Holiday Matters

commuting to and from work. You may even be able to borrow it from the library for free using an app like Libby.

• Don’t like outdoor decorating? Delegate it to the professionals. Some local landscaping companies may offer outdoor decorating during the holidays.

• Don’t like to bake but need festive cookies? Leave the baking to your local bakery.

• Have company coming into town for the holidays, but no time to clean? There are a number of cleaning services in the area you can call.

• Need help wrapping? Hire a neighborhood teen to wrap your packages one afternoon.

• Short on time for cooking the holiday meal? Have it catered by a local restaurant. Or if that’s totally out of the question, try cooking some dishes using a pressure cooker or an air fryer and save the stove and the oven for dishes that need your extra attention.

• You get the idea. Be creative and ask for help!

• Don’t overwhelm yourself and your family with holiday activities. Pick a few that are manageable and let the others go. And even with the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to make self-care a priority.

• With gift giving, it’s the thought that counts. Don’t feel like you have to spend a small fortune. A small thoughtful gift or handmade gift can be just as personal and meaningful than an expensive one.

• Don’t compare your holiday to the holiday of others. The season is not meant to be a competition.

• Be more thankful for the things you accomplish instead of sad about the things that you don’t get to on your list. You can look forward to the ones you didn’t get to for next year.

• Always keep in mind the perfect holiday doesn’t exist. There are always things that are out of our control.

• If loved ones can’t make it to your holiday celebration, keep in mind the holidays are a relatively short period of time within a year, and there are another 300+ days in the year giving us plenty of other opportunities to spend time with loved ones. Plan something for later when the timing is better and everyone can be more relaxed.

At the end of the holiday, take some time to reflect. What went well? What didn’t go as well? Were there any surprises? And make notes for a head start on next year.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Snellville Lodge No. 99

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Snellville Lodge No. 99 had served cake and served as stewards of unity and guardians of the city’s bright legacy.

With this extraordinary collaboration, the Masons and the City of Snellville have set a shining example of what it means to be a community, and they look forward to the next century of shared history, growth, and prosperity.

Join the Snellville Lodge on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month for dinner and a meeting.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/snellvillemasoniclodge/

Pet Perch: What’s the Rush?

By Terie Hansen

As the saying goes, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” The same applies when introducing a new dog/puppy to your current dog(s). My best advice? Go slowly through the process. And it IS a process. Let’s face it, it could go either way if you just put them together to see what happens, which is what most people do. It could turn out just fine in the short term, but it could be building towards a fight in the long run.

Taking it slowly means allowing the dogs to exist around each other for the first few days to a week or more – NOT interacting and certainly not playing. Have a separate crate/area where the new dog is confined for sleeping, meals, and downtime (preferably for several weeks) and when you need a break from supervising/working your

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When you approach Chibo Coffee, you will first notice the torch logo, which holds a lot of symbolism. When walking into the coffee shop, you will see the logo and its flame-colored tones incorporated throughout. Tesfa and Tsedey intentionally used these as part of their desire to make their shop a place for the community to gather and learn more about Ethiopian culture over great coffee and food.

“‘Chibo’ means ‘torch,’ and a torch symbolizes unity,” said Tesfa, noting that even the shop’s chairs and light fixtures are the color of a burning torch. “Opening the shop wasn’t just about the coffee and food – it is a place to bring people together.”

Not only do they have great coffee and food, but the quality of the items they serve is also hard to beat. Tesfa describes their coffee as more balanced, allowing people to enjoy the delicious taste in one sip. They use hand-roasted beans and clay pots to prepare their traditional Ethiopian, or Jebena, coffee, which allows them to curate a specific blend that has quickly become a favorite of the community. If you’re hungry, no need to leave for food. The team at Chibo Coffee offers handmade treats and pastries, along with authentic Ethiopian menu items. There are even vegan and organic menu options to try out and enjoy with your drink.

Tesfa and Tsedey want to foster a sense of community, and they continue to work on that goal by being an active part of the great Gwinnett area. Chibo Coffee has sponsored the Brookwood High School volleyball team, plans to partner with some upcoming events at local elementary schools, and is always working with other local businesses to serve their community well.

