OUR TOWN DEKALB (December 2022)

Publisher and Editor

Lizbeth Dison ldison@shinycomm.com

Creative Director

Jay Adcock jay@adcockcreative.com

Writers

Emma Dison Brantley

Victoria Crosby

Cindy E. Farrar

Jim MacLean, DVM

Doug Reynics

Karl Schwartz Guy Van Ort Art Wood

A Shiny Inc Publication

Shinycomm.com

Our Town DeKalb is published and direct mailed to 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.

Entire contents copyright 2022 by Our Town DeKalb and Shiny Inc LLC. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Our Town DeKalb 4426 Hugh Howell Road, Box 307 Tucker, Georgia 30084 770.621.9041 | info@ourtowndekalb.com

Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m. to Noon

FODAC BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Rehoboth Baptist Church | 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker

Cost (reservations required)

Join WSB Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns and the “Man in Red” himself for a festive holiday breakfast! Hosted by Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), the event will include a gourmet breakfast buffet, carol sing-along, a toy for each child, and an opportunity to meet and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Professional photographer on site at the event will take photos, which will be available via free online download. Reservations are required; costs and registration fodac.org/breakfast-with-santa-december-11-2022. Proceeds benefit FODAC Pediatric Home Medical Equipment (HME) Program.

Saturday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

BRG BRUNCH WITH SANTA AND HIS ELF Blue Ribbon Grill | 4006 Lavista Road, Tucker

Cost (reservations required)

Kick off the winter holidays with a fun family brunch at The Blue Ribbon Grill, including visit and photos with Santa and Elf! Reservations required; cost and tickets available at tinyurl.com/hw8szp8r.

Saturday, December 10, 1:00 p.m.

SRAA HOLIDAY SHOWCASE

Pre-Show Holiday Market 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the gym Smoke Rise Baptist Church | 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker Free and open to the public Smoke Rise Academy of the Arts Annual Holiday Showcase will include choreography from academy dance students of all ages, from pre-school to adult; scenes from elementary and high school drama students; and instrumental performances by students and faculty. A Pre-Show Holiday Market in the gym will raise funds for SRAA Junior Theatre Festival attendance, and offer for sale crafts, gifts, sweets, and photos with Santa.

Saturday, December 10, 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS AT TUCKER

Tucker First United Methodist Church | 5095 Lavista Road, Tucker Free (registration required)

For over a decade, Christmas at Tucker has engaged audiences with the beautiful story of Jesus’s birth, presented through powerful music, drama, and pageantry. Christmas at Tucker is presented as a gift to the Tucker community by Tucker First United Methodist Church. Music provided by the Tucker First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir and Orchestra. Details and registration christmasattucker.com.

Despite warnings about a possible winter surge of COVID combined with the seasonal return of the flu and the emergence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Tucker residents are embracing the season and celebrating the return of holiday traditions. Here’s a list of some of the holiday events to enjoy with friends and family this December.

Friday,

December 16 - Sunday, December 18

DINK THE HALLS

Tucker Recreation Center | 4898 Lavista Road, Tucker

Cost (pre-registration required)

Enjoy some holiday competition with the Annual Dink the Halls Pickleball Tournament. The action’s going to be fast and furious, as well as merry and bright! Register online at tucker.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=7 or call 470.481.0205.

Saturday, December 17, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

A Taste of Christmas in the Arab World: Artist and Artisan

Alif Institute | 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta

Bazaar

Alif’s Artist and Artisan Bazaar will be the perfect place to support local artists and small business owners. Enjoy the company of community while browsing unique handmade and homemade items, and savor a delicious Arabic Christmas feast for lunch! Santa will make an appearance from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m., followed by “A Journey through Christmas Traditions in the Arab World.” For more information, alifinstitute.org/12-17-a-taste-of-christmas-in-the-arab-world-artist-artisan-bazaar or email info@alifinstitute.org.

