OUR TOWN DEKALB (December 2021)

4 Holiday Celebrations Return to Tucker

Postal Customer

ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #15 Monroe, GA

Our Town DeKalb

7 Wellness In-Sight: Peace and Joy to You and Yours!

10 Food for Thought: Let’s Share Our Blessings This Holiday Season 16 Tucker Law Firm Honored by Better Business Bureau

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 1

PAGE 2

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

OurTown NE DeKalb Community and Family Magazine

A Shiny Inc Publication Editor Lizbeth A. Dison Shinycomm.com ldison@shinycomm.com Our Town DeKalb is published and direct mailed to

select homes in the Tucker / Northeast DeKalb area.

Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their Creative Director own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Jay Adcock the publisher. Our Town DeKalb reserves the right jay@adcockcreativegroup.com to edit or reject any editorial or advertising content.

Our Town DeKalb is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the Writers validity of claims made by advertisers.

Cindy E. Farrar Doug Reynics Lois Ricci Sanah Sayani Karl Schwartz Bob Smith Art Wood

Entire contents copyright 2021 by Our Town DeKalb and Shiny Inc LLC. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Distribution Coordinator Emma Dison Brantley

Stay Connected!

OurTownDeKalb.com

Our Town DeKalb

4426 Hugh Howell Road, Suite 307B Tucker, Georgia 30084 770.621.9041 | info@ourtowndekalb.com

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Holiday Celebrations Return to Tucker 7 Wellness In-Sight: Peace and Joy to You and Yours!

8 Age Friendly Tucker: Tucker Walks 8 Common Sen$e: Three Things to Remember for the Holidays 9 Obamacare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know 10 Food for Thought: Let’s Share Our Blessings This Holiday Season 11 Beauty Byline with Sanah: Should You Opt for Laser Hair Removal?

14 Back Talk: A Pet’s Gift of Unconditional Love 16 Tucker Law Firm Honored by Better Business Bureau 18 Tucker and NETWorks to Offer COVID Relief Housing Assistance ON THE COVER: Ballet dancers from Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts perform in the 2019 Holiday Showcase.

Our Town DeKalb

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 3

Holiday Celebrations

Tucker Return to

L.A. Dison

A

fter eighteen months of cancelled and virtual events due to COVID, the city of Tucker and its residents are welcoming back annual holiday traditions – and introducing some new ones. Many offerings have returned in-person, but organizers in some cases are limiting capacity and asking attendees to observe recommended COVID safety protocol, including masking. Check with event organizers to make sure of requirements before attending.

Saturday, December 4, 6:00 p.m.

Holiday on Main Street Saturday, December 4, 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Pancake Breakfast with Santa

First Christian Church of Atlanta • 4532 Lavista Road, Tucker Free Donate canned or boxed non-perishable food or personal care items, and enjoy a FREE pancake breakfast with Santa! Proceeds to benefit NETWorks Cooperative Ministry – helping to combat food insecurity in our community. Bring your camera for a photo with Santa!

Saturday, December 4, 4:00 p.m.

Deck the Halls with Music: A Chorale II Holiday Concert

First Baptist Church of Tucker • 5073 Lavista Road, Tucker Free A celebration of holiday music, presented by Chorale II under the direction of Peggy Ray. For more information, call 770.938.1688.

Main Street, Tucker Free Kick off the holidays with the lighting of The Main Street Christmas Tree and The Great Menorah. Restaurants will have specials and decorations to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

For more information, visit Holiday on Main Street on Facebook or call Jamey 404.556.7666.

Sunday, December 5, 2021, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Winter Holiday Bazaar

Alif Institute • 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta Alif’s Annual Winter Holiday Bazaar and Artisan Market will be the perfect place to support local artists and small business owners, enjoy the company of community while browsing unique handmade and homemade items, and savor some delicious treats! Santa will make an appearance from Noon until 2:00 p.m. and DJ ZeeZee will keep everyone entertained. For more information, alifinstitute.org/12-5-winter-holidaybazaar-artisan-market or email info@alifinstitute.org.

Saturday, December 4, 5:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Tucker Community Singers Winter Concert

First Christian Church of Atlanta • 4532 Lavista Road, Tucker Free The singers welcome the holidays with a program of holiday tunes as well as selections from popular musicals, including “Dear Theodosia” from “Hamilton;” “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables;” and “Dancing Queen” from “Mamma Mia.” Three guest musicians from the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra will accompany the singers.

