400 Edition February 2010

400 Edition W h a t ’s

u p

i n

N o r t h

February 2010

G e o r g i a

Gemstones 101

Happy Valentine’s Day! FREE

February 2010 Carole Lee, Founder/Creative Design Tim Herrel, Sales Linda Merritt, Founder/Sales/Executive Editor Bob Merritt, Director of Sales Beth Snider, Founder/Sales/Creative Design Nancy Wright, Proofing

Contributing Writers: Anne Amerson

Sharon Keating

Clay Cunningham

Steven Leibel

Dr. Mark Feinsilber

Dr. Joyce Nations

Nancy Forrest

Donald Pruitt

Robin Toms Grier

Linda Ragland

Martha Hynson

Patrick Snider

Staff Writers: Rhonda Bailey

Linda Merritt

Carole Lee

Beth Snider

Bob Merritt

Nancy Wright

400 Edition is published monthly in Dahlonega, Georgia, with distribution in three counties.

Viewpoints expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publishers, staff or advertisers. 400 Edition is not liable for inaccurate or erroneous information posted in advertising or event submissions.

Ads must be submitted and paid in full by the 20th of every month, unless arrangements have been made in advance. Content and presentation of advertisements is subject to editorial review and modification. Ad dimensions and pricing may be obtained by calling 706-867-6455 or 866867-7557. These specs may also be viewed at www.400edition.com.

Writers may submit material to editor@400edition. com. Submissions are subject to approval by the editor and may be edited for space, requirements, and style. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month.

Contents of this publication become the property of 400 Edition and the original author and cannot be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

This publication is printed by Walton Press in Monroe, GA.

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From the Editor...

H

appy Valentine’s Day to you. I wish for you all the frilly Valentines and chocolates your heart desires. I read that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year; Christmas takes first place. And…men spend twice as much money as women. Good for you.

Romance is not a thing of the past.

All the snow has finally melted around our house. That must have set a record for the number of days the snow stayed around.

Usually our snow doesn’t even last a day. It was pretty, but the ice made for dangerous driving. Schools were closed, and even some churches closed because of the icy roads.

You know me. I’m ready for spring. A little winter goes a long way with me. I’m already tired of leaves missing from the trees and having to wear a coat every time I go out. My kids laugh at me, because they love the cold weather. One daughter in Oklahoma went through a hefty snowstorm about the same time we had ours, but they ended up with 14 inches of snow. They had a snowman

still hanging on a few days ago.

We hope you enjoy this issue of 400 Edition. The articles about gemstones and Valentine’s Day are fun and enjoyable to read.

Remember to shop with our advertisers. They are the ones who make it possible for us to print and share with you.

Next month will be our historical issue.

We have several good writers from various counties doing articles on North Georgia and its history. If you have some good information, please share it with us.

Until next month…stay happy!

On the Cover Ahhh, amore! Regardless of what’s going on in the world around us, people will always fall in love. And although we’re sure it happens year-round, what better time for us to celebrate love and affection than in this February issue? Be sure to note how many North Georgia advertisers are showing their love with specials, sentiments, or just showing their red and pink colors. In addition to some Valentine’s celebrations in our events, we pay tribute to Valentine’s Day on page 19 with one look at its hazy origins.

This was a really fun issue to put together—what goes better with love than rocks! There is a lot of gemstone knowledge being shared in this issue.

Did you know that “semi-precious” is a term the gem industry would like to see obsolete? The term was originally used to describe any gem other than a diamond, sapphire, ruby, or emerald. But since semi-precious implies sub-standard value, and there are so many equally beautiful clear and colored stones (such as apatite and tourmalines) as well as beautiful “rocks” (such as lapis, turquoise, jasper, and agate), the word “precious” seems to no longer apply to only a few stones. All are precious!

When it comes to gems, beauty and value are truly in the eye of the beholder.

We want to send a big “thank you!” to Mr. Donald Clark of the International Gem Society (www.gemsociety.org) and the International Colored Gemstone Association (www.gemstone.org) for providing such wonderful gemstone articles. We hope you will not only find these articles interesting, but will also feel more informed when you go to make your next gem purchase. If your interest is piqued, you should certainly check out their web sites, where you can find an abundance of gem information for just about any age and any experience level.

Don’t hold back; tell us how you really feel about 400 Edition. We love receiving feedback from our readers and advertisers. Call us at 706-867-6455, toll free at 866-867-7557, or send an email to info@400edition.com.

Next month promises to be another great issue. It will be our ever-popular historical issue for the year. Be sure to look for it—odds are you’ll either learn something new, or remember something you’d forgotten, about the area in which you live, work, and play.

Contents

February 2010 Volume 6, Issue 9

Valentine’s Day Statistics, page 28

Gemstones 101

Columns

4 Reflections

12 Gem Care and Handling

6 Getting Informed

16 Price and Prejudice

8 Historic Forsyth

17 Say it with a Gem

10 Comma Momma

17 Judging the Quality of the Setting

13 Leibel On the Law

9 Hardness and Wearability

19 Birthstones 20 A Consumer’s Guide to Gem Grading 26 What is a Gem

14 Fun by 400 18 Through a Woman’s Eyes 29 To Your Health 30 Knowing Wine

Valentine’s Day

31 Good Eating – Bello Italian

15 My Favorite Valentine’s Day

31 Real Men Cook – Healthy White Pizza

19 The Origin of Valentine’s Day 28 Valentine’s Day Statistics

A list of major distribution points in North Georgia can be found online at www.400edition.com.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

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green

from the ground up.

Life is a mirror. We look forward, that’s the future. We look back, remember and learn—that’s a reflection.

Job Search 101

I

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planned to harmonize your lifestyle and budget.

fabricated of enduring products with a lifetime structural warranty.

Read our 17 Green Principles at lindal.com/ green17 Independently Distributed by:

Blue Ridge Cedar Homes Dawsonville, GA

706-216-2511

www.lindal.com/blueridge

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never have been in favor of sending our jobs overseas. It has only been by the grace of God that American men and women have overcome the loss of big business by creating more small businesses. Isn’t that the American way? For a period of time, those who wanted to work found work, and our economy and life styles flourished. Now we are living in a new era, one in which those who want work can’t find work. It’s now affecting new applicants to the work scene, not just high school seniors and college graduates, but experienced workers. We have been dragged down by an evil force that is bent on taking the spirit out of Americans, just to put those who never worked and never will on a same playing level with the spirited ones in America. I have news for you: It won’t happen.

My grandson Aaron has found himself in the same boat with many of your kids and grandkids— unemployed and looking. He is in his first year of college and feels the need to be employed. He is a good kid and an extremely smart kid; he just can’t seem to get a one-on-one interview.

Remember when we got a job by knowing someone in church who had a business, or the owner or manager of the local grocery or drug store? If they knew us, our parents, or our reputation, we were almost a shoo-in. I have gotten a good education in the changes that have been made over the years in job searching. I must note that I have been employed since I was 14. My first job paid 25 cents an hour. I spent the summer clearing 80 acres of thick brush.

A buddy and I swung an ax and kaiser blade all summer, and you know what? The amount of pay didn’t seem to matter. The $2.00 a day turned into $10.00 a week and into $40.00 a month and at summer’s end the $120 seemed like a fortune.

The next summer a man at our church offered me a job at his local grocery, doing deliveries and other time-filling jobs. The next summer, I had just turned sixteen and put in an application at Safeway Grocery.

I got an interview and went to work the same day. I worked there the next summer also, making good money for a kid. A man in our church recommended me to a gentleman who owned a lumber/hardware business, and he offered me a job working around the yard, filling orders and making deliveries. It was perhaps the job where I grew up, matured, and recognized the value of a job and a good boss. At the end of my first year of college I worked for Scott Lumber Company. Toward the end of the summer I got married and had to find another job. My grandpa had told me, “Always work as if your next boss is watching you,” and it came true. I was hired by another lumber company, where I worked for almost two years.

My Sunday school teacher asked me if I would be interested in running the print shop at the Community Chest/United Fund where her husband was the director. I instantly thought of my high school friends who had taken printing classes while

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

by Bob Merritt I took journalism. I remembered how their hands were always black from the inks and I hated that; but having to think of my wife and new baby, I said yes. I applied myself to learning the trade and four years later went to work as a commercial printer and remained in that profession another 28 years.

It was a good life, and now here I am helping put out this magazine by selling advertising and writing.

As I was distributing magazines to a rack in Chick-FilA in Dawsonville, I overheard a young man whisper to a friend, “I hope I don’t have to do that when I retire.” At first it bothered me, but soon I could only smile as the thought came over me that I was doing what I loved. My job is a package deal; I do more than I have to. I arrived at a place in time when God said, “This is what I want you to do for me and if you will do your part, I’ll do mine.”

Sometimes you just can’t win, it seems; but just remember, God may have a specific job for you and if you do your part, he will do his. Linda and I drove through a fast food business a few weeks ago, and I became increasingly perturbed over how long it was taking to get our order. When the manager opened the window and handed us our dinners, I just had to say in an inquiring voice, “Do you all need some help?” The lady was shocked and had a unbelieving look on her face. She recovered and said she did, then inquired if I knew someone; I replied that my grandson had applied twice since midsummer and hadn’t heard a word. “Bring him on down,” she suggested, so we hurried home, picked up Aaron, and drove him back downtown. I know he was full of high hopes. As we hooked up with the manager, she handed him a new and improved application. He filled it out and we headed home. I said, “I’m sorry it wasn’t immediate,” to which he replied, “That’s all right; at least this application will go on top.”

It must be frustrating to applicants today to know that their application is being judged in such a unpersonalized manner as a computer that really says nothing about the important things such as manners, presentation, or attitude. I am pushing 73 and from a personal standpoint would hate to be in the job search market today. Something isn’t right when a retired senior has to go back to work and finds a job quicker than a young person, and a father or mother who has been terminated from their job can’t find another of any kind. A word of encouragement: Change is on the way and it isn’t from the government. Try to make a personal connection, think outside the box, and somebody will notice you. God bless your efforts. Parents and grandparents, remember that these kids aren’t really lazy; they are trying to find their place in this complicated world that we have made, so show a little patience.

Next month my Reflections article will appear in our historical issue as an account of the Cherokee Indians’ plight leading up to the Trail of Tears, the marches, arriving in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and their settlement in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Northside Hospital-Forsyth Welcomes Its First Baby of 2010 N

orthside Hospital-Forsyth has welcomed its first baby of the new year. Aiden Ari Audette Rider was born Friday, January 1, 2010, at 7:54am, weighing in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 20 ¾ inches long.

First-time parents Ashley Audette and Greg Rider of Dahlonega couldn’t be more excited. “It’s pretty cool,” said Greg. “It hadn’t occurred to us that he might be the first for this hospital.” Ashley’s due date wasn’t until January 16.

Aiden was one of four babies who were welcomed into the world at Northside HospitalForsyth on Jan. 1. “We hope and dream that he’ll grow up to be happy and respectful,” said Ashley.

In recognition of the first baby of 2010, the hospital gave the family a giant diaper cake with teddy bear and other various baby care items. The Northside HospitalForsyth Auxiliary also gave a “special delivery” gift basket, and Our365, the hospital’s in-house newborn portrait provider, gave the

family a gift certificate for a free photo package.

The Women’s Center at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, which opened in August 2008, saw 1,925 deliveries in 2009. The state-ofthe-art facility continues the wellestablished tradition of quality that distinguishes Northside Hospital as the leading hospital for maternity and newborn services in Georgia.

For more information, visit www.northside.com.

Valentine Vows at the Historic Dawson County Courthouse Dawson County Magistrate Court to hold free marriage and vow renewal ceremonies

L

ove is in the air in Dawson County. Dawson County Magistrate Court kicks off Valentine weekend with free marriage and vow renewal ceremonies at the Historic Dawson County Courthouse.

Make your special event part of history by holding your wedding or vow renewal ceremony on Friday, February 12, in the oldest working courthouse in Georgia. Judges will be available from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

The courthouse will feature décor for the occasion, and light

refreshments will be served.