Sunday, December 18, 11:00 a.m.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: THE GIFT

First Christian Church of Atlanta | 4532 Lavista Road, Tucker Free and open to the public

Presented by The First Christian Church of Atlanta Choir, this cantata will feature beloved carols and exciting new songs as it traces the ageless Christmas story through the lens of gratitude and our response to the Greatest Gift.

Sunday, December 18, 1:00 p.m.

ROOM FOR CHRISTMAS: A MUSICAL PLAY

First Christian Church of Atlanta | 4532 Lavista Road, Tucker Free (with a new and unused toy donation) and open to the public Featuring the Tucker Young Festival Singers, this holiday musical retells the nativity story through songs and stories of those who shared in the event. It’s the week before the church Christmas pageant and the cast of children is determined to bring new life to the Christmas story. But with a bossy angel, wisecracking shepherds, unruly sheep and know-it-all wisemen, will they get it together in time? Will the Christmas pageant be a complete flop? Or will the children somehow discover the true joy and wonder of Christmas by making room for what really matters? A unique component of this musical is the inclusion of a Toy Drive as part of the story. The congregation is invited to be active participants in the show by donating gently used toys.

Monday, December 19 to Thursday, December 22, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 27 to Thursday, December 30, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TRC HOLIDAY CAMP

Tucker Recreation Center | 4898 Lavista Road, Tucker Cost

If you are looking for some time to take care of those holiday chores without the prying eyes of the kids, register now for the TRC Holiday Camp. Camp will be daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and costs just $30 per day. It will be days filled with fun, sports, games, crafts, and field trips. Spots are limited so register now - tuckerga. gov/departments/parks_and_recreation or call 470.481.0205.

Saturday, December 24, 11:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE ON MAIN STREET

Main Street, Tucker Free

Gather around the Main Street Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve to enjoy coffee, cocoa and caroling. Coffee and cocoa available from 11:00 to 11:30 p.m., and caroling by candlelight starts at 11:30 p.m. Event organized by volunteers from all across the Tucker community. For additional information, contact Art Wood at art@artwoodonline.com or call 404.909.3567.

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.

Charles Dickens’ Christmas

The holiday season of Dickens’ time evokes an image most sublime. Like a Christmas card from long ago, a scene of softy falling snow. People dressed in velvet and lace, wearing a happy smiling face underneath top hat or hood, fur muff and cape, which certainly would keep away the winter chill. If you close your eyes, you can see it still. Horse drawn sleighs with jingle bells, smoky, roasted chestnut smells. Every year at Christmastide there is a longing far and wide to be in England in Charles Dickens’ Day and hear the carols the church bells play; to relive The Christmas Carol story of redemption and of glory. It resonates within our hearts with a timeless message which imparts the knowledge that we really should try to always see the good in every person that we meet, which makes our own life more complete. That financial success or material things by themselves seldom brings happiness, for that is found in helping others all around. So, make this the season you fulfill the Christmas promise of goodwill.

© Copyright Victoria R. Crosby 2006 All Rights Reserved

British-born poet and writer Victoria Crosby has been Poet Laureate of the City of Glen Cove in New York for more than twenty-five years; her work has been published in magazines and newspapers as well as featured on radio shows. Now residing in Smoke Rise, Victoria will create a unique gift with a custom poem for an anniversary, engagement, wedding, birthday, retirement or any other special occasion. You can contact Victoria at poeticvic@aol.com.

Wellness In-Sight: ‘Tis the Season

As I attempt to write this column, I am twenty-four hours late for the deadline. Despite it being two years that I have been a contributing writer for Our Town DeKalb, (and this column is my thirty-fourth), it is the first time I have been “blocked.” My muse clearly has started her holiday time-off early. Reflecting on what it could be about, I realize it isn’t being blocked at all. Rather, I am just in a silent time.

For as long as I can remember, autumn and winter have been my favorite seasons. There is a palpable shift that occurs from the high energy of summer to the more grounded feeling of fall and the calm that comes with winter. As the years have passed, at this time of year, I begin to feel my internal rhythms align with changes happening around me. It seems I have begun following nature’s lead more closely, going within and preserving my resources.

