OUR TOWN DEKALB (NOVEMBER 2020)

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NETWorks:

Feeding the Body, Feeding the Soul

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ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #15 Monroe, GA

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7 Wellness In-Sight: Taking Care of Yourself Is Not Being Selfish 9 Back Talk: Don’t Fall Prey to Holiday Temptations 18 Tucker Parks Plans Better Access to Henderson Waterfall

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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 Cindy E. Farrar Doug Reynics Lois Ricci Sanah Sayani Karl Schwartz Art Wood

Entire contents copyright 2020 by Our Town DeKalb and Shiny Inc LLC. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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 4 NETWorks Cooperative Ministry: Feeding the Body, Feeding the Soul 6 The Bits in Between: Rethinking Thanksgiving 7 Wellness In-Sight: Taking Care of Yourself Is Not Being Selfish 8 Age Friendly Tucker: Housing as We Age - Challenges and Solutions 9 Common Sen$e: Six Ways to Fix Your Credit – and Why It Matters (Part 1) 10 Tucker Parks to Sponsor Drive-Thru Campfire Night 11 Local Rotary Clubs to Hold Electronics Recycling Event 12 Food for Thought: Buy Local for Your Thanksgiving Meal 13 Back Talk: Don’t Fall Prey to Holiday Temptations 14 Beauty Byline with Sanah: Don’t Get Harried by Hair Removal 16 FODAC Hits Hole-in-One with 2020 Golf Fundraiser 17 Mayor Auman Says MASK UP! 18 Quick Clinic Opens in Tucker 18 Tucker Parks Plans Better Access to Henderson Waterfall ON THE COVER: Volunteers Emma Vautrot and Mel Night and Executive Director David Fisher prepare for a pantry day at NETWorks Cooperative Ministry.

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On The Cover:

NETWorks Cooperative Ministry:

Feeding the Body, Feeding the Soul L.A. Dison

NETWorks volunteers work pop-up drive-thru events like this one at Northlake Church of Christ in October. According to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, DeKalb County has experienced a forty percent increase in the number of people experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic; it has seen a three hundred percent increase in inquiries from people seeking food assistance. Local nonprofit NETWorks Cooperative Ministry offers help and hope for those in Tucker. The main mission of NETWorks is providing emergency food assistance through its pantry, but it also provides financial assistance for rent and utilities. Families with dependent children who are experiencing homelessness can also turn to NETWorks for short-term motel stays. For people facing a more ongoing food insecurity, a Good Neighbor Grocery Alliance membership provides more food than from the pantry but also a supportive group of people in similar circumstances. Many of the members of the Alliance state that the community support of that group is more important than the food, although the food can provide up to three-fourths of their monthly needs. NETWorks was founded in 2004 by North East Ministers’ Organization (NEMO), which included several members of Tucker’s local clergy. Finding that many of the pastors’ churches were being asked daily for assistance by both

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Retired DeKalb police officer Mel Night loads groceries for a NETWorks family on a pantry day. members and non-members, the group decided to formalize and expand the organization. Twelve churches originally joined together to launch the new organization, which was named NETWorks Cooperative Ministry. Today, nineteen area churches support the mission. David Fisher has served as executive director of NETWorks since 2016 after a career in the food service equipment industry. As a new college graduate, he had spent a few years as a volunteer serving low income families in Appalachian Kentucky, but soon moved into the private sector with a company building college and corporate cafeterias. Even while building a successful career, he longed for the kind of spiritual fulfillment that came from helping others in need. In 2015 he resigned from his job, with no plan of where he was going. But like a miracle, a position with NETWorks opened and when he found the office was in Tucker a mile from

