March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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March 2011 Volume 16, Issue 11
66 50 & 51
On the Cover Pinnacle Orthopaedics — Keeping You at the Top of Your Game
AroundAbout — TowneLaker is printed using soy-based inks and paper stocks that are at least 25% recycled. Our printer also recycles all paper and ink waste.
Featured Articles
14 Readers’ Choice Winners!
Your favorites are . . .
58
Summer Camps
Helpful guide to plan for summer break.
66
Scouting
Who is the Best of the Best?
See what the local troops have been doing.
68 College Signings
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Local student-athletes make commitments
Keep up-to-date with our community! www.townelaker.com Follow us on Patty Ponder is the General Sales Manager for AroundAbout — TowneLaker. She can be reached at (770) 615-3322 or patty@townelaker.com. 2
Join the TowneLaker fan page www.facebook.com/ aroundabouttownelaker
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March 2011
36 Meet Your Community
Community
18 The Life of a Coupon — Lisa Huffman
38 Historical Society
19 The Two Percent Opportunity — Don Akridge
— Kara Kiefer
Super Tuscan’s
— David Hecklemoser
— Dr. Scott Harden
— Katie Richardson
62 You Can Make a Difference
— E.T. Booth Students
63 How Much Do You Remember?
— Dee Locklin
— Mark Billson
46 Musings from Towne
27 Moms and Kids — Colin Morris
28 An Important Practice
— Robyn Hohensee
Simplify Your Life
— Laurie Wischner
Faith
48 Fun Facts About Cooper’s Hawks
— Dr. Mike Litrel
29 Meet the Critter Catchers
— Scott Lemmon
74 The Last Winter Storm
— Doug Thrasher
76 Marriage Moments
30 Sleep. Is it Overrated?
— Rob Usher
61 My Senior Project
44 Family Spats
21 Considerations When Investing — Sheila & Kurt Johnson
42 Weathering the Dental Storm
20 The HOPE Scholarship — Chip Rogers
60 School Board Update
40 The Bike Ride
Diabetes Q & A — Dr. Sophia Saifee
Schools & Sports
— Cindy Morrow
— Rev. Bill Ratliff
— Dr. Jared J. Lasseigne
33 Be the Best Kid/Parent? . . .
— Dr. Amy Hardin
In Every Issue Around Towne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Lifestyle
Senior News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
34 First Impressions
48
— Shelley Herod
35 Up Around The Bend
Product Recalls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Community Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . 26 Everyday Angels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
— Don Martin
52 Thermostats
— Dan Jape
55 What Does it Mean to be a Veterinarian?
— Dr. Randy Beck
TLBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 School Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Church Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Local Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Community Numbers . . . . . . . . . . 84 Elected Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
56 Lichens and Moss Don’t Kill Plants
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Community Coupons. . . . . . . . . . . 93
— Paul Pugliese
35 March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Real Deals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Advertisers Directory. . . . . . . . . . . 94
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Community Kara is the Editor of AroundAbout — Townelaker magazine. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and their two sons Brandon and Garrett. Feel free to send your comments or questions to editor@townelaker.com.
Around Towne The People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake by Kara Kiefer
With your busy life, have you ever wished someone would put YOU in timeout? I have. Make me go to my room where the only thing to do is read a book. Because I deserve it, go ahead and take my cell phone away, and I understand that if someone comes to the door for me, I am not allowed to come out. I also understand that because I’m in timeout, my cooking and cleaning privileges have been revoked. I deserve to go to timeout, and yes, if I must, I will be sure to take that long bubble bath before my timeout is over. Promise.
What’s Closed?
will be provided, and the entire process will take less than three hours. Three sessions are available each day: 2 – 4 p.m.; 3:45 – 6:25 p.m. or 5:30 – 8:10 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Susan Miller at suzlmiller@comcast.net.
What’s New? Local portrait artist Steven A. Bove is displaying his paintings at Salon Suites, 1105 Parkside Lane. Visitors who stop by on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays can meet with the artist to commission a portrait. For more information, call (678) 5163687 or visit www.SABove.com.
Five Guys Hamburgers & Fries abruptly closed in early February. An inquiry to the home office about the closing was unanswered at press time.
What’s Needed? Gently used yoga gear is being collected by Bowen’s TaeKwonDo and Yoga Academy. The clothing will be provided to yoga students at the Cherokee Center for Domestic Violence. For additional information, please contact Amber Klippel at amberceleste72@yahoo.com.
What’s Coming? Menchies Frozen Yogurt recently opened at 2265 Towne Lake Parkway. Patrons can enjoy a variety of flavors and toppings. For more information, visit www.menchies.com/locations/php or e-mail townelake@menchies.com.
Etowah High School is seeking volunteer judges for the Senior Project Boards, which will be held April 27 – 28. Training
Starting March 19, be on the look out for a plastic grocery bag with a flyer from Woodstock Boy Scouts who are participating in the annual Scouting for Food program. The bags will be placed on homeowner’s front doors. Donations will be given to MUST Ministry. Complete instructions as well as pick-up dates will be indicated on the flyer.
AroundAbout Local Media is proud to offer:
Business Owners — Don’t Miss Out on Our Online Business Spotlight
www.thedailyvalue.com Sign up and receive money-saving group coupon offers in your email inbox featuring only local businesses!
Don’t miss another deal! See page 42 for more details. 4
If you’re a business owner, did you know we offer a Business Spotlight on townelaker.com? We feature a different business each month, free of charge. All we ask is that you provide a give-away for our readers and fans on Facebook. Interested? E-mail editor@townelaker.com for complete information.
Businesses who have been featured recently: Doodlebugs, Shurt Clips and Snowie Joes.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community
Dear valued readers and advertisers: With you always on our minds, we are proud to announce our newest venture, The Daily Value. This is our group buying site that will bring to you, via email, fantastic, local deals that you can purchase directly from our site. To take advantage of these great Towne Lake area deals, visit www.thedailyvalue.com to register. The deals will be delivered right to your inbox.
Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. Sales Manager Patty Ponder
patty@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3322
Executive Editor Kara Kiefer
editor@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3309
We at AroundAbout Local Media have been busy working, behind the scenes, to expand our product offering and improve upon our already well-received local publications. We have many more surprises in store for you in the coming months, so please stay tuned. Our family is blessed to reside in this wonderful community, and it is our personal and professional goal to keep you excited about receiving AroundAbout — TowneLaker. We are committed to providing our readers with fresh, relevant content and community-focused information through our printed product as well as our online presence and social media platforms. Additionally, we are working diligently, with our local advertisers, to promote their businesses and increase their community presence and revenues. We, too, are a small local business, and together we can help each other to not just survive, but to thrive! We are committed to that partnership. We thank you, our loyal readers and local advertisers, who help make our community, and AroundAbout Local Media, the best it can be! Blessings, The Flaigs Owners
www.townelaker.com
Advertising Director Leslie Proctor
admanager@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3304
Art Director Michelle McCulloch
art@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3307
Digital Marketing Director James Ball
james@aroundaboutmagazines.com, (770) 615-3310
Video Correspondent Brandon Schultze Community Board Sen. Chip Rogers, Colin Morris, Debi Radcliff, Bill Ratliff, Doug Thrasher AroundAbout — TowneLaker, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It is distributed free to approximately 12,500 homes by mail to all Towne Lakers. An additional 1,900 are placed in racks around the community. AroundAbout — TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. AroundAbout — TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher.
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All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011. AroundAbout — TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189
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Volume 16, Issue 11 6
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community
Local News Etowah Senior Blends Project, Charity
Grief Ministry Series Begins in March
Etowah High School senior Emma Swendsen is collecting shoes for adults and children in Africa as her senior project. Donations of gently worn, closed-toe shoes for adults and children can be dropped off at collection boxes at Bascomb Elementary, Chapman Intermediate, E.T. Booth Middle and Etowah High schools, Woodstock School of Ballet and AroundAboutTowneLaker (note our new address: 2449 Towne Lake Parkway).
A 13-week series begins March 1, meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, for all ages at First Baptist Woodstock. Children ages 5-13 will take part in Growing Seasons, and teens 14-17 and parents will participate in GriefShare. The sessions offer grieving children and adults a place to learn to understand their feelings, express emotions appropriately and develop coping skills as they deal with the death of a family member or close friend. For more information, please call Kyla Nelson at (404) 408-4697.
When choosing her senior project idea, Emma combined two of her favorite interests — African culture and shoes! After researching the idea, Emma was fortunate to locate a charitable organization in Atlanta that collects and ships shoes to African countries. With the help of her Towne Lake neighbors and “Yes, Inc.,” Emma hopes to collect and ship dozens of shoes to Africa.
If you ever lose a pet, be sure to contact the Cherokee County Animal Shelter. According to Shelter Friends Volunteer Coordinator Lori Kekel, “Good Samaritans often pick up found animals in their neighborhood and bring them to the shelter if they are unable to care for the animal long enough to locate the owner.” Kekel advises pet owners to check the shelter within the first few days after the pet is missing, and check daily after that. Cherokee County Animal Control will pick up unleashed, wandering animals and take them to the shelter, where they are held for 72 hours before they become property of the shelter and made available for rescue or adoption. The shelter is located at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. The Intake Department is located at 131 Chattin Drive in Canton and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For further information, please visit www.cherokeega.com under “departments” and “animal shelter.”
For more information, please join Emma’s facebook page, “Shoes for Africa – Emma Swendsen’s Senior Project.”
County Inspired Quilt Shown at Capitol
Another Place to Check for a Lost Pet
Local Scout Achieves Eagle Rank
The Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild recently showcased quilts at the Capitol, including a “Cherokee Tales” quilt that includes a picture of Canton’s Rock Barn in the background.
Jason Hammaker recently received his Eagle Scout award. Jason is a sophomore at Etowah High School and is the son of Bonnie and Gary Hammaker.
Left to right: Carol Gilson, Barbara Gemmell, Representatives Paul Battle and Charlice Byrd, Mary Ross and Sue Tipton.
Left to right: State Senator Chip Rogers, Jason and Gary Hammaker.
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community
Holiday Home Tour Benefits Charities The Junior Service League (JSL) recently donated more than $13,000, raised during the annual Holiday Home Tour, to these local charities: MUST Ministries, Forever Fed, Papa’s Pantry, Never Alone, Reinhardt University Scholarship, Meals on Wheels, Hillside Christmas Angels, Habitat for Humanity, Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, Challenger Baseball and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).
March Activities for Seniors William G. Long Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road (next to the fire station) (678) 445-6518 Hours: 9 a.m. — 3 p.m., Monday — Friday
Etowah Senior to Hold Book Signing Victoria Davis, a senior at Etowah High School, recently published her first novel, Shades of Grey. She will be signing copies of her book 2 – 4 p.m., March 19 at the Book Browser, 295 Molly Lane, near Lowes. Victoria wrote the book for her senior project, but has been an active writer since middle school. She wrote, edited and self published the novel. “Doing this as my senior project was more of a reason to make sure I see it through the end and have a taste of what I was thinking about doing for a career,” said Victoria.
Contest Corner Congratulations to Dennis Beasley for being the first to find our hidden picture on page 35 of the February issue. Congratulations also to Theresa Rhinehart (right) for being the first to spot the phrase “pressed for time” located on page 17. Dennis won a gift certificate to the Corner Bistro and Theresa won a gift certificate to JD’s BBQ. Which advertisement includes the phrase “Are You Ready for Spring Break?”
Find the hidden picture:
If you know the answer to the trivia contest or find the hidden picture, be the first to call (770) 615-3325 or e-mail editor@townelaker.com. Contest rules: A player is eligible to win once every 12 months. 10
Free Tax Preparation Date: Every Monday through April 18 Time: 9 a.m. Information: Bring your necessary documents. Financial Seminar Date: Thursday, March 10 Time: 2 p.m. Movie and Ice Cream Date: Monday, March 14 Time: 2 p.m. Showing: Wall Street St Patrick’s Day Dinner/Dance Date: Thursday, March 17 Time: 6 p.m. Information: There will be a DJ, entertainment and a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner. Cost: $12, prepaid by March 11 Lunch with Dody Date: Every Wednesday in March Time: 12 noon Cost: $5, menu items subject to change and availability. AARP Defensive Driving Class Date: March 23 & 24 Time: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Cost: AARP members $12 non-AARP members $14 Information: Seats are limited; contact Brenda Daly (770) 479-6125
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community
Happy Birthday! Wedding, Birthday and Anniversary Announcements are Free! E-mail to: editor@townelaker.com • April deadline is March 10.
Tyler Tracy
Taylor Locklin
Avery Sage Madigan
Age 16 on March 21 Son of Debbie & Jim Tracy Brother of Ryan
Age 18 on March 16 Son of Dee & Lewis Locklin
Age 2 on March 26 Daughter of Melissa & Mark Madigan
Taylor JacksonWhitaker
Mason Schulze
Age 16 on March 29 Daughter of Dana & Mark Whitaker Sister of Bryce
Max Ede Lengyel
Samantha Cook
Ian MacDougald
Ansley Giesler
celebrating the big 21 on March 6
celebrating the big 30 on March 4
Age 4 on March 17 Daughter of Kristen & Kyle Giesler Sister of Lauren
Age 3 on February 28 Mom, Dad, and Uncle B Love you!
celebrating on March 23 Son of Michelle & Robert Schulze
Cameron Olson Age 16 on March 4 Son of Judy & Troy Olson
Carol Ann Sanders Age 4 on November 14 We love you, Mommy and Daddy
Kali Kay Terza Age 8 on March 6 Daughter of Farrah & Josh Terza Sister of Mac
Wedding Bells!
Jaxon & Jason Champ Age 5 on February 21 Sons of Jacque & Jim Champ Brothers of James & Jacob
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Sierra and Makayla Tanner Age 10 on March 16 Daughters of Jackie & Damon Tanner
Ann Tanner Nana of Tanner Townsend, Sierra and Makayla Tanner.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Jack Carruth Age 10 on March 13 Son of Danielle & Lance Carruth Brother of Emma
Allison Nystrom and
Brian Palm were married on October 2, 2010
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Feature
Readers’ Choice Awards
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roundAbout — TowneLaker is proud to announce the winners of the 2011 Readers’ Choice awards. Our readers were invited to vote for their favorite businesses in a wide variety of categories. The total amount of validated ballots exceeded 1250 resulting in approximately 25,000 individual votes cast! Congratulations to all the winners!
The Winner is . . .
Restaurants
All-Around Restaurant Bar B Cutie Bakery Publix, Rose Creek Barbecue Place JD’s Bar B Que Breakfast Place Family Tradition Coffee Shop Starbucks
Lunch Place Corner Bistro Mexican La Parilla New Restaurant J. Christopher’s
Dessert Place Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Oriental Kani House
Ethnic La Parilla
Pizzeria Mellow Mushroom
Fast Food Chick-fil-A Fine Dining Tuscany Italian Restaurant Italian Tuscany Italian Restaurant
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Kid-Friendly Chick-fil-A
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Seafood Marietta Fish Market Sports Bar Taco Mac
March 2011
Services Auto Repair Christian Brothers
Nail Salon Big Apple Nail & Spa
Car Wash Towne Lake Car Wash and Detail
Optometrist Towne Lake Eye Associates
Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner Noble Services
Orthodontist Dr. Michael D. Williams
Caterer Bar B Cutie Chiropractor Towne Lake Family Chiropractic CPA H & R Block
Painting 3 Brothers Painting
Pest Control Arrow Exterminators
Day Care/Preschool Hillside UMC Preschool Day Spa Beverly’s Day Spa
Photographer Derek Shane Fotos
Dentist Baird & Baird Family Dentistry
Physician Dr. Marvetta Scott
Dry Cleaner Esquire Cleaners
Physical Therapist Rebound Physical Therapy
Financial Institution/Bank Wells Fargo Bank
Plumber Bobo’s Plumbing
Hair Salon Unique Hair Salon
Print Sop/Copy Center Fed/Ex Kinkos
Home Improvement/ Repair Home Depot
Travel Agency First Class Travel
Lawn Care Service Tru Green
Dance Studio Dancin’ Grits Fitness/Health Club LA Fitness Golf Course Eagle Watch
Pediatrician Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Pet Groomer Animal Hospital of Towne Lake
Insurance Agent Steve Cannon – State Farm
Recreation & Entertainment Gymnastics Center World of Kids Athletic Campus Movie Theater Cherokee 16 Cinemas
Developments Apartment Community The Pointe at Towne Lake
Subdivision Eagle Watch
Tutoring Polly Miller Veterinarian Animal Hospital of Towne Lake
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Feature
The Winner is . . .
Retailers
Boutique Justina’s Accessories Boutique Children’s Clothing Store Kohl’s Convenience Store/Gas Station QuikTrip Drug Store CVS Pharmacy Electronics/Appliance Store Best Buy Florist Brenda’s House of Flowers Frame Shop Hobby Lobby Furniture Store Woodstock Furniture Outlet Garden Center Pike Family Nurseries Gift/Home Décor Store Hobby Lobby Grocery Store Kroger
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Hardware Store Home Depot Home Improvement Store Home Depot Jeweler Art Jewelers Liquor Store Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse Music Store Ken Stanton Music Pet Supply Store PetsMart Shoe Store DSW Shoe Warehouse Specialty Foods The Butchers Block Sporting Goods Dick’s Sporting Goods Tire Store Kauffman Tires Toy Store Toys R Us
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community
The Life of a Coupon
Diabetes Q & A
by Lisa Huffman
by Dr. Sophia Saifee
It is amazing what happens to a coupon. Manufacturers produce coupons because they want you to try their products. Store owners really want you to shop with them and offer benefits to those who use coupons. Coupons are gaining in popularity now more than ever and are a major industry. As such, manufacturers and stores work closely together where it concerns the use of coupons. What happens when you use a coupon? Being an educated coupon shopper will help you understand the industry. 1. A manufacturer sends the coupon to a design agency. An eye catching ad is produced and distributed to newspapers everywhere. 2. You purchase the newspaper, clip the coupon and present it to the cashier at your preferred store. 3. The cashier gives you the discount (and preferably doubles it!) and adds up her coupons and cash to balance her drawer at the end of the day. 4. Once a week the coupons are bagged by the store and sent to the corporate office, where all the coupons from all the stores are bagged together and sent to a big coupon clearinghouse. 5. The clearinghouse puts the coupons in good condition on a big conveyor belt to be scanned, and processes the rest by hand. 6. The scanned images are then sorted by manufacturer. An invoice is prepared and sent to the manufacturer. 7. The manufacturer receives the coupons and the invoice stating how many coupons there are (think thousands!) and they pay the bill. 8. The stores are then reimbursed by either the manufacturer directly or the clearinghouse. The coupon redemption process usually takes about one month. Amazing journey for a little piece of paper, isn’t it? A recordbreaking 260 billion coupons were distributed in 2010, with only 2.5 billion actually being redeemed. These staggering numbers do not include online printable coupons or the popular electronic coupons. I wonder why people are not redeeming these coupons? Using a coupon on an item that is on sale greatly improves your savings potential. You can expect to pay less than a $1 for several items this way. Imagine chopping your grocery bill by 50 percent! But what if your savings are cheating someone else out of making a profit? Rest assured this is not the case. All major stores display their financial reports online. Recent continued on page 80 18
Are you more likely to develop diabetes if you are overweight? Yes, the risk of diabetes rises with increasing body weight. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is greater than 25, you are considered overweight, and you are at increased risk of developing diabetes. Patients with Type 2 diabetes are generally overweight with a BMI greater than the 85th percentile for their age and gender. I’ve heard people say they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. What does that mean and what is the difference? In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen, produces very little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate the glucose in the body. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas either does not make enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to available insulin or both. There are other differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetic patients are generally overweight while Type 1 are not usually overweight and often may have experienced recent weight loss. n Type 2 patients present generally after the onset of puberty while Type 1 patients are often younger at presentation. n Type 2 diabetic patients can also experience hypertension or hyperlipidemia. n
What are symptoms of diabetes? The common symptoms of diabetes are excessive and frequent urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, lethargy, weight loss and blurred vision. Most people may not experience any symptoms before being diagnosed, so it is important to get regular physical exams and blood work done by your primary care physician. Why do some diabetes patients have to use insulin and others do not? All Type 1 diabetes patients have to be on insulin because of the complete deficiency of insulin. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes usually begins with diet, exercise and oral medication, and insulin will be added if those changes aren’t effective. How do you prevent diabetes? The prevention of diabetes can be done by lifestyle modifications, including healthy diet, regular exercise and weight management. Losing weight is also recommended if you are overweight. Are there special dietary restrictions for people with diabetes? Patients with diabetes are recommended to follow the American Diabetes Association’s approved diet. They need to restrict their calorie, carbohydrate and fat intake. Patients with diabetes should eat consistent amounts of food every day and try to eat at the same times every day. Dr. Sophia Saifee sees patients at the WellStar Medical Group Towne Lake Family Medicine location, at 145 North Medical Parkway. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (770) 592-3000.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
The Two Percent Opportunity The 2011 payroll tax holiday may give you a chance to boost your 401(k). by Don Akridge, MBA, CPA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ U.S. Marine Corps Veteran – Emory University Alumnus
What would you do with an extra $1,000 or $2,000? The Tax Relief Act of 2010 will give many of us the equivalent of a two percent raise in 2011. Employee payroll taxes have been cut from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent this year. So if you pay into Social Security, you are looking at a rise in your take-home pay. What are your plans for that extra money?
