My recent return to the land of the Inca culture was a special time. Our second trip to Peru, in May of this year, felt even more special than the first. We began in Cusco, where we reunited with our friend Alvaro. He is an expert in Inca culture and a close family friend of my parents in Costa Rica. Seeing Cusco through his eyes gave us a deeper connection to its history and traditions. But there was still time for some newer traditions, such as our visit to the famous McDonald’s in Cusco. We traveled on to Arequipa, known...
Relief for Chronic Knee Pain
Imagine undergoing multiple surgeries to correct chronic knee pain but finding no relief. This was the reality of Arlene Randle’s life earlier this year. “I had four different surgeries to try to fix my knee problems, everything but a knee replacement,” she said. “I was in physical therapy because I had developed a limp in my right leg. After three weeks of PT, I was still limping, and my physical therapist suggested that I see Dr. Shrenik Shah at Preferred Vascular Group.” Dr. Shah is the Medical Director at the Southwest Atlanta Vascular Care office and has been with Preferred...
Allen’s Most Wanted
We have all seen an old western movie where the sheriff hammers a Most Wanted Poster on the outside wall of the local jailhouse, and we’ve seen episodes of “America’s Most Wanted” where the host documents the search for society’s evildoers. Those two words, “Most Wanted,” have always implied the ongoing pursuit of lawbreakers in our society, but how does that apply to our middle school student population? While most of us don’t view our middle school student population as troublemakers, it is well-documented to be the most challenging age for students. Puberty is the time when children encounter new...
Summer Time = Grilling Time
Everyone thinks of something different when they hear the word “summertime.” Lazy days at the pool, road trips, baseball—all of these come to mind. For me, summertime equals grilling time. Whether it’s grilling chicken wings, hamburgers, sausages or some great steaks, summer is about spending small moments with family and enjoying some great food along the way. I call steaks the king of meats. When I have guests over, I like to grill a variety of steaks so they can try different cuts. The following instructions apply to all kinds of steak, including ribeye and filet mignon. Perfectly cooked steaks,...
More Than a Haircut
At the heart of Henry County’s 2024 Goodbye Summer Festival, amid the lively music, the delicious aroma from various food trucks, and family fun all around, were the sounds of clippers, laughter, and meaningful connection. At the center of this was Terah Da Barber, a professional barber with a heart for serving the community, and his team of passionate instructors and the students from Scales Barber Academy. Terah’s journey began in Queens, New York, when he began barbering at 14 years old. He relocated to Georgia in 2021 for a fresh start and eventually opened his own salon suite, “Cuts...
Unplug. Reset. Find Balance.
A day at the spa like no other. True Rest Float Spa allows you to float effortlessly in a pod filled with warm water and 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. The experience is like floating on air, eliminating the forces of gravity. “This allows muscles to fully relax, the spine to decompress, and the mind to enter a deeply meditative state,” explains Aubrey Jackson, Jr., General Manager of True REST McDonough and Peachtree City locations. True REST Float Spa is centered on science-backed wellness, providing a deeply relaxing and restorative experience. True REST Float Spa supports both physical and mental...
The Future of STEM Excellence
Henry County Schools’ mission to empower all students with exceptional opportunities that lead to success in a global society includes embedding STEM learning at every level. That mission, driven by the district’s goal to become a regional leader in STEM, is already yielding results, especially with one notable example at Ola High School. OHS VEX Robotics coach Dr. Christie Schmitt, an engineering teacher and advisor to the Technology Student Association, has led Ola’s elementary and high school robotics teams to success from local to international competitions. The high school’s 5203G Gremlin robotics team consistently ranks among top competitors and has...
Finding Answers
Outpatient Procedures at South Atlanta Vascular Institute May Provide Relief The patients of South Atlanta Vascular Institute (SAVI) have often been in pain for a long time. They attribute the feelings as typical symptoms of aging and feel all they can do is simply carry on as best they can. They may have even seen their primary care physicians or other doctors before and just never found relief. The doctors at SAVI, board-certified vascular surgeon Paul Jones, MD., and board-certified interventional radiologists David Allison, M.D., and David Penn, M.D., have helped thousands of patients with minimally invasive outpatient procedures. They...
Speedway Children’s Charities
Henry County’s largest and most popular sporting venue is also a source of significant financial assistance for young people in need throughout the region and the state. Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) was founded in 1982 in Charlotte by the late Bruton Smith, who owned and operated several NASCAR racing facilities. He did it as a memorial and legacy to his son, Bruton Cameron Smith. After losing his young child, Smith became passionate about wanting to help children in need. The organization spread nationwide, with the Atlanta Motor Speedway chapter, one of 11 chapters, created in 1994. Since its inception, the...
The Square Knot Crafts
Nestled beside Scoops on the McDonough Square is The Square Knot, a lovely hideaway where people gather to shop, craft and socialize. Ironically, it was on a Scoop’s bench that the store came to life, birthed from frustration over the lack of quality fiber arts stores south of Atlanta. “My husband I were sitting on the bench, eating ice cream, and I noticed that Mrs. Maureen’s was still for sale,” said owner, Melissa Pham. “My best friend Maria Prange and I had been talking about opening a local store for years. We were tired of driving an hour or more...