No reservations are required but following COVID recommendations, attendance will be limited to 100 audience members per show. Masks are required for all non-vaccinated attendees.

PAGE 4

Saturday, December 11, 1:00 p.m.

Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Holiday Showcase

Smoke Rise Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall) • 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker Free (no tickets or registration) The Fifth Annual Holiday Showcase will include choreography from academy dance students of all ages, from pre-school to adult; scenes from elementary and high school drama productions; and instrumental performances by students and faculty.

Concessions will be available for purchase; proceeds will support drama student participation at the Junior Theatre Festival. Masks are required for attendance.

For more information, visit smokerisebaptist.org/arts/ or call 770.469.5856.

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Saturday, December 11, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19

North Pole at Tucker Rec

Dink the Halls

Tucker Recreation Center • 4898 Lavista Road, Tucker Free North Pole at Tucker Rec is an outdoor event in the Rec Center Courtyard.

There will be spaced out stations where kids can create holiday cookies, decorate an ornament, and share all their holiday wishes with Santa. Parents are invited to bring their cameras to take photos. The event will follow CDC guidelines; Tucker Rec recommends that all participants do the same. For more information, visit tuckerga.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation or call 470.481.0205.

Saturday, December 11, 4:45 p.m.

Lantern Walk (Tinkergarten)

Friendship Forest • 4380 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Clarkston Free (registration preferred) Celebrate the changing of the seasons with Tinkergarten’s 9th Annual Lantern Walk.

The days are getting shorter and the cozy evening darkness is getting earlier each day.

Gather with Tinkergarten friends and community where you’ll light little lanterns to embrace the change! Register at tinkergarten.com/lantern (listed under Amy Jaret).

Tucker Recreation Center • 4898 Lavista Road, Tucker Cost Enjoy some holiday competition with the inaugural Dink the Halls Pickleball Tournament. The action’s going to be fast and furious, as well as merry and bright! Register online at tuckerga.gov/parks or call 470.481.0205.

Sunday, December 19, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Kaylee’s Candy Boutique Holiday Workshop

Kaylee’s Candy Boutique 3977 Lawrenceville Highway (next to Handy Ace Hardware), Tucker $25 per person (space is limited; registration required) It’s a sweet Holiday Celebration! Build a gingerbread house, enjoy gourmet hot chocolate, listen to holiday music and play festive games. RSVP to 1kayleecakepop@gmail.com or call 800.221.2054; space is limited so don’t wait!

Masks are required.

Sunday, December 12, 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Monday, December 20 to Thursday, December 23, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, December 27 to Thursday, December 31, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Christmas at Tucker

TRC Winter Break Camp

Tucker First United Methodist Church • 5095 Lavista Road, Tucker Free (registration required) For over a decade, Christmas at Tucker has engaged audiences with the beautiful story of Jesus’s birth, presented through powerful music, drama and pageantry. Christmas at Tucker is presented as a gift to the Tucker community by Tucker First United Methodist Church. In addition to the Tucker First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir and Orchestra, Christmas at Tucker is pleased to be joined by Featured Artist Dawn Smith Jordan, and the Chancel Choir from Norcross First United Methodist Church. Details and registration christmasattucker.com.

Saturday, December 18, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

ARTucker Holiday Pop-Up

Keller Knapp Realty • 2344 Main Street, Tucker Free (no tickets or registration) Come for some shopping and celebration. There will be wonderful art and gifts from local artists and makers, some yummy treats and a visit from a very special guest.

Please wear your most festive face mask. For more details, visit artucker.com or artuckerga on Facebook.

Saturday, December 18, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Cooking Class: A Taste of Christmas in the Arab World

Alif Institute • 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta Cost Learn to make traditional Arabic Christmas foods.

Check alifinstitute.org/fall-winter-arabic-cooking-series for details including menu, cost and registration. Masks and social distancing are required.

Our Town DeKalb

Tucker Recreation Center • 4898 Lavista Road, Tucker Cost If you are looking for some time to take care of those holiday chores without the prying eyes of the kids, register now for the TRC Winter Break Camp. Camp will be daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will be time filled with fun, sports and play.

Spots are limited so register now - tuckerga.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation or call 470.481.0205.