Bring your camera to capture this momentous occasion.

“Last year we performed 15 individual Valentine weddings and vow renewals,” said Chief Magistrate Lisa Thurmond. “We encourage couples to call early.”

A marriage license from Probate Court is required for new marriages. No license is required for vow renewals. Contact the Magistrate Court at 706-344-3730 to schedule your ceremony. Space is limited; please schedule by February 5.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition

Getting Informed— Canned or Custom?

R

egardless of your type of business, you have likely had to look at one or two software titles geared toward meeting operational needs within your industry. Whether it is point of sale, enterprise resource planning (ERP), eCommerce, or client relationship management (CRM), there always seems to be a system available that promises to do everything you need except make coffee in the morning.

Should you bite? Is there really a tool that can take care of your business needs in one tidy package?

Sorry to debunk the marketing messages, but it is unlikely that one canned software package—a premade application you pull off the shelf—can take care of all the needs of your existing business. Canned software is developed either by a company that has expertise in a particular field and develops the application around that expertise, or by a development company that “hires in” the expertise required to get it right. These developers have a process in mind that they believe to be optimum and they create an allencompassing piece of software that executes that vision. That’s great when their ideal process matches the way you do business. If you have a start-up company and can buy into that ideal, it just may work for you; however, if yours is an existing business, you typically end up with a tool that does about 80% of what you really need it to do, and the extras simply complicate the process.

You will have to spend time learning the software and determining how to make it fit within your organization. These packages are generally complex and frequently high-priced.

Custom software, on the other hand, is your brainchild. You find a sharp developer you trust, and begin the process of creating your perfect application. You document your process; your developer listens, then codes; and everyone tests. It is a

reiterative process, and most who have been there will tell you they sometimes wondered if it would ever end. Your custom package will do 100% of what you need today, as long as: 1) you do a good job of documenting and communicating that process; and 2) your developer understands and has the skills to code it into being. To get it right, you and your developer will spend significant time in the development cycle, particularly in the time needed to design requirements.

Custom development is generally complex and frequently high-priced.

Sound familiar?

Determining the best approach for your business ultimately comes down to your level of expertise, your willingness and ability to invest time, and your budget. The upside is that whether you personally embrace technology or not, there are efficiencies to be gained in automating significant portions of your daily operations, and with efficiency comes increase—sometimes that increase is profits, and sometimes it just means you get seven hours of sleep each night instead of four. Either way, there are benefits to be had.

In my experience with the custom development process, I have found that some of the common barriers to custom development revolve around a business owner or expert not having a solid, definite business rationale behind portions of their process. Let’s face it—there are very few tests in the marketplace to prove that a shop owner has the right set of skills to run their business. Although you might think that financial success is the test that matters, I’ve seen some very skilled people with great ideas fail, and some minimally skilled people with mediocre ideas succeed. Sometimes it takes a very long time for that market test to come to a conclusion.

The second reason custom development frequently fails is that a business owner rarely possesses

by Beth Snider the expertise to hire a competent developer, because the evaluation criteria for that selection is beyond the owner’s grasp. Even when you see the evidence of a developer’s work, talk to their past clients to understand their approach, and gain a degree of trust in that individual or company, without a perfect picture of the end result, neither you nor your selected developer can be 100% certain that the project will succeed.

Thirdly, it may be hard to believe, but there are unscrupulous developers in the world who will take your money and run. Other developers, while not actually con artists, simply don’t know what they don’t know, or are overconfident about their technical skill or organizational capability.

These issues with custom software are behind the success of canned applications. Rather than face an exhausting, time-consuming, and costly custom approach, many business owners throw in the towel and just do their best to determine which product will come closest to matching 80% of their business needs, and figure out a way to deal with the rest. Some businesses go the route of a hybrid of these two approaches by customizing a canned application to eke out better coverage for their individual needs.

This is only possible with certain types of software, where the license gives you the ability to make changes, and you have to find a resource that has the niche expertise required to customize the application. Once your application has been customized, you run the risk of not being able to take advantage of code fixes or new features available in future releases of the canned package for fear that all of your time and money spent customizing will be lost in that upgrade.

There is a silver lining to this gray cloud, in the form of Open Source Software (OSS). Open Source is a movement in which developers

create custom software whose license explicitly allows the software user to customize the application to meet their needs. Open source applications are commonly developed as a response to (that is, as a replacement for) particular canned software offerings. It is fully transparent development, with no hidden code or protected secrets.

There are multiple sources of OSS, but Source Forge (www.sourceforge. net) is one of the top repositories.

Open source applications are written in a multitude of languages, which means your potential pool of developers is deep and wide. As long as the developer you hire to perform customization buys into OSS, everything they produce is readily evident to the next developer who views your code.

There is also a movement within OSS that adheres to a modular environment or a framework for enterprise-level software, so that customized changes can be developed that plug into the original package.

This approach minimizes the impact of future upgrades and patches.

The next time you are strategizing for your business, or if you are in the process of determining how to improve your bottom line, consider adopting an automated tool that just might make a difference for your company. Consider the canned vs. custom approach and do some research. A little investigation time in the beginning can pay off with big results.

Beth Snider is a founder of 3by400, a North Georgia-based business consulting company that specializes in marketing and automating organizations. Visit her company’s web site at www.3by400.com. Send your IT questions to beth@3by400.com.

Historic Forsyth

by Donald Pruitt

Children Of The Great Depression y dad was born in Forsyth County M in 1916 and my mom was born two years later. They grew up here and married

in 1936 in the midst of the Great Depression.

They left in 1939, moving to Lawrenceville and then to Atlanta—they both worked at the Bell Aircraft plant in Marietta during WW II—before returning to Forsyth County in 1948. I asked both Mom and Dad to write a journal of their early years in 1992. Dad did this and I will relate his memories here.

My name is Marvin Henry Pruitt and I am almost 76 years old. I am the oldest of eleven children, five boys and six girls.

My parents were Henry William and Lillie Belle Hunt Pruitt. I was born in Forsyth County near what is now Highway 20 in the Haw Creek Community, off of what was then called Doris Benefield Road. The house was a small three-room house with two bedrooms and a large kitchen. We had large front and back porches. The heat came from a fireplace, and for lights at night we had kerosene lamps. No electricity, no fans, no air conditioning, no running water. One winter, we had a huge snow storm and there was snow on our quilts when we woke up, where snow had come thru cracks in the ceiling. The roof shingles were oak, from a large oak tree that my dad and grandfather, John Wesley Pruitt, had cut down and shimmed out with a wedge and sledge hammer and axe.

We had a large barn as well as a large smoke house and a storm cellar. The storm cellar was like a small basement dug under the house, with heavy timbers over the top. It could be used if a bad windstorm or tornado came up. However, it was also

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used to store can goods, as well as potatoes we had grown, and apples. In the fall, we would pick cotton. School was let out for the month of October. When we went to the cotton gin, which was across from where Haw Creek Baptist Church stands, it was baled into 500-pound bales. These were brought back and placed on the large porches. During a good year, we might have six bales of cotton on the porches. My grandfather, John Wesley Pruitt, had a lot of Chattahoochee River bottomland. In some years in the 1920s, the river would flood and would ruin the corn crop. When we had a good crop, we were able to raise more hogs and then have more meat for the winter. A lot of the corn was ground at a grist mill to make corn meal for cornbread. We would also raise a lot of sugar cane. One of our neighbours had a sorghum press, or mill, and a mule that drove it. Several years we made over 100 gallons of sorghum syrup.

Breakfast was usually “cathead” biscuits, pork sausage, “red eye” gravy, then hot buttered biscuits with sorghum syrup. We always had several hogs and would kill and dress out two at a time. Most all the ham and shoulders were ground up into sausage, and that was canned so it would keep better.

In the summertime, when we were working the bottoms, my dad would put out a trot line across the Chattahoochee River and we would have fresh catfish to eat when we caught some large catfish. In the winter, we would set out rabbit boxes to catch wild rabbits. In other words, we either grew or caught just about everything that we ate.

I went to the old Haw Creek School off of what is now Trammel Road. We did not

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

have school buses so we had to walk about three miles, one way, to school. At first the schoolhouse was only two rooms. Later, a third room was added, with a large hallway and a coatroom. The school benches were made of strips of sawed lumber and your bottom would get pinched or get splinters in it. My first grade teacher was Nona Driskoll and later her husband, Fred Driskoll, who was principal. I also had John Oliver Luck, Clint Williams, Jessie Bales, and Ruth Barnett. Ruth Barnett is still alive (1992).

TO BE CONTINUED. NOTE: I will complete this article in next month’s issue. Again, I encourage anyone who has anything to add to this narrative to email me.

Donald (Don) Pruitt is a 1958 graduate of FCHS and a 1963 UGA graduate.

While Don and his wife, Sula Echols Pruitt, have lived outside of Forsyth County since 1963, he has a love of Forsyth County history and genealogy. He still has family here and tries to return “home” from North Carolina, where he has lived for 39 years. Donald is a long-time member of the Historical Society of Forsyth County. He can be contacted by email at sazabylex@windstream.net.

Hardness And Wearability T

here is an old saying that if you hit a diamond with a hammer, it will shatter into a dozen pieces. If you hit a piece of quartz with a hammer, it will split in two. Hit a piece of jade with a hammer and it will ring like a bell.

Hardness is one of the most misunderstood properties of gemstones. That’s because the word has been given a specific and limited meaning by the scientific community. This definition varies considerably from the way it is used by the general public.

By scientific definition, hardness is “the ability to resist scratching” and nothing more. Ask most folks and they will tell you that feathers are soft and glass is hard. In the world of gemology, though, glass is fairly soft. It can be easily scratched by a majority of what we consider to be hard substances.

About a century ago a scientist named Mr. Moh created a scale to illustrate this. It is called the Moh’s Scale. :-) He chose ten minerals of varying hardness and gave them each a value. His scale looks like this: The Moh’s Scale Of Hardness 10 Diamond 9 Corundum (that’s rubies and sapphires) 8 Topaz 7 Quartz 6 Feldspar 5 Apatite 4 Fluorite 3 Calcite 2 Gypsum 1 Talc Each of these minerals can be scratched by the one above it and will scratch the ones below it. Minerals of the same hardness won’t scratch each other. That is simple enough, but the ramifications need to be understood.

First, notice that quartz is 7 on the list. Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth and is a major component of common dust. That means that

simply wiping the dust off of any material softer than quartz will create scratches. Of course they will be tiny, even microscopic, but over a period of time they will accumulate.

In practical terms, this means that a gem softer than quartz will lose its polish and become dull simply from being cleaned.

For this reason, 7 on the Moh’s scale has become a standard for determining if a gem is hard enough for normal wear. This isn’t a hard and fast rule; it is more of a guideline. (See the article “What is a Gem” for more information.)

Again, hardness is “the ability to resist scratching” and nothing more. Just because a gem is hard does not mean it will wear well.

There are a number of factors that effect how well a gem will wear. One of the most important is cleavage.

Technically, cleavage has to do with how strongly the molecules bind to each other. To put it in layman’s terms, it is much like the grain of wood. You can easily split a piece of wood along the grain, but going across the grain is much more difficult.

Many gems have “cleavage planes.” Cleavage planes are not the same in all minerals. They are defined as “perfect, good, fair or poor,” depending on how easily the mineral will separate along the plane.

You may have seen an old movie where a diamond cutter is sweating over cleaving a large, valuable diamond crystal.

Cautiously he places the chisel on the crystal, then he gives it a brisk and carefully measured blow.

by Don Clark, CSM

If he does it right, he has two perfect pieces that can be cut into fabulous gems. If he errs, the thing will shatter!

Diamond cutters don’t have to do this anymore; however, it is an excellent example of cleavage.

Diamond is the hardest substance in nature, but it will break if struck properly by a piece of steel, which is only 5 or 6 in hardness.

Another very important consideration of a gem’s durability is how it is worn. Ring stones are subjected to considerable abuse.

The simple activity of reaching into one’s pocket or purse can cause a ring stone to be smacked against keys, lipstick, or pocket knives. When you consider all the other things we do with our hands, this mounts up quickly.

