FEB 2017: Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Monthly Magazine

FEBRUARY 2017 Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Our Town GWINNETT

Grayson Loganville Lawrenceville

Meet the Team at Parrot Productions, see story on page 5.

7 9 10 11

Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Archer High School Community Spotlight: Atlanta Falcons Teaching Life Lessons in Gwinnett Amazing Grace Church in Lawrenceville: Providing Homework Help Making a Difference in Loganville: Boy Scout Troop 536

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Our Town

On the Cover: People Call on Parrot Productions to Entertain, Educate, and Rescue

By Heidi Campbell Brenda Bean, the owner of Parrot Productions, is not a native of Georgia. In fact, her father was in the oil business, so her childhood was spent in twenty-two different schools in interesting places like Alaska, North Africa, and Texas. She moved to Georgia in 1987, and once her children were grown, she began promoting her business, which offers bird shows, grooming services, and bird training for people needing help with their pets. “I love sharing my knowledge of birds with people old and young,” says Bean. “Birds are truly the most intelligent pets I’ve come across.”

Parrot Productions puts on shows for parties, schools, retirement homes, libraries, and hospices, and sets up at numerous fairs and festivals. Recently at Fernbank’s Pirate Day, for example, Bean set up her birds so that visitors were able to interact and meet her “performers.” Her flock of parrots includes Cash and Lucy, a pair of Solomon Island Eclectus, African parrots Edgar and Baby Gray, a couple of Caiques and Cockatoos, and several large Macaws – Harold, Amelia, and, finally, Max, a large Hyacinth Macaw, who stretches to nearly four feet long. Bean calls Max her “gentle giant,” and with Royce, the black Palm Cockatoo, her collection of tame exotic parrots is very impressive. The origins of her birds stem from Indonesia, Africa, South America, and Australia, yet they all, according to Bean, “sit together peacefully, even within striking distance!”

The Parrot Production bird shows are tailored to their specific audiences, and all include education about the birds, a short, humorous skit, and at least forty-five minutes for

the audience members to cuddle, touch, and learn about the avoid a bird bite and shows birds. According to Bean, the most gratifying part of her how providing structure work is the frequent opportunities she gets to use her birds leads to better-behaved therapeutically. “I love to visit retirement homes and the hosbirds. She learned to pice centers,” she says. “These people are nearing the end of train birds through trial their life, and they’ve often never held a bird. It is neat to add and error, and believes one more thing that they haven’t done.” that they respond to Bean remembers getting her first bird, a parakeet, when energy better than anyshe was fourteen, and by the early 80s, she began training thing else. Sometimes, birds. She started buying birds and training them, and the according to Bean, the business naturally grew from there. Bean buys birds as naked bad behaviors are because babies from breeders, hand-feeds them with a syringe 4-5 there is a failure to comtimes a day, and then finds homes for them. When she sells municate. “Birds only love a bird, she includes free grooming for them, which includes one person, and some mate wings, beaks and toenails. “I usually try to find them homes for life,” explains Bean. “But while they are still being hand fed,” explains Bean. “It is we can teach them how to love important to bond with the birds, and hand feeding them again and how to trust again. Most really helps that process.” of the time, we can do it in one session, as long as the client Anyone who has seen Bean’s rapport with her birds realfollows through with our advice and techniques.” izes that she has a deep understanding of birds. She recalls Karma, one of Bean’s parrots, is fifty years old, has a her mother’s yellow nape Amazon, a South American Parrot vocabulary of over one hundred words, and can even sing named Gallager. He went through a grieving period when her Here Comes Peter Cottontail. Karma is another example of a mother passed away, and Bean recalls, “He loved my mother, bird that was able to find love again. When her owner passed and he thought I’d done something to her. He was angry and away, Karma was angry and heartbroken. One of Bean’s he didn’t like me. Luckily, I found him a new home and he main volunteers, Beth Royals, says, “Karma absolutely loves loves his new owner. Animals know more than we give them Brenda. She saved this bird’s heart. Karma really doesn’t like credit for, especially their ability to cope with different things me, and tries to get me to leave whenever I’m around! In fact, in life.” when I start to walk away, she says, ‘Bye, bye! Have a good Many bird owners call on Parrot Productions for help day!’”

