400 Edition W h a t ’s
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N o r t h
JAN/FEB 2009
G e o r g i a
Wildlife
Project Feederwatch Still Time to Join in the Fun!
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Contents
January/February 2009 Volume 5, Issue 11
Georgia Turkey Hunting Information, page 15
Columns
Wildlife
continued 10 Mind & Heart
6 Trout-filled Mountain Streams
11 Wild Facts
12 Reflections
13 Birding Opportunities
14 Captain Clay’s Fishing Report
15 Georgia Turkey Hunting Information
16 Fun by 400
26 Project Feederwatch
16 Comma Momma 23 Your Vision Source
Columns
5 Getting Informed 6 To Your Health
9 Historic Forsyth
23 January Reading 24 Good Eating—Fuego Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar 24 Real Men Cook —Asparagus in Balsamic Vinaigrette with Hollandaise 25 Knowing Wine
A list of major distribution points in North Georgia can be found online at www.400edition.com.
January/February 2009 Carole Lee, Founder/Creative Design Linda Merritt, Founder/Sales/Executive Editor Beth Snider, Founder/Sales/Creative Design Rhonda Bailey, Associate Editor/Sales Will Dunne, Sales/Distribution Sarah Mansfield, Sales/Distribution Bob Merritt, Sales/Distribution Brooke Morris, Creative Design Cindy Proctor, Sales/Distribution Sharon Waldrop, Sales/Distribution Nancy Wright, Proofing
Contributing Writers: Anne Amerson
Steven Leibel
Charles Cook
Dr. Joyce Nations
Clay Cunningham
Donald Pruitt
Dr. Mark Feinsilber
John Roberts
Nancy Forrest
O’Connell & Sanders
Robin Toms Grier
Linda Ragland
Bill Hutcheson
Dawn Rowley
Martha Hynson
Patrick Snider
Sharon Keating
Staff Writers: Rhonda Bailey
Bob Merritt
Carole Lee
Linda Merritt
Jim Leeds
Beth Snider
Nancy Wright
400 Edition is published monthly in Dahlonega, Georgia, with distribution in thirteen 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 by the 28th 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 866-867-7557. 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 20th 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...
T
he Christmas holidays have come and gone and we watched 2009 come in, wondering what this year will bring. We all pray that things will take a turn for the better. Thanks to our own Real Men Cook, we had the traditional black-eyed peas and cornbread—so we at least started the year off right. Be sure you read the Mind & Heart column by Mark Feinsilber in this issue. Mark always has great facts and advice, but this month’s column gets my vote for being his best. He writes about how the economy has brought families closer, and isn’t it about time that happened? I’m sure he hears about many, many family problems, and I’ll bet one of the biggest culprits is not spending quality time together. What a unique idea— to sit down and have a home-cooked meal together! This all makes me wonder if God is not telling us to get back to the way things should be. We get so tied in to working and trying to make money so we can buy a lot of stuff we probably don’t need. We hope you enjoy our Wildlife issue. Thank you, thank you to Melissa Cummings with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, for the articles and pictures. I asked Melissa to get some things together for us and she was good enough to do so; the Christmas holidays did not sidetrack her. While this issue is on the racks we will celebrate several holidays. One we all enjoy is Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14. According to the Greeting Card Association, about one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. Christmas is the number one card-sending holiday. Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. Come on, guys, get with the program. In researching Valentine’s Day I noticed a list of romantic movies. Do something different this year. Find one of these movies and watch it with the one you love. Just some of the movies: Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, From Here to Eternity, Doctor Zhivago, Roman
Holiday, and Gone With the Wind. How sad that all the movies listed were quite old. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King’s birthday, January 15. It is one of four United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person. King was the chief spokesman of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. He was assassinated in 1968. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2006. And then there’s Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2. According to legend, this is the day that the groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he regards it as an omen indicating six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole. If the day is cloudy, and thus shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground. This all takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. You can even make hotel reservations at www.groundhog. org. Aw, come on, go for it. Until next month…stay happy.
On the Cover
Nothing says it’s going to be a happy day like waking in the morning to the birds singing…even on a cold winter day! As part of our focus on wildlife, our cover shows a couple of frequent North Georgia visitors, a male and female Northern Cardinal. With Project Feederwatch under way, you can help ornithologists better understand the makeup of bird populations that visit our backyards. It’s a great project for you and your kids, so get them involved, too. Find out how to participate on page 26, or go to www. FeederWatch.org. Birds are just a small part of the wildlife landscape in North Georgia. Our other articles, on fishing, turkey hunting, and general native wildlife, will help you recognize and appreciate other untamed friends in the area. We hope you’re staying warm on these cold, wet nights and will join the 400 Edition family in welcoming our new president on January 20. Tune in to watch the inauguration and the beginning of a new era in the history of the U.S.A. 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.
Getting Informed —Making Millions on the Internet, Part II by Beth Snider
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ast month, we used the site www.MomsWhoThink.com (MWT) as an example of developing a site that can generate revenue. Not promising millions—but there is money to be made from a variety of sources. We started with the concepts of starting with a great idea; knowing your market; and getting organized. Once you’ve laid that groundwork, it’s time to get cracking on building the site.
Make It Appealing
How your site looks will affect how many visitors and returning visitors you get, and thus, how much potential revenue you can generate. A good place to start is to find existing sites on the Internet that grab your interest. Study those that have proven successful and note what is effective in bringing you back to their site on a regular basis. One of the best-designed sites on the web is www.Apple.com. Apple maximizes the important items and makes it easy to find what you need on their site. Notice that white space on the Apple site? White space is good. Just as in a print advertisement, if you want to highlight a particular item, your web site must have uncluttered, open space around that item. The more you have to say, the more important this concept becomes. Keep in mind that white space isn’t always white, but Apple has chosen white and gray as background colors because they let their products provide the eye candy. Professional design standards for text, such as using only one or two different fonts, minimizing caps and colors, and increasing font size only for important items are key concepts. Although many web administrators seem to believe that blinking red text is appropriate to highlight information, it makes most of us run away…never to return again. When you are designing placement on your site, or what goes where, be sure to allocate space for advertising, even if the
first ads placed there are your own or your best friend’s business.
Build It Right (Be Technical)
How your site performs for the viewer is critical, because a site fraught with broken links and truncated text makes for tough reading. In addition to these externally viewable errors, the way the site looks on the inside (the code) can result in its being overlooked by search engines, or in failed operation. Many WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) tools in the marketplace either don’t follow the rules of appropriate HTML tags or provide so much extraneous information that your site is not tidy on the backend. These issues are potential barriers to your site yielding good search engine results. You can use tools like validator.w3.org to check your site out, but this is a time when using a professional really pays off.
Track Your Traffic
Advertisers want the attention of visitors on your site. If you can’t provide information about those visitors, it will be difficult to attract advertisers. Some standard tools like AWStat and WebAlyzer will give you basic hit counts, but Google Analytics, provided free by Google, is by far the best at showing you who is really looking at the site, what they are doing while they are there, and where they are coming from. Analytics requires the inclusion of some code, so it’s important that it be placed on every page. Next month, we’ll wrap up by taking a look at potential revenue opportunities for web sites.
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 website at www.3by400.com. Send your IT questions to beth@3by400.com. January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition
Trout-filled Mountain Strea ms … a winter fishing destination
The crisp, swift-flowing waters of North Georgia’s rivers and creeks offer an abundance of trout angling opportunities this winter. Home to some of the southeast’s finest trout streams and three species of trout—rainbow, brown, and brook trout—Georgia claims nearly 4,000 miles of streams, and more than half lie in the northern part of the state in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Winter is a particularly attractive time of year for anglers to bravely wade the calm, cooler rapids, thanks to delayed-harvest regulations. Delayedharvest streams are regularly stocked and operate under a catch-and-release system, which leads to high catch rates for new and seasoned anglers alike. Cast a line at any of the following five trout streams managed under delayed-harvest regulations now through May 14. • The Toccoa River, located on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County (from 0.4 miles above Shallowford Bridge to 450 feet above the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access) • Amicalola Creek on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (from Steele Bridge Road downstream to Georgia Highway 53)
Northside Hospital
• Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park • The Chattahoochee River in Atlanta (Sope Creek, downstream of Johnson Ferry Road, downstream to the Highway 41 bridge) • A portion of the Chattooga River (from GA Highway 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek) on U.S. Forest Service land bordering South Carolina. On the other hand, anglers anxious to tackle harvestable seasonal streams can prepare for opening day, March 29. Some popular seasonal streams include Cooper Creek in Union County, Wildcat Creek in Rabun County, Dicks Creek in Lumpkin County, and Johns Creek in Floyd County. But with Georgia’s abundant trout fishing opportunities, including the many year-round streams open to fishing throughout the year, there is no need to wait, and no catch-and-release restrictions. For year-round opportunities, here’s where to go, what to bring and what to expect: • Blue Ridge Tailwater: This tailwater is actually a stretch of the Toccoa River located downstream of Blue Ridge Lake in Fannin County, and in many trout fishing circles is considered both blue-ribbon trout fishing and
Georgia’s best kept secret. Anglers will find good numbers of both rainbow and brown trout, with an occasional trophy-sized fish. Most anglers prefer to float from shoal to shoal and then get out and wade to fish. Ultralight spinning gear and small spinners, such as rooster tails and panther martins, are best bets. Anglers should keep safety in mind—high water and strong currents can occur when the dam’s turbines are on. Keep a close eye on the water level and return to boats immediately if levels begin to rise. • Noontootla Creek Watershed: This watershed offers some high quality year-round fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout, with many of its tributaries offering a chance at a wild brook trout (a real advantage since most other brook trout waters are closed to fishing after October 31). Both Noontootla and its tributaries are managed under an artificial-lureonly regulation, and have a 16-inch minimum size limit in order to ‘recycle’ the 8-12-inch trout that make up most of the population. • Dukes Creek: This stream, located on the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area offers year-round trout fishing by reservation (706-878-
To Your Health
3087). All fish caught here must be released immediately and anglers must only use artificial lures with barbless hooks. The stream offers a great chance at a trout greater than 20 inches, so bring a camera for a quick shot before release. The best time to fish is after a rain discolors the water. • Chattahoochee River: For good trout fishing close to the metro Atlanta area, the Chattahoochee downstream of Buford Dam offers family-friendly and close-to-home, year-round fishing for stocked rainbow and brown trout and wild brown trout. Part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, this location offers good bank, wading, and boating access. The river is stocked through the fall months to keep angler catches high. Year-round harvest is legal from Buford Dam to Sope Creek. Best fishing is at low flow when the river is clear or slightly stained. Some additional notable year-round trout streams include the Conasauga River, the Tallulah River, and the Chattooga River. Anglers can obtain additional trout fishing information from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division web site at www.gofishgeorgia.com.
