Our Town Magazine Gwinnett June 2010

The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine

June 2010

Meet Cayne Urick See cover story on page 5

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You’re Invited to Dr. Lorraine Gravante’s Summer Evening Open House Please join us for this One Night Only Celebration with over $3,000 in Give-aways, Cocktails, and Hors D’oeuvres.

Thursday, June 24th Beginning at 5:30 PM The Office of Dr. Lorraine Gravante 1790 Presidential Office, Suite A Snellville, GA 30078

I am thrilled to be hosting an Open House in my office this summer!

The evening will feature some of my favorite professionals along with a 20% Discount on ALL products purchased through my office!! We will begin at 5:30pm and the Raffle Drawings will be at 7:30pm. This year we are giving away over $3,000 in Products and Services! (you must be present to win)!! I am truly looking forward to this Summer Evening Open House and hope to see you there!

-Dr. Gravante

We have invited some of our favorite people to join us: • About Face Skin Care • Dr. Dinee Riley, MD • Tethys Bioscience • Premier Jewelry • Kroger’s Nature’s Market Please RSVP at 678.990.9400 by Monday, June 21st.

We’re looking forward to meeting you at our Summer Evening Open House!

See our website for a complete listing of workshops.

NUTRITIONAL WORKSHOPS

Lorraine Gravante, D.C.

The Center for Natural Healing at Dr. Gravante’s office and Weight Loss 7:00 PM 1790 Presidential Center, Suite A Monday, June 21st Snellville, GA 30078 and Wednesday, July 21st your seat! information Call 770.222.2699 • ourtownmagazine@bellsouth.net 678.990.9400 PAGE Please call to reserve For Advertising

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PAGE Page 3

The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine

Our Town

Lilburn

l

Lawenceville

l

Snellville

l

Grayson

JUNE 2010 IN THIS ISSUE… About the Cover........................................................................5

Contributing Writers:

Counselor’s Corner: Saying No................................................6 Calendar of Events.....................................................................7

D. Flores

Susan Cadley, LPC Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT Cassidy Johnson Althea Lawton-Thompson, CPT

Graphics

Tanqon Clink, DVM

Publisher/Editor D. Flores Norma Flores

Cover Photography and

Our Town Jules Williams

Design

Ryan T. Sauers Carol Chandler-Wood

Fitness: The Heat is On...............................................................8 More About the Cover..............................................................9 Education Corner: Outside Play................................................11 Wellness Corner: Acupuncture...............................................12 June Crossword..........................................................................12

O ur T own M agazine , I nc .

P.O. Box 644 l Snellville, Georgia 30078 Telephone: 404-824-5396 www.OurTownMag.org For reader comments or questions, please E-mail us at life@ourtownmag.org Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the Gwinnett Area.

Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to edit and or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2010 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

Page 4

Music Bio: Brad Cox...................................................................13 Crossword Key...........................................................................14 Business: Bio: Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr......................................15 Travel: Key Largo........................................................................15 Business: Business Sense............................................................16 Pet Page: Rescue Recovery Plan...............................................17 Gardening: Pruning Azaleas....................................................18 Recipe: Rockets Red Glare Hot Wings....................................18

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Our Town Magazine

About the cover

Raising

E

Cayne

very now and then, I find myself in a perfect “in between” moment; it’s a time when I have been through something good and I’m expecting something better. Perhaps you’ve had similar times. Take the seasons, for example; already we are well into springtime, and summer’s just around the corner! It’s a good feeling, and a good place to be. “In between” moments occur in nearly all aspects of life; this month it happened to country music singer Jessica Cayne Urick as she released her second album “Raising Cayne” on June 9 and is already writing music for her third. So how did this 24 year old find herself in this amazing scenario?

“My daddy is a musician, and I have been around him my whole life. I just continued down the path of original music,” Cayne said. “When I was in high school, I pursued musical theatre and ended up going to college on scholarship for it. I learned so much, but ultimately I decided that I really wanted do my music. I left school to do music full time. It’s been such a natural thing for me. I could do other things, but I don’t want to do anything else because this is what I was put here to do: to write music, play music, and perform.” And Cayne has done her share of all three; she wrote her first song at age 11, mastered the guitar soon after and has been performing ever since! “Music is what I do. When I sit at home, or when I don’t have anything else to do, I write

Our Town Magazine

or I play guitar or I get ready for another show, she said. “My life is centered around my music and my family.” Cayne explained the meaning behind the title of her second album. “My middle name is Cayne. The reason I settled on the title “Raising Cayne” was not only because of the play on words, but also because this record shows me progressing; this is me growing up,” she said. “I am excited to record my third album now because I finally know who I am.”

But Cayne isn’t the only one discovering herself; she is rapidly stepping into the media spotlight both on and off the stage.

