AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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December 2011
Volume 17, Issue 8
70
28 Featured Articles Holiday Helping Hands
Local charities need your help.
28
Towne Lake Ducks
68 50 & 51 On the Cover Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse
Around Towne. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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In Every Issue
News about our feathered friends.
Community News. . . . . . . . . .10 Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Event Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . 24 TLBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Everyday Angels. . . . . . . . . . . 36
Teacher of the Year
You Can Make A Difference. . 74
John Murnan chosen as County’s best.
School Information . . . . . . . . 75
70
EHS vs WHS
Annual football rivalry.
Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
77
Wreaths Across America
Honoring Fallen Soldiers.
Church Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Community Numbers . . . . . . 88 Elected Officials. . . . . . . . . . . 89 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Real Deals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Advertisers Directory. . . . . . . 94
Contributing Writers Don Akridge..............................................16 Dr. Ross Brakeville.....................................62 Susan Cannizaro.......................................34 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 | December 2011
Alicia Glassford.........................................60 David Hecklemoser...................................42 Mayor Donnie Henriques.........................18 Dr. Jan Henriques......................................58 Shelley Herod...........................................40 Robyn Hohensee......................................45 Sheila & Kurt Johnson...............................19 Kara Kiefer................................................44
Jennifer Kimberlain..................................38 Dr. Jared Lasseigne...................................56 Scott Lemmon..........................................49 Dr. Mike Litrel...........................................32 Dee Locklin...............................................65 Marietta Plastic Surgery...........................59 Nicole Mott...............................................64 Bill Ratliff..................................................78 Doug Rohan..............................................84 State Sen. Chip Rogers..............................20 Lynne Saunders........................................22 Dr. Doug Thrasher.....................................79 Laura Wischner.........................................46
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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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.
businesses!
People Places and Pleasures that make Towne Lake
The , The The
I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe it’s December already! When I reflect upon the past year, several items come to mind that affected a lot of Towne Lakers. First, the Snow-Pocolypse in January. This snow event closed Towne Lake for days. I recall heading to one of the few open restaurants in the middle of the week just to get out of the house! Second, the Cherokee County School Board had to make a decision that could land the district in court- whether to continue to hold graduation ceremonies at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. Both sides were heard, but in the end, the Board voted to keep the ceremonies at First Baptist. And finally, this was the year that downtown Woodstock really started to come alive. Several new businesses opened, making downtown a destination. The Downtown Development Authority and the City of Woodstock have done a great job in attracting and promoting these new
May 2012 continue to bring further economic growth and strength to our community. From all of us at AroundAbout TowneLaker, happy holidays, and we wish good health and happiness for you in 2012!
What’s Moved? Center for Yoga moved to South Pointe shopping center, next to Tuesday Morning and Ken Stanton Music. The Center for Yoga was created in 1998 by Othene Munson. For more information, call (770) 517-5212 or visit www.thecenterforyoga.com. Family Orthodontics recently relocated to 2054 Eagle Drive, Suite 120 (in front of L.A. Fitness). For more information, call (678) 445-9191 or visit www.wefixyoursmile.com.
What’s New? Animal Hospital of Towne Lake has new extended winter weekend hours. The office now is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call (770) 591-9500 or visit www.townelakevets.com. Dr. Keisha Pitt recently joined the office of Basic Chiropractic located off of Bells Ferry Road next to the Cherokee Go Karts. She is certified in the Webster Technique, which increases mobility of the pelvis and is a very effective technique during pregnancy. 4
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
Readers can reach me by e-mail at keishapitt.dc@gmail.com. They can also check out our website basicchiropractic.com Woodstock Medical Weight Loss recently opened at 4595 Towne Lake Parkway, Building 300 Suite 150. The office offers HCG hormone injections, as well as prescription appetite suppressants, B-12 injections, supplements and protein meal replacements. For more information and for a free consultation, please call (678) 234-7606 or scan the QR code to the right. The Butchers Block is under the new ownership of Mike Puchner. Mike helped original owners open the store. New hours are Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Butchers Block is located at 1025 Rose Creek Drive (next to El Ranchero). For more information, please call (770) 517-2225 and see their ad on page 27.
What’s Coming? NTB (National Tire and Battery) is building a location on Eagle Drive, adjacent to the proposed site of ALDI supermarket. For more information on NTB, please visit www.ntb.com. Panera Bread has been busy with build-out at its new Towne Lake location. The franchise-owned eatery is scheduled to open in early February 2012. Panera is located in the former Blockbuster video store in the Kroger shopping center, adjacent to Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Our annual Readers’ Choice contest will begin with our January issue and run through February 10, 2012. The contest will be online, and a link to the poll will be provided in January’s magazine. Winners will be announced in our April issue.
What’s With the Flamingos? AroundAbout TowneLaker got “flocked” a few weeks ago. Upon further investigation, we discovered it was a fundraiser in honor of Connor Merritt, with funds benefiting the Yellow Ribbon Georgia Chapter of Suicide Awareness and Prevention. The flamingos are resting for the winter months but will reappear in the spring.
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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 five members: Dr. Doug Thrasher, Debi Radcliff, 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.
Debi Radcliff — Debi and her family have lived in Towne Lake since 1996. Debi served as a member of the Cherokee County Board of Education, Post 6. Debi was a full-time stay at home mom for 26 years and was an active parent volunteer, and she also has a background in office administration. Debi can be reached at radfam5@bellsouth.net.
Colin Morris — Colin is a freelance writer and stay-athome 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.
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.
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. 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. AroundAbout — TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189
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.
Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by Trustworkz Inc. Franchise Opportunities Available: www.AroundAboutLocalMedia.com Volume 17, Issue 8
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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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
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Community
YOUR LOCAL NEWS WellStar Welcomes Internist WellStar Medical Group at Towne Lake recently welcomed Dr. Sophie Saifee (left). Dr. Saifee chose to become an Internal Medicine physician out of the desire to care for the whole patient. “Internists are the patient’s first line of defense against various issues related to health. I coordinate the patient’s care, manage difficult medical problems and bring an understanding of wellness to my patients,” she said. Patients with chronic health problems such diabetes, thyroid problems, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, cold, allergies, hyperlipidemia, GERD, osteoporosis and depression are typical for Dr. Saifee. “I also perform annual physicals, manage women’s health issues and implement preventative medicine.”
Junior Miss Cherokee Fair Crowned Mary Stevenson was recently crowned Junior Miss Cherokee Fair and Miss Ambassador Queen. Mary will participate in the Woodstock, Canton and Holly Springs holiday parades. Mary attends Chapman Intermediate School and is the daughter of Lois and Mark Stevenson. Congratulations! Left to right: Miss Georgia Michaela Lackey and Mary Stevenson
Hospital Auxiliary Celebrates Golden Anniversary
Dr. Saifee earned her medical degree from Sawai Man Singh Medical College in India and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the Atlanta Medical Center. She is a Board Certified physician and a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association. Dr. Saifee believes in providing quality and compassionate care to her patients. “I encourage my patients to play an active role in managing their health problems and in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.” To make an appointment with Dr. Saifee, please call (770) 592-3000.
Freedom Conference for Men Coming in December The Freedom Conference for Men will be held December 10 at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center in Canton. The featured speaker will be Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Steve Bartkowski. Other featured speakers will include Pastor Keith Norman of BridgePointe Church, Pastor Mike Linch of NorthStar Church and Pastor Kevin Ellington of Catalyst Church. The conference is sponsored by Man2Man (M2M) Ministries, founded in Woodstock by local resident Grant Bell. Grant said, “M2M is centered on developing a truly authentic, loving relationship with Jesus Christ for every man – the believer, the Christian, and the non-believer. I will share my story with every man who is seeking freedom from selfishness, sin, and the status quo. This ministry is for every man.” To register for the conference, please visit http:// man2manonline.com/freedom-conference-registration. For more information on M2M, please visit www.Man2ManOnline. com.
The Northside Hospital-Cherokee Auxiliary is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Auxiliary assists the hospital with a tremendous amount of volunteer hours and financial assistance. Annually, the group’s 70 active members volunteer more than 15,000 hours of service, adding a special caring touch as they interact with patients and families throughout the hospital. In addition to the service hours, the Auxiliary operates a gift shop, with promotions held four times a year for employees. Profits from the gift shop and promotions are used to fund hospitalsponsored events and other departmental requests throughout the year. In 2010, the Auxiliary contributed more than $7,700 to Northside Hospital-Cherokee. To learn more about volunteering at Northside Hospital-Cherokee, call 770-720-5282 or visit www. northside.com and click on the “Volunteer” link.
Havurah and Study Group A Jewish Havurah and study group currently meets once a month in private homes throughout the Woodstock area. For more information, please call (678) 445-1697 or email havurah@jewishwoodstock.com.
Keep up-to-date with our community! Join the TowneLaker fan page at www.facebook.com/aroundabouttownelaker. 10
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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helpinghands As we take the time to plan and prepare for the holidays, remember those who are struggling, and if you are able, lend a hand. You can make a difference! For many charitable organizations in and around our community, the holiday season is the busiest time of year. Listed below are several organizations to which you could volunteer time, effort or funds to assist with the bustle of the season. We hope this list is helpful as you consider your participation in giving during the holidays. Cherokee Gift Connection The Cherokee Gift Connection is an online means of donating to a Cherokee County boy or girl between the ages of 16 and 21. Gift options include GED testing fees, SAT and ACT testing fees, college application fees, transportation and emergency housing. You can also make donations for gas cards, job interview clothing, work uniform costs and child care costs. You can also give the gift of your talents. You can go to the Gift Connection and volunteer your services with car repair, tutoring, haircuts and styling, music lessons, art classes, cooking classes or job shadowing opportunities. The donations are tax deductible, and you will be issued a receipt. All gifts and donations will be matched with one of the youth in the Cherokee Youth Works program. These teenagers have already undergone an interview and qualify as low-income or at-risk. Money is never given to the youth through this initiative, but is given directly to the school, store, or organization that is providing services. Youth who receive the benefits of the Gift Connection are also required to provide proof that they have used the gift as it was intended. Visit the Cherokee Gift Connection at www. cherokeefocus.org. Foster Care Support Foundation, Inc. Foster Care Support Foundation (FCSF) is in need of toys during this holiday season to bring smiles to children that come into foster care now and ongoing after the holidays have passed. The organization has started distributing clothing and toys for cold weather. The toy shelves seem well stocked now, but 12
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
they always empty out in November, because FCSF serves hundreds of children each month. It is in need of quality toys, both social and educational, for all ages, but especially for ages 6 and up. Also, boys’ dress and casual pants and jeans, all sizes, boys’ shoes, sized infant 4 through mens’, are always needed. Operating funds and sponsors to maintain the program that helps thousands of foster children each year also are needed. Foster Care Support Foundation serves children in all counties of Georgia, including private agency placements. Volunteers are needed to sustain the program Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, email Rachel@fostercares.org or call (770) 641-9591. Papa’s Pantry For Christmas giving, you may adopt a family. Families will be matched beginning in November through mid-December. Gifts, Christmas trees, lights and ornaments are some of the holiday needs. Special holiday food needs match the Thanksgiving program’s requested items. Throughout the winter months, Papa’s Pantry also accepts new electric space heaters for its clients. Overall, food drives throughout the season are needed to feed families out of both Papa’s Cherokee locations: canned meat, cereal, cereal bars, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, canned pasta, and boxed and packaged side items. For more information, call Papa’s Pantry, at 770-591-4730 or visit www.papaspantry.org.
New Secret Santa – Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services Secret Santa Program needs sponsors to provide Christmas for approximately 200 foster children this year. If you can sponsor a child for Christmas, or would like to make a donation, please contact Ann Feczko, Secret Santa Volunteer, at (678) 4279393, or email feczkoj@bellsouth.net. For more information, please visit www.cherokeesanta.org. The website contains a downloadable sponsor form for your convenience. New The HOPE Center The pregnancy crisis center is accepting donations of new toys for its clients to purchase for their children through the “Mommy Money” and “Daddy Dollars” programs. There also is a need for new and gently worn winter clothing, newborn to size 8 and maternity. Donations can be dropped off at The Hope Center or Baby & More Store (next door) at 295 Molly Lane, Woodstock (Fowler Crossing- Hwy 92 across from Hennessy Honda). Baby Store volunteers are always needed! Visit www. supporthopecenter.com or call (770) 517-4450
New Give a Kid a Chance Clothing Drive Give a Kid a Chance is currently collecting gently worn “school appropriate” clothing for Cherokee County students K-12. Both girls and boys clothing is needed in sizes from 4T-XS to Adult XX Large. The greatest need is for boy clothing (especially jeans). All clothing pick-ups can be arranged by calling Kimberly Alexander at (770) 597-9951. This is an ongoing effort throughout the year. New Cherokee Sheriff’s Reserve Unit Each year, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Reserve Unit’s Christmas Joy Program helps families, children and the elderly receive food, toys and basic necessities. If you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Reserve Unit and mail to Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office c/o Reserve Unit, 498 Chattin Drive, Canton, GA 30115. For more information, please call Sgt. John Forkin at (678) 333-6345. New Hillside Collection Drive In addition to its ongoing collection of food pantry items, Hillside United Methodist Church is collecting sheets, towels, blankets, and new socks and underwear (children and adult sizes) for MUST Ministries. Collection barrels are located at the worship area entrances and the entrance to the church office. Hillside is located at 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. Visit the online bulletin board at www.hillsideumc.org for more information.
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Happy Birthday!
Lauren Saroj Talele
Age 12 on December 5 We love you! Mom, Dad and Scamp
Annika James
Elizabeth Hugenberg
Age 12 on December 11 Daughter of Missy and Adam Hugenberg Sister of Rachel
Natalya James
Turning 9 on December 1 Turning 7 on December 28 Happy Birthday from Daddy Happy Birthday from and Erin Daddy and Erin
Andrew Harris
Age 8 on December 19 Happy Birthday! We love you! Son of Sheila and Gene Harris Brother of Ryan
Amanda Norman
Age 21 on December 19 Daughter of Angie and Robert Norman Brother of Alex
Haden Graaff
6 Years Old! Happy Birthday, Buddy! We are so proud of you and love you so much!!! Daddy, Mommy, Caleb, Paisley and Lady
Jarian Rich
Patrick Turner
Age 14 on December 6 Happy Birthday from Murmur and Mr. J
Caleb Graaff
3 Years Old! Happy Birthday, Tiny Guy! We love you so much!!! Dada, Mama, Haden, Paisley and Lady
Mikey Jo Brunow
Celebrating on December 10 Turning 5 on December 9 Husband of Jasmine Son of Danielle and Father of Jani, JJ, & Jackey Michael Brunow Your family and friends Brother of Alexander love you! -We thank God for you today!
Emmy Young
Age 12 on December 14 Happy Birthday! We love you! Mom and Dad
Katie Nicole
Celebrating on December 8 Happy Birthday!
