Our Town March 2011 - West Cobb

MARCH 2011

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The West Cobb Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine

KENNESTONE NORTH • 840 CHURCH STREETSUITE G3 • MARIETTA, GA 30060www.nwgadermatologists .com

WE ACCEPT MASTERCARD, VISA, AMEX, DISCOVER AND CARE CREDIT

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FELLOW, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF MOHSMICROGRAPHIC SURGERY AND CUTANEOUS ONCOLOGY

DIPLOMAT, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY

Dr. Kayal specializes in diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, including: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

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MARCH INTO…

Graphics and DesignTerry Tanner

Tanner Graphics, Inc.

Feature PhotographerCherry Berry Studios

Contributing WritersDeborah RatchfordLeisa Bailey, PhD.Karen HartleyShelia FreyShasta ClarkLindsey WeberJason GoggansPam Walker

Dara Hosch, MD, FAAPMark Orler

Mitzi Rubin, MDMichelle DeHaven, DVM

Publishers/Editors Linda Demery & Lori McLinden

The West Cobb Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine

OurTownMarietta Kennesaw Acworth PowderSprings

Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious

homes in the West Cobb Area. Opinions expressed by the editorial

staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of

the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to edit and or reject any

editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not responsible for er-

rors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity

of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2011 by Our Town. Reproduction in

whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written

permission from the publisher.

Our Town Magazine109 Anderson Street

Suite 109Marietta, GA 30060

678-337-7844Fax: 678-337-7825

[email protected]

Calendar of Events About the Cover/Feature Photographer March Crossword Real Estate in Our TownMarietta’s Black and White AffairThe Extraordinary Parent-Child BondHome & DesignShopping with SheliaMommy MomentsTwenty SomethingHealth & FitnessOur Town Travel – IsraelReactive Attachment DisorderThe Sports Car ExportAllergy Season is Upon Us!What’s Cookin’?Pets of the MonthWhat’s Lurking in the Backyard?

in this is

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FAMILY DANCE OFF: Get ready to twist & shout, boogie and bop! The 2nd Annual FamilyDance-off ends March 26th. The Primrose School at Macland Pointe is partnering with our local Chil-dren’s Miracle Network Hospital encouraging families to dance for a healthy body and happy heart.For more information on how to submit your 30 second video, win a $5,000 prize and a donation of$30,000 in your name to the hospital. Log on to www.FamilyDanceoff.com.

BORN AGAIN BLESSINGS CONSIGNMENT SALE: Children’s and maternity clothes,shoes, toys, nursery items, baby equipment, furniture and more! Friday March 4, 9am-7pm. SaturdayMarch 5, 9am-noon. Preview sale: Thursday open to workers and sellers only. First time moms cansign up for early shopping privileges. Cobb County Civic Center. 548 Marietta Parkway, Marietta.More info: www.bornagainblessings.com

LIL’ LAMBS CLOSET: First United Methodist Church of Marietta is gearing up for their 39thsemi-annual consignment sale! Workers- you may sign up by emailing [email protected]/Workers receive early shopping privileges. Shoppers- Shop Early on Thursday, March 10th 6pm– 8pm ($5.00 early shopping fee, Thursday only), Friday, March 11th 9am-7pm and Saturday, March12th 9am-1pm. Many items are 50% off on Saturday! Parents, Grandparents and Moms-to-be findincredible savings on spring and summer fashions from 300 sellers! We offer infant sizes thru size 18,as well as maternity clothes. We also offer strollers, high chairs, baby furniture and misc. nursery ac-cessories. Children’s toys, games, puzzles, books and movies can be found at a fraction of the retailprice. Due to safety concerns, no strollers are allowed on the sales floor. Childcare available while youshop, by reservation (770) 429-7850 ext. 7860 (charges apply). We’re located at 56 Whitlock Avenuein downtown Marietta. For more information please call us at (770) 429-7850 ext 7858 or visit ourwebsite www.lil-lambs.org. We look forward to seeing you when the doors open March 10th!

DUE WEST TREASURE CHEST CHILDREN’S / TEEN CONSIGNMENT SALE: 3956Due West Road, Marietta. The sale is located at the corner of Acworth Due West Road and KennesawDue West Road in the Due West United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Admission is FREE.Sale dates are Thursday, March 10th, 9:30 a.m. -7 p.m.; Friday, March 11th, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; andMarch 12th, 8a.m. -12 noon. Many items are 1/2 price on Saturday ONLY. We offer high-qualityitems at greatly reduced prices. Find gently used children’s, junior’s and teen’s clothing, accessoriesand shoes. We also offer FORMAL WEAR, school uniforms, baby items / furniture, electronics,books, CDs, DVDs, TOYS and more! For more information, please call 678-318-1908 or email [email protected].

TOTS TO TWEEN SPRING CONSIGNMENT SALE: Sponsored by Northwest AtlantaMoms of Multiples (formerly Cobb Parents of Multiples Club). We are now a TWO day sale!! Opento the public on Friday, March 11th from 1:00pm-8:00pm, and Saturday, March 12th from 8:00am-12noon at Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 2825 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA 30066. We offer cloth-ing (newborn to juniors), accessories, toys, play equipment, strollers, car seats, furniture, and much,much, more! For more info, call or email 678-453-6993 or [email protected], or visit our websiteat www.NOWAMOM.org.

PETER PAN AT THE JENNIE T. ANDERSON THEATER: Based on the original story byJ.M. Barrie, the company brings back one of its all-time favorites. Tinkerbell, Peter Pan, and Wendytake flight and journey off to Neverland to battle Captain Hook, Ms. Smee and a full ensemble of Pi-rates! This production has it all! Performances are held at the Jennie T. Anderson Theater, CobbCounty Civic Center, Friday, March 11th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 12th at 2 p.m. and 7:30p.m. and Sunday, March 13th at 2 p.m. For tickets go to www.ruthmitchelldance.org. Ticket pricesare $24 for adults and $22 for seniors, students, and children.

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Cherry Berry Studiobelongs to two sistersborn and raised inWest Cobb. CynthiaBillingsley and LisaButler have turned apassion for photogra-phy, art, fashion, andrelationships into anexciting business overthe last 5 years. Theyspecialize in creatingtimeless reflections oflife that represent aclient’s own personalstyle. Lisa and Cyn-thia provide not onlyreal memories to puton your wall at homebut also a fun and spe-cialized experience.“We are honored tohelp you capture thebeauty of your life in aportrait that lasts for-ever”.

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Sergey Cherep has been a long- time friend to us atOur Town Magazine. One of his landscape paint-ings hangs in the Our Town office and gives us afeeling of wonder and magic each and every day.Sergey has changed the international cultural scenewith his beautiful landscapes and seascapes thatearned him the Muse Award for the “Best in Oils”at the highly acclaimed 2nd Annual InternationalARTV Awards, which were broadcast on NBC’sBravo network in in 2007. Among his many honorsand accolades, Sergey also holds the title of professorat the Accademia del Verbanzo in Italy.

Born in Leningrad on January 24, 1969, Sergeystarted studying art as a young child. Tragically, hedeveloped meningitis at the age of three, leaving himunable to walk or speak for several years. Paintingbecame a great comfort for him. At the age of eight,

he was enrolled in a preschool for artists and went on to attend college at the prestigious SerevoInstitute. There he gained extensive knowledge in all of the classic art forms, including Europeanart history, photography, printing, sculpture, restoration methods, and painting everything fromstill-life to portraits. After graduating, he sold his paintings in the streets of Russia, but longedfor artistic freedom. In 1992 at the age of 21, Sergey left his family and everything he knewbehind, and with the help of an American visiting Moscow he obtained a Visa and flew directlyto Atlanta.

