our town smyrna/ vinings

DECEMBER 2013

FAM I LY L I F E S T Y L E NEWS MAGAZ I N E

For Advertising Information Call 678-337-7844 • www.ourtownmonthly.com Our Town

Graphics and DesignTerry Tanner

Tanner Graphics, Inc.Account Executive

Sara Young, [email protected]

Feature PhotographerKaren Roberts Photography

Contributing WritersJenney CheeverShelia Frey

Meredith WarnockPam Walker

Deborah RatchfordHolly & Diana Parks

Mark OrlerLeisa A. Bailey, PhD.

Shasta ClarkAmber Burckhalter

Publishers/Editors Linda Demery & Lori McLinden

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 errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made

by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2013 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in part

is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

Our Town Monthly109 Anderson Street

Suite 109Marietta, GA 30060

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

[email protected]

onthlyMFAMILY LIFESTYLE NEWS MAGAZINE

Our Town in this issue6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8 ABOUT THE COVER

9 HOW TO TRIM A CHRISTMAS TREE

10 STAYING SAFE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

12 DECEMBER CROSSWORD

15 SHOPPING WITH SHELIA

17 HOME & DESIGN

19 TRAVEL – CHASING THE WINTER BLUES

21 REAL ESTATE IN OUR TOWN

22 IT’S A WRAP!23 WILL SANTA GO OVERBOARD AGAIN THIS YEAR?24 THE SCHOOL CORNER

26 THE ART OF RECEIVING GRACEFULLY DURING

THE HOLIDAY SEASON

27 MOMMY MOMENTS

28 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT – DOGMA DOG CARE

30 GREAT DOGGIE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

31 WHAT’S COOKIN’?


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calendar of eventsCOMING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Tuesday, Dec. 3 on the Village Green from 5:00 p.m.until 9:00 p.m. Watch Santa light the big Christmas Tree on the Village Green and transform downtownSmyrna with brilliant lights. Enjoy holiday festivities, musical performances by local church and schoolchoral groups, activities for the kids, parade and a visit with Santa at the Smyrna Community Center. Bringthe entire family for all of it and ring in the season downtown. This event marks the first official eveningof holiday lights in the downtown. 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, GA 30080. www.smyrnacity.com.

MOMS CLUB OF SMYRNA: Are you looking for a support group of other stay-at-home momsand their children? You have found it! The club is intended to be a resource for mothers at home to meetand learn from others. For more info visit momsclubofsmyrnaviningswest.webs.com., or email us at [email protected]. Our club is zoned for Teasley, Nickajack and Russell elementary school residentsin the 30080 and 30082 zip codes.

SMYRNA MOPS (MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS): Smyrna First United Methodist Church’sMOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group will now offer a Night Group in addition to its traditional program.Keeping up with the program demand and meeting the needs of working Moms, the Night Group will meetonce a month on Wednesday evenings. All Smyrna-area Moms of kids age birth to Kindergarten are welcome,both SFUMC members and non-members alike. If you are interested in joining the MOPS Night Group,please contact [email protected] or visit www.smyrnafirstmops.com.

JONQUIL GARDEN CLUB: “The Prettiest Native Plants” Master Gardner and Master GardenerVolunteer of Cobb County garden tour docent, Carmen Cudd, will present a visual program of theprettiest of the native plants; including trees, shrubs, and perennials that will encourage all of us to “ gonative.” The Jonquil Garden Club meets every 4th Tuesday at the library in downtown Smyrna at 10:30a.m. The objective of the Jonquil Garden Club is to beautify and preserve our environment by encouragingconservation and plantings, not only in our own gardens, but in public places as well. For further infor-mation regarding registration or inquiries about membership, contact Marilynn Parker at 770-949-6640.You may also want to learn more about the club and upcoming events at: www.jonquilgardenclub.org

LIGHTS OF LIFE: A Holiday tradition started by Life University since 1989. A visual treat that thewhole family will enjoy. Now, through December 31st, every night rain or shine. Sunday through Thursday6pm to 10pm, and Friday & Saturday from 6pm to 11pm. For cost and directions, please visit www.life.edu.

CHRISTMAS HOUSE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW: December 6th through December 15th,10am – 4pm Monday through Friday and 10am – 6pm Saturday, 2pm – 6pm Sundays. Select from a huge varietyof beautiful handmade items by 65 exhibitors. There is something for everyone! Mable House Arts Center, 5239Floyd Rd., Mableton, GA 30126. Visit www.mablehouse.org or call 770.819.3285 for more information.

FREE DRIVE-THRU NATIVITY: Life Church Assembly of God would like to invite you to theirFree Drive-thru Nativity on Saturday, December 21st from 6 to 8pm. Free hot chocolate and candy canes!Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas from the convenience and warmth of your car!For more information, call 770.435.5478 or email [email protected]. Life Church is locatedat 4100 King Springs Rd., Smyrna, GA 30082.

RADIO DISNEY NOON YEAR’S EVE: It's Noon Year's Eve and Radio Disney AM 590 is readyto celebrate! Join the City of Smyrna and Radio Disney for Noon Year's Eve--aGIANT dance party forkids. Radio Disney will have tons of great games, cool contests and the best prizes. And that's not all...therewill be a balloon drop at noon! FREE! Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna,GA 30080. Listen to Radio Disney AM 590 or go to www.radiodisney.com/atlanta andwww.smyrnacity.com.

12th ANNUAL TOTES 2 TOTS SUITCASE DRIVE: Sponsored by Georgia Cancer Specialists(GCS) and Northside Hospital, will take place Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Twenty-seven GCSoffices across Georgia – including 19 in Metro Atlanta – will participate in the drive, which delivers newor nearly new backpacks and kid-sized suitcases to foster children in Georgia. To participate in Totes 2Tots, simply drop off a new or nearly new bag on Friday, Jan. 17, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the nearestGeorgia Cancer Specialists office. For a list of participating locations, visit www.gacancer.com orfacebook.com/Totes2Tots, or call 1-877-716-CARE (2273). Financial donations may be made securelyonline at give.northside.com/totes2tots.

EMAIL US WITH YOUR EVENTS! [email protected]. Deadline is the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue.


feature photographer

Salon One2355 Cumberland Parkway

Suite 40 • Atlanta, GA 30339

770-633-7309

about the coverOur Town and delightfullittle Grayson Cole sendholiday wishes to all ofour readers!

Grayson Cole was bornMay 24, 2013, at WellStarKennestone Hospital inMarietta. Alison and Lau-ren have lived in theSmyrna area for 27 years.Grayson loves bath time,his xylophone, and listen-ing to Mumford andSons. Although he is nota fan of his car seat,Grayson is a social but-terfly and loves to go outand smile at anyone thatwill pay attention to him.The family is a big fan ofKaren Roberts Photog-raphy and had Graysonenrolled in the baby pro-gram before he wasborn. A week before heturned five months,Grayson started sittingup, and now he is lookingforward to eating sweetpotatoes on Thanksgiv-ing, the same week heturns 6 months old.

