R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. Building a Business Based on Integrity and Trust By Cyndi Braun Instead of building its business with sales, R&D Mechanical Services, Inc. is committed to building relationships based on integrity and trust. R&D is a family-owned, commercial HVAC contractor based in Canton. This skilled team installs, replaces and repairs equipment, offers preventative maintenance agreements and creates custom HVAC solutions for industries in metro Atlanta. R&D is committed to giving each customer the best service possible. We strive to live and work with the highest standard of honesty and integrity, and never leave a customer unhappy with our services, said Robbie Matiak, the owner of R&D. We enjoy getting to know our customers and their specific needs, and we strive to create the best solution for their situation. Meeting Your HVAC Needs with Integrity Before establishing R&D Mechanical Services in 2002, Robbie Matiak worked with a large, successful mechanical contractor, but felt like he could do more to serve the community. He and his wife, Dana, formed R&D to provide HVAC services to the community, at fair market prices, with the highest levels of efficiency and integrity. Robbie now runs the business with his son, Heath. Robbies daughter, Ashleigh, works with the company as the accounts manager, and Dana oversees social media. The goal of R&D has always been to serve others. As we continue to grow and reach new markets, we work diligently to ensure that all of our team members treat our partnerships in the community with the highest levels of respect, honesty and genuineness, said Robbie. Cultivating Relationships How does R&D build these relationships in the community so well? They emphasize the importance of excellent communication with customers. This starts when a call comes in at the office. Team members assess the nature of the call and determine if service is needed or if the call is project-based. If the call is for service, the dispatcher sends a technician to the service location to evaluate the situation and make repairs or recommendations as needed. If the call is project-based, an R&D team member meets with the customer to determine the scope of the project and works with the customer to create a custom solution. R&D also works directly with general contractors, mechanical engineers and end users to plan and work through challenges for new projects or commercial build-outs. We serve our customers best by building long-term relationships. When we take the time to get to know our customers, we have a better understanding of their unique needs and can create the right solution for their long-term benefit, said Robbie. R&D has established business relationships with many industries throughout metro Atlanta, including: data/technology centers, property management, assisted living facilities, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, medical/dental offices, hospitality/hotel, multi-purposed office spaces and condominiums/high-rises. Two of the companys long-term partnerships are with Meridian Development and Universal Alloy Corporation. Meridian Development: New Construction Based out of Canton, Meridian is a developer of commercial, healthcare, retail, office and tenant properties. R&D recently worked with Meridian to build a new outpatient surgical center, from the ground up, by installing a complete HVAC system for the building. Maintaining the integrity of the indoor air quality in medical facilities is essential to a healthy work environment, said Heath Matiak, co-owner of R&D. Our company is experienced in making sure that all regulations for indoor air quality are satisfied. For this specific surgical center, R&D facilitated a custom HVAC solution that provides precision temperature and humidity controls for individual surgical rooms. R&D also incorporated clinical-grade filters that are required to protect the indoor air quality and provide a safe environment for patients and staff. We enjoy working with Meridian because this company has many of the same core values as our own company. Besides building relationships with clients, Meridian is committed to treating its clients investments as carefully as if they were its own, and we strive to treat our customers with the same respect, said Heath. Universal Alloy Corporation: Manufacturing Universal Alloy Corporation (UAC) operates a fully-integrated extrusion mill and warehouse in Canton. The company is a global leader in the manufacture of aerospace products. HVAC systems in the manufacturing industry present another set of specific requirements for R&D. Many manufacturing facilities have large, open spaces with machines that emit tremendous heat loads. Cooling those spaces is important for the comfort of employees, as well as for the overall quality of the work environment. Businesses in the manufacturing industry also have to plan for HVAC repairs far in advance in order to ensure that production is not interrupted. R&D maintains the production and comfort-cooling equipment at UACs main plant (approximately 400,000 square feet). In addition, R&D maintains the HVAC systems for two outlying office spaces and two warehouses. R&D is committed to ensuring that UAC has a functional work environment, so they can fulfill their manufacturing obligations to their customers. Robbie, Heath and their skilled team meet with UAC managers regularly to plan for long-term repairs and maintenance to ensure that UACs systems are operating as efficiently as possible. Between breakdowns and regular maintenance, this service requires a year-round commitment. We meet quarterly to review previous projects, talk about how we can improve, and we discuss any upcoming projects. This constant communication is making a positive impact on the environment at UAC and improving the working relationships for both companies, said the team at UAC. UAC values this continued relationship with R&D and appreciates the efforts to improve our facility and thereby the quality of work conditions for our employees. Through serving businesses with honesty and integrity, R&D is committed to building strong, long-term relationships. R&D team members are dedicated to working with businesses in any industry to identify their specific needs and create custom solutions to meet those needs. R&D Mechanical Services, Inc.770-917-1795RandDMechanical.net
Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool Spreading Sunshine in Alpharetta Little Sunshines Playhouse is the new preschool in Alpharetta that everyone is talking about. Heres a peak into why it stands out above the rest! Humble Beginnings Little Sunshines Playhouse (LSP) can trace its roots to humble beginnings in Springfield, Missouri, where Founder Rochette Dahler started the company out of her home over fifteen years ago; it was only licensed for eight children. Her desire to create an environment that was truly special for the young children of Springfield inspired all the families and teachers involved. Today, LSP has evolved into an expanding national brand, comprised of eighteen schools in ten states. This boutique-style preschool, catering to involved families who place importance on communication, has a small enrollment base, which creates a tight-knit community where the school is truly a home away from home for the children. Unrivaled Distinction in Early Childhood EducationLSP serves infants through pre-k and maintains an identity and brand image of unrivaled distinction in early childhood education. Their facilities serve as a castle for a once upon a time experience that enables each child to develop their imagination and learn through play. When children play, they are at their happiest, most natural state; theyre learning easily without even realizing it, said Program Director Ashlee DiMarzio. Playing allows children to practice skills, demonstrate what they learn, understand, think and establish self-confidence with every experience. Reggio Emilia Inspired CurriculumLSP has master-planned their Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, Creatively Shine, which focuses on the whole-child concept of developing cognitive, social, emotional, physical and language skills. This curriculum encourages a blend of student-directed, teacher-directed and environment-directed activities. At LSP, a childs work is PLAY! Children are taught lessons, manners and social skills completely through creative and preplanned play. Expert TeachersThere are many unique features that set LSP apart such as Kiddie Cams, LuvNotes, Red Carpet Service and their meal program, which are all differentiators within the industry, but the heartbeat of their organization is the teachers. The LSP philosophy allows the educators the freedom, creativity and flexibility to mold their classroom curriculum into what they and their students are most passionate about! This process allows for a significant amount of student-directed learning experiences and allows the talented teachers to shape lessons in the way they feel will be most enthusiastically received by their class. This requires a special breed of teacher who is able to realize the full potential of each student, which, in turn, equates to more successful relationships with them and their families. Speaking from experience, as a parent at Little Sunshines Playhouse in St. Louis, I have developed very close and open relationships with each of my sons teachers, says owner Emily Fuchs, so much so that three of my sons four teachers transferred to LSP Alpharetta to help ensure the families of this fantastic community receive the same exceptional service that my family experienced. Outdoor PlayLSP educators purposefully plan curriculum units that can be brought outdoors multiple times each day, opening up a new world for learning alongside a healthy dose of fresh air. The customized playgrounds are designed to stimulate childrens imagination, creativity, engagement and sense of wonder. With frequent outdoor exposure to hands-on activities, playing sports and caring for nature, children at LSP explore with all their senses! The LSP facility in Alpharetta features an outdoor nature center, tricycle track, activity tables and a safe, one-of-a-kind tree house for kiddos to enjoy and explore! Enrichment Activities & Parent InvolvementIn addition to their curriculum and planned activities, LSP also offers extra programs that include dance, soccer, Yoga, foreign language, sign language, computer lab, science lab, music and more! Parents are encouraged to participate in these extra activities as well as during story time, Career Day and special events and programs. Meal PlanningLSP has an onsite chef who freshly prepares meals each morning. Their well-balanced, nutritional menu provides students with breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack each day. Meal service is taken very seriously by LSP menu planners and school chefs. They understand the positive, long-term impact of providing little ones with healthy, nutrient-rich meals; therefore, their menus (posted weekly) include the freshest ingredients and exceed all nutritional guidelines. LSPs Commitment to its FamiliesLSP is dedicated to ensuring that the enrolled families of Alpharetta and the surrounding communities have a loving, positive and nurturing experience. The first five years of a childs life are what shapes their future. Make the first five count at LSP! Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool12385 Morris RoadIntersection of North Point Parkway and Morris Road770-545-6160 LittleSunshine.com