Friday, December 24, 11:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve on Main Street

Main Street, Tucker Free Gather around the Main Street Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve to enjoy coffee, cocoa and caroling. Coffee and cocoa available from 11:00 to 11:30 p.m., and caroling by candlelight starts at 11:30 p.m. Event organized by volunteers from all across the Tucker community.

For additional information, contact Art Wood at art@artwoodonline.com or call 404.909.3567.

Friday, December 31, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Music on Main

Main Street, Tucker Free admission; children’s games $3.00 per child Celebrate the New Year with this family event, featuring live music performances, food trucks and vendors. Kid-friendly activities include a regular game truck, a school bus game truck, two bounce houses (one with a huge slide), and some giant yard games such as Connect 4. There will also be a child-friendly science experiment presentation and a temporary indoor planetarium. Email tuckernye@outlook.com for vendor or sponsorship opportunities.

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Wellness In-Sight: Peace and Joy to You and Yours!

Cindy E. Farrar, E. Farrar HereCindy we are, in the homestretch of our road trip through 2021. I cannot think of a more fitting way to close it out than with “the most wonderful time of the year.” After all, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all.” It is also the season of giving, season of joy and season of hope.

I have always been confounded that we attribute such strong sentiments espoused this time of year in terms limited to that of only a season. It seems a greater purpose of expression of feelings and behavior with such significance would be at least year-round if not a perpetual state of being. I do understand and respect the theological references for this time of year. I also believe the same theology exhorts us to hold fast to these as daily manifestations of our faith.

It should be of no surprise to me that the refrain of “peace” is continuously swirling in my mind. The word will soon be displayed on highly decorated houses and lawns, boldly printed across the front of holiday cards, and sung in songs streaming through our devices and played over the airwaves. It is a simple word that can mean so much more than the absence of war. Peace is also a prevailing calm, a sense of serenity, stillness and a state of harmony.

Along with the spirit of giving, joy and hope, this season can be loaded with other strong emotions. Keeping our personal peace (and it is personal) may be a challenge. To begin with determining what evokes peace for us individually is important. It could be taking a walk, reading, writing, music, nature, etc. Start simply without expectation or judgement. Maybe just take a few mindful breaths.

One of the ways to peace for me has been sitting quietly under my wonderful grand tree, Beauty. Her fallen leaves provide lovely copper carpet beneath my feet, while her remaining attached leaves rustling in the breeze provide a calming soundtrack. I watch as a leaf lets go and gently rides the air current down to become part of the carpet, taking with it any of my remaining inner unsettledness. As I become inspired to stand and do tai chi, all else momentarily fades away.

Another source of peace and joy has always been our family tradition of driving around looking at the Christmas light displays. The chill in the air, holiday music playing on the car radio, and the night sky illuminated by the bright holiday lights suspends any stress. I look forward to getting out there once again, starting at the festive “A Whole LOT of Christmas” light display in Smoke Rise, where the homeowners also collect donations for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Though the experience will feel different this year.

In my December column last year, I shared a nostalgic walk through my childhood Christmas memories. It became a long overdue, albeit unintentional, homage to my mom, her love of the holidays, her way of making them special and her generous hospitality. I did not know last Christmas would be the last one she would be with us. As I sit to write this, my family prepares for our first Thanksgiving and Christmas season without my mom. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to give her a small amount of appreciation for her major role in mine and our family’s snow globe-like winter holiday joy each year.

This year and those to follow will be different with my mom’s absence. I know my family is not alone in this experience. Finding peace will take on new meaning and significance. From my family to yours, our hope is that the peace found this season will be with you throughout the coming year.

Our Town DeKalb

Cindy E. Farrar, LMT, BCTMB, CLC is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach and the owner of Massage Associates of Atlanta, LLC (Lavista Road in Tucker). In addition, she is a certified Qi Gong instructor and a nationally approved continuing education provider for massage therapy and bodywork. Cindy enjoys sharing insights on wellness and personal and community development as a speaker and writer.

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 7

Age Friendly Tucker: Tucker Walks Dr. Lois Ricci America Walks is a leading national nonprofit that promotes increased walking in our communities. Recently, I participated in the Walking College, a competitive, six-month, remotelearning fellowship sponsored by America Walks where I learned about design and policy that fosters safe, inclusive, accessible design for non-motorized transportation. The fellowship also helps develop essential leadership skills, like navigating the public policy process, effectively engaging decision makers, and how to foster a local advocacy movement.