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Fresh bread is donated weekly by Aldi’s, Masada Bakery and Sprouts. his house, he felt the opportunity was literally a divine direction. “I find it beautiful that my first day was Leap Day!” said Fisher. Before the pandemic, one in five Tucker residents experienced food insecurity, with forty percent of them working adults and thirty-two percent of them children. Because of school closings and the loss of access to schoolprovided breakfasts and lunches, that number for children is now up to fifty percent. The number of families coming to the pantry is currently more than double the number NETWorks saw pre-pandemic and the number continues to grow each day. Since the pandemic started, Fisher has been overwhelmed by the response from the Tucker community in time, material and funding. “Many of our volunteers were retired and older, so they were in vulnerable categories and, following COVID recommendations, were sheltering at home,” stated Fisher. “Suddenly, we didn’t know where we would get the staff to operate. But students and adults who were working from home or were furloughed contacted us, fully staffing the pantry and helping us figure out how to operate outdoors. We didn’t miss a single day of operation.” When everyone else was finding shortages in the grocery stores, so was NETWorks. “But again the community came forward, risking shopping trips for us or drop-shipping food from Amazon or Walmart or wherever.” Most importantly, people started sending in funds. Fisher was amazed at the outpouring of generosity, particularly from those who were experiencing their own hardships. “People donated their stimulus checks, offering it for those who needed it more. First-time donors were sending in hundred-dollar donations. The support has allowed us to triple our monthly budget for food purchases and we have increased our financial assistance each month by 800%!” Tucker City Government has also stepped up its support of NETWorks. Even before the pandemic, the organization and the city had worked together on a couple of initiatives, including a simulation of food insecurity for staff and elected officials that helped amplify the everyday food challenges faced by Tucker’s lower income community. The City recently awarded NETWorks up to $900,000 of the CARES Act funding it received from DeKalb County; the majority of that will be used to help pay back rent, overdue mortgages and past due utility bills for at-risk residents. NETWorks will also be expanding its food program to include mobile or “pop up” pantries spread across the city. “The details are still being finalized,” explained Fisher, “but we hope to work with our church partners and possibly apartment complexes to get food to those neighbors who need it.” The stated mission of NETWorks is “to respond with the hospitality of Christ to the food and financial needs of residents and to partner with them to find

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long-term solutions to poverty.” One of the main tenets of what and how it serves is “mutuality.” “We believe that we are all equal, which is why we refer to each person as ‘neighbor’ instead of client, case, or something less personal,” explained Fisher. “There are neighbors needing food, neighbors needing to volunteer, neighbors who donate and so on. We believe we are all broken—that’s part of the human condition and part of sin being in the world. But the way we are broken can heal the way another is broken.” NETWorks Cooperative Ministry is located at 2380 4th Street in Tucker. The pantry is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For information on current pantry operations, volunteer sign up, donating food or funds, or program, visit networkscoop.org. (Note: Currently NETWorks is not accepting online applications. Please call 770.939.6454 for details.)

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Tom Edmondson

The Bits in Between: Rethinking Thanksgiving

OurTown NE DeKalb Community and Family Magazine

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Thanksgiving celebrations this year will be different. As with everything else, COVID has required a rethinking of events and traditions. Family gatherings may not take place in person for safety concerns, or at the least involve smaller groups. Traveling is still a risky business domestically, and forget about going outside the U.S. since many countries still have bans on American tourism due to our continuing high rates of infection. Even the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is going to be “reimagined” as a virtual event; New York Mayor de Blasio revealed in a recent press release that the holiday festivities may not be “a live parade, but something that will really give us that warmth and that great feeling we have on Thanksgiving Day.” And not just the pandemic has changed the way we celebrate the holiday. The mythology of the first Thanksgiving is being replaced with a more accurate historical account, forcing us to view it less from a European perspective and to consider the role of Native Americans in our history. So how do we celebrate Thanksgiving? The heart of the celebration remains the same – to give thanks for what we have. The best way to do that is to consider those less fortunate, to provide grace through giving. Two of our stories this issue show us how to do just that. Our cover story is about Tucker’s NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, our local coop addressing the food and financial needs of residents. A donation of food or funds or even your volunteer time would share the spirit of gratitude with those less fortunate. Our newest writer Doug Reynics (whom many Tuckerites know as “Doug the Driver”) reminds us that our local businesses are still recovering from the pandemic, and shopping local for the holidays, especially as you prepare for Thanksgiving, will give them a reason to offer thanks. There’s a meme currently making the rounds on Facebook: “What if you woke up today with only what you thanked God for yesterday?” Don’t just show gratitude for your blessings on Thanksgiving Day. Be thankful for what you have every day, and everyday think of how you can share that gratitude with others.

