Gwinnett Parents Back to School 2008 by Gwinnett Parents

Parents G W I N N E T T

MAGAZINE

IS YOUR TEEN COLLEGE READY? HELP FOR SLEEPLESS MOMS ENVISIONING THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR A CHECKLIST FOR CHILD SAFETY July/August 2008

O www.gwinnettparents.com

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table of contents 8 inside Gwinnett County Schools 10Show & Tell & Educattion: Get Set for 12Learning Kindergarten with Playful Learning Safety: A Check List for Child 14Kids Safety Talk: Two Parts to Smart: Is 18Teen Your Teen College-Ready? College Bound: College Success 20 Tips - Use College Success Tips to Score Well. Mom: Help for Sleepless 22Healthy Moms 26Meet the Doctor: Dr. William Beck Back to School: Envisioning 28 the School Year - How a Team Approach Can Make the Difference Fitness & EXERCISE: Haven’t 30 Started Yet? Start Small in Your Exercise Efforts Buds: Cool Off With Summer 34Taste Desserts Healthy & Wellness: How Far Out 36 of Your Way are the Products you Need to Lose Weight

Tickets go on sale May 9th! Sept. 19-22 For the fastest and easiest ways to order tickets, go to Retail Locations, Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office or call 404-249-6400.

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& Recreations: Choosing 40Sports the Best Martial Arts Style Trends: Back By Popular 42Fashion Demand Consignment Boutique & Pamper Feature: 46Beauty Gwinnett’s not-so-typical Spa & Pregnancy: Controlling 50Maternity Migraine During Pregnancy Family Notebook for 52Fatherhood: Dad to Write 54Family Law Feature: Glenn Cooper Family Finances Feature: College 56 Board Releases New Cost Estimates - Will You Be Prepared Prints: Changing Bad Dog 58Paw Behavior 60Calendar of Events 66Local Business Directory

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Writers Ethel Carter, Carlos Rodriquez, Mike Peterson, William Mccall, Roberto Ball, Yvonne boyd, Karen Card, Jan Z. Olsen, Thais Curry, Tammy Peterson, Bette Holtzman, Jim richards, regina moore, Debra Dawkins, Lesley Lyon, Amy Greenway, Wendy Burt-Thomas, Anita Saulter, Joe Bruzzese ____________________ All contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Gwinnett Parents Magazine and may not be reprinted, copied, reproduced, or used without written permission of the publisher.

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[ INSIDE GWINNETT SCHOOLS ]

2008 Countdown to Kindergarten

each spring.

Kindergarten in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is a full-day program. By state law, children must be 5 by September 1 in order to enroll in kindergarten. All GCPS elementary schools hold a kindergarten registration

WHO: Parents and guardians of children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2008. WHAT: Register for the 2008–09 school year. WHEN: Throughout the spring and summer leading up to the start of the 2008-09 school year. Call your local school for an appointment. WHERE: Register at your local school. Call the Planning Department at 678-301-7085 if you’re not sure which school your child will attend. WHY: So your child will be ready for the first day of school, August 11, 2008. HOW: Parents or guardians should be prepared to fill out important registration forms. Your child’s registration will be delayed without the needed paperwork. What to Bring for Registration: • Your child! Schools may offer activities or screenings on registration day. Check with your school for details. • A copy of the pre-K progress

report if your child has attended a state pre-K program. This can be helpful information for your child’s new kindergarten teacher. • An official document showing proof of birth date. Examples include an original birth certificate or birth registration, or an official state or federal form with date of birth, or passport. • A Georgia certificate of immunization. State form #3231 (revised March 2007) must be completed by the health department or your private physician. Healthcare providers may charge a fee for this service and/or required immunizations. Contact your provider or the health department for more information. Required shots include the series for Hepatitis B, DPT, and Polio; an MMR shot, plus additional mumps and measles shots or a second MMR, or healthcare provider documentation of illness; and 2 doses of the varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine or documentation of illness. A valid Form 3231 must be marked in the box with either “Complete for School Attendance” or “Date of Expiration.” By state law, a valid immunization form or immunization exemption (for medical or religious reasons) is required for enrollment. You may request an exemption form (for medical or religious reasons) from your local school. • Evidence of vision, hearing, and dental exams obtained in the past year. This information must be on Georgia Form #3300, available from the health department or from most Georgia physicians and dentists. Letters from appropriate healthcare professionals and out-of-state certificates are acceptable, if completed within the previous 12 months and stapled to the state form. These exams are available

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at Georgia health departments for a fee. • Proof of residency in the attendance zone. Examples include a non-contingent sales contract, lease, or deed. A lease or deed must be accompanied by at least one utility bill (excluding telephone bills) with the same address. A contingency contract is not acceptable. Call your local school if you live with a friend or family member and need information about verifying your residency. • Proof of custody/guardianship, if not the birth parent. A Letter of Guardianship is required for registration if the enrolling adult is not the birth parent. For more information, contact Gwinnett County Probate Court at 770822-8265. • The child’s social security num-

ber. State law requires that schools ask for this number at the time of enrollment. Students will be enrolled, even if the number is not provided. However, parents will be asked to sign a waiver. • A photo ID. The school may ask the enrolling adult to present a photo ID. The state offers a free prekindergarten (pre-K) program for 4-yearolds. Children must be 4 years old by September 1 in order to enroll. In Gwinnett County, this program is delivered through private childcare providers who are approved by the state. For more information and to find a provider, visit Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning or call 404-656-5957 or 1-888-442-7735.

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[ SHOW & TELL ] Five Star Flex Notebinder A best-seller two years

running, the Flex NoteBinder offers the storage capacity and custom capabilities of a binder and the ability to flip the front cover over to lay flat like a notebook. Now two line extentions help kids custom create an organizational system that works for them. With a storgae capacity greater than a 11/2” binder, the extra-large product also includes three NotePockets, four NoteProtectors and 100 sheets of paper. Retails $10.49, K-Mart, Office Depot, Office Max. Five Star’s new Advance Index Card Tat Lil’ lets students easily cart and study index cards on-thego with 50 wirebound, perforated index cards and a storage pocket in one convient case. Retails $2.49, Wal-Mart, Office Depot and Rite Aid.

Unotron Washable Keyboards & Mice

SpillSeal® protected water and dustproof keyboard, provides an easy solution to the problem of bacterial infection. Washable by design. Sealed keys let you clean fully under running water. Easy to disinfect. Can withstand being immersed in antibacterial solutions and rinsed under a tap to reduce spread of germs. Retails $49.99, www.unotron.com

Sound Tech LightSnake Podcasting Kit

PODCASTING IS FOR EVERYONE. Everything you need to easily create and place your Podcasts on the web. Update your family on travel arrangement they could listen to. Instead of blogging get your ideas out to people with the emotion that only the human voice can convey. Read all your grandchildren a goodnight story from the other side of the world. Traditional - Create your own radio programs. Promote your band with Podcasts. Create extended news programs and interviews. Retails $129.99. www.soundtech.com 10

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

This patent approved organizer stores everything at your fingertips! Open pockets and an open center makes it easy to access items and return them as well so you stay organized. The Hecht of an Organizer™ is durable and will hold what you can carry. Designer fabrics look professional as well as complement home decor. The Hecht of an Organizer™ comes with a standard box frame that can hold approximately 60 lbs. which is replaceable for free for life. (16”L x 12”W x 7.5”T) Retails $39.99. www. hechtofanorganizer.com

New book outlines everything a young woman needs to know in staying sexually pure for God and herself. A Guide to Sexual Purity; A reference guide for teen and college-age girls.

Sexual Purity and the Young Woman, mother & daughter Grace LaJoy Henderson and Arica Henderson give hope to young women everywhere, encouraging them to offer their body and everything about their sexuality to God so they do not have to hurt as a result of common sexual mistakes that young women make. Citing verse from the Scriptures, the Hendersons use parable to make their point, drawing on their own experiences as young women navigating the slippery slope of young adult sexuality. Each chapter explores a different aspect of remaining sexually pure and includes questions for discussion about each topic. Retails $15.99. www.gracelajoy.com www.gwinnettparents.com

My First Period Kit & DVD

Enable mothers to address body changes, menstruation, birth and conception comfortably and comprehensively at home. Parents can now review the accurate details and share age-appropriate essentials (and some lighthearted giggles) with their daughters, while setting a solid foundation for open discussions in the future. Retails $19.95, www.myfirstperiodkit.com

Handwriting development is falling to parents who are left without the tools or know-how to teach handwriting at home. To help bridge the gap, the experts behind the Mead速 brand developed Mead Writing Fundamentals, a line of 15 products guiding parents how to best introduce and develop fundamental writing skills at all handwriting stages. Retails $3.555.99 at Wal-Mart. www.Mead.com

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smooth, low fat, swiss-style yogurt that we have combined with granola, chocolate and fun crunch toppings. Is it smooth? Is it crunchy? You decide! By mixing the two together you will discover a delicious new treat that is sure to tickle your taste buds and add crunch to your life! So many choices; so many ways to get your Smooth and Crunch it too! Go ahead, crack into one today and discover the most unique yogurt on your dairy shelves! www.yocrunch.com

Dunstan Baby Language DVD teaches

parents the 5 cries all newborns use to communicate their everyday needs from day 1. You will know when your baby is hungry, tired, needs burping, has lower wind or is simply uncomfortable. By learning this System parents are able to settle their baby faster, resulting in happier babies who sleep longer and cry less - something every new parent would wish for. Retails $39.95 www. dunstanbaby.com. Enter code: USDRP to receive 10% off

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TWIST is made

with pure juices, fruit essences and agave nectar, twist organic waters are great alternatives to high calorie sodas, sugary juices and flavorless water and make fun lunchtime drinks! The natural sugar content and pure fruit juices add attractive flavors to the water, making it an easy way for children to get their required daily water intake. TWIST is USDA certified, low in calorie (less than 10 calories per serving!), non-carbonated, preservative-free, natural water that comes in six exquisite flavors: Lemon, Mandarin White Tea, Mango Acai, Peach, Pomegranate Blueberry, West Indies Lime. Purchase the products at your Local Krogers, Publics and Whole Food Stores. Retails $1.29-1.49 www.drinktwist.com Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ LEARNING & EDUCATION ]