While rings are the most popular way to wear a gem, those worn on other parts of the body don’t get anywhere near the abuse a ring stone will. If you are wanting a sensitive gemstone, consider having it mounted in a pendant, brooch, or earrings.

If you really want it in a ring, there are a couple of things that can help your stone. First, consider whether it can be reserved for dress wear, rather than an everyday piece of jewelry.

Also consider the setting. A tiffany setting that holds the gem well up above the finger with a few prongs is asking for trouble. If you are putting a delicate gem in a finger ring, chose a setting with lots of metal around the gem to protect it. Gold is soft, but easily polished and it is fairly easy to replace when it wears away. The same cannot be said for your gem.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

There are other factors besides the ones we have already covered.

Some gems are brittle, meaning they chip easily. Others, like opal, are “heat sensitive.” (In truth, opals don’t mind heat; it is the sudden change in temperature that upsets them.) Many soft and porous gems, like pearls and turquoise, are affected by chemicals. And the list goes on...

So I hope you are beginning to understand that, in gemology, hardness alone is not a measure of durability. Several factors have to be considered together to determine how well a gem will wear. In our gem descriptions we have a category called “Wearability.” This is a summary of these qualities, designed as a guideline for you.

International Gem Society.

Dedicated to bringing quality information and educational services to everyone interested in gemstones. www.gemsociety.org.

400 Edition

Comma Momma Zombie Rules and the MWDEU

Y

ou know all those rules we learned in school about how to use English properly?

Guess what? Not all of them were rules.

Yes, a few of them were. But some of them were only guidelines. Some were suggestions.

Some were conventions. Some were stylistic choices. Some were personal preferences and shibboleths. And some were outright superstitions.

It’s probably safe to assume that as students we didn’t understand those distinctions (if the distinctions were even made), and we’ve grown up thinking of all of those teachings as Rules. We’re careful to abide by them ourselves, and quick to castigate those who don’t.

Some of these so-called rules—located for the most part at the superstition end of the scale—have been repeatedly debunked over the years. But they refuse to die, leading one language professional to label them “zombie rules.”

Two zombie rules come immediately to mind: Never split an infinitive, and never end a sentence with a preposition. These restrictions are hogwash, and have been for centuries, except perhaps for brief periods when some self-proclaimed

by Nancy Wright

grammar expert tried to chisel them in stone.

One linguist had this to say recently about the split-infinitive thing: “There’s no question that splitting infinitives is a variant within standard English, and has been for a long time.

If you believe it’s nasty, that’s your personal taste, but you’re going to have to live with the fact that other (educated and articulate) people do not share your taste, and you should stop beating them with a stick about how their English differs from yours.”

So just how do we go about determining which of the rules we learned in school were not rules, but were instead merely guidelines, or conventions, or fashions, or a teacher’s personal preferences, or zombie rules?

Here’s the first place to look for insight: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage (MWDEU), subtitled “The complete guide to problems of confused or disputed usage.” New or used, this book should be in the library of every language-maven-in-training.

It’s not your typical dictionary, the kind that tells you what a word means. It’s a special kind of dictionary that tells you how a word is used—and (this is the cool part) how the word has been used in the past.

You’ll find the MWDEU fascinating reading, full of thousands of quoted examples. But prepare to be humbled;

you may have to rethink some of your longstanding language fetishes.

For example, it’s always been a rule with me that in phrases like “the senator that sponsored the bill,” you should say “the senator who” instead of “the senator that.” “That” is reserved for non-humans only. Whenever I was within red-pen reach of a “that” used with a human, I always changed it to “who.” But the MWDEU’s several pages on the usage history of the word “that,” all the way back to the 14th century (!), make it embarrassingly clear that the rule I’ve followed with such single-minded devotion all these years is not a rule. It might be a convention, a guideline, or a personal preference; but it is not a rule, and the sky will not fall if I leave “that” alone. The list of respected—even venerated— authors who have ignored this non-rule over the centuries is enormously impressive.

But I’m sorry, I still change “that” to “who.”

So sue me.

Nancy Wright formats technical books for a specialty publishing house in New York. She and her husband live in White County; you can contact her at adairmill@windstream.net. You can visit the forums at www.400edition.com to read some earlier columns.

Arbor Day Student Art Contest Winners The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee and the Georgia Forestry Service announce the winners of the 2010 Arbor Day Art Contest—“Trees Are Terrific and Energy Wise.” More then 40 works of art were entered by fifth grade elementary students from ten schools in Gainesville-Hall County, along with home schoolers.

The First Prize winner is Cameron Holmes from Spout Springs Elementary; the two runners-up are Seth Lisboa, Friendship Elementary, and Heather Regniner, Mt. Vernon

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Elementary.

This year’s winning artwork will be sent on to the national competition this month, and a copy of the three winners will hang in the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville after Arbor Day (February 19).

An Arbor Day Celebration will take place at 10:00am on February 19 at the Northeast Georgia History Center in Gainesville. The event is open to the public. Sponsored by Keep Hall Beautiful, MALTA (Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association), and Georgia Power Company, Arbor Day 2010 festivities will include recognition of student art winners, a joint Proclamation from the City of Gainesville and Hall County presented along with recognition of Gainesville’s status as a Tree City USA. For more information, contact Robin Halstead, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 770-532-6206 or see www. greaterhallchamber.com.

Senior Center Raising Funds The Lumpkin County Senior Center in Dahlonega is raising funds for an automated external defibrillator (AED).

An automated external defibrillator is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation—the application of electrical therapy that stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to

reestablish an effective rhythm.

AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layman, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, first responder, and basic life support (BLS) level CPR classes.

The cost of an AED is $1,250.

As of December 29, the center had collected $690.

For more information and to contribute contact Rhonda Bailey, MOW/Volunteer Coordinator, Lumpkin County Senior Center at 706-864-2358

Dawsonville Church Compelled to Serve their Community Senior Pastor Jim Gaines began 2010 with a message that has inspired his congregation at First Baptist in Dawsonville to be more involved in serving the needs of people in the Dawsonville community. Even though the church is already involved in many ministries to the community, the pastor and congregation want to do more. The theme for the year, “Compelled by Love,” has led members to plan four weekends during the year when they will go into the community to do service

projects to help people who need a helping hand. Even members of the congregation who are currently without a job themselves due to the current economy are eager to be involved in this additional opportunity to serve others.

Members will be surveying the community in the next few weeks to discover projects for the first “Compelled by Love Weekend” in March. Visit the church website at firstbaptistdawsonville.com for more information about the church activities and ministries.

A Good Year for Rug Outlet 2009 was a good year for Rug Outlet. The fact that homeowners are choosing to remodel and enhance the beauty of their existing homes has made it a must-shop.

In 2010 Rug Outlet will go from a 3,500-square-foot showroom to a 10,000-square-foot showroom.

New merchandise is in and ready for you. It is good to see a business grow in this downturn market.

They give 400 Edition credit for having a part in their success. See their ad in this issue, and plan on visiting their new showroom soon.

High Quality Chocolate If you want to be sure that you are buying good quality chocolate, the first thing you want to look for is 50 to 70 per cent cocoa solids in the contents. This should be listed on the wrapper. Cheap chocolate usually contains about 10 per cent.

Another thing to look at is the sugar content. High sugar content in chocolate is a good indicator

of bad chocolate. Good quality chocolate will usually contain about 30 per cent sugar. Also, try to avoid chocolates with vegetable fat and artificial flavors.

Courtesy of The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club, www. chocolatemonthclub.com.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition

11

Gem Care and Handling A

lthough gemstones are among the most durable of substances, they do need some care. Following a few general rules will make sure that they last for generations still looking like the day you bought them.

First of all, keep them clean.

Rings in particular tend to collect dust and soap behind the stone, particularly if you wear them all the time. To clean transparent crystalline gemstones, simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle soap. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone.

Even the hardest gemstone variety can be vulnerable to breakage if it has inclusions that weaken the crystal structure. Exercise common sense; if you have a ring set with a softer gem variety or an included stone, take it off before strenuous exercise.

Diamonds are very hard but can shatter in two with a single well-placed blow. Rubies and sapphires are the toughest gems but even they can chip if hit sharply.

Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Diamonds and rubies and sapphires will be fine but many other gems may not be; when in doubt, leave it out. Diamonds, rubies and sapphires, and other single-crystal gems can be cleaned with a touch of ammonia in water to remove all films and add extra sparkle.

Opaque gemstones like

lapis lazuli, turquoise, or malachite require special care. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner and never use ammonia or any chemical solution. These gem materials should just be wiped clean gently with a moist cloth. These gemstones can be porous and may absorb chemicals, even soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it.

The reason these materials need more care than transparent gemstones is that these materials are essentially rocks, not crystals of a single mineral. Think about it: When you put a rock in water, it absorbs the water and is moist all the way through. A single crystal gem like sapphire will not absorb water; all the molecules are lined up so tightly in the crystal that there is no room for water to enter.

Opals also require special care. Never use an ultrasonic,

never use ammonia, and avoid heat and strong light which can dry out the water in opals.

Organic gems like pearls, coral, and amber should only be wiped clean with a moist cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume; they can, over time, damage pearls in particular.

Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don’t scratch softer ones.

Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in.

Gems can scratch the finish of your gold, silver, or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

Courtesy of International Colored Gemstone Association, www.gemstone.org.

Totally Running Low Roads, High Roads, and No Roads

Spring is just around the corner and track stars are getting out last year’s running shoes. Don’t be surprised if your kid says, “I need a new pair of running shoes. Mine are tight and showing signs of breaking up.”

Going out for the track team is a big part of a school kid’s life in junior or senior high, and a little more serious in college. If a kid has the heart and independence to train for track, they deserve a good pair of comfortable shoes. The school running track will soon be the team members’ home until school is out, but some won’t stop there. Georgia’s trails, tracks, and roads are perfect for the disciplined runner.

As an old Arkansas ridge runner I speak from experience; thankfully the running shoe has changed over the years. Today’s shoes are lighter, more comfortable, and more designed for the runner’s foot. Totally Running is a store especially for the runner. I could list the dozens of name brands of footwear and running gear ranging from sunglasses to running clothes for male and female, but I’ll leave that for your discovery. I would rather

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tell you about a machine they have that shows the pressure points of your feet. Why is this important? Many runners run flat-footed and that tends to slow them down. Another thing this machine points out is problems that could produce shin splints.

Periodically checking these pressure points can help avoid and cure foot and leg problems in kids and grownups.

We grown-ups get the urge, especially around New Year’s, to reconstruct our health by starting a walking program. If you are one of these, or you think running is your game, let me suggest you visit Totally Running and get started right. Get on the machine, ask the pro for advice, and start out or switch to the right gear. Totally Running is located in Brannon Crossing, across the street from The Avenue and next door to Chopsticks China Bistro. Visit them at 405 Peachtree Parkway (Highway 141) or call 678-341-8032. They open at 11:00am. When the mile is finished, you will be glad it started at the Totally Running shoe store.

Leibel on the Law Damages for Love Lost

by Steven K. Leibel

A

visit to a lawyer’s office is generally not rated as one of life’s romantic experiences. In fact, most clients don’t expect their visit to a personal injury lawyer to have anything to do with romance or relationships.

Most people would ask, what does a serious personal injury case have to do with any intimate relationships?

Firstly, when a person is physically injured they are entitled to damages for that injury. Unfortunately many accidents cause injuries that can affect intimate relationships.

Injuries that involve the inner ear, loss of bladder control, the ability to stand without pain, fibromyalgia, and myofacial pain syndrome also bring challenges to a person’s marital relationships.

Oftentimes these intimate injuries do not immediately manifest themselves. I had a case in which a young woman was hit by a drunk driver, causing her vehicle to spin 360 degrees. After she was transported to the hospital she began a slow recovery.

She suffered from whiplash symptoms of a sore neck and back. Unfortunately she also found that her monthly cycle had changed as well. It was found that as a result of the accident she suffered injury to her brain stalk, which controlled her fertility. This became the focus of the trial. Although she and her husband had been trying to have a baby, they could never have one as a result of the car wreck.

