The Current Hub aug. 14 edition by The CurrentHub

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August 2014

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this issue...

H E A LT H

presented by North Fulton Hospital pages 19-22

INS & OUTS OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT p20

NORTH FULTON HOSPITAL OFFERS FREE SKIN SCREENINGS p22

ENTERTAINMENT

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES? p6 LIFE

OUR PURSUIT OF LONGEVITY p12 FOOD

DOING GOOD WITH ICE CREAM p34 An All Encompassing Approach To Wellness

Read our story on page 18.

Conversations start here.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BACK-TO-SCHOOL ISSUE

What’s in

TURNING BULLIES INTO PEACEMAKERS A hard partying local kid grows into a man for international peace. p24

PLUS: EXPLAINING GEORGIA’S NEW SCHOOL RATINGS p29

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PUBLISHERS

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SALES & BUSINESS

Steve Kammann steve@thecurrenthub.com

Gina Smith gina@thecurrentplus.com

David Wright david@thecurrentplus.com

Ed Morris Marketing Coordinator

EDITORIAL & CREATIVE

Carrie Kutney Art Director & Casting Coordinator carrie@thecurrentplus.com

Michelle Thompson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Di Chapman Jessica Diamond Michael Finch Michael Hadden Matt Quinn Karen Ryan (photography) Stacy Swiger Nancy Wallace Main Phone Number 770-810-5943 Calendar Events events@thecurrentplus.com

Our Mission: The CurrentHub aspires to communicate in a way thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s useful, engaging, enjoyable, and unique. We strive to reflect the full range of what the area has to offer, also advocating positions that strengthen unity and continuity.

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>>NOT SKYLAB

>>SPOKEN WORD

Starlab

Story SLAM: School Ties

August 10 1 – 2 p.m.

August 18

Join the Roswell Cultural Arts Center for a new Story SLAM series. Each event has a theme. Each event has a bar. Each event offers ten lucky storytellers the opportunity to dazzle us with their truths in five minutes or less. This event takes place on Aug. 18 at 6:30 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center located at 950 Forrest Street in Roswell.

Come watch the full moon rise in the east and set over the western horizon in CNC’s portable planetarium. You’ll see the night sky just as it will be that night so you can test your knowledge and continue exploring long after you’ve left the center! Learn how to locate the North Star, the Big Dipper and other famous constellations. At The Chattahoochee Nature Center.

>>A CULINARY ROAD TRIP

>>THINK…

Get A Taste of Kennesaw

Out of the Box: The Musical

September 6 Looking for some culinary adventure? How about taking a short drive to Kennesaw for their taste fest. This is a great way for your family to sample more than 30 local restaurants from the Kennesaw and Cobb County area. Who doesn’t like to eat? The event takes place on Sat. Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Kennesaw. The Main Street entertainment stage will have local entertainment all day and culminate with a concert at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a beer garden that will feature the acoustic sounds of Scott Thompson from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For the kids there will be an enormous Kids Zone with interactive inflatables featuring the 33' Shark Slide, Euro Bungee Quad Jump, 24' Rockwall, 120' Roller Coaster Obstacle Course, and much more.

>>LOL!

How About A Good Laugh?

August 15 - 17 Bert Kreisher will be performing at The Punchline in Sandy Springs. Bert rose to comedy heights by being named as the “Number One Partier in The Nation” by Rolling Stone Magazine in 1997. Oliver Stone optioned the rights to his life, book deals were offered, and a local Florida radio station (having read Bert’s quip about wanting to become a comic) put together a comedy showcase with Bert as the headliner. The rest is history. He appears on Aug. 15 through the 17. For more information visit www.punchline.com.

August 30 8 p.m. Out of the Box encompasses a journey of self-exploration and true identity for those who have been isolated in this world. Throughout time it is evident that power, intimidation, and fearmongering are tools used to dominate. With lots of laughter, realization, and ground-breaking harmonies, the show invites the audience to travel along with a young man, Daniel, as he learns that it is not about what you are, but who you are that truly matters. RCAC is located at 950 Forrest Street in Roswell.

Summer Ends Big At Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Mötley Crüe was one of the most influential hair metal bands of the ‘80s. By combining Alice Cooper’s shock rock with the bluesy, metallic stomp of the New York Dolls and Aerosmith, they helped establish hair metal as a commercial genre. They hit the stage on Aug. 16. Old Crow Medicine Show will perform on Aug. 22. Old Crow Medicine Show got its start busking on street corners in New York state and up through Canada, winning audiences along the way with its boundless energy and spirit. And two nights later, country superstar Keith Urban will perform on Aug. 24.

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Full Service CPA & Financial Planning

• Financial Planning

• Income Tax Preparation

• Income Tax Audits/Notices

• Monthly Accounting

• New Business Start up • Non-profit assistance

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Currentchoices >>HOW ABOUT SOME BLUES?

Composer and Bluesman George Price at The Velvet Note

August 15 7:30pm & 9:30pm With over 40 years as a paid performer, George Price is the consummate variety artist. With a nearly photographic musical memory his songs range from Jimi Hendrix to Duke Ellington, from ancient spirituals to East Bay funk, Otis Redding to John Mayer, Grand Funk to Green Day and all points in between, plus original material in several genres. The Velvet Note is located at 4075 Old Milton Pkwy. in Alpharetta.

>>FOR THE KIDS

Touch a Truck

Saturday August 23 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every child’s imagination will soar as they explore the parking lot filled with trucks of all shapes and sizes including a fire truck, limo, dump truck, school bus, 18-wheeler and police vehicles! Kids can bounce around in inflatables, participate in all kinds of interactive games, watch animal balloons be made and get their face painted. At Wills Park in Alpharetta.

>>ACTING!

Marietta Players Present: “August: Osage County”

August 22 to 31 A play by Tracy Letts, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY looks at the lives of the strongwilled women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. This play contains adult language and situations. At Theatre in the Square located at 11 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta. Show times vary visit www.mariettaplayers.com for more details.

Keep up with what’s going on at thecurrenthub.com The events calendar is updated every Thursday!

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ENTERTAINMENT (

6 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

BEAT THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES

The 10th Annual Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ will be held Sunday, Aug. 24 on the Roswell Square from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. By Jessica Diamond

Summer’s end carries with it the potential for back-toschool blues. The big vacation is over and the only things on your calendar include shopping for school supplies and stocking up on coffee for the upcoming early mornings. The best remedy for this particular ailment is to keep your calendar bright with fun new excursions to keep you looking forward! Not from around here? Or maybe you are and you’re looking to make a few new friends. Since 1970, The Alpharetta / Roswell Newcomers’ Club has been making the transition to living in these growing cities a little bit easier, a little bit smoother, and a little bit friendlier. With everything from book clubs to cooking classes, theater to Atlanta adventures, the Club promotes the many cultural, social, and civic benefits of living in Roswell and Alpharetta. Their first meeting of the season will be held August 20 at 10 a.m. in the Roswell Area and Park Rec Center. The New American Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta is presenting The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) August 14 – 24. If you feel you are the sort of person who could only stand one Shakespearean show in a lifetime, this is the one you should jump on. Why? Three actors, in the span of just two hours, will perform abridged versions of all 37 plays and 154 sonnets. You will get a crash course in all things Shakespeare, which will come in handy at your next trivia night, and you will understand every word. That is, you will understand everything you can hear, so you will have to attempt to control big belly laughs and rogue snorts. You are definitely going to laugh. This highly