Artist Profile: J. Doyle Rogers Man of Steel By Natalie del Valle Drawing from his own inner reflection and personal experience, local Georgia artist J. Doyle Rogers uses his artistic eye and keen skills with a welder to create unique metal sculptures. I draw inspiration from a desire for art to be mesmerizing, whimsical and nostalgic, Rogers explains. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, J. Doyle Rogers grew up with his artistic passion. I took a bunch of art classes as a kid, from age 5 to age 12, Rogers says. But it wasnt until age 15 that Rogers started working with metal. I started working in my fathers mechanical contracting company as a teen, Rogers states. Playing around with scraps of metal in his fathers shop, he discovered his enjoyment of working with metal as a sculpting medium. From there, Rogers decided to follow his passion for art and study for a degree in art history at the University of Georgia. Only a year before graduating in 1997, Rogers narrowed his focus down to sculpting with steel. Now, I work with stainless steel 100% of the time. All my sculptures are made from it. For the past 20 years now, Rogers has been creating his photorealistic sculptures using welders, water jets and a CNC (computer numerical control) machine that cuts, grinds or drills into material with mechanical precision. I must have officially started back in the 1990s time frame, he says; Since then, Ive been networking with galleries and entering into competitions to get my work out there for the public to enjoy. Much of the art that he enters into competitions eventually gets sold to collectors or ends up on display at an art museum or gallery. Ive received several types of awards for my art including Best in Show, Peoples Choice and Merit Awards. Winning an award on a piece makes that piece more valuable to the collectors, which then makes it easy to sell. Although Rogers takes pride in all of his different art pieces, he holds a special admiration for a piece titled No. 13 at Sawgrass Canyon, which has been put on display at Booth Western Art Museum. The train depicted traveling over a canyon in Rogers sculpture shows his meticulous attention to details and his skill with metal. It can take anywhere from months to years for J. Doyle Rogers to complete a single piece of art. No. 13 at Sawgrass Canyon took 9 months to make. It took over 3000 hours of work to complete it because of its size. It ended up being 9 feet long, 3 feet wide and 4 feet tall, Rogers says. No. 13 at Sawgrass Canyon is not the first, nor will it be the last piece of J. Doyle Rogers art to impress the art community and the public. Im currently working on getting a sculpture of mine into another Georgia museum, Rogers says. His sculpture, entitled Aftermath, was installed for the grand opening of Cashins Sculpture Garden in Alpharetta in 2015, and it was awarded the Peoples Choice Award. He also has a sculpture in the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Sculpture Garden in Woodstock entitled Homage. To learn more about J. Doyle Rogers, or to see more of his sculptures, visit: JDoyleRogers.com
Book Review: Because of an Acorn By Annell Gerson One need only think of Good Night Moon or The Very Hungry Caterpillar to be reminded that books need neither excessive words nor pages to be powerful, timeless and beloved. But such brevity does not make writing childrens books easier than writing for adults. In fact, the challenge of writing a meaningful message with so few words and merging those words with just the right illustrations in a way, that appeals to both the adult reader and child listener gives rise to a complicated matrix of possibilities. So, when author and artist manage to massage page and palette and create that perfect mix of message and image, you get magic. Because of an Acorn, by Georgia author Lola M. Schaefer and her son Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon, is just that magic. In only sixty words painted across 27 pages, the Schaefer/Preston-Gannon team begins with an acorn and proceeds to beautifully chronicle the spiraling circle of life. The message is simple, ecosystem connections clear, illustrations enchanting, cadence melodic and memorable. In fact, much like todays children can correctly reply to Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? and all the rest of that iconic books subsequent queries, its very likely tomorrows children will know the response to each of the, Because of a/an____ phrases presented in the Schaefers book. Because of an Acorn also includes an appendix with supplemental content to enrich discussion regarding the Cumberland Plateau, white oak trees, acorns (of course), ecosystems, food chains and forests as well as suggested, practical ways children can conserve and appreciate nature. Ms. Schaefer will conduct a childrens story time, geared for children ages 2-12, at the Milton Literary Festival on November 12, 2016. The festival is free and will host over thirty Atlanta area authors. As part of the event activities, Because of an Acorn will be the spotlight of the communitys first Childrens Book Trail Walk. Details regarding this and other festival events can be found at MiltonLiteraryFestival.com.
Book Review: No Shred of Evidence By Jessica Asbell On a warm autumn day in 1920 on the north coast of Cornwall, four women, Victoria Grenville, Elaine St. Ives, Kate Gordon and Sara Langley went out boating on the River Camel. As they were rowing back to their dock, they saw Harry Saunders, the bankers son, frantically waving in the distance. His dinghy was sinking, so they began to row towards him. They got to him just as his dinghy sunk. Victoria tried to reach him with the oar, but only succeeded in striking him in the head. Suddenly, a farmer named Trevose jumped into the river and helped pull Harry into the boat. By this time, Harry is unconscious due to the head wound. As they get closer to the dock, Trevose asks the girls why they just tried to kill Harry. This begins Charles Todds newest Ian Rutledge novel, No Shred of Evidence. Inspector Ian Rutledge, of Scotland Yard, is a hero of World War I. And yet, he has come back haunted by a Scottish soldier that he cannot forget, for Rutledge had to shoot him for failure to follow orders. As Rutledge works to keep his demons at bay and his shell shock hidden from everyone else, he is sent to Cornwall to take on a difficult case involving four well-to-do women, a bankers son who is now in a coma, and a farmer who insists that the girls tried to murder him. After Harry dies, it becomes a race to figure out what happened before he is forced to take these young women to prison. This can be a standalone read, although you may have a better understanding of the character of Ian Rutledge if you read the books in order. No Shred of Evidence is compelling. Youll find yourself hoping that these four young women are not guilty, and that Rutledge will find that one piece of evidence that clears them.
2016 Riverfest Artists By Rachel Sprouse Larry Meyer, of Old Federal Trading in Ball Ground, Georgia, creates handcrafted hunting knives. A former boat captain for a towboat company, which he refers to as the Triple A of the water, Meyer set up his shop when he and his wife, Peg, moved up to the Cherokee County area. Although Meyer creates custom sheaths out of vegetable tan leather for each knife, he does not take custom orders.I dont do that because what theyre thinking in their head may not be whats in my head, Meyer said. I usually try and keep about 100 knives, and hopefully, one of those is what they want. I dont really make any two knives alike.Last year was Meyers first time attending Riverfest as a vendor. Meyer placed second in the Crafts category, which he said was a surprise. [The judges] came by, there was two or three of them, and they were asking me all kinds of questions, Meyer stated. I was just talking to them like I do everybody else. Hes excited to go back and doesnt care if it rains all weekend; [If theres] mud, I dont care, Meyer said. Angela Kook, of Rusted Roots, said shes always been reusing, recycling and trying not to waste things. Where I started, I guess, it was just my own personal desire to not have as much trash, Kook said.In the last two years, she has taken repurposed wood and made various items like handmade planters, picture frames, trays and shelves. As a regular at the Canton Farmers Market, she feels blessed at the amount of positive feedback shes received. I want to continue to grow and hopefully become something really prominent in the community, Kook said. Last year was Kooks first time as a vendor at Riverfest, where she learned to bring smaller items this year. I dont feel like Riverfest is the place where people are going to buy furniture, she stated. Youre not looking for a dresser when you go to Riverfest. Kook is looking forward to the family-oriented event, Its a staple here, she said. Everybody has to go to Riverfest. Bettie Anderson, of Betties Blueberry Jams and Jellies, sells more than 70 flavors of her products at farmers markets with her partner, Reggie nash, who everyone calls the Jelly Man. Everybody thinks were married, but were partners in both senses, Anderson said. Its a partnership in that I make it, and if you come to the farmers market, youre going to see him selling it along with me. While there are some ingredients she cant get locally, Anderson makes small batches of each flavor with ingredients from local farmers markets. She took third place in Gourmet Products at last years Riverfest, which she said surprised her. I didnt really come for the jury part of it, she said. I just came to get my name out there. Anderson is excited to return to Riverfest this year. Sometimes it rains us out, but its still fun to be out there with the people, Anderson stated.
