OurTown Gwinnett December 2012

The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine

Our Town

Deceomber 2012

Lilburn l Lawrenceville l Snellville l Grayson

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker

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December 2012 IN THIS ISSUE…

Magazine The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News

Our Town

Lilburn

l

Lawenceville

Publisher/Editor D. Flores

Graphics Our Town

and

Design

Cover Photo

Richard Calmes

l

Snellville

l

Grayson

Contributing Writers:

Glenton Ashby Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Susan Cadley Kelly Ferris Carol Chandler-Wood Julie Mills Althea Lawton-Thompson Terie Hansen Holley Calmes

Our Town Magazine

P.O. Box 644 l Snellville, Georgia 30078 Telephone: 404-824-5396 www.OurTownMag.org For reader comments or questions, please E-mail us at life@ourtownmag.org Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the Gwinnett Area.

Opinions expressed by the editorial 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 2012 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

About the Cover....................................................................5 Calendar of Events.................................................................7, 15 Sept Crossword...........................................................................8 Fitness: Maintain Excercise Routine.........................................8 Finance: The Numbers..........................................................9 Education Article: The gift of education..................................11 Health &You: Heart Attack Season............................................12 Wellness: The final chapter........................................................13 Around Town: Cooking w/Chilren...........................................14 Crossword Key...........................................................................12 Counselor’s Corner: End your year with surplus ..................16 Pet Page:

................................................................................17

Recipe: ......................................................................................18

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ABOUT THE COVER THE NUTCRACKER Article by Holley Calmes. Photography by: Richard Calmes

The year 2012 will go down as one of the most significant in Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s history, with new studios in Lawrenceville and new Artistic Director Wade Walthall at the organization’s helm. GBT is Gwinnett’s oldest performing arts non-profit, established in 1977, although with the events of this year, everything seems fresh and new to the students, parents and teachers.

Since its founding, GBT’s company and school have enriched the lives of thousands of young students and produced dancers who continued their careers in major ballet companies around the world. Each student has been prepared for their futures with excellent training, and each one enjoyed their Nutcracker experience which has been presented annually in Gwinnett since 1981.

GBT’s Nutcracker is also one of the largest productions of the well-loved holiday classic in the metro Atlanta area. Each year, approximately 9,000 patrons attend 16 performances held at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth, GA, a part of Gwinnett Center. 11 public performances during the first 3 weekends of December are a yearly pilgrimage for many families who often proudly announce to ushers just how many years they have been attending the show. In many cases, GBT alumni have continued the Nutcracker tradition by bringing their own children to enjoy this Christmas Classic.

The ballet is a familiar story about a young girl, Clara, who is given a Nutcracker doll by the mysterious Herr

Our Town Magazine

Drosselmeyer at a holiday party. Later that night, Clara is transported by the Nutcracker, who has been transformed into a handsome live soldier, through adventures such as battling the evil Mouse King, traveling through a beautiful snowfall, and arriving at the magical Land of Sweets where the Sugarplum Fairy and her court entertain them with dances by wonderful and exotic characters.

It is the dancing, of course, that ticket holders want to see. GBT’s pre-professional dancers are often mistaken for older artists by those who leave the theatre with the impression that they have seen professionals perform.

Many comments have been heard over the years, exclamations that the dancer portraying Sugarplum was surely not still a high school student! It is the attention to excellence in classical ballet technique that develops dancers who can easily give this impression.

This year will be Wade Walthall’s first Nutcracker with GBT. He is definitely no stranger to this ballet, having danced as the Nutcracker Prince in the famous Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Nutcracker: The Motion Picture.” Mr. Walthall’s resume is rich in experience all over the world as a principal male dancer in such companies as the National Ballet of Holland, the National Ballet of Spain, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and many others. He has performed in 17 countries and toured twice with Rudolph Nureyev in “Nureyev and Friends.” He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Dance from the University of Washington and a Masters Degree in Dance from the University of Arizona.

Regarding his first Nutcracker with his new company, Mr.

GWINNETT BALLET THEATRE CELEBRATES A BANNER YEAR. DECEMBER 1-16

Walthall says, “I love ‘The Nutcracker,’ and I am looking forward to producing it again with a new group of people.

Audiences can expect some changes. Some things have been refreshed and are new. Yet much will remain the same as in years past.”