Wedding, Birthday and Anniversary Announcements are Free! E-mail to: editor@townelaker.com. January deadline is December 5. 14
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
Anniversaries Norman and Ellen Kayton will celebrate their 45 year wedding anniversary in December
Births Emmeline Dean Surgala Born on July 22, 2011 7 lb 2 oz, 18.5 inches Proud parents: Katie and Phil Big Brother: Cooper Big Sister: Samantha
Gabriel Andrew Evaristo Born on October 18, 2011 7lbs-7oz Proud Parents Kristi and Brian Evaristo
Contest Corner Congratulations to Ellen Auten for being the first to find our hidden picture on page 40 of the November issue. Congratulations also to Chantale Dejardin (right) for being the first to spot the phrase “Web Operative” on page 57. Chantale won a gift certificate to Canyons Burger Company and Ellen to Chili’s.
December’s Finds: Alexander Owen Hopkins Born November 5 Parents Brooke and Jake Hopkins Big sister, Audrey We love you!
Be the first to find the phrase: “We will put the bounce back in your step”
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 | December 2011
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Little Ways You Might Improve Your Financial Life Some things to think about this year – and every year. by Don Akridge, MBA, CPA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ U.S. Marine Corps Veteran – Emory University Alumnus This is the year! Yes, you can make 2012 the year you alter your financial life for a better future. Let’s look at some steps you might think of taking with the goal of financial freedom in mind.
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 770952-6707.
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No, we’re not talking about those ridiculously obvious steps the usual articles recommend, like “write your goals down” and “set a budget.” Let’s go past the clichés and get into the real issues. Look at your income source, your expenses and your debt. How do you earn income? If you earn it from one source, is there effectively a ceiling on it, or is there real potential for your income to rise in the next few years? Now, look at your core living expenses, the ones
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
you can’t avoid (such as a mortgage payment, car payment, etc). Can any core expenses be reduced? Investing aside, you position yourself to gain ground financially when income rises, debt diminishes and expenses stay (relatively) the same. Maybe you should pay your debt first, maybe not. If you are a business owner or a professional, for example, you’ll likely always have some debt. Your ultimate goal should be to build wealth – and you can plan to build wealth and minimize debt at the same time. Some debt is “good” debt. A debt is “good” if it brings you income. If you buy a rental property, you’re paying a mortgage, but that’s considered a “good” debt because you’re getting passive income from the rent payments. Credit cards are “bad” debts. If you’ll be carrying a debt for a while, put it to a test. Weigh the interest rate on that specific debt against your potential income growth rate and your potential investment returns over
the term of the debt. If the interest rate on that debt looks like it will outpace your income growth and investment returns, then you should really think about paying that debt down fast, because you can’t afford that interest rate. Of course, paying off your debts, paying down balances and restricting new debts all works toward improving your FICO score, another tool you can use in pursuit of financial freedom (we’re talking “good” debts). Implement or refine an investment strategy. You can’t refrain from investing, even when the bears are out. You’re not going to retire on the relatively small elective deferrals from your paycheck; you’re going retire on the interest that those accumulated assets earn over time, plus the power of compounding. Investing can also potentially bring you passive income. Consistent investing, this year and in years to come, has the potential to help you improve your financial life. Manage the money you make on your way to financial freedom. It’s amusing: all these Internet gurus tell you they have a method to make you “financially free” or “debt free,” but few tell you how to manage the money you make. Their not-sosubtle message seems to be “succeed and live lavishly” – if you make it financially, you’ve earned the freedom to blow it all on cars, boats and luxuries. This is a classic nouveau riche mistake. If you simply accumulate unmanaged assets, you have money just sitting there open to risk – inflation risk, market risk, even legal risks. Don’t forget taxes – while not technically a “risk,” they are a threat to your money. The greater your wealth, the more long-range potential you have to accomplish some profound things – provided your wealth is directed. If you want to build more wealth this year or in the near future, don’t neglect the risk management strategy that could be instrumental in helping you retain it. Your after-tax return matters even more than your investment return, so risk management should be part of your overall financial picture. Request professional guidance for the wealth you are growing. A good financial advisor will really help to educate you about the principles of wealth building. You can draw on that professional knowledge and guidance this year – and for years to come. 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.
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‘Tis The Season by Mayor Donnie Henriques
Donnie Henriques is the mayor of Woodstock. You may contact him by calling (770) 592-6001 or e-mail dhenriques@ woodstockga.gov.
It’s everyone’s favorite time of the “kid” year - Christmas! In my house, since we (well, my wife) agreed to be on the Junior Service League’s Christmas Tour of Homes, it’s been Christmas since right after Labor Day. A few days after the “official” end of summer, decorators and painters descended upon our house and have been slowly transforming our little craftsman style home into Santa’s Winter Wonderland. Needless to say, in my mind Christmas will be long overdue by the time it really gets here. But it’s for a good cause, as the Service League raises money for charity and brings awareness to the beautiful homes in Downtown Woodstock. That can’t help but affect our local economy for the better.
In the “adult” year, we’ve just ended another type of season that I believe most people dread: Election Time. I was honored to have been asked to chair the Ed SPLOST
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(Education Special Purpose Local Optional Tax) renewal campaign. In doing so, I had a multitude of volunteers who, like me, believed that we need to continue funding this improvement campaign for not just our kids that are presently in the system, but those that will benefit from these efforts for decades to come. Like most campaigns, it got ugly for a while with those who oppose any tax, as well as those that hold a grudge against the School Board for not originally approving the Charter School proposal from a company out of Florida. The Committee, I believe, got the message out that the two subjects are completely separate, and enough voters saw it that way. While I won’t be involved with the next SPLOST campaign, I hope the voters of Cherokee never have memory loss about what it was like back in the 90s when our schools all had trailers, and the system was close to losing its accreditation. Dr. Petruzielo and the Boards since then have done a terrific job of making Cherokee a great place to educate your children. I’m glad the campaigns are over, at least for another year. Then it starts all over again. The signs, the ads, the banners, the people standing on corners trying to get your attention while you are driving—don’t you miss it already?
Foreclosure Alternatives by Sheila & Kurt Johnson Below we review some of the possible ways to avoid the foreclosure of your home, preserve your credit and salvage your financial future.
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
Reinstatement The homeowner simply requests the total amount owed to the mortgage company to date and pays it. Forbearance or Repayment Plan A forbearance or repayment plan involves the homeowner negotiating with the mortgage company to allow the homeowner to repay back payments over a period of time.
Mortgage Modification A mortgage modification involves the reduction of one of the following: the interest rate on the loan, the principal balance of the loan, the term of the loan, or any combination of these. These typically result in a lower payment to the homeowner and a more affordable mortgage. Rent the Property Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure Also known as a ‘friendly foreclosure’, a deed in lieu allows the homeowner to return the property to the lender rather than go through the foreclosure process. Lender approval is required for this option, and the homeowner must also vacate the property. Bankruptcy If the homeowner has non-mortgage debts that cause a shortfall of paying their mortgage payments and a personal bankruptcy will eliminate these debts, this may be a viable solution. A bankruptcy will only stall—not stop—the foreclosure process. continued on page 83
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Educational Achievements by State Senator Chip Rogers Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, “America is another word for opportunity.” Throughout our nation’s history this sentiment has held. The world has come knocking on our door for over 200 years, seeking the chance to live in the place where, no matter where they start, everyone has the chance to make it. But is this still true? 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.
Undoubtedly the world has become a smaller place. The global marketplace offers economic prospects far beyond the borders of the United States. A child living today in Beijing, Prague, Berlin, Vancouver, or Rio de Janeiro has opportunities to financially succeed in ways his or her parents never dreamed. In many ways, these children will be directly competing with American children for the first time. And make no mistake about it, the competition will be won by the educated.
Three years ago, I committed to focus my legislative work on the long-term issue of education. It was at this point I began to read and research everything I could, to find what works and what doesn’t. I am not certain if there is an end to this journey, but I am convinced on a few major items. First, giving students more choices in their education is always preferable to fewer choices. Second, making learning an
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individualized process where instruction meets the needs and interest of the individual student is critical. Third, technology is essential to the rapid advancement of learning that is necessary for our country to compete globally. Finally, teacher quality is directly related to student achievement. It is on this last point where we have some good news. Let me begin by stating that teachers who inspire educational achievement are not being properly compensated. Beyond the slogans of “we need to pay our teachers more,” there is truly a solid economic case that a high-achieving teacher should earn more than $100,000 per year. Conversely, there are also a few not suited for the teaching profession. This is customary for most vocations; the top performers are underpaid and the bottom performers are improperly employed. Now, the good news. The “Teach for America” (TFA) program, which introduces new teachers that are highly trained, highly motivated, and extremely well-educated college graduates into poverty-stricken education settings, is having amazing results. Recent studies in North Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee prove that TFA teachers are producing superior educational results. However, it was my visit to the New Schools at Carver in southeast Atlanta that convinced me this program is actually changing lives. The TFA teachers I met could have probably earned double their salary in private sector jobs, based upon their college degrees. These are mostly Ivy League graduates who have committed to working at inner-city Atlanta schools. And unless they had me
fooled, they love it. One might think that finding such highly motivated and educated graduates who want to forego the big paycheck and comfy working conditions is difficult. You’d be wrong. The TFA program has become such a success that this year more than 50,000 applicants competed for just 5,000 jobs nationwide. The “average” graduate had a 3.6 GPA coming out of college and went into college with a 1344 SAT. Once the TFA teachers hit the classroom, following a rigorous training institute, their performance is impressive. Again, working in almost exclusively inner city economically disadvantaged settings, the TFA teachers are outperforming the incremental standards by more than 300 percent, according to the Urban Institute. Consider what this
could mean for Atlanta, for Georgia, and for the United States. If we can raise the educational achievement of American students by just 10 percent we will again be in the top 10 internationally. If we can reduce the high school dropout rate by just 10 percent, the corresponding reduction in crime, incarceration costs, and government dependency will save billions of taxpayer dollars in Georgia alone. Finally, if we can inspire a new generation of students to embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), we will hand to the next generation of Americans a nation that is freer and more prosperous than ever before. Benjamin Franklin once stated, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” We should never forget to properly thank those teachers who “involve” students and the organizations like Teach for America that help make it happen.
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Community
Job Search: A Detailed Job Posting Is Your Forever Friend! 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.
December is not a time to let your job search go dormant. If you are concerned that a company isn’t making hiring decisions this month, be assured that they will hit the ground running in January and will consider those who actively pursued employment during a potentially distracted “vacation” season. Earlier, I discussed the importance of a separate, customized resume for each job submission. This process will become easier over time when narrowing your job title or position.
computer and with a notebook that has A-Z tabs. Most would guess the first is with the use of the computer. The second is the implementation of a notebook with A-Z tabs for those on the go. Use the company’s name as a way to file your job postings and customized resume for both organizational techniques.
It all begins with a job posting; the best ones are found on the career websites and on specific companies’ websites. If the posting describes your abilities well, use a highlighter to illuminate related skills, experiences, and education. It is a great job opportunity if most of the text contains highlighted words and phrases - well worth the time needed for customization!
Bring this highlighted job posting to the interview and give it a quick review before it begins. In the early moments of the meeting, be sure to verify that you and your interviewer are on the same page in regard to the position in mind.
Read the job posting carefully as your craft your resume, making sure that the most important words and phrases are transmitted to your resume draft. After you apply for the job, keep that job posting for future reference. I suggest using two organization methods: with a
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When the call comes to invite you to an interview, have your information close by so that you can retrieve details immediately. A quick scan of the job posting with your highlighted features alongside the resume will give you the quick jolt of confidence needed when speaking with the company representative.
If you realize that you are interviewing for a position different from the one your interviewer is prepared for, politely produce the highlighted job posting and present it to your interviewer. Whether the interview is rescheduled or the interviewer continues to use the time already secured, you will be the hero! I bet you get the offer!
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Community
EVENT CALENDAR:
December
December 10
December 20
Freedom Conference for Men Time: 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Location: Northside Hospital- Cherokee conference center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton Information: $20 online or $25 at the door. Visit http://man2manonline.com/ freedom-conference-registration
Public Menorah Lighting Time: 6 p.m. Location: City Park, downtown Woodstock Information: Free event. Family fun, Dreidels, Latkes and entertainment.
January 20, 2012 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.
Elm Street Performances December 3 & 4, 11, 18, 21
December 9, 10, 17, 22 & 24
The Little Drummer Boy
A Christmas Carol
Times: December 3, 4, 11 & 18, 2 p.m. December 21, 10 a.m. Information: All seats $9.
Times: December 9 & 22, 7:30 p.m. December 10, 2 and 7:30 p.m. December 17, 2 p.m. December 24, 2 p.m. Information: Tickets are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors/students and $9 for children 12 and under.
Chanukah Celebrations December 18
Pre-Chanukah Children’s Program Time: 10:30 a.m. – noon Location: Chabad Hebrew School, 4255 Wade Green Road NW, Suite 120, Kennesaw, Information: $5 and open to all children. Join the Dreidel Tournament, make Chanukah crafts, refreshments and more. Email www.JewishWoodstock.com or call 678-460 7702.
Through December 20 Chanukah Gift Boutique Time: Please call (678) 460-7702 or email www. JewishWoodstock.com to confirm hours. Location: Chabad Jewish Center, 4255 Wade Green Road NW, Suite 120, Kennesaw,
Send Us Your Community Calendar Events to editor@townelaker.com. January deadline is December 5. 24
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December 15, 16, 17 & 23 It’s a Wonderful Life Time: 7:30 p.m. Information: Tickets are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors/students and $9 for children 12 and under. All shows will be held at City Center, 8534 Main Street. For more information, visit www.elmstreetarts.org or call (678) 494-4251.
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Feature
Excursions holiday break
The holidays are magical — a time to revisit family traditions or make new memories. We’ve compiled a list of holiday events, some local and some a short drive away, to make this holiday season even more memorable and special. Share your holiday adventures with us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ Stone Mountain Through January 1, 2012, enjoy Stone Mountain aroundabouttownelaker. Christmas. New this year is the show Toyrific.
Visitors can enjoy the Polar Express 4D Experience, a nightly Christmas parade and see Santa Claus. And if it’s snow you’re looking for, be sure to visit Snow Mountain, Atlanta’s first snow park. Snow Mountain will be open through February 20, 2012. For more information, including online ticket sales, visit http://stonemountainpark.com.
Centennial Olympic Park Visitors can enjoy the free dazzling display of lights that will run through January 2, 2012. The park’s ice skating rink is open daily, including holidays, through January 29, 2012.. Admission is $7 per person with a $2 skate rental fee for 90 minutes of skating. The park is open7 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily. For more information, visit http://www.centennialpark. com.