If it is true that silence is golden, then I was given one of the most valuable gifts ever by my junior high school guidance counselor. She taught me that it is okay to not have to fill quiet space with talk. After many periods sitting silently with her, and the decades since sitting silently in the presence of others, (for an hour at a time in thousands of massage sessions), it is a very comfortable and natural state of being for me, one that seems more prevalent during these seasons. As Mahatma Gandi encouraged, “Speak only if it improves upon the silence.”

The wonder of the winter season specifically not only improves upon the silence, it can also literally increase it. Snowy days may seem quieter; it is because they are quieter. Providing sound insulation, snowflakes trap the sound waves, muffling the sound. And the beauty produced by the snow enhances the very

quiet it helped to create.

I am certain that it is not a coincidence that the winter holidays, (or “holy days,” as is the word origin), include references to silence or silent for moments of reflections and reverence, and manifestations of peace and inner calm. These moments of stillness and quieted minds may be a challenge to find with the demands, obligations, and other stressors of this time year. Whether an observer of a holiday or not, allowing for such times is essential for overall wellbeing. For only when we are silent, can we truly hear.

It is my hope…

This column has improved upon the silence. Your days be filled with peace and calm. The happiest of Holy Days to you and yours!

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.

Age-Friendly Tucker: A Tribute and a Thank You

to Dr. Lois Ricci

GUY VAN ORT

The Tucker Age-Friendly City Initiative, developed and now managed by Tucker Civic Association (TCA) Lifelong Community Committee, was the vision of one individual whom we all grew to know and love: Dr. Lois Ricci. Even at the age of 81, Lois could run circles around most of us. She worked tirelessly on trying to improve and support the vision of Tucker being a place for people of all ages. During the six years since Tucker became a city, TCA and its many committees worked toward improving the future of Tucker. Lois made sure the Lifelong Community Committee met regularly and had a plan of action and goals to achieve. One such goal was to obtain the World Health Organization Age-Friendly City designation. We began regular meetings on this in 2017, with Lois leading the charge. The application process was grueling, but through Lois’s encouragement and guidance, members stepped up to chair each Domain, or interconnected areas that help to identify and address barriers to the well-being and participation of older people. After months of preparation and planning, Lois received notice in December 2018 that the city’s application for Age-Friendly City was approved. Now the real work would begin. TCA had a plan for the Domains, but it was time to put words into action. Lois tirelessly held meetings and phone calls with members of the committees to make sure we were meeting our deadlines and working on the ideas we’d set forth in the application. On so many occasions, it was Lois’s energy that kept the rest of us motivated. I’m not sure where she got the energy, but it was inspiring.

While she was getting the Age-Friendly City initiative off the ground, Lois was still working a few days per week as an adjunct faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where she taught gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class. She served as an official representative for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), co-facilitator for the Rosalyn Carter CareNet, and on the board of the Atlanta Regional Commission Advisory Committee on Aging. Recently, she was also voted president of the Georgia Gerontology Society. Lois was always looking for “what else” she could do to improve the lives of Tucker residents, and with a vast network of connections, she always seemed to know the right partners to call on.

Here are a few additional programs that Lois inspired or helped organize to benefit Tucker residents.

The Yellow Dot Program (tuckercivic. org/yellow-dot-program) helps first responders access life-saving medical information on an individual when responding to an emergency situation. Packets, including stickers and enrollment information for the free plan, can be obtained at Tucker Recreation Center and Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library.

The Tucker Walks (tuckercivic.org/tucker-walks-parks-streets-trails-groups/) committee held its kickoff on July 23, 2022, with close to one hundred people in attendance. Part of the America Walks/Mobility for All program, Tucker Walks spreads awareness of how walkable the City of Tucker is. By providing information on parks, trails, and preplanned routes, we hope to inspire Tucker residents to begin walking either alone, with neighbors, or in an organized group. Information can be found on the Tucker Walks website or Facebook group Tucker Welcomes You Home was born during another one of Lois’s TCA meetings in her home sunroom, one of my favorite places to meet. TCA will partner with the City of Tucker, who will provide the welcome bags and gifts that will be delivered to new residents by TCA volunteers. Like the old Welcome Wagon, Tucker Welcomes You Home will welcome new residents to Tucker and provide them important resources to feel immediately a part of the community.