Tucker is now a member of America Walks. Former Tucker City Council member Matt Robbins, Tucker Community Council member Tommy Lupo and I are working on the blueprint to create Tucker Walks, which will encourage walking for everyone, regardless of ability. But creating a walkable city goes beyond designing a single route; it’s coordinating transportation, planning, traffic signals, safe walking paths, and community interest. It also includes accessible transportation. Cities with high walkability scores identify core elements such as safe pedestrian infrastructure, community support, accessible housing, recreation, and commuting.

Improving walkability citywide is largely determined by how well walkable areas fit with other forms of transportation. Easy access to transit stops encourages people to walk to them. Aside from making the environment more pleasant, safer and less polluted, improving a city's walkability could also ease traffic congestion and improve public health.

A walking community is a healthy community. Walking improves fitness and cardiac health, alleviates depression and fatigue, improves mood, creates less stress on joints and reduces pain, can prevent weight gain, reduce risk for cancer and chronic disease, and improves endurance, circulation and posture, amongst other benefits. Recent comparative studies have shown that the energy used for moderate-intensity walking and vigorous-intensity running resulted in similar reductions in risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

Tucker has already begun to advance walkability by adding benches and outdoor seating along sidewalks, improving signage, and creating connecting walking and bicycle paths. We know walking can be a community-wide project, whether you have large groups at church or one or two individuals who walk regularly in the neighborhood. We are calling all walkers to let us know you are out there. The next step is to identify the partners and then to kick off the program. If you are interested in knowing more about Tucker Walks, if you already are a walker, or if you want to be a part of the program, please visit tuckercivic.org and click on contact to email us.

Dr. Lois Ricci is a longtime resident of Tucker, where she chairs the Tucker Civic Association Lifelong Community Committee. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class. Ricci also serves as an official representative for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), co-facilitator for the Rosalyn Carter CareNet, and on the board of the Atlanta Regional Commission Advisory Committee on Aging.

PAGE 8

Common Sen$e: Three Things to Remember for the Holidays Art Wood Holy cow! Is it December already? Where did 2021 go? It has been one heck of a roller coaster ride this past year. In the middle of this holiday season, I offer these three things that I think are appropriate reminders to help us all get through these final few weeks of 2021.

1. Plan ahead and shop early this year.

You have all heard or read about it - supply chain disruption is real and will have a definite impact on holiday shopping. For people like me who always do things last minute, you could be in trouble this year. I have heard of things taking months to arrive.

In fact, I have a buddy who is waiting for an order he made over fifteen months ago. You may want to do in-person shopping this year so you can take the guesswork out of shipping. And you always feel the spirit of the holidays more when you are out and about “in it.”

2. Make sure you have a budget in mind for your holiday spending BEFORE you are shopping. I might be spouting, “Do as I say, not as I do,” but a lot of folks get carried away with the holiday spirit and then spend months trying to recover. One way you can accomplish this is to set a budget and take that amount in cash out shopping. By shopping only in cash, you are guaranteed not to blow your budget. Credit cards just make it so easy to overspend, and then you rack up all of the interest charges on top of that, causing you REALLY to blow your budget. Remember, it is the thought that counts…not the quantity.

3. This holiday season, remember those less fortunate. The last two years have had devastating effects on so many people. We all know that it is better to give than receive. Be on the lookout for people or families who have been hit especially hard during the pandemic. Find ways to lend a hand. In one of my tougher years, someone left a $500 certified check for me that simply read, “God Loves You.” My wife and I just cried at this anonymous generosity; to this day, we still have no clue who sent it, but it meant more than we could ever express. See if you can be the “light” to someone during this holiday season.

I hope these quick tips will help you make the absolute most of this Holiday season. Make these next few weeks totally amazing as you surround yourself with loved ones. If you follow the above tips, I believe you will start 2022 on the right foot. Happy Holidays, ya’ll!

Art Wood (NMLS #118234) is the branch manager of The Art Wood Mortgage Team of Goldwater Bank, located at 2341 Main Street in downtown Tucker. “Tucker’s Mortgage Guy” for fifteen years, he is a former Tucker Tiger (Class of ’92), and co-founder and organizer of Taste of Tucker. Family guy, community guy, and definitely not your typical mortgage guy - it’s all that he does that makes Art Wood who he is. Contact him at 678.534.5834 or art.wood@goldwaterbank.com

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Obamacare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know Bob Cares Readers may recall Congress debating the merits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, starting in 2009 when it was first introduced in the House of Representatives.

