The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine FEBRUARY 2008
LJMCVSO t Lawrenceville
SOFMMWJMMF t Grayson www.OurrTTTo www.OurTownMag.org ownMag.org
Gwinnett’s own Diana Degarmo See story, page 9
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTA T GE TA
PAID Monroe, GA PERMIT #15
Claire’s Story Hi! My name is Claire and I am a patient of Dr. Lorraine Gravante. Let me begin by telling you a little bit about my past. My weight had never been a big problem for me.I used to play a LOT of tennis, but after my elbow decided that I no longer needed to play, it became harder for me to keep the weight off. I would go to the gym 2-3 times per week (if I was lucky!), but my weight just kept creeping up on me. Surely, it could not be because of the chocolate and cookies that I craved everyday! Before I knew it, my weight had gotten higher than ever. I tried several diet programs, would lose some weight, but always seemed to put it back on. When my boyfriend saw Dr. Gravante’s advertisement in the Our Town, we decided to go to her Nutritional Workshop and see what her Nutritional Program was all about. After listening to what she had to say about her Program and what makes it different from the other Weight Loss Programs out there, I decided to give it a try. It made sense that your lifestyle has to change in order to succeed at keeping the weight off. When I first started the program it surprised me how easy it was to actually stick to eating what I should eat! I no longer had the cravings for sweets – which had plagued me in the past. I also stopped hitting the snooze button on my alarm for an hour each morning … I literally got right out of bed! The best thing is that everyone is noticing the changes in me. It is so exciting and rewarding!
Claire, before
I feel better than I have ever felt before and my weight is under control! I have more energy than ever and my strength is also increasing. I now look forward to getting older because the older I get the better I am looking!
Best of Gwinnett Chiropractor 2006
The Center for Natural Healing and Weight Loss 1790 Presidential Circle, Suite A, Snellville, GA 30078
678.990.9400
www.drgravante.com
Come to one of the Nutritional Workshops at Dr. Gravante’s office at 7:00 P.M. on: February 13th and 27th, Please call to reserve your seat! See our website for a complete listing of workshops.
These results may not be typical. Results with products may vary from individual to individual. These nutrition recommendations are provided solely to support good nutrition with the intent of supporting the physiological and biochemical process of the human body and not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Be advised that any nutritional program recommended by Dr. Gravante is not intended as a primary therapy for any disease. Prior to starting any diet, nutrition or exercise program, you should consult with your medical physician.
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Our Town
LilburntLawrencevilletSnellvilletGrayson IN THIS ISSUE VALENTINE’S LOVE IN GWINNETT PETS OF THE MONTH C ALENDAR OF EVENTS MACHIAVELLIAN TENNIS HOMETOWN G IRL G ONE COUNTRY IN -HOME PERSONAL TRAINING SUDOKU PUZZLE GARDENING ACTIVITY PLANNER LILBURN IN PHOTOS COUNSELOR’S CORNER EDUCATION CORNER MATTERS OF THE HEART PUZZLE SOLUTION O N THE EDGE WITH EILEEN RUSSELL INSIDE O UT WITH C ATHY HALL
5 6 7 8 9 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 18
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: %FMGZ 'MPSFT t /PSNB 'MPSFT CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Susan Cadley, LPC Dr. Lorraine Gravante Cathy Hall GRAPHICS AND DESIGN Jan Stittleburg, JS PhotoFX XXX KTQIPUPGY DPN
Sagdrina Jall, BS Ed, CPT Jeffrey Lennox, M.D. Eileen Russell Carol Wood COVER PHOTOGRAPHY D. Flores
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O UR TOWN M AGAZINE 0VS 5PXO .BHB[JOF *OD 1 0 #PY 4OFMMWJMMF (FPSHJB 5FM t 'BY 'PS SFBEFS DPNNFOUT PS RVFTUJPOT QMFBTF & NBJM VT BU MJGF!PVSUPXONBH PSH
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February 2008
VALENTINE’S LOVE IN GWINNETT On February 1, 2008, Virgil and Ann Ponzoli of Lilburn will celebrate 50 years of marriage. When asked how they lasted so long, Virgil replied, “Catholics don’t believe in divorce.” Ann added, “We don’t own a gun.” The Ponzoli’s were blessed with four lovely, lively daughters who k e p t them on theirtoes. Somehow the fa f mily was always working on a new proj o ect or oj trip, so they did not have time to dwell on problems long enough to attempt to end them. Pretty soon, new onesevolved,asdidmanyproud, happy and wonderful times. Virgil practiced the specialty of Ear,r,r Nose and Throat - Head and Neck
Surgery.Annwasanurseandtheoff f ice ff manager.r.r Life f was sometimes frustratfe ing and sometimes satisfy f ing in the fy practice and in the home. As the girls moved away and Dr.r.r Ponzoli retired, Ann sought fulfillment in fa f mily. Six yearsagowhentheir y ungestmov yo ove ov ved to Lilburn, she sought baby sitting help from her p a r e n t s. Ann welcomed the idea, and so they moved. Both enjoy church and community service in Florida and Georgia when they are not visiting their daughter’s fa f milies (includingtengrandchildren),hereand up the East Coast. Their philosophy Endures!”
