OUR TOWN DEKALB (AUGUST 2020) by Our Town Dekalb

Alif Institute:

Connecting Humanity through Arts and Culture

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7 Thriving in Uncertain Times: Part 2 Authentic CommUnity 10 Tucker Banker and Wife Save a Life in Local Restaurant

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OurTown NE DeKalb Community and Family Magazine

A Shiny Inc Publication Editor Lizbeth A. Dison Shinycomm.com ldison@shinycomm.com Our Town DeKalb is published and direct mailed to Creative Director Jay Adcock jaywadcock@gmail.com Writers Lizbeth A. Dison Cindy E. Farrar Lois Ricci Sanah Sayani Karl Schwartz Art Wood

Distribution Coordinator Emma Dison Brantley

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

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IN THIS ISSUE

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4 Alif Institute: Connecting Humanity through Arts and Culture 6 The Bits in Between: Those Crazy Kids May Just Save Us All 7 Wellness In-Sight: Thriving in Uncertain Times: Part 2 Authentic CommUnity 8 Age Friendly Tucker: A Dream for Residents of All Abilities 9 Common Sen$e: Raising Financially Responsible Kids 10 2020 Census: There’s Still Time to Be Counted 11 Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Launches Fall Semester with In-Person and Virtual Class Options, Outdoor Theatre Productions 12 Tucker Banker and Wife Save a Life in Local Restaurant 13 Beauty Byline with Sanah Unwanted guests taking over your face? It may be Maskne

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ON THE COVER: Many of the Arab nations are represented by local families at the Annual Atlanta Arab Festival at the Alif Institute.

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On The Cover:

Alif Institute: Connecting Humanity through Arts and Culture L.A. Dison The Western world owes a debt of gratitude to the Arab world. In ancient history, the Mideast is the birthplace of three of the major religions. In later periods, Arabs were responsible for many inventions that significantly shaped the modern West, from mathematical advancements like the decimal place-value system to the invention of the toothbrush. But the Arab world and its peoples are often misunderstood by Americans. Atlanta’s Alif Institute tries to bridge this gap of understanding by encouraging the more than 80,000 Arab-Americans living in Georgia and metro Atlanta to share the richness of their culture with the community while passing on their legacy to the next generation. Alif Institute, located on the edge of Embry Hills just miles from Tucker, was founded in 2004 to promote awareness and understanding about Arab culture. Prior to the establishment of the institute, the Arab American Women’s Society of Georgia (AAWSG) actively sponsored many Arab cultural events around Atlanta but the group was limited by its lack of a central, permanent location. Meetings rotated among the homes of its members and various public libraries, Arabic The Annual Atlanta Arab Festival opens with a procession of the American flag followed by twenty-two Arab nation flags. lessons were taught using Mercer University facilities, exhibits were presented at local universities, and dabkeh (Arabic folk dance) was performed at various community events. The popularity of these events with both Arab-Americans and the general community in north DeKalb showed there was an appetite here for Arab arts and culture. The AAWSG established the Arab-American Fund of Georgia (AAFG) in 2003 to support the creation of a non-profit organization whose vision was “to connect humanity through the power of arts and culture.” Alif Institute began offering a wide variety of classes and programs covering all aspects of Arab culture and life, and serving all ages and backgrounds, Arab and non-Arab. Arab language classes are taught on every level, from conversational speaking to advanced classes teaching literacy, listening and speaking skills. Enrichment courses include cooking, knitting, music and instruments (including the oud, a traditional Arab stringed instrument), youth arts and crafts, dabkeh dance and Arabic calligraphy. There are monthly events like Poetry Night, Tarab (Music Night), lectures on history and culture, individual country celebrations – even Karaoke! The Institute offers cultural experiences to supplement K-12 curriculum for any elementary or high school, either bringing its programs to the school or hosting students onsite at the Institute. Alif is the home of the Georgia Arabic Teachers Association, and serves as the liaison with the Atlanta Global Studies Center and the World Languages and Global/Workforce Initiatives at the Summer camp includes field trips.