Healthcare reform was enacted into law March 2010 and implemented January 2014, often referred to as Obamacare. The Act as continued to be debated in Congress while various nomenclatures have been introduced to our vocabulary (i.e. Exchange, Marketplace, subsidies, to name a few).

Part of my job is to offer guidance for individuals without employersponsored group coverage, who are responsible for purchasing health insurance during Obamacare Open Enrollment, this year starting on November 15 and ending on January 15, 2022. Health insurance plans selected on or before the fifteenth of the month will be issued the first day of the following month. It’s important to note that in prior years the choice of plans has been limited, but multiple insurers have rejoined the Marketplace with Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) options for 2022. Even if you already have an Obamacare plan, it may be in your best interest to revisit the Marketplace during Open Enrollment to compare plans. Be cognizant premiums are one way to compare but not the only way as copay, coinsurance and deductible are important considerations.

In an article of this nature, it’s difficult to encompass all the intricacies of Obamacare, but the following is meant to highlight a few misconceptions I’ve confronted over the years.

1. Obamacare is only for individuals who receive reduced premiums: not true. Whether or not an individual receives a subsidy based upon their estimated 2022 income, Marketplace plans fall under the Obamacare umbrella. Individuals seek Obamacare plans for reasons other than price alone.

2. The ACA eliminated Obamacare underwriting for pre-existing conditions: true. A popular ACA component has been the elimination of pre-existing conditions which prior to Obamacare raised the possibility of being declined coverage or premiums rated up. This though is not true for off-Marketplace health insurance plans which do require underwriting. It’s important to note the term “pre-existing” is often misunderstood as not every condition will cause a denial of coverage or even higher health insurance premiums.

3. Low-cost health insurance is available for everyone: not true. Over the years, I have met with individuals surprised and disappointed upon learning they would not qualify for reduced premiums because they did not meet the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) household income threshold. Without subsidy assistance, the plans are less than affordable. Qualification is based upon household income on the FPL. Subsidies are available on a sliding scale from 100% to 400% of FPL, or $12,880 to $51,520 for individuals and $26,500 to $106,000 for a family. The number of family members also impacts the earned subsidy. Having an earned income of less than 100% of FPL will cause a failure to obtain an earned tax credit (aka subsidy) making the cost for insurance out of reach.

4. All Obamacare plans are affordable: not true. Plan subsidies have been enhanced to be more affordable in 2022 but only if the household income qualifies for the earned tax credit (i.e. subsidy).

Individuals and families with income exceeding FPL levels can find Obamacare plans to be too costly.

Our Town DeKalb

To address the question of cost, there are OffMarketplace plans with premiums typically up to 50% less than Obamacare plans, with Professional Provider Organization networks (PPO) offering a greater choice of Providers.

Choosing health insurance in the individual market can be challenging and differs greatly from considering options with group insurance. There is a distinct difference between price and cost. I counsel readers to consider the services of a Licensed Health Insurance Advisor when making health coverage decisions. Many Advisors do not charge fees for service and experienced advice can avoid costly mistakes and confusion.

Since 2009, Licensed Health and Life Insurance Agent (and Tucker resident) Bob Smith has assisted individuals purchasing their own health insurance including Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid, nonMarketplace PPO health plans and ancillary benefits (i.e. cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc.). For a free no-obligation quote and review of your health coverage programs, call Bob at 404.593.9663 or email Bob@BobCaresForYou.com. For additional insight, visit BobCaresForYou.com. From Obamacare to Bidencare to BobcaresSM Helping Families Protect Their Health, Wealth and Assets.

Since 1998

MASSAGE ASSOCIATES OF A TLANTA , LLC GA License #MT000505

We are open for Therapeutic Massage

with limited appointment availability.

Thank you for your patience and support!

H app y Holid ays to you and yours!