Lizbeth A. Dison Publisher and Editor

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Wellness In-Sight: Taking Care of Yourself Is Not Being Selfish Cindy E. Farrar No doubt our holiday season this year will be different than years past. In light of the current state of Covid-19 affairs, our choices regarding how, when, where and with whom we will spend our time and energy may be more stressfilled than ever before. With greater considerations regarding health and safety, emotions and sensitivities are likely to run high. Making decisions that are in our collective and personal best interests, physically and emotionally, and maintaining our position may take additional inner strength. It is important to give ourselves permission to not be swayed, guilted or shamed into compromising our wellbeing. One of the ongoing exercises we have been experiencing the last eight months, and what will be especially needful this holiday season, is boundary setting. In my twenties, a friend, who at the time was working towards her psychology degree, when coaching me through a personal situation, recommended I consider setting boundaries. My response was, “No thank you, that’s the ‘B’ word.” The term was just gaining traction at the time. I knew it would take some internal adjustments, though I wasn’t sure of the fullness of the implications. Frankly, it was scary. Many (dare I say) decades later, and after much experience, training and learning, I no longer find boundaries to be scary. They are one of our most valuable personal and professional tools. As a massage and bodywork continuing education provider, I now teach my student professionals the need for healthy boundaries. And I share with my life and business coaching clients, the role and value of boundaries in all aspects of our interacting. Generally speaking, boundaries are delineations of space and time. They can be physical

like our bodies; emotional as in expressing our feelings; visible like a fence or our personal space, (think Patrick Swayze in “Dirty Dancing”: “This is your dance space, this is my dance space”); or invisible like time. Boundaries have the potential to help make us feel safe and comfortable. Additional significant characteristics of boundaries are that they are subjective, situational and can be adjusted. Therefore, they can also establish expectations. Previously, we might have been the social butterfly, accepting every invitation. This year, we may choose to set a new boundary and decline some or all of the invitations. Or we may establish particular boundary parameters around those invitations we do accept; the preferred location, the length of time spent, our distancing comfort, etc. It is important to note that when we do adjust our boundaries, it requires those around us to also adapt.

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The response may not always be welcoming to the change. Our family and friends may genuinely be disappointed and may express it. Fact is, we too may be disappointed despite feeling the need to put certain boundaries in place. Remember our boundaries are our choices to make without excuse or apology. Taking care of yourself is not being selfish. 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: Housing as We Age Challenges and Solutions Lois Ricci and Guy van Ort The baby boomers are aging. Baby boomers began turning 65 in 2011 and many are experiencing a new sort of aging. Boomers are more likely to work longer, start a second career, volunteer or take classes than their parents’ generation. And they want to stay in place, in familiar surroundings, as they age. In a recently conducted national study on housing and aging, 71 percent of people 45 to 65 years said they hope to remain in their homes as they age. This has changed the way homes need to be designed. Since the boomers now are looking more at “aging in place,” their homes need to accommodate the decreased mobility and ability that sometimes accompanies aging. Since housing is one of the eight domains that influence the community’s overall health and quality of life, the discussion of how to accommodate boomers as they move through the varying stages of aging is an important part of the Age Friendly Tucker committee plan to maintain Tucker’s Age Friendly Designation. There are numerous housing challenges that anyone faces as they age, including affordability, accessibility, linking to services and health care. Expanding the supply of aging-friendly housing options, rental assistance, home repairs and modifications, accessible residential design and community planning, as well as improving the links between housing and healthcare, can help all of us age safely, comfortably and affordably in our homes and communities The solution for the aging boomers (and the following generations) is to work toward an inclusive housing market in Tucker where residents of all ages and means can stay in their home as long as they choose or move into something that will better suit their needs. Cooperative housing (the subject of the October column) has been discussed as has the idea of a tiny home development. Silver Nest, a program that pairs older homeowners with roommates (as in the television series “Golden Girls”), is growing across the country. Moderately priced townhomes and condos, cluster homes, and apartments also are being considered. Universal Design (making buildings, products or environments accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors) has become an essential part of the housing development process. Stepless entry and lever door handles, or a first-floor bedroom and bath, are elements of a universal design home. Because some main rooms need to be on the first floor doesn’t mean that boomers won’t have two-story homes; rather, guest bedrooms or home offices might be upstairs. Ease of redesign or adaptation is a requirement; for instance, installing stacked cabinets can leave space that be converted to install an elevator if needed. Seventy million people will be over 65 by 2030. That’s twenty percent of the U.S. population. Will Tucker and its housing market be ready?