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Georgia Department of Education. Alif works with many community, government, and private organizations to bring Arab cultures to life through activities and interactive presentations. Its summer children’s camp encourages multi-ethnic Playing tawleh (backgammon) in the courtyard. understanding and cooperation. Two annual events help Alif raise funds to sustain and expand programs. The Atlanta Arab Festival, which has attracted over 5,000 attendees, is a weekend in October filled with Arabic flavors, sights and sounds, and includes a food court, shopping, stage entertainment, and children’s activities. The Annual Fundraising Gala, which takes place each fall, includes an awards ceremony recognizing high-achieving individuals and institutions from the Arab-American and broader communities whose work has contributed greatly to Arab-American advancement. Alif has permanent displays, a traveling exhibit, and In 2019, the regularly hosts national exhibits. Institute launched its Connecting Cultures Capital Campaign, with an ambitious ten-year, threephase plan to renovate and expand its existing facility. The event hall will be enlarged and a teaching kitchen added. Its nine wooded acres will be developed to add an outdoor stage, community gardens, outdoor art exhibits, and more. (You can watch a video on the planned expansion, “Connecting Cultures Capital Campaign 2019-2029” on YouTube.) This renovation and expansion will benefit the entire community as all will be welcome to enjoy the new programs made possible by the improvements. Like other non-profit organizations worldwide, Alif was significantly affected by the COVID pandemic. Its office is currently open for staff only, and visitors are allowed by appointment only. While most of its activities have been moved online, the Institute has found that this temporary transition has opened up new opportunities for education to an expanded audience. Students come from across the nation, with one in Europe and a Youth Board member in Iraq. Monthly special events have been translated into original content posted on the organization’s Facebook page. This year’s Fundraising Gala and Atlanta Arab Festival will also be translated into online events, and Alif is planning some socially distant, small outdoor events in the near future. Alif Institute is located at 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta; its programs and services are open to all. For information on programs and events, visit alifinstitute.org, call 770.936.8770, or visit them on Facebook.

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Wellness In-Sight: Thriving in Uncertain Times, Part 2 Authentic CommUnity

The Bits in Between: Those Crazy Kids May Just Save Us All Tom Edmondson

OurTown NE DeKalb Community and Family Magazine

Got a story idea?

Our Town DeKalb is always looking for talented writers! Send story suggestions to info@ourtowndekalb.com. Submissions become the property of Our Town DeKalb; all submitted material is subject to review and editing. Acceptance of submitted material does not guarantee publication. PAGE 6

Cindy E. Farrar

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, left an indelible mark on the life of my daughter. Of course, it was 9/11, which affected the lives of everyone, especially Americans, and altered the course of history. But that was also the date stamped on the first piece of paperwork I submitted in Emma’s adoption. Emma hadn’t even been born yet on that modern “date which will live in infamy” but the horrendous events of that day were just the first of a seemingly endless chain of events which would shape her entire generation. Her birth year (2002) puts her right at the end of Generation Z, also called Zoomers, and generally recognized as that generation born between 1996 and 2010, immediately following the Millennials. They are the largest generation, constituting 32 percent of the global population — or 2.47 billion of the 7.7 billion people on Earth, surpassing the Boomers and the Millennials. Author Hunter S. Thompson in 1994 predicted with dark humor that “[Generation Z] will be like steerage passengers on the S.S. Titanic, trapped in the watery bowels of a sinking ‘unsinkable ship.’” Her generation witnessed one calamitous global event after another following 9/11. SARS. Global recession. Multiple (and multiplying) school shootings. Systemic racial discrimination and racially motivated violence. This was also the first generation since WWII who had grown up entirely under the shadow of war – first under the Iraqi War then the war in Afghanistan. It was almost fitting that for many of these kids, their entry into adulthood came in the midst of another global pandemic. Perhaps like monumental pressure turns a lump of carbon into a diamond, the constant stress exerted on these Zoomers by the world around them has turned these kids into something shiny and new. The young adults of Generation Z are far more independent than their predecessors, and they have a stronger entrepreneurial desire, possibly ignited by seeing their parents and older siblings struggle in the workforce during two recessions. They are the first digital natives, born in the digital age and never knowing a time without technology and the Internet, and so comfortable with social media that they were able to tank a Presidential rally through a platform designed to promote dance-offs. They have strong political convictions and act on them, from protesting in support of women’s health rights to promoting stronger gun control. Emma and millions of her brother and sister Zoomers leave for college over the next few weeks. Author and historian Neil Howe said in a Huffington Post article from 2011, “Generations are shaped by their place in history, and it’s an orientation that starts in childhood.” These kids were placed in one of the most turbulent times in the modern era but that has caused them to develop into the strongest and most focused demographic since post-WWII Boomers. They are politically aware and active, and they are out to change the world. I think they are up to the job – let them.