is,
Wehavebeenmarriedfo f rfiveyears fo andinthatshortamountoft f imewehave ft realized the importance of taking the timetodothingsonourown.Distance reallydoesmaketheheartgrowfo f nder fo and we have
f und that when we take the time to fo fulfill our own interests, we can give moretotherelationship.Soouradvice? Be sure and make time for yourself! Anand & Swathi Thaker
“Love
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AROUND OUR TOWN - PETS OF THE MONTH BARKALARM’S BIRDWISER – “BUD”, A B RITTANY SPANIEL Bud turned 17 years old in October and he is still enjoying life f . He fe has no arthritis, a good appetite and he is a wonderful companion. Bud comes from a long line of show and field Brittanys, however,r,r he didnotparticipateineither,r,r buthemayhavetherecordfo f rlongevity. fo I like to think it’s because of the years of TLC he has received. Photo courtesy of Bobbie Davenport
BALTO - A SIBERIAN HUSKY G ERMAN SHEPPARD MIX
BAXTER - A R AT TERRIER He’sadogwhoprefe f rscatfo fe f od. fo Baxtercansitandshakehands,he’s alsoprettygoodatchasingsticksin his yard. He doesn’t like being on a leash - he likes to be free.
This is Balto. He is a 3 months old. My boyfriend, Derek, k and I adopted him k, from Clover Run Rescue in Jeff ffe ff ferson. Not only is he absolutely ADORABLE but he is incredibly loveable too! He is very friendlyandextremelysmart.Helovesto playandexplorenewplaces.Wecouldnot behappiertohavegivenahomelesspeta home and the love that he deserves!
Photo courtesy of David Dudley
photo courtesy of Crystal Nicole
THUMPER - A WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER
Submit your pet photo and story to life@OurTownMag.org. Images must be at least 2” x 3" at 200 dpi. Mail your photo to Our Town at P.O. Box 644 Snellville, Georgia 30078. Sorry, but photos can not be returned.
AMERICAN A HERITAGE AN ERITA TAG TA AGE ANIMAL NIMAL HOSPITAL OSPITA T L TA
Photo courtesy of Lisa Hollingsworth
TIPS FOR PREVENTING THE LOSS OF A PET Place a secure collar and tags on he tag in ncludes a your pet. Be sure th contact name and pho one number or evenanemailad ddre esss wheressomeone can reach you at all times.
-EDICINE s 3URGERY "OARDING s .UTRITION 'ROOMING FOR $OGS #ATS
NOTE: For cats, itt’ss a good idea to purchase a “break-away” collar.r.r A “break-away” collar has an elastic ring oraneasy-opensnapsothecatcanfree itself should the collar become snared on a tree branch so it won’t strangle.
MICHELLE G DICKLER, DVM
(IGHWAY (I H 3NELLVILLE '!
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm Second Sat 9am-12pm
February is
Pet Dental Health Month
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Our To T wn Magazine
Thumper dances in circles when he gets excited, like when he’s about to go fo f r a ride in the car.r.r He hates hearing babies cry on TV. V A squeaky egg is his fa V. f vorite toy.
Consider microchipping or tattooing as a secondary means of proY u can have a microchip tection. Yo inserted under the skin or a tattoo etched on the skin to distinguish your pet.The microchip ortattoonumberiss thenregisteredwithaservicethatke k eps ke a record of your name and address on file. In the event the animal is turned in or reported, they will contact you. Most local shelters are supplied with microchipscanners.Remembertoke k ep ke arecordofthemicrochiportattooregistrationnumberonfileincaseyouare
Visit our Web site at www.OurT rTo rT TownMag.org
contacted to identify f the animal. Also, fy remember that the chip is invisible to anyone who might find your pet,t,t so consid derin ncludinganotethatyourpet is microchipped on his or her ID tag to no otify f a she fy elter volunteer.r.r Keep animals indoors when you are not home to supervise. Outdoor animals run a higher risk of becoming lost or stolen. Even a dog “secured” in a fe f nced yard can dig out or jump or climb the fe f nce and quickly become lost. A cat who has free run outdoors can easily wander away from fa f miliar surroundings.Athunderstorm,holiday f stiivities, or unusually high traff fe f ic can ff cause an animal to venture beyond its se ecure environment in search of a quiete er retreat. Spay⁄neuter your pets. Th This will keep themfromwan nderingin n searchof a mate which can quickly pu ut them in harm’s way. This artticlle provided by www.gwinnetthumane.com
February 2008
AROUND OUR TOWN - CALENDAR OF EVENTS Team Success A business women’s network that provides business building leads & refe f rrals. fe Meets every Wednesday 12-1:30pm at Johnny Carino’s Restaurant by Discover Mills. Call Beverly at 770-979-7997
