North Fulton Family Life 1-19 by Family Life Magazines

Contents

January 2019

VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 5

24-25

[24-25]

On the Cover:

Serenity Smiles

28-30

Best of Life 2019

32-34

Hunger in North Georgia Here’s How You Can Help

40-42

Four Popular Diets Is One Right for You?

[28-30]

[32-34] Follow Us >>>

[40-42]

Family Life Publications

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

.......................... Perspective

............................. Calendar

................... Senator Speaks

.................... Community Life

........................ Book Review

.............. Community Partner

....................... Public Safety

.................... Mayor’s Minute

........................ Artist Profile

................... Ribbon Cuttings

......... Roswell Photo Society

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Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Publisher’s Perspective

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Cyndi Braun ART Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com Mandy Marger Mandy@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

ooking back on a remarkable 2018, it was a year filled to the brim with a hearty helping of life. Admittedly, it wasn’t all cookies and cream. Last year had its triumphs and failures, challenges and opportunities, and many moments that we can look back on for reproof and review, as we prepare our minds and paths moving in to 2019. All in all, if you’re reading this right now – congratulations! You made it. Now, let’s get to it.

By desiring to find fresh optimism at the beginning of every day (or year as the case may be), we move others. An example of hard work and perseverance with an attitude of positivity provides a certain energy that redirects those who may be struggling to find their way. Any of us can give influential motivation through our deeds in the community, our outlook, and a visible partnership of a quality character that is in alignment with our daily actions. When we are in tune with what we know we should do, and we actually do those things, that is when the sparks truly begin to fly. I hope you’ll join me by finding your spark and lighting up someone’s life a little today, tomorrow, and in the year ahead.

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. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.

E R EC Y C LE

Fresh out of this past holiday season, my heart is filled and comfortable with all the quality family and friend time I was blessed and fortunate to have enjoyed over the past several months. In 2018, it seemed as though more people were setting new places at their tables for others to join in on the joys of togetherness, the giving of spirit, and positivity. My plan for 2019 is to use their influence to motivate and inspire me to pay it forward and do the

same for those I find myself engaged with.

M AG A ZI

S pa r k

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Jim Cheatham, Amanda Clay, Travis Clifford, Michael Consoli, James B. Depew, Lisa Ethridge, Jim Gilvin, Corey Harkins, Kevin Head, Amanda Howard, Chris Miller, Savanna Morrison, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Julia Padgett, Michael Petrosky, Jill Ronske, Rachel Sprouse, Jules Taylor

PLE

Finding Your

SALES ASSISTANT Alexander DuLong

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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Fulton Schools Celebrates

National Mentoring Month By Amanda Howard [AcademicLife] January is National Mentoring Month, and Fulton County Schools celebrates the many opportunities in which students must receive support on their way to reach their potential. Two pillars of the district’s strategic plan are student achievement and community collaboration, and solid mentoring partnerships support both. Mentoring can come in many forms. From parents participating in a school’s Parent Teacher Association, a student can learn what it looks like to be involved and give back. From outside partnerships with the community, students can see what life after school has to offer, making plans and contacts along the way. From peer-to-peer mentoring, students can learn the value of being a mentor themselves and grow closer as a cohort.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

According to the National Mentoring Partnership, young adults with mentors are more likely to attend college, volunteer in their community, and aim to hold leadership positions. Students who have relationships with mentors are less likely to skip school and less likely to experiment with drugs. Just a couple examples of mentoring at Fulton County Schools — at Centennial High School, Assistant Principal Nikkole Flowers started a mentoring group for at-risk students, providing the young women in her Ladies of P.O.W.E.R. (Purposeful, Open-minded, Worthy, Excellent, Resilient) group with good examples, new experiences, and a safe place to talk about their feelings and problems while forging partnerships with community members.

Similarly, at Cambridge High School, upperclassmen mentor incoming freshmen as part of the Caring Learning and Adapting While Succeeding (CLAWS) program. Students focus on academic and social bumps that may happen on the transition between middle and high school. The CLAWS program helps junior and senior participants learn leadership skills and practice empathy, while freshmen have the support and experience of these near-peers. Fulton County Schools appreciates all its volunteers, mentors, and partners. To get involved, check out the district’s web page for Community Engagement at FultonSchools.org, call 470-254-4589, or email Community@ FultonSchools.org.

Amanda Howard is the communications specialist of Fulton County Schools NLC, 450 Northridge Parkway, Sandy Springs. 404-593-8982. FultonSchools.org

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What Is Your Focus? By Kevin Head, Ph.D. [InGoodFaith] If you had to choose one word as your theme for 2019, what would it be? Maybe a word you might want to consider as a theme for this year is “focus.” When used as a noun, the dictionary tells us focus means a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity. But we can also use “focus” as a verb, which means “to direct one’s attention or efforts.” The verb form of focus might be an excellent word for us in this new year.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

There are many times in life when we get so caught up in our work or efforts that we tend to forget what is truly important. We lose focus. When this happens, God often uses the circumstances and situations of our lives to get our attention and to alter our focus. Recently, I had to make a new purchase — reading glasses. I had been noticing that the quality of my eyesight was declining, but when I couldn’t read the words in a new book I purchased, I bit the bullet and bought some reading glasses. For me, it has been interesting getting used to wearing these glasses. When I read, I can make out the words so much better, but when I look up from the book, I can’t see anything! Everything is blurry, confusing, and out of focus, which is also

how life feels at times when I tend to lose focus on what’s important. The simple activity of buying and using reading glasses has caused me to rethink my focus in life. I am asking myself some good, important questions: “What is my focus? Why am I focusing on this particular thing? Is this the most important thing I should be focusing on right now?” Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.” In other words, He taught us to keep our focus on God, and then God will take care of everything else in our lives. For me, this thought and renewed focus is an encouraging way to begin a new year. In 2019, what is your focus?

Dr. Kevin Head is senior pastor of First Baptist Roswell. 770-587-6980, Kevin@fbroswell.org

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Calendar JANUARY

1-21

Avalon on Ice — Lace up your skates and enjoy this Rockefeller-inspired iceskating rink. $18 per person includes skates, $14 for children 9 and younger. Monday-Friday 3:00-10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm, Sunday 12:00-7:00pm, holidays (January 1-4 and January 21) 10:00am-10:00pm, Avalon, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. ExperienceAvalon.com

1-2/28

Enchanted Woodland Trail, Featuring Fairy Houses and Gnome Homes — Fairies and gnomes have been busy building all new homes for this Enchanted Woodland Trail. Whimsical works line the trails. Slow down, as you search for the fairy houses made from tiny natural objects. Included with general admission, children $6, adults $10, seniors 65+ $7, students 13-18 $7, CNC Members and Kids 2 and under are free. MondaySaturday 10:00am5:00pm, Sunday 12:005:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. ChattNatureCenter.org

Please remove all ornaments, lights, and tinsel from your tree, and make sure it has not been flocked or sprayed with fake snow made from artificial materials. 9:00am-4:00pm, Home Depot, 1580 Holcomb Bridge Road or 870 Woodstock Road, Roswell. 770-641-3742. RoswellGov.com

Bring One for the Chipper — Keep Roswell Beautiful invites you to recycle your Christmas tree after the holidays.

ONGOING waiting lists of young people; and promote the rapid growth of mentoring by recruiting organizations to engage their constituents in mentoring. For more information, visit NationalMentoringMonth.org

January Is National Mentoring Month — This month, focus on how we can all work together to increase the number of mentors to make sure young people in our communities have dependable people to look up to and follow in their footsteps. Resolve to raise awareness of mentoring in its various forms; recruit individuals to mentor, especially in programs that have

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2018

Better Together — On the second Thursday 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 in Milton 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

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Historical Society Induction Ceremony — Roswell Mayor Lori Henry will officiate the induction of Roswell Historical Society’s 2019 officers and board. Refreshments will be served. 3:30-5:00pm, The Gardens at Great Oaks, 786 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell. 770-992-1665. RoswellHistoricalSociety.org

10-27

Moonlight and Magnolias — Take a peek behind the camera, as three characters lock themselves in an office with a five-day supply of food to solve the near disaster of Gone With the Wind. Wednesday 7:30pm, ThursdaySaturday 8:00pm (additional 4:00pm shows on 1/19 and 1/26), Sunday 2:30pm, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-6411260. GET.org

of interest to the community. 6:30pm, Community Place at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton. 678-2422533. CityOfMiltonGa.us Walk With a Doc — On the second Saturday of each month, the City of Johns Creek and Emory Johns Creek Hospital are encouraging residents to take a step toward better health with this

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

12, 19, & 26

STEAM Team — Meet Scout, Taylor, Elliot, Aubrey, and Misha, five friends who use their interests in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to solve mysteries and problems in their own backyards. When the group heads to middle school and one of their own is targeted by a bully at the science fair, the team gets back together for one more mystery. 11:00am, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-641-1260. GET.org

46th Annual Chairman’s Gala — Cocktails will be served in the sophisticated surroundings of the Alpharetta Conference Center, followed by dinner and an awards program in the grand Teasley Ballroom. The after party will continue with live music from 1st Generation Band, so put on your dancing shoes and plan to dance the night away! $250 per person. 6:00pm, The Hotel at Avalon, 9000 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 678-397-0556. GNFCC.com

[continued on page 10]

program that brings doctors and patients together to walk. Every walk will feature a different health topic, each selected to provide information and the opportunity for walkers to ask one-on-one questions with the participating physician. 10:00am, Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. WalkWithADoc.org Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce ProAlliance — Each Wednesday, enjoy early morning networking with fellow business 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

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[continued from page 9]

Lunch & Learn Historic Landscape Preservation — This event features gourmet sandwiches, sweet tea, and dessert from a local restaurant and a talk about historic gardens by Lee Dunn, author and chair of the Historic Landscape Preservation Committee, Garden Club of Georgia. Part of the 20182019 Distinguished Speaker series, this is a fundraiser for Friends of Mimosa Hall & Gardens. 12:00-1:00pm, Osage Room in Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell. FriendsOfMimosa.org/events

