The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine
Our Town May 2011
Lilburn l Lawrenceville l Snellville l Grayson
Meet the Thomas Family See cover story on page 5
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Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Martha’s Story
Read Please join usthis... for this One Night Only Celebration with over $3,000 D’oeuvres.
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I first came to see Dr. Gravante as a chiropractic patient. I didn’t realize at the time that I would heal more than just my bones. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia two and a half years ago. Many days were spent exhausted from dealing with the pain. Without medication, the nights were just restless hours. To date, I have received twenty infusions and have taken numerous medications to reduce the inflammation. While this was helpful, I feared that I would always be taking more medications and that meant more side effects. This not only concerned me, but made me feel old before my time. While I was in Dr. Gravante’s office I read some of the literature on functional medicine. It sparked my interest enough to attend one of her nutritional workshops. The information made so much sense to me that I decided to give it a try. I would do most ANYTHING to try to reduce my inflammation without adding more medications. I figured I could do just about anything for a month in order to feel better. My diet and lifestyle didn’t change drastically, but it didn’t take long to notice that my body was changing for the better. Within two weeks I stopped taking my nighttime dose of Lyrica. After another two weeks, I stopped taking it altogether. With the consent of my rheumatologist, I am weaning myself from a long list of meds. I thought this day would never come. The reduction in my pain and inflammation is reason enough for me to be a believer in functional medicine. But there was a side effect that was so unlike the side effects from my meds. This time I lost weight! Not only did I lose weight, I lost 9 lbs of body fat. Now that’s a side effect I can live with! This is something I wish I’d known about years ago. I feel the best I have felt in years, thanks to Dr. Gravante and her staff. Don’t wait around; they just might be able to help you too!
Martha Herbert Are you ready to feel better and get healthy?
Please RSVP at 678.990.9400 by Monday, June 15. …. Call Dr. Gravante today! We’re looking forward to meeting you at our Summer Evening Open House!
Lorraine Gravante, D.C.See our website for a complete listing of workshops. The Center for Natural Healing and Weight Loss 1790 Presidential Circle, Suite A Snellville, GA 30078 www.drgravante.com
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NUTRITIONAL WORKSHOPS at Dr. Gravante’s office 7:00 PM May 11th & May 24th June 8th & June 21st Please call to reserve your seat!
These results may not be typical. Results with products may vary from individual to individual. These nutrition recommendations are provided solely to support good nutrition with the intent of supporting the physiological the human body and not to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Be advised that any nutritional program recommended byOur Dr. Gravante is not PAGE and biochemical process of For Advertising information Callcure 770.222.2699 • ourtownmagazine@bellsouth.net Town intended as a primary therapy for any disease. Prior to starting any diet, nutrition or exercise program, you should consult with your medical physician.
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The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine
Our Town
Lilburn
l
Lawenceville
Publisher/Editor D. Flores Norma Flores
Cover Photography Marilyn Suriani www.surianiphoto.com
Graphics
and
Our Town Jules Williams
Design
l
Snellville
l
Grayson
Contributing Writers: Glenton Ashby Julie Auton Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Cathy Bruce Susan Cadley, LPC Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT Kathy Perkins Ryan T. Sauers Carol Chandler-Wood
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
May 2011 IN THIS ISSUE… About the Cover.........................................................................5 Counselor’s Corner: Time to Bloom...........................................6 Calendar of Events.....................................................................7 Fitness: Run Like a Mother..........................................................8 Finance: Halcyon Times - Crisis...................................................9 Education Corner: Psycho Educational Battery Evaluation....11 Wellness: Yoga............................................................................12 May Crossword..........................................................................12 Crossword Key...........................................................................14 Relationships: Month of May...................................................15 Business: It’s All About Communication................................16 Pet Page: Children & Dogs: Overcoming Fear.........................17 Recipes: ......................................................................................18
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 2011 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.
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Our Town Magazine
TheFaces Behind About Face Skin Care
ABOUT THE COVER By Julie Auton
C
ter and seemed happier. Often, it would motivate a City. Interestingly, her male customer base has grown woman to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as over 100% this past year, which she attributes to the begin an exercise program, or quit smoking, or eat critical importance of appearance in today’s job market. And her business more nutritiously.” keeps growing. Although Thomas primarily Nine years after first assisted in surgery, she gradualshe opened her doors, ly took over the practice’s skin Thomas is still surThe Snellville native and owner of About Face Skin care service, and became fasciprised at her success. Care, Thomas employs a team of skin care specialists, nated the more she researched “I went into this thinkoffers a range of services utilizing the best advanced the products and technologies By Shayla Ortiz ing it would be temtechnologies, and sells high quality products to tar- available. She also got an earporary…that eventugeted clientele of men and women who are midlife ful from these mostly 40- to ally, I’d have to get a and older. 80-year-old women about their ‘real job’,” she says. frustrations over their aging “Instead, it’s turned What sets her business apart is her background as a skin. into a career.” registered nurse. This enables Thomas to tap into medical technologies and products that are off-limit to spas. “I consistently heard the same In fact, About Face has About Face also has a medical director, Meera Garcia, complaints: larger pores, MD, who oversees the practice, and another RN was drooping skin, and creases around their eyes and grown so significantly that Thomas and her husband recently added to the team. Their medical expertise mouth,” she recalls. “Everyone had these problems, took the ultimate leap of faith this year by Sam quitting gives them the ability to factor each client’s particular and although they could have a facelift, it didn’t cure his corporate job to help run the business. health history and health issues when deciding upon a their real issues.” “I needed a business manager to run the day-to-day skincare plan. When the plastic surgeons retired, Thomas figured she operations and marketing,” she says. “Sam had always “This allows us to provide the best treatment plan,” would work part-time at another private practice. But been on periphery, but now he’s fully entrenched so he she says. her current clients and her husband, Sam, had other can take the business to the next level.” It also allows Thomas and Sam to participate more