Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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Contents
September 2018
VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 2
[24-25]
24-25 On the Cover:
St. George Village
38
Roswell Arts Festival
44-45
Quirky Georgia Attractions
[38]
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.......................... Perspective
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............................. Calendar
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.................... Community Life
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........................ Book Review
30, 41
[44-45] Follow Us >>>
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Family Life Publications
North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
............ Mayor’s Minute
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................... Senator Speaks
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.............. Community Partner
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....... Alpharetta Public Safety
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....... Old Soldiers Day Parade
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......... Roswell Photo Society
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................... Ribbon Cuttings
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Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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Publisher’sPerspective
PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com
Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. North Fulton Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. North Fulton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
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© 2018 All rights reserved.
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When we own our choices, and understand that we alone are responsible for each of them, only then can we learn to accept the effect, whether positive or negative. Only at that time can we build upon the consequences of actions rather than tearing ourselves down. Not one of us has the ability, opportunity, or wisdom to make every decision correctly in our life, and there is balance or sacrifice in every decision we make. The most content and successful people I have met in my life understand that. Choose as wisely, effectively, and intently as you can. You will either make the right decision for you or for someone else. Knowing that I made the move, made the play, made that choice — and own it — is the one decision, regardless of outcome, that keeps me satisfied, happy, and moving forward.
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On the other hand, I have a difficult time narrowing down the array of food on the vast menus in some restaurants, deciding who to spend the holidays with, or what song to play when it’s my turn to choose. I know that my indecision leads to going nowhere. It can also be habit forming, and in one way or another, you’ll probably end up hungry and dissatisfied.
Even though all the possibilities can be overwhelming, I’ll sometimes just roll the dice and enjoy the adventure. It was my turn, and I took it. Win or lose — it will be a learning experience.
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very waking moment we have decisions to make. That is just one of the reasons I enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Each choice we make, or choose not to make, affects our individual timeline of events and often someone else’s. Hit snooze again on that alarm clock? Eggs scrambled or fried? When you get dressed in the morning, you’re often deciding about your behavior the rest of the day. For example, if you put on flip-flops, you probably won’t be doing much running and should be nice to others, especially those wearing sneakers. If you decide to wear a hat because it’s a “bad hair day,” you’re going to have hat head all day, so select a good hat.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Jessica Asbell, Cyndi Braun, Jim Cheatham, Michael Consoli, Lisa Ethridge, Kevin Head, Mayor Lori Henry, Amanda Howard, Joe Lockwood, Jamie Mackrell, Thomas Matthews, Chris Miller, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Jacqueline Yokley
Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Say What? Approximately six percent [HealthyLife] of children demonstrate some type of speech-sound disorder. Some of the most common include the following: • •
•
Articulation Disorders - Consistent errors with one or a few sounds. Phonological Disorders Mispronunciation of a sound or groups of sounds in certain words in consistent patterns. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) - The messages from the child’s brain to their muscles do not get through correctly, and he/she has difficulty moving his/her lips or tongue to the right place to say sounds, even though muscles are not weak.
One of the most effective evidencedbased treatments for CAS is known as PROMPT. PROMPT is an acronym for
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
Effective Treatment for Childhood Speech Disorders
“Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets.” The technique is a tactile-kinesthetic approach that uses touch cues to a child’s articulators (jaw, tongue, lips) to manually guide them through a targeted word, phrase, or sentence. The technique develops motor control and the development of proper oral muscular movements, while eliminating unnecessary muscle movements such as jaw sliding and inadequate lip rounding. The training requires a series of workshops plus a lengthy evaluation process for a therapist to be a certified PROMPT therapist. These clinicians have been trained how to make the “touch cues” to the articulators to help patients produce a sound. They can also properly evaluate a patient from a motor development perspective to identify if PROMPT therapy
By Jacqueline Yokley, M. Ed. CCC-SLP
will be beneficial. PROMPT has a growing body of research to support its efficacy in children with many types of speechlanguage disorders. Do you find yourself saying, “What?” repeatedly, translating your child’s speech to non-family members, or dealing with frustration and tantrums when they are saying something over and over, and you just can’t understand? A PROMPT-trained therapist will attest to the benefits of this program. Visit PROMPTInstitute.com for more information and a list of PROMPTtrained therapists in your area.
Jacqueline Yokley is a speech-language pathologist at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, 9880 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock. 770-345-2804.
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Calendar SEPTEMBER
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2018 PIE Expo at the Y — All north Fulton schools will exhibit in an expostyled, high-energy atmosphere and offer opportunities for partnerships to attending local businesses. 9:00am-12:00pm, Alpharetta Family YMCA, 3655 Preston Ridge Road, Alpharetta. 678-397-0571. GNFCC.com
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2018 Homeschool Day in Roswell Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, and Smith Plantation will be open for tours and demonstrations, and hands-on activities will be held at all three house museums, so students can experience life in the 1800s. 10:00am-3:00pm, Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, and Smith Plantation, Roswell. 770640-3253. VisitRoswellGa.com
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2018 Inspirational JazzFest JazzFest brings together hundreds of people in the Alpharetta community for an evening of inspirational music and fellowship. This year’s artists include twotime Grammy-nominated The Hamiltones, pianist John Paul McGee, and Latin band sensation Orquesta Macuba. Tickets are $30. 6:00-9:00pm, St. James UMC, 3000 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 678-7621543. StJamesUMC.org
ONGOING Naturally Artistic Exhibit September 16 through November 30, visit outdoor art stations to enjoy some of CNC’s most picturesque locations and create a bit of natureinspired art. Monday-Saturday 10:00am5:00pm, Sunday 12:00-5:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x238. ChattNatureCenter.org
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6th Annual Grilling & Gridiron — Celebrate the longstanding SEC tailgating tradition when the UGA Bulldogs take on the SC Gamecocks. Dress in your team colors, reserve a table to decorate, or bring your stadium chairs, and enjoy SEC football, great food, and libations — all for a great cause! 1:30-5:00pm, 350 Milton Avenue, downtown Alpharetta. 678-297-6000. TheLionheartSchool.com/GrillingGridiron/
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Brooke Street Park Summer Concert Series — Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy FREE, live, family-friendly performances by different Alpharetta-based entertainment groups. 9/8 Act1 Theater 7:00pm; 9/15 Alpharetta Community Chorus 6:00pm; 9/22 Home By Dark Concert Series featuring Victoria Banks and Emily Shackleton. 7:30pm, Brooke Street
Better Together — On the second Monday of each month, the Better Together committee, composed of interested citizens from the city of Milton, meets to discuss ways to build a welcoming community where residents of all abilities can participate. All are welcome to become a part of this group, ranging from high school students to senior adults. The committee plans and arranges projects covering subjects of interest to the community. 6:30pm, Community Place at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton. 678-2422512. CityOfMiltonGa.us
Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. 678-2972811. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
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Matilda’s Summer 2018 Concerts — September’s artists include Mudcat (9/8), The Skeleton Krew (9/15), Farewell Angelina (9/22), and Across the Wide (9/29). 8:30-10:30pm, The Porch, 531 S. Main Street, Alpharetta. 770-754-7831. MatildasMusicVenue.com
Alive in Roswell — On the third Thursday of each month through October, this FREE, family-friendly festival features live bands, food trucks, kids’ games, face painting, balloons, etc. Enjoy participation from the many boutiques, small businesses, and restaurants surrounding the venues. 5:009:00pm, historic Canton Street, historic Roswell Square, and City Hall grounds. 678-591-2610. AliveInRoswell.com
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce ProAlliance — Each Wednesday, enjoy early morning networking with fellow business
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
8 & 10/6
Johns Creek Summer Concert Series Presents Banks & Shane (9/8) and Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (10/6) — Bring a picnic and your favorite non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy this FREE concert. Contracted vendors will also provide a variety of catered food and beverages, including beer and wine. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome on the terraced lawn. Doors open at 6:00pm, concert begins at 7:00pm, Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-512-3261. JohnsCreekGa.gov
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A Novel Idea — This month’s theme is “Memoir/Non-Fiction.” Hear a fantastic line-up of award-winning authors discuss their novels. Dinner, drinks, and dessert will be available, and door prizes will be given away. 6:30-8:30pm, Alpha Soda, 11760 Haynes Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-442-3102. Marsha. Cornelius@hotmail.com
