January 2012 Issue by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

January 2012

Volume 17, Issue 9

72 Featured Articles

50 & 51 On the Cover Park View Montessori

In Every Issue Around Towne. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Readers’ Choice

Vote for your favorites!

TLBA Gala

Event Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Local business people celebrate.

TLBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

A Year in Pictures

A look back at our community events in 2011.

Hippie Travels

Ashley Gillis gains perspective while traveling.

Chapman Dominates Food Drive

Helping those in need.

Community News. . . . . . . 7 & 8 Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Everyday Angels. . . . . . . . . . . 36 You Can Make A Difference. . 75 School Information . . . . . . . . 77 Church Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Community Numbers . . . . . . 88 Elected Officials. . . . . . . . . . . 89 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Advertisers Directory. . . . . . . 94 Real Deals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Contributing Writers Don Akridge..............................................16 State Rep. Charlice Byrd...........................18 Jason Fleeman..........................................76 Dr. Scott R. Harden...................................54

Patty Ponder is the Market Director for AroundAbout — TowneLaker. She can be reached at (770) 615-3322 or patty@townelaker.com. 2

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Ashley Gillis..............................................65 David Hecklemoser...................................41 Shelley Herod...........................................40 Robyn Hohensee......................................67 Sheila & Kurt Johnson...............................19 Joe Kafati..................................................62 Kara Kiefer................................................44 Dr. Jared Lasseigne...................................56 Katie Lawrence.........................................62

Scott Lemmon..........................................49 Dr. Mike Litrel...........................................32 Marietta Plastic Surgery...........................59 Cindy Morrow...........................................38 Nicole Mott...............................................64 Bill Ratliff..................................................78 Doug Rohan..............................................52 State Sen. Chip Rogers..............................20 Lynne Saunders........................................22 Jeff Sousa..................................................57 Dr. Doug Thrasher.....................................79 WellStar Nutrition Network......................60 Laura Wischner.........................................46

Happy New Year!

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

AROUND TOWNE by Kara Kiefer

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.

ShopDressUp.

People Places and Pleasures that make Towne Lake

The , The The

I’m sure you have your favorite businesses — such as dry cleaners, restaurants, grocery and retail stores — that you regularly patronize. We tend to be loyal to our favorites, and here’s your chance to show your loyalty — vote for your favorites in our annual Readers’ Choice poll. The poll is conducted online, and rules and a sample ballot can be found on pages 12 & 13. Voting will end in February, and results will be announced in April’s magazine. Ready…. Set…. Vote!

What’s New? Dress Up Boutique is now open in downtown Woodstock. The shop sells unique dresses, shoes and more, it is located at 425 Chambers Street, in the other half of the Pure Taqueria building. Find their hours and latest inventory on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/

Natural Strides, which carries all the top brands in running shoes, opened this past fall. The store is located at 8636 Main Street. For more information, please call (770) 627-5692 or visit www.naturalstrides.com.

Westbrook. The menu is Tex/Mex, and the atmosphere is family friendly. Visit Izzy’s on facebook at www.facebook.com/ IzzysWoodstock

What’s Coming?

Totally Running will open in January. The specialty running store will offer everything for the runner including shoes, apparel and more. The store also has a Gait Analysis machine to help determine the best shoe for you. Totally Running is located at 2265 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 102, next to T-Mobile. Pizza 3.14, located in the shopping center at Eagle Drive and Bells Ferry Road, will be open in mid January. The restaurant will serve pizza, subs, sandwiches and wings, and will have an arcade, a mini bowling alley, two party rooms and a beer and wine bar. Pizza 3.14 will be located next to Shake by the Lake.

What’s Closed? We are sad to report the closing of two local businesses, Wow Wingery and Cotton Mill Deli. Bogey’s Neighborhood Bar and Grille closed its Towne Lake location and will be reopening at 6380 Bells Ferry Road later this month as Bogey’s at Just a Bar. Bogey’s will remain a non-smoking family friendly restaurant. Correction: In last month’s issue, two photos from the Junior Service League Tour of Homes were identified incorrectly. The below photos contain the correct captions. We apologize for the error.

East of Main salon welcomed two new stylists, Morgan Malcolm and Lauren Reardon. Morgan can be reached at (404) 539-2330 and Lauren at (770) 401-4141. East of Main is located at 127 East Main Street. Hearthside Senior Residences is welcoming new tenants. The new development is located at 1561 Stonebridge Parkway, behind Walgreens. Tours of the homes and amenities are available by calling (770) 852-2225. Visit www. hearthsidetownelake.com for additional information. The Joy of Connecting®, a non-membership business organization headquartered in Atlanta, opened a Woodstock location. The group will meet every third Thursday of the month at 220 Heritage Walk Drive, Suite 200, Woodstock, 30188 from 6:45 – 9:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Edeline Francois-Dryden at (678) 789-6158 or at Edryden@ drydentaxandaccounting.com. Izzy’s Cantina and Taqueria opened at 290 Molly Lane. The restaurant is owned by local residents Jeff Kalteu and Brian 4

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Decorations in the Smith home in BridgeMill. Decorated by Denise Kasper of Decor Infusion

Decorations in the Bachmann Home in Towne Lake Hills North. Decorated by Shelley Herod and Becky Thomas with Designing Women.

• Plumbing Repairs • Remodeling • Water Heaters • Garbage Disposals • Gas & Water Lines • Ice Makers • Polybutelene Water Line Replacements

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE We Charge By the Job, Not By the Hour

Family Owned & Operated Licensed • Bonded • Insured Readers’ Choice Winners: 2008, 2009 & 2010

$20

off

plumbing services Not to be combined with any other offer.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012 WDL12N5

Community

Community Board The AroundAbout-TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders, from different walks of life. Our Board assists us in many ways including contributing to our magazine, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback. Our Board consists of four members: Dr. Doug Thrasher, Colin Morris, Bill Ratliff and State Senator Chip Rogers.

Dr. Doug Thrasher — Doug is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church. He has lived in the Towne Lake area and served at Hillside for five years. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Eagle Watch, and they have two married children and four precious grandchildren. Doug can be reached at dthrasher@ hillsideumc.org.

Colin Morris — Colin is a freelance writer and stayat-home mom to three children whom she describes as “two ninja sons and one dog-loving daughter.” She and her husband have lived in Woodstock for the past 12 years, and she grew up in Marietta.

Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. Market Director Patty Ponder patty@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3322 Executive Editor Kara Kiefer editor@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3309 Art Director Michelle McCulloch art@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3307 Digital Marketing Director James Ball james@aroundaboutmagazines.com, (770) 615-3310 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 14,300 homes by mail to all Towne Lakers. An additional 1,300+ are placed in racks around the community. AroundAbout — TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month.

Bill Ratliff — Bill currently serves as the lead Pastor for Towne Lake Community Church. He has a Masters of Divinity degree and has served in Kentucky, Florida, Maryland and Georgia over the past 25 years. Bill and his wife Donna have two children, Christine and Scott and three grandchildren.

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. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011.

Chip Rogers — Chip presently serves as our Senate Majority Leader. He has lived in metro Atlanta for 40 years, Cherokee County for 10 years, with his wife and four children. His mother, father and brother also live in Cherokee County.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: (770) 615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by Trustworkz Inc. Franchise Opportunities Available: www.AroundAboutLocalMedia.com Volume 17, Issue 9

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Bridal Expo Coming to Woodstock The annual Cherokee Bridal Expo will be held on Saturday, January 21 at Magnolia Hall, 108 Arnold Mill Road, Building C. The event will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres courtesy of the Magnolia Thomas House and Center Cut Catering. There will be a fashion show and more than 30 vendors to assist the bride and groom in making their wedding decisions. The event is sponsored by Globe Trotters, a travel consultation firm, who also can assist couples with destination weddings or honeymoons. Prizes, including honeymoon packages, will be awarded throughout the day. Online registration is $6 at www.cherokeebridalexpo. com or $8 at the door (cash only). For more information, please call Maria Murray (770) 924-3235 or email her at at globe-trotters@comcast.net

Scholarship Pageant Accepting Applications Miss Cherokee Rose Scholarship Pageant is accepting applications for the 2012 Cherokee Rose and Miss Cherokee Rose Outstanding Teen. The Pageant will be held on January 28 at the Elm Street Cultural Arts Center in downtown Woodstock. For eligibility requirements and contestant details, please call Robin White at (404) 861-8976 or visit www. misscherokeecounty.org.

WHS Football Gives to Boys Ranch The Woodstock High School (WHS) Football team, under the direction of senior Ridge Hillhouse, collected donations for the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Goshen Valley is a home for boys, age 11-18 currently in foster care. Items collected and donated included sports balls, clothing, electronics and under garments. Ridge orchestrated the drive as part of his senior project.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Local Girl Donates Locks Gracie McNew (left), a first grade student at Bascomb Elementary School, donated 10 inches of her hair to the non-profit organization Locks of Love. Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org) is an organization that accepts donations of human hair to make wigs for needy children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions. Gracie is the daughter of Christy and Mark McNew.

Stylists and Barbers Present Check to Autism Society The Association of Stylists & Barbers (TASB) presented $2,500 to The Autism Society of America’s Greater Georgia Chapter at the Association’s 4th Annual Awards Celebration. “Our celebration reflects on what our TASB volunteers have accomplished throughout the year — giving ‘recognition with style’ to our many volunteers, sponsors, and clients,” said TASB Founder Elaine Lord. The check represents the first of many future awards that will be distributed to organizations dedicated to autism research. Approximately 100 TASB volunteer stylists and barbers from 20 salons and barbershops participated, including those from the following Atlanta area locations: Heads-Up Hair Design (Kennesaw), One Look Salon (Marietta), Jennifer & Co. (Dallas), Doshia’s Parlor (Mableton), Perfection by Jeanette and Melissa & Co. (both in Cartersville), and A New Creation and Unique Hair Salon (both in Woodstock).

Local Scouts Rocket to Victory Nicholas Calin, eight years old, recently won his first Space Derby competition. Nicholas competed against more than 28 other Cub and Webelos Scouts of Cub Scout Pack 94, which meets at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, for the coveted title of the fastest Space Derby Rocket Racer. Zachery Kantenwein, age eight, came in second place and Austin Lavender, age nine, came in third. Every year, Cub Scouts carve rockets out of small blocks of balsa wood. They add fins, paint anddecals, and install an engine which is driven by a propeller powered by rubber bands. Left to right: Zachery Kantenwein, Nicholas Calin and Austin Lavender.

Queen of Hearts Raises Funds for Veterans Mikaela Rose Langley, age 11 and Miss Queen of Hearts of the Wounded Warriors Project, recently raised more than $2,000 for the organization. On Veteran’s Day, Mikaela spent the day visiting with servicemen and women. Her visits included the American Legion, Post 201, Terrace Assisted Living Center and the Veteran’s Day celebration in downtown Woodstock. Mikaela’s next project will be to raise funds for the animal shelter. She is the daughter of Susan and Michael Langley.

Mikaela with a Purple Heart recipient at the American Legion.

Local Boys Meet Vince Dooley Left to right: Lauren Shelton, Sandra Anderson, Kristen Anthony, Ryketia Strong, Nelda Guthrie, Melissa Porter, Manasha Upshaw-Calhoun, Pam Hofius, Opal Carlton, Doshia Harris, Abbey Gould, Kathy Pucci, Amy Ferrell, Sammie Layne, Jeanette Williamson, Stephanie Richardson and Elaine Lord.

Nick Block and Ryan Lobus met former UGA coach Vince Dooley during a book signing at Kroger, recently. The young fans were thrilled for the opportunity to meet him! Nick is the son of Kellie and Mike Block, and Ryan is the son of Marla and Jeff Lobus. Left to right: Nick Block, Vince Dooley and Ryan Lobus.

Keep up-to-date with our community! Join the TowneLaker fan page at www.facebook.com/aroundabouttownelaker. 8

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

Our purpose: At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity; sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride; developing safety nets for those in need; and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine.

Sincerely, Your Friends at AroundAbout — TowneLaker

The Community of

AROUNDABOUT — TOWNELAKER

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Feature

Readers’ Choice Awards It’s time to let your voice be heard! Vote for your favorite local businesses today It’s that time of the year again! Time to vote for your favorite businesses in the North Cobb/South Cherokee areas! Please refer to the Question and Answer section below. Q: How do I vote for my favorite businesses? A: Go to www.townelaker.com. Click on the “Readers’ Choice 2012” button. You will be directed to the online ballot. Q: How many times can I vote? A: You may vote four times from the same IP address, which allows additional members of your household to cast their votes. Q: Why are some businesses listed? What if the business I want to vote for is not listed? A: The ballot is populated with businesses that have received more than one vote in past Readers’ Choice contests. The population of these businesses is done strictly for the convenience of the voters and does not indicate endorsement or preference by AroundAbout – TowneLaker. If you don’t see your business listed, enter the name of the business in the place marked “other,” and the vote will be counted. Q: Do I have to vote online? A: If you don’t wish to vote online or don’t have access to the Internet, we will have paper ballots available at our office, 2449 Towne Lake Parkway. One ballot per person will be issued. Q: Are any photocopies of the ballots permitted? A: No photocopies of blank or completed paper ballots will be accepted. Q: How long do I have to vote? A: Voting will end on February 10, 5 p.m.

Look for this button: AroundAbout Community Magazines

Readers’Choice

Vote Here

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

It’s easy! Just log on to www.townelaker.com and choose your favorites Today! Submit your votes by Thursday, February 10 at 5 p.m.

Readers’ Choice Categories Restaurants

Electrician

Furniture Store

All-Around Restaurant

Financial Institution/Bank

Garden Center

Bakery

Hair Salon

Gift/Home Décor Store

Barbecue Place

Home Improvement - HVAC

Grocery Store

Breakfast Place

Home Improvement - Flooring

Hardware Store

Coffee Shop

Home Improvement - Roofing

Home Improvement Store

Dessert Place

Home Improvement - Handyman

Jeweler

Ethnic Restaurant

Insurance Agent (specify agent)

Liquor Store

Fast Food Restaurant

Lawn Care

Music Store

Fine Dining Restaurant

Medical Doctor

Pet Supply Store

Italian Restaurant

Nail Salon

Shoe Store

Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Ophthalmologist

Specialty Foods

Lunch Place

Optometrist

Sporting Goods

Mexican Restaurant

Orthodontist

Tire Shop

New Restaurant

Painter

Toy Store

Oriental Restaurant

Pediatrician

Pizzeria

Pediatric Dentist

Seafood Restaurant

Pest Control

Recreation and Entertainment

Sports Bar

Pet Boarding

Dance Studio

Pet Groomer

Fitness/Health Club

Services

Plumber

Golf Course

Auto Repair

Photographer

Gymnastics Center

Car Wash

Physical Therapist

Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning

Tutoring

Caterer

Veterinarian

Chiropractor C.P.A.

Retailers

Day Care/Preschool

Boutique

Day Spa

Children’s Clothing

Dentist

Drug Store

Dry Cleaner

Florist

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

Happy Birthday!

Age 28 on January 11 Happy Birthday CC We love you! Mom, Tina and Kylie

Happy 61st Birthday!

J. Edgar

Anslee Age 17 on January 22 (center) Madison Age 10 on November 29 (right) Chandler Age 5 on November 21 (left) Happy Birthday!