Free Estate Planning Workshop — Attorney Debra Robinson addresses frequently asked questions and misconceptions regarding wills, trusts, giving your “stuff” to your kids, avoiding probate, protecting your IRA, and more. Registration is required. 11:00am12:30pm, Alpharetta Public Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. 770-817-4999. DebraRobinsonLaw.com

17th Annual totes 2 tots Suitcase Drive — Georgia Cancer Specialists and Northside Hospital are hosting a suitcase drive for Georgia’s foster children. Last year, more than 6,000 bags were collected. Donations of new or nearly new backpacks, duffel bags, and suitcases will be accepted. 10:00am2:00pm, Georgia Cancer Specialists, 3330 Preston Ridge Road, Suite 110, Alpharetta. GaCancer.com/locations

All Recovery Meeting — This is an open discussion for those in recovery from addiction. If you are struggling with drugs and/or alcohol, if you love someone who is, or you simply support recovery, this is for you. This is not a 12-step meeting. 7:30pm, Emory Johns Creek Hospital (meeting room next to the cafeteria), 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek. 678-743-1808 x101. NavigateRecoverygwinnett.org

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

Brunch & Learn at Historic Mimosa Hall — Enjoy warm waffles and learn about the history of Mimosa Hall (c. 1841), a Greek Revival mansion recently purchased by the City of Roswell.The event features a talk by Dr. Sara Harwood, communications director for Friends of Mimosa Hall & Gardens. Part of the 2018-2019 Distinguished Speaker series, this is a fundraiser for Friends of Mimosa Hall & Gardens. 11:00am-12:00pm, Gathering Room at Crazy Love Coffee House, 1088 Canton Street, Roswell. FriendsOfMimosa.org/ events

Milton State of the City Address — Mayor Joe Lockwood highlights Milton’s annual accomplishments. Seating capacity is limited, so guests will be asked to RSVP. 6:30-7:00pm Meet and Greet (light hors d’oeuvres), 7:00-8:00pm State of the City Address, Milton City Hall Council Chambers, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton. 678-242-2500. CityOfMiltonGa.us

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LIBRARY EVENTS AFPLS.org ALPHARETTA

NORTHEAST/SPRUILL OAKS

10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, 404-613-6735

9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek, 770-360-8820

MILTON

OCEE

855 Mayfield Road, Milton, 404-613-4402

5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek, 770-360-8897

FRIENDS OF THE ALPHARETTA LIBRARY BOOK SALE January 5, 10:00am-4:00pm, Alpharetta Don’t miss this chance to pick up lots of bargains! Help support the library and library programs at this event. CARNEGIE WRITERS GROUP January 5 & 19, 3:00pm, Alpharetta In an exciting partnership with the Nashville-based Carnegie Writers Group, the Alpharetta Library is pleased to provide a supportive writers group that will offer gentle critique, writers workshop, and comradery. All writing levels are welcome! For questions/registration, email Michael.Salpeter@fultoncountyga.gov. BARRE ABOVE CLASS January 7, 14, & 28, 11:00am, East Roswell This class is designed for a wide range of fitness levels, ages, and bodies and delivers a fusion of ballet, Pilates, Yoga and strength training to the workout. Beginners are welcome, and mats are required. Space is limited, adults only. BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMPETITION January 7-February 4, Ocee Take a poster and fill out all the activities using information from library resources in print or online. The top three posters will win prizes. This is for ages 8-12.

SCI-FI BOOK CLUB January 8, 6:30pm, Milton This month’s selection is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Copies will be available at the circulation/reference desk. LINE DANCING WITH JEAN CHEN January 8, 15, 22, & 29, 1:00pm, Ocee This class includes country western, hip-hop, and a variety of dances to popular music. Adults and teens welcome. Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE January 10, 1:00pm, Alpharetta January 25, 10:00am-3:00pm, Ocee Give the gift of life and donate blood. Drink plenty of fluids and bring photo I.D. For suggested registration or questions at the Alpharetta branch, please email Michael.Salpeter@fultoncountyga.gov. For the Ocee branch, visit RedCrossBlood.org and search for the blood drive by zip code 30005.

MIXED MEDIA PENGUIN January 10, 1:30pm, Northeast/ Spruill Oaks Kids ages 3-5 can enjoy this art project from Out of the Box Art Studio. Each child will create a project using mixed media. Registration is required. WINTER MOOSE ART PROJECT January 10, 3:00pm, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Create an art project using mixed media, facilitated by Out of the Box Art Studio. This program is for children ages 5-11. Registration is required.

YOUNG ARTISTS January 12 & 26, 4:00-5:30pm, Ocee Basic techniques of drawing, painting, elements of art, principles of design, and cartoon/anime’ drawing will be taught. WINTER SKATERS MIXED MEDIA CANVAS January 17, 4:00pm, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Art lovers ages 9-16 can create this winter art project presented by Out of the Box Art Studio. Registration is required. ADULT COOKING CLASS — NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! January 19, 12:00pm, East Roswell Are you ready to supercharge your health in 2019? Put yourself and your well-being first with the power of super foods! It’s easy to keep your New Year’s resolutions with this fun and entertaining class. Presented by Chef Lynn Ware. Reservations required, adults only.

ROSWELL (TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS) 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, 770-640-3075

EAST ROSWELL 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, 404-613-4050

JOYS OF INDONESIAN COOKING January 19, 12:30pm, Alpharetta In an exciting partnership with Indonesian American Community in Atlanta, representatives will share and demonstrate traditional Indonesian culture and recipes. Samples will be provided. Registration is suggested by emailing Michael.Salpeter@ fultoncountyga.gov. Walk-ins are also welcome. KIDZ FLEX AND FLOW STORYTIME January 24, 11:00am, Milton Enjoy a session of story time through Yoga where kids will enhance flexibility, concentration, confidence, and creativity through storytelling. BRAIN BUZZ January 26, 2:00pm, East Roswell Learn how the brain is organized and the difference between several different types of brains by measuring the size of skulls. Touch REAL brains, eyeballs, hearts, kidneys, and stomachs… IF YOU DARE! Trick your brain with the library’s optical illusions, and learn a simple exercise that makes your brain stronger. This is for ages 5-12. Registration is required. VIRTUAL REALITY FOOTBALL January 26, 7:00-9:00pm, Milton Prepare for the Super Bowl, as video gaming consoles are brought out for your enjoyment. ATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY AT MANSELL January 31, library hours, Ocee Our pet friends are in need! Please donate used towels and blankets at the library, which will take them along with used newspapers to the Atlanta Humane Society on Mansell Road on the last Thursday of each month.

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Learning to Ice Skate Help the penguin join friends and teach them to skate better.

Answer Key

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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Senator Speaks

or threats for law enforcement and school personnel to review. We also discussed the importance of training teachers, staff, and students to recognize suspicious activity as well as respond and report these situations.

Senate School Safety Study Committee’s Final Recommendations By Senator John Albers

hen the 2018 Legislative Session adjourned, my colleagues and I began our work on the Senate School Safety Study Committee, which I chaired. We spent our time during the interim visiting different Georgia high schools across the state to help find solutions to some of the safety concerns they face. The committee met at five different high schools over the course of five months to hear presentations, commentary, and proposed ideas. We considered what we can do to ensure that our students, teachers, and other personnel go to school knowing that they are protected and that there is a plan in place in case of emergency. Of the many proposals discussed, we compiled a list of recommendations for the General Assembly to take into consideration during the 2019 Legislative Session. The three areas the committee wanted to highlight included crisis prevention; physical security of buildings, facilities, and buses; and emergency response. When discussing crisis prevention, a major factor we considered was the mental health status of our students. We are currently relying on our school counselors to not only help guide students through their high school years and set them up for collegiate success, but also address their mental health. By providing additional funding for students to have trained mental health professionals, we can help our students get the attention and guidance they need in each specific area.

Another recommendation in terms of crisis prevention is updating the See Something Send Something phone app, which allows anonymous users to send in tips regarding suspicious activity Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

It is important that schools have plans in place and practice drills to ensure that they are prepared in case of an emergency. One way to ensure that we have trained and reliable individuals at schools is to allow veterans the opportunity to serve as school resource officers. These brave men and women served our country with honor, and if they are looking for a job, we can allow them this opportunity by utilizing their training and abilities to protect our schools.

In addition to utilizing our resources and creating and implementing safety plans, the physical security of buildings, facilities, and buses needs to be addressed. First, we must evaluate current codes and policies to see which areas need improvement for each individual facility and bus system. Most importantly, we need to start this process at home. As parents, it is our job to be there to love and support our children unconditionally. It is also our job to discipline and be aware of our children’s concerning behaviors. It truly takes a village to raise our kids, so parents and guardians must be parents — not friends — to their children and talk to them each day. By ensuring that we keep up with our children and what is going on in their lives, we may be able to prevent them from acting out in a way that may cause harm to themselves or others. Though we may be able to prevent some incidents from occurring, we can’t foresee the future, so it is important to have plans in place and all the resources we need to ensure the preparation and safety of our schools. L

Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of north Fulton County. 404-463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com, John.Albers@Senate.Ga.gov

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Community Roswell Historic Gateway Update The Historic Gateway project has been the City’s No. 1 priority for transportation investment since the project was restarted in 2009. As one of the most dangerous corridors in Roswell, the Historic Gateway averages 137 crashes per year and has been the site of multiple fatalities over a 20year period. While this is a state road and not a city road, the City of Roswell is working in conjunction with Georgia DOT on the project and is handling the engineering phase. Georgia DOT is responsible for acquiring all right-of-way and easements for the project as well as construction. Georgia DOT has begun right-of-way acquisition, which is expected to take 24 months. Construction is scheduled to begin

in 2021 provided there is adequate state funding. Enhancements to the corridor such as underground utilities, improved lighting, connections to the National Park Service, and design costs for the enhancements will be funded by Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) monies, as approved by Roswell voters in November 2016. To best serve local and commuter traffic, bicycles, pedestrians, and transit users in a safe manner, the project features multi-lane roundabouts. These roundabouts will provide safe access to all commercial properties and allow the overall footprint of the road to be as narrow as possible. The multi-lane roundabouts include crosswalks to allow pedestrians to move safely from one side of State Route 9 to the other, which is not permitted in the present configuration. The narrow footprint of the road minimizes impacts within the historic district along the entire corridor. More information about this project can be found at RoswellGov.com/tsplost.