fully ideas. But there’s another reason for Thomas’ success: her “I never thought about running my own business. I’m in their children’s lives. friendly and easygoing personality is reflected in every the first person in my family to be an entrepreneur, so aspect of her business. Visitors enter a calm, turquoise it’s uncharted waters for me,” she says. “However, Sam “Working in close proximity to our kids’ school and interior (her favorite color) with decidedly classy yet has had his own business, and his parents ran their own having on-the-job flexibility helps us put family first— comfortable touches that exude the relaxing environ- company, so he encouraged me to go out on my own which is our priority,” says Thomas. “Sam often picks them up after school now that he’s no longer commutment of a spa and the warmth of a home. Her office and taught me what to do. He’s been my backbone.” ing to a corporate job downtown, and the kids love that has become a gathering place, where clients feel comfortable visiting with each other in the waiting area, and In 2002, three weeks after the birth of their daughter, special time with him.” checking out new products with the staff. Frequently, Ella, Thomas launched About Face and her customers Thomas’ two children, Ella (9) and Dawson (10) drop from the dissolved plastic surgery practice followed. Thomas and her husband also can more easily juggle by after school, adding to the liveliness. One client offered Thomas office space intown for her their busy work schedules to attend Ella and Dawson’s treatments, while other customers made suggestions myriad school events and favorite pastimes, including The team embraces Thomas’ values and work ethic, on how to grow the business. Bit by bit, word spread (but not limited to) baseball, swim team, piano and offering exceptional personal attention and customer as happy customers referred friends, and continued to dance. The Thomases laugh, “These two are another service. provide advice and ideas, and Thomas’ practice took full time job! But we wouldn’t miss this for the world.” off. “We focus on a client’s true skin care needs based on their financial ability, rather than selling unnecessary Now that she was unaffiliated with a surgical team, Summers beckon the family to their backyard pool, products and services,” Thomas increasingly educated her- where swimming, cookouts and entertaining take place she says. “My reputation self on how to make women look all season long. The Thomases are thankful to be in is important, and every younger without surgery--such as a community where their kids can grow up with the work related decision I skin exfoliation, color correction, same memories of family, friends and great schools make impacts my repumuscle lifting, skin tightening, that they shared. Because of their deep roots in the area, grandparents and great grandparents live within tation and my business. Botox and Juvederm. a quick drive, giving Thomas’ children opportunities It’s not about making money, but maintain“I went to every medical conference for spend-the-nights, birthday celebrations and simply ing professionalism and on skin care I could find and inter- hanging out. being a respected part viewed my peers across the country, of this community that tapping them for information about But next to her love of family comes her business. Her matters most.” what worked and what didn’t,” she ultimate goal is to be the skincare service leader in her says. “My research revealed there field, which she plans to achieve by continually immersThis philosophy has garwere four areas of problems with ing herself in medical journals, listening to her peers nered a strong and loyal facial skin: uneven texture, color and customers, and introducing treatments that have following. variation, sagging skin, and ‘jowly’ been thoroughly tested in the market. appearance around the middle of In the meantime, Thomas says her life is full with famA graduate of the the face. I realized that if I could ily, home, business and clients, many of whom have Georgia Baptist College fix these issues, then I could make become close friends. of Nursing (now Mercer), Thomas started her career people feel better about themselves.” “I love this business because you see people’s lives working in the OR at Egleston Children’s Hospital (now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) and carried Thomas eventually moved her office close to home in change,” she says. “And, I’ve benefited as well. All these on the duties of Charge Nurse of Plastic Surgery. She Snellville as family demands increased with two grow- older women have shared their stories and advice, and then moved to an adult based plastic surgery practice. ing children. Both Thomas and Sam grew up here and have taught me life lessons. It’s been a gift to receive During her time there, Thomas witnessed first-hand were high school friends at Brookwood. They married their insights, and I’ve planned my life accordingly.” the positive aspects of women having a facelift or other after college, and eventually renovated Sam’s child- About Face Skin Care is located at 1561 Janmar Road, A in Snellville. For more information, call 770-935-FACE, facial surgery. hood home, where they currently live. info@aboutfaceskin.com or www.aboutfaceskin.com. “I noticed an overall change in patients after surgery,” Today, About Face services men and women throughout she says. “When a woman looked better, she felt bet- the metro Atlanta area, including Roswell and Peachtree hrissy Thomas never envisioned a career as an entrepreneur. She didn’t start off with a business plan, much less a business card. But by taking advantage of an opportunity that came her way and exploring a world she found intriguing, she has ended up with a thriving skin care practice and a dedicated – and growing-- clientele.
About Face
Our Town Magazine
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Total Family Care for Children to Adults • High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Cholesterol • Osteoporosis • Arthritis • Depression / Anxiety • Preventive Health
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Counselor’s Corner
Time To Bloom By Susan Cadley
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”
~ Proverb
A
s I was driving to my office on a bright spring morning, I noticed the exquisite tunnel of blossoming trees arching over the road; white, pink, purple and green buds exploding in color. Just last week the branches and earth were bare and brown. Cold wind and rain were constant companions waiting with us for the earth to turn. And it turned overnight. Spring and nature are full of messages if you listen. Spring reminds us that no matter how dark things seem in our lives, there will come a time where things will change. It assures us that when we are in our feelings of darkness, despair, depression, sadness, and grief ~ this season will pass. Emotions are the water element and they will move, as water does, when we allow ourselves to feel. Springtime also represents the manifestation of energy, ideas into form. From a hidden seed to a flower, plant, fruit, vegetable or dream come true. With this turn of the season, consider how you can tap into the explosion of energy in nature and where you can apply this in your life. Here are some ideas to get you tilling; work, physical health/exercise, relationships, self care, unfinished projects, creativity, learning, creativity, travel. To take this process a step further, here is a quick exercise to connect you to the energy of spring. Slowly and gently close your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe in the energy from within the earth and the life force pulsing through the trees, plants, and grasses right now. Breathe this energy into the places in your life where you could use some new energy. Breathe out negativity, critical thoughts, and judgment. Breathe in hope. This is the gift of spring. 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.
