4 Radio Tucker: The Soundtrack of the City 9 Common Sen$e: Interest Rates in 2022 10 Food For Thought: One Mile of Global Cuisine
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 1
Postal Customer
ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #15 Monroe, GA
2 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
A Shiny Inc Publication Shinycomm.com
Editor
Lizbeth A. Dison
ldison@shinycomm.com
Creative Director Jay Adcock
jay@adcockcreative.com
Writers
Cindy E. Farrar Doug Reynics Lois Ricci Sanah Sayani Karl Schwartz Art Wood
Our Town DeKalb is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Tucker / Northeast DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town DeKalb reserves the right to edit or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town DeKalb is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2022 by Our Town DeKalb and Shiny Inc LLC. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
Distribution Coordinator
Stay Connected!
Emma Dison Brantley
OurTownDeKalb.com
Our Town DeKalb
4426 Hugh Howell Road, Suite 307B Tucker, Georgia 30084 770.621.9041 | info@ourtowndekalb.com
IN THIS ISSUE 4 Radio Tucker: The Soundtrack of the City 6 The Bits in Between: A New Year, A New Look 7 Wellness In-Sight: Happy 2022! Celebrate You!! 8 Age Friendly Tucker: It Takes a Village 9 Common Sen$e: Interest Rates in 2022 10 Food For Thought: One Mile of Global Cuisine 11 Beauty Byline with Sanah: Why Massage is a Necessity and Not a Luxury 14 Back Talk: Three Steps to Good Health in the New Year 16 Smoke Rise Residents Honored for Mission Work in Honduras 18 Tucker Business Association Honors Members at Annual Holiday Party 20 Wellroot Raises $77,000 with “The Tattooed Santa” Christmas Event 21 Camp Woof: Empowering People with Disabilities in the Workplace 22 Fulfilling the Dream of Martin Luther King ON THE COVER: Jason Becknell spotlights Georgia and local music on “Radio Tucker.” OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 3
COVER STORY
Becknell hosted the Radio Tucker Music Festival in July 2021 to celebrate the station’s first anniversary.
4 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
Radio Tucker: THE SOUNDTRACK OF THE CITY L.A. DISON
O
ver the past eighteen months, as people struggled worldwide to deal the heart of the station is in Tucker. “We mix great Georgia music with music you with the lockdowns, quarantines and health risks of COVID, many used aren't likely to hear on other big corporate radio stations. We play a mix of music the time spent in forced isolation to learn a new skill. Tucker resident from the Sixties to today, including classic rock, alt-rock, alt-country, Americana, Jason Becknell decided to launch a radio station. and indie. We highlight Georgia bands on our "Georgia Homegrown" show, week“COVID actually inspired me to launch Radio Tucker,” said Becknell. “Since I days from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. On Saturdays at 6:00 p.m., we highlight local bands on couldn't go out to see live local music, I decided to create a radio station that would "Local Time.” (Local bands can submit songs to Radio Tucker for airplay by emailbring local music to listeners in Tucker and around the world.” ing RadioTuckerDJ@gmail.com.) Becknell was born and raised in upstate South Carolina, and as a child, often Meteorologist Ryan Davidson, who also lives in Tucker, reports local Tucker travelled to Atlanta on family trips. He knew from an early weather updates at the top of each hour from 6:00 a.m. to age that he would someday move to the city, and visiting 11:00 p.m. Tucker resident Robert Thompson, who operCNN Center in the 1990s inspired him to pursue a career ates the news site Peach News Now (peachnews.co) also in broadcast journalism. After graduating college, and a reports local news updates at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and three-year stint as a television news producer in Florence, 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. South Carolina, he realized his dream of moving to Atlan“I like to say, ‘locally programmed, globally enjoyed,’” ta, where he settled in Tucker with his wife and child. He said Becknell. “Hopefully, people listening around the continued as a television news producer here, first with country and abroad will learn something about Tucker, NBC affiliate WXIA then CBS affiliate WGCL before movand maybe they'll want to come visit, move here or do ing over to The Weather Channel. He had been a producbusiness with one of our local advertisers.” er there for almost three years when COVID hit in spring Becknell couldn’t be happier with community response 2020, and he realized the pandemic opened an opportuto Radio Tucker. “I'm really thrilled every time someone Becknell honed his radio skills at campus radio station WUSC. tells me they listen and enjoy the station. People love the nity for a new broadcasting venture. “In my junior year of high school, I started working part-time at a local radio local music on Radio Tucker. Local bands love being able to share their music. Fans station in Walhalla, South Carolina,” explained Becknell. “I studied broadcast jourlove being able to request their favorite songs on the "Radio Tucker Juke Box," and nalism while at the University of South Carolina, but I kept my interest in radio, we've also been able to involve the community with our Guest DJ show on Sundays volunteering as a student DJ at WUSC-FM, the campus radio station. After college at 6:00 p.m. I moved from radio to TV news production but continued to dabble in