7 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

clever and wickedly funny show can make even the most Shakespeare adverse into Bard lovers. Book your tickets before they’re gone. It’s one of the world’s happiest fundraisers, and it’s back! The 10th Annual Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ will be held Sunday, Aug. 24 on the Roswell Square from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sample more than 100 different flavors of fresh, homemade ice cream while enjoying live music and sending the kids off to the Kid’s Korner to unleash their sugar rush. There is a small entry fee, $6 per person, and proceeds go to support The Drake House. The wonderful people at The Drake House work to provide housing and support for homeless mothers and children in the area. Where else is ice cream indulgence going to be so philanthropic? Bring the whole family and stuff your face! Those who know hardly need reminding that the weekend of Aug 28 – 31 is the highly anticipated pop culture convention Dragon Con. I’ve already spoken with several people who have been preparing their costumes, and their adrenal glands, since last year’s event. This is certainly a good weekend to be in Atlanta. Even if you don’t make it in to the convention, as tickets are particularly difficult to come by this close to the event, you’ll benefit from hanging around nearby. This is some of the best people watching you will ever do, and those in attendance are eager to be seen in all of their fictional glory! What’s more, you stand a decent chance of seeing a big name celebrity or two wandering around downtown. Get excited! Anyone who saw the movie Chocolat has had the romantic daydream about leaving it all behind and becoming a chocolatier or a pastry chef, traveling the world with every girl’s real best friend: chocolate. The reality is considerably more competitive and impressively more delicious. Pastry Live 2014 is a three day event that draws top pastry chefs to Atlanta to compete, learn, and share their craft. Whether you’re a chef, a student or just someone who appreciates good dessert, you will not want to miss the invaluable seminars or the high stakes Dragon Con brings out the inner child in us all. competitions. Johnny Depp probably won’t be there, but the real star of that movie will be. And that chocolate will be looking better than ever. The event runs from Aug. 24 – 26. Check the event website www.pastrylive.com for ticket options. Summer doesn’t have to end when the school bell rings. There is plenty of sunshine left to enjoy and more than enough entertainment to keep the summertime excitement burning. If we play our cards right, we can keep up the summertime vibe all the way to Thanksgiving!Knowing our Georgia weather, we will probably still be in flip-flops around then anyway.

ARTS

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

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THE TRUTH ABOUT FUNDING THE ARTS Georgia ranks dead last in per capita spending on the arts.

Rosco Bandana, appearing at Riverside Sounds in September, is a prime example of arts funding that appeals to a wide audience.

Theater $85,000 to produce Camelot. A season of Riverside Sounds Imagine a world without theatre, Concerts cost $60,000. Without priconcerts, entertainment and public vate sector giving, events like these art! It would be drab and oh so locally and across the country would boring. cease to exist. We love arts and culture but rarely Congress established the National give any thought to how much these Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in treasures, large or small cost or how 1965 as an independent federal they get funded. agency and the designated arts organIt is a misconception that ization of the U.S. government. The government provides the majority of NEA is the largest single funder of arts funding. Only 6.7% comes from the arts across America. Along with local, state, and federal dollars other federal agencies, they support combined. Each U.S. citizen public TV/Radio, libraries, museums, contributes the cost of one postage and performance venues, as well as stamp in taxes to support national military bands and entertainment. arts programs. The NEA’s $146 million budget for a For arts organizations to survive, country of more than 300 million yet alone thrive, they depend on two people ($.46 per capita ) is a paltry unpredictable revenue sources. sum compared to other countries Earned income (ticket sales, etc.) and (Wales, $17.80, England $13.54, private sector gifts and grants. OneCanada $5.19). third of arts groups operated with a The NEA is required to apportion deﬁcit last year. funds to any state with an established It cost the Georgia Ensemble By Rochelle Mucha

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Artist Spotlight Devin Hunter Exhibit An exhibit by Kennesaw student Devin Hunter runs all month long at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. His artistic styles include abstract, impressionism, realism, surrealism and landscape art. The exhibition is on display throughout the month during business hours and is free to the public. RCAC is located at 950 Forrest St. in Roswell.

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

arts agency. Consequently, nearly every state has an Small private foundations give significant amounts and address unmet community needs. ArtsPlace, a arts agency to achieve eligibility. Some states have identified creative revenue solutions like hotel-motel collaboration of 10 leading foundations and six national banks granted $11.5 million in 2011 toward and fractional taxes and cultural districting. creative placemaking across the U.S. In 2008, Minnesota raised its sales tax GEORGIA Almost three quarters of corporate giving by nearly a third of a percent as part of a HAS THE comes from smaller companies with constitutional amendment to secure arts DUBIOUS revenues of less than $50 million, most funding. Their fund of $52 million for a going to local arts organizations. population of five million easily outspends HONOR OF Crowd-funding is an innovative grass per capita on the arts than the federal gov- BEING DEAD roots term used to describe collective ernment. San Francisco’s Hotel Tax Fund, LAST IN efforts of individuals who network to pool established in 1961, has fueled tourism FUNDING financial support for organizations. with more than $300 million over five decades. In 1988, the Denver metro area THE ARTS AT Typically, these are small donations made through an online platform. Kickstarter created the Scientific and Cultural SIX CENTS raised $283 million for nearly 29,000 Facilities District, which has distributed PER CAPITA! has creative projects. The Arts & Science over $38 million to local organizations each year via the 0.1 percent retail sales and use tax. Council of Charlotte, NC launched Power2Give.org, Georgia has the dubious honor of being dead last which has to date fully funded 37 arts organizations projects. in funding the arts at $.06 per capita! Thriving arts communities are economically and Declining public funding creates an urgency for socially robust. They activate our public places and private sector dollars. are magnets for entrepreneurs who in turn attract Individual donors provide the lion’s share of customers, workers, and visitors. support across the country, and on average, give There is no debate on the value of funding the more to arts than corporations and government entiarts. Government funding for the arts is sound finanties combined. Americans donated approximately cial policy. The problem in the United States is that $13 billion in 2011 and 1.3 million adults there isn’t enough of it. volunteered a total of 65 million hours at an Activating private sector giving is essential if a city estimated value of more than $1.6 billion. wants spaces that attract top talent, advance The top ten institutions contribute millions and tourism, public art and more. account for 48 percent of foundation arts funding.

10 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

BIG NAMES HIGHLIGHT NEW LIVE! SERIES Roswell Cultural Arts Center will host Shawn Mullins among others. By Tripp Liles The Roswell Cultural Arts Center is continuing to build its brand as the place to go for national named acts. Long noted as a great performance space, the RCAC has for the past four years been looking to increase their presence not only in Roswell but in the north metro area. The venue seats over 600 people and has long been home to the Georgia Ensemble Theater but is capable of so much more. “Roswell is still our biggest audience but we are deﬁnitely interested in people from East Cobb and neighboring communities to join us,” said Sarah Chandler, Coordinator at the RCAC. “When we have acts like Shawn Mullins we’ll pull from a wide area but we feel this is a great entertainment venue not just for Roswell but the whole area.” This month, the series kicksoff with a performance by Holly Williams. Hailing from one of the most famous lineages in American music, this granddaughter of Hank Williams, Sr., and daughter of Hank Williams, Jr., makes her own identity evident on her third studio album, The Highway. In October The Hunts take the stage. The Hunts are an indie-folkbluegrass band driven by a passion for creating compelling music. These seven brothers and sisters bring to the stage an amazing chemistry and powerful presence rounded out with crisp harmonies. The year ends with a special Christmas show on Dec. 20. Irish Christmas in America is a hugely popular show now in its 10th season, and features top Irish music, song, and dance in an engaging performance rich in history, humor, and boundless energy. This familyfriendly event features Irish ballads, lively instrumental tunes, and thrilling Irish dancing. In 2015 the series continues with

Shawn Mullins three performances that begin with Ruthie Foster on Feb. 7. Two-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster brings her blend of soul, blues, rock, folk, and gospel to Roswell. With a strong, clear and impossibly soulful voice, Foster excels at richly textured music painted in blues and has been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin. In May the Dirty Bourbon Rover Show sails into town. Since forming in early 2009, the Dirty Bourbon River Show has brought their blend of “New Orleans Gypsy Brass Circus Rock” all over the United States. Dirty Bourbon River Show pushes the boundaries of modern-day music, with its quintet of highly versed multi-instrumentalists utilizing a multitude of instruments. The series comes to a close with a special performance with local legend Shawn Mullins. This Grammy nominated Atlanta-based singer-songwriter has undergone a series of transformative experiences leading to this captivating new song cycle. He recently found himself atop the country charts as co-writer of Zac Brown Band’s “Toes,” making it his third #1 single, following 1999’s “Lullaby” and the 2006 Triple A/Americana chart-topper “Beautiful Wreck.” For info on the whole series and great ticket discounts visit www.roswelllive.com.