To create Nutcracker magic, GBT utilizes the talents of approximately 120 performers in three casts over the course of the Nutcracker’s run. Of course, the lush and familiar score by Tchaikovsky is an important part of the production, and GBT is proud to dance for 8 public performances to the accompaniment of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra. This 35 piece orchestra consists of professional musicians from around the southeast. They are led by Predrag Gosta, an internationally celebrated musician and conductor who has performed all over the world, most recently conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in November.

Continues on page 8

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Our Town Magazine 5/4/12 9:31 AM

Happy Holidays

DECEMBER Calendar Annual Christmas Parade in Old Town December 01, 2012 Lilburn City Park 76 Main Street. Lilburn www.cityoflilburn.com Annual Christmas parade Breakfast with Santa December 01, 2012 Mall of Georgia, Food Court 3333 Buford Drive, Buford www.simon.com/kidgits Come eat breakfast with the Man of the Holidays, Santa!

Grayson Christmas Tour of Homes December 01, 2012 Throughout Grayson 2070 Rosebud Lane, Grayson www.cityofauburn-ga.org Home our most fabulous homes all decorated for Christmas!

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis December 01, 2012 Tribble Mill Regional Park 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville http://jbrwgwinnett.kintera.org 5-kilometer timed run, a 1-mile fun walk and a Santa Chase for kids age 8 and under. More than 500 runners and walkers will try to raise $55,000.

Lighting of the Tree December 1, 2012 Duluth Festival Center

3142 Hill Street, Duluth www.duluthga.net Come celebrate into the holiday season by the lighting of our tree in Duluth.

Loganville Christmas Parade December 1, 2012 Throughout Loganville 4385 Pecan St., Loganville www.loganville-ga.gov Come out to see the parade of Christmas lights!

Gwinnett Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” December 01 – 16, 2012 Gwinnett Center Performing Arts Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.gwinnettballet.org Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker”, a magical holiday annual event that has become a family favorites. GBT’s 30th Annual telling of the story is a traditionally presented ballet full of the beautiful dancing by over 100 performers, costumes, sets and live magic that have made this production one of the largest and well attended Nutcrackers in the region.

A Christmas Carol December 01 – 22, 2012 New London Theatre 2485 East Main Street SW, Snellville www.newlondontheatre.org

A Christmas Carol December 01 – 23, 2012 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville www.auroratheatre.com Christmas Canteen December 01 – 23, 2012 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville www.auroratheatre.com

Fa La La La Lawrenceville December 01 – 25, 2012 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com Get your calendar ready for a month long itinerary of carriage rides, Santa visits, tree presentations, scavenger hunts, caroling, theatre and much more!

20th Annual Magical Nights of Lights December 01-31, 2012 Lake Lanier 7000 Holiday Rd., Lake Lanier www.lakelanierislands.com Marvel at thousands of shining Christmas lights displayed along a seven-mile driving tour.

6th Annual Holiday Tour of Trees December 2, 2012 Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett 3100 Club Dr., Lawrenceville www.fogcss.com Get in the holiday spirit by visiting our

Holiday Tour of Trees. Trees are open for bid and all proceeds go directly to charitable agencies including Gwinnett Senior Services.

Toys for Tots December 01-22, 2012 Publix Greater Atlanta 211online.unitedwayatlanta.org Drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Publix in Greater Atlanta. Families need toys for tots now more than ever in tough economy.

FREE Breakfast Event December 6, 2012 1818 Club 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth The program will feature a prostate health presentation by Ronald Anglade, MD, a Gwinnett Medical Center affiliated and board certified urologist. The program will cover the following topics: What is the prostate?

What is prostate cancer? How common is it?

Risks & symptoms Who should be screened, and why? Diagnosis & treatment options All attendees will be entered in a drawing for an iPad3, and will receive a voucher for a FREE PSA Screening!

First Friday December 7, 2012 Throughout Lawreceville 455 S. Perry St., Lawrenceville www.visitlawrenceville.com Monthly shopping and dining celebration and feature specials and extended hours.

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FITNESS How to Maintain Your Exercise Routine During the Holidays

by Kelly Farris

I know, I know. The mere idea of a workout in the middle of the holiday season can be exhausting. But think about how you feel after a work-out – clear, focused, energized, strong… aren’t those the exact things you need during the holidays?

I’m sure you have a to-do list for the coming weeks. Don’t put exercise at the bottom of it.

