Johns Creek Herald, December 11, 2014 by Appen Media Group

Health & Wellness Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20

Construction closure ahead Portion of Parsons Rd. closed Jan. thru Sept. ►►PAGE 6

Students get more choice?

FCSS explores options outside mandated attendance zones ►►PAGE 28

Alley-Oop

HS basketball returns to North Fulton ►►PAGES 36 – 37

December 11, 2014 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 49

Candidate forum sets election table JCCA sponsors House candidate roundtable By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

Members of the Consecrated Women, a Catholic evangelical singing group, rehearse for the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Christmas Gala. Their music will add a new dimension to the annual concert.

Consecrated Women make joyful noise Will highlight JC Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert is just full of surprises. To start, there is the first-time venue at the Johns Creek United Methodist Church. The second surprise is Maestro J. Wayne Baughman’s musical guests, the Consecrated Women. They are quite simply Catholic women who have joined the church’s evangelical efforts in the world.

Consecrated Women spokeswoman Emily Roman said they want to bring Christian values back into society. “It is a style of giving your life God,” she said. While the Consecrated Women are not nuns, they do live communally and spend a lot of time in prayer together as well as serving the laity. That they also perform singing is not really so unusual either. “Singing is what we do as a part of daily life in mass

See CONCERT, Page 12

If you go What: Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Christmas Gala Concert When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 Where: Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd Tickets: $30/Adults, $25/Seniors (55+), $15/Students Group Rates for 10 or more available. More info: johnscreeksymphony.org or call 678- 748-5802

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A hastily arranged candidate forum Dec. 8 by the Johns Creek Community Association at Thornhill subdivision clubhouse may be the only time the five candidates square off before the Jan. 6 Special Election. Libertarian Christine Austin, Independent Paul Troop and Republicans Royce Reinecke, Brad Raffensperger and Kelly Stewart are all vying for the Georgia House Seat 50. Forum moderator Cleve Gaddis peppered the candidates with questions on a range of issues to elicit their positions on topics ranging

from Common Core to the Fair Tax. The following is a synopsis of the candidates based on their responses to the JCCA questions. Christine Austin: She is a mother and serves as PTA board member, HOA board member and community liaison. She says she does not want to be a politician but a representative for the people of Johns Creek. As a Libertarian she wants “a lot more freedom” and more personal responsibility in government. Speaking about transportation, Austin said she does not want federal funding because “federal dollars come with strings attached.” She said the real transportation problem is people can’t live where they work. For instance laws prohibiting boarding houses means

See FORUM, Page 4

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

District 50 candidates are from left Brad Raffensperger, Christine Austin, Royce Reinecke, Kelly Stewart and Paul Troop.

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2 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

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

Mom in DUI accident with child in car MILTON, Ga. – A Milton mother was arrested for DUI Nov. 28 after allegedly getting into a car accident with her young child in the car. Police arrived at the entrance to the Atlanta National neighborhood on New Providence Road about 4 p.m. and found that an SUV had struck the guard shack. The driver, Katherine Podrahansky, 46, of Milton, said she was having trouble driving and hit the guard shack post. The officer at the scene said her words were slurred and her breath smelled of alcohol. She was put through sobriety evaluations and failed them. Podrahansky was arrested for DUI and endangering the life of a child. The child was turned over to a relative.

Speeding, no license lead to arrest ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A Buford resident was arrested Nov. 23 after allegedly speeding with a suspended license and using a car with the wrong tags. Police say an officer was on patrol at 1:30 a.m. on Ga. 400 when they spotted a BMW driving about 90 mph in the posted 65 mph speed limit. When the officer pulled the vehicle over, the driver, Sagar Rijal, 27, of Buford, said he did not have a license but he was headed to the hospital for an emergency. The officer noted Rijal’s car smelled heavily of marijuana. When asked why he did not have a license, he said instead that he was driving to pick up his car that had been towed. Rijal said his car was impounded a few days prior when he was stopped and arrested for marijuana possession. A check of Rijal’s license showed it was suspended for DUI. A search of Rijal turned up a baggie of suspected marijuana. When his BMW was impounded, it was discovered he had placed another tag

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MILTON, Ga. – A slow speed chase erupted Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, when a man with a walker attempted to steal dozens of items from a local store and threatened a worker with a knife. Employees of the Walmart on Windward Parkway said they saw Michael Edward Durkin, 57, of Decatur, enter the store on a motorized shopping cart. He was recognized as a serial shoplifter at the store. They say Durkin picked out a pair of sneakers, two bottles of eggnog, a Leatherman multipurpose knife, a Drimmel power tool, several bottles of condiments and small items. He placed all the items into store

shopping bags in his scooter and then tried to leave the store through the garden center. When he was stopped, he got up out of the scooter, took up his walker and began to walk away. When employees tried to stop him, Durkin allegedly pulled out a knife and brandished it, yelling racial slurs. He also threatened to use a Taser on the workers and attempted to “run them over” with his walker. DURKIN Police arrived and subdued Durkin. He was found to have a warrant out of Fulton County for shoplifting. He was arrested for shoplifting and aggravated assault.

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CORRECTION The date for the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Reindeer Day was incorrectly listed. The correct day is Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m. Reindeer Day is a CNC winter tradition that is all about winter animals and holiday cheer including live reindeer.

The fourth annual Reindeer Day will feature live reindeer and the other animals at CNC to get people in the holiday spirit. Guests are invited to bring a picnic and plan to enjoy the fun all day. Other fun activities include crafts, roasting marshmallows at the bonfire with Camp

Kingfisher staff and learning about winter animal survival. Other family winter activities include: • Trail Hike: 1 p.m. • Creature Feature: 2 p.m. • Story Time with Miss Julia: 3 p.m. • Costume Parade: 4 p.m.

on the car. Rijal was charged with driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana, speeding, failure to maintain lane, driving with a cracked windshield and having an improper license plate.

Employee suspected in theft MILTON, Ga. – A possibly unhappy employee is suspected in stealing about $3,000 in company electronics when he quit. According to the owner of the business, he went out of town Nov. 1 and returned Nov. 17. During this time, an employee was left to tend to the business. This employee had been on the job for several months. When the victim returned, he said he found a note from the employee stating simply, “I quit.” Missing along with the employee were a fold up tent, two folding tables, an Apple iPad tablet, Dell laptop, USB speed dialer and miscellaneous company items. In total, about $3,000 worth of items were missing. All attempts to contact the employee failed – his phone was disconnected and the address he gave the employer was fake.

Shoplifters escape police MILTON, Ga. – Three young men suspected of shoplifting dozens of electronics Nov. 29 managed to outrun police in a chase at Ga. 9 and Windward Parkway. The suspects allegedly attempted to steal hard drives from Fry’s Electronics. As they tried to leave the store, employees stopped them. They dropped

See BLOTTER, Page 3

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

DUI arrests ►► Kenneth Norman Wacker,

54, was arrested Nov. 21 on Webb Road in Milton for DUI and speeding. ►► Jacob Lee Henderson, 23, of Tidwell Road, Alpharetta, was arrested Nov. 6 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI, possession of marijuana, open container, expired tag and possession of drug-related items. ►► Lacy Nicole Ford, 32, of Churchill Downs, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 16 on Ga. 400 in ►► Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Andrea Fletcher, 32, of Riverwood Lane, Roswell, was arrested Nov. 10 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, possession of marijuana and failure to maintain lane. ►► Janet Anne Drake, 59, of Old Woodland Entry, Johns Creek, was arrested Nov. 15 on Old Milton ►► Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Wesley Murphy, 27, of Henderson Lane, Alpharetta,

was arrested Nov. 9 on Vaughn Drive in ►► Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Jill Marie Zahm, 35, of Waterside Drive, Milton, was arrested Nov. 20 on Windward Parkway in ►► Alpharetta for DUI, following too closely and failure to exchange insurance information. ►► James Campbell Wharton III, 53, of Burruss Mill Road, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 19 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and failure to exchange insurance information. ►► Hirakkumar S. Amin, 42, of Calypso Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Nov. 22 on Old Roswell Road in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Jonathon Lane Miller, 24, of Fedorite Walk, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 16 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 3

Blotter:

Fake alibi leads to arrest

Continued from Page 2

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A man gave a court bailiff one story when he arrived at the courthouse, but his alibi did not get the memo. She told police a differing account, which led to the man’s arrest for DUI. A man turned up to Alpharetta court at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 after getting a DUI charge. He came to the attention of the bailiff after he swayed when walking and allegedly stank of alcohol. When asked how he got to the courthouse, he claimed his wife had dropped him off. When asked where she was, the man claimed she went to

a duffle bag containing the items and fled into a gold car. As it happens, a police officer was in the parking lot when the emergency call came in. He spotted a suspect car turn south on Ga. 9 from Webb Road, where there is an entrance to the store. When the officer turned on his lights to pull the suspects over, they sped up, driving into oncoming traffic as they fled. The car turned westbound on Windward Parkway and the officer lost sight of them.

get something to eat at the Kroger three-quarters of a mile away. The man was seen wearing a lanyard holding his car keys and, when prompted, it was found that car the man was arrested in prior was parked outside the court. The man contended his wife actually walked to the Kroger in the cold temperature. The officer called the man’s wife, who said she was indeed having lunch; however, she said she had taken a separate car than her husband. He drove himself. The man was arrested for DUI, driving without a license on him and contempt of court.

Drug arrests ►► Lakeisha Shenai Kent,

27, of Powder Springs was arrested Nov. 10 on Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta for possession of a schedule III controlled substance. ►► Taylor Louise Melchiore, 22, of Suwanee was arrested Nov. 23 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for possession of marijuana.

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4 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

Forum: Candidates state issue positions Continued from Page 1 younger people must commute rather than live nearby. In education she wants local control with parents and local school boards making decisions. She does not support Common Core. “Education is too important to have the federal level of government telling us how our children will be educated.” She takes the Libertarian view on legalization of marijuana for medical or recreational use. She would like it legalized. The current war on drugs has “militarized” the police and increased gun violence and enriched drug lords. “We shouldn’t be afraid of a plant,” she said. On the case for Milton County, she said the Legislature should not be involved. It should be left up to the people. Royce Reinecke: A Republican in the race, he said he is an analytical sort of problem solver having been an engineer, mathematician and physicist. A Johns Creek resident since 1979, he said he will reach out to people on the issues. “I promise to reach out and listen to you,” he said. In education, Reinecke believes in local control. The school systems should have control of state education funding that comes to them. He would like QBE funding incentivized to promote more cost effectiveness. As an all charter school system in Fulton, people have local control but supervised by the local board. Asked if he supported the Fair Tax and eliminate the state income tax, Reinecke said any tax reform promotes winners and losers. What he would like to see is a tax plan that was revenue neutral. Milton County is not the panacea people say it is. Fulton County spends 60 percent of its budget on the court system and the jail. Another 23 percent goes to public health. It would be expensive to start a new county.

The issue of medical marijuana should be left to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to decide. As for recreational marijuana, policy should be tempered with the costs. The county spends 60 percent of its budget on crime and criminal justice. Kelly Stewart: A conservative Republican, Stewart has served roles at the federal, state and local levels, most recently as a City Councilwoman. She said she is running on her experience, principals and leadership. She has been appointed to two statewide boards and she has a wealth of business experience that has made her a corporate vice president. To get more revenue for transportation and maintenance, she wants the General Assembly to take back the 1 percent of Motor Fuel Tax (out of 4 percent assessed) that the General Assembly appropriated for state’s General Fund. That would reclaim fuel tax dollars for roads and other traffic improvements. Stewart would also prioritize spending of state road money on fixing gridlock versus “roads to nowhere.” In matters of education, Stewart said its schools are a great asset. The state needs strong schools and good job training. That comes with innovation, accountability and flexibility, she said. She supports charter schools not Common Core. Like many, Stewart vows never to raise taxes. She would like to see “complete tax reform” and eliminate the state income tax. “I would tax consumption not production,” she said. On medical or recreational marijuana, she is an unequivocal “No.” Stewart does support a new Milton County. She notes despite local legislation to curb Fulton County spending, she sees Fulton spending getting worse. Paul Troop: Running as an Independent, Troop said the