We lost our beloved Lois on November 4 after a short illness. She was cherished by all who knew her. Lois spent her life caring for others through a career that reflected her servant’s heart. She did not work for accolades, but rather she genuinely cared for and loved people. All Tucker residents will benefit from her devotion for years to come. It will be the responsibility of those she leaves behind to continue her legacy, and keep moving forward with the established programs and adding many more.

Those of you who knew Lois often heard her long-expressed wish to see a Tucker Trolley, which would provide a fun mode of transportation around the city. TCA members commit to one day making her vision a reality. Tucker Lifelong Community has established The Lois Ricci Memorial Fund, to honor the life and work of Dr Lois Ricci. Not only was Lois larger than life, but her ambition for the wellbeing of her community was endless. She had more hopes and dreams for the good of Tucker than could be fulfilled in one lifetime. The fund will be dedicated specifically to the continuance of Lois’s projects that further the goals of the Age-Friendly City Initiative. Tax deductible contributions can be made out to the Mainstreet Tucker Alliance with “Lois Ricci Memorial Fund” as the beneficiary. All funds will go directly to this designated fund.

This holiday season, let’s be thankful for the Angels amongst us.

Before he became a realtor with Keller Williams Realty, Guy spent over thirty years as a consummate hospitality professional managing hotels in sixteen cities around the US. A resident of Tucker since 2012, he has served on the board of Tucker Civic Association and DeKalb Association of REALTORS®, and is a volunteer with ICare Seniors and Dachshund Rescue. Contact Guy Van Ort at guyvanort@gmail.com.

GUY VAN ORT

Lois Ricci celebrated her sixty-first wedding anniversary with her husband, John, in August of this year.

Common Sen$e: Cosigning…Only in Emergency!

e hear about cosigning all the time in the mortgage business. Cosigning means jointly applying with a borrower for a loan. A cosigner takes on the legal obligation to be a backup repayment source for the loan and, as such, reduces the risk for the lender and helps the borrower obtain a loan. Borrowers can also use a cosigner to obtain better terms for a loan. Typically, a cosigner is someone with a better credit score or more income who can help the borrower get approved for the loan.

As someone who really values and protects my credit, I am not a big proponent of cosigning. You ultimately are putting your credit score in the hands of someone other than yourself. If you cosign for someone and they miss a payment, go to collection, or even worse, experience foreclosure or repossession, this will reflect just as negatively on the cosigner’s credit as the borrower’s. I do understand that sometimes we have a friend or family member who needs the help, and we step in to help. Here are a couple of pointers on cosigning to help protect yourself and your credit.

First, as the cosigner (the one who is helping), you should sign on the first line vs. the second line. If you have gotten a loan before, typically there are signature lines for everyone on the loan. In most cases, the person who signs on the top line is the borrower and the one who signs below is the cosigner. The purpose is that most creditors will reach out only to the borrower (top line) if there is a missed payment. If you are not on the first line, you could think that everything is totally fine because no one has reached out to let you know of an issue. This is not always the case, as different creditors have different processes, but it is not worth the risk. You need always to be in the know, and the best way to do that is to be on the “top line.”

Second, the cosigner should be the one who actually makes the payments. That way, you can be assured that the payments are being made and your credit is protected. Yes, I know that you would then have to collect the payment from the actual borrower, but at least your credit is protected. Even if you the cosigner is the one making the payment, it will reflect positively on both signers’ credit reports. Think of it this way…if you didn’t think the borrower would make the payment, then you wouldn’t have cosigned in the first place.

As I said earlier, I am not a fan of cosigning, but I do understand that sometimes it really is the only option. As with most of my articles, I just want to offer financial advice on the best way to protect yourself, while also allowing the other party to build their credit in a positive way as well as help them “do life” with better terms.