In many cases a traumatic event brings about pain that destroys desire and romance.

As an example: I represented a woman who suffered from fibromyalgia as a result of a car wreck. She lost her ability to concentrate, had constant pain,

and couldn’t function at home or at work. Her love life became non-existent. When a person loses their spousal desires because of pain, both husband and wife suffer in the eyes of the law.

Little do most people know that the loss of romance, and the damage to the bonds we form with our spouses, can be a significant form of the damages we suffer as a result of an injury.

When an accident disrupts those relationships, both the injured and their spouse have separate claims for compensation.

Loss of consortium is the term most often used by judges and lawyers to refer to the claims of those physically uninjured spouses in personal injury case. These claims occur when as a result of a physical injury a spouse cannot provide his or her spouse with the services, companionship, love, affection, and marital relations as enjoyed before the accident.

The loss of consortium claim is usually not a significant one unless the physically injured spouse has suffered a devastating injury such as paralysis, incontinence, loss of sexual function, or inability to walk. In some cases juries assess how a spouse assumes full responsibility for the household chores, cooking, and hygienic care of a loved one.

The nature and duration of the pain is also considered in such an award.

The fact that a spouse is entitled to an award of loss of consortium does not diminish or take away from the value of the injured spouse’s total claim. It is a legal recognition that a spouse has their own claim for damage to their husband or wife.

As you know, I always ask people to examine their

insurance policies to determine whether they are adequately protecting themselves, their spouses, family members, and friends. Medical pay, adequate insurance limits, and uninsured motorist protection, as well as homeowners umbrella polices, need to be assessed. If you or a loved one is injured, there may simply not be enough coverage.

Protect yourself, and visit us for a free consultation.

Steven Leibel is a Georgia personal injury lawyer with offices in Dawson County and in Dahlonega. He currently serves a member of the Georgia Bar Board of Governors for

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

the Enotah Circuit. He is a Commission member of the Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission.

He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell for his legal ability and ethical conduct. He can be reached at 706-867-7575 or 404-892-0700. Questions about his column can be sent to his email at steven@leibel. com. Nothing in this column can be construed as the giving of legal advice. Legal advice can only be made through an attorney-client relationship. The statements made in this column are for general education purposes only.

400 Edition 13

Fun 400 by

Searching for Valentine’s Day M V F G G T S S Z C N T K M C S L Z K N R S W I B A S W C U A F R I E N D E U D V N H M P M B N W A J I E N G A O D B I H I O R T D T T G O C J E Y D F L R P U W H H U O Y T V C N F O M C E S X E L Y R Z T Q O W I U W I I N A H L A K C L Q X K I R S T T R S S U B H L D Q O W S T E N T I R R P M P D E N I T N E L A V U B E Q H R J K B P N Q E P M B E F V V A O P H Q H M X N F O F N J O C X Q F K N T K R T M R V H P L T R A E H G D Q W H O C N N D

Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com. Answers on page 24.

The Octopus Puzzle

Can you find all of the words in the list below? They can be found horizontally, vertically, diagonally, backwards and forwards.

ARROW CANDY CARD CHOCOLATE CUPID FEBRUARY FLOWERS FOURTEENTH FRIEND HEART KISS LOVE ROMANTIC SWEETHEART VALENTINE

Create new 4-letter words using the letters in the center circle. Use each letter only once in any given word. Write the letters in the squares (octopus arms) provided. Optional Challenge: Arrange words in the “arms” so that no two words next to each other share the same letters.

Love Songs Quiz Fill in the missing word(s) in the titles or lyrics of the love songs.

1. ________ in the name of love.

love, baby.

2. Why do ________ fall in love?

11. I’m in the _______ for love.

3. Bye, ______ love.

12. Hello young lovers whoever you are, I hope your _________ are few.

19. To ____ with love.

20. Come with me, my love, to the ____ of love.

5. I don’t care too much for ________, ________ can’t buy me love.

13. _______ loves me, this I know.

21. I fell in love with you, heart and ______.

14. Love is a many _______ thing.

22. A ______ kind of love.

6. Just let your love flow like a mountain ________.

15. You always hurt the _____ you love.

23. When a ______ loves a ________ .

7. All of my love, all of my ________.

16. You’re nobody ’til ________ loves you.

24. I think I love you, so what am I so _______ of.

8. You made me love you; I didn’t want to _______.

17. I took the little bottle of Love Potion _______ _____.

25. Love me ________.

9. I love you truly, truly ________.

18. Once I had a _______ love that lived within the heart of me.

27. Love makes the _________ go round.

4. Just an ___-_________ love song.

10. I can’t give you __________ but

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26. Love letters in the _________.

My Favorite Valentine’s Day M

by Vanessa McBrayer

ost of my elementary school years were filled with good grades, a few close friends, and fun-filled days.

However, there was one year that was not so uneventful and stands out in memory as a little gloomy. I didn’t particularly like my teacher because she wasn’t enthusiastic about anything and really seemed to dislike her job and her students.

Also, I hated where I sat in class.

My desk was right in the middle of the meanest, rudest little boys you ever encountered. You know the type—cussing, spitting, and picking on girls were their favorite hobbies.

Besides all of this, the worst thing that happened that year was that my grandfather passed away. It was always a huge thrill for my cousins and me to see him come through the door. He gave each one of us the special kind of attention that made you feel like you were his favorite. I remember sitting in his lap while he read me the funnies in the newspaper and sharing a tall glass of cornbread and milk.

Valentine’s Day fell on a regular school day and everyone in our class exchanged Valentines. It was exciting to see who gave who what.

There was one particular boy in class who was always picked on because he wore ragged clothes, had long shaggy hair, and came to school every morning just as dirty as he was the day before. He was very quiet and the snobby girls in my class always picked on him. Beneath the dirt and hair was a cute face and a kind soul and I made sure that he got my Valentine. The rest of the day went as usual: dealing with the hellions who were busy trying to bust a big rock by throwing it repeatedly on the floor, which sent a thousand little pieces in the air. One of the pieces—of course—landed right in my eye and I was sent to the nurse, who put a patch over my eye and made me wear it the rest of the day. As the day was ending, the intercom came on and the announcer started calling out the names of different girls who had something in the office for them to pick up. A couple of snobby girls in my class heard their names and raced out of the room as fast as they could. They were excited because they knew that they would be receiving something pretty and frilly,

like the bows in their hair and the fancy dresses they wore every day for no special reason. Then I heard my name called. Being the shy one that I was, I was embarrassed to hear my name called out for the whole school to hear and I tried to hide my excitement. I walked to the office where my special surprise was there waiting for me: a beautiful pink carnation in a vase with a balloon attached and a heartshaped chocolate chip cookie. My day was turned around and I walked to the bus with pride, holding my valentine surprise up high for everyone to see.

My grandmother had sent me and my two other girl cousins the special surprises. I guess she knew that we would need cheering up. Not only did that day get much better, but so did the school year. Our teacher took a leave of absence and was replaced with a teacher named Mr. Buckles, who was eager to teach us new things and, most importantly, made us want to learn new things. I instantly became teacher’s pet and was moved to the other side of the room, as he sensed my problem with the boys right away. My grades went up as I took more pride in my school work and I even helped the other children get caught up. I stood up against the snobby girls in defense of the poor boy they picked on and they finally left him alone. From that grade on, I enjoyed school and eventually went on to study education.

Vanessa McBrayer, her husband, three cats, a dog, and five fish make their home in Dawsonville.

She is the Salon Director of Lava Hair Studio. Her hobbies are writing, hiking, gardening, and traveling. Life Philosophy: Appreciate the simple things in life.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 15

Price and Prejudice F

or Jane Austen, matrimony was as much a financial transaction as an emotional one, with everyone trying to get the best possible bargain. Buying a gem is also the beginning of a lifelong relationship and the price you pay is part of the deal. Understandably, you don’t want to pay too much.

So how can you tell if you are paying the right price?

First of all, don’t ask how much you should pay for a one-carat ruby. A onecarat ruby can be worth ten dollars or it can be worth $10,000. Quality makes the difference. Fortunately you can see differences in quality if you look at a lot of rubies side by side. Better color costs more, a lot more. Better clarity costs more. Better cut may cost a little more, but it is worth it. The bigger the stone, the more it is per carat. Within each variety, prices are based on the four Cs—color, clarity, cut, and carat weight —with color as the most important factor.

But different varieties have different price ranges. This is where the prejudice comes in. Some varieties are lower in price because they are readily available, some because the color isn’t very popular (brown and yellow stones, for example), some because the material is relatively soft, and some because ...they have all the right stuff but no one knows it. There are plenty of examples of beautiful rare gemstones that cost less than gems that are less rare because they have a funny name, or people get them confused with an inexpensive variety or no one has ever heard of them. But enough about the injustice of the gem market.

We can break the price ranges of the different gem varieties down into five basic categories: traditional gemstones, new classics, connoisseur gems, collector gemstones, and affordable gems. These categories have basic price ranges; but again, lower quality stones or stones with less popular colors may cost less, and stones with particularly fine quality or color may cost more. These price ranges are meant to give you a general idea of the relationship of prices between different kinds of gemstones, and not to serve as a price list, since color and quality can make such a difference.

The traditional gemstones are ruby, emerald, and blue sapphire. Because of their lasting appeal and distinguished history, ruby, emerald, and sapphire are more valuable than other colored gemstones. Generally, ruby and emerald are also priced higher than

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a comparable quality sapphire due to rarity. For a one-carat stone of average to good quality in the varieties in this category, you can expect to pay between $250 and $10,000 per carat.

Of course truly fine gems will cost more.

The new classics are gemstones that are the rising stars of gemstone jewelry: tanzanite, tourmaline, aquamarine, imperial topaz, and tsavorite garnet.

These gemstones are sometimes available in standardized sizes but you really should look at some fine larger single stones to see why they have so many fans. Gems in this category range between $50 to $1,000 per carat for an average to good quality one-carat stone, with a good example of tsavorite easily reaching $3,000 per carat.

Connoisseur gems are gemstones that have a more specialized market because they are more rare. These gemstones include black opal, jadeite, pink topaz, chrysoberyl cat’s-eye, fancy colored sapphires, and rare stones like demantoid garnet and alexandrite.

These gemstones are highly prized and prices range from $250 to $5,000 per carat, although alexandrite with a good color change will command at least $10,000 even in a one-carat size.

Collector’s gems are not available in quantity to be marketed effectively, so you get a lot of beauty for the money. This category includes spinel, zircon, moonstone, morganite and other beryls, and many rare gemstones. Red and hot pink spinels can command a few thousand per carat, but most of the gems in this category will sell for hundreds, not thousands.

Then there are the affordable gemstones, which combine great color with a surprisingly reasonable price and good availability. These gems include some old favorites and some new gems: amethyst, white opal, citrine, ametrine, peridot, rhodolite garnet, blue topaz, iolite, chrome diopside, kunzite, andalusite, and many ornamental gemstones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, onyx, chrysoprase, nephrite jade, and amber. Prices for these gemstone range between $5 and $100 per carat for a one-carat stone.

In every variety, especially the more expensive ones, you should expect to pay more for matched pairs, sets, and special shapes and cuts.

Courtesy of International Colored Gemstone Association, www.gemstone.org.

Say it with a Gem

T

contained an unquenchable fire: use it to start your own eternal flame.

Amethyst

Sincerity: A gift of this gem says you’re not just kidding around.

Peace: Use this gem to call for a truce.

Faithfulness: Lipstick on your collar?

Hardhat in your backseat? Maybe a gift of this gem is a good idea?

he language of gemstones is an ancient way to speak from the heart.

The gift of a gemstone has an extra layer of meaning from this long tradition.

Sobriety: Show your appreciation for your designated driver with this gem.

Aquamarine

Marital harmony: Say you’re sorry, give your spouse this gem, and promise that it will never, ever, happen again.

Emerald

Sapphire

The soul: Take your love to a higher plane with a gift of this gem.

Divine favor: Bishops wore this gem to symbolize their divine stature. Tell someone you love you think they’re heavenly.

