Forsyth Herald, February 12, 2014

Drug Summit

Health & Wellness

Police to demonstrate what drugs look like to parents ►►PAGE 4

Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20

Improvement district New Ga. 400 exit at McGinnis Ferry Road ►►PAGE 6

Fundraiser at Haw Creek Event raises $3K for The Place ►►PAGE 12

February 12, 2014 | forsythherald.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 17, No. 7

Lake Alice hearing stirs up more uncertainty

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. — Residents who live along Lake Alice still don’t know when the water will be restored, cleaned up and usable.

At a public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 5, about 60 concerned residents and those involved in the clean-up raised questions about why the process is taking so long.

The hearing was the first since May 19, 2013, when four inches of rain burst the dam along Sanders Road and dumped tons of sediment, silt and sludge into the cove, damaging the 10-acre lake and residents say down to Habersham Marina.

“We just want to know when the dredging starts,” said

See ALICE, Page 24

ALDO NAHED/STAFF

Cumming resident Ron Williams asks when Lake Alice sediment will be removed.

JENNIFER VASQUEZI

The Music Man Harold Hill, left, played by Jonathan Bos performs during the first act.

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Vickery Creek presents ‘The Music Man Jr.’

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An earth dam breached after heavy rains May 19 and washed away Lake Alice.

CUMMING, Ga. — The Music Man Junior came to life when the Viper Players, the theater group of Vickery Creek Middle School performed the feel good American classic Feb. 6 through Feb. 8 to a packed house each night.

West Forsyth High School hosted the performers at their Arts Center.

“I could not be prouder of what the Vipers Players have been able to put together in these last three months,” said Vickery Creek’s Melissa Grizzle, who directed the play along with Kiril Slavov.

Performers rehearsed twice a week (with Thanksgiving and Christmas break interruptions) and missed their entire last week of rehearsals due to snow.

The upbeat play is about showman Harold Hill, played by Jonathan Bos, who comes to town with “seventy-six trombones” in tow. Can uptight librarian Marian Paroo, played by Tess Vreeland, resist his allure?

“We were all a little worried that when we came back, it would be time for dress rehearsals and the show,” Grizzle said. “But these kids banded together and pulled off a stellar performance.”

See more pictures, Page 24

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CUMMING, Ga. — Someone entered a storage facility, broke into two storage units and stole $8,100 in valuables, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s report.

On Jan. 29, the owner of Sawnee Storage Facility, 2879 Canton Highway, told deputies he was at home and watching the video surveillance when he saw a car parked inside the lot.

He watched a man get out of a 2001 Infiniti i30 and walk to a trailer with a pry bar. He broke into the trailer and stole

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The owner said he went to the facility and caught the perpetrator before he drove off the site.

The owner asked what he was doing there, and the man said he was there to get items out for his “girlfriend.”

The woman’s name is listed as a customer of the facility.

The perpetrator then sped off when he was asked to show his identification.

The owner saw the license plate, and

CUMMING, Ga. — Officers were dispatched to a bar after multiple alarms went off, according to a Cumming Police incident report.

At about 7:15 a.m. Feb. 2, officers arrived at Good Ol’ Days, 419 Atlanta Road, and said they could see heavy black smoke coming from the air vents on the roof.

Officers called to have the fire department en route, and the first truck arrived about 10 minutes later.

Firefighters got inside and extinguished the fire in the kitchen area.

games and returned them the same day for a full refund.

The games were purchased by legitimate customers. They returned them because the games were only blank CDs. The investigation led deputies to a home in the 6000 block of Post Road, where deputies found the car in which the suspect had been seen.

The uncle of the suspect was at the home and said the car was his. He said he let his nephew use the car to drive to school and knew nothing of the shoplifting.

Deputies searched the car and found seven receipts from Gamestop and Toys R Us stores with the same type of pattern of returns, three video games and a PS4 game console.

Deputies obtained a warrant for misdemeanor theft by shoplifting in Cumming, and Acworth detectives will also be collecting warrants for him.

Man caught in swapping scheme

‘Huffing’ man passes out in store

CUMMING, Ga. — A man was caught shoplifting video from several stores and returning the games with blank CDs inside, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s incident report.

The loss prevention officer of Target, 2625 Peachtree Parkway, told deputies Jan. 25 a Target in Acworth confirmed that a man had shoplifted five Xbox games.

The suspect bought the

CUMMING, Ga. — A man was found unconscious just outside a public restroom, according to a Cumming Police incident report.

At about 10 a.m. Jan. 31, a customer of Starbucks, 906 Buford Highway, found the man passed out with a bottle of End Dust pressurized dusting agent beside him.

The man awoke and told officers he was “huffing” the dusting agent to “get high.”

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Fire at Good Ol’ Days

deputies said it was registered to the alleged “girlfriend.”

After reviewing the video surveillance again, the owner saw that the man had broken into another unit.

The owner of the unit said $1,600 in electronics, $1,000 in wedding and prom dresses and $850 in paintball gear were some of the items missing. Also, $2,640 worth of handcuffs, bulletproof vests, a baton and a gas mask were missing.

– Staff

Officers said they found a shopping bag inside the restroom on the floor. It contained another can of End Dust and a cough medicine, which is commonly used to achieve an intoxicating affect.

The man said he was on his way to turn himself in to his felony probation officer when he wanted to get “high” one last time. He said he knew it would not show up on a drug test.

Adam McGuinness, 20, was charged with public drunkenness, a misdemeanor, and taken to Cumming Police Department for booking.

Shoplifter flees to coffee shop CUMMING, Ga. — A man was caught shoplifting, and ran to a Starbucks to try and blend in, according to a Cumming Police incident report.

Officers were dispatched Jan. 30 to Walmart, 1500 Market Place Boulevard, on a call about a man caught shoplifting a drug test.

As officers were driving to the scene, they were told the suspect possibly fled on foot and was in the Atlanta Bread Company.

A witness identified the suspect and said he was in the Starbucks next door.

Officers saw the man inside Starbucks about to leave with his coffee in hand.

Officers asked the man if he had just left Walmart, and he said he had just come from

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Officers said the suspect looked nervous and was sweating profusely. They interviewed the man outside while other officers reviewed the video surveillance footage from Walmart.

Officers said the suspect became agitated and would not remain seated after being asked to do so. He was placed under investigative detention and was told he was only being detained for the investigation of the shoplifting.

Officers positively identified the man as the suspect from Walmart, and he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor shoplifting.

As he was being transported, officers said he spontaneously uttered that he was “just scared and didn’t want to go back to prison, and he was sorry.” He also kept asking officers to cut him a break.

Victim confronts stranger in car CUMMING, Ga. — A man walked outside to find someone rummaging through his car, according to a Cumming Police report.

At about 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2, a customer of Taco Mac, 2775 Market Place Boulevard, told deputies he saw legs dangling out of his Ford truck.

He said he walked over and confronted the suspect. They began arguing, and the suspect allegedly shoved the man.

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DUIS & DRUGS All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

DUI arrests ►► Elizabeth Lenora Duncan,

24, of Acworth was arrested Jan. 25 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Trina Lynn Stephenson, 49, of Ivey Walk Court, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 25 on Turner Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Michael Jeffrey Cantrell, 48, of Cantrell Circle, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 25 on Spot Road in Cumming for DUI, following too closely and failure to use seatbelts. ►► Santiago Baltazar Salvador, 53, of West Buckeye Street, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 25 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI. ►► Randall Eugene Clanton,

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 Then, the suspect ran on foot toward a nearby store,

49, of John Burruss Road, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 25 on Spot Road in Cumming for DUI and following too closely. ►► Bobby L. Wimpey, 50, of Kennesaw was arrested Jan. 26 on Highway 9 in Cumming for DUI and child endangerment. ►► Reyna Flores, 36, of State Barn Road, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 26 on Keith Bridge Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Daniel Edward Moss, 47, of Commonwealth Trail, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 27 on Jot Em Down Road in Gainesville for DUI. ►► Thomas K. Austin, 21, of Monticello, Ark., was arrested Jan. 30 on Shore Drive in Cumming for DUI. ►► Mindy Beth Gerwit, 49, of Ivey Walk Court, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 30 on Wilkinson Drive in Gainesville for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Betty Adkins, 36, of Fincher Court, Cumming, was arrested Feb. 1 on Pilgrim Way in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. eventually circled around and got into a truck that looked similar to the victim’s.

The man described the suspect as a tall heavy-set male with short black hair.

He said the suspect was

Drug arrests

►► Brian Corbin Powell,

20, of Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 24 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for possession of marijuana and suspended registration. ►► Gregory Alan Stenzel, 22, of Gainesville was arrested Jan. 30 on Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville for possession of marijuana, following too closely, open container and possession of drug-related items. ►► Jake Harrison Graham, 19, of Gainesville was arrested Jan. 30 on Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville for possession of marijuana, possession of drug-related items, open container and underage possession of alcohol. ►► Michael Casey Cagle, 26, of Capri Drive, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 30 on Hopewell Road in Dawsonville for possession of a schedule II controlled substance and failure to use seatbelts. ►► Justine Harley Hawkins, 30, of Dawsonville was arrested Jan. 30 on Jot Em Down Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines and suspended license. probably intoxicated.

Deputies said it was possible the suspect mistook the victim’s truck as his own, because they are the same make and model with only a few years difference in between.

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Drug Summit: an honest discussion with parents

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com

From left: Forsyth County Sheriff Deputy Chief Michael Giordano; Sgt. Terry Hawkins; Sgt. Thomas Moore; Lt. Angela Taylor; Sgt. Hideki Coulter; Lt. Bill Loring; Sgt. John Whitworth and Sheriff Duane Piper.

Six deputies promoted

By ALDO NAHED aldo@northfulton.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Surrounded by their peers, family and friends, six Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies received promotions.

Two moved up to lieutenants — Lt. Angela Taylor and Lt. Bill Loring — while four Forsyth County Sheriff deputies were promoted to sergeant: Sgt. Terry Hawkins, Sgt. Thomas Moore, Sgt. Hideki Coulter and Sgt. John Whitworth.

