North Fulton Family Life 12-15 by Family Life Magazines

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Contents

December 2015

VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5

20-22 On the Cover:

First Baptist Church of Roswell

24-25

Holiday Hospitality Support Local Charities

[20-22] [24-25]

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

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

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

....................... Business Life

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

.................... Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Minute

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

................... Volunteer Profile

........................... Dark Apps

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

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Publisher’s Perspective

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Editor@FamilyLifePublications.com ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

Our Gifts are Meant to be Shared

ach one of us is born with certain gifts and various combinations of talents that set us apart from those in our circle of friends, family and others around us. Our talents and gifts may change as we progress through the years, or perhaps, that which makes us special matures and gets better over time, becoming even more precious. The joy of having our individual gifts, no matter what they are, is the fact that we have the ability to share them with others. You may be gifted with certain talents in music, literature, dance or other form of art, and perhaps you are thrilled at the opportunity to teach or inspire others, so they, too, may discover a similar blessing, and pay it forward one day. This is the highest and most honorable form of “re-gifting.” Gifts of the spirit include serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, being merciful, or the sharing of one’s faith and healing. Any or all of these may apply to you. However, once you discover what your gift is, you must sow that gift as a farmer sows his seed, so that it may grow and multiply. It is when we see the product of our fruitfulness that we find our hearts are filled with merriment and bliss, just as our Father did, when he shared with us His gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Family Life Publishing Group Inc. 150 North Street, Suite A Canton, GA 30114

770-213-7095

FamilyLifePublications.com FamilyLifePublications North Fulton Family Life welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. 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. North Fulton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors and 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. AS

E R EC Y C LE

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From all of us at Family Life Publications — Have a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Mayor Mike Bodker, Kathleen Boehmig, Michael Buckner, Whitney Cook, Michael Consoli, Lisa Ethridge, Laura Green, Kevin Head, Amanda Kossick, Tracy Kowalski, Danny Moyer, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Pati Olton, Debra Robinson, Mark Tolbert, Keely Woodford

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

M AG A ZI

Save Santa! Check Your Breaker! Remember that anticlimactic moment when Clark Griswold connects the plug to the extension cord in his front yard, and not a single light turned on? “Is it plugged in?” Mrs. Griswold asks. It’s not long until Clark is taking out his frustrations on the reindeer and even Santa Claus! During the holiday season, we receive numerous calls regarding electrical problems. What is their main complaint? Their outdoor outlets are not working, which means no Christmas lights. The usual cause for this problem is that the outdoor Christmas lights have tripped a GFCI outlet or circuit breaker in your home. Standard circuit breakers will trip if you overload the wiring with too many lights on one breaker. GFCI circuits are a little different. Morning dew or rain can introduce a drop or two of moisture

By Danny Moyer

into the electrical plugs, resulting in a ground fault tripping the GFCI. Each bulb, inflatable Santa or well-lit reindeer nose draws power from the circuit breaker. The more Christmas decorations plugged into an outlet, the higher the chance of overloading the circuit and causing the breaker to trip. What’s an easy solution? Divide your Christmas decorations between multiple outlets at different ends of your home. Disbursing the load between multiple breakers lessens the likelihood that any one breaker will become overloaded. Another problem is GFCIs tripping constantly, causing non-working lights. Frequently, the cause of this issue is moisture in the circuit. As you know, electricity and water should not mix!

GFCIs are designed to protect against the possibility of electrical shock when water is introduced into a circuit. Replacing the older flip covers with “in-use” covers on all exterior GFCIs will help keep moisture off of the plug ends and out of the circuit. You can also waterproof each cord junction throughout the yard to keep the water out. If you implement the tips above, you’ve taken Mrs. Griswold’s advice and made sure everything is plugged in! And if your home is still without those twinkling lights, just give us a call.

Danny Moyer is Operations Manager for H&H Electric and Security, LLC. 770-735-1136. MyAtlantaElectrician. net

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Calendar 1-19

Toys for Tots “Bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children.” To participate, simply bring a new, unwrapped toy or game. 8:30 am- 5:00 pm, Johns Creek City Hall (4th floor), Park Place, or one of the fire stations, or find additional locations near you, via the Toys for Tots website, NorthAtlanta. ToysForTots.org

DECEMBER

Founder’s Day Parade — Founder’s Day is the annual celebration of Johns Creek’s official incorporation on Dec. 1, 2006. It provides a point of pride, remembering the efforts of all those who worked so hard to make incorporation a reality and celebrates Johns Creek’s continuing progress. It’s a fun-filled, familyoriented way to kick off the holiday season. We invite you to join the 9th annual party! 10:00 am, State Bridge between Kimball Bridge & West Morton Roads, Johns Creek. JohnsCreekGa.gov

Milton Fire Department Pancake Breakfast with Santa — 8:00-10:00 am, Fire Station 43, Milton. 678-242-2500. CityOfMiltonGa.us

Breakfast with Santa — Children visit with Santa and enjoy a light breakfast! Personal cameras welcome. Preregister children (ages 1-10) by December 7. Bring a new, unwrapped gift to the event for a local donation. 8:30-10:30 am, Alpharetta Adult Activity Center. 678-297-6140. ActiveAdults@Alpharetta.Ga.us

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Pet Photos with Santa Paws Come paws; come all! You and your pet(s) can be photographed with Santa Paws! This holiday pet portraiture is a special bonding experience between pet owners and their pets, and it can make the perfect greeting card, original gift or heartfelt keepsake. Certain restrictions apply for pets. Free! Noon-2:00 pm, Waggy World Dog Park, Alpharetta. 678-2976132.WPRCPrograms@Alpharetta.Ga.us

Breakfast/Lunch with Santa All Johns Creek boys and girls are invited to have breakfast or lunch with Santa. Children will also enjoy music, holiday crafts, letters to Santa and pictures with Santa. Parents, please bring your camera. Breakfast seatings at 9:00 am & 10:30 am, lunch is at noon, Park Place at Newtown School, 3125 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-5123200. JohnsCreekGA.gov

Alpharetta City Band Holiday Concert — Enjoy festive and traditional holiday music at this free

concert, co-sponsored by the Alpharetta Golden Age Club. Cookies and punch will be served. 3:00 pm, Alpharetta Adult Activity Center. ActiveAdults@Alpharetta. Ga.us

Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Reindeer Day — Don your holiday hats, and get your jingle bells ready! Come out for a day all about winter animals and holiday cheer. Join us for these fun activities: meet live reindeer that bring the magic and tradition of the holidays alive for the entire family! It wouldn’t be the holidays without Santa Turtle. Our own Celebrity Box Turtle will be roaming throughout the afternoon. The young and young at heart will enjoy sitting down to CNC’s unique story time at 1:00 pm. Learn all about how native Georgia animals are adapted for southern winters, and meet one of CNC’s resident wildlife during our Creature Feature. Get crafty! Make reindeer antlers and decorate winter trees to take home during Winter Woodland Crafts. Warm up by the Campfire and enjoy the winter weather! 12:00 pm, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-9922055.ChattahoocheeNatureCenter.org

Christmas Open House at Vinings Gallery — Holiday Open House to celebrate the season. Small cash and carry artworks, plus a full array of limited edition and original paintings will be available. 2:00 pm-5:00 pm, 10 Elizabeth Way, Roswell. 770-299-1122. ViningsGallery.com

16-18

The North Pole Fa-La-LaLa Follies — Lee Bryan, “That Puppet Guy,” is returning to Roswell with another captivating show, “Yule love it!” Get ready for hilarious holiday highjinx as some talented residents of the North Pole perform in their annual talent show. This sparkling holiday production combines music, live vocal performance and a variety of beautifully costumed hand puppets and rod puppets. All shows will

LIBRARY EVENTS AFPLS.org ALPHARETTA

begin at 4:00 pm, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770594-6232. RoswellPuppets.com

