Sixes Living - March 2014 by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

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Quality Pediatric Care, Close to Home Northside Cherokee Pediatrics provides compassionate, comprehensive medical care for patients from birth to 18 years of age. Dr. Jamie Rollins and Dr. Shalini Shah offer the quality one-on-one care you demand to keep your child happy and healthy including, short wait times, same-day appointments and personalized care at a location convenient for your busy lifestyle. Northside Pediatrics offers: • Board-certified in Pediatrics. Northside Cherokee Pediatrics provides attentive, complete care to children in every stage of development from infancy to adolescence. • Timely Access. For sick patients who require immediate attention, we offer same-day appointments whenever possible. • Continuous Care. Patients are able to see the same provider at each visit to ensure continuous and seamless care for your child.

684 Sixes Road, Suite 220, Holly Springs, GA 30115 I-575, Exit 11

Call (678) 388-5485 to schedule an appointment Shalini Shah, MD

Jamie Rollins, MD

northsidecherokeepediatrics.com

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

March 2014

Volume 2, Issue 1

8 Hoses Over Guns

The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch is the real winner.

17 Everyday Angels

Inspirational high school senior asks for help for her family.

18 Recipes from Ireland

A Dublin native shares a few authentic Irish breads.

19 Summer Camp Guide

Grab your calendar and map out a summer of fun.

21 Celebrating Women

Profiles of three local leaders in honor of Women’s History Month.

24 Readers’ Choice Winners

Look for your favorite restaurants, retailers, service providers.

43 Scouts

Local boys and girls stay busy with activities and trips.

Contributing Writers

In Every Issue

Don Akridge

Joe McKechnie

Around Sixes

Betty Anderson

Laura Mikszan

Kyle Bennett

Alisha O’Brian

Community News

Sylina Buehne

Lisa Randall

Cindy Crews

Julian Reid

Meghan Griffin

Susan Schulz

G Lora Grooms

Jodi Tiberio

Dr. Scott Harden

Scot Turner

Michelle Hinson

Kurt Johnson Dr. Mike Litrel

4 8

Celebrations

Everyday Angels

Community Calendar 22 School News

Faith

Stacy Ward

Home Sales

Lynne Watts

Classifieds

Amy Cobb Williams 19

Advertisers index

32 & 33 On the Cover Time Wise Financial Kate Smith (standing) and Deanna LaRue Photo by Kim Bates 2

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

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Patty Ponder is the Market Director for Sixes Living Contact her for advertising at (770) 615-3322 or AroundAboutPatty@gmail.com.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

AROUND SIXES BY CANDI HANNIGAN

People Places and Pleasures that make Sixes/Holly Springs

The , The The

Our community is constantly growing, changing and improving, and so is Sixes Living magazine. This edition marks the oneyear anniversary of our re-launch of Sixes Living and we continue to fine-tune and adjust as we are learning more about our community. We thank you for your support. As the magazine’s editor, I’ve enjoyed meeting my Sixes neighbors, celebrating their Candi Hannigan is the editor of Sixes Living. She has lived birthdays and anniversaries and in Cherokee County for 25 sharing ideas. years. Send your comments I hope you’ve enjoyed learning or questions to candi@ more about our county’s aroundaboutlocalmedia.com. history, residents, non-profit organizations, businesses and activities from stories we’ve featured throughout our glossy, colorful pages. Sixes Living has introduced you to young entrepreneurs who sell their crafts at the local farmers market. You’ve met quite a few compassionate people – young and notso-young – who put others first as they serve in local ministries and nonprofit organizations. Our local business leaders fill our pages with knowledge to help you maintain your health, your bank account and your homes. And our community calendars keep you posted on activities ranging from plays and concerts to family story times at the nearest library. I am privileged to be editor of Sixes Living, your community magazine, and hope you know we are here to help – as good neighbors should be. Send an email to me at candi@ aroundaboutlocalmedia.com and let us know how we can better serve you.

And the Winners Are …

…listed on pages 24 and 25! Thank you for voting in our annual Readers Choice survey. If you decide to try a new restaurant or service provider listed among the winners, tell them you saw them in Sixes Living! One thing we’ve learned from tabulating the votes – we have many outstanding choices in restaurants, retail outlets and service providers.

What’s New?

Cara Keener has joined the staff of AroundAbout Local Media as market manager. Cara has worked in sales for more than 15 years, and owned My Town Cherokee for five years. Cara, husband Rob and daughter Olivia live in Towne Lake, with extended family members nearby. Her brother George Williams works for the Woodstock fire department, father George works at Woodstock Outlet, 4

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

and sister Stacy Troxell is a server at Papa P’s. “I am very excited about this new opportunity and being able to work with such a great team and family of magazines,” said Cara. Watermarke Church has opened a second satellite parking location to accommodate Sunday morning attenders. Park in the lot at Sixes Elementary School and ride the shuttle bus to and from services, which are held at 9 and 11 a.m. at Cherokee Charter Academy, 2126 Sixes Rd. The other satellite parking location is River Church on Sixes Rd. www.watermarkechurch.com. After nine days of hard work by family and friends of R&M Sandwich Shop, the downtown Canton landmark has a new look. The interior was completely stripped and rebuilt, and now sports refurbished 110-yearold hardwood floors and natural brick walls, among other changes. The shop, which opened in 1972, is at 171 W. Main Street. American Family Care has opened at 6440 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock. The clinic offers primary care, urgent care, minor emergency treatment and occupational medicine. No appointments needed. (770) 200-1220. www.americanfamilycare.com.

What’s Moved?

BridgeMill Pets has moved to 3760 Sixes Road, Suite 106, at The Market at BridgeMill. The new, roomier location has allowed the owner to reinstate a seven-day-a-week grooming schedule with three groomers, and added 500 square feet. (678) 880-0003.

More Good News

A recent report released by SafeWise.com ranks Holly Springs in fourth place and Canton in eleventh among the top 50 safest cities in Georgia. A ranking released in early February by Movoto Real Estate placed Canton in fourth place and Woodstock in sixth as the most affordable places to live in Georgia. In the 2014 State of the County address, Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens said that permits and licenses are up, and foreclosures are way down. A recap that’s posted on the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce website also quotes Misti Martin, president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, sharing a positive outlook. “It really has been an award-winning year, for many reasons. 340 percent increase in job creation from 2012 to 2013, over 2,000 jobs created or announced in 2013, over $220 million in investment, 730 percent increase in investment from 2012 to 2013. As you can see, those are staggering numbers.” You can read the full report at the chamber’s website: www.cherokeechamber.com.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community Board The Sixes Living Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders who assist us as contributors to the magazine, judges for the annual Trailblazer award, and advisors who offer valuable feedback. Pat Gold moved to Canton 33 years ago when she married Dr. Homer (Nugget) Gold. After 18 years with Delta Airlines and another 12 working for the Cherokee County School District, Pat began volunteering. She serves on the boards of the Cherokee County Arts Center, the Canton Main Street Program, Canton Tourism, Inc., and chairs the Canton Planning Commission. Pat and her husband have four children and four grandchildren. Pharmacist Dale Coker owns Cherokee Custom Script Pharmacy in Holly Springs and lives in Woodstock with wife Susan. The University of Georgia graduate is vice president of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists. His community involvement has included Cherokee County Habitat for Humanity, youth league coaching and church leadership. Dale’s latest achievement is co-inventing the patented TopiCLICK, a topical metered dosing device. Cindy Crews is a longtime Cherokee County educator. She joined the Sixes community as assistant principal of Sixes Elementary School in 2011. Cindy and her husband, Andy, have lived in Woodstock for 20 years, and they have two young adult daughters. Her motto: Children are the future of the human race; teach them well. Dr. Joe McKechnie senior pastor of Sixes United Methodist Church, grew up in Cobb County. After earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Georgia, Joe spent six years as a television sportscaster. He has a master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry from Southern Methodist University. Joe and wife Catherine have two children, David, 6, and Grace Ann, 3. Sonia Carruthers is the executive director and CEO of Cherokee FOCUS and the Cherokee Youth Works program, based in Holly Springs. The Cherokee County native grew up in Canton and has lived in Woodstock with her son and daughter for the past 17 years. She is very active in the community and currently serves with local and regional organizations to strengthen families and children. Chantel Adams is founder of The Princess Generation, an organization raising a generation of young women focused on serving others. Chantel, who has a biology degree from the University of Evansville, serves on Highland Rivers Health community service board and volunteers with the Cherokee County Juvenile Court. She and husband Gavin have lived in Canton for five years and have four children, ages 14, 12, 9, and 5. 6

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Sixes Living Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. Market Director Patty Ponder aroundaboutpatty@gmail.com (770) 615-3322 Title Editor Candi Hannigan candi@aroundaboutlocalmedia.com (770) 615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch aroundaboutadvertising@gmail.com (770) 615-3307 Sixes Living, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly magazine created to build a sense of community and pride in the Sixes, Holly Springs and Hickory Flat areas by sharing positive stories and timely information. A total of 16,250 free copies are distributed monthly; 15,300 are mailed to homes and businesses, with an additional 950 placed in racks around the community. Many readers catch the latest edition online each month. Sixes Living welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 15th of each month. Yearly subscriptions are available for $24. Send a check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher and the publisher makes no claims about the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Sixes Living 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 2014. Sixes Living 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: (770) 615-3322 Website: www.sixeslivingmagazine.com Powered by Trustworkz Inc. Volume 2, Issue 1

For 17 years, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.

Kara Kiefer Executive Editor TowneLaker & Around Woodstock

Candi Hannigan Title Editor Sixes Living

Patty Ponder Market Director TowneLaker & Sixes Living

Charlice Byrd Market Manager Around Woodstock

Cara Keener Market Manager

Michelle McCulloch Art Director

Denise Griffin Controller

Karen & Jon Flaig Owner/Publisher SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Guns Had More Participants, Hoses Had Best Runner The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch in Waleska is getting a $2,930 donation, thanks to the turnout for the Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Guns and Hoses 5K fundraiser. The event was open to the public, and runners were asked to run for either the Guns team (Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office) or Hoses team (Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services) and part of the registration fee was donated to an area charity. The final tally: 293 runners signed up to run for the county’s fire and emergency services Hoses team, and 313 joined the sheriff’s office Guns team. While the Guns had more participants, the winner was a member of the Hoses team, which had chosen the boys ranch as its charity. Sam Harp, 17, was the overall winner of the 5K race, finished the race in 18 minutes and 7 seconds. This is the third consecutive year that Sam, son of Lyle and Cheri Harp, has won. Sam’s dad is a firefighter with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. Fire explorers ran for the Hoses team.

Community Service Scholarships Offered The BridgeMill Sixes Service League is offering two $1,500 community service scholarships in memory of Lexine Harper, a founding member. Open to seniors graduating from Cherokee County public or private schools, the scholarships are based on community service through the students’ school, church, temple, or community service organizations. Grades or athletic participation aren’t considered. Don’t send pictures. For an application, visit www.BSSL.org and click on the scholarship tab. Applications are due the first week of April. For more info, call Judy West at 404-368-7472.

Sam Harp crosses the finish line for his third win.

Horse Therapy Group Needs Volunteers Horse Talk, a therapeutic riding center for special needs children, needs adult volunteers to groom and saddle the horses, lead horses, or walk next to children to keep them safe as they ride the horses. Shifts of varying lengths are available 1:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Training is available. Call (770) 5175154, email greenacresonline@bellsouth.net or visit www.greenacresonline.com.

Rotary Club Honors Service Winners

Rod Drake

Jeff Mitchell 8

The Rotary Club of Canton recently honored two members for outstanding performance in their profession and community service. The W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award was presented to Rod Drake, area manager for Georgia Power, who has worked for the utility company since 1974 while being an active community volunteer with organizations and programs including the Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club, Cherokee County Friends of Recovery Foundation and A Day for

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Reinhardt University, as well as the Rotary Club. Drake and wife Becky have two children and five grandchildren. The Robert S. Stubbs II Guardian of Ethics Award was presented to Jeff Mitchell, senior vice president for United Community Bank, who has worked in banking for 28 years and is the Rotary Club’s immediate past president. The award honors Rotarians who have made significant contributions in their vocation and who have fostered the development of ethics and ethical practices. Mr. Mitchell has served with organizations including the Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club, Cherokee County YMCA, United Way in Cherokee County and Bethesda Community Clinic. Mitchell and wife Amy have three children.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Fire Explorers Bring Home Trophies Sixteen members of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services’ Explorer Post #469 participated in the 40th annual Winterfest Competition in Gatlinburg recently, and earned five trophies in competition against more than 70 teams. For the first time, the local explorers post hosted the Last Resort Drill, simulating a down firefighter that the explorers had to rescue while conquering obstacles on their way to and from the victim. This was a timed event, and the Cherokee County explorers scored third place with a time of 1 minute and 30 seconds. The local explorers were only seconds away from first place and milliseconds away from second place. They also earned second place in the Advanced Emergency Medical drill, and third in Vehicle Extrication, The EMS Team Challenge, and the Table Top Display. The explorers also received an award from their advisors to show their appreciation of the brotherhood, cheerfulness, and dedication shown through their recent training exercise with DeKalb County Fire & Rescue.

Participating explorers were (front row, from left): Yessica Juarez, Sarah Logan, Sgt. Brad Hough, Lt. Brooke Ice, Captain Nick Leslie, Lt. Carson Caglioni, Sgt. Chris Simmons, Miranda Snell and Alexis Ledoux. Back row, from left: Justin Jones, Sgt. Josiah Gnanamattu, Zach Ray, Kenney Robinson, Sgt. Kylon Drones, Jake Pholman and Jacob Storey.

Fish Fry Fridays for Lent It’s Lenten season, and St. Clement’s Episcopal members are offering the church’s weekly Friday Fish Fries through April 4. Proceeds from the dinners benefit the church’s outreach ministry budget, and this year’s goal is to raise $5,000. Parishioners donate the food and supplies, and $4,600 was raised last year. The outreach ministry at St. Clement’s is a phone ministry that offers help to local people in need by locating donations of items such as cribs and beds, a place to stay overnight, and assistance paying utility bills. Funds also are donated to local organizations like the Bethesda Medical Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and the Cherokee Family Violence Center. Dinner times are 5-7 p.m., and plates are $6 for adults, $3 for children 10 and younger. Carryout is available. The church is at 2795 Ridge Rd. (770) 345-6722. www. stclementscanton.org.

Advocates Needed for Foster Children CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Cherokee is looking for volunteers to help foster children, and has opened registration for training sessions that begin April 7. CASA advocates are compassionate adults who advocate for children in the foster care system, making sure they are safe, treated with dignity and have a chance to grow up in a secure family. For more information, call (770) 345-3274, email amy@casacherokee.org or visit www. casacherokee.org.

Giant Spin Class a Benefit for Breast Cancer Fitness instructor Jay Bird organized a Spinvitational event that raised close to $1,000, which Bird plans to put toward the donations he is collecting for this year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk. Participants were six instructors from four gyms who set up spin cycles at AllPoints Community Church, and 33 cyclists. Participants voted on their favorites in the following categories, listed with the winners: Best Cycle Class - Miriam Frediani Gibson from Rockout Fitness Most Motivating and Loudest - Karen Deas from Anytime Fitness Best Gym - Anytime Fitness Best Music - Jay Bird of Rockout Fitness and Anytime Fitness Best Cycle Instructor in Cherokee County - Tiffany Wallace Johnson of Rockout Fitness and Anytime Fitness 10

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Spinvitational spinners were, from left, Tiffany Johnson, Jay Bird, Tanya MacIntyre-MacNeil, Cindy Holeva, Sandy Matthews, Mary Zayas, Karen Deas, Jeanne Adams and Hope Smith.

WE’RE CHEROKEE’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL WITH AN EMPHASIS ON “COMMUNITY. ” Northside Hospital-Cherokee offers more than the latest medical treatments. Since becoming part of Cherokee County in 1997, we’ve been a devoted member of the community. We contribute to Partners in Education in Cherokee County schools and our physicians and staff have donated more than 10,000 hours of volunteer work to local organizations. In all, we’ve invested millions in local community centers, academic institutions and charity organizations in Cherokee County. We will continue to invest in and support Cherokee. Because it’s our home, too.

Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

Birthdays

Evelyn Alice Clark Age 12 on March 18 Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We love you so much! Mom, Rob and Julia

Kylie Roe Age 10 on Jan. 26 Happy Birthday! We love you! Love, Mom, Dad, Presley and Finley

Presley Roe Age 7 on March 6 Happy Birthday! We love you! Love, Mom, Dad, Kylie and Finley

Stormy Isabella Oringderff Age 3 on March 18 Love, Mommy, Daddy & Jet

Jyanni Watson Age 16 on March 23 Love, Nani and Thomas Ferguson

Alexa Roberson Age 18 on March 28 You have become such a wonderful young lady and we are so proud of you. Love, Mom and Dad

Jessica Taylor Blake Age 13 on March 15 My Angel Baby Love, Mom

Camden Hinkelmann Age 10 on March 31 Happy Birthday Baby Girl! We love you! Mommy & Daddy

Robert Molnar Age 44 Happy Birthday Sweetie! We Love You! Misty, Evie and Julia

Taylor Vassey Age 21 on March 26 Love Mom, Dad and Ms. Lindy

Births

Celebrations Judah James Lucian Born Jan. 30, 2014 9 lbs. 1 oz., 21 inches Son of Dan & Kim Lucian Brother of Eisley Lucian

Walker Collins Smith Born Jan. 17, 2014 8 lbs. 5 oz, 19 3/4 inches We love you! Mom, Dad, and big brother Grayson

Celebrating March birthdays at The Lodge at BridgeMill are (back row, from left): Christine Beard, Lorraine Roote, Ruth Allen, Phyllis Day, CC Murabito and Sandra Bullard. Front row, from left: Audrey White, Pauline Durkee, Marjorie Bennett and Joyce Duncan.

