North Fulton Family Life 8-15

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Contents

August 2015

VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 1

[20-21]

20-21 On the Cover:

Green Basements & Remodeling

34-35

Back to School Get Ready!

[34-35]

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

04

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

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

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

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

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

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.................... Mayor’s Minute

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....................... Scoop of Life

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


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Publisher’s Perspective

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

f you’re reading this right now, you are probably aware that there is a quite a bit going on within our country today. Since I’m not one to go on about bad stuff, hop on the rhetoric wagon or throw folks under the bus, there really isn’t any need to list specifics. On occasion, I admit that I might slip up, take a side or voice an opinion based on how the past has formed my view of a particular, random event or happening in the world around me. It happens. It’s life. From the social network view, I’ve noticed that some of those close to me and others within their network can be wildly outspoken. Friends I’ve known for years are popping out with ideologies on topics that I honestly had no idea were ever a concern to them. Has all this “stuff” just been lingering around within people’s heads all this time? Have we allowed our feelings and emotions to curdle to the point that we are all so sour and bitter inside? If that’s the case, then let it out people. Shout it from the pulpits, the corners of the street, and let your voices be heard. Let honesty flow, let everyone else know how you feel, and let freedom ring. Be prepared, too. For certainly there will be some who feel the way you do and undoubtedly, some who will not. Be prepared to be empathetic to their feelings, as well. Listen to them, understand that they too have a story, and realize that your individual past and your particular knowledge do not have anything to do with how they formed their particular opinion. They have a right to that opinion, just as you have a right to yours.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS State Senator John Albers, Crystal Bryant, Michael Buckner, Michael Consoli, Lori Davis, Lisa Ethridge, Angel Groves, Catherine Groves, Kevin Head, Heike Hellmann-Brown, Michelle Knapp, Jamie Mackrell, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Juan Reyes, Debra Robinson, Nick Roper, Jim Still, Suzanne Taylor, Mark Tolbert, Keely Woodford

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

© 2015 All rights reserved. TH

IS

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

E R EC Y C LE

Let’s not provoke any more shouting, yelling and disrespect, but try to rinse such acridity away with forgiveness, faith and fellowship. It’s time to unite with caring and compassion as a country of many voices, opinions, ideals and concerns, with the understanding that we are all different, yet created equal. It’s never too late to be one nation, under God…again.

SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

E

I

Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com

M AG A ZI

N

One Nation...

ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com

PLE

One Nation...

EDITORIAL Julie Senger Editor@FamilyLifePublications.com


Back to School! By Christy Noll

It’s that time of year AGAIN! It’s time to think about school starting, supplies, clothes and schedules. We put a few ideas together to help you prepare for the big first day of school!

it’s •Practice early bedtimes and wake-up calls so l. not such a shock on the first night of schoo as school •Many schools send out a list of needed supplies and time, of ahead ies suppl l schoo approaches. Purchase inate coord color to likes old year 13 separate per class. My have may rs retaile Some class. by s folder his notebooks and for t budge to need may you , teens For l. lists for your schoo ators calcul ific scient s, laptop as such , more expensive items be ordered and foreign language dictionaries that need to free tax the g durin ing shopp by y online. Save mone ! starts l weekend before schoo s to see •Shop for clothes, and sort through current clothe like they s outfit what needs to be purged. Let them put is Now need. together, and then discuss what they still rown /outg worn a good time to replace cleats and other weekend sporting gear. Consignment stores and tax free are ways to save money. en sort •De-clutter your child’s room. Help your childr ulate. accum to seem that etc. s, book through papers, toys, child •Check that immunizations are up to date. If your they er wheth der is playing sports and wears glasses, consi to time good a is er need to begin wearing contacts. Summ teach healthy eye care habits. it with •Check your child’s class schedule and discuss of school. day first the on go to where them, so they know e school befor week the day a have ls schoo Middle and high locate starts where students can get their schedule and classrooms. t where •Once school starts, schools have a Parent Nigh meet can you and they familiarize you with the school, ation. each teacher and receive contact inform . If you have •Determine transportation needs and car pools time of that at route the g drivin ce practi , a new teen driver . hours those at traffic the of day so they are aware

Hopefully these tips will help prepare you and your family for the start of school!

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

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Calendar 1

AUGUST Ongoing

Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market The market returns every Saturday through October 31 to bring fresh produce, handmade food, craft products, and live entertainment to the city. 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell. RoswellFam.com, RoswellGov.com John’s Creek Farmers Market — held at Newtown Park on Saturday mornings through October 31. Each market features more than 25 local farmers and vendors, with organic and/or sustainable foods and produce. 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. JohnsCreekGa.gov Alpharetta Food Truck Alley — Feast on the street every Thursday evening at Alpharetta Food Truck Alley! This weekly gathering will have a variety of 6-8 rotating food trucks and music each week. Stroll the streets, eat delicious food, listen to some great music and kick off the weekend a little early! Through October, 5-9:00 pm. Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta. AwesomeAlpharetta.com

Fulton County

School Calendar — 2015 — AUG. 10

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First Day of School

SEP. 7

School Holiday

OCT. 9

Teacher Workday (Students Off)

OCT. 12

School Holiday

NOV. 23 - 27

School Holiday

DEC. 21 - JAN. 5

School Holiday

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

63rd Annual Old Soldiers Day Parade — Alpharetta’s historic parade marches on as a tribute to all Veterans of All Wars. Nearly 150 units with floats, marching bands, military units, classic cars, clowns and candy. Come to the post celebration at the American Legion, Post 201 with free hotdogs, soft drinks and children’s activities. 9:15 am - 12:00 pm. Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta

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Almost Heaven John Denver’s America — Georgia Ensemble Theatre invites you to relive the memories that John Denver’s songs evoke in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Ben Brady Pavilion. 8-10:00 pm. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-641-1260, Get.org

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Atlanta Concert Band presents “Superheroes” Comic Book Superhero Themes performed by the Atlanta Concert Band. Free! 4:005:30 pm. 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. AtlantaConcertBand.org

3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA. 770722-7641, AlohaToAging.org

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Parkinson’s Disease/Care Partner Support Group — You and your caregiver are welcome as we learn how to cope and live with the diagnosis. 10:30 am. Program held at Aloha to Aging, 4608 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA. 770722-7641, AlohaToAging.org

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First Friday Art Walk — Take a stroll through the Art District in Historic Roswell. Follow a walking map to tour eight downtown galleries. All Day. 1065 Canton Street, Roswell. RoswellDistrict.com/ Contact.html

7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21 The Brushwork Society — The Brushwork Society is an Atlanta-based, core group of 13 artists who have come together to encourage each other along the joyful, but sometimes arduous journey of art-making. Join us during the months of August and September for an exhibit of work from various members of this eclectic and dynamic group of local artists! 10:00 am-5:00 pm. 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. TheBrushworkSociety.com

Garden Tour Mondays at Barrington Hall — Start your week on the right foot with a free tour of the historic gardens at Barrington Hall. The tour is led by staff horticulturist, Janet Rigsby, and begins at the main house back porch. No reservations are necessary. Free! 9:3010:00 am. 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 770-640-3855

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Alzheimer’s/Caregiver Support Group — Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one both inside and outside of the home. Helpful tips and resources provide comfort and encouragement. Free respite care is provided for your loved one while we meet, but must call in advance for care. 10:30 am. Program held at Aloha to Aging, 4608

Open Hearth Cooking and Living History at Smith Plantation — Living history interpreter and open hearth cooking expert, Clarissa Clifton, will demonstrate making traditional southern food over the open flame in the Cook House, on the historic grounds of Smith Plantation. Free! 10:00 am-2:00 pm. 935 Alpharetta Street, Roswell.

