Johns Creek Herald - March 2, 2017 by Appen Media Group

M a r c h 2 , 2 0 1 7 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 1 , N o . 9

Northview’s Colton McDaniel perfect Northview Titans’ pitcher Colton McDaniel threw a perfect game against White County Feb. 18, stricking out 13 in the process. McDaniel holds the game ball, as well as his home run ball from the same game. Read more, Page 36.

Quick send in the clowns

Publisher Ray Appen says farewell to the circus ►►PAGE 8

No added cost for JC special election

Decides to coincide council election with congressional vote ►►PAGE 4

City pumps brakes on Medlock widening Johns Creek will wait for adoption of updated Comp Plan ►►PAGE 6

Albers, Beach cancel town hall

Constituents say they fear protests, Albers cites scheduling conflict ►►PAGE 14

Real Estate Report Sponsored section ►►PAGE 22

Holocaust survivor returns to GET

Attends 20th anniversary of ‘And Then They Came for Me’ ►►PAGE 32

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2 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell: ex. 118 Forsyth Herald: ex. 143 Johns Creek Herald: ex. 121 Milton Herald: ex. 139 Business Post: ex. 116 Northside Woman: ex. 102

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.

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►► Harriet Cohen Isenberg, 68, of

Kearny Street, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 20 on Crabapple Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Kiara Jabree Roberts, 24, of Timberneck Point, Johns Creek, was arrested Jan. 22 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and speeding.

General Advertising: ex. 101 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ex. 119 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ex. 100 circulation@appenmediagroup.com Our Weekly Publications

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POLICE BLOTTER 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.

Wanted man caught allegedly fleeing mall

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Visit AppenMediaGroup.com for more information. The Herald Newspapers are published by Appen Media Group, 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta Ga. 30009.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police arrested a man Feb. 16 for obstruction of an officer, fraudulent attempts to obtain refunds and possession of tools for commission of a crime. An employee at North Point Mall had flagged down a patrolling officer to complain about a man who had entered Abercrombie and Fitch. The employee said that he recognized the man as a suspect in a previous shoplifting incident in Gwinnett Place Mall where the man allegedly assaulted two other

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he did not pay immediately with pre-paid credit cards, his business’s power would be cut off. The man hung up on David instead and called Sawnee Electric directly. They told him that his account was paid in full. He reported the incident to police “in hopes that no one else would fall victim to this type of scam.”

►► Charles Valcance Detorres, 37, of

Akers Mill Road, Atlanta, was arrested Jan. 22 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Creek Drive, Canton, was arrested Jan. 25 on Canyon Point Circle in Roswell for possession of marijuana. ►► Lester Audwin Ward, 45, of Northridge Crossings Drive, Atlanta, was arrested Jan. 25 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of a schedule I & II controlled substance. employees. According to the employee, the man had conducted a refund at Abercrombie and Fitch using a fake name. Police attempted to stop the man, 32-year-old Rudolph Corbett of Tallahasee, Fla., but Corbett ran. Corbett made it to his car, where police handcuffed him “after a brief struggle.” In Corbett’s car, police found two wire cutters and several pieces of antitheft devices used by retail stores. A criminal history check revealed that Corbett had 32 arrests in Florida and eight in Georgia.

on Windward Parkway by an employee reporting fraud in progress. A man was trying to cash a $1,600 check drawn to a plumbing account, but the employees found the signature suspicious. The man, 41-year-old Russell Hatcher of Columbus, said that the check was for one day’s worth of drywall work. Employees told police that someone had attempted to cash a check to that same account earlier that day, but had fled when they questioned its authenticity. Hatcher was arrested for identity theft and third degree forgery.

Fake check fails to get past bank

Woman catches fifth fraud attempt

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A man was arrested Feb. 17 when he allegedly attempted to cash a fake check. Police were called to a Suntrust Bank

MILTON, Ga. — A woman met with police Feb. 22 when she once again dis-

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►► Korinne Lora Moyle, 23, of

Edenwilde Drive, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 26 on Upper Hembree Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and speeding. ►► Benjamin James Schultz, 26, of Birmingham, Alabama, was arrested Jan. 21 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► Corey Ellis Eubanks, 31, of Grey Field Lane, Atlanta, was arrested Jan. 22 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and expired tag. ►► Mark Patrick Fleck, 25, of Tidwell Road, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 24 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana.

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man reported fraud Feb. 18 when he was called by someone claiming to represent an electrical company about overdue bills. The man received a call from a man who identified himself as “David” from Sawnee Electric who said that the man owed the company close to $500. David told the man that if

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 3

Can patients with normal eye pressure still have glaucoma? (part 1)

By Dr. Cameron Johnson

The diagnosis of glaucoma can be straight forward when intraocular pressure is elevated, however, the diagnosis is more elusive in patients with statistically normal pressures. Glaucoma is defined by a characteristic optic disc cupping with thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and, as it becomes more advanced, a typical pattern of visual field loss. Most glauCameron Johnson, M.D. coma patients also have an elevated Cataract & Refractive eye pressure, defined as 22 mmHg or Surgeon higher. However, up to 1/3 of patients with glaucoma can have normal eye pressures. In these patients, certain elements of the history and examination can help differentiate Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) from other entities. Testing that could be useful includes an ANA looking for autoimmune disorders, a CBC with platelets to evaluate for anemia and blood dyscrasias that could contribute to optic nerve ischemia, and a VDRL as syphilis can mimic NTG. It is also important to recognize the signs that could warrant neuroimaging to look for a compressive lesion of the optic nerve. These include age under 50, rapid progression, optic disc pallor out of proportion to the amount of cupping, decreased visual acuity relative to the amount of cupping and visual field loss, decreased color vision, visual field defects respecting the vertical midline, and marked asymmetry of the nerves. Once NTG has been diagnosed, the treatment is the same as for POAG, lowering the pressure. The Collaborative NTG Study showed that a 30% reduction of intraocular pressure decreased the rate of progression of NTG from 35% to 12%. Once this reduction is achieved, visits are scheduled every 3-4 months to measure intraocular pressure and look for progression. Risk factors for progression include migraines, disc hemorrhages, and female sex. If patients continue to progress after a 30% reduction in pressure, treatments can include further reducing IOP, adjusting nocturnal hypertensive medications to avoid a potential night time drop in blood pressure causing decreased optic nerve perfusion, calcium channel blockers in patients with vasospastic symptoms, and a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea. Generally, patients with IOP of 12 and a normal corneal thickness should not progress, and if they do, it is advisable to reevaluate for other causes of visual field loss. To read more, stay tuned for next week’s part 2.

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NEWS

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – When Johns Creek voters go to the polls to choose a new City Council member, it will be at the same time they are voting for a new congressman – or congresswoman. The move will save the city the expense of conducting a separate election and thereby save the city some $100,000 to $200,000, according to Mayor Mike Bodker. Instead, the city will pay a small administrative fee to Fulton County. The city was able to approve the election date of April 18, the same as the congressional election, because the Fulton Legislative Delegation (all

members of the General Assembly who have at least one precinct in Fulton County) got the necessary legislation pushed through the Legislature – and persuaded Gov. Nathan Deal to sign the bill immediately rather than at the normal end of the session. Their unanimous support helped “grease” the path to get it quickly through both houses. Qualifying for the City Council Post 4 will begin Monday, March 6 and end Wednesday, March 8 at the office of the Johns Creek City Clerk, 12000 Findley Road, Suite 400. The qualifying fee is $450 which is 3 percent of the total gross salary for the preceding year. Each candidate must meet the qualifications of the City Charter and the Code of the City of Johns Creek, as well as all applicable state and Constitutional laws, said City Clerk Joan Jones. Councilman Steve Broadbent con-

gratulated Mayor Mike Bodker at the Monday night City Council meeting for his quick thinking and prompt action to bring the matter to the North Fulton Delegation’s attention. “We should congratulate Mayor Bodker for bringing this initiative forward,” Broadbent said. “It shows the value of having those personal connections with our legislative delegation that are built up over time.” Bodker said he was most pleased about changing the election date to match the congressional race because it will almost certainly mean a larger turnout by city voters. “I think the election is extremely important, and the more of our citizens who vote, the better the representation is for the city. Marrying this election with the congressional race should make for a larger turnout,” Bodker said. “And that is perhaps a better result than the money that was saved.”

City denies telecom tower on Medlock By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Usually, when a telecom company brings a rezoning request to allow another cell tower it’s a routine item, but not so at the Feb. 27 Johns Creek City Council meeting. Skyway Towers’ request for an 80-foot tower was denied 4-2 after City Council members were miffed that Skyway and Verizon Wireless, the major lessee on the tower, turned down a location on a Fulton County School

because of price. Councilman Lenny Zaprowski noted the tower could have been placed on Wilson Creek Elementary School but the Board of Education was demanding a lease three times the average lease agreement. Zaprowski said the city should not have to be in the position to approve this tower location because Skyways and Verizon didn’t want to negotiate harder to put the tower on the school site. Councilman Steve Broadbent also noted that the school was farther from Medlock Bridge Road and thus less

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intrusive for the general public. Skyways attorney Ellen Smith said the lease amount was only one of several “problems” in the negotiations with the Board of Education and that the school was not “appreciatively” better for the purpose. She noted that this tower was only 80 feet when the average height of telecom towers in Johns Creek is an average of 175 feet. She also noted that in addition to state and federal laws the tower meets all 14 of Johns Creek’s “stringent” telecom tower standards. “You have to have a willing entity to negotiate a lease,” said Smith. The company also offered to pay for the city’s own expert to determine if the city chose not to accept the transmission measurements showing the need for a tower in the area. “In the old days, the need was about coverage, getting the phone signal,” Smith said. “Today, it is about data. More capacity is needed because today’s phones transmit more data such as video streaming and emails.” The motion to deny was carried with Councilman Jay Lin and Mayor Mike Bodker opposing. After the meeting, Bodker declined to comment about the decision saying it could become a matter of litigation. The mayor did say state and federal regulations were skewed in the favor of the telecom companies. The local communities have small say in limiting where towers can be placed, Bodker said.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 5

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NEWS

JC holds off widening of Medlock Bridge Rd. City will wait for adoption of updated Comp Plan By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – City Hall was not quite as packed Monday night as it was for last week’s town hall meeting about the proposed widening of Medlock Bridge Road, but many of the faces were the same. And those faces were smiling when the City Council agreed unanimously to postpone any decision on the project until a new Johns Creek Comprehensive Plan is completed. The current Comprehensive Plan calls for widening Medlock Bridge Road from four lanes to six lanes. But Medlock residents – most notably St. Ives community residents – were out in force for both meetings to oppose any widening of the road. In its current configuration, Medlock Bridge Road is designed for a capacity of 3,000 cars a day. Yet, it routinely handles from 50,000 to 60,000 cars a day. Residents said widening the road would only invite more traffic. Many of the residents who spoke against the widening said they were St. Ives residents of 20 years or more and did not want to see their bedroom community changed. While St. Ives residents acknowledged the traffic has worsened over the years, they said that adding a third northbound lane on their side of the road would make Medlock more dangerous and harder to exit in the morning. Some residents also noted the plan would narrow the existing lanes and make it more dangerous for traffic jostling for position in what would be three lanes. St. Ives Homeowner Association board member for External Affairs Ash Thourani presented a resolution from the 750-home HOA calling for postponement and asking the council to reconsider the action on Phase I for Medlock until a consensus is reached for all phases of the project. Medlock’s widening calls for six phases that will add a lane to the north and south city limits. “The widening of Medlock Bridge Road would change the character of the entire area,” Thourani said. The project should only be adopted, he said, after “careful review and dialogue with residents. Only then can the best plan arise.”

