DEC 2015/JAN 2016: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton BiMonthly Magazine

The Gwinnett/Walton Community and Family Magazine

Our Town

December 2015/January 2016

Grayson l Loganville and surrounding areas

Meet the team at SarahCare of Snellville see story on page 5.

9 10 11 13

Sports Talk with John Zorn: Loganville High Basketball Up Close with Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry Grayson City Talk: Mayor Allison Wilkerson and CDD Gail Lane Getting Schooled with Dr. Rukina Walker: Trip Elementary

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Our Town

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Our Town

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PAGE 3

Dr. Christopher E. Greene Dr. Kriscinda Morgan AdvAnced clinicAl nutrition Crown Point Plaza 1982 E. Main St. Suite D Snellville, GA 30078 Ph 770-979-5125

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PAGE 4

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Our Town

On the Cover: Participants Enjoy New Space, Weekly Excursions, and a Social Environment at SarahCare

By Heidi Campbell SarahCare of Snellville has served the area’s elderly since January of 2010. Owned and operated by Aysha Cooper, the center is a medical model adult day care center with fourteen employees that are dedicated to creating a safe, warm, nutritionally and medically sound environment for people who need assistance during the day. Cooper, who is keenly attuned to the needs of her participants, is thrilled with the expansion that was completed in July of 2015. “We doubled our size!” Cooper shares enthusiastically. “We’ve added a men’s den, a serenity room, additional office space, executive offices, and five bathrooms – and we needed those!”

Cooper realized that some of her participants could feel over-stimulated by the activities offered each day, so the new “serenity room” makes the perfect retreat. The room offers limited seating, aromatherapy, soft lights, books, and a fireplace, making it relaxing and quiet. The “men’s den,” equipped with a poker table, a putting green, a dart board, a television, and recliners, is quickly becoming a local favorite.

The center can now welcome around sixty-four participants each weekday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. To help busy families, pick-up and drop-off service is available for the private pay customers. Through the end of the year, the enrollment fee is being waived in hopes of welcoming new participants. “We offer a day full of stimulating activities, primarily dealing with people that may have a cognitive or physical impairment that doesn’t allow them to stay safely in their homes by themselves,” Cooper

explains. “We provide peace of mind for the families.”

SarahCare offers a beauty salon as well as a visiting foot care nurse. They publish a monthly activity calendar bursting with events from group exercises to games, movies to arts and crafts.

They celebrate all seasons and holidays, and even have a visit from Santa in December.

The center’s “Stepping out with SarahCare” program includes weekly outings to the theatre, picnics, bowling, dining out, and shopping, just to name a few. “Most regulars really love our morning dancing, where we typically kick off with ‘Happy’ or ‘oldie-style’ favorites,” says Cooper. “Everyone gets up and dances and sings before we break off into our activities.”

Community outreach and involvement is important to SarahCare. Six-week courses called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” are offered at the center twice a year. These classes, led by Susan Munroe, an RN, as well as Aysha Cooper, provide attendees with “The Caregiver Helpbook” that is loaded with “tools” that deal with reducing stress, setting limits, and asking for help. The center also offers a Caregiver Support group on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to7:30 p.m. This group is designed to not only offer educational and social support to caregivers, but, as Cooper explains, “…to remind caregivers to take time for their own physical and emotional health as well.”

Cooper promotes intergenerational programming by working closely with local schools, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, the Explorer Program, and the Goddard School of Snellville. The Explorer Program, which includes high school students from Grayson, Parkview, Shiloh, Brookwood, and

South Gwinnett, just kicked off this school year’s internships, and twenty-six students will partner with SarahCare through May of 2016. “In this population, high school students often have younger grandparents, so they don’t really get the opportunities to bond with the older generation,” explains Cooper.

“This program is beneficial to both the participants and the students. We need to build these bridges between the generations.

Hopefully this will inspire kids to go into the field of geriatrics.

We are going to need them.”

Cooper’s passion for geriatrics is evident. She treats each participant as though he or she is part of her extended family.

She was so moved by one participant, a younger gentleman who suffered a debilitating illness, that she dedicated a new “Memory Wall” of photographs to honor him. “Although he passed away before the dedication,” says Cooper, “we will remember him and all the others who have been with us over the years.”