12 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

LIFE

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AHH.... OUR PURSUIT OF LONGEVITY Where art thou, oh Fountain of Youth? By Di Chapman

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Di “Vanity” Chapman. My life is a quest for the Fountain of Youth, although my attempts to find it are often superficial. If there’s a “new and improved” way to ward off at least the appearance of aging, I’m there. I seek ways to transform the “bat wings” that are now my upper arms, and to hoist my sagging jaw line. I try to perfect the chest fly to defy gravity in my bustline. Got a new method for lifting a butt? I’m there, and I’m not the only one. Men and women both drive the 14.6 million medical cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures performed annually in the U.S. Yes, men have come of age. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that male breast reduction procedures increased 5% in 2013. We’re all getting noses, guts, and faces tweaked, sucked, and lifted. We boomers have even created destination medical spas for these enhancements in Central America, Asia, and Island countries. Have your facelift on Monday, hit the poolside chair on Wednesday, hang out for another week for observation, and head home looking like new. Mimosas with your bandages, anyone? The Europeans have had medical spas for centuries, featuring their hot springs and curative muds. In the 1980s, I found an Italian resort and spa in Italy for pampering and relaxation. After a visit with a doctor reviewing why I had come to the resort, I was put on a daily regimen of mud body treatments, massages, and facials. I was taken into the basement spa where sturdy women scooped hot mud from the ground, plastered it all over me, and wrapped me tightly into what appeared to be painter’s cloths. It was definitely

Di “Vanity” Chapman

weird, but the effect transformed my brainwaves. With massages, facials and dips in the hot springs, I’d found the Fountain of Youth or, at the very least, nirvana. My self-absorption drives me to pounce on anti-aging strategies, but I know there is more to the ride to longevity. When that Continues on p14

Attentive Care provides exceptional assistance delivered with love.

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

THE MOST IMPORTANT CARE FOR ALL GENERATIONS The lives of seniors needing

SPONSORED CONTENT

Broadly speaking the term “wellness” means a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit. Socrates, several centuries ago, stated "health is the greatest of human blessings." Finding that balance is the key to gaining an overall feeling of well-being. It starts with an individual taking a proactive approach to life and making smart choices to a happier life. Simply put, it’s a view that emphasizes the entire state of being and its ongoing development. Nationwide there are a multitude of cottage industries built around a healthier lifestyle. They range from weight loss centers to gyms to chiropractors and even nutritionists. Dealing with so many different entities can be expensive and even confusing. Who should you trust? At the Wellness Centers of America they care about the well being of you and your family. They offer a multitude of programs all under one roof that are geared to give you greater enjoyment of life that comes with having the ability to play with your kids and grandkids or just experiencing a more active lifestyle. “This is about a lifestyle choice,” said June Rondinone, Director of PR for Wellness Centers of America. “We have all of this in one building and we work together as a team. Each of our disciplines works for an individual’s well-being.”

They do this with the Pillars of Wellness: 1. Nutrition/Weight Loss/Lifestyle changes - It all starts here, the cornerstone of wellness, proper nutrition for a lifetime is critical for healthy weight and a healthy you. Almost 95% of all dieters fail because proper nutrition includes lifestyle changes. 2. Personal Training - the right exercises for your specific goals, eliminating inefficient and timewasting exercises while developing a regimen that you can use for your lifetime. 3. Massage - Relaxing and therapeutic massages help lower blood pressure and relieve stress. 4. Chiropractic Care - Enhancing range and flexibility while reducing back and neck pain. 5. Doctor-ordered Vitamins & Supplements - Essential to maximize your body's potential, for your lifetime including condition-based kits to address conditions like stress, high blood pressure, diabetes and 31 other health conditions ‘naturally’. 6. Fat Cavitation, a new, revolutionary fat removal technology that provides immediate results with no discomfort, pain or side effects. 7. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provides greater absorption of oxygen throughout your body tissues for improved strength, energy and endurance, concentration, memory and promotes healing and anti-aging Reduced fatigue and improved sleepContinues on p38

health&wellness presented by North Fulton Hospital

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF By Debbie Keel This is my annual column about all the women in our community (excluding me, of course) who don’t watch out for their own health (that’s you, of course). If you are a man, don’t stop reading here because what could concern you more than the health of your mother, wife, girlfriend, or daughter? Yes, these are the same people who run around after others (like the men and children in their lives) haranguing (yes, you might call it nagging) them about everything from their childhood immunizations to their prostate exam. That’s our job —always has been and probably always will be. But it’s also our job to care for ourselves and that is something we often don’t get around to doing. So at North Fulton Hospital, we thought if we made it easy, accessible all in one place and then gave it a catchy name, the women of our community might do the right thing by themselves in terms of their health. (And it could partially be because the hospital’s entire senior management team is, accidentally, all female—so we talk about this stuff a lot.) Women much more clever than me named it Check Up For Chicks. Originally, North Fulton Hospital’s Check Up For Chicks program was designed to help women focus on getting

their mammograms without fearing the results. We got the most up to date screening equipment, hired a phenomenal nurse navigator to run our breast program and were fortunate enough to lure one of the finest fellowshiptrained female breast surgeons, Dr. Laura Rivers Pearson, to our program. It’s been a tremendously successful outreach in the effort to get women to early screenings and consequently wage early attacks on breast cancer. Now we are expanding the program to include pelvic cancers and total women’s health. Now you have one hospital with one goal: to remind women to make their health a priority and get their screenings. Along with Dr. Pearson, we have added Dr. Margaret Ellison, an outstanding gyn/oncologist, to serve patients with a gyn cancer diagnosis. She joins several other gynecologists on our staff, many who, like her, perform minimally invasive gyn surgery using da Vinci robotic technology. Check Up For Chicks will also soon include a whole array of physician and hospital services dedicated to pelvic health including urinary incontinence and uterine fibroids. We have screenings and solutions for those things, too, and especially fine physicians like Dr. Curt Misko and Dr. Boyd Byrd, who can deal with them. But more on that later. Just remember, if you’re a Chick (don’t be insulted by that term—may not be politically correct but it is cute!), get a Check Up!

North Fulton Hospital Community Calendar Aug–Oct 2014 SUPPORT GROUPS

Please contact Tim for more information at 770-667-9363.

WomenHeart Support Group

Lupus Support Group

Second Tuesday of every month, 7:30 p.m., Classroom C. The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease brings support and education to women who are at risk or who already have heart disease. Call Rebecca at 770 658-4796 or email WHFultonCo@womenheart.org.

Third Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Classroom C. Informal meetings to share experiences and learn from others. Guest speakers occasionally present and we also participate in some Lupus Foundation of America events. Contact Julie for more info 404-626-2394, lupusgroup4roswell@gmail.com

Ostomy Support Group Third Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m., Classroom C. This group is open to anyone who has or will have an ostomy and any friends, family or supporters. The meeting structure is informal with group discussion and guest speakers to be scheduled at various times throughout the year. Call John Dorso at 678-6948726 to register or to obtain more information. . There will be no meetings in July or August but will resume September 13.

Caring, Sharing, & Learning: Breast Cancer Support Group Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6 p.m. Cope and connect with others who are facing the same struggles. Please call Micah Brown, RN, Breast Health Nurse Navigator, at 770-751-2556 for location and to register.

Look Good, Feel Better Wednesday, 9/10. 10 a.m. to noon. A cosmetologist will discuss how to care for skin and hair to combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Free make-up and skin care products are provided. Call 1-800-227-2345 to register.

Epilepsy Support Group The third Wednesday of every month, 7-9pm Classroom A/B. People with epilepsy as well as their family and care-providers are invited to attend this support group. The meetings will provide time for attendees to share helpful information and resources from their own experiences. Educational presentations by professionals will sometimes be offered.

coping techniques for labor support. $100 per couple; registration required.

Water Birth Thursday 8/14, 8/28, 9/11, 9/25, 10/9, and 10/23. 7:00 p.m. For couples desiring to learn about the option of a water birth delivery. Completion of the class is required to be considered for water birth at NFH. $30.00 per couple; registration required. Call 770- 751-2660 for more information and to register.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Maternity Tours

American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR*

SPECIAL EVENTS

Please join one of our Women’s Health nurses in the hospital Babysitting Workshop atrium on alternating Tuesdays at Saturday 8/2. and 9/27. 4 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday 10/19 for a guided tour of the Labor and 1-5:30 p.m. Teaches children Delivery suites, Mother/Baby ages 11–14 how to be prepared Unit and the Neonatal ICU. The and responsible babysitters. Bring tour last approximately one hour. a doll or stuffed animal and a sack Please call 770-751-2660 for the lunch and drink. $30. schedule and to register.

