A guide to
DeKalb & Gwinnett Counties, GA 2016
W W W . C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T I O N S P U B . C O M
Thank you for choosing Community Connections Publishing as your resource for relocation and visitor information! We strive to bring you current and relevant details to help you decide how to spend your time in DeKalb & Gwinnett Counties, GA. Whether it’s the rich history, amazing local attractions or just enjoying nature, we hope you enjoy your sneak peek! Community Connections Publishing LLC. 1115 N. North St. Suite C Peoria, IL 61606 Phone: (844) 625-4909 Fax: (309) 863-2100
DeKalb & GwinnettCounties, GA INFO, HISTORY, & DEMOGRAPHICS
DEKALB INFO & HISTORY
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 691,893, making it the third-most populous county in Georgia. Its county seat is Decatur. DeKalb County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta (the other 90% lies in Fulton County). It is the most diverse county in Georgia. DeKalb is primarily a suburban county, and is the second most affluent county with an African-American majority in the United States, behind Prince George’s County, Maryland, in suburban Washington D.C. In 2009, DeKalb earned the Atlanta Regional Commission’s “Green Communities” designation for its efforts in conserving energy, water and fuel; investing in renewable energy; reducing waste; and protecting and restoring natural resources. In recent years, some communities in North DeKalb have incorporated, following a trend in other suburban areas around Metro Atlanta. Dunwoody and Brookhaven are now the largest cities entirely within the county. DeKalb County was created in 1822 from Henry, Gwinnett and Fayette counties. It was named for Baron Johann de Kalb, a German soldier who fought for the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. The oldest existing house in the county is the 1831 Goodwin House along Peachtree Road in Brookhaven. In 1853, Fulton County was formed from the western half of DeKalb, divided along a perfectly straight and due north/south line down the middle (along which Moreland Avenue now runs). Until this time, the growing city of Atlanta had been inside DeKalb. Atlanta grew because the city of Decatur did not want to become the railroad terminus in the 1830s, thus a spot at the Thrasherville encampment in western DeKalb was picked to become Terminus and then Marthasville, before becoming Atlanta a few years after its founding. North and southwest Fulton came from two other counties: Milton and southeast Campbell, respectively. DeKalb once extended slightly further north to the Chatta-
hoochee River, but this strip was later given to Milton, and is now the panhandle of Sandy Springs (though residents there identify with Dunwoody). During the Civil War, much of the Battle of Atlanta was fought in DeKalb. Until the 1960s, DeKalb was a mainly agricultural county, but as the sprawl of the metropolitan Atlanta region expanded, DeKalb became increasingly urbanized. Finished in 1969, the eastern half of the Interstate 285 beltway, called “the Perimeter”, ringed the northeastern and southern edges of the county, placing most of it “inside the Perimeter” along with nearly all of Atlanta. Interstate 675 and Georgia 400 were originally planned to be connected inside the Perimeter, along with the Stone Mountain Freeway (U.S. Highway 78) connecting with the Downtown Connector (a co-signment of I-75/I-85) near Moreland Avenue, destroying many neighborhoods in western DeKalb, but community opposition in the early 1970s spared them this fate of urbanization, although part of the proposed Stone Mountain Tollway later became the Freedom Parkway. Only Interstate 20 and Interstate 85 were successfully built through the county. DeKalb also became one of only two counties to approve MARTA rapid transit in the 1970s; the county now contains the east and northeast heavy rail lines.
DEKALB DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 691,893 people, 271,809 households, and 161,453 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,585.7 inhabitants per square mile (998.3/km2). There were
304,968 housing units at an average density of 1,139.7 per square mile (440.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 54.3% black or African American, 33.3% white, 5.1% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 4.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 5.9% were English, 5.2% were German, and 3.5% were American. Of the 271,809 households, 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.6% were non-families, and 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 34.3 years. The median income for a household in the county was $51,349 and the median income for a family was $60,718. Males had a median income of $43,663 versus $40,288 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,412. About 12.4% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over. Although Fulton County is more populous, DeKalb has the highest population density of any county in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
GWINNETT INFO & HISTORY
Gwinnett County is a county in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 859,304, making it the second-most populous county in Georgia. Its county seat is Lawrenceville. The county is named for Button Gwinnett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Gwinnett County is included in the Atlanta-Sandy
Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Created in 1818 by an act of the Georgia General Assembly, Gwinnett County was formed from parts of Jackson County (formerly part of Franklin County) and from lands gained through the cession of Indian lands. Named for Button Gwinnett, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, the first county court was held at the home of Elisha Winn, and the county seat was placed at Lawrenceville. In 1861, all three of Gwinnett County’s representatives at the Georgia Constitutional Convention (1861) in Milledgeville voted against secession. Towards the end of the war, several skirmishes took place in Gwinnett County as part of the Atlanta Campaign. The northeastern part of Gwinnett County was removed to form a part of the new Barrow County in 1914.