Lilburn Middle HOSTS Mentoring Program HOSTS - Helping One Student To T Succeed. Do you have 45 minutes to give to a student per week? Call HOSTS, 678-380-7221, Lilburn Middle School, 770-921-1776
The MOMS Club Of Snellville International non-profit organization that provides support fo f r at-home mothers and their children. For more info f rfo mation visit www.snellvillemomsclub. com or email inquiries to Snellville_ MOMSClub@yahoo.com October 6, 2007 - March 1, 2008
The Lawrenceville Affair on the Square
4pm - 9pm Friday, 9am - 8pm Saturday, 10am - 5:30pm Sunday, North Atlanta T ade Center.r.r Admission: $12 adults, Tr $7 Kids ages 6-14, FREE fo f r Kids under 5. Free Parking. Call 770-279-9899 or email rhonda@natcshows.com, www.northatlantatradecenter.r.rcom m⁄⁄ m
February 8 - February 10 Hudlow Junior Winter Championships Hudlow Te T nnis Center (Best Friend Park) k . Call 770-417-2210 or visit k) www.gwinnettparks.com
February 8 - February 24 New London Theatre Presents “Godspell” Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, South Gwinnett High School. Admission: $10 advanced ⁄ $12 door.r.r Call 770-979-3691 or visit www.newlondontheare.org
February 9 - February 10 B98.5 FM’s Family Fest
12pm - 8pm, Downtown Lawrenceville. Call 678-226-2639 or visit www.visitlawrenceville.com
10am, Gwinnett Convention Center.r.r Admission: $10. Call 404-897-7511 or visit b985.com⁄
January 19, - March 23 ART Station presents “Works of Spivey Creations”
February 9 Girls of Greatness Conference
10am - 5pm Thurs-Fri, 10am - 3pm Sat, Art Station. Admission: $20-$26. Call 770-469-1105 or visit www.artstation.org
February 2 Groundhog Day 6am, Ye Y llow River Game Ranch. Admission: Free (From 6am-8am only). Call 770-972-6643 or visit yellowrivergameranch.com
February 2 Gwinnett Gladiators vs. South Carolina Stingrays Times: 7:35pm, Arena at Gwinnett Center.r.r Admission: $10 - $25. Call 770-497-5100 or visit www.gwinnettgladiators.com
Feb bruary 3 Georgia Bridal Show 12:30pm, Gwinne ett Center.r.r Admission: $9-$10. Call 770-8133-7500 or visit www.gwinnettcenter.com
February 4 – March 10 C.L.I.M.B - Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery Mondays 6:00-7:30pm, Cannon United Methodist Church Hope House, 2424 Webb Gin House Road, Snellville. Call 770-736-9765
February 8 - February 10 Great American Motorcycle Show
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Inspirational confe f rence geared fe towards 4th-12th grade girls. Hosted by Diamond in the Rough and I Am B.E.A.U..T. T. TI.F.U.L. L.L 8am-5pm, Hopewell Baptist Church. Admission: $50-$55. Call 678-376-9676 or visit www.girlsofgreatness.com
February 12 Cancer Medications: Answering Your Questions on Benefits and Side Effects 7:00-8:00pm, Cannon United Methodist Church Hope House. Call 770-736-9765.
February 15 - February 17 11th Annual Georgia Home & Garden Show 12-6 Fri, 10am-6pm Sat. 12-5pm Sun, Gwinnett Center Convention Center.r.r Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors & students, 12 & under FREE. Caall 678-455-5192 or visit www.booksandshows.com
February 16 50’s Sock Hop Dinner Buff ffe ff fet and DJ fo f r dancing. Contests fo f r best dressed, best dancers, bubble gum blowing and more. 7:00-10:00pm, Little Gardens Restaurant. $30 per person, tickets must be purchased in advance. Call 770-923-3434
February 20 – March 9 ART Station presents “The Lady With All the Answers” Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday at 3:00 P.M. at the ART Station Theatre located at 5384 Manor Drive in Stone Mountain Village. Contact: Michael Hidalgo at 770 469 1105 or hillaryh@artstation.org
AROUND O UR TOWN VALENTINE’S DAY HAPPENINGS Feb bruary 1 - March 31 Dessert Special Ch hocolate Molten Cake with Raspberry Co oulis this month and next month, which is a great (restaurant quality) at A Diinner A’ A Fare.
Feb bruary 9 Valentine Dinner and Dance 6 – 100:30 pm, Gwinnett Historic Courtthouse, 185 W. Crogan St., Lawren nceville. Enjoy a night of dinner and dan ncing with your loved one this V lentine’’s holiday. Live band, catered Va dinner,r,r doo or prizes, event photos, and more. This is a non-alcohol event. Adults only. Cosst is $75⁄5⁄5⁄c ⁄couple. Preregister by 2⁄2⁄1⁄1. Call 770-822-5450.
February 14 Valentine’s Day Dinner Seating from 5:30pm to 10:00pm, Little Gardens Restaurant. Special lim m-
ited menu only. Reservations requ uired. Call 770-923-3434
February 14 Valentines Day Special Dinner fo f r two: Double chicken fa f jitaas and pitcher of margaritas, $ 29.95 +T +Ta Tax. x. Note: couples only. Hidalgos Mexiccan Restaurant, call 770-277-2725.