More information at http://sarahcare.com/snellville/.

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Our Town The Gwinnett/Walton Community and Family M agazine

— An EndResultz Company

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Cover Photographer Kerr Studio Inc. Webmaster Robert Fordham 101WebsiteDesigns.com Distribution Coordinator Ellen Sawtelle Feature Writers Daidra Annis Macrae Brennan-Fuller Rachael Brice Heidi Campbell Kim Hill Kathleen Mardis Perry Rosenbaum Michelle Watson Contributing Writers Mike Harper Joy A Tekobo Kelly Farris

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2015/2016 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Our Town Gwinnett

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IN THIS ISSUE 5 On the Cover: Participants Enjoy New Space, Weekly Excursions, and a Social Environment at SarahCare

7 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 7 Why it’s Important to Update Your Home before Selling 8 Senior Corner: Medicare Changes for 2016 9 Fantastic Food: New Eateries to visit in Loganville 9 Sports Talk with John Zorn: Loganville High Basketball 10 Angels in Every Season: Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry 10 The Best Workout? Diversify!

11 City of Grayson: A Hometown Community 12 You’ll Flip for the Atlanta JayHawks!

13 Getting Schooled with Dr. Rukina Walker: Trip Elementary

PAGE 6

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Our Town

From the Publisher:

We have moved.

One Man’s Opinion

When your real estate agent plants a “For Sale” sign on your front yard, you are selling much more than just a house – you’re selling a lifestyle. And the more your home is in sync with a potential buyer’s hopes and dreams, the easier it will be to sell in the shortest amount of time and at the best price.

Homes with newer appliances, refinished cabinets, countertops, updated bathrooms, and modern light fixtures will attract the most buyers looking for style and comfort.

In addition to aesthetics, today’s buyers are searching for energy efficient homes to reduce their impact on the environment. Older appliances and heating/air conditioning units don’t meet current energy efficiency standards, and savvy buyers are aware that dated equipment means more energy consumption – not to mention bigger utility bills. Plus, thanks to continuing technological improvements, such as a variety of sensors, new household appliances have the potential to be more useful than ever before.

But what specific updates should owners consider to get the best possible results from a sale?

As with any home sale, a primary goal is to reduce or eliminate any distractions that might negatively affect a potential buyer’s perception of the home. Such distractions include dated appliances, aging air conditioning equipment, polished brass fixtures, and/or lots of wallpaper. Other potential distractions include unusual paint colors, too much clutter in the home, and lots of personal photos or other items that make it difficult for buyers to imagine their family living there.

Homeowners should be aware of the finishes considered normal for their area. For example, if the majority of homes in the community have stainless appliances, granite countertops, nickel or stainless hardware and plumbing fixtures, then you should try to match that standard to a reasonable extent. On the other hand, over-improving your home may not prove beneficial. A large kitchen with oversized, professional, high-end appliances might be a great selling feature, but may not result in a corresponding increase in your desired selling price, and may, indeed, take longer to sell.

As a final note, some home sellers elect to provide a dollar amount as a credit in a purchase contract to replace certain items, such as worn carpet, dated appliances, or aging air conditioning units. It is much better to replace those items before listing your home. These outdated units can be a turn-off regardless of the offered credit, and may cause a buyer to question what else in the home has not been updated.

Mike Harper is a Realtor with Virtual Properties Realty. More information at soldbyharper.com

2336 Wisteria Drive, Suite 340 Snellville, GA 30078

Phone: (678) 395-3289 Fax: (678) 395-3353 http://headacheandneurologicalcarecenter.com/ Office Hours:

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By Mike Harper, Realtor

Headache & Neurological Care Center

t

Why it’s Important to Update Your Home before Selling

Board Certified Neurologist

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Can you believe it is December? Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now Christmas and the New Year are nearly upon us. There are so many wonderful things that are going on around us. And such great things are happening right here in our community. I encourage you to always keep faith, persevere, and remember all that we have to be thankful for, especially when the world and traditional media seem to share a constant stream of negative and sensationalistic news that attempt to scare and divide us.