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Aubrey Greenway Golf and Hagan Cup Classic Tennis Tournament — Roswell Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser benefits many charities in the Roswell area. 7:00am, Country Club of Roswell, 2500 Club Springs Drive, Roswell. 678235-4750. RoswellRotary.club
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Sundays on the River Presents Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native — End your weekend under the stars listening to live music with friends. Nature will provide the perfect backdrop for the evening. 6:00-9:30pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x238. ChattNatureCenter.org
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Corporate Eco Challenge — The Corporate Eco Challenge is a scavenger hunt/Amazing-Racetype event designed to provide Atlanta corporations with fun team-building opportunities that not only strengthen teams, but also provide an environmental learning opportunity. 12:00-4:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x226. ChattNatureCenter.org
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Noon to Night Fall Fashion Benefit — Kick off this magical evening with a cocktail reception including fare from Avalon’s famed eateries followed by a fabulous fashion show featuring Bert’s Big Adventure kids and Atlanta celebrities. 6:00-10:00pm, Avalon, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 770765-1000. ExperienceAvalon.com
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9 to 5 the Musical — This is a heartwarming comedy about friendship and revenge, which is based upon the hit movie. Wednesday 7:30pm, Thursday-Saturday 8:00pm (with additional shows at 4:00pm on some Saturdays), Sunday 2:30pm, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-641-1260. GET.org
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ArtAround Roswell Bike Tour — Ride with Bike Roswell and Roswell Arts Fund on this guided tour of the 2018 sculptures in Roswell’s Historic District and along the Roswell Riverwalk Trail System. FREE! 2:005:00pm, begins and ends at Tap and Six, 23 Oak Street, Roswell. 770-817-6674. RoswellArtsFund.org
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Sunset Sips Concert Series Presents Sainte Jane (9/13) and Wes Yoakam (9/27) — The Sunset Sips concert series treats music lovers to an eclectic collection of local talent. This is a laid-back, family-friendly series. A cash bar will be available, and feel free to bring a picnic dinner. 6:30-9:30pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x238. ChattNatureCenter.org
leaders. This format allows you to share information about your business/work in a non-threatening environment, develop leads for potential new business, and help others reach their goals. 7:30-9:00am, GNFCC Office, 11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Building 400, Suite 100, Alpharetta. 770-993-8806. GNFCC.com
contests. FREE! 8:00am-12:00pm, Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell. 404-492-9938. RoswellFAM. com
Garden Tour Mondays at Barrington Hall Each Monday through September, start your week on the right foot with a FREE tour of the historic gardens led by a staff horticulturalist. Tours begin at the main house back porch. No reservations are necessary. 9:30am, Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 770-6403855. RoswellGov.com/ Barrington-Hall
GONGOING Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market — Every Saturday through October, this local farmers market is a one-stop shop for fresh produce and handmade goods. Held rain or shine, it features dog adoptions, yoga classes, chef demos, and baking
Alpharetta Farmers Market — Shop local at the Alpharetta Farmers Market, featuring food vendors including produce, grass-fed meats, cheese, baked goods, and more. 8:30am-1:00pm, 1 South Main, Alpharetta. AlpharettaFarmersMarket.com
Garden Tour
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3rd Annual Roswell Historical Society Tour of Homes — Walk through the doors of both new and old construction in the Historic District. This event is held rain or shine and benefits the continued preservation efforts of the Roswell Historical Society. 11:00am5:00pm, Roswell. 770-992-1665. RoswellHistoricalSociety.org
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European Market — The best local artisans and gatherers in the area will be showcasing an eclectic ensemble of vintage style home decor and furniture, beautiful works of art, handcrafted jewelry, one-of-a-kind finds, fashion (both adult and children’s) clothing and accessories, gifts, and unique treasures. Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm, downtown Alpharetta, Milton Avenue, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000. EuropeanMarketOnMilton.com
15 & 16
52nd Annual Roswell Arts Festival — Fine arts, original crafts, music and entertainment, food trucks, and fun for the entire family. 10:00am-5:00pm, Roswell Town Square at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 120, Roswell. RoswellArtsFestival.com
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A Wrinkle in Time — Enjoy this production of this classic, award-winning, adventurous show. 11:00am, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770641-1260. GET.org
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IronKids Triathlon — IronKids Alpharetta allows children ages 6 to 15 an opportunity to test their strength with a swim, bike, and run competition. 7:15-11:00am, Wills Park Pool, 1815 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. 678-2976130. AlpharettaIronKids.events/
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Back to your Roots Farm Fair — Get back to your roots, and get down in the dirt. Meet live farm animals, bring a picnic, and be sure to plan to
spend the day! There will be hands-on garden activities, crafts, face painting, a plant sale, live music, food trucks, and more. 12:00-4:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center Greenhouse, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x229. ChattNatureCenter.org
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TGIF Concert Series Presents Atlanta Dance Party — This popular band will close out the TGIF concert season. 8:00-10:00pm, Chukkar Farm, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta. 770-314-3735. AtlantaPlaysItForward.org
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Car Seat Safety Check — Help your child stay protected — have your seat checked for FREE by one of Milton Police Department’s certified car seat technicians. Appointments are preferred but not required. 9:00am1:00pm, Target, 13055 Highway 9, Milton. 678-242-2527, CityOfMiltonGa.us
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Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live — Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, and Smith Plantation historic house museums will be participating in this event. Admission to each house museum is FREE with a reserved
ONGOING Roswell Riverside Sounds — The first Saturday of each month through October, bring your own picnic or purchase food at the food trucks on site, then sit back and enjoy some fantastic live music. The Roosevelts (9/1) and Dustbowl Revival (10/6) will be the last two performers in 2018. 7:00-9:00pm, Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. RoswellRiversideSounds.com
parking available at 37 Old Roswell Street, Milton Center on Milton Avenue, and City Hall parking deck at 2 Park Place, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000. Alpharetta. Ga.us
ONGOINGO Alpharetta Food Truck Alley — Each Thursday through October 11, this weekly gathering will have a variety of rotating food trucks, music, and fun children’s activities. 5:00-9:00pm,
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
Yoga in the Park — The second Sunday of each month through November, all levels are welcome to attend this FREE 60-minute class. End the session with a complimentary mimosa at Osteria Mattone. 10:00am, Heart of Roswell Park, 925 Canton Street, Roswell. 678-8783378. OsteriaMattone.com
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
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ticket through Smithsonian Magazine’s website. The ticket must be presented (print-out or phone) to receive free admission. 10:00am-4:00pm, Roswell. SmithsonianMag.com/MuseumDay
Alpharetta Wedding Showcase — This event will feature over forty vendors such as photographers, wedding cake bakeries, DJs, formal wear shops, invitation specialists, florists, and more. 1:00-3:30pm, The Hotel at Avalon & Alpharetta Conference Center, 9000 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 470-5881075. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
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Alpharetta Art in the Park — Through September, this monthly event features handcrafted work by local artists who create masterpieces right before your eyes. Enjoy the pottery, woodwork, metal work, jewelry creations, handmade children’s clothing, photography, watercolor, oil, soaps and lotions, mosaic art, and much more. 9:00am-4:00pm, Corner of Main Street & Milton Avenue, Alpharetta. 678-296-2829. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
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Pup-a-Palooza — This fun event features live music, caricature sketches of people with their furry BFFs, and more. There are contests for Best Dressed Dog and Best Dog Trick. For people, the Johns Creek Veterans Association will be selling food, while pets splurge on doggie treats. 11:00am-1:00pm, Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-512-3256. JohnCreekGa.gov
22-23
Cheryl & Co Horse Show (GHJA Local Show) — This is a Local Georgia Hunter Jumper rated show. Riders come from all over the Southeast to participate and compete to be judged by nationally ranked judges from throughout the U.S. 8:00am-6:00pm, Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11915 Wills Road, Alpharetta. 678-297-6122. Facebook.com/ ShowWithTheCo/
Fall Native Plant Sale — Horticulturists and master gardeners will be on site to answer all plant questions. There will be many native plants from which to choose. 10:00am-5:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x229. ChattNatureCenter.org
28-30
Artist Show With Maya Eventov — See provocative paintings, and meet the artist. Friday 6:00-9:00pm, Saturday 1:00-4:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm, and Sunday 1:00-4:00pm. Vinings Gallery, 938 Canton Street, Roswell. 770-545-8887. ViningsGallery.com
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Scarecrow Harvest — Alpharetta’s downtown streets will be lined with over 100 scarecrows to celebrate its fall spirit. Join in on the FREE family entertainment that includes groovy country music, crow-cornhole, hay rides, face painting, historical demos, artsy activities, story-telling, festival food, and inflatables. 10:00am-2:00pm, 35 Milton Avenue, downtown Alpharetta. 678-2976000. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
September is Read a New Book Month When you open the pages of a book, you find yourself swept up in a new world of characters and stories, or valuable information. Use this celebration as your motivation to pick up that novel you’ve been meaning to finish, that DIY manual you bought to complete that project, or even a self-help book to help you become a better version of yourself.