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Our Town Magazine
MAY Calendar Outback at Work Charity Lunch · April 27
We provide seniors 50 years of age and older with an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports. Event locations varies throughout all Gwinnett County Parks. Please see website for details.
Friends of Gwinnett Senior Services and Outback Steakhouse in Suwanee are pleased to offer lunches to be delivered to you on April 27. Help local seniors by purchasing a scrumptious meal for only $15. Minimum order of ten meals to be delivered right to your worksite in Gwinnett County. Call Melanie Miller at 770.822.8842 or e-mail at melanie.miller@ gwinnettcounty.com by April 20. All proceeds will benefit Friends and provide funding for local senior programs such as Meals on Wheels and Emergency Funding.
Dacula Farmers Market May 02 – 30, 2011 Rancho Alegre Farm 2225 Givens Rd., Dacula, GA 30019 www.ranchoalegrefarm.com/ Local Farmer’s Market including baked goods, handmade crafts, jellies, produce, meats with live cooking demos and so much more!
Cobble Creek Studios Snellville 6 - 9:00 PM - 1st Sat. of each month 2257 Scenic Highway www.deborahkepes.com/ Entertainment and hors doeuvres during April and May. Dr. David Babulski will have his Microscopes on display for guests to view the miniature world of minerals and how he paints them. Artist John R. Duke will be demonstrating painting with Watercolor and music by Kelly Bollin owner of Gwinnett School of Music.
Home School Open Day May 5, 2011 Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Peachtree Road, Duluth, GA 30096 www.southeasternrailwaymuseum.com Get on board with homeschooling at the Southeastern Railway Museum. The museum will be hosting an open house for homeschool families. Children will enjoy doing crafts and a scavenger hunt and parents will learn about our new programs for homeschoolers. Everyone will enjoy the caboose train ride!
Mountain Park Elementary Annual Spring Carnival Friday April 29th 4-7:00 p.m. Mountain Park Elementary School 1500 Pounds Road Lilburn Tickets: $5 for 25 tickets, $10 for 52 Games, inflatables, cake walk, face painting, food and more! Atlanta’s Exotic Bird Fair May 1, 2011 North Atlanta Trade Center 1700 Jeurgens Ct, Norcross, GA 30071 www.northatlantatradecenter.com/ This is the best show in GA to purchase your birds and everything you need to care for them. Barrio Hollywood May 1, 2011 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.auroratheatre.com/new/ Elaine Romero play about a boxer who dreams of fighting his way out of poverty. April 14-24 (Spanish) April 28-May 1 (English) Georgia Frontier Days May 1, 2011 Stone Mountain Park, Antebellum Plantation www.stonemountainpark.com/ Go on a journey through hunderds of years of Georgia history with live demonstrations of pre-Revolutionary times, the pioneer era and the Civil War. Meet De Soto’s explorers and learn what they encountered here in the 1500’s. The Mitty - Road Atlanta May 1, 2011 5300 Winder Hwy, Braselton, GA 30517 www.roadatlanta.com/ The Mitty Challenge will again offer an incredible variety of historically significant race cars - both on display in the paddock and racing once again at Road Atlanta. Gwinnett Senior Golden Games May 01 – 25, 2011 Rhodes Jordan Park 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville, GA 30043 www.gwinnettseniorgoldengames.org/
Our Town Magazine
Murder Mystery May 06 – 22, 2011 New London Theatre 2485 East Main St SW, Snellville, GA 30078 www.newlondontheatre.org/ Every drama group has experienced the horrors of what can go wrong on the night and the ladies of the F.A.H.E.T.G. Dramatic Society are no different, with the possible exception that almost everything that could happen does. Drift Atlanta May 06 – 07, 2011 Road Atlanta 5300 Winder Hwy, Braselton, GA 30517 www.roadatlanta.com/ The Formula Drift Series will return as the feature event, and other road racing events will be announced soon. An expanded Vendor Village area and car show will also be part of the event. Snellville Days May 07 – 08, 2011 T.W. Briscoe Park 2500 Sawyer Parkway, Snellville, GA www.snellville.org/ Join us for the 38th Annual Snellville Days; two days packed with fun for all members of the family. There will be shopping, kids rides, a free evening concert and much more at T.W. 7th Annual Barefoot in the Park May 07 – 08, 2011 Duluth Festival Center & Amphitheatre 3142 Hill St., Duluth, GA 30096 www.barefootinthepark.org/ Barefoot In The Park, Festival of Fine Arts, Performance and Flavors is proud to celebrate its Seventh consecutive year of bringing some of the most outstanding regional artists, entertainment and flavors to Greater Atlanta and North Georgia. Stone Mountain Park’s Lasershow Spectacular™ May 07 – 28, 2011 Stone Mountain Park U.S. Hwy 78 East, Stone Mtn, GA 30087 www.stonemountainpark.com/ The show features 45 minutes of spectacular fireworks, lights and laser effects all choreographed to great music.
