Revue and News, March 5, 2015

Sponsored Sections Real Estate Report ►►PAGE 22 Summer Camps ►►PAGE 25

St. Francis basketball

Boys, girls headed to state finals ►►PAGE 32

&

Alpharetta blogger killed Spoke against radicalism ►►PAGE 35

The Drowsy Chaperone AHS to perform hit show ►►PAGE 9

Alpharetta-Roswell

REVUE NEWS

March 5, 2015 | revueandnews.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 33, No. 10

Alpharetta: 2015 a year of ‘Phase 2’ Mayor gives State of City

Sewer moratorium looming for N. Fulton?

County ignoring alarming dwindling sewer capacity

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – In his annual State of the City address March 3, Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle said while 2014 was a banner year for the city, 2015 will be even better, with many large projects well under way and entering their second phases. The largest development in the region – Avalon – will enter its Phase 2, which will include more retail, office and apartments.

A conference center and hotel may also be part of this. The City Center and City Hall will begin work on its own Phase 2, with private retail and residential components.

“We have those first things off the ground,” Belle Isle said.

Between the two of them, these projects will spur more interest and development in downtown Alpharetta, where Belle Isle has focused much of his energy, to create a “hometown” feel for the city.

“When you have a city people don’t love, when your kids grow up and leave, they won’t come back,” he said. “It will be just a place; neighborhoods instead of neighbors.

“I want to make Alpharetta an irresistible city.”

He has done this by maintaining a level of excitement in the downtown.

He said the number of restaurants in the city center has grown from three when he took office to 12 and growing.

More than 35,000 volunteer hours were given last year from residents to local charities and nonprofits, proving residents are taking an interest in their community like never before.

In addition, over 5,000 jobs have been added in 600 technology companies, in large part thanks to two of the largest leases in metro Atlanta – Fiserv and Halyard Health, on Windward Parkway.

“It’s a great state our city is in,” Belle Isle said.

NORTH FULTON – While North Fulton is in the midst of its largest development boom since the 2008 Depression, some people are starting to take a hard look at whether there will be enough sewerage capacity to keep the boom going in the future.

It is a looming crisis of the

county’s own making.

The Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility in Roswell hit a monthly average of 92 percent of capacity BEACH in April 2014, which was a wakeup call. The plant has a permit to treat 24 million gallons per day (mgd).

Should it surpass that capacity for two or more months, the state Environmental Protection

See SEWER, Page 4

Alpharetta mulls conference center ‘Hotel Avalon’ price over $100M

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle presented the annual State of the City March 3 to members of the community. The event is hosted by the Alpharetta Business Association.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – For several years, Alpharetta has mulled plans to build a conference center somewhere in the city. Current thoughts put it at the new Avalon development along Ga. 400 and Old Milton Parkway.

The city is going through the planning process, and recently heard what might go there from the developer, North American Properties.

The result is a $107 million complex with grand hotel

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and luxury amenities. The city would be on the hook for $28.5 million of that cost, which could be paid for using a bond.

NAP would pick up the rest.

The project is a large one. The full-service hotel is hoped to have 325 rooms and be run by Marriott Hotels. The conference center, which would be attached, would have 74,000 square feet in total space, 42,000 of which is meeting space. It would also have a 10,000-square-foot ballroom.

The project would be a

See CENTER, Page 37

PUBLIC SAFETY

2 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

K-9 cops undergo lifesaving training

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ROSWELL, Ga. -- Did you know that K-9 handlers are equipped with medical bags for their dogs? Earlier this month, Roswell K-9 officers attended a canine trauma and first-aid for police service dog seminar that was taught a veterinary surgeon.

The seminar was designed to train handlers how to provide the correct care for their dog in an emergency situation.

Our officers learned how to perform CPR, starting an I.V., splinting techniques, treating a bleeding wound and using an oxygen mask.

K-9 teams face substantial risks on a daily basis. Knowing these skills can mean the difference between life and death for the police dog.

In this photo, Roswell K-9 Bruno and his handler, Officer Greg Cooper, are showing off their medical bag.

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

DUI arrests

►► West Hardwell, 39, of Douglasville

was arrested Jan. 24 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI. ►► Dacey Hannah Fenton, 22, of Wellsley Way, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 29 on State Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, following too close-

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.

‘Buyer’ makes off with car, sells it ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A supposed mechanic and his client are being sought after they are suspected in the theft of a Jaguar car Feb. 12.

ly, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to exchange insurance information. ►► Lisa Marie Sherman, 39, of Gastonia, North Carolina, was arrested Jan. 29 on Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and tire requirements. ►► Alexander H. Stovall, 25, of Hoschton was arrested Feb. 5 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and driving over a median. ►► Denise Michelle Lennon, 30, of Snellville was arrested Dec. 4 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI.

►► Scott Randhan, 59, of Atlanta was

The victim, a dealer on Mansell Road, said the prospective buyer enquired about the vehicle on the lot. She said she would send a mechanic over to inspect it. A man describing himself as the mechanic arrived on the lot and was given the keys to the car to inspect the vehicle. When the dealer checked in again several minutes later, the man and the car were gone.

Initially suspecting the mechanic had simply taken the vehicle to a garage, the victim called the buyer, who became irate and refused to answer questions.

An ad posted a few days prior to the event selling the same model car was found online. The contact number was the buyer’s.

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Drug arrests ►► Ron Benjamin Hurt, 31, of Atlanta

was arrested Feb. 3 on Rock Mill Road in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► Kiara Lashawnda McIver, 22, of Oxbo Road, Roswell, was arrested Feb. 3 on Rock Mill Road in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana.

Poor choice in friends leaves man in lurch ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A North Farm Drive resident has made seemingly poor choices in friends as he was robbed twice by people who helped him move.

See BLOTTER, Page 3

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 On Jan. 20, the victim hired “a bunch of friends” and a few unknown people to help him move furniture into his new home.

During the move, someone stole two camcorders, two guitars and a sound mixer. The items were found three days later at a local pawn shop. One of his friends had pawned the items.

A few days later, Jan. 6, the same person gave one of the movers a bed to spend the night. When the victim woke up the following morning, the houseguest was missing along with a TV, stereo and cellphone.

Home missing appliances JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Appliances were reported missing Feb. 20 from a home for sale.

Prospective buyers had visited the home on Cauley Creek Drive once before and, liking it, wanted another look. When they arrived, they found a hole made in the garage door and the fridge, stove, microwave and dishwasher all missing from the home.

The home was last seen secure Feb. 19 during an inspection.

Publishers Clearing-you-out?

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A suspected fake check was used in

a Publishers Clearing House scam.

An Alpharetta company reported to police Feb. 12 that they received a call from a woman in Kentucky that she just received a check from them for $6,880. Along with the check came a letter from Publishers Clearing House saying she won the prize. Thinking this check suspicious, the woman called the company to verify it.

It turns out the check was fake. Someone had taken a real check and scrubbed the information from it. The original check was for much less and was cashed by someone else.

While no money was thought to be exchanged, the Kentucky woman claimed she had been speaking with someone who claimed to work for the Clearing House.

Man breaks into car, stays there MILTON, Ga. – A Dunwoody man was arrested on multiple outstanding warrants from around the state and country after he was found disoriented in another man’s car.

Police were called out Feb. 18 at 8:16 a.m. after a Lathenview Court man found a stranger in his car. The stranger would not leave the car.

It took several officers to remove the stranger, who seemed tired and disorientated and repeatedly gave them a false name and date of birth.

The victim said the inside of his car was in disarray, with wiring pulled out of the center

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console and steering wheel and the contents of the glove box scattered.

Through fingerprinting, police were able to identify the suspect as Joel Townsend Diekhoff, 32, of Dunwoody, who had warrants for his arrest from Idaho and DeKalb County for burglary.

Diekhoff was arrested for entering auto, giving false information to police and having outstanding warrants.

Vehicles entered at new City Hall ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Two vehicles were reportedly broken into Feb. 15 at the new

revueandnews.com | Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 3 Alpharetta City Hall.

One victim told police he parked his car in the on-street parking about 9 a.m. and returned to the car at 1 p.m.

His lock was broken and the door was ajar. The only things reported missing were checks.

That same day, another person reported his truck was broken into.

He parked his car in the parking lot about 8 a.m. and returned to it at noon to find it broken into. The door lock was pried open. A Springfield XDS45 pistol was the only thing taken.

While there are security cameras at City Hall, it is unknown if they caught the crimes.

4 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

NEWS

Sewer: Continued from Page 1 Division could and probably would enforce a moratorium on new sewer taps in North Fulton.

That is exactly what the county allowed to happen in 2000. For several years prior to the moratorium Fulton dragged its heels to bring more capacity online. It is a long bureaucratic process and it was years until the county could get more sewer capacity online. If it happens again, it would be equally disastrous for the North Fulton economy.

“It would halt all growth and expansion,” said Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce President Brandon Beach. “You could forget about new development. Government has two chief duties in helping the economy – to provide public safety and to provide infrastructure – that’s roads, water and sewer.”

Beach said there is no immediate threat now, but it is a cause for worry for the notto-distant future. Had Fulton County been following its 2009 expansion plan filed with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District that would not be a problem. That plan called for a 14-milliongallon per day expansion of Big Creek to go on line in 2015.

This would see the western part of North Fulton’s needs through 2035. However the county has not even begun the expansion process.

Meanwhile, the Johns Creek Water Reclamation Facility that was expanded to 15

Kennedy

Mitchell

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Approval to table the rezoning of Regency Park/ iFly to permit entertainment uses at the corner of Mansell Road and North Point Parkway.

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Approval of rezoning 2665 and 2705 Old Milton Parkway from “Corporate Office Campus” to “Commercial.”

N

R

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Approval of abandonment of Tribble Alley, located between Old Milton Parkway and Westside Parkway.

N

R

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

February 23, 2015

FAILED

Owens

Approval of downtown master plan.

Alpharetta City Council Recap

PASSED

Aiken

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A potential new indoor skydiving business at the corner of Mansell Road and North Point Parkway did not receive a glowing recommendation from the Alpharetta City Council Feb. 24. However, the item was not outright denied. Instead, it was tabled until a future meeting.

The company, iFly, specializes in indoor skydiving, allowing customers to leap from a platform and hover in air inside a special room in the building. All this, the council was fine with. The issue was the design for the building.

It looks like a large “8” on its side, three stories tall. This design is “iconic” of the brand,

Gilvin

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com

Cross

iFly wanted location near North Point Mall

Belle

Alpharetta downs skydiving company

VOTE KEY: Y = yes; N = no; A = abstain; R = recused; * = absent

said Patrick Framel, the iFly director of development.

Framel said the design of the building was both necessary for the use of their technology but also for their branding, which relies on the iconic shape. The location needed a master plan rezoning. While the location allows for buildings of its height, it does not allow for entertainment uses, instead preferring restaurants or offices. A former Champps location sits on the site now.

Council said otherwise. mgd in 2010 is operating at 67 percent capacity just five years after opening.

However, that is exacerbated by the rate dispute it had with the privately owned 5-mgd Cauley Creek Wastewater Reclamation Facility. After losing a lawsuit over the Cauley Creek rate structure, the county simply refused to renew the annual agreement in 2013. In abrogating the 20-year agreement, the county said it did not need the additional sewer capacity.

That had the net effect of reducing the overall sewer capacity in the Johns Creek Basin from 20 mgd to 15 mgd.

Kun Suwanarpa is the interim Fulton public works director and was county director of water resources when the Cauley Creek plant was closed.

Suwanarpa declined to comment on this article, instead deferring to Ray Wooten, the county’s engineering administrator for publics.

Wooten noted that the Big Creek and Johns Creek plants can handle “double the flow without harm.”

The county holds contracts to supply irrigation water to big users in the east side of North Fulton. This is where the county has fallen out of EPD’s good graces. Fulton unilaterally opted to use its potable water to honor those contracts.

But that meant Fulton had to use potable water for irrigation rather than the “gray water” treated at the Cauley Creek plant. It also meant the county would continue to charge those customers at the gray water rate.

However that meant irrigation customers were getting a

“The concept is a pretty cool thing,” said Councilmember D.C. Aiken, “but it’s a good idea in the wrong place.”

The corner it sits on is one of the major entrances to the city, he said. As such, a “crazy” design would be inappropriate, added Councilmember Michael Cross.

The council agreed to work with the applicant on a different design and tabled the item until a future meeting.

Also at the meeting: The mayor and council

unanimously approved a new downtown master plan. This plan, in the works for months, has had nearly a dozen public meetings soliciting input from residents. The concept is to update what downtown should look like in the future. In essence, more mixed use would be allowed, increasing the downtown population.

“Ultimately what this plan is about is creating a better downtown for Alpharetta,” said consultant Eric Bosman, who led the plan’s design.

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

Cauley Creek Wastewater Reclamation Facility, designed to look like a large barn, has been in mothballs over a year. But it may yet play a part in getting Fulton County out of the EPD’s doghouse. discounted rate for potable water that is just thrown on the ground. Fulton County’s normal rate for potable irrigation water (and mandated in EPD’s rate structure) is to charge double the potable water rate.

The idea is to discourage the practice of using potable water for that purpose. And that has led to the county’s non-compliance penalty. It has now filed an appeal of EPD’s ruling.

Gail Cowie, EPD assistant branch chief of the Water Protection Branch, confirmed the county is out of compliance because of its practice to discount its rate for potable water.

“That is our issue with the change in Fulton County’s plan. It is using potable water and charging gray water rates,” Cowie said.

Meanwhile EPD has demanded and received an audit of Fulton procedures to determine its compliance with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water District. Cowie said that audit is still under review, since the county took

11 months to complete it.

There is the small Little River WRF plant with a permit of 1 mgd the county wants to expand, but the EPD is withholding action until the county comes back into compliance.

That is of interest to Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood since the Little River plant serves Arnold Mill Road (Ga. 140) in his city.

“That is a gateway into our city. A sewer moratorium would affect future development there,” Lockwood said.

“We don’t have plans at this time, but at the right time we should have the ability to do something.”

At the time the Cauley Creek plant was closed, Suwanarpa said the county’s projections for the east end of North Fulton showed it was near build-out.

Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker was incensed anyone said his city is at “build out.”

“We have big plans for our city, and we expect Fulton County to meet our needs,” Bodker said.

NEWS

JC aims to strike radio tower deal with Forsyth County would allow site in exchange for right to co-locate on tower

By KATHLEEN STURGEON & HATCHER HURD FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Johns Creek looked not only outside the box but outside the county to find a solution for where to put its public safety radio tower – in Forsyth County.

While negotiations are still ongoing, Mayor Mike Bodker said he is optimistic the details can be ironed out in the next few days.