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Alpharetta Brew Moon Fall Fest — Celebrate fall with a variety of Jekyll beers on tap, wine, and delicious food from some of Alpharetta’s best restaurants. Enjoy live music from KRS and Band X. Please bring your own chair. Backpacks and coolers are not allowed, and admission is $10. 6:30-11:00pm, Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. 678-297-2811. AwesomeAlpharetta.com
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Community Safety Day — This event features the Johns Creek Fire and Police departments, who will perform a variety of safety demonstrations. Presentations include S.W.A.T. demonstrations by the North Metro S.W.A.T. team, car seat safety checks, K-9 demonstrations, fire extinguisher demonstrations, safety presentations, and more. 9:00am-12:00pm, Home Depot and Target parking lots, 5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. JohnsCreekGa.gov
OCTOBER
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Atlanta International Night Market — Enjoy delicious food from all over the world, exciting cultural performances, a fun and festive Kids Zone, a huge retail/shopping area, a cooking demonstration tent, a full bar, an educational International Village, and so much more! Friday and Saturday 5:00pm-12:00am and Sunday 12:009:00pm, North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. 770-740-9273. ATLNightMarket.org
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Home By Dark Concert — Danny Mitchell and Cindy Morgan tell the stories behind
their songs in this songwriters-in-theround concert event that often proves how just one song can change your life. 8:00pm, Chukkar Farm Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road. 770-314-3735. ChukkarFarmPoloClub.com
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Crabapple Knoll Vet Clinic Adoption Day — Several dogs and cats are in need of a forever home. Consider giving these loving pets a second chance at a new beginning, or just come by to meet and play with them for a little while! There will be food available, raffles, and a couple of pet-related vendors. Staff and volunteers will also be there to bathe
your pet and give them toenail trims at a reduced cost. 10:00am-4:00pm, Crabapple Knoll Vet Clinic, 12604 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta. 770-4758272. Facebook.com/CrabappleKnoll
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The Story Pirates Greatest Hits Show — This is a sketch-comedy musical based on some of the Pirates’ favorite stories written by kids from around the country, plus a segment that’s entirely improvised according to suggestions from kids in the audience! 10:00am and 1:30pm, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-594-6232. RoswellGov.com/CAC/Family
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Crabapple Fest — This arts festival features over 100 juried local antique and art vendors, kids’ activities, local musicians, fantastic food, and more. Spend the day shopping for one-of-a-kind items, and enjoy all Milton has to offer! Parking is FREE. Shuttles will be available from Crabapple First Baptist Church, 12760 Birmingham Highway, Milton. 10:00am-5:00pm, 12650 Crabapple Road, downtown Milton. 678-2422500. CityOfMiltonGa.us
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
LIBRARY EVENTS AFPLS.org ALPHARETTA
10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, 404-613-6735
MILTON
855 Mayfield Road, Milton, 404-613-4402
JEWELRY CLASS - EARRINGS September 8, 2:30pm, East Roswell Workshop participants will learn the techniques for constructing earrings. Each participant will leave with a unique pair of earrings. Bring your own beads or use those provided. Reservations are required. This class is for adults.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE September 6, 11:00am-4:00pm, Milton Help the American Red Cross with its late summer blood drive. This is the last scheduled blood drive until the Library Blood Drive Challenge on November 28. Each pint collected saves three lives! Call 404-613-4402 for registration details. This is for ages 17+. TORNADO ALLEY September 8, 2:30pm, East Roswell Measure atmospheric pressure with weather instruments, suction cups, tornado tubes, and wind bags. Presented by High Touch High Tech, reservations are required. This is for ages 4-12. JOHNS CREEK POETRY GROUP September 8, 10:15am, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Published poets will lead the discussion and workshops. This is for adults and children 8+. YOUNG ARTISTS September 8 & 22, 4:00-5:30pm, Ocee Basic techniques of drawing, painting, elements of art, principles of design, and cartoon/anime drawing will be taught.
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
NORTHEAST/SPRUILL OAKS 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek, 770-360-8820
OCEE
5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek, 770-360-8897
AMEDICARE INFORMATION WORKSHOP September 13, 6:00-7:00pm, Ocee This free, informative workshop will feature helpful information on Medicare. CAREER AND COLLEGE PLANNING JOB FAIR September 15, 1:00-4:00pm, Ocee Calling all teens and adults, connect with members of the metro-Atlanta community for internship, volunteer, and career opportunities. College, medical, government, retail, and business organizations will be onsite. “SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING” September 15, 10:30am, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Hear the science behind the statement that, “Sitting is the new smoking” from Professional Trainer DeWitt Thompson. This is for adults and teens. Reservations are required. MOCK ACT EXAM September 15, 10:30am, Milton Take a mock ACT exam for free! Applerouth Tutoring will proctor the exam and provide each student with a comprehensive report of their exam results including strengths and weaknesses. The event code is M305640. This is limited to the first thirty students who register at Applerouth.com and is for ages 14+. FREESTYLE FAMILY CRAFT FUN September 20, 4:00pm, Alpharetta Exercise your creative skills by making something wonderful with the library’s art and craft supplies. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. THE WORLD OF INDONESIAN COOKING September 22, 12:30pm, Alpharetta In an exciting new partnership with IACA (Indonesian American Community in Atlanta), representatives will share and demonstrate traditional Indonesian culture and recipes. Samples will be provided. Registration suggested by emailing Michael.Salpeter@ fultoncountyga.gov. However, walk-ins are welcome.
ROSWELL
115 Norcross Street, Roswell, 770-640-3075
EAST ROSWELL
2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, 404-613-4050
ADULT ART CLASS - CLAY FALL LEAF BOWL September 22, 2:30pm, East Roswell Create a clay fall leaf bowl with warm glazes and designs. All levels are welcome. Reservations are required. This class is for adults. NE/SPRUILL OAKS LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE September 28, 1:00-4:00pm, September 29, 10:00am-4:00pm, and September 30, 2:00-4:00pm Gently used books and media for purchase at great prices! Sign up to volunteer at FriendsOfSpruillOaks. org. This is for all ages. MOCK SAT EXAM September 29, 10:30am, Milton Take a mock SAT exam for free! Applerouth Tutoring will proctor the exam and provide each student with a comprehensive report of their exam results, including strengths and weaknesses. Don’t miss this free opportunity to improve your SAT score! The event code is M305639. This is limited to the first thirty students who register at Applerouth.com and is for ages 14+. WHO WERE THE “RIGHTEOUS GENTILES?” September 30, 3:00pm, Alpharetta In a partnership with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust, a representative will speak about non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some remarkable accounts of altruism. This is for ages 10 to adult. Registration is suggested by emailing Michael.Salpeter@ fultoncountyga.gov. However, walk-ins are welcome.
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Community Roswell Arts Fund Invites You to Meet “Zoey,” Its First Street Piano Roswell Arts Fund and Play Me Again Pianos, a nonprofit charity dedicated to installing and permanently maintaining 88 public pianos throughout the Atlanta area, invite you to meet and welcome “Zoey,” Roswell’s first street piano at the East Roswell Recreation Center. Zoey, a name that means “life,” was designed by local artist Amol Saraf to show the beauty of nature and as a celebration of life. She is available for everyone to play and enjoy.
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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Roswell Library Branch Under Renovation
Community
As part of the ongoing Library Renovation Project, patrons are reminded to transfer hold items, locate a nearby library to return library materials, and search for library programs at AFPLS.org/locations.
Nonprofit Leader of the Year Announced The 2018 winner, Rose Burton, is the executive director of HomeStretch, an organization headquartered in north Fulton that helps working homeless families return to stability and sustainable permanent housing. Burton joined HomeStretch in 2009 after relocating from Buffalo, NY. She spent the early part of her career in the banking industry. Believing that “serving others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth,” Burton dedicated herself to a life of service and began her nonprofit career in 2002. Burton is a passionate advocate for families in need. Under her leadership at HomeStretch, the agency has grown to serve 39 families each year. As a collaborative partner, she serves on the North Fulton Housing Continuum of Care, the North Fulton Poverty Task Force, and the Roswell Housing Team of the Georgia Initiative on Community Housing. She is a Leadership North Fulton 2015 alum, serves on the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Roswell, where she embraces the motto of “Service Above Self.” Rose holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York Empire State College’s FORUM Management Program and is a member of St. Paul AME Church in Dallas, GA. She lives in Dallas with her husband, Jeff, and together, they have five children and three grandchildren. To learn more about Homestretch, please visit Homestretch.org.
The Roswell branch recently closed to begin extensive renovation work as part of the library’s Capital Improvement Program, Phase II project. The branch began exterior construction work earlier this summer in preparation for closing for interior renovations. “Upgrades will include items like new HVAC systems, roofing, upgraded technology, improved layouts, new shelving, study rooms, ADA-accessible restrooms, and more,” said Dr. Gabriel Morley, director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. Renovations are expected to take from three to nine months. During construction, library service will be available at the East Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton branches. For up-to-date information on the renovation, please visit AFPLS.org/ news/2193-library-renovation-projectupdate, or call the renovation hotline at 404-613-READ(7323).
Fulton County Schools Police Officers Receive New Body Cameras Fulton County Schools (FCS) police officers are now outfitted with body cameras. These camera systems are becoming part of all police officers’ standard uniform, including those of the FCS Police Department, similar to the way body armor/vests and other safety equipment are now standard issue. About sixty body cameras were distributed, and officers have been trained on how to correctly operate them. Called “Portable Audio and Video” (PAV) recording systems, the cameras are designed to assist and complement the officers in the performance of their duties with a visual or audio recording of certain activities. The recordings are intended to provide an unbiased record of incidents, thereby supplementing the officer’s reports and providing transparency of police interactions with students and the community.
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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Fulton County School District Adopts FY 2019 Millage Rate The Fulton County School Board recently passed a combined millage of 17.796, which is the lowest school tax rate in the metro Atlanta area. The motion passed with a vote of 4-2-1, with members Julia Bernath, Gail Dean, Kimberly Dove, and Katha Stuart voting for approval, and Linda McCain and Katie Reeves voting not to approve. Board President Linda Bryant abstained from the vote. Fulton County’s total millage consists of two rates – a maintenance and operations (M&O) rate and a debt service rate. The school board adopted a 17.796 M&O rate and a 0.0 milldebt service rate, for a total of 17.796 mills – the lowest Fulton County Schools millage rate since 2010. “Setting millage is a difficult and complicated process. I commend the way our board has balanced the community’s desire for lower tax rates with providing the appropriate funding for our schools and classrooms,” said Superintendent Jeff Rose.
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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Community As the sun begins to set on our summer season, I encourage you to not lose sight of the fact that the parks in Johns Creek are still open and available all year long, and they have something for nearly everyone. And, equally important to note, we have more parks on the way with new amenities. When you have a moment, I invite you to look at the vision for what we have in store by visiting: https://youtu.be/ yK4bxnGGuvI Johns Creek has more than doubled its park space over the past three years, and we have five new parks under design, which will bring our total number of city parks to nine once they are all complete. Of note, our largest park, the yet-to-benamed Cauley Creek/Quail Hollow parcel, will become the third largest park in metro Atlanta with more than 190 acres of both active and passive recreational opportunities. The potential is very exciting.