He found work in maintenance at the IRS building where he learned to speak English. His bigbreak came when his manager helped him set up a show in the IRS cafeteria where the youngartist sold three paintings. Modest success followed. The turning point for Sergey came when hemet his wife, Renee, at a Christmas party in December 1995. They were married a month later.With his talent and her head for business, the couple immediately set out to get Sergey and hisart recognized. They took a booth at an art trade show in New York and the show was a triumph.Fueled by his success, Sergey was able to get his paintings into several acclaimed galleries. TodaySergey’s art is shown in galleries across America, Australia and England.

His style has changed dramatically over the years from the European stark realism canvases thathe used to paint to a vivid palette of land and sea in primary colors. A trip to Napa Valley changed

his perspective entirely. "The technique of painting that I have embraced is definitely the PostImpressionism style made famous by Van Gogh," says Sergey. "I love the simplicity of colors andenergy found in his work. The bold, unrealistic colors and expressive brushstrokes of my prede-cessors are my tool as I try to bring a three-dimensional feeling out from the paintings by usingcolor, perspective and a thick texture. My paintings are like fairy tales-- a dream place. I don'tsee things as realistic. I allow the fantastic to happen. When I travel and paint, the sun, the grapesand the smells of California speak to me. But anything can motivate me--a picture, a cut water-melon, or even a color."

Sergey has accomplished a signature style, which allows his work to be recognized immediately.He gets up at 5:30 am every day and begins sketching in his Acworth studio. When he is com-fortable with his composition, he begins painting. “Eighty percent of successful painting is com-position," he notes. Sergey does about 500-800 sketches per year and 300 original oil canvases."I feel like I am halfway up the stairs," the artist sums up. "It is not fame I desire but rather togrow as an artist. I still have the hunger inside my spirit and i do want to be known. I love teachingpeople how to paint and love the fact that they come to me."

Dascha, Sergey’s and Renee’s daughter is also an aspiring artist. She has her own space in Sergey’sstudio and is already following in her father’s footsteps. She is seven years old and attends FreyElementary. For more information about Sergey Cherup and his art, please visit www.sergey-cherep.com

about the cover

Paid Advertisement • Total Practice Management International©

Dear Friend,If you’ve ever thought about going to a

chiropractor but you’ve hesitated becauseyou weren’t sure it was right for you pleaseread on…

My name is Dr. Erin Arnold. I wouldlike to show my heartfelt thanks to thecommunity by announcing CommunityHealth Week. It's my way of sayingTHANK YOU to the people who havebeen so helpful and mean so much. Ihope this will benefit you and yours.

I have agreed to “give away” (to anyonewho asks for it) $200 worth of my serv-ices for only $20.

That’s right-$20.In the years that I have been practicing

I have helped many people in the NorthGeorgia area feel better and live healthier,more productive lives through chiroprac-tic care. I would now like to introduceyou to the many benefits my professionhas to offer.

For instance, chiropractic care may beable to help you if you are suffering fromany of the following conditions.

• Low back pain

• Neck Pain

• Migraines

• Sciatica

• Herniated discs

• Degenerated discs

• Shoulder/arm pain

And a whole host of other problems,ranging from TMJ to carpal tunnel.

These symptoms can be caused when-ever the vertebrae in your spine are out ofalignment, because this “misalignment”directly affects your nervous system.

Fortunately, if you are suffering fromsuch problems or similar conditions rightnow, they may be relieved or eliminatedby proper chiropractic treatment (com-monly called “adjustments”).

So if you’ve always wanted to “checkout” chiropractic care and see what is in itfor you, now is the best time because…..

Right now $20 will get you all theservices I normally charge my new pa-tients $200 for!

WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE?

Everything. Take a look at what you’ll get…• An in-depth private consultation

about your health and well being.• A chiropractic spinal examination…• A set of specialized X-rays to deter-

mine if a misalignment in your spineis causing your painor symptoms…(NOTE: Nobodygives these kinds ofX-rays FREE.They would usuallycost $100)…

• An analysis of yourX-rays and spinalexam results so wecan see what needsto be done to help.

• Helpful literaturethat shows howyour body worksand why you experience pain…

• Answers to all your most probingquestions about chiropractic care andwhat it can do for you….

The appointment will not take long atall. And like I said, we normally charge$200 for this (most of which just coversthe cost of the set of X-rays).

But now, as a part of this one timeoffer, you can come in and find out forcertain if you need chiropractic care andhow it can help you eliminate the painyou are feeling.

Before you come in, though, you’llprobably want to know a little bit aboutme. So let me tell you….

MEET THE DOCTORPrior to obtaining my Doctor of Chiro-

practic Degree at Life University in Marietta,GA, I received my B.S. degree in Biology. Iam nationally and state board certified inChiropractic and Physiotherapy.

I am one of the few doctors in this area thatperforms specific Activator analysis techniquefor the treatment of degenerative discs, scolio-sis, herniated discs just to name a few.

I have happily donated my time to organi-zations such as MUST Ministries, YWCA(Domestic Violence Shelter for Women), andRoss Memorial, just name a few.

I am very proud to be a wife and mother of2 beautiful daughters and a member of LibertyChurch in Marietta, GA

DOES CHIROPRACTIC REALLY WORK

Absolutely! When you come in I’ll pro-vide you with studies that show why chiro-practic is a preferred method of treatment.But what provides the best “proof” on howwell chiropractic works is what our patientssay about it.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

What brought me to NewLife Chiropractic Center wasmy GREAT, GREAT PAIN.Chiropractic has helped mebecause my pain has sub-sided, I can get out of bedand off of the sofa. I movebetter with less pain and I ammore of a “happy camper”these days. Better yet, myhusband isn’t as stressed

knowing that I am getting better. Everyonethat works here is very supportive, caringand friendly. In one word…FANTASTIC!.

Thanks,Lois Diehl

ALLERGIES AND FATIGUEI started seeking chiropractic help for al-

lergies, fatigue and backaches. Chiropractichas helped my problems diminish. I can ex-ercise more, sleep better and just enjoy life. Iknow that chiropractic is essential for overallwell-being and that is why my entire familyis under care here. Now that I am happier,my family is also, happier. The doctors andstaff here are really gentle and caring.

Thanks for your help,Bridgett Dunk

LOW BACK PAIN AND HEADACHES

When I first came to the office I had a lotof pain in my back, headaches and allergies. Idid not have any idea how chiropractic help.Now that I have been getting adjusted, I nolonger have headaches, low back pain and myallergies have improved greatly! Getting carehere has improved my quality of life! I havemore to offer my family and I have more en-ergy to play with my son. The atmosphere iswarm, caring and helpful.

Thanks, Pastor John Schubert

SCIATICAI came to NLCC with pain in my low

back due to two “crushed” discs. Now that Ihave been under chiropractic care I can takewalks, get in and out of bed and get out ofmy chair. I have less pain and I do not haveCharlie horses anymore. My family is happybecause I do not complain as much and Ican do things without hobbling around. Ilove coming here!

Sincerely,James Wood

SCOLIOSISI was having pain in my hip, knee and leg

all the way down to my ankle. The pain keptme up at night! The pain is now almost en-tirely gone and a good night sleep has re-turned! I never realized how wonderful itwas to sleep! I was amazed at how quickly Iresponded. I have had chiropractic care beforebut never such a gentle progressive healing.