With each column I write, I am reminded of how fast time goes by. We all have 168 hours each week (no more, no less), and our response cannot be that we did not have time to do xyz, but instead that we did not make time to do xyz. So I simply challenge everyone to make no excuses, and to focus on making each hour count. Time is precious. Where you spend it matters. I love spending time in our tight knit community and seeing so many people connected in so many different ways.

With this holiday season, and in this time of reflection at the end of another year, I want to share how much I appreciate the Our Town community. Moreover, I am thankful for the Our Town family, friends, staff, and partners. Both of the Our Town magazines continue to grow, and we have exciting plans for 2016. So, stay tuned… and connected with us online. A great way to do this is through our recently updated website at OurTownGwinnett.com I wish you a safe and blessed holiday season. Thank you for your role in our day by day, month by month, and year by year journey. We could not do it without you. So, until next year, and as always: this is my town, your town, Our Town!

Our Town

Dr. Nilanee Karikaran, M.D.

@RyanSauers

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Mai n St

SNELLVILLE

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PAGE 7

Senior Corner: Medicare Changes for 2016

By Joy A Tekobo PharmD, CGP The 2016 Medicare enrollment period ends on December 7, 2015.

Medicare covers a lot of health services, but what is not paid for is sometimes confusing. This creates a burden on seniors who thought a certain service was covered only to receive a huge bill in the mail.

Many are not very knowledgeable about the services provided by parts B and D. If a choice is made not to get a Medicare coverage, healthcare may become unaffordable. In choosing a Part D plan, it is best to seek assistance in finding the best plan best suited to one’s individual needs.

Let’s take a look at what the Medicare plans cover.

Medicare A covers inpatient hospital and skilled nursing stay, hospice, 80% of medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME), and home health. The cost to the patient is subject to change annually.

Medicare B covers inpatient and outpatient doctor visits, 80% of medically necessary durable medical equipment, emergency room/urgent care, home health, vaccines, labs, and preventative care.

Medicare C covers inpatient hospital and skilled nursing stay, inpatient and outpatient doctor visits, hospice, 80% of medically necessary durable medical equipment, ER/urgent Care, home health, vaccines, labs, and preventative care.

For a full list of what Medicare A, B and C does not cover and the restrictions that apply, visit www.cms.gov The last plan, Medicare D, covers prescription drugs, with copayments charged by tiers.

In 2016 expect initial deductible increases from $320 to $360, initial coverage limit increases from $2,960 to $3,310 with a donut hole or coverage gap beginning at this point, increases in the out of pocket threshold (including the donut hole) from $4,700 to $4,850, copay increases for catastrophic coverage benefits for generic/preferred drugs from $2.65 to $2.95, and increases in the copay of other drugs from $6.60 to $7.40.

In summary, seniors face higher medical expenditures in 2016. It is expedient to pick up medication refills regularly, especially before the year ends and the higher copays go into effect.

More information at www.covenanthealthpharmacy.com

PAGE 8

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Our Town

Fantastic Food: New Eateries to visit in Loganville

By Macrae Brennan-Fuller Fall foliage is not the only thing that arrived in Loganville this season. New restaurants, such as Bullritos and Rising Donuts are open for business and serving hungry customers in the Loganville Crossing shopping center.

According to Loganville Bullritos’ franchisee Shelley Wisner, the Texas-based eatery is known for the freshness of its food. The menu includes build-your-own-style burritos, tacos, and Tex-Mex bowls, and bottle and draught beer, with free ice cream cones for all customers.

The Loganville Bullritos joins the Covington location as the second Bullritos franchise in Georgia. More information at facebook.com/Bullritos-Loganville.

Chloe Jai, who co-owns Rising Donuts with her sister Sophia, welcomes patrons to visit their new donut shop for breakfast. Rising Donuts, which is proving to be a popular spot, serves up traditional and specialty donuts, sausage rolls, hot and iced coffee and tea, and smoothies. Everything is made fresh daily, and several donut fillings are made-from-scratch.

The shop is located near Kroger in the Loganville Crossing shopping center. More information at risingdonuts.com.

