THE SILVER LINING To Your Life & Health
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E ducation I s A bout A ccountability and C hange
How School Shaped My Life
I wore the black and gold of Frederick Douglass High School. The current mayor of Atlanta went there, and for those of you that don’t know, that place didn’t take excuses from anybody. If you tried to explain that something was too hard or you couldn’t do it, the teachers at that school would immediately hold you accountable. There was no pity allowed. If you wanted to cut class, good luck. The principal was halfway between the school and MARTA sending children back to class every day. It was the administration’s view that you went to that school for one purpose, and one purpose only: to learn. The relationships I forged there endure to this day. The assistant principal at my children’s school graduated with me, and he instills the same accountability we had at our school with all of his students. Fortunately for me, my children aren’t Nothing is more important than how one generation learns from a previous one. For our society to grow and move forward, we need to better understand the mistakes of our parents, their parents, and everyone else in our life. Without that learning, we perpetuate the same cycle of dysfunction, oppression, and prejudice that has plagued us for years. Because of this, I view education as one of the most critical social constructs there is.
troublemakers. I’ve never received a call from the school or teachers about anything. Part of that might be because of all the educational professionals in my family. My family has a principal, a school administrator, and a counselor, so my children have had good behavior instilled in them from multiple sources. “ WITHOUT THAT LEARNING, WE PERPETUATE THE SAME CYCLE OF DYSFUNCTION, OPPRESSION, AND PREJUDICE THAT HAS PLAGUED US FOR YEARS. Education is all about change. A big part of that is an openness to hearing someone else’s message. No matter
the labels or the judgments we might make, we can always learn about life from each other. Another part is finding a teacher who will embrace change. I had a lot of college professors who completely expanded my horizons because I was receptive to what they had to say. A lot of people will tell you what to do in life, but it’s only through education that we can find the right path. If we can learn, embrace change, and hold ourselves accountable, I believe we’ll have no problem passing on meaningful lessons to the generations after us. In the meantime, I hope you have the best day of your life so far.
–Duane Hamilton
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It’s disheartening because in some cases, the elderly need care that these companies can’t provide remotely. I don’t work for a big insurance company, and I’m not here to sell you a bill of goods. My job is to provide a service, and that means helping you when you need it most. Integrity Do you remember recently when Wells Fargo had that scandal where they opened bank accounts in customers’ names? Unfortunately, the bigger a company gets, the easier it is for a snowball of dishonesty to roll. When you work with a person, not a company, you know exactly who you’re dealing with. If you have issues, you don’t go through mounds of red tape and paperwork. You go straight to the source. are picking up swords, or “sabers” — and it’s not because they’re preparing to fight dragons. Exercise is important no matter your age, but some activities are more beneficial than others. Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise (PSE) suggests activities defined as “open- skill sports,” like fencing, can do more to improve brain health than “closed-skill sports.” Open or Closed? The difference between an open- skill sport and a closed-skill sport lies in the dynamic nature of the activity. Going for a jog is great for your heart health, but your body is doing the same thing during the entire workout. This makes it a closed-skill sport. The same goes for swimming; you might have different strokes to choose from when you jump in the pool, but your brain is focused on repeating the action while doing your laps. Open-skill sports require players to respond to unpredictable circumstances in unpredictable
ways. Fencing is a great open-skill sport because, while you have to learn the right way to hold the saber and move your body, you also have to think on your feet and react quickly to your opponent’s attacks. Researchers from the Foro Italico University of Rome believe that it’s the required adaptability that makes open-skill sports so good for your brain. You challenge your body with complex motor movements and your mind with fast decisions. In the study from PSE, the researchers reported that “the open-skill athletes used less brainpower to do the same thing than the closed-skill If fencing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other great open- skill sports, including tennis, badminton, basketball, and racquetball. What are you waiting for? Swing by your local rec center and find out what open-skill sport will be your new favorite pastime! exercisers did.” What’s the Best Open-Skill Sport?