“I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to our cherished family and friends, whose unwavering support and belief in our dream to start an Ethiopian coffee shop have been the driving force behind our success,” said Tsedey. “And above all to the Almighty God, for guiding our journey and filling it with blessings beyond measure.”

Also, he wants to thank Caoilinn Kirberger, whose exceptional dedication and unwavering commitment have made an enduring impact on the coffee shop, consistently serving up smiles with every cup of coffee and making every visit a delightful experience! Tsedey said, “The contribution is immeasurable, and we are truly grateful.”

If you want to try some of the best coffee in Gwinnett, head over to Lilburn and try Chibo Coffee. You should be aware, though, that once you set foot in this shop, you may never want to leave.

More information at www.chibocoffee.com dogs. Walk the dogs together (preferably you and another person, each with a dog). Be sure to have the dogs hold a command, such as place or down around one another. Also, have them on leashes, tied back so they can’t make contact. Work each dog through obedience commands while the other looks on.

After a few days to a week, allow them to sniff each other briefly (keep initial interactions brief, 3-second sniffs), then separate them for a bit before allowing them another short introduction. This fragmented initial contact can help to prevent the escalation of tension and aggression. Keep leashes loose and relaxed. Stay quiet during interactions and pay attention to each dog’s body language. If either looks nervous, freezes, or offers hard stares, move the dogs away from each other. Pulling their leashes to the side, NOT back. Remove toys/bones, food bowls, or anything that your current dog could value to avoid territorial behaviors.

Taking it slowly helps the dogs relax and feel safe and comfortable

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Pedagogy and a member of the Latin faculty at The Ethel Walker School, says, “The notion that tools like Google Bard and ChatGPT are essentially shortcuts focuses on the output rather than what we want the technology to help us achieve. It’s the same question teachers ask ourselves when creating assessments and exams: What skill or concept do I want my students to demonstrate? If ChatGPT can provide a teacher with a lesson plan for the day or generate an essay prompt, then great. It allows teachers to refine our teaching approach and challenge students appropriate to their unique needs.”

Students and teachers embrace AI in the classroom

Some students and teachers are already working together to set ground rules for using platforms based in generative AI at school and while studying at home. Thirty-seven percent of student respondents have had teachers or instructors talk to them about the proper use of AI technology as it relates to course work, and 60% of teachers say that students are proactively approaching them about using these platforms to enhance their studies.

Teachers who have been approached by students about using ChatGPT or similar technologies say their students are either asking for permission to use AI-powered platforms, examples of proper use cases, or instructions on how to use AI technologies.

Lamb, who embraces the use and exploration of new technologies in her classroom, says, “A strong and trusting classroom community was something we struggled to find learning virtually during the pandemic. We need to think about technology in the classroom now like we did then. AI should think with us, not for us. Now, more than ever, we should encourage students to trust the power of their own voices. While AI-generated technology is a powerful tool in our toolbox, human voices still hold a huge creative advantage.”

AI can help create equitable learning environments

Students and teachers see a future with limitless potential when learning and AI come together. Forty-two percent of all respondents positively categorized their attitude toward AI technology in education. Respondents who disagree with bans on the use of AI technology in schools say that it expands access to information, assists with studying, and enhances creativity and critical thinking. Forty-eight percent of teachers predict that ChatGPT and similar AI technology will help students recover from learning loss caused by the pandemic.

“Personally, I love the technology and don’t think that its benefits to the classroom have been fully discovered yet,” Clement added. “AI-generated technology allows students to find learning solutions that work for them and applies what works for them to any and every problem or concept they could need. Teaching students the proper way to use this technology will be key, but I for one am very optimistic about its future.” AI is here to stay and will play a larger role in the learning process now and in the years to come. (BPT)

Ryan’s off, to start that project you’ve been dreaming about, or to strengthen the bonds with your neighbors and friends.

If 2020 and 2021 taught us anything, we can adapt, innovate, and support one another in times of need. The Our Town community exemplifies the strength and determination that lies within each of us. Let’s carry this energy into the months ahead, embracing challenges with open hearts and minds.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s a time when we can come together to spread love and joy throughout our community. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger charitable endeavors, let us remember the importance of giving and sharing. As we enjoy the warmth of our homes and the love of our families, we should also consider those who may be less fortunate and find ways to extend a helping hand.