by Victoria Kelley, RN, coordinator, Heartburn Treatment Center, Northside Hospital-Forsyth
Preventing Heartburn and GERD
M
ost of us will experience heartburn from time to time. It’s that unpleasant burning sensation that you sometimes get deep in your chest after overindulging in food or drink. However, persistent heartburn, several times a week, can be the primary symptom of a more serious problem known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. GERD, which also can cause chest pain, regurgitation, hoarseness, chronic cough, worsening asthma, and other problems, occurs when the lower muscle of the esophagus does not close properly, allowing stomach acid and food to flow from the stomach back into the esophagus. If left untreated, it can damage the lining of the esophagus and cause more serious problems such as bleeding ulcers or Barrett’s esophagus, a leading cause of esophageal cancer.
Preventing heartburn
Simple lifestyle changes can help improve heartburn symptoms and should be the first step in managing GERD. • Keep a diet log. Identify what triggers heartburn for you and avoid those triggers. • Avoid food or drink that may increase symptoms, such as tomatoes, peppermints, chocolate, fatty food, fried food, caffeinated drinks,
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and citrus drinks. • Avoid alcohol. Its use increases the chances of acid flowing from your stomach into your esophagus. • Eat small meals. Try six small meals a day instead of three large ones, and eat slowly. Also, avoid eating during the two to three hours before bedtime. • Let your food digest. Avoid exercising, lying down, or bending over soon after eating. • Raise your head. Place three- to six-inch blocks under bedposts at the head of the bed to raise your mattress during sleep, so stomach acid stays put. • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts more pressure on your stomach. • Wear clothes that fit comfortably. Avoid tight belts and clothes that put pressure on your stomach. • Stop smoking. Smoking stimulates acid production and inhibits the saliva that protects the esophagus lining.
medications used to treat heartburn symptoms) for more than two to three years, it is important to have a proper medical evaluation. Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s new Heartburn Treatment Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heartburn and GERD-related problems. The Center provides convenient access to state-of-theart diagnostic testing and a comprehensive array of treatment options. The expertise of specialists in GI, ENT, and surgery, along with the patient’s primary care or referring physician, provide a coordinated and personalized approach to each patient’s care. The Center’s nurse coordinator navigates each patient through their experience, from education to treatment and recovery, by scheduling appointments and followup after physician visits, diagnostics, and therapy. For more information about heartburn or the Heartburn Treatment Center at Northside HospitalForsyth, call 770-844-3675 or visit www.northside. com.
What if I still do not feel better?
Northside Hospital offers a full range of outpatient weight management and nutrition services in Alpharetta and Sandy Springs, designed to help you achieve optimal health and feel your best. To learn more, visit www.northside.com.
Making simple lifestyle adjustments usually improves heartburn symptoms, but it may not stop the reflux. If symptoms persist or if you have been taking frequent medication (over-the-counter antacids, or prescription
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
Antiques
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Fred’s Beds & Furniture With a great mix of new, used, and consignment furniture, Fred’s Beds & Furniture offers bargain hunters amazing deals on just about anything you can think of! Fred’s also offers many choices of Simmons, Golden and RestMaster bed sets at well below suggested retail prices and backs up its claim to have “The Best Mattress Prices!” It’s worth the trip! Open Monday thru Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm. Closed Sundays. Located in the Old Matt Schoolhouse at Hwy 369 & Bannister Road in North Forsyth County – 5 miles West of Hwy 400. 5710 Namon Wallace Road, Cumming, GA 30040 Phone – 678-455-1190 FAX – 678-455-1191 www.freds-beds.com *See our ad on page 5.
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Cottonwood Village Antiques 10,000 square feet of merchandise: collectible firearms and militaria, fine art, period estate furniture, glassware, china, tools, pottery and linens. Visit the Country Store for handmade herbal soaps and lotions, soy candles, homemade jams, jellies and vegetables, Nora Mill whole grains and fresh local produce. BuySell-Trade. 4300 Dawsonville Highway (Highway 53) Gainesville, GA 770-205-7800 www.cottonwoodvillage.net *See our ad on facing page.
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Fran-Tiques Located less than 2 hours from Atlanta, in scenic Union County. Something for everyone— fabulous, unique finds in every nook and cranny. True antiques to collectibles, including furniture, glassware, silver, china, books, vintage clothing, jewelry, linens, and lace. Open 7 days a week. 505 Cleveland Street, Blairsville, GA 1/2 mile from the Square on Highway 129. 706-745-1705 *See our ad on page 14.
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Yonah Mountain Treasures One of North Georgia’s most unique stores, Yonah Mountain Treasures features the work of more than 75 area artists, potters, woodworkers, and others. This store is a museum, art gallery, book nook, and country store all in one. In addition, Yonah Mountain Treasures has wonderfully unique items that will add to the décor of any mountain home or cabin. Here, you’ll find original paintings by Judy Bynum George, Susan Hage, Cornbread, Jack DeLoney, and John Kollock. They have wooden creations, custom picture framing, imported jewelry, and even old photo restoration. And at Yonah Mountain Treasures, candy is always “A Dollar A Dip!” Highway 75, two miles north of Cleveland, GA, next to the Yonah Burger. 706-348-8236. *See our ad on facing page.
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January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
Iron Accents Owner Valerie Kirves & designer Teri Winans (previously of Endless Treasures) have merged the worlds of iron, architecturals, antiques & design to create a wonderfully eclectic mix of old and new. Shoppers are sure to enjoy browsing the various vignettes throughout the store that feature unique handcrafted pieces including new & vintage furniture, home décor, garden accessories, architecturals, seasonal florals, and gift items. Located in Clermont, Georgia, on the corner of highway 129 and Oxford Road just 8 miles south of Cleveland and north of Gainesville. 6415 Cleveland Highway Open Monday - Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm to 6:00pm. 770-539-9093 or www.ironaccents.com *See our ad on page 19.
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Historic Forsyth
by Donald Pruitt
’49 Cumming Football Bulldogs—Part II
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n a previous issue the groundwork was laid for the telling of the origins of the first Cumming High School football team in the fall of 1949. This group of 22 brave young men would embark on a journey which has largely been forgotten by those who lived in Forsyth County at that time. Only because of one member of that team, and another individual who recollects attending many of those early games, could this saga be retold here. The first game in 1949 against Royston was actually played at the old baseball field off Pilgrim Mill Road. Obviously, these games were played on Friday afternoon, since the old field lacked any lights necessary for night games. CHS was victorious 19-12 as Captain Dan Loggins scored on runs of 25 and 65 yards and set up another TD with a long run. Newspaper reports noted that a tough defense was led by Jim Hamby, Edwin Pruitt, and Gene McClure. In two of the away games, the Bulldogs faced far superior squads and were beaten 66-6 by South Habersham in Cornelia, and 32-0 by Buford at the old Bona Allen Field. Again, I recollect attending that game as a 9-year-old boy and even now I remember how valiantly the boys played on defense. I knew Edwin Pruitt and watched him as he kept exhorting his teammates to keep trying and not allow those green-clad Buford Wolves to run up the score as South Habersham had. Unexpectedly, another home game was played on a Friday afternoon against Eastanollee. CHS won 24-6. This was surprising to me when I discovered this fact, recollecting that Eastanollee was a state power in the mid-fifties, competing with Athens and Gainesville as the dominant forces in North Georgia high school football. Reports of this game note that quarterback Frank Stripland and left halfback Marcus Holtzclaw provided a lot of offensive punch in this game. Again, Edwin Pruitt spearheaded a stubborn Cumming defense. One of several unusual stories from this era of CHS sports history was a game with Rabun County (Clayton, GA). Center Jim Hamby related what he remembers about this game. A cold, drenching rain had blanketed North Georgia. The Rabun County coaches had called Coach Wood suggesting that the game be postponed, or cancelled altogether; however, Wood insisted that the game should go on. Usually, the team traveled on Mr. Charlie Boling’s bus, but on this occasion they traveled by cars, probably due to the inclement
weather. If you have ever visited that region, you know that any athletic field is usually in a valley. Hamby vividly recollects that the field was inundated with water. Both teams spent the night sloshing up and down the field, but Rabun County prevailed 6-0 on a single touchdown. Georgia High School Association records also show a game with Calhoun in which the Bulldogs were defeated 25-7. Certainly, these records are fuzzy at best, and have actually been updated in the past couple of months, correcting some obvious errors which were included. From my searches and these records, it appears that the CHS Bulldogs’ records were 2 wins and 4 losses. Even in two of the losses the Bulldogs had been very competitive. It should not be overlooked that these boys did not really have a home field advantage at Cumming, as the playing of those games on the old baseball field robbed them of the pomp and circumstance of “Those Friday Night Lights” and the support and extra adrenaline provided in that special environment. Nevertheless, the team had won 2 games against established programs. With a new assistant coach, Wallace Nelson, coming on board, things were definitely looking up for the 1950 season. As an aside, does anyone have any idea as to why CHS did not play a game with Ellijay in 1949, since Principal Chambers had helped establish a new program there before arriving in Cumming? Note: The writing of this article would not have been possible without the direction of Jim Hamby and Hershell Fuller. I am grateful for their providing the much-needed assistance. 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@ctc.net .