Get Set for Kindergarten with Playful Learning by Jan Z. Olsen

reading, writing, and handwriting mastery along with student confidence.

f you think that kindergarten is just about unstructured playtime and napping, think again. Kindergarten is the new first grade, with more emphasis on academics than ever before. This means readiness is critical during the preschool years. Kindergarten readiness encompasses many skills. Most kindergarten programs, either formally or informally, expect entering students to be able to recognize letters, hold a pencil properly, and—in many cases—write their names. A child who masters pencil grip, develops drawing and coloring skills, and identifies letters is better prepared for the transition to kindergarten and the skills that foster 12

Because young children are naturally curious, active, and eager to try new things, the preschool years are the ideal time to lay the foundation for learning. However, preschoolers are not yet ready for formal teaching. They need exposure to the foundational skills of handwriting such as starting at the top, recognizing capitals and numbers, and building letters in sequence. The key is balancing the needs of the whole child: emotional, physical, and developmental. Here are some broad guidelines of what you may want to help your child achieve prior to kindergarten: Concept development Physical development

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Social and emotional development Number concepts Capital letter identification Play-based, multisensory learning (tactile, auditory, visual, acoustic, etc.) is a great way to tap into your child’s unique learning abilities. Writing on blackboards, building letters with Wood Pieces, and moving and singing to music are ideal for introducing rhyming, building, drawing, counting, and more. It’s up to you whether to teach from home or enroll your child in a preschool program. Readiness curricula such as the Get Set for School™ program provide components for use at home and in the classroom. Regardless, there’s a lot you can do at home to help your child get set for school: Read: Show your child the importance of communicating through words. Draw: Give your child small bits of chalk or crayon and allow them to create and explore. Children who draw tend to write better. Sing: Use song and music to introduce your child to the alphabet, counting,

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imitation, memorization, rhyming, and so much more. Move: Teach spatial words including under, over, top, middle, bottom. Use visual representations and encourage imitation. Live and Learn: Explain social concepts such as waiting in line, teach body parts, count objects in your environment, offer small bites of food to teach grasp and coordination. Ultimately, school success depends on developing good social habits, motor coordination and strength, handwriting proficiency, and other language skills. A hands-on, playful approach to learning—at home or in school—is the natural and easy way to develop pencil grip, focus, posture, and other skills necessary for good handwriting. In turn, good handwriting leads to proficiency in composition and creative writing, reading, and even math. That’s just the start. Good handwriting is the key to comfort and confidence in communication and successful lifelong learning. Jan Z. Olsen, OTR, is one of the creators of The Get Set for School™ readiness program and founder and creator of Handwriting Without Tears®. For more information, visit www.getsetforschool.com.

www.gwinnettparents.com

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[ KIDS SAFETY ]

A Check List for Child Safety

any accidents to children can be prevented if a few precautions are taken.

ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED – NOT HAPPENED : EACH year, hundreds of children are injured, some fatally. Often, this happens in or around the house, while the parents or caretakers are present. A few simple precautions can prevent many of these accidents.

Electrical - Electricity is dangerous. Children love to stick objects into exposed electrical outlets. Use dummy plugs to cover unused outlets — if these are not readily available, simply buy a new plug and insert into the outlet. Avoid leaving long lengths of power cords exposed — the child can pull these and cause an appliance to fall. Also make sure that all the power cords are in good condition, without being frayed. Avoid using too many extensions since these can overheat and cause a short circuit or a fire. If you are 14

having a new home or flat built, ask the electrical contractors to install an Earth Linked Circuit Breaker (ELCB). This is a device that will instantly shut off the supply to the home if it detects an earth leak, such as when someone accidentally gets an electric shock. You can also request that all the outlets and switches be installed at a height above the reach of the average toddler.

The kitchen - Many household accidents are caused here. Playing with Fire:Children love to play with fire — do not leave matches around where a child can get hold of them. Teach children about fire safety from an early age. Also, do not leave pots and pans on the gas or range unsupervised. Ensure that the handles of saucepans or other vessels are turned away — this will make it harder for a toddler to reach up and tip the contents over himself. Keep all knives, forks and other sharp objects out of reach. This includes items like mixer blades. Keep all kitchen and other household cleaners out of the reach of children, preferably under lock

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and key. This also applies to kerosene, if you use it.

The bathroom - Keep all cleaning agents, such as acids and detergents in a locked cabinet. Many of these compounds are highly corrosive and can do serious damage if ingested. Adjust the temperature control on your geyser so that it is not too hot — you should be able to hold your hand without discomfort in the hot water stream.

Food safety - Many foods can be dangerous for small children since they can aspirate the items, which will result in blockage of the breathing passages. The air passages of a child are relatively small and are easily blocked. In addition, children often talk or laugh with food in their mouth. It is difficult to enforce the following safety tips but medical professionals see many disasters that could have easily been avoided. Children under five years should not eat hard items like CRACKERS and hard candy.

Toys - Many toys can be dangerous. There are no enforceable guidelines in about toy design and safety issues IN DEVLOPING countries . You can take the following steps to ensure that toys do not hurt your child. Make sure that the toy is age appropriate — what is suitable for an older child may be unsafe for a younger child. Watch out for toys with sharp edges and small parts — children below three years can aspirate small parts and choke. Avoid toys that have paint that peels off. The paint can be ingested when a child puts it into his mouth. If a toy uses button cells, be very careful since toddlers can swallow them.

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Nuts are especially dangerous. Popcorn (which is light) can easily be aspirated into the lungs. Teach children not to put too much food into their mouths and also not to talk with food in the mouth.

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Baby walkers - Baby walkers can be extremely dangerous Babies do not have the ability to control the extra mobility provided by a walker and can run into furniture or other objects, or fall down stairs and get hurt.

The Surroundings - Go around the house regularly and ensure that there are no sharp edges exposed that can hurt a child. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Many tablets look like candy and toddlers love to eat them. Even medicines like iron tablets and vitamins are dangerous. Do not give leftover medicines prescribed on a previous occasion or for others to a child — it may be both inappropriate and dangerous. Do not allow children to play unsupervised on balconies. Do not allow children to play on the rooftop, even if supervised. Most parapet walls are not high enough to prevent a child from falling over. Be extremely careful around stairs — infants and toddlers can easily fall down and injure themselves. If you have open stairs in a house, consider having a carpenter make a temporary safety gate until the child is old enough to use the stairs without assistance. Do not place chains or other closed loop like objects around a child’s neck. These can get caught on objects and strangulate the child. Keep any burning objects well away from children — children sometimes try to look at the glowing tip and get burns on the face. Do not allow children to play with or handle plastic bags — these can suffocate a child if placed over the head.

Water safety - Children have no innate fear of water and must be carefully supervised. Even a bucket with only a few inches of water at the bottom can be a death trap for a toddler who could fall into it head first. Be extremely wary when small children are in or near swimming pools or other water bodies. Most incidents of drowning happen in the presence of the parents or other adults. It is impossible for one person to effectively supervise a group of children and one child can easily be missed in a large group.

Travel safety - Two wheelers: No one should ride a scooter or motorcycle

without wearing a helmet. Since paediatric helmets are not available, ideally no child should ride on a two-wheeler. Children are much more prone to head injuries than adults because the size of the head is larger relative to the body and therefore children fall headfirst. Even a very low speed accident can cause serious or fatal injury. More than two people should never ride a two-wheeler. Car Travel: Ideally, all occupants in a car should wear seat belts — even low speed accidents can cause serious injury to passengers not wearing seat belts. In addition, children should travel only in a properly designed child safety seat. Unfortunately, these are generally not available in most of the countries. In the absence of car seats, the following safety measures may be of some help. Do not allow children to travel in the front — if the car stops suddenly, the child will be thrown forward and can sustain serious head injuries by hitting the windshield or dashboard. Do not allow children to sit in an adult’s lap. In the event of an accident, both will be thrown forward and the adult’s weight will crush the child. Wear seat belts, even if you mainly drive within the city — children emulate adults and they too will learn to use seat belts if you set an example. However, do not fit an adult seat belt onto a child until he is old enough, otherwise serious damage can happen in the event of an accident. In general, a child can wear an adult seat belt when he is about 4.9 feet (145 cm) tall, or weighs more than 36 kg. Do not allow children to play with items like pencils, sticks, etc. since these can injure the child or another occupant in the event of the vehicle coming to a sudden stop. Similarly, do not keep large, unrestrained objects in the passenger compartment — these can be thrown out and injure occupants during a sudden stop.

LET SAFETY BECOME OUR WAY OF LIFE .