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
A Parks Update From Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker
The City Council and I are anxiously awaiting our next review of the latest draft design plans in the coming weeks. You may view what has been proposed to date by visiting JohnsCreekGa.gov/ RecreationandParks/Parks-Design-Project. We’ve already begun putting the fortymillion-dollar Parks Bond to use, which was voted on by our residents in 2016, and we have added three synthetic turf fields to help support improved recreational opportunities for youth sports. The next steps for the City Council include approving the new parks designs and prioritizing the phasing and construction timelines for each. We are all anxious to move forward with advancing the new
parks, but it is very important that the City Council take a methodical approach to better ensure we make the most of each dollar spent on behalf of our community. I know how much our parks system means to Johns Creek citizens, and I believe it is a critical piece in the fabric of our community. From sports and concerts to leisure and events, our parks continue to provide great opportunities for people of all ages and abilities in our community to actively come together, to learn more about each other, and to both enjoy and improve our lives in general.
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Milton Approves Contract for Second Green Space Purchase Recently, the Milton City Council approved a contract to purchase another 109.59 acres of green space. The approved contract begins a ninety-day due-diligence period for the City to officially complete the purchase of the Wolff property, consisting of four parcels located in the southwest portion of the city. During the due-diligence period, Milton will complete several tasks related to the purchase including a survey and environmental assessments. The purchase price for this green space acquisition is $3,835,650, which is $35,000 per acre, and if approved for purchase, would bring Milton’s total acquired green space to 241 acres. The Wolff property marks the second green space purchase, following the City’s initial green space purchase of the Milton Country Club property earlier this year. The property was recommended by the Milton Greenspace Advisory Committee (MGAC), a citizen-led committee created by the City in 2017 to help facilitate the property evaluation process for the 2016 citizen-approved, $25-million-dollar green space bond referendum. “Our committee has worked extensively with the Georgia Conservancy over the last year to carefully evaluate and prioritize possible green space options within Milton,” said MGAC Chair Colt Whittall. “This is a beautiful tract of land that met a number of key selection criteria including water resources, natural areas, and wildlife habitat.” Assistant City Manager Carter Lucas provided specific property details during his recent presentation to Council. According to Lucas, the property includes 6,000 feet along a Little River stream tributary, contains a 2.5-acre pond, serves as a migratory path for numerous species of birds, and includes an existing partial soft-surface trail infrastructure. In addition, the Wolff property, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is located within a regional area where threatened or endangered species have been located. “We applaud the efforts of our citizens serving on the GreenSpace Committee,” said Mayor Joe Lockwood. “They’ve dedicated countless hours of their personal time to evaluating properties and working to ensure that we’re maximizing our limited green space bond funds for our citizens.” Teresa Stickels, Milton’s conservation projects manager and staff liaison to MGAC, said, “It’s been incredible to see this process move from a voter ballot question to actually executing property purchases. We’re getting greener with every purchase!” The City of Milton’s green space efforts were recently recognized at the state level as part of the Georgia Conservancy’s Common Ground Summit on conservation and the economy. Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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Age Is Just a Number By Kevin Head, Ph.D. [InGoodFaith] I recently had the opportunity to speak at Career Day for middle schoolers. When I introduced myself, I shared with the students that my wife and I had been married 28 years. That’s when it hit me — I have been married twice as long as these students have been alive! Wow — I really felt old. Whether I like it or not, signs of aging are all around me. Gray hairs, forgetfulness, and even poor eyesight don’t make a person feel younger. Someone shared with me that you know you are getting older when you sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going — when you burn the midnight oil after 7:00pm — when you look forward to a dull evening — when your knees buckle but not your belt — when your back goes out more than you do — when you decide to procrastinate
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and never get around to it — when you sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there. Well, I recognize some of these traits in my life, but I’m not willing to write about which ones. Actually, I think God is reminding me that age is just a number. We all know people who are old souls in young bodies as well as those who are young at heart in their later years of life. John Ray writes, “They who would be young when they are old must be old when they are young.” Some people live a lifetime in a few short years, while others never get around to living abundantly in a century. Genesis 5:27 tells us that Methuselah lived 969 years, but could he have possibly “lived” more than Jesus lived in less than 35 years? True living is about quality, not about a certain number of calendar years.
Satchel Paige, the great baseball player, once asked a thought-provoking question: “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” He also is quoted as saying, “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” I think God is teaching us that when it comes to age, we really shouldn’t mind.
Dr. Kevin Head is senior pastor of First Baptist Roswell. 770-587-6980, Kevin@fbroswell.org
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TRENDING TOPICS IN GARDENING —
Underplanting and Groundcovers By Lisa Ethridge
[HomeLife] September is a great time to look at your garden with a critical eye. Barren slopes eroding away, garden beds or woodland areas begging to be edged, cracks and crevices in pathways gaping blankly, or lone trees jutting out of a patch of dirt or grass indicate that it’s time to get busy with groundcovers. Professional designers know that underplanting is essential to any good garden plan.
Groundcovers are hardworking plants. They are low-growing and spread quickly; once they are established, they require little maintenance. Before heading to the nursery, research “groundcovers” and “underplanting.” There are several helpful articles on Extension.UGA.edu. Try to use what you have by seeing if you have plants that could be divided and replanted in the new bed.
The latest horticultural trends stress the importance of underplanting beds and tree canopies with perennials, vines, ground covers, bulbs, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. The plants grow well together and create the look of a beautiful carpet under trees and along the borders of your property. The good news is the optimal time to undertake this type of planting project is fall.
Measure the area to determine how many plants you need. For optimal results, plant for the closest spacing, so they grow together quickly. Use a small tool, not a shovel, to plant under trees because their roots are sensitive. Before you select plants, make sure to calculate the number of hours of sun the bed gets. Make sure you have access to a water source.
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The Georgia climate makes it easy to grow any number of interesting plants. To get the ideal sweeping effect, place a group of like plants together; repetition makes it more appealing. Study lists of groundcovers for zone 7A; collect ideas on Pinterest, and talk with other gardeners to get planting suggestions. It’s all about the leaves in underplanting, so look for different types of foliage, textures, and colors. After planting, mulching, and watering, be patient. If a plant fails, pull it up, and replant. Remember, a beautiful garden is a journey, not a destination.
Lisa Ethridge is a member of the award-winning Roswell Garden Club and a certified master gardener with North Fulton Master Gardeners, part of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. 404-613-7670, NFMG.net
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21
The Celebrity Revolution Begins
Celebrity Cruises Brings Entire Fleet to the Edge By Michael Consoli
international hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) to transform the staterooms on board Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity, and Celebrity Summit, plus the staterooms and many of the suites on board Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Reflection into a statement about modern luxury. All staterooms will feature a fresh, chic design, rivaling the world’s best boutique hotels. They will also be fitted with Celebrity’s eXhale bedding featuring exclusive luxurious cashmere mattresses, RFID locks, pervasive Xcelerate, and Bluetooth capabilities. _______
“Revolutionary” Culinary Celebrity is always looking for new ways to open the world, not only through the places the brand visits, but through globally inspired culinary experiences as well.
[Lifestyle] Once again, Celebrity Cruises is set to transform the industry with the unveiling of the celebrity revolution, a more than $500-million reimagining of the fleet in partnership with more than 500 leading architects, designers, and engineers designed to bring the rest of the brand’s award-winning fleet to the edge. _______
The Suite Life Just Got Sweeter Transforming the brand’s award-winning ships gave Celebrity the opportunity to bring its already world-class suite experience on board Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity, and Celebrity Summit to lavish new heights with the help of visionary designer Kelly Hoppen, MBE. She will also infuse the newly added Reflection Suite and Signature Suites (found today on Celebrity Reflection) to Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, and Celebrity Silhouette, with her signature style – a subtle, coordinated fusion of East meets
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
West, with clean lines, neutral tones, and a warm, inviting opulence. With Celebrity Edge, the brand introduced an exclusive new sanctuary for all suiteclass guests called The Retreat. And now, Celebrity is bringing its most luxurious experiences fleet-wide. Every ship will offer The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge, both strikingly designed by Hoppen. In imagining The Retreat Sundeck, she has created a chic, openair hideaway with the feel of a high-end resort, where guests can unwind on plush loungers, sip tantalizing cocktails, and savor refreshing treats. At The Retreat Lounge (formerly Michael’s Club), Hoppen has designed a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. _______
Qsine, a guest-favorite restaurant, will be added across the fleet. Completely renovated, Qsine will offer the brand’s virtual LePetit Chef experience, created by the world-famous artists of Skullmapping and presented by TableMation exclusively for Celebrity. Oceanview Cafe will be redesigned with an open, airy, marketplace-inspired design offering guests island after island of international delicacies, while the already-stunning Main Restaurants will undergo a beautiful redesign, with new textures and new finishes added throughout. The first “Revolutionary” revitalization will take place in 2019, beginning with the iconic Celebrity Millennium, and will continue across the fleet through 2023. L
“Revolutionary” Accommodations When redesigning the accommodations, every detail was carefully thought through with guest comfort at the front of mind. Celebrity collaborated with renowned
Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com
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When One Mind Is Better Than Two By Chris Miller, Esq.