Also new to Loganville is Pamendis Italian Grill, which held its grand opening celebration on recently in the North Logan Commons shopping center. Manager and Co-Owner Dimitri Goumas is excited to bring affordable, home-cooked Italian and Greek fare to the community.

A welcomed addition to Loganville, Pamendis Italian Grill is a great retreat to enjoy a bowl of soup, homemade lasagna, or an authentic gyro. The full-service, family-friendly restaurant features a variety of traditional Italian dishes, and is a great destination for date nights, family birthdays, and business meetings. More information at pamendis.com.

Loganville Mayor Dan Curry says additional businesses and restaurants are slated to open in Loganville over the next several months.

Sports Talk with John Zorn: Loganville High Basketball

By Perry Rosenbaum Being aware of your limitations, as well as learning how to surpass them, is crucial to success in all facets of life, maybe none more so than sports. The most enduring moments in athletics are borne as a result of pushing one’s limits further than one could have imagined. If you know your weaknesses, combatting and overcoming them becomes a much less daunting prospect.

John Zorn, head coach of the Loganville girls’ varsity basketball team, has made a point of helping the athletes under his command surpass their own expectations to become the best ballers they possibly can be. “I think the most vital element [of athletic training] is showing somebody their breaking point and teaching them how to push it back. Once someone knows how far he or she can go, it’s way easier to get even further.” Zorn, who has been in charge of the team for the last five years, also believes in complete transparency when it comes to his athletes. “I’m always open and honest with everyone on the team,” he says, “which helps them focus on what they need to do to play at their very best.” It’s this stringent dedication to making sure everyone involved with the team knows where they stand that makes Zorn an effective coach.

Zorn gives his athletes the bulk of the credit for the team’s performance. “I have a hard working group of girls right now that are extremely talented,” he says. “They’re probably the most talented I have ever coached. More importantly, they work incredibly hard for each other. Their chemistry on the court is a huge part of their success, and I’m just lucky to be in charge of them.” While the talent is there in spades, Zorn clearly has the know-how to draw out that talent in-game, as that string of playoff appearances will testify.

Some coaches take the bombastic approach, going crazy before a game or on the sidelines as a means of pumping up their players. Zorn has decided to eschew this tactic, preferring to remain low-key. “I am not a huge motivator [before a game], as I feel like that kind of thing wears off pretty quickly,” he says. “I prefer to charge my team up while the game is in progress…using my energy to keep them going during the action.”

Zorn has guided the team to a playoff berth three times in the last five years, making the Sweet 16 in 2011 and the Elite 8 in 2015. In fact, they made the regional championship game last season, and their main goal is to make it back and advance even further. “We’re all looking forward to the region championship game more than any other contest this season,” Zorn explains, “because we got there last year and we believe we can make it back and advance to the state championship. We’ve got a lot of faith in ourselves and each other.” Considering the talent at his disposal and his proven track record of success, there’s no reason to think Zorn can’t do just as he says and lead the team to a state championship berth.

More at: http://loganvillebasketball.weebly.com/

Our Town

(L-R) Bimbola Abodunrin, M.D., Michael S. Mojcik, M.D., Traci Johnson, M.D., Haleh Hamidi, M.D., Mary Lynn Campbell, M.D.

Gwinnett ObGyn Associates is an icon in Gwinnett County, providing a lifetime of compassionate healthcare to women throughout metro Atlanta. The largest ob/gyn practice in South Gwinnett, located in Snellville next to Eastside Medical Center with interests that expand even beyond women’s healthcare, this group loves their community at large. The providers and employees remain active within the community supporting various fundraisers, participating in local fairs, 5k races, etc, interacting with other local participants as well as current and future patients.

Gwinnett ObGyn is able to provide services in a timely manner and welcomes new patients to their practice, respecting that every woman is unique, with individual needs, and concerns.

Providing the most current services to women is important to this group and includes annual wellness visits, gynecological visits, family planning, normal and high risk pregnancies, infertility, non-surgical sterilization, daVinci surgery and laporoscopy.

Visit the practice website, www.gwinnettobgyn.com, where you can request an appointment online and be sure to “like” them on their Facebook page for Gwinnett Ob/Gyn Associates.