House says that the payroll tax cut will have no effect on a worker’s future Social Security benefits. Other options for the two percent tax break. Most Americans will simply spend the money resulting from this tax break. That’s not exactly a negative: the Obama administration visualized this as a way to pump up consumer spending. Yet if you don’t devote the money to your 401(k), you have a number of alternatives besides spending it. You could open a Roth IRA with the money.
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How about directing it into your 401(k) or IRA? That two percent “raise” will show up in your paychecks throughout the course of the year – it will come to you incrementally rather than as a lump sum. Still, two percent is nothing to scoff at – if you make $50,000 in 2011, you’re looking at $1,000 of found money. What could $1,000 do for you over 20 or 30 years? Well, let’s see. If you invest $1,000 today and simply let it sit there for two decades with a six percent annual return, you end up with $3,207.14 in principal and interest. If the initial grand just sits there for 30 years at six percent interest, it turns into “What could $1000 do $5,743.49. (That’s using for you over 20 or 30 annual compounding – if you plug in 30 years of daily years? Well let’s see.” compounding, it becomes $6,048.75.) Let’s say you take this one step further and direct an extra $1,000 into your 401(k) for 30 straight years beginning in 2011. Let’s be reasonably optimistic and assume an eight percent annual rate of return over that time. Under those conditions, your $30,000 aggregate contribution would turn into about $125,000 with compounding – and that’s not even considering the possibility of an employer match to your 401(k) during some or all of those years. The money is significant for a couple. If you and your spouse each make $70,000, that’s an extra $2,800 coming to the two of you in 2011 (assuming you and your spouse don’t work for the government, the railroads or in some capacity where you don’t pay into Social Security). Everyone wants a little more retirement income, and directing two percent into your retirement plan for one year or multiple years could help. While we’re on the subject of retirement income, the White
You could create a rainy-day fund. Set up an auto-transfer of the money from your checking account to your savings account. Let that $800 or $1,000 or $1,600 or whatever accumulate during the course of the year.
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If you have a rainy-day fund, you could put the money autotransferred to your savings account across 2011 into a CD at the start of 2012 (when interest rates just might be higher).
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You could use the found money to pay off credit card debt or other consumer debts.
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You could even make an extra home loan payment at the end of 2011 (should it make financial sense to do so).
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Don’t underestimate the potential of this tax cut. If you and your spouse each make $80,000, that’s an extra $3,200 between you in 2011 (assuming you and your spouse don’t work for the government, the railroads or in some capacity in which you don’t pay into Social Security). This tax holiday could even be prolonged. In recent decades, we have seen some “temporary” tax cuts stick around. If the jobless rate stays above eight percent through 2011 (and it might), voices in Congress might push to extend the payroll tax cut for another year. It could happen, provided the federal government finds a way to direct more money into Social Security. Don Akridge is President of Citadel CPA, Financial Planning & Investment Services founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. Phone 770-952-6707. Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc. Created by 1st Global or Peter Montoya, Inc. for use by our financial advisors.
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community by State Senator Chip Rogers
The HOPE Scholarship The HOPE Scholarship – Georgia’s most popular government program – is in trouble. Two decades of unprecedented success is now threatened with slowing revenues and skyrocketing expenses.
As one might imagine, the ideas for “fixing HOPE” are varied. Raising the eligible GPA
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Adding a standardized test score component from the SAT or ACT
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Requiring the first year of HOPE be a loan which would be paid back if a student loses HOPE during the first year
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Since its inception, more that 1.3 million students in Georgia have received more than $5.6 billion in awards. By any reasonable measure, HOPE has been an incredible success.
De-coupling the HOPE award from tuition rates, so that future HOPE awards will not necessarily be tied to tuition increases
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Reducing the pre-K program from 6.5 hours to 4 hours per day
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HOPE has helped hundreds of thousands of students attend college who may not have been able to do so otherwise. It has put thousands of four year old children on the right track with early learning. It has kept Georgia’s best and brightest students in state, which directly impacts long-term economic development. “. . . the HOPE reserve
fund will be empty by the end of FY 2012. This cannot be allowed to happen.”
Students who graduate from a Georgia high school with a 3.0 or better GPA qualify for the HOPE scholarship or HOPE grant to attend technical school. The lottery proceeds also allow Georgia to be the only state in the nation to offer universal prekindergarten for four-year-olds. It is important to remember, HOPE awards today include funding for both pre-K and college scholarships. However, years ago HOPE money also went to fund “technology” projects for education. Since 1994, when HOPE funding started to flow, the breakdown of education expenditures has been 49 percent for postsecondary education, 35 percent for pre-kindergarten, and 16 percent for other expenditures (mainly technology spending).
Making scholarships and pre-K “means” tested based on the parent’s income
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Limiting the number of quarter/semester hours for which HOPE will pay
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Eliminating HOPE money for remedial classes and books
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Restricting bonuses paid the lottery officials
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Some of these ideas will be accepted, some rejected, and others considered. However, it is incumbent upon the General Assembly to solve this problem now in order to save HOPE for the next generation of Georgians. Chip Rogers is the State Senator for District 21. You can call him at (404) 463-1378 or fax him at (404) 657-9887. You also can e-mail Chip at Chip@SenatorChipRogers.com. Chip also serves on the AroundAbout — Townelaker Community Board.
The HOPE program has always maintained a healthy reserve fund until recently, when expenses began to increase rapidly. The projected HOPE shortfall for fiscal year (FY) 2011 and FY 2012 is a combined $550 million. More importantly, if these numbers actually materialize, the HOPE reserve fund will be empty by the end of FY 2012. This cannot be allowed to happen. Changes must be made to save HOPE. Since there is little the legislature can do to affect the revenue side of the ledger, we are left with controlling the expense side.
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Considerations When Investing in “Cheap” Rental Properties by Sheila & Kurt Johnson Where to buy? The largest price declines are in neighborhoods with high concentrations of homes bought speculatively over the last five years. These areas typically have many foreclosures which have driven down values. The trick is to buy on the fringes of these areas, in the nicer neighborhoods where the banks fail to differentiate between the good and the bad. You want to find the heavily discounted home in a neighborhood that has a lower rate of foreclosure, fewer vacancies and few rental properties. These areas will recover first and their current values give you a glimpse as to what your downside risk will be if we have another housing recession. If you buy a home for $50,000 in a neighborhood where you have five to choose from at this price, your investment likely won’t increase in value. What will make your property rent easily in good and bad markets? We have learned this lesson the hard way. Renters want what you want in a property and this can’t be overlooked because you are only paying $50,000 for the home. Renters want the following in areas where homes are cheapest: Easy access to public transportation, reasonably close shopping and, most importantly — at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms. When we had an inventory of 35 rentals, our two-bath homes rented twice as fast as our properties with one or one and a half bathrooms. A two-bedroom home is a killer to rent and it rarely rents for enough in these areas to be worth owning. Another important consideration is the “family friendly” aspects of the property. If the property has four bedrooms, the backyard and surroundings should appeal to a renter with children. Is the yard flat or fenced? Is the home on a busy road? A twobedroom home will not have family appeal, so its backyard and surroundings aren’t as important. If you buy a two-bedroom home, it should be a steal in an area that is highly desirable. What will give me the highest rate of return? In areas most affected by foreclosure, there are usually government agencies providing housing assistance to renters in these areas. Most of these “housing authorities/agencies” base the assistance they will provide on the number of bedrooms. In Marietta, for example, the normal rent the housing authority will pay is approximately $878 for a two-bedroom, $1,069 for a three-bedroom and $1,166 for a four-bedroom home. Clearly, you want mostly fourbedroom homes in your inventory. They rent more easily and for the most money. continued on page 80 March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Community
Recent Consumer Product Recalls AroundAbout — TowneLaker wants to help keep you and your family safe. The following items have been recalled by their manufacturers in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Playsets. Escalade Sports of Evansville, IN is voluntarily recalling approximately 4,600 outdoor playsets. The swing seats on the playsets can crack and break in half, causing the user to fall to the ground.
Remote Controlled Toy Tanks. Family Dollar Stores, Inc. of Charlotte, NC is voluntarily recalling approximately 67,000 remote-controlled toy tanks. The tank’s controller can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Dehumidifiers. GEA Products L.P. of Louisville, KY and CEM Global LLC (Professional Series) of China, are voluntarily recalling approximately 198,000 GE and Professional Series brand dehumidifiers. A component in the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Iron. Sunbeam Products, Inc. Boca Raton, FL is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,700 convertible clothes irons. The iron can overheat and cause a fire because of a wiring issue, posing a risk of burn injury to consumers.
Infant Teethers/Rattles. Sassy, Inc. of Kentwood, MI is voluntarily recalling approximately 37,000 Refreshing Rings infant teethers/ rattles. Small pieces of the plastic ball can detach as a result of children chewing on the teether/ rattle, posing an ingestion hazard. Portable Electric Heaters. Lasko Products, Inc. of West Chester, PA is voluntarily recalling approximately 107,500 portable electric heaters. An electrical connection in the base of the unit can overheat, causing it to melt and expose the electrical connection, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Swivel Chairs. Steelcase, Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI is voluntarily recalling approximately 165,000 Cachet swivel chairs. The front seat support part of the chair can crack and fail, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Toy Mobile Phones. Discovery Toys LLC of Livermore, CA is voluntarily recalling approximately 2,900 (in the United States) and 700 (in Canada) Toddler Talk toy mobile phones. The clear plastic antenna can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Infant and Toddler Footed Pajamas. The Vermont Teddy Bear Co., Inc., dba Pajamagram, of Shelburne, VT is voluntarily recalling approximately 800 Hoodie Footie™ infant and toddler footed pajamas. The metal snaps that attach the hood to pajamas can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.
For more information on these and many other warnings issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, visit www.cpsc.gov or call 1-800-638-2772. 22
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Community
Community Calendar: March Through March 10
March 9
Location: Towne Lake Community Church, 132 Medical Parkway Ages: Soccer – 3, 4 & 5 T-Ball – Pre-K & 1st grade Information: Contact Cindy Bryant at (770) 926-4877 or ckbryant@bellsouth. net
Time: 2:30 – 5 p.m. Location: 7545 Main Street, Building 200 Information: Information fair for families of special education students ages preschool – 12th grade. Call Debby Carty-Campbell at (770) 721-8523.
Soccer/T-ball registration
March 4 – 5
Blessing Line Kids’ Consignment Sale Times: Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: First Baptist Church of Woostock, 11905 Highway 92 Information. More than 200 sellers!
March 4 – 5
Born Again Blessings Children’s Consignment Sale Times: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. – noon Saturday. Location: Cobb County Civic Center. 548 Marietta Parkway, Marietta Information: Children’s and maternity clothes, shoes, toys, nursery items, baby equipment, furniture and more. Visit www.bornagainblessings.com.
March 4 – 6
Woodstock Market and Show Times: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Location: 9464 Main Street Information: About 60 vendors will be selling vintage and antique items, arts and crafts and more. Admission is free. Visit www.woodstockmarketshow.com.
March 5
Cherokee County School District Special Education Fair
March 11 – April 15 (Fridays, except Good Friday)
Lenten Fish Fry
Time: 5 – 7 p.m. Location: St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Road, Canton Information: Dine in or take out. Cost is $6 for adults,$3 for children under 10. Proceeds will benefit the church’s community outreach ministry.
March 12
“Live On” Connor Merritt Memorial Bass Tournament Time: Fishing, Daylight until 1 p.m. Family Fun, noon – 3 p.m. Location: Fishing tournament starts at Victoria Marina, Family Fun at Victoria Harbour, 1000 Victoria Landing Drive Information: Inflatables, BBQ, live music, raffle. Proceeds will be given to the Yellow Ribbon suicide prevention program. Call (404) 731-7930.
March 16
Bascomb United Methodist Church Preschool Registration Time: 9 a.m. Location: 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road Information: Call (770) 926-0397
Rotary Club Charity Poker Tournament
March 20
Time: 2 p.m. Location: World of Wings Café, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Information: Proceeds will benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. Call (770) 480-4823 or e-mail RotaryPoker@ yahoo.com.
Time: 3 p.m. Location: Canton First United Methodist Church, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road, Canton Information: Call (678) 439-8625 or visit www.cherokeechorale.org.
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Cherokee Chorale Spring Concert
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 19
Etowah Youth Track Club Fundraiser Time: 8 a.m. Location: Eagle Mountain (Etowah, Chapman and E.T. Booth campus) Information: Proceeds will be used to hire specialty coaches and purchase pole vault equipment. Visit www.eytclub. com.
March 24
Dementia Caregiver Support Group Time: 6 p.m. Location: Terrace at Woodstock Senior Living Community, 756 Neese Road Information: This is a group of family members and memory care specialists discussing the challenges associated with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. Call (770) 924-2072.
April 4 – 8
Next Step Ministries Spring Break Camp Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Location: 3353 Trickum Road Information: Geared toward the moderately to profoundly developmentally delayed or autistic middle school, high school or recently transitioned camper. Call Lori Baker at (770) 592-1227.
Send Us Your Community Calendar Events editor@townelaker.com April deadline is March 10. March 2011
Moms and Kids by Colin Morris He walked into the lobby from the coin laundry inside the local extended stay hotel, with his laundry basket and detergent in tow. He was a football player in college, earned his degree and now is middle-age with a pretty wife and two daughters — the perfect AllAmerican family. For nine years, I have been introduced to many families who are struggling. Because Everyday Angels cannot help everyone, the qualifying process can be difficult at times. This young dad is like so many today. Despite his efforts to do everything right, he keeps getting knocked around by circumstances beyond his control. “I, like everyone else, have been hit hard with the economy,” he said. For many years, he owned a business that provided a great living for his young family, until the housing market changed. His thriving landscaping company could not sustain itself when new home construction ceased and landscaping services became a luxury. Consequently, he lost his home but was determined not to uproot his kids from their school and friends and moved his family into a local extended stay hotel. Temporarily, or so he thought. There was another setback when the Georgia floods came and all of his remaining assets of his business were ruined. Weeks turned into months, and then a year. After living on savings because he was having no luck in the job market, his wife became ill. “If it isn’t one thing, it’s another,” he said. As soon as things began looking up, they were hit with yet another traumatic situation to overcome. When I stopped by to meet him, he simply needed gas to drive his kids to school, get to his interviews and take his wife to her doctor appointments. Luckily, I had gas cards with me, along with gift cards for groceries and a week’s rent. He was anxiously awaiting a second interview with hopes that things could finally start looking up. Pride flew right out of the window and will never come back. “I will always take time and help others now – without even thinking about it. So many people have helped us during this tough time, there is no way to thank them all or explain how much it has meant to us,” he said. This nice man has a name but his situation is not uncommon. While gas, food and a mere week’s rent wasn’t much to give, it was the hope and encouragement that made the most difference. You don’t have to give much to touch someone. Sometimes it comes from simply understanding and taking the time to care. People come into our lives for a reason, season or a lifetime. I often think of this family and pray they are on a good track with no further setbacks. Thank you, readers, for assisting this family and many more behind the scenes. Everyday Angels is a nonprofit organization that provides short-term funding (currently up to a maximum of $500 per month) to those in need in our community. If you would like to offer assistance, please send your donations or gift cards to Everyday Angels, 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189. No amount is too small. To contact us, please call (770) 615-3349 or email AAeverydayangels@ gmail.com. The organization now has a Facebook page where you can follow what they are doing.
Last weekend, we painted our bedroom. We have lived with Builder Beige walls in our bedroom and bathroom for more years than I care to admit. After we painted, we replaced the hardware in the bathroom. We Colin Morris with her children (left to updated the towel rod right) Patrick, Micaela and Gabriel. and the drawer pulls. Of course, as with all home-improvement projects, those small changes led to other projects like new light fixtures and new faucets. Not everything has been completed yet, but my suggestion for something to do with your kids this month is: include them when you do home improvement. Five years ago, when my husband and I thought about home improvement, we had to divide. One of us would work on the project and the other one would watch the children. Leaving three small kids unsupervised sounded as dangerous as including them in our plans to paint. Projects took forever, and we usually ended the day both frustrated by how little we got accomplished. Imagine our surprise recently when the kids were actually old enough to help! When we were picking a color for our room and painting swatches of different options on our walls, we let them write the name underneath in pencil. Then on painting day, all three kids (one at a time) got on their work clothes and picked up a roller to help. Granted, we were supervising carefully, but their extra hands paid off. At one point, we were faced with the longest wall in the room. I rolled the middle, my husband was rolling the top and my six-year-old was rolling the bottom. We finished in record time. My parents included me in home improvement projects. It wasn’t until college when I moved into my first apartment that I started to appreciate that hands-on education. I knew how to fix a toilet that leaked. I knew how to do basic electrical wiring. I knew how to paint and sand and spackle. I didn’t always want to help when I was growing up. Some projects were more fun than others, but my parents made sure that while I was helping them, they were explaining things to me. They taught me skills for fixing things around the house. I want to do the same for my three future homeowners. Even when kids are little, they love tools. Take a minute the next time you are fixing something to teach your child the difference between a flat-head and a Phillips head screwdriver. Then, the next time you need a flat-head screwdriver, put that knowledge to work. You get a helper, and they are learning a lifelong skill. Home maintenance never ends. Something always needs to be tightened or painted or replaced. Whether you are tackling big projects or little ones, invite your kids to help.
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Community by Mike Litrel, M.D.
An Important Practice My first experience supervising a junior surgeon through an operation took a hairraising turn. We were halfway through the surgery when my young apprentice, gaining confidence, sliced smack through a large vein. In Ann and Mike Litrel and their sons, a blood-filled instant, my Tyler and Joseph. patient’s life was at risk. Speechless and shocked, I grabbed the scalpel from her clumsy hand. This year, I finally discovered something even more stressful than giving surgery lessons to interns: teaching my son how to drive. The clumsy moments are just as life threatening. Only the lives at risk have changed: mine, my son’s, and those of a few innocent pedestrians.
Nellies lining up for bread and milk at the first rumor of snow. However, after 20 years of Georgia winters, I have gained an appreciation for the challenging driving conditions here in a total absence of snowplows, sand, or salt. Now I try to be first in line at the grocery store. Tyler drove with appropriate caution and quickly learned to steer smartly into the skids to regain control. After an hour, I decided he was ready for the Big Time. For non-stop sliding there’s no better place than an empty, ice-covered church parking lot. Just a jerk on the steering wheel sends your car careening into a 360-degree spin. For extra excitement, pull the emergency brake while you turn to lock the rear wheels!
The good news is, giving Tyler driving lessons has deepened my prayer life. The bad news is, I’ve uttered a few expletives I can’t take back. A pick-up truck barreling down with horn blaring has a way of eliciting a few inappropriate epithets.
The problem with giving spin-out practice to your teenage son is he may never want to stop. An hour later, Tyler was still at it, and my stomach was upset. So I got out of the car to crunch around the parking lot, enjoying the peaceful, snowy landscape. A few bundled-up folk trudged by, braving the walk to the grocery store, but there was not one other car on the road. Out of the corner of my eye. I watched my son gradually gain mastery of the spinning car, shouting with joy when his rear wheels found that perfect patch of ice.
Fortunately, Tyler is a quick student. I notice after his recent lessons my jaw is hurting less, now that I am no longer shouting or clenching my teeth. In fact, the other day I was so impressed with his improvement, I handed him the keys to my convertible sports car. He enthusiastically peppered me with questions as we drove: How fast does it go? ,How many horsepower? ,And why does the steering wheel feel different from Ann’s minivan?
Once or twice it looked like Tyler was going to crash into the light pole in the middle of the parking lot. But I knew the worst outcome would be a dented car, not a hurt child. My unspoken fears, shared and understood by every parent of a child who drives, ebbed ever so slightly. Tyler was learning the skills that would help him when his environment was not so safe.
“The problem is, there’s a nut loose behind the wheel,” I replied in a serious tone.
Life is a lot like driving. We may be travelling comfortably along when suddenly events spin out of control: money problems, illness, or the worst – the grief of loss. Every one of us has a spiritual skill set – some call it faith – for dealing with the moments that life careens off course. But just like practicing control on a spinning car, we don’t always practice our faith very much. Life’s skids find us panicked, unprepared, and unable to steer back on course.