While outside, the traffic has increased dramatically. It has come from multi-family development in north Fulton and [commercial development]. By widening Medlock we are only accommodating growth in South Forsyth.” WILLIAM JOHNSON St. Ives HOA board member St. Ives HOA board member William Johnson said in his 20 years as a resident, the subdivision has changed little. “While outside, the traffic has increased dramatically. It has come from multi-family development in north Fulton and [commercial development]. By widening Medlock we are only accommodating growth in South Forsyth,” Johnson said. He called for “alternate routes” to be developed to preserve Johns Creek. Councilman Steve Broadbent moved to delay Phase I of the project until the new Comprehensive Plan, a process which may not be completed until sometime in September, City Clerk Joan Jones said. Previously, Public Works Director Tom Black said the widening project was needed because traffic volumes are only going to continue to grow as more development occurs around the city. “This project is more of a restriping project than a widening,” Black said. The 11-foot lanes would lose 1 foot to become 10 feet wide, still “generous,” Black said. Little actual new pavement would be required. The issue is getting traffic through the city, and the third lane would make the road 54 percent more efficient, Black said. “It would make the road safer because it would not be as congested,” he said.

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OPINION

Goodbye to the clowns My 2-year-old granddaughter, Phoebe, sat on my lap and for a couple hours, smiled, clapped, stared, wiggled and ate goldfish. Every couple of minutes my wife, Christina, who sat next to us, would cut her eyes over to Phoebe and just grin and watch with wonder. She didn’t need to say a word to express how she felt that day or RAY APPEN how precious the shared time with Publisher ray@appenmediagroup.com this child was for both of us. We reveled in the moment surrounded by moms and dads and their kids and not once was heard a single word of admonition or rancor. The adults I think – for at least a few moments – must had forgotten that they were grownups, and whether they realized it or not, were transported back to a place from a long time ago – a place perhaps long forgotten and a time that was simple, carefree, and safe. If ever there was a time machine I am sure we were in it and moving at past the speed of imagination. There was not a cell phone in sight. No one was texting. All eyes were forward, not down. Smiles plastered so many faces, young and old. The moment – the moments were infectious and Fitzerald’s definition of well written fiction – a “willing suspension of disbelief” – was front and center playing out on stage right before our eyes. It was a bittersweet moment for me, and always will be until the end. And in this case, there was plenty of that to go around – both for everyone in the audience as well as for the performers on stage. For years and years Christina and I would buy a large block of tickets – sometimes a hundred tickets or more – and we would take our friends, the moms, dads, and all the kids, and travel in one great big group down to the show under “the big top.” We would go early, and kids would be able to go mingle with the performers on the same center stages that a short time later would be filled with magic and animals, and flying performers and music and wonder. The smell, the electric excitement that seemed to permeate the air, the barkers, bright colors, grins,

squeals, and hungry mouths devouring that food – the popcorn, cold colored snow cones, and of course the cloud-in-cones cotton candy, each child’s wonder, every adults memories – all before the show had even begun. But it always began well before it started and always will. “Isn’t it rich? Are we a pair? Me here, at last, on the ground You in mid-air” The memories of George Harvey – my neighbor when I was growing up on the river in Florida – always return. His family were orange growers in central Florida back in the ‘20s, and I still order bags of wonderful Florida navels from his grandchildren who still run the family business and send them to my sisters and a few lifelong friends for Christmas. George would round up what seemed like dozens of children – “river rats” – and pile us all into a van and take us to see the greatest show on earth which was held at the fairgrounds in West Cocoa. I still remember almost all of them. Some are dead now. Some have moved and left my radar. Some are still close. George would take out a roll of bills and give each one of us $10. Then he would take out a huge cigar, light it, and together all of us would visit booth after booth, and the air would fill with laughter and fun until it was time for the show to start. Then we’d go inside. And George, just FYI, it’s you that all our friends who came with Christina and I all the years can thank. I hope you have been pleased. With her little fists full of goldfish and her mind racing, Phoebe Leigh asked question after question and made comments about each act as they performed in the center ring. Then, abruptly, she became completely silent and still, as mute and silent as a frozen lake in the wild or wild flowers growing on the side of a mountain, miles from humanity. One by one, the big cats left the train of cages lined up to the raised curtain of wire that circled the center stage. Out they came to the call of the balding man who owned the space, and he called each one out by name. “Come Sonya, come Gretchen, come, come, come – until 13 magnificent tigers had entered the ring and

My granddaughter Phoebe and I say goodbye to the the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. colored the imagination of all the humans in the great tent with orangeness, black, albino white, swishing tails and growls, and nervous jerks of their great heads and feigned obedience as they paraded for us all. And I was sad as I watched the clowns and the trapeze performers and the tiger tamer, and the acrobats and the tight rope walkers, and the dancers and the guys who rolled out the stages and broke them down. I couldn’t imagine how they felt when they had been told that after 143 years that their beloved circus – the greatest show on earth – Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus would be closing for good in May. No more circus. Ever. Then as I watched their show I began to realize that they were not giving up or giving in. Their trapeze flew higher than ever. Their songs filled the air with heart. They marched, they swung, their animals performed with amazing grace. Their smiles and their effort to say goodbye the right way – with pride, dignity, but above all, to not disappoint us – the ones whose memories and childhoods and imaginations are forever tied to their show – stole the night and honored their legacy and filled our hearts. “I thought that you’d want what I want Sorry, my dear But where are the clowns? There ought to be clowns Quick send in the clowns” They ought to be here.

A media professional’s take on ‘fake news’ The story of the week in PR and media circles is this issue of “fake news.” I’m not going to get too deep into that here. But I do feel it important to emphasize, as so many others have MITCH LEFF done this week, the Atlanta Media Professional leffsatlantamedia.com importance of a free press. This little passage is the First Amendment to the Constitution. Not the second. Not the 15th. The first. Our founders considered this so important that they set it before all others. “Congress shall make no law re-

specting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” There are few things more important than a free, vigorous, unfettered press with the full rights, abilities and resources to scrutinize our government officials and to ask the important questions. Sometimes those questions are minor (“Can you explain why you, Mr. City Official, expensed your lunch on Tuesday?”). But our media must have the right to ask any question they desire. Sometimes we the viewer or

reader might consider them petty, but the fact that our elected officials know that someone is watching their every move will (hopefully) keep them on the straight and narrow. Never trust an elected official who questions the right of any anyone, reporter, farmer, construction worker, doctor or mechanic, to ask them questions. If they’re ducking their constituents, they don’t deserve the position to which WE elected them. Not every reporter is perfect. Not every media outlet is fair and balanced in every story or segment. Be a smart consumer of information. Don’t get your news from one media source. Listen to stations that challenge your preconception. Watch the BBC or CNN

International. You might learn something or gain a new perspective. Remember, elected officials work for us. They are beholden to US. We put them there and we’ll put someone else there in two years or four if we don’t like what we see. Mitch Leff is the president of Leff & Associates Public Relations (www. leffassociates.com), an Atlanta-based PR agency. Leff also operates Leff’s Atlanta Media (http://www.leffsatlantamedia. com) an online database with contact info for thousands of Atlanta-based journalists, and Mitch’s Media Match (Mitch’s Media Match), a service that connects Atlanta journalists with local experts and sources.

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10 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

No easy answers for Medlock Bridge Road I went to the public meeting last Wednesday night at Johns Creek City Hall for details about the expansion of Medlock Bridge Road from four lanes to six lanes. It was jammed HATCHER HURD packed with mostly Executive Editor hatcher@appenmediagroup.com St. Ives residents. But they were by no means the only concerned residents. The overwhelming sense of the public was that they did not want to see a through lane added north and south on Medlock. That decision – barring a deferral – will be made Monday night, and I am writing this well before hand. I write this before the meeting not to influence it. I don’t have that kind of pull either way. And as stated, my observations will likely be after the fact anyway. We launched the Johns Creek Herald Aug. 22, 1997 having decided that this part of unincorporated North Fulton County merited the kind of community news that Roswell and Alpharetta were not getting.

HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Johns Creek residents at the Feb. 22 public meeting about widening Medlock Bridge Road were there mostly to air their displeasure. We thought at that time one day there would be a city of Johns Creek, but I don’t pretend to have thought I would live to be Herald’s editor. I knew

Sandy Springs had been on that path for decades with no results. Well, events moved more quickly than we ever dreamed.

I say this to let our readers know I have watched and wrote about Johns Creek for a long time. They say history repeats itself. I recall attending a meeting sponsored by the Georgia Department of Transportation. It was a meeting to gauge citizen response to a plan to widen Jones Bridge Road from two lanes to four. Most people didn’t like the idea. They were in agreement that it would only encourage more traffic. One particularly irate Jones Bridge resident near McGinnis Ferry Road said he could hardly get out of the subdivision as it was. He said that they shouldn’t do anything to the roads. “Just let the traffic get so bad until it can’t move. Then they’ll have to go somewhere else.” And he got his way. It remained two lanes. Those words never left me. Twenty years later, I would here the same remark being made about Medlock Bridge Road. Then a little later, the battle with GDOT moved to State Bridge Road. Alpharetta was revamping that city’s transportation grid with a $63 million

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OPINION

Continued from Page 10 makeover. Part of that was to four-lane Old Milton Parkway/State Bridge Road to its city limits. County residents (now Johns Creek) fought extending those lanes into Gwinnett County. That is when I first met Margaret Krueger, a community activist and organizer who predated the Johns Creek Community Association by a generation. And she got her way. It remained two lanes. However, there is no stopping the growth that has relentlessly spread northward from I-285. It made the cities of Johns Creek and Milton possible. Margaret Krueger and her neighbors were heeded. GDOT seldom forces its way. It has so many supplicants for asphalt it could easily afford to be patient. The day came to pass when the reality could no longer be ignored, and the lanes did come to State Bridge and Jones Bridge. And here is the truth I learned as did my friend on Jones Bridge Road. Yes, the traffic does continue to worsen. But it does not worsen to the point no one uses that road anymore. Long before the passers-through are discouraged and find alternate routes, the people living on the road demand relief. Does this mean Medlock Bridge Road is in the same boat? I am no traffic engineer. But I have seen this situation play out in DeKalb, Cobb, Fayette and Paulding counties. I have been to similar meetings in their cities. Some said OK, and some fought tooth and nail. But in the end, the widenings occurred. Is that fair? I don’t know. Is it fair when the tide rises? Usually by the time new lanes are in, people are grateful for the relief. Now there was an impressive handout at the community meeting last week that argued against the widening of Medlock Bridge Road. It offered “realistic alternatives” to widening the road. Its thesis that the city must choose whether to make Medlock an efficient thru-put to I-285 or:

“Optimize the road in such a way that it helps Johns Creek residents without destroying the traditional character of our community.” I don’t pretend to understand what that last bit means. I do know the handout called on the city to do some other things that would ease traffic without paving. It called on the city to “optimize traffic signal time thru-put.” Again, I am no expert but I defy anyone to show me a better real-time computerized traffic management system than Johns Creek employs. (See the Johns Creek Herald, Nov. 9, 2016, article: 21st technology keeps city traffic rolling - http://northfulton.com/stories/21st-Century-technology-keeps-city-traffic-rolling,98911?) As my Uncle George used to say, “That dog won’t hunt.” The handout goes on to offer other ideas for “tweaking” traffic management along Medlock, and I admit I have no idea of their efficacy. But I doubt if they are solutions unknown to the Public Works Department. Its last suggestion – “coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions on improvement programs” – leaves out one detail. What is an improvement program? Adjacent jurisdictions are coordinating – but it is to widen not just Medlock but several roads, and they lead into Johns Creek as well – McGinnis Ferry Road, Abbotts Bridge Road and State Bridge Road. So I understand Johns Creek feels besieged. I have seen communities go through changes since I came to the Atlanta area in 1976. Change has been Atlanta’s constant. Johns Creek has seen a lot of change, growing from a lot of farmland out in the middle of nowhere to a thriving bedroom community with excellent schools. Like many other communities, Johns Creek does not have the ability to hold up a hand and say stop. Enough. Change goes on, and we must adapt. Doing nothing is an adaptation, but usually it is the worst choice. Johns Creek will adapt. It has to. Forsyth County has 5,492 vacant and developed lots with another 15,470 lots zoned residential. I don’t envy the Johns Creek City Council whatever it decides.