Deputy Lt. Bill Loring, who received the pin during the ceremony from his wife, Dana, said this was a goal for him for a long time. Loring has been with the office for 16 years, since 1998.

“It’s a huge recognition,” Loring said. “It’s the next step in my career.”

Piper said before they

could be promoted, the deputies were tested, interviewed by a board and selected by a committee.

“No agency is going to move forward without the participation of the deputies and the citizens,” Forsyth County Sheriff Duane Piper.

“It’s the least that we can do to invite friends and family to take the time and tell them ‘thank you.’”

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has been recruiting heavily for the detention officer positions. A new jail is being built and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“Just to open the jail, we will have to have 41 more deputies,” Piper said. “So we have started that process now. You’ve got to get them hired and trained.”

Visit www.forsythsheriff. org for more information.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Drug and alcohol use and abuse continues to be a rising concern for area parents, school leaders, law enforcement and the judicial system in Forsyth County.

After a successful Drug Summit was held in November, organizers say there’s still more to share with parents.

A Drug Summit is set to take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Cumming.

A Drug Awareness Council was also created to address the stunning statistic that four out of five students will try drugs and/or alcohol before their senior year of high school and over half of all young people will have tried an illicit drug prior to senior year.

“This epidemic has infiltrated our county as well,” said Sherry Ajluni, who lost her son Brandon Schiff, a South Forsyth High School graduate. Brandon died of a heroin overdose in 2010.

“We’re losing children to overdose and incarceration due to drug use,” Ajluni said. “This has to stop.”

The Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council, created by Forsyth County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills, is tasked with educating residents on drug use in the county, promoting prevention programs and providing lists of resources

If you go

What: Forsyth County Drug Summit Where: Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Boulevard When: 7 p.m., Feb. 25 Cost: Free for residents on what do to when they suspect a loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol.

The first drug summit was held in November and about 500 people took part in the event.

The summit taking place on Feb. 25 will address the types of drugs that children are exposed to, including a demonstration of what the drugs look like by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

A session on what parents should look for including what can lead to drug use and several new resources for those who have a loved one with substance abuse issues.

Booths will also be set up with additional information and private discussions.

“Our goal is to prevent youth from trying drugs and alcohol,” Ajluni said. “Addiction is a disease. You never know whom it will hit and like cancer, it can only be overcome with treatment.”

Find more information at www.forsythcountydrugawarenesscouncil.org.

Aldo Nahed is a member of the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council.

Moore wins runoff election

By CAROLYN ASPENSON carolyn@northfulton.com

CUMMING, Ga. — Parts of Forsyth County and North Fulton voted to elect Republican Sam

Moore in the Georgia House District 22 runoff held Tuesday, Feb 4.

The runoff was a special election to replace state Rep. Calvin Hill, who succumbed to

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Moore beat out three candidates in the initial special election on Jan. 7, with 38 percent of the vote. HowMOORE ever, special elections require at least a vote of 50 percent to win.

Businessman and Macedonia resident Moore beat Ball Ground resident and Creekview High School teacher Meagan Biello by 406 votes, 57.7 percent of the vote across the three counties.

About 64 percent of the 25 votes cast in Fulton County went to Moore as well as 74 percent of the 282 cast in Forsyth.

Cherokee County Elections Supervisor Janet Munda and

Forsyth County Voter Registration and Elections Supervisor Barbara Luth said these numbers are good for a special election.

“They may seem low,” Luth said, “but they’re not.”

Munda said the numbers were better than the original election on Jan. 7.

Luth said the District 22 seat impacts about 10,000 Forsyth County residents in three districts in the southwestern corner of the county.

The seat also impacts a small section of the Crabapple area in Milton.

On election night, Moore said that he is excited and wants to start working for the district right away.

The primary for the next election for the District 22 seat begins in May, and Biello said she would make a decision about running again soon.

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CUMMING, Ga. — A proposed new exit on Ga. 400 at McGinnis Ferry Road is more certain now with legislation introduced to create a Community Improvement District.

The possibility of an interchange also gives new life to the Taubman Mall project, which was supposed to start in 2011 and has since stalled.

The project is a 150-acre mixed-use development first approved by Forsyth County in 2008 on Union Hill and McGinnis Ferry.

A Georgia Tech Fiscal Impact Analysis found that Taubman along with an interchange could bring $1 billion dollars in economic development, about 8,000 jobs and $38 million in sales and property taxes to Forsyth County.

A CID would generate about $10 million dollars a year in

local money from area businesses and ensure that a Ga. 400 interchange is built. It would also give a boost to the Taubman development.

“Taubman has hung on to that property because they are committed to it,” State Sen. Mark Hamilton said. “They know this is a great project.

They are going to open eventually. This right here gives them a date certain.”

Forsyth County’s legislators backing the district also include Sens. Jack Murphy and Steve Gooch and Reps.

Hamilton and Mike Dudgeon, who are all Republicans. The legislators said they approached this CID differently by narrowly restricting the coverage area and setting a 10year expiration date.

Rep. Dudgeon, who represents the area along McGinnis Ferry Road in south Forsyth and Johns Creek, said the only area covered by this CID are

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The specific district and boundaries are decided by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

After the CID is approved by state and local officials, a seven-member board of directors would be created by property owners and equity holders.

The CID would be an additional tax not to exceed 5 mills on non-residential property owners within its borders.

“The only people who will pay this millage rate are commercially zoned business properties. If you are residential or agricultural, you do not pay the millage rate,” Dudgeon said. “The intent of the CID is specific on transportation.”

In addition, Dudgeon said the North Fulton CID will assist in the success of the new CID and have already invested $300,000.

Claudia Castro, a managing director of Smart Growth Forsyth County, a resident driven group, said the plan does not go far enough into addressing existing traffic problems.

Castro said widening McGinnis Ferry Road should be done before putting an exit off Ga. 400.

The only business represented at the public input meeting, Matthew Broms, owner of Renewed Vision/ Software Development, said he’s in favor of a CID as long as he’s not unfairly taxed.

John Cunard, the engineering department director, said conceptual designs on the interchange project are underway and could be completed by spring or summer. After that, it could state transportation up to 5 years to be built the new exit.

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CUMMING, Ga. — Legislators and transportation leaders presented $1.6 million in funds to improve 75 roads in Forsyth County and two roads in the city of Cumming.

State Sen. Steve Gooch, Sen. Jack Murphy and state Rep. Mark Hamilton presented the money for mobility on local roads through the Local Maintenance and Improvements Grant (LMIG) program.

The county received a check for $1,561,602.65 and the city of Cumming received a check for $51,138.29 representing their 2014 allotment at the Forsyth County Commission meeting Feb. 6.

The city of Cumming will patch and resurface 0.485 miles

of two heavily traveled roadways – North Corners Parkway from Ga. 20 to the dead end and Mountain View Drive from Ga. 20 to Tribble Gap Road – said State Transportation Board member Rudy Bowen, who represents the 7th Congressional District on the State Transportation Board that includes southern Forsyth County.

In addition to yearly formula funds presented, Gov. Nathan Deal and Forsyth’s legislative delegation worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation to allocate an additional $1 million to help Forsyth County’s fund to widen Castleberry Road.

The road will be widened to five lanes from Bethelview Road to the end of the current five-lane section at Hutchinson Road. These funds will be

transferred to the county when the project is awarded to a contractor for construction.

Funding comes from the Georgia DOT’s LMIG program, which allows local governments to decide the projects that are most beneficial to their local jurisdiction.

Every year, GDOT notifies local governments to submit requests for their local transportation needs.

Funding for LMIG is allocated each fiscal year and is between 10 and 20 percent of the funding from the state motor fuel taxes collected in the preceding fiscal year.

Funds for projects are distributed to local governments by a formula based on population and local road mileage.

For more information on GDOT, visit www.dot.ga.gov.

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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 9

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10 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Forsyth County Senior Services hosting dance Feb. 15 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Senior Services is preparing for a Valentine’s dance for adults over the age of 40.

The dance will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, at the Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road in Cumming.

The dance, the first of Senior Services’ bi-

monthly dance series in 2014, will feature live music by the Sounds of Sawnee Jazz Band and refreshments.

Admission is free.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Senior Services at 770-781-2178.

—McKenzie Cunningham

Hospice program celebrates Mardi Gras CUMMING, Ga. — Marifrances McCartney has always had a passion for the culture of her hometown, New Orleans, but now, at 92 years old, McCartney lives in Cumming at the Crossroads Hospice center, far from the festivities of her birthplace.

The “Gift of a Day” program at McCartney’s assisted living center wanted to bring a little bit of New Orleans to her by throwing a Mardi Gras party.

Hosted at the Oaks Senior Living facility, the event featured the Ruby Reds Jazz Band, Mardi Gras decorations and a feast of seafood gumbo fit for a New Orleans native.

McCartney was able to relive some of her favorite Mardi Gras memories through the program.

Crossroads Hospice’s “Gift of a Day” program asks patients their idea of a perfect day, and staff and volunteers work to make perfect days become reality.

“The requests are as varied as the patients we serve, challenging us to find creative ways to bring about a perfect day.

The gifts have brought smiles, tears, laughter and joy to countless terminally ill patients and their families,” said Jennifer Anderson, executive

Marifrances McCartney poses with the Ruby Reds Jazz Band during her Mardi Gras celebration. director for Crossroads Hospice’s Atlanta office.

Crossroads Hospice is committed to being at the forefront of the hospice care industry by providing highly unique, comprehensive and compassionate hospice services to persons

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COMMUNITY ‘Will’s WAG’ fulfills young girl’s wish

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

By LINDSEY CONWAY news@northfulton.com CUMMING, Ga. — Destiney Warfield, 14, has been battling cancer since May 2013 when doctors found a tumor in her abdomen.

Every day, Warfield faced difficult physical and mental pain from her chemotherapy treatments.

The one thing that helped her through her daily struggles was the company of golden retriever Canine Companions service dog, Casper.

Now Warfield hopes she can have a service dog of her own.

Melody Abernathy wanted to make Warfield’s wish come true.

On July 16,, 2013, Abernathy lost her 5-year-old son, Will, to cancer.

