North Fulton Family Life 11-18

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Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Contents

November 2018

VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 4

[24-25]

24-25 On the Cover:

S & B Cleaning

40-41

The Elder Family Respite Foster Care

44

Holiday Gift Guide 2018

[40-41] Follow Us >>>

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[44] Family Life Publications

North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

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

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

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

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.................... Mayor’s Minute

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............................ Quotables

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

familylifepublications

@FamilyLifeMags

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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 ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com Mandy Marger Mandy@FamilyLifePublications.com

North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

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.

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

© 2018 All rights reserved.

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What else makes us thankful? Our art director, Candice Williams, is due to expand her family with a new baby girl this month, and we are super excited. Candice has been influential from our humble beginnings in giving our magazines the look and feel that sets them apart in our market. She will be missed. Here at Family Life Publications, we are family first, and we’re happy for her and her family.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Cyndi Braun, Bridget Caulkins, Marianna I. Chaet, Jim Cheatham, Michael Consoli, Lisa Ethridge, Kevin Head, Amanda Howard, Mayor Joe Lockwood, Jamie Mackrell, Dawn Major, Gabriel Morley, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll

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Our plan at Family Life Publications for the upcoming year is to remain dedicated in service to our business partners and organizations. We plan to grow together within our communities by staying actively involved and speaking out for those in

Personally, I’ve been busy with some restructuring of my own. God has graced me and others close to me with the chance to get our acts together, and He has given us an opportunity to become closer to who He intended us to be. By keeping a positive outlook, a genuine spirit, and a straightforward attitude, we can accomplish anything when we give our troubles over to Him. That is one blessing we may never be able to show thanks for enough, but we should never stop trying.

SALES ASSISTANT Alexander DuLong

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We are stronger together. When we pool our resources, ideas, talent, and dreams – we can overcome obstacles more efficiently and effectively than we can individually. This applies to people, families, communities, and organizations. Many of Family Life Publications’ community partner organizations work together for the common cause of simply making situations better for the greater good. These opportunities to serve are something to be thankful for.

need. We are grateful for the chance to be part of positive change.

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ith the cool fall breezes finally upon us, and the scent of leaves in the air, we can peacefully reflect on our year. Our ups and downs, the lessons and wisdom we’ve harvested from both challenges and successes are all reason to give thanks for the blessing of just being able to keep on keeping on each day. We’ve seen some unusual events and activity these past several months, and in turn, we have witnessed some amazing feats of recovery, rebuilding, and restoration within our communities, neighbors, and ourselves. I’m thankful for that.

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SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

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Dental Health and Your Teenager By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.

[HealthyLife] So many changes occur in our children, as they reach the teenage years. Of course, these changes include physical, emotional, and psychological progressions, as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Many aspects of their lives go through an evolution, and dental health can be affected by these changes. Oral Piercings The decision to undergo any type of body piercing should not be made lightly. Piercings always require adequate care and upkeep in order to avoid infections or other complications. Oral piercings are not an exception to this rule. Piercings of the lip, tongue, cheeks, or any other part of the oral cavity often lead to infection, pain, swelling, or even nerve damage. In addition, oral piercings can damage gums, teeth, or fillings due to the interaction of the piercing with these areas of the mouth. That piercing might

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

look super cool, but is it really worth the side effects that it will most likely lead to in the future? Vaping/Juuling Vaping/juuling seems to be all the rage these days, and our teen community is right in the middle of it. This type of smoking – let’s call it what it is – can be harmful to overall health in a multitude of ways. Your teen may not be impressed with the negative side effects of this habit, but let’s talk about how it effects oral health. Vaping leads to chronic bad breath, redness/bleeding gums, and recession of gums, which leads to sensitivity. Depending on the type of liquid used with the vape pen, it can still include nicotine. Not only is nicotine an addictive substance, but it decreases blood flow,

which interferes with the mouth’s normal ability to fight bacteria. Since bacteria is responsible for tooth decay, one of the long-term effects of vaping is tooth loss. We all know appearance seems to become more important during the teenage years. Perhaps sharing some of the negative impacts to overall appearance may positively influence the decisions our young adults make. The teenage years can be when we develop habits (good and/or bad) that affect the rest of our lives. If teenagers make oral health care a priority, it will stay with them into adulthood.

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

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month


The Difference Between Occupational and Physical Therapy for Children By Bridget Calkins, D.P.T., P.T., M.O.T., O.T.R./L.

If your child or family [HealthyLife] member’s physician has referred them to occupational and/or physical therapy, you may be wondering what exactly the difference is between the two. As defined by the AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association), occupational therapists (master’s degree) and occupational therapy assistants (associate’s degree) help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

use of everyday activities (occupations). Unlike other professions, occupational therapy helps people function in all their environments (e.g. home, work, school, community) and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in occupation. Occupational therapy can be described as “anything that occupies someone’s time.” These activities include hobbies, play, interests, work, daily living skills, etc. In the pediatric setting, an occupational therapist typically specializes in sensory integration and neurodevelopmental treatment. Occupational therapists focus on children with special needs, whether it’s developmental delays, learning disabilities, fine motor skills, behavioral intervention, low vision, feeding, aquatic therapy needs, or just helping in an area where a child may be struggling in school. In contrast, according to the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association), “physical therapists are highly educated

(typically now a clinical doctorate), licensed health care professionals, who help patients improve or restore mobility.” Pediatric physical therapists look at developmental gross motor milestones needed for play and locomotion including rolling, crawling, walking, and steps. Physical therapists address children’s needs for positioning, mobility, and preventing deformities, recommending orthotics, braces, and wheelchairs. The exact difference depends on what the overall needs and goals of each client are. Whether occupational or physical therapy is recommended, the therapist works closely with parents, other therapists, and physicians in a collaborative effort to help the child.

Bridget Calkins is a physical and occupational therapist at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, 9880 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock. 770-687-2542. InHarmonyPediatricTherapy.com.

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Calendar NOVEMBER

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I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti — This is a onewoman comedy/drama about good food and bad boyfriends — with live cooking. Wednesday 7:30pm, Thursday and Friday 8:00pm, Saturday 4:00pm and 8:00pm, Sunday 2:30pm, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-641-1260. GET.org

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Naturally Artistic Exhibit — Through November 30, visit outdoor art stations to enjoy some of CNC’s most picturesque locations, and create a bit of nature-inspired art. Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 12:00-5:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, x238. ChattNatureCenter.org

a unique tree in addition to fabulous mantels and table arrangements. Inspiration for the decorations will be from the woodlands, bejeweled elegance, and floral uniqueness. $8 adults, $7 seniors 65 and over, $6 children 6-18. MondaySaturday on the hour 10:00am-3:00pm, Sundays 1:00-3:00pm, Smith Plantation, 935 Alpharetta Street, Roswell. 770-6413978. SouthernTrilogy.com

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Giving Thanks Exhibit at Smith Plantation — A new exhibit will be in the main house displaying various plates, platters, and other items used to celebrate Thanksgiving. Tours are $8 adults, $7 seniors 65 and over, $6 children 6-18. Monday-Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm, Sundays 1:00-3:00pm, Smith Plantation, 935 Alpharetta Street, Roswell. 770-641-3978. SouthernTrilogy.com

2-12/30

“Oh Christmas Tree” at Smith Plantation — For the tenth year, the Roswell Garden Club will decorate the 1845 Smith Plantation historic house museum in Roswell. Each of the nine rooms and hallways in the home will have

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Household Hazardous Waste Collection — The City of Roswell’s Public Works/Environmental Department will host this event. Please check the website for a list of acceptable items. 9:00am-12:00pm, Public Works/ Transportation/Fire Facilities, 1810 Hembree Road, Alpharetta. 770-641-3715. RoswellGov.com

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Holiday Home Tour — Presented by the Roswell Woman’s Club, five beautiful homes will be showcased and adorned with holiday decor by local floral and home interior designers. Proceeds from this event will benefit education and charities in north Fulton. Tickets are $35. 9:00am-5:00pm, Roswell area homes. Info@RoswellWomansClub.org. HolidayHomeTour.org

ONGOING November is National Adoption Month — This month is dedicated to bringing awareness to adoption and the children in need of homes and families. It aims to bring good into the world by putting children first and bringing families together.

Monday-Friday 3:00-10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm, Sunday 12:00-7:0 0pm, holidays (November 20-November 24 & December 21-January 4 and, January 21) 10:00am-10:00pm, Avalon, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. ExperienceAvalon.com

Avalon on Ice — From November 18 through January 21, lace up your skates, and enjoy this Rockefeller-inspired iceskating rink. $18 per person includes skates, $14 for children 9 and younger.