... But in the end, the widenings occurred. Is that fair? I don’t know. Is it fair when the tide rises? Usually by the time new lanes are in, people are grateful for the relief.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 13

NEWS

14 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Albers says cancelled town hall not due to protests Legislator says protesters should approach representatives in ‘spirit of working together’ By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

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NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Alpharetta resident Scott Berling made special arrangements to attend his first town hall meeting on Feb. 18 at Alpharetta City Hall. It was to be hosted by District ALBERS 56 Sen. John Albers and District 21 Sen. Brandon Beach. He was concerned about a proposed bill in the Georgia Senate and wanted to hear the representatives’ take. Berling arrived to a nearly empty parking lot and a note posted BEACH on a window — the town hall had been cancelled. He now thinks the town hall was cancelled due to the growing trend of protests at such meetings across the country. “Why would they cancel unless it was for their own political gain?” Berling wondered. But Albers disputes that interpretation. Four days before the scheduled town hall, Albers released a statement saying the event would be cancelled and a Facebook live town hall would take its place. Albers stated that the cancelled town hall was not in response to potential protests but rather a scheduling conflict. The Fulton County GOP had scheduled a breakfast for the same time as the town hall. “Unfortunately we got our signals crossed with the Fulton County GOP,” Albers said. “At that time they were doing their legislative update breakfast which had already been going for some time and had a lot of coordination. In an effort to make sure we got to all of our constituents we did it [via Facebook].” Beach said Albers contacted him, and he dropped the town hall also. Beach, who held a town hall in Cherokee County Feb. 27, said he and Albers are working to schedule another

face-to-face town hall, but a date is not set. While insisting the scheduling conflict shelved the town hall, Albers did weigh in on the growing number of protests at such venues. He said those who have chosen to protest at town hall meetings should voice their concerns in a constructive way. “Just protesting for protesting’s sake accomplishes nothing,” he said. “I think we need to get back to people thinking about how they serve and make a difference and really focus on getting something done. In general, people in society these days often times are quick to constantly be negative and criticize. They want to talk about problems but not actually be creative in solutions.” Albers said some members of the community who were upset about the cancelation contacted him, and that his office attempted to make amends. “A few people were disappointed that the face-to-face meeting was cancelled. My office immediately responded to them and offered to set up meetings to talk about what our issues are. I found that most of the people who complained about it being cancelled didn’t live in my district and the handful that did had been offered times to meet. Some took me up on the offer and some did not.” He said no matter how a person chooses to contact him, he wants them to “reach out in the spirit of working together.” While some expressed frustration by his holding a town hall via Facebook live, Albers said many were pleased with the digital format. “We had a lot of very positive feedback from folks and a few people commented on how great it was to [conduct the town hall] that way. One person had traveled to Florida and was still able to participate. One person was at home with their kids so they wouldn’t have been able to make it otherwise, so it worked out great.” Not everyone was pleased. Berling, who did not know how to access the Facebook town hall, was agitated that the meeting was not faceto-face. “I’m 57 and I don’t do a lot on Facebook. I don’t see that as a viable alternative,” he said.

NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 15

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Terry Schiff, bottom left corner, visits Washington with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Bipartisan Citizens’ Climate Lobby holds first meeting

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New Roswell chapter aims to tackle climate change By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The newly formed Citizens’ Climate Lobby held its first meeting Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Unitarian Church in Roswell. Over a dozen new members joined, and the group is expecting even more in the next meeting. “The whole purpose of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby is to create political will for a livable world,” said Terry Schiff, who helped create the Roswell chapter. “By ‘political will,’ we’re not talking about politics, because we are a nonpartisan organization. It means that people in the United States want this to happen. For a ‘livable world,’ we mean that we are very concerned about climate change and the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We want to make sure that this planet remains livable for a very long time.” CCL is a national grassroots organization with over 380 chapters across the United States that aims to create a foundation for climate action. The newest chapter, located in Roswell, encompasses the 6th Congressional District and is led by Kate and David Hudson. “One of our goals is to have a chapter in each congressional district,” Schiff said. “It’s important to have so many chapters everywhere, because congressmen listen to their constituents.” The group is bipartisan and encourages people on all ends of the political spectrum to get involved. They go to Washington twice a year to lobby on Capitol Hill, where they either meet with staff or members of Congress, including Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.

“Our approach above all is respect and appreciation for their service. That is the hallmark of what we teach our volunteers,” Schiff said. “We’ve had some really great responses.” The group focuses on building relationships with the congressmen and staff to influence change. Schiff recalled how in one of her first meetings in Washington, the group could only meet with a congressman’s staff. But after repeated meetings and discussions, they were able to meet directly with the congressman. “That’s what happens when you build relationships with people,” Schiff said. CCL also engages in letter-writing campaigns and encourages members to spread the word about their message, all in an effort to enact change. “We are a single-issue organization,” Schiff said. “Our specific goal is to get Congress to pass a Carbon Fee and Dividend Legislation.” The legislation would create a rising price on carbon, and the collected fees would be returned to households as a monthly energy dividend. It has garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats, according to Schiff. To learn more about CCL and its proposed legislation, visit citizensclimatelobby.org. Schiff has been with the North Atlanta CCL chapter for over a year. When asked about what drew her to the organization, Schiff said that it was “the respectfulness toward people who don’t necessarily agree with us.” The Roswell chapter will meet monthly. To get involved with the chapter, contact Schiff at terryschiff99@gmail.com or 770-309-0992.

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Comprehensive Plan Citizen Advisory Meeting 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Planning Commission Meeting CANCELED

McGinnis Ferry Road Widening Open House 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

9 13

Zoning Public Participation Meeting 7 p.m. City Council Work Session 5 p.m. City Council Meeting 8 p.m.

Convention & Visitor Bureau 9 a.m. Public Art Board Meeting 7 p.m.

Board of Zoning Appeals 7 p.m.

Arts & Culture Board 6 p.m.

City Council Work Session 5 p.m. City Council Meeting 7 p.m.

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EVENT LOCATION IS CITY HALL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. For a complete list of events, meetings and classes please visit: www.johnscreekga.gov/calendar

In 2016, our average project invested around $5 million and produced 30 jobs. ROBERT LONG, Forsyth Chamber 16 | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017

Major economic development project moves to Forsyth Sports Warehouse to create more than 300 jobs By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Sports Warehouse, a global retail supplier of sports and outdoor equipment, will soon call Forsyth County home. The project will create more than 300 jobs and invest more than $14 million into an East Coast e-commerce fulfillment and distribution center in Forsyth County. The 117,000 -square foot- facility at 1295 Bluegrass Lakes Parkway off McFarland Parkway is expected to be operational by July 2017. Sports Warehouse is the parent company of Tennis Warehouse, Running Warehouse, Tackle Warehouse, Skate Warehouse, Inline Warehouse, Ice Warehouse, Derby Warehouse, Riding Warehouse, Art’s Cyclery, Racquetball Warehouse and Total Pickleball. All of the companies are headquartered in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Both Tennis Warehouse and Running Warehouse have an international presence in Germany and Australia. Sports Warehouse President Drew Munster said the company is looking forward to expanding its Tennis Warehouse and Running Warehouse distribution to the “active sports community.” “Both tennis and running participation are thriving in Atlanta, and the ALTA and the Atlanta Track Club are two of the premier community sports

organizations in the United States,” Munster said. The group is planning to improve customers’ ordering experience, Munster said. The new distribution center will enable Sports Warehouse to offer faster shipping and more convenient service hours to customers in the South, Midwest and East Coast. The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce has courted the project since September when they were contacted by a Realtor, and when the metro Atlanta area was named as a finalist earlier this year. Munster said the project had options in other states and locations, but Robert Long with the Chamber sold them on Forsyth. “Forsyth County is the finalist because of our quality of life, nationally recognized schools and existing e-commerce companies,” Long said in January. Chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, Todd Levent said Sports Warehouse is a great fit for the county. “This is thanks to the tireless efforts and forward-thinking nature of county leaders, engaged citizens and a strong community. Forsyth County has the outstanding quality of life and public education system that will assist them in attracting executives and technical professionals to make this project a huge success,” Levent said.

Sports Warehouse is the parent company of other businesses like Running Warehouse in Calif. The existing building has been used as storage since its purchase in 2002, producing 12 jobs. If the company buys the property, it will invest $15 million at a minimum and will employ 342 people over four years with an average compensation and benefits of $39,517 a year, Long said. Of those jobs, 24 will exceed $78,000 a year.

The expected annual payroll is $13.5 million. “In 2016, our average project invested around $5 million and produced 30 jobs,” Long said. “This project is atypical. It will produce three times the investment and 10 times the number of jobs. It has been more than five years since Forsyth County has seen a project with this level of employment.”