February 14 Valentine Social Dance 1 – 3 p.m. Entertainment, dancin ng and light refreshments. Pre-rregister by 2⁄2⁄1⁄11. Ages 50-up. Cost is $3. Call 770-564-4680. The Gwinnett Senior Center is located at 225 Bethesda Church Rd. in Lawre enceville.
Atlanta Ballet Presents “Romeo and Juliet” Call fo f r pe perfo f rmance dates. Tickets fo as low as $15. Call Ticketmaster at 404-817-8700, www.atlantaballet.com
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Thursday Feb 21 Bridal Show 5:30-8:00pm, Little Gardens Restaurant. Freetoattendees.Complimentarybeveragesandhorsd’oeuvres,Ve V ndorexhibits. Ve
February 23, - February 24 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Regionals Spectators welcome! 8am-5pm, Road Atlanta. Admission: $10-$295. Call 1-800-849-RACE (7223) or visit www.roadatlanta.com
February 23 Summer Camp Expo 1:00pm-5:00pm, Discover Mills. Admission: Free! Call 678-847-5000 or visit www.simon.com
February 23 R. D. Head PTA’s annual Carnival⁄Silent Auction 10:00am to 3:00pm. The Carnival fe f atures a “Play All Day” wrist band which is $15 fo f r the 1st band and $10.00 fo f r each additional wrist band. Please visit www.rdheadpta.org fo f r details.
February 24 Mrs. Georgia⁄Mrs. South Carolina⁄Miss Georgia Teen & Jr. Teen Pageants 2pm, Gwinnett Center.r.r Admission: $30. Call 770-813-7500 or visit www.gwinnettcenter.com
February 26 Side by Side Concert: Sensational Strings 7:30pm, Perfo f rming Arts Center at fo Gwinnett Center.r.r Admission: $28 adults, $24 seniors, $12 students. Call 404-249-6400 or www.ticketmaster.com
February 29 - March 2 Lion Heart Theatre Presents: “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Fri.& Sat. 7:30pm, Norcross Community and Cultural Arts Center.r.r Admission: Adults $15, Students & Seniors $12, groups of 10+ $10 each. All ticket prices include dessert and beverage. Call 770-806-0935 or visit ww.lionhearttheatre.org
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MACHIAVELLIAN TENNIS
EC E S S I TIES
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A common practice befo f re going fo intobattleistoprayy ffo or divine intervention. Since in many ways tennis is like abattle,itshou uld be acceptable to pray f r help agaiinstt your opponents. The fo problem witth this approach is getting thebigguyto o move your reque est to the front of the line. With fa famin ne, global warming, Britn ney Spears’ drinking and thepresidentiale election all on his radar screen, helping yo ou to win a tennis match may not be th he Lord’ d’ss highest priority. To T assist our read ders I theref re off fo ffe ff fer The Machiavellian Te T nniis Prayer: “Our heavenly father, you saw fit in your divine wisdom to grant me neither speed nor coordination. Strength,grace,enduranceandlightning reflexes were gifts I did not receive. Also withheld through your heavenly wisdom was the ability to power serve, hit down the line, or to strikeanoverheadsmash.Mypartner also prays that one day I will be able
to remember the score, to not touch thenetandtocalllineshotscorrectly. TheseabilitiesandothersIhavebeen blessed to not have been granted. Blessed, O wise father, since I have beengiveninsteadhumility,patience anddignitylearnedthroughrepeated defeats. For these gifts I thank you.” “In your almighty wisdom I ask thatyounowgrantmyopponentsthese samegifts.Allowthemtheopportunity togrowthroughunexpecteddefeat,to learnfromcrushinghumiliationand to benefit from public ridicule. Let them suffer the broken string, the missed overhead, the embarrassing double fault, the jarring partner collision and the sun always in their eyes. Theyareoverconfidentofvictory;they take for granted their physical gifts. Grantthemnowatrouncingtoshow them the error of their ways. In your name we pray. Amen.” by Dr. Jeff
Never discuss love with a tennis player, it m means nothing to them.
www.necessitiesbyy sherrie.com
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February 2008
AROUND OUR TOWN - COVER STORY HOMETOWN G IRL G ONE COUNTRY Y p, that’s Diana DeGarmo on Ye the cover of Our To T wn magazine, but she may not look like the pinkclad, American Idol sweetheart you remember.r.r Diana was a sixteen-year-old Shiloh student when she burst onto the national music scene in 2004. Now living in Atlanta, she’s left her teen years behind. She’s still crazy about fa f shion, but she’s just as crazy about NASCAR. “Redneck Diva” is how Diana puts it,t,t and the 9 pound big mouth bass (which she caught herself,f,f thank you) proves she’s not kidding!Shedoesn’tkidaroundabout hercareer,r,r either.r.r She’sstillimpressing audiences with that powerful voice,
her presence in the music scene as strongasever.r.r Justnotthemusicscene you remember.r.r Maybe you already know that,t,t if you’vebeenwatchingGoneCountry, a new program on CMT. T And if you T. haven’tcaughtupyetwiththisreality show, Diana can fill in the details. Gone Country has taken seven recording artists and moved them into the world’s largest log cabin in Nashville, Te T nnessee. Each singer is pairedwithtwoprofe f ssionalsongwritfe ers who will help the contestants in theirquesttowritethewinningsong. The lucky winner will have his or her songproducedbyindustryhit-maker,r,r John Rich, and released as a single. Sounds easy enough, right? But John Rich produces country music. c And these c. aren’t your typical country artists. It’s a fish-out-off water fchallenge that according to Diana was “lots of fun, but everyone took the competition very seriously.” Latin heart throb, Julio Iglesias Jr.r.r, T isted Sister’s lead singer,r,r Tw DeeSnider,r,r andAtlanta’sown BobbyBrownarejustafe f wof fe theroommatesinwhatDiana calls her “big, quirky fa f mily”. But “we all got along, making great music!”