Happy Mother’s Day Live! On the Lawn May 07 – September 7, 2011 Snellville Town Green 2342 Oak Rd., Snellville, GA 30078 www.snellville.org/ Each month will feature a different genre of music from bluegrass and everything in between. Lawrenceville Ghost Tours May 07 – September 24, 2011 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 scarystroll.auroratheatre.com Lawrenceville Ghost Tours (Walking Tours) This town is home to some of the most bizarre and spooky tales ever told. Civil War Talk May 07 – October 29, 2011 Snellville City Hall 2342 Oak Rd., Snellville, GA 30078 www.snellville.com/ Author Barry Brown, of “Crossroads of Conficts” will be the speaker. Lilburn Community Garage Sale May 7, 2011 Lilburn City Park 76 Main Street, Lilburn, GA 30047 www.cityoflilburn.com/ The City of Lilburn is hosting the Community Garage Sale for vendors who want to sell and browsers who want to find some treasures! This is afree event. ECHO Regional May 07 – 08, 2011 SGAA Dual Deck Arena/South Gwinnett Park 2115 McGhee Rd., Snellville, GA 30078 www.sgaasports.com/ Inline Hockey Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue - A Mothers Day Celebration May 9, 2011 Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097 www.newschoolofmusic.com/ Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Over The River & Through The Woods May 12 – June 5, 2011 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.auroratheatre.com In this heartfelt comedy about growing old, one generation struggles to understand another. America Sings! May 14, 2011 7pm Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church 800 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.gwinnettchoralguild.org Enjoy singing along and listening to beautiful singing about our Nation for Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Kid’s Fishing Derby May 14, 2011 Centerville Community Center 3025 Bethany Church Rd., Snellville, GA 30039 www.gwinnettcounty.com Come and enjoy the sport of fishing while trying to catch Big Herman, the pond’s 30-pound catfish. Children 0 - 16 will be able to fish without a license during this event.
4th Annual Gwinnett Symphony / Hebron Christian Academy GALA Concert May 14, 2011 Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097 Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with Hebron Chrisitan Academy bands. A Musical Tour Through Latin America May 14, 2011 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike St, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.auroratheatre.com Children’s Playhouse. Havana Son Atlanta SCRABBLE Club May 14, 2011 Centerville Community Center 3025 Bethany Church Rd., Snellville, GA 30039. Put your skills to the test and make new friends. St. Matthew’s Car Show 2011 May 14, 2011 Vines Botanical Gardens and Mansion Grand Lawn 3500 Oak Grove Rd, Loganville, GA 30052 www.stmattscarshow.com/ The Car Show will be a family oriented fun day with live music, food and drink concessions provided by the local eateries, moonwalks and other kidactivities, arts and crafts tents, a raffle and door prizes. Room for 300 autos or other vehicles that you would like to enter. Pirate Goodie & The Magic Chest May 21, 2011 Locaion: Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.auroratheatre.com Children’s Playhouse. Storymaker, Sean Driscol Moonlight & Music Concert Series May 27 – September 23, 2011 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 West Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.visitlawrenceville.com/ Each concert offers various styles of music including blues, jazz, rock, folk, country, bluegrass, motown, swing and more! Annual American Indian Festival May 28 – 30, 2011 Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 www.vitwind.com/ Step into the past, as we look to the future. Join in the celebration of the spirit of the first Americans. American Red Cross Blood Drive · Fri, May 27 from 2:00pm - 7:00pm. Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville at 770.985.4713. Bring photo ID. Walk-ins welcome, appointments encouraged. Vacation Bible School June 6-10 9am to 12pm Gwinnett Bible Chapel 3819 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn (770) 972-4474 Call for more information.
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By Sagdrina Jalal
W
omen are on the run. Literally. According to Running USA, an organization that tracks national trends, the number of women who finished a running race soared from 791,000 in 1987 to 4.4 million in 2007. Why are women picking up the pace? Its hard to tell what exactly started the trend but the benefits are clear. Studies show that running can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. Runners live longer, healthier lives. So how does a beginner get started? One of my favorite programs is the Couch to 5k program. The title alone eases fears! It provides an interval program that slowly paces the novice runner over the course of two months. They also have podcast workouts designed in the C2 5k structure. I used this program a few years ago while training for my first 5k: Run the Reagan. Since then I have suggested it to several clients and friends. It can be found at www.coolrunning.com. Another very valuable running tool is mapmyrun.com. This website allows runners log workouts, map routes, and connect with other runners. It gives runners a chance to track mileage and see time improve. I also receive running updates from active.com a website that provides local and national race information as well as articles on a variety of running related topics. The Atlanta Track Club (www.atlantatrackclub.org) is the non profit organization responsible for the Peachtree road race and over 25 other Atlanta area fitness experiences. It is the second largest running organization in the United States. They also offer training programs, seminars and volunteer opportunities year round. Running attracts women of all ages and walks of life. Most start running and don’t look back. What starts out as a challenge develops into a passion. A 5k turns into a 10k and before you know it you are in training for the Disney Princess a half marathon; complete with a tutu and a tiara! By Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT, Fitness Consultant, Inner Strength Fitness, 404-271-0071 www.innerstrength-fitness.com
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FINANCE Halcyon Times– Helping you enjoy smooth financial sailing. By Glenton Ashby
CRISIS Crisis. That word alone brings fear and anxiety to most of us.
T
he recent earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami vividly illustrate how an unexpected crisis can arise. The earthquake was unexpected but not unplanned for. The Japanese know they are in an active earthquake zone. Worse was the tsunami triggered by the earthquake. It created a situation that was worse than anyone could have foreseen.