Love: The gem of Venus says love a lot more persuasively than a dozen roses.

Topaz

Rebirth: New marriage? New job?

Witness Protection program? Start that new life out right with this gem.

Tourmaline

Fertility: This gemstone may not help create quintuplets. But twins aren’t out of the question.

The sun: Does she light your days?

Electricity: Squeeze this gem and it gives off electricity. Give it and create sparks.

Opals

Hope: Show your faith that things will work out with a gift of this gem.

Ruby

Passion: The ancients believed this gem

Judging the Quality of the Setting N

ow that you have found the perfect gem, all you need to do is make sure it is displayed well and held securely in place.

To judge the quality of the jewelry setting, pay close attention to details. Is the metal holding the stone even and smoothly finished so it won’t catch on clothing? Is the stone held firmly and square in the setting? Is the metal well polished, with no little burrs of metal, or pockmarks?

Inexpensive jewelry often is very lightweight to give you a bigger look for the money. If a piece is lightweight, pay special attention to the prongs holding the stone: are they sturdy? Do they grip the stone tightly? You won’t be happy about the money you saved in gold cost if you lose your stone!

If the piece is gold, does it have a karatage mark? Is the company trademark stamped next to it? If it is, the company is standing behind that mark and assuring you that the karatage is as stated.

When buying a necklace, make sure it lays well around the neck. Try it on or ask a sales clerk to model it so you can check how it fits against

the skin. For earrings, check to make sure that they hang well from the ear and don’t tip forward. Designs that are asymmetrical should have a left and right which mirror each other.

Here is one final hint from real jewelry-buying pros: If a piece of jewelry is really well made, the back will be well finished also.

If you are buying a gift and you are not sure about the style of the piece of jewelry, why not give the perfect gemstone in a black velvet pouch and let the lucky recipient design her own perfect setting; many jewelers offer custom design services.

Gems can speak louder than words.

You can choose a gemstone that symbolizes what you want to say with your gift.

Courtesy of International Colored Gemstone Association, www.gemstone.org.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 17

Through a Woman’s Eyes

by Martha Hynson

Here’s to a New Year!

I

t’s that time of year again when the thoughts of many people turn to getting organized. Since I’m writing this article, I guess I must be one of those people. Although I manage to keep a number of plates spinning at any given time, organization does not come naturally to me. It has occurred to me that if I were more organized I would probably save both time and money. On the other hand, I tell myself, ultra-organized women are not necessarily fun to be around. In fact, they can be downright annoying! So I just go on my merry, slightly haphazard, way—until, that is, something happens to make me take another look at the virtues of organization.

Such a moment occurred recently as I flipped through a magazine and found myself reading an article extolling the virtues of coupon clipping.

The woman in the article clipped coupons as a way of saving money in order to stay home with her young children. I think that’s admirable. I have the utmost

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respect for her. In fact, I have even tried to be her. When my kids were little, however, I felt lucky to get in and out of the store with most of what was on my list (okay, who am I kidding? I seldom managed to write a list, much less remember to bring it with me). I once managed to go through an entire store with a sucker stuck to my behind, but I never managed to organize myself enough to use coupons effectively. I was ready to turn the page to another article (perhaps one about the joys of soaking in a bubble bath) when something caught my eye. The writer referred to the couponclipping expert as a Proverbs 31 woman.

This is not the first time I’ve heard coupon clipping and Proverbs 31 in the same sentence. I’ve also heard this scripture used to describe women who do things such as grind their own wheat. These are the women who are slightly annoying to, shall we say, less organized women like me.

For this reason, I have spent very little time pondering the 31st chapter of

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

Proverbs, preferring instead to spend my time reading Luke, chapter 10, which tells of Jesus’ visit with two sisters and how he chastised the ultra-organized one. The Bible does say, however, that all scripture is God-breathed and useful for instruction, so I have decided that during the coming year, I will spend some time studying Proverbs 31. I plan to focus on two or three verses each month in an effort to understand and apply their teaching to my life. (I’m sounding more organized already!) Who knows, by next year I may be the one writing articles about clipping coupons. If I could get one of those computer programs where you just speak and your computer recognizes your words, I could multi-task and get my writing done while accomplishing some other task, such as grinding wheat. I’ll keep you posted…

Martha Hynson is a wife, mom, teacher, and freelance writer from Watkinsville, Georgia.

The Origin of Valentine’s Day T hough you would not know it today, the origin of Valentine’s Day is religious, not secular. It is based on the life of a young Roman priest by the name of Valentinus who lived in the 3rd century A.D. He was imprisoned

by Emperor Claudius and sentenced to death by beheading.

His transgressions? There are a number of theories, including that he performed marriage ceremonies in secret, defying Claudius’ edict that prohibited the marriage of young men. It is also believed that he helped Christians escape the Roman prisons where they were beaten and tortured. While in

Birthstones The Breastplate of the High Priest

The instructions for fabricating the Breastplate of the High Priest, or the Breastplate of Aaron, can be found in Exodus 28:15-21, 29: And thou shall make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen shalt thou make it.

Foursquare it shall be doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold in their enclosings.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings on a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes....

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.

prison, he is believed to have fallen in love with the jailer’s daughter, who was a frequent visitor during his confinement. He wrote her a letter before his death and signed it “from your Valentine.” He was put to death on February 14 and buried in what is today the Church of Praxedes in Rome. A pink almond tree, a symbol of abiding love, is said to have bloomed near his grave. Thus, the holiday named after him is a fitting tribute to this romantic martyr.

Courtesy Activity Connection, www.activityconnection.com

Choosing a gem for you Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron, a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and that eventually came to also represent the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.

Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birthstone lists. The modern day list that you know is only the most recent list; some older lists still exist. Some also argue that the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month. We think it is more fun to choose the gemstone that you like best from all the possibilities. Of course it is hard to keep track of all the lists. Enter the Gem-o-Matic! Go to www. gemstone.org/gem-o-rama/gem-orama_birth.html and select your birthdate or other significant date or anniversary and the Gem-oMatic will give you the list of all the birthstones that correspond to that date!

Courtesy of International Colored Gemstone Association, www.gemstone.org.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 19

A Consumer’s Guide to Gem Grading

by Don Clark, CSM IMG

G

ems are graded by four qualities, known as the “four C’s.” These stand for Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat (meaning size).

The first thing a consumer needs to understand is that gemstones are graded by the rarity of their features. Even though we use the term “quality,” that does not necessarily mean that one gem is better than another. On the contrary, what is best for you personally may not be the top, or rarest, grade of a gem.

When a mineral deposit is found, there will be a wide variety of qualities. For example, let’s say someone just mined 100 pounds of amethyst.

One of the first things the grader will notice is the size variation. The smaller stones will settle to the bottom of the pile and the larger ones will demand the most attention. There are fewer large stones, so they will receive a higher grade in the size category than the smaller ones.

A 100-carat stone is much less common than a one-carat stone, and that feature will add to its value. However, simply being larger does not mean that it is better.

The same principle applies to the other grading factors as well. As the grader goes through his gems, only a few of the amethyst will have the absolute deepest and richest coloring. These will demand special attention and special pricing. However, the boldest colored stones are not the best match for every complexion, or every personality.

So as you read the following descriptions, understand that the grades have to do with the rarity of the feature. They do not mean more durable (with a single exception), more beautiful, or better suited to your needs. When choosing a gem, look for the one that will give you the most enjoyment.

exceptionally pure green, red, or pink, they are all about the same value. It is the other factors of size, clarity, and cutting that determine the gem’s value.

Diamonds are graded on how close they are to being colorless. There are three grades of “colorless” that only vary by subtle differences in transparency. Then there are four grades of “white.” These are gems that will appear colorless when set in jewelry. It takes an expert in a laboratory setting to distinguish between these grades, but each represents a change in value.

The color that is best for you is a personal matter. Strong, bold colors correspond with strong personalities; others prefer something softer and brighter. The color of your complexion and the color of the clothing you prefer also have a significant effect on your gem choice.

To find what colors are best for you, look at a lot of gems. You will find that subtle variations in color can have a significant effect on both how they look on you, and your emotional reaction to them.

If you are a connoisseur of fine gems, the higher grades are significant. On the other hand, the average consumer will find just as much beauty in the more modestly priced stones.

Remember, quality does not mean better, it means rarer.

Color

Gemstones contain a wide variety of “inclusions.” In a faceted gem, an inclusion is defined as anything that will interfere with the free passage of light. They can be little bits of minerals, hollow areas, or fractures.

As with color, tiny differences that are only apparent to the grader have a significant effect on value. The best examples of this are diamonds. There are several grades where the inclusions are invisible to the naked eye and have no effect on the beauty of the stone. Yet the difference in value between something that is very difficult for an expert to find with 10-power magnification, and something that is easy to find with magnification, is substantial.

Most colored stones are simply graded “eye clean” (meaning that the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye), slightly, moderately, or

Colors are described by three factors: • Hue (red, green, blue, etc.)

• Saturation (strong or pastel, red or pink.)

• Tone (light to dark) Generally speaking, highest values go to stones with pure hues and strong rich colors. With highvalue gems, subtle variations make a significant difference in price. For example, a slightly orangish ruby will not be worth nearly as much as one that is pure red. Most people cannot see the difference, but to the expert grader it is significant.

On moderate priced gems, color has less effect on value. For example, tourmaline comes in every possible color. Unless it is an

20 400 Edition

Clarity

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

heavily included. Gems with eye-visible inclusions are always lower in value, but the change is not applied equally. There are three classes of colored stones, those that are “usually clean,” those that are “usually included,” and those that are “almost always included.”

Emeralds fall into the last category. Their clarity cannot be compared with other gems. If you want an emerald without any eye-visible inclusions, you are limited to small stones. If you want a larger emerald, you will have to accept a certain amount of inclusions and find its value in the color.

If this does not appeal to you, then look at other green stones, like tourmaline and diopside.

Their color can equal that of fine emeralds, without the inclusions, and at a much lower price. Now your choice is between having the name “emerald” or the premium color.

Eye-visible inclusions always have an effect on value. Sometimes this can be used to your advantage. I remember one young woman showing off her engagement ring. She had me look real close to see three tiny black dots. By accepting those small inclusions, which could not be seen from more than six inches away, her fiancé was able to afford a much larger diamond.

You will find just slightly visible inclusions in colored stones as well. Even some stones that are moderately included, like dark garnets, will look fine at the distance jewelry is usually viewed from. It is up to your personality to determine if it is going to affect the joy you get from the stone.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you need to pay special attention to fractures and veils. They represent a weakness in the gem and

are prone to breakage. Earrings, pendants, and brooches do not receive much abuse, but ring stones are subjected to a constant onslaught of bumps and bangs. If you intend a gem for a ring stone, you should be particularly cautious of a weak gem.

Finding these types of inclusions in a gem, and determining their effect on its integrity, is difficult for the lay person to do. The old advice, “If you don’t know your gems, know your gemologist,” applies here.

Cut

The cut of a gemstone, the workmanship that went into fashioning it, is one of the most important factors in its appearance. It is also one of the most difficult factors for the non-professional to judge because of the number of variations involved.

The first thing to do is to look at the shape of the stone. Some gems are cut “freeform” but most are intended to be a regular shape. If so, look at the symmetry. Does it bulge here or there, or is it symmetrical in all directions.

Look at the stone from the side and the ends. Again, it should be symmetrical in all directions. If not, it is up to you to determine how much it will affect your appreciation of the stone.

When considering a gem, insist on inspecting it with magnification. Look at areas where light is being reflected from the surface. They should be smooth and mirror like. If you see pitting, scratches, or dull areas, the gem is not well polished. It may look good in the store, but someday you will compare it with a well polished gem and be disappointed with your purchase.

If it is a faceted gem, look at the facets’ junctions also. On a well cut stone, they will be crisp and come together in a single point. You may see facets that are slightly rounded and not quite meeting where they should. Just how far off they are will affect the brilliance of the gem.

The other factors in a faceted gem are too complex for the lay person. However, you can get a good idea of the cutting quality simply by comparing it with other gems. When you do this, make sure you are comparing similar stones.

