Local Parent Magazine of Henry County Fall 2009 Issue by Local Parent

LOCAL

Parent O w ww.localparentguide.com

FALL 2009

HENRY EDITION: MCDONOUGH - STOCKBRIDGE - LOCUST GROVE - HAMPTON

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INSIDE HENRY SCHOOLS PARTY PLANNING chiropractic health RAISING TEENS

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH FAMILY DINING FITNESS & EXERCISE THE family pet

Is Your Health Space Certified? We have a two year old daughter, who has never been sick a day in her life. No antibiotics, no shots or pills. All she receives is lots of TLC and routine chiropractic check-ups.

It’s strange how life is, because now children and adults come to see us with headaches, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, ear infections, arthritis, asthma, ADHD and many other chronic conditions just to name a few: Here’s what some of our patients have to say: “After 6 months of chiropractic care, I no longer have back pain and my migraines are almost non-existent. I no longer take Dilantin, Depakote, High Blood Pressure medication, or Cholesterol medication.” C. A. – Stockbridge Dear Friend, Space Certified? Yeah I know, sounds strange, and I want to explain to you what that means, but before I talk to you about Space Certified health care, let me tell you my story.... My name is Dr. Amanda Hess, I’m the gal in the picture with the yellow shirt. Eighteen years ago something happened to me that changed my life forever. I was a cheerleader for my school. One afternoon while I was on the top of the pyramid, I lost my balance. The other cheerleaders did not catch me, and my lower back went right into someone’s knee. The pain was excruciating! I went home hoping the pain would just go away. Within an hour, I couldn’t move my body into any position without pain and I couldn’t walk. I could barely crawl to the car as my mother quickly took me to the emergency room. The doctor said I probably “just pinched a nerve” and to take pain killers and muscle relaxers. After taking drugs for days with no relief, I was worried. I prayed that there had to be a better solution. Thankfully, my dance teacher convinced me to give her chiropractor a try. The chiropractor did an exam, took some x-rays and then “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt, it actually felt good. No drugs, no surgery, and no scary procedures at the hospital. It worked so well that I went to chiropractic school myself. My husband, Dr. Jeremy Hess, suffered with asthma as a child while playing soccer. A hip injury in a soccer game led him to see a friend’s chiropractor. His hip was improved after just a few adjustments, and oddly enough his asthma and breathing difficulties cleared up also!

“Since starting principled chiropractic care, my son has been able to eliminate Proventil, Zyrtec, Singulair, Nasonex, Albuteral, and Pulmicort- all of which were taken on a daily basis. Coming here has really changed our lives.” V.A. – McDonough “Within 20 seconds after my first adjustment, the pain began leaving my body” L.H. - Florida “My older children had a lot of childhood problems and I now see with my youngest son that it could have all been prevented had they been going to Drs. Hess at a young age. My son is now 1 year old and has never had any antibiotics in his body!” D. M. – McDonough “I love the care at Discover Chiropractic and I can’t wait for my visits to come around. The office is friendly and the doctors and staff actually care about you. I feel 100% better and the time involved is well worth every minute.” L.M. - Hampton Many times a day patients thank us for helping them with their health problems. But we can’t really take the credit. What we do is perform specific, scientific, chiropractic adjustments to remove nerve interference, which allows the body to heal itself from the inside-out. There’s a lot of skeptics out there, but with health insurance costs rising, medication use escalating and American health declining, the current “healthcare” system isn’t working.

That’s where Space Certified Health comes in. We use Space Certified neurological diagnostic testing, like seen in the pictures to specifically, scientifically and accurately locate your nerve interference to correct the cause of your health problem, not cover it up with a drug or medication, or tell you “you’ll have to live with it.” You benefit from an amazing offerIt shouldn’t cost you an arm and leg to correct your health. You are going to write a check to someone for your health care expenses, you may as well write one for a lesser amount for chiropractic. When you bring in this article (by Oct. 31st, 2009) you will receive our entire new patient exam for just $37. That includes consultation, space certified testing and x-rays....the whole ball of wax. By the way, further care is affordable and you’ll be happy to know we offer affordable family plans. Great care at a great fee..... Our office is very friendly and we’ll try our best to make you feel at home. Our office is called Discover Chiropractic and is at 5430 N. Henry Blvd in Stockbridge (Behind ALDI, next to Hwy. 138 WalMart). Our phone number is 770-389-4744. Call us today for an appointment. We can help you. Thanks. - Drs. Amanda & Jeremy Hess www.goDiscoverHealth.com

