by Gateway85 Gwinnett (CID)and funded by the Georgia DOT and the Gwinnett DOT, among others.
McClure Health Science Hearts to Nourish Hope High School opens doors helps wayward youth in to students Gwinnett find purpose
Neo-Pop Artist page 19
INSIDE Citizen Connection Gwinnett Pulse Health & Wellness
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At McClure Health Science High School, students will have access to innovative technology, including 3D digital maps of the human body.
By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com This August, a group of 632 students begin the school year at the new McClure Health Science High School in Duluth — a $38 million-dollar Gwinnett County Public Schools facility where high school students can earn college credit and industry experience while working towards their diploma.
Located at 3921 Club Drive, the school is nestled in the Meadowcreek Cluster and sits adjacent to Kaiser Permanente Gwinnett Comprehensive Medical Center. The building spans 17 acres and includes more than 42 classrooms for students to complete their high school education while gaining hands-on, real-world experience. “Everything we do in this school will be ‘Awakening the Wonder’ of
See SCHOOL on Page 16
Photo by Julie Thompson
Hearts to Nourish Hope staff. L-R: Ericka Leslie, Career Case Manager; Kevin Vu, Intern; Oscar Parada, Intern; Patrice Wuerth, COO; Royale Schoepf, Counselor, and Timothy Whailen, LMSW.
By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Patrice Wuerth, COO and Co-founder of local non-profit “Hearts to Nourish Hope”, is on a mission to provide work and education opportunities to troubled youth in the community. With a new center in Lawrenceville that focuses on ages 16 to 24, Patrice sees all kinds of possibilities to make a difference for those in DEFACS, the Juvenile
Court system and out-of-school teens in Gwinnett. “We’re always looking for new partnerships and work experience opportunities to help the kids,” Patrice said. As a theater graduate from New York University, Patrice found her way to Georgia about 30 years ago. She and her sister, Deborah Anglin, shared a vision to start their own organization after years of
See HEARTS on Page 10
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Business Spotlight:
Zoe Wellness Center — Restoring body balance one person at a time By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Zoe Wellness Center, a Duluth-based weight loss and ‘body balance’ spa, is taking the Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta area by storm. Dozens of clients are reporting a weight loss of up to 30 pounds in just 30 days through a technology-driven, medication-free program designed to accelerate noticeable change that will last. Featured on major local television networks, including CBS46, 11 Alive, Atlanta & Company and Atlanta Plugged In, the Zoe method is a safe and effective means to lose weight, increase energy and improve overall wellness. “Wellness is a journey,” states CEO and co-founder Damon Davis. He advocates that each individual should strive for total body balance, focusing on health at the cellular level to start achieving their full potential. Where numerous clients had given up on losing weight and feeling healthy, with Zoe Wellness Center, they have access to a unique, individualized program that uses high-end technology scans to determine the root cause of their weight gain and any irregularities slowing their metabolic rate. Then, with the
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support and guidance of Certified Wellness Coaches, each can begin their individualized plan designed to restore balance in their metabolism, immune system and body as a whole. Those who have followed this guided program step by step have seen that excess pounds will fall off as they come into a more centered, more balanced version of themselves. Unlike programs that require fad dieting and strenuous exercise routines, Zoe Wellness Center uses technology to determine the most effective program for each client.
Before starting, each participant is required to take a Bio-Metric Body Analysis to assess weight loss goals while measuring body mass percentages and other critical components. The method also involves Body Balancing technology to help reverse critical health issues; and it implements Metabolic Body Balancing technology to target and correct hormone imbalances. What makes the Zoe Wellness Center program different from anything else in the industry is it accentuates the body’s natural ability to restore balance and lose weight
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without requiring medications or expensive gym memberships. It’s all about giving each client the boost they need to get their body perfectly aligned and in motion. “We emphasize the importance of movement as opposed to what most people call ‘exercise’. Movement should be enjoyable, and it can even be working in the garden,” Davis explained. Reviews for the program can be found online at http://zoewellness. com. Many participants have shared their stories of losing 30, even 50 pounds in just 30 days. However, the program’s greatest success lies in
its proven ability to improve overall wellness and even counteract symptoms of critical health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, diabetes, anxiety and depression and much more. “We’re seeing results. Story, after story, after story of people dropping 10, 15, 30, 100 pounds. Medication reducing. People that are off of canes. People that are mobile now. Happier. Sleeping. All of those types of things, we are hearing about,” Davis said. “That’s how you know what you’re doing is making an impact. And we’re hearing it every week. It’s crazy. It’s awesome. But I’m not surprised.” Those interested in creating a change from the inside out are encouraged to call the Duluth center for a special offer on their Bio-Metric Body Analysis. Valued at $100, those who call (770)239-6205 will receive an assessment for free. Some programs will include occasional visits to the center located at 2775 Premiere Pkwy., Ste. 360, Duluth, Ga. 30097. All participants are welcome to call and email as often as necessary for additional resources as they take steps to become a more fulfilled and confident version of themselves.
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GWINNETTCITIZEN
connection
“What is your favorite or least favorite part about going back to school?” By Rachel Shaw & Julie Thompson Citizen Connection is a random sampling of opinions regarding various subjects. Visit our Facebook page to add yours and see a whole lot more!
“[My least favorite part is] now it seems they’re starting too early.” ~ Jay Lyle, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite part is knowing the kids are getting to learn and knowing they’re getting a good education.” ~ Tim McIntyre, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“That would be getting new school supplies. Especially a trapper keeper.” ~ Lauren Heidler, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“Back to school shopping is the worst part. The best part is probably the meeting of new people.” ~ Rachael Harrison, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“Long hours studying [would be my least favorite part].” ~ Joshua Richardson, Lithonia, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“The structure, more schedule. That’s my favorite part, and it’s also my least favorite part because there is less time to just kick back and relax. Schedule is good, but it can be nice to just hangout and be together.” ~ Kim Williams, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“[My favorite part is that] she’ll get to learn and be around kids and be social. The bad thing is she’s growing up too fast. She’s going into Pre-K.” ~ Humberto Chavez, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite part would be seeing friends. Back then, you didn’t see them in the summer. And my least favorite part would be getting up early.” ~ Lisa Culver, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“There’s nothing I don’t like about my grandkids going back to school. I like it because they are finishing school.” ~ Jean Waldrip, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite thing is knowing I’m gaining more knowledge to meet the changing society. There’s always more to learn. And the hard part is trying to find the time as a parent and giving them the time need.” ~ Ann Garcia, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“It’s been so long . . . I guess my favorite part is [going back to school] helps you remember every year. With my son, I’m going to do a video diary of when he’s three, four, [etc.], so he can look back and remember some of those years.” ~ Ashley Lanier, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“I loved school. I guess [my favorite part] was knowing I was learning and being with the teachers. If it wasn’t for the teachers and what they did, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. They just give of themselves, and I don’t think they get enough credit.” ~ Sy Raymond, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
I grew up in the city, and up until the second grade, my grandmother always had me wear these high stockings. When we moved to the suburbs, all the other girls wore little socks, and I was so embarrassed because I stood out, and it took my grandmother a while to realize no one else wore them. That was my least favorite part, but that was about 70 years ago.” ~ Delsie Barton, Jacksonville, Fl. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite part was always seeing people. We didn’t grow up with all these parks, so you didn’t get to see other kids unless you were in school. As a dad, it’s going back to routine, back to schedule after it gets crazy in the summer time. I definitely have a different perspective on it as a dad.” ~ Christopher Bailey, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“[My least favorite part is that] I work and finding a work/life balance is tough. My wife usually does the school stuff, and it’s hard not to be able to see [our daughter] off to school every day. We’re new to the whole public-school system. She’s going into Kindergarten, and I worry about teachers communicating with us. As long as they do that, we’re going to be good!”
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~ Ladarian Raymond, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
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Meet Mike Kim
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Mike Kim, Community Outreach Representative, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
As your local Community Outreach Representative for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, my goal is to help you understand and receive the health care benefits you are entitled to. Medicare can be confusing and you may be spending more than you need to. Whether you
are new to Medicare or on Medicare now, I can help you understand all the benefits you are entitled to. I can also help you save money and assist in choosing the right plan. Please call me for a hassle free consultation that is sure to be educational and save you money. At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, everyone shares a commitment to our mission - to serve our members and communities in which they live. Our culture is one of empowerment, teamwork and concern as we all work together to help create healthier lives for members and deliver cost-effective solutions.
helps us understand the needs of our members. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield provides a welcoming, inclusive and enriching environment for all. A Firm Emphasis on Community At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we continually strive to help
our members, and their communities, lead better and healthier lives. We have many advocacy and community-based programs designed to connect community resources and help members navigate the local social support network. We welcome the opportunity to help your program and its mem-
bers so they are able to get all the health care information and benefits they’re entitled to at their comfort. Together, we can create an opportunity that will improve the lives of the residents we both serve, one person at a time.