Keep in mind that the better you feel, the more you’ll get done. You’ll be pouring your energy into everybody else soon enough, buying gifts, cooking and caring for your family. If you don’t take care of yourself, who will? Make your health and well-being your top priority, and you’ll have the energy and drive to make everyone’s else’s experience top notch.

Get out your smart phone, if you have one. Schedule a time each day that you will exercise, and set your phone to beep at you the day of, the hour before and ten minutes before. Remind yourself that this is the most important part of your day. Don’t lose focus now, because it could throw you off course entirely.

If you have to, exercise while you’re doing everything else. Walk the perimeter of the mall before you start shopping; park at the back of the parking lot; do jumping jacks, squats, pushups and lunges while you wait for the pies to bake; Stay focused. You’ll be glad you did.

Kelly Farris is an A.C.S.M certified personal trainer and owner of Ladies Workout in Snellville.

Continued from pg 5

Preparing for the Nutcracker has been made easier this year by virtue of the beautiful new studios at 1800 Macleod Drive in Lawrenceville. At 20,000 square feet, the new facility can accommodate expanded class and rehearsal schedules.

There is certainly plenty of room for new students! After experiencing the Nutcracker, many young people will be inspired to begin dancing themselves and hopefully become a part of the Nutcracker 2013. GBT will be accepting new students in January, and will in fact have a special open house for new students on January 10th at the studios. Everyone is welcomed to come watch classes, have some refreshments, and find out how to sign up for GBT’s special dance instruction.

Tickets for the production of The Nutcracker are available through all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 404-249-6400, and at the Gwinnett Center Box Office. Ticket prices range from $13.50-$29.50 depending on date. There are discounts for students and seniors, and for groups of 10 or more.

Find out more about GBT by visiting their web site at gwinnettballet.org, or call the studios at 770-237-0046.“She wasn’t the same woman after that,” Parks says.

Article by: Holley Calmes

Page 8

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Our Town Magazine

FINANCE

Tree Removal • Trimming • Stump Grinding

By The Numbers

TREE CARE

By Glenton Ashby

CERTIFIED ARBORIST

404-914-4894 I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “It’s a numbers game!” Numbers are a big part of life, just like money is. So, what numbers are important where money is concerned?

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3 – 6 months: An emergency fund, when fully funded, should cover 3 to 6 months of fixed and variable living expenses. How big a fund is adequate will vary by individual situations. A single-income household should have a larger fund (6 months) while a two-income household may have more flexibility and require a smaller fund (3 months).

The money should be kept in a liquid or easily accessible form: cash in a bank account or a money fund. Long-term investments can also be considered if warranted. But, the point of having a liquid emergency fund is to prevent impacting long-term financial goals and objectives if at all possible.

36%, 28%, 20%: Personal debt ratios are important for financial stability. Some rules of thumb say: total monthly debt should not exceed 36% of gross income housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28% of gross income consumer debt should not exceed 20% of net income In these perilous economic times it might be prudent to make all of those percentages apply to net (after tax) income. Regardless, I recommend a conservative approach so staying safely below, rather than right at, those percentages would be the prudent thing to do.

5 – 10 times: How much life insurance is in place? The general suggestion is 5 – 10 times the salary of the person whose income is to be replaced (typically the primary breadwinner’s salary). However, the proper approach is to determine the actual needs (living expenses, mortgage, education expenses, retirement) to be met or provided for and put the appropriate amount of insurance in place. There should be some amount of life insurance on both spouses.

60%: Disability insurance is designed to provide income replacement when a shortor long-term illness prevents someone from earning their normal income. It is not full income replacement, however, but about 60% of full salary. Some employers make disability insurance available as a benefit. In many cases the benefit is not portable with job change or job loss. Therefore, it is prudent to have a personal disability policy even if an employee benefit is also in place.

5% - 10%: Savings is important. The recommended saving rate is 5 – 10% of gross income. The ability to save at that rate will depend on a number of factors such as income, spending habits and other cash outflow. Ultimately, it may come down to priorities: what importance is given to saving versus spending or shortterm versus long-term.

25: As in December 25, Jesus’ birthday. Whether you believe it to be the traditional or historical date of His birth, it is about a gift. Some people brought gifts to Jesus, but He IS a gift, and a free gift at that. A gift has to be accepted, it can’t be forced on you. So there is a free gift out there for you this season if you would accept it.

I wish you and yours a “Merry Christmas” and a “Halcyon new year!”