In memory of her son, Abernathy wanted to create a nonprofit organization known as “Will’s WAG Wishes.” “‘Will’s WAG Wishes’ was inspired by Will’s love for animals and the love and devo-

tion that his boxer, Shelby, showed him during his entire cancer journey,” said Abernathy. “Shelby visited Will at Children’s Healthcare Scottish Rite for his admissions and was a devoted companion who comforted him during scary procedures like dressing changes, finger pricks and immune system boosting shots.

“Will also loved the golden retriever [from] Canine Companions that visited the hospital and wanted one of his very own,” Abernathy said.

Abernathy said the organization’s goal is to assist children nearing the end of cancer treatment and their families.

“Will’s WAG Wishes” would help give puppies to children to keep them company while they undergo cancer treatment. Abernathy hopes to make Warfield the foundation’s first recipient of a dog on Feb. 14 at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Because her idea for the foundation and Warfield’s wish both came about so quickly,

Five-year-old Will Abernathy died July 16, 2013 after battling cancer.

Abernathy didn’t have enough time to establish the foundation.

Instead, she started by raising money through a crowd-funding website called GoFundMe.com.

Abernathy received a lot of

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 11

Destiney Warfield, who is battling cancer, is the first recipient of a therapy dog through “Will’s WAG Wishes.” support and raised $4,000 in funds, far exceeding her goal of $1,350 to purchase Warfield’s golden retriever, Bella.

“The extra funds will go to food and supplies for the

puppy, training and the first year of vet bills,” Abernathy said. “Extra funds will also go toward expenses toward making Will’s foundation official and the next puppy wish.”

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CUMMING, Ga. — Students at Haw Creek Elementary School are helping to fill the bellies of Forsyth County’s hungry.

Hundreds of parents and their children braved the rain to participate in the Empty Bowls fundraiser at the school cafeteria on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

This is the second year that Haw Creek art teacher April Wylie and the school’s PTA organized the event to raise awareness about hunger issues in the county.

Participants were served a simple meal of soup, bread, lemonade and a cookie. The families were reminded that many in the county go hungry, said Lori Hoyt, a PTA member.

“Even after the meal, they’ll probably leave here hungry and visit a local restaurant,” Hoyt said.

The event was a collaboration of the school with donations from area restaurants and businesses, including Quanto Basta, ’Cue Barbecue, Backyard Burger, Lenny’s, Chili’s, Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Los Rios, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, Publix, Deckers, Kroger, Jet’s Pizza and Marie’s Italian Deli.

So far, Empty Bowls has raised nearly $3,000 for The Place of Forsyth.

The event also featured the unveiling of student clay artwork, and teachers got to auction off clay bowls for the fundraiser.

The Mockingjay clay bowl by music teacher Jessica Jacobs raised the most at $100.

Later, Jacobs led fifthgraders in a performance for attendees.

The Place has a food pantry that provides bags of staple food to about 300 households to put meals on the table of residents Monday through Saturday. In addition, a surplus bread pantry provides breads, desserts and other items for about 1,350 households.

At noon on Wednesday, The Place puts the focus on food and about 400 participants are served a prepared meal.

“This brings about an awareness of hunger in our community and that together we can make a difference,” said Sandy Beaver, executive director of The Place. “Their

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April Wylie and Emma Bond, 9, a fourth-grader at Haw Creek Elementary School.

Amanda McKinnon with her daughter, Carlee, 6, and son, A.J., 8, of Sugar Hill Christian Academy make pottery for auction. support is inspiring because it shows how much the students care about their neighbors in need.”

The Place was started in 1975 with the primary objective to ensure no one in the county will go hungry.

“The empty bowl fundraiser

is a dramatic way of bringing home to the students and their families that food is the most fundamental of needs of all mankind, and that there is a ‘Place’ to turn to if they ever need food,” Beaver added.

For more information, visit www.theplaceofforsyth.com.

SCHOOLS

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 13

CUMMING MED SPA & CHIROPRACTIC

Pinecrest student wins archdiocesan spelling bee CUMMING, Ga. — After being named winner at the Pinecrest Academy fourth through eighth grade spelling bee, middle school student Varun Kumar went on to compete and win the archdiocesan spelling bee for the second consecutive year on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

The spelling bee was held at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and 20 Catholic schools participated.

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From left are Diane Starkovich, superintendent of Catholic schools, Varun Kumar and Denise Cress, Pinecrest Academy Middle School assistant principal.

UNG schedules open house FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — University of North Georgia (UNG) has announced its spring open house events.

The dates and locations for spring open houses are: • Oconee campus: March 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, Student Resource Center (room 522), 1201 Bishop Farms Parkway, Watkinsville • Cumming campus: March 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., room 125, 300 Aquatic Circle, Cumming • Dahlonega campus: March

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29 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Memorial Hall gymnasium, 110 South Chestatee Street, Dahlonega • Gainesville campus: April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon, Continuing Education Building, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood To register for the open houses or for more information about locations, tours, parking passes and other details, visit www.ung.edu/ admissions/visit-ung.

—McKenzie Cunningham

Two Covenant Academy seniors sign to play soccer CUMMING, Ga. — Two seniors signed to play soccer at the college level on Feb. 5, National Signing Day, at Covenant Christian Academy, 6905 Post Road in Cumming.

Hanna Watson, a senior at Covenant, accepted a fouryear scholarship to play soccer at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., where she plans to study pre-medicine. Watson plans to become a medical missionary.

Hannah Washington, another senior at Covenant, signed to play soccer at Shorter University in Rome, Ga. Washington seeks a liberal arts degree with a focus on missions Washington said

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14 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

VARSITY BRIEFS Send us your news!

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Washington and Lee University LEXINGTON, Va. – Washington and Lee University senior offensive lineman Connor

Cultivating the Desire to Learn

Hollenbeck of Alpharetta was among those named to the American Football Coaches Association’s 2013 Division III Coaches All-America team.

Hollenbeck was one of five offensive linemen recognized on the team, which honors just 25 players, and is the first W&L football player to earn AllAmerica laurels from the AFCA since 1986. Hollenbeck posted First Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference honors for the second straight season and started all 10 games in 2013, paving the way for a rushing offense that ranks second in Division III with an average of 346.7 yards per game.

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BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb University announced that Carson Sears of Suwanee was among more than 550 students who recently graduated during its 2013 fall commencement exercises.

Sears received a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Georgia Southern University STATESBORO, Ga. – Lillian Powell Norris of Johns Creek earned Dean’s List honors from Georgia Southern University for the fall 2013 term. Norris graduated from Chattahoochee High School in 2013.

BirminghamSouthern College

SCHOOLS

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

Cumming earned a master’s degree in broadfield science education.

Courtney Pranger Doman of Cumming earned a master’s degree in middle grades education.

Sandy Forman of Cumming earned a master’s degree in middle grades education.

Kristin Renee Harbrecht of Alpharetta earned a master’s degree in early childhood education.

Khanh Mai Huynh of Duluth earned an education specialist degree.

William Allen “Billy” Kieninger of Cumming earned a master’s degree in secondary mathematics education.

Jessica Lynn Magin of Cumming earned an education specialist degree.

Ali McClure Parker of Cumming earned a master’s degree in middle grades education.

Thomas Brent Rippy of Cumming earned a master’s degree in middle grades education.

Donna Dodd Ahlswede of Suwanee earned an education specialist degree.

Deena Walsh Cook of Suwanee earned a master’s degree in broadfield science education.

Katherine Emily Corley of Suwanee earned a master’s degree in middle grades education.

Nathan Thomas Dawkins of Suwanee earned a master’s degree in early childhood education.

Beloit College

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mattie Gereben of Alpharetta was named to the Dean’s List at Birmingham-Southern for the fall 2013 term.

BELOIT, Wis. – Senior Daniel Collins of Johns Creek has been named to Beloit College’s Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must carry a semester grade point average of 3.4 or higher.

Eastern New Mexico University

Southeast Missouri State University

PORTALES, N.M. – Stefanie Fugarino of Suwanee has been named to Eastern New Mexico University’s Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester. Fugarino is pursuing a degree in communicative disorders.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri State University announced that Kelli Mitchell of Cumming and Abigail Reed of Suwanee have each been named to the Dean’s List for academic achievement during the fall 2013 session.

Students named to the list earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Piedmont College DEMOREST, Ga. – Piedmont College held its winter commencement ceremonies Dec. 14, 2013, at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center in Demorest.

Local students who earned their degrees are listed below.

John Stiegel Brock of

Wofford College SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Dr. David S. Wood, provost of Wofford College, has announced the Dean’s List for the fall 2013 se-

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ing with a master’s degree in nursing.

Shane Michael Lanham of Milton graduated from Brock School of Business with a master’s degree in business administration.

Bob Jones University

Georgia Southwestern State University

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Bob Jones University announced that Corey Turner and Kyle Turner, both of Alpharetta, were named to the Dean’s List for grades achieved during the fall 2013 semester. Corey Turner is a freshman business administration major. Kyle Turner is a sophomore business administration major.

Belmont University NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The following local students earned Dean’s List recognition for the fall 2013 term at Belmont University: Caroline Barnard of Alpharetta, Kelly Hogan of Johns Creek, Matthew Kinney of Alpharetta, Anna Lackey of Johns Creek, Sarah Terning of Johns Creek, Dorothy Wallis of Suwanee, Elisa Watanabe of Johns Creek, Nathan Childers of Cumming, Charlei Coffey of Cumming, Courtney Covert of Cumming, Taylor French of Roswell, Zachary Hald of Roswell, Madison Kent of Milton, Colby Lapolla of Milton, Blake Pipes of Roswell, Matthew Proctor of Alpharetta, Jacob Robinson of Roswell, Carolina Rodriguez of Alpharetta, Haley Smith of Roswell, Shannon Thomas of Roswell and Chandler Thornhill of Milton.

Samford University BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The following students graduated from Samford University in the December 2013 commencement ceremony.

Sarah Elizabeth Boehmig of Duluth graduated from Brock School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Madeline Alexandra Baker of Alpharetta graduated from Howard College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s degree.