2015 Movies at Newtown Park — “Big Hero 6.” — Movies at Newtown Park is a summer outdoor series of family-friendly movies presented on a huge inflatable screen at Newtown Park. Pre-show activities include an inflatable moonwalk, face painting, children’s activities, giveaways, entertainment, food and drinks, along with displays from local


businesses/organizations. Free! Movie starts at dusk; pre-show activities begin two hours prior. JohnsCreekGa.gov

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The 9th Annual Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards — $20. 2-6:00 pm. 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 678-2076434, MatAwards.com

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Ms. Senior Georgia Pageant $15. 2-5:00 pm, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-993-7772

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Live in Roswell Series: Tall Tall Trees — A pioneer in the world of experimental and psychedelic banjo music, Mike Savino has released two records and one EP on his own label, Good Neighbor Records, Tall Tall Trees (2009), Moment (2012), and The Seasonal EP (2014). Since 2012 Tall Tall Trees has been touring relentlessly, mystifying audiences with his “continually refreshing and innovative approach to the banjo,” (Paste Magazine). In addition to Tall Tall Trees, Savino has been touring the world collaborating with beatboxing violinist and Montreal alum, Kishi Bashi, and has appeared at Austin City Limits, Newport Folk Festival, and on Late Night with David Letterman. Savino is currently working on a third, full-length Tall Tall Trees record, which he is planning to release in 2015. Tickets are $25. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. 770-594-6232, Roswell.Gov.com/ RoswellPresents

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Alive After 5 — Known as the best street party in the metro Atlanta area. Live music, food, displays and shopping make this event a fun and family friendly event. Trolley shuttles from the parking lot of City Hall to Canton Street, free of charge. Shops and restaurants offer discounts and specials, and live music plays throughout the district. 5:00 pm. AliveAfterFiveRoswell.com

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AREA 13.1/Terrestrail 5K AREA 13.1 was created to honor the life of Matthew E Russell a graduate of Roswell H.S. Matthew had a passion for helping at risk and vulnerable children, specifically through his mission and humanitarian work in South Africa. This event is an alien themed, night road race....will you escape the invasion? Half Marathon runners receive an alien die cut medal and alien runner shirt. Proceeds from this event help us build libraries to advance literacy for children in great need. For more information please visit us mattrussell.org. 7:00 pm. 575 Riverside Park. AlienHalf. com

music, ice cream eating and stacking contests and prizes. Proceeds benefit The Drake House, providing crisis housing, education and empowerment programs for homeless mothers and their children. 2-4:00 pm. $6, or $20 for a family of up to 6 people. Historic Roswell Square, 610 Atlanta Street, Roswell. 770-587-4712 x307

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Touch a Truck Alpharetta — Every child’s imagination will soar as they explore the parking lot filled with trucks of all shapes and sizes including a fire truck, limo, dump truck, school bus, 18-wheeler and police vehicles! Kids can bounce around in inflatables, participate in all kinds of interactive games, watch animal balloons be made and get their face painted! Touch a Truck t-shirts and concessions will be available for sale. Please bring cash for food vendors. Parking and admission are free. In case of inclement weather on event day, call 678-297-6133 for an update on plans. 10:00 am–2:00 pm. Wills Park, (behind the city pool), 1825 Old Milton Parkway Alpharetta.

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Roswell’s Food Truck Friday — a great way to end the week by relaxing with good food, family and friends. Bring your chairs, blankets, and drinks. There will be music and picnic tables at this awesome outdoor venue, which includes 2 playgrounds for the kids. 5-9:00 pm at Riverside Park. 770-594-6405

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Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ — Taste over 100 flavors of homemade ice cream! Live WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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LIBRARY EVENTS

AFPLS.org ALPHARETTA

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

NORTHEAST/SPRUILL OAKS

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

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

Free Yoga Classes Tuesdays, 10:30 am., Roswell Nourish your mind, body, and spirit! The techniques of yoga are taught in a light, joyful, and thorough manner, equally useful and suitable for different levels, from beginners to advanced. Adults. No registration required. Line Dancing Tuesdays, (except first Tuesday of the month), 11:00 am.-12:30 pm., Northeast/Spruill Oaks Enjoy improved physical and mental health with this fun, relaxing activity. Taught by Jean Chen. New participants always welcome. No registration required. CAREing Paws Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 pm., Roswell Beginning and reluctant readers can sign up for a 15-minute reading session. Bring your own book or choose a library book to share with a trained and registered therapy dog. Ages 5 and up. Registration required. Drop-In Needlecraft Group Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 pm., Roswell Calling all needle crafters! Get together with like-minded crafters to socialize while you work on your projects. If you knit, crochet, embroider or cross-stitch, grab your current project and join us at the library. All ages and experience levels are welcome. No instruction or materials are provided. No reservations needed.

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

Yoga and Meditation Class Most Fridays, 11:00-12:15 pm., Northeast/Spruill Oaks Learn the Korean “one” yoga method for stress relief and good health. No registration is required. Each class limited to first 25 participants. Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose, comfortable clothes. East Roswell Library Fiber Enthusiasts Most Sundays, 2:30 pm., East Roswell Join hostess, Stephanie Kelly to explore the exciting world of knitting. Math Tutoring for Kindergarten-9th Grade Sundays, 2:30-5:00 pm., Roswell Reservations required. Sessions last 30 minutes. Sundays for Teens Series: Anime and Manga Club for Teens Sunday, August 2. 2:00 pm., Northeast/ Spruill Oaks On most first Sundays of the month teens meet to discuss anime and manga, share fan art and fan fiction. Occasionally, there may be snacks and videos. Program is by teens for teens. Ages 12-18. Registration required. Sunday Dahn Yoga Sundays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. 4:30 pm., Ocee Dahn Yoga is a combination of stretching, breathing and meditation. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Tai-Chi for Relaxation Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. 10:00 am., Ocee A great way to help you relax and keep fit! Beginners welcome! Led by Angela Young. Yoga and Meditation Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. 11:00 am., Ocee Beginning yoga and meditation techniques for beginners. Adults only. Ocee Reads: Adult Book Club Monday; August 3. 2:00 pm., Ocee A book club open to all adult library users! Yoga Meets Real Life Fridays, August 7, 14, 21, 28. 11:00 am., Ocee Patricia Gagne incorporates relaxation exercises, reflective reading and meditation in addressing real life issues. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Adults only.

Atlanta Authors Presents: Don Reichardt and Joyce Oscar Saturday, August 8. 2:00 pm., Roswell A double-header with the authors of The Blue Wall. Both Reichardt and Oscar are former journalists, who live in Roswell. Reichardt wrote for newspapers and had a career in corporate public relations. Ms. Oscar has covered the news at several television stations. She was one of CNN’s first video journalists. Sundays for Teens Series: Gavel Club Public Speaking for Teens Sunday, August 16. 2:00 pm., Northeast/ Spruill Oaks Program will teach teens the basics of public speaking and help them become comfortable doing it. An advanced member of Toastmaster will discuss topics including creating goals, developing a personal mission and thinking on one’s feet when in a public speaking situation. Ages 12-18. Registration required. College Prep Series: College Essay Writing Workshop Monday, August 17. 6:00 pm., Northeast/Spruill Oaks Presented by Applerouth Tutoring to learn to write powerful college essays and personal statements that will help get them into the college of their choice. Ages 14-18. Registration required. Noonday Nosh Book Club Tuesday, August 18. 12:00 pm., Roswell August 18: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver East Roswell Book Club Monday, August 24. 6:30 pm., East Roswell Read and discuss some wonderful books! LEGO Club Tuesday, August 25. 4:00 pm., Roswell Come enjoy a time of free play with LEGO blocks provided. Let’s see what you can create! Registration is not required, but attendance is limited to the first 20 children. Ages 5-10. North Fulton Community Charities Mobile Outreach Bus Wednesdays by appointment: August 26., Ocee Provides emergency assistance every 4th Wednesday of the month, particularly for families with transportation challenges. For more information or to apply online NFCCHelp.org or call 770-640-0399 (ext. 463).


Keeping Your Information Safe LIFESTYLE You’ve probably heard the news reports concerning security breaches at major retailers, resulting in debit and credit card information being compromised. These breaches have shown the importance of regularly monitoring one’s financial accounts for ongoing activity. Some consumers elect to receive monthly paper account statements through the mail, but in today’s world of fraud, that’s really too long to wait to review your account. Online or mobile banking, unlike monthly printed statements, gives you immediate access to monitor your transactions and accounts.

By Jamie Mackrell

In most cases, these services are provided by your financial institution at no cost to you. Another added benefit of switching from paper statements to electronic statements is that you no longer need to worry about sending sensitive account information to your mailbox, which can easily be stolen. Instead, you can view your statements securely online and, if needed, save them to your computer for quick reference. And on the topic of online and mobile banking, always make sure the site you are using is secure. One

way to make sure the site is secure is to look for a padlock icon to the left of the web address. Another clue that the website is safe is that the web address will display as “https” on secure sites. In today’s world, to protect oneself and one’s sensitive data, it is always recommended that the “username” and “password” one uses for online and mobile banking is not the same login credentials one uses for other internet sites or even other financial institutions. It’s also recommended that you frequently change your login credentials, and always keep your anti-virus program running and updated. In a time when scams and fraud are at an all-time high, it’s important to be diligent when it comes to protecting your sensitive data. L

Jamie Mackrell is the LGE Community Credit Union Retail Manager in Roswell. 1010 Mansell Road (Next to Hennessy Porsche), JamieM@LGEccu.org, LGEccu.org

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5 Tips to Keep Your Roof Cool This Summer

By Juan Reyes Summers in North Georgia are filled with soaring temperatures. Roofs take the brunt of the heat. Many of our neighbors ask what they can do to keep their roof cool in summer. Our first answer, shingle roof replacement with cool roofing, is not always possible. These five tips may help you keep your roof cool and lower your energy bill.

Insulate — Most of our homes have attic insulation, which covers the joists of the attic’s floor. Foil-faced insulation, board mounted in your attic to the bottom of roof sheathing, can lower cooling costs.

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

Ventilate — Your home should have ridge vents to allow convection currents up from the soffit vents. Warm air rises, so air circulating through your attic helps cool your roof.

