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MY FORSYTH
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CONTENTS VOLUME VI • ISSUE 9
Matters the Heart Pages 31-33
So Much to Live For Page 40
The Clerk of Court Page 44
LIFESTYLE 14: The ‘59 Corvette 15: Surviving Today’s Online World 16: Autumn Leaves 18: When the Cops are Gone 22: Latino Forsyth: Edinson Gaitan 24: The Roberts Great American Adventure
FORSYTH FOODIE 26: Review: ‘cue Barbecue
MY BUSINESS
31
28: Do Communities Need a Brand? 30: A Tradition that Lives On
HEALTH & WELLNESS 36: Bottoms Up!
14
38: Corneal Reshaping with CRT
21
EDUCATION 46: Bowlers Roll for Mentor Me 48: Packs 4 Peers
FAITH 52: Fully Engaged
IN EVERY ISSUE 10: Forsyth County News 12: News Around Forsyth 20: Movie Review: Arrival 55: The Country Preacher
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VOLUME VI | ISSUE 9 | MYFORSYTH.COM 5
CONTRIBUTORS
VOLUME VI • ISSUE 9
MY FORSYTH CONTRIBUTORS
Larry Brown, is a retired journalist, Larry is a member of the Cumming-Forsyth Optimist Club and a mentor with Mentor Me North Georgia. A community volunteer and sought-out writer, he may be reached at browntrust@bellsouth.net.
Ava Clavijo, age 12, is a student at Otwell Middle School. She enjoys trying new foods and restaurants. Ava may be reached at ava. myforsyth@gmail.com
Rebecca Dumas is the owner and color consultant at Gregory’s Paint & Flooring. She may be reached at rebecca@ gregoryspaintandflooring.com
PUBLISHER Market Complete LLC julie@marketcomplete.com 678.614.8583 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LouAnn Brownlee louann.myforsyth@gmail.com 404.242.6033 STAFF WRITERS Stephanie Busch stevie.myforsyth@gmail.com Katielee Kaner katielee.myforsyth@gmail.com
Susan Hart is the Business & Client Services Manager of the Forsyth County Family Haven, Inc. She may be reached at hart. susansmith@att.net.
Rev. David Hill is a Cumming Resident and frequent guest preacher at Antioch Baptist Church. He may be reached at davidkhillhpm@ comcast.net
David James Ray Mason graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies with focus on Film Criticism and Director Studies from East Carolina University in 2008. He may be reached at davie50@yahoo.com.
PRODUCTION INTERN Wendy Corona info@myforsyth.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Samantha Angeli samantha.angeli74@gmail.com 770.310.4486 PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Pendelton 678.208.077 • adampendelton.com
Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational writer and speaker. She is the awardwinning author of Louie’s BIG day! She may be reached at maria@mariaimorgan.com
Narendra Singh, MD, FRCP(C), FACC, FAHA is the Director of Clinical Research, Atlanta Heart Specialists LLC, Atlanta, GA. He may be reached at DrSingh@ahsmed.com or www.heartdrsingh.com.
Randall Toussaint is an economic developer in the Washington DC Metro area. He can be reached at randalltoussaint@ gmail.com.
Hunter Moyer, MD is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He may be reached at 404.250.3393.
Christine Roberts is an author, speaker, consultant, and certified child advocate. She may be reached at christine@ cmrobertsllc.com
Mira Sivan is a family practice optometrist with an emphasis on ocular disease, contact lenses fitting and pediatrics. She may be reached at 678-648-5185.
Annie Syfert is a senior Communications major at Azusa Pacific University in southern California. She may be reached at annie. myforsyth@gmail.com.
Bill York, age 90, is a WWII navy veteran. York is a writer with six novels in the Gwinnett Library System. He may be reached at sioux2222@gmail.com.
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PRINTING Rick Smith 678.910.0347 rsmith@newpointmediagroup.com MAILING SERVICES Chris Cawthon 404.379.6878 chris@mediamakergroup.com
The mission of My Forsyth magazine, a publication of Market Complete LLC, is to provide readers with stories and information about their communities and its people. Each month, 22,000 copies of your community magazine are distributed via direct mail and throughout local businesses as part of our rack distribution. We welcome your comments, stories and advertisements. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the MarketComplete LLC. The Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. My Forsyth is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2016 My Forsyth • www.myforsyth.com 5485 Bethelview Road, Suite 360-135 Cumming GA 30040 (p) 678.614.8583 | (f) 770.888.1511
MY FORSYTH
FUTURE IN HINDSIGHT
“
When I was King and a MasonA master proved and skilled, I cleared me ground for a palace Such as a King should build. I decreed and cut down to my levels, Presently, under the silt, I came on the wreck of a palace Such as a King had built.
History is civilization’s memory. It has the same function within a culture that the recollection of past experiences has for the individual. It memorializes our finest hours, and serves as a warning against danger for those who are wise enough to take its counsel. Within the sphere of human activity, there is truly “nothing new under the sun”. In one way or another, it has all been done before.
PUBLISH-
It is easy to fall into the habit of thinking that the way things are now are the way they have always been, and by inference, will continue to be. For those blessed by a lifetime beginning after the Second - Kipling World War, and especially those born since the Reagan years, it is difficult to appreciate how fragile is the barrier separating modern human existence from poverty, epidemic disease, and chaos.
”
Possibly the greatest obstacle to personal achievement is disbelief in our own frail, human capabilities. The knowledge of the great feats of those who passed before us, all too human like ourselves, can make daunting goals seem within reach, and help us vault that psychological barrier to success. We as people are diminished when we are divorced from the past. Without history, we would have no knowledge of the philosophers-no wisdom from Plato or Aristotle; no inspiration from the martyrs, no horror of the Inquisition, the Holocaust or the Stalinist purges; no admiration of the valor at Thermopylae, the Massada, or the Alamo; no cautions against dictatorship, slavery and brutality; no context in which to appreciate the music of Mozart, Stravinsky, Elvis or Dylan, or the meaning of a canvas by Giotto, daVinci, or Miro. There is no sense of self without history. History is not just some stuff that happened to dimly- remembered and unimportant people. It is a part of who we are, and we a part of it. It is natural and all too human to feel that nothing important happened before the day of one’s birth. But the fact is, that we are but a link in the chain of human events, and the study of history gives us not only some idea of whence we come, but also allows us to gain a perspective on the trajectory of the future. Arthur Conan Doyle advanced the idea that a man’s intellectual and moral make-up were just as much a sum of his family tree as his physiology. In a similar manner, any culture is nothing more or less than the totality of its morals and ideas put into action across decades or centuries. For those of us who believe that the history of the world is the history of the struggle between good and evil, knowing that the present is only the sum of all our yesterdays should serve to make us take more care about what we do today, for tomorrow it will go into that vast flux of cultural memory. And who can say what effect--whether great or small, for good or ill--that it may have?
By Michael Brennan 1955-2014 Published: Winter 2009 ©
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VOLUME VI | ISSUE 9 | MYFORSYTH.COM 9
FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS
HOLIDAY FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY TIPS FROM THE FORSYTH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Christmas Tree Recycling When the holidays end, don’t lay your tree out on the curb – recycle it! Trees can be recycled at three county locations* (Tolbert Street Recycling Convenience Center, Old Atlanta Recycling Convenience Center and Coal Mountain Recycling Center) from December 26 through January 30. Wood chips made from the recycled trees are available for county residents inside of Coal Mountain Park at 3560 Settingdown Road. Residents are responsible for loading and hauling their own wood chips. This annual “Bring One for the Chipper” event is hosted by Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB). *Please note that all three county recycling convenience centers will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 31 and remain closed until 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 3 in observance of New Year’s. The centers will also be closed Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
For more information and a listing of additional January 7-only tree recycling locations, visit keepforsythcountybeautiful.org or call KFCB at (770) 205-4573.
The Forsyth County Fire Department wants you and your family to be safe this holiday season. Here are some tips to help you celebrate safely. • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like a furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater. • Follow manufacturer’s recommendations regarding where and how to use any heating devices. • Remember to turn portable space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. • Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. • Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat can dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. • Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, and broken or cracked sockets. If such deficiencies are found, dispose of them. • Never place wrapping paper in a fireplace. Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire. • Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. • In an emergency, always dial 911.
GIVE BACK TO LOCAL SENIORS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Help brighten the holiday season for Forsyth County homebound senior citizens by participating in the 2016 Home-Delivered Meals Holiday Gift Certificate Program. Meals purchased with a holiday gift certificate through Forsyth County Senior Services will be delivered through the Meals on Wheels program. Those interested in participating may choose from $3.68 for one day, $18.40 for one week, $80.96 for one month and $956.80 for the year. Gifts may be tax-deductible. Checks should be made payable to Forsyth County Senior Services, Holiday Gift Certificate Program and mailed or delivered to: Forsyth County Senior Services, 7305 Lanier Drive, Cumming, GA 30041. For more information, please call Forsyth County Senior Services at (770) 781-2178 or visit www.forsythco.com/seniors.
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FORSYTH COUNTY GOVERNMENT
110 E. Main Street, Suite 210 TV Forsyth – Comcast Channel 23 ForsythCo.com
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NEWS AROUND FORSYTH
Atlanta Landscape and Fertilization is Now Open
Adam Johnson with Premier Turfcare and Elijah Thomas with TLC Group, are pleased to announce the opening of Atlanta Landscape and Fertilization. Premier Turfcare specializes in weed control and fertilization while TLC Group offers the lawn maintenance, landscape design, and landscape installation services. Adam and Elijah bring over 20 years of experience in landscape and fertilization to Atlanta Landscape and Fertilization. “Adam and I are excited to bring the two teams together. We’ve worked in stride for some time now. The timing was finally right for ALF. We have the opportunity to do something special for our families,” said Thomas, CEO. “Our services and our growth will create a better landscape and more job opportunities for the communities around us,” he added. ALF is a customer service company that offers full commercial and residential landscape management services. Those services include weed control and fertilization, disease control, core aerations, shrub care, over seeding, mosquito control, ant control, mowing, pruning, planting, design, installation, and much more. For more information, “We’re excited to see the two companies come together as ALF. Both companies give us great please contact service. It’s just another thing, in a long list, Premier and TLC have done to make it more convenient 706-216-1254. for us,” said Will Wade, a longtime customer.
SAFFT Appoints New Executive Director SAFFT’s former Chief Operating Officer, Brian Anderson, has been promoted to the position of CEO and Executive Director of the non-profit organization. Brian co-founded SAFFT with his wife Ashley. After seven years of serving as Executive Director, Ashely decided to step down from her position to focus on family and raising their children. The couple worked tirelessly, along with community leaders and volunteers, to build a support network for foster and adoptive families. “Moving into this new role is truly an honor. I look forward to growing the program that in 2015, assisted 51 victims of domestic violence, supported 60 foster and adopted families, served 212 birth families in crisis and protected 321 children,” Anderson explained. Brian spent 12 years working for several successful technology companies in various sales and operations roles while supporting the organization as a volunteer. Brian has a B.S. degree in Commerce and Business Administration with an MIS focus from the University of Alabama.
The mission of SAFFT, Supporting Adoption & Foster Families Together, is to protect children, rebuild families and empower caregivers. For details on SAFFT, visit www.safft.org.
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Cub Scouts Meet with Forsyth County Commissioner Two groups of cub scouts visited the Forsyth County Administration Building to learn about local government and citizenship. Cub Scout Den 11 from Pack 8307 visited on November 7, and Cub Scout Den 1 from Pack 811 visited November 9. During their visits, the scouts met with Forsyth County District 4 Commissioner and Vice Chairman Cindy Jones Mills who gave them an overview of county government and the many services it provides.
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MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
THE ’59 CORVETTE By Tom Burgess, Owner, Christian Brothers Automotive, Cumming GA
Remember that car you had as a kid, the one you think “I never should have sold that! Several months ago, I received an intriguing phone call - a friend of a friend was looking to buy an incredible gift for his Dad’s 70th Birthday; Paul wanted to purchase the same 1959 Corvette that his Dad was forced to sell as a young man because his Mother became pregnant with him. Two adults and a baby just don’t fit in a corvette and his prized possession had to go. What a fantastic idea to replace “the one that got away.” As a classic car nut, I was thrilled to help. I contacted Paul and found he wanted the Corvette to be as close as possible to what his Father had owned: black with silver coves on the side, a red interior, dual 4 barrel carburetors, and a 4-speed transmission. My excitement to help quickly turned to frustration when, after spending considerable time searching the country for just such a car, I could not find what Paul was after. The wrong paint or the wrong transmission, too much restoration needed; the two of us discussed and deliberated over so many cars, mainly what changes would be practical and could realistically be done and still meet the party date. After weeks of unsuccessful hunting, and Paul’s father’s birthday less than six weeks away, we narrowed it down to two cars in Ohio that were being sold by a reputable dealer, and both appeared to be in great shape. The quest began in earnest on a Friday afternoon, as Paul and I flew to Ohio.