19-21

Santa’s Missing Mail Ominous Crook and his sidekick, Skellmutt, are two dastardly bad-guys who are out to stop Christmas by stealing Santa Claus’ mail. Saturday and Monday’s shows will begin at 10:00 am, and Sunday’s show will begin at 2:00 pm, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-5946232. RoswellPuppets.com

Church Services First Baptist Church of Roswell 710 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell. 770-587-6980 FBRoswell.org December 6, 6:30 pm Greening of the Sanctuary December 20, 6:45 pm Presentation of the “Messiah” by the Chancel Choir, in the Church Sanctuary December 24, 5:00 pm 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Child-Friendly Service is at 5:00 pm, Candlelight Communion Service is at 11:00 pm

238 Canton St., Alpharetta, 770-740-2425

MILTON

855 Mayfield Road, Milton, 404-613-4402

NORTHEAST/SPRUILL OAKS

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

Introduction to Microsoft Word December 1, 1:00 pm, East Roswell This is an introductory class to familiarize computer users with Microsoft Word. Adults only, registration required. Family Playtime December 2, 9, 10:30 am, Alpharetta Coloring, puzzles, books and time to socialize with other families, ages 0-5. “It’s A Mystery” Book Club December 5, 2:00 pm, Alpharetta This book club is for mystery fanatics, ages 18+. Registration is required. The December 5th book is Raven Black, by Ann Cleeves. Pick up copies today! Make It and Take It December 6, 4:00 pm, Alpharetta Join us for DIY for teens and adults. Registration is required and is limited to 20 participants, ages 13 and up. Family Game Night December 7, 5:00 pm, Alpharetta Play board games, compete with your own family, or spar with other families! Registration is required. This is a family event; children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Early Riser Storytime for Tots December 8, 15, 10:15 am, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Interactive stories, finger plays, songs and playtime for ages 4 and under. Alpharetta Library Book Club December 9, 4:30 pm, Alpharetta The December 9th book is Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes. All are welcome.

OCEE

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

ROSWELL

115 Norcross Street, Roswell, 770-640-3075

EAST ROSWELL

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

Costumes! Games! Art Class! Prizes! AllIn-One Day! December 1, 1:00 pm, Northeast/Spruill Oaks Teens invited to this mini Comic-Con/DragonCon costume party day (with a contest with prizes!). There will be board and card games and a “How to Draw Comics” lesson, which is taught by a published comic artist. Bring your comic collections to swap or have them evaluated, and receive one free comic book. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library. It’s Winter Storytime and Craft December 12, 2:00 pm, Milton Come and enjoy a story time all about winter with a fun craft to take home, for ages 3-5. Noonday Nosh Book Club December 15, 12:00 pm, Roswell Once Upon a Christmas, by Pearl S. Buck. Introduction to Microsoft Excel December 15, 1:00 pm, East Roswell This is an introductory class to familiarize computer users with Microsoft Excel. It’s for adults only, registration is required. Mystery Readers’ Book Club December 15, 6:30 pm, Roswell Pegasus Descending, by Carla James Lee Burke. Youth Book Club December 16, 4:30 pm, Milton We will have a book discussion with team trivia and snacks! Registration is required. Books are available on a first come, first checked-out basis. This is for ages 9-12. Teen Writers’ Group December 22, 5:00 pm, Roswell Young Austens, Poes and Pattersons unite! Come explore various writing elements and genres. We’ll discuss techniques and provide feedback on shared pieces.

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Preventing

Tooth Decay in Children By Vishant Nath DMD

The last thing that a parent wants to hear at the dentist is that their child has one or more cavities. Parents want the best for their children, and no one wants to see their child have to undergo dental treatment. The good news is that tooth decay is largely preventable. The first step to preventing tooth decay is maintaining effective and consistent daily hygiene habits. This includes brushing your child’s teeth a minimum of twice per day, both right before bedtime and in the morning. You can decide how involved you need to be in this process, depending on your child’s age and capabilities. Obviously, for very

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

young children, it’s important to be very involved. Flossing should begin as soon as your child’s tooth surfaces begin to touch (when the teeth begin to become close together). The other important part of maintaining good oral hygiene for your child is through dental visits. These should occur every six months. The dentist will perform an exam, clean your child’s teeth, and take x-rays. X-rays are an invaluable tool in diagnosing tooth decay. Some cavities are large enough to be seen by the dentist during the exam. However, most can be detected using x-rays while they are still quite small. The earlier a cavity is detected, the better.

In general, children require more frequent x-rays than adults. This is because children are much more susceptible to tooth decay. The enamel on baby teeth is much thinner than the enamel on adult teeth, which makes baby teeth more susceptible to decay. If a child has had cavities in the past, they may require x-rays more frequently than a child who has never had cavities. During your child’s dental visit, the dentist may also apply a fluoride treatment to their teeth. At home, fluoride rinses are also an effective way to strengthen teeth and help fight cavity formation. The proper blend of daily hygiene and twice-yearly dental visits are great ways to fight tooth decay for your child.

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

How to Study for a

Math Test

Know your formulas. Follow the “3-2-1” approach to study:

•

By Mark Tolbert • Unlike other tests, there’s no way to prepare for a math test the night before. At that point, you either know the material or you don’t.

Math Success Action Plan

Know your basic math facts! All too often, calculators cover for weak, fundamental math skills. Do yourself a favor, and skip the calculator whenever possible. View homework as a “study guide.” Circle problems that you don’t understand, and ask for help in class the next day. As you correct your homework in class, circle all problems you did wrong, and take notes about how to do them correctly.

•

3 days before your test, study the formulas. Also, do 10-15 practice problems; use the problems you originally got wrong on your homework. 2 days before your test, review the formulas quickly. Do another 10-15 practice problems; use the problems you originally got wrong on your homework. 1 day before your test, review formulas and do one problem from each night’s homework.

When you first receive the test, write down any formulas or definitions you had to memorize. This will immediately

free up some brain power for the rest of your test.

After your test is graded, make sure you understand how to correct any mistakes you made. If you don’t

understand the material now, you’ll continue to have problems in following chapters.

Math can be challenging because everything you learn builds on knowledge you should have learned before. If you miss something, it’ll

catch up with you. However, if you: • Learn your math facts • Treat your homework like it’s test practice, and learn from your mistakes • Learn math vocabulary • Read the directions... ...it will not be long before your math test scores will soar!

Read the directions. Twice! When you’re stuck, do as much as you can (you may get partial credit). Then

move on to the next problem. Come back to it if you have time.

Mark Tolbert is executive director of Huntington Learning Center in Alpharetta. 678-240-9221. Alpharetta.HungtingtonHelps.com

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Drywall Breakthrough! By Laura Green, GCP, CRPM, UDCP

I am very excited about a breakthrough in a fairly boring construction product: drywall. Certainteed came out with a drywall (AirRenew) that pulls toxins and carcinogens out of your air for 75 years, with up to 26 coats of paint on it! Several common household products containing VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) are hairspray, air fresheners, perfumes and cleaners. In addition, remodeling and building materials, such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers and carpets, unsealed plywood or particle board and even foam insulation contain formaldehyde. A newly constructed home, or newly remodeled area, offgases the most in the first five years. When you smell that “new carpet smell,” it is actually off-gassing that you are smelling.

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

I know it sounds strange, and my first concern was if it would make your sheetrock toxic to the touch, but it doesn’t. It breaks down VOC’s and turns them into safe, inert compounds that remain inside the drywall, never re-emitting them into the air. Because we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors and in our homes, it is important to improve the quality of our inside air, especially for those of us who are asthmatic or have other breathing complications. Inside air is often found to be more contaminated than our outdoor air. From a “Green” aspect, 99% of the gyp board is made from recycled material. It is still just as easy to work with and is installed the same way as regular drywall. It has the same weight and uses the same installation materials.

What I love most about the product is that you never have to remember to turn it on or replace a filter. It is maintenance free and is always working. It is also mold, fire, moisture, abuse and impact resistant. It’s genius, and I love it! We just finished our first new construction installation, and we used it for all of the walls.

