DMA Gab-RRRDMA Gab-RRRDMA Gab-RRRDMA Gab-RRRVolume 16 No. 2 DULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONDULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONDULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONDULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION February 2004February 2004February 2004February 2004

February 3, 2004Meeting

Sponsored by

The Soda Shop3122 Hill Street

on the Town GreenDuluth, GA 30096

678/417-6600

The Soda Shop Deli and DairyBar is pleased to be hosting TheDuluth Merchant Association’sFebruary meeting. Mayor Shirleywill be speaking at the DMAmeeting. The Soda Shop hasbeen open for just over a yearnow and is looking forward to asuccessful second year. Withthe colder months, The SodaShop has been focusing on theircatering and delivery service forthe local businesses. So forthose of you looking to host abusiness lunch, or are unable forleave the office because of yourwork schedule, give The SodaShop a call. They will take careof all of your needs, even thoselast minute orders.

The Soda Shop is also a greatplace to have your next party.The entire store is available forrent for private parties, or tojust set up a table for yourchild’s birthday. The Soda Shopwill be happy to provide anyentertainment you wish,including a clown for your child’sbirthday, or a band for the adult

parties. Just let them knowwhat you want, and The SodaShop will do all the work foryou. Located on DowntownDuluth’s Town Green, and with afun and old-fashionedatmosphere, you cannot choosea better place to celebrate.

Ron Harris is the owner of TheSoda Shop, and has been in therestaurant industry since hegraduated from East CarolinaUniversity in 1993. His storeoffers hot and cold sandwiches,hearty soups and fresh salads,along with hand-dipped icecream that is used for theirmilkshakes, sundaes and icecream sodas. New to the menuare Hot Dogs and more itemsfor the kids to choose from. TheSoda Shop also offers anextensive catering menu thatwill fit any of your needs thatyou may have.

The Soda Shop looks forward toseeing you on February 3rd.

See more insideabout the

Duluth MerchantsAssociation

SPRING BENEFITon Saturday,March 13th.

Find out moreabout how you

can get involved inthis wonderfulevent, this yearto benefit the

Foster Children’sFoundation, Inc.

Page 2 DMA Gab-RRR

from theDesk of the President

Thanks to Complete Healthcarefor their Hospitality in hostingthe January meeting. Thanks toeveryone who attended what agreat turnout. If you haven'tbeen to a meeting in a while youreally try and free up yourcalendar and see how dynamicthe meetings are.

The Date for the Benefit Dinnerfor The Foster Children’sFoundation has been set forSaturday, March 13th. Pleaseget the word out and get sometickets sold. Check our websitefor more information.

We still need volunteers andauction items. Call any of theboard members for details orticket forms to place in yourbusiness.

See you Feb 3 at the SodaShop.

Dana WhitePresident, 2004

Meditation MomentWhen looking at your past, do you find

yourself labeling events as "good" or"bad"? I know I used to, until I started

asking to view the events of my lifewithout judgment. What I have found,

as a result, is that many wonderfulsituations and people have been

revealed to me. God put me in thefamily I needed to be in to learn the

lessons I needed to learn.

When we can view our families, otherpeople and events of the past all as

threads of the wonderful fabric of ourlives, we can be grateful for the lessons

learned and the strength we gainedfrom them. So, take a trip down

memory lane, and express gratitude forall aspects of your life and for your

ability to weave them in to the beautifulpatch work quilt of your unique life.

Blessings,Rev. Marlene

2003Duluth Merchants AssociationOfficers & Board of Directors

OFFICERS

DANA WHITEPresident

DERECK WHITESMITHVice President

Alisa WilliamsSecretary

John MonkTreasurer

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Pam Adams 770-564-0876Laura Heck 770-814-8984

Jennifer Ingalls 678-376-9700Marion Maloof 770-923-1111Albert Marquez 770-623-6069

John Martin 770-476-2775Thom Mash 770-689-2600John Monk 770-495-8900

Sunny Ramsay 404-906-4677Allan Roth 770-497-8776

Dana White 770-476-1659Dereck Whitesmith 678-957-8030

Alisa Williams 770-476-3434Mark Williams. 770-441-0945

Jim Wilson 770-813-8947

The Gab-RRRis a publication of the

Duluth Merchants Associationwww.duluthmerchants.com

Printed and Distributed byAccent Mail Service

678-473-4643

Layout & Photography byLaura Heck, Heck Design Group

Phone/Fax 770-814-8984gabrrr@duluthmerchants.com

Edited bySunny Ramsay, Dan Cook Assoc.