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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. Guy van Ort is a realtor and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) with Keller Williams Realty in Tucker. He is a member of Tucker Civic Association’s Lifelong Community Committee.

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Common Sen$e: Six Ways to Fix Your Credit – and Why It Matters (Part 1) Art Wood Being in the mortgage business, I have become far more educated about credit than I ever wanted to be. Over the last several years, I came up with a saying: “With a good credit score and a good reputation, you can get anywhere in life.” I believe this to be true. Credit score is not a judgment of character; it is a judgement based on the likelihood you will pay a creditor back. If someone knows they are going to get paid back on a loan (credit card, mortgage, car loan, etc.), they will give you the best terms available. On the flip side, if they are nervous about getting paid back, then you will pay through the nose for credit, or worse, you will get declined. Let’s face it, today’s world is expensive, so let’s take a look at ways to improve your credit score and start saving money! Step 1: Pay down debt. To start, it is not how much you owe in debt. Rather, it is how much money you owe vs. how much money you can borrow. You can owe a million dollars in credit card debt, but if you have a ten million dollar limit, your credit score is going to be great. The reverse is true as well. You can owe $10 in credit card debt, but if you have an $11 limit, your credit score is going to stink. The thought process behind this is that someone who is highly leveraged is desperate to find money wherever they can. Per FICO, your debt to limit ratio accounts for 30% of your score. The best rule of thumb is not to go above 25% to 30% of your limit ever, and the easiest way to increase your credit score is to either pay down your debt, or call to increase your credit limit. Step 2: Correct past mistakes. We get it. Mistakes happen, but they do not have to ruin your credit score forever. The biggest mistakes I see are collections and judgments. Please do not just let those sit on your credit. They report every month as negatives on your credit report and keep your score low. There is no better time than now to call those creditors and work out an arrangement to pay them off. Most often, creditors will settle for less or even let you work out a payment plan. As I will mention next month, paying off collections and judgments is not an instant fix to your credit, but it will be a step in the right direction. Step 3: Fix or dispute other people’s errors. Sometimes companies mess up, and they need to fix the problem. It is critical to always monitor your credit, so that you catch errors as soon as possible. As soon as you see an error, contact the creditor and get it fixed. Disputing the creditor will basically “hide” it from reporting until the item in question is settled. Just an FYI though, accounts that are currently in dispute can be an issue when getting a mortgage. These are some good starting steps for you to tackle over the next thirty days. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will be back next month for Part Two of “Six Ways to Fix Your Credit.”

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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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Tucker Parks to Sponsor Drive-Thru Campfire Night Our Town DeKalb Our Town Staff DeKalb Staff Tucker Parks and Recreation will sponsor a drive-thru Campfire Night on Saturday, November 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. by the Peach Pit at Kelley Cofer Park (4259 N Park Drive). Attendees can drive through and pick up a packet of ingredients (graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate) to make and enjoy smores at home or over their own campfire.