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PAGE 3

Our Town Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultZ.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultZ.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Cover Photographer Amadorphoto Distribution Coordinator DeeDee Chapman Feature Writers Daidra Annis Heidi Campbell Kim Hill Karla Socci Somers Michelle Watson Contributing Writers Terie Hansen Pam Walker Kelly Webb Matt Williams

— An EndResultZ Media & Communications firm EndResultZ.com

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 2017 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Our Town Gwinnett

1227 Rockbridge Road Suite 208-171 Stone Mountain, GA 30087 678-825-2049 Info@OurTownGwinnett.com

Stay Connected!

OurTownGwinnett.com Read Online: OurTownGwinnettOnline.com OurTownGwinnett OurTownGwinnett OurTownGwinnett

IN THIS ISSUE 3 On the Cover: Parrot Productions Entertains, Educates, & Rescues 5 From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion 7 Travel Tips: A New Year and New Opportunities for Travel 7 Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Archer High School 8 Fitness Fundamentals: R U Killer Fit? 9 Kids & Pros: Former Atlanta Falcons Proving Life Lessons 9 Pet Perch: Stimulating Your Dog’s Brain at Mealtime 10 Amazing Grace Church in Lawrenceville: Provides Homework Help 11 Making a Difference in Loganville: Boy ScoutTroop 536 is Alive with Projects

Congrats to Grayson: Winner of the 2017 GMA statewide Live, Work, Play Cities Award.

PAGE 4

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Our Town

From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion

By Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanSauers

I hope everyone is off to a great February. Our community continues to prosper. Why? We are blessed with amazing people who live, work, and play right here in Our Town. We should be proud of our community. Most communities are not as close as the ones we have. With that said, our attention span is short, so here are some points to ponder.

1. People love to laugh. How many times have you heard a funny story that made your day? How often have you seen something so silly that it just makes you laugh hard? You know – when you just keep laughing – and can’t stop? How much fun do we have with long term friends who we can truly be ourselves with? And what do we do?

Yes, we laugh. How much fun is it to see the Atlanta Falcons going to the Super Bowl and “laughing” in an excited and not nervous way. Make someone’s day... and make them laugh.

2. People love to have fun. Why do you see so many people playing fantasy football, going to costume parties, or playing mindless games on their mobile devices? Many use these things as breaks from their everyday routine and to relieve stress from our constantly connected world.

They are fun, simple, and mindless. Have you ever seen adults dress up in full gear for football games? Man, people get into it. Why? We all love to have fun. This “feeling like a kid again” is the magic that most experience when they visit Disneyworld. We are supposed to act like kids and smile there. Remember, people love to have fun.

3. People love technology, yet miss the personal touch. How many of us just want someone to handle our requests in a timely manner, get things right the first time, and save us time when we are dealing with a problem that we’ve had with a good, service, etc.? I know I do. But instead we hear, “For faster service, visit us online.” Note: this is CODE for, “Don’t call us. We are busy, and if you go online, we don’t have to talk to you, or staff as many people.”

Technology may be the best and worst thing that has happened to us. Thus, be sure technology works for us and that we do not work for it. The personal touch matters now more than ever.

Continued on page 13

Travel Tips: A New Year and New Opportunities for Travel

By Pam Walker This is the time of the year when people want to get away – away from cold weather and away from the doldrums of those long dark days of winter. It is also time to think about spring break trips and summer vacations.

The airlines have clamped down on Frequent Flyer Seats, so even travelers with high status on a particular airline are having trouble finding available seats during heavy traffic times.

Travel has now become the hottest commodity in the world.

Not only are we competing with US travelers, but we are also dealing with people from Europe and other colder climates

who also want to get away.

A trip to the Caribbean at this time of year can be costly. Rates are approaching $1,000 a day at some of the 5 star resorts, while lesser properties can fetch $500 per night.

The best pricing will be found on cruise ships as there are tons of cheap prices to the warmer spots of the world. But buyer beware. The cost of a soda or a glass of wine aboard can be close to $15.00. This is where the cruise lines make their money. Yes, meals are free and there is always food available everywhere, but a cocktail before dinner and wine with dinner will cost you dearly. There is even a fee if you try to bring your own booze aboard, so don’t even try.