radio as a Becknell often broadcasts live from local events. Local businesses have been suphobby. When the pandemic hit, and so many people were locked down at home, I portive of the station, promoting their products and services with affordable adverdecided to create a station with "local flavor," where you could not only hear songs tising. “Radio Tucker has been able to thrive and grow thanks to generous support from the great Georgia bands, but also from your friends and neighbors who played from our local sponsors.” local bars and clubs.” As a community-based radio station, Radio Tucker helps raise money and awareWith few FM stations in the Atlanta market still programming classic rock, espeness for local charities and groups. Each year, the station picks a local non-profit to cially those great Southern and Georgia bands he grew up on, Becknell decided to promote on #GivingTuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving). Last year, it raised launch Radio Tucker as an internet-based station, so its reach wasn't limited to a money for food pantry NETWorks Cooperative Ministry; this year, it partnered with small broadcasting radius like traditional terrestrial radio stations. While the majorOmega Support Center, which supports the Tucker community through events like ity of Radio Tucker listeners are from the United States, it has listeners worldwide, the Back to School supply bash and food collection drives. including from Germany, Brazil, France, Great Britain, India, Canada, and Mexico. What does Becknell see in the future for Radio Tucker? “We will continue to proThe station averages about 200 listeners daily, and over the past year, people have vide a unique mix of music and local news and weather for the Tucker community. streamed Radio Tucker more than 80,000 times, streaming over a Terabyte of digital As COVID continues to subside, we hope to host more fun events where people can music at 128k/second. gather and enjoy music together.” Currently, the studio is housed in the basement The station broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred of Becknell’s Tucker home, but if the station’s profile continues to grow, “I wouldn't sixty-five days a year. Becknell is still employed full-time at The Weather Channel, be surprised if we needed to move into a dedicated studio soon.” so keeping the station on-air presents a challenge. “When I'm not busy covering Radio Tucker can be streamed live 24/7/365 at radiotucker.com. The station is hurricanes and winter storms, I'm working on Radio Tucker,” explained Becknell. also listed on several radio directories, including the popular TuneIn app, Apple “Thanks to modern computer automation technology, the station runs 24/7 withMusic Radio, Radio.Garden, plus apps are available free for Apple and Android deout someone having to man the board all the time.” vices. Ask Amazon Alexa or your smart TV to "Play Radio Tucker.” Want to be a guest What does Radio Tucker program? Although Radio Tucker has a global reach, DJ on Radio Tucker? Details and sign-up available on radiotucker.com. OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 5
The Bits in Between:
A New Year, A New Look L.A. DISON
E
very year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to spark positive change. But most studies show that about half the people who make New Year’s resolutions will fail. How do you overcome the odds and successfully realize your New Year’s resolution? While there are many self-help articles that offer a multitude of tips for success, one of the common bits of advice is setting a goal that motivates you. Too often people set goals that are not for themselves, but dictated or coerced by a manager, spouse, or parents or peers. Resolutions should set goals that are important to you and only you, and offer value or benefit for you in achieving the goal. Successful resolutions align with your goals, your priorities, and your dreams. Resolutions also should be SMART, designed to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-sensitive. This year, Our Town DeKalb made a resolution to push past the pandemic and into the New Year with optimism for major, positive change, more specifically, to grow our revenue in order to increase our distribution by at least ten percent and end 2022 at twenty-four pages. This 2022 resolution is more than a business one – it is also a personal one for me. I launched OTD in 2019 to realize my dreams of being a writer and a publisher, and to provide Tucker a medium where we could share news and stories about our community. As publisher and editor of the magazine, it is my responsibility to meet those business goals, but by meeting those goals, I also can continue to realize my personal goals. You’ll see the start of our work towards these goals with this January issue, with our new look and feel, and a new logo that reflects our renewed commitment to the Tucker community. We have relaunched our website (ourtowndekalb.com), which will offer new opportunities for digital advertising as well as a community event calendar reformatted to more easily find current and upcoming local events. 2020 and 2021 were difficult years for all of us, and I have to thank everyone who supported Our Town DeKalb through those trying times – our advertisers, our readers, our writers and our staff. As you plan your own New Year’s Resolutions, remember to keep them real and attainable. Here’s to making 2022 our best year yet! LIZBETH A. DISON Publisher and Editor
6 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