Saturday 8/9, 9/13, and 10/25. CPR course for the community. Adult and child CPR, 9 a.m. to noon; $35 Adult, child and infant CPR, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $45

Healthcare Provider CPR* Saturday 8/23. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CPR course for healthcare professionals. $55

Diabetes SelfManagement Workshop Saturday 8/23, 9/27 and 10/25. The Diabetes Association of Atlanta (DAA) offers classes at North Fulton Hospital to teach diabetes self-management skills. Call Katie at 404-527-7180 for more information and to register.

Childbirth Preparation Saturday, 8/16, 9/20 and 10/18. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Active class consisting of both lecture and discussion/sharing. Topics include anatomy and physiology; nutrition and fitness; discomforts of pregnancy; stages of labor and what to expect; cesarean birth; medications; possible complications; postpartum care; and comfort, relaxation, breathing and

Just Yell Fire SelfDefense for Teen Girls Saturday 9/6; 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Girls 11 and older.Teen girls face a high risk of violence from strangers, acquaintances and dating partners. This single session self-defense class will teach your daughter how to take ownership of her personal safety and defend herself against an attacker. For more information and to register, visit www. revvedupkids.com or call 678-526-3335. $35

Power of Pink Saturday, 9/27; Check-In starts at 6:00 p.m. This year’s Power of Pink will include our Survivor Fashion Show and a Casino Night. For information about sponsorships or tickets, call 770-751-2867.

20 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

t’s 9:15 in the morning, and the nurses, techs, and

physicians in North Fulton Hospital’s Emergency Department, frequently referred to as the ED, are quickly but quietly moving about, caring for patients. We’ve all seen those shows on television about the emergency room, so we know what’s going on here, right? Perhaps not. Let’s ask the nurses, doctors, and maybe even a patient some of the questions that are on the top of our minds when we realize that a trip to the hospital might be necessary, or when we’re waiting (and waiting some more) to be seen. How do I know whether I should go to the ED or wait until my doctor’s ofﬁce is open? You remember those moments, the ones where you realized that a trip to the ED might be necessary, and your worry starts to increase. In most instances, there is also a moment of pause, where we wonder if we should wait until a doctor’s ofﬁce is open or if we should go ahead and make a trip to the hospital. Jenny Branton, RN has been a nurse in North Fulton Hospital’s ED for three and a half years, and she has seen patients with all kinds of complaints enter the department. “Please don’t hesitate to come to the emergency room if you are having chest pain, stroke symptoms, or belly

HEALTH

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The Ins And Outs Of The

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT pain,” said Jenny. “Also, because chest pain and any symptoms of a brain injury are very urgent, they justify the need for an ambulance. Not only can the paramedics begin treatment as soon as they reach you, but they remain in contact with us from the time they reach you so that we are fully prepared to continue your treatment when you arrive.” But what if the ailment is something less serious, like a laceration or possibly a broken bone? Dr. Kristin Halligan has been an emergency medicine physician for 7 years. She advises that open skin

wounds be seen by a physician within the first 6 hours after the injury, and that if you fear a broken bone, you should also make a trip to the ED. Is the ED going to be busy, and will I have to wait a long time? Generally speaking (because an 18car pileup on GA 400 can happen at any time, flooding the ED with patients), the emergency department is busiest between noon and midnight. “North Fulton Hospital’s median wait time is 25 minutes,” said Dr. Halligan. “However, wait times for patients with less urgent ailments may sometimes be as long as three or four hours if many other patients with more serious injuries are being cared for and our rooms are all full.” Why does it seem like some people come in after me and get seen before me? It is important to point out that the emergency room is not run like a physician’s office, where patients are seen in the order that they arrive. Temptie Knapp, RN, MSN, CEN, has been a nurse in North Fulton Hospital’s ED for 11 years. “The urgency of a patient’s complaint determines the order in which we can see each patient,” said Temptie. “A long wait for you out in the waiting area can mean that we’ve had trauma patients brought in by helicopter or ambulance. In addition, you might notice that someone who doesn’t look as sick as you feel was taken back

ahead of you, but that probably indicates that their reason for coming to the hospital is a more critical ailment.” Should I leave or complain if the wait is too long? If the wait is worrisome to you, or if you would rather wait at home, North Fulton Hospital offers In QuickER for online registration. By visiting the hospital’s website or using their app, you can put your name in line and complete some of the registration before your arrival, reducing the amount of time you may spend in the waiting area before seeing a physician. “We are all very aware of the wait times,” said Jenny, “and we get very nervous on the occasions when the waits reach two hours or more. We don’t want patients to leave without being seen because we don’t want their condition to get worse. Please talk to a nurse, not a member of the registration staff at the front desk, before you consider leaving.” What do I need to bring with me to the ED and does it matter what I wear? “It is very important for the physicians to know what medications you are taking,” Dr. Halligan explained. “Please bring the bottles of any medication you take on a regular basis. We also appreciate it when patients who have chronic ailments, such as an irregular EKG, bring records of those ailments that will help us Continues on p22

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Within minutes of meeting Dr. Marcus Goodman, it becomes obvious that his passion for providing excellent patient care is the driving force for his success. Not only does he love all aspects of dermatology, from patient visits to surgery and pathology, but he’s helping to provide access for students wishing to begin a career in dermatology in Georgia as well.

WILL YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?

ANSWER: I have been married to Tracy for 8 years, and we have a daughter, Cassidy, who is 18 months old. Tracy has been by my side for many years, even working as my ofﬁce manager to help me get my solo practice off the ground. I love them both very much, and I love to spend any time that I’m not in the ofﬁce with them.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

ANSWER: I was born in Columbus, Ohio, and was raised in Youngstown, Ohio, where I lived with my Mom, Dad, and brother.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE ATLANTA YOUR HOME?

ANSWER: After ﬁve years in Florida, Tracy and I moved to Portland, Ore., and I began working for a large dermatology group there. I didn’t care for the limited amount of time I was allotted to spend with each patient, and it wasn’t long before we began planning to move again. Atlanta was always our ﬁrst choice, as we wanted to be near family and both love the south.

WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER MEDICINE AND DECIDE TO MAKE IT YOUR CAREER?

ANSWER: I have always wanted to be a doctor. Even as a child, I wanted to be one, and it is a little surprising given that there are no doctors in my family. I used to dress up as a doctor for Halloween, and despite the fact that I was an athlete throughout high school, medicine has always been my ﬁrst choice.

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER NORTH FULTON HOSPITAL?

ANSWER: I knew that I wanted to have my own practice so that I could develop long term relationships with my patients and spend time with them ANSWER: I attended Ohio State University in at each visit getting to know them. Tracy and I did Columbus, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Science Marcus Goodman, his wife Tracy, and daughter, Cassidy a great deal of research to determine the best locain Nutrition through their Pre-Med program. tion for my practice. I visited several hospitals, one Then, I worked as a research assistant for 2 years of which was North Fulton Hospital, and North DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR OR SOMEONE WHO at the Ohio University Medical School before movFulton was the best! Goodman Dermatology is HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN YOUR CAREER? ing to Arizona to study at the Arizona College of Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be where I am without doing very well here, and we know we made the Osteopathic Medicine. After completing my right choice. studies, I moved to West Palm Beach, where I com- the support of my family. My parents have always believed in me, and my wife is a source of endless pleted an internship in Family Practice, and then WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN YOUR support. As for my career, I owe a great deal to PRACTICE OR AT THE HOSPITAL? to Tampa for a year working in a family medicine Stanley Skopit, D.O., the Program Director of my practice. I completed my Dermatology Residency ANSWER: I love to spend time with Tracy and dermatology residency. It is extremely hard to get in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Cassidy, and I do keep up with sports, especially into dermatology—95% of the applicants can’t get Ohio State football. I also have a ﬁve-year-old HOW DID YOU DISCOVER DERMATOLOGY in. He believed in me and gave me the opportunity Maltipoo named Elby. He’s named after my AND DECIDE THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT SPECIALTY to become a dermatologist. favorite athlete, Larry Bird.

WHERE DID YOU ATTEND COLLEGE AND MEDICAL SCHOOL?

FOR YOU?

