Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
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Contents
April 2020
VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 9
20-21 On the Cover
Beach for State Senate
30-31 The Benefits of
Going Vegan
34-35
[20-21]
[30-31]
[34-35] Follow Us >>>
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Artist Profile
Family Life Publications
North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
Diana Toma
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.......................... Perspective
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.................. Senator Speaks
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.................... Community Life
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........................... Quotables
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........................ Book Review
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................. Mayor’s Message
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.......................... Senior Life
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........................ Public Safety
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.............. North Fulton Parks
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.............. Community Partner
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.............. North Fulton Scene
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.................... Ribbon Cuttings
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Publisher’s Perspective
That kind of passion — a dedication to the happiness of our neighbors, the desire to fulfill a wish and make it come true for someone else — is what fills a group of people with love and builds a strong, solid community. Coretta Scott King once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” We saw food drives and deliveries to children who are dependent on the school district for care and nourishment because their only option was to stay home. People donated their own limited supplies to support the elderly and infirmed, so they could stay safe in-house. Teachers opened personal lines of communication to provide parents with resources and help them continue teaching their children at home. Helen Keller, a great student and teacher said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” It’s important for us to remember that life is not perfect. It’s OK to shelter or seek solace from what befalls us. It’s significantly more important, when the time is right, to harness whatever it takes to gain a foothold and rise again, to be bolder and brighter than we were before, be a positive influence on others, and enjoy the marvels of being renewed, refreshed, and resilient. Root firmly, find courage, push forward, and grow.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Cyndi Braun ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com Mandy Marger Mandy@FamilyLifePublications.com Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Albers, Michael Consoli, Chattahoochee Nature Center Staff, Marcia Divack, Lisa Ethridge, Jim Gilvin, Kevin Head, Tim Henderson, Holly Huggins, Veronica Jucknies, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Debra Robinson, John Robison, Ellen Samsell Salas, Heather Terry, Caroline Wimberly, Ferdinand Yates
Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. North Fulton Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. North Fulton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
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Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
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Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.
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Recently, a dear friend laid his father to rest, and a few short weeks later, that same friend, Butch Brown, also died. Unfortunately, Butch’s work was not done, as he was working to prepare a home for his 91-year-old grandfather. In the shadow of a pandemic, his friends and others in the Hickory Flat community rallied. This team of volunteers completed weeks of work in a matter of days, in honor of the Browns and the love of a family, to make certain that “Papa” Brown had a safe place to call home.
EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com
M AG A ZI
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I write this, my prayer is that COVID-19 is under control by the time you read these words. The outbreak of the coronavirus stopped each of us in our tracks. It changed everyone’s perspective on what is truly important to us — as individuals, as families, and as members of our community. We survived. This past month, on several occasions, I was reminded of what makes our community my home.
PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com
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Grow Together TIME TO
[InGoodFaith] Maybe you’ve heard the story about a children’s Sunday School class that ended their lesson one week by drawing pictures. As the teacher walked around the classroom, she saw one little girl who was very excited about her picture. When the teacher asked the little girl what she was drawing, she answered, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” The teacher was most surprised and said, “Well, honey, that’s impossible. No one has seen God, so no one knows how God looks.” “Well,” said the little girl, “they will when I get through.” In my younger years, I had a clear picture of God’s appearance. To me, God looked similar to Moses or Abraham. God was older with a long, flowing, white beard, often seated in a big throne with a crown, a royal robe, and a staff in hand. However, this childhood image of God has faded with each passing year. As my relationship with God grows and develops, my childlike picture of him becomes less clear. Today, God is much larger and more
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complex for me than my childhood image. Most of us are probably more comfortable envisioning Jesus. We have seen pictures of Jesus and visualize him as one who looks like us, talks like us, and acts like us (for the most part). But I wonder — if Jesus appeared in our community as radically different from us than he was in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, would we recognize him as the messiah? Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 25 that he would look like the poor, the hungry, the sick, and those in prison. We remember that Jesus often did and said things that were not acceptable to the religious establishment of his day. These truths remind me that Jesus was and is much more complex than our
Picturing Jesus By Kevin Head, Ph.D.
small perspectives of him. He was and is fully human and fully divine. And even now, when we think we have Jesus figured out — when we think we know exactly how he looks — we are often surprised. What does Jesus look like to you this Easter season?
Dr. Kevin Head is senior pastor of First Baptist Roswell. 770-587-6980, Kevin@fbroswell.org
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[HealthyLife] Though more common in adults, gum disease can occur in children in the form of gingivitis. It is important to begin gum disease prevention early, so children maintain good oral hygiene habits for life.
The Truth About
Gum Disease By Vishant Nath, D.M.D. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the swelling of the gum tissue. It is caused by bacteria build up and food particles on teeth, which leads to the development of plaque. If not removed, plaque hardens to form tartar. This causes the redness and swelling of the gums, which can bleed easily during brushing and flossing. If not treated, gingivitis can lead to chronic bad breath or the loosening of teeth. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, see a pediatric dentist for treatment. Depending on the severity of the case, treatment can vary from a professional dental cleaning to a deep oral cleaning and antibiotics. Gingivitis can be prevented with good oral hygiene habits, along with twice yearly dental cleanings.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
When your child becomes a teenager, monitoring for good daily oral hygiene habits is even more important. Teenagers are more susceptible to the development of gum disease because the gums become more sensitive with the hormonal changes of adolescence, so they may be less likely to want to brush and floss daily. Adult gum disease treatments and prevention are different from what is done for children. For adult teeth, the treatment can include scaling and root planning. These terms describe a deep dental cleaning, which is done to remove plaque from below the gum line. Normal brushing will not remove plaque that gets trapped below the gum line.
Healthy gum
According to the American Dental Association, approximately 40% of adults over the age of 30 have experienced gum disease. Keep your family members’ teeth healthy with disciplined daily hygiene as well as twice yearly visits to the dentist. These are the best tools for preventing gum disease. L
Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com
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AVOIDING CRUISE SCAMS By Michael Consoli
Sometimes, the cruise offers are designed to get you to run up your phone bill. To claim your “prize,” you’re required to call a phone number with a 900 area code or even an area code that appears to be in the U.S. These phone numbers originate from foreign countries and are a way for scammers to take your money. You’re left with a high phone bill, and no cruise.
[Lifestyle] We’ve all received a postcard or phone call saying, “Great news, you’ve won a cruise!” But, buyer beware: This may actually be a scam designed to separate you from your money. You should be cautious of potential scams and use simple methods to protect yourself. If the company offering the free cruise asks for credit card information for “port fees” or other incidentals, be careful. These “fees” typically end up costing more than the cruise fare itself. You might also be required to pay a greatly inflated rate for a second guest traveling with you. And if the company requests your Social Security number or passport number, you could be at risk for identity theft. Some of these “free” offers are devised to convince you to attend a presentation to buy into a time-share or another expensive vacation. You may get a free cruise, but you’ll likely end up on an inferior ship with less than acceptable accommodations.