Wedding, birthday and anniversary announcements are free! E-mail: Candi@AroundAboutLocalMedia.com. April deadline is March 15 12

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Setting the Standard in Courtyard Living

Plunge Pool

From the Mid $300’s

Tranquil, European Courtyards Private Outdoor Living Spaces Clubhouse and Fitness Center Oversized Pool Pickleball

Innovative Floorplans

Magnificent Stone Entryways Two separate entries with guard houses Immediate access to I-575 and Towne Lake Parkway Surrounded by numerous restaurants, theater, shopping and medical facilities

Separate Living Suites

Maintenance-free landscaping

Directions: Take I-575 North to Towne Lake Parkway, Exit 8. Turn left on Towne Lake Parkway. Turn left on Stone Bridge Parkway. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn right on Dupree Road. The Village at Towne Lake will be on the left.

Georgia Properties

Over 3 miles of Cobblestone walkways

Multi-Generational

770.254.5368

Georgia Properties

TheVillageAtTowneLake.com

Custom parks located throughout

Tony Perry

Georgia Properties

www.NewHomesServicesGa.com 678.352.3314

We Will Be Celebrating Moms in our May Issue! At Sixes Living, we feel that each and every mom is her family’s “Mother of the Year.” For this reason, we would like to honor as many of our moms as possible for our May issue with a special pictorial celebrating all mothers! We are looking for photos of Sixes area moms with their children. The photos can be from babyhood through present day. If you don’t have children, we also would love to share your photos of you and your mom, even from the 70s! Here are the guidelines: 1. Please ensure all submitted photographs have identifications listed for each person in the photo. 2. Please submit the photos and text via email to candi@aroundaboutlocalmedia.com 3. The deadline for submissions is April 15. SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

My Friend has a License and He’s Going to Sell My Home BY SHEILA & KURT JOHNSON

Kurt and Sheila Johnson are Licensed Realtors with Keller Williams Realty Partners and have served Cherokee County for more than 10 years. Visit them online at www. KurtandSheila.com or call (404) 954-2486.

It may be a kind gesture to let your friend sell your home, but it could potentially cost you tens of thousands of dollars if he or she isn’t the most qualified. We report a list of the homes sold in Cherokee County every month through this publication, and the dollars per square foot for homes sold vary greatly from property to property. One of the biggest contributors to this variability can be controlled by selecting the most qualified agent to sell your home. Discerning who is most qualified can be tricky, so we have prepared a few questions, listed below in no particular order of importance, to ask potential agents.

How many homes did you sell in the last 12 months? The top producing agents in Cherokee County sell at least 40 homes per year which gives them the cash flow needed to market your home. Also, it gives them first-hand knowledge of your home’s competition. Do you have a strong presence in my market? In other words, when buyers think of buying a home in your community, are they going to call this agent for assistance? Top agents in a given market tend to sell the majority of real estate, and the reason is simple. Well-marketed listings attract buyers, and top agents with buyers sell more homes.

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“The top producing agents in Cherokee County sell at least 40 homes per year, which gives them the cash flow needed to market your home.” Are you currently working with buyers who may be interested in my home? Does this agent only list homes or do they work with buyers as well? What is the average days on market and average dollars per square foot for your sold listings? The data shows us that homes that sell faster, sell for more money. Find an agent that outperforms the market average. Do you have a team supporting you? The team approach in real estate allows a specialist to handle each aspect of the selling process, providing you the highest level of personalized service. Can this agent promote my listing to other top agents in my market? Selecting a top agent from a top brokerage is like hiring every top agent in that office. What method do you use to determine the right price for my home? Instincts, gut feeling and a one-dimensional comparative analysis just isn’t enough. The analysis of your home’s value should be so thorough that there are no questions remaining as to its market value. You have updated and maintained your home so you can get the most you can upon its sale. Shouldn’t you trust the sale of your home to the most qualified agent?

Proposed Legislation Adds Accountability, Increases Voice of Voters BY SCOT TURNER

I heard from a small business owner in my district whose unemployment insurance rate has increased 60 percent annually for the past three years, even though she has never laid off an employee. When I began investigating, I found that the Georgia Department of Labor had accepted a loan from the federal government in the form of stimulus money. When I dug into the mechanics of that program Scot Turner, an IT how it was received, and how it professional, lives in was to be paid back - I was shocked. the Sixes community No one in the General Assembly – with his wife and two no state senator or representative children and is the State - was given an opportunity to House Representative for District 21. You can reach debate whether accepting those him on his cell phone funds was an appropriate solution at (678) 576-2644 or for our state. You see, there is no follow him on Facebook such thing as local control when at www.facebook.com/ spending federal dollars. Every turnerforhouse. dollar has a string attached that leads back to Washington D.C., dictating how the money must be spent. The strings attached to that federal spending program required repayment, and at the time it was received, there was no plan on where that money was going to come from. Since there was no long-term plan in place, Georgia business owners are facing unemployment insurance rate increases. This is a hardship that impacts our local economy on multiple levels. The business owner who contacted me told me she had

to skip buying a new water heater for her business, which, in turn, impacted the business of the plumber from whom she would have made the purchase. Regardless of whether you think it was right to accept federal dollars in this case, I think that lack of debate by our elected voices at the state level is wrong. I believe as the elected representatives of the people, members of the General Assembly should debate whether these programs and the strings attached are right for Georgia. My response is to introduce HB 793: the Fiscal Accountability Act. This bill would require that any federal dollar spent in Georgia be approved by the General Assembly before we agree to the requirements of that spending. We shouldn’t accept these funds until we hear the voice of the people. The intent of the bill is to target debate around new federal spending and the adoption of programs that may have a longterm, detrimental impact on the state. As in the example of the loan to the Department of Labor, we should be vetting the conditions of these programs to make sure we can live with the terms. In this example, the program came with a huge shock to the bottom line of our business owners. Without HB 793, your elected representatives have no voice in accepting these dollars and the strings attached to them. With HB 793, you would have a voice through your representatives and senators. Too often, members of the General Assembly can skirt the issues by saying, “I didn’t vote for that.” Passing this bill will give the voter more power by holding legislators accountable. HB 793 is a piece of major reform legislation. While I have introduced it this year to get the debate started, passing the bill will be a multi-year process. There has been widespread support with the House Majority Caucus, and I will continue working toward building momentum for this common sense idea.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

The MyRA, the USARF and Cash Balance Plans New and old concepts to address the retirement savings gap. BY DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CPA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

How many 401(k)s have more than $100,000 in them? According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), the average 401(k) balance at the end of 2012 was $63,929. Even with stocks rising last year, the average balance likely remains underwhelming. Is this enough money to retire on? No, and this is only part of America’s retirement dilemma. Don Akridge is President There is inequity in retirement of Citadel CPA, Financial savings – some households Planning & Investment have steadily contributed to Services founded in retirement accounts, others have 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain not. Additionally, IRAs, 401(k) Road between I-575 s and 403(b)s can suffer when & I-75 in Kennesaw. stocks plunge, with the most Phone 770-952-6707. invested potentially having the most to lose. There is no perfect retirement savings plan, and there probably never will be, but ideas are emerging to try and address these problems. More than 40 percent of Americans don’t have a chance to participate in tax-advantaged workplace retirement plans. Last week, President Obama authorized the Treasury to create a new retirement savings account for these workers without a workplace retirement plan – the MyRA.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Technically speaking, the MyRA is a Roth IRA with one savings option. After-tax dollars going into the account would be invested in a new type of federal savings bond. As the White House told NPR last week, a MyRA would offer the same variable rate of return as that of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Government Securities Investment Fund. From 2003-12, the TSP’s GSIF returned an average of 3.61 percent annually. A Roth IRA with one savings option may not sound very exciting, but the MyRA isn’t about excitement. A MyRA would feature principal protection with tax-free growth. Employees who earn as much as $191,000 a year could invest in one, contributing as little as $5 per paycheck. The federal government would pay account fees for MyRA owners and hire an institutional investment manager to oversee the program. A MyRA would act as a starter retirement account for hampered or reluctant savers: MyRA assets of $15,000 or more would be automatically rolled over into Roth IRAs. Analysts see three drawbacks to MyRAs. One, accountholders will apparently be able to withdraw their assets at any time. As IRA guru Ed Slott told Reuters, workers would “have to look at it as a long-term savings account and not a slush fund” to get the most out of participating. Two, enrollment will be voluntary, and “if you don’t have automatic enrollment, then not a lot of people are going to use it,” cautions Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Three, the rate of return on a MyRA would be well under historical norms for stocks. How about the USARF? Speaking of automatic enrollment, Sen. Tom Harkin (R-IA) proposes creating the USA Retirement continued on page 60

Feature

EVERYDAY

Don’t we all love it when the underdog comes out on top? Don’t we rejoice with those who have overcome a troubled and tragic past to carve their way to a better If you would like to make future? Centavia is a local student who has had more than a donation, please visit her fair share of turmoil in her 17 years of life. www.townelaker.com/ Centavia was born in Michigan to a mother who loved and everydayangels to donate via adored her. However, love cannot always protect children Paypal or send your donations from the consequences of bad decisions. “There was so to: Everyday Angels, 2449 much going on, so much moving around, fighting and Towne Lake Parkway, changes, I think my mind blocked a lot of it out. When I do Woodstock GA, 30189. One talk about it, I try to laugh now,” admitted Centavia. hundred percent of your Centavia and her mother moved from Michigan to funds will go to the family you Birmingham, AL, and lived with friends and family, in project specify. Also, if you know of homes, cars, and homeless shelters. While they lived in a a special need within your car, she recalls, her mom would take her and her little sister community that you would to restrooms in stores to get cleaned up. Her world then like to share, please send an consisted of fighting, police encounters, drive-by shootings, e-mail to aaeverydayangels@ aggressive mean girls, an abusive step-father and drug users. gmail.com for consideration She vividly recalls her feelings of anger, hatred and sadness as and qualification. a result of all that she had witnessed as well as the way others treated her. Her family life started improving when she was 12. Centavia finally felt secure and happy, and her mom was expecting a baby. However, after her little brother was born, Centavia’s mother became ill, fell into a coma and passed away. Her world was once again in turmoil. Five years ago, Centavia, along with her sister and brother, came to Woodstock to live with their grandmother. She has made new friends, attends church, and joined the marching band at school. “The adjustments have been difficult for everyone, including Grandma, but moving here has been the best thing that could happen to me, and I know my mom would be proud,” she said. Centavia is thankful for the love and support from her new school friends and the band community. She was voted onto her school’s homecoming court, and while at first she thought it was joke, she cannot help but smile at the memory of it all and how special it made her feel. Centavia graduates in May and plans to attend college to earn a degree in criminal justice and psychology. She hopes to work as a police dispatcher while in school to assist with the costs. “I want to help people. I am surrounded by people that help me every day, and I know the right thing for me to do is return the favor.” Today, Centavia has concerns for her grandmother and her family. “My grandmother is a nursing aid and works six days a week. Our car has been broken for months, and she cannot afford to repair it. She has to pay others to help with transportation, which depletes what little there is left for food and utilities for our family. Grandma has sacrificed so much to give us a better life, and we really appreciate her,” said Centavia. Everyday Angels is proud of Centavia and all that she has overcome, and thankful to her grandmother. We would like to encourage and support her family by helping with car repair and groceries, and welcome the support of our compassionate community. Centavia (center) with Tori (from left), Aunt Towannder, Grandma Phyllis and Isis. SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Recipes

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!! Lá Fhéile Pádraig! BY CARON AND ALBERTO CATALÁN

Caron Catalán, owner of Papa P’s in Woodstock, grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and shares her unique perspective on Irish food—both Caron and Alberto Catalán authentic and Americanized. “Irish food has evolved so much over the years. When I was growing up, potatoes really were the staple of every Irish meal. We bought giant bags of potatoes which we kept in our garage. Daily it was someone’s chore to peel or wash the potatoes. They were boiled, baked, sauteed or fried as chips (French fries). I would have called Irish food kind of bland. However that has changed so much over the years. It is now on par

with American food: very tasty. “When I first came to the United States, I was overwhelmed by the size of the supermarkets. The size of the sections of fruit and vegetables, words I’d never heard of— rutabaga, what could that be? Turns out it is an Irish staple too. We just call it a turnip, only here it’s the size of chicken breasts! “On my first St. Patrick’s Day here, people kept asking me if missed corned beef and cabbage. I wondered why they kept asking me this because I had never had corned beef! I had grown up on bacon (a giant piece of ham) and cabbage. I read on the Internet that the IrishAmerican tradition of corned beef and cabbage came about due to the corned beef being more readily available and less expensive than ham. So there you have it! “When I went on a visit to Ireland in 1994 (just two years after moving here), I tried to impress my friends by making

Irish Soda Bread

guacamole. I worked in a Mexican restaurant and my boyfriend at the time (now my hubby) was our chef, so I was excited to share this wonderful food with them. However I couldn’t find avocados at the local store. In fact, the person in the store didn’t know what I was talking about. On our last visit to Ireland a couple of years ago, we found Mexican restaurants, and the local small grocery store carried avocados. Time does change a lot. “The biggest difference in the food between Ireland and the States is how sweet everything is here, and the portion sizes. I have gotten used to both, but when I first came or when I return after a visit home or when I have visitors, I am reminded of these things.” Caron shares several Irish recipes, so you can impress your friends with these authentic treats. She says if you have ever visited Ireland, it’s likely you’ve eaten Irish Soda Bread.

Boxty (Irish potato cake) “Boxty in the griddle, boxty in the pan. If you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man.” — Old Irish saying Ingredients: 4 large potatoes – Russets are a good choice ¾ cup milk 1 tsp. salt

Ingredients: 4 cups all purpose flour 1 level teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt Approximately 14 fluid ounces butter milk

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Little by little add the buttermilk, making a moist dough. Place parchment paper in a 2 lb loaf tin. Add dough to tin. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. The bread should sound hollow when you turn it upside down and knock on it. Place on a wire rack to cool. To make brown soda bread, use 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour. Bake same as white. To make a fruit soda bread, use same ingredients as white, add 2 oz raisins. Bake fruit bread in oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes then reduce heat to 325 degrees for 25 minutes. 18

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1 egg 1/3 cup all-purpose flour ¼ tsp. black pepper 2 tbsp. butter, cut into pieces

Chop two potatoes, place in pot of water, season with salt and bring to boil. Reduce to low heat and simmer until cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Strain and add ¼ cup of the milk and mash. Grate the remaining 2 potatoes with a largehole grater. Sprinkle with salt. Put in a strainer and place on top of a large bowl. Using the back of a wooden spoon, press the grated potato so that the excess liquid drips into the bowl. Add grated potatoes to mashed potatoes. Mix in the egg, remaining milk, flour, pepper and salt. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Melt some butter in pan and place about ¼ cup of batter per boxty in pan. Cook until golden brown (4-5 minutes), flip and cook the same for the other side.

Community

SUMMER CAMPS

This summer may be a busy one for your children, from the looks of this comprehensive guide. Also keep in mind that many of these camps have spring break offerings. If you’d like your summer camp to be included in the April issue, email candi@aroundaboutlocalmedia.com by March 15.

Bits, Bytes and Bots

Times & Dates: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. half day, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. full day. Weekly June 2-July 28. Ages: 6 and older. Locations: Vary throughout Cherokee and Cobb counties. Cost: $200 half day, $300 full day. Info: Creative technology camps include LEGO robotics, video game creation, Minecraft Mod Design, stop-motion movie making, web design and more. Register at www.bbbatlanta.com or call (770) 826-0449.

Bounce House

Times & Dates: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. half day, 9 a.m.4 p.m. full day. Weekly June 2-July 28. Location: Bounce House, 765 Ash St., Canton. Cost: $25 half day, $40 full day. Sibling discounts available. Pre-registration required. Info: Before and after care available only with pre-registration. www.thebouncehouseac. com

Camp Gideon

Dates: Impact youth leadership camp is June 14-20, Discovery day camp is June 16-20 and June 23-27. Cost: Varies. See website for early registration discounts. Location: 3545 Walden Ln., Acworth. Info: Christian camp on Lake Allatoona. www.campgideon.com

Cherokee Outdoor YMCA

Dates: June 2-Aug. 1 Ages: 5-15. Location: Outdoor YMCA, 201 E. Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock. Info: Activities include water skiing, canoeing, arts and crafts, rock climbing, archery, horseback riding, little princess and Jedi camps. (770) 345-9622. www.cherokeeymcaregistration.com

Cherokee Tennis Center

Times & Dates: June 3-Aug. 1. Location: J.J. Biello Park, 155 Brooke Blvd., Woodstock. Info: www.cherokeetenniscenter.com

Club Scientific Summer Camps

Times & Dates: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weeks of June 23, July 7 and July 14. Ages: 4-14. Location: Cherokee Charter Academy, 2126 Sixes Rd. Cost: Starts at $245 per week. Info: Options include 28 themes. Pre and post-camp hours available. Register at www.clubscientific.com.

