Forsyth Herald, November 20, 2013

Deputies to get raise

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County approves sheriff's office raise ►►page 8

Meeting with the mediator

City, Tisdale and Attorney General to enter mediation ►►page 7

Life of luxury apartments 152 units to be built west of Ga. 400 ►►page 6

November 20, 2013 | forsythherald.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 13, No. 47

‘Dirty Dozen’ water list includes dam issue Cumming’s dam issue highlights state’s lack of regulation

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By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com

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CAITLIN WAGENSEIL/staff

A veteran shakes hands with a boy who thanked him for his service following the ceremony.

Cumming honors its veterans with annual celebration

By CAITLIN WAGENSEIL caitlin@northfulton.com CUMMING, Ga. – The city of Cumming held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11 as a way to honor veterans in every branch of the military.

The event was held at the Veterans War Memorial, 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Cumming, and included a flag presentation, a 21-gun salute

and speeches from Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and keynote speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Roy F. Marchert.

Gravitt expressed his gratitude to the veterans and thanked all of those in attendance.

“We should always remember what we owe to our veterans,” Gravitt said. “We want them to know that we support you, we stand behind you.”

Marchert enlisted in the

Georgia Army National Guard in 1989 and now is the command sergeant major of the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.

Among his decorations are the Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf, as well as Air Force and Army achievement medals.

Marchert spoke about the camaraderie that exists among

See VETERANS, Page 22

CUMMING, Ga. — In May, a dam located below Lake Alice burst, unleashing a torrent of polluted water downstream.

In addition to the dam breach that washed out a portion of Sanders Road, tons of sediment were dumped into Lake Lanier and negatively affected about 50 homes.

The dam’s failure near Lake Alice was named last week in the “Dirty Dozen” for 2013, an annual report by the Georgia Water Coalition, a group of more than 200 state organizations, which puts the spotlight on 12 of the “worst offenses to Georgia’s waters.”

“The Dirty Dozen is not a list of the most polluted water bodies in Georgia, nor are

they ranked in any particular order,” said Joe Cook, riverkeeper and executive director at the Coosa River Basin Initiative.

“It’s a list of problems that exemplify the results of inadequate funding for environmental protections, lack of political will to enforce environmental laws and ultimately misguided water planning and spending priorities that flow from the very top of Georgia’s leadership,” he said.

In the report, the Lake Alice dam highlights the state’s aging dams, which are in danger of failing and often go without inspection.

Of about 4,300 dams inventoried in the state, the Environmental Protection

See DIRTY, Page 4

ALDO NAHED/ARCHIVE

An earth dam breached in Cumming off Sanders Road after heavy rains May 19.

public safety

2 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Drug dealer’s home seized, to be sold FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — On Oct. 29, the Superior Court of Forsyth County awarded the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office a house located in southwest Forsyth County.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office filed forfeiture paperwork on the house after the occupants had been arrested numerous times for drug violations that dated back to 1999.

This is the first time in recent memory that a house has been given to the county based on criminal activity, said Forsyth County Sheriff Duane K. Piper.

“We will not tolerate this

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.

Drunken passenger harasses driver CUMMING, Ga. — The driver for an organization that gives impaired drivers a ride home in their own car says she was harassed, insulted and threatened by one of their customers.

A SafeRide America employee called the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office about 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 to report that an intoxicated man was not behaving on the ride home and had taken off without paying. , 45, was picked up by a SafeRide employee at a restaurant off Buford Drive. The employee drove 2004 Mercedes Benz E500 to his home, while another employee followed behind them.

ARMSTRONG

WHEELER

type of criminal activity within our community,” Piper said.

“We will continue to use every legal remedy at our disposal to rid our county of criminal elements.”

The two occupants of the house were Kelly Bruce Wheeler, 47, and Toni Michelle As they were driving, became loud and used racial slurs, according to the SafeRide employee.

The employee said he used profanity and directed sexual statements toward her.

She told the man nothing was going to happen between them, and he placed his foot on the dashboard and showed the female driver that he was carrying a gun on his leg and pulled it partially out of his holster.

He grabbed the steering wheel of the car and threatened her, she told deputies.

She pulled over into the parking lot of Vickery Village. The man got out of the car and ran over to the other employee’s car. The two tried to retrieve payment from, who refused to pay, and instead got into the driver’s seat of his car and drove home.