These very simple rules can protect you from scammers: Beware of words like “free.” If something is truly free, you shouldn’t have to make any up-front payments. If you don’t recognize the source of the offer, it may not be legitimate. Check online to see if it’s a bona fide cruise line or travel agency. If you book a cruise, ask for a confirmation from the agent and from the cruise line to verify that the offer is real. When paying for travel, always pay with a credit card instead of cash or a debit card to protect your payment in the event of a dispute. While growing up, many of us were told that nothing in life is free and that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always be a cautious consumer. The best way to protect yourself and get the best rates and amenities is to book with a professional travel advisor. L
Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com
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Information Your Survivors Will Need By Debra Robinson
[StrategicLife] Good estate planning is more than having the right legal documents in place. It’s also providing your survivors with the information they’ll need. Unless you assemble the information and keep it where it can be easily found, your loved ones will be searching through file cabinets, drawers, and closets, trying to figure out what to do. There’s no particular format for listing important information, but here are some of the items to include:
• If you have a burial contract or other arrangement for burial or cremation, the location of the contract or documentation and contact information • Location of the deed to your residence and deeds to any other real estate • Location of the titles to your automobiles
• Location of your original will and any trusts • Location of your safety deposit box or home safe (and its combination) • Contact information for your financial advisor, accountant, and attorney • Insurance policies for your home and vehicle(s) and agency contact information • Location of your life insurance policies and annuities with contact information for the agent/company • If you are still working, contact information for your employer’s human resources
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
department, or the person at your company who handles employee benefits • A list of your bank accounts and investments with account numbers, contact information for each institution, and whether an account has a payable on death beneficiary • A list of your IRAs, 401ks, or other retirement accounts with account numbers, contact information for the company where each is held, and the beneficiary designated for each account • If you served in the U.S. military, the location of your discharge papers
• A list of your monthly financial obligations such as mortgage, rent, utilities, and credit cards with details on whether a payment is being made automatically from a certain account, whether you have been paying online, or whether you’ve been mailing a check • A list of your usernames and passwords Providing this information will lighten the burden on those who are grieving. L
Debra Robinson is an attorney in Johns Creek. 770-817-4999, DebraRobinsonLaw.com
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Do You
Haiku?
By Christy Noll
[HomeLife] A haiku is a traditional Japanese poem consisting of three short lines that do not rhyme. April 17 is Haiku Poetry Day, which offers a fun opportunity to explore the form and learn how to write one of your own. The poem is typically beautifully descriptive with colorful images and can be read in one breath. Haiku poems can be traced back to the ninth century. In the 17th century, Matsuo Basho, a famous Japanese poet, brought the form to a more esteemed level. The poem focuses on a brief moment in time, uses colorful images, and leaves the reader with a sense of enlightenment. Haiku poetry traditionally discusses abstract subjects or those from the natural world including seasons, months, and/or animals. Here are a few examples from Basho (1644-1694): An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond, splash! Silence again. Autumn moonlight — a worm digs silently into the chestnut.
Traditional Haiku Structure
1. There are only three lines, totaling 17 syllables. 2. The first line is 5 syllables. 3. The second line is 7 syllables. 4. The third line is 5 syllables (like the first). 5. Punctuation and capitalization are up to the poet and do not have to follow the rigid rules used in structuring sentences.
6. It does not have to rhyme. 7. It can include the repetition of words or sounds. Steps for Writing a Haiku
1. Begin by reading examples to help you understand the construction. Reading haiku to children can also help them develop a sense of how to interpret poetry. 2. Create a list of subjects to write about. What inspires you? Consider traditional haiku subjects such as animals, nature, and the seasons. 3. Look at a few pictures of your poem’s subject or go outside for inspiration. 4. Make a list of words that relate to your chosen subject while keeping in mind how the words make you feel. 5. The last line typically makes an observation about your subject. Consider an unexpected relationship between the first two lines and the third. Learning about haiku poetry may open your child’s eyes (and yours) to a new form of art that inspires him/her to be more creative. It may also teach everyone something more about nature and emotions. Have fun writing your own haiku!
Christy Noll is founder of AlpharettaMoms.org, a resource that connects North Fulton families with community organizations, programs, and events.
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Senator Speaks
2020 Legislative Exciting Bills Being Proposed at the Session By State Senator John Albers
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he 2020 Legislative Session includes several bills that address some of the most critical issues lawmakers hear about on a daily basis. This is an overview of a few pieces of legislation that I’m excited to sponsor. The General Assembly is constantly working to make health care more accessible to all Georgians as well as increase the transparency of health care costs. We often hear stories about patients who undergo a procedure at a hospital, which they believed to be in-network, only to find out after the fact that they had received out-of-network care. These patients are met with incredibly high bills for services they assumed were covered by insurance and must then handle the dispute with both the health care provider and insurance company, all while trying to heal from their procedure. Senate Bill 359 would remove the consumer from the center of this dispute and require the insurance companies and providers to work out a solution, with the additional option of arbitration available. On a similar note, we want to reduce much of the ambiguity associated with the price of health care services. Whenever you eat at a restaurant, you make the decision on where you want to go based on the quality of the food offered for the price. Sometimes, you sacrifice a little quality for a better price, and sometimes you want to splurge on a nice meal. Unfortunately, health care does not operate the same way, and we seldom know the full cost of a procedure until after it has been completed. Senate Bill 303, the “Georgia Right to Shop Act,” addresses this by requiring health insurance providers to publicly disclose on their websites what in-network services will cost.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
We will also focus on ways we can continue to empower public safety officers to protect life and property throughout the state. Senate Bill 341, the “Public Safety Assistance Act,” addresses this. Many who answer the call to public safety service do so because they have a passion for helping others. This passion does not fade after retirement, and many individuals look for ways they can continue to be of service to their communities. This bill would create a database of qualified retired law enforcement officers who can be called upon to assist in a time of emergency, which would be especially beneficial in rural areas where additional manpower is often needed in the event of a natural disaster. Over the last several years, state leaders have done an outstanding job of cultivating an economic climate that strongly supports business growth and identifies innovative methods for attracting businesses to relocate to Georgia, which is the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business. One state-provided incentive is tax credits for the business community. While some of these incentives are very beneficial, we want to ensure that our state sees a return on investment for any tax credit that we offer. Senate Bill 302 would allow the General Assembly to request economic analyses of tax credit programs to see if they benefit the state. These are just a few of the priorities that we are working on under the Gold Dome to improve the lives of all Georgians. Some of these proposals may sound ambitious, but the citizens of our state deserve priorities that make lasting, meaningful change.
Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of north Fulton County. 404-463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com, John.Albers@Senate.Ga.gov
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comfortable transportation to and from the busiest airport in the world to you, your friends, and your loved ones, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Child seats are available at no cost.
Shuttle Services
Your Trip Starts Here EconoRides Shuttle Services loves serving people, especially the great people of north Fulton. As of March 1, EconoRides Shuttle Services is available to transport you to the airport to begin your next family vacation, business trip, or weekend getaway to visit a friend or family member. Taking care of guests with dependability, efficiency, and the utmost concern for safety are the principles on which EconoRides has founded its service for the past nine years. EconoRides provides clean, stress-free,
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
Taking great measures to ensure its trusted team of drivers is rigorously tested and trained, EconoRides provides safe and friendly service. The staff has found that spending time with passengers and sharing in their lives is a tremendous blessing and a lot of fun. EconoRides Shuttle Services provides transportation for weddings, sporting events in downtown Atlanta, corporate outings, church mission trips, and wine tours — just to name a few. Experience EconoRides Shuttle Services and allow them to show you why customers are like family. Booking is available online, via mobile app available in your carrier’s app store, or by calling to make a reservation.