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CONTENTS 6

Upfront: Inside Henry County Public Schools

Education: The Secret Formula to Earning “A” Grades

Teen Talk: 6 Keys to Help Teen Girls Handle Peer Pressure

Healthy Kids: Children at Risk for Undetected Vision Problems

Meet The Doctors: Dr. Jeremy Hess and Dr. Amanda Hess

Just for Moms: Everyday Indulgences

Fitness & Exercise: Easy Ways to Fuel Up and Stay Fit

Party Planning: Hosting A Holiday Party

26 28 30

Family Dining: Sweet Tradtions

Family Pet: Let’s Have Puppies:

Online Bookmarks

Editor Terrie Carter

Advertising PAUL PORTER JENNIFER MARTINEZ Production belinda Shamily marcus slocumb

Disney characters and artwork © Disney, Disney/Pixar characters © Disney/Pixar.

LOCAL

Parent Photography JOHN AINSWORTH Bella portraits Circulation CURTIS THURMAN Intern KAYCI ALBRITTON

Contributors Ethel Carter, Henry Public Schools, THAIS CUFFY, Vivian Glyck, Bruce mills, TAMMY PETERSON, Aurelia Williams, Irene Zoppi, Carol Copeland, Debra Dawkins Published by: Local Parent Communications 3651 Peachtree Pkwy. #325 Suwanee, GA 30024 /678.889.9552 Q678.889.9553 ____________________ All contents of this magazine are copywritten by Local Parent Communications and it’s licensed publishers. No part may be reprinted, copied, reproduced, or used without written permission of the publisher. Each edition independently owned and operated. For franchise information visit: www.localparentguide.com

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[ UPFRONT ]

New Hope Elementary Afterschool Program Students Receiving Commendation from Governor Perdue New Hope Elementary Afterschool Program students Abbie Brooks, Bailey Caron, Chase Jones, Jenna Means, Trent Stewart and Sydney Wesson collaborated on the winning design for the Afterschool Alliance’s Lights On Afterschool poster contest. Governor Sonny Perdue will issue a commendation to these students which will be presented to them at the October Board of Education Meeting. The Afterschool Alliance is the nation’s leading voice for raising awareness of the importance of Afterschool Programs and advocating for more afterschool investments. One of their main initiatives is Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide celebration of Afterschool Programs, which attracts 1 million Americans to 7,500 events across the country. Lights On Afterschool has a yearly poster contest in search for a winning image that will be printed on 60,000 posters and sent to afterschool programs from coast to coast to use in their Lights On Afterschool celebrations. Entering this contest for the first

time, Henry County Afterschool Programs had the winning design from New Hope Elementary! To look at the winning design, please visit the following website. http://www. afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm Not only did these students win the nationwide contest; however, we also had three honorable mentions: Fantasia Smith, who attended SmithBarnes Elementary Afterschool Enrichment Program; and Waverly Sweat and Emily Sweat, who attended Timber Ridge’s Afterschool Program. You can find their artwork in the poster gallery at the same website as the winning design. The poster gallery will list the students’ first name and the school system.

Henry County Schools Honors Special HEROs Henry County Schools has an employee recognition program called HERO, Henry Employee Recognition Observance. Everyone has a hero. They are those people who go the “extra mile” to help or provide extra special “customer” service. Through the HERO Award, school system employees, parents, business partners and the community in general can make sure everyone knows about those special people! Henry County Schools is proud to announce the 2009 HERO Award Recipients to be honored at the Harvest of Heroes Event at 7 pm, October 22, 2009, at the Performing Arts Center.

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Luella High School Receives $4,000 Grant from Central Georgia EMC

2009 HERO Award Recipients: School Nutrition Employee Deanna Wilmot Walnut Creek Elementary

Luella High School receives a $4,000 grant from the Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) Foundation. The Luella High School family is very appreciative

Service Employee Lewie Bannister Luella Elementary Support Personnel Janet Wesley McDonough Elementary Transportation Employee Anne Moyers Stockbridge Middle

of the award and will use it to purchase a book sensitizer to be utilized in the media center. Central Georgia EMC has also contributed to new technology to be used in the classrooms awarded to Instructional Technology Specialist, Barbara Nanney.