A Commitment to Embracing Diversity We know that in order to serve our members, we need the best efforts and ideas of individuals from a multitude of backgrounds, cultures, orientations and perspectives. We believe that diversity is crucial to providing the services we do - and it
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Marlene Ratledge Buchanan Hey Y’all
“Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all?” “Well, it ain’t you, sister! You look like a broken blister. Who told you long hair was flattering It only makes you old and shattering.” I had been trying to grow my hair longer for a new hairstyle. I thought it was time for a change. I was going for longer and fluffier. I got longer. Fluffy was in my imagination. I have thick hair. Instead of turning white like my Daddy’s did in his 30’s, mine is more like my mother’s family. Mama had dark brown hair and it lightened to look more blond than white. That’s what is happening with mine. I look more like a two tone possum than a white faced ferret. Maybe it was turning 80, well, really, I turned 70. I look good for 80 and not so hot for 70. Anyway I had that birthday, and I thought maybe I needed a change. A new hairdo might do the trick. Actually, losing 60 pounds would do it, but let’s be realistic. I can grow hair with no effort. Dieting and exercising takes planning and dedication. The other day, I saw a picture of myself in the local Spirit magazine. The article was about my book. I wish only the picture of the book had been put in there because the picture made me have heart palpitations. Think an egg-shaped body with hair—a lot of hair. Hair that had been blown around, sweated down and attempted to revive. The worst part is I have a speaking engagement next week. I looked like the Tasmanian Devil had styled my hair and stuck it on a tennis ball. Y’all, it scared me and I live under that tangle. My hair dresser is also a dear friend. I called and left messages about when I
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could get an appointment for a haircut. Sheila mistakenly thought that she was allowed to have a life outside of business hours. Oh no, honey. I am having heart palpitations. I have to appear in public. A sheep dog looks better groomed than I do. She calmly looks at her calendar and offers me an appointment that is after my speaking engagement. As I was hyperventilating she said, “I can come early on Thursday. Can you come then?” Can I come then? “I will open the shop and start the coffee for you. What do you want for breakfast? Just name it. You got it.” I was twenty minutes early. I was considering wearing a paper bag over my head. I went from a longer, manageable growing out style to something that could not be controlled. I couldn’t see out because my hair was in my eyes. I use industrial strength liquid concrete for hair spray. I had pulled my hair back, slicked it down, clipped it in place and sprayed a half can of the strongest spray ever invented. Let it dry. Flopped right back into my eyes. I grew up with my Daddy putting my long hair in a ponytail every morning. I swear the only reason I have an arch in my eyebrows is because he pulled the tail so tightly. I can’t stand my hair in my eyes as a consequence. I almost hugged Sheila when she came out of the back room. I showed her my picture from a couple of years ago and begged, “Can you do anything to get this mess under control and out of my face?” I was ready to resort to head-shaving or the Pebbles Flintstone top knot. Thirty minutes later, four pounds of hair was laying on the floor. I could see without a curtain and oh yeah, ears. I had ears again. Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all? You are looking better, No more can you wear a Varsity Letter Sweater You look less scary And a lot less hairy You cut off your hair from long it had been Don’t try to look young again. Slow your place. Age with grace. Marlene is available for speaking engagements. You can contact her through MsRatWrites@gmail.com for more information. Her book Life is Hard. Soften It with Laughter is available on Amazon & www.turnippressbookshop.com
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Gwinnett Pulse
Gwinnett-based Athletic Club wins National Title in U.S. Youth Soccer Championship By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Last month, the Kalonji Soccer Academy (KSA) sent two teams to the US Youth Soccer Association Nationals held in Kansas. Returning to Gwinnett on July 28, the boys came home champions, with the KSA 2001 team taking home the National Title after scoring 7-0 in their final match. The 2004 team finished fourth place in their age rank. “It was a huge accomplishment,” said Coach Bruno Kalonji, who founded KSA as a nonprofit in 2014. He’s proud but hardly surprised by how well his boys performed. The boys had been pushing their limits all summer. Almost every morning, they ran Stone Mountain at 7 a.m. and finished practice at Central Gwinnett Park by 9 a.m. Then at 6:30, they were back at the park, practicing until 10:30 at night. The rigor of their training may seem a little unorthodox to some, but as parent-volunteer Kisha Cameron says, “This is what champions do. And these kids are champions.” Kisha’s son attends Woodward Academy in College Park and joined the team only a few weeks before Nationals. She’s one of five parents who can afford to pay membership fees, and even though her son didn’t start early enough in the season to compete with the others, she’s glad her dues helped pay for some of the travel expenses. About half of KSA’s players are refugees who live in the areas around Clarkston, Stone Mountain, Tucker and parts of Lawrenceville. Most of the kids come from low-income households. “We take kids that cannot afford to play, and we give them an opportunity so, the developing of the kids. We’ve won a lot of games; we’ve won a lot of titles. Of course, people are always hung up on the title, but we’ve also put a lot of kids in college and get them out of the street and driven to do something positive. That’s really the bigger picture,” Coach Bruno said. Coach Bruno is accustomed to incurring most of the Academy’s expenses. But with costs for hotels, charter buses, and their week-long trip to and from Kansas, Bruno estimates their travel expenses came up to $20,000. Taking into account they had just sent five teams to Louisiana for Regionals in June, it seems the team is quickly outpacing their bank account. Coach Bruno tries to keep a glasshalf-full perspective in all this. “[At times, it seems] we don’t want to win more, because we don’t want to pay more. But the only way you get that exposure is by playing in those high leagues. [There you get] exposure in terms of college scouts and sponsors, so it’s important that we get there because of the exposure.” For many of the boys, their success in competitive soccer may be their only ticket to college and out of their crime-ridden neighborhoods. “They gave us a better chance to show our dream and to make our dreams come true, you know and to make our parents proud,” said Siem Beraki, their Central Midfield who attends Clarkston
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Photo by Julie Thompson
The Kalonji Soccer Academy’s 2001 team took home the National Title at the 2019 US Youth Soccer Championship held in Kansas this summer. L-R: Coach Santino Jerke, Siem Beraki (Central, Midfielder), Coach Bruno Kalonji, Daniel Vahnie, (Right Defender) and Coach Borfor “Bof” Carr.
High School. Slowly he admitted, “We live in Clarkston . . . there is a lot of gangsters in there. It takes about five minutes to be on the wrong side. But soccer keeps us busy to get out of the place, and we come here every day about four days, and on Saturday and Sunday we have games and stuff, so we don’t be in that place a lot, and sometimes we go to Coach Bruno’s house to have sleepovers and stuff.” Fifteen-year-old Siem is a refugee from Eritrea. He now lives with his four siblings and aging father. His oldest brother, who is 24, is the family’s main breadwinner. The details of their trek from Eritrea into Ethiopia are blurry. It was an eighthour journey, and there was about a seven-month wait in a camp before they could come to the U.S. And shortly after they arrived, his mom left suddenly. “My mom had to leave from the house because there were some problems. I don’t know what happened,” Siem said. Coach Bruno came as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while head coach Borfor Carr, or just “Coach Bof” as the kids know him, came with his family from Liberia. Both he and Coach Santino Jerke started playing for Coach Bruno at young ages. Having been through the program, they know just how much winning Nationals means to the kids. “It’s huge. It puts them in the spotlight and to be recognized by a lot of college coaches. We’re already getting looked at by some of the major schools, and that’s the goal for the majority of them,” said Coach Bof, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from Liberia. Coach Bof lead a successful career as a professional soccer player for years before returning to Gwinnett to give back to the kids in KSA. “There is no better feeling,” he said. Coach Santino fled Sudan after his father was taken from their home by Rebel Forces. He reunited with his father in Egypt and United Nations assisted their family in coming to the U.S. Coach Santino began playing for Coach Bruno at age 14, and after years of mentorship, and he received a scholarship to Brewton-Parker College in Mnt. Vernon, Ga. He, too, wanted to come back and help other refugee kids find success through soccer. “I grew up loving this sport and this game, and that’s how I ran into coach Bruno . . . I got into college through his program. I’m back, now, helping him with everything
he needs because he needs all the help,” Santino said. “We’ve graduated a lot of kids every year, so we’ve definitely grown, and believe it or not, we’re growing more and more in underprivileged kids because we have vans that go out and pick up the kids in Clarkston and Stone Mountain, and more and more kids want to jump in the van, and kids went to come and play. We start struggling a bit on that because, I guess, for now, we’re limited in how many kids we can help,” Coach Bruno said. Coach Bruno admits their dynamic is different. He has three of his own kids, and he’s adopted six more who stay with him in his home in Snellville. Their house is full as they host and feed many of the kids who come over. “Being part of KSA, I think it’s like a pretty big thing for me, you know. It’s like, it’s not the same club as other clubs. It’s very welcoming. It’s like we are a family. The team is so good. I don’t know how to say it, but it’s just so good. KSA is like . . . Coach Bof, Coach Bruno, they like my dad, you know,” said Daniel Vahnie, KSA’s Right Defender. Daniel fled Burma on foot with his family as a small child and now attends Tucker Middle School. Envistacom is the Academy’s title sponsor, although a few undisclosed individuals have been more than generous over the years. But as KSA keeps growing, they are going to need more help in the way of volunteers and sponsors. To help sponsor the regional champions, donate to their go-fund-me: https://dm2.gofund.me/ksa-u15-fundraiser-for-usys-national-championship. With the post- Nationals excitement coming to a lull, the coaches are preparing for the regular season to start in late August. By September, they’ll be back on the road competing in regional matches. “I realized when we started here that what my son had been doing on other teams was just average as far as developmental training,” Kisha Cameron said. “Once we came to this team, it was a whole different ball game — no pun intended. But it was totally different. These kids work hard.” KSA has mentored numerous players who have gone on to play for well-known international and domestic teams including Atlanta United. Learn more at https://kalonjisoccer.com.