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition
Economic Recession and the Legacy of Values
Mind and heart mind & heart
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s our society has begun to emerge from denial and gradually embrace the unpleasant reality that a long-term economic recession is upon us, it is clear that this phenomenon has been causing many families to adjust their lifestyles accordingly. Based upon what I have observed and have been hearing from a broad cross-section of families in my practice, these adjustments often involve far more than just financial conservatism. By the time this article is published, we will have been through the holidays and moved into the early part of 2009. As I write this, only a few days before Christmas, I can recall many individuals mentioning during sessions over the past several weeks that they had elected to talk to their children and families about having a more conservative Christmas this year due to difficult economic times. For some adults, this decision appeared to engender guilt and remorse about not being able to materially indulge their families to the same degree that they may have before with multiple, expensive gifts. Interestingly enough, for the majority of others, it seemed to provide a measure of relief in their finally having a legitimate “excuse” to curtail excessive spending and also provided an opportunity to get back in touch with the more traditional, non-materialistic values inherent in the holidays. In the weeks and months preceding this holiday season, there were already signs emerging that the mandate for families to curb their spending was creating an existential quest to find happiness and contentment within a simpler life style. Almost overnight, families that had been used to taking expensive vacations, dining out frequently, shopping for amusement, and driving around town
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indiscriminately were being forced to learn to live within a simpler, more elemental lifestyle. Busy parents began cooking meals at home more regularly again, shopping became associated more with necessity, and, when gas prices peaked, errands began to be more consolidated and organized. In some households very unusual activities began to appear, such as a family of four actually sitting down to play a board game together, or watching a DVD movie at home instead of going to the Cineplex, or just hanging out and talking with one another. For many, the initial dread felt when faced with the prospect of cutting back became replaced by a quiet, deeper satisfaction of realizing that simpler doesn’t necessarily mean less; sometimes it just means better. Guilty parents began to realize that their children were more accepting, resilient and inventive than they had given them credit for in the face of this new “deprivation.” There are some theorists who believe that catastrophic financial conditions in a society can spawn a new social order, one in which basic values become reinforced, redistributed, and re-prioritized. The essential notion here is that the more extensively a society becomes separated (usually through its own actions and choices) from its underlying core values, the more susceptible it is to disruption when environmental conditions change drastically. From what I have witnessed within many individuals struggling to adjust to these new economic conditions, this value incongruency appears to be at the heart of their difficulties. As such, addressing these issues in treatment often entails helping an individual to reconnect with those values deemed important by that
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
Mark P. Feinsilber, Ph.D.
person, values which were passed on to that person by his or her family of origin and then distilled into value messages communicated as an adult to one’s own nuclear family. As is the case with many prior generations, today’s parents have often surpassed the financial circumstances of their own parents when they were of the same age, in part because of the much higher percentage of dual income families. Nevertheless, when financial times become difficult, it has not been uncommon for adults to find renewed inner strength by letting their minds return to those early life times when the important, non-material-based values were first passed on to them. In a sense, then, as the material layers of life become thinner, the value-laden core of life becomes more exposed and accessible. It seems only fitting that the aforementioned “legacy of values” should serve us best when times are the most difficult.
Mark P. Feinsilber, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience treating adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families; and is a founding member of the Behavioral Health Association of Forsyth (BHAF). His practice is located at 6030 Bethelview Road, Suite 401, in Cumming. Appointments or other consultations can be arranged by calling the administrative office at 770-205-5760, and more detailed information can be found at www.APSDoc.com.
Wild Facts Skunk works
The striped skunk is easy to recognize, either by its putrid odor or by its characteristic markings. Contrasting with black fur, a large white spot on top of the skunk’s head splits into two lines at the shoulders. Those lines continue along the sides and toward the tail. About the size of a house cat, the striped skunk is strictly nocturnal, hunting shortly after sunset and returning to its burrow at sunrise. Common foods include insects, grubs, mice, eggs, berries, grains, and nuts. This omnivore also eats carrion (dead animals, often on roadsides), which may explain why skunks frequently become road kill.
Head-turning owls
Four species of owls live in Georgia year-round: great-horned, barred, barn, and eastern screech (in order of largest to smallest). These birds of prey use their excellent hearing and eyesight to hunt at night. Contrary to popular belief, owls can’t turn their heads all the way around. However, the extra bones in their neck allow them to turn their head about threequarters of the way around (we can only turn our heads about halfway, from our chin to each shoulder). This adaptation is necessary since owls’ large eyes are fixed to look straight ahead; they can’t roll their eyes side to side and up and down like we can.
When colors warn
Many small animals use camouflaging colors to blend in with their surroundings and hide from predators. However, other wildlife defend themselves by displaying bold colors, which in the animal world warns “Stay away! I’m toxic!” For example, young eastern newts, called red efts, secrete toxins from their skin. Red millipedes often release hydrogen cyanide liquid when disturbed. Birds that dine on the orange and black monarch butterfly may become ill. These defense tactics don’t always mean certain death for predators, but the unpleasant experience makes them think twice before attempting to eat a bright-colored creature again.
more plants are green and thus able to consume the gas. Equally important but infrequently praised, phytoplankton (microscopic aquatic plants) in the ocean also absorb carbon dioxide and produce half of the earth’s oxygen.
Made to fly
Most birds can fly because their bodies are adapted to be lightweight, not just because they have feathers. Except for penguins, ostriches, and other flightless species, birds have hollow bones with internal bracings rather than heavy, solid bones. You can see this characteristic for yourself after eating a chicken or turkey dinner by simply snapping a bone in half. Other features that prevent birds from being weighed down include lightweight beaks (rather than a mouth full of heavy teeth) and egg laying (rather than carrying several young in a womb). Good eyesight, balance, and muscle coordination also help birds take flight.
Winter’s deep sleep
Some mammals hibernate to survive winter. Shorter day lengths, falling temperatures, and a decrease in available food trigger this gradual state of inactivity. To conserve energy and fat reserves, a hibernating animal’s heart rate slows down, its body temperature lowers (sometimes close to freezing), and its metabolism decreases. Depending on the species and the weather, hibernation may last several days or weeks. Examples of hibernating wildlife include bats, groundhogs and some mice. Although bears retreat to their dens in winter, they are not considered true hibernators. Bears are easily awakened, unlike the small mammals that go through significant physiological changes and fall into a deep sleep. WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.
Evergreens keeping on
Even though most trees and shrubs have gone dormant and their leaves have fallen off, evergreens continue to produce oxygen this time of year. Through a complex process called photosynthesis, green plants use water and sunlight to make food, as well as convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to lifesustaining oxygen. Concentrations of CO2 in the air change naturally with the Northern Hemisphere’s seasons. Levels are higher in autumn and winter but lower in spring and summer, when
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition
11
by Bob Merritt
Your Accounting In Writing Life is a mirror. We look forward, that’s the future. We look back, remember and learn—that’s a reflection.
I
t is too late to write “your story” for this past year’s Christmas gift; but it’s not too late to start it as a New Year’s resolution. “Your Story” is a written testimony of the life you spent on earth. It is important to others who knew you, loved you, and valued your presence. For generations to come, you will be remembered as one who recorded your life as a gift for your future generations. It is important to record health issues such as diabetes, heart attacks, cancer, and many others. Go as far back as you can, and tell all you know about relatives. This means telling about their time in the service of our country, education, religion, marriage(s), to whom, and descendants’ names and their disposition. Leave no stone unturned when dealing with “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” Colorful characters may be judged differently in the future, so give accounts of incidents in colorful detail, humor, or dread. The main thing is to point out that this accounting is strictly your accounting as you witnessed it. Don’t set out to record or create malice toward anyone. Assure your readers that your writing is the truth and the whole truth, and make sure it is, because someday someone may dispute the account. It never does anyone any good to splash negative porridge on their memory, especially if it isn’t true. In my “accounting” there are a number of accounts that I choose not to expose to the public as long as that person or persons are still alive, because of the grief, embarrassment, and shame that could be caused. Not all of these accounts have to be bad—just sensitive to the subject. Save it for a second or third printing or never write it. To those who say, “My life is not interesting enough,” or “I have never done anything important enough to write about,” I have a message for you. God had a plan for your life before you were born, and even if you have a low opinion of your worth—God doesn’t. Once you start putting your life on paper, it will be opened to you that the revelation you see will place a value on your being here. Start the process today. Give it a plan; you know, one of
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January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
those things we learned in school called “an outline.” Be flexible and permit yourself to insert incidents that jump into your account. I started off hoping I could produce two pages, and now I am on my way to having a digest full. Most of our lives span a number of different stages, so write about them all. Write about the usual who, what, when, and where if they apply. Tell the world about your personal involvement and leave out nothing, even if it embarrasses you. Show your human side and let your readers see how you evolved as you dealt with events in your life. You don’t have to embarrass or disgrace yourself in an effort to make yourself look human; after all, you are writing the story. People are not used to hearing people tell on themselves so let this be your secret weapon. All of us have had bad things happen and, speaking from experience, we have events recorded in our brain that we have chosen not to tell—at least not until now. For many of your readers and relatives your stories may only bring up memories. In writing your account there can be no half-truths. If you are tempted to add half-truths, then the whole incident and moment in your life becomes suspect; so don’t do it. I believe these half-truths that tempt you should be filed away under “Future Best Seller.” Every non-fiction writer has the urge to write a fiction story just to clear their brain or prove they can. I have been fortunate enough to have so much to write about in life that is true, that I may never get around to writing fiction or even part fiction. I have had at least one event in life happen that I would someday like to write and leave it up to the readers to determine whether it was true or not, and be personally able to take the secret to my grave. I have found with all my personal articles that there are skeptics who say, “No one could have that much happen to write about,” to which I respond, “I guess I have more to thank God for than I realized.” The outline you make is very important. I gave a lot of time and thought to mine and finally decided to start at the beginning and try to catch up to the present. Once I got to the end of the outline I found that the days and nights brought up
times, events, and people that had to be included. To leave recognizable subjects out would make my account incomplete. So what, you might say. “Who’s going to know?” And you, as I, would have to answer, “I would.” The history of every individual is unique. No matter where brothers or sisters start, there will come a marked point in each life when things become different. When I watch the incidents on Dr. Phil, I am impressed with the idea that he is bringing to light the incidents in that individual’s life, whether they be good, bad, or terrible, and sharing them with us, knowing that someone is watching that screen who has a life so parallel that maybe a revelation will occur that will cause life-changing events. It may be easier for a young adult to write their account and keep it like a diary; I don’t know, I never had anyone point out the need in my youth, and sad to say, I had no real interest. At the ripe old age of seventy-one I see the importance and I wonder if God is trying to tell me something. If he is, I am passing the message on to you and I hope you catch it. Next Christmas, 2009, give your relatives your account of your life as you have seen it. Some of them will not see the value in it; but some will, and hopefully one will carry on your example. Writing is not for everyone, but anyone can write.