Downtown Woodstock Enjoy Friday Night Live “Christmas on Main,” 6 – 9 p.m. December 2. The Downtown Merchants aim to make this a Christmas celebration that you will never forget. On December 3, be sure to come back for the annual Christmas Jubilee which starts with a parade down Main Street at 5:30 p.m. After the parade, enjoy the lights of City Park, partake in a free marshmallow roast and have the kids drop off their letters for Santa. Visit www. oldetownewoodstock.com. Tanglewood Farms Through December 31, enjoy Winterfest. Have your family’s picture taken aboard a miniature sleigh hooked up to a miniature reindeer cow. Visit the Trading Post stocked with unique holiday gifts and take a stroll through the farm while sipping on hot cider or hot chocolate. Pony and hay rides are also available for the children. For more information, visit www. tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com.
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Atlantic Station If you’re looking for snow, visit Atlantic Station through December 31 for “It’s Snowing in Atlantic Station” at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, hourly 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays. The snow will be flying in Central Park (unless it’s raining). For more information, visit www. atlanticstation.com. Life University Pack up the family for a drive-through light show that’s been a local tradition since 1989. Life University will be illuminated with thousands of lights and lighted displays 6-10 p.m. SundayThursday and 6-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through December 31. There is a nominal fee of $5 per car, $10 per van and $20 per bus. For additional information including other attractions at Lights of Life, call (678) 331-4334. Botanical Gardens Enjoy the Holiday Nights through January 7, 2012 from 5 – 10 p.m. One million lights will be crafted into displays influenced by nature. For more information and tickets, visit www. atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
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Community
What Happened to the Towne Lake Ducks?
“We are Walter and Jake, the white ducks from the Towne Lake Hills Golf Pond. We have been there for eight years. A lot of people have been asking why they no longer see us when they drive down Towne Lake Parkway or play golf at Towne Lake Hills Golf Course. We are here to explain. During a weekend in mid-September, Walter was attacked and badly injured. He broke his ankle, injured his hip and received two deep cuts to his back. He was taken to the doctor, given medications, and taken to our friend Sue’s house for rehabilitation and love. I was left alone at the pond, waiting for Walter to get well and come back. Walter did get better after five weeks, but was not well enough to return to the pond, since he has a limp and would not be able to protect himself. I was very lonely. Last week, a group of my people friends rescued me, and I was reunited with my companion Walter. What a happy day! We do not want to be separated again.
& Grille, Krysia of Eagle Watch, Jay of Play It Again Sports, Craig “aka” Rasta, Willie of Wildbirds Unlimited, Jason and Nick and Dave and Carlene of Towne Lake Hills.” — Walter and Jake, formerly of Towne Lake There are several breeds of ducks who mate for life, and when something happens to a mate, the other duck suffers emotionally. This was the case for Walter and Jake. Yes, they are both male ducks, but every spring, the two would “mate” and one would sit on “eggs” while the other kept guard. Residents who live near the pond would often feed the ducks and got quite attached to their feathered friends. Because Walter could no longer safely live at the pond, it was important to find a home for both ducks where they would not only be together, but safe. What is Noah’s Ark? Noah’s Ark is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides a permanent home to more than 1,200 rescued animals, including domestic, exotic and wildlife. The property also houses the Children’s Care Homes, a long-term residential care facility for children.
On Tuesday, November 1, we traveled to a beautiful Sanctuary called Noah’s Ark in Locust Grove, Ga. We will join more then 1,200 animals. Now we will be together forever. We are very excited and happy. We hope you will come and see us.
Noah’s Ark is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, with the animal habitats open from 12 – 3 p.m. There is not an admission charge, but donations are welcome and appreciated.
Walter and I want to give hugs, kisses and a special thanks for making all of this happen to Sue and Jay of Jersey’s Sports Bar
For more information on Noah’s Ark, please visit www. noahs-ark.org. And if you visit, be sure to look for Walter and Jake and tell them Towne Lake said “Hi!”
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Community
TLBA Spotlight Jon LaMonte, Efficient Energy Solutions After performing more than 15,000 class action and warranty inspections on products like siding, roofing, windows, and doors, Jon LaMonte saw a need. That need was to provide homeowners with the answers to what was causing their homes to be uncomfortable and have high utility bills. So in 2009, he started Efficient Energy Solutions (EES). Since then, Jon has been helping homeowners all over Atlanta to better enjoy that huge investment they call a home by making them more comfortable and energy efficient. Using a whole house approach, the team at EES start by performing an energy audit to find out exactly what is causing the issues. This allows EES to put
together a prioritized improvement plan based on nationally recognized standards, so that the homeowners get the most improvement for their money. It also keeps homeowners from wasting their money on sales pitches for products they don’t need. Efficient Energy Solutions provides the following services: l Energy Audits and HERS Ratings l Insulation and Air Sealing l Building Envelope Testing l Duct Leakage Testing l Energy Efficient Windows & Doors Jon and his company are involved in the local community. Jon currently is V.P. of Membership for the TLBA, Mentor Coordinator for the Towne Lake PowerCore team, and EES has sponsored and supported several local tournaments and youth sports teams. To find out more about Efficient Energy Solutions, visit www.theNRGguy.com.
TOWNE LAKE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION As 2011 comes to a close, we at the Towne Lake Business Association (TLBA) are grateful for many things, most of all the support of the Towne Lake area community. From all of us at the TLBA, we want to thank you and wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! Join us on December 13, as for the TLBA’s annual Holiday Gala at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills from 6:30 — 9 p.m. All members and guests are welcome to help ring in the holidays. A sampling of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, entree items and soft drinks will be provided by the TLBA, free of charge. The topic of our November Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshop was “Tax Planning for Your Business.” We want to thank our speaker, John Drawdy of Drawdy CPA Services for leading the workshop. Please join us at our next Lunch ‘N’ Workshop.
Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshop
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. We welcome our newest members: The Stellaris Group. Thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee.” Visit us at tlba.org. 30
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Lifestyle
The Artistic Impulse by Mike Litrel, M.D.
Dr. Mike Litrel practices with his fellow OB/GYN’s 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
lewd observations “art.”
As an art student at the University of Michigan, my wife (then girlfriend) Ann would sometimes sketch nudes. As a 19 year old, I thought a roomful of art students staring at a naked person sounded suspect. Whenever male models came up in conversation, jealousy gripped my teenage heart. Ann laughingly maintained she thought most of the male models were gay. I never believed her. All I knew was that my girlfriend was spending hours a day staring at naked men and had the nerve to call the record of her
But I never said a disparaging word. Our relationship was in its early stages, and I wanted Ann to think I was an open minded, sophisticated guy who understood the artistic impulse. But other impulses I understood better. Recently, Ann joined a group of artists in a weekly gathering at her studio in downtown Woodstock. The Wednesday night sessions are called “Open Figure Drawing,” but it’s really just three hours of drawing naked people. Ann couldn’t disguise her happiness with the opportunity. I was less enthusiastic.
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I guess my beloved didn’t get to see enough naked homosexual men in college to suit her fancy. Pride prevented me from voicing my objections. But the morning after Ann’s first nude “model” session, I went downstairs and with elaborate nonchalance leafed through her sketchbook. I was pleasantly surprised. There were three tasteful pastels depicting a mildly overweight woman resting with her head propped on a pillow. As I joined my family for breakfast I could feel the smile on my face. I was proud of my wife, the wonderful artist. The second month when I scanned Ann’s sketchbook, I found lovely pencil renderings of a middle aged woman sitting on a chair, with an expression of tranquility on her face. I stared at the image for a long moment. This was good art. I guess I was wrong about the whole nude model thing. But another month went by. This time when I perused Ann’s drawings, all my suspicions were confirmed. The images were disgusting. I could no longer keep my mouth shut.
“What’s your deal?” I asked Ann, brandishing her sketchbook as she was making breakfast. “You and your friends spend the evening staring at some naked guy and have the nerve to call it art?” I glared at her for a long moment. “I am very disappointed in you,” I pronounced, and I walked away.
pains of life can be overwhelming, with the agony of betrayal among the worst. When it comes, it washes over us like a tsunami, revealing a question lodged in the bedrock of our hearts: Am I worthy of love?
I could hear Ann laughing from the other room. I was smiling too, but I wasn’t completely sure I was kidding.
In the grand scheme of things, there are higher impulses in life than just sexuality. Health and well-being are not just about the body and its desires; more importantly, they are about the soul and what the soul needs. When we are true to ourselves - to our higher purpose - our lives are generally happy. God’s love, that eternal wellspring, is always available, and unlike human love, it never forsakes us.
Fifteen minutes later over breakfast, Ann had a question for me. “As a gynecologist, don’t you see a hundred women every single week?” One thing had nothing to do with the other. This was an obvious attempt to muddy the issue. What nerve, drawing a comparison between the honorable profession of medicine and a questionable evening spent in the name of “Art” staring at some guy’s whatchamacallit. Breakfast that morning was quiet. I read the newspaper, but inside I think I was a little disconcerted. Ann had a smile on her face. I couldn’t help but think she must have really enjoyed her “art session” last night. This little pang of jealousy came as a bit of a surprise to me. Over the years, patients have blessed me generously with their trust, sometimes sharing stories of heartbreak or infidelity. The
So with that in mind it’s perfectly fine with me if Ann feels compelled to sometimes sketch naked men in her studio. I guess.
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Lifestyle
Everyday
Happy holidays!
As we begin our annual hustle and bustle of the season, Everyday Angels would like to remind you to take time, slow down, and be still and awake to your many blessings. As we try to fulfill our children’s dreams, remember to teach them through your example of giving. Be their example of compassion for those less fortunate and those who struggle to keep food and shelter during the season.
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Last month, we featured the Stewart family. Thank you, readers, for your strong response! Collectively, our community has provided them with a great deal of relief and encouragement, not to mention those who stepped up to assist with Sidney’s day-to-day care. We will continue to collect for the Stewart family throughout the holidays. This month, we are sharing a letter from a concerned resident:
Dear Everyday Angels: I recently hired a man that had been unemployed for some time. I just learned that he has been living without electricity for a while. I have been feeding him while he is at work and giving him things he can take home to eat that will keep fresh, providing money for his transportation (his elderly father’s truck) and other needed items. He is a very hard worker and only needs a hand in getting back on his feet. I am just not in the position to be able to help him much more. I worry about him living without heat in these colder months and lack of food and hot meals. He does not have a phone, and his parents live out of state and have some major health problems. I am concerned for his well-being. Any suggestions or assistance that you could provide would be helpful.
After careful qualification, Everyday Angels will provide this gentleman with assistance. He needs to keep his electricity on and small amounts of grocery cards. Once he has several months of a steady flow of income, he will be back on track for a good start to the New Year. 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.
JSL Raises Funds Through Tour by Susan Cannizzaro Recently, the Junior Service League (JSL) of Woodstock had a very successful 15th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes, which raised more than $17,000 for 11 different charities in the Cherokee County area. 1,100 people went on the tour this year, which featured 8 different decorated homes in downtown Woodstock, Towne Lake Hills North and BridgeMill. The charities that received the money raised include Papa’s Pantry, Goshen Valley Boy’s Ranch, MUST Ministries, B.E.A.T.S, CASA, Never Alone, Forever Fed, Christmas Angels, Meals on Wheels, Reinhardt University and Georgia Canines for Independence.
Decorations in the Bachmann Home in Towne Lake Hills North. Decorated by Shelley Herod and Becky Thomas with Designing Women.
The JSL would like to extend a special thank all to all the wonderful home owners, designers, volunteers, tour participants and all the sponsors this year who all made the tour possible and a huge success! The designers include Katherine Tarleton of Tarleton Interiors, Laurie Prentice and Jane Kaeser of Linden, Christine Blight and Sheila Allison of Christine’s Creations, Shelley Herod and Becky Thomas of Designing Women, LLC, Denise Kasper of Décor Infusion, Lori Raney of Cherry Lane Drapery and Ann Brackett of Glory in the Flower, Betty Anderson and Donna Honkomp of Fun Finds and Designs. This year’s tour sponsors included Maxsell Realty and Woodstock Downtown Condos. House Sponsors were Around About Local Media, Inc, My Community Monthly and Airtran Airways. Platinum Sponsors were House and Garden Boutique, Inc, Towne Lake Eye Associates, Pearle Vision and Fun Finds and Designs. Gold Sponsors were Bambu Salon and Spa, Chick-fil-A, Progressive Audiology Center, Inc, RainAway Deck Drain Systems and Ribley Family Chiropractic. Silver Sponsors included Baird Family Dentistry, Burns & Speights Law Firm, East of Main, Elarbee Thompson, Sapp & Wilson, LLP., Freight Kitchen & Tap, Keller Williams3D Realty Team, Law Office of Barbara K. Nye P.C., Main Street Nail Studio, PURE Taqueria, Salon and Spa Venessa, Send Out Cards-Beth Jolley and Uptown Hair. Benefactors were Ember Hot Yoga, Indigo Studios, Holly Springs Jewelers, Izumi Asian Bistro, Kathleen A. Higgins, Sooji Nail & Day Spa Red Brick Brewing and Sandy Watkins Photography. Friends of the League included Penny Bag Emporium, Chicago’s, Jon and Heather Burt, Brian and Kay Durst, Derek and Dianna Hacker, Carlos Fernando Figueroa Millan, Frank and Susan Cannizzaro, Mike and Mandy Kirn and Mike and Linda Glazebrook. Decorations in the Smith home in BridgeMill. Decorated by Denise Kasper of Decor Infusion.
Members of the JSL with recipients of this year’s Tour proceeds. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Lifestyle
Shopping for Childcare by Jennifer Kimberlain
Jennifer Kimberlain has been a Towne Lake area resident for over six years. Jennifer and her husband are the proud parents of a two and half year daughter, Abigail. For the article, Jennifer referred to multiply books, performed numerous online searches, had personal referrals, had one on one interviews with seven local childcare centers, and researched childcare history through DECAL (Bright Start) Georgia’s childcare regulators.
As parents, we try our best to select the best possible options available to us and our children when it comes to childcare. We read books, search online tips, and arm ourselves with the standard list of questions that “professionals” advise we ask when shopping our childcare options. While all of those efforts, along with our due diligence as parents, lead us to believe we have chosen the right place for our children, we tend to overlook the business aspect of childcare.