Thank you to each of these special HEROs for making a difference! To find out more about the HERO program, please follow this link: HERO Award.

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[ EDUCATION ]

The Secret Formula to Earning By: Jeff Haig

A Grades

o why is it that many top students continuously ace their courses, making it look effortless, while other students struggle to get by earning “C” grades? Is it about the differences in work ethic, habits, and character that lead these students to success? Or is there a formula that helps them achieve their lofty academic goals each year? While it’s true that many Astudents are hard workers, it isn’t just about spending hours hitting the books. Most successful students have created strategies that work for them – and follow through with a plan of action. These fundamentals are accessible to anyone, including poor- or average-performing students! In fact, anyone who has a sincere desire to learn more and earn higher grades can, and will, with enough determination. So what does it take to ace that extradifficult calculus course or the honors class on English literature? You might be surprised to learn that earning A’s in any class comes down to a systematic approach to learning. There are three foundational principles you must learn, along with their underlying components, in order to find academic achievement. These principles are:

Principle #1: Develop the proper work ethic Principle #2: Be smart in how you learn Principle #3: Always be proactive! Imagine … these three simple principles can make a difference between a C or D grade, or an A grade – not to mention chances at earning top honors. At first, this system may seem a little simple, but these fundamentals are the core of what make A-students successful.

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The main goal of these principles is to create a strategy for studying that will help you ace your courses and become a high-achieving student. The strategy may include: • Studying in half-hour or hour increments for each class or project • Setting your goals for each course, and a timeframe for reaching those goals • Utilizing effective time management skills • Knowing where to study for the best results – perhaps not the crowded coffee shop around the corner, but rather the library or your quiet dorm room • Finding the way you learn best so that you can maximize your results It’s also about knowing how to be a “smart” learner – what works for your classmates may not be the right strategy for you. In addition, you have to maximize the limited time you have, and create daily strategies during each of the three phases of learning, which occur before, during, and after class. The A students know that it’s crucial to the success formula that each of these three phases of learning is optimized to its fullest potential. To maximize your results, try the following strategies and techniques: • Pre-read your course material and write down any questions or highlight areas as you go along • Utilize the course syllabus optimally, and following along week by week, not just during the first day of class • Take thorough and dynamic class notes, rather than relying on books or study guides • Actively listen and participate in the course • Understand how to effectively preCall 678-889-9552 to Advertise!

pare for quizzes and final exams, whether by using flash cards, mnemonics or even drawings and cartoons to learn A-level students understand that you must be proactive in each class – it’s not enough to learn as you go. Being proactive means going above and beyond the typical student’s efforts to ensure effective learning of subject matter. For some, it may mean seeking additional resources to help learn course material. This includes attending instructors’ office hours, seeking assistance from a tutor, and networking at school to share information, study, and exchange questions and answers. These proactive strategies help ensure A grades in coursework, a mastery of subject matter, and that a student will learn to his or her fullest potential. Becoming a top-performing student begins with the right mindset and then incorporating the three foundational principles into your daily schedule. Topperforming students are confident in their abilities, have high expectations for themselves, and take the action necessary to produce the desired results. Following these principles is at the core of what being a top student is all about. Develop the proper mindset now and then execute on these principles outlined here so that you can create your desired outcome. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jeff Haig, award-winning educational author and consultant, is passionate about helping students reach their full educational potential. He has worked for top educational companies and schools, and is currently a college professor. His new book “Unlock Your Educational Potential,” and his company, Maximize Your Education, assist students in achieving their educational goals. Jeff received his BA from UCLA, MBA from USC, and is completing his doctorate in education at USC. For more information, visit: www. maximizeyoureducation.com.