An amethyst will never have the brilliance of a topaz, and dark stones will not be as bright as light-colored ones.

When comparing like stones, what you want to look for is the overall light return, the brilliance and sparkle of the gem. It is entirely possible to look at two gems with the same size and coloring, but one having much more brilliance and sparkle than the other. This is the result of cutting.

One thing to pay special attention to is “windowing.” That is where light passes straight through the center, rather than being reflected back. It is easy to spot; the center will be much lighter than the outside of the gem and have no flashes of light. Some windows are small; others are quite large and hideous.

This is another example of something that

might look good in the store, but someday you will compare it with a well cut gem and be disappointed with your purchase.

Cabochons are easier to judge. Begin by checking the polish under magnification. Then hold the stone a short distance from your head and rotate it slowly. Notice how the light passes across the surface. On a well cut gem, it will flow smoothly from one side to the other.

If it is poorly shaped the light will not flow smoothly, but snake across the surface. Surface irregularities and poorly polished areas will also show up this way.

only weigh .14 carats. Considering that the price per carat is also much lower, the cost difference is significant. A cluster ring would be in the hundreds of dollars, rather than the thousands.

Colored stones are often clustered for the same reason: You get a lot more visible gem for less money. If your budget doesn’t allow for your first choice in a gem, consider a setting with several smaller gems. With the right piece, you may find just the look and emotional appeal you wanted and at a price you can afford.

Carat

This guide is intended to help you understand the factors that go into grading gemstones.

You have learned that the term “quality” has to do with the rarity of a feature, not that it is necessarily better than something else. What is best for you may be smaller or lighter colored than the top grade.

Nature does not provide us with perfect gems, nor do lapidaries produce perfect work. In addition, you are not likely to be able to afford your first choice in gems. There are always compromises to be made. When shopping for a gem, you need to find what suits your personality best, as well as fitting it to your budget. The final and most important factor is the joy you get from your gem.

Simply put, larger stones are less common than small ones. Hence, they demand a higher price per carat. For example, a quarter-carat topaz may cost $60 per carat, or $15. A half-carat topaz, (with the same color, clarity, and cutting grades) might cost $100 per carat, or $50. A fullcarat topaz would cost $200.

Choosing the right size is a personal matter.

For the bold, dynamic individual, a large gem mirrors their personality. On the other hand, small stones are better suited to someone with delicate and feminine tastes. Most people will fall in between these two extremes.

When budget is a strong factor, smaller stones have a significant advantage. Not only do they cost less per weight, the amount of gem you see is disproportionate to their size. The reason is that volume goes up faster than the outside dimensions.

For example, a halfcarat round diamond measures 5 mm in diameter, a ¾-carat diamond 6 mm, and a full carat 6.5 mm. From a casual observation, the half and ¾ carat stones, or the ¾ and fullcarat stones look to be about the same size, but the price difference can be considerable.

Small gems are often clustered to give the illusion of more gemstone. Seven 1.6 mm diamonds, set close together, will take up as much space as a whole carat diamond. If set on white gold, it is hard to distinguish the separate stones, hence these are often called “illusion settings.”

While these seven stones approach the eye appeal of a onecarat diamond, they February 2010 • www.400edition.com

Conclusion

Courtesy International Gem Society, www.gemsociety.org

400 Edition 21

Events, Events,

Tip: Keep in mind that 400 Edition is now released on or about the 1st of each month. Your event needs to be submitted via our web site 30-45 days prior to your event date and no later than the 20th of the month. We have to have all the information requested on the submission form, so be sure your form is complete. Just go to 400edition.com and click “Submit an Event” on the home page.

CAREing & COPEing

February 2 - Groundhog Day February 14 - Valentine’s Day February 15 - Presidents Day February 17 - Ash Wednesday

Atlanta

Kids’ Circle & and Teen Talk February 2 and 9, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Kids’ Circle & Teen Talk.

Location: The Wellness Community, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road.

RSVP: 404-843-1880. Cost: free.

Kids’ Circle & Teen Talk is a fourweek program designed to provide support and education for children and teens who have a parent or grandparent with cancer. Set in a

them with specific tools, information, and support to decrease their anxiety and help them help their child cope.

For more information: 404-843-1880 or www.thewellnesscommunityatlanta.org.

homelike environment, this program gives children ages 5- 10 and teens ages 11-15 the opportunity to better understand what is happening to their family and how to take care of themselves. This is an activity-based program. Due to age-specific needs and concerns, the children and teen groups will meet separately. Parents’ Circle: During each Kids’ Circle, adult family members meet in groups with other adults who have similar concerns. This program provides

February 16 and 23; March 2 and 9, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, a free program for people with breast cancer, and a loved one. The Wellness Community, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Bldg. C, Suite 225. Must RSVP; 404-843-1880. No charge for this event. Each week, individuals with breast cancer and one of their loved ones will gather for two hours to learn more about how to live through and beyond breast cancer. A proven method of problem solving, the COPE Model, will be taught and practiced, and support will be offered to help people with breast cancer and their caregivers feel more comfortable solving problems and communicating through the journey. Pre-registration is required for this program. Diane Malpass, Psy. D., LMFT, leads. This program is made possible by a grant from The Breast Cancer Fund of National Philanthropic Trust. For more information: 404-843-1880 or www. thewellnesscommunity-atlanta.org.

Cumming

Singing Valentines

February 12, 13, and the afternoon of February 14.. Quartets from the North Georgia Barbershop Singers will sing Valentine wishes in Forsyth, Dawson, Lumpkin, Hall, and North Fulton counties. The quartets will sing two love songs, present a longstemmed red rose, and deliver a valentine card to the valentine of your choice. The cost is very reasonable.

If you want to make a hit with your favorite person, send a Singing Valentine. Reservations are now being accepted: 404-695-7504 or northgeorgiabarbershopsingers.com (click on the Singing Valentine icon).

“An Evening with Mark Twain”

Saturday, February 6, 8:00pm, Cumming Playhouse. “An Evening with Mark Twain.” Kurt H. Sutton

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February 2010 • www.400edition.com

was born in Mannheim, Germany, immigrating to the United States in 1950. He grew up in Canton, graduating from the University of Georgia in 1968; he then taught for six years in his hometown, and in North Carolina, where he received his MA. Ed. Adm. He has performed as a speaker, trainer, musician, and entertainer for 30 years. In “An Evening with Mark Twain” his instruments include harmonica, guitar, and banjo. He has appeared in the movie Go Tell It on the Mountain, featuring Paul Winfield, and Night Shadows, featuring Wings Hauser. As Mark Twain, he has appeared in theatres nationally, pleasing audiences with Twain’s funniest witticisms, wisdom, and love for music. For more information: www.playhousecumming.com or 770-781-9178.

Elvis from the Heart

Saturday, February 13, 8:00pm, Cumming Playhouse “50’s Dress Contest.” Mark Pitt has been performing his Elvis Tribute Show professionally since 1990. His show is a first-class, Vegas-style concert, performing all of your favorite Elvis hits from the 1950s to the 1970s, as well as your favorite gospel songs.

Pitt, a fan himself, portrays Elvis with a perfect combination of voice, looks, and moves, and currently owns 25 custom-designed jumpsuits created by B&K Enterprises in association with Gene Doucette, an original designer for Elvis himself. Pitt has the stage presence, charisma, and personality to bring back wonderful memories that Elvis fans share. For more information: www.playhousecumming.com or 770-781-9178.

8th Annual Forsyth Senior Exposition

Saturday, February 13, 10:00am to 1:00pm. Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road (Highway 306). This is an opportunity for you to see a showcase of products and services that may be of interest to you now or in the future. Free health screenings including blood pressure, blood glucose, osteoporosis, and vision. No fasting necessary. Free

Events!

admission, door prizes, refreshments, free parking, and shuttle. For more information: Sonya Camarillo at Forsyth County Senior Services (770-781-2178 or smcamarillo@ forsythco.com).

“Love Letters”

February 18-21, 8:00pm; Sunday 2:00pm, Cumming Playhouse.

Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards.

Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years, when Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.”

While Andy is off at war, Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. This play eloquently shows how much two people really meant, and gave, to each other over the years—portrayed through their correspondence.

Physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be. If ever there was a “date night” activity, this is the one to see. Presented by the Gypsy Theatre Company. For more information: www.playhousecumming.com or 770-781-9178.

Dahlonega

“Bus Stop”

February 11-14, 18-21, & 25-28, Holly Theatre. “Bus Stop” by William Inge. In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and four or five weary travelers are going to have to hole up for the night.

Among the passengers is Cherie, a nightclub chanteuse (played in the movie by Marilyn Monroe) with the most to worry about. She’s being pursued by a cowboy named Bo with a ranch in Montana and the romantic methods of a headstrong bull. The stories of the other passengers add dramatic and comic counterpoints

to the trials and tribulations of Bo and Cherie. (Recommended for ages 14 and up.) For more information call 706-864-3759 or see www.hollytheater.com.

Dawsonville

Harlem Ambassadors

Friday, February 26, 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Dawson County High School Gym. The mission of the Harlem Ambassadors is to deliver a quality basketball show to audiences throughout the United States and internationally. The show is designed to be fun for all ages, with youngsters being awed for the first time, and older folks enjoying the tried-and-true gags as they would a rerun of a favorite comedy movie. For more information: www.harlemambassadors.com and www.dawson.org.

Duluth

Stone Mountain Barbershop

Mondays, 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Stone Mountain Barbershop Chorus. If you are a man of any age and think you would enjoy being a part of an a capella experience, we encourage you to set aside a Monday evening and pay a visit to the Stone Mountain Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. We meet at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300 (in the Gwinnett Center complex at the intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway and Satellite Boulevard) in Duluth.

Visitors are always welcome. For more information: 770-978-8053 or www.stonemountainchorus.org.

Gainesville

Writers Conference

Wednesday, February 3, 1:003:00pm. Northeast Georgia Writers Conference. Peach State Bank, 3rd floor, 325 Washington St., Gainesville. Cecil Murphey, “Dancing With Dialogue.” To make your prose dance, he teaches the secrets of writing conversation that enlivens your writing and makes you a better writer. Murphey is the author of over 100 books, fiction and nonfiction (www.themanbehindthewords. com). Pre-registration is required (no registration at the door). Members

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 23

Events, Events! free; non-members $25. For more information: www.negawriters.org.

Helen

35th Annual Fireside Art & Craft Show

Saturday, February 20, and Sunday, February 21, 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Unicoi State Park. Handicapped accessible. More than 60 of the Southeast’s finest artists and crafts people will be here for this Unicoi tradition. This juried show has a reputation for excellence and is a nice balance between fine arts and quality crafts. $5 parking. For more information: 800-573-9659, ext.

305.

Jasper

Red Cross Blood Drive

February 11, noon to 6:00pm. Club Tamarack, Bent Tree. Come support your community’s pressing need for

blood. For more information: Scott Fantz, 770-864-4194.

Roswell

9th Annual Chattahoochee Challenge

Saturday, February 6, 1-Mile Fun Run 7:30 am; 10K Qualifier Race 8:00 am. This flat, fast, and fun riverfront race begins and ends at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) at 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. Proceeds from the race benefit CNC’s ongoing environmental education programs focused on the Chattahoochee River and its watershed, as well as CNC’s wildlife rehabilitation efforts. Support this green race for a great cause. For more information: www.chattnaturecenter.com or 770-992-2055, ext. 226.

Snellville

Young Harris

Saturday, February 20, 2:00pm. Meet the Author: Evelyn Coleman, award winning children’s book author, hosted by the Gwinnett County Public Library at the Centerville Community Center (adjacent to the Centerville Branch), 3079 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. This popular children’s book author will share stories and discuss her books. Free book to the first 75 children who attend. Free event, open to the public. For more information: www.gwinnettpl.org or 770-978-5154.

February 13 and 14, 10:00am - 5:00pm, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa. Admission to the festival is free to the public. This is a juried event with outstanding and talented vendors presenting their work. We will be featuring at least 10 different categories of crafters and artists during this two-day event. There is no doubt that you will be able to obtain that unique item for yourself or someone you love. For more information: www.brasstownvalley.com.