Laura Green is the owner at Green Basements & Remodeling, LLC. 836 N Atlanta Street, Roswell. 678-4455533. GreenBasements.com

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Senator Speaks

Safety Net

Entitlement Programs? By Senator John Albers They designed each piece of legislation with the hope that they would be used to help America’s poor become self-sufficient and rise above poverty. Since the War on Poverty began in 1964, the anti-poverty or welfare spending has exploded. We spend considerably more each and every year in federal and state money to fund more than 80 means-tested welfare programs to provide food, housing, healthcare and social programs to low-income Americans. According to Heritage.org, in 2013, nearly one in three Americans were receiving benefits from at least one government funded welfare program, totaling more than $943 billion in federal and state spending. That number doesn’t include spending on Medicare or Medicaid benefits. So I ask you this, how is it possible that we can spend that kind of money on these programs and see no considerable impact on poverty levels? We are all compassionate and want to serve others, but are we helping or hurting? Studies have shown more than 50% of welfare recipients enjoy cable or satellite TV, a flat screen HDTV and a video game console. For many middle class families, these items are all considered luxury items. A good question is why people living on government benefits can afford these items, but not all hard working, middle class families can?

n January 8, 1964, during his State of the Union Address, President Lyndon B. Johnson said, “Our aim is not only to relieve the symptoms of poverty, but to cure it, above all, to prevent it.” This statement was the goal of an effort LBJ dubbed the “War on Poverty,” a war we still continue to battle 51 years later. There were four main pieces of legislation designed to fight the War on Poverty. There was the Social Security Amendments of 1965 (mainly Medicare and Medicaid), the Food Stamps Act of 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, now known as “No Child Left Behind.” The intentions of the Johnson administration were optimistic and genuine, with the design of being a safety net for those in need.

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

We can be grateful that living standards for all Americans, including the poor, have increased over the years, and that children living in these low-income households have food on the table and a roof over their heads. However, the War on Poverty, according to President Johnson’s original goal, has not been successful. We continue to spend more money on government funded assistance programs and see very little impact in poverty levels. The latest report from the government estimates more than 23 percent of Americans lived in a family that received some form of welfare help in the last 6 years, up 17.1%. It is time that we review the welfare qualification standards and start applying more strict guidelines for recipients to follow and goals to achieve self-sustainability. Most of us agree with providing a safety net to those in need, but long-term entitlement has proven not to help our fellow citizens.

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the State and Local Government Operations Committee. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton and Cherokee counties. 404-463-8055. John.Albers@Senate.Ga.Gov.

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Community Feature Johns Creek Ranks #3 in USA Today’s “America’s 50 Best Cities to Live In” USA Today credits Johns Creek residents’ education level as being one of the big reasons the city celebrates nearly double the state of Georgia’s median household income, as nearly 67% of adults in Johns Creek have at least a bachelor’s degree. The article elaborates by pointing out that the city’s poverty rate of 4.5% is considerably lower than the national poverty rate of 15.5% and Georgia’s poverty rate of 18.3%. With higher education and higher incomes by comparison, it’s no wonder Johns Creek citizens should thereby enjoy a very high quality of life. Other reasons Johns Creek ranks so highly on the list include its low crime rate and its remarkable number of leisure activities, especially restaurants. There are around 630 eating locations per 100,000 city residents, the second highest concentration of such amenities in the nation.

#WhenInRoswell Campaign The City of Roswell has officially launched its “When In Roswell” campaign. This campaign invites members of the community to share stories of how they are experiencing life the Roswell community by using the #WhenInRoswell hashtag on their social media posts. So whether you have a story about dining out with friends, playing at the park with your children, closing a great business deal, seeking out the arts or simply enjoying a family meal in your own Roswell home, the City of Roswell would love to hear your stories. Visit WhenInRoswell.com to see the stories that make up the heart of the Roswell community — your stories!

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

#WhenInRoswell

Roswell Building New Fire Station

Sen. John Albers Meets with Apple, Google Executives Sen. John Albers recently led delegation members to Silicon Valley to meet with Apple and Google executives to discuss digital education opportunities in Georgia, following the passage of Senate Bill 89 earlier this year.

The City of Roswell recently broke ground on Fire Station 4 at the station’s new location at Old Alabama Road and Market Boulevard, near the Publix shopping center. The new 15,000-square-foot station will be situated on three acres and will replace the current Fire Station 4 location on Holcomb Bridge Road. The twostory building will house sleeping quarters on the top floor and living quarters of the ground floor and will feature three drive-through bays.

SB 89, the Digital Classroom Act, was passed during the 2015 Legislative Session and signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal on May 6, 2015. This bill encourages all instructional material purchased by a local board of education to be in a digital or electronic format by July 1, 2020. Each local board of education is also encouraged to provide students with their own laptop, tablet or other wireless device, or allow them to bring their own to the classroom. Sen. Albers was accompanied on the visit by fellow Senators Marty Harbin, Fran Millar, Judson Hill and Bruce Thompson.

The station is set to be completed by December 2016.

Congratulations Congratulationsto toour ourOctober November “7 “7 Differences” Differences” winner, winner, Melanie Doreen Tugman! Janis!

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Community Feature

Fulton’s Graduation Rate is Tops in Metro Atlanta Area The results of the 2015 graduation scores released by the Georgia Department of Education show that Fulton has made substantial gains and has the distinction of having the highest graduation rate in the metro Atlanta area. Fulton’s 2015 graduation rate is 85.3%, which is a 6.6% increase over the 2014 rate of 78.7%. By comparison, the Georgia average for 2015 is 78.7%.

Photo Credit – Clark Savage of AtlantaPhotography.com (L-R) Anders Olsen (Male SAM Winner), Mike Haynes (XL212), and Jessica Diaz (Female SAM Winner)

XL212 Announces October Student-Athletes of the Month Jessica Diaz and Anders Olsen were recently honored as the XL212 Student-Athletes of the Month (SAM Award). The SAM award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of deserving Student-Athletes in the greater North Fulton area. Winners are chosen from nominations made by area athletic directors and coaches and are based on extraordinary academic proficiency, exceptional athletic accomplishments and dedication to civic action. Jessica Diaz is a Senior Volleyball player from Centennial High School. She is ranked #2 in her class, with a GPA of 104 and is a Scholar Athlete. Anders Olsen is a Senior Football player from Johns Creek High School and 2015 Team Captain. He has a 3.9 grade point average.

North Fulton County Breaks Ground on a New Elementary School The Esther Jackson School, whose former building was torn down over the summer, is being rebuilt on its original site in Roswell. Esther Jackson’s current students are temporarily attending school in a building on Highway 9/Alpharetta Street. When the new school opens in August 2016, it will house up to 850 students.

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Last year, Fulton’s rate rose by 3.2% from the previous year, which demonstrated steady and continuing progress toward meeting the district’s graduation goal. In 2011, Fulton County Schools launched a five-year strategic plan that focuses on three specific goals, one of which is increasing the district’s graduation rate to 90% by 2017. With two academic years still left in the five-year plan, Fulton is just 4.7% shy of reaching that ambitious goal. In the first three years alone, the graduation rate has increased an overwhelming 15.2%, from 70.1% in 2011 to 85.3% in 2015. “This news is just incredible – it’s more proof of the outstanding work being done by our students and teachers to ensure they graduate on time. We continue to be on target to meet our 2017 graduation rate goal,” said Kenneth Zeff, interim superintendent. “We set the bar very high, and the district’s continued success shows the power of high expectations. Our students, teachers and administrators remain focused on the path and requirements for a high school diploma. The core of our charter system approach is local control and ownership, and our school communities deserve the credit for this success.”