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Local Rotary Clubs to Hold Electronics Recycling Event Our Town DeKalb Staff The Rotary Club of Tucker and the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain will host an Electronics and HME (home medical equipment) Recycling Day on Saturday, November 7, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Handy Hardware, 3969 Lawrenceville Highway (Town Square Center) in Tucker. The event will benefit Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC). Working and non-working electronics (with the exception of CRT monitors and televisions) and gently used HME, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, commode chairs and shower benches, will be accepted for recycling at no charge, but participants are encouraged to make a donation to FODAC. Funds and equipment collected from the event will support FODAC’s main program supplying HME to the mobility impaired and their caregivers, at little or no cost to the recipients. The event will be held outside in the front of the shopping square parking lot facing Lawrenceville Highway; donors are not required to get out of their cars or make contact with volunteers, who will help remove donated items from the trunk or rear of vehicles. Volunteers will be masked and practice social distancing. FODAC is based in Tucker but serves the Metro Atlanta community by providing recycled equipment for children and adults during or after a health crisis. Last year, FODAC donated over $14 million in equipment at little or no cost to recipients. FODAC, as a member of National VOAD and a partner

with FEMA, also provides support in the wake of disasters; the organization is currently working to distribute critical personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, surgical gloves, and gowns to essential medical workers, and medical equipment like CPAPs and ventilators for patients.

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Food for Thought: Buy Local for Your Thanksgiving Meal Doug Reynics Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, and right after that is Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28, is Small Business Saturday, which encourages holiday shoppers to patronize local businesses. Small Business Saturday is even more crucial this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on our local businesses. Small business is a big deal in Tucker; in 2019, 75 percent of the businesses licensed here were classified as small business, with less than ten employees. We as a community need to support our local business owners and the best way is through spending our shopping dollars locally, especially as we plan our Thanksgiving feasts. For cooking the main meal, Tucker Meat Market (2187 Brockett Road) carries fresh turkeys, smoked turkeys and prime rib (all locally sourced), as well as many fresh seafood options. Sherry’s Produce (3863 Lawrenceville Highway, corner of Brockett Road and Lawrenceville Highway) offers an assortment of fruits and vegetables, always fresh and most locally sourced. Looking for beer and wine recommendations for your meal? Tucker Beer, Wine and Spirits (3853 Lawrenceville Highway, Brockett Square) is located behind Sherry’s Produce, and across the street from Tucker Meat Market. (You can park in Brockett Square and walk to all three in the same trip.) Smoke Rise Bottle Shop (1559 Lilburn Stone Mountain Road) has an extensive selection of wines and other spirits. Ron, a wine expert there with over twenty years’ experience, can recommend the perfect accompaniment

for your meats and seafood, or to enjoy on its own. For a red wine, Ron recommends a Pinot Noir, with two of his top choices The Paring or 14 Hands. For a white wine, Ron recommends Pinot Grigio Bottega Vinaia. For beer, Tucker at Tucker Brewing (2003 S Bibb Drive) recommends their TKR Pilsner or Tucker Lager, both of which are available there or at many Tucker beer and wine stores (including Kroger at Cofer Crossing or Embry Hills). For seafood, you can purchase their Southern Heaven Hefeweizen on site there. Not cooking but want to serve a big spread for family or friends? Pre-order for pick-up at Matthew’s Cafeteria (2229 Main Street) or Magnolia Room Cafeteria (4450 Hugh Howell Road, in the Shops at Heritage Place); both restaurants serve the best in traditional Southern Thanksgiving cuisine, including casseroles, main meals, desserts and other items. Collard Green Cafe (1880 Mountain Industrial Road) is your go-to for to-go soul food. Formerly located in the Shell station at the corner of Hugh Howell and Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road, the new location is expanded and upgraded, and one worth patronizing. Owner James Paige says they sell about a hundred fried turkeys every Thanksgiving – order yours now so you don’t miss out! For Thanksgiving desserts, CocoCakes (4404 Hugh Howell Road, in Tucker Station) is a delicious and popular option for all things cakes. (Try their signature Sock It to Me Pound Cake.) Nothing Bundt Cakes (4280 LaVista Road, in Tucker Meridian) is a solid choice for its Holiday Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake. This is a critical time for our local restaurants, markets, breweries and food vendors, as they work to recover from business losses incurred over the past few months. Please consider any of these local options as you plan your holiday table. Doug Reynics is a longtime Tucker resident and self-described “foodie.” Many know him as Doug the Driver, who provides rides to and from both the domestic and international airport terminals. (To date his service has provided 1,450 airport rides!) If you have a food story or question you would like to see him write about, email him at dougthedriver1@gmail.com.