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Early voting times, places announced Early Voting will be Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 through Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, Monday through Friday at the John’s Creek Environmental Campus located at 8100 Holcomb Bridge Road. Saturday voting will be held Dec. 27 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Early voting locations will be closed for holidays Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1. Election Day Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the following precinct locations: • JC01-Shakerag Elementary School, 10885 Rogers Circle • JC02-Johns Creek United Methodist Church • JC03B-Findley Oaks Elementary School, 5880 Findley Chase Drive • JC05-Abbotts Hill Elementary School, 5575 Abbotts Bridge Road • JC06-Northview High School, 10625 Parsons Road • JC07-Wilson Creek Elementary, 6115 Wilson Road • JC08-Dr. Robert E. Fulton Regional (Ocee), 5090 Abbots Bridge Road • JC09-Taylor Road Middle School, 5150 Taylor Road • JC10-Messiah Lutheran Church, 4774 Kimball Bridge Road • JC11-State Bridge Elementary School, 5530 State Bridge Road • JC12 & JC14-Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library 9560 Spruill Road • JC13B-Autrey Mill Middle School, 4110 Old Alabama Road Citizens must have been registered to vote by Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, to participate in the Jan. 6, 2015, special election. Voter registration forms can be obtained at the county registrar’s office or from the Secretary of State’s website:www.sos.ga.gov/elections. This is a non-partisan special election with no party primaries. However, each candidate’s party affiliation, if any, will be listed on the ballot. Run-off election, if needed, will be Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. race is about restoring huge tax cuts to the education budget made during the recession. Full funding of schools must be restored, he said. Troop objects to for-profit charter schools in Georgia because they “reduce children to commodities.” In transportation, Troop notes Georgia is the “crossroads” of the Southeast. When the Outer Arc was cancelled that would have connected North I-85 and I-75 north of Atlanta, that severely hurt overall traffic in Atlanta. “We need to revive the Arc,” he said. Medical marijuana should be decided by the medical profession, not politicians. Recreational marijuana is another question entirely. And people who think that taxing marijuana use as a quick fix for revenue will be disappointed. On the issue of Milton County, Troop said those who see it as a way to cut taxes are wrong. The costs of creating a new courts system, jail, sheriff’s department and other startup costs will not save the people money. On whether to revamp state ethics legislation with ethics board for each of the three branches of government, legislative, judicial and executive, Troop said the root of the almost all ethics problems is money. “Any member of government who takes money from a supporter should recuse themselves from any vote they are supporting.” You have deal with the problem where it begins, Troop said. Brad Raffensperger: A

conservative Republican, he said he wanted more economic development and the elimination of the state income tax. He is a supporter of a new Milton County because “we are paying more Fulton taxes and we are not getting better services.” Raffensperger also supports redirecting that 1 percent of motor fuel tax diverted to the state’s general fund back to transportation. “Our biggest need in Johns Creek is transportation,” he said. In education, the state must do better. Raffensperger supports a system of charter schools, vouchers and online education. He is also a staunch supporter of the Fair Tax which would replace most taxes with a national sales tax. Raffensperger also favors eliminating the state income tax as Florida and Tennessee have done to further stimulate local business. He does not support medical or recreational marijuana use, although he supports cannabis oil which has proven medical value. Raffensperger also supports a Milton County that gives residents more local control. In ethics reform, he said he would support a total ban on gifts to elected officials. Rather than the appointed boards which have been racked with political overshadowing, he likes the idea of retired judiciary panels serving instead. In education, Raffensperger said Common Core was “too leftist” for him to support. “I believe in online learning and charter schools,” he said.

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6 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

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Parsons Road to shut down up to 9 months Road work from January through September to replace 50-year-old bridge over Johns Creek By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Parsons Road in Johns Creek from Hampstead Way to Stonegrove Overlook will be closed to through-traffic from January 2015 to possibly as long as September to allow crews to replace the aging Parsons Road bridge over Johns Creek. This will cause greater traffic congestion in the Medlock and Abbotts Bridge roads area for the duration of the construction. The bridge is located between Medlock Bridge Road and Abbotts Bridge Road. Because it is a safety issue and this is a Georgia Department of Transportation project, the city has had little to say about it. “We know this will be a big inconvenience for many people, but the bridge has to be replaced for safety,” said Public Works Director Tom Black. “It is 50 years old and is in its last years of functionality. “We will work as hard and as diligently as we can to finish

the project at the earliest possible time,” he said. “Closing both lanes at the same time should help speed completion of the project.”

Residents and commuters should consider alternative routes, such as Abbotts Bridge Road. Fulton County Schools and emergency and public

Parsons Bridge replacement timeline • In March of 2007 the City requested funding from GDOT for the replacement of the bridge. GDOT agreed to provide funding for this construction in July of 2007. • GDOT agreed in March of 2008 that it would also provide the engineering design for the bridge replacement. This saved the city $200,000 in design costs. • In July of 2011 Johns Creek asked GDOT to construct a temporary bridge during the construction to leave at least one travel lane open. GDOT stated that the city would be responsible for any additional construction costs (estimated at an additional $750,000). This change would also cause the environmental document to be amended and would delay the project significantly. • In August 2011 staff received an internal memo from the Fire Department stating that “…closing the bridge will have a minimal effect on response times”. • Beginning in December of 2012, the City worked with GDOT to change the typical section on the bridge. The bridge footprint was widened to include a sidewalk on one side, a multi-use on one side, and a left turn lane for the Parsons Run subdivision. GDOT also agreed to install a stacked stone facing along the bridge walls. • In November of 2013 the City submitted a design variance to GDOT to significantly minimize the impacts to the Parsons Run subdivision. Project savings as a result were approximately $160,000. • In November of 2013 a Public Information Open House was held to discuss details of the project as well as the proposed detour • Portions of nine properties were acquired. Right-of-way was certified by GDOT in March of 2014. • Construction bids were received in March of 2014. The apparent low bidder was ER Snell at $1,556,118.15 safety agencies have been alerted and have planned for the closure. The replacement bridge will be wider and will include a 10-foot-wide trail on one side

and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the other side. The existing bridge has no room for pedestrians or bicyclists.

See PARSONS, Page 44

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8 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

OPINION

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Ah Christmas in Kennesaw, or happiness is still a Warm Gun I enjoy reading the AJC [yes, I do] especially the Jim Galloway column as the Political Insider. Why? Because Mr. Galloway’s job is to take what politicians say, and then does the research to determine their veracity. It is interesting to see the self-inflated with their feet held to the fire, and on the other hand to discover that indeed they did have the facts right and can say Na-Na-NaaNaa. Galloway plays no favorites and calls them as he sees them. Last Friday he turned his sights on the Kennesaw City Council and its reluctance to allow an Islamic storefront mosque in a half-empty strip center on busy Ga. 41. At a public hearing goodhearted Christians came out to object to a “cult” that as one misguided resident claimed to have rituals in which members cut themselves in some sort of blood rite. Other wild assertions were passed off as sound reasoning. Outside, Galloway reported a number of opponents of the mosque with placards and even one person passing out copies of the Constitution. I wonder if he read it? Kennesaw, you will remember, was the Cobb County city that drew national attention when its council members passed a city ordinance requiring every homeowner to possess a firearm. Now it seems while they are sweet on the Second Amendment, they want to keep the First Amendment at arm’s length. Galloway reports the shopping center in question is coming out of foreclosure with many storefronts vacant, yet they were so concerned about parking for the strip center, they did not want any Islamic

HATCHER HURD

Executive Editor hatcher@northfulton.com

Now it seems while they are sweet on the Second Amendment, they want to keep the First Amendment at arm’s length. visitors to park any closer than two rows to the proposed mosque. But in the end the council decided to obviate the whole matter and deny the Muslims the use of the building. At first the mayor had claimed the city had never authorized religious uses in commercial center. But an embarrassing Marietta Daily Journal article came out that same day as the council’s denial to point out the mayor had a rather short memory. In July the selfsame mayor and his council had approved a Christian church use in a similar situation to use a storefront for its services. I recall a similar – yet not so similar – contretemps in Alpharetta. Big difference though. Here the existing mosque – that was surrounded by neighborhoods – wanted to do a significant expansion. The residents objected, and

reminded the applicants that in the original approval the applicants had agreed not to expand. The two sides were resolute but both sides were cordial. There was no circus of protesters making wild claims about pagan rites and the possibility of fomenting terrorism. It was the usual fight of residents opposing more intense development in their area. Alpharetta did deny the use, and it was headed to court. Both sides gave a little and a settlement was reached that allowed more modest expansion of the mosque – which had seen a large growth in its congregation since it first opened. And they agreed to a specified time limit before being allowed to request further expansion. In my time I have seen similar bouts between residents and all denominations – Catholic, Protest and Jewish as well as Islamic – over development. And often it tests the tolerances of all sides. Each time it is different. Most neighborhoods are resistant to any kind of change. That’s the natural reaction. Sometimes the neighborhoods seem right, sometimes not. And sometimes it takes the Wisdom of Solomon. What is shameful is when the politicians bow to the shouting and ignore the rights of all people including those who ask for the right to be different. These are the types who will dodge the right decision and let a judge be “the fall guy.” It does make re-election easier, but it says nothing about one’s leadership. The right that we cherish above all is the right to worship as we see fit. And we only guarantee our rights when we give that right to all. Merry Christmas to all.

DRIVING IN CIRCLES:

Step-by-step instructions on how to use roundabouts NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Lately, it seems like local transportation gurus with North Fulton’s cities have caught roundabout fever. Not to be left behind on any trend, North Fulton’s cities are plowing ahead with roundabouts. Roswell finished the first one in the region several years ago, with more to come. Milton has a new one at Hopewell and Francis roads with another upcoming at Birmingham Highway and Providence Road. Alpharetta already has one near the new city hall. There are so many new roundabouts, I get the chance to dust off my column on navigating them. Given the novelty of the circular traffic devices, many people are not familiar with the correct way to use them. So here’s a quick guide on the proper use of a roundabout. For those unfamiliar with the term, a roundabout is a circular intersection, where traffic goes in the same counter-clockwise direction around a center island. Roundabouts can be a good alternative to traffic signals and stop signs to control traffic. In many cases, they have several advantages over traditional controls. They have fewer accidents, injuries, severe crashes and fatalities. They increase pedestrian safety and produce less vehicle delay and pollution because traffic actually moves faster through a roundabout intersection. Most of these bonuses are the result of traffic going at reduced – but continuous – speeds in the same direction. Despite their relative novelty in the States, roundabouts enjoy common status in Europe, notably the British Isles, as a cheap and reliable alternative

JONATHAN COPSEY

Revue & News Editor jonathan@northfulton.com

to the traditional traffic signal. They slow down and regulate traffic without stopping it. With all these new roundabouts popping up like mushrooms, the big question remains – how do you drive through it? Here’s a step-by-step guide. When approaching the roundabout, slow down and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Approach the yield line, look to the left and yield to traffic already in the roundabout. Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. Enter the roundabout when there is an adequate gap in circulating traffic. If another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of you, do not stop in the crosswalk. Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians. Bicyclists are permitted to ride within the roundabout. Please do not pass a bicycle in the roundabout. Once you have entered the roundabout, you always have the right-of-way. Keep your speed low within the roundabout and proceed counterclockwise (to the right). As you approach your exit, turn on your right turn signal. Exit the roundabout, yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Breathe a sigh of relief and be on your merry way. See? How hard is that? It’s so easy, it should be a Geico commercial.

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NEWS

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City Charter allows special election choice JC can wait until Nov. 2015 but election confusion not over By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek City Council has two vacant seats, and it is sorely tempted to leave those seats unfilled until November 2015 when it does not have to spend $200,000 for a special election to fill them. Some citizens have challenged the council in open meetings that the city charter requires the seats to be filled sooner rather than later. City Attorney Richard Carothers said that is not so. While some city charters specify vacant seats must be filled at the earliest opportunity, Johns Creek’s charter does not do that. So it may consider whether to delay the special election to coincide with the regularly scheduled general election next November and save the expense of a March special election. “Our charter is silent on which date it must concur. There are four options out there that the state gives for holding special elections. And November is one of them. They can choose whatever date they

want,” Carothers said. But there is a catch that is easily overlooked. Former Councilwoman Kelly Stewart’s term doesn’t expire CAROTHERS until Jan. 1, 2018. So the person who wins that election will serve out that term from whenever the city holds the election in the 2015 calendar year. Former Councilman Brad Raffensperger’s election has a different twist. His term would have ended Dec. 31, 2015. So anyone who wants to serve more than 45 days would have to run for the unexpired term and that seat’s new term, which begins Jan. 1, 2016. It sounds more complicated than it is, yet in Carothers’ opinion – and this is not his first go-round in the intricacies of special elections – the Raffensperger seat must be offered for two elections. The first would be to fill his unexpired term, which would end 45 days later. “It is my opinion the city would have to have two elec-

It’s highly unusual for two people to resign to run for the same state post. But when you have staggered terms, it creates different scenarios.” RICHARD CAROTHERS Johns Creek attorney tions for that seat. The first would be the unexpired term and then for the new term for that seat,” Carothers said. Candidates seeking the Raffensperger seat would have to run for the unexpired term and the new term at the same time to take office in November. To do that, they would have to qualify for both elections, just as they would for a special election in March to fill

Raffensperger’s seat and then refile to run in the November general election. “Of course, candidates in November would not have to run for the unexpired term, which is only another 45 days. But they generally do so that they can get into the office and begin being acclimated,” Carothers said. That opens another possibility that one candidate could run for both the short term and the full term, lose in the general election and be appointed for the 45 days left on the existing term if no one else ran for it. “The special election for the vacant seat and the election for the full term will run concurrently in the November general election,” Carothers said. “So one person could serve the unexpired term, and a new member of council take that seat Jan. 1 of 2016,” Carothers said. Candidates may run for both open seats simultaneously, since they are the same seat and terms cannot overlap. “It’s highly unusual for two people to resign to run for the same state post. But when you have staggered terms, it creates different scenarios,” Carothers said.

