MAR 2014: Our Town Gwinnett/NE Dekalb Monthly Magazine

The Gwinnett/NE Dekalb Monthly Community and Family Magazine

Our Town March 2014

Grayson l Lawrenceville l Snellville l Lilburn l Stone Mountain l Tucker

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre features Abigrace Diprima in the title role of Cinderella, see story on page 5.

13 14 17 18

Principal David Smith on Parkview High’s e-classroom Q&A with 20 year veteran lawyer Jerry Lupa Jim Hornsby on Gun Safety Season Outlook for Grayson Girls’ Soccer Team

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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 recommended2by for any disease. Prior starting any diet, nutrition or exercise program, you should consult with your medical physician.

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Our Town

On the Cover: Gwinnett Ballet Theatre - Where Culture Meets Community

By Stacye Carroll Upon entering the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, I am greeted by a flurry of activity including excited families, focused staff members, and glimpses of brightly costumed dancers flitting about in preparation for the show. I’ve come to watch a dress rehearsal for a very important competition set to take place the following weekend.

Fourteen dancers from the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, along with nearly 600 other dancers from across the country, will compete for an opportunity to participate in the Youth American Grand Prix, an elite competition with finals held in New York in April. Winners there may qualify for scholarships. Last year, two Gwinnett Ballet students were top 12 finishers in the Atlanta semi-finals.

This year’s contestants range in age from 10 to 18. According to board member, Teresa Snyder, classes are offered once a week for children as young as three years old. As students grow and develop skills, they eventually attend class and rehearsals six days a week for four to five hours a day. That kind of schedule demands discipline and dedication, which is why Gwinnett Ballet Theatre included a dancer’s lounge and study room in their new facility. The building, which opened in September of 2012, also houses five studios, a boardroom, storage, offices, and separate male and female dressing rooms complete with showers. When dancers are not studying or rehearsing, the facility is available for use by other community groups as well as private dance and/or fitness instructors.

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is one of only two companies in the Gwinnett area to be named an “Honor Company” by the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association and they have the second largest Nutcracker production in the Atlanta metropolitan area. For 32 years, the school has performed 16 shows every holiday season for

Our Town

more than 10, 000 people and, for the last eight years, the dancers have been accompanied by the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra, featuring conductor Predrag Gosta. Major productions are also performed in the spring and fall. On March 29th and 30th the Gwinnett Ballet will present “Cinderella” at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.

Founded in 1977, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is the oldest performing non-profit organization in the county and one of only three nonprofit dance schools in the metropolitan Atlanta area. In August of last year, the school received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as a result of their expanding community outreach program. Approximately 118 students from McGill, Benefield, and Holt Elementary schools receive free instruction for 16 weeks.

Shoes and dancewear are also provided. Coordinator of The Dance Project, Whitney Sue Jones, is a graduate of the Gwinnett School of Ballet and a Gwinnett County school teacher.

Nothing…not the competitions, the classes, the facility, or the performances, would be possible without the generous support of volunteers. The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Guild is comprised of parents, family, and community supporters. These are the people who sell tickets, build sets, care for costumes, bake cookies, and perform any other task deemed necessary by an ever-grateful staff.

Membership costs just $10.00 and information is available at www. gwinnettballet.org/our-guild.

Tickets to the upcoming performance of “Cinderella” on March 29 and 30 can be purchased by calling 1-888-9AXS-TIX or by visiting www.gwinnettcenter.com. Anyone interested in utilizing the facility can call 770-237-0046 or email gbt78@bellsouth.net for more information.

For more information visit www.gwinnettballet.org.

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

PAGE 5

Our Town The Gwinnett/NE Dekalb Monthly Community and Family M agazine

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Our Town is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE Dekalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town 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 2014 by Our Town.