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 17

Chamblee emerging with new development, ‘eclectic vibe’ Smart phone apps If you have been in Atlanta for a while, the mention of Chamblee may very well not do much for you. But it will soon. The city, which sits just inside the Perimeter in GEOFF SMITH the southwestern Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com corner of its intersection with I-85, is seeing more than $360 million-worth of private-investment projects underway. Following those projects are the city’s efforts to build a new Town Center and a Rail Trail, which, like Alpharetta’s newly proposed Alpha Loop, would be a bike trail weaving through all of this. I find Chamblee interesting for a couple of reasons. One is that its origins have a direct connection to my home town of Roswell. The city started as a railroad junction with one of the rail lines connecting the area to Roswell, and, according to the city’s website, it was first called Roswell Junction. The city eventually took on the name Chamblee. The city saw a small boon when Camp Gordon opened during World War I, and then again when it reopened as a Navy flight training center during World War II. After the war, the city really got going with residential and retail construction that housed and serviced workers at the newly built GM Plant. Frito-Lay, Kodak and General Electric built plants along Peachtree Industrial, and the area took on the industrial look that is being transformed today. More recently, the area has received national acclaim for the restaurants sitting along a stretch of Buford Highway that runs from Chamblee about seven miles north past I-285. A writer for Bon Appetit called this area a “United Nations

More recently the area has received national acclaim for the restaurants sitting along a stretch of Buford Highway that runs from Chamblee about 7 miles north past 285. of restaurants,” teaming with authentic Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Mexican food. Even the king of restaurant cool, Anthony Bourdain, made a stop there in an episode he filmed in Atlanta. This has given the area a big bank of cool points and serious street-cred. Another asset is the redevelopment of the nearby GM Plant. The $2 billion project will include more than 10 million square feet of office towers, apartments, stores and restaurants. Many of Chamblee’s very affordable homes will likely house people working at, or wanting to be near, this massive new development. I met a new friend at a BBQ restaurant in Chamblee a couple of weeks ago and was impressed to see a slurry of fresh, new developments. If you talk to city leaders, it appears they are not trying to be something like Buckhead, or even Brookhaven, directly to the

south. According to a great article on Chamblee in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, they are happy to play off of their ‘gritty’ industrial past and are creating a “different and more eclectic vibe … extremely diverse” with a “small-town feel,” according to one developer quoted in that article. Several new projects are underway around the Chamblee MARTA station, including a development called Peachtree Station, which is an 11-acre development that will include the Whole Foods Market and several restaurants including Taqueria del Sol, YEAH! Burger, Starbucks and Chipotle. The development is already 100 percent leased. Another is called Parkview on Peachtree which is scheduled to open this year with 40,000 square feet of street-front boutique shops, cafes and restaurants, and 14,000 square feet of loft office space and 503 multi-family units. The four-story development is across the street from the MARTA station and sits along the proposed Rail Trail. With all this new development in the works, the city’s development authority spent $5.5 million to buy about five acres along Peachtree Road creating its own town center. They are looking to develop a town green surrounded by mixed-use development and a parking deck. Requests for proposals have already gone out. Chamblee is becoming a very cool and affordable ITP city that is a short drive, or quick MARTA ride, to downtown Atlanta. Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

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18 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

BUSINESSPOSTS

Investment guru makes bullish 2017 investment predictions Morgan Stanley hosts Bob Doll at Olde Blind Dog By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Bob Doll, senior portfolio manager and chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset Management and manager of the Large Cap Equity Series, predicted a bull market for the start of 2017 that is likely to continue throughout the year. Doll was in Milton as the guest of Morgan Stanley Financial speaking Feb. 22 at The Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub to a small gathering of investors. They were there to hear his forecast for 2017. Often seen on CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business News discussing the economy and markets, Doll is an investment author also writes weekly commentaries about the market and investing and provides timely observations on where the market is going. Doll is rated among the top 1 percent of money managers. Getting down to business, Doll said he liked where the economy is going and the stock market. “Stocks always beat bonds in the long run. They have had a good run the last few years, but they’ve had their day.” Trump riding rising economic tide Doll noted President Trump has ushered in a stock market that is at a

record high. But it had been building right along, Doll said. With Trump’s election, optimism surrounding the Trump agenda is high with investors expecting tax reform, increased infrastructure and DOLL military spending and a rollback of regulations. The downside for Trump and the economy is that optimism for his agenda will begin to fail after the first six months as his agenda begins to hit some bumps and the blush is off the rose. “While we believe fundamental change is on the way, it may not be as easy as it appears. In particular, such comprehensive legislation is rarely simply crafted and passed without significant revision,” Doll said. “Secondly, most of his agenda is likely to be passed in 2017, but won’t take effect until 2018. And the market’s mood may sour if Trump’s protectionist rhetoric – largely absent from post-election proceedings – resurfaces,” Doll said. While predicting the economy is never easy, Doll likes much of what he sees for U.S. and the global economies. The aging business cycle, rising interest rates, climbing dollar and continued slow productivity growth all create formidable headwinds, he said. On the other side of the balance sheet, the recent election has “unleashed” a significant increase in consumer and business confidence. “We

Appen announces promotions ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group has announced staff changes for its Alpharetta-based news operation. Julia Grochowski is now covering the City of Roswell. This is in addition to her previous responsibilities of editing and managing the calendar, North Fulton crime and social media. She has been with Appen since the spring of 2016. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2015 with dual degrees in English and history. “Despite growing up here, I hadn’t realized how much was going on in my own backyard until I started working with Appen,” Grochowski said. “I’m constantly learning about new businesses, communities, initiatives and organizations in the city that I can’t wait to share with the readers.” Joe Parker has been covering sports for Appen since the fall of 2015. His new role includes expanded sports coverage in addition to covering the City of Milton. He graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in journalism. “Sports have always been a great passion of mine,” Parker said. “To have my work concentrate on sports is a duty I take with pride.”

GROCHOWSKI

PARKER

forecast another relatively modest year of growth in 2017, somewhere around 2 percent real GDP growth. “We also expect the dollar to exhibit further strength and reach parity with the euro sometime in 2017,” he said. In addition, 2016 was a strong year for jobs growth with new jobs averaging 185,000 a month. This year, jobs growth should be nearly as strong and remain above 150,000 in 2017. The current 4.6 percent unemployment rate could drop further next year to below the 4.4 percent rate reached in May 2007. Meanwhile, average hourly earnings growth bottomed at below 2 percent two years ago and could exceed the 3.1 percent level they hit in June 2009. Bull market peaks by mid-year Looking at the overall picture, the bull market should peak mid-year. The post-election “enthusiasm” has buoyed the stock market. Possibly more important, the market surge has also been driven by improving economic indicators since October. “While we expect pro-growth [legislative] measures to be passed in 2017, we see two caveats. “First, passing them will not be as easy as the current euphoria suggests. And they are unlikely to take effect until January 1, 2018. “Couple this with a slow but likely increase in inflation, and we think a tug of war between rising earnings expectations and eventual valuation (P/E multiple) deterioration will suppress equity prices.” As a result, Doll says the 2017 high

in stock prices may come in the first half of the year. The sectors Doll wants to be in are the financials, health care and information technology sectors. They will outperform energy, utilities and materials. “Financials have been the leader since the election and should benefit from regulatory easing in 2017. Financials also feature cheap valuations. “Health care presents a good opportunity beyond headline risks, and information technology offers both good growth and value characteristics. Conversely, Doll says he continues to believe global growth will not provide the pricing power necessary for energy and materials to shine. Nationalism, protectionism could prove vexing One the most difficult and worrisome areas on the horizon is the continued rise of nationalist and protectionist trends as pro-domestic policies are pursued globally. “The 2016 global political environment was marked by a rejection of establishment policies and a rise in nationalism, protectionism and isolationism,” he said. The Brexit vote, the Trump election and the Italian referendum all symbolize this shift and point to a world in which many countries are withdrawing from the global economy. “In general, we believe more globalization and more trade are healthy for global GDP growth, so moves in the opposite direction are troublesome,” Doll said. “This issue won’t be decided in one calendar year, but should be monitored carefully.”

NEWBUSINESSSPOTLIGHT Waxing the City opens in Alpharetta Business name: Waxing the City Owner: Bobbigail Simpson About: Waxing the City is a national wax-only franchise offering hair removal services. They are known for their specialized wax formulations used for a wide variety of hair removal services. Using a wax-only removal approach, the technicians at Waxing the City assist both men and women with unwanted hair in areas such as the face, back, underarms, bikini area and more. Opened: Dec. 19, 2016 Address: 5250 Windward Parkway, Suite 114, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004 Phone: 470-275-5400 Website: studios.waxingthecity. com/alpharetta-ga

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 19

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20 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

CALENDAR

LIBRARY EVENTS: TOASTMASTERS SPEECH COMPETITIONS

PHOTOS WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

Get an individual or family photo with the bunny of the hour. This is a free event includes both a printed and emailed photo to take home. Light refreshments will be served. No reservations required. Photo opportunities will be available Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Alpharetta Welcome Center, 178 South Main St., Alpharetta. For more information, visit awesomealpharetta. com. Looking to get the word out about your event? Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton. com/Calendar.

EVENTS: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

What: Learn how to help support Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia as they provide affordable housing to families in the community. Take the first steps to becoming a volunteer at this information session. When: Saturday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. Where: 11060 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell More info and registration: mrobeck@ habitat.org or 770-415-1636

HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL AND PAINT COLLECTION

What: Online registration and the printed confirmation is required to bring materials to the event. There is no charge to Milton residents. View a full list of accepted materials online. When: Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend, Milton More info and registration: cityofmiltonga.us or 678-242-2509

JOHNS CREEK RESTAURANT WEEK

What: Sample 23 of Johns Creek’s finest restaurants and culinary concepts with food specials for one week only. There is a free JCRW app to see all participating restaurants and their specials. When: March 5-11, times vary Where: Throughout Johns Creek More info: johnscreekadvantage.org

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION BANQUET

What: Join for the 19th annual banquet, with silent and live auctions. There will also be wildlife art displays, raffles, food and door prizes. When: Wednesday, March 8, 6 p.m. Where: Forsyth Convention Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming Cost: $65 for adults, $25 for children, packages available More info: nwtf.org or 770-654-7548

IMMIGRATION CHANGES SEMINAR

What: Immigration Attorneys Joseph Rosen ad Jacky Clements will host a seminar and answer questions, in English and Spanish, on the recent changes to immigration policy, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. When: Wednesday, March 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Where: North Fulton Community Charities, 11270 Elkins Road, Roswell More info: nfcchelp.org

FREE TAX PREP

What: Get free tax preparation assistance by trained volunteers. See website for full list of documents to bring. Walk-ins welcome Fridays and Saturdays. Appointments available. When: Through April 17, times vary Where: NFCC Education Center, 1125 Elkins Road, Roswell More info and registration: nfcchelp.org or vita@nfcchelp.org

FREE AARP TAX HELP

What: Trained helpers are offering free tax services in multiple AARP Tax-Aide centers throughout tax season. When: Times vary Where: Multiple locations throughout Metro Atlanta More info and locations: aarp.org

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”

What: Act 1 Theater presents the celebrated Southern classic of family and friendship, following the story of a group of strong and beautiful women as they encounter tragedy. When: March 3-19, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church Theater, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta More info and tickets: act1theater. com

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

What: Join the JCSO as they present their official 10th Anniversary Concert Celebration, featuring the Johns Creek Chorale, a quartet of guest soloists and radio host John Lemely. When: Saturday, March 4, 8 p.m. Where: Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek Cost: $32 More info and tickets: johnscreeksymphony.org or 678-7485802

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

What: Join Chloe Agnew, an original former member of music group Celtic Women, as she celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with original Celtic music. When: Saturday, March 4, 3 and 8 p.m. Where: The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming Cost: $30 More info and tickets: playhousecumming.com

THREE ARTISTS’ SHOW

What: See the art of Natalia D’Aries, Virginia Poorbaugh and Julia Wooley, who have all worked on the tutelage of the Roswell Visual Arts Center’s Kip Rogers. When: Through March 3, times vary Where: Roswell Visual Arts Center, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: roswellgov.com or 770-6413705

What: Enjoy an afternoon of inspiring speeches as the five Cumming Area Toastmasters Clubs host an Open House and two Speech Competitions. The winner may make it to the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. When: Saturday, March 4, 3-5 p.m. Where: Forsyth County Library, 585 Dahlonega St., Cumming

STORYTELLING WITH BABATUNDE

What: Join us as African “Freestyle” Storyteller, Babatunde (Jason Louder) presents stories based on a young boy named Kweku and characters found in traditional African tales. When: Monday, March 6, 11 a.m.-noon Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: afpls.org

LASER BLAZERS

What: In this workshop, Big Thinkers will do a number of different laser themed experiments and will end with their very own Big Thinkers Laser Show. When: Monday, March 6, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

START THAT NONPROFIT

What: Join Foundation Center of Atlanta’s Stephen Sherman for a series of informative workshops. This month’s workshop is on developing a foundation for proposal budgets. When: Monday, March 6, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