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Broadbent elected mayor pro tem JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – With the resignation of Councilwoman Kelly Stewart, who was also BROADBENT mayor pro tem, the Johns Creek City Council unanimously elected Dec. 1 Councilman Steve Broadbent to serve as mayor pro tem. The duties of the mayor pro tem are to function as the mayor if the mayor is absent or in some way incapacitated. The mayor pro tem would lead the meeting in the mayor’s absence. Depending on the duration of the absence, the mayor pro tem may assume other duties normally performed by the mayor, such as making certain appointments.

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NEWS

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 11

Alpharetta mulls parking meters Would force Main St., Milton Ave. turnover By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Residents may have to start paying to park in downtown Alpharetta. The city is considering using parking meters to force parking turnover in the parking spaces on Main Street and around the historic district. At their Dec. 1 meeting, the City Council heard a report from Eric Bosman, of Kimley-Horn and Associates, about the use of parking meters and whether more parking decks are needed in the downtown area. “One of the key issues we face is addressing the parking situation in downtown Alpharetta,” Bosman said. He said the parking available on the west side of Main Street is two parking spaces per 1,000 people. A typical retail area commits four or five spaces per 1,000. “When you lack sufficient quantity, you have to start looking at parking management strategy,” he said. One such strategy is the use of parking meters. Bosman’s initial recommendation calls for meters on the left side of Main Street and along Milton Avenue. He also suggested using the parking on either side of the new town green. In total, there would be 60 spaces. “The idea is to start small and build as it goes,” he said. “If [the parking

meters] start to address the problem but the problem is still there, we could expand it.” Paying to park forces a turnover of the parking spaces faster than a free spot. A driver is less likely to park all day in a coveted space if they have to pay for it. It also stops employees or business owners taking spots best used by customers. There are about eight restaurants in the downtown Alpharetta district. If each one requires five to 10 employees to operate, that could mean 50-80 spaces needed simply for restaurant employees. Employees are likely to find the nearest free parking, which may affect other businesses who do not have metered spaces. “This is not a moneymaking venture,” Bosman warned. “There will not be a windfall. This is simply parking management.” Parking decks are also a solution, albeit an expensive one. Bosman said if parking decks are used, they could accommodate up to 150 spaces if used behind Main Street. It would cost between $3-3.5 million to build a parking deck. The city already has a 450-space parking deck scheduled to open before the end of the year with the new City Hall. Bosman suggested against considering any parking decks until the City Hall deck comes online to see how it will affect the parking situation.

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12 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

NEWS

Fulton radio net costs swell Rise 92% over last year By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – The cost for staying on Fulton County’s emergency radio system has gone up nearly 100 percent for next year. In the Dec. 1 Alpharetta City Council meeting, the council approved a contract for the first quarter of 2015 for $35,000. “Hopefully this is our last approval of the Fulton County fee to use their system,” said Gary George, the public safety director. He said North Fulton’s own replacement radio net should begin testing in January 2015 and be operational by April. For the first quarter of 2014, Alpharetta will pay just over $35,000 to the county for

the use of their radio system, they very one North Fulton wants to leave. This amount is a dramatic increase over previous payments – 92 percent over what the city paid previously. The rate went up from $172.58 to $330 per radio. This is, in part, to help pay for Fulton’s own replacement radio network. “This is an across-theboard increase,” said Carl Hall, Alpharetta’s deputy public safety administrator for fire and emergency services. “This is a cost for all users, not just Alpharetta.” “One of reasons we chose to do our own system was because we couldn’t predict the cost [of Fulton County’s],” said Alpharetta City Manager Bob Regus. “We knew it was going up and had no control over that.” The move to create a North Fulton emergency radio system stems from a need to have a reliable radio network for public safety personnel.

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Established July 1, 2013, the North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority (NFRRSA) was created by state House Bill 526. It exists to provide a reliable and locally funded public safety radio system for eight police and fire agencies serving more than 280,000 residents. Included in the consortium are the cities of Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell and Sandy Springs. The move to break away from the county radio system came after federal regulations demanded all agencies in the country to meet certain requirements. As of 2013, the county had no concrete plans for upgrades while the current system was failing consistently. So the North Fulton cities chose to go it alone. Johns Creek pulled out of the deal and has since announced its intent to join Fulton County’s new system. As part of the new system, new radio towers had to be put up throughout the region. Milton, Sandy Springs, Roswell and Alpharetta have all had to erect new towers. Hall said the North Fulton net is on schedule to go live and will be installed about the middle of December.

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Concert: Continued from Page 1 and at daily prayers,” Roman said. “So singing in a group is a way to reach out to people and share your message.” The individual members of the singing Consecrated Women come and go as their individual ministries call, but collectively, they have produced 10 CDs in the last 11 years. The Consecrated Women in Atlanta live on Pinecrest Academy Catholic School’s campus in Forsyth County. And while their ministry is far more than just singing, those who sing well are encouraged to make music a part of their work among the laity. Currently, there are nine in the Atlanta group, and they sing whenever they are invited, especially at Christmas. “We sing wherever we go. We were doing our normal Christmas thing when Wayne heard us and asked us to sing with his Christmas concert,” Roman said. Baughman said he wanted them for his Christmas concert the moment he first heard them. “One of my singers invited me to a Christmas party last year and some of these ladies were there,” Baughman said.

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“And as soon as I heard them sing, I turned to him and said they’re singing at next year’s Christmas Gala. “I immediately recognized this very unique sound, and I really wanted to have them with us,” he said. “It was instant.” Also appearing will be the 84-voice strong Christmas Gala Chorus. The musical selection will be Christmas favorites from “White Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride” to the spiritually moving “Ave Maria.”

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COMMUNITY

14 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald

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Fulton Library System celebrates volunteer contributions Value work they do at $1.5M ATLANTA – With shorter hours and reduced staff, the AtlantaFulton County Public Library System has never depended more on its volunteers. In fact, the Fulton libraries can put a dollar figure to it. The value of volunteering topped $1.5 million at local libraries, with 2,008 volunteers donating 67,645 hours in 2013. This is the sixth year library volunteer services have topped $1 million. The 24th annual Volunteer Recognition Award Program was held Saturday, Nov. 15, with over 125 people in attendance. Special guest speakers included Stephanie Moody, chairwoman of the AtlantaFulton Public Library System Board of Trustees, and Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, District 6, who is also former library trustee. Library volunteers serve as adult literacy tutors, English as second language (ESL) teachers, homework help aides, math tutors, computer assistants, clerical assistants,

The top two Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System volunteers, Laura Thompson of Sandy Springs Library and Ben Statham with Friends of the Alpharetta Library, celebrate the “Big Check” representing the value of volunteer services the past year. From left are Interim Library Director Anne Haimes, Library Board of Trustees Chairwoman Stephanie Moody, Thompson and Statham. children’s program aides, special event hosts and more – in any of the library system’s 34 branches. Volunteers with Friends of the Library groups are active in 24 branches and

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including 58 who donated over 200 hours. • Three of these volunteers donated over 1,000 hours in 2013. • Several volunteers reached

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Continued from Page 14 celebrated their 10-year service award and eight volunteers who celebrated their 15-year service award. • Eleven volunteers received the Millennium Award for reaching a career total of 1,000 hours. Laura Thompson, volunteer at the Sandy Springs Branch since 2010, won the President’s Call to Service Award for reaching a career total of over 4,000

Library volunteers Alpharetta Branch • Anita Li, President’s Volunteer Service Award – Teen Bronze • Barbara Selwyn, 200+ hours in 2013, 10-year Service Award and Millennium Volunteer • Ben Statham, 1,000+ hours (Top Three Volunteer of 2013) • Charlotte Crosby, 100+ hours • Connie Hayes, 5-year Service Award • Dawn Manhoff, 100+ hours • Elena Ris, 400+ hours • Friends of the Alpharetta Library, President’s Volunteer Service Award for Groups – Gold • Gerrie Fornek, 800+ hours • Hannah Manhoff, 100+ hours • Ian Caird, 15-year Service Award • Jane Harp, 100+ hours in 2013 and 15-year Service Award (and Ocee Branch) • Katherine Kilgore, 100+ hours and 15-year Service Award (and Roswell Branch) • Kathleen Smith, 600+ hours • Katie Johnson, 15-year Service Award • Linda Statham, 600+ hours • Lynn Fisler, 5-year Service Award • Mary Wade, 100+ hours • Maurice Ball, 100+ hours • Pamela Caird, Millennium Volunteer • Susan Fornek, 200+ hours Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch • Ayan Das, 5-year Service Award • Barbara McCoy, 200+ hours • David Johnson, 200+ hours • Diana Branch, 100+ hours • Friends of the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, President’s Volunteer Service Award for Groups – Gold • Iris Shamus, 10-year Service Award • Janice Stevko, 100+ hours • John Cook, 100+ hours • Mae Jackson, 100+ hours • Marcia Radcliffe, 5-year Service Award • Margaret Anderson, 15-year Service Award • Marianne “Mimi” Sapra, 200+ hours in 2013, 5-year Service Award and President’s Volunteer Service Award – Young Adult Gold • Mark Mendelson, 5-year Service Award • Padma Komerath, 200+ hours in 2013 and 10-year Service Award • Priyadharshini Rathakrishnan, 5-year Service Award • Roger Ignatius, 5-year Service Award • Russell Finelsen, President’s Volunteer Service Award – Teen

hours. With 1,350 of those hours being served in 2013, she was also in the top three volunteers with the highest hours for 2013. Additional winners included Ben Statham who served 1,379 hours with the Friends of the Alpharetta Library and Carol Harrison who served 1,174 hours with the Friends of the Roswell Library. Eleven young adults and nine teenagers won the President’s Volunteer Service Award, as well as 15 Friends of the Library groups won the President’s Volunteer Service Award for groups serving over 200 hours in one year.

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 15

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Bronze • Sally Trawick, 100+ hours • Sally Goldgeier, 5-year Service Award • Sue Quinby, 400+ hours • Susan Humphreys, 100+ hours (and Roswell Branch) • Timothy Swiderek, 100+ hours • Vicki Johnson, 100+ hours • Vickie Fudurich, 5-year Service Award Ocee Branch • Alekya Putta, President’s Volunteer Service Award – Teen Bronze • Arman Ghafarian, 100+ hours • Friends of the Ocee Library, President’s Volunteer Service Award for Groups – Silver • Hasan Mohammed-Salih, 100+ hours and President’s Volunteer Service Award – Young Adult Bronze • Karen Purcell, 15-year Service Award • Lori Rausch, 10-year Service Award • Maria Murphy, 5-year Service Award • Muskan Raghuwanshi, President’s Volunteer Service Award – Teen Bronze • Nancy Anthony, 100+ hours • Rachel McCord, 100+ hours and 10-year Service Award • Sheri Peek, 100+ hours and 10year Service Award • Siri Choragudi, 100+ hours and President’s Volunteer Service Award – Young Adult Bronze Roswell Branch • Ann Creech, 100+ hours • Brandi Robinson, 100+ hours • Carol Harrison, 1,000+ hours in 2013 (Top Three Volunteer of 2013) • Cora Cramer, 100+ hours • Deborah Childs, 600+ hours • Dorothy Janusewski, 100+ hours • Friends of the Roswell Library, President’s Volunteer Service Award for Groups – Gold • Jane Swift, 300+ hours and Millennium Volunteer • Joe Creech, 100+ hours • John Heetderks, 5-year Service Award • Julie Neal, 200+ hours • Katie Cox, 10-year Service Award • Katy King, 100+ hours • Kayron Bearden, 200+ hours • Louise Bullwinkel, 100+ hours • Louise Conti, 100+ hours • Lynda Fuller, 400+ hours • Mary Mitchell, 500+ hours • Nancy Speir, 100+ hours and Millennium Volunteer • Nat Whitlow, 100+ hours • Pamela Mason, 500+ hours • Virginia Baethke, 100+ hours