Feedback and topic suggestions are welcome – email HalcyonTimes@HalcyonFP.com, or comment at www.HalcyonFP.com/halcyon-times. Tweet @halcyonplanning.

Glenton Ashby is the founder and owner of Halcyon Financial Planning, LLC, a fee-only financial planning and Registered Investment Advisor firm. Visit HalcyonFP.com.

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Health and you

Heart attack season?

I am sounding the alarm! A week ago I received a call letting me know that my father-in-law had just suffered his second heart attack. I am writing this article while visiting with him and educating him on steps he can take to prevent a future attack.

Actually, according to Dr. James Willerson, Medical Director of the Texas Heart Institute, we are entering “heart attack season“. A national study conducted by the University of California at San Diego found that on three specific days of the year, there is a pronounced increase in heart-related deaths. Those days are Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, and New Year’s Day. In addition to all of the usual stresses of the season, Dr. Willerson attributes this spike to three factors - poor dietary choices, the over consumption of alcohol, and being too sedentary. Let’s take a look at these factors.

Make a list. Merely taking the time to write out a “to-do” list can quickly organize an otherwise very hectic environment and bring some calm to the storm. I can do calm; can’t you?

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. You may want to schedule a massage before and after your holiday festivities. This will improve circulation and oxygen flow throughout your body and will help you decompress and relax.

Listen to me here, the whole point of the holidays is just being together with the people you love and care about. You tell me - what did you receive for Christmas in 2004? Don’t feel bad, I don’t remember either. There are armies of people in our community who have no family. Reaching out to them at this time of year might be the best gift you could ever give yourself and your family.

When it comes to combating harmful foods, I’m afraid old-fashioned self-discipline is the most effective weapon. Most of the food choices offered at holiday parties and family gatherings are loaded with salt and saturated fats. Studies show that the consumption of high-fat meals can lead to a dysfunction of arterial linings which, in turn, can result in significantly diminished blood flow. Did you know that this arterial constriction can last up to twelve hours after eating? If these type meals are routinely consumed, the arteries may eventually become unable to rebound to their normal state. With regard to cardiovascular disease, even if you have only a slight blockage, this increased fat intake can further block the vessels which can ultimately lead to a heart attack.

This is a good place for me to take a moment and comment on what may be experienced during one of these type episodes. In men, a heart attack is usually signaled by things such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and sweating. However, in women, back pain, dizziness, and fatigue can also be key warning signs, and not necessarily the chest pain. Don’t dismiss them.

Also, don’t become so busy during the holidays that you forget to hydrate, take your medications, and keep your doctors appointments. This can be another contributing factor to a heart attack. Dehydration along with missed doses of medications tend to stress the heart.

Julie Mills, CMT, LLCC of Body of Health See our ad on page 4 www.bodyofhealthandlife.com

When preparing your feast, consider alternatives such as substituting olive oil and seasonings such as Mrs. Dash for the suggested fatty, salty ingredients. Also, think about incorporating a good green salad and fruit bowl instead of all the calorie-packed pies and casseroles. Fresh green beans and sweet potatoes are a far better choice than all the sugar-enriched dishes that have become holiday staples. Another thought is to try whole wheat rolls instead of biscuits or yeast rolls.

Dietary experts advise avoiding fried foods all together as well as any fats that are solid at room temperature. These include frosting, butter, shortening, lard, etc. Of course, as we mentioned earlier, a key determining factor in protecting your health during the holidays is portion control. Try to only make one trip to the buffet and use a smaller plate. A little taste is far better than a loaded tub!

For many, holiday cheer only comes in liquid form! When considering how much alcohol to consume, portion control again rules the day. To be clear here, alcohol, taken in moderation, has been shown to actually have health benefits. However, when consumed in excess, alcohol is acutely toxic to the heart. It can literally irritate the heart muscle and trigger the body’s auto response to boost blood pressure and heart rate. The heart’s natural pacemaker gets thrown out of balance and, subsequently, so can your heartbeat. Who wants to spend the holidays in the ER?! Remember, just as with food, it’s portion control!

In keeping with our prevailing theme of moderation, let me take a moment to discuss exercise. As we noted earlier, being too sedentary, especially during this time of year, can lead to big problems. Friends, we have to get moving.

As an example, it’s a great idea to walk after a meal - even before clearing the dishes from the table. It promotes healthy digestion, fires up our metabolism, and actually replenishes our energy levels. If it’s cold outside, you might consider walking the mall or even play a Wii game with the family.