1700 Tree Lane Road Suite 290 Snellville, GA 30078

770-972-0330

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PAGE 9

The Enchanted Forest

Angels in Every Season: Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry Delivers Hope

By Macrae Brennan-Fuller

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As the winter holidays approach, the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry and its staff of caring angels look forward to decking the halls with love, hope, faith, and encouragement for clients and neighbors in need.

From the moment a client walks through their door, Director Laura Drake and her front desk staff, who she describes as the heartbeat of the office, welcome people in need with open arms.

Their new facility is tucked away just behind Gwinnett County Fire Station 8 in Grayson.

A glass container, which serves as a prayer bank, adorns a table in the lobby. Clients are encouraged to drop a rock from the table into the jar and be thankful. The rocks represent answered prayers, which is what the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry staff members are to the community and its client base. These rock star disciples of God volunteer their time to the Co-op and work diligently each month to serve 400-500 families from the southeastern corner of Gwinnett County.

Because the Co-op relies solely on donations from local churches, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program, grocery stores, and the public, the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is always looking for innovative ways to help the community. Through the launch of its brand new Adopt-an-Item Program, the Co-op looks forward to empowering citizens to serve as angels all year long to help those in need “The Co-op’s goal is to be able to give our clients the basic items needed to feed their families,” Pantry Manager Ivy Hudson said. “In many cases, we are not able to provide these items because our shelves are bare.”

The program is designed to encourage the community to step forward and support the Co-op’s high-demand food and non-food items by donating one or more of the selected items over a 12-month period with the option to renew this selfless gift each year.

The Co-op issues a call to action and community members can adopt one or more of its highdemand items, including canned vegetables such as spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, corn, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets and mixed vegetables.

Other items in high demand include eggs, milk, grits, whole grain spaghetti, canned pineapple, dry beans and lentils, canned ham, beef and salmon, canned soup and broth.

The Co-op also needs personal hygiene items such as diapers, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, feminine products, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and tissue.

To adopt an item from the list, residents can simply email ihudson@segwinnettcoop.org, or call 770-958-5229, ext. 108. Once an item is adopted, residents can drop it off each month at the Co-op’s office located at 55 Grayson Industrial Parkway in Grayson.

Drop off days and times are Mondays: 10 a.m. – noon and 3 – 7 p.m.; Tuesdays: 10 a.m. – noon; Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Thursdays: 10 a.m. – noon; Fridays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and Saturdays: 10 a.m. – noon.

More information at www.segwinnettcoop.org.

The Best Workout? Diversify!

By Kelly Farris, ACSM CPT I am constantly asked which class is best: Spinning, Pilates, Zumba, or weights. I usually answer, “I love them all!”

I encourage my clients and members to try different kinds of physical activity on a regular basis.The more you change what you do physically (muscle confusion), the better your body responds.

Starting a new gym activity can be intimidating. With a new instructor and new moves, one can’t help wonder, “What if I can’t keep up?” Don’t worry. Everyone has the same hesitations.

When trying a class for the first time, you should arrive five to ten minutes before and introduce yourself to the instructor. Explain that you are new, ask for their assistance, and don’t forget to inform him or her of any limitations, such as injuries, that you might have. A good instructor will help you set up any needed equipment and offer beginner modifications throughout the class. You might get some personal assistance even in a group setting.

Most importantly, work at your own pace. If you feel you are pushing yourself too much, lower your arms, march in place, or grab some water. Take a minute to slow down and reset your pace.

Remember, it is normal to feel some muscle soreness the next day as your body responds to the new activity. The hardest classes are always the first few ones. But by the third class you will probably get the hang of it and things will only get easier from there.

Get out there and get moving! YOU CAN DO IT! Kelly Farris is the owner of Ladies Workout Snellville and the President of KLF Fitness. More information at ladiesworkoutsnellville.com.

PAGE 10

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Our Town

City of Grayson: A Hometown Community

Happy Holidays

By Michelle Watson It was a joy to sit down recently with Grayson’s Mayor Allison Wilkerson and Community Development Director Gail Lane. Upon leaving their office, I truly felt I had just made two new friends.

