Titles and Blurbs

Taking Lawn Care Service to the Next Level

By Cyndi Braun

Do you dream of a healthy lawn, with no brown patches, grubs, or fire ants? A place where your family can play and enjoy a lush turf? If so, its time to call GrassRoots.

GrassRoots technicians will transform your yard into the beautiful lawn of your dreams.

It all starts with lawn treatments tailored to each propertys unique needs, taking into account the grass type, topographical conditions, and seasons. The lawn care treatments include everything that may be necessary for each season. This allows the company to ensure that each lawn receives the most effective treatment using the best available products and techniques.

Committed to Service
Led by CEO Josh Wise, this family-owned company believes in hiring courteous, hard-working employees who offer customers excellent service. GrassRoots lawn care technicians participate in continuous training, so they can utilize the industrys latest technologies and techniques.

Technicians respect your property as if it were their own. They move toys prior to treatments, remove debris and leaves if they are hindering the application of the lawn treatment, and double-check that fence gates are closed before leaving the property. If the customer is home, the technician takes a few moments to talk to the homeowner, answer questions, and make suggestions. The company takes a teamwork approach to lawn care, believing that an involved homeowner will help ensure a quality outcome.

After treatments are completed, technicians email homeowners a service summary report describing what services they performed that day and any issues they saw on the property. The email includes helpful advice and tips for homeowners.  

Customers deserve more information regarding their property than just the couple of sentences that preprinted forms allow, said Wise.

All-Inclusive Lawn Care
Committed to quality service, this local company offers an all-inclusive easy-pay program that takes care of everything your lawn needs to look its best. Customers receive unlimited service with no contracts, no upselling, and no hidden fees.  

We offer a monthly easy pay program with no surprises, no hidden fees, and free unlimited service calls. Everything is covered, said Wise. If you see weeds, grubs, or a fungus between your scheduled treatments, just call us, and we will come out at no additional cost.

GrassRoots technicians are not paid on commission. This allows the technician to treat the lawn thoroughly and provide excellent service without the pressure of rushing through as many properties as possible.

Through the companys website, customers can access their account to review their detailed service history, request free service calls, and even refer their friends or neighbors. GrassRoots rewards customers when they spread the word by sending them a $45 Visa gift card.  

We have a few customers that receive so many gift cards, they make money using our service, Wise said with a grin.

Giving Back

Last year, GrassRoots initiated a give-back program for area schools. New or existing customers may select their childrens school, and GrassRoots will give back 5 percent of the revenue. The checks are sent every quarter and continue for as long as the account is active.

If you want to have a great-looking lawn at a reasonable price plus know that 5 percent is benefiting your local school, contact us, and we will get you started, said Wise. Were excited to offer this opportunity, which enables us to support Cherokee County schools while providing our customers exceptional service.

Satisfied Customers
I continue to be very happy with GrassRoots. Ive been with them for five or six years. My yard looks good; its healthy and weed-free. Kevin, my service tech, is excellent. He is knowledgeable and full of good advice. If I have questions or issues, the company is quick to respond. That is very much appreciated in this day and age. I am a very satisfied customer! Bill P.

I would really like to thank my tech for going above and beyond to help my yard. Ever since they started treating my yard, its never looked better! Thank you for all the hard work you guys do! Tina W.

I have been very happy with GrassRoots and so glad I switched. We spend a lot of money on our yards, and they seem to care about helping us keep it looking beautiful. Mike is my technician and couldnt be more efficient. They will re-treat any lawn that needs it and wont charge extra for it. Thank you for taking such great care of my yards. Kathleen S.

100 Holt Drive, Acworth, GA 30101
770-917-8200
Facebook.com/grassrootsatlantalawncare/

Fitness Guru Raul Hiteshew Is on a Quest to Help Starving Children

By Cyndi Braun

Raul Hiteshew is on a philanthropic mission that will take him 7,000 miles from his north Fulton home to famine-stricken South Sudan.