Lastly, I want to devote some time to discussing holiday stress. According to a 2006 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 44% of women and 31% of men reported experiencing increased levels of stress during the holidays. Family get-togethers are inevitably known to cause stress. It can be good stress, but stress all the same. A study found that people may feel stress from having to interact with relatives, absorb financial pressures such as purchasing gifts, traveling expenses, entertaining, and decorating.

Learn to delegate more. Asking others to help often gives them a sense of ownership in the event and makes them feel part of the team rather than just a distant spectator.

Page 12

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WELLNESS

The final chapter

December is an interesting month. It can be joyful, stressful, bustling and restful all at the same time. It typically indicates the end… of the calendar year, of warm months, of a semester of school, the fiscal year for many businesses.

The list can go on and on.

But for me, this December marks the end of my time writing for Our Town Magazine. Like most endings, it comes with mixed emotions.

I have been writing about everything from health and wellness to life and death for four years – 48 months – without a break.

Readers stop me in the store, in a fitness class, or at a local school to tell me how an article touched them in some way. I receive emails, phone calls or drop-ins at my fitness studio from readers that want to share their story related to an article I’ve written. Those moments mean more to me than any of you will ever know.

To the wonderful family that publishes Our Town Magazine and each one of you reading this article – I appreciate you! Until our paths cross again, I wish you peace, health and happiness.

Althea is the owner of Aerobics, Yoga & More Studios in Lilburn and producer of the Altheatized video series. Email your fitness or wellness comment or question to her at Althea@AYMFitness.com..

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Around Town

Cooking with Children A Recipe for Kitchen Safety & Fun by: Kristin McCabe

Sizzling sounds and aromas can make the kitchen a fascinating – yet dangerous – place for children. However, the potential hazards shouldn’t keep children out of the kitchen.

“The kitchen is often the most popular place in the house for families to gather and enjoy quality time. Children can also develop a sense of responsibility by sharing in tasks,” said Dr. Zurn.

offer them the first taste.

By: Kristin McCabe, Marketing Director mailto:kmccabe@primrosefiveforks.com kmccabe@primrosefiveforks.com | 404.455.0314

Parents can keep the kitchen safe and fun: Engage your child. Think about simple tasks your child can do. Completing jobs like mixing or measuring can boost a child’s sense of accomplishment. Tearing lettuce or adding sprinkles are safe, satisfying tasks. Even very young children can get involved. With pots, pans and spoons they can pretend to cook or just make music.

Set ground rules. Children need kitchen supervision, so establish safety rules and keep children within sight. Teach children to wash their hands before and after handling food to avoid spreading germs. Discuss what’s safe to touch and what’s not. Turn the handles of pots and pans inward on the stovetop so there are no accidental spills.

Build their skills. Children can develop essential skills in the kitchen, such as following recipes or counting items. Have them master easy tasks before attempting harder ones.

Teach older children to use a knife by starting them off with cutting soft items like cooked noodles with a dull spreader. As coordination develops; move on to slicing foods with a plastic knife.

Keep it fun. Cooking can be messy, so don’t stress over the “oops”. If cookie batter ends up on the floor instead of the baking sheet, try again. Cleaning it up can be fun too!

When your meal is complete, be sure to compliment your sous chef on a job well done, and

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Our Town Magazine

CALENDAR - Continued Jamey Johnson December 7, 2012 Wild Bill’s Country Music Dance Hall 2075 Market St., Duluth wildbillsatlanta.com Concert Free Breakfast with Santa December 8, 2012 Killian Hall 908 illian Hil Rd. Lilburn www.kofclilburn.org Doors open at 8:30am, Santa arrives at 9:00am. Bring your ch ildren and grandchildren to this FREE pancake & sausage breakfast sponsored by The Knights of Columbus Council 7923. Donations always appreciated.

Stone Mountain Christmas December 1, 2012 – January 3, 2013 Stone Mountain Park U.S. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain Christmas comes to life during a Stone Mountain Christmas as Crossroads®, at the base of Stone Mountain, is decked out with more than two million lights.

Breakfast with Santa December 8, 2012 Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Peachtree Road, Duluth www.southeasternrailwaymuseum.com Snack breakfast with Santa.