Better Together — On the second Monday of each month, the Better Together committee, composed of interested citizens from the City of Milton, meets to discuss ways to build a welcoming

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month


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Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook Junie B. is on a mission to prove she’s not a nutball, avenge her black furry mittens, and maybe get a great new colorful pen, too. 11:00am, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-641-1260. GET.org

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Alpharetta Women’s Half and 5K Race — Enjoy this inaugural event! 7:00-11:00am, Avalon Shopping Center, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. AlpharettaWomensHalf.events

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Brunch & Learn, Solar Energy — A brunch-time fundraiser for Friends of Mimosa Hall & Gardens, featuring fresh waffles, locally-brewed coffee, and a talk on solar energy by Simone du Boise, NCARB, AIA, AEE, CGC, CSI, ICC, LEED AP. 10:00-11:00am, Crazy Love Coffee House, 1088 Canton Street, Roswell. FriendsOfMimosa. org/events

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2nd Annual Veterans Day Car Show — Enjoy a great car show, food, live music, children’s activities, and vendor village. FREE for the public to attend, this event is presented by American Legion Post 201. 11:00am-2:00pm, American Legion, 201 Wills Road, Alpharetta. 678-462-9023. Legion201.org

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12th Annual Freedom Fighters Open Golf Tournament — The cost is $150 per player. The format will be a four-way scramble (best ball) with a shotgun start. If you don’t have a team, please call to be placed on one. This event is a fundraiser for Operation Santa, which helps to support Georgia-based troops fighting overseas and their families. 10:30am, BridgeMill Athletic Club, 1190 Bridge Mill Avenue, Canton. 770-331-6120. FreedomFightersOpen.org

9-12/30

Toys for Tots Christmas at Barrington Hall — The nationwide Toys for Tots program is sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. Plan to drop off a toy in the collection box in the gift shop. There will be an exhibit of antique toys throughout the holidays. Admission is free with a house tour.

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 of interest to the community. 6:30pm, Community Place at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton. 678-242-2512. CityOfMiltonGa.us

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, 1 1605 Haynes Bridge Road, Building 400, Suite 100, Alpharetta. 770993-8806. GNFCC.com

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce ProAlliance — Each Wednesday, enjoy early morning

Avalon Nights Live — Unwind after a long week with live music in The Plaza every Friday. 6:00-8:00pm, Avalon, 2200 Avalon

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

Monday-Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm and Sunday 1:00-3:00pm, Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 770-640-3855. SouthernTrilogy.com

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Veterans Day Breakfast Everyone is invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast with local veterans. 8:00-9:30am, Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton. 678-2422533. CityOfMiltonGa.us

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Butcher & Brew Fest — Located in historic downtown Alpharetta, there will be unlimited tastings, giant Jenga, cornhole, a photo booth, and delicious food off the Big Green Egg from Chef Andy Long. 2:00-6:00pm, The Alley at SMK, 9 South Main Street, Alpharetta. 678-585-3344. ButcherAndBrewFest.com [continued on page 10]

Boulevard, Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. ExperienceAvalon.com Spotlight Artist Jane Turner Haessler — Through December 28, Haesller’s People on Canton exhibit will be on display in the lobby. Her acrylic and ink renderings depict the people and businesses on Roswell’s Canton Street. FREE! Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm, Roswell Community Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770594-6232. RoswellCAC.com

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Honoring Our Veterans Celebration — Celebrate, honor, and thank those who have served in our nation’s military services. 10:00-11:30am, Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. JohnsCreekGa.gov

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Milton Literary Festival — Meet local and national authors, publishers, storytellers, service providers, and journalists. Participate in handson activities, hear live music, and enjoy engaging activities for children. FREE! 9:00am-5:00pm, Milton City Hall Complex, 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton. MiltonLiteraryFestival.com

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9th Annual Brew & BBQ for CdLS — Food will be catered by Smokejack Grill & BBQ. Tickets are $30 and include BBQ, two beer tickets, a silent auction, and live music. A cash bar will also be available. All proceeds benefit the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) Foundation. 5:00-8:30pm, Currahee Brewing Company, 25 South Main Street, Alpharetta. BrewAndBBQ4CdLS@outlook. com. AwesomeAlpharetta.com

10-12/30

“The Music of Christmas” at Bulloch Hall — Take a self-guided tour of this beautifully decorated historic house museum. This year’s theme is “The Music of Christmas.” Each room is transformed by sponsoring local organizations. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children ages 6-18. Monday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm and Sunday 1:00-4:00pm, Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell. 770-992-1731. SouthernTrilogy.com

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A Novel Idea — This month’s theme is “Historical Fiction.” Dinner, drinks, and dessert will be available, and door prizes will be given away. 6:30-8:30pm, Alpha Soda, 11760 Haynes Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-4423102. Marsha.Cornelius@hotmail.com

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

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Save a Mustang Save a Vet — Help raise money and awareness for a veteran and mustang horse training program. Through this program, veterans will participate in the transition and training of captured wild mustang horses as a way to heal and transition themselves. Activities include mustang demonstrations, a mustang meet-n-greet, a petting zoo, pony rides, DJ, face painting, silent auction, vendors, good food, and more! This event will be followed by a $50 BBQ Bash fundraiser dinner at 4:30pm. 11:00am-4:00pm, Chukkar Farm Polo Club & Event Facility, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta. 770-314-3735. SaMSaV.org

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Young Adult Club Thanksgiving Dance — You must join the Young Adult Club in order to attend this event. You may register at the first meeting you attend. You must be 18+ on the date of event. Yearly fees are $16 residents; $24 non-residents. 5:308:00pm, Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell. 770641-3950. RoswellGov.com

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41st Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon — FREE for the 50+ community! Turkey, dressing, and beverages will be provided. Bring a dessert, salad, or vegetable (enough for 8-10 people). There will also be special entertainment. Call to RSVP by November 7. 12:002:00pm, Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell. 770-641-3950. RoswellGov.com

Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month


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Candy Cane Fun Run — Come dressed in your ugly holiday sweater or other festive attire. The run is not timed. The course is 1.5 miles. After the run, enjoy a hayride through the park and roasting marshmallows. Bring your camera, and get your picture taken with Santa. $22 per person. 5:00-7:00pm, Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell. 770-817-6670. RoswellGov.com

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The Lighting of Avalon — Get in the holiday spirit with festive music and FREE activities for the whole family. From the annual opening of Avalon on Ice to the magnificent tree lighting, and an appearance from Santa himself, there’s something exciting for everyone. 1:00-8:00pm, Avalon, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. ExperienceAvalon.com

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Christmas Tree & Dreidel Display Lighting — Santa Claus makes an early appearance at this festive party highlighted by the traditional lighting of a giant dreidel and thirty-foot Christmas tree. Children can give Santa their holiday wish list and participate in a variety of kids’ activities. Hot chocolate, holiday treats, and live music make this a funfilled family event. 6:00-8:00pm, Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. JohnsCreekGa.gov

Roswell UMC Christmas Gift and Craft Show — Showcasing sixty unique vendors, featuring a wide variety of merchandise. In addition, there will also be a Christmas tree and poinsettia sale, raffle, concessions from local restaurants, specially priced gift cards from local businesses, and a bake sale. 9:00am5:00pm, Roswell UMC, 814 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell.770-993-6218. RUMC. com/christmasgcs/

29-12/9

Works In Clay — Enjoy food, drinks, and amazing works of art! 11/29, opening reception 7:00-9:00pm; 11/30-12/9 10:00am-5:00pm, Sundays 12:00-5:00pm, Art Center West, 1355 Woodstock Road, Roswell. 770-641-3990. RoswellClayCollective.com

[continued on page 12]

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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DECEMBER

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Back to Nature Holiday Market — Are you looking for a way to fulfill your gift-giving needs and support your local artisans? Check out over forty local vendors selling their handmade and/or eco-friendly goods. 10:00am5:00pm, Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road Roswell. 770-992-2055 x238. ChattNatureCenter.org

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Light the Night Christmas Tree Lighting — All the magic of the holidays glistens at the annual lighting of the 45-foot live spruce tree with 10,000 white lights! Enjoy visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday performances, restaurants and food trucks, a snow playground, roasting marshmallows, FREE children’s crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and much more. 4:00-8:00pm (tree lighting at 6:15 pm), downtown Alpharetta, 35 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000. AwesomeAlpharetta.com

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Christmas in Crabapple & Milton Tree Lighting — This traditional event includes caroling, s’mores, crafts, hot cocoa, photos with Santa, and many more fun activities! 2:00-6:00pm (tree lighting ceremony at 5:30pm), historic downtown Crabapple at Broadwell Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road, Milton. Courtney.Spriggs@CityOfMiltonGa.us. CityOfMiltonGa.us

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

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Johns Creek Founders Day Parade — Some of the parade highlights include musical groups, local neighborhoods, schools, community organizations, civic clubs, and businesses. 10:00am, State Bridge Road between Kimball Bridge and West Morton Roads, Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. JohnsCreekGa.gov

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Roswell’s Annual Holiday Celebration on the Square — This family event includes carolers from local schools, the lighting of Town Square, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by the mayor, and a special visit from Santa Claus! Pictures with Santa are available. Holiday shuttle buses provide transportation to Santa’s Secret Gift Shop. FREE. 5:007:00pm, Roswell’s Town Square, 610 South Atlanta Street, Roswell. 770641-3950. RoswellGov.com

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Santa’s Secret Gift Shop — Children ages 12 and younger will enjoy shopping for relatives, making arts and crafts, and face painting. A free holiday bus will transport guests between the Adult Recreation Center and the Holiday Celebration on Town Square. Pictures with Santa are available on Sunday. Gifts are priced affordably, and proceeds benefit the Roswell Ramblers senior club. Concessions will be available for purchase. Saturday 6:00-8:30pm and Sunday 1:00-4:00pm Roswell. 770-641-3950. RoswellGov.com