Last summer, Johns Creek had determined it would need to erect a 200-foot radio communications tower in Shakerag on city-owned property next to Fire Station 62.

Residents were not happy with the idea, saying such an eyesore would affect their property values and create visual pollution in the rural area area.

The City Council agreed to hold off while it searched for another solution.

With the deal struck with the county – the Forsyth Commission approved in principal the intergovernmental agreement Feb. 23 – Johns Creek will build on a site that already has two towers on the site. It will also secure an easement to serve the tower as well.

In exchange, the city would allow Forsyth to co-locate a 200-pound tornado/weather warning siren and a receiver for the Forsyth public safety radio net.

However, Forsyth also wants all revenues to come to it if any private communications company locates on the tower. That is a sticking point with Johns Creek.

Forsyth also wants to tie the city to cooperation on the widening of McGinnis Ferry Road.

Mayor Mike Bodker said the City Council wants to cooperate on McGinnis Ferry Road, but it does not have that kind of money on hand. However the city is willing to contribute $200,000 for the engineering of the improvements.

“We are supportive of the McGinnis Ferry improvements, we just don’t have

What we can do is ante our share of the engineering costs.

We feel the overall agreement is beneficial to both parties, we just have to work out the details.”

MAYOR MIKE BODKER Johnd Creek Mayor

$9 million right now to commit. We have no problem with the co-location on the tower, and the tornado warning benefits everybody within hearing distance,” Bodker said. “What we can do is ante our share of the engineering costs. We feel the overall agreement is beneficial to both parties, we just have to work out the details.”

For the city’s part, it will have solved a dilemma of how to better serve its citizens in the Shakerag area while keeping the tower out of sight of residents. The tower, limited to a maximum height of 200 feet, will be off McGinnis Ferry Road but inside Forsyth. The tower will not have to be lighted since two other towers also occupy the site.

Johns Creek 30 has spent months now studying its plan to replace its aging analog public safety radio net.

Having agreed to partner with Fulton County, the city received free equipment for the existing radio tower on Johns Bridge and Morton roads.

The upgrade has been necessary to allow more reliable radio communications for police and fire personnel as well as sister units in other North Fulton communities. The old system had been failing for years.

The new digital equipment will be much more reliable and ends that worry. What the Morton-Jones Bridge tower could not do is reach the Shakerag area with the signal penetration (ability to communicate through buildings) or provide the reliable signal strength that is needed.

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6 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

SCHOOLS

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Snow days create headaches for school officials, parents Second year in a row for multiple days off

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Warm weather could not come soon enough for storm-weary officials with the Fulton School System.

For the second year in a row, severe weather – and simply the threat of severe weather – has played havoc with the school day as officials try to make the right decisions at the right time. As of the end of February, students have missed four days of school this semester.

“A totality of circumstances is used to make the decision of cancelling school,” said Shannon Flounnory, director of safety and security for Fulton Schools. “Considerations must be given to whether forecasted conditions will allow our buses to safely travel, [and] an analysis of our district’s facilities and status of utilities.”

Because school buses run on diesel, cold weather alone could create problems for the 800-plus buses in the system

fleet.

A district weather team consisting of operations, transportation, administration and school safety personnel is responsible for making the decision on whether school should be delayed, cancelled or held.

“Our district weather team analyzes all available information and provides all options to the superintendent along with recommendations. Ultimately, the superintendent makes the decisions with student safety being the primary factor,” said Flounnory.

With any decision, social media lights up the district’s Facebook page either praising or lambasting the decision for under-reaction, over reaction, too soon or too late. On Feb. 20, Fulton Schools was one of the only metro systems to cancel school based on the threat of bad weather. On Feb. 24, it was one of the few that held school. Those decisions prompted comments from hundreds of people on the Facebook page (mainly from parents), along with similar notes on Twitter (mainly from students).

“It’s difficult to make everyone understand all the decisions that go into cancelling or delaying schools but we try to

be as open and transparent are possible, and share quickly the information; but social media moves faster than we can,” said Susan Hale, spokesperson for Fulton Schools.

Fulton County’s unique geography also poses challenges to making decisions that fit the entire county. While North Fulton may be struggling with icy roads in the northwest corridors, South Fulton students may be seeing little more than wet pavements and above freezing temperatures.

“The Fulton County School District is very unique in that the distance from the farthest point north to the farthest point south is over 75 miles,” said Flounnory. “The weather models are very dynamic and frequently change [across this area]. “ She noted delayed openings also pose challenges for parents, and often it’s easier to cancel school than create logistical issues for parents.

Flounnory said resources may not be as “abundantly available” across all communities.

“In some cases when we have delayed a start, parents sometimes still drop off students,” she explained. “The two worst case scenarios are when parents have to go to work and drop their students off before

CANDY WAYLOCK/STAFF

Children hoping for a snow day had another thing coming Tuesday, Feb. 24. Despite the snow falling at this bus stop in Alpharetta, Fulton County Schools and their busses were up and running. the opening of school, regardless of a delayed start.”

That exact scenario played out in Cobb County last week when school was first delayed, then cancelled, leading to many instances of students being dropped off and left at empty schools.

As far as when, and if, the missed days will be made up,

those decisions will be left up to the Fulton County Board of Education, said Hale. As a charter district, Fulton is not under the mandate to have 180 days of school. However, the current calendar has two embedded snow days – March 10 and May 27 – which can be used to make up at least two of the missed days if needed.

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SCHOOLS

revueandnews.com | Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 7

Lake Windward Elementary fifth-graders show off their collected items that will be sent to military bases overseas.

Lake Windward supports troops overseas ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Lake Windward Elementary students collected donated goods for Operation Sandbox as part of the fifth-grade community service project.

In addition to collecting the items for the care packages, the students made cards thanking the U.S. military men and women for their service. The care packages, along with the cards, were sent to various military bases over-

seas.

Operation Sandbox sends care packages to U.S. military service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The care packages contain items like travel size toiletries, drink mixes, snack items and other miscellaneous items.

Find out more about the program at operationsandboxga.com.

–Adam Barth

Cambridge Band visits UGA for band festival MILTON, Ga. - Four students from Cambridge High School attended the Annual High School Band Festival at the University of Georgia, Jan. 22-25. The students, Alison Burgess, Justin Harrell, Lauren Head and Emily Nalwasky, were selected to attend the event by UGA band staff.

This was the second year the students performed at the event.

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8 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

Love: Why I can’t afford the toilet paper In December, I asked for my girlfriend’s hand in marriage.

Actually, I asked for her entire body in marriage, but you get the idea. The marriage proposal is considered “popping the big question,” but once that big question is out of the way, another rears its moneygrubbing head – “How much will it cost?”

First on the list of things that cost a ridiculous amount of money, the ring. Now, I happen to be of the opinion that engagement rings are nice, but a redundant and useless idea that we only conform to because it is the norm. But, I’m also not a complete fool and did not propose with an empty hand, lest my asking for her hand in marriage would end with her not giving me her hand, but rather a single, raised finger.

I learned much about diamonds and rings in my research on the matter, though what I learned most was that I could have purchased an almost new car for the same price.

But with the impending wedding costs, little did I know that my bank account was about to go down faster than a ring-less proposal.

When the ring was purchased, and thus the first wedding punch to the wallet was complete, on comes the cost of the wedding venue, which as far as I can tell, costs about as much as a 30-year mortgage.

Finding a venue is a delicate mix of finding a building that is user-friendly, beautiful,

JOE PARKER

Appen Intern news@appenmedia group.com

well-decorated without being gaudy, has enough space for people to move freely yet is still intimate, has a big dance floor, proper accommodations, catering options, a DJ, plenty of parking, a bar, plenty of bathrooms, is handicap accessible and on and on and on. Well, that is the kind of venue my fiancé is looking for. So far, my only questions on venues has been, “Do they have a bar?” and “How much does it cost?”

The quick answer to the latter question – “A lot.” Slap the term “wedding” on anything from a venue to a tablecloth and the price will escalate tenfold. A nice candlelit centerpiece? $450. Colored drapes to hang over the chairs? $450. Using the resident DJ? $450. In fact, I’ve found that everything you can add to a reception is $450. It wouldn’t surprise me if they charged $450 to have toilet paper in the bathroom.

It has been very difficult finding a venue that can not only accommodate my fiancé’s novella of requirements, but also one that won’t force me to sell my body to science to pay for it.

I could use that open bar now.

OPINION

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Please no more animals!

The Internet is a strange and complex place. It is a place where a photo of a dress can spark heated debates over just what its color is – blue and black, or white and gold? But it’s also a place largely divided into two portions – pornography and cute animals.

It’s the cute animals that get me into trouble.

The Missus loves animals.

Cats (“kitties!”), dogs (“puppies!”), rabbits (“bunnies!”), hamsters (“hammies?”) and so on are constantly being squealed in our home whenever she sees pictures of them. Or videos of them. Or sees them outside. Or thinks about them. Or whenever.

We already have a cat and a dog. That’s enough for me, thanks. But she wants more.

Always more.

JONATHAN COPSEY

Revue & News Editor jonathan@appenmedia group.com

And the Internet gives her a great place to find more.

Always, there are photos of cute animals at hand, often from shelters or adoption centers, and I’m fairly certain I have seen most of them at one point thanks to Her. Cat playing the piano? I’ve seen it. Dog running in its sleep? Watched it. Did I know a group of rabbits is called a “fluffle?” I do now. Llamas running down a highway? I guess that’s cute?

I’m certain this is all part of a plan to wear me down to

just give in. She hopes I will see the perfect video and say, “Well, OK. We can get a XX.” That’s not going to happen.

Don’t get me wrong – if I wanted another animal, our first stop would be a shelter. All animals deserve a home, is my belief. There are plenty of great shelters that are chock-full of animals waiting for someone to love them. And I would encourage anyone looking for an animal to make their first stop at a shelter.

The problem is that I don’t really want another animal.

We have two and they are plenty, I think.

But there’s always room for more, isn’t there? At least in her mind.

But try telling her otherwise. I dare you.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR »

Business thanks community after devastating fire It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since our pediatric medical office on Crabapple Road was destroyed by fire. We would like to take this opportunity to thank so many people affected by this tragedy. Our deepest thanks are extended to the Milton and Alpharetta Fire Departments who responded quickly and worked together to douse the flames. It was a bitter cold night and they worked relentlessly to control the fire. Accordingly, our ground floor suite sustained significant smoke and water damage but we were able to salvage many items such as artwork, medical equipment and file cabinets containing years of information.

The firemen remained on the scene the following day and assisted us with removing computers containing patient health records and other sensitive documents. Due to our sophisticated electronic health record system and our backup system, we were able to see patients the day of the fire with absolutely no loss of patients’ medical records and no disruption to delivering medical care.

There are no words to adequately thank these men for their service to us on that day.

We would also like to thank the many pediatric offices, dental offices, pharmaceutical

See FIRE, Page 37

CTRL + ALT + TEACH Technology in education While I may be young, I do remember a time before almost every household had a computer. Granted, I was around 8 when my family got our first computer.

Growing up, the Internet and personal computers were just becoming mainstream in the daily lives of Americans.

People in my generation are sometimes called digital natives, and that’s pretty fitting.

Most adults in our lives didn’t have much experience with the World Wide Web, so we had to be self-taught. If we wanted to add the latest Britney Spears song to our Myspace profiles, we had to learn a little bit of HTML code. And yes, I do remember the beautiful music

KATHLEEN STURGEON Forsyth Herald Reporter kathleen@appen mediagroup.com

and hour-long wait when you would log into AOL. But even though I’m a millennial, I still am amazed every time I walk into a school and see a classroom full of elementary students all using their own digital device for an activity.

A few weeks ago, Forsyth County Schools announced their finalists for Teacher of the Year. When the elementary teacher was taking pictures with her class, one student pulled out his iPad to take a class selfie.

It’s exciting how kids get to grow up with technology in their schools and use it in everyday lessons.

My mom is an elementary school librarian, but their job description recently changed to include more technology instruction. She has used this as a chance to learn as much as she can about apps and Web tools for her students. Sometimes, she teaches me a thing or two.

I wish we could have used this technology when I was growing up. It seems to be so helpful for students to really grasp concepts and demonstrate what they learned.

I know my generation can sometimes get a bad reputation for always being plugged into our digital devices, but sometimes technology can be an effective tool – and one of those places is in the class-

room.

There are thousands of free or low cost apps, websites, blogs, vlogs (video blogs) and software for students, which is pretty cool to think about.

My cousin just turned 3 and when I visit her and have my phone out, she takes it

from me and starts playing games. She too also loves to take selfies with me.

She is fearless when it comes to technology.

If we don’t all start to embrace a future with technology, we will soon be as obsolete as the floppy disk.

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

SCHOOLS

revueandnews.com | Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 9

The cast of “The Drowsy Chaperone” is pictured in costume.

Alpharetta High presents ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School will present a parody of Jazz Age musical comedy, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” in March.

The show centers around a fan of musical comedies known only as “the man in the chair,” as he listens to a recording of the fictional 1928 blockbuster hit, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” to which he adds amusing comments.

Shown first in Toronto in 1998 and opening on Broadway in 2006, “The Drowsy Chaperone” has won five Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards.

The family-friendly show is suitable for all ages and will be Alpharetta High School’s submission for the Georgia High School Musical Theater Shuler Hensley Awards.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” will be presented March 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and March 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. at Alpharetta High School, 3595 Webb Bridge Road. Tickets are $10.

For more information, email gayd@fultonschools.org.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.seatyourself.biz/alphaproductions.

—Adam Barth

If you go What: : Alpharetta High presents “The Drowsy Chaperone” When: March 13 – 14, 20 – 21 at 7 p.m. and March 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta High School, 3595 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005 Cost: $10 More Info: gayd@fultonschools.org

Manning Oak ES holds kindergarten orientation ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Manning Oaks Elementary will hold a kindergarten orientation for students entering kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year on Mar. 11 from 8:30-10 a.m. The orientation will take place in the school’s cafeteria.

Students and parents will tour the school and kindergarten classes, board the school busses and learn about the kindergarten curriculum with teachers and staff.

—Jonathan Copsey

10 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News

Time capsule buried at Roswell’s city hall ROSWELL, Ga. - The City of Roswell’s time capsule is officially buried at the foot of the steps at City Hall. The time capsule was created in conjunction with the City’s Sesquicentennial Celebration held during 2004 and 2005 and has been sealed by the manufacturer to ensure its contents are safe until 2055 when it will be opened.

On Feb. 10, 2015, Councilmember Betty Price organized a group photo at the time capsule location to commemorate the time capsule’s burial.

There is a plaque that now rests above it with the names of the many volunteers who served on the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee.

During the Sesquicentennial Celebration, three young children of a local Roswell family became very engaged with the yearlong event and were particularly fascinated by the time capsule.