ART WOOD (NMLS #118234) is the branch manager of The Art Wood Mortgage Team of Goldwater Bank, located at 2341 Main Street in downtown Tucker. “Tucker’s Mortgage Guy” for sixteen 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.

The NX2 Agency Tucker, GA

Food for Thought: This Holiday, Share Your Blessings

DOUG REYNICS

This sure has been a wild year. We had ongoing challenges with COVID, an overload of political ads, and inflation through the roof. But what about if, in addition to these problems, you also were faced with food insecurity? One out of ten U.S. households, or 13.5 million, were food insecure at some time during 2021. In Georgia, 1,141,880 people are facing hunger - and 30% of those are children.

I am a persistent food shopper. I shop several times a week in small amounts. I didn’t realize just how expensive food had gotten until I went through a very heavy driving schedule for my airport transport business, and skipped grocery runs for several days. I did one large shop and was shocked at the receipt! I left the store with well over $350 of groceries. I suddenly realized that, for those who are food insecure, how unrealistic doing that kind of shopping would be. I recently drove a customer to the airport, someone who pretentiously exhibited that he could afford the luxuries in life. He expressed frustration at not knowing why there are so many hungry people. I took a breath and tried to explain it in a way I thought he could understand.

No matter how much money you make, you have several expenses in order to live – rent or mortgage, car payments and insurance, health insurance (if lucky), cell phone, just to name some basics. Lastly comes food. By the time you add it up, a person making just $15 an hour really can’t make it. They can live on credit cards, which quickly max out. That’s a lot of stress and causes other issues.

There are countless organizations addressing food insecurity in the U.S., but they all rely on public support, through donations of food or money, or volunteer time. Food banks and related organizations have seen a surge in need that is consistently outpacing their resources. I encourage you to donate food, funds, or time to any of these organizations; check out the listed websites for what foods are needed, how to donate funds, or to sign up to volunteer., The best way to give thanks this holiday season is to help those less fortunate. (There are lots of other organizations addressing food insecurity, so please feel free to research and pick your own.)

Feeding America (feedingamerica.org) is a U.S.- based nonprofit organization with a nationwide network of food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies. Visit its website to learn more about food insecurity in the U.S., or to find a food bank, volunteer, or donate.

NETWorks Cooperative Ministry (networkscoop.org), located at 2380 Fourth Street, Tucker, addresses food insecurity for residents of Northlake, Embry Hills, and Tucker. They also provide other services, including help with rent or mortgage for those facing eviction. I believe strongly in NETWorks and its mission, and serve as a volunteer and fundraiser, in addition to making regular food donations. NETWorks is moving to a new facility at the end of the year, more than doubling its space from 2,000 to 6,500 square feet and increasing the number of people it serves by 40%.

Omega Support Center (omegasupportcenter.org), located at 4213 Fellowship Road, Tucker, is a non-profit focused on community outreach and small business development. The organization holds regular giveaway events, distributing vital items like school supplies, clothing, and food. Visit its website for an event schedule, or to find out how to donate.

I sincerely hope you and yours are safe, warm, and thriving in the holidays and beyond. Celebrate your blessings by sharing with others. Looking forward to seeing you in 2023!

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 almost 3,000 airport rides!) If you have a food story or question you would like to see him write about (or if you need a ride!), email him at dougthedriver1@gmail.com or call him at 770.842.4261.

Back Talk: Is There a Detective in the House?

KARL SCHWARTZ, D.C.

WUnlike the traditional allopathic model, the medical doctor is more concerned with treating a patient’s symptom. Chiropractic care is all natural; we do not prescribe medications and utilize the body’s own recuperative power to heal. We are primarily looking for the cause of the symptom. Chiropractors are considered a portal of entry provider, which means that we can be the first doctor that a patient sees for their problem. We have the responsibility to identify the potential cause and refer out to the correct medical provider if the treatment of the symptom is related to care beyond our scope of practice.