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ability and safety to these steps leading to potentially improve visual outcomes and more precise targets. With the Ziemer Z6 Laser System, your surgeon has the potential to offer you unmatched accuracy and a more predictable and customized cataract procedure. Based on your medical history and pre-operative evaluation, you and your surgeon will discuss the options available for your desired visual result. Together you can discuss a treatment plan which may include using the LDV Z6 to create the laser incisions in the cornea along with an advanced lens implant that may allow for improved near, intermediate or distance vision. This tailored treatment may reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery. How is laser cataract surgery different from traditional cataract surgery? In traditional cataract surgery, incisions in the cornea are made using handheld instruments including blades to access the cataract. Your surgeon will then use a surgical device to manually create a circular opening in the lens capsule of the eye that holds the cataract. The Ziemer Z6 laser can be used to make the corneal incisions precise and the opening in the lens capsule as circular as possible, in the right location, and sized to fit the replacement lens. Your surgeon can also use the laser to break up and soften the hard cataract. Softening the lens with the laser enables your surgeon to then remove the cataract more gently and with significantly less ultrasound energy than is used in traditional manual cataract surgery. What are the benefits of laser cataract surgery? • A highly customized treatment • A treatment with little or no discomfort • A potentially more precise and predictable treatment • By and large, a gentler and easier cataract removal • Generally, a more rapid visual recovery due to reduced inflammation • The opportunity to receive tailored treatment with advanced technology multifocal lenses, which may reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery Am I a suitable candidate for laser cataract surgery? Your surgeon and you will decide whether you are a suitable candidate based on your eye anatomy, type of cataract and type of lens implant that

you desire. Most patients are candidates for having some of the steps of cataract surgery performed with the Ziemer Z6 laser. How long has the procedure been performed? Thousands of cataract procedures have been successfully performed using femtosecond laser systems, and femtosecond lasers have been used in eye procedures for decades. The most familiar use of femtosecond laser technology is LASIK. Femtosecond lasers represent an advanced standard in precision laser cataract surgery and the Ziemer Z6 platform was FDA cleared in 2013. What should I expect on the day of surgery? Your day in surgery should be no different than a routine cataract case. The Ziemer Z6 laser is positioned next to the surgeon and is utilized seamlessly during the cataract surgery process. You will be given mild IV sedation that will likely keep you pleasantly unaware of the goings on in surgery. Not only is it potentially painless, there are no needles or stitches as part of the procedure. What should I expect after surgery? After surgery, you can generally expect your vision to be improved within 24 hours. Generally, patients experience no pain after surgery. Slight scratchiness of the eye is common and they prescribed eye drops will help with any of these symptoms. Many patients return to work or normal activities the next day and even drive themselves to their post-op day one appointment! How long does the procedure take? You can expect to be at our center for about 2 hours, and you will be in the procedure room for only 20-25 minutes. Please call 678-688-4575 or visit our website at milaneyecenter.com for more information on how to schedule your Cataract evaluation at Milan Eye Center where compassion meets excellence in eye care.

Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Everyday mom’s Hollywood fabulous mommy makeover By Luna Plastic Surgery A mommy makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures done to help patients get their pre-baby body back. The procedures can entail a combination of breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck and liposuction. Breast augmentation increases size and alters shape of breasts. The procedure restores lost volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding. The breast lift raises and reshapes sagging or drooping breasts and restores firmness after breastfeeding. A tummy tuck removes excess skin that diet and exercise cannot resolve. This procedure can eliminate abdominal stretch marks, realigns abdominal muscles into tighter formation. Liposuction removes fat that does not respond to diet and exercise. It also restores contour to sagging areas and reduces fat deposits on stomach and hips. Mommy makeover procedures are popular in the Untied States. Statistics from 2013 show that breast augmentations were among

the most common procedure performed. Withover 290,224 a year. Liposuctions were DR. YUGUEROS also among the most common procedures performed in 2013 followed by tummy tucks then breast lifts. • Surgery length: 4-6 hours • Results: Last Indefinitely • Worth it rating: 98 percent

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December 11, 2014 27

Take control of your digestive issues By JONATHAN STEGALL, MD Are your digestive issues becoming more problematic? Are you dealing with acid reflux, indigestion, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea more often than you should? If so, it is time to get to the root of your problem and stop suffering! I see many patients who have digestive issues, ranging from occasional occurrences to hourly bouts of symptoms. No digestive issue, even if it occurs rarely, is normal. Rather, it is a clue that something inside your digestive system is very wrong. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and leaky gut syndrome are becoming much more common.

They not only rob people of their quality of life, but also set them up for other serious health issues as well. In my ofDR. STEGALL fice, I perform specialized tests which tell me a great deal about the health of your digestive system. These tests are invaluable to me, because they allow me to pinpoint the problem and fix it in a safe, natural way without using harmful prescription drugs or resorting to surgery. If you are having digestive issues, I can help. Call my office today and get a head start on your New Year’s resolution to feel better.

28 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SCHOOLS

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Fulton Schools exploring ‘school choice’ for students By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – “Customization” of education is the focus of Fulton School System leaders looking to expand school choice options for students beyond their mandated attendance zones. Options on the horizon for Fulton students could be more magnet schools, charter schools, language immersion schools, STEM schools or other programs tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. “This is a natural evolution of the charter system,” said Ken Zeff, director of strategy and innovation for Fulton Schools. “We want to make our neighborhood schools reflect the interest and needs of their communities.” The Fulton County School System (FCSS) became the state’s largest charter system in July 2012, which opened the doors for program flexibility across the system. In exchange for the promise of higher academic achievement, the charter exempts Fulton from many state education mandates, allowing local schools to determine what works best for

Community forums for school choice input (North Fulton locations) Jan. 28, 2015 – 7 p.m. at Centennial HS Feb. 2, 2015 – 7 p.m. at Milton Center (old Milton HS) them. The school choice initiative, said Zeff, adds the next level of flexibility for local schools. But he recognizes that even with flexibility and strategic plans in place, the needs of some students will never be met within the confines of their assigned schools. “The next stage – school choice – is the continuum in the process of providing opportunities to meet the students’ needs,” said Zeff. Currently, school choice is limited, especially in North Fulton where capacity issues limit student movement. The only magnet programs offered are in Sandy Springs and South Fulton, although Alpharetta and Centennial high schools could have the International Baccalaureate program as early as 2017. Hardship transfers and open enrollment are also offered system-wide, but, again, are limited to available seats

and set criteria. Katie Reeves, a Fulton School Board member from North Fulton, says she is encouraged school leaders are finally pursuing a viable school choice option that benefits all students. “For many years, North Fulton has been focused on just getting enough classroom space,” said Reeves. “It is a welcome change that we are now ready to start looking at choice options not only for North Fulton but for the rest of the county as well.” FCSS has been working on a school choice plan for several months. Last year, members of the school board visited the Charlotte (N.C.) – Mecklenburg School System to see their plan in action, and directed school staff to begin implementing a similar program for Fulton. There are challenges in the FCSS with a true choice

See CHOICE, Page 44

Sixth-graders standing in front of the Twitter Tree are, from left, Logan Ely, Matthew Stephen, Casey Brenan and Sarah Thangamani.

River Trail MS celebrates healthy choices JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – River Trail Middle School observed National Month of the Young Adolescent to promote awareness of making healthy choices, parental involvement, finding balance between school and outside activities and interests and pursuing dreams. This year’s celebration included Twitter Trees at each grade level, which express what is important in RTMS students’ lives. Other interests included reading staff posts about their middle school experiences, a pep rally, dress up days and an invite-your-parent-to-school day. – Staff

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

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 29

Religious Services Experience

the true meaning of Christmas

at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church Christmas Music Concerts – Sunday, Dec. 14 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Longest Night Service – Sunday, Dec. 21

For those with a heavy heart during the holidays.

Christmas Eve Services – Thursday, Dec. 25

3:30 p.m. Children’s Service (designed for younger children) 180 Academy Street 5 and 7 p.m. Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols Alpharetta, GA 30009 (nursery provided) 770-751-0033 www.alpharettapres.com 11 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Celebrating the birth of Jesus.

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Johns Creek United Methodist Church • www.JohnsCreekUMC.org

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DEC. 13 & 14

The Live Nativity & Christmas Fair

6:00 | 6:30 | 7:00 | 7:30 p.m. Watch the story of baby Jesus, pet the live animals, roast marshmallows & sip hot chocolate. Fair trade gifts for sale.

Dr. D.B. Shelnutt, Jr. Senior Pastor www.JohnsCreekUMC.org

Johns Creek United Methodist Church 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd Johns Creek, GA 30097

30 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald

COMMUNITY

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Student Leadership Johns Creek members attend college/mentoring workshops JOHNS CREEK, Ga. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Some 65 students from all four Johns Creek high schools attended a half-day leadership workshop Nov. 12 at Emory Johns Creek Hospital to get valuable tips about choosing a college major and handling the challenges of college life. These sophomore through senior students started the morning listening to Fulton County Area Superintendent Rob Anderson as he explained the challenges of college. He told them that most college students change their major field of study not once, but rather four times before they actually graduate. In groups, the students learned important tips, such as asking former classmates who are now in college to share their insights in college life that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on the website. This may include how to deal with their first bad grade â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or how to avoid it. Advice on organizations to join and whatever else these mentors wish they had been told before they got on campus. Andrew Ree, a local attorney who represents many

Members of Student Leadership Johns Creek learn the art of leadership during a three-year program of development, service and mentoring. prominent athletes including former University of Georgia and Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver Hines Ward, explained to them the importance of finding mentors and connections all through life. Val Markos, a leadership expert, focused on finding that perfect career by mixing your interests and what you do well with what is marketable.

Next up for this group of students will be a shadowing project where they will spend the day with a business professional of their choice in a career area they are considering. The younger group of student leaders, all mentored to students at other Johns Creek schools including State Bridge, Hillside, Wilson Creek and Tay-

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lor Road. They also attended a leadership workshop lead by Chelsea Sabo, a leadership trainer from a local nonprofit, Plywood People. She talked about the importance of compassion, appreciation and sacrifice in future leaders. The students will now take these learned lessons to their

respective â&#x20AC;&#x153;feederâ&#x20AC;? elementary and middle school students and mentor them on these critical leadership skills. The Student Leadership Johns Creek program allows Johns Creek high school students a valuable connection to Johns Creek, its business and civic leaders, and is an

See WORKSHOPS, Page 31

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Workshops: Continued from Page 30 invaluable experience for these students.

Student leadership Johns Creek class of 2015 • Adrian Hoefer • Justin Htay • Neil Jacob • Colton Mack • Jenna LeCates • Siri Choragudi • Nabeel Khan • Julia Lan • Nikita Varman • Khushboo Sarda • Pranav Prabu • Ankita Varman • Drew Fox • Ashlyn Payne • Preeti Iyer • Sneeha Iyer • Peter Jeong • Insiya Essani • Risha Parikh • Alyssa Tromer • Ankita Shroff • William Custis • Meghna Dash

Being a part of this program helps the students with networking for internships, jobs, their college goals and experiences. After they graduate, it is hoped they will return to Johns Creek and become future leaders in the community.

• Ritika Kumar • Tony Gong • Hailey Mody • Sumit Sohani • Maggie Xu

Student leadership Johns Creek class of 2016 • Hannah Kitzmiller • Peyton Niebanck • Adrienne Parks • Simon Miller • Sydney Floyd • Tristan Willis • Joselyn Guitierrez • Leticia VillasanaGuzma • Lauren Williams • Jaipal Narang • Kaushalya • Chandratna • Luisa Camacho • Aparna Pothukuchi • Frank Huang

• Chloe Murphy • Saitej Guttikonda • Skash Mandavilli • Alice Zhou • Betty Yu • Isabella Cheng • Brooke Zhang • Yasheen Gao • Vivian Wang • Sydney Dangremond • Natalie Johnson • Meredith McCain • Ahiliya Nat • Nicole Schoettler • Brittany Dargis • InHo Jeong • Shreyas Kumar • Rishi Rao • Sachi Puri • Tommy Bui • Minji Kim • Kedar Godbole • Raahul Acharya • Shivali Pandya • Joe Whalley • Vidushi Gupta

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 31

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32 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald

COMMUNITY

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Alpharetta Outfitters gives to local deserving people and groups $1,000 a day for 31 days By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – For 31 days, Alpharetta Outfitters is giving away $1,000 to needy people and groups in the area. The entire month of December will have day after day of giving, said C.J. Palmer, one of the owners. “We asked ourselves, ‘what can we do to get more people

involved?’” Palmer asked. The answer was to solicit suggestions from the community. So far, more than 300 submissions have been received, with more coming in daily. “We did not expect this response,” Palmer said. “We didn’t realize just how many people are doing such great work of so many different types. There are so many small organizations in our backyard who do such meaningful work. “It’s been a blessing,” Palmer said. The business itself operates

as a charitable venture, giving away all its profits to the needy. “December is a big month for any retail business and we want to help,” Palmer said. The owners and management look at each day’s submissions and ask which speak to them as a group. “We look for which ones get our attention and capture our hearts,” he said. Alpharetta Outfitters is giving away $1,000 each day for the month of December. For more information or to submit an application, visit www. alpharettaoutfitters.com/join.