Karen Roberts was born in1975 in Pensacola, Florida. Shegrew up in Marietta, GA andgraduated from South CobbHigh School in 1993. Karenalways has had an interest indecorating and fashion. Shewent on to attend KennesawState University to peruse Stu-dio Arts and studied Photog-raphy under Professor BarbaraSwindell. She did her intern-ship photographing for TheVinings Gazette newspaper.She opened her studio in 1996.Karen specializes in newbornand child photography and hasa boutique studio in Smyrna,GA. Over the past 16 years shehas been published in Photog-rapher's Forum Magazine,Atlanta Magazine, and re-cently had an image chosen tobe the International Ad forHolga Camera Company. Shehas won dozens of awards forher work. Her work has beenshown on Good MorningAmerica and 11 Alive News.Her fine art coastal photogra-phy can be found in beach

homes from the East Coast to the West Coast. Karen feels grateful to have found her true passion in life. www.karenroberts.com


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by Jenney CheeverEveryone has his or her own decorating style and unique family traditions when decorating their Christmastree. But even in keeping with those traditions, there are certain guidelines to follow if you'd like yourtree to have a neat and professionally decorated look.

THEME You may want to consider a decorating theme for your tree. Do you want a Victorian look withbows and lace? Or perhaps a country look, with handmade ornaments and strings of popcorn and cran-berries?

LIGHTS Once your tree is up; the first part of trimming it is to put on the lights. There are many optionsavailable for tree lighting.

Strands of small white lights are the most popular, but colored lights can give a festive look too. Try tochoose lights that will fit the style of your tree. White lights are best for Victorian and country themes.Colored lights work well with a variety of themes, or you can use a single color, such as blue or green, toenhance a tree with a modern feel.

Whether you're using fiber optic lights, LED lights or traditional strands of lights, the method of deco-rating is the same. Start at the base of the tree, and weave the lights in and out of the branches, fol-lowing the shape of the tree. Don't hang lights like garland, or you'll lose the shape of the branches.

Keep working your way up to the top of the tree. As you place the lights, remember that youdon't need to place them out to the tips of the branches; that's where the ornaments willgo. It's good to have the lights run in deep toward the trunk, as this will make the treelook fuller.

GARLANDS�The next step in decorating your tree is to add garlands, if you are usingthem. You are not limited to the tinsel garlands we all remember from childhood.You can use ribbon, strings of beads or old fashioned popcorn and cranberry strings.

Starting at the top of your tree, drape the garlands around your tree, spiraling down-ward until you reach the bottom. Step back and check your work every now andthen, to be sure that your garlands are evenly spaced.

Make sure that garlands drape away from the tips of the major branches. Thismakes a nice framing element for the ornaments

ORNAMENTS�When placing the ornaments on your tree, start with anysets of ornaments you are using, and then fill in with single ornaments.Begin hanging the ornaments evenly over the tree, stepping back nowand then to make sure they are attractively spaced. As a general rule ofthumb, larger ornaments should be placed near the bottom of the tree,

while smaller ones should go near the top.

THE FINISHING TOUCHES Once you are satisfied with the placement ofyour ornaments, it's time to add the finishing touches, including the tree topper. Tra-ditional stars are always popular, but you can also choose an angel, a big bow or aglass topper. Make sure the topper you choose fits the overall theme of your tree.

Finally, don't forget the TREE SKIRT. Wrapping a skirt around the base ofyour tree gives it a finished look.


Staying Safe During The Holidays Many wait all year long in anticipation for the holiday season. There is a special magic that fills the air,neighbors seem a little friendlier and people all around have a sense of the holiday spirit. Though thefeeling of joy enchants most, this is also the season when crime is on the rise. Along with the excitementof the holidays comes added stress and pressure of shopping, paying bills, and traveling. This time ofyear makes people more vulnerable to crime due to an increase of activity. Emory-Adventist Hospital atSmyrna hosted a Staying Safe for the Holidays community education class this past November. Officerand Security Manager, Marc Couey spoke on various ways to shop safely in stores and online, and howto safeguard your home while traveling during the holidays.

A large part of the holiday season is spent in stores and online shopping to purchase special gifts forfriends and loved ones. One easy tip is to start shopping early in the day while there is plenty of sunlightavailable. Or, when shopping at dusk or night, have a shopping buddy accompany you. Also, try to avoidcollecting multiple large and bulky bags due to over shopping in one trip. Both men and women shouldremain cautious of their wallets during the busy holiday season. It is suggested men hold wallets in theirfront pocket or a zipped coat pocket, while women should carry their purse close to their bodies. OfficerCouey also explained the proper attire for shopping, “keep it casual while out this holiday season. Dressdown, be comfortable and always carry personal identification on you.” In addition to dressing down,Officer Couey also suggests being attentive while in public and avoid distractions like cell phone usage.

Many enjoy the convenience of bypassing overcrowded stores and long lines by shopping online. Doingso can help ease some of the added stress of the holidays. However, before entering personal informationonline, here are a few simple ways to remain safe while shopping on the web. Update your computer se-curity software, which may include anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and firewall. Be sure to keep pass-words private and secure at all times and never respond to inquiries to ‘verify’ credit card or passwordinformation unless you have initiated the communication. Only shop online with companies you knowand trust, and look for icons that identify the site as a secure shopping environment. If you are unableto verify a website can protect your personal information, call or visit the store in person to make pur-chases.

After the shopping has been completed, now it’s time to travel to visit the family. Officer Couey continuedby sharing ways to safeguard your home while traveling during the holidays. “Though it’s fun to sharetraveling plans with neighbors, friends and coworkers, it is sometimes best to keep some information toourselves,” said Officer Couey. Many times break-ins occur due to insider information being shared withothers, especially on social media sites. Remember, appearance is everything. Officer Couey suggestskeeping the visual appearance of your home manicured and occupied while away. Mow lawns and blowleaves before heading out of town to avoid the look of an empty or unkempt house. Also, setting lightsand radios on automatic timer can help give the impression someone is home.

Altogether, protecting yourself and family from the potential of crime begins with simple precautionsthat can be implemented into your everyday life. Officer Couey encourages people to get out and enjoythe holidays without fear. However, including safety measures can only add to the excitement of the sea-son. For more information on this talk and other free community education classes at Emory-AdventistHospital, visit the Classes and Event webpage at www.emoryadventist.org.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASSES AT EMORY-ADVENTIST HOSPITAL Diabetes Education Classes: Whether you have pre-diabetes, have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, or have had tolive with diabetes for a while, this class is for you! The class is conducted by a Registered Nurse, a Registered Dietitian, a Podiatrist,and a Pharmacist. Topics include signs and symptoms, monitoring, key test results, complication prevention, exercise, medications,a personalized meal plan, carbohydrate counting, label reading, eating out and sick day management. The classes will be held from6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and are held in the hospital’s cafeteria. Cost is $45.00 for three classes. A support person—without diabetes—may attend without charge. Fee is payable the first night of class. Call 770-437-6913 or 770-438-4373 for upcoming dates or toregister. You may also register on-line at www.emoryadventist.org/education-events.