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Thomas Arvid Annual Holiday One-Man Show — Beloved throughout the world for his photo-realistic paintings of wine and the rituals around it, Arvid will bring an amazing array of original works and will be painting live and dedicating work throughout the weekend. Please RSVP. Saturday 1:00-4:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm, Sunday 1:00-4:00pm, Vinings Gallery, 938 Canton Street, Roswell. 770-545-8887. ViningsGallery.com

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Menorah Lighting at Avalon — Guests are invited to the Courtyard (located in Boulevard East) for a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony as well as refreshments, music, and entertainment for all ages. 5:00-6:00pm, Avalon, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. ExperienceAvalon.com

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Caroling on Canton Street — Residents and visitors are invited to stroll up and down Canton Street and listen to their favorite holiday tunes while sipping hot chocolate, warming up by the community bonfire, and enjoying the seasonal celebrations of local merchants. 5:00-7:00pm, Heart of Roswell Park, 925 Canton Street, Roswell. 770-594-6271. RoswellGov.com

Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month


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

PRESCHOOL STEM STORYTIME November 7, 11:30am, Milton Join Ms. Hannah from Fulton County Public Works for a fun preschool story time, and learn STEM concepts. ADULT COOKING CLASS - ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY SIDE DISHES November 7, 6:00pm, East Roswell Join Chef Lynn Ware to review glazing vegetables, creative winter squash dishes, tasty dishes incorporating seasonal fall fruits, and side dishes using holiday leftovers. Reservations are required, adults only.

VIRTUAL REALITY GAME NIGHT November 9, 6:00pm, East Roswell Celebrate International Games Week by checking out the PS4 virtual reality games, Nintendo Switch, Wii, and analog games, too! Grab a friend, your favorite games, and snacks. The library will be open late for this special event. Reservations are required. This is for ages 8+. MIDDAY AT MILTON BOOK DISCUSSION November 9, 11:00am, Milton This month’s selection is The Association of Small Bombs by K. Mahajan. Copies will be available at the circulation desk. This is for ages 18+. IT’S A MYSTERY BOOK CLUB November 10, 2:00pm, Alpharetta November’s book is Long Man, a novel by Amy Greene. All adults are welcome. To join and to secure a copy of each month’s book, please send an email to Marcia.Divack@fultoncountyga.gov.

THELONIOUS THE TURKEY November 8, 1:30pm (ages 3-5) & 3:30pm (ages 5-11), Northeast/Spruill Oaks This program features an art project and a story. Dress to get messy! Registration is required. SOCIAL SECURITY WORKSHOP November 8, 6:00-7:00pm, Ocee A free, informative workshop on social security benefits.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

THANKFUL TREE ART PROJECT November 10, 2:00pm, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Create a holiday art project using mixed media, collage, and painting. Express your gratitude, and make this your own special art journaling piece on canvas. This is for ages 9-16. Registration is required. LET’S DO ART November 13, 3:30pm, East Roswell Create a piece of art to take home with Out of The Box Art Studio. This art project involves paint, so please dress accordingly. Reservations are required. This is for ages 6-12.

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

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

THANKSGIVING ART WITH JOHNS CREEK ART November 17, 2:00pm, Ocee Johns Creek Art will create a Thanksgiving-themed craft. This is for ages 5+ and limited to the first twenty participants to register.

THANKSGIVING MAKE & TAKE CRAFT November 21, 3:30pm, East Roswell Make a quick Thanksgiving-themed craft. This is for ages 3-12. GAVEL CLUB November 25, 3:00pm, Alpharetta In an exciting partnership with Alpharetta Toastmasters, teens can learn how to improve their public speaking skills. Gavel Club is for ages 12-19. No registration is necessary. RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE November 28, 1:00-6:00pm, Milton Please help with this end-of-the-year Blood Drive Challenge between other local public libraries. Every pint collected saves three lives! Call for registration details. This is for ages 17+. RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE November 29, 1:00 - 5:00 pm, Alpharetta Give the gift of life by donating blood. Please bring a photo I.D. For questions, please email Michael. Salpeter@fultoncountyga.gov

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Community Blessed Trinity Catholic High School Lacrosse Teams Recognized for State Championship Wins Senator John Albers recently honored the Blessed Trinity Catholic High School Boys and Girls Lacrosse Teams with a Senate Resolution commending their 2018 State Champions titles. “It is an honor to recognize these two teams and phenomenal athletes,” said Sen. Albers. “Their achievements are truly commendable, and their coaches, parents, fellow students, and our community are proud of their accomplishment. I look forward to their future successes and wish all of the athletes and coaches the best, as they prepare for another great season.”

The boy’s lacrosse team has 36 players. They defeated Greater Atlanta Christian School for their team’s first State Championship in school history. Four of the players earned All-State honors, and Bric Nicholl received All-American honors. The girl’s lacrosse team has 27 players. They won their third consecutive State Championship in class 1A-5A. Of the 2018 State Championship team, five players earned All-State honors. Additionally, two members, Kaley Attaway and Elise Hammelrath, were recognized as U.S. Lacrosse All-Americans.

Up to free air on all 2018 itineraries!

Michael Consoli, ECC

Travel Magazine - Top 25 All Star Winner for 2016

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

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Roswell Arts Fund Announces New Board Members and Partners The Roswell Arts Fund is a powerful voice and advocate for the arts community, strengthening the scope, quality, and diversity of the arts and striving to fully integrate the arts into the social and economic fabric that is uniquely Roswell. Their vision is for Roswell to be a destination for the arts and to serve as a regional leader on how the arts ignite, inspire, and impact the community — economically and socially. Kent Knowles and Diane Peoples have been appointed to the Board of Directors. Kent Knowles is a foundation studies professor at SCAD-Atlanta, where he has learned the business and academic side of the arts. Kent is also an accomplished figurative painter. Diane Peoples brings decades of marketing experience including brand and project management, marketing communications, consumer insights, pricing, and consumer and trade promotions. Emma Chammah takes on a new role as public art administrator. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from Tulane University School of Architecture, and has parlayed her strong design/build experience, art fabrication, and analytical research skills into a career as a program manager and facilitator to create public art communities. Becky Peters Kile takes on a new role as marketing and outreach administrator. With deep and wide experience in the arts industry, Becky brings expertise in marketing, event planning, community outreach, website design, and social media management, coupled with an entrepreneurial understanding of how a small nonprofit organization really works.

City of Roswell Improves Open Records Request Process for the Public

Community InCommunity to Host 8th Annual Golden Goals Awards Luncheon The Golden Goals Awards Luncheon will be held on November 15, 2018 from 11:00am-1:00pm, at The Metropolitan Club on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. The event is a time to recognize individuals and advocates in the developmental disability community who have made extraordinary advancements in the past year. Golden Goals is a production of InCommunity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta that partners to enrich and sustain the lives of individuals who have developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities. Awards will be presented to winners from different categories for achievements in arts, teamwork, advocacy, and community involvement. To sponsor the event, donate to the nominee’s goody bags, purchase tickets, or purchase ad space in the program, please contact Special Events Manager Kimberley Ellery at KEllery@enablega.org, or call 770-540-3136.

City Clerk Marlee Press is excited to be able to offer a more convenient option for those requesting public records.

The City of Roswell is making transparent government more convenient for the public. You can now submit open records requests for both general public requests and police record requests through a user-friendly, online form. Previously, an individual wanting to submit an open records request would either email the City or download a paper form and submit it physically or electronically. Roswell Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

“The City’s new system will help streamline the open records request process for citizens and improve efficiencies for staff — saving time, money, and resources,” Press said. The new system, called JustFOIA, was designed to help manage and track public records requests and is now used by local government agencies throughout the country. The new online form is available at RoswellGov.com/OpenRecords. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Community STEM Education at Fulton Academy of Science & Technology Receives $20,000 Donation New technologies, like 3D printing and laser cutting, are growing nearly as fast as the applications for using them. Last year alone, more than 320,000 patents were granted for 3D printing technologies, making it the second-fastest-growing technology of 2017. Now, the Fulton Academy of Science & Technology (FAST) in Roswell will be able to bring more hands-on learning and prototyping into the curriculum for Fulton County students — all thanks to a donation from Emerson. The donation extends the STEM support that Emerson provided in 2016 for the “coding as a foreign language” program. Emerson, a global leader in technology and engineering, donated $20,000 to fund the transformation of the school’s “makerspace” with a variety of tools, cutting-edge equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters, and training for faculty and staff. The donation will enable students to bring innovation to life and the staff to further integrate hands-on learning into the daily innovation curriculum, which is unique to the FAST charter. “The students are ready to learn and explore,” said FAST Principal Chris Mahoney. “We are working to prepare students to be creative thinkers and problem solvers,” Mahoney added. “Makerspaces can come in all shapes and sizes. It is really a place where projects, tools, mentors, and expertise can come together. The addition of a 3D printer and laser cutter will provide a boost to both innovation and creativity. This field is continuing to grow and presents incredible opportunities for our students. We are grateful to Emerson for the donation and look forward to seeing our students use this one-of-a-kind space.”