I also work as a Clinical Associate Professor at the Georgia campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in Suwanee, Ga. Through PCOM, I helped start a residency program in dermatology based at North Fulton Hospital, and I am their Dermatology Residency Program Director. When I’m not busy with the practice, residency program, or my family, I also enjoy being an Associate Editor for the Journal of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

ANSWER: Throughout my pre-med studies and graduate work, I was fascinated with anything that involved the use of a microscope. Because of my love for pathology and anything using microscopes, I was encouraged to be a pathologist, but I knew that I loved people and absolutely wanted to be able to interact with patients on a daily basis. The lab was not for me. That’s when I learned that in addition to seeing patients, performing surgery, and working with cancer patients, dermatologists are also certiﬁed in dermatopathology—an outlet for my love of the microscope. Soon after that, I ﬂew to St. Louis for a few days to work with a cousin who was a dermatologist, and I was hooked.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A DERMATOLOGIST?

Elby is named after Dr. Goodman’s favorite athlete, Larry Bird.

ANSWER: Everything! I absolutely love my job. I don’t even think of it that way. It is a love for medicine and for seeing people and saving lives. I’m so lucky to be a dermatologist!

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

Q A with Dr. Goodman

Emergency… from p20 22 more quickly establish

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

what is normal and what may be abnormal for them.” Because many of the complaints that bring patients to the ED require testing, x-rays, or scans, it is very common for a patient in the ED to be asked to wear a hospital gown, so be prepared to undress. If your ailment doesn’t require you to change into a hospital gown, you might be most comfortable in layers, as some rooms in a hospital can be chilly, while others might be a little warm. Of course, if you find that you’re cold while you’re in a room, you can always request a blanket from your nurse! What should I expect to happen once I arrive? When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll check in with registration, and fill out some forms. Those forms will be passed to the triage nurse, who will be the first nurse to assess your condition. If you’ve arrived with complaints that are potentially life threatening, you might be immediately seen by the triage nurse, and if your condition is less serious than others, you might expect to wait a little bit. After the triage nurse has taken your vitals and gathered your information, she’ll help coordinate the transfer of your care to a Primary Care Nurse, like Jenny or Temptie, who will care for you when a bed is available. Then, you’ll be visited by your physician, who may order further testing or treatment if your condition

warrants it. During your time in the ED, you may see ER Techs or Paramedics, Registration Staff, Lab Techs, Radiology Techs, Volunteers, or Respiratory Therapists. Does the ED at North Fulton Hospital treat children? Absolutely! North Fulton Hospital’s ED cares for children every day, and the vast majority of them are able to return home after their visit. What do patients think of North Fulton Hospital’s ED? Damian Roman of Norcross was working at a job site near North Fulton Hospital when he was stung by a bee. A co-worker drove him to North Fulton Hospital, where he was seen by Dr. Halligan for the sting. “My treatment at North Fulton Hospital has been great,” said Damian. “The nurses brought me right back, and they were very good. I was surprised at how quickly I was seen. I’ve been to other ERs and had to sit and wait long times, so I would deﬁnitely come back to North Fulton again!“ “Taking care of the patient is why each of us is here,” said Temptie. “We strive to care for you as if you were our family, and we want you to be an active participant in your care. Don’t ever hesitate to ask us a question or let us know if you are worried about something or need something. We want you to have the best experience at North Fulton Hospital!”

Lady Sandra Deal visited with new mom Jennifer Schmidt and her precious baby boy, Caleb Reed, on July 14 as part of her campaign to promote the importance of vaccinations. Each new mother at North Fulton Hospital receives a card from Lady Deal that contains a vaccination card so that the new mother can keep her own records of when the baby gets each vaccination and will be sure not to miss one.

( FREE SKIN SCREENINGS NORTH FULTON HOSPITAL TO OFFER

HEALTH

As we enjoy the last weeks of summer sun, it’s important to remember that protecting your skin against the sun’s harmful rays is the best way to prevent cancer and other skin-related diseases. Of course, we have all made mistakes, and you might have a spot or two that makes you wonder “Should I ask the doctor about this?” On Thursday, August 21, North Fulton Hospital is offering free skin screenings beginning at 5:00 p.m., so you can get all those questions answered and start fresh in your efforts to care for your skin. Exposure to the sun’s rays can have long-term effects on the health of our skin. According to Dr. Marcus Goodman, board certiﬁed dermatologist at North Fulton Hospital, prolonged sun exposure can

cause wrinkles, dryness, and age spots. Skin cancer is also caused by exposure to the sun, and the American Academy of Dermatology released this staggering statistic: one in ﬁve Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. “Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types,” said Dr. Goodman. “More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than all other cancers combined, and the number of skin cancer cases has been going up over the past few decades.” The most serious type of skin cancer is melanoma. This form of cancer starts in the melanocytes. When people spend extended periods of time in the sun without proper skin protection, melanocytes can grow abnormally and become cancerous. Warning signs include moles with uneven edges, open sores, or crusty bumps.

“It’s important to become familiar with the marks on your skin and perform regular skin examinations,” said Dr. Goodman. “If you notice anything irregular, notify your doctor immediately.” The good news is that you can catch skin cancer early so that it can be treated effectively. During North Fulton Hospital’s free skin screenings, physicians will examine the portions of skin still visible while you are dressed, as well as any particular spots that may be of concern. So, you’ll know whether that worrisome spot may be something that needs further attention from a physician. Appointments are limited and are available on a ﬁrst come, ﬁrst serve basis. To reserve your appointment for North Fulton Hospital’s Skin Screenings, call 770-751-2660 today. For a referral to a dermatologist, call 770-751-2600 or visit www.nfultonhospital.com.

The Power of Peace

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

TURNING BULLIES INTO PEACEMAKERS A hard partying East Cobb kid grows into a man for international peace.

Kit Cummings is a Walton High School graduate, earned a BBA in Marketing from the University of Georgia, and he also holds a Masters of Theology. By Jessica Diamond

As the summer draws to a close, it can be a blessing to know that the family will be returning to a school day routine. The work/life balance makes a bit more sense under that schedule. And of course, you know that your child is in the best possible place to gain knowledge and develop skills. There can be no better place for your child then in the classroom, getting an education. But even though we know that kids belong in the classroom, the parents and students of this age have to deal with a reality that is very difﬁcult to grasp. School, in too many ways and in too many places, has become a warzone. The social environment that develops within each and every school, though unique, will never be an airtight bubble of safety and peace. To some extent, dealing with negative inﬂuence is a necessary part of the adolescent experience. Young and impressionable children must learn to navigate bullies, prejudices, injustices

and even potentially dangerous situations. Yet, it seems that as each year passes, this country’s children are faced with increasingly difﬁcult circumstances that cause them to seriously question their own safety and well being. These episodes of violence are not isolated in the “inner-cities” where we as suburbanites can blame them on poverty, gang activity, and desperation. They are reaching schools and families of every race, economic status, and neighborhood. Our youth have already felt the devastating effects of things like cyber-bullying, desensitization to violence, drug use, and even suicide. These terrible incidents are not only happening around us, they are becoming normalized. Activist Kit Cummings, a graduate of Walton High School in East Cobb, was a hard partier turned pastor, turned motivational speaker and is working to reverse this tidal wave of negativity in unexpected ways. He is inspiring local students, and effectively everywhere, Continues on p26

Power of Peace… continued from p24

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com Kit Cummings in a “selfie” at a recent POPP (Power of Peace Project) event in Atlanta.