Curtain Call Youth Players

Times & Dates: Times and camps vary June 2-July 28. Ages: Sessions for elementary, middle and high school students. Location: 2800 Canton Rd. Suite 600, Marietta. Info: Themes range from musicals to improv. www.ccyp.org

Dance Imagination Fairytale Ballet Location: 119 Mill St., Woodstock. Times & Dates: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17–20, June 24-27, July 15-18 and July 22-25 Ages: 2 and older. Cost: $40/day or $140/week. Registration begins March 24. Info: (678) 445-2731. www. danceimagination.com

Elm Street Drama

Dates: Weekly June 2-Aug. 1. Ages: Juniors ages 5-7, seniors ages 8-14. Location: Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, 8534 Main St., Woodstock. Info: Each camper gets a T-shirt, script and DVD of final performance. Costuming provided by Elm Street. Campers will see a Main Stage performance of an Elm Street show on Wednesday mornings. (678) 494-4251. www.elmstreetarts.org

Georgia All-Star Gymnastics Day Camp

Location: 105 Arnold Mill Park, Woodstock. Times & Dates: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Weekly June 2 – Aug. 1. Ages: 3-12 Info: (770) 516-2654. info@ga-allstars.com. www.ga-allstars.com

KidZone High Adventure Day Camp

Times & Dates: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (free early drop-off at 8 a.m., late pick-up until 5:30 p.m.) weekly during the summer. Ages: 6-12. Location: Escalade Rock Climbing Gym, 3694 Kennesaw South Industrial Dr. NW, Kennesaw. Info: (770) 794-1575. www.escaladegym.com

North Atlanta Fencing Center

Times & Dates: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Beginner/ intermediate camps are June 16-21 and July 21-25. Location: 10029 Ga. 92, Ste. 124, Woodstock Cost: $275 if you register by May 19 for first week, or June 23 for second week. Lunch and gear provided. Info: www.northatlantafc.com

Paper.Scissors.Cake

Location: 6687 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock. Info: The children’s art studio will offer sessions on painting, drawing, upcycled art, collage and printmaking. (404) 867-1630. Also check Paper.Scissors.Cake’s Facebook page.

Studio 121

Times & Dates: 9 a.m.-noon June 2-July 18. Ages: Kindergarteners and up. Location: 121 Brown St., Canton. Cost: $135. Info: Art camp and classes. www.julieerogers. com and www.patriciareeves.com.

Theatre of the Sports and Stars

Times & Dates: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. June 2-July 25 Ages: 5-12. Cost: Registration is $35. Camp fee is $120 per week, lunch included. Location: Allen Temple Christian Academy, 232 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock. www.allentemplechristianacademy.org

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

A Midlife Crisis BY MIKE LITREL, MD

Both Ann and I are early risers. Since the first days of our marriage, we have sat most mornings in the darkness before dawn, talking together and enjoying our morning coffee. It’s my favorite part of the day. Communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and I have been blessed with a spouse whose conversation I (usually) find interesting. Dr. Mike Litrel is a But last month, that suddenly board certified OB/GYN and specialist in pelvic changed. No longer was Ann the reconstructive surgery scintillating woman to whom I had at Cherokee Women’s been married for more than 20 Health Specialists in Roswell years. Almost overnight, she had and Woodstock. Dr. Litrel become… boring. can be reached at www. cherokeewomenshealth.com As a rule, our morning “coffee talks” have held my interest. The topics of conversation range from thought-provoking spiritual insights to friendly verbal fencing that leaves us both laughing. I was worried. Why did my wife suddenly seem so dull? Secretly, I pondered possible causes. Maybe I had fallen victim to a low-grade, sub-symptomatic virus. Could being bored by your loved ones be a symptom of the swine flu? Indeed, a virus would explain the fatigue and irritability I was experiencing throughout my work day, tempering even my usual enthusiasm for practicing medicine. But on the other hand, a virus didn’t seem to fit, because overall I remained fairly healthy. Besides, I had already received my vaccinations. Then the headaches began. Each time a patient of mine suffers from a new pain, my underlying concern is cancer. Likewise, I worried about myself. Was this the first symptom of

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

a brain tumor? But just as I was entertaining the idea of getting a CAT scan, an even more disturbing diagnosis occurred to me. Maybe I was having a Midlife Crisis. A midlife crisis is no laughing matter. I have watched friends and patients suffer through these things, and I’ve read about celebrities’ lives ruined as tabloids expose every last detail of their midlife indiscretions. A midlife crisis seemed an even worse possibility than a brain tumor. When you are confused about yourself, about the meaning of your life, when you have no connection with the higher purpose for your existence, you can make bad decisions that cause a great deal of pain down the road. I was reasonably certain I was not having an extramarital affair. But Tiger Woods took me by surprise, too, so I guess you never know. I was thinking about checking my cell phone records just to make sure. But before I did, one last diagnosis occurred to me – a diagnosis that could explain every one of the symptoms I was experiencing. But I just couldn’t imagine Ann would betray me in this way. Sadly, when I confronted her, she had to confess. Clandestinely, Ann had changed my morning coffee to decaf. It was an outrage! A tumult of conflicting emotions washed over me: anger, relief, disbelief – and then concern. Is it possible my marital relationship is not based upon love, respect and admiration – but rather on caffeine? Was my wife the source of my morning happiness – or was it Starbucks? As a physician, I endeavor to be a role model for my patients. I can say with certainty that couples who make time for each other – even if it comes with coffee – grow healthier marriages than those who don’t. Certainly decaffeinated coffee is healthier for you than the hi-octane I prefer. But the way I see it, divorce is not healthy either, particularly from a loving, supportive – albeit surreptitious – spouse such as mine. So Ann and I have since compromised on the coffee, now brewing half-caffeinated, half- decaf in the mornings. And even with this diluted morning mix, my marriage has never been better. I just make sure I drink two cups. ©Copyright 2014

Women’s History Month

Female Leaders Follow the Paths of Trailblazers, Shepherd a New Generation BY SUSAN SCHULZ

It has been 27 years since the U.S. Congress designated March as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued proclamations declaring March Women’s History Month. In our region of north Georgia, women have played a vital role in history, going back nearly 200 years ago when the area was part of the Cherokee Indian Territory. After the Trail of Tears in the 1830s, white settlements began to grow rapidly across Cherokee County. Frontier women made our history rich by stepping up as our educators, mill workers, nurses, and those who labored on the family farms. The first women of Cherokee opened the way for today’s history makers, women including Misti Martin, Joan McFather and Marguerite Cline.

Misti Martin, president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development Misti Martin has accomplished so much for a 40-year-old. She is the youngest woman to become certified through the International Economic Development Council, and was named one of Georgia Trend magazine’s 40 under 40 in October 2011. She has also worked “Stay focused on the job at on statewide boards for economic hand. It’s about finding and development, leading other counties utilizing everyone’s strengths in addition to Cherokee. Her No. 1 in order to create positive priority for our county is to diversify change.” —Misti Martin our tax base while helping to create job opportunities that match our workforce. A lot of preparation has helped Misti stay positive in a faltering economy. “Our boards used the downturn in the economy to plan for the future. Now that the economy is recovering, we are busier than ever and have experienced record job growth and investment.” Driven by a desire to grow our local economy, Misti’s persistent work will help countless people find jobs so many can survive and thrive in our county. Joan McFather, the 39th First Citizen of Cherokee County While Joan McFather has technically been retired since 2000, she hasn’t slowed down. She earned the Chamber of Commerce First Citizen award this year, and was given the Reinhardt University President’s Award in 2011. Joan lives to serve the people of our community and absolutely loves it. Her love of people is a natural extension of her childhood. As the first and only child until she was 15, Joan’s innate desire to

please turned into a servant’s heart. “I really want people to be happy, comfortable, productive in their own right. That was the way I always approached students during my teaching career,” said Joan. During Joan’s successful 30-year career as an English teacher at Cherokee High School, she advised numerous student groups and was named STAR Teacher seven times. “Be considerate of others! The year she retired, our district Our ‘me first’ society today named her Outstanding Educator. seems to be increasingly Currently she fills her days serving on indifferent to the comfort and well being of others. numerous organizational boards and —Joan McFather as a member of civic groups. She also volunteers at Reinhardt, doing jobs such as serving as docent at the Funk Heritage Museum. Joan enjoys her involvement in Cherokee life immensely. “It makes me feel useful,” she said. Joan’s investments in our community will not be soon forgotten.

Marguerite Cline, former school superintendent and mayor of Waleska Marguerite Cline has left an indelible mark on our county’s education system as the first woman chosen to be superintendent of the Cherokee County School District from 1984 to 1992. She also was the first woman to serve as mayor of Waleska, “There are lots of a post she held for 14 years. She opportunities out there. blazed the trail for the present mayor, Don’t be afraid. Just do it!” Doris Jones. —Marguerite Cline As the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce First Citizen Award in 2009, Marguerite was honored for her tireless work for our community as a mother, educator, author, columnist and more. She is even the charter member of her church, where she serves as deacon (one of the first of three female deacons elected). Marguerite has some advice for those who want to make a difference in our community through politics. “Don’t give up if you don’t win an election on the first try. This is your time to let everyone know who you are and what you can do.” Marguerite Cline inspires many in Cherokee County and beyond. Her hard work and dedication enriches our residents, young and old.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Community

CALENDAR Through April 12 Unearthing the Past: Archaeology in Cherokee County: 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays at the Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center. www.rockbarn.org. March 7 Concert with Phil Keaggy, Caspar McCloud: 7 p.m. at Church of the Messiah in Canton. Pastor Caspar McCloud’s church, the Upper Room Fellowship, is hosting the concert, featuring McCloud and Keaggy, a Dove Award-winning artist. www.theupperroomfellowship.org. March 7 Canton First Friday: 6-9 p.m. downtown Canton with a St. Patrick’s Day theme and a special performance by the Atlanta Irish School of Music. www.canton-ga.gov. March 7-11 Book Sale at the Woodstock Public Library. Hosted by Friends of Cherokee County Public Libraries. www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org. March 8 “The Blood Red Dahlia” at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Michael the Archangel. The murder mystery dinner theater is a fundraiser for Cherokee Theatre Company. www.cherokeetheatre.org. March 13 CASA Volunteer Fair: 9-10:30 a.m. at the Canton Marketplace Chick-fil-A. For anyone interested in learning what it takes to become a volunteer child advocate. Evening training classes begin April 7, daytime cases begin April 8. (770) 345-3274. amy@casacherokee.org. www.casacherokee.org. March 14 Regional Issues Awareness Seminar: 7:30-9 a.m. at Woodstock’s Magnolia Hall. The series is open to the public and focuses on issues that affect local and regional residents. www. cherokeechamber.com.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

March 14-16 & 21-23 Treasure Island or Who’s Got the Map? 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at City Center. A comic re-telling of the Robert Louis Stevenson adventure pitting young Jim Hawkins and his friends against Long John Silver and some wacky pirates. (678) 494-4251. www.elmstreetarts.org. March 15 Social Media: The Next Step: 1-3 p.m. at the Cherokee Arts Center. Presented by Camille Ronay. www.cherokeearts.org. March 16 Cherokee Chorale Spring Concert: 3 p.m. at Canton First United Methodist Church. Conductor J. Andrew Bowers. Featuring works of Schubert, Fauré, and Mendelssohn. (678) 439-8625. www.cherokeechorale.org. March 18-19 Auditions for “Dearly Beloved:” 7 p.m. at the Canton Theatre. Performance dates are May 9-11 and 16-18. www.cherokeetheatre.org. March 21 Step Up Your Game for Job Seekers: 9 a.m. at MUST Ministries in Canton. One-day seminar to help job-seekers. Register by March 14. www.mustministries.org. March 21 Historic Preservation Awards Banquet: 7 p.m. at Northside Cherokee Conference Center. Sponsored by the county’s Historical Society. RSVP by March 16. www.rockbarn.org. March 21 Breast Health Thermography Screening: Early detection thermography screenings, involving no radiation or breast compression, at Harvest Moon Natural Market. Call (678) 852-8548 for an appointment. March 22 Coffee & Quill Mini-Conference: 9 a.m.-noon at Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship. Sponsored by Christian Authors Guild with special guests Haywood Smith and Amy Hanley. www.christianauthorsguild.org.

March 28 Georgia Grown Agriculture Expo: 4-7 p.m. at the Woodstock Recreation Center, with more than 20 displays with information about agriculture in Cherokee County, refreshments and a petting zoo. (770) 479-1481 ext. 0. April 5 The McKameys in Concert: 6 p.m. at Sunnyside Church near Hickory Flat. Sponsored by Shady Grove Events. www.shadygroveevents.com. www.mckameysonline.com. April 26 Taste & Sound of Woodstock: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Woodstock City Park. Woodstock High School band program fundraiser. wwbbfundraising@gmail.com. May 2 Cherokee High Touchdown Club Golf Tournament: 1 p.m. shotgun start at BridgeMill Athetic Club. Contributions are tax deductible. Hole-in-one car giveaway, quarterback throw competition, puntpass-kick-score option. www.cherokeewarriorsfootball.org. May 3 Healing Hands Youth Ranch Raise for the Roses: Doors open at 4:30 p.m. at Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center. Kentucky Derby themed fundraiser for Healing Hands Youth Ranch. www.hhyr.org. May 31, June 1 Cherokee Choral Pops Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday at the Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University. Conducted by Wes Soner and featuring the Broadway music of Stephen Schwartz. www.cherokeechorale.org.

Sequoyah Public Library Events HICKORY FLAT

2740 E. Cherokee Dr., Canton To register for events: (770) 345-7565 March 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7 AARP Tax Return Prep Assistance: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

March 11, 18, 25 Reading Dogs: 4:30-5:30 p.m. for children ages 6 and older. March 12 A Gathering of Warriors! At 4 p.m. for children ages 9-12, based on the “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter, with games and activities. .

March 15 Spanish/English Super Saturday Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

WOODSTOCK

7735 Main St., Woodstock To register for events: (770) 926-5859

March 17 Reading Dogs: 4:30-5:30 p.m. is the time children ages 6 and older can spend 1015 minutes reading to one of the dogs.

March 13, 20 Family Story Time: 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Open to children of all ages. Program includes stories, music, rhymes and free craft activity.

March 22 Hooray for Herbs: 10 a.m. to learn to plan and plant an herb garden, and incorporate herbs in your landscape.

March 17 Yarn Time: 6-7:30 p.m. for adult crafters who want to create and share their knowledge.

March 16 LEGO Club: 3 p.m. for all ages, to work alone or in teams to construct a special creation matching the month’s theme.

R.T. JONES

March 22 Tax Return Prep Assistance: 9 a.m.5 p.m. Former IRS employee George Russell will offer help at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

March 19 Lapsit Story Time: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. for children ages 1-3 with participating adults. Programs feature books, songs and activities to promote early literacy.

116 Brown Industrial Pkwy., Canton To register for events: (770) 479-3090 March 11, 18 Family Story Time: 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for children of all ages, accompanied by a parent, Open to children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Program includes stories, music, rhymes and free craft activity.

March 24 Young Adult Film Festival Awards: 6 p.m. Top submissions to the Young Adult Film Festival will be shown, and the winner announced. For details, call Lindsay Sheppard at (770) 479-3090 ext. 4, or email sheppardl@seqlib.org.

March 19 Reading Dogs: 4-5 p.m. is the time children ages 6 and older can spend 1015 minutes reading to one of the library’s reading dogs.

For more events, visit www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org and check the scrolling calendar.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Readers’ Choice Awards Rea wards Readers’ Choice Awards Readers Feature

Sixes L

Congratulations to the winners of our 2014 Sixes Living Readers’ Choice Survey!

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iving

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Each winner will receive a framed certificate and a window cling that can be displayed on a storefront window or door.

ity, Your

Magazin

Winners are asked to pick up these items at our office, located at 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. Our phone number is (770) 516-7105. If you prefer to have your certificate and cling mailed to you (minus the frame), please contact Denise Griffin at denise@ aroundaboutmagazines.com. Best All -Arou Century nd Restauran t House T avern

If you’d like to purchase a Thank You ad, please contact Patty Ponder at AroundAboutPatty@gmail.com or (770) 615-3322.