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Roswell Recognizes Local Author Strong Is the New Pretty is an international bestseller by author, Roswell resident, and mother of two girls, Kate T. Parker. The book, which can be found in over 35 countries and ten languages, showcases young girls just as they are: “loud, messy, silly, fearless, independent, confident, and fierce.” The book was published in March 2017, and Parker is working on three follow-up books to be released between this year and 2020. Over thirty girls were recognized alongside Parker at a recent meeting with Mayor Lori Henry. “This day was so special! It was an honor for me to see these girls celebrated. They were so proud of themselves, and this is the message I wanted to portray in the book,” said Parker. The book’s images have been embraced from Bangalore to Boston and Atlanta to Australia. It has been featured on CNN, The Today Show, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls at the Party, Zooey Deschanel’s Hello Giggles, Buzzfeed, Mashable, The Washington Post, A Mighty Girl, Lean In, The Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Vanity Fair, Glamour, The Daily Mail, The New Zealand Herald and a host of others. For more information on Kate T. Parker or her book, please visit KateTParker.com.

For the second consecutive year, the City of Roswell has been awarded an AmeriCorps grant to support local youth. Last year, the City and two of its nonprofit partners — Ed Isakson/Alpharetta YMCA and STAR House Foundation — received a $74,000 planning grant to begin the process of providing enhanced after-school programming at select Roswell elementary schools. This year’s grant, for up to $89,709, will be used by the City and these partners to continue the work by supporting after-school programming at four area schools with the goal of increasing elementary literacy and providing additional STEM and health and wellness education. The City of Roswell is contributing up to an additional $39,748 in monetary and in-kind funding to facilitate the project.

Roswell Receives AmeriCorps Grant for After-School Programs

The City of Roswell is recruiting twenty AmeriCorps members to implement the enhancements to after-school programming — specifically by working with teachers to provide additional instruction and homework support to participating students. These AmeriCorps members will also engage participants’ parents through meetings and information sessions, and the community through service opportunities on nationally recognized days of service. Individuals interested in becoming AmeriCorps members to help in the local effort are invited to visit RoswellGov.com/ AmeriCorps for more information and to apply. Additional questions regarding the City of Roswell grant or AmeriCorps opportunity may be addressed to Megan Boynton at 770-817-6715 or MBoynton@roswellgov.com.

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Community Roswell High School Marching Band Accepts Invitation to Participate in 2020 London’s New Year’s Day Parade

The Roswell High School Marching Band recently accepted an invitation to perform in the 2020 London’s New Year’s Day Parade and Festival. The invitation was issued by Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster Councillor Robert Davis, with Parade Executive Director Robert Bone and other parade officials in attendance. “After a tough and thorough selection process, I have with me the formal invitation, an honor bestowed on very few high schools in the United States,” Davis said to Band Director Michael Moon and members of the marching band.

Bone said that each year, the parade has 8,500 parade participants from twenty different countries and 650,000 spectators, while 600 million watch the event on television from around the world. Sixteen American high school and college bands will perform in the 34th annual parade in 2020. “[The spectators] come primarily because of you,” Bone said to members of the marching band. “They just love American marching bands. [The British] don’t have anything like it.” Besides the parade, which takes place at noon on New Year’s Day, members of visiting marching bands give concerts throughout the week in venues across the city of Westminster. The Roswell High School Marching Band will be in London from December 27, 2019 to January 3, 2020. For more information about London’s New Year’s Day Parade and Festival, visit LNYDP.com.

Congratulations to our October contest winner, Mini Batra! Congratulations to our September contest winner, Chris Smith! Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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[HomeLife] It’s easy to appreciate a magnificent tree that generates oxygen, provides shade, feeds people and animals, and so much more. Cities enthusiastically encourage residents to plant trees; however, little time is spent educating the public about the tree’s lifeline — its root system. Without healthy root systems, our trees will wither and die. The tree’s root system extends outward past the dripline. The roots are primarily located in the top 6-24” of the soil and grow three to seven feet in depth. Amazingly, half the tree is above ground, and half is underground. Keep that visual in mind for future tree-planting projects. Roots must have water, minerals, and oxygen to grow. Under no circumstances

should you layer a thick pile of mulch or pine straw at the base of a tree. Do not use landscape ties to box in the root zone around the tree. These are two treesmothering techniques that need to be eliminated. Instead, put a light layer of bark chips around the bases of trees. Soil compaction causes all kinds of distress to the root system. Construction of any kind can cause soil compaction, but so can driving or even walking on tree roots. Remind family members about the living root system of the tree, and ban driving over its roots. Underwatering or overwatering can be a problem for trees. Sometimes, we forget that even established trees need to be watered regularly and deeply. Apply

Danger Zone

Avoid Damaging Tree Roots By Lisa Ethridge

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

nitrogen fertilizer immediately after spring leaves appear. Maya Angelou offered this sage advice, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” It’s time to “do better.” With an improved understanding and appreciation for tree roots, you can rest assured that your trees will live long, healthy lives. Information about tree health is available at Extension.UGA.edu: Bulletin 1031, “Shade & Street Tree Care” Bulletin 932, “Soil Prep & Planting” and Bulletin 1013, “Shade Trees for GA.” A great book on this topic is Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate — Discoveries From a Secret World. 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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Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Mayor’s Minute

Giving Thanks A

nother year has flown by, and here we are heading into the holiday season with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away. Our community has so much to be thankful for — engaged citizens, dedicated volunteers, strong businesses, and committed City staff.

Those Who Give

By Mayor Joe Lockwood

Last year, the City of Milton began a new tradition by taking the month of November to “give thanks” for the many residents who selflessly volunteer their time for the benefit of Milton and their neighbors. We celebrated our volunteers by profiling each one on social media throughout the month, and then concluded our monthlong volunteer recognition with a special volunteer dinner at City Hall. Each volunteer is special, contributing to Milton in his/her own unique way. In some cases, our volunteers have channeled their personal passion into creating new community organizations like Milton’s Village Volunteers, a group dedicated to connecting and serving families with special needs children who have aged out of the public school system. Others have answered the call to public service by agreeing to serve as a councilmember appointee on City committees and boards such as the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, or the Board of Zoning Appeals, dedicating countless hours each month to help the City conduct its business. Some have identified a community need or realized that they could make a difference in Milton and beyond. For example, we have a long-term Milton resident who single-handedly makes sure that every City event offers recycling by

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installing the containers and transporting the materials to the local recycling center at the end of each event. There are also residents who have professional experience or expertise to share with their city, and they seek out unique opportunities to contribute to their community through special projects with the Milton Police Department or by serving on the Milton Greenspace Advisory Committee.

For those dedicated volunteers reading this month’s column, thank you for all that you do! If you are someone searching for ways to engage, contact Milton’s Community Outreach and Engagement Manager Courtney Spriggs at Courtney.Spriggs@cityofmiltonga.us, or 678-242-2533. Courtney can help connect you to a variety of existing volunteer opportunities, or she can explore unique ways you might serve. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! L

These are just a few of our volunteer stories! Each volunteer is a perfect example of what makes Milton such an incredible community. That’s why we’re designating November as Volunteer Appreciation Month in Milton, and we’ll once again celebrate these community superstars with a dinner at City Hall.

Joe Lockwood is the mayor of the city of Milton. 678-242-2484. Joe.Lockwood@CityOfMiltonGa.us

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Quotables “I saw old Autumn in the misty morn stand shadowless like silence, listening to silence.” -Thomas Hood

“Look at yourself as a color. You may not be everyone’s favorite, but one day you will meet someone who needs you to complete their picture.”

“Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?” -John Keats

-Unknown

“My sorrow, when she’s here with me, / Thinks these dark days of autumn rain / Are beautiful as days can be; / She loves the bare, the withered tree; / She walks the sodden pasture lane.” -Robert Frost

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.”

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” -Henri Frederic Amiel

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” -Denis Waitley

-Dalai Lama

“We cling to our own point of view as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.” -Zhuangz

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Public Safety

Preparedness By Jim Cheatham

I

n the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, the amount of devastation left in the Carolinas stirred many emotions. Many lost their homes and neighborhoods, and some even lost loved ones. Watching people lose all of their belongings is hard. Unfortunately, public safety employees see this often. What can you do to be prepared? Preparedness is a mindset. Recognize your belongings as just that — belongings. Think about the day that they may all be gone. It is not going to be a pleasant experience, but if you’ve thought about the loss and planned for what is next, it will allow you to focus on the important things when tragedy strikes, and the important things are people.

Planning is critical. Start with thirty minutes. If a tragedy strikes, what do you and your loved ones do for the first thirty minutes? This is about getting to safety; it’s the number one item on your checklist. Create a plan, and practice evacuations, so your family will know exactly what to do. Once your family is safe, you can focus on doing whatever is possible to rectify the tragedy at hand. Next, focus on 72 hours. You should have a plan to be on your own for 72 hours. It could be getting a hotel room and going clothes shopping; it could be breaking out the camping gear and the bottled water you’ve been storing for such an occasion. The idea is to be self-sufficient for a variety of tragedies. You should also have a plan in place for this, and make sure all involved know what the plan is.