GWINNETT DEMOGRAPHICS
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 805,321 people, 268,519 households, and 203,238 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,871.2 inhabitants per square mile (722.5/km2). There were 291,547 housing units at an average density of 677.4 per square mile (261.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 53.3% White, 23.6% black or African American, 10.6% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.8% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 20.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 8.3% were German, 7.8% were Irish, 7.7% were English, and 5.8% were American. Of the 268,519 households, 45.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.3% were non-families, and 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.40. The median age was 33.7 years. The median income for a household in the county was $63,219 and the median income for a family was $70,767. Males had a median income of $48,671 versus $39,540 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,901. About 8.7% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
DEKALB & GWINNETT SCHOOLS Allgood Elementary School 659 Allgood Rd Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Phone: (678) 676-5102
Chapel Hill Middle School 3535 Dogwood Farm Road Decatur, GA 30034 Phone: (678) 676-8502
Alton C. Crews Middle School 1000 Old Snellville Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 30044 Phone: (770) 982-6940
Ashford Park Elementary School 2968 Cravenridgde DR NE Atlanta, GA 30319 Phone: (678) 676-6702
Clarkston High School 618 North Indian Creek Dr Clarkston, GA 30021 Phone: (678) 676-5302
Bay Creek Middle School 821 Cooper Rd Grayson, GA 30017 Phone: (678) 334-7570
Cedar Grove High School 2360 River Rd Ellenwood, GA 30294 Phone: (678) 874-4002
Coan Middle School 1550 Hosea L Williams Dr NE Atlanta, GA 30317 Phone: (404) 802-6600
Buford High School 2750 Sawnee Ave Buford, GA 30518 Phone: (770) 945-6768
Cedar Grove Middle School 2300 Wildcat Rd Decatur, GA 30034 Phone: (678) 874-4202
Alova Elementary School 770 Ewing Chapel Rd Dacula, GA 30019 Phone: (678) 376-8500
Archer High School 2255 New Hope Rd Lawrenceville, GA 30045 Phone: (678) 407-7700
Cedar Grove Elementary School 2330 River Rd Ellenwood, GA 30294 Phone: (678) 874-3902
Dacula Elementary School 2500 Fence Rd Dacula, GA 30019 Phone: (770) 963-7174
Moore Middle School 1221 Lawrenceville Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Phone: (678) 301-7258
Chamblee Middle School 3601 Sexton Woods Dr Atlanta, GA 30341 Phone: (678) 874-8202
Dyer Elementary School 1707 Hurricane Shoals Rd Dacula, GA 30016 Phone: (770) 963-6214
Chapel Hill Elementary School 3536 Radcliff Blvd Decatur, GA 30034 Phone: (678) 676-8402
Grayson Elementary School 460 Grayson Parkway Grayson, GA 30017 Phone: (770) 963-7189
For more information about schools in DeKalb & Gwinnett Counties visit
PublicSchoolReview.com
LOCAL HEALTHCARE DEKALB & GWINNETT COUNTIES, GA
Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 Phone: (404) 321-6111
Northlake Medical Center 1455 Montreal Road Tucker, GA 30084 Phone: (770) 270-3000
Roberts Family Dental 3660 Flat Shoals Rd #100 Decatur, GA 30034 Phone: (404) 334-9542
Emory University Hospital 1364 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (404) 712-2000
Grady Memorial Hospital 80 Jesse Hill Junior Drive Southeast Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 616-4252
Gwinnett Family Dental Care 3445 Lawrenceville Hgy Lawrenceville, GA 30044 Phone: (707) 921-1116
Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital 1821 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329 Phone: (404) 728-6200
Dekalb Medical Center 2701 North Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033 Phone: (404) 501-5256
Foster Eyecare 725 Walther Road Northwest Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Phone: (770) 512-3300
Laurel Heights 934 Briarcliff Road Hortheast Atlanta, GA 30306 Phone: (404) 888-7860
Eastside Medical Center 1700 Medical Way Snellville, GA 30078 Phone: (770) 979-0200
Lee County Optical 1569 US-19 Leesburg, GA 31763 Phone: (229) 439-1200
Atlanta Medical Center 303 Parkway drive Northeast Atlanta, GA 30312 Phone: (404) 265-4000