Evaporate — A roof mist cooling system, or evaporative cooling system, lowers surface temperatures by spraying small amounts of water across your home’s roof. Evaporative cooling systems can lower rooftop temperatures by up to 60 degrees, forestalling shingle roof replacement by extending your roof’s useful life. If you are worried about your water bill, don’t fear. These systems can operate on less than a pint of water per square foot, per day.

Foliate — Trees that give partial shade to your home’s roof help block infrared rays. Consider having mature trees

professionally planted, and avoid cutting back branches, unless they endanger your roof.

Innovate — By far, the most effective way to cool your home’s roof is with complete shingle roof replacement, using a “cool roof” shingle. These innovative GAF products repel heat, which lowers cooling costs while lowering your roof’s temperature. GAF’s Timberline Cool Series shingles feature: • Specially designed, heat-reflective roofing granules • Stainguard® algae protection to prevent heat-absorbing algae formation • Savings between 7 and 15% on cooling costs

Juan Reyes is owner of Pro Roofing & Siding. 770-777-1733, MyProRoofing.com


Business

Primetals Technologies USA Brings HQ to Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle announced that Primetals Technologies

The Specific Chiropractic Center

USA LLC, a global leader in engineering, plant building,

The Specific Chiropractic Center’s Grand Opening

and lifecycle partnership for the metals industry, intends to

will be on Thursday, August 13th, from 4-7 pm at

locate its U.S. headquarters in Alpharetta. The city will gain

5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 12, in Alpharetta.

approximately 140 new jobs as the operation moves current

Now accepting new patients suffering from

staff, hires additional personnel, and invests more than $2

chronic conditions like Fibromyalgia, Sciatica, and

million over the next five years.

Migraines that have not improved from traditional medical or chiropractic care. Call Dr. Cailen Wells at 678-805-7344

“Alpharetta, the Technology City of the South, continues to

or visit www.TheSpecific.com.

be a leading destination for corporate headquarters and technology focused operations,” Belle Isle said. “Primetals portfolio of industry leading companies. Their commitment to

All American Swim Supply Dives Into Roswell

our community is a testament to our strong workforce, high-

All American Swim Supply,

demand office market and business-friendly climate.”

located at 885 Woodstock

Technologies USA LLC adds to Alpharetta’s already sterling

Road, is your source for quality Primetals Technologies USA LLC offers a complete

swim supplies, swimsuits and

technology product and service portfolio that includes

accessories. Swim teams can

integrated electrics, automation and environmental solutions

benefit from their team discount, team swim suits, custom embroidery,

for the metals industry. Primetals Technologies USA, 100

elite technical suits and much more. Monday - Friday: 10:00 am-6:00

Technology Drive, Alpharetta. Primetals.com

pm and Saturday: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. For more information, please call 770-400-9870 or visit AllAmericanSwim.com

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Senator Speaks

THE ONE-SIXTH OPPORTUNITY FOR GEORGIA By Senator John Albers

M

etro Atlanta, as with most major metropolitan areas, suffers from traffic congestion. Sitting in traffic impacts economic competitiveness, air quality, fuel efficiency, family time and safety. Let me share my vision for disrupting this pattern and changing the game. The issue is something I like to refer to as, “The One-Sixth Opportunity.” Between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 am, the majority of us begin our commute to work and school. Then, between the hours of 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, we begin our commutes home. These two blocks of time equal four hours, 1/6, of each day where it consistently takes more time to commute. I can argue we don’t have a capacity problem as much as a timing issue. We cannot add unlimited lanes to our roads and need to be creative. For example, for me to drive from Roswell to the Capitol during rush hour traffic can take an hour or more. However, if I alter my commute, it only takes about 35 minutes. Let’s talk about

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

the solutions and great opportunity for businesses and families. Most companies have their employees work a standard shift of 8-4 or 9-5, Monday through Friday. In Metro Atlanta, that results in millions of people flooding the roads at the same time each day. One solution to easing congestion is alternative work schedules. These include: flextime, telecommuting, compressed work weeks, staggered shifts, etc. If employers would implement just one of these options, we would not only see a reduction in traffic congestion during peak times, but we would also see reduced tardiness, a boost to employee morale and improved productivity. Families would have more valuable time together, improving the overall quality of life. During the summer months, we all enjoy reduced traffic while school isn’t in session. In 1969, almost half of school-aged children walked or biked to school. Now, according to Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSP), that number is down to 13 percent. The

significant decrease in students walking or biking to schools has resulted in a 20 to 30 percent increase in traffic, and with so many parents driving their kids to school versus taking the bus, the problem compounds exponentially. An option is for some schools to delay or begin their start times earlier to not directly impact rush hour, and encourage parents to carpool or have their children take the school bus. Hundreds of cars line up for miles to drop off and pick up students in school zones, which clog the roads, as well as the bus lanes. I am calling on my fellow leaders in government, business and education to collaborate and enact innovative solutions to make a meaningful impact to Metro Atlanta businesses and families.

Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton county. 404-463-8055, John.Albers@Senate. Ga.Gov


Book Review BY CATHERINE GROVES

Pulizer Prize Winner and #1 Bestseller

The Goldfinch Was Well Worth the Wait

Thirteen-year-old Theo Decker loves his mother but doesn’t recognize the depth of his love until she’s gone. After her tragic death, Theo goes to live with the family of a wealthy friend. Although appreciative of the kindness this family has shown him, Theo cannot embrace his new life on Park Avenue, nor can he even begin to communicate with his new friends. His constant grief and remembrance of the explosion he survived, create a black hole from which he sees no escape. The only thing that gives Theo any consolation is a small, mysterious painting of his mother’s called “The Goldfinch.” It is this painting which begins to shape his destiny, and pull him into the underworld of art. With “The Goldfinch” in Theo’s care, his life becomes one of shootouts, gangsters, and the black-market for art. His teenage years find him being a young man of whom he knows his mom would not be proud. Theo finds some solace in Greenwich Village with a gifted restorer of antique furniture, who shows Theo great kindness. From there he lands in a quite foreign Las Vegas, where he meets the young outlaw, Boris. Pulsing with emotions, Tartt gives an intricate dialogue of the deepest of sorrow and survival, yet at the same time, captivates with chilling action. The Goldfinch is yet another reason to love Donna Tartt; her prose so full of dignity; her characters radiating with life; the drawing of joy and heartache in a single sentence. Tartt weaves a tale of many layers. Donna Tartt is also the author of The Secret History and The Little Friend. The Goldfinch can be found at most major bookstores, and can also be purchased on Kindle and Nook.

Catherine Groves is an avid reader and book collector (owning more than 5,000 books). She also is publisher of two neighborhood magazines and is writing her first novel.

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Mayor’s Minute

By Jim Still

I

t’s hard to keep such a wonderful secret when you can’t help but want to show it off. Before the creation of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek or Milton, there was another small city named Mountain Park. It began as a summer retreat for Atlanta’s wealthy residents who wished to escape to an environment of lakeside leisure. When Mountain Park incorporated in July 1927, a total of three families lived in the town year round, with one business, and a store called the Stand. Today, it is a thriving community with less than 300 homes. Because of its natural beauty, the environment has always been an important concern of the residents. In 1989, Mountain Park became the first municipality in Georgia to begin a mandatory recycling program. It is also an officially designated wildlife refuge. Mountain Park is deeply committed to the preservation and celebration of its natural environment. I am proud of our commitment to protect the original animal inhabitants of this part of Georgia and the ecosystem in which they live. As a city, just like our neighbors in the Atlanta area, we are required to adhere to all the state and federal regulations regarding NPDES and Storm Water Runoff. This can be a challenge for a small community of approximately 550 residents, but the citizens step up to make sure we are doing our part. The activity of the civic organizations, Mountain Park Civic Club & Mountain Park Watershed Preservation Society, speaks volumes about the focus and values of this unique and caring community. Volunteers work together to create fund raising efforts and cleanup days to help maintain our streams and ditches, in order to minimize the siltation of our lakes. The city’s annual Craft Beer Festival and extremely popular Fourth of July fireworks show raises money each year, which is donated to projects such as the floating wetlands, which bioremediate non-source point pollution from storm water runoff. We love our little piece of heaven and strive to keep it just like we found it almost 100 years ago.

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

Photos Courtesy of Studio 7 Photography

Jim Still is mayor of Mountain Park. 770-993-4231, Jim.Still@mountainpark-ga.gov.