The first seven days of December saw the following groups donated to by Alpharetta Outfitters Dec. 1 - Wandering to Nourish Wandering to Nourish’s purpose is to provide Atlanta’s homeless with food, clothing and hygiene products. At the same time, they give them love and hope for a prosperous future. Dec. 2 - Garret Law Garret Law serves as a cross-cultural worker throughout parts of the Middle East and Asia through Pioneers. Garret empowers local leaders as they reach out to serve and disciple those in their communities. Dec. 3 - Will to Live Rob Bentley, a local student at Cambridge High School, recently lost a close friend to suicide. He is now raising funds for the Will to Live Foundation in honor of the friend he lost. Will to Live actively engages in teen suicide prevention. Dec. 4 - The Saleb Family A family of six, the Salebs moved to Alpharetta a year ago from Egypt, following unrest in the region. With no prior experience with the English language, no car and little knowledge of the area, the Salebs are currently struggling to afford food for four children (ages 2-18). Dec. 5 - Habitat Aid Initiative Habitat Aid is a local organization working in Kenya to bring longterm solutions to those living in poverty. Habitat Aid works with community leaders as they improve health, education, agriculture and water systems. Dec. 6 - The Jones Family Jeff Jones has had a tough year as a single parent of two teenage boys. In May, one son was involved in a car accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Then in October, his second son was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Dec. 7 – Mary’s Merry Christmas Mary’s Merry Christmas Foundation serves children (and their families) that are fighting cancer in the hospital during the Christmas season. MMCF delivers toys, meals and joy as families navigate having to spend the holidays in the hospital.

RUMC holds holiday Service of Remembrance ROSWELL, Ga. – The joy of the Christmas season is sometimes overshadowed by personal losses or grief. Those who have lost a loved one and are dreading the holidays are invited to attend Roswell United Methodist Church’s annual Service of Remembrance Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in the chapel. This service provides an opportunity to focus on cherished memories to those grieving while prayers, scripture, music and a candle-lighting can bring comfort and peace. Fred Sawyers will provide the music. Afterward, light refreshments will be served in the church parlor. Roswell United Methodist Church is located at 814 Mimosa Blvd. in the heart of historic Roswell. For more information, call the main church office at 770-993-218, or visit the website at rumc.com.

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Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 33 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

‘Second mile service’ at Chick-fil-A turns transactions into relationships By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com JOHN CREEK, Ga. – Service with a smile can set you and your business apart from the competition. Such was the advice from Dan Cathy, president of local mega-food chain Chick-fil-A. He spoke to the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Dec. 3 at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek. Cathy calls his brand of service, “second mile service.” “If someone asks you to go with them for a mile, go two instead,” Cathy said, referring to the Biblical verse Matthew 5:41. The “first mile” is serving the customer quality goods. Cathy said that is the bare minimum expectation. Everything beyond that – the “second mile” – leaves a lasting impression on the customer. “Then a transaction turns into a relationship,” he said. “If you don’t go that extra mile, all you have is a transaction. To build brand loyalty, you need to go that extra mile.” Working this mindset into

the company culture is part of Cathy’s business plan. Every employee is asked to live and breathe the concept of “second mile service” This starts with saying “my pleasure” when told “thank you” from a customer. Because serving the customer should be a pleasure. He called this service a “sustainable competitive advantage.” Selling cheaper goods or giving discounts is not sustainable for a business, and customers realize this. But consistently offering good customer service will build that brand loyalty at no cost. “We have a greater hunger for a generous helping of honesty, respect and dignity,” Cathy said. “We are starved for it.” The results are a successful company despite being closed on Sundays and Chick-fil-A calendars that sell more than the Sports Illustrated swimsuit calendar. As president of one of the nation’s largest family-owned businesses, Cathy represents the next generation of leader-

ship for the Atlanta-based quick-service chicken restaurant chain founded by his father, the late S. Truett Cathy. Eager to incorporate his own skills and talents into the business, Dan Cathy has taken an unconventional yet personally and professionally rewarding approach to Chick-fil-A leadership. He said he has personally challenged himself with upholding Chick-fil-A’s efforts to provide genuine, heartfelt hospitality and ensuring that customers chain-wide have an exceptional dining experience when visiting a Chick-fil-A restaurant. For more on the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, visit them online at www.gnfcc.com.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy outlined his company’s “second mile service” to members of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Dec. 3.

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34 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SPORTS

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Webb Bridge student to play for U.S. team Dane Motley chosen for USA Football to face Canada By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Thirteenyear-old Dane Motley, an eighth-grader at Webb Bridge Middle School, will follow in the steps of such college football players as Todd Gurley and Jameis Winston when he plays in the sixth annual International Bowl in January against Canada. Dane is among the select players to play on the 2015 U.S. Under 15 National Team, assembled by USA Football. They will be part of five classifications – Under 14; Under 15; Under 16; Under 17; Under 18; Under 19 – to compete in the

weeklong event. The teams will play against Canadian national teams at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas. The 2015 International Bowl is a collaboration of the sport’s national governing bodies in each country – USA Football and Football Canada – featuring top student-athletes in football. Dane’s mother Splendora Motley said she is excited to be going to the game to see her son play. “He also played this summer in an all-star game at the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He has been

involved in USA Football where they hold camps with professional football players and coaches,” she said. “They go to clinics for their position, work out 7-on-7 and play a practice game,” she said. “We’re trying to position Dane to do well at high school and possibly college.” She said clinics also include proper use of equipment, sports medicine and how to prevent concussions. Dane is a 5-foot-10-inch, 162-pound linebacker who has started weight training and will play football at Alpharetta High School. Players will practice for a week before competing in a

Dane is a 5-foot-10-inch, 162-pound linebacker who has started weight training and will play football at Alpharetta High School.

series of jamborees and official international games. A national team exemption granted by the National Federation of State High School Associations and NCAA allows high school players to compete for USA Football and not have their participation count as an all-star game appearance. Because the International Bowl is recognized as a national team competition, the NCAA also allows current college coaches to serve on national team staffs.

Eighth-grader Dane Motley has been selected to play for the Under 15 USA Football International Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

Northview’s Kallish signs lacrosse scholarship to Radford JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Jessie Kallish, a Northview High School senior, signed a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Radford University in Radford, Virginia. Kallish, a four-year varsity player at Northview, has served as captain of the team and was given the Scholar Athlete Award. Kallish plays the attack position and is one of the leading scorers on the team. One coach said he likes Kallish’s play because “she sees the whole field.”

Jessie Kallish signs her letter of intent to Converse College as her parents Scott and Rochelle Kallish look on. In back, from left, are Athletic Director Chad Davenport, women’s lacrosse coach Kristin Wakely, Kallish’s sister Lyndsey Kallish, middle school coach Patrick O’Connell, and Northview Principal Brian Downey.

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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 35

WASHINGTON COUNTY 28, BLESSED TRINITY 17 :

Titans fall to Hawks (again) in AAA semifinals BT unable to slow down standout QB By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com SANDERSVILLE, Ga. – If Blessed Trinity meets up with Washington County for a third straight time next year in the state Class AAA football playoffs, the Titans will have at least one thing on their side. They won’t have to face A.J. Gray. The Washington County quarterback almost singlehandedly lifted the Golden Hawks to a 28-17 victory in the AAA semifinals last Friday night. It was the second year in a row they eliminated Blessed Trinity from the playoffs. Last year’s score was considerably more decisive, as Washington County won 46-17 in Roswell in the quarterfinals. Gray was abetted in 2013 by more talent at the skill positions on offense. He got most of his help this time from an effective offensive line that created running space for the strong, fast Washington County quarterback. Gray carried 30 times for 280 yards and three touchdowns and completed eight of 13 passes for 88 yards. His numbers were not as impressive as the 442 yards and eight rushing touchdowns he put up the previous week, and Blessed Trinity was the first team to make the Hawks play all the way to the final minutes. The Hawks (14-0) broke a state single season scoring record and will play for a state title Friday in the Georgia Dome against Calhoun, also 14-0. “They are deservedly the best team in the state with the best offensive player,” Blessed Trinity coach Tim McFarlin said of the Hawks and Gray. “I thought we needed to score 28 points at a minimum, but

Titans to return strong junior class

they are a really good defensive team. “When you play a great football team, you need to bring your A game from a playing and coaching standpoint, and we didn’t,” he said. “We did not run the ball the way we needed to run it, and our offense left the defense on the field for too long.” The Titans (13-1) closed within 28-17 late in the third period on a 70-yard pass from Conor Davis to Pat Jasinski. They got the ball back in Washington County territory midway through the final period after Matthew Higgins’ 50-yard interception return ended a scoring threat by the Hawks. But after attempting just a handful of passes previously in the game, the Titans threw deep on consecutive plays, neither of them intended for Jasinski or Higgins, the team’s top receivers. The first fell incomplete and the second was intercepted by Gray, who is headed to Georgia Tech, reportedly to play in the secondary. The Hawks ran out the clock, holding the ball for 12 plays and gaining 73 yards, one of six Washington County drives that covered more than 60 yards. Washington County had the ball almost the entire second half, running 39 plays from scrimmage to nine for the Titans, who had the ball for

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By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – After reaching the Class AAA quarterfinals and semifinals the past two seasons before losing to Washington County, the Blessed Trinity Titans appear to be positioned to make another deep playoff run next year. Although the Titans will graduate some key seniors – most notably linebacker/tight end Pat Jasinski, a Central Florida commit – they return an even larger group of starters, including three of the team’s key offensive skill position players and most of the linemen and defensive regulars. “We’re excited about what we have coming back,” Blessed Trinity coach Tim McFarlin said minutes after the Titans’ 28-17 loss in Sandersville last Friday night. “But you’ve got to approach it the right way,” he said. “You can’t afford to let up.” McFarlin experienced a similar situation at Roswell in 2007 and ’08, with the Hornets sharing a state title in ’07 with a standout junior class. The Hornets reached the quarterfinals the next year before losing to the eventual state champions in what was effectively the state championship game. But the overall impression was that the ’08 Hornets did not achieve to the level of the previous team. “We’ve had a pretty good run with a strong junior class,” McFarlin said, comparing the current situation at Blessed Trinity with the one he experienced at Roswell. “We had a good group of seniors, and character had a lot to do with it.” The Titans enjoyed the most successful football season in school history, finishing with a 13-1 record against an ambitious schedule.

just two plays and less than 20 seconds the final 14-plus minutes. The Titans had control of the game for the first seven minutes, leading 10-0 before Gray took over. Blessed Trinity started the game from its 2-yard line after a mistake on the opening kickoff. But led

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The Titans opened with a 42-20 victory at St. Pius, which plays this weekend for the AAAA title. BT won by a combined 72-14 in consecutive weeks at AAAAAA opponents Sequoyah and Creekview, both of whom made the state playoffs, with Sequoyah defeating an unbeaten team in the first round. Blessed Trinity defeated Westminster 23-11 to finish first in the sub-region, with the Wildcats also reaching the state semifinals before losing to unbeaten Calhoun. The Titans then took the Region 4-AAA title with a 28-21 win over a talented Cedar Grove team, followed by two romps against outmatched teams in the first two rounds of state. The Titans reached the semifinals thanks to a 28-21 overtime win at Jefferson, which also came into the game undefeated. Washington County, which lost in the AAA championship game last year to Buford, was ranked No. 1 this entire season (Buford has moved up to AAAA). For the second straight year, they proved to be the better of the two teams in their game against the Titans. “We have nothing to hang our heads about,” McFarlin said. “There’s a difference between losing and getting beat, and Washington County was just better than us. They were the best offensive team we saw this year, and they’re a really good defensive team. “We’re a really good tackling team, but we couldn’t stop their quarterback.” The Titans return quarterback Conor Davis, tailback Milton Shelton and receiver/ defensive back Matthew Higgins, along with most of the offensive line and a large contingent of defensive regulars. Along with Jasinski, the Titans graduate offensive starters Cameron Nolan and Will Janousek, as well as key defenders Joe Camacho, Bailey Grady and Travis Green and kicker Mitchell Rostowsky.

by tailback Milton Shelton, BT drove to the Hawks’ 11 before settling for Mitchell Rostowsky’s 28-yard field goal. Shelton carried on the first five plays for 54 yards, and Higgins gained 15 on a speed sweep before the Hawks’ defense stopped Shelton on consecutive plays and forced

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an incomplete pass on third down. The BT defense forced a punt after one Washington County first down, and got the ball at the Hawks’ 3 after the snap from center sailed well over the punter’s head. Shelton

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36 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SPORTS