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Back Talk: Don’t Fall Prey to Holiday Temptations Karl Schwartz Summer is now in our rearview mirror as we travel optimistically through fall toward the holiday season. The economy is in recovery; jobs and employment are improving, the stock market is roaring back to its previous pre-COVID high, and schools are back in session (either virtually or via a hybrid model). The COVID crisis has been rough on us all, but we are slowly moving back to and accepting our “new normal” of virtual work and school. For most of us, working from home has subjected us to poor ergonomic work stations and less movement. Many of us now work close to the kitchen, where the temptations of stress eating and mindless snacking have led to the dreaded “COVID 19,” those unwanted extra pounds gained during the pandemic. One of the first things I do when a patient comes in during their exam is to get their accurate height and weight. From this I can calculate their BMI (Body Mass Index). This tells me whether their weight is normal, overweight, obese, or extremely obese. Being overweight or extremely overweight is directly related to serious health risks such as coronary heart disease, strokes and diabetes. Less concerning but still negatively impacting quality of life is the pain related to arthritis, and degenerative joint and disk disease. I tell all my patients to know their BMI. According to data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): • More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight. • More than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity. • More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to have obesity. • About 1 in 13 adults were considered to have extreme obesity. • About 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity. When we look forward to the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hannukah seasons, we need to be aware of our temptations. “Prevention” is good advice when it comes to health. If you are wary about going to the gym, there is a myriad of online work-outs, many of which are free to follow. Yoga classes and meditation classes also are easy to find online. If you don’t have sugary foods and snacks at home. you are much less likely to consume them. Prepare healthy meals by planning in advance and shopping according to your planned meals. I like to make more healthy dinners and plan healthy leftovers for lunch rather than relying on fast food restaurants. Secondly, get out and move. Plan breaks during work at home where you can walk the dog, do a twenty-minute online work-out, or plan family walks, bike rides or runs. I always say it is not what you do from Christmas to New Year that matters, it is what you do from New Year to Christmas. Know that the holiday seasons are a challenge with food; plan, prepare, stay active, and don’t overdo it! 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.

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Beauty Byline with Sanah:

Don’t Get Harried by Hair Removal Sanah Sayani

Are you tired of shaving every day? Have you been researching hair removal methods? Managing unwanted hair can be hard, especially for those always on-the-go. But what if I told you sugar, lemon and water may be the answer to your prayers? Common hair removal methods include shaving, plucking, waxing, threading, laser, electrolysis and depilatory creams. Shaving cuts the hair; plucking, waxing and threading pull the hair out from the roots; laser hair removal destroys the hair bulb; electrolysis destroys the hair follicle; and depilatory creams dissolve the hair shaft. Electrolysis and laser hair removal are the more permanent options while the others offer temporary or semi-permanent solutions. Each method of hair removal comes with its pros and cons. I’m going to focus on waxing and threading for the purpose of this article. Threading A thin cotton or polyester thread (like you use in your sewing machine) is doubled, then twisted. It is then rolled over areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing, where single hairs are pulled out one at a time, threading can remove short rows of hair, which is why it is the preferred method to shape eyebrows because of its precision and accuracy.