“Really?” he asked with concern. A moment later he caught the joke and laughed. In retrospect, I’ve realized the nut was sitting in the passenger seat. Why would I allow a 16 year old to control a machine that can travel more than a hundred and forty miles an hour? Is this not the same adolescent who grunts and rolls his eyes when I remind him to clean up three weeks of dirty socks? How much has he really changed in six years since he shot his own hand with a BB gun? Yet, after a recent winter storm, I did something even nuttier. I took Tyler driving on the ice. Years ago, I was guilty of feeling superior to southerners for their group phobia of winter driving. I snickered at the Nervous
At noon the church bells rang. As the chimes echoed across the treetops, I understood their call: it was my turn to practice. So I set myself to find the words, the beginner’s words of gratitude, for this happy moment, teaching my son to drive. Dr. Mike Litrel practices with his fellow OB/GYNs Cherokee Women’s HealthSpecialistsin Canton and Woodstock. Dr. Litrel lives in Woodstock with his wife Ann and their two sons, Tyler and Joseph. E-mail Dr. Litrel at www.cherokeewomenshealth.com
Copyright © 2011
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Meet the Critter Catchers
Pitter-patter sounds above your head or in your walls is not a welcoming noise. Rodents, snakes and bees that turn your yard into an “off limits” zone is frustrating. We are talking about the unwelcome visitors to any home — critters. Critters that invade our space can include rodents, small animals, reptiles and insects. Not only can the noise be a nuisance, but critters can create health and safety issues. If critters have made your house their home, you cannot simply ignore them away — you need expert help. You need Critter Catchers. Often times, homeowners will attempt to solve their critter problems themselves. And often, these attempts are unsuccessful. Owner Mike Thaggard (center) noted that often times, calling an animal removal company is a last resort for many homeowners. However, during the time between initial discovery and calling in the experts, serious damage can occur. Rodents and small animals can chew through wires, pipes and insulation — chewed wires in particular pose a fire hazard. And waste from these unwelcome dwellers can create serious health issues. Mike is committed to solving all of his clients’ critter problems. Once contacted, Critter Catchers will complete an inspection followed by setting the appropriate trap. During the inspection, the Critter Catchers team will scrutinize areas for possible gnawing and damage. Once the nuisance animal has been trapped, it’s important to complete the service by barring any future critter entry. “Construction gaps are a normal part of building in Georgia. However, these gaps also are the perfect entryway for nuisance animals. These gaps, along with vents, soffits and gables need to be closed to prevent future problems,” he said. Mike has a lifelong love of the outdoors and animals, and owning Critter Catchers is his dream job. His company is one of the pioneers in the field, and it comes highly recommended by customers who consistently refer Critter Catchers to their fiends experiencing unwelcome visitors. If you are experiencing the pitter patter of little feet, and they are not those of your children, it’s time to call Critter Catchers today at (770) 424-3080 or visit www.critter-catchers.com. March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Sleep. Is it Overrated? by Dr. Jared J. Lasseigne Thomas Dekker is known for saying, “sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.” As much as we’d like to think we are in control of our bodies when it comes to going to sleep and waking, research shows we’ve got it all wrong. Most of us conform to society’s expectations by shaping our sleep schedule to match school and workplace start and end times. However, thanks to external stimuli such as sunlight, we generally follow a 24-hour sleep schedule. All living creatures have a type of internal clock, called the circadian rhythm. It refers to the 24-hour cycle of activity and sleep affected by the change from light to dark. A part of the brain called the hypothalamus manages this pattern by processing information (like when your eyes detect light) and creates our sleeping patterns. This sleep-wake cycle gives you the cue to go to sleep. Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and director of the sleep disorders center at Northwest University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, says healthy sleeping habits are critical to maintaining a healthy mind and body. Healthy sleep habits generally allow you to wake up feeling refreshed, think quickly, successfully perform potentially dangerous tasks, like driving, which require complete attention; and do your very best at work or school. “The importance of sleep is so multi-faceted,” says Lisa Shives, MD, a sleep specialist at Northshore Sleep Medicine, in Evanston, Ill., and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “It is essential to health of mind and body in so many ways.” Most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each night. But if you’re depressed, sick or just plain stressed, getting a good night’s sleep can be hard to come by. Not practicing healthy sleep habits can lead to all kinds of health problems, says Dr. Shives. “Poor sleep leads to cardiovascular dysfunction, lowered immune system response, glucose and insulin abnormalities, dysregulation of hormones that control appetite, and impaired cognitive function.” So, if you have trouble with sleep insomnia, slightly adjusting your routine and habits may help. Create a tranquil space. Keep the lights low a few hours before bedtime, stay away from bright computers and noisy televisions. l Keep a routine. Try to stick to the same bedtime and wakeup time every day – this includes holidays, weekends and vacations if possible. l
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Community
TLBA Member Spotlight: Efficient Energy Solutions, LLC
Did you ever wonder why your bonus room is freezing in the winter? Does your upstairs stay at 76 degrees in the summer even though the air condition has run all day? Do you cringe every time you open your utility bills? Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone with the expertise and knowledge to tell you how to solve these problems in the most cost effective manner possible? Efficient Energy Solutions, LLC, specializes in residential energy auditing. Owner Jon LaMonte started Efficient Energy in 2009 after spending nine years inspecting building products under warranty or involved in class action suits. After performing more than 15,000 inspections, Jon realized that faulty products and poor construction practices lead to cosmetic exterior problems and serious energy and comfort issues. Combining residential energy knowledge with years of professional inspecting has given Jon a real eye for detail. “Most homes suffer from common comfort issues. Unfortunately, the causes of these issues are unique to every home. Having a diagnostic energy audit performed on your home is like going to the doctor when you are sick or taking your car to the mechanic when it breaks down,” said Jon. “As a Certified Building Analyst, it is my job to diagnose what is causing areas of the home to be so uncomfortable and come up with a cost effective plan to fix it.” Purchasing a home is one of the largest single investments you will make in your life. It is nice to have a safe and comfortable place in which to raise your family. Unfortunately, as many are finding out, the home that they bought isn’t very comfortable. “Making your home a more comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient place to live in is my passion. Just remember, don’t throw money at your problems, throw knowledge. It’s a lot cheaper,” said LaMonte. To find out more about the company and its services, visit www.theNRGguy.com.
The April 11 application deadline for the Towne Lake Business Association’s (TLBA) 9th Annual Entrepreneurial Scholarships is just more than a month from now. Two graduating college or technical school-bound high school seniors, one each at Etowah and Woodstock High Schools, will be awarded a cash scholarship of $1,000 and be featured in the July issue of AroundAbout — TowneLaker. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated entrepreneurial enthusiasm and spirit, in addition to academic achievement, during his or her high school career. If you are or someone you know is a senior who attends either Etowah or Woodstock High School, please contact your school counselors today and ask for an application for the TLBA Entrepreneurial Scholarship. You also can request an application directly by calling (770) 615-3350 or emailing don@arounndaboutmagazines.com. We will keep you updated in future columns. The topic of our February Lunch ‘N’ Workshop was “Creating and Modifying Your Marketing Plan.” We want to thank Todd Schnick of The Intrepid Group, LLC for leading this workshop on the seven key steps to constructing an effective marketing plan for your business.
Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshops Tuesday, March 15, 12:30 — 2 p.m. The Top 5 Human Resources Mistakes Small Business Make, presented by Michael D. Haberman, SPHR, V.P. and Director of HR Services, for Omega HR Solutions, Inc.
Tuesday, April 19, 12:30 — 2 p.m. 30 Minute Business Plan, presented by Drew Tonsmeire, Area Director, Kennesaw State University Small Business Development Center. All Workshops are held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to all events at (770) 615-3350.
Welcome New Member:
Commercial Experts, Inc.
Tom Crumpton
As always, we thank you for supporting our community and our local businesses, and thus “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee.”
Visit us at www.tlba.org. 32
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Be the Best Kid/Parent? Can You Say Stress? by Dr. Amy Hardin In today’s society, being number one is a goal for many people. Kids are asked who got the best grade on the math test. Members of play groups compare which baby first walked or was potty trained. Did your kid make that elite sport team? Get into the best private school? Get selected for the gifted program? The list is endless. Because of the competitive society in which we live, we are all dealing with a side effect: stress. Pediatricians begin comparing growth charts and developmental milestones of even the youngest children. It’s important to remember there is a wide variety of normal! We expect babies to walk any time between the ages of 9 and 18 months. All is normal and one end of the spectrum is not better, smarter, stronger, more coordinated or talented than the other. Growth charts help track a child’s growth over time. One healthy child may grow consistently in the 10th percentile and another in the 90th percentile. Don’t expect parents who are 5’6” and 5’ to have a baby in the 95th percentile for height. We learned that much from Gregor Mendel’s theories that were taught in 9th grade genetics.
or it’s a situation that is not a fulfilling relationship for you or your child, find a new group of parents to hang out with (or spend less time with that sister-in-law, if possible). Children get older, start to hear the comparisons and can begin to feel second rate. This can affect their self esteem and lead to stress-related health issues, such as headaches, stomach aches and school avoidance. As children reach preteen and teen years, there can be a fine line between a healthy caution concerning serving sizes, junk food and desserts, and fullblown eating disorders caused by anxiety created by parents and respected adults. This does not mean we shouldn’t tell our kids they aren’t fit. But it’s very important to discuss it from a “health” standpoint instead of badgering or putting them down. Also, show them by your own example of healthy eating and exercising.
Peer pressure eeks its way into this age range as well. Kids can be seen as outliers among their classmates if they aren’t wearing the most expensive jeans or boots, or worse, smoking pot because all the popular kids are. Teens need to learn to focus on their values, their family’s values and what is important to “Teens need to learn them. As parents, we need to help them have At our prenatal classes, we meet parents who the confidence to say, “No thanks” when to focus on their want to make sure they buy the safest car seat confronted with daily temptations at school. values, their family’s and the best crib and stroller. What do kids This can be done in a very straightforward way values and what is really need to succeed and be happy? Actually, that isn’t preachy (which usually backfires). important to them.” it’s really simple. They need a safe and loving Your teen needs to let the friends know their home. They need parents who will sit down for boundaries, and that they are sticking to them. dinner with them, read them books, and play Role playing or making a mental script before silly games. They need parents who will wipe the situations arises really helps. Also, having their noses, kiss their boo boos and hug them when their first a fall back reason/excuse helps too (“Gee, I can’t smoke weed boyfriend breaks up with them, telling them it’s his loss. This because I’m in training for swim” or “I was just heading down to will help them be the best kids that they can be. band practice, sorry!” or “Man, you know my parents, I’ll get in gigantic trouble if I get caught, and they ALWAYS catch me!”). Parents don’t have to be superparents. Remember, our own parents and their “hands off” parenting while we were growing Find the positives in your own kids, and help them build self up. I remember being told to go outside and play after breakfast esteem on these attributes. Then peer pressure won’t be so during the summer, and come back for lunch and dinner. I was difficult for them. Also, making sure they have “like-minded” responsible for my own happiness and making my own fun with peers is important as well. Keep an eye on their Facebook page. my friends from around the block. From a parenting standpoint, Listen to their phone conversations. Who is going to be at the there are a few ways to avoid being a hypercompetitive parent. party or sleepover they are attending? Do you know the parents? First, give yourself permission to relax. Your child is not perfect Don’t let them get into situations that might be dangerous. — no one is. Also, give your children permission to grow and learn at their own pace. Sooner or later they will succeed in Parenting and being a parent is certainly not easy. It takes time, those all-important milestones. If not, your pediatrician can patience, and help from family members, pediatricians and refer your children for the help they need. When faced with books, and of course, lots and lots of love. competitive parents, don’t get stuck in the bidding war. Tell the other parent, “Gee, that’s great your child is doing calculus Dr. Amy Hardin is a pediatrician at Northside Pediatrics in Towne Lake. She and her husband are raising two teenage daughters the best they at age two! I’m sure that our daughter will learn that complex possibly can through the trials and tribulations of middle school and math skill when she’s ready. I’m just following her lead and high school. letting her take her own pace.” If it becomes a repetitive cycle, March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
First Impressions by Shelley Herod You only have one chance to make a first impression. Your home’s curb appeal is its first impression. As a book jacket hints to what is inside, your front porch should set the scene for your home’s interior. Your porch should greet guests with hospitality and personality. Regardless of your individual style, an inviting first impression is important. Before adding your seasonal touches, use a garden hose to rinse the floors and walls. You may need a bucket of soapy water and a brush to wash away the grime and dust. When the sun begins to break through the winter clouds, look for weeds popping up in corners and spiders spinning new webs. Check the light fixtures too. Replace burned-out bulbs and give the fixture a fresh coat of paint, if necessary. Just as the inside of your home needs Giving your porch a spring cleaning, don’t forget your outside room needs love a new look is not too. Once the cleaning is done, take a look at the furniture that occupies the space. It could probably stand a springtime bath with some sudsy water. If the paint has begun to chip and fade, a fresh coat of spray paint will give it a quick facelift. If the cushions and pillows are faded, frayed or torn, replace or recover them for a fresh look.
difficult, and it doesn’t have to break the bank.
that are faded or torn also need to be replaced. Hopefully, last season’s decorations are already put away. Add seasonal plants and flowers, like an airy green fern or a mix of annuals flowers in a substantial stone pot. Shop garage sales if you need planters. Many times you will find just what you are looking for at half the price, and they may only need to be dusted or given a new coat of accent paint. Think outside of the box if you like the unexpected. Walk through a flea market or second-hand store with an open mind. Look for items that would work outdoors and make a statement. By creating a new or vintage flare, you can give your guests an unexpected welcome. Don’t overlook the front door when decorating for the new season. A fresh wreath, flat-backed basket or wall pocket filled with spring tulips, daffodils and pansies and hung on the door is always inviting and hospitable. Giving your porch a new look is not difficult, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. A little cleaning, restoring furniture and paying attention to details are simple steps to creating a positive first impression.
The little touches can make the biggest impact. Start with the welcome mat. Does it look weathered and worn? For a minimal price you can find welcome mats in many designs and colors at retail outlets such as home improvement discount and linen stores A fresh mat will create a manicured first impression. Flags and banners
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
Up Around The Bend by Don Martin
“It’s a creepy place.”
All around us, incredible stories are waiting to be discovered. Most of us are moving too fast and with too many obligations to actually pay attention. We end up missing the moments and places and people that can fill our lives with wonder, with magic, and even with a little mystery. Not far from Towne Lake, nestled in the hidden heart of Cherokee County, is just such a place. The place is New Hightower Baptist Church – but it is better known, locally and nationally, as “Hell’s Church.” It’s a fascinating place, with an amazing and somewhat disturbing history… and yes, it’s haunted. My first encounter at Hell’s Church was the evening of Nov. 1, 2010. My family and I had heard the tales of the church from my daughter, who had visited it earlier in the month with several of her friends. I heard the haunted stories, and we all wanted to check it out for ourselves. It is a creepy place. Several hundred yards behind the church is an old baptismal pool dug into the ground near Stamps Creek. Nearby are the remains of an old building, old enough to have used hand-planed wood. The pool is the site of alleged haunted activity, and we stood around, in the cold and dark, waiting for something to happen. And it did. A loud, ascending screech issued from the woods about 100 yards from where we were standing. Not knowing what we were hearing, and figuring that discretion is the better part of valor, we hightailed it out of there. As we neared the church proper, we heard the screech again. I am an avid outdoorsman; my oldest son hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2006. We know night sounds, and this was unlike anything we had ever heard. After that night, I was eager to learn the history of “Hell’s
Church.” New Hightower Baptist Church is built nearly two miles into undeveloped, privately owned and wildlife management forest land. The drive back to the church, located off of Old Shoal Creek Trail and Johnson Trail (just off of Waleska Highway, north of Riverstone Parkway) is eerie, leaving civilization and entering into thick woodland with very little trace of human activity. At the end of the road is the church, built across from a graveyard whose oldest grave is dated at 1890. In 1975, a local resident, Michael Priest, was brutally murdered by Jack Potts. Potts was eventually arrested, found guilty, and sentenced to die. However, he skillfully played the system and had his execution delayed over and over again. He finally died of liver cancer in 2005. In the meantime, the victim’s son, convinced that Potts was part of a satanic group that used the woods behind New Hightower to worship the devil, burned down the 100-year old church building in a futile attempt at revenge. An actual cornerstone from the original church is honored in a memorial near the front of the new church. No one can vouch for the use of the church property by Satanists; however, it is interesting to note that Cherokee Indians used those woods for religious rituals more than150 years ago. A haunted church, a strange history, a story to remember, and thrill for anyone who dares to visit… all up around the bend from where you are. Enjoy! Don Martin is a long-time resident of Cherokee County and Towne Lake. He is the President of The Institute of Convergent Spirituality. He is a nonprofit consultant and campaign director, having worked for Habitat for Humanity since 2005. He can be reached at (770) 355-0197
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
Meet Your Community
The Artist Formally Known as Cassaundra by Cindy Morrow Even dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, Cassaundra Dian’ee Bingaman is striking. She is manager at Shane’s and Moe’s in Canton, but if you ask for her by that name, few will know her. She goes by Yo’ Sista, the petite spoken-word artist. “I have been managing Shane’s and Moe’s since I was 20 years old,” said Yo’ Sista, now 23. “I call it ‘the other side of Cinderella’—behind a broom by day, behind a mic by night.” She always dreamed of becoming a spoken-word artist. She just didn’t know that’s what it was called until she was 15. That’s when she watched a poet named Georgia Me on a DVD in the basement of her Maryland home. Yo’ Sista was riveted. It would be seven years before her vision would become reality. Yo’ Sista’s parents split when she was young, then she split when she was 16. “They got married at 17 and didn’t understand,” she said. “They didn’t have a manual, ya know?” She lived the life of a vagabond for a while, living here and there, doing this and that. She ended up at her dad’s in Canton in 2004 and graduated from Sequoyah High a year later. Canton is where Cassaundra Bingaman became Yo’ Sista. “The name ‘Sista’ was given to me by a man named Johnny Willis, (a Canton native) who just recently passed this year,” she said. “He and his wife gave me a place to live when I was homeless. I want to honor him.” Homelessness wasn’t her only detour. In 2008, she was arrested for driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana, charges that were expunged after she served 65 days in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. While there, a woman from Allen Temple AME Church in Woodstock visited her. Sister Dorene pressed her with the same question every time she came: “What has been one thing constant in your life?” “It was that vision,” Yo’ Sista said. “That picture of me, a microphone and a crowd. I’ve had mommas, stepmommas, dads and stepdads, stepbrothers and sisters. All that has changed. But that was the one constant.” Her first performance was in 2009 as a featured poet at Londzell’s Martini Lounge & Restaurant in Roswell. She continued on page 88 36
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
The Bike Ride
Super Tuscan’s
by Kara Kiefer
by David Heckelmoser
My husband is an avid cyclist. It’s not uncommon for him to ride 30-plus miles on a Saturday or Sunday morning, not to mention an occasional 20-mile ride before work. Even though I was an avid cyclist in college (out of necessity), I haven’t been much of a cyclist in my adult years. In fact, my kids questioned me as to whether I actually knew how to ride a bike. One of the rides my husband occasionally will do is on the Silver Comet Trail. For those unfamiliar with this trail, it’s a nonmotorized trail that runs from Smyrna to Alabama, and most of it is fairly flat. The Silver Comet Depot rents bicycles, so I took my husband’s offer to ride with him one Sunday afternoon. The goal was 20 miles, which at the time I felt was a realistic goal, especially if most of the trail was flat. We started at a fairly decent clip. The scenery was beautiful, and it was peaceful. My husband announced we had made it to the fourmile point. “Only four? Feels a little like 10 but OK, only six more miles before we turn around,” I thought to myself. We peddled and peddled — up some slight grades and up some big “holy crud” hills. “What mile are we on?” I asked, trying not to sound too hopeful that it was nearing the 10-mile mark. “7” was his reply. It was about this point that my rear end was on fire. See, the bike seat had zero padding, and my clothing had zero padding. Every time I peddled, it was bone on bike seat, which led to fire. I would peddle as fast as I could only so I could coast. “Save yourself! Just leave me here!” I hollered at my husband at one point. I was really hoping for a golf cart rescue but that would be even more embarrassing than the ugly helmet I was wearing. “We’re almost back. Only 3.5 miles to go!” my husband said encouragingly. I think a little tear fell from my eye. My back now hurt from hunching over, my hands were frozen and my rear end was on fire. “And this gets fun, when?” I wondered. Finally, I could see the end. I felt like I was crossing the finish line in the longest race of my life. I got off that bike, cursed the seat and waddled to the car. I would go bicycling again because I can see the potential for fun exercise. However, major padding in my shorts and seat will be a prerequisite. And Advil. For more information on the Silver Comet Trail, visit www. silvercometga.com. Kara Kiefer is the Editor of AroundAbout — TowneLaker. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and sons Brandon and Garrett. 40
What is a Super Tuscan? The term was applied to wines that were not made according to the rules governing Italy’s wine law in Tuscany. These wines fell into the category Vino da Tavola — or table wine, a term typically reserved for wines that fell below the highest levels of Italian quality. But Italian wine law designations were very restrictive dealing with the volume of the grapes, the percentage of the wine made from the grape, grape varieties and wine making technique, and aging requirements. Super Tuscan’s were made by wine makers who felt that staying with the Italian wine law would drag down the quality of their wines. These innovative wine makers believed that these rules hindered their ability to make top quality wine, and as such began breaking the rules; a whole new category of wine was born — the Super Tuscan’s. Wine growers and producers in Tuscany preferred to experiment with French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. These varieties seem to hold the greatest promise for increasing the quality of wine produced in Tuscany. The first examples of the new wine style came to market in the 70’s. The wines were named Sassicaia and Tignanello. Tignanello was a blend of Cabernet and Sangiovese, and Sassicaia was a blend of Cabernet and Cab Franc. After many years, Super Tuscan’s grew to demonstrate a quality above table wine. In 1992, the Super Tuscan’s were labeled under a new Italian wine law, which meant they fell below the strictest designations, but above table wine. Super Tuscan’s are medium to full bodied blended red wines that can be enjoyed with hearty pastas with meat sauce, grilled dishes, and a variety of meats (lamb, sausage, game, venison). Here are a few suggestions for Super Tuscan’s: l l l l
Castello Banfi Centine Toscana Podere Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso II Bruciato IGT Toscana Frescobaldi Remole Tuscan IGT
Tignanello, Sassicia and Ornellaia are going to be the most expensive, ranging from $80 to $180 per bottle. Until next time, cheers! David Heckelmoser is a professional member of the Society of Wine Educators, Certified Specialist of Wine CSW, Atlanta Chapter Sommelier Les Marmition.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
Weathering the Dental Storm Sign up today at www.thedailyvalue.com to receive money-saving group coupon offers in your email inbox featuring only local businesses!
by Dr. Scott R. Harden There is no denying our winter weather this year in Woodstock and Atlanta has been a record-setting experience. Official snowfall for this winter has been three times more than average in Atlanta. It all started December 15 with the unique and memorable Atlanta Ice Storm of 2010 that included Towne Lake. I reluctantly joined the parade of people who abandoned their cars on Towne Lake Parkway and began my three-mile trek home on foot. Thankful for the emergency blanket to wrap my head and for the umbrella to shield against the sleeting rain, the slippery path home instilled strategic placement of my every step. Hearing the report of more than 1,000 wrecks reported across metro Atlanta validated my decision that night.