to take up a vow of peace. What’s more, Cummings has an unconventional army of advocates helping him to achieve this— Georgia’s most violent convicted felons. Cummings is a regular guest at the most dangerous maximum-security prisons in the state. He brings with him The Power of Peace Project, a movement Cummings himself created based on the work of leaders such as Gandhi, Mandela, and King. He challenged the inmates to sign a “peace pledge.” These inmates recorded their experiences and an amazing shift began to take place. Cummings detailed their experiences in his ﬁrst book, Forty Days of Peace, followed by Forty Days of Power. His next book, Forty Days of Prayer intends to link schools, prisons and churches as occasionally “dysfunctional institutions” with the power to support each other and affect change. Forty Days to Freedom is the ﬁnal book in the series. The movement has seen such success in reducing prison violence that Cummings has been able to bring his movement to prisons in countries like South Africa, Mexico, Ukraine and Honduras. For decades, we’ve been fascinated by TV shows and documentaries that tell us about life inside prison walls. We think on it very little in our dayto-day lives, but these shows give us an image of what life as a convicted criminal must look like. According to these portrayals, life as a prisoner is inherently dark, violent, evil and void

of hope. Gang members beating and even killing one another to rise in the ranks, as though they are competing for best villain in a Grimms Brother’s story. But Cummings has found that he is able to connect with these felons in ways that would surprise the general public. “A lot of these guys are in for long sentences, and many of them for life. Many are high ranking members of huge international gangs. And contrary to what a lot of kids think, because they believe what they see, most of these guys want peace,” Cummings explained. “They’ve been told their whole lives that they’re no good throw-aways who will never amount to anything. I’m trying to give them a purpose and call them to be role models anyway. They really respond to that.” Cummings put it to the inmates, “Do you want your brothers, sons, nephews to end up here?” The answer was a resounding no. Cummings referenced the music industry as a culprit in misrepresenting the supposed glamour of gang life. The real gangsters, he learned, did not want to encourage young kids to follow in their footsteps. “So now, with this program, you’ve got prisoners with a purpose and kids with role models. That’s where the magic happens.” The natural question is, why is all of this necessary? Why are these kids, many of them from good homes with loving families, starting to branch out from traditional adolesContinues on p28 cent angst into

Power of Peace… continued from p26

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

full-blown criminal and life threatening activity? Why is 50% of the inmate population 25 years old and younger? Some point the finger at technology, and in many ways, they may be right. With the anonymity and rapid-fire communication capabilities of the Internet, the practice of bullying has been given a sharp new set of teeth. The power of the Internet can bring the weight of the world down on a vulnerable kid, particularly one who has never been able to live “off the grid.” Unkind comments and embarrassing or compromising material can be inescapable when shared over social media and spread like a viral infection. Hence the new definition of “viral.” What’s more, these things posted to the Internet are permanent. They will always exist, no matter how damaging. There is beauty in the freedom of the Internet, but there is also an unchecked danger, particularly for young kids who can’t fully grasp the heavy consequences of their actions. When children are taking their cues from what they see in the media, the leap to extreme solutions for temporary problems is not such a mystery. Furthermore, there is a much-debated idea that children who surround themselves with alternate realities, such as “reality” television and video games, have a blurred understanding of what is real and what isn’t. When a teenager in the grip of puberty spends hours upon hours playing video games where the character is shooting, robbing and beating people on the street, does it create a shorter distance between pretend violence and actual violence? When death can be reversed using a reset button, does that dull its actual finality in young minds? Some insist that games like these are entirely to blame. Others feel that they are a scapegoat in the witch-hunt for answers. Either way, how do we reach today’s youth and catch the ones who seem to be falling through the cracks? Cummings has found a tried and true method of bringing troubled kids back from the brink. It’s a fairly simple idea that is not new, but often underused and forgotten in the everyday rush and grind of family life. Kids want to be heard. They want to be listened to and understood. They want to feel respected, loved and noticed. They want a purpose and a drive. Kids want adults to simply pay attention. I read recently that when a person is ignored, the brain reacts as though the body has been injured. I would not be surprised if this were true. It is clearly damaging to a child when they feel they cannot communicate with the people closest to them. Cummings observed the following phrases being used regularly by the youth he worked with: “I see you,” “I feel you” and “I got you.” “That is what they are craving,” Cummings said. “We try to create honest and safe relationships without attacking or judging. Kids need the space to be honest, or trouble happens.” Cummings hopes to grow his successful program as much as possible, and he is already receiving international acclaim for The Power of Peace Project. Since his involvement with the prison system, many prisons have reported dramatic reductions in inmate violence. The POPP is expanding to include student development programs, antibullying campaigns, corporate motivational programs, organizational conflict resolution and more. Ultimately, Cummings and his organization are attacking violence at its roots and helping to turn bullies into peacemakers. For more info on his initiatives visit his sites at www.kitcummings.com or www.thepowerofpeace.org.

( ( ( “I see you.” “I feel you.” “I got you.”

By Tripp Liles

If you are a parent of a child in Georgia public schools, you certainly have to keep up with the testing acronyms. The Criterion-Referenced Competency Test or CRCT? It’s now being replaced as the state moves to its own system of accountability, called Georgia Milestones. This move was triggered by the state’s decision to move away from the common core nationally aligned testing system. The new system tests that replace the CRCTs were developed by CTB/McGraw Hill, a test publishing company. Within this new state governed structure is the Georgia Student Growth Model or GSGM. And not to be out done, the GSGM has another acronym within it called Student Growth Percentiles or SGP. The SGPs describe the amount of growth a student has demonstrated, relative to other students across Georgia, with the same achievement history. Developed by the state Department of Education, these metrics are intended to give the public a better look at how schools are performing. This new initiative marks the ﬁrst time this type of

information has been made available to the public for each school in the state system. The focus will shift to how much a student learns in a school year, rather than if they pass a state test. It is part of an initiative to shift away from grading schools on strictly pass/fail rates. The SGPs will calculate student performance in each tested subject by comparing his or her test scores at the end of the year to the performance of other students who had similar test scores to him or her previously.

There are various ways this information will be used. Parents will be provided individual reports, which will show how their child is doing and if they are on track to pass state tests in the future. Additionally, it is intended to help teachers and principals improve instructional practices in the classroom. The SGP data will also make up a quarter of schools’ and districts’ evaluations, and will make up half of the job evaluation for teachers who instruct in subjects such as math and reading, which are tested by the state. The state recently released the information for the previous year, based on the CRCTs, and the results can be dramatically different from previous results. For instance some Cobb County schools aren’t topping the charts under the new SGPs. Under the old tests students regularly beat state standards, but under the new system the rate was below 50 percent in some subjects. Through it all, this data is still based on standardized tests. Georgia education ofﬁcials and lawmakers are trying to emphasize to parents not to stress over whether their child passed the test, but rather look at the progress from year to year. For more information about the GSGM visit gsgm.gadoe.org. To see speciﬁc scores visit gastudentgrowth.gadoe.org

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

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By Mike Hadden

The planned expansion of MARTA transit into North Fulton has been ﬂoating around the news over the past couple of months. Dubbed the Connect 400 initiative by MARTA, it is looking at expanding transit service north 11.9 miles from the North Springs station to Windward Parkway via either Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail or Heavy Rail (the current MARTA rail).

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MARTA’s public outreach department held three meetings in North Fulton in July gathering resident and stakeholder feedback. The way it looks now, the vast majority of people favor expansion with 76% of both residents and employees surveyed either approving or strongly approving the initiative. Amongst residents, 11% disapprove and 8% strongly disapprove. Light or heavy rail were the favored modes. Amongst residents, preference is roughly split with 37% favoring light rail and 40% heavy rail while employees surveyed were 68% in favor of heavy rail. The overwhelming support by both residents and employees shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who commutes on GA400. That said, don’t view transit as a panacea

for traffic problems. Transit only works properly in areas that are congested and it serves as a transportation option rather than a cure for congestion. A transit line along a non-congested corridor is doomed to fail unless there is extreme subsidy to support high ridership as motorists will always choose the easier option in the absence of financial rewards or penalties. Now that we are clear that transit will not cure congestion, let’s take a look at some of the issues and obstacles to getting MARTA rail. Route Alignment One of the first obstacles to overcome is whether to align the route to the east or west of GA400. Through Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, the east side of the