As busy adults, trying to adjust to parenthood while relying on the mass amounts of information available to us which are only keystrokes away, the red flags parents should all be looking for are forgotten. In my own experience as a parent, I have found myself looking back in hindsight and realizing I forgot the most important part of the childcare selection, the human aspect versus the business aspect. Yes, I had been given statistics on teacher turnover rates, price charts, and a brochure of curriculum guidelines filled with and overload of knowledge that my child would learn, all wrapped up in a well marketed and fancy folder. Only after my extensive research and experiences have I realized that there are five important questions or red flags if you will, that every parent should be informed of before sending his or her child into childcare. 1. Just because the childcare center has a familiar name and fancy accreditations, along with a high price tag, does not necessarily make it the best childcare option. Check to see if it is a franchise, as most are, and remember that while the company may be based on great values, the owner of that particular franchise may not. If it is a franchised childcare center, ask to meet the owners first. Get a feel for how they run their business and if they are in the business of childcare or the care of your child. 2. Read the enrollment / application agreements. Compare them to one another; does one stand out from the rest? In most standard practices, a childcare center requires a two week notice to withdrawal your child from their program; after all, it is a business and they need a notice too. 38
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However, if you come across a school that requires more than a two week withdrawal notice, while others in the area do not, that should raise a red flag. Keep in mind, we tend to gloss over this part of the childcare search because we are focused on the teacher ratio and cleanliness of the facility, but it’s a very important to take a minute and think of the “what if’s.” Think of some of the reasons you may have to take your child out of childcare: loss of a job, health issues, or just plain displeasure with the staff or facility. Do you really want to be obligated to pay three or four weeks tuition when the chances are your child will not attend? 3. Ask to visit and meet all of the teachers, not just the one where your child will start. Ask all the teachers themselves how long they have worked for this establishment. This will give you the most accurate rate of teacher turnover per school. Remember, people’s definition of what a low turnover rate is can vary widely. 4. Pay special attention to the teachers. We seem to be so consumed by trying to observe the atmosphere and the level of cleanliness and space that we completely overlook this. Remember the teachers are your direct link to the quality of care you can expect your child to receive. Are they happy, comfortable, and educated? Spend as much time feeling out the teacher as you do the environment. 5. Compare what your tuition covers. Does it cover meals? Does the center require you have a credit card on file? Schools that do not provide meals or snacks will cost you even more than those that do. Schools that require a credit card on file, ask them why. Most important, if your child has any special needs, ask to have that noted on all paperwork: the application, enrollment agreement, and any required forms. Note in depth the special needs of your child and have the center sign off that they understand them and that they are able to provide you with the standard of care your child needs. Keep copies of everything for your records, since you are signing legal contracts. I am inclined to share this knowledge with all parents in my community, and ask that even if your child is currently in childcare, review your paperwork and consider shopping around again. Be aware of the human aspect of the childcare industry, but do not overlook the business end of things in the process. Weigh your decisions based on both aspects and your family’s needs. In the end, you can rest assured you have made one of many hard decisions’ that will plague you as a parent, but the best one possible one you could.
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Lifestyle
Table Dressing by Shelley Herod The holidays are upon us. Tablescapes are easily overlooked, but your kitchen or dining room tables are some of the most dramatic places to add holiday décor. Whether you are hosting a dinner party or just having family and friends over, tablescapes allow your guests to enjoy a festive touch while they are seated. Shelley lives in Towne Lake and owns her own interior design company. She can be reached at (770) 2355640.
The first step to this process is allowing your personality to create a table theme. Your style might be whimsical or maybe elegant, and sometimes both (design a whimsical table in the kitchen while a more elegant setting in the dining room). Once your theme is designated, the tablescape will begin to fall into place. Select a color scheme; I suggest working with the existing colors of the room. Even if your existing color palette does not shout “holiday,” the most unexpected combinations can transform into a dramatic presentation. Winter white, sparkling silver, or glistening gold
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add holiday magic to any difficult palette. With your theme and color scheme selected, you should be on your way to designing your table. Start with the first layer; this can include tablecloths, runners, placemats, plate chargers or whatever your creative juices desire. This will form the foundation of your theme. After determining your foundation, begin working from the center out to create a dramatic centerpiece. This does not have to be a floral arrangement. Antique silver, reindeers, a grouping of various heights of candles, several apothecary glass jars filled with holiday items, rosemary trees tied with coordinating ribbon are a few ideas. Above your centerpiece is one of the most dramatic areas to work with. Most people forget about the chandelier. Tie in fresh greenery with festive ribbon and dangle Christmas ornaments or lanterns holding votive candles. This decor is sure to start a conversation with your holiday guests. continued on page 83
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Lifestyle
Wine N’ Chocolate by David Heckelmoser There can be some challenges pairing wine with chocolate, but if you have the right wine to complement the right chocolate, it can be a match made in heaven!
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.
Chocolate is bitter and sweet, bitter from the cacao bean base and sweet from the additions of milk, cream and sugar. Dark chocolate is fairly high in tannins (astringent, bitter taste) and has varying degrees of sweetness. With that in mind, think bold, full body wines. Port and similar wines are also both bitter from the red grape skins and tannins and sweet from the residual sugar in the wine. Chocolate and port, or even port-style wines, like an older bold Zinfandel, are memorable combinations.
Chocolate and mocha flavors are best with fortified wines, especially the French Grenache based Banyulus. Late harvest
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Muscat, especially those based on black or orange Muscat, can be a wonderful pairing option. Brachetto d’ Acqui, an Italian sparkling wine, is fabulous with strawberries dipped in chocolate. Bittersweet Chocolate The most intense, richly-flavored dark chocolate is 70 to 100 percent cacao. Because of the intensity of flavors, bittersweet and dark chocolates need to be paired with stronger red wines. Look to Merlots, Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as ports and fortified wines. Milk Chocolate Milk chocolate has a higher percentage of sugar and smaller percentage of cacao, usually less than 10 percent. Milk chocolate is the continued on page 83
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Lifestyle
Bucket List Number Two by Kara Kiefer Several years ago, my friend Michele came back from a Costa Rican vacation where she went zip lining. At the time, zip lining was a fairly new adventure, and it was certainly not available anywhere in Georgia. From her description, I knew that would be something I would definitely want to do.
Kara Kiefer is the Editor of AroundAbout — TowneLaker. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and sons Brandon and Garrett.
The first time you step off the platform and zip down the line is truly exhilarating. On the first line, I was last and just praying that I wouldn’t be “that person” who got stuck in the middle because she didn’t follow braking instructions. I made it, embarrassment free! The second zip found my husband
Thanks to Half Off Depot, a zip line tour at Lake Lanier landed in my inbox, and it took me about five seconds to buy four tickets, one for each member of the family. I knew I wanted to do it in the fall, when the color on the leaves was near its peak, and it would not be too hot or too cold. The day came in late October.
Our certificate was for a three-hour zip line along the shore of Lake Lanier. Once you get outfitted in a harness and a snappy helmet, your instructions begin, which were pretty simplehow to brake and what to do if you get stuck on the line in the middle. After everyone completed their “test” zip to make sure
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we comprehended our directions, we started on our zip tour.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
continued on page 82
Musings from Towne: For Franklin by Robyn Hohensee
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.
Our pet hotot rabbit Franklin passed away in his cage last month. My husband Todd and I had been away for the weekend, and when we returned, we saw him lying on his side lifeless. I opened the cage and gently stroked his white fur while telling him how much I loved him and how I was going to miss him. Todd gently lifted him into his arms and put him in a shoebox to be buried. I had just finished knitting a baby blanket for charity and felt he deserved to be buried in it. With his huge black eyes, Franklin would watch me knit, and I know he would approve. The days following Franklin’s passing were sad for me. The house felt empty —even my two cats, Sam and Clementine, mourned. They would lie side by side where Franklin’s cage had been, vacantly staring at nothing. A tear spilled out of Sam’s eye. I know they felt Franklin’s loss very acutely. I know animals have deep feelings. and they do mourn. I don’t care what anybody says to the contrary.
I put Franklin’s empty cage in the garage, and after a week of seeing it every time I went into the garage, I knew it was time for it to go. Where should I take it? I certainly did not want to throw it out, and I knew of no one who had a rabbit. Todd suggested I take it to the Humane Society Thrift store on Bells Ferry, and I agreed. I thoroughly cleaned it out and delivered it to the Humane Society. The young man who took the very large cage out of my van was very appreciative that I had donated it. I felt good about it as well. It makes me feel satisfied to know that another precious rabbit can enjoy it and hopefully have a good and long life the way Franklin did. While I was at the store, I decided to look around. I saw two cages with a cat in each. One was a full grown cat and the other was much younger. They both needed a good loving home, and I prayed that they would find one. If I could, I would have taken them both. I know that the people at the store are doing their best to find these precious animals a home. I believe in what they do and I will support them from now on by dropping in from time to time to buy books and DVD’s because I love animals. They are God’s gift to us. R.I.P. Franklin.
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Lifestyle
An Endless Sea of Holiday Tasks 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.
For years, it has really bothered me that from October 15 to January 2, I feel like I’m swirling in an endless sea of never-ending holiday tasks. So last year, I tried something new to make the holiday season more relaxed and meaningful. I said “no” at the holidays instead of “yes.”
The silence grew louder and longer in my head so I made myself sit on my hands and pinch them to keep from raising them. The episode lasted for only a few seconds, but to me, it felt like hours. Then, an amazing thing happened. Nothing. Someone else volunteered for the task, and the meeting quickly returned to other topics. There was no lightning bolt
It was mid-December, and a group I was involved in met to put the finishing touches on an upcoming holiday event. During the meeting, the chairperson remembered one last item we needed, one that could easily be purchased at any big-box store. She asked for a volunteer.
It was my year to host the family Christmas celebration, and I was dreadfully behind on cleaning, buying gifts and mailing out-of-town packages.
Traditionally, I would have volunteered regardless of what I had on my plate just so people would think good thoughts about me. This time, though, I hesitated. It was my year to host the family Christmas celebration, and I was dreadfully behind on cleaning, buying gifts and mailing out-of-town packages. There were many “kid” events to attend, and my daughter and I still needed to shop for our angel-tree child. So, I did something out of the ordinary (and much to my husband’s shock). I stayed quiet. No one else volunteered right away either, and there was deafening silence in the room. Silence is hard for a chronic talker like me to bear, and there was an almost insatiable urge on my part to fill the titanic-sized soundless gap with raise-my-hand helpfulness.
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from heaven or other cataclysmic event to punish me for my self-imposed feeling of selfishness. That Christmas season, I tried the same tactic two more times to see what would happen, and each time, the results were identical. Nothing monumental happened, except that I felt a little less harried and rushed during that holiday season for the first time in a long time. By saying no to a few things, I had more time to shop for our angel-tree child with my daughter and really enjoy the process of helping her select special things rather than rushing in and out of the store just to buy something. I had more time to enjoy my family and other festivities and, most importantly, I had more time to remember the real reason for the season.
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Holiday Birds by Scott Lemmon
Participate in a Beloved Holiday Tradition
How to Attract More Birds This Holiday Season
In 1900, Frank Chapman organized 27 friends in 25 locations to count birds on Christmas Day to protest bird-shooting contests. Chapman’s iconic protest became the Christmas Bird Count the birds became the Christmas Bird Count, a tradition in which many people in Cherokee County are participating this year.
Nights are longer and colder this time of year. Birds require highfat, quick-energy foods to stay active and warm. Insect-eaters are looking for more fats and fruits. Seed-eaters are searching for high-oil seeds and nuts. Have you noticed how ravenously the birds eat at your feeders, especially early in the morning and just before dusk? Chickadees can gain as much as 10 percent of their body weight each day and lose it all again during a cold winter night.
Christmas Bird Counts are annual early-winter gatherings sponsored by the National Audubon Society that involve more than 45,000 people from North and South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. There are approximately 1,700 counts held during a 2.5 week period before and after Christmas. This year’s count begins December 14. Many people are participating in the count as a way to get involved with their local Audubon Chapter. The Atlanta Audubon Society can be reached at www.atlantaaudubon.org or (678) 9732437. Beginners are welcome, and people can spend a few hours or the entire day counting birds. These counts are valuable. They provide insights into the longterm health of bird populations and the environment. For more information about how you can participate in the Christmas Bird Count, check out the National Audubon Society’s website at http://birds. audubon.org/christmas-birdcount.
Attract more birds this holiday season and meet their dietary needs by offering suet, peanuts, nyjer (thistle) and sunflower chips (sunflower out of the shell). Each is a high-fat, quick-energy food source to help your birds replace calories lost in simply maintaining their body temperature. And don’t forget an open source of water – when freezing temperatures hit, most of the birds’ water sources are frozen over. Consider adding a heated birdbath to your bird feeding setup, or adding a heating unit to an existing birdbath. So while you’re sitting down to a bountiful holiday dinner with your family, your birds can join in the feast as well. Keep your dinner guests entertained by keeping your feeders clean and filled!
Scott Lemmon can be reached at (770) 928-3014 or e-mail him at wbuwoodstock@comcast.net.
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Feature
Home of Georgia’s Lowest Prices If you live in the Towne Lake area and need to purchase beer, wine or liquor, chances are you have visited Bullocks Wine & Spirits Warehouse. Visiting a store is one thing — coming back again and again is another, and it’s Bullocks’ mission to ensure its store has what you need at a price that beats the competition while receiving knowledgeable and friendly customer service. The mission seems to be working, as Bullocks has won the AroundAbout-TowneLaker Readers’ Choice award for seven consecutive years! The award winning wine department at Bullocks has one of the largest selections in Georgia with the lowest prices. Owner Bob Bullock states emphatically: “We will not be undersold.” Prices can be 25 to 50 percent cheaper or more than grocery stores and other liquor stores. Bullocks stocks wine from the major wine regions in France, Italy, Spain, America, Germany, Chile and Argentina. “Our inventory reflects everyone’s tastes,” said Wine Manager Tom Crowe. “Customers will find great choices in all categories of wine.” Whether you’re planning a special dinner party, a wedding reception or a backyard barbecue or just a quiet night at home in front of the fire, Tom will help you find the perfect wine match. Wonderful World of Wine Tom (below), Bullocks wine manager since 1989, is considered by many in the wine industry as the go to expert. He is very friendly an approachable and knows many of the customers by name. In addition to Tom, Dunn and Joanne are extremely knowledgeable in regards to wine and also can help you find the perfect bottle. Customers know they can always find friendly and helpful assistance in whatever their needs may be.
Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse 1050 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock (678) 445-5222 www.bullockswine.com Hours Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Now Open Sundays! 12:30 - 8:30 p.m.
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If it’s wine you need help selecting, Tom definitely is your “go to” man. Tom shares with his customers more than 25 years of education and experience. With price points from the very low to very high end, Tom can help any customer with any need, regardless of price. “A lot of times, people are intimidated by a store’s wine expert. We don’t operate in the realm of being ‘wine snobs,’ but instead, it’s our desire to find exactly what the customer wants within his price range,” he said. “There are no stupid questions. I’m here to answer any and all questions about wine.” Tom reminds wine lovers that now is the time for the Nouveau Beaujolais, a wine released once a year on the third Thursday of November. There will be limited quantities. Retailers typically scramble to get their
hands on this yearly treat. Tom can tell you the interesting history of Nouveau Beaujolais the next time you visit Bullocks. And with the holidays here, including New Year’s Eve, it’s good to know Bullocks carries a wide selection of champagne and sparkling wines at all price points. Beer Bonanza If you’re a beer aficionado and know your way around craft beers, you may have shopped elsewhere for your favorite. No need to leave Towne Lake anymore! Bullocks now carries thousands of craft beers, in both single bottles and six packs. And if you feel like trying several, you can create your own six packs. This is a great idea for the beer lover on your gift buying list, white elephant gift or host gift. Visit the new craft beer area and prepare to be amazed (and maybe a bit overwhelmed!) by the selection! And like everything else in the store, Bullocks will not be undersold on its beer prices.
special order anything a customer is looking for.