This month, she gears up to perform at the CMA Fest in Nashville. “CMA Fest is for every country music fan ever. People from all over the world come for this thing. It’s huge! There’s bluegrass, pop country,

rock country,” she said. “I have shared the same space as Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift; it is the coolest experience in the whole wide world!

Everybody is just there to celebrate music-fans and artists alike. We’re all there because of the music. Everyone is receptive of every artist, no matter how big or how small.” Next month Cayne makes a guest appearance on ABC’s reality TV show “Dating in the Dark.” “On the show, I portray myself. I did not go on the show for the publicity of my music career,” she said. “I haven’t really experienced as much as other people, so the show was all about getting the experience, getting to meet other Continued on pg. 9

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Page 5

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Counselor’s Corner Self Care 101:

SAYING

NO

By Susan Cadley

Southern Land Care Unlimited is locally owned and operated and specializes in year-round care and maintenance of lawns, trees and shrubs 4 Lawn Maintenance 4 Pruning of Ornamental Trees & Shrubs 4 Deep Root Fertilization 4 Arboricultural Services 4 Aeration and Overseeding 4 Seasonal Clean-up & Seasonal Color We understand that your landscape Mention this ad and get is an extension of your home, 10% off and a well maintained landscape any annual adds significant value to your home’s maintenance contract signed curb appeal and market worth.

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Page 6

404.822.2259

T

he technology we have today is meant to make our lives faster and easier, and yet it seems that people are more scheduled than ever. Do you find yourself or your friends saying “I am so busy” or “our schedule is booked solid”? Busyness can be productive if it helps us reach the goals we have set. However, constantly being on the go or “doing”, does nothing for our inner world, which is what actually determines our outer world results.

If you find yourself saying yes to too many things and then regretting it, your inner world has spoken. This means it’s time to listen to yourself and prioritize your life. Make a list of the top 5 things that are important to you in living the life you desire and

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then compare your schedule to this list. Do the activities in your schedule feed what you truly want in your life?

Consider what you are willing to let go of. If you find yourself concerned with what other people will feel or think if you do this, then you are not living from your priorities or from your true authentic self.

Organizational consultant and leadership authority Stephen Covey says this about saying no; “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage -- pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically -- to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside”. That bigger yes is your list of priorities and your life. The more you say no, you create space for new ideas to germinate, for mental and emotional renewal, and for a new perspective.

Saying no takes practice, yet the rewards are great. When you say no, you model this self care behavior for others, you create integrity with yourself, and you open yourself to the bigger yes, your life.

Susan Cadley, LPC, CSC, Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified Soul Coach is available for couples/ adult individual counseling, Soul Coaching workshops, and book studies in Suwanee, GA. She may be reached directly and confidentially at 678-296-1278; www. coachingforyoursoul.com.

Our Town Magazine

JUNE Calendar Moonlight & Music Concert Series May 28, 2010 - September 24, 2010 Times: 8pm www.visitlawrenceville.com Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse Phone: 678-226-2639 Admission: FREE Movies Under The Stars Through June 26, 2010 Times: 6:3-pm www.simon.com Location: Village Lawn in front of the Mall of Georgia Phone: 678-482-8788 Admission: FREE Stone Mountain Park’s Summer at the Rock!

May 29, 2010 - August 8, 2010 Times: 10am-8pm www.stonemountainpark.com Location: Crossroads® Phone: (770) 498-5690 Admission: All Summer at the Rock shows and all the attractions are included in the Adventure Pass $27 (plus tax) for adults and $21 (plus tax) for children ages 3-11

Lilburn Farmers Market June 4, 2010 - August 27, 2010 Times: 4pm-8pm www.cityoflilburn.com Location: Railroad Street, Lilburn Phone: 678-380-4095 Admission: FREE Lawrenceville Farmers Market June 5, 2010 - September 25, 2010 Times: 8am-noon www.visitlawrenceville.com Location: Historic Courthouse Square, Lawrenceville Phone: 678-226-2639 Admission: FREE Snellville Farmers Market June 5, 2010 - October 23, 2010 Times: 8am-noon www.squidoo.com/snellvillefarmers-market Location: Snellville City Hall Phone: 770-985-3500 Admission: FREE Lilburn Idol Auditions June 10, 2010 www.cityoflilburn.com Location: Lilburn City Hall Phone: 770-921-3242 Admission: FREE

Stone Mountain Park’s Lasershow Spectacular™ June 1, 2010 - June 30, 2010 Times: 9:30 pm www.stonemountainpark.com Location: Memorial / Laser Lawn Phone: (770) 498-5690 Admission: The Lasershow is free.

Vehicle entry to the park is $10 for a 1 day permit or $35 for annual permit.