“Those young people who had the prescience to participate in the collection of items for the time capsule will enjoy counting the years until it is opened during Roswell’s Bicentennial Celebration, and then

share reflections over all that was preserved in 2005, long before they became the leaders and keepers of Roswell’s story in the second half of the 21st century,” said Price.

The capsule itself is a simple metal box measuring 14” long by 14” wide by 30” deep. Items were collected throughout the course of the celebration to be included in it. Things such as a light pole banner; the quarterly Sesquicentennial newspapers produced with history and events information; memorabilia such as the ball caps, coffee mugs and lapel pins; event invitations and programs plus more.

There are also numerous documents, photos and other items included which were collected from city departments to reflect what they were involved with at the time the capsule was created.

All of the materials had to be archivally prepared before being placed in the capsule.

Elaine DeNiro, Archivist of the Roswell Historical Society did the preparation.

“The material in the capsule was to provide a snapshot of the City of Roswell as it cele-

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Sesquicentennial Steering Committee members and Roswell elected officials presided over the burial of the city’s time capsule. They are, from left, Dotty Etris, Alan Motter, Beverly Burke, Mayor Jere Wood, Councilmember Betty Price, Councilmember Jerry Orlans, Morgan Timmis, Councilmember Kent Igleheart and Mary Lynch. brated the 150th anniversary,” DeNiro said “Since technology changes so quickly, donations of material in electronic formats were not encouraged.”

Once the capsule was filled it was then returned to the manufacturer to be sealed closed with a professional

weld. It was then returned to the city for burial.

Mary Lynch was a member of the committee.

“It was an honor to serve, and very meaningful to me, to be on the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee for this exciting celebration in the his-

tory of Roswell,” Lynch said.

“Being a part of the committee that selected the logo, planned the events and much more was a lot of fun. Hopefully, our grandchildren will be here for our Bicentennial Celebration when the time capsule is opened.”

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12 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News

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CLAYTON CAMERACRAFT

Alpharetta Officer John Robinson wrested a weapon from a man during an argument. Robinson was presented with the Alpharetta Lifesaving Medal for his actions.

Officer credited for saving a life Quick action prevented possible suicide attempt ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta praised one of its own Jan. 30 for breaking up an argument and saving a man’s life.

On Aug. 25, 2014, Officer John Robinson responded to the scene of a domestic disturbance.

Upon arrival, he discovered a two men and a woman struggling inside a vehicle.

When the officer approached the automobile, Robinson saw one of the men pointing a rifle at

him. Robinson quickly moved aside, grabbed the rifle and pushed it against the side of the vehicle.

The woman told Robinson the man was trying to kill himself. Both Robinson and the other man struggled over the rifle until other police units arrived on scene. At that point, the suspect/victim was taken from the vehicle and the rifle was secured.

The man was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation.

The actions taken by Robinson directly led to saving a life. Alpharetta Public Safety Director Gary D. George awarded Robinson with the Lifesaving Medal.

Roswell Historical Society hosts scavenger hunt ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell Historical Society will host its second annual digital scavenger hunt on March 21. Teams will race through the city searching for clues, answering questions about Roswell’s history and posing for photos at key locations.

The race begins at noon at the Roswell Conventions and Visitors Bureau (617 Atlanta St.) and ends promptly at 3 p.m. at Mac McGee for

scoring and the awarding of prizes. Appetizers will be offered at the restaurant, and all participants will be given a 15 percent discount on food.

Entry is $15 per person.

Children aged 10 and under are $10. Teams are capped at six members.

For more information, email SocietyRHS@bellsouth. net or call 770-992-1665.

–Adam Barth

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Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 13 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Free Wheelchair Mission opens Alpharetta doors Nonprofit gives mobility to poor

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – We tend to take mobility for granted.

Those who cannot walk on their own at least have something – such as a wheelchair – to get about.

For millions of people around the world, such a basic accommodation is out of reach.

“The need for wheelchairs in the developing world is staggering,” said Stuart Rattray, a board member of Free Wheelchair Mission, a Californiabased nonprofit dedicated to helping get wheelchairs to people in need throughout the world.

There are 100 million people with disabilities in the developing world who live in such poverty they cannot afford wheelchairs to move.

Poverty, disease and conflict, along with a lack of medical care, are the primary causes of disability. While a broken bone in Atlanta is an easy fix, in rural Africa, it can mean a lifetime disability and no work.

The founder of FWM, Don Schoendorfer, came upon the idea while traveling in Morocco. There, he saw a woman dragging herself across a busy highway. Using his training from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an engineer, Schoendorfer designed a cheap yet effective wheelchair that costs less than $80 to make.

Many countries and cultures discriminate against those with disabilities, Rattray said. The wheelchairs are designed for poor, developing nations. The chair is simple and the wheels are essentially bike wheels. Since so much of the world uses bicycles, replacement parts should be cheap and easy to come by.

From this, the nonprofit Free Wheelchair Mission was formed.

Since 2001, FWM has given away 822,000 wheelchairs in 91 countries. Rattray said he expects the nonprofit to reach 1 million chairs by next year.

“This is not just a transac-

tion but a transformation,” said Rattray.

Because of the wheelchair, children who otherwise would be left at home can go to school; adults can find work.

“It doesn’t just affect the individual but the whole family,” he said.

At an event Feb. 26 at Top Golf, Rattray and Free Wheelchair Mission formally opened their new Southeastern office in Alpharetta.

Resident Cristi Wells has brought the nonprofit to the Atlanta area, specifically Alpharetta.

“I’m proud to bring this to the community,” Wells said.

“This is a great place to put a group that is expanding nationally. The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to make a difference, not just locally but worldwide.”

“No one should have to crawl,” Rattray said.

To learn more about Free Wheelchair Mission, visit them online at freewheelchairmission.org.

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Officials open the new Southeast Headquarters of the nonprofit Free Wheelchair Mission in Alpharetta Feb. 26 at Top Golf. Cristi Wells and Stuart Rattray, center, cut the ribbon to formally open the location at an event at Top Golf.

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14 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News

COMMUNITY

Milton student receives Girl Scout’s Gold Award Created club to address student’s emotional problems MILTON, Ga. - Milton High senior Sarah Verhoff has received the Girl Scout’s Gold Award, girl scouting’s highest honor, Feb. 22 for her creation of the Friends to Friends Club at the school.

After three suicides at the school, Verhoff created the Friends to Friends Club in 2013 to help students gain self-confidence, companionship and to help the local community.

Students are encouraged to sit with classmates who are alone in the lunchroom, make new friends and encourage their fellow students. Verhoff stated that students may not feel comfortable talking to an adult about their problems, but they are much more open to discussing those matters with classmates and friends.

“No one in the school should not have a friend,” she said last year when her club was formed. “I don’t want anyone feeling worthless.”

The club has also collected toys and winter coats as well as hosted a Friendship Day. On receiving the Gold Award for her work with the club, Verhoff stated, “My leadership skills have grown so much from doing this project by teaching me how to deal with situations, both good and bad, and to always have a back-

up plan. I can overcome any problems with determination and hard work.”

Verhoff received her Gold Award in a ceremony at the Fox Theatre.

-Joe Parker

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Shave your head for a cause St. Baldrick’s raises money for childhood cancer ROSWELL, Ga. -- Tanya ConnollyWalsh’s son was just 6-weeks old when he was diagnosed with cancer.

“I’ll never forget that date – March 17,” said Connolly-Walsh. Her son, Keelin, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma 10 years ago. He has been cancer free for seven years. For this reason, Connolly-Walsh has supported childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. She helps host an annual fundraiser at the Harp Irish Pub in Roswell, which is owned by her father, Ray Connolly. This year’s family-friendly fundraiser will be held Sunday, March 8, from 1-5 p.m.

Each year, the fundraiser at the Harp continues to grow. Since 2007, the fundraiser at the Harp– which invites attendees to shave their heads to raise money for St. Baldrick’s – has raised more than $387,000 for childhood cancer research.

“Monies raised for St. Baldrick’s are primarily raised through head shaving events throughout the U.S. and more than 28 countries,” said Ray Connolly. “These head shaving events are all based on bringing together volunteers, families and friends to shave their heads in solidarity for children who typically lose their hair during cancer treatments. This is our way of giving back to the community that we care about and bringing attention to this cause.”

Fundraiser participants volun-

If you go What: St. Baldrick’s When: 1-5 p.m. March 8 Where: The Harp Irish Pub, 1425 Market Blvd, Suite 1330, Roswell More Info: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/ teer their time; the kids help fold Tshirts, the barbers volunteer to shave the heads and of course, the emcee inspires everyone in the room with jokes and laughter, plus encouraging all those submitting their heads to be shaved, both young and old.

“We are so happy to have the support of members of the Roswell Fire Department and their fellow brothers and sisters from other cities who come out and get their heads shaved, all while raising money for St. Baldrick’s,” said Connolly-Walsh. Walsh said the group “Team Spider Monkey,” who has raised more than $130,000 for St. Baldrick’s since 2008, is returning again this year to inspire others to get involved. The community is invited to attend the event. The Harp Irish Pub is located at 1425 Market Blvd, Suite 1330, Roswell, GA 30076 . For more information or to make a donation, visit https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/753702/2015.

—Jonathan Copsey

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Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 15 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Grammy winner Ed Gerhard returns for Six String concert

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

If you go

ROSWELL, Ga. – Guitarist Ed Gerhard is on the concert trail again, making his way from Japan to Italy to play for the fans of his unique style of play.

“His music is some of the most melodic you’ll ever hear,” said Eddie Mathis, founder/promoter of the Six String Social Club. “It just washes over you. You feel the music as much as hear it.”

Gerhard stands out among instrumental performers with virtuosity and gentle humor.

He is best known for his revival of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar popularized by swing bands in the 1930s and later by country music artists.

“He brings signature interpretations to songs using the Weissborn lap steel guitar that is still sought after today by musicians. The Weissborn is the Stradivarius of the lap guitar. It has the best sound, and there were only about 5,000 ever made by Weissborn,” Mathis said.

“He’s made it relevant again,” he said. As far as genre, Gerhard is somewhat eclectic. He is equally at home with New Age, Folk, Gospel and the Beatles.

“His ‘A Closer Walk with Thee’ is just haunting,” Mathis said.

His new CD “Then and Gone” features original music as well as intriguing covers of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” a stunning arrangement of “Imag-

What: Ed Gerhard in Concert When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14 Where: Woodstock Community Church, 237 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 30188 Cost: Advance: $30/$35 at door More Info: sixstringsocialclub.com or 770-365-7738

ine/Across the Universe” and a concert favorite on the Weissborn, “Killing the Blues.”

Andy Ellis of Premier Guitar Magazine said of his performances “... some of the richest steel-string sound you’ve ever heard.” Gerhard has been awarded a Grammy for his inclusion on the CD “Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar” for his arrangement and performance of “Moon River.”

He has also received a Boston Globe Critics’ Pick in its Top Ten Albums of the Year, while Acoustic Guitar Magazine writes “...his recordings and live performances have established him as one of the most exciting of the guitarcomposers.”

Ken Burns featured his music in his documentary “Mark Twain” and “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

E 5 OR 201 T S RE ARCH E TH S M EN OP

Ed Gerhard has won worldwide fans for his unique guitar style. He is making his 10th Six String concert stop, much to the delight of his local fans.

R O S W E L L DA N C E T H E AT R E Tolbert-Yilmaz School of Dance Presents

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16 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

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Johns Creek Business District breaks mold for revitalization

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek’s plan to designate a 25acre site near Medlock Bridge and McGinnis Ferry roads as a business district runs counter to recent efforts by cities to grow their economies.

Over the past 20 years, north metro Atlanta cities have shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild areas in an effort to draw visitors, businesses and economic prosperity.

Nearly all started the process with plans for a new city hall.

But Johns Creek is keeping its focus on business, a commodity it is sadly lacking compared to most of its neighbors.

Commercial real estate makes up a paltry 19 percent of the city’s property tax base, placing the bulk of the tax burden on homeowners.

And with growing needs for revenue, a new city hall is the least of Johns Creek’s worries.

“We’ll take a spot as a lead tenant in a 75,000-square-foot building a developer wants to build,” said City Manager Warren Hutmacher. “The idea

Correction A recent item in the business briefs carried an incorrect spelling of the new marketing coordinator for Harry Norman Realtors Forsyth/Lake Lanier office. His name is Jeff Bucchino.

Residents pack City Hall to begin the discussions of what the community would like to see in The District. is not to build a sprawling 20acre campus where none of the land is taxable.”

By contrast, Sandy Springs, which was founded 10 years ago as the poster child for smaller government, is spending tens of millions of dollars to build a city center along Roswell Road. Proponents argue the project, which includes a city hall that may double as a meeting center, will spur an economic boom that will spiral outward and nourish civic pride.

Alpharetta is in the midst of a $30-million project that includes a new city hall with a parking deck, retail shops and green space on its Main Street.

Sugar Hill continues work on the commercial elements of its revamped downtown with its new $8.5 million city hall.

From Smyrna to Suwanee, the message has been the same, a government complex is a magnet for business.

But Johns Creek is taking a different tack.

“Land in the district is not sufficiently utilized, so we’ve got capacity for more growth, more development in that area to raise more revenue,” Hutmacher said. “If you can generate more money from this potential business district, you can pop that money into other residential areas in the city and let the residents benefit from the

commercial growth.”

It’s up to the city to capitalize on the growing job market that has most recently been creeping from Atlanta to the northern suburbs, Hutmacher said.

“The goal from the city’s standpoint is to make these improvements in a measured and successful way without creating more traffic that’s going to be a nuisance for the rest of the community,” Hutmacher said.

The new business district plan is still in the planning stages, but civic groups and business leaders have already participated in a series of informational presentations to learn

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

more about it.

Johns Creek Chamber President John Bemont said those he’s spoken within the business community are excited about the prospect of a well-planned area where commercial growth is fostered.

“Any time you plan things out in an area where development makes sense, rather than random expansion, it’s good,” Bemont said. “It’s going to be more opportunity.”

Most chamber members, he said, are anxious to see what comes out of the planning sessions.

“I’m still learning a lot about it,” he said.

BusinessPosts

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

Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 17

More big, bold ideas Building and managing to usher in prosperity your sales pipeline Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of excerpts from Frank Norton Jr.’s “Norton Native Intelligence Report for 2015.” The report, which reflects and synthesizes the views from more than 500 individuals surveyed and economic vital signs recorded, has been used to chart the North Georgia economy and real estate for more than 25 years.

We’ve been speaking of “big, bold, bodacious ideas” that we proposed in our annual Native Intelligence Report for 2015.