Deputies drove to ’s listed address and spotted him getting home. Deputies tried to call him over to talk, but he raised his arms and walked into his home.

For safety reasons, the deputy declined to pursue the matter further, the report stated.

Deputies said on Nov. 3, a judge issued a criminal arrest

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Armstrong, 32.

Both were arrested in August on possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Once the home is sold, the county will pay off the mortgage and put the profit back into the sheriff’s office budget.

—Staff

warrant that charged with one count of theft and two counts of simple assault, misdemeanors.

Deputies searched the hat and found two bags that contained a “green leafy substance” and another bag with what looked like marijuana buds. They also found a silver “grinder” and a lighter.

Deputies searched the student’s car and found a glass pipe with what appeared to be burnt marijuana inside the glove compartment. They also found a piece of brown rolling paper containing a burnt substance.

Deputies said based on the totality of the investigation, Cody Atcheson, 18, was to be charged with possession of marijuana less than an ounce, a misdemeanor.

Atcheson was handcuffed and taken to Forsyth County Detention Center.

Student busted with marijuana at school CUMMING, Ga. — A teacher found a knit hat left behind in his classroom, and it reeked of marijuana, according to a Forsyth ATCHESON County Sheriff’s incident report.

At about 9:15 a.m. Nov. 7, deputies were dispatched to West Forsyth High School, 4155 Drew Road, where they saw a student with the assistant principal who was holding a Ziploc bag containing marijuana.

The broadcast teacher said he found the suspicious items, which emitted a strange smell.

He called the assistant principal, and they both said they did not go through the hat but could smell marijuana.

They brought in a student who said the hat was his, but “the stuff” wasn’t his.

Parent yells at teacher CUMMING, Ga. — During a parent-teacher conference, the mother became angry and verbally abused the teacher, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s incident report.

On Oct. 31, deputies were dispatched to Haw Creek El-

See BLOTTER, Page 24

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DUIs & Drugs

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 3

on Essex Drive in Cumming for DUI.

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 ►► Nina Lynn Amren, 55, of Bentley

Road, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 31 on Campground Road in Cumming for DUI and following too closely. ►► Jesse James Thompson, 41, of Cold Spring Court, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 31 on Windermere Parkway in Cumming for DUI and speeding. ►► Ryan Allan Glidewell, 40, of Browns Bridge Road, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 31 on Browns Bridge Road in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and expired license. ►► Brian Scott Nettles, 36, of Braselton was arrested Oct. 25 on Freedom Parkway in Cumming for DUI. ►► Ethan James Charles, 20, of Jot Em Down Road, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 27 on Antioch Road in Cumming for DUI, too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane, seat belt violation, open container, defective tires and underage possession of alcohol. ►► Charles Edwin Shirley, 31, of Gainesville was arrested Oct. 27 on Matt Highway in Cumming for DUI, obstructing traffic, drugs not kept in original container and possession of a schedule I and II controlled substance. ►► Tyler James Knudson, 24, of Derby Trail, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 23

►► Mallikarjuna C. Tangellapalli, 28, of

Atlanta was arrested Nov. 2 on Union Hill Road in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Zachariah Daniel Garmon, 26, of Gainesville was arrested Nov. 2 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► John Abbuhl, 47, of Windbrooke Way, Johns Creek, was arrested Nov. 2 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI. ►► Jerry Robert Tate, 38, of Ball Ground was arrested Nov. 3 on Doc Bramblett Road in Cumming for DUI. ►► Timothy Jace Smith, 46, of Marietta was arrested Oct. 26 on Hamby Road in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane, open container, possession of a schedule III controlled substance and possession of hydrocodone. ►► Jennifer Joyelle Lewis, 31, of Fieldstone Court, Alpharetta, was arrested Oct. 26 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and open container. ►► Daniel J. Rivera, 19, of Myrtle Street, Roswell, was arrested Oct. 26 on Union Hill Road in Alpharetta for DUI and expired registration. ►► Connie Y. Gehres, 59, of Shadow Creek Drive, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 27 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container. ►► Brennan Lee Poitra, 36, of Lanier Drive, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 27 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Casey Alexander McWright, 20, of Park Creek Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Oct. 29 on Atlanta Highway in Alpharetta for DUI and underage pos-

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4 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Jurors acquit Bennett on brothers’ boating death

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Division can only enforce the maintenance of 484 of them.

The 484 dams are considered Category I dams.