A nutrition coach, bodybuilder, and developer of a high-quality, all-natural supplement line, Raul is committed to helping children who are living in unimaginable hardship, who are starving, vulnerable, and likely to die if they do not receive the nutrition they desperately need.

His quest to help children came to him one day while he was fasting in preparation for a bodybuilding competition. After he made one too many snippy comments, his wife Ashlyn asked why he was so grumpy. He blamed his behavior on the fact that he was starving. She said, Thats your choice; you chose to starve yourself. Her comment resonated within him. He started thinking about starving children who, unlike him, have no choice.

An Entrepreneur With a Heart
When Raul researched childhood hunger, he found the statistics shocking. More than 1 million children die every year due to starvation. More than 17 million children are afflicted with severe acute malnutrition, which means the body begins to consume its own tissues in search of nutrients needed to survive. Many philanthropic organizations help starving children, but people with severe malnutrition need two to four weeks for their bodies to adjust to eating solid foods.

Raul decided to formulate a supplement that would provide a nutritious meal replacement for starving children who are unable to digest solid foods. Through his company, HiveFit, he created the unique formula that aids in rebuilding childrens digestive systems, so they can quickly adapt to solid nutrition.

Some of these kids have gone without food for months, so their digestive system is not working properly, and they are unable to digest the food. Often, solid food is completely rejected, said Raul. The drink I engineered provides quick nutrition, so that in a matter of one to six days, they are able to eat solid foods.

Once Raul developed his new formula, he and his wife decided to donate 25 percent of proceeds from the HiveFit nutritional line to the HiveFit Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that funds their humanitarian efforts. The foundation partners with other organizations to distribute the unique supplement to children who need it most.

Later this year, Raul plans to travel to South Sudan to personally deliver the meal replacement supplement to starving children in that country.

All-Natural Products for Everyone
HiveFit offers a complete line of nutritional supplements designed to benefit everyone, from fitness fanatics and weekend warriors, to moms and kids. The grass-fed, non-GMO HiveFit line includes whey protein powders that taste delicious while enhancing health, fitness, and well-being.

We have the healthiest, most effective product line, said Raul. Our supplements are good for everybody. Most of our customers are 35-plus or athletes. Athletes love our products because of the quality, grade, and purity. Moms use them for themselves and their kids. When moms make smoothies for their kids, they want something healthy, and our products offer that.

The entire HiveFit line meets (or exceeds) industry standards for being the cleanest, most natural, and highest quality available. In fact, the Southern Muscle Guide magazine recognized the brand as the purest and best-tasting supplements on the market.

The company offers complete transparency and full disclosure labels, so consumers can see exactly what is in all HiveFit products, which are available to purchase online (with free shipping), as well as select locations throughout Atlanta.

About HiveFit
Through HiveFit, Raul and Ashlyn Hiteshew offer nutrition coaching and supplements that contain the highest-quality ingredients and avoid unhealthy additives. The name HiveFit comes from the words beehive and fitness. Bees are strong by themselves, but they are more powerful as a team. Fit comes from fitness, which is the channel to make the world a better place.

The company is committed to teamwork and creating products that will have a positive impact on people throughout the world. To order from the HiveFit line or donate to the organizations charitable work, visit HiveFit.com.

The HiveFit Line Includes
    100 Percent Protein Isolate in Vanilla Bean, Molten Chocolate, and Peanut Butter
    BCAA Formula in Very Berry Burst and  Pina Colada
    Pre-Training Formula in Green Apple Kick and Pomecai Blast
    Probiotic Digestive Support
    Concentrated Omega-3
    Products for Weight Loss and Rigorous Athletic Training

HiveFit.com
Instagram.com/teamhivefit
Facebook.com/hivefit

Making Outdoor Living Extraordinary

By Cyndi Braun

Imagine entertaining friends on a beautiful custom-built deck with wrought iron railings, drinking coffee in the shade of your screened-in porch, or warming your hands in front of a built-in stone fireplace on your backyard patio. Beautiful outdoor living spaces like these transform the average into the extraordinary and make backyard living more fun.