Paul is the nicest, most laid-back guy you will ever meet. He may well be the youngest CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, but you would never know it by spending time with him. He is a practical guy, not a showboat. I enjoyed our conversations throughout the trip. The next day we headed to the dealership and found rows and rows of gorgeous classic Corvettes from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. What a beautiful sight! But only two were potentials; a black and a red one. Upon inspection that quickly turned to just one when the red one was too expensive and would cost too much to repaint. The black exterior with black interior corvette was basically rust-free, ran and drove great, and had the correct engine and options. Paul purchased the car and arraigned for it to be shipped to my shop. The car arrived a week later; my lead technician Randy had just three weeks to strip the interior, then we had to get the body and paint work done, install the new red interior, and fix a bunch of minor things we noticed during closer inspection. Time was of the essence. The guys at Sky Collision did a fantastic job in record time. In just over a week they managed to fix many surface cracks in the gelcoat, paint the hood, trunk, cowl, deck lid, side coves, and interior parts. We had to wait for the car to return before we could start replacing the interior and fix the mechanical issues. New seat
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covers, dashboard, carpet, door panels, armrests and a host of other items had to be installed to turn the black interior to red. Anytime you are working on a 56-year-old car there are bound to be surprises and setbacks. The birthday party day arrived. We finished just in time for me to tow the car to Paul’s house. He put the car into his garage with a big red bow, and during the party took his Dad and Mom out to the garage. His Dad was speechless and thrilled when he saw the car, but it was his Mother that became emotional. She explained to Paul, “This is the car your Dad showed up in for our first date. This was our car throughout our courtship and it brings back so many wonderful memories.” It was incredible to help make a son’s dream come true, frustrating at times, nerve-wracking too, but in the end, very satisfying. We got to work on a beautiful classic car, which we all enjoy, and a son was able to give a gift of memories to his parents, all wrapped up in a ’59 Corvette.
HOW DOES AN INDEPENDENT RETAILER COMPETE IN TODAY’S ONLINE WORLD? By Rebecca Dumas
As an independent retailer for over 20 years we have seen a substantial increase in digital marketing highlighted by social media and eCommerce. The number of platforms that are being added is up by an alarming rate. It is no longer enough to just be on Facebook, Twitter, Google, LinkedIn. Now you also need a presence on Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, Yelp, Angie’s List, and all of the other social and local search sites. HOW DOES A SMALL BRICK AND MORTAR INDEPENDENT BUSINESS COMPETE? The short answer and how we have managed to stay relevant is by constantly adding value, reinvention, and continually providing good service to our customers. The goal is always to work toward getting repeat customers, referrals, and people who see the value in doing business with someone you know. As a very wise former sales manager used to say to me “You Take the Good with the Bad”. Everyday there are new challenges when running a small business: employee turnover, google maps, Yelp, and Big Box Goliath’s trying to squash you, and this has been just in this past year! All of us small businesses that survived the recession thought that was the worst period we would all endure. Now we see that it is a continuing cycle of what comes down the path and if you are strong enough to combat it and learn from it. Flexibility is key. As we are nearing the end of the most horrible election in history (my opinion), the mean attacks on both sides, exposure of corruption, and disgusting details we all want to forget, I made a choice to not watch a single debate because my conscience and soul could not stand anymore filth, but unfortunately I could not hide from all of it on social media. So, I understand why people are in a bad mood. I own two retail stores, and when folks come in with an attitude or are rude, I try to remain kind and helpful. If we could all try that approach more often, perhaps we can start seeing a shift. INDEPENDENT RETAILERS OFFER SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT IS NEEDED IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY. A place to go that provides individualized customer service that has a vested interest in the community that they share. Independent retailers are problem solvers and go above and beyond to get a customer for life. And that has always been our goal and the same with all the small business owners I know and work with. It does need to also be understood that we can’t do all those things and still be the cheapest. I rarely frequent a chain restaurant anymore; we always prefer a family owned smaller place that provides something special. We all work hard for our money, and want to spend it wisely. Now more than ever do something good to make a difference. Our goal every year is to find a charity that we can support, to pay it forward. We all share this planet for a brief time, live the best you can. Be kinder to one another, it doesn’t matter if you win the race, it’s so much more important how you treat others. Pass it on!
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MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
AUTUMN LEAVES By Ava Clavijo
Fall is my favorite time of year—the leaves changing color, the cool weather, the food—I love it all. The nature is so beautiful because of the changing leaves that are amazing to see in progress. The maple tree in my back yard goes from green to a brilliant orange in just a week. Even though summer and winter are great because you get to go to the beach and play in the snow, in my opinion fall is the best. Fall food, fall clothing and even the smell of fall; all of it makes me want to get outside and take it in. Fall food can be savory, sweet, or salty, and I love all three. My favorite savory fall dish is usually a bowl of chili or soup. My favorites are chicken chili and tortilla soup. I have a lot of sweet treats I crave in fall, let’s just say my sweet tooth is always happy. Who can resist pecan pie, apple pie, or pumpkin cheese cake? I also have a few sweet drinks I love too, like hot chocolate or a mocha from Starbucks. Don’t worry I didn’t forget the salty because my favorite salty treats are caramel anything and pretzels. The smell of fall is so distinct. You know, the smell of a pie in the oven, the smell of a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks, and the smell of fresh mountain air - everything you look forward to on that first cold night. Fall is a great time to travel and go outside. My favorite places to go are the fair, Amicalola Falls, Gibbs Gardens, and Highlands, NC. I love going to all these places to see the beautiful nature they showcase. Being in these places makes me feel peaceful and calm, and who doesn’t need that in their week? I also get to go to these places with my family and that’s always fun. I’ve been going to Amacalola Falls before I could walk, and it’s always been amazing to see the leaves changing and to imagine Native Americans living at that very site. I just started going to Gibbs Gardens, and it’s been fun taking pictures and exploring the garden. In conclusion, fall can be overlooked, but we need to remember its beautiful glory and everything it brings and how it excites all your senses. So, next time you’re sitting inside during the fall, remember all you have to do is open your door, and there is a beautiful world right outside.
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MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
“
WHEN THE COPS ARE GONE
Because of concerns for their personal safety plus debasing vilification many officers are finding other work to provide for their family. When it reaches the point where there are too few police officers we will suffer increased anarchy.
Being curious at age 77, I attended the Gwinnett County Citizen Police Academy in 2003. I wanted to know what police officers were confronted with in that line of work. Along with 20 people of different ages and backgrounds I got my mind packed with an education. We practiced traffic stops, drug busts, home invasions and attended workshops for many police departments. We saw crime detection personnel dissecting a cadaver found in the trunk of a car. I asked the specialist how she could eat. She said, “I learned to cope.” I shot in competition with the swat team. Even though I was a US Navy marksman in WWII, I lost. On a movie screen, I was confronted with a situation that the police encounter requiring a decision: a tall figure walking toward me at night; good guy-bad guy? I hesitated too long to make the determination. I was shot. If that situation had been real, my wife would be a widow and my kids would be without their father. I wondered how often police officers are confronted with a similar decision.
When I was young there were vigilantes in the communities. The crime rate was low because punishment was immediate and severe. We respected police officers and did as ordered when stopped. We didn’t have concealed weapons or drugs and most drivers never had criminal records. We were too busy making a living. Because of concerns for their personal safety plus debasing vilification many officers are finding other work to provide for their family. When it reaches the point where there are too few police officers we will suffer increased anarchy. Then when you have a home invasion and dial 911 for help and the operator says there are no police available for the call you will discover how vital the police are. Attending the citizen police academy reminded me of the importance of police officers and the debt of gratitude we owe them. It also reinforced the need for better communication, respect and collaboration from all sides – police officers and the community at large. We all must work together to maintain a sense of security and peace; it takes all of us to make this happen.
BY Bill York
I rode with an officer to an actual shootout between rival gangs. I saw a rear window explode in a parked car. It’s a scary experience. We were allowed a helicopter ride, mine searching at night above a wooded area for a rapist, a heat detector revealing the rapist hiding among trees, the pilot directing the police searching below. I watched the man being taken down. I thought about when I arrived in Atlanta in 1964. I could walk around at night without apprehension. Not today. The situation has changed; people now roaming the streets late at night armed with an arsenal. That is nightly danger confronting the police. When an officer stops a car, he has no concept of the mental condition of the occupant; maybe thugs, maybe mind-numb from alcohol, maybe a drug pusher, maybe an addict, a gun hidden, armed and desperate. Per a recent USA Today reporter, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty this year is up 67% over 2015. It is a foreboding trend that regretfully continues to increase.
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”
BOOK REVIEW
THE AGE OF SPEED
by Vince Poscente
Published by Bard Press (2007), $22.00 Review by Kathleen Lewis
Poscente spends another section of the book writing about four different types of hypothetical companies and assigning each a label of Zeppelin, Balloon, Bottle Rocket, or Jet, depending on business practices. According to him, the best type of company is a Jet, or one that harnesses the power of speed and arrives at a destination still intact. He finishes wraps up the book with a section of examples on how the best companies can work with speed to their advantage. “The Age of Speed” is filled with business clichés and notions about how we should accept the burdens the pace of technology has placed on us by doing more using better tools. The author doesn’t address the cultural effects of our fast moving society and loss of an individual’s private time because of corporations and customers who expect access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He assumes that by performing certain tasks faster, we’ll all have more time to do what we really want. He also never acknowledges that most companies will demand workers fill extra time gained by the smart use of technology with even more tasks. While this book has some fun trivia scattered throughout the pages, it’s lightweight with no real information about managing the pace of life and the unrealistic expectations often demanded by the use of today’s technologies. In short, it won’t help you lessen the stress in your life or help you figure out how to keep your sanity while answering to the demands of your job.
In “The Age of Speed”, author Vince Poscente, a business consultant, ex-Olympic speed-skier, and professional speaker, challenges the notion that the speed of life today is harmful and proposes that we don’t really need to slow down. To Poscente, the speed of modern life, driven by technology and an abundance of options, is both the problem and the solution. He suggests that we should harness the power of technology to perform repetitious, mundane tasks faster so we can move on to the things we find fun in both our jobs and daily lives. The book is divided into eight sections, each containing several short chapters. The first section outlines what life is like in the today’s speedobsessed world and how it impacts everyone from airline passengers in the security line at the airport to those that rely on a BlackBerry as a constant companion. He proposes that in our need for speed, we’re willing to make large sacrifices such as compromises to our personal privacy at no small cost to our pocketbooks and piece of mind. He spends the next section, titled Evolution, explaining why our notions about the evils of speed are wrong and how we can use tools to do things faster without becoming busier. He suggests that we don’t have to work longer or harder to do more if we wisely use the time freed up by using technology to shorten a task. The section titled The Big Blur discusses the increasing lack of boundaries between a person’s professional and personal life. He suggests that it can be freeing to accept the intrusion of work into your private life by deciding if you’ve spent enough time on a rewarding activity, such as family activities, in order to justify evenings and weekends checking email or performing other job related tasks.
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VOLUME VI | ISSUE 9 | MYFORSYTH.COM 19
MY FORSYTH | MOVIE REVIEW
ARRIVAL
(2016)
DIRECTOR: DENIS VILLENEUVE • ROTTEN TOMATOES SCORE: 93% By David James Ray Mason
The thinking man’s Sci-Fi movie comes along ever so rarely now considering Hollywood’s overwhelming need to make billions of dollars at the box-office. Luckily director Denis Villeneuve drawing from and ultimately branching out from his previous successes with 2013’s Prisoners and 2015’s Sicario delivers Arrival into theaters. Arrival tells the understated exploration of an alien invasion unlike anything you have seen on screen before…well maybe not since 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind anyway. There are no Independence Day style explosions or Mars Attacks slap-stick approach to aliens come to earth tale found anywhere in Arrival’s languid runtime. The pacing of Arrival is slow but extremely deliberate in execution and the cinematography is simply gorgeous to behold. To rush the needed backstory just to get to the foreshadowed conclusion would do the story being told an injustice. Amy Adams plays linguist Dr. Louise Banks tasked to assist in translating communications with the heptapod life forms. This is no easy task
as there are not a lot of precedence for speaking with an alien…or is there? Communication plays a key role in deciphering the layers upon layers of meaning behind not only the visitation but also in human understanding of My time and relativity.