404-906-4677gabrrr@duluthmerchants.com

Database by:Jim Wilson, ASK Staffing, Inc.

770-813-8947

LIVE A

SetA

Duluth Merchants AssociationSpring Benefit Dinner

March 13, 2004

Please donate items for the:SILENT AUCTION– and new this year –

UCTION with Brooks Coleman!

We also need VOLUNTEERS for:-up crew, Servers, Clean-up crew,uctions and Parking Attendants

February 2004 Page 3

Alan Wolkow, Doctorof Chiropractic

Hello…my name is Alan Wolkowand I am a Doctor ofChiropractic. Back in 1984 Istarted my practice in a stripmall in Duluth on BufordHighway about ¾ miles north ofSR 120. For a time reference…the Gwinnett Place Mall wouldopen that October. Yes, Duluthhas changed a lot since 1984. Iwas one of the first “New Age”Chiropractors in Duluth. Youmight say I was Chiropracticwhen Chiropractic wasn’t “cool”.During this time I became aCharter Member of the DuluthMerchant’s Association and afounding member of the DuluthKiwanis Club. My practicecontinued in Duluth, in severallocations until September of2002 when I relocated mypractice to the PeachtreeCorners area of Norcross.

I am very excited to announcethat I have moved my practiceback to Duluth! My practice islocated at 3820 Pleasant HillRoad in the Duluth Chiropracticand Wellness Center, which isdirectly across the street fromthe Joan Glancy outpatientfacility, about ½ mile east of thePIB intersection. In addition tofull service Chiropractic care, Ioffer a variety of physical

therapy modalities, massagetherapy, x-ray and otherspecialized diagnostic testing,exercise, nutrition, weight-lossand wellness programs.

Since 1984, Chiropractic hasgrown considerably, howevermany more individuals need toconsult with and be underChiropractic care. Chiropracticcare has had great results withmany health problems includingneck and back pain; headaches;upper and lower extremity painand numbness, including carpaltunnel; disc problems; muscleand joint pain; and even variousorgan dysfunctions, to namesome. To introduce you toChiropractic care and my office,I am offering a certificate, at noobligation, which entitles you toa No Cost Initial Evaluation; thiswill include a conference todiscuss your health problem, anorthopedic and neurologicalexamination, up to 3 X-rays,and a follow-up visit to discussmy findings. If Chiropractic careis indicated in your case, youwill be given both treatment andpayment plan options. This offeris open to new or formerpatients of mine.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours in Health,Alan Wolkow, DC

Kiwanis Club ThirdAnnual Pancake

BreakfastThe Kiwanis Club of Duluth heldits Third Annual PancakeBreakfast on October 18, 2003,raising money for donation to theDuluth Police Community OrientedPolicing Services (C.O.P.S.). TheKiwanians started cooking at thecrack of dawn at Bunten RoadPark in Duluth, and served an

estimated 450 people throughnoon. If you missed it thisyear…be sure to put it on yourcalendar for next year! This yearyou would have seen fellow DMAMembers Dennis Keller, DaveCook, Nancy Riedel and theHonorable Mayor Shirley Lasseterdonating their time and talents tothis great event!

Project chairman Don Lee wasplease with the turnout, and isanxious to grow the project nextyear. Don noted that thesuccess of the project not onlydepended on the support of theclub, but the support of manylocal business that donatedsupplies for the event.