Managing Diabetes with Insulin: If you are knowledgeable about diabetes, but want more information about insulinor are having problems with your insulin, this would be an excellent review class for you. This free class is held in the hospital cafe-teria on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. Please call the Education Department at 770-437-6913 to register or forfurther questions.

Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna will bring Christmas to the Community on Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 p.m.Enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and blessings of the season at this special tree lighting event. Festivities will include holiday musicalperformances, refreshments and an appearance by Santa! Bring your camera to capture the evening’s special moments. Visitwww.emoryadventist.org for updates or call 770-434-0710 for more information.

The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital will sponsor a “Holiday Home Tour” on Sunday, December 8, from Noonto 6:00 p.m. The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital welcomes the holiday season with a tour of some Smyrna/Viningshomes that are beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Your tour will include complimentary refreshments in the Tea Roomat Community Bank of the South and entry into Santa’s Workshop of artisan gifts. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance and$25 per person the day of the tour. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of new patient beds for Emory-Adventist Hospital.Log onto www.smyrnacares.org to purchase your tickets or call 770-438-5233.


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december crossword

across down1 Poetic "has"5 Retired personsassociation (abbr.)9 Islands14 Margarine15 Dregs16 Drive away17 Opaque gem18 Run easily19 Fan20 Bosses22 Not cognizant24 Light25 Interbreeding

populationwithin a species26 Rests against28 In what manner29 Pouch32 Raccoon-like

animal33 Slacks35 Status __36 Afloat (2 wds.)37 Whichever38 Go after40 Fear

41 Rebound43 Raging44 Hallucinogen45 Caesar's twelve46 Makes a

sweater47 Band instrument49 Southwestern

Indian50 Stage53 Patter (2 wds.)57 Transparent

gem58 At sea60 Tried and __61 Pointy end62 Calm63 Ventilates64 Decorative

picture printedon sticky,glossy paper fortransferring toglass orwood

65 Skewer66 Fewer

1 Horse's foot

2 Dog food brand

3 Cook quickly

4 Suffer

5 Bowling __

6 Long time

7 Representative

8 Fictitious name

9 Muslim's religion

10 Harriet Beacher__

11 Molten rock

12 Always

13 Shriveled

21 Crazy person

23 Salamander

26 Egyptian flower

27 Went gently

28 Capital of Vietnam

29 Stumpy

30 Father's sisters

31 Secret language

32 Russian Marx

33 Dormitory rules

34 Japanese religion

39 Asian

42 Nerve fiber

46 Charles __

47 City

48 Edge

50 Posttraumaticstressdisorder

51 Leash

52 Great

53 Restaurant

54 Canal

55 Belongs to us

56 Loch __ monster

59 Eat

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Have you shied away from dresses? Do you think they are for others and not for you? Maybe it’s time fora change! The ease of slipping into a dress, adding a few accessories and running out the door makes dressesa must-have wardrobe option for any season. If a dress fits well and flatters your coloring, there is no easierway to get dressed. I’m here to help you choose a dress and determine the few items you’ll need to pair withit in order to create an outstanding outfit.

Explore a range of color in your dresses.• The little black dress is for you if black is truly a flattering color on you. Otherwise choose your bestneutral color to create your own version of the LBD like navy blue, dove gray, pewter, taupe, brown,charcoal, or French blue.

• If you have a favorite bold color that looks great on you, wearing it in a solid dress can be a showstopper.

• If you’re attracted to a red dress but are nervous about the intensity of the color, choose one in coral,tangerine, berry, or rose.

Fabrics create the tone for your dress.• Wool crepe or matte jersey fabrics look smooth on the body and don’t wrinkle.

• If you fall in love with a linen dress or a silk shantung dress, know that these fabrics will wrinkle quickly.

• If you want a dress to be more flirty, choose one in chiffon. It will move with you and create flutteringpatterns.

The shoe can add spice or be understated.• If your dress is heavily patterned or lacy, keep the shoe simple. Try a nude pump.

• If a dress feels too feminine for your personal style, tough it up with a knee high boot.

• When wearing a solid colored dress, add personality in a fanciful shoe—brightly colored, metallic, orpatterned.

Jewelry choices will depend upon the neckline.• A belted dress with a jeweled neckline is a great canvas for a statement necklace. Go big!

• If the neckline is very detailed (ruffled, draped, or beaded), avoid a necklace and keep the earringssimple.

• A wrap dress that creates a deep V-neck can use a dainty chain with a simple pendant. Add bangles onthe arm for more impact.

Your dress needs the right bag.• If your dress isn’t a work dress, don’t wear a workbag.

• If your dress is super simple, go for an exciting bag. Consider one with studs, sequins, chains, or pat-terns.

• Always keep a clutch handy in one of your neutral colors. If your dress or jewelry is getting the mostattention, your handbag can stay in the background.

Don’t forget the outer layer.• A fine cashmere or silk cardigan sweater is an easy addition to a sleeveless dress.

• A silk blazer that repeats the line of the dress adds polish for evening occasions.

• A trench coat that has sheen to it, or a silk trench coat, is a great all-around choice for many dresses.

A figure flattering dress can make you look polished and pulled together. Wouldn’t a dress be a good choicein your wardrobe, especially for the Holiday season?

Have a very Merry Christmas!

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PAGE 15 For Advertising Information Call 678-337-7844 • www.ourtownmonthly.com Our Town


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Decor for the Holidaysby Meredith Warnock, RID

It is that time of year again! As you pull out your seasonal decor, take a moment to pause before you placeeverything as you have in years past. There are a few easy, inexpensive ways to kick your Holiday decor upa notch this year and give yourself a fresh look using mostly what you have on hand (or in your garden).

A Holiday Mixer: “Faux-Natural”

Natural foliage is fabulous and it is easily accessible. Last year, I found myself scrambling to correctlycomplete my Christmas Eve tablescape. Beautiful cream roses were cut and I had the faux garland setaside for the table centerpiece, but there was an element missing. After a brief trip to a friend’s garden,I had my finishing touch: cryptomeria. Long, graceful and lush, the fresh-cut greens gave the faux garlanda new life and together, they were the perfect backdrop for the roses. No out-of-pocket cost for me andmy friend enjoyed seeing a part of her garden on display during our dinner!

