Dawson Living November December 2021

November/December 2021

ON THE COVER:

Jewelry by Selin, Page 4 INSIDE: IRS Warns of Identity Theft, Page 6

Keeping Forsyth, Dawson and Lumpkin County Residents warm for over

57

Years

MILLS FUEL SERVICE, INC. CUMMING 770-887-5235 DAWSONVILLE 706-265-3394 DAHLONEGA 706-864-5037

WWW.MILLSFUEL.COM

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

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Steven Leibel School bus accidents.

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Christine Hinton IRS warns of identity theft.

Jewelry by Selin A family business.

Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Metro Market Media Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Metro Market Media cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Dawson Living reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by Dawson Living.

/dawsonnews @dawsoncountynews @dawsonnews

EDITOR Jacob Smith

PHOTOGRAPHY Jeremy Coleman, @jcreative_media

PUBLISHER Stephanie Woody

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Colosimo and Erica Schmidt

DIRECTOR OF REVENUE Leah Nelson ADVERTISING SALES Tim Anderson CREATIVE SERVICES Chelsea Sunshine, April Seymour, Claudette Keeley

DAWSON LIVING A Division of Dawson County News Dawsonville, GA A Metro Market Media Inc. property www.dawsonnews.com

Sponsored Content

SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENTS Accidents involving school buses are more common than people think. Whether because of rainy weather, distractions, or inattentiveness, many accidents occur on our roads involving school busses. Often time the drivers of school buses are not at fault but collide with vehicles driven by at fault drivers who are inattentive or just plain negligent.

Since there are no seatbelts on a school bus, children can suffer from many types of injuries. A child’s injury should be examined quickly by a pediatrician for their injuries to be properly assessed and treated. It is important to look to your own auto insurance policy to see if you have any medical pay that could be used to pay for school bus related medical expenses. This is in addition to health insurance.

School bus accidents are different from regular accidents because they are usually owned by public school districts. Since there is governmental involvement in a school bus accident, those who are injured should know that the process of receiving injury compensation can be different when making claims against the government. Each governmental entity has different rules on how and when to give notice of a claim.

We have represented young people that have been injured in school bus accidents. For example, one young girl I represented suffered a brain injury when she went flying into the ceiling of the bus after it was involved in a collision. Since there were no seatbelts, she was propelled into the ceiling of the bus, striking her head. This young girl suffered a concussion and post-concussion syndrome.

Another case that we handled, involved a young man who was struck while riding as a passenger in his mother’s vehicle. A distracted bus driver rear-ended another vehicle which pushed into the mother’s

car. This case was settled for six figures after months of litigation against the school district. Other cases have involved clients who have been paralyzed by a school employee.

Unlike in normal auto cases, bus accidents are governed by principles of “sovereign immunity” or caps on school district liability.

To make claims against the school district, there are some necessary prerequisites. However, unlike other types of governmental agencies, school bus accidents normally do not require formalized notice of liability. However, if a school bus that is owned by the state is involved in an accident, a letter of claim must be made to the state. If a school bus is owned by a city or county government, then there are separate requirements for giving notice.

School bus accidents can happen at any given time and include any given party. Whether it is a school bus striking another motorist on the street, or off the street. It is important to be aware of what to do when unfortunate accidents like these occur. Make sure to contact an experienced accident attorney if you or a loved one have been involved in a school bus collision.

Steven Leibel is the Principal Attorney at Leibel Law. He is a Georgia Super Lawyer in personal injury and is rated AV preeminent

by Martindale.com. If you have any questions, to email him at info@ leibel.com or call (404) 892-0700.

November/December 2021

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SPONSORED CONTENT

A Family Gem HOW BEAUTIFUL PIECES COME FROM PRICELESS VALUES

By Jennifer Colosimo You can’t tell the story of Dawsonville’s new jewelry store in one simple article, because the story behind this family business begins a very long time ago and a very long way away; but it’s the journey and the dream discovered at their destination that make it worth the sneak peek that an article can share.

Excited for new beginnings and opportunities, Selin and Sayat Dedeoglu moved to Atlanta in 2007 from Istanbul, Turkey, just a few months after the birth of their son.

Sayat got a job setting diamonds in the back of a jewelry shop at America’s Mart in downtown Atlanta. He was very good at his job – one of the best, in fact – because being a jewelry craftsman had been his specialty since he was 11 years old.

It was the same for most Armenian boys, as tradition sends boys to learn the jewelry trade once they finish elementary school.

But working behind the scenes wasn’t enough. With Selin’s people skills and Sayat’s talents, they opened their own shop at America’s Mart in 2011, naming it after their son, Ayk. AYK Jewelry became their haven, until the pull of the quiet suburbs (a welcome change from the busy

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November/December 2021

metropolis they left behind in Instanbul) was too much and the couple reopened in Dawsonville under a new name, Jewelry by Selin.

In an area that’s booming, they’re able to reach a diverse clientele that never had anything like it, before.

And from the Dedeoglu’s perspective, Dawsonville itself is welcoming, encouraging and wants to help each other and see each other succeed.

“We’re not native here, obviously, we’re foreigners; but the community is curious about us,” says Selin. “We are so lucky and thankful for all the opportunities this country has given us, and we like this area so much.

“We’re so happy here. The people here are relaxed and comfortable and we’re so glad to be growing with them.”

At the shop, you’ll find plenty of Sayat’s custom pieces, named The Selin Collection, as well as endless options by popular vendors to meet and

SPONSORED CONTENT

complement any customer’s varying style and budget.

Jewelry by Selin is also the only shop in Dawsonville to carry Sindy Ramirez’s 21 Blessings line.