WEEKLY VIRTUAL CLASSES

YOGA for Every Body

Monday & Thursday 11:00am

TAI CHI QI GONG For Life balance Tuesday 1:00pm

Details at massageassociates.net/Classes

5165 Lavista Rd., Tucker, GA 30084 ~770.493.8181 ~ massageassociates.net “Be at Home in Your Body.”

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 9

Food for Thought: Let’s Share Our Blessings This Holiday Season Doug Reynics I am someone that will give, sometimes to a fault. My wife and I had a challenging year in 2020 but have done better this year. If you follow my stories, you know I like to write about many food-related topics, not just restaurants and reviews. I’ve written about canning, dehydrating, food waste and food insecurity.

I am a frequent donor and contributor to NETWORKS Cooperative Ministry, a wonderful organization that addresses food insecurity in the Tucker community. NETWorks partners with nineteen churches, as well as other organizations and the City of Tucker; its stated mission is to share the hospitality of Christ by addressing the food and financial needs of residents, and to partner with them to find long-term solutions to poverty. The organization’s service area is about thirty-nine square miles that includes all of Tucker and then more area north and west of Tucker. (Check an address on their interactive service map at networkscoop.org/service-area.)

Prior to the pandemic, the Atlanta Community Food Bank estimated there were 17,600 people facing food insecurity in this service area. Of that number, 40% work and 32% are children. Typically, a person facing food insecurity averages seven months in that situation. During the pandemic, those numbers went up by 40% for adults and 50% for children. (Now that school is back inperson, the numbers for children dealing with food insecurity may have come down slightly.)

The NETWorks approach to helping families comes from a philosophy of mutuality - we’re all in this together, and we’re all dealing with some sort of brokenness. NETWorks works with our neighbors - some neighbors volunteer, some neighbors donate, and some neighbors need food. Remember when you were a child, if your mom was making something and ran out, she’d send you next door to the neighbor to borrow a cup of sugar or flour or something? NETWorks uses the same approach—you’re short of food, come get some food. No worries about repaying us, no shame, no stigma. It’s neighbor helping neighbor.

The NETWorks pantry is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2380 Fourth Street in Tucker. While it also provides financial assistance for rent and utilities, unfortunately, there are usually more requests than funds available. People needing assistance can call 770.939.6454 x100 to leave a request and a volunteer will get back to them. (Anyone interested in assistance should first check their address on the NETWorks website to verify eligibility. There are some exceptions related to church membership or school enrollment.)

NETWorks relies on donations from the community of food, personal care items and funds. During COVID, it pared down the list of food distributed through the pantry; that list is available at networkscoop.org/covid. Donations of non-perishable food items and personal care items can be dropped off outside the NETWorks building Tuesday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orders also can be shipped directly to NETWorks from Amazon, Walmart or any online distributor.

Financial donations can be made through this special Our Town Dekalb campaign in a few ways:

PAGE 10

1. Text 44-321 and type in the subject line OURTOWN to get a link to the donation page.

2. Go to bit.ly/DougsOurTownDeKalb.

As we celebrate our blessings this warm and wonderful holiday season, I ask that you remember those less fortunate with a donation if you are able.

Doug Reynics is a longtime Tucker resident and self-described “foodie.” Many know him as “Doug the Driver,” who provides rides to and from both the domestic and international airport terminals. (To date, his service has provided 1,650 airport rides!)

If you have a food story or question you would like to see him write about, email him at dougthedriver1@gmail.com.

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Beauty Byline with Sanah: Should You Opt for Laser Hair Removal?

Sanah Sayani Did you know on average, women spend seventy-two days of their lives shaving their legs and men spend fortyfive days shaving their face and neck? Those stats are for just one part of the body. Add in the rest and all I can say is too much time wasted! It almost feels like a curse to have body hair. In my profession, I see countless numbers of people spending time and money on hair that never seems to go away. Through time, people have tried to make hair removal easier and more cost effective, but there really isn’t a permanent solution. The closest you get to permanent hair removal is electrolysis which is a dying technique because it takes too long and is expensive.

A very fine needle is inserted into the opening of the hair follicle and an electrical current destroys the hair growth cells. The FDA considers this method to be the only permanent hair removal, but even with electrolysis, multiple sessions are needed to achieve that result.

The next best method is laser hair removal which should really be called laser hair reduction because the purpose is to damage the hair follicle enough to slow down hair growth. Most people see results after every session but the number of sessions is determined by the level of hair growth and underlying health conditions. It is possible to be almost hair-free but laser hair removal doesn’t work for everyone.