Artist Profile: Hans Meier From dogs to cats, from horses to creatures of the wild, Hans Meier can make puzzles in the shape of most animals. But these puzzles dont just resemble the animals. [If] its a badger, itll be in the shape of a badger, but itll also spell badger in the puzzle, Meier said. If its a racoon, itll spell racoon. Meier makes tab-type puzzles, where the pieces spell out the shape of the puzzle. Because most of what Meier makes are puzzles, he can make most domestic and wild animals. He also creates puzzles for school mascots like the Georgia Bulldog or the Auburn Tiger. He makes them using a scroll saw, a small saw with a six-inch-long blade that typically does not have any attachments. What you can do, because the blade is only six inches long, youre able to drill a hole, and you can put that saw through, so you can do inside cuts, Meier said. Meier is self-taught and has made puzzles with a scroll saw for over twenty years. He is the chairman of the Gwinnett Woodworkers Scroll Saw Group, a club of 200 people who meet once a month to discuss different topics and techniques. Although eighty percent of what Meier makes are puzzles, the other twenty percent of his work consists of fretwork and intarsia. When customers ask Meier what type of wood he uses for his puzzles, he said they laugh at his reply. They always say, What kind of wood do you use, and I say, F-R-E-E, Meier said. People give me wood because theyve got these ten-inch long pieces [or] eight-inch long pieces, and theyre going to throw them away. Ive convinced them, over a period of time, to bring them to me. When Meier attends craft shows, he often appears in the local paper. One year, Meier attended over twenty craft shows and appeared in the local paper nineteen times. Because I demo at the event, he said. He also said that he will cut free puzzles for all the kids, and that instead of children grabbing premade puzzles from a box, Meier has the children step up on a step stool and watch him create the puzzle. I play with them, mess with them, and then I create a puzzle for them thats basically about their age, he explained. If theyre four-years-old, it has four pieces. If theyre six-years-old, it has six pieces. Meier makes about 300 puzzles for children at each craft show he attends. I have crowds of fifteen to twenty [people] at a time, he stated. These are three-dimensional puzzles, which theyve never seen before. The expression on their face is unbelievable [when I hand them the puzzle.] Meier prefers making puzzles for children rather than standing at the back of his booth when he attends a craft show. Ive got to be in my environment, he said.
Book Review: The Slave Daughter By Farris Yawn Several years ago, local history instructor Bob Lipscomb was asked by his aunts to help do some research on the Sardis community of Cherokee County. While working on that research, he came across information about the early settlers and the slaves they brought with them. There was very little information about these people, but his aunt found a descendant of one of these slaves. She told him that family legend told that her ancestor was not just her owners property, but his daughter as well. Mr. Lipscomb could not find enough additional information to tell the true story of these early residents, but the story would not leave him. It eventually became the basis for his first novel, The Slave Daughter. The Slave Daughter follows the struggles and hardships the slaves endured through the turbulent period before the Civil War, as they worked to survive and build the Sardis Community and build their own community after the war. Many details of that era are lost to time, so the author was forced to fill in details from his imagination and his knowledge of the area. His hope is that this story will help give a better understanding and appreciation of the people who helped settle this area, and he hopes you will agree with his conclusion: The slaves of Sardis and Hickory Log persevered and endured until a better day only barely glimpsed. In doing so, they proved their own humanity and the potential, only barely realized, of all of us.
Clean Office Exec Creating Clean Environments and Positive Attitudes Daily By Kathleen Boehmig Stacy Benson works hard and maintains a great attitude. She believes that a clean environment, whether at home or at work, fosters good moods and helps keep the mind clear and focused. Through her company, Clean Office Exec, she helps others realize that goal. We help others improve their lives, Stacy declares. If you are functioning in a messy space, you are a lot more likely to malfunction. My friends mom used to say that if you keep a messy room or car, your life will be a mess and can become a disaster. Happy spaces and environments lead to happy minds. Most people live at a fast pace and dont have the time or energy to stop and clean up all the time. Thats where we come in. Stacy has been helping others in this way for over twenty years, and a strong work ethic was instilled in her at a young age. She learned a lot from her stepmom and from seeing her stepfather, a captain in the Smyrna Police Department, work hard every day. I started out very young, helping my family, she says. I didnt choose this business; it sort of chose me. I started out on my own with a few loyal clients, and things grew from there. My clients are like family. Like many successful businesses, this is about building trust and long-term relationships. I have clients who have been with me for decades now. Ive seen them marry and raise families, and Im happy to be included in their life celebrations. Clean Office Exec is licensed, bonded and insured. Stacy prides herself in running a professional, locally owned and operated cleaning service that offers office and residential cleaning. Although office cleaning is their primary focus, they also clean houses, schools, office buildings, medical facilities, restaurants, gyms, industrial, HOAs, banks, construction companies, Chamber of Commerce offices, cabinet shops, home health care, fabricating and other commercial establishments. In addition, they provide services for move-in-move-out cleaning, construction clean-up, one-time cleaning, spring cleaning and deep cleaning. Stacy says, Our mission is to continually provide excellent janitorial and overall cleaning service for businesses and homes. We believe each client is an individual and not a number. We always give our customers what they really expect and deserve in commercial and residential cleaning services. Searching for and finding a reliable, trustworthy, commercial cleaning and janitorial service that is exactly right can be challenging. Clean Office Exec has always distinguished itself in that our clients vision is our vision, Stacy says. A clean and healthy working environment increases morale and productivity and presents an inviting atmosphere for employees, clients and customers. We provide a free analysis, so that we can custom-design a janitorial program that will work specifically for each client. We monitor all work by our highly trained staff, so that it reflects and exceeds not only our lofty standards, but the clients as well. We also take the security of your company very seriously, Stacy adds. Your building will be closed down properly according to your specifications. Only our most skilled and experienced team members are assigned to security. Stacys integrity extends into the community. We proudly support our local Chambers of Commerce and our local communities, she says. As someone who was born and raised here, I am proud to be an involved and responsible citizen. Stacy met her husband, Jamie, at age fourteen, when he worked for her stepdad. They have three children: Ansley (sixteen), Max (three) and baby girl Sawyer (one). Jamie is a lieutenant in the Cobb County Police Department. Jamie says that most people are good people, Stacy says with a smile. Despite what you see on the news, thats what we find to be true. Jamie and I believe in leading by example. We want to create a bright future for our kids. We are teaching them that hard work wont hurt them. We are teaching them to respect others. And when they see their dad working hard and their mom running Clean Office Exec, and through that business helping others make their lives better and take care of their own families, we are making them well-rounded, so they can grow up to be productive adults with integrity. We have been creating clean environments and positive attitudes daily for over 24 years in the north and northwest metro Atlanta area, Stacy says. When you hire Clean Office Exec, you are hiring someone you can trust. Clean Office Exec2288 Marietta Highway, Suite 160Canton, Georgia 30114678-856-3771CleanOfficeExec.com Facebook.com/CleanOfficeExec Twitter.com/cleanofficeexec