[ RAISING TEENS ]

6 to

keys help teen

girls E

Handle Peer Pressure

very day the teen girl in your life faces many decisions. Some are as simple as deciding what to wear and how she will blend in with her peers at school. Others may ultimately be choices between life and death. Most girls face immense pressure to fit in and to be accepted by the crowd. As a parent standing in the sidelines it is painful and hard to watch. The good news is, whether you have a great relationship with her or not, you can help. As you read the following tips, keep in mind that many of these suggestions aren’t based on having a deep discussion with the teen in your life. At the same time, if you want to be able to talk with her more, try to find common ground. Don’t just jump into a discussion about her friends. Maybe you both love music, or fashion, or getting outdoors -- start there. Acting first, instead of talking, may lend some relief. For example, suggest going to her favorite restaurant, or joining her as she does something she loves. Just remember, it is very, very common for parents to have hot and cold relationships with their kids during their teens

by:

Carrie Silver-Stock, M.S.W.

years – male or female. Regardless of the temperature of the relationship, the following six tips can be utilized. 1) How does she handle peer pressure now? Start by asking yourself these important questions: Can she think for herself? Can she slow herself down enough to think clearly? Can she disagree with her friends and be okay with it? Can she listen to her gut? Answering these questions will help you sort out where you can be of most help. 2) Remember… she’s watching you. She is never going to tell you she’s watching, but she is. She watches your conversations, reactions, and relationships. Maybe you had a difficult decision to make at work and were the only one who disagreed with the team, but you said so. Let her know and talk about what you did and how it was resolved. Your example will teach her more than you can ever tell her. 3) Teach her how to think for herself. Let her have responsibility and be involved in the decision making. It also means she learns to listen to, and fol-

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low her gut. Start with simple things like deciding which movie to go to or how to spend her weekends. When she has a tough decision, like choosing between two favorite activities, help her think it through without giving her the answer. 4) Watch closely for changes in behavior. Pay close attention to what is going on in her life and who she is hanging out with. If you see any major changes in her behavior - from sleeping, dressing, eating, or how much time she spends at home - these could be signs that she is dealing with a lot of peer pressure or other issues, and needs help. 5) Be a good listener. Perhaps the most important tip. The last thing she wants you to do is tell her how to solve her problems. Listen to her and let her know you’re there for her. Try asking open-ended questions that re-

quire her to think and answer more than your typical “yes” or “no. For example: What would be the pros or cons or making that choice? Who would it impact the most? What is your gut telling you to do? If you show her you can listen more than talk, she’ll be sure to come back next time she needs to talk or be listened to. Both are good signs. 6) Lay Down the Law. Safety always comes first. It’s not always easy to lay down the law and follow through on consequences. If her peers are negatively impacting her and you are fearful for her, don’t be afraid to set the rules and stick to them. Your daughter needs you. The peer pressure teens face daily weigh heavily on their shoulders and can be consuming. Having you on her side will make all the difference.

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[ CHILDREN’S HEALTH ]

Georgia Children at Risk for

Undetected Vision Problems

Report Highlights Best and Worst State Laws to Protect Kids’ Vision While Georgia children are required to have a vision screening prior to entering school, children who fail a screening are not required to receive follow-up care. Since 80 percent of what children learn is through visual processing of information, untreated vision problems can severely impact a child’s cognitive development. A new report by The Vision Council, Making the Grade? finds Georgia’s laws regarding vision assessment demonstrate an important first step in protecting children’s vision, but could go further to ensure Georgia’s children are prepared to learn this school year with healthy, corrected vision. The Vision Council’s Making the Grade? report examines the importance of early detection of vision problems for children and provides detailed information on which states across the U.S. require children to receive a vision screening or eye exam prior to entering school. Since the report was first issued in 2005, 14 states have enacted or enhanced laws regarding vision assessment for school-age children. “Tremendous progress has been made since the first Making the Grade? report was published and 12

many states are recognizing the critical connection between vision and learning,” said Ed Greene, CEO of The Vision Council. “Still more can be done in Georgia to ensure that children enter school ready to learn.” Key findings of the report include: • Nine states do not require children to receive a vision assessment before starting school or while enrolled; • Thirty-nine states (including the District of Columbia) require a vision screening for children entering school, however 32 of these states do not mandate any follow-up care for children who fail the screening; and • Three states require all children to receive a comprehensive eye exam by an eye care professional before entering elementary school. While the report finds that many states are enhancing their requirements for vision assessments, most states, including Georgia, do not include provisions for adequate followup care. The estimated number of children who do not receive follow-up care from an eye care professional after a failed screening varies significantly; anywhere from 40 to nearly 70 percent.