2010 Tour Cup Series Regional Qualifier June 11, 2010 - June 13, 2010 Times: All day www.tourupseries.com Location: SGAA Dual Deck Arena, Snellville Phone: 847-529-9191 Admission: FREE

Gwinnett Braves vs. Scranton WB Yankees June 4, 2010 - June 7, 2010 Times: Fri & Sat 7:05pm / Sun 2:05pm / Mon 7:05pm www.gwinnettbraves.com Location: Coolray Field Phone: 678-277-0300 Admission: $6-$16

New London Theatre presents “Pride & Prejudice” June 11, 2010 - July 3, 2010 Times: Fri 8pm, Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm www.newlondontheatre.org Location: New London Theatre (2485 Main Street, Snellville) Phone: 770-559-1484

Our Town Magazine

Happy Father’s Day! Chateau Elan Equestrian June 12, 2010 - June 13, 2010 www.chateauelan.com Location: Chateau Elan, Braselton Phone: 678-858-7192 Admission: FREE Run For The Children 5K June 12, 2010 Times: 8am www.fosterchildrensfoundation.org Location: Jackson EMC, Lawrenceville Admission: Pre-registration $20 / Day of event $25 / Families $55 Atlanta Fest at Stone Mountain Park June 16, 2010 - June 19, 2010 Times: 16 6-8 pm, June 17&18 10am1am, June 19 10am-11pm www.atlantafest.com Location: Special Events Meadow Phone: (770) 498-5690 Lilburn Idol I in City Park June 18, 2010 www.cityoflilburn.com Location: Lilburn City Park Phone: 770-921-3242 Admission: FREE NASA June 18, 2010 - June 20, 2010 Times: All Day www.roadatlanta.com Location: Road Atlanta Phone: 800-849-7223 Grillin’ In The Village June 19, 2010 Times: 9am-10pm www.stonemountainvillage.com Location: Stone Mountain Village Phone: 770-498-7334 Admission: FREE

Snellville Phone: 704-599-1232 Admission: FREE Free Chapel June 24, 2010 - June 26, 2010 Times: Thur 7pm / Fri & Sat 10am www.forward2010.org Location: Arena at Gwinnett Center Phone: 770-813-7600 Admission: $85 Georgia Bridal Show June 27, 2010 Times: 12pm-5pm www.eliteevents.com Location: Gwinnett Center Phone: 770-813-7500 Admission: $10; $9 if purchased online

4thof July Events

42nd Annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration July 3, 2010 - July 5, 2010 Times: 10am-8pm, Lasershow 9:30pm www.stonemountainpark.com Location: Stone Mountain Phone: 770-498-5690 Admission: $10 vehicle admission Prelude To The 4th July 3, 2010 Times: 12pm www.visitlawrenceville.com Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse Phone: 770-822-5450 Admission: FREE Loganville’s Annual 4th of July Parade July 3, 2010 Times: 10am www.loganville-ga.gov Location: Downtown Loganville Phone: 770-466-3184 Admission: FREE

2010 2 Hot 4 Ice National Championships June 24, 2010 - June 27, 2010 Times: All day www.2hot4ice.com Follow us on Twitter & Facebook.

Find links at Location: SGAA Dual Deck Arena, www.ourtownmag.org

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Page 7

Mother’s Day Special:

Inner Strength Fitness would like to welcome Ilana Katz, licensed dietician, and fitness expert.

Please contact Inner Strength Fitness to schedule your personalized nutritional assessment.

(404) 271-0071

www.innerstrength-fitness.com

Gift Certificates Available

NOW FEATURING!

By Sagdrina Jalal

FITNESS The Heat is On!

S

ummer is upon us. Pools are opening, bikes are coming out of hibernation and neighborhoods are full of evening strollers. Temperatures are rising and people are getting in shape while having fun in the sun. What may be a bit of a surprise is that even behind closed doors, people are turning up the heat… all in the name of fitness. Sauna use is at an all time high. A few of my clients have installed infrared saunas in their homes. ‘Hot’ yoga and aerobic classes are also becoming popular. So why is heat so HOT?

America is learning the beauty of sweat. The skin is the body’s largest organ and therefore plays a major role in eliminating waste. The average person has 2.6 million sweat glands that are distributed throughout the body. These glands release toxins from inside the body through pores in the skin. Sweating also helps the body self-regulate its temperature.

There are two major categories of saunas: conventional and infrared. Conventional saunas warm the air while infrared warm elements (like charcoal or ceramic plates). Temperatures can reach as high as 180 degrees Fahrenheit in a typical sauna. With temperatures this high, sweating is inevitable. Saunas are used as a way to relieve stress and promote overall physical well being. Saunas have been known to relieve joint and muscular discomfort and reduce inflammation.

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Birkam yoga is huge in California and is making its impact on the East Coast. The temperature in the room is heated to 105 degrees (with humidity at 40%). This very controlled use of heat and humidity promotes profuse sweating which rids the body of toxins. It also makes the body very warm and therefore more flexible.

Bikram yoga was designed to restore health to every muscle, joint, and organ of the body.