Ways Children Can By Christy Noll

Get Involved and Give Back

There is something to be said about the importance of giving, not only how it makes others feel, but how it makes you feel about yourself. It’s important for children to have the chance to give back, too. Below are some opportunities to consider. Operation Christmas Child/ Samaritan’s Purse is an organization that works through local churches to provide physical and spiritual aid to hurting people around the world. During the holidays, look for boxes at local churches to fill with items for a child in need. You can choose the gender and age; then you and your kids can go shopping to fill the box with items you think they would enjoy. MUST Ministries provides many

essential items and services to 31,000 people in need each year, two-thirds of which are children. MUST serves in eight surrounding counties, collaborating with many churches, corporate groups, YMCA and hundreds of volunteers. Children can assist by helping to prepare meals and delivering them to families in need. Children can also donate their birthday to MUST Ministries. Spending time with residents at retirement homes is an excellent way for children to donate their time. Elderly people truly appreciate seeing a young face and enjoy hearing their exciting stories about childhood. Parc at Duluth, Chambrell of Roswell and Benton House come to mind as places that would welcome children to spend time with their residents.

Donating toys/clothes to charity is another way to give. Have your child separate out their outgrown toys and clothes. Another suggestion is to help your child draft a letter to the neighborhood for donations, and gather a group to present them to a local charity. Goodwill, Foster Care Support Foundation and North Fulton Community Charities are excellent places to donate items. Giving can be done anytime throughout the year and in so many ways. Explore with your children the ways they’d like to help others, and devise a plan. Happy Holidays!

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

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Mayor’s Minute

10-YEAR

By Mike Bodker

Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan

’m excited about the proposed, 10-year Recreation and Parks strategic plan, which was recently presented to the City Council for review and discussion, and I want to take this opportunity to provide a quick update. The Johns Creek city staff and its hired consultant have identified and prioritized the next ten years of proposed investment in our recreation and parks amenities. The next step is to review and discuss the plan during a future Council work session, and then hold another public hearing before taking a final vote on it. The top priority is the acquisition of additional park land. More specifically, it was recommended that we adopt a policy of Prudent Advance Acquisition (PAA). PAA is another way of saying set aside funds and purchase land suitable for large parks, neighborhood parks and pocket parks that are accessible, serving larger population concentrations and activity centers, even if the land cannot be developed immediately.

The concept reinforces the basic premise that if we don’t buy and preserve land today, it will be gone tomorrow. More than 1,500 residents provided input to the strategic plan, which is very comprehensive, and the resulting product is, in my opinion, very much a reflection our diverse community. Other areas in the plan we’re considering include expanding recreational facilities, possibly adding a cricket field, adding multi-purpose turf athletic fields and developing an indoor recreation center. The idea behind adding additional athletic fields and facilities is that they’re already desperately needed, and they can help draw and accommodate more tournaments, which may in turn generate additional revenue to supplement our parks funding. We’ll also look at expanding programs to include a broader range of age groups and demographics, and link those new programs with existing programs to maximize participation rates.

Another key area under review is our “Parks Without Borders” program, which partners our city with adjacent cities to expand athletic opportunities for our citizens. In addition, the Council will closely study the recommendation to pursue sensible trail linkages to set the foundation for a future Recreational Greenway Master Plan, while maintaining respect for personal property rights and privacy. Finally, we recognize the need to improve existing facilities and ensure we’ll continue to provide the exceptional maintenance and service that our residents expect. The City Council understands the need for our recreation and parks amenities and programs to keep pace with Johns Creek’s growing population. As we continue to move forward with the discussion, we will work to ensure that we strike the right balance between the benefits of providing additional parks, facilities and programs, with the costs associated with each. Again, we have much more to discuss before the strategic plan is final, and even though the surveys are complete, we still welcome any comment or input you may have. I invite you to read the proposed 10-year Recreation and Parks strategic plan that’s currently under review, and let us know what you think. You can find the plan at JohnsCreekGa.gov/services/parks/ strategic plan.

Mike Bodker is the mayor of Johns Creek. 678-512-3200. Mike.Bodker@JohnsCreekGa.gov, JohnsCreekGa.gov.

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Medicare is the federal days under a stay covered by Medicare, program that provides health insurance is discharged to a nursing home within for those 65 and older, as well as for 30 days after the hospital discharge younger people who are disabled. and requires daily skilled nursing or Medicaid is the federal program, rehabilitation services, then Medicare administered by each state according will provide coverage for up to 100 to the state’s own set of rules, which days. It will pay the first 20 days in full, pays for medical care for low income but then there will be a co-payment individuals required from who are the patient aged, blind for days 21 or disabled. through 100. Medicare is After 100 days, an insurance Medicare will program, no longer while provide Medicaid is a coverage. By Debra Robinson welfare program. Medicaid is the program that pays Too often, people mistakenly believe for long-term nursing home care. To that Medicare will pay for nursing qualify for Medicaid, the applicant home costs if a senior requires long must meet asset and income tests. In term care. Medicare does provide a Georgia, an individual is allowed to benefit for skilled nursing care, but it have $2,000 in assets. If the applicant is a very limited benefit. If a patient is is married, the non-nursing home hospitalized for a period of at least three spouse, called the “community

spouse,” is allowed to have an additional $119,200 in 2015. Some assets, such as a primary residence, are exempt but are subject to recovery by the state after the Medicaid recipient’s death. The income cap for 2015 is $2,199 a month. An applicant can qualify for Medicaid even if the income exceeds the cap amount, by using a special trust called a Qualified Income Trust or a “Miller” Trust. It is possible to protect and preserve hard earned assets from being completely spent down on nursing home costs, but doing so requires careful planning that takes into account the limitations of Medicare and the rules for Medicaid qualification.

Debra Robinson is an attorney in Alpharetta. 770-817-4999, DebraRobinsonLaw.com

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COVER STORY By Kathleen Boehmig

irst Baptist Roswell, under the leadership of Interim Pastor, Dr. Kevin Head, views the entire world as a mission field. Their congregation, from the oldest to the youngest, participates and shares the vision of serving the world, and sharing the love of Jesus. Internationally, FBR has taken groups comprised of members of their own congregation, as well as other churches on trips to the Amazon, Mexico, Africa and Haiti. Many of these trips have been medical mission trips and have included doctors, dentists, nurses, dental hygienists and nurse practitioners. Every January, a FBR mission team goes to Nakuru, Kenya to help people who can’t afford medical or dental treatment. Larry Feldman, Chairman of Deacons and head of this mission trip, says, “In a compound sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, we put in about seven days of clinical help, treating people of all ages. We treat 3,500 patients, and we follow up to make sure our patients receive the proper after-care.” All medical and dental services offered by the FBR team are free. Because

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

many children come to the clinic with their parents, free childcare and supervised VBS-style learning and play are organized for the children. Of all their patients in Kenya, one of the best success stories has been a teenager named Mercy. Unable to walk from the time she was born, she has lived her life in a wheelchair. Last January, the FBR team met Mercy and tried to determine why she was unable to walk. After meeting with several specialists, they discovered that with surgery, Mercy would be able to walk. FBR was able to pay for Mercy’s surgery by using mission funds. Mercy is now walking with the help of physical therapy! For the past two summers, Rev. Robert Turnbull, Minister of Youth and Dr. Kevin Head, Interim Pastor, have taken a group of our youth and their parents on a mission trip to Cercadie, Haiti. “The poverty in Cercadie rivals that in Africa,” Rev. Turnbull says. “Five hours from Port-Au-Prince, there are no paved roads, no electricity and no running water. Families sleep on dirt floors without beds or even pillows. They walk

two miles to get water for cooking. But the Haitian people are so loving, grateful and generous. It’s an eyeopening experience. Here in the United States, three-year-olds have iPads. In Haiti, youngsters who don’t even have pencils or paper hunger for education. The Haitian people are industrious and smart. We don’t go there to do things for them, but to be with them and to help them in their quest to learn.” While in Cercadie, the FBR team holds backyard bible clubs, plants coffee and mango trees and teaches English. These mission trips can be expensive. In order to raise money for all of the missions it supports, FBR hosts an annual golf tournament, as well as a yard sale. The youth host spaghetti lunches and pancake breakfasts to raise money for Haiti. The church helps fund these missions, as well. FBR’s children participate in missions, too. Each year, they raise money at VBS to support a cause. Last year, they raised money for clean water for children in India. This year’s VBS mission project raised over $2000 for water filters for Nepal earthquake