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“Early detection is critical when it comes to vision problems,” said ophthalmologist Jean Ramsey, MD, MPH. “The sooner a potential vision problem is detected; the sooner treatment can begin, avoiding any potential for permanent vision loss.” Many common vision problems could be missed without a comprehensive eye exam. These undetected vision problems can affect a child’s cognitive, emotional, neurologic and physical development by potentially limiting the range of experiences and kinds of information to which the child is exposed. Consequently vision conditions can impact a child’s performance in extracurricular and recreational activities like music and sports. The Vision Council recommends that

parents follow the professional recommendations for eye exams and urges all parents to be alert for the warning signs of potential vision disorders in children including: Squinting, closing or covering on eye Constantly holding materials close to the face Tilting the head to one side Rubbing eyes repeatedly One or both eye turn in or out Redness or tearing in eyes. It is important that these warning signs be reported to your child’s healthcare provider. Additionally, parents and teachers should also be aware of the risk factors for poor vision, including premature birth, developmental delays, a family history of “lazy eye” or strong prescriptions and diseases that affect the whole body, such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia or HIV.

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Jeremy Hess D.C. â&#x20AC;˘ Amanda Hess D.C. Discover Chiropractic 5430 N. Henry Blvd. Stockbridge, GA 30281

770-398-4744 www.GoDiscoverHealth.com 14

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[ MEET THE DOCTOR ]

octors Jeremy and Amanda Hess and their team at Discover Chiropractic in Stockbridge have been serving the Henry County and South Atlanta communities for ten years. Their mission is to fulfill a higher purpose by serving families through principled chiropractic care that allows the innate healing potential of the body to fully express itself. As graduates of Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, both doctors now speak nationally to industry professionals about the art, science, and philosophy of principled chiropractic. Dr. Jeremy Hess majored in Biology at Campbellsville University in Kentucky before pursuing his studies at Life University. He has the honor of being one of ten chiropractors in Georgia serving as a board member for the Georgia Council of Chiropractic. Prior to earning her Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Dr. Amanda Hess graduated from

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University of South Carolina with a degree in Biology. She is an active member of the Georgia Council of Chiropractic, and both doctors are members of the International Chiropractors Association. Discover Chiropractic is a family practice that serves people of all ages – from infants to the elderly. “Our emphasis is on newborns, children, and families,” says Dr. Jeremy Hess. “As the largest pediatric chiropractic practice in the state of Georgia, we care for children suffering with conditions like asthma, ear infections, ADHD, colic, migraines, scoliosis and posture issues, digestive issues, and numerous other common childhood ailments. We serve adults and seniors for musculoskeletal complaints, fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic pain, and those individuals wanting to reduce and limit the use of prescription drugs.” One of Drs. Hess’ guiding principles is

82% of our readers are moms

to help those in need. With an understanding that every individual is entitled to reach his or her optimal health potential, they provide complementary chiropractic care to hundreds of homeless each month at the Rescue Atlanta missions. When asked how they describe their practice, Dr. Amanda Hess responds, “It’s our healing ministry.” Discover Chiropractic is housed in a new, state-ofthe-art facility that utilizes space-certified technology to analyze and locate nerve interference to provide an exact assessment of patients’ health care problems. The specific scientific chiropractic adjustments they provide, says Dr. Amanda Hess, removes this spinal interference and “allows the innate healing potential of the body to fully express itself from the inside-out.”

18%

of our readers are dads

Discover Chiropractic is located next to the Hwy 138 Stockbridge Wal-Mart behind Aldi grocery store. They have office hours five days per week until 7 pm and Saturday morning hours. For more information, call (770) 389-4744 or visit their website at www.GoDiscoverHealth.com.

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[ JUST FOR MOMS ]

relax W

omen across the country are meeting the demands of busy schedules and tightened wallets by setting aside life’s simple pleasures and putting themselves at the bottom of the to-do list. • Fifty-six percent of women say they don’t treat themselves as often as they’d like because they can’t afford to. • Nearly a third (32 percent) of women say they now have less free time for themselves than they did a year ago.