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[ TEEN TALK ]

Two Parts to Smart: Is Your Teen College-Ready?

ere’s some unsettling information: Just because your teen can remember math formulas or the timeline of World War II doesn’t mean they’re ready for college. In fact, brain experts will tell you that there are actually two parts to smart - knowledge and IQ - and you need both of them to get into the top colleges and universities. So what’s the difference? Knowledge is information gained from learning, studying and memorizing academic material, such as historical facts, grammar or mathematical equations. IQ is a measure of intelligence, including things like spatial reasoning, logical ability and relationships. Where once IQ was thought to be a stagnant number (e.g. you were both with your IQ), brain researchers now know that it can actually be increased by strengthening cognitive skills. Cognitive skills are the tools that enable 18

humans to do things like: o focus o think o prioritize o plan o understand o visualize o remember o create useful associations o solve problems “A teenager’s cognitive skill set is made up of several mental skills, including auditory and visual processing, short- and long-term memory, comprehension, logic and reasoning, and attention skills,” explains Dr. Ken Gibson, author of “Unlock the Einstein Inside; Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child.” “Unfortunately, many people believe that kids that have memorized a lot of academic information - such as facts, figures and formulas - will automatically do well in college because the did well on their final exams. The truth is, learning isn’t about how much you know, but how effectively you process or handle the information you receive. Cognitive skills

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are the mental mechanisms that process incoming information. By strengthening cognitive skills, you’ll create a stronger learner, which is what’s needed to succeed in college and beyond.” In fact, IQ scores are sometimes used as predictors of educational achievement. The Princeton Review published a 2003 study about cognitive skills rankings calculated using an SAT to IQ Estimator. College freshmen who scored in the top 19 percent in terms of cognitive skills among their peers were accepted into state colleges. Those in the top 9 percent for cognitive skills were accepted into private colleges. But only those ranking in the top 0.2 percent were accepted into Ivy League universities. Cognitive skills also play a leading role in financial success after college. College graduates who ranked in the bottom 24percent for cognitive skills were only earning $11,000 to $28,000 a year by age 30. Those in the bottom 25 to 74 percent were earning $44,600 average by age 30. By age 30, those with cognitive skills in the top 75 to 95 percent of their peers were earning $59,900 on average. And the top 5 percent were earning $82,900 a year by age 30. “This study really demonstrates the importance of strong mental skills not only for getting into college, but in terms of financial success after college,” says Tanya Mitchell, Director of Training for LearningRx, a national brain training franchise. “I think it’s common for parents to believe that if their teen is getting A’s and B’s in high school, that’s probably what they’ll get in college. The truth is that college is much more difficult and memorizing material from books just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Teens need strong cognitive skills like logic and reasoning, faster processing speed, problem solving skills and prioritizing in order to not only keep up in college, but to excel.” Although Mitchell says that some college prep courses can be helpful, she points www.gwinnettparents.com

out that they’re not about strengthening cognitive skills. “Most of them are focused on academic materials and study habits, not strengthening learning skills. The only way to really strengthen cognitive skills to prepare a teen for college is through intense 1-on-1 training with a cognitive skills expert.” Mitchell, who also trains new LearningRx franchisees across the country, remembers one particular success story from a student who went through cognitive skills training therapy. “She was a straight A student but really struggled on her ACT - only scoring in the 41st percentile, which meant that she couldn’t attend the college she wanted to. She went through the brain-training program for three months and retook her ACT. Her new score put her at the 86th percentile.” The results? Not only was she able to attend the college she wanted, but she also got a scholarship. “Good brain trainers can work with teens to literally raise their IQ scores and develop stronger learning skills to better succeed in college,” says Mitchell. “There’s no focus on specific academics, it’s about increasing the brain’s connections to think, process and learn faster - not memorize more material.” Curious about your teen’s cognitive skills? Have him/her take a free online mental skills test at www.learningrx.com. Wendy Burt-Thomas is the author of two books for McGraw-Hill and more than 1,000 published pieces. www.WendyBurt-Thomas. com Sources: 1. “Unlock the Einstein Inside; Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child” by Dr. Ken Gibson 2. “Where Will Your SAT or ACT Scores Take You?” www.princetonreview.com 3. “The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life” The Free Press 1994 (Salary estimates adjusted to 2005 dollars)

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ COLLEGE BOUND ]

eading to college for some is just like on another journey to complete a milestone. When everything gets a tiny bit tougher and tuition rates are now sky-rocketing high, there is no way you are going to hire an after school tutor to guide you around after your college curriculum. However, you can definitely try to do everything yourself and find your own success tips and use them throughout your entire college years. You are after all responsible for your own education.

College Success Tips - Use College Success Tips to Score Well

So when the going gets tough, what do you do to help you excel in college? Check out these college success tips that you can use to make your stay in college a successful and eventful one. #1 Paying attention pays off big time Attention â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is what college students lack all of the time. Some just doze off, some just chatter away while some prefer to think about what is for lunch while the lecturer is trailing away with the new math concept. Youngsters are said to have very short attention span, according to scientific research made. But this does not mean that you are sparred from all the scolding when you are not paying enough attention. Paying attention is not at all that hard to do. 20

Most college student keeps a dandy notebook with them all the time so that they are able to scribble down any new notes or important concepts and at the same time, this keeps them awake and hence no more snoozing off! The other technique that the older college students would use is to carry a tape recorder with them at all times. All lectures are recorded so that they are able to refer to them easily when they are at home revising, in the Tube or preparing breakfast! #2 Stay organized Successful students are the ones that are able to keep their schedule tidy at all times. Get an organizer or a diary and scribble down the important group meetings or projects that should be com-

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pleted by the end of this week. Nothing can beat the ever-classical pen on paper technique. There are also digital diaries out for sale but then again, you would not want to put yourself in the situation of having your digital diary stolen or reformatted. So, it is still paper and pen, at their best. With a diary at hand, you will be able to juggle your college curriculum with your after school activities, and hence have better time management. #3 Staying constant In college, last minute works usually does not count. By hogging on your computer the night before your deadline, you are actually endangering yourself and your grades. Make it a habit to complete all assignments bit by bit instead on compiling them into a humungous pile. Staying constant also applies to your ability to keep up to date with daily assignments and projects. The ability to keep up with your revisions will also help you a bundle. These success tips also go hand in hand with truckloads of discipline. No success is going to fall onto your lap upon calling. Put some effort and some action, and you can be assured to reap the huge success at the end of your college years. www.gwinnettparents.com

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[ HEALTHY MOM ]

Help for Sleepless Moms

oms don’t sleep. Not during pregnancy. Not after the kids are born. Not after they’re in school. And especially not after they start driving. In fact, a totally unscientific poll of mothers recently revealed that no mom sleeps until her kids are grown and out of the house. Part of the reason is that we’re good parents. We try to give our kids a clean home, clean clothes, and a modicum of attention. In the hour before bedtime, 60 percent of us are still doing household chores, reveals a poll by the National Sleep 22

Foundation, while 37 percent of us are doing things with our kids. A second reason that we’re not sleeping is that sometimes our kids are too wired to settle into sleep right away or perhaps it’s because they just haven’t learned how to get to sleep independently. A third is that every once in a while, all kids have sleeping problems at night—nightmares, illness, wet beds, just to name a few. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, 47 percent of us have to handle those challenges alone. Whether it’s because of divorce, disinterest, or poor parenting, there’s no

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one else there but us to get up in the don’t have to be the best housekeeper. middle of the You need balnight to cuddle ance—and A whopping 20 percent of teens report a miserable, part of that they fall asleep in school, and studies have balance is in frightened child. But knowing that found that teens who do not get enough we’re not the pizza with sleep are at an increased risk for depresonly ones veggies or sion, rage, use of stimulants and alcohol, who are loshot dogs with ing sleep. So baked beans low grades, and automobile accidents. are our kids. is fine.” Studies show that 40 percent of children report they 2. HAVE YOUNGER CHILDREN don’t get enough sleep. And at least SLEEP INDEPENDENTLY. Sleeping one survey reveals that 20 percent of with younger kids or lying down with teens fall asleep in school on a regular them as they fall asleep is fine, says basis.24 percent of married women Dr. Mindell. But the problem is, if you have given up sex—whether it’s belie down with your 3-year-old at bedcause we’re so exhausted we prefer time, when she wakes up in the middle sleep or because we’re so irritated at of the night, she’s going to need you to our partner is anybody’s guess. lie down with her again before she can fall back asleep. So if you want to keep 8 Sleep Secrets for Mothers your own sleep from being disrupted, you need to help her understand that Here’s how to get the housework done, she can get back to sleep on her own. give your children the attention they There are many ways to help a child need, and help your kids get the sleep sleep independently, adds Dr. Mindell. they need—so you can, too. One is the sleeping-bag trick. If your child wants to sleep with you, just put a 1. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. sleeping bag on the floor and tell your “I think a lot of us are type-A workchild that that’s where he or she can ing moms,” says Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., stay. Then, night after night, gradually associate director of the Sleep Center move the sleeping bag away from your at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelbed toward the bedroom door, and phia and author of Sleep Deprived then eventually down the hall to his or No More: From Pregnancy to Early her own room. It can take a while, but Motherhood. “We put a lot of pressooner or later the child will gain the sure on ourselves. We think we need confidence to sleep independently. In to be the perfect mom and never lose the end everybody sleeps—and you patience with our kids. We think we may even regain your sex life. need to make sure the house always looks good and that we need to serve 3. GET TODDLERS AND PREgourmet meals when people would SCHOOLERS TO BED BY 7:30 P.M. be just as happy with spaghetti and That gives them 30 minutes to fall meatballs.” But you don’t have to be asleep and a good 11 hours of sleep the perfect parent, says Dr. Mindell. time. That, along with a nap or two, is “Lower your expectations. You don’t all they need. And if you stick to that have to be the perfect gourmet cook schedule, it will give you a few moor have every holiday decoration. You ments to unwind before bed yourself. www.gwinnettparents.com

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

4. GET PRETEENS TO BED BY 8:30 P.M. That gives them 30 minutes to fall asleep and 10 hours to sleep by the time they have to get up at 7:00 A.M. If they need to get up earlier, they should go to bed earlier as well.

home, keep blinds and drapes open to allow as much sun into the home as possible, and don’t let your kids wear sunglasses to school. All this light will help reset their biological clock and help them fall asleep at an earlier hour.