Wellness In-Sight: Happy 2022! Celebrate You! Cindy E. Farrar CINDY E. FARRAR
H
appy 2022! "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." This is a big statement by Mark Twain. In honor of the first part of it, before we get swept up in the resolutions, all the vision boards, the goal setting, and the commitments to be better and do better, STOP. Without judgement or editing, acknowledge the fact that you are here, at this time, in this moment. Despite the significance of the day we are born, the inclination is to emphasize the second part of Twain’s statement. To find out why we were born can be inspiring. It can also carry a great deal of pressure. I fully support endeavoring to live a purposeful life. However, our efforts need not make the intention stressful. At this, the beginning of the new year, we tend to place tremendous pressure on ourselves to become a better version of ourselves. It is no coincidence that the sales of self-help books skyrocket this time of each year. Even though our aim may be of positive intent, unfortunately, the focus is likely to be on all the areas in which we fall short, all the things we are not doing. It is no wonder most New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside within a month of their declaration. This may not be a bad thing. I say this because where we place our attention is what we will attract. If it is on all the ways and things we are lacking, we will continue to manifest the very things we are desiring to change or let go. Also, when we set out to do an overhaul on our ourselves and our lives, establishing new habits can be overwhelming. The stress produced will not only be unhealthy, it will be contrary to that which we are wanting to achieve. The poet Rumi said, “As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears.” Our main responsibilities are to take the initial action by starting to walk out, then remain open to and realize the opportunities as they appear (and they will appear). If there is any pressure, it comes when we step out beyond our role and try to make the way happen when, how, and what we think it should be. The New Year provides us the chance to set the tone for our upcoming year with possible long-term implications. Why not carry the festive energy of the holiday season forward and combine it with Mark Twain’s sentiment? Make 2022 the year you walk out with less stress, letting the way to your “why” appear without pressure. Acknowledge your presence and recognize your resilience. Let 2022 be the year you celebrate you! 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.
COME LEARN ABOUT AN EXCITING NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL IN TUCKER! Rehoboth Classical Christian School INTEREST SESSION Sunday, January 16 @ 5PM Rehoboth's Auditorium You are invited to an interest session to learn about this new classical Christian school opening in your community in the fall of 2022. rehoboth.org/rccs Your whole family is welcome! Childcare is available for ages 1-5.
Please RSVP childcare to RCCS@rehoboth.org.
2997 Lawrenceville Hwy | Tucker 30084 rehoboth.org | 770-939-3182
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 7
Age Friendly Tucker: It Takes a Village LOIS RICCI
T
he concept seemed simple: create communities that can accommodate people at all stages, from toddlers, to twenty-somethings, to those close to and in retirement. Planners call them “Lifelong Communities.” And in 2013, Tucker met the criteria of this very select group when Atlanta Regional Commission named the city one. Tucker became a city in 2016 and after dealing with the logistics of government, it turned its attention to sidewalks, roads, and other issues brought to the city council. Members of Tucker Civic Association (TCA) Lifelong Community Committee began the Age Friendly Project, using eight domains as a guide to increasing livability in the city for all ages. These domains centered on the key characteristics of a lifelong community; housing, outdoor spaces and buildings, communication and information, pedestrian access and transportation, civic participation and employment, respect and social inclusion, social participation. and health services and community supports. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) named Tucker as an Age Friendly City, one of only 1,114 cities worldwide to earn that designation. The committee designed a plan and formed teams to identify challenges and opportunities in each domain. Many members of the community looked at the project as just being concerned with aging. It took some time but residents eventually began to realize that walkability, affordable housing, and accessibility to transportation and community services are not just important to seniors but everyone. Monthly articles in Our Town DeKalb reported on the goals and progress of the committee, helping gain support for the efforts from both the city and its residents. Topics included transportation (including the idea of a Tucker trolley), and diversifying housing types and costs to appeal to a broader demographic. These articles and community comments instigated discussions amongst city officials and county commissioners, and definitely moved these topics up the list. Again, following recommendations set forth by the Age Friendly Community guidelines, Tucker has ready access to health services with hospitals, urgent care, and doctors close by. Community services, grocery stores, ancillary health
The annual Taste of Tucker is just one of the city’s many street fairs that keep residents socially connected.