31 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

highway is lined by subdivisions and was quoted in Creative Loafing as schools while the west side is mostly saying “I think it’s the lower-income people who are going to come up lined by apartments and commercial uses. My money is on a and start stealing.” Even if that’s not a real quote, it’s a mindset that we west of 400 alignment but it is a have to get past. The study “Rail point of contention to watch. Transit and Neighborhood Crime: Transit Mode The Case of Atlanta, Georgia,” The cost estimates are roughly $460M for BRT, $1.8B for light rail published in the Oct. 2003 issue of the Southern Economic Journal and $1.6B for heavy rail. You can write off light rail immediately as it concluded that “there is no evidence... that suburban residents is more expensive, slower and has should fear that the mode shift crime will rise in disadvantage. The “Which is the their neighborhood real debate will be wiser investment if rail lines are between the extended beyond cheaper BRT and for North Fulton central city boundthe logical heavy aries.” rail. The one thing to point out is that and the region, $1B Competition modal shift is a very The race for for one interchange more MARTA rail difﬁcult challenge to overcome and it may just be ‘improvement’ or starting. will cut ridership In due to unnecessary November, Clayton $1.6B to expand inconvenience. And County is set to before you start to vote on whether to MARTA rail to balk about $1.6B, join Fulton and you may want to DeKalb counties as Windward?” consider that the MARTA counties Georgia DOT is currently planning by opting into the penny sales tax. If to spend just shy of $1B (one full this passes, they will most certainly year of DOT budget) to revamp the be dreaming about rail into Clayton GA400 I-285 interchange. That county and the North Fulton line spend could become less of a need if would then be competing for federal a robust rail solution were in place funds. Don’t forget the Beltline tranfor that corridor. They are obviously sit initiative as well as other in-town not mutually exclusive but which is corridors such as I20 and the the wiser investment for North Emory CDC (Centers for Disease Fulton and the region, $1B for one Control) area that are looking to get interchange ‘improvement’ or $1.6B MARTA rail. There will probably be to expand MARTA rail to many hands reaching for limited Windward? dollars. So, if we can work through these Station Location challenges, the best case scenario is Finding the right spots for a 6-12 year stations will prove to be a challenge. Will the stations be dedi- implementation. Realistically, if cated to parking decks or to Transit funding is secured and the project Oriented Development (TOD)? The gets the green light, we might be ridcurrent heavy rail alignment shows ing trains in North Fulton by 2030 which will be around the same time stops at Northridge, Holcomb Bridge, Mansell, North Point Mall, that light rail is circling the city via Haynes Bridge, and Windward. No the Beltline and potential rail will be going out to Clayton County if stop at Old Milton? What about Avalon? Gwinnett Tech? Will funding is there. In the next 15 North American Properties have an- years, the future is looking bright for a more transit friendly metro other massive walkable development with no direct transit area where we have more mobility options than we have today. connections like they have with Mike Hadden is author of the Atlantic Station? blog newurbanroswell.com. Crime Would you like to comment on The boogie man of transit. At a this article? Visit our website at recent public meeting in Sandy www.thecurrenthub.com. Springs, an anonymous attendee

KIDS/EDUC.

August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

(

BABY COMPUTER BRAINS By Kay Paschal

“...in fact, the baby’s brain seems to be the most powerful learning computer on the planet.” From baby to back to schooler the brains of children are busy! Brain Research ~ it’s a fascinating subject and thanks to new imaging technology we can >> KIDS & KAY actually view the brain acting, reacting, and more importantly we can now learn how we learn. No longer having to rely on Kay Paschal, Owner observations or subPeachtree Park Prep jective evaluations, we can now actually view the density of knowledge in the brain. FACT: The brain is the only organ that is unﬁnished at birth.

8 www.thecurrenthub.com For community news and information visit our website at

FACT: In the ﬁrst three years of life the brain will develop an estimated 1,000 trillion synapses making the brain of an infanttoddler-preschooler twice as active as an adult’s brain. By late adolescence approximately half of these synapses will be discarded due to a “pruning process” of unused brain cells…the “use it or lose it” concept. FACT: The quantity and quality of experiences, stimuli, and relationships in the ﬁrst 3 years of life has a greater and longer lasting impact on how the brain develops than genetics.

As parents and as educators we have a significant obligation to seek out and provide the very best early education and interaction experiences possible for children. Preschools that are academically strong, language rich, have creative outlets, provide social and play based environments, and physical fitness opportunities will all play equally important roles in a child’s brain development providing the neural architecture that will influence how they will handle all future experiences. A movie premiering this month follows the path of a woman who has the unique ability to access 100% of her brain’s capability. Since the rest of us only utilize about 10% of our brain it is unknown how this brain power will affect her and the world around her. Will the rest of us learn from her and be able to utilize more of our brain’s capability? Good Luck to everyone heading back to school ! Kay Paschal is Owner of Peachtree Park Prep.

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THE HEAVENLY HUNTING GROUNDS OF MR. PUFFIN By Mike Finch On occasion in this column I ask for your indulgence, as I need to share something near and dear to my heart. For those of you who read my last article referencing a buttocks rash, you may be cheering my effort to focus on a body part a bit further north regardless if that focus is physical or emotional; and in this case it is definitely the latter. For those of you who have followed my esteemed writing career with The Roswell Current and now The CurrentHub, you may recall my reference to the greatest hunting cat in the history of domesticated felines, Mr. Puffin. I know the name is somewhat misleading, but remember Mr. Puffin started out life in our family simply known as Puffin, until that fateful first vet visit when the shocking gender news was delivered (In our defense he did have an enormous amount of fur and obviously highly successful, professional writers are not renowned experts in anatomy). An earlier column about Mr. Puffin—or “Puff ” for short— recounted the countless “business” lessons I learned by observing him in action. In addition, Puff was feared by the baby rabbits and chipmunks in at least a half-mile radius of our home. He an uncanny ability to deliver their severed heads under his special chair on the porch, the “dying chair,” as it became known. I know that may seem somewhat macabre in nature, but you really had to admire the surgical precision he demonstrated during these procedures. Following one of these rodent massacres, he could just as easily

Mr. Puffin just hanging out.

hop up next to you on the sofa and snuggle down for a well-deserved nap. Puff never had a litter box and much like his canine adversaries, would simply go to the door when he needed to do his business. Fortunately, we have very forgiving neighbors who didn’t seem to get too upset when he made a little archeological dig in their freshly tilled garden—to help with natural composting I’m sure. As you can tell by my tone, Mr. Pufﬁn recently succumbed to cancer and passed on to a new hunting camp I like to think of as a “Heavenly Hunting Ground.” My guess is he was shocked to see his canine brother Colonel Cooper waiting for him at the gate, and probably gave him a good slap on the face just for old times sake. Puff knew more people in our neighborhood than I probably ever will, which I’m not sure was a testament to his wandering bold- Continues on p38

33 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

LIFE

34 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

FOOD

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DOING GOOD WITH ICE CREAM

Bill Greenwood and Frank Mack.

remember, or are lucky enough to have had, someone in your family When you have August heat who knew how to make cranked ice and Ice Cream banging together, cream, then you know this with certhen you know it’s time for The tainty - it cannot be matched. Tenth Annual Miss Mary’s Ice Normally I'm a humble guy, seriCream Crankin.’ This event will ously. But when it comes to this feature hundreds of unique and stuff, I am a world-class, selfimaginative food crazies and appointed expert. You’re reading it in the paper. So it must be true. screaming ice cream lovers on Small warning here, the kids the Historic Square in Roswell, should all be in wash and wear on Aug. 24 from 2 to 4pm - rain clothes– and frankly, handy wipes or shine, with shine being much won’t cut it. Just bring 55-gallon preferred. This, my friends is an trash bags to wrap them in on the event that rates as a classic and ride home (though you should not joyous day in every way. tie them closed!). When you get The proceeds benefit the Drake home, just splash the kids with a House, a short-term crisis housing location for local homeless mothers garden hose to remove their ice cream coating. That’s how my mom and their children. This premier would have handled it. But she event is for ice cream lovers of all wouldn’t know how to use this link ages. You will be able to taste more for more info than 100 flavors of homemade ice www.missmarysicecream.org. cream. They will have ice cream The Professionals eating contests, plenty of live Since Miss Mary’s only happens music, and a kid’s corner for the litonce a year, I thought about the tle ones to run off the sugar rush. guys and gals who do this on a regThe event is $6 per person or $20 ular basis. I know exactly who for families of 6 or less. knows what the heck they are If you're old enough to By Frank Mack