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Who would ever have dreamed of a Christmas snow in Atlanta, GA, especially one that was on the heels of the major ice storm? The last time we had a white Christmas was 130 years ago. This occurred just over a week past the ice storm. Amazement struck again, several weeks later, when the Snow Blast of 2011 hit January 9-11. This major snowstorm covered our city in about five inches of snow, halted 1,400 Delta flights and 400 Air Tran flights, rendering our city and its people homebound and stranded. Unequipped for such weather, Georgia roads, schools, and businesses shut down. School children ended up with an unplanned week off school. The inclement weather has caused me to make a parallel between the scientific monitoring and reporting of weather changes and scientific monitoring and reporting of dental conditions for my patients. In both fields, the continued development of technology has allowed phenomenal improvements in the routine procedures that are performed. The use of enlarged images of your teeth on a monitor right in front of the patient by use of intra-oral cameras allows patients to clearly identify his/her problems. Laser/ultrasonic sensors permit decay in teeth to be measured by digital readings that provide an amazing diagnosis with actual quantitative numbers. Our tooth enamel is harder than ever, thanks to fluoridated water, which helps prevent arge black spots caused by bacteria from appearing on teeth the same way they did years ago. Today, the bacteria entry points into the enamel are often smaller and harder to evaluate. Cavities still form under the surface (hence the Latin term “little cave”) but are often less apparent than years continued on page 88
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
Family Spats by Dee Locklin We tend to converge in the kitchen in the evenings and talk about both the milestone events and the small moments that characterize each day. Kitchen time is probably the heartbeat of many families. Lately, our kitchen conversations are peppered with remarks like, “You didn’t tell me that,” or “I can’t believe you’re asking me to do this,” or “You haven’t taken care of that yet?” I notice the nagging and rolling of eyes far exceeds the time spent laughing and relaxing. We seem stuck in a pattern of family spats.
our loved ones and being there for each other rank high on our list of most important responsibilities. Especially at the end of those particularly long days when the world has beaten us to a pulp. Or at least that’s how it’s done in the movies. Some spats are more important than others, which becomes clear when you think about the things over which we tend to disagree. This I learned early as a student of organizational leadership. After all, organizational life mirrors family life in many ways. We can disagree over the facts (did you or did you not take out the trash?). We can disagree over strategy or the way to accomplish our goals (you really should have done your homework before you went to the movies). Or we can disagree over fundamental beliefs (cheating on a test is always wrong).
Most of these spats include finger pointing. Someone let another down, or he didn’t do what I asked him to, or everything would be fine if you wouldn’t be so demanding. If you are the busy parent of a senior in high school, you know exactly what I mean. As an optimist, I do not believe that family members intentionally deceive or avoid their commitments to each other. But each of us, from time to time, is guilty of selective hearing. You know – the “Some spats are more tendency to only listen to what important than others, you want to hear, ignore the which becomes clear things you don’t want to hear, or limit your listening to your when you think about own frame of reference. the things over which
we tend to disagree.” My busy life certainly leads to my own selective hearing. A typical day for me involves a horrendous downtown commute, complex problem solving and looming deadlines at work, late afternoon errands, dinner preparation, pet care, billpaying, and helping my son with his paperwork du jour. Throw in the school events, obligatory phone calls to far-away family members, planning and attending social activities with friends, plus the never-ending housekeeping tasks and you have an exhausted woman too tired to listen well. My husband’s days are probably just as frenetic, though in typical man-fashion, he doesn’t talk about it much. And our teenager has his own reasons for selective inattention, including school work, varsity sports, constant and simultaneous connection with multiple friends via his iPhone, and hormones. Bombarded daily by all this stimulation, who can focus on the needs and requests of other family members? Well, in truth, we can. And we should. The acts of listening to
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As I reflect upon our recent kitchen spats, I am thankful that they involve facts and strategy. Somehow, through all the frenetic days and years since we became parents, my husband and I managed to raise a son whose value system is solid. We did not do this alone, of course. Family, friends, and neighbors in our wonderful community have greatly influenced him along the way. We hope and pray that his strong values guide him well in the days ahead. In the meantime, I’ll keep nagging him about trash and homework. Dee Locklin is Director of the Public Performance and Management Group at Georgia State University. She lives with husband Lewis and son Taylor in a cluttered home filled with love and lots of dust bunnies. Contact Dee at dlocklin89@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
Musings from Towne
Simplify Your Life
Waiting for the school bus
by Lauri Wischner
by Robyn Hohensee One morning on my way to run some errands, I found myself stuck behind a school bus. Oh shoot! I don’t have time for this today! I fretted to myself in irritation. I wasn’t able to pass the bus safely, so I had no choice but to patiently wait for it to collect all of the school children. As I did, I noticed a little girl that was standing away from the rest of the boisterous group with her father. She was holding on tightly to his hand, looking like she was about to cry yet trying so hard not to. The father bent down in front of her, appearing to comfort her with encouraging words. The little girl nodded bravely and gave her father a hug and then timidly walked toward the school bus looking quite shaken. Seeing the raw vulnerability in this little girl made my mind drift back to my first day of school in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1967 . . . It is a sunny morning, and I hold my fathers hand tightly as he walks me to the bus stop. I see the other kids lined up waiting for the bus with their mommies and daddies and I feel a little shy. They all seem so happy and sure of themselves. The majestic Utah mountains stand proud in the distance and I wonder if the kids who live “up there” are also waiting for the bus to take them to school. Were they a little sad to leave their mommies and daddies for the day like me? I hoped that they weren’t scared and that they made lots of friends and liked their teacher. My dad kneels down in front of me and tells me that I will make lots of friends and learn lots of fun things at school and to not be afraid. I throw my arms around his neck and don’t want to let go, but I know I have to. I climb onto the bus and wave at my dad as the bus pulls away. I am excited to go to school in a way, but scared to leave the security of my parents. I feel like I am going to cry and would be humiliated if the other kids saw. Someone taps my shoulder. I turn around and it is the little girl up the road I see at the park. She shows me her new Barbie lunch bucket and asks me to sit with her. Happily I oblige and spend my first day on the school bus making a new friend. I am roused back to the present day when an impatient driver behind me honks the car horn to get me moving. A smile comes over my face as I pray that the little girl at the bus stop comes to have many rich and fun experiences on the school bus and at school. I no longer feel irritated, but grateful for the little trip down memory lane. Robyn Hohensee is a fiction writer and poet who is a member of the Georgia writers Association. She has lived in Eagle Watch for the past 16 years with her husband Todd and two sons. You can contact her at Robyn561@Yahoo.com. 46
Eight years ago, my husband and I decided to simplify our lives because we wanted to live a more down-to-earth, de-stressed existence. I never thought that one day I’d be writing a column on the topic of simple living The first step to simple living is deciding what’s important in your life, and removing the clutter so your time and energy can be spent on people and activities meaningful to you. The result should be a more satisfying, enjoyable life. Elaine St. James’ book, “Living the Simple Life,” gave me hope for this complex task. She said much could be accomplished by making small changes. I started by listing my priorities. Some were easy: my husband, my family and my daughter. Others took a while to formulate. I ultimately decided I wanted more time to read, hike, stay in touch with friends and volunteer. Then I made a few minor changes like simplifying my wardrobe and household chores. I began thinking twice before buying something new. Did I really need it? How much “It can be a challenge energy would this new thing take to simplify. We have to buy, to clean and to store?
to watch our money.”
My husband and I also made a major adjustment and bought a smaller home. The lower mortgage payments and less maintenance gave us more money and free time. We made a long-term goal of living debt free and went on a tight budget. We weighed the impact of taking promotions at work. They meant additional money, but the travel and longer hours left less time for us as a couple and things we enjoy. It can be a challenge to simplify. We have to watch our money. We’ve seen friends and colleagues buy big, beautiful homes and take fabulous trips. However, sleeping well at night and sticking to our priorities has outweighed the envy we feel from time to time. Scaling back has allowed me to become a stay-at-home mom (at least temporarily), volunteer at school and church, and, in general, helped me feel more peaceful. My life is far from stress-free. There are bills to pay and children to raise, but now my husband and I are better able to recognize things that may sabotage our simplicity goal and stop them before they get unmanageable. In this column, I’ll discuss our attempts, and those of others, to live a simpler life. Here’s a quote that sums up the movement. “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” — Hans Hofmann Lauri Wischner left her sales career behind to be a stay-at-home wife and mother.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
Fun Facts About Cooper’s Hawks by Scott Lemmon
What was that blur of gray feathers I saw streaking across my backyard? If your yard is heavily wooded like most of the ones in Cherokee County, chances are that blur was a Cooper’s Hawk. These woodland birds of prey live in Georgia year round, and were named after William Cooper, a naturalist and one of the founders of the New York Academy of Sciences. The word hawk derives from the Teutonic root hab, meaning “to seize or take hold.” The family name Accipitridae is from the Latin word accipere, meaning, “to take or seize.” Both refer to the strong grasping ability that these birds of prey possess. Accipiters like the Cooper’s Hawk have short wings and long tails that aid them in the twisting and rapid turning flight needed to chase down their prey in dense woodland and scrub habitats. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal. But take heart — our songbirds are wise to their tactics and often post a lookout to warn of any danger in the area. One call from the lookout and everyone scatters! Adults are steely blue-gray above with warm reddish bars on the underparts and thick dark bands on the tail. Juveniles are brown above and crisply streaked with
brown on the upper breast. Cooper’s Hawks have short, powerful wings and a long tail, adaptations that enable them to be highly maneuverable in dense forest habitats. But even with their incredible agility, a recent study showed that 23 percent of all Cooper’s Hawks examined had healed fractures in the bones of their chest. A single Cooper’s Hawk must eat approximately one bird a day to survive. One study in New York documented that each Cooper’s Hawk nestling consumed 11 items of prey per week. About a third of all attempts by Cooper’s Hawks to capture food are successful. After capturing its prey, Cooper’s Hawks have been seen drowning their victim by holding it under water. While Cooper’s Hawks will prey on a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, some of their most common quarry include Mourning Doves, American Robins, Jays, Northern Flickers, European Starlings and chipmunks. Cooper’s Hawks have been known to cache uneaten prey in trees for later use. Males build the nest, and then provide nearly all the food to females and young over the next 90 days before the young fledge. Female Cooper’s Hawks are about 30 percent larger than their male counterparts. And Cooper’s from the western U.S. are a lot smaller than birds in the east, weighing around a fifth less. The oldest recaptured banded Cooper’s Hawk was still alive at 20 years and 4 months old. Scott Lemmon can be reached at (770) 928-3014 or e-mail him at wbuwoodstock@comcast.net.
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
49
Feature
Keeping You at the
Top of Your Game
A
s an athlete, you put it all on the line each day — training, skill and dedication. So what happens when you get sidelined with an injury? Ice and heat do not always fix the problem and you can only rest it so long before you have to get back out to the court, on the field, on the bike, etc. But then the next thing you know, you have a full-blown sports injury. When an injury first happens, the best thing to do is to get it checked out by your physician. Kristin Laconi brought her son, Jacob, 11, to Pinnacle after he showed off the “trick” he could do with his shoulder. Jacob is a typical active pre-teen who plays basketball and golf. Presumably, as a result of playing those sports, his shoulder began to pop out of place … thus the “trick.” His mother shares her experience with Pinnacle:
Pinnacle Senior Partner Dr. Paul Payne examined Jacob and determined that he had a subluxation or a partially dislocated shoulder. Dr. Payne understood Jacob’s dedication to his sports, so he instructed him to just discontinue any specific activities that made his shoulder pop out of place. For now, sports would be allowed provided that Jacob began a series of strengthening exercises. Jacob needed to build up the muscle within the socket so that it would not slide out. Dr. Payne and I agreed that surgery would be a last resort, and we set
Dr. Jessica Bilotta examines Jacob Laconi. 50
a plan and a goal to avoid surgery. Jacob did the muscle strengthening activities at home using resistance bands, and later began physical therapy, while also continuing with the bands. After four weeks of physical therapy, Dr. Payne referred him to Dr. Jessica Bilotta (who is a sports medicine specialist with a fellowship in Sports Medicine.) She had seen Jacob briefly the first day with Dr. Payne and was familiar with the original severity of the injury. Dr. Bilotta examined Jacob and noted significant progress, but that his shoulder was still able to slide out, although not as easily. She advised Jacob to continue therapy with some more aggressive elements added. Dr. Bilotta explained to him that the progress so far is promising and with continued hard work she is confident that full recovery without surgery is a good possibility. Mrs. Laconi says she appreciates Pinnacle and stated, “The doctors and the therapists treated Jacob like an adult in the sense of not trying to talk over his head or act like he wasn’t in the room. They explained things to both of us very clearly, while at the same time were mindful that he is only 11 and knew that sports were very important to him. They were very respectful to us.” Pinnacle is very involved in sports medicine, as well as orthopaedic care, physical therapy and MRI services. Sports Medicine is an area of specialty in orthopaedics that involves preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries related to participating in sports or exercise. Pinnacle physicians provide medical coverage for various sports teams, including some area high school, college and professional teams. Pinnacle is the official orthopaedic and sports medicine provider for the Atlanta Beat, the women’s professional soccer team. Dr. Stan Dysart, Dr. Mark Diehl and Dr. Jessica Bilotta are the team physicians. Dr. Diehl and Dr. Dysart are the team physicians for Kennesaw State University and several local high schools. Dr. Mike Kuczmanski is the team physician for Southern Polytechnic State University and a local high school. Dr. Alan Swayze is the team physician for Reinhardt University. Pinnacle provides orthopaedic coverage at games and assists with injuries for various sports, including football, basketball, soccer and track and field. Not all sports injuries come from the student or professional athlete. The weekend athlete or “weekend warrior” is quite common and from that, injuries come as well. Usually this
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
athlete is not as conditioned to extreme exercise and sports. Their bodies get stressed and that’s when ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones get stressed. These conditions typically involve the rotation or deformation of joints or muscles. Typical injuries from these athletes include tennis elbow or tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis, ACL tears, ankle sprains and a whole host of other forms of muscle and ligament strains and tears.
Back row (left to right): Michael L. Kuczmanski, M.D., O. Scott Swayze, M.D., Craig M. Chebuhar, M.D., John Day, M.D. and Javier Reto, M.D. Front row: Mark W. Diehl, M.D., Jessica Bilotta, M.D., William Terrell, M.D., Paul Payne, M.D. and James R. Malcolm, M.D.
“The most common sports injuries Pinnacle treats are knee and shoulder injuries including ACL tears and shoulder dislocations,” said Dr. Kuczmanski, who related the story of a high school athlete who tore his ACL in his last football game of his senior year. The player was very concerned about his chances of playing college football. With surgery and then physical therapy, the athlete was able to play college football. Dr. Kuczmanski said, “That in order for these injuries to heal, the athlete must put the same training and dedication that are required to perform in their sport, back into their healing.” It is with these same characteristics that Pinnacle puts it all on the line for you, ensuring that you continue to play the sport you love and keeping you at the top of your game.
I
n November, Pinnacle relocated their Woodstock office to 1505 Stone Bridge Parkway, next to Walgreens at Towne Lake Parkway and I-575. “Pinnacle Orthopaedics has been in Woodstock for over 13 years and we have seen the area grow and have grown with it,” said Dr. Payne. Originally in an office on Highway 92, “We outgrew that office and have been growing ever since.” The new building, at just over 33,000 square feet, houses the Pinnacle Physicians office, Pinnacle Physical Therapy and Pinnacle Imaging Center, including MRI. The Outpatient Surgery Center will open this summer. “We have been looking forward to this new office to better serve our patients, with better space, equipment and technology,” said Dr. Kuczmanski, Managing Physician. “This is a great asset to our patients.”
www.pinnacle-ortho.com 1505 Stone Bridge Parkway
Pinnacle Orthopaedics provides musculoskeletal care in all facets of orthopaedic care, including general orthopaedics, fracture and trauma care, sports medicine and arthroscopy, joint replacement, spine, limb lengthening and deformity, hand, foot and ankle, and pain management. Pinnacle has 13 physicians in this new office: Paul Payne, M.D., Clark Glass, M.D., Mark Diehl, M.D., Stanley Dysart, M.D., Scott Swayze, M.D., John Day, M.D., Sam Fleming, M.D., Craig Chebuhar, M.D., Michael Kuczmanski, M.D., James Malcolm, M.D., Alan Swayze, M.D., Jessica Bilotta, M.D. and Javier Reto, M.D. March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lifestyle
Thermostats by Dan Jape A new generation of thermostats has come on the market. They not only control the temperature and humidity in your home, but can act as a live weather station, an air quality management system and a digital picture display. The high definition, touch-screen thermostats have advanced beyond normal thermostats; by performing functions never thought of just a few months ago. The programmable sevenday thermostats can switch from heating to cooling automatically, depending on temperature swings. They also monitor and control the humidity with an on-board humidity sensor. If the thermostat is connected to a variable speed furnace, the two pieces of equipment can be programmed to help remove up to 10 percent more moisture in the summer. The thermostat has an 7� LCD high definition screen that can display a number of different digital pictures. This can be much more esthetically pleasing than just looking at numbers or a blank screen. It also comes with a number of different color bezels that can change the look of the thermostat to any color wall it is mounted on. Also, the background color is customizable to one of eight colors. This new thermostat can also give the user remote control of the heating and cooling system via a web-enabled cell phone or a remote computer. This function could be very useful for people who do not know when they will arrive home and need to make sure their home is comfortable. Integrated control of a humidifier is also an added feature that keeps the homeowner from having to have separate controls for their furnace and accessory humidifier. It can even let you know when it is time to change your water pad. The thermostat is also a real time weather station, offering live weather displays that include forecasts, radar images, and weather alerts. A change filter program is also part of the new thermostat and it can remind you when it is time to clean or replace the air filter in your system. A program that records your system history of run times and energy usage is a very nice feature to help manage energy and comfort. You can program four temperature set points per day, and schedule your indoor fan to cycle on and provide air circulation and ventilation as well as air cleaning. An outdoor temperature sensor also is available as an option to let you know the outside temperature. A program that alerts you to potential problems with your system is a nice feature, giving the name and number of the service company to contact for assistance. A full-featured zoning system soon will be available, allowing the new thermostat to give you control of different rooms and create different temperature zones with one furnace and air conditioner. Call today for more information about this new comfort control and you will be very pleased with the features at your fingertips. Dan Jape is the owner of Reliable Heating & Air. You may contact him at (770) 594-9096. 52
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Lifestyle
Tuscany Italian Restaurant 250 Cinema Way, Woodstock • (678) 453-0888 by Kara Kiefer
B
ecause I don’t eat out as often as I used to, I want it all — outstanding service, a menu that offers a wide variety of amazing choices, and an atmosphere that makes you never want to leave. It’s not easy to find all these things, but after a recent visit to the “new” Tuscany, I can say, “I found it.”