Bert Langley, coordinator of EPD district offices across the state, said Category I dams, under the Georgia Safe Dams Act of 1978, are classified as those that if they fail have “a high likelihood of loss of life.”

“We just don’t have the authority based on that law to go in and ask someone to update and fix those dams like we can the Category I dams,” Langley said.

Langley said it would take legislative change and a tremendous amount of staffing to actually regulate a lot of these small dams.

“There are literally thousands of them around the state,” Langley said. “Many of them are old, poorly maintained and the concern is that the further we get into that cycle, as we have more heavy rain events, we’ll have more of these fails and they cause quite a stir when they happen.”

Jason Ulseth, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s technical programs director, said due to weakened dam safety rules adopted by the state, there are an additional 100 sites where a dam failure could result in the loss of human life that still go unregulated.

“To prevent future tragedies, Georgia must invest in the resources needed to adequately inspect all dams in the state and require their owners to fix their failing dams,” Ulseth said. “Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division should inspect a larger percentage of dams, take enforcement actions requiring maintenance and provide education to all dam owners across the state.”

The earth dam break occurred after about four inches of rain on May 19 washed out parts of Sanders Road, carrying tons of mud through the creek bed into a cove on the southeast side of Lake Lanier.

porters were upset with the verdict. Supporters left messages of encouragement on the brothers’ Facebook memorial page.

Bennett’s lawyer, Barry Zimmerman, told the Gainesville Times the sentence on the misdemeanor charges for a first offender was excessive.

“A normal sentence would be 24 hours in jail, $1,000 fine and 40 hours community service,” Zimmerman told the Gainesville Times.

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struck the front of a pontoon with 13 people on board, four adults and nine children, killing Jake and Griffin.

Gosselin said the jury did find Bennett not guilty of the counts of homicide by vessel, “but I can’t ignore what I’ve heard for the past two weeks, either.”

Bennett had his boating privileges in Georgia revoked, and he will have to go through drug and alcohol evaluations.

The Prince family and sup-

om

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Jurors acquitted Paul J. Bennett, 45, of Cumming, on eight counts of homicide by vessel on the boating death of two brothers.

On Nov. 14, Hall County Superior Court Judge Kathleen Gosselin sentenced Bennett to serve two-and-a-half years in jail and one-and-a-half years of probation on four misdemeanor charges of reckless boating

for speeding, boating under the influence, failure to render aid and reckless boating for missing a green light.

Brothers Jake Prince, bennett 9, and Griffin Prince, 13, both of Buford were killed in the June 18, 2012, collision.

Bennett’s fishing boat

Rea

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com

t h h e r a l d. c

Langley said the Mashburn Family Trust, which owns a portion of the land, along with the city of Cumming and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are meeting to discuss revisions to a consent order “to make sure all the parties are on the same page in terms of exactly what we want to have happen.”

Lisa Parker, a spokeswoman for the Corps of Engineers, said the city of Cumming has started placing erosion mats in the lake bed, but there is no plan in place to repair the dam.

“They still have to remove sediment from the lake and easement area,” Parker said.

“These actions will require Corps permits.”

Scott Morgan, director of planning and zoning for the city, said a contractor is installing matting along the stream bank areas in the former lake bed and conducting overseeding in adjacent areas in order to further stabilize the entire area upstream of the dam breach.

“We have submitted a remediation plan to the Georgia EPD and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, have received their comments and have made appropriate revisions to the plan,” Morgan said. “Once we receive final approval from EPD, along with the necessary Corps permits, we can begin implementing the remediation plan, which we expect will begin after the first of the year.”

Dirty Dozen Other issues highlighted in the report include stormwater from industrial facilities polluting a stream flowing into Lake Lanier largely because there are two EPD staffers responsible for inspecting and moni-

ALDO NAHED/ARCHIVE

2013 Dirty Dozen Floridan Aquifer: Water injection schemes gamble with south Georgia’s underground “lake.”

Chattahoochee and Etowah rivers: Governor’s Water Supply Program wastes tax dollars and incites more water conflicts with neighbors.

Flint River: Pumps, dams, diversions and state water policy create man-made drought.

Altamaha River: Pulp mill in Jesup continues to foul Georgia’s largest river.

Flat Creek: Polluted runoff in chicken capital sends bacteria to stream feeding Lake Lanier.

Ocmulgee River: Coal ash threatens waterways and