Nature is Classic

Let’s face it, not all interiors coordinate well with the spirited red color of holiday decor. If your designtaste won’t tolerate seeing red all season long, turn to nature for inspiration. Green foliage and dried,brown elements evoke the presence of the holidays in a very natural way, without masking your yearlong

decor. Add touches ofcream with roses or poinset-tias and your wintertimedecor is far from kitschy.

Shelve It

For 30-days, I challenge youto change up your book-shelves to signify this specialtime of the year. It is soeasy to keep what is in placeonce you finish accessoriz-ing your shelves and, manytimes, the books and trinketsnever move again. For theHolidays, clear out all ormost of your year-round

decor and fancy these spaces for the season. Just as your Holiday fireplace mantle display makes a bigimpact, this attention to detail on your bookshelves will make a huge difference. This may also clear upsome space in other areas of your home....

Less is More

When outfitting your home with the spirit of the season, it is easy to get carried away. If you find yourselftrying to squeeze in the 11th Santa onto a tabletop or shelf, it is probably the right time to go back to the“less is more” mantra. A single room does not need to be adorned head-to-toe in order to evoke thespirit of the season. Instead, a sprinkling of thoughtful additions throughout your home will allow youto enjoy the beauty of the holidays without feeling cramped by them. Refinement is key for a stunningholiday tribute.

The “Pillows” of a Tablescape

Just as decorative pillows can be rotated in and out throughout the year according to the season, manyelements of your tablescape can be easily made special for the holidays. Plates, glassware, linens andchargers can all be changed during the season or you can choose just one element to stand out againstyour year-round entertaining pieces. Subtlety can be key because the seasonal pieces don’t need to beadorned in the usual motifs of the holidays. For my December tablescape, I like to mix gold chargerswith platinum-rimmed china. The silver and gold theme strikes the right tone in our interiors and it looksfantastic alongside seasonal greenery!

Mirror, Ribbon, Wreath

While it is hard to say these three words three-times fast, this is an easy & classic detail to use in December.Where you have a decorative mirror in your home, hang an appropriately sized wreath with a ribbon andoverlay it onto the mirror. Depending on your mirror, the ribbon can be fastened to the wall just behindthe mirror or attached to the mirror itself. It is preferred to use a real wreath, though a faux wreath com-bined with real foliage accents will look beautiful too.

Meredith is a registered interior designer (RID) with a design career that spans 12-years with residential,commercial and hospitality projects in Georgia, Texas, California and New York.


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l CHASING THE WINTER BLUESby Pam Walker

Summer is over and we are well into Fall, so it's time to think about the gloominess of winterin the southeast. After the festive holiday season has ended and the New Year has begun....what do we have to inspire us but the cold, dreary days of January and February?

These are the times that I would just love to get on a plane and jump down to the Caribbeanfor a long weekend. "No Problem Ma-an" in Jamaican. What could be better than a shortdirect flight to this ever-popular playground with beautiful blue water and white beaches?

Let's not forget the close by Bahamas, however they can get cool and blustery during the wintermonths.

Or you may prefer to go even further to the romantic Turks & Caicos Islands. ...or Aruba withits Dutch flavor. If you want to learn some French while you are away, why not travel to St.Barts or Guadeloupe? Or learn a little bit of Spanish on the Mexican coast near Cancun andCozumel.

All of these wonderful islands have beautiful hotels, from the all-inclusive to 5 star to the smallerboutiques and laid back local places which offer a relaxed atmosphere and great hospitality.

Try Tryall or Round Hill in Jamaica, or perhaps some of the Sandal's properties are more yourstyle with a full palate of includedmeals and amenities.

A favorite of mine is One and Onlyin the Bahamas, but Atlantis is a fa-vorite with families and couples whoenjoy the fabulous pool and excitingglass water slide through a shark tank.

In Turks you can stay at the exoticAmanyara or exclusive Parrot Cay.Or enjoy Grace Bay Club on thebeach of the same name. The Sandsat Grace Bay is lovely with its condosright on the beautiful white beach.

Aruba is fun with an entire beach-front list of hotels from Radissons toMarriotts to Holiday Inns. Keep inmind here that the symbol for the is-land is the Bon Bini tree with awindswept look due to the strongwinds that buffet this island.

St Barts is wonderful and beautifullyFrench from its great restaurants andhotels like, Carl Gustophe to LeToiney and-Isle de France. Guade-loupe offers guests a taste of historywith the hotels such as La CreoleBeach Hotel and Spa.

Mexico is without doubt the quintes-sential holiday hotspot. Tons ofmodern and beautiful hotels line theshores of the Yucatan Peninsula at re-ally great package rates in winter.

Whichever island you choose, now is the time to think about booking your flights and accom-modations. Like you, people from the northeast and Europe are also trying to get out of thesnow and ice.

So when winter rolls around in Atlanta...and you are sitting around your fireplace wanting toget away to warmer climes....remember to book early next year so you can enjoy some reallygreat resorts and fun.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor and can be reached at [email protected]


REAL ESTATE IN OUR TOWNby Deborah Ratchford

MARKETING YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Deborah RatchfordKeller Williams Realty Cityside

678-570-4779 [email protected]

It’s the holiday season and you have a house to sell .Would it be best to wait until after the New Yearbefore listing it? Not in today’s market !

Here are 11 good reasons why you should list your home during the holiday season.

1. Buyers who look at homes during the hol-idays are serious and ready to make a decision.

2. There is less competition during the holi-days. Serious buyers have fewer homes tochoose from over the holidays, as most sellerstake their homes off the market. Selling nowmeans more money for you!

3. The number of houses on the market willdramatically increase come January, so waitingto list will mean more competition and lessmoney for you.

4. Homes show better when they’re decoratedfor the holidays. Buyers are more emotionalduring the holidays and are likely to spendmore money on a home that they like.

5. Buyers have more time to look over theholidays. With time off from work, they oftenview homes during the weekdays.

6. Taxes are one reason many are looking tobuy during the holidays. Many of these folks

are looking to get a tax break before the end of the year.

7. January is traditionally a month when employees start new jobs, so waiting until spring to buy is notan option for them. Having your home on the market during the holiday season, allows you to capturethe sale.

8. While your home is on the market during the holiday season, you still have the option to delay yourclose or restrict your showings during those six or seven days to celebrate the season.

10. Sell now for more money, and we can provide a way to delay your closing and/or extend your occu-pancy until early next year.

11. By selling now, you have the opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer for next year when morehouses will be on the market for less. This could allow you to sell high and buy low!

From everyone at Keller Williams Realty Cityside and the Deborah RatchfordReal Estate Team, we want to wish you a very Happy Holiday Season!

Please call us at 770-874-6382 for any of your real estate needs!