Photos courtesy of PhotoJack.net Top Row L to R: Dr. Kim House, Mike Deal, Dr. Ed Malcom, Larry Feldman, Dr. Kevin Head, Rev. Robert Turnbull, Lauren Fuller, Charles Fuller, Sheila Edenfield, Sandra Killebrew, Steve Ray, Next Row: Dee Gillespie, Mary Player, Sandra Stevens, Dr. Barry Vlass, Greg Lackey, Doug Ray, Glen Hegwood, Scott Rogers, Karen Whaley, Barbara Goodwin, Kristen Rogers, Next Row: Palmer, Max, Emily, Katy, Mary, Rose, Rena Pearson, Emma Pearson, Evie Mackey, Front Row: Inman, John, Joy, Elise, JH, Rev. Jessica Asbell, Evan

Appalachian Outreach Group: Back Row: Larry Feldman, Steve Ray, Charles Fuller, Greg Lackey, Front Row: Glen Hegwood, Doug Ray

Women on a Mission: Back Row: Sheila Edenfield, Karen Whaley, Front Row: Barbara Goodwin, Sandra Killebrew

RAs, GAs, and Mission Friends: Back Row: Steve Ray, Mike Deal, Palmer, Max, Katy, Emily, Rena Pearson, Next Row: Inman, Kristen Rogers, Joy, Mary, Evie Mackey, Emma Pearson, Front Row: John, Elise, Evan, Rose

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Kenya Medical Mission Group: Back Row: Larry Feldman, Dr. Barry Vlass, Middle Row: Dee Gillespie, Sandra Stevens, Mary Player, Front Row: Dr. Kim House, Dr. Wendell Phillips, Dr. Ed Malcom

Haiti Mission Group: Back Row: Rev. Robert Turnbull, Angie Hensley, Kayla Hensley, Cade Smith, Austin Hensley, Front Row: Claire Burgess, Chris Rowe, Kate Burgess, Mackenzie Hettinger, Essie Lawrence.

victims. Clean water has been a focus of FBR for the last several years. Through the “Pure Water, Pure Love” campaign, FBR partnered with other churches through the Women’s Missionary Union to help provide clean water for international missionaries and the people they serve. This year the WMU has been focused on helping victims of human trafficking.

mission efforts, too. For the past 17 years, a group of FBR men have participated in Appalachian Outreach mission trips in Tennessee to rebuild homes. They spend five days working on an assigned renovation project. “The results are always miraculous,” Larry Feldman says. Each March, the youth go to March Mission Madness where they do mission projects in conjunction with CBF.

FBR members of all ages participate in Operation Christmas Child’s “Shoebox Ministry” each year. The boxes are filled with gifts for children around the world and are distributed through Samaritan’s Purse.

Locally, FBR supports organizations like the Foster Care Support Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, the Drake House, North Fulton Community Charities, North Fulton Child Development Center, Jessie’s House, and Uplift Ministry. FBR provides restroom facilities and bottled water during the Roswell Arts

FBR enthusiastically implements and supports local, state and national

Festival and Youth Day Parade. For 19 years, FBR has provided sack lunches for the children in day camp at Waller Park during one or two weeks in August. FBR opens its doors to the community in other ways, as well. In addition to regular worship services at 8:30 am and 11:00 am, FBR hosts a Hispanic congregation in the chapel each Sunday, from 9:30 am-12:00 pm, as well as Vietnamese worship services and fellowship time in the chapel each Sunday, from 4:00-7:00 pm. First Baptist Roswell truly demonstrates the love of Jesus through their heart for missions… in our community, our nation and around the world.

710 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell GA 30075

770-587-6980 Facebook: First Baptist Church Roswell Georgia Twitter: RoswellFBC 22

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Losing weight is one of the top 5 New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions people make each year. However, over 69% of Americans are considered overweight or obese, and this number continues to climb at alarming rates. Since the early 1980s, when sugar intake was increased exponentially in the American diet, waistlines have continued to soar. Not being at your ideal body weight can

( Want to Lose Weight in 2016? ( By Tracy Kowalski

directly affect your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, as well as put you at risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other causes of mortality. That being said, a lot of people have a desire to lose weight in 2016, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how or where to start.

Having a plan with achievable goals is key. If you have a desire without a plan, you can easily find your weight unchanged or even higher at the end of the year. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider, and have an individual resting metabolic rate measured. This tells you exactly how many calories you burn each day, at rest. If you consume more calories than you burn, then you will gain and not lose weight. Remember, being full is not the same as being nourished. What foods we choose to eat for fuel determines how well our

bodies perform mentally and physically. Keeping a food diary of the kinds of foods you eat, amounts, as well as the calories and nutrition content can be made simple with modern technology. This information can easily be reviewed with your health care provider to make changes in your diet based on your metabolic rate and weight loss goals, as well as strategies to combat social influences, habits, schedules and other life stressors that can hinder your end results. We all have to start somewhere. Set yourself up for success in 2016 with a plan to attain your ideal body weight.

Tracy Kowalski is a FNP-C at North Roswell Internal Medicine, 11050 Crabapple Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 104B, Roswell. 770-645-0017. NorthRoswellInternalMedicine.com

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Holiday Hospitality Child Development Association On Friday, December 11, 2015, join a merry band of Santa wannabes who will pop off their “sleigh” (it’s really a trolley car) and into local restaurants to entertain patrons for five quick minutes with a rousing carol or two. They will pass a Santa hat for donations, and in the blink of an eye, they’ll be off to the next “rooftop.” The CDA provides outstanding early care and learning programs for lowincome families. Your support of Santa Night will raise scholarship funds to ensure that children in our community succeed in school. Join in the fun by purchasing a $50 ticket to reserve your seat on the trolley, and commit to raise a minimum of $100 prior to Friday, December 11, 2015. CDAKids.org

Children’s Restoration Network During the holiday season, Children’s Restoration Network (CRN) will begin its “12 Days of Caring” program to provide new clothes, new toys and other gifts to over 2700 children living in shelters this season. They will be collecting donations of new clothes, new toys and gift cards through December 21 at Northside Hospital locations in North Fulton, Forsyth and Cherokee counties or at their office at 11285 Elkins 24

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Road, Suite C-4, Roswell. CRN will also sponsor a gift wrapping party, December 18-21, from 10:00 am-4:30 pm, at the Roswell Town Center, 5000 Commerce Parkway, Roswell; wrapping

Volunteer

supplies will be provided by CRN, but extra wrapping paper and tape are appreciated. 770-649-7117. ChildRN.org

GCAC of Georgia Many opportunities exist to impact the life of a foster child, such as purchasing Christmas gifts, providing tutoring or lessons (piano, ice skating etc.), sponsoring an extra-curricular activity or field trip for foster children, chaperoning foster children field trips, mentoring, conducting a class/workshop (i.e. how to bead, fly fish or garden), serving as a driver one day a month (medical, DFCS, visits etc...) and/or providing services for children coming into care (doctors can donate a child’s first check-up; pediatricians, dentists or eye care professionals). Foster and adoptive parents are also needed.