Other things to conside: have you recorded the contents of your house, so you can keep the video in a safe place? Is your computer backed up? Is the backup drive in a separate location? Do not let the day of the tragedy be the first time you talk to your insurance company to make sure your coverage is what you think it is. Did you know the amount to rebuild your home has nothing to do with what you could sell it for? Reach out to Alpharetta Public Safety, or check out Ready.gov for more preparedness ideas. November is usually the month where people consider what they are thankful for. Even during a tragedy, there is usually still plenty for which to be thankful. Be sure to count your blessings.

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

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Photos courtesy of PhotoJack.net

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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COVER STORY By Cyndi Braun

Living the Dream in North Fulton When it’s time to clean your home, what do you enjoy most? Vacuuming? Scrubbing bathtubs? Dusting ceiling fans? For many, relaxing after the hard work is done is their favorite part, sitting back and admiring what has been accomplished: the sparkling clean floors, shiny kitchen, fresh towels and linens. Perfect. If only it would stay that way forever.

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S&B CLEANING, INC. can help keep your home clean, so you can enjoy it without all that hard work. Established in 2006 by Sean and Beata Henry, this family-owned company offers exceptional cleaning services to customers throughout north Fulton County. Chance Meeting Twenty-two years ago, Beata Zabczak left Poland to travel to Atlanta to visit an old friend. That trip was a lifelong dream. Her friend picked her up at the airport and suggested they stop at a restaurant.

Beata selected the restaurant and ended up meeting the man she would later marry, Sean Henry. Originally from Antigua, Sean had become an American citizen four years prior and was now a restaurant manager. He and Beata immediately connected. After visiting her friend for a month, Beata returned to Poland. Sean and Beata stayed in touch, and Beata came back to visit several times over the next couple of years. When they got married and settled here, Beata knew very little English, which limited her job opportunities. She started working as a nanny and

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cleaning homes. She taught herself English; she and Sean started a family; and the cleaning business became a success. As the business grew, Sean cleaned homes during the day and worked at the restaurant at night. Eventually, the two decided it was time that Sean join the business full-time. Sean is now responsible for day-today operations, while Beata takes care of marketing and customer service. They both hire and train employees.

Personalized Cleaning The company really listens to its customers. Sean and Beata encourage clients to share personal requests, so they can design individualized cleaning programs. “We have a lot of clients with specific requests, and we are pleased when they tell us about these because we want to make them happy,” said Beata. When a cleaning team enters a customer’s home, they carry with them a client profile and a 49-point cleaning checklist. Before the team gets started, they review the instructions. For example, a client might request no polish on the furniture or paper towels instead of cloths to clean mirrors. “Our employees must be able to take direction and apply those directions,” said Sean. “We personally train them, and, in some cases, we train them for specific houses that they will clean.” Wearing gloves and shoe covers, uniformed cleaning teams use colorcoded sponges for different rooms of the home. Yellow is used in the kitchen, and blue in the bathroom. After cleaning a home, the cleaning team places dirty rags in a special container in their car to be washed later. They use new cloths and mops for the next house. Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

Unique in the Field “We understand the value of cultivating a safe and comfortable living environment,” said Sean. “With our tender care and thorough cleaning, families can focus on creating memories without the worries of housework.” Sean and Beata Henry are committed to attention to detail and efficient cleaning. They offer clients unique services, including the following: • Customized cleaning and 49-point checklist • Christian values • Meeting customer expectations • Exclusive to north Fulton homes and businesses • Free oven cleaning for clients in November

A Family That Gives Back Sean and Beata have two children: Meghan (19) and Martyna (15). Meghan majors in chemistry at the University of Georgia and minors in music at Hugh Hodgson School of Music at UGA. Martyna, a freshman

retirement home, feeds the homeless in Atlanta, and offers comfort to residents of a cancer home. Sean organizes mission trips to Jamaica and Haiti every year. Beata helps people who are suffering from cancer. “The more we do, the more joy it brings us knowing we are helping others,” said Beata. “My best friend died of breast cancer, so if someone is suffering with cancer, with no family around, I like to give them a little bit of comfort.” As a child, Beata dreamed of coming to America. Her dream was fulfilled when she became a citizen many years ago. Beata and Sean are proud to be Americans and proud that through hard work and perseverance, they have established a successful business that serves their community. Call for a free consultation today!

at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, plays the violin at North Atlanta Talent Education. Active in their community and church, the family regularly visits a

CleanItsWhatWeDo.com

404-435-5742 10929 Crabapple Road, Suite 104-D, Roswell WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Good Savings Habits How to Teach Your Children to Save [Lifestyle] One of the most valuable lessons your child can learn is the importance of saving. Good savings habits can mean a better, more secure financial future. Since children soak up information at an early age, it’s never too soon to start encouraging them to put money in their bank instead of their pocket. So, where do you start? 1. Purchase a piggy bank. A piggy bank can be a fun way to watch the money build up. Tell your child the idea is to fill up the piggy until it has no more room. Talk to him/her about the importance of saving, and explain how more money equals more growth. For older children, a discussion about compounding interest will be a wonderful, beneficial math lesson. 2. Open up a savings account. Once children have filled up their piggy bank, take them to a credit union where they can open a savings account. Have them count their money before depositing it, so they can have a true understanding of its value. Now, you can also reinforce the idea of compounding interest.

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By Jamie Mackrell

Check with your local credit union, and see how much interest they will pay on your child’s savings account. The more interest they earn, the faster they will see growth. At some credit unions, your child can earn as much as 5.00 percent APY on his/her balance. Over time, as your child sees his/her money growing on its own, he/she will be more enthusiastic about saving. You can even take this opportunity to show your child how much he/she could earn with a higher balance or over a long period of time. 3. Create a timeline. Many children find it hard to grasp the concept of time, so you can help them by providing a timeline. Talk to your child about specific goals for saving, and then set a period of time to reach that goal. Let’s say they want to save $100, and they receive $5 a week in allowance. If they save all their money, it will take twenty weeks to reach their goal. So, start by outlining this on a long piece of paper.

Their savings (starting at $0) will appear on the left, and their goal ($100) will be on the bottom of the right side. Create checkpoints for when they reach 25 percent, fifty percent, and 75 percent of their goal. Now, when they add money to their account, you can illustrate this by drawing a line that shows how much was saved compared to their goal. In addition, you can give them incentive by promising a small reward when they reach certain checkpoints. These are just three ways to help your child learn to save. You know your child and what will work best for him or her. No one will forget the recent recession — we all saw the importance of saving money. If you start teaching your children early, you’ll be developing habits that will serve them well the rest of their life. L

Jamie Mackrell is the Roswell Financial Center manager at LGE Community Credit Union. 1010 Mansell Road, Roswell. 770-424-0060. JamieM@LGEccu.org, LGEccu.org

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Talk to Your Family About Burial Wishes By Marianna I. Chaet, Esq. [HomeLife] To bury or cremate? That is the question that family members ask, as they step into the funeral home after a loved one has passed away. In the ideal scenario, you have answered that question for them during your lifetime. Pre-arranging burial or cremation with funeral homes and buying plots at memorial gardens ahead of time is a great idea, but it is not effective if a conversation with family does not take place ahead of time. Your family will have no way of knowing that the preparations were made unless you tell them. Final disposition of bodily remains is not something that people like to talk about

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

or even think about. Some people feel strongly about cremation, others want a full-body burial, while some like a green burial plan. One question that frequently comes up during an initial estate planning meeting is whether or not those wishes should be expressed in a will. There is no legal problem expressing burial or cremation wishes in a will. The only concern is that the testator expresses those wishes to the people who will be taking care of the arrangements. It comes down to whether your family is going to take care of your funeral arrangements first or track down your will. Wishful thinking (and what typically happens) is that the funeral arrangements will come

first, and the will will come second. It would be heartbreaking for the family to find out that what they chose to do is not what you expressed in your will. If you truly want to make it easy on your family, have those hard conversations about burial wishes sooner rather than later.

Marianna I. Chaet is an associate 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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Book Review BY GABRIEL MORLEY

Is love invincible? The question seems to swell around the heart of all of Louise Erdrich’s novels, especially LaRose. When Landreaux Iron is out hunting in the late North Dakota summer, he sees a deer. He takes his shot. But it’s not a deer he has killed; it’s his neighbor’s five-yearold son. The dead boy also happens to be Landreaux’s nephew. And if that weren’t enough, the dead boy was also Landreaux’s son’s best friend. Erdrich’s books can also make your stomach hurt. Is family invincible? In LaRose, Erdrich seeks to explore the boundaries of family. As a member of the Turtle Mountain Clan of Ojibwe Indians, Erdrich infuses her novels with a Native American culture not many Americans are familiar with. This is never more apparent than when Landreaux and his wife give away their own son, LaRose, to the relatives whose son was killed. Imagine that for a moment. Consider what such an act, such a decision, does to a family — to two families. Therein lies the tangled commonalities of the human experience laid bare to either draw us together or split us apart: the hatred and despair, the longing and sorrow, the frustration and hopelessness. But also therein lies LaRose, a perfect boy to navigate the awkward terrain of forgiveness and healing. If you haven’t read all of Erdrich’s books — you should. Spend this fall with The Antelope Wife, Love Medicine, The Round House, The Painted Drum, or The Plague of Doves. Start with LaRose. Let Erdrich introduce herself to you. Her writing is lyrical and plain at the same time. It will uplift you, but it will also make you hold your breath. When you finally breathe again, you will be glad to be alive. Erdrich won the national Book Critics Circle Award for LaRose in 2016.