Here are a couple more: Progressive preservation What makes a community great? With the surge of growth anticipated by our gorilla “Atlanta” and her twin sister “Gwinnett” over the next 40 years, how does a community like North Georgia preserve (save) its soul?

Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once said “about pornography, I don’t know what it is but I know it when I see it.” The same is true for the soul of a community – hard to explain but you know it when you see it…when you feel it… magical, inspirational and aspirational.

The character of a community is manifested in its architecture, the context of preservation of its people and their welcoming arms and attitude.

It’s the sense of place. More than festivities and parades, it’s a community giving heart as demonstrated when a side of Clarkesville’s square burns to the ground or a church mobilizes for a lost child.

Our bold challenge is to preserve our heritage, bottle that North Georgia spirit before it’s too late. Through some vehicle like the North Georgia Community Foundation, you can create a Heritage Com-

W o m e n

FRANK NORTON JR. CEO and Chairman The Norton Agency

They say that future wars will not be fought over religion or politics, but over food and water. munity Fund to preserve and protect landmark properties.

Through some sort of alliance, you can bring together a variety of organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and give them training and resources that prepare them for growth and expand their reach and develop their clout.

Self-sufficiency The recent successful SPLOST transportation referendum in Forsyth County got us thinking, “Could we do the same for water?”

Forsyth County, pressured by the bottleneck congestion and on the precipice of a population explosion, placed on the November ballot a comprehensive transportation package: surface roads, interchanges, cross county arterial access roads, even widening Ga. 400 through their county. The

county knew that congestion would strangle the local economy, its tax base and Forsyth’s quality of life.

Lack of water could do the same thing. Yes, we have Lake Lanier but Atlanta claims it, as do Alabama and Florida. While the lawsuits make their way to the Supreme Court, we cannot be like Nero and fiddle while Rome burns. We are liable to have no water to put it out.

They say that future wars will not be fought over religion or politics, but over food and water.

Lumpkin took the bold step some years ago creating the Yahoola Creek Reservoir.

Hall County is in design of an 850-acre reservoir at the Glade Farm, but much more is needed. With limited surface water but abundant rainfall, our control of water and control over our destiny has been limited to running waterlines, not building storage basins.

While a hurdle may be environmental, regulatory permitting and the crazy governmental maze to get a permit, the bigger hurdle will be land.

Norton Native Intelligence forecasts that the large reservoir quality of privately held land tracts will disappear in the next 20 years. Smaller ones may still be around but the larger non-public forest land tracts will be developed or economically out of reach.

Communities like Jackson, Forsyth, Dawson, Cherokee, Pickens, Barrow and Walton will find themselves scrambling for water by 2030 if they don’t take some preventative action now.

You plant a tree today to cast shade on future generations; it’s the same for water.

It’s time to plant water trees for future generations of thirsty North Georgians and take full control of our future.

W h o

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have the budget to pay for it.

Managing your sales pipeline requires that you allocate time to all “segments” of your pipeline. In other words, how much time are you spending generating new leads, qualifying opportunities and closing business? Additionally, knowing how many leads it takes to identify a qualified opportunity and how many qualified opportunities result in closed business will help prioritize your time.

The end game for revenue growth is always sales, but there is a lot of activity that precedes a sale. Managing your activity while building your sales pipeline will help you to maximize your sales efforts.

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Building your sales pipeline starts by evaluating the potential customers you can sell to. This can be either existing clients or new customers that have the potential to do business with you, often referred to as “suspects.” A suspect becomes a “prospect” when you have assessed and confirmed there is an opportunity to do business with them. While prospects may have the need for your product or service, they may not be qualified to buy. They may also benefit from using your product or service, but not

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18 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News

GRAND OPENING »

BusinessBriefs ment with the company.

During his time heading Intergraph, from 2003 to 2011, Wise grew revenue from $525 million to $850 million. Based on his performance, Wise was selected as Ernst & Young’s 2010 Entrepreneur of Year in the technology category for Georgia/Tennessee/Alabama.

POH announces new senior associates REI celebrates grand opening of new Alpharetta store ALPHARETTA, Ga. – REI will celebrate the grand opening of its Alpharetta store with co-op members and the local community from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8. The store will be at Mansell Crossing at 7531 North Point Parkway.

Activities scheduled throughout the weekend include: Shop Early, Get a Gift – The first 200 people (age 18 and older) who visit the store each day will receive a limited-edition CamelBak water bottle with a $10, $50 or $100 REI promotional card.

Fuel Up – Early birds can enjoy a free continental breakfast throughout the weekend one hour before the store opens.

Win Great Products – Members and customers can enter to win gear sweepstakes packages from Coleman, Eno and REI. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

PEOPLE »

Wise assumes top post at medical technology firm ALPHARETTA, Ga. – R. Halsey Wise has been appointed chairman and chief executive officer of MedAssets, replacing company founder John A. Bardis. Wise, a former chairman and CEO of Intergraph Corporation, joined MedAssets board of directors in March 2014.

Bardis will remain on the MedAssets board of directors until the next annual stockholders’ meeting.

He has entered into a multi-year consulting agree-

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects has announced three new senior associates: Gary Hightower, Earl Smith and Laurie Walters.

Hightower has HIGHTOWER SMITH been with POH for over 14 years. He serves as a project manager on a wide variety of project types including correctional, ecclesiastical and justice facilities.

Smith celebrated 30 years of dedicated service to POH last year.

He serves as a senior project manager and has worked on several of the firm’s most significant projects WALTERS including the Riverside EpiCenter and the Cobb County Superior Courthouse.

Walters has been with POH for over 17 years.

In addition to her role as marketing manager, she has made major contributions on the education and employee relations committees.

Johns Creek agent Maura Neill receives President’s Award ATLANTA – Johns Creek real estate agent Maura Neill was awarded the 2014 President’s Award by Atlanta Board of Realtors President Todd Emerson at the annual business meeting and awards breakfast recently.

The award recipient is personally selected by the president and is given to the member for outstandNEILL ing service and contributions to the board, going far beyond any particular assignment.

Neill was recognized for her dedication and sharing of her time and experience with others.

In addition to being a top-producing real estate agent with Re/Max Around Atlanta, Neill is a volunteer and served as chair of the professional development committee for the Atlanta Board of Realtors for 2014. She was also sworn-in as a member of the board of directors for 2015-2017 and serves on various committees with the Georgia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, as well as serving as a national real estate instructor for NAR and the Real Estate Buyer Agent Council.

HEALTHCARE »

Jackson Healthcare named ATL’s healthiest large employer ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Jackson Healthcare was named Atlanta’s Healthiest Large Employer at an awards breakfast presented by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in partnership with Healthiest Employers, which recognizes companies that succeed in promoting wellness in their workplace.

“Our mission is to improve the lives of everyone we touch,” said R. Shane Jackson, president of Jackson Healthcare. “This means creating a culture that values associates and works hard to provide each and every one with an environment in which they can thrive.”

Submit your business news & photos to businessnews@appenmediagroup.com Live Well, Jackson’s wellness initiative, begins on the first day for each associate with a health risk assessment. Jackson offers associates a free on-site clinic, health club and in-house café and hosts wellness rallies and fitness challenges throughout the year.

BUSINESS »

FirstLight launches program to assist local seniors ROSWELL, Ga. — FirstLight HomeCare, a provider of non-medical, inhome care for adults, has launched Spring Assist, a program to prevent seniors from falling by offering to change smoke detectors batteries for free this spring.

The program is open to the first 200 seniors requesting the service.

“We look at Spring Assist as an opportunity to help seniors by reducing their fall risk while keeping up with basic housekeeping such as changing the smoke detector batteries,” said FirstLight owner Jeff Duren.

To register for the program, call 770-580-0102 or email to jduren@firstlighthomecare.com.

In addition to light housekeeping, FirstLight HomeCare services include bathing and hygiene, walking and mobility assistance, continence and toileting assistance and live-in services.

Intelliverse expands partner program ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Intelliverse, a global leader in sales accelerated solutions, announced the expansion of its partner program, which enables sales consultants, sales trainers and cloud software consultants to bring Intelliverse’s managed services and sales acceleration software to clients in all market segments.

“Intelliverse’s mantra is simple – deliver industryleading solutions that bring qualified prospects to our clients. All of our offerings are based SEAN GORDON solidly on sales enablement strate- Intelliverse chief executive officer and president. gies, so we have found that sales consultants, sales trainers and cloud consultants are a natural fit for partnership,” said Sean Gordon, Intelliverse chief executive officer and president.

A partnership with Intelliverse enables consultants to be part of the $40 billion CRM software market and leverage Intelliverse’s research and development in sales acceleration.

Partners can earn up to 35 percent of recurring monthly revenue for the duration of the customer relationship.

All of our offerings are based solidly on sales enablement strategies, so we have found that sales consultants, sales trainers and cloud consultants are a natural fit for partnership.”

28 15,event 2013online | Forsyth Herald | forsytherald.com | May Submit your at revueandnews.com

CALENDAR

Submit your event online| at forsythherald.com Revue & News March 5, 2015 | 19

Send

EDITOR’S PICKS

me your event...

Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to calendar@northfulton.com.

For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.

MUSIC:

THEATER:

SHANNON WEAVER

INTERNATIONAL

Calendar Editor WOMEN’S DAY MOVIE calendar@ appenmediagroup.com The movie “Iron Jawed Angels”

portrays young activists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns who risked their lives to help American women win the right to vote at the Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road in Cumming. Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Anita Tucker at anita.h.tucker@ gmail.com for more info.

SHAMROCKIN FOR A CURE

Come eat, drink and help cure Cystic Fibrosis with a night filled with music that will rock the stage at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway in Alpharetta. Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $85. Visit awesomealpharetta.com for more info.

GUYS AND DOLLS

“Guys and Dolls” presented by Forsyth Central Stage at Forsyth Central High School, 520 Tribble Gap Road in Cumming.

Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

Visit forsythcentralstage.com for more info.

EVENTS:

HABITAT VOLUNTEERING

JERRY FINNEGAN’S SISTER VIRTUOSO STRINGS

Who: Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra What: This wide-ranging program features repertoire from Bach and Bartok to Tchaikovsky and Copland.

Where: Johns Creek High School, 5575 State Bridge Road When: March 7 at 8 p.m.

Cost: Adults $30, Seniors $25, Students $15.

Web: johnscreeksymphony.org

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT AT

What: Presented by Act 1 Theater Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street When: Friday, March 6 at 8 p.m.

Cost: $15 adults, $12 children and seniors Web: act1theater.com

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

What: Fellowship Christian School presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Where: Fellowship Christian School, 10965 Woodstock Road in Roswell When: Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14 Cost: $10 Contact: 770-993-1650 Web: fcspaladins.org/news_resources

ONE ENCHANTED EVENING

What: Who says prom is just for highschoolers? All adults are invited to slip into their fanciest attire and dance the night away at “One Enchanted Evening.”

Where: Roswell Adult Recreation Center is located at 830 Grimes Bridge Road in Roswell When: Friday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $30 for individuals, $55 per couple $11 for dance only Web: http://thecurrentplus. com/2015/02/one-enchanted-evening

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore needs volunteers at 11060 Alpharetta Highway in Roswell. March 3 through March 20, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (except Sundays) Email mrobeck@ habitat.org or call 770-415-1636 for more info Northeast When: March 7 Hours: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Cost: $175 a ticket, $300 for couples Web: fostercares.org

FOOTNOTES DANCE SHOWCASE

What: Come to the 4th Annual Dance Showcase featuring 65 talented young dancers performing various styles including jazz, lyrical, hip-hop and tap.

Where: Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend in Milton When: Saturday, March 7 Hours: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Cost: $15 advanced purchase Web: footnotesdance.net

“FOSTEROPOLY” ALL KIDS COUNT GALA

What: Monopoly-themed, annual “All Kids Count” Gala brings hundreds of guests together in an effort to raise supporting funds for foster and displaced children in foster care homes. Dining and entertainment, complete with open bar, both live and silent auctions to help our cause.

Black tie optional.

Where: the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, 3300 Peachtree Road

BOOK SALE

What: Gently used books and media for all ages for sale at great prices.

Where: Northeast Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road in Johns Creek When: March 6 through 8 Contact: 770-360-8820 or karen. swenson@fultoncountyga.gov

20 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

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North Atlanta’s

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Sponsored Section • Revue & News | March 5, 2015

News and advertising for new homes, realtors, developers, commercial properties and more.

Find the perfect neighborhood

By Bill Rawlings Vice President/Managing Broker, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty Before you begin the search for the perfect home, take time to scout out neighborhoods. Selecting the right neighborhood plays a critical component in your everyday life. Take into consideration the factors most important to you – do you want to walk to the park? Have a short commute to the office? Reside in an award-winning school district? Enjoy easy access to shopping and restaurants?

You can begin the process from the comfort of your home by visiting AtlantaFineHomes.com/videos and clicking on the ‘Community Profiles’ tab. Our ‘Live the Life’ video series showcases more than 50 of Metro Atlanta’s most popular cities, neighborhoods, areas and communities. The videos provide insight on pricing, home styles, community events, surrounding schools and nearby shopping and dining. Once you have your short list of possibilities, hop in your car and drive around to determine what neighborhoods appeal to you.

Explore the area and consider talking to residents who are out and about. Give consideration to the appearance of the homes in the neighborhood, noting if they are well maintained and nicely landscaped.

RAWLINGS Our Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty agents are experts in the field and their familiarity with all the neighborhoods in the area can help guide you in making the right decision.

You benefit from an agent’s expertise and intimate knowledge of the schools, crime and home values. Every neighborhood has its strengths and weaknesses and a REALTOR® can assist you in determining the most important factors to consider.

School districts Even if you do not have children, buying a home in an award-winning school district will be in your best interest. If and when you sell in the future, neighborhoods with great schools are

often a top priority for homebuyers.

There are several sites on the Internet in which school reports based on geographical area and zip code are just a few mouse clicks away.

Do your due diligence: • Ask your REALTOR® to share school information.

• Talk to people in the neighborhood, especially people with children.

• View standardized test scores (available on the Internet).

• If you have children, visit the schools and take a tour to form your own opinion.

Crime statistics No matter where you live, you cannot escape crime. Although the suburbs generally have lower crime statistics, you may have to drive a little further to the store or to work. Living in a city may offer more convenience, but often you will find a higher crime rate. Homestore is a website where you can search for crime data by city or zip code.

• Research crime statistics: • Talk to neighbors.

• Talk to the police or sheriff’s department.

• Keep an open mind. If you are gravitating toward living in the hustle and bustle, you may not be able to get away from everything you consider unappealing, such as noise and traffic.

Think about now – and the future There are a multitude of components to consider before buying a home.

Envision your current needs and factor in what may be of greater importance five to 10 years down the road.