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IN THIS ISSUE

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On the Cover: Gwinnett Ballet Theatre - Where Culture Meets Community Publisher’s Column: One Man’s Opinion March Calendar of Events Recipe: Moroccan Carrot Salad with Oranges and Medjool Dates Sudoku Puzzle Community Member Spotlight: Dr. Will Draper The Importance of Exercise: Caregivers Caring for Themselves Getting Schooled: Parkview Principal David Smith March Gardening Chores A Senior Moment: Home Sweet Home Q&A: Jerry Lupa of Lupa Law Your Pet’s Flea Battle is Year-Round Photo of the Month Mainstreet Guns & Range Encourages Safety for All Gun Owners Focused, Forward-thinking, and Fixated on the Future Sports Talk: Season Outlook for Grayson Girls’ Soccer Team Living 4ward: Quiet Please Spring Clean Your Body with the Ionic Foot Bath

Stay Connected! ourtownmag.org Read Online: ourtownmagonline.com ourtowngwinnett

PAGE 6

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

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Our Town

From the Publisher: One Man’s Opinion @ryansauers

Helping Families Find True Solutions

What a crazy winter it has been. We learned some interesting things during these recent storms. What does it take to shut Atlanta down the first time? Answer: 2 inches of snow.

What does it take for the Governor to call a state of Emergency the second time? Answer: a light rain. In all seriousness, I saw our community banding together as we always do. Be sure to check out our Photo of the Month winner, Phyllis Chambers, who shows us a picture of this weather.

Sometimes in life we need a TIME OUT. Well, we got not one but two… as the storms caused the city to come to a standstill. Some downtime, allowed me to enjoy quality time with my family. With that said, March is the start of Spring. Spring is warm and warm is good. And, this Publisher likes warm. This month’s cover story sheds light on the amazing dance program that the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has.

This month the Family Tree Garden Center shares tips to getting your garden ready for Spring. Yes, you heard right I said Spring again. Note to self: Spring break is five weeks and counting. Ok, back to it. Soccer season is underway and our Sports Talk column profiles the talented Grayson girls’ soccer team. Also, we shed stereotypes of a typical gun shop as we visit with Jim Hornsby of Main Street Guns and Range.

We are excited about new advertisers, writers, salespersons and contributors. We are enjoying our rapidly growing social media audience. Thank you again for your continued support, and please stay connected with us online thought out the month at Facebook. com/OurTownGwinnett and Twitter @ourtowngwinnett Be sure to like and follow us accordingly for all the latest community news. And until next time and as always: this is my town, the town, your town, Our Town!

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Our Town

March Calendar of Events Starting March 1: Lilburn Daze is accepting vendor/ sponsorship applications Event is October 11 More info www.lilburndaze.org

March 29, 8 a.m.

Snellville United Methodist Rush 5k 2428 Main Street East, Snellville www.snellvilleumc.org/race

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Lilburn Arts Alliance Lilburn City Hall, 76 Main Street NW www.lilburnartsalliance.org March 13 AARP Safe Driver Course Garden Plaza, 230 Collins Industrial Way, Lawrenceville $15.00 for AARP members, $20.00 for non-AARP members.

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4 navel oranges, 1 orange zested and juiced 1 lemon, zested and juiced 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt 1 pound carrots, cut into 3-inch matchsticks 1/2 pound Medjool dates, pitted and thinly sliced lengthwise 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves 3 tablespoons mint leaves In a medium bowl, whisk the orange and lemon juice with the zests, sugar, cinnamon, cumin and cayenne.

Gradually whisk in the olive oil and season the dressing with salt.

In a large bowl, toss the carrots with all but 2 tablespoons of the dressing and let stand at room temperature for 40 minutes.

Using a very sharp knife, peel the remaining 3 oranges, carefully removing all of the bitter white pith. Cut in between the membranes, releasing the orange sections into the bowl with the remaining dressing. Add the dates and toss with 1 tablespoon of cilantro leaves. Arrange the carrot salad on a platter, spoon the oranges and dates around it and serve.

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Our Town

Community Member Spotlight Dr. Will Draper

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Dr. Will Draper grew up in Inglewood, California. Asked what brought him to this area, he answered “I fell in love with a girl from Atlanta and followed her here.” It’s a fitting line for a man who’s never hesitated to go after what he wants.

That “girl” was fellow Tuskegee University veterinary student Françoise Tyler. She and Dr. Draper have been married for over 20 years. Together, they share four children, three dogs, three cats, and three award-winning veterinary practices.