Behind the Curtain By Julie Senger As you and your fellow audience members come into the theatre, take your seats and quietly converse amongst yourselves while awaiting the heavy curtain to be drawn open, bringing you into another world for an hour or two, there is much that has gone on behind that temporary barrier that keeps what lies behind it a mystery until show time. Months of preparation and hard work have gone into the experience of which youre about to become a part. Part of what separates live theatre from film is its inclusivity; rather than a series of moving images for you to view, you get to feel the intimacy of what its like to be in the room while the action takes place. Theres always the chance that something wont go as planned, and actors must improvise on the spot in order to try to make the show seamless. Therefore, shows are like snowflakes or fingerprints no two are exactly the same. This is the stuff you dont get to see: AuditionsDepending upon the production, auditions will either be open-call or by invitation only. Open-call means anyone can audition. Actors will bring a headshot with their rsum affixed to the back, which will contain their most recent, relevant, performance experience. Auditions usually consist of a prepared monologue and a cold-read. A monologue is a solo character performance that is acted out for the casting director. A cold-read is when the actor is given a portion of the script from the play for which he/she is auditioning that they must briefly review and perform. This portion of the script is not given to the actor until just before they must perform it. If auditioning for a musical, the actor will also be asked to prepare a portion of a song which best shows their vocal range, and they will be asked to either prepare some choreography, or to learn some basic dance steps so the casting director can see how well they move. RehearsalOnce a show is cast, scripts are disbursed, and rehearsals begin. This is where the cast and crew spend a couple of months learning lines and blocking, as well as music and choreography if the show is a musical. Blocking is stage movement; its every physical action that you see an actor make that isnt dance choreography. Blocking is the element that most people dont consider when they think of what goes in to a performance. Most people dont think about the fact that almost every movement, gesture, step, entrance and exit an actor makes has been strictly dictated to them by the director. Blocking must be memorized so that actors are in the right place at the right time, or so that a certain movement or gesture is made in order to convey specific meaning. Rehearsal is where all the elements must come together to create each scene. Actors will walk around with their scripts in hand for the first few weeks, penciling in notes next to their lines as to what they are supposed to physically be doing during a scene. A few weeks before the show, the actors are expected to be off-book, which means they must have all of their lines, blocking, music and choreography memorized so they can perform it without their script. Hell WeekHell week is the week before opening night. Its called hell week because its where all the pieces of a show must come together, and everyone is expected to stay until it does; in other words, the actors and crew may not leave the theatre until well after midnight each night. During this week, the stage set is assembled, and actors begin dress rehearsals so they can practice any costume changes and begin to feel the flow of the entire show. Up until this point, the show has most likely only been performed as separate scenes and acts.Hell week is also when the stage techs come in and begin setting the lighting, testing sound, and rehearsing the places in which they must use specific spotlights and supply sound effects (phones ringing, babies crying, music, etc.). These technicians must know the show almost as well as the actors in order to time everything perfectly. On with the ShowFor each performance, the director will give the actors a call time. Call time is when the actors are expected to arrive at the theatre in order to get into hair, makeup and costume. It is usually 2-3 hours before show time. Once actors are in costume, they may check with stage hands to ensure that any item they need for the show is in its proper place. Stage hands work back stage to assist actors with costume changes and facilitate set changes. Actors will want to make sure any prop they will need is where it is supposed to be for a scene, and they will want to make sure that any quick costume changes they must make are set up on the appropriate side of the stage from which theyll enter once they are changed.When the director announces that the house is open, meaning the theatre is now open for audience members to begin taking their seats, then actors will often stretch, perform vocal exercises to warm up their voice and review their choreography, blocking and scripts backstage to make sure they are ready. When the director calls places, the actors will go to the position in which they open the play; the curtain will open, and the show will begin! Take a BowAfter all that goes on behind the curtain, the actors will leave their fingerprint on the stage for the night. If successful, their audience will walk out of the theatre affected in some small or profound way. In the theatre world, a shows production is sometimes compared to an iceberg. Seven-eighths of an iceberg exist under the surface of the frigid water. This massive portion is equated to all of the shows preparation that is never seenin other words, you only see the tip of the iceberg.
Book Review: Flight Patterns Milton resident and New York Times bestselling author Karen White continues her tradition of southern womens grit lit with her twentieth novel, Flight Patterns. For all who love her melodic sentences, powerful sense of place, intermittent seeds of forgotten history and the ebb and flow of hope and heartache in the lives of her characters, Flight Patterns will not disappoint. Leaving secrets and family behind, Georgia Chambers flees from her hometown of Apalachicola, Florida and promises herself and her sister, Maisy, she will never come back. Ten years after her departure, James Graf walks into the New Orleans auction house where Georgia has become renowned for her knowledge of antique china. His grandmother recently passed away, leaving behind a mostly complete set of china with a unique, bee flight pattern motif, and he needs to know its value. Success matters, not only to quench the curiosity factor, but more importantly because determining the value will mean James will award the lucrative sale of the entire estate to the auction house where Georgia works. After an exhaustive search through available reference catalogs in which the mysterious design is not found, Georgia remembers she has seen the pattern before, a long time ago, in her mothers closeton a soup cup. Though she was just a little girl, she remembers her mother putting her fingers over her lips and making Georgia promise never to tell. She remembers it made her mother so sad that she was again taken away. Left with no other choice but to find the soup cup, Georgia breaks her promise and goes home. Told in the voices of the three Chambers women, Georgia, Maisy and their mother, Birdie, Flight Patterns begins its ascent into a rich plot of families and secrets, history and heroes, bees and their symbolism, mistakes and painful memories, keys and locks and the complications of their layered interactions.