Kiwanis President Jim Barnespresented a $2,500 check fromthe proceeds of the breakfast toC.O.P.S. Lieutenant Bill Stevensat the December 3, 2003, meet-ing. The C.O.P.S. program isdesigned as a proactive approachto policing, and is very visible andactive in the city middle and highschool. With support from theDuluth Kiwanis, the DuluthC.O.P.S. unit previously producedthe “Ghost Out” program andvideo that was distributed to ALLpublic high schools in Georgia.This C.O.P.S. video has become astatewide teen driving program.More information on the DuluthPolice and the C.O.P.S. programcan be found at www.duluthpd.com.

Activities and organizationssupported by the Kiwanis Clubof Duluth can be accessed atwww.abraxis.com/bcarroll/kiwanis.htm or by contacting theclub’s membership chairman,Frank Gulia at 678-665-8395.

Bradley Carroll, CPA, CIA, CFSASanti & Associates, PCbcarroll@santicpa.com770-623-4440p/770-623-4009f

Page 4 DMA Gab-RRR

2004 Board Members(con’t from last month)

Marion Maloof

I would like to take thisopportunity to thank all of theDuluth Merchants for allowingme to be part of such awonderful organization. You allhave made me feel right athome here since the very firstday. I will work tirelessly in thecoming months to gain yourrespect and friendship.

I decided to become achiropractor at a very early age.Actually, it was my calling.Without regular chiropracticcare, I honestly believe that Iwould not have the quality ofhealth that I enjoy today. I feelthat there is a good chance thatI would not even be alive todayhad I not sought out chiropracticto realign myself after a couplebicycle and motorcycle accidentsthat I had years ago.Chiropractic saved my life. Thatgift of life was given to me and Iappreciate any opportunity topass that gift along. The humanbody is a very complex machineand just like your automobile, itrequires basic maintenance tokeep it running properly. Manypatients are surprised at the farreaching effects of qualitychiropractic care and thewonderful relief they get whichresults in better health.

As a life long Atlanta native, Iam committed to teaching aboutthe basics of chiropractic healthcare and how it can improveyour quality of life. Chiropracticis THE natural approach tohealth care without the use ofdrugs or surgery. Chiropractorsrelieve nerve pressure by gentlyremoving misalignments of thespine, which are calledsubluxations. Without theseroadblocks, 100 percent of thenerve supply is able to flow fromthe brain, down the spinal cord,through all the spinal nerves, toevery organ, tissue, and cell inthe body. Chiropracticadjustments assure propernerve function, giving the bodyoptimum health potential. Iopened Maloof ChiropracticClinic on Pleasant Hill Road inApril 2001, offering a differenttype of chiropractictreatment than the ones mostpeople are familiar with. Ipractice the Atlas Orthogonalmethod of chiropractic. Thetreatment focuses on the firstvertebrae in the neck, at thebrainstem, through which mostof the nerve impulsesconnecting the brain with therest of the body travel. The neckhas always been a focus area ofchiropractic because properbalance and alignment of thisarea affects so much of thebody. The treatments aregentler for patients and aremade with a percussion typeinstrument that releases anenergy wave to align the spine. This energy wave places theatlas in an orthogonal position,(Greek word for level), with thepatient feeling no discomfort.

DULUTH MERCHANTSASSOCIATION

Spring BenefitDinner

March 13, 2004

You won't want to miss it!

This year's dinner and auctionswill benefit the FosterChildren's Foundation, Inc.

It will be held at the FosterChildren's Foundation's"Clothing and Needs Center"at 3777 Duluth Highway(Hwy. 120) in Duluth, GA.

Newsflash!In addition to our SilentAuction, there will also be a

LIVE AUCTION,featuring

Brooks Coleman!

Tickets are $55.00 per personor you can reserve your owntable for 8. The auction beginsat 5:00 and dinner at 6:30.

Please contact Cody Moranfor ticket reservations at770-476-5238 x 255 orcodyann.moran@century21.com

To sign up or find out more,please visit the website atwww.Duluthmerchants.com

Please help make this a greatevent by donating auctionitems, assisting with the eventon that day, and tellingeveryone you know to gettickets and be there.