Amy Dougherty

Jonathon Edward Thompson

Annika Leigh Oelschlager

Age 40 on January 23 Lordy Lordy Mom’s 40! We love you! Jeff, Brett and Julia

Ethan and Andrew Harris

Age 5 on December 5 We love you sweet boys! Sons of Katie and Craig Harris

Age 1 on January 13 Son of Marisol and Gary Thompson

Age 12 on November 19 Daughter of Anna and Mark Oelschlager Sister of Zachary

Sunny Casey

Hailei Maszerowski

Age 1 on January 19 Happy 1st Birthday! You have been such a sweet blessing to us. Love, Mom, Dad, and Trevor

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Age 1 on December 6 Happy 1st Birthday baby girl! We love you very much! Daddy, Mommy, Christopher & Emma

Sylvia Dye

Haley O’Brien

Age 13 on January 3 Daughter of Melissa Dye Sister of Kayla, Vincent, Noah, Tristan Grand-daughter of Sylvia and Charles Hulsey Niece of Corliss Schwaller

In case you didn’t know, Haley O’Brien is turning the big 4-0

Maria Nicole Meyer

Megan Reed (left) Age 6 on January 20

Happy 12th Birthday “MNM”!! Hugs, Kisses & Licks, Mom, Dad & Tucker

Austin Riddle

Age 2 on December 15 Happy 2nd Birthday “Doodle!” Mommy loves you so much! Son of Aimee Riddle Brother of Evan

Katie Reed

Age 11 on January 12 Happy birthday, sweet girls!

Emma Carruth

Age 8 on January 25 Happy Birthday, sweetie! We love you! Daughter of Danielle and Lance Carruth Sister of Jack

Anniversary Irene and Jeff Town Celebrating 25 years on January 3

Wedding, Birthday and Anniversary Announcements are Free! E-mail to: editor@townelaker.com. February deadline is January 10.

Birth Evan Alexander Evan Alexander born on 11/10/2011 7lbs 13 oz 19” Son of Aimee Riddle Little Brother of Austin

Contest Corner Congratulations to Sierra Crane for being the first to find our hidden picture on page 90 of the December issue. Congratulations also to Kathy Langell (right) for being the first to spot the phrase “We will put the bounce back in your Step” on page 32. Kathy won a gift certificate to Hot Dog Heaven and Sierra won a free frozen yogurt at Menchies.

Wedding Amanda Alley and Joshua Urbaniak

were married on November 25. Amanda is the daughter of Bonita and Kenneth Alley.

January’s Finds: Be the first to find the phrase: “Because we care . . . everyday”

Find the hidden picture:

If you know the answer to the contest question or find the hidden picture, be the first to call (770) 615-3325 or e-mail editor@townelaker.com. Please provide your name, contact phone number or email address.

Contest rules: A player is eligible to win once every 12 months. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

Could Your Social Security Income Be Taxed? A closer look at the provisional income rules

by Don Akridge, MBA, CPA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ U.S. Marine Corps Veteran – Emory University Alumnus Many new retirees assume that Social Security income is tax-free. That is not always the case. The Social Security Amendments of 1983 opened the door to taxes on some SSI (Social Security Income), depending on the amount of income someone earns in a calendar year. 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.

How much of your SSI is potentially taxable? As much as 85 percent of it, under certain conditions. Four factors determine how much of your SSI will be taxed: • The total amount of income you earn. Where it comes from. • Your taxpayer filing status. • Your provisional income – a MAGI calculation which you can figure out

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

by using Worksheet 34-1 in IRS Publication 915 or the Social Security Benefits Worksheet in the instruction booklets for IRS Form 1040 and Form 1040A. How is provisional income determined? In simple terms, this is calculated using your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income), minus one-half of your Social Security benefits. (Tax-free interest from investments such as muni bonds also becomes provisional income.) How much income can you earn before your SSI is taxed? The 2011 limits are pretty straightforward: • Single person: up to 50 percent of your SSI can be taxed if your provisional income is greater than $25,000, and up to 85 percent of your SSI can be taxed if your provisional income exceeds $34,000. • Married/head of household: up to 50 percent of your SSI can be taxed if your provisional income is greater than $32,000, and up to 85 percent of your SSI can be taxed if your provisional

“

If you are close to hitting either the 50 percent or 85 percent tax levels, you may want to think twice about moves that could take your provisional income over the threshold income exceeds $44,000. Who doesn’t have to worry about this? If your only source of income is Social Security or equivalent retirement railroad benefits, it is unlikely that your SSI will be taxed and you may not even need to file a federal return. In 2011, Social Security benefits are tax-exempt for single taxpayers with provisional incomes under $25,000 and married/head of household taxpayers with provisional incomes under $32,000. What can be done to reduce (or avoid) the tax? If you are close to hitting either the 50 percent or 85 percent tax levels, you may want to think twice about moves that could take your provisional income over the threshold – for example, receiving a sizable chunk of profit from selling a stock, or converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Here are some common moves people make with the input of a qualified tax or financial professional: • Delaying some investment income, rental income or pension income until the following tax year. • Shifting assets from accounts or investments producing reportable income (like CDs) into tax-deferred alternatives. • Working less. • Ramping up pre-tax contributions to an IRA, 401(k) or 403(b). • Lowering interest income (such as income from CDs). • Lowering tax-exempt interest income (from muni bonds, federal tax refunds, veteran’s benefits, gifts and other sources). Before April rolls around, it might be wise to consider the different ways to manage taxes on your Social Security benefits. Some new SSI recipients may be taken aback by the tax they end up paying; alternatively, they can plan to reduce it. 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.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

Boundary Changes by State Representative Charlice Byrd

Representative Charlice Byrd represents the citizens of District 20, which includes portions of Cherokee County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004 and is currently the Secretary of the Science and Technology Committee.

Earlier this year, the Georgia General Assembly completed the 2011 Special Legislative Session, concluding the most transparent and inclusive redrawing of Georgia’s political boundaries in modern history. It was also the shortest special session in Georgia’s history. The work of crafting House, Senate and Congressional maps was completed in half the time it took a decade ago, saving taxpayers considerable money. Georgia’s Constitution dictates that our state Senate consists of 56 districts and the state House of Representatives consists of 180 districts. The General Assembly is required to undertake this process every 10 years, following each census. Georgia’s official 2010 population is more than 9.6 million residents. That means each district represents 53,820 people with a margin of error of 1 percent.

Perhaps the most prevalent factor driving the reapportionment

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

process, other than the population, is the Voting Rights Act. Georgia is one of a small handful of states that still must get federal approval of its redistricting process. Every map submitted must comply with the complex legal requirements that are intended to ensure that minority-voting strength is not diluted. State legislatures must use the population shifts to modify districts. All state and federal legislative districts should be as close to the same size in population as practical. Thus, the process is a complicated one, hopefully ensuring all are equally represented. The 20th House District, which I have the honor to represent, was reduced in geographical size because of the tremendous growth in our community. Specifically, areas west of Bells Ferry Road

“

Every map submitted must comply with the complex legal requirements that are intended to ensure that minority-voting strength is not diluted. continued on page 82

Towne Lake Home Sales Are Up Over Last Year by Sheila & Kurt Johnson

Kurt and Sheila are Certified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE) with Keller Williams. More info can be found at www.KurtandSheila. com and www. ShortSalers.com

The data below compares the number of single family homes sold by price range in Towne Lake this year to date, as compared to the same 11 months in 2010 and 2007. Below that is a comparison of January – November’s average sales price to average list price for 2011, 2010 and 2007. Understanding what is happening in the marketplace is important to interpreting these results correctly.

You will notice in the above data that the number of home sales from this year as compared to last year have increased overall, and that there has been a noticeable shift in the price ranges in which homes are selling. As compared to the data for 2007 (the year the market began its correction), there is a stunning movement in the quantity of homes sold in each price range. Year to date, 47.59 percent of homes that sold in Towne Lake* sold for less than $150,000 as compared to only 13.84 percent in 2007.

This year’s decline of values in the more expensive homes can likely be attributed to the increased number of foreclosures and short sales in these price ranges. Generally, homeowners in the higher price ranges have access to credit lines and retirement account savings to stay liquid, and these funds are drying up. This is further compounded by the decline in buyers who are looking to trade up in homes. The good news is that more homes are selling and selling quickly when marketed effectively and priced to the current market. The number of homes sold in Towne Lake* is up 24.59 percent year to date as compared to the same 11 months last year. Additionally, the average days on the market for homes that were priced correctly to begin with (no price reductions) was only 28 days last quarter across the entire metro area. With interest rates likely to rise to counter our economy’s inevitable inflation, savvy buyers recognize that this is the time to buy. More Towne Lake sales statistics can be found at www. KurtandSheila.com.

*Data courtesy of FMLS (Area 112 in Woodstock) through the end of November 2011

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

“… and public debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared.” — Thomas Jefferson by State Senator Chip Rogers $48,000: the amount currently owed in federal debt by every single U.S. citizen. To put this in perspective, the federal debt owed by every U.S. citizen is more than 10 times larger than the average individual credit card debt. In fact, the average American owes more in federal debt than auto debt, credit card debt and school loan debt combined! Chip Rogers is the State Senator for our district. 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.

So how do we stop this fiscal madness? First, we must stop accumulating debt. We must balance the federal budget. Balancing the budget is required by 49 states, either through law or by Constitution. Because some states, like California, play budgetary tricks to circumvent the law, you can only imagine how they would behave with no restrictions at all. Simply put, limiting lawmakers’ spending is a very good idea, and it works.

Congress and the President are the ones who created this financial catastrophe, so it would be absurd to wait for them to get us out. Remember, these are the men and women who thought taking on another $787 billion in debt during 2009 was a great way to solve a recession. The founders actually gave us a fairly straightforward method

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

for amending our federal Constitution through individual state action. Article V of the United States Constitution allows a convention for the purpose of adopting a Constitutional Amendment when two-thirds of the states call for it. Upon passage by the convention, ratification requires adoption by three-fourths of the state legislatures. This method of amending our U.S. Constitution is termed the State Application and Convention Process. Our founders specifically created this method to be an alternative to when Congress fails to act. Article V of the United States Constitution The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States... Perhaps no single political issue is more widely accepted than the need to control our nation’s debt. The recent “downgrade” of American creditworthiness by Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency came as a cold slap in the face to most Americans. Recent polling shows that more than 75 percent of Americans believe we now need a Constitutional Amendment to balance our federal budget. The effort to call a constitutional convention for adopting a balanced budget amendment through state action is not new. In fact, the high-water mark for this effort occurred in the late

1980s, when 33 of the necessary 34 states had adopted a state Resolution calling for the convention. President Reagan was a leading proponent of the state application and convention process. A letter sent by President Reagan dated March 16, 1987 to the Montana Senate outlined his strong support and urged the passage of the Resolution. At the time, Montana was on the verge of becoming the 33rd state to adopt the call. Unfortunately, today there are less than twenty states with a current Resolution calling for the Balanced Budget Constitutional Convention. Georgia, along with many states, actually rescinded our call in the last decade. However, this may soon change. Senator Bill Cowsert, Representative Sam Teasley and I are introducing a Resolution for the specific and sole purpose of calling a Constitutional Convention to pass the Balanced Budget Amendment. A dozen additional states are considering it as well. With $15 trillion in debt, and growing, the time to act is now, before the United States becomes the next Greece.

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

Job-Seeking: Time and Task Management by Lynne Saunders

Lynne is the founder and executive director of Papa’s Pantry and The MastersTrainingCenter. com in the Towne Lake area. For more information, you can contact her at lynneatthepantry@ yahoo.com. Employment Strategies Core Concepts classes and Advanced Coaching sessions are offered bi-weekly. Call (770) 591-4730 for the schedule and more information. Papaspantry.org.

A brand new yearly calendar in January is as exciting as a bunch of freshly sharpened pencils and new notebooks at the start of school! It signals twelve fresh months ahead, a new beginning and opportunities to set goals. Not resolutions that will fade with the first loss of ambition, but concrete items that will increase the quality of your life. For the job seeker, your first goal is most likely to get a job that will meet or even exceed your financial needs, and you don’t have 12 months to do so. Looking at this new blank calendar, how do you get started?

Begin with a calendar in which you can plan and schedule tasks and appointments. If finances are limited and you are not able to invest in a time management tool, you can easily create your own on the computer or with simple notebook paper. The point is to have a tool with which you can strategically plan and write down the flow of specific steps. First, commit to a job-seeking work schedule to focus your time on specific

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

and productive activities. If you are looking for a 40-hour per week job, then that is the number of job-seeking hours to invest. Most people choose 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing 30 to 60 minutes for lunch. Personal errands and chores should be limited to non-working hours, as if you were employed. If you are not using the customized résumé method when applying for new jobs, you might spend these early weeks mastering this approach. The secret to a résumé that gets noticed is making sure it features the skills the hiring company needs. Once the customization techniques are understood, create an aggressive goal for the number of job submissions you would like to produce each week. Most people set aside their Mondays for online searches, spending the rest of the week for all other tasks. Note appropriate professional association meetings, networking events, job fairs, and possible training opportunities on the calendar pages. Fill in the remaining work time with résumé customization and job submissions. Don’t forget to schedule telephone and email time for your Sphere of Influence. These communications can occupy most of your work time if you are not careful. Follow a disciplined and strategic search and you should be employed no time! For more information, you can contact Lynne Saunders at lynneatthepantry@ yahoo.com

Marietta Location 823 campbell Hill Street Marietta, Ga 30060 (770) 425-0118

WoodStock Location 149 towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, Ga 30188 (678) 494-2380

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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

EVENT CALENDAR:

January

January 8

January 20

Chix with Stix Time: 3 p.m. Location: Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University Information: $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and children. Tickets can be purchased at box office or at http://www. reinhardt.edu/fpac.

Etowah 35 Year Anniversary Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Etowah High School gym Information: Etowah High School alumni and former staff members are invited to this special celebration during the varsity basketball game. Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for students.

January 13 – 15, 20 – 22

January 27

A Little Princess Times: Fridays 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. Location: City Center, 8534 Main Street Information: Tickets $9 if purchased in advance online; $11 at door. $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to Families of Cherokee United in Service. Call (678) 494-4251 or visit www. elmstreetarts.org.

American Red Cross Blood Drive Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Woodstock Christian Church, 7700 Highway 92

January 14 Martin Luther King Unity Breakfast Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: Northside Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton Information: Presented by Allen Temple AME Church. Free and open to the public. Guests will enjoy a complimentary breakfast as well as dynamic speakers, musical groups, and other performances.

Send Us Your Community Calendar Events to editor@townelaker.com. February deadline is January 10.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

January 27 – 28 Mike Albert’s “Ultimate Tribute” to Elvis Times: January 27, 7:30 p.m. January 28, 2 p.m. Location: Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University Information: Known worldwide for their respectful portrayal of the late Elvis Presley, Mike Albert’s “Ultimate Tribute” is guaranteed to be a spectacular performance. Tickets will be $35for adults, $28 for seniors and children, and can be purchased at box office or at http://www. reinhardt.edu/fpac.