Bargains are out there, but you will have to search the internet from top to bottom to find the real deals. So the best use of your time is to call on a good travel advisor. These professionals work every day looking for the best pricing for their clients, and they have information ready and waiting to share with you. Your more professional travel advisors charge small fees for doing this, but in the long run, that little bit will be worth it when they find you pricing that is affordable.

So get out of the cold and go traveling. It’s a wonderful time of the year to enjoy!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached via email at Pam@WalkerAdventures.com

Our Town

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Our Town

Character Counts: Up Close with NG3 and Archer High School

By Matt Williams Hanna Osborne (HO) is the junior class president at Archer High School, a varsity football cheerleader, and an instructor in the NG3 Student Leadership Program. Hanna is a great leader and example to her peers, and she desires to make a difference in the lives of her friends. Here is recent Q and A with Matt Williams (MW).

MW: How are you a part of NG3? Why did you get involved?

HO: Being involved in NG3 this past year has really changed my life and opened up my awareness to the people around me. My favorite thing about being involved in this unique program is that I’ve gotten to build relationships with so many new people and watch them, as well as myself, grow and gain new leadership skills that can be applied to our everyday lives.

I have gotten the chance to step out of my comfort zone many times, whether it be speaking in front of a class or leading a group discussion, and being able to complete these tasks are the skills that I will keep with me throughout the rest of my life.

MW: What have you learned from being a part of NG3?

HO: One of the many things that NG3 has taught me is the concept of servant leadership.

This practice helps to develop relationships because everyone involved gets to develop their leadership skills and improve their ability to work with others. NG3 has also taught me the importance of not only following the simple “golden rule” of treating others the way I would want to be treated, but treating others the way THEY would want to be treated.

MW: What would you tell someone if they asked you what NG3 is?

HO: I usually reply by saying that it’s a great way to meet a bunch of genuine, warm-hearted people who all have a love for serving others. This program harps on the importance of doing what you say, in order to serve others, which ultimately brings change to the community. NG3 is a perfect way to acquire new leadership skills that can be applied to almost any aspect of your life. This program, full of valuable lessons on leadership, allows its members to learn more Continued on page 13

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Our Town

Kids & Pros: Former Falcons Proving Life Lessons

By Michelle Watson Fifteen years ago two Gwinnett County citizens, Buddy Curry and Bobby Butler, wanted to form an organization that would reach out to kids through football. The two former Atlanta Falcons had played together for seven years and were sure they could come up with an effective program. They put their heads together and founded Kids & Pros, and they have touched the lives of more than 40,000 children all over the Southeast.

Curry believes football provides more life lessons than any other game. He and Butler and the other coaches use the rules and structure of football to teach character through five core principles: sportsmanship, integrity, teamwork, perseverance, and excellence. They also teach safety skills and information to both kids and parents.

Kids & Pros consists of current and former NFL Players, as well as local high school and youth coaches, who run the kids through fundamental drills. After drills, one of the coaches shares his life story. They want to teach children that life comes with adversity and challenges.

When large, powerful men share how not everything comes easy to a person just because of one’s size or popularity, children are inspired to overcome the obstacles life brings their way.

There are two programs for kids to choose from: three-day camps in the summer, or oneday clinics year-round. Kids & Pros also partners with the Atlanta Falcons to deliver the Moms Football Safety Clinic, where moms are taught how to assist their children in properly fitting their child’s equipment. Moms are also given information on concussion prevention and treatment. Gwinnett Medical Center, a major Kids & Pros sponsor, often sends a physician from their Concussion Institute to provide even greater medical information. Easing a parent’s, especially a mom’s, fears about kids playing football allows the parents to relax and let their children have fun playing.

Curry says that every person involved in the team has a role to play. The kids’ role is simply to play, get better, and have fun. Coaches are to teach kids how to have fun and how to win.

Parents, says Curry, are to do two things. The first is to remember the coach is in charge, that their children are smart, and they will do what they are told if allowed to do so. The second Continued on page 14

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By Terie Hansen I love to think of opportunities to challenge my dog, Cole, in fun ways, whether by teaching her a new trick, or by both of us learning something new together. One of the ways I challenge Cole’s brain on a daily basis is at mealtimes using these two simple but fun ideas.