Recently, Dr. Draper was named 2013 Veterinarian of the Year by Purina Pro Plan. In his acceptance speech, he credited the people around him with his success. All of them, he says, abide by The Village Vets philosophy, which is to “practice state-of-the-art veterinary medicine and provide excellent care in a comfortable environment.”

Whether it is in his capacity as Dugout Club Vice President, Touchdown Club President, or as a parent at one of his kids’ activities, Dr. Draper is often seen sporting the orange and blue of Parkview athletics.

Team spirit is evident, too, at Rivals on Five, the restaurant he and three partners opened in January of this year. According to Draper, “The opportunity came out of the blue, and I like to take advantage of good opportunities.” The chef at Rivals, Jon Allen, graduated from Parkview in 1991 and later studied with famed Atlanta chef/restaurateur Kevin Rathbun. Dr. Draper says he leaves the menu to Jon who “hits a homerun every time.”

“Dr. Will” can be heard on WSB radio once a month on “The Weekly Check Up.” He enjoys movies with his wife, paints with acrylics, and loves music. In 1996 Draper attended his first Dave Matthews concert. To date he’s seen the band play 43 times. His goal, he says, is to see them play 50 times by his 50th birthday. I’m willing to bet he does just that.

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“Long gone are the days where kids need to be sitting in rows and the teacher writing on the blackboard,” Principal David Smith says. “Teachers now realize the importance of using technology in their classrooms, and they are becoming comfortable with it.”

Mr. Smith is talking about a new Gwinnett County initiative called e-classroom, where students and teachers are using devices such as iPads, cell phones, and laptops to supplement classroom learning.

It’s called the “flip classroom.” In a traditional classroom, teachers would lecture and send students home with problems, but this model makes better use of classroom time.

Students watch teacher lectures online and spend class time engaging in discussions with teachers.

“Flip classroom mirrors the real world workplace, and it hopes to become an enriching classroom experience,” says Mr. Smith.

When asked if teachers are worried that students are more technologically savvy, Mr. Smith believes the devices will be effective when used for the right reasons. “We have a group of teachers who are really on the forefront of this, and the hope is that they will rope the rest of the faculty into this digital age.”

Parkview High School has come far since its opening in 1975. The flip classroom is just one of the initiatives that Mr. Smith expects will open many doors for both teachers and students.

Having a school with a past has provided a strong sense of community pride. In fact, twenty-five teachers were graduates of the high school. Many families have sent their students through the Parkview system, and Mr. Smith thanks the colleagues of the lower-level schools for their work.

“It’s great to see younger kids at our sporting events wearing their Parkview t-shirt,” Mr. Smith says.

When asked what distinguishes this year’s Senior Class, Mr. Smith says proudly, “They have a tremendous amount of school spirit and school pride. We try to make our students understand when you wear a Parkview High shirt, you represent not only the school but the community.”

Mr. David Smith is the current principal at Parkview High School. You can stay up to date with the latest happenings at www.parkview.net/home.

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March Gardening Chores

By Dana Pike March is an exciting time as we watch our gardens come to life and burst with color. Here are a few things you can do this month to get your garden growing right.

Vegetable and Flower Garden: Start your tomato and annual seeds indoors. Sow cool weather crops directly into your garden. Plant strawberry plants this month. Keep an eye on your fruit trees as they will need a fungicide spray right when the blooms appear. Prune fig trees prior to mid-March. Tidy up your grapes, blackberries, and raspberries. Fertilize and/or plant pansies, snapdragons, and dianthus. Fertilize spring bulbs after they emerge with a water-soluble fertilizer. Divide perennials and ornamental grasses. Fertilize newly planted roses.

Shrubs and Trees: This is the ideal time to plant shrubs and trees. Prune evergreen shrubs like boxwoods and hollies. Fertilize trees and shrubs once they leaf out. Don’t prune River Birch or Maples in March since the sap is flowing and will just keep pouring out of the branch if you make a cut. Mow your Liriope on the highest mower setting.

Keep an eye out for forsythia blooms as this is a great indication that you should apply pre-emergent weed prevention.