Small Rewards Offer Sweet Peace of Mind The Silent Treatment Get serious about your silent treatment and power off the technology. Turn off the ringer on all phones, shut down the computer, and turn off the television and the radio. Now it’s time for a 1530 minute scheduled time out because you deserve a little peace and quiet.

pamper yourself

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tranquil

Back to Basics Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to do but it is important to put yourself at the top of the to-do list every once in a while. Simple indulgences, like an Edwards Singles Ă La Modes dessert, are a quick and easy way to treat yourself to something sweet, as well as fill your kitchen with a delicious home-baked aroma.

to your local farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market or grocery store and buy a bouquet of flowers. Break the flower bunch apart into single stems and place the flowers in the bud vases. Distribute these vases around the house in the rooms you visit most frequently. Then when you walk around your home youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be greeted with flowers wherever you go. And you did it with just one bouquet.

Essential Essence Treat yourself to the power of fragrance. Aromatherapy sachets placed in drawers is a sensational way to feel good without having to do or spend much at all. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for an energizing scent try citrus, peppermint or bergamot. To take the stress down a few notches choose lavender, chamomile, sandalwood or ylang-ylang. You deserve to tickle your nose.

Hit Your Funny Bone: When it comes to our emotions itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really hard to multi-task. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearly impossible to be sad and exuberant in the same exact moment. You deserve to laugh so choose more moments to get a giggle in your day. Read something funny or rent a funny movie.

indulge

While life is full of stressful moments, the benefits of taking time to rejuvenate and unwind really can make a difference.

entertain

Budding Beauty: Invest in four to six bud vases or use any vase thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lying around your house. Go

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[ FITNESS & EXERCISE ]

Get Back to Basics Easy Ways to Fuel Up and Stay Fit

usy schedules can make it harder to eat right and stay fit. That’s why California Raisins and celebrity fitness trainer Valerie Waters have teamed up to create simple solutions for fueling families all school year long. “Just because budgets have tightened doesn’t mean families have to cut back on healthy eating and exercise,” says Waters. “In fact, natural foods are more likely to pack a greater nutritional punch and fitness doesn’t need to be attached to workout machines or hefty gym membership fees.” Waters is known for helping celebrity moms stay fit while juggling demanding work and family schedules. Waters offers the following basic tips for parents who want to help keep their families healthy and active all year long: Plan, prepare and pack. Don’t let piano 20

lessons and soccer practice derail healthy eating. Have a plan in place. Set aside time on a Sunday evening to pack your refrigerator and pantry with items like pre-cut veggies, pre-packaged California Raisins, cubed cheese and hard-boiled eggs to quickly prepare grab-and-go lunches. Also, think doubleduty. When cooking meat items such as chicken, prepare enough to slice and serve in a sandwich, salad or wrap for lunches and cook a few extra servings with every meal to serve throughout the week to avoid grabbing take-out when under a time crunch. Redefine play time. Fitness is fun when it’s a family affair and when you think outside of the box. There are no rules about what fitness should look like; in fact, some of the best workouts are gained through the games we played as a child. Try activities like playing tag. When you run, stop and start, it’s a great

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exercise for your muscles and coordination. Also, try going outside to play catch or taking a family bike ride after dinner. Fitness doesn’t have to be formal and everyone benefits from moving and being together.

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Play with your food. There’s no better way to introduce new fruits and veggies into your child’s lunch box than a fun trip to your local farmer’s market or your next grocery store visit. Making them a part of the decision process will increase their chances of trying new things and develop healthier eating habits Allow children to sample and select the fruits or veggies you will prepare for dinner and pack in their school lunches. On average, it takes 8 to 12 tries for a child to accept new foods, so be patient.

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Take a coffee table break. Demanding schedules often force fitness regimes to the wayside. But working out doesn’t mean expensive memberships and hours at the gym. It can be as simple as moving your coffee table and making space in your living room to do a short 25 to 30 minute strengthtraining circuit. What’s most important is that moms build their day around this time and be consistent. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, you will burn calories and gain energy.

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• Computer / Technology Lab • Music Theory I & II • Piano Lessons Availiable • Physical Education / Sports

1093 Flat Rock Rd Stockbridge, GA 30281 www.northhenryacademy.com

[ PARTY PLANNING ]

Hosting A Holiday Party by Blanca Robinson

es, it’s the holiday season –- and it’s coming at full-speed! This is the year you’ve decided to host a holiday PARTY. So, how far along are you with your preparations? It’s not too late to begin planning, but you need to get your act together quickly so you can have a fun, stress-free event that you will ENJOY alongside your guests. Carefully thought-out planning and scheduling can make your party flow seamlessly. Here are a few things to consider.