providers, and other services are easily accessed as well. Schools in Tucker excel in academics and athletics. The city maintains social participation for residents through an active recreation center, a community theater, parks, and a new fitness court. For health services and community support, TCA Lifelong Community Committee successfully piloted the Georgia Yellow Dot Safety Program, designed to alert EMTs to vital information that can save the lives of their patients. Packets are available at Cofer Library, Tucker Rec Center, or by contacting committee member guyvanort@kw.com. The city has also responded to the special needs communities with adaptive features like ramps and wide doorways in housing and public facilities. With support of the city, the committee plans to roll out a “Welcome to Tucker” program, providing new residents with packets that include community resources, a business directory, and coupons. The program will include volunteers to personally welcome and connect with new Tucker residents. Tucker was a recent addition to America Walks, a national program focused on health and wellness through walking. The program will launch in Tucker in 2022, calling on all of Tucker to tell us how you walk - alone, in small groups, or as a part of an organized program. The Lifelong Community Committee has completed and submitted an action plan to WHO and AARP, identifying these and other projects, as well as plans for maintenance of Tucker’s Age Friendly Designation. The plan was approved, and Tucker’s designation was renewed for another five years. But much work is ahead to make sure the projects are done. Everyone needs to get involved to make sure Tucker remains an Age Friendly Cty, one that we can continue to call home. It takes a village to make a city. DR. LOIS RICCI is a longtime resident of Tucker, where she chairs the Tucker Civic Association Lifelong Community Committee. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class. Ricci also serves 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. Contact Dr. Ricci at loisricci@ bellsouth.net.
8 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
Common Sen$e: Interest Rates in 2022 ART WOOD
O
ver the last two years, we have seen some things that we never thought we would see. Many industries that seemed recessionproof realized they weren’t pandemic-proof, but there are a few that have thrived over the last two years, and number one among those is the mortgage industry, fueled by historically low rates. As we slowly emerge from the pandemic slow-down, interest rates are slowly going back to pre-pandemic levels. One of the biggest questions for 2022 is, “Where are interest rates headed?” The overwhelming majority of financial analysts agree that rates will be headed up primarily due to inflation as well as the withdrawal of government support, i.e. buying bonds and Treasuries. Inflation is the arch enemy of bonds and Treasuries. Both bonds and Treasuries provide a fixed rate of return on your investment, and right now, inflation, at over 6%, is more than double what the return on Treasuries is. Currently, the Ten-Year Treasury is at 1.48%, which means if you invest $10,000 in that Treasury, you will make $148 per year. With the cost of money (inflation) outpacing your investment in Treasuries, Treasuries must go up to be an attractive investment. If Treasuries and bonds go up, so do interest rates. The biggest thing driving inflation is supply chain disruption. The global shutdown from the pandemic mixed with pent-up demand for goods has led to a massive backlog of unfilled orders. (Think…I am confined to my house and just got my stimulus check, and Amazon is right at my fingers!!) We currently have way more demand than we have supply, so, harking back to Economics 101, that means prices go UP! A real-world example from my family came when my mom just bought a car. She paid sticker price plus almost $9,000 simply because the dealership could get away with charging extra; they had only one car to sell, and if my mom didn’t buy that car, the dealer had a long list of people waiting to pay an inflated price for it. Finally, the third reason rates are projected to go up is because the Federal Reserve has reduced their bond and Treasury buying and will be fully out of the market in March of 2022. They also expect to raise interest rates multiple times over the next two years to tame inflation. The thought behind this is that the free market is running too hot right now (6%+ inflation) and they want to cool it off. This is bad for interest rates and bad for the stock market. As I conclude, I hope you weren’t expecting me to tell you exactly where rates are going in 2022. If I could do that, I would be retired somewhere on my own private island. My purpose in writing this article is to prepare you for what may be coming. Mortgage rates, credit card rates, personal loan rates, and Home Equity Line rates will all be higher. The solution to that is to act now while the rates are still low. Take measures to secure any existing debt at the current low interest rates. Are they as low as they were in January? No, but they are still under 4%. If any of your debt is adjustable or over 4%, then look for an opportunity to lock in now at a lower fixed rate to protect yourself against inflation and rising interest rates. As always, let me know if I can help!