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Local community joins Holtkamp Heating & Air to celebrate new headquarters & 25th Anniversary
Matthew Holtkamp Holtkamp Heating & Air
Holtkamp Heating & Air was thrilled to open the doors of their brand new office to the public for a recent open house. The event took place in their new, energy efficient headquarters on I-85 in Suwanee. Attendees enjoyed tours of the new facility, hot food right off the grill, ice cold drinks, kids face painting and more. As part of the Open House, the Holtkamps also celebrated the arts by having a gallery of art-work throughout their office, all created by some of the area’s most talented artists. Their large mural project was well under way, giving the public a chance to see this incredible art piece and meet Jason Watts, the mural artist. “We truly appreciate the Holtkamp’s for their leadership and commitment to the arts in Gwinnett,” said Jonathan Holmes, Chair, Artworks Gwinnett. “We
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hope this mural project, as a welcoming sign into the county, will inspire other business leaders to incorporate creative placemaking pro-jects in their development and redevelopment.” “Since our founding nearly 25 years ago, we’ve always been committed to the arts and our community, and we thank Artworks Gwinnett, the North Gwinnett Arts Association and the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning for helping us connect citizens with beautiful, inspirational art through this fun family event.” said Suzanne Holtkamp, VP of Marketing & Operations. To learn more about Holtkamp Heating & Air and how they can keep your family and your busi-ness comfortable, visit Holtkamphvac.com.
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Right Now is the Best Time to Prepare for the Unexpected
Estate Planning
In the middle of a Georgia summer, the days are long and it seems like we’ve got more time for the things we enjoy. The kids are out of school, and work slows down a little. If we’re lucky, we get some extra time with our family, spend lazy days at the pool, and vacation with children and grandchildren. It can feel like summer will last forever. But all along know that September is just around the corner. Another school year has begun and work will kick back into high gear. The kids will need school supplies and new clothes for school. All too soon, parents will find themselves crossing off items on the back-to-school list
family a playbook to follow when life altering events occur. What should your plan look like? Do you need more than a will and a power of attorney? Does your family know your wishes for medical treatment? As you age or become ill, what benefits (Medicaid, VA) are available to you? Can you protect what you have earned from predators without losing control of your assets? Is a trust the best way to protect your assets? If so, what kind of trust? The answers to these questions are different for ever y family. The first step is to begin the conversation with one another about what is most important for
your family’s future. Knowing that fall is coming shouldn’t make summer less enjoyable--the knowledge that fall is coming allows you to be prepared for all the events that fall brings. So enjoy your summer! Make the most of your time with the family. There is no better time to start a conversation about what is important to you when life’s changes unpredictably--but inevitably--occur. James M. Miskell received his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1993. His Asset Protection, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice has offices located in Lawrenceville and Johns Creek. He of fers educational workshops
and free consultations to assist clients as well as fellow professionals in creating individualized solutions. Visit his website: www. LetsTalkEstatePlanning.com. For more information, see his ad in this issue.
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James Miskell
and standing in the check-out line. Fortunately, the schools publish a supply list for each grade so parents know exactly what is needed to be prepared on that first day of school. Unlike the predictability of the end of summer and the back to school routine with its checklists, we have no way of knowing when the next stage of life will begin for our family. Will it be the death of a spouse or a long illness? Will it be the marriage of a child, the start of a new business, or an auto accident or lawsuit? Unfortunately, we don’t get a timetable with these events penciled in and a “to-do” list to guide us through how to handle them. Failing to plan before these events occur is one of the most serious threats to family financial security. Big events and big changes require big decisions. A family that has not planned in advance will face those decisions in the heat of the moment, subject to the pressure of time and emotion--and perhaps with limited information. If you plan while you can--while you are healthy and have time--you can give your
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Business Spotlight: Duluth’s New Life Enrichment Center gives caregivers hope, help & rest
caregiving duties and unable to enjoy their own lives, they are at risk too. When your loved one can no longer structure their own daily activities, is isolated and desires
companionship, can’t be safely left alone at home, and/or lives with someone who works outside the home or who is frequently away from home for other reasons, it’s time to start exploring new op-
tions. Peachtree Christian Health is ready to help you start the dialogue and find a solution that helps everyone in your family live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.
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Peachtree Christian Health includes living spaces where participants can socialize while enjoying wellness, therapeutic, and educational activities.
By Paige Havens It is estimated that there are more than 1.6 million caregivers in the metro Atlanta area and at least 266,000 right here in Gwinnett County. There are parents in our community caring for adult children with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, autism, cystic fibrosis, mental illness, and other ongoing medical conditions. Some families are caring for aging parents whose physical or mental capacities are beginning to fail. There are spouses of disabled loved ones, families coping with long-term treatments or debilitating chronic diseases, and a large number of disabled veterans needing support. As medical treatments advance, care models continue to shift towards outpatient and home care, and as we live longer lives, the number of caregivers in our community continues to grow. That’s why Peachtree Christian Health (PCH) has invested $3.5M over the last 18 months to bring online one of the most comprehensive adult day health centers in our community that is sure to be an answer to prayer for many caregivers. President Anne Mancini shares, “Caregivers are begging for help, hope, and support. There just aren’t enough services in our community to meet the demand. Our new life enrichment center offers 25,000 square feet of space that allows us to serve an estimated 100 participants. Our call is to support caregivers by providing a place of loving, compassionate care for their loved ones needing assistance or supervision throughout the day so caregivers can continue to work, take care of household tasks, do things they enjoy, or
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just simply breathe.” PCH offers full and half day options only costing $50-$100 per day. Programs and services are personalized for each participant meeting them where they are and adapting to their individual abilities. PCH’s full continuum of services include: • Wellness, therapeutic, and educational activities • Clinical and personal care • Medical monitoring and medication administration • Dementia-friendly programs • Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy • Security and Emergency Call Systems • Chef-prepared meals and dietary counseling • Caregiver and family support • Designated sensory room • Horticultural, art, music and pet therapy • Mind, body and spiritual enrichment • And much more! Caregivers want to care for their loved ones personally in their homes, but it often comes with a toll. Keeping your disabled or aging loved ones isolated at home could actually be a detriment to their health. Research shows that loneliness and isolation: • Increase the risk of mortality • Negatively affect both physical and mental health • Contributes to cognitive decline and risk of dementia • Makes seniors more vulnerable to elder abuse and neglect • Are linked to high blood pressure, depression, and longterm illness • Make loved ones more likely to need long-term care And when caregivers find themselves totally consumed with
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HEARTS continued from page 1 working together in youth camps. In 1995, they co-founded Hearts to Nourish Hope or just “Hearts” as they’ve come to refer to it. “We wanted to make sure everything goes straight to the kids,” Patrice said. So, they started with high school suspension centers, working to get students back on track. As the organization grew, the sisters were able to expand their reach, providing court-mandated counseling, career guidance and educational support. They offer transitional housing and a variety of vocational programs out of their center in Clayton, and Patrice hopes the Gwinnett center will follow a similar trajectory. Now funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), they started the Clayton Center with a $5,000 grant and opened a food pantry where they “struggled”, as Patrice recalls, to feed 33 people a month. “Now we feed over 300 people each week in our Clayton center,” she said. The sisters are still overwhelmed when they step into the 74,000 square foot building in Clayton. “We just grew. My sister and I walk into the center and giggle. Just, holy smokes! Look at where we are now! And we want the same thing for this center in Gwinnett,” Patrice said. Upon their funders’ request, Hearts began looking for a center in Gwinnett. They started holding GED classes, as well as parenting and work skills courses in Norcross
about two years ago. Now, many of those students have followed them to the center on Old Norcross Rd. where they celebrated a ribbon-cutting on July 22, 2019. “We’ve already almost outgrown the space,” Patrice admits. Over 100 students participate in programs at the Gwinnett center, and while many spend most of their time in the community at jobs and internships, resources do not meet the demand. There is a waiting list for the new center, and the transportation budget is depleted. But the center hardly reflects these woes. Positive quotes and art are posted on the walls as colorful reminders of the kind of attitude students need to be successful at Hearts. “You have to have the right attitude to come to class. You have to have your pants pulled up, and you have to be this high,” Patrice said, pointing at a line made of construction paper taped against the wall. “It’s a reminder to set their minds straight so they can better participate.” And Patrice encourages participants to make their own mark by splattering a colorful handprint on a wall by the front desk. The Gwinnett facility features two classrooms, both a large and a small one; a counseling center; a kitchen, which they hope to remodel in the near future; a computer lab and a workshop where students take construction class with the opportunity to receive maintenance certifications for hotel management or other maintenance work.