Grayson is a small, approximately 2.5 square-mile town that straddles Hwy 20.

If you have never ventured off Hwy 78, you must stop and see this jewel that lies between Snellville and Loganville.

Mayor Wilkerson was taught all her life to serve. Growing up in Grayson, she served on the city council for twelve years before assuming her duties as mayor in 2013. She is a prime example of servant leadership, believing no job is too big or too menial to tackle. You may see her setting up tables for an event, hauling trash, or helping at Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op Ministry’s food drive.

Wilkerson is the 2015 president of the Gwinnett Municipal Association (GwMA), which is comprised of representatives from every city in the county. The GwMA provides an opportunity for cities to share resources and experiences and to work cooperatively with the county and legislative leaders to provide public services to the residents.

Wilkerson also attends the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) once per quarter, where economic development is among the most discussed topics. Deliberate development is one of Wilkerson’s greatest concerns.

Grayson is currently a true bedroom community with its residents driving an average of thirty minutes per day to work outside the city. Wilkerson would like to bring more of these jobs to the city for a true work, live, play dynamic.

The Community Development position was created in 2015 and the City hired Gail Lane, who completed the Main Street Georgia accreditation program and received a plaque naming the City of Grayson a Classic Main Street Community. As Grayson’s Main Street Manager, Lane has sworn to uphold the historic preservation ethic while furthering the cause of economic development.

Lane also oversees the Grayson Arts and History Center (A&H Center), which is next to City Hall. The A&H Center is the repository for Grayson’s history with an interactive Continued on page 14

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Keeping Your Best Interest at Heart!

Coots & Company - Your Neighbor Your Realtor Top Reasons To Call Coots & Company Today • #7 of 5,083 Agents According to MLS statistics • Nationally Recognized by REAL Trends In “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” for 2013 & 2014 • Local recognition a Atlanta Magazine’s “Best Atlanta Agents” for 2013 & 2014 • Listings sold in an average 53 days on market for 95.25% of list price • On track to help 100 families buy or sell a home in 2015 • First Time Home Buyer Specialist • A Full Time - Full Service Team You Can Count On

You’ll Flip for the Atlanta JayHawks!

By Daidra Annis The Grayson community recently welcomed the area’s only competition cheer and dance facility with the opening of the Atlanta JayHawks’ gym. This is the newest location for Owner Kelly Halcomb, where she offers her extensive background as both a cheerleader and cheer coach to East Gwinnett and Walton County families.

Whether your child is looking for weekly classes, seasonal camps/clinics, or All-Star competition, Atlanta JayHawks has something to offer. With two additional locations in Duluth and Auburn, and numerous National Championships, the JayHawks provide a much needed competitive athletic and development program to area families. They offer a family-based training environment where students are not just taught the athletic skills needed for competition. Coaches and staff work to develop the character of each student, and they take their mission of “building character while inspiring athletes” seriously. Many of their students began the program at age four and have continued for many years, even celebrating their high school graduation as part of the JayHawks family. By developing well-rounded student athletes, the JayHawks program helps students become successful adults with a heart to serve others.

All of the gyms support their local communities through fundraisers and sponsorships of local cheer teams, as well as partnerships with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Gwinnett Hospital System. In addition, they are proud to support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Upcoming opportunities to see the JayHawks in action include Family Day at Central Gwinnett High School in November, which also serves as the unofficial kick-off to the season.

The first seasonal competition is also in November, and plans are already being made for the JayHawks Dash for 2016.

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Kelly Halcomb is Owner of Atlanta JayHawks. More information at: cdaspirit.com

isJohn honored to beIV, we are committed to providing you with the high AtDr. the Simmons dental office of W. Simmons, comprehensive dental care, focused on both the function and beauty of your smile. A one of only nine dentists improving in patient care and comfort are our primary concerns. We are proud to run a practice that treats ea Georgia to have passed the kind, gentle, and caring manner, just like family. We offer a full range of the latest cosmetic a rigorous required to long-lasting, earn procedures thattesting concentrate on ensuring brilliant results you will love, and others

Cosmetic Dentistry The cosmetic procedures we offer can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. We offer a wide selection of procedures that can correct almost any dental imperfection.