Now that the stress of the day is leaving you, move on to the dining area and grab a table by one of the many windows that provide a beautiful view. But here comes the hard part — what to have for dinner? The menu offers many of the favorites customers have enjoyed for years, but there are a lot of new items to tempt you as well, including gluten-free and vegan options. You surely will find what you are craving, whether it’s pasta, baked dishes, pizza or sumptuous specials. And if you have room, be sure to indulge in one of the many homemade desserts. When I visited, I went big. I ordered the Osso Bucco. I’ve seen this dish on menus before, usually as a nightly special, but it’s available every night at Tuscany. It’s a veal shank, slow cooked in vegetables, fresh rosemary and red wine until it’s falloff-the-bone tender. It was served over a bed of cheesy risotto garnished with fresh herbs and lemon zest — unbelievably amazing!
While Tuscany is not new to Towne Lake, it has a new location and additional menu items. In 2010, owner Malek El Jiche purchased the building formerly owned by La Paz and went to work. The end result is a beautifully appointed restaurant with a luxurious lounge and bar area, climate controlled patio and plenty of high back and comfortable booths. Not one detail - from soft lighting to the fresh flowers on every table – was overlooked. This is a restaurant where you will want to spend hours, and return to again and again.
any type of business or group function, in the restaurant or off site. Off-site catering can range from simple drop off to full service set-up, serve and clean-up services. Tuscany serves lunch, starting at $4.99. Selections include several new salads including Bourbon Salmon and the Tuscan Wedge, paninis, pizza and lunch specials. A full lunch and dinner menu can be viewed at www.mytuscanygrill. com. Come see why Tuscany Italian Restaurant has been voted the Best Italian Restaurant by the AroundAboutTowneLaker readers for five years running! Mangia bene! (Eat well!)
Tuscany can accommodate your private functions, whether you have 10 or 110 people, with private and semi-private dining. Tuscany caters
I would recommend that you start your evening in the lounge, something that Towne Lake has lacked until now. Enjoy one of Tuscany’s signature cocktails while relaxing in one of the many leather sofas or chairs. Spend some time unwinding from the day and perhaps enjoy a small appetizer. 54
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What Does It Mean To Be a Veterinarian? by Dr. Randy Beck, DVM What does it mean to be a veterinarian? The simple answer is a veterinarian is a doctor who takes care of animals, however it involves so much more. It is one of the most rewarding professions a person could have and I would like to explain to you why. Like most veterinarians, I grew up with a huge passion for animals. I grew up in an area that did not have veterinarians available and going to the vet meant going somewhere to put your pet to sleep so that your dad did not have to shoot them to put them out of their misery. I always thought I would become a veterinarian and go back to my hometown in rural South Carolina and be that guy to help provide that care. Life brought me to the Atlanta area and well . . . here I am. I knew that my job would be diagnosing problems and correcting them. I knew I would get to perform “cool “ surgeries, use fancy equipment like ultrasounds and radiograph machines, and I even knew that I would have to, at times, put pets to sleep. I knew that I would need to get to know the patient, but what I soon realized that it was just as important, if not more important, to get to know the client who owns the pet. I always knew in theory that my job was to increase the bond between the animal and the owner, and this can only be done by getting to know both the patient and the client. For many clients with several pets, this means getting to know a lot of people and pets. I realized I would be forming a lot of relationships. When I first got out of veterinary school, I was ready to fix any problem that needed fixing. I was lucky to go to work with some really good doctors who helped show me the ropes and watch over me to help me mature professionally. I knew from the first day that all the “book smarts” in the world could not compare to experience and common sense. It took several years to feel confident enough to make it a go of my own. After practicing for seven years, I was able to come to Woodstock and become the owner of a small clinic. The previous owner was Dr. John Brown, who had been practicing in Cherokee County since 1968. All it took was the initial handshake to realize that I would really like Dr. Brown. I quickly learned that everyone called him Doc and that he and his wife Dianne were known by all. He came from an era when veterinarians worked 70-80 hours per week and did not have the luxury of having emergency clinics around to help give him a good quality of life. I still wonder how he managed to work all those hours, raise a family, stay happily married and be active continued on page 80 March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Lichens and Moss Don’t Kill Plants by Paul J. Pugliese Lichens and moss are often found growing on rocks, tortoise shells, window panes, and even plants. Since we know rocks are not living, then we also know lichens and moss do not infect or parasitize rocks. The same is true for plants that have lichens or moss growing on them. Lichens and moss are not true pathogens and do not cause disease in plants—they only use the plants as a surface to grow upon. If a tree or shrub begins to decline due to some sort of environmental stress or other plant disorder, then the reduced leaf canopy allows sunlight to enter and support lichen growth. Moss tends to grow on trees that are older, slower growing, and under heavy shade. The presence of lichens and moss is often an indicator of poor plant health, but it is never the cause. Lichens are composite, symbiotic organisms made up of members from as many as three biological kingdoms. The lichen fungi cultivate partners that manufacture food by a process known as photosynthesis. Sometimes the partners are algae, other times cyanobacterium, formerly called blue-green algae. Some enterprising fungi exploit both at once. The alga or cyanobacterium converts sunlight and carbon dioxide to food for the lichen fungus and, in return, the lichen fungus protects the alga/cyanobacterium from drying out. The fungus obtains water and minerals from the air and the material it is growing on. The alga provides carbohydrates and vitamins. Some blue-green algae fix nitrogen that is used by both the alga and the fungus. Nitrogen is also obtained from bird excrement,
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organic debris, or plant leachate. It has been said that lichens are fungi that have discovered agriculture. Lichens and moss do not “Lichen and moss cause plant damage and are considered harmless to plants. do not cause plant Moss actually prefers heavy damage and are shade and is often found considered harmless growing on the north side to plants.” of a tree’s bark. In contrast, lichens need sunlight to grow and if overall plant health is improved, a dense, vibrant leaf canopy should inhibit any sunlight available for lichen growth. Have you ever heard of the old saying: “A rolling stone gathers no moss?” I like to use this saying as an analogy to describe why lichens and moss don’t grow as much on healthy, active growing trees. As long as a stone or any other object is rolling or moving, then moss and lichens will not have a chance to grow or cling to the surface of the stone. The same is true for trees and shrubs—if a plant is actively growing, constantly expanding new bark and shedding old layers of bark, then those same moss and lichens would not have a chance to grow or cling to the trunks or limbs of that plant. On the other hand, trees and shrubs that are stressed, growing very slowly or just very old will have moss and lichens growing on them. One of the more common situations where we see lichens growing on trees is when they are planted in a small island in
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Feature
Summer Camps Guide
Sports Camps
Gold Swim Lessons Located at 1038 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Registering now for spring and summer programs. Specific schedules online at www.goldswim.com or call (770) 591-1998 for more information.
Eagle Watch Tennis Dates: June 6 – 9; June 27 – 30 Days/Time: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Ages: 9 – 14 years old Cost: $100/week Tennis will be an hour each day and other hour will be sports like golf, basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer and volleyball. 6U and 8U Camp Dates: May 31 – June 2; June 20 – 22; July 18 – 20 Days/Time: Monday – Wednesday 9 – 10 a.m. Ages: 5–6&7–8 Cost: $45 week Any child who pre-registers before May 1 for all three weeks will receive a free junior tennis racquet. 10 & Under Camp Dates: June 13-15; July 11-13; July 25 – 27 Days/Time: Monday – Wednesday 9 – 10 a.m. Age: 8 – 10 Cost: $45 week Any child who pre-registers before May 58
1 for all three weeks will receive a free junior tennis racquet. 12 & Under Camp Dates: May 31 – June 2; June 20 – 22, July 18-20 Days/Time: Monday – Wednesday, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Ages: 10 – 12 Cost: $65 per week The first six children who register before May 1 for each week will receive three free over-wraps.
14 & Under Camp Dates: June 13 – 15; July 11 – 13; July 25 – 27 Days/Time: Monday – Wednesday, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Ages: 12 – 14 Cost: $65 per week The first six children who register before May 1 for each week will receive three free over-wraps. Contact for all camps: Amanda Hall, amandahall724@gmail.com or (770) 9268508.
Green Acres Equestrian Center’s Summer Camp Dates: Weekly (Monday – Friday) May 30-July 29 Times: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; preschool 2:30 – 5 p.m. Preschool, Tuesdays and Thursdays Ages: 6 and older; preschool 3-5
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Location: 345 Bluebird Acres Road Cost: $300 week/ $275 siblings if registered by May 1. Preschool Camp: $75/week. Register at www.greenacresonline.com or call (770) 517-5154.
Woodstock Wolverine Basketball Camps Grades 6 – 12 Shooting Academy Dates: May 30 – 31 Time: 4 – 6 p.m. Cost: $55 Grades 6 – 12 Skills Camp Dates: June 6 – 9 Time: 1 – 4 p.m. Cost: $90 For both camps, the cost is $125 if registered by May 20 Grades 1 – 5 Skills Camp Dates: June 6 – 9 Time: 9 – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $80 All camps are limited to the first 60 paid applicants.
The Summit at All-Tournament Players Park Basketball Camps Shooting and Dribbling Date: June 13 – 17 Time: 9 a.m. – noon Ages: 1st – 8th grade boys and girls Fundamentals Date: June 27 – July 1 March 2011
Time: Ages:
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1st – 8th grade boys and girls
Shooting and Dribbling II Dates: July 18 – 22 Time: 9 a.m. – noon Ages: 1st – 8th grade boys and girls Camps will be held at 3910 Canton Road, Marietta. Visit www.summit-atpp.com or call (678) 384-6500.
Woodstock High School Volleyball Camp Dates: May 31 – June 2 Ages/Times: Rising 3rd – 5th graders 9 a.m. – noon Rising 6th-9th graders 1 – 4 p.m. The cost is $95 and includes a t-shirt and volleyball. Contact anita.dodd@cherokee. k12.ga.us for more information.
Day Camps
Camp Cherokee Dates: May 31 – July 29 Ages: 5 – 15 years Location: Cherokee Outdoor Family YMCA on Lake Allatoona, 201 E. Bells Ferry Road Cost: Starting at $130 per week; financial assistance available New camps this year! Lacrosse, Snag Golf, Hip Hop Dance and Circus. Classic favorites, too! Water Sports, Horseback, Outdoor Adventures and much more. Call (770) 345-9622 or visit www. cherokeeymcaregistration.com.
Club Scientific Dates: Weeks of June 20 and July 11 Ages: 4 – 14 Location: Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road Cost: $235 per week. Visit www.clubscientific.com or call (678) 880-6460.
Adventures Express Summer Day Camp Dates: Time: Ages: Location:
May 31 – July 29 7 – 9 a.m. drop off; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. camp activities; 4 – 6 p.m. pick up 6 – 12 Cherokee Parks and
Recreation Agency (CRPA), 7545 Main Street Cost: $25 registration fee; $120/ week. Siblings $110/week. Registration day will be April 16, 9 a.m. – noon at the CRPA.
Towne Lake Community Church Summer Day Camp Dates: May 31-July 29 Times/Cost: Half day, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., $75/week Full day, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., $115/week Ages: 4-11 Location: 132 N Medical Parkway There is a $20 registration fee. Call Shelly Kemp at (678) 445-8766 ext. 203 or email her at skemp@tlcchurch.com.
Park View Montessori Camp Dates: May 31 – July 29 Time: Open 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Ages: 3–8 Location: 6689 Bells Ferry Road Call (770) 926-0044 or visit www. parkviewmontessorischool.com
Special Needs Camps
Next Step Ministries, Summer Day Camp Dates: May 31-July 29 Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; additional care time available between 8- 9 a.m. and 3 – 5 p.m. Ages: Middle and high school, and recently transitioned with special needs Location: 3353 Trickum Road, Suite 100 Cost: $200-$250 per week For more information visit www. nextstepministries.net, or call Lori Baker at (770) 592-1227.
Music Camps Rock Music Camp Dates: June 13 – 17 July 11 – 15 Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ages: 8 - 14 Location: Ponier Music Woodstock, 5101 Old Highway 5, Suite 2, Canton Cost: $400/session. $375 if registered by April 1. Call (770) 928-8807
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Not listed? Send us your Summer Camp information to be listed in our April issue editor@townelaker.com Deadline is March 10. 59
Schools & Sports
Cherokee County School Board Update by Rob Usher First of all, I’d like to say that I am very thankful and honored to have been elected to serve on the Cherokee County Board of Education. Starting this month, I will be utilizing this space to keep you informed about the Cherokee County School District (CCSD).
and one re-elected member were sworn-in. The new members are Michael Geist, Robert Wofford, and myself. Rick Steiner was elected as chairman and Kim Cochran the vice-chair for 2011. The audience for this meeting was standing room only, and many were turned away at the door. The topic on the agenda that brought out the crowd was Item H-1 “Selection of Location(s) for 2011 CCSD High School Graduation Ceremonies.” Many audience members spoke about this topic, each voicing their support of holding graduation at Woodstock First Baptist Church. I was very impressed with the speakers, especially the students. Item H-1 was later unanimously approved by the Board. For me, this decision was a combination of personal experience, economics, and venue location.
In 1996, my wife Pam, daughters Meagan and Kimberly, and I moved to the neighborhood of Deer Run in Woodstock. Both of my daughters attended school in the Cherokee County School District. Meagan attended Chapman, Carmel, Woodstock Middle and graduated from Woodstock My family has experienced a graduation High School. Kimberly attended Chapman, ceremony at First Baptist, when my daughter Carmel, and Woodstock Middle School. She Meagan graduated from Woodstock. We had “. . . I’d like to say that then moved to Troup County to live with about 20 family members in attendance, and I am very thankful and her dad and graduated from Troup County it was wonderful. My daughter Kimberly’s honored to have been Comprehensive High School. My wife Troup County graduation was a case study in worked for a daycare in Towne Lake, teaching what can happen without the advantages of a elected to serve on the in the Pre-K program until 2004, when she large all-weather facility. Her graduation was Cherokee County Board joined the staff at Progressive Audiology planned for LaGrange College’s football field. of Education.” Center in Towne Lake. I have been working Many family members were present when it for Graphic Packaging International for the began to rain, and the ceremony was moved past 19 years. to the high school gym across town. Suddenly there was a limit of four guests per student, and most of our Since moving to Deer Run, I have been involved in many family — many of whom had come from out of state — did not community organizations. I have served on the Carmel get to witness the ceremony. Elementary PTA Basketball Committee. I have served on several committees within Deer Run, including chair of the Architectural Recently, the superintendent, school board members, and district Control and Tennis committees. I was elected and served on staff visited Kleven Boston Elementary for a luncheon. Principal the Homeowner’s’ Association Board of Directors. Committees Les Conley, and Assistant Principals Susan Newman and I’ve served on for the City of Woodstock and Cherokee County Yolanda Torres-English welcomed us. As I toured the schools, I include Vice Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Agency, was very impressed with how well organized everything seemed Impact Fee Committee, and Ethics Board for the City of to be. All of the children we encountered would have made their Woodstock, as well as the Cherokee Comprehensive Land Use parents very proud. Committee. During the first meeting of the year, three new board members
Rob Usher is Post 6 Representative of the Cherokee County School Board. You may contact Mr. Usher at Rob.Usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us.
Send Us Your Prom Photos! email: editor@townelaker.com Please identify people in the photos from left to right. Deadlines: Etowah, April 10; Woodstock, June 10
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My Senior Project by Katie Richardson As a senior at Etowah High School, I am required to complete a Senior Project that is centered on discovering more about a career that I want to pursue in the future. When it was time to embark on the project, I was clueless about what my career choice would be. I finally decided that because I enjoy keeping up with the news, I would explore journalism. I guess I’m sort of a news junkie. The project has been a challenge for me because it required that I reach out and contact people to make the project come together. It has caused me to exercise my communication skills. For my project, I began working with Jovita Moore from WSB TV to learn more about the news media. I interviewed Jovita, toured the studio, and joined the staff in the studio while the 6-o’clock news was being filmed. During the time I spent at the TV station, I saw firsthand how much work it takes to find stories and present them to the public. The next week I attended a student symposium hosted by Monica Pearson, who also works for WSB. I listened to what she and other WSB employees had to say about working with the news media and what they had to do to get into the business. Along with my goal of learning about journalism from the professionals, I also wanted to try it out myself. I joined the Etowah newspaper staff and I am now a staff reporter for the Talon. This has turned out to be a great decision for me personally because I have gotten to experience journalism on a small scale. Before I started, I was not sure about what type of career I may want to work toward. As a result of these experiences, I have become much more certain about what I want to do than I ever was before. This project created a window for me to look through. It has shown me a job I can pursue that I could possibly completely enjoy. Most look at the Senior Project as a negative thing that makes their senior year painful. However, if students use it to learn about something they are actually interested in, it can be used as a powerful tool to test the waters of a possible career. Students should remember to just have fun with it. As I get closer to graduating, the more real my career gets for me. I learn about my strengths and weaknesses the further I work toward my aspirations and exert myself to reach my goals. As my high school career comes to an end, I am hopeful that I will be able to use my accomplishments as a motivator while I enter college and pursue my career goals. Katie Richardson is a Senior at Etowah High School. March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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You Can Make A Difference Joe Lemmo’s 7th grade Language Arts students at E.T. Booth share their thoughts with the community. Danielle Lutz Have you ever had a problem or “obstacle” in your life? Maybe it was a big one like a loss, or a small one like a bad hair day! Many kids don’t admit it, but their families most likely go through obstacles or hard times. For some kids, it’s possible that they have a hard time coping, while others are able to take it easier. Many times, if it’s a little obstacle, you try to avoid it or just get it over with. I can relate to these things because I have been in the situation where you lose someone, or your parents get a divorce, or you go through some hard time that you may not be able to cope with well. But I, however, have learned how to cope. I think of how supportive my friends can be, and how much they care. Sometimes if I’m sad, I’ll invite friends over or go over to a friend’s house, to get my mind off what I’m sad about. It really helps especially if they’ve experience what I’m going through. Friends, in my opinion, make it so much easier! Even if you get a bad haircut, and it looks really bad, your friends can help you forget about it while also making you feel better. I think my friends are like family. And with them, I feel I can cope with anything! No matter how bad or sad it might be!
Rachel Mangum Obstacles in life are the hardest things to deal with, and people like to handle them differently. But in the end, it all depends on the situation you’re in. For me, my biggest obstacle was losing my mom in December of 2010. To help deal with this big change in my life, I do different things based on how I feel on that particular day. On my “good days,” I like to get out of the house and to do something fun. Whether it be going to the movies, walking to the park, or just hanging out with friends, it’s important to have fun when you can! For my “bad days” I like to be alone. I’ll sit up in my room and just play music. Sometimes I will even paint. I just like to keep my mind busy. Another thing I also find helpful is being able to talk to my friends and my family about anything. It’s helpful to let your feelings out every once-in-a-while. Different obstacles in people’s lives affect them in different ways. Some things will help you, and others won’t. It’s all in the way you go about trying to help yourself. And that’s one of the most important things you should never forget to take care of…yourself!
Samuel Bouchard Many obstacles and events slow people down every day! Everyone has a story. Some stories may be sad, some good, and maybe some are a mixture of both. People are different and go through different things. One person can have a very nice life with nice cars, a big home, and lots of money. Another can drive an old beaten down car, live in a trailer, and just have enough money for food. Things can happen by just a snap of a finger! Death, sickness, drug addiction, emotional situations, big accidents, and divorce, are just some of the many things. There are several different situations that people suffer through including you and me. I think we just need to remain positive and be thankful for what we have.