When its time to create that outdoor space youre dreaming of, its time to call Outback Deck, Inc.

We are on the cutting edge of the industry. If you can dream it, we can build it, said Bryan Miller, co-owner of Outback Deck. When we build a deck, we can put in an underdeck and a paver patio with a retaining wall and firepit. When we build a porch, we might transform it into interior spaces with Eze-Breeze systems that make it like a three-and-a-half season room with an outdoor fireplace and kitchen.

The Deck of Your Dreams
A well-designed deck is an affordable way to expand living space for relaxation and entertaining. Outback Deck installs ground-level, raised, or multilevel decks that coordinate with your home and its landscaping. Experienced project managers work with clients to design and build a custom deck based on specific needs, such as areas for cooking, dining, spa, and lounging. For clients seeking more privacy, they can build trellises and pergolas.

Outback Deck builds decks using a wide range of materials. Many customers choose composite or PVC decking because these materials are more durable and carry longer warranties than traditional wood decks. With the rain, humidity, heat, sunshine, and pollen in Georgia, a synthetic or composite deck offers low maintenance in an array of colors and styles, some of which resemble hardwood products.

For customers interested in using traditional materials, Outback Deck has several exotic, long-lasting hardwoods they can use to provide a high-quality finish for your new deck.

Porch Options
Nothing says summer living more than the comfort of a shady porch. Whether you dream of a private screened-in space or a grand wraparound porch, Outback Deck can make your dream a reality.

From classic wood to maintenance-free materials, Outback Deck creates porches that seamlessly match the exterior of your home. Specialists design porches to meet customer budgets and individual needs, including screens durable enough to protect against tearing from weather, pets, and children.

Maintenance-free porches, a durable alternative to traditional wood, provide beautiful outdoor living without the hassle and expense of annual refinishing.

Hardscapes
If you want to get closer to nature and transform your backyard into a great space for entertaining, its time to investigate hardscaping. Hardscapes include walkways, patios, retaining walls, chimneys, and firepits.

When its time to design your patio, consider including hardscaping features like a stone wall, firepit, or outdoor kitchen. Pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, which Outback Deck can blend into existing landscaping elements.

If youre interested in outdoor entertaining, an outdoor kitchen is an excellent addition. Expert masons construct kitchens with built-in grills, counters, and storage. Other fun ideas are outdoor pizza ovens, fireplaces, and chimineas.

The Beauty of Design
Outback Deck prides itself on guiding customers through the process of design, ensuring that the customer is an integral part of the overall creation. Solution Specialists take time to ask questions, provide feedback, and communicate.

We believe that thoughtful design ensures a spectacular result. Your deck, patio, porch, or hardscape should fit your lifestyle, taste, and specific needs. We will guide you through the process and make sure the end result exceeds your expectations, said John Gwaltney, co-owner. Well build your outdoor living project right, or we wont do it at all. Were by the book.

10 Reasons to Call Outback Deck
1.    Award-winning remodeling company
2.    Residential and commercially licensed contractor
3.    Thoughtful, individualized designs based on customer input
4.    All outdoor living space projects, including decks, porches, and hardscapes
5.    Wide range of materials to choose from including wood, PVC, and low-maintenance composite decking
6.    Outback Deck practices safety first by building decks above minimum code to make sure they are safe
7.    Training all salespeople and project managers are certified  Master Deck Builders
8.    A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
9.    Member of Certified Contractors Network, the North American Deck  and Railing Association, GuildQuality, and Maui Mastermind
10.    Participant of Decks for Soldiers and other community    service projects

501 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 150, Woodstock, GA 30188
678-262-4113
OutbackDeck.net

Music. Animals. Community.

Rock for Rescues showcases Atlanta-based homegrown, original music to benefit local animal welfare charities. Events are offered throughout the year, with a season-ending festival held on April 27 in Milton.