Carly Brooke Unger of Alpharetta graduated from Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Stephanie Nicole Dogru of Roswell graduated from Howard College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s degree.

Allison Brooke Augestad of Cumming graduated from Ida V. Moffett School of Nurs-

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AMERICUS, Ga. – The following area residents were among 400 students who graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University during the fall 2013 commencement ceremony.

Seth E. Collins of Roswell graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management.

Emily Nhu Q. Nguyen of Alpharetta graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/accounting.

Melissa L. Somerville of Cumming graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management.

Leah N. Faulconer of Suwanee graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Michael L. Sanders of Suwanee graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management.

Phillips Exeter Academy EXETER, N.H. – John R. Bright, grade 12, of Alpharetta, earned high honors for the fall 2013 term at Phillips Exeter Academy. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bright.

Georgia College MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Natalie Rames, a nursing major from Johns Creek, was named to the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Georgia College in Milledgeville.

Rames was also inducted into the Sigma Alpha Omega sorority in November.

Taylor Wood, an environmental science major from Cumming, was named to the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Georgia College in Milledgeville. Wood graduated from West Forsyth High School in 2013.

Texas A&M COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Kara B. Von Schnackenberg, a sophomore political science major from Alpharetta, was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll at Texas A&M University for maintaining a 3.75 grade point average or higher for the fall 2013 semester.

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SPORTS

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 15

Touchdown Club announces year-end football awards ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The North Fulton Forsyth Touchdown Club capped off the 2013 football season with a yearend awards banquet and the Chamber Bowl Senior All-Star Game. Players from all over the North Fulton and Forsyth communities gathered to celebrate incredible seasons and to play one more game.

The banquet featured local legend Chris Reis as the guest speaker. Reis played football at Roswell and went on to win the Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints. Some of the area’s top players earned awards, including: Underclassmen of the Year – Trevor O’Brien (West Forsyth), Lineman of the Year – Nick Wilson (Milton), Special Teams Player of the Year – Adam Abdellaoui

(Chattahoochee), Offensive Player of the Year – Grant Drakeford (Riverwood), Defensive Player of the Year – Bryce Grauss (Alpharetta), Player of the Year – Aaron Winchester (Mount Pisgah) and Coach of the Year – Mike Forester (Mount Pisgah).

The Chamber Bowl Senior All-Star Game was played at Riverwood High School and featured over 100 players from high schools across the area.

The game finished with the South topping the North with a score of 17-9.

The Defensive Player of the Game was awarded to Stetson Mayes of Riverwood. The Offensive Player of the Game was awarded to Kieron Ashley of Chattahoochee.

– Staff

South players gathering for the Chamber Bowl trophy presentation.

SPLIT SECOND IMAGES

Underclassmen of the Year – Trevor O’Brien (West Forsyth)

Academic Player of the Year – Harris Roberts (North Forsyth)

Special Teams Player of the Year – Adam Abdellaoui (Chattahoochee)

Lineman of the Year – Nick Wilson (Milton)

Coach of the Year – Mike Forester (Mount Pisgah)

Defensive Player of the Year – Bryce Grauss (Alpharetta)

NFFTD Club Player of the Year Aaron Winchester with NFFTD Club’s Mike Haynes and Eric Douglas.

16 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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Economic outlook positive ‘Disproportionate growth’ on metro Atlanta’s Northside

By ALDO NAHED aldo@northfulton.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A respected real estate data analyst and market forecaster says Forsyth County and its neighbor, Gwinnett County, lead the growth in the state of Georgia.

Frank K. Norton Jr., president of the Gainesville-based Norton Agency, shared his data and insight, compiled in his annual publication Native Intelligence.

Norton drew about 600 business and community leaders to the 24th annual Economic Outlook Breakfast Feb. 4, hosted by the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce and Lanier-Forsyth Rotary Club.

Last year, Norton told how Forsyth County was the No. 1 issuer of permits in 2012, but in 2013, it was surpassed

by Gwinnett County, which permitted 2,500 single-family homes — 100 more than Forsyth County.

“Between the two of you, you represent the lion’s share of what’s being permitted in all of Atlanta, Ga.,” Norton said.

“What we still have is a disproportionate share of growth on the north and northeast side.”

Gwinnett has a population of 800,000 people and it only exceeded Forsyth County’s permits by 100.

Forsyth County’s population is about 190,000.

“That’s a huge achievement for this county and I believe a success,” he said.

The average house price in Forsyth County exceeds that of Gwinnett by $40,000.

“The reason people are locating and continue to relocate here is that the average price of a house in Forsyth County is $340,000,” Norton said. “But the average in North Fulton is $510,000.”

Norton said Forsyth County’s school system, quality of life and reasonable taxes continue to attract new residents.

Projections say that by 2030, the county’s population will more than triple to 600,000 people.

“You are leading the resurgence in Atlanta,” Norton said.

For a community that had struggled over the years, Norton credits the area’s success to the opening of Ga. 400 in 1971.

“That road opened up the opportunity,” he said. “It opened up business growth.”

Ga. 400 is still the future, he said.

“Look around for all the vacant land that is in between the developed pieces,” he said.

Norton said the county will need wider roads, additional school land, sewer and fiber optic cable implementation to be able to handle the future growth.

“If you look at the office market statistics, you’ll see that 60 percent of all the office leasing in the last three years has taken place within a five-

ALDO NAHED/STAFF

Frank Norton Jr., president of Norton Agency, shares his insight and research with business and community leaders at the Economic Outlook Breakfast Feb. 4. mile radius of Ga. 400 and the Perimeter,” Norton said. “The axis has shifted from Downtown and Buckhead up to Ga. 400 and is headed further this way.”

Norton needs more retail businesses such as the Collection at Forsyth, to capture more of the local shopping dollars.

“Your true power is the 190,000 people that live here at the family income rate that they have, and the consumable disposable income that they have,” he said. “That is leaking out of this county.

“Everyone says, we don’t want Atlanta,” Norton said.

“We are not Atlanta. We are Forsyth County and we have a unique identity. And if we don’t protect and enhance that identity, all is lost.”

Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer James McCoy said Norton’s data brings a lot of eye-opening opportunities.

“It’s incredible to see the actual numbers,” McCoy said.

“You can see it, and you can feel the activity going on. And it’s a whole other thing to see

the data driving that.

Real economic opportunity is here, McCoy said. But he cautioned that the county has to continue to make real investments in its transportation and sewer infrastructure.

The business growth, as much as residential, is going to continue, he said.

“We are going to see an incredible increase in number of jobs and capital investment from private industry,” McCoy said. “I’m very impressed with it.”

For more, visit http://www. nortonintelligence.com.

BusinessPosts

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FINANCE »

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BIS Benefits adds bilingual sales specialist ALPHARETTA, Ga. — BIS Benefits has added Amber Landress Taylor, a bilingual sales specialist, to their staff.

Taylor holds a Georgia life and health license and brings her experience as an independent agent with AFLAC to BIS Benefits.

Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the UniverTAYLOR sity of Georgia, Taylor utilizes her bilingual skills to assist Spanishspeaking employees of BIS’s clients.

BIS Benefits is an Alpharetta-based employee benefits firm serving about 350 small businesses with insurance and wellness solutions.

For more information, call 770-645-6908 or go to www.BISbenefits.com.

TFP Brokerage hires Laura O’Dea JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — TFP Brokerage announced Laura L. O’Dea will join the firm as manager of strategic relationships.

Within this role, O’Dea will manage TFP Brokerage Property and Casualty Partnership Program’s strategic relationships.

O’Dea has about 25 years in the life insurance industry. She has worked closely with both independent insurance producers and brokerage general agencies.

For more information, call Zachary Basinger at 678-338-4376, email help@tfpbrokerage.com or visit www.TFPBrokerage.com.

INSURANCE »

Allstate announces new field sales leader ROSWELL, Ga. — Allstate Insurance Company has announced local resident and businessman Vince Green as a field sales leader in metro Atlanta.

Green has about 27 years of experience in insurance leadership, most recently as an Allstate agency owner in Roswell and Alpharetta.

Since opening his agency in GREEN 1999, Green has won multiple awards and designations for customer service and sales.

Email vgreg@allstate.com or call 404-643-0978

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 17 tions to the real estate industry.

Since 2009, Forsman’s firm has consistently ranked as the top real estate firm in homes sold, transactions and total units, listing sales, buyer sales and current inventory.

For more, visit www.berkshirehathawayhs.com.

CONSUMER »

Verizon Wireless invests in Georgia in 2013 ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Verizon Wireless announced that in 2013, the company invested more than $170 million in network enhancements across Georgia.

The 2013 upgrades to the company’s network included more than 114 new cell sites, increasing 4G LTE coverage and capacity.

REAL ESTATE »

Tom Gillett opens the Institute of Real Estate Training CUMMING, Ga. — Century 21 Results Realty Services announced the opening of the Institute of Real Estate Training (iRET) at 2920 Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Suite 102 in Cumming.

The institute, which is an approved school by the Georgia Real Estate Commission, will offer real estate pre-license education GILLETT classes. iRET is a subsidiary of the Tom Gillette Company, whose owner, Tom Gillett, has been a mainstay in Georgia real estate and education for over 30 years.

The 75-hour course begins Feb. 20 through April 3, meeting from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Visit www.iret.info, call Terry Swanson at 770889-6090 or email tswanson@youneedresults.com for more information.

Dan Forsman named leader in brokerage business ATLANTA — Dan Forsman, president and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, has been named to the Swanepoel Power 200 List, a nationwide ranking of leaders in the residential real estate brokerage business.

The Swanepoel Power 200 List is based on an individual’s perFORSMAN sonal influence, tenure, decisionmaking and his or her company’s financial resources, geographic reach and contribu-

Harry Norman Johns Creek announces new hire JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Harry Norman Realtors welcomes Fred Willey to its Johns Creek office.

Willey is returning to real estate sales after spending several years in luxury automobile sales management.

To contact Willey, call 678-5310312, email fred.willey@harrynorman.com or visit his website at.