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.
Since 1998
MASSAGE ASSOCIATES OF A TLANTA , LLC GA License #MT000505
We are open for Therapeutic Massage
with limited appointment availability
Thank you for your patience and support!
WEEKLY VIRTUAL CLASSES
YOGA for Every Body
Monday & Thursday 11:00am
TAI CHI QI GONG For Life Balance Tuesday 1:00pm
Happy New Year!
Details at massageassociates.net/Classes
5165 Lavista Rd., Tucker, GA 30084 ~770.493.8181 ~ massageassociates.net “Be at Home in Your Body.”
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 9
Food For Thought: One Mile of Global Cuisine DOUG REYNICS
I
’ve lived in the Atlanta area since 1988 but only recently decided to dive into the hundreds of varied restaurants up and down Buford Highway. I’d like to share some I found to be above the curve for flavor, value, and menu. Food Terminal (5000 Buford Highway) is a great place to start for Malaysian and Asian fusion, with a robot that brings you your food! The menu is extensive but suitable for all food palates. To the right of Food Terminal is Dish, a Korean restaurant more for the adventurous eater; try the dolsot bibimbap, assorted vegetables and pork with a spicy sauce served over rice in a sizzling stone plate. Next to Dish is Best BBQ, a Chinese place with a huge, varied menu but another one geared for the more adventurous diner. I loved the eggplant stuffed with shrimp. The fourth restaurant in the same complex is Tum Pok Pok, serving Thai street food good for anyone’s palate. Pho Bac (4897 Buford Highway) is an excellent choice for Vietnamese cuisine; its bahn mi sandwiches are savory and terrific. Lee’s Bakery (4005 Buford Highway) is another good choice for Vietnamese food. For Pho bowls, try Nam Phuong (4051 Buford Highway). La Mei Zi (5150 Buford Highway) serves Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai dishes. For a taste of Venezuela, visit Arepa Grill (5302 Buford Highway); the pancake-like cachapas and the stuffed turnovers, or empanadas, are amazing. Paris Baguette (5252 Buford Highway) has a variety of French baked goods including the country’s iconic long loaves of bread. Yummy Spicy (5164 Buford Highway), a hidden gem for Chinese and Malaysian food, is not all spicy as the name says; try the braised fish in chili oil, and check out the wine menu. Sabores del Plata (6200 Buford Highway) is an Argentinian/Uruguayan steakhouse and a place to come with a big appetite! Nur Kitchen (7130 Buford Highway) is a Mediterranean restaurant with big portions and great flavor combinations that is sure to delight any diner. Las Delicias De La Abuela (5600 Buford Highway) serves great Columbian food, with the best arepas, or cornmeal cakes, in town. A close food friend recommended Canton House (4825 Buford Highway) for a dim sum experience, where you can try a variety of these small, Chinese dishes. “Canton House was thoroughly enjoyed by my boys yesterday. They have never had dim sum and they tried more things since they could actually see the items on the cart. They loved the fact that everything came out so quickly. They said they loved that it was an interactive restaurant.” I have dozens more places I could recommend but limited space to write about
10 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
A bibimbap entree from Dish.
them all. Since many traditional American restaurants are closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, now would be a good time to try some of the many ethnic restaurants along Buford Highway that are open on those holidays. Happy dining and Happy Holidays!
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 2,300 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.