DULUTH MERCHANTSASSOCIATION

Spring BenefitDinner

March 13, 2004

February 2004 Page 5

This picture was taken at theRibbon Cutting ceremony for the“Clothing and Needs Center” forthe Foster Children’s Foundation,Inc., located on Hwy. 120 inDuluth.

There were several people atDuke who made the Centerpossible: Jennifer DeWeese,the Project Manager, pictured atright with DMA Member SuzanneGeske, Mary Galos and FrankSams of Duke Construction sawthe vision and “made it happen”.A huge thanks also goes out tothe management at Duke Realty,their employees, and over 35terrific subcontractors and manyvolunteers and businesses fromthe community.

Foster Children’sFoundation, Inc

our Spring Benefit Beneficiaries

Finally, someone is takingownership of foster children!Gwinnett County, its citizensand the Foster Children’sFoundation, Inc. have steppedup to the plate to improve thequality of life and self-esteem offoster children. Gwinnett Countyrealizes that these children musthave the support of everyone!To change these lives, it willtake a continued team effort.With the support of localBusiness, Schools, Faith-basedorganizations, Associations, Cityand County employees andOfficials, these changes wouldnot have been possible.

The dream of the FosterChildren’s Foundation, Inc.began many years ago whenSuzanne Geske, who hadspent time in an orphanageseparated from her 3 brothers,made a promise to find a way tohelp foster children in herlifetime. The dream then beganto take shape 4 years ago when

many Gwinnett Chamber, DMAmembers and other caringcitizens in the community begandoing projects with fosterchildren. Over the course of 4years, it was almost over-whelming to learn of the manyneeds these children have andthe struggles they face daily.

In February 2003 a miracleoccurred and the FosterChildren’s Foundation, Inc. wasincorporated, allowing the manyvolunteers to do so much morefor the children. In a very shorttime, the Foster Children’sFoundation, Inc. and it’svolunteers have managed toaccomplish much:• Receive their non-profit status

from the IRS and State• Built a solid Board of Directors• Brought public awareness to

the needs of foster children• Involved over 700 volunteers• Built a “Clothing and Needs

Center” in Gwinnett County• Continually hold events and

projects to help foster children.

These miracles are just a few ofthe things that the Foster

Children’s Foundation, Inc. hasdone over the last year.

When asked how she feels,Executive Director and FounderSuzanne Geske said, “When acommunity works together likeeveryone has on Foundationprojects – Miracles happen and wedo ‘Change the World’.” Suzannecontinued by saying how lucky shefeels to be part of the wonderfulcommunity and the caring thatexists in Gwinnett County. Withthe Positive attitude of the manyvolunteers, there is nothingstopping us from taking thisconcept anywhere and helpingfoster children all over the world.

Get involved today and be a partof the solution! The Foster Child-ren’s Foundation, Inc. needs youand so do the foster children.To get involved, please call theFoundation’s office at 770-623-3253 or Suzanne at 770-623-6135. You can email the Foun-dation for more information atinfo@fosterchildrensfoundation.org.For the entire story, their mission,goals and events, please visitwww.fosterchildrensfoundation.org.

Page 6 DMA Gab-RRR

The SoutheasternRailway Museum

The Atlanta Chapter of theNational Railway Historic Societyis pleased to announce theelection of the followingmembers to the board ofdirectors for 3 year termsstarting in January 2004:

John B. Marbury of Sugar HillDel Kittendorf of MariettaJamie Reid of Zebulon

The Chapter is a nonprofitorganization dedicated to thepreservation, restoration, andoperation of historicallysignificant railway equipment, tothe collection and display ofrailway publications andmemorabilia and to thedissemination of past andpresent rail transportationinformation. A board of 9member directors usuallyelected to 3-year termsmanages the Chapter’sbusiness. In pursuit of itsmission, the Chapter operatesthe Southeastern RailwayMuseum.

The Chapter meets monthly onthe third Saturday at 5:30 in themuseum audiovisual room.Meetings are open to the public.Meetings include a briefprogram (entertainment and/oreducational), updates fromvarious committees andrefreshments. For moreinformation about meetings orother events, please contact achapter member or themembership committee at:

Atlanta Chapter NRHS -MembershipPO Box 767986Roswell Ga. 30076-7986

Romance on the RailsThe Southeastern RailwayMuseum is still taking reser-vations for limited number oftables for a romantic evening atthe museum.