The community and neighborhood you select become an integral part of your identity.

With spring finally on the horizon, make your ultimate neighborhood wish list so you are ready to hit the ground running.

At Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, we are dedicated to providing you with an exceptional experience throughout the buying and selling process.

If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Article adapted from Realty Times.

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In the Atlanta division, on accepted purchase agreements on homes that are signed between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015 are eligible to receive $15,000 in Flex Cash; can be used towards MyStyle® Design Center Options and/or closing costs when using RMC Mortgage® and/or lot premiums, finished basement, etc. Incentive offer does not apply to contracts written prior to January 1, 2015. The following communities are excluded from the $15,000 incentive, Bethany Crossing, Bridleton, ManorView and Marketplace Commons. Individual promotions may vary by community. Certain included features may not be available on all plans. Value of package, and products, may vary by community and plan. Homes already under contract prior to this offer are not eligible. Plus for New to-be built homes, buyer eligible to receive up to $5,000 toward closing costs. Individual incentives may vary by community. Closing cost assistance available from Ryland Homes to those financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and closing with a closing attorney selected by Ryland. Amount of closing cost assistance may vary by product and community, and is subject to applicable contribution limitations. For all financing promotions, see a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. RMC Mortgage® Corporation is located at 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022 and is a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, license number 24225 and NMLS number 203897. Buyers also eligible to receive Waived 1% Origination Fee through RMC Mortgage®; average value of $4,000 which is based on a $400,000 loan amount. The waived origination fee through RMC Mortgage® Corporation is subject to cancellation or change without notice. Buyers must make a loan application by January 31, 2014 with RMC Mortgage® Corporation (NMLS# 203897) a Georgia Residential Mortgage Lender Licensee #24225. *Buyers must also close with RMC Mortgage® Corporation. Please contact your RMC Mortgage® Corporation Representative for exact quotes. Prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Ryland reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion or incentives. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. See a Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions and offer limitations. © 2015 The Ryland Group, Inc.

Revue & News | revueandnews.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Many millennials may be surprised to learn just how easily they can own their own homes.

Millennial Mortgage Myths Debunked: A New Light On Homeownership (NAPSI)—The American Dream may have looked like more of a nightmare to the millions of millennials who entered the workforce in recent years—but there could be good news.

This generation, born between 1981 and the early 2000s, has a desire to pursue passion over traditional expectations. Dreams of white picket fences have been replaced by a strong desire to invest in the future. This shift, however, means many millennials pay rent instead of a mortgage.

“Millennials have been swayed to believe that homeownership means a financial burden and stress,” said mortgage lender Joel Gurman. “The reality is our current housing market, paired with the financial opportunities made possible by generationally low interest rates, have opened up homeownership to many people and have actually proven renting to be an expensive and unnecessary burden.”

Here are five mortgage myths and actualities for millennials: 1. Buying a home is more expensive than renting: Unlike rent money, a mortgage payment goes toward ownership.

Home prices have stabilized recently and rates remain near record lows, making payments quite affordable while gaining valuable equity.

2. I need a larger payment: Millennials often assume their limited years’ worth of savings won’t equal a large enough down payment on a home. The reality is, with standard Fan-

nie Mae- and Freddie Mac-insured loans, a down payment as low as 5 percent is enough, while FHA-insured loans only require 3.5 percent.

3. My credit score is too low: With the stresses of credit card debt and student loans, millennials often struggle to maintain a desirable credit score.

Fortunately, several programs, including the FHA mortgage, offer favorable credit score minimums.

4. The process is complicated and confusing: With their busy lives, millennials often assume the process of buying a home is too burdensome. Mortgage lenders today are making it as seamless as possible through technology, accessibility and mobile apps such as MyQL by Quicken Loans, the nation’s second largest retail mortgage lender, which allows clients to upload supporting documents and check the status of their loan online, anytime.

5. Homeowners must take on a 30-year payment: Thirty years can seem overwhelming for the millennial with a lifestyle fueled by the ability to be free.

In reality, many lenders offer terms ranging from eight to 30 years, for as much flexibility as desired.

Of the positive outlook for millennials, Gurman adds, “The future of our housing economy looks bright for millennials looking to re-evaluate their current financial hopes and dreams.”

March 5, 2015 23

24 March 5, 2015

Sponsored Section • REAL ESTATE REPORT

revueandnews.com | Revue & News

How To Purchase Your First Home In 2015 (NAPSI)—The American dream of homeownership may not be as hard to attain as many people seem to fear. A few intriguing facts and hints can help.

The Facts While existing home sales have risen recently, the National Association of Realtors’ annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that the share of first-time buyers recently fell to its lowest level (33 percent) in nearly three decades.

Many first-time buyers experience obstacles on the

path to homeownership, including difficulty saving for a down payment and tight credit conditions.

The Hints Consider these tips: • Find and work with an expert Realtor who knows the neighborhood. Nothing can replace the local knowledge and real insight that professional Realtors can provide to firsttime buyers as they navigate the complex home buying process.

According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, while most home buyers in the

past year began their home search online, 90 percent ended up purchasing their home through an agent. Realtors are not only the source of online real estate data, they also use their unparalleled local market knowledge and resources to help close the deal for buyers and sellers.

• Meet with a lender to determine how much you can afford. Last year, the median price a first-time buyer spent on a home was $169,000.

Chances are, you don’t have that amount of cash lying around. That’s why 95 per-

cent of first-time buyers who bought a home in the past year financed their purchase.

Find out what you can afford with a preapproval from a lender.

A lender will check your credit history, current debt obligations and other expenses to determine the amount of money you’re qualified to borrow at a specific interest rate.

Don’t forget to consider the other costs of homeownership, such as taxes, insurance and utilities.

• Identify your housing wish list. Although 46 per-

cent of first-time buyers got a single-family home in the suburbs, you may prefer a condo in an urban environment near public transportation.

Regardless of your preferences, identifying and sharing your wish list can help your Realtor focus on the right home for you, scan listings and connect with those who represent sellers to zero in on homes for sale that meet your budget and criteria.

Keep this advice in mind and you may soon find yourself waking up in the home of your dreams.

Spring Market

By Babs Price, Broker Associate Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty If you are anticipating moving this Spring now is the time to get your home ready to go on the market. While the temperatures are still cold, utilize this time to complete a checklist to make you current home look its best.

Organizing and cleaning your home from inside out will ensure that you receive top dollar for your home and get the property sold quickly, so that you may move on with the next adventure of your life.

Organize the “dreaded” storage area. Many times this is the most difficult area to clean and organize, but the most rewarding to you when the movers arrive to take your possessions to their next destination.

Purchase a label maker and bins. Group like things together in each bin. Put a label on each bin which lists the contents.

Stack the bins. Your storage space will look much larger this way. Buyers will be impressed with the space.

Buyers will be peering in your cabinets, cabinet drawers, and closets. Clean cabinets

and drawers and put new liners in each.

You may want to purchase more bins to organize your closets.

Next make the rest of PRICE your home sparkle. Clean windows inside and outside. Clean ceiling fan blades and chandeliers.

Replace burned out bulbs in light fixtures. Wipe down all woodwork and cabinets.

If you live in an older home you may need to have some updating. For example, having the interior of the home painted an updated neutral color, replace carpet, replace kitchen appliances, and replace counter tops.

All though the year 2015 is still very young we are seeing brisk sales. The home inventory is still a bit low. There will be a huge influx of homes for sale in the Spring. Get your home ready to sell now and list it for sale now and be “ahead of the curve.”

For all your real estate needs, please contact Babs Price at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.

404-697-2008, babsprice@ atlantafinehomes.com

Sponsored Section

Revue & News | March 5, 2015

Deer Run Camps: Deeper Faith, Greater Adventures Adventure is waiting for your kids AND your family at Deer Run summer camps — located on 100 scenic wooded acres just four hours northwest of Atlanta, near historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee. Deer Run is a nondenominational Christ-centered camp where campers experience “Deeper Faith and Greater Adventures.” Exceptional staff lead well-organized activities creating positive lifetime memories and building character, confidence and relationships.

Overnight camp sessions are age-graded: • Preteen camps (completed grades 3–5) • Middle school camps (completed grades 6–8) • High school camps (completed grades 9–12) Camps begin Sunday afternoon and end Saturday morning with a parent-camper celebration time. Each camper receives a themed camp shirt and a DVD video and slide show of their camp week so they can remember their ex-

perience throughout the year ... and for years to come! If your child is coming to camp by plane, Deer Run provides a supervised airport shuttle service to and from Nashville International Airport.

The shuttle service is provided by Deer Run — not a third party. Campers are divided into small groups by age and gender. Activities are all-inclusive: Lake fun (zip line, water slide, kayaks, swimming, aqua park), horseback wooded trail rides, climbing tower, paintball, low and high ropes, cardboard boat regatta, archery, BB guns, wiffle ball, games, skits and fun songs.

Each small group has daily Bible study plus each night there is a large-group worship with an engaging speaker.

Have you often wanted to go to camp yourself — to play, go down the water slide, enjoy the camp experience together as a family?

You can at Deer Run! For families looking for a unique and fun outdoor experience

together, there are two 3-night Family Camps (ages 5 and up) — May 31–June 3 and July 2629. Playing together strengthens relationships! Camp begins Sunday afternoon and ends Wednesday afternoon.

Accommodations are at the upscale lodge at Deer Run. All rooms are private. No more “camp” food! At Deer Run meals are an important part of the camp experience. Our chefs cook healthy, delicious meals made from fresh ingredients.

A full salad bar and fresh fruit are available each day.

Camper families are invited to three open houses (2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CST) to meet the camp directors and some of the summer staff: March 8, April 12 and May 3.

Reservations are not necessary for this guided walking tour of the facilities. The relationship of the summer staff and the camper is vital to a successful camper experience, so this is a great way to connect with summer staff by

meeting some of them before camp starts.

Deer Run has an intensive application, referral and interview process including a background check. Collegeage students are selected who are mature and are great role models.

There are no registration deadlines, but spaces fill up quickly, so register soon to get your preferred camp dates. Go to Camps.DeerRunRetreat.org to view session weeks and to register. If you have questions about the Deer Run camp programs, call 888-794-2918.

Christian Camping for boys & girls 6-17 Weekly overnight and day camp sessions.

Activities include horses, climbing tower, wakeboard & more!

Visit our Open House Saturday, March 28th 10am-2pm

IN CONYERS, GA

Register Today! www.campwestminster.org 770-483-2225

26 March 5, 2015

Sponsored Section • SUMMER CAMPS

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SUMMER CAMPS • Sponsored Section

March 5, 2015 27

Travel Prepares Students For Success With Personal Growth And Character Building (NAPSI)—The keys to your child’s success in school, college and beyond may be the ones that fit the locks on his or her suitcase.

That’s because, advises Valeria Ramdin, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, School of Nursing, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Massachusetts, with colleges increasingly setting global readiness as a goal for graduates, it’s crucial to instill and nurture a global understanding in our young people.

Even though the Internet allows you to virtually “travel,” nothing compares to experiencing the real thing, taking in the sights, sounds, even smells. If you’ve been to Germany, for example, you can talk about the Berlin Wall: You’ve been there, you’ve touched it, you’ve talked with people who’ve been through that experience. You don’t need the pages of a book to make it come alive.

What Parents Can Do There are several steps, Dr. Ramdin says, parents can take to help their kids develop a global awareness. These include: • Let them explore, abroad or close to home. Museums, theaters and concerts can all be places to learn.

• Restaurants can be a window into another culture, an invitation to learn and understand.

• On planes or other public transportation, sit apart and talk with other people.

• Be a role model. Show a curiosity that lets your children be curious. When they make a discovery, have that sense of “Wow, tell me more” that encourages them to explore.

Adds clinical psychologist Dr. Isaiah Pickens, educational travel can be very useful.

Research has found, he says, that in today’s global society, people have actually splintered more than they’ve united. Many people have a tendency to stick with others who think the way they do.

Students’ perspective of the world— what they believe and the way they read different situations—really influences how they behave academically and socially.

One of the most effective ways to broaden students’ perspectives is through exposure to different kinds of experiences. And nothing immerses a person in new experiences like traveling in an educated way—getting informed about other cultures and talking through the nuances with fellow travelers.

It’s a way to understand what everyday life is like in another country, not just the tourist perspective.

Growing Independence Many students who travel or study abroad haven’t been away from their parents before. They suddenly have to rely on other people and the resources within themselves to navigate a foreign world. This can open their eyes to alternative ways to handle situations. After these unfamiliar (but teacher-supervised) situations and activities that promote students’ growth and confidence, parents can often see how the experience enhances their child’s level of responsibility and prepares him or her for the next level of school.

Practicing Empathy The most helpful takeaway from travel may be learning how to connect. Empathy, or being able to understand the world from another person’s perspective, is what enables people to connect to each other as humans. Through community service abroad, students can gain a better understanding of their position in the world relative to those in other countries. They can become much more aware of global issues—and more appreciative of the opportunities available here in the U.S. As students transition into college, they will have to live and work with people from different cultures or regions. Traveling gives them a great head start on how to connect with others in a meaningful way.

When kids, while they’re still developing, can connect with other people and cultures, that empathy can become embedded in their worldview as adults.

Children can expand their knowledge and awareness in many ways, Dr. Ramdin points out, but if that does not include a cross-cultural understanding, they will be falling short somewhere. They’re missing a worldview that’s essential in an increasingly global society. That’s where student travel with an organization such as People to People can come in. A leader in guided educational student travel for over 50 years, it has helped more than 500,000 students experience new cultures and encounter new places.

Learn More To learn how your child can be a People to People Ambassador, check out an information meeting near you. Visit www.

PeopletoPeople.com or call (800) 669-7882 for meeting dates and locations.

Student travel can lead young people to a new understanding of the world and themselves.

AGAIN this summer!! Children’s Special Services, LLC offers its award winning US Trademarked enrichment camps for handwriting, social /sensory motor development, ages 3-13. ** Multiple sessions and locations throughout Greater Atlanta Area. We give 1-1 attention in a supportive group environment.

Our Camps are: Play YOUR WAY to Sensory Motor and Social Success: Guided play to help the young child with fine and gross motor/sensory skills inclusive of but not limited to:

•Sensory Modulation •Frustration tolerance •Following directions •Transitions

•Noise tolerance •Tactile experiences •Memory •Sequencing

•Body self awarenss •Sharing •Group skills

WIN™ Program Write Incredibly NOW™ Labored to Legible in 4 Exciting Sessions Manuscript and Cursive Taught

Call 770-394-9791

More information www.childrens-services.com Email: info@childrens-services.com Twitter: OTRLovesKids Blog: LDMadeEasy@blogspot.com Facebook: Childrens’ Special Services LLC **All camps billed as therapy for possible reimbursement for out of network expenses.