“I, TOO, AM AMERICA”

What: View original works at “I, Too, Am America,” a multimedia exhibition by local artists exploring the experience of being black in America. When: Through March 3, time vary Where: Johns Creek Art Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekarts.org

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: GREG FERGUSON What: “Bearing Witness” The Photography of Greg Ferguson will showcase Ferguson’s award-winning photography of the natural world. When: Through March 31, times vary Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: gregferguson.us.com or 770594-6232

REPTILES PROGRAM

What: Students, ages 4-10, will get the opportunity to meet reptiles native to Georgia and a few from around the world. They will also learn about the classification of species. Registration required. When: Wednesday, March 8, 3:30-4:15 p.m. Where: East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell More info and registration: afpls.org

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS TRAINING

What: Learn how to grow a business by using Mergent Intellect. This resource includes market research, industry reports, consumer lifestyle, demographic information and creating mailing lists. When: Wednesday, March 8, 4:30-6 p.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

MAKING SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS

What: Learn how to make a concrete plan for transitioning into a new career or lifestyle change. This session with certified life-coach Sonia Tank will explore how to achieve goals and recover from life’s curve balls. When: Wednesday, March 8, 10 a.m. Where: Northeast Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek More info and registration: 770-3608820 or afpls.org

PET ADOPTIONS:

FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: FREE TAX PREP SERVICES

What: Get free tax assistance, counseling and preparation. No appointment is necessary. Bring all relevant tax forms, last year’s return, a photo ID, Social Security card and checkbook. When: Through April 18, times vary Where: Gwinett Technical College, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 700, Busbee Center, Lawrenceville More info: aarp.org

CALENDAR

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 21

GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA:

Step into spring … on a Wildflower Hike Here’s a question for you: If April showers bring May flowers, then what to May flowers bring? The answer, of course, is “pilgrims.” Come on, admit STEVE HUDSON it. That made you Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net smile! April showers really do bring May flowers, but here in Georgia we don’t have to wait till May. March and April are great wildflower months, too – and to help you experience the season, several of Georgia’s state parks will be offering guided wildflower hikes in the weeks to come. Most state park wildflower hikes last about two hours. They vary in difficulty from level to moderately strenuous, so there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for you. What should you bring on your wildflower hike? Comfortable hiking shoes, of course, and a bottle of water. Don’t forget your camera. A walking stick can also be helpful – and at least one hike recommends bug spray as well. Here’s a look at several upcoming state park wildflower hike opportunities.

SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK (LITHIA SPRINGS)

Saturday, March 4, (2 - 4 p.m.); Sunday, March 5, (4 - 6 p.m.); Sunday, March 26, (3:30 - 5:30 p.m.); Sunday, April 2, (1 - 3 p.m.) Located just west of Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park is a great place to visit at any time of year, but during wildflower season it’s especially enjoyable. This moderately strenuous two-mile hike takes you through beautiful wildflower habitats. Early favorite varieties typically seen are Hepatica, Bloodroot, Wild Geranium, Wild Iris, Sorrel, and Green and Gold. Visitors may see up to 30 flower species. Meet in the Interpretive Center, wear good hiking shoes and bring water. $5 plus $5 parking. Info at 770-732-5876.

CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK (TRENTON)

Wednesday, March 15, (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, March 18, (10 a.m. 12 p.m.); Monday, March 20, (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, March 25, (2 - 4 p.m.); Sunday, March 26, (2 - 4 p.m.) Tuesday, March 28, (2 - 4 p.m.); Monday, April 3, (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Wednesday, April 5, (2 - 4 p.m.); Friday,

PHOTO COURTESY GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Dogwoods at Cloudland Canyon overlook in Trenton. April 7, (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, April 8, (2 - 4 p.m.); Wednesday, April 12, (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, April 15, (2 - 4 p.m.); Wednesday, April 19, (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.) More wildflower adventure awaits you in the northwest corner of the state at Cloudland Canyon State Park, where a one-mile hike through Sitton’s Gulch (along a flat riverside trail) brings you face to face with an abundance of blooming wildflowers in the park’s limestone-rich soil. Using a checklist and identification books to identify and record many of the species in bloom. This hike is for ages 10 and older. Reservations required, and a wildflower identification book is available for pre-order. $5 parking fee. Info at 706-913-7170

PANOLA MOUNTAIN STATE PARK (STOCKBRIDGE)

Saturday, March 4, 2017 (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.); Sunday, March 12, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Sunday, March 26, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, April 1, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, April 15, 2017 (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.); Sunday, April 23, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, April 29, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Sunday, May 7, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, May 13, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Sunday, May 21, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Saturday, May 27, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Sunday, May 28, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Monday, May 29, 2017 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) Have you ever wondered why Panola Mountain is a restricted area? Find out on a guided hike for a look at the granite mountain’s ecology and a rare opportunity to see how outcrop plants scrape out a living in such a

harsh environment. You’ll look for Diamorpha, Carolina Jessamine, Atamasco Lily and Trout Lily, depending on the date. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water. Register in advance. This moderately strenuous hike is for ages 10 and older. $5 plus $5 parking. Info at 770-389-7801

SEMINOLE STATE PARK (DONALSONVILLE)

Saturday, May 13, (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) Celebrate mothers and the return of spring on this special Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike. This short hike showcases some of the beautiful wildflowers in the park’s wetland ecosystem. Bring water – and bug spray. Closetoed shoes are recommended but not required. Meet at the Park office 30 minutes before the hike and drive to the trail. $5 plus $5 parking. Info at 229-861-3137. Learn more about these and other upcoming Georgia State Park events at GeorgiaStateParks.org/events. Want to try a do-it-yourself wildflower hike close to home? Great opportunities await you along the trails of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Learn about hiking in CRNRA in Steve Hudson’s book “Hiking The Hooch.” It’s available on Amazon, from local outfitters, or at www. chattahoochee media.com.

22 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

22 | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017

Sponsored Section

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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Why investing in real estate is easier than ever (NAPSI)—There is no shortage of reasons why investing in residential real estate can be a good idea: home prices declined during the recent financial crisis, the number of renters has skyrocketed, it’s often considered a stable alternative to the stock market and the list goes on and on. At the same time, residential real estate investing has shifted from a local proposition to one without geographic limitations. That’s because of developments in technology, financing, services and processes that can make it easier for investors to search for opportunities, purchase properties and manage them from afar. In the past, a long-standing issue with the single-family rental sector has been a weak debt market. Investors were generally limited to loans from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which allow a maximum of four and 10 properties, respectively. Even worse was that these loans are highly dependent on the personal income of the borrower, not the income of the real estate. This limited obtaining attractive financing to only the wealthiest of investors. A new lending sector has emerged, however, that can provide financing for investors of various sizes and neither limits the number of properties available for financing nor underwrites the loan amount based on personal income. Meanwhile, online auction marketplaces, property management software and crowdfunding may help to make more efficient decision—making and investing. “Small investors today don’t have to rely on gut feelings about markets-they’re empowered by high-quality market intelligence and have access to a multitude of service providers,” explains Wally Charnoff, CEO of Investability Real Estate, Inc. “Small investors can now diversify their portfolio,” he says, “because they can research, acquire, finance and manage properties from afar.” The single-family residential market can present opportunities for “mom and pop” investors, particularly those who consider five key points: 1. Understand the total costs: Operating expenses and fixed costs, such as taxes, can vary greatly from state to state. Property management fees are generally higher in less populated areas that have little scalability or no competition. Hurricane, flood or earthquake insurance can be expensive but may

See INVESTING, Page 24

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 23

24 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Crye-Leike Real Estate Services raises $89,387 for United Way NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Crye-Leike Real Estate Services, the nation’s sixth largest residential real estate brokerage firm, concluded its 2016 United Way Workplace Campaign by raising a total of $ 89,387 companywide to support United Way agencies located in 29 counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. Since becoming a partner with United Way in 1995, Crye-Leike, its sales associates and corporate staff companywide have contributed in excess of $800,000. “Our company’s partnership with United Way is a perfect philanthropic fit for our real estate company. By giving to United Way, Crye-Leike is investing in the communities we serve,” says Joyce E. Friedman, affiliate broker and vice president of corporate communications of Crye-Leike Real Estate Services who served as co-chair of Crye-Leike’s 2016 United Way Workplace Campaign. “We know that United Way’s board members and other volunteers safeguard the monies raised with a stringent process for prioritizing needs, evaluating agencies and their programs and distributing funds to those agencies most deserving and in need,” says

Investing: Continued from Page 23 not be relevant in all markets. “Investors often look for turnkey properties, which can make condos appealing, but monthly association fees can severely suppress yield and additional assessments could put the property in the red at a moment’s notice,” points out Dennis Cisterna, CRO of Investability Real Estate, Inc. 2. Choose your tenants wisely: If you decide to invest out of your local market (and even in your own market), consider using a property manager to identify and qualify tenants and detail exactly the criteria and standards required. Common metrics are a certain FICO score, no bankruptcy in the last few years and a minimum rent-to-income ratio. Landlord references are also important, as is understanding local laws about tenant selection and advertising for tenants. 3. Know the market as if you lived there: Talk to local brokers, read the local newspaper to understand the economy and visit the area. Identify the drivers behind the housing market and

Friedman. “Their diligence produces results and allows United Way to make a positive impact on our neighbors like supporting people in crisis, enriching seniors’ lives, strengthening families, promoting health and independence and helping youth succeed.” Second only to the federal government, United Way is the largest provider of funding for health and human services in the nation. Crye-Leike (www.crye-leike.com), a full service real estate company for 40 years, is the nation’s sixth largest residential real estate brokerage firm and the largest serving Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and the Mid-South. It has a network of over 3,100 sales associates in 126 company-owned and franchise offices located throughout a nine-state Mid-South region in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Missouri know the history. A healthy, educated workforce and population growth are generally good indicators of long-term price appreciation. Lower home ownership rates may produce strong yields as there could be a consistent demand for your investment property, but appreciation may be lacking as the market fundamentals are not dynamic enough. 4. Choose either appreciation or yield or a little of both: Deciding which type of market you want to invest in will help with focus. Diversifying can be a reason to look beyond local opportunities. Some markets straddle yield and appreciation, and researching the longterm trend for market dynamics is especially important as these may quickly shift to only yield or appreciation. 5. Know your exit strategy: The number of owner-occupied houses is important because a higher rate of home ownership may make it easier to sell the home. The overall liquidity of the market is also important. Data now exists that can help investors understand the vibrancy of a market even without much buying and selling. Find your next single-family real estate investment at www.investability. com.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 25

Thinking of a change? Now is the best time to call me. Let’s get your home ready for the spring market!