Restaurants

Retailers

All-Around Restaurant Century House Tavern

Fine Dining Goin’ Coastal

Boutique Branches Boutique

Jeweler Canton Jewelry

Asian Pacific Spice Thai & Chinese Bistro

Italian Vingenzo’s Pasta & Pizzeria

Children’s Clothing Store Kohl’s

Kid-Friendly Canyons Burger Company

Drugstore CVS Pharmacy

Liquor Store Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse

Lunch Place Tea Leaves & Thyme

Florist Brenda’s House of Flowers

Mexican La Parrilla

Furniture Store Woodstock Furniture Outlet

New Restaurant Riverstone Corner Bistro

Garden Center Home Depot

Pizzeria Taste of Italy

Gift/Home Décor Store Christine’s Creations

Seafood Goin’ Coastal

Grocery Store Publix at The Market at BridgeMill

Bakery Publix at The Market at BridgeMill Barbeque Place Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q Breakfast Place J. Christopher’s Coffee Shop Copper Coin Coffee Dessert Place Best Dang Bakery Around Ethnic Seven Tequilas Mexican Restaurant Fast Food Chick-fil-A

Sports Bar Taco Mac Sports Grill

Hardware Store Home Depot at Sixes Road Home Improvement Store Home Depot at Sixes Road

Music Store Ken Stanton Music Pet Supply Store PetSmart Shoe Store DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse Specialty Foods Harvest Moon Natural Market Specialty Store FoxTale Book Shoppe Sporting Goods Dick’s Sporting Goods Tire Store Cherokee Tire Service Toy Store Learning Express

Readers’ Choice Awards Readers’ Ch Awards Readers’ Choice Awards Reade 24

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

aders’ Choice Awards Readers’ Choice s’ Choice Awards Readers’ Choice Awa Services Auto Repair BridgeMill Auto Care Center

Dry Cleaner BridgeMill Cleaners

Lawn Care Service Tilley Landscapes

Pest Control Arrow Exterminators

Car Wash Sixes Auto Spa

Electrician Fred Hawkins, H& H Electric

Medical Doctor Dr. Jeffrey Donohue

Pet Boarding BridgeMill Animal Hospital

Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner Noble Services

Financial Institution/Bank Wells Fargo Bank

Nail Salon Clark Salon

Pet Groomer BridgeMill Animal Hospital

Caterer Event Wise Catering

Hair Salon Salon Gloss

Ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Weiner

Photographer Darleen Prem Photography

Chiropractor Ribley Family Chiropractic

Home Improvement/ Flooring Bulldog Roofing & Contracting

Optometrist BridgeMill Eye Care

Cleaning Servies Merry Maids

Home Improvement/ Handyman Chris Grasso, CAG Handyman Services

Orthodontist Dr. Michael D. Williams

Physical Therapist Dr. Joe Kafati, Rebound Physical Therapy

CPA Davis & Associates

Home Improvement/ HVAC Heritage Heating & Air

Day Care/Preschool Child’s Play Early Learning Center

Home Improvement/ Roofing Bulldog Roofing & Contracting

Day Spa Afterglow Spa Dentist Baird & Baird Family Dentistry

Insurance Agent (tie) Andy Jabaley – State Farm Morgan Harvill – State Farm

Painter Friendly Monster Painting Pediatric Dentist Cherokee Children’s Dentistry Pediatrician Dr. Amy Hardin, Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

Plumber Plumb Bob Realtor Robert Williamson Tutoring Reid Trego, Huntington Learning Center Veterinarian BridgeMill Animal Hospital

Recreation & Entertainment Bike Trails Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails

Gymnastics Center World of Kids Athletic Campus

Dance Studio Steps Dance Center

Hiking Trails Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails

Fitness/Health Club Ember Hot Yoga

hoice Awards Readers’ Choice Awards rs’ Choice Awards Readers’ Choice Aw SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Lifestyle

Destinations: Blooming Gardens a Welcome Sight BY LYNNE WATTS

Spring is just around the corner, and March heralds the beginning of several floral extravaganzas. Gibbs Garden’s 2014 Daffodil Festival was set to begin March 1 with the largest and most spectacular display of daffodils this side of Holland. More than 20 million daffodil blossoms represent 60 varieties of daffodils and cover more than 50 acres of hillsides, fields and valleys. Want to take some of the beauty home with you? During your visit, you can purchase Lynne Watts is an author, daffodils and the bulbs will be shipped speaker, coach, mom and directly to your home at the optimum counselor for Cherokee County schools. Follow her planting time. Stroll through the at http://acalledwoman. peaceful Japanese garden, relax on com/, http://lynnewatts. the patio of the Manor House with its com and http:// mountain views, or listen to musicians wyatthewonderdog.com. as you eat lunch at the Arbor Café. Leave the stress of the city behind and enjoy the harmony that nature provides. www.gibbsgardens.com/ While you are in the Georgia mountains, stop by the Europeanstyle Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery for a Sunday brunch,

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

café lunch or gourmet dinner. The winery is fashioned after a raised Craftsman-style cottage and sits atop the cellar, which is encased in fieldstone. If the weather is agreeable, you can sit outside on the deck and enjoy the view of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in a peaceful pastoral setting. www.wolfmountainvineyards.com/ It’s not really spring until you visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s event, Atlanta Blooms! Hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses are on display. You can stroll along the winding paths or visit the greenhouse where orchids and other tropical plants grow. Visit the website to determine which spring flower bulb most describes your nature. Are you adventurous, nurturing, or wise? www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/ Travel south and experience the Callaway Gardens azalea extravaganza. With its vast network of walking trails, visitors can experience an up-close view of nature at its most spectacular. The 1.6-mile Azalea Trail and the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl provide a showcase for more than 3,000 hybrid azaleas plus an additional 2,000 trees and shrubs that complement the azalea blossoms. In March and April, Callaway offers a variety of spring art workshops, the Callaway Gardening School and an annual plant fair and sale. www.callawaygardens.com/ Springtime weather beckons us outdoors and the numerous local gardens are a great place to shake off the winter doldrums, stretch our legs and enjoy Mother Nature at her finest.

THE NEW 3 Rs – Decorating at its Best! BY BETTY ANDERSON

Remember when the 3 Rs meant, Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic? Today, many are more conscious of the environment, more frugal in spending habits and looking for new, fun ways to make our homes more beautiful. Say “hello” to the new 3 Rs— Recycle, Repurpose, and the way to make the greatest impact while spending the least amount Betty Anderson is owner/ of money, Repaint. Repainting designer of Interiors at that old, damaged and dated Fun Finds and Fun Finds piece of furniture that has great and Designs Home Decor Consignment in Canton, lines but just doesn’t work in Georgia. For Interiors your space anymore is one of at Fun Finds, call (678) the best ways to not only give a 880-9146 or email Betty@ new a lift to your room, but also interiors2751.com. For Fun to your spirit. Finds and Designs, call (770) 704-0448 or email Info@ A lot of people have a piece funfindsanddesigns.com of furniture they don’t love anymore. But, for the most part, the piece is functional, a good fit, sentimental or reminds us of the sacrifices we made to purchase it. An afternoon of painting can make you fall in love with it again. Paint enthusiasts who have discovered the joy of bringing a tired furniture piece back to life consider it a passion and even therapy. Then, there are people like me who love the new look and admire the transformation, but think they don’t have the time or patience to do it. Well, think again. There are so many new products out there that not only make it do-able but keep it fun. The days of having to have a special place to paint because of the mess—removing all of the old paint first or sanding down to bare wood before you can even begin—are over. The new furniture paints are so easy to use. There is no mess, no smell and no hard prep; just spray on a cleanser that is provided by your paint source, two coats of the paint that dries within 20 minutes and with a clear finish. If you want that fantastic aged look, you can add one additional step of easy glazing, and you will have a gorgeous new piece of furniture, probably within a couple of hours. Even I am hooked. So, if you are yearning for something new, a room pick-me-up or just a new hobby that will keep you smiling, consider repainting anything. It doesn’t matter what. Furniture, lamps, frames, mirrors—even chandeliers—are great items to consider. Join the “do it yourselfers” and the 3R revolution because as you Repaint you are also Repurposing and Recycling, not only to beautify your own home but also to conserve for our future. What could be more beautiful or rewarding? Happy painting! SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Lifestyle

What if … I’m not really THAT Southern after all? BY JULIAN REID

Julian Reid has a chemical engineering degree from Georgia Tech, a U.S. Chamber certification in Organization Management and several professional coaching and sales certifications. Contact him at (770) 521-0698 or www. LinkedIn.com/in/julianreid

I was born in south Alabama. Yet, I now wonder if my late Daddy wouldn’t jokingly declare me a misguided Yankee. Why? I’m missing a few lifestyle traits that are common to most Southern men. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love grits, college football, Southern hospitality, chivalry and reading my Bible daily. I reckon all that would qualify me as Southern as gravy-on-abiscuit, by Daddy’s definition. However, Daddy might face-palm over other Southern Boy character virtues that I simply didn’t inherit. Here are 10 ways that I’m just NOT a Southern man.

10. NASCAR – It isn’t that I don’t marvel at a bunch of fast cars making left turns for four hours. I don’t. I’m just stunned that EVERYBODY ELSE in the South seems able to watch it for more than six seconds without the services of a certified counselor. Watching NASCAR drives me insane. Pun intended.

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9. Okra – I don’t care how you cook it. If I ever swallow poison, just give me okra. I’ll throw up that poison in a heartbeat. 8. Hunting – bores me to tears. Fell out of a deer stand, twice. Fell asleep. Not that I missed anything. I’ve seen more deer on Bells Ferry Road than I ever saw while hunting. 7. Fishing – In the Gulf? I get seasick every time. In Grandaddy’s pond? I’d rather hit old golf balls into it than clean the two bream it takes to make a meal. 6. There is no number six. Okay, so that’s not a Southern joke. It’s an English/Monty Python joke. 5. Grammar – Southern liberties with proper English grammar never cut it with Daddy, so he wouldn’t groan about this one. Daddy was deceased before I said, “ain’t” the first time. I still don’t end questions with a preposition. 4. Attire – Dressing like Larry the Cable Guy wasn’t tolerated in my youth. However, Daddy was fine with sports teams’ caps. Except Auburn, of course. 3. Pick-up truck – Perfectly Southern, but I never owned one. Then again, I’ve never needed one. 2. Chewing tobacco – Uh, no. 1. Country music – I’d rather listen to 10 people draw their fingernails across a chalkboard. Miserable lyrics (“I was drunk the day my Mama got outa prison…”), set to twang instruments, must surely be one of the deeper circles of Dante’s Inferno. That’s enough confession. Pass the cornbread, please.

Finding the Motivation to Exercise BY LISA RANDALL

The new year always seems to inspire people to get in better shape, yet many hit the doldrums by the end of January and have a hard time staying motivated. Add belowfreezing temperatures, snow days and kids home from school, and it can be difficult for even the most disciplined of us to stay on track. The key to success is to find a fitness plan that you really enjoy doing so that it doesn’t feel like work. Choose Lisa Randall is a mom, activities that are convenient and small business owner and can be completed within a small athlete from Canton. She window of time. is owner of Mountain Goat If you want to start strength Adventures, LLC, which training, you can buy a quality organizes local trail running and mountain bike events. weight bench and dumbbell set for In her spare time, Lisa is what you would spend on a yearly a competitive cyclist and gym membership. With those items competes in mountain in your home, you don’t have to bike, cyclocross and trail drive to the gym and you can still running races. strength train, even if you have kids around or if you are weathering a winter apocalypse. Hiking and running are great activities because you can start

slow and run or hike nearly anywhere. If you aren’t keen on pounding the pavement, try trail running. You may be surprised by how much more enjoyable the solitude and diverse terrain can make it. The Sixes area has miles of trails nearby, and the hills add challenge and make running and hiking excellent cardio activities. Many people sign up for a spring race or event to give them an end-goal and help them stay motivated. While you may miss a workout here and there, your chances of completely falling off the wagon are a lot lower if you have signed up for an event. Better yet, sign up with a friend so you can motivate each other. Friendly competition and having a workout companion offer great motivation. You’ll be much more likely to get outside on a cruddy day if you are meeting someone to exercise. Seasoned athletes trying to weather the winter months need to be flexible; workout locations can be affected by trail closures, snowy/wet conditions, extreme cold, etc. Winter is a great time to build strength and cross train a bit to make the best of the conditions. Cyclists can add running during the cold months to help train non-cycling specific muscles, which leads to better allaround fitness. Whatever your sport, the key is a varied routine to keep it interesting and keep it relatively simple so you do not have any major hurdles that prevent you from accomplishing your workouts. For a schedule of area running and cycling events, check http://mountaingoatadventures.com.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Lifestyle

Consignment Sales A helpful guide to finding bargains in gently used children’s clothes and toys. March 6-8 Lil’ Lambs Closet Times: 6-8 p.m. Thursday ($5 fee), 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Marietta First UMC, 56 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. www.lil-lambs.org March 7-8 Hillside UMC Times: 10 a.m.-8 pm. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock. www.hillsideumc.org March 7-8 Roswell UMC Times: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Roswell UMC fellowship hall, 814 Mimosa Blvd. www.rumc.com/rumck March 13-15 Due West UMC Times: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Due West UMC, 3956 Due West Rd., Marietta. www.duewest.org March 13-15 All 4 Kids Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: 10029 Hwy. 92, Woodstock (former WalMart building). www.all4kids.com March 14-15 First Baptist Canton Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Location: 1 Mission Point. www.fbckidssale.com March 20-22 Messiah Christian Academy Times: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday ($10 public), 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: 415 Charles Cox Dr., Canton. http://mcaconsignmentsale.wordpress.com/ March 21-22 Lil’ Blessings Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Kennesaw First Baptist, 2958 N. Main St. www.kfbc.org March 21-22 Canton First UMC Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Lower Scott Mill Rd., 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd. www.cantonfirstumc.org March 21-22 Born Again Blessings Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Cobb Civic Center, 548 Marietta Pkwy., Marietta. www.bornagainblessings.com March 21-22 KinderMart Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Location: Smyrna First United Methodist, 1315 Concord Rd. www.kindermartsale.com 30

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Health & Wellness

Organic Coffee for Your Health and the Environment BY ALISHA O’BRIAN

Alisha O’Brian has been an integral member of the natural health industry for more than 25 years. She has earned a Masters of Holistic Nutrition degree and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in divinity. She has many years of experience in lifestyle counseling and offers extensive counseling with people who are battling terminal illnesses.

Worldwide consumption of coffee totals more than 400 billion cups per year, making it the most popular beverage in the world besides water. Coffee also ranks as the second largest traded commodity in the world. What most consumers don’t know is the health and ecological impact that comes with the daily caffeine fix. Let’s take a closer look at the facts. Coffee contains a natural blend of polyphenol antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. There are thousands of different healthy natural chemical compounds in your brew. Over-roasting coffee beans strips these nutrients, causing the natural oils in the beans to become rancid. Some suppliers over-roast coffee beans on purpose to mask the

cheapness and inferior quality of the beans. Many consumers have a misconception that coffee is stronger if it tastes “dark.” Doctors report that coffee drinkers experience symptoms such as stomach cramping, heart palpitations and other autonomic symptoms, which have been falsely linked to caffeine. If you have these symptoms, you could be sensitive to some of the burnt sugars or oils produced during the overroasting process of the beans. Warnings from the Environmental Protection Agency state that 30 percent of insecticides, 60 percent of herbicides and 90 percent of fungicides are carcinogenic, or cancer-causing. These conventional farming chemicals accumulate in body fat, and have been shown to cause damage to the nervous and reproductive systems while also disrupting hormone and immune-system function. This is why I believe consuming only certified organic foods is so important. In efforts to produce less-expensive coffee, conventional growers clear-cut rain forests, creating full-sun coffee plantations; these deforestation trends have a serious impact on local vegetation and wildlife throughout coffee-producing regions. This process strips away nutrients in the soil, making it necessary to use chemical fertilizers. The loss of wildlife due to deforestation increases the amount of pests on the coffee continued on page 60

Welcoming New Patients Stephanie Hsu, M.D.

Northside Cherokee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is a full-service orthopedics practice that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the muscles, bones and joints. Our family-friendly practice is dedicated to providing the highest-quality orthopedic care possible, and offers head-to-toe physical therapy, comprehensive diagnostic services and effective minimally-invasive treatment procedures for all types of musculoskeletal conditions. Services Offered:

684 Sixes Road Suite 130 Holly Springs, GA 30115

Northside/Da Imaging

Exit 11 (Sixes Road)

HOLLY SPRINGS

oh ns on

Call us today for an appointment (770) 517-6636 • northsidecherokeeortho.com

Ros wel l Rd .

Travis Jones, DPM

• Adult and pediatric sports medicine & injuries • Minimally invasive and most current techniques • Diagnostic imaging services: (MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, arthrogram) • Operative and non-operative injury management for upper and lower extremities • Repair/reconstruction of torn ligaments and tendons • Adult and pediatric specialized care of the foot and ankle • General foot and ankle care • Fracture care

Fe rry

. SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Feature

Planning Your Retirement Income Free Helpline is the Latest Resource at TimeWise Financial

Deanna LaRue

Deanna LaRue is president of TimeWise Financial, LLC. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and opened TimeWise nine years ago. She specializes in creating a plan of action for individuals who are offered an early retirement buyout from their company, individuals who are near retirement or have recently retired, and individuals facing a career transition. “I love helping people. Clients come in with piles of information from their companies and investment statements and don’t know where to begin,” said Deanna. “I work with them to put all of the puzzle pieces together and teach them how to create an income stream for the rest of their lives. When we are finished and I literally see the relief on my clients’ faces as they tell me how grateful they are for my help—that’s what keeps me passionate about my job.” Deanna’s compensation is structured to meet each client’s individual needs. Since no two situations are the same, she offers both fee-based and commission-based structures through her affiliation with H.D. Vest Investment Services® and H.D. Vest Advisory Services®. After educating the clients, Deanna has them choose the pay structure that best fits their needs. The Kennesaw State University (KSU) graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration/ finance and took the Series 7 certification, Series 66 certification, and the Life, Accident & Sickness certification. She also completed the two-year certified financial planner course through KSU and passed the 10-hour test.

Kate Smith

Kate Smith is an insurance specialist who has been with TimeWise Financial, LLC for two years. Kate graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and sciences, and has worked in the human resources industry for 20 years. Kate’s focus is to make sure clients have sufficient insurance for life, long-term care and health needs. She has been very busy helping individuals enroll in health insurance plans; open enrollment ends March 31. She also stays up to date on different Social Security benefit options to help clients determine which filing option is best for them when they are ready to activate Social Security payments. Deanna and Kate pool their experience to create for their clients a comprehensive* financial plan that they continually monitor.

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FREE HELPLINE (770) 485-0910 Deanna and Kate have established a free local helpline for individuals to call with any retirement questions. Keep in mind that retirement isn’t strictly about 65-year-olds. You also qualify if you’ve been offered a buyout or early retirement from a company for which you’ve worked 20 years or more. Or perhaps you are ready to make a career transition, and want to make sure you’re in good retirement shape before making the switch. If Deanna and Kate don’t have an immediate answer, they will find one by utilizing their alliances with other professionals (CPAs, estate planning attorneys, property and casualty agents, etc.). If they aren’t able to answer your call initially, leave a voicemail with your contact information. Here is a sampling of questions they anticipate receiving, and that you may want to consider asking.

Sample Helpline Questions

1. Should I take the early buyout option available from my employer? Will I be able to make it last through my whole retirement? 2. I need help completing my company’s distribution packet to ensure that I don’t do it wrong and make the whole amount taxable. 3. Which pension option is best for me, lump sum payout or the annuity payment for the rest of my life? (Many companies do not offer cost-of-living increases on the annuity payment so although $45,000 per year sounds like a lot, but in 20 years after inflation it’s not. Also, if you choose a single life annuity payment and pass away the next year, your entire pension amount that you’ve worked so hard for will be gone.) The best option is determined by comparing potential fees or expenses, services received, investment options and risks.