28 March 5, 2015

Sponsored Section • SUMMER CAMPS

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Keeping Kids Connected During Long Winter Days (NAPSI)—There’s good news for parents looking for a positive way to keep their kids entertained when there is no school.

There is an affordable way to keep kids connected to the Internet.

From snow days to holiday breaks, kids will be off from school often over the next few months.

And with the inclement weather, this means they are inside, itching for something to do. Instead of watching TV or fighting with siblings, using the Internet can be a more interactive, productive choice for kids of all ages.

Unfortunately, about 30 percent of Americans, many of whom live below the poverty line, don’t have Internet access in their homes. To help, Comcast is offering a low-cost broadband adoption program called Internet Essentials.

Internet Essentials offers families with at least one child eligible for the National School Lunch Program Internet for $9.95 a month; the option to buy a laptop or desktop computer for less than $150; and access to digital literacy training online, in person or in print.

With a service such as this, kids can connect to fun online educational activities

for free while they are off from school, and they can keep up with their assignments and stay connected to teachers and classmates. This way, they are not only keeping busy, but they are learning.

Here are a few cool sites: • Khan Academy (khanacademy.org): Get a personalized experience in math, biology, economics, computer science, art history and more.

• PBS Kids (pbskids.org): Find learning games associated with your favorite PBS Kids characters such as Clifford, Curious George and The Cat in the Hat. • FunBrain (funbrain.com): Access a ton of activities; read books and comics; and play Mad Libs, math baseball and tic-tac-toe.

Plus, the whole family can use the Internet at home this winter to stay in touch with loved ones, search for new healthy recipes to start the year off right, fill out tax returns and apply for financial aid.

So far, more than 350,000 families, or about 1.4 million Americans, have been connected to the power of the Internet through Internet Essentials.

There is also a new amnesty program for families that would qualify for the program

There is a program designed to help children in low-income families get connected to the Internet at home. but have a past due balance.

If they meet all other eligibility criteria, Comcast will offer amnesty for a bill that is more than one year old in order for

that family to be eligible.

To learn more or apply, visit www.InternetEssentials. com or call 1-855-846-8376.

For Spanish, visit www.Inter-

netBasico.com or call 1-855765-6995.

Educators and third parties can visit www.InternetEssentials.com/Partner.

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SUMMER CAMPS • Sponsored Section

March 5, 2015 29

A Fun-Filled Summer of Wonder & Adventure!

Whether your child attends Catalina Sea Camp or AstroCamp depends on your child’s specific interest. If your child is interested in the wonders of the ocean world or just wants to spend summer with friends on an island, Catalina Sea Camp is the best choice with scuba certifications, sailing courses, marine biology classes, Island exploring, sea food cookery and lots of traditional fun social activities like Talent/No Talent, carnival night, dances and color Olympics.

Our Island Campus has a unique charm with it’s Spanish California architecture and private cove. Some activities

Alpharetta High School Volleyball Presents:

AHS Youth Volleyball Camp 2015 www.AlpharettaAthletics.com When: Monday June 8th – Thursday June 10th Rising 2nd – 6th Grade (9:00 am – 12:30 pm) Rising 7th – 9th Grade (1:30 pm – 5:00 pm) Location: Alpharetta High School Main Gym Cost: $125 Contact: Grace Fossier – ahsgrace.fossier@gmail.com This camp is designed for all elementary and middle school girls at any level of experience (from girls who have never played to girls who play on a local club team).

Fundamentals such as passing, setting, attacking and serving are introduced in a fun, game-like environment.

Campers are divided by age, skill level and experience in order to provide the best learning environment. The camp will be run by Alpharetta Coaches. This is a great way to get girls involved in the sport and the community at a young age. The fee includes a Camp T-shirt.

are age specific and there are many more activities than are listed here so check out the sea camp website at catalinaseacamp.org.

If your child loves science activities, space exploration, Astronomy, rock climbing, LARP, dungeons and dragons, and good old fashioned summer camp fun, AstroCamp is a great choice. There are many more activities so check our website at astrocampsummer. org.

Whichever camp you choose, you can rest assured that your child will get the highest quality program, comfortable accommodations, great

food and memories that will last a lifetime.

All of our staff are hand picked for there fun loving personalities and ability to work with young people.

Astrocamp and Catalina Sea Camp are owned and operated by the non-profit corporation Guided Discoveries.

Guided Discoveries hosts over 50,000 students, parents and teachers from over 1,000 schools annually in it’s outdoor education program. Guided Discoveries has been running summer camps for over 35 years.

For more information, go to our website at gdicamps.org.

30 March 5, 2015

Sponsored Section • SUMMER CAMPS

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Students Are Filling A Gap With Travel (NAPSI)—Increasingly, students and those just out of school are using international travel as a productive way to make the most of the gap of time between high school and college or between college and starting a career.

That’s why this type of purposeful travel has come to be known as gap travel.

After spending 12-plus years in the classroom, a gap year spent traveling can be an excellent way for students to learn about themselves and the rest of the world.

At the same time, it can also serve as a way for the student to stand out from the crowd when applying for college or a job.

A Number Of Options Gap travel can take many forms, including work trips where participants hold full- or parttime jobs and are self-sus-

taining; volunteering trips; teaching programs; and strict sightseeing packages.

Many gap trips, such as those at www.firstabroad. com, are structured to be extremely affordable, making them even more popular among millennials.

According to Jim Zambrano, CEO of First Abroad, a Boston-based company that coordinates gap travel, “These international programs are a great option for young adults who have yet to find a job and teens who are either facing an increasingly competitive college admissions process or just can’t afford college.”

Distinctive Benefits Students who take gap trips often receive benefits that set them apart from the less adventurous, including: • Interesting material for college essays or job

interviews through engaging in new, unconventional experiences • More time to discover interests that can give students greater clarity and understanding when choosing a major or a career path • A renewed sense of purpose and excitement about moving on to the next step in life, whereas students who don’t take a break can often experience burnout • Skills and life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom • A global perspective on life and career.

Gap years can be a fit for those who wish to gain work experience, have a steady income, gain independence and see the world—all at the same time. To learn more, visit the website at www. firstabroad.com.

Many students report that their gap travel experience has taught them skills and life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom.

Training Young People To Save Lives (NAPSI)—A middle-school student who has been trained can save a life when someone needs CPR. That’s the word from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Ross_ Dress For Less stores. Ross is supporting AHA’s efforts to help save more lives in all communities by providing free CPR training resources to public schools in lower-income areas.

Ross and its customers have raised funds to train thousands of 7th and 8th grade students in lifesaving CPR across the U.S. through its Help a Hero program supporting CPR in Schools.

The American Heart Association’s goal is to pair each Ross Dress for Less store with a nearby public school that has at least 50 percent of its students receiving free or reduced-cost lunch.

More than 1,100 schools in the U.S. will receive a CPR in Schools Training Kit, teaching materials to implement

SPORTS BROADCASTING CAMP

the program and a school-based report card at the end of the year that shows how many students were trained.

Teachers also have access to AHA resources, volunteer mentors and CPR in Schools staff throughout the program.

Learning To Save Lives Is Fun Montross Middle School in Westmoreland County, Va. is one of the schools to benefit from the grant program, with teachers recently training more than 200 girls and boys with an AHA CPR in Schools Training Kit. In only 30 minutes, students learned lifesaving Hands-Only CPR. Cyndie Smith, the teacher who implemented the program during the students’ health/PE class, said the equipment was easy to use and well suited for her middle school students.

“CPR in Schools is awesome! This is a dynamic, fun and easy-to-use CPR

is back for our 8th year in Atlanta

July 13-17, 2015

program that my middle-school students loved,” Smith said. She added that she was delighted and impressed by the quality and quantity of the equipment.

Her students liked the program so much, said Smith, that they wanted to share it with their parents at a studenttaught workshop for parents during a monthly Parent and Family Organization meeting.

“We sincerely thank the AHA and Ross stores for choosing Montross Middle School to receive the CPR in Schools training kit. We’re so fortunate that our students had the opportunity to work with this exceptional program and receive this valuable training,” Smith said.

To learn more about AHA’s CPR in Schools initiatives, call 1-877-AHA4CPR or visit www.heart. org/CPRinSchools.

Boys and Girls 10-18 will have an opportunity to learn from the Pros Meet Sports Celebrities Make Sports Anchor Tapes Make Play-By-Play Tapes of the Super Bowl & NBA Finals Make Reporting Tapes from a Pro Stadium Participate in Sports Talk Radio and Pardon The Interruption (PTI) shows and much more

Nation’ss#1 Sport g Broadcasptin Cam Day/Overnight options available. For more info: 800.319.0884 or www.playbyplaycamps.com facebook.com/sportsbroadcastingcamps and youtube.com/sportsbroadcastcamp

Revue & News | revueandnews.com

Camp listings Day Camps Dance A summer of exciting theatre awaits your child at Off Broadway Performing Arts Center. Located in the heart of Crabapple, Camp Off Broadway offers 1 week and 2 week camps for kids ages 4-17 in a professional yet family oriented environment. Immerse your child in the worlds of “Legally Blonde Jr.”, “Junglebook Kids” and “Honk” as they learn life skills, make new friends and memories to last a lifetime. At Off Broadway, we give every child a chance to shine. To register, visit us online at offbroadwaydance.com or call us at 770-664-2410 Have a budding ballerina wanting to dance her way through summer?

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s Summer Trainee Camp definitely fits the bill!

Known for serious training of pre-professional dancers, MBT has an exciting and informative summer camp tailored just for younger dancers – boys and girls – ages 4 to 8. Experienced instructors cover foundational technique while encouraging campers to have fun and build friendships, and a variety of enrichment subjects introduce campers to the wider world of Dance.

June 15-19 & June 22 -26 A day at Trainee Camp includes: Ballet, Jazz, Dance-related crafts, Tales from dance history, Professional performance review, Learning and rehearsing ballet variation, Get the details! MetropolitanBallet.org!

SUMMER CAMPS • Sponsored Section students in the North Metro Atlanta area. Students experience full band, master classes, jazz band/improvisation, marching band techniques, music composition taught by certified teachers. Eligibility: For current 5th-8th grade band students who have been in their public or private school band program OR have taken private lessons at least 1 school year. Also, we have recreation time, end of camp ice-cream party & concert. $205 by May 1st, $225 thereafter. Sibling, District, & All State discounts are available. REGISTER AT www.vivacecamps.com. Location: June 15-19 at Mt. Pisgah Christian School in Johns Creek. Jay Hutcherson, director@vivacecamps.com. 678-278-9210 Atlanta Celtic Camp:. Irish Music and Language Camp for kids and teens ages 6 to 17 years. Fiddle, flute, song and more! June 8-12 (9am to 1pm) in Roswell; sponsored by The Atlanta Irish Music School. Register online at: www. atlantairishmusicschool.com. 770-7129334

Rowing Learn the Olympic Sport of Rowing with Atlanta Junior Rowing Association! Ages 12-18 co-ed, no experience necessary. Five 2-week sessions with

Horse

Science

Willow South Riding School, Celebrating 15 years of excellence in riding! NEW Johns Creek location with INDOOR ARENA. United States Pony Club Riding Center. We offer all levels of instruction. Ages 5-12. 9a.m.-1p.m.

Learn to ride in a fun, safe program with skilled instructors and experienced horses. For the true horse enthusiast! www.willowsouth.com $375 includes camp shirt and horse show!

Send email to willowsouth@gmail.com.

Sign up early to reserve your spot!

June 1-5, June 8-12, June 15-19, June 22-26, July 6-10, July 13-17, July 2024, July 27-31.

Science Camp conducted by High Touch-High Tech, Inc. since 1994. Degreed professionals instruct fun science from CSI discoveries, Robotics, Bugs & Rockets, to Fossils, Flowers, Space,& Volcanoes- Your older child can experience science coming to life in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, Light, Sound, and Electrical energy. Does your younger child like dinosaurs, gemstones, or animal studies? Then our age appropriate camps are for them. Also- STEM camps- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math camps too! Snacks and recess games will be provided. ‘Pizza Fridays’ available at an additional charge. Completed K-5, 9am-3pm. 770667-9443. Locations: Roswell, Cumming, Marietta, Lawrenceville,Vinings, and Dunwoody. www.sciencemadefunatl.org

The 8th Annual Vivace! Summer Middle School Band Camp is for band

Soccer Camps at Emory University

Boys Camps Eagle Full Day Camps June 8-12 / June 15-19 for boys ages 7-14, extended care available Eagle Elite Residential/Commuter Camp - July 10-12 for boys ages 15-18 Info available at www.eagleboyssoccercamps​or contact: Sonny Travis Emory Men’s Head Soccer Coach 404-727-0597 sonny.travis@emory.edu

Girls Camps Full Day Camps - June 1-5 / July 6-10 for girls ages 7-14, extended care available Info available at www.emorysportscamps.com and scroll to girls soccer o ​ r contact: Sue Patberg Emory Women’s Head Soccer Coach 404-727-2839 spatber@emory.edu Camps traditionally fill up so sign up early, Day Camp cost for each week $320 includes lunch.

Overnight Camps

USRowing certified coaches: choose from 2 morning or 1 evening sessions, $175/session. Also for 2015, back by popular demand, 3 1-week sessions are available for High School campers only, $125/session. Held at the Chattahoochee River, 245 Azalea Drive, Roswell. Learn the fundamentals of sweep rowing and begin a basic workout program with the largest and most successful youth rowing program in Georgia! All campers are grouped each session by age, size, and skill level. To register, or for more info: www.ajracrew. com, or Sarah Low ajra.information@ gmail.com.

Music

Soccer

Adventure & Travel

Catalina Sea Camp and AstroCamp are two amazing adventure summer camps. Located on beautiful Catalina Island in Southern California, Catalina Sea Camp offers ocean adventure activities for boy and girls ages 8-17.

We have 1-week sessions for ages 8-13 and 3-week camps for ages 12-17. Located in beautiful Idyllwild California, Astrocamp is a mountain adventure science summer camp for boy and girls ages 8-17. These two great summer camps were developed by the nonprofit corporation Guided Discoveries in order to provide boys and girls with summer opportunities that enrich and inspire their lives. Check out our websites at www.californiasummercamps.org for a list of activities.

Mississippi Camp Iti Kana and Camp Wahi Summer Camps for girls ages 6-17.

Located in Wiggins and Brandon, Mississippi. Owned and operated by Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.

Non-Girl Scouts welcome. Three and four day overnight sessions. Traditional summer camp activities – swim-

March 5, 2015 31 ming, archery, nature, crafts, science, trip units, games, leadership, hiking, cook-outs, campfires and sing-alongs.