Secrets otherwise taken to the grave can be helpful, especially to relatives. The genes you carry will be passed on to your descendants. The knowledge that this also happened to “a relative of mine” can become very useful in enjoying the shared moment, whether it be good or bad. Write in your account the pleasures you enjoyed in life, and feel free to share disappointments in events and how you handled them. Express your feelings as a leader and as a follower. If God is important in your life, devote some space to it. Leave no doubt as to where you think you will be spending eternity, because it will be really important to someone down the line. The important thing is to write it all down and get it all off your chest; you can always go back and eliminate statements made in haste. Don’t let this opportunity pass. You may have a short manuscript or you might have volumes; the thing is, you have it. There will never be another you, since you are unique, and that’s what will make your account informative, stimulating, and important to someone you now know or may never know. It has been said that “God made you and God don’t make junk.” I believe it, and the smallest incident in life is important; so treat it as such. Enjoy dancing on the keys. Let’s see what you’ve got. There is no promise of the future, so get started now.
Birding Opportunities
Looking for a local birding site?
Are you dying to get out birding but don’t know where to go? Visit www. wingsoverga.com for a county-by-county list of good birding locations.
Get involved
Local Audubon chapters and other bird clubs often lead bird walks open to the public of all ages. Some also have monthly meetings with interesting speakers. Several have regular newsletters. Atlanta Audubon Society teaches a Master Birder Class for those interested in delving more deeply into the study of birds.
Georgia Chapters:
• Albany Audubon Society - http:// albanyaudubonsociety.synthasite. com/ • Atlanta Audubon Society - www. atlantaaudubon.org • Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society - http://augustaaikenaudubon.org/ • Coastal Georgia Audubon Society
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
(Brunswick) - http:// coastalgeorgiabirding.org/ cgas/ • Columbus Audubon Society - 6000 Chrisbin Drive, Columbus, GA 31909. Contact Person: Priscilla Marshall, President • Ocmulgee Audubon Society (Macon) - http://members.cox.net/ ocmulgeeaudubon/ • Oconee Rivers Audubon Society (Athens) - http:// www.oconeeriversaudubon.org/ • Ogeechee Audubon Society (Savannah) - http://www. savogeecheeaudubon.org/ • 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count
The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count is February 13-16. Last year marked a fourth consecutive record in checklists: 85,725. Georgia ranked fifth in species spotted, Savannah second among “localities.” Join the citizenscience effort that Cornell Lab of Ornithology Director John Fitzpatrick calls “a vital link in the arsenal of continent-wide bird-monitoring projects.” For more information, visit the main GBBC site: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/.
400 Edition 13
Captain Clay’s Fishing Report Lake Lanier - January 2009 | Water Temperature: 51 degrees and falling | Lake Level: Approx. 1052.55
F
inally seeing the lake level come up a little. The lake has come up approximately a foot and a half with the recent rains. Still only a few boat ramps open. Charleston Park, Tidwell, Shoal Creek, and Clarks Bridge are now all open. Hopefully with the recent rains we will not surpass last year’s record low.
Stripers: The striper fishing has been more consistent with the cold
weather. The baitfish have pulled up into the creeks and the stripers have pulled up into the creeks with them. The north end of the lake is producing the most fish. Areas like Ada Creek and Gainesville Creek are good starting points this time of year. Two tactics have been working best, depending on the amount of cloud cover. If it is cloudy, fish with smaller baits to match the hatch of the
threadfins that they are eating. The threadfins that they are eating are about an inch and a half long. If you see the fish visibly rolling on the surface, freeline a medium shiner or an extrasmall trout 100 feet behind the boat or 15 feet behind a planer board. Be sure to use light line on these smaller baits. You can Hal Coleman also cast small November 13, 2008 1/4-ounce jigheads, tipped with a Zoom Smokin Shad Fluke, to these fish. On the sunny days, the fish have been deeper and will readily take a larger rainbow trout. Drop the larger trout on a downline 30 feet under the boat using a Carolina type rig used in bass fishing, with a The Strickland Family 1 1/2-ounce December 22, 2008 swivel sinker and a five-foot leader. Be sure to use 12- to 15-pound P-line shad in the lake cannot endure fluorocarbon on the leader. Look the cold weather very well and are on your electronics for a large pod beginning to die off. Try a Cotton of baitfish that is around ten feet Cordell C.C. spoon or the .6 white thick before dropping the downlines. foil Flex-It spoon. Most of your bites Good electronics are crucial this will be on the fall while using a yotime of year. Seagulls in the area yo type retrieve. Lastly, be safe with are also a good sign. the falling lake levels. The Corps Of Engineers does a great job marking obstructions, but still take care. If you are out early, throw Hopefully in the next few months, a white 3/8-ounce Fish Head Spin the lake level with make some tipped with a Zoom White Ice Fluke improvement. The lake level usually Jr. up in the coves. Some of these starts to climb in early January. bass will be very shallow up on the banks. It is a good way to catch a Captain Clay Cunningham “toad” spotted bass on Lake Lanier. Catching Not Fishing Lake Lanier Keep your eyes on the electronics Guide Service for any bass cruising along the 770-630-2673 bottom while you are fishing the www.catchingnotfishing.com Fish Head Spin. If you see these fish U.S.C.G Licensed Captain on the bottom, drop the spoon. The spoon bite is improving daily with the early cold weather. The threadfin
Pictures of the Month
Bass:
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January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
Georgia Turkey Hunting Information Current Turkey Population
Estimated at 300,000 birds
2009 Season Details
• March 21-May 15, 2009 • Bag limit: 3 male birds, also known as “gobblers” • Turkey hunters must possess a valid hunting license and a big game license to legally hunt turkeys in Georgia. If hunting on a wildlife management area (WMA), hunters should also possess a WMA license.
Estimated 2009 Season Outlook
The 2009 season should be similar to the last several seasons. Poult production increased in many areas of the state this summer and there should be a lot of young turkeys (jakes) in the woods this spring. Harvest will likely remain stable or increase slightly. Looking ahead to the next year, there should be an outstanding season when those jakes become vocal 2-year-old birds.
•
•
•
•
2008 Hunting Season Stats
• 49,327 resident Georgia hunters • 24,297 turkeys harvested • Harvest ratio increased by 9 percent from 2007
Comeback of the Wild Turkey in Georgia
The comeback of the wild turkey is one of Georgia’s great conservation success stories. Although the bird population currently hovers around 300,000 statewide, as recently as 1973, the wild turkey population was as low as 17,000. Intensive restoration efforts, such as the restocking of wild birds and increased emphasis on biologically sound hunting seasons, have helped re-establish turkeys in suitable habitat in every county. This resurgence is due to the efforts of private landowners, hunters, and conservation organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Safety Tips
• Never wear red, white, blue, or black clothing while turkey hunting. Red is the color most hunters look for when distinguishing a gobbler’s head from a hen’s blue-colored head, but at times it may appear white or blue. Male turkey feathers
•
covering most of the body are black in appearance. Camouflage should be used to cover everything, including the hunter’s face, hands and firearm. Select a calling position that provides at least a shoulder-width background, such as the base of a tree. Be sure that at least a 180degree range is visible. Do not stalk a gobbling turkey. Due to their keen eyesight and hearing, the chances of getting close are slim to none, but a hunter in motion greatly increases his/her chances of being mistaken for game. Be careful using a turkey call. The sound and motion may attract other hunters. Do not move, wave, or make turkey-like sounds to alert another hunter to your presence. Instead, yell in a loud voice so other hunters know you are in the area. Be careful when carrying a harvested turkey from the woods. Do not allow the wings to hang loosely or the head to be displayed in such a way that another hunter may think it is a live bird. If possible, conceal the turkey in a blaze orange garment or other material. Although it’s not required, it is suggested that hunters wear blaze orange when moving between their vehicle and hunting site. When moving between hunting sites, hunters should wear blaze orange on their upper bodies to lessen chances of being mistaken for game.
Incident Statistics
In the past 16 turkey seasons combined, there has been a total of only 30 incidents, and one fatality. With anywhere from 48,000 to over 80,000 hunters annually stalking turkeys in a given Georgia turkey season, this is an extraordinarily safe sport.