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rating = 9 out of 10
Adams is by far one of the best actresses working today as her five Oscar nominations in the past 10 years will attest to. She is the glue that holds the entire story together and without an actress of her gravitas the whole film would collapse onto itself. The emotional buy in needed by the audience would be harder to earn with a lesser actress in this role. It is hard to review a film without giving anything away when not knowing the “twist” is part of the excitement of discovery. This is a film presented as a puzzle needing to be deciphered wrapped in an enigma which needs a Rosetta Stone to decode. And yet Arrival is a film that is easy to follow and linearly presented when all is said and done. Layers of story are being peeled away so expertly that you do not even realize it is happening until the final scene fades to black and you are left in awe. An alien invasion movie that says more about the human condition than it does about the aliens invading is such a bold move in 2016’s Hollywood that it deserves to usher in a new wave of Sci-Fi storytelling.
MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS It’s the time of year when our families all come together to share our wonderful holidays. Family time is often so very hectic and we all look forward with anticipation to our family gatherings this time of the year. Wonderful times together enhanced by lots of traditions make our hearts warm with excitement for the times we share with our friends and family. Whether you are the host or you are traveling to your holiday celebration what better time to transform your home into its best celebration mode! Here are but a few suggestions to give your home a cozy and festive glow: Start with the entrance to your home by dressing up the front door with a wreath or colorful holiday arrangement and light the walkway with luminaries for a different way to use those remote control candles. The foyer deserves special attention since this is the where the first impressions are made. The front hall must be welcoming with good lighting and perhaps a holiday arrangement on the hall table. Mirrors and candlelight will brighten a foyer nicely, and a beautiful rug can add a luxurious touch. Perhaps this is the year to consider an elegant wall covering in your entryway. Holidays are the time of year to display your most elaborate accessories you know the ones you tuck away in the cabinets for a special occasion. Bring those out and dress them up by adding some glitz like ribbon, greenery or other holiday glam. Since family and friends usually settle into
the living or family room where the Christmas tree becomes the center of attention pay careful attention to the arrangement of the furniture especially if a piece has to be removed to add the tree. Is the furniture grouped for the best conversational arrangement? Is there plenty of room to traverse the area? Are there easily accessible places for elderly guests to sit? Ottomans can be used for children and can be moved around when not used for seating.
AROMA PUNCH (NOT FOR CONSUMPTION)
1 qt. pineapple juice 3 3-inch sticks cinnamon 1 qt. water 16 whole cloves 1 qt. apple cider 1 t allspice 4 pieces ginger 1-2 t. pickling spice Combine all ingredients in a large cooking kettle and bring to boil. Simmer all day on very low heat. Add more juice and water as evaporation occurs
Besides gift giving, food for most of us is also a favorite and the dining room should be a stimulating ambiance for dining, conversation and fun. Drape the table with festive holiday linens. For an enchanting combination, cover your table with two table cloths---- a richly colored solid base cloth topped with a beautiful sheer cloth sprinkled with “sparkly things”
appropriate for the holiday. The centerpiece should be special but low-profiled since you don’t want it to be a detriment to conversation. Candlesticks are perfect. Mixing and matching your china and silver pieces can be a charming and eclectic way to enjoy those special heirlooms. What family doesn’t like to gather in the kitchen, make sure there are attractive accessories such as bowls of fruits, candies, pastries, or flowers in view even a small counter tree decorated with homemade cookies, candies or smaller ornaments will surely make for conversation and enjoyment while the cooking is going on. Keep a kettle of Aroma Punch (recipe below) on your range top to provide that special holiday aroma throughout your home. If you will have overnight guests, make them feel welcome by enhancing the guest room with fresh flowers, candle or potpourri. Holiday-themed throw pillows on the bed add a cozy dimension. A good reading light and water carafe by the bed are thoughtful touches. Remember to put out plush towels and extra toiletries for your guests. There are dozens more ways to make your guests and family feel at home for the holidays. Put your own family’s customs into everything you do. Preparing to welcome friends to your home is a lot of fun, and ensures a memorable visit for you and your special guests. Corinne Carmack Interior Designer at Arbor House Interiors arborhouseint@gmail.com 770-475-4371
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MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
LATINO FORSYTH “We all have a story to tell, and sometimes we are asked to share
Edinson Gaitan Known for his constant smile, love of soccer, and spirit of volunteerism, Edinson Gaitan, better known as Eddie, is a happy family man who has shared his story with many.
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ours in public. Our stories may be private or public – either way they are our stories,” Eddie stated. Eddie is a cancer survivor and advocate for cancer research and education. Whether as a member of the Northside HospitalForsyth Auxiliary or as a member of the Forsyth County Relay for Life efforts, Eddie is never shy about talking his journey. Eddie is also a volunteer for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. “It’s not about a fight in as much as living with a disease that does not define me; it is something that is part of my body that I will do all that I can to get rid of – to exterminate,” Eddie shared during a Relay event. “Cancer does not define who I am or how I live my life, though it may make it a bit taxing at times.” “Whether an individual’s cancer journey is a public or a personal one, what is important is their wish to live and to be seen and treated as living beings and not cancer-stricken humans. Their will to survive is powerful and, thanks to the advances in medical treatment, the battles have a new arsenal at their disposal,” he added. Eddie is originally from Colombia. He lives in Cumming with his wife. The couple has three children and one grandson. “Having a grandson is a great joy in my life,” Eddie mentioned. “I try to spend as much time with him as I can. I’m also teaching him all about soccer!” Cancer, Eddie explained, reminds him of Roller Derby – two teams going around a rink in skates, battling each other for points until, at the end of the allotted competition time a winner was declared on who had the most number of points. “The fight was at times intense, at others a bit comical,” he stated with a big smile. “So I get up every day, put on my skates and move forward towards the ride of the day – cancer and all!”
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MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
ROLLIN WITH THE ROBERTS: THE GREAT AMERICAN ADVENTURE
By Christine Roberts
It was about four years ago; the seed had been planted. I was in California for a speaker conference and met a couple who had done it-they took off on the adventure of a lifetime. The motivation for them was that, Elizabeth, the wife had been very sick and her, potentially, final wish was this request. The second seed that was planted happened around that same time when my husband and I attended an event at our church geared to married couples. The intro video to the program showed a couple on a boat out at sea going scuba diving. The anchor was dropped and the over they went into the depths of the water. As they explored around they realized the anchor was no longer within sight. Panic overtook them as they realized the danger of being carried away by the under current. Up to the top they went and as they looked around the vast ocean, they realized their boat was far off in the distance. The metaphor was so powerful about how we can get caught up in the cultural current of life and lose sight of the anchor, of what is important—faith, relationships, health, peace, joy, and experiences, among others.
The final straw that triggered this idea was an article I read about people in hospice. They were interviewed and asked, “If they could live their lives over again, what would they do different?” One of the primary responses was wishing he or she would have had the courage to follow their dreams. They had regret, and the regret was about what the person didn’t do. Ok, that was it! On paper, our family is the picture of success, the big house, great jobs and abundance in many ways but what hit me over the summer was how life felt like such a “rat race”. The grind of going, going, going all the time had taken its toll. As I looked at our children, now 12 and 10 years old, the realization of how fast time is going smacked me over the head like a ton of bricks. I told my husband, “I can’t do this anymore!” The poor guy, looked at me and said, “What do you mean?” I didn’t intend to completely freak him out but I wasn’t kidding; I just couldn’t keep going the way I was going! “Selling” him on my idea was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, but he’s a trooper and got fully on board.
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Now here I sit in our RV with the trees and lake in my view. Yes, we sold our big house, luxury cars, purged 90% of our “stuff ”, bought an RV, a jeep and are on our way to travel America for at least a year. Crazy? Courageous? We’ll see? What area of your life do you feel stuck? It is possible to create your best life but it takes some guts and there are tradeoffs. As Americans, we have so many options; the only things for certain are death and taxes. Now you don’t have to go and sell all your stuff and buy an RV, but what is it for you? Take an inventory of your life and do some soul searching to what you need to change or improve and make it happen. One thing you will never get back is time!
at Follow our journey eRoberts.com www.RollinWithTh azy and see if we are cr or courageous☺J
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MY FORSYTH | FORSYTH FOODIE
‘cue Barbecue We feasted on some amazing food at ‘cue barbecue in Cumming. From brisket and veggies to a succulent cherry cobbler, these folks may have just changed my mind about eating barbecue more than four times a year. Their menu includes starters, salads, sandwiches, platters and sides, as expected. What is different is the taste and variety. And the sauces. Customers have four sauces to choose from – vinegar-based, mustardbased, regular and spicy. To this barbecue novice, the vinegar-based and the regular where the best. Now back to the brisket; chopped and cooked to mouth-watering perfection. That’s the best description I can provide. It truly didn’t need any sauce but I added a bit just because it was somewhat expected. The fried okra was awesome as were the bacon beans. No outing with my dad would be complete without dessert. The man has a sweet tooth like no one else I know. The waiter told us we had one choice – cherry cobbler. And what a great choice it was! Don’t know how to describe cobbler so I’ll keep it simple – it was delicious. And the “wicked big scoop” of vanilla ice cream topped with homemade whipped cream…magnificent! A Kid’s Menu is available and includes macaroni and cheese (yep, I tried it and liked it!), bologna and cheese sandwich (I’ll try the bologna sandwich on the regular menu at my next visit), grilled cheese and sliders. After tasting ‘cue’s great food, I am sure I’ll add Buford Highway them to my list of go-to places. Cumming: 1370 ighway 9N As for their slogan, “…homemade everything, Miton: 13700 H 60 Peachtree y’all” – it fits them perfectly. 52 s: er rn Co ee Peachtr
Admittedly barbecue is not at the top of my list when looking for places to have lunch or dinner. I can say that I probably have barbecue maybe four times a year. And so it was, that on a sunny, fall day, after leaving a doctor’s appointment with my dad, I asked him if he would like barbecue for lunch. He replied yes, a bit shocked, as he knows that’s not an usual choice in my repertoire of places to eat.
‘cue barbecue
Industrial Blvd m cuebarbecue.co
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MY FORSYTH | RANDALL’S MUSINGS
DO COMMUNITIES NEED A BRAND? By Randall Toussaint
Hailed as the father of advertising, David Olgivy remarked that a brand is “the intangible sum of a product’s attributes: its name, packaging, and price, its history, its reputation, and the way it’s advertised.”
Contemporary experts maintain that brands are no longer solely limited to tangible products. Rather, they are also attributable to intangible objects such as regions or communities. Experts define this new approach to branding communities as “place branding.” “Perhaps more than companies, and certainly more than most personalities, locations and destinations need to brand themselves,” stated Marian Salzman in her May 2016 Forbes article entitled Why Place Branding is Becoming Place Doing. “They need to have an identity, and to have a say in the stories that are being told about them.” Successful place branding initiatives shift negative perceptions while embracing a community’s cultural and economic identity. They can also be leveraged to promote civic pride, increase tourism, and boost economic activity. “71% of capital investment deals did not involve an initial contact with any [economic] development organization” stated Don Mceachern in his 2011 presentation to ICMA. “That means that 71% of the time, your community’s reputation is what gets you on a shortlist.” Although place branding is a useful tool,
some argue that creating a competitive brand is not as easy as it may appear. “The playing field is vast, and it’s hardly level. Some places are already cool (or comfortable) while others simply aspire to be,” commented Salzman. “Communities aren’t competing only with their neighbors but also with places half a world away.” Recent trends suggest that communities can overcome this challenge by utilizing master branding—a technique that emphasizes an overall brand as opposed to its products. “Recently, both Hershey and Coca-Cola have switched to a master brand strategy” commented Denise Lee Yohn in her recent article in the Harvard Business Review. “Instead of promoting, for example, Hershey’s Syrup, chocolate bars, and Hershey’s kisses separately, the company is running an advertising campaign that unites all Hershey branded treats in a single commercial.” California recently employed this technique by uniting the State’s attractions under a single master brand called “Visit California”. Forsyth County, Georgia also utilized this technique when they united their tourism, economic development, and advocacy initiatives under a single master brand called “You’re Welcome”. Historically, the I “heart” NY logo ranks among the most popular examples of this technique, uniting all the City’s marketing efforts under a simple 3-letter master brand.