Balanced Lady Knights off to fast start Team effort sparks Centennial success By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The Centennial Lady Knights opened the 2014-15 season with four straight victories, built on some aggressive defensive play and a balanced offense that has as many as seven players capable of leading the team in scoring any night. Seven players scored in double figures at least once in the Knights’ first six games. The team’s leading scorer averaged 10.5 points a game and seven others scored between four and 9.5 points per contest. Only one Centennial player has scored more than 16 points, a 22-point effort by senior Jilla Moede in a seasonopening 80-57 victory over Dunwoody. Two other Centennial players scored in double figures that night. Two others joined Moede with 10 or more points in a 52-37 win over Northview in the Knights’ Region 6-AAAAAA opener, led by Jada Triplett with 13. Freshman Shekinah Guthrie, at 5-foot-8 one of the team’s taller players, had 10 points in a 46-41 win over Salem, and led the Knights in both scoring (16) and rebounding (10) in a decisive 57-22 victory at home last week against Chattahoochee. Naomi Holloway scored 15 points in a 69-54 loss last Friday at South Forsyth, one of the region’s top teams. Triplett led the way with 15, and 6-foot-2 junior Grace Morrow added 13 the next night in a 49-39 victory at Duluth. Six Centennial players scored between four and eight points against Salem, and six had between five and seven points against Chattahoochee. “We go eight deep, sometimes nine deep, and our guards are pretty interchangeable,” first-year Centennial coach Don Padgett said. “We have a lot of quick guards, but not a lot of post players.” Centennial’s roster lists eight of 11 players as guards, with only one regular (Guthrie) designated as a forward and Morrow the lone post player. “They play hard and they play bigger than they are,” Padgett said of the Knights’ deep but not particularly tall group of guards. “They know they’re challenged to rebound.” One way the team compensates for its lack of height is by

SOL SIMS/ SOLARVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY

Chattahoochee’s Siena Gore (21) attempts to block Centennial’s Naomi Holloway’s (24) shot. playing an aggressive manto-man press that produces plenty of steals and can lead to fast break baskets. With so many guards, most of the Knights’ shots come from outside or on drives to the basket. Five Centennial players are capable of hitting three-pointers, with Guthrie and Morrow doing their scoring on the inside. Junior Brianna Perry led last year’s team in scoring, averaging almost 15 points a game, but is averaging just 5.4 points this season. Padgett said, “Our different style of play has taken her some time to get used to.” Perry and senior Elizabeth Veringa, the team’s most accurate three-point shooter, are averaging just four and five field goal attempts per game, but both have already had double-figure scoring efforts in the Knights’ share-the-wealth offense. “Nobody on this team is going to score 30 a night,” Padgett observed. “We’re going to have seven or eight scoring

every game, with maybe two or three in double figures and several others with seven or eight points.” Much of the Centennial scoring is predicated on the defensive pressure. The Knights came up with 16 steals against Chattahoochee, five by Veringa and three each by sisters Audrey and Naomi Holloway, who help key the team’s backcourt pressure. Padgett said the Knights have not shot as well as they can, which has led him to rely more on the press to generate some offense. “What we want to do is get in other teams’ faces and use our quickness to force a lot of mistakes,” he said. Padgett came to Centennial after three years as an assistant at perennial state power Norcross, and assessed several head coaching opportunities before moving across the Chattahoochee River. “One of the things that appealed to me was that this team got to the first round of state last year and had good

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Basketball scoreboard Dec. 2-6 Updated with more Saturday scores & records. Boys’ games Lassiter 31 • Blessed Trinity 55, Tuesday McNair 17 • Alpharetta 65, • Mount Pisgah 39, South Forsyth 48 Pinecrest 29 • Chattahoochee 54, • Fellowship 44, Centennial 53 King’s Ridge 26 • Johns Creek 68, • St. Francis 64, Walker 17 Northview 56 • Pope 54, Milton 49 Friday • Etowah 66, Roswell 53 • Chattahoochee 44, • Cambridge 71, Johns Creek 33 Lassiter 66 • South Forsyth 67, • Blessed Trinity 56, Centennial 54 McNair 42 • Habersham 32, • Mount Pisgah 60, Alpharetta 30 Pinecrest 50 • Lambert 35, Northview 27 • King’s Ridge 26, • Woodstock 64, Milton 44 Fellowship 23 • Cherokee 57, Roswell 36 • St. Francis 84, Walker 42 • Kell 59, Cambridge 57 • South Atlanta 65, Friday Blessed Trinity 35 • Alpharetta 78, • Mount Pisgah 37, Habersham 35 Fellowship 32 • Centennial 57, • St. Francis 69, South Forsyth 54 Whitefield 43 • Johns Creek 54, • Pinecrest 75, Chattahoochee 50 King’s Ridge 35 • Lambert 70, Northview 47 • Milton 72, Woodstock 39 Saturday • Cherokee 44, Roswell 36 • Centennial 49, Duluth 38 • Cambridge 61, Kell 46 • Chattahoochee 57, • Blessed Trinity 50, Forsyth Central 36 South Atlanta 47 • North Springs 42, • Mount Pisgah 58, Milton 39 Fellowship 43 • Lambert 57, Roswell 26 • Pinecrest 55, • Decatur 58, King’s Ridge 54 Blessed Trinity 45 • St. Francis 56, • Mount Pisgah 44, Whitefield 48 Galloway 26 • Whitefield 62, Saturday King’s Ridge 13 • Johns Creek 71, Creekview 59 Team records – Boys; Girls • Chattahoochee 56, Forsyth Central 51 • Alpharetta: • Duluth 71, Centennial 39 3-0, 3-1; 0-3, 1-5 • Lambert 67, Roswell 54 • Centennial: • Blessed Trinity 53, 2-1, 3-3; 2-1, 5-1 Decatur 41 • Chattahoochee: • Whitefield 58, 1-2, 3-2; 1-2, 3-2 King’s Ridge 49 • Johns Creek: • Miller Grove 66, 3-0, 4-3; 2-1; 5-2 St. Francis 43 • Northview: • Galloway 56, 0-3, 0-7; 0-3, 2-5 Mount Pisgah 32 • Milton: 2-1, 2-4; 1-2, 1-7 • Cambridge: Girls’ games 1-0, 4-4; 0-1, 1-7 • Blessed Trinity: Tuesday 1-0, 7-2; 0-1, 2-7 • Centennial 57, • St. Francis: Chattahoochee 22 2-0, 5-1; 2-0, 6-0 • Johns Creek 44, • Mount Pisgah: Northview 34 2-0, 2-2; 2-0, 4-0 • South Forsyth 56, • Fellowship: Alpharetta 36 0-2, 2-4; 1-1, 4-2 • Pope 47, Milton 25 • King’s Ridge: • Etowah 63, Roswell 33 1-2, 3-6; 0-3, 0-9 • Cambridge 36, players coming back,” he said. Centennial went 18-10 last season, placed third in the region and put up a good fight in the first round of state against Parkview. Padgett praised the work former coach Robert White did in building a program that had not enjoyed much success. “I thought this was a pretty good opportunity with a pretty good team to coach,” Padgett said. Padgett points to North

Forsyth and South Forsyth as top-10 caliber teams, but he expects the Knights to again challenge for a top-4 finish in the region and another state tournament berth. The Knights shot well from outside against South Forsyth (six of 14 on three-pointers), but were only 12 of 40 on twopointers. Centennial jumped out to a 27-8 halftime lead the following night, with Naomi Holloway and Morrow turning in strong all-around showings.

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SPORTS

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 37

Sheffield again the driving force for Cougars Standout senior does more than just score By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – For teams playing the Chattahoochee Cougars this season, the strategy is pretty simple. Try to contain Markus Sheffield. The 6-foot-5 senior is one of just a few returning regulars from last season, and he is the Cougars’ primary offensive weapon after averaging 27 points a game in 2013-14. Sheffield accounted for a sizeable percentage of the team’s scoring last year, but had at least one teammate capable of shouldering some of the offensive load. Avery Ward, who is playing football at Mercer, gave the Cougars a second offensive threat. But he graduated along with several other starters, leaving coach Kacey Martin to search for a scoring complement for Sheffield this season. The Cougars split their first four games, going 1-2 in Region 6-AAAAAA. The Cougars suffered four-point losses to both North Forsyth and Johns Creek on their home court, and pulled out a 54-53 victory last week at Centennial. Sheffield exploded for 47 points in a season-opening 95-78 victory over non-region opponent North Springs, but got plenty of help from his teammates. Sheffield scored 34 points against North Forsyth, but his teammates managed just 22 points and the Cougars lost. Against Centennial, Sheffield went for 25 points in an off-and-on night. It did not exactly match his 40-point display in the Cougars’ upset victory over the Knights last year in the region playoffs that earned Chattahoochee a spot in the state playoffs despite a 9-16 regular season record. “We rely on him a lot,” Martin said of Sheffield, who will play at Stanford on a basketball scholarship. “But he’s the type of player who wants to get his teammates involved. He has confidence in his teammates and knows he’s going to get double-teamed. “As long as we believe in each other, I think we’ll be OK, but we’ve still got a ways to go,” he said. The win over the Knights was a confidence-builder for the Cougars, who hung in the game with Sheffield on the bench with three fouls in the third quarter. The Knights hit

Cougars’ Issac Kinsey pushes the ball up court.

We don’t have a lot of size, but you can play bigger than you are.” KACEY MARTIN Chattahoochee coach Chattahoochee with a barrage of three-pointers to take a seven-point lead to the final period. But Sheffield returned and started a Chattahoochee comeback with a three-point play to open the fourth quarter. The Cougars outscored Centennial 16-8 in the final period, with Sheffield having a hand in every Chattahoochee score. He floated a jumper over tight coverage and fed sophomore guard Isaac Kinsey for a three-pointer to tie the game two minutes into the quarter. Sheffield scored 10 of his 25 points in the final period to keep the Cougars close, but it was his passing skills that made the difference. After Centennial regained the lead, Sheffield again found an open teammate behind the arc, with Ja’von Douglas connecting on a three-pointer with 2:30 to play for what turned out to be the game’s final points. Turnovers and missed free throws kept the two teams from scoring after that, with the loss preventing the Knights from getting off to a 3-0 start in region play. Centennial, which has been playing with a depleted roster, was 2-1 in the region and 3-3 overall coming into this week.

PHOTOS BY SOL SIMS/ SOLARVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY

Centennial’s Grayson Dent (25) and Chattahoochee’s Marcus Sheffield (14) try to control the tip-off. Martin is not expecting one player to step into Ward’s complementary scoring role from last year, but is looking for “a collective effort from the other guys. If it’s a different guy every night, I can live with that.” Besides lacking a proven second scorer, the Cougars are not an especially tall team. At 6-foot-5, Sheffield is the tall-

est Cougar, but is a perimeter player on offense and his slender frame is not exactly ideal for battling stronger players under the basket on defense. “We don’t have a lot of size,” Martin said, “but you can play bigger than you are.” 6-AAAAAA is not among the stronger basketball regions in AAAAAA, and even with a mostly unproven team, Martin

believes the Cougars can contend for one of four spots in the state playoffs. Martin points to Alpharetta and Lambert as the likely favorites, with Johns Creek also off to a fast start. Centennial is a likely contender once the Knights are at full strength. “We have a shot to be there at the end,” Martin observed. “But we have to get better.”

38 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SPORTS

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UGA’s David Andrews a Rimington finalist Johns Creek native finalist for top college award for a center ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia senior David Andrews has been named one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding center in college football. Andrews joins Michigan State junior Jack Allen, Auburn senior Reece Dismukes, Kansas State senior B.J. Finney, Boston College senior Andy Gallik and Oregon senior Hroniss Grasu as the six national finalists. The winner of the Rimington Trophy will be presented live during the ESPNU Red Carpet Show Thursday, Dec. 11, immediately preceding the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The winner also will be recognized at the Rimington Trophy presentation at the Rococo

Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. To learn more about the Rimington Trophy, visit www. rimingtontrophy.com. The winner of the Rimington Trophy is selected by determining the consensus All-American center pick from three existing AllAmerica teams: Walter Camp Foundation (WCF), Sporting News (SN) and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). Andrews, a 6-foot-2, 294-pound native of Johns Creek, has started a team-best 39 consecutive games, encompassing every contest since 2012. He is one of only two starters on Georgia’s line, which includes two sophomores, who regularly got the starting nod

prior to this season. Andrews has been a Bulldog captain 10 times this year through 12 games. Behind his lead, the Bulldogs have tallied a Southeastern Conferenceleading 35 rushing touchdowns. In school history, that only trails the 1971 Bulldog team, which finished with 39. Andrews has helped allow Georgia’s quarterbacks, including first-year starter Hutson Mason, have a completion percentage of 68.1, which is ranked sixth nationally and would establish a school record for a season (64.5, 1997). After All-American Todd Gurley was suspended and then sustained a seasonending knee injury, Andrews has anchored an offense that has allowed true freshman tailback Nick Chubb to become the 12th Bulldog in school history to reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season.