Continued from pg. 7

Sing Along with Santa December 8, 2012 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville www.auroratheatre.com Childrens Playhouse Snow Mountain December – March 2013 Stone Mountain Park U.S. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain www.stonemountainpark.com Covered with acres of snow including a 400’ tubing hill and a 30,000 square foot play area, this fantastic family attraction has plenty for your whole family to do!

Dave Matthews Band December 11, 2012 Arena at Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.ticketmaster.com Concert Senior Annual Christmas Tree December 13, 2012 George Pierce Park, Prime Timers Pointe 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee www.gwinnettcounty.com Come jingle your bells at our annual Christmas Tea. Get in the spirit of the season with holiday treats, tea, music and more.

Star 94 Jingle Jam December 13, 2012 Arena at Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.ticketmaster.com Concert featuring Ed Sheeran, Jason Mraz, Grace Potter, Alex Clare, Phillip Phillips and Andy Grammer.

Carrie Underwood December 19, 2012 Arena at Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.ticketmaster.com American Idol winner and Country music sensation, LIVE! Trouble in Toyland December 22, 2012 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville www.auroratheatre.com Childrens Playhouse

Thomas Rhett December 14, 2012 Wild Bill’s Country Music Dance Hall 2075 Market St., Duluth wildbillsatlanta.com Concert

Little Big Town with Drake White New Year’s Eve Bash December 31, 2012 Wild Bill’s Country Music Dance Hall 2075 Market St., Duluth www.wildbillsatlanta.com

Twas the Night Before Christmas December 15, 2012 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville www.auroratheatre.com Childrens Playhouse

12 Gifts of Christmas December 16, 2012 There’s never a dull moment in Arena at Gwinnett Center Gwinnett.

6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth For more events go to our new website www.gwinnettcenter.com There’s no better time to celebrate those gifts at www.ourtownmag.org and get upthan the birthday of Jesus, the greatest gift dates thru our fan page and Twitter. of all! Christmas is a time for friends and family, so gather yours for an evening you won’t forget.

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Page 15

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Counselor’s Corner

End Your Year with a Surplus valiant belief. You simply won’t have as much to offer as someone that implements a self-care program.

If you had a friend or family member in an emergency situation that needed to borrow your car, would you want to hand them the keys to a car with an empty gas tank? Keeping your own tank full can help you feel balanced, grounded, and it allows you to give from reserves. It also soothes that inner voice that wants to feel effervescently alive.

“When you treat and view yourself with the respect you deserve, you experience the peace that comes from being present to yourself.” Cheryl Richardson It’s that time of year when you can almost hear the cranking up of time and energy as the holidays are moving into full gear. It’s even more important now to be aware of your self-care so you can move through the the last month of 2012 with a surplus of energy, not a deficit.

If you keep yourself filled up, when something stressful comes along, you’ll be able to handle it with much more strength than if you are worn out, tired, and frayed at the edges.

I recently shared with a friend that I was getting “getting excellent with my self-care”. The reason I made this declaration is that I’ve remained committed to carving out time for creativity and exercise. I had just canceled a personal appointment because it conflicted with a gym class that I enjoy. This was new for me as in the past I would have let the class go. I’ve realized that the small amount of time I spend exercising or creating leaves me feeling energized the whole day. When I implement excellent self-care, I’m a better therapist, friend, spouse, family member, etc.

If you believe self-care has to take a lot of time or that it feels like work, think again. Taking small steps adds up to big results eventually. Studies have shown that even 15 minutes spent in meditation, prayer or deep breathing, have effects that stretch far into your day.

To get started on some excellent self-care, ask yourself: * What do you know you need to do for your self right now? (You really do know) * What small step can you take today? * What activities bring you joy or create a sense of wellness? * What do you need to say no to, so you can say yes to yourself ?

The time is right now. Remember, small steps create momentum and results.

Begin the holidays with a full tank so you can end the year with a sense of inner wellness!

Susan Cadley, LPC, CSC, Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified Soul Coach 678-296-1278; www.coachingforyoursoul.com

Putting yourself last is passé, it’s an out dated belief system and it’s time to let it go. It just doesn’t work. There’s a price to pay for this seemingly

Page 16

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Our Town Magazine

PET PAGE

Holiday Hazards for Pets An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. No truer words were ever spoken in regards to pet proofing your home for the holidays. With that in mind here are some hidden dangers for your pet.

Lights! Candles! Accidents!