5. GET TEENS TO BED BY 9:00 P.M. Or so. Yeah, it’s a challenge. And they’re not just being difficult when they say, “But, Mom, I’m not sleepy!” Starting at puberty, the body’s biological clock shifts by about two hours. So although your 13-year-old may be able to go to bed at 9:00 P.M. and fall asleep, your 15-year-old probably can’t fall asleep until 11:00 P.M. Unfortunately, this—what scientists call delayed sleep phase—is why most teens seem sleepy all the time. And combined with the fact that the switch from middle school to high school during those years usually means they have to get to school even earlier than ever clearly spells out a recipe for trouble, says Dr. Mindell. A whopping 20 percent of teens report they fall asleep in school, and studies have found that teens who do not get enough sleep are at an increased risk for depression, rage, use of stimulants and alcohol, low grades, and automobile accidents. A study in North Carolina found, for example, that sleepy drivers under the age of 25 were responsible for more than 25 percent of all fall-asleep crashes in that state. Some enlightened schools are beginning to talk about starting the school day later so teens have a better chance of getting adequate sleep. Another way to handle the issue, says Dr. Mindell, is to use light therapy. Light enters the eyes, shoots down the optic nerve to the brain, tinkers with brain chemicals, and resets the body’s biological clock. To get that process started, simply expose your teen to as much sunlight as possible. Have them eat breakfast in a sunny part of the

6. ESTABLISH BEDTIME ROUTINES. Kids should always do three or four calming activities before bed, says Dr. Mindell, and they should be exactly the same activities every night. Bath, reading, prayer—whatever you choose, its daily repetition literally cues your child’s body that it’s time to sleep. One note: A National Sleep Foundation poll indicates that reading as a part of the bedtime routine is associated with kids falling asleep faster and sleeping better. And don’t forget your teen, adds Dr. Mindell. A routine is just as important for a 15-year-old as it is for a toddler. 7. GET THE KIDS TO HELP WITH HOUSEWORK. Start when they’re eight or nine. Do the dishes together, fold laundry together or count socks. Hand them a dust mop or broom. It frees you so that you can unwind in the hour before bed and thus sleep better. Tell your kids exactly that. It will send them the clear message that sleep is important. 8. GET TO BED BY 11:00 P.M. Let the dust bunnies go. Forget any laundry left on the floor. Start to practice your own bedtime routine at 10:00 P.M. and slip between the sheets at 11:00 P.M. You may feel so good the next morning that you’ll work with the kids to get yourself into bed even earlier. Maybe your bed partner will even lend a hand. And who knows? Maybe you’ll have the energy to make love to him in the morning.

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[ MEET THE DOCTOR ]

native son of Georgia, Dr. William Beck has practiced family dentistry in Gwinnett County since 1983. Dr Beck specializes in Family and Cosmetic Dentistry where the “family” truly comes first. Dr. William Beck was born in Louisville, GA and spent part of his childhood in rural Wrens where he discovered his passions for science and music. He moved to Augusta in third grade, and there completed his studies through graduate school, earning a BS in Biology from Augusta State University and a DMD from Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. With a promising career before him, Dr. Beck chose to live in Gwinnett County because of the area’s growth and proximity to Atlanta and Athens. Gwinnett proved to be not only a home base, but a career base as well. Dr. Beck opened his practice 25 years ago with the goal to provide “gentle and thorough dentistry in a small, gentle environment.” With the principle of caring not only for patients’ teeth, but also for the patients themselves, Dr. Beck has built a strong client base. www.gwinnettparents.com

He and his staff perform mostly routine procedures including exams, cleanings fillings and teeth whitening. With his level of care and professionalism he strives to put children and their parents at ease. When this busy doctor is not improving the health of Gwinnett families, he takes advantage of his location to enjoy one of his favorite

His longevity has provided Dr. Beck with valuable insight into making home and career exist in harmony. When asked how best to balance family and business, his advice is this, “Make time for both. Don’t take home your work in a negative way; spend as much time with your children while they’re growing up as is possible…Your

Meet The Doctor

pastimes – attendWilliam Beck, DMD ing UGA football Family and Cosmetic Dentistry games. In addition 6555 Sugarloaf Parkway, Ste. 308 to cheering on the Duluth, GA 30097 Georgia Bulldogs, T. 678-474-0777 Dr. Beck enjoys playing tennis, liswww.DrWilliamBeck.com tening to a variety of music, and spending children are the closest quality time with his family. lifelong friends you will He has been married to ever have.” Dr. Beck’s sucLinda Beck for 27 years. cessful career and strong They have three grown family ties are a testament children – Kristina, Richthat the doctor has folard, and Nicole, and three lowed his own worthwhile grandchildren – Jared, 14, advice. Ansley, 11 and Devin, 9. Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ BACK TO SCHOOL ] “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford

hat is your vision for the school year? Is academic achievement at the top of the list or will this be the year your child breaks out of his social shell? Will your family grow closer or more distant as they face the challenges of another school year? Who will guide your child’s development? A vision defines a direction toward a goal. Realizing a vision requires support from a motivated group of individuals; a team of people, who ban together through adversity, inspire motivation and acknowledge achievement. Who’s on your team? According to the United States Census Bureau today’s generation of schoolage children spend the majority of their waking hours in the care of someone other than their parents. Given the influence that teachers, coaches, mentors and extended family members have on a child’s development the necessity for building a relationship with this group of people has never been greater. Creating a team of focused and motivated individuals who will continually support the ongoing growth of your child requires a new set of parenting skills. 5 Steps to Building Your Support Team Create a roster. Who will impact your child’s life this year? Begin by creating a list of the adults who will connect with your child during the first month of school. Teachers, school adminis-

trators, coaches, mentors and extended family members are common additions to most team rosters. Position the players. With a completed roster in place, identify when and where your child will see these critical people. Teachers and school personnel typically fall within a specified seven hour time block on a regular Monday through Friday schedule. However the afterschool hours are equally important. Identifying who will supervise your child beyond the conclusion of the school day creates an accurate picture of your child’s life and the role that each adult will play this year. Connect. The beginning of a school year marks the start to many new and inspiring relationships. During the first few weeks of school take two minutes to communicate with each person on your roster. Send a written note, email message or share a quick conversation in person. The message to convey is short yet sincere, “Hi, I just wanted you to know how excited I am to have you in my child’s life this year.” This quick introduction sends a powerful message to everyone on your team about the importance of their role on your child’s life. Check-in. Don’t wait until a problem arises to initiate a conversation. Every 2-3 weeks check-in with each of the people on your roster. Start the conversation with, “How are you?” and then let the discussion flow from there. Beginning with an open-ended question allows the conversation about

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Envisioning the the School School Year Year -- How How aa Team Team Envisioning Approach Can Can Make Make the the Difference Difference Approach your child to evolve naturally. Leading questions like, “How was her behavior today?” or “Were there any problems?” bring immediate focus to a potentially negative set of comments that result in creating greater distance between parents and key adults in their child’s life. The opportunity to share positive comments or questions is lost amidst the negativity. Celebrate. Reaching milestones and achieving goals is cause for celebration. Placing a quick call to your child’s teacher after the conclusion of a long term project or class play shows acknowledgement and appreciation—two characteristics of supportive teams. The more often team members celebrate together the stronger the relationship grows. As a teacher and a mom, Dee Moran knows the importance of celebrating achievement. “Our six-year-old likes being recognized for his achievements. The simplest words of praise and acknowledgment www.gwinnettparents.com

leave him proud for days. Julie, our thirteen-year-old typically opts for a more subtle approach to celebration, preferring to spend a night out with friends at the movies after bringing a successful semester to a close. Celebrating achievements both small and large keeps everyone moving forward.” – Dee Moran Bringing the valued members of your team together both, at home and in the community, allows your vision to become a reality. Celebrating the fulfillment of a vision inspires motivation for continued success. Enjoy the year ahead with your family. Joe Bruzzese, MA, is a leading parent coach for the middle school years, author of A Parent’s Guide to the Middle School Years and co-founder of Thinking-Forward. com, the online resource for families during the middle school years. Visit the web site at www.thinking-forward.com for practical strategies and back to school resources. Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ FITNESS & EXERCISE ]

Haven’t Started Yet? Start Small in Your Exercise Efforts

e all know that exercising is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Yet... do we do it? What if you could give yourself permission to start small in your exercising efforts... and still feel good about yourself? Exercise is essentially movement using various muscle groups. By this definition, almost any sort of activity can be considered exercise. The more your muscles and body work to keep going, the stronger they become.

-Take an extra flight of stairs instead of the elevator. -Instead of priding yourself in finding the closest parking spot, cheer yourself when you park a little further away and walk to your destination.

There are many benefits to exercising, such as increased energy, weight loss, and even reducing the risk diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.

-Walk in place or do some stretching in front of the TV during commercials.

Before you begin any new exercise regimen, it is very important that you consult your doctor, start out slowly and increase your regimen in simple steps.

-Reduce emails and phone calls and take a walk to speak with a co-worker.

Start Exercising Slowly Leading a healthy lifestyle means eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. What do you do if exercise is that one thing that you can’t bring yourself to follow through with on a regular basis? We lead busy lives and can always find a reason or two not to exercise. What if you allow yourself to start slowly? Think about 30

these easy steps:

-Every hour or two, stop work and do some stretching.

-Walk around the block after lunch - this simple act will make a difference in your level of energy throughout the afternoon. -Turn cleaning the house into an exercise experience. -...and create your own list of ‘muscle movements’ throughout the day...just keep it simple. Different Types of Exercising

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If you are ready to start a formal fitness program in your life, find an activity that you enjoy doing. Don’t choose an exercise program because everyone else in doing it. If you hate lifting weights or walking on the treadmill, find something that you love to do that gets you up and moving. You’ll be far more successful if you like the activity. There are different types of exercise including running, biking, aerobic classes, yoga, and walking. The best strategy for incorporating beneficial exercise into your lifestyle is to do a variety of exercises. For instance, a good exercise regimen will include both cardio (biking, swimming, running) with weight training. How about Pilates? This form of exercising is low impact and gentle on

the body. Pilates often focuses on the “core” muscles that are around your midsection. Pilates aims to tone and strengthen the body’s muscles. Another option to get you moving is to join a sports team. There are many types of sports that you can choose to play depending on your interests: basketball, soccer, volleyball, bowling, or baseball. Group exercises are another choice that you can make when it comes to getting in your weekly quota of physical fitness. Some popular choices of group exercises include belly dancing, kickboxing, hip-hop dance, and all levels of step classes. When you exercise with a group of people you’re often more motivated to keep going since being part of a group with the similar goal of getting in shape is a powerful

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incentive. There are specific Chinese forms of exercise that you may want to explore: -T’ai Chi. This form of Chinese exercise uses movement to achieve peace and harmony in your mind and body. Yoga. Yoga uses certain body postures to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and relieve the physical symptoms of ill health. -Martial arts. Use a variety of marital arts, such as Kung Fu, to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. -Qi Gong. This form of Chinese activity combines breathing exercises and mental exercises to prevent as well as treat health problems and disease.