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Last month, I ended this column with “COMMUNITY.” It was my intention and hope that it would leave a lasting impression and provoke reflections on its meaning and our contributions. The word itself has become so commonly used, the connotation has gotten diluted to the degree that little of its original intent remains. When you think of your community, what comes to mind? Is it your neighborhood, your religious affiliation, your social circle, professional colleagues, etc.? They all fit the modern or popular definition, a group with common interests. However, do they hold up to the word’s root meanings? The derivation of “community” is comprised of two (sometimes three parts): Com, together with munis - the exchanges that link, joint, to fortify, strengthen or defend. Simply stated, it is “a coming together in unity.” An expanded understanding is, “a linking together to fortify, strengthen or defend.” It implies connection for a specific purpose and benefit beyond mere commonality. My massage therapist training and experience brings to mind the design of the joints of the body. Joints are junctions where bones come together supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a specific way to strengthen the joint, allowing it to move efficiently without damage. Independently, each of the parts have their purpose; bones are the structure, muscles support the bony structure and initiate movement, tendons connect muscles to bone and ligaments connect bone to bone. Without each other and their collective efforts, neither the joint nor the body itself could function, at least not optimally. If you have ever experienced a broken bone, torn ligament or tendon, or strained muscle, you will recall the joint is significantly compromised and the rest of the body is also impaired. The body in that way is a collection of communities of anatomical and physiological components. Now return your attention to your communities. Has anything shifted in your identification of them? Where is it that you experience a coming together for a specific purpose and are fortified, strengthened, and defended? Or where do you provide supportive unity? Authentic community is not a oneway street, there is an inherent reciprocity. It is dependent upon our desire, willingness, and intention to connect and contribute. As we continue to negotiate these uncertain times, with businesses in various stages of being open (or not), our children returning to some form of school, the ever-present need for vigilance to remain safe and heathy, and movements toward social justice reforms, remember in the center of community is “U.” Where and how will you engage in creating your authentic communities?

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Cindy E. Farrar, LMT, BCTMB, CLC is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach and the owner of Massage Associates of Atlanta, LLC (Lavista Road in Tucker). In addition, she is a certified Qi Gong instructor and a nationally approved continuing education provider for massage therapy and bodywork. Cindy enjoys sharing insights on wellness and personal and community development as a speaker and writer.

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Age Friendly Tucker: A Dream for Residents of All Abilities Dr. Lois Ricci An Age Friendly City’s goal is to address and meet the needs of all residents, regardless of ability. Caregiving has always been a role that family and friends have assumed in our society, but over the past two decades, that responsibility has increasingly included a growing number of older parents caring for adult children with lifelong disabilities. Nearly one million U.S. households have adult children with disabilities living with parent or family caregivers sixty or older. These families often find themselves facing increasing demands due to reduced resources of health, income, and social support. A recent survey found that most of these older caregivers have serious concerns about the future for themselves and for their dependent adult children. Who will provide care if they become unable to provide care due to a change in life circumstances or death? Up until the seventies, most people with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or other physical disabilities were institutionalized when families could not or would not care for them. After years of appealing to legislators and fighting for deinstitutionalization, most adults with disabilities now live in the community, with 80% of them residing with parents or other family members - a huge step towards inclusion but a step that requires considerable caregiving responsibility and planning. Tucker has a diverse population that spans all ages, races, cultures, social classes, lifestyles, and physical and mental abilities. There are many families in Tucker who care for adult children with disabilities, and the Age Friendly Tucker plan includes programs for those parents concerned for the future care of those children. Lois Shingler and Charlotte McKinnon, two mothers caring for adult sons with disabilities, came to the Lifelong Community Committee with the idea of a planned community where adults with disabilities could gather together to socialize and learn in a supportive and inclusive environment. This was the start of Peter and Paul’s Place, for which Shingler and McKinnon are currently gathering funding and resources. The first phase of Peter and Paul’s Place begins with a community center that will include a large open space for social and educational events, rooms for smaller classes and gatherings, a resource center and an art gallery, established to support the organization’s purposes and goals. The community center would be a place where people with all levels of abilities can gather safely, learn together, play together, create together, and build community. The community center will be available to rent for public or private events, with proceeds to support Peter and Paul’s Place. The ultimate goal of the organization is to provide a residential community that supports community connections. Adults with disabilities often find themselves isolated after they leave high school, but Peter and Paul’s Place seeks to provide a place and a way to connect and engage. Like many parents of adult children with disabilities, Shingler and McKinnon worry about when they are no longer here, and how their children will be cared for and able to participate in and contribute to their communities. Peter and Paul’s Place will provide safe and secure housing for these adult community members with disabilities, as well as social connection, supported employment, life-long learning opportunities, economic security, transportation options, access to medical and mental health support, and assistance in navigation through a complicated world of benefits. “There are so many opportunities for connection here in Tucker and so