Gabriel Morley is the executive director for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta. 404-730-1700. AFPLS.org

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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.

Jay Kaufman

Paul Peterson

Steve Ryf

Susan Fletcher

Paul Peterson

J. David DiCristina

Steve Ryf

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29


Senator Speaks

Positive News for Georgia! By Senator John Albers

I

t has almost been six months since the General Assembly adjourned from the 2018 Legislative Session, and so many new pieces of legislation are in the making. There is a lot to look forward to in the months to come, as we gear up for another successful session. That being said, I want to reflect on some of the major highlights in Georgia over the past eight years. We are continuing on an upward path of building a greater, stronger Georgia, but I want to remind you of the great and strong Georgia that we have already worked so hard to become. This year, Georgia was named the number one state in which to do business for the fifth consecutive year. We have seen growth across the board in many different industries, especially the film industry. More and more companies are relocating to Georgia every day, and our native Georgia companies are continuing to expand and thrive in our state. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, our unemployment rate has dropped from 4.6 to 3.9 percent just from July of 2017 to July of 2018. But if we look even further back, from January 2010, the United States Department of Labor reported Georgia’s unemployment rate

at 10.5 percent. There is no question that we have a strong economy, but these statistics really put into perspective just how far Georgia has come. Coinciding with our healthy economy, the State of Georgia has just over $2.7 billion in our rainy-day fund, which is a contributing factor to our AAA bond rating. Over these past eight years, the General Assembly has maintained its mission of being fiscally responsible, divvying payments to priorities, and saving in the areas it sees fit. For example, this year, the Assembly was able to fully fund the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula for the first time since the austerity cuts in 2002. This will give our public schools the money they need to ensure that children are receiving the education and attention in the classroom that they need and deserve as well as allocating money to support school safety initiatives. Another initiative that has been making positive advancements is our criminal justice reform. Georgia’s courts have made significant progress in allowing our criminal justice system to be more efficient and effective. The creation of the state’s Accountability Court System has decreased the number of individuals behind bars while offering alternative sentencing guidelines for at-risk youth and those struggling with mental illness and drug abuse.

Breaking down this year’s budget showed just how strong our systems are across the board in Georgia. With no deficits in our areas of highest interest and concern, receiving enough money to either get them back on their feet, or building on something that has been working thus far, we can ensure security in these systems to continue moving forward and improving upon their status. With such a balanced budget, there is also room for Georgia to help taxpayers. The State’s historic income tax cut (House Bill 918) decreases income tax rates for individuals and businesses from six to 5.75 percent by January 1, 2019, with provisions to cut these rates further to 5.5 percent by 2020. As I travel to policy conferences around the nation, my counterparts ask how we do it in Georgia. I always respond by referencing these successes. With that being said, I want to commend everyone who played a part over these past several years to get us where we are today. I believe that Georgia is not only the greatest state in which to do business, but also the greatest state in which to live, work, and build community. L

Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton County. 404463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com, John. Albers@Senate.Ga.gov

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Five Tips for Raising Gracious Children By Christy Noll more likely they are to be confident and happy. Children who know and feel that they are loved will usually show love to others in return. 2. Lead by Example - Children often learn by watching parents. They see the way we treat others. Be sure to treat others respectfully, so your children will, too.

[HomeLife] One of the kindest compliments that a parent can receive is that their children are thankful for what they have been given and are gracious towards others. However those traits were acquired, and they say a lot about a person. Here are five tips for raising gracious children:

3. Hard Work - Instill in children that most of what is given to them is earned through someone’s hard work. As children see the effort their parents put in to afford them the life they have, or as they are assigned age-appropriate chores to earn money on their own, hopefully they’ll be more appreciative of what they have.

1. Love - The more that we can shower our children with love and attention and generate fun memories with them, the

4. Choose to Be Kind - As we choose to be courteous and treat others as equals, we are extending grace and positivity.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

5. Volunteer - Doing charitable volunteer work is not only great for family bonding but also for teaching the impact we can make on the lives of those less fortunate. The byproduct of volunteer work is that children often gain a better understanding of how fortunate they are to have everything they need. If children have some guidance along the way, they have a pretty good chance of becoming thoughtful, gracious adults. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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

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ArtistProfile BY DAWN MAJOR

INSPIRED. YOU HEAR THAT WORD A LOT. You see “stay inspired” on coffee mugs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers, but what does it actually mean to be inspired? The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “inspired” as having an “extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external creative impulse.” Steven Lester — painter, husband, and father — is someone who has this quality. When asked what inspires him, Lester said, “I don’t want my paintings to look like someone just took a picture. I paint to capture the emotion of a moment. While I paint with my hands, it is my heart that I want to express.” That’s what you see when you look at a Steven Lester painting, whether it’s Matt Ryan poised to throw a football or Evander Holyfield with fists ready, eyes steady, and focused. You see movement; you see energy; and you definitely see what inspires him.

Get

Inspired

Lester’s paintings, like himself, are accessible. He is personable, friendly, and open. A Georgia native, he was born in Decatur and has resided in Canton for the past few years. At an early age, Lester’s family recognized and encouraged him to pursue art. He started out working with pastels and charcoals. While studying at Georgia State University, he focused on visual arts and illustration. Lester has always enjoyed athletics, and he has worked as a commercial illustrator, concentrating his attention on competitive sports. From his work as the creative director for Turner Broadcasting System to serving as vice president, creative director for two international advertising agencies, Lester has enjoyed a successful career as an artist. Although retired from the corporate world, he still works full time, concentrating on painting. Most of his work is commissioned, mainly by individuals, but Lester also does commercial illustrations. In the past year, he has painted portraits of some of our great leaders: Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Mark Twain, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Billy Graham. Lester loves to travel and makes a point of going to art museums whenever he visits a new city. When asked if he had any advice for other artists, Lester said, “While art takes a certain level of skill, it also requires commitment. Sometimes, you have to table or adjust your dreams to make a living, but it shouldn’t mean giving up on your dreams.” These are wise words from an accomplished artist with a proven track record. For more information on Steven Lester’s art, please visit StevenLesterFineArt.com, StevenLesterSportsArt.com, or StevenLesterPortraits.com.

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Dawn Major 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/

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by Artist

Steven Lester

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Visit D ownton A bbey ’ s

H ighclere C a stle on Your Viking Cruise By Michael Consoli

[Lifestyle] Viking, widely known for its sponsorship of PBS’s celebrated series Masterpiece and the iconic television advertisements that aired during the Emmy Award-winning series Downton Abbey, recently announced it has extended its partnership with Highclere Castle, the country seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon that served as the setting for the show. As part of the relationship, Viking signed on as a headline sponsor of Heroes at Highclere, which is a weekend fundraiser for those who serve and those who save that took place at the Castle this past September. Representatives from more than twenty countries gathered on the lawns for the event, which honored the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I, highlighted the history of flight as well as the creation of the Royal Air Force (RAF), and culminated in a memorial service. Adding to the partnership, Viking has also launched a series of online videos to complement the first-ever coffee table book about Highclere, At Home at Highclere, written by the Countess of Carnarvon. “Many of our guests were introduced to both Viking and Highclere Castle while

watching Downton Abbey, so we are inextricably linked in a lot of minds,” said Karine Hagen, senior vice president of Viking. “But first and foremost, the relationship between Viking and Highclere is one of friendship and family. In our professional worlds, both Lady Carnarvon and I are much aligned in our determination to deliver enriching and meaningful experiences to our guests. Our respective platforms, Highclere Castle and Viking, allow us to connect different cultures in ways that can ultimately help make the world a more understanding place. Heroes at Highclere, which Viking is proud to sponsor, is one such example – and just one of the many worthwhile causes the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon organize and to which they lend their names.” In addition to marking the RAF and World War I centennial, Heroes at Highclere welcomed several thousand visitors for a fundraising weekend for all involved in wars past and those continuing to serve today. Funds raised during the weekend will support veterans’ charities including Combat Stress, Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), The Royal British Legion, The UK Sepsis Trust, and RAF100 Appeal, as well as one in the U.S. Throughout the weekend, guests were entertained with displays in the sky and on the ground to commemorate heroes. Historic aircraft, including the Red Arrows Display Team, P51 Mustang, a Typhoon Display, the Spitfire, the Tiger 9 Formation Team, and the Great War Display Team took part in the event – and Europe’s