January 29 Kids Cutz-a-thon Time: 12 – 5 p.m. Location: Upscale Hair, 8720 Main Street Information: Haircuts for children 12 and under for $15 (normally $25), walk-in basis. All proceeds will benefit Companion Animal Connection, a non-profit, no-kill dog and cat rescue. Stylists who would like to volunteer their time can contact Josie at (770) 924-4005.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 4998 3605 Marietta Hwy, Canton, GA 30114 770-345-0400

www.CherokeeChamber.com

Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings and Celebrations

Trinity Presbyterian Church November 2, 2011 1136 Trinity Church Rd Canton GA, 30115-7710 678-493-6955

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint November 11, 2011 9745 Hwy 92, Suite F Woodstock GA, 30188-6448 770-591-2685

Bambu Salon & Spa

November 30, 2011 150 Prominence Point Pkwy, Suite 700 Canton, GA 30114-9114 770-345-0027 26

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Natural Strides

November 8, 2011 8636 Main St Woodstock, GA 30188-4937 770-627-5692

Georgia Hospice by Harden November 18, 2011 2001 Professional Way, Suite 240 Woodstock, GA 30188-6444 770-592-3688

Sixes Tavern

December 2, 2011 3568 Sixes Rd, Suite 100 Canton GA, 30114-9122 770-345-2939

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Community

The Hippie is Alive and Well in Woodstock When you hear the word “hippie,” was comes to mind? — the 60s, subculture, universal love and peace, tie dye and a rejection of societal norms and culture. That was yesterday’s hippie. Today’s hippie lives in Eagle Watch, is a former corporate American, is well-traveled and now owns a business that feeds her inner “hippie,” which is much different than the hippies of the 60s. Ashley Gillis spent 20-plus years in the corporate world until a life-changing Memorial Day weekend. “I traveled extensively with my job as well as on my own, and I would collect items from my travels, especially tie dye, which was my passion outside of work. I was getting burned out in the corporate world and during this Memorial Day, I had an epiphany to share my passion with my community. I wanted to open a store that showcased not only my passion but talent from around the world and locally. I wanted a store that would give back, and I wanted merchandise only from artists who had been paid a fair wage for their work.” Ashley’s epiphany and passion led to the

Ashley Gillis

Local artist and Eagle Watch resident Mike Lukins

opening of Woodstock Hippie Shop. Ashley describes herself as a hippie, but her definition is different. “To me, a hippie is someone who receives an emotional and physical exuberance from other’s energy as well as from giving back.” Ashley has an uncanny sixth sense when it comes to people, and her positive energy is absolutely contagious. “I can tell if someone needs a laugh, so I’ll joke around and make them smile. If you come in and I sense you could use a hug, I’m giving you a hug. I feel as if my soul has been enriched by this business and by this community.” Ashley’s merchandise is eclectic; it evokes memories in adults and introduces youth to “cool and hip” items. Eighty percent of the merchandise is purchased through the Fair Trade Act; a portion of the proceeds from all incense and paracord jewelry go to Doctors Without Borders and Wounded Warriors, respectively. The merchandise includes mood rings, incense, apparel including Indian Batik and, of course, lots of tie dye. There definitely is a different kind of vibe in this store, and honestly, you can’t help but feel better about your day when you leave. The Woodstock Hippie shop is located in the Southpoint shopping center, behind McDonald’s. If you know of a local business with an interesting behind-the-scenes story, please contact editor@ townelaker.com. 28

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Community

us. Topics for 2012 will be posted on our website, and immediately upcoming events will be printed here each month.

Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshop

Happy New Year from the Towne Lake Business Association (TLBA)! We wish you joy, good health, and prosperity in 2012. We want to thank everyone who attended the annual TLBA Holiday Gala at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills in December. It was a fantastic way to celebrate 2011 and the holidays with fellow business people in the Towne Lake area. The TLBA helps promote business in the Towne Lake area and serves as a support system for the business community. We host monthly Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshops, featuring expert guest speakers who share their experience and knowledge on a variety of business topics with

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 12:30 — 2 p.m. Social Media 1.1: Now I need WHAT? Presented by Tom Crawford, founder and CEO of tomcrawford.com, LLC. All Workshops are held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to all events at (770) 615-3350.

Welcome New Members The Towne Lake Family Pharmacy Solid Source Realty. Thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee.” Visit us at tlba.org.

TLBA Gala The Towne Lake Business Association (TLBA) held a holiday gala to celebrate the season. Held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, members enjoyed a variety of hors d’oeuvres while mingling. The TLBA meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Featherstone’s. For more information, please visit www.tlba.org.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Lifestyle

Adam’s Rib by Mike Litrel, M.D.

Dr. Mike Litrel practices with his fellow OB/GYNs at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists in 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. mikelitrelmd.com

Cathy, a pretty young brunette, had come to my office for an annual exam and was waiting with slumped shoulders, gazing at the floor. As I entered the room, her smile was polite, but the lines of her face traced profound sadness. And when her eyes accidentally met mine, she quickly looked away.

Physicians worry about abuse when meeting patients like Cathy. During the physical exam, I asked a few questions, poking gently into her life at home. Cathy and her husband had been married 12 years and things were “fine.” Her two children were “growing like weeds” and about to finish elementary school. Her husband worked. She stayed at home. No, there weren’t any problems to speak of. It was her job to cook the meals, keep the home nice and mind the children after school. She didn’t get out a lot – only grocery shopping or to church on Sundays. There were no visits with friends or family. I asked why, and her answer was the red flag I had feared. “My husband tells me I have to stay at home,” she said dully,

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

looking down again. I asked point blank if her husband ever hit her - even though her body hadn’t shown any sign of bruises or injuries in my exam. No, she said. But abuse comes in different forms. Cathy confided she once dreamed of becoming a photographer, but her husband didn’t want her taking courses at the local community college. Her job was to clean the house, watch the children and have sex when he wanted it. He made the money, he paid the bills, and she would get money only if and when he said so. She was allotted a modest grocery allowance once a week. Cathy and I sat together in silence. I felt sad. I didn’t really know what to say, and didn’t want to overstep my bounds. Marriages are sacred and created by the husband and wife and God. But sometimes the parameters of the relationship are destructive - and more often than not, the woman gets the raw end of the deal. Cathy’s husband went out drinking beer with his friends many nights while she remained alone at home. He never took Cathy out to a restaurant or movie. It’s a sad truth in gynecology that a women’s biggest problem in life often starts with choosing the wrong sexual partner. Cathy hesitatingly broke the silence, revealing the premise of her marriage: “My husband says that Woman was made from Man’s rib. So I should never question him and always obey him.”

When you read the Gospels, it’s hard not to notice that the people Jesus found most annoying were the Pharisees, who could quote Holy Scripture to the letter, but followed God’s will the least. There is a long historical precedent for interpreting the Bible to justify bad behavior. Many Pharisees are alive today, wielding the Bible like a weapon rather than using it as an instruction manual on how to love. I searched for a response. I admitted that even though I am a Christian, I don’t know exactly what it means in Genesis that God created woman from Man’s rib. There is no biological basis for this, so I don’t interpret the statement literally. But as a doctor who has studied biology and has delivered thousands of babies, I was able to assure Cathy of one thing: “I know that every man who is alive today or ever was alive - including Jesus - came into this world through a woman’s body.”

herself, as though listening internally - to another Voice. A light was growing in her bright blue eyes, like a window opening in a dark cell. She walked away, appearing gripped in thought. Marriage is sacred. Each partner should be dedicated to the health and well being of their chosen spouse. This doesn’t mean we have to do everything with each other all the time. Who could possibly stand that? But we should never stand in each other’s way.

Cathy’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened and she let out an audible breath. She seemed dumbstruck for a moment. “You’re right!” she said slowly, her voice full of wonder. Then more strongly, “All men do come into this world through a woman’s body!” As Cathy was leaving, I offered that God wants us to believe in ourselves and follow our dreams in life. She began nodding to

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Re-Opening SOON!

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Lifestyle

Everyday

Dear Everyday Angels:

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Please visit www.townelaker.com/ everydayangels to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@gmail.com for consideration and qualification. 36

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

I am a part-time counselor at a community church. This is a new role for me as I attend classes for a Certification in Counseling. It will take a while to obtain this, but I have never been happier with my life. Several years ago, I was going through one of the most difficult times of my life. I was faced with one life-changing thing after another. It was a year I will never forget. I lost my mother to cancer, and my husband had left me with two small children and moved out of state. I was forced to move out of our home and into an apartment and take a second part-time job on the weekends. I also had to file bankruptcy, which I never thought I would do. My emotional devastation was causing me physical harm, and I was not at all myself. Although I had grown up going to church and thought my faith was strong, it clearly wasn’t. My neighbor had called your organization asking for financial help for me, but what I received was much more. Yes, you paid my electricity for me, and it was a big help at that time, but it also gave me hope and reminded me that I was not alone. It reminded me to lean on God and my faith and to be patient. I began taking my girls to church again and eventually met a wonderful man. I am now engaged to be married and am returning to school a few nights a week to become a certified counselor. I feel a calling to use my past to help others who are going through similar difficulties in their life. I want to share this with you because it is important to understand what a difference kind acts and words can make to someone. You probably don’t even remember me, but I will never forget. I am grateful for my neighbor who reached out to me and cared enough to find help for someone not strong enough to ask for it. I was feeling comfortable with the role of “victim” and didn’t even try to help myself. Instead, I made excuses and blamed the circumstances and people who did this to me. Today, I know that my mom is watching over me and is very proud of how I have chosen to overcome that traumatic year and use it positively for my future and the future of my family and others. I miss my mom and her wise counsel every minute. I am excited to offer my assistance, once I obtain my certification, to your organization and our community. I understand first-hand the importance of helping others and greatly appreciate all that you do. We must never underestimate the power of small acts of kindness. Thank you, readers, for making this holiday special for so many families. Your generous donations, cards, and love have provided food, encouragement and hope. Everyday Angels wishes you all a blessed 2012. We are thankful for the beautiful people who put their trust in our organization, allowing us to bless others.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Lifestyle

Living History: Part 1 by Cindy Morrow I met Erna a few months ago while working at Joyful Acres Farm. Erna and her husband Joe stopped by to watch the ‘harvesting’ of chickens and to get eggs. I was helping with the harvest, so I didn’t shake her hand.

Cindy writes freelance from Woodstock where she has lived since 1990. She welcomes ideas for her column and can be reached at cindy.morrow@gmail. com. Her website is www.cindymorrow. net.

Erna Richards remembers raising chickens when she was a child. Born in 1927 to German parents, she was born and spent her early childhood in what was then a colony in Palestine. “We all lived together, like normal neighbors. Germans, Arabs, Jews, the Brits. No problems.” Her next home was Africa. And here, there were problems.

She was 12 when her family was taken to an internment camp. It was 1939, and they were German. The men were taken one place, the women and children another. Allowed to bring only the clothes on their backs, Erna, her mother and three sisters were taken to a dilapidated, old hotel. They had mattresses on the floor, but no linens, and by morning they were covered in bed-bug bites. After three months, the internees were given a choice: stay there until the end of the war or go to Germany. They chose to leave. Because they came from Africa, they were ill-dressed for the colder climate, and spent a long, miserable, frostbitten journey to their homeland. Erna showed me her organic garden, brimming with an amazing variety of vegetables, fruit and flowers. I stop in front of a tall,

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

white-and-green bank of plants I’d never seen before. “That is Snow on the Mountain,” she said, and then remembered, “The first time I saw snow was when we arrived in Germany from the camp.” I asked her what she remembered about the Jews, what grownups discussed. “We knew nothing about nothing. There were rumors…but no one talked about it, because we saw that if you asked questions, poof! You were taken away.” It wasn’t until after the war she found out the truth. “Then we heard all the stories…we were horrified. Horrified.” Erna looked sad and shook her head. “My grandfather believed Hitler was a great man. He was stunned to find out the truth.” Erna came to America in 1950 to work as a nanny. She spoke no English. Within a few years she met Joseph Richards, and they married in 1958. When you have the privilege to meet and hear the stories of people who have lived history about which you have only read, one column is not enough. Next month we meet Joseph, 91, a WWII Army hero who parachuted into Japanese-held territory, conquered the enemy and saved a five-year-old girl left in a rice field. But what may be more impressive is that, though a divorced father to three children, he convinced a beautiful, young German immigrant girl to marry him.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Lifestyle

Happy 2012 by Shelley Herod It is hard to believe that 2011 is now history. I believe 2012 is going to be an exciting year in the interior design industry. This year will introduce old ideas redesigned into new trends, natural elegance, vibrant colors and extraordinary combinations and contrasts. Shelley lives in Towne Lake and owns her own interior design company. She can be reached at (770) 2355640.

Colors are going to be more vivid; intense shades of green, yellow, indigo and pink, combined with balancing neutral tones such as gray, taupe and white, are going to bring brand new personality to our homes. For a more elegant appearance, combinations such as black with gray, black and silver, pale blue and gray, gold and white, orange and gray, lavender and white, and tan and black will be very pleasing this coming year. Mixing different styles of accent furniture will complement an elegant appearance. If the romantic impression is what you prefer, soft shades of pink and gold, combined with white textiles and flowing window treatments, will set the stage this year. Wood flooring with a light weight area rug, paintings of natural scenery and

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

fresh flowers can be added as final touches to your romantic space. Natural fabrics are going to be abundant in 2012. Nubby, neutral colored, natural fibers will be present in flooring, window treatments, furniture and accessories. Reclaimed wood, unusual aged finishes, rustic touches and natural materials will be visible throughout the year. Emphasis on environmentally-friendly materials will continue to gain momentum. Anything displaying that repurposed look will be high in demand. Leathers, tweeds, flannels, pinstripes and other menswear inspired fabrics will begin to make an appearance. In the living room, the media room and even the master bedroom, this look will be prevalent in the fabric market. The “Ralph Lauren” inspiration suggests a well-traveled life and is appealing to both men and women. The peacock print will also be flaunted this year and for some time to follow. After years of sending our manufacturing overseas, resulting in an outrageous percentage of job loss, our nation is now asking itself where we went wrong. The “Made in America” label will have a new chic. America is returning to its values and continued on page 83

South African Wine by David Heckelmoser

David Heckelmoser is a Towne Lake resident and professional member of the Society of Wine Educators, Certified Specialist of Wine CSW, Atlanta Chapter Sommelier Les Marmition.

South African wine has a history dating back to 1659, and at one time Constantia (Vin de Constance – a South African dessert wine) was considered one of the greatest wines in the world. South African win production ceased in the late 19th century but resumed in the mid 1990s. Access to international markets has unleashed a burst of new energy and new investment in South African wine. Wine production is concentrated around Cape Town, with major vineyard and production centers at Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.

When I think of red wine from South Africa, I think of a Pinotage, which is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Traditionally, South African red wines had a reputation for being coarse in texture with rustic flavors. While there are supporters who want to make the grape South Africa’s signature variety, critics of the grape note that hardly any other wine region in the world has planted the variety due to its flaws. In the early 1990s, as Apartheid ended and the world’s wine market was opening up, winemakers in South Africa ignored Pinotage in favor of more internationally recognized varieties like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pinotage - A local cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (Hermitage). Unique to South Africa, it can produce complex and fruity wines with age but is also often very drinkable when young. The better wines are full bodied. They produce many different styles from big and bold, to lighter and more fruity. Pair with barbeque ribs. Cinsaut - Previously known as Hermitage. A very versatile red variety - it can be used to blend with Cabernet to produce reasonably priced early drinking wines, or as quality wine for brandy distilling. It is also often used for rosé and port. When you’re in a wine store, grab a bottle of South African Pinotage and a South African Chenin Blanc. Until next time, cheers!