The Milton Historical Society Appoints Resident Historian and Elects New Board Member The Milton Historical Society recently appointed Connie Mashburn as the its first resident historian responsible for helping the Society research, analyze, record, and interpret the area’s past. The Society also announced the appointment of Jeff Dufresne to its board of directors.

Dufresne is a real estate consultant specializing in “placemaking,” the creation of places that foster healthy, social, and economically viable communities. “Real estate placemaking transforms underutilized property into an economically vibrant space,” Dufresne said.

A native of Alpharetta, Mashburn is a recognized authority on the history of the area. He is the author of Alpharetta, Milton County, the Early Years and played a major role in the design and implementation of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum located in Alpharetta City Hall. The City of Alpharetta dedicated the museum to Mashburn.

For nine years Dufresne was director of the Urban Land Institute in Atlanta where, among other efforts, he established a Center for Leadership. The institute seeks to improve metro Atlanta’s quality of life through smart growth.

“I look forward to contributing to the work of the recently formed Milton Historical Society, which is off to a great start. The history of this area is rich and varied with a story that needs to be told,” said Mashburn.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

“These two passionate and highly capable history enthusiasts will contribute mightily to the work of our young organization,” said Bill Lusk, president of the Milton Historical Society. “We are renovating our headquarters in downtown Crabapple and look forward to having the public join with us in honoring and preserving our great history.”

Connie Mashburn

Jeff Dufresne

The Milton Historical Society is a 501c3 nonprofit organization established in 2018 by a group of local citizens who want to share their love of history with the community. For further information about the Society, email MiltonHistoricalSociety@gmail.com, call 678-458-4208, or visit MiltonGaHistoricalSociety.com.

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Community Northside Hospital has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, recognizing the “2019 Best Places to Work.” Northside Hospital ranks No. 52 out of 100 large employers in the United States and is the only Georgia hospital to make the list. Now in its 11th year, the Employees’ Choice Awards program is based solely on the input of employees, who anonymously share insights and opinions about their work environments. Employees rate their overall satisfaction with the company, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, senior management, and work/life balance.

Northside Hospital Honored as One of the Best Places to Work in 2019

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

“The greatest asset of any organization is its employees, and I am proud to work with the thousands of dedicated professionals at Northside Hospital,” said Bob Quattrocchi, president and CEO of Northside Hospital. “Their high rating of Northside is a true reflection of their commitment to our patients, their families, and to one another. I see this excellence every day and recognize how valuable it is to Northside.” To be considered for the large category in Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work, a company must have at least 1,000 or more employees and have received at least 75 ratings across each of the eight workplace attributes from U.S.-based employees during the period of eligibility. The final list is compiled using Glassdoor’s proprietary algorithm, led by its Economic Research Team, and takes into account quantity, quality, and consistency of reviews.

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Community Milton Selects New Community Development Director Following a national search for a new community development director, the City of Milton selected north Fulton resident Parag Agrawal following Kathy Field’s departure earlier this year. Agrawal is a seasoned planning official with more than 15 years’ experience in planning and development. Prior to relocating to the north Fulton area to be closer to family, Agrawal held a variety of positions at the state and local level in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S. He formerly served as DeKalb County’s deputy director of the Department of Planning, Development, and Sustainability.

conservation. His work at the state level included authoring a series of 16 comprehensive planning guidance handbooks to assist local municipalities in Rhode Island with crafting comprehensive plans that effectively guide local decision-making. “Parag’s extensive planning experience at the highest levels, combined with his degrees in architecture and planning, make him an ideal fit for Milton,” said City Manager Steve Krokoff. “This was a lengthy, multi-step hiring process. We needed to find someone with the right skills and experience, who had the ability to understand the importance of effectively engaging citizens and fulfilling a community’s vision.”

“Milton is one of the most livable communities in the country,” said Agrawal. “Living nearby in Johns Creek has given me an appreciation for the city’s uniquely built environment and rural heritage, and I look forward to serving our Milton residents.”

As Milton’s community development director, Agrawal will oversee an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million dollars and a staff of eight city employees as well as provide administrative oversight of the City’s contract-providing outsourced building permit services.

Agrawal’s professional experience includes historic preservation, long-range, master planning, small area plans and overlays, economic development, zoning, transportation, and tree canopy

Agrawal said, “My initial focus will be on listening and learning, getting to know my staff, and better understanding our citizens’ vision for their community.”

The Windward Association of Retired Men (WARM) recently presented its annual Founders Award to Jim Rausch “for his record of exceptional service to our organization and to the local community.” At the presentation, 2017 winner Bob Meyers highlighted Rausch’s important role in several WARM and community activities since joining the organization in 1999. “Jim is always ready to pitch in and volunteer for nearly every event and activity WARM takes on. He is committed to serving others,” Meyers stated. In accepting the award, Rausch said, “WARM is a gift to me, as it offers occasions to meet and get to know others, share ideas and experiences, and work together on activities and projects, which develop into wonderful friendships while benefiting others.”

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

Rausch serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Ocee Public Library. He has volunteered weekly with Habitat for Humanity for almost 20 years and is an active participant in the WARM program of collecting bread from local grocery stores for delivery to North Fulton Community Charities.

Windward Association of Retired Men Presents 2018 Founders Award

WARM is a voluntary association of current or past residents of Windward who are retired or nearing retirement. The group organizes a wide range of activities for interested members throughout the year. There are no dues and no officers, but the organization accomplishes a great deal for its members and the community. For further information on WARM, please contact Wayne Smith at 770-335-3602 or John Madrid at 770-343-8439.

(L-R) Former award recipient Paul Barrow, Jim Rausch, and Bob Meyers

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Community Congratulations to High School Football State Champs Blessed Trinity and Milton

Blessed Trinity Titans Class 4A State Champion

Milton Eagles Class 7A State Champion

Congratulations to our December contest winner, Shniece Fraiser Stokes! Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Book Review BY JULIA PADGETT

Ann Patchett starts us off in California with oranges and gin then weaves a tale that spans fifty years and ends in the snow of Virginia. The opening of Commonwealth should be taught in creative writing courses as how to hook a reader with the complicated lives of family.

Commonwealth has unsettled some of its readers because it flashes forward in time quickly, and decades get skipped and revisited. So, if you like linear, maybe have an open mind before you pick up this book. But if you love characters, word choice, and pondering what life decisions can mean on a larger scale, then you will love Commonwealth. The story opens with the christening party of Fix Keating’s daughter when an uninvited guest shows up with gin and ends up stealing a kiss from Fix’s wife Bev. The chapter and sequence of events makes you hungry to learn more about those beautifully crafted people, but instead, Patchett throws you forward, and before you know it, you are following the lives of the many children who became a blended family from marriages ending. In particular, you get to know Frannie, the child of Fix and Bev, and you see how she struggles as a young adult, enters into a relationship with a famous, beloved author, and makes decisions that bring up the pain of loss and the past. This book does a marvelous job of examining how shame and secrets can drive a wedge that lasts for decades in people. The very public way that the family is about to be exposed to their past is unique and provides enough tension, so readers don’t flounder too long in the drama. But the artistry of how Patchett brings those tensions to you — never telling, only showing brief glimpses — is the definition of a writer who is at the top of her form.

Commonwealth can be a complicated read. But once you are in it, you are just experiencing all the gorgeous flaws and promise of family.

Julia Padgett is a librarian at Roswell Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, 770-640-3075. AFPLS.org

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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Community Partner a single day, but they also do multiday camps and scholarships to help as needed.

The Experiences Foundation was started to offer amazing experiences to individuals, and/or their families, who have suffered a tough break in life. “After dealing with our own personal experiences — from losing family and friends to cancer and suicide and children’s illnesses — we decided it was our mission to help those who have dealt with similar situations,” said Experience Foundation Founder Chad Blake. Whether it is bringing someone to a ball game, sponsoring a family for a camp, bringing Christmas to senior citizens, having a field day with a group of children, or spending a day with someone who works in their dream profession, the Experiences Foundation looks forward to offering many local fundraising events and programs to help those in need. They like to think of the organization as a mini Make-A-Wish meets Big Brothers/Big Sisters. After working with hundreds of nonprofits for more than 12 years through a fundraising organization called Angel Auctions, Experience Foundation administrators had an easy way to select Experiences recipients through these charities. However, they will still utilize local schools, churches, and individuals to help bring those in need to their attention. Most of their experiences will last just

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

With over 20 years of working in north metro Atlanta, Experiences Foundation has created relationships with many different businesses, non-profits, foundations, and a ton of great individuals who will help them fulfill their experiences. Although most of their events will involve children and their families, they also adopt seniors and foster residents during the holiday season and fulfill their wish lists. Ultimately, they just want to make our community a better place to live. Part of giving back to the community is bringing exciting fundraisers that encourage networking and fellowship. Their first golf fundraiser was a major success towards their goals of helping those in the community. There were 18 golf teams, 32 sponsors, and 12 different celebrities who helped them reach their goal of $10,000. As they continue to bring the community together, Experiences Foundation will be hosting a Charity Collaborative at the Yanmar Evo Center on January 26 from 6:009:00pm. This will be a great networking opportunity

for local non-profits, individuals, and companies that are looking to do more for their community. Entry is $20 per person and includes two drink tickets, a raffle, and a silent auction, all while supporting the charities involved. Experiences Foundation’s next fundraiser, TopGolf FORE a Cause, will be at TopGolf in Alpharetta on April 28 from 2:005:00pm. It is a family friendly event, and all skill levels are welcome. Top players will win prizes and trophies. Early bird tickets are $75 for golf, all-you-can-eat buffet, gift bag, raffles, and silent auction. Tickets are $30 for non-golfers. For more information, visit ExperiencesFoundation. org or Facebook.com/ ExperiencesFoundation. For volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact Chad Blake at 678-386-4513 or Chad@ ExperiencesFoundation.org. Let’s make our community a better place to live because “life is all about experiences!”