MICHELLE PITTMAN c. 404.402.7124 o. 770.442.7300 f. 770.821.1365 michellepittman@atlantafinehomes.com michellepittman.atlantafinehomes.com | sir.com ©MMXVII Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

26 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Listing your home is both an art and a science By Eve Jones Harry Norman Realtors So, you are ready to list your home for sale and you start by consulting with an agent or two. You may be tempted to use an agent that offers a discount commission structure, but careful, you may be shooting yourself in the proverbial foot. Whomever you decide to use, there are some details you should be tracking closely. First, your agent, who has so generously decided to take a cut in his/ her commission, may be cutting the other agent’s commission without your knowledge. For instance, your agent has contracted to sell your home at 5%, but are they still offering the selling (buyer’s) agent a full 3%? Or, are they offering a 2.5% commission and discounting the buyer’s agent’s commission as well? Why would you care about what that other agent makes? You should care, because your home listing is competing against other listings who are likely offering a fee of 3%. How motivated will that buyer’s agent be to sell your home at 2.5% to

their buyer with whom they have been driving around and showing homes for three solid months? This is the first, but not the only, way to shoot yourself in the foot. So, get that “coop fee” in writing. JONES Another important listing step often overlooked by sellers and agents is staging and preparing the home for the market. Not taking the time to make needed repairs, neutralizing paint colors, and arranging furniture for the optimal flow is going to cost you. Your agent should be the primary resource for the most effective prepping of your home for market. A critical part of the agent’s job is to walk through your home and spend time honestly talking about improvements that will maximize your price. All of this takes planning, time and money, but can add lots of cash to your bottom-line. Another detail for listing your home concerns the marketing plan. The listing agent’s primary job is to market your

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property by presenting your home in the most positive light. Have you ever browsed home listings on-line and had a good laugh at the photos? It never ceases to amaze me how a home will be presented with really bad photography (and typos for that matter). It is as if they are trying their best to “not sell” the home. Make sure your agent emails your listing your once it is “live” so you can see for yourself how your home looks. And, every once in a while, go out and check on your listing to make sure you remain satisfied. Of course, good (preferably professional) photography is critical, but make sure your agent provides you with a written plan for marketing your home as well. That plan should include pricing strategies, professional-looking collateral materials (brochures, upgrades, etc.), agent open houses, e-flyers, advertising, showing feedback follow-up and networking with agents active in the area. The last way to avoid shooting yourself in the foot is to confirm that your listing agent is a full-time Realtor with the right kind of experience to sell your home. Asking for his or her sales production and references is a good way to

Not taking the time to make needed repairs, neutralizing paint colors, and arranging furniture for the optimal flow is going to cost you. sift through those less qualified agents. Since your home is likely your largest investment, you don’t want to experience the frustration of working with an agent who sells homes “on the side.” Your agent needs to be available fulltime throughout the transaction to best represent you and your interests. To protect your investment, remember to pay attention the details when choosing your real estate agent.

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28 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCHOOLS

Wilson Creek to host Kindergarten Roundup JOHN’S CREEK, Ga. — Wilson Creek Elementary rising kindergartners are invited to a Kindergarten Round-up on March 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the school, located at 6115 Wilson Road in Johns Creek. Parents and guardians should plan to come and bring their children who will attend Wilson Creek Elementary kindergarten in August 2017. Attendees will meet the kindergarten teachers, tour a kindergarten classroom, enjoy cookies and juice, try out a stationary school bus in the parking lot, hear a fun story in the media center and pick up important curriculum and registration materials.

Kyle Qian, Centennial High School’s STAR Student, stands with the teacher he has named as the CHS STAR Teacher, Ko-Ming Shih.

Kyle Qian Centennial’s STAR Student ROSWELL, Ga.— Centennial High School senior Kyle Qian has been named the School’s STAR student for 2017. Qian earned the title of STAR Student in the senior class for achieving the highest overall SAT score. With the title of STAR Student

comes the privilege to name the STAR Teacher of the year. For that honor, he selected Ko-Ming Shih who teaches AP Calculus BC, among other top math classes. Qian said Shih is the teacher at Centennial who has influenced him the most.

Wilson Creek Elementary places in Fulton Technology Awards JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Wilson Creek Elementary students brought home three first place awards, two second place awards and four third place awards from the 16th Annual Fulton County Technology Competition. The FCTC was held at Centennial High School on Jan. 28. Students could choose technology projects in 15 categories to compete against other Fulton County students in their age group. Categories included 3D Modeling, Animation, Digital Photo Production, Game Design, Mobile Apps and Robotics.

The winners are listed as follows: Category, Student, Place: • Audio Production, Lakshita P., 3rd • Device Modification, Sanay V., 3rd • Digital Game Design, Jonathan L., 2nd • Graphic Design, Riley S., 1st • Graphic Design, Casey S., 1st • Multimedia Application, Dhanyatha D., 3rd • Productivity Design, Saanvi S./ Sanjana U., 1st • Productivity Design, Kindam C., 2nd • Robotics, Diya K./Anjali Y., 3rd

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COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 29

Young Samaritans get more than they bargained for 13-year-olds turn good deed into something more By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. – A simple act of kindness a couple of weeks ago turned into something much more for three Northwestern Middle School students and an Alpharetta man working in his yard. Andrea Huels had gone to Wills Park to pick up her son Reid Huels and two of his buddies, Kees Bready and Riley Brown who had been playing basketball. On their way back to their Kensington Farms neighborhood, Huels traveled down Mid Broawell Road where the boys noticed a man working in his yard. What struck them was he had a rake in one hand and his walker in the other. “When they pointed it out, I asked them if they thought it would be a good idea to go home and get some rakes and come back to help him,” Huels said. The boys readily agreed. They picked up the tools and drove back to help the man, who turned out to be 87-year-old Alpharetta native Emmett Coalson. “When we got back to his house, he was lying on the ground. It looked like he was trying fix his tractor,” said Reid Huels. That’s what his mother thought also. The boys ran up to where Coalson was and Huels decided to get some photos of the boys helping the man. She didn’t realize Coalson was in trouble until she saw the boys trying to help him up. “I went to help, but even with me we couldn’t get him on his feet,” Huels said. Coalson said later that he fell and had broken his hip several months ago and still wasn’t over it yet. “But I’m the type of person who can’t just stay in the house – I have to

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Three Northwestern students’ random stop to help a neighbor turned into more than yard work. Kees Bready, Riley Brown and Reid Huels stand with their new best friend Emmett Coalson.

get out and do something. So I was out working in the yard with my walker and my lawnmower and a trailer just picking up sticks,” he said. “One of my shoelaces had come untied and I stepped on it and it tripped me.” Coalson landed on his side where the hip was broken. He wasn’t hurt, but he couldn’t get to his feet either. “In a few minutes here come these three little boys walking up. They were going to help me up, and I said I really appreciate it.” But hard as they all tried, the best

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they could do was get him up on one knee. “I got that far and couldn’t get any further. I saw this woman standing there and she came up to help. And she tried but we couldn’t get any further.” Finally she told Coalson she would go call someone to help. “Thought she might go call her husband or someone. But a few minutes went by and I looked up. Here comes the fire department,” he said. “They were real nice about it and helped me up and offered to help to the house.” He said Huels introduced herself and the boys and they all sat down on the porch and began to talk. “We got to knowing each other and the lady asked if it was OK to take my picture with the three boys. I said sure. They were real nice boys. In fact one of them picked up a rake and commenced raking leaves.” In short order all three were raking. Meanwhile Coalson’s wife Elissa saw the commotion and came out. Coalson said they appreciated the boys’ helping them out. “My wife’s a small girl, and she couldn’t have helped me up either.” Huels said they were just glad to have come along as they did and decided to return with those rakes. “Did you ever think you are doing a simple act of kindness only to have it change your life?” she said. “After Reid and his friends raked the yard, they sat with Mr. Coalson on his front porch while he told the story of meeting his wife Elissa at Milton High School 69 years ago,” Huels said. “As we said our goodbyes Emmett teared up as he thanked the boys and asked them to come back to visit him. They happily agreed. “Driving home Reid said to me, ‘What if we hadn’t gone back to help? What would have happened to Emmett?’ Who knows, but my son and his friends will never forget to go back and help.”

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SCHOOLS

30 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Arnav Goyal

Katelyn Lawrence

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School has announced the selection of Arnav Goyal as the 2017 valedictorian of the senior class and Katelyn “Katie” Lawrence as its salutatorian. Goyal, in addition to being an outstanding student, he also participates in swim and tennis. His musical accomplishments include playing the violin, guitar and piano. His community service includes volunteering here, in other states and in India. His top college choices are Augusta University, Dartmouth, Emory, Rice, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. He plans to be an ophthalmologist. Lawrence is ranked No. 2 at Al-

pharetta High School. She states that the most important thing to know about her is her faith which has made her who she is today and has helped her tremendously through high school. Lawrence has been involved at Alpharetta High School playing on the girls’ soccer team and serving as president of Flood. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Raider ambassador. Lawrence is involved in the community volunteering with C.A.T.S. (Called Alpharetta to Serve). She also tutors and is active in her church. Lawrence’s top choice for college is Northwestern University where she hopes to major in international relations.

Alpharetta HS announces valedictorian, salutatorian ACT1 THEATER PRESENTS ACT1 Theater presents Robert Harling’s

March 3rd to March 19th Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm Sundays at 2pm “Steel Magnolias” tells the story of six women who bond together in Truvy’s Beauty Salon in the distinctly Southern town of Chinquapin, Louisiana. Outspoken Truvy dispenses hairspray and advice with abandon to her favorite clients while sometimes shocking her new assistant, Annelle. Rich curmudgeon Ouiser, eccentric millionaire Clairee, and town social leader M’Lynn, the mother of Shelby, all give as good as they get with hilarious and sometimes acerbic repartee. On this day, Shelby will be married in a wedding palette of Blush and Bashful, the soft pinks of the magnolias blooming outside Truvy’s window. Despite the laughter of the day, soon the band of Southern ladies will need to become as strong and enduring as the magnolia tree which bears the delicate blossoms. Stee Steel Magnolias is presented by spec special arrangement with Dra Dramatists Play Service, New York Tic Tickets at: ACT1Theater.com or 770-663-8989 AC b i Ch ACT1 Theater inside Alpharetta Presbyterian Churchh 18 180 Academy Street • Alpharetta, GA 30009

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COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 31

February Eagle Scouts for the Northern Ridge District NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District for the cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Milton recently announced its newest Eagle Scouts. These are the Scouts passed their Board of Review on Feb. 23 held at the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church: Nathaniel Cole Anderson, from Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and creation of an outdoor covered shooting platform for the rifle range at Camp Highland located in Ellijay. Benjamin Browning from Troop 69, was sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church. His project was the restoration of the outdoor classroom located at Creekview Elementary School. He built and replaced nine benches in this outdoor classroom. Enrique Pujals, of Troop 1134, was sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church. His project was the collection of household items to staff a kitchen for the Mike’s Angels Refugee house in Escondida, Guatemala. These items included pots pans, mixing bowls and plates, utensils to serve 25 occupants. Thomas Hampton, of Troop 431, was sponsored by Roswell United Methodist Church. For his project, Hampton designed and constructed a break area by the counseling center located at Roswell United Methodist Church. This project included the construction of two benches, a picnic table and a pebble groundcover for the area. Charles Atherton, of Troop 431,

The newest Eagle Scouts, from left, are Nathaniel Cole Anderson, Benjamin Browning, Enrique Pujals, Thomas Hampton, Charles Atherton and Lavran Pujals. sponsored by Roswell United Methodist Church, designed and constructed two folding bookcases for the Carroll County Emergency Shelter. Atherton also collected over 1,000 books to stock this library and also included catalogue of the books.