“

When I think of red wine from Sputh Africa, I think of a Pinotage, which is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

White varieties which have become more popular from South Africa include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which produce top-class white wines. Chenin Blanc (Steen) - The most widely cultivated (18 percent of all vineyards) variety in the Cape. Characterized by its versatility, Chenin Blanc produces good natural white wines covering the whole spectrum from sweet to dry, as well as sherry and sparkling wine. Its fruitiness finds favor with a wide range of palates. Try Chenin Blanc from South Africa, and compare it with a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, France. Since it’s a light to medium bodied wine, try it with Chinese food, salads, and fish smoked or sautéed with lemon.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Feature

2011 A Look Back

at our Community

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Lifestyle

PC Rescue 9-1-1 by Kara Kiefer Up until a few months ago, I had the worst home computer ever! We knew we probably needed to bite the bullet and upgrade to a new computer, but the extra funds to do that never seemed available. We limped along and just got used to the little idiosyncrasies,such as: 1. If the computer was off, I would turn it on and find something else to do, such as take a shower or put a load of Kara Kiefer is the Editor laundry in the washer, because it would of AroundAbout — take approximately 15 minutes to fully TowneLaker. She lives boot up. in Towne Lake with her 2. Once I got the computer up and husband Mike and sons clicked on the Internet icon, I again had Brandon and Garrett. to find something else to do, such as put the laundry into the dryer, empty the dishwasher and dry my hair, because it would be another good 10 minutes before the page would load. And if I had to go beyond the home page, it would be another 4-5 minutes to reach my destination- throw in some more laundry or perhaps finish getting ready for work. I could never open more than one browsing window at a time because that only made matters worse.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

3. Opening Outlook proved to be a game of speed. When I clicked the program, it would come up but close immediately. I learned that if I quickly - and I mean quickly - clicked on an existing email in the inbox, Outlook would open and stay open. The trick was getting to the email before Outlook closed. Usually, it took me three or four tries to get Outlook open. Do the math. A typical computer session that should take only mere minutes generally sucked up 20 – 30 minutes of my day. These aggravations were enough for most people to throw in the towel, but we continued to squeeze every bit of life out of this PC. The final straw came when, after waiting the allotted time to access a website, the computer would not allow us to access any pages requiring a login, which was most of the pages we needed. In a last ditch effort, I decided to try and get it fixed. While there are plenty of reputable computer repair shops, several in our area alone, I recalled seeing Ross Pischke’s Cureforkids Facebook page. Ross passed away in 2010 at age 19 from complications of leukemia. In his honor, his father, Ken, created a computer repair continued on page 82

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Lifestyle

New Year’s Resolution: No Velvet Shoe Bags by Lauri Wischner

Lauri Wischner is a Towne Lake resident who left her sales career behind to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Contact her at laurihiking@yahoo.com.

I’m not a big fan of Martha Stewart. She very successful, I know. But what she’s most successful at is making me feel woefully inadequate when it comes to the neatness of my home. She exhibits her impeccably-kept New England country manor on her show, no clutter in sight, all while looking perfectly coiffed and freshly massaged. Yes, Martha, I think to myself, my house could look that way too if I had a staff of 20 people paid to act each day on my wildest cleaning whim.

In Martha’s world, there seems to be an absolute “right” way to maintain every single household object. The “Martha” way tends to have 20 steps and assumes you have no job, no kids and no life and that you never want to have fun. Ever. I’ve even heard her tell her TV audience how, they too, can sew their very own velvet shoe bags. For real? First of all, I don’t even have time to clean my dog’s ears, let alone make soft, luxurious homes for my shoes. Where’s the advice on how to get dog teeth marks out of the leather shoes I just bought? What’s the key to finding my one missing shoe at 7 a.m. when I’m rushing out the door, hands juggling hot tea, a purse and keys while being informed by my little girl that I need to supply 20-something cupcakes for her class by 9 a.m.? Now that’s advice I could really use. Recipes are another area where Martha may be a little one egg

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

short of a soufflé. Her recipes look tasty, rich and decadent, but some of the required ingredients are simply over-the-top. One recent recipe I saw called for one tablespoon of finely grated Pecorino Toscano cheese. Now, I ask you, when is the

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I've even heard her tell her TV audience how, they too, can sew their very own velvet shoe bags. For real? First of all, I don't even have time to clean my dog's ears, let alone make soft, luxurious homes for my shoes. Where's the advice on how to get dog teeth marks out of the leather shoes I just bought? last time you’ve run into Pecorino Toscano cheese at Walmart? So, for the new year, my resolution is to be as unlike Martha Stewart as possible. I will try to do what works for me and not for everyone else. I will try not to compare my (lacking) level of neatness with others’. I will try to make lots of one-dish casseroles and crockpot meals that do not require Pecorino Toscano cheese. And I resolve that no matter what happens in 2012, I will not, under any circumstances, make velvet bags for my shoes.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

A Life and Death Proposition by Scott Lemmon Have you noticed how ravenously the birds eat at your bird feeders, especially first thing in the morning and just before dusk? They are stoking their internal heaters to get the day started and replenish fat reserves for another cold night.

are the only dietary component that is deposited intact into tissue. Storage pools of lipids (fat reserves) are the primary energy supply that fuels a bird between meals and through cold winter nights.

Songbirds and other small passerines may use up to ¾ths of their fat reserves in one night, which means they have to replenish those fat reserves the next day. With chickadees, this can be as much as 10 percent of their body weight!

Bird feeders can be an important food source during winter. When severe weather impacts wild food supplies, some species of birds will turn to feeders as a critical food resource. It is during these times that feeders play their most vital role. If there is a storm of long duration or extreme impact, a feeding station may mean the difference between life and death for these birds.

A bird expends 60 percent of its energy through body heat. Small birds conserve energy overnight by decreasing their body temperatures. It is called “controlled hypothermia” when their temperature is between 77-95˚F. It is considered “torpor” when their body temperature is below 77˚F. Birds usually eat a quantity of food necessary to satisfy their energy needs. Their food intake fluctuates with environmental temperature, activity levels, and the energy concentration of their diets. Especially in wintertime, fats and proteins are essential for helping birds stay warm. Lipids are the most concentrated energy source that a bird can consume. Lipids are substances such as a fat (like suet), oil (found in seeds) or wax (usually from tree fruits). Dietary lipids supply energy and

By keeping your feeders clean and full in January, you can help your backyard birds make it through the winter, and they’ll reward you with song, color and activity all year long. Scott Lemmon can be reached at (770) 9283014 or by e-mail at wbuwoodstock@comcast. net.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Feature

Park View Montessori Answers Your Preschool Questions As a parent, one of the more daunting decisions you will be faced with is in regards to early childhood education. The decisions include whether to send him or her to preschool and if so, when and more importantly, where. The when and where is a huge decision because for many, this will be the first time their child will be left in the care of someone else for extended periods of time, several days a week.

If you listen to the experts, there is no debate regarding the benefits of early childhood education. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), “children who attend a high quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies and stronger math skills than those who do not,” said NIEER Director W. Steven Barnett, PhD. Experts also agree that preschool teaches students invaluable social skills, such as how to compromise, be respectful of others and problem solve. Preschool also provides children the opportunity to gain a sense of self, to build confidence and to interact with peers. Knowing these statistics, most parents agree that early childhood education is not a luxury, it’s a must; so the decision now becomes, “Where should I send my child?” For more than 22 years, parents - and their children who are now parents - have trusted Park View Montessori School for this important educational foundation.

Park View owner Kathy Faircloth Lucas Kay

If you’re a parent about to embark on this process, you undoubtedly have questions, many of which are addressed below: What is Montessori? According to Park View owner Kathy Faircloth, “Montessori is a teaching method and philosophy that emphasizes individual instruction in a self-paced environment. However, individualized programs do not equate to unstructured, free-for-all classes. The goal of Montessori is to instill a love of learning and exploring of interests in a supportive, flexible and varied environment.”

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

What ages does Park View accept? Park View accepts children six weeks old through kindergarten. Montessori classrooms serve ages 3 – 5. The infant programs use the basic Montessori principles, with developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the major milestones of the first year. Park View teachers work with infants to strengthen the weaker areas of development while encouraging the stronger ones. Montessori teaching begins at age one, with Montessori-certified teachers in classes for toddlers through kindergarten. A typical classroom will include three-, four- and five-year-olds learning, being challenged and developing their individual passions. Does Park View offer the state-funded PreK program? Yes. There are 44 lottery-funded Pre-K spaces available each year, and students who are part of this class receive the same Montessori education as those not in the program. What is the staff turnover? Extremely low. Several staff members have been there for 17 years or more. The low turnover results in a highly stable environment, earning trust in parents and children. Seeing the same faces day after day, year after year, is very reassuring to families, especially with young children who are impressionable and often resistant to change. Staff stability can make the difference in whether or not your child can hit the ground running or has to spend time readjusting with each new school year.

(Above) Shelby Andres (Left) Daniel Stahler and Alice Murphree

Does Park View welcome parental involvement? Most definitely. Park View staff members view the students and their families as part of an extended family. Park View enjoys an active Parents Association, which involves parents in service projects and fundraising. “Parental involvement is very important to us; we need it and encourage it,” said Kathy. Park View has a come-visit-anytime policy for parents, which can be comforting to children with separation anxiety. How are lesson plans developed? Each child receives his or her own lesson plan, and these plans are ongoing, depending upon the child’s current interest. There is ample variety and flexibility for the students, due to the fact each student develops at different rates. What next? Kathy and the entire staff at Park View invites you to its open house, which will be held on January 21 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Prospective parents and students can have all their questions answered and tour the newly renovated building. Generations of families have trusted their children’s first educational experience to Park View. Stop by to see why!

Park View Montessori School Ages 6 weeks – 6 years Kindergarten State Licensed, Certified Teachers 2 & 3 day classes ½ day classes Open 12 months Monday- Friday 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (770) 926-0044 6689 Bells Ferry Road www.parkviewmontessorischool.com

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Lifestyle

Holiday Cheer: What To Do With That Not-Quite Empty Bottle Of Wine At The Restaurant by Douglas B. Rohan, Esq., ROHAN LAW, PC

Doug Rohan lives in the Walton community with his wife, Julia, and three daughters. He is a bi-lingual attorney and owner of Rohan Law, PC where he specializes in Criminal Defense and Workers’ Compensation claims. He also is a member of the AroundAbout Walton Community Board. You can email Doug at doug@ rohanlawpc.com.

During the season of holiday parties, it is quite common for an employer to host an event at a local restaurant. Or, perhaps, as an escape from the present buying season, you take a night off with your lovely spouse for a quiet “kids-free” dinner. No, not a “kids-eat-free” dinner at IHOP, but a classic date night at a fine restaurant. After perusing the wine list, you settle on your favorite Cabernet, even if the retail price is a little higher than what you are used to. For one reason or another, you complete your meal and find that you are just not able to finish off that bottle of wine. Maybe the babysitter called and requested an early end to the night, or after reading my November article on DUIs, you decide it would be imprudent to have “just one more.” But alas, you don’t want to cast away that last glass or two remaining in the bottle…

Not to fear: the Georgia State legislature has come to your rescue. Under OCGA 3-6-4, you are allowed to ask your server to re-cork the bottle for you. So long as you heed a few minor and common sense rules, you are free to take that bottle of wine home and finish it at your leisure.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

The few minor rules include the following: 1) The bottle must be resealed in the restaurant, preferably with the original cork. 2) The bottle must be placed in a bag which would show evidence if it was subsequently tampered with. For example, a paper bag that is stapled shut across the top. If you tried to open it on your way home, the paper bag would tear where it was stapled. 3) Keep a copy of the dated receipt with you for the drive home, preferably stapled to the same paper bag containing the wine bottle. 4) For the ride home, the bottle should be out of reach of the driver, preferably in the trunk or behind the last upright seat, if the vehicle does not have a trunk. So feel free to spoil that nice bottle of wine eyeing all year, even if you accustomed to finishing the whole bottle in one sitting. You now know you can always (safely and legally) take it with you when you go home and enjoy it later.

yourself with you have been are

not

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Health & Wellness

Be a Wide Receiver Your Entire Life: A Dental New Year Story by Dr. Scott R. Harden The title of this article was the closing statement of a long conversation with my son after seeing him slacking off at night instead of doing his homework. He is a junior in high school, and this is an important year for proving to colleges what he can achieve academically. My son has always maintained good grades, always been a good athlete Dr. Scott Harden is a and always exercised good Christian dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry values. My son can always count on and has served the me for compliments and support in Towne Lake area school, sports and life in general, but for more than 21 he received an unexpected lecture on years. He is a Dental life and his obligations. The subject Advisor for two was fueled by the recent loss of my nationally renowned dental research staff member, Michaela, who died in companies. You can a traffic accident while coming home reach him at (770) from school. At 24, she was a delight 926-0000 or visit to all who knew her. She gave her all FountainViewSmiles. at our dental office while taking care com. of patients. She proved herself to be a respected scholar and a dedicated environmentalist, which she demonstrated by riding a scooter that lead to her tragic death. She was constantly beaming with life as she made her mark on this world. After attending Michaela’s funeral, my emotion poured out for obvious reasons. The life of a teenager is not an easy one; it’s filled with school all day and study all night. Living in this modern electronic jungle of distractions is no help either. Attaining an education is a defining experience for everyone that goes through it, and thank God we have this opportunity. “A wide receiver is measured by his ability to catch the pass from the quarterback and make a touchdown,” I told my son. “He is measured by how many times he completes the pass, not by how many times he runs a play and misses the ball. He is measured by how he runs his routes and pays attention when the ball comes to him. He must work out hard 54

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

to be in the best shape possible and perform at his best. His importance and ranking is based upon measurable statistics, and so is yours. It does not matter how many tests you take, it only matters what your GPA is in the final analysis. Be a wide receiver your entire life; one that catches the ball every play.” Any of us could receive this same information and apply it to our own lives, in keeping with New Year’s resolutions often embraced in January. Spend more time with family and friends, take care of your body, quit smoking, enjoy life more, quit drinking, get out of debt, learn something new, help others, get organized and - my favorite - go to the dentist and achieve healthy teeth and gums. These are all very wonderful and involve planning, communication, willpower and commitment. The best part of New Year’s resolutions is the sincerity each of us has to undertake a better lifestyle, to help others, to help ourselves and to improve the quality of life overall. The problem is most people do not keep their promise to themselves and to others. People fall back into the “same old rut” and their visions quickly diminish. As a father and dentist, I recognize a correlation between discipline and distraction in my son and in my patients. As a dentist, it is frustrating to realize patients have insurance they pay for, have easy access to dental offices and know dental care has advanced tremendously to a painless level, and I still see them show up with horrific gum disease and tooth decay that requires many teeth to be pulled and dentures. The best philosophy as a dentist is to humbly welcome a patient and offer various avenues of dental care so they achieve a healthy result. This we do every day, and we make patients feel good about themselves, regardless of the circumstances. This does not, however, remove the same frustration discussed above as a father, knowing patients can genuinely focus on their dental health and avoid serious problems by keeping routine dental appointments. To patients I give the same recommendation I gave my son: be a wide receiver your entire life. Get regular dental check ups twice a year and be consistent so your measurable dental health results are predictably excellent.

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The best part of New Year's resolutions is the sincerity each of us has to undertake a better lifestyle, to help others, to help ourselves and to improve the quality of life overall.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Health & Wellness

Improve Your 2012 Health with Omega-3s! by Dr. Jared J. Lasseigne Over the years, fat has gotten a bad rap. While it is true that in large amounts, some types of fats are very bad for your health, there are some fats that we simply cannot live without. There are certain vitamins that are only present in fat, and these vitamins need fat to be absorbed by the human body. While our modern-day diets give us plenty of fat, it’s mostly the wrong kind. For more information, contact Dr. Jared at Discover Chiropractic in Towne Lake (770) 516-9900.