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Common Sen$e: Raising Financially Responsible Kids Art Wood

McKinnon’s son Peter and Shingler’s son Paul on a family cruise. much support and need here for just such a center,” said Shingler. “We believe this is the ideal place to grow this dream.” Tucker Civic Association’s Lifelong Community Committee is reviewing each of the eight domains to maintain Tucker as an Age Friendly City: transportation, housing, outdoor spaces and public buildings, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, community supports and health services, and communication and information. Peter and Paul’s Place will be added to the action plan under Domain 5: Respect and Social Inclusion. To learn more about Peter and Paul’s Place, including sponsorship and donation opportunities, visit peterandpaulsplace.org. Dr. Lois Ricci is a longtime resident of Tucker, where she chairs the Tucker Civic Association’s Lifelong Community Committee. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at both Kennesaw State University and Clayton State University, where she teaches gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class.

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I attended a webinar recently teaching kids about money; as the parent of two young children, I felt like I could use some pointers. Even though I get to share my financial expertise on a daily basis, I was more than happy to learn about a different aspect of “financial planning.” What better opportunity to review your own financial planning than teaching your kids how to be financially responsible? It is never too early to start teaching your children about finances. I remember teaching Junior Achievement to a class of kindergarteners. They were sponges, and when I saw these same kids in the hall a year later, they proudly talked about having savings in their piggy bank as we had discussed in that earlier lesson. In the recent webinar, I learned that children develop a lot of the “foundation” of who they are by the age of seven. Just think if you could get them started with a solid financial foundation by that age! Do you feel like you are the last person who should be teaching children about money? Maybe because your own finances aren’t in the best shape? I understand teaching finances to your own children might be intimidating, but over ninety percent of kids surveyed said they learned about money from their parents or a teacher. My parents used to preach, “Don’t do as I do...do as I SAY.” You know what you SHOULD be doing even if you don’t always do it. Be honest and open in your conversations about money with your children, but above all be positive. Money is the number one stressor in the world, but we can give our children a great positive attitude towards finances early on. Two great topics to start the conversation are “Needs vs. Wants,” and “Saving vs. Spending.” As I sit here writing this article, I listened to my thirteen-yearold niece talking about how she HAD to have the newest iPhone, because hers was just “too old.” (That’s three years old, by the way.) I stopped her in mid-sentence; “Is that a need or a want?” Apparently, she had already had that talk with her parents; she answered that it was absolutely a WANT. Review with your children the differences. They understand that food, housing, transportation, healthcare, etc. are all needs; they need to understand that being extravagant in those areas can be wants. They (or you) don’t have to have the luxury car or mega-mansion. That brings us to “Saving vs. Spending.” You should break the explanation into “expenses,” “savings,” and “charity.” Personally, I like to start with the charity because in our family, we believe that you should give ten percent off the top to church or other charities. After that, you obviously have to cover your expenses. Discuss with your kids what your expenses are and how hard you work to put food on their plate, or a roof over their head. Hopefully it will make them appreciate the little things in their life more. After that, share with them why we save. We save for two things: for the unexpected, such as a repair, or maybe a job loss, and for fun and toys, but they need to know that the saving for fun and toys comes after ALL other needs are satisfied. I could write on this topic forever, as I believe raising children with a