Where do we begin? What is the age of the patient? According to renowned psychologist Robert J. Havighurst, who proposed a theory of the development of humans, humans can be classified into six categories, which is how we categorize patients: infants and early childhood (birth to age 5), middle childhood (ages 6-12), adolescents (ages 13-18), early adulthood (ages 19-30), middle adulthood (ages 31-60), and late adulthood (ages 61+). Determining the cause of either a disease or a dysfunction in the body has everything to do with the age of the patient seeking care.

Is the cause physical, social, or emotional? Is it acute or chronic? The largest majority of our patient visits have physical causes, major (accidents, sports, falls) or minor trauma (repetitive use syndromes such as poor posture, poor ergonomics, or poor biomechanics). What are the common ailments, most common activities and usual causes of dysfunction in each age group? Diet and nutrition are always directly related to the healing process.

Like a detective, a chiropractor has to ask a lot of questions to start building the investigation into a patient’s situation.

• An infant is brought in for care. What could be the cause of early dysfunction? What was the mom’s pregnancy and labor and delivery experience? Was it normal and natural or were there some additional intervening procedures

performed, such as utilization of forceps, suction, induced labor? These are many times overlooked by parents.

• In middle childhood, children are in school, carrying laptops and notebooks, bent over computer screens, perhaps becoming involved with sports or the arts and music. What are their typical repetitive activities?

• In early adulthood, now we see patients who are working, starting families, and undergoing increased stress on a daily basis.

• In middle adulthood, stressors change but we now also have to consider diseases or complications of taking years of meds.

• Finally in late adulthood, we generally see patients with more diseases, more medications, and more deterioration, altered biomechanics for surgical implants such as hips, knees, and shoulders; foot problems, hip problems, and post-surgery conditions.

Can you see how each category of patient has usual and customary stressors? This is why we do a thorough and complete patient history, followed by a focused exam as related to the patient’s goal of care. Once we can ascertain a course of action, we often can see dramatic changes in a very short time improving quality of life

Have you seen your chiropractic detective recently?

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.

Residents Approve Public Works for the City of Tucker

TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Tucker residents have approved local oversight of key day-to-day operations and public services for the city. Since the passage of the public works referendum on November 8, the city has already begun to execute on plans for implementation of improvements to the overall public works service delivery model now currently managed by DeKalb County.

“We are grateful to the Tucker community for affirming their confidence in us and overwhelmingly approving this referendum,” stated Mayor Frank Auman upon hearing the results of the vote. “The Council, staff and I are excited and ready to get to work providing our residents with safe roads, working infrastructure, and the levels of responsiveness and service they deserve.”

Combined public works services will transition from DeKalb County to the city July 1, 2023. “Within the first 365 days, our goal is to prioritize and work through deferred public works maintenance and address key repairs,” said City Manager Tami Hanlin.

Public works services rendered under roads and maintenance will include asphalt patching, pothole repairs, right-of-way maintenance, sidewalk and curb repairs, traffic sign and signal maintenance, bridge maintenance, pavement marking maintenance, and transportation engineering services. Stormwater services include stormwater infrastructure and catch basin repairs.

“Now that the community has spoken, we can move forward and develop a service delivery model that will eliminate long-deferred needs, get us to a more normal level of meeting current maintenance needs, and ultimately take us on to focusing on preventive maintenance,” stated Hanlin. “We will reduce current repair and maintenance times by 50% by our second year of operations, while saving significant costs of operation.”

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Kroger Fights Food Insecurity During the Holiday Season

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TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Kroger has launched its 2022 campaign to help support those who are food insecure and hungry during the holiday season.

“Kroger’s 2022 Holiday Round-up is a way to show friends, families, and individuals in our local communities that they do not face hunger alone,” said Tammie Young-Ennaemba, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “This holiday season we are inviting our entire Kroger family – our associates and customers – to round-up their purchases to help provide meals for our neighbors in need.”

Through December 24, Kroger customers can round-up their purchase to the nearest dollar, or round up in $1, $5, and $10 increments. All funds raised through the holiday round-up will be directed to The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, with one hundred percent of customer donations going to the community’s local hunger relief organization.