According to experts, the best results are seen on pale skin with dark and coarse hair because the laser is targeting melanin which is what gives the hair its color. Blonde and white hair cannot be targeted by lasers so this method doesn’t work on them. Darker skin tones with dark hair also may not be the best candidates because the laser doesn’t differentiate skin from hair, it only sees color. The main complaint I hear is, “It didn’t work on me.” It’s important to know why it didn’t work.

Maybe the settings weren’t right or the candidate has an underlying condition which causes hair growth. It could be a number of things so it’s important to do your research and ask the right questions. Ask the provider if they have had successful results on others with your skin tone and hair type, ask to see before and after pictures of other clients, and be honest on your consultation.

The main reason why laser doesn’t work or may cause a superficial burn to the skin is the provider doesn’t have all the information needed to select the correct settings. They need to know your ethnicity and how your skin reacts to the sun. Up until recently only lighter skin tones with darker hair could receive effective laser treatments. Darker skin would get damaged by the heat but now there is technology that works on darker skin tones, it just may take longer.

I had laser hair removal almost twenty years ago on my underarms, legs, arms and pubic area. I went through eight treatments in each area and saw about a fifty percent reduction in hair growth. The treatment was pretty expensive so I did not do more sessions. I’m sure if I had a few more, I would have been down 80-90%. It feels like a rubber band snapping and there is no downtime. It is pretty impressive to see the hair has not come back in twenty years and I may actually get more treatments now that services are a little bit more affordable. If you have any questions or need guidance on what to ask, feel free to send me an email! Happy Holidays!

Our Town DeKalb

Sanah Sayani is a master cosmetologist and owner of Thread Beauty Spa (4426 Hugh Howell Road in the Tucker Publix shopping center). Her monthly column seeks to answer readers’ beauty concerns; write to her at threadbeautyspa@gmail.com or drop by the shop to ask her in person!

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 11

Money Available When You Need It

With a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), you can use the equity you’ve built in your home for major purchases, repairs and renovations, debt consolidation or other unexpected expenses.

Whatever your needs may be, we are here to help you take the next step forward.

This is banking at its best.

This is Banking Forward.

Brian C. Moon

AVP, Branch Manager • NMLS# 1934368 9353 Lavista Road • Tucker, GA • O: 404.297.2238

SouthStateBank.com/HELOC All loans are subject to credit approval.

Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 403455. Member FDIC.

PAGE 12

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Our Town DeKalb

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 13

Back Talk: A Pet’s Gift of Unconditional Love Dr. Karl Schwartz Emotional wellbeing is a major component of health. We can receive emotional support from our spouses, families, friends, even coworkers with whom we are close. However, the type of emotional support I want to highlight is the emotional support we receive from our pets. It seems like the older I get, the more value I see of having pets around me in the home, especially related to my emotional health. We have six cats and two dogs.

Each cat has its own unique personality but I am closest to my black cat who loves to be petted.

Research shows simply petting an animal reduces anxiety. A pet provides vital emotional support, especially to a person who lives alone. Humans are social beings, and living alone can be destructive to emotional and physical health.

Pets can fill that void. I often find myself talking with my pets; they don’t conversate too well, but the looks of confusion and wonder they display are priceless!

Last week, I had a patient who brought an emotional support dog that she was training. The benefits of a sight dog for a blind person or a hearing dog for a deaf person are obvious, but we are just beginning to understand the less obvious benefits of a support dog for people with anxiety. Dogs that visit chronically sick children in hospitals can raise the endorphin (the ‘feel good’ hormone) levels in the brain. In the television show, “Pitbulls and Parolees,” dogs are shown to give unconditional emotional support and love to people who have experienced the lows in life, often changing the paths of their humans’ lives.

I recently saved a terrier puppy that I found terrified and stranded in the middle of a six-lane highway, with cars speeding by at 60 mph. Upon seeing him, I immediately did a U-turn, speeding back to the scene, fearing that the puppy might be killed before I could get to him. Fortunately, drivers were alert and managed to avoid hitting him. Several people had stopped to help him, but no one really wanted to take him home. I took him home, and

PAGE 14

attempted to find his owner, with no success; he had a collar with no tags and wasn’t chipped. Fast forward three months and he is assimilating into our home with our other dog and six cats. He has turned out to be a real joy.