ECONORIDES.COM | 678-218-7170 Facebook.com/EconoridesATL Instagram.com/econorides_shuttles
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Community North Fulton School News
Alpharetta High Robotics Club member and junior Aditya Singh qualified to be a state finalist in the FIRST Technical Challenge (FTC), having won the Dean’s List Award. Singh is scheduled to advance to the FTC World Championships in Houston, Texas, this month. Chattahoochee High School junior Caelyn DeSouza was honored as the National Center for Women in Technology 2020 Georgia Affiliate Winner. Pam Whitlock, FCS Teacher of the Year and Chattahoochee’s AP computer science teacher, nominated DeSouza because of her passion and work in the computer science field and ability to work with Java and Python computer languages. Her mission is to create amazing projects with technology that will help people all over the world and develop apps for under-resourced children to assist in learning. Additionally, DeSouza shadowed Fulton Superior Court Judge Rachelle Carnesale for a day as part of the Student Leadership Johns Creek’s Secretary of State Ambassadors program. The group is planning a judge forum for the public with over 15 Superior Court judges. Chattahoochee High School Principal Mike Todd has been chosen to present at the National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference, December 8-11, in Orlando, Florida. He will speak about implementing a strategic response to intervention program (RTI), a just-in-time instruction plan to assist students who are not making adequate progress in classroom studies and skills deficits at the high school level.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
Roswell Girl Scouts Go for GOLD World Water Day Gold Award Project Approximately 785 million people worldwide – 1 in 9 – lack access to clean water. Each year, the global water crisis causes nearly 1 million deaths and a loss of $260 million in economic opportunities (Water.org/our-impact/ water-crisis). Julia Haley, Roswell High School junior and Girl Scout ambassador, was
particularly interested in how the global water crisis affects women and girls. In many countries, women and girls spend millions of hours gathering water for their families, which limits their ability to obtain an education or work. In addition, the water they gather is often dirty and must be filtered before it can be used for drinking or cooking. Haley’s passion for this issue led her to pursue her Girl Scout Gold Award by educating her local community on the global water crisis and informing them of ways they can help. She will be holding several events in Roswell this spring that will incorporate family-friendly activities,
Census 2020 Everyone counts in north Fulton, so that’s why EVERY household needs to fill out the 2020 Census! The postcards were mailed in mid-March; you can fill them out and mail them in or enter your information online.
informative videos, and a one-mile “water walk” that will give participants a handson understanding of some effects of the global water crisis. Events are free and open to the public. Haley is just one of the girls in Troop 3000 pursuing a Girl Scout Gold Award, which is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. Girl Scout seniors and ambassadors who earn a Gold Award honor the Girl Scout commitment to “make the world a better place” by completing a sustainable project that will make a lasting difference. Girls identify an issue, plan, build a team, present their project for approval to Council, and then take action. Additional problems the girls in the troop hope to address include water safety at swimming pools, communicating the importance of handwashing to young children, and improving experiences for girls in hospitals. To learn more about the global water crisis and ways you can help, visit Water Is Life (WaterIsLife.com) to donate straw filters, bucket filter systems, or other sanitation materials to communities worldwide who lack access to clean water. For more information about Haley’s Gold Award project, visit WaterGoldAward.Weebly.com.
The Census provides vital community information, including: • Determination of district boundaries and how many representatives each state gets in Congress. • Annual distribution of federal funds; in Georgia, each person is equated
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Community Roswell HS Welcomes Stacey Abrams for Black History Celebration Georgia politician Stacey Abrams was the guest speaker at a recent Black History Celebration hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU) of Roswell High School. Abrams, a 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, is an advocate for free and fair elections. During her presentation, Abrams discussed the importance of voting and celebrating black history. She also engaged in a question and answer session with audience participation. In her remarks, Abrams discussed her time growing up in Georgia and her work in the state’s political arena.
“While I didn’t get the job I wanted, I’ve been privileged to do the work just the same,” she said.
“I grew up in a community that didn’t see me, but I grew up in a family that believed in me,” she said.
The BSU is an organization founded to serve as a safe haven for African Americans to grow and succeed while establishing a strong presence in the community through service. The organization has over 25 members and is active in community events.
Abrams urged new voters and those who are registered to vote but may have skipped voting in previous elections to make their voices heard. “Voting is power,” she said. “We have to work together to make democracy work.” Following her loss in the gubernatorial election in 2018, Abrams launched several voting initiatives including Fair Fight 2020.
“I wanted to host and plan this event this evening because, oftentimes, African American History is limited to one paragraph in history books,” explained Roswell High School senior Michael Henderson, president of Roswell High School’s BSU organization. “Our stories are unheard. Therefore, I felt that this event could be a vehicle to educate our Roswell community about our significant contributions to America.”
Summer Jobs The City of Roswell is now accepting applications for more than 200 summer positions within its Recreation, Parks, Historic, and Cultural Affairs Department.
and athletics and arts instructors. Positions are open to applicants ages 16 and older including high school students, college students, teachers, and retirees.
A wide variety of positions are available including camp counselors, lifeguards and aquatics coaches, sprayground attendants,
For more information, contact Kristen Sparrow at 770-641-6741 or KSparrow@roswellgov.com.
to approximately $1,600 per year in federal funding for his/her city or town. • Statistics to plan for new roads, schools, and emergency services. • Data to help businesses determine where to open.
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For more information on the 2020 Census, visit 2020Census.gov.
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Community Business and Community Leaders Visit State Delegation During GNFCC Day at the Capitol The Greater North Fulton Chamber assembled a group of more than 50 business and community leaders to attend this year’s GNFCC Day at the Capitol. The group met with north Fulton County senators and representatives to discuss legislative priorities for the community. This was the largest Day at the Capitol to date for the Chamber, which included mayors from Alpharetta, Milton, and Mountain Park.
Roswell Special Events Honored by the Southeast Festival and Events The City of Roswell’s Special Events Division cleaned up at the annual Southeast Festival and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards, coming away with six awards in six different categories. Roswell won the gold award for Best New Event with the wildly successful Dia De Los Muertos celebration held this past October. The city also garnered the silver award in the Best Sponsor category for Gate City Brewing Company.
During the visit, the group discussed the new voting process with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and met with members of its legislative delegation including Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, Senators John Albers and Brandon Beach, and Representatives Todd Jones, Angelika Kausche, Chuck Martin, and Mary Robichaux.
In addition, the Alive in Roswell website received a silver award, and the Roswell Special Events Facebook page won a silver award in the Best Social Media category. Alive in Roswell also received bronze awards for the Best Festival or Event Video as well as the Best Festival or Event photo. “We are so pleased to be recognized for all the hard work and effort that goes into each event,” said City of Roswell Special Events Manager Chris Ward. “The collaboration amongst our Special Events Division, City staff, and the community has been instrumental in the success of City of Roswell events.” The Southeast Festival and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards are designed to recognize the highest level of achievement in the festival and event industry throughout the Southeast United States. This year’s awards included 25 categories, 7 states, and 171 entries from 29 organizations across the Southeast.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
“The Greater North Fulton Chamber is very appreciative of the community and business leaders who took time away from their business to promote our community needs to elected officials at the State Capitol,” said Alan Najjar, GNFCC chairman of the board. The Chamber Government Affairs Committee organizes the annual GNFCC Day at the Capitol as well as the GNFCC Legislative Agenda, which can be found on the Chamber website at GNFCC.com.
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Community Alpharetta Rotary Donates $15,000 to North Fulton Community Charities fight against poverty in our community, and this donation further demonstrates their commitment to help our neighbors in need.” The Rotary Club of Alpharetta regularly volunteers to pick up food for the food pantry from a local market in addition to supporting the back-to-school and holiday programs. Alpharetta Rotarians John Hipes and Ted Schwartz both serve on the NFCC board of directors.
John Hipes, Ted Schwartz, and Steve Beecham with Rotary Club of Alpharetta presented NFCC Executive Director Holly York with the donation. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta surprised North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) with a $15,000 check at their recent meeting. The generous donation will help the organization expand its services in the north Fulton community. “We are excited and grateful to the Rotary Club of Alpharetta for this generous donation,” said NFCC Executive Director Holly M. York. “The Alpharetta Rotary has been a dedicated partner in the
“Through dedication, hard work, and community support, NFCC leads the way in helping the citizens of north Fulton County,” said Will Daniel, president of Rotary Club of Alpharetta 2019-2020. “The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is proud to donate $15,000 to NFCC, and we look forward to partnering with them for many years to come.” Founded in 1983, NFCC serves as a human service agency dedicated to building self-sufficiency and preventing homelessness and hunger for residents in north Fulton in the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Roswell. NFCC assists families with essentials such as food, rent and utilities, and clothing for short-term emergencies. Adult education classes are also offered at no cost to help create a path to self-sufficiency for clients. NFCC serves nearly 10,000 individuals and 4,000 families each year.
Johns Creek Appoints Ed Densmore as City Manager Last month, the Johns Creek City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Ed Densmore as city manager.
to be a part of this community in this new role and working with the City’s elected officials, management team, and staff to deliver high quality services.”