Let’s Talk Spirits Bullocks also is the destination to purchase spirits, liqueur, pre-made cocktails and mixers — all at unbeatable prices. And like the wine, if a customer manages to find a lower price (unlikely) on an identical product, Bullocks will match that price. “We have lower prices than any other liquor store, including the discount club stores,” said Bob. “We carry the nationally advertised brands customers are familiar with and trust.” Along with the national brands Bullocks also carries hard to find brands and will
Happy Holidays Bullocks is a perfect destination for unique gifts as well. Bob pointed out that gift sets make excellent gifts for friends, family and party hosts. “We don’t up-charge for any of the gift sets. The gift sets are the same price as the same size bottle on the shelf,” said Bob. Other gift ideas include wine glasses, stoppers and charms, and for the beer and cigar lover, there are the aforementioned craft beers and a large selection of premium cigars. There are wines, beers and liquors that are unique and available only at the holiday time. And if you like eggnog, Bullocks carries the wildly popular Evan Williams brand. Bullocks has a loyal following because it provides the best selection at the best prices with a friendly staff. This holiday season, save time, save money and see why Bullocks is Towne Lake’s choice for liquor store! AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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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).
Off-Road Utility Vehicles
BB Buggies, Inc. of Augusta, GA and Bad Boy Enterprises LLC, of Natchez, MS are voluntarily recalling approximately 3,200 Bad Boy Buggies off-road utility vehicles. The steering assembly arm can break and cause the driver to lose control, posing a crash hazard.
Gas Rangetop with Grill
General Electric Appliances, of Louisville, KY is voluntarily recalling approximately 470 GE Monogram® Pro rangetops with grill. Burners on rangetops operating on liquefied petroleum (“LP” or propane) may fail to ignite or light if the gas control knob is left in a position between OFF and LITE, posing a risk of delayed ignition or explosion.
Glider Recliners with Ottomans
Big Lots, of Columbus, Ohio. is voluntarily recalling approximately 375,000 microfiber glider and leather glider recliners with ottomans. An exposed gap between the moving parts of the chair and the base framework can allow access to toddlers and infants, posing an entrapment hazard. Other exposed moving parts on the chair and the ottoman can pose finger pinching and crushing hazards to older children and adults.
Jogging Strollers
B.O.B. Trailers, Inc. of Boise, ID is voluntarily recalling approximately 411,700 (in the United States) and 27,000 (in Canada) B.O.B.® single and double strollers. The stroller canopy’s embroidered logo’s backing patch can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies and young children.
Children’s Folding Tent
IKEA North America Service, of Conshohocken, PA is voluntarily recalling approximately 51,000 (in the United States) and 7,000 (in Canada) due to laceration and puncture hazard.
Step Stools
Ballard Designs, Inc. of Atlanta, GA is voluntarily recalling approximately 2,500 Ballard Designs “Stafford” step stools. Plastic tabs on the feet of the step stools can cause the stools to be unstable, posing a fall hazard to consumers. 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.
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Health & Wellness
Merry Christmas, Jeremy: A Dental Christmas Story by Dr. Scott R. Harden “Doctor, I was wondering if there is any better way for me to clean my front teeth, since they’re crowded and have always been a problem for me?” This was a simple enough question, but it opened an amazing window of communication that changed Jeremy’s life forever. Dr. Scott Harden is a dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry and has served the Towne Lake area for more than 21 years. He is a Dental Advisor for two nationally renowned dental research companies. You can reach him at (770) 926-0000 or visit FountainViewSmiles. com.
The truth was that Jeremy had problems far more complex than his crowded teeth. He had faced this dreadful fact his entire life and simply learned to ignore it over time.
This story extends back to a time in a little boy’s life that was complete with fun, freedom, and all the wonderful little elements of life that make a childhood magical. It is a delightful age of innocence, and the only dreadful things Jeremy faced was bedtime and vegetables. His carefree lifestyle at this tender age was still devoid of any judgment from his playmates regarding his physical appearance. Frankly, no one cared how Jeremy looked, and rightfully so, because he still looked normal by most standards; he simply had not grown a lot yet.
This fun-loving period of Jeremy’s life, as he recounts, was supplanted by that vulnerable age of hurtful comments and name-calling associated with adolescence. Jeremy had started to grow by now, and he along with everyone else was aware that his jaws grew unevenly and his lower jaw jutted out too far. Difficult times faced Jeremy from then on because he would always be self-conscious. Every time he looked in the mirror he was constantly reminded of his different appearance. “Why can’t I just look like everyone else?” he asked himself time and time again. Jeremy had to endure elementary, junior high and high school with constant ridicule and a lowered sense of self-esteem. Every aspect of his life was more challenging because of his personal appearance. He found trouble making friends, talking to girls and participating in sports. Jeremy found the most enjoyment in more solitary activities, pursuing the drums and playing video games. As Jeremy grew up, his parents did not have the financial means to 54
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provide him the opportunity of corrective dental treatment, which would have concluded with a necessary jaw surgery when he was 18 years old. He simply tolerated his problem and accepted that his condition would last the rest of his life. In fact, Jeremy emphatically decided he would not have jaw surgery because of the financial burden it would put on his parents. Jeremy’s luck changed with a wonderful unforeseen opportunity that reflects the essence of Christmas and that good cheer that we all wish for one another. Jeremy, at age 47, would finally find a solution to the problem that afflicted him for many years - all because of a simple question about how to better clean his front teeth. The dentist quickly deduced that Jeremy was not a willing candidate for surgery. His crooked top and bottom front teeth, combined with a very advanced lower jaw, gave him a very abnormal appearance that he concealed with his hand when he spoke, a habit he developed as a child. Understanding the limitations of “no surgery” set by the patient, the dentist asked a simple question in return: “Has anyone offered you braces for your front teeth and a smile makeover involving crowns?” There was a very long pause during which Jeremy was literally speechless. After digesting this concept, he asked, “Do you mean I could have a normal smile for once in my life?” The notion nearly brought tears to his eyes. The dentist and Jeremy spoke at length about how braces alone could not deliver his desired results; his teeth would require creative treatment that would involve crowning his front teeth to provide him function and a smile that would be more than he could have ever hoped for. The process took place in carefully designed stages that involved with the dentist, an orthodontist and the patient. The braces were put on Jeremy’s teeth and the magic began. The crowns would complete his treatment, and were carefully planned with tooth wax-up models before the process began. The wax-up models of his teeth displayed the appearance that Jeremy had always dreamed of. The final stage of placing the crowns on his front teeth created the ideal length, contours and whiteness that unveiled his amazing new look. His smile was transformed just before the holidays, and it was the best gift he had ever received. His hand still instinctively went in front of this face, but he quickly realized his radiant smile was something to show off and not cover up. The embrace he gave his dentist was the best thank you ever. Jeremy is a man who resolved all the difficulties he experienced as a boy with his newfound smile.
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Health & Wellness
Got Sciatica? by Dr. Jared J. Lasseigne
For more information, contact Dr. Jared at Discover Chiropractic in Towne Lake (770) 516-9900.
Sciatica is a group of symptoms, including pain, that can be caused by irritation and/or compression of a portion of the sciatic nerve. Formed by multiple nerve roots from the lumbar spine, the sciatic nerve sends signals down both legs to control muscles and up the legs to provide different types of sensations. This is the longest nerve in the body. Inflammation of the nerve usually causes tenderness along the course of the nerve through the buttocks, thigh, and possibly down the leg to the foot.
Besides pain, which is sometimes severe, one may feel numbness, pins and needles or tingling, muscular weakness and/or difficulty in controlling the leg. Treatment of sciatica or sciatic symptoms often differs, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Be really watchful of your body movements to avoid aggravating the problem. Make sure not to over bend, twist or stretch too much. Intense or quick body movements can lead to increased compression of the nerves which can trigger the problem. Simple lower back stretching exercises can release muscle tension on the sciatic nerve. This in turn will aid in preventing sciatica pain. You can also consider brisk walking for 30 minutes every day, followed by stretching. Walking aids in the alignment of the spine and can keep sciatica at bay. Those found to suffer from sciatica are often in their 40s and 50s. Something simple like bending over to tie your shoes can trigger an episode. It usually begins as a sudden pain in the lower back and then travels down the back of one or both legs. Sciatica usually becomes more chronic with years of bad posture, long periods of sitting or standing, and long periods of bed rest. Relief is found once the pressure is removed from the sciatic nerve. As your pain decreases, you will experience improved flexibility and function. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holidays from Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Towne Lake!
The Giſted Fer�et Giſts Wine Decor Now Open
Your Holiday Shopping Destination
TheGiftedFerret.com
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Health & Wellness
Protect Your Hearing! by Dr. Jan Henriques Concerts, car races, fireworks, leaf blowers, jet engines, MP3 players, jackhammers, guns - what do these all have in common? They’re LOUD, and they can damage your hearing! Loud noise is the number one cause of hearing loss today. It also is one of the most common causes for tinnitus. Professions that are at risk for hearing Dr. Henriques is a Board loss include firefighters, police Certified Audiologist officers, factory workers, farmers, and leads a team construction workers, military of Professionals at personnel, heavy industry workers Progressive Audiology and musicians. Experts Center, Inc. She can be reached at (770) 592agree that continued 4744. exposure to noise of 85 decibels or louder will eventually harm your hearing. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot carry on a conversation without yelling over the noise, then it is too loud. Protect your hearing. If you have pain in your ears after leaving a noisy area or you hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in your ears immediately after exposure to noise, consider this as a warning sign that the sounds are TOO LOUD. It’s a noisy world. We all know this. But there’s noise and then there’s damaging noise that can put you at risk for permanent hearing loss. Hunting
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season is upon us in Georgia. Many of my patients are hunters, and, of course, I counsel them about protecting their hearing from the damaging loudness of firearms. Many hunters do not want to heed this advice. Many will say, “If I plug up my ears, I won’t be able to hear the game.” Well guess what? If you don’t protect your ears, then you won’t be able to hear anything! There are many great custom-made or store-bought earpieces and headsets to chose from that allow you to hear every sound, but still be protected from the gunfire. There is no excuse today to not seek out hearing protection, no matter what your work or recreational environment is. Ear protection comes in many shapes and sizes and can even be customized to fit your ears. It is important that whatever you decide to use, use it properly and consistently! I have been in some factories only to observe some workers have the earplugs hanging half way out of the ears. Why? Maybe because they are uncomfortable, or maybe they need to hear a particular sound of something they are working on or to converse with a co-worker. Many earplugs today can be filtered, some electronically and some acoustically, to bring in soft sounds such as voices but block out the damaging levels. There are also special earphones that can be used with MP3 players that do not allow the sounds to reach damaging levels so that our children can safely listen to music. continued on page 83
Avoiding the Dreaded Holiday Weight Gain by Marietta Plastic Surgery
Drs. Thaddeus Fabian*, Keith Hanna*, Keith West*, John Symbas and Michael McNeel* are plastic surgeons with Marietta Plastic Surgery, with offices in Woodstock and Marietta. Trained at top teaching institutions, they are skilled in the latest techniques and procedures in the field of plastic surgery. For a private consultation, contact www. mariettaplasticsurgery.com. *Members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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The holidays are upon us and along with the joys of gathering with family and friends, comes the challenge of eating healthy and watching your calories. It’s not easy when confronted with great tasting treats and goodies everywhere. The holidays are no fun if you can’t enjoy a little eggnog, cheesecake or spinach dip, but all in moderation!
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Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, and very effective in reducing fat in many problem areas.
How do you avoid putting on holiday pounds and what to do about if it sneaks up on you?
Eat regular meals, and fill up on fiber to feel full. Never go to a party starving. Try not to sit near the buffet tables and dessert trays. Too tempting! We often nibble because we’re bored. Bring mints or gum to keep your mouth busy. Alcohol is a diet killer. Try a club soda with a twist. Or ask for a watered-down drink. Earn those treats. Go for a long walk or work out the morning of a big party. Try keeping a food diary—you may be surprised at your intake of sugary calories.
After the holidays, it makes sense that most New Year’s resolutions center on losing weight. Even with the best of efforts, the average weight gain is a pound or two, more for heavier people. And even with good diet and exercise, research has shown that most people keep that pound. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but over a lifetime, that’s a few dress sizes! Liposuction may provide a solution for some. Although not a weight loss procedure, liposuction is a technique that is quite successful at helping people improve their body shape. It’s not recommended for severely overweight individuals, but the
procedure can help smooth out your silhouette, and flatten the tummy area and thighs. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, and very effective in reducing fat in many problem areas. By helping you get rid of a few unsightly bulges, liposuction may help you fit your current clothes better and may even allow you to wear styles you avoided in the past. By targeting stubborn fat deposits, it can help reshape your body’s curves and define muscular structure that was previously hidden under unwanted fat. It’s important to treat holiday eating as a special treat, not a way of life for the month of December. If you’ve been watching what you eat and exercising regularly for awhile, and are frustrated with the lack of results, liposuction may be a great option for achieving the healthy silhouette you’ve been striving for.
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Health & Wellness
Controlling Your Sweet Tooth During the Holiday Season by Alicia Glassford, RD, LD, Registered and Licensed Dietitian Northside Hospital Diabetes and Nutrition Education You may be wondering how you can maintain your healthy eating plan and still enjoy all those rich and sweet desserts offered throughout the holiday season. Between the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pie, the holidays can be the most difficult time of the year to maintain your weight and stick with a healthy diet. Many people think they gain more than five pounds from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. Research suggests, however, that most people gain less than one pound during the holiday season, and those most at risk for holiday weight gain are either already obese or have diabetes. However, everyone can benefit from practicing mindful eating. And remember – weight gain prevention is much easier than trying to diet afterward. Here are a few tips to control your sweet tooth and your waistline around the holidays. • Bring a healthy entrée or appetizer. You will ensure that you have a healthy and delicious option when you are a party guest, and you may even encourage others to practice healthy eating habits, too. • Never skip meals during the day. Saving up for that special evening buffet by not eating usually results in
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overeating later. A small snack, such as a handful of nuts, before the festive dinner will help you to not overeat. • Focus on people rather than food. Family and friends are the reason for the season. • Choose one small dessert and enjoy it—that’s part of enjoying food! • Sit down to eat. Emphasize conversation and socializing instead of the food. We don’t realize how much we have eaten when we pick at food while standing. • Don’t drink your calories. Eggnog, punch and mixed drinks contribute a large amount of calories – often 500 calories per cup. Stick with water, diet sodas, lite beer and wine spritzers instead. In addition, drink lots of water – at least eight cups a day – to stay hydrated. • Stay active during the holidays. Get the kids outside playing ball, plan an ice skating trip or take a walk after the holiday meal. • Plan ahead. If you are choosing a dessert, cut back on other sources of carbohydrates such as breads, casseroles and sweet potatoes. To access additional information and resources on diabetes and nutrition, visit www.northside.com/healthcast/ nutrition.