Peyton Mooneyhan Everyone has gone through some sort of obstacle at some point in his/her life. It doesn’t matter how big the situation is, it can still affect you. I have been fortunate enough to be able to say I have never gone through a major problem in my life. Although life hasn’t always been easy, I’ve always felt good about my past. I always feel bad for my friends that are going through a rough time. I’m not always sure what to say because I don’t know how they feel. I try to continue being a good friend and remind them that I’m always going to be there for them! You never know when a problem will happen. Hopefully, you will be able to go through life without a lot of major situations. If one of your friends is going through a rough time, just be there for them! Remember life isn’t always perfect, so hang in there! 62
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How Much Do You Remember? You have played many tennis matches, and you have won more than you have lost. That is the hope, anyway. How much can you remember from a match that you played last week or six months ago or maybe five years ago? One of the keys to improving is to develop the ability to recall moments in matches that occurred in the past to allow you to learn from them and hopefully to repeat the good stuff and avoid the bad. Are you better now than you were four years ago? Do you choose to play the correct shot at the right time? The good players out there do the simple stuff well and they play shots that they know they have a good chance of making. Do you remember the shot you attempted, in your last match, when you were playing on the Add court and the score was 4030? Do you choose a different shot when the score changes or do you just play the same way? Is there any difference between the score being four all and 40 – 30 as opposed to one all and 4030? Here are some ideas on this and how remembering what you attempted will “The good players out allow you to choose a better there do the simple shot next time up.
stuff well and they play shots that they know they have a good chance of making.”
Not every point is equal, although every point should be played as if it is match point. The 15-all point is different from the 30-all point because the person who wins the 30-all point sets up a game point. This means that points are either conservative points or they are points that you can afford to take a chance on. A conservative point is a point that you attempt, that gives you the best chance of success. A cross-court return gives you a better chance of winning the point than does a down the line shot. If you attempt the down the line shot on a 30-40 point and miss it, you give the game for free. When the score is 40-15 and you are serving, this is considered a point that you can take more of a risk on. You might attempt to poach or any other trick move that you have practiced. If you have no trick moves for these occasions, then you need to learn some. Many players get to 40 only to find the other player catching up time and again. So play the score and get better results. Do you remember what you did last time you won the first set? It drives me insane when I see players win the first set and then take a lengthy bathroom break only to come back and lose the second set without understanding why this happened. Tennis is a game of momentum shifts. A typical shift comes at the start of the second set. Don’t take too big a break between sets if you are winning. It is uncanny to me how one set can be so different continued on page 80 March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Counselors of Year Selected Six Cherokee County School District counselors recently were selected as the Counselor of the Year for their Innovation Zones. Locally, Donna Ratliff (top left) was selected for the Etowah Zone and Rod Metcalf for the Woodstock Zone. Rod has been a counselor in Cherokee County for 14 years, working at Woodstock Middle School. “This certainly is an honor. Working as a counselor with such hard working and caring staff members is a great experience. When students feel safe, cared for and respected, they are more likely to work hard and be successful in school. My favorite part of the job is watching students try new things, find success and then watch that success turn into new found confidence.” Donna has worked as a counselor in Cherokee County for the last 18 years. She has worked at Woodstock Middle, Chapman Intermediate and most recently at E.T. Booth Middle schools. Of the honor, Donna said, “I consider myself fortunate because I really enjoy my job as a school counselor. I feel privileged to participate in the growth and development of the youth in our community who will impact our world.”
Woodstock Science Teams Fare Well at Competitions The Woodstock High School National Science Bowl teams (Red and Blue) recently competed in a sub-regional competition. The Red Team advanced to the state competition, held in late February. Members of the Red Team include Alex Tran, Kinsey Williams, Alyssa Yaeger and Anh Nguyen. The Blue Team also performed well and won all but two rounds in the preliminary competition. Blue Team members include Science Bowl questions focus on areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science, and Mathematics. Red Team members include Krishan Patel, James Newton, Lajoura Green and Mansi Vadodaria.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths creates wigs for women who have lost their hair after receiving cancer treatments. A minimum of eight inches of hair is required. More information can be found at www.Pantene.com/BeautifulLengths. This is Rylan’s second time donating her hair. She first donated to Locks of Love while she was in Kindergarten. Way to go, Rylan!
Booth Students Win Bikes E.T. Booth Middle School students, Sawyer Gipson and Tyler Andersen recently wo mountain bikes for achieving perfect attendance during the first semester of school. Their names were chosen by random drawing from the 280 eligible students. The bikes were donated by Clyde Holmes of Invest Financial Corporation. Left to right: Sawyer Gipson, Clyde Holmes, Principal Dawn Weinbaum and Tyler Andersen.
Cherokee Christian Students Chosen to be Page Five middle school students from Cherokee Christian Schools won the “Page for a Day” contest with Senator Chip Rogers. Each student submitted a 500-word essay on the topic “My Favorite Georgian.” The contest was open to all 12-17-yearold students in Senator Rogers’ district. The students will be a “Page for a Day” on March 17.
The National Ocean Sciences Bowl Academic Team finished third of the 16 teams competing in regional competition. Team members are Nathan Rich, Mary Penniman, Emily Pearson and Alexia Musselman.
Carmel Student Cuts Hair for Charity Rylan Puent, a fourth grade student at Carmel Elementary School, recently donated 10½ inches of her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. 64
Left to right: Tori Gregg, Breanne Cunningham, Rachel Caldwell, Olya Stang and Jana Pomerantz.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
Wilson Named Region Athletic Director of the Year Chuck Wilson, Athletic Director at Woodstock High, has been selected as Region 5-AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year. The selection was made by the region’s principals, and he will compete against other region winners for the title of state Athletic Director of the Year this spring. Wilson moved into his current administrative role as assistant principal at Woodstock in 2005 and was appointed Athletic Director in 2006. Under his leadership, the Wolverines have won three state championships: softball in 2006, individual track in 2007 and diving in 2008. In addition, nine teams have qualified for the state playoffs during his tenure. “We are tremendously proud of Coach Wilson and the winning tradition he has brought to our athletic program,” said Principal Bill Sebring.
Local Tennis Players Win in Tournament Three local junior tennis players recently won in a USTA sanctioned satellite tournament. Colby Flaig (below left) won in the boys 10U; Maggie Messerly (below right) won in the girls 10U, and Troy Wilms won the boys 14U. Congratulations!
WHS Girls’ Lacrosse
Woodstock High School Girls’ Lacrosse Home Schedule Thu. 3/3 — 7:30 p.m. Tue. 3/8 5:55 p.m. Wed. 3/23 5:55 p.m.
Woodstock High vs. Sprayberry Woodstock High vs. Kennesaw Mountain Woodstock High vs. Pope
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Feature
Scouting
Scouting provides amazing opportunities for boys and girls, from Kindergarten through adult hood. Children who participate in scouting learn about serving their community, gain leadership experience, learn to work as a team as well as how to accomplish individual goals and gain friendships that can last a lifetime. Children can join scouts at any age, and there are many boy and girl scout troops throughout the Towne Lake area. To find one near you or get more information, visit www.scouting.org or www.cpds.org (Cherokee/Pickens district) for boys and www.girlscouts.org for girls.
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March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Feature
Etowah High School College Signings Brett Madden • Baseball East Georgia College
Braden Nolan • Football Carson-Newman College
Christopher McIsaac Cross Country/Track • The Citadel
Christopher Vermilya • Baseball Calhoun Community College
Christian Harris • Football University of Tennessee
D’Andre Jackson • Football Tusculum College Jason Holdway • Football Harvard University
Connor Gilbert • Baseball Chattanooga State Community College
Nicholas Merino • Football Fordham University
Photos by Skip Daugherty 68 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Alec Cohen • Swimming University of Georgia March 2011
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Feature
Etowah High School College Signings
Kaleigh Clarke • Soccer Reinhardt University
Carleen Striss • Soccer Emmanuel College
cont’d
Hayley Morton • Soccer Tennessee Tech University
Woodstock High School College Signings
Kevin Bolak • Football William Penn University
Tanner Skogen • Football Furman University
Corey Santiago • Football Charleston Southern University
Photos by Skip Daugherty
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Schools & Sports
School Information Public Schools Bascomb Elementary School 1335 Wyngate Parkway Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 592-1091 Principal: Ruth Flowers www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ bascomb-es Carmel Elementary School 2275 Bascomb-Carmel Road Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 926-1237 Principal: Keith Bryant www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ carmel-es Chapman Intermediate School 6500 Putnam Ford Road Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 926-6424 Principal: Dr. Pam Colvin www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ chapman-es E. T. Booth Middle School 6550 Putnam Ford Road Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 926-5707 Principal: Dawn Weinbaum www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etbooth-ms Etowah High School 6565 Putnam Ford Road Woodstock, GA 30189, (770) 926-4411 Principal: Keith Ball www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etowah-hs Kleven Boston Elementary School 105 Othello Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 924-6260 Principal: Les Conley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/boston-es Polaris Evening School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, GA. 30189, (770) 926-1662 Administrator: Bob Hahn www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/polaris 72
Woodstock High School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 592-3500 Principal: William Sebring www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ woodstock-hs Woodstock Middle School 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, GA 30189, (770) 592-3516 Principal: Mark Smith www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ woodstock-ms
Private Schools American Heritage Academy 2126 Sixes Road Canton, GA 30114 (770) 926-7779, www.ahacademy.com Principals: Maryann Radnovich (PreK & K) Sharon Day (1 — 12 grade) PTO President: Fran Chandler Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School 3075 Trickum Road Woodstock, GA 30188 (678) 494-5464, www.cherokeechristian. org Principal: Hal Scripka Furtah Preparatory School 5496 Highway 92 Acworth, GA 30102 (678) 574-6488, www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Fred Furtah
Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road Acworth, GA 30102 (770) 974-9091, www.harvestbaptist.org Principal: David Goings Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd. Woodstock, GA 30188 (770) 926-0166 www.lyndonacademy.org Headmaster: Linda Murdock North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 975-0252 www.ncchristian.org Headmaster: Todd Clingman Omega Learning Center 5330 Brookstone Drive, NW, Suite 320 Acworth, GA (770) 792-7431 Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 926-7729 www.shilohhills.com Administrator: John D. Ward St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 428-3328 www.stjosephschool.org Principal: Pat Allen
Cherokee County School District 2010 – 2011 Calendar at a Glance
April 4 – 8
Spring Break
May 27
Last Day of School
Etowah Graduation
Sat. May 28, 9 a.m. First Baptist Church of Woodstock
Woodstock Graduation
Sat. May 28, 5 p.m. First Baptist Church of Woodstock
Cafeteria account information: www.mealpayplus.com Aspen: https://sis.cherokee.k12.ga.us/aspen/home.do School District Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Faith
Last Storm of Winter by Dr. Doug Thrasher I was talking with someone the other day and we had just heard about another possible winter storm. After living through the ice in December and the storm that kept us cooped up for almost a week in January, my friend commented, “Well this should be the last storm this winter.” I laughed and told him about the blizzard of 1993. I was living in Rome, Georgia, at the time. The weather had been mild, as it usually was in early March in Georgia. The youth of the church were scheduled to go on a retreat in Dahlonega that weekend. Suddenly, we started hearing reports about a major winter storm developing. On Wednesday, the retreat was cancelled. I remember thinking that it would have been fun to be at Camp Glisson with a bunch of teenagers in the snow. On Thursday, all the bread and milk at the grocery stores was gone, as well as most of the videos at the video store. My whole family was excited thinking about playing in the snow and then coming inside to warm up and watch videos. On Friday, March 12, it started snowing unlike anything I’d ever seen in my lifetime in Georgia. The kids were all outside playing in it. It was fun. But, it kept snowing. In fact, it was a blizzard. And at 5 a.m. on Saturday, the power went off. Then, it started getting scary. A friend of mine had lent us a kerosene heater. He called and told us he needed it for his family and invited us to stay with them. He came and got us in his four-wheel-drive truck and we spent the night there, using the space heater and a gas oven to keep warm. The next day, he took us home and we spent that day with our neighbors in front of their fire place, cooking on our gas grill. I spent the day shoveling the driveway. We slept in a cold house. On the third day, the power came back on at our house, but it took more than a week for power to be restored all around Rome. I even recruited another church member who had a four-wheeldrive truck and we rescued an elderly lady and her friend who had resorted to burning furniture to stay warm. There were funny moments – like the time I was walking with my son through some woods and he stepped into a snow drift and sank up to his neck. And you should see the picture of me shoveling snow, knit cap, flannel shirt, red faced and nose dripping. I looked like someone straight from the Klondike! But the thing I remember most about that storm is how people helped each other. For those few days, our personal agendas didn’t matter. What mattered was helping our neighbor. And we were all blessed. Dr. Doug Thrasher is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church. He is also a member of the AroundAbout — TowneLaker’s Community Board. You may contact him at dthrasher@hillsideumc.org. 74
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Faith
Marriage Moments by Rev. Bill Ratliff Every so often I hear a story of unconditional love in a marriage that is a true standout. Recently, I heard such an account from one partner in a loving marriage. One of the marital partners wanted some cute and cuddly little kittens. The other one was definitely a dog person and could barely stand to be around cats. That partner, however, received the kittens into their castle anyway because of his love for spouse. He came to the realization that kittens are very intelligent, and if kittens perceive you as unwilling to do things their way, they will let you have it. On one occasion, a kitten used the laundry room as his bathroom, requiring several hours of cleanup time. On another occasion, the partner climbed into bed and felt dampness on his side of the bed. He turned to his wife and asked if anyone had spilled something on the bed. When the answer was no, a thorough inspection of the bed led to an unpleasant discovery. The kitties had urinated on one side of the bed. Prior to these incidents, this husband had become a “cat person” by starting to love the kittens. After this event, they drove a good distance to a vet to get the kittens neutered. They had an appointment, waited patiently in line with the kittens for what seemed like an eternity, only to be turned away when they reached the front of the line. They were rescheduled for three weeks later, the exact time the couple would be on vacation. This spouse turned down the vacation to stay home with the newly neutered kittens. I have to respond to the kitten story with all-out applause. It is certainly a prime example of unconditional love. According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient and kind. Isn’t that what love is all about?
Date Your Mate: Go to the pet store. Act like children. Ooh and aah over the kittens, puppies and other animals. Pet them and play with them and have fun. Bringing an animal into your home might just be one more way to show your spouse how much you love him or her. Bill Ratliff is the Senior Pastor at Towne Lake Community Church. He is also a member of the Around About — TowneLaker’s Community Board. He can be reached at (678) 445-8766.
Send Us Your Easter Service Times editor@townelaker.com or fax: (770) 516-4809 April deadline is March 10. 76
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Faith
Towne Lake Area Religious Services Baptist
Jewish
Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 592-7007 Sunday Services: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Bob Goodner
Chabad Jewish Center 1635 Old Hwy 41 NW, Suite 112-265, Kennesaw (770) 771-9952, info@JewishwestCobb.com Introductory Service: 1st Shabbat of each month at 11 a.m. Traditional Service: 3rd Shabbat of each month at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi: Zalman Charytan www.JewishWestCobb.com
First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, (770) 926-4428 Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Johnny M. Hunt www.fbcw.org Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth, (770) 917-9100 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Wednesday Services: Youth 6:30 p.m., Adults 7 p.m. Pastor: Paul Vance New Victoria Baptist Church 6659 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-8448 Sunday Services: 8:30 & 10:50 a.m Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Awana: 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Monty Guice www.newvictoriabaptistchurch.org South Cherokee Baptist Church 7504 Highway 92, (770) 926-0422 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steven Lambert
Episcopal Christ Episcopal Church 1210 Wooten Lake Road, Kennesaw, (770) 422-9114 Sunday Services: 8 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. praise music, 7 p.m. Eucharist Rector: Doris Graf Smith Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, (770) 479-1778 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Morning Prayer: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Rector: Kurt Wheeler Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 395-5003 Saturday Service: 5:30 p.m. Priest: Stephen Hunter Episcopal Church of the Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Road, Marietta, (770) 928-7916 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Rector: Rev. Paul McCabe www.annunciationepiscopal.org Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church 2795 Ridge Road, Canton, (770) 345-6722 Sunday Eucharist Services: 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Christian Education: 10 a.m. Wednesday Eucharist Service: 6:30 p.m. Rector: James B. Stutler
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Tikvah l’ Chaim “Hope for Life” Messianic Jewish Fellowship 132 North Medical Parkway, Woodstock (678) 936-4125 or (678) 445-8766 Shabbat Services — Saturday’s 10 a.m. Rabbi Gary Maxted www.tlchaim.com (partnering with TLC Church, Woodstock, GA)
Lutheran Celebration of Grace Lutheran Church 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton (770) 503-5050 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Nursery available Sunday School: 9 a.m., Faith Formation: 9 a.m. Pastor: Virginia Krekling www.CelebrationofGrace.org Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1208 Rose Creek Drive (770) 924-7286, sheeptalk-gslc@comcast.net Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Thursday Youth Activities: 6:30 p.m. Pastors: Paul Baumgartner & Justin Ask www.goodshepherdwoodstock.org Timothy Lutheran Church (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 928-2812 Sunday Services: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Stephen Constien
Orthodox St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Service at the Woodstock Funeral Home Chapel, 8855 Main Street, Woodstock (770) 485-0504 Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Priest Frederick Watson www.stelizabethga.org
Presbyterian Cherokee Presbyterian Church, PCA 1160 Butterworth Road, Canton, (770) 704-9594 Sunday Services: 9 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday School: 11 a.m. Pastor: Alan Lutz www.cherokee-pca.org Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-3558 Sunday Services: 9 & 11:10 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Pastor: Dr. Sid Gunter www.heritagepres.com Sixes Presbyterian Church Meeting at our Fellowship Hall at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton, (770) 485-1975 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Lucas Pina www.sixeschurch.org Woodstock Presbyterian Church 345 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-0074 Adult Sunday School: 10 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Dr. Jake Marshall
Roman Catholic St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 490 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 516-0009 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9 & 11 a.m. & 12:45 & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass: 2:30 p.m. Pastor: Larry Niese www.stmichaelthearchangelwoodstock.catholicweb.com Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5 p.m. Sunday Masses: 8 & 10 a.m. & 12 noon Sunday Spanish Mass: 2 p.m. Pastor: Monsignor Patrick Bishop www.transfiguration.com
United Methodist Bascomb United Methodist Church 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 926-9755 Contemporary Service: 9 a.m. Traditional Service: 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Millie Kim www.bascombumc.org CITY ON A HILL United Methodist Church Worship Experiences at Johnston Elementary School 2031 East Cherokee Drive, (404) 862-7850 Sunday Service: 9 & 10:45 a.m. Nursery available at both times Pastor: Chris Bryant www.COAHUMC.org First United Methodist Church of Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 926-6440 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Over 50s meet 1st Saturday each month at 11:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Claude Herbert Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 924-4777 Traditional Services: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Contemporary Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m Pastor: Dr. Doug Thrasher www.hillsideumc.org
March 2011
Liberty Hill Church at the Mill 141 Railroad Street (678) 493-8920 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Nursery available Pastor: Jamey Prickett www.libertyhillumc.org Sixes United Methodist Church 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton (770) 345-7644 Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Jim Buckman www.sixesumc.org
Other Churches Allen Temple, AME Church 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-6348 Prayer Time: Friday, 7:14 — 8:14 p.m. Sunday Services: 8 & 11 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Carl A. Moore, Sr. www.allentempleame.org Bells Ferry Church of God 6718 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 592-2956 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Ted Wooldridge www.bellsferry.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth, (770) 917-4964 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steve Pettit www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe Church Meeting at Woodstock Middle/High School (770) 517-2977 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m. Pastor: Mat Garcia www.bridgepointechurch.org Celebration Church 340 Towne Lake Parkway, (678) 461-9626 Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. Cherokee Seventh Day Adventist 101 Rope Mill Road (770) 591-7304 Saturday Worship: 11 a.m. Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Jonathan Williamson Christ the King Church of Greater Atlanta 6464 Highway 92 (770) 924-9161 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Larry Tomczak www.ctkatlanta.com Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main Street, Suite 250 (behind NAPA) (678) 494-2193 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Marc Lawson www.ngca.org
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Allatoona Ward, 2205 Bascomb Carmel Road Sunday School & Auxiliary Meetings: 12:30 p.m. Sacrament Meeting: 2:15 p.m. Bishop Phil Karski Canton Ward, 3459 E. Cherokee Drive, Canton Sunday School & Auxiliary Meetings: 10:20 a.m. Sacrament Meeting: 9 a.m. Bishop Scott Harman Church of the Messiah (Non-denominational) 415 Charles Cox Drive, Canton (770) 479-5280 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Fred L. Goodwin Cornerstone Community Church 503 Hickory Ridge Trail Suite 160 (678) 439-5108, dlkight@comcast.net Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor David Kight www.ccchurchonline.org Covenant Christian Center 330 Adam Jenkins Memorial Blvd, Canton (770) 345-0307 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Apostle Kito J. Johnson www.CityOfCovenant.org Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Drive, Woodstock (770) 516-5733 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Tony Crawford www.dayspring-online.com Faith Family Church 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth (770) 926-4560 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Tommy White Freedom Church Meeting at North Cobb High School 3400 Old Highway 41 NW, Kennesaw (770) 529-6006 Sunday Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. www.freedomchurch.tv Pastor: J.R. Lee Jubilee Church (Newfrontiers) Meets at Kell High School 4770 Lee Waters Road, Marietta (678) 471-1930 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. www.jubileechurch.us Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth (Cherokee Corners) (404) 663-1828 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Donna T. Lucas
The Pointe Church Hasty Elementary, 205 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, (404) 557-9640 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Brian Jones www.myfriendschurch.com Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship Church 6409 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 928-2795 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Christian Living Class: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Youth Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Larry H. Baker http://www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican Church 231 Arnold Mill Road (770) 591-0040 Holy Communion: Sunday 10 a.m. Christian Education (all ages): Sunday 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Greg Goebel www.resurrectionwoodstock.org Towne Lake Community Church (TLC Church) 132 North Medical Parkway (678) 445-8766 Contemporary Family Style Worship: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Messianic Jewish Fellowship (Tikvah l’Chaim): Saturday 10 a.m. The Walk — Adult Singles Worship: Saturday 6 p.m. Celebrate Recovery: Friday 6 p.m. Sr. Pastor William S. Ratliff www.tlcchurch.com Unity Christ Church 2871 Cherokee St., Kennesaw (770) 422-9552 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Terrence Padgett www.unitycc.com Woodstock Christian Church 7700 Highway 92 (770) 926-8238 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Small Groups: 6 p.m. Wednesday Meal: 6 p.m.; Worship: 6:40 p.m.; Program: 7 p.m. Pastor: Lynn Eynon www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road (770) 926-8838 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Servico En Espanol Domingo: 10:30 a.m. Aprenda Ingles Gratis (Free ESL): Lunes 7 — 9 p.m. Ministro: Rafael Uzcategui, (770) 926-8271 Pastor: Bryan Collins www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org
Momentum Church 110 Londonderry Court Suite 130, Woodstock, on Hwy 92 — ½ mile east of Hwy 5 (678) 384-4919 Sunday Service Times: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Ross Wiseman www.MomentumChurch.tv
Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 924-4499 Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7 p.m. Pastor: Greg Brown www.wcnga.com
Northern Hills Church of Christ 4563 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 579-0885 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Ronny West www.northernhillsfamily.org
Woodstock Community Church 8534 Main Street (770) 926-8990 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Greg Michael
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The Life of a Coupon
Considerations When Investing
continued from page 18
continued from page 21
reports of two major grocery stores show a profit increase of $3.2 and $3.4 billion from last year at this time! They are making a profit despite the economy and coupons. Wouldn’t you like to be profiting from the use of coupons? After all the manufacturers’ hard work to give us those nice coupons, and knowing what you know about them now, I hope you will give them a try. Lisa Huffman, wife of a Marine and mother of two, has enjoyed bargain hunting, couponing, and teaching others how to do the same for years. She has been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal and the American Association of Administrative Professionals.