Things in our lives and our world are interconnected. Ripple effects are seen all over the world from the disaster in Japan, from all the turmoil in the Middle East and parts of Africa and from economic troubles in various European countries. Oil prices are up, then down, then up again. As a result gas prices and jet fuel prices are affected. Food prices are up, and so on. This should not take us by surprise. As I wrote in my first column, trouble is one of life’s certainties. If we are aware then we can try to make necessary adjustments. In our everyday lives our financial crises are not on the scale of the devastation and long-term problems of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Are you prepared for a financial crisis? Obviously, when a financial crisis (or any other type of crisis) occurs, having done some preparation ahead of time enables us to deal with the crisis better than if we are totally unprepared. Financially speaking, we can prepare for crises by: n Having some money set aside - an emergency fund or cash cushion as I discussed last month. n Having necessary and appropriate insurance in place - homeowners, auto, health, life, disability, liability (or umbrella). n Having people in our lives that we can rely on or call for help or support during a crisis. n Having savings and investments on which to draw. n Having retirement savings and equity in a home, although these should be resources of last resort. n Having powers of attorney for health care and finances so others can make sure your affairs are handled appropriately. In my columns I keep coming back to common themes. Why is that? Because, like it or not, almost all aspects of our everyday lives are affected by money. We should not be consumed by money, but we have to recognize its place and importance and its impact in everyday life and plan accordingly. The turmoil that began over two years ago continues today but in a variety of forms and a variety of places. Weathering the storms will be difficult at times, and the potential for a crisis will not go away. Savings, insurance and patience are things that provide a good foundation from which to handle a crisis. As in Japan, all we can do is be prepared. Feedback and topic suggestions are welcome – email HalcyonTimes@HalcyonFP. com, or comment at www.HalcyonFP.com/halcyon-times. Tweet @halcyonplanning. Glenton Ashby is the founder and owner of Halcyon Financial Planning, LLC, a fee-only financial planning and Registered Investment Advisor firm. Visit HalcyonFP.com.
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Our Town Magazine
EDUCATION Corner When to seek a Psychologist to Conduct a Psycho-Educational Battery Evaluation for Your Student
SUMMER CAMP 2011 It’s where you want to be!
May 31-Aug 5
Children ages 5 to 12. Cost $175 per week, $100 siblings enrolled in Summer Camp. Price includes food, materials and field trip admissions. See our website for details.
By Carol C. Wood – M. S., Founder & CEO / Total Learning Concepts, Inc. Kristina Seymour – M. A. / See More Educational Success, LLC
W
hat is a psycho-educational evaluation, and when is it appropriate or warranted to have one administered to a student? Students in public and private schools are routinely assessed to determine their levels of ability in reading, writing, and math, so most parents do not find it necessary to have a full psycho-educational battery assessment performed. However, if teacher feedback and/or these routine standardized tests indicated the student is at risk academically and/or emotionally, it is prudent for parents/guardians to explore the options and possibility of testing performed outside the parameters of their student’s school. What is the primary benefit of receiving services from an outside psychologist? An outside psychologist will provide a diagnosis addressing the presenting issue/challenges; whereas, the child’s school typically will not provide a diagnosis due to the risk of being held liable for such diagnosis. Additionally, there are many children that fall between the cracks and are not eligible for testing within the school setting. For example, if your child performs in the average area on standardized tests (CRCT/ITBS), but earns a C or a D in a subject, they will likely not qualify for additional testing/services because they are not considered to be a critical need. As a result, many children who may have a learning disorder or area of weakness, but who somehow manage to get by in school, struggle continually without answers and assistance. This can cause unnecessary stress for the child and the family, and many times goes undetected for years. It is crucial to identify and then address learning challenges early in a student’s school career to insure that he or she develops a sense of self-worth and autonomy and a desire to learn. Common questions parents and students ask are, “Is my student normal? Am I normal? Am I to blame for my student’s problems? Can the clinician help us as parents? Can he or she help my student? What is wrong? Is there a diagnosis and if so, what is it? Does my student need additional medical or psychological testing? What are the clinician’s recommendations? How can my family assist in the implementation of these recommendations? Does my student need treatment? Do I need treatment? What is the process? What is the process? The psychologist will conduct two full clinical interviews. One interview will be conducted with the student, and the second interview will be conducted with the parents/guardian. The same questions are asked during both interviews. It is important for the psychologist to assess the student’s personal experiences and opinions as well as the parent/guardian’s personal experiences and opinions surrounding the presenting issues. During this clinical interview, a full history will be taken addressing areas such as the family and student’s medical and mental health histories, the student’s academic history, and social skills. Additional questions addressing interpersonal family dynamics, the student’s personal strengths and weaknesses, and the student’s ability to regulate emotions as well as their ability to apply coping skills to every day academic and personal stressors will be addressed as well. Once the clinical interviews are completed, psycho-educational testing is scheduled. A psycho-educational battery is a comprehensive assessment that measures a student’s cognitive and achievement abilities. The achievement tests will measure where the student performs academically in areas such as reading, writing, and math. For example, the student may physically be in the 8th grade, but they may perform at the 5th grade 6th month level in reading, the 6th grade level in writing, and the 4th grade level in math. When a child is not performing on grade-level, they will struggle to maintain the same academic pace as their peers. Many times, emotional and behavioral issues may occur as a result. The cognitive assessments will measure a variety of cognitive functions such as the student’s intelligence level, problem solving, conceptualization, planning and organization, attention span, memory, learning style, language abilities and perceptual and motor abilities. Additional areas that are assessed include his or her learning style, emotional regulation and behavioral functions. The entire psycho-educational battery is conducted by a specially trained psychometrist and/or psychologist who are qualified to administer such tests. A psycho-educational assessment is definitely time intensive, as it involves many hours of testing and several sessions (typically a total of 4). What happens at the final session? The psychologist will provide an extensive report and spend time going over every aspect of that report with the parents/guardian. Findings will be presented, including a diagnosis, and a discussion regarding the treatment plan and recommendations individually designed for the student and
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the family. In order to gain a clear picture of the many aspects of the presenting issue, the case formulation within the report describes the child’s problems and explains them in terms that the parents and student can understand. All aspects of the child’s history (i.e. developmental, medical, mental, academic, interpersonal relationships, social skills, emotional regulation, personal strengths and weaknesses), in conjunction with the testing results, are combined within in the formulation. Then, the psychologist will work together with the family to help the student achieve their potential. Are other professionals needed as well? Sometimes, it is necessary to administer further assessments or particular types of evaluations in order to delve deeper to find the best possible approaches to address the academic and learning issues present. As a result, parents may receive a recommendation from the psychologist for further testing; such as a neuropsychological battery in order to assess potential brain damage caused by a head injury (for example a concussion caused from a sports injury) and/or an organic brain injury (originating from birth), a speech and language evaluation, and/or a referral to a psychiatrist (a physician who can prescribe medication, as psychologists in Georgia do not currently prescribe medications) or a family physician to screen for a potential medical condition that may be causing the student’s learning difficulty. Only with the parent/guardians’ permission will other significant people; such as the pediatrician, school teachers and counselor, and family members, be contacted to provide additional information about the student. However, student’s benefit greatly when all professionals work together in the best interest of the student and the family. Now What? Sometimes tutorial assistance and extra encouragement is all it takes to help a child reach his or her potential. A professional tutoring company with a proven track record of success will let you know as soon as they suspect that additional support is needed. As a parent/guardian, you are your child’s best advocate. Knowledge is power. It is important for parents to be informed so they can then make sound decisions based on facts, rather than suspicion feelings.