Rather you enjoy the great outdoors or look forward to an intense workout followed by a pit stop in the sauna (one of my favorite was to spend a Saturday morning), find the experience that suits YOU. Remember the body is a machine; crank it up and get it moving!

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For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: life@OurTownMag.org

By Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT, Fitness Consultant, Inner Strength Fitness, 404-271-0071 www.innerstrength-fitness.com

Our Town Magazine

Age 20 30 40 50

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Cover continued from pg. 5

people, and getting to do something completely outside my comfort zone.

It was eye-opening, and I learned a lot about myself.” Amid all the buzz surrounding her rapidly growing music career, Cayne insists she is still just an ordinary girl who lives to write music and loves her family. “I am very, very close to my family. I’m very much the stereotypical southern female- granted I am a musician, so I can be a little wild at times!” Cayne lives with her family in Grayson, GA and takes online classes at Georgia Perimeter College. Keep your eyes on this small town girlshe is in store for some big time things. After all, everything she’s brought to the table so far is just the beginning; and while it is something to savor, I can’t wait for Cayne’s next step out of this “inbetween” moment.

Writer, Cassidy Johnson

Our Town Magazine

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Page 9

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Page 10

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Our Town Magazine

EDUCATION Corner Outdoor Play~

A Lost and Forgotten Adventure

FIVE FORKS ACADEMY 3079 Five Forks Trickum Road

l

Lilburn, GA 30047

Summer Camp for ages 5 to 12. $175 for first child, $100 siblings.

See our website for complete schedule.

By Carol C. Wood Founder/CEO, Total Learning Concepts, Inc.

W

hen I was a young girl, the majority of free time after school and in the summer was time spent outdoors. Kick ball, dodge ball, crack the whip, tag football, shooting hoops, making mud pies, exploring the creek for tadpoles and frogs, digging to the center of the earth, swimming, tennis, scavenger hunts, swaying on the tire swing, talks in the tree house, and walks to the nearby Woolworth’s to buy a coke and French fries were all activities I participated in with the kids who lived in my neighborhood. I remember leaving the house at 10 am and not coming back home until 9 pm, and the sound of my mother’s voice yelling, “Carol, it’s time to come home!” Wow, those were good days. Then I grew up and became a mother and the obsessive worry about the safety of my daughter caused me to rarely let her play outdoors unless I or another responsible adult was right there with her to supervise. How times have changed, but children innately have not changed!

The pleasures of the outdoors are among the deepest and most memorable events of childhood. Unfortunately, however, because of the increasing demands on parents working outside of the home and the growing concern for children’s safety, more and more children spend time behind locked doors watching television and playing video and computer games. Some other children have a schedule so full of structured activities such as music lessons, dance, drama, karate, and sports activities, that they do not get to enjoy the pleasure of free, imaginative, and unstructured play time outdoors. Compounding the dilemma, many elementary schools have eliminated recess, which for some children is the only time during the week they are able to have carefree play.

Register Your Children Today!

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Be sure to mention you saw this ad in Our Town Magazine!

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It is widely believed that unstructured physical play is a developmentally appropriate outlet for children to reduce stress and restlessness and to increase their attentiveness. In fact, children learn best through free play and discovery as it involves the whole child: gross motor, fine motor, senses, emotion, intellect, and social interaction! Outdoor play also helps prevent obesity in children, which is currently reaching epidemic proportions in the United States! Having unstructured play time outdoors provides children the opportunity to be creative, use their imaginations, and learn to play cooperatively with others.

So, what can we do as parents to make sure our children have outdoor play time?

A few suggestions follow: 1) Get with other responsible parents and take turns supervising the children’s outdoor activities so you can know your child is safe and the outdoor time consists of quality activities.

2) Create a backyard play area that consists of soil, sand, water, long grasses, trees, flowers, bushes, animals, pond creatures, places to sit in, on, or under, places that provide shelter and shade, different levels of nooks and crannies, and places that offer privacy and views. Plants appeal to all of the senses, and when combined with a mix of sun, shade, color, texture, fragrance, and softness, they encourage a sense of peacefulness. Natural areas allow for investigation and discovery by children with different learning styles. Some people refer to an environment like this as a discovery play garden.

3) Buy or build toys, games, or other activities which are conducive to outdoor play, such as a kite, Frisbee, football, jump rope, kickball, bug house, bird house, spider web trellis, water games, tree house, in lieu of computer software or the latest video or technical gadget.

4) If your elementary school has eliminated recess, talk to other parents and, as a group, appeal to your school’s decision maker to reinstate it.

Let’s make changes and provide to our children more free time outdoors to play. The benefits to the child will be well worth it, not to mention the memories created and sense of safety and belonging to the world God created that they will experience!