Thank you for your help!Phyillis Waddle

GUARANTEE OF GREAT SERVICE

Obviously we can’t guarantee results. Noone can. But there is one guarantee we cangive you and that’s a guarantee to acceptyour case only if we truly feel we can help.

LIMITED TIME OFFERObviously, with an offer like this we

can’t afford to do it for very long. So we’vepicked the dates of March 1st-15th Ifyou would like to take us up on our offerand see what chiropractic can do for you,all you have to do is call our office and setup an appointment.

Call our 24 hour help line @

678-574-5678 and tell the receptionist you’d like to

come in for the Special Introductory Examination

during March 1st-15thI expect to get flooded with appoint-

ments for this event, so please call me assoon as possible to be sure that you don’tmiss out.

Thank you very much, and I look for-ward to helping you get rid of your painso you can start living a healthier, moreproductive life. God bless.

Sincerely,Dr. Erin Arnold, D.C.

ONLY $20 TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP BUT HAS NEVER BEEN TO A CHIROPRACTOR BEFORE

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PERFORMING FOR THE DREAM: The Hillgrove High School Foundation presents‘Performing for the Dream’. An afternoon of fine arts at the Earl Strand Theatre Sunday,March 13, 2011 from 2 to 5 pm. Come enjoy visual and performing arts by Hillgrove HighSchool students, a silent auction will also benefit the Hillgrove Foundation. Tickets are $25and can be purchased at The Strand box office, EarlStrand.org or at Hillgrove High School.

TOUCH A TRUCK: Saturday, March 19th from 10am to 2pm. Children at Touch-A-Truck will have the opportunity to touch, climb on and learn about their favorite vehicles allin one location, and in a safe, supervised environment. Transportation on display will includepolice and emergency vehicles, construction trucks and tractors, specialty vehicles, tricyclesfor tots, and just plain cool cars. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site.Admission is FREE. Touch a Truck will be located in downtown Kennesaw near the Depot,2828 Cherokee Street. Contact : (770) 422-9714 for further information.

9TH ANNUAL SPRING CHICKEN RUN: 9th Annual Spring Chicken Run—-ARace Against Hunger. Benefits Christian Aid Mission Partnership (C.A.M.P.) Saturday,March 26, 2011, 8:30am. 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run, Spirit Walk, and Tot Trot. Macland Pres-byterian Church, 3615 Macland Road, Powder Springs. For more info go to www.svcamp.orgor call 770-819-0662, ext. 17

NORTH METRO MOTHERS OF MULTIPLES CONSIGNMENT SALE: RoswellArea Park, Bill Johnson Community Activity Building, 10495 Woodstock Rd., Roswell GA30075. Friday, March 25TH, 7:45am - 9:00 pm: Members of other area multiples club shopearly with proof of membership. Saturday, March 26th, 8:30am - 1:00 pm: Sale open to thegeneral public. Please Note: Cash or Check only; no strollers please. For more information,please visit www.northmetromultiples.org/consignment.

GUIDED WILDFLOWER WALKS FOR SPRING: Three free guided wildflowerwalks are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Wednesday, March 30th, Saturday, April 2nd,and Saturday, April 9th, 2011. These walks will start from the hiking trail at Burnt HickoryRoad and proceed toward Dallas Highway. This trail is considered moderate. Please meet atthe gate at Burnt Hickory Road. Parking is limited, so please carpool if possible. The programis free and open to the public. Dr. Mary Meyer will lead these walks and share her 40 yearsof accumulated discoveries regarding wildflowers, mushrooms, and wood-lore. She is also anature writer and photographer, having created the photographic CD “Wildflowers of Ken-nesaw Mountain and North Georgia.” For more information, please call 770-427-4686 x0between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

NORTH COBB JUNIOR WARRIOR FOOTBALL: The North Cobb Junior Warriorswill be holding registration for Spring football on Saturday April 23rd and April 30th from9:00am until 12:00pm at the North Cobb High School Varsity football field concessionstand. The Spring session will run from May 1st through May 21st and is for current 5TH,6TH and 7TH grade students. During the Spring session, participants will learn fundamen-tals, agility, offensive and defensive schemes from the North Cobb Varsity and Middle Schoolcoaching staffs. Players will participate in two Jamboree game sessions against several of theother local Middle school programs. Come be a part of the exciting North Cobb Junior War-rior program! For more information go to www.northcobbfootball.com

Visit our website at www.ourtownmonthly.com for additional on-going events.

march

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Deb Did It Again!DEBORAH RATCHFORDKeller Williams Realty Citywide • Top Producing Agent

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REAL ESTATE IN Our Town by Deborah Ratchford

Buyers, Get Prequalified Now

Deborah Ratchford, Keller Williams Realty Cityside can be reached at678.570.4779 (direct) or 770.874.6200 (office),

[email protected].

Keller Williams Realty Cityside is located at 3350 Atlanta Road, SE Atlanta, SE, Atlanta, GA 30080

Buying a home may be the largest purchase you will make in your lifetime; therefore, I’ve put to-gether a couple of things you should consider when shopping for a mortgage.

Long before you plan on purchasing a home, you should order a copy of your credit report. Thisallows you to correct any errors or resolve any disputes that appear on your report. The state ofGeorgia annually allows residents to request a free copy of their credit report by going online andaccessing Equifax, Experian or Transunion. If you plan ahead, owning your own home can be a

reality. And whatbetter time thannow?

When working withyour Realtor® in theplanning processes ofpurchasing a home,take advantage of heror his experience andtheir business rela-tionships when theyrecommend rep-utable lenders. Iwould advise you tospeak with at leasttwo lenders to com-pare rates and fees.Unfortunately it is

not in your best interest to allow numerous lenders to pull your credit report. Having many in-quiries on your credit report could pull your score down thereby affecting your interest rate. Yourscores and report are needed in order to provide accurate information to qualify for a loan, but

you should limit your lender inquiries to two or three.

Contrary to popular belief, all lenders do not have the same interest rate and settlement costs.There are two questions that you should ask your lender:

1. What is your thirty year fixed rate today?

2. How much are the closing costs on the price of the house thatyou are considering making and offer on?

This information is important to your Realtor®, when she or he is negotiating the best pos-sible deal for you. This figure will aid them in negotiating closing costs for your future home.

Your lender will give you the interest rate for the mortgage loan you are applying for. This willallow you to compare lenders. It is recommended to ask the lender for a Good Faith Estimate(GFE) so you can examine all of the fees you will be responsible for paying at closing. A lendershould provide you a GFE within three days of application. If you do not receive one, you shouldask for it. Once you decide to lock in your rate be sure to get it in writing so there are no misun-derstandings between you and your lender. And last but not least, be sure to verify with the lenderof the loan your loan does not include any pre-payment penalties.

Take a moment to get your finances in order to take advantage of this buyer’s market. Now isthe time to buy and interest rates are at an all time low. Now that you are prequalified, it’s timeto go house shopping!


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The Extraordinary Parent–Child Bond

by Leisa A. Bailey, Ph.D.Unfortunately, over the past six months I have visited with and comforted three friends who haveexperienced what most grief experts believe is the most profound loss – the death of a child. Whilethe “children” ranged in age from 20 to 50, the loss of any child is a heartbreaking experience likeno other. Losing a child is unnatural, disrupts the order of life, and is a loss of innocence. Parentalgrief is different from other loses – it is more intense and a long, sad journey that many experts inthe field say never end. Grieving parents find ways to get through, not over their loss. The signifi-cance of this profoundly life-changing experience causes me to reflect on the extraordinary depthand breadth of the bond between parent and child.