Dinner will include a choice ofbeverages (beer, wine, tea,Coke, coffee), Hors d'oeuvres,salad, choice of beef, chicken orfish entrée, and side items.Champagne, coffee & desert willround out the evening. Eachcouple at dinner gets a box ofchocolates & a rose.

Dinner seating is limited to9 tables at your choice of fourdifferent seating times. Seatingis available Friday, February 13and Saturday, February 14 at 7& 8:30. A table for a couple is$125 and a table for 2 couplesis $200.

If you’re interested in only inchampagne, coffee & desert,desert tables will be availablefor the first 40 couples at $35.

Desert will start at 8pm eachevening. Enjoy the relaxingatmosphere of a bygone era asour professional wait staffserves you on fine china andwhite linen. To reserve yourtable please contact Kathy Sillsat Casual Catering of Georgia at(770) 963-8106 or by email atcaterer@srmduluth.org. Youmay also make reservations inperson at the museum onSaturdays. Due to the limitednumber of seats, allreservations are first come, firstserve and require full paymentin advance.

www.srmduluth.org

Aurora TheatreSchedule

Moon Over Buffalo

by Ken Ludwig

January 23 - February 22, 2004

A modern farce about the livesof two second-rate actors andtheir last chance at stardom.Featuring Shelly McCook andAnthony Rodriguez.

Life is a Dream/La Vida esSueño

by Pedro Calderon de la Barca

March 19 - April 18, 2004, NoShow on Easter

The Spanish fairy tale about acaptive prince will be performedin English with Sunday eveningshows in Spanish. Spanishshow on Sunday evening at7:00 pm

Pete ‘n’ Keely - a MusicalComedy

by James Hindman, Additionalmusic by Patrick Brady and MarkWaldrop

May 21 - June 20, 2004

Through a non-stop parade ofAmerican song hits, relive thiscouple’s roller coaster ride thatgot them where they are today …DIVORCED!!! Featuring KathleenMcManus and Alan Kilpatrick.

Showtimes are Thursday -Saturday at 8:00 pm, andSunday at 2:00 pm unlessotherwise noted.

Prices are $22 Adults, $20Seniors, $18 Students forThursday, Friday, Sunday, and$25 Adults, $23 Seniors, and$21 Students for Saturday.

For reservations:www.auroratheatre.com or770-476-7926

February 2004 Page 7

Tidbits…Did you know…

✪ Alan Wolkow, DC hasrelocated his office back toDuluth…see the associatedarticle in this issue.

✪ Your Board of Directors hasreviewed the long list ofoutstanding accomplishmentswhich we achieved in 2003 andalso compared the annualmembership costs from variousassociations and has voted toincrease the 2004 dues.Effective immediately the annualdues for the Duluth MerchantsAssociation will be $60.00 for allmemberships. This increase willenable the DMA to continue topositively impact our communityon the same level in 2004.

✪ The January Meeting was sowonderful we signed up 2 newmembers during the meeting!Great going everybody! Bringmore interested guests and letthem see how DMA can work forthem.

✪ Newsflash….Steve’s AutoRepair website has beenhonored by the AutomotiveService Association (ASA). Theshop was chosen as one of theTop 10 Automotive Repair ShopWebsites in the Country for2003. Congratulations Steve!DMA members take a look atwww.stevesautorepair.net.

✪ Sunny Ramsay, Dan Cook –Promotional AdvertisingSpecialties, just returned fromLas Vegas where she attendedthe largest promotionaladvertising show in theworld…call her (404-906-4677or 770-813-0468) to find outthe latest and greatest specialtyideas to promote you and yourbusiness!

✪ Laura Heck is serving as 2004President of the Freelance Forum,Atlanta’s Premier Organizationfor Creative Freelancers. You canview recent samples of Laura’sgraphic design work atwww.forumfolios.org/Laura_Heck.