Discovering Local Music
A program of the Vox Artium Foundation, Rock for Rescues curates an annual list of the best Georgia-based bands that write and perform their own original music. Many music venues in the metro area prefer to book cover bands that play well-known music made popular by already-famous artists, even though Atlanta has a vibrant original music scene made up of talented musicians and composers.

Rock for Rescues creates unique events that feature local musical talent while simultaneously creating awareness and fundraising for animal welfare organizations in our community.

Saving Local Animals
Each year, the Rock for Rescues team researches, interviews, and evaluates the financial documentation and demonstrated overall impact of dozens of local animal welfare programs based on peer and industry recommendations. The resulting list is a carefully considered group that represents the broadest range of unique beneficiaries.

Every Rock for Rescues event includes opportunities for the nonprofit lineup organizations to participate. Their human (and sometimes furry or feathered) representatives attend to educate people about their mission and promote awareness of their programs. Every event is a fundraiser, with 100 percent of net proceeds from all events donated in equal shares to those organizations.

The 2019 Rock for Rescues animal welfare beneficiaries are: AWARE Wildlife Center, Canine CellMates, Furkids, Georgia House Rabbit Society, and Special Equestrians of Georgia.

Building Community
If you like music or animals, this is the program for you. Now in its second year, the interest and support from individuals, municipal and community groups, and businesses large and small have created an interconnected community of like-minded people across the metro area.

For the biggest, most inclusive Rock for Rescues experience, dont miss the season finale capstone event: the Milton Rock for Rescues Festival. This free, family-friendly street festival will be held Saturday, April 27, from 1:00-10:00pm on Crabapple Road in Milton.

This years festival will feature live musical performances throughout the day from Walden, the Last Chance Riders, Pony League, the Chip McGuire Band, a slow boat to china, Sister Moon, and Music Matters Rock U teen bands. In addition to live music, the event includes food and beverage trucks, local vendors, games and crafts for children of all ages, and animal representatives ready to meet and greet your whole crew.

New at this years festival will be reserved tables available near the stage and a VIP tent for exclusive mingling with Rock for Rescues musicians, local celebrities, and dignitaries. The VIP tent will also provide covered seating, a private bar area, and other perks to be announced.

Join the Community!
Rock for Rescues is made possible by corporate sponsors and partners as well as individual donors like you. For details about attending an upcoming event, sponsoring an event, or making a donation, visit RockForRescues.org.

Communicating Without Words

By Shannon Barnes, L.P.C.

The very idea that people communicate through body language can be extremely intriguing. Experts believe that approximately 80 percent of communication is interpreted by the listener from nonverbal cues.

Why do people want to interpret body language? It is most likely because they are needing reassurance. We are looking for tangible proof that verbal information is either believable or not believable. Other reasons pertain to human development. People have evolved over the centuries using body language to communicate when verbal communication was not available or effective.

Body language is a popular topic among pop psychology. However, the study of body language is not an exact science. While body language is universal, meaning everyone in the world communicates through body language, it is also customized to culture and environment. For example, most everyone in the United States knows that a person walking along the side of the road with a thumb up indicates that person needs a ride. Everyone in the United States knows that a hand in the air waving is communicating hello or goodbye. However, this may not be the case in other countries. It is believed that facial expressions that communicate emotions are universal regardless of culture. But emotions are provoked differently in individual areas of the world. Therefore, interpreting emotions through body language may not be universal.

If you want to pay attention to body language when communicating with others, here are a few facts to consider:

In everyday life, body language is primarily used to enhance verbal communication.
Hand gestures when telling a story, facial expressions to convey feelings, or gestures that indicate thought and emotion can enhance what is being said. This is normal for all humans, and it is reflexive. It is how the brain orders the body to move in space based on the information it is processing at that moment.

Boisterous body language, which is more intentional, is typically used to draw attention or to emphasize a point. When people are placing blame on others, they will point to the accused.

When people try to interpret body language as a stand-alone communication, the likelihood of misunderstanding is increased. For example, people sitting with their legs crossed are assumed to be avoidant; however, social etiquette teaches females that sitting with crossed legs is proper manners.