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basic understanding of finances is so important. As parents we have the job of shaping the next generation to take on the world. When they reach adulthood, they should be more prepared than we think they are, but that’s because we took the time to teach them the important stuff in life. Art Wood (NMLS #118234) is the branch manager of Legacy Mortgage Team of Goldwater Bank, located at 2341 Main Street in downtown Tucker. “Tucker’s Mortgage Guy” for fifteen years, he is a former Tucker Tiger (Class of ’92), and co-founder and organizer of Taste of Tucker. Family guy, community guy, and definitely not your typical mortgage guy - it’s all that he does that makes Art Wood who he is. Contact him at 678.534.5834 or art.wood@goldwaterbank.com.

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Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Launches Fall Semester with In-Person and Virtual Class Options, Outdoor Theatre Productions

2020 Census: There’s Still Time to Be Counted Our Town DeKalb Staff Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Census due date is extended to the end of October. As of July 1, 65% of Tucker’s eligible residents had responded to the census – well ahead of state and national response rates, but short of the city’s 100% participation goal. Why is the U.S. Census important? The U.S. Constitution empowers Congress to carry out the census in “such manner as they shall by Law direct” (Article I, Section 2), and your response is required by law. In addition to providing an accurate analysis of the U.S. population, your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities like Tucker and DeKalb County for schools, roads, and other public services. Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government. If a municipality is under-counted in the Census, it misses out on a lot of these benefits. The global pandemic may have interrupted the 2020 Census process, but there is still time to be counted. The questionnaire only takes about ten minutes to complete, and it’s safe, secure, and confidential. If you misplaced the questionnaire you received back in March, you can complete the form online at my2020census.gov. You may receive a phone call from a census worker to complete your questionnaire over the phone. Census workers also may follow up in person to homes that have not responded to the Census; all census takers will wear masks and follow safety protocols. However you do it – make sure to “Be Counted!”

Our Town DeKalb Staff Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts (SRAA) will begin its fall semester on August 10, offering students both in-person and virtual instruction, and outdoor performances by its drama students of two popular musicals. Private lessons are available in piano, voice, violin, guitar, drums, ukulele and mandolin, as well as classes in beginner piano (ages 6-9), dance (ages 3 to adult,) oil painting for adults, and drama for elementary and high school. All classes will offer students the option of in-person instruction at the Academy or virtual lessons, providing a safe environment for in-person following recommended COVID-19 guidelines. The SRAA Drama Department will stage two productions in the fall, both performed on an outdoor stage providing safety for cast and audience. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Annie Jr. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in a production by the academy’s summer elementary drama students, September 18-20. Originally scheduled for March but postponed because of the pandemic, the Academy’s summer high-school drama students will stage Fiddler on the Roof, October 16-18. All performances are free to the public; details including performance times are available on smokerisebaptist.org/arts. SRAA will expand its teaching staff in August with the addition of pianist Hsin Shih Faith Liu (pictured). Taiwanese-born Liu has enjoyed a diverse musical career as a noted recitalist and educator, and is a prize winner of the 2020 Georgia State University Piano Competition. Liu received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance from Lee University, and is currently pursuing a master’s in piano pedagogy. In addition to her new position at SRAA, Liu also teaches piano at Georgia State University. For more information or registration, on all classes and private lessons, contact Denise Burcham at 678.533.0562 or artsacademy@smokerisebaptist.org.

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Tucker Banker and Wife Save a Life in Local Restaurant