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only airworthy B17 flew over the Castle on both days. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon also dedicated a new memorial of an airman, carved from a 200-year-old cedar felled on the Highclere estate. The event also featured commemorative football games inspired by the only moment of peace during World War I, as armies from both sides famously played football on Christmas Day 1914. Musical entertainment featured the popular Military Wives Choir, a Scottish Pipe Band, and the 1920s band The Gatsby Girls. The Viking hospitality area was set on the famous lawns, where guests enjoyed a tea tent, a dance tent, and a speakers’ tent with well-known literary names including Robert Harris and former war correspondent Kate Adie, among others. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Viking for Heroes at Highclere. We hope it will be a fascinating and meaningful event for all who attend,” said Lady Carnarvon. “This is also a particularly exciting time for us, as we prepare to welcome the cast and crew of Downton Abbey back to Highclere Castle for the filming of the highly anticipated movie.”

the architect Charles Barry, with a park designed by Capability Brown. The 5,000-acre estate is in Hampshire, England, about five miles south of Newbury, Berkshire. Long the Carnarvon family’s ancestral country seat, Highclere has welcomed royalty, statesmen, and notables from the worlds of business, academia, and the arts. In addition to the Heroes at Highclere sponsorship and new videos, Viking offers a variety of ways for guests to experience life at “The Real Downton Abbey” in person and at home. Viking’s Oxford and Highclere Castle pre- or post-trip extension is available for guests on select river and ocean cruise itineraries. The Privileged Access extension was co-created by Karine Hagen with the Carnarvon family. The extension provides guests with an exclusive three-day experience in the rolling hills of England’s countryside, with a champagne welcome and tours of the estate. Lady Carnarvon’s bestselling books are sold onboard Viking ships. Additionally, Karine Hagen’s The World of Finse children’s book series, which chronicles Finse’s adventures around the world, are sold onboard Viking ships. Visit Highclere Castle on select Viking itineraries. L

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

Known to global audiences as the setting of Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle is a country house in the Jacobethan style by Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

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Small Moments Can Make a Big Difference By Amanda Howard [AcademicLife] Several schools in the Fulton County School (FCS) district have embraced an approach that looks at wellness from all angles and instituted a mindfulness program for their students. Northwood Elementary received a grant to implement the mindfulness program, which began in February. The Inner Explorer program provides brief video lessons that teach students about focusing, connecting with their thoughts, and slowing down to think about solutions. “The program has received overwhelmingly positive responses from parents and the community,” said

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

Northwood Elementary Principal Dr. Ritu Ahuja. “Mindfulness adds another important tool in a teacher’s toolbox.” According to Inner Explorer studies, the program results in a fifteen percent increase in grade point averages, a 43 percent reduction in teacher stress, and a whopping sixty percent reduction in student disciplinary problems. “Happier, calmer children perform better,” said Dr. Ahuja. “Northwood Elementary has set aside the five minutes after recess for mindfulness. It allows students to slow down and sit with their thoughts, and it prepares the mind for academics.” Webb Bridge Middle School is one of the fifteen Fulton County schools participating in the mindfulness program. Principal Rebecca Perkins believes that teaching students coping mechanisms is a great stress-reducer. “We’re always looking for new ways to set students up for success,” she said.

Johns Creek High School had a soft rollout of the program at the end of the last school year, with seventeen teachers volunteering to implement it. “It’s very much part of our strategic plan,” said Principal Chris Shearer. “It’s very stressful to be a kid these days, and it’s important to support social-emotional health.” Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Dr. Chris Matthews agrees, saying, “It’s important to build space for students to have time to think and time to evaluate.” Mindfulness helps users work through stressful situations with focus and purpose, and it can be practiced by students, parents, teachers, and anyone interested.

Amanda Howard is the communications specialist of Fulton County Schools NLC, 450 Northridge Parkway, Sandy Springs. 404-5938982. FultonSchools.org

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The North Fulton Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a veterans’ service organization dedicated to supporting veterans and deployed service members as well as their families. All their members have served honorably in the U.S. military and have been deployed (or are currently deployed) to an area of conflict. The VFW uses the reach of its membership to help veterans in both big and small ways:

Community Partner

MILITARY SUPPORT These programs provide direct support for deployed and returning service members. Since 1996, Operation Uplink, the VFW’s free phone card program, has distributed more than eight million phone cards to hospitalized veterans and deployed service members. These valuable minutes of time allow the deployed service member and hospitalized veteran to stay in touch with friends and family. The Unmet Needs program provides emergency relief to service members facing unexpected costs such as medical emergencies, home repair, or identity theft. The Military Assistance Program allows VFW posts to adopt units and sponsor morale-raising events.

the members ted in 2003 by ar st as w a nt Sa funds raised Operation intent of using e th ith w 2 00 their of VFW Post 12 nors to express d corporate do an e at iv ops pr tro m fro gia-based pport for, Geor su d an , to de gratitu e its inception, eir families. Sinc th d an as se er has touched fighting ov ly $300,000 and ar ne d ise ra s their the charity ha sed troops and 000 Georgia-ba 5, er ov of es ed liv the e perform by rative duties ar ist in m ad l Al . es famili nta receives a ith Operation Sa w e on no – rs . voluntee ll 770-331-6120 nate, please ca paycheck. To do

VFW ON CAPITOL HILL The VFW Washington, D.C.’s office is responsible for monitoring legislative and related national issues of importance to veterans. JOB ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS The VFW supports VetJobs.com, a free, online employment resource that allows veterans and their spouses to post resumes and search available jobs online. To date, more than 80,000 vets and their spouses have posted resumes on the site, with 30,000 finding job placement. The National Veterans Employment Assistance Service works to ensure veteran preference in federal and other government hiring. VFW IN NORTH FULTON Local VFWs often sponsor homecoming parties for returning units, donate time to local charities, or even coordinate with VFW national headquarters to help area families in need. The North Fulton VFW meets at 7:00pm on the second Tuesday of each month at Alpharetta First Baptist Church, 44 Academy Street, Alpharetta. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE VFW? The North Fulton VFW welcomes everyone who is a U.S. citizen, was honorably discharged or is currently serving in the U.S. armed forces, and meets at least one of the following criteria: Serving Roswell, Alpharetta & Milton

NTA

PERATION SA

DONATE TO O

NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE Highly trained service officers act as liaisons between veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs. They identify available benefits, provide free expert advice, assist in the filing of claims, and advocate on a veteran’s behalf when necessary.

• • •

Was awarded a campaign or service medal for serving overseas in a combat zone Served thirty consecutive days, or a total of sixty days, in Korea Received Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay

MEMBER BENEFITS Members receive a free subscription to VFW Magazine; discounts on hotels, car rentals, and computers; and no-cost personal accident insurance, to name just a few of the benefits. Veterans may choose whether to join as an annual member or as a lifetime member. And all currently deployed active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard service members receive a free membership their first year through the Military Initiative Program. For more information about how you can help or become involved with the North Fulton VFW, visit NorthFultonVFW.org, or call 770-891-9526. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Photos courtesy of Studio 660

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a s e d i v o r P y l i m a F The Elder d e e N n i n e r d l i h C r o f Respite

Respite foster parents become like an aunt and uncle figure to foster youth. As a respite foster parent, you can have an incredible impact on a foster child without the full-time commitment of having them live in your home. In addition to the impact on the child, respite care allows foster parents to take a breather and recharge. Greg and Virginia Elder have been respite foster parents with Goshen Valley for over two years. They wanted to share their story in hopes that it will inspire others to volunteer to be respite foster parents. Greg says that he and Virginia “became interested in foster care after attending the Cherokee Homecoming panel discussion in early 2016. At this event, we learned that there were over 100 children from Cherokee County in foster care who were having to be housed outside of Cherokee due to a lack of foster parents within the county, and that siblings were being spilt up in the process.” “After some discussion, prayer, and discernment, we determined that our schedules would not permit us to be full-time foster parents,” Greg added. Then, the Elders learned about respite foster care.

e Elders “We love that th mories are creating me nd we are with our kids, a families in need of more ving this interested in ha er child” impact on a fost

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

The Elders also learned that full-time foster parents need a break from time to time, and that there are obstacles to traveling out of state with foster children. Respite foster care was a solution that kept full-time foster parents from burning out. Knowing that there was already a shortage of full-time foster parents in Cherokee County, Virginia and Greg decided that respite foster care was a way they could help. With grown

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children and two empty bedrooms, the Elders began to feel God calling them to move towards respite care. “Our first placement was a teenage boy, who we kept for around a week. Since we both still work full time, we were grateful that Goshen Homes had an agreement with the YMCA where we could take him during the day. The evenings were filled with several adventures including a Braves game, fishing at a nearby pond, and watching fireworks from a boat on the 4th of July. We enjoyed our time with him and were sad to see him go, as he returned to his full-time foster family. Our time since then has included older boys, and more recently — two sisters. We’ve kept them twice now, and they have captured our hearts,” Greg said. The Elders have taken in numerous foster youth on respite, and they are amazing at creating memories that the kids will carry for a lifetime. They often end up taking the kids to their first ever Braves game, and the Elders say that they love seeing the kids’ faces light up when taking in such a great first-time experience. “We love that the Elders are creating memories with our kids, and we are in need of more families interested in having this impact on a foster child,” stated a representative from Goshen Valley. When asked what he would tell someone considering respite fostering, Greg said, “These children deserve and need a loving environment. Their full-time foster parents need a breather from time to time. As a respite foster care parent, you control your schedule, and the Goshen Team supports you in every way possible. Your commitment is whatever you make it, whenever you can make it.” To sum it up, Greg describes respite care as being “well suited for busy, working couples who have a little extra room in their homes, their schedules, and in their hearts for children who need to know that others care.”