Woodstock Pediatric Medicine Building Lifelong Relationships Based on Trust and Quality Care By Cyndi Braun Twenty years ago, Woodstock Pediatric Medicine (WPM) opened its doors to patients. Over the years, families have built lifelong relationships with the practice. Providers now see second-generation patients, extended families and patients who travel great distances. We pride ourselves on being a community fixture and providing care in a loving, compassionate environment, said Kelly Marulanda, practice administrator. We cherish the long-term relationships we have fostered with patients and their families. Four board-certified pediatricians serve patients: Dr. Jordana Heaven, Dr. Adriana Rzeznik, Dr. Frini Shah and Dr. Ferdinand Yates. Two certified pediatric nurse practitioners also provide patient care: Shannon Dobson and Melanie Sprung. Providers treat childhood illnesses as well as promote good health, wellness and disease prevention for children, from birth through age 21. Nearly all insurance plans are accepted, including Tricare and Medicaid. We are committed to providing high-quality care, said Dr. Yates, who recently joined WPM after a 34-year career in upstate New York. By building trusting relationships, we can ensure quality care through the years. Since many parents are interested in meeting with providers prior to becoming patients, WPM offers free pre-natal and meet-and-greet visits. During these visits, parents can meet with the staff, tour the facility, ask questions about policies and just get a feel for the type of care that the practice provides. Newborn CareNewborn care focuses on prenatal visits, well-child check-ups and supporting caregivers in their role as parents. In order to prevent illness, providers keep patients up-to-date on immunizations, per recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control. I especially enjoy seeing brand new babies because the parents have brought you their pride and joy. They are giving you the opportunity to get involved in their care, and theres a real trust. Getting to care for a young family with young children means we can be involved in parent education, training and skill development, said Dr. Yates. Perhaps the most special new baby is the one brought to the practice by a former patient. The providers agree that the greatest compliment is when patients grow up, get married and return with their babies. This return of the second generation is indication that the former patients want to continue a positive relationship with their childhood providers. School-Age YearsJust as parents watch their children pass milestone after milestone, providers enjoy seeing patients grow up. Its fun to watch these kids grow up. Ive been here seven years, so now the babies I saw when I started here are going to school, said Shannon Dobson, CPNP. Ive seen them as newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and now theyre in school. Its an honor to be part of their life. Visits during the school years include well-child exams, vision/hearing screening and any necessary immunizations. The pediatricians also offer ear piercing for parents who desire that. Summertime is when we do a lot of our well checks for school-aged children. Its sometimes my once-a-year opportunity to see kids who I have known since the day they were born, said Dr. Heaven. Its a measure of how much has changed when I walk in the exam room and see boys who are now towering over me. Its so nice to have that lifelong connection. Extra SupportIf a child is diagnosed with a chronic disease, the providers offer extra support, including the opportunity to discuss the condition at length and visit as often as they need. This caring attention goes beyond office hours. Dobson says she thinks about her patients long after the office is closed. I worry about my kids. You dont just leave here and forget about them. When I have a child with a serious issue, I call back the next day. Sometimes parents are surprised to hear from me, but I need to make sure they are doing okay, said Dobson. Teens and BeyondIn addition to well-child visits, WPM provides sports physicals for adolescents and help with issues such as weight management and ADHD. Some parents might think that their teenagers are getting too old to see a pediatrician, but WPM disagrees. In pediatrics, we can take care of the kids all the way to 21. Adolescents are not miniature grown-ups. Developmentally, their brains are not adult brains, said Dr. Heaven. Pediatrics is geared to taking care of kids as they transition to adults and independence. When teenagers come in for exams, they are not completely on their own. A parent is in the background or waiting in the hallway. This ensures that the young person has privacy, but the parent is still involved in their care. I tell the kids, this is your time, but I will be reviewing with your mom or dad because its still a team effort, said Dr. Yates. We also encourage the teenagers to have a good relationship with their parents. We want to empower that relationship for the benefit of everybody. Once children graduate from high school, some consider going to an adult physician, but WPM says that is not yet necessary. The relationship a young person has with his/her pediatrician can provide a feeling of security in a transitional time. Pediatricians are also more knowledgeable about vaccines and paperwork required for college. However, once patients turn 21, they age out of the practice. They often leave at 21, kicking and screaming, said Dr. Heaven, smiling. I tell them, I loved taking care of you. Ill see you when you get married and bring back your babies! Woodstock Pediatric Medicine2000 Professional WayWoodstock, GA 30188770-517-0250WoodstockPeds.com Office Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 am 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm 5:00 pmSaturday starting at 9:00 am for sick appointments only
SuperSlow Zone Fit for Life For many busy adults, health and fitness can become an afterthought as they juggle the many demands of work and home. Busy schedules make it difficult to squeeze in even an hour-long workout routine several times a week. SuperSlow Zone Milton is changing how adults work out. In only 20 minutes of personal strength training, once or twice a week, the SuperSlow Zone workout can help adults get fit for life! Owners Luis and Rachel Quiles, who live in Alpharetta, opened SuperSlow Zone because they know firsthand how important fitness is to overall health. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Luis made a commitment to improve his health and work out regularly. As I saw the results and how much better I felt from working out, I became passionate about it, Luis says. When we found SuperSlow Zone, we knew it was the real deal and wanted to bring it to North Fulton, so others could experience the SuperSlow Zone workout. Its more than a workout; its a lifestyle with life-changing results. SuperSlow Zone is the original slow-motion, accredited, personal strength training workout program. Its unique approach to total-body fitness follows a slow, fluid weight-lifting movement of 10 seconds up and 10 seconds down. Grayson Hunt, a SuperSlow Zone certified instructor, explains this loading process is designed to momentarily fatigue the muscles quickly. This stimulates the body to make more muscle, he says. SuperSlow Zone utilizes a qualitative, rather than quantitative, workout method. In only 20 minutes, it gives you a safe, total-body workout that engages all of the targeted muscles while also benefiting the cardiovascular system. The exercise protocol was developed as part of a $3.2 million osteoporosis research study at the University Of Florida School Of Medicine. The SuperSlow Zone exercise system will properly and safely build muscle and increase resting metabolism to allow the body to burn more calories. Although appropriate for anyone, SuperSlow Zone is ideal for busy adults ages 40 and above. As we age, bone density and muscle strength decrease significantly, which can affect mobility and overall quality of life, Luis explains. SuperSlow Zone exercise can improve bone density, cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and tone, energy, endurance and stamina and metabolism. The results are noticeable, which keeps clients motivated to continue the workout program regularly. We work with people who have minor to major health challenges, those who have not exercised in a long time, or ever, and exercise enthusiasts. Al Taylor, age 73, says, Since my retirement in 1998, I had let myself go. I gained weight and developed arthritis in my hips and knees. I realized that if I didnt make some significant lifestyle changes, my quality of life would be miserable. SuperSlow Zone provided me exactly what I was looking for. My objective was to increase core strength, improve balance and strengthen my skeletal muscle to take stress off my knee and hip joints. As a surprise bonus, everyone at SuperSlow Zone is extremely well-versed in metabolism control and nutrition. As a result, Ive taken off more than 35 pounds; my body fat is down 7%, visceral fat down 5% and muscle density up 3.5%. In addition, my doctor has taken me off of my blood pressure medication, and my blood sugar is now down to normal. Life is good. Clients come, stay and refer because it works. SuperSlow Zone accredited, certified instructors, including Grayson Hunt and Brandon DeRitis, work individually with clients to develop an exercise program that suits their unique needs and fitness levels. Typically, individuals work out for about 20 minutes on five to seven different machines that target specific muscles. SuperSlow Zone takes safety and satisfaction seriously, DeRitis says. Working one-on-one continuously with an instructor essentially removes the risk of injury and guarantees results because were experts in understanding how the machines work and how the body will respond to them. SuperSlow Zone instructors capture and store clients individual workout data, so they can precisely track each workout and produce accurate reports of progress. Its very rewarding and motivating when clients see for themselves how theyve improved, Luis says. Another distinctive feature of SuperSlow Zone is the atmosphere. This isnt your typical gym, Luis says. SuperSlow Zone is designed with a spa-like atmosphere free of distractions like loud music, mirrors, bold colors and bright lighting. The SuperSlow Zone workout requires focus, so we create an atmosphere where individuals can concentrate, receive one-on-one attention from their instructor and not feel intimidated. The temperature, set at 68 degrees, and fans in the training area keep clients comfortable during their workout, so they dont have to be inconvenienced with showering and bringing a change of clothes. SuperSlow Zone is an ideal workout that busy professionals and parents can fit into busy schedules, Luis says. We understand that its hard to make time to work out, so we make it easy. SuperSlow Zone provides an effective workout in a short amount of time, so you can get in, get out and get on with your busy life! SuperSlow Zone12540 Broadwell Road, Suite 2103, Milton678-691-2969SuperSlowZone.com/Milton/7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Saturday