Community Feature Roswell 12U All-Stars Win Gwinnett Tournament

Front Row L to R: Carson Knighton, Tristan Szarek, Henry Lovings, Jared Berenthal, Ryan Hoitsma, Middle Row L to R: Nick Romero, Ethan Bell, Trey Lednick, Chris Knighton, Hank Harris, Back Row L to R: Head Coach Matt Hoitsma, Coach Kevin Lednick, Coach Chris Hoitsma, Coach Alan Harris, Not Pictured: Joe Sci, Evan Barnes

Roswell Showstoppers Musical Theatre Company Hits Broadway Roswell’s next generation of promising young stars recently had a behind-thescenes look at what it takes to become a Broadway performer when Roswell Showstoppers Musical Theatre Company traveled to New York City in June. Eleven performers, ages 7-18, their family members, and Showstoppers’ directors, Nancy Whitehead and Leslie Kelley, hit the Big Apple to take in inspirational shows, workshops, and tours. A program of the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department, Showstoppers’ mission is to give talented young performers opportunities to grow their passion by offering classes in acting, dance, and voice. Trips like this one to New York City, and also yearly workshops in Walt Disney World, enhance the performers’ education, and expose them to professional-level experiences.

Fall in North Fulton Campaign The 12U Roswell Renegades baseball team won the 7th Annual Panther Invitational in Lilburn. After losing a heartbreaking 8-7 to Brookwood, Roswell came back later that afternoon to dominate Collins Hill 20-0 to close out pool play. When the elimination portion of the tournament was played, Roswell came from behind to defeat North Gwinnett 7-6, and then knocked off the number two seed and host, Parkview, 5-2. The championship game against Norcross had several lead changes, but the Renegades came out on top, 7-5, for their first tournament championship this year. During the Collins Hill rout, fans were treated to a little history. Twins, Chris and Carson Knighton, became the first brothers in Roswell all-star history to each hit a homerun in the same inning. Chris hit a two-run shot early in the bottom of the third inning, to dead center field. Five batters later, brother Carson cracked a grand slam to close out the game.

Fall in North Fulton is brought to you by the Alpharetta and Roswell, Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureaus. These dynamic, award-winning cities are known for their hospitality, culture, history and nature, and there is no better time than the fall to explore all they have to offer. Over 400 restaurants provide options in fine dining, cozy tea rooms, outdoor cafés and award-winning recipes. With thirty-four lodging facilities guests are able to relax, reflect and recharge after fun-filled days. Attractions, concerts, art happenings, events and festivals provide enjoyment and memory-making occasions for the entire family. Fall-specific promotional pieces have been created to help you enjoy Fall in North Fulton. A website: FallInNorthFulton. com showcases the many activities happening September – November.

Fulton County Schools Receives First Ever “Charter System of the Year” Distinction Fulton County Schools is the first-ever recipient of the “Charter System of the Year Award” for its leadership in supporting school-level governance and innovation, the Charter System Foundation Inc. announced. The award, which includes a $10,000 prize, recognizes the Georgia charter system that best demonstrates effective local governance through the empowerment of parents, teachers and community members, leadership in the charter system community, strong community partnerships, and academic progress supported by flexibility and innovation. “This award recognizes Fulton County Schools’ culture of local school autonomy, and the school board’s vision to involve parents, teachers and community members in developing their schools’ strategic direction,” said Kenneth Zeff, interim superintendent of the district. “We are honored to be recognized and remain committed to the charter system model.” WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

15


Community Feature AUTREY MILL NATURE PRESERVE RECEIVES GRANT Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center has been awarded $1,000 by the Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., under a program that allows Staples associates to direct donations. The grants are part of a philanthropic initiative created by Staples Foundation, which encourages Staples associates to recommend funding to non-profit organizations focused on education or job skills. The program, called 2 Million and Change, awards funds to organizations around the world, reaching more than $2 million in grants by the end of the year. In 2014, associates directed over $2.4 million of Staples Foundation grants to over 1,000 non-profit organizations. Autrey Mill Board President, Karen Daniel, commented, “Autrey Mill is honored to have been selected to receive this Staples Foundation grant. The grant provides much needed funds to help us achieve our mission to create a destination and educational resource that inspires exploration, appreciation, and preservation of the natural environment and local history”. To learn more about Autrey Mill, please visit AutreyMill.org.

Johns Creek Mayor, Mike Bodker, was sworn in as the 83rd president of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) on June 28.

Congratulations to our June “7 “7 Differences” winner, Barbara Congratulations to our April July “7 Differences” Differences” winner, winner, Jennifer AhmadLundberg! Bilal! Carr! 16

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015


Better Safe Than Sorry By Nick Roper

Summer vacations are in full swing, and fall break along with holiday trips are on the horizon, which makes now the perfect time to have a security system installed and monitored in your home. This addition will keep your valuables safe from theft, while allowing you to enjoy your trip without the worry of coming home to an empty house. There are several options for installing and monitoring a security system. If you have a newer home, it is likely that it had a security prewire completed during the construction process. Therefore, protecting your home could be as simple

as installing the hardware for the system. If your house wasn’t prewired, you can also install a wireless unit. If you already have a system installed, you may just need to choose a monitoring company. Make sure to do your research when selecting a security company. Some companies offer free system installation with a monitoring agreement, and some offer low monitoring rates with the purchase of a system. There are companies that will only lease you your system, so if you cancel your monitoring agreement, they’ll remove their equipment from inside your home. However, if you buy a system through the company that installs, it and then want to switch to a company with cheaper monitoring rates at a later date,

your system may not be compatible with the new monitoring company. It is important to not make a snap decision that could result in costing you more money for a comparable product. Finally, don’t be deterred from getting a security system because you don’t want to pay for a phone line. Any reputable company will have the ability to provide you with a price for a security system by using a cellular phone. Therefore, it is very possible for your security system to pay for itself. Most insurance companies will reduce your homeowner’s insurance if you have a monitored security system. However, even if there is an additional cost, a security system should be considered, because you can’t put a price on the safety of your family.

Nick Roper is manager of business development for H&H Electric and Security LLC. 770-735-1136, MyAtlantaElectrician.net

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Get Into Decorating!! LIFESTYLE Set a mood! Accent space! Create your own style! By using a few tried and true decorating techniques, and spending a little time doing some pre-planning, you can definitely express your own unique tastes and help shape the interior of your home. Professional decorators’ techniques for using texture, shape and pattern are often well kept secrets. However, the fact is that these techniques are not that difficult. You can use elements of texture, shape and pattern to create winning combinations for your home. The key to your success is careful planning.

texture

For example, can be used for contrast. Can you visualize

18

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

By: Keely Woodford

the texture combinations of bricks and silks? Texture can be found in drapery and upholstery fabrics, wall coverings, area rugs, tapestry wall hangings, metal sculpture and iron work accents – just to name a few. It’s the artful combination of mixing unique textures together in a room that gives that room its distinct personality!

pattern

Utilizing in your room’s overall design scheme can be just a bit trickier. A large pattern will make walls in a smaller room seem even smaller. Fabric patterns can add a strong accent in any room. Rich floral patterns in lively colors will add pizzazz and surprise when used in upholstered furniture pieces.

Shape, too, will change a room.

A round or oval area rug could add just the right touch to a living room seating arrangement. Window treatments can also be designed to add interesting shapes to your windows and ultimately, to your entire room. Careful planning lets you use the elements of shape, pattern and texture to their maximum effect! When teamed with color, you can create a distinctive look for your home. It’s fun. It’s easy. I guarantee you’ll be thrilled with your new look! L

Keely Woodford is a franchise owner of Decorating Den Interiors. 770-926-0383, Keely.DecoratingDen.com


I have listened to all of the major streaming services out there, so that my clients can get the most from the systems I install. After all, why spend all that money on new speakers and amps if you’re going to feed it poor quality music? So what music service should you buy? To explain, let me give a short history:

FLAC files instead of MP3s. This is equivalent to a 1441 kbps MP3, having 4 times the quality of Spotify and Rhapsody! I started with Deezer three months ago and Tidal two weeks ago, and they are amazing. These services restore the warmth, clarity, and detail that has been missing for so many years.

Between the two, Tidal has more Around 1998, we were using CDs. content, but is $20/month. However, This technology was quickly surpassed students can get the service at half price. in popularity by the MP3. The MP3 Deezer has slightly less content, but compromises sound quality, because the it is only $10/month if paid annually. files have to be compressed to 128 kbps. Having used both, Tidal is better, but By Michael Buckner It is hard to explain the difference, but on I recommend Deezer, as long as you’re a nice stereo, when compared with CDs, MP3s sound cold and okay without a few artists who are Tidal exclusive. Tidal offers a sterile. However, this level of quality seemed to be acceptable for free, 30-day trial though, so I encourage you to give both a shot, most people, because your entire collection could fit on a PC. and decide for yourself.

Technical Breakdown of Streaming Music

Today, Pandora is streaming MP3s at 192 kbps. Spotify and Rhapsody offer 320 kbps, which is described as, “near CD quality.” I have been using Rhapsody for 8 years, and I can say that it’s better than Pandora, but it’s still not like a CD.