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This method is best for smaller areas like eyebrows or face but not for the rest of the body. Typical regrowth time is two to three weeks. Waxing There are two types of waxing, using natural sugar or a more artificial-based wax. Both techniques lift hair from the root of the hair follicle and have a longer effect on the skin than shaving. In both methods, users report seeing hair growth diminish over time. Sugar wax is made of sugar, lemon and water. It is applied in the opposite direction of hair growth to lift the hair and trap it in the stickiness of the sugar, then pulled out with the hair’s natural direction. The process uses either strips or paste, but for effective removal, hair needs to be at least 1/16 inch long. There are many advantages to sugaring for hair removal. It’s the best option for sensitive skin since it is organic, gluten-free and applied at room temperature. Because the sugar wax is not hot and does not stick to the skin, there is also no risk of redness or irritation. Sugar waxing causes less ingrown hair and is generally less painful than other hair removal methods. Other wax is made from resins and a mixture of natural ingredients and chemicals, and must be heated before application. Using muslin strips and wooden spatulas, waxes are applied in the direction of hair growth and pulled out against it, which sometimes can cause redness and inflammation common side effects that can be prevented with proper post-waxing care. Hair needs to be at least 1/4-inch long for waxing to be effective. Not all waxes work on sensitive skin; hard waxes and special soft waxes are the best options in that case. If you’ve been thinking about getting a wax, now is the best time to begin the journey. My personal preference is sugar wax. In one year of consistent waxing, my hair is down 25% and I’m able to go four to six weeks between waxes. Every body is different but take my advice and start now - get waxed every three to four weeks so by the time summer rolls around, you’re ready to put on that bikini! 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!

From Obamacare to Trumpcare to BobcaresSM

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Since 1998

MASSAGE ASSOCIATES OF A TLANTA , LLC GA License #MT000505

We are gradually re-opening for therapeutic massage!

with limited hours, staff MASSAGE ASSOCIATES and appointment availability. OF A TLANTA , LLC

Thank you for your patience & continued support!

Since 1998

GA License #MT000505

Wellness Classes Online, convenient and affordable We are gradually re-opening for therapeutic massage!

YOGA for Every body with limited hours, staff Monday & Thursday 11:00am and appointment availability. Thank you for your patience & continued support! TAI CHI QI GONG for Life & Body Balance Tuesday & Thursday 1:00pm

Wellness Classes

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YOGA for Every body Monday & Thursday 11:00am

Happy Thanksgiving!

TAI CHI QI GONG for Life & Body Balance Tuesday & Thursday 1:00pm Details ~ massageassociates.net/Classes

5165 Lavista Rd., Tucker, GA 30084 ~770.493.8181 ~ massageassociates.net “Be at Home in Your Body”

Our Town DeKalb

Thanksgiving! To become an Our Town DeKalb advertising partner, email Happy info@OurTownDeKalb.com or call 770.621.9041

PAGE 15


FODAC Hits Hole-in-One with 2020 Golf Fundraiser

FODAC President and CEO Chris Brand (far left) poses with members of the winning team from E.R. Snell. Photo by Ron Hess/FODAC Our Town DeKalb Staff Despite being held in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser raised an impressive $44,000 - 22% over the amount raised in 2019. Funds raised from the event will help support FODAC’s mission to supply home medical equipment (HME) to people with disabilities and their caregivers at little to no cost to the recipients. Various Atlanta companies and individuals sponsored foursomes totaling 91 players at the Stone Mountain Golf Club in October, and prizes were awarded to winning foursomes and individual players. • First place foursome - ER Snell • Second place foursome - Atlantic Capital Bank • Third place foursome - Brand and Britt • Longest drive (men) – Chad Ebert (Atlantic Capital Bank) • Longest drive (women) – Daphne Byrd (Southeastern Primary Care) • Closest to the pin (men) – Bill Wilson • Closest to the pin (women) – Mary Trowell This year’s Golf Tournament Fundraiser supporters included platinum sponsor Combined Services, Inc.; silver sponsors Country Financial, Publix Supermarket Charities, and Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies; and bronze sponsors Bullseye Auction and Appraisal, United Community Bank, Emory Alliance Credit Union, Strickland & Schwartz LLC, Abatek, Metro Waterproofing, Inc., The Baer Law Firm, Atlantic Capital, CDI USA, E.R.

PAGE 16

Snell Contractor, Inc., and Edward Jones Investments. Lunch was provided by Chick-fil-a Tucker Station. FODAC is based in Tucker but serves the Metro Atlanta community by providing recycled equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and hospital beds for children and adults during or after a health crisis. Last year, FODAC donated over $10 million in equipment at little or no cost to recipients. FODAC, as a member of National VOAD and a partner with FEMA, also provides support in the wake of disasters; the organization is currently working to distribute critical personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, surgical gloves and gowns to essential medical workers, and medical equipment like CPAPs and ventilators for patients.