WILLEY

RESTAURANT »

Great Harvest opens second location in Alpharetta ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Local residents Ray and Erika Boland opened their second Atlanta-area Great Harvest Bread Company bakery on Feb. 7 at 4915 Windward Parkway, Suite 110.

To celebrate the opening, the bakery hosted a drawing for free fresh bread for a year and offering special balloons for kids.

The new bakery offers freshly baked whole grain breads and sweets, made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches, Illy brand coffee and free wireless high-speed access. The bakery also offers daily soups and salads on its lunch menu, which will be similar to the offering at the Johns Creek bakery.

The Bolands have owned and operated the Johns Creek bakery for 10 years. The new Alpharetta Great Harvest bakery will be open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more, visit www.GetFreshBread.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT »

Roswell Funeral Home names new general manager ROSWELL, Ga. — John Gallatin has been named general manager of Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Gallatin has more than 35 years of experience, having served as a funeral director and location manager at Dignity Memorial’s funeral homes.

For more information, visit www.RoswellFuneralHome.com.

Thank You to Our Charter Members!

Abernathy Facility Services, Inc. Acolyte Advisors Active 4 Life Chiropractic LLC AEC Inc. Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau Alpharetta Eye Clinic/ Windward Eye Care Alpharetta Print and Sign Alrich and Associates Anchor Marketing Services Apex Signs and Graphics Appen Media Group

ASD Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty BB&T BB&T Mortgage Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Bloor Dentistry Calvin Dubose State Farm Insurance Capital Realty Advisors Capstone Financial Carmichael Consulting Solutions

JOIN TODAY!

Carr, Riggs and Ingram LLC Carrie Hadley, Liberty Mutual Personal Insurance Clayton CameraCraft Photography Inc. Community Business Bank Conway & Owen Cookerly Public Relations Cosmetic Dentistry Center Cristomar Fine Rug Cleaning and Repair DaVinci’s Donuts Deerfield Master Association, Inc. Dickenson Gilroy LLC

Dime Business Services Diversified Financial Planning DUI LADY Ed Isakson/Alpharetta YMCA Fleming and Hall LTD Forsyth Roofing LLC Frederick Swanston Fulton Science Academy Private School Ganaway Contracting Company Georgia Commerce Bank Harry Norman Realtors Hart Commercial Realty

Hayden’s Way, Inc. Homes of Atlanta Unlimited Inc. Hop Alley Brewpub ICM Iroff and Son Kyle G. Caswell Laedan Consulting LLC Mammoth Detail Salons, Inc. McAlister’s Deli

Nancy Bristol North Atlanta Law Group, P.C. NorthPoint Executive Suites Partners Risk Services Patrick Corkill - Landscape Architecture PMG Commercial PNC Bank Pro@ctive CPA Quantum National Bank McGraw and Associates Regus (Harry Norman Realtors) Rhame Communications Merrill Lynch Ridenour and Associates Mike Brown Rising Roll Gourmet

Roger Koenigshof Roswell Home and Office Furniture Seven Seas Mediterranean Cafe Shah Legal Services LLC Simply Simpatico Inc. Somanu Advanced Medical Center Southern States Insurance Speedpro Imaging Alpharetta t-Olive Properties The Drake House The Kloster Group Inc. The Kurzen Group

The Lionheart School The Metropolitan Club The Stoneleigh at Deerfield Todd Hoffman Agency Nationwide Insurance Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre Veronica Stone Salon Wells Fargo Windward Business Center Association Workforce Matters

www.AlpharettaChamber.com

18 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

BusinessBriefs

Submit your business news & photos to businessnews@forsythherald.com

Fiserv selects Alpharetta as new Atlanta hub Will move 2,000 workers to Westside ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Fiserv Inc., a leading global provider of financial services technology solutions headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., announced Feb. 7 that it has selected a new location in Alpharetta for its Atlanta-area operations.

The company, which currently employs approximately 2,000 associates across six locations in the Atlanta metro area, has signed a lease for adjacent buildings located at 2900 and 2950 Westside Parkway.

“Throughout our history, we have completed a number of acquisitions in the Atlanta area, which is a key technology center for Fiserv,” said Jeff

Yabuki, president and chief executive officer of Fiserv. “We are excited to bring our associates together in a collaborative and innovative environment supported by the latest workplace technology. Enhancing the connections among our associates will have a positive impact on their professional lives and enable us to best serve our clients.”

The new Alpharetta campus will provide Fiserv associates with all of the amenities of a modern office environment, and was selected due to its desirable location as well as its ability to accommodate existing needs and continued

growth. Bringing associates currently working in separate locations together will further enhance productivity, collaboration and engagement.

Fiserv will modernize the building to ensure the new office location is a representation of the company’s brand experience. It will include a state-of-the-art client briefing and innovation center.

The new office environment will embody the Fiserv work-

place of the future, elements of which have already been introduced at other Fiserv office locations in California and New Jersey. This workplace approach emphasizes the creation of optimal business settings based on associates’ roles and how they work in order to enable individual and team success.

“Fiserv has had a presence in Georgia for more than two decades, and has become one of the largest technology employers in our state,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “The fact that Fiserv has chosen to retain and grow their operations in Georgia is a testament to the positive corporate climate of our state.”

The buildings will be occu-

pied in phases, with associates expected to move from existing offices to the new location during 2015 and 2016.

“Fiserv is bringing nearly 2,000 existing jobs to Alpharetta, and the company has committed to hire a significant number of additional associates as they establish a presence in our city,” said Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle. “As the Technology City of the South with over 600 technology companies within our borders, we are confident that Alpharetta will be just the right fit for Fiserv, and we welcome Fiserv and its associates to our technology community and our growing technology culture.”

For more information on Fiserv, visit www.fiserv.com.

Cost versus value: choose wisely Upgrading your sales process Most people know that if you renovate part of your home, add on or make any significant improvement, you won’t recoup your entire investment. A return on cost isn’t why you would usually make improvements.

Instead, you make them so you can enjoy your home that much more while you’re living there.

There are, however, times when you realize you haven’t made improvements in a long time and it might help you sell your home; hopefully for a higher price than you would get otherwise. It is during these times that you want to consider the potential return on your investment in order to better determine if you should make the investment at all or perhaps make a more modest improvement.

Each year, Remodeling Magazine comes out with their annual “Cost vs.

Value” report, broken down regionally and by major city.

Here’s a sampling of improvements along with the costs that can be recouped for Atlanta: • Entry door replacement – 141.8 percent • Deck addition (wood) – 116.8 percent • Basement remodel – 83.4 percent

ROBERT STRADER

Local Realtor Keller Williams Realty

• Bathroom remodel – 73.2 percent • Minor kitchen remodel – 79.7 percent I would take these specific numbers with a grain of salt. There are many other factors that affect the value of your home; making these improvements won’t guarantee a return equal to the list above.

However, if you’re considering a remodel or significant improvement in order to sell your home, it is important to know first what your home would sell for in its current condition.

Once you know this and the cost of the improvement, you might be able to determine what your home’s value would be after any improvement, or if you should make that improvement at all.

Is your current sales process producing the results you want?

Are you closing business faster and beating your competition more often?

Have you spent some time evaluating the process you use to sell?

Upgrading your sales process to make it more effective and efficient will help you to grow sales in your small business.

The first step in upgrading your sales process is to make sure it is thoroughly documented.

In other words, what steps are taken from the time you uncover a new prospect, all the way through to winning (or losing) their business?

Once the process is documented, you can begin to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the process by looking at the results it produces.

The effectiveness measurements should include how many new business leads actually turn into sales opportunities, how many sales opportunities result in a sale and what your win rates are against your competition.

The efficiency measurements should focus on the overall time required to move from a lead to a customer and the specific amount of time

DICK JONES

Founder & President Jones Simply Sales

that is spent in each stage of the sales process.

Once your sales process is documented and measured, you can begin to evaluate ways to improve it.

Streamlining your sales process by using technology, providing sales training to your sales team or implementing a sales methodology are just a few of the many ways you can improve your sales process.

Upgrading your sales process will help you to attract more business and increase revenue in your small business.

Dick Jones is the founder and president of Simply Sales in Alpharetta. Call him at 770-663-4681 or visit www.simplysalesllc.com.

Submit your event online at forsythherald.com call 770-993-4783 or visit annjacksongallery.com.

‘BUILT TO AMAZE’

Calendar Editor ryan@northfulton.com Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to calendar@ northfulton.com. For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.

LOCAL LIVE MUSIC » Join the Georgia Philharmonic as they welcome the finalists of the Young Artists Concerto Competition.

These exceptional young musicians from all over the Southeast recently competed in person before an esteemed panel of judges for a position within one of three categories based on age group. In addition to the three winners, three additional young laureates were selected to perform as well. One exceptional string player will be awarded a $500 scholarship sponsored

by Atlanta Violins. 7 p.m.

Feb. 22. Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend, Milton. Please visit georgiaphilharmonic.org.

ART » SOUTHEASTERN PASTEL SOCIETY EXHIBITION

Pastel Renaissance is a juried event that features more than 50 exquisite pastel paintings by members of the Southeastern Pastel Society.

Paintings are available for purchase. Every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 7.

Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Building 700, Johns Creek.

Please call 770-623-8448 or visit johnscreekarts.org.

HATS OFF TO DR. SEUSS

Ann Jackson Gallery, one of Atlanta’s premier fine art galleries, is honored to present Hats Off to Dr. Seuss. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s second book, “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins,” Dr. Seuss’s never-before-seen hat collection will be exhibited at the gallery. An opening night reception with the curator of the exhibition will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The show runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Feb. 16. 932 Canton St., Roswell. Please

Please call 404-435-9513 for more casting information.

EVENTS »

RYAN PIERONI

YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERTO COMPETITION

CALENDAR

STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR JEWELRY MARKET

The Spruill Center for the Arts will hold the Sixth Annual Student and Instructor Jewelry Market, showcasing student to professional level jewelry artists who will sell their unique, hand-crafted items to the public. Shoppers can select from a unique collection of diverse jewelry styles, including sterling silver, fine silver, gold, glass, beads, gemstones and more at prices for everyone. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Feb. 23.