Gwinnett Med. Ctr - Lawrenceville 1000 Medical Center Blvd Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Phone: (678) 312-1000
Decatur Physical Therapy 487 Winn Way # 201 Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: (404) 297-9315
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 35 Jesse hill Junior Drive Southeast Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 785-9500
Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital 3215 McClure Bridge Road Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: (404) 451-1111
Jones Physical Therapy 235 E Ponce de Leon Ave #160 Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: (404) 377-9107
N N E I T W T COUN G & B L TIES A K E D
GA
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Tribble Mill Park Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville is a sprawling 700 acre park that has been apart of Gwinnett for over 10 years. There are two lakes on the property, Ozora and Chandler Lake, and a large meadow called Ozora Meadows that can accommodate up to 3,500 people. There are a few paved and non-paved surfaces to accommodate all types of people such as runners, mountain bikers and equestrian riders. The eastern portion of Ozora Lake has a 3.4 mile paved surface trail around its circumference. The non-paved surfaces cut through the park and around portions of the lake and total around 12 miles. There is a boat dock where you can launch non-motorized boats out on the lake to do some fishing or just paddle around if that suits you. Tribble Mill Park 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30045 Phone: (770) 822-5414 For more information visit www.capturegwinnett.com
WhiteWater Express WhiteWater Express is a professional river outfitter with over 35 years experience. Our safety record is unsurpassed in the industry. Come visit our Ocoee camp where you can experience horseback riding, paintball, ropes course, mountain biking and of course rafting the Ocoee River. We also offer guided and guide assisted trips down the Nantahala River in North Carolina. Our Chattahoochee River location, in Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL has been described as “Warm as Costa Rica— Wild as Colorado.” The Chattahoochee River Park is truly a world class facility! Finally, when the weather gets cold, come check out our ski division—Ski Celebration. We offer group ski trips to ski areas throughout the country. WhiteWater Express 1549 Clairmont Road Suite 201 Decatur, GA 30033 Phone: (800) 676-7238
For more information visit www.whitewaterexpress.com
Three Taverns Brewery & Tasting Room Beer has always been a social beverage, shared amongst friends in conversation and fellowship. That’s why the focal point of our brewery is The Parlour, our brewery tasting room where guests are accommodated in style. Surrounded by weathered planks, aged timbers and intricate brickwork, guests are momentarily transported to an old-world setting. It’s a fantastic backdrop for trying our latest brews, picking up some handsome merchandise, hosting events, and enjoying the Three Taverns experience. It’s also the launching point for our brewery tours. So please come visit us in Decatur; we look forward to hosting you and raising a glass with you in person. Cheers! Three Taverns Brewery & Tasting Room 121 New St Decatur, GA 3003 Phone: (404) 600-3355
For more information visit www.threetavernsbrewery.com
2016
STAYING
SAFE in
Always Lock Your Doors
One of the easiest everyday safety precautions to take is locking your doors. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood and you trust your neighbors, criminals could still target your home. Lock your doors when you are home, as well as when you leave the house. And get in the habit of locking your car doors as well! When I am driving alone, I lock my doors, especially in bigger cities.
Use Your Peephole
When someone knocks on your door, before you answer you should take a look through the peephole. If you don’t recognize the person, and it’s not someone like the mailman or a maintenance man, then it might not be a good idea to open your door. Lots of robberies these days happen by homeowners simply opening their door, only to be forced inside and taken advantage of.