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK SPECIAL CALLED ELECTION Qualifying Information for APRIL 18, 2017 Special Elections The City of Johns Creek has Called for a SPECIAL ELECTION for APRIL 18, 2017 and will hold QUALIFYING for the April 18, 2017 Special Election for Council Seat Post 4. The qualifying dates will be Monday, March 6, 2017 thru Wednesday, March 8, 2017, between the hours of 8:30am and 12:30pm, and 1:30pm and 4:30pm (GA Election Code 21-2-132). Qualifying will be held in the City Clerk’s Office at Johns Creek City Hall which is located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 400, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097. The qualifying fee is $450.00 for each Council Seat which is 3% of the total gross salary for the preceding year. Each candidate must meet the qualifications of the Charter and Code of the City of Johns Creek, as well as all applicable state and constitutional laws. Joan Jones City Clerk

Lavran Pujals, of Troop 1134, sponsored by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, designed and constructed

4Wheelchair accessible raised planting gardens for the residents of Roswell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR PUBLIC SAFETY UNIFORMS AND DUTY GEAR RFP 17-108 The City of Alpharetta is requesting proposals for Public Safety uniforms and duty gear, including, but not limited to, pants, shirts, footwear, outerwear, equipment, etc. The Request for Proposal document will be available online Thursday, March 2, 2017, at our bid posting website, https://www.ebidexchange.com/alpharetta. Interested parties are required to log in to review the RFP documents and submit any specific bid related questions. Proposals will be due on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 10:00 AM at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. For information, please contact Abby Shipp at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us or 678-297-6052.

32 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCENE & HURD:

SCENE & HURD

Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss returns to GET Octagenarian attends 20th anniversary of debut of ‘And Then They Came for Me’ Bob and Anita Farley first introduced Eva Schloss and the one-hour multimedia play about her incredible survival of the Nazi Holocaust during World War II back in 1997. HATCHER HURD Eva came back Scene & Hurd hatcher@appenmediagroup.com Feb. 18 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Georgia Ensemble’s launch of the play about her ordeal. Eva Schloss is an amazing woman. She is 87 years young and travels the globe appearing to audiences who listen to her amazing story about hiding from the Nazis, she and her family’s betrayal and finally surviving nine months in perhaps the Nazi’s most notorious death camp, Auschwitz. I was fortunate enough to meet her in 1997. The Farleys have always struck a balance at Georgia Ensemble between theater that entertains and theater that makes you think. With “And Then They Came for Me,” they found something absolutely riveting. It is told with four actors playing several roles mixed with video of Eva nee Geiringer and another survivor Helmut Silberberg, Anne Frank’s first boyfriend, cutting in to give their firsthand experiences. But GET has done much more than bring Eva Schloss back for a curtain call. No, she came back to check the pulse of her play, because its heart still beats at GET. The Farleys have continued to cast the play and produce a production every year since that plays to schools all over Georgia. A Spartan cast of four young actors give two and sometimes three performances a day at schools all over the state. The current cast gave a sold-out performance at GET with the added bonus of a Q&A with Eva after the play. “It’s a gift. She brought the story [of the Holocaust] to life [with the help of playwright James Still],” said GET Managing Director Anita Farley. “Kids out there see and hear what really happened in our generation. And for these kids, Vietnam is already like ancient history. Seeing her story onstage makes it real.” For the two decades GET has sent “They Came for Me” back on the road, it has drawn more than 500,000 students

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me. –The Rev. Martin Niemöller Nazi concentration camp survivor and teachers Artistic Director Robert Farley said he never dreamed when they began the project it would be so successful in the schools. “I thought a great run would be two or three years – five at the most. Now we get calls from teachers who saw it as a student and want to bring it back for their students,” Bob Farley said. And that is only the GET production. Companies are still producing the play all over the United States and in countries abroad. At a reception at the home of GET Board Chairwoman Janet Kincaid and her husband Dr. Jeff Kincaid, it was especially interesting to see and hear Eva talking with the current cast members as they soaked up every word she gave them about what it was like to go on the run to neighboring country and go into hiding. The original New York director Susan Kerner, who premiered the play, flew down for the reunion. It is a compelling story Eva has to tell. Her family split up. She and her mother went to Amsterdam and her father and brother to another city. She never saw her father and brother again. In Auschwitz-Birkenau, she met a girl she knew growing up. Her name was Anne Frank. Anne and her mother died in the camps days before liberation came. Her father, Otto Frank, survived and after the war, he and Eva’s mother married. And in the next 40 years she never spoke to another soul about what happened to her and her family, not even her new family. Then in 1985, she was invited to a

PHOTOS BY HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Eva Schloss talks with cast members the night before the performance as they sit in rapt attention.

Eva Schloss fields a question after the performance as GET Artistic Director Bob Farley looks on. Holocaust survivors’ memorial dinner in Switzerland where each was asked to rise and tell one’s own tale of survival. When called upon to come forward and tell hers, she refused. “I told them I couldn’t. I had never talked to anyone about that time. But the host said that I must. So I got up and told my story,” Eva said. “And I haven’t stopped talking since.” And it is true. She has been to America, South America, Nassau,

South Africa, Latvia, Japan, Australia and I don’t know where else. She simply speaks all over the world. She spoke after the play to the audience with frankness and dispassion but not bitterness. She does not rail at the Nazis and their collaborators. She has moved beyond retribution. Instead, she talks about the relevance of the play today. She was asked did she think there would be another Holocaust. Oh really? When has it stopped? How quickly we forget the millions who died during the India-Pakistan partition in which 1 million to 2 million refugees died between 1947 and1957. Then there were the Killing Fields in Cambodia 1973-75 where 2 million were murdered by Khmer Rouge. There was the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and the Sudanese civil war that has persisted since 2007. Today, tens of thousands flee the shores of North Africa and the Middle East. Each one has a story as poignant and riveting as Eva’s. “Everything you see here was the truth,” Eva said, speaking to the audience after the play. “Refugees are again fighting to live. And once again the gates are closed to them. If the gates had been open to us then, 6 million would be alive today.”

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 33

KEEPING ONE EYE OPEN Blackbox is a product of the Alpharetta, GA based company, Appen Media Group. Created in 2017, it acts as the investigative journalism arm of the multi-media company, producing award winning journalism through print and social media, podcasts, and film. Through Blackbox, we will focus on corruption, crime, lies and abuse of power happening in your backyard.

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SPORTS

34 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

WEEKEND BASEBALL RECAP:

Northview improves to 5-0 with win over North Forsyth

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

Friday, Feb. 24 CHATTAHOOCHEE 8, DULUTH 7

Chattahoochee gave up six runs in the second inning and trailed 7-3, but a fourrun fourth inning and an Ethan Bowdoin RBI single in the sixth was enough to give the Cougars the eventual win. Chattahoochee improved to 5-1 with the win.

MILTON 5, CHEROKEE 4

Milton took the lead in the top of the sixth with two runs and held on to beat Cherokee. Milton saw four pitchers take the mound, giving up just five hits.

MT. PISGAH 8, ROSWELL 1

Roswell had eight hits, but scored just once, allowing Mt. Pisgah to run away with an 8-1 win. The loss was Roswell’s first of the season. Pisgah improved to 2-4 overall.

Saturday, Feb. 25 ALPHARETTA 6, BUFORD 4 (8TH)

Alpharetta led 4-1 entering the top of the seventh inning, but Buford forced extra innings with an Alpharetta error, a walk with the bases loaded and a sacrifice fly. In the top of the eight, Alpharetta’s Nick Mendlinger hit a two-run walk-off home run to seal the win for the Raiders.

ALPHARETTA 4, WESLEYAN 0

Alpharetta won its second game Saturday by shutting out Wesleyan. Alpharetta pitchers Noah Medlinger and Kalid Sudu teamed up to allow just two hits in the game.

BLESSED TRINITY 12, UNION GROVE 2

Jake Lundovsky had four RBIs in Blessed Trinity’s mercy-rule-shortened win over Union Grove. BT’s Patrick McNamara struck out three in 3.1 innings.

CAMBRIDGE 11, WEST FORSYTH 2

South’s Landon Sims pitched a full game (mercy rule shortened) for the War Eagles, allowing just one hit and striking out seven. South’s offense scored nine runs without an extra-base hit.

After losing three straight games to Blessed Trinity, Woodstock and Norcross, Cambridge beat West Forsyth in decisive fashion to improve to 2-3 overall. Austin Weiermiller was credited with the win for the Bears’ with four strikeouts in four innings.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-11

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-09

PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers March 2, 2017 3:00 P.M.

PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer & Wine Sunday Sales

APPLICANT PAH Management, LLC d/b/a Hyatt Place Alpharetta North Point 7500 North Point Parkway Alpharetta, Ga. 30022

APPLICANT Hop City Alpharetta, LLC d/b/a Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar 900 Avalon Blvd. – Suite 9130 Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

Owner PAH Management, LLC Registered Agent Michael Sard, Esq.

Owner Hop City Alpharetta, LLC Registered Agent Michael Sard, Esq.

SOUTH FORSYTH 9, ST. PIUS X 1

FORSYTH CENTRAL 12, MARIETTA 7

Forsyth Central’s bats were off to a slow start against Marietta, but once they got going the Bulldogs lit up the scoreboard. The Bulldogs scored 11 of their 12 runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Alex Andrew and Evan Zaharchak each had 3 RBIs in the win.

MILTON 14, ST. FRANCIS 4

Milton used 11 hits and seven errors by St. Francis to score 14 runs, the Eagles’ highest run total of the season. Drew Hamrock went 2-4 with 3 RBIs.

NORTHVIEW 8, NORTH FORSYTH 2

Johns Creek was shut out in the first game of the Gladiators’ Saturday doubleheader. Johns Creek managed just one hit in the game.

Northview scored five runs in the fifth inning which proved enough to take down North Forsyth. DJ Poteet and Michael Wilson each had three RBIs for Northview, who improved to 5-0 with the win.

JOHNS CREEK 5, EAST PAULDING 2

SEQUOYAH 6, NORTH FORSYTH 4

WALTON 3, JOHNS CREEK 0

Johns Creek’s offense fared better in their second game of the day, downing East Paulding to improve to 4-2 overall. East Paulding tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth, but Johns Creek responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Bo Majkowski’s single drove in two runs and Majkowski then scored from first on an error to seal the win.

LAMBERT 10, LAGRANGE 2

Four RBIs from Josh McAllister and a six-run sixth inning for Lambert was more than enough to power the Longhorns to victory over LaGrange. Aidan McAllister earned the win for Lambert, striking out seven in five innings pitched.

North Forsyth’s 12 hits led to four runs, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Sequoyah. North trailed 6-2 entering the bottom of the seventh before a two-run single by pinch hitter Dawson Rickett cut the lead to 6-4, but it would be the last runs for North.

ROSWELL 3, LAKESIDE EVANS 1

Roswell used RBIs from David Thigpen and David Burke in the bottom of the sixth to improve to 6-1 this season. David Thigpen pitched a full game for the Hornets, striking out eight.

PIKE COUNTY 7, KING’S RIDGE 0

King’s Ridge fell to 3-3 after being shut out by Pike County Saturday.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-10

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-08

PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers March 2, 2017 3:00 P.M.

PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer & Wine Sunday Sales

PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Beer & Wine – Sunday Sales

APPLICANT Brine-Avalon, LLC d/b/a Brine 700 Avalon Blvd. Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

APPLICANT Willie & Lester’s Coffee Brothers, LLC d/b/a Favors & Flavors 11775 Northfall Lane Suite 103 Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

Owner Brine-Avalon, LLC Registered Agent Thomas M. Foust

Owner Willie & Lester’s Coffee Brothers, LLC Registered Agent Kelly C. McCants

SPORTS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 35

Alpharetta’s Wood signs with University of Jacksonville APHARETTA, GA. – Alpharetta High School senior Emma Wood hass committed to the University of Jacksonville in Florida to play soccer. She is a four-year starting defender with the Alpharetta Raider women’s soccer team. As a freshman she started every match and was recognized as “Rookie of the Year”.