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Hexcellent e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 12

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His state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology allow him to affordably serveDENTAL CARE AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY D.M.D., P.C. • SUPERIOR his patients by providing healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides five-star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our Call for an Appointment family by scheduling a new patient exam.

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Our Town

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Getting Schooled with Dr. Rukina Walker: Trip Elementary

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An educator has to wear many hats: teacher, friend, disciplinarian. It is a profession that relies heavily on versatility. Beyond those skills, and saintly levels of patience, the ability to adapt is crucial when shaping young minds.

Thankfully, the Gwinnett County Public School (GCPS) system is chock full of people who can roll with the punches while providing a top-notch education to the area’s children. One person in particular is Dr. Rukina Walker, the principal of Trip Elementary (part of the Grayson cluster). Walker, a Sandersville native, brings a fresh and unique approach to her position. “In order for our staff to embrace new ideas, strategies, and techniques,” she explains, “we work collaboratively as a school to transform our classroom environments into vibrant learning communities where all students are authentically engaged.”

Part of that transformation includes the founding of the school’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, which engages younger students in learning a second language as they’re in the middle of mastering their first. Trip Elementary is just one of three GCPS schools where the program is ongoing. “Currently, we are the only school in the district that offers French DLI,” Walker explains. “[The program] offers a rich bilingual experience for young learners when their minds are developmentally best able to acquire a second language.” The program is only available for incoming kindergarteners and first graders.

Walker describes her main responsibilities as people-intensive – every decision, whether operational or procedural, is made with only her students and teachers’ greatest interests in mind. “My passion for helping every student learn effectively and assisting my staff in their professional growth is my driving motivational force, and it’s something that I believe makes my school one of the best in Gwinnett.” It’s hard to argue with her claim. Although the school has only been open since 2008, its inclusion in the DLI program is a significant endorsement of Walker’s ability to coordinate with her staff on a daily basis, raising the quality of the edu-

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Our physicians groups are in your neighborhood to provide you a personal healthcare experience. Call today to find a physician near you or to schedule an appointment.

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PAGE 13

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museum that houses photos and memorabilia and an art gallery that exhibits the work of local artists and craftsmen. Each month the Center hosts activities with something for everyone.

Grayson recently completed their clock tower, which serves as a gateway to the city center.

Medians have been planted with crepe myrtle, and sidewalks connect the community for a graceful and warm welcome.

Inevitable growth is expected, considering Grayson is among the top most desirable places to live in the United States. The city is managing the growth in a way that maintains the traditions and hometown feel with grace and patience, sure to never rush into a building or renewal project. If it is built in Grayson, it MUST benefit the residents. Wilkerson won’t have it any other way.

When asked what was in store for 2016, Mayor Wilkerson expressed that the city is working on transportation and intersection improvements that will certainly be disruptive for a while.

“The end result will alleviate traffic in the heart of our city,” she said. “I ask for your patience when driving through downtown Grayson.”

More information at www.cityofgrayson.org

Trip Elementary Continued from page 13 cational experience for every child in attendance.

Walker’s biggest obstacle is not having enough time in any given day. “Being a school principal is a twenty-four hour job. Your school is constantly in your thoughts. It has to be, because as the leader you are responsible for every single person who comes through the front doors. Sometimes, I lay awake at night thinking through possible solutions for unresolved problems. Every day is different for a principal, but what remains constant throughout is that you are responsible for everything that goes on in the building.” These responsibilities may periodically weigh on her, but Walker manages to keep running a tight ship through all trials and tribulations.

Unsurprisingly, conflict resolution is one of the most valuable skills in Walker’s arsenal.

“As a principal, each day provides new experiences and opportunities to be truly creative in solving problems,” she says. “It allows me multiple chances to involve others in problem solving, to model the very behaviors which I hope they’ll repeat with students and colleagues.

It is teaching at its best.” It’s clear that Trip Elementary is lucky to have someone as compassionate, intelligent, and innovative as Dr. Walker at the helm.

More information at http://www.tripelementary.com/

Merry Christmas!

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We Wish Our Customers a Joyous and Peaceful Season!

PAGE 14

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