Environments vary; therefore, the interpretation of body language can vary between environments.
Body language has universal themes. An example is holding hands up, which symbolizes a surrender. This is shown when criminals hold their hands up when being arrested, and people raise their hands in worship. But this is not a guarantee that the person has a surrendering mindset, and it should not be assumed this is a truth for all environments. At concerts and dance clubs, people hold their hands up to dance. Athletes often raise their hands after a victory.

Be aware that people are interpreting body language based on how their brain processes information.

The brain can only pull from information that it has. For this reason, people interpret body language based on their own experiences. People most likely will interpret body language through a biased perspective. For example, the person who experienced a boss who always exhibited a fake smile may assume all bosses are fake when they smile.

To interpret body language with the most success, people should understand that body language is almost always an indicator of mindset and thoughts.

Although it may be misinterpreted by the viewer, people cannot make their bodies do the opposite of what the brain is telling it to do. So, if a person is defensive, they will exhibit a firm stance. If a person is deciding to voice thoughts or keep them silent to be polite, hesitation may be observed. People will fake a smile if they are being polite, but they will smile with eyes open wide if they are truly happy to see you.

When people are sad, their eyes will droop, and they will look down. When people are cautious, they will examine their environment with their eyes. When people are amused, they will exhibit a relaxed smile. When people are nervous or trying to control other intense emotions, they will fidget. When people are attempting to fake their body language, they can only fake for a short time period.

Overall, effective communication will include body language as well as verbal statements, tone of voice, and context, all of which are at the mercy of the listeners ability to understand the information being communicated using personal perceptions and past experiences.

By Tracey Satterfield

Living in a clean and uncluttered environment has many advantages. Not only is it good for your physical well-being, but also your mental state. How often have we been overwhelmed with anxiety before finally making the time to do a little cleaning and organizing? We instantly feel less weight on our shoulders when we remove some of the clutter around us.

Many people confuse decluttering and organizing with cleaning. However, decluttering and cleaning are two very different things. The first step to spring cleaning is decluttering. Here are a few basic organizing tips that really impact the look of a home:

Place all dirty clothes in a basket or container. Its best if each family member has a separate container in their bedroom or bathroom, so when they undress, they can drop their clothes in immediately.
Make a rule that all family members need to bring their cups, plates, and utensils to the kitchen every night before going to bed.
Place a trash can in the kitchen, laundry room, all bedrooms, and bathrooms.
Make it a daily habit to pick up all shoes, jackets, toys, and school/work items from shared living areas each night before going to bed.
Keep mail contained to one area. Go through it weekly and throw away all junk mail. Keep bills that need to be paid in a file.
Make your bed. Bedrooms look much more organized when you complete this simple task.

Our health can be negatively affected by not keeping our home clean. Often, individuals can become physically ill from dirt, mold, dust, and other unsanitary items such as toilet seats, countertops, and bedding. Allergies, colds, rashes, and even flu-like symptoms can occur.

Making housecleaning a priority can be tough in our busy lives because it requires time, energy, and effort from the whole family. Another option is to hire a cleaning service to help with scheduled, consistent cleaning of your home.

If you want to tackle this important task on your own, here are some basic suggestions that make a big difference:
 
Wash your bedding. It is important to wash/change your sheets weekly, especially if you have animals who like to snuggle. Animals leave behind dander, fur, and other allergens that you inhale each night while sleeping.
Vacuum floors often. Even if you dont have time to clean the whole house, youll be amazed by how vacuuming the carpet will improve the look of a room. Vacuuming also helps to remove animal hair, dirt, and dust. If your vacuum has a bag or filter, be sure to change/clean it often. This will also help to keep dust mites out of your home.
Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters daily. Just think how many hands are touching these areas as well as containers, grocery bags, cans, food, school bags, pocketbooks, and mail. The germ sources are numerous.
Clean toilets weekly, especially the seat, which is in direct contact with the body.
Dust your home at least twice a month. Everything in your home can collect dust. Ceiling fans, blinds, picture frames, artificial plants, bedspreads, pillows, rugs, furniture, shelves, and even unused toys are a few of the items that can collect dust. Some people experience an improvement in their allergies simply by keeping dust under control.
Sanitize doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles, toilet handles, and even car door handles. We are constantly touching these items with our hands. This is often how illness is spread from family member to family member.