How to Pick a Financial Advisor 1. Choose a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER. Most people think all financial planners are certified, but this isn’t true. While anyone can claim to be a financial planner, only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Board of Standards can display the CFP certification marks, which represent a high level of competency, ethics and professionalism. The CFP Board of Standards’ of Professional Conduct require CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS to look out for your interests above their own. 2. Make sure you get a comprehensive financial plan that addresses your specific needs. A financial planner cannot accurately choose the best investment vehicle for you unless he or she asks questions about your goals for your money. Are you trying to save money for your children to inherit? Do you plan to stay in your house through retirement? Do you anticipate needing a new car soon? Does your pension continue for your spouse if you pass away? 3. Understand how the advisor is paid. Some charge a flat fee up front for a financial plan. Some are fee-based, assessing fees based on a percentage of your portfolio value, often called Assets Under Management (AUM). Others are commissioned-based and paid per transaction. The best option for you depends on how often you plan to place trades and if you want your money pro-actively managed. 4. Choose an advisor who won’t be retiring at the same time as you. A younger professional will actively monitor your assets long after you retire and will proactively seek continuing education to stay on top of the latest opportunities in the market.

4. When should I start my Social Security benefit? What happens with Social Security in case of divorce or death? How much will I get if I haven’t worked in years? 5. How do I handle an IRA that I have inherited? 6. My life insurance policy is 10 years old and filed in the back of my file cabinet. Should I be reviewing it? 7. Should I name my minor child or my estate as a beneficiary on accounts? 8. How much money do I need to live on each year while keeping my investments intact? 9. Where should I invest my retirement assets? 10. How much state and federal taxes should be withheld from my monthly retirement check?

TimeWise Financial 1000 Wyngate Parkway, Suite 120, Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 420-2954 www.timewisefinancialllc.com

Deanna LaRue – Advisory Representative. *Securities offered through H.D. Vest Investment Services, Member SIPC. Advisory Services offered through H.D. Vest Advisory Services®, 1000 Wyngate Parkway, Suite 120, Woodstock, GA 30189, (770) 420-2954. TimeWise Financial is not a registered broker/dealer or independent investment advisory firm. Investments are subject to market risks including the potential loss of principal invested. Asset Allocation and diversification do not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. The views and opinions presented in this article are those of Deanna LaRue and not of H.D. Vest Financial Services® or its subsidiaries. SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Health & Wellness

An Unpleasant Journey That Can Be Avoided BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

It was another day in Atlanta with that rare threat of winter snow that typically doesn’t materialize. Yet on January 28, snow started to fall and quickly accumulate, creating a challenge for Atlanta motorists. Atlanta’s rapid transformation into a surreal winter wonderland resulted in a gridlock of bumper-to-bumper traffic, adding a new complexity to the trek that soon unfolded into an unexpected journey. I sat in my car observing hundreds of motorists trying to make it home. While it may seem an extreme comparison to some, I found myself wishing that people felt as strongly about having regular dental check-ups each year as they did about reaching their destinations on that snowy Tuesday. The episode of extreme weather revealed the determination that people possess when they have a clear goal in mind. It was quite amazing to observe. I was left with the question: What would make people develop as clear a goal in seeking dental care as they in reaching home during this snowstorm? A 2008 and 2009 Gallup-Healthway’s poll revealed onethird of all Americans and about 50 percent of Americans in nine states did not visit a dentist in the previous year. It was Dr. Scott Harden is a dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry. You can reach Dr. Harden at (770) 926-0000 or visit FountainViewSmiles.com.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

interesting to think that, among the motorists in front of me that day, at least three out of every 10 people did not go to the dentist regularly. While most people value dentistry, it is often not a priority in their lives. Many lack the self-discipline and motivation to make their dental appointments. It dawned on me that dentists and their staff members make a tremendous difference with the motivation people need to achieve their dental goals. A dentist who cares and educates you about your dental needs in a positive manner will motivate you to maintain routine dental care. The dentist can help the patient overcome fear and anxiety, along with a friendly staff and an inviting and comfortable office. Organization within the dental office provides reminders about cleanings and exams, scheduling and financing - all which create a team approach that will add motivation for patient routine care. Good habits start best at a young age but can be developed at any age. The unexpected journey that people in Atlanta experienced during our January snowstorm was based upon unforeseen circumstances. People can avoid an unexpected journey in dentistry by devoting only a couple of hours a year for dental checkups, which will avoid serious tooth and gum problems that could otherwise develop. Be proactive about going to the dentist regularly.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Health & Wellness

How Daily Habits Impact Your Sleep BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL

A good night’s sleep is important to your health for many reasons. Chronic lack of sleep has been linked to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease. It decreases attentiveness and reaction time and may cause you to lose focus at work. It also has been linked to a rise in motor vehicle accidents, involving drivers who fall asleep at the wheel. Here are some simple solutions to help you catch more Zzzzz’s. • Limit technology. How often do you bring your laptop to bed? Do you watch television before going to sleep? Studies show that chronic light from TVs, cell phones and other electronic devices decreases your brain’s production of melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep onset. Avoid any source of bright light in the evenings and make your bedroom a technology-free zone. Your sleep quality will improve. • Travel smart. Jet lag results from an imbalance in your body’s natural 24-hour cycle. To fight it, select a flight that lands in early evening, then stay up until your usual bedtime, local time. • Limit caffeine. You may be preventing sleep at night by consuming caffeine during the day. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends limiting your caffeine consumption to 300-400 milligrams per day (about three to four 8-ounce cups of coffee), and avoiding it in the late afternoon and evening. • Watch your weight. Being overweight can impact your sleep by affecting your breathing and your ability to get comfortable. Exercising to lose the extra pounds will increase your metabolism and make you tired. Working out in the morning is good and late afternoon even better (six hours before bedtime). If you work out at night, try to finish at least three hours before your planned bedtime. • Relax. Unmanaged stress impacts your ability to sleep. To help overcome stress, try various bedtime rituals – listen to relaxing music, focus on deep breathing to slow your heart rate and reduce muscle tension, and keep a journal to write down thoughts that keep you up at night.

“The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends limiting your caffeine consumption to 300-400 milligrams per day (about three to four 8-ounce cups of coffee), and avoiding it in the late afternoon and evening.”

If sleep problems persist for a few weeks, it is important to talk to a health care provider, as you may have a sleep disorder. To watch videos and learn more about how to get a better night’s sleep, visit www.northside.com/sleep. 36

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Health & Wellness

Attention Men: The Next Menopause Joke May Be on You BY MICHELLE HINSON, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR NUE MEDICAL CONSULTING

Popular menopause joke: Since women go through menopause, do men go through womenopause? Nope. They go through andropause. Contrary to popular belief, menopause is not solely the bane of women. Male menopause, called andropause, is a documented medical condition that can affect men as young as 35. It is also referred to as testosterone deficiency or late-onset hypogonadism. Testosterone, the male hormone required for proper male functioning, peaks in the late teens and begins to decline when a man enters his 30s. Symptoms of andropause include mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, lessened ability to deal with stress, loss of energy, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, and type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicate 4-5 million men in the United States currently suffer from andropause. Comprehensive tests of male hormone levels are essential to detecting imbalances. Testosterone levels can be checked by a primary care physician or at wellness clinics. Testosterone restoration is one recommended option for treating andropause. An increase in testosterone levels can lead to improved physical and mental wellness, often resulting in

weight loss, muscle gain, improved bone density and heart health, and generally a better outlook on life. Treatments include traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Unlike synthetic hormones present in HRT, bio-identical hormones are made to duplicate your body’s hormones. In other words, BHRT infuses hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones the body naturally makes. Hormones can be delivered to recipients in a number of ways including orally through tablets or capsules and through the skin (transdermal) with the use of injections, patches and gels. The two treatments, HRT and BHRT, also work for women. Be sure to use FDA-approved hormones in whatever therapy you choose. It is important to work closely with your physician or clinician to decide the best therapy for you. If your symptoms are bothersome, discuss your options with a physician or other specialist in menopausal health. Bottom line: male menopause, like female menopause, is no laughing matter. Except for this classic joke with a modern twist: What’s worse than one man going through menopause? Two men going through menopause.

Top Exercises to Tone Problem Glutes BY LAURA MIKSZAN AND STACY WARD

Stacy Ward (left), author, certified PT and fitness instructor, and Laura Mikszan, journalist, entrepreneur and certified group fitness instructor, are co-owners of Envision Health Studio. Contact them at (770) 926-4180. www. envisionhealthstudio.com

Spring break is a month away and summer is right around the corner. Unfortunately, some people are just coming out of hibernation, looking around wondering how they put on those few extra pounds and how their derrière will look in a bathing suit. Here are the top three exercises for that problem area.

LUNGE An amazing exercise that targets the muscles of your butt, thighs and hips is the lunge. Putting one foot out in front of the other, lower your body toward the ground, keeping your abdominals tight and your torso straight. Lower until the front knee is bent at 90 degrees and not extended past your toes. Stand back up and then extend the opposite leg and bend. Perform 10 repetitions. For an increased workout, hold dumbbells in each hand. 38

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HIP LIFT A great exercise to work your glutes is the hip lift. To do this exercise, lie on the floor with your back flat, knees bent, and feet resting on the ground. While keeping your arms at your sides on the floor, lift your bottom and lower back off of the floor. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower yourself. Repeat. To work your muscles even more, lift a leg in the air when you raise your bottom off the ground. Lower yourself and then repeat, lifting the other leg. PLIÉ SQUAT Another form of squat is the plié squat. This is the exercise to add definition and shape to your butt. Start by standing with your legs slightly more than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointed out to the sides. This is what ballerinas call the plié position. For balance, hold your arms in front of you. While keeping your back straight, slowly squat to the ground until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Hold this for five seconds and stand back up. Repeat 10 times. Burn, Baby, Burn! These three exercises are excellent ways to burn extra fat while adding the definition you desire. Not used to working your gluteal muscles? You’ll definitely feel the burn the first few days, but the end result will be worth the effort.

Science FUN Day is a HUGE Success BY CINDY CREWS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, SIXES ELEMENTARY

What do you get when you mix some Sixes Stars with some very bright high school students and a plethora of hands-on science experiments? The answer is F-U-N! Sixes Elementary recently held its first Science Fun Day, a collaborative effort within the Woodstock Innovation Zone to pair up National Honors Society students at Woodstock High School with students at all grade levels at Sixes. The administration at Sixes worked with Woodstockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s science department chair, Kelly Burke, to bring science to life for the elementary students. The high school students were given the science standards for each grade level. They formed teams and began to plan activities in which the younger students would participate. About 130 high school students arrived at Sixes bright and early that Friday morning, prepared to present demonstrations and experiments that were perfectly aligned with elementary science Fifth-graders see what happens during standards. They were very the respiration process for mammals.

WHS student teaches first-graders about the parts of a plant.

confident and well-prepared, and the elementary students were highly engaged. Sixes teachers reported their students were easily recalling science information they had learned back in September. This activity solidified prior learning and gave a preview for learning that is yet to come. The fringe benefit from this zone integration project is the sense of belonging it created for the younger students. Through Science Fun Day, Sixes students made connections and realized they are part of something bigger. Excellent teen role models certainly paved the way, and the younger students know they belong to a wonder-filled larger group that is called the Woodstock Zone. We ARE Woodstock!

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Schools & Sports

Students Commit to College Athletics Fifty-six student athletes were recognized recently for signing commitment letters to compete at the college level, including twin brothers who will be playing for the same college baseball team and the first scholarship in bowling won by a Cherokee County student. National Signing Day (Feb. 5) is the earliest day on which high school seniors can make a commitment to play football for a college. While football draws most of the attention on this date, Cherokee students were recognized for scholarships and commitments to play baseball, basketball,

lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, tennis, cross country and bowling. Cherokee High student Savanna Dover will play softball at Southern Illinois University, and fellow student Victoria Cassidy will play soccer at Reinhardt University. Sequoyah students and their sports are: Katie Collis, softball at Auburn University at Montgomery; Devin McCleskey, baseball at LaGrange College; Brantley Flanagan, baseball at Shorter University; Evan Ezell, baseball at Maryville College; Jacob Cagle, baseball at Reinhardt University; Tristan Roberts, baseball at Georgia Highlands College; Emily Ryan, basketball at Wofford College; Zachary Moore, cross country at Lincoln Memorial; C.J. Collins, football at Kennesaw State University; Peter Rohan, football at Kennesaw State University, and A.J. Brown, football at Kennesaw State University. Woodstock High athletes are: Jacklyn Chiesa, lacrosse at Wingate University; Carolyn Edwards, softball at Georgia Perimeter College; and Savannah Wood, tennis at Samford University.

Celebrating 100 Days Cherokee County School District schools recently celebrated the 100th day of school with special events themed around the number. Retired principal Karen B. Hawley transformed herself into Zero the Hero and brought 100th-day treats and taught mini-lessons on the importance of the number zero at Canton Elementary School STEM Academy and Macedonia Elementary School. Hickory Flat Elementary School’s kindergarten Ava Hatcher (from left), Jillian Graves, Preston students celebrated by dressing as 100-year-old adults Buchanan, Brie Murphy and Mason Cox at Hickory and participating in counting activities. Flat Elementary.

Ava Bearden visits with Zero the Hero at Canton ES STEM Academy.

Theater Director in Hall of Fame

Collecting Jeans for Homeless Teens Freedom Middle School’s Junior Beta Club recently sponsored its first Teens for Jeans, Make a Difference drive. Students collected more than 220 pairs of gently worn jeans that were in good condition, which were donated to the Dosomething.org nonprofit organization to help homeless teenagers. Club members are front row, from left, Ashley McMunn and Olivia Dietzel; and back row, from left, Hannah Hair, Katie Vinterella and Matthew Hitchcock. 40

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Gerald Parker, theater director at Sequoyah High School, has been inducted into the Georgia Thespians Hall of Fame. Eligibility required dedication to the cause of theater education and more than 20 years of service as a member of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). Parker earned his undergraduate degree from Shorter College, a master of education degree from the University of Alabama and an education Gerald Parker, left, and Georgia Thespians Hall specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial of Fame President Paul University. After starting at Sequoyah in 1990, he was named assistant director and Hampton. co-thespian troupe sponsor in 1991. After the retirement in 2006 of the school’s theater director, Parker was chosen to be the head of the Theatre Department. He was appointed the Fine Arts Department chair in 2010, and his peers named him the school’s Teacher of the Year in 2012.

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SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Schools & Sports

Countywide Focus on Technology The Cherokee County School District recently participated in Digital Learning Day, a national initiative to support the effective use of technology in schools (www.digitallearningday.org). County schools organized events ranging from Hour of Code (http://code.org/learn) programming exercises to hearing guest speakers from Georgia Tech and Southern Polytechnic State University and using new apps and mobile devices for learning. At Sequoyah High School’s Hour of Code event, students not only participated in digital learning, but some also decided to enroll in the school’s programming class as a result.

Sequoyah’s Ashton Dagel (left) and Paul Howard.

Woodstock High student Bradley Stephenson, right, participates in the Hour of Code.

Woodstock Elementary students Aidan Murphy-Herzig (left) and Austin Richards learning to use iPads and educational apps.

Sequoyah Graduate to Play in Women’s Football League

Woodstock Elementary second-grader Audric Agbavon shows off the “selfie” he took with the iPad’s photo booth app.

County Students Rise to the Top

Dakota Hughes is a multi-sport athlete who played softball, basketball and flag football at Sequoyah High. She graduated in 2013, enrolled at Kennesaw State University and joined an intramural football team. That’s where a member of the Atlanta Steam—a team in the Legends Football League— approached her to suggest she try out for the women’s league. After researching the program, she went for it—and earned the starting quarterback spot for the 2014 season. The first home game is June 7 at the Gwinnett Arena. “I have always loved football and I look forward to playing with and being a part of the Atlanta Steam,” she said. Dakota is planning for sports to always be a part of her life. She’s majoring in communications and wants to become a sports broadcaster. She works out four to five times a week and coaches and mentors her siblings in their sports endeavors. “I am excited to be in the league,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to play a sport I am so passionate about.”

Cherokee County School District high school students not only continue to exceed national and state averages on rigorous Advance Placement (AP) exams, but the school system as a whole also has received state and national recognition for its success on the collegelevel tests. The school district is one of only three school systems in Georgia to earn a spot on the fourth annual AP District Honor Roll, a national list of the 477 systems that have achieved the greatest success in maintaining or improving the rate of students who do well on the exams while also increasing student participation.

Hickory Flat Elementary Gets Grant

Foundation board members present the donation to the school. Front row, from left: Aimee Beck, Meg Tully and Dawn Hathcock. Back row, from left: Marc Duclos, John Harmon, Principal Keith Ingram, Mike Davis and Tom Zucconi. 42

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

A $12,000 grant was awarded to Hickory Flat Elementary School by the Hickory Flat Foundation, a group founded in the 1950s as Friends of Hickory Flat to serve the interests and needs of the school’s students, teachers and families. While the foundation works independently from the school’s PTA, there is cooperation to identify and fulfill the current needs. The foundation raises funds through various events such as the annual fall festival, the Thunder Run 5K (set for April 12) and private donations. The grant will be used to purchase additional technology for the school, including 20 iPads with charging carts and protective covers.

Feature

Scouting 2014

Troop 2758: Cadettes working on their Silver Award presented the movie Finding Kind to girls in grades five and up. The documentary brings awareness of girl-on-girl bullying.

Troop 11417: Members have an ongoing service project to collect and deliver items needed to the county animal shelter.

Troop 10434: Girls enjoyed shopping for items to donate to a charity for Christmas

Troop 12411: Braving the cold at the Canton Christmas parade were Megan G., Gwen H., Hailey P., Abby C., Isabelle S., Ellie S., Haley S., Lauren S. and Kate T.

Troop 11417: On World Thinking Day, front row from left: Shelby H., Victoria H., Emmy S., Andie S. and Alyson S. Back row, from left: Julia C., Misty C., Nikki B., Ireland S., Lexy H., Lexie R., Trinity R., Mila B. and Brooke K.