Economic Impact
Turkey hunters in Georgia have an estimated annual impact of over $118 million dollars. (Note: figures from the 2006 USFWS National Survey utilized to get this figure.) Information above confirmed by State Turkey Biologist Kevin Lowrey (in December 2008)
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition 15
Fun 400 by
Comma Momma But It’s In The Dictionary... by Nancy Wright
Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com. Answers on page 20.
Mixed-Up Groundhog Day Unscramble the letters below to reveal words that are associated with Groundhog Day. 1. HILP 2. SNNIVAPAEYLN 3. MELNACDAS YDA 4. HORDUONGG 5. PTENUWYAXUNS 6. DOASHW 7. TEHREAW 8. GENDEL 9. TWIRNE 10. BRURAYFE 11. GRSNIP 12. ANTPCOROGORTIS 13. BLEGOBRS NBOK 14. CIDTNOIPRE
16 400 Edition
“IT
is SO a word; it’s right here in the dictionary!” Whoa, wait a sec. Before you start citing the dictionary as your authority for using a particular word, let’s clarify a couple of things. First of all, there’s no such thing as “THE dictionary.” There is no single dictionary that is THE final authority for American English. At Amazon.com you’ll get thousands of hits if you search for “dictionary.” Even if you eliminate the specialty dictionaries (medical, legal, foreign language, and the like), you’re still left with an enormous collection of dictionaries aimed at speakers of American English. Each dictionary is produced by its own group of editors, who make their own decisions about what words to put in their particular dictionary and what words to leave out, and what usage notes to include. I can almost guarantee that if you look hard enough, you’ll be able to find a dictionary supporting whatever orthographic bee you might have in your bonnet. And if you happen to be unfamiliar with orthographic, and were to look it up online at OneLook Dictionary Search (www.onelook.com), OneLook will offer you the word in the 19 or 20 different online dictionaries it finds orthographic in. So although we English speakers talk a lot about “the dictionary,” it would be more accurate for us to say “the dictionaries.” The second problem with backing up your particular usage by saying it’s in a dictionary: Just because a word is in a dictionary doesn’t mean it’s standard English. Ain’t is in most dictionaries. Irregardless is in most dictionaries. But both of those will earn you multiple smacks upside the head if you use them within hearing of the Word Police. It’s like this: Dictionaries don’t set the language rules. They only record the words that are in
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
general use by speakers of the language. Noah Webster, arguably America’s earliest dictionary guy, is quoted as having said, “A lexicographer’s business is solely to collect, arrange, and define the words that usage presents to his hands. He has no right to proscribe words; he is to present them as they are.” Often, a word’s entry in a dictionary will include a descriptive term that indicates the way the word is normally used; for example, “colloquial” or “conversational” or “nonstandard” or “slang” or “formal.” Some words have earned even longer usage notes; one edition of the American Heritage Dictionary scornfully refers to the “blizzard of condemnation” that the word irregardless has met with, and goes on to say, “it has been considered a blunder for decades and will probably continue to do so.” So here’s a tip: Before you go around citing a dictionary to justify your usage of a word, make sure you’ve read the fine print. There’s of course a third problem with thinking a word is OK to use just because you can find it in a dictionary. [Bleep] is in many dictionaries. So is [bleep] and [bleep] and [bleepitybleep] and any number of other... um...“colorful” terms. Use any of them, and not only will you be getting smacks upside the head, you’ll also be at serious risk of having your mouth washed out with soap. Ptoooey. Nancy Wright does occasional editing and proofreading, and formats technical books for a specialty publishing house in California. She and her husband live in White County; you can contact her at adairmill@ windstream.net. Or you can visit the forums at www.400edition. com and share your thoughts with Comma Momma and other readers.
Events!
Tip: Keep in mind that 400 Edition is released on or about the 15th of each month. That means your event needs to be submitted via our web site 30-45 days prior to your event date, and no later than the 1st 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.
Alpharetta
February 2 at Kroger, 12870 Highway at Windward Parkway.
lead a symposium at Piedmont College in Athens, Ga. that will explore how the South is embracing religious diversity in the 21st century. For more information including registration materials visit piedmont.edu or call Brandy Aycock at 1-800-868-1641.
February 5 at Kroger 5665 GA, Highway 9 at Frances Road.
Atlanta
Mammogram Screenings
January 19 at Kroger 12460 Crabapple Road.
February 17 at Kroger 10945 State Bridge Road.
Hands on Nutrition Demo for Cancer Patients
ScreenAtlanta, a community service of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a year-round basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
January 20-are organic foods better?, February 3-Is fax a super food? and February 17-getting enough protein-the vegetarian way from 12:30pm-3:00pm at Northside Atlanta, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C-225.
Leadership Seminar
Pre-Valentine’s Day Party for Cancer Survivors & Loved Ones
January 27, beginning at 8:00am at Johns Creek. The Rotary Club is presenting this morning long leadership seminar. Local business and community leaders and small business owners are invited to attend. GiANT Impact is facilitating. Cost is $95.00 (regularly $400.00). Register at johnscreekrotary. org. For more information, contact Robert Funk at 770 366-3770 or rfunk@cmitsolutions.com.
“A Mendelssohn Salute”
February 7 at 8:00pm at Northview High School Theatre, 10625 Parsons Road. Johns Creek Symphony celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of Felix Mendelssohn with the performance of “The Italian.” $15.00$28.00. For more information, contact Stacy Guidice at 678 748 5802 or info@johnscreeksymphony.org.
Friends of the Library Book Sale First Saturday of every month, beginning at 10:00am at 138 Canton Street. This is the Friends principal source of income to support library programs and purchase books and capital improvements. See website to donate books! Call 770-475-9214 or email statham@mindspring.com for information.
Athens
Conference on Religion and the Liberal Arts
February 20-21 at Athens Classic Center and Piedmont College. Author and preacher Barbara Brown Taylor will
February 11 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at The Wellness Community –Atlanta Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C-225. We’ll have dinner and decadent desserts. This program is supported by a grant from the Junior League of Atlanta Space is limited. Please RSVP to 404-843-1880 to register.
Kids’ Circle
From 6:30pm-8:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C225. Call 404-843-1880 to sign up and learn start date of program. Program runs 4-weeks on consecutive Thursdays. No charge for this event. This 4-week program is a support program for children 5-12 who have a parent or grandparent with cancer. Children who participate in this program will: (1) Learn about changes caused by illness in the family through songs, games and creative activities, (2) Learn to identify their own feelings about cancer and how it affects them personally, and (3) Learn strategies for coping with stress and ways to take care of themselves.
Give The Gift of Blood
January 28 from 7:00am-5:00pm at Northside Hospital, 980 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Classroom B. According to the American Red Cross, about four million people need blood each year in the United States, which equates to one person every two seconds. As long as you are healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 or older, you can give blood every 56 days.
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition 17
Events,
For more information, call Debbie Lucca at 404-845-5185 or email debbie.lucca@northside.com.
47th Annual Boat Show
Through January 18 beginning at 11:00am at Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C. Enjoy five days of nonstop fishing and boating activities including seminars, kids’ activities and prize giveaways. Climb aboard hundreds of the newest yachts, pleasure boats, houseboats, fishing boats, ski boats and personal watercraft and shop the latest marine electronics and boating accessories. Tickets are Adults-$9.00; Youth (13-15) $5.00; and children 12 and under are free. On Wednesday, January 14, there will be a special $5.00 admission all day. Show hours are 11:00am-9:00pm, Wednesday-Friday; 10:00am-9:00pm on Saturday; and 10:00am-6:00pm on Sunday. For information and special offers, visit AtlantaBoatShow.com or call 954-441-3220.
Dealing with Colorectal, Lung and Prostate Cancer
New support groups at the Wellness Community-Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C-225. Lung Cancer – second Wednesday of the month from Noon–2:00pm; Prostate Cancer–third Thursday of the month from 1:00pm-3:00pm and Colorectal Cancer–fourth Monday of the month from 11:00am–1:00pm. The programs are led by licensed therapists. Caretakers are welcome to attend the lung and colorectal group. Please RSVP to 404-843-1880. There is no charge for this event.
Support Groups for Cancer Patients
Mondays from 1:00pm-3:00pm and Wednesdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The Wellness Community-Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C225. No charge. Explore new ways to deal with stress and cancer. Requires attendance at a Newcomers Meeting, a brief interview and a commitment to regular attendance. RSVP 404-843-1880.
Exploring Dreamwork
Every Tuesday from 12:3pm-2:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwood Road, Suite C-225. Join us every Tuesday for this class where we share dreams, personal stories, journal entries, programs and anything that is stirring to the heart. Learn to appreciate symbols and metaphors – free emotions, and positively impact the immune
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January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
system. Each participant receives a “how to” manual: “The Healing Power of Dreams and Nightmares.” No previous experience necessary. Join Tallulah Lyons, M.Ed. for this class. Call 404-843-1880 for information.
Support Groups for Gynecological Cancer Patients
First Thursday of each month from Noon-2:00pm. Northside Atlanta, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C-225. Explore new ways of dealing with the stress of cancer and learn techniques to become partners with their health care team. This networking group is for women who have or have had gynecological cancer including ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. RSVP 404-843-1880. No charge.
Support for Men Who Are Supporting Women
Second Thursday of the month from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody, Suite C225. If you’re a man who is caring for a woman with cancer, this is the group for you. Join other men for this once-a-month support group to openly discuss the challenges and triumphs of having a wife, girlfriend or daughter with cancer.
Blood Cancer Support
Second Thursday of the month from Noon-2:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C225. Join us for this monthly offering where individuals diagnosed with any type of blood cancer, and their loved ones can join in an open and supportive environment. This group supported by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Blairsville
Smokie Mountain Melodies
Chorus with Sweet Adelines International meets every Tuesday, 6:30pm at the First United Methodist Church of Union County on 515, just down the highway from North Georgia Technical College. If you love barbershop music and can carry a tune, join us. For information call 706-379-1078.