Becoming a parent is one of life’s most amazing events. Children are precious symbols of the futureand there is a unique and complex relationship between parents and children. Journalist, DebbyeBell describes herself becoming a mother as “I was not prepared in the least for the kind of rapturous,over-powering, all-consuming, feel-it-in-my-bones love that I have for my precious little girl”. Whenone becomes a parent there are significant psychological changes and adaptations. For most there isan experience of profound love that knows no limitations.

The connection between aparent and child is such apowerful love that deathdoes not end it. Once youare a parent, the love foryour child never ends. Evenwhen a child dies, parentallove survives. Researchers,Arnold and Gemma, 1994write: “There is no relation-ship like that of parent andchild. It is unique and spe-cial…The bond betweenparent and child is so pow-erful that its strength en-dures time, distance, andstrife. No loss is as signifi-cant as the loss of a child…On the death of a child, aparent feels less thanwhole.” Letting go of andsaying good-bye to a lovedchild may be truly impossi-ble but one can survive thisloss.

Becoming a parent changes much of the very normal “self ” focus that is natural to humans. One ofthe miracles of parenting is that giving your child what they need becomes more important thangetting what you want. Even most people that before becoming a parent had a self-centered life willput a loved child first. Would Disney World exist if this were not true?

The experience of worry and concern for another change when one becomes a parent. The worrieschange as a child grows and matures; but the paternal focus on the physical health, happiness, andfuture of one’s child is a natural preoccupation of parents. The very thought of anything bad hap-pening to a loved child can be terrifying.

It is a parental challenge to balance the fear of pain or harm for a child with the realistic acceptancethat a child cannot be shielded from bad things. All children will have difficulties and struggles.Good parenting provides enough freedom for a child to take reasonable risks, have challenges, andlive a full independent life. The terror of tragedy involving a loved child has to be tempered withthe realization that no parent can (or should) completely protect a child.

If you are a parent, love and cherish your child. Strive to keep them safe and happy but accept thelimits of the power to keep them from harm. If you have lost a child, be kind, generous and patientwith yourself as you struggle to survive a long, lonely and painful journey.

Dr. Bailey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Marietta. You can learn moreabout her and her practice by visiting the website: www.marietta-psychologist.com. You may reachher at (770) 428-6698 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Your comments or ques-tions are welcome.


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Often times, a beautifully designed room, can easily miss the mark without a well planned and executedlighting plan. Have you ever walked into a fabulous room that just seemed to miss the mark? Perhaps theambience of the room seemed off kilter. Or, maybe the room’s lighting gave it a harsh cold feel. Here aresome specific tips you should consider when working up your own personal lighting plan. And, here’s aword to the wise. The single best tip to insure a successful lighting plan is to work with a professional in-terior decorator. That way all the decision you make the first time will be the right decisions for yourhome and your room.

Frequently asked lighting questions:

1. How much light does my room actually need?As an interior decorator, I typically calculate the amount of light needed in a room by multiplying theroom’s length by the room’s width – in feet. Then that number is again multiplied by 1.5. I have foundthat this gives me the number of watts required to provide adequate ambient lighting for my client’sroom. Of course, this is just a beginning number.

2. How much specific task lighting do I need?Typically, I find that a good rule of thumb for task lighting is to multiply the

room’s square footage by 2.5 instead of 1.5 to find the proper wattage. This will give the brighter lightneeded in work spaces.

3. My hallway is dull and dreary. How much lighting do I need to brighten it up?

I recommend that a lighting fixture be placed every 8 to 10 feet. This can be down cans, decorativefixtures, or small LED’s. If my clients prefer using wall sconces, I suggest they be placed 6 to 8 feet apart;wall sconces should always be hung 60 inches above the finished floor.

4. Should I consider lighting when I select my colors?In addition to knowing which colors are the most flattering to you, it’s also important to take into con-sideration how natural and artificial light will affect your desired color scheme. First consider how muchnatural light enters the room, and for how long a period during the day.

In sunny rooms with a southern exposure, cool colors will be more pleasing than warm ones; hot yellowsand reds will produce an unpleasant glare during a large part of the day. These colors are more effectivelyused in rooms that face north and need the warming effect of sunny colors. Darkening the room by cov-ering the windows doesn’t help- it just makes all the colors in your room look dark and gloomy. The

window treatment you use will definitely affect the amount and quality of natural light in your room,and therefore your color scheme.

Then you need to consider the time you spend in the room without daylight. the artificial light can affectcolors even more dramatically. Generally, standard incandescent bulbs give off a yellowish light. Standardfluorescents create a cold and harsher light, a typically slightly green cast. However, many different tintsof bulbs are available in both types of lights. Using the right tint in the bulbs you select will definitelyhelp you control the way your colors look in artificial light. There are also “daylight” bulbs that give offcleaner, clearer light.

Red light makes pink or red hued walls look grey; blue tinted light makesthem look purple; yellow light makes them look red-orange. Blue lightmakes blue-tinted walls look grey; red light makes them look purple; yel-low light gives them a greenish cast. Yellow light makes yellow walls lookgrey; red light makes them look orange; blue toned light makes themlook unpleasantly greenish. Red light makes green walls look grey; yellowlight makes them look bluish green; blue light makes them look yellowishgreen.

As you can see, the effect of different colors is not always predictable, butthrowing a light of one color on a wall of the same color will always tendto neutralize that color and ultimately make the wall look dull and grey.Definitely not a pretty picture!

So, once you select your color scheme, be sure to carry through with alighting plan that will enhance and compliment the effect you have inmind. The right light will make or break your décor! These are just a fewof the many lighting questions my clients have. Making the right lightingdecisions the first time will definitely showcase your new décor beautifullyand efficiently!

Karen Hartley is a DDCD, Decorating Den Certified Decorator. Shehas been the owner and designer of Decorating Den Interiors since 1986,celebrating 25 years! You may preview her portfolio atwww.decdens.com\khartley. Karen can be reached at (770) 459-9096 orby email at [email protected]. Call today!

Light Up Your Life with the Right Lighting! Careful Planning Sets the Stage!by Karen Hartley

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No matter what we call it - muffin top, Buddha belly, jelly belly, love handles, spare tire- it's still aroll of excess flesh spilling out primarily in front, but possibly all around our middle, especially afterreaching a certain age in life. A friend of mine proclaimed she woke up one morning and her stom-ach had taken on a life of its own. How dare it! Short of liposuction or a tummy tuck, how are weto manage this not so likeable appendage?

Let’s start with what not to do:

• Don't suck in your stomach; breathing is important.

• Don't wear baggy, shapeless clothing; you're not fooling anyone.

• Don't wear tight clothing further accentuating and squashing said muffin top.

• Don't wear elastic waistbands or pleated pants.

• Don't wear tops with horizontal stripes or gatherings that contain fullness in the midsection.

• Don't wear flimsy fabric that doesn't have enough structure to contain the tummy (i.e. tissuethin tee-shirts).

• Don't wear tee-shirts that are too cropped or jeans that are too low.

• Don't wear skinny belts or tuck your shirt into your pants - this will cut you in half andcreate a line directly across the area you are trying to disguise.

What to do:

• Do invest in a pair of high-waistedtummy controllers, like Spanx.