Working with teachers from Gwinnett Technical College, Hearts offers GED classes where participants can receive one-on-one attention from tutors who either volunteer or intern from Georgia Gwinnett College. Through the program, 37 Gwinnett locals have graduated with a GED, and ten more are close to completing their final classes to take the test. “It’s really our partners who make this great,” Patrice said. “We work with different organizations, and they scholarship the kids into different things like CNA class and different programs where they have options for certifications and exposure to different work environments.” Patrice explained the nonprofit’s finance model allows them to pay students for their work in the community. “It gives the opportunity to get that work exposure to youth who don’t have a career path or don’t have a realistic idea of what it’s like day-day. Some chose other fields they hadn’t thought of before.” Seniors from Discovery and Central Gwinnett High School have had similar opportunities with Hearts’ Summer Impact program. Through a collaboration with Impact 46, Hearts extended opportunities for students to be paid for eight weeks of work during the summer. “Some of our kids worked for the City of Lawrenceville, the Aurora Theater and even for Impact 46. And this was our first summer to work with the Gwinnett Drugs pharmacy.
Photo by Julie Thompson
The Workshop at Hearts to Nourish Hope in Lawrenceville.
Photo by Julie Thompson
Nathan Peña working on a mural at the Hearts to Nourish Hope center in Lawrenceville.
It was such a great opportunity! The pharmacy showed kids everything so many have made the decision that’s what they want their career to be. Many have jobs for when they’re out of college,” Patrice said. When he moved to Georgia from Washington last year, Nathan Peña wanted to be a tattoo artist. Now at Hearts, he’s able to live out his dream of being an artist while completing court-ordered work experience credits. Working with wellknown Atlanta artist Miriam Robinson, Nathan helped paint and design an abstract mural by the front office. He’s currently working on a larger mural by the large a classroom, an interpretive piece that visualizes
his belief that the power to create change comes from within. “I figure it’s a great idea because it’s bold. It makes a statement. And that’s what I’m in it for,” Nathan said. Patrice is on the lookout for new and unique opportunities that will motivate her students. Gwinnett Tech offers higher education opportunities, although not all students want to attend college, as some would prefer to gain experience working. “We’re always looking for new opportunities, for professionals to come speak at the center about their career, and for volunteers,” Patrice said. Having a support system to explore his interests gives Nathan hope that he can turn his life around and make something of himself. “Honestly, I thought my life was ruined when I was locked up, but they were like, ‘Hey, this is a second chance for you!’” Hearts to Nourish Hope is located at 585 Old Norcross Rd. and sits a few doors down from the Camp Bow Wow of Lawrenceville. Visit http://www.heartstonourishhope. org, or call (770)910-7733 for more information.
Co-Publishers/Editors Auveed Bagheri Cawthon Chris Cawthon 107 W Crogan St • Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 • Office (770) 963-3699 www.gwinnettcitizen.com • info@gwinnettcitizen.com The mission of gwinnettcitizen.com newspaper, a publication of Media Maker Group Inc. dba gwinnettcitizen.com, is to provide our readers with stories about their communities and people. Our stories and photos bring to life the passion of living, working, playing, living healthy and worshiping in Gwinnett County. We help connect readers with local businesses to facilitate and promote shopping and buying local. The newspaper, a free publication, is direct mailed to 3 geographic zones in Gwinnett County containing hyper-local news pertinent to each community for a total monthly distribution of 60,000 printed copies in Gwinnett County.
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Hudgens Center Debuts New Exhibitions Work features Hudgens Prize Finalists and teen artists in Hudgens smART Program By Staff Reports The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning is excited to announce two upcoming exhibitions: The Hudgens Prize Finalists Exhibition, featuring the works of Darien Arikoski-Johnson, Benae Beamon, Paul S Benjamin and Michi Meko; and Chrysalis: 2018-19 smART Honors Program Exhibition . Both exhibitions will debut with an opening reception, free and open to the public, on August 10th from 2-4 p.m. The community is also invited to attend artists’ talks: Darien Arikoski-Johnson and Paul S Benjamin on August 24th from 2-4 p.m. and Michi Meko and Benae Beamon on September 14th from 2-4 p.m. Both exhibitions will be on view from August 10 - October 26, 2019. The Hudgens Prize Finalists Exhibition is the final stage before The Hudgens Prize winner is announced at The Hudgens’ pARTy: Club Tropicana on October 5th, 2019 from 7-11:30 p.m.. Tickets to the pARTy are available at thehudgens.org. With a generous and coveted cash award of $50,000, as well as a solo exhibition for one talented Georgia Artist, the Hudgens Prize is one of the largest awards given to an individual artist in the entire nation. Open to entrants 18 and up, the Hudgens Prize visual arts competition is intended to elevate the arts in Georgia and to offer a transformational opportunity to one Georgia artist. The Hudgens Center hosted the first $50,000 competition for Georgia artists in 2010 with award winner Gyun Hur’s solo exhibition in 2011. Atlanta artist, Pam Longobardi was the 2013 Hudgens Prize recipient and Bethany Collins was the winner in 2015. Lauri Stallings is the most recent recipient, and her work was on display in 2018. Since its inception, The Hudgens Prize program has been generously supported by an anonymous donor who has provided $500,000 to not only fund the prize, but a significant portion of the administration, exhibitions and process. In The Hudgens Prize’s 10 year history, The Hudgens has engaged 15 jurors from the global arts scene, highlighted 19 finalists and will recognize the fifth Hudgens Prize recipient this year. The 2019 Hudgens Prize jury panel consists of: Glenn Adamson Senior Scholar at the Yale Center for British Art; Anne Ellegood Senior Curator, Hammer Museum; and Amber Esseiva Assistant Curator, Institute for Contemporary Art, Virginia Commonwealth University. The 2019 Hudgens Prize Recipient will have a solo exhibition in The Hudgens galleries from August - October 2020.