I hope this article provides you with the knowledge and insight you need to help your child succeed. If you would like to discuss your child’s academics, ability to experience maximum success in school, and/or whether a psycho-educational battery is warranted, you may contact Carol at carol@totallearningconcepts. com.
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Page 11
Changing My Life with Yoga
I
’ve done an article in the past on Yoga, but it wasn’t personal. It was factual and historical and textbook. It wasn’t a real-life story about how Yoga has completely altered the way I move, sit, eat, communicate, sleep… live.
I still remember my first Yoga instructor training class. It was at Equinox’s mind/ body studio in lower Manhattan with master yoga instructor, Molly Fox, in 1996. The room was packed wall-to-wall with buff and lean fitness instructors and personal trainers all thinking that Yoga was a class where people just laid there and rested and eventually tied themselves up like a pretzel. We were all looking for stretching ideas to use with our personal training clients or students at the end of a high energy, power-packed exercise class. No one expected the challenge to our minds and body that we endured that week of training. I will never forget how hard it was to step onto and off the subway or to climb the steps from the busy city sidewalk up to the Equinox door after two days of Yoga training. My ENTIRE body hurt – from my tiny little dreadlocks to my toenails. For years after that first training class, I treated Yoga like any other exercise class I taught and took. I pushed myself hard, I pushed my students hard, and I looked for the physical challenge in every pose and flowing sequence. Ashtanga Yoga, popularly called Power Yoga, was my style. It moved fast, it held challenging poses, it forced me to do things with my body I wasn’t used to or even able to do. It was purely a physical and mental challenge for me during that hour and a half workout. I was totally missing the point. In 2005, my entire life changed with a relocation from Maryland to Gwinnett County, and my Yoga practice changed with it. Instead of teaching a room full of over-achieving business professionals in a Power Yoga class at a mega-gym in Washington, DC, I started practicing a more gentle, flowing series of moves alone, outside, after a jog on a natural trail. I closed my eyes, heard birds in the trees around me, and felt the sun on my skin. I was aware, present in the moment, and felt something I couldn’t describe at the time. I slowed down, I felt, I listened. I began teaching Yoga at a local community school and eventually opened my own studio. Everything I had done in the prior 12 years of teaching Yoga, I stopped doing. I didn’t push, I didn’t force, I didn’t look for physical success, I didn’t TRY to meditate. I started turning off the lights so no one could see anyone else in the room or me, and I started guiding movements and thoughts with my voice and energy. I verbally encouraged my students and myself through poses, series of movements, deep breathing, and meditation. The result was – and still is - incredible. Yoga has changed the way I make decisions (more patiently and thoughtfully), the way I eat (what’s right and just enough), the way I communicate (listening more objectively and talking less), the way I move (with awareness, tall and erect), the way I see (sometimes with my eyes closed), the way I interact (energetically and thoughtfully). Whether you’re currently taking Yoga or thinking about trying it, allow the experience to stay with you throughout your day, not just in the class or during your session. Let it shine from within you to the world outside. Namaste… Althea Lawton-Thompson, Certified Fitness Expert, is the owner of Aerobics, Yoga & More Fitness Studios in Lilburn, GA & the Fitness Coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Youth Obesity Program in Baltimore, MD. See classes & workshops she offers at www.AYMFitness.com.
Page 12
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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1. Q-Tip 5. Lacks, briefly 10. Alliance 14. 100 centavos 15. Fragrance 16. Apple spray 17. Fertilizer component 18. Clay-like 19. Alliance acronym 20. Change order 22. Punishes, in a way 23. Valley 24. Desires 26. “E pluribus unum,” e.g. 29. Ancient military hub 31. Like some humor 33. ___ roll 34. Pro ___ 38. Diminutive suffix 39. Corpulent 41. Ashtabula’s lake 42. Gabs 43. Bounce 44. More fatuous 46. Selective 49. Sanguine 50. Chinese fruits 53. Kuwaiti, e.g.
55. Ancient Greek theater 56. Breathtaking 61. Novice 62. Directs 63. “I had no ___!” 64. Drudgery 65. “It’s a Wonderful Life” role 66. Marine 67. Flight data, briefly 68. Big Bertha’s birthplace 69. ___ gin fizz
?