Beauty Byline with Sanah: Why Massage is a Necessity and Not a Luxury SANAH SAYANI
A
s the new year begins, chances are you are committing to a healthier you. Whether you’ll start eating right, working out, or making more time for self-care, I highly recommend adding massage therapy to the list. Long gone are the days when people looked at massage as a pampering treat; now they are used to better the body and mind. Massage should be looked at as a healing mechanism for various ailments. The most common benefits of massage are relaxation and calm but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. During a massage, a licensed therapist will apply gentle or strong pressure to the muscles and joints of the body to ease pain and tension. This will make your body feel better which will make your mood better. There are more than a dozen types of massage that provide various benefits. It is important to communicate your concerns with the therapist so the right type of massage is administered. A Swedish full body massage is one of the most popular types of massage, and a good choice for beginners who have some muscle tension and want to relax. Take it up a notch with a Deep Tissue massage if you have chronic muscle problems. A Hot Stone massage is for people with muscle pain and tension, and also promotes blood flow and relieves stress. This is similar to the Swedish massage but the therapist will use hot stones instead of their hands. Lymphatic Drainage massage is a whole-body treatment which relaxes the nervous system and helps the body’s immune system. Women may experience their menstrual cycle start early as this massage makes everything flow in the body. Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils and scents to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and boost your mood. Some of the other massage techniques address specific concerns like injury or rehabilitation. Sports massage relieves pain, anxiety, and muscle tension from repeat injuries to a muscle. It is also good as a preventative measure for those who are prone to injuries. This can be a full body massage or an area-specific one. Trigger Point massage is best for chronic pain or a specific issue. This helps people who have tightness in muscles which causes pain in other parts of the body. Reflexology massage focuses on feet, hands and ears. It is mainly for relaxation and energy. Prenatal massage can help pregnant women with body aches, stress,
and muscle tension. These massages are recommended after the first trimester; pregnant women should avoid massages in the first trimester as certain points in the body may induce a miscarriage. Growing up I thought massages were just for people who wanted to relax and had a lot of money; it was a luxury treat on birthdays or anniversaries. But as my body has gotten older, massage has turned into more of a necessity. I store stress in my shoulders and lower back. I started getting massages to relieve the pain and realized it was improving my overall mood and health. I try to get massages every six to eight weeks to keep my body flowing properly and prevent any issues as I age. If you’ve never had a massage and experience chronic pain, get one, you’ll thank me later! SANAH SAYANI is a master cosmetologist and owner of Thread Beauty Spa (4426 Hugh Howell Road in The Centre on Hugh Howell). 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!
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 11
12 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
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.
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 13
Back Talk: Three Steps to Good Health in the New Year KARL SCHWARTZ, D.C.
I
am so looking forward to a healthy and prosperous New Year. I was joking with a patient that this year has to be better than last year - which is exactly what I said last New Year’s! But all joking aside, I really do feel in my heart that we are advancing through the COVID pandemic. Although infection rates in Georgia are rising, the Omicron variant is less virulent and more spreadable, which may accelerate the population reaching herd immunity. What are your goals for 2022? If I asked a group of patients, one might say it is financial, another might want to make more money, or another might want to expand their business. Another might wish to be a better husband or wife, mother or father. Another might want to become more spiritual and closer to God. All are great goals, but before you can focus on and achieve any of these goals, you first must be healthy. Here are some simple goals towards becoming healthier. First, minimize your physical stress, which can be achieved by getting your body to its optimal weight, or body mass index (BMI). These charts are easily accessible online and are divided into male and female categories and various age brackets. If you are overweight, the increased fat causes your body to work harder to function which affects all of your body systems. Think of it like driving a car; would you rather drive your car with the emergency brake on or off? If it is on, you must increase your horsepower to maintain the same speed at the expense of wearing out other parts. Reaching and maintaining an optimal BMI is vital to good health, and should be your primary health goal. Second, control your emotional stress, another integral part of being healthy. What can you do easily to improve your emotional stress? Yoga improves your body’s flexibility and movements but try yoga paired with a meditation-type exercise. Physical and emotional stress affect each other. If you can reduce your emotional stress, your body feels better. Third, move! I like to say, “Use it or lose it.” If a car sits idle and not driven, all the parts begin to decay and decline. After just a week of idleness, a car’s battery can lose its charge. Move! Walk, jog, stretch, do resistance exercises, walk your dog, play tennis, bike, swim, yoga – however you move your body, it will feel better, improving your attitude and mental clarity. Just these three simple steps will move you more quickly to your 2022 goal of good health. Get started now for a Happy New Year!