Events at The Arenaat Gwinnett Center

Tickets: Any Ticketmaster, by phoneat (404) 249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com/venue/115298, or GwinnettCenter Box Office

World’s Toughest RodeoJanuary 23-25, 2004Fri. 7:30 PM, Sat. 7:30 PM (DoorsOpen @ 6:30 PM)Sun. 3:00 PM (Doors Open @ 2 PM)Admission:$36, $22, $16, ChildrenAges 2-12 are HALF PRICE all shows

Circus Matrix At The ArenaJanuary 31, 2004, 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM(Doors Open at 1:30 PM & 6:30 PM)Admission:$23 Adults, $10 ChildrenAll seats General Admission

Gwinnett Gladiators vs.Charlotte CheckersFebruary 5, 2004, 7:05 PM

Gwinnett Gladiators vs.Greenville GrrrowlFebruary 6, 2004, 7:35 PM

To See HOCKEY GAMES SEASONSCHEDULE of HOME GAMES Visit:gwinnettgladiators.com/gwinnett/schedule/schedule.asp.

Individual Tickets: any Ticketmaster,www.ticketmaster.com/venue/11529,Ticketmaster by phone at (404) 249-6400 or Gwinnett Center Box Office.

For Season/Group Tickets:call (770) 497-5100 or go towww.gwinnettgladiators.com

Verka Serducka Talk ShowJanuary 21, 2004, 8:00 PMPromoter: Svetlana; For MoreInfo:(678)575-3608, FAX (678)221-3339, belov@bellsouth.net

2003 Calendar of Events

All Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. on thefirst Tuesday of each month, exceptwhere otherwise indicated with a *.Locations will vary.

February 3 The Soda Shop

March 2 GwinnettCommunity Bank

March 13 Spring Benefit

April 6 SoutheasternRailway Museum

May 4 The Hooch GolfCourse

May 29 5K Road Race

June 1 Esposito’s Tavern

July 13 Maloof Chiropractic

August 3 Duluth Fall Festival

September 13 American LegionPost 251

October 5 Atlanta FlooringDesign Centers

November 2 Gwinnett Chamberof Commerce

December 7 Aurora Theatre

Anyone interested in hosting a DMAmeeting or providing refreshments,please contact Albert Marquez at770-623-6069.

Magic: The GatheringDarksteel PrereleaseJanuary 24th, 2004, 8:30 AM – 9 PMAdmission:$30, $25 for RepeatTournamentsPromoter: Southeast Magicdsinfo@southeastmagic.com,www.southeastmagic.com

Adventures Of Lewis & ClarkJanuary 26 & 29, 2004,26th – 10:00 AM & 11:40 AM29th – 9:45 AM & 11:30 AMAdmission:$7, $6.50 for groups of20 or more; Promoter: InternationalArts Association, (770)394-9508

Is Your Company Making News?",

If it is, we want to spotlight you in the DMA Gab-RRR. If you have any significant news about yourbusiness: awards, big wins, new expansions, relocating, please e-mail them to Sunny Ramsay atgabrrr@duluthmerchants.com or fax it to 770-813-0468. It is your newsletter and we rely upon you.

Are you using your association's website to the fullest? Add your web address and a businessdescription to your entry in the online membership directory.Send an email to webmaster@duluthmerchants.com with your updates.

ALL NEWSLETTER ENTRIES must be submitted by the 12th of each month for the next issue.

"Change of Address”

Please e-mail your address changes to Jim Wilson at jwilson@askstaffing.com or call him at770-813-8947.

"Are You Next?"

We want to showcase our DMA members in our meetings. If you would like to host a meeting or if youhave an educational 30 minute presentation that you believe would be of benefit to our members,please call Albert Marquez, 770-623-6069 with your ideas.

"The Network Table Is Available!"

Yes, we want you to invite all of you to bring your literature (in small quantities) about your productsand services to our DMA meetings so fellow members can learn more about you. BUT, FAIR WARNING:at the end of the evening, you must take your literature with you, or it will be thrown away.