Meet the Author

Sweetheart Arts & Crafts Festival

by

Fun 400 Answers from page 14.

The Octopus Puzzle This is one arms do not can be made meat, seat, come, ears,

possible solution where the words in adjacent share letters. There are many other words that with the letters in themiddle - such as ride, rode, tame, soda, more, maid, date, tear, diet, said, idea, and many more.

Love Songs

1. Stop 2. fools 3. bye 4. old-fashioned 5. money, money 6. stream 7. kisses 8. do it 9. dear 10. anything 11. mood 12. troubles 13. Jesus 14. splendored 15. one 16. somebody 17. Number Nine 18. secret 19. Sir

20. sea

21. soul

22. groovy

23. man / woman

24. afraid

25. tender

26. sand

27. world

Searching for Valentine’s Day

Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com.

24 400 Edition

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

Northside Hospital Offers Convenient Mammogram Screenings Throughout the year, Northside Hospital offers convenient mammogram screenings and breast health education through ScreenAtlanta, Northside’s mobile mammography van, at Kroger stores across North Atlanta. Participants must meet American Cancer Society and Northside Hospital screening guidelines to qualify, and appointments are required. Insurance can be filed. For more information, to schedule an appointment, or for additional locations, call ScreenAtlanta at 770-6674400. Upcoming dates and locations: Alpharetta Highway 9 at Windward Parkway 12870 Highway 9 February 1, March 5

Greens Corner 2325 Bethelview Road at Highway 20 February 25 Sharon Greens 1595 Peachtree Parkway at Sharon Road February 9 Duluth Reynolds Crossing 3093 Steve Reynolds Blvd. at Old Norcross Road February 10, March 10 Dunwoody Georgetown Shopping Center 4498 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road February 11, February 23, March 8, March 25 Marietta Shallowford Falls 3162 Johnson Ferry Road February 4, March 11

Grassland 5665 Highway 9 at Frances Road March 22

Parkaire Landing 4880 Lower Roswell Road February 8, March 24

SaddleBrook 10945 State Bridge Road February 15, March 9

Eastlake 2100 Roswell Road February 16, March 1

Crabapple 12460 Crabapple Road February 18, March 4

Norcross Centre Stage 6050 Peachtree Parkway February 2, March 17

Canton 4045 Marietta Highway at Prominence Point Pkwy March 29 Woodmont Village 8020 Cumming Highway at East Cherokee Drive March 2 Hickory Flat 6766 Hickory Flat Highway at Hickory Road March 18 Cumming Lakeland Plaza 540 Lakeland Plaza February 5, March 16 Keith Bridge Commons 2655 Freedom Parkway at Highway 306 March 31

Roswell Highway 92 and Mansell Road 570 East Crossville Road February 24, March 19 Roswell 2300 Holcomb Bridge Road at Eaves Road February 19 Woodstock Woodstock Crossing 12050 Highway 92 at Trickum Road February 22, March 15 Lebanon at Deer Creek Dr 5341 Old Highway 5 February 3 For additional locations, visit www.northside.com.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 25

What Is A Gem? T

he allure of gemstones is their fantasy of color and light. People have been intrigued by beautifully colored stones since time immemorial. The love of gems hasn’t changed, but we now have a very scientific element to contend with. As much as I love the science of gemology, it has the unfortunate side effect of having taken much of the mystique and romance out of our stones.

Gemology only became recognized as a science in the 1930s. Up until that time all transparent, red gems were considered rubies, blue ones sapphires and green ones emeralds. Today, as a professional, the only thing I can call an emerald is a crystallized beryllium aluminum silicate with trace amounts of chromium.

Whoopee!

Today’s professionals call beautiful green gems names like tsavorite, tourmaline, and diopside. If they look like emeralds to you, that’s wonderful. While that may not fit today’s precise scientific description, you still have the poetic and romantic sense of the word correct.

Emerald, ruby, opal, gems, and jewels. These words have been in our vocabulary for thousands of years. However, defining what a gemstone is has proven to be a major challenge.

Not for everyday people with common sense, but for those lexicographers who have a need to precisely define each word in our language.

Most gems are “minerals that have been chosen for their beauty and durability, then cut and polished for use as human adornment.” This definition covers the vast majority of the things we regard as gems.

The problem is, that for every

defining feature, there is an exception.

Most gems are minerals but some, notably pearls and amber, are organics.

That means they were created by living organisms. The coating of a pearl is mineral, which is confusing some folks. By definition though, a mineral must be created in the earth. Hence, pearls fall into a different category.

Amber began life as tree sap. After millions of years it has undergone a transformation into a polymer, a natural plastic. This most definitely isn’t a mineral, but it has been regarded as a gem for thousands of years.

The next qualification is that they are chosen for their beauty. It would be redundant to say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. There are gems I don’t think are beautiful, like the Pepto-Bismol pink and olive green of unakite. However, I love some brown gems which are often used in the earth tone jewelry that is so popular today.

To other folks, brown is not a beautiful color, bringing up images of dirt.

Durability is usually a high priority in choosing a gem, but two of history’s most popular gems are particularly delicate.

Pearls are generally considered to have a life span of about a century. That is because they are soft and, the simple act of wiping the dust off of them slowly wears the surface coating away. And woe be to the woman who puts her pearls on before using her hair spray and atomized perfume. These can seriously stain and damage

by Don Clark, CSM

pearls.

Opals have been one of the most prized gems throughout history, but they are notoriously delicate. They have a water content and as they dry out, they may crack. This is usually done before they are cut and put into jewelry, but many a tear has been shed over those that crazed long after they were paid for.

Opals are also fragile and can break with the slightest bump.

Not to mention heat sensitive. I knew one poor lady who had a prized opal set in a brooch, where it wasn’t likely to be damaged. One night she wore it to a Christmas party. As she went from the warmth of her house into the cold winter night, it shattered with an audible crack.

So much for beauty and durability; how about cutting and polishing? Now, more so than a decade or two ago, using whole crystals in jewelry is quite popular. Nature’s crystals can be exceptionally beautiful and some people believe they have special properties that are enhanced when left whole. So let’s not insist that our gems be cut and polished either.

The last qualification that is usually associated with a gemstone is that is be used for human adornment. There are about 3,000 minerals that have been cut and polished and admired for their beauty. Of these, only about a hundred show up in jewelry. The rest are simply too delicate to wear well.

They are strictly in the domain of the collector.

I feel sorry for the lexicographers who have struggled to define what a gemstone is. There simply isn’t a concise definition that covers all the elements that have been regarded as gems throughout the centuries. For the average person though, you can recognize a gem at first glance. To heck with the definitions; if it makes your eyes light up, it is a true gem.

Donald Clark founded the International Gem Society in 1998 and has been in the gem and jewelry industry since 1976. He has been a wholesaler and retailer of gemstones and finished jewelry.

He received his formal gemology training from the Gemological Institute of America and the American Society of Gemcutters, and is an International Master Gemologist (IMG); this formal certification has been supplemented by many years of practical application.

The CSM after his name reflects his standing as a Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, a level that has often been referred to as “the doctorate of gem cutting.” Only 54 people have attained this ASG certification level.

Outside work, Donald and his wife Sharan are homesteading in the forest of Northern California.

Diana: a Celebration

International Blockbuster Exhibition Direct from England Celebrates the Extraordinary Life of “The People’s Princess”

On the heels of two successful backto-back world-class exhibitions (Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs and America I AM: The African American Imprint), the Atlanta Civic Center announced that it will host the Atlanta debut of the acclaimed international exhibition, Diana: A Celebration, which chronicles the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

The exhibition, honoring “the people’s princess,” opened on Saturday, January 23, and will be on view for a limited engagement.

Presented by Delta Air Lines, Diana: A Celebration showcases the life and humanitarian work of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable women through nine galleries containing over 150 objects, ranging from her royal wedding gown and 28 of her designer dresses to family heirlooms, personal mementoes, paintings, rare home movies, and photos. At the conclusion of “Diana’s” run in Atlanta, Delta Cargo will be entrusted with returning the priceless exhibition artifacts to Althorp Estate, Princess Diana’s family’s 500-year-old ancestral home.

“An exhibition of this caliber, with emotional pull that Princess Diana evokes, is the type of exhibition that draws thousands of visitors from throughout the southeast region,” said Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO William Pate. “Making Atlanta the last U.S. stop before returning to England for the summer gives visitors and residents a rare opportunity to see this award-winning, critically-acclaimed exhibition.”

Diana: A Celebration presents the life and work of one of the most remarkable women of our time—and certainly one of the most photographed, with over one billion television viewers watching the 1981 royal wedding. Her charm, beauty, and easy grace touched people worldwide during her short and complex life.

The exhibition includes a series of 150 stunning objects that chronicle Diana’s life and invite the visitor to share the milestones of her many roles: as a youngster, schoolgirl, and athlete; as the shy kindergarten teacher who captured the heart of the Prince and the public; as the young, ravishing royal bride; as the devoted mother, sister, and daughter; and as the tireless charity advocate and

spokeswoman.

Also featured in the exhibition are portraits of her ancestors, family jewels, heirlooms, paintings, artifacts, and photos, which provide historical context. Home movies filmed by her father, and scenes from her childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles, and the events leading up to the royal wedding are remembered and animated with video clips, personal possessions, photos, displays, and letters.

The glorious Royal Wedding gallery features her resplendent gown, diamond tiara, veil and 25-foot train, shoes, and parasol.

Other major highlights of the exhibition: • Over 28 dresses, suits, and evening gowns designed by Chanel, Versace, Valentino, and Azagury that were worn by the Princess during her public life, accompanied by photos and designer details from the event at which the outfits were worn • Two diamond tiaras and other priceless family jewels • Musical score and lyrics of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin composition, adapted from “Candle in the Wind” • The original text of Earl Spencer’s moving tribute to his sister at the funeral in Westminster Abbey • An audio tour with an introduction

by Earl Spencer (provided for an additional fee) Admission tickets will be available at the Civic Center box office and through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are purchased for a specific date and will be $18.50 for adults; $12 for children ages 6-17; and $15.50 for seniors and students 18 years old and older with ID. Children under five years old are admitted free of charge. Group rates are also available.

For additional information, including hours of operation, please visit www. dianaexhibition.com.

Diana: A Celebration is produced by Arts and Exhibitions International and the Atlanta Civic Center, in association with the Althorp Estate. All profits generated to the Althorp Estate from the exhibition will support the ongoing work of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to benefit communities living with the legacy of landmines, cluster bombs, and other explosive remnants of war.

pictures courtesy Patrick Demarchelier

Valentine’s Day Statistics Opinions abound as to who was the original Valentine, with the most popular theory being that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome in spite of Emperor Claudius II, who felt that marriage weakened his soldiers. In any event, in A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared February14 as Valentine’s Day. Through the centuries, the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages, and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit of love continues today as valentines are sent with sentimental verses, from and to young and old romantics.

Candy is Dandy 1,233

Number of locations producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2007. These establishments employed 38,794 people. California led the nation in the number of such establishments with 143, followed by Pennsylvania with 115.

466

Number of locations that produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2007. These establishments employed 18,250 people.

$14.4 billion

Total value of shipments in 2007 for firms producing chocolate and cocoa products. Nonchocolate confectionery product manufacturing, meanwhile, was a $5.6 billion industry.

3,643

Number of confectionery and nut stores in the United States in 2007.

23.8 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2008.

Flowers

$403 million

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut flowers in 2008 for all flower-producing operations with $100,000 or more in sales. Among states, California was the leading producer, alone accounting for about three-quarters of this amount ($314 million).

24 million

The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2008 for all operations with $100,000 or more in sales.

19,759

The number of florists nationwide in 2007. These businesses employed 93,779 people.

Jewelry

Looking for Love

27,484

Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2007. Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding, and other rings to lovers of all ages. In February 2009, these stores sold $2.2 billion in merchandise.

The merchandise at these locations could well have been produced at one of the nation’s 1,753 jewelry manufacturing establishments.