If you are interest ed in joining the Elders and ot her amazing families providing respite care to the Goshen Homes foster parents, there will be an interest meeting at the Canton YMCA on Novem ber 15 at 6:00pm . You may also visit GoshenValle y.org/homes to learn more.

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Wishing Our Lives Away By Kevin Head, Ph.D. [InGoodFaith] Life is a gift, but I often struggle to live each day with this thought in mind. Many people I talk with seem to share this same struggle. Some people live in the past. But, as Bruce Springsteen sings in one of his songs, “Glory days, well, they’ll pass you by / Glory days, in the wink of a young girl’s eye / Glory days, glory days.” The past holds cherished memories, but it is no place to live.

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Many others, however, wish their lives away by living in the future. Their motto for life often seems to be, “Life will be better when . . . .” I was at a restaurant the other day when the waitress said to me, “Every day, I find myself watching the clock waiting to be finished with work.” Her comment was not unusual, but for some reason — it bothered me. I think it bothered me because I catch myself thinking these same kinds of thoughts. If we live this way long enough, the result is that we end up missing the joy of the present moment because we are always looking for what comes next. In cold weather, we look forward to the warmth of spring or summer. In the hot months of summer, we impatiently wait for the cooler weather of fall and the beauty of winter snow. When we are children, we can’t wait to be teenagers. Teenagers, then, are in a hurry to gain the independence of young adulthood. Young adults eagerly anticipate how much better life will be

when they get married, or get the perfect job, or buy their first house. Middle-aged adults, feeling trapped by children, aging parents, bills, and the demands of work, look forward to a slower, easier life in retirement. Too often, it seems we are constantly looking toward the next event, the next vacation, or even just the next episode of our favorite television show. What would happen if we intentionally focused each day on the situations of that day alone? What would life be like if we enjoyed the present moments we are given as a gift instead of wishing our lives away? In Philippians 4:11, Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” To me, that sounds like a great way to live!

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

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2018 Gift Guide Whitetail Bicycles & Coffee Shop Looking for the perfect gift for the cycling enthusiast in your life? Look no further than Whitetail Bicycles & Coffee Shop! They have everything you need — from bikes for kids just getting started, to leisure cyclists and pros. Receive a free helmet with the purchase of kid’s bike now through Christmas! 770 Mid Broadwell Road, Milton 470-282-6789 WhitetailCycles.com

Southern Baked Pie Company Southern Baked Pie Company’s delicious assortment of signature flavors makes the sweetest gift! Pies are handmade, using the best quality, local ingredients Georgia has to offer. Visit their beautiful retail shops in Alpharetta, Gainesville, and Buckhead, or ship a pie online. 2685 Old Milton Parkway, #130, Alpharetta 678-254-0598 SouthernBakedPie.com

Canoe

Three Sisters Gifts

Choose a unique, hand-crafted item made in Georgia from Canoe. These one-of-a-kind fold overs come in two sizes: small for $20 and medium for $40. They make the perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift item. There are many to choose from. Come pick your favorite!

Make her Christmas merry with BRIGHTON Jewelry From Three Sisters Gifts! You’ll find the perfect piece of jewelry for every woman on your Christmas list! Choose earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, charms, and watches from this complete line of beautifully crafted fashion jewelry. Complimentary gift packaging is always included.

450 Chambers Street, Woodstock 770-693-9346 CanoeLook.com

6205 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 770-345-3090 GiftShopCanton.com

LaVida Massage Best. Gift. Ever! “Best of Life” award winner LaVida Massage is taking some of the stress out of holiday shopping by providing limited time gift card offers for massage and facial services. Buy $150 in gift cards, and get an additional $50 in bonus cards. Open 7 days a week, and conveniently located in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Marietta. 12460 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta 770-740-0654 LaVidaMassageAlpharetta.com

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

10945 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek 678-624-9091 LaVidaMassageJohnsCreek.com

1100 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta 770-973-6385 LaVidaMassageMarietta.com

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Milton Historical Society Establishes History Center in Heart of Crabapple

The newly created Milton Historical Society has established its headquarters at 12660 Crabapple Road, Suite 105 (in the rear) next to the space formerly occupied by Scoops Ice Cream Shop in the Crabapple Market Center. According to the society’s mission statement, it was formed earlier this year to “collect, preserve, interpret, and promote the unique history of the city of Milton through accurate biographical, architectural, and historical information, markers, artifacts, photographs, and videos.”

Vice President Bob Meyers, who wrote the 2012 best seller Barns of Old Milton County, has taken on the agricultural history of the area, which included pig and cotton farming, sausage making, brick making, and saw milling. Meyers has family roots in the area and will continue to make presentations on their contributions to local history.

Former Milton City Councilman Bill Lusk, who serves as president of the non-profit organization, said the group was formed by community members due to the excitement created with the installation of 29 historical markers throughout Milton.

“There are many of the local families around here that have historical information concerning the area,” Meyers said. “We look forward to connecting with them to reveal the rich history that lies dormant in the attics of those residents.”

Lusk said, “The Marker Program acknowledges places and persons central to an understanding of Milton’s past. They seek to identify aspects of our history that helped define who we are today and the character that we want to promote.”

The Society website is MiltonGAHistoricalSociety.com. On it, you will find a link to the interactive map of the historical markers, an online catalog of historical documents, and information about joining. You may also contact them at MiltonHistoricalSociety@ gmail.com or 678-458-4208. Membership is open to everyone regardless of residency.

“As we researched these sites, we invariably came up with photographs of those who were associated with them,” Lusk continued. “One thing led to another, and the information began to flow in.” In addition to the markers, other areas of interest have also been recognized that contribute to Milton’s history. They involve personal interviews with long-time residents, a program initiated by the Alpharetta Historical Society, along with collecting and archiving photos, genealogies, and burial records. The group also plans to hold presentations on the history of the city, such as its roots as home to the Cherokee Nation, Milton County during the Civil War, and cotton. “There’s no limit to where we can go to tell the story of this area,” Lusk said. “It’s wide open.” As the group continues its research, it is asking for community involvement, which includes joining the group, participating in interviews, and providing historic documents and artifacts.

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Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings 46

Brixmor Property Group

Pinkies Up Beer & Wine

1003 Holcomb Woods Parkway Roswell 888-457-3080 Commercial Retail Property Group

30 E. Crossville Road, #180 Roswell 770-676-7101 Beer / Wine Lounge

Carmichael Consulting Solutions 11660 Alpharetta Highway Building 100, Suite 100 Roswell 678-719-9671 IT Solutions

A Step Ahead Physical Therapy 930 Woodstock Road, #310 Roswell 770-998-6636 Physical Therapist

North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

Gracious Plenty Bakery & Breakfast 1164 Canton Street Roswell 678-878-3105 Restaurant

Iberia Bank

Collaborate Roswell

1010 Mansell Road, Suite 160 Roswell 678-392-1527 Bank

435 Jones Drive Roswell 678-691-2883 Co-Working Space

Fresco Cantina Grille

Peachtree Immediate Care

10779 Alpharetta Highway Roswell 470-395-6990 Restaurant

540 E. Crossville Road, Suite 210 Roswell 770-510-1850 Urgent Care Provider

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b.spectacled

Anytime Fitness

50 Canton Street, Suite 112 Alpharetta 678-894-1650 Eyewear

670 N. Main Street Alpharetta 470-246-5930 Exercise / Fitness

Pedego Alpharetta Electric Bikes

Milton Run Berkshire Hathaway

6480 North Point Parkway, Suite 1100B Alpharetta 404-281-0264 Bike Rental

HomeServices 16320 Freemanville Road Alpharetta New Homes

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

Wonderfully Made Children

Magic Clean SoftWash

Revitalize You MD

678-938-6032 WonderfullyMadeChildren.com Children’s Books

833-GO-GENIE MagicCleanGa.com Roof and Exterior Cleaning

1105 Upper Hembree Road, Suite B Roswell 678-304-1850 Medical

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Advertiser Index Advanced Manual Therapies Cruise Planners

38 14, 42

Debra Robinson Law Group DeMercy Dental

7 23

Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill In Harmony Pediatric Therapy Internal Medicine Specialists of Roswell Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, P.C. LGE Community Credit Union Martha B. Boone, M.D. Morrow Family Medicine Newtown Medical

5 21 Inside Front 5 43 6 31 3

North Atlanta Vascular Clinic & Vein Center

19

North Atlanta Women’s Care

18

North Fulton Community Charities

48

Northside Hospital

1

Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network

3

Peach & the Porkchop

28

Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

27

and Dentistry at Milton Perimeter North Family Medicine Pete’s Plumbing, Inc. Reproductive Surgical Specialists S & B Cleaning, Inc.

6 36 Inside Front Cover, 24-25

Shanghai Acupuncture Clinic Village Podiatry Centers WellStar

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North Fulton Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018

7 38 Back Cover

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