Who, What, When and Where First and foremost, decide on a date and time, a location, and the number of guests to be invited. Once these very important preliminaries are done, a BUDGET will be easier to come up with. And, yes, a budget is important as expenses can easily get out of control. Keep all your party arrangements in one location, such as a notebook or BINDER -- so you can quickly and easily refer back to them as needed. 22

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Inviting Your Guest Now let’s get to the fun stuff: How will you CONTACT everyone? Will you be mailing invitations or will you just phone? I personally recommend a printed invitation so there’s no confusion about any of the details. You can either buy or order invitations, or design your own on the computer. You can find some beautiful and inexpensive specialty papers at your local office supply store. And remember, no one likes to show up over- or underdressed, so be sure to specify the ATTIRE for your guests, which can range from a casual look to coat and tie to formal.

   





      

        

   



The Focus of Your Party Do you want to have a particular THEME or color scheme? If so, this will entail coordinating, and possibly buying, your decorations -table centerpieces, plates, flatware, napkins, tablecloths, etc. If there’s a particular theme, do your guests need to KNOW ahead of time? What about music? This can be for entertainment, for dancing, or just background music.

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Deciding On Food The greater part of your budget will go to feeding your guests, so plan your food and beverage needs carefully. Is this a SIT-DOWN dinner or is it a BUFFET? If the party is a sit-down dinner at your home, make certain you have adequate seating arrangements. If your guests will serve themselves buffet-style and perhaps eat while mingling around, they may have to eat with one hand, so plan your menu accordingly.

Hiring Help Are you going to hire a CATERER? Or will you be doing the cooking yourself? If you are hiring a caterer, make sure that you are both in agreement as to what will be provided by the caterer and for how much. Provide them with an accurate headcount, which means asking your guests to RSVP. Will the caterer have wait-staff, will they provide dishes and eating utensils, when will they arrive, do they have to do any cooking on location, how long will they be serving, will they clean up afterwards, what about any left-over food? What additional EQUIPMENT may need to be rented? Who is responsible for beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic? The more you determine up front, the less chance of a surprise the day of the party, and the less stress

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for you.

Do-It-Yourselft If you are going to do the cooking yourself, or enlist the help of family and friends, assign everyone specific tasks and timelines. Who will be RESPONSIBLE for the appetizers, who will bring desserts, who will cook the main entrees, who will help serve, who will help clean up, at what time do you want everything ready? Since you will know your food and beverage menu needs beforehand, make a grocery LIST of all the items you will need for the food to be cooked.

Planning In Advance Begin buying any non-perishable items now, as well as any decorations or other needed items. This will not only help to spread out the COST, but more importantly, it will help you to be more ORGANIZED ahead of time. After all, you don’t want to be a frazzled, tired-out host or hostess. You want to enjoy your holiday party along with your guests – so eat, drink and be merry, and make sure your guests drink responsibly.

Reach for the stars. Strong Rock Christian School celebrates our first year with innovative programs in music, the arts, sports and academics. All of these dynamic programs are integrated and enhanced with a Christian perspective. Reach for the phone and schedule your campus tour today. To make an appointment for a tour, call (678) 833-1200.

4200 Strong Rock Pkwy • Locust Grove www.StrongRockChristianSchool.com Strong Rock Christian School admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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[ FAMILY DINING ]

amily gatherings…favorite holiday decorations…the wonderful smells of baked goods – the holidays are full of familiar rituals and special memories. Traditions are part of what make the season so enjoyable. For many, this time of year means baking family favorites – how many times do people ask you to make Grandma’s bread pudding or your

special cookies? The holidays wouldn’t be the same without them. Pumpkin treats are perfect for holiday baking. The mellow, sweet flavor blends beautifully with spices, citrus and nuts. Pumpkin is a versatile and delicious addition to any holiday tradition. Kids will love helping with the Mini

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(1 stick) butter, softened 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten 1 cup Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 tsp vanilla extract Cream Cheese Filling 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature 6 tbs butter, softened 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar For Cookies: PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease or line four baking sheets with parchment paper. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Drop by heaping measuring teaspoons onto prepared baking sheets. (A total of 72 cookies are needed for the recipe.) Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. The recipe makes a lot, which is good – these bitesized cuties are irresistible. For more ways to make baking with pumpkin a tradition in your home, visit VeryBestBaking.com. Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Makes 3 dozen Cookies 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp salt Call 678-889-9552 to Advertise!