Artist Profile: Jody Hughes of the Jody Hughes Trio From Metallica to Merlefest By Rachel Sprouse Balancing performing with a teaching load of 30 students a week, Jody Hughes of the Jody Hughes Trio is a full-time musician and music instructor. Originally a chemist with a degree from Kennesaw State University, Hughes has had a passion for music since the age of 13. It was just something Ive always been drawn to, the creativity side of it, Hughes said. Despite only being a full-time musician for the last decade, Hughes has performed in several groups and won the 2006 Merlefest Banjo Competition. Beginning with the guitar, he played more hard rock and listened to Metallica. Hughes said he didnt know what bluegrass was nor had any aspiration to play the banjo until the day he went to the flea market with his grandfather. I was talking to my grandfather, and come to find out, one of my grandfathers dreams was always to play the banjo, Hughes said. He never got to do that. Hughess grandfather told him hed buy him a banjo if he learned to play something on it. I was the typical teenager, listening to Metallica, and I really didnt think I would have anything to do with bluegrass or the banjo, Hughes said. After listening to the music for a while, Hughes said he could relate to how fast the music was, and he became absorbed into the world of bluegrass. I found myself wanting to play the banjo more and more, Hughes said. [I] found some local people to play with and started going to the jams. Hughes taught himself how to play the mandolin at the bluegrass jams. There would be three or four other banjo players there, and some of them played the mandolin as well, so if they were playing, I would just kind of ask them [how to play], Hughes said. I started playing the mandolin on the side as kind of a necessity to contribute to the jams. Hughes said he believes music genres can be intermixed because many have similarities. I think that bluegrass and jazz, in particular, are a good mix because they both involve improvisation, he said. Hughes has played banjo and guitar in A High Lonesome Bluegrass Mass, a production by Tim Sharp, executive director of the American Choral Directors Association. This production mixes bluegrass and choir music and has been performed at Carnegie Hall and the Ryman auditorium. But his favorite place he performed at was Merlefest, which he describes as the second most prestigious kind of banjo contest in the country, behind the National Banjo Contest. Hughes said one of the great things about Merlefest is that they invite the competition winners to come back the next year to judge the contest. That gave me a lot of perspective on what a judge hears out in the audience, Hughes said. One of the songs Hughes likes to perform is an original song called The Path. Ive written a lot of tunes, but Ive found that audiences respond to that one pretty well, Hughes said. Its not your straight, typical bluegrass kind of song; its something that has a little bit of a rock tinge to it. When hes not performing, Hughes teaches about 30 students a week. He gives online lessons to those with pre-existing experience with the banjo, using Skype and Google Hangouts to connect with students. He started offering online lessons after seeing another person post about it on Banjo Hangout, an online discussion forum for banjo players. There are all these people across the world who live in remote areas, or they live in some area where they just dont have access to the instructor, so the technology really allowed me to reach those people, Hughes said. He has students in Canada, one in London and has taught students as far away as Thailand in the past. Hes even had students in Georgia that prefer online lessons to in-person. I had a guy that lived in Georgia that took online lessons simply because he didnt want to drive, Hughes said. Hughes said he does not take pure beginners for online lessons because he believes there are things a person can only be taught in-person. Theres certain things you cant just teach through the computer [like] exactly how to hold the instrument, Hughes said. You can direct them, but its not as good as hands-on. Hughes said the best advice he could give aspiring musicians is to be consistent with practicing. You have to try to play the instrument every day, whether or not thats five minutes or three hours, he said. As long as youre consistent with things, youll make progress.
Book Review: Sunshine Beach By Annell Gerson In USA Today bestselling author and long-time Marietta resident Wendy Waxs newest summer read, Sunshine Beach, Maddie, Avery and Nikki become friends out of necessity, as each has lost everything in a Ponzi scheme masterminded by none other than Nikkis own brother. Prior to this economic hurricane, Maddie was a happy, suburban, stay-at-home mom. Avery, worked with her husband on a home improvement TV show, and Nikki was a jet-setting, upscale matchmaker. Now, without the curtain of financial security hiding the reality of their emotional lives, each must examine who they really are, and how they will survive. Despite their diverse backgrounds, or perhaps because of them, the women forge a tenacious friendship and work doggedly to rebuild not only their economic stability, but also their shattered emotional lives. Sunshine Beach finds the three friends and Maddies daughter, Kyra, in Pass-a Grille, Florida, anxiously hoping to begin their fourth restoration. This time, theyve found a beachfront hotel left neglected since its heyday in the 50s. The owners of the Sunshine Hotel and Beach Club are still living, but have left the hotel abandoned, partly because theyre haunted by childhood memories surrounding the tragedy that occurred there many years ago, and partly because they hope that modern science will one day help solve the mystery surrounding that same tragedy. Maddie, Avery and Nikki must first figure out a way to convince the owners to allow the renovation then raise the money for the construction. Then, they must find workers and a designer willing to work for almost nothing and hopefully, convince a television network to purchase the filming of the restoration. Theyre talented, optimistic, creative and determined, but will it be enough to pull off their biggest restoration yet? Sunshine Beach is the fourth book in the Ten Beach Road series; however, each book easily stands on its own.
Sportsmanship Winning More than the Game By Brent Pickens Sportsmanship is demonstrated through polite and fair behavior while participating in a game or an athletic event. Its doing your best, no matter the outcome. In any form of competition, everyone desires to win, but when someone practices good sportsmanship, theyre always a winner. Sportsmanship is defined by many different words, but three of the most important are leadership, humility and integrity. Leadership is not always about ordering others and having a strong will. More importantly, its about being able to pull a team together to focus on a shared goal. A leader does not ask their teammates to do anything that they arent willing to do themselves, and they know how to bring the best out in each player to make a stronger team. Leaders are respected by their teammates because of their passion, knowledge, commitment and spirit. Humility is another key part of sportsmanship. Those who are often considered to be good sports are not recognized by bragging about their own superior abilities, but rather by the fact that they do not seek the spotlight. Boastful players are irritating to be around, and they can cause friction within a team. Good sportsmanship requires a certain amount of humility. Even if youre the best player on the field, its important to remember that youre not the only one out there. You might be the league leader or the MVP, but you did not achieve that alone. Good sportsmanship means acknowledging the role others have played in your journey and respecting them for the ways in which theyve contributed to your success. Finally, integrity is crucial to displaying good sportsmanship. No one likes to lose. A win or loss can have a major impact on the teams overall season. Whether a team loses by a wide margin or by a single point, the loss still hurts. But one of the most important characteristics of good sportsmanship is being able to handle the loss. Some respond to a loss with anger, by refusing to acknowledge the other team or even by blaming their own teammates for the loss. However, a good sport will hold his or her head high with dignity, and recognize the skill of the other team. A good sport realizes that a loss doesnt diminish the skill of their team, and that winning and losing are a part of life. Sportsmanship is about being a good winner and a good loser. In addition to learning sportsmanship from coaches, it can (and should) also be taught at home. Parents can teach their children that its okay to lose sometimes, as long as you tried your best. Kids can be shown how to display good sportsmanship and treat everyone fairly. If youre good sportsmanship is practiced, its okay to sometimes come up short on the winning side. Parents and coaches must be good role models for the kids who are entrusted to them. In the long run, children are more apt to follow your example than your command. If a child is pushed too hard by their parents to win at any cost, then chances are, good sportsmanship will be lost along the way. A good sport will always shake hands and congratulate the winner and then move on from the loss. Sportsmanship is the most important aspect of the game. Games can sometimes become intense, heated and personal. Thus, sportsmanship must be well-ingrained in order to be practiced in sticky situations. Athletics is a passion shared by many people. Everyone can benefit from the lessons taught out on the field. These lessons can be applied to all areas of our lives such as the workplace, school and personal relationships. Leadership, humility and integrity are all disciplines that, when adhered to, can make great men and women. Practicing good sportsmanship makes great players and even greater people.