Down 1. Cowboy boot attachment 2. “___ #1!” 3. Fishing, perhaps 4. Baylor, for one 5. Sanctioned by Islamic law 6. Is repentant 7. Alone 8. I.d.’s 9. “Don’t give up!” 10. Poor countries 11. Grassy plain 12. Like Cheerios 13. Angry
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21. Doctor Who villainess, with “the” 22. Computer monitor, for short 25. Exhorted 26. Easter flower 27. “Mi chiamano Mimi,” e.g. 28. Honky-___ 30. Henhouse sounds 32. Small salmon 35. Bone-dry 36. 20-20, e.g. 37. Ethereal 40. Sports teams enthusiasts 45. Face-to-face exam 47. Biddy 48. Gangster 50. Singer Lenya 51. Dostoyevsky novel, with “The” 52. CeO2 54. In heaven 57. ___ Christian Andersen 58. “American ___” 59. “I, Claudius” role 60. Be slack-jawed 62. Idol winner, 2010
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RELATIONSHIPS
Month of May (MOM)
W
hat do you think of when you think of May? How about warm weather, the end of school year or flowers? How about little known holidays like No Diet Day(May 6), No Socks Day (May 8), Clean up your room day (May 10) and No dirty Dishes Day (May 18)? Some of these little known days actually relate to the most popular holiday in May - Mothers day. Celebrated in the US on the second Sunday in May, it is common for Mothers to be shown appreciation from their families, friends and loved ones.
Is it tougher to be a mom today than it was 20-30 years ago? According to a study published in 2007 by Pew Research, 70% of the people surveyed said that it is tougher, especially for moms, to be a parent today. The biggest challenges facing parents today sited in the study was morals and discipline (31%) and societal factors (38%). Included in the societal factors are the influences through technology such as the internet. Since the internet was not widely available to the public until after 1990, dealing with the benefits and problems it presents is unique to today’s moms and dads. Parents, including moms, need to teach their children life skills, good study habits and responsibility to prepare them for adulthood. In this modern world, moms also must be up on the latest technology. They have
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to know how to text, participate in social networking, and blog while safeguarding their children who are doing the same. For teens these sites can be a positive experience as they maintain contact with their peer group or express their emotions. However, strangers can find private or personal information about children and families from the same sites. Just posting an exact birthday can be used to predict the digits on a social security number, based on a 2009 study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon. In fact just recently in the news, Xbox was used to lure a 14 year-old boy into giving out an email and password in exchange for Microsoft points for use with the Xbox. Once the information was given the hacker was able to get credit card information and charged $500 on that card for movies and videos. So what can a mom do? According to CafeMom.com there are several things a mom can do. l Educate yourself about the sites your children are using. What are the privacy policy and content monitoring practices? l Explain to your children that the information posted on-line may be very hard if not impossible to take down. In the news recently in Douglas County GA two students were suspended and one student was
expelled because of negative comments posted online about a teacher. l Review your child’s profile or blog. Make sure no last names, phone numbers, addresses or birth dates (or any information that might be used to identify or locate your child) are posted there. In general, don’t post content or pictures you wouldn’t want to have on a billboard in the town where you live. l Talk about these issues. Teach your children to be a bit more suspicious. If something seems too good to be true it probably is. Also, people pretend to be someone they are not on the internet all the time. Tell your children to bring anything that makes them uncomfortable to your attention. Kathy Perkins is a co-owner of Shred-Green an Atlanta shredding company offering secure document destruction and storage. Shred-Green is committed to environmental responsibility, recycling all shreds and using state-of-the art, energy-efficient shredding equipment. For more information, visit www. shredgreen.com.
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Page 15
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BUSINESS
It’s All About Communications By Ryan T. Sauers
Have you ever noticed that the words communications (plural) and communication are used interchangeably? You might ask yourself – what is the difference of a simple “s” at the end? Well, there is a lot of difference!
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To begin with, successful communications only occur when what is being expressed by the sender is clearly received and understood by the receiver. If someone says they are a good communicator, yet most people cannot understand what the individual has written or said, the fact of the matter is, that person is not an adept communicator and has failed in his/her communications attempt. It’s easy to observe this lack of communications during negotiations, times of stress, or when people are upset. During these times, one side tends to think the vantage point they are coming from “is right” and that the other side’s point of view “is wrong.” Of course, neither of these two sides is 100% right or wrong. By definition, communications is a two-way (give and take) process. When a lack of communications occurs, in any aspect of life, bad things tend to follow. Thus, if you observe “one way and stifled communication” instead of “healthy and free flowing communications”... you are witnessing an unhealthy situation. Manytime, this is because one side is not listening to the other and is instead, focused on what s/he is going to say next. Another example is when one side is so focused on being “right” that s/he will not even listen long enough to ponder or reflect on what the other party is trying to share. It’s important to point out that great communicators are those that possess a strong set of listening skills. The two go hand in hand. Listening skills, as they relate to the communications process, are many times overlooked; but as the old saying goes, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listening skills are very powerful. When successful communications occur, all parties can readily explain what has been communicated. This communications process is vital in every aspect of life unless you live in a cave by yourself. We all communicate in different ways and have preferences for the types of communications we like the best. If you are a “right handed communicator” you prefer right handed communications whereas the opposite is true if you are a “left handed” communicator.
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Ryan T. Sauers is President/CMO of Sauers Consulting Strategies. He has a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership; is a Certified Meyers Briggs Practitioner and is a Certified Marketing Executive. His company is in the business of growing small business. It consults in the areas of sales performance, marketing strategies, and leadership development. For more info on how we can be of service please visit www.ryansauersblog.com or www.sauersconsulting.com
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PET PAGE
PETS OF THE MONTH
Children and Dogs: Overcoming Fear (copyright 2010 Cathy Bruce) read a great blog article the other day about sociopaths and the supposition that their fear systems develop too late to have a positive impact. It was surprising to me to learn that the average time frame that a child’s fear system is supposed to develop is by age two. The psychiatrist who wrote this article also discussed how “children are supposed to use their loving relationships to cope with their fears.” I think this is a wonderful way to think in general terms about how to deal with fears in children AND dogs. In this follow up article to “Children and Dogs: The Balancing Act” we will again look at similarities in dealing with fear behavior in children and dogs, as well as explore fears that children have of dogs and vice versa.