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

Recently, Deezer and Tidal introduced services that stream

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

19


on FOX’s TV Show

HOME FREE

COVER STORY By Julie Senger

A

rriving on the set of FOX’s television show, Home Free, one would notice cast trailers, equipment tents, and tons of staff running around and doing their jobs. Despite all of the busy commotion, the General Contractor for this show, Laura Green of Green Basements and Remodeling, is very easy to spot. She’s the lady in the pink hard-hat, pink tool belt and work boots, who is confidently flitting around the set, making things happen. Family Life Publications sat down with Laura to find out more about the role her company plays in this television show, which is hosted by Mike Holmes, and airs on Wednesday nights at 9 pm. 20

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015


FLP: So, is this your first television

excited to be able to provide this product for our customers!

show?

LG: Actually, it’s not, but it’s by far the largest. We previously worked on a show for HGTV, called “Elbow Room”. There were six shows in that season, and we were awarded work for five out of the six episodes. We learned a lot and enjoyed working on some of the difficult, unique projects that we were presented with. Working on that show gave us the opportunity to meet several different project managers, one of which came to work for Home Free and recommended my company.

FLP: What are your responsibilities on this show?

LG: On this show, we remodel one house per week for a deserving family. Due to production and filming schedules, we actually only have three and a half days to remodel the entire house, inside and out. We run shifts of crews 24 hours a day, for 80 to 90 hours straight, with few breaks. There are a total of eight episodes, so eight houses in eight weeks!

FLP: How has doing these television shows benefitted Green Basements and Remodeling?

LG: We recently started fabricating our own countertops at our Woodstock, GA location. Silestone has sponsored the countertops for all of the houses, and we were lucky enough to be awarded the contract to install their product. We had worked with their standard quartz product in the past, but were able to receive training and get certified to install their specialty quartz product called Dekton. This quartz can withstand very high temperatures, and its best attribute is that it can be used outdoors. We also got two displays for both of our showrooms (Roswell and Woodstock) of the color options for this product. We are

However, I feel that the primary benefit from our involvement in the show is that it has shown what we can accomplish as a company when we work together as a team. It has tested everyone in our company from our carpenters, to schedulers, to project managers, and we feel like we have passed with flying colors! In addition, the accelerated work schedule has taught us many ways in which we can compress our own remodeling schedules and complete our jobs faster. If we can shave a day or 2 off of our current schedules, it means one less day our clients are without their kitchen or bathroom.

FLP: With all of your success and your busy filming schedule for television, how are you able to manage your everyday business outside of this arena? LG: The television production schedule has been pretty grueling, but mostly for me. Before taking on the Elbow Room project, I promoted many from within to management positions as well as hired some of the industry’s top professionals to not only handle things while I am away, but to position us to be able to handle the continued growth we have been blessed with experiencing over the past few years. I don’t want people to get the impression that because we are on television, that we are too busy to take care of them. We will continue to add new crews, who will continue to be overseen by seasoned project managers.

FLP: Are there any other television shows in the works?

LG: Chip Wade, from Elbow Room, has now got a new show on the DIY Network called Super Great Rooms. We are simultaneously filming one of the episodes for that show at the same time I’ve been filming this show for FOX.

FLP: Lastly, what are your future plans for filming for Green Basements and Remodeling?

LG: I would love to create our own show on Green Remodeling. I would love to teach customers about advancements in technologies that improve your indoor air quality, such as using drywall that can now clean your air for 75 years, with up to 26 coats of paint on it! Doing these shows has been great, but I would also love to help people in my own community as a byproduct of our remodeling business. For example, we would take cabinets out of a client’s house that we are renovating, and then refurbish them and install them for a deserving family. I enjoy 836 N. Atlanta St. repurposing things, and if I can help Roswell, GA 30075 someone while doing that, it would be very rewarding. If there are readers who know a deserving family or would GreenRemodeling.com like to donate their skills for these type projects, I’d love to have them email info@greenremodeling.com.

678-445-5533

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Teaching Children - Don’t Rely on the Internet By Mark Tolbert

Recently, Khan Academy announced that it will make online SAT test preparation available for free. Now, all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, will have access to high-quality tools that will help them prepare for the redesigned SAT.

individualized instruction with instilling confidence. By individualizing instruction, a teacher is able to identify precisely where a student is struggling and provide them with the right concept and practice, so they can learn the idea.

However, there are limits to what digital learning technology can do, and we have to remember that great teaching has always been a primary driver of academic growth. As teachers have long understood on a gut level, if they have the opportunity to provide a student with continued, personalized instruction, then they can instill learning along with confidence. Using these two key strategies, individualized instruction and confidence building, teachers can help many students go from well below national average on standardized tests, to the top of the score chart.

For example, if a student can’t do an algebra problem with two equations and two unknowns because he doesn’t fully understand fractions, the teacher can teach fractions, and then teach algebra. The student starts getting the fraction questions correct, and the teacher celebrates that student’s hard work and growth. Then they come back to the algebra equations. Now not only does the student have the necessary foundational skills, but because the student has figured something out that they struggled with before, they tackle the problems with confidence. This personalized approach allows students to master foundational concepts and

Great teachers consistently interweave

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

develop a deep-seated understanding of the curricula. I’m excited by the way technology is changing the classroom and providing students with access to needed learning tools and resources. Although providing universal access to academic tools and resources will make a difference for many students across the country, it is ultimately the student and teacher working together that yields the deepest learning and growth.

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


W

inning the War on Weeds By Lisa Ethridge

It doesn’t take a horticultural expert to answer this riddle: What plants are perennial, annual, biennial, broadleaf, grassy, invasive, noxious and universally detested by gardeners around the globe? The answer is “weeds” – fierce competitors that crowd ornamentals, reduce yields in vegetable gardens, and rob plants of valuable resources, such as water, sunshine and nutrients. August is the month to make a plan to control this nemesis and ensure the future beauty and productivity of your lawn and garden. Timing and perseverance are critical in waging a successful campaign to win the war on weeds. The plan must include preemergent and post-emergent strategies.

The pre-emergent route begins in late August/early fall. Applying pre-emergent in fall and again in early spring will control the most common summer and winter annual weeds by preventing weed seeds from germinating. Don’t apply a pre-emergent to the lawn if you plan to reseed in the fall. Unfortunately, there is no product that controls all weeds. As each season progresses, new tactics are required. Throughout the summer, post-emergent weed control takes center stage. Lawns should be mowed regularly to end the weed cycle and prevent the formation of seeds/germination. Spot weeding with a post-emergent herbicide, such as Round-up can be useful. Research natural options for weed control on the internet. The best strategy to eliminate unwanted plants is hand weeding, which is environmentally friendly. Try thinking of it as a meditative “Zen” experience or an exercise bonanza workout for upper and lower body. Get the kids involved and

make it a competition, sweetened with small monetary rewards. As the fall progresses, make a plan to mulch flower beds with wood chips or landscape fabric. Some chips can be detrimental to the garden, so be careful about the source when it comes to free deliveries. Since mulch controls weeds, regulates soil temperature, and holds moisture, its benefits are endless. Once the beds are covered with mulch, weeds will dwindle and the benefits of fighting the weed war will be apparent. Detailed information about lawn and garden weed control is available on the UGA Extension website Extension.UGA. Edu/Publications: c 1027-13 and B 978.

Lisa Ethridge is a certified master gardener with North Fulton Master Gardeners, part of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. 404-613-7670, NFMG.net

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Every summer, my family takes a day trip

Scoopof

to Fort Valley, Georgia, to buy peaches fresh off of the trees at Lane Southern Orchards. The peaches are wonderful,

BY MICHELLE KNAPP & SUZANNE TAYLOR

just the kind I love — the flesh snaps right

Are you up for a little exploring this month? Scoop OTP has some Forced Family Fun suggestions that are worth the drive. Thank you to Scoop OTP contributor, Connie Briggs, for these family friendly recommendations.

off the pit, (also called the “stone,” so these peaches are “freestone;” the ones that have the flesh cling is “clingstone”). Although you do not pick them off the tree yourself, you can buy the peaches in small or large quantities. Several varieties are offered at different times, so call ahead to see if your favorite kind is in season. Be sure to check out the store while you are there. The novelty items, baked goods and the homemade peach ice cream really make this trip worth the drive.

n

y l i m Forced Fa

u F

As the days grow hotter, there is no better

An easy drive south to Locust Grove will take you to Noah’s Ark

time to go tubing down the beautiful

Animal Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was created to provide

Chattahoochee River! Last year, my family

a home for abused, unwanted and orphaned animals, and it is

went to Cool River Tubing in Helen,

FREE to visit. This worthy organization, a 501©3 non-profit, is

Georgia, to go tubing at their Chattahoochee

deserving of each and every donation from its visitors. I think

Outpost. We had a blast! It’s great Forced Family Fun! After

the Sanctuary is a very good place to visit, especially with young

paying $5 per person and choosing the 1.5-hour ride, we looked

children. There is a huge playground, lots of picnic tables, a

around the gift shop and rented a locker for $2. A bus shuttled

beautiful flower garden, a habitat for turtles, and a pond with a

us up to the point where we were to enter the river, and we were

bridge and alligators next to the Visitor Center. At Noah’s Ark,

given colorful tubes for the ride down. You can choose between

you get a real sense of what it is like to live and work with the

tubes with or without bottoms, and we chose ones with bottoms.

animals. The fenced habitats are immense! The sheer number

The day was sunny and hot, a perfect day to “Shoot the Hooch!” My kids loved zooming over the small “waterfalls,” (just some rocks on an incline), and a couple of times I got out of my tube to push the four of us over these inclines. I highly recommend bringing a walking stick to help push your way through the rocky areas, (also available in the gift shop).