Blue Ridge
“Marrying Walt”
February 6-March 1 at 7:00pm at Blue Ridge Community Theater. A true comedy written by James Danek, about an elderly couple living in a retirement community in Florida that are keeping the secret.that they aren’t married. For more information, contact
Events! Pat Webb at 706-632-9223 or go to BlueRidgeCommunityTheater.com.
February 16 at Kroger 2655 Freedom Pkwy and Hwy 306.
Canton
February 25 at Kroger 2325 Bethelview Road at Hwy 20.
Mammogram Screenings
January 22 at Kroger, 8020 Cumming Highway at East Cherokee Drive. January 27 at Kroger, 4045 Marietta Highway at Prominence Point Pkwy. ScreenAtlanta, a community service of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a year-round basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
Drop-in Breast Cancer Support Group
First Thursday of each month from 10:00am-Noon at Northside Hospital, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center. Meet with other people who have or have had breast cancer and together examine the emotional and psychological effects and changes, in addition to sharing ideas and information. There is no charge. Call 404-843-1880 for information.
Cherry Log
Bluegrass and Gospel
January 18 at 6:00pm at Cherry Log Community Clubhouse, off Highway 515. Old time bluegrass and gospel acoustic jam session will take place every Thursday night. For more information, contact Al or Dana Henderson at 706-635-3786.
Cornelia
Sing Celebration
February 22 at 3:00pm at United Methodist Church. Program formats vary from local choirs sharing African American gospel music to artists from around the state, some who have directed blended mass choirs, and others who are renowned gospel recording artists. Recently, we enjoyed presenting a multi-cultural celebration in which White southern gospel singers performed, along with Black choirs, Hispanic gospel groups, as well as praise dancers. For more information, please call Dr. Vanessa Burns, 706-778-5081, or Terry Stone, 706-776-7740
Cumming
Mammogram Screenings
January 16 and February 12 at Kroger 540 Lakeland Paza.
February 27 at Kroger 1595 Peachtree Pkwy at Sharon Road. ScreenAtlanta, a community service of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a year-round basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society
January 18 at 8:45am and 11:00am at Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway with a church-wide family luncheon following the 11:00am service. Call 770-887-2900 for information.
“The Complete Works of William Shakespear” abridged
Through January 18 (two weekends) with Thursday – Sunday matinee. Presented by Off Broadway Professional Company and North Fulton Drama Club. Tickets $20.00 for adults; $15.00 for seniors, students and groups of 25 or more. Call 770-781-9178 or go to playhousecumming.com for information.
The Joy of Connecting
January 20 at 7:00pm. The Joy of Connecting is a relaxed dinner/ networking gathering for women business owners, entrepreneurs, other professionals that are seriously interested in strengthening and growing their business. All participants receive the opportunity to present their business and receive an attendance roster. Reservations and pre-payment required to secure spot. Contact Annette Walden at 770-887-6792 or Annette@PaintedLadyEnterprises.com, or visit our website at www. TheJoyofConnecting-CummingGA.com for more information.
Free Education Luncheon for Cancer Patients
January 28 from 11:30am-1:30pm at Tam’s Backstage, 101 School Street. Join other cancer survivors and their loved ones for lunch and a free program presented by Robin Benardot, RD, LD of Benardot Nutrition. She will discuss “Acid Balance in the Body and Cancer.” Please RSVP to 404-843-1880.
“Steel Magnolias”
January 29-February 22 at The
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition 19
Events, Events,
Cumming Playhouse, 101 School Street. Thursday-Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 3:00pm. For tickets call 770-781-9178 or go to playhousecumming.com.
Give The Gift of Blood
January 30 from 11:00am-4:00pm at Northside Hospital, Bennett Education Center, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive. According to the American Red Cross, about four million people need blood each year in the United States, which equates to one person every two seconds. As long as you are healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 or older, you can give blood every 56 days. For more information, call Glenda Cronan, 770-844-3400, glenda.cronan@northside.com.
Welcome Table
February 11 beginning at 6:00pm at Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton. Dinner at 6:00pm (cost $6.00 adults, seniors and $4.00 for children). Menu is lasagna, salad, rolls and dessert. Program at 7:00pm with Linda Shaefer, photojournalist and last person to interview Mother Theresa. Books will be on sale for additional $15.00 with book-signing following. No child care is available. Call 770-887-2900 for information.
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
February 14 at Cumming First United
by
Fun 400 Answers from page 16.
Mixed-up Groundhog Day 1. PHIL 2. PENNSYLVANIA 3. CANDLEMAS DAY 4. GROUNDHOG 5. PUNXSUTAWNEY 6. SHADOW 7. WEATHER 8. LEGEND 9. WINTER 10. FEBRUARY 11. SPRING 12. PROGNOSTICATOR 13. GOBBLERS KNOB 14. PREDICTION
Methodist Church, 770 Canton. Treat yourself to an evening of candlelight, fine food and songs of the heart. Kevin and Lenore Whitley will sing classic songs of love from the decades. Cost is $25.00 for individual/$45.00 per couple. Proceeds benefit the Music and Arts Ministry. Call 770-887-2900 for information.
John Hutchinson, Organ Concert
February 21 at 8:00pm at Cumming First United Methodist Church. One of the leading organists in the Atlanta area performing a concert of major works for the organ. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
Church Choir Festival
February 22 at 3:00pm at Cumming First Baptist Church. Three NGCSU choral ensembles will join forces with church choirs from the Cumming area in an afternoon of inspirational sacred music. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
Volunteers Needed
Forsyth Senior Services is currently looking for volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program. Substitutes are needed long and short term for meal routes. Routes run M-F, and usually take about 2 hours. Kitchen assistance is also needed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to help pack out meals. The Friendly Visitor Program is looking for volunteers to give a “Friendly Visit” to a homebound senior. The goal of this program is to decrease social isolation. Volunteers are matched with seniors using similar interest, hobbies and demographics. The Alzheimer’s Respite program is looking for volunteers for the “Sunshine Club”. The program runs M-F from 11:15am3:15pm. Volunteers assist participants in a variety of activities under the direction of staff members. For information on any of these opportunities call Jennifer Howell at 770-781-2178.
Autism Support
Meets the first Saturday of every month from 10:00am-Noon. Ascend-ER, Autism Support Community Efforts and New Directions Exceptional at Parkway Presbyterian Church, 5830 Bethelview Road. Please check our web-site at ascend-er.com for monthly meeting details.
Barbershop Singers
Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1125 Bettis Tribble Gap Road. Forsyth County Barbershop Singers invite men ages 18-105 to visit our rehearsals. Men, if you like to sing, this is for you. No experience required. For information call Jerry Frank at 770-886-8670 or email Jerry_frank@bellsouth.net.
Support Group for People with Cancer and Their Loved Ones
Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Northside Hospital, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive, Suite 180. Join other cancer patients and their loved ones as they search for answers to the cancer challenge. Rachel Newby, LMSW, of The Wellness Community, Atlanta, will be the facilitator. Cancer survivors and their loved ones are encouraged to attend this free group for education and exchange of ideas. RSVP at 404-8431880.
Counseling for Senior Adults
Monthly, second and fourth Wednesday from 9:00am-12:30pm, free individual counseling, by a qualified therapist, at the Forsyth County Senior Center, 595 Dahlonega Highway. Please call Mary Johnson to schedule an appointment at 770-781-2178.
Take An Alaskan Cruise
Forsyth County Senior Services is planning a trip from May 15-25. For more information call Sonya Camarillo at 770-781-2178.
Dahlonega
Esther: It’s Tough Being A Woman
Beginning January 8 for ten week Bible study by Beth Moore on Thursdays at 9:30am and 7:00pm at the Dyer home. Join Beth in an in-depth and very personal examination of this great story of threat and deliverance. She peels back the layers of history and shows how very contemporary and applicable the story of Esther is to our lives. If you’ve ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpowering, this is the study for you. This portion of God’s Word contains treasures to aid us in our hurried, harried, and pressured lives. Workbooks are available at God’s Way Christian Book Store or Lifeway Book Stores. For more information, please call Carol at 706-867-7647.
Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com.
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David Brothers Trio
January 20 at 8:00pm at Gloria Shott Performance Hall, NGCSU. Join us with long-time collaborator Tim Aucoin for an evening of jazz. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
Piano Concert
February 2 at 8:00pm at Hoag Auditorium, NGCSU Campus. Joe Chapman plays piano favorites. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
Book Discussion
February 10 at 1:00pm at the Lumpkin County Senior Center. The book “Because They Hate” by Brigette Gabriel is available from the library. Email rhonda@3By400.com for information or call 706-864-2358 for directions
Romeo and Juliet
February 11-14 at 8:00pm at Hoag Auditorium, NGCSU Campus. NGCSU Student Theater Guild presents the most famous love story ever told just in time for Valentine\’s Day. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsus.edu.
American Standards III Concert
February 14 at 8:00pm at Gloria Shott Performance Hall-NGCSU Campus. Once again, Joe Chapman and Andy David perform popular ballads and classic jazz-bring your sweetheart for an evening of intimate jazz. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
NGCSU Faculty Cooperative Recital
February 19 at 8:00pm at Gloria Shott Performance Hall, NGCSU Campus. The talented music faculty of NGCSU presents an evening of solos, duets, trios and jazz ensemble music. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
Ellijay
John Jorgenson Quintet
January 10 at 7:30pm at Ellijay Elementary School Auditorium. Gypsy Jazz music is the style of music and he has played with artists from Elton John to Bonnie Raitt. Tickets
Events! can be purchased online. For more information, call 706-635-5605 or go to gilmerarts.org.
Stig Rossen
February 14 at 7:30pm at Ellijay Elementary Auditorium. Renowned for his role as Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables,” in concert. For more information, contact Sally Forest or Tammy Bravo at 706-635-5605 or gaha@ellijay.com.