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Tasteof

Ingredients 8 oz. cream cheese 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

6 green onions, diced

1 can black olives, chopped

1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

6 to 8 large flour tortillas

Preparation Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chilies, green onions, bell peppers and olives in medium bowl. Spread Â˝ cup cheese mixture over each tortilla or until desired thickness; then roll them up. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours. Remove plastic wrap, slice each roll into 2-inch pieces and serve. For a better tasting pinwheel, refrigerate wraps overnight before slicing. Ingredients blend better over time.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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Orthodontists Treat Patients, Not Consumers By Vishant Nath, D.M.D. Merriam-Webster defines a [HealthyLife] patient as “an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment.” Compare this to the same source’s definition of a consumer: “One that utilizes economic goods.” These definitions are important to consider if you need an “at-home” orthodontic treatment option. If you’ve visited a local mall, you may have seen a kiosk business that promises to deliver “a smile you’ll love safely, discreetly, and without the hassle of in-person monthly visits.” Think about that. This company is saying the personalized, consistent overseeing of your dental care is a hassle. Companies offering this sort of treatment use some of the same tools your

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

orthodontist would use in their office for their initial diagnosis. These include taking 3-D scans of your mouth as well as using materials to make physical impressions of your teeth. They will then send you a series of aligners to wear over a set period, with the promise of perfectly aligned teeth at the end of treatment. It’s important to consider that orthodontics is a science, which can require the orthodontist to recommend microcorrections during regular office visits and throughout the duration of the treatment period, which can, at times, dramatically impact both the length of treatment as well as the comfort of the patient during the treatment. The cost for this type of program is not cheap, usually around $2000, compared to orthodontic treatment using clear aligners at a dental office being in the $3000-$5000 range. By choosing this type of treatment, you are making yourself a consumer instead of a patient. What you are paying for in

visiting your orthodontist on a regular basis throughout the process is the “medical treatment” portion of the equation. There is a reason why most orthodontic treatment cases take time. The movement of teeth does not happen overnight. This year, the American Association of Orthodontists issued a consumer alert, warning people of these direct-to-patient orthodontic companies. The warning specifically addressed opting for a procedure “without an in-person, pretreatment evaluation or ongoing in-person supervision from a medical professional.” When it comes to your dental care, remember that you are a patient, not just a consumer.

Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com

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Public Safety

A Servant’s Heart By Jim Cheatham

appy New Year! The promise of new beginnings and excitement that comes with the advent of the new year is palpable. Many of us will make resolutions, and many of us will break them. While some have found a loophole in the system and have made a resolution to never make any more resolutions. We will also celebrate the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service this month — an entire day where we are encouraged to get out and volunteer in our communities, giving us an opportunity to get involved with others, for the benefit of others, for the common good of the community. Service is not a new concept to Alpharetta Public Safety. If you ask our men and women why they got into public safety, they will likely answer that they desired to serve and help others. You will see “Service Above All” painted on our fire trucks, and the number one way we meet our mission of improving quality of life is through a servant’s heart. Last month, the annual Army-Navy football game was played. If you have never attended one of these games,

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

you should add it to your bucket list. It’s about so much more than the game. Not only do you have two football teams that will graduate and serve as officers in our armed forces, you also have the “March On” of the cadets and midshipmen who will serve as our military’s future leaders. Don’t forget the fans. Most of them either served their country themselves or are the family of a service member. The whole stadium is filled with respect and honor. You are surrounded by people with a servant’s heart, and it is an incredibly inspiring experience. So, let’s start a new trend. Let’s find our servant’s heart and make a resolution that we can keep. Let’s join together all year for the greater good of our community. Let’s turn north Fulton into an atmosphere like the Army-Navy game. How do we do this? What does that look like? While everyone may not agree on things or want things the same way, we can be respectful and have honor in our actions. It can be as simple as a sidewalk greeting, friendlier driving, a wave, or a smile. If you want to do more, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout our community. Alpharetta Public Safety has Citizen’s Corps programs for those with a heart to serve. No matter what you decide, it just takes that servant’s heart in all of us to make our community truly awe inspiring in 2019.

Jim Cheatham is the chief public affairs officer for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. Alpharetta.ga.us/ publicsafety

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Is Your Child’s “Engine” Too FAST or SLOW? By Jill Ronske, OTR/L

[HealthyLife] Occupational therapists work to help children find their optimal level of attention, so they can learn and process information effectively. A child’s “engine” may be running too fast or too slow, affecting performance. Imagine that you’re driving a car around town with an engine idling at a faster rate than normal. The car would not drive well on hills and would idle noisily. You might feel scared to drive the car, as you’re not sure how it’s going to act. A child’s engine may also run too fast, unable to adjust speed. He knows he shouldn’t be running in the grocery

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

store, but he can’t stop himself. Children know that they need to be careful at the playground, but when they get there, they are too excited to wait their turn or watch out for other children. Now, imagine driving a car in which the engine speed is slow. Would you be worried about the car stopping unexpectedly? Another car hitting you? Maybe you would be constantly changing your route due to concern about traffic or hills? So, how does this slow engine speed affect language development? Imagine a child needing to understand directions, formulate questions, remember word order, and articulate sounds. Do you think the child is going to be successful? In order to learn and process speech and language, our sensory

systems need to be balanced. Sensory balance is necessary before attempting higher level skills such as learning to talk, catching a ball, writing, or completing puzzles. So, what does this mean for a child who is not talking? Observe your child when they are moving around at home or at the playground. Are they attempting to talk more during or after these play times? Do they appear to be processing language better and understanding more? If so, try to provide opportunities to your child where movement is involved. You may consider an evaluation by an occupational therapist to help guide you and your child towards success and improved communication.

Jill Ronske is an OTR/L at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, 9880 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock. 770-687-2542. InHarmonyPediatricTherapy.com

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COVER STORY By Cyndi Braun

Offering

ant to have a beautiful smile? Whether it’s time for braces, restorative work, or regular dental cleanings, it’s time for Serenity. Established five years ago, Serenity Smiles now has multiple locations in north Georgia, including Roswell, where patients receive care in one convenient office. Dentists at this independently owned practice provide quality care, using the latest technology and best treatment methods. The practice offers a full range of adult and family dentistry services, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery. “In today’s world, in everything you do, people look at your smile first. When you are happy with your smile, you have more confidence in yourself,” said Dr. Susan Podray, orthodontist and owner of the practice. “Our goal is to help our patients attain the smile they’ve always wanted.”

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

Continuity of Care in a Patient-Focused Practice Quality Orthodontic Care When most people think of orthodontic treatment, they think of braces. But, at Serenity Smiles, orthodontic treatment is more than just braces. By preventing, diagnosing, and treating facial and dental irregularities, a gateway to self confidence and a better life for teens and adults is created.

One-third of Dr. Podray’s patients are adults seeking to straighten their teeth and correct misaligned jaws. Adults get braces for a variety of reasons. Some are tired of crowded teeth that are difficult to clean properly; others just want to improve their appearance. In some cases, a dentist recommends orthodontics prior to performing restorative care.

As a private practice, Serenity Smiles does not have corporate mandates dictating how they care for patients. Instead, providers make treatment decisions based on customized needs of individual patients. In addition, patients can be sure that the orthodontist they see at the beginning of treatment will be the same one they see when treatment is completed.

“Through orthodontics, we can have a really beautiful effect on patients of all ages,” said Dr. Podray. “I love what I do, and I have an amazing team. We work hard to achieve results quickly and gently, and we do our best to make sure patients are happy and comfortable during treatment.”

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Core Values 1. Excellent dentistry with beautiful outcomes 2. Patient health and safety 3. Absolutely positive dental and orthodontic experience Treatment options include:

Invisalign Using clear plastic trays that are changed every couple of weeks, patients wear Invisalign for 22 hours a day to straighten their teeth. The appliances are removed for eating and drinking as well as brushing and flossing. InBrace Lingual Braces For patients who desire invisible treatment, InBrace Lingual Braces are a great choice because they are placed behind the teeth. Patients floss normally and don’t have to worry about removable appliances like Invisalign. Damon Braces These high-technology, tie-less braces don’t need to be tightened and are gentle to the teeth. The Damon System means fewer office visits and shorter treatment times. They are available in metal or clear. Braces With Colors Gone are the days of boring traditional brackets. Today’s teens can choose neon, metallic, bold, and pastel colors. After patients complete their corrective treatment, Dr. Podray recommends wearing a retainer for life to ensure that straightened teeth do not relapse over time. She encourages patients to choose a fixed retainer because wearing a retainer consistently ensures the teeth remain straight. Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

Comprehensive Dental Care Dr. Steven Foltz, the family dentist at Serenity Smiles, provides dental care for patients of all ages. Services include routine exams, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, root canal surgery, and dental emergencies. Dr. Foltz customizes care by building relationships with patients. “I get to know my patients and what they want to accomplish, and we work together towards their goals,” said Dr. Foltz. “We make the dental experience comfortable, even offering TV or Netflix to distract patients. I use gentle techniques born out of compassion to make sure my patients have a positive experience.” The orthodontist and dentist often work as a team to transform smiles. For example, Dr. Podray might make the foundation of the bite better, so Dr. Foltz can perform restorative care such as crowns and implants. Having both providers at one location makes the transformation more convenient for patients.

Call for a free consultation Open on Saturday Hours Monday-Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm 415 E. Crossville Road (Highway 92) Roswell 678-461-4875 Serenity-Smiles.com Facebook.com/SerenitySmilesDentistry Instagram.com/SerenitySmilesDentistry

“My treatment approach is that a healthier mouth means a healthier you. I love helping my patients to improve both their oral health and their overall well-being,” said Dr. Foltz. “I’m going to do everything I can to help my patients maintain their teeth.”