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“
Perhaps more
than companies, and certainly more than most personalities, locations and destinations need to brand themselves,” stated Marian Salzman in her May 2016 Forbes article entitled Why Place Branding is Becoming Place Doing. “They need to have an identity, and to have a say in the stories that are
”
being told about them.
For more information about place branding visit www.iedconline.org.
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A TRADITION THAT LIVES ON I remember my grandfather going to our local barber shop to get a cut and a shave. Men sat patiently waiting their turn as stories of the day’s events, politics, kids and grandkids, wives and life, were the backdrop to a tradition that has disappeared in some communities. That tradition has not been lost by Bob Bagwell, owner of Village Barber in Johns Creek. “Being a barber runs in my family,” stated Bagwell. “My father and my uncle were barbers, as is my brother. I didn’t set out to be a barber when deciding my career path, but began barbering in 1963. I opened my first shop in Lilburn in 1984 and the rest, as they say, is history!” Barbering has been an honorable profession, with men’s styles changing over the years just as much as they have for the ladies. The profession is one of the oldest in the world. For Bob, it is simply a wonderful trade, where he gets to meet a great number of people. Bob Bagwell with his first “There’s nothing like seeing a young boy coming customer, Stephen Osley in to get his first haircut,” Bob reflected. “We even have a certificate that honors that special occasion.” As the tradition of barbering keeps dwindling, not so does the zest that customers can feel when talking to barbers. Barber schools have been replaced by “schools that teach hair cutting, coloring and such.” “Barbers start out in an apprentice program, where where 3,000 hours or work are required, as well as a state exam, to obtain a Master Barber license. A good barber, Bagwell said, can do anything with a clipper that a pair of scissors or a razor could do. And he should know – Bagwell has cut the hair of families over generations, from grandfathers, to sons, to grandsons. “It’s a tradition that I hope will never die,” Bagwell reflected. Let’s hope it never does!
VILLAGE BARBER 4090 Johns Creek Parkway • Suwanee GA 30024 • 770-622-7770 Monday-Friday 9 am – 6 pm, Saturday 8 am – 4 pm 30 MYFORSYTH.COM VOLUME VI | ISSUE 9
WHY ARE BARBER POLES RED, WHITE AND BLUE? In the Middle Ages, hair was not the only thing that barbers cut. Barbers performed surgery, tooth extractions, and bloodletting. Bloodletting involved cutting open a vein and allowing blood to drain, and was a common treatment for a wide range of maladies, from sore throat to plague. Known as barber-surgeons, (as supposed to academic surgeons) barbers also took on such tasks as pulling teeth, setting bones and treating wounds. In 1505, barber-surgeons were admitted to the Faculty of the University of Paris. The barber pole, a symbol of the profession, is a legacy to bloodletting. The bandages used to catch a patient’s blood, would be hung on the staff and sometimes placed outside. Twirled by the wind, they would form a red and white spiral pattern that was later adopted for painted poles. In Europe, barber poles traditionally are red and white, while in America, the poles are red, white and blue. One theory holds that blue is symbolic of the veins cut during bloodletting, while another interpretation suggests blue was added to the pole as a show of patriotism and a nod to the nation’s flag. History.com
COVER STORY
Since 2002, Dr. Narendra Singh, a boardcertified cardiologist, has been a member of the medical community of Atlanta. Dr. Singh joined the medical staff at Northside Hospital-Forsyth in 2002 and served as Section Chief. Continued on next page
“
Being part of this growing community has been most rewarding,” Dr. Singh reflected. “I’ve seen our communities grow and the healthcare services available to them grow as well. Dr. Singh is a member of Atlanta Heart Specialists (AHS), an independent cardiology practice. “We are not owned by any hospital or university entity. Accordingly, when there is a service we do not provide in our office, I can offer my patients the best referrals regardless of which hospital system that involves,” Dr. Singh explained. Dr. Singh’s delivery of care is best described as patient-centered care. “We are partners in the decision-making process. While I have the clinical expertise, it is the patient who will undergo the treatment and therefore they should always have the final say on what is right for them,” stated Dr. Singh. “I am a strong believer in evidence-based medicine. Any medications or treatment advice I offer has a high-quality clinical trial behind it to support its use. There is no point in taking a pill without a good reason to justify its use. Information empowers patients to take control of their health; I want to be their change agent.” Dr. Singh is aware that patients may complain that their time with their doctor is too short. “I recognize that office visits are often too short; I place a lot of emphasis on educational materials that are available on my personal website www.heartdrsingh.com. They reinforce information I provided in the office. I send regular newsletters to patients; these are also available on our website,” explained Dr. Singh. All patients receive a discharge summary upon completion of their office visit. The AHS Team “Care in our office is a team approach. I offer an orientation brochure to all new patients (available also on our website) so they know what to expect and the various roles our team members play,” Dr. Singh added. The staff is also very involved in the patient’s
visits and follow-up care, Dr. Singh emphasized. “I was born in India, grew up and trained in Canada and continue to practice in both Canada and the US. That gives me broad exposure to various health care systems and treatment approaches. I want to ensure that I offer my patients the highest quality of care possible,” asserted Dr. Singh. Concern for the raising costs of healthcare is something Dr. Singh and his staff hear often. “We work with our patients to deliver care that is within their budget. We have some of the lowest self –pay rates for uninsured patients and are routinely cheaper than hospital-owned practices,” Dr. Singh explained. “I offer all my patients the best options first; I will also work with them on alternatives when the best may not be feasible.” The value of education and research are also of utmost importance to Dr. Singh. “I want my patients to work with me on the best care for their condition,” Dr. Singh added. As part of his commitment to his patients, Dr. Singh has added one more key person to his staff. Mrs. Richards is available to all of Dr. Singh’s patients.
Crystal Richards, Practice Manager
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”
“I can handle any concerns that were not addressed during a patient’s visit, get feedback on the overall patient care experience, and overall follow-up. I also meet with primary care physicians to ensure that our consultation notes and test results get to them in a timely manner,” Richards explained. “Patients have mentioned that this extra level of communication provides them with a seamless concierge-style experience… without the concierge level price,” added Richards. The Value of Research “I run a large clinical research unit that is recognized nationally and internationally for excellence. At Atlanta Heart Specialists, we can provide our patients early access to promising new therapies in a safe and caring environment. It is also important to know that you can participate in our research trials and still see your own established cardiologist,” Dr. Singh explained. “I am also involved in various clinical trials, which provides clinicians with lifesaving information, drugs, treatment plans and a wide range of helpful techniques to treat our cardiology patients.” Dr. Singh has participated in clinical trials for over 15 years. “The diligent efforts of our highly talented team of certified clinical research coordinators, ensure those patients who choose to participate in clinical trials do so in an enjoyable, safe, caring and comforting environment,” Dr. Singh added. More than any specialty in medicine, cardiology owes its success to an impressive array of clinical trials that have brought us wonder drugs such as beta blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, and wonder devices such as stents, pacemakers and ICD’s.
“They serve to further determine how tomorrow’s treatment strategies will be employed,” added Dr. Singh. A clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about investigational treatments, or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials allow researchers to test to see if an investigational treatment is safe and effective. “Doctors run the tests per strict rules set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and all of our studies are approved and overseen by an Institutional Review Board (IRB),” Dr. Singh explained. Being part of this growing community has been most rewarding,” Dr. Singh reflected. “I’ve seen our communities grow and the healthcare services available to them grow as well.”
Heart Care Beyond the Office Dr. Singh remains active in the pursuit of knowledge and education regarding cardiology and best practices. He is a teacher at the Medical College of Georgia and travels often to lecture other physicians. “Students keep me sharp by asking the most basic questions that help reinforce in me the core principles behind our care delivery,” Dr. Singh remarked. Dr. Singh was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Emory prior to teaching at the medical college. Dr. Singh welcomes constructive feedback. The practice utilizes services such as ZocDoc, Healthgrades and Vitals for patient reviews. “We also use social media such as Facebook, Twitter and E-mail to further enhance communication,” added Dr. Singh.
ABOUT HEART DISEASE
While AHS offers state of the art technology and care for all our patients who are hospitalized, Dr. Singh’s focus is on prevention. “Heart disease originates from nine modifiable risk factors. Our practice wants to ensure that our patients have the resources to optimize each one.” Modifiable risk factors are those caused by risk factors that can be controlled, treated or modified. These factors, protective and harmful, are: PROTECTIVE FACTORS • Daily fruit and vegetable consumption • Moderate alcohol intake • Moderate to strenuous exercise HARMFUL FACTORS • High bad cholesterol • Current smoking • Diabetes • Hypertension • Abdominal obesity • Psychosocial stress Non-modifiable risk factors, Dr. Singh explained, include age, gender, and family history. Individuals in these high-risk categories should receive regular check-ups.
Narendra Singh MD www.HeartDrSingh.com drsingh@ahsmed.com Atlanta Heart Specialists Eight Locations 15 Cardiologists Cumming Office 1505 Northside Boulevard, Suite 2500 Cumming, GA 30041 678-679-6800 Dr. Narendra Singh Dr. Don Rowe Dr. David Suh Dr. Osman Ahmed Johns Creek Office 4375 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite 350 Johns Creek, GA 30024 770-622-1622
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MY FORSYTH | HEALTH & WELLNESS
BOTTOMS UP! By Hunter Moyer, MD
Several studies from Oxford and Harvard have concluded that women with larger behinds are more intelligent, have smarter children and live longer. However, America’s new infatuation with the rear is not likely due to these associations. Back in 2014, Vogue magazine declared this the Era of the Big Booty, and the number of buttock augmentations (whether by implant placement or fat injection) increased in the United States by 33% last year. Size in and of itself is mostly a preference while buttock shape and projection appear to be King and Queen. Bottoms are often classified by their shape from the rear view: (1) H Shape, (2) A Shape, (3) V Shape, and (4) O Shape. Figure 1 depicts these distinct types. The H shape bottom, also called the square butt, has wide and high hipbones with minimal fat in the saddle bags. This defines a straight line from waist to thighs. The A shape bottom has minimal fat in the love
handles and more fat distributed at the saddle bag region. The V shape rear has the opposite fat distribution. Finally, the O shape bottom is defined by a narrow waist and thighs with more fat located in the central hip. A rear that is firm and projects (“sticks out”) when seen from the side is equally important. The shelf, a term to describe the distinction between the lower back and butt, is mostly seen in O and A shapes. Like mountains rising from a valley floor, the buttocks are not isolated, rather the area is defined equally by the love handles and lower back, the gluteus, the lateral hips and thighs and the posterior thigh. All of these areas contribute to the overall appearance and each should be addressed when discussing surgical options. As an example, an H shape can be converted to O shape with liposuction of the lower back and fat transfer to the central buttock and hip. A shapes can be treated in a similar fashion but also do equally well with buttock implants.
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Recently, plastic surgeons have shifted focus to the lateral and posterior thigh. It is apparent that the youthful, beautiful bottom has a gluteal crease that does not extend all the way to the outer edge of the butt. A vertical column of fat and ligaments holds the rear end up and creates this short crease. This area of the thigh supports the bottom in the long-term much like a bra supports your breasts. Surgeons should never weaken this area with liposuction. Injecting fat into this area and exercise regimens that strengthen the posterior lateral hamstrings can give you the lift you want. Butt envy is likely a real thing – but probably not because we think she is smarter. We rarely get a good look at our own bottoms; however, we are free to gaze at others without reproach. If you want to tighten, lift or increase your rear my first suggestion is to analyze what you want to change. Examine your profile and your shape from behind, and then contact your local boardcertified plastic surgeon.