Spruill Education Center, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. Please call 770-394-3447 or visit spruillarts.org.

THEATER » BIG APPLE CIRCUS

Catch the high spirits and pulse-racing thrills of the world’s greatest circus artists in one ring under the Big Top, where no seat is more than 50 feet from the ringside. Watch rowdy pups perform amazing tricks, double trapeze artists soar high above and teeter-board acrobats fly through the air. Also: a bashful clown, a cavalcade of magnificent steeds and a couple of amazing wirewalkers. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 17. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. Please call 678-297-0102 or visit vzwamp.com.

AUDITIONS FOR ‘SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN’

Dahlonega’s Historic Holly Theater will hold auditions for their upcoming show “Smoke on the Mountain.”

The play is a gospel and bluegrass musical adventure, following the tale of the Sanders family. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 15, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16. Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Building, 365 Riley Road, Dahlonega.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey present “Built to Amaze,” an extraordinarily engineered circus experience where children of all ages can find out what it takes to build “The Greatest Show On Earth.” Unique in its design and awe-inspiring in its construction, more than 110 of the world’s best performers, both human and animal, have been assembled to help build a super circus and showcase never-before-seen heartpounding performances.

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 12 through Feb. 17 at the Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. Please call 770-813-7500 or visit ringling.com.

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 19

first 5K to benefit the Lanier Technical College Foundation. The event will be held on the Oakwood campus. There will be a 1-mile fun run preceding the 5K. All proceeds from this race will go toward the Lanier Technical College General Scholarship Foundation. 8:30 a.m.

Feb. 15. 2900 Landrum Education Parkway, Oakwood. Please call 770531-6396 or visit laniertech. edu.

5K SCRUB RUN

The Scrub Run is hosted by the University of North Georgia's Associates of Science of Nursing Class of 2014. The cost to register is $25 in advance or $35 day of race. The race is located at Lake Zwerner at Yahoola Creek Reservoir, and the trail is a 5K around the reservoir. 8 a.m. Feb. 22. 1026 Morrison Moore Parkway East, Dahlonega.

Please call 770-629-1410 or visit0 ngscrubrun.com.

WIPHAN WARTHOG WADDLE 5K

‘I LOVE NATURE’ FEATURING DAVE HOLLAND The Chattahoochee Nature Center and Dave Holland will be showing Mother Nature some love during this fun-filled family event.

Find out how great it feels to make rhythm with the people that you love in this interactive, family-fun drumming and musical extravaganza. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 15 at 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. Please call 770-992-2055 or visit chattnaturecenter.org.

A 5K and 1K Fun Run benefitting impoverished widows and orphans living in HIV/AIDS ravaged Zambia. Wiphan Care Ministries provides skills training to widows and an education, discipleship, uniform, shoes, basic medical care, plus 5 meals-a-week to orphans.

This race is a chip-timed Peachtree Qualifier. 8 a.m.

Feb. 22. Fellowship Bible Church, 480 West Crossville Road, Roswell. Please visit wiphan.org.

TOP FIVE EVENTS

KNIGHTLY NEWS

Knightly News, most appropriate for grades K-5, is a mixed-up operatic newscast featuring modern characters from traditional tales.

The theme of Knightly News reminds the audience that each person has unique talents and strengths that are valuable in different ways. 11 a.m. Feb. 15. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell.

Please call 770-594-6232 or visit roswellpresents.com.

GREAT VALENTINE’S DAY 5K

Grab your sweet heart, friends, or come alone for the 4th annual Great Valentines Race. This race is a Peachtree qualifier. 7:30 a.m. Feb. 15. Forsyth Conference Center, 7745 Majors Road, Cumming. Visit active. com to register.

VALENTINE’S IN THE GARDEN

Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, cocktails, desserts and more at the most romantic spot in Atlanta.

Fragrant orchids form the perfect setting for both couples and singles alike. 7 – 11 p.m. Feb. 14. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. Northeast, Atlanta. Please visit atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

POETRY READING

The Forsyth County Public Library will host a Poetry Reading of fifteen broadsides pieces provided by the University of North Georgia for their "No Small Measure: Collaborations Between Artists & Poets" exhibit. Guest readers will include local authors and artists such as Gloria Bennett, Ezekiel Black, Karen Dodson, Kyle McCord, Samuel Prestridge, BJ Robinson, and Heidi Staples. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Road, Cumming.

Please visit forsythpl.org.

RACES & BENEFITS »

5K FOR THE LANIER TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Lanier Technical College has partnered with King’s Hawaiian to present its

CHINUA HAWK CASA SUPERHERO 5K RUN/WALK

Come join the CourtAppointed Special Advocate program of Forsyth County for their 6th Annual Superhero 5K Run/Walk.

All kids need a hero, but kids in foster care need Superheroes. There will be many Superheroes on hand at this event, along with photo opportunities and prizes. All funds received directly support our CASA volunteer advocacy program. This is a chiptimed race and Peachtree Road race qualifier. 8 a.m. to noon. Feb. 22. 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming.

Please call 770-8862800, ext. 3126 or visit forsythcountycasa.org.

Chinua Hawk is an Atlanta based singer/songwriter whose approach explores the intricacies of love through acoustic driven soul. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. Please call 855-583-5838 or visit thevelvetnote.com.

'ON GOLDEN POND’ Presented by the award-winning Gypsy Theatre Company, this show promises to be a wonderful Valentine’s weekend choice of entertainment. 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday. Feb. 13 – Mar. 9. Please visit playhousecumming.com.

Health Wellness

20 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Forsyth Herald

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com | Recycled paper

SPONSORED SECTION

February 12, 2014

What was that??

By DR. DEBORAH WOODWARD Say What??

How many mailers are in your box each day for hearing devices? If you think hearing devices are being marketed more and more these days you are correct. But with “hearing stores” popping up in every other strip mall, the warehouse clubs, magazine ads, and the internet, the confusion for those in need of assistance is increasing at the same rate.

Facts, Myths, and Where do I start?

Fact: Over 36 million Americans – more than 1 in every 10 - have some level of reduction in hearing sensitivity AND most people are amazed when they learn that 65% of these are BELOW retirement age!

Myth: “If I had a real problem my family doctor would have told me.”

Fact: Family physicians rarely incorporate hearing screenings as part of your annual physical (especially if you are under age 55). With limited training in the areas of hearing loss and assistive devices, contacting a Doctor of Audiology should be your first step if a problem is suspected.

Myth: “I hear what I need to hear and get along fine.”

Fact: You only hear what your hearing capacity PERMITS. Reality, for you, is now altered. ‘If you can’t hear it - how do you know you missed it?’

“Only my spouse complains.” “I ignore it. It doesn’t bother me.” “I just ask people not to mumble and speak up.”

“No one I know likes their hearings aids.” “After I fix my

teeth.” IT IS TIME TO BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. People with untreated hearing loss experience a decreased quality of life. It has been proven to cause varied levels of sadness, depression, anxiety, paranoia, and poor social relationships. They also have more difficulty in their careers and often earn thousands of dollars less than their ‘hearing’ peers.

HELP IS AVAILABLE and an achievable solution is not as challenging as you may think.

Myth: “My insurance doesn’t cover hearing care.”

Fact: Go to a credentialed Doctor of Audiology.

They are able to contract with the major insurance companies. Complete diagnostic hearing testing is typically covered once a year and more plans are now including hearing aid benefits of some type.

In comparison, most other location types cannot access or file for your insurance benefits.

Myth: I will save money if I buy on-line or at my warehouse club. I can buy them at low cost, stick them in, and “Shazaam- I can hear!” Do not be fooled by thinking you can pay one low price up front for your device(s) and you are good for years to come. The reality is that it takes the proper consultation, fitting, programming, and as needed FOLLOWUP to become a happy and successful long term hearing

See HEARING, Page 22

ADHD – not just in children anymore Adult ADHD is associated with multiple comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other personality disorders. Adult ADHD is a valid psychiatric disorder of adulthood distinct from these other conditions.

Adult attention deficit disorder differs from the childhood variant because the hyperactivity in adults may be replaced by other symptoms such as anxiety, impulsivity and inattentiveness. In fact, prior to 2002 there were no diagnostic guidelines, but there have been great advances since. Some of the symptoms that characterize Adult ADHD are:

ADHD is a relatively common psychiatric disorder among adults. The prevalence is thought to be 3.5%-5.3%, which accounts for more than 11 million cases in the United States alone. With increased public awareness, adult ADHD became a topic of great interest so clinicians should be able to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with this disorder.

Etiology is still uncertain. Genetics however is believed to play a prominent role, followed in importance by acquired injuries to the brain.

ADHD was widely thought to be strictly a disorder of childhood. Now there are numerous scientific papers and clinical trials that acknowledge the existence of an adult version of this disorder, which can be traced back to the younger years.

Before this time ADHD in adults was known as Minimal Brain Damage or Dysfunction (MBD).

1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school-work, work or other activities.

2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

3. Often does not seem to listen when spoke to directly.

4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand directions) 5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.

6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (eg.

School assignments, pencils, keys) 7. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

PAID ADVERTORIAL

8. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Some children with ADHD continue to have it as adults. And many adults who have the disorder don’t know it. They may feel that it is impossible to get organized, keep a job, or remember and keep appointments. Daily tasks such as getting up in the morning, preparing to leave the house for work, arriving at work on time, and being productive on the job can be especially challenging for adults with ADHD. These adults may have a history of failure at school, problems at work, failed relationships and traffic accidents. Like teens, adults with ADHD may seem restless and may try to complete several tasks as once, most of them unsuccessfully. They also tend to prefer “quick fixes,” rather than taking the steps needed to achieve greater rewards.

Treatment is very rewarding. The first medications to be approved by the FDA belonged to a non-stimulant group of medications: Atomoxetine. The FDA later approved stimulants such as methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts. Group delivered cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended in some cases as a supportive treatment.

If you or someone you know may have Adult ADHD, call Johns Creek Family Medicine at 770-771-6591 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Zack Charkawi.

Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

February 12, 2014 21

Milan Eye Center chosen to be the first to use the Ziemer Laser What is a cataract and what is cataract surgery?