Contact: summercamp@gsgms.org or 601.660.2847. www.gsgms.org

Special Needs Camp Lee Mar: For children and teenagers with mild to moderate learning and developmental challenges.

Since 1953, A Special Camp in beautiful Pennsylvania Poconos, co-ed, ages 7-21, with mild-moderate developmental challenges. Our 63rd anniversary, 6/25 25-8/11. Fun, traditional camp activities. academics. speech & language therapy. daily living skills. weekly social dancing & end-of-summer “prom” for older campers. Therapeutic horseback riding and optional day and overnight trips during summer. Exceptional facilities featuring air conditioned bunks & buildings, Junior Olympic heated pool, caring, nurturing staff. In 2015 we are excited about the launch of the Lee Mar L.I.F.E. program (Living Independently Functional Education).

Visit us on the web at www.leemar.com.

215-658-1708. ari@leemar.com

Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont offers nature, backpacking, science adventure and family camps inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Imagine splashing around in an icy-cold mountain stream, climbing ridges to an unbelievable view, or choosing from a variety of activities to discover nature through hands-on explorations, day hikes and crafts. Options for beginning campers as well as outdoor enthusiasts Voted the No. 1 Summer Camp in Nashville for the past six years, the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan is an actionpacked summer adventure where confidence is built through skill development, and new friends are made as a result of teamwork.

Camp Widjiwagan offers progressive Day, Resident and Equestrian one-week programs for children ages 5-17. We offer a wide variety of water activates such as swimming, ski and surf school, the Blob, and an advanced sailing program. Land activities include field sports, climbing, double zip line and archery. Arts, crafts and theme production are also offered at camp. Go to www.campwidji.org to learn more or call us at 615-360-2267.

Deer Run Camps & Retreats: 3845 Perkins Road. Thompson’s Station, TN 37179. 888-794-2918. Camps.DeerRunRetreat.org. Contact@DeerRunRetreat. org. Nondenominational, Christ-centered camp on 100 scenic wooded acres.

Campers experience “Deeper Faith and Greater Adventures.” Age-graded sessions, grades 3 through12 plus 3-night Family Camps for ages 5 and up.. Exceptional staff lead a well-organized experience creating positive lifetime memories and building character, confidence and relationships.

All-inclusive activities: lake fun (zipline, water slide, kayaks, swimming, aqua park), horseback wooded trail rides, climbing tower, paintball, low and high ropes, cardboard boat regatta, archery, BB guns, wiffle ball, games, skits, fun songs. Daily small group Bible study plus nightly large group worship with an engaging speaker

32 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News | revueandnews.com

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Knights charge into third straight state final Look to defend title against 2013 champion

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com KENNESAW, Ga. – The St. Francis Knights will shoot for a second straight Class A private school championship Saturday in Macon after scoring a 6340 victory last weekend over Whitefield Academy in the semifinals at Kennesaw State.

The Knights will face a familiar foe in the championship game. Greenforest Christian Academy of Decatur defeated St. Francis 55-41 in the 2013 title game. Saturday’s winner will take home a second state title in three years.

While the Knights were rolling to a victory last weekend after suffering through a second quarter lull, Greenforest narrowly escaped its semifinal against previously unbeaten Athens Christian, winning 57-56.

St. Francis brings a 28-3 record into the championship game. One loss came against perennial state AAAAA power Miller Grove, and two were to standout teams from outside Georgia. Greenforest is 27-1, losing to AAAAAA finalist Pebblebrook.

The championship game will match two tall, talented teams with a host of Division I players on both sides. The Knights start four players 6-foot-5 or taller and can field a lineup with five players at least 6-foot-5. However, they will be giving away size to the Eagles when 7-footer Ikey Obiago is on the

floor for Greenforest, along with a few teammates who are taller than all but one front line player for the Knights.

St. Francis coach Drew Catlett said the Knights got used to playing against taller teams during two national holiday tournaments in which they went 6-2, but considering the talent level of the Knights’ three primary players – all of whom are at least 6-foot-5 – they will not be at a serious disadvantage.

The Knights’ standout trio of seniors Malik Beasley and Kaiser Gates and junior Kobi Jordan-Simmons combined for 55 of the team’s 63 points in the semifinal victory over Whitefield.

After two tough wins over the Wolfpack during the regular season, the Knights won 78-52 in the region finals before breaking open Saturday’s game in the third quarter.

St. Francis led 16-5 early in the second quarter, but Whitefield controlled play the rest of the period, sending the game to halftime tied at 20 after a late three-pointer.

Catlett said the Knights “played too fast” and became turnover-prone during the second quarter, but they regained their composure in their second half and also stepped up their defensive effort.

The Knights came out in the third quarter determined to snuff out Whitefield’s hopes for an upset, nearly pitching a shutout in the period. By the time the Wolfpack (22-10) scored, they were 19 points behind and less than 30 seconds remained to play in the period.

Jordan-Simmons started the 19-0 run with a dunk, and fed Beasley for a

fast-break slam. Gates made a strong inside move for a three-point play, and Jordan-Simmons hit Beasley inside for another basket.

Gates scored inside and drilled a three to up the lead to 14. A Beasley drive and three free throws, two by Beasley, ended the 19-0 run, and the Knights cruised from there.

Gates led the scoring with 21 points and was also strong on the defensive boards. Beasley added 18 points and Simmons 16. Although the Knights got only two points combined from their two post players, both Chance Anderson and Josh Coleman contributed defensively, with Anderson coming up with some key blocks in the third period.

It was the seventh meeting the last two seasons between the teams. St. Francis won in the state championship game last season after losing to Whitefield twice during the season.

The Knights’ 86-57 victory at home in the quarterfinals over Aquinas was more of a gradual effort, as the Fighting Irish (18-10) stayed within striking distance for three quarters. St. Francis scored big in each of the first two quarters, but Aquinas also scored freely and trailed just 47-35 at the half.

Jordan-Simmons hit a pair of threes and scored 10 points in the opening period before Beasley struck for 15 of his 23 first-half points in the second period. He finished with a trio of threepointers in the half.

The Knights managed just 11 points in the third quarter but increased their lead to 14, finally breaking the game

AL LEVINE / SPECIAL

Kobi Jordan-Simmons (2) starts the St. Francis fireworks early with an emphatic dunk shot in the Knights’ 6340 state semifinal win over Whitefield Academy. open early in the final period. JordanSimmons and Beasley took turns scoring as the lead quickly reached the mid-20s.

Beasley finished with 34 points and Jordan-Simmons added 27, as the two outscored Aquinas 61-57.

Gates scored 12 points and Chris Steele eight for the Knights, who avenged a loss to Aquinas in the state football playoffs.

GIRLS BASKETBALL »

Tampa leads Lady Knights into semifinals

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com KENNESAW, Ga. – The St. Francis girls easily advanced to the state Class A private school championship game with a 61-41 victory last weekend over Macon’s Stratford Academy at Kennesaw State.

The Lady Knights, who won 62-

48 two nights earlier at home against Mount Paran, will play Southwest Atlanta Christian Saturday morning in Macon for the state title.

This will be the fourth straight year St. Francis and Southwest Atlanta Christian have faced each other in the state tournament. Southwest Atlanta won in the quarterfinals in 2012 and the semifinals last year, going on to win

the state title in 2014.

The two teams squared off for the championship in 2013, with the Lady Knights taking home the title.

“This is how it’s supposed to be,” St. Francis coach Aisha Gaddis Kennedy said after her team’s victory in the semifinals. “The two best teams playing for the state championship.”

St. Francis won the only meeting

between the two teams this season, scoring a 51-42 victory at Southwest Atlanta in early January. The Lady Knights are 27-3 coming into the state championship game, with the Warriors 28-3. All three St. Francis losses came against top teams from out of state.

Kennedy says the keys for St.

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SPORTS

SHILOH 57, ALPHARETTA 39 »

Raiders fall to Generals in quarterfinals SNELLVILLE, Ga. – The Alpharetta Raiders’ season came to an end last week in Gwinnett County, as the Raiders lost 57-39 to Shiloh in the quarterfinals of the state Class AAAAAA playoffs.

The Raiders had advanced with an impressive opening-round victory over Milton before narrowly escaping with an overtime win at McEachern, but struggled offensively in the loss to the Generals.

Alpharetta finished the season 25-6, qualifying for the state playoffs for the fourth straight year. Shiloh ended up 28-4 after losing in the semifinals to Pebblebrook 57-47. It was the Generals’ only loss this season to a team from Georgia.

Shiloh used an 8-0 run to lead 10-8 after one quarter, and moved out to a 23-10 advantage after outscoring the Raiders 13-2 to start the second period. It was 33-22 at the half and 48-30 after three quarters, as Alpharetta was never able to get anything going offensively.

The Generals shut down Alpharetta’s two leading scorers – limiting Devontae Cacok and Jaylon Gamble to a total of 11 points. Greg James and Alex Jones scored nine points each to lead the Raiders.

Cacok and Gamble are both seniors and will have to be replaced next year, along with rotation regulars Mark Eze, Afam Maduka and Roy Winston.

Jones, who started all season as a freshman point guard, returns along with James, who emerged as the team’s primary outside shooter as a sophomore.

Also back next season is Carlos Carriere, who displayed flashes of offensive talent as a sophomore, and junior Elum Nwuke, who will have to help replace Cacok, one of the area’s most effective post players.

This year’s Alpharetta team made its deepest playoff run since the 2011-12 Raiders reached the state semifinals before losing to Savannah.

— Mike Blum

Sixers go 11-1 in season Broadway and Sarah Nay. In back are lead coach Allyson Campbell, Catherine Campbell, Stella Crane, Katie Biber, Ashley Meyer, Jemma Nelson and assistant coach Danny Broadway.

—Jonathan Copsey

ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell 9- and 10-yearold girls’ basketball team, the Sixers, won their tournament 2-0 Feb. 2 and 4, after going 9-1 in the regular season. They played through Roswell Recreation and Parks.

In front, from left, are Sadie Zeigler, Riley

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Knights: Continued from Page 32 Francis will be to play good defense against a Southwest Atlanta attack with multiple scoring threats and to not get rattled by the Warriors’ defensive pressure.

Neither team has been tested in the state tournament, as both teams have won their three games by an average of 20-plus points.

St. Francis was never in danger in the semifinals against Stratford (22-7). They led 18-6 after one quarter before the Eagles made a mild comeback late in the second period to close within 27-17 at the half.

The Lady Knights blew the game open in the third quarter, starting the second half with a 16-5 run to increase their lead to 21. Most of that surge came without starting guard Taja Cumming, who left the game early in the third period after she was poked in the eye and suffered from blurred vision.

Nichel Tampa, the other starting guard for the Lady Knights, stepped up in Cumming’s absence, scoring 11 of her game-high 17 points in the decisive third quarter.

Tampa had a three-point play to help start the 16-5 run and capped it with a three-point basket. Another three-point play in the fourth quarter gave St. Francis its biggest lead at 57-32.

Tampa got plenty of help from two of the Lady Knights’ four 6-footers, as Maya Dodson scored 13 points and Kasiyahna Kushkituah added 12, with the two controlling play on the inside.

Abby Grant did not have one of her best outside shooting games, but hit a pair of three-pointers and finished with nine points.

Kennedy said she was happy with the Lady Knights’ defensive play and the energy Tampa brought to the game at both ends. With Cumming

AL LEVINE / SPECIAL

Maya Dodson (15) of St. Francis goes up to score against Stratford Academy’s Taylor Reese (4) as the Lady Knights advance to the state final with a 61-41 win.

sidelined with a late-season injury, Tampa has assumed a larger role on the floor and has sparked the Lady Knights with her excellent recent play in the team’s fastpaced offense.

St. Francis and Mount Paran played in the Region 6-A finals. The Eagles managed to hang with the Lady Knights for a half before St. Francis pulled away in the third quarter and won 57-46.

The rematch in the state quarterfinals was not as close. St. Francis led 20-9 after one quarter, was 36-20 at the half and 51-26 after three periods before Mount Paran (20-7) scored 22 points in the final quarter.

Tampa had another big game with 22 points. She hit a pair of three-pointers and spread out the rest of her points on fast-break layups and pull-up jumpers, using her quickness to slice through the Mount Paran defense.

Dodson was next with 12 points, with Grant and Cumming scoring eight points each and Kushkituah seven.

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34 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News

Habitat seeks volunteers for ReStore ROSWELL, Ga. -- The Habitat for Humanity ReStore Roswell will celebrate its Grand Opening Day March 21.

In anticipation of this, they are seeking volunteers at the ReStore to help to make affordable housing available for low-income families, without swinging a hammer.

Many volunteers are needed to help set up the store and to serve on opening day.

Volunteers will be moving items into the store, cleaning them, checking for any repairs needed, setting up shelving, painting and other tasks, starting March 3. This project will continue every

day except Sundays until at least Friday, March 20, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. After that date, volunteers serve in the ReStore, assisting customers, accepting donations, organizing donated items, setting out items on the sales floor and helping to load purchased items into customers’ vehicles. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore Roswell is at 11060 Ga. 9, Roswell 30076.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Mary Robeck, Volunteer Manager, at mrobeck@habitat.org or 770-415-1636. www.habitat. org/restores.

—Jonathan Copsey

’Hooch soccer offers fundraising pinestraw sales JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Chattahoochee Soccer teams are once again raising program funds by offering great prices for delivery of top-quality pinestraw bales right to your door. The team will also spread straw as instructed.

NON PAI

This popular program raises funds for equipment and offsets team expenses throughout the season. Order forms and on-line ordering are available at hoochsoccer.com. Delivery is scheduled for Saturday, March 14.

COMMUNITY

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Alpharetta celebrates Arbor Day Plant a tree – take a selfie ALPHARETTA, Ga. –The Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission invites everyone to participate in the city’s annual Arbor Day Celebration by planting a tree and sending us a picture. It could win you a “Tree Climbing Adventure.”

“February and March are still good months to plant trees in Georgia because the new trees are fairly dormant, and will have a chance to begin establishing a root system before the summer heat,” said Alpharetta Arborist David Shostak.

“Local nurseries can provide suggestions for best trees to plant in our climate, or go to the Arbor Day Foundation website [www.arborday. org] and enter your zip code in the “Tree Wizard” to search for recommended varieties.”

When you plant your tree take a selfie with the tree and post it on the Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission Facebook page: facebook.com/AlpharettaNaturalResources, along with a description of your project.

Any tree planting project posted to our Facebook page between now and the end of March will be eligible to win one of 10 FREE certificates for a ‘Tree Climbing Adventure’ Saturday, April 25, at Alpharetta’s Downtown City Center near the new City Hall.

That day we will celebrate the grandeur of a magnificent huge old Oak tree. Be one of the first to climb into its majestic branches and overlook the City!