I’m sure you’ve heard by now about the benefits of Omega-3 fish oils. Fish oils are the building blocks of growth, and they support good health as we age. Scientific research indicates that they promote heart health, provide immune system enhancement, mental agility, joint support, healthy emotional response and mood support. Even populations such as Eskimos, which consume large amounts of essential fatty acids, enjoy a very low incidence of heart disease. Everyone can benefit from Omega-3 fish oils. “It not only plays a vital role in the health of the membrane of

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

every cell in our body, it also helps protect us from a number of key health threats,” says Laurie Tansman, MS, RD, CDN, a nutritionist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. The two fats found in Omega-3 fish oils that are crucial to good health are DHA and EPA. DHA is needed for proper brain development, as well as visual and neurological growth; meanwhile, EPA helps moderate the body’s natural inflammatory response and improves cardiovascular integrity. These specific Omega-3 fatty acids can have a positive impact on your long-term health. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week for healthy adults with no history of heart disease. The World Health Organization recommends taking approximately one and a half to two grams of Omega-3 fatty acids per day. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted on proper recommended dosage for people with chronic health conditions. At our office, we believe that given the proper nutrition, your body has amazing capabilities of keeping itself healthy. We also believe that nutrition should be individualized to meet each person’s needs.

Yoga: Good for the Body by Jeff Sousa Yoga Asana is an exercise that has been practiced by men and women for hundreds of years. Its popularity has to do with the results it delivers. Yoga’s success derives from its simplicity. Yoga builds and tones muscle, increases flexibility and creates incredible core strength in the right places and proportion for your body. Achieving that balance comes from learning techniques that keep you from holding Jeff Sousa is a yoga tension when it should be released — teacher at Ember Hot Yoga in downtown techniques that allow you to control Woodstock. your breath and maintain focus in the face of intensity. Yoga works on more then just your exterior; it gives you a complete, healthy body and mind that you can do anything with. By strengthening your core and the muscles around your joints, yoga allows you to build “bridges” in your body to take the pressure away from areas that might otherwise compress. This relieves pain, protects against injuries and allows the body to heal in a natural and optimal way. By releasing tension and decompressing the joints, the yoga poses effectively create space in the body. This enables you to live life with more

freedom of motion, less tightness, more strength and more gracefulness. It is like having an extra whole body to enjoy life. Hot yoga simply means doing the yoga poses in a heated environment. The heat is similar to what you would experience in studios without air conditioning in New York or Calcutta in the summer. It is natural, and the body responds naturally as the heat penetrates: opening, sweating, detoxifying and allowing the yoga postures enhanced ability to reshape the body. It also provides a ready, persistent challenge to mental focus, which strengthens the mind. The physical challenge presented by heating the body, either externally or though a vigorous classical practice, can result in up to 1,000 calories burned in a session. The best part of doing yoga is that you start to notice changes in how you feel from the very beginning. There is not a tedious process of “learning” yoga before you begin to see the benefits. As soon as you begin to align yourself with the basic principals taught in yoga classes, things start flowing more smoothly and it becomes a self-reinforcing mechanism for changing your body and your quality of life. For most practitioners, yoga is not something you have to drag yourself to do. Yoga maintains its attraction simply through the feeling you take with you after you have practiced. It becomes a positive addiction that, from the beginning, can replace stale patterns in your routine and enhance performance in your other physical activities. It is never too late to start a yoga practice. Yoga is truly for everybody. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Health & Wellness

Woodstock Medical Weight Loss Can Help with Weight Loss Goal Everyone has his or her own reasons for wanting to lose weight, whether it’s for health concerns, wanting to avoid the disease risks associated with obesity, or just wanting to look good in that bathing suit this summer. But for most people, losing weight can be a challenge. If you are choosing to research alternative weight loss programs, it’s a positive indication that you share the desire of millions of others to live a healthier and more fulfilling life void of the physical discomfort and health issues normally associated with being overweight. There are many options when it comes to losing weight. Choosing a plan that will give positive results without feeling deprived and hungry is key to your ultimate success. For more than 50 years, a method of resetting metabolism and effectively shedding unwanted pounds and inches has been used with great success. In recent years, the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a naturally occurring hormone found in women) Weight Loss Program, emphasized by Dr. A. T. W. Simeon in his book Pounds and Inches, A New Approach to

Obesity, has gained increased popularity due to its success rate. Based on extensive research, the program has been proven as a healthy approach to fat loss and weight management. The introduction of HCG to the body has an uncanny ability to unlock fat storage that has remained elusive, if not impossible to diminish. The combination of HCG and B-12 (for added energy), coupled with a caloric regimen from a specific scope of food sources, allows the body to use the fat stores as fuel, effectively shedding the undesirable fat while cleansing the body of unhealthy toxins. The body’s metabolism is essentially reset and ready for a new way of introducing beneficial foods that facilitate the maintenance of a healthy weight. Woodstock Medical Weight Loss provides the HCG program under the supervision of a medical professional. To learn more, call (678) 501-5007 or visit Woodstockmedical weightloss.com.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

New Year, New You! by Marietta Plastic Surgery

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Now that the holidays are over, we all have more time to refocus, regenerate, and relax. This is the time New Year’s resolutions are uttered and hopefully acted upon. It’s no wonder that, after much holiday indulgence, many resolutions focus Drs. Thaddeus Fabian*, Keith Hanna*, on losing weight and Keith West*, John Symbas and Michael getting into better McNeel* are plastic surgeons with shape. Even if you Marietta Plastic Surgery, with offices tried to avoid putting in Woodstock and Marietta. Trained on holiday pounds, the at top teaching institutions, they are odds are against us all. skilled in the latest techniques and So start the New Year procedures in the field of plastic surgery. out right, by putting For a private consultation, contact www. mariettaplasticsurgery.com. together a personal plan that addresses what *Members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. you’d like to improve upon—both internally and externally. It helps to write it down, by setting just a few simple, attainable goals for the year, and steps on how to get there.

With the New Year, comes a sense of renewal and it’s a good time to set realistic body image goals. List what you’d like to improve upon and a game plan to achieve them. Body contouring procedures, like liposuction, are highly effective at smoothing out your silhouette, often taking off a dress size or two. And because you need a few weeks to realize the full effects, a great time to schedule this procedure is winter and early spring. Facial rejuvenation techniques, like Botox or dermal injections, also are effective ways to give you a refreshed and renewed appearance, with minimal downtime. Or, if you’re done having children and you yearn for your pre-baby shape, look into options. There are wonderful ways to help get your body back, like having a breast lift or augmentation and/or a tummy tuck.

Maybe it’s time to take exercising seriously? Even if it entails a brisk walk three times a week, it will help both your mind and body. It’s a great time to think and plan, and burns calories along the way.

The important thing is that usually when we look great, we feel great. It’s often hard to separate the two. So set your resolutions, but don’t forget to include ones that make you feel and look better this year. Happy 2012!

With the New Year, comes a sense of renewal and it's a good time to set realistic body image goals.

After the holidays, it is definitely the time to begin eating healthy again. Try to skip processed foods and buy whole, natural foods. Shopping the perimeter of the grocery store is an easy way to avoid packaged foods. You’ll probably begin to feel more energetic and may keep more weight off. During the busy holiday season, we spend time on everyone else—shopping, feeding, entertaining, and visiting. It may be time to schedule “you” time, even if it’s to just read a book. Don’t feel guilty about spending time and money on yourself.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Health & Wellness

Tips for Healthy Eating by WellStar Nutrition Network Every year, the time comes to make resolutions about improvements for the New Year. One of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions is weight loss. Most people start out strong and are determined to stick with the positive changes they have set out to make. However, at some point or another, they tend to become discouraged and fall short of their optimistic goals to eat healthier and shed a few pounds. Not this year. Eating healthy does not mean a complete overhaul of the grocery list and diet. A few simple changes to portion sizes and eating habits can be all it takes to successfully check a resolution off the list. The nutrient-rich foods that reap the most benefits in a diet are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, beans, fish and lean meats. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps lower cholesterol. The calcium and vitamin D in low-fat milk can help keep the weight off once the weight-loss goal is reached. Also, eating smaller portioned meals more frequently will help boost your metabolism. Start your day with breakfast. A granola bar is a quick and nutritious way to begin the day and it takes very little time from our busy schedules. It will kick start your metabolism in the morning and give you extra energy.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

An important tip to consider is to avoid the convenience of calorie-dense foods and cook nutrient-rich foods instead. This will save both calories and money in these tough economic times. Rather than dwelling on the foods you should avoid, focus on the nutrients that your body needs. This often makes it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan. However, do not punish yourself. Allow yourself small treats often so you do not feel deprived, but satisfy your hunger with nutritious foods first. Exercising regularly can also help manage weight. Running and walking can be done almost year-round and require minimal equipment, skill or planning. Join a gym to access a variety of group classes or find a local team to play your favorite sport. Schedule physical activity into your day as you would any important appointment. Improving diets not only helps with weight loss but also can lower the risk of many diseases. Eating healthy does not have to be a daunting resolution. A few minor changes to eating habits can be all it takes to become a healthier “you.”

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Health & Wellness

Exercise – Not Just for New Year’s Resolution by Joe Kafati and Katie Lawrence, MPT Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions for 2012. One of the top resolutions year after year is to lose weight and exercise. Let this be the year you stick with your exercise program. Regular exercise has multiple benefits; it can be fun and is easier than you may think. Joe Kafati opened Rebound Physical Therapy in 2006. He graduated from the University of St. Augustine in 2001 with a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy and also has earned his MTC (Manual Therapy Certification). He can be reached at (678) 4459799.

Katie Lawrence is a physical therapist at Rebound.

Regular exercise has many benefits. Exercise controls weight by burning calories. The more vigorous the activity, the more calories you will burn. Secondly, it combats health conditions and diseases. Regular activity can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol by increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and decreasing triglycerides. Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and depression may potentially be managed with exercise. Regular exercise also boosts your mood due to the chemicals that are released by your brain during exercise. These chemicals may help you to feel more relaxed and happier. Exercise boosts energy, and regular activity will increase your endurance, strength and improve cardiovascular system function therefore increasing energy for daily activities. Finally, regular exercise promotes better sleep. It can help you to fall asleep sooner and also deepens sleep.

Exercise programs should include aerobic activity and strength training. Researchers suggest 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day and two to three days of strength training. Aerobic exercise includes activities such as biking, walking, jogging, swimming and dancing. Aerobic activity should always begin with a warm up of approximately 10 minutes of lower intensity activity followed by a period of moderate intensity activity in your target heart rate zone. A cool down needs to be performed at the end, including lower intensity activity and stretching. Stretch all major muscles used during the exercise period. Beginners can shorten the exercise bout to match current fitness levels or break up the 30 minutes into 10 minute increments during the day.

A good goal is to be able to perform 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity. Many of us are short on time and may not have 30 to 45 minutes per day to devote to an exercise program. In this case, there are many ways to increase your activity throughout your day. For example, park further away and walk, avoid drivethrough windows, stand instead of sit if possible, play with your children or grandchildren, garden, play tennis or another sport, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. In addition to an aerobic exercise program, it is important to include strengthening to build muscle and bone matter. Strength training should be done two to three times per week. You can lift weights, use machines or elastic bands. Strengthening should include your upper body and lower body. Be sure to focus on technique to avoid injury. If you are unsure, consult an exercise specialist.

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Researchers suggest 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day and two to three days of strength training.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

You will be most successful in your exercise program if you do activities that you enjoy. Set goals and write down the exercises you perform so you will see your progress. As always, be sure to consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Schools & Sports

Start the Year Fresh by Nicole Mott It is the beginning of a new year, and everyone is coming up with New Year’s resolutions. Each new year brings new things or beginnings. To many, it could possibly mean starting fresh, making plans or creating goals for the future. I know as a teenager living in the wonderful Towne Lake community that it can be easy to lose sight of Nicole Mott is a senior how lucky some of us truly have it! I at Etowah High School. have thought a lot about how the new She has aspirations of year could also mean starting over majoring in Broadcast Journalism in college. or improving. I have created a short Nicole also plays on the but sweet little list of resolutions for Etowah soccer team. myself. Include others - While setting goals for yourself is not a bad idea, think about how your resolution could possibly involve others. It could be anything from spending more time with your family to helping someone else out with their problems. 1. Don’t be shy – Some of us may be embarrassed of our goals, but in reality there is no harm in sharing them with others. Telling the people closest to you only makes it that much

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

simpler to keep your eye on the prize. Knowing the goals of someone else can help you encourage them to keep it up, and vice versa. This also plays along with including others in your resolutions. 2. It is not the end of the world – Resolutions can sometimes be known as a chance for many to start a new year with new habits. Meaning that many people don’t stick with their resolution except for in the beginning. However, if you do not end up meeting all your objectives, it is okay! Also, there is no set rule on when you can start your New Year’s plans. Just because the tradition is to start in January, does not mean it is mandatory. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Let each new year find you a better man.” I believe it’s important to remember the goals you create, but to never lose touch with yourself.

Hippie Travels by Ashley Gillis Forget what you know about dirty Hippies - I am one step from being a germaphobe. So when I pack for a trip, I remember the FAA’s 3-3-3 and a homemade recipe for antibacterial hand sanitizer.

Ashley Gillis has a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design and recently left the corporate world to become a full time small business owner and part time consultant in the learning and development industry. She lives in Eagle Watch with her husband Ken, daughter Jordan, son Hayes and Breeze the rescue dog.

• 2 parts aloe gel (NOT juice) • 1 part distilled water • 1 part grain alcohol-vodka (NOT isopropyl). • 4-5 drops essential oil of choice (NOT fragrance oils).