BAKE for 10 to 13 minutes or until springy to the touch. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. For Cream Cheese Filling: BEAT cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy. SPREAD a heaping teaspoon of filling onto flat side of one cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

[ FAMILY PET ]

Let’s Have

PUPPIES By: Suzanne Harris, BSc, CPDT www.BeaglesLanding.com

You love your dog. She’s sweet, she’s beautiful, and she’s “full blooded.” The kids would love to experience the wonder of life. You can even make some money selling such beautiful puppies! There are many reasons dog owners choose to breed their dog. Others don’t plan to breed their dogs, but due to the bother, cost, or myths about personality changes, these owners delay spaying. Lo and behold, surprise surprise -- Daisy’s got a litter of mixed cutie-pies! How hard could it be to raise puppies and find good homes for them? In truth, it’s hard to find homes for all the pups – and it’s very hard to find good homes. The evidence is right here in Henry County. All you have to do is visit our Animal Control Shelter at 527 Hampton Street in McDonough. You’ll see dozens of “full-blooded” and mixed dogs, all looking for a home. Many of them are between six and 18 months old -- because that’s the age where the pooping, barking, digging and destruction are no longer “cute”. 28

Because Henry County has so many unwanted dogs, our shelter is forced to euthanize 5-10 dogs and 10-15 cats DAILY. About 400 pets monthly. 4800 yearly. Four thousand, eight hundred. Just here in Henry. How will you know for sure that your pups won’t end up there? After you pay for their initial veterinary care (easily $100-$200+ per pup if you do it right), AKC registration papers (if their parents have papers), advertise in the paper, and other costs of raising puppies, you’ll need to put potential puppy buyers through the third degree, go to their home, meet and speak with other family members, ask them what their work hours are, find out where the pup spend most of his time and how much time they will commit to housetraining and obedience training their new pup. If you don’t screen potential puppy customers very strictly, your pups will likely end up on death row within 6-18 months, or living a lonely life in a yard, hot garage, or on a chain.

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Henry County is full of very conscientious, humane dog owners. But they can only own so many dogs, and they already do. Conscientious, professional breeders have a list of prescreened, pre-paid customers waiting for the pups to be born. If you’re not going pro and making sure your pups are going to committed, foreverhomes, just face it: Breeding your dog is adding to Henry County’s overwhelming dog and cat overpopulation problem. Spaying requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. Neutering will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home.

                           

   If cost is an issue, there are many     low-cost spay/neuter clinics right here in Henry. Dr. Elizabeth Perry brings her mobile Paradox Spay/Neuter Clinic (www.paradoxspayneuter.com) to Henry County Animal Care & Con     trol every week. Female dog spays   are only $65, male dog neuters are  $60 (add $10 if your dog is over 50 lbs., and $25 if your dog is in heat or pregnant), including pain medication. Dr. Perry also provides lowcost vaccination and general health services, all by appointment at 770-2887387. Cats are even 2009-2010 School Year cheaper: $35 for males, www.tumblendance.net $55 for females. Dr. PerGymnastics ry’s services are open to the public, not just Henry Hip Hop County residents. There’s Musical Theatre even a special program for Modern senior citizens.

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Also offering low cost spay/ neuter: Project Catsnip with mobile clinic to Henry County (http://atlantaanimalalliance.com/catsnip. htm, 770-448-6806), Lifeline Animal Project (http:// w w w. a t l a n t a p e t s . o r g / , 404-292-8800)in Decatur, and the Atlanta Humane Society (http://www.atlantahumane.org/hospital/ spay-neuter.asp, 404-8756420).

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Boys and Girls Ages 2 1/2 - Adult We also have an “On Location” program at various churches, day cares, and private schools.

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St. Jude patient Brook (center) with her sisters

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