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Mayor’s Minute

Another Awesome Year in

Alpharetta By Mayor Jim Gilvin

ow that the new year is upon us, it is remarkable to look back and reflect on how much was accomplished in 2018 and how bright the horizon looks for 2019. And, while there were many great milestones achieved in 2018, the opening of downtown Alpharetta’s City Center project was certainly the most celebrated. Over the last few decades, Alpharetta has grown from a small farming town into a world-class technology hub that draws people from all over the world because of its great schools, outstanding quality of life, and thriving business climate. But, until 2018, Alpharetta never had a downtown that would bring people together in a setting reflective of its smalltown, southern charm; a gathering place created with exceptional architecture that is full of extraordinary restaurants and shops in an upscale, walkable environment that so many will enjoy in the 21st century. Just a few years ago, Avalon opened and announced to the world that Alpharetta was changing the suburban paradigm. Alpharetta’s upscale suburban community attracts the type of first-class, mixed-use

developments usually reserved for urban centers. With the addition of Alpharetta’s City Center, we have shown that not only can we attract great mixed-use developments, we also know how to build them on a smaller scale with character, charm, and exceptional architecture.

North Point area into an “eco-district,” a unique walkable community blending elements of Avalon and City Center around Alpharetta’s most impressive hidden gem — the Big Creek Greenway — highlighting the natural beauty of our suburban setting.

While City Center is surely 2018’s brightest achievement, it certainly isn’t the only one. Many employers like WellStar, DataScan, and Jackson Healthcare are investing in Alpharetta — bringing more great paying jobs — because they realize Alpharetta is a great place for their employees to live, work, and play. That is why we continue to be one of the fastest growing job markets in the state of Georgia.

Yes, 2018 was an awesome year in Alpharetta, and 2019 looks to be just as bright. Let the exciting journey begin!

Jim Gilvin is the mayor of Alpharetta. 678-297-6010. JGilvin@alpharetta. ga.us, Alpharetta.Ga.us

Those are only a few of 2018’s highlights, and the momentum will continue well into 2019, as we begin to focus on a new vision for the North Point Mall corridor. Our team has been working with property owners along North Point Parkway to help them prepare for the world’s changing retail/office/commercial property environment. One of our most exciting challenges in 2019 will be the evolution of the

Photos Cour

tesy of Alph

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

aretta Conven

tion & Visito

rs Bureau

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Beneficiary Tips for 2019

By Chris Miller, Esq.

[HomeLife] With the new year comes a new opportunity to ensure your family’s smooth access to funds if you find yourself a victim of a sudden accident or life-ending event. Here are three quick ways to avoid the delays and hassles that families often face when a person dies: 1) Location of Original Wills Georgia’s Probate Courts assume that if the original will of a decedent cannot be found, then it has been revoked by the person who has died. An executor can override the assumption by gathering affidavits from the drafting attorney and other people who can persuade the probate court that a copy is valid and matches an original that is simply misplaced or lost rather than intentionally destroyed. If your executor has easy access to the original, then this step can be avoided. 2) Correct House Title Georgia’s property law states that if a deed lists two owners but does not specify that the surviving owner is meant to own the whole property if one owner dies, then it is treated as if each person owns one half. That means a surviving owner must probate the estate of a deceased owner or request an award of

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

year’s support before getting the authority to refinance or sell the house. Married couples should search the warranty deed signed when they bought their house for the phrase “joint tenancy with rights of survivorship.” If that phrase is missing, then a later deed that includes the “joint tenancy” language can keep the house out of probate at the first owner’s death. 3) Beneficiary Designations Retirement accounts and life insurance policies are transferred by beneficiary designation and are not usually included in probate. Take five minutes to make sure your accounts list the correct primary and secondary beneficiaries. A secondary (or contingent) beneficiary should be listed because you might be with the primary beneficiary when you die, or your primary beneficiary might die first. Another tip for beneficiary designations is to name only adults able to manage the benefits in one lump sum. Minor children are not good beneficiaries because they cannot set up a bank account or endorse the proceeds check and might not use funds responsibly.

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

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n o C

s ! n o i t a l u t a r g

Best Chiropractor

All winners will receive an award certificate and window emblem to proudly display at their place of business. In addition, the contact information for each winning business will be promoted as a Best of Life winner at FamilyLifePublications.com.

Best Medical Specialist

2 0 1 9 A W A R D S

Best Pediatrician

600 Houze Way, Suite A4

North Atlanta Vascular & Vein Clinic

3400-C Old Milton Parkway, Suite 545

Roswell, GA 30076

1357 Hembree Road, Suite 240

Alpharetta, GA 30005

RestoreChiropracticRoswell.com

Roswell, GA 30076

RoswellPediatrics.com

770-993-0040

NAVascularClinic.com

770-751-0800

Restore Chiropractic Roswell

Best Dentist

Dentistry at Milton

770-771-5260

Best Orthodontist

980 Birmingham Road, #506

James B. Gray, D.M.D., P.C.

Milton, GA 30004

10930 Crabapple Road, #240

DentistryAtMilton.com

Roswell, GA 30075

678-990-3358

CreatingSmiles.net

Best Eye Doctor

Roswell Pediatric Center

770-993-6292

Best Plastic Surgeon

Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, NE, Suite #870 Atlanta, GA 30342 ATLPlasticSurgeon.com 404-255-2975

Alpharetta Eye Clinic 2725 Old Milton Parkway, Suite B

Best Therapy (OT, PT, Pediatric, Music)

Alpharetta, GA 30009 AtlantaEyeCare.com

Kiddos’ Clubhouse

770-475-1777

11539 Park Woods Circle, #502 Alpharetta, GA 30005

Best Medical Practice / Family / Internal Medicine

KiddosClubhouse.com 678-527-3224

Morrow Family Medicine 12970 Highway 9

Best Day Spa/Massage

Milton, GA 30004 MorrowFamMed.com

La Vida Massage

770-781-8004

Alpharetta: 12460 Crabapple Road

Best Pediatric Dentist

Alpharetta, GA 30004

Best OB/GYN

LaVidaMassageAlpharettaGa.com

North Atlanta Women’s Care

Roswell Pediatric Dentistry and Family Orthodontics

4040 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 200

10930 Crabapple Road, Suite 106

Johns Creek: 10945 State Bridge Road

770-740-0654

Alpharetta, GA 30005

Roswell, GA 30075

Johns Creek, GA 30022

NorthAtlantaClinics.com

KidsHappyTeeth.com

LaVidaMassageJohnsCreekGA.com

770-771-5270

678-352-1090

678-624-9091

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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Best Boutique/Gift Shop

14155 Highway 9

RISPA

Findlay Rowe Designs Gift Shop & Boutique

Milton, GA 30004

1030 Woodstock Road, #3114

RISPA.net

Roswell, GA 30075

678-620-3500

FindlayRoweDesigns.com 678-205-3300

Best Fitness/Health Club

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

Milton Fit Body Boot Camp

Menchie’s

6300 Atlanta Highway, #104

12850 Highway 9 N, #700

Alpharetta, GA 30004

MiltonFitBody.com 470-330-2582

Menchies.com/frozen-yogurt-shops/

Best Gymnastics Center

678-297-0107

Alpharetta Gymnastics Academy Gymnastics Academy 175 Roswell Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 Alpharetta.Ga.us/Recreation 678-297-6100

Best Natural Food/Health Store

Avocado Vegan Cafe & Juice Bar 11105 State Bridge Road Alpharetta, GA 30022 AvocadoVeganCafe.com 770-752-9333

Best Bakery

2B Whole Gluten Free Bakery/Cafe

frozen-yogurt-windward-ga

Best Fine Dining

Pampas Steakhouse 10970 State Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30022 PampasSteakhouse.com 678-339-0029

Roswell, GA 30075 RoswellGov.com/government/ departments/recreation-and-parks/newsevents/roswell-riverside-sounds 770-641-3727

Best Lunch

2BWhole.net

Roswell, GA 30075

470-395-5248

ChickenSaladChick.com/Roswell 770-998-0621

AnotherBrokenEgg.com/location/roswell-ga 678-878-2210

PlanMyCruise.com 770-650-7667

2280 Justin Trail, Suite D

1105 Woodstock Road, Suite 110

Roswell, GA 30076

Roswell, GA 30075

38 Hill Street

Alpharetta, GA 30009

10800 Alpharetta Highway, Suite 501

885 Woodstock Road, Suite 430, #351,

Best Plumber

Chicken Salad Chick

Best Breakfast

Cruise Planners Michael Consoli

Best Live Entertainment

Roswell Riverside Sounds

42 Milton Avenue, Suite B

Another Broken Egg

Best Travel Agency

Best Auto Care

Pete’s Plumbing Alpharetta, GA 30004 PetesPlumbing.com 770-442-3934

Best Landscaping Design/Installation Sunnyscapes

210 The Orchard Way Roswell, GA 30075 Facebook.com/pg/SunnyscapesLLC-728861003863912/about/?ref=page_ internal 770-256-4871

Best Nursery

German Car Repair

Green Trade

1240 Alpharetta Street

15468 Fincher Road

Roswell, GA 30075

Jasper, GA 30143

GermanCarRepair.com

GreenTradeNursery.com

770-649-8700

678-454-1550

Best Dinner

Brookwood Grill 880 Holcomb Bridge Road, Building A Roswell, GA 30076 BrookwoodGrill.com/contact.htm 770-587-0102 Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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est of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Best of Life Be