AmericanIdolwhenshegrabbed the runner-up prize? “The experience,” said Diana “was amazing. Yo Y u learn so much. And of course, the show catapultsyoufrom‘zerotohero’ overnight.” Her career took off f ff after AI and fo f r that,t,t Diana’s very appreciative. T ke the USO tour she was Ta invited to join two years ago. She’s very proud of that overseasexperience,“singingfo f rthe fo best audience in the world, our troops.”Shetraveledtothirteen countries in seven days, visiting placessuchasIraq,Afg f hanistan, fg Kuwait, Africa and Germany. Diana developed a deep respect fo f r our soldiers who serve in some of the toughest conditions on earth. “To T see To whattheysee,”madefo f ramemorable fo trip that “put everything into perspective” fo f r her.r.r Back home, Diana has perfo f rmed fo in several Broadway productions,
including BKLY L N The Musical and LY Hairspray. It was during Hairspray that Diana parlayed her klutzy charm into a contribution fo f r a worthy cause. That’s Diana DeGarmo fo f r you. Seriousabouthercareer,r,randhavingaseriously wonderful time along the way! by Cathy Hall
If you want to know if our hometown girl wins, you’ll have to watch Gone Country on CMT. T T. Wonderingwhatshelike k d ke bestaboutthethirdseasonof Photos courtesy of D. Flores
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IN -HOME PERSONAL TRAINING O FFERS FITNESS SOLUTIONS Don’tyouwishyoucouldworko k utin ko your paj a amas? aj Agrowingnumberofpeopleareoptingfo f ramoreconvenientalternativeto fo addressingtheirfitnessneeds:in-home personaltraining.Ratherit’sacorporate executive with limited time, a busy momwhodoesnotwanttoaddanother trip to her “to-do� list,t,t or the successful profe f ssional trying to increase producfe tivityhavingain-homepersonaltrainer isansweringtheageoldquestion:“How am I ever going to fit in a worko k ut?� ko In-home personal training provides asolutiontoperhapsthebiggestfitness obstacles: time. Cutting out the travel timetoandfromthegymaddsvaluable time to a hectic day. The worko k ut itself ko increasesproductivitybyrelievingstress and giving you a natural energy boost.t.t By having the trainer come to your home (or off f ice), you can have a great ff worko k ut in about an hour.r.r There is also ko noneedtowaitfo f requipment.t.t In-home fo trainers are skilled in using whatever equipment available. They also bring additional fitness “tools� with them to aid in your worko k ut.t.t ko For many people getting ready fo f r
a worko k ut can take ko k more eff ke ffo ff fort than the worko k ut itself.f.f Working out in your ko own environment allows you to dress comfo f rtably.Allyouneedisagoodpair fo of sneake k rs! Yo ke Y ur trainer will develop a fun program that meets your needs. Y u simply fo Yo f llow her lead. Yo Y u can also schedule your training sessions around the needs of your fa f mily or career.r.r In-home trainers are available early mornings, during the day, and in the evenings. Yo Y u choose the time that best suits your life f style. fe Loss of motivation is why most fitness plans fa f il. Having someone cheer youonandke k epyoufo ke f cusedcanmake fo k ke thediff ffe ff ferencebetweenfrustrationand results. A qualified in-home trainer knows when and how to change your routine to ke k ep your body challenged and you motivated. The best worko k ut plan is the one ko you will actually fo f llow. Contacting an in-homepersonaltrainermaybethefirst steptowardbetterhealth.Yo Y ucaneven Yo make k that step in your bunny slippers! ke by Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT, TT, Fitness Consultant, Inner Strength Fitness, 404-271-0071, www.innerstrength-fitness.com.
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Our To T wn Magazine
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Page 13
AROUND OUR TOWN - LILBURN
David Chandley WSB Meteorologist and dedicated Lilburn Citizen received a standing ovation as he was presented a Proclamation,honoringhimfor hisoutstandingcommunitycontributions from Mayor Preston.
Sheetal Desai, Baps Mandir Public Relations and guest speaker at the Lilburn City Hall monthly meeting with Mayor Diana Preston.
CharlesBannister,r,rGwinnettCounty Chairman (on right) shakes hands with Councilman Tim Dunn, while former Mayor Bolton watches.
Laurel Shapiro takes a break from her studies at ColumbusStateUniversitytoenjoytheLBAluncheon and the company of Hugh Wilkerson of Antiques in Old d TTown, Thor Johnson - LBA President, and Natasha Johnson with Salon Par Excellence.