Lawns: Plant fescue seed and sod. Seed will need a few days above 50° Farenheit to get started. Never use a pre-emergent herbicide until six weeks after planting seed. For established lawns, apply pre-emergent weed control if you haven’t already done so. Wait until April to fertilize. Your lawn needs to be 50 percent green. Lime your lawn as needed.

Dana Pike is owner/President of The Family Tree Garden Center. The nursery will have a soil test day on March 15 from 10 am – 2 pm. For more information, visit www.familytreegardening.com

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PAGE 13

A Senior Moment: Home Sweet Home

Q&A: Jerry Lupa of Lupa Law

By Amy Hentschel

Jerry Lupa of Lupa Law has practiced law in Georgia for over 20 years.

Go into a hospital or short term rehab and any patient would like to go home once they are better. We walk into our homes and instantly feel safe and at ease. There, we make memories with our families, sleep sound in our warm beds, and seek refuge from the stress of the world. A senior who has suffered an injury or an illness is rushed from the home, taken to the hospital and it may be weeks before they are able to return to their normal routine and familiar environment.

Going through the healing and therapy process can be tough and exhausting for a senior and the goal of returning home is a powerful motivator. Some of the key factors for returning home successfully include: Achieving a level of independence with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and toileting.

The ability to move or ambulate throughout the house safely. A home safety assessment is vital and modifications should be complete prior to discharge.

Assist in homemaker tasks like laundry, housekeeping, paying bills, and meal preparation. These are items that are often overlooked and vital for a senior to return home with success.

All of these factors can be addressed by the family directly or they can solicit the assistance of a home care company. These services do come with a cost and choosing a good company with a sound reputation and trained staff is imperative.

There is no place like home, but if returning home is not feasible, then be sure to bring the home to where they are. Family involved in a senior’s life is irreplaceable and with enough love and support, anywhere will begin to feel like home.

Amy Hentschel is owner and senior advisor at Senior Provisions, LLC. For further questions contact them at MySeniorProvisions.com

Q: According to your website, you limit criminal cases to those involving misdemeanors and non-violent felonies only. Why is that?

A: Very serious felony cases require a specialized set of skills which takes years to acquire. I have enjoyed mixing up my practice with other interesting types of cases and I have not wanted to specialize in serious criminal cases. That being said, the most interesting cases I handle are the criminal cases.

Q: For those who might not be familiar with mortgage scams, how do they work and how can you help?

A: The best defense regarding any scam is to read the detasils in the paperwork very carefully. If you don’t understand what you are signing, take it to someone who does. It’s great when you get the money or get your home repaired but payback is often a nightmare and is a consequence of failing to understand what’s involved.

Q: What is your proudest achievement in your career?

A: Every time I win a case, an appeal, a big motion, or get a great settlement for a client on a personal injury case, it feels great. I am proud of the fact that I have been able to stick with my practice for all these years and maintain a great passion for the causes and cases my clients bring to me. I find that simple, seemingly insignificant cases can be just as rewarding and significant as huge complicated cases. For each client, the issues they face in a legal battle are often the most important and scary things they have to deal with.

I take pride in the fact that I can passionately represent each client’s interest no matter how insignificant the problem may seem to others.

Jerry Lupa is the owner of Lupa Law. For more information go to: www.lupalaw.com.

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Your Pet’s Flea Battle is Year-Round

Dekalb Psychiatric Associates

By Mandi Irish, DVM

In order to help fight the constant battle against fleas that we face here in Georgia, pet owners should understand that flea control is a year-round fight. It is also important to understand flea biology so you can keep the fleas at a minimum and help your pets stay comfortable all year long.

The pesky adult fleas that you see on your dogs and cats only make up 5% of the flea population, so what are we doing about the other 95% of the problem? The great news is that your veterinarian has many flea and tick products available that include ingredients that are insect growth regulators (IGRs). The IGRs break the flea life cycle by killing the developing forms of the flea, such as the eggs and larvae.