Best Dance Studio

Best Realtor

Best Day Care/Preschool

205 Norcross Street

12387 Crabapple Road

Berkshire Hathaway, Pam Santoro

Hilbert Law Firm

33 S. Main Street, Suite 201

Roswell, GA 30075

Alpharetta, GA 30004

Alpharetta, GA 30009

HilbertLaw.com

CrabappleMontessori.com

PamSantoro.BHHSGeorgia.com

770-551-9310

770-569-5200

678-656-6627

Best Remodeling/Painting/ Flooring/Handyman

Best CPA/Bookkeeping/Tax Service CPA Tarantino

Crabapple Montessori

Best Private School

King’s Ridge Christian School

Andy on Call

704 Macy Drive

2765 Bethany Bend

Roswell, GA 30076

Alpharetta, GA 30004

3544 Old Milton Parkway

CPATarantino.com

KingsRidgeCS.org

Alpharetta, GA 30005

678-527-0966

770-754-5738

Best Financial Institution/Bank/ Credit Union

Best Tutoring

AndyOnCallRoswell-Gwinnett.com 770-640-6050

Best Roofer

PNC Bank

Crabapple Tutoring 270 Rucker Road

Dr. Roof

675 Holcomb Bridge Road

Alpharetta, GA 30004

88 Mansell Court

Roswell, GA 30076

CrabappleTutoring.com

Roswell, GA 30076

PNC.com

678-240-0936

DrRoof.com

678-585-0935

770-552-7663

Best Pest Control

Urban Pest Control

Best Financial Planner

Best Jewelers

Iroff & Son Jewelers

Carper Wealth Management

3960 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 300

11675 Great Oaks Way, Suite 325

Alpharetta, GA 30005

10945 State Bridge Road

Alpharetta, GA 30022

Iroff.com

Alpharetta, GA 30022

CarperWealthManagement.com

770-751-7222

UPCAtl.com

678-990-0012

770-888-9558

Best Interior Design

Best Insurance Agent

Jared Davis State Farm

Best Veterinarian

North Roswell Veterinary Clinic 11490 Alpharetta Highway

AHT Interiors

1775 Woodstock Road, Suite 330

Roswell, GA 30076

6495 Shiloh Road, #210

Roswell, GA 30075

Facebook.com/NorthRoswellVeterinary

Alpharetta, GA 30005

JaredDavisInsurance.com?cmpid=FIX7_

770-442-8733

AHTInteriors.com

BLM_0001

770-887-7612

770-559-9150

Best Cleaning Service

Maid Right of Roswell

Best Attorney

Best Music Classes

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North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month

Make New Year’s Resolutions as a Family By Christy Noll [HomeLife] Every year poses a fresh opportunity to decide upon a new resolution. While most of us will establish a personal resolution, perhaps we should consider setting a resolution for the whole family. What comes to mind when you think of things you might like your family to improve or change? Here are some New Year’s resolution suggestions for families to consider:

Exercise together. Make plans to do physical activity together, even if it’s just sit-ups in your house or walking the dog. Taking a hike or going to the gym or an aquatic center are ways to leave the neighborhood to get your exercise done. Exercising as a family helps strengthen family bonds and keeps everyone motivated.

Do more creative activities together. Each season, pick a craft or simple household item to make. Examples include paper snowflakes and festive cookies over the winter holidays, a birdhouse in the spring, create driveway chalk art in the summer, or make a family scarecrow in the fall.

Plan adventurous outings. Plan family activities that are interactive and will keep you engaged such as escape rooms or laser tag. Resolve to try two or three activities you’ve never done before. You may discover a new family talent or hobby!

Prepare healthy meals together. Cooking is another way to do something together that benefits everyone. Teaching each other how to eat and prepare healthy meals is important. Make efforts to plan, prepare, and eat meals together. If you typically don’t eat dinner together due to work or extracurricular activities, try eating breakfast together instead. If you can’t eat together every day, try selecting one or two days a week for which the family creates a healthy menu, prepares the food, and eats it together.

Volunteer as a family. Finding ways to give back to the community is always a good thing, and it’s even more special when you can do it with your family. There are many organizations that can benefit from your time and efforts, and it is important for children to see how helping others can make a positive impact.

Encourage and support one another. Not that you don’t already do this, but make it an even bigger priority to be positive towards one another and lift each other up. People love to feel appreciated and receive compliments.

Creating a family resolution is a great way to enhance relationships while holding each other accountable, which means family resolutions may be easier to stick with than personal resolutions. Any of the previous suggestions can help your family make beautiful memories together.

Christy Noll is founder of AlpharettaMoms.org, a resource that connects North Fulton families with community organizations, programs, and events.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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By Rachel Sprouse

s the new year starts, commercials shift from holiday messages to gym memberships, and focuses change from donations to New Year’s resolutions. While some worry about what foods to eat to live a healthier lifestyle, others are struggling to put food on their plates. Although the holidays are a great reminder to donate to local charities to support those in our community, the need for basic resources like food is year-round issue. In 2017, 40 million Americans struggled with hunger in the United States. In Georgia, 1 in 7 people are not certain where their next meal will come from, according to Feeding America. Food insecurity can affect people from every background, but many aren’t sure what it is or how to help end this growing problem in our communities.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

Food insecurity is the inability to consistently provide food for your household. According to Millie Hughes, director of the food pantry operation at Never Alone, food insecurity often arises because of difficult choices a person must make. “They can either pay the light bill or purchase food,” Hughes says. “It’s not necessarily that they’re not trying [or] not having a job. It’s just there’s not enough to go around to provide all the needs that they and their family have on a monthly basis.” To supplement the lack of resources,

many go on food stamps, known now as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program allows families to stretch their food budget and offers assistance to those who struggle with food insecurity. Many households also reach out to local food banks and food pantries for assistance, like the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Never Alone. According to Feeding America, many food-insecure households that received assistance in 2014 live at or below the poverty line. Poverty can come about in many ways, but it can be categorized as situational or generational. Situational poverty develops from a change in a person’s daily life. These changes can vary from job loss, death in the family, or change in access to transportation, among other issues. Situational poverty can be short-term or longterm, depending upon the

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circumstance, and can progress if left unresolved. Generational poverty, however, is a much harder form of poverty to help others recover from, according to Hughes. Generational poverty describes families that have lived in poverty for at least two generations. “Who knows why it ever started, but then it’s a cycle that continues,” Hughes says. “One thing they have found is often the people in generational poverty are not really supportive of those getting out of generational poverty because they’re afraid of it. They don’t understand, and they feel so bad about themselves, they’re not necessarily supportive.” Although both types of poverty are present in north Georgia, based on her experience helping families, Hughes thinks we have more cases of generational poverty present in our community. North Georgia also

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

has a higher rate for food deserts, which Hughes says many people have misconceptions about. “A food desert just means it’s harder to get there, especially fresh fruits and fresh vegetables,” Hughes says. “Fresh food, not just canned.” Knowing that our area has a high rate of need, we can help those who struggle with hunger in our communities by supporting local food banks and food pantries throughout the year. Whether it’s a financial or a food donation, consistently supporting a food pantry helps families who struggle to put food on the table. One way to support your community is to run a food drive within your

workplace or group of friends and neighbors. If you’re not sure what to collect, reach out to the food pantry and get a list of what they need. “When someone hears about a food drive, they always think green beans, corn, and carrots,” Hughes says. “But we need soups; we need canned pastas and tuna.” Another way to help eliminate food insecurity in our area is to make a financial donation. Food pantries can put your financial donations to good use and acquire food at a lower cost than in a store. With the start of a new year, remember that need and poverty carry over from the year before. Make it a resolution to support your community, and donate or volunteer at your local food pantry. You never know which friend or neighbor you may be helping! Continued on page 34

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Continued from page 33

Food Pantries in North Fulton

The Drake House - Food Pantry 10500 Clara Drive, Roswell 770-587-4712 TheDrakeHouse.org Donation Hours: Call for drop-off times.

North Fulton Community Charities

11270 Elkins Road, Roswell 770-640-0399 NFCCHelp.org Donation Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00am-7:30pm Tuesday and Thursday

World Harvest Church 320 Hardscrabble Road Roswell 770-643-9223 WorldHarvestChurch.org Donation Hours: Call for drop-off times.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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Alpharetta Police Explorers P O ST 919 By Amanda Clay

came to the Alpharetta Police Exploring program at a time in my life when most young people could use a little extra help, a time that most of us would not want to relive, a time that is at the very best of times a struggle — the end of middle school and the beginning of high school — an awkward time for most kids. Luckily for me and hundreds of thousands of other young adults who have found their way into the Exploring program, there are mentors and leaders who act as buoys in the rough waters of life.

exploring post in the state. Other times, explorers are expected to serve their community through service projects or details geared towards giving them on-the-job training in a myriad of policing functions. Through these experiences, many explorers decide that they wish to become police officers, while others choose another path. No matter the path, all are better citizens and leaders for having been in the program, and their advisors are no less proud of their successes.

I always knew that I wanted to be a “helper” in some capacity, but joining the Alpharetta Police Exploring program ignited a passion in my soul for being a certain type of community helper; it solidified in my mind that I was born to become a police officer. Meeting since 1993, the Alpharetta Police Exploring Post 919 continues to meet every Tuesday from 6:30-9:00pm at the Alpharetta Police Department. During that time, its advising staff (often made up of active police personnel) have molded and mentored the next generation of great civic leaders. These young adults learn what it means to be a servant leader and what it means to be part of a team.

I had the great fortune of finding this program, excelling through its ranks, and even meeting the young man who would become my husband. Today, my husband and I both serve the citizens of Alpharetta as police officers. However, the greatest honor for both of us is that we are guiding the next great generation of leaders by being advisors for Police Exploring Post 919, and we also get to serve with some of the same officers who were our advisors when we were in the program.