The Benefits of Open-Skill Sports
Did you know fencing is making a comeback? No longer just for heartsick gentlemen of the Regency era, fencing is increasingly being taught in public schools, displayed in the pages of popular indie comics, and practiced among seniors. Plenty of baby boomers
Why You Should Buy Local That Includes Insurance
Maybe you’ve seen that sign that says, “When you support a small business, you’re not helping a CEO buy their third house. You’re helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, and a family put food on the table. Buy local.” When you own your own business, you can’t help but agree with this sentiment. But it’s not just your local restaurant or shoe store. You can buy local with your insurance as well, and here are two reasons why you should. Service When you work with a massive insurance conglomerate, they have no problem enrolling you. But the second you’ve signed the papers, it’s “good luck to you.” I work with a lot of seniors, and I see this all the time.
I run a small business, my passion is helping others, and I use Medicare as a vehicle to do that. If you have questions about how I can empower you to achieve a brighter future, reach out to me today.
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A tlanta ’ s B est M usical T alent The Marching Astros
Every time you walk through the doors of Frederick Douglass High School, you’re reminded of its robust history. Many famous figures have passed through the halls, like Mayor Bottoms and — my personal favorite — Killer Mike. The black and gold of the Astros proves to be a breeding ground of talent and excellence. But anyone who actually went to school there knows the pride and joy of Douglass High School isn’t the famous people; it’s the Marching Astros. Atlanta’s Best Band They may not get the air time that T.I. or Lil Jon do, but they produce undeniable entertainment. More importantly, they serve our community. The Marching Astros provide an outlet for many young Atlanta students to pursue something healthy and unique. Many people I know think band is for those who can’t play sports, but the Marching Astros
challenge that perspective. With all their accomplishments, it’s not hard to understand why. Accolades Being voted the No. 1 band in the Atlanta School District this past school year is an accomplishment in its own right, but that’s just the most recent in a long list of achievements. From the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah to Mardi Gras, the band is no stranger to the spotlight. The drumline, known as the Douglas Deadly Drummers, has played for nationally syndicated networks, famous figures, and our local government. A few of the band members were even asked to play at the Super Bowl halftime show in 1999. Our city is a beautiful place to live, full of rich culture and wonderful people. I’m sure even those who went to Benjamin Mays can get behind that. The Marching Astros are a great
example of what Atlanta is all about, and I’m proud to have them represent my school and my city.
If you need an easy, healthy side dish with plenty of flavor, this green bean salad will be the perfect addition to your summer menu. G reen B ean and S esame S alad
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
Inspired by Delicious magazine.
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large saucepan of
olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined.
water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well.
3. Add dressing, onion, and
2. In a blender, mix finely
sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
chopped mint and parsley with
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Why Education Is Paramount to Our Society
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Fence Your Way to Better Brain Health Buy Your Insurance Local Too Frederick Douglass’
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Marching Astros Green Bean and Sesame Salad How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking B ecome a ‘D og W hisperer ’ 3 4 Your whole family adores your dog — but not the barking. This issue can lead to feelings of frustration, and the more frustrated you get, the more your dog barks. It’s their only way of communicating, and they’re telling you, “My needs are not being met.” As Cesar Millan, the original “dog whisperer,” explains, “A barking dog needs exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order.” Exercise behavior that’s reinforcing it. Any attention your dog gets when he’s Train as a Pack for Better Results
Part of the barking issue may be due to pent-up energy. According to the humane society, “A tired dog is a good dog and one who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration.” If you already take your pup on a morning walk, try adding in an evening walk. You could add it to your child’s chore list and help get out some of the kid’s pent-up energy, too. It may also be beneficial to practice obedience exercises and games that challenge your dog. Discipline To put a stop to the behavior, you’ll first need to change any of your
barking — even yelling, “Rover, stop!” — teaches him to keep going, because you’re rewarding him with attention. Wait until your dog has stopped barking to give him any sort of attention, including looking at them. “To be successful with this method, you must wait as long as it takes for him to stop barking,” advises the Humane Society. Affection Of course, your dog needs love and attention to thrive — a lack of it could contribute to barking behavior. Reinforce silence by giving your dog
a treat and an encouraging pat when she demonstrates good behavior, like not barking. “Our pups want to work for our attention,” Cesar Millan reminds us. “Allowing her to do that and to see your happiness is, to your dog, the biggest reward of all.” To make your training program successful, consistency is key. Enlist the help of the whole family to stick to the principles. Together, you can foster a calm, peaceful home where you and your dog happily coexist.
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