Hiawassee
Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild
Second Tuesday at 6:00pm, 308 Big Sky Drive (behind the Holiday Inn). The Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild, Inc will meet. If you would like to learn more about the guild, we invite you to the next meeting as our guest. Contact us at 706-896-0932 or mtnregartscraftsguild@hotmail.com or visit mtnregartscraftsguild.org.
Jasper
Smoking Cessation Classes
January 19, 26, 28, February 2, 9 and 23 from 7:00pm-8:30pm at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital’s education room. Piedmont Mountainside Hospital along with the American Lung Association is hosting a seven-week course designed to help smokers quit. The class, entitled “Freedom From Smoking,” will be led by an ALA trained facilitator. Come for both an informative and enlightening experience as you hear success stories from those who have quit and how they accomplished their journey. Seating is limited and registration is $75.00. For more information or to register, please call 706-301-5516.
Roswell
Mammogram Screenings
January 28 and February 13 at Kroger, 570 East Crossville Road. ScreenAtlanta, a community service of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a yearround basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
“Beethoven Romance for Valentine’s Day”
February 7 at 8:00pm at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. This performance features winner of ten major piano competitions-local pianist-Robert Henry performing the ever popular Grieg Piano Concerto. Israeli soprano, Shiree Kidronmakes her LSO debut performing arias
by Mozart, Gounod, and Israeli songs where she sings and plays guitar at the same time. Dr. Ashraf Attalla-clarinetist makes a triumphant return with the Georgia premiere of the scintillating and wild “Black Dog Suite” for clarinet and orchestra by Scott McAllister. Local composer/pianist/violinist-sixteen year old-Alice Hong from Walton High School premieres her “Paradise Lost” for strings, winds, and piano. Call 770-623-8623 for tickets. Prices are $17.00 for Adults, $15.00 for Seniors (over 65), and $8.00 for Students (under 22).
Sautee
“One Family”
January 17 at 8:00pm at the Historic Gym of Sautee Nacoochee Center located off of Hwy.17 on 283 N.255 Hwy. An evening of stories presented by Bob Prim with music by local musicians. A reprise of the much loved 2008 show. Donations-no set ticket prices. For more information go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.
Long Winter’s Night of Stories
January 26 beginning with dinner at 6:00pm at the Sautee Nacoochee Center located off of Hwy.17 on 283 N.255 Hwy. The Headwaters story team will host this third annual evening. We will be gathering stories for future story plays--so come prepared to tell your stories, not just to listen. Story circles will form by 7:00pm. Please RSVP to headwaters@snca.org or call 706-878-3300 to let us know that you will be coming.
Elise Witt
January 31 at 8:00pm at the theatre of the Sautee Nacoochee Center located off of Hwy.17 on 283 N.255 Hwy. International performer with the voice of an angel, holding a singing workshop and performing. $15.00 members, $20.00 non-members and $8.00 kids 6-17. For more information go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.
Atlanta Boy Choir
February 7 at 8:00pm at the theatre of the Sautee Nacoochee Center located off of Hwy.17 on 283 N.255 Hwy. They’ve performed for presidents, popes, foreign dignitaries and heads of state, released 4 CD’s since 2004 and made an appearance at Carnegie Hall. $15.00 members, $20.00 non members and $8.00 kids 6-17. For more information go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
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Events! Late Night Off Center
February 12 at 10:30pm at the theatre of the Sautee Nacoochee Center located off of Hwy.17 on 283 N.255 Hwy. The zany crew of late night returns with its oddball ensemble cast to poke fun at just about everything. Roll of the dice plus $4.00. For more information go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.
Evening Star Folk Music
February 14 at 8:00pm at the historic gym of the Sautee Nacoochee Center located off of Hwy.17 on 283 N.255 Hwy. Concert series featuring Kate Campbell. $15.00 members, $20.00 non members, and $8.00 kids 6-17. For more information go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.
Woodstock
Mammogram Screenings
January 29 at Kroger, 12050 Highway 92 at Trickum Road. ScreenAtlanta, a community service
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of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a year-round basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
Diabetes Prevention Class
Second Tuesday of the month from 5:00pm-7:00pm at NorthsideCherokee Medical Office Building (Towne Lake), 1st Floor conference room, 100 Stone Forest Drive. Open to anyone at risk for or already diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Learn how to count carbohydrates; the difference between insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes; and blood glucose levels, and obtain nutrition and healthy meal tips. $35.00. Pre-registration is required. For information or to register, call 404-845-5555 and press “0.”
Your Vision Source! Glaucoma I
t can come with no warning and no noticeable symptoms. It is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. “IT” is Glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that lead to damage of the optic nerve, and result in vision loss and blindness. The optic nerve is a bundle of about one million individual nerve fibers that transmit the visual signals from the eye to the brain. Because there are usually no symptoms or pain associated with the onset of glaucoma, it’s called the “Silent Thief of Sight.” All people, especially those at higher risk for this disease, are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the potential symptoms and need for regular eye examinations. A regular eye examination is especially critical since a person with earlystage glaucoma may not notice any symptoms at all. In open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. There is usually no pain and even when glaucoma begins to affect peripheral vision, most people can unconsciously compensate for it by turning their head to the side. Primary open-angle glaucoma is associated with an increase in the fluid pressure inside the eye. This increase in pressure may cause progressive damage to the optic nerve and loss of nerve fibers. Vision loss may result. Advanced glaucoma may even cause blindness. Not everyone with high eye pressure will develop glaucoma, and many people with normal eye pressure will develop glaucoma. When the pressure inside an eye is too high for that particular optic nerve, whatever that pressure measurement may be, glaucoma will develop. Normal tension glaucoma is a form of glaucoma that has what is considered “normal” eye pressures, but the optic nerve is damaged nevertheless. These people may have an abnormally sensitive optic nerve or a reduced blood supply to the optic nerve, caused by a condition such as atherosclerosis. So even the normal eye pressures in the eye may be enough to cause damage to the optic nerve. Acute angle closure glaucoma is less common and usually occurs abruptly due to a rapid increase of pressure in the eye. Symptoms may include severe eye pain, nausea, red eye, blurred vision, and halos around lights. This is considered an ocular emergency and medical attention should be sought immediately.
by Dr. Joyce M. Nations
An estimated 120,000 Americans are blind as a result of glaucoma. That represents 9% to 12% of all causes of blindness in the U.S. Some people are more at risk than others. Those at higher risk include people over the age of 60, AfricanAmericans over 40, people with diabetes, individuals who have experienced a serious eye injury, and anyone with a family history of glaucoma. Other risk factors include thinner corneas, chronic eye inflammation, and using medications that increase the pressure in the eyes, such as corticosteroids. Even babies are at risk for glaucoma. Each year, one baby in 10,000 is born with glaucoma. While there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection and treatment can slow or prevent further vision loss. First and foremost in the process is a comprehensive eye health exam by your optometrist. Glaucoma cannot currently be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can usually be controlled. Medications (usually eye drops) and surgeries are used to treat glaucoma and can slow or prevent further vision loss. Vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, it must be monitored for life. Glaucoma can only be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye health examination. The condition can best be diagnosed with a thorough eye examination using dilation or a computer scan of the optic nerve. Of the estimated 3 million Americans who have glaucoma, only half know they have it. For the sake of your sight, please contact your optometrist to schedule an eye examination. Dr. Nations practices at Cherokee Eye Group at 591 East Main Street in Canton and at Dawson Eye Group at 5983 Hwy. 53 East, Suite 250, in Dawsonville. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree and her Masters of Public Health degree in 1993 from the University of Alabama. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Georgia Optometric Association, and Vision Source.
January Reading For Fun and Learning by Lynda Holmes, Ed.D.
J
anuary brings a fresh calendar year and winter days with possibilities of snow. Childhood memories of building forts and snow people and sliding down snow-covered hills come to mind, along with steaming cups of hot chocolate. The Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday is January 19, followed by an historic Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. President on January 20. “A New Birth of Freedom” is the theme of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, honoring Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday (www. inaugural.senate.gov/). The Atlanta Zoo recently announced the name of its baby panda on the hundredth day after his birth. Xi Lan (“Atlanta’s Joy”) has a sister panda, Mei Lan (“Atlanta Beauty”), born in 2006. Explore www.zooatlanta.org and discover how giant pandas adapt to winter weather, including their eating habits. Warm up the winter with some great reading as you check out your local libraries for most of the following resources. Always supervise children’s internet time. Happy reading!
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion. Juvenile children’s non-fiction. 2002 Caldecott Honor Book.
Winter/Snow
On the Horizon for February:
http://snowflakebentley.com (20002007 Jericho Historical Society).
U.S. Presidential Inauguration
Official site, www.inaugural.senate. gov (The Committee on Rules and Administration). Unofficial site: www. presidential-inauguration.com (2008 Unofficial Guide).
Wagner, Heather Lehr (2007). The Presidency. NY: Chelsea House. Juvenile children’s non-fiction. Inauguration and transition of power.
Giant Pandas
www.zooatlanta.org (2008 Atlanta Fulton County Zoo, Inc.). Ostby, Kristin. Illustrator, Lucia Washburn (2008). A Baby Panda is Born. NY: Penguin Group, Inc. Juvenile children’s non-fiction. The story of Mei Lan. Poll, Kathleen (2008). Pandas. Milwaukee, WI: Weekly Reader Publisher. Easy children’s non-fiction. Includes photos, glossary, and resources.
Keats, Ezra Jack (1962). The Snowy Day. NY: Viking Books. Easy children’s fiction. 1963 Caldecott Medal.
February 1, The Superbowl www.nfl.com/superbowl/history. Superbowl XLIII at Tampa Bay, FL, www. tampabaysuperbowl.com (2007 Tampa Bay Superbowl Host Committee).