• Do wear diagonal lines on jackets,tops and sweaters. When wearing ascarf, make sure the ends fall creat-ing a diagonal angle.

• Do use scarves strategically to coverthe middle and create a vertical lineon the body.

• Do consider tops and sweaters withsoft ruching and pattern to camou-flage and keep the eye moving.

• Do try a wrap style top or dress tocreate a diagonal and slenderizingline. (For big busted women, acamisole underneath will keep youfrom being overexposed).

• Do have fun with a colorful tunictop. Just make sure it's not too long if you are petite.

• Do try an empire style A-line dress that lightly skims the body.

• Do wear statement jewelry that draws the eye up to the face and away from the middle.

Show that belly who's boss! Just because it has taken up residence on your body doesn't mean itcan be in charge.

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Shelia Frey, owner of Signature Image Consulting, will help you discoveryour personal style and give instruction on creating your individual look.Her goal is to add value to women's lives by positively influencing the waythey view themselves. Contact her at 770-893-8944 or at Signatureimage-consulting.com

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Mommy MomentsThe Next Jennifer

by Shasta ClarkIsn’t it funny how parents won’t pick a baby name because they knew a kid in elementary schoolby that name who picked his nose and ate it?

I’m not throwing stones, or boogers. My husband and I do the same thing. We reach back as faras we can remember to associate names with someone from our past.

We are in the throws of baby name negotiations for our third baby. For us, the pressure is enor-mous because last time we goofed. We legally changed our son’s name when he was 5 monthsold, then sent out a second baby announcement with the new name. This time, our friendsaren’t going to believe the name until our baby is at least 6 months old. They’ll probably referto our baby as “Hey You” until they know the name is going to stick.

Still, the true determining factor on choosing a baby name isn’t our past, it’s how well we likeour own name.

I’ve always liked my name, Shasta, but it’s so unusual that when I was a kid, I invented (yes,lied) stories when asked how my parents found it because I felt like the real story—my dad heardit in a movie—was too boring. My name, and my ability to tell stories on a moments notice,came in handy later in life as a news reporter. But lesson learned, if you’re going to give yourdaughter a name like Shasta, there better be an entertaining story behind it.

So though I love my name, I don’t want to picka name that no one has heard. I don’t want

to pick the next Shasta.

All you Jennifers, Jens and Jennysout there dealt with the other endof the spectrum. Your name hit#1 in popularity for 15 yearsstarting in 1970. There were so

many, the only way to tell you apartin school was to call you Jen B. orJennifer C.

I spoke with three Jens from my son’splaygroup, who confirmed my thought that I

don’t want to pick the next Jennifer.

Jen K. said, “I can specifically remember asking myparents in a complaining way why they picked such

as common name. In a class of 55, there were four ofus so I was constantly asking, ‘Which Jen?’”

“It definitely affected the names we chose for our kids,” JenK. added. “The last thing we wanted was 10 Leah’s or 10

Carter’s in their class, so we avoided the top 50 names list, eventhough there were a few common names we loved.” Jen K. also has two other children whosenames, Elliot and Brooks, are not in the top 50.

Jen Y. said she has always liked being Jennifer because “I think most kids want to be normal,but even though I know that, I still named my daughter Tatum.”

Likewise, Jen C. also gave her children unique monikers, Grant, Alec, Austin, and Elia.“Ahhhh….the name Jennifer,” she said. “My mom and I have had many conversations aboutthis.”

Jen C.’s mom emigrated from Italy when she was 13 and endured a lot of ridicule for her differentname, Tilda. “She attempted to save her children from ridicule,” she said. “I feel like kids willalways find ways to ridicule other kids, a common name won’t stop it.”

So for us, if unique is out and common is out, what will my hus-band and I look for a name? We’ll look for what we call, “thebaby name sweet spot,” a name that you’ve heard, yet you don’thear often. Then we only have to agree on it. That’ll be easy.

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I’ve been walking past the bathing suits in Target with a little shiver. Not just because they areright next to the front door and it’s still kind of cold outside, but because every year the num-ber that shows up on my bathroom scale doesn’t match the number that equals “perfect” inmy head.

Usually a bikini-sighting triggers a crash diet and a week ofcrazy workouts. Not this time. I wish I could

tell you about a miracle diet or aworkout that instantly makes youlook like a Victoria’s Secret model,but I can’t. I like running. I like sal-ads. I like sleeping. All those thingsare good for me and make me feelgood. When I keep myself focusedon what feels good to my body, Iam less likely to compare myselfto magazine pictures or feel self-conscious. This doesn’t meanI’m perfect. Actually, my hips

kind of look like parenthesis rightnow. Some weeks I don’t run or

exercise because I’m addicted towhatever book I’m reading. And

when I’m feeling really low I can eatan entire box of cereal…or worse.

This may not make sense, but it is asif eating too much makes me feel like

I somehow have control over my emo-tions or I can numb out the sadness with

a sugar-induced coma. The truth is, food

is controlling me. I recently spent time with a friend and told her about my two-piece tantrumsand hijacked snacking. I knew she would tell me it was weird. That I was the only person shehad ever met who subconsciously tightened her abs while walking past the bikinis in Target.That I was a freak. Instead, she told me she has had similar flashes of insecurity and feeling outof control.

What? I’m not the only one? I know that talking fast does not count as cardio, but after I talked about my own struggles Ifelt like pounds and pounds of shame were melting away. In all of the fanfare surrounding diets,exercise plans, and miracle weight-loss systems, I lost sight of the part of my body that is themost important—my soul. When I get fixated on a number, it’s not really the number that’sdriving me nuts. It’s this tiny voice in my head telling me, I am ugly. I am worthless. I am unlov-able. These thoughts, or lies, can’t be drowned out by eating too much, crash dieting, or workingout like I am training for an Ironman.

However, I’ve made a little discovery about myself that (so far) has restrained me from two-piecetantrums. It’s when I remember the support and love of my friends and family, who care aboutme no matter what size I am, that I can think about food and exercise in a way that is trulyhealthy. When I focus on that love—my soul food—I cravehealthiness, not control. I’m free, not fearful. And when Igo to Target, I ignore the bathing suits and check out therunning shoes and yoga pants instead.

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Are you fit? That may be an easy or hard question to answer but hopefully by the end ofthis article you will have a better idea of what being “fit” truly means and whether or notyou fall into that category.

What do you think it really means to be fit? Are you fit if you can run 10 miles with ease?Some might say yes but let me ask you this, what if running long distances has robbed youof a lot of your lean muscle (as running usually does)? What if losing that lean muscles hasleft you weak relative to others in your age group? Would you still qualify yourself as fit?What if running has tightened your muscles because you don’t always leave time for stretch-ing after a run and now you have been rendered extremely inflexible? Does that sound likea fit individual?

On the other hand, what if you are the strongest person on the block able to lift a schoolbus full of high school kids? Are you fit? What if you have herculean strength but can’t run100 yards without keeling over from exhaustion? Would you still consider yourself fit?

Both of these groups (runners and weight lifters) are to be commended. Being able to runlong distances or lift heavy weights is not easy. It takes a lot of work and effort to get there.But if you look at what it means to be truly “fit”, do they qualify?

The point I am making is that the true definition of fitness is not measured by a single vari-able like running endurance, weight lifting strength, or Gumby-like flexibility.

Far too often I see people embark on a fitness program only to limit what they do for exerciseto one activity. Most people will choose an activity that they are good at because they arefamiliar with it and therefore find it relatively easy. This is a huge mistake because when anexercise is easy you burn fewer calories and less fat which means your results suffer greatly.When you focus, or specialize, in one area such as cardio you neglect so many other areasof exercise that are crucial if you truly want to be “fit”.