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It’s a WrapBy Holly and Diana Parks

The year was 1966. My three sisters and I tumbled out of the wood-paneled station wagon and chargedtowards the wreathed doors of Rich’s Department Store. We gaped at the sky-high Christmas tree, itstwinkling lights reflecting off the shiny marble floor, which we skipped across, half-heartedly trying toavoid the cracks. (This would NOT be a good day to break our mother’s back.)

“Which way, Mom? Which way?” Just then my nine-year-old sister squealed with delight and pointed tothe glittery sign that read “Santa’s Secret Shop.” We took off in our patent leather glory and skidded toa stop at the end of a line of pint-sized customers. I saw Mom pull her wallet out of her purse at anearby folding table and receive four receipts for us to take in. She then took her seat amongst a dozenother moms who were in for the long haul.

The line inched for-ward until my sis-ters and I finallystepped up to thecandy-striped, fairy-sized door. ASanta’s helper homefrom college tookmy hand andducked through theentry to a bazaar ofkid-sized tables,laden with assortedties, tennis balls,oven mitts, andh a n d k e r ch i e f s .After thirty min-utes, I emergedfrom Santa’s shopat the North Poleback to Christmasin the south. In my sweaty palm, I clutched Mom’s and Dad’s Christmas presents, already wrapped bySanta’s elves.

**********

The year was 1996. My three brothers and I careened out of the mini-van that had not quite rolled to astop at the pottery art shop. Tearing toward the front door, Mom called after us, repeating her mantra,“You break it, you buy it,” which succeeded in slowing our charge to a barely contained canter. The de-pression-era clapboard house built long before the Varsity Jr. across the street housed shelves upon shelvesupon shelves of milky white, pre-fired, clay figurines, birdbaths, and soap dishes. There was a fountainI would have sold my soul for, but it was way out of Mom’s price range.

Christmas was just around the corner, and I was determined to find Dad’s perfect present. My brotherwas finishing the first coat of purple on his ceramic catcher’s mitt when I spotted the most beautiful fig-urine in the room. How had it not already been snatched up? Dad was in for a treat; who wouldn’t flipover a delicate woodland fairy? Using a wet sponge to wipe down and smooth out the pixie, I all butwiped her chalky features away. I squeezed a blob of my favorite blue onto my palette and lined my threebrushes up; I was ready to begin.

On Christmas morning, Dad carefully peeled the layers of tape off the wrapping paper that covered mymasterpiece. I squirmed with anticipation, resisting the urge to help. His delight at my slightly cross-eyed, blue-winged nymph was everything I had hoped for. I enjoyed that moment more than any gift Iopened that day. Seventeen years later, it still sits on his bathroom counter, right behind the Barbasolshaving cream.

In order for children to buy into the idea that it is better to give than to receive, they must be able tocompare the two. As kid-focused and Santa-oriented as Christmas tends to be, expand their experienceto the other end of the pole. I cannot recall one gift I opened that Christmas morning, but I’ll neverforget the bursting pride I felt as Dad lifted her out of the box. You may end up with an inventory ofVelcro wallets, toe socks, and gently used Mr. Potato Heads, but your lesson on giving and your Oscar-worthy reaction to receiving will prove a more valuable gift than anything on your child’s list.

Diana and Holly Parks are a mother-daughter duo who have co-authored the book I Didn’t See Me DoIt. Visit their website at www.ididntseemedoit.com or go to Amazon to order.


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WILL SANTA GO OVERBOARDAGAIN THIS YEAR?

by Mark OrlerMy wife and I were sitting around the kitchen table the other evening looking at all the toy cat-alogs that the children had been so kind to place in front of us with particular pages earmarkedjust in case we hadn’t heard them in last few weeks when we looked at each other and said,“When did this become all about THIS?”

I could almost hear my parents giggling with joy in the background as I reiterated to my wifethat she had spoiled our children rotten and that the “stuff ” of Christmas was not the stuffthat covered the glossy pages getting in the way of my ham sandwich. I dodged the AmericanGirl tome that was hurled at my head as she reminded me that she was “The ONLY parent inthis household who has ever heard of a Christmas Budget and that it was ALWAYS a certainMAN at the table who blew through that amount and ruined our mutually-agreed upon spend-ing limits!”

I looked over at little Johnny in the high chair slurping on his bottle of milk and said, “Dude,you have got to get a grip on your spending!”

But like every other year it will be the week before Christmas and I will take an assessment ofthe cornucopia beneath the Orler tree and will surmise it “lacking.” I will then make a rush tosome Big Box where I will melt the numbers off a few credit cards and get to enjoy the repeatedphrase from my wife Christmas morning, “Wow, Santa sure did go overboard this year, I bet

the Elves are going to have to have a garage sale to cover all this.

“I sure hope Mrs. Claus doesn’t force him to sleep with the Reindeer overthis.” She won’t.

So where does this insatiable need for “this” and “stuff ” come from? Wherein our DNA is it coded that want and need will never be equal and thatApple and Walmart will merely replace the idols of Baal and Zeus?

The question answers itself. Even when every need was met for manthere was the want for more that inevitably followed the greatest lieever told, “You deserve this.”

It appeared that mankind was doomed to spiral into oblivionbased on that lie until a lonely parent sat around the table andthought to Himself, “What more can I give?”

But instead of attempting to fill that void with the fodder oftemptation He gave a gift so precious that earning it orrepaying the debt wouldn’t even be conceivable, muchless possible.

I know I will overspend on Christmas. I knowI will try to give my children morethan they deserve, and I know thatin January I will sit down with all mydebt and debate whether or not Imade the right choices…I am justblessed that my Father doesn’t lookback on his gift giving and do thesame.

God Bless You this Christmas andevery day thereafter and if you feellike it, thank Him.

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

Mark can be reached at [email protected]


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Whitfield Academy’s lower school held it annual “I Love to Read Parade” October 18th.

e tradition is more than a decade long, and is a unique opportunity for students to

learn behind the classroom walls. Students from PReK4-4th grade chose a children’s

book, read together as a class and then collaborated to create costumes and floats for the

parade. Over 300 people were in attendance at Whitfield Academy’s annual event.

Nickajack’s 2013-2014 Math Team

SMYRNA TEACHER IS COBBTEACHER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Rhonda Lokey, aCampbell Middle School teacher, whowas honored last month as CobbCounty's Teacher of the Year. TheSmyrna City Council passed a procla-mation recognizing Ms. Lokey for heraccomplishment. Among the eventssurrounding this honor was a cere-mony enshrining her handprints onthe Marietta Square with all previousTeachers of the Year and a free one-year lease of an SUV for her use.

St. Benedict's Episcopal Day School invites prospectivefamilies to join us Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 3:30p to tour ourschool and meet our teachers. We invite families interested inpreschool through 7th grade for the 2014-15 to join us andlearn more about our community.