Densmore emerged as the top candidate for the position after a nationwide search that began last June when the city hired Strategic Government Resources (SGR), a firm specializing in the recruitment of municipal employees. The mayor and SGR identified Densmore as the final candidate to lead the city in oversight of strategic programs, teams, and services.
Densmore served as the acting city manager for the past eight months and holds the distinction of being the city’s first and only police chief, a role he has held for the last 11 years. As police chief, Densmore launched the Johns Creek Police Department in 2008 and prior to that, he served as police chief for the City of Alpharetta.
“I am honored that the mayor and City Council have entrusted me to serve as Johns Creek’s next city manager,” Densmore said. “Johns Creek is a unique community with engaged residents, flourishing neighborhoods, and a thriving business sector. I look forward to continuing
Densmore holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and is a graduate of the Command College at Columbus State University and the FBI National Academy. He will continue as the police chief until a replacement has been selected.
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
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How can you help? Here are 10 quick tips:
Water Conservation Begins at Home By Chattahoochee Nature Center Staff
D
id you know that the Chattahoochee River provides more than 70% of the drinking water for the Atlanta region? As the population and economy continue to grow, it is important that we protect our source waters and reduce our demand by using less and eliminating water waste.
“Since 2001, when the District was formed, water withdrawals have dropped by more than 10% despite an increase in population of over 1.3 million people,” said Sarah Skinner, with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District. “There are 16 aggressive water conservation measures in our plan that are being implemented by local utilities that help to dramatically reduce water use in the Atlanta region.” A greater awareness of reducing water use is helping, thanks to ongoing and annual awareness campaigns like Fix a Leak Week, which is a nationwide initiative from the Environmental Protection Agency that encourages residents to fix leaky plumbing fixtures to reduce water waste. Simply fixing a leaky toilet or pipe can save hundreds of gallons of already treated water annually.
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1. Fix leaks immediately. Regularly check for leaks inside and outside your home. 2. Don’t leave the tap running while shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your face or food. 3. Check your toilet for leaks. Put food coloring in your toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. If it seeps into your toilet bowl, you have a leak. 4. Use the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. 5. Replace older toilets and shower heads with high efficiency models. If your home was built before 1993, you may qualify for a toilet rebate. 6. Choose efficient appliances. Look for EPA WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labeled products when shopping for new appliances and fixtures. These products have been independently tested and verified to save at least 20% more water compared to conventional products. 7. Scrape dishes before washing them. Avoid using the garbage disposal; it wastes a lot of water and can contribute to pipe clogs. 8. Only water plants when necessary. Use a rain gauge and water no more than 1 inch per week. If you do water, only do so between the hours of 4:00pm-10:00am. 9. Reduce the amount of lawn by landscaping with plants, especially plants that are well adapted to our region. 10. Adjust sprinklers, so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Source - MyDropCounts.org/conserve-our-water
Some other water conservation efforts are as simple as installing low-flow toilets, cutting back or regulating the watering of lawns, and using more native plant species in landscaping, which need less water to flourish. Chattahoochee Nature Center’s annual Water Drop Dash 5K also helps educate the public about water loss and ways to eliminate water waste around the home. The event brings runners and attendees face-to-face with conservation entities like the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District which sponsors the race, and their partner utilities at the post-race festival. L Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. ChattNatureCenter.org
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Quotables “A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Passover “affirms the
“If you put your cameras down, you might be able to live in the moment. You have a memory there of something you’ve never lived.” -Jan Brown
great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being. -Morris Joseph
”
“If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer as you did because ‘you turned out fine,’ you did not in fact turn out fine.” -Unknown “When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” -Socrates
“Sometimes, the hardest person to walk away from is the person you’ve always assumed you were.” -J.M. Storm “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” -James Clear “People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind.” -William Butler Yeats
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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Teaching Teens To Be
Smart With Money Part 1 of a Three-Part Series
[StrategicLife] In school, children learn
By Tim Henderson
about many things, but how to be smart with money is not a subject that is usually taught in the classroom. Most of us learned the hard way. We found out about the dangers of credit cards after we ran up a huge amount of debt. We didn’t know how to budget, and we didn’t start saving early enough.
There is no better time to learn how to create and stick to a budget. Budgeting teaches teens not only how to spend, but also how to save. Help your kids set up a document that tracks all the money coming in and going out, including a column of money set aside in a savings account.
As parents, we can help our children get off to a better financial start in life. In this three-part series, the goal is to share important lessons (and how to implement them) that you can teach your child.
If you feel comfortable, it’s also helpful to let your kids see your own budget. If not, set up a fictitious similar budget that shows everything from mortgage payments to spending allowances.
To begin with, teens need to learn how to make money. They’re going to have to work to support themselves – why not get started now? Help them find paying work, whether it’s a part-time job or mowing the neighbor’s lawn. You can even inspire them by sharing articles or videos of young entrepreneurs who’ve earned a fortune at an early age. Earning their own money will teach them about its value and its limitations.
If your teen doesn’t have a good companion checking and savings account, now is the time to help them open one. They’ll certainly need a checking account before they go off to college, and it’s a good idea to get them used to owning both. This way, they’ll learn better how to set aside money in
Once teens start earning income, it’s time for them to spend only their own money — or at the very least, have them cover certain parts of their lifestyle with their earnings. Being limited by their income, they will learn how to prioritize purchases and stay within a budget. And speaking of budgets…
savings and use their checking account only for money that is identified for spending. If you choose a high interest savings account, you also could begin teaching them about the importance of compounded interest (part two of this series will cover this topic). Some credit unions offer as much as a 5% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings, so your kids can watch their money grow. You and your teens can compare checking and savings accounts together. Have them pay attention to things like interest rates and fees, then choose an account that charges the least and pays the most. If you start teaching your kids good financial lessons now, it will benefit them their whole lives. Watch for parts two and three of this series, which will cover important topics like credit cards, student loans, and the real cost of life. L
Tim Henderson is the Alpharetta Financial Center manager at LGE Community Credit Union. 2855 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 104, Alpharetta. 770-424-0600. TimothyH@LGEcuu.org. LGEccu.org
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Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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(CID), he has been instrumental in bringing millions of dollars in infrastructure to the area. Championing District 21 Needs Since being elected in 2013, Beach has proven he is not a senator in name only. A solution-driven public servant, he has earned the reputation for making a direct, positive impact on the quality of life in District 21 — from his support of public education, to building better roads, keeping taxes low, and enacting business friendly policies. Believing that “our job in government is to be customer-centric and make life better for all our citizens,” he works for his constituents including the unborn, the student and teacher, the entrepreneur, the commuter, law enforcement officers, and those needing medical care. “If we have an educated workforce, lower taxes, less regulations, and invest in our infrastructure — if we do those basics and just get out of the way — the private sector will create jobs, and we will remain the No. 1 state to do business, and our area and its residents will thrive,” Beach says.
A Conservative Champion for District 21
W
hen State Senator Brandon Beach and his wife Shuntel put down roots in Alpharetta 26 years ago, they set out to do whatever they could to make their new community a place their children wouldn’t want to leave. That meant getting involved and helping the area thrive. “I knew that if our kids, Courtney and Hunter, grew up and there were no opportunities here, then shame on me,” Beach says. Making a Difference In those 26 years, Beach has championed the interests of the community. While serving four years on the Alpharetta City Council and 15 years as president and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, he has also been a member of numerous other community boards. And, as executive director and co-founder of the North Fulton Community Improvement District
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Advocating for Children and Education A conservative Republican, Beach is staunchly pro-life and voted for the heartbeat bill. He is also passionate about maintaining the area’s excellent public schools and technical colleges and ensuring that they have the staff and facilities needed to offer 21st century skills and knowledge. This legislative session, determined that “Georgia’s best and brightest stay here, work here, and raise their families here,” Beach is sponsoring Senate Bill 282, which he has dubbed the “Keep Georgia Kids First Act.” This bill mandates that 90% of early action admissions at Georgia’s state colleges and universities are Georgia residents. Fixing Infrastructure First elected to the Georgia Board of Transportation in 2008 by state legislators and now as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Beach is intent on solving the area’s traffic woes.