It is also imperative to treat all pets in the household. Many pet owners believe that because the household cat lives indoors, the indoor pet does not need to be treated. Fleas will hitch a ride into your house on your dog or even on you. Then an infestation will begin to develop as the flea proceeds to lay thousands of eggs in the carpet or the crevices of the hard floors in your home.

Another important part of the strategy is to apply the flea preventative every 30 days year-round. Many pet owners make the mistake of not using prevention until they notice fleas on their pet, or they will stop using the flea prevention when they do not see fleas anymore. An infestation is likely to develop if flea prevention is not consistently part of your pet’s monthly routine.

With all the choices available these days for flea preventative, it can be very daunting to choose one for your pet. The rule of thumb is to always purchase a product that is recommended and available from your pet’s veterinarian. The products you may find online or through catalogs will not come with the same health or satisfaction guarantees as those purchased from your veterinarian. This is even more important if you are purchasing a product that combines flea and heartworm preventative. Heartworm disease is life threatening for your pet, so you want to make sure the preventative purchased is covered by a treatment guarantee from the manufacturer.

Adult, Geriatric, and Child Services Neil Kahn, MD v Corey Greenwald, MD v James Bowcock, MD Brittany Burchfield, PhD v Richard Donowitz

2711 Irvin Way, Suite 211 v Decatur, GA 30030 Office hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM v (404)501-0001

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Dr. Irish is a veterinarian at The Village Vets. Her email is drirish@thevillagevets.com.

Send your photos of flowers or spring gardening to info@endresultz.com by April 19 for a chance to be featured in the magazine!

Our Town

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A New Level of Valve Care,

CENTERED AROUND YOU. For decades, Piedmont Heart physicians have been at the forefront of advancements in cardiac care. Now, with the addition of the new Marcus Heart Valve Center, we’re taking that legacy of excellent care to the next level.

With more resources, expert physicians and personalized patient navigators, the Marcus Heart Valve Center for leading-edge valve procedures is destined to become a premier national facility.

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piedmont.org/heartvalve 95 Collier Road • Suite 5015 Atlanta, Georgia 30309 404.605.6517

PAGE 16

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

© 2014 Piedmont Healthcare 03253-0513

Our Town

Mainstreet Guns & Range Encourages Safety for All Gun Owners

By Heidi Campbell Specializing in handguns and assault weapons, Mainstreet Guns & Range developed from retirement and a lifelong firearms hobby. On January 7th, the Lilburn store, located at 405 Killian Hill Road, celebrated its first anniversary.

Mainstreet Guns takes pride in its training at both the novice and expert levels. They offer courses in everything from gun safety to self-defense. CEO Jim Hornsby encourages all gun owners to educate themselves about not only the proper use of a firearm, but also how one should and should not use guns. “Training,” says Hornsby, “is a responsibility for anyone selling guns. Safety, safety, safety! ” Surprisingly, it is not only male gun enthusiasts who make up the store’s client base.

According to Hornsby, “Women make up a large part of our sales.” The sales associates are trained and ready to educate the new gun buyer. “Women want to protect themselves. They make up 40% of our sales and two-thirds of our training classes.”

The Mainstreet Guns & Range showroom offers over fifty brands of firearms, ammunition, and accessories. They buy, sell, and trade guns. They also offer a unique opportunity for the ambivalent shopper: over eighty rental guns. Shoppers can test guns in the range before they determine which one to purchase. When purchases are made, the store provides new owners with child safety brochures and training opportunities.

Locals don’t need reservations to enjoy the shop’s new nine-lane pistol and rifle range.

The range, frequented by Lilburn Police officers, is open to all adults. Kids twelve and older, with a parent present, may also use the range.

Whether it is sales, training, or range shooting, safety is the top priority at Mainstreet Guns.

Jim Hornsby is the CEO of Mainstreet Guns & Range. More information is available at MainstreetGunsandRange.com

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PAGE 17

Sports Talk: Season Outlook for Grayson Girls’ Soccer Team

By Rachael Bice It all comes down to an individual decision when choosing the best Varsity girls’ soccer team this year and Grayson High School has the potential to win it all.

This year’s Grayson team is built on a solid foundation and represents sixteen different girls who have come together through one common bond—their love of the game.