Atlanta Classical Christian Academy will be hostingits annual Christmas Program on Tuesday, December 10th at 7pm.This event is open to the public and we welcome you to join usfor this festive celebration of our Savior’s birth! This is a great timeto see our students in action as they showcase what they’ve beenlearning in music classes this Fall, and a great time to see our newlyrenovated facilities. Also visit us during one of our upcoming OpenHouse events, on January 14 at 9:30am and 7pm, and see whatmakes ACCA truly exceptional! For more information about Atlanta Classical Christian Academy, visit www.accak12.org.

The SAE School is proud to recognize our students whodemonstrated their Taekwondo skills at the Smyrna Fall JonquilFestival. Tess C., Madeline M., Caroline M., Kennedy C., Alex R.,Brady O., Tanner O., Sydney S., Christian C., Kyle H, Harper C.and Theodore M. all showed how much work they have put intotheir daily Taekwondo classes here at school!

Taekwondo is an integral part of our school’s unique learning environment, building the five aspects of student self: discipline,esteem, control, respect & defense!

Families are invited to come out and learn more about this andall of the other unique elements of The SAE School at ourAdmissions Open House! Saturday, December 7th 10:00 am– 12:30 pm.


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phone: 800.878.4756email: [email protected]

KING SPRINGS ELEMENTARY: SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE

Principal Linda Keeney and her staff at King Springs Elementary have been recognized for achievingstatus as a Georgia School of Excellence. Congratulations team! We are proud of your continued

improvement and therecognition you haveearned! Smyrna MayorMax Bacon and the CityCouncil acknowledged andthanked Principal Keeneyand her staff at our September 16 Councilmeeting. Coincidentally,Kenney is Mayor MaxBacon’s sister. He isrightfully proud of hissister.

Books came to life for more than11,000 area students atCobb EMC’s fourth annual Literacy Weekevent. The program, which washeld the week of October 27,brought together six children’sbook authors and students fromacross the electric cooperative’sservice district.

“We originally designed thisevent to encourage students’love of reading and creativewriting,” said Mark Justice, as-sociate vice president of educa-tion and community relations.“Cobb EMC is committed toeducation, and Literacy Weekinspires imaginations and pro-motes life-long reading habits in a really fun, interactive way.”

Guest authors included New York Times bestselling author Brian Lies and local authors Gail Karwoski,Jenny L. Cote, Diane Shore, Robyn Hood Black and Rebecca Varicak.

Throughout the week, authors made individual presentations at Allatoona Elementary, Bells Ferry Elementary, Boston Elementary, Bullard Elementary, Chalker Elementary, Cornerstone Preparatory Academy, Dowell Elementary, Due West Elementary, Ford Elementary, Johnston Elementary, LabelleElementary, Lewis Elementary, Milford Elementary, Mount Paran Christian, Murdock Elementary, OakGrove Elementary, Powers Ferry Elementary, Russell Elementary, Russom Elementary, Shelton Elementary, Timber Ridge Elementary and Vaughan Elementary. Presentations were also made at theTellus Science Center for museum visitors of all ages.


We are entering the annual season of giving – and a time to examine how well you allow yourself to begiven to. “Receiving” by fully accepting gifts with grace, gratitude and appreciation of the gesture ofbeing given to; is an important part of relationship. Receiving a gift is half the exchange - it is the com-plement of giving and just as important - and sometimes more difficult. To embrace being given to withgrace may require suspending, at least for a time, the sense of independence, of being strong, and self-sufficient. Additionally, accepting from others requires an acceptance of self-worthiness and the sensewe deserve the kind efforts of others. For many, the art of receiving gracefully is a real challenge.

Most would rather give than receive because giving offers such natural and genuine satisfaction. However,it may be selfish not to let others help. Work towards allowing yourself to be given to - - and give the giftof receiving well. The result of not being good at receiving is that we deny others the pleasure of feelingvalued; we deny them the joy of giving. Offering gracious acceptance honors the giver. Sometimes thenicest thing we can give someone is to let them be the thoughtful one. Receiving well is a kind of generosity.

If compliments, gifts, or other kindnesses, cannot be accepted andembraced fully, these expressions of love are blocked. The proverbof “it is better to give than to receive” has great truth; however, theability to receive is equally as important as the ability to give.

Parents and known etiquette instruct on the importance of makingeye contact, expressing gratitude and then writing a note of thanksare a part of graceful receiving. However, etiquette covers only apart of receiving a gift well. The deeper difficulty is in embracingand really welcoming a gift.

Some guidelines to follow to express appreciations for the preciousgifts we are given:

• Accept graciously and say “thank you” genuinely

• Resist the “knee-jerk” reaction to reciprocate

• Resist the urge to decline a gift or deflect a compliment

• Enjoy the gift or compliment

• Examine your negative reactions to understand this issue better

When appreciations are expressed graciously to compliments, offers of help, or other gifts you strengthenrelationship bonds, create a life where people want to give to you as much as you give to them. A balancereciprocal life is healthier for all.

Psychologist, Dr. Melissa McCreery offers the following exercise to improve the ability to gracefully acceptfrom others: “Make a daily practice of listing three gifts you received every day, noting the little or the bigthings. Look for the gifts you were given all day and notice whether you allow yourself to really receivethem. We’re not talking expensive jewelry. It might be the coffee someone made for you or the email afriend sent or the way your partner didn’t point out that irritating thing you did. It’s how your colleaguewashed the coffee mugs. As you practice this, you’ll get better at catching it in the moment – and lettingthe gifts really sink in.”

As we enjoy this joyous time of seasonal giving, work towards offering the “givers” in your life the joy ofyour gratitude and appreciation.

Happy holidays to all!Dr. Bailey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Marietta. You can learn more abouther by visiting: www.marietta-psychologist.com. You may reach her at (770) 428-6698 or [email protected]. Your comments or questions are welcome.

THE ART OF RECEIVING GRACEFULLY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASONby Leisa A. Bailey, Ph.D.

“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”~Sarah Ban Breathnach~


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MOMMY MOMENTS

The Ungrateful Childby Shasta Clark

Confession: I’ve wanted to run away from home more as a mother than I ever did as a kid.

You know those moments when you’re at your wits end with your kids? Then just before you throw inthe towel and pack your bags, you get a glimmer of hope that keeps you from running away? I had oneof those moments during this holiday season.

As much as I love Christmas and Thanksgiving, my glimmer of hope didn’t come while we were stringinglights or baking pumpkin pies. It came when we were trick-or-treating.

Every Halloween, I remind my kids at every house to say thank you. It exhausts me that I have to con-tinually remind them to show gratitude. Why can’t they just remember? Better yet, why can’t their heartsbe so full of appreciation that gratitude is a natural response?