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Health, Beauty & Wellness When should you replace your toiletries We’ve all been there—you pull out a bottle of dipping sauce or salad dressing and it’s (way) past the expiration date. Yikes! Even though many perishable items, like those of the food variety, have the date clearly printed, it’s still surprisingly easy to overlook or forget about. And that’s not even including other items, like toiletries, that don’t always have a clear expiration. Case in point: your razor. Not only is it a missing an expiration date, but it’s up to you to remember precisely when you started using it and when to throw it out. Now you may be one of the few out there who knows exactly when to change out their razor, but more than likely, you’re struggling to keep track (just like the rest of us). And that’s just one of the many toiletry items that you should be regularly replacing. For example, hair brushes should be replaced every 6 months to a year— who knew? So in the name of good health, Barbara Joy Jones, DO, the lead primary care provider at the new GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Peachtree Corners, provides a quick refresher on the lifespan of personal health items. From razors and toothbrushes to loofahs and tampons, here’s how often you should replace each item: Razor. Depending on how frequently you shave, your hair type and where you store it (hint: it shouldn’t be in the shower), you may have to
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replace it more or less frequently. • Typically, after 5 to 7 uses, your razor has had enough. Not only is it full of bacteria, which can cause irritation, it’s also dull and less effective. Medicine cabinet. In the interest of being economical, you’ve likely held onto medications that are either expired, you no longer use or both. • However, by holding onto old medications, you could be putting your child at risk as many of them may unknowingly misuse them. Also, many drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, lose potency after their expiration date. It’s likely that this won’t cause any serious health issues, but the medication won’t be as effective. And let’s face it, when you’re taking something for headache relief, you’re counting on it to work. Toothbrush. You may not want to hear this, but your mouth can be a pretty dirty place. Between old food, bacteria and germs, your toothbrush has the tall task of cleaning away all of these things on a daily basis. • So, to ensure your toothbrush can effectively do its job, and isn’t full of yucky particles, make sure to replace it every 3 to 4 months. Old makeup. Maybe you’ll wear that bright turquoise eyeshadow someday, or maybe you’ll give that vibrant lip color another try on your next date night. All of a sudden, several more months (or years) have passed, and so has the use-by date. To avoid irritation, or possible infec-
tions, remember these guidelines: • Liquid foundation: 6 months • Powder foundation:1-2 years • Mascara and liquid eye liner: 3 months • Powder eye shadow and eyeliner pencils: 2 years • Skin care products: 6 months – 1 year • Lip color: 2 years Loofah. That helpful shower pouf of yours that makes your body wash extra sudsy and keeps your skin extra soft can quickly accrue bacteria if you don’t replace it regularly. Thanks to the moisture in the bathroom and shower, bacteria can easily thrive and cause irritation and infection. • To ensure that you and your loofah stay so fresh and so clean, make sure to replace it every 2 months, or more frequently if it’s made of natural material (3-4 weeks). Tampons. This is one of those health essentials that you always want to have on hand. Thankfully, because tampons are primarily made of cotton and are sanitary products, they have a lengthy shelf life. Make sure you don’t mistake sanitary for sterile, they can expire. • Depending on the brand, tampons can be safely kept for upwards of 5 years. However, it’s important to note that depending on how they’re stored, they can be exposed to dust and bacteria. A clean start. It isn’t just your personal toilet-
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ries that could benefit from routine refreshers—your health could, too. It’s important to make sure you stay up-to-date on all of your health and wellness needs by working with a Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care provider. Even if you haven’t been regularly seeing a health ex-
pert, now’s the perfect time to start. With convenient locations, like the new GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Peachtree Corners, you can receive a first-class health experience in a luxurious and healing environment. Learn more by visiting gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/ptc.
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Your Green: What Women Need to Know About Retirement
Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources
A report released in March 2016 by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) finds that across all age groups women have substantially less income in retirement than men. By age 65, 80% of women are more likely than men to live in poverty. Women age 75 to 79 were three times more likely to fall below the poverty level than men. Here are some factors creating the problems women are facing compared to men in successfully planning for retirement: Women are more likely to work parttime in jobs with no benefits, including retirement accounts. A Transamerica study from 2015 showed that 28% of women work part-time compared to only 14% of men. Women are more likely to stop working to take care of family members, resulting in lower lifetime savings rates due to fewer years generating income. These breaks then also impact their overall salary gains, earning potential and results in them making less money during their working years in total. Women live longer than men on aver-
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age. A woman retiring at age 65 can expect to live another 20 years – about 2 years longer than a man’s life expectancy (DOL). However, the 2015 Transamerica study found women estimate their retirement saving needs to be less than what men estimate they will need ($800,000 versus $1mil). Only 44% of working women participated in a retirement plan (Department of Labor), a plan that allows you to earn interest and compounded growth on your money over time. Women tend to invest more conservatively than men, potentially causing them to lose out on growth opportunities needed to make their money last through their longer retirement years. Even though the household incomes of individuals age 65 and older has increased in recent years, women have 26% less income than men during these years (NIRS). Of the women who are offered a 401k or similar plan, only 77% participate, versus 82% for men. And men contribute higher percentages of their income than women. (Transamerica 2015). Additionally, 40% of women are “not too confident” or “not at all confident” in their ability to fully retire with a comfortable lifestyle, compared to only 33% of men. Among baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964), only 26% have a back-up plan if they are forced to retire earlier than expected; such as due to health issues or job loss (Transamerica 2015). Women need to be more aware of these statistics and trends and take action to ensure they work to get their retirement on track as early as possible. What steps can you take to better control your financial future? Take full advantage of the benefits offered to you through your employer. Join
as soon as you can and contribute as much as the plan allows or as much as you can afford. Look for ways you can sacrifice elsewhere to put more toward your future if not able to save the maximum. If there is a 401k match, make certain you contribute no less than what is needed to earn the full matching amount – or you will be giving away free money!! Do not draw from your retirement assets prior to retirement unless you have absolutely no other financial options. If you leave a job, leave your assets untouched or roll them over into your new plan or an individual IRA. Resist the temptation to spend the assets you have worked hard to save simply because they have become available to you. Figure out what you will need in retirement and develop a strategy to get there. Make sure you include things like the cost of retirement living and medical expenses when doing so. I strongly advise that everyone seek the advice of a financial professional. You wouldn’t put a filling in your own tooth or perform surgery on yourself. Your financial future is no less important. If you rely on your income to support yourself, make sure you are properly insured to protect yourself from disability and loss of income. Where financially feasible, obtain long term care insurance to provide for your needs in the event of lengthy illness or disability, especially as you get older. Whether a single parent, a family caregiver or a working spouse, make certain your spouse has adequate life insurance to provide for your needs and the needs of your family in the event of the death of one of you. Many underestimate these needs. If the family caregiver were to die unexpectedly, how would you pay for the need for child care and other contributions that per-
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son is making currently? If both spouses work, would you be able to afford all of your bills in the event of the death of your spouse? When faced with decisions about reducing work hours or leaving a job to become a caregiver, weigh the financial impact those decisions may have on your future, and plan wisely to mitigate the impact. One way to mitigate the impact would be to take advantage of the Spousal Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) provision that allows a non-working spouse to contribute to a Roth IRA based on the income of the working spouse. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can open a Roth IRA in your name and have your working spouse contribute to it from their income/assets while you are not working. The Roth IRA can be especially important to your overall retirement planning, as it allows you to make withdrawals during retirement that are not subject to income taxes, increasing the portion of your money you may have to spend in retirement. There are more restrictive guidelines for making the same type of Spousal IRA contribution into a traditional IRA account. Traditional IRA contributions would reduce your taxable income for the year for which the contribution is made, however, because you didn’t pay taxes on those contributions when you made them, withdrawals from those accounts will be taxable as income in retirement. Learn all you can about Social Security and Medicare so you are prepared for the choices you will need to make in those areas. If you are divorced, you may be entitled to a higher Social Security benefit under your ex-spouses record. Think in terms of planning for “worst
case scenarios”, such as divorce or the early death of a spouse. These are not pleasant thoughts, but careful retirement planning needs to consider these often sudden life changes that can occur to all of us. In the event of divorce, you may be entitled to a portion of your spouse’s retirement benefits. In the event of death, you may also be eligible to receive a survivor benefit. Be aware of the rights you may have under a spouse’s retirement benefits. If forced into an early retirement situation, or if your retirement benefits are being exhausted too quickly in retirement, consider cost-cutting changes such as moving in with a relative, downsizing your home, or even taking a roommate to help you defray your costs. Most of us cannot possibly save enough for a comfortable retirement without obtaining growth on our assets, especially considering the negative impact of inflation and taxes. Make sure your retirement plan is one that provides you with an increased probability of obtaining long term growth to increase your odds of achieving your retirement goals. If you are a woman wanting to review your retirement future – whether on your own or as part of a couple, please contact our office at 770.931.1414 to schedule a no-cost appointment. Or visit www.RogerSGreen.com to learn more about the retirement planning classes I’ve been teaching for over 20 years at local colleges. We are here to help, and I’ve been helping women plan for a better future for more than 30 years! Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative, offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. His office is located at 3700 Crestwood Parkway Duluth, GA 30096.