In both her sophomore and junior years she was awarded the “Black Award” as the team’s best defender. She is team captain for the 2017 team and looks to leading the team back to the state playoffs. Wood is an outstanding student and plans to major in Marine Biology at Jacksonville.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR MAYFIELD ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT RFP 17-107 Emma Wood signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Jackonville. Front row from left are mother Debbie Wood, Emma Wood and father Don Wood. Back row Marion Wood and coach Mike Nance.

Blotter:

Driver flees, caught with cocaine

Continued from Page 2

ROSWELL, Ga. — A man was arrested Feb. 4 for attempting to elude officers, failure to dim headlights and possession of cocaine. Roswell police were patrolling on Warsaw Road shortly after midnight, when they spotted a car driving by with its high-beam headlights on. Police signaled to the driver to dim the headlights, but the driver did not and sped up instead. Police gave chase and caught the driver, 36-year-old Edgar Mejia-Brizuela of Roswell, a short time later. While searching the driver, police found a bag with one gram of cocaine in his wallet.

covered identity fraud on her account. The woman had been notified two days earlier that someone had used her identity in an attempt to purchase a car in Texas. This is not the first time the woman has had problems with identity theft. She has had four separate accounts opened under her name in the past 16 years, including for credit cards and retail stores. The total charges to the accounts are over $12,000. This time, the woman was able to stop the attempted car purchase when she contacted the company.

ONLINE AUCTION BY CITY OF ALPHARETTA The City of Alpharetta, in conjunction with GovDeals, Inc., will conduct a CONTINUOUS online auction to sell surplus material, equipment, and vehicles. To view the surplus items or to place a bid, please visit www.govdeals.com. All sales will be final to the highest bidder and sold as is, where is, with no warranty expressed or implied. The City of Alpharetta and GovDeals, Inc. reserve the right to reject any and all bids, and the right to waive formalities. Once the items are sold, the coordination of the actual removal of the items must be completed by the selected party. For further information, visit www.govdeals.com or contact Brent Burdette with the City of Alpharetta’s Department of Finance at 678-297-6067 or wburdette@alpharetta.ga.us.

The City of Alpharetta (City) is requesting proposals from qualified Design/ Build firms or Design/Build teams to design and construct a bottomless culvert and associated roadway within the City of Alpharetta, Georgia The Request for Proposal document will be available online Thursday, February 16, 2017 at our bid posting website, https://www.ebidexchange.com/alpharetta. Interested parties are required to log in to review the RFP documents. Proposals will be due on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us or at 678-297-6052. City of Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals, Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at 7:00 P.M. City of Johns Creek Council Chambers 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300 Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 The following Variance proposals located within the City of Johns Creek is scheduled for Public Hearing at the location stated above. Case Number: Petitioner: Present Zoning: Property Location(s): Variance Request:

V-17-002 Larry Benator CUP (Community Unit Plan) 9555 Rod Road To allow for construction of a retaining wall within a stream buffer

Case Number: Petitioner: Present Zoning: Property Location(s): Variance Request:

V-17-004 Sean Cash R-2 (Single-Family) 9730 Farmbrook Lane To encroach into the side yard setback to construct a porch and garage addition.

36 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Colton McDaniel throws perfect game McDaniel strikes out 13 in 8-0 win By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Northview junior Colton McDaniel accomplished one of the most difficult feats in all of sports Feb. 18, throwing a perfect game for the Northview Titans against White County. If that wasn’t enough, he added a triple and a home run in the 8-0 victory. Though McDaniel’s accomplishment will forever be his, he was quick to deflect praise and give credit to his team. “I can think of several plays that if my defense wouldn’t have seen the bigger picture I wouldn’t have had my perfect game,” he said. “To me, it is a testament to how much trust I have in defense behind me. I have complete faith in my catcher (Michael) Trautwein who called a great game.” Northview head coach Aaron Wilkens said, “I have been involved in thousands of baseball games either playing or coaching and that is the first perfect game I’ve been a part of.” From the very beginning, Wilkens said he noted McDaniel’s velocity was

high and his curveball was sharp. “The good thing about Colton,” he said, “is when his curveball is on he can throw it on any count and locate it pretty well.” That curveball served McDaniel well as he threw just 81 pitches and struck out 13. “I felt in control of the game with every batter,” McDaniel said. As good as he was that day, McDaniel understands a perfect game is not possible without strong defensive play behind him. Wilkens and McDaniel referenced a play by second baseman Michael Wilson in the top of the 5th inning that was crucial to preserving the perfect game. Wilson had to make an athletic play on the hard-hit ball in shallow center, making the throw to first just in time. “It was impressive for him to field that ball so calmly and knowing [a perfect game] was at stake,” Wilkens said. Another crucial play came on the last out when left fielder Lui Suzuki-Williams chased down a pop-up, a play McDaniel said was not routine. Just one batter before that final out, McDaniel believed he was seeing the end of his perfect game streaking down

Northview junior Colton McDaniel threw a perfect game against White County Feb. 18. the right field line. “I knew that [batter] was tough to

strike out, and I threw him a 2-2 ball and he hit it down the right field line. I’m freaking out watching it, but it went foul by about a foot,” McDaniel said. After that, he knew he would get the perfect game. After the final out, McDaniel walked toward his catcher, Trautwein, who asked him if he realized he had just thrown a perfect game. McDaniel said yes, and if he hadn’t known by then, it soon would have hit him, or at least the entirety of his team would have. “I turned around and everyone is swarming me,” McDaniel said. “Colton is a pretty stoic individual, he’s not the jump-around and throw the glove type of guy, but he definitely had a big smile after the guys came up to him to give him a hug,” Wilkens said. “And when he got the game ball you can tell he was very happy and very relieved.” With a perfect game behind him, McDaniel said he isn’t done. “That’s where I think I should be every night,” he said. Northview opened the season with a 4-0 record. After McDaniel’s perfect game against White County, the Titans beat Norcross, one of the top teams in the state, 6-5.

New era begins for Johns Creek football Gladiators announce Matt Helmerich as new head coach By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek announced its third head football coach last Friday as the program enters its ninth season. The Gladiators announced Matt Helmerich will replace Matt Kemper who resigned to take over as head coach of Roswell in early January. Helmerich was chosen from a field of 90 applicants. Helmerich took his first head coach job with Fort Pierce Central (Florida) in 2016. Prior to that, he was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida). Helmerich won four Florida state championships and the 2010 national championship with St. Thomas Aquinas during his six-year stint as defensive coordinator at the school. He played at the collegiate level as a

Matt Helmerich has been named the new head football coach at Johns Creek. Helmerich takes over for Matt Kemper who resigned in January. linebacker and long snapper with Butler University in the late ‘90s.

“I know it’s a cliché, but it’s a dream come true,” Helmerich said. “My wife and I have been looking out to different Georgia schools, and this seems like the perfect fit. It’s a great school. It seems to me the community is behind this relatively new school, and the athletics have really taken off. (Athletic Director) Jason Holcombe does a great job, and there is a lot of talent here.” Holcombe said Helmerich’s hiring is “the right place, the right time and the right fit.” “Our program has turned around the past two years and we are working to build and improve,” Holcombe said. “Bringing in a coach like coach Helmerich is going to take our program to that next level and help us establish a vision and a mission that is going to lead Johns Creek to hopefully become one of the best teams in our region. He has a great background, and we are looking forward to what he can bring here to Johns Creek.” Holcombe said he also appreciates Helmerich’s extensive background in college recruiting, which will provide a

path for local athletes who want to go to the next level. “It’s very positive for any athlete when their coach is totally invested in their academics, athletics and trying to find the right fit for them if they want to play at the next level,” Holcombe said. Helmerich agreed. “Winning state championships and all is great, but my favorite thing is getting those kids to college,” he said. With an extensive background in defense, Helmerich said he will run a 3-4, attacking-style defense. He will also bring a commitment to excellence he helped instill at nationally recognized St. Thomas Aquinas. “I learned about being part of a bigtime program with excellent coaches and learning how to cultivate a tradition and keep it going, learning how to win with the right kids,” he said. “I look forward to bringing that to Johns Creek.” Johns Creek won the program’s first region championship last year, compiling an 8-2 regular season record. The Gladiators were ousted from the playoffs in the first round.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 37

DEATH NOTICES Sally Brockington, of Alpharetta, passed away February 15, 2017. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Jeanne Burlingame, of Alpharetta, passed away February 20, 2017. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Deborah Ertzberger, 60, of Cumming, passed away February 17, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

William Nicholson Gantt, 72, of Cumming, passed away February 20, 2017. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Vaune R. Mackie, 94, of Cumming, passed away February 19, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Nellie Bell Cranford Evans, 89, of Cumming, passed away February 20, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Doris M. Hudlow, 87, of Cumming, passed away February 18, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Jack Herman Mitchell, 90, of Alpharetta, passed away February 19, 2017. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Richard Haskins, of Roswell, passed away February 15, 2017. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Caroline Solarski, of Alpharetta, passed away February 20, 2017. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Jo Ann Flegal, 76, of Cumming, passed away February 18, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Paula Frias, 92, of Roswell, passed away February 21, 2017. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

ONLINE INCLUDED

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four weekly newspapers in the north Fulton and south Forsyth markets totaling 75,000 in circulation per week. In addition to its weekly coverage, AMG also publishes the monthly womens magazine, Northside Woman, as well as quarterly community guides, called Answer Books. Digitally, AMG has a vast online presences through various social media platforms and through its operation of northfulton.com and northsidewoman.com. Email a resume and cover letter to: christina@appenmediagroup.com and CC hans@appenmediagroup.com.

About Appen Media Group: Appen Media Group is a multimedia news company with a focus on print newspapers. AMG publishes

Full-time PeopleSoft Specialist (Alpharetta, GA) Assist clients w/applications, software products, systems development & implementation, customization and/or business processes. Provide expert level guidance in the areas of analysis & design of systems, analysis of technology platforms, implementation approaches, project strategies, project development methodology, application enhancement methodology & analysis of current systems & user information to customize & implement PeopleSoft Systems. Assess business procedures & develop, implement & maintain customized PeopleSoft solutions for our clients to optimize their operations. Minimum of 5 years of related PeopleSoft experience required. May live anywhere in the US, but position requires ability to travel to unidentified client sites throughout the US during the work week. Apply to Sierra-Cedar, Inc. (EOE) online at: http://www.sierra-cedar.com/ careers/. REF #PSSPEC0216.

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Fill your position today! Call 770-442-3278 to advertise

MAIN CLASSIFIEDS continued on page 38

38 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Trinity Manor LLC personal care home; lt 3200 Trinity Church Road Canton 30115 opening in April 2017. State licensed for 5 residents, providing meals, medication assistance, assistance with activities of daily living, socialization, incontinence care, laundry services and housekeeping. RN owned and operated. Call for questions or a tour! Tracey 770-316-7542

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | March 2, 2017 | 39

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Thank you for reading the classifieds.

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Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license identification or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it’s illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in U.S. dollars. 800 numbers may or may not reach Canada.

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Every time you use 770Tree.com to request an estimate, Appen-Rated makes a donation to North Fulton Community Charities or The Drake House. Do good & get great tree work too!

40 | March 2, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com