Sleep. Is it Overrated? continued from page 30
Slow it down. Establish a few hours of quiet time before bed. Make sleep a priority. Allow eight hours in bed as often as possible. l Work out early. Exercise regularly, but not within three to six hours before bedtime. Staying active during the day can lower stress and provide feelings of relaxation. l Don’t lose sleep over losing sleep. Take the extra time to follow healthy sleeping habits, and you’ll be more productive, healthier, alert, and functioning at your best. l l
For most of us seeking vibrant health, the choice is clear. Remember, it’s your choice! For more information, contact Dr. Jared at Discover Chiropractic in Towne Lake (770) 516.9900
What Does it Mean to be a Veterinarian? continued from page 55
in so many organizations. We all think that life used to be more simple, yet it was every bit as hard to juggle everything and stay balanced. Dr. Brown died recently. We lost a great veterinarian with a wonderful heart. He helped pave the way not just for myself, but for many veterinarians in this county and he was instrumental in helping form the local emergency clinic. Shortly after I received the phone call of his passing from his wife, I had one of our clinic’s long-standing clients come in with his cat. This client first started seeing Dr. Brown more than 40 years ago in 1968. After relaying the sad news to him, we talked about the pets that he has had over the years and many great stories of how Dr. Brown helped to keep them all healthy. I could see in his face that he had been more than a client of Dr. Brown, but rather he was a friend with a strong relationship to the man himself. I tell you this because for years I thought I had it figured as to what it meant to be a veterinarian. I see things differently now. Dr. Randy Beck is the owner of South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital located at 513 Sharp Street in Woodstock. 80
Another consideration that affects your return on investment is property taxes. Many homes in these speculative areas were involved in fraudulent transactions and are assessed for 10 times their current value. Location is important when you have numerous rentals. Because we bought most of our rentals at foreclosure in one county, our rentals were almost all within 15 minutes of each other. This is very helpful when doing preventive maintenance or when you get simultaneous service calls. Our handyman could deal with problems at four properties in a day because of their proximity to each other. The risk to having your properties close to one another is the lack of diversification of your rental portfolio. Can you imagine the house ever selling to a retail customer? Some of the best deals are in areas where retail buyers haven’t bought in five years and there is little hope for prosperity in 10 more years. Positive cashflow is NOT enough to make a property a good investment. Appreciation should be the determining factor on the purchase of a rental, not cashflow. A rental that nets you $400 a month cash flow for 60 months is nothing compared to a great home that nets $0 cash flow but appreciates 50 percent in five years. Because of the depressed values we are experiencing, it is easy to find a good deal on a retail friendly home that could appreciate more than 100 percent in 5 years. The metro area is full of junkers for $12,000 to $50,000 that may never have retail appeal. Yet there are plenty of neighborhoods with four -bedroom, two-bath homes for $65,000 that will see $150,000 again in five years. Homes that have no retail appeal have to be sold on a “wholesale basis” to other investors who will be evaluating the property only on a “cash flow basis.” The widest margins are achieved when making the sale to a retail buyer on an “emotional basis.” Kurt and Sheila Johnson have bought, renovated, rented and sold more than 130 homes for their own investment since 2000. www. KurtandSheila.com. (404) 954-2486.
What Do You Remember? continued from page 63
from the other, merely because the score was reset to 0-0. This pattern has been repeating itself over and over and it makes me understand that winning the first set means nothing. Extreme care needs to be taken after winning a set. I hope you teach yourself to remember more about your previous experiences and avoid the mistakes of the past. Mark Billson is Director of Tennis at Towne Lake Hills Tennis Club. He is USPTR certified with more than 20 years teaching experience. He works with players of all ages and levels. Mark can be contacted at tlhtennis@comcast.net.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
81
Reference
Towne Lake Area Clubs and Organizations Business Organizations American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter Meeting: Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, (678) 493-3618 Cherokee Area Business Connection Meeting: Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Cherokee Financial Women International Contact: Mitzi Saxon, (770) 479-3400 Cherokee Toastmasters Meeting: Every Wednesday from 12 noon Location: Keller Williams Realty, 220 Heritage Pkwy Contact: Steve Monahan, (770) 712-4077 Website: www.CherokeeToastmasters.com No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meeting: Every Thursday morning at 7:30am Location: Corner Bistro off Towne Lake Pkwy Contact: Stephanie Natarus, (770) 928-2700 stephanie@livinginsured.com Website: http://www.meetup.com/No-Fee Referral-Network-Woodstock/ North Georgia Referral Network Meeting: Every Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Steve Green, (770) 427-2799 Together We Rise Meeting: Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280 Towne Lake Business Association Meeting: March 15, 12:30 p.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 615-3350 Website: www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meeting: Every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 (404) 816-3377 Website: www.powercore.net Woodstock Business Networking Group Meeting: Thursdays at 7:45 a.m. Location: Atlanta Bread Company on Highway 92 Contact: Lee West, (770) 591-7101 Woodstock Community Business Association Meeting: Second Monday at 12 noon Location: Latimer Hall Contact: info@woodstockcba.com Women of Woodstock Meeting: First & third Wednesday. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Stephanie Natarus, (770) 928-2700 stephanie@livinginsured.com Website: www.womenofwoodstock.com
Charitable Organizations Ahimsa House help for victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety. Contact: 24-hour, (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 Website: www.ahimsahouse.org Chance Afrika Contact: Eric Mwangi, Exec. Dir., ericm@chanceafrika. org, (770) 256 2280, www.chanceafrika.org Cherokee County Animal Shelter Auxiliary Contact: (770) 704-PAWS or ccasa4paws@yahoo.com Website: www.ccasauxiliary.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS)
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Contact: (770) 928-5115, admin@cchumanesociety.org Website: www.cchumanesociety.org CCHS Thrift Store located at 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072, accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for CCHS. Cherokee County Special Olympics Meeting: First Monday at 7 p.m. Location: CrossRoads Middle/High School Contact: Colleen Konwick, (770) 517-7101 Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton, (770) 345-8100 Contact: Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Companion Animal Connection Contact: (678) 493-9847 Website: www.cacadopt.petfinder.com Feed My Lambs, Inc. Contact: Candice Knight, (770) 795-9349 Website: www.feedmylambs.net Genesis Adoptions Contact: Lindsay Kirk, (770) 517-0043, Website: www.genesis-adoptions.org Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia. Contact: (770) 345-1879 Website: www.habitatncg.org Hope Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. Contact: (770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com Website: www.hopectr.com Hospice Advantage needs volunteers. Contact: Shari Koch, (770) 218-1997 Website: www.hospiceadvantage.com iCOR helping orphans, seeks volunteers. Contact: Lily Colgate, (404) 992-8155 Website: www.iCORorphans.com Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at AroundAbout — TowneLaker offices. Website: www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org MUST Ministries Contact: Kim Loesing, (770) 479-5397 Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry. Contact: Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730 Website: www.papaspantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appointment for free child safety seat inspections. Contact: Chad Arp, (678) 493-4343 Website: www.cherokeesafekids.org
Civic Organizations AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50 and older. Meeting: Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Rich, (770) 926-1944
Kiwanis Club of Woodstock Meeting: Every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (678) 494-4841 Website: www.kiwanisofwoodstock.org Rotary Club of Woodstock Meeting: Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. Location: IHOP on Highway 92 Contact: Gary Floyd, (404) 506-6878, glfloyd@ southernco.com Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meeting: Every Thursday at 12 noon (lunch) Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Ivan Garcia (770) 926-0105 Sewrifics of Cherokee Meeting: Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. Location: Sixes United Methodist Church, Canton Contact: Sheri Torch, (770) 591-8335 Sons of the American Legion Meeting: Third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Woodstock Community Church Contact: Charles Tucker, (678) 643-0794 South Cherokee Optimist Club Meeting: Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meeting: Every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Terry Morrison, (770) 715-3375 Woodstock Jaycees Meeting: First Tuesday & third Thursday at 7 p.m. Location: 216 Rope Mill Road Contact: (770) 926-8336 Woodstock Lions Club Meeting: Second & fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Location: New Victoria Baptist Church Contact: (770) 906-2958 Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meeting: Second & fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Location: Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. Contact: (770) 993-3145 or (770) 926-0627 Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meeting: Every Wednesday at 12 noon Location: Folks Contact: Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158 Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meeting: Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Location: Woodstock Senior Center Contact: Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663
Political Organizations
American Legion & Auxiliary Meeting: Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Location: Woodstock Community Church Contact: Charles Tucker, (678) 643-0794
Cherokee County Democrat Party Meeting: Third Monday at 7 p.m. Location: The Holly Springs Train Depot Contact: Judy Hamilton, (770) 380-7071, jkmailbox@yahoo.com Website: www.cherokeedems.com
Beta Sigma, Kappa Chi Chapter Meeting: Third Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact: Maria Kuhn, vccibaker@aol.com or April Bolle, (678) 327-7233
Cherokee County Republican Party Meeting: First Saturday at 9 a.m. Breakfast served Location: Lodge at BridgeMill, 10451 Bells Ferry Rd. Contact: (678) 809-1411
Hickory Flat Optimist Club Meeting: First & third Tuesdays 12 noon Location: Family Tradition, Highway 140 Contact: Alan Flint, (770) 720- 9056
Cherokee County Republican Women Meeting: Third Wednesday, Dinner at 6 p.m., Speaker at 7 p.m. Location: Featherstone’s at BridgeMill Contact: (678) 520-2236 for reservations Website: www.ccrwcga.com
Junior Service League of Woodstock 24 hour information line: (770) 592-3535
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meeting: Second Sunday at 4 p.m. Location: Woodstock Library, Main St. Contact: Conrad Quagliaroli (770)592-6545 Website: cherokeeteapartypatriots.org
Recreation & Hobbies Airstream Caravan Club Website: http://home.windstream.net/topofga/ Contact: Rob Kelly, (770) 516-7044 Allatoona Gold Panners Location: Creeks around Lake Allatoona Contact: Rob Kelly, (770) 516-7044 rrkelly@bellsouth.net Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meeting: Second Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Location: Woodstock Art Center 205 Arnold Mill Rd. Contacts: Madeline Hall, (678) 754-8482 woodstockartcenter@comcast.net Blue Skies Laughter Club Meeting: Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. Location: Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices 100 Stoneforest Dr., 1st floor conf. room Contact: Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 Website: www.addlaughter.com Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meeting First Saturday at 10 a.m. Location: BridgeMill Community Center Contact: Jim Millsap, PIO, (770) 928-8590 Website: www.cherokee-ares.org/ccars Cherokee County Arts Center Meeting Fourth Friday at 10 a.m. Location: 94 North Street, Canton Contact: (770) 704-6244 Website: www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Saddle Club Meeting Third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Family Tradition, Hickory Flat Contact: Tamma Trump, (770) 655-0819 Website: www.cherokeesaddleclub.com Cherokee Fencing Club Meeting: Beginners, Wednesdays at 5 p.m.; Club, Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Location: Recreation Center, Main Street Contact: Andy McCann, (678) 494-9750 Website: www.cherokeefencingclub.com Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association Contact: Dan Baldwin, 770-846-4843 Website: www.cherokeelacrosse.com Cherokee Music Teachers Association Contact: Melanie Williams, (770) 345-2983 Website: www.cherokeemta.org Crossfit WOD Club Meeting: Daily for the “Work Out of the Day” Contact: www.crossfitgarage.com Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meeting: Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Chattahoochee Tech Contact: Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197 Neighbors & Newcomers of Towne Lake Meeting: Third Tuesday Contact: Carolyn White, (770) 926-6756 Singles of Towne Lake 35+ holds monthly mixers. Contacts: Lisa, (770) 597-3430 LisaR789@bellsouth.net Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization. Meeting: Third Sunday at 1 p.m. Location: Wildlife Action, 2075 Kellogg Creek Contact: WLA Office, (800) 753-2264
Support Organizations Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meeting: First Wednesday at 7 p.m. Location: First Baptist Church of Woodstock Contact: Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meeting: First Thursday at 7 p.m. Location: Atria, 1000 Professional Way Contact: Atria Woodstock, (770) 926-0119 Autism Parent Support Group Meeting: Second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Cherokee County Community Service Center, BridgeMill Fire Station, Canton Contact: Sharon Jones, (770) 345-6551 Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting: First Thursday of each month Time: 10 a.m. — 12 noon Location: Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center Contact: (404) 843-1880 Canadian Women’s Club Contact: Lesley Frappier, cwcatlanta@yahoo.com CASA for Children Inc. provides child advocacy to abused and neglected children through trained community volunteers. Contact: Deidre Hollands, (770) 345-3274 Website: www.casaforchildren.org Cherokee Autism Spectrum Support Group A support group for families with children on the autism spectrum. Contact: Heidi at hcf67@comcast.net or Renee at mrjperrelli@yahoo.com Cherokee County Family Child Care Association Contact: Brenda Bowen, (770) 926-8055 Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Contact: Marie Blackwell, (770) 378-0759, mblackwell@fosteroradopt.org Website: www.fosteroradopt.org C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meeting: First Monday at 7 p.m. 24-hour information line: (770) 517-3043 Depression and Bipolar Support Group Meeting: Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Location: 8534 Main Street, Woodstock Contact: (770) 560-7112, healthymoods@aol.com Website: www.Myspace.Com/healthymoods Emotions Anonymous Meeting: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Contacts: Cindy, (770) 928-6554; Sherry, (770) 926-1889 Fellowship of Companies for Christ International Meeting: Second & fourth Thursdays at 7 a.m. Location: Woodstock Family Restaurant Contact: Randall Hill, (770) 516-5887 Georgia Canines for Independence Meeting: First Monday at 6:30 p.m. Location: 6683 Bells Ferry Road, Suite H Contact: Ramona Nichols, (404) 735-3647 Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7 p.m. (nursery available) Location: Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Contact: Jeannie, (770) 919-9275 Hearing Loss Resource Group Contacts: Cathy, (678) 483-9135 WoodstockSHHH-info@phydeaux.org
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
JDRF Cherokee Pickens Family Support Group for families of children with Juvenile (type 1) diabetes. Meeting: Second Saturday Location: River Green Subdivision Facilities Contact: Tom, (770) 345-4864, Tom@brushwithart.com Jewish Havurah Contact: Marcia, (770) 345-8687 La Leche League of South Cherokee Meeting: First Tuesday at 10 a.m. Location: Bascomb United Methodist Church Contacts: Marguerite, (770) 926-2791 Megan, (770) 517-0191 Miracle Mothers is for women trying to conceive or adopt. Contact: Melissa, (770) 516-1078 Website: www.miraclemothers.org MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30189 Contacts: www.momsclubtownelake.com momscluboftownelake@gmail.com MOMS Club Woodstock — 30188 Contacts: momsclubwoodstockn@yahoo.com MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meeting: Second & Fourth Tues. a.m. or Wed. p.m. Location: First Baptist Church of Woodstock Contact: (770) 926-4428, www.fbcw.org Mothers & More Meeting: First & third Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Location: Kroger at Towne Lake Contact: Michelle Wise, (770) 720-8834 Website: www.woodstockmm.com National Alliance for Mental Illness Family Support Group Meeting: Second & fourth Tuesdays, 7 — 8:30 p.m. Location: Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Jill, (404) 394-1229 or Patrick, (678) 654-2091 Website: www.nami.org National Psoriasis Foundation Support Group Meeting: First Tuesday at 7 p.m. (call for directions) Contact: Scott Bell, (404) 218-6626 Website: http://support.psoriasis.org/woodstock NWAtlantaMommies.com Play dates, mom’s night out, and online support Meeting: Weekly Contact: Stephanie Peterson, (678) 653-1418 admin@nwatlantamommies.com Website: http://www.nwatlantamommies.com Overeaters Anonymous Meeting: Every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Location: H.O.W. Place, behind fire station on Bells Ferry Road at Old Bascomb Court Contact: Lois, (770) 592-6421 Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost. Contact: (770) 956-0711. S.N.A.P. offers resources for children with special needs. Meeting: Second Monday from 10 — 11:30 a.m. Location: 100 Hickory Circle, Holly Springs Contact: (770) 720-4068 Tender Hearts Caregivers Support Group Meeting: Second & fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. Location: Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Robin Galloway, (770) 517-5899
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Reference
Community Information Numbers & Websites Emergency — 911 • AroundAbout — TowneLaker • (770) 615-3322 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
(770) 345-0400
Cherokee County Government:
Animal Shelter Business Licenses Clean & Beautiful Commission Commissioners Courthouse Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) Extension Office Jury Phone Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) Planning & Zoning Senior Services Tax Assessors/Evaluation
(770) 345-7270 (770) 721-7810 (770) 517-7650 (678) 493-6000 (770) 479-1953 (678) 493-6077 (770) 479-0418 (770) 479-9011 (770) 479-1953 (678) 493-6101 (770) 345-5312 (678) 493-6120
(678) 493-6400 (770) 924-4099 (770) 479-0407
(770) 345-8100 (770) 720-7712 (770) 479-1804 (770) 345-5483 (770) 720-3581 (770) 720-3610 (770) 924-0864 (770) 479-5397 (770) 591-4730
(678) 413-8400
Fire Department (District 1, Station 20)
(770) 926-7155
Georgia State Patrol
(770) 205-5400
Health Department
(770) 345-7371
Taxes: License Plates/Tags, Property Tax Woodstock Office Voter Registration
Children/Family:
Anna Crawford Children’s Center Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club Cherokee Family Violence Center Cherokee Focus Child Support Enforcement Department of Family & Children Services The Hope Center MUST Cherokee Ministries Papa’s Pantry
Driver’s Licenses (Tues — Sat)
Hospitals: Kennestone Hospital North Fulton Hospital Northside Hospital — Cherokee
(770) 793-5000 (770) 751-2500 (770) 720-5100
Battered Women Hotline Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) Poison Control Center — Atlanta Outside Metro Atlanta Probate Court Information Line Rite-Call (Child Medical Problems) Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center
(770) 479-1703 (770) 345-7920 (404) 616-9000 (800) 222-1222 (770) 704-2610 (404) 250-KIDS (770) 428-2666
Hotlines — 24 Hour Help Lines:
84
Libraries: Rose Creek R.T. Jones Woodstock
Non-Emergency 911 Parks and Recreation:
www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org (770) 591-1491 (770) 479-3090 (770) 926-5859 (770) 479-3117