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 and today cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older. At some point in our life, we will all develop a cataract.

The natural lens of the eye yellows and becomes cloudy with age as a result of biological changes of the proteins inside the lens. The function of the human lens is to focus incoming light onto the back of the eye. As your lens ages, light from the outside worlds becomes more and more distorted as it enters your eye.

Difficulty reading, needing more light to read, experiencing glare and haloes at night and, even poor sleep patterns can be explained by cataract formation.

The treatment for cataracts involves a painless, 10 minute surgery to remove the “clouded lens” or “cataract” and replace it with a man made intraocular lens implant. It is the most common surgical procedure in the US and around the world and is considered to be an extremely successful and safe procedure with a success rate approaching 99.5%.

What is laser cataract surgery?

With traditional cataract surgery, all the steps of the surgery are customarily performed “manually” by the surgeon using handheld tools.

Laser cataract surgerythe next evolution of cataract surgery with the Ziemer Z6 laser offers a greater amount of precision, predictability and safety to these steps leading improved visual outcomes and more precise targets. With the Ziemer Z6 Laser System, your surgeon can offer you unmatched accuracy and a more predictable and customized cataract procedure.

Based on your medical history and pre-operative evaluation, you and your surgeon will discuss the options available for your desired visual result.

Together you can discuss a treatment plan which may include using the LDV Z6 to create the precise laser incisions in the cornea along with an advanced lens implant that may allow for improved near, intermediate or distance vision.

This tailored treatment may reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery.

How is laser cataract surgery different from traditional cataract surgery?

In traditional cataract surgery, incisions in the cornea are made using handheld instruments including blades to access the cataract. Your

laser systems, and femtosecond lasers have been used in eye procedures for decades.

The most familiar use of femtosecond laser technology is LASIK. Femtosecond lasers represent an advanced standard in precision laser cataract surgery and the Ziemer Z6 platform was FDA cleared in 2013.

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

Your day in surgery should be no different than a routine cataract case. The Ziemer Z6 laser is positioned next to the

surgeon and is utilized seamlessly during the cataract surgery process. You will be given mild IV sedation that will likely keep you pleasantly unaware of the goings on in surgery.

There is no pain, needles or stitches as part of the procedure.

What should I expect after surgery?

After surgery, you can generally expect your vision to be improved within 24 hours.

Generally, patients experience no pain after surgery.

Slight scratchiness of the eye

Am I a suitable candidate for laser cataract surgery?

Your surgeon and you will decide whether you are a suitable candidate based on your eye anatomy, type of cataract and type of lens implant that you desire. Most patients are candidates for having some of the steps of cataract surgery performed with the Ziemer Z6 laser.

How long has the procedure been performed?

Thousands of cataract procedures have been successfully performed using femtosecond

How long does the procedure take?

You can expect to be at our center for 2 hours. And you will be in the procedure room for 20-25 minutes.

Call Milan Eye Center at 678-688-4575 for more information.

Cataracts?

surgeon will then use a surgical device to manually create a circular opening in the lens capsule of the eye that holds the cataract.

The Ziemer Z6 laser can be used to make the corneal incisions precise and the opening in the lens capsule as circular as possible, in the right location, and sized to fit the replacement lens.

Your surgeon can also use the laser to break up and soften the hard cataract. Softening the lens with the laser enables your surgeon to then remove the cataract more gently and with significantly less ultrasound energy than is used in traditional manual cataract surgery.

What are the benefits of laser cataract surgery?

• A highly customized treatment • A treatment with little or no discomfort • A more precise and predictable treatment • A gentler and easier cataract removal • Generally, a more rapid visual recovery due to reduced inflammation The opportunity to receive tailored treatment with advanced technology multi-focal lenses, which may reduce the need for glasses or contacts after surgery

is common and they prescribed eye drops will help with any of these symptoms. Many patients return to work or normal activities the next day and even drive themselves to their postop day one appointment!

Worry no more!

Bladeless laser surgery is now available.

Milan Eye Center is the first practice in the United States to offer bladeless cataract surgery of its type.

Milan Eye Center is excited to announce that we have been chosen to be the first practice in the United States to use the Ziemer Z6 Laser for bladeless laser surgery. Now, Atlanta residents have the option to have a safer, quicker and more precise way of removing cataracts by utilizing our new bladeless laser procedure.

Look for our ad series and visit us at www.MilanEyeCenter.com for more information on specific services and ways to learn more.

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22 February 12, 2014

Sponsored Section • HEALTH & WELLNESS

“Unique” Begins with You

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to keep them healthy.

One of the reasons for this special annual event is that many people are still unaware of the important role early dental care plays in our children’s overall health.

We strongly recommend that parents take action early to ensure the health of their children’s teeth because attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life.

Children’s teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self-esteem.

With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.

Please make sure that we see your child within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and certainly no later than the child’s first birthday.

Preventive care such as cleanings and fluoride treat-

In February, for over sixty years, dentists, parents, and children all across America observe National Children’s Dental Health Month. This all began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3rd, 1941, and the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day was held on February 8th, 1949. It has since grown into a month-long celebration.

Our message of the importance of oral health goes out to millions of children and adults in communities across the country, and includes such events as health fairs, dental office tours, and visits to the classroom by dentists and hygienists.

Dr. Ushma Patel has volunteered at local schools giving educational programs to several children’s classes on how to take care of their teeth and talking to them about nutrition

Hearing: Continued from Page 20

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ments provide your child with “smile insurance” for a lifetime!

If you wish for any further information on any aspect of your child’s dental and oral health, please call us at 678894-7926 or visit us on the web at www.HiTechSmiles. com. We’d be happy to help in any way we can! their quality of life are, in most cases, unaware of what the commitment entails or what questions to ask.

Each person is unique and there is no “one solution fits all”, however, EVERY person will need some level of continued service and expert consultation.

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Consult with a Doctor of Audiology or a licensed Audiologist to properly determine the unique course of direction for YOUR individual success.

These providers are medically trained and continually certified as hearing technology and options evolve. The knowledge and patience of your service provider to fit you with the very best option that meets your hearing needs AND budget will ensure that you can truly transform your quality of life.

Dr. Deborah Woodward at the Johns Creek Audiology & Hearing Center has helped, and continues to direct, thousands of people in their individual journeys to hear more of what they did not even know they were missing.

Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

February 12, 2014 23

Protect Yourself from Carotid Artery Disease and Stroke

BY JOSEPH RICOTTA, MD, MS FACS Chair, Northside Vascular Surgery, Medical Director, Northside Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute Carotid artery disease occurs when cholesterol plaques clog the blood vessels (carotid arteries) that supply blood to your brain. It is a major cause of stroke, which is the fourth leading cause of death among Americans and the number one cause of disability in adults. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers from a stroke. That translates to roughly 795,000 Americans annually, 130,000 of whom will die from their stroke according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The risk of developing carotid artery disease increases with age. However, certain lifestyle factors and medical conditions also increase your chances of arteriosclerosis and carotid artery blockage. These include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, obesity and family history of

stroke. Stroke can cause death or significant disability, such as paralysis, speech difficulties, vision problems and cognitive or behavioral deficits.

There are many things you can do to greatly reduce your risk of developing carotid artery disease and stroke.

Get moving.

Get annual check-ups

Being overweight makes it more likely you will develop high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. These conditions make carotid artery disease and stroke more likely.

Losing as little as 10 pounds can make a difference in blood pressure levels.

High blood pressure has no symptoms, so get your blood pressure checked annually to know where you stand. Talk to your doctor about ways to manage your blood pressure, including lifestyle changes and/or adding certain medications to your regimen.

Having a sedentary lifestyle increases your risks of developing carotid artery disease.

Make exercising for at least 30 minutes for five days a week a priority. Walking is a good choice.

Shed excess weight

Quit Smoking

Smoking damages and clogs up arteries, raising your risk of carotid artery disease.

Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.

Limit alcohol use

Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which causes high blood pressure. Try limiting alcohol to 2 drinks for men and 1 drink for women.

Northside Vascular Surgery Northside Vascular Surgery provides full service, state-ofthe-art care for all vascular

conditions, from the simplest to the most complex. For more information about carotid artery disease, stroke and other vascular services, go to www. nvs-ga.com.

Adopt a healthy diet

A low-fat, low-salt regimen that includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables can reduce elevated blood pressure and eliminate or decrease the need for blood pressure medication. Eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high blood cholesterol and reduce your risk of atherosclerosis.

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We’re honored to serve you It’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. Look a little closer and you’ll discover that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in Georgia.

While people choose Northside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care.

Visit us online at www.northside.com

24 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

Cast of ‘The Music Man Jr.’ wows crowd at West Forsyth

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER VASQUEZI

The children of River City perform for the town while Mayor Shinn, far left, played by Adrian Von Glahn looks on.

The Gossip Ladies sing a song.

M

NE NLI

S

FOR

Ron Williams, one of about 50 homeowners, who lives along the lake.

The city, which owns Lake Alice, and the Mashburn Family Trust, which owned the dam, reached an agreement on a remediation plan.

Scott Morgan, director of planning and zoning for the city, said a contractor installed matting along the stream bank areas in the former lake bed and conducted overseeding in order to stabilize the entire area upstream of the dam breach. In addition, turbidity curtains – a flexible, impermeable barrier – were installed to trap the sediment from spreading in the water.

At the meeting, another

concerned resident told atForsyth County Commistendees the turbidity curtains sioner Jim Boff, who reprewere not doing their job. sents residents in the affected Danny Bennett, an engilake area, said he was also neer with the city of Cumming, frustrated with the lack of resaid that the sediment in the sponse and timeline for fixing cove will be removed, but the problem. permits by the U.S. Corps of “These people are trying to Engineers and Georgia Envigo swimming,” Boff said. ronmental Protection Division Brian Wellington, an engimust first be issued. neer hired by the Mashburn “The method to reTrust, proposed installmove the sediment ing a weir on the cove L has not been after the clean-up.

A P N O THE determined, yet,” He also wants resiBennett said. dents not to rush Debra Abinto something. bott, who has “I understand lived on Timberyour frustration YTH lake Trail since and know you guys .