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Start that Project now! WITH OUR LOW-RATE HOME EQUITY LINES!

We will pay closing costs on lines up to $250,000!* Variable rates as low as Prime Rate, currently 3.25% plus .25% (3.50% APR)**, plus .50% (3.75% APR)***, or plus 1.00% (4.25% APR)****

Brian C. Moon, Branch Manager Northlake Branch 3953 Lavista Road Tucker, GA 30084

404.297.2238 NMLS# 1934368

CenterStateBank.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS | DEBT CONSOLIDATION | COLLEGE | VACATION | MAJOR PURCHASES *Total closing costs generally range from $0 - $7500. Examples of closing costs paid by the bank are fees for a credit report, flood determination, title insurance and other costs. Bank paid closing costs will include up to $200.00 toward appraisal fees. Customer is responsible for paying any additional appraisal fees over that amount. Line must be funded by 50% or $10,000 at closing, whichever is greater. CenterState Bank will waive reimbursement of closing costs as long as your account is open for at least 2 years. Offer is available for primary residences only. Manufactured Homes/Mobile Homes are not eligible for a home equity line of credit. **Rate based on minimum beacon score of 721, ***Rate based on minimum beacon score of 700, ****Rate based on minimum beacon score of 640. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may increase after consummation. Maximum APR is 18%. Property insurance is required, and if applicable, flood insurance will be required. All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and terms may change at any time. Other restrictions may apply. CenterState Bank N.A. NMLS #403455

Mayor Auman Says MASK UP! The City of Tucker is giving away free masks! Go to tuckerga.gov/masks, fill out a simple form and Mayor Auman will mail you a package of masks. (Available while supplies last.) The CDC recommends wearing masks to protect yourself and others from spreading COVID-19. · Wear masks with two or more layers · Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin. · Masks should be worn by people two years and older.

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PAGE 17


Quik Clinic Opens in Tucker Our Town DeKalb Staff The first Quik Clinic, providing state-of-the-art telemedicine technology, opened in Tucker in October. The new clinic features the innovative and diagnostics-integrating Hygeia Health Station, where patients can receive primary and mental health care quickly and professionally. Patients’ vitals are transmitted directly to a medical provider who is meeting with a patient by video-conference. The medical provider can then issue prescriptions and identify necessary next steps for care. Ricardo Ibarria, head of operations with Quik Clinic, felt that the need for broad-based Covid-19 testing coupled with the need to maximize telemedicine usage created a perfect opportunity to introduce the Hygeia Station, and the city’s support of new business helped make Tucker an ideal location for the launch. Ibarria was impressed enough with Tucker that he also moved his family here as well. Quik Clinic can efficiently and effectively address a wide variety of healthcare needs in wellness and prevention like immunizations, physicals, nutrition coaching, Covid-19 testing and weight loss. Everyday care for the entire family is available for ailments such as upper respiratory infections, ear infections, the common cold and suturing. Patients with chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and COPD, can receive medical care as

well. Quik Clinic can provide all the care of a traditional clinic with the exception of addressing urgent care needs like broken bones or other care requiring imaging. The Tucker Quik Clinic is located in the shopping strip at 3983 Lavista Road, (next to Kroger) and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments can be booked online from a phone or computer, although appointments are not required and walk-ins are welcome.

Tucker Parks Plans Better Access to Henderson Waterfall Our Town DeKalb Staff A longtime favorite destination for local hikers of Henderson Park’s white trail has been the waterfall. The land with the waterfall was donated by the property owners to the city in December 2018, but the trail to this natural feature was unmarked and hard to access and hike. Now Tucker Parks and Recreation is working on plans to tie it more easily and clearly into the existing trail, adding better signage and even considering an overlook or deck feature. Stay tuned for more details of the trail enhancements.

OurTown NE DeKalb Community and Family Magazine

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OurTownDeKalb.com PAGE 18

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Our Town DeKalb

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