I also mentally pack for a trip by learning some the basic facts about the destination. Whether I’m visiting another city, state or country, I always consider myself an ambassador of peace, love, and respect. Opening my heart and mind to the possibilities of a new experience is what makes every step of a trip a lifelong journey. Some experiences are engraved on my soul and will be with me until my ashes are spread in the Gulf of Mexico. So here goes a small part of my soul. It was just after midnight local time when we touched down in Mumbai, India. I was assaulted with the heat and a smell that can only be described as waste. We were swiftly taken to the lush grounds of a five star hotel. My room was stocked with fresh fruit, bottled water, and chocolates on my pillow. “I could be anywhere in the world,” was my last thought as I crashed from 23 hours of travel. As the sun poured through the curtains that I’d neglected to close just a few hours before, I stumbled over to close them and went from totally bleary eyed to wide awake. Just below me a long horned cow and a naked child were eating from the hotel dumpster. I watched as the child pulled out the trash, strewed it on the ground and put hand to mouth. For the remainder of the day I could not eat. I was devastated by why I witnessed. When I asked anyone from the hotel, I

was politely told that it was not part of the hotel and I should not be bothered. Needless to say, the scene was not repeated, and even the trash around the dumpster was cleaned up. But the image could not be wiped from my mind. The trip was for business, and for days the only sun that I saw was from that first morning. We worked all night and would sleep during the day. The company we were exploring planned all of our meals and a few short outings. They would whisk us to large shopping malls, elegant restaurants, and historical landmarks. The city held all the glitz and glamour you could possibly imagine, but nothing that even came close to what I had seen that first morning. On the last day, our driver picked us up just after dawn. As we drove to the airport, I looked out the SUV window in total disbelief at what the darkness had hidden from me for days. People were still sleeping in the streets by their vendor booths. Mothers were grooming and feeding their children on the sidewalks. This scene replayed over and over for miles. It looked as if the entire city was living on the streets. As we turned into the airport we passed two small children who were both completely naked. They may have been three or four years old. No adults around, both standing on the corner with their hands out. Had I rolled down the window I could have touched them. Two perfect children, naked, alone, and holding out their hands. The image is still imprinted on my soul. After checking our luggage we sat in the café to wait for our flight. I moved to sit beside the man who had been our driver for the week. He had shown me the best of Mumbai, and now I had to understand what had been hidden by the night. When I asked about the children, he told me, “You see Ms. Ashley, if the children survive until the age of five, they will be able to contribute to the family. Then they will receive the proper clothing.” Remembering that my goal is to show peace and respect, I asked, “Is their innocent love, laughter, and wonder considered a family contribution?” I received no answer. The faces of those two children will be with me forever. Sometimes when I look at the stars I ask, “Did they make it to five?” I hope you feel as blessed as I do when you drive the streets of Towne Lake and know the innocence of our children is a sacred contribution to our lives. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Do you know a couple who has been married a long, long, long time? AroundAbout – TowneLaker would like to honor them! 2011 Winners

Dot and John Daly married 62 years at the time of last year’s contest

We are looking for the couple married the longest in Towne Lake for our

2012 Tournament of Roses Contest If you know someone or if you’ve been married a long, long time, you could be the winner of the annual Tournament of Roses Contest! Winners will be featured in the February issue of Around About — TowneLaker. If you or someone you know is a contender in the Tournament of Roses Contest, send us your nomination, including the names of the couple and their wedding date, including year. Please include your

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

name, address and phone number, as well as a phone number for the couple you are nominating. Nominations may be submitted by e-mail to editor@ townelaker.com, faxed to (770) 516-4809 or mailed to AroundAbout — TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30189. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, January 10.

Musings from Towne: Hurry Up and Slow Down in 2012 by Robyn Hohensee 2012 has arrived, and I am excited about all of the fresh opportunities and adventures that await the coming year. I have made my annual New Year’s resolutions, deciding I need to improve this or do that, but the main goal on my list is to simply slow down and enjoy each day to its fullest.

Robyn Hohensee has resided in Towne Lake with her husband Todd for 17 years. She is currently working on a children’s book and an adult fiction novel. Aside from writing, Robyn enjoys knitting, listening to music, watching movies and observing life in the Towne Lake community. Feel free to contact her at Robyn561@yahoo. com.

Something happened recently that made me realize this. I was on my daily walk in Eagle Watch when a gray sports car whizzed by, driving way over the 25 mph speed limit, almost hitting an oncoming car head on. Furious, I stopped my walk cold, snapped my head around and bore an angry glare at whoever was driving the gray sports car. The urge to run towards the car and scream, “What’s your hurry? You could kill someone!” overcame me.

I wanted to drag the person out of his or her car, shake him or her, yell in his or her face and hold him or her down while I called the cops to have him or her hauled off to prison. Over the top, indeed, but seeing someone drive so recklessly where children reside and play always makes my blood boil. I hate to admit it, but I can see a little of myself in the driver of the gray sports car. Maybe I don’t speed through subdivisions, but I am in too much of a hurry when I don’t need to be. I often find myself rushing to get to the next thing, and I fail to appreciate where I am in the present time. For instance, I don’t take the time to really enjoy a great book like I should because I am in such a hurry to read the next one. Or I wish winter and its cold temperatures would hurry up and end because I want the heat, only to find I miss the cold weather when summer arrives. Impatience becomes the theme of my life, and I find the everyday tasks that form the day become more of a burden than they should. That is not a good way to exist in the world and it certainly is not productive. In 2012, I vow to really try to savor being in the present moment and letting the future unfold before me in its own good time. Instead of wanting to take a bat to the light at the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Eagle Drive because it seems to take 30 minutes to change, I will turn up my CD player and sing out loudly with a smile on my face, fully enjoying the moment.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Feature

2011 A Look Back

at Schools & Sports

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

Schools & Sports

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

Schools & Sports

school news Carmel Announces Reflections Winners Each year, the National PTA sponsors the Reflections Program as a way for students to explore their creativity. Carmel Elementary School proudly submitted 18 entries to the County level for judging, and seven of its students received awards. This year’s theme was “Diversity means…” A reception honoring all Cherokee County Reflections Program winners was recently held. Entries that received first and second place were forwarded to the Georgia PTA for state level competition.

Left to right: The County-level winners Emma Metlick, Parker Metlick, Bryce Clark, Olivia Woodard, Neva Clark and Rylan Puent.

Chapman Top Collector in Food Drive Chapman Intermediate School recently participated in the annual Falcon Food Drive along with 50 other schools. Of these schools, Chapman collected the most food, more than 10,000 pounds! The school attended a special opening ceremony at a recent Atlanta Falcons game. The Chapman Beta Club organized and ran the collection drive.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

County-level winner Charles Boggess Pardo.

Carmel Students Go Back in Time Carmel Elementary School’s fourth graders jumped back in time to get a glimpse into colonial life. The students got to experience several common activities from the colonial times and hear from a storyteller representing an American colonist. The entire fourth grade attended each of the six sessions featuring a different activity, which included writing with a quill pen and ink, making homemade butter and visiting with a Wampanoag Indian woman, played by parent volunteer Stephanie Vidrine.

Left to right: Gabriella Dickerson, Maliyah Franklin and Kailee Bradix.

Booth Student Wins Accolades at Social Studies Fair E.T. Booth student JP Shaw (left) recently was awarded first place at the Cherokee County Social Studies Fair. His project was on the similarities and differences of the 1920 and 2008 stock market crashes. JP is in the eighth grade and is the son of Heather and Hugh Shaw.

Cherokee Christian Students Give Back Several elementary classes at Cherokee Christian School recently participated in projects benefitting the less fortunate. Mrs. Mittrucker and Mrs. Hultstrom’s kindergarten classes filled bags for clothing, shoes, toiletries, school supplies and toys for Foundation Love Your Neighbor. Recipients of these bags were children who live in extreme poverty outside Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Mrs. Goff’s third grade class collected items and put together boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and Mrs. McAliley and Mrs. Griffin’s fifth grade classes collected items for MUST Ministries.

Mrs. Goff’s third grade class

Mrs. McAliley and Mrs. Griffin’s fifth grade classes

Mrs. Mittrucker’s kindergarten class

Mrs. Hultstrom’s kindergarten class AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Schools & Sports

sports Etowah Soccer Benefit Run

Etowah Pre Collegiate Team Wins

The Etowah Soccer Wonderful Winter 5k run will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, starting at the Etowah High School stadium, 6565 Putnam Ford Road. Proceeds will benefit the Etowah High School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. The entry fee is $25. Runners registered and paid by January 25 are guaranteed a commemorative t-shirt. For more information, contact Mark Perlotto at (678) 494-9576 or email him at mperlotto@comcast. com. Download the registration form and instructions at www. etowahsoccer.com.

The Etowah High School Pre-Collegiate tennis team recently won the Wilson Pre-Collegiate City Championship. After winning 32 of 35 matches to win its division, Etowah went on to beat Mt. Pisgah in the semi-finals 4-1 and Collins Hill High in the finals in a close 3-2 victory.

Etowah Volleyball Players Honored Etowah High School recently recognized three of its outstanding girls’ volleyball players Jenna Wilt, Megan Emery and Simmie Bray, who were among the student athletes honored by the Cherokee County School Board Jenna’s honors include: All Area and All State, 2011; Senior All Star, 2011; Player of the Year and All County First Team, Cherokee Tribune, 2011; Co-Player of the Year and All County First Team, Cherokee Ledger News, 2011; Glynn Academy All Tourney Team, 2011; Scholar Athlete Award, three years; All County and All Area, 2010. She has signed with Kennesaw State University. Megan’s honors include: All Area, 2011; All County First Team, Cherokee Tribune, 2011; All County First Team, Cherokee Ledger News, 2011; Scholar Athlete Award, three years; Top Academic Athlete in Cherokee and Cobb Counties, In the Game Magazine, December 2011. Simmie’s honors include: All Area, 2011; All County Second Team, Cherokee Ledger News.

Front row (left to right): Hannah Ayers, Madi Williams, Taylor Barie and Jake Pollack. Back row: Samantha Kaczaral, Carlie Gilbert, Julianne Coons, Alex Kaeser, Jake Welsh, Tyler Tracy, Jack Grigsby and Kevin Mendes. Not pictured: Chris Carpentier, Bless Darrah, Jake Sebring, Madison Cawood, Sydney Dimilia, Alex Johnson, Michaela LaDuca, Marshall Reeves, Jessi Dodge, Zach Roberts and Tyler Uliss.

Carmel Student Excels in Track Jack Everest, a third grade student at Carmel Elementary School, placed first in the USA youth Track & Field Regional Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. Prior to this race, Jack also earned the number one spot in the State Championships. The Regional Championship included Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. Jack won in the 2000 Meter Run CC Sub-Bantam Boys event, which encompasses runners born no earlier than 2003. Jack is coached by Kevin Matthews, Head Coach of the Etowah Youth Track Club.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Woodstock Seniors Sign Letters of Intent Woodstock High School (WHS) seniors Nicole Nielly and Tiffany Meyer recently signed letters of intent to play tennis on the college level. Nielly will be playing for Western Carolina University and Meyer will be playing for North Georgia College According to WHS tennis coach Jeff Wagner, both Nicole and Tiffany have helped lead the team to the 5AAAAA State playoffs two years in a row – the school’s only two appearances in the State tennis tournament.

Front row (left to right): Angela, Tiffany and Greg Meyer. Back row: Scott Krug (WHS Athletic Director), Cameron Lesley (CTC Coach), Jeff Wagner (WHS Coach) and Bill Sebring (WHS Principal).

Deer Run Girls Tennis Team Win Division The Deer Run 12U Girls tennis team clinched a first place finish in its division. The team proceeded to playoffs, where they lost by a narrow margin to Crooked Creek, who went on to win the City Championships. The team is coached by Carla Czaja and Jeff Wood and captained by Lori Shackleford.

Left to right: Maria Moffa, Meghan Shackleford, Megan Hackett, Leah Helsby (back, left to right): Ansley Elledge, Rebecca Strickland, Callie Parks, Brooke Waters. Not pictured: Ava Shields

Etowah Cross Country Competes in Nationals The Etowah Junior Eagles Cross Country team was proud to have 20 runners qualify at the state meet and move on to the regional meet. Seven of those runners moved on to the national meet. Congratulations to these athletes who competed at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Myrtle Beach. They ran with the best of the best across the entire country.

Front row (left to right): Lisa, Lauren, Nicole and Mike Nielly. Back row: Scott Krugg (WHS Athletic Director), Jeff Wagner (WHS Coach) and Bill Sebring (WHS Principal).

Front row (left to right) Jack Everest – 6th place medal winner, Sydney Runyan – 21st place medal winner, Sam LeFever and Anthony Rochon. Back row: Blake Beavers, Shelby Rensel and Hannah Everest. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Schools & Sports

Former Etowah Athletes Earn Post Season Awards The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) announced the 2011 menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer postseason award winners, and three former Etowah High School stars and current Oglethorpe University players received recognition. Mark Lavery earned Defensive Player-of-the Year status. Senior midfielder Aaron Walker was tabbed to the All-SCAC First Team while junior goalkeeper Frank Petersen received a Second Team nod. A two-year starter at center back since transferring from the University of Kentucky, Mark Lavery spearheaded an Oglethorpe defense. Joining Lavery as an AllSCAC First Team member is his former Etowah High School teammate Aaron Walker. A fouryear starter in the midfield for the Petrels, each of his Aaron Walker

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

three goals were game-winners for Oglethorpe. He also added seven assists on the season for a total of 13 points. Junior goalkeeper Frank Petersen collected an All-SCAC Second Team nod for his dazzling play in the net for the Petrels this season. Petersen, who also played with Lavery and Walker at Etowah High School before transferring to Oglethorpe this year from Memphis University, recorded four shutouts in 2011.

Frank Petersen

Mark Lavery

You Can Make a Difference Making New Year’s Resolutions That You’ll Keep

Ariel Pippin

Matt Lillquist

P.J. McFarlane

Julia Reidy

When writing a New Year’s resolution, here are some guidelines you should follow. Keep reading to find out how to make your resolution; and who knows…you may just find a great idea! First of all, keep it small. Don’t vow to go to the gym everyday for the rest of the year. I mean…are you really going to go every day? Try something more like every other weekend to start. Second, make sure it’s practical. Don’t make it something like winning the lottery. Instead of that, try making it about getting a job to earn the money. I think we all know you’re probably not going to win the lottery! The chances are literally one in a million. Third, make it something you truly want. Maybe you have always wanted to be on the basketball team. Well, now’s your chance. Set a goal to work on your skills and try out. If you’ve wanted it for a while, you will most likely have a better chance at achieving it! My last suggestion is to team up with a friend. Try finding a friend who has the same resolution. That way you can help each other out with sticking to it. Sometimes they can be the push you need to keep going. So, before you make your list, ask yourself: Is this too big? Is it practical? Do I really want it? And is there someone I can team up with? This should help you make a nice, balanced list.

One big thing people do on New Year’s is make resolutions, but it can be hard to keep them. A lot of people say they will go to the gym a lot more, but they go once or twice and just forget. Some also have the common resolution of dieting, yet it only lasts a week or two. I’m not going to tell you what you should do for your New Year’s resolution, but I can give you some tips. The first thing you need to do is pick one that you can stick with, and make sure it isn’t too easy. The second tip is to surround yourself with people who will encourage you and hold you accountable for that resolution. The final tip is to make time for the resolution. If you don’t set aside the appropriate amount of time, you may not be successful. Now that I have given you some useful tips, it should be easier for you and your friends to make your New Year’s resolutions!

It’s easy to forget that New Year’s isn’t just that noisy holiday that falls a week after Christmas. New Year’s is an important holiday; possibly one of the most important holidays out of all of them! Every year people get prepped for the New Year without knowing or considering its meaning. For me, New Year’s is the day we make New Year’s resolutions, reflect on our accomplishments from last year, and try to make the upcoming year better than the last. My greatest accomplishment in 2011 was my play. Our school had a contest, and my play was selected to be turned into an Elm Street Theatre production. Not only did my play get selected, but it eventually became the winning play! I’ll hopefully have moments just as great next year and the years to come. Everyone has something to look forward to in the New Year. What I’m looking forward to is simply all of the surprises. Sometimes the best thing to look forward to is…nothing in particular, except for a great year!

3…2…1, the countdown is winding down, but the spirits of the people are at soaring heights. It will soon be a New Year, the perfect time to start getting into new habits. For the next 365 days, you could be on a mission; you will lead an aspect of your life completely different. You have made a New Year’s resolution…then February comes. Are you still in it? Did you give up? When asked what my New Year’s resolution was, I have to say, I didn’t know at all; so giving someone else advice on theirs seems pretty difficult. My advice may help you make your New Year’s resolution. It would probably make sense to pick something that will have purpose, make yourself useful, or impact yourself and others. Pick something you can continue to do over the course of the year; a resolution is not a one-time thing. If you enjoy doing something, that would be a good thing to choose to do more often. Get someone to hold you accountable, and then you won’t slack off! There you have it – a couple of tips for your New Year’s resolution. Now all you need is will power! Be determined and just do it! AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Schools & Sports

A Past Life’s Reflection on the Future by Jason Fleeman Few people know the role I play for the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The USTA is a national organization made up of 17 geographical sections. Georgia is part of the USTA Southern Section, which is comprised of nine states and is probably the most “active” across the country. Care to guess which state is the most “active?” That’s right, Georgia. My role with USTA Georgia is as Chairman of the Junior Competition Committee. I have maintained the position since April 2006 after being asked to take on the role by Janet Louer. I had worked closely with Janet as a Junior Comp Committee member since 1998. At that time, the Chairman stepped down and Janet was fighting a rare form cancer. Unfortunately, Janet passed away in May 2006. If anyone wants to know where my passion for junior tennis originated, it came from her. A USTA award is named after Janet due to her belief that an active tennis community can have a positive impact on children. Jason is a USPTR professional, a USTA Georgia Tennis Professional of the Year and director of junior tennis programs at a local club. Jason can be reached at jasonfleeman@gmail. com.