Don’t Pick up Hitchhikers
This goes without saying, but women driving alone are bright red targets for hitchhikers. There’s always the chance that it’s just a misfortunate soul who needs a ride, but why risk it? There will be others who come along, and you need to keep your safety in mind. When you are alone in a car with a stranger, you won’t have anywhere to go or any way to get help should the situation go wrong.
Never Stop to “Help” Children
I know, this tip sounds cruel. But recently, criminals have been employing a new and dirty trick. In secluded areas of the highway or back country roads, they are leaving covered car seats alongside the road. When someone, usually a woman, stops to help the baby, the woman is either abducted or her car stolen. If you notice a small child or a car seat along the roadside, call 911 and do not stop!
Wear Your Seat Belt
You would be surprised at how many lives this simple mechanism in a car could save, yet how many people refuse to wear theirs. Start forming the habit of buckling up no matter how short of a drive you may have. If nothing else, wearing your seat belt will prevent you from getting a ticket in most states!
Have Emergency Supplies on Hand
It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand. Leave one in your car and one in your house. Ideally, these kits should contain items suited to personal needs and local weather tendencies. A few good basics are water, non-perishable food items, a first aid kit, cell phone charger, a blanket, an extra jacket and pair of shoes, candles, matches, flashlight and batteries, money, and copies of documents you might need in the event that your personal belongings were all lost. Consider diapers and formula if you have a baby, and personal hygiene products as well.
Avoid Dark Parking Lots
This might be hard tip to avoid, depending on where you live or work, but lots of women are attacked or abducted from dark parking lots. If you can’t get around walking through a dark parking lot, carry your car keys in your hand. In the event of an emergency, you can press the panic button on your car remote. This is usually enough to scare a potential attacker away!
Avondale Estates Police Department 21 North Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Phone: (404) 294-5400 Chamblee Police Department 3518 Broad St, Chamblee, GA 30341 Phone: (770) 986-5005 Doraville Police 3750 Park Ave, Doraville, GA 30340 Phone: (740) 455-1000 Norcross Police Department 65 Lawrence Street Northwest, Norcross, GA 30071 Phone: (770) 448-2111 Duluth Police Department 3276 Buford Highway, Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: (770) 476-4151
Take a Self Defense Course
Learning a few basic moves in self-defense could possibly save your life! Most cities should have a place or two that offer self-defense classes, and they shouldn’t be too costly. In the event you should need to use what you learned, the class will have paid for itself!
Learn How to Handle Natural Disasters
Try to gather basic information on what to do when presented with natural disasters, a medical crisis, or even bomb threats. If nothing else, at least learn which natural disasters are likely to occur in your area, and what you should do in the event of one happening. Find out where to go, whom to contact, which items to grab, and how to stay safe until help arrives.
Don’t Panic
Whatever you do, when faced with any kind of danger, emergency, or scary situation, don’t panic. Stay calm and try to use common sense. The situation will more than likely get worse if you freak out. If you must freak out, freak out on the inside, but remain calm on the outside and do what needs to be done.
Decatur Fire Department 230 East Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030 Phone: (404) 373-5092 DeKalb County Fire Rescue 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084 Phone: (678) 406-7750 Stone Mountian Park Fire Department 2027 Old Hugh Howell Rd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Phone: (770498-5667 Gwinnett County Fire Marshall 408 Hurricane Shoals Road Northeast, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Phone: (678) 518-4980 Gwinnett County Fire Station 4 5550 Spalding Dr, Norcross, GA 30092 Phone: (678) 518-4801
RECYCLING MATTERS
RECYCLING NEAR YOU SP Recycling Southeast LLC 384 Maltbie St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Phone: (770) 995-0014
FACTS ABOUT RECYCLING •
Currently less than 35% of households and less than 10% of businesses in the U.S. recycle. (EPA 2011)
•
Those levels have barely improved in 15 years despite billions of dollars spent on competitions, symposiums, awareness campaigns and sorting technologies.
TriStar Recycling & Metals 2731 Simpson circle, Norcross, GA 30071 Phone: (770) 609-2699
•
The experience at the bin needs to be improved for the general public, which is why we have introduced society-wide standardized labels.