Sparkly, dangling and sometimes moving lights are a huge enticement for many pets, especially curious cats. Tinsel looks tasty to many pets but can be fatal if ingested as it twists and bunches in your pet’s intestines.

Immediate veterinary care is required.

Does your dog or cat like to chew things? Electrical cords are very attractive to many pets. I once had a cat that did just that! Bit down on the wiring from a built in stereo system (remember those? I’m dating myself now) and received a shock that burnt her whiskers, melted her tooth and knocked her so silly she was never the same! She was lucky because many die from just such an action. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing, use a grounded three prong extension cord as a precaution and unplug when not in use.

If you are using candles around your home, never, ever, ever leave them unattended! Put them in out of the way places so your pets can’t reach them. Not only can they themselves get burnt or singed but if they tip them over it’s a huge fire hazard, not to mention what a pain it is to get melted wax off furniture or worse out of carpet!

diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death when ingested. Pine needles can cause irritation of the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness. And a single leaf from any Lily variety is lethal to cats!

Use silk floral arrangements for holiday decorating. You’ll not only get more bang for your buck because you can reuse them each year, but you will ensure the safety of your pets.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree…

Be advised, cats can and will often climb the Christmas tree! We have video to prove it!! In our former home we had 13 foot ceilings hence we had the tree to match. Our younger cat, Mo Mo, was caught on video almost at the top of the tree! He had climbed up the inside trunk and when my husband called out to him he came leaping out of the top to an upper level room that was near the tree. It was hilarious at the time and thank goodness we had thought ahead to tie the tree in place (things you learn when you have acrobatic felines) because if we hadn’t the whole thing would have come crashing down. We did lose a few ornaments (glass) which we quickly cleaned up.

So take a moment to plan ahead and safe guard your home with your pets in mind. It will keep them happy and healthy and keep you from making an unexpected trip to the vet.

Bags, Boxes & Bows Oh My!

Terie Hansen Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care

Wrapping and curling ribbons are irresistible to many pets. While exquisitely wrapped packages can look wonderful under your Christmas tree or as decorations themselves your pets may be tempted to chew or swallow the ribbon or bows on such packages. If ingested, they can cause vomiting, twist throughout the intestines or cause a blockage, which may result in surgery or even death. Think outside the box, use gift bags and tissue paper as a much simpler, safer and pet friendly alternative to packages with ribbon.

May be reached at 404-422-9832 info@gooddogcoaching.com www. gooddogcoaching.com

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly, wait, is that poisonous?

Some of the most commonly used holiday plants are poisonous to your pets. Holly used in many decorations can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Poinsettias cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting. Mistletoe can cause severe vomiting,

www.mansbestfriend.com

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Page 17

Recipe

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THE NEXT 10 SATURDAYS?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Winter is here and that means friends, family and holiday parties! And nothing says the holidays better than these good old-fashioned drinks. The following recipes are guaranteed to warm your soul and put you in the holiday mood.

Become a Dental Assistant in your spare time!

Happy Holidays from Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Your Resident Gourmet Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe by Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Yields 4 servings Ingredients: 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups milk 1/4 cup sugar 1pinch sea salt 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 6 ounces Peppermint Schnapps Garnish: Sweetened whipped cream 4 Peppermint Candy Canes

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Directions: Combine the cream, milk, sugar, and salt in a stainless steel saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until it begins to steam.

Add the chopped chocolate.

Stir constantly until the chocolate has completely melted and add the Peppermint Schnapps..

Pour into hot mugs and garnish with whipped cream and candy canes.

Enjoy!

The Dental Staff School is now offering cross training courses that include Front Office Administration and Orthodontic assisting in order to better train tomorrow’s leading dental assistants. Please visit our website for more information.

Spiced Apple Cider Recipe by Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Yields 4 servings Ingredients: 1 quart apple cider 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled 1 fresh lemon, cut in quarters 1 fresh orange, cut in quarters 2 cinnamon stick pinch of allspice 2 whole cloves 4 ounces Applejack* Garnish: 4 whole star anise Directions: Combine all ingredients, except the Applejack, in a stainless steel saucepan.

Place over medium heat and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

Strain mixture, add the Applejack, and serve hot in mugs.

Garnish with star anise.

Enjoy! *Applejack is an alcoholic beverage made with distilled apples*

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Recipe provided by: Chef Jennifer Hill Booker www.yourResidentgourmet.com www.ChefJenniferBooker@gmail.com

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Page 19

Happy Holidays From

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