35 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

doing when it comes to making ice cream, gelato or sorbet. I got a kid in me that knows this because I grew up in a world before DQ, McDonald’s and factory processed food. I know how good it can be. I remember. And I know a few folk around who know how to do it on a professional level. Let’s begin with the gelato and sorbets. Heck yeah, I love them. Lower fat, less milky, that’s the gelato and zero fat for the sorbet. Both have sharper tastes than the classic rich ice cream we gobble by the billions of gallons. Being that gelato is less fatty, the lighter flavors burst from it. Sorbets are icier, from purees; with stinging flavors from berries, or intense melon sizzle all icy cold on the mouth. When made in bulk from citrus flavoring, it's ok. But to really know its excellence, to find the truth of what it is supposed to be, you must go to an expert who gets incredible joy creating tiny amounts of perfection and magic in their hands. Ryan Pernice, owner of Osteria Mattone, slipped me in for a complete tasting of their delectable frozen treats, prepared by their talented pastry chef Micki Kimberly. Each and every day, this young lady prepares - by hand and eye small amounts of both gelatos and sorbets. These are incredible, all of them, every one. (Which matches everything else there, by the way.) When you have had the gelato or sorbet here you can say you have had the best, check it off your list. For the most singularly perfect, smooth on the tongue, OMG I can't believe this exists, naturally flavored, hand made ice cream, we return to the man, Mr. Bill Greenwood, who was doing farm to table 40 years before we all started calling it that at his Roswell culinary oasis called Greenwood’s on Green Street. He just keeps doing it because he always has, and it is truly the best way. I had the absolute pleasure of Bill himself taking the time to make his vanilla just for us one recent lovely warm Georgia afternoon. We had it over fresh melon from his farm, amongst fresh breezes on one of the comfy patios surrounding his restaurant. Served up in great big white bowls,

Kids eat away at last years Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’. clacking spoons followed by slurps between a bunch of great conversation. Ice cream is not just good, it can be good for you. It's good for us to all come together and enjoy. And no, I don't care about the calories and I don't care about diets. Frankly, if you are worried about that you should have stopped reading way back. For really screaming ice creaming, All-American ice cream made fresh daily, go find your local Bruster’s. That really isn’t a secret at all, but they do large-scale ice cream really well. Felt I had to mention it, being that it’s a local institution and all. Finally folks, be sure to mark your calendar for the Miss Mary event. If you multiply the passion of Bill Greenwood by hundreds of volunteers all vying to outdo each other to make the best cranked ice cream anywhere on Earth, then you get Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’. It will be a memorable event and it benefits a wonderful cause. Think we don’t face homelessness here in our own area? Think again - and then some more.

36 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

HOME

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GATHERING BEAUTY FROM THE LATE SUMMER GARDEN

The flowers on these Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ are ready for harvesting in August.

new” blooms. Select mature blossoms that are slightly stiff and firm to the August is the time to think about touch. Pull off all the leaves and place harvesting and drying your own the stalks in a clean, empty bucket hydrangeas naturally. There are with plenty of room so the flower many ways to dry hydrangeas, and heads aren’t crowded. Don’t add I’ve tried several myself. But due to water. Place the bucket in a cool dark the many variables in our southern, room or air-conditioned basement summer gardens (humidity, rainfall, away from direct sunlight and let drought), it seems impractical to pin them dry for two months. After this down a single “best method” for period of time, take them outside and drying hydrangeas because every spray the stalks and the flowers with summer presents a different weather an unscented “strong hold” hair spray, pattern than the previous one. Here turning the flower heads until they are a couple of suggestions to get you are evenly sprayed. Let them air dry started, depending upon the variety for about 20 minutes before placing growing in your garden. them back in the bucket. They are If you grow Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ now ready for use in dried floral (Hydrangea paniculata), then you arrangements. I have found that this are familiar with its robust bloom simple method of “preserving” habit and huge white flower heads. hydrangeas keeps them fresh and atI’ve had great results drying tractive for two years indoors. ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas. Cut the flowIf you grow the traditional mopers on two-foot long stalks in head hydrangeas (Hydrangea mid-August when the flowers are just macrophylla), wait a little longer bepast their peak. Don’t cut the “brand fore cutting these flowers. In the fall By Nancy Wallace

this month, providing us with seasonal color inspiration. And while the hydrangeas drift into their autumnal ﬂoral and foliage hues, the Camellia sasanqua is just beginning its bloom cycle. No landscape should be without this autumn-blooming beauty. It’s deer resistant, evergreen, slow growing, and it blooms when most other plants have run their course. Nurseries tend to stock plants like this when they are blooming, so it’s a good time to pick one for that empty spot in the garden. Some falland winter-blooming Camellia sasanqua are fragrant. ‘Daydream’ and ‘Leslie Anne’ are both fragrant white bloomers with a hint of pink on the petals, and ‘Setsugekka’ is pure white with large golden stamens. Making thoughtful selections about the plants for your landscape will ensure that you have something of interest throughout the year, no matter the season. Nancy provides garden design and renovation services. She blogs at wallacegardens.tumblr.com and you may follow her there between issues of The CurrentHub.

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Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Blushing Bride’ in late October, ready for harvesting.

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August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

when the flowers are past their peak, and the white mop-heads are turning a rosy-blush and the blue mop-heads are changing to shades of toasted violet and blue, select a few flower heads for harvesting. The stems on these hydrangeas are not straight like the Limelight hydrangeas, but slightly curved, so select the sturdiest stalks before cutting. Gently place them in a basket or bucket for drying (instructions above), then spray with the unscented hair spray after a couple of months. While the flowers of H. macrophylla won’t last as long as the Limelight hydrangeas (they will fade slowly over the course of a year), they add a lovely vintage touch to dried floral arrangements until the next harvest season. Like most gardeners, I love to see the colors of fall appear with brilliant abandon along tree-lined streets. The days are still warm, but the evenings will be cooling down, and it won’t be long until Autumn is whispering at our doorstep. Foliage plants like winter kale, cabbages, Autumn Ferns, and dwarf fountain grasses begin to pop up in the local garden centers

38 August 2014 | thecurrenthub.com

Home … continued from p16

a place to live. When you buy a home, you are buying more than an investment opportunity. You are buying a stake in the local community, which is one of the reasons why the U.S. government works to make homeownership so attractive. As a homeowner, you can deduct mortgage interest from your income to reduce your total tax. If you want to sell your home after two years of occupation, you may do so without paying capital gains if you are single and the gains are less than $250,000. That’s quite a nest egg to get tax-free. Through all of this, remember to talk to a real estate agent. Let us professionals help determine your ability to sell. While we can’t perform voodoo economics, we can certainly help you with a solid strategy to gain as much value as possible and how could that not make you happy? Jane McAuley is a top producer for Coldwell Banker. To learn how she can maximize the value of your home call her at 404-918-7112 or visit her website at www.janemcauley.com. Mr. Puffin … continued from p33 ness or my tendency toward reclusion; but I thank them all for the kindness and tolerance they freely gave. Puff was an eclectic melting pot of personality, that one minute was a purring, loving ball of ﬂuff; and the next a stealthy hunter with few equals. He crossed property lines at will and created opportunities for his less intelligent and out-going humans to actually interact outdoors. He loved his home, friends, and his way of life, and is sorely missed by all, except the rabbits and chipmunks, of course.

Mike Finch is a Roswell resident who writes on everyday topics of life with a twist of humor. Write to him at this email: miscellaneneous ramblings@yahoo.com. Wellness… continued from p18

ing patterns. 8. Infrared blanket – supports and promotes weight loss. 9. B-12 and Lipo-B-12 shots - supports enhanced energy and weight loss. 10. Wellness Pantry - Offers USDA all-natural, organic food at deeply reduced pricing, delivered right to your door. Proper nutrition plays a major role in preventing and managing common chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, ADHD, autism and arthritis. 11. Yoga - lowers blood pressure, burns fat, helps with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, arthritis symptoms, and creates tranquility in your life 12. Body Puriﬁcation & Cleansing - Doctor-only ordered 28 day body cleanse regimen designed to purify and cleanse your body of everyday toxins, pollutants, chemicals and pesticides. This all-encompassing approach to your health is what separates Wellness Centers of America from the rest. Most lifestyle programs only offer a singularly focused approach to wellness, which normally means failure. When you partner with Wellness Centers of America you will experience a comprehensive program that no one else can offer, all under one roof at Everyday Low Wellness Prices that make wellness affordable for you….for your lifetime. “It’s a shared experience in seeing people get healthy. We build a bond with them and we see them improve the quality of their life,” Rondinone said. “ It’s all about the journey to wellness and developing a lifestyle.” The reasons to pursue wellness for your lifetime are simple: Do it for you. Do it for your family. Do it now!