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Health & Wellness
Is Strength Training Right for My Child? by Dr. Ross Brakeville, PT, DPT, STC, TPI-L3
Dr. Ross Brakeville is a Physical Therapist specializing in Sports Medicine, to include injury prevention, with a focus on kids and adults who want to play like one. He is owner of Woodstock Physical Therapy & Performance Institute. For more information or to contact him call: (770) 516-9191.
Weight training for adolescents strikes more controversy than politicians and taxes. Horror stories, ranging from growth stunting to bones exploding, have perpetuated fears over time. So, is weight training okay for kids?
Strength training builds muscle by exerting or resisting force. “Strength training is good for kids,” said Dr. David Marshall, Medical Director of Sports Medicine for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Sports Medicine also endorses strength training, provided the program is properly designed and supervised.
First, exercise and physical activity are more important than the latest version of “Call of Duty!” According to the CDC and many other child advocate organizations, obesity and chronic health problems such as asthma are rising quickly. To add to these problems, kids participating in formal physical fitness programs are dropping faster than lake Lanier, with less than 25 percent of high school kids enrolled in physical education classes. Those who play sports are not immune to problems either, with risk of injury elevated if they do not train to meet the demands of their sport.
Finally, exercise that builds strength and motor skills has another benefit - injury prevention. The stronger a person is, the more resilient he or she are to external forces, such as taking a hit by a player driving to the basket or falling off the monkey bars. In addition, properly designed exercises enhance skill levels and improve reaction times, both essential to progressing in his or her sport and minimizing risk for injury.
Secondly, sports participation is not considered “exercise.” Sports are physically demanding activities that require strength, flexibility, agility, endurance, energy, etc. In fact, having to control another athlete such as blocking, “boxing out” wrestling to the mat, etc. can be more exertion than bench pressing an Olympic size bar. Exercise, by definition, is/are activities designed to help meet the physical demands of sport and reduce the risk of injury. Strength training is a component of exercise and should be implemented as part of a comprehensive program. Strength training is often mistaken with bodybuilding and power lifting. However, the objective of strength training in adolescents, which can include weight lifting, is to improve fitness levels required to meet the demands of sport, not to develop big biceps. 62
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Parameters for exercise often begin with a check-up by your physician or health care professional. If your child has any chronic illness, consult with your pediatrician before starting and set up regular check-ups to be sure progress is occurring normally for their health condition. When your child can follow instruction, this is a good measuring stick as to readiness to start an organized exercise program and to include strength training. Exercise is good for us all. It is not too early or too late to begin. If you have any health issues, speak to your physician or health care professional to manage your program. Building strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance are at the foundation to good health. Take an active role in your health and start exercising today.
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Schools & Sports
Ready or Not‌ Time to Think About College by Nicole Mott Since the first day of high school, teachers, counselors, and principals have been prepping us to get into college. Whether it was a 3.0 GPA, attendance or community service, they constantly reminded us. Now in our senior year, that the time has quickly come, and college can seem like a whole new world. The thought of college this early can get extremely Nicole Mott is a senior overwhelming around this time of at Etowah High School. year. Many would think that the She has aspirations of beginning of the school year is early majoring in Broadcast Journalism in college. to start applying for colleges, but, Nicole also plays on the in reality, some students are getting Etowah soccer team. their acceptance letters in fall. This is around the time seniors start to realize that the end is actually coming near, and this college thing is serious. The idea of college itself does not sound complicated, but the steps going into it are complex. After applying, taking tours, and researching schools, the minds of future graduates are taken back and overwhelmed by the options and decisions to be made. After a college is decided upon, there are many finishing 64
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touches and post-acceptance items to handle. Tuition, housing, scholarships, and financial aid all have to be thought about and planned for before actually starting college. As if making decisions are not hard enough, maintaining the grades and balancing life until the day everyone graduates is just as tough. While money and other serious matters are on the mind for college bound seniors, so are the other things at home. Most students have grown together since elementary school, and the idea of leaving that comfort zone is scary. Saying goodbye and parting from the ones you love is frightening. While we all may not be going straight into college, or even going at all, we are all experiencing some of the same feelings. Many of us are having the sad thought about leaving our loving friends and family, and the comfort of Woodstock, Georgia. We will have those feelings, as well as the feelings of excitement to discover a new world. It is going to be bittersweet on this upcoming May 26. The class of 2012 will be officially graduated and parting ways. I myself have big aspirations for life after high school, and this I know is true for my class as well.
Christmas Conventions by Dee Locklin
Dee Locklin is retired from Georgia State University. She lives in Towne Lake with husband Lewis and son Taylor in a cluttered home filled with love and lots of dust bunnies. Contact Dee at dlocklin89@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Growing up in Miami, my family’s Christmas customs were a bit different than the holiday traditions captured by Norman Rockwell paintings and The Andy Williams Christmas Specials. Snowmen, sleds, hot apple cider, chimney stockings - most of these holiday images either puzzled my friends and me or made us feel as though America was divided into two realms. One was flooded by sunshine and the other was not.
Indeed, not much of what my friends and I experienced as children of the tropics resembled what we found in our Fun with Dick and Jane readers. Our climate and culture, even our everyday cuisine, was characterized by vibrancy and rhythm that we did not see chronicled on national newscasts or read about in Life magazine. But it was during Christmas that the differences were most apparent. My mother decorated our house tropical-style for the holidays. She created beautiful floral arrangements using local foliage such as sea grape leaves, palm fronds and coconut shells. I loved the way her holiday pieces reflected the Japanese art of flower arranging known as ikebana – a minimalist approach that emphasizes shape, line and form over a traditional focus on floral blooms. As creative as she was, however, my mother did not shy away from really tacky touches in her attempts to deck our halls for Christmas. I recall a bright red and white cardboard fireplace and mantle that adorned one of our living room walls when I was about seven years old. My mother said she set it up so that Santa would have a way to enter our house to bring my presents. And I believed her with all my heart. I eventually left my tropical roots. Lewis and I married and settled here in beautiful Towne Lake to raise our son. And looking back on our early Christmases, I became obsessed with orchestrating for my family the conventional holiday, with all the Norman Rockwell trimmings. I insisted on a themed tree, with white lights only, upon which ornaments had to be carefully placed according to size and shape. Two sets of Christmas dishes, one formal and one casual. A truckload of hothouse poinsettias in pastel colors to grace every room. Additional decorations limited to tasteful silver and gold, with no hint of red permitted within 50 yards of the house. Let’s face it: my rigidity stemmed from feeling different as
a tropical child from a not-so-conventional family. I craved normalcy, conformity and predictability. And I would have remained in that trance forever, had it not been for Taylor’s tears. One year, my young son tried to help me trim the tree. As children do, he hung ornaments haphazardly and in all the wrong places. So I followed behind his every step, re-hanging each decoration he had placed on the tree. After about 15 minutes, he walked away and I found him sitting in the kitchen with tears welled in his big, blue eyes. “Mommy, I’m not going to help you anymore because you won’t let me put the pieces where I want.” Trance-buster. As he was to do many times throughout his youth, my son’s response to my behavior helped me return to a healthy perspective about life, family and the things that matter most. This month, we Towne Lakers may celebrate differently, but we celebrate the same things: faith, family, home and love. My own family members will gather and rejoice in the blessings of our lives. We will bask in love for each other. We will laugh and eat and probably snap at each other from time to time. And placed prominently in our kitchen, you will find the ugliest artificial Christmas tree you have ever seen. On its plastic boughs hang Pez dispensers, homemade Styrofoam ornaments and loads of tacky decorations. It is draped with multiple strands of Mardi Gras beads. And it is topped with two pompoms, one from Etowah High School and the other from Auburn University. Topped with these two for no particular reason other than we just happen to have them on hand. This scrappy little tree was started the Christmas following Taylor’s tears. It stands fully decorated in his teen suite during the off season, and is marched upstairs to the kitchen every December. Throughout his high school years, Taylor and his friends would regularly knock into the tree, then haphazardly re-hang fallen ornaments and beads. So after years of jostling and handling, the tree is now quite a mess. But that is just fine. The unconventional tree is very important to my family because Santa needs a place to leave our presents. Yes, we know he will return, even though our tree is ugly and tacky. We believe it with all our hearts. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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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
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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.
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Feature
County Teacher Year
Etowah Teacher named
of the
Left to right: Etowah Principal Keith Ball, Teacher of the Year John Murnan and Superintendant Dr. Frank Petruzielo.
W
hen Superintendent of the Cherokee County School District Dr. Frank Petruzielo visits your class unexpectedly, it can cause some concern. When this visit is accompanied by the principal, several media representatives and a cookie bouquet, concern turns to pure confusion. This was the scene recently at Etowah High School in John Murnan’s science class. John was about to find out he had been selected as the Cherokee County Teacher of the Year. Every year, each Cherokee County school selects a Teacher of the Year to represent its school. Out of those 40 teachers, one is selected as the county winner. John will represent the county for the state competition and if he wins State, he will compete for the National Teacher of the Year.
Student Becca Hannigan signed up for John’s class because she had heard great things about it. “It’s great to see science through the eyes of someone who is passionate about it. He makes the lessons applicable to everyday life.”
John previously taught Dr. Petruzielo commented in Florida at Atlantic that John is passionate and Glades County high about every student schools. Seven years ago, he teaches. “John has he and his family decided particularly embraced to relocate to Georgia embedding technology John Murnan receiving congratulations from Superintendant Dr. Frank Petruzielo. into his teaching process, when he accepted a and he focuses on position at Etowah High students learning to learn. School. Currently, John He knows and practices the meaning of ‘active learning.’ He teaches AP Biology, Anatomy/Physiology and Biology. He also is also embraces the concept of accountability.” the head girls’ soccer coach. John teaches mostly seniors, and he enjoys the challenges of that age group. “The kids change, but often times, I see the same behaviors. My students have one senior year. I get to have a senior year over and over again,” he joked. 68
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John’s wife Debra substitute teaches and his daughter, Jenna, is a student at E.T. Booth Middle School. Congratulations to John on an honor well deserved
Schools & Sports
SCHOOL NEWS Senior Project Benefits Cancer
Carmel Students Help Nursing Home
Bottom row (left to right): Samori Williams, Jafari McEachron, Cristel Arteaga, Alexa Glaza, Janiah McEachron, Zoe Allen-Ferrell, Maddilyn Dentino, Brady Williams and Delilah Parkes. Top row: Philip Royer, Brody Yott, Albert Moore, Joselyine Castillo, Kiara Billue-Torres, Bryan Delgadillo, Chase Wilson, Mrs. Hefziba D’Ambrosio, Nicholas Frazier, Davion Finklea, Cydnie Alba and Tasneem Baccouche.
For her Senior Project, Abby Reidy held a walk called Beat the Blues. The walk raised funds for prostate and ovarian cancer research and was held in honor of Towne Lake resident Bridget Hammond, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in May 2008 and Charlie “Poppop” Germano, Abby’s grandfather, who lost his battle to prostate cancer in December 2007. The walk was held in Eagle Watch and more than 130 people participated. The event included food, raffle baskets and a balloon release in honor of those who have fought cancer. The walk raised approximately $1,800.
Chapman Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
Carmel Elementary students learn while serving the community throughout the year as part of its nationally recognized Service Learning program. Mrs. D’Ambrosio’s second grade class enjoyed participating in the learn and serve project, partnering with the Woodstock Nursing Home. The class collected and donated small personal items such as tissues, lotions and etc. to the Woodstock Nursing Home and also created Halloween cards for the residents. Carmel students have been nationally recognized for their community service projects since the induction of Service Learning school-wide in 2005. Community projects are chosen by students as a grade level, with the teachers overseeing the production and implementation of the projects within the curriculum standards. Carmel currently holds the title from 2011-2013 as the Georgia State School of Character. Service Learning falls under the umbrella of Character Education and is a component of the Carmel program.
Boston Recognizes Honor Roll Students
Principal Susan McCarthy gets into the groove with The Spoon Man
Chapman Intermediate School recently participated in Red Ribbon Week, and one of the week’s activities included a performance by The Spoon Man, AKA Jim Cruise, a comedy performer using musical spoons. Red Ribbon week is a way for communities and schools to unite and take a stand against substance abuse.
Boston Elementary School recently recognized 16 fourth grade students at an Honor Roll Brunch. The event was hosted by guest “Principal For a Day” Farah Khani of the Goddard School in Woodstock Front row (left to right): Kyle Caldwell, Mitchell Anderson, Sydney Kahn, Gardenia Avendano and Gavin Sturdivant. Middle row: Kenny West, Blaise Fischer, Michelle Boettcher, Lilly Wardrip, Christian Zapatos and Breanna Whitcher. Back row: Farah Khani, Elizabeth Hughes, Keirra Dodd, Angela Brill, Rachel Ray and Amelia Perez. AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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EHS vs Feature
Annual Football Rivalry
Even if you’re not a football fan, it’s hard to ignore the excitement in the air when the annual Towne Lake football rivalry game occurs between Etowah and Woodstock high schools. Every year, it’s a much anticipated “grudge match” between the schools that sit less than a mile apart. This year’s game was held in Eagle territory with full stands on both sides. The Eagles dominated the Wolverines and took home bragging rights with a 45-0 victory. Etowah photos courtesy of Marguerite White Woodstock photos courtesy of Skip Daugherty www.skipdaughertyphotography.com
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s WHS
AroundAbout AroundAbout — — TowneLaker TowneLaker || December November2011 2011
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Schools & Sports
5K Benefits Local Running Teams Carmel Elementary School coach Debbie Krug and Woodstock High School coach Kirk Scharich recently held a 5K and one-mile race with proceeds benefiting the running club at Carmel and the cross country team at Woodstock. Approximately 150 runners came out along with their family members.
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
Sports Deer Run Junior Team Wins City The Deer Run 10U girls tennis team recently took first place in its division, which earned the team a spot in the City Championship competition. The team continued its winning streak throughout the playoffs, earning its third trip to City Finals. The team was
victorious, capturing the Championship. The team was coached by Jeff Wood and Carla Czaja and was captained by Kristin Thrift. Congratulations
Front row (left to right): Mackenzie Englert, Gillian Bosko and Lorelai Wood. Back row: Kaley Terlep, Emily Mang, Anna Case, Katie Thrift and Katelyn Hackett.