Photos courtesy of Patti-Jo
Pat Swan, Executive Chair Senior Leadership Gwinnett 2008-2009 and Lorrie Christopher,r,r Director of Institutional Advancement for Gwinnettt TTechnical College were Guest Speakers at the December Lilburn Business Association luncheon, smiling with former Lilburn Mayor Jack Bolton.
TheLW L Cprovidedculinarydelightsfo LW f rthereceptionwelcoming fo Lilburn’s new Mayor,rr, Council and Board members. Pictured are Sandra Langston, Pat Shaver,r,r Dianna Carson, Laurie Wexel, Pat Swan, Christine Peredney, y Nancy Kenny and y, Laura Byrd.
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Arbor Day Celebration (March 1 in City Park at 10:00) promises to be a fun-filled event with a tree dedication honoring a Lilburn Community Contributor. Dignitaries, Scouts and residents will witness Lilburn receive the "Tree Citizen Designation" thanks to theeffo ff rtsofDaleHigdon,ForestServiceAgent,alongwithMandy ffo McManus and Gail Zarnick from the Conservation Dept. of the Lilburn’s Women Club (pictured at right from last year’s Arbor Day Celebration).
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February 2008
COUNSELOR’S CORNER R ELATIONSHIP CHECK -UP “Relationships – We all got ‘em, we all want ‘em. What do we do with them?â€? Jimmy Buff ffe ff fett This month we celebrate love and the ideal of romantic love. Ah, the blossoming of new love ‌ the cute cards, the dates, flowers, the head over heels blissful fe f elings. Then what? This beginning phase of romantic love can turn off f all our blinders to what might ff not be working in a new relationship. Once we become comfo f rtable with a fo new partner,r,r conflict may occur and this is where we learn the most about ourselves.Whennewlovematuresinto thisplace,itsurprisesmanypeopleand yet this is a natural progression and it’s where we grow as individuals. Many couples get stuck in a power struggleearlyonintherelationshipand each couple has a diff ffe ff ferent pattern of communication.Yo Y ucanmapoutyour Yo ownrelationshipbythinkingaboutan issue you discuss over and over again with your partner in the same manner each time. It might go something like
this; “when I say or do , he⠄ e ⠄s e⠄ ⠄she responds by . His⠄ s ⠄h s⠄ ⠄ her response shuts me down and I hide, lash out,t,t or .� We all have diff ffe ff ferent styles dependingonourpersonalityandour upbringing.Thewaytobreakthatcycle is to try on new behaviors. I often tell couplesthatifyouwanttocontinuenot getting your needs met,t,t keep doing⠄ g g⠄ saying the same thing. Here are some basic skills that you canapplytoyourrelationshipifyouare f eling stuck: fe 1) Seek first to understand your partner.r.r Often we lash out angrily or f elbetrayedwhenwedon’thaveallthe fe info f rmation. Clarify fo f and ask questions fy befo f re you assume anything. fo 2) Acknowledge your partners fe f elings or simply state; “I hear you are upset,t,t tell me more about it�. This one step can stop an argument in its tracks. 3) If you tend to run and hide when conflict arises, challenge yourself and bring an issue to the table with your partner telling them that you need to
be heard. If you cannot do this in a relationshipduetosafe f ty,thatrelationfe ship is unhealthy and obviously not good fo f r you. 4) If you tend to get angry and yell at your partner,r,r you can be 100% guaranteedthatyouwillnotgetunderstood or heard. Ta T ke a time out and leave the house or location, breathe deeply, count to 10, anything you can do to calm yourself down befo f re you make fo a request.
yourselftorelationships,youmaykeep repeating the same patterns over and over again. Consider engaging with yourpartnerinanewwayandopenthe door to a deeper,r,r richer relationship Susan Cadley, y LPC, y, Licensed Professional Counselor,r,r is available for couples and adult individual counseling in Suwanee, GA. She maybereacheddirectly and confidentially at 678-296-1278, www. w susancadley. w. ycom. y.
Relationshipstakeworkandrequire self awareness. If you are not awake to who you are and how you bring
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Page 15
EDUCATION CORNER PARENTS: K EEP YOUR MIND SHARP AND IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL FITNESS! My last article pertained to parents beingtheirchildren’s ’ primaryteacherand ’s sev eve ev veralsuggestionsweremaderegarding how to teach them every chance possible. This month I will address an issue f r parents as we grow older and what fo we can do to learn and stay mentally sharp, help prevent memory loss, and increaseourmentalfitness.Aswegrow older,r,r therearementalsignsthatremind us of this; such as fo f rgetting where we put something or a declining ability to multitask. k We k. W may believe that losing our memory and mental sharpness is something we have no control over.r.r Well,thereisgoodnews!Herearesteps we can take k to improve our mental ke capacities and memory skills.
a Master’s degree in June 2006 and am excited to report to you that the ‘ole brain still works and the memory cells are still kicking! There are many reputable colleges off ffe ff fering on-line degrees, which is what I am doing. An on-line degreeallowsyoutocontinuetoparent your children, work in your career,r,r and take k collegeclassesatthesametime.As ke aresultofyoursandmylife f experiences fe and better understanding about the world, people, places, and events than whenwewereyoung,wecanbebetter students now than befo f re! If you have fo been thinking about going to college f rthefirsttimeorfo fo f ranotherdegree,I fo wouldencourageyoutotake k actionand ke do so! Yo Y u will be so glad you did!