1. Treat Balls/Toys: You can find quite an assortment of shapes and sizes at your local pet store. These food dispensing toys are great for challenging your dog’s mind and body because your dog has to figure out how to get the food out, which usually involves moving the toy around. Take it one step further by putting your dog in a sit stay (good daily practice of sit/ stay) while you hide the toy somewhere in the house. Then come back and say, “Find it!” Use a different toy each day to keep it interesting and fun.

2. Slo-Bowls: These are really cool food bowls that slow down a dog that eats really fast.

They come in different cool designs, and they are sure to be a fun challenge for any dog. Check them out at www.slo-bowls.com .

I challenge you to make your dog’s mealtime more interesting by starting with just one interactive feeding toy or bowl. The first time you try it, add a bit of something yummy with the food to help motivate your dog to really work at getting the food out. And if you would like to know how to teach your dog the “Find it!” game, give me a call. I’d be happy to share my tips and techniques with you! Happy feeding!

Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogpetcare.com

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By Daidra Annis You’d expect to find tutoring at a local learning center. You’d expect to find it within your local school. You might be surprised to find it in the halls of the local church. But that’s exactly where you will find it if you’re at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville. Homework Help is a program that Amazing Grace has hosted for the past four years and is available for all elementary age children, though it primarily serves the students at Bethesda Elementary School.

Thanks to some pretty amazing volunteers, the church is able to offer help with homework for students whose parents cannot. The program is mostly comprised of ESOL (English as a Second Language) students who receive help with reading and basic math from those who have a heart to serve in their community. Every Wednesday evening during the school year, a potluck dinner brings parents and students together for a time of fellowship with the volunteers.

Then, the parents stay on campus while their children receive much needed help with their homework. In the summer, the group still meets on Wednesday nights as part of the church’s annual Vacation Bible School program.

Homework Help started from a relationship one of the church families had with a Hispanic mom in the community. When the family reached out and asked how they could help her, the need for homework help was realized. For Amazing Grace, a church that is always looking for new ways to serve the community, the outreach is one that just makes sense. Interest in the program is garnered through the fantastic relationship they have with Ms. Williams, the principal at Bethesda Elementary. Pastor Scott Seeke visits the school to inform parents of the program, and flyers are provided to all students during their Parent/Teacher Conference. Attendance varies, but averages 30 students per week. Students participating in the program consistently get better grades, so it’s certainly a win-win-win for the school, the students, and the church.

Amazing Grace’s parishioners include a large percentage of older adults who have enthusiastically embraced the Homework Help program.Kick For them, the students grandchild- with start your newprovide year’sa resolution 2017 YOUR type relationship, as many of their familiesMAKE are not local to the area. Likewise, the program MAKE 2017 YOUR MAKE 2017 YOUR volunteers fill a void in so many of the students who left behind their own grandparents Curves’ 30 minute total bodyand workou older relatives in their native countries. The volunteers have become not just mentors, but MAKE 2017 YOUR extended family. That relationship was evident recently when the father of one of the students YEAR EVER Continued on page 14 YEAR EVER

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Boy Scout Troop 536 is Alive with Projects

By Kim Hill Loganville First United Methodist Church has supported Scouting since the 1940s, and currently serves as the Charter Organization for Boy Scout Troop 536, as well as three other Scouting groups. Bill Underwood, Charter Organization Representative, serves as liaison between the church and the Scouting organizations, and has personally seen his sons and many other boys benefit from involvement in this active, growing group. The Troop, which averages 20-25 boys at any given meeting, is led by Scoutmaster Jeff Brown, who guides these young men through service projects that develop responsibility and leadership skills.

“Rivers Alive is our annual thing,” Brown says, stating that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has put an emphasis on conservation projects over the past year. Rivers Alive is a state sponsored year-round waterway cleanup project, and each October Troop 536 cleans up along Highway 81 north towards Winder and the Alcovy River. The troop also participates in state park cleanup projects at Fort Yargo and Hard Labor Creek. A table-building project at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Management Area in Mansfield earned the Scouts a weekend in the primitive camping area, with the added bonus of witnessing a solar eclipse.