Local Juniors Achieve Tennis Success Three local junior tennis players are celebrating recent successes on the court. Sophie Mnich entered her first 10U tournament in the USTA Georgia State Championships and defeated the number one seed in the semi-finals and the number two seed in the finals. Only nine years old, Sophie has moved toward the top of the Georgia rankings in her age division. Josh Raab recently won the Georgia State Championship in Macon. Josh beat the
Sophie Mnich
Josh Raab
other top seeded players to win the tournament in both singles and doubles. Josh will finish the 2011 year as the number one male 10U player in Georgia. Kevin Mendes recently won the Championship tournament in Macon, which placed him in the top 50 for boys 16U division. Kevin will play for the Etowah High School tennis team in the spring.
Kevin Mendes AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Schools & Sports
You Can Make a Difference Inexpensive Gifts for the Holidays
Megan Morelly
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Let’s face it, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza are coming up, and you have a tough budget. Your daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, and cousins are asking you for the newest toy, or game, or MP3 player. That means you are rushing around and spending your hard earned money for something that will go out of style in the next few months! There are gifts that will mean a lot that are inexpensive, and some cost no money at all. A gift I would like is simple, and it’s fun. If you have any out-of-state relatives, just call them and ask if they could come and visit. Your son or daughter would be completely surprised when their aunt, uncle, cousin, grandma, or grandpa comes to visit! Here are a few suggestions of where you can go when they arrive. You could take them to the movies, go to the park, go walking together, or go out for lunch and take a stroll through town. All of these are examples of inexpensive gifts that any kid would like! So for this holiday season, try to get some family together. Trust me…it will be better than any other gift. After all, money can’t buy love, happiness, or memories!
Bennett Almy
If I could have one main gift this year it would be more time with the people I love because truthfully… life is too fast. You can’t just sit by and wish for better, you have to love what you have. I do get to see the people I love a lot, but I feel it’s not enough. I don’t know how some kids say they hate their parents or dislike others, because who else is going to teach you what to do, how to live, or why everything is the way it is. Usually I think the reason some people don’t have a relationship with the people they could love is because they don’t let them in, meaning, they don’t want to share the gift of love. People are so caught up in the past that they never want to let anyone else in and be a part of their everyday life. I, myself, challenge you to let somebody in to your life. Give them time and love, and maybe they too will give you love and time back!
Lawrence Kungu
“May I help you with that?” “Why thank you.” “Oh, you’re welcome.” Well, that was a kind thing to do, don’t you think? Kindness…what is it? Can it be a gift? Well kindness is when you do something good for someone. Kindness can be a gift, and you don’t have to pay any money for it. Usually you think gifts have to be a lot of money. You probably won’t hear people say they want kindness for their birthday. You probably wouldn’t want kindness rather than an Ipod! Maybe you’re thinking, “How in the world am I supposed to give kindness?” Well, maybe if you’re mom is at work and you’re at home, you can clean around the house a little. If you want to be really special, you can cook someone a meal. Kindness can come from anything. All the person who receives it wants to know is that you care. How about you? Just show some kindness. I bet if you do, you’ll love the person’s reaction!
Alejandra Aguilar
“Congratulations, you have a little one coming!” That’s what you’d hear if your doctor just delivered the news of your pregnancy. Some people who weren’t expecting would be shocked at the news. Others would jump for joy. If you’re a teen or an adult, and you were shocked by the news, the first thing that comes to mind is, “What do I do now?” When my mom found out, she was shocked, worried, and kind of happy. My mom loved me, and she was only worried because she was 41 when she had me, and that was a medical issue. Thankfully, everything turned out perfectly, and she was glad she had me. I want to encourage you to give the gift of life. The gift of life was the best gift anyone has ever given to me. It is a big decision, and I encourage you to take it seriously. You can also decide to put the baby up for adoption, but if you are undecided, just give it a chance! I plead with whoever reads this and needs help, give the gift of life. You just might give birth to the best, most wonderful person in the world. I hope this means something to you!
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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
Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road Acworth, GA 30102 Principal: Jamie Smithey (770) 974-9091 www.harvestbaptist.org
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
Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd. Woodstock, GA 30188 (770) 926-0166 Headmaster: Linda Murdock www.lyndonacademy.org
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 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
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 2011 — 2012 Calendar at a Glance
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
North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 975-0252 Headmaster: Todd Clingman www.ncchristian.org
December 19 - 30 January 2 January 16 February 20-24 March 16
Holiday Break No School, Teacher Work Day 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 — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Schools & Sports
Remembering Christmas by Jason Fleeman I normally write articles about my favorite subject: tennis. For December, I wanted to write about my favorite time of the year: Christmas The things I remember as a kid during Christmas time were:
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.
1. Shopping for presents with my family at Cumberland Mall back in the early 1980s and eating at Chick Fil-a, which was a specialty restaurant then. We only ate there during the holidays each year.
2. Thinking of the gifts I was going to give to my family, friends and teachers. Gift cards were not an option back then. You had to think about the person you were buying for and what you thought he or she would want. Sometimes I was way off the mark, but many times, I could tell he or she really appreciated the effort I put into the gift giving process. 3. Decorating the tree was always a family affair. The tree seemed to get better with each passing year, and the entire family would help by putting on the lights and ornaments.
4. Wrapping presents was always fun. My mom and grandmother taught me the art of wrapping, and I still love wrapping presents. 5. Searching the house for my presents. I think I would still do this if I still lived with my parents. This does tend to take the joy out of unwrapping them, but children love searching for hidden treasures. 6. The best part of Christmas was going to my grandparents’ house for the huge family reunion and Christmas party! I would get to see all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course Mimmie (my grandmother). She made the best homemade chocolate cake! My grandfather would play Christmas songs on the piano (you would think he was Ray Charles the way he played). He would also tell the story of Christmas. It truly was a special time for me, and I will always remember those days. It seems that every year I get older, it becomes harder and harder to remember those times. That is why I try to give as much as possible every year to everyone I care about. There is NO substitute for the joy you see in a person’s face when he or she opens a present and truly shows appreciation for something that makes him or her happy. This is the greatest lesson my grandmother taught me growing up. Unfortunately, she passed away a couple of days before Christmas in 2008. Her birthday is December 31, and she would have been 95 years old this year. She lived a long, happy life. She always felt fortunate to see her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up! My family does not see each other as much as we once did. Spending time with all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course my immediate family was always an amazing time. It brings back wonderful memories of special times with people I care about. In a weird way, it kind of seems appropriate that Mimmie passed away during the Christmas season. It may have been her way to remind me year after year about the importance of Christmas. Because of Mimmie, Christmas will always be special to me, and I will never forget her or the life lessons she taught me. I hope that as you see family and friends this Christmas season, and that you tell them how much you care about them. That is the greatest gift you can give anyone, regardless of the holiday.
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
Wreaths Across America
In 1992, the Wreaths Across America program began. Volunteers decorated wreaths and laid them at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The laying of wreaths has become an annual tradition and has spread to other national cemeteries in the U.S. and abroad. The wreaths are an expression of appreciation for the sacrifice the soldiers made for us to enjoy our current freedoms. Locally, this year’s event will be held on Saturday, December 10 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Cherokee County. Volunteers will lay wreaths at 10:30 a.m., followed by a program at noon. Parking will be limited to one side of the Cemetery roadway, and visitors are requested to carpool, if possible. For further information, please visit www. wreathsacrossamerica.org
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Faith
Marriage Moments by Bill Ratliff My mom recently went to be with the Lord. I was blessed to have been the last person on earth holding her hand until Jesus took her hand. What a privilege! As I think about my mom and her precious life, I remember a tradition she did every Christmas as she had embraced this from her childhood. She wrote a light hearted Christmas poem which attempted to include the accomplishment of each family member for that year. Not only Bill Ratliff is the Senior that, she would write a short letter Pastor at Towne Lake Community Church. telling family members how special they He is also a member were. In one of her scrapbooks, I found of the Around About a bunch of Christmas poems and a copy — TowneLaker’s of a letter she had written to me last Community Board. He Christmas. In the letter, she shared how can be reached at (678) much she appreciated and loved me as 445-8766. her son. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if every mother did that?” As it applies to marriage, wouldn’t it be great this Christmas to have a love letter from your spouse? Date Your Mate Carve out a separate time for you and your mate on Christmas Eve night after the children are tucked in their beds. Sip some tea or eggnog and plan your celebration of the gift God sent to us in his son, Jesus. You might take some time early Christmas morning with java or juice to pray as a couple for God to bless your family on Jesus’s birthday.
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
What Do You Want For Christmas? by Dr. Doug Thrasher Every year, I hear the question over and over again, “What do you want for Christmas?”
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.
Usually this question is answered by naming some special toy, usually hard to find, or some special thing that a person desires. As I have gotten older, I find that my wishes for Christmas have changed. So, I’m asking myself in this column, “Doug, what do you want for Christmas?” In no particular order of importance, these are my answers.
I want the world to know salvation through Jesus Christ. I have often heard, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But I’ve come to learn that God sent Jesus into this world for one reason – because God loves you and me so much. Therefore, WE are the reason for the season. Jesus is God’s gift to us. I’d want that everyone would unwrap the present of Jesus by having faith in Him.
I want the angels’ song to come true – “Peace on earth, good will towards all.” There are many kinds of peace that we need. One of them is peace rather than war. But there is also peace of mind that comes from knowing that we are provided for. There has been a lot of turmoil as a result of the present economy. My brother has been out of work for a year. I want freedom from worry and, quite honestly, jobs for those who are looking, so that they might know peace. I want to enjoy the season with my wife, Debbie, who loves to decorate and for whom Christmas is a very special time of year.
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I
... I've come to learn that God sent Jesus into the world for one reason because he loves you and me so much want to spend time with my children and their families and to hold each of my four granddaughters and let them all know how much I love them. Children, and especially grandchildren, are a continued on page 82
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Faith
TOWNE LAKE AREA RELIGIOUS SERVICES Baptist
Jewish
Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 592-7007 Sunday Services: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Bob Goodner
Chabad Jewish Center 1635 Old Hwy 41 NW, Suite 112-265, Kennesaw (770) 771-9952, info@JewishwestCobb.com Introductory Service: 1st Shabbat of each month at 11 a.m. Traditional Service: 3rd Shabbat of each month at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi: Zalman Charytan www.JewishWestCobb.com
First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, (770) 926-4428 Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Johnny M. Hunt www.fbcw.org Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth (770) 917-9100 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Wednesday Services: Youth 6:30 p.m., Adults 7 p.m. Pastor: Paul Vance New Victoria Baptist Church 6659 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-8448 Sunday Services: 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 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 | December 2011
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Bucket List Number Two continued from page 44
following my son. As my son watched his father come towards us, he said something out loud that really should have stayed in his brain. “Dad has his beaver face on!” Everyone heard this comment and laughed. On a proceeding zip, my husband was one of the last ones again, and the guide told everyone standing there waiting, “Let’s everyone watch for the beaver face.” Good thing my husband is good-natured. This particular tour included four suspension bridges. These bridges were about two feet across, with slats about twelve inches long. I would have been perfectly fine crossing the first bridge if the guide had not encouraged people to catch up to the person in front of him or her. It just happened that the same son who called out his dad’s beaver face was behind me on the bridge and felt it was necessary to catch and scare his mother. The bridge was swaying, and even though we are all attached by hooks to a line above us, it was unnerving, and I issued a stern, “Get away from me,” to the laughing boy behind me. At this point, I think my husband and I were both in agreement that this son would be finding his own ride home. Who would be laughing then? The longest zips occurred over the lake, and the adventurous could do this particular line backwards. I preferred to see where I was going, thank you. Of course, my husband went backwards because it reminded him of when he was little and had to ride in the back of the station wagon in the seat that faced the back of the car. There are a variety of tours available at Lake Lanier, including a night tour! I want to do that next! If this is something on your bucket list, be sure to subscribe several group coupon sites, as this type of adventure frequently is offered. And may you look as good in your helmets as we did!
What Do You Want for Christmas? continued from page 79
gift from heaven. I want all churches to be filled with believers. Imagine every church in Cherokee County filled completely with people worshiping and praising God.
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I want everyone to be filled with the excitement of children at Christmas. I remember getting up on Christmas morning and running into the living room to see what gifts were there. I also remember worshiping and lighting a candle at the Christmas Eve Service and realizing God gave us the greatest gift, our hopes fulfilled in Jesus. I want you to have a Joyous Christmas! May you and yours be blessed in some special way this year.
Wine N’ Chocolate
Foreclosure Alternatives
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continued from page 19
sweetest of all chocolates. Because it is not bitter, red wines with soft tannins, like a Pinot Noir and sweeter Sherries, are always a delicious combination. Sweeter chocolate needs sweeter wine, or the wine may taste tart. A Hungarian Tokaji or a Tawny Port can also work well with milk chocolate. White Chocolate Not a true chocolate, white chocolate is a rich product made with cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids. It has sweet flavor notes including cream, milk, honey, vanilla, caramel, and/or fruit. There is no cacao in white chocolate, so certain white wines can make a nice choice. Try a Gewürztraminer, a Muscat or a Riesling. Another option would be Mas Amiel Vintage Blanc.
Refinance If a homeowner has sufficient equity in their property and their credit is still in good standing, they may be able to refinance their mortgage.
Any combinations to avoid? If you combine a high acid white wine with low tannins (like Champagne or Sauvignon Blanc) with bittersweet food like chocolate, the sweetness of the chocolate will make the wine even drier in your mouth and unpalatably sour. The only way to figure out which wine and which chocolate is for you is to try a few different combinations. Indulge and experiment! Until next time, cheers!
Table Dressing
Sell the Property Short Sale If a homeowner owes more on his or her property than it is currently worth, then he/she can hire a qualified real estate agent to market and sell the property through the negotiation of a short sale with the lender. This typically requires the property to be on the market, and the homeowner must have a financial hardship to qualify. Hardship can be simply defined as a material change in the financial stability of the homeowner between the date of the home purchase and the date of the short sale negotiation. Acceptable hardships include but are not limited to: mortgage payment increase, job loss, divorce, excessive debt, forced or unplanned relocation and more. Some benefits include: a short sale allows the homeowner to avoid foreclosure and salvage some of their credit rating. This option typically keeps foreclosure off the individual’s public record, and in many cases will allow the homeowner to avoid a deficiency judgment. The borrower may qualify for another mortgage in as little as 24 months (as opposed to three years for a foreclosure). This represents only a summary of some of the solutions available to homeowners facing foreclosure. Speak to a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) designated Realtor about your individual situation, property value, and possible options.
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If you do not have holiday dishware, use neutral dishware. They can always be dressed up with accessories and napkins. Layer your dishes when setting the table to create height and interest. Napkins can add a pop of color to the table where the neutral dishes are in the background. Think outside the box to design your napkin rings, such as a small ornament tied on with a ribbon, fresh greenery, glittery pinecones or sparkling tinsel.