In the spirit of giving, let’s also take the time to appreciate and support the local businesses that contribute to the uniqueness of our community. They have faced their share of hardships, and your continued support means more to them than you can imagine. This November, make an extra effort to shop locally, dine at our community’s restaurants, and celebrate the incredible small businesses around us.

As we embrace November, remember that we are an unstoppable force when working together. We must UNITE (come together), not UNTIE (drift apart). The letters of each word are the same, but by making one change in their order, they mean entirely different things.

I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. One that is filled with some downtime and enjoyment of all we have to be thankful for. Finally, and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!

Meet GCAA Continued from page 13 stride.

“At first I was a bit nervous,” said Shamyiah, who recently completed her diploma requirements and is planning to study filmmaking in college. “But the teachers, they were really welcoming and they helped out a lot and I was able to get real comfortable.”

“We are so proud of all that Shamyiah and her classmates are accomplishing,” says GCAA Director Hashima Carothers, a former college basketball standout who emphasizes a team approach to education. “We are looking forward to other students joining her at our new campus. We are so grateful for the support of Dr. Watts and his colleagues in helping us to make these young people’s dreams a reality.”

The Gwinnett school is part of a growing nationwide network of Acceleration Academies that operates campuses in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Nevada, and Washington State. The academies re-engage students who have struggled in traditional schools for a variety of reasons, including the need to work full-time or care for young children; the need for more one-on-one attention; or a desire to accelerate their studies to graduate early and move forward with plans for college, military service, work, or athletic careers.

Acceleration Academies provide a blend of independent online study and in-person academic, social, and emotional support to meet

Thanksgiving Tips Continued from page 13 such needs. Like all public school programs, GCAA is free of charge and open to students up to age 21 who want to earn their high school diplomas. Education Week featured the network due to its success in re-engaging students after the Covid pandemic.

5. Make it a goal to send at least one thank you note or thank you email a week. Perhaps a coworker helped you with a big project or there’s a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while. Not only will they feel good about receiving the note, but you will feel good about making someone else’s day a bit brighter.

5. Volunteer and help others any way you can. As people, we have a tendency to feel better about ourselves and other things when we’re helping others. And perhaps during the holidays is a great time to start. Volunteer in your church or your community. Help out a friend in need. Any small act could make a big impact.

7. Spend some time reflecting, praying, or meditating on and for an attitude of gratitude. It takes time and focus to develop a habit, even good ones. We often have to constantly remind ourselves as we pursue new endeavors and being thankful is no different. Keep it up. Hopefully, as you see and feel the positive power of gratitude, you’ll be motivated to keep practicing, even if it’s just for one more day.

More information at Accelerationacademy.org

Georgia Garden Clubs Continued from page 8 at Callanwolde in Decatur, and the recent awards luncheon was at Bellemere in John’s Creek.

The convention this year was held at the Evergreen Lakeside Resort in Stone Mountain. Over three hundred people attended the three-day event from all over Georgia. Lisa Hall is the elected president from 2023 until 2025. Awards were given in over sixty categories, including Garden Therapy, Civic Improvement, Litter and Pollution Control, Wildflower, Poetry, and many others. My poem, Ode to Hydrangeas, won second place.

Garden Gateways is an official publication of the Garden Club of Georgia Inc., sent to all Garden Clubs of Georgia members. The Gwinnett Master Gardeners Club is for those who are Master Gardeners, but they have a division called Friends of Master Gardeners for those who are not there yet. In Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties, there are many Garden Clubs to choose from if you wish to attend a meeting as a potential member.

Live Healthy/Harvest Gwinnett has many community gardens including those in Loganville, Suwanee, Dacula, Snellville, Grayson, Sugar Hill, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, and others. Raised plots can be reserved by gardeners of all skill levels, or you can volunteer in other ways by contacting HarvestGwinnett@Gwinnettcounty.com.

Gardening is much more than digging in the dirt; it’s also about making a difference in your community.

More information at www.gardenclubsofgeorgia.org.