E A Recyclers 2446 Wesley Chapel Rd, Decatur, GA 30035 Phone: (770) 322-1007
•
If the US recycling levels can reach 75% it will be the environmental benefit of removing 50 million cars from the road each year and it will generate 1.5 million new jobs. Improving and increasing recycling is one of the greatest opportunities for our environment, our natural resources, and our economy!
Newell Recycling 2800 Amwiler Rd, Atlanta, GA 30360 Phone: (770) 446-6883
Doraville Recycling 4581 Tilly Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30360 Phone: (470) 275-5447
DO YOU WANT YOUR AD HERE?
Call Us Today!
1-844-625-4909
2016 HOROSCOPES
ARIES March 21 - April 19 Your ruler, the rambunctious Mars with a takes-no-prisoners manner, zig zags through the houses of your chart in 2016. He pays special attention to personal growth, love and marriage, and the expansion of philosophy and just regular wandering around. Mars begins the year making direct hits to the house of both one-on-one intimacy, and funds received from other people. He stays on a wild ride through that house for the first eight months of the year with an occasional peek into the house of philosophical thinking. Neptune is his silent partner, bringing a spiritual element to life... a kind of acceptance or “it is what it is” attitude. Jupiter is in the house of the workplace and in this position gives you a sense of purpose, better working conditions, or possibly a new job with increased salary. Since this house is also connected to your health, Jupiter brings you more vitality and physical strength. In September this lucky star moves into the house of marriage and improves on an already blooming love affair or your marriage. If you’re single he has been known to bring that special person to the scene. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 The Fifth House, that place of daring but light-hearted love, creativity, sports, and -- yes -- children, is your key to happiness this upcoming year. The always sultry Taurus has an inner bad boy/bad girl and he or she swims to the surface in 2016, bringing you any number of new and lusty adventures. You’ll be redefining your image, too, with Jupiter in this house, expanding your capacity for love... and that thirst is real. The eternal teacher Saturn is in the Eighth House of intimacy, and it’s cooling off those one-on-one sexy encounters. Now it’s not about sex, it’s about love. Love is in the air all year, Bull, but you will be also dealing with deeper issues. It’s true that our belief system rules our lives, and for you with Uranus in the Twelfth House you are in for an upheaval or reversal in what you believe, as both philosophical and religious ideologies are up for change. With Pluto in the Ninth, some of you may be returning to school, or taking extra academic classes. When these two heavy-hitters, agents of change are in the mix. You are not only ready for change, but celebrating it. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Mercury, your ruler, runs rampant this year and so do you, Gemini. As the year begins he stops in his tracks and reviews his status, and sets a pattern for your behavior for the upcoming twelve months.This year this occasionally superficial but darling rascal makes his list and checks it twice (that is, moves into retrograde motion) four times instead of the usual three. He is a tad more impulsive than usual but the big news is he is taking on Saturn and actually opposing that stern taskmaster all year. During those times when testing is inevitable, there is no end to the targets: romantic unions, friendship, or career. You’ll get in there and dig deep and this could be one of the most transformative years in decades. You want your way this year and will use any means to achieve that end. With Neptune holding tight to your Tenth House you have decided that your career must have more personal meaning, and look for more authenticity in all areas of your life. The largest star in the heavens, Jupiter, is helping you achieve inner peace in the Fourth House, the place of home and family of origin, and in the Eleventh House, too -- bringing new pals your way, and a possible special love interest. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Cancer, you already know that home, career, and love can present the most crucial of life’s continuing challenges, and this year the cosmos decided you need to review or polish each and every one of these categories. You are bonded to the home more than any of the other signs and there could be that first signal in March when a Lunar Eclipse shines its heavy and bright light on your sanctuary. Although this wild card drops a hint about change on the premises as early as March, it isn’t until September that Jupiter moves into the Fourth House and this actually spells out new happenings are eminent.