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MY FORSYTH | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Corneal Reshaping with CRT By Mira Sivan, DO
Corneal Reshaping, or corneal refractive therapy, is a safe, nonsurgical and reversible process that uses specially designed CRT® Brand Contact Lenses to gently reshape the surface of your eye during sleep, thereby providing clear vision during the day. This eye-reshaping is similar to what happens in LASIK, but there is no surgery. The effect is temporary, so lenses must be worn during sleep each night.
Corneal Reshaping with CRT Contact Lenses can be an ideal vision correction method for active children, especially those involved in sports, or children who are genetically prone to having their nearsightedness progress year after year. It’s also well suited to many adults whose careers or hobbies aren’t conducive to wearing glasses or contact lenses. For children and adults who have stopped wearing daytime soft contact lenses due to lens dryness or discomfort, Corneal Reshaping with CRT Contact Lenses can provide a healthier alternative and provide clear vision during the day. Advantages of Corneal Reshaping with CRT for Children and Teens Parents can closely monitor their child’s contact lens wear and care when using CRT Contact Lenses, because the contact lenses never leave the home. There are no worries about your child losing a lens at school, or getting dust behind their contacts while playing. Contact lenses are often attractive to children because they eliminate the embarrassment of eyeglasses and increase self-esteem. Also, all children should use protective eyewear when playing sports, and CRT Contact Lenses allows the use of nonprescription glasses or goggles, eliminating the expense of prescription sport glasses.
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Nearsightedness (Myopia) Is a Major Health Concern Since 1971, the incidence of myopia has increased 66 percent in the U.S. High levels of myopia double the risk of serious ocular health problems such as retinal detachment, cataract and glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss and blindness. Studies suggest that Corneal Reshaping may slow down or stop the progression of nearsightedness (myopia). Are CRT Contact Lenses Safe? There’s Safety in Numbers! Not all contact lenses can be worn safely overnight. CRT Contact Lenses are specially designed for overnight wear, and are approved for overnight wear by the U. S. Food & Drug Administration. CRT Contact Lenses are recognized as the gold standard for safety in corneal reshaping. With more than 1 million CRT lenses sold and only three adverse events reported — all of which were resolved — corneal reshaping with CRT lenses is a proven and safe alternative for the treatment of nearsightedness (myopia).
For a free consultation contact 678-648-5185.
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So Much to Live For
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” -C.S. Lewis
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Publisher’s Note: The story you are about to read is one of survival, hope and life! Having the opportunity to share it with you, our readers, is truly a blessing. I hope you will find it as inspirational as I have. And to my dear friend Paige Blankenship, thank you for sharing your story with us. It was the fall of 2005, I was 30 years old, a newly-wed and just completed running two half-marathons. I was feeling healthier than I did at 20 years old. Except, I was about to be told something, that even I couldn’t believe. I had cancer. This was the beginning of my journey to a 10-year story of survivorship. I had just started a new job at a Health & Wellness clinic where we provided comprehensive full body physicals. I was hired to do their marketing, and I needed to know what I was selling to people. Therefore, the doctor at the clinic wanted me to have an executive physical exam. During the physical exam, they performed an ultrasound on my neck and found a nodule in the left side of my thyroid. I didn’t think much of it and agreed to have a biopsy. I remember the night that I received the phone call from my doctor (my boss), informing me that my results were positive for Thyroid Cancer. I was shocked as I drove home and faced the challenge of telling my husband that I had cancer. I was scared, but hopeful that everything would be fine. Perhaps a part of me was also in denial. After telling each other how our days went, I just dropped the bomb. “I have cancer,” I said. We embraced, cried for a little while, and then discussed what our next steps were going to be. The only thing we knew for certain was that we were going to limit our stress about the diagnosis - as cancer thrives in negative environments. I opted for surgery to be done as quickly as possible. During surgery, the surgeons discovered that my cancer had spread from the left side to the right side of my thyroid and into my lymph node system. They removed my entire thyroid as well as lymph nodes in my neck and chest area. About four weeks later, I had radiation in the form of a pill. It took several months before I started to feel like myself again in terms of energy, but my positive outlook never wavered. Of course, I was scared. I mean, who wouldn’t be scared at the age of 30 and being told “you have cancer.” But I didn’t want that to rule my attitude, my day, or my positive outlook on life. I continued, business as usual.
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Life is an absolute gift, and I’m thankful for the journey I have been given to live. No matter how short or how long I get to live, I’m grateful for my gift of time. I was reaching the 8-year mark of being cancer free, and was asking my endocrinologist during a routine visit if he thought I was too old to have another child. I was now 38 years of age, had three beautiful children, but longed for one more baby. He said he didn’t think I was too old, but that I should do a full blood panel to make sure all was well. Unfortunately, my blood tests came back positive for thyroid cells inside my bloodstream. A positive for me, was not good, since I should not have any thyroid cells in my body anymore. After a series of tests over the course of a month, including multiple ultrasounds, a full body scan with radioactive iodine, and a CT scan (because the body scan was showing positive results inside my liver and gall bladder), the result was that I did not have cancer again. Shew. Instead, I had a splenic artery aneurysm (SAA). Sigh. With this diagnosis, I was told that having a fourth child would not be a good idea as the consequences could be fatal for both me and my unborn baby. Was I sad? Yes and no. The part of me that was sad was the idea that I couldn’t have another baby. But the positivity in me was extremely thankful for the family and life that I currently have. But that wasn’t the end of my health concerns. In July of 2015, I was having a mammogram at the age of 40; doctors found four high-risk rare lesions in my right breast. I was told that due to having radiation in the past, this could be the cause of these lesions, because I have no family history of breast cancer in my immediate family. In September 2015, I had a double mastectomy with breast reconstruction. I often get asked if I second guess my doctor at her recommendation of having a double mastectomy. My answer is always the same. No. If cancer has a chance of being inside my body, I’d rather play it safe and be preventative. Of course, I have a health history of odd things occurring in my body, so I’m not going to take any chances either. I am often asked, “Are you tired?” Tired of what? I respond. Of living? NO way. I love life. There is so much to live for. Life is an absolute gift, and I’m thankful for the journey I have been given to live. No matter how short or how long I get to live, I’m grateful for my gift of time. If I may offer some simple advice to each of you reading this article, it would be to not be afraid of the journey or the outcome. Just enjoy each day. Be positive. Visit your doctors and get your mammograms!
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My goal is to make sure that people are not afraid to be in our court; they are here to hopefully get the help they need to redirect their son or daughter to do better, or to receive the assistance they need to help parent their children.
The Administrator and Clerk of Court
So, what does the Clerk of Court do? A court clerk is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses and respond to subpoenas. I spent a day with the Clerk of Court of the Juvenile Court, Rebecca Rusk, and found out that there’s a lot more than the duties that typically clerks of court are assigned to do. As part of the Juvenile Court System, Rusk joins Chief Judge J. Russell Jackson and Juvenile Court Judge Randall Meincke, in conducting the business at hand in juvenile court. “Our team is not just two judges and me; our staff includes a team of men and women who fulfill various duties as well as “other duties as assigned,” explained Rusk. Rusk is no stranger to Forsyth County; she was born and raised in Forsyth County where her family has been since before the founding of the county in 1831. “Forsyth County is home – I lived for a time in another state and missed Forsyth terribly, so I made every effort possible to return,” Rusk explained. And she did. Rusk began her career as an official and freelance Certified Court Reporter in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. Upon the Circuit Split in 1997, she served as official reporter for State Court as well as the Court Administrator for the Juvenile Court. Since she began serving Forsyth County as Juvenile Court Administrator, Rebecca with Forsyth County Chief Juvenile Court Judge J. Russell Jackson Ms. Rusk has written grants 44 MYFORSYTH.COM VOLUME VI | ISSUE 9
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that account for over $2,500,000.00. These grants continue to fund the Juvenile Court Judge through a multitude of programs created by this court in use today. In addition to her role as Court Administrator, Ms. Rusk was appointed as the Clerk of Court in 2005. She has served in both capacities since then. Rusk was instrumental in writing the grant that helped establish Forsyth County’s first full-time Juvenile Court, Judge, and Prosecutor to serve exclusively in the Juvenile Court in 1999. Rusk is responsible for directing and overseeing day to day activities and operations of the Court as well as assisting the Judges with high-level program planning and administration associated with the Court’s mission and directives. The accolades are many, and well-deserved. But spending time listening to Rusk as she talks to teenagers and their parents when they are attending their initial intake conference for (juvenile) traffic offenses quickly shifts the focus from the duties assigned to the passion and commitment Rusk clearly has for her work and those she serves. I recall seeing how eight sets of parents-teenagers walked into a room, a bit scared and ready to defend themselves, perhaps angry at having to be there. Halfway through Rusk’s speech I saw the same people breathe a little easier and smile at one another. Perhaps they realized that blame and distrust was not the focal point of the message, but rather an informal resolution involving education and personal growth. “My goal is to make sure that people are not afraid to be in our court; they are here to hopefully get the help they need to redirect their son or daughter to do better,” Rusk stated. “We are part of the same community, and as such should work together to remedy situations that are bad, as best we can.” Every member of the Juvenile Court staff participates in the activities that are set forth to aid those who appear in court. “It all comes down to relationships – we forge them daily,” Rusk added. Resourceful, powerful, knowledgeable, charismatic, caring, passionate and stern are but a few adjectives I can use to describe Rebecca Rusk. And she’s a mother and grandmother too!
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BOWLERS ROLL FOR
MENTOR ME
By Larry Brown The “Bowl for Kids” charity outing was held recently at the Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center.
The event provides financial support for Mentor Me North Georgia, a local non-profit organization that provides oneon-one mentoring relationships between volunteer adults and children. More than 100 bowlers, along with corporate sponsors, participated to help recruit mentors and support mentoring. Russ Thomas, president of the Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club, was master of ceremonies. Jayne Iglesias, board chair of Mentor Me said, “Bowl for Kids raises funds to help us match boys and girls with caring mentors. Thank you to everyone who joined us to support our children. This is such a great community, but there is a gap in many families that don’t have the benefit of two adults. Mentor Me is about providing positive role models for those children. It changes their lives, and at the same time, makes our community stronger and an even better place to live,” she said. Hugh Humphrey is a new volunteer mentor. He was recently matched with Trey. “I was fortunate to grow up with my father and mother,” Hugh said. “But I had a great experience with mentors outside my family - teachers, coaches, others like Boys and Girls Club leaders, who also had a positive impact on my life. So I know the influence mentors can have on a young person. “Some of my son’s friends live in single parent homes, particularly with single mothers. At times, I have been asked to befriend some of their sons so that they may have a male adult friend whom they can relate to. That ultimately led me to volunteer to be a mentor to Trey. I feel that I can make a difference in a child’s life,” Hugh added. Mentor Me matches volunteer adults with children ages 6 - 17, who need and want mentors. Men are matched with boys, and women are matched with girls. They share everyday activities such as sports, movies, and other events, or just spending time together. Children involved in the Forsyth County program have demonstrated increased self-confidence and self-esteem. Also, they show measured improvement in academic performance and behavior. Mentor Me is a Forsyth County United Way agency. However, the organization depends on private donations for 50 percent of its funding.
Hugh Humphrey and new mentee Trey To volunteer or make a donation, contact Sylvia Cardona at 678-341-8028 or sylvia@mentormenorthga.org. Go to their website www.mentormenorthga.org.
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Packs 4 Peers Packs 4 Peers, founded by Omkar Waingankar, now a senior at South Forsyth High School, recently announced the results of their first Mathematics Tournament. The funds raised will be used
to purchase backpacks for children attending Atlanta Public Schools. The organization is supported by bright, motivated volunteers from South Forsyth High School through public outreach and event planning. “Our mission is to supply the underprivileged children of Atlanta with the materials they need to succeed in the classroom. Over 2,000 children attending Atlanta Public Schools are registered as homeless and are in dire need of school supplies. We have worked alongside organizations such as the SFHS Beta Club, United Way Forsyth, BELK Charity, Future Business Leaders of America, and
more in order to raise funds to purchase these school Supplies,” explained Waingankar. Their most recent fundraiser of the year was a middle school mathematics tournament. Sponsored by KeenMindsAcademy and Shiv’s Institute of Dance, the Packs 4 Peers Mathematics Tournament hosted 69 middle school students from across the Metro-Atlanta area and raised over $500 for the cause. Contestants competed in both a 60-minute, 30-question individual test, and a 30-minute, 10-question team round with problems like those found in MATHCOUNTS and AMC8 exams. The math problems and tests were designed by Waingankar and the officer team of South Forsyth High School’s Mathematics Honor Society. Their second delivery of backpacks to Atlanta is scheduled for January, 2017.