Burns Law Group Local Law Firm Committed to Quality Legal Services in All Areas of Law Take a drive through downtown Canton, and youll see Burns Law Group a block from the courthouse, tucked between B. Loved and Canton Theater. The beautifully restored office space houses three, well-respected attorneys, five paralegals and an office manager, all ready to help with a legal problem of any sort. J. Daran Burns heads the firm, having established it in 1993 after completing law school at the University of Georgia. Burns says he always wanted to start his own law practice, but it took him awhile to bring the practice to Canton. I started the firm in downtown Atlanta and then gradually migrated north. As I was handling more cases, I started doing more and more in Cherokee County, and I fell in love with Canton and knew that I wanted to practice here, says Burns, who grew up in Marietta. The firm moved to Cherokee County in 2000. The Burns Law Group handles all areas of law, focusing on domestic and criminal cases. When you have a case, you want to have a lawyer who is local, knows the court, has experience with the judges and has a solid history and reputation here. We provide all of that to our clients. There are a lot of good lawyers in our town, and we try to set our firm apart by providing our clients with a fully staffed office, capable of a higher level of client contact and work product, regardless of our trial schedule. Clients can always reach someone in our office who knows their case and can discuss details and get information on the progress of the case, says Burns. When the lawyers are in court, the clients can rest assured knowing that their matter can still be advanced by the firm, and they can still communicate with us. Burns Law Group offers a free, 30-minute consultation by phone or in person. This enables potential clients to discuss the basics of their case and determine if theyd like to retain the services of the law firm. What we keep in mind is that if youre calling our office, youre generally experiencing some type of problem or emergency. The person needs to discuss the matter with someone who can analyze their issue objectively and who has the experience and ability to start resolving it immediately. Clients need to be able to reach someone and feel confident that their chosen attorney understands the issue and knows what steps need to be taken to put them in the best possible position. We have the experience and the reputation to do just that, says Burns. In domestic cases, Burns says that he knows that emotions tend to run high. Having an attorney who knows when to be aggressive and when to be amicable is very important. Some lawyers believe that they always need to be aggressive for their clients, but Burns disagrees. Each case is different, and the lawyer needs to have the experience and knowledge to determine which approach is in the best interest of the client. There are certain cases where the client needs an aggressive attorney who will ensure that their rights are protected; however, most cases should begin with the goal of an amicable settlement, particularly when the parties have minor children, says Burns. Settling a domestic case in our conference room, as opposed to the courtroom, saves the client time, money and perhaps, most importantly, the emotional toll that a domestic case can cause. The lawyers at Burns Law Group take the time to understand the issues involved in your case and develop a unique case strategy to give you the best possible outcome. The firm is also very active in handling criminal defense cases. The firm handles criminal issues, from traffic tickets to murder trials. Burns encourages people to seek legal help right away in a criminal matter, so his firm can begin to build their defense. When someone is facing a criminal charge, theyre often afraid, worried or worse. They and their families sometimes feel helpless or devastated, says Burns. They need to hire an attorney quickly, and they need to make the right choice on who they hire. The Burns Law Group has been providing excellent criminal defense representation for years. When you come in and meet the attorneys and staff in this office, youll quickly realize that they know how to navigate this system and know how to resolve these cases. Like other types of cases, knowing when to be aggressive and when to push a settlement is one of the most important parts of the case. Also, knowing that your lawyer has successfully tried the most complicated and serious cases provides a sense of security that youre in the right hands at the Burns Law Group, Burns says. By focusing on each clients specific needs, the firm provides quality legal services. Many years ago, my mentor and friend, David Cannon Sr., gave me some good advice, says Burns. The two had successfully gotten a client acquitted of murder. After celebrating their victory, Cannon reminded Burns that tomorrow he might be in court defending someone for a speeding ticket. Cannon said, Dont ever forget that a speeding ticket is as important to that client as this murder case was to this client. I always remember that todays case can be the most important thing in that persons life, says Burns. And its out of their control. They are coming to us and basically saying, heres my life; heres my issue. They are putting it into our hands. This approach has earned Burns Law Group a reputation as honest, skilled and capable lawyers who put clients needs first. In addition to Burns, the firm has two associate attorneys: D. Charles Fulcher, who heads the domestic team, and Susan Zereini, who heads the criminal law team. Burns Law Group181 E. Main StreetCanton, GA 30114770-956-1400BASLG.com
Women First Rehabilitation No More Silent Suffering Improve Pelvic Health By Cyndi Braun For weeks, months, sometimes years, many people suffer silently with something they are embarrassed to talk about pelvic floor dysfunction, or PFD. With PFD, some people have problems controlling their bladder and/or bowels. They might have pain in the pelvic muscles, low back, reproductive organs, intestines and/or urinary tract. PFD is common, but should not be considered normal. In fact, research shows that nearly half of all women experience some type of PFD in the form of incontinence, organ prolapse or chronic pelvic pain. Although more common in women, men and children can have PFD as well. Established in Woodstock over 10 years ago, Women First Rehabilitation helps patients with PFD through conservative, evidence-based treatments that are so unique that only 30 practitioners in Georgia are trained to provide this sort of specialized physical therapy. In fact, clinic owner Dr. Sara Bolden is one of five specialists in GA with a board-certification as a womens health clinical specialist in this field. Gynecologists look at reproductive function. Urologists look at the urinary tract. We look at the musculoskeletal system and how it relates to the individuals complaints, said Dr. Bolden. Womens health physical therapists have advanced training to help patients suffering with pelvic pain/vulvodynia/vaginismus, interstitial cystitis, urinary and fecal incontinence, organ prolapse, overactive bladder, constipation/IBS, pregnancy/post-partum issues, pain during intercourse and more. At Women First Rehabilitation, we take a more holistic approach than traditionally-trained therapists. We utilize our expertise in the musculoskeletal system and womens health, and combine it with our advanced knowledge in functional medicine to offer patients a comprehensive, wellness treatment plan, so patients can achieve lasting results, said Dr. Bolden. The providers at Women First Rehabilitation block off one full hour in their schedule for each new patient. During the evaluation, the specialist carefully captures symptoms, pain location(s), medical history, diet and/or specific lifestyles. A detailed examination, which often includes an internal pelvic muscle exam, helps determine an individualized treatment plan for every patient. Treatments vary based on the patients unique needs, Dr. Bolden explained. Some patients may require manual therapy to release muscular trigger points, myofascial tension or adhesions from scars. Others may need biofeedback, which helps re-educate muscles to support or release at the appropriate times. She added, We also use certain exercises, diet plans and non-pharmaceutical techniques to help individuals reach their optimal health goals. In addition to in-office treatments, the specialists at Women First Rehabilitation teach patients how to continue care at home by way of home exercise programs, which may include certain stretching exercises, a diet plan, specific breathing techniques, pain management interventions, yoga, etc. At Women First Rehabilitation, providers always stay in contact with referring physicians to ensure continuity of care between the different medical specialties as well as work in unity with other healthcare providers, so patients maximize their overall health potential. Most people want a quick fix and pop a pill, but thats not always a viable option or the right solution, said Dr. Bolden. Surgery might seem like a quick fix, too, but be careful to understand all the facts before making a decision. Many individuals benefit greatly from trying conservative measures, like pelvic rehabilitation, prior to surgery. Dr. Bolden added that some surgeries are necessary. Even in those cases, pelvic physical therapy can significantly improve surgical outcome and shorten post-op recovery time. Pelvic physical therapy is complementary, not competitive, to the care patients receive from their medical doctors, stated Dr. Bolden. Its important that patients receive a multi-disciplinary approach with their medical problems throughout their entire life. Women can be very complex and sometimes get overlooked medically. Many suffer silently with PFD symptoms. Some try medications and surgery then come to us as their last resort when things dont go as desired, said Dr. Bolden. Some have suffered so long that theyre emotionally distressed. But we can still help! There are many tools, treatments and strategies we can utilize to improve a patients situation and their quality of life. Women First Rehabilition280 Heritage WalkWoodstock, GA 30188770-485-7411WomenFirstRehab.comOffice hours are 8:00 am-2:00 pm,Monday through Friday, with evening hours on Mondays.