One mistake that many people make when they’re deciding to get into shape is to tackle the entire concept of “fitness” at one time. Incorporating fitness into your life takes time and won’t happen overnight. Your body, mind, and spirit need time to adjust to the many changes that will be happening as you start to add exercise to your daily routine. This is why fitness in small steps is so important and will ensure that you’re less likely to quit when you become overwhelmed with the changes in your life. Exercise is essential if you’re going to lead and maintain a healthy life. Select your favorite form of exercise and stick with it so you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy body and mind.

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[ TASTE BUDS ]

I Scream, You Scream ... We All Scream for

Cherry Ice Cream!

mericans love ice cream. In fact, we each eat an average of 25 pints of ice cream annually. That makes each of us a Californian at heart, because California is the country’s largest producer of ice cream. So bring a little California cool to your next summertime event with ice cream, the fun, effortless, crowd-pleasing dessert that is perfect for any party, cookout or family night. Dazzle friends and family by reinventing the classic flavor combination of creamy, luscious ice cream and sweet cherries. More than just a garnish, sweet red cherries — available canned or as beautiful bottled maraschinos — add vibrant, freshpicked flavor and vivid color to any ice cream treat. 34

Very Cherry Berry Ice Cream Parfait In a parfait glass, layer maraschino cherries, vanilla or Sweet Cherry Pie ice cream, fresh blueberries and canned Bing cherries in heavy syrup. End with a scoop of ice cream; top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

Seaside Sundae Line a star-shaped mold with plastic wrap; fill with Chocolate, Sweet Cherry Pie or Fudge Ripple ice cream. Freeze until firm. Sprinkle a plate with graham cracker crumbs, unmold ice cream star and arrange on the plate. Garnish with seashell-shaped chocolates, gummy sharks and/or Swedish fish and caramel sauce.

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Sweet Cherry Pie Ice Cream Churn rich, homemade vanilla ice cream with chopped maraschino cherries and crumbled cinnamon graham crackers mixed in (recipe below), or fold chopped maraschino cherries and crumbled graham crackers into softened premium vanilla ice cream; freeze. Yield: 1 quart 3 cups heavy cream 1 cup milk 5 egg yolks 1/2 cup sugar Salt 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1 16-ounce jar chopped maraschino cherries, drained 1 1/2 cups cinnamon graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces Heat cream and milk to just below the boil. Whisk egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar and a pinch of salt until just blended. Strain hot cream onto egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to saucepan and cook slowly, stirring constantly, until it coats the spoon. Strain, add almond extract and cherries. Cool completely; freeze in ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s directions. Fold in graham crackers. Freeze until firm.

Wow guests with these ice cream dessert tips! Personalized Ice Cream Flavor Combinations — Express your inner chef by combining your favorite ice cream with surprising ingredients to make a flavor that is all your own, such as Sweet Cherry Pie ice cream (featured in recipe). Hold an Ice Cream “Churn Off” — Challenge your friends to bring their own ice cream flavor combinations and hold a taste test for dessert. It is sure to be an unforgettable event. Spoon Required Ice Cream Sandwich — For a quick treat, roll a scoop of ice cream in crushed cookies. Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, grab a spoon and enjoy a unique ice cream treat. Jazz Up an Ordinary Scoop — Line funshaped molds with plastic wrap; fill with your favorite ice cream and freeze until firm. See the Seaside Sundae recipe for plated sundae ideas.

For more easy summer entertaining recipe ideas visit www.realcaliforniamilk.com and www.nationalcherries.com.

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Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ HEALTH & WELLNESS ]

ne myth about weight loss is that the ingredients of our diet are in some specialty store or available through a mail-order catalog or online. The reality is quite different. We don’t need to go out of our way, because the neighborhood grocery store and the farmer’s market carry most of what we need for a healthy diet. The secret is to understand the nature of the food we consume so we can make health-wise decisions when shopping for groceries or selecting an item from the restaurant menu. Weight-loss diets come by the thousands, many of them claiming to have either the magic bullet or the ultimate recipe that’ll bring down your body weight in record time. These diets come, yes, but also fade away because there’s much more to losing weight than just setting a pound-shedding record. Beverly Hills Weight Loss and Wellness provides clients with the tools needed to not only reach your weight loss objectives but also ensure the weight stays off. Their approach utilizes grocery store based foods and does not incorporate pre-packaged meals or medications. Each client will be placed on a specific diet based on a balanced meal plan and adequate caloric intake. Clients will also utilize vitamins and protein supplements to enhance their weight loss efforts. Their programs key objective is modifying behaviors in order to achieve long lasting lifestyle changes. The counselors at Beverly Hills Weight Loss and Wellness are trained to delve into the participants’ motivations so their diets can be adjusted to their individual goals.

How Far Out of Your Wa Proucts You Need to Los Written by Roberto Ball Beverly Hills Weight Loss and Wellness has designed programs to fit the clients’ specific needs. These programs are based on simple common sense premises and are in full compliance with FDA requirements. This is not just

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ayÂ are the se Weight? a statement. People interested in losing weight are offered a no-commitment consultation so they can meet the professional staff and check out the programs available. There are programs designed for children, teenagers, and adults. The particular health condition of each www.gwinnettparents.com

participant is taken into account and its dietary effects monitored throughout. Special diets for diabetics are available; they are geared to helping clients reduce their medications and eventually eliminate them. Beverly Hills Weight Loss and Wellness Center opened its doors SepGwinnett Community Parents Magazine

Lavinia & Jorge Zapata are hands on with their clients; as counselors, they play very important roles to seeing that their client’s needs are met. They invite everyone to come and learn more about their center and the programs they have to offer with their no-commitment consultation. Beverly Hills Weight Loss and Wellness is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 7 pm (Saturdays by appointment only).

tember 2007. This family owned and operated business has already received numerous letters of gratitude. Owners,

Even closer than your neighborhood grocery store is the Beverly Hills Weight Loss and Wellness website. Check it out at www.beverlyhillsga.com.

Dr. William Beck, DMD Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Gentle Dental Care for a Dazzling Smile gentle preventive, restorative, & cosmetic dentistry • Cleanings • Cosmetic crowns • Teeth whitening • Extractions • Veneers • Dentures / partials New Patients and Emergencies Welcome! Call Today For An Appointment Most Insurance Accepted Financing Available Major Credit Cards Accepted

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Early Mornings, (inside Kroger Plaza across from the Gwinnett Arena) Evenings & Friday Appointments Available

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[ SPORTS & RECREATION ]

Choosing the Best Martial Arts Style

or anyone who wants to learn a martial art, there is a lot to know in regards to the many different styles. Of course there is the question of finding the best martial art, which is a question a lot of people ask with so many martial arts styles to choose from, it can be very complicated to pick one to learn. No matter what you may hear or what others have to say, it is quite impossible to name one style of martial arts as the ultimate best. Actually, there are several factors that come into play,Even though one style may beat another in a competition or a fight it doesn’t always mean that the winning style is the best. Before deciding to rush out there and learn a martial art, there are several things that you should decide first. Martial arts are great to learn, no matter which style you decide on. A martial art can teach you self discipline, self defence, and several other traits that will help you no matter where you decide to go in life. 40

Self defence All over the world, there are several martial arts schools and dojo’s that emphasize self defence a lot more than others. Schools that focus on kata, forms, or light sparring are less than likely to teach you what you need to protect yourself on the street. If you are looking for street self defence, then you’ll want a style that trains hard and doesn’t let up. Fitness Even though martial arts can improve your fitness level, it isn’t the goal behind a lot of the martial arts styles. Several styles, such as Tae Bo, are based purely on martial arts and don’t include a lot of physical fitness training. If you are looking for fitness as your main goal, then you should be looking into something other than martial arts. Fighting ability This will vary among the many different martial arts styles. Self defence schools will most often take advantage of fighting skills, teaching you everything you need to survive. Most martial arts styles are slow in theory,

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teaching you kata, movements, and forms. Self defence schools on the other hand, teach you how to inflict the most amounts of damage in the least amount of time.

with you to help you learn as much as you can.

Competition Competition based martial arts are all about winning trophies and showing the world your style of martial arts. The competition that you have chosen, will greatly impact your style of martial arts. You’ll need to decide if you will be fighting or showcasing display kata, light or heavy contact, or focusing on grappling or striking.

Martial arts can be a very fun and exciting learning experience. There are hundreds of different martial arts styles out there, although you may be limited in choice, depending on what all is offered in your area. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu and some of the most common types of martial arts, and normally offered just about everywhere. The more distinct styles, such as Kung Fu, Shoot fighting, Kenpo, and Shaolin styles are a bit harder to find.