The Holiday Round-up campaign is part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste commitment. Since 2018, the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation has directed more than $48 million to organizations, innovators and changemakers across the country to address a fundamental absurdity in our nation’s food system: 35% of food produced in the U.S. is thrown away, yet 42 million Americans struggle with hunger.

“Together, we can help make the holidays a little brighter for everyone, one meal at a time,” Young-Ennaemba said.

Smoke Rise Country Club to Host Elvis Birthday Tribute

Music icon Elvis Presley would have turned 88 years old on January 8, and to celebrate, Smoke Rise Country Club will host on that date “A Tribute to Elvis.” Smoke Rise resident and poet Victoria Crosby will emcee the event, which will include dinner, dancing, an Elvis trivia contest, and a DJ spinning plenty of Elvis tunes. A lifelong and ardent fan of the singer, Crosby will also read from her collection of poems, The Book of Elvis: His Life in Rhyme. The birthday event is open to the public; club member price is $40 per person and $50 for non-members. Guests are encouraged to dress for the event in Elvis-style. For more information and to register and prep-pay, contact Smoke Rise Country Club at 770.908.2582.

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Henderson Mill Dental Awarded at 2022 Dental Dash at Dawn

TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Henderson Mill Dental Care collected four awards at this fall’s Dental Dash at Dawn 5K. The race was held on Saturday, November 5, and raised funds benefiting Dentistry for the Developmentally Disabled Foundation (DDD Foundation). The dental practice fielded a team of nineteen, which included current and former staff, family, and patients. The team took home four awards: Dr. John Uetsuki was honored for Second Largest Team Participation; dental assistant Alex Feldman, front administrator Izumi Yamashita, and family member Kayley Uetsuki each placed first in their age categories, and patient Chris Smith placed second in his age category. This was the third year in which Henderson Mill Dental Care participated in the race.

Blue Ribbon Grill Spotlights Children’s Causes for the Holidays

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Popular Tucker restaurant Blue Ribbon Grill focuses on children during the December holidays, starting off with its Toys for Tots Drive. The program kicked off on December 1 with its annual PYB (Paint Your Balls) Party, where participants received a glittery ornament for a cash or toy donation for the collection box. Donations are being accepted at the restaurant until Thursday, December 15; donated toys should be new and unwrapped. BRG is also displaying an Angel Tree during December benefiting The Fitting School, a non-traditional school offering holistic education for special needs children ages 4 to 12. On December 15, BRG is hosting a fund-raising event for the school to collect monetary and gift donations. Details on all the BRG holiday events can be found at blueribbongrill.com.

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Holiday Safety for Dogs: Tips and Tricks for Pet Parents

JIM MACLEAN, DVM

December means eating, drinking, and being merry with friends and family. But nothing can spoil holiday cheer like an emergency visit to the vet. These tips can help prevent a holiday disaster for both you and your pup.

Keep People Food Away from Pups

• Make sure your dog doesn’t have access to treats, especially those containing chocolate, xylitol, turkey and turkey skin, grapes and raisins, onions, or other toxic foods.

• Sharing table scraps should be avoided, especially during the holidays, as the food tends to be extra rich and fattening, which is difficult to digest.

Decorations

• Secure your tree! A curious pup could bump it or knock it over.

• Be careful with water additives for Christmas trees which can be hazardous to dogs. (We suggest avoiding all additives to be as safe as possible.)

• Position ornaments, tinsel, and electrical cords out of reach.

• Never leave a dog alone in an area with a lit candle!

• Keep holiday plants – especially holly, mistletoe, and lilies – out of the way.

• Unplug decorations while you’re not around.

Hosting A Small Get-Together?

• Dogs that aren’t normally shy may become nervous around visitors. Make sure to provide access to a comfortable, quiet place to retreat.

• Watch the exits. Even if your pups are comfortable around guests, watch them closely, especially when people are entering or leaving your home.

• Make sure your pup has proper identification with your current contact information, including a microchip with up-to-date, registered information.

• Take out the trash to make sure your pups can’t get to it, particularly if it contains food scraps or bones.

Holiday Travel

• Interstate and international travel regulations require any dog you bring with you to have a health certificate from your veterinarian – even if you are traveling by car.