14 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
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.
NothingBundtCakes.com
Money Available When You Need It
2022
With a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), you can use the equity you’ve built in your home for major purchases, repairs and renovations, debt consolidation or other unexpected expenses. Whatever your needs may be, we are here to help you take the next step forward.
2022
Tucker 4280 Lavista Rd, Suite C-115, Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 270-5695 NothingBundtCakes.com 01/31/2022
Tucker 4280 Lavista Rd, Suite C-115, Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 270-5695 NothingBundtCakes.com 01/31/2022
This is banking at its best. This is Banking Forward.
Brian C. Moon
AVP, Branch Manager • NMLS# 1934368 9353 Lavista Road • Tucker, GA • O: 404.297.2238
SouthStateBank.com/HELOC All loans are subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 403455. Member FDIC.
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 15
Smoke Rise Residents Honored for Mission Work in Honduras
Penny Stovall with some of the children of El Ocotal in Honduras.
OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF
S
moke Rise residents Graham and Penny Stovall were recently honored by Smoke Rise Baptist Church with a resolution noting their thirty years of service to the church’s Honduras Outreach International mission. The Stovalls’ contributions during their years with HOI include many trips to the Agalta Valley and the community of El Ocotal, where they created lifelong friendships with hundreds of families there. The Stovalls supported education by bringing the children books with color pictures and globes of the world, encouraged play with balloons and puppets, and helped stage Christmas pageants and Vacation Bible School. Since 2009, the couple also have organized and managed 16 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
the HOI Golf Tournament, an annual event that not only raises funds to support the mission programs, but introduces new supporters to the mission. Graham Stovall has served on the HOI Board of Directors for fourteen years, and Penny Stovall has served on the board for eight years. While many people support the HOI at Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Penny and Graham Stovall provide leadership by example, and over the years have encouraged and recruited many people to join their mission trips to Honduras. “The Stovalls’ selfless leadership as followers of Jesus have made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people in Honduras and in Smoke Rise,” said Paige Fulgham, interim minister of missions, Smoke Rise Baptist Church.
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 17
Tucker Business Association Honors Members at Annual Holiday Party OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF The Tucker Business Association (TBA) hosted its annual holiday party on Thursday, December 9 at Smoke Rise Country Club. The 2022 board and officers were inducted during the event. Laurie Wexel (Stone Ridge Event Center), president Stephen Bentley (Thryv), vice president Kristen Kametches (G2 Surfaces, Inc.), secretary Bob Espy (Espy R/E & Development), treasurer Johnathan Clark (Edward Jones), membership Honey Van de Kreke (Elrep Sales), ex officio board member Bob Smith (BOBCARES), member at large Daryl Hubbard (RARE TEAM, LLC), member at large Marvlet Cox (YES! Enterprises), member at large Leslie Richardson (Leslie Elliott Richardson LLC), member at large Nate Martin (NX2 Agency), member at large Several members were recognized for their contributions to the organization and the Tucker community. Member of the Year - Tom Edmondson, senior pastor, First Christian Church of Atlanta
Organization of the Year Rotary Club of Tucker Lifetime Achievement Award – Honey Van de Kreke, corporate secretary and treasurer, Elrep Sales Tucker Business Association (TBA) works solely in the interest of Tucker businesses. It shares information within the business community, works with government representatives, and encourages economic development. TBA meets the third Thursday of each month for a noon lunch at Smoke Rise Country Club; everyone is welcome. For details and membership information, visit tuckerbiz.org. Tom Edmondson
Call for free consultation
Latawsha Little-Hill Steven R Ashby 4500 Hugh Howell Road Suite 600 Heritage Place Tucker, GA 30084 770.493.4924 www.gwaplaw.com 18 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 19
Wellroot Raises $77,000 with “The Tattooed Santa” Christmas Event OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF
W
ellroot Family Services held its annual Family Christmas Party in December, benefiting Wellroot’s foster families and raising funds to help support its mission. “The Tattooed Santa” was the guest of honor at the “Wonderland” event; a father to over twelve children (three by birth, nine by adoption, and many more foster children), his passion in life is working with children in foster care. (Follow The Tattooed Santa on Facebook.) In addition to visiting with Santa, guests enjoyed games, yummy treats, and lots of gifts. The event raised over $64,000 in gifts, clothes and food, plus over $13,000 in financial assistance, and helped 225 children and teens in Wellroot foster care enjoy a happy holiday. Local sponsors of the event included King Industrial Realty, Whitehead Foundation, Jackson Healthcare, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta (East Perimeter), Advanced Pro Services, the Browne Family, Haywood Memorial, Midway UMC, Oak Grove UMC, Northbrook UMC, Waffle House, Crossroads UMC, Gainesville First UMC, My Zion UMC Marietta, and Oakwood First UMC. Donations are still being accepted for the Wellroot Holiday Fund through its website wellroot.org/cultivate or by texting GIVE CHRISTMAS to 41444. Wellroot Family Services, formerly The United Methodist Children’s Home, is Georgia’s longest-serving child welfare organization. For 150 years, Wellroot has provided homes for the state’s most at-risk children, teens, young adults, and families. Wellroot’s programs include foster care, kinship care, transitional and independent living, family housing, and family preservation.