I
Colleen Pelar, author of “Kids and Dogs: A Professional’s Guide to Helping Families” states “fear is primal and powerful, so simply telling a fearful child to stop worrying doesn’t help.” Yet, how often does the average mom or dad of a child or dog take this approach? I was reminded of taking my five year old son Thomas to see the new Disney “Tangled” movie based on the story of Rapunzel last month. I had a suspicion that my son’s experience would be disastrous, but my husband really wanted to take him, so off we went. We got great seats, smack in the middle of the theatre, and by the time the previews were over the entire theatre audience was packed in like sardines. Sitting in front of us were two of my son’s friends from pre-school and I remembered thinking to myself “oh, they are actually younger than Thomas, so we’ll probably be okay.” We were okay, until the last 30 minutes of the movie when my son turned to me crying “I want to go home.” It was the combination of the evil characters trying to capture the heroine, the music building and getting louder and the large visual screen of excitement that threw my son over the edge. The point was, he was not only over stimulated, he was afraid and in that moment the decision had to be made, do we stay for the last 30 minutes and try and push through the fear, or do we leave? I must admit that I used the “talking him down off the ledge” approach. I explained to him that as in all Disney films, the bad guys would not win and the hero would save the day….and added that if he was still scared he could put his face in my jacket and not watch. While this approach got us through the end of the movie, the reality was that neither my son nor I had a good time and had we been at the end of a row where we could have slipped out of the theatre easily we would have. Now let’s say I had tried this same tactic with my thunder phobic dog. No amount of trying to talk her down off the ledge would have worked, and yet I see so many clients who try and do this with their fearful dogs. I see two problems with this, the first being the obvious fact that the dogs do not speak English so no amount of rationalizing is going to help the dog overcome its fear. Secondly, no amount of talking or empathizing with words is going to alter the chemical change that occurs in the dog’s brain when they become afraid.
Neely is a 7-year-old mutt who is always sweet and playful! He was rescued from the woods at 3 months old along with 7 brothers and sisters. He sleeps a lot and likes to be lazy around the house! Neely is a great pet!
Kyley is a 2-year-old tabby cat who loves: eating, sleeping, playing, and snuggling. She’s very lazy and can get a little crabby, but when she’s done sleeping, it’s time to play! She’s a great family pet!
SEND IN YOUR PET FOR “PET OF THE MONTH!” Send to: PO BOX 644 Snellville, GA 30078 or life@ourtownmag.org
We can see there are similarities and differences in dealing with fears in dogs and in children. I will close with my top five tips to help our owner parents deal with fears in children and in dogs: 1.
Never ask the dog or child to “ignore” the stimulus they are afraid of
2.
Have a basic understanding of the physiological reality of what is going on in the dog or child’s brain
3.
Use classical conditioning and building positive associations to help the dog or child overcome its fear (a great resource is Rise VanFleet’s article “The Emotional Dog” Jan/Feb 2011 Chronicle)
4.
Understand that verbal rationalizing against the fear can sometimes work with a child but never a dog
5.
Remember that deep seated fears in both children and in dogs can take a long time to heal and much patience is required
Always remember especially if your client is a brand new dog owner who has children to outline these basic similarities in dealing with fear in their child and in their dog, but also point out that there are important differences to remember as well. Let us also help our clients to better facilitate children AND dogs to utilize their loving relationships with their owner parents to help them overcome their fears. References Wise, Jeff (2009) Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger Palgrave MacMillan, New York VanFleet, Rise (Jan/Feb 2011) article “The Emotional Dog” The APDT Chronicle of the Dog
Nancy Churchill, DVM n Pam Zaidspiner, DVM n Bill Connolly, DVM Brad Harris, DVM n Kathleen Diehl, DVM n Kathryn Padgett, DVM n Pat Zook, DVM
Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA is on the Board of Directors for APDT. She owns and operates Canine Country Academy LLC outside of Atlanta, GA where she teaches group classes and private lessons. She is also the founder of the GA Dog Trainer forum, a professional network organization of fifty plus dog trainers around the Atlanta area.
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Page 17
RecipeS Garden Fresh Fritatta Makes: 6 servings Prep time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes Pan spray 1 cup diced zucchini 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes or drained canned tomatoes ¾ cup diced red or yellow onion ¼ cup diced red bell pepper 1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups egg whites 1 cup 2% fat milk ½ cup low fat cottage cheese ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese ½ cup part skim milk mozzarella cheese ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Preheat oven to 350*F and spray a 9x13 baking dish with pan spray. Spray a large deep sauté pan with pan spray and heat on medium heat. Add the zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir the vegetables constantly so that soften and release their natural oils being careful not to let them brown. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool thoroughly. While the vegetables are cooling, combine the eggs, milk, cheeses, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Mix the cooled vegetables to the egg mixture and once mixed pour into the baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes and allow the Garden Fresh Fritatta to set at least 5 minutes before cutting. It can be served hot or room temperature.
Warm Berry Compote Makes: 4 cups Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes 1 pint fresh or frozen raspberries 1 pint fresh or frozen blueberries 1 cup fresh cranberries ½ cup sugar ¾ cup fresh squeezed orange juice 1 teaspoon orange zest ¾ cup water 4 teaspoons lemon juice 1 pinch sea salt Combine all the ingredients into a medium-sized, heavy bottom sauce pan. Using medium heat, bring the berry mixture up to the first boil and then reduce to a simmer. Stirring occasionally, simmer the mixture until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens; about 15 minutes. You can adjust sweetness of the Warm Berry Compote by adding additional orange juice or sugar. Serve with Whole Wheat ‘Sugar and Spice’ Waffles.
Recipe provided by: Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Please free to contact Chef Jennifer at: www.yourResidentgourmet.com www.ChefJenniferBooker@gmail.com
Page 18
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