Scoop of Life is compiled by Scoop OTP owners, Suzanne Taylor and Michelle Knapp. For more Outside The Perimeter “Scoop,” visit ScoopOTP.com.

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

of animals (1500+) at the Sanctuary is amazing. So enjoy the birds, the monkeys and the big cats at Noah’s Ark.


Time Management:

Focus on Intent

By Crystal Bryant

Many times I have heard someone say, “There just aren’t enough hours in the day!” Quite often, that person is me! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unable to complete everything on my list. And then two things occur to me. First, I make my own task list every day, and while some items affect other people, many do not. Secondly, when was it decided that we are to pack as much as humanly possible into a day, then add just a little bit more? So, I decided to take charge of my day. I decided to divide my task list into three categories, which are “necessary,” “profitable,” and “other.” The “necessary” things are things like

feeding children and pets, paying bills, doing laundry, and work I do as paid employment. If I decided not to do any of them, there would be undesired results. “Profitable” things are certain cleaning tasks that need to be done, perhaps reading a book, running errands, learning Spanish, exercise or playing with my children. I realize some of these are “necessary,” and some are in the “other” category, it will depend upon an individual’s priorities. The “other” category can hold a wide range of things. From day to day, the same task may float from

one category to another. But in my “other” category, I found things such as Facebook, games, and watching TV. None of those things are harmful in and of themselves. However, I easily give time to the things in the “other” category that take time away from my “profitable” category, and sometimes my “necessary” category. Most of the time, this is unintentional. I have the gift/flaw of adaptability. I easily move from one thing to another, often in the middle of a task. Therefore, intentionality is a must for me to complete my necessary tasks. I am working on a limited schedule for my “other” category. I already feel as if I have more time and less stress.

Crystal Bryant is the wife of Pastor Chris Bryant at City On A Hill United Methodist Church in Woodstock. She is involved in women’s, prayer and children’s ministries. 678-445-3480, COAHUMC.org

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Protect Your Children’s Inheritance with a Trust By Debra Robinson

Whether a couple has been married 5 years or 50 years, a common estate planning concern is the protection of their assets, if after one of them dies, the survivor remarries. A new relationship after the death of a spouse does not necessarily diminish the love the survivor had for the deceased spouse, but it can diminish their children’s inheritance. Many couples have wills in which they leave all assets to the surviving spouse, relying on them to provide for the children after both of them have died. But a surviving spouse who loses mental or physical capacity after remarrying, will usually rely on the new spouse to handle financial matters. If the couple is elderly, it is not uncommon for the new spouse’s children to take control. Somewhere along the way, a new will is executed by the surviving spouse, leaving all assets to

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

If the assets are in a well drafted trust, the new spouse, and that person’s children, will not have the ability to divert the trust assets. At the surviving spouse’s death, the remaining trust assets will be distributed to your children. the new spouse or his or her children. Planning to protect your children’s inheritance is not difficult. Instead of leaving everything outright to your surviving spouse, you can leave your assets in a trust. All of the income, interest and dividends, can be paid to the survivor, and the trustee can be given authority to invade principal if needed for the surviving spouse’s health and support. The surviving spouse can serve as a trustee. However, to protect the trust assets, there should be a co-trustee, such as a sibling, adult child, close friend, accountant or bank.

Making a trust part of your estate plan is easy to accomplish while you are alive and mentally competent. You and your spouse can’t know which one of you is going to become incapacitated or die first, so why not protect each other and your children by implementing a plan while you are both able?

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


Viking Cruises Offers

New Itineraries for 2016-2017 By Michael Consoli LIFESTYLE Fresh off the christening of its first ship, Viking Ocean Cruises® has announced four new itineraries in the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Viking’s guests now have even more opportunities for destination-focused cruises in 2016 and 2017 that span from ancient empires to the towering fjords of Norway and beyond.

New Mediterranean & Holy Land Itineraries Not only is Viking adding sailing dates to existing itineraries, but the company has also created four new, enrichment-filled programs that will take guests from the sun-soaked region of the Mediterranean to the cultural capital of St. Petersburg. NEW FOR 2016:

NEW FOR 2016:

(15 days; Rome to Istanbul)—This 15day itinerary offers the opportunity to explore historic destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean, and experience some of the sacred sights of the Middle East while traveling through the heart of the Holy Land. Guests will have the chance to spend three days in Israel, making stops in Jerusalem and Haifa, gateways to Bethlehem and Nazareth, and will also be able to explore the ancient cities of Rome, Athens and Istanbul. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $4,199 per person, with discounted airfares from $695 per person.

(15 days; Bergen to Istanbul)—This epic journey begins in beautiful Bergen before cruising south to the Mediterranean, stopping in Paris and Lisbon along the way. Once in the Mediterranean, travelers visit Tunis, Valletta and Athens before concluding the trip in the ancient cosmopolitan city of Istanbul. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $3,699 per person, with discounted airfares from $895 per person.

Ancient Empires & Holy Land

Bergen to the Bosphorus

NEW FOR 2017:

Secrets of the Southern Mediterranean (8 days; Rome to Barcelona)—Guests will set sail through the southern Mediterranean, departing from glorious Rome and continuing on to some of North Africa’s most historically significant destinations, including Tunis, which is a dazzling city that mixes North African tradition and French colonialism, and Algiers, home of the Notre Dame d’Afrique. The itinerary also stops in Valletta, Sardinia and Valencia before concluding the trip in beautiful Barcelona. Introductory 2-for1 pricing starts at $1,999 per person, with discounted airfares from $595 per person.

NEW FOR 2017:

Barcelona, the Baltic & Beyond (22 days; Barcelona to Stockholm)—This voyage travels through the waterways of Western Europe and the Baltic, giving guests the opportunity to explore iconic, worldclass cities, such as Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam and St. Petersburg. Introductory 2-for1 pricing starts at $5,999 per person, with discounted airfares from $695 per person. L

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

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS 28

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

MILTON

ROSWELL

8/28 Alpharetta

8/21 Lowndes

9/04

8/28

At Centennial

9/11 Wheeler

9/11

At Lassiter

9/18

At Lassiter

9/25 Milton

9/25

At Roswell

10/02 Walton

At Norcross

10/09 Etowah

10/09

10/16

10/16 Pope (H)

At Cherokee

At Wheeler

10/23 Walton (H)

10/23

At Woodstock

10/30 Woodstock (SN)

10/30

At Cherokee

11/06

11/06 Etowah (SN)

At Pope

All Games @ 7:30

● (H) Homecoming ● (SN) Senior Night


ALPHARETTA

6-AAAAAA

CENTENNIAL

8/28

At Milton

8/28 Roswell

9/04

West Forsyth

9/04

South Forsyth

9/11

At Johns Creek

9/11

At Lambert

9/18 Lambert

9/18

At Chattahoochee

9/25

9/25

Johns Creek

10/09 Centennial

10/09

At Alpharetta

10/16 Chattahoochee (H)

10/16

Habersham Central

10/23

10/23

North Forsyth

10/30 Northview (SN)

10/30

At West Forsyth

11/06

11/06

At Northview

At Habersham Central

At South Forsyth At North Forsyth

Homecoming and Senior Nights not available at press time

CHATTAHOOCHEE

JOHNS CREEK

8/21

At Cherokee

8/28 Woodstock

9/04

North Forsyth

9/04

9/11

At West Forsyth

9/11 Alpharetta

9/18 Centennial (H)

9/18 Northview

9/25

At South Forsyth

9/25

At Centennial

10/09

Johns Creek

10/09

At Chattahoochee

10/16

At Alpharetta

10/16

North Forsyth (H)

10/23

At Northview

10/23

At Habersham Central

10/30

South Forsyth (SN)

11/06

At West Forsyth

10/30 Lambert 11/06

Habersham Central (SN)

NORTHVIEW

CAMBRIDGE

8/28

At Duluth

8/22

At Holy Innocents

9/04

At Habersham Central

8/28

Chapel Hill

9/11

North Forsyth

9/11 Rome

9/18

At Johns Creek

9/25 Kell

9/25

West Forsyth

10/02

10/09

South Forsyth

10/09 Sprayberry

10/16

At Lambert

10/16

At North Springs

10/23 Chattahoochee (H)

10/23

At Riverwood

10/30

10/30

Forsyth Central (H) (SN)

11/06

Region 7-5A Play-in

At Alpharetta

11/06 Centennial (SN)