This year one of my children got candy then, before he stepped foot off the porch, he bellowed, “I hatethat kind.” Part of me wanted to crawl under their giant-sized Snoopy blowup lawn decoration, but se-cretly I didn’t blame him. The people handed out the reject candy, the kind that even sugar-loving childrenleave sitting in the bottom of their buckets after they’ve picked out the Kit Kats and Reese’s Cups. Italked to my son about how to graciously accept all the candy, even the rejects.

A few houses later, he did it! He said thank you to a few people who passed out rejects. I considered it aglimmer of hope because, most of the time, he is utterly ungrateful. And frankly, I don’t know what todo about it. I don’t have the answer to transform an ungrateful little heart that whines and complainsabout everything into a thankful one.

When I say my child complains about everything, I’m not exaggerating. When I’m cooking dinner, hewalks through the kitchen and says, “Yuck! What stinks?” Even when I’m making his favorite meal, hecomplains that he’d rather have something else, “Pizza with potato chips and ice cream sundaes fordessert? Aaaahh, I wanted tacos.” When I buy him a toy, he gets home, unwraps it and says, “I shouldhave gotten the other one.” Then he whines for 10 minutes because I won’t take him back to the storeto exchange it.

This is the same kid who, of all my children, is the first to tell me how much he loves me, the first tosmother me with kisses and hugs when I walk in the door, the first to show compassion to a friend whois being left out. He’s the one who makes me belly laugh, and the one who livens our home with hisspunk and spirit. Without him, our family would be quite dull.

I’ve tried all the regular remedies, but they haven’t worked. You can force a child to say thank you, butyou can’t force him to feel empathy so that he recognizes a good deed and genuinely expresses appreci-ation when someone does one for him.

When I was a kid and I complained about eating cabbage rolls my mom made from scratch, I’d get the“There are starving kids in Ethiopia” speech. But that won’t cut it with my son, and it never worked formy generation either. A kid growing up in rural Ohio has no clue where Ethiopia is, let alone why thekids are always starving there.

It frustrates me because I believe that giving thanks is essential to contentment. When we give thanks,we simply cannot be self-focused. It’s impossible for gratitude and ungratefulness to cohabitate in thehuman heart. And I desperately want my son’s heart to be full of thanksgiving, not his selfish desires.

The hardest part about having an ungrateful child is it takes all the fun out ofdoing things for him. When a child says, “Thank you, Mom,” you’ll hap-pily spend your entire Saturday sitting outside in freezing rain at soc-cer tournaments then spend your last dollar on ice cream for theteam. But when he whines, you start to resentdoing even the smallest things for him.

As a writer, it feels unfinished to endthis column here, without a pretty bowabout my revolutionary parentingtechnique that cured my son of hisungrateful heart. But often times par-enting takes years to see results. As theold adage says, parenting is a marathon, not asprint. Along the journey, we hold on to the glimmersof hope that pop up unexpectedly, even if they are as simpleas a “thank you” for reject candy.

So Where Are They Now….We all know how hard it is for small businesses to make a go of things these days. Without strong supportfrom the community, it’s almost impossible for them to make it. So how are some of our old favoritesdoing?

One local small business that we reported on a sev-eral years ago is still doing smashingly well…DogmaDog Care. With all the competition out there in thepet care industry, many have asked business ownerRobin Crawford for her formula. Robin contributesher continued success to her strong faith and to treat-ing each and every client with the utmost respect andappreciation.

“I think the difference maker for small businesses iscustomer service. There are so many opportunitiesfor people to take their business elsewhere. If youdon’t keep your eye on their overall satisfaction, andthat means each and every interaction whether it beon the phone, in person or whatever, that they canand will be gone. I look for opportunities to let myclients know that I care about them as individuals andthat we love their pets, even when it means giving freeservices. If a house hold has a new baby, or if a petparent is ill or has passed away, we pitch in and sup-

port them in every way possible. That’s something that the big chain stores just can’t do.”

Dogma Dog Care has been in business now for almost 5 years and has seen its revenues more than triplewith this simple philosophy. As a former Adjunct Professor for Cornell University, Robin Crawford’s cor-porate expertise is in Human Resources with a specialty in Diversity and Inclusion. She has parlayed thatspecialty into her employment practices and business philosophy. “I love hiring people with varied backgrounds. I know that not everyone out there does the same, so I make it my responsibility to do better.My current staff represents several nationalities, speaks multiple languages and reflects the diversity ofour community. I’m proud of that. We have a great team of people who are truly committed to giving thedogs in our care AND the people who bring them here a warm and inviting experience.”

Dogma also provides a diverse package of services in order to appeal to people of varied socio economicbackgrounds as well. Robin told Our Town “Though our facility’s appearance is more high end than ourlocal competitors with 2 acres of play space, private suites, and roomy dens, we keep our prices low sothat every dog can have the Dogma experience. We offer a monthly low cost vaccination clinic sponsoredby Paws Plus and provide our clients a lovely wash area where they can bathe their dogs themselves. Wealso sell the best dog foods on the market but choose products with a wide range in price so that everyonecan feed their pets well.”

What ever the formula is for success, Dogma Dog Care must have it down packed. For the 5th year in arow they’ve received the Best Of Atlanta in pet care from the Atlanta Tribune magazine and now are oneof Cobb Counties Top 25 Small Businesses for 2013. Congratulations Dogma Dog Care. Smyrna is proudof all that you do for our community.

Check out Dogma Dog Care and read more about it’s owner Robin Crawford at www.dogmadogcare.com.Dogma is located at 4790 Wright Drive Smyrna 30082 and can be reached at 770-436-4346.



SMYRNA

1860 Spring Road • Ste C • Smyrna(Right next to Cumberland Animal Clinic in the Spring Village Shopping Center)

Call to schedule an appointment (770) 874-3647

$6.00 OFF GROOMING SERVICESwith this coupon.

Expiration: December 31, 2013. Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per household. Must be presented at the time of service.

Michael D. Friedlander, D.V.M.Cat Care of Vinings Services

Early Morning Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Services

Annual Examinations, Vaccinations,Behavioral Consultations Surgery,

Dentistry, Ultrasound and Digital X-rayCondominium and

“Special Needs”BoardingSupervised by Our Highly Trained Medical Staff

4691 S. ATLANTA RD. • SUITE 200 • SMYRNALocated in the Vinings Court Shopping Center-Upper Level

404.792.0700 • www.catcareofvinings.comHOURS: WEEKDAYS 7AM - 7PM, SATURDAY 8AM - 12PM


Ending your pet’s pain & suffering IS THE KINDEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE,

and in the comfort of your own homeWe offer…•Guidance and consultation•Helpful information to assist you with the grieving process•Professional relationships with local veterinarians•Cremation/burial options and services

www.SweetDreamsGeorgia.com770.880.1596 • [email protected]

Great Doggie Christmas Gifts by Amber BurckhalterThe holiday season is upon us. As we settle into the hustle and bustle and begin planning for an onslaught of holidayvisitors, it’s important to remember that environmental changes can be challenging (and sometimes dangerous) for ourpets. Observation, management and training will help your dog and visitors avoid many troublesome issues and whilea house full of guests is not the right time to work on behavioral challenges, it is the time for new gifts for Rover. Thismonth we take a look at great doggie gifts that serve double duty: fun and management.