Return to the classroom. Yo Y u are never too old to learn! In fa f ct,t,t studies haveshownthatitisbeneficialfo f radults fo as we age to learn something new. This opens up channels in our brains that havebeenleft f towitherandatrophy.Yo ft Y u Yo may fe f el that life f is too busy to go back fe toschoolorareconcernedthatyoumay not be able to learn and retain info f rmafo tion anymore. I returned to college fo f r
If you are unable to budget fo f r or donotdesireacollegedegree,thereare other ways to expand your knowledge baseandopenupthoseuntappedbrain channels.Selectatopicyouwouldlike k to ke learnmoreaboutandaccesstheworldwidewebandbeginyourresearch.With the internet,t,t info f rmation is literally a fo k y stroke ke k away. Of course, be sure the ke sourcesyouselecttolearnfromarewar-
Education for Life
ranted,reputable,andreliablebecause there is some info f rmation on the interfo net that is not accurate and based on people’s opinions.
activated. To T learn about Neurobics, go to www.neurobics.com. Another book which addresses memory skills and mental fitness is by Corrine L.L Gediman & Francis M. Crinella, PhD. (2006) entitled, Brainfit – 10 Minutes a Day fo f r a Sharper Mind and Memory. Using advanced brain imaging technology, neuroscientistsarelearningaboutthebrain’samazingcapacityfo f rrej fo e uvenation.BrainFitis ej a circuit-training program designed to reclaim your brain. In 10 to 15 minutes a day individuals who are beginning to f el the eff fe ffe ff fects of memory loss will see immediatereversalofthementalaging process. To T learn about Brainfit,t,t go to www.brainfit.t.tnet.t.t
T prevent increase your mental fitTo nessandpreventmemoryloss,youmay findauniqueprogramcalledNeurobics helpful. In a book by Lawrence C. C Katz, z z, PhD & Manning Rubin (1999) entitled, K ep Yo Ke Y ur Brain Alive, Neurobics is saidtoincludeasimpleexerciseprogram based on the brain’s ability to produce natural growth fa f ctors called neurotrophins that help fight off f the eff ff ffe ff fects of mental aging.Neurobic exercises use your five physical senses and your emotional sense in unexpected ways and encourage you to shake k up your ke everyday routines. Example neurobic Katz, L. C. (1999). Keep pY Your Brain Alive. exercisesare toclose your eyesanduse New Yo Y rk: Workman Publishing Company. Gediman, C. L. & Crinella, F. M. (2006). your other senses of touch, smell and Brainfit-10 Minutes a Day for a Sharper spatial memory to unlock your door,r,r Mind and Memory. New wY York: Barnes & enter your home at the end of the day Noble Publishing, Inc. andfindyourwaytothecoatclosetand f under and owner of To T tal answering machine. What happens in Carol Wood is the fo Learning Concepts, Inc., a private, profe f ssional fe yourbrainwhileyou’redoingthesetypes tutorial service located in Gwinnett County. ofexercisesisthatdiff ffe ff ferent,t,t underused PleaseE-mailquestionstoccwood@bellsouth.net or fa f x to 770-381-1626. nerve pathways and connections get
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February 2008
MATTERS OF THE HEART … Blood Pressure Knowing Your Numbers Blood is the most universal fluid besideswaterinthehumanbody.Itcarriesoxygenandnutrients,servesasboth acoolingandwarmingmechanismand carriesawaywasteproducts.Itsimplyis essential fo f r the body to function and one method to analyze how well this process is occurring is blood pressure. Blood pressure is the scientific measurement of how the blood is flowing from the heart to the rest of the Classification body.Becausethe heart is a pump, Normal the pressure on your veins and Borderline arteries is not constant. The Hypertension pressureishigher with each beat of theheartandlowerbetweenbeats.The maximum pressure when the heart is pumpingiscalledthesystolicpressure; this is the top number on your blood pressure reading. The lower pressure that occurs between beats is called the diastolic pressure and is the bottom
number in a blood pressure reading. Knowing your numbers is an essential aspect of evaluating your health. Keep in mind that your blood pressure can fluctuate due to a number of f ctors. Therefo fa f re, it is important that fo you standardize the way you measure yourbloodpressure.Forexample,after exerciseoralargemeal,yourbloodpressureisgoingtobesignificantlydiff ffe ff ferent than upon waking first thing in the morning.