Back Talk: Back to School, Back to Normal? Karl Schwartz

L.A. Dison When Harvey Gilbert and his wife Deitra decided to try out a Northlake Chinese restaurant, they may have noticed Joe Henderson and his wife Kay as they too waited to be seated. Neither couple were there for any special reason – just a regular evening dinner. Little did either couple know that, in less than an hour, an almost tragic event would suddenly and inextricably bring them together and change strangers to forever friends. Joe, a professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, lives in Lawrenceville; he and Kay had travelled over to Northlake to dine at one of their favorite restaurants. Harvey, a commercial banker at Center State, and his wife live in Northlake, and were eating at the Chinese restaurant for the first time that evening. The couples were seated at adjacent tables, and shortly after placing their orders, were soon enjoying delicious Chinese cuisine as they each chatted about their day. The relaxed calm of the restaurant was abruptly broken by Kay’s frantic shouts. Harvey was seated facing Joe and his wife’s table, and when he saw her jump to her feet, realized that Joe was choking. Harvey and Deitra, who is an RN at Northside Hospital, jumped immediately to the other table to help. Deitra tried administering the Heimlich maneuver on Joe, to no effect; he was still choking and now had turned dangerously blue and slumped to the table as he struggled to breathe. Harvey took over from Deitra, and after a few more aggressive abdominal thrusts, was able to dislodge the food from Joe’s throat and restore his breathing to normal.

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Gilbert and Henderson practice social distancing in a reunion photo. This was not the first time that Harvey and Deitra had rendered aid to help a stranger. Once on a trip to Mexico, Deitra has been called on to perform CPR on a man who had passed out nearby, and they later found out he had suffered a heart attack. What does Harvey think about his wife and him as “Good Samaritans” saving lives? “My wife and I both understand the importance of remaining calm in emergency situations; we worked as team, doing our best to help another person. We were fortunate being there to help.” As for Joe, the whole event happened so quickly that it was over almost as soon as he realized he was in danger. “I was just trying to breathe and was surprised that I was choking. I didn’t see Harvey coming from behind me, but was greatly relieved when I realized someone had come to my aid. It was definitely the first time anyone had ever come to my assistance using the Heimlich maneuver – hopefully it will be the last time I need it!” When Joe was able to breathe again, he asked for his saviors’ names and contact information. Harvey was hesitant at first. “We started not to provide that information because we wanted nothing in return,” he said. “We felt blessed to be in the right place at the right time; seeing Joe breathe again, and hearing him speak, was enough reward for my wife and me.” But the two agreed to a thank-you dinner from Joe and Kay, and the couples hit it off immediately. COVID-19 is keeping them currently physically apart, but Joe and Harvey still keep in touch via phone, and plan to reconnect in person as soon as safely possible. “We both know we’ve made friends for life.” Harvey and Joe both agree that the incident has a lesson for everyone. “We believe that it’s a good practice knowing how to administer CPR and Heimlich, to small children and infants as well as adults,” said Harvey. “I first learned it years ago, as a Scout; of course, my wife learned it as an RN. But anyone can learn this life-saving skill from the American Red Cross, and they should. You never know when you will be there to save someone’s life.” The American Red Cross delivers CPR training designed for the way you live and learn. With options available on weekdays and weekends, plus online, in-person and blended Simulation Learning courses, you can get the CPR training you need on your schedule. And with world-class instruction, no matter which type of course you take, you’ll gain the skills and confidence necessary to perform this life-saving procedure when it’s needed most. Visit redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr for more information.

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Normally, when I think of August, I think of the summer winding down, one last fling over the Labor Day weekend, and a return to a regular schedule for kids and families. But COVID makes this year’s return to school anything but normal. Kids are dealing with the uncertainty of whether they will return to school or continue at home with online learning. If they are returning to a school building, there is the stress for them of adhering to strict requirements regarding social distancing and mandatory masking. Parents, particularly single parents, are scrambling to figure out how to respond to pandemic recommendations and shift their work schedules to accommodate their kids who may or may not be in school full time. Parents overseeing their kids’ virtual assignments tips the stress load completely over. STRESS, STRESS, and more STRESS. Parents were stressed as they continued to try to balance career, family, and life in the “new normal.” Changing work schedules, changing school schedules, and changing afterschool programs mean a completely reinvented life for all family members. With little to no advance warning, COVID forced teachers and school administrators to quickly change education to an emergency virtual program that most educational systems were not designed to handle. All kids, from elementary to college, have had to respond and react to constantly changing new systems. All industries were disrupted as well. Companies had to quickly assess and readdress systems and schedules, as guidelines evolved and deadlines changed. Workloads and stress loads increased exponentially. Employees had to transition quickly to work from home, or figure out how to pay their bills when faced with reduced hours or furloughs. The food and restaurant industry was hit the hardest, dealing with a mandatory shut-down as it rethought and reset its service paradigms, then struggled with the mechanics of reopening safely.

type of stress and be proactive. Movement, exercise, massage therapy, yoga, and chiropractic adjustments all break the stress cycle. Have you and your family had your monthly adjustments? Dr Karl Schwartz is a graduate of Life University in Marietta, Georgia; he has been practicing chiropractic in Tucker for twenty-one years and a resident here for fifteen years. His office specializes in preventing sports injuries and maximizing performance by analyzing posture, weight bearing, and gait. If you have a question you would like addressed in a future column, please email karlschwartzdc@gmail.com. Note “Back Talk” in the subject line.