Before you decide on a martial arts style, you should always research the schools and dojo’s in your area and see what they offer. The best schools will allow you to participate in a few free classes, or offer you discounts on your first few months. They will answer any questions that you have, and work

If you do your homework on some of the styles that are offered in your area, you’ll find one that best fits your reasons to study. Martial arts can change your outlook on life - all you have to do is devote yourself to learning all you can about the philosophy of your martial art.

www.gwinnettparents.com

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ FASHION TRENDS ]

Giving Back

By Popular Demand

by: William McCall

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hat happens when a bright, enterprising young women sees opportunity? She wastes no time in creating a successful business! Thats’ what happened in 2002 when Melissa Baxter became the new owner of local consignment boutique Back By Popular Demand. It first opened in 1980, but now the once 2,200 square feet store boasts more than 7,500 square feet. Melissa’s

Back by Popular Demand keeps the standards high. All clothing must be mall brand or designer label; and freshly laundered and brought in on hangers with no spots, stains, or tears. Amazingly, over forty percent of their items consigned are new with tags still attached. “Women like to shop way too much,” Melissa said. “Back By Popular Demand allows them to get cash back for their excess items and provides our customers with an opportunity to buy quality items at a reasonable price.” In addition to women’s clothing and accessories, they accepts juniors, children,

attributes this amazing growth, at least in part, to understanding the shoppers mind. Whether their budget is small or large, customers are sure to find something in their price range. The store is well organized, so finding a great deal is easy and convenient. When it comes to consigning clothes, www.gwinnettparents.com

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ FASHION TRENDS - con’t ] and maternity clothing as well. A prefect compliment to her boutique, Melissa also owns a furniture and home decor store located on the same property. She believe success in business is usually a combination of business sense and customer service. “After all, we are selling to people and working with people,” Melissa said. She also believes that God has played a huge role in the success of Back By Popular Demand. “God has blessed me with an awesome and reliable staff and I cannot do without them. They are my better half.” Back By Popular Demand has earned a good reputation in the community it serves. Since the stores opening in 1980 there have been more than 11,000 consignors. The many repeat consignors and shoppers indicate a high level of satisfaction. And while the economy may be slowing down, Melissa’s business is

still thriving. Typically, the staff put out at least 500 new items daily. “If you miss a day, you miss a lot,” Melissa said. Many people are going green and see the benefit of recycling reusable items. In addition, Back By Popular Demand works very closely within the community by adopting local families throughout the year and providing them with assistance. For example, twice a year they host a dollar sale in which all the proceeds go to hand picked charities. Melissa loves the fact that her job allows her to give back to the community. She suggests that anyone interested in working in consignment should get plugged in immediately and join NARTS (National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops). For more information, call (770) 923-2968 or visit the boutique conveniently located at 4915 Hwy 29 in Lilburn. You can go to: www.backbypopulardemand.biz for special offers and prices.

You give them the very best. You’re a Hero! All the hard work will pay off big when they’re grown. For this, you deserve the finest care. Anazao means to “live “li again” and that's just what you need. We are a full service salon with expertly trained staff just waiting to serve you. Treat yourself to the gift of beauty. beau Snellville

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AWESOME DEAL IN DAWSONVILLE!!! “THE BEACH” 4BR/3BA LAKE HOME

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Dawsonville, Lake Lanier, Northeast Mountains, Georgia, USA (Lake Lanier, 50 Minutes from Downtown)

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Home - 4 Bedrooms - 3 Baths (Sleeps 13) Come and enjoy this home conveniently located on Lake Lanier. This spacious home features four bedrooms and three full baths, a deep-water private dock with boat Spectacular View On lift and party deck up top. Located only four Secluded Cove - Lake Lanier, miles from Georgia 400, restaurants, and retail shops, including the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall. This home also offers a family room full of activities to please all ages, 52” Widescreen Entertainment System, Private Hot Tub, wonderful stone fireplace, wet bar, foosball table, dart board, games, and puzzles galore, also enjoy the swings overlooking the lake. You can just sit back and relax on our fully covered porch and enjoy spectacular sunset views of the lake. Public access boat ramp less than five miles away. Easy access to Dahlonega, Cumming, Gainesville, and Helen where there are additional activities for your pleasure; shopping, antiques, lots of waterfalls, museums, BabyLand General, The Holley Theatre, not to mention good eats. So Much to Offer: Four Bedrooms and Three Full Baths with Views of the Lake from every room.

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678-898-4075 Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ BEAUTY & PAMPERING ]

Orange Skye Body & Beauty Bar 46

Gwinnettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not-so-typical Spa

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

www.gwinnettparents.com by: Roberto

Ball

he opening of a spa could have been one of those typical news items we see every day. However, after talking to Jeff Lester we came to quite a different conclusion. Jeff is not an ordinary individual and the Orange Skye Body and Beauty Bar, located in Suwanee is not your typical spa either. Don’t think of the traditional yet intimidating European-type spa; picture instead a very special ambiance where health and relaxation naturally meet. And something more extraordinary yet: Jeff is in step with Gwinnett’s most treasured family values. But don’t take our word for it. Read on.

life. Describe your surroundings once you enter your spa...As you enter Orange Skye Body and Beauty Bar, you will feel as if you’ve entered the beautiful and elegant living area of an inviting home. You can relax and enjoy the stone fireplace on our plush sofa or our cozy oversize chairs nestled beside a peaceful water fountain. We have built-in bookcases displaying our exclusive line of skincare and body products as well as jewelry and artwork crafted by local artisans. You’ll start to relax as soon as you step foot in our spa.

When did you first decide to get into the spa industry? After being a part of the incredible metro Atlanta real estate industry for over twelve years and in the process of getting married, I wanted a change in pace - something a bit more relaxing without the need to take work home every night. The spa industry was a perfect fit, because of its products and service offerings and more regular hours. After much investigation, research and discussion with my wife, I decided in July 2007 to move forward and begin the process of opening Orange Skye.

services. The knowledge and experience of our staff make every service and treatment we offer stand out in the industry. We have several types of massages that range from 30 minutes to 2 hours long including: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone, Reflexology as well as Couple’s massages. Our estheticians can help slow the effects of aging with several treatments from several types of facials and peels to microdermabrasion and microcurrent which is like a non-surgical face lift. We also offer other traditional services that include waxing, manicures & pedicures, mineral make-up, sugar and salt scrubs, body wraps (the chocolate body wrap is a must try) as well as airbrush tanning. We even offer some not-so-typi-

What made you decide this industry? Working in a peaceful and tranquil environment in addition to being able to help others relieve stress and tension of everyday www.gwinnettparents.com

What are the services that make you stand out in the industry and why are they special? We offer a broad range of spa

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

cal services such as ear candling, threading, an infrared sauna and a detoxifying foot spa treatment. What separates our services and treatments from others in the industry is our dedication to providing each client the best customer service and tailoring each service to fit each individual client. These services and treatments are available ala carte, or we offer several spa packages that include multiple services and treatments with a light lunch. We even cater to groups and special events such as birthday’s, wedding’s, anniversaries, or any other special occasion. Who is your greatest influence or inspiration in the industry or in life? I have so many people that have and continue to influence my life from my beautiful wife, parents and family on both sides to Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father above. What are the most innovative products and

why? These days, any treatment, service or product that helps slow or reduce the looks and feel of aging is becoming more and more popular. Along with our knowledge and compassion, we carry several innovative skin care products such as skin cleansers, collagen and moisturizers as well as innovative anti-aging treatments including microdermabrasion and microcurrent to help fight the harshness of today’s environment. What services are most in demand and why? The most demanded services are treatments and anything to help relieve the stresses and severity of everyday life including massages to help reduce the day-to-day stresses; body wraps to help you detoxify, lose weight and keep fit; facials because everything you eat and drink usually shows up in your facial skin sooner or later. What can a new customer expect from doing business with you? Apart from a pleasant and relaxing experience with any service or treatment they receive, every customer can always expect to be treated in a confidential, experienced and professional manner. In closing, what would you like our readers to know? If you’ve never tried spa treatments or services, you owe it to yourself to try them out. If you are a familiar spa user – come see the differences. In either case you’ll love Orange Skye Body and Beauty Bar. To schedule your appointment call 770-614-5578 or visit them online: www.orangeskye.com

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$500 off CustomVue LASIK Call by September 30

Call by September 30 for $500 off ($250 per eye) LASIK-laser vision correction. Ask about our free no-obligation consultation and 0% interest for up to 12 months. Experience: Donald Poland, MD and Kris Gillian, MD have been performing refractive surgery for many years. They collectively have performed more than 10,000 vision correction procedures. Referrals: With one of the highest established patient referral rates of any practice in Atlanta, come learn why the patients of Georgia Eye Associates say www.EyeLoveLASIK.com www.GeorgiaEyeAssociates.com

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[ MATERNITY & PREGNANCY ]

Controlling Migraine during Pregnancy Migraines almost disappear for some women during pregnancy and for some others, they may get worse or even happen for the first time. It is usual for the migraine to occur during the first trimester, and disappear during the second and third trimesters. But the consoling factor is that, despite the throbbing and severe pain for the mother, migraines do not pose a big direct threat to the fetus. So, an expectant mother has to take the help of a physician to confirm that the pain is from migraine and not because of any other cause. The treatment for migraine during pregnancy is to maximize the relief as well as minimize the potential for fetal harm. But, the most ideal approach can be to prevent migraines and if it persists, try for natural methods, followed by medications. If the triggers of migraine are identified, it would be easier to prevent migraines.

Migraine is a type of vascular headache caused by the blood vessels dilating and constricting in the head. When the blood vessels dilate, they cause severe pain and during pregnancy, the blood volume increases and hence the migraine headache attacks. The general symptoms of migraine during pregnancy are the same as for other migraines like, nausea, blurred vision or visual disturbances, severe throbbing pain on side of the head and so on.

Common dietary triggers for migraine are chocolate, cheese and coffee. Food preservatives, often found in processed meat can prompt migraines. Also, stress, loud noises, skipping meals, sleeping disturbances and bright lights can also trigger migraines. It is sane to first try natural methods to alleviate migraine headaches during pregnancy. Relaxation techniques such as gentle yoga, meditation, and deep breathing may be helpful. Other methods are taking rest in a darkened room, cold packs and sleep. It is also suggested that regular exercises involving light walking can

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also be helpful to relieve migraines during pregnancy. Massage, performed by a prenatal massage therapist is another natural technique of reducing migraine headache and a safe natural treatment is acupuncture. Generally, over-the-counter medications are not safe for pregnant women. Studies show that caffeine consumption in pregnant women must be limited to less than 300 mg per day. It is advisable for pregnant women to maintain a diary, which includes details as to when the headache happened, how long it lasted, what triggered it and so on. Such minute details may help in preventing further attacks of migraine headaches. Since triggers are different from one person to another it is important to maintain a diary. Preferably pregnant women should not take anything with aspirin unless prescribed by a health care provider. Pregnancy is the time when a woman experiences physical and emotional changes and gives an overwhelming and exciting time for the expectant mother. At such a situation, migraine headaches may become severe or more frequent, but there are always treatment options. Therefore, if extra care is taken to identify the migraine triggers and find the treatment that is effective, pregnancy can be an enjoyable experience. www.gwinnettparents.com

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T: (678) 789-9240/50 • F: (404) 941-9668

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ FATHERHOOD ]

Family Notebook For Dad to Write

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

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n today’s world of computer speeds, web surfing and instant everything’s, thoughts like “tradition”, “family”, and “morals” seem to be given over to times long gone by to the wayside. Our modern day world places much more value on DVD players, gossip, and food than on the foundation of our society: our values. Even worse, our Scandinavian heritage was intentionally lost so we might assimilate better into the American culture.