Systolic
Diastolic
<139mm Hg
<89mm Hg
140-159
90-94
>160
>95
and arteries, therefo f re increasing the fo risk fo f r hypertension. Of the abovementioned fa f ctors life f style is the one fe we can obviously manipulate in order to reduce our risk of high blood pressure, fo f r example: ♥ Reduce stress ♥ Improve diet ♥ Increase aerobic exercise ♥ Reduce body fa f t
Y ur blood pressure is the easiYo est way to ensure functionality and
goodhealth.Unfo f rtunately,highblood fo pressure has fe f w symptoms, so the first symptom is usually serious. If you haveconcernsaboutyour blood pressure or are considering a dietary or exerciseprogramfirst consult with your physician. by Lorraine Scott Gravante, D.C.
PUZZLE
If your heart and arteries have to do more work than they should, specifically pumping with more fo f rce to get the blood to the body, a multitude of negative health conditions may result. Family history and life f style are fe influential fa f ctors that have the ability to increase the demand on the heart
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AROUND OUR TOWN - HUMOR WRITERS BLOCK
As we go to press the Writers Guild strike is dragging on, frustrating Leno and Letterman, soap opera bubblers and TV series spinners.Unionmembersjustifiablywant their share of the online, DVD, iTu T ne Tu pie,butfa f nsarefe fa f dup.Howlongcan fe our nation survive without Lost,t,t 24 and Grey’s Anatomy? y? y?
Not to worry. While we ponder the horror of missing that annual cutthroat competition, the Oscars, oozing red carpet glitz, z glamour and z, (yes!) unscripted moments, Creative BoobTu T beTe Tu T amsarehatchingaddicTe tivealternatives.Leadingthepackare (what else?) reality shows to-die-fo f r,r fo pushing the envelope fa f rther than one’s wildest imaginings, such as… “Beat the Game Show Host”: Drew Carey, Pat Sajak and Alex T ebek are locked in a tiny, airless Tr room with nothing but number 2 pencils and fill-in-the-grid fo f rms. No teleprompters, crib cards or sports drinks allowed. The trio labor fe f verishly to finish the SAT A first,t,t with AT the highest score, as Va V nna White
repeatedlybangsagiantgong,ending with an ear-piercing buzzer.r.r The winnergetstobeathisopponentsintoa bloodyheapandspendthenightwith V nna. Va “Proj o ect Runway: Unfa oj f shionable fa Extremes”: Daredevil passengers fill f ur jumbo jets to capacity at one fo of America’s five busiest airports. In a high-stakes aeronautical game of chicken, frenzied air traff f ic controlff lers radio conflicting signals fo f r takeoff f to the pilots. As the 747s embark ff on a potential collision course, viewers grip their Lazy-Boys in states ofdeath-defy f ingsuspense,guessing fy which dispatcher will shift course in the final seconds, averting disaster.r.r Contestantsreceiveround-tripticke k ts ke to a spa or one-way passage to the nearest mental hospital. So, couch potatoes, keep hope alive. Catch up on your backlogged TiVo V , Vo organizeaclosetorgive that Leo To T lstoy dude another college try. by Eileen Russell
ROMANTIC G ESTURES RUN AMOK
When I was nineteen, I gave a boyfriendacowbellasaromanticgesture.So I’ll be the first to admit that my idea of an appropriate gift fo f r Va V lentine’s Day may beske k wed.Butthatdoesn’tke ke k epmefrom ke trying to find the perfe f ct loving surprise fe f r Mr.r.r Hall. fo One year,r,r I bought him these cute stuff ffe ff fed dogs that kiss each other.r.r That’s not really my style, but I was out of town f rthefo fo f urteenthandbythetimeIzipped fo intothecornerdrugstore,thosepooches were the only holiday merchandise left. And they were 75% off ff.f. It was win-win ff f r me. (A lose-lose fo fo f r Mr.r.r Hall.)
Intheearlyyearsofourweddedbliss,I would write wonderfully witty songs (“O V lentine, O Va Va V lentine, Yo Y ur Lips are Ever T sty” sung to the tune of Ta Ta T nnenbaum). I’d ’ sit at my little radio desk, ’d k looking terk, ribly busy. Of course, I was terribly busy. But maybe not in the way my boss had in mind. It’s just not as much fun now, with Mr.r.r Hall glaring at me from across his desk. k Sort of like k. k my old boss. ke I went through a phase of homemade cards, too. When the kiddies were
underfo f ot,t,t I’d fo ’ cover their tiny fingers ’d with paint and slap their palms down on construction paper.r.r I’d ’ write something ’d super romantic like, “Yo Y u’re the best! Yo Hands down!” or “Give him a big hand! He’s awesome!” Mr.r.r Hall was indeed surprised by these inspired, somewhat drippymasterpiecesofartandingenuity. But just try to get a 23 year-old kid to make a trip home fo f r handprint carddecorating day now. This Va V lentine’s is going to be diff ff rent. I’ve been working on a gift that fe combinesallmyusualtrademarks:witty writing, dried-up paint pens, and a cost that can’t be beat (cheap). Oh, heck. k I can’t keep you in suspense k. … it’s an autographed toilet seat! I haven’t quite finished it yet,t,t but don’t worry; I’m not adding a cow bell. A “buzzer” is much more my loving style. Won’t Mr.r.r Hall be surprised? by Cathy Hall. Read more ofCathy’shumoratheronlinecolumn“StirredCrazy” at SanityCentral.com.
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February 2008
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