Stress abounds!!! What happens when your body is stressed? There are two types of stress – acute and chronic. Think of the caveman when considering acute stress. When a caveman went out hunting for food and encountered a lion, his body went into “fight or flight” mode, meaning he either faced the threat straight on (fight) or removed himself from the threat by running away (flight). This extremely quick brain reaction created a cascade of events that supported the body’s “fight or flight,” including increases in heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to muscles, and respiration to get oxygen to muscles. Normally, acute stress occurs and ends rather quickly, within a few minutes, and then the body returns to normal function. However, the stress caused by COVID is chronic stress, constant stress over a prolonged period of time. Chronic stress can damage otherwise healthy systems. Symptoms of prolonged stress include headaches, increased blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, upset stomach, aches and pains, tense muscles, insomnia, and increased colds and infections. What can we do about chronic stress? First, realize we are all subject to this

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Beauty Byline with Sanah Unwanted guests taking over your face? It may be Maskne Sanah Sayani We all break out for different reasons but if you’ve started to notice acne around your mouth, you may have a case of Maskne - acne caused by masks. As masks quickly become a necessary accessory, your skin will need some extra TLC. Those pimples won’t stop popping up without your help. If you’ve worn a mask recently (you should be!), you know those things can be hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable. The sweat buildup plus the bacteria from your exhale can clog your pores causing acne. The constant rubbing against your skin can also cause irritation and inflammation. Your face is not used to this. You do not have to live like this. Make some minor changes and your skin will thank you. Clean your mask: Never wear a dirty mask. You should be washing your mask after every wear to ensure it is bacteria-free. If you’re in an environment where you’re sweating or dirty, you should have extra masks to swap out so you can keep your skin as clean as possible. Pick the right fabric: There are masks in so many different fabrics. People are getting creative with embellished masks but if you can’t wash it, you can’t keep it clean. You need to be able to wash it after every wear, so it has to be

durable. You should try out different fabrics to see if you’re sensitive to some more than others. My skin has responded well to one hundred percent cotton. Add some new products: You should be washing your face before and after wearing a mask. Experts recommend switching to a gentle or sensitive face wash and finding an acne ointment to control the flare-up. Adding a protective barrier cream or petroleum jelly could also help with the breakout. Don’t overdo it: Patience. Give the products a chance to work. If you keep piling on acne creams, you’ll only irritate your skin more. You should also stop touching your face when you’re not wearing a mask. Avoid wearing makeup: Masks can get hot and humid, trapping in moisture. If you must wear makeup, keep it light and make sure it is not going to clog your pores. Your skin needs to breathe as much as possible. Let your skin breathe: Unless you’re having to wear a mask for long hours at work, you need to let your skin breathe. Health experts say you only need to wear a mask if you can’t maintain a safe distance and in enclosed public spaces. There are many reasons why you may be breaking out but these tips could help keep the acne away. I use Clinique products to help with my random flare-ups. They’ve been working for me so far. Share with me at threadbeautyspa@gmail.com what you’re doing to keep your skin feeling fresh and healthy.

...at it’s ﬁnest! Local and farm fresh, Sherry’s produce is our exclusive source for fresh vege�a�les and frui�s. �ome �as�e �he di�erence��

Mask Up and Stay Safe. Sanah Sayani is a master cosmetologist and owner of Thread Beauty Spa (4426 Hugh Howell Road in the Tucker Publix Shopping center). Her monthly column seeks to answer readers’ beauty concerns; write to her at threadbeautyspa@gmail.com, or drop by the shop to ask her in person!

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SHOPS OF HERITAGE PLACE 4450 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker, GA 30084

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www.MagnoliaRoomTucker.com

(770) 864-1845

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