At Lambert

At North Atlanta

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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PRIVAT

6-A Div B

FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN

KING’S RIDGE

8/21 Armuchee

9/04

8/28

At Riverside Military

9/11 Darlington

9/11

At Chattooga

9/18

At Mt. Paran Christian

9/18

At Christian Heritage

9/25

At Trion

10/02

At King’s Ridge

10/02

Fellowship Christian

10/09

At Mt. Pisgah Christian

10/09

At Whitefield Academy

10/16

Whitefield Academy (H)

10/16

St. Francis (H)

10/23

At Pinecrest Academy

10/23

At Mt. Pisgah Christian

10/30

St. Francis (SN)

10/30

Pinecrest Academy

11/06

Region 6-A Play In

11/06

Region 6-A Play In (SN)

MT. PISGAH CHRISTIAN

BLESSED TRINITY

8/21 Brookstone

8/28

St. Pius X

9/04

Rabun County (H)

9/04 Sequoyah

9/11

At Eagle’s Landing Christian

9/11 Creekview

9/25

Christian Heritage

9/19

At Jackson, Atlanta

10/02

At St. Francis

9/25

Douglass, Atlanta (H)

10/09

Fellowship Christian

10/09

At Therrell

10/16

At Pinecrest Academy

10/16

At Westminster

10/23

King’s Ridge

10/23 Washington

10/30

At Whitefield Academy (SN)

10/30 Decatur (SN)

11/06

Region 6-A Play In

11/06

ST. FRANCIS 8/28

At Providence Christian

9/04

At Lakeview Academy

9/18

At Mt. Zion, Carroll

9/25 Walker

30

At Walker

10/02

Mt. Pisgah Christian

10/09

Pinecrest Academy

10/16

At King’s Ridge

10/23

Whitefield Academy (H)

10/30

At Fellowship Christian

11/06

Region 6-A Play-in (SN)

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

Region 4-3A Play In



Community Partners

I

n March of 2008, a 9 year old girl named MaryMargaret O’Neill asked her daddy to build her a website. “I want to prevent all animals from becoming extinct,” she said. Her dad responded, “That sounds great, but is it okay if the website helps people and the environment too?” MaryMargaret agreed, and Kids Are Heroes® was born. The pair got together and decided to showcase children who do amazing things for others, in an effort to get other kids involved. MaryMargaret was the first child featured, as she gave up her ninth birthday gifts for the Defenders of Wildlife. They also learned about a 12 year old boy who donated refurbished computers to nursing homes, while teaching the elderly how to connect with their families via Skype. This was designed to be a father-daughter project, where MaryMargaret’s dad, Gabe, could be significantly involved in his only child’s life. Through the years, Kids Are Heroes grew significantly. From those two children, the website now boasts 465 heroes from 18 countries. In 2010, they officially became a non-profit, based out of Maryland. They held annual “Kids Are Heroes Days” at their local mall, which would attract heroes from countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. In 2014 MaryMargaret’s dad was laid off from his job as a software developer. They had already agreed to partner with a company in Atlanta

32

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

to host their next event at the Cobb Galleria. Gabe said, “If I’m going to be out of work, I’d rather be close to our next event.” So they put their house up for sale and moved to the metropolitan Atlanta area. The Kids Are Heroes Young Leaders Summit was held in February of 2015 and was a resounding success. “In a short period of time, the wonderful people of Atlanta have really embraced what we are doing, and we are so excited to be here.” They were even noticed by Dr. Ivan Misner and his wife, Beth, the founders of BNI® and the BNI Foundation. They became partners and presented them with a $20,000.00 donation. “Our next event is planned for the spring of 2016. We are going back to our roots and hope to have it take place at a local mall, here in Atlanta,” said Gabe. There are so many positive ripple effects that come from the children

Kids Are Heroes® is a non-profit incubator for young social entrepreneurs. By sharing the humanitarian efforts of hundreds of kids from all over the world who are actively making this a better planet for all of us, we empower children to effect positive change in the world, among their peers, and especially within themselves. We provide a gateway to leadership and compassion for all children. We believe kids are heroes, and each one has the power to change the world!

who participate in our program. Besides helping others, these children learn valuable entrepreneurial skills they will be able to use the rest of their lives. “I have witnessed the development of children who participate, and their life trajectory is much higher because of their involvement,” Gabe said. To learn more please visit the: Website: kidsAreHeroes.org. Twitter: twitter.com/KidsAreHeroes; Facebook: facebook.com/KidsAreHeroes; YouTube: youtube.com/KidsAreHeroes; Phone: 404.210.6854.


with impeccable oral hygiene are at an increased risk of decay, due to the lack of saliva in the mouth that helps lubricate the teeth and gingiva. One of the main causes of dry mouth is medication. There are over 750 medications that cause xerostomia, and this list is constantly growing. In addition, certain diseases and health problems can be the cause or a contributor to xerostomia. Diabetes mellitus, cancer treatment, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome are examples of these diseases and ailments.

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, has become a villain for our teeth. It is starting to affect more and more of the population and is detrimental to the health of your oral cavity. Even people

All of this is important to your oral healthcare provider. We are here to help alleviate this symptom and to prevent damage to your mouth due to the lack of saliva flow. One way you can help cut down on dry mouth is to avoid things with alcohol and caffeine in them. These both have a drying effect on our mucosa. Items that help alleviate the sensation of dry mouth are water, mint flavored, sugarfree gum and lozenges, and brewed green tea. There are also several products that

can help relieve dryness. Examples of a few over-the-counter products that can help are Biotene, Xylimelts, and Oasis. A newer product on the market uses green tea extract and offers positive results. This product, made by Camellix, is provided in many different forms that help to stimulate saliva flow in a natural and effective delivery method. They offer rinses, lozenges, chewing gum, and spray forms of their product. Find which one of these works best for you in your lifestyle and implement it. In addition, you need to ensure that you are receiving regular treatments of topical fluoride to prevent decay, which often occurs in dry mouth patients. If you are experiencing dry mouth, or xerostomia, let your dentist know so we can help you!

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

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

33


Mentally Prepare for

Back to School! By Angel Groves

G

oing back to school takes preparation. You want everything to run smoothly so you can get a good start to the new school year. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to get ready for back to school so you are prepared and more at ease. First, get in the right mindset. This

34

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

means getting yourself in the habit of thinking in terms of school. Start thinking about your time schedule and how much will be dedicated to schoolwork. You must also gear your brain up to do a lot more critical thinking during your downtime, some of which will now be utilized for studying and homework. Playing trivia games is

one way to get your brain back in the routine of critical thinking, while still having the freedom and fun of knowing you are playing a game. Unfortunately, if someone does not mentally prepare themselves for school, they can be overwhelmed when they realize there’s more involved than just going through the motions.


eating schedule. Get the family back on a regular mealtime and snack routine, so it mirrors the student’s schedule at school. This will also help you be more mentally focused in in the classroom. Next, get organized. When thinking about being organized for school, start thinking of what you can do now. Call the school and find out anything that is going to be required. Prepare any papers, doctor’s physicals, immunization records, and proof of residency if you are enrolling in a new school, as well as purchase parking stickers or learn bus routes and bus stop times. This way, you are not searching for important, mandatory documents or items at the last minute. Do not forget to schedule time to do all of the previously mentioned activities and requirements. Make a central location for school schedules and calendars. Family calendars are a great way to keep track of after-school activities and school programs. Choose a calendar format that works for your family, so you can add to your calendar as needed. As the year progresses, there will be school lunch menus, class assignment sheets, sports practice schedules, field trip permission slips and other information you need to find at a moment’s notice.

Secondly, be sure to get the right amount of sleep. Do not wait until the first day of school to drastically change your sleep schedule. Make it a priority to get back into a normal school sleep routine. Go to bed on time, and wake up around the time you need to get up for school. Easing into a normal routine will help make that first week much easier. The same goes for the family’s

Before you purchase school supplies and school clothes, check out your current wardrobe and supplies. What items do you need for school? What needs to be thrown out or donated? You might consider discussing the family budget before you shop, so you can avoid in-store tantrums. Check your school website for supply lists and other information. Doing it this way, rather than trying to think of things

at the last minute, will minimize your stress and prevent possible, unnecessary expenses. Being organized for school does not just involve having the right papers and school supplies; it also means creating a daily routine to make school pleasant. One great way is to have organized mornings. School mornings, whether involving a parent getting the children ready, or just the student trying to get himself ready, can affect the entire day. Little daily tasks can add up quickly, but if you are prepared for them, your morning will be less hectic. Lay out your clothes the night before, as well as the breakfast needs. Make lunches the night before, or make sure each student has money to buy lunch. Check backpacks for homework, projects or library books. Make sure musical instruments or sports bags are packed and ready. If multiple people leave around the same time, have a bathroom schedule in the morning to cut down on time and stress, as well. Another great way to be mentally prepared for school is to run through your morning routine before the first day. Have the students wake up on time, go through the morning routine, and get to the car or bus stop on time. Routines help children feel comfortable, and can help the first day of school go much more smoothly. Getting back into the school schedule and practicing a routine will help ease you into the new school year. Doing these little things are easy and effective ways to be in the right mindset and become organized. These things can help make going back to school less stressful and more enjoyable!