Be Mine

2.16 million

The number of marriages that took place in the United States in 2008. That breaks down to a little less than 6,000 a day.

112,185

The number of marriages performed in Nevada during 2008. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked fifth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year among states was 35th. (California ranked first in marriages.)

27.6 and 25.9 years

Median age at first marriage in 2008 for men and women, respectively.

56% and 59%

The percentages of American women and men, respectively, who were 18 or older and married (includes those who are separated) in 2008.

70%

Percentage of people 30 to 34 in 2008 who had been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.

73%

Among women who married for the first time between 1985 and 1989, the percentage who marked their 10th anniversary.

This compares with 87 percent of women who married for the first time between 1955 and 1959.

6%

As of 2004, the percentage of currently married women who had been married for at least 50 years. A little more than half of currently married women had been married for at least 15 years.

904

The number of dating service establishments nationwide as of 2002. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed nearly 4,300 people and pulled in $489 million in revenue.

Try Looking Here . . .

Romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine’s Day: Darling, Minn.

Heart Butte, Mont.

Love County, Okla.

Love Valley, N.C. Lovejoy, Ga. Lovejoy, Ill. Lovelady, Texas Loveland Park, Ohio Loveland, Colo.

Loveland, Ohio Loveland, Okla.

Lovelock, Nev. Loves Park, Ill. Loving County, Texas Loving, N.M. Lovington, Ill. Lovington, N.M. Romeo, Colo.

Romeo, Mich.

Romeoville, Ill. Rose City, Mich.

Rose City, Texas Rose Hill Acres, Texas Rosemont, Ill. Rosemont, Md. Rosemont, N.D. Sacred Heart, Minn.

South Heart, N.D. Valentine, Neb. Valentine, Texas

There are also 8 different places named “Rose Hill” and 7 named “Roseville.”

Giving Love a Second Chance 19.3% & 19.4%

Percentage of ever-married women and men, respectively, 15 and older who have married twice, as of 2008. Five percent each have married three or more times. By comparison, 76 percent of women and 75 percent of men who have ever been married have made only one trip down the aisle.

8

Average length, in years, of first marriages ending in divorce.

3 1/2

The median time in years between divorce and a second marriage.

52% and 44%

Among adults 25 and older who have ever divorced, the percentage of men and women, respectively, who were currently married.

from www.census.gov

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NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL Determining Your Risk For Hereditary Cancer

To Your Health

by Selvi Palaniappan, M.S., board certified genetic counselor, coordinator, Northside Hospital Hereditary Cancer Program Much can be learned from creating a family tree, especially if you include a family health history. Did you know that 10 percent of all diagnosed cancers are inherited? If your family has a history of cancer, you need to know the hereditary risks… for you and your children.

What is hereditary cancer?

Hereditary cancer is caused by mutations (changes) in specific genes that are passed down from either parent. Genetically influenced cancers include breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer. If an alteration in the cancer-causing gene is identified within a family (for instance, BRCA1 or BRCA2 for breast cancer risk), there is a 50 percent chance that siblings and children will inherit that alteration.

If you have a strong personal or family history of cancer, genetic testing can help you reduce your risk of developing the disease and increase your chances of survival.

Not only can you learn whether or not you carry a gene responsible for these cancers; if you are at risk, the information can help you and your physician better formulate a health care plan to detect your cancer early… or prevent it entirely.

Are you at risk?

About 7 percent of all breast and 10 percent of all ovarian cancers are inherited. You should consider genetic testing to screen for breast or ovarian cancer if you: • were diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45.

• were diagnosed with ovarian cancer at any age.

• have a male relative with breast cancer.

• have a blood relative with the altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.

• have two or more blood relatives— on either mother’s or father’s side—who had breast cancer before age 50, or ovarian cancer at any age.

A personal or family history of colorectal cancer and endometrial (uterine) cancer is an indicator of the most common form of hereditary colon cancer, Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), and is responsible for three to five percent of all colorectal cancers. HNPCC is associated with an 80 percent lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer, as well as an increased risk of developing other cancers such as endometrial, ovarian, and gastric. You should consider genetic testing for colon cancer if you: • have a personal or family history of colorectal or endometrial cancer diagnosed before the age of 50.

• have a personal or family history of multiple HNPCC-related cancers in the same person (such as two colorectal cancers or both colorectal and endometrial cancer).

• have two first-degree relatives (parents, siblings or children) who were diagnosed with colorectal or endometrial cancer at any age.

• have had more than 5-10 polyps removed.

Northside Hospital Hereditary Cancer Program

More newly diagnosed cases of cancer are treated at Northside Hospital each year than at any other community hospital in Georgia.

With Northside’s Hereditary Cancer Program, a certified genetic counselor will help you face the potential of cancer for you and your family. The program offers genetic counseling sessions, pre and post-testing counseling, and genetic testing.

Genetic testing is not appropriate for everyone. However, if you are at risk, it can provide important information to help guide your medical care. If you are wondering if genetic testing is right for you or a family member, call 404-851-6284 or visit www.northside.com.

• have a family history of early onset colorectal or uterine (endometrial) cancer.

• are of Ashkenazi or Eastern European Jewish descent.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

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400 Edition Wining & Dining

Knowing Wine

by Nancy Forrest

Wine Toasts

T

he dictionary defines a toast as a drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event. At some point in time you may be asked to present a toast. Three words of advice: Always be prepared. With a little practice and some basic etiquette, anyone can deliver a toast.

Toasting dates back to the Greeks and Romans (6th century BC). There was a practice of putting burnt toast into bad wine to temper it. The burnt charcoal on the toast actually reduces the acidity of the wine and makes it more drinkable.

The tapping of glasses traces back to the health and safety of the drinker. Roman emperors had others taste first to make sure the drink was not poisoned. During medieval times, wine was one of the few safe liquids available to drink. This meant that wine could be poisoned, since so many would trust in drinking it. So the host would pour a bit of his guest’s wine into his own glass and drink it first, to prove that the wine was safe. If the parties were trusting friends, they would merely tap their drinking vessels against each other. The tradition of toasting evolved from this.

When toasting, follow some of these general guidelines: • Deliver a toast that is appropriate to the occasion and audience. A humorous anecdote or characterrevealing story about the person being honored prior to giving the recognition can lift everyone’s spirits.

Just be sure it is not embarrassing or private.

• Keep it simple and to the point. Be sincere and speak from the heart.

• Stand up when offering the toast, particularly if it is a formal event.

• Use a closing statement such as “Cheers” or “Salud” and raise your glass. This will let every one know you are completed and they can sip to the occasion.

Some brilliant writers have offered charming toasts and I’ve included some for inspiration. Don’t think, however, that you need be a poet; the best toasts are those that are simple and convey a simple message of tribute and respect.

Enjoy!

Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That’s all that we will know for truth Before we grow old and die.

I lift the glass to my mouth, I look at you and I sigh.

—William Butler Yeats May friendship, like wine, improve as time advances.

And may we always have old wine, old friends, and young cares.

—Submitted by Dennis Hendricks Here’s to the wine we love to drink, and the food we like to eat.

Here’s to our wives and sweethearts, let’s pray they never meet.

Here is a list of drinking toasts for when you are traveling the globe.

Greeting

Origin

A votre sante!

French

Alla Salute!

Italian

Cheers!

British

Egé szé gé re!

Hungrian

Kanpai!

Japanese

Na Zdrowie!

Polish

Ooogy Wawa!

Zulu:

Prosit!

German

Salud!

Spanish

Saúde!

Brazilian

Skal!

Swedish

Slainte!

Irish

Wen Lie!

Chinese

Yasas!

Greek

Za vashe zdorovye!

Russian

Zivili

Serbian

Zum Wohl

Austrian

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

Wine of the Month

Marengo Barolo Bricco Viole 2003

Big and full, well balanced with plum and cherry, velvety long rich finish Here’s champagne for our real friends and real pain for our sham friends.

And when this life is over, may all of us find peace.

—Submitted by Josh Shepherd In water one sees one’s own face; But in wine one beholds the heart of another.

—French proverb (submitted by James Royan) Eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart.

—Ecclesiastes 9:10 In Vino Veritas In Cervesio Felicitas (“In wine there is wisdom, In beer there is joy.”)

Make new friends, but keep the old; These are silver, those are gold.

New-made friends, like new wine, Age will mellow and refine.

Brow may furrow, hair turn gray, But friendship never knows decay.

—Art Linkletter May our wine brighten the mind and strengthen the resolution.

Unknown When wine enlivens the heart May friendship surround the table.

Unknown Wine improves with age—I like it the older I get.

Unknown

by Tim Herrel

Restaurant Reviews for the GA 400 Corridor Bello Italian

101 Meadow Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 770-888-1998 | www.belloitalian.com Fare: Italian | Price: Moderate | Atmosphere: Upscale Casual

V

alentine’s Day is right around the corner and I can bet some of you are looking for a memorable dining experience to accompany the “Perfect Day.” Let me be the one to introduce you to our Good Eating choice of the month, Bello Italian in Cumming. Bello means beautiful in Italian, and Bello Italian does not disappoint. From the striking façade, wood paneling, and low lighting inside, it gives you an opportunity to experience fine Italian dining for a fraction of the cost. Dinner is offered in either Traditional Italian or American Italian cuisine. The wait staff is knowledgeable about the menu, friendly, and always available for questions or requests.

Meeting the owner of Bello Italian, Paril Ghandi, I had a sense that this was no ordinary restaurant. He expressed confidence, charisma, and passion when describing his restaurant and it is articulated through his dishes. The menu offers everything in generous portions; from the Seafood Pesto with fresh scallops and shrimp, to the Chicken Marsala with mushrooms over Angel Hair Pasta. These meals offer unique and tasteful experiences in Italian cuisine.

Afterwards, indulge in the delightful homemade desserts featuring tiramisu, cannoli, and panna cotta.

Bello Italian offers a distinct array of foodfriendly wines ranging from local to overseas selections, and the experienced staff can assist in finding the perfect wine pairing. Paril takes it upon himself to choose wines that are local and from distinct overseas settings. Featuring these wines along with some limited production wines keeps the dining experience fresh and eventful. A pairing that we enjoyed during our dinner was the Veneto Pinot Grigio with the Seafood Pesto. During some months, a prix fixe wine dinner is offered. Check the website for upcoming dates.

Paril has been in the restaurant business for many years, but he felt that Cumming was in need of an upscale dining choice. Located close to Highway 400 on Atlanta Highway, the establishment has for over a year been accommodating large parties, numerous catering events, and private parties. A larger party did not bother us at all during our dinner, and we were quite impressed with the speed and attention of the service we received. The music and lighting really expressed a sense of what you would and should expect out of an Italian restaurant.

Bello Italian overdelivers, with an impressive menu, sensible pricing, friendly

Real Men Cook— Healthy White Pizza

service, and quality food.

With pizza available for take-out and catering services, Bello Italian offers the whole expanse of restaurant needs. Lunch is now available Tuesday-Friday, 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Dinner hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The restaurant is closed on Monday.

So whether it’s for Valentine’s Day dinner, a lunchtime meal, or friends just wanting to get together, I invite you to try out this hidden gem; call Paril and make your reservations now, and tell them that you read about them in 400 Edition.

Healthy White Pizza

by Patrick Snider

1 whole-wheat pre-cooked pizza crust 4 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese, softened 1 medium tomato, sliced 2/3 cup finely diced chicken (about 1 small chicken breast) 1/4 cup onions, diced 2 tablespoons goat or feta cheese 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella 1 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon finely diced garlic Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread cream cheese evenly over pizza crust, leaving approximately 1/4 inch of crust uncovered. Place crust on pizza pan and arrange tomato slices on cream cheese. Sprinkle evenly with diced chicken, then onions, then oregano and garlic.

Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees and cook pizza for 10-12 minutes if you like a crunchy crust. Remove pizza from oven. Top with feta cheese and mozzarella.

Return to oven for approximately 5 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted.

Slice and serve. Yields 8 slices.

February 2010 • www.400edition.com

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February 2010 • www.400edition.com