Managing an estate is a lot like [HomeLife] running a vacuum cleaner — it works better if only one person does the job. Families choosing executors to take charge of an estate often ask whether all the children can serve together as co-executors. The legal answer is not the practical answer. Yes, it might be legal to give more than one child the power to act simultaneously for the estate, but that shared gift can lead to bitter fights and resentment. It is also much more complicated to have two co-executors serving together because of the logistics involved. When two co-executors are named to serve together, both must visit the probate court to sign an Executor’s Oath. Then, both must meet at a chosen bank to open an account in the name of the estate and coordinate the application for a tax ID number from the IRS. Some
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
bank branches will even decline to open an estate account with two co-executors for fear of the liability they might have in letting two people spend the estate’s funds independently. This is only half of the story. When two co-executors have to clean out a home, even the smallest differences of opinion can turn into vicious arguments. Without a pecking order described in the will, no effective tie-breaker is available to calm things down. Experience teaches us that no matter the age or maturity, children coping with the loss of a parent have high emotions. A good way to prevent arguments is to choose an individual executor, and write that person a letter with clear instructions about who you might want to receive certain items.
frequently find themselves at odds with one another is in deciding whether to sell the house that a deceased parent lived in, especially if that house sits on land owned by the family for generations. With co-executors, the decision to sell might be easy, but disagreements arise about the right listing price or which real estate agent to use. For these reasons, and a few others, one executor can push an estate faster and more efficiently than two.
Chris Miller is an attorney at the Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, P.C., 11800 Amber Park Drive, Suite 130, Alpharetta. 678-746-2900. NorthFultonWills.com
Another topic where co-executors
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COVER STORY
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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A
t St. George Village, the fun is right in your own back yard! They encourage their residents to pursue a lifestyle of active engagement, and their outdoor amenities are second to none.Take a look at some of what they have to offer in the great outdoors:
Improving the Short Game Marge Pizzolatto, who moved to St. George Village six years ago, says she found that the putting green is a great place to socialize and make new friends while practicing her short game. “It’s a popular place,” she said.“And meeting on the green is a good way to welcome some of our newer residents.We’ve started having a ‘putting party’ on Sunday evenings, which is fun.”
Lawn Bowling Good friends Tom McDermott and Dick Peischl put their heads together and came up with an idea they thought would appeal to fellow residents who wanted to have some fun outdoors: bocce ball.
“We walk our dog,Willy, on the trails that wind their way through the property, but you have to always have your dog on a leash,” said Mrs. Devers.“The dog park is wonderful because it gives dogs a place to go free off-leash.We take Willy there almost every afternoon, so he can run and chase toys.”
Outdoor activities like these are but one of the many facets of life at St. George Village that make it a special place with a true sense of community and fellowship. See how a retirement lifestyle of active engagement — with outdoor fun — can be yours. Call Stacy Anthony at 678-9870402 for more information. Find more details about the community, lifestyle, and residents online at StGeorgeVillage.org, and on Facebook and Pinterest.
Green Thumbs Up One of the most popular spots at St. George Village is the sunny, serene patch of land overlooking the lake that boasts a variety of beautiful vegetable and flower raised-bed gardens maintained by residents. One of our resident gardening experts, Hilda Daiber, recently called her green-thumbed friends’ efforts “seasonal magic,” describing them in detail:
770-645-2340 or toll free
866-826-3400 StGeorgeVillage.org Hardscrabble
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Rd.
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dsto
“Nancy Allvine’s pink Asian Lilies, fifty or more; Dick Pokornowski’s bag of seeds, spread, with flowers now too numerous to count, looking like a traditional English garden; Dottie Heuslein’s sunflowers, ten feet tall and visible from all the southwest-facing apartments; Ginny Kausch’s pickle vines (she has already picked four cucumbers over twelve inches long); Laureen Johnson’s vines, which have already yielded a bag full of beans; Ken Raheja’s gladiolus are yellow giants; and Fr.Tony Curran’s cherry tomato plants, which have yielded a bag full even though he had planted late.”
11350 Woodstock Road Roswell, Georgia 30075
Woo
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
Pets are an integral part of the St. George Village community.While some residents have indoor pets like cats and birds, many others have dogs that require outdoor time. Mary Beth and Jim Devers are especially pleased with the newest addition to the St. George Village grounds — a new dog park.
King Rd.
“We were talking about starting some new activities, and bocce ball seemed like a fun idea.At first, we played on the lawn, setting up a regular Thursday evening game.When people started turning out for the weekly games, we realized we needed a court! So, we went to the local adult recreation center to see their courts and brought our information back to the executive director here. He agreed it was a good idea, and soon, we had a real court,” said Mr. McDermott. “It really caught on! Now we even have competitions between St. George Village and other local communities.”
Going to the Dogs
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Dentures By Vishant Nath, D.M.D. [HealthyLife] According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 57 percent of Americans aged 65 to 74 and 51 percent of Americans aged 55 to 64 wear full or partial dentures. Regardless of your age, having teeth is super important! Having teeth allows for the ability to speak and eat more easily, not to mention the importance of teeth in maintaining facial appearance. Since over half of adult Americans have some sort of dentures, chances are good that you or someone you know is in this group. If you or someone you care for has dentures, it is important to understand how to best care for them over time. As stated above, dentures can play a significant role in quality of life for those who
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need them. Having to live without some or all of your teeth will drastically affect the way you eat, speak, and look. Partial dentures are prescribed when the patient still has some of their natural teeth. Full dentures are required when all teeth are missing. New dentures may feel awkward initially, as it can take a few weeks to get used to them. It is common to notice some soreness or mild irritation to the gums and cheeks. It is imperative to continue good oral hygiene habits with dentures. Brushing of the gums, cheeks, and roof of mouth helps to stimulate circulation in these areas. This should be done every morning before putting the dentures in place. Another crucial part of dental hygiene with dentures is to brush the dentures themselves daily after removing them. The tissues of the mouth should be brushed again in the evening to remove any food particles that may remain in the oral cavity.
Some denture wearers see benefit in the use of denture adhesives. Adhesives come in several different forms – creams, powders, pads/wafers, liquids, and strips. Consult your dentist for advice on what might work best for your situation. Regardless of whether you still have some of your natural teeth, it is very important to schedule regular appointments with your dentist. The dentist can examine your mouth and assess your dentures to be sure that the fit is still appropriate. No matter your age, work with your dentist to find the best options for you, so that your teeth can allow you to continue to speak, eat, look, and feel your best!
Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com
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Book Review BY JESSICA ASBELL
N
ew neighbors! Those words can either bring happiness or despair, depending on who moves in. So, imagine Abby’s surprise when she goes next door to meet the new neighbors and finds herself face to face with the love of her life — when they are both married to someone else. After pushing Liam away following the death of her brother in an accident that was her fault, Abby slowly finds happiness again with Nate. They move away, build a life, and have a daughter, Sarah. But their picture-perfect marriage is put to the test when Liam, Nancy, and their son, Zac, move in. As Liam and Abby hide their past from their spouses and fight their feelings for each other, lies are told, spouses grow suspicious, and a rash act means the end of life as they know it. In The Neighbors, author Hannah Mary McKinnon explores what happens when an ex-boyfriend moves next door. Abby is broken after the death of her brother. A tragic character, Abby never forgives herself and believes that she is not worthy of happiness. So, she builds a life, away from the one she loves the most, in hopes that by denying herself true love and happiness, she can pay penance for her brother’s death. Told from the eyes of Abby, Nate (the husband who worships her), Sarah (their daughter), and Nancy, the not-so-naïve wife of Liam, we see firsthand how lies can invade someone’s death and infect everything they touch — and how there might be more going on in the neighborhood than meets the eye.
At times heartbreaking, and at other times witty, The Neighbors is a complex view of how well we know our neighbors, our families, our spouses, and ourselves. When nothing is as it seems, how can we know what the truth is? And when your world falls apart, where do you turn? If you are looking for drama and a dose of domestic suspense, pick up a copy of The Neighbors.
Jessica Asbell is an avid reader and a children’s minister. She holds a B.B.A. from Mercer and a Master of Divinity in Christian education from McAfee School of Theology.