If a family can make decluttering a priority, half the battle is won. The other half is spending a little time cleaning regularly. If everyone in the family pitches in, great progress can be made in two hours or less.

Try to devote one hour to picking up and decluttering. Then, spend the next hour dividing responsibilities to make the cleaning possible. Mom can take the bathrooms, Dad can take the kitchen, and the children can vacuum and dust. The next thing you know, anxiety is lower, and mood is improved. Guess what, kids? Keep your ears perked because you may hear the words, Lets reward ourselves by grabbing a bite to eat and seeing a movie!

• Transforming an abandoned athletic facility into the Cherokee County Marshalls Office rather than building on undeveloped land
• Allowing new building occupants to use existing parking, and encouraging neighboring organizations and businesses to share parking, which reduces impervious surfaces while increasing walkability
• Auditing all county-owned facilities for energy efficiency and making necessary upgrades
• Designating two areas as Opportunity Zones to revitalize underdeveloped commercial buildings and blighted residential communities
• Opening two glass recycling drop-off centers after private trash haulers discontinued glass recycling services

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce 2019 award winners for First Citizen, Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, and Green Business of the Year. All recipients were chosen by out-of-town judges.

First Citizen Raymond Rollins
The title of First Citizen of Cherokee County is bestowed upon a resident who has resided in Cherokee County for at least five years and who has shown meritorious service to his/her community through family, civic, and/or religious involvement. Rollins, a 71-year Cherokee resident, was awarded First Citizen of Cherokee County in recognition of his involvement in law enforcement, military, veterans benefits advocacy, and community events.
The Cherokee County Chamber was honored to name Rollins as the 44th recipient of the prestigious First Citizen of Cherokee County Award. It is obvious, based upon his accomplishments, why he was selected, remarked John Barker, 2019 Chamber board chair.

Small Business In Harmony Pediatric Therapy
In Harmony Pediatric Therapy is a multi-disciplinary therapeutic clinic housing both Rising Stars Childrens Therapy and Therabeat, Inc., which serves children with special needs and their families. The company provides occupational, physical, speech-language, and music therapy to children ages birth to adolescence.

Nonprofit Service League of Cherokee County
Serving the children of Cherokee County for more than 80 years, the Service League of Cherokee County is the deserving winner of the Nonprofit of the Year award. The money raised by the Service League is directed back into the community to help provide food, clothing, medical and dental care, eyeglasses, scholarships, and much more to identified children in need.    

Green Business Art Jewelers
Art Jewelers Diamonds & Design, a custom-design and repair jewelry store, was awarded the 2019 Green Business of the Year Award. The Chambers Going Green initiative recognizes businesses for their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment.

• Managing community gardens where residents grow their own food, demonstrating a commitment to fresh, sustainable food options
• Equipping the Fulton County Government Center with a cool roof to keep the building cool while reducing air conditioning costs
• Spearheading a comprehensive water education program via Public Works

• Replacing the landmark sign and landscaping the front entrance, making it more visible and recognizable from the road
• Increasing trail connectivity and minimizing vehicle/pedestrian crossings by completing the loop trail around the perimeter of the park
• Creating an outdoor gathering area in front of the Art Center for classes, events, and activities
• Creating ADA parking for the Art Center at East Roswell Park

The City will remove several trees to allow for an easily accessible, ADA-compliant parking lot at the Art Center at East Roswell Park. Most of the trees will be replaced with a variety of hardwood, flowering, and evergreen species.

Phase one of this project, which includes tree removal and parking lot construction, is underway and will be completed by May.