Explorers often compete against other exploring posts in various law-enforcement-based scenarios, vying for the title of the best Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

The Alpharetta Police Exploring program is a gem of immeasurable worth, and one that is always accepting new members between the ages of 13-21 years old. If you or someone you know has an interest in the program, visit AlpharettaPoliceExplorers.com. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

Mekenzie Jackson, Doug Easterly, Adrienne Cottrell, Alex Thrift, Nick Whitson, and Daniel Morrison have been bringing Fleetwood Mac’s sound to stages across the country since 2014. What began as Mekenzie’s love for Fleetwood Mac as a teenager has grown into a commitment to exercising her talent as the voice of Stevie Nicks with her bandmates and dedicated fans along for the ride. Alex and Mekenzie began the group in 2014 with just the two

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

of them and a desire to simply “play some Fleetwood Mac.” After Mekenzie’s initial request, Alex quickly insisted that if this was going to happen, it had to be a tribute band. Alex’s neighbor, Adrienne, joined soon after on keys with Doug, Daniel, and Nick collected from various spots around the Atlanta music scene. Inspired by diverse musical backgrounds including Korn, the 90s, Tom Petty, and the Beatles, the band now known as Rumours — taken from the name

of Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album — sells out shows to Fleetwood Mac/cover band lovers as well as opportunistic concert goers. When asked about the balance of life, touring, and family, Doug credits FaceTime as a saving grace for maintaining his family relationships. Both Doug and Alex find that touring has surprisingly given them opportunities to see family members they wouldn’t otherwise see. All members agree that the thrill of touring and being on stage is worth it, even with

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Artist Profile BY JULES TAYLOR

the hours-long car rides that drive them crazy. Their fans, some of whom have seen the band upwards of 10 times, agree: Their hard work is totally worth it. As far as advice for aspiring musicians, Mekenzie says, “Be really, really good.” Adrienne chimes in with a poetic warning, saying anything you do “has to move your soul.” These bits of advice are evident in Rumours. The passion each member has on stage, their dedication to music in general, and their natural talent merges to create a show that mesmerizes audiences and thrills their fans. In addition to their skillful musicianship, the vibe among band members is reminiscent of family. Laughter, jokes, and teasing one another is a regular part of the pre-show ritual, as Mekenzie curls her hair, costumes are donned, and everyone hydrates for the night ahead.

others have begun copying their unique style. One example, Mekenzie says, is “sitting on the edge of the stage singing ‘Landslide,’” which was inspired by Butch Walker’s rendition of “Canyons” from the edge of the stage, without a microphone. She’s noticed that other bands

have begun a similar tradition. It seems only right that this incredible tribute band should have their own tributes. Imitation, after all, is the highest form of flattery.

Jules Taylor is a student in the MFA creative writing program at Reinhardt University, 7300 Reinhardt College Circle, Waleska. 770-720-5582. Reinhardt.edu/ Graduate/MFA-CW/

Undaunted by the shoes they are attempting to fill, Mekenzie loves that even though they are playing someone else’s music, “They [the audience] are experiencing our show; that’s what makes it different from other Fleetwood Mac tributes, too — it’s our own thing.” Even in their own imitation of Fleetwood Mac, they find that

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Viking Announces New

Greek Odyssey Itinerary for 2021 By Michael Consoli

[Lifestyle] A new 11-day Greek Odyssey itinerary brings guests to new ports of call in Greece and Turkey. This itinerary will allow guests to explore the ancient empires of antiquity of the Aegean Sea during the quiet season. Sailing roundtrip from Athens starting in January 2021, the new itinerary features three new ports of call including Volos, Thessaloníki, and Nafpilo in Greece as well as a stop in Ephesus, marking the company’s return to Turkey. “Our guests are curious explorers who want opportunities for learning while they travel in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “Our destinationfocused ocean itineraries are built on the same successful principles as our river itineraries. We offer our guests more time in port; enriching cultural experiences; the best-designed ships at sea with no children, no casinos, and no nickel-anddiming.” Sailing on Viking’s award-winning, 930-guest, all-veranda Viking Sea, guests will journey through several millennia of culture and history from Athens, known as the “birthplace of democracy,” to the island of Crete, home to the mysterious Minoan civilization. Highlights of the Greek Odyssey itinerary include the following destinations: Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey - One of the best-preserved cities of antiquity in the world, guests can visit the remains of the Byzantine Basilica of St. John, take in sights such as the massive Great Theater and the magnificent Library of Celsus, or see the modest home where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary lived out her final days.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

Volos, Greece - Now a modern cosmopolitan port city, this region was once thought of as the playground of the gods. Guests can experience the stunning scenery of Meteora, where medieval monasteries stand precariously on hilltops, or explore the ancient religious center of Dion, located on the foothills of Mt. Olympus. Thessaloniki, Greece - Greece’s second largest city offers an exhilarating mix of ancient culture and modern life. While in port, guests can walk the vibrant waterfront promenade with its many cafes and restaurants or venture outside the city to the remains of the ancient Macedonian kingdom of Alexander the Great. Nafpilo, Greece - Set between breathtaking mountains and the Bay of Argos, Nafpilo is one of Greece’s most beautiful and romantic port cities. Guests can discover the charms of its Venetian homes and Byzantine churches; take a drive to Palamidi, an imposing fortress towering over the city; or travel to the nearby Peloponnese peninsula, an ancient area rich in history. Mt. Athos - During the one sea day on this itinerary, guests will sail past the

majestic slopes of Mt. Athos, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual capital of Orthodox Christianity. Called the “Holy Mountain,” the peninsula’s soaring peaks are home to 20 monasteries whose monks work to preserve and catalogue a vast collection of liturgical works and art. In addition, Viking offers a compelling value compared to other cruise lines. Every cruise fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare including beer and wine with lunch and dinner service, alternative restaurant dining, Wi-Fi, self-service laundry, access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa, and 24-hour room service. L

Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com

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What Master Gardeners Want You to Know By Lisa Ethridge [HomeLife] Design from the inside out. Go inside your house and look out the window, or sit in a chair to view the area you’re about to plant. Think of each window view as a vignette or picture you’re painting, and landscape with that in mind. Make a plan. When starting from scratch, consider starting small. Pick a focal area and build from there. It’s less expensive, you can see what is going to work or not work in your garden, and it’s not as overwhelming. Simplify the color scheme. A monochromatic color palette will never fail you. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the choices you see at a garden center — stick to one color. Choose a variety of purples, or yellows, or pinks, etc. This helps you focus and takes the guesswork out of mixing colors.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

Choose the right site to plant. “Full sun” means six to eight or more hours of full sun per day. “Part shade” or “part sun” means six or fewer hours. These plants prefer morning sun to hot afternoon sun. “Full shade” plants take fewer than four hours of sun and little direct sun — think dappled, shady areas. Soil prep is vital. Planting involves more than merely digging a hole and sticking a plant in it. Soil preparation is critical for healthy, vigorous plant growth. Read more at Extension.UGA.edu, Bulletins 932 and 963. Soil testing boosts gardening success. Check into this valuable service: Extension. UGA.edu/programs-services. Read the plant tag. If the tag says, “Treat as an annual” or “tender perennial,” it means there is a good chance it will not survive winter temperatures unless

you overwinter it inside. Annuals bloom constantly during the summer and die at first frost. Perennials bloom once for several weeks and return each year. Technique is important. It’s a common sight in mass plantings to see new plants plucked out by deer or rabbits. The root is still in its square, compact shape from the pot. Of course, it didn’t thrive. The ground was too hard, and the roots were compacted into a wedge. Remember to spread the roots when planting. 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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Popular Diets Explained

Is One of Them Right for You? By Travis Clifford

While there are currently many diets that people can choose from, the four most popular

are the Ketogenic (Keto), Paleo, Whole30, and intermittent fasting diets. To help understand which one may be best for you, continue reading

for a description of each.

Keto

The Keto diet has become extremely popular and for good reason. As obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diet-related issues become more prevalent, many individuals have turned to the Ketogenic diet for a potential remedy to these issues with great success. The goal of Keto is to put one’s body into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is when the body uses ketones as its primary fuel source. When your body doesn’t have enough blood sugar (glucose), it turns to fat for energy. Carbohydrates are the main source of glucose, so when you eliminate them, or only ingest a very small amount, you force the body into ketosis. However, it’s important not to get caught up in the low carb part while ignoring the high fat part. Keto is as much about ingesting high amounts of healthy fats as it is about maintaining a low daily intake of carbohydrates. While following the Keto diet, you want to keep your insulin response very low because insulin is the body’s primary fatmaking hormone. Under stimulation by insulin, fatty acids are made into fat molecules and stored as fat droplets. The macro ratios for the Ketogenic diet are prescribed as such: 60-80 percent of your daily calories should come from fat. Fifteen to 35 percent of your daily calories should come from protein. Five percent or less of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates. Your total amount of daily carbohydrates should always be less than fifty grams, and it’s recommended that you stay closer to 25 grams, but this depends on the individual response to carbs, which varies.

Many Keto dieters purchase ketone strips to test their level of ketones to ensure that they are in ketosis. This is not necessary if you are following the prescribed percentages, but it can be a useful tool if you want to see how your body is responding.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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The premise of the Paleo diet is to nourish your body like your hunter-gatherer ancestors did. The Paleo diet includes meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. Excluded from the Paleo diet are processed foods, grains, refined sugar, flour, and dairy. Whereas the Ketogenic diet follows prescribed percentages of macronutrients, there are not any percentages involved in the Paleo diet. In general, you want to eat plenty of protein, which is usually recommended as one gram per pound of body weight, or sometimes as one gram per pound of lean body mass.

Studies have shown remarkable improvements in one’s health when processed foods are eliminated while on the Paleo diet because we are supplying our bodies with more nutrient-dense foods, and these nutrients are much more bioavailable (more easily absorbed). This is very important; just because a nutrient is there doesn’t mean it can be absorbed. As far as weight loss is concerned, your satiety while eating whole foods with ample protein should come from less calories than what would be required from processed food. A meal of meat and vegetables with some avocado will be far more “filling” not only in the moment of the meal but for several hours to follow than an equal number of calories taken in from eating chips, pizza, pastries, cereal, etc.

Paleo

Research indicates that many chronic health conditions are linked to inflammation. These conditions include diseases of the digestive tract, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, periodontal disease, psoriasis, and depression. Whole30 is based on the belief that processed foods, sugar, grains, etc. cause inflammation in the body and therefore focuses on allowing your body a chance to heal and recover from any effects these foods may be causing. Whole30 is a more restrictive form of Paleo. The Whole30 plan does not allow for sugar or any type of artificial sweetener. It does not allow for alcohol, grains, legumes, or dairy. Ideally, the foods you eat while on Whole30 should not have any added ingredients; they should all be whole and unprocessed. To quote one of the points made on the Whole30 website, “A pancake is still a pancake, even if it is made with coconut flour.”