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MILTON
Mayor’s Minute
Go o d Co m municat ion Maintaining a High Quality of Life in M ilton
Q
uality of life is important to everyone. It can mean something different for every family, every community. It’s definitely subjective, but it’s also something that we’re all constantly striving for in our lives. It’s the reason families and businesses gravitate to a specific community. Several years ago, a national business publication survey recognized the Milton for having the highest quality of life in the state of Georgia and the ninth highest quality of life in the South. For the last two years, we’ve been ranked the second safest city in Georgia by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, and even more recently, I learned an online publication ranked Milton number two out of the Top 10 Best Places to Live in Georgia for 2018. In Milton, ensuring that our residents experience a high quality of life is a key factor in all that we do. Do residents have sufficient parks and recreation opportunities, regardless of age or gender? Are we providing the necessary resources for police and fire to ensure public safety? Are we doing all that we can to support and sustain the environment? What infrastructure improvements are needed to alleviate congestion and improve the transportation experience for our residents? How can we grow our commercial tax base while retaining our beloved rural character? These questions aren’t, and can’t be, answered in a vacuum at Milton City Hall — they are answered as a result of our staff, elected officials, residents, and business owners engaging in regular community conversations. Sometimes, those conversations are informal, taking place in the local grocery store
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By Mayor Joe L
ockwood
or at the high school stadium on a Friday night; other times, they are more formal and occur as a result of a personal letter or as part of a town hall meeting for a community planning effort. There are times when the community may not agree on certain issues, or when the greater good must outweigh the concerns or desires of a few. Regardless, actively listening to what the community needs and wants for its future directly contributes to our high quality of life in Milton. I’m a firm believer that what works for one community doesn’t necessarily work for every community — it’s not a one-sizefits-all. The community has a responsibility to engage; local government must be committed to the greater good and active listening; and all of us working together ensures we’re striving for and maintaining that high quality of life we’ve come to expect in Milton. If you have questions, or if you’d like to learn more about how you can engage with us, please email Info@cityofmiltonga.us, or feel free to reach out to me directly at Joe.Lockwood@cityofmiltonga.us. L
Joe Lockwood is the mayor of the city of Milton. 678-242-2484. Joe.Lockwood@CityOfMiltonGa.us
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Senator Speaks
S
ince the 2018 Legislative Session wrapped up in late March, we have been busy with study committee meetings and preparing to pre-file legislation for the 2019 Legislative Session. The Georgia Senate School Safety Study Committee, which I chair, has met four times around the state. I sponsored Senate Resolution 935, which created this study committee. Members of the Study Committee have been traveling the state and meeting with all stakeholders to determine ways that each community can keep their schools and children safe. The Committee’s goal and job throughout the meetings has been to listen, compile information, and make actionable suggestions to be included in a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation. Additionally, a Committee website was launched: GaSenatek12Safety.com. All interested parties are encouraged to visit the website to provide feedback for Committee members to review, compile, and consider before recommendations are made in preparation for the 2019 Legislative Session. Along with Study Committee meetings, I’ve been reviewing the impact of legislation we passed this past session and what legislation is necessary next session to continue to make Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. This past session, we passed not only the largest income tax cut in Georgia’s history, but also the first individual income tax cut since 1937, and the first corporate tax cut since 1969. House Bill 918 includes a doubling of the standard deduction for taxpayers of all statuses, effective January 1, 2018. In addition, the update will reduce the income tax rate from six percent to 5.75 percent for both individuals and businesses as of January 1, 2019, and it contains a provision to lower income tax rates further, to 5.5 percent, effective January 1, 2020, if approved by the General Assembly after a comprehensive review of the state’s economic outlook. Next session, I will continue my quest to bring income tax down to a more flat and fair rate.
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Planning for the
2019 Legislative Session By Senator John Albers I have also been reviewing the impact of House Bill 930. Under HB 930, the newly created Atlanta-Region Transit Link (ATL) Commission is responsible for overseeing planning, transit funding, construction, and coordinating transit projects across thirteen metro Atlanta counties. Although I believe this legislation is taking us in the right direction by putting our transit organizations under one roof, I still believe there is more work to be done. I plan to look at additional traffic congestion relief legislation by working with cities, counties, and state agencies to improve commute times and safety for our citizens. Along with pursuing further action on our income tax rate and transportation relief, I think it’s important to address surprise medical billing. Last session, House Bill 314 addressing surprise medical billing did not receive final passage. I plan to champion this legislation again in 2019 to protect patients, bring greater transparency, and ensure that all our citizens have a clear understanding of medical costs.
Additionally, I would like to review the impact of putting technology first by having first grade students begin learning about important information technology skills and software development (coding). It is evident that we live in a world where technology is evolving not by the year, month, or hour, but oftentimes by the minute. It’s important that we introduce these skills as early as possible to ensure that our students have every tool to not only be successful later in life, but to keep up with the constantly evolving culture of technology. I will continue to provide updates during the interim and once session begins. Please reach out with any questions, suggestions, or feedback. My door is always open. L
Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton County. 404463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com, John. Albers@Senate.Ga.gov
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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Community Partner
The Center for the Visually Impaired in Your Community
Every person with vision loss should be able to live with independence and dignity. This mission guides the activities at the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI), a nonprofit vision resource and rehabilitation center located in the heart of metro Atlanta. CVI offers programming and rehabilitation services to support people all over Georgia who are visually impaired or blind. It is Georgia’s largest, comprehensive, fully accredited, private facility providing vision rehabilitation services. CVI was started by a group of parents facing a collective challenge: how to help their visually impaired children reach their full potential. Interested in enhancing opportunities for their children, the devoted parents sought specialized training for them in orientation and mobility, advanced communication, and daily living skills. Led by George and Jean Henderson, the group established a new agency in 1962, Community Services for the Blind, which later changed its name to the Center for the Visually Impaired. CVI provides a variety of training for the visually impaired, supporting individuals throughout their lives. For 55 years, CVI has offered vocational rehabilitation for working-age adults, social, therapeutic, academic, and recreational services for school-aged youth, and specialized classes and support for children under the age of five. CVI also offers a community-based program, providing training directly in the home. Additionally, CVI provides training classes on topics such as Braille, white cane travel, diabetes management, assistive
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
technology, cooking and meal preparation, health and fitness, financial management, self-defense, and emergency preparedness. Special events are held throughout the year to support CVI’s prgrams. The next event is Dining in the Dark — a one-of-a-kind dining experience designed to raise awareness about vision loss. At this event, guests are served a three-course meal in complete darkness, amplifying their sense of smell, touch, taste, and sound. The featured menu remains a mystery and is delivered to guests’ tables by members of the Atlanta Police Department SWAT Team, using their night-vision equipment. Dinner is preceded by a training session that shows guests the dining techniques CVI teaches clients with low or no vision. The event will be held Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. When CVI was founded, rehabilitation services for people with vision loss were only just beginning to be developed. The growth of CVI over the years represents more than an expansion of services — it also reflects the organization’s leadership in finding new ways to help people live more independently. The organization is proud to serve more than 4,000 Georgians annually.
For more information about CVI or how you can help, please visit CVIGA.org, or call 404-875-9011.
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Celebrating Grandparents Day By Christy Noll [HomeLife] Grandparents Day is September 9, and it is a great time to consider the special relationship our children might have with their grandparents and the positive impact that relationship has on their lives, which can last a lifetime. Grandparents have an abundance of life experience, which makes children want to sit next to them and soak in all their wise words. Grandparents may have seen parts of the world that they can describe in detail, or maybe they have been to war or lived through hard economic times, which will allow them to share lessons learned. Children look forward to time with grandparents because they might have a special story to share, an extra big hug when your child is feeling down or
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
overwhelmed, or a homemade cookie recipe when your child needs it most. Grandparents can also help fill in the gaps in the family’s history and share information about relatives your child may never have met. Research has shown that the bond between a grandparent and his/her grandchild rivals only the emotional bond between a parent and his/her child. It is very common that the second closest relatives to a person are grandparents. Spending time making memories and traditions with grandparents often helps children lead a more happy and satisfied life overall. Make Grandparents Day special this year by creating a card/
craft or treating them to a meal to show appreciation for all their love and support.
Christy Noll is founder of AlpharettaMoms.org, a resource that connects North Fulton families with community organizations, programs, and events.
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Now Hiring! The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety By Jim Cheatham
T
here are currently numerous vacancies in the police and 911 ranks. Fire, thankfully, is fully staffed as of July 30. Being understaffed seems to be a national trend, as many departments around the country are facing shortages, especially among their police ranks. The natural question is, “Why?” Being in public safety, especially a police officer, is not for everyone. When the economy is good, we see fewer applicants, as we are not their first choice. The allure of financial opportunities, better work hours, and better workdays can all be reasons, though that is a matter of perspective. And let’s face it, you don’t have to watch the news long to get a feeling that it’s tough, even dangerous, to be a police officer right now. When applicants do decide on the police profession, they compare agencies regarding salary, benefits, equipment, and training offered. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is competitive, and even though how it compares to others is in a constant state of change, the Department has a long history of keeping up with the change and staying competitive. What the Department has, that not all
Jim Cheatham is the chief public affairs officer for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. Alpharetta.Aa.us/ publicsafety
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
other agencies have, is an incredibly supportive community. The Department strives to be open and transparent with the community; this relationship is a priority — not just lip service. This relationship is incredibly important — it can even be lifesaving. Other agencies may target recruiting efforts towards places where it is tough to be a police officer, places where there is a strained relationship with the community. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is never on that list.
fire stations, to support from local churches and civic organizations, the community is always supportive.
Why is this so important? Community relations is a constant, all-hands-ondeck job. Families and individuals move to Alpharetta; and corporations and small businesses relocate or originate in Alpharetta because they feel an attraction, an identification, with the city. They became stakeholders in making Alpharetta a great place to live, work, and play. The 911 dispatchers, police officers, and firefighters are passionate about their role in the overall health and well-being of the community. The citizens of Alpharetta
Police officer and 911 dispatcher positions are currently open.
Alpharetta Public Safety feels your support and is very thankful! The Alpharetta Public Safety Department will continue to grow with the community and work on being the best we can be. Call, message, or stop by to discuss how the Department can enhance your quality of life.
make it easy. Public safety is a calling for those in the profession, but the community is right there with them. From the waves on the street, the conversations on the sidewalks, the visits to the police station or any of the
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money you pay up front, the better your interest rate will be, which brings us to other popular types of mortgages: 3. Traditional fixed-rate mortgage - If you plan to stay in your home a long time, most people will choose a fixed-rate mortgage. You pay a down payment of ten to twenty percent or more, and the rate you receive at the time of the loan will remain fixed for the life of the loan. This can provide peace of mind, as you can always count on what your mortgage payment will be.