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“Transportation is my passion. We can fix it. It will take a combination of teamwork, technology, quick and efficient attention to our roads and bridges, but we can do it. We are going to catch up. When I first became involved, agencies didn’t talk to each other and were often undermining each other’s efforts. Now, we have lunch once a month, so that we can work for our citizens,” says Beach. With the governor and the transportation commissioner, Beach helped facilitate the communication and cooperation that were vital to the speedy repair of the I-85 bridge in 2017 and to the completion of multiple other projects. Anyone who travels Georgia’s highways has benefited from Beach’s determination to ensure infrastructure upgrades become realities. So that funding is available, he supported House Bill 170, adding over $1 billion annually in revenue for projects. When he saw that using federal dollars meant jumping through time-consuming hoops, he found a faster route to a solution. “As chair, I proposed to the governor that we allocate state revenue and speed up our progress,” he recalls. “For the widening of State Route 20, we were able to allocate $250 million of state revenue — and we began putting shovels in the dirt in March — not seven years from March. We still use our federal dollars, but on smaller, less crucial projects.” Brandon was also a vital force in the completion of the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes and the connection of State Route 20 and State Route 140 via Northside Cherokee Boulevard, allowing quick hospital access. “The new beautiful Northside Hospital (Cherokee) is not only an economic engine for the area,” he says, “it brings first class health care to our citizens.” Now, Beach is actively working to implement upgrades to State Route 140. Likewise, Cherokee County Airport, which is projected to bring $1 billion in tax revenue to the county when it is upgraded, has benefited from Beach’s efforts. Chair of the Airport Authority, Don Stephens, credits him with helping to secure the funding for the upgrades.
Twenty-six years ago, Brandon Beach set out on a mission to make our community thrive. Today, he remains dedicated to that mission. “I got involved because I wanted my kids and grandkids to be here, to call this home, and I’m so happy that they do. I want everyone to have the same opportunity to come back here, have a job, and call our community home.” To learn more about Senator Beach’s efforts for District 21, please visit his website.
303-B Coverdell Legislative Office Building Atlanta, GA 30334
678-640-1811 BeachForSenate.com
COVER STORY By Ellen Samsell Salas
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
Paid for by Brandon Beach for State Senate
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Book Review BY MARCIA DIVACK
APARTMENT New York City’s Columbia University in 1996 is the setting of Teddy Wayne’s latest novel Apartment. This story is about the relationship between an unnamed narrator and his friend, Billy. Throughout his undergraduate studies at New York University, the narrator remained friendless and adrift. During one of the narrator’s graduate classes at Columbia University, Billy, a fellow student, praises and defends the narrator’s writing assignment, which leads to their friendship. The narrator quickly invites Billy to live with him in his two-bedroom apartment. Billy, who had been living in the basement of the bar where he works, gladly accepts. In return for living with the narrator rent-free, Billy offers to do the cooking and cleaning. This arrangement works for a while, with both Billy and the narrator enjoying the friendship and the living situation. But over the ensuing months, the relationship shifts because Billy begins to eclipse the narrator in their classes, in their social circle, and in their writing. As their friendship devolves, and Billy loses interest in the narrator, the gulf between them becomes noticeably more about class and power than personality. The narrator is clearly used to a life made simple by wealthy parents and familial connections, while Billy is the product of a small working-class town in the Midwest, and they both know it. The narrator even states, “He would always have to struggle to stay financially afloat, and I would always be fine, all because my father was a professional and his was a lay-about. I had an abundance of resources; here was a concrete means for me to share it.” Ultimately, Apartment is a subtle meditation on male friendships, male insecurity, and the inherent power struggle in all relationships.
Marcia Divack is the branch group administrator for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta. 404-730-1700. AFPLS.org
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DNA Testing The Genes Have It? By Ferdinand Yates, Jr., M.D., M.A.
[HealthyLife] Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is popular and can be fun, but there are also potential problems. Individuals who use these services need to know what they are paying for and what happens to the data that is on file. CAVEATS OF GENETIC TESTING These tests scan for DNA variations that are known to correlate with increased risk for certain diseases, but they do not predict the actual chance of contracting the condition, and errors do occur. The analysis does not consider factors such as race, personal habits, or living conditions. Specific genetic counseling is often not available at this level, or it requires an additional fee. Some testing companies sell the information to other entities for research purposes or other reasons such as law enforcement. Other testing companies offer to analyze a child’s genetic information for academic
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
or athletic aptitude. This process gives no consideration to a child’s interests, education, or access to resources. Ancestry tests may provide information regarding a child’s genetic makeup, but the precision and accuracy are variable, and inconsistencies occur among the various companies. Genetic test results may influence future insurability. Whereas some companies are prohibited from discrimination based on genetic information, companies that provide life, disability, and long-term care insurance have no such restrictions. Ethicists suggest that in the absence of medical urgency, testing of asymptomatic children should be delayed until the child can participate in the decision process and provide informed consent. In this way, there can be better protection of a minor’s privacy and medical confidentiality. Wrong results may lead to improper medical treatments and needless worry for the child or parent. L Source – American Academy of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine, March 2018
Dr. Yates is a pediatrician at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, 2000 Professional Way, Woodstock. 770-517-0250. WoodstockPeds.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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Mayor’s Message
Alpharetta’s
DAILY VISITORS By Mayor Jim Gilvin
B
y almost any standard, Alpharetta is a remarkable community. While there are many things that make our city exceptional, one of the biggest things that most residents aren’t aware of is the extraordinary size of our daytime population. Approximately 64,000 residents call Alpharetta home, but on an average weekday, our city attracts tens of thousands of people who work at local businesses and/or patronize our stores and restaurants. That daily influx brings our total number of people to over 120,000, creating one of the largest daytime population increases in Georgia. This great distinction presents unique blessings and challenges. One of those blessings is that residents can enjoy an amazing selection of restaurants, entertainment venues, and other amenities that are often only available in much larger cities. Without the abundance of daily visitors, Alpharetta could never sustain Avalon or the great shopping and dining scene downtown, the entire North Point corridor, Ameris Bank Amphitheater, or any of the other great dining and entertainment options we enjoy. The daily influx of visitors also allows us to reap tremendous financial benefits. Of all the cities in Georgia, Alpharetta has the third largest property tax digest; only Atlanta and Sandy Springs can boast a higher real estate value within their borders. Our $6.3 billion tax digest is greater than other cities with much larger populations, a sign of our success in attracting major office developments and commercial properties that account for more than 60% of
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
Alpharetta’s property taxes. It also means homeowners pay much lower property tax bills than they would otherwise. Of course, those blessings come with the challenge of traffic and the costs of providing necessary services to support a city with a substantial number of daily visitors. Fortunately, the tax base provides the financial resources to cover the costs of supporting such a unique city. Over the last eight years, tax revenues have grown enough for the City of Alpharetta to spend more than ever before to widen roadways, pave streets, and invest in other ways to improve traffic flow and safety. And, over the next eight years, the City has plans for significant road and infrastructure projects on nearly every major road corridor in Alpharetta, with a total projected cost of over $200 million. After decades of tremendous growth, the City finally has the funds to make much needed improvements through good financial planning and leveraging partnerships with the Georgia Department of Transportation, the North Fulton Community Improvement District, and many neighboring communities. We are also investing more money than ever before to expand and improve public park spaces as well as to acquire and protect green spaces – both of which are very important to the quality of life of our residents. All these things are being done without raising taxes, thanks to the many workers and visitors who come to our city each day.