Troop 12417: Enjoying World Thinking Day, and modeling outfits that young girls living in Pakistan might wear, are (from left) Olivia B., Anna K., Hannah B., Elizabeth P., Audrey G. and Madelyn J.

Troop 10434: Girls enjoyed shopping for items to donate to a charity for Christmas.

Troop 11417: Girls from Troop 11417 and Michele Rauenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brownie Troop sang Christmas carols to the residents at The Lodge at BridgeMill.

Troop 12417: The girls collected food for the shelves at Papaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pantry. From left are first graders Anna K., Natalie B., Hannah B., Audrey G., and third graders Elizabeth P., Abby J., Sofie C., Sophie Z., Olivia B. and Madelyn J. SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Feature

Scouting 2014

Troop 14611: Enjoying a visit to the Center for Puppetry Arts are, from left, Addie L., Jolie G., Angelina M., Ashley S., Abby S., Ava G., Leighton S. and Alexa V.

Troop 14611: World Thinking Day attendees are, from left, Ava G., Addie L., Angelina M., Jolie G., Abby S. and Ashley S.

Troop 13398: Girls visited Cagle Dairy and earned a patch. From left: Ellie C., Haley H., Megan C, Jaylynn R., Laci P., Addyson H. and Peyton A.

Troop 14629: The scouts created a booth on Jamaica for World Thinking Day. From left, Madelyn A., Kate J., Kylie A. and Hannah P.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Troop 13398: During a tour of the Canton firehouse, the girls earned a Considerate & Caring Petal and delivered a care package and cookies. The girls are (from left) Ellie M., Haley H., Laci P. and Ellie C.

Troop 13398: The Daisies threw a pizza party to enjoy with parents and handed out badges. From left are Laci P., Nina Q., Ellie M., Ellie C., Keirsten J. and Haley H.

Troop 14629: After collecting hygiene items for Papaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pantry, Kate J., Kylie A., Zoe P., Madelyn A. and Hannah P. celebrated with a Christmas party. 44

Troop 14611: Leighton S., Angelina M., Ashley S. and Ava G. get a close look at their troopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kaper chart, presented with flowers that have their meeting jobs clipped to them.

Troop 14624: Girls planted a tree at the Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation facility in Canton. From left: Lexi M., Amelia H., Payton H., Alexis B., Claire C., Ava L. and Sharee A.

Scouting 2014

Cub Scout Pack 37: Approximately 180 scouts and family members of Pack 37, chartered by Sixes Elementary, spent a couple days at the U.S Space and Center in Huntsville, AL in January.

Cub Scout Pack 37: (from left) Van F., Ryan R. and Nate B. at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Cub Scout Pack 37: Nick T., John D., and Baldwin M. with astronaut suit exhibit.

Cub Scout Pack 125: Members get ready for the Holly Springs Christmas Parade.

Cub Scout Pack 37: Members Grant H. and Devin Y. enjoy a painting activity.

Cub Scout Pack 125: The Tiger Cubs of Den 5 visit the Holly Springs Fire Station. SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Faith

A Golden Opportunity to Show the Source of Your Hope BY DR. JOE MCKECHNIE

I’ve only been a part of the Sixes community for less than two years, but I have come to appreciate the area’s rich history. I enjoy reading and studying about those who have come before us. The Cherokee Indians occupied this area for hundreds of years, and even after the formation of the United States (and the state of Georgia, for that matter), very few settlers or pioneers ventured here. Even as late as 1825, historical records show that modernDr. Joe McKechnie is the senior pastor of Sixes day Cherokee County was home to United Methodist Church, 13,000 Native Americans, 1,277 slaves and a member of the owned by Indians, and 225 people of Sixes Living community European descent. board. Email him at joe@ But all of that changed in 1828. sixesumc.org. That’s when gold was discovered in north Georgia. While the Cherokee Indians had spoken about gold in the Blue Ridge mountains for centuries, the first American Gold Rush began in 1828 near Dahlonega (that city’s name comes from the Cherokee Indian word that means “gold”). But there are many who claim that the Sixes community was actually home to the first gold mines in

Georgia. A historic marker in downtown Canton boasts that the Sixes Mine was the first place in Georgia to mine gold, and there’s historical evidence that the Sixes Mine was operational nearly a decade before the 1828 discovery of gold in Dahlonega. As gold was discovered and people flocked to this community, the government of our young nation wanted to expel the Indians off this land. This eventually led to Cherokee Indians being rounded up and incarcerated at Fort Sixes until they were forced to join other Native Americans on the Trail of Tears to modern-day Oklahoma. Up to one-third of the Indians died during this long trek west. It is a dark time in our nation’s history. The community in which we live really started to thrive because of gold. People flock to things of worth. One person discovers gold, and soon countless others rush in to try to find more. Gold is valuable, and thus people are in pursuit of it. This area has never been the same. This final paragraph is for those of you who are Christians – followers of Jesus. How valuable, to you, is your faith? Your relationship with Christ? Your walk with God? Through your attitude, words, actions, and reactions, can people see Christ as the source? Can others point to you and say, “I want what she has?” Do they see Jesus as the source of your peace, hope, joy, and love? People were drawn to this community by the promise of gold. How are people being drawn to Jesus by you? Through your influence on and love for others, may heaven never be the same!

Actions, Deeds Reflect the Seeds We Have Planted BY SYLINA BUEHNE

The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises. --Leo Buscaglia The days are starting to get longer and warmer, and Sylina Buehne is a Native the first flowers of spring are American shaman and breaking through. Weather may medicine woman trained sometimes surprise us, but the in the Creek, Cherokee and seasons always turn, stirring Maya traditions. She is an outreach coordinator for The the seeds to reach toward the Monroe Institute and former light. In much the same way as instructor at the Edgar Cayce our gardens grow, our words and Association of Research and deeds are the seeds we sow in Enlightenment. Sylina has a the garden of life. The seeds you Ph.D. in herbal medicine and is pursuing a doctorate in divinity. choose to plant in your garden this spring will determine the color and character of your harvest. In much the same way, your thoughts, words and actions today will shape your future. While it may sometimes surprise us, ultimately we are each responsible for the world we create for ourselves. 46

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

We say we want more positivity in our life, yet we’re often stuck in judgment, negativity, even hate. When we complain or judge our family, neighbors, job or our finances, we’re planting the seeds to grow more of those complaints. When we spread love, compassion and kindness, we will harvest a healthier, more beautiful abundance. Seeds are planted for our destiny in many ways. These seeds take root through our thoughts and words. Becoming mindful of these will assist us in harvesting what we desire instead of our worries. We can cultivate a mindful practice to learn to observe our worries, but not accept them. What we voice affects us as much as it does those who hear it. Science tells us that every action creates an equal reaction. Our actions and behavior will always have a consequence in what we are producing. Many different religions and spiritual traditions teach us that we reap what we sow. The Bible says in Job 4:8 that “those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” We all know expressions like: “What goes around comes around,” and “like attracts like.” There are many books, seminars and movies about the law of attraction and manifestation. Eastern traditions talk about karma. All traditions and philosophies are ultimately trying to describe the same thing: to reap the rewards of life, we dig deep, plant what truly makes us happy, and tend to it as it grows.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Canton

A Chance to Network – and Tips on How to Do It BY MEGHAN GRIFFIN

Meghan Griffin is Canton’s Main Street Director. She was raised in a military family and grew up all over the United States, mostly in Kodiak, Alaska. She has happily called Canton home for the last 10 years.

Did you know that the Canton Main Street Program offers a monthly networking and informational meeting for local business, residents and visitors? It’s free, with coffee and great food from 8:16 Coffee and The Soul Food Market. Last month, we met at DreamKey Realty and heard Bill Ramsey of RightFit HR give tips on networking for introverts. If you are like me, meeting lots of people or attending crowded conferences can be daunting. However, according to Bill, introverts make the best networkers because they are comfortable with listening to others; the best conversationalist is the one

that rarely speaks. Others share their knowledge and stories and it makes the other person feel valued and comfortable. I can definitely handle being quiet and listening, if it’ll help me when I’m meeting new people. Bill also shared other tips on networking for introverts, including a basic one about remembering to smile. I get nervous when going to large meetings and it can be hard for me to remember to smile when I’m busy trying not to stumble over my words. I really would like to work seriously on this suggestion for the next conference I attend. He also suggested taking a notepad and making a couple of notes when you talk with people or making notes on the back of their business cards. These are just a few things that introverted people can do when networking or just meeting new folks. Bill’s talk is one of many that we will have this year to help you in your professional life. The topic of the next talk is Branding Your Business, which will be given by Bunker Design Collaborative at 8 a.m. March 11 at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St. Remember, it’s free and open to the public. And if you’re new to the group and a bit introverted, it’s okay. Just re-read this article and join us!

CANTON MAIN STREET PROGRAM BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Yawn’s Books & More, Inc. Yawn’s Books & More in downtown Canton offers a variety of books by local and national writers, as well as publishing services for prospective authors. The selection at Yawn’s appeals to readers interested in topics ranging from local history and children’s books to devotions, fiction and nonfiction. Books that aren’t in stock can be ordered and usually arrive within a few days. The online store at www. yawnsbooks.com is another option for purchasing hard-to-find books. The services offered by the publishing arm of Yawn’s include a personal meeting to discuss the author’s project and answer questions and a professional final product—including an eBook option—with a custom cover. Yawn’s also offers several affordable plans, including a no-fee option, to get each book on its way to the shelves. Farris Yawn, who had always dreamed of owning a bookstore, opened Yawn’s Books in 2004 and Yawn’s Publishing in 2006. He and his mother Nadine have published more than 100 books and eBooks, and have worked with authors from ages 11 to 86—proof that age isn’t a factor when it comes to the desire to write. The philosophy at Yawn’s is that everyone has at least one book to write. Manuscripts are being accepted now for summer release. Farris extends an invitation to visit Canton’s hometown bookstore, located at 198 North St. (678) 880-1922. 48

SIXES LIVING | October 2013

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Downtown Woodstock

Amy’s Transformation BY JODI TIBERIO

Jodi Tiberio owns Branches Boutique for women in Towne Lake and brooklynn’s boutique for men and women in Downtown Woodstock. Contact Jodi at info@ shopthreads.net.

Amy Walker is a teacher at Bascomb Elementary School. She has seen several of her co-workers receive makeovers through our program and has been ramping up her style on her own. She has listened to the advice in my columns, shops at smaller stores, which offer more personalized service, and she asks for help. We have gotten to know her and what

will look good on her. Amy is thin but has not been wearing skinny jeans because she did not feel they look good her. Like everyone else, she just needed to find the right pair for her. Many women who wear a smaller size in tops than they do in pants feel this way. Balancing the look with a scarf or chunky piece of jewelry helps to add shape and weight up top. We chose a pair of coral skinny jeans from Scarlet Boulevard. I love their colored denim because the price is low (under $35), and the fit is great! We put together several tops to go with the jeans so she would have a lot of choices. Our favorite outfit, however, was the black and white pattern dress from Hourglass Lilly. Their fabrics are so soft and beautiful. The shapes of their clothing are classic and look great on many women. Paired with leggings, this outfit works for school or date night with her husband. The maxi dresses for spring are amazing! With a lot of new clothing options, Amy left for her salon appointment. After Amy was outfitted, she went to Salon Gloss to complete her transformation. After a consultation with owner Tim Timmons, it was agreed that Amy would keep the length of her hair, yet drastically change her color. Amy mentioned that several of her family members had red hair, and she was ready for a major color change. Tim took Amy’s very dark hair to a vibrant copper-red shade accented by copper highlights. The result of the color change instantly took years off her appearance. Next, it was time for her haircut. Amy’s current hairstyle consisted of mismatched layers that she would wear in a ponytail. The objective was to maintain her current length but redesign her layers to add a more flattering shape and softness. Tim finished off her haircut by adding a softer side-swept fringe that fell right into her layering. The transformation was completed with a makeup consultation and application with Will, aimed at helping Amy to know which colors worked best for her new look as well as quick application techniques that will help her to repeat her look at home. These makeovers just keep getting better every month. Amy looks so amazing! I know it is a big change for her to see herself with a new hair color and make-up. She works so hard and does such a great job for her family and her students. I am very proud of her for doing this for herself. 50

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Downtown Woodstock

Friday Night Live Returns BY KYLE BENNETT

Main Street Woodstock is excited to announce the 2014 schedule for the Friday Night Live Series, presented by the Bank of North Georgia. This is the sixth year Friday Night Live series which has proved to be a wildly popular event. Each year, the series brings people to downtown Woodstock for a night of fun in the heart of the city the first Friday of every month. Friday Night Live, which runs from 6 – 9 p.m., offers the chance to enjoy the many restaurants and stores in the area. Kyle Bennett is the Each month features a different director of tourism theme, with participating merchants for the Woodstock hosting activities that include live Downtown Development Authority. He can be bands. Organizers of the series have reached at kbennett@ planned unique contests like 80s woodstockga.gov. Night and Hippie costume contests, and a Hollywood celebrity look-a-like contest. At each Friday Night Live, participants have a chance to win

a $100 Downtown Woodstock Gift Certificate, which can be used at any downtown merchant.. Participants earn one entry in the drawing for every $10 spent at a downtown business during the event. To enter, bring your receipt (s) to the Woodstock Visitor’s Center.

Friday Night Live March 7: Mardi Gras On Main April 4: ’80s Night – Bring out those Members Only jackets for ’80s Night! From disco to pap, bangs to gig hair, come and relive the magic of the ’80s. May 2: Dos de Mayo – Bring out that sombrero and enjoy the area’s only Dos de Mayo Party. It’s South of the Border in South Cherokee! June 6: Dog Days of Summer – Find relief from the Dog Days of summer. July 11: Americafest Salute to the Troops – Join the fun as we celebrate America and salute the troops. Aug. 1: Summer of Love – Hippiefest- No pond bathing here, but we can promise a summer-lovin’ time. Break out the tie-dyes and headbands for a little early autumn fun as the history of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival is celebrated! Peace, love, and rock & roll. Sept. 5: The Great Downtown Tailgate – Put on your team colors and strike up the band for a little early autumn fun! Oct. 3: Oktoberfest – Grab a brew with your crew and have a blast too! Nov. 7: Hollywood Night – Celebrate all things Hollywood. Dec. 5: Christmas on Main – The perfect chance for Christmas shopping and having fun at the same time. Santa has already RSVP’d! For more information visit whatsupwoodstock.com or call the Woodstock Visitors Center at (770)924-0406

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Downtown Woodstock

Experience Elm Street

One Great Idea for Thousands to Enjoy BY G. LORA GROOMS

If you have students in Cherokee County schools, they may come home one day soon talking about a special assembly. The iThink Free School Tour is happening again in March and April across the county, sponsored by the CarMax Foundation and Georgia Power Foundation. It all started a few years ago when I finally had Siobhan Brumbelow on board as a fulltime staff member. Though I had G. Lora Grooms is the lots of volunteer help, I really director for the Elm Street needed someone in the trenches Cultural Arts Village. with me on a daily basis. I had all She has been teaching, kinds of programming ideas and writing, directing and not enough time to implement performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. You can them. I don’t think she had reach her at director@ been at her desk for more than a elmstreetarts.org couple of hours before I sprung one of those ideas on her: a free program of some kind to tour the local schools. I didn’t know how it would be funded at that time, but that wasn’t the point. We needed to do it. Siobhan is superbly creative, and I knew she’d come up with something spectacular. Within a couple of days, she presented the concept of an improv troupe going into the schools with stories to act out, improv games and a third component to encourage writing and literacy. She wanted the students to write their own stories to be handed to the troupe in a folder upon arrival at the school. After performing a piece selected by the teacher in charge - such as “The Cat in the Hat” or “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” - the troupe would select a few of the student writings to act out in a similar fashion. On the spot. No rehearsal. The writer would get to stand with the troupe while his or her story is performed live. You can imagine what a thrilling moment that could be for a young writer. As if that wasn’t enough, Siobhan and the troupe started creating mini-movies of some of the particularly well-crafted stories that were in the folder but hadn’t been picked at random for the live show. There is a link to the mini-movies on our website, www.elmstreetarts. org, to demonstrate how it works. This wonderful program has impacted thousands of students over the years, thanks to the ingenuity and talent of Elm Street’s Siobhan Brumbelow and the iThink Improv Troupe she created. 54

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

CITY CENTER • WOODSTOCK

MARCH

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Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

SUMMER CAMPS ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251

SIXES LIVING AREA HOMES SOLD IN JANUARY Sixes Living Sales for January 2014 List Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

99,900 157,000 199,700 225,000 227,500 221,000 349,899 365,000 405,000 465,000 549,900 119,900 226,890 270,000 182,900 229,000 440,000 167,500 179,900 199,900 199,900

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

139,900 219,900 275,000 212,000 350,000 289,900 209,900 265,000 148,000 149,000 154,900 134,900 149,900 179,900 289,810 133,750 174,900 199,900 123,000 102,000 112,000

226,056

Days on Market 523 Charles DR Barrett Farms 3 2 2001 114 600 Spring TRL Barrett Farms 4 2.5 2001 6 202 Springshade CT BridgeMill 4 2.5.5 1998 89 4062 Gold Mill RDG BridgeMill 4 2.5 2003 52 4022 Gold Mill RDG BridgeMill 3 2 2004 7 1353 Bridge Mill AVE BridgeMill 5 3 2001 143 211 Harbor RDG BridgeMill 5 4.5 2005 181 903 RAVEN PT BridgeMill 6 4 2000 109 200 Pheasant Hills CT BridgeMill 5 5 2005 3 1382 Bridgemill AVE BridgeMill 6 5.5 2000 70 101 Laketowne LN BridgeMill 6 5.5 2006 85 103 Cedar VLY Cedar Valley 3 2 1986 70 129 Cherokee Reserve CIR Cherokee Reserve 4 2.5 2013 74 101 Copper TRL Copper Creek 5 4 1999 70 524 CRESTMONT LN Crestmont 4 2.5 2013 96 108 Eagle Ridge DR Eagle Ridge 4 2.5 1994 59 363 Waterford Falls DR Falls Of Cherokee 5 4 2005 276 932 Idlewood DR Harmony on the Lakes 3 2.5 2009 130 724 Berkeley TER Harmony on the Lakes 3 2.5 2010 24 307 Abbey CT Harmony on the Lakes 3 2.5 2004 91 946 Idlewood DR Harmony on the Lakes 4 3 2007 2 See all the photos and details of these sold listings at http://SLJAN2014.HomeSalesData.info 347 Hidden Creek LN Hidden Creek 3 2.5 2007 1 1095 Blankets Creek DR Highland Point 4 2.5 2013 189 1066 Blankets Creek DR Highland Point 5 2.5 2000 17 419 Deepstream XING Holly Springs 4 2.5 2006 12 750 Lake Overlook DR Lake Sovereign 5 3.5 2000 162 1018 Boxwood LN Manor At Bridgemill 4 4 2006 61 248 Manous WAY Manous Manor 4 2.5 2013 6 245 Parc DR Park At Steels Bridge 4 3.5 2012 65 605 Cedar PL Prominence Point 3 2.5 2004 21 616 Laurel BND Prominence Point 4 2.5 2005 4 402 Pepperbush BND Prominence Point 3 2.5 2003 6 1563 River Park BLVD River Park 3 2.5 2005 26 226 Hiawassee DR River Park 3 2.5 2004 25 111 Village DR Station At Prominence 3 2.5 2005 44 116 HALE VW The Park At Steels Bridge 5 3 2013 143 319 MEADOWS LN View at Holly Mill 4 3 2003 5 207 Villa Creek PKWY Villas At Downing Creek 3 2.5 2002 68 571 Wentworth CT Wentworth 5 3.5 1999 22 237 Woodland WAY Woodland 3 2.5 2003 36 261 Woodland WAY Woodland Village 3 2.5 2002 139 241 WOODLAND WAY Woodland Village 3 2.5 2002 39 Address

AVERAGES IN JAN 2014

Subdivision

Beds

Baths

Yr Built

Housing inventroy is still relatively low. We are in a seller's market. Early indications suggest that more homes will be enterin the market in the first quarter than in 2013. Get your home on the market now while the supply is still low!