Carol Wood is the founder and owner of Total Learning Concepts, Inc., a private, professional tutorial service located in Gwinnett County. Please email questions to ccwood@bellsouth.net or fax to 770-3811626. OTM

Our Town Magazine

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Page 11

WELLNESS CORNER My Adventures with Acupuncture

M

ay 2008 – I spent an hour three mornings a week jogging and doing yoga at Mountain Park. During each run, I’d suffer through the pain of my fallen arch radiating pain up through my left knee into my tight hip joint.

After each run, I’d feel exhilarated mentally, but limp with pain physically. It wasn’t anything new. I’d been suffering from this pain, little by little for the previous four or five years. But now, it was at its worst and I couldn’t pretend like it was getting better or going away.

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What? Stop running? I’d been running since I was eight years old. Road races and track were as much a part of my family’s and my life as my younger brother (and I can’t get rid of him, I tried once). So I began to think of alternative solutions.

A friend had recently raved about her experience with a new acupuncturist in Buckhead. Hm… needles being stuck all over my body? Uh, no thank you. I’ll keep looking. But the next thing I found myself doing was calling the number and booking an appointment. What did I have to lose? I was in daily pain and limping from morning to night.

I went for my first session full of questions and concerns… Will I really not feel the needles? Does it truly have any affect that I’ll be able to detect? Is this lady some scam artist out to make a buck and poke me for laughs? Is it expensive? You know, stuff like that.

Dr. Kerri Winston of Acuworks started our consultation asking me several questions about my health, medications, lifestyle, stress levels, sleep patterns, eating habits, and physical ailments. Then she asked me to lie on my back on a massage table. While she touched and pressed various points along my feet and lower legs, she explained the difference between the Japanese and Chinese approaches to acupuncture.

“In the Chinese method, needles are left in various points of the body, while the Japanese style is to take the needles out immediately after working with a particular section of the body unless there is a concern at that pressure point.” Dr. Kerri uses the Japanese method – which was great to me since I didn’t want to look down and see a thousand needles projecting from my legs. Mentally, I don’t think I could have stomached it.

While she tapped and pressed, she would stop periodically to take my pulse. After a while, I started to wonder when she was going to get on with the needle part.

So, I peeked down to investigate. The tapping was the needles! She’d been applying, turning and twisting needles the whole time she’d been talking. And I hadn’t felt anything but light tapping.

To make a long story short, my hip stopped hurting in July (for the longer, funnier version check out my blog – aymfitness.blogspot.com). I opened my studio that month and started teaching dance, kickbox, Yoga & Pilates about three to four times a day, five days each week. At first, I was scared that my hip would start hurting again. But I haven’t felt even a twinge since my first session in June 2008.

I’ve returned to Dr. Kerri once a month for the past two years. Acupuncture has assisted me with a variety of concerns and issues over time - improved digestion, better sleep, and pinched nerves in my neck. I believe my treatments have even helped me to endure stressful and scary times with the opening and running of my business during the toughest economy we may ever see in our lifetime. Acupuncture, along with Yoga and Pilates, has strengthened my body and my mind. Curious? Take a risk and see what happens…

Althea Lawton-Thompson, Certified Fitness Expert, is the owner of Aerobics, Yoga & More Fitness Studios in Lilburn, GA and the Fitness Coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Youth Obesity Program in Baltimore, MD. See classes and workshops she offers at www.AYMFitness.com.

Page 12

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

I made appointments with my physician and eventually an orthopedic surgeon. I was prepared to go under the knife for relief. I was told there was nothing to be done – it was simply tendinitus, and the only remedy was to stop running.

?

Across

1. Back talk 5. Chipper 9. Favorite vacation spot 14. Excavation with water 15. Back 16. High nest: Var. 17. To whom; for whom 20. Join forces (with) 21. ___ vera 22. “For ___ a jolly ...”

23. ___ and cheese 25. Blue 26. Anger 27. Shame 33. Aerial maneuver 34. Addis Ababa’s land: Abbr.

35. Back story; legend 37. “Buddenbrooks” author 38. Bundle 41. Earned 43. Escape, in a way 45. Addition 46. Ancient greetings 47. Local harvest 51. Scandinavian rug 53. Dusk, to Donne 54. Absorbed, as a cost

55. Ring bearer, maybe 56. Exec’s note 58. Sins of the ___ 63. Cooperative sprint 66. Murmured 67. ___ gin fizz 68. Creole vegetable 69. Long loud emotional utterance 70. Furnace output 71. Whiny

?

Down 1. Fast-moving card game 2. Bang-up 3. Fizzy drink 4. Big loser’s nickname?

5. To make ready 6. Common Market inits.

7. Pro ___ 8. Norse creature 9. Decorate with gems 10. Ocular organ 11. Window mould 12. To quote; French 13. “Siddhartha” author 18. Essen basin 19. Bomb 24. Algebra or trig

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27. “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 28. Flightless bird 29. Bone cavity 30. Breathing problem 31. Sleep on it 32. Bedouin 36. “Our Time in ___” (10,000 Maniacs album) 39. Aquatic plant 40. Archless 42. Cousin of -trix 44. Pursuing medicine 48. Fall (over) 49. Catch, as in a net 50. Go through 51. To heave 52. “Hurray!”