BridgeMill Athletic Club (770) 345-5500 Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA (770) 591-5820 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (770) 924-7768 www.crpa.net Cherokee Soccer Association (770) 704-0187 www.cherokeesoccer.com Eagle Watch Golf Club (770) 591-1000 Hobgood Park (770) 924-7865 North Atlanta Soccer Assoc. www.nasa-ga.org (770) 926-4175 SCRA Park (770) 926-5672 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969 Wildlife Action, Inc. (800) 753-2264
Pets: Animal Control (678) 493-6200 CatSnip (low cost spay & neuter) www.atlantaanimalalliance.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter — Adoptions (770) 345-7270 Cherokee County Humane Society (770) 928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Lost Pet Hotline (770) 615-3333 Pet Buddies Food Pantry www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org SPARE (Sterilizing Pets And Reducing Euthanasia) (770) 928-5120 Second Chance Dog Rescue www.secondchancedogs.org
Post Office (Woodstock) www.usps.com
(800) 275-8777
Recycling Center
(770) 516-4195
Schools: see www.townelaker.com for complete listing Board of Education www.cherokee.k12.ga.us (770) 479-1871 Sheriff’s Department www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4200 Georgia Sex Offender Registry www.cherokeega-sheriff.org/offender/offender.htm Utilities:
Atlanta Gas Light Co. www.aglc.com A T & T www.bellsouth.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Authority Comcast Cobb EMC www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power
(770) 907-4231 (404) 780-2355 (770) 479-1813 (770) 926-0334 (770) 429-2100 (888) 660-5890
(678) 494-2500
Urgent Care Facility Wellstar Urgent Care
Woodstock, City of:
(in Towne Lake, only applies to Avonlea, Deer Run,
ParkView, Paces and certain annexed commercial parcels) www.ci.woodstock.ga.us City Hall (770) 926-8852 Fire Department (770) 926-2302 Police Information (770) 592-6025
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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Reference
Elected & Appointed Officials United States Government:
President Barack Obama (D)
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 Website: www.whitehouse.gov e-mail: president@whitehouse.gov
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R)
Senate Russell Courtyard-2 Washington, D.C. 20510 Website: http://chambliss.senate.gov e-mail: use contact form on website
Senator Johnny Isakson (R)
1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 Website: http://isakson.senate.gov
Rep. Tom Price (R), District 6
P.O. Box 425 Roswell, GA 30077 Website: http://tom.house.gov e-mail: use contact form on website
(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461
(202) 224-3521 fax: (202) 224-0103
(202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999 fax: (770) 661-0768 (202) 225-4501 GA: (770) 565-4990 fax: (770) 565-7570
(404) 652-7003 fax: (404) 652-7123
Senator Chip Rogers (R), District 21
(404) 463-1378 fax: (404) 657-9887
Senator Jack Murphy (R), District 27
(770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602
Rep. Charlice Byrd (R), District 20
(404) 656-0126 fax: (404) 463-2793
e-mail: jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov e-mail: charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov
Rep. Sean Jerguson (R), District 22
e-mail: sean.jerguson@house.ga.gov
(404) 656-0287
(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490
Magistrate Court: Judge James E. Drane III (R)
(678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6160 (678) 493-6250
Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby
(404) 362-1600
90 North Street, Suite 310 Canton, GA 30114 Website: www.cherokeega.com
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Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo P.O. Box 769, 110 Academy St., Canton, GA 30114 Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us e-mail: drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R) 498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 Website: www.cherokeega-sheriff.org e-mail: rdgarrison@cherokeega.com
Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little
100 North St., Canton, GA 30114 e-mail: slittle@cherokeega.com Woodstock Annex 8681 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA 30189
Board of Education: Robert Wofford (R), Post 1
(770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236
(678) 493-4200 fax: (678) 493-4228
(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420 (770) 924-4099 fax: (770) 924-9567
(770) 704-4398, x4374
Mike Chapman (R), Post 2
(770) 704-4398, x4372
e-mail: mike.chapman@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Michael Geist (R), Post 3
(770) 928-3315
Janet Read (R), Post 4
(770) 516-1444
e-mail: janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Rick Steiner (R), Post 5 (Chair)
(770) 704-4398, x4370
Rob Usher (R), Post 6
(770) 592-7864
Kim Cochran (R), Post 7 (Vice-Chair) e-mail: kimgcochran@gmail.com
(678) 493-6511
Cherokee County Board of Commissioners
Cherokee County School System
e-mail: rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Clerk of Courts: Patty Baker
90 North Street, Suite 310Canton, GA 30114
Jason Nelms (R) Post 4
e-mail: rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Juvenile Court: Judge John B. Sumner
e-mail: kbosch@cherokeega.com
e-mail: michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us
State Court: Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr. Judge W. Alan Jordan
Probate Court: Judge Keith Wood (R)
Karen Bosch (R), Post 3
e-mail: robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Cherokee County Courts:
Superior Court: Chief Judge Frank C. Mills, III Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea
Jim Hubbard (R), Post 2
e-mail: cnelms2@gmail.com
Governor Nathan Deal (R)
e-mail: chip@SenatorChipRogers.com
e-mail: hjohnston@cherokeega.com
e-mail: jhubbard@cherokeega.com
Website: www.woodall.house.gov
State Capitol, Room 111 Atlanta, GA 30334 Website: www.gov.state.ga.us
(678) 493-6001
e-mail: lbahrens@cherokeega.com
Harry Johnston (R), Post 1
Rep. Rob Woodall (R), District 7
State Government:
Commissioners: Buzz Ahrens (R), Chairperson
City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques
(770) 592-6017
e-mail: dhenriques@progressiveaudiology.com
Towne Lake Residential and Commercial Owners’ Association (678) 493-6000 fax: (678) 493-6013
(Covenant enforcement issues — all Towne Lake common areas)
Douglas Properties
(770) 926-3086
117 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30188
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Meet Your Community
Weathering a Dental Storm
continued from page 36
continued from page 42
performed for eight weeks straight, then weekly with a live band. Later, with the same band, she was the solo spoken-word artist in a show at Center Stage in Atlanta.
ago. Cavities are harder to detect because they spread inside the soft dentin under the enamel. Thankfully, the use of digital X-rays and digital tooth scanners make all the difference in optimizing your dental diagnosis with confidence.
A creative writing teacher from Redan High in Stone Mountain was in the audience and invited Yo’ Sista to perform for her students. That teacher introduced her to another spoken word artist—Georgia Me. “I was blown away,” she said. “There she was, the first artist I ever saw. I felt like I’d come full circle.” Yo’ Sista’s vision has expanded beyond a microphone and a crowd. She plans to produce a ‘Poetry in Prison’ tour. “I’ll go to any prison that will have me and uplift the inmates through my poetry, “ Yo’ Sista said. “I also want to open a Yo’ Sista Foundation in Canton for children and teens, and partner with the probate courts to give an option for community service in Cherokee County.” And now you’ve met Yo’ Sista. Yo’ Sista will perform every Thursday beginning in Summer 2011 at Urban Grind in Atlanta.
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The benefit of advanced technology in dentistry is clear in that it offers an accurate diagnosis and gives patients the chance to plan his/her lives to avoid significant problems related to their teeth, just like in avoiding serious weather conditions. Dr. Scott Harden is a dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry and has served the Towne Lake area for more than 21 years. He is a Dental Advisor for two nationally renowned dental research companies. You can reach him at (770) 926-0000 or visit FountainViewSmiles.com.
Lichen and Moss continued from page 56
the middle of a parking lot. There are several stress factors at work that cause parking lot trees to grow very slowly such as limited soil and root growth, heat stress due to paved surfaces, and compacted soils. Unfortunately, trees that are improperly planted or planted in small parking lot islands will never reach their full potential and will continue to decline. Sometimes, the best option is to remove a tree in this situation and replace with a smaller tree or shrub that is better adapted to the situation. When lichens or moss are found growing on trees and shrubs in your landscape, this is a clue that something else is causing your plants to decline in health and is causing their slowed growth pattern. This could be a combination of factors such as plant competition, drought stress, root stress, over watering, soil compaction, poor nutrition, improper soil pH, or improper pruning. Proper pruning techniques can actually rejuvenate and stimulate new growth, even on mature trees. A soil test can help troubleshoot soil pH and nutrition problems. A soil test is actually one of the quickest and easiest ways to rule out a potential underlying problem. You can order a soil test kit at www.soiltest123.com or submit a sample through your local county Extension office. If the problem that is causing the tree or shrub to decline is corrected, then the lichens and moss will stop growing and may eventually go away. Paul Pugliese is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent for Cherokee County Cooperative Extension, a partnership of The University of Georgia, The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Cherokee County. (770) 479-0418. For more information and free publications, visit our local website at www.ugaextension.com/cherokee
www.townelaker.com We built this online community for you, our readers, our neighbors
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
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March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
89
Reference
Classifieds Childcare/Babysitting
Free to Good Home
Any Age Children, Any Time, Any Day. 30 years experience, very affordable. Tutoring available. (678) 494-6904.
events
FREE TO GOOD HOME Three Beautiful Cats that I must give free to a good home. They are indoor cats and have been well cared for. Please call Karen. (404) 431-6900.
Utility Trailer For Sale. 4x6, very good condition. $275. (770) 380-6383.
Looking For A Loving Home For Your Pet? You can place your 'Free To Good Home' Ad in the classifieds for FREE!
$
Upholstered Headboard Construction Classes. Beginning February 8th. Eight week course, $240. Contact Carolyn Mills, (770) 516-2562.
Maid To Order. Affordable/reliable cleaning since 1998. Satisfaction guaranteed. Excellent references. Call Renee', (678) 986-9366. A licensed and bonded service.
Private Tutoring By Certified Teacher. Math, test prep, reading. Contact Durema Bacchus, (678) 230-1768.
EP Pressure Wash. Reasonable rates, free estimates, insured. (770) 380-2325.
SAT/ACT, English Tutor. Certified high school teacher (MEd). Karen, (678) 232-2524
CLASSIFIED FORM
PLEASE PRINT July
Aug
Sept
instruction/tutoring
Penny Clean "One Woman Show." Residential, commercial, moving and deep cleans. Reasonable rates, 25 years experience. Licensed, bonded and insured. Free estimates. (678) 494-3602.
(10 WORD MINIMUM)
Month(s): Jan Feb Mar
Music Services
Home Services
1/Word
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
Dance Curtain Designs. It's all about the details. Custom window treatments and more! Call Lisa, (404) 556-7481
Rush Hour Recording Studios. For all your studio recording and live entertainment musical events. Industry standard gear! Pro Tools Hd, Neve, API, Neumann. We also have professional musical equipment for rental. No project too large or small. Get you talent heard! Call us today, (678) 887-8686. Email rushhour66@msn.com.
Weight Loss Challenge. $$$ Cash Prizes $$$. Swimsuit season is just around the corner. Join our weight loss challenge to help you lose those extra, unwanted pounds. The cost is $35 for the 9 week program, being held at Shake by the Lake on Bells Ferry Road, next to Fitness 19. Competition begins March 9th, 7 to 8 p.m. For questions or to pre-register, call (678) 758-8504.
for sale
Home Services
(these ADS ARE FREE)
$
Mail this Form with your Payment to: AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 340 Woodstock, GA 30189 • Fax: (770) 516-4809
1/Word
(10 WORD MINIMUM)
(All Fields Must Be Completed)
Apr May June Oct Nov Dec
Category: Word Count:
¨ ADD A PICTURE (2.375" X 1.50") FOR ONLY $39 (Per Month).
, $1/word, per month (10 Word Minimum)
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City, State, Zip: Daytime Phone: AroundAbout TowneLaker Classifieds is a monthly feature. All ads are accepted and placed under categories at the discretion of the publisher. Rates are only $1 per word, per month, with a 10-word minimum. “Pet Lost and Found,” “Ride Share” and “Free to Good Home” pet placement ads are FREE.
NEXT CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS THE 10 th FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH'S ISSUE! 90
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
91
Animal Atlanta
45
Animal Hospital of Towne Lake
31
Art Jewelers
73
JD’s Bar-B-Que
36
Azure Salon & Spa
76
Justina’s Accessories Boutique
5
Bam Fence
30
La Chic Boutique
53
Bar-B-Cutie
39
Landscape Matters
63
Bon Vivant Salon
41
Monti’s Food Express
61
CandT Auto Service
81
Mr. Junk
89
Carpet Dry Tech
96
My Mechanic Joe
9
Cherokee Chrysler Dodge Jeep
39
Quiznos
55
Christian Brothers Automotive
45
Reliable Heating & Air
45
Dr. Jerry Smith Orthodontics
21
Skin Essentials by Marilyn
69
Endless Fitness Center
47
The Plumbing Doctor
96
Georgia Hardwood
36
The Sundance Center
13
Green Heating & Air
21
Town Lake Diner
91
Hammock’s Heating & Air
47
Tuscany
41
Visit our Community Clipper page for more coupons from our advertisers.
Connect with friends and keep up to date on what’s happening right here in Towne Lake!
3 ways to get connected 92
Visit our new and improved website
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Follow us on www.twitter.com/townelaker March 2011
Total Distribution: 15,500 Over 12,500 direct mailed to homes and businesses in the Towne Lake area.
Affordable Coupon Advertising that gets customers in your door! AroundAbout TowneLaker Advertisers who can benefit from coupons:
• Auto services
• Carpet cleaning
• Restaurants
• Hair salons
• HVAC
• Jewelers
• Clothing store
• Nail salons
• Pet sitting
• Retail
• Spa services
• Medical/Dental All advertisements in the Community Clipper must be a coupon offer(s) only. This page cannot be used for regular advertising.
To reserve your spot, call (770) 615-3322 or email patty@townelaker.com today! March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
93
Attorneys/Legal Services Kathleen McGillick, Attorney at Law
45
Wellpath Center (770) 218-1166
85
Churches Merino & Associates, LLC (770) 874-4600
29, Back Cover
Robertson Law (678) 313 -0122
52
Automotive 81
Cherokee Chrysler Dodge Jeep (678) 493-1000
39
Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500
45
My Mechanic Joe (770) 591-6640
9
Banking/Financial Services
74
Hillside UMC (770) 924-4777
61
Polyglot School (678) 310-3303
9
Azure Salon & Spa (770) 345-8280
Byrd Dental Group (770) 926-8200 2035 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock Canton Marketplace Dentistry (678) 880-0087
31
Dr. Jerry Smith, Orthodontist (678) 905-0300
43
Salon & Spa Venessa (770) 591-2079
29
Fountain View Dentistry (770) 926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Woodstock
Skin Essentials by Marilyn
69
55
Sundance Massage Center, The (678) 591-5066
13
Park Pediatric Denistry of Woodstock, LLC (770) 926-9260
30
Morrison Financial Group (770) 384-8380
69
47
Pantana Accounting & Tax
53
Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD (770) 517-0444 4595 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554
41
Education/Instruction/Counseling
Chiropractors 1st Choice Chiropractic (770) 924-6757 1000 Woodstock Parkway
69
Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation (770) 516-9900 www.discoverrehab.com
73
Towne Lake Family Chiropractic (770) 592-1877
70
94
7
21
S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS (770) 924-8848
96
76
41
87
Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991
49
Bon Vivant Salon (770) 516-9100 www.bonvivantsalon.com
First Cherokee State Bank www.2gochecking.com
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners
7, 59
Big Apple Nail & Spa (770) 516-9996
77
Back Cover
69
Health & Beauty
Citadel Professional Services, LLC (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Drive, Kennesaw
Towne Lake Mortgage (770-591-8277
Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044
Bridgepointe Church www.bridgepointechurch.org
Dentists/Orthodontists
C&T Auto Service (770) 926-4276
North Cobb Christian School (770) 975-0252
Access Education Towne Lake Driving School (678) 494-2200 American Heritage Academy (770) 926-7779 www.ahacademy.com Goddard School, The (770) 516-0880
Kennesaw State University, Cont. Ed. (770) 423-6765 www.kennesawedu/coned.com AroundAbout — TowneLaker
23
9
13
37
Home Improvement/Repair & Service Bam Fence (678) 525-1125
30
BCF Home Services Inc. (678) 575-8245
23
Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277
74
Chris’ Painting & Home Repair (770) 826-7034
49
Dr. Fixit, Ph.D.
81
Georgia Hardwood (770) 374-5555
36
Green Heating & Cooling, Inc. (770) 479-2844
21
Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428
47
JDH Electric, LLC (770) 607-6900
56 March 2011
Liberty Roofing (678) 797-5325
5
In Harmony Pediatric Therapy (770) 345-2804
76
Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills (770) 926-6097
89
J.D.’s Bar-B-Que (678) 445-7730
36
Monti’s Food Express (678) 809-4333
61
Mr. Junk
89
John Lutz, PhD
89
Nelson Painting& Home Improvements (678) 283-8171
91
Northside Hospital (770) 720-5100 201 Hospital Road, Canton www.northside.com
11
Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (770) 928-0016
75
Quiznos (678) 494-9989
55
Pinnacle Othopaedics Cover, 50, 51 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Woodstock www.pinnacle-ortho.com
Town Lake Diner (770) 675-3390
91
Tuscany (678) 453-0888
41
Precision Painting (678) 234-9668
Reliable Heating & Air (770) 594-9969 www.reliableair.com
5
45
Roswell Woodstock Plumbing (770) 663-0600
5
The Plumbing Doctor (770) 516-9000
96
Wood Floors R Us (678) 977-1327
75
Between The Pines (770) 591-8863
39
Landscape Matters (770) 403-5813
63
Pike Nurseries (770) 926-3252 www.pikenursery.com
81
Lawn Maintenance/Landscaping
85
Village Podiatry Centers (770) 384-0284 www.vpcenters.com
7
Wellstar www.wellstar.org/heart
1
89
Reflection - Lake Nantahala Inside Front Cover www.reflectionlakenantahala.com
Inside Front Cover
Recreation and Fitness 81
Dancentre South (770) 516-7229
91
47
Animal Atlanta
45
Animal Hospital at Towne Lake (770) 591-9500
31
Endless Fitness Center (678) 402-6755 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock
96
Cat Clinic of Woodstock (770) 780-2800
31
Etowah Eagles Basketball www.etowaheagles.com Gold Swim School
59
Cherokee County Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA460.html 1015 Univeter Road, Canton
57
South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital (770) 924-6746
52
Etowah Eagles Football www.etowaheaglesfootball.com
53
Universal Pet Care
49
Steps Dance Center (770) 516-1363
63
Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301
39
Woodstock Wolverines www.woodstockwolverinesfootball.com
49
Georgia Pain Management (770) 544-1000 120 Stone Bridge Parkway, Woodstock
75
Physicians and Medical Services
HMS Golf (770) 757-7353 1007 Towne Lake Hills E., Woodstock www.centercutcatering.com
March 2011 AroundAbout — TowneLaker
Critter Catchers
23
Habitat for Humanity No. Central Georgia (770) 345-1024
85
5
La Chic Boutique (678) 402-5788
53
Maxwell’s Cigar Bar (770) 627-2006
71
Towne Lake Arts Center (678) 494-4251 www.tlaclive.org
23
Towne Lake Insurance ((678) 494-8038
31
Woodstock Furniture Outlet
53
Business A Little Slow?
24, 25
Call Call
NOW NOW to to Advertise! Advertise!
Restaurants/Food Services Bar-B-Cutie (770) 924-9491
Art Jewelers 73 (770) 924-3133 136 Woodstock Square Avenue, Woodstock
Justina’s Accessories Boutique (678) 494-6331
Real estate & related services
Lake Nantahala (828) 321-3101 www.visitlakesend.com
Pet/Veterinarian Services & Supplies A Home Away From Home
Progressive Audiology Center Inc. (770) 592-4744, (706) 253-7244
Services/Retailers Miscellaneous
77
Photographer Skip Daugherty Photography (770) 329-5807 www.skipdaughertyphotography.com
13
Keller Williams, Kurt & Sheila William Johnson Back Cover (404) 954-2486 www.kurtandsheila.com
Optometrist/Eyewear Towne Lake Eye Associates (770) 926-2858
Plastic Surgery Center of the South (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net
39
770-615-3322 770-615-3322
patty@townelaker.com patty@townelaker.com 95
96
AroundAbout — TowneLaker
March 2011
Paid for by Friends of Chip Rogers