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Business Spotlight:
CIC Floors — Local experts on floors, wallpaper countertops By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com
Husband-and-wife team Cesar and Clara Olguin have built their business on a foundation of family values, craftsmanship and quality materials. They started CIC “Custom Interior Contractors” in 2004 and etched their names in the family business when their first son was born. “CIC includes our initials when we were just getting started as a family and as a business — Clara, Issac and Cesar,” said Clara, who is the company’s CEO. As their family grew, so did their enterprise. Six years ago, CIC expanded from being a home-run business to occupying a space on Jimmy Carter. Since last November, they have once again expanded to fill a showroom on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. where they offer an array of products including tile, wood, wallpaper and more. “We have very unique and selective products that are eco-friendly, good colors and good quality. On top of that, we offer great installations,” Clara said. The Olguin’s celebrate their hard-earned success with their four
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The CIC Floors team at their showroom on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. L-R: Drea Astero, Sale Consultant; Clara Olguin, CEO; Cesar Olguin, COO (Standing) and Jeremy Eaves, Operational Manager.
children — Isaac (14), Alondra (12), Claire (5) and Luis (4) — and with their staff, who bring years of experience and customer service to the
table. “Cesar is the flooring expert and has certifications from NWFA in sand and finish and hardwood. And
we have an operations manager and great sales reps, so you can be sure to get great one-on-one customer service whenever you stop by our showroom,” said Clara. Clara earned a law degree in the Dominican Republic, and after immigrating to the U.S, she continued her education at Georgia State, where she started a second degree in music management. She’s also a soprano singer and teaches music at her kids’ school, Holy Spirit Prep. “I ensure that music and celebration are in everything we do with our clients’ floors. For us, floors are the foundation of family life. They’re where your kids walk, where your pets sleep, and your family dances on good floors,” Clara said. The Olguin’s pride themselves on providing their clients a dynamic combination of artistry and detail-oriented planning to ensure every project is completed with precision from start to finish. “We do everything from the wall to the floors product and installation out of a full-service one-stop-shop. We also offer exclusive products, and many are from around the world. Some are shipped from Italy,” Clara said. With their kids having been
born and raised in Gwinnett, the Olguin’s are fully invested in the community. Clara is a board member of CID Gateway 85 Gwinnett, and they regularly give back to local nonprofits, including the Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Foundation, the Children’s Healthcare Network of Atlanta and the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program. “We fell in love from the moment we moved to Gwinnett, and we found a nice little spot next to the Cue Barbecue restaurant right in the heart of Peachtree Corners, and we want people to know we are here,” Clara said. CIC’s staff is eager to lend their expertise to those needing help with design projects and to anyone in the area who has questions about floor and interior maintenance. The store can be reached during business hours at (404)618-3324 or by email at sales@cicfloorsllc.com. In addition, Clara welcomes visitors to “come to the shop” to talk with their experienced designers. She adds,“On Wednesdays, we have a ‘Wednesday Wine Down’ where you can come meet our designers and have a glass of wine while you come up with your floor projects.”
Norcross to host famed Atlanta muralist Yehimi Cambron Muralist Yehimi Cambron is coming to the Norcross Community Market on Aug.10th tainable Norcross Commission every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the summer months. Ms. Cambron uses her murals to tell the stories of immigrants in a positive way. Her work has been featured in highly visible public spaces such as the Georgia State MARTA Station and on the back side of Atlanta’s American Hotel. She is most
well known for her “Education is Liberation” monarch mural, which appeared on the Latin American Association building on Buford Highway. She has been working on a mural at Plaza Fiesta and is also completing a mural in Decatur in honor of immigrant mothers. Recently, the High Museum of Art selected her as one of six artists
to be featured in an exhibition of Atlanta artists that will examine the complexities of mixed-status families (ie. undocumented immigrants, DACA recipients, U.S. Citizens). Ms. Cambron will be painting a mural on a “temporary wall” as part of a campaign by NPAC to bring art to the people of Norcross. Additionally, she will have a booth where she
will be offering T-shirts, stickers, iron-on patches, prints and coffee mugs for sale. For more information on the Norcross Public Arts Commission and Norcross Community Market, visit www.norcrossga.net.
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Yehimi Cambron.
By Staff Reports On Saturday, August 10, the City of Norcross and Norcross Public Arts Commission (NPAC) will host famed Atlanta artist and muralist, Yehimi Cambron. Ms. Cambron will be doing “demonstration art” for both children and adults at the Norcross Community Market at Lillian Webb Park, which is a project of the Sus-
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SCHOOL continued from page 1 students,” said Principal Nicole Mosley. She explained the motto comes straight from Dr. Robert McClure, a former GCPS board member for whom the school is named. Weeks before the school year was to start, all of the high school’s new staff were required to complete CPR and Stop the Bleed training and certification. Incoming students will have the opportunity to do the same as well as earn other professional certifications. McClure High allows students to complete their regular academics while concentrating on one of the four schools of health science: Patient Care, Allied Health, and Health Informatics and Advanced Medicine. Lowerclassmen will begin their curriculum with seminar-style learning followed by opportunities for internships and activity-based learning as they advance. The program allows students to work towards a dual diploma, completing credits for their high school diploma and two years of college at once. The school will feature a unique student experience that offers a taste of what it’s like to study in college or work in the healthcare industry. All of the classrooms are equipped with moving furniture to allow teachers and students to customize their
Photo by Julie Thompson
McClure Health Science High School is a Gwinnett County Public Schools facility where students can earn college credit and industry experience while working towards their diploma.
Photo by Julie Thompson
The new GCPS health science high school in Duluth has high-end technology, including digitally programmed ‘smart dummies’ to help students gain real-world experience before graduating.
learning space. “This state-of-the-art facility really allows them to explore and differentiate their learning,” Principal Karen Mosley said. On each floor of the school, students will have access to collaborative learning spaces where they can study in groups. Mosley adds, “We are super excited to have enrolled a senior class who may want to utilize this space. Students will be able to come in here and just relax and learn. It gives students a look into what the professional or post-sec-
ondary life will look like for themselves.” While the school will not have traditional sports teams, students can participate in a variety of intramural sports, including soccer, basketball, pickleball, racquetball and more. The school also features an activities room where students can
break a sweat during classes lead by exercise physiologists hired to teach critical concepts such as reaching a target heart rate during exercise routines. “So, we’ll be offering a variety of sports for students to participate in wellness activities and still have that team-building experience,” said Meridith Watts, who joins McClure from Gwinnett Medical Center as the school’s Health Science Coordinator. Watts explained that the school’s mascot and student body are called the Pulse, and students will have the opportunity to receive a phlebotomy certification before graduating. The goal is to prepare students to go straight into the workforce or to lend a competitive edge for those pursuing further education. Advisors will provide counseling to help students make these decisions. On Thursdays, local health professionals will visit the school and give advisement talks about “real-world opportunities” Principal Mosley says. With cameras in every classroom, these discussions can be streamed throughout the school. Principal Mosley explained the students will be able to dive deep in their academic and professional interests, as the school has invested
in some of the latest health education technologies. Students will have access to the digital 3D maps of the human body, tactile models and digitally programmed ‘smart dummy’ patients that are responsive to voice and touch. Academic coordinators have no intention to skimp on the Arts, either. McClure High’s Fine Arts Department will feature robust Dance and Theater programs. Complete with advanced sound and lighting systems, the stage includes extensive seating for the community to enjoy student performances at the new high school. According to Mosley, it all circles back to Dr. McClure’s mission to prepare the new generation to be both competent and compassionate health professionals. Addressing Dr. McClure at the brand-new building, Mosley said, “It’s an honor to found this school and represent your vision and mission along with some of your core beliefs about how we treat human beings.” Those who live in GCPS’s Meadowcreek Cluster are welcome to seek future enrollment opportunities. Register online at https://www. gcpsk12.org/domain/6589.
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* All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
RATE PER PERSON* Jul 13 - 22, 2020 MON - WED
Category 1D -
ADDITIONAL NCL FREE AT SEA OFFERS Earn 2 to 4 offers depending on your cabin and booking date • Premium Beverage Package** • Four (4) Meal Specialty Dining Package** • Internet Package (per cabin) • $50 per port shore excursion credit (per cabin)
** Applies only to the 1st & 2nd Guest sharing the same cabin – additional guests in the cabin do not qualify. Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of package. Terms & Conditions apply as per Norwegian Cruise Line.
OUR GROUP ARRANGEMENTS: • Meet and Greet/Travel Documents Party prior to cruise • Onboard Welcome Cocktail Party • Exclusive Shore Excursions available for our group • Group Air option with pre-cruise hotel package available in September 2019
Inside
Oceanview
Category OB -
Category BF -
Category MC -
Mini-Suite
Haven Suite
$1,489
$1,949
$2,199
$2,499
$4,999
Balcony
Category H9 -
*Rates are based on double occupancy. All rates and categories are subject to availability at time of booking. Alternate cabin categories and suites available. RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY
ADDITIONAL COSTS: Approximately $163.31 taxes & port fees | Airfare/Hotel (if arriving early) | $50 booking: Recess 4 Grownups Travel, our exclusive travel agent | Gratuities onboard
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Gwinnett Medical Center’s new Primary Care and Specialty Center is now open in Peachtree Corners By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Gwinnett Medical Center recently celebrated the opening of its second Primary Care & Specialty Center in Gwinnett. The new state-of-the-art facility is located in Peachtree Corners and conveniently provides corporate health services, primary care, 3D Mammography and X-Rays, as well as a full suite of specialty services, all in one building. Following a precedent established two years ago with the Primary Care & Specialty Center in Suwanee, the new facility on Peachtree Pkwy. is designed to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare services to the community. “We’re trying to provide a system where a patient can receive primary care and see a specialist in one building. This kind of model really wraps services around the patient, rather than doing it the traditional way where services were based on what was more convenient for the provider,” Mike Boblitz, GMC’s Vice President of Planning and Business Development, said. The Peachtree Corners center now offers specialty services, including orthopedics, cardiology, OB-GYN, and gastroenterology, and neurology “is coming soon.” Boblitz explained, “If a patient has a primary care visit and that
offering drug testing and other kinds of services for the corporate users. We have a large employer base, so there are a lot of employers who can take advantage of this center for physicals for their employees,” said Mike Mason, Mayor of Peachtree Corners. “We think we have a pretty good model,” Boblitz said. “This is our second Primary Care and Specialty Center,
and the Suwanee location has been very well-received, so we hope to see the same here.” The new center is located at 5277 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092 and is now open to the public. Appointments can be booked by phone (678) 312-8430 and online at gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/ptc.