Jim Gilvin is the mayor of Alpharetta. 678-297-6010. JGilvin@alpharetta.ga.us, Alpharetta.Ga.us
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Senior Life
N
ational Volunteer Week is April 19-25, and as long as certified health officials approve, it's a great time for retired adults to think about how they can make a difference to organizations that are vital to their community. A study by the Corporation for National and Community Services showed older adults who volunteer reported fewer disabilities and lower instances of depression than those who did not. Experts believe that volunteering helps prevent senior isolation and inactivity, promotes mental health, and may help ward off dementia.
National Volunteer Week By Heather Terry
In addition, retired adults have so much wisdom to offer. Len (91) is the volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels for Pets — a program offered through Senior Services North Fulton that delivers free pet food to older adults who have trouble affording pet food or don’t have transportation to get to the store to purchase food for their furry companions. Len brings a lifetime of experience to the organization. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Len became an officer in the U.S. Air Force where he worked on the development of a new supersonic aircraft. In 1961, after President Kennedy set the nation’s goal of landing on the Moon, Len was one of the key personnel who established the Space and Missile Systems Division for North American Aviation and helped capture the NASA contract for the Apollo manned lunar landing program. He became vice president and program manager of the NASA Skylab, which was the nation’s first manned space station. Len went on to become the assistant program manager of the Space Shuttle program. Len’s wife, Natalie, a dedicated animal lover, actively supported many local and national animal shelters and rescue organizations over the years. When Natalie passed in 2014, Len moved to Roswell to be closer to children and grandchildren. In 2015, Len felt he could best honor the memory of his beloved
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
wife by actively engaging with a local animal support program. After learning of Senior Services North Fulton’s Meals on Wheels for Pets program, he decided to volunteer. “After retiring from the corporate world, I felt it appropriate to contribute to my community’s growth and well-being by volunteering my time, efforts, and knowledge as needed. Following my dear wife’s passing, I chose to continue my volunteer service in memory of her and her huge love for animals of all types. I get immense satisfaction from being able to help keep the beloved pets of our needy senior citizens — their dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots, turtles, and even a gecko — well fed.” “We immediately recognized Len’s passion and knew he was wonderfully overqualified to take charge of our Meals on Wheels for Pets program,” said Michelle Williams, director of volunteer and meal programs with Senior Services North Fulton. “We trust Len to completely manage this program, and we are so thankful to him for donating his time and talents to us.” You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be a great volunteer, and you don’t have to look far to find a cause that you are passionate about. VolunteerMatch.org matches inspiring people with inspiring causes that are close to home.
Heather Terry is the community relations director for Senior Services North Fulton, 11381 Southbridge Parkway, Alpharetta. 770-993-1906 x223. SSNorthFulton.org
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Music Therapy and Mental Health [HealthyLife] Adolescence is a time of transition between childhood and adulthood. It is charged with physical, academic, and emotional growth. The stress of becoming successful, thinking about possible career choices, and peer pressure can weigh heavily on many individuals, causing a decline in mental health. It is necessary for an adolescent’s support system to help ensure that he/she is adjusting properly to new responsibilities. Music therapists are specially trained to cater to mental health needs and provide a safe space for self-expression and stress relief. Here are a few evidence based interventions that would be used in a music therapy session: Drum Circle – A drum circle is a gathering of people playing hand drums
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
and other percussion instruments. This intervention is beneficial for the promotion of mental health because it provides a sense of community for participants, releases tension and anxiety, and promotes self-expression. Jacobson Muscle Relaxation to Music – This is the practice of tightening and relaxing muscle groups in sequences. Its health benefits include anxiety relief, stress reduction, lowered blood pressure, and improved sleep. Songwriting – This activity can vary in structure from fill-in-the-blank to full free form. It is beneficial in aiding with self-expression, emotional development, and self-exploration. Improvisation – Like the drum circle, improvisation is a gathering of people with the purpose of making spontaneous music. Improvisation increases
By Holly Huggins, LPMT, MT-BC
togetherness, releases tension and anxiety, and promotes self-expression. Lyric Analysis – This is a therapist-led intervention in which the participants listen to a song together and then have a group discussion about its meaning. The song’s meaning can then be applied to the lives of the participants. Lyric analysis provides a safe space for attendees to talk about their lives and struggles. It also provides an environment for problem-solving, emotional development, and self-expression. A board-certified music therapist is a wonderful addition to an adolescent’s support group. L
Holly Huggins is a music therapist at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy. 9880 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock. 770-687-2542. InHarmonyPediatricTherapy.com
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Public Safety
P
rotecting children and keeping drivers safe on local roads are two top priorities for Alpharetta police officers. In 2019, the Alpharetta City Council approved the use of cameras in school zones, which allows Alpharetta law enforcement to leverage available technology to focus on these priorities by addressing the ongoing issue of drivers speeding through these areas. The goals in utilizing this technology are to increase student safety, change driver behavior, and reduce complaints. This initiative will include a constant enforcement presence in school zones, traffic data collection, and the use of automated license plate reading (ALPR) capabilities. The enforcement system is completely violator funded, and the vendor company will incur all equipment installation, calibration, and maintenance costs as well as all costs associated with collection and distribution of fines. During the 2017-18 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 978, allowing the use of photo/video enforcement in school zones under State Statutes 40-6-163 and 40-14-18. This law established guidelines for local legislation and requires school board endorsement and state permitting in order to execute and implement the use of camera enforcement. The Fulton County Board of Education and the Georgia Department of
Utilizing Technology
To Keep Kids Safe By John Robison Transportation have been extremely supportive in ensuring this safety initiative is implemented. This legislative change allows Alpharetta Police to address the overwhelming number of speeding complaints in nine school zones by using technology versus manpower. A 2019 study determined that in one day there were over 3,557 speeding violations in six school zones during a 9-10 hour period (violations were not measured in all locations or directions of travel). These violations were at least 11 mph over the posted speed limit. In the past decade, Georgia has become one of the five deadliest states for pedestrians, with the seventh highest fatality rate. Automated enforcement is endorsed as a safety tool by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Safety Council. The cameras operate from one hour before school until one hour after school, only on school days. A sworn police officer reviews and approves each citation before it is issued. The cameras enforce the lowered “school zone speed limit” during the morning and afternoon school zone periods (i.e., when the lights are flashing during the times posted on the signs). Alpharetta police officers will use traditional methods to address speed enforcement outside of those times. Once a violation is confirmed, the ticket will be mailed to the registered owner of the offending vehicle. This is a civil citation, so there will be no impact on the driver’s insurance rates, and no points added to any driver’s record. The following link provides a brief overview of the program: Youtube.com/watch?v=aFTlloHpB60.
John Robison is the public safety chief for the City of Alpharetta. 2565 Old Milton Parkway,Alpharetta. 678-297-6342. Alpharetta.Ga.us
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FIVE REASONS YOU NEED
ADVANCED MUSCLE INTEGRATION TECHNIQUE By Dr. Veronica Jucknies
[HealthyLife] Do you need Advanced Muscle Integration Technique (AMIT)? The short answer is “yes.” Here are some situations that may apply to you:
1. Do you have chronic joint or muscle pain that won’t resolve?
If so, then inhibited muscles are almost certainly part of the problem, and AMIT is the solution. This seems to be true ESPECIALLY in cases where other therapies have failed.
2.
Have you had a recent injury? If you have suffered a recent ankle sprain, knee injury, shoulder injury, etc., and would like to recover as quickly as possible, then AMIT is definitely for you. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper joint function, and AMIT will resolve any resulting muscle inhibition/imbalance to restore proper muscle function, which will help prevent future injury, breakdown, or degeneration of that joint.
3.