Look for new banners in downtown Alpharetta that will remind you to “Celebrate Arbor Day!” and “Plant A Tree!”

Don’t forget to let Natural Resources Commission hear from you on Facebook to celebrate your contribution to our environment.

The City of Alpharetta will be celebrating its

official Arbor Day Saturday, March 7, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with the reading of the Arbor Day Proclamation and the dedication of one of the new oaks recently planted in Brooke Street Park behind the new City Hall.

After the dedication there will be an organized clean-up of the area in front of City Hall that’s home to some grand old trees.

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Alpharetta blogger killed in Bangladesh Avijit Roy hacked to death by extremists

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com DHAKA, BANGLADESH – An Alpharetta resident was hacked to death Feb. 27 while overseas, allegedly for his blogging that was critical of religious extremism.

Avijit Roy, 42, and his wife, both residents of Alpharetta, were in Dhaka for a large book fair. Both are prominent bloggers speaking out against radical Islam. The two were leaving the fair when a group of men armed with meat cleavers attacked them on the street.

Roy was killed. His wife was injured.

Roy had been the target of numerous threats on his life, reports The Investigative Project on Terrorism, a nonprofit research group tracking terrorist groups.

Roy was a Bangladeshborn U.S. citizen and had lived in Alpharetta since 2008. He and his wife ran prominent secular Islam AVIJIT blogs.

“We are united in our grief and we remain undefeated,” reads the blog Mukto-Mono. com after Roy’s death.

Police arrested a suspect March 2, Farabi Shafiur Rahman, allegedly a member of the radical Jamaat e Islami, based on threats posted to Roy’s Facebook page. “Avijit Roy lives in America and so, it is not possible to kill him right now.

But he will be murdered when he comes back,” Rahman allegedly wrote.

revueandnews.com | Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 35

North Fulton tops state in Advanced Placement achievement All schools named as elite AP Merit Schools

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – High school students in North Fulton were among the top performers on the Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2014, earning their schools a spot on the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) 2015 AP Honor Schools list.

The 2015 AP Honor Schools are named in five categories based on the results of 2014 AP courses and exams, with AP Merit Schools the most prestigious category. Schools in this category have at least 20 percent of their student population taking AP exams, with at least half of all exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

Only 57 of Georgia’s 453 high schools earned AP Merit School distinction. Nine of those spots went to high schools in North Fulton. In all, 10 high schools in the Fulton County School System were designated as AP Merit Schools; the most from one county in the state.

AP courses and exams are administered in

high school by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams given at the end of their course may receive college credit.

Earning AP Merit distinction were the following North Fulton high schools: Alpharetta, Cambridge, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Fulton Science Academy Charter, Johns Creek, Milton, Northview and Roswell. North Springs Charter High School in Sandy Springs also was named to this category.

The North Fulton high schools were also named to the AP Honors list in three other categories including: AP STEM Schools – Schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses (198 schools).

AP STEM Achievement Schools – Schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses, with at least 40 percent of exams earning scores of 3 or higher (121 schools).

AP Humanities Schools – Schools with students testing in all of the following AP courses: at least one English/language arts course, two social science courses, one fine arts course and one world language course (113 schools).

Chattahoochee soccer’s annual 5k registration opens JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Chattahoochee High School soccer teams are hosting their third annual 5K runs Saturday March 28..The 5k will take place on the Community Course at the high school on Taylor Road in Johns Creek.

Registration is open online at www.active.com and forms are available at hoochsoccer. com.

Runners must register

by March 19 to be guaranteed a T-shirt. Check-in and Walkup registration the day of the race will open at 8:15 a.m.

The 5k starts at 9:30 with a 1-mile Fun Run at 10:30.

Funds raised will sup-

“Nut Runners” win league championship port the Boys and Girls Soccer teams. The teams will also donate a portion of the proceeds to JV Outreach, a local non-profit organization making a difference in the lives of children through dance.

United Way to address North Fulton needs ALPHARETTA, Ga. - United Way of Greater Atlanta in North Fulton will hold a reception to highlight the organization’s plans to expand its reach and impact in North Fulton.

The event will be held March 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Avalon in building 6000, located at 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta.

Corporate and agency partners and North Fulton citizens

will discuss the needs of North Fulton and how the United Way can address those issues.

Organizations to be recognized at the event include Senior Services of North Fulton, Stand Up for Kids, Drake House, North Fulton Community Charities, North Fulton Child Development Association and the Alpharetta Family YMCA. —Joe Parker

ALPHARETTA, Ga.-The 12 year old Wills Park Nut Runners won their league championship.

From left to right: Chad Bernstein, Matt Sander, Alex McNellie, JP Walter, Drew Phipps, Miller Connell. Not pictured: Guranggad Singh

36 | March 5, 2015 | Revue & News

NORTHSIDE WOMAN

Submit your news to editor@northsidewoman.com

WHITELAKE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

Saving our lives ScrapRoom creator Blayne White perseveres in the name of preservation

By KIMBERLY BROCK Blayne White is a vivacious photography enthusiast and longtime professional photography studio owner (Whitelake won Best Photography Studio for 2014) who loves photos and the stories they tell of our lives.

So it makes sense that she also has a passion for scrapbooks.

That passion led her to create a new tool to make sure the cherished moments of our lives are captured and never lost to time.

“Telling our family’s stories – good and bad – is a way of not only remembering, but also learning as we go through this crazy life,” White explained.

“It’s a way to slow down and appreciate what’s going on.

You can call it scrapbooking, art journaling, therapy – it’s all our lives.”

While there’s a lot to be said for the convenience of digital photography, White believes that it’s changing how we view, save and share our photos.

“We used to drop a roll of film off at the lab, shop for an hour and pick up our prints,” she said. “Now, we post to the infinite universe of social media and never really ‘see’ our photos again.” White’s concern is validated by concerns brought to her by clients and fellow scrapbookers, who are trying to learn digital photography and all the technology that goes along with it.

“No one understands ‘the cloud,’” she said. “And we have no idea how to get our photos off our devices and back into our lives. Our moments and memories last for a few seconds on Twitter and are gone.

I believe a generation of photos is about to be lost because we are all overwhelmed and think

we’ll deal with it later – then a hard drive dies, a computer crashes, and poof – gone forever.”

From those conversations, an idea sparked that set White on a course she would have never considered before.

“I realized that there is really no real software that is created for how we want to store and share our photos,” White said. “I was stomping around the house one night and griped to my husband about this, and his response was, ‘Then why don’t you just do it yourself?’ I thought, ‘Well, that’s impossible, right?’ Turns out, it’s not!”

Even with the excitement of seeing a dream being realized, White admits the process of designing and developing the software was incredibly hard.

She questioned herself every day.

“I went through three groups of developers – turning one down because they couldn’t see my vision. One we had to sue for taking our money and failing to deliver, and this last one – well, they got it done, but it was two years overdue,” she said.

“Four years of my blood, sweat, tears and more than a few chosen bad words, ScrapRoom Software is finally launched.”

She is proud of her accomplishment, if a bit surprised.

“It’s patented, and the only all-in-one software written specifically for photo enthusiasts and scrapbookers, by a scrapper,” she said. “I am the first person in either of our families to get a patent – and certainly the only female entrepreneur.”

White isn’t resting on her laurels when it comes to ScrapRoom Software. She’s far

Photographer and ScrapRoom creator Blayne White. from done.

“I have plans for a mobile app, to make recording your story much easier and spontaneous, as well as a photo organizational-only product that will be marketed more toward the photo enthusiast, rather than the scrapbooker,” she said.

Her zeal is inspiring. White is a woman on a mission.

“With ScrapRoom, I want to teach others how to organize their photos, get their stories written down – even if it’s just in the computer, and back up everything to save it for future generations,” she said.

In going after something that mattered deeply to her, White believes her product will change lives. But perhaps it’s by her perseverance that White, and so many around her, have already been changed.

“I want to be an example to my kids that you can stick

WHITELAKE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

WHITELAKE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

with something and make it work, even when it’s so hard you want to quit,” she said.

“And, this is something that is just for me. I worked with my husband for 20 years and felt the urge to do something that I knew, but that was totally my

own.”

You can learn more about ScrapRoom here, in this short commercial: http://goo.gl/ v3We1n.

Or here, in a longer demo: http://youtu.be/XlHJSKMxkFE.

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

Center: Continued from Page 1 part of Avalon Phase 2, which would also include more retail, office and residential space.

In January 2013, the city requested ideas from the developer community for a conference center. They fielded several proposals before the city ultimately settled on Avalon. The complex would be a public-private project, with the city and developer sharing costs.

Because NAP is not in the hotel business, they brought in Jim Stormont, of Stormont Hospitality Group based in Atlanta, to work on that component.

“We are bringing a much needed facility to Alpharetta and the Fulton County market,” Stormont said.

Convention space is a recognized issue in North Fulton.

Despite having many Fortune 1,000 companies within its borders, these companies have to go inside the Perimeter to hold any large events. One of the largest spaces available in Alpharetta is the Marriott Hotel on Windward Parkway, and

Fire: Continued from Page 8 and medical supply representatives, our IT vendor and local merchants and organizations who sent cards, food, flowers, a helping hand and words of encouragement and support.

We are extremely grateful to our many loyal patients who were inconvenienced by having to travel to our temporary location for the past year.

We sincerely appreciate your support, patience and trust. We are so excited to share our new office space

Alpharetta’s proposed convention center • 74,000 square feet total • 42,000 square feet of function space – 22,500-square-foot multipurpose space, 10,000 square-foot ballroom • Attached to a 325 room hotel • Expected cost: Developer investment $78.7 million • City investment: $28.5 million (capped) • Proposed completion date: August 2017

it is too small even for local events.

“We don’t have the facility to serve 1,000 people. Every year, we have to go downtown,” said Brandon Beach, local state senator and head of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “This is much needed for the community.”

He said the GNFCC annual business expo routinely has a waiting list of companies who want to set up booths in the Marriott but have no space.

Another aspect of the conference center is a full-service hotel – dubbed “Hotel Avalon” – which would be the first in the metro area in nearly 15 years, Stormont said. It would be intertwined with the conference center.

Alpharetta has a strong

with you.

To show our appreciation to all of you, we are officially celebrating the reopening of our new office at 12385 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta, on Saturday, March 21 from 2-5 p.m. We will have games for children, refreshments, entertainment and of course a tour of our beautiful new office.

Please plan on joining us for this celebration and again, heartfelt thanks to all who supported us during this past year.

With sincere thanks, The physicians, nurse practitioners and staff of Roswell Pediatric Center

ONLINE AUCTION BY CITY OF ALPHARETTA The City of Alpharetta, in conjunction with GovDeals, 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 reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and the right to waive formalities. Once the items are sold, the coordination of and actual removal of the items must be completed by the selected party.

For further information, visit www.govdeals.com or contact Jonathan Bulau with the City of Alpharetta, Department of Finance at (678) 297-6095 or jbulau@alpharetta.ga.us.

hotel industry, Stormont said.

It routinely has an occupancy rate of nearly 74 percent, a number that is steadily climbing.

Economically, Stormont said the project would result in 210 direct jobs, with more than 360 jobs created around it, including construction jobs.

It would have a regional economic impact of $36 million, he said, and would be bringing in $3 million in tax revenue per year by year 11.

Some members of council were less convinced of the merits or cost of the proposal.

“I don’t have a problem with the project,” Councilmember D.C. Aiken said. “Avalon delivered on Phase 1 well beyond my expectations.”

revueandnews.com | Revue & News | March 5, 2015 | 37 However, why are Alpharetta residents the only ones paying for such a “regional” project, he asked. If it were such a regional project, it should be paid for regionally.

Aiken also balked at the idea of the city approving a bond to pay for it without getting voter approval.

“If this is such a great gig, it’s easy to put on the ballot for November,” Aiken said.

Jim Gilvin, another councilmember, agreed, taking issue with the costs, which are higher than originally anticipated.

“This council needs to rethink the issue. There are a lot of different things you can do with $30 million,” he said.

“It bothers me that this evolved and we did not go back to evaluate what we are doing.”

Mayor David Belle Isle defended the project.

“The whole point of downtown is to provide a place for us to connect as a city,” Belle Isle said. “But just as the residents had no real place to meet, so too our technology companies want a downtown.

It’s impossible for them to do business inside the city of Alpharetta.”

If approved, Stormont said construction on the hotel and conference center could begin as early as January 2016. It could be finished by August 2017.

The next steps for the project are uncertain.

If council agrees on the scale and price of the conference center, it would ultimately be up to them whether to raise the bonds through council action or put it on the November ballot for a public vote. Regardless, public meetings will precede any final action.

DEATH NOTICES Foster Bennett , 86, of Cumming, passed away February 19, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Roger Ben Gilleland, 82, passed away February 19, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Ruby Clarice Hale, 94, of Cumming, passed away February 16, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Lester W. Kaiser, Jr., 86, of Cumming, passed away February 19, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Marie Martin, 77, of Cumming, passed away February 19, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

J. C. Munda, 86, of Cumming, passed away February 19, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Tracy Suzanne Savor, 28, of Cumming, passed away February 21, 2015.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Tommy Wayne Smith, 68, of Suwanee, passed away February 24, 2015.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Lucille Stancil, 79, of Cumming, passed away February 20, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Roy Eugene Westray, 87, of Cumming, passed away February 18, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

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STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT Executive Order (EO) 11988 WETLAND MANAGEMENT Executive Order 11990 The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has analyzed the project identified below as required by Presidential directive EO 11988 and 11990 determined that assistance should be granted therein to: Project Name and Address: Walton Bluegrass Apartments 1535 McFarland Parkway Alpharetta, Forsyth County, Georgia 30005 No. of Units: 200 Developer: Walton Communities Since this project is located within an area containing base floodplain area, as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), HUD was required by EO11988 and 11990 to deny assistance to this project, unless there is no practicable alternative to doing so. Part of the analysis by HUD indicates there is no practical alternative. The basis of this determination is as follows: 1. The subject property building locations were placed in areas outside of the FEMA designated floodplain with minimal impact to wetlands due to access to the adjoining walking path.

2. The property location was determined to be prime location as evidence by the market study completed by Real Property Research Group dated March 21, 2014.

Any comments received as a result of the Early Public Notice for this project on (date of 1st publication) were considered in the analysis which can be reviewed at the HUD office identified in this advertisement.

Public comments on this statement will be received and considered for a period of seven (7) days from this publication. The project will not be implemented without considering public comments.

The publication of this Notice complies with Section 2(a)(2) of the Order, and it applies to all project actions located within or impacting the wetlands.

Comments may be addressed to Linda Preston Director Project Management U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development 40 Marietta Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303

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