St. George Village Living Well in Retirement Its Your Choice Planning for retirement can be an exciting time. You want to live well and enjoy those golden years. And that requires a wise choice, one that takes into consideration your current interests and needs as well as what the future may hold. Located on twenty, beautifully landscaped acres close to Roswells historic district, St. George Village is situated on a campus that includes St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church along with Queen of Angels Elementary and Blessed Trinity High Schools. Its a place where you can experience small-town cordiality along with invigorating opportunities to delight your mind, body and spirit and on-the-go neighbors who share your interests. The community offers an energetic, carefree and independent retirement lifestyle, enhanced by an unrivaled slate of first-class amenities, activities and cultural offerings. Everything in the community has been designed exclusively for the enjoyment and comfort of its residents, from its warm and welcoming staff who provides housekeeping and maintenance to a 24-hour security service and scheduled transportation. A well-equipped fitness center, indoor pool, putting green, walking trail and exercise classes beckon those who like to stay fit, while a full schedule of activities and travel offers something of interest to everyone, providing opportunities for educational, social and intellectual engagement. Charter residents Forrest and Marian Jones said that moving to St. George Village brought a whole new dimension to their retirement lifestyle. The couple takes full advantage of the many amenities and activities, including planned excursions, games and special events. They also enjoy staying fit, making use of the fitness center and walking trail, and have used the communitys garden space to plant their own vegetables. We had to leave our old neighborhood behind, but we soon made 150 new friends here, Marian said. Forrest agreed, adding, We really enjoy all that is offered. Theres no excuse for being bored here. Additionally, St. George Village believes in offering its residents delicious dining options that contribute to a healthy, energetic lifestyle. While residents can enjoy cooking their meals in their own fully-equipped kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, they may also choose from customized dining plans that feature delicious fare, cooked up by a talented executive chef and kitchen staff. The Village Bistro offers a daily selection of delicious, homemade soups, salads, juicy burgers, hot and cold deli sandwiches and hearty BBQ ribs in a casual setting, while the elegant Lakeside Grille features a more upscale menu with items like soup du jour, fresh salads and fruit, entres such as butter-poached lobster tail and grilled chicken breast and a selection of fresh vegetables. And for everyones sweet tooth, both dining rooms offer a daily selection of freshly prepared desserts. Recent residents Byron and Nancy Safstrom said they appreciate not only the superior quality of the food and service, but also the flexibility of dining options offered at St. George Village. The food in both dining rooms is outstanding. We have first-rate chefs here, said Byron. But what we enjoy most is the flexibility of the dining plan we chose, where we only pay for the meals we eat. We applaud St. George for offering a choice of plans. Director of Culinary Services Daniel Shaffer says one of his primary goals is to ensure that dining options offer not just great nutrition, taste and presentation, but also flexibility of choice that suits a variety of palates and lifestyles. Our cuisine is continuously evolving around input from our residents and new trends in cooking and in the restaurant world, he said. We strive to incorporate fresh, locally sourced ingredients and cook them in a deliciously healthful way. Additionally, we plan menus that vary daily and seasonally, and we offer multiple dining environments, each with its own unique ambience. Were pleased to present our residents with dining choices that fit in with different lifestyles and routines. Choice is also the rule when it comes to living spaces at St. George Village. Luxuriously appointed, independent living residences come in a wide range of one- and two-bedroom floor plans with either a sunroom or screened porch, plus a choice of upscale design features. An in-house consultant is on hand to assist new residents with every aspect of the moving process, from downsizing their previous homes and coordinating the actual move to selecting all of the features that will make their new residence feel like home. And, as a Life Plan community, St. George Village offers a strategy for a secure future. Independent living residents have the assurance of priority access to a continuum of healthcare, including assisted living, memory care and nursing care, if and when needed. Last, but not least, because St. George Village is a nonprofit entity, its residents also enjoy superb estate protection through plans that offer 80% or 90% refundable entrance fees, along with predictable monthly service fees. To learn more about how you can live well in retirement with a variety of choices, plus peace of mind visit StGeorgeVillage.com, or call 678-987-0402. St. George Village11350 Woodstock RoadRoswell, Georgia 30075770-645-2340 or (toll free) 866-826-3400StGeorgeVillage.com
Back to School Shopping in Style Woodstock Boutiques Bring the Latest Fashion Home By Cyndi Braun Whether its back-to-school shopping or updating a fall wardrobe, Branches, Brooklynns and Madisonn Ave. provide great shopping choices for girls and women of all ages. The shops are conveniently located in downtown Woodstock. When customers come to our stores, they get the experience of shopping at a boutique, complete with the latest, coolest styles at affordable prices, says Jodi Tiberio, the business owner. Located behind Pure Taqueria, Brooklynns appeals to all women, especially younger ladies and teens. Brooklynns is a fun gathering place for our customers. Its like a fashion show by the fitting rooms, says Tiberio. We have a very loyal following because we carry the trendiest fashions that everyone wants to wear. This summer, Brooklynns is moving one door down from its previous location, effectively doubling its size. We had to expand to make shopping a better experience for our customers, says Tiberio, adding that the store was often packed to capacity. We changed the design to be brighter and more open, and we gave our guests more space to move around, linger, and be comfortable. When pre-teens are interested in styles offered at Brooklynns, they are directed to Madisonn Ave., a boutique for girls and tweens. Currently located near the Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill, the shop will soon move to Brooklynns old location. This move will put all three shops in the same block in Woodstock. The new location will offer a large area with trendy clothes similar to Brooklynns in sizes for tweens, and a separate section with a selection of classic southern styles for younger girls, including smocks and traditional toddler and little girl dresses. Of the three stores, Branches is most like a true boutique. Employees actively assist customers in finding sizes and outfits to fit their taste. The color palette is more neutral, and styles range from bohemian to conservative. If youre more interested in unique styles than trendy styles, Branches is the store for you, says Tiberio. In addition to the three stores in downtown Woodstock, Tiberio has a second Branches location in Towne Lake and a second Brooklynns location in Town Center Mall. The stores are open seven days a week. Teens, college students, moms, grandmothers and girls our fashions appeal to everyone, and we strive to make everyone feel comfortable with the personal attention they deserve, says Tiberio. Not only are Brooklynns, Branches and Madisonn Ave. great places to shop, theyre also great places to work. Raychale Dukeman, marketing manager, started working for the company right after graduating from the University of Georgia. I was interested in a job that had more of a family feeling instead of working for a big corporation. I knew Id prefer working locally, for a community business, with people who would help me develop in my field, says Dukeman. Full-time employees receive a benefits package, and all associates receive generous discounts while working in a fun environment. Upcoming Specials and Discounts Just in time for back-to-school, shoppers can take advantage of a spectacular deal during tax-free weekend at all the stores. From 9:00 am-noon on Saturday, July 30, customers who spend $100 will receive a $50 gift card for later use. -Shops will offer other specials in July, including free Brooklynns and Madisonn Ave. t-shirts with a minimum purchase of $50, and discounts on t-shirt dresses for fall, the newest plaid shirts and Piko shirts and much more. -From now through the end of August, Brooklynns customers making any purchase on Saturdays from 1:00-6:00 pm will receive a free Sans Souci bracelet (French for no worries). Store associates create the personalized bracelets, using hand-dyed silk ribbon, in the colors the customer chooses. Pictured models are wearing the bracelets. -A great way to find out about upcoming specials is by checking the Facebook and Instagram pages for each of the stores. The best way to make sure you dont miss out on discounts is to sign up for store texts. Text subscribers are also offered pre-sale announcements that arent posted on social media. Sign up for the Brooklynns Friends and Family (BFF) Program by texting BFFSTYLE to 51660 then follow the prompts. Sign up for the Branches VIP Program by texting BranchVIP to 51660 then follow the prompts. Brooklynn's480 Chambers Street, Downtown Woodstock & Town Center Mall, Kennesaw770-485-0744www.brooklynns.comInstagram.com/_brooklynns_/Facebook.com/shopthreads/ Branches Boutique370 Chambers Street, Downtown Woodstock2295 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock678-540-5483Instagram.com/branchesboutique/Facebook.com/branchesboutique/ Madisonn AveBoutique for Girls102 Fowler Street, Downtown Woodstock770-575-9481Instagram.com/madi_ave/Facebook.com/madisonnavekids/