Protect Your Hearing! continued from page 58
Here are some great internet resources for you that pertain to hearing loss and tinnitus prevention:
Don’t forget the glassware. Turn them upside down and add a ribbon to the stem, fill with small Christmas balls, float cranberries, add coffee beans or holiday candy, or write your guests’ names on them with a paint pen to act as name cards. The glassware will also reflect shimmer from the lights and candles to create a festive ambiance.
The Better Hearing Institute at www.betterhearing.org The National Hearing Conservation Association at www. hearingconservation.org
The table is complete, but there is one more item needing attention: the back of the chairs. They are the first things you see when you enter the room. Simple and dramatic is the key. Wide ribbon with fresh greenery to bring the outside in and an adornment attached compliments the rest of the table and adds that final touch.
Etymotic Research at www.etymotic.com The American Tinnitus Association at www.ata.org American Academy of Audiology at www.audiology.org
Hearing Awareness and Education for Rockers (H.E.A.R.) at www.hearnet.com
So the next time you attend a concert or a car race, or when you pick up a firearm or a leaf blower, remember to protect your hearing by using ear protection. Remember use it or you WILL lose it! AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Holiday Season Primer: What to do if you are pulled over for a suspected DUI 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.
Well, up until now, the positive feedback on my articles have come from all angles, including several friends on the prosecution side of the bar. But that might change after today because of the very adversarial nature of the DUI arrest. Yes, I have learned that even other lawyers read my articles...that knowledge is challenging, as I have to make sure I get it right! However, this article will raise a number of points that will deal in strategy. Before that, let me premise my article with the following: I wish there were no drunk drivers. I have a family and many friends in the area, and I would be devastated if any of them were injured or killed by a drunk driver. If you have been drinking or plan to drink, call a cab. That will be the best $80 you spend, because my initial retainer is substantially higher.
A DUI is the most complicated case to prosecute and therefore defend. There are really several cases wrapped up inside the alleged DUI and each of these have to be resolved in favor of the State in order to provide a conviction. If any aspect of the arrest, investigation and trial is flawed, then the defendant must be acquitted. This includes the original reason for the stop by the officer, the roadside field sobriety evaluation, the science behind the breathalyzer test or blood analysis, and the presentation of facts to the jury. Today we will focus primarily on the decisions you make after the blue lights come on in your rearview mirror. Always be polite and respectful. Answer the officer with “yes” or “no” responses, and remember, you always have the right to remain silent. In my experience reviewing videotapes of the arrest, being aware of your right to remain silent can be hindered by your CAPACITY to remain silent. More than one DUI case has turned (for the worse) on what the defendant said on video. The number one question I get in DUI cases is, “Should I blow?” when offered the breathalyzer. Of course the answer is: depends on what the result will be when you do blow. Keep in mind that any refusal to provide a breath sample will likely result in a hard one year suspension of your license. Under the implied consent laws of the State of Georgia, if you carry a 84
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Always be polite and respectful. Answer the officer with 'yes' or 'no' responses, and remember, you always have the right to remain silent. license and drive on the roads of the State, you are affirmatively implying that you will provide your breath sample if requested during a lawful arrest. Refusing to do so will result in the State withdrawing your privilege to drive. So you need to think long and hard about the possible consequences. I generally say that if this is your first DUI, and you have only had two or three drinks, then it is a safer bet to go ahead and blow. A first-time DUI is allowed to request an affidavit of first conviction, which under general circumstances, will result in a provisional license to get to and from work and school for the first 120 days after conviction. Thereafter, you can reinstate your license after paying a fee and showing proof of completion of a Risk Reduction class (no online courses are allowed). If it is your second DUI, then what the heck are you thinking?! You will receive no benefit of any doubts in your case, and a jury will be asking if they can give you a life sentence before you kill someone. In any event, you will not be entitled to a provisional permit, so you will lose your license for a year. In that case it’s better to not blow, thereby denying the State a crucial piece of evidence for conviction. Now to address a common misconception — if you are arrested for DUI, the officer will read a script from his ageappropriate implied consent card. That will include language which allows you to request a blood test to confirm the alcohol concentration. This is a right you have under the law, but (a) it is at your expense, and (b) the right exists only AFTER you have submitted to the test requested by the officer, which is almost always the breathalyzer. Do not refuse to submit to the breath test in the expectation that you can do a blood test instead. As you wrap up your Thanksgiving day feast or office Christmas party, try to avoid becoming one of my clients. I promise, if you met me, you would really like me, but you don’t want to meet me like this: with a retainer check and a DUI citation in your hands. Call a cab instead; you can hire me to go get your car from the parking lot the next day instead.
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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 | December 2011
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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
88
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 | December 2011
(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
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
classifieds Children / Family
Home Services
Services
Affordable Childcare in Towne Lake. Full, part time and hourly available. Only pay the days you come. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Janine (770) 5179604.
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.
Save 50% to 80% on Holiday, Birthday & Greeting Cards! Professional quality & can add gifts. 20k customizable cards available. Try it for free!! www.sendoutcards.com/amazement.
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. Parenting. Trouble understanding your teenagers & teen life? For parents, teenagers & young adults. www.TeenMyth.com
HELP WANTED Hair Stylists Needed/Booths Available. Best rate in Towne Lake. Ayesha (404) 579-5823. Classified Ads WORK! You’re reading them!
$
Greg The Painter. Foyers, bathrooms, any rooms. Winter discounts! Excellent references! (678) 531-7500. A-1 Plumbing & Home Improvement. Bonded, Insured, 30 years experience good work for cheap rates, free estimates. (770) 899-4281.
Pet sitting/Services Pet Au’ Purr Professional Pet Sitting Services. Since 1998. Bonded and insured. Member of Pet Sitters International. Owner operated and Towne Lake resident. For more information, please visit www.petaupurr.com. (770) 3104814. =^..^= JoAnn’s Pet Sitting. Loving in-home pet care. Bonded and insured. (770) 617-0221. Visit www.JoAnnsPetSitting.com.
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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. NEED HEALTHIER, YOUTHFUL, GLOWING SKIN? Try Anti-Aging Facial Rejuvenation with microdermabrasion by Doris $22.00/Session. Invite a friend, receive a discount. (770) 5178356. (Licensed) The holidays are here. Look and feel fabulous — Join the “Little Black Dress” Challenge. Nourish your body with minerals and vitamins while releasing weight and feeling energized. Challenge your friends and register as a team. Call (770) 262-6549 for details and registration.
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CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS THE 10 th FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH'S ISSUE!
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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Medical & Dental
Animals & Pets Animal Atlanta
52
Automotive
Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
85
Dr. Jerry Smith Orthodontics
77
Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery
41
Park Pediatric Dentistry
25
Aspen Falls Auto Spa
18
Pearle Vision
43
Christian Brothers Automotive
53
Plastic Surgery Center of the South
49
16
Progressive Audiology
61
Dr. S. Bruce O’Neal
67
Towne Lake’s Car Wash & Detail
Towne Lake Family Pharmacy
5
Cleaning & Home Services Carpet Dry Tech
Miscellaneous
85
Mr. Junk 45
Fox Tale Book Shoppe
35
Towne Lake Hills Golf 25, Inside Back
Health & Beauty Azure Salon & Spa Bon Vivant Salon Ember Hot Yoga Innovative Health & Wellness Salon Venessa Shine Salon Skin Essentials by Marilyn The Sundance Massage Center Towne Lake Nails
82 7 25 9 23 45 56 29 64
Home Improvements / Repair Chumley Contracting
64
Hammock’s Heating & Air
42
Landscape Matters
52
Nelson Painting and Home Improvement
58
The Plumbing Doctor
17
92
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
Restaurants Bar-B-Cutie Izumi Asian Bistro
35 3
Oo La La Yogurt Ur Way
40
Wow Cafe & Wingery
43
events | portraits photo journalism fine art 770.617.7595 by appointment
kbphotoart@comcast.net
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Attorneys/Legal Services Landrum, Friduss & Ash (678) 384-3012 www.LandrumFriduss.com Merino & Associates, LLC (770) 874-4600
Computers / Web Services 21
48, Back Cover
Robertson Law (678) 313-0122
39
Automotive Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Road (404) 626-9926
18
Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500
53
Custom Classics & Street Rods (678) 454-7637
57
Towne Lake’s Car Wash & Detail (770) 592-8102
16
Banking/Financial Services Citadel Professional Services, LLC Inside Front (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Drive, Suite 440, Kennesaw
Cleaning Services
Cherokee Computer Guys (678) 749-7200 www.ccrguys.com TrustWorkz (770) 615-3275 www.TrustWorkz.com
3
34
Dentists/Orthodontists
Hair 718 (678) 905-4081
17
Salon & Spa Venessa (770) 591-2079
23
Shine Salon (678) 231-0462
45
Skin Essentials by Marilyn (770) 928-1314
56
The Sundance Massage Center (678) 591-5066
29
The Wild Orchid Salon (770) 924-4010
22 64
Dr. Jerry Smith, Orthodontist (678) 905-0300
77
Fountain View Dentistry (770) 926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 200, Suite A
55
Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260
25
Towne Lake Nails (678) 445-3051
S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS (770) 924-8848
67
Home Improvement/Repair & Service
Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD (770) 517-0444
48
Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277
31
Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554
42
Cherokee Window and Door (770) 345-6999 www.cherokeewindoor.com
57
Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. (770) 974-2390
82
Education/Instruction Access Education Towne Lake Driving School (678) 494-2200
23
Efficient Energy Solutions (678) 986-0140
30
Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991
85
Bascomb United Methodist Preschool (770) 926-0397
35
Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428
42
Rejoice Maids Service (678) 905-3476 www.rejoicemaids.com
29
Music Together (678) 613-2048
29
Handy Handyman, The (404) 316-1490
27
Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044
52
Mr. Junk 1-877-MR-JUNK1
45
The Goddard School (770) 516-0880
29
Nelson Painting & Home Improvements (678) 283-8171
58
Plumbing Doctor, The (770) 516-9000
17
Chiropractors Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation (770) 516-9900 www.discoverrehab.com
85
Health & Beauty
Churches Bridgepointe Church www.bridgepointechurch.org
78
Amber Klippel, LMT (770) 365-5106
39
First Baptist Church of Woodstock (770) 926-4428
78
Azure Salon & Spa (770) 345-8280
82
Hillside UMC Church (770) 924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org
79
Big Apple Nail Salon & Spa (770) 516-9996
27
94
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
Bon Vivant Salon (770) 516-9100 bonvivantsalon.com
7
Precision Painting (678) 234-9668 Pure Home Solutions (678) 453-0200 Roswell Woodstock Plumbing (770) 663-0600
5 31 5
insurance Mountain Lakes Insurance (770) 926-9444 www.mountainlakesinsurance.com ECS Insurance Services (770) 926-2288 www.ecsinsurancegroup.com
7
46
Lawn Maintenance/Landscaping
Pearle Vision (770) 592-7100 9801 Highway 92, Woodstock
Plastic Surgery Center of the South (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net
49
Butchers Block (770) 517-2225
27
61
Charlies II (770) 926-1677 5080 Bells Ferry Road
63
Progressive Audiology Center Inc. (770) 592-4744, (706) 253-7244
32
Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Izumi Asian Bistro (678) 238-1899 www.iloveizumi.com
3
52
Towne Lake Family Pharmacy (770) 635-7697
5
Oo La La Yogurt Ur Way (678) 383-6129
40
1
TwoSome Place (770) 924-4124
35
WOW Cafe & Wingery (770) 926-9225
43
Dirt Tech Landscaping (404) 934-3478
48
Landscape Matters (770) 403-5813
52
Rebound Physical Therapy (678) 445-9799 www.ReboundPT clinic.com
Prose Tree Service (770) 876-7871
16
Towne Lake Eye Associates (770) 926-2858
Animal Atlanta (770) 591-0007
52
Wellstar Medical Group (770) 592-3000
Animal Hospital at Towne Lake (770) 591-9500
60
Woodstock Medical Weight Loss Inside Front (678) 501-5008 www.woddstockmedicalweightloss.com
Cherokee County Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA460.html 1015 Univeter Road, Canton
90
South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital (770) 924-6746
67
Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301
39
Cherokee Women’s Health (770) 720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com
33
Innovative Health & Wellness (770) 926-4646 www.innovativehealthandwellness.net
John Lutz, PhD (770) 592-9065
Woodstock Physical Therapy (770) 516-9191
20
Photographers
82
Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery (770) 425-7575 111 Marble Mill Road NW, Marietta
41
Marietta Plastic Surgery (678) 494-2380 www.mariettaplasticsurgery.com
25, Inside Back
Retailers & Miscellaneous Services Cash for Broken Cars (404) 392-7586
40
93
Earth, Paint and Fire (770) 592-4114
35
Kim Bates Photography (770) 617-7595
43
Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251
23
Sandy’s Photography (678) 445-2011
57
Fox Tale Book Shoppe (770) 516-9989
35
Skip Daugherty Photography (770) 329-5807
Fun Signs Surprise of Atlanta (678) 756-5105
15
Real estate & related services 9
35
Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse Cover, 50,51 1050 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock (678) 445-5222 www.bullockswine.com
64
Physicians and Medical Services
Restaurants/Food & Drink Bar-B-Cutie
Pinnacle Orthopaedics 47 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy. Ste. 200, Woodstock (770) 926-9112 www.pinnacle-ortho.com
Chumley Contracting (678) 894-5708
Pet/Veterinarian Services & Supplies
43
Keller Williams, Kurt & Sheila Johnson (404) 954-2486 www.kurtandsheila.com
Junior Service League Holiday Tour of Homes 37
Back Cover
Prudential Georgia Realty (770) 365-6193, (678) 494-2953
77
Recreation and Fitness Canton South ATA (678) 880-1014
44
96
Ember Hot Yoga (770) 485-5583 www.emberyoga.com
25
Meridian Surgical (770) 704-6101 3755 Sixes Road, Canton
93
Etowah Eagles Basketball www.etowaheagles.com/basketball
61
Northside Hospital – Cherokee (770) 720-5100 201 Hospital Road, Canton www.northside.com
11
Etowah Eagles Football www.etowaheaglesfootball.com
96
Steps Dance Center (770) 516-1363
67
Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (770) 928-0016
67
Woodstock Wolverines www.woodstockwolverinesfootball.com
19
Justina’s Accessories Boutique (678) 494-6331
5
Master’s Training Center (770) 591-9588
45
Rotary Club of Woodstock
31
Signature Private Jewelry (404) 783-7272
39
Towne Lake Business Assoc.
30
The Gifted Ferret www.TheGiftedFerret.com
56
Reach more than 14,000 homes in the Towne Lake area with your Advertisement Call Patty for info today! (770) 615-3322
AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011
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AroundAbout — TowneLaker | December 2011