So, what do we do to formulate a program that will lead us to being the walking definitionof fitness?

The answer is that you must broaden your horizons. Don’t be afraid to try new things andnew exercise programs. As long as they are quality programs founded on science (and no,the Shake Weight doesn’t count).

You want a program that will give you the main pillars of fitness: Cardio Endurance,Strength (loss of muscle and strength is the number one thing that puts people in nursinghomes), Flexibility, Core Strength, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and of course a QualityDiet. These things can be obtained by taking part in a well rounded program without anemphasis on specialization. You must resistance train, you must run, you must sprint, youmust work your core, you must eat well, etc. Then and only then can TRUE fitness be had.

So, if you are runner, add in some resistance work and be sure to stretch. If you preferweights be sure to not neglect your cardio or flexibility. If you take yoga that’s great! Butbe sure you schedule time for cardio and resistance work.

And, no matter what you aredoing, you MUST maintain aquality diet of lean protein, vegeta-bles, healthy fats, some fruit, somestarch, and zero sugar. Eating thisway not only will help you burnthe fat; it will also help your per-formance in the gym so you canmaximize your workouts and burnfar more calories. It is extremelytough to succeed long term with-out this crucial element.

So if you are one who focuses onone type of exercise yet you want to achieve true fitness, it’s time to expand the workoutprogram and start incorporating the things discussed above so that you are able to obtain itand be able to accurately call yourself fit!

Let’s get started!!

Jason Goggans, B.A., ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, graduate of the University of Floridaand fitness professional located in Kennesaw and Marietta, GA. Goggans is the owner ofBodyBack! Women’s Fitness Boot Camps and has posted more information on his website,www.BodyBackBootCamps.com. Log on to receive a copy of Jason’s latest report, “10 QuickWays to Weight Loss…How to Look and Feel Better FAST!” or call Jason @ 404-452-5208.

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Israel, the Land of Milk and Honeyby Pam Walker

I sat in the JKF Airport awaiting my flight to Tel Aviv. Departing during a time of turmoilin the Middle East gave me pause to wonder if I was doing the right thing.

In my lifetime I have been fortunate to visit Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and many otherareas, but never Israel. Now as the Prime Ministers of Iran, Jordan, Yemen and the presidentof Egypt are being forced to give up their rule by the masses; this is a time of worry for thepeople of Israel and for me.

When you look at a map of the Middle East, Israel is a small little spit of land at the eastern-most side of the Mediterranean. Tucked alongside the Muslim nations of Lebanon to itsnorth, Jordan to its East and Egypt to the west, Israel is about the size of the state of Idaho.

A day later and 10 hours of flight, I arrived in Jerusalem. This divided city is my first stopin a 10 day saga into the history of the world. No other country or city for that matter hasplayed such an important part in world history from the time of Jesus to WWII to the currentsituation in this area.

Jerusalem is coveted by three of the world’s great religions. Christianity because of Jesus,Judaism because it is the revered place said by God to be owned by the Hebrew people, andthe Muslims who conquered it in 638 AD and built the third holiest site in Islam called theDome of the Rock.

Israel was made a nation state in 1948 by separating Israel from the Kingdome of Jordan.This didn’t sit well with Muslim nations and so what they call the “green line” was designedto split the nation of Israel into Jewish and Muslim sections. Half of Jerusalem is Israeli, butnearby Bethlehem is in the Palestinian territories on the West Bank. Israelis can’t go there,but Palestinians cross through the checkpoints daily to work in Jerusalem. A huge wall sep-arates the two. I can go because I am a foreigner, but citizens with Israeli passports cannotgo to the Muslim parts like the West Bank or Gaza. A very rare agreement indeed.

Within the area of Jerusalem called the Old City, there are more divisions. There is theChristian section, the Muslim section and the Jewish section. You can tell an immediate dif-ference as you walk through the tiny twisted streets with their stalls.

The Muslim section reminds me of the souks of Cairo. The merchants here are selling lamps,spices and trinkets from everywhere. The Jewish section is neat and clean with mezuzzahotsat every door. Similar to the Jewish section, the Christian section is orderly and filled withembassy’s including an embassy from the Vatican which only recently recognized Israel as anation.

Gazing out over this lovely city I see why the Jewish people call this the land of milk andhoney. Not only is the whole history of the world wrapped around this place, but is a countryof amazing beauty and plenty. No wonder there has been so much fighting going on overthis land throughout history.

I have never felt so safe in my life. I know that the international press likes to make thevery worst out of every situation. But the situation in Egypt is so far from the minds of Is-raelis it is almost unbelievable. .

Jerusalem is filled with modern hotels and restaurants and wonderful world class shoppingin addition to its amazing history. I have yet to explore the rest of this great little countrywith its very proud peoples, but I would never hesitate to come here. I will spread the messageof peace and try to contradict what the world press calls the hot bed of terrorism. Come toIsrael- you will most certainly enjoy!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso travel consultant and can be reached at [email protected] follow her on her travels on http://www. pamwalkers.blogspot.com

our tow

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Reactive Attachment Disorderby Dara Hosch, MD FAAP

Children need to feel loved and accepted by their parents. When circumstances prevent parentalbonding and responding to a child’s emotional needs during early life (6 months to 3 years), thechild can suffer severe emotional damage called reactive attachment disorder. Patients with thiscondition are often former victims of abuse or neglect. If untreated, they can have life-long prob-lems forming healthy relationships. Reactive attachment disorder is frequently seen in childrenwho spent their early years in an institution, bouncing around the foster care system or emotionallyisolated from caregivers. The impact upon an unpreparedadoptive or foster family can be huge. Therefore, it is im-portant for all parents considering adoption or foster careto recognize and understand this condition.

This condition is relatively new to medical science. Mostinformation stems from experiences with children adoptedfrom Eastern European orphanages after the Cold Warended. As former Soviet-block orphanages opened theirdoors to international adoptions, American families re-sponded generously to the heart breaking situation. Manyof the orphans had lived in deplorable conditions with in-adequate nourishment or attention. Most of them hadlearned to comfort themselves, compete for food and sur-vive without any emotional support or affection. Evenwhen placed in safe, loving family homes with plenty of at-tention, food and material comforts, some of the childrenfound it difficult to trust or love their new parents. Somefamilies of affected children found themselves in a night-mare situation dealing with their child’s severe emotionalproblems, antisocial behaviors and inability to reciprocate love.

Reactive Attachment Disorder can be manifested in two ways, inhibited or disinhibited. The in-hibited child is uncomfortable with other people, avoids physical contact and rarely exhibits emo-tional reactions. The disinhibited child seems overly friendly and affectionate to strangers but

has trouble bonding with adoptive parents. The behaviors exhibited at home may be very differentfrom those displayed at school or in public places. Unfortunately many families mistakenly thinkthat love, attention and discipline with take care of the emotional issues. When their relationshipdoes not normalize, they feel a tremendous sense of failure. They may not seek help if they fearextended family or health care providers will not believe the anti-social behaviors their charmingchild exhibits at home. When the situation becomes unbearable, desperate families may seek to

end the foster relationship or remove the child from thehome. Abandoning the child or reacting with strong pun-ishment can reinforce the issues.