With your home life it could range from some minor renovation, to someone moving in, to an actual move. But, wait! Change can only take place in accordance with how much insecurity you can tolerate, which, for you, water baby, is minimal. Cancer does love to be safe and this may just be the year you question the caution you’ve been living with. A big change that feels scary at first can turn out great! Then there’s Uranus in the Tenth House of career, promising more rocking and rolling in the area of your work or your image. The last area to be stirred is Pluto still in the Seventh House of total commitment, hammering away at your love life and asking you to be even more true or faithful. It could be that this year, when Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto are up at bat and all will whack that ball out of the park, it’s not personal, it’s business, Cancer. Leo July 23 - August 22 Dramatic, generous, and romantic, Leo, you are everyone’s dream date... and 2016 isn’t any different, except that you could be even more giving. Jupiter, the gift giver, could outdo himself this year with the beautifully wrapped baubles given for no particular reason. He’s in the Second House of you-belong-to-me and there is an abundance of intimacy and good feelings. If you have one -- or if you want one -- a love affair emits the glow that films and novels are born from. The majority of the stars hover around the place that signifies your partner zone, and they are flashing a green light with almost any new idea you conjure up. You could be tempted to totally overlook restrictive Saturn in the place of letting the good times roll. He does keep nudging you in the direction of making a commitment to that long-time love, improving your performance on the job, and keeping a watch on finances. It will become harder and harder to ignore his nudges this year, especially with the wildcard eclipses doing their job. They are shining their light on the financial houses and reminding you to keep it all real and not take unnecessary risks. Overall, you couldn’t ask for a better year to expand on both your emotional happiness and your financial future. Virgo August 23 - September 22 The year begins with the largest star in the heavens, Jupiter, in your own sign and in the house of who you are. What could possibly be the result of this position? Expansion of your personality, emphasis on your own personal growth and happiness, and a general “me, me, me” attitude. You are certainly in for one of the best years of your life, Virgo, and in September this gift-giving star moves into the house of finances and you can also look for expansion in the flow of funds. In direct opposition to all this is Neptune in the house of whom it is we love, possibly ready to blind you to reality... and your ruler Mercury is adding to the confusion. This year is more about an inner journey and possibly remembering or wanting to relive a time when love was wild and wicked and you want more of the same. The eclipses in Pisces and Virgo this year shake up the status quo if you let them as they rattle the houses of Me and You. Libra September 23 - October 22 Your ruler Venus is pushing you this year, as she scoots through all of the twelve signs and then some, waking up old dreams, forgotten talents, and stirring new ambition. By mid-October she’s right back where she started in the house of communication along with sometimes prissy Saturn, who behind the scenes is quietly refining your everyday chatter. Venus ends the year in the house of love and December could be that important month that sees you making an important change. Jupiter lends a helping hand and takes the form of an angel whispering in your ear, and you’ll seem to intuitively know all the right words and moves. In September he moves into your own sign of Libra and you enjoy the limelight fully. Jupiter in Libra opens the door to the good life, and lightens up your personal life as well as your relationships -- both personal and professional. This cosmic gift giver is increasing your self-confidence, your sex appeal, and your charm... and it shows, Libra. You’re magnetic this year. Scorpio October 23 - November 21 Always a force to be reckoned with, Scorpio, you aren’t in the mood to settle in any of the areas of your life this upcoming year. Whether it’s your lover’s intentions, career issues, or that shoved under the carpet family secret everyone’s been whispering about for years, with your ruler Pluto in the Third House, you are aiming for clarity. Never really chatty, you do definitely this year adopt a “take no prisoners” attitude surrounding communication. The wily but wise Pluto literally pushes you to shed light on matters that have been buried. Neptune brings a touch of mystery as well as spice to the Fifth House of the light love affair, or the one-night stand. Here, you bring passion and intensity and could turn a short love story into a 500-page novel. Mars, co-ruler of