1) The great Kong. Ever present in a trainer’s toolbox, Kong products are virtually indestructible and come inmany different shapes and sizes, with red for normal chewers and black for the serious advocate. Stuff Kongswith your pup's meal to give them a good mental workout. Freeze Kongs stuffed with healthy treats mixed withsmall bits of fat free yogurt so the playtimes last longer. Check out our website at www.k-9coach.com for a listof recipes for Kong treats but make sure to adjust for your dog and their digestive needs and nutritional limitations.The only limit to what you can do with a Kong is your imagination. The Kong Wobbler is our 2013 Toy AwardWinner and provides hours of safe entertainment and appears to last, by our test, for several years.

2) Puzzle toys are all the rage. They come in so many different arrangements and sizes that any dog can benefitfrom this gift. Make them easy or hard, use treats, toys or your dog' meal in these to entertain. Hide the puzzletoy then get your dog to search, find and play with the puzzle. Buy several and trade them out regularly to keepyour dog challenged.

3) Premier Linkables are a combination of a hard rubber toy and a puzzle. Use them alone or build a puzzle tosuite your dog and their needs. Reminiscent of hamster tunnels, they come in a variety of sizes and colors tosuite any need and any dog. Fill them with the Linkable treats or your dog's meal or simply play fetch with thesetoys as the bounce and float. A great addition to any toy box!

4) Tug toys are great for dogs who know how to play and release appropriately and who do not have aggression is-sues. Tugging with your dog releases pent up energy, gives you a chance to work on commands and control in afun manner and tugs can be taken on walks, to the vet or anywhere that your dog may need quick redirectionand play. Make sure you teach your dog to release to avoid conflict. Buy two and trade as you play to keep yourdog focused.

5) The ever present chews. Coming in thousands of types, chews can be wonderful but must be chosen very carefullyand with forethought. Some chews are too hard for serious chewers or puppies and can lead to broken teethwhile some chews are too soft and can lead to your dog swallowing pieces that cause intentional issues such as ablockage. Never leave your dog alone with any chew they can swallow, observe them closely the first time theytry any chew and immediately take away and discard chews that are splitting, losing pieces or your dog is crunching

down hard on as they play. Research the many options, discuss with your vet any questions and pick what is bestsuited to your dog and his needs.

6) Grab a new collar or leash this year. Often we forget to check the latches and buckles on leads and collars andthis can lead to equipment failure at inopportune times. Take this time to check on your dog's tags, collar andleash and replace any worn out or unreadable pieces. Our favorite is the Mendota lead and collar in one, whichlast for many years and have no breakable pieces.

Remember that any toy or chew you pick for your dog should be suited to their size, chew strength and temperament.Not every choice is good for every dog but there is a toy that will work for your needs. Goodies and gifts for your dogcan be a great help in management, stress relief and most of all, fun. Enjoy this holiday season and make sure to stopby K-9 Coach to see our wide selection of doggie gifts, puzzles, leads, and toys. Enjoy your shopping and from the K-9 Coach family to yours, happy holidays!

Amber Burckhalter, CNWI, CPDT, CDBC is the owner of K-9 Coach, APDT Board of Trustees, IAABC CertifiedMember, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and Business U Task Force, Cobb Chamber. K-9 Coach is located at4870 South Atlanta Road, Ste 200, in Smyrna. 404.603.9744 http://www.k-9coach.com.

The holiday season is a perfect time of year to invitefamily and friends into your home. What better wayto host your guests than with southern inspireddishes! While we all love family-favorites, it also is

nice to introduce new traditions. Thisyear, try a new recipefrom one of the Junior

League of Cobb-Mari-etta’s (JLCM) cookbooks, Georgia On My Menuand Southern On Occasion. Both of the JLCM’scookbooks make excellent hostess gifts, and canbe purchased in time for holiday parties by visitingthe League Website at jlcm.org/cookbook.

Hampton Place Beef TenderloinSouthern On Occasion, page 187Yield: 16-20 Servings1 (4 to 5 Pound) Beef Tenderloin, Trimmed2 Cups Soy Sauce2/3 Cup Dark Sesame Oil7 Cloves of Garlic, Minced2 Tablespoons Chopped Gingerroot Coarse Salt and Pepper to Taste

Place the tenderloin in a nonreactive dish. Whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, andgingerroot in a bowl. Reserve half the marinade. Pour the remaining marinade over thetenderloin, turning to coat. Marinate, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for 1hour; drain. Rub the roast with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan. Sear the tenderloin at 500 degrees for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325degrees. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let stand for 10 minutes. Returnthe beef to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand for 10 minutes.Continue the “in and out” process until the desired cooking time is consumed. Bake 17 to18 minutes per pound for rare and 20 to 22 minutes per pound for medium. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. Heat the reserved marinade in a saucepan andbrush over the beef. Cut into thin slices. Serve on yeast rolls with horseradish sauce. May be prepared 1 day in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.

Congealed Coca-Cola Cranberry Salad Georgia on my Menu, page 56Yield: 8 Servings1 (16-Ounce) Can Whole Cranberry Sauce1 (3-Ounce) Package Orange Gelatin1 Cup Boiling Water1 Envelope Gelatin, Softened in ½ Cup Cold Water1 (20-Ounce) Can Crushed Pineapple,Undrained1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice1 Tablespoon Grated Orange Rind1 Cup Pecans or Walnuts, Chopped6 Ounces Classic Coca-Cola

Dissolve orange gelatin in boiling water; add cranberry sauce and blend well. Add plaingelatin. Add remaining ingredients and stir just to blend. Spray an 8-cup mold with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into mold. Chill. When mixture begins to gel, stir todistribute nuts evenly. Continue to chill until firm.

Holiday ToffeeSouthern On Occasion, page 188Makes 2 Pounds1 Cup Sugar1 Cup Butter1 Tablespoon Light Corn Syrup3 Tablespoons Water1 (5-Ounce) Package Sliced Almonds2 Cups Milk Chocolate ChipsCombine the sugar, butter, corn syrup and water in an iron skillet. Cover over high heat for 10minutes or until caramel colored, hard-ball stage, stirring constantly and in 1 direction. Stir in thealmonds. Pour onto a greased baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula or wooden spoon.Sprinkle with the chocolate chips. Let stand until the chocolate begins to melt; spread evenly. Freezefor 1 to 2 hours or until set. Break into bite-size pieces. Store in a box or tin at room temperature.

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