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WINNERS Individual: 1st Place: Daniel Shen, South Forsyth Middle School 2nd Place: Erica Wu, Alltop School 3rd Place: Rachel Liu, Alltop School 4th Place: Aadi Karthik, South Forsyth Middle School 5th Place: Yimo Wang, Alltop School Team: 1st Place: South Forsyth Middle School - Daniel Shen, Nitin Bolakond, Aadi Karthik, Cory Melton 2nd Place: Alltop School - Anna Hu, Alan Qiao, Avinash Athota, Yimo Wang 3rd Place: Alltop School - Erica Wu, Austin Tsang, Maxwell Feng, Rachel Liu
For more information about Packs 4 Peers or to sponsor a backpack ($25 per backpack) contact Packs 4 Peers at packs4peers@gmail.com. Paypal Link (Donate 1 Backpack): goo.gl/h0Xr6Y
LOCAL BOOK PRINTING AND BINDING
EXPERIENCE THE QUALITY
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MY FORSYTH | SCHOOL DIRECTORY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Midway Elementary 4805 Atlanta Highway 770.475.6670 Principal: Todd Smith tsmith@forsyth.k12.ga.us
North Forsyth Middle 3645 Coal Mountain Drive 770.889.0743 Principal: Jeff Hunt jhunt@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Brandywine Elementary 15 Martin Dr. Alpharetta Todd Smith tsmith@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Sawnee Elementary 1616 Canton Highway 770.887.6161 Principal: Eileen Nix ecnix@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Otwell Middle 605 Tribble Gap Road 770.887.5248 Principal: Steve Miller stmiller@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Brookwood Elementary 2980 Vaughan Drive 678.965.5060 Principal: Kathie Braswell kbraswell@forsyth.k12,ga.us
Settles Bridge Elementary 600 James Burgess Road 770.887.1883 Principal: Saran VonEsh svonesh@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Chattahoochee Elementary 2800 Holtzclaw Road 770.781.2240 Principal: Barbara Vella bvella@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Sharon Elementary 3595 Old Atlanta Road 770.888.7511 Principal: Amy Bartlett abartlett@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Big Creek Elementary 1994 Peachtree Parkway 770.887.4584 Principal: Laura Webb lwebb@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Chestatee Elementary 6945 Keith Bridge Road 770.887.2341 Principal: Polly Tennies ptennies@forsyth.k12.ga.us Coal Mountain Elementary 3455 Coal Mountain Drive 770.887.7705 Principal: Kimberly Davis kdavis@forsyth.k12.ga.us Cumming Elementary 540 Dahlonega Street 770.887.7749 Principal: Lee Ann Rica lrice@forsyth.k12.ga.us Daves Creek Elementary 3740 Melody Mizer Lane 770.888.1223 Principal: Eric Ashton eashton@forsyth.k12.ga.us Haw Creek Elementary 2555 Echols Road 678.965.5070 Principal: June Tribble jtribble@forsyth.k12.ga.us Johns Creek Elementary 6205 Old Atlanta Road 678.965.5041 Principal: Alyssa Degliumberto adegliumberto@forsyth.k12.ga.us Kelly Mill Elementary 1180 Chamblee Gap Road 678.965.4953 Principal: Ron McAlliste rmcallister@forsyth.k12.ga.us Mashburn Elementary 3777 Samples Road 770.889.1630 Principal: Tracey Smith tbsmith@forysth.k12.ga.us Matt Elementary 7455 Wallace Tatum Road 678.455.4500 Principal: Charlley Stalder cstalder@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Shiloh Point Elementary 8145 Majors Road 678.341.6481 Principal: Derrick Hershey dhershey@forsyth.k12.ga.us Sliver City Elementary 6200 Dahlonega Highway 678.965.5020 Principal: Paige Andrews pandrews@forsyth.k12.ga.us Vickery Creek Elementary 6280 Post Road 770.346.0040 Principal: Kristan Riedinger kriedinger@forsyth.k12.ga.us Whitlow Elementary 3655 Castleberry Road 678.965.5090 Principal: Dr. Lynne Castleberry lcastleberry@forsyth.k12.ga.us
MIDDLE SCHOOLS DeSana Middle School 625 James Road, Alpharetta Principal: Terry North tnorth@forsyth.k12.ga.us Lakeside Middle 2565 Echols Road 678.965.5080 Principal: Kim Head khead@forsyth.k12.ga.us Liberty Middle 7465 Wallace Tatum Road 770.781.4889 Principal: Cheryl Riddle criddlel@forsyth.k12.ga.us Little Mill Middle 6800 Little Mill Road 678.965.5000 Principal: Connie McCrary cmccrary@forsyth.k12.ga.us
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Piney Grove Middle 8135 Majors Road 678.965.5010 Principal: Pamela Payerski ppyerski@forsyth.k12.ga.us Riverwatch Middle 610 James Burgess Road 678.455.7311 Principal: Kathy Carpenter kcarpenter@forsyth.k12.ga.us South Forsyth Middle 4670 Windermere Parkway Cumming, GA 30041 Principal: Sandy Tinsley stinsley@forsyth.k12.ga.us Vickery Creek Middle 6240 Post Road 770.667.2580 Principal: Drew Hayes dhayes@forsyth.k12.ga.us
HIGH SCHOOLS Forsyth Central High 520 Tribble Gap Road 770.887.8151 Principal: Mitch Young myoung@forsyth.k12.ga.us
PRIVATE SCHOOLS Cornerstone Schools 4888 Browns Bridge Road 770.205.8202 Head of School: Angela Martin www.cornerstonesch.com Covenant Christian Academy 6905 Post Road 770.674.2990 Headmaster: Jonathan Arnold www.covenantrams.com Fideles Christian School 1390 Weber Industrial Drive 770.888.6705 Director: Carla Rutherford www.fideleschristianschool.com Friendship Christian School 3160 Old Atlanta Road 678.845.0418 Head of School: Dr. Rick Johnson Elementary Principal: Dianne Gormley www.friendshipchristianschool.us Horizon Christian Academy (K-6) 2160 Freedom Parkway (7-12) 433 Canton Road 678.947.3583, 678.947.0711 Headmaster: Heather Marshall www.horizonchristian.org Ivy League Montessori School 1791 Kelly Mill Road 770.781.5586 School Director: Becky Carty www.ilmsnet.com
Lambert High School 805 Nichols Road 678.965.5050 Principal: Dr. Gary Davison gdavison@forsyth.k12.ga.us
McGinnis Woods Country Day School 5380 Faircroft Drive 770-664-7764 Principal: Mary Johnson www.mcginniswoods.org
North Forsyth High 3635 Coal Mountain Drive 770.781.6637 Principal: Jeff Cheney jcheney@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs 2830 Old Atlanta Road 770.205.6277 www.montessoriacademygeorgia.com
South Forsyth High 585 Peachtree Parkway 770.781.2264 Principal: Laura Wilson lwilson@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Montessori at Vickery 6285 Post Road 770.777.9131 www.montessorivickery.com
West Forsyth High 4155 Drew Road 770.888.3470 Principal: Heather Gordy hgordy@forsyth.k12.ga.us Forsyth Academy Forsyth Academy at Night 770.781.3141 Gateway Academy 770.781.2299 iAchieve Virtual Academy 678.965.4970
Montessori Kids Academy 3034 Old Atlanta Road 678.208.0774 School Admin., Maureen Danbury www.montessoricumming.com Pinecrest Academy 955 Peachtree Parkway 770.888.4477 Headmaster: Dr. Edward J. Lindekugel www. pinecrestacademy.com
SCHOOL INFORMATION
www.forsyth.K12.GA.US
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MY FORSYTH | FAITH
FULLY ENGAGED By Maria I. Morgan
Where do you live? I don’t mean your physical address. I’m talking about where you live mentally. Do you live in the past, reliving memories of what used to be? Or do you live in the future – imagining what life will be like in 5 or 10 years? Maybe you’re one of the few people who live in the present, content to focus on the here and now. I have to admit it’s often challenging for me to embrace one day at a time. Clear direction I’m encouraged by a conversation that took place between the Lord and Moses. The children of Israel had left Egypt and were now at the foot of Mt. Sinai. The Lord called Moses up into the mount to receive the commandments and law
that He would write on tablets of stone. Notice what the Lord said to Moses: And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exodus 24:12
focus too much on the end goal of getting to the Promised Land, and miss out on what was happening on a daily basis. What an important lesson for us: to be fully engaged with what’s happening each day. To be 100% present as we walk through whatever the Lord brings our way today.
Choose to be there Did you catch that? The Lord told Moses to meet with Him and “be there.” God knew the frailty of human nature. He had to remind Moses to be focused on each moment they were communing, because it would be easy to get distracted by the past or the future. Leading the Israelites was a huge responsibility. One that could cause Moses to
Your turn Where are you living today? What step will you take to live in the present and be 100% there?