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

35


Private School - King’s Ridge Christian School 770-754-5738, KingsRidgeCS.org

Tutoring - Crabapple Tutoring 678-240-0936, CrabappleTutoring.com

Kids Clothes - Pretty Kids Soles 770-864-5488, Facebook.com/PrettyKidsSoles

Day Care/Preschool Crabapple Montessori School

770-569-5200, CrabappleMontessori.com

36

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015


Artist Profile BY HEIKE HELLMANN-BROWN

O

riginally from Durango, Mexico, Leticia Bernadac always appreciated the city’s colonial architecture. “Founded in 1563 by Spanish Basque explorer, Francisco de Ibarra, Durango’s eclectic architecture and baroquestyle buildings are reminiscent of Spain, Italy or France,” Bernadac states. With a keen interest in drawing, it was the beautiful frescos in the government buildings that left a lasting impact on her while growing up. In spite of her love for art, Bernadac studied business administration. At age 19, she moved to Finland with her family, where she enrolled at the Mikkeli Campus of the Helsinki School of Economics to continue her studies. After marrying a Finnish engineer, Bernadac followed her husband around the world to various job assignments. “We lived in Japan, Sweden, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Chile,” the artist remembers. In 1998, the family finally settled in Milton, Georgia. The unique knowledge she gained from those different cultures heavily influenced Bernadac’s artistic path. Although Bernadac has always created art or tackled interior design projects from painting china to refinishing furniture, now that the family would stay in the U.S., she wanted to refine her artistic skills. For two years, Leticia Bernadac took painting classes and studied the techniques of the old masters, such as da Vinci, Sargent or Velasques. “At some point, I did not want to do class after class anymore and began looking at obtaining an art degree,” Bernadac recalls. During a summer vacation in Finland, she heard about a one-year art program at the Repin Institute in Kotka, Finland, which was taught by professors

of Russia’s most important art education institution, the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. Studies at the Repin Institute focus on classical arts with daily work in the areas of painting, drawing, plastic anatomy, perspective, technology of painting and composition. “Having the courage to do what was meaningful to me, Finland appeared the most natural place to continue my dream of getting a formal art education in the traditional approach of the old masters,” Bernadac says. In 2010, she and her then 13-yearold daughter spent a year in Finland, while her husband made the commitment to stop traveling and take care of their 10-year-old son in the U.S. Today, Bernadac’s landscapes, still life’s and portraits showcase a graceful use of color and brush strokes, using glazing techniques in combination with the palette knife. She paints

in oil, watercolor and pastel along with charcoal drawing and lately incorporated encaustic into her repertoire. “I don’t paint a precise image of what I see, but rather stress what is meaningful to me. My work represents an expression of my view, my feelings, my interest in the subject matter and what really talks to me,” the artist explains. “The bold colors in my artwork represent what I am, my passion for art, my persistence and the cultural influences acquired during my travels.” Leticia Bernadac’s work is currently exhibited at Avalon in Alpharetta, and in 2016 she will participate in the Repin Institute’s 10th Year Exhibition in Kotka, Finland.

LeticiaBernadacArt.com Heike Hellmann-Brown is a published writer in the United States and Europe. She has translated and edited several New York Times bestsellers, and has taught both English and her native German as a foreign language, in a career that has spanned more than 20 years.

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

37


experience teeth grinding at a young age will outgrow it once they have their 6-year molars.

Teeth Grinding in Children By Vishant Nath, D.M.D. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is quite common in children. Its cause can be dependent on the age group of your child. Children younger than 7-8 years still have many of their primary teeth. Primary teeth shift and change quite a bit. During this phase of change, a child may experience an abnormal bite that might feel odd to them. This can lead to teeth grinding at night. Most children who

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North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

In older children and teenagers, teeth grinding can be caused by stress. If you notice teeth grinding in older children, you can try talking with them to see if they are especially worried about anything in particular. In all cases of teeth grinding, it’s best to speak to your child’s dentist to ensure that the grinding is not damaging the teeth. A parent may not even realize that teeth grinding is occurring, but the dentist can tell by looking for wear patterns on the surfaces of the teeth. Teeth grinding can become severe in some cases. The grinding can lead to the wearing down of the enamel, tooth chipping, and increased temperature sensitivity of the teeth. Extreme cases can even lead to facial or jaw discomfort and temporomandibular joint disease, more commonly known as TMJ.

For the most part, in primary teeth, the dentist will simply wait for the permanent teeth to come in to see if the child outgrows the grinding. However, in cases of grinding in permanent teeth, the dentist may recommend that the child wear a mouth guard at night to protect the teeth from the grinding. These are similar to the mouth guards worn in sporting events. They can be molded to specifically fit the individual’s mouth to best protect the teeth. Visiting your pediatric dentist every six months is a great opportunity to keep up with any changes you may notice with your child’s teeth or mouth. Staying on top of these changes can help to ensure that your child’s oral health remains at its best!

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


Bringing Families and Businesses Together Entertaining, Enlightening & Educational

Alpharetta, Roswell and Milton are cities with much to do at the core of the North Fulton area. These active cities provide plenty for residents and visitors, including shopping, dining and the arts. To tap the incredible marketing potential of the area, North Fulton Family Life magazine distributes to 25,000 homes in many of the most affluent neighborhoods to guarantee you will reach your clients.

Woodstock is a growing, vibrant city that is on the move. Several parks and an expansive trail and waterway system provide plenty to do in and around the city. Family Life Publications is proud to partner with Woodstock through our Woodstock Family Life magazine. Currently, our magazine reaches over 23,000 homes, including those in downtown Woodstock, Towne Lake, and surrounding areas.

Canton, seated in the center of Cherokee County, has a perfect balance of small town feel and big time business. New restaurants and businesses are popping up one after the other. Canton and her surrounding areas, including Holly Springs and the Hickory Flat and Sixes communities have a very desirable market, rich with history and tradition. Canton Family Life is the only magazine in Canton that reaches east and west of I-575, with a distribution of 24,000.

Direct mailed to homes means your business reaches more potential customers, for a better return on your investment.

Call 770-213-7095 for more information.

Visit us online at FamilyLifePublications.com To view all three publications.

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

39


Hard TO Swallow By Kevin Head, Ph.D.

Have you ever gotten a lump in your throat? I have occasionally, usually when something happens that causes me to feel strong emotions, and I find that I have a hard time swallowing. One “lump-in-the-throat” occasion for me was the first day of school for my kids. It’s been a few years ago now, but I remember taking both our children to school for the first time. In some ways, those days were rather ordinary. We awoke, ate breakfast, got dressed, and prepared to leave the house. But on those special mornings, we also scheduled extra minutes to take a multitude of pictures. After much photography, we made our way to school as a family—the kids with backpacks and lunchboxes, and me and my wife with cameras in hand and a lump in our throat. After taking more pictures in the classroom, we shared hugs and kisses and said our goodbyes. The smiles on our children’s faces said, “Mommy and Daddy, I’m ready for school!” The smiles on our faces said, “We know you’re ready!” However, the tears in our eyes said, “but we just aren’t quite sure WE are ready.” We left those classrooms with smiles on our faces, tugs on our hearts, and lumps in our throats. School begins this month. Maybe your child is off to school for the very first time, or maybe your child is starting a new school this year. It might even be that your child is entering his or her senior year of high school or first year of college. Whatever your situation, this is an exciting time of year, but I imagine there are lumps in the throats of many parents.

Advertiser Index ABA Business Expo

18

Armistead Armory

10

Audio Intersection

19

Carper Wealth Management

11

Crabapple Festival

26

Crabapple Weekday Preschool Crabapple Oral Surgery and Implant Center Cruise Planners Debra Robinson Law, P.C. Decorating Den Interiors DeMercy Dental First Baptist Church of Roswell Preschool The Framing Studio, LLC

North Fulton Family Life | AUGUST 2015

9 Inside Front 5 38 1

Golsen Family Dentistry

13

Green Basement and Remodeling

Cover, 20, 21

H&H Electric & Security, LLC

17

Huntington Learning Center

33

Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, P.C.

11

Northside Hospital Forsyth Northside Total Joint Specialists

3 Back Cover 1

Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

22

Pete’s Plumbing, Inc.

25

Reproductive Surgical Specialties Studio 7 Images Technical Resource Solutions

40

Inside Front, 23

39

Pro Roofing and Siding Dr. Kevin Head is interim pastor of First Baptist Roswell. 770-587-6980, KHead@FBRoswell.org

10

GNFCC Golf Classic

LGE Community Credit Union What an incredible experience, this gift called life! I thank God today for the blessing of occasionally having a lump in my throat.

9

Inside Back 3 31 Inside Back



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