Scouts have service hour requirements where projects must benefit the community or the charter organization. An annual community project the Scouts recently participated in was the Yule Log Event, which was initially started forty years ago by a group of BSA Scouting adults called the “Alcovy Old Timers” to support shelters and food banks. Over time it has evolved into a Scout skills competition day, where canned goods serve as the price of admission. Many “appreciation” projects have been done for the church, including building picnic tables, putting in flower beds, designing an intricate labyrinth prayer path, making a barbeque pit for the men’s group, and removing and replacing mulch in the playground.

Currently five Scouts are in position to start their Eagle project. Underwood explains that when boys are young, they learn skills from the Scout book; but upon achieving Star rank, there are basic requirements, merit badges, and leadership skills that follow, at which time Scouts must find their own trail. Brown says around 10th grade, school and other activities can become overbearing and it’s up to the Scout to find time to take that step. While resources are available and adults can give advice, the process is purposely designed where the leader can’t do it for them. Scouts must submit a detailed proposal before beginning the project, work Continued on page 14

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Parrot Productions Continued from page 3 Known by her grandchildren as “Nana” and “Nana B,” Brenda Bean is a nurturing soul who truly cares for her community. She volunteers for Agape Hospice each month, and performs shows for Grace Fellowship Church. She also works with rescue birds to help them find caring homes. Bean believes that it is crucial that people not catch birds from the wild because birds should not be taken from their natural habitats. “She has a way of connecting people and birds,” explains volunteer Royals, “and it is amazing to see what I call ‘unicorn moments’ – when someone holds a bird and you can see that they bond with it.”

Parrot Productions hopes to open a physical venue in the Snellville area soon, where they can host birthday parties and training classes. Bean finds that the best part of her work is bringing people, parrots, and education together. “It is magic when you hold a bird and realize it wants to play with you. These creatures are so intelligent it just boggles the mind. I find pure joy in these birds, especially when they want to cuddle with me!”

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One Man’s Opinion Continued from page 5 So, there you have it. If we want to communicate more effectively, we must consider our audience. Do we make other people laugh and have fun? After all, most adults are just big “kids at heart.” So, make business fun and make life fun. And bring back the personal touch while saving people time, which is our most valuable asset.

I wish you a super February. And until next month, make someone’s day. WOW them.

Why? Because it feels great and it is a super thing to do. And until then and as always, this is my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

NG3 Continued from page 7 about themselves and their peers, developing their communication skills as well as shaping them into better people.

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We are the first in the country to create a Ninja Kids Team League. Call us or visit http://xoleague.siplay.com/site/ to find out more.

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Kids & Pros Continued from page 9

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In Gwinnett County, the Kids & Pros camps are held in partnership with local youth programs on public park fields located near an area school or at a private facility with plenty of field space to host 200+ kids. All events are free for both children and their parents, but participation size is limited, so you must register to attend. The program is open to both boys and girls ages 7-13. Kids and Pros is a 501(c)3 organization, and all donations and sponsorships are tax-deductible.

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died tragically. The whole church came together to support the family with everything from meals to fundraisers to babysitting. Pastor Seeke says, “[this is] the kind of connection they strive for.” The “Three Rs” of education translate here into real relationships, thanks to the Homework Help program.

More information at www.tisgrace.org,

Troop 536 Continued from page 11 through the project, and write up an after report. Underwood says the main goal is not focused on the work itself, but on learning the responsibility of the undertaking and management of the project.

Underwood loves attending Trustee meetings and sharing what the Scouts are up to.

“Whenever I come in and talk about Scouting, it usually puts a smile on someone’s face,” he says. Brown adds that Scouting becomes a hobby for those adults who share the passion. “Even though we only meet once a week, there is so much going on that you can volunteer your time as much as you want.” Both men agree there are a lot of amazing things going on with these Scouts as they strive to live by their Scout Slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily!”

Troop 536 meets weekly on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center at Loganville First United Methodist Church at 221 Main St, Loganville, GA. For more information contact Bill Underwood at billunderwood2006@comcast.net or Jeff Brown at jgbs3g@gmail.com.

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