20 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
Camp Woof: Empowering People with Disabilities in the Workplace OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF
I
n the first annual celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Tucker dog daycare and boarding Camp Woof was named “Small Employer of the Year” by Georgia's Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Camp Woof was honored at the Supported Employment Celebration Awards Virtual Event, “Work Works for Everyone,” on Thursday, October 28, 2021, in an online ceremony and celebration. APSE is a national organization focused exclusively on Employment First to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and community. Camp Woof was recognized because of its consistent and comprehensive commitment to employing people with disabilities. “We work together as a team, and that means everyone on the Staff works together and inclusively to get the job done,” said Robert Poff, Camp Woof COO and general manager. “Our goal is to be sure all our people clients and dog clients have a safe, happy, and active experience while they are at Camp Woof, and it takes everyone on the team to make that happen.” Camp Woof is an employment partner with WOW In-Sync, a Tucker-based non-profit providing training and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism to help them integrate more fully into business and community. WOW has placed several adults with disabilities at Camp Woof, in meaningful jobs that provide career and life development. Camp Woof not only provides an inclusive environment for individuals who want to work, but it also hosts discovery tours for young adults in high school who are learning about work expectations at the WOW in-Sync Pre-Employment Training Site. “Camp Woof sees potential rather than barriers, empowering people with disabilities to live independent and productive lives,” said Mary Justman, vice president of resources and development, WOW In-Sync. “At WOW, we look for employers who model this philosophy and help power the futures of the individual we support.” OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 21
Fulfilling the Dream of
Martin Luther King Over many years people have been trying to fulfill Martin Luther King’s dreams, and to instill The hope of a better future for everyone, We cannot rest until this is done. We must realize the dreams of prophets who foresaw An end to prejudice and war. Several students many years ago sat at a lunch counter, even though they knew it was futile to expect to be treated with dignity and respect, and to order each one a plate of food, they were ignored and their treatment was very rude. They knew what they asked was a human right, but they were refused because they were not white. Their actions and those of others who realize we are all sisters and brothers, helped to bring about a change of law, but we must not forget how is it was before. The seeds of change started with a few, Let them continue with me and you. Let us all pledge here today To visualize a better was, A future that will bring The fulfilled dream of Martin Luther King. © Copyright 2010 Victoria T. Crosby 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.
22 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022 23
WE CARE. MORE THAN LEGAL SERVICE…
Legalcare™
These are the qualities that Lamar Law Office strives to represent. As a 2021 Winner of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics, we are proud to say that we lived up to our promise last year. This year, we continue to strive to achieve our standard of care and excellence for our clients. Warm wishes from Lamar Law Office, LLC and Happy New Year! — Attorney Anita Lamar, Founder
IF YOU’VE EXPERIENCED A…
þ þ þ þ
Car Accident Slip and Fall Injury Civil Rights Violation or Medical Malpractice
…WE CARE. CALL US TODAY. 24 OUR TOWN DEKALB | January 2022
�
1-877-CARE-404
�
www.atlantalegalcare.com