67.67

Sales Price

$$/sq ft

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

117,334 147,000 180,000 220,000 220,000 221,000 335,000 335,000 410,000 445,000 525,000 113,000 220,000 268,000 182,900 219,350 426,000 162,500 179,400 190,000 199,900

No data $ 86 $ 91 $ 91 $ 103 $ 77 $ 70 $ 77 $ 85 $ 92 $ 78 No data $ 78 $ 83 $ 76 $ 94 $ 76 $ 69 $ 88 $ 83 $ 99

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

139,900 221,380 270,000 214,000 350,000 265,000 213,383 261,000 141,000 142,500 154,900 137,000 151,200 171,000 275,810 138,600 175,000 192,000 120,000 91,000 111,000

$ 74 $ 96 $ 87 $ 97 $ 119 $ 77 $ 95 $ 77 $ 75 $ 76 $ 78 $ 56 $ 90 $ 71 No data $ 60 $ 99 $ 82 $ 91 No data $ 81

220,287

Data compiled by the Kurt & Sheila Team / Keller Williams Realty Partners / www.KurtandSheila.com Sales Data derived from the FMLS (Area covered by Sixes Living)

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Reference

SIXES AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations

www.CherokeeCountyAnimalLeague.org.

Canton Cherokee Business and Professional Women’s Club Meets: Noon on third Thursdays at Canton IHOP Contact: Glenda Hinton (770) 345-1751

Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association of GA supports foster parents. Contact: Marie Blackwell (770) 378-0759 www.fosteroradopt.org

Canton Communicators Toastmasters Club Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Canton YMCA. Contact: Steven Van Schooten, (770) 366-8224 www.toastmasters.org

Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens. Contact: (770) 345-2675 www.cherokeega.com

Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets: 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 customerservice@aloveoftravel.com

Cherokee County Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. http://www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org

Cherokee B2B Network Meets: 8 a.m. second and fourth Thursdays at Best Western, 705 Transit Ave., Canton 30114 Contact: (770) 781-3452 www.CherokeeB2B.com Cherokee Toastmasters Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at City On A Hill UMC, 7745 Main St., Woodstock 30188 www.CherokeeToastmasters.com Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets: Third Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: Shahida Baig (678) 445-3900 Facebook: Empowered Women Through Synergy Woodstock Business Networking Group Meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Atlanta Bread Company, 180 Woodstock Square Ave., Contact: Lee West (770) 591-7101

Charitable Organizations Ahimsa House for victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety. Contact: 24-hour line (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org American Heart Association - Cherokee Division Contact: (678) 385-2013 American Red Cross metro chapter Contact: (770) 428-2695 Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility for girls 12-18 to learn self-sufficiency. Contact: (770) 479-9555 www.angelhousega.com Anna Crawford Children’s Center a child abuse and prevention program for children and adults. Contact: (770) 345-8100 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org CASA for Children, Inc. needs volunteers to help advocate for children in the court system. Contact: Deidre Hollands (770) 345-3274 www.casacherokee.org Cherokee County Animal League is an association of pet owners, retailers, pet service providers, pet food pantries, veterinary offices, and rescue groups working together to care for and celebrate pets. Contact: Steve Monahan at (770) 712-4077.

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Cherokee County Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. Contact: (770) 479-1703, in Spanish (770) 7207050, www.cfvc.org Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level coaches and athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Contact: Bill Queen (404) 441-3508 www.cherokeefca.org Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. Contact: Sonia Carruthers (770) 345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. Contact: (678) 640-3512 www.communityveterinarycare.com Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. Email aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com Forever Fed is a mobile food ministry that addresses physical hunger and hopelessness in North Georgia by providing meals and sharing the gospel. www.foreverfed.org Georgia Animal Project offers high quality, lowcost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. Contact: (770) 704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly back-to-school bash where thousands of children in need are given filled backpacks, haircuts, socks, underwear, gently used clothing and health screenings to prepare them to go back to school. www.giveakidachance.org Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 34 young men ages 8-21 call the ranch their home. Contact: (770) 796-4618 www.goshenvalley.org Habitat for Humanity North Central GA Contact: (770) 345-1879 www.habitat-ncg.org

Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses to find hope and healing. Contact: Jennifer Simonis (770) 633-4451 www.hhyr.org Hope Center offers pregnant teens, single women pregnancy testing and counseling, childbirth and parenting classes, budget counseling, provision of maternity and baby supplies. Contact: (770) 924-0864, www.hopectr.com Hope Center — Baby & More Thrift Store Contact: (770) 517-4450 www.babyandmorethriftstore.com HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. Contact: (678) 391-5950, www.hqmg.org international City of Refuge (iCOR) exists to share God’s love, hope and healing with children in need by providing loving homes with emphasis on family unification when approproiate. Contact: Lily Colgate (404) 992-8155 http://icor-orphans.org Iron Hearts is a therapeutic horsemanship program for children and adults with special needs. Contact: (678) 493-5775 www.ironhearts.org MUST Ministries offers clothes closet, employment services, GED prep classes, food pantry for Cherokee residents. Contact: Kendall Jones (770) 479-5397 www.mustministries.org National Alliance for Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org Never Alone offers food and clothing assistance to residents of Cherokee County. Apply online or by calling (770) 363.5272. www.neveralone.org. Next Step Ministries provides day programs Monday through Saturday for special needs kids, teens, and young adults. Contact: 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. Contact: (706) 253-6303 www.ngapregnancy.org Papa’s Pantry partners with individuals facing a critical shortage of food or finances due to an unexpected crisis or job loss. Offers life skills, job classes, food pantry. Contact: (770) 591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Safe Kids of Georgia offers free child safety seat inspections. Contact: (770) 721-7808 www.cherokeesafekids.org

SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Also offers mission trips. Contact: (770) 516-1108 www.servone.org

Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets: 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Northside Cherokee Medical Offices, 100 Stoneforest Dr., first floor conference room, Woodstock 30189 Contact (770) 517-3363 ext. 3 www.addlaughter.com

Civic Organizations

Christian Authors Guild Meets: 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock 30189 www.christianauthorsguild.org

BridgeMill-Sixes Service League Contact: Marlyn Patouillet (770) 345-7941 www.bssl.org Canton Lions Club Contact: (678) 224-7878 www.lionsofcanton.org Canton Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Canton IHOP Contact: canton_optimist@hotmail.com https://sites.google.com/site/cantonoptimistclub/ home Canton Rotary Club Meets: Noon Tuesdays at the Cherokee Conference Center at the Bluffs www.cantongarotary.org Cherokee County Historical Society Contact: (770) 345-3288 www.rockbarn.org Cherokee County Service League (770) 704-5991 Cherokee Triad S.A.L.T. (Senior and Law Enforcement Together) Council works to alleviate fear of victimization, build confidence, enhance delivery of law enforcement services and improve quality of life for senior population. Contact: Dale Walz at dale.walz@yahoo.com. www.saltcherokee.com Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Sidelines Grille on Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton Contact: (770) 683-1327 www.cherokeerotary.org

Political Organizations Cherokee County Democrat Party Meets: 7 p.m. 2nd Thursdays at Holly Springs Depot, 164 Hickory Rd., Holly Springs. 8:30 a.m. 1st Saturdays at IHOP, 3010 Northside Pkwy., Canton 30014 Contact: (770) 345-3489 www.cherokeedemocrats.com/d2/ Cherokee County Republican Party Meets: Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill Contact: (678) 809-1411 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Contact: Conrad Quaqliaroli (770) 592-6545 Republican Women of Cherokee County Contact: (678) 520-2236 www.rwccga.com

Recreation & Hobbies Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets: 10 a.m. second Saturdays at Studio 101, 101 Emma Ln., Woodstock 30188 www.artsalliancega.org

Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. second Saturdays at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton 30115 Contact: (770) 704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee Community Chorale, a community of singers from all walks of life including housewives, teachers, retired professionals, office managers and professional musicians who love the art of choral singing. Contact: (678) 439-8625 www.cherokeechorale.org Cherokee County Master Gardeners: (770) 479-0418 www.caes.uga.edu/extension/cherokee/ mastergardeners/ Cherokee County Saddle Club www.cherokeesaddleclub.com Cherokee Music Teachers Association: Contact: Linda Lokey (770) 720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org Cherokee Senior Softball Association www.cssasoftball.com The Funk Heritage Center Book Club Meets: 2 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Funk Heritage Center, 7300 Reinhardt College Pkwy., Waleska 30183 Contact: (770) 720-5970 www.reinhardt.edu/funkheritage Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton 30114 www.cherokeechapter.com

Support Organizations AA Meetings Meets 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, noon Monday-Friday, 7 p.m. Monday, 4 p.m. Sunday (for women) at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30115 Contact: (770) 479-6961 Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Meets: 8 p.m. Thursdays at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Rd., Canton 30114; Al-Anon at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Al-A-Teen at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock 30189; Al-Anon at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Studio 121, 121 Brown St., Canton 30114. Contact: (770) 516-3502

AARP Woodstock Chapter Meets: 11:30 a.m. 2nd Tuesdays at Featherstones, 1003 Towne Lake Hills E, Woodstock 30189 Contact: Rich Sanford (770) 926-1944. Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meets: 3rd Thursday at Emeritus Woodstock Estates, 1000 Professional Way, Woodstock 30188 Contact: (770) 926-0119 Breast Cancer Support Group: Cancer Support Community Atlanta Contact: (404) 843-1880 http://cancersupportcommunityatlanta.org Celebrate Recovery Christ-centered program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups • 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. (770) 345-7644. www.sixesumc.org • 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at FaithPointe Church. (770) 833-7143. www.faithpointe.org. • 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, GA 30114 (678) 764-8660 Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders of all Christian denominations. Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month at Dayspring Church, 6835 Victory Dr., Woodstock 30189, www.cherokeeministers.org Diabetes Support Group Meets 3rd Tuesday at 9:30 & 11 a.m. at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Rd., Woodstock Linda Watson, (770) 793-7818. Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors by offering small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. Contact: (727) 251-7690 www.gracevalleyministries.org Lupus Support Group Meets: 2nd Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the New Light Church hall on New Light Road. Contact: Pam Bennett at (404) 975-7580 MOMS Club of Canton, West GA (serving Canton, Ball Ground, Waleska and Holly Springs) http://momsclubofcantonwest.webs.com Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday Respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. Contact: (770) 592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net Northwest Atlanta Moms of Multiples for parents of multiples Meets: 7 p.m. second Mondays at North Metro Church on Barrett Parkway www.NOWAMOM.org Recovery Meetings in downtown Canton 9 a.m. Sunday 11th Step; 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays “Serenity Sisters” 6 p.m. Wednesdays “Wednesday Night Wisdom” at Studio 121, 121 Brown St., Canton 30114 Contact: (770) 479-696 Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center Contact: Kelly (678) 677-2589 SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Reference

SIXES AREA COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Canton Adventist 411 Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30114 (678) 880-0106, www.cantonadventist.org

AME

Allen Temple 232 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-6348, www.allentempleame.org St. Paul AME 390 Crisler St., Canton 30114 (770) 479-9691, www.stpaulame-canton.org

BAPTIST

First Baptist Canton One Mission Point, Canton 30114 (770) 479-5538, www.fbccanton.org First Baptist Holly Springs 2632 Holly Springs Pkwy., Holly Springs 30142 (770) 345-5349, www.fbchollysprings.com First Baptist Woodstock 11905 Ga. 92, Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-4428, www.fbcw.org Heritage Baptist Fellowship 3615 Reinhardt College Pkwy. Canton 30114 (770) 479-9415, www.heritagebaptistfellowship.com Hopewell Baptist 78 Ridge Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 345-5723, www.hopewellbaptist.com Mt. Zion Baptist 4096 East Cherokee Dr., Canton 30115 (770) 479-3324, www.mtzb.org

LUTHERAN

Celebration of Grace 411 Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 503-5050, www.celebrationofgrace.org Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock 30189 (770) 924-7286, www.gslutheran.org Living Hope Lutheran Church 3450 Stilesboro Road NW, Kennesaw (770) 425-6726 / office@livinghopega.com www.LivingHopeGA.com

St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 516-0009, www.saintmichaelcc.org

Canton First 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30115 (770) 479-2502, www.cantonfirstumc.org

NONDENOMINATIONAL

Bascomb UMC 2299 Bascomb Carmel Rd., Woodstock 30189 (770) 926-9755, www.bascombchurch.org

City On A Hill 7745 Main St., Woodstock 30188 (678) 445-3480, www.coahumc.org Fields Chapel 1331 Fields Chapel Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 479-6030, www.fieldschapel.org Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock 30189 (770) 924-4777, www.hillsideumc.org

Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton 30114 (678) 493-8920, www.libertyhillumc.org

Sutallee Baptist 895 Knox Bridge Hwy., White 30184 (770) 479-0101, www.sutalleebaptistchurch.com

Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 345-7644, www.sixesumc.org

Toonigh Baptist 4999 Old Highway 5, Lebanon 30146 www.toonighbaptistchurch.lifewaylink.com

Woodstock UMC 109 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock 30188

EPISCOPAL

NAZARENE

JEWISH

ORTHODOX

(770) 926-6440 , www.gbgm-umc.org/woodstockumc-ga

Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 www.wcnga.com

Chabad Jewish Center 4255 Wade Green Rd. NW, Suite 120, Kennesaw 30144, (678) 460-7702 www.jewishWoodstock.com

St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Dr., Woodstock 30188 (770) 485-0504, www.stelizabethga.org

Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation (678) 264-8575, www.mynertamid.org

Fivestones Church 155 P Rickman Industrial Dr., Canton, GA 30115 (770)720-2227, www.fivestoneschurch.info

Congregation Beth Hallel 950 Pine Grove Rd., Roswell 30075 (770) 641-3000, www.bethhallel.org

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-0074, www.woodstockpcusa.com

METHODIST

River Church 2335 Sixes Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 485-1975 www.riveratlanta.org

Tikvah l’Chaim 4206 N. Arnold Mill, Woodstock 30188 (678) 936-4125, www.tlchaim.com

Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth 30102 (770) 926-3558, www.heritagepres.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Holly Springs 2464 Holly Springs Pkwy., Canton 30115 (770) 345-2883, www.hollyspringsumc.com

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS

Grace Church 1160 Butterworth Rd., Canton 30114 (678) 493-9869, www.gracecanton.org

Timothy 556 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 928-2812 www.TLCWoodstock.org

New Victoria Baptist 6659 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock 30189 (770) 926-8448, www.newvicbaptist.org

Saint Clement’s 2795 Ridge Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 345-6722, www.stclementscanton.org

(770) 833-3797, www.genevaopc.org

PENTECOSTAL

PRESBYTERIAN

Cherokee 1498 Johnson Brady Rd., Canton 30115 (770) 704-9564, www.cherokee-pca.org Geneva Orthodox Meets at Hope Presbyterian Church, 4101 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta

Our Lady of LaSalette 2941 Sam Nelson Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 479-8923, www.lasalettecanton.com