Over the years, I made it my goal to not only grow the sport of tennis, but to learn about creative and innovative ways to bring tennis to children. As adults, stubbornness sometimes gets in the way of the progress and development of children. I have been researching, learning, and educating others about 10&Under Tennis since 2009. I coach several 10&Under children who represent the USTA’s success in 2011. Georgia

leads the Southern section, and therefore the country, changing American tennis for the first time in history. If you’ve read some of my previous articles, you are already familiar with some aspects of 10U success: 60’ courts, 25” racquets, and 50 percent compression balls. These components contribute to the fun experience a child has learning tennis and leads to him or her participating in team tennis and possibly in tournaments. With the rapid development of the 10&under children, the USTA Georgia Junior Comp Committee recommended 12&Under divisions use 75 percent compression balls in developmental tournaments starting January 2012 and eventually Junior Team Tennis (JTT). Many coaches and parents still do not understand the necessity to establish a well-thoughtout path for young tennis players. I hope that parents who want the best for their child’s development will support tennis programs which have educated themselves with the pathway USTA Georgia has helped to establish for them. USTA Georgia also plans to put tremendous time and energy into growing 8&Under tennis in 2012. Use of the 36’ court, 23” racquet, and 25 percent compression ball is a necessary step for all 8&Under children before being introduced to larger courts. It is no different than the developmental pathway of other sports. Do not be fooled by the mentality, “I learned on a full size court so my child should also.” Like all other sports, tennis evolves with every generation of athletes. It is human nature to be skeptical of new ideas and change. Initially, I was against 10&Under tennis and the implementation of the different court sizes, racquet lengths, and ball compressions. As Junior Comp Chairman, Janet asked me to be open-minded about ideas that may impact the future of tennis. I promised to advocate for children when many other parents and coaches may not fully understand the direction junior tennis was headed. I not only made a promise to Janet, but I also made a promise to children I may come in contact with. Will you help me by doing the same? Support USTA’s pathway. Your child will thank you for it one day!

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

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: Susan McCarthy 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

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 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 Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road Canton, GA 30114, (678) 385-7322 Principal: Vanessa Suarez cherokeecharter.org Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School 3075 Trickum Road Woodstock, GA 30188 (678) 494-5464, www.cherokeechristian.org High School Principal: Rod Kirby Middle School Principal: Hal Scripka Elementary School: Robert Lester Furtah Preparatory School 5496 Highway 92, Acworth, GA 30102 (678) 574-6488, www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Fred Furtah

Kleven Boston Elementary School 105 Othello Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 924-6260 Principal: Les Conley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/boston-es Oak Grove Elementary School 6118 Woodstock Road Acworth, GA 30102 (770) 974-6682 Principal: Dr. Jennifer Scrivner www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/oakgrove-es

Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road Acworth, GA 30102 Principal: Jamie Smithey (770) 974-9091 www.harvestbaptist.org Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd. Woodstock, GA 30188 (770) 926-0166 Headmaster: Linda Murdock www.lyndonacademy.org North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 975-0252 Headmaster: Todd Clingman www.ncchristian.org Omega Academy (770) 792-7431 www.omegalearningcenter.com Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 926-7729 Administrator: John D. Ward www.shilohhills.com St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 428-3328 Principal: Patricia Allen www.stjosephschool.org

Cherokee County School District 2012 Calendar at a Glance

January 3 January 16 February 20-24 March 16

School Resumes MLK Holiday Winter Break No School, Teacher Work Day

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 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

Faith

Marriage Moments by Bill Ratliff

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.

I believe there is something potentially great about starting a new year together as a married couple. You may be happy and content in your marriage, and it is a good time for dreams. You may be lukewarm in your marriage: it’s not great and not terrible, and the new year can be a time to set some new goals. You may be miserable in your marriage, so the new year is an excellent time to begin taking baby steps toward a healthy relationship. As you begin 2012, I encourage you as a couple to take some down time, away from your normal surroundings and away from your family and friends. As a couple, take some time together, but don’t work on your marriage, don’t try to fix all your problems and don’t spend time worrying about all your “squeaky wheel issues.”

Instead, just relax with each other and enjoy the idealism that springs up at the beginning of every New Year. Relaxing has become more and more difficult in our fast-paced society, but it is a discipline you need to follow in order to be healthy as a couple. Some of your best and brightest ideas will come as you rest and relax with your spouse. Some of you feel you are wasting time when you relax. Some of you feel guilty when you rest. But consider this: after six days of work, even God took a rest (Genesis 2:2). So take a break with your sweetheart and allow God to speak to your hearts about His vision for you in the New Year. Date Your Mate: Try doing something unique. Take your mate to Stone Mountain and go tubing on Snow Mountain. After your tubing adventure, go to SnoFire Point, where you can get cozy and cuddle with your mate while enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate. Husbands, this date could give you a lot of points that you might desperately need.

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Wisdom For The New Year? by Dr. Doug Thrasher

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.

A New Year is beginning, and with the start of the year, you and I will be inundated with all sorts of advertisements telling us to “Start the New Year right by…” and then we will be told to buy some product, lose weight, join a gym, travel to some tropical place, or any of a myriad of other things. While any of these might be good, don’t you get tired of constantly being told what to do in order to “fix” your life? Wouldn’t you like to find some sort of wisdom that you could use as a guide to help you shape your life in positive and productive ways?

There are a number of sources you could turn to in order to find wisdom. Go to any bookstore and there are shelves full of “self help” books. I know. I’ve read a number of these- some pertaining to diet, some pertaining to work, and some pertaining to relationships. They are helpful. Still, when reading them I am

reminded of the time I took an Abnormal Psychology course in college. Every chapter was devoted to a different type of abnormal psychology, and I discovered that I had symptoms of each as I read the chapters. I find when I read “self help” books, I tend to overreact to the various author’s solutions. Another great source of wisdom is what has come to be called “Momism’s.” You know what I’m talking about – those statements mothers make to children while they are growing

“

Another great source of wisdom is what has come to be called "Momism's." You know what I'm talking about – those statements mothers make to children while they are growing up. continued on page 82

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

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: 10:50 a.m Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Monty Guice www.newvicbaptist.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 80

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Congregation Ner Tamid A Reform Jewish Temple (770) 345-8687, Marci, call for information Serving the Northwest Suburbs Tikvah l’ Chaim “Hope for Life Ministries” Messianic Jewish Fellowship 4206 North Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, (678) 936-4125 Saturday Hebrew Literacy & Bible Study: 10 a.m. Saturday Shabbat Service: 11 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 2263 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock (770) 485-0504 Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Priest Frederick Watson www.stelizabethga.org

Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-3558 Sunday Services: 9 & 11:10 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. 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: Rev. Larry Niese www.saintmichaelcc.org 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 7745 Main Street, (678) 445-3480 Sunday Service: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Chris Bryant www.coahumc.org

Presbyterian

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

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

Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 924-4777 Traditional Services: 8:25 & 11 a.m. Contemporary Services: 9:25 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m Pastor: Dr. Doug Thrasher www.hillsideumc.org

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 Little River United Methodist Church 12455 Highway 92, (770) 926-2495 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Bill Coady www.littleriverumc.info 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 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, Acworth, (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 Barber Middle School 4222 Cantrell Road, Acworth, (770) 529-6006 Sunday Services: 9:45 & 11:30 a.m. www.freedomchurch.tv Pastor: J.R. Lee His Hands Church 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 Party on Sunday: 10 a.m. www.hishandschurch.com 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 Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Donna T. Lucas 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

Northern Hills Church of Christ 4563 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 579-0885 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Ronny West www.northernhillsfamily.org Pointe Church, The 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 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: Matt Amos www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org 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 Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road (770) 926-8990 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Greg Michael AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

PC Rescue 9-1-1

Wisdom For The New Year

continued from page 44

continued from page 79

service, with all proceeds benefitting the non-profit organization CURE Childhood Cancer. Ken picked up my CPU and within days, the beast that almost died an untimely death (via being thrown out the window) was returned completely void of all the problems that plagued it. I could not have been happier! Now, I can turn my computer on AND get on the Internet in less than five minutes! I can browse with several windows open AND listen to iTunes at the same time. It’s a miracle!

up. Stuff like: “Say please and thank you,” “Always clean up after yourself,” “Share,” and any of a host of other statements. There is great wisdom to be found here, and I’m sure spending time thinking about how to shape your life based on what your parents have taught you would be helpful.

For more information on this service, send Ken an email at kenmpischke@gmail.com or visit the page on Facebook.

But I would like to suggest another source of wisdom to help you start the New Year. Why not read the Bible? In the Bible are all sorts of lessons of wisdom as to how we can live our lives in productive and positive ways. For instance, in the Book of Proverbs, we read: “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without being burned?” (6:20) and “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act”(3:27). We also can read my favorite proverb: “Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (3:5-6). The wisdom found in Proverbs can shape our lives in wonderful ways, if we will just read and apply the lessons. So, how will you start the New Year? What wisdom will shape your life this year? May God’s peace be with you.

Boundary Changes continued from page 18

previously in District 20 now lie in the new District 23. District 20 now encompasses all of Towne Lake and City of Woodstock. I see this as a very positive move, uniting all of Towne Lake with one State Representative and yoking the lake communities together with areas that share their concerns and interests. Cherokee County’s Local Delegation to the Georgia General Assembly will now consist of three Senators: the Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville), and John Albers (R-Roswell); and five Representatives to the House: Calvin Hill (R-Canton), Sean Jerguson (R-Canton), the new open seat (District 23), John Carson (R-Marietta) and myself, Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock). On the federal level, Georgia’s explosive growth over the last 10 years (more than 1 million residents]) earned our state an additional seat in the United States Congress, raising our total allocation to 14. The new congressional district caused a shift in all of the current congressional districts throughout Georgia. Cherokee County in its entirety lies within Phil Gingry’s (R-7) congressional district. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in representing your values next year in the 2012 Legislative session. My goal has always been to be an effective conservative voice for you in the Georgia House of Representatives. As always, I will work hard to continue to protect your ideals and to represent the needs of our community. Let me know how I can continue to be of service. 82

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Happy 2012 continued from page 40

traditions. Companies whose products are produced locally are in demand. Americans want quality products that encourage the steadiness of our communities, states and nation. Consumers are starting to understand the value of quality materials. Dollars are being spent on fewer, higher-end products and materials that will last a lifetime. Most of these products feel hand-crafted rather than manufactured in mass quantities. Shoppers are becoming more educated and more intelligent consumers. Technology and beauty are rarely found on the same page; however, with today’s Apple-crazed world, style and function are expected more than ever, even in home decor. Today’s technology is allowing design manufacturers to generate fashionable products that are both durable and consumer friendly. Many companies have transformed their outdated factories to keep up with today’s technology. Fabric mills have discovered ways to produce polyester materials that have the feel of silk, but they are machine washable and cut down on their manufacturing waste, which in return decreases the cost to consumers. The design world is very exciting for the new year, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2012.

events | portraits photo journalism fine art 770.617.7595 by appointment

kbphotoart@comcast.net AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

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).

KEDS Girls’ Shoes. Collective

Brands, Inc., of Topeka, KS, is voluntarily recalling approximately 45,000 KEDS® “Know It All” girls’ shoes. Ornamental stars on the heel of the shoe may loosen, posing a laceration hazard.

Children’s Animal Slippers.

Family Dollar Services Inc., of Matthews, NC, is voluntarily recalling approximately 160,000 Kidgets® animal sock top slippers. The animal’s eyes can detach from the slippers, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Build-A-BearTeddy Bear Swimwear Set. Build-

A-Bear Workshop®, of St. Louis, MO is voluntarily recalling approximately 19,720 (in the United States) and 1,100 (in Canada) sets of swimwear with inflatable inner tube. The inner tube accessory can be pulled over a small child’s head, posing a strangulation hazard.

Arctic Cat ATVs. Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, MN, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,384 Arctic Cat All-Terrain Vehicles. The ATV’s steering tie-rod can bend, causing loss of control which poses a crash hazard.

Combination Grills/ Griddles. W.P. Appliances Inc.,

of Hollywood, FL, is voluntarily recalling approximately 27,000 Wolfgang Puck Electric Reversible Tri-Grill/Griddles. A defect in the electrical wiring of the electric grills/griddles can pose a risk of overheating, melting and an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Chin Straps for Football Helmets.

Under Armour, Inc., of Baltimore, MD, is voluntarily recalling approximately 541,000 UA Defender chin straps. The metal snap that connects the chin strap to the helmet has sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard when the user’s metal snap comes into contact with another player.

Glass Bowls. Libbey Glass Inc., of Toledo, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling approximately 16,600 (in the United States) and 2,000 (in Canada) Fantasy glass bowls. The glass bowl can break when subjected to sudden temperature changes or impact, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. Magnetic Sketchboards.

Battat Inc., of Plattsburgh, NY, is voluntarily recalling approximately 95,000 (in the United States) and 4,300 (in Canada) ToulouseLapTrec magnetic sketchboards. The magnetic tip of the drawing pen can dislodge from the pen, posing a choking hazard to children.

Plastic Trikes. Kiddieland

Toys Limited, of Scituate, MA, is voluntarily recalling approximately 12,000 Disney Fairies plastic racing trikes. The plastic fairy figures protrude from the top of the handle bar posing a laceration hazard if a child falls on them.