57. Eye 59. Cargo boat 60. Maori dance 61. Almond 62. “Get ___!”

64. Moray, e.g.

65. ___ few rounds

Our Town Magazine

Music Bio

H

Brad Cox

ave you met artist and music producer Brad Cox? You may have heard more of his music than you think. I recently had a chance to catch up with him, and this is what he had to say:

How did you end up being on both ends of the music spectrum- artist and producer?

“I started out as an artist and began touring when I was 16 or 17. Through playing music myself and being an artist, I’ve been able to work with some of the best producers in the industry and some of the best song writers including Mike Clink, who produced all the Guns and Roses records. He has been a huge role model in my life and a good mentor. Working with people like him, I became more interested in producing and song writing myself. So I put together my own studio, and began getting phone calls to start writing songs for other artists and producing other artists all over the country.”

What’s unique about your studio? “It’s not open to the public; it is a private studio. When an artist hires me to write for them, I get session players to come in, I have my own editing team and I keep it very exclusive. Everything I do is custom done. I work with who I want to work with; I’m not just opening my studio up to anyone to try to make money. But I still do work with a lot of people.”

Lilburn, Grayson or Snellville

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Who have you worked with so far? “I just worked with Elizabeth Eckert from American Idol (season 7). Katherine Foley is another girl I am working with from Atlanta; she’s had appearances on the hit TV shows ER and Wizards of Waverly Place. I have 7 or 8 songs on MTV right now. I just did a song for TV show 24 on FOX. I did a song in the new John Cusack movie Hot Tub Time Machine. I do a lot of stuff for movie trailers.”

So, I take it you love your job? “I love the whole creative process and helping people’s career grow; it’s about giving direction and helping artists find their sound. Eventually, I would like to be the guy everyone comes to wanting me to develop and produce. As an artist, I love writing songs and telling people stories about my life that people can relate to. Music is a place to go that reminds me of every little thing I do; every song is the soundtrack of my life.”

Do you travel a lot? “I bounce back and forth between Gwinnett, metro Atlanta and Los Angeles. I am originally from the area. I just bought a house in Lawrenceville in the historic square. I love downtown Lawrenceville because it has a city vibe, but a small town lazy vibe at the same time. Everyone is real friendly; it’s like a nice little small community. Everywhere I go people know who I am and I know who they are. No matter how much the area grows, I still feel like it keeps its small town appeal. People keep trying to get me to move to LA but I just can’t do it.”

To learn more about Brad Cox or hear his sound visit www.bradcoxonline. com

Our Town is delivered directly to your target audience.

We mail to homeowners and businesses in your own neighborhood. Folks who shop, dine or use your services without having to travel far.

Our Town is locally owned and operated. We are small, but wear many hats, and are proud to service our clients personally!

Brad Cox, Jordyn Kane and Pat Valley Jordyn Kane Is an artist I signed from Orlando Florida. The single “You Can’t Stop Me” will be released in mid July on itunes

404-824-5396 Our Town Magazine

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life@ourtownmag.org For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: life@OurTownMag.org

Writer, Cassidy Johnson

Page 13

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Our Town Magazine

BUSINESS Bio Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr.

M

eet Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr. owner of Signature Plastic Surgery located in Loganville, GA. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Dr. Stephenson began his professional career as an oral & maxillofacial surgeon, practicing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While there, his interest in complex facial surgery grew and he soon earned admission to Eastern Virginia Medical School back in Norfolk, Virginia. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Stephenson was recruited by one of the largest oral & maxillofacial surgical groups in the nation located in Atlanta, Georgia, where he went on to practice for several years. This stimulated his interest in managing surgical issues pertaining to the entire body. Eventually Dr. Stephenson left his busy practice to pursue training in plastic & reconstructive surgery. He trained in general surgery at the Atlanta Medical Center and completed plastic & reconstructive surgery residency at Erlanger Medical Center/University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Medical Unit. As a result of his unique training, Dr. Stephenson became one of the few plastic surgeons in the nation with both medical and dental degrees and dual training in oral/maxillofacial and plastic/reconstructive surgery.

Once Dr. Stephenson returned to Georgia he spent the next couple of years focusing on aesthetic surgery and major craniofacial trauma surgery but felt his vision for the practice of plastic surgery was not being fulfilled. So, he opened his own private practice Signature Plastic Surgery; it revolves around exceptional patient care, patient safety, and appropriate and effective treatments in a friendly environment. For more information, visit his website www.signature-plasticsurgery. com See Signature Plastic Surgery’s ad on page 16.