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Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gentle reminders. It’s easy to get stuck in the past or so focused on the future, that I miss out on what You have for me today. Help me remember Your instruction to Moses to ‘be there.’ And live in the present today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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MY FORSYTH | HOUSES OF WORSHIP
NON-DENOMINATIONAL Eastgate Church 2820 Brookwood Road | O: 770.888.8852 Sunday Morning Worship Times: 9:15 & 11:15am Pastors: Ron & Charla Nelson http://eastgatechurch.org
BAPTIST Antioch Baptist Church 2465 Antioch Road O: 770.887.6900 Sunday School: 10am Sunday Service: 11am and 6pm AWANA: Sunday at 6pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm Pastor: Travis Bridgeman www.welcometoantioch.org Berean Baptist Church 7110 Majors Road | 770-889-1302 Sunday Worship Service: 11:00am Classes for all ages: 10:00am Evening Service: 6:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm Children’s Clubs: 7:00pm Bob Baines, Pastor www.bbc-cares.org Cumming Baptist Church 115 Church Street | 770.205.6699 Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship service: 10:50am Pastor: Dr. Barry Crocker www.cummingbaptist.net First Baptist Cumming 1597 Sawnee Drive | 770.887.2428 Sunday Services: 9:30am Contemporary Worship Service & Bible Fellowship Groups 11am Traditional Worship Service & Bible Fellowship Groups Wednesday: 6:15pm AWANA Pastor: Dr. Bob Jolly www.firstbaptistcumming.org First Redeemer Church 2100 Peachtree Pkwy. | 678.513.9400 Sunday Services: 9:15am – Contemporary Service (Auditorium) 10:45am – Blended Service (Auditorium) 9:00am & 10:45am; 6:30pm Bible Fellowship Jeff Jackson, Senior Pastor www.firstredeemer.org Greater Heights Baptist Church 3790 Post Road | 770.887.4802 Sunday School: 10am | Sunday Worship: 11am Sunday Evening: 5pm Wednesday Evening & AWANA: 7pm Pastor: Chris Grinstea www.ghbcc.org
Longstreet Baptist Church 6868 Campground Road 770.889.1959 Sunday School: 10am Worship Service: 11am Wednesday night adult and youth activities www.longstreetchurch.com North Lanier Baptist Church 829 Atlanta Highway | 770.781.5433 Bible Studies: 9:00am and 10:30am Celebration Worship Service: 11am (main auditorium) Hispanic Service: 10:30am (Activities Center) Refuge Baptist Church 3525 Pilgrim Mill Road 678.807.7746 Sunday Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Service: 7 p.m. www.refugebaptistchurch.org
EPISCOPAL St. Columba’s Church 939 James Burgess Road770.888.4464 Wednesday Services: 6:30 pm Saturdays Service: 5:30 pm Sunday Service: 7:45, 9 & 11:15am Rector: Father Tripp Norris Curate: Father Daron Vroon www.saintcolumba.net The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit 724 Pilgrim Mill Road | 770.887.8190 Services: Thursdays 12 noon Sundays: 8:30 and 10:45am Rector: Keith Oglesby www.ecohs.net
GREEK ORTHODOX Saint Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church 3074 Bethelview Rd., 770.781.5250 Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 10 AM Pastor: Fr. Barnabas Powell www.stsrni.org
LUTHERAN Living Faith Lutheran Church, LCMS 1171 Atlanta Highway | 770.887.0184 Sunday School: 9:00am (all ages) Sunday Worship: 10:15am, 12:30pm (Korean) Wednesday Evening Fellowship Meal: 6:00pm Bible Study: 7:00pm (all ages) Pastor Tim Droegemueller livingfaithoffice@bellsouth.net www.livingfaithlutheran.com facebook/livingfaithlutheranchurch
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Christ The King Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Church In America) 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Rd., Cumming, Ga. 30040 O: 770.889.5328 | www.ctklutheran.com Sunday Worship Service: 8 & 11am (Traditional) 9am (Blended) Discipleship Hour: 10am (Sun. School)
OTHER Baha’is of Forsyth County 1-800-22-UNITE www.forsythbahais.org www.ghbcc.org Canvas Christian Church 3560 Browns Bridge Road, 770-887-5542 Pastor Stan Percival www.canvaschristian.org Crossroads Church of the Nazarene 6160 Southard Trace | 678.807.9392 Sunday School: 10am Worship Service: 11am www.mycrossroadschurch.net Castle Christian Church 3149 Old Atlanta Rd. | 678.648.5248 Sunday Worship: 10am Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm Senior Minister: Jason Rodenbeck jason@castlechristian.com www.castlechristianchurch.com Family By Faith Worship Center 4805 Atlanta Highway 678.230.4800Midway Elementary School, Nursery available) Small Groups: 9:30am | Worship: 10:30am Pastor: Randy Grimes www.familybyfaith.com The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 510 Brannon Road | 678.455.5290 (Hall Phone) Worship Service: 9am, 11:30am & 2pm LifePoint Christian Church 3140 Old Atlanta Road Sunday Small Groups: 9:00am Sunday Service: 10:30am Childcare available Pastor: Chris Stovall www.lifepoint.org NewSong Community Church 433 Canton Road, Suite 306 770.888.5212 (Located across from Ingles, behind the National Guard in Building 300) Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am Pastor Case Koolhaas www.newsongweb.org Rameshori Buddhist Center 130 Allen Road, Unit B 404.255.1585
PRESBYTERIAN Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church 7620 Lanier Drive | 770.887.6801 Sunday School: 9:45am (all ages) Sunday Worship Service: 11am (Traditional) Childcare available Pastor: John S. Martin www.deercreekshores.org email: dcspres@comcast.net Chalcedon Presbyterian Church 302 Pilgrim Mill Road 770.205.9390 www.chalcedon.org | www.rpcus.com Sunday Worship: 11:00am Pastor Tim Price Parkway Presbyterian Church 5830 Bethelview Road 678.889.8694 Sunday: 8:45 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Pastor Mike Austin www.parkway-church-org Parkway Church 5830 Bethelview Road 770.889.8694 (½ mile west of GA 400 exit 13) Sunday Traditional Service: 9am Sunday Contemporary Service: 11am (Childcare available for both services) Bill Ford, Senior Pastor www.parkway-church.org email: info@parkway-church.org The Vine Community Church 4655 Bethelview Road 678.990.9395 Sunday Services: 9 & 10:45am Wednesday: Middle and High School youth meet at 7:15 – 8:30pm Jon Adams, Pastor www.thevinecommunitychurch.com
ROMAN CATHOLIC Church of Good Shepherd 3740 Holtzclaw Road | 770.887.9861 Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5pm, Sundays:,7:30, 9 & 10:30am & 12 noon; 5:30pm, Spanish Mass: 1:30pm, Weekdays: 9am Father Frank, Pastor www.goodshepherdcumming.com St. Brendan Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road | 770.205.7969 Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5pm Sunday: 7:30, 9 & 11am & 5pm, Spanish Mass: 1pm, Weekdays: 8:30am Fr. Matthew Van Smoorenburg, LC, Pastor Parochial Vicars: Fr. Joseph Ramos, LC and Fr. Juan Guerra
MY FORSYTH | FAITH
THE COUNTRY PREACHER By Rev. David Hill
Celebrating Christmas at our house usually means listening to the words of “Handel’s Messiah” at church or the Atlanta Symphony Hall. The words of Isaiah 9:6-7 give hope to a troubled world of chaos and strife. “For unto us a child is born . . . and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called . . . The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Luke 2:11; Hebrews 1:8). Of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom . . . to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.” Before the birth and first coming of Jesus Christ the world was looking for a leader. Isaiah’s prophecy of a Messiah’s birth was written more than 700 years earlier. Four hundred years had passed since the last Old Testament prophecy of Malachi. Everything necessary to confirm the Saviors’ coming as Prince of Peace was written. Israel must now wait for the prophetic fulfillment. Matthew 1:1 announced “Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham,” declaring His heritage. The Son of Man was a reference to Him (I Corinthians 15:45-47) as the representative
man or last Adam of regenerated humanity. The Son of God (Philippians 2:6-8), His divine name, describes God appearing in the likeness of a man. Eastern wise men came to Jerusalem to inquire of king Herod “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled . . .” Matthew 2:23. Herod’s father had been made tetrarch, Roman prince over Galilee. The Roman Senate had given him the name, “king of the Jews”. Herod’s family dominated Roman politics. The family’s reputation included greed, murder, adultery, incest, deceit and soon infanticide. Deciding to murder children under two wasn’t a surprising reaction for a family who’d murdered in-laws, wives and enemies. The wise men followed the star (Numbers 24:17) seen over Jerusalem until led to the child in Bethlehem, as foretold by the prophet Micah (5:2). The Savior “wounded in the house of my friends”, the “shepherd” whose “sheep shall be scattered” (Zechariah 13:6-7), who was “despised and rejected of men”, and “bruised
for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:3,5) will return as heir to David’s throne (Acts 2:29-32; Zechariah 9:9). Jesus’ disciples prayed “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10. “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.”, Revelation 11:15. “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you . . .”, John 14:3. The disciples asked the question “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” The worlds’ condition prior to Jesus’ second coming is described in Matthew 24:3-13. There will be war and rumors of war, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences (diseases), earthquakes in divers places, persecution, false prophets, false christ and lawlessness (without restraint) as in Genesis 11:6. Again, the world is in chaos and strife as believers look for the prophesied Christ. “Behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven... there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people...should serve Him...His kingdom shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14.
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MY FORSYTH | HOUSES OF WORSHIP // CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
UNITED METHODIST Bethelview United Methodist Church 4525 Bethelview Rd. | 770.887.4888 Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am (child care available) Pastor: Rev. Deborah Griffith www.bethelview.net Cumming First United Methodist Church 770 Canton Highway | 770.887.2900 Sunday Services: 8:45 & 11am (Traditional) Worship Services: 9:51am (Contemporary) 1:30pm ( Hispanic/Latino en Español) 9am (Lake Service (May-August) Dr. Jeff Ross, Senior Minister Lanier United Methodist Church 1979 Buford Highway | 770.887.0615 Sunday Traditional Service: 8:45am Sunday School: 10am Sunday Contemporary Praise Service: 11am (Nursery available for both services) Ted Miller, Pastor www.lanierumc.org Midway United Methodist Church 5025 Atlanta Hwy. | 770.475.5230 Sunday: 8:30am – Historic Chapel (Traditional) Sunday: 9:45am – Sanctuary worship Sunday: 9:45am – “BLAST” Kids’ worship Sunday: 11:00am – Sanctuary worship www.midwayumc.org Piedmont United Methodist Church 1170 Dahlonega Highway 770.887.0770 Bible Study: 10am & 5pm Traditional Service: 11am www.PiedmontUMC@bellsouth.net
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS BUSINESS NETWORKING Central Forsyth Leads Group Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tues: 11am—1pm Location: The Columns at Pilgrim, Mill Apartments Contact: Nancy Wright 770.886.0500 or nancyw@ecigroups.com Info: No fees. Open to all Forsyth Network for Business Professionals www.fn4bp.org Meeting: Thur: 12:00pm – 1:00pm Location: Carrabba’s at The Collection 420 Peachtree Pkwy Contact: David Fountain | 770-627-2121 David@FountainAdvisors.net Info: Visit twice for free. $50 membership fee & $10 monthly. No occupation overlap. Call first.
Forsyth Network for Business Professionals Meeting: Thur: 11:30am – 12:30pm Location: Bello Italian Restaurant 101 Meadow Drive Contact: Tiffany Allen | 770.887.1962 tiffany@servpro8378.com Info: $50 membership fee & $10 monthly. Visit twice for free. No occupation overlap. Call first. The Inspiration Network of Cumming Meeting: 3rd Wed: 7 – 8:30pm Location: The Nurturing Nook, 205 Pilgrim Mill Road Contact: Leanne Temple 678.965.5969 Kiwanis Club of Cumming Meeting: Wednesdays 12pm – 1pm Location: Golden Coral 2025 Marketplace BLVD Cumming GA 30041 www.cummingkiwanis.org Member Power Networking Lunch Meeting: Every Tues. at 12 Noon Location: Various chamber member restaurants Contact: 770.887.6461 www.cummingforsythchamber.org Info: $15 for members & $30 for non-members South Forsyth Leads Group Meeting: 2nd & 4th Wed: 11:30am (No fees) Location: Starbucks-141 & Ronald Reagan John’s Creek, 435 Peachtree Pkwy. Cumming, GA 30041 Contact: Robin Grier | 770.887.2772 rgrier@harborfs.com Women Who Mean Business Meeting: 1st Tues. Registration: 7:30am Location: Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce Event’s Facility, 513 W. Maple Street Contact: 770.887.6461 Info: Free for members, $30 for nonmembers Register online at cummingforsythchamber.org.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Health Center (CHC) Serving the medical needs of North Georgia since 1979. Horse Rescue, Relief & Retirement Fund, Inc. Contact: 770.886.5419 www.savethehorses.org Humane Society of Forsyth County No-Kill Shelter Location: 4440 Keith Bridge Road Contact: 770.887.6480 Info: Non-profit, no-kill shelter for cats/dogs. www. forsythpets.org
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There’s Hope for the Hungry Contact: 678.513.9400 Info: Non-profit organization partnering with churches across North Georgia to feed those in need. www.thereshope.org Whispering Hope Resource & Pregnancy Center Location: 133 Samaritan Drive, Suite 306 Info: Non-profit organization dedicated to informing, educating, and providing an outstretched hand to women who face an untimely pregnancy Contact: 770.889.8302, whisperinghope4u@bellsouth.net Website: www.WhisperingHope.org
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS Rotary Club of South Forsyth Meeting: Wed: 12:15pm Location: Forsyth Conference Center 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd www.southforsythrotaryclub.org Piecemakers Quilt Guild Meeting: 2nd Tues, 4th Tues is “sewcialbee” (community quilts, classes or just getting together) Location: Christ the King, Lutheran Church 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road, Cumming www.piecemakersga.netw
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AA Cumming Meeting: Meets four times daily Location: Ingles Shopping Center at 432 Canton Highway (Hwy 20) Second suite on far left. 24/7 Line: 770.886.0696 Info: Group of Alcoholics Anonymous located in Forsyth County www.aacummingga.org Holistic Moms Network – Forsyth County Monthly meetings with informational speakers, yoga group, play groups Meeting: 2nd Tues: 6:30pm Location: Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee House 5095 Post Road, Cumming Contact: Ann Linke parkway-chruch.org holisticmomforsyth@yahoo.com www.holisticmoms.org Labrador Friends of the South, Inc. Location: PO Box 933, Cumming Contact: labfriendinfo@gmail.com www.labradorfriends.com
Moms Club of Cumming – North Monthly meetings with informational speakers, park play days, holiday parties, fieldtrips, playgroups and a monthly MOMS Night Out. Contact: momscummingnorth@yahoo.com www. momsclub.org Moms Club of Cumming – Southwest Meeting: Last Tues. of each month Contact: www.momsclub.org NAMI Forsyth Dawson Lumpkin Meeting: 2nd & 4th Thursday 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm (support meetings for consumers and family members) Location: Forsyth County Senior Center, 595 Dahlonega Hwy, Cumming, Ga. 30040 Educational meeting: 3rd Tuesday 7 pm Location: United Way of Forsyth County, 240 Elm Str., Cumming, Ga. 30040 Contact: namifdlga@gmail.com Website: www.namifdl.org Single Mom Meeting Connect with other single moms, learn about paths to higher education and get links to community resources. Light dinner provided and free on-site childcare/ homework help provided. Meeting: 2nd Thurs: 6:30pm Location: 210 Dahlonega St., Suite 203, Cumming Contact: Valerie Daniel Faith’s House, Inc. 770.205.6311 www.faithshouseinc.org SMART Recovery Meeting: Every Tues: 6:30 p.m. Location: Professional Recovery Counseling, LLC. 107 W. Court house Sq., Suite 274 www.smartrecovery.org
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MY FORSYTH | ADVERTISERS
ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE REGENERATION PROGRAM No Longer Bound –pg. 43 770-886-7873 www.nolongerbound.com AUTOMOTIVE/CAR REPAIR SERVICES Christian Brothers Automotive -pg. 61 470-253-7376 www.locations.cbac.com/cumming BOOK PUBLISHERS BookLogix Publishing Services, Inc. – pg.49 770-346-9979 www.booklogix.com BREW PUB/TAPROOM Cherry Street Brewing Co-Op – pg. 29 678-456-8189 www.cherrystreetbrewing.com CHIROPRACTIC CARE/SPORTS REHAB The Joint – Chiropractic Place – pg. 17 770-285-5747 www.chiropractoratlanta-thejoint.com/cumming/ collection-at-forsyth CONFERENCE CENTER/SPECIAL EVENTS Forsyth Conference Center – pg. 59 678-341-6633 www.forsythconferencecenter.com DANCE ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION Cumming Dance Academy – pg. 11 770-781-4922 www.CummingDanceAcademy.com DENTIST/DENTAL CARE Dentistry at Windermere – pg. 35 678-771-6492 www.dentistryatwindermere.com Jordan Dentistry – pg. 39 770-888-6262 www.JordanDentistry.com EDUCATION/PRIVATE ACADEMY Montessori Kids Academy – pg. 11 678-208-0774 www.montessoricumming.com ELECTRICITY Sawnee EMC – pg. 23 678-648-7355 www.sawnee.com FAMILY SERVICES SAFFT – pg. 2 678-938-3400 www.safft.org FURNITURE STORE Dawsonville Furniture – pg. 51 706-300-0746
Obstetrics & Gynecology of Atlanta – pg. 39 404-252-1137 www.obgynofatlanta.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN Merriman Creative – pg. 59 404-913-5558 www.merrimancreative.com Samantha Angeli – pg. 57 770-310-4486 HEALTH & FITNESS Purre Barre, Cumming – pg. 23 770-889-0735 cumming@purebarre.com
OrthoAtlanta – pg. 37 678-205-4261Z|678-957-0757 www.orthoatlanta.com PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS HPM Promotional Products – pg. 49 770-887-5414 www.hponlinestore.com
With your help, anything is possible.