Do you have limited joint range of motion? One of the signs of inhibited muscles is a reduced range of motion in your joints. Your body will do its best to protect itself when possible. If you have inhibited muscles that control a specific motion, then your body will do its best to prevent that unstable movement. For example, if the muscles responsible for hip external rotation are inhibited (best visualized as moving the kneecap toward the outside of the body), your range of motion will be limited. After those muscles are activated using AMIT, you will experience increased range of motion at that joint.
job is to bend the knee. When trying to straighten your knee, the quadriceps are the main movers (agonist); the hamstrings restrict that movement (antagonist). If the agonist is inhibited, then it won’t send the proper neurological signal to the antagonist to relax. This is why, despite repeated and vigorous stretching, foam rolling, and even trigger-point dry needling, the hamstrings continue to be excessively tight. The muscle inhibition must be resolved, and AMIT is the most effective way to do this.
5.
Is your athletic performance lacking? If you have been training consistently but have reached a plateau, then it is possible that muscle inhibition is a contributing factor. In the book The 4-Hour Body, Tim Ferris writes that he had an immediate 15% increase in strength after his first AMIT session. Patients have experienced the same results at Code V Performance. If muscles are not firing properly, you can’t possibly be performing maximally. Once the muscles are firing properly under load and you can use your muscles synergistically, then an improvement in strength and power will result. Now you tell me — do you need AMIT?
4. Do you have chronic muscle tightness? How many people
do you know who constantly have tight hamstrings? In this case, inhibited muscles in the quadriceps are almost always the culprit. For a little anatomy review, the quadriceps are the muscle in the front of the thigh, and their job is to straighten the knee. The hamstrings are on the back of the thigh and their
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
Veronica Jucknies is owner, chiropractor, and physical therapist at Code V Performance, 12600 Deerfield Pkwy, #100, Alpharetta. 678-687-8023. CodeVPerformance.com
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By Caroline Wimberly
A
2015 peer-reviewed study by Canadian academics comparing bias against target groups found that vegans and vegetarians were viewed more negatively than any other group except drug addicts.1 It’s fair to say that people adhering to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle (often written jointly as “veg*n”) can easily feel estranged or ridiculed during social settings, holiday gatherings, or business meals. While there is much information about whether following a vegan (plantbased) diet can solve climate change (and to what degree), reverse cancer, or destroy an otherwise perfect dinner party, here is some information about the benefits of vegan diets.
Health Almost all foods with near universal nutritional supremacy are plant-based: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Humans can easily thrive on plants alone with a proper balance of diverse ingredients. Any necessary nutrients can be found in plants, with rare exceptions (like Vitamin B12), which can easily be found in fortified products or approved multivitamins. In fact, places around the world where people naturally live the longest – dubbed “Blue Zones” – are also the areas where people consume very little, if any, animal products.2 Though dairy products are marketed as bone strengtheners due to their high calcium content, the World Health
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Organization and other health researchers have pointed out the “calcium paradox” in which countries with higher calcium intake, especially from animal protein, also have higher rates of hip fractures. It’s possible that animal proteins in dairy products have adverse effects on calcium intake that outweigh the high calcium concentration in those foods.3
aren’t new, they will probably become more frequent and intense with more unpredictable weather patterns and global population growth.6 Adjusting to food production that requires less land, water, and other inputs will be increasingly important. Growing plants for direct human consumption is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to do this.
While difficult to recommend any singular diet to broad swaths of people, it’s increasingly conceded by health and nutrition professionals that vegan or vegetarian diets can be healthy and appropriate for all stages of life.4
Forests play an essential role in regulating our climate as well as holding a huge amount of biodiversity. Also, many indigenous groups rely on these ecosystems for their continued survival, which they’ve maintained for much longer than the industrial age.
Environmental/Humanitarian While repetitive, catastrophic news headlines can sometimes numb the general public instead of set off alarm bells, there’s scientific consensus that our planet is in trouble.5 Several scientific reports, such as the EAT-Lancet Commission to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Land, detail the importance of reducing our reliance on animal products for public and planetary health. Although it can be difficult to see on a local or even national level due to perceived abundance, the world has limited resources. Agriculture in general, but mostly animal agriculture, requires a huge amount of fresh water. While conflicts and migration over water access
Yet, an area of forest the size of the United Kingdom is lost each year, mostly due to demand for agricultural commodities like beef and soybeans (the top two sources of agricultural deforestation).7 About 75% of soybeans are turned into animal feed to supply intensively raised cattle, pigs, chickens, and fish (only around 6% are turned into products like tofu for human consumption).8 These land disruptions result in human rights crises, as local communities are displaced, and they are a leading cause of species extinction. Food choice and diet are commonly viewed as personal decisions. While this is true, there are far-reaching implications for the foods we choose to produce and consume, most of which aren’t spelled out
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on any product label. The inequities in our food system are enabled by a veil of lengthy supply chains and willful ignorance. Investigating where food comes from and how it was produced, whether plant- or animalbased in origin, is a step towards reducing these inequities. As the old adage says, knowledge is power.
Sample Grocery List Any vegan grocery list is probably going to weigh heavy on produce. While intimidating at first, produce-heavy diets are easy to adapt to in food preparation, and they are certainly tastier and more colorful. And for nights when time is limited, frozen and canned products are great to have on hand. Here’s a sample grocery list: It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the idea of going vegan, but don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Find a community, in person or online, to ask questions, look for inspiration, or simply feel a part of something. The most important thing is to find a path and lifestyle, including diet, that works for you.
Sources 1. MacInnis, Cara C., and Hodson, Gordon. “It Ain’t Easy Eating Greens: Evidence of Bias toward Vegetarians and Vegans from both Source and Target.” Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, Vol. 20(6), 721-744. 2017. DOI. org/10.1177/1368430215618253 2. Buettner, Dan, and Skemp, Sam. “Blue Zones: Lessons From the World’s Longest Lived.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Vol. 10(5), 318-321. July 2016. DOI. org/10.1177/1559827616637066 3. World Health Organization. Recommendations for preventing osteoporosis. WHO.int/nutrition/topics/5_ population_nutrient/en/index25.html 4. Craig, W.J., Mangels, A.R., and American Dietetic Association. “Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Vol. 109(7), 1266-82. July 2009. DOI.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.05.027 5. Ripple, William J., et. al. “World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency.” BioScience, biz088. November 2019. DOI.org/10.1093/biosci/biz088 6. Fergusson, James. “The World Will Soon Be at War Over Water.” Newsweek, April 24, 2015. Newsweek. com/2015/05/01/world-will-soon-be-war-overwater-324328.html 7. New York Declaration on Forests Assessment Partners. “Protecting and Restoring Forests: A Story of Large Commitments yet Limited Progress.” Climate Focus, 2019. ForestDeclaration.org 8. Brack, D., Glover, A., and Wellesley, L. “Agricultural Commodity Supply Chains: Trade, Consumption and Deforestation.” Chatham House, 2016. ChathamHouse.org/publication/agriculturalcommodity-supply-chains-trade-consumption-anddeforestation
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
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ArtistProfile BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS
DIANA
Transparent, Ethereal, D
iana Toma works quickly, sometimes completing a painting in 40 minutes and only returning later to tweak her canvas. “It’s a creative unleashing,” she said, “a way of being when you’re not caught up in anything else. It’s delightful.” Diana says her natural inclination for painting is complemented by her willingness to push through fear and embrace the unfamiliar. Leaving her native Romania, where she earned a master’s degree in fine arts at the Romanian University of Art and Design, she moved to New York and later to Atlanta. “I don’t get stopped by my fear. If there is a glimmer of hope, I move forward,” said Toma. So, as a single mother of two daughters, she carved out a life as a full-time artist. “The myth of the starving artist is alive,” she said, “but I discovered there are many ways to make a living in art if you are open and say ‘yes’ to new possibilities.” Saying “yes” has led Toma to showing her work in more than 100 international exhibits (including many solo exhibits), to designing graphics for corporations, and to teaching art classes. She also juries for exhibits and serves as the U.S. representative to the International Watercolor Society (IWS) and as the demonstration chair for the Georgia Watercolor Society (GWS). Her most recent exhibits include IWS competitions in Pakistan and Turkey. Her passion for discovery means that she finds inspiration in many places — almost all of them involving interaction and conversation with other people — from her students to accomplished artists. While she initially resisted teaching, she now welcomes opportunities to help students become self-expressive.