“I feel good about the way things are going,” Head Coach Terry Klinect said. “This team has about the same dynamic as the team I coached that won the Varsity State Championship in 2007. It is looking to be a promising season.”

Grayson will play eighteen games, eight of which are region matches, and they will face some strong competition along the way. Parkview and Brookwood are two of Grayson’s toughest competitors that are vying to win the coveted AAAAAA State Championship and the right to call themselves the best.

“Our team has what it takes to become State Champions, but it will really all depend on who gets a lucky break,” Klinect said. “Our main challenges are staying healthy, avoiding injuries and keeping our endurance and fitness levels at their peak.”

This young Grayson team not only has the academic strength to prove they should be the best, but the physical strength and skills to back it up. Many of these young ladies already have signed contracts to play for such schools as Notre Dame, Duke, and Florida.

Before heading onto the field at each home game, all of the girls and coaches slap a sign in the locker room that read s, “Play Like a Champion.” Perhaps this year, their dream just might come true.

Grayson plays Parkview at home on Friday, March 14 at 5:30 pm and Brookwood at Brookwood on Friday, March 28 at 5:30 pm. To read quotes from some of the girls on the soccer team, go to http://www.ourtownmag.org/2014/02/27/grayson-soccer-girls

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By Carol C. Wood I believe that teenagers may be more prone to anxiety and depression because they do not understand what they are feeling and have likely not yet been taught any significant coping skills. Therefore, it is important that as adult mentors, we pay attention to their behaviors, know when to recognize a problem, and take steps to help them get their feelings under control. Eventually, if anxiety and stress are not managed, teenagers may succumb to depression.

What causes this anxiety and how can it be lessened?

There are two ways that anxiety can be triggered: externally and internally. External anxiety is caused by something real in a teenager’s life, whether negative such as family problems or positive such as anticipating the start of college.

Internal anxiety is caused by a teenager’s concern about their external anxiety and the way it makes them feel. It is something chosen and can be very difficult to control because to do so, teenagers must begin to think differently. Thoughts of a teenager can include: What is wrong with me?, What if I do or say something stupid?, or No one likes me.

These thoughts can turn into belief and can subsequently damage self-concept and lead to depression.

Since external anxiety is in everyone’s life adult mentors need to teach teenagers that they can choose to be less affected by events through controlling their internal dialogue. It is from internally generated anxiety that teenagers can become obsessive and get carried away in their internal dialogue, which results in untrue thoughts and body symptoms. Teenagers must learn to stop and give themselves permission to have externally generated anxiety, and then tell themselves why they are having it, and then let it pass. By not being afraid of these body sensations, the symptoms will gradually lessen along with their anxiety.

Carol Wood is founder & CEO of Total Learning Concepts, Inc. You can read the rest of the article on this important topic on our website: www.ourtownmag.org/2014/03/05/teenagestress-anxiety-depression.

For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

Our Town

Comprehensive foot and ankle care From routine checkups to extensive treatments for surgery, Dr. Cain and Dr. Alder are equipped to handle all your podiatric needs at our convenient Snellville office. We provide a full range of services including: * Foot & Ankle Surgery * Ankle Sprains * Flat Feet * Bunions * Gout

* Arthritis * Plantar Fasciitis * Ingrown Toenails * Bursitis * Corns & Callues

Located at 1800 Tree Lane, Ste. 320, Snellville, GA 30078, our office is open M-Th 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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Dr. Edward Corkran and Dr. Israel Cabanas Jr. have been serving the Stone Mountain area for over 25 years. We focus on providing comprehensive expert care to our patients and building relationships with all of the families we serve. We provide services such as: * Sports Physicals * Preventive Medicine * Immunizations * Chronic Illness Treatment * Gynecology * Health Screenings * Minor Surgery * High Blood Pressure * In-Office X-rays * High Cholesterol Located at 5462 Memorial Drive, Suite 202, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 our office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

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For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

PAGE 19

Keeping Your Best Interest at Heart!

We utilize the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed your expectations. More importantly, we listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you.