David Andrews has been the linchpin of the Bulldog line for the last two seasons. His leadership and athleticism have earned him a nomination for the Rimington Trophy. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs (9-3, 6-2 SEC) take on 20thranked Louisville (9-3, 5-3

ACC) in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Kelsey Prince signs her letter of intent as her parents Greg and Karen Prince watch. Standing from left are Colin Maloney, Principal Brian Downey and Northview swim and dive coach Raymond Brown.

Patrick Cusick, seated, signs his letter of intent with the University of North Carolina surrounded by family and friends.

Northview senior Northview’s Prince Alpharetta’s Cusick Esther Yi signs to swim for Penn to swim for UNC lacrosse scholarship ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Patrick Cusick, a senior at Alpharetta High School and a member of the Alpharetta swim and dive team, has signed a national letter of intent with the University of North Carolina for the 2015-16 season. Cusick, who swims the backstroke, took second in the 100-meter backstroke and 400-meter free relay and fifth place in the 100-meter individual medley at last year’s GHSA 6A state championship meet. Cusick also placed in the Top 20 at the 2014 Speedo Summer Junior Nationals in Irvine, California.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Esther Yi, a Northview High School senior, signed to University Of Pikeville for women’s lacrosse. Yi has been a member of the Northview varsity team since last year. Seated with Yi is Northview’s varsity women’s lacrosse coach Kristin Wakely and middle school coach Patrick O’Connell. Behind her, from left, are Northview Athletic Director Chad Davenport and Northview Principal Brian Downey.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Kelsey Prince, a Northview High School senior, has committed to the University of Pennsylvania swim team. Prince has been a swimmer for Northview for four years and is a three-year letterman. She was named the Most Valuable Swimmer in 2012 and 2013. She was a Georgia State Meet finalist in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and was an NISCA All-American in 2013. Prince was named to Georgia High School AllState team in 2013, and is the school record holder for the 100 fly, 200 individual medley and the 200 medley relay.

COMMUNITY

Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 39 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Johns Creek Christmas tree and Dreidel lighting 8th annual celebration ‘balmy’ affair JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek annual Christmas tree and Dreidel lighting Dec. 1 at City Hall once again kicked off holiday festivities in Johns Creek. Led by the mayor and City Council, around 200 celebrants listened to the Woodward North Show Choir sing carols, and children anxiously awaited the arrival of Santa. There were train rides, lots to eat and activities for the youngsters. – Hatcher Hurd

PHOTOS BY HATCHER HURD/STAFF

The mayor and City Council greet a special guest. From left are Councilwoman Cori Davenport, Mayor Mike Bodker, Santa Claus and Councilmen Steve Broadbent, Steve Gray and Lenny Zaprowski.

Ella, left, and Sophie Obrego are delighted to meet Santa in person.

The fun included free train rides around the parking lot.

The Woodward North Show Choir put a lot of expression into their songs.

There are lots of activities at the tree and dreidel lighting, but that does not mean it isn’t serious work.

40 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald

NORTHSIDE WOMAN

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A young dancer’s dream come true Two Alpharetta girls to dance in Atlanta Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ By KATIE VANBRACKLE katie@northsidewoman.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – This year, Atlanta Ballet will raise the curtain at the Fox Theatre on its 55th production of “Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker,” and among the cast of more than 200 students that dance alongside the 23-member professional company will be two residents from Alpharetta. Simone Harris, age 10 and a student at River Trail Middle School, will return for her third year, but in a new role. After dancing the role of “snow fairy” for the past two seasons, she will now get to experience what it’s like to be a “party child.” Eleven-year-old Sophia Egolf, a student at Johns Creek’s Autrey Mill Middle School, will make her Atlanta Ballet debut this year, also as a “party child.” She joined Atlanta Ballet’s enrollment division this fall after training for seven years at Perimeter Ballet, where she performed in such productions as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Coppelia” and “Cinderella.” Sophia, who has been dancing since the age of 4, has had stage experience, but nothing to compare to being on stage at the Fabulous Fox in Atlanta. “I’m so excited!” said Sophia. “I’ve been there once before and it’s so beautiful and all of the dancers are so amazing. I can’t wait to dance at the Fox.” Sophia’s father drives her

PHOTO BY KIM KENNEY

Student dancers in this year’s “Nutcracker” include Simone Harris, third from left in top row, and Sophia Egolf, second from the left in bottom row. to Atlanta once a week for “Nutcracker” rehearsals in addition to her regular ballet classes three times per week. For her, dancing is more than just a hobby. She takes it as seriously as she would a profession, and hopes to be dancing for as long as she can. In their roles as party children, Simone and Sophia will step into the beautiful living room of the Petrov household in St. Petersburg, Russia, where a Christmas party is in full swing and Drosselmeyer, a mysterious toymaker, presents gifts to all the children, including a magical nutcracker doll for the Petrov’s young daughter, Marya. Set in the elaborate Moorish décor of the historic Fox Theatre, this unique production takes 20 pounds of snow, eight tons of scenery, lighting and props and a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree to make the magic of Marya’s unbelievable story come to life. Every year, Atlanta Ballet’s

Marya dances with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

artistic director John McFall adds a special touch to the production in an effort to keep it fresh and vibrant. “For five decades now, Atlanta Ballet has been presenting ‘Nutcracker,’ and we’ve become a holiday tradition for many families in Atlanta,” said McFall. “It’s an honor, but also a great responsibility. Each year, we want to make sure we preserve the tradition, but also keep the magic and mystery alive. We are thoughtful about each change we make and confident that it will ultimately make for a more enchanting experience.” Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to the Fox Theatre Dec. 11 through Dec. 28 with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Choir live for all 20 performances. Tickets start as low as $20 and are available by phone at 855-ATL-TIXX, in person at the Fox Theatre Box Office and the Atlanta Ballet Box Office or online at www.atlantaballet.com.

Sophia Egolf of Johns Creek will make her “Nutcracker” debut this year.

Drosselmeyer with his dancing dolls.

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Going Green

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 41

Making a difference in your local community Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014

Green giving – Making sustainable choices this holiday season There are many things I love about the holidays; spending time with family, home-cooked feasts and the pretty holiday decorations that cheer up a dreary winter backdrop. What I don’t love about the holidays is the massive amounts of waste and excessive consumerism. The holidays have become more and more about shopping and gift giving and less about the truly important things. Depending on your spiritual beliefs, the holidays mean different things to different people. However, across the board, there is generally a meaning to this time. There are traditions to be observed and ceremonies to be performed. Family and friends get together. We celebrate and give thanks for our blessings. We share and give to others and help those less fortunate than us. Wouldn’t it be great to combine all of these aspects of the holidays? Gift-giving, sharing and helping others. With this in mind, I’ve put together a list of sustainable gift ideas to help

Helpful websites

PASCALE CHAMBERS Pascale@appen mediagroup.com

inspire you to think outside the box this year and give a gift that is thoughtful, memorable and also good for the planet. Give a CSA share – Local farms all over the country offer CSA programs (community sustained agriculture). By joining a CSA, you are supporting smaller farmers who are organic or certified naturally grown. You can purchase a share for someone as a gift and they would get to enjoy healthy, fresh foods for many months to come. Many CSAs also offer gift certificates. Give an animal – Heifer International is an organization that seeks to end hunger while empowering people to become self-reliant. Supporters finance the purchase of livestock for families in developing countries.

To find CSAs: locallygrown.net Heifer International: heifer.org National Wildlife Federation: nwf.org Heirloom seeds: seedsavers.org bountifulgardens.org E-cards: acquielawson. com Unique gifts: etsy.com These animals provide food and income. Honor someone on your shopping list by buying an animal in their name. The animal will go to a needy family and a gift card is sent to your recipient telling them about the gift you donated for them. Adopt an animal – Through the National Wildlife Federation, you can symbolically adopt an animal as a gift for someone. They will receive a certificate and a plush toy of the animal adopted. This makes a great gift for kids. The

NWF also sells other naturethemed gifts and holiday cards. Proceeds from adoptions and sales go to support the protection of wildlife and connecting people to nature. A subscription to a magazine focusing on environmental stewardship and sustainable living. “Mother Earth News” and “Natural Home” are good choices offering earth friendly solutions and tips. Give the gift of a garden – Planting and saving heirloom vegetable and fruit seeds helps perpetuate a variety of foods that are diminishing, resulting in a narrowing diversity in our food systems. If you know a gardener, a gift certificate to an heirloom seed catalog where they can select seeds of their choosing would make a thoughtful and useful gift. For a unique gift, consider shopping on Etsy, a website that provides a marketplace for handmade and vintage items from individual artists. Etsy is also a certified B corporation, a certification process that evaluates companies on social and environmental

performance. Harry and David offers an organic fruit basket that also features environmentally friendly packaging. Suggestions for reducing holiday waste: When buying wrapping paper, look for items that are made with recycled content and are 100 percent recyclable. Also, look for soy or vegetablebased inks. Consider holiday e-cards. Some sites offer yearly memberships so you can send all the cards you want for one nominal fee, which adds up to big cost savings as well as reducing waste. Recycle or reuse wrapping paper and gift bags. Holidays are also a great time to support local charities with monetary gifts or the gift of your time by volunteering during this busiest of seasons. This year, give some extra thought to your purchases and consider more sustainable choices. Encourage others to do the same and help protect the planet we share.

Northside Hospital tennis fundraiser raises money for 1,250 mammograms JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Northside Hospital Foundation took its fight to center court with its 12th annual Tennis Against Breast Cancer (TABC) fundraiser. More than 1,000 women participated in the four events in North Fulton and Forsyth and helped the foundation raise over $156,000 for digital screening mammograms provided through the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. “It’s amazing to see how our Tennis Against Breast Cancer events have grown over the past 12 years,” said Freda Hardage, director of the Northside Hospital Foundation. “So many of our participants and teams have been with us since the early years, and we are honored to have their continued support.” Each event began with a morning clinic of fundamental tennis drills with Atlanta tennis pros, followed by a gourmet luncheon and fashion show of the latest tennis fashions. Survivor Dawn Hood spoke to luncheon guests about her journey through breast cancer and reminded everyone of why they were there. Dr. Lynn Baxter, director of breast

imaging at Northside, gave everyone the latest information into the diagnosis, treatment and research of the disease, while participants enjoyed raffle and door prizes, chair massages, team photos, Panera Pink Ribbon Bagels and TABC pullovers. All proceeds from the registration fees, raffle items and other donations from this year’s TABC event will go to the Northside Hospital Foundation’s Breast Care Fund to help Northside Hospital Cancer Institute provide lifesaving digital screening mammograms for underinsured women in the community. For the second year, participants had an opportunity to take their personal fundraising efforts online. In all, 180 ladies raised approximately $25,000 through online fundraising, equal to 200 digital screening mammograms. Sharon Hendricks of Cumming, from Team Called to Serve, and Amanda Kokan of Marietta, from Team SSTC A3 Business Women, were the top two fundraisers, each raising more than $2,000 for the Breast Care Fund. —Vallari Bhave

The members of the Called to Serve team are Teresa Bath, Kara Clemmons, Erin Deady, Allison Futch, Sharon Hendricks, Michelle Ray, Becky Robinson, Beth Spillane and Sherry Topper.

42 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald

COMMUNITY

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Bunch of Guys celebrates 25 years of making Christmas bright Roswell Child Development Association annual recipient of unique toy drive By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The first Friday in December is a special day for the Roswell Child Development Association. That is the day two groups come together each year to support the CDA and make small faces have large smiles come Christmas Day. This was not just any year for the two guys responsible for this. Attorneys Steve Dorvee and Richard O’Donnell marked the 25th anniversary of their annual Christmas party that is dedicated to assembling toys – usually wheeled ones – for the CDA children. Dorvee and O’Donnell were just two guys who decided a long time ago to get some Big Wheels and put them together for the CDA and North Fulton Community Charities. “I was an associate in a law firm and got a request from some people at the Department of Family and Children’s Services to send some people to help put together toys they had collected,” Dorvee said. So he got two more lawyers to help him, O’Donnell and Ed Tate. After a couple of years the job became a bit much for just three guys, so they decided to entice some buddies over to help with the offer of free beer and pizza. About eight years ago, they decided rather than alternate between the two local charities they would take on CDA exclusively, so that the CDA could plan ahead each year. Asked if he thought that 25 years after they started this annual event it would still be going strong, O’Donnell didn’t hesitate to answer. “Not a chance. We had no idea. It was just something we wanted to do. And it just keeps going,” O’Donnell said. It has taken somewhat of a life of its own. Now the event is split to two houses. Dorvee and his patient wife Ida have “The Cigar Guys” congregate at their house. Meanwhile O’Donnell keeps the original B.O.G.D.B.A.P.T.T. (that’s Bunch of Guys Drinking Beer and Putting Together Toys) at his house. O’Donnell says the event has even spawned a sorority down the street where Carmen Beggs and Beth Miller have a ladies’ night out to support the Drake House – a bootstrap program in Roswell that gives homeless mothers with children a place to get back on their feet and working while keeping their children in their original schools. A tip of the hat goes to

PHOTOS BY HATCHER HURD/STAFF

The annual meeting of the B.O.G.D.B.A.P.T.T. at Rich O’Donnell’s house in west Roswell has the lads being of good cheer as they end the evening with more toys for the CDA.