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TOMA Delicate Painting “I become a better artist when teaching. We learn together,” she said. Similarly, when Toma does demonstrations, she welcomes observers’ questions and comments. In January, she hosted a delegation of IWS artists and reveled in exchanging ideas about art. “Inspiration finds you when you’re at work. You can’t sit and wait for it,” said Toma. Trained in oils and acrylics, she ventures into other mediums, too. Seven years ago, she happened upon the work of an online watercolorist and asked herself, “How could I achieve something like that?” Now, Toma thrives on working in watercolor, creating her large, richly hued portraits as well as smaller landscapes and cityscapes, which cover the walls of her home studio. In deft strokes, she creates a vibrant, beautifully layered translucence of colors that conveys the essences of people and a sense of place. “It’s all about transparency, letting translucence shine through. It’s ethereal, gentle, delicate, as if a delicate part of your soul awakens,” she explained. Toma is now exploring pastels and hopes to offer a workshop as a way to further her own understanding of them. No matter which medium she uses, her paintings, like stained glass, explode with an energetic play of color and light. While she accepts commissioned projects and teaches workshops, Toma’s love of painting is what fuels her. “I paint because I truly enjoy painting — not painting what I think others would like because then it loses its charm and zest — but painting from an authentic place to preserve the integrity of the art,” she said.
To view Toma’s work, visit ArtByDianaToma.com or look for her on Facebook (Diana Toma Artist).
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
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Rose Rosette Disease
There “Mite” Be a Problem With Your Roses By Lisa Ethridge [HomeLife] Since its identification in 1941, rose rosette disease (RRD) has slowly made its way across the country. It’s now a national epidemic, and the highest concentration of RRD is in the upper South, in other words, north Fulton backyards. RRD is basically uncontrollable and deadly to rosebushes of all types. Unchecked, it can spread throughout a neighborhood and beyond. While it’s good to be aware of the problem, horticulturalists declare that without action and activism, rose “delight” will become rose “despair” in the coming decades.
RRD is caused by a virus that requires a minuscule mite to transfer it. These mites are so tiny, they literally are “blowin’ in the wind.” Besides being wind-borne, the mites can be transferred to another rose via an animal or a person. They can also be transferred by tools or leaf blowers. Once the mites get situated in a new feeding ground/plant, they transfer the virus to its vascular system, and infection ensues. Be vigilant. If you suspect RRD, send pictures of an affected plant to RoseRosette.org/reporting. Experts will provide a diagnosis, and you’ll be part of ongoing research about this widespread disease.
As rosebushes begin to grow this spring, look for these symptoms: • Reddish-purple vein mosaic pattern on leaves • Bright red foliage that never turns green • Excessive thorns • Tiny, tight clusters of buds called a “witches’ broom”
Since the virus is deadly, the treatment is severe. Pruning is not an effective defense. Experts recommend covering the affected bush with a garbage bag, securing it, then digging up the root ball. The entire plant must be thrown in the garbage. Do not replant the area with roses. Replace the plant with another specimen that will thrive in a sunny location.
If part of your rose bush looks deformed, there’s a good chance it’s infected.
Become an RRD activist. Spread the word — not the disease.
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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Community Partner
Family changes everything.
B
ethany Christian Services believes every child deserves to be loved, connected, and safe. For more than 75 years, faith has inspired this organization to stand for children in Georgia and around the world. Staff members have a special place in their hearts for teens like Damon, who need what only a family can provide. A young man with special needs, Damon was often picked on and bullied at school. One day, when an altercation escalated, he became aggressive. Officers were called, and Damon found himself in juvenile detention. His home life was chaotic with many siblings, and his parents were mostly absent. When Damon was released from detention, the court was unable to locate his family, and he had no idea where they’d gone. Because he was a minor, the only option was to release him into foster care. Some might see Damon’s story as everything they fear most about fostering teens. But Damon wasn’t a “bad kid.” He was an angry kid who’d been neglected and humiliated, and he didn’t have the emotional tools to express his frustration appropriately. And then he ended up with the stigma of “juvenile offender,” making it that much harder for him to find a family when he needed one most. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, nearly a quarter of the country’s 437,000 children in foster care are age 14 or older. Teens who “age out” of foster care at 18 (nearly 18,000 in 2018) face an uphill climb to break the cycle.
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
Community Partner
National Foster Youth Institute determined that of the youth who leave foster care without a family: • • • •
20% become instantly homeless 70% of young women become pregnant before age 21, and their children often enter foster care 50% are gainfully employed by age 24 Less than 3% earn a college degree at any point in their life
These statistics prove why it’s critical to connect teens like Damon with a caring parent who can give them stability, support, and guidance, as they prepare for adulthood. Just below a teen’s guarded exterior, you’ll often find a child who’s been hurt, rejected, or neglected. Maybe you’re in a position to provide the help and compassion that wasn’t available for that teen when he/she was young. Today, Damon lives with a foster mom whose son and daughterin-law are teachers. They are tutoring him and helping him catch up at school. He’s in a family environment where he’s safe, valued, and — most of all — not alone. People who love him are meeting his needs. With time and a consistent rhythm of words and actions, Damon can embrace a reality most of us take for granted: • • •
You’re safe. You’re surrounded by people who care about you. You’re not alone.
Doesn’t every child deserve that? Visit the Bethany Christian Services website to learn how to become a foster parent or to explore other services that keep children loved, connected, and safe.
Bethany Christian Services 6645 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30328-1606 770-455-7111 Bethany.org/Atlanta WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
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North Fulton Scene
ON THE
MOVE
Photos courte sy of local ph
otographer Pa ul
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Peterson
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EVEN Hotels
Code Ninjas
2715 Old Milton Parkway Alpharetta 770-869-2546 Hotel
Grand Openings
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12460 Crabapple Road, Suite 401 Alpharetta 470-249-1167 Coding School
11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 100, Alpharetta, 770-993-8806 GNFCC.com
My CBD Organics 8465 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 220 Johns Creek 404-900-0086 CBD Retailer
Your CBD Haven, Inc.
S-square D-square LLC
1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 905 Roswell 844-884-2836 CBD Retailer
12850 Highway 9 N., Suite 600-210 Alpharetta 404-993-9237 Management Consultants
Southern Post (groundbreaking) 1037 Alpharetta Street Roswell Apartments
Big Oak Tavern
Honor Yoga
Club Pilates
1090 Alpharetta Street Roswell 678-271-0455 Restaurant
622 W. Crossville Road, Suite 100 Roswell 404-692-1092 Yoga Studio
1125 Woodstock Road, Suite 370 Roswell 678-999-3254 Pilates Studio
Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton
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Advertiser Index Akrosphere Aerial & Circus Arts
23
Azalea Festival
25
Alpharetta Farmers Market
11
Brandon Beach for State Senate
Cover, 20-21
Camp Invention
23
Code V Performance
29
Cruise Planners
3, Inside Back
Debra Robinson Law Group
5
DeMercy Dental
8
EconoRides.com
11
Freshii 5 Idylwilde 36 In Harmony Pediatric Therapy
1
Jason Hayes for Georgia
1
Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, P.C.
3
LGE Community Credit Union
Back Cover
The Mauldin Group
22
Morrow Family Medicine
33
Mr. Handyman
3
North Atlanta Vascular & Vein Clinic
Inside Front
North Atlanta Women’s Care
27
Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Inside Back
and Dentistry at Milton Pete’s Plumbing, Inc.
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North Fulton Family Life | APRIL 2020
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Rock for Rescues Festival
19
Tranquility Counseling Services
40
Vickery Creek Capital Management
17
Woodstock Summer Concert Series
33
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