your chart, plays a big part in your intimate and unsolved mysteries as he begins the year flexing his muscle. He spends the year traversing the most personal sector of your life, shaking it up and one of the many answers you are seeking suddenly is within vision. With Saturn’s influence, whether you are prosperous or not, you feel there is a lack of funds. You want to know what actually belongs to you, whether its hard cash, a trust fund, or that antique trunk that’s been in the family for generations. Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Wow, Sagittarius, in 2016 you could not be more into your own interests and developments if you wanted to. It looks like the stars are giving you a free pass to indulge in your own pleasures and pursuits. Nice! As the year begins, eight of the moving stars are in the eastern hemisphere of your chart, the hemisphere that is all about you and what you want. Saturn, the wisdom figure, is in your sign, and as you indulge yourself totally, you are taking those indulgences seriously. There is nothing trivial about your personal interests this year. It’s the personal stars, though, that add zing to everyday life and they revolve around your love interests. Mercury, Venus, and Mars will be moving quickly through the relationship houses, so that your partner gets some well-deserved attention. The mischievous star Mercury rules the house of love and committed relationships and he stops and starts four times this year, which is out of the ordinary, bringing more of those torrid interludes that you do love. This is the kind of year you may have dreamed about in the past... and here it is in living color, Sag. Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Your ruler Saturn’s two year stay in the lofty Sagittarius is now underway, Cap, and you may have noticed ever so slightly in the past year or two how elements of your life are seemingly fading away. It’s subtle, as if you catch the action out of the corner of your eye, but you are in a finishing up phase, especially in career matters. What is actually happening is you are clearing the decks for a new bigger and better beginning. Those wild-card eclipses in 2015 and into 2016 drop a hint or two about career elevation or change as early as March, but it isn’t until September that Jupiter moves into the Tenth House and actually spells out new happenings that could be eminent. As the year begins you have Pluto in the First House of your chart and there is a new intensity to you personally as well as in both love and career relationships. This is basically a getting-in-touch-with-yourself transit and you could be surprised at your own control issues and how deep they really go. Despite this new awareness you just can’t help yourself, especially in those hot and sexy matters of the heart. You might actually stake a claim this year. Aquarius January 20 - February 18 The always on the move Aquarian plays it true to form in 2016. Uranus, your ruler, still occupying the Third house nurtures your need for constant learning, offbeat conversations, and short journeys off the beaten track. More curious and ambitious than ever, the craving for sexy affairs of the heart is quite strong. Jupiter, the largest star in the heavens, is in the house of intimacy, and in September he enters the house of faraway places and that yearning becomes too strong to ignore. For that single Aquarian who truly follows his heart it could be you find love on foreign soil. To satisfy these desires, even if they are brought down a notch, you may be working harder to attain the necessary funds. With Neptune, the star of illusion, disillusion, and dissolving conditions, in the house of income, you’ll be fine-tuning that area of your life and the last four months of the year could see you not only improving your financial situation but exceeding your expectations. Pices February 19 - March 20 Here you are in 2016, Pisces, deep into the magic of the once-in-a-lifetime transit of your ruler, Neptune, to your Sun. More than likely you are redefining your romantic world, reshaping your body image, and even contemplating finishing that novel. Although you do have a list of priorities for the year, love is your first concern and your romantic life is on fire! Good times are very much on the agenda with two eclipses in your own sign, and it’s all about you -- what it is you want, whom you love, and what you look like. Behind the scenes and prodding you firmly is the very wily and wise Pluto, taking up residence in one of the health houses. This is the year you begin a stricter and healthier daily regime as the need to take better care of yourself continually grows and you just could become your own project. From January through September it’s all about love, personal pleasure, and your body image. In September these are still priorities but your romantic life becomes lustier and more sex driven, while your mind turns toward finances and career. (astrology.com)
12
FUN FACTS ABOUT EXERCISE
1. Listening to music while exercising can improve your work out performance by 15%! 2. Cardiovascular exercise helps create new brain cells. This improves brain power and brain activity! 3. Exercising increases the production of cells that are responsible for learning and memory! 4. If you run at a 10 minute per mile pace you can burn 104.3 calories per mile! 5. The more muscle mass you have, the more fat your body burns while resting! 6. If you exercise 3 times a week for 45 minutes you can help prevent signs of aging! 7. Having more muscle than fat means you can consume more calories! 8. Exercising on a regular basis helps boost your immune system. This means you’ll get sick less often than people who don’t exercise! 9. Exercising increases the amount of endorphins that are released into your body and increases productivity! 10. Sweat releases dirt through your pores which reduces acne and breakouts. Workouts improve the overall look of your skin. 11. Exercising can help ease your mind and rejuvenate your body. Working out will make you feel great and boost your confidence! 12. If you’re someone who has trouble sleeping or staying asleep then working out is your answer. Exercise helps to clear your head and helps you feel relaxed!