HEATING/VENTILATION/AIR CONDITIONING Shelnutt HVAC – pg. 61 706-265-5854 www.shelnutthvac.com
PROPERTY RESTORATION Grady Property Restoration Inside back Cover 404-620-9326 www.gradypropertyrestoration.com
HOME CLEANING Owens Home Cleaning Services – pg. 59 770-508-600 It’s not just another donation. Your gift REALand ESTATE helps fund the research care that gives kids hope for a healthier tomorrow. The Dinsmore Team – pg. 53 JEWELRY STORE 770-712-7789 Gems In Art – pg. 5 choa.org/givehope www.dinsmoreteam.com 770-844-8005 ©2016 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reser www.gemsinart.com Realtors vs. Addiction – pg. 53 678-793-1303|404-750-9236 Lance’s Jewelry –Back Cover www.Realty4Rehab.com 770-781-5500 www.lancesjewelry.com RESTAURANTS /FOOD SERVICES/CATERING Casa Nuova – pg. 25 MASSAGE 770-475-9100 La Vida Massage of Cumming – pg. 19 www.casanuovarestaurant.com 678-947-4642 www.lavidamassagecummingga.com Cinco Mexican Food – pg. 9 678-341-6962 Massage Envy – pg. 7 www.cincorestaurants.com 678-208-2888/678-208-0680 www.massageenvy.com Lenny’s Subs – pg. 57 678-947-0336 PAINT & FLOORING Fax orders: 678-947-5343 Gregory’s Paint & Flooring – pg. 15 770-476-9651 Johns Creek Norman’s Landing – pg. 27 770-887-1363 Cumming 770-886-0100 www.gregoryspaintandflooring.com www.normanslanding.com PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Pendleton Photography – pg. 16 Palapa’s Bar and Grill – pg. 27 678-208-7077 770-889-1002 www.AdamPendleton.com www.palapasbarandgrill.alohaorderonline.com PHYSICIANS/MEDICAL SERVICES ELITE Primary Care– pg. 34 479-685-7264 www.elite-primarycare.com Narendra Singh, MD – pg. 31 Atlanta Heart Specialists 678-679-6800; 770-622-1622 www.heartdrsingh.com North Atlanta Dermatology – pg. 38 770-814-8222 www.naderm.com North Georgia Vein Institute – pg. 38 678-513-1600 www.northgeorgiavein.com
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Rick Tanner’s Grille & Bar – pg. 25 770-205-5512 www.ricktannerschicken.com TUTORING/STUDY LOUNGE The Study – pg. 47 847-553-1642 TREE COMPANY Georgia Tree Company – pg.13 404-990-0010 www.gatreecompany.com WINDOWS/WINDOW TREATMENTS Creative Windows by Carol – pg. 36 770-753-0977 www.creativewindowsbycarol.com
BRANDING/IDENTITY WEBSITE DESIGN SEO/SEARCH CONTENT STRATEGY AD DESIGN DIGITAL MARKETING CRE CREATIVE DIRECTION
www.MerriamCreative.com 404-913-5558
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MY FORSYTH | ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS // COMMUNITY NUMBERS
ELECTED/ APPOINTED OFFICIALS UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT President Barack H. Obama (D) 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 O: 202.456.1414 E: president@whitehouse.gov www.whitehouse.gov Senator Johnny Isakson, (R) 131 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 O: 202.224.3643 www.isakson.senate.gov Senator David Perdue, (R) 383 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 O: 202.224.3521 www.perdue.senate.gov Congressman Doug Collins, (R), District 9 1504 Longworth H. O. B. Washington DC 20515 O: 202.225.9893 Georgia office: 770.297.3388 Congressman Rob Woodall, (R), District 7 1724 Longworth HOB Washington DC 20515 O: 202.225.4272 Georgia office: 770.232.3005 STATE GOVERNMENT Governor Nathan Deal (R) O: 404.652.7003 | F: 404.652.7123 Website: gov.state.ga.us Lt. Governor Casey Cagle (R) O: 404.656.5030 Website: gov.state.ga.us Senator Michael Williams (R), District 51 O: 404.656.7127 e-mail: michael.williams@senate.ga.gov Sen. Steve Gooch (R), District 51 O: 678.341.6203 | F: 770.844.5821 e-mail: steve.gooch@statesenate.ga.gov Rep. Sheri Gilligan, (R), District 24 O: 404.656.0325 E: sheri.gilligan@house.ga.gov Rep. Mike Dudgeon (R), District 25 O: 770.887.0400 E: mike.dudgeon@house.ga.gov Rep. Kevin Tanner (R), District 9 O: 404.656.0152 E: kevin.tanner@house.ga.gov
FORSYTH CO. GOVERNMENT
CITY OF CUMMING
Website: forsythco.com
Mayor Henry Ford Gravitt Cumming City Hall 100 Main St., Cumming, GA 3040 O: 770.781.2010
Forsyth County Board of Commissioners 110 East Main Street, Suite 210 Cumming, GA 30040 O: 770.781.2101 | F: 770.781.2199 County Manager Doug Derrer O:770.781.2101 | F: 770.781.2199 COMMISSIONERS R.J. (Pete) Amos, District 1 (R) O: 678.513.5881 | E: rjamos@ forsythco.com Brian R. Tam, District 2 (R) O: 678.513.5882 E: brtam@forsythco.com Todd Levent, District 3 (R) O: 770.781.2101 E: tlevent@forsythco.com Cindy Mills, District 4 (R) O: 678.513.5884 E: cjmills@forsythco.com Jim Boff, District 5 (R) O: 678.513.5885 E: jjboff@forsythco.com Forsyth County Tax Commissioner Matthew C. Ledbetter O: 770.781.2110 FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Sheriff Duane K. Piper 475 Tribble Gap Road, Suite 200 Cumming GA 30040 O: 770.781.3045 | Dispatch: 770.781.3087 FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM Dr. Jeff Bearden, Superintendent 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming O: 770.887.2461 www.forsyth.k12.ga.us BOARD OF EDUCATION Ann Crow, District 1 (R) O: 770.490.6316 E: ACrow@forsyth.k12.ga.us Kristin Morrissey, District 2 (R) O: 678-250-4047 E: kmorrissey@forsyth.k12.ga.us Tom Cleveland, District 3 (R) O: 770.657.0810 E: TCleveland@forsyth.k12.ga.us Darla Light, District 4 770.887.0678 E: DLight@forsyth.k12.ga.us Nancy Roche, Chairperson, District 5 (R) 770.889.0229 E: NRoche@forsyth.k12.ga.us
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Cumming City Council Members Quincy Holton, Lewis Ledbetter, Christopher Light, Linda Ledbetter and Charles F. Welch, Jr.
COMMUNITY NUMBERS EMERGENCY — 911 HOTLINES — 24 HOUR HELP LINES Battered Women Hotline 770.479.1703 Poison Control Center (Atlanta) 404.616.9000 Outside Metro Atlanta 800.222.1222 Rite-Call (Child Medical Problems) 404.250.KIDS Sexual Assault & Family Violence Ctr. 770.428.2666 MEDICAL Georgia Highlands Medical Services 770.887.1668 | 260 Elm Street ww.ghms-inc.org Northside Hospital — Forsyth 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive 770.844.3200 | www.northside.com Neighborhood Healthcare Center 2825 Keith Bridge Road 770.844.7494 | 770.886.7135 Health Department 428 Canton Highway | 770.781.6906 FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT City of Cumming Police Department 301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard 770.781.2000 | www.cummingpd.net Forsyth County Fire Department 3520 Settingdown Road 770.781.2180 | forsythco.com Georgia State Patrol | 770.205.5400
Cumming Fairgrounds 235 Castleberry Road | 770.781.3491 Windermere Park 3355 Windermere Parkway 770. 781.2215 GOLF CLUBS Chestatee Golf Club 777 Dogwood Way, Dawsonville |06.216.7336 Country Land Golf Course 6560 Mayfield Drive | 770.887.0006 Polo Golf & Country Club 6300 Polo Club Dr. | 770.887.7656 Windermere Golf Club 5000 Davis Love Dr. | 678.513.1000 FORSYTH COUNTY MARINAS Bald Ridge Marina 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Road 770.887.5309 Habersham Marina 2200 Habersham Marina Road 770.887.5432 Port Royale Marina 9200 LanMar Road, Gainesville | 770.887.5715 YMCA 6050 Y Street | O: 770.888.2788 POST OFFICE 525 Tribble Gap Road O: 770.886.2388 UTILITIES City of Cumming O: 770.781.2020 Forsyth County Water & Sewer Department 110 East Main Street O: 770.781.2160 www.forsythco.com AT&T Res: 888.757.6500 Bus: 866.213.6300 www.att.com Georgia Power (Electric) O: 888.660.5890 Sawnee Electric Membership O: 770.887.2363
LIBRARIES
SOLID WASTE
770.781.9840 | www.forsythpl.org
Advanced Disposal/Eagle Point Landfill 8880 Old Federal Road, Ball Ground O: 770.887.6063 | www. advanceddisposal.com
Cumming Public Library 585 Dahlonega Road Hampton Park Library 5345 Settingdown Road Post Road Library | 5010 Post Road Sharon Forks Branch 2810 Old Atlanta Road PARKS AND RECREATION City of Cumming Main Number 410 Pilgrim Mill Road | 770.781.2030 Central Park Office | 770.781.2215 Central Park Recreation Center 2300 Keith Bridge Road | 678.455.8540
Olde Atlanta Recycling LLC 2535 Ivy Street East O: 770.205.6912 Waste Management, Inc. 774 McFarland Road, Alpharetta 770.751.1304 | www.wm.com RECYCLING Keep Forsyth County Beautiful O: 770.205.4573
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