Effective treatment for reactive attachment disorder isavailable from experienced mental health professionals.The first goal of treatment is to ensure the child remainsin a stable and safe environment. The second goal is tohelp the child and family form a healthy relationship. Themain focus of treatment is teaching the caregivers how toparent a child with attachment problems. Normal parent-ing behaviors can backfire and worsen the problem. Thechild is taught how to express feelings and fears throughplay therapy and counseling. While there is no medicationfor this condition, medicine can improve some aspectssuch as depression, anxiety, rage and trouble sleeping.Families of children with reactive attachment disordershould beware of alternative treatments that can be dan-gerous and expensive.

All children deserve a forever family. However, before afamily opens their hearts and home to a new child, they need to understand the issues that maycome with the child. Reactive attachment disorder is not hopeless but recognizing it and seekingearly treatment is important for a successful outcome. Improving the life of a child makes theworld a better place for us all.


THE SPORTS CAR EXPORT by Mark Orler

Mark Orler is a full-time husband, father and part-time observationist.

Mark can be reached at [email protected]

There comes a time in every father’s life when he looks at his ever-growing family and has tomake a decision that only another man can appreciate. I recently took stock in our ever-in-creasing family and realized that a certain element of my life was going to have to be removed,

like permanently. It wasa difficult call to make,to extricate somethingthat provided me withsuch vim and vigor thatgave me a rush of testos-terone when the worldseemed to want to keepme in the slow lane. Butalas, it had to be done. Imade the appointment,notified my insurancecompany, negotiatedthe rate and then…Isold the sports car.

I won’t kid you, the ac-tual procedure wasn’t aspainful as I had ex-pected, but the recoveryhas been brutal. Thesports car and I had en-

joyed many wonderful years. We had run through the serpentine Georgia Mountain roadslike teenagers on Spring Break, squealing at each successive turn. We had made I-75 our per-sonal Daytona 500 and had put lesser vehicles to shame with our 285 horses running freelike my hair used to when the top was down. We had pulled up next to the blonde many

years our junior and thought, mistakenly I might add, “Don’t you wish your boyfriend washot like me?”

Yes, we had both held on to a dream of youth and speed that unfortunately was beginningto be more rundown than runway. It was a tough decision. Even my wife debated whetherwe should let go of something that had at one time added to my already incredibly highhunk quotient.

“Does this mean you’ll be canceling your gym membership as well?” she pleadingly asked asthe tail lights roared out of the Cul de Sac. “Yes and the hair club too.”

But what made the removal all the more interesting is that at one time in my life the sportscar made me feel more manly. So when the car was leaving I expected my manliness to evap-orate like the fumes wafting from her tailpipes. What seems crazy now is that over the pastfew years, while the sports car lay dormant in our garage surrounded by Barbie Jeeps andBubble Makers, I was steadily increasing my stature as a man the whole time I thought itwas draining like the oil from her engine block.

I became a husband without the sports car’s help.

I became a father without the sports car’s help.

I became a parent without the sports car’s help.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth he reminds them that there is a time to be child,and then there is a time to put away childish things and grow up. I know that somewhere inCorinth there was a dude with an awesome chariot and three kids going through the samething I am, and Paul was just trying to help a brother out.


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1. Who gets allergies?Most people first get seasonal allergies as children or young adults. The prevalence of allergies is lowestin children under 5 years old and can peak in the early school years and early adulthood. People with thefollowing identified risk factors are also likely to suffer from allergies:

• Family history i.e. Mom or Dad with allergies, asthma, or eczema• Male Sex• Birth during the pollen season• Firstborn • Early introduction of formula and food• Early use of antibiotics• Maternal smoking exposure in the first year of life

2. How do allergies develop?Most seasonal allergies are caused by pollen and mold spores. Perennial allergies (or persistent) occur yearround. Most people breathe in these substances without a problem. But, when a person has a seasonalallergy, his or her immune system sees that substance as harmful to the body and starts a cascade of eventsthat leads to symptoms. Seasonal allergies are life long, but sometimes symptoms can get better or worseover time.3. Is pollen one of the most common environmental triggers for allergies?When a patient is constantly exposed to an allergen, it can lead to persistent nasal inflammation. Theresult is continued and frequently more severe rhinitis symptoms with lower amounts of allergen exposure.They may have heightened sensitivity to other irritants such as smoke, pollution and perfumes.Allergies occur in association with a number of other disorders that include asthma, eczema, allergic con-junctivitis (allergy eyes) and sinusitis. It is also strongly associated and most probably causally related toEustachian tube dysfunction, thus leading to certain ear infections, sleep disorders and lack of smell.There is also an association with increase in migraine headaches.4. What symptoms can I expect with seasonal allergies?Seasonal allergies also called "hay fever" consist of a group of conditions that cause sneezing, stuffy nose,runny nose, cough, postnasal drip, irritability, fatigue and itchy eyes. They can occur at various timesduring the year.

Symptoms vary with season and/or exposure to the underlying allergen.• 11% of patients have seasonal symptoms only• 33% have perennial symptoms with seasonal exacerbations• 56% have perennial symptoms

Perennial allergic rhinitis is associated with nasal symptoms that are present, by definition, for more than2 hours a day for more than 9 months of the year. Perennial allergic rhinitis reflects allergy to indoor al-lergens like dust mites, cockroaches, or animal dander, although aeroallergens may cause perennial allergiesin the subtropical regions that have long pollinating seasons as well as mold and dust mites.5. Are there new advancements in allergy treatment that we

should know about?Affected individuals have significant impacts upon their quality of life and allergies are frequently undertreated.There are four general principals for management of allergies:

• avoidance of allergens and triggering factors• use of appropriate medications (anti-histamines, nasal steroids, leukotriene modifiers)• evaluation of need for immunotherapy ("allergy shots")• patient education and follow up

Symptoms can be prevented, especially if they occur at the same timeeach year, by speaking with your doctor. It may be suggested that youstart your medicine a week or two before that time of year. Also, for ex-ample, if you're allergic to pollen you should stay inside during that timeof year when your symptoms are at their worse, keep the car and housewindows closed and use air conditioning instead, take a shower beforebed to rinse off the pollen and wear a dust mask when outdoors.

Dr. Mitzi Rubin sees patients at the WellStar Medical Group FamilyMedicine – Family Practice in East Cobb. The office is located at Mer-chants Station 3939 Roswell Rd., Suite 200, Marietta, Ga. 30062.For more information or to schedule an appointment call 770-973-2272.

Most people think of allergy symptoms as just sneezing and itchy eyes. But whatthey don’t realize is that the symptoms and health effects can be far worse.

Dr. Mitzi Rubin - WellStar Medical Group, Family Medicine


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Company Salad with Pecan CroutonsSouthern on Occasion – pg. 32 - Serves 8Candied Pecan Croutons½ cup sugar2 ½ tablespoons water½ teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup pecan halves or almondsOrange Vinaigrette1/3 cup olive oil2 tablespoons red wine vinegar1 ½ teaspoons fresh orange juice½ teaspoon grated orange peel¼ teaspoon poppy seeds¼ to ½ teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepperSalad8 cups mixed salad greens1 (11-ounces) can mandarin oranges, drained1 green onion, slicedTo prepare croutons, combine the sugar, water and vanilla in a saucepanand mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cook over low heat for 5 min-utes, stirring occasionally. Add the pecans, stirring until coated. Spreadthe pecans on a baking sheet. Let stand until cool, then break apart.To prepare the vinaigrette, combine the olive oil, wine vinegar, orangejuice, orange peel, poppy seeds, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover the jar and shake to mix.To prepare the salad, mix the salad greens, mandarin oranges and greenonion in a salad bowl. Drizzle the vinaigrette and toss gently. Sprinklewith croutons.