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Quiet Please

By Jane Bishop, Life Coach In certain public venues, it becomes necessary to utter “quiet please.” Examples are tennis matches, golf tournaments, and movie theaters. For some, it is a challenge to be quiet for a few seconds or minutes. Our lives have become so filled with noise that we have mistaken that as a necessity for living.

I recently woke up very early one morning to—quiet. No wind, no school buses, no birds in the woods. In the quietness of my home, the only sound was the swinging pendulum of a clock. It was refreshing! There was nothing to engage my attention. I could simply be.

After making coffee, I poured a cup, sat, and simply existed. It was dark, so I could not enjoy the scenery of the woods. But I could enjoy simply being. My mind could wander, or not. My senses could engage, or not. The enjoyment factor was very high on the pleasing scale.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, my mind landed on Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NIV).

Eugene Peterson in The Message phrases it this way: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God… above everything.” In the quiet of the morning, I was positioned to experience God without the noise of the world!

When is the last time you allowed yourself to “step out of the traffic?” To simply be?

What would you experience if you did? How would that help you live4ward for the day?

What is stopping you? Schedule? Work? Family? Permission? Excuses? What experiences are getting lost in the noise of your world?

Take the challenge. Quiet please…and simply be.

Jane Bishop is Owner/CEO of Take the Next Step. For more information, visit www. takethenextstepcct.com.

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The days are getting longer, the cold and the comfort foods are almost behind us, and spring sports are in full gear! This is the time to not only spring clean your home but also to spring clean your body. There is a lot of controversy over the Ionic Foot Bath machine and process, but hopefully I can shed some light on how it works and why it is so effective.

Ions are good for you. I came across a great explanation of the power of ions in an article written by Kathleen H. Christ and Frank LeBeau. Ions are created by the action of water hitting the land and are found in waterfalls, at the seashore, and in rainstorms.

Negative ions are simply water molecules that break apart and take on a negative electrical charge. That is why there is scientific explanation as to why the ocean air is so healthy for you.

What does a negative electrical ion have to do with my body? Toxins in the body are positively charged. The negative ions become like magnets, drawing the toxins to them, and then neutralizing the toxins. This can be accomplished by soaking your feet in a tub of warm water filled with negative ions. The ions pull positively–charged toxins out of the body through the very large pores found on the skin of the feet. Nature has equipped us with a mechanism for detoxifying through the feet where gravity causes harmful substances to settle and accumulate.

The Ionic Foot Bath produces a low amperage electrical current that breaks water molecules down into negative molecules. When a person soaks his/her feet in the foot bath, the body absorbs some of these ions and they in turn neutralize the harmful acids that are trapped in the tissues.

Removing toxins naturally improves one’s health and alleviates symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, joint pain, swelling, allergic reactions, memory loss, insomnia, and stress. The foot bath only takes thirty minutes, and it is a great way to jumpstart the body into balanced health.

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Julie Mills is owner of Body of Health. Find out more online at www.bodyofhealth.com.

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For more information call 678-825-2049 • ourtownmag.org

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20% OFF Pet’s Dental Cleaning In honor of Pet Dental Health Month. 20% discount on one(1) dental cleaning per pet. Does not include any recommended extractions or medications. Additional fees may apply.

Coupon need not be presented for discount. Terms subject to change without notice at practice discretion.

By appointment only. Expires 04/30/14

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Available for both iPhone and Android

Dr. Carrie McColgan and Zoey iPhone

Photo by Mooney Photography

Android

Our Decatur office is

open 24 hours/ 365 days a year

Dr. Françoise Tyler

Dr. Carrie McColgan

Dr. Louise DeLong

Dr. Amanda Irish

Dr. Caterine Wendt

Dr. Will Draper

Mention this ad for

10% OFF First visit

Limit one per household. Vaccines and services only. Products not included.

Coupon need not be presented for discount. Terms subject to change without notice at practice discretion.

By appointment only. Expires 4/15/14

7 Days a Week!

Serving Gwinnett and Dekalb Counties

for your convenience.

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Sun Now 10am-6pm

www.TheVillageVets.com

770-717-1650

1227 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain (Near the Kroger Shopping Center)