Getting the
By Jamie Mackrell [Lifestyle] While interest rates have increased in the past year, mortgage loans are still at historically low rates. What’s more, real estate has become a popular investment tool again. Whether you’re purchasing a home to live in or to be used as rental property, you want to get the perfect deal. Where do you start, and what kind of mortgage do you need?
Let’s start with the types of mortgages, as there are many. Most conventional mortgage lenders require a down payment of ten to twenty percent or more, which can be a lot of money for some people. If you have the ability to afford the mortgage payments but the money up front is an issue, consider these two types of mortgages: 1. 100 percent purchase price mortgage - Some lenders offer fixedrate loans that will allow you to borrow Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
100 percent of the home’s value. This is a huge benefit to those who haven’t saved enough for a down payment but would like to purchase soon. 2. “No closing cost” mortgage - With this option, you make a down payment, but the closing costs are folded into your loan. This is a great option if you’re unable to afford both the down payment and closing costs, or you’d simply like to have some extra cash for renovations.
4. Adjustable-rate mortgage - This option offers a lower interest rate to start, but the rate will adjust after a certain time period, depending on market conditions. For example, a 5/1 ARM will adjust after five years, and could potentially go up as much as two percent, depending on the market. If you’re buying a first home that you plan to leave in less than five years, an adjustable-rate mortgage makes great sense. Lowering your interest rate can save you a tremendous amount of money over the life of your loan. There are a variety of factors that affect your interest rate. For starters, a great credit score will improve your rate. If you’re unsure of your credit score, get a free credit report, and make sure it contains no mistakes. Your employment record is another factor. Two years or more of steady employment are important. Finally, the more money you can put down, the better your rate will be. Your house is likely the biggest investment you will ever make. Understanding how a mortgage works, and choosing a recognized, reputable lender will help ensure you make the wisest choice. L
Jamie Mackrell is the Roswell Financial Center manager at LGE Community Credit Union. 1010 Mansell Road, Roswell. 770-424-0060. JamieM@LGEccu.org, LGEccu.org
However, you should know that the more WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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T
he Roswell Arts Festival, one of Roswell’s longest running events, will be held the weekend of September 15 and 16 on the Roswell Town Square. In its 52nd year, the event raises funds to support the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historical and Cultural Affairs Department special projects and programs. This year’s event will feature seventy artists and provide live music and demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Artists from throughout the Southeast participate in the festival. Visitors will find a variety of art forms to explore including paintings, photography, graphics, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, and crafts. Entertainment will feature local singers. Food trucks will offer a variety of selections. There are plenty of kid friendly activities as well. Since its inception, the Festival has provided an opportunity for every child to be an artist by offering an opportunity to create their own painted masterpiece for free. Visitors are also encouraged to contribute to the community painting. Previous community paintings now hang in Roswell City Hall. Valerie Morelli, chair of the Roswell Arts Festival Committee, credits the Festival’s success not only on the small group of volunteers who make the Festival possible, but also the Roswell residents who come back year after year. “I often run into old friends at the Festival; they remember coming as a child and are now bringing their children and their grandchildren to an event that still has a small community feel while offering first-class art and entertainment,” said Morelli. “Committee members continue to challenge themselves to look for ways to enhance the visitor experience. We brought food trucks in a few years ago, which have been popular. We also moved our entertainment from the band shell to a stage on the street, providing children a place to dance and adults a place to relax while enjoying talented performers. In addition, we brought in artist demonstrations last year; the blacksmith demonstration was a particular highlight, and the Festival revenues helped fund a new blacksmith program through the recreation department, so city residents can now try it for themselves.” Since its inception, the Arts Festival has raised more than one million dollars to support programs throughout the city. The Festival has paid for the Riverside Sprayground, the Serenity Garden at Roswell Area Park, and contributed to the Rotary Dream Field at Groveway Community Park as well as many other initiatives. “It’s exciting to put on an event and raise funds for projects you literally drive by throughout the city every day,” said Morelli. The Roswell Arts Festival, while still run by only a handful of volunteers, has recently become part of the Friends of the Roswell Parks to combine efforts to promote the advancement of parks and recreational opportunities in Roswell. e ith liv pm, w 0 uttle 0 h : S 5 . day m to a h c 0 a 0 : e 9 n ited at noo ll. Lim urs are o a g h n H i l y n a t n v i , i Festi swell C ill available nt beg om Ro ainme t r t s f r s e i e t l s n b e rie ila ted. catego is ava nteres i f i service ce in certain m val.co spa tsFesti artist r A l l e osw visit R
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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Healthy Communication in More Ways Than One By Amanda Howard [AcademicLife] Fulton County Schools (FCS) strives to keep the community informed about their schools in many ways such as social media (Twitter/FultonCoSchools, Facebook/ FultonCountySchools, Instagram/FultonCoSchools and https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCLC1IycefFAM3mBsQATf-dQ/ videos), and we even have our own channel, FCS-TV, that is viewable at FultonSchools.org/FCStv or on Comcast channel 24. The district website, FultonSchools.org, will soon be upgraded to a more user-friendly platform, and each school keeps parent- and kid-focused content on its own site. Last month, FCS launched an e-newsletter called “In a Minute: FCS News in 60 Words or 60 Seconds,” which covers a variety of topics. Our school board members also send quarterly “Board Bytes” e-newsletters to their constituents, and Superintendent Jeff Rose has his own weekly newsletter for all school and district staff, believing that keeping employees involved leads to keeping parents and the community informed. Electronically isn’t the only way to learn what’s going on. There are face-to-face school board meetings held every month, and each board member individually hosts monthly community meetings. While many of our efforts cover district-level news, don’t forget that schools have their own social media, newsletters, and events. Some schools provide printed newsletters, while others send emails, and others focus on social media. This communication aligns with our Strategic Plan, which focuses on four key areas: • Student Achievement – We share success stories as well as improvement efforts, district milestones, test score outcomes, and more. • People and Culture – We love to brag about our incredible students and phenomenal teachers and staff! • Community Collaboration – We can’t do this alone, and our volunteers and community partnerships are an integral part of our success. • Fiscal Responsibility – We work hard to maximize resources and public funds to best support students and schools. We look forward to keeping you updated on the latest news. For questions about our communication efforts, please send an email to Communications@fultonschools.org.
Amanda Howard is the communications specialist of Fulton County Schools NLC, 450 Northridge Parkway, Sandy Springs. 404-5938982. FultonSchools.org
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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Mayor’s Minute
Update on the
Proposed Angela Krause Tennis, Pickleball, and Fitness Center By Mayor Lori Henry
A
fter a recent conversation with Vernon Krause of the Krause Foundation, we have jointly decided not to move forward with the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Roswell and the Krause Foundation to locate the Angela Krause Tennis, Pickleball, and Fitness Center in Big Creek Park. When Mr. Krause approached the Mayor’s office with the generous offer of investing upwards of fifty million dollars in a world-class tennis facility for the east side of Roswell, we were very excited about the project. We believed it would have been an economic catalyst for the east side, drawing other investment into that area and being a driver for redevelopment along the Holcomb Bridge Road corridor east of GA-400. We thought the tennis center would have given the east side of Roswell a destination that would draw people from all over the region. We heard a clear message last year from east side residents during the Economic Development Forums that creating a destination for the east side was a priority and key desire. However, the community let us know that they do not support this project for Big Creek Park. We want you to know we hear you again, so we will not be moving forward with it. In the coming months, we will hold a town hall meeting for further input from residents on the possibility and location of a tennis center in Roswell. I want to thank Mr. Krause and the Krause Foundation for wanting to invest millions of dollars into our community to honor his daughter. I hope our community will be able to assist him in the future with his dream to build a facility in memory of Angela. L
Lori Henry is the mayor of the city of Roswell. 770-594-6288. RoswellMayorAndCouncil@roswellgov.com
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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By Thomas Matthews, M.D.
[HealthyLife] Initially, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) typically presents as exertional leg cramping with ambulation. This is known as “claudication” which comes from the Latin word “claudicare,” meaning to limp. Patients who experience claudication will report pain in their calf muscles when walking. Generally, this pain is reproducible and occurs at the same distance each time. After a short period of rest, the patient can usually walk the same distance again before redeveloping symptoms. These symptoms occur secondary to leg artery stenosis, or complete blockage, which starves the leg muscles for blood, causing muscle cramping and pain. The initial management of claudication is lifestyle modification. This includes smoking cessation, supervised exercise therapy, and optimization of medical therapy. Many patients can double their walking distance using these techniques.