Whole30 is derived from the founder’s ideology that if you give their system 30 days, then your life will be changed. Their website states, “The next 30 days will change your life. It will change the way you think about food. It will change your tastes. It will change your habits and your cravings. It will restore a healthy emotional relationship with food, and with your body. It has the potential to change the way you eat for the rest of your life.” They also add that there is absolutely no room for cheating in this 30 days — not even a lick of a cake batter spoon. Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

Whole30 WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

Intermittent Fasting As mentioned earlier, insulin leads to fat storage. Eating causes the body to raise circulating levels of insulin. In the “fed” state, insulin promotes an increase in the storage of glycogen and fat to be used for energy. By contrast, in the “fasting” state, low insulin concentrations contribute to lipolysis. Lipolysis is the breakdown of fats and other lipids. This encourages the body to use these lipids for energy instead of glucose. Due to American diets, many people have become insulin resistant because they are overstimulated by the high amounts of sugar and processed foods in the typical American diet. Intermittent fasting allows the body a break from producing insulin, which helps our bodies reverse their insulin-resistant state and become more insulin sensitive. It’s important to note that intermittent fasting is not cutting calories. If you are following its prescribed protocols, you’ll still consume your calorie goal for the day. However, those calories are consumed in a smaller window than what is considered the norm. A popular form of intermittent fasting is the 16:8 window, so each day, you schedule 16 hours of fasting and consume all your calories in an 8-hour window.

As far as weight loss is concerned, the results seem to vary by individual, as they should. Intermittent fasting still ultimately depends on a caloric deficit to produce weight loss. However, the more interesting aspect is the effects that fasting has on the body’s cells. Fasting is a type of stress, and healthy cells can adapt to this stress and survive. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells cannot undergo this adaptation and survive the stress imposed upon them. Recent research has concluded that short-term starvation conditions, or modified diets that promote similar changes, have the potential to enhance standard cancer therapies. This information seems to suggest that fasting could provide an alternative to chemotherapy for very early-stage cancer patients who may not be sufficiently at risk to receive chemotherapy. In patients with advanced malignancies, fasting cycles in combination with chemotherapy could extend the survival of patients by both retarding tumor progression and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.

While most people who undertake one of these eating styles are concerned with weight loss, it should be noted that in this regard, the main mechanism behind fat loss is a calorie deficit, as in eating fewer calories than your body burns over a prolonged period. A great tool for anyone looking to change how they eat is an app called MyFitnessPal. The only other tool needed is a food scale, which can be purchased very inexpensively. Track your food intake for at least one week, and you may be surprised how quickly the calories add up.

the morning each day before eating or drinking. If after a few days you notice you are either maintaining or gaining on average, then you know that you need to lower your calorie intake in order to lose weight. Try lowering your goal by 300-500 calories each day. You will hardly notice this slight shift, which could be as simple as cutting back on the amount of creamer in your coffee and substituting water for a soft drink. The key to success is to remain consistent, as is suggested in these “tough love” quotes found on the Whole30 website:

Hard. You’ve done harder things than this.”

“Don’t even consider the possibility of a ‘slip.’ Unless you physically tripped and your face landed in a pizza, there is no ‘slip.’ You make a choice to eat something unhealthy.”

Sources - PerfectKeto.com, WebMD.com, KetoConnect.net, KetoSavage.com, TheKetogenicAthlete.com/intermittentfasting-and-fitness, NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov, Blog.TimRyanMD.com/diet, Mercola.com,

The best advice for weight loss is to decide on your daily caloric goal. Consume that number of calories while also weighing yourself first thing in

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

“This is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Fighting cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not.

DietDoctor.com, MarksDailyApple.com, Whole30.com

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Breast Augmentation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Choosing the Best Size By Drs. Petrosky, Harkins, and Depew

When it comes to breast [HealthyLife] augmentation, choosing the size of implants is probably your most important decision. There are many factors to consider. Breast augmentation patients should be honest about their aesthetic goals during surgical consultations. Consider the following things when making your decision:

Amount of Breast Tissue Your existing breast tissue provides coverage for your implant. If you start out with little breast tissue and choose large implants, the results could end up looking unnatural.

Quality of Skin This can be dependent on age, past pregnancies, and weight fluctuations. Minor skin laxity can be okay because a large enough implant can often fill sagging skin. Moderate to severe laxity

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may require a breast augmentation combined with a breast lift.

Your Height/Weight/Frame Strive for beautiful, natural-looking results. Select implants that look proportional to the rest of your body. Women who are petite cannot support as big of an implant as a taller woman. A broad chest or fuller hips may warrant the choice of larger implants. Additionally, your implants should not make you physically uncomfortable.

Plans for Growing a Family Though having children may seem far off for some patients, it is something to consider when scheduling breast augmentation. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause major changes in your breasts. If you are planning on having children soon, it may make more sense to wait until after you are done nursing.

Lifestyle This is important to keep in mind, especially if you play sports, perform high-impact exercises, or are a longdistance runner. Individuals who lead active lifestyles may want to consider smaller implants. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want your new breasts to interfere with your favorite activities. As always, with any type procedure you are considering, make sure you consult with a specialtytrained plastic Drs. Petrosky and Harkins are board-certified plastic surgeons, surgeon.

and Dr. Depew is a board-eligible plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. 770-421-1242. PlasticSurgeryCenterOf TheSouth.net

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Foster Care Support Foundation (FCSF) was founded in 1996 by Rachel and Mark Ewald to help children who entered care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. While distributing basic care items to 4500 children this year, FCSF will turn its focus to a special event that is coming soon — Prom-A-Palooza.

Institut’ DERMed, Bobbie Brown, Beauty Control, Avon, and Mary Kay consultants who volunteer to give individualized instruction on how to choose colors and apply make-up appropriately.

Prom-A-Palooza is a February event where children living in foster care, or with relatives without their biological parents involved, can be outfitted to attend their high school proms with their friends, something many teens look forward to and dream about. The cost of prom can often keep a displaced teen from participating in this exciting event.

After a fun day of feeling like a princess, these young ladies enjoy a meal of pizza, drinks, and dessert with their chaperones before the trip home carrying their “prom in a box.” It’s a huge, delightful, “Say Yes to the Prom Dress” event and a dream come true for hundreds of girls who’ve been through trauma and often unmentionable hardships.

For Prom-A-Palooza, the FCSF center is transformed into an elegant “prom store” to help the girls feel special while personal shoppers help guide them through their selection of that perfect dress, matching jewelry, a purse, shawl, toiletries, and shoes that will help complete their outfit. There is also a cosmetics station with

The community can help make Prom-APalooza successful by donating dresses (greatest need for sizes 14-28) or through financial contributions and event sponsorships. FCSF has served over 58,000 children in foster and relative care throughout Georgia since its incorporation in 2000. Partnering with DFCS and other child advocacy and CPA organizations for verifications and referrals, FCSF manages an 18-year program that is unlike any other in the country. Financial sponsors and individual donors, along with over 11,000 annual volunteers, as well as in-kind support received from the community helps FCSF provide to all counties in Georgia, which helps these children know they have a caring family that has their back. Foster Care Support thanks everyone who helped make this possible.

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

FCSF needs financial donors. They distribute up to $8 million in goods and services each year, which is extremely difficult on a budget of under $825,000. FCSF operates with no government funds — only the generosity of kind and generous donors. For more information, visit FosterCares.org, or call 770-641-9591.

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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.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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The Pink Valise Boutique 315 Market Street Alpharetta 770-733-1549 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Apparel

11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 100, Alpharetta, 770-993-8806 GNFCC.com

DeVry University 555 North Point Center East, Suite 175 Alpharetta 770-619-3600 Education

Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings

The Summit Wellness Group

Plum Cafe

745 Hembree Place, Suite A Roswell 770-299-1677 Addiction Treatment Center

1055 Canton Street Roswell 770-518-7586 American, Vegan, Gluten-Free Restaurant

Restoration KIDS Learn-N-Play

Mojo Vinyl

The Whiskey Project

410 Rucker Road Alpharetta 770-751-9697 Church Preschool

1058 Alpharetta Street Roswell 678-534-5042 Record Store

45 Oak Street Roswell 678-373-1981 Restaurant and Whiskey Lounge

North Fulton Family Life | JANUARY 2019

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New Year, New ‘Do! By Savanna Morrison

[Lifestyle] The new year can be a wondrous time of new beginnings and fresh starts. As you set new life goals and resolutions, why not also refresh your hairstyle? The following suggestions will not only refresh your appearance, but also make your hair look healthier:

A Fresh Haircut

When your hair feels good, you feel good. Whether your ends need trimming or you’re ready for a change, a fresh haircut can bring a breath of fresh air to compliment your fresh start to the new year.

Refresh Your Color

When our hair isn’t healthy, our color can come across as dull and flat. Unhealthy hair can also cause premature or accelerated graying. Take some time to refresh your color. After a root touchup, brightening your highlights, or adding a sultry balayage to your look, you’ve not only taken the time to relax, but you’ve given new life to your color. With confidence from your look, you’ll be ready to accomplish your new goals and resolutions.

Replenish Your Hair

to fight off illnesses. In turn, the nutrients we need to keep our hair healthy are allocated to other parts of our body. While our bodies handle and heal from the stress, our hair can be left feeling tired and worn. One way to replenish the nutrients your hair needs is by focusing on products with nutrients in them. Products with B6, biotin, keratin, proteins, and oils (such as argon or coconut oil) will help your hair get the nutrients it needs and help maintain the health of your hair. Be mindful of your hair type and what your hair is lacking to provide the best care for it that you can. Resolutions and goals differ from person to person, but we all love the feeling of beautiful, healthy hair. So, be sure your hair reflects the new-and-improved you that you’re working so hard to create. L

Savanna Morrison is an experience coordinator at Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton. 770-345-9411. JylCraven.com

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