A Guide to Giving Back

Please email Lynn@GCACofGeorgia. com if you or your organization has an interest. 11805 Northfall Lane, Suite 803, Alpharetta.770-255-1018. GCACofGeorgia.com

The Drake House Girls’ Night Out Shopping Event at the Drake Closet, this is an annual holiday event, filled with food, fashion and fun! There are holiday gifts and clothing for the frugal fashionista! The Drake House provides short-term crisis housing, education and empowerment programs for homeless mothers and their children in North Fulton County, designed to assist the family in working toward self-sufficiency. Bring friends and shop for a great cause on December 10, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm! 825 Mimosa Blvd. 678-682-3551. TheDrakeHouse.org

NFCC Santa Shop Most of the families approved for holiday assistance this year will be served in their Santa Shop. With the help of NFCC’s shopper volunteers, parents of children 1-18 years of age “shop” at no charge in their Santa Shop. NFCC anticipates over 2,000 children will be supported by Santa Shop this year. Your help is needed to bring the magic of Christmas and the holiday season to children of all ages. Toys, gifts and gift card drop off dates are Sunday,

December 13, 12:30-3:30 pm, Monday, December 14, 10:00 am-1:00 pm or 4:007:00 pm, Tuesday, December 15, 4:007:00 pm, Thursday, December 17, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Friday, December 18, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, Holiday Distribution Site: 1175 North Meadow PKWY, (enter off of Wills Road), Roswell. NFCCHelp.org

Operation Homefront Holiday Toy Drive: Help Make The Season Bright! Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive program aims to distribute toys and gift cards to junior enlisted military families. Visit your local Dollar Tree and donate toys to help make the holidays brighter for our military families. New toys or cash donations to purchase gifts for families are accepted. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, email Info@ OperationHomefront.net. Other ways to help include: setting up a collection bin at your office, store, church or school —they’ll provide the signage! You can also collect toys and gift cards at your company holiday party, help distribute toys in your area, become a Dollar Tree volunteer and help pick up donated toys from a local store, organize a matching gift program at work, or make a taxdeductible donation to Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive. For more information, call 770-575-2086 or visit OperationHomefront.net

Roswell school programs and often have a waiting list. Their summer camp bridges the gap for 120 students at the elementary level, focusing on academic retention so students do not lose necessary skills over summer break. STAR House provides services thanks to the generous donations of time and money from within the Atlanta community. There are no fees for STAR House services — 100% of funding comes from grants and contributions from corporations and individuals throughout Roswell and Atlanta, supplemented by fundraising events held in Roswell that receive community-wide attendance. STAR House Foundation has volunteer opportunities both in classrooms and out. Whether you prefer to work directly with children, assist with administrative tasks, organize a supply drive, bring in an enrichment program, or tap your creative side and serve on an event committee. In addition, financial donations are graciously accepted to help support these programs. For more information, call 678-384-4550, email Info@ StarHouseFoundation.org or visit StarHouseFoundation.org

Senior Services of North Fulton For more than two decades, Senior Services North Fulton has been helping meet the needs of the growing population of older adults who live in the northern part of Georgia’s most populous county. They’ve delivered and served thousands upon thousands of meals, provided transportation to and from medical appointments and assisted with a wide variety of in-home services. Every day, hundreds of area seniors find a home away from home at their four senior centers. If you are a younger community member who wants to make a difference in the lives of your older neighbors, Senior Services’ hopes you will contact them. They will tell you about volunteer needs and help you begin making an important and rewarding contribution to the lives of some very important people in your community. And if you represent a business that serves North Fulton – public or private, large or small – please consider Senior Services North Fulton as a means of reinvesting in your community. Please call 770-993-1906, or visit SSNorthFulton.org for more information on how you can help.

Donate

The STAR House Foundation STAR House Foundation is a non-profit organization in Roswell, Georgia that makes a difference in kids’ lives by providing an after school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children. They currently serve over 250 children through four

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WINNERS

Holiday Entertaining Bakery

Alpine Bakery & Trattoria 770-410-9883 AlpineBakeryAndTrattoria.com

Tree Farm

Scottsdale Farms 770-777-5875 ScottsdaleFarms.com

Boutique/Gift Shop The Chandlery 770-993-5962 ChandleryGifts.com

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North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Happiness for Gardeners By Lisa Ethridge

I’m a practical person who loves utilitarian gifts. For gardeners, quality hand protection tops the list of musthaves. It’s important to have a new pair of sturdy, leather gloves to start the year; be sure to get the right size.

During the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to make your favorite horticulturalist ecstatically happy. Shopping online makes the purchase of unique and quality gardening paraphernalia a breeze.

The most common tasks in any garden are pruning, snipping and deadheading. Lopping shears, anvil pruners, small snippers or scissors make great individual gifts or as a set. There are all types of tool caddies— seats, belts, buckets—on the market, which make it easy to move around the garden and keep utensils organized and handy, or think bigger and purchase a nice garden cart, which makes it easy to haul tools, pots and soil to the work site. Another essential garden tool is the shovel. There are many types and

sizes. My recent research uncovered a product called Hers Shovel, which is proportioned for a shorter person. It’s light but sturdy, has a wide grip, and unlike the old-fashioned shovel variety, it’s easy to hang. Gardeners in Georgia know the key to planting success is, “Dig a $10.00 hole for a $1.00 plant.” A good, quality shovel makes that critical job easier. Digging in the dirt can be tough on the skin. Crabtree and Evelyn carries a line of cleansers, moisturizers and therapeutic products specifically for gardeners.

Lisa Ethridge is 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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LIFESTYLE Travelers are natural conservationists. Seeing the world in all its magnificence is one of life’s greatest pleasures. If the earth’s incredible variety of land and seascapes are degraded, so is our travel experience. Travel and tourism organizations that rely on our planet’s splendors know that it’s in their best interest to protect the environment. Cruise lines are at the forefront of corporate environmental stewardship. After all, a cruise line’s business depends on healthy oceans, clean beaches and pristine destinations. After 15 years as a professional travel agent, I’ve had the privilege of helping my clients plan family getaways, romantic escapes and bucket list itineraries. I love playing a role in creating vacation memories, and cruising is one of my personal favorite escapes to nature. Studies show the health benefits of spending time in the natural world, and a cruise promises the pleasures of being on the water. Did you know that cruise lines are innovators in environmentally sustainable practices? While cruise ships comprise less than 1% of the global maritime community, they’re leaders

in developing responsible environmental practices and innovative technologies that lead the world’s shipping sector in reducing emissions and waste. The cruise industry continuously looks for ways to reduce its impact on the environment and works closely with environmental regulators to protect air, oceans and ecosystems. For example, cruise lines are investing over $500 million in new technologies, even more than that in cleaner fuels, to significantly reduce ships’ air emissions. No matter where on the earth they are, cruise line members of the Cruise Lines International Association must process all sewage through treatment systems in accordance with international requirements prior to discharge, and then it’s discharged many miles from shore. If you live in a coastal community, do you know how your municipality is treating sewage and how close to shore it discharges? Cruise lines exceed the practices of most water treatment facilities of coastal municipalities. Cruise ship waste management professionals recycle 60% more waste per person than the average person recycles on shore each day, recycling 80,000 tons of paper,

plastic, glass and aluminum cans each year. In U.S. waters, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard oversee rigorous requirements on air, water, power and waste, including provisions of the U.S. Clean Water Act. Environmental performance information is publicly and transparently available. Engaging over the years with groups like Sustainable Travel International, the Ocean Conservancy and Conservation International, the cruise industry is fully committed to doing its part to preserve the oceans and destinations to which they will transport 23 million travelers this year. It’s both the right thing to do and fundamental to the future of the industry. With dozens of cruise lines and hundreds of itineraries to choose from, there’s something for everyone, and an experienced travel specialist can steer you to the right cruise for you. L