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Illustrator, Mary Azarian (1998). Snowflake Bentley. NY: Houghton Mifflin. Juvenile children’s biography. 1999 Caldecott Medal.
February 2, Groundhog Day www.groundhogsday.com. Click on “Groundhog Central” for national groundhog sites, including Georgia for General Beauregard Lee.
Whipple, Laura, Editor (2003). A Snowflake Fell: Poems about Winter. NY: Barefoot Publisher. Easy children’s non-fiction, poetry.
February 12, Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday www.lincolnbicentennial.gov (2007 Library of Congress).
www.thekingcenter.org (2004, The King Center, Atlanta).
Rappaport, Doreen (2009). Abe’s honest words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. NY: Hyperion. Juvenile children’s non-fiction, biography.
Macmillan, Dianne M. (2008). Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers. Non-fiction, biography, and holiday history.
February 14, Valentine’s Day www.history.com/minisites/valentine (The History Channel Website, A&E Television Networks).
Rappaport, Doreen. Illustrator, Bryan Collier (2001). Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. NY:
McGee, Randel (2008). Papercrafts for Valentine’s Day. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers. Juvenile crafts.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Caldecott Awards (American Library Association, www.ala.org). Lynda Holmes, Ed.D. (GAWriter1@yahoo.com), is an author and educator in Flowery Branch, GA. She is a member of the Northeast Georgia Writers and the NGCSU Stonepile Writers, www.stonepilewriters.edublogs.org.
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
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400 Edition Wining & Dining
Asparagus in Balsamic Vinaigrette with Hollandaise Sauce
by Sarah Mansfield
Restaurant Reviews for the GA 400 Corridor Fuego Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar 60 North Gate Station | Marble Hill, GA 30148 Located across the street from the north gate of the community of Big Canoe 770-893-3399 Fare: Mexican/Fresh Cooking | Price: Moderate Atmosphere: Kicked-up Rustic Fuego (“fire” in Spanish) is a great new restaurant addition to the North Georgia mountains. That gets you “hot,” y’all! It’s a wonderful place to gather with friends and let the good times roll. OK, so now I’ve given away my South Louisiana heritage, where we say “laissez les bon temps roulez.” That means the pursuit of enjoyment of good food with good friends is a very serious matter, and it was my friends who introduced me to Fuego, and I keep going back. On my last visit I enjoyed the Baja fish tacos: two fish tacos filled with fresh tilapia, Mexican coleslaw, and chipotle sauce. The fish flakes to the touch and is good by itself, but the chipotle really adds a nice punch. The slaw of julienned cabbage adds a pleasing crunch. The punch and crunch are accompanied by very tasty black beans and rice. Now, I’m very picky about my black beans (the Louisiana thing again), and these stand out. Just enough spice to make them interesting without overpowering your taste buds. A Macias margarita—a Texas margarita made with Sauza tequila, triple sec, sour mix, and Gran Gala—was a perfect accompaniment to the dish. Macias is the name of the
family that owns the restaurant, so you know, with their name up front, they want this margarita to be top notch. Previously, on a girls’ night out, I was delighted with the fajita taco salad, a taco shell filled with marinated steak (or chicken) and topped with lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. I chose the chicken, which was tender and tasty. A must for a salad is fresh, fresh, fresh ingredients. This one fills the bill. The freshness of the avocados makes the guacamole in this salad a winner. Whenever I meet friends there, it is always a must to start out with at least one guacamole appetizer. My friend Cathy really enjoyed the Santa Fe chicken: grilled chicken breast topped with cheese and pico de gallo and served with rice and beans. Another favorite is the Mar y Tierra, perfectly grilled skirt steak (or chicken breast) topped with tequila cilantro and lime shrimp and accompanied by rice and guacamole salad—this is Mexican food at its best! Fuego has a nice selection of lunch items as well. You will find your favorite combinations, but I like the chicken taco salad because it is light and fresh. I am not going to talk about the sinfully delicious desserts. You will have to find out for yourself!
Real Men Cook—Asparagus in Balsamic Vinaigrette with Hollandaise Sauce
by Patrick Snider
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed 1 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing 1/8 cup red wine (optional) Place asparagus in a wok or large skillet. Add dressing and wine. Cover and cook until tender but still firm, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Hollandaise Sauce
½ cup butter 3 large egg yolks 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon salt Dash cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce 2 tablespoons hot water Finely chopped fresh parsley, if desired Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until hot and foamy but not browned. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks with lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Gradually whisk in butter, then water. Return mixture to saucepan and whisk over very low heat until mixture is slightly thickened. Serve immediately or let stand over warm water for up to 30 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Makes about 2/3 cup of hollandaise sauce.
January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
Knowing Wine by Nancy Forrest
Hinton’s Wine Store
N
early a decade ago, Chris Hinton, a retired football professional, turned his passion for wine into a business by opening “Hinton’s Wine Store” on Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta. Hinton had traveled and dined out frequently during his football career, and this afforded him the opportunity to experience the pairing of food and wine. His visits to Napa Valley, CA, sparked his interest in collecting wine as a hobby, and when he retired from football, he decided to launch a new career for himself. His store offers one of the best upscale wine selections in metro Atlanta, with a broad and deep wine selection that pleases tastes from the novice to the connoisseur. The store also offers gift baskets, stemware, and accessories. The 8,000-square-foot retail store includes highly collectible wines, and a large selection of rare and premium spirits. The staff is extraordinarily knowledgeable and offers excellent customer service, including recommendations for collections of wine, cordials, aperitifs, or spirit needs. Chris’s next endeavor was Hinton’s BIN 75 Wine Bar. This tasting room/wine bar is adjacent to Hinton’s Wine Store. The Wine Bar offers a selection of red and white wines available in a tasting size, half glass, and full glass of quality wines not normally available by the glass in even the best of restaurants. A schedule of BIN 75 Wine Bar
hours is shown below. An extensive schedule of various wine tastings and events is available. Wines by the bottle or glass, cooking classes, catered wine dinners, and small nibbles can also be had. A patio with outdoor seating and Wi-Fi capability is available. A listing of the Tasting and Events Schedule can be found at http://hintonswinestore.com. Staff at the BIN 75 tasting room can prepare a custom wine tasting for groups. The facility is also available for private or corporate events, business meetings, wedding showers, wine classes, or other occasions. Several membership programs are offered through the store and tasting room: • The Wine Club: Sign up for special savings in the store and begin saving on monthly discounted wine. The basic membership is free and you will be notified by e-mail about wine tasting events.
and can choose from “All Red,” “All White,” or “Mixed” selections. This membership includes a complimentary Connoisseur membership. Visit the store or web site for more information on the Wine of the Month Club types that are available.
Wednesday - Thursday 5:00pm until 10:00pm Friday – 5:00pm until 11:00pm Saturday – 3:00pm until 11:00pm
Hinton’s Wine Store 8455 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30022 770-641-1900 Open Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm BIN 75 Wine Bar/Tasting Room Hours may change due to holidays or events/ activities:
Wine of the Month Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rosé, CA
Flora aromas of strawberry, raspberry, with flavors of delicious fruit of apple, ginger, and fig. $24.99.
• Connoisseur Member: This level of membership is $49 per household for two years. It includes discounted and complimentary BIN 75 tastings and events, plus additional case discounts. • The Wine of the Month Club: Several membership categories offer a variety of wines from around the world. Members receive bottles of wine from different countries and regions,
“I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty.” Lily Bollinger upon being asked, “When do you drink Champagne?” January/February 2009 • www.400edition.com
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Project Feederwatch Still time to join in the fun!
housands of bird watchers in Georgia and across the nation will be keeping a close eye on their feeders this winter as part of Project FeederWatch. The 22nd season for this popular citizen-science project runs from Saturday, November 8, through April 3. FeederWatch participants help scientists monitor changes in bird populations by tracking birds at their feeders during the 21 weeks. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources encourages Georgians to join in, contributing to the science, conservation, and enjoyment of North American feeder birds. Todd Schneider, a wildlife biologist with the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, said a major benefit is that the effort spurs people’s interest in wildlife, in general. “It also tends to get them more interested in watching birds,” Schneider said. Participants in the joint Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada project submitted more than
T
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115,000 checklists during the 2007-2008 season, documenting unusual bird sightings, winter movements, and shifting ranges, according to FeederWatch. Project leader David Bonter said in a statement that “being a FeederWatcher is easy and fun, and at the same time helps generate the world’s largest database on feederbird populations.” Project FeederWatch surveys birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other sites. Participants periodically count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders for the period. The data help scientists track broad-scale movements of winter bird populations and longterm trends in bird distribution and abundance. Watchers also benefit. More than 100 studies have shown that getting closer to nature reduces stress and promotes a feeling of well being, according to a Project FeederWatch news release.
Highlights from the most recent season include the largest southward movement of red-breasted nuthatches in the project’s history, part of an expected influx of northern birds flying farther south when their food supplies run short, according to FeederWatch. Among rare birds reported was a streak-backed oriole in Loveland, Colorado—the state’s first report of this Mexico native—and a dovekie deposited by a December nor’easter in Newton, Massachusetts, the first time this North Atlantic seabird has been recorded in Project FeederWatch. Long-term data show some species increasing in number, such as the lesser goldfinch in the Southwest, and others declining, including the evening grosbeak throughout its
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range, an unexplained phenomenon, according to the organization. The project is conducted by individuals and groups of all skill levels. While the season opened in November, participants are encouraged to join any time. To learn more or sign up, visit www.feederwatch.org or call the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at 800-843-2473. The fee is $15 ($12 for lab members). Participants receive the “FeederWatcher’s Handbook,” an identification poster of the most common feeder birds in their area, a calendar, instructions, and the FeederWatch annual report, “Winter Bird Highlights.” Wildlife Resources Division contact: Rick Lavender, nongame public affairs coordinator – 770 918-6787; rick.lavender@gadnr.org