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Gwinnett Medical Center’s new Primary Care & Specialty Center center is located at 5277 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092 and is now open to the public.
patient has to see a cardiologist, it can be handled right here.” GMC also provides corporate services, such as drug tests, flu shots and immunizations and a range of other services in a convenient, stress-free, spa-like, one-stop environment. Dr. Kathryn Parris, MD, is the Medical Director of the Gwinnett Physicians Group and will be providing OB/GYN services at the new center. “I’m coming here every Wednesday, and what we intend to provide is comprehensive OB/ GYN services. We encourage women to come here for their annual physical exams and, if needed, to take advantage of
our 3D mammogram-capabilities. The 3D Mammogram is very exciting because it will allow same-day visits where women can come in and get a complete physical and mammogram on the same day,” Dr. Parris said. Meanwhile, Dr. Barbara Joy Jones, DO, will provide primary care all week long. As a graduate of GMC’s Graduate Medical Education Program, she is committed to GMC’s mission to enhance customers’ experience by providing friendly, whole-person care in Peachtree Corners. “Having those full services available right here is great. They will be
You’ve got to love those TELEMARKETERS
Bill York
Nonagenarian 10:05 PM. Exhausted after a hard day, had just dozed off. Telephone jangles. Sleepily, “Hello, it’s your dime, talk.” Syrupy voice, “Is this William York?” “I’m sure it is.” “Hi. May I call you, Bill?” “Sure,” I said, wondering. “Bill, congratulations, you have been selected to receive 4 free dance lessons from Artistic dance studio.” I said, “So?” “Bill, Artistic is the premier dance studio in this area.” “What’s your name, honey?” “My name is Ann,” real sultry voice. I took the phone to the kitchen and plugged in the coffee. “So, what’s this great freebie?” “Bill, you must come in to our studio and meet our luscious instructors.” I grabbed a stale doughnut. “Are they real purty?” My redneck talk shows up sometimes.
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“You’ll see when you come in,” she purred. “I’ve been thinking about purty girls ever since my wife left.” “Sorry about your marriage.” “Oh, she just went to the grocery.” “I thought you were serious.” “I’ve been thinking about learning to tap dance. That would be cool.” “I tap dance. I enjoyed watching Gene Kelly.” “How much to learn to dance in the rain?” I poured a cup. “We have options. 10 lessons will be $100, but remember 4 are free.” “That’s great. We are wealthy. I can afford anything.” “You really will enjoy dancing so much you might want a longer series.” “What else goes with that series?” I giggled. “You’ll find out.” She giggled too. She was teasing me. “When can I start?” “Anytime. How many lessons will you want?” “I’d like two a week for a year.” I could sense joy in her voice. Bingo! Big commission. “Bill, you can join our girls on world cruises.” “My wife won’t like that.” “You can bring her along.” “She’s not that much fun.” “You can Samba, Tango and Charleston. Think of being in a line of exquisite girls doing the Bunny Hop.” I chuckled again. “Can I learn to waltz?” My eyelids are droopy. She was vamping me like Lorelei got to Jason. 11:10. One hour of professional hustling.
The coffee was cold. “For someone special like you, I suggest the five year plan.” “How much will it cost, honey?” “Going to parties and world trips with our voluptuous girls it will cost you only $7500.” “What does that word voluptuous mean?” “You know, chesty, Bill.” She really giggled. I said, “OOOOHHH! When do I pay?” “You can bring a cashier check when you come in for your free lessons.” I emptied the coffee pot. “Bill, did you hear me?” “Yes, ma’am, I did.” I checked the time. It was getting late. “My wife just came in. Let me check with her.” “Why.” “She’s a tightwad and awfully jealous.” Maybe a minute went by. It was 12:15. Two hours of great entertainment but it was time for Taps. “Bill?” “Bill?” I turned on the TV. A piece of doughnut got stuck in my throat “Bill?” I hung up the phone. Telemarketers are great fun. Bill is a 93-year old WW II Navy veteran and retired President of York Furs in Buckhead. You can contact him by email at Sioux2222@gmail.com
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FAITH continued from page 1 than done. “A lot of people were scared to take me on at that time for a twofold reason. One, because of my blindness and, two, because of my age,” Timothy said. So, his parents enrolled him in the Kindermusick program at Norcross First Methodist right down the road from their home. They tried private lessons with a few teachers, but their first break-through moment arrived after meeting Patti Bennett, a woman who Timothy has affectionately dubbed his personal “Anne Sullivan.” “She was a pianist for our new church in Lilburn, and she was a pioneer in taking me on as her student. Bear in mind, this was the year 1999 going into 2000. All we had was dial-up internet, and there certainly was not much information in the library about how to teach a blind student to play piano, and to be honest, I don’t think there is much today,” Timothy contemplated. It took much innovation on Ms.
Bennett’s part to bring Timothy’s skills to a master level in only a few years. She practiced playing, while blindfolded, pieces she had memorized and developed a method to coach him. Years later, Timothy will vouch the method worked. “She was a trailblazer in getting me to where I am today,” said Timothy. Ms. Bennett introduced her prodigy to organ playing in his preteen years, and he picked up lessons wholeheartedly with Ms. Karen Bunn, whom the family found through the Atlanta chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Hoping to bring his organ-playing skills to the same level as his piano playing, Timothy decided to study Organ Music Performance at Mercer University, where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in May 2019. Timothy now begins his post-graduate journey with the confidence that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to.
Earlier this year, Nancy Jones caught wind that Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID) was building a crosswalk across Beaver Ruin Road, not far from the Marta stop where Timothy would catch a ride to GSU. Wondering if the crosswalk was to include an audio feature for the visually impaired, Nancy walked to the site and met the project overseer as he was checking progress on the project. “She asked if the system was audible. It was not,” said Michener, Robert Michener, the Director of Operations for the Gateway85. Michener and the other developers took Nancy’s suggestion to heart and invested $15,000 towards a Hawk Signal System to add a sound feature to their project, which cost $205,000 total. Gateway 85 celebrated the project’s completion on Timothy’s 26th birthday on July 16th, where he was recognized as a guest of honor at an event attended by two of the project’s primary sponsors Georgia DOT and the Gwinnett DOT. “It gives me hope,” he said, knowing it makes his commute to the Atlanta campus that much easier. “I had told my mobility instructor that I will never cross this walk unsupervised. I’ll either have a stranger or a family member come out and walk me across, or I’ll ride the bus all around the block. Thanks to this crosswalk, it will do a lot of things. It will aid in independence.”
While working towards his master’s, Timothy hopes to continue playing music at his church and to perform the odd paid gig on the side. “I’ve done a lot of things from informal to very formal. I played at something as informal as Lunch on the Lawn in Loganville to playing at the State Convention of the Georgia Council of the Blind and the National Convention of the American Council for the Blind, both in 2014. I’ve done a little bit of everything,” Timothy said. Bookings inquirers can message Timothy through the contact page on his professional website: Byfaithnotbysight.net. Timothy also plans to hone the use of various access technology programs. He hopes that one day, he can develop more digital resources for the 267,100 visually impaired citizens who live in noninstitutional residences in the state of Georgia, as the National Federation of the Blind’s latest report shows. “I’m hoping I can combine teaching piano and braille music to blind students with something with access technology for the blind. So, working as a tech support agent or doing some basic training for young children on how to use Jaw Screen Reader and perhaps the Good Feel music software by Dancing Dots.” It’s all lining up for him, and Timothy is hopeful that at the fast rate technology is progressing, work opportunities for those living with disabilities will also expand. And he
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Nancy Jones and Timothy Jones celebrating Timothy’s birthday during Gateway85’s presentation of the Beaver Ruin Mid-Block crosswalk on July 16, 2019.