HER ALD 2001, said she’s want to enjoy your close to the lake lake, but this is a access. complex issue,” Welling“Like all of our neighton said. “Let the process run bors, we are very upset,” Abits course and at the end of the bott said. “We’re afraid to let process, you’ll have your lake our grandkids into the lake.” back.”

CO

Continued from Page 1

The School Board sings in the style of a barber shop quartet.

READ

Alice:

Harold Hill, played by Jonathan Bos, falls for Marian Paroo, played by Tess Vreeland.

Lake Alice soon after last year’s storm in May.

ALDO NAHED/ARCHIVE

OPINION

Submit your opinions to news@forsythherald.com

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | February 12, 2014 | 25

Easing path to citizenship with classes We who are born in the United States take our citizenship for granted most of the time. I spent two years in Germany courtesy of Uncle Sam and I had a chance to see firsthand just how much we take our freedoms for granted.

But when you see the barbed wire and the guard towers in what was then East Germany – known then as the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (German Democratic Republic), the Germans on our side of the barbed wire were generally grateful to have us there.

We call America the Land of Opportunity, but we seldom act like it. When we are not complaining about what the government doesn’t do for us, we seem to harp just as loud when we have to pay for what it does do for us.

But it starts to sink in when you talk to people who want to become Americans.

I don’t know anyone who would actually want to move away and become a citizen of another country. Oh, I think about what it would be like to open a bar on the beach at Rota, Spain, where I went once for the wedding of my brotherin-law.

They really have a truly laidback lifestyle, and in Rota there are so many sailors, not knowing the lingo wouldn’t be such a problem – I like to think.

But I couldn’t really give up pizza, TV without subtitles, my beloved Dawgs or my grandchildren just a few miles down the road. There is so much I love about living here that I don’t even realize it most of the time.

So imagine what it takes for those who up-stakes and move to a completely new environment. Why do they do it?

Well most do it because they buy into the idea that this is the Land of Opportunity – usually because they come from places that have no opportunities. And I don’t mean just the people who risk life and limb to come here to pick tomatoes for $5 an hour or to work in a chicken rendering plant. We know about those.

But there are plenty of welleducated and smart people who come here for the opportunity to succeed based on merit and hard work.

You know they said the early pioneers who trekked west were only the strong. They said the cowards never started and the weak never made it. It is not so different today. You have to be strong and brave to come to a new land with a new language, strange customs and laws.

Oh, I know we have such a porous border, and we are

HATCHER HURD

Executive Editor hatcher@northfulton.com

frustrated by so many who come here illegally.

But I am here to talk about those who are here with papers.

They want more than just the opportunities they find here. They want to belong.

That is what a co-worker where my wife used to work wanted. Lyuba came from the former Soviet Union with her husband to escape religious persecution. She was a musician there, but here she had to take what work she could find.

That didn’t matter. The happiest I ever saw her (and she was always happy) was the day she got her citizenship.

It was her true birthday, she said.

I happened to be at North Fulton Community Charities and found out they are in the birthday business also. That is, they offer citizenship classes to North Fulton residents.

NFCC Program Director Eden Purdy wears that hat too. They offer the six-week classes two times a year to documented residents in addition to GED classes and English classes. Other programs include financial literacy – teaching how to save and the mechanics of saving, life skills in America and more.

NFCC does many things to help people in need. But this is one job the staff is happy to perform.

“We teach how to move in society and how to move up,” Purdy said.

The oldest NFCC citizengraduate was 47, and the youngest 18.

Irene Gruenhut is the teacher of the latest crop of candidates. She introduced me to Maria Geurrero who has lived here 14 years. Five years ago, she obtained her residency card. Now she has decided she wants to stay in America.

“I don’t want to just be a resident. I want to be a citizen,” she said.

Marlena Olevira is from Brazil. She lives with her daughter, and after 12 years has decided to apply for citizenship as well.

In the classroom, there are pins on a world map. The first day each class member is invited to put a pin on their country of origin. Many countries and three continents are represented.

It is not an easy thing to do, said Gruenhut. Applicants

must pass tests in English literacy – reading and writing, American history, civics and geography. Then they must pass an interview.

I’ve seen some of the questions. It is well native-born citizens do not have to take the test.

Based on Leno’s man-inthe-street polls, a fair number

DEATH NOTICES Eugene P. Abernathy, 83, of Alpharetta, passed away January 28, 2014.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Kayrl Bass, 68, of Marietta, passed away January 28, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Edward Bauman, 71, of Roswell, passed away January 31, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

James Richard Blackley, 67, of Cumming, passed away February 3, 2014.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Margaret Blaikie, 75, of Roswell, passed away February 2, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Dan Brumbalow, 77, of Cumming, passed away February 4, 2014. Arrangements

by Ingram Funeral Home.

would be hard put to vote in the next election.

So they will come twice week for the 12 classes, an average of 10 to 12 students.

At the end of the six weeks, they will be ready to be tested.

Most will come out newly minted citizens of the United States.

I know some will grouse

that these new citizens in some way diminish the rest of us.

They will be a drain on our resources. I don’t believe that. I believe each new citizen contributes to the fabric of what gives the United States its greatness.

After all, isn’t this the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Judith Gallagher, 72, of Alpharetta, passed away February 2, 2014. Arrangements

by Roswell Funeral Home.

Mary Jane Lind, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away February 4, 2014. Arrangements

by Byars Funeral Home.

Marc Goode, 48, of Marietta, passed away January 28, 2014.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Jeffrey McNeese, 22, of Roswell, passed away January 25, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Audrey Hall, 91, of Roswell, passed away January 26, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Erin Marie Horst, 17, of Roswell, passed away January 29, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Lt. Col. Frank W. Irvin, Jr., USAF Ret., 95, of Roswell, passed away January 29, 2014.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Patricia Cannizaro, 91, of Alpharetta, passed away February 2, 2014. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Michael Metreyeon, 52, of Woodstock, passed away January 28, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Charles Richard Metz, 88, of Sandy Springs, passed away January 29, 2014.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

George A. Moilanen, Jr., 55, of Snellville, passed away January 28, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Martha Parrish, 80, of Atlanta, passed away February 3, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Patricia Pressley, 81, of Milton, passed away January 29, 2014.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

James Keeter, 76, of Alpharetta, passed away January 20, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Linda Chumley, 68, of Cumming, passed away February 3, 2014. Arrangements

by Ingram Funeral Home.

Joseph J. Lenahan, 86, of Roswell, passed away February 1, 2014.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Louise Conrad, 93, of Alpharetta, passed away February 3, 2014. Arrangements

by Roswell Funeral Home.

Bobbie Ann Corn, 77, of Forsyth County, passed away February 2, 2014.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Laurel Davies, 51, of Cumming, passed away February 3, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Earl B. Fry, 77, of Cumming, passed away January 30, 2014.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

John Quirk, 71, of Cumming, passed away February 1, 2014.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

William Rickter, Jr., 64, of Charlotte, passed away January 26, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Mary J. Liebherr, 71, of Roswell, passed away February 1, 2014.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

John Allen Roper, 92, of Cumming, passed away February 3, 2014. Arrangements

by Ingram Funeral Home.

GARAGE SALES

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HELP WANTED

for North Fulton/ Johns Creek CPA firm.

QuickBooks exp. incl online banking/credit card i m p o r t s , reconciliation & data review. Exp with payroll compliance.

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B e n c h m a r k Technology Group, a leading provider of branch technology for banks, is seeking full/part time applicants to join our lead generation team.

Make outbound calls to banks to identify b u s i n e s s opportunities. Not a selling position. Must sound professional & enjoy talking on the phone.

Flexible hours available. No nights/weekends.

Email resume to careers@benchmark technologygroup.co m or fax to 678-3193959

60 plus wpm.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Quick Books &/or P e a c h t r e e accounting. Various shifts. $12 hr. AA Professional Bail B o n d s aapbb.hr@gmail.co m

Industrial Repair Service, a fast growing 24 year old company, is seeking a motivated individual to fill an entry level inside sales position.

The ideal candidate is self-disciplined, comfortable cold calling and looking for a long-term career.

Recent college graduates encouraged to apply, experience in inside sales a plus.

Base salary + commissions + bonuses pay structure with benefits package.

Background check and drug screening required for all candidates.

Qualified individuals should send resume to jobs@boardrepairs.n et

– with Alpharetta sales firm handling prominent national consumer brands. Must be proficient in Mac OS & Microsoft Office; detail oriented; superior writing skills; flexibility to work overtime as needed to meet tight deadlines. College degree req’d.

Recent grads encouraged to apply.

Resume to dlswofford@gmail.co m

position involving businessto-business sales, w h o l e s a l e distribution sales s e r v i c i n g professional building supply accounts.

The territory involves daily travel in the Atlanta/North Georgia areas.

Commission sales, excellent benefits, basic business expenses provided.

Promptly submit an online application to: www.ecmdjobs.com

RN needed for nonmedical home care agency to conduct assessments. Must be current Georgia registered, excellent communication skills & enjoys working with seniors. Home care experience preferred, but not required.

Please send resume to LMachado@visitinga ngels.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Principal conductor Yenchin Lee Cornish College of Art and Julliard School trained, Music Director of Taiwan Youth S y m p h o n y , Conductor for B a i n b r i d g e Symphony in Washington State, M o r a v i a n Philharmonic in Czech Republic and Sliven Philharmonic in Bulgaria.

Audition for Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass. Any of 2 scales two octaves, 2 arpeggios two octaves & 1 piece of 2-3 minutes.

February 15th, 2014, 4-5 pm.

10475 Medlock Bridge Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097. Music Do Re Mi School, Class Building, Recital Hall (770) 729-9882.

Enjoy performing orchestral music repertoires include classical, festival and movie music. Making musician friends, improve instrumental and sight reading skill, serving community in musical pleasures, gaining public p e r f o r m i n g experiences, working with professional conductor and soloist

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28 | February 12, 2014 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com | Recycled paper

PRESIDENT’S DAY 3 DAYS ONLY Sale SAT., FEB. 15TH MON., FEB 17TH

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