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. 84

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations ABWA-Women Empowered Through Synergy Meeting: 3rd Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Location: J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: abwasynergy@hotmail.com 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: Zest and Zing, 6687 Bells Ferry Road Contact: Dr. 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: Third Tuesday at 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 Women of Woodstock Meeting: First & Third Wednesday. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Barbara Bonatucci, bonatucci@gmail.com Website: www.womenofwoodstock.com 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

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 86

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Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP Location: 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Contact: Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

American Legion Post 316 Meeting: Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Location: William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Contact: Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366

Cherokee County Animal Shelter Auxiliary Contact: (770) 704-PAWS or ccasa4paws@yahoo.com Website: www.ccasauxiliary.org

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 Aspergers Syndrome Support Group Website: www.CCAspies.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) 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 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 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 Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at AroundAbout — TowneLaker offices. Website: www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.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 The Wildlife Sanctuary — Ellijay, Ga., to advance the conservation of indigenous wildlife species and habitats. Contact: (706) 276-2980 Website: www.thewildlifesanctuary.com

Junior Service League of Woodstock 24 hour information line: (770) 592-3535 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 Pilot Club of Cherokee County Contact: Lynda Goodwin, (770) 393-1766, Lynda @edgoodwinassociates.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 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 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

Civic Organizations

Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meeting: Every Wednesday at 12 noon Location: Folks Contact: Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158

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

Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meeting: Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Location: Woodstock Senior Center Contact: Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663

Political Organizations Cherokee County Democrat Party Meeting: Second Thursday at 7 p.m. Location: Holly Springs Train Depot Website: www.cherokeedems.com 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 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meeting: Second Sunday at 4 p.m. Location: Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Pkwy. Contact: Conrad Quagliaroli (770)592-6545 Website: cherokeeteapartypatriots.org Republican Women of Cherokee County Meeting: Second Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Call for location or check website announcement. Contact: RWCC Headquarters, (678) 520-2236 Website: www.rwccga.com

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 10 a.m. Location: Studio 101 101 Emma Lane, Woodstock Contacts: Madeline Hall, (678) 754-8482 www.artsalliance.org 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 Co. Social Adventures Group Website: www.TCCSAG.org 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 Music Teachers Association Contact: Melanie Williams, (770) 345-2983 Website: www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association Contact: Dan Baldwin, 770-846-4843 Website: www.cherokeelacrosse.com 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

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

Neighbors & Newcomers of Towne Lake Meeting: Third Tuesday Contact: Carolyn White, (770) 926-6756

Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meeting: Second & Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. (nursery available) Location: Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Contact: Jeannie, (770) 919-9275

Singles of Towne Lake 35+ holds monthly mixers. Contacts: Lisa, (770) 597-3430 LisaR789@bellsouth.net

Hearing Loss Resource Group Contacts: Cathy, (678) 483-9135 WoodstockSHHH-info@phydeaux.org

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

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

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. Contact: mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org 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

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 MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30189 Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.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 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 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 Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost. Contact: (770) 956-0711. Tender Hearts Caregivers Support Group Meeting: Second & Fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. Location: Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Robin Galloway, (770) 517-5899 Towne Lake Area Moms Group is a newly formed and active group for moms and their babies (newborns to toddlers) Contact: Melanie Website: www.TowneLakeArea.com AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Reference

COMMUNITY INFORMATION Emergency — 911 • AroundAbout — TowneLaker • (770) 516-7105 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

(770) 345-0400

Parks and Recreation:

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

License Plates/Tags, Property Tax Woodstock Office Voter Registration

(678) 493-6400 (770) 924-4099 (770) 479-0407

Cherokee County Government:

Taxes:

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)

(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

Kennestone Hospital North Fulton Hospital Northside Hospital — Cherokee

Hotlines — 24 Hour Help Lines:

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

Libraries:

Rose Creek R.T. Jones Woodstock

Non-Emergency 911

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. (770) 926-4175 www.nasa-ga.org 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 (770) 479-1871 www.cherokee.k12.ga.us Sheriff’s Department (678) 493-4200 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org Georgia Sex Offender Registry www.cherokeega-sheriff.org/offender/offender.htm Utilities:

Hospitals:

(770) 793-5000 (770) 751-2500 (770) 720-5100 (770) 479-1703 (770) 345-7920 (404) 616-9000 (800) 222-1222 (770) 704-2610 (404) 250-KIDS (770) 428-2666

www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org (770) 591-1491 (770) 479-3090 (770) 926-5859

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

(770) 479-3117

Atlanta Gas Light Co. (770) 907-4231 www.aglc.com A T & T (404) 780-2355 www.bellsouth.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Authority (770) 479-1813 Comcast (770) 926-0334 Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100 www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power (888) 660-5890

Urgent Care Facility

Wellstar Urgent Care

Woodstock, City of:

(678) 494-2500

(in Towne Lake, only applies to Avonlea, Deer Run,

ParkView, Paces and certain annexed commercial parcels) . www.woodstockga.gov City Hall (770) 592-6000 Fire Department (770) 926-2302 Police Information (770) 592-6025

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

Commissioners: Buzz Ahrens (R), Chairperson

e-mail: lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Harry Johnston (R), Post 1 (202) 224-3521 fax: (202) 224-0103

e-mail: hjohnston@cherokeega.com

Jim Hubbard (R), Post 2

e-mail: jhubbard@cherokeega.com

Karen Bosch (R), Post 3 (202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999 fax: (770) 661-0768

e-mail: kbosch@cherokeega.com

Jason Nelms (R) Post 4

e-mail: cnelms2@gmail.com (202) 225-4501 GA: (770) 565-4990 fax: (770) 565-7570

Cherokee County School System

Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

Rep. Rob Woodall (R), District 7

P.O. Box 769, 110 Academy St., Canton, GA 30114 Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us e-mail: drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us

State Government:

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)

Website: www.woodall.house.gov

Governor Nathan Deal (R)

(404) 652-7003 fax: (404) 652-7123

498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 Website: www.cherokeega-sheriff.org e-mail: rdgarrison@cherokeega.com

Senator Chip Rogers (R), District 21

(404) 463-1378 fax: (404) 657-9887

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little

State Capitol, Room 111 Atlanta, GA 30334 Website: www.gov.state.ga.us e-mail: chip@SenatorChipRogers.com

Senator Jack Murphy (R), District 27

e-mail: jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov

Rep. Charlice Byrd (R), District 20

e-mail: charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov

Rep. Sean Jerguson (R), District 22

e-mail: sean.jerguson@house.ga.gov

(678) 493-6001

(770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602 (404) 656-0126 fax: (404) 463-2793 (404) 656-0287

Cherokee County Courts:

100 North St., Canton, GA 30114 e-mail: slittle@cherokeega.com Woodstock Annex 8681 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA 30189

(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

Board of Education: Robert Wofford (R), Post 1

(770) 704-4398, x4374

Mike Chapman (R), Post 2

(770) 704-4398, x4372

e-mail: robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Superior Court: Chief Judge Frank C. Mills, III Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea

(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240

State Court: Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr. Judge W. Alan Jordan

(678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490

e-mail: janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Magistrate Court: Judge James E. Drane III (R)

(678) 493-6431

e-mail: rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Probate Court: Judge Keith Wood (R)

(678) 493-6160

e-mail: rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Juvenile Court: Judge John B. Sumner

(678) 493-6250

Kim Cochran (R), Post 7 (Vice-Chair) e-mail: kimgcochran@gmail.com

Clerk of Courts: Patty Baker

(678) 493-6511

City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques

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: michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rick Steiner (R), Post 5 (Chair)

(770) 704-4398, x4370

Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby

90 North Street, Suite 310Canton, GA 30114

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners 90 North Street, Suite 310 Canton, GA 30114 Website: www.cherokeega.com

Rob Usher (R), Post 6

e-mail: dhenriques@progressiveaudiology.com (404) 362-1600

(770) 592-7864

(770) 592-6017

Towne Lake Residential and Commercial Owners’ Association (Covenant enforcement issues — all Towne Lake common areas)

(678) 493-6000 fax: (678) 493-6013

Douglas Properties

117 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30188

(770) 926-3086

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

classifieds Children / Family

HELP WANTED

Instruction

Childcare In Your Home. Playful, loving, 25 years old professional nanny, with references in Towne Lake area. Available days, nights, weekends. Your kids will love me! Summer Loughner, (770) 3750393.

Hair Stylists Needed/Booths Available. Best rate in Towne Lake. Ayesha (404) 579-5823.

ReUpholstery Class beginning Jan. 24, 2012. Learn to do your own furniture. Day and evening classes offered. Located in Woodstock. Carolyn Mills instructor. Phone 770-516-2562.

For Sale RV For Sale. 5th Wheel 32 foot. 2008 McKenzie. Three slides. Super Deal $25,900. 678-324-7413.

Health & Beauty L’Bri Pure n’ Natural Skin Care is safe, effective, and affordable. Aloe vera is the first ingredient. Order your free 7-10 day supply skin care samples at www.elizahedman.lbri.com S/H only $6.75. Elizabeth Hedman, 678-402-8559.

Home Services 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.

Three ways to keep up-to-date Join the TowneLaker fan page www.facebook.com/ on what’s happening in aroundabouttownelaker Towne Lake: Visit our new and improved website

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LOSE WEIGHT, STOP SMOKING, RELIEVE PAIN. Helping you when other methods have failed. Georgia Hypnotherapy Associates, LLC, (678) 9387274. www.GAhypnotherapy.com. www. virtualgastricbandgeorgia.com.

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CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS THE 10 th FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH'S ISSUE! AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Reference

Towne Lake Homes Sold in November

AroundAbout â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TowneLaker | January 2012

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Attorneys/Legal Services Kathleen McGillick, Attorney at Law Merino & Associates, LLC (770) 874-4600

Inside Back Cover

48, Back Cover

Dentists/Orthodontists

Automotive Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Road (404) 626-9926

C&T Auto Service (770) 926-4276

Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500

Towne Lake’s Car Wash & Detail (770) 592-8102

Banking/Financial Services Best Possible Mortgage (404) 456-2317

Back Cover

Citadel Professional Services, LLC Inside Front (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Drive, Suite 440, Kennesaw

Cleaning Services Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991

Image Maids (770) 627-4670

Rejoice Maids Service (678) 905-3476 www.rejoicemaids.com

Chiropractors 21

Towne Lake Family Chiropractic (770) 592-1877 www.townelakechiro.com

Computers / Web Services Cherokee Computer Guys (678) 749-7200 www.ccrguys.com

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Skin Essentials by Marilyn (770) 928-1314

The Sundance Massage Center (678) 591-5066

The Wild Orchid Salon (770) 924-4010

Towne Lake Nails (678) 445-3051

Dr. Jerry Smith, Orthodontist (678) 905-0300

Fountain View Dentistry (770) 926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 200, Suite A

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260

47 85

Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277

S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS (770) 924-8848

Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. (770) 974-2390

Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD (770) 517-0444

Efficient Energy Solutions (678) 986-0140

Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554

Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428

Education/Instruction

Home Improvement/Repair & Service

Access Education Towne Lake Driving School (678) 494-2200

Handy Handyman, The (404) 316-1490

Bascomb United Methodist Preschool (770) 926-0397

Mr. Junk 1-877-MR-JUNK1

Nelson Painting & Home Improvements (678) 283-8171

Plumbing Doctor, The (770) 516-9000

Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044

Cover , 50, 51,82

The Goddard School (770) 516-0880

Health & Beauty

Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation (770) 516-9900 www.discoverrehab.com

TrustWorkz (770) 615-3275 www.TrustWorkz.com

Precision Painting (678) 234-9668

5 5

Amber Klippel, LMT (770) 365-5106

Roswell Woodstock Plumbing (770) 663-0600

Azure Salon & Spa (770) 345-8280

TLC Renovations (678) 524-6676

Elite Nail Spa (770) 926-6222

Hair 718 (678) 905-4081

Salon & Spa Venessa (770) 591-2079

Shine Salon (678) 231-0462

insurance Mountain Lakes Insurance (770) 926-9444 www.mountainlakesinsurance.com

Towne Lake Insurance Services (678) 494-8038

Woodstock Medical Weight Loss Inside Front (678) 501-5008 www.woddstockmedicalweightloss.com

Animal Hospital at Towne Lake (770) 591-9500

Woodstock Physical Therapy (770) 516-9191

Cherokee County Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA460.html 1015 Univeter Road, Canton

South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital (770) 924-6746

Pet/Veterinarian Services & Supplies Animal Atlanta (770) 591-0007

Innovative Health & Wellness (770) 926-4646 www.innovativehealthandwellness.net

Photographers Kim Bates Photography (770) 617-7595

Real estate & related services Keller Williams, Kurt & Sheila Johnson (404) 954-2486 www.kurtandsheila.com

Physicians and Medical Services Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301

Back Cover

Prudential Georgia Realty (770) 365-6193, (678) 494-2953

Butchers Block (770) 517-2225

Charlies II (770) 926-1677 5080 Bells Ferry Road

Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills (770) 926-6097

Izumi Asian Bistro (678) 238-1899 www.iloveizumi.com

Tuscany 16 (678) 453-0888 TwoSome Place (770) 924-4124

Retailers & Miscellaneous Services

Recreation and Fitness

Cash for Broken Cars (404) 392-7586

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251

Fun Signs Surprise of Atlanta (678) 756-5105

Master’s Training Center (770) 591-9588

John Lutz, PhD (770) 592-9065

Camp Horizon Golf Tournament (770) 390-4469

Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery (770) 425-7575 111 Marble Mill Road NW, Marietta

Canton South ATA (678) 880-1014

74 45

Marietta Plastic Surgery (678) 494-2380 www.mariettaplasticsurgery.com

Ember Hot Yoga (770) 485-5583 www.emberyoga.com

Rotary Club of Woodstock

Meridian Surgical (770) 704-6101 3755 Sixes Road, Canton

Etowah Eagles Basketball www.etowaheagles.com/basketball

Signature Private Jewelry (404) 783-7272

Etowah Eagles Football www.etowaheaglesfootball.com

Northside Hospital – Cherokee (770) 720-5100 201 Hospital Road, Canton www.northside.com

Towne Lake Business Assoc.

Steps Dance Center (770) 516-1363

The Gifted Ferret www.TheGiftedFerret.com

Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (770) 928-0016

Totally Running 2265 Towne Lake Pkwy.

Woodstock Hippie Shop (770) 517-2620

Pearle Vision (770) 592-7100 9801 Highway 92, Woodstock

Woodstock Wolverines www.woodstockwolverinesfootball.com

Restaurants/Food & Drink

Plastic Surgery Center of the South (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net

Progressive Audiology Center Inc. (770) 592-4744, (706) 253-7244

Rausch Family Practice (678) 384-7305

Rebound Physical Therapy (678) 445-9799 www.ReboundPT clinic.com

Towne Lake Eye Associates (770) 926-2858

Towne Lake Family Pharmacy (770) 635-7697

Seniors

Bar-B-Cutie

BridgeMill Athletic Cub (770)-345-5500 ext. 17

Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse 1050 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock (678) 445-5222 www.bullockswine.com

Hearthside 7 (770) 852-2225 1561 Stone Bridge Pkwy. www.HearthSideTowneLake.com

Reach more than 14,000 homes in the Towne Lake area with your Advertisement Call Patty for rates & info today! (770) 615-3322 patty@townelaker.com

Village Podiatry Centers (770) 928-9263 www.vpcenters.com

Wellstar Medical Group (770) 956-STAR

1 AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Medical & Dental

Animals & Pets Animal Atlanta

Automotive Aspen Falls Auto Spa

C & T Automotive

Christian Brothers Automotive

Towne Lake’s Car Wash & Detail

Cleaning & Home Services Carpet Dry Tech

Image Maids

Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation

Dr. Jerry Smith Orthodontics

Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery

Park Pediatric Dentistry

Pearle Vision

Progressive Audiology

Dr. S. Bruce O’Neal

Towne Lake Family Pharmacy

Woodstock Medical Weight Loss

Inside Front

Miscellaneous

Mr. Junk 67 Rejoice Maids 39

BridgeMill Athletic Club

Canton South ATA

Health & Beauty

Park View Montessori

Woodstock Hippie Shop

Amber Klippel, LMT Azure Salon & Spa Ember Hot Yoga Hair 718 Salon Innovative Health & Wellness Shine Salon The Sundance Massage Center The Wild Orchid Salon Totally Running Towne Lake Nails

18 47 45 44 9 67 83 40 57 25

Home Improvements / Repair Efficient Energy Solutions

Hammock’s Heating & Air

Nelson Painting and Home Improvement

Roswell Woodstock Plumbing

The Plumbing Doctor

TLC Renovations

AroundAbout — TowneLaker | January 2012

Restaurants/Food Bar-B-Cutie

Butchers Block

Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills

Izumi Asian Bistro

Tuscany 16