Writer, Cassidy Johnson

TRAVEL

Key Largo, Florida Sunset Cove Beach Resort

I

f you’re longing for your own tropical island get-away, but don’t want to fly to the other side of the hemisphere, then the Sunset Cove Beach Resort in beautiful Key Largo might be what you’re looking for. The secluded, yet quirky, little resort is perfect for couples and families who love privacy and something different.

Walking the grounds of Sunset Cove is like walking through a tropical fairy tale. They have live birds and unique animal statues located throughout the property. This charming resort offers a true island atmosphere with beautiful private beach sunsets that might be best enjoyed from one of the tiki huts with double wicker swings.

Affordable accommodations range from cottages with real thatched roofs to waterfront suites, all of which are pet friendly! They also offer campers and classic RVs lodging among the wild animal statues. Your peaceful retreat includes a daily complimentary continental breakfast and use of the charcoal BBQ pits/grills. The resort’s tropical vegetation, tiki huts and beach are the perfect setting for sunset weddings, complete with onsite notary. It’s also a wonderful place for family reunions. The large Tiki Pavillion is centrally located, and perfect for large family gatherings and cookouts.

The crystal clear waters of the Florida Bay can be enjoyed from the dock, beach or a complimentary kayak. The water is calm, and perfect for snorkeling. Don’t worry about bringing your equipment, they can provide it for you. You can even put your beach chair in

Our Town Magazine

the shallow water of the bay and enjoy sun bathing while staying cool, just don’t forget the sunscreen.

Also, the cottages and suites are within walking distance to the beach, so you don’t have to wait for an elevator like you do at a high-rise resort or hotel.

Key Largo is the snorkeling capital of the world and is a great place for those seeking adventure. The Sunset Cove Beach Resort is centrally located in the heart of Key Largo, just steps away from world famous snorkeling, diving and fishing charters. Also, the resort is a short distance from Key Largo’s best dining and attractions which include, the Glass Bottom Boat, the original African Queen and legendary John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park.

Whether you visit to getaway or to enjoy everything that Key Largo has to offer, Sunset Cove is the place to stay! Make this your tropical fantasy destination, and enjoy memories that will last a life time.

Sunset Cove Beach Resort is located at 99360 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, Florida 33037. Telephone one of their friendly staff toll-free today for reservations, 305-451-0705 or 877-4510705. Visit them online at www.sunsetcovebeachresort.com.

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Page 15

BUSINESS

Page 16

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Our Town Magazine

PET PAGE The Village Vets “Rescue Recovery Plan”

By Tanqon Clink

T

he downward trend in the economy has severely impacted Atlanta area rescue groups. Adoptions have dropped significantly as people are afraid of making a commitment in uncertain times, increasing surrenders by 20 percent. Staff members are challenged with the daunting task of finding homes for stray animals in the face of a rapid declination in donations, making their shoestring budgets even tighter. Many local rescue groups are at capacity and turning away hundreds of animals. Simultaneously, the problem of pet overpopulation has worsened, with over 3-4 million cats and dogs euthanized each year.

The Village Vets is committed to helping local rescue organizations during these uncertain times. We continue to be the leader in the Atlanta veterinary community in supporting local rescue groups by offering veterinary care and resources at discounted prices. Our goal is to partner with them in the process of:

• • • •

PETS OF THE MONTH Available for Adoption: BAXTER is a four and a half year old purebred Pomera-

nian. He is a fluffy fur ball, always happy and ready to be your BFF. Baxter weighs 12 pounds and is looking for a new home because his former owners just had their first baby, and were not prepared for the transition to parenthood and all that it requires. Baxter is good natured with children, but he couldn’t understand why he couldn’t hop into the baby’s bed and sleep with him, just as he had always slept with his humans. Poor Baxter went from being the darling baby and pampered pet of the house to the dog-that-had-to-be-kept-away-from-the-baby, and we-don’t-have-time-for-you dog. Baxter is now looking for a home that has time to care for him and keep him forever.

Atlanta Pet Rescue is open Tuesday – Friday 11am4pm and Saturday 12pm-5pm. For more information about Atlanta Pet Rescue or how to adopt Baxter or any of our 80+ dogs, cats, puppies and kittens looking for homes, visit our web site: www.atlantapetrescue.org

Baxter

Spaying and neutering homeless animals-helping to relieve the effects of pet over-population on the community Reducing the number of animals impounded and euthanized at local animal shelters due to over crowding Placing homeless pets in stable, loving, and positive environments Providing continued veterinary care, resources, education, and services to the families of newly adopted pets

Recognizing their need for assistance, The Village Vets has decided to take action.