In line with the principles behind owning a family business, Ramierez is a long-time personal friend of Selin’s, and the two collaborated to add a gold and diamond collection to her chic, everyday brand.

“Being able to hear a customer’s reaction is so valuable,” added Selin. “When Sayat was working for the other jewelry shops, he never got to see the customers’ faces when they got their custom piece. He never heard their feedback. But now, in our own shop, with its community feel, he gets to hand those pieces over directly to them, and see, for the first time, what they feel. And that’s the best thing, for him, and for us.”

Those custom clients enjoy a personalized experience working with the Dedeoglus.

It begins by simply talking about what the customer wants: Do they already own a piece that they want to redesign and reset? Are they starting from scratch? From there, Sayat sketches out his designs in CAD, allowing him to make tweaks with the client along the way, and reviews them first-hand until the design is ready to build.

“Sayat’s profession is diamond setting. He understands diamonds. And because he’s been doing it for so long, he can pick up a piece and immediately envision it transformed into a piece of jewelry in his head and hands. He has that instinct for how a specific gem will look in a setting.

“It’s important to us to design a piece with the customer,” says Selin. “If we design together, then we can make sure that piece suits their lifestyle, and ends up being something they’re proud to wear, and maybe even pass down in their family.”

Speaking of family, running this business together is one of the most important things to them. They’re able to work together more now, putting their own heads together to craft beautiful pieces for the store, and teach their son the values of serving a community at the same time.

“We are family and we operate as a family, so we are comfortable in the fact that when the customer walks [in], we can deliver something truly unique and beautiful, no matter what they want,” says Selin. “We don’t need to act, or try to convince our customers of anything. Our set of knowledge and skills is so unique. We are not just doing this as a job.

It’s our passion, it’s our lifestyle. We’re confident in what we have, and we want our customers to feel that.

“Really, we want to be known as the town (or everyone’s) jeweler,” says Selin. “We want to cater to every budget without compromising the quality. We would like to help everyone make their wishes come true, no matter their lifestyle.”

12 Dawson Market Way Suite 340 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Jewelrybyselin.com • 706-265-9044

November/December 2021

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SPONSORED CONTENT

IRS Warns of Identity Theft Signs With the 2021 tax filing season just a few months away from starting, the IRS is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for signs that your identity has been stolen.

This month’s newsletter alerts you to some of the common signs of identity theft and what you can do if you discover that you’re an identity theft victim.

With identity thieves continuing to target the tax community, the IRS is urging you to learn the new signs of identity theft so you can react quickly to limit any damage.

Here are some of the common signs of identity theft according to the IRS: • In early 2022, you receive a refund before filing your 2021 tax return.

• You receive a tax transcript you didn’t request from the IRS. • A notice that someone created an IRS online account without your consent.

• You find out that more than one tax return was filed using your Social Security Number.

• You receive tax documents from an employer you do not know.

• • • •

Other signs of identity theft include: Unexplained withdrawals on bank statements.

Mysterious credit card charges.

Your credit report shows accounts you didn’t open.

You are billed for services you didn’t use or receive calls about phantom debts.

If you discover that you’re a victim of identity theft, consider taking the following action:

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November/December 2021

• Notify creditors and banks. Most credit card companies offer protections to cardholders affected by ID theft.

Generally, you can avoid liability for unauthorized charges exceeding $50. But if your ATM or debit card is stolen, report the theft immediately to avoid dire consequences.

• Place a fraud alert on your credit report. To avoid longlasting impact, contact any one of the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian or TransUnion— to request a fraud alert. This covers all three of your credit files.

• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Visit identitytheft.gov or call 877-438-4338. The FTC will provide a recovery plan and offer updates if you set up an account on the website.

• Please call if you suspect any tax-related identity theft.

If any of the previously mentioned signs of tax-related identity theft have happened to you, please call to schedule an appointment to discuss next steps.

Christine Hinton CPA www.christinahintoncpa.com 706-522-3025

Thank you to our community for always supporting us and voting us the best heating and air company four years in a row. As a lifelong resident of Dawson County, this recognition is such an honor. We look forward to continuing to serve you. ~Tim & Lindsay White

706-974-1092

EliteHeatingandAirGA.com • Tim@EliteHeatingandAirGA.com

Serving

Dawsonville and

North Georgia  Tax Preparation and Planning  Small Business Accounting  Payroll  Part-Time CFO Services  Personal Financial Planning

Have a Question about an Accounting or Tax Issue?

Ask an Expert.

Christine Hinton CPA

“Thank you for making us Best of Dawson for three years in a row.

We are known for the quality of our service C: 706-522-3025 and the high standards we set for ourselves.

F: 678-550-7765 Our primary goal is to help our clients make informed financial decisions.”

Christine@ChristineHintonCPA.com

Owner

ChristineHintonCPA.com

-Christine Hinton

Welcome to

JEWELRY BY SELIN

We are a family owned and operated jeweler committed to excellent customer service and outstanding quality.

Custom Jewelry – Watches & Watch Repair Engraving – Jewelry Repair Buy & Sell Precious Metal & Diamonds Men’s Jewelry – Pearls & Gem Stones Silver Jewelry, Charms & Beads We Offer

FREE Jewelry Cleaning 20% OFF FIRST TIME PURCHASE

Bridal

CONSULTATIONS For Diamond Education, Custom Engagement Rings and introducing

The Selin

Bridal Collection

12 Dawson Market Way Suite 340 • Dawsonville, GA 30534 • Jewelrybyselin.com • 706.265.9044