“Fifty years from now, it will not matter what my checking account was, the sort of car I drove to work, or the kind of clothes I wore... But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” -Unknown Author

I wanted to influence my child’s life in a positive way. I feel I need to give him a foundation to know the great value of his own roots as a human being, to understand his own worth and beginnings. The problem was, I wasn’t sure how to do that when I first found out I was going to be a father.

My wife and I discussed the idea of having a notebook for our son, and we both decided it would be a great project to do. We took the direction in that I would be the one to maintain the collection, so soon after, we went out and purchased a quality notebook for him from Barnes & Noble.

Then one day, my wonderful wife was talking to her high school friend, Nicki. Nicki told her of a unique idea she was doing for her three children, Kyle, Wendy, and Jenny. She had been keeping a notebook about their childhood, documenting the many things they did as they were growing up and discovering life. She said it was a craft she happily enjoyed all the time.

Right from the beginning, I found keeping tabs in his notebook to be a wonderful experience. I decided to keep my entries short and to the point. I wrote them like I was writing a memo or note to my son: one he would read many years from now.

She said it was all too fun to whip out the notebook and browse through some older pieces with her family. She told us stories about how people are often amazed at things quoted from just a few months ago. People have short memories for their words when it comes to amusing quotes where the context is often forgotten. It’s not unusual to hear her husband say, “Did I really say that, Nicki? Are you sure?” She says the children enjoy some of their father’s reactions to his off handed and soon forgotten remarks. www.gwinnettparents.com

The amazing part of it all is how much I can write in the notebook from taking a few minutes by myself in a very special place: the bathroom. Multitasking is a wonderful thing, if done correctly. The concept of using the bathroom for study was given to me by an old Navy Senior Chief many years ago. She told me her success was based on the fact that it was her daily study time that helped her advance so far in life. It’s amusing how I’ve taken that concept and transformed it into a means of making a family treasure, and I would love to see others take the opportunity too.

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ FAMILY LAW ]

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lenn Cooper is in the business of helping others. A family law attorney in the Atlanta area since 1991, Mr. Cooper’s law firm focuses on divorce cases, custody cases, child support matters, family violence, and criminal defense. His desire to impact lives has led him on a journey from being a social worker to an accomplished lawyer in Gwinnett County. He is equally successful and benevolent, and has lots of meaningful advice to share. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Mr. Cooper found his calling by working in social services prior to obtaining his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1987. He decided to practice in Gwinnett County because “it was an up and coming county that has knowledgeable and caring judges that he considered the best in the State” he says. Mr. Cooper chose his profession because of his love for people. In addition to his paid services, he volunteers his time to help others through their most difficult situations. His work has been recognized in 2001, he was awarded the Pro Bono Project Award. Mr. Cooper sees divorce for his clients as a last resort. He “always” advises couples to seek counseling before filing for divorce, because of its effect on family. Cooper cautions that children should never be involved because they are innocent and the process is much more difficult for them. If the only option is divorce, he advises to “document everything and gather documentation before it disappears and always keep the children of the marriage paramount.” He also says because of the severity, seeking the services of a psychologist is a good idea for “pumping yourself up and finding self-worth as well as for custody and parenting issues.” His law firm offers the support staff and associate counsel to help both children and parents cope with such a life-altering experience. According to Mr. Cooper, the best part of his profession is helping others in their times of need. It is this compassion and desire to give that attracted him to family www.gwinnettparents.com

“Divorce is similar to the loss of a loved one, same being your spouse and the institution of marriage.” law, and that causes him to go beyond the expected both for clients and for those who simply deserve it. Mr. Cooper also has the privilege of serving many courts as a Guardian ad Litem. A Guardian ad Litem is appointed by many judges to assist the court in custody disputes by representing the best interests of children and reporting back to the judge with a recommendation of custody placement. Further, besides being a litigation/trial attorney, Mr. Cooper strongly believes in Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation and arbitration) in an effort to help resolve or limit issues.

Glenn E. Cooper of G. Cooper & Associates, PC. is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, American Bar Association Family Law Division, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Gwinnett County Bar Association. Mr. Cooper can be reached at 770-441-5558 or geclaw1@aol.com.

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ FAMILY FINANCES ]

College Board Releases New Cost Estimates - Will You Be Prepared? year for private, four-year nonprofit institutions (which represent the vast majority of private colleges and universities). At the same time, we’ve seen a slowdown in federal student aid. In fact, according to the College Board, total federal grant funding to undergraduates was lower in 2006-2007 than it was three years earlier, after adjusting for inflation. The average full-time student at a public four-year school receives about $3,600 in grants and tax benefits, while the student’s counterpart at a private college gets about $9,300 in those forms of aid.

hen it comes to college costs, there’s bad news and good news. And if you have children whom you’d like to send to college someday, you need to be aware of both the bad and the good. Let’s get the bad news over with first: College is expensive, and the costs are still going up significantly every year. Take a look at these figures, recently released by the College Board: At public four-year institutions, in-state students now pay, on average, $13,589 per year for tuition, fees, room and board. And it’s $32,307 per

Clearly, these numbers are causes for concern for most parents. But don’t panic - because, as promised, there’s also some good news in the college-funding arena. Specifically, you have some attractive college savings vehicles available to you, including these: • Coverdell Education Savings Account - Depending on your income level, you can contribute up to $2,000 annually to a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA). Your Coverdell earnings and withdrawals will be tax-free, provided you use the money for qualified education expenses. (Any non-education withdrawals from a Coverdell ESA may be subject to a 10 percent penalty.) You can place your contributions to a Coverdell ESA into virtually any investment you choose - stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, etc. • Section 529 savings plan - In a Section 529 savings plan, you put money in

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specific investments, managed by an investment professional. Contribution limits are quite high - more than $200,000 per beneficiary in many state plans, although special gifting provisions may apply. And all withdrawals will be free from federal income taxes, as long as the money is used for a qualified college or graduate school expense of your child or grandchild. Withdrawals for expenses other than qualified education expenditures may be subject to federal, state and penalty taxes. (Also, Section 529 distributions will appear as income on the child’s tax return, which could affect financial aid calculations.) There may be tax benefits for residents who participate in their own state’s plan. • Permanent insurance - If you own some type of “permanent” insurance policy, such as whole life or universal life, you’ll have a chance to build cash value. Your earnings will have the potential to grow on a tax-deferred basis, and you

can take policy loans for virtually any reason you choose - including paying for college. Keep in mind, though, that if you don’t fully repay the loan, your policy may lapse, and if you pass away before repaying the loan, the total amount owed, including interest, will be subtracted from the death benefit. Contact your financial advisor to see which of these options may be most appropriate for your individual situation. But don’t wait too long - the sooner you start saving, the better your chances of avoiding a lastminute scramble to cover those college bills. Amy Greenway, Edward Jones Financial Advisors #770-554-9775.

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Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ PAW PRINTS ] can toss all his toys, half buried if you wish, into that designated corner and watch him go to work. In the event your dog begins digging in an area that is off limits, immediately correct him and take him back to the area designated for digging. You may also want to reinforce that it is acceptable to dig in this area by making scratching motions in the dirt using his paws (or your own)! When he starts to dig in the appropriate area again, praise him immediately. Enclose your garden are with fences or chicken wire as a

Changing Bad Dog Behavior

ow to Stop the Barking Dog - Dogs bark when they are bored, lonely or nervous, so a dog that gets regular exercise and socialization will be less inclined to bark. If you do not have the time to provide enough physical exercise for your dog, provide him with stimulating toys that he won’t tire of easily. For instance, a hollow toy filled with peanut butter should keep your dog entertained for quite some time. If your dog’s barking is due to nervousness, lessen his fear by giving him treats when he exhibits a nervous reaction to something or someone. Lastly, an alternative option is to purchase an anti-bark collar. To deter your dog from barking use an anti-bark collar which will emit a noise and/or release a harmless spray. How to Stop the Digging Dog - Dogs are bred with the instinct to bury leftover food. As this is an inane trait in all dogs it can be a tough habit to break. One way is to try to meet your dog halfway by providing a designated digging area in the yard. You 58

deterrent and spread ground pepper in certain areas of the yard to discourage digging and to teach certain areas of the yard are off limits. As a final option, limit your dog’s access to the yard unless you are out there supervising him. However, keep in mind that if he does not get exercise running around the yard by himself, you will need to take him on plenty of walks and provide supervised activities for him. How to Stop the Jumping Dog - Oftentimes when a dog jumps up people immediately pet him, which reinforces that jumping is an okay thing to do. To break your dog of this bad habit try using the following techniques. Rather than giving your dog attention when he jumps, ignore your dog and withhold all attention until he stops jumping and sits down on his own - then begin petting him and praising him. As soon as you see him getting ready to jump, command him to ‘sit’. Make sure everyone in the house does the same in order to be consistent.