We are pleased to announce our “Rescue Recovery Plan.” Starting June 1st, in addition to the low cost veterinary services (our “Petfixers” program) that we currently provide we will be offering FREE spays and neuters for our Atlanta area registered and nonprofit rescue groups. Our witness to all their hard work and dedication is what makes our efforts to support them even more rewarding. We

MOUSE MOUSE (DOB ~04/01/2006) is a gor-

geous Lilac Lynx Point Mitted male Ragdoll. MICKEY is initially shy, but warms up to you quickly, is playful, loves to be under foot, loves to climb, and enjoys being brushed! He would, however, prefer a home with no other cats and no young children. To see all our cats available for adoption, please visit www. fancyfelinerescue.org

Mickey

Fancy Feline Rescue of the South is a non-profit, no kill rescue, dedicated to individual attention and excellent care to homeless cats, working to find them good homes.

are proud to partner with them, and to be able to provide this service.

Visit www.thevillagevets.com or www.petfixers.org for more information on ways that you can help support local rescue groups.

“We Come To You!” Comfy Critters Pet-Sitters Licensed, Bonded and Insured Veterinarian Technicians Able to Service Pets with Special Medical Needs & Dominate Breeds Members of: The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters The Lilburn Business Association The Georgia Network for Professional Pet Sitters

www.comfycritterspet-sitters.com Email: dione@comfycritterspet-sitters.com

Dione C. Boulton Owner

(678) 480-7043

Call or email to schedule your consultation.

Our Town Magazine

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Page 17

GARDENING

Pruning Azaleas

By Jessica Logan, GCLP

A

zaleas need to be pruned between the end of blooming in the spring and before the 4th of July. If you prune after this date you will risk losing next spring’s blooms! You can begin the pruning process before they’ve finished blooming- take some of your clippings inside and enjoy them!

There is a school of thought that disagrees with this rule, however. Some experts say that if you’ve got very overgrown azaleas and you want to prune them to dramatically lower their height, called rejuvenation, do it in the late winter or early spring before they bloom. You will lose the flowers for that year. (Rejuvenation means starting over: when a plant is rejuvenated it is cut back to structural branches, usually bare, that act as a base for the plant to come back from- it isn’t pretty and not all plants will tolerate this, azaleas will). The reasoning behind the timing of this theory is that the azaleas will need a significant amount of energy to come back from being pruned severely and they also require a significant amount of energy to produce flowers… so they will come back much better from the rejuvenation if they are spared the stress of producing blooms: this needs to be done before you see any color from the flowers. These photos show a rejuvenation project half way done- you can see that the azaleas have been lowered by about 2/3 of their height.

Recipe Rockets Red Glare Wings Easy Recipe Ingredients & Directions:

Democracy in action: Please everyone by pouring the spicy hot sauce over the wings at the last minute, or not.

2 to 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings 10 tablespoons hot sauce 1 teaspoon soy sauce Olive or vegetable oil Sauce 4 tablespoons melted butter 4 tablespoons honey 2 jalapeno peppers, minced 1 tablespoons hot mustard 2 tablespoons tomato paste Coat wings in hot sauce, soy sauce and oil and let marinade for 1 to 2 hours.

When grill is hot, barbecue wings for 30-40 minutes or until joints can be easily separated.

Boil sauce ingredients until thickened and pour over wings

Before

Another way to significantly reduce the size of your azaleas but keep your blooms, and avoid undue stress to your plants, is to spread the pruning out over several years: remove a few of the tallest branches every year. Patience, Grasshopper.

One other concern about the timeline is Encore azaleas that have a second, or even third, bloom later in the year. You’re pretty much sacrificing a bloom cycle by pruning them, anytime. Since the spring bloom is the showiest, prune immediately after that has tapered off. Your fall show may not be as good as last year but you should still have some blooms.

As with pruning anything, cuts should be made just above a lateral branch, any branch coming out from the main stem, branch or trunk. Cuts made in the middle of a branch will cause several problems: the wood between the cut and the branch below it will die and be an entry point for disease, or a bud (or several buds) along that branch will produce a sucker that will grow straight up, way above the existing canopy- which means more pruning for you, and it will not conform to the regular growth habit, neither result is pretty. Be sure to remove any dead wood.

While you’re up close and personal with your azaleas it’s a good time to check for any insect or disease activity going on. The most common problem with azaleas is lace bugs. If you see splotchy discoloration on the tops of the leaves and dirty looking smudges on the back, the smudges are lace bug poo and eggs; the discoloration on the top is the damage they cause. You may see tiny fly-looking bugs with transparent wings about ¼ an inch in length, these are the culprit. There are a number of chemicals available to nuke ‘em, read the labels at your local supplier or big box store- be sure to spray the underside of the leaves (that’s where the buggies are) when applying the chemical. Read the entire label and follow the directions exactly; pesticides are not to be taken lightly. The damage to the leaves is permanent but future growth should hide the damaged leaves.

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Azaleas really require very little pruning and maintenance but with just the right amount they will astound you every spring. If you’re rejuvenating your azaleas or they’ve got lace bug damage they’ll appreciate a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10, or similar) in the spring.

Jessica Logan, GCLP is a Horticulture Technician at Chattahoochee Technical College.

Page 18

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Our Town Magazine

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Page 19

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