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Timothy Jones playing the organ at his home in Norcross, Ga.
is taking steps to be part of the solution. “We need more advocacy going on, especially for those blind people who are in the public school system. Those students need all the resources they can get,” Timothy said.
School lunches then and now — A look at the history of school lunches in Gwinnett By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Lunches have come a long way since the first meal was served in Gwinnett County Public Schools. The first documented school lunch was served in January 1944, at what was then called “Lilburn Highschool”. That first lunch consisted of a one-option menu — “Chicken and Dressing and Lima Beans.” The chicken had been donated by a staff member and was prepared by a “Mrs. Peevy” who managed the program and prepared daily lunches with the help of three other “neighborhood ladies.” Records show 34 students were fed that day in what was the genesis of the school lunch program. In its infancy, the program was a true community effort. Almost all items were donated, either by the kitchen staff, or by local farmers who typically brought items like cornmeal, eggs, potatoes and milk. In those days, milk was only served occasionally, as the school didn’t own a refrigerator. Even water was rationed, and students received it by request only. The lunch ladies would haul the water from a well across Highway 29 every day, and it was served at room temperature. With such unwavering support and
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dedicated staff, the school nutrition program blossomed. Today, more than 180,000 students are enrolled in Gwinnett County Public Schools, and about 70 percent of that population eats lunches served in the school cafeterias. According to Karen Hallford, Director of GCPS Nutrition Program, the cafeteria operates at a high level of professionalism and caters to its customer base, much like “A restaurant in a school.” Café Gwinnett, as the nutrition program has been coined in recent years, does, of course, follow federal nutritional standards and adheres to those regulations to serve fresh, healthy meals. But program coordinators aim to give students as much choice as possible. “We try to find a balance between serving compliant meals and serving kids what they are wanting. So, we hold focus groups with 8 to 10 students asking questions to find what they love and what they don’t,” Hallford said. From there, the coordinators work to find more nutritious alternatives to what the students requested. “Menus today are very different than when they started. There are 180,000 students in the system, and while not all students eat lunch with us each day, we strive to provide options that will appeal to them and bring more
customers in,” Hallford said. The current nutrition model incorporates a farm-to-school process where school cafeterias purchase fresh produce one to two times each week. “With our farm-to-school program, we purchase as much local produce as possible. One of our many farmers is Jaemore Farms where we get our New England Cheddar pumpkins every fall. They also grow pickling cucumbers and strawberries for us throughout the year,” Hallford said. GCPS serves an average of 120,000 lunches daily, and their lunch staff is the largest it’s ever been with 1,500 employees who ensure students have hot meals and fresh options every day throughout the school year. A far cry from the days of water-rationing, the school cafeterias also serve breakfasts where students have an array of beverage choices. To Hallford, the best part about the program’s expansion is that schools are helping students with healthy diets so they can do their best in class and in their extracurriculars. “School lunch is truly healthier than ever before,” she said. More information about Café Gwinnett can be found through the School Nutrition page. Visit online at www. gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
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How much do window coverings cost?
I will answer that question with more questions. The pricing is approximate, per window.
Joan Miller
The Blind Ladies
1) What is your expectation for durability and quality? You can buy a stock size vinyl mini-blind for about $15 or you can go with a value priced 2” custom blind for about $65. The difference in performance and durability is commensurate with price. If you don’t want to replace your blinds or shades again, then consider the difference an investment. 2) What is your expectation for aesthetics? If the overall look is important, you may be thinking about more decorative treatments. Higher
end Roller Shades, Roman Shades, or an equivalent type treatment can start at $250 and go up to $750 or more, depending on size, material selection, and operating features. Automation adds about $250-$300. 3) What is your expectation for installation and service? If you want to do it yourself, consider measuring, ordering, and installing. Mistakes can cost more in the long run. If you prefer professional guidance, the additional cost is well worth the end result. Installation costs vary from
dealer to dealer with applicable minimum charges. Expect somewhere from $12-$20 on a manually operated window treatment at floor level, more for over 10 feet high windows. These are very basic costs provided to prepare you in your search for cost on blinds and shades. We are a full-service window treatment company, offering professional consultation, installation, and service after your investment. Call Joan at 404 918-5288 or visit our website: theblindladies.com
Artist Jacqui Miller paints to bear witness to racial equality By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com “I had no clue what I wanted to paint when I got started. I read somewhere that a good way to figure that out is to start art journaling, so I started sketching every day, and this is where that process lead me,” said Jacqui Miller, whose work was displayed with the Clay and Canvas exhibit this summer at the City of Sugar Hill. A neo-pop artist based out of Lawrenceville, Jacqui started painting only about a year ago, although her background in fashion design is evident in her work, which is distinguished by the use of bold lines and pristine patterns on large canvas using bright, neon acrylic paints and pens. “Pop art is about using familiar images of popular culture and society, like Andy Warhol, who did images of soup cans. But neo-pop, is an adaption of that, incorporating other aspects of culture and life,” said Jacqui. Even before developing an aesthetic, Jacqui used her work to visualize pressing current events. Dabbling with abstracts, Jacqui painted “Car Fire”, an interpretation of the wildfires that ravaged California in late 2018. She’s since abandoned abstract painting and found her own unique style, which often depicts female subjects with almost doll-like features. Her trademark is that each of her subject’s faces are split evenly down the middle, painted in equal parts of black and white. “I focus on Black and White with a mixture of races,” Jacqui admitted. “I don’t know where the idea came from. I guess it was my subconscious, or just my reality because my family is so mixed. It’s pretty cool, the things we do without really understanding why, and that’s how I started with my split figures.” Having studied art history in high school and college, Jacqui was exposed to a plethora of modern artists, including Pablo Picasso known for his cubic works. While she wouldn’t compare her work to that of Picasso, his work was an influence on hers, along
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Jacqui Miller is a Lawrenceville-based artist who aspires to show the beauty of racial equality and ethnicity through her work.
with that of Amadeo Modigliani and Romero Britto. Jacqui also studied the human form while in fashion school but considers her figures more of a “cartoonish” style with elongated necks and limbs and large, animated eyes. “My art is definitely contemporary. It’s not mimicking the classical style or portrait studies. It’s not meant to be realistic,” said Jacqui. But she does hope her work will draw its viewers into reality in a way they never experienced it before. “I like to depict cultures and the beauty of ethnicity. I want my work to bear witness to racial equality and the beauty of ethnicity,” said Jacqui. She grew up with Jamaican parents; her great-grandmother was Jew from Portugal, and her extended family includes a mix of ethnicities. “Race wasn’t a big deal in my family. We all just see each other as family and as equal,” she admits. Her depiction of the Holy Family captures this sentiment. Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus are all painted with her distinctive split features, uniting people across hemispheres with a common message. “You see Byzantine iconography where Christ is depicted one way, but if you consider that he did come from Palestine, you’ve got to imagine he might have had a bit of melanin and pigment in him too.”
In other works, Jacqui challenges prejudice by focusing on unifying themes across cultures and races. “Sisterhood of the Covered Head” depicts three women of different racial and religious backgrounds — one wears a nun’s habit, the other a hijab, and one drapes a silk scarf over her head. “It’s to show racial equality and also ethnic equality. Muslim women wear hijabs, and meanwhile, other women also wear headcloths — Indian women, even the Queen of England, might wear a headscarf on a hot day. It’s really to show community and that all should be treated equally.” Jacqui’s figures often embody love, peace and harmony, as in the case of “The Three Graces”, where three women represent the virtues mentioned in I Corinthians 13:13. For a piece entitled, “Me Too” Jacqui painted a snake slithering through three cherries, which represent the virginity of three female figures. But the purity of their hearts and thoughts is made visible through a garden of flowers planted the minds of each. “These are three women with holes in their hearts. When someone’s been victimized, there’s that loss of control factor. But these women still have beautiful thoughts, they are still thinking of peace,” said Jacqui, who then explained she paints circles to depict the innerworkings of an overthinking mind. Now a prolific painter, Jacqui works daily out of her home studio, choosing to paint on flat surfaces rather than an easel. Like many artists, Jacqui expects she will enter phases over time but her intent will hold firm. She dedicates her art to upholding equality and will accept commission work, so long as it aligns with her style and mission. For contact information or to see more of her work, visit FineArtByJacqui.com. “Art is not what you see. It is what you make others see,” Jacqui quoted the words of nineteenth century artist Edgar Degas. “I only hope my work is a reflection of that.” The Sugar Hill Arts Commission features local artists each month with
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their “Artist of the Month” exhibits at City Hall. Visit https://www.sugarhillarts.com to learn more.
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