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www.artisticsmilesofga.com Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ] Aug 18: Pop Tarts presents American Idol at The Arena Gwinnett

Center

JULY 1-30:Chateau Elan Art Gallery “Rob McDonald Exhibit” Times:10am-9pm.www.chateauelan.com.Chateau Elan Winery.1-800-233-WINE 1-30:Jillian’s Mystery Dinner Theatre www.jillians.com.Jillian’s (Discover Mills).678-8475400.Admission:Adult $58.75/Children under 14 $29.95 1-30:The Moonlight & Music Concert Series Times:8-10pm.www.visitlawrenceville.com.Gwinnett Historic Courthouse Lawn 678-226-2639.Admission: Free/Optional table rental $60 3-5:41st Annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration Times:10am-8pm, Lasershow 9:30pm.www. stonemountainpark.com Stone Mountain Park.77060

498-5690.Admission:$10 vehicle entry 3-27:Button Theatre presents “Barefoot in the Park” Times:Thurs./Fri./Sat. at 8pm, Sun. 2pm.www.buttontheatre.com.Hudgens Black Box Theatre.770-831-0591 Admission:$20-$25 3:2008 Sparks in the Park Times:6:30pm-11:30pm. www.cityofsugarhill.com. E.E. Robinson Park.770831-7413 3:Duluth Celebrates America at Hudgens Park Times:6-9:30pm.www. duluthga.net.Scott Hudgens Park.770-497-5312 3:Norcross Independence Day Celebration Times:5pm until 10pm.www. norcrossga.net.Downtown Norcross (Thrasher Park) 770-448-2122 3:Prelude to the 4th: A Star

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

Spangled Square Times:7:30pm.www.visitlawrenceville.com.Gwinnett Historic Courthouse Lawn 678-226-2639 4:Auburn July 4th Celebration and Festival Times:Noon-until evening fireworks display.www.cityofauburn-ga.org.Downtown Auburn.770-963-4002 Admission:Free 4:Celebrate Braselton: July 4th Celebration Times:Fireworks begin at dark.www.chateauelan.com Braselton Park and Chateau Elan Lawn.706-654-3915 Admission:Free 4:Gwinnett Glows Times:Activities 5pm-9pm, fireworks 9:30pm.www.visitlawrenceville.com.Downtown Lawrenceville.770-8228840 4:Light Up the Lake Independence Day Celebration www.gwinnettparents.com

www.lakelanierislands.com Lake Lanier Islands.770932-7200 10:Eric Litwin â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Hear America Singingâ&#x20AC;? Times:11am and 2pm.www. artstation.org.Location:ART Station.770-469-1105 Admission:$8 adults, $6 children 10-12:Forward Conference presented by Free Chapel Times:Noon.www.forwardconference.com.Gwinnett Center.(678) 677-8300 ext. 1045.Admission:$89 for all three days 11-12:Atlanta International Military Show Times:Fri Noon-6pm, Sat Noon-5pm.www.northatlantatradecenter.com.North Atlanta Trade Center.770279-9899.Admission:$6, ages 7-12 $1 11:Family Reunion Workshop Times:10am-noon.Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place.770-923-1775/Linda Busby.770-814-6056. Admission:FREE, Advance reservations.required 11:Lilburn Idol Two Times:7pm.www.cityoflilburn.com.Lilburn City Park (770) 921-2210 11-12:Scrapbook Expo Times:Fri 10am, Sat 9am www.scrapbookexpo.com Gwinnett Center.951-7344307.Admission:$6-$8 12:â&#x20AC;?Gwinnett Readsâ&#x20AC;? www.gwinnettparents.com

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[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ] presented by the Gwinnett County Public Library Times:6:30pm.www.gwinnettpl.org.Gwinnett Center 770-978-5154 12:Family Day at Hudgens Arts Center Times:10am-3pm.www. artsgwinnett.org.Hudgens Art Center (at Gwinnett Center).770-623-6002. Admission:$5 12:Korean Tradtional Folk Dance Times:7pm.www.gwinnettcenter.com.Location:Gwinnett Center (Performing Arts Center).404-606-9062. Admission:$30-$50 12-13:Tim Vogles Southeastern Exotic Bird Fair

Times:Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.www.northatlantatradecenter.com.Location: North Atlanta Trade Center 770-279-9899.Admission:$5 for non-members, $4 for members with a membership card, Children Under 10 Free 12-13:Trains, Trucks and Tractors Times:Sat 10am-5pm, Sun Noon-5pm.www.srmduluth. org.Location:Southeastern Railway Museum.770-4762013.Admission:Adults $8, Seniors $6, Children $4, Under 2 Free 12:Visit Buford Day at Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Times:10am-5pm.www.

Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

visitbuford.com.Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center.770-904-3500 16-30:ART Station Theatre presents, “Bingo: The Winning New Musical” Times:Thur-Sat 8pm/Sun 3pm.www.artstation.org ART Station Theatre in Stone Mountain Village 770-469-1105.Admission:$26 for Adults, $20 Seniors/Students 16:Juan Luis Guerra Times:8pm.www.ticketmaster.com.Arena at Gwinnett Center.404-249-6400 17:”Art Rocks” After Work Social Times:5:30pm-7:30pm www.artsgwinnett.org.Hud-

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gens Art Center (at Gwinnett Center).770-623-6002. Admission:$5 members, $10 non-members 19:”That Puppet Guy” presents The Zany Zoo Times:10:30am-11:30am www.redclaytheatrearts. com.Red Clay Theatre (Duluth).770-622-177.Admission:$5 19:Down South Takeover Concert Times:7pm.www.ticketmaster.com.Location:Arena at Gwinnett Center.404-2496400 19-20:Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Regionals Times:8am-5pm.www.roadatlanta.com.Road Atlanta

1-800-849-7223.Admission:$10-$30 24-27:2nd Annual Gwinnett Bike Fest 2008 presented by Subaru of Gwinnett www.gcvb.org/bikefest.770814-6052 25-30:Jehovah’s Witnesses District Convention Times:7am.Gwinnett Center.770-813-7500 25:Lilburn Idol Finale Times:7pm.www.cityoflilburn.com.Lilburn City Park (770) 921-2210 26-27:Atlanta Reptile and Exotic Animal Show Times:Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm.www.repticon. com.Gwinnett County Fair

Grounds.770-963-6522.Admission:Adults $8, Children 5-12 $5, Children 4 and under Free 30:National Ice Cream Day Celebration www.lakelanierislands.com Location:Lake Lanier Islands.770-932-7200 31:Performance Company Performance Times:11am and 2pm.www. artstation.org.ART Station 770-469-1105.Admission:$8 adults, $6 children

AUGUST 2:Celebration of Gospel Dance Times:6pm.www.gwinnettcenter.com.Gwinnett

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Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ] Center.404-918-0685 Admission:$20-$25 2:SummerStage Concert Times:Begins at dusk.www. duluthga.net.Location: Amphitheater in downtown Duluth.678-475-5312 7-31:”Damn Yankees” presented by Aurora Theatre www.auroratheatre.com Aurora Theatre.678226-6222.Admission: Thurs.$24/Friday $27/Sat. $30 (evening) $20 (matinee) / Sun. $24 8-29:”Playing in Traffic” Improv Show Times:8pm.www.pitimprov. com.Red Clay Theatre.770-622-1777.Admission:$10 8-9:35th Annual Golden

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Spike Train Show Times:9am-5pm.www. northatlantatradecenter. com.North Atlanta Trade Center.770-279-9899.Admission:$7, Children under 12 Free 8-10:Hudlow Junior Open Championships www.gwinnettparks. com.Hudlow Tennis Center.(Best Friend Park).770-417-2210 9:”Groove With the Grapes” Chateau Elan Summer Concert Series Times:8:30pm-11:30pm. www.chateauelan.com. Winery Pavilion at Chateau Elan.1-800-233-WINE. Admission:$30 9:Supergigs-Duluth Margaritafest Show

• Birthday Parties • Team Celebrations • Youth Groups • Field Trips • Corporate Events

Times:1pm.www.ticketalternative.com.Duluth Town Green.770-476-5160. Admission:$15 in advance $20 at the gate, Under age 12 $5 13:Nine Inch Nails Concert Times:7pm.www.ticketmaster.com.Arena at Gwinnett Center.404-249-6400 Admission:$39.50-$56.50 15-17:15th Annual Slotin Folk Fest 2008 Times:Fri. 5pm-10pm, Sat & Sun 10am-7pm.www. slotinfolkart.com.North Atlanta Trade Center.770532-1115.Admission:Friday $15, Sat & Sun $7, Ages 16 and under,FREE 16:Family Day at Hudgens Center Arts Center Times:10am-3pm.www. artsgwinnett.org.Hudgens Art Center (at Gwinnett Center).770-623-6002 Admission:$5 16:Flicks on the Bricks Times:Begins at dusk. www.duluthga.net.Amphitheater in downtown Duluth.678-475-5312 16:Suwanee Concert in the Park Times:8pm.www.suwanee. com.Town Center Park 770-945-8996

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Gwinnett Community Parents Magazine

18:Pop Tarts presents American Idol Times:7pm.www.ticketmaster.com.Arena at Gwinnett Center.404-249-6400 Admission:$39.50-$68.50

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21:2008 Big Expo & Job Fair Times:1pm.www.gwinnettchamber.org.Gwinnett Center.678-957-4958

23:The Impact Group 15th Anniversary Gala Times:7pm.www.gwinnettcenter.com.Gwinnett Center.770-813-7500

tatgwinnett.org.Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center.Phone:770-9318080.Admission:Cash donation requested

23-24:Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show Times:10am.www.beadshows.com.Gwinnett Center.888-729-6904. Admission:$4-$5

24:Vineyard Fest 2008 Times:Noon-5pm.www. chateauelan.com.Chateau Elan.Phone:678-425-0900 ext. 42.Admission:$75

31:”Groove With the Grapes” Chateau Elan Summer Concert Series Times:8:30pm-11:30pm www.chateauelan.com Winery Pavilion at Chateau Elan.1-800-233-WINE Admission:$30

23:Make A Wish Foundation Art-Jazz-Wine Cuisine Times:6:30-11pm.www. visitbuford.com.Bona Allen Mansion.770-271-7637 23:Movies on Main Street Classics Series Times:8pm.www.suwanee. com.Burnette-Rogers Pavilion.770-945-8996

29-31:Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Rockstar www.roadatlanta.com.Road Atlanta.1-800-849-RACE Admission:12 and under: Free, 13 and up $10-$260 30:Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity’s First Annual Homecoming Celebration Times:2-8pm.www.habi-

31:Last Blast of Summer www.stonemountainpark. com.Stone Mountain Park 770-498-5690.Admission:$10 vehicle entry

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