• Pups in vehicles should always be safely restrained using a secure harness or a carrier and placed in a location clear of airbags.

• Dogs should never be left alone in the car – in any weather.

• If you’re traveling by air and considering bringing your pup with you, talk with your vet first. Air travel can put some pups at risk, especially short-nosed dogs.

• In addition to your dog’s food and medications, be sure to pack copies of their medical records, information to help identify your pup if it becomes lost, first aid supplies, and other critical items.

• Boarding your dog while you travel? Talk with your vet to find out how best to protect your pup from canine flu and other contagious diseases, and to make sure your pup is up to date on vaccines.

Plan in Advance

• Always keep the phone number of your vet, a 24-hour emergency clinic, and poison control posted in an easy-to-find location.

• Quick action can save lives! If you believe your pup has been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn’t have, call your veterinarian or local emergency clinic immediately. Signs of distress include sudden changes in behavior, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.

DR. JIM MACLEAN’S first job was working as a grooming assistant when he was 15 years old. Since then, he has worked in every aspect of small animal veterinary hospitals, has practiced in small animal medicine and surgery for 26 years, and has owned and started multi-doctor veterinary hospitals. With a mind for both medicine and business, MacLean received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from VMRCVM at Virginia Tech in 1994 and his MBA from Georgetown University in 2011. Coming full circle, he joined the Scenthound pack to bring his expertise and experience to the grooming world. As chief veterinarian, Dr. MacLean guides Scenthound from a health and medicine perspective and helps achieve its mission to improve overall pet health on a broader scale.

Zoomer Zone: Voting is Our Super Power

EMMA DISON BRANTLEY

Young voters are notorious for forgetting to vote or not wanting to, but the critical issues discussed during elections are ones which most often affect students and the incoming working class. Millennials make up more than half the voter population, and the December 6 runoff election between incumbent Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican opponent (and former Georgia Bulldog) Herschel Walker ia a particularly crucial one for this group.

So, why don’t younger generations vote as often as older generations? A survey of a small group of students at the University of Cincinnati uncovered various reasons, ranging from forgetting to get absentee ballots in on time to just not caring who is in office. Marie Hughes (UC ’25) said she didn’t get her absentee ballot in time but also knew she could have made more of an effort to vote. Not only should parents be teaching their kids about the right to vote, but it’s also easier than ever to be an educated voter. Before the 1960s, debates were heard over the radio or read about in the newspaper, but with YouTube, social media, and the ability to connect easily with other people, there’s no reason not to be an educated voter.

Here are some ways to start talking about voting at an early age and incite the younger generations to vote more.

Hosting mock elections. Hosting a mock election on any topic is a good way to introduce how voting works. Start out with something easy, like the best ice cream flavor or the best Disney character. Middle school and high schools even hold class elections to get kids interested in political issues before they’re of age to vote.

Poll worker recruitment. Voters have to be at least 18 years old, but in Georgia, anyone 16 years or older can be a poll worker. Starting early to learn how the voting process works and volunteering your time to give back to the community is great practice for future generations of voters. During Covid-19, Gen Z and millennials stepped up and worked the polls so older voters could stay home and be safe.

Local races first. When thinking about voting, most people in Gen Z think about presidential elections and state representative elections, but many don’t think about local elections. It can be overwhelming thinking about who is going to represent an entire state, much less thinking about who is going to represent an entire country. Local races like for mayor or city council members are more personal and engaging for a young voter. Local decisions are voted on and starting with smaller issues in one’s community is a great start to being an educated voter.

These strategies to get younger generations interested in voting are only the beginning. Online media is shaping our generation and there’s more outreach with online campaigning and streamed rallies. The motivation for voting should be out of positivity and wanting to make a better world and not from choosing a lesser of two evils. If we let negatively motivated voting consume us, this world will be more divided than we already are.

EMMA DISON BRANTLEY is a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati, where she is pursuing a degree in information technology on the game development and simulation track. When she is not gaming online, she spends time with her parents trying to help them not be so boomer.