AllPoints Church 6884 Hickory Flat Hwy, Woodstock, GA 30188 www.allpointschurch.org Awakening Church 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140, Woodstock (770) 924-4150, www.awakeningwoodstock.com Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 924-7532, www.christianpraisecenter.com Church of the Messiah 415 Charles Cox Drive Canton, GA 30115 770.479.5280 www.churchofthemessiah.net Sr. Pastor Rev Fred Goodwin Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Dr., Acworth 30102 (770) 516-5733, www.dayspring-online.com His Hands 550 Molly Ln., Woodstock 30189 (770) 405-2500, www.hishandschurch.com Ministry House. 347 Holly Street Canton 30114. (678) 459-2347, http://MinistryHouse.org Pastor Ronnie and Penny Haynes New Covenant Bible 1095 Scott Rd, Canton 30115 (770) 479-6412, www.newcovenantcanton.org Oak Leaf 151 East Marietta St., Canton 30114 (678) 653-4652, www.oakleafcanton.com Revolution Church 125 Union Trail Hill, Canton 30115 (770) 345-2737, www.therevolution.tv Sojourn Community Church Worship at 231 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 769-7495 www.sojournwoodstock.com Spirit Connection’s Soul Medicine Sundays Suite 106, 3725 Sixes Rd. Canton 30114 (770) 479-4193 www.harvestmoonmarket.com Sunnyside Church of God 2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock, (770)693-1018, www.sunnysidecog.com Watermarke Church worship location: 2126 Sixes Rd., Canton 30114, (678) 880-9092, www.watermarkechurch.com Woodstock Community 237 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-8990, www.woodstockcommunitychurch.org

COMMUNITY INFORMATION Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Cherokee County Government Building Permits, Business Licenses Commissioners Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) Environmental Health Extension Office Jury Phone Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) Planning & Land Use Senior Services Voter Registration

(770) 345-0400 www.cherokeega.com (770) 721-7810 (678) 493-6001 (678) 493-6077 (770) 479-0444 (770) 479-0418 (770) 479-9011 (770) 479-1953 (678) 493-6101 (770) 345-2675 (770) 479-0407

Taxes

License Plates/Tags, Property Tax – Canton office (678) 493-6400 Woodstock office (770) 924-4099 Renewals online https://mvd.dor.ga.gov/tags/ Tax Assessors/Evaluation (678) 493-6120

Children and Family

Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. www.fosteroradopt.org (770) 378-0759 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee FOCUS (770) 345-5483 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) www.casacherokee.org (770) 345-3274 Division of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 Goshen Valley Boys Ranch www.goshenvalley.org (770) 796-4618 Hope Center www.hopectr.com (770) 924-0864 MUST Ministries - Cherokee www.mustministries.org (770) 479-5397 Never Alone www.neveralone.org (770) 363-5272 Next Step Ministries www.nextstepministries.net (770) 592-1227 North Georgia Angel House www.angelhousega.com (770) 479-9555 North Georgia Pregnancy Center www.ngapregnancy.org (706) 253-6303 Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org (770) 591-4730 Timothy’s Cupboard Food Bank www.tlcwoodstock.org (770) 591-5515

Hospitals

Kennestone North Fulton Northside Hospital — Cherokee

Hotlines — 24-hour help lines

Battered Women Hotline Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) Poison Control Center Poison Control Center (outside metro Atlanta) Probate Court Information Line Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center

Parks and Recreation

BridgeMill Athletic Club Callahan Golf Links Cherokee County YMCA Cherokee County Soccer Assoc. www.csaimpact.com

(770) 793-5000 (770) 751-2500 (770) 720-5100

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency www.crpa.net. (770) 924-7768 (Includes Aquatic Center, Barnett Park, Blankets Creek, Cherokee Mills, Field’s Landing Park, Kenny Askew Park) Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com North Atlanta Soccer Association: www.nasa-ga.org (770) 926-4175 SCRA Baseball www.scrabaseball.com Wildlife Action, Inc. www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com (770) 924-7464

Pets

Animal Control (678) 493-6200 Animal Shelter & Pet Adoptions www.cherokeega-animals.org (770) 345-7270 Cherokee County Humane Society www.cchumanesociety.org (770) 928-5115 Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Funds 4Furry Friends (770) 842-8893 Lost Pets: www.townelaker.com. (click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet) Pet Buddies Food Pantry www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Community Veterinary Care www.communityveterinarycare.com (678) 640-3512

Post Office locations Canton Holly Springs Lebanon Woodstock

(770) 720-8164 (770) 345-6318 (770) 591-9467 (770) 591-0364

Police Departments

Canton Holly Springs Woodstock Sheriff’s Office www.cherokeega-sheriff.org

(770) 720-4883 (770) 345-5537 (770) 592-6030 (678) 493-4100

Utilities

Atlanta Gas Light Co. www.aglc.com Canton Water www.canton-georgia.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Auth. www.ccwsa.com Cobb EMC www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power www.georgiapower.com Woodstock Water www.woodstockga.gov Recycling Center

(770) 907-4231 (770) 704-1500 (770) 479-1813 (770) 429-2100 (888) 660-5890 (770) 926-8852 (770) 516-4195

Free, Reduced-Price Health Care (770) 479-1703 (770) 345-7920 (404) 616-9000 (800) 222-1222 (770) 704-2610 (770) 427-3390

(770) 345-5500 (770) 720-1900 (770) 591-5820 (770) 704-0187

Bethesda Community Clinic www.bethesdacommunityclinic.org Cherokee County Health Department www.nghd.org/CherokeeHealth

Urgent Care Facilities

M.D. Minor Emergency & Family Medicine, off Riverstone Pkwy, 720 Transit Ave., Suite 101 Canton Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, off exit 11 at I-575 SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110 Canton 30114 Wellstar Urgent Care off exit 8, 120 Stonebridge Pkwy. Woodstock, 30189

(678) 880-9654 (770) 345-7371

(770) 720-7000

(678) 426-5450 (678) 661-3166

(678) 494-2500

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Organic Coffee for Your Health and the Environment continued from page 31

plantations, causing heavy use of pesticides, some of which have been banned in the US. Organic coffee growers still grow the old fashioned way, in the shade of the rainforest where Mother Nature provides all the nutrients and pest protection needed. Switch your coffee, and taste and feel the difference.

The MyRA, the USARF and Cash Balance Plans continued from page 16

Funds, a new private pension program. Workers would automatically defer six percent of their paychecks into these investment funds, which would be overseen by the federal government yet managed by independent trustees. Employees would be in unless they opted out. Employers wouldn’t be required to match employee contributions, and they wouldn’t shoulder any fiduciary liability for plan assets; they would simply deal with payroll deductions. Low-income participants could qualify for a “refundable savers credit” – the USARF would match as much as $2,000 of their annual contributions via direct deposit. A worker could contribute up to $10,000 annually to the USARF, with $5,500 in yearly catch-up contributions permitted for those 50 and older. Employers could optionally make per-employee contributions of up to $5,000 per year, but contributions could not vary per employee. The funds wouldn’t offer any principal protection for plan participants, but they would get a pension-like income for life, complete with survivor benefits and spousal protections. Defined benefits would only be reduced a maximum of five percent in a downturn. And how about the cash balance plan? A cash balance plan is a pooled retirement trust with characteristics of an old-school pension plan. The employer funds the plan and plan trustees make investment decisions instead of plan participants. The employer contributes X amount of dollars into each employee’s “account.” The contribution is based on X percentage of employee pay plus a fixed-interest crediting rate, usually around 4-5 percent. Assets tend to be conservatively invested, and annual contribution limits are age-weighted for shareholders – they can be much greater than those for 401(k)s. A retiree ends up with either a lump sum or lifelong income based upon their end salary. These plans are often combined with 401(k) profitsharing plans. During the 2000s, the number of cash balance plans grew by about 20 percent a year,and the trade journal Pension & Investments thinks they will be as common as 401(k)s in the coming years. 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. 60

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

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CLEANING SERVICES Victory’s Cleaning Services Home, Apartment, Office and Garage. References available. Honesty and Integrity. Call Mindreth or Victoria (404) 396-4899 now for free estimate. victorysclean@ gmail.com.

Put 20 years of experience to More info www. Call 678-278-9510

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(10 WORD MINIMUM)

Nick’s Lawn Care. 3 years experience, residential and small commercial. Free estimates. NO CONTRACT. Pay at the end of each completed month. Licensed, references, Towne Lake resident, Nick Mueller, 770-364-9921.

Small Basement Apartment, utilities included, walking distance to Lake. $500. 770-516-6633.

TUTORING

Citywide Maintenance (Marietta, GA) is looking for a part-time Sales Associate and Part-time Night Manager. In addition we are recruiting owner-operated commercial cleaning companies. Please call Scott at 770-990-3334 or visit www.gocitywide.com.

CLASSIFIED FORM

PLEASE PRINT

Month(s):  Jan  Feb  Mar

 July

Private Basement Apartment New, elegant, washer/dryer. All utilities included, swim/tennis. Deposit $300, Rent $800/month, Woodstock/ Marietta, 770-851-5557.

Sixes Living

 Around Woodstock  TowneLaker  Sixes Living PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

 Aug

LAWN SERVICES

HELP WANTED

Home & Office cleaning. Pet friendly, owner operated. No teams. Saturday available also. 20 yrs. exp. Fine detailed cleaning. Donna 770-9050237.

1/Word

Children older now? Want to work again? Local business adding one quality person. Training at your pace. Family friendly environment. Email to Kim@atllandstar.com.

FOR RENT

CLEANING SERVICES

HELP WANTED

 Sept

Certified teacher available for tutoring Grades K-5 — References available. 770-900-0703. sspennato@swiftschool.com

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CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS THE 10 th FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH'S ISSUE! SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Reference

ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government

President Barack Obama (D)

(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R)

(202) 224-3521 GA: (770) 763-9090

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov 100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://chambliss.senate.gov

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R)

1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11 100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov

(202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999

(202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931

Governor Nathan Deal (R)

(404) 652-7003 203 State Capitol, 206 Washington St. Atlanta, GA 30334 www.gov.georgia.gov

Sen. Bruce Thompson (R) District 14

(770) 546-7565

Sen. Brandon Beach (R) District 21 brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov

(404) 463-1378

Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27 Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20

michael@CaldwellforHouse.com

Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21

scot@turnerforhouse.com

(770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602 (678) 523-8570 (678) 576-2644

Commissioners

L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R) District 23

Harry Johnston (R) District 1 hjohnston@cherokeega.com rgunnin@cherokeega.com

Brian Poole (R) District 3 bpoole@cherokeega.com

Jason Nelms (R) District 4 jnelms@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

Sonya Little

Patsy Jordan (R) District 2 Michael Geist (R) District 3

Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr.

(678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431

Probate Court Judge Keith Wood (R)

(678) 493-6160

Juvenile Court Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker

District Attorney Shannon Wallace

(678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280 (770) 479-1488

Clerk of Courts Patty Baker

(678) 493-6511

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

(770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236 (770) 721-6298 x4369 (770) 893-2970

patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Chief Judge James E. Drane III (R) Judge Gregory Douds

www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

kelly.marlow@cherokee.k12.ga.us

State Court

Magistrate Court

(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420

2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com

Kelly Marlow (R) District 1

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

(678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner

Cherokee County Courts (678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240

www.cherokeega-sheriff.org

Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)

mandi.ballinger@house.ga.gov

Superior Court

(770) 735-8055

498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 rdgarrison@cherokeega.com

221 West Main St., Canton, GA 30114 drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris

lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

Rep. Sam Moore (R) District 22

Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea

www.cherokeega.com (678) 493-6001

Ray Gunnin (R) District 2

State Government

jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114

Janet Read (R) Chair

(404) 462-4950 (770) 516-1444

janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rick Steiner (R) District 4

(770) 721-4398, x4370

rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rob Usher (R) District 5

(770) 928-0341

rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Robert Wofford (R) District 6 (Vice-Chair) robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 345-6256

City Government City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques

www.woodstockga.gov (770) 592-6001

SIXES LIVING DISTRIBUTION MAP 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. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your magazine.

Sincerely, Your Friends at Sixes Living Sixes Living Distribution Map

Circulation: 16,250

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

Advertisers Index ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Burns & Speights, PC (770) 956-1400, www.bsgalaw.com

Hartman Imbriale Attorneys (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 200

Merino & Associates (770) 874-4600

Back Cover

AUTOMOTIVE Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock (770) 591-3630

BridgeMill Auto Care Canton location: (770) 720-0765 EastCobb location: (770) 641-9906

BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Bean Counter Solutions (678) 278-9510

Citadel Professional Services, LLC (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Drive, Suite 440, Kennesaw Gateway Funding, Brian Duncan (404) 860-1300

Back cover

Hill & Hill Financial, LLC (770) 672-0402 406 Creekstone Ridge, Woodstock Jeffrey L. Jackson, CPA, LLC (678) 919-1250, www.jjacksoncpa.com

Time Wise Financial, LLC Cover, 32, 33 1000 Wyngate Pkwy., Ste. 120, Woodstock (770) 420-2954, www.timewisefinancialllc.com

CHIROPRACTOR Towne Lake Family Chiropractic 1000 Wyngate Pkwy., Ste. 200, Woodstock (770) 592-1877, www.townelakechiro.com

DENTAL (Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and Pediatric) Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC (678) 810-0881, BringBackSmiles@gmail.com 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 220, Woodstock

BridgeMill Dentistry (770) 704-1812, www.bridgemilldentistry.com 3682 Sixes Road, Canton 30114

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

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 23 (770) 926-9260, www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Drive Suite 200-C S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS (770) 924-8848

Spillane Orthodontics (770) 928-4747, www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200, Woodstock

SIXES LIVING | March 2014

53 23

FUNERAL HOME Darby Funeral Home, Inc. 47 (770) 479-2193 Woodstock Funeral Home 5 8855 Main St., Woodstock, GA 30188 (770) 926-3107, www.woodstockfuneralhome.com HEALTH & BEAUTY Azure Salon & Spa (770) 345-8280 1359 Riverstone Pkwy., Suite 110, Canton Bambu Salon 150 Prominence Point Pkwy., Suite 700, Canton 30114, (770) 345-0027 Crossfit BridgeMill (770) 696-6455, www.CrossfitBridgeMill.com Envision Health Studio (770) 926-4180, envisionhealthstudio.com 101 Victoria N. Court, Woodstock Jyl Craven Hair Design (770) 345-9411, www.jylcraven.com Massage Envy 134 Woodstock Square Ave., Woodstock Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chamber Street, Woodstock Salon & Spa Venéssa (770) 591-2079, salonvenessa.com 8516 Main Street HOME & GARDEN A-1 Concrete leveling (770) 591-6500, www.A1Atlanta.net Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation (770) 720-1727, (770) 827-0346 www.calavarylandscaping.com Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991 Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-042 Ivy Manor Interior Design (770) 592-1444 105 East Main St., Woodstock Landscape Matters (770) 403-5813, www.landscapemattersinc.com Mr. Junk (678) Mr-Junk1 ShadowEFX Lighting David, (404) 234-8008 or Nick, (404) 234-0714 www.ShadowEffectsLighting.com Uptronix (770) 928-0260, www.uptronix.com

30 49 27 41 1 29 51 53

52 53 29 28 9 39 41

Northside Cherokee Pediatrics 684 Sixes Road, Suite 220, Holly Springs 30115 (678) 388-5485

Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 31 (770) 517-6636, www.northsidecherokeeortho.com 684 Sixes Rd., Ste. 130, Holly Springs Plastic Surgery Center of the South 20 (770) 421-1242, plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net Shefa Urgent Care & Wellness Center (678) 245-6244, shefawellness.com 2000 Village Professional Dr. Suite 200, Canton Wellstar (770) 956-STAR

Inside front PETS/ANIMALS

BridgeMill Animal Hospital (770) 479-2200, www.bridgemillvet.com 9560 Bells Ferry Road, Canton

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com

Inside Back

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Dream Key of Palmer House Properties & Associates 5 120 E. Marietta St, Canton (770) 704-0404, (404) 876-4901, www.dreamkeygroup.com Peggy Davis, (770) 318-4369 Lindsay Tubbs, (678) 525-6455 Keller Williams, Kurt & Sheila Johnson Back Cover (404) 954-2486, www.kurtandsheila.com The Village at Towne Lake Camille Gard, (770) 254-5368

Carters Lake Guide Service (770) 883-5673 www.carterslakeguideservice.com/allatoona

Cherokee High School Football

Woodstock Football

Yong-In Martial Arts (770) 345-4133

RESTAURANTS/ENTERTAINMENT Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251, www.elmstreetarts.org Papa P’s (770) 592-3100 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy, Ste. 160, Woodstock

54 7

RETAILERS/SHOPPING

Branches Boutique 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy., #140, 9770) 517-1505 370 Chambers St., (678) 540-5483

Canton Historic Downtown Loop

Gifted Ferret, The (770) 693-5889, www.TheGiftedFerret.com 1910 Eagle Drive, Woodstock

Harvest Moon Natural Market (770) 479-4193 3725 Sixes Rd., Suite 103-106, Canton

Rudi Fine Jewelry Inside Back (678) 445-2626, rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Graham Pediatrics, Fitzroy Graham, MD, FAAP (770) 485-9670, www.grahampediatrics.com 105 Mirramont Lake Drive Laureate Medical Group R. Allen Mills, MD and Gavin F. Brown MD (770) 720-2221, 684 Sixes Rd., Ste. 265 NMotion Hand and Physical Therapy (770) 517-2288, www.nmotiontherapy.com 970 Woodstock Pkwy., Ste. 300, Woodstock

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

RECREATION/SPORTS

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 37 (770) 720-7733, www.cherokeewomenshealth.com

Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 41 (678) 224-5722, www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place Suite 250, Woodstock Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554 145 Towne Lake Pkwy, Suite 201, Woodstock (770) 345-4155 205 Waleska Road, Suite 1A, Canton www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com

EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION Holdheide Academy & Prep (770) 516-2292, www.MyGiftedKids.org 5234 Hwy. 5, Woodstock 30188 Towne Lake Driving School (678) 494-2200, www.TowneLakeDrivingSchool.com 1105 Parkside Lane, Suite 1328

SPIRITUAL 49

Spirit Connection 30 3725 Sixes Rd., Suite 106, Canton (770) 479-4193, www.spirit-connection-now.com