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

By Michael k to Keep the Ocean r o W s s He Consoli ne i L alth e s i u y Cr

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Artist Profile BY JULIE SENGER

hile Roswell resident, John McCleer, has been involved in some facet of the art industry for over 45 years, he didn’t come by his current artistic passion in the traditional sense. Rather than apprenticing or going to a fouryear art school to hone his talent, he gathered something of use from several of his work experiences and business ventures along the way. John’s first part-time job was working in a custom frame shop, where he learned how to cut glass with precision and build custom frames for its clients. Later, he would go on to own or work for various companies who dealt in interior design, manufacturing furniture, oriental rugs, or compiling corporate art collections for companies and country clubs all over the world. He would be given the portion of the overall budget for how much a company wanted to spend adorning their facilities with one-of-a-kind works, for which he had to seriously consider the way certain colors and types of lines or subject matter within

a work might positively or negatively affect the mood of that company’s environment or its clientele. Eventually, John was looking to begin a retirement business, so he pulled from all the knowledge and skills he’d acquired over the years to found Glass House Art, LLC and began creating his delicate works of art that patrons from all over the world have come to love and enjoy. While John creates beautiful, custom glass windows for businesses and homes and replicates personal things from his clients’ photographs, such as cars or motorcycles, his passion and niche’ has been replicating his client’s pets. “It’s wonderfully amazing to see the bond people have with their animals, and the lengths to which they will go to commemorate them,” John said. For example, one client of John’s had a sister who lost her beloved dog, Reya. John created a glass mosaic based on a photo of Reya, which was so detailed and accurate, that when he and the family of Reya’s

owner gathered to surprise her with the piece, she automatically knew it was her dog, and was moved to tears because of her instant connection with it. John stated, “It was a beautiful moment. We were all very emotional as we watched Reya’s owner continually touch the image in the glass,” as though doing so allowed her to touch Reya again. “This is why we do this,” said John. “This is why we spend weeks looking for the perfect colors of glass, with the perfect grains and textures, and then painstakingly do every bit of the construction by hand, no machines. It’s a comforting, relaxing, labor of love, and at the end of all of that effort, you get to see that something you’ve poured yourself into produces this type of reaction and connection.” John’s work can be found for sale on Etsy, or samples of his work can be found at GlassHouseArt.com or on Facebook. He can be contacted at 404-272-9333 or at GlassHouseArt2@ gmail.com to discuss producing a special, personal works of art.

John Mcclear 404-272-9333 GlassHouseArt2@gmail.com

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Holiday Ideas for Every Home

By Keely Woodford

LIFESTYLE Here are some sure-fire ways you can make your home festive this holiday season! 1. CANDLES, CANDLES, EVERYWHERE! Well, maybe not EVERYWHERE, but certainly candles are appropriate in many rooms in your home. Nothing softens a room more than the ambient glow of candlelight! There are many sizes, shapes and colors from which to choose! Remember, groupings of various heights will be your key to a successful candle display! 2. SPARKLE! Mirrors, silver and gold ornaments, picture frames and candlesticks will

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

help your room shine. Don’t be afraid to mix metals. You should definitely get out that antique silver, polish it up, and put it center stage! Nothing says “holidays” like the twinkle of hundreds of tiny white lights. The smallest of plants to the largest of ficus trees will come alive when you add a few inexpensive strands of white lights. Also, consider draping white lights inside silver netting or garland, and wrap your staircase in a fabulous and unique new look. 3. CHIC TABLE TOPS! Setting a beautiful table can set the mood for all your holiday entertaining. Try adding bows to the stems of wine glasses. Fold napkins in a special way, and tie them together with a gold tassel. Use gold or brass chargers under your special china, and pull the look together with a table runner and a wonderful holiday floral or greenery arrangement.

4. MERRY MANTLES! It all starts with a theme! Possibilities might include your prize collection of antique Santas, snowmen, birdhouses or reindeer. Whatever theme you select, use different shapes and sizes to create visual interest. Unify your display with garland, ivy, magnolia leaves or anything else that’s soft and easily draped. 5. FESTIVE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES! Put the “green” in your holiday decorating by using nature’s bounty in a decorative way. Adding cloves to oranges, limes or lemons will create a beautiful and fragrant pomander. Simply stacking fresh lemons or limes in a tall hurricane glass can make a truly impressive decorative statement. Keely Woodford is a franchise owner of Decorating Den Interiors. 770-926-0383. Keely.DecoratingDen.com

Maine Lobster

with Carrots, Celery and Meyer Lemon Aioli

Ingredients

Procedure

Meyer Lemon Aioli

Chilled Lobster Roll

2 Cups Mayonnaise ½ Cup Carrots, Finely Diced ¼ Cup Meyer Lemon Juice 2 Dashes Hot Sauce (Cholula) 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt ¼ Cup Basil, Chopped

4 Brioche Buns Butter for toasting 1 LB. Maine Lobster Meat ¼ Cup Carrots, Finely Diced ¼ Cup Celery, Finely Diced 4 Ounces Meyer Lemon Aioli (approximate)

• In a food processor, combine all ingredients of the Meyer lemon aioli and puree until smooth, reserve for later use. • Next, cut an insert down the center of the buns, going about halfway through. Toast either side of the buns in a skillet with melted butter, and set aside. • Then, in a mixing bowl, fold together the lobster, Meyer lemon aioli, carrots and celery until well blended. • Finally, stuff the buns with the chilled lobster, and serve.

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Fluoride: A Gift for Your Teeth By Amanda Kossick, D.M.D.

As the holiday season is in full-force, all the sweet treats we can consume are constantly around us! Since this time of year allows for our teeth to be bathed in sugar, it’s important to understand the benefits of fluoride. Fluoride has been a part of our society since the early 1900’s. Scientists found that fluoride helped prevent cavities, so they went a little crazy with it. This is

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

when they found that too much of a good thing causes “mottled” teeth, (brown and white spots on the teeth). The levels being distributed were well above the therapeutic range. However, we’ve found that smaller doses are extremely helpful in the prevention of tooth decay, especially for those who are at high risk. You’re considered high risk for decay if you have had 3+ decay lesions in the last 3 years, frequent or prolonged exposures to sugary foods or drinks, special health care needs, chemo/radiation therapy, teeth missing due to cavities in the last 3 years or severe dry mouth. Where children and adults get into the most trouble is the amount of sugar and simple carbs our teeth are exposed to each day. Fluoride can help repair a lot of the damage caused by a high sugar diet. Additional therapies for high cavity risk patients are topical fluoride treatments,

highly fluoridated toothpastes and sealants. Concerned parents should know that until approximately the age of 7, children’s permanent teeth are developing and can be affected by the amount of fluoride they ingest. In the dental setting, children will not be ingesting the fluoride. It’s applied topically to the teeth and adheres to the tooth structure for 3-4 hours, slowly releasing fluoride directly into the tooth. Where children can have problems is when they swallow more of their toothpaste than they should. Typically, using a “spicier” or minty toothpaste flavor will deter them from wanting to swallow it. Fluoride has many benefits when used at appropriate levels, and no one is too old for a cavity preventing fluoride treatment.

Dr. Amanda Kossick is a dentist with DeMercy Dental in Roswell. 770-641-8010. DeMercyDental.com

VolunteerProfile BY JULIE SENGER

Mother Teresa once said, “The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.” Paul Sharman and his daughters, Gabrielle (16) and Lindsay (13) have been very “happy” to volunteer at North Fulton County Charities’ (NFCC) food pantry over the last 15 months.

orders for clients. Paul said, “I wanted to give back to the community that I’ve lived in for over 13 years now.” Gabrielle and Lindsay join him, doing the same tasks whenever they are on holiday or summer break from school. According to Mel, it’s especially important that the Sharmans can volunteer during the times that they do, “Family volunteerism is such a wonderful benefit for our food pantry. The families that volunteer together tend to be parents and teenagers, which means they fill a need for us when some of our Teresa other volunteers tend to be out, such as holidays and summertime,” he said.