Child Development Association needs extra support ROSWELL, Ga. – For 45 years, the Child Development Association has been providing early childhood learning and childcare for the preschool children of disadvantaged working families. The CDA is nationally accredited and provides these children with the tools to enter kindergarten fully prepared to begin their journey to learn. But this year, Fulton County was not able to provide the annual $150,000 grant that helped support the great work the CDA does. That has been a big hole in their budget for them to fill. To help, go to cdakids. org to make a donation. Montana’s Bar and Grill for pitching in some wings, the Cigar Merchant at Mansell Road and Alpharetta Highway that contributed cigars and Alessio’s Pizza, which provided pizza. The official vegetable of the evening was noted in the form of Bloomin’ Onions from Outback Steakhouse.

Standing vigil at the O’Donnell house is the oldest alumnus of the event. He has stood watch for 25 years guiding the toy-meisters to the O’Donnell workshop.

Steve McGraw assembles his toy while receiving expert advice from Steve Dorvee, left, and Jere Wood, a well-known politician in Roswell with a penchant for wheeled toys as well.

The Cigar Guys gather at Steve Dorvee’s house in south Roswell to assemble toys for the Child Development Association and hoist a glass or two of Christmas cheer. It is early in the evening and the toy count has not yet begun to rise.

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Titans: Continued from Page 35 scored on the next play, but it took less than 45 seconds for Gray to get the Hawks back in the game. On the second play after the kickoff, he broke free for 81 yards on the read option, charging through a sizeable hole and sprinting past the BT defense into the end zone. The Hawks again stopped Shelton on back-to-back plays to force a punt, and put together a 17-play drive, converting five third downs and twice overcoming penalties that nullified touchdowns. A 29yard pass from Gray converted a third-and-28, and he put the Hawks ahead 14-10 on a 2-yard run. Aided by one of nine Washington County penalties that totaled 99 yards, the Titans reached the Hawks’ 28, but Shelton was tackled for a loss on third-and-1 and Davis was sacked on fourth down. Washington County scored with just over one minute left in the half, with a 22-yard pass from Gray preceding a 14-yard touchdown run by Ethan Ray. After forcing a punt to start the third quarter, the Titans crossed midfield on three carries by Shelton for 27 yards. Davis then hit Higgins behind the Hawks’ secondary for 48 yards and an apparent touchdown. But BT was penalized for an ineligible receiver downfield,

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on December 3, 2014 for Consumption on the Premises of Malt Beverages and Wine. BUSINESS NAME Fresh Grill LLC Dba Fresh Grill 5725 State Bridge Road, Suite 108 & 109 Johns Creek, GA 30022

wiping out both the TD and a holding penalty against Washington County. A 15-yard penalty against the Titans put them in a second-and-28 hole, but Davis hit Jasinski for 21 yards. Facing fourth-and-5 from the Hawks’ 43, the Titans attempted a quick kick rather than go for the first down, and the punt traveled just 6 yards. On fourth-and-3 from the BT 35, Gray broke tackle attempts at the line of scrimmage and scored to make the score 28-10. Davis and Jasinski hooked up for an answer on the Titans’ next play, with BT’s tight end just making it to the end zone after being pursued for most of the 70 yards by a defender. The Hawks then kept the ball for 16 plays, but the Titans’ defense stiffened inside the 10. Higgins picked off a pass on fourth-and-goal from the 24, returning it across midfield to give the Titans hope of a late comeback. The stats were one-sided, with the Hawks having huge advantages in first downs (23-9), offensive plays (69-32) and yards gained (471-219). Shelton carried 22 times for 111 yards, but did not have an official carry after BT’s first three plays of the second half. Davis was two-of-five for 91 yards, with penalties erasing three other pass attempts, including the nullified touchdown to Higgins.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on December 4, 2014 for Consumption on the Premises of Malt Beverages, Wine & Distilled Spirits. BUSINESS NAME Pueblo M LLC Dba Pueblo Mexican Restaurant 5805 State Bridge Road Suite D Johns Creek, GA 30097

OWNER/OFFICERS Fresh Grill LLC Dba Fresh Grill 5725 State Bridge Road, Suite 108 & 109 Johns Creek, GA 30022

OWNER/OFFICERS Pueblo M LLC Dba Pueblo Mexican Restaurant 5805 State Bridge Road Suite D Johns Creek, GA 30097

Maria Manzanero, Managing Member

Managing Member Alvaro Sosa

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 43

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR FY 2015 BRIDGE MAINTENANCE BID #15-007 The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for FY 2015 BRIDGE MAINTENANCE including, but not limited to, cleaning and sealing deck joints, constructing and extending concrete encasements, cleaning and painting piles, repairing concrete spalling, installing sway bracing, and related work. The location of the work is at multiple bridges within the City of Alpharetta, Georgia. All construction shall conform to the State of Georgia Standard Specifications for the Construction of Transportation Systems, 2013 Edition. Only contractors that have been pre-qualified with the Georgia Department of Transportation to perform this class of work shall be allowed to submit bids. Please submit your Georgia Department of Transportation qualification specification letter with the package. The Plans and Project Manual will be available online Thursday, December 11, 2014, under the tab “Bids Online” on our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us. Georgia Standard Specifications for the Construction of Transportation Systems, 2013 Edition, are available from the Georgia Department of Transportation website, http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/thesource/Pages/home.aspx. The bid opening will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the City of Alpharetta Public Works Department, 1790 Hembree Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. All bids must be delivered to the front desk at this address before the opening date and time. For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR RUCKER ROAD AT BROADWELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS BID #15-008 The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for RUCKER ROAD AT BROADWELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS including, but not limited to, maintenance of traffic, asphalt pavement, curb & gutter, signalization, striping and signage, erosion and sediment control, cleanup and restoration. The location of the work is at the intersection of Rucker Road and Broadwell Road --- within the City of Alpharetta, Georgia. All construction shall conform to the State of Georgia Standard Specifications for the Construction of Transportation Systems, 2013 Edition. Only contractors that have been pre-qualified with the Georgia Department of Transportation to perform this class of work shall be allowed to submit bids. Please submit your Georgia Department of Transportation qualification specification letter with the package. The Plans and Project Manual will be available online Thursday, December 11, 2014, under the tab “Bids Online” on our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us. Georgia Standard Specifications for the Construction of Transportation Systems, 2013 Edition, are available from the Georgia Department of Transportation website, http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/thesource/Pages/home.aspx. The bid opening will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the City of Alpharetta Department of Public Works, 1790 Hembree Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. All bids must be delivered to the front desk at this address before the opening date and time. For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.

44 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

Choice: Continued from Page 28 option, acknowledges Zeff. School choice does not necessarily mean a student gets to decide which school he or she wants to attend, because attendance will always be prioritized for students within the attendance zones. “Real estate is a challenge,

especially in North Fulton, so we want to be strategic in our plans,” said Zeff. “We have to be creative. If you develop the right choices, you can get the attendance right.” But that is putting the cart before the horse. Next month, a series of open forums will be held to gather information from the community on what options they want in their schools. Preliminary information shows the needs vary

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across the county, with North Fulton focused on math, while South Fulton is looking for language arts options. The irony that the school board recently terminated a charter with the Fulton Science Academy is not lost on Zeff. But he said people “vote with their feet,” and the fact the school never attracted a viable enrollment meant that school did not meet the needs of the entire community.

Parsons: Continued from Page 6 City officials said they have explored putting up a temporary bridge, but GDOT overruled that saying it would have caused environmental harm. Mayor Mike Bodker said it was unlikely the city would have been able to follow through because a temporary bridge would have cost $750,000, plus environmental cleanup when the temporary bridge was dismantled. “When dealing with bridges, there are significant restric-

Briefs: Continued from Page 10

Cities agree to waive park fees JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek and Alpharetta have agreed to waive non-resident fees for the girls’ youth softball 2015 spring and fall softball seasons. Recreation and parks staff of both cities have been work-

tions placed on local governments that are designed to mitigate impact on the environment and animal life. Those restrictions have delayed this project, run up its cost and made it impossible to utilize a temporary bridge while construction occurs,” Bodker said. An endangered species of bat delayed the project for several months until it could be determined none of the species could be found nesting in the affected area. Meanwhile, city officials were able to negotiate the GDOT timetable to get it down to a six-month to nine-month project. ing on the agreement as a first step to better serve residents of both cities. Non-resident fees can be as much as 50 percent to 75 percent more. The idea is to have wider participation in both programs and keep costs down for the residents. The agreement was in response to complaints from residents of both cities who wanted to participate in the park closest to where they lived although it was not the city in which they lived.

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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | December 11, 2014 | 45

DEATH NOTICES Darrell Bacon, 69, of Cleveland, passed away December 2, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Louise Lona Bennett, 85, of Cumming, passed away December 2, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Hugh Howell Brannon, 77, of Cumming, passed away November 28, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Gloria Brantley, 87, of Alpharetta, passed away November 20, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Dolores Brunette, 67, of Cumming, passed away November 25, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Eva Ernestine Cline, 86, of Dunwoody, passed away November 4, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Brenda C. Cochran, 70, of Suwanee, passed away December 3, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. James Chinigo, 70, of Marietta, passed away November 3, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Ronald Wayne Cowart, 63, of Johns Creek, passed away November 20, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Guy E. Davis, Jr., 72, of Sandy Springs, passed away December 1, 2014. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Michael DiGeronimo, 72, of Dunwoody, passed away November 9, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

William Dishman, 87, of Clarkston, passed away November 7, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Howard Holley, 61, of Lawrenceville, passed away November 2, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Miguel Dimayuga, 7, of Johns Creek, passed away November 13, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Ross Howe, 67, of Cumming, passed away November 20, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Donald Dorner, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away November 1, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

William Huffmaster, 76, of Sandy Springs, passed away October 30, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Paul Estevez, 61, of Johns Creek, passed away November 20, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Thomas Steven Fisher, 61, of Roswell, passed away November 9, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Rita Fiumara, 81, of Alpharetta, passed away October 30, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Carroll Austin Floyd, 89, of Gainesville, passed away November 27, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Lillian Cora Morgan Henderson, 90, of Canton, passed away November 25, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Lisa Henderson, 53, of Gainesville, passed away November 4, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

JoAnn Hill, 90, of Cumming, passed away November 13, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Patsy Ann Jones, 76, of Roswell, passed away November 22, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Helen Kirby, 75, of Johns Creek, passed away November 15, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Beverly Jo Kirtley, 62, of Atlanta, passed away November 28, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Jean Koerner, 89, of Cumming, passed away November 13, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Jean C. Liao, 102, of Alpharetta, passed away November 8, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Patti Arnold Long, 78, of Roswell, passed away November 14, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Susan Yapp Marshall, 42, of Alpharetta, passed away November 24, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Sandra Matthews, 67, of Milton, passed away November 17, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

James Merrifield, 90, of Alto, passed away October 30, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Angela Denise Earley Newton, 59, of Jasper, passed away November 24, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Marie Praven, 91, of Alpharetta, passed away November 19, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. William Douglas Pugh, 88, of Commerce, passed away November 24, 2014. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. James Radford Sr., 90, of Norcross, passed away November 18, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Daniel Rado, 92, of Gainesville, passed away November 12, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Sydney Makayla Ridings, 14, of Cumming, passed away November 28, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Michael Ripma, 25, of Buckhead, passed away November 15, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Janice Mosher Rippcondi, 79, of Cumming, passed away November 25, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Oneil Robertson Jr., 65, of Alpharetta, passed away November 5, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Francesca Pennone Ruhl, 67, of Marietta, passed away November 16, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Christopher David Smith, 39, of Atlanta, passed away November 21, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. William Cody Smith, 24, of Cumming, passed away November 29, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Lester Sobelson, 93, of Roswell, passed away November 21, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Vernice I. Sweatman, 91, of Carnesville, passed away November 24, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Marcus Dean Townsend, 65, of Cumming, passed away November 30, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Michael Trump, Jr., 26, of Atlanta, passed away November 29, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Thomas Valentine, 79, of Roswell, passed away November 17, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Kathleen Mynatt Ward, 88, of Cumming, passed away November 29, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Brandon Weaver, 37, of Dawsonville, passed away. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Rebecca Jaynes Weber, 61, of Cumming, passed away on November 10, 2014. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Peggy Weldy, 82, of Cumming, passed away November 26, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Ann Witte, 81, of Decatur, passed away November 3, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

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48 | December 11, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

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