If you or someone you know would like to change your life and improve your health, consider providing a forever home for a displaced cat or dog.

Contact Lifeline Animal Project at DeKalb Animal Services. They provide animal welfare services for DeKalb County, including no-kill shelters and adoption centers (with a cat-only shelter in Tucker!), and managing foster programs for animals in need. Check them out at lifelineanimal.org, or follow them on Facebook for current animals in foster and adoption programs. Make your holidays even happier by sharing your joy with an animal in need.

Dr. Karl Schwartz is a graduate of Life University in Marietta, Georgia; he has been practicing chiropractic in Tucker for twenty-one years and a resident here for fifteen years. His office specializes in preventing sports injuries and maximizing performance by analyzing posture, weight bearing, and gait. If you have a question you would like addressed in a future column, please email karlschwartzdc@gmail.com. Note “Back Talk” in the subject line.

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Our Town DeKalb

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 15

Tucker Law Firm Honored

by Better Business Bureau Our Town DeKalb Staff Tucker firm Lamar Law Office LLC was honored with a Torch Award for Ethics by the Better Business Bureau serving Metro Atlanta, Athens and Northeast Georgia. 2021 Torch Award winners were announced during BBB’s Annual Meeting and Awards Gala held on October 21 at MercedesBenz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

The Torch Awards for Ethics is the most prestigious honor BBB can present to exceptional organizations for their dedication to integrity and ethical practices. Lamar Law was recognized for its outstanding commitment to leadership, character, social responsibility, and high standards of organizational ethics that benefit their customers, employees, and communities.

“We are so proud of Lamar Law Office, who worked through some unique circumstances these past eighteen months,” said Brian Catania, president and CEO of BBB Metro Atlanta, Athens and Northeast Georgia. “These awards recognize and celebrate businesses that continue to show how committed they are in displaying an outstanding level of ethics and integrity in all their business dealings.”

With over a decade of experience, Lamar Law provides client-centered legal care in the metro Atlanta area and throughout Georgia. The law office is known for its “We Care” brand while consistently prioritizing clients’ needs when fighting for justice. From car accidents to medical malpractice, Lamar Law Office has mastered its balance of being small enough to provide individualized care to clients but large enough to deliver the settlement clients deserve.

“Lamar Law strives to promote excellence while maintaining our integrity and ethical practices,” said Anita Lamar, founder and managing attorney.

“We appreciate this recognition by the Better Business Bureau, and pledge to maintain our merit and commitment to these principles.”

PAGE 16

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Our Town DeKalb

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 17

Tucker and NETWorks to Offer COVID Relief Housing Assistance Our Town DeKalb Staff A portion of the federal funds approved in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, goes directly to local and state governments to help lessen the economic impact of the pandemic on the residents. The City of Tucker has allocated $1.2 million of the federal funds it received through ARPA to assist Tucker residents who are facing housing insecurities. The funds will be distributed through NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit, whose mission is to respond to the food and financial needs of residents and to partner with them to find long-term solutions to poverty. NETWorks managed a similar program for the city in 2020 with CARES Act funding.

While there are many households facing pandemic-related financial impacts, the goal of the ARPA office is to reduce housing insecurity for Tucker’s most vulnerable residents by preventing evictions and the disconnection of essential utility services. Assistance can be used to pay pastdue rent, mortgage payments or utilities; eligible expenses must be dated during the pandemic (beginning March 15, 2020) and cannot be paid for by another assistance program. Priority will be given to households with incomes

PAGE 18

below $35,025 (for a two-person household) or who have experienced ninety days of continuous unemployment.

Tenants and landlords are each eligible to apply, however all applications will require the participation of both tenants and landlords in order to be considered. Assigned case managers will assist applicants in navigating the necessary components of the process.

Applicants for housing help must meet the following criteria: • reside in the City of Tucker • earn less than $49,440 (for a single household) + $6,600 for each additional member of the household • provide all necessary documentation showing financial need • an ability to connect the financial hardship to the pandemic • provide proper ID with government-issued documentation (state or federal ID, driver’s license or passport) Applicants can apply online at tuckerga.gov/arp or networkscoop.org/arp.

Questions on the program or eligibility can be directed to Sabrina Chambers at 470.500.5341 or Sabrina@NETWorksCoop.org.

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb

Our Town DeKalb

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

Our Town DeKalb