Mel Fortin, NFCC food pantry manager, said that, “Paul and his oldest daughter, Gabrielle, started volunteering, and as soon as his youngest daughter, Lindsay, was old enough to volunteer, Paul brought her in to the pantry, too. She Mother was excited because she had heard all about it from her father and older sister, and now she was able to give back, as well.” The fact that the NFCC is nondenominational and serves the entire Paul and his girls have done other North Fulton community was important to Paul. He’s seen wonderful positive volunteer work over the years, but effects through his shared experience for more than a year now, he’s been of volunteering with his girls. He said, volunteering regularly on Monday “The girls enjoy working at the food mornings at the food pantry, sorting pantry, because they get a good feeling donations, stocking shelves, and filling

“The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.” -

when a client says, “thank you” or gives them a smile, especially when that client also has young children. It’s good to know that not only do they want to volunteer, they enjoy doing it and want to continue.” Paul has also enjoyed the quality time with his daughters; “It’s nice to spend some time bonding with my girls away from electronics and other modern distractions,” he said. It is crucial to understand that at any time, any one of us might need a helping hand from kind strangers. No one knows what the future holds. “Many people know that North Fulton is an affluent area, but they don’t realize that there are people who, for many reasons, need a helping hand now and again. Whether someone lost their job, got divorced, etc., sometimes people need time to get on their feet. It helps for my girls to realize that they’re very fortunate, and there are others who may be in the same school or city as they are, who are suffering and need the community’s help,” said Paul. That’s why it’s important to appreciate individuals and families like the Sharmans, and try to follow their example. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

The “Little Pink Pill” For many years now, women have heard about the success of male sexual enhancement drugs, such as Viagra (the “little blue pill”). What many don’t realize is that female sexual dysfunction also exists in many different forms, ranging from sexual arousal disorder and orgasmic disorders to pelvic pain syndromes. However, our problem is often mainly mental in nature, not a physical ailment, and as such, is a far more difficult thing to try to correct. Forty percent of women admit to having some form of sexual dysfunction, the most common being hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), also known as the case of the “I just don’t feel like it.” Until recently, HSDD has not only been the most prevalent sexual disorder among women (occurring in 1 in 5 women overall), but it also hasn’t had any FDA approved treatment, until now. In October 2015, the FDA approved a new “little pink pill” for women known as flibanserin (brand name Addyi). It is the first and only drug in its class to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Unlike the current 26 available male drugs that offer immediate male physical enhancement upon its consumption, Addyi is a drug that focuses more on rewiring the complicated female brain to increase their baseline sexual desire. When taken daily in the evening, the drug has been shown to work with serotonin pleasure receptors to increase the number of sexually satisfying events and decrease our overall sexual “distress.” It is important to stress that this “little pink pill” is vastly different than male enhancement drugs, such as Viagra, or the “little blue pill.” It is a daily pill that works over time to increase baseline sexual desires in women who feel they need it. As with any drug or supplement, there are several contraindications and side effects of Addyi that should be discussed with your doctor before any treatment strategy is considered. Contact an OB/GYN if you have questions about the new “little pink pill.”

Whitney Cook is a physician a North Atlanta Women’s Care, with offices in Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Cumming. 770-771-5270. NorthAtlantaWomensCare.com

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

Digital Citizenship: an Antidote to

By Pati Olton

he digital world is fraught with danger. We are all familiar with the stories. Even the most innocent, innocuous photo sharing can have scary, scary results. As media specialists, we begin teaching the digital literacy curriculum in kindergarten. We start with internet safety, security and privacy, and move to keywords, copyright, cyberbullying and all other digital dilemmas as students move up in grade level. In addition to the students, we try to provide materials to educate parents and families in digital responsibility.

There are many online sites dedicated to educating parents and guardians in technology. As with the other “screens” in our homes, it’s important for parents to guide their children through every step of their “screen time,” starting with creating an appropriate user name to developing good digital citizenship habits. Just like parental controls placed on televisions, smartphone settings can be restricted. Did you know that not only can the safe search setting be added to Safari, but on some phones, the Safari browser can be disabled and a kid-friendly browser can be downloaded instead? If your child’s school allows them to bring their learning devices to school with them, then smart phones are going to be a common site in their classrooms and media centers. In addition to encouraging digital citizenship, educators will want students to use their phones to their creative and educational advantage. Teachers often use apps and websites to supplement their lessons for differentiation of learning styles and skill proficiencies, as well as gamification for engaging problem-solving. It is believed that a student who can put together a presentation that includes research, audio, visual and a crowdsource feature with only their phone is equipped for any future academic or employment opportunity. Responsible digital citizens are the main goal. Students need to be prepared to learn anytime and anywhere. Digital access requires tech savvy searching, processing and evaluating skills. In addition to digital literacy, responsible digital citizenship requires etiquette, self-protection, and an understanding of digital commerce and law. An understanding of the digital world is a necessity for both students, as well as parents and guardians.

Powerful tools for learning, creating and connecting are an integral part of the internet. Sometimes, internet tools are created with one purpose in mind but are quickly hijacked for purposes that are not educational, fun or safe. The Dark Apps Presentation was designed to inform parents about common apps many students have on their phones that are sometimes used in irresponsible ways. For example, an app that looks like a calculator is used as a safe for storing sexting pictures. There are apps designed to conceal other apps, requiring parents to not only know about the secret app, but also be diligent while searching their child’s phone. Many apps are anonymous, ages are not verified, and strangers can see the child’s location. Parent, Dana Townsend, reads about apps that may be dangerous for children. Pati Olten is a Media Specialist at Woodstock High School, in Woodstock, GA.

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Here’s What’s New in Home Electronics! By Michael Buckner

I write to you this month from an airplane seat, returning from the CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) Expo. While it’s fresh, I thought I’d pass along what I saw: HDR Enabled TV’s — By now, you should’ve heard of UHDTV. This is a quadrupling of the number of pixels on older 1080p televisions. While UHD is a notable improvement, it pales in comparison to High Dynamic Range. Sony offered a side-by-side comparison that was extremely impressive. You may have recently noticed HDR on your smart phone’s camera — this is that same technology. Basically, it takes 2 photos, one with white saturation and one with black. It then merges the 2 images to offer the best of both worlds, high white AND black level contrast. Best of all, if you’ve purchased a Sony UHD TV in the past year or so, all you have to do is update the software on

North Fulton Family Life | DECEMBER 2015

the TV to take advantage of this new feature! I can say with certainty that it’s a bigger jump in quality than was the HD to UHD changeover. Levitating Theater Screens — Screen Innovations released a new projector screen that literally “floats” over a room. There is a small white tube that hangs down, and then it releases another tube from inside of it that lowers down on a thin cable. This tube then unwinds to reveal a screen that looks like it is magically floating in the room. This is sleek technology that should enable all members of your household to agree on having a projector system in the living room, since it looks amazing and should get any interior designer’s seal of approval. More UHD Content and Players — Since the arrival of UHDTV’s, clients have been asking when they can actually

watch something that was recorded and played back in UHD. DirecTV, Dish Network, Tivo and Roku were all at the convention to show off their new UHD players. So if you’re ready to see the next step in the evolution of TV’s in your living room, that time is now a phone call away!

Michael Buckner is owner of Audio Intersection, a provider of audio and video in Georgia. 770-479-1000. AudioIntersection.com

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December 28, 2015 12:30 pm - 9:00 pm RUMC Job Networking meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month and provides the tools necessary for job seekers in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketplace. We have over 25 workshops designed to fine-tune your image and skills to land the right job. This program is open to all. For complete agenda details, visit RUMCJobNetworking.com.

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The Meaning of

Christmas By Kevin Head, Ph.D.

Paul Harvey once told the story of a farmer who heard a thumping sound against the window pane of his house one cold winter evening. The man went to the window to see what was making the noise and saw some tiny sparrows trying to enter his house. The light inside looked warm and inviting; so the little birds were trying their best to get inside the house. The farmer, touched by the birds’ desire to be warm and safe, put on his coat and hat and walked outside to his barn. He opened the barn door and turned on the lights, inviting the birds to come inside. The birds, however, stayed outside. The farmer then got some crackers and sprinkled a trail from the yard to the inside of the barn. But the sparrows remained out in the dark. The farmer then decided to circle behind the birds to get them to fly into the barn. He tossed crackers in the air trying to lead them to safety and warmth, but nothing worked. Instead of helping the birds, the farmer was actually just frightening them. What could he do, he wondered, to get the birds to go into the barn? Finally, it occurred to him. “If only I could become a bird— one of them,” he thought, “then they wouldn’t be afraid of me.” In that moment, the farmer had grasped the meaning of Christmas. The Incarnation—God becoming human—is the truth we celebrate during this season of the year. As the Gospel of John says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” What a wonderful God we serve! At Christmas, we worship a God who loved us enough to become one of us. This Christmas season, whenever you see a tiny bird outside in the cold, I hope you can thank God for sending His Son into this world to become one of us and to let us know that we are loved. Blessings!

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