Glazed CarrotsGeorgia on My Menu – Pg. 157 - Serves 41 pound carrots2 tablespoons butter¼ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons cold water1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch¼ cup pecans, coarsely choppedWash and cut carrots into diagonal slices. Place in 1 quart casseroledish with butter and sugar. Cover and cook 9 to 11 minutes, stirringafter 5 minutes. Mix the water and cornstarch until smooth. Stir intocarrot mix and add pecans. Cover and cook in microwave 2 to 4 min-utes until thickened. Stir before serving. Can be doubled: Use 2-quartcasserole dish. Cook 15 minutes, stirring after 7 minutes; add thick-eners and cook 4 to 6 minutes.

Chicken PresentsSouthern on Occasion – Pg. 25 - Serves 6Chicken8 ounces garlic and herb cheese spreadFinely chopped almonds to taste6 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halvesSalt and Pepper to taste¼ cup butter2 (17-ounce) packages puff pastry1 egg white, lightly beatenCream Sauce½ cup butter2 tablespoons flour1 (16-ounce) can chicken stock1 cup whipping creamGarlic salt to tasteTo prepare the chicken, combine the cheese spread and almonds in abowl and mix well. Pound the chicken breasts between sheets of waxedpaper with a meat mallet until flattened. Sprinkle the chicken withsalt and pepper. Sauté in the butter in a skillet until light brown onboth sides, drain.Cut 3 sheets of the puff pastry vertically into halves on a lightly flouredsurface. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over one side of each pastryhalf. Place one chicken breast in the center of each half. Wrap the pas-

try around the chickento enclose and seal theedges. Each bundleshould resemble theshape of an egg. Smoothout any cracks that appear in the pastry with water.Arrange seam side down on a baking sheet. Cut the remaining sheet ofpuff pastry into 12 ¾-inch strips. Twist each strip. Arrange one striphorizontally around the center of each bundle. Arrange another stripvertically around the center to form a cross. Brush with the egg white.Chill for one hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.To prepare the sauce, heat the butter in a saucepan until melted. Addthe flour, stirring until blended. Cook until light brown, stirring oc-casionally. Stir in the stock. Cook over low heat until reduced by 1/3,stirring constantly. Whisk in the whipping cream and garlic salt. Cookjust until heated through; do not boil. Serve with the chicken.

White Chocolate Pecan PieSouthern on Occasion – Pg. 1781 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk1/3 cup white crème de cacao2 eggs, beaten4 ounces, white chocolate, melted2 cups chopped pecans, toasted1/3 cup butter, melted3 tablespoons milk2 teaspoons vanilla extract½ teaspoon salt1 unbaked (10 inch) deep-dish pie shellWhite chocolate curlsMix the condensed milk, crème de cacao and eggs in a bowl. Stir inthe white chocolate, pecans, pecans, butter, milk, vanilla and salt.Spoon mixture into the pie shell. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 minutes.Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 to 35 min-utes longer. Top with white chocolate.

In February, the groundhog said spring would be here soon and winter would be short. We hope he is correct! Even if the weatherdoes not arrive until later, you can start welcoming the season with some of these fantastic recipes from the cookbooks of the JuniorLeague of Cobb-Marietta. Both Southern on Occasion and Georgia on My Menu are being sold at record low prices. Get yourcopies today so you are ready to host something springtime sweet for you and your family. For more information about purchasingour books, please go to the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta’s Website at www.jlcm.org.


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Office Hours: Weekdays 8am- 6pm Saturday 8am - Noon

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If you would like your pet to be Our Town’s Pet of the Month, please send a photo with a short bio to: Our Town Magazine, 109 Anderson Street, Suite 109, Marietta, GA 30060

or email it to [email protected]

What’s Lurking In The Backyard?by Dr. Michelle DeHaven, DVM

That might be a bit dramatic, but a bacteria called Leptospira is showing up a lot more often in manyof our back yards.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect many different species. It is found in cattle, deer, rac-coons, squirrels, opossums, rats and -- yes -- dogs and humans. (Cats appear to be naturally immune.)The bacteria are passed in the urine and can live for long periods time in ponds, puddles and dampsoil.

Leptospirosis is not a new disease, but it’s getting a lot more attention lately. In the last few years therehas been a sizable jump in the number of new cases. Many colder areas of the country are reportingleptospirosis for the first time. Warmer areas are diagnosing far more cases than they have for decades.

So why is that? Leptospirosis was a very common serious illness in metro Atlanta in the 1960. Whenwidespread use of a vaccine against leptospirosis was instituted, the disease dropped dramatically. Manyveterinarians who began to practice after the vaccine was introduced had never seen a case.

As years went on and there were fewer and fewer cases, most veterinarians stopped including the lep-tospirosis vaccine in their yearly protocol. We also observed that in dogs who had vaccine reactions,the leptospirosis component was usually the portion the dog was reacting to. So vaccination numbersdecreased further.

But in wildlife, who are reservoirs of this disease, the incidence of leptospirosis never declined. Andthey all started to live closer to us. As large tracts of uninhabited forest and open fields become a thingof the past in most metro areas, we began sharing our backyards and parkland with an ever-increasingconcentration of displaced wildlife -- the guys who carry leptospirosis.

Our dogs contract the bacteria by coming in contact with urine. It can enter the body through abra-sions in the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth or nose. Moist soil and water areespecially common sources. Dogs will usually become ill 3-8 days after exposure.

Here’s where it gets tricky: Leptospirosis has a wide spectrum of clinical signs. Animals with very acuteinfections can experience sudden death with no warning signs. Some dogs have few obvious signs ofillness, but can go on to develop kidney disease 1-3 years after infection. Some of these chronic, un-diagnosed cases can pose the greatest risk for other dogs and humans, as they can shed the bacteria intheir urine for up to four years.

Most animals who contract leptospirosis develop fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, musclepain and dehydration. Some dogs will become jaundiced -- their mucous membranes and skin turnyellow. Problem is, these signs can be found in many other diseases, which can make diagnosis a bitof a challenge for your veterinarian.

Prompt medical treatment is essential. If leptospirosis is suspected, yourdog will need to be given IV fluids and antibiotics. Many of these dogswill pull through with aggressive medical care. Your veterinarian willalso counsel you on precautions you need to take to protectyourself and your family while your pet is ill.

But prevention is always better than treatment. The vaccinehas been modified over the years, making it more effective,with fewer side effects. Talk to your vet about your dog’senvironment, where the pet socializes and travels, and anyprevious vaccination reactions. With the help of yourvet, you can determine if your dog should be vacci-nated.

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Hi My name is Brinkly. I am a 3 year old Labradoodle.I live in Kennesaw with my Mom, Dad and brothers,Mason age 10 and Max 3. We had so much fun playingin the snow this year that my Mom just had to send in

this picture of me to Our Town Magazine for everyoneto see. I hope everyone had as much fun as we did!

Make sure to read Our Town for all of the fun stuff youcan see and do with your family.

Sasha is a 3 year old dachshund/beagle mix.She loves to go to her “Daddy’s” office tokeep an eye on things. Sasha is very gener-ous with her hugs and sloppy kisses.

Chloe is a cute, sweet 2-1/2 year oldPomeranian. Her owner is CarolynHilbig of Marietta. Chloe enjoyswearing her new red plaid coat whenshe takes walks through the neigh-borhood.

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