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
There is a very high correlation of claudication with cardiovascular disease, as patients with leg artery blockage often have heart artery blockages. For this reason, it is very important for PVD patients to have a high-quality primary care physician and regular follow ups. Sometimes, patients with claudication have disabling symptoms despite lifestyle modification and medical therapy. This is typically defined as leg symptoms that are so severe that patients have difficulty performing duties at work or during activities they normally enjoy. For these patients, after failed conservative therapy, revascularization is an option. Vascular surgeons are a rather unique specialty regarding treatment of PVD. A board-certified vascular surgeon is trained to perform conservative medical therapy, endovascular therapy, or open surgical revascularization. Other specialties that treat vascular disease often cannot offer all three accepted forms of treatment. To obtain a nonbiased and comprehensive evaluation for PVD, an evaluation by a board-certified vascular surgeon is recommended. Patients can check if their vascular specialist is board certified on the American Board of Surgery website
(ABSurgery.org). Checking the board certification of your vascular specialist is very important, as this assures patients that the physician has the proper training and experience to safely perform vascular interventions. When PVD is more severe, patients can experience continuous pain in their legs and feet (known as ischemic rest pain) or even wounds on their feet (ischemic ulcerations). When patients have lifestyle-limiting claudication or limb threatening arterial disease, it is reasonable and appropriate to intervene surgically to correct these issues. Vascular surgeons can offer minimally invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty, arterial stenting, and/or plaque removal techniques. In addition, when disease is very severe, a boardcertified vascular surgeon can perform bypass surgery to correct blood flow abnormalities to save legs that would otherwise need to be amputated.
Thomas Matthews is a board-certified vascular and general surgeon at North Atlanta Vascular & Vein Clinic, which has locations in Johns Creek, Roswell, Cumming, Alpharetta, and Lawrenceville. 770-7714-5260. NAVascularClinic.com
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By Julie Senger
W
hile many folks already know about things like Atlanta’s Olympic Torch Tower, Marietta’s Big Chicken, Alpharetta’s Cagle Castle, or Ball Ground’s Burger Bus, there are many other interesting/peculiar Georgia attractions you may not know existed, which may be worthy of a short detour on your next road trip. Here are a few you may want to check out:
Photos courtesy of 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, JandDImages
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Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden 200 North Lewis Street Summerville 706-808-0800
Known for designing album covers for rock groups such as R.E.M. and the Talking Heads, artist Howard Finster originally started out to build a roadside folk-art tribute to inventors out th 57 Fighter Group Restaurant of junk and scraps. However, according 3829 Clairmont Road to the Paradise Garden Foundation Atlanta website (ParadiseGardenFoundation. 770-234-0057 org), Finster shifted his focus when he This aviation-themed restaurant is was “using his fingers to apply paint to a decorated to look like a WWII refurbished bicycle, he noticed that the active war zone, with vehicles paint smudge on the tip of his finger had and planes on the grounds formed a human face. A voice spoke to outside, while the restaurant him, saying, ‘paint sacred art.’” Finster itself is made to look like went on a bomb-damaged French to create farmhouse. Inside, you can almost put on headsets to listen 47,000 to nearby air traffic control pieces of tower chatter because the art in his establishment is located lifetime, on the runway of Peachtree many of Dekalb Airport, so you can also which can watch small planes take off and be seen in land while you eat. Additionally, Paradise the interior walls are covered with Garden. Paradise Garden Artist Howard Finster’s 1940s memorabilia and pictures. World’s Folk Art Church
North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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Tank Town USA
10408 Appalachian Highway Morganton 706-633-6072
You’ll be driving around in a dirt pit that gets especially muddy when it rains, so you probably don’t want to wear expensive designer duds on this field trip. If you really want to get rid of some pent-up angst in a healthy way, for $599, you can drive the “tank” over a car and crush it!
Pasaquan
238 Eddie Martin Road Buena Vista 706-507-8306 Eddie Owens Martin, the artist/creator of Pasaquan, had been “sick with a fever when he was visited by three very tall humanoids from the future world of Pasaquan. They chose him, they said, to be their envoy, ‘St. EOM,’ the only Pasaquoyan of the twentieth century.” Eddie’s job was to “make art and live his life in a way that would show people how wonderful the future would be.” Eddie went on to spend thirty years adding rooms onto his deceased mother’s farmhouse and filling them with paintings and sculptures of “Pasaquoyans in their anti-gravity power suits.” The seven-acre compound is covered with mystic symbols and zany structures that are a testament to this artist’s colorful past and eclectic personality. Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
Old Car City USA photos courtesy of Brittany Petish
Old Car City USA
Wampus Box
3098 Highway 411, NE White 770-382-6141
2315 Georgia 17 Sautee Nacoochee 706-878-2281
This place is a haven for photographers who love to scour its 32 acres for the perfect rusted-out old vehicle with the best mix of light and shadows dancing across its hood from just the right angle. Opened as a general store during the Great Depression, Old Car City gradually evolved into a large old automobile junkyard. In 2009, owner Dean Lewis realized he could turn it into a tourist attraction because “lots of people seemed to share his love of decomposing automotive carcasses.”
This box/cage contraption is located outside the Old Sautee Store. It has delighted, intrigued, and frightened travelers for more than twenty years. One traveler recalled visiting the wampus box as a child: “Inside, they say there’s a rare and dangerous animal. You can peak inside, but you can’t reach in. All you see is a wampus tail sticking out from an inner hole. Now, being kids, we wanted to see the whole wampus, so we did what they dared you not do and opened the box from the front latch. Well, needless to say, a ‘wampus’ leaps out and nearly scares the bajeebees out of you!”
While in White, have lunch at Wes-Man’s restaurant (3167 Highway 411, NE), where the old 1940s truck parked out front is repainted every single day and utilized as a welcome sign and message board.
Bettis Tribble Gap Road Cumming
labyrinth has only one path, and the
Source - RoadsideAmerica.com/location/ga/all
Booger Hill
A gravity hill, it is said that “ghosts haunt the nearby slave burial ground” because they don’t want visitors, “so they pull your car back up the road. Labyrinth of Rome And leave hand prints.” At 402 Civic Center Drive the bottom of the hill, Rome when you put your car 706-295-5576 in neutral, it will defy gravity and roll up Need to get out of the hill. According your car to stretch to one person who your legs and tried it, this road clear your head? is very busy in the In 2010, the 1930s daytime, so you may Works Progress want to try it at night Ph Administration ur ot To o of co when it is less busy (and e urt c amphitheater was fi f esy eO o f Ge orgia’s Rom creepier!). The same person transformed into a meditative also claimed that the car “picked up labyrinth composed of 5,490 bricks. speed” as it ascended. According to RomeGeorgia.org, “A is m
Have you ever wanted to drive a tank, but you just don’t think you’re cut out to join the military, endure the rigors of boot camp, and then uproot yourself to go wherever Uncle Sam sends you for training and duty? If your answer is, “Yes!” then this place is for you. Well, you won’t actually get to drive a tank because the U.S. will not sell operational armor to the public. Instead, you can operate a FV432, which is an armored personnel carrier that the British army used to drive. However, most people would label this vehicle a tank, as it is fifteen tons of armor-plated steel.
intention is not to confuse, but rather to help one focus. The path into the center is a search for your true self, as the stresses and concerns of the world slip away from your consciousness. This particular labyrinth is a bit more strenuous than most as it is on different levels, not unlike how we live our lives.”
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RPS is one of the largest photography clubs in metro Atlanta. Members meet at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center (830 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell). Meetings are free and open to all. For more information, visit RoswellPhotoSociety.com, or call 404-933-5473. Paul Peterson (Junior’s Failed Ball Acquisition) Gittel Price (untitled)
Jim Meloy (untitled) Van Redmond (Parade of Lights)
Sherri Feliccia (Organ Pipes)
Jeffrey Mitchell (You Doll Ya)
Ginger Kirk (Can You See Me)
Carlos Jansenson (Intimacy I)
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North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
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Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings
11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 100, Alpharetta, 770-993-8806 GNFCC.com
HIPnation 2500 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 210, Alpharetta 888-676-6007 Healthcare
I Am Free Music Festival, LLC
Pinnacle Endodontics
Heritage Sandy Springs Entertainment Lawn 6110 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs Music Festival
12250 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta 678-341-0489 Endodontics Office
Mountain Park Fit Body Boot Camp
Vinings Bank
4750 Alabama Road, Suite 104, Roswell 470-377-2089 Exercise/Fitness
5960 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta 678-710-2820 Bank
Canton Street Farmers Market
Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room
1207 Canton Street, Roswell 404-931-7323 Farmers Market
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton
1055 Canton Street, #100, Roswell 770-676-6146 Wine Market and Tasting Room WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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Advertiser Index 2018 Tour of Homes/Roswell Historical Society
35
Advanced Manual Therapies
13
Alpharetta Brew Moon Fest
17
Alpharetta Farmers Market
28
Crabapple Fest
5
Cruise Planners
19, 40
Dance Imagination
28
Debra Robinson Law Group
17
DeMercy Dental
23
Dykstra & Kemp Allstate
12
Healing Hands Youth Ranch
19
In Harmony Pediatric Therapy Internal Medicine Specialists of Roswell
31 Inside Back
LGE Community Credit Union
29
Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, PC
12
Mandy Marger — Safe Harbor Mortgage
48
Milton Wine Festival
20
Morrow Family Medicine
31
Newtown Medical
Inside Front
North Atlanta Vascular Clinic & Vein Center
27
North Atlanta Women’s Care
26
Northside Hospital
1
Ortho Sports Med Center of Atlanta
Inside Front
Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Inside Back
and Dentistry at Milton Perimeter North Medical Associates
3
Pete’s Plumbing, Inc.
18
Reproductive Surgical Specialists
12
Riverfest 33 Roswell Arts Festival
39
Roswell Cultural Arts Center
41
Shanghai Acupuncture Clinic St George Village Village Podiatry Centers WellStar Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival North Fulton Family Life | SEPTEMBER 2018
15 Back Cover
Wilkins Parkinson’s Foundation
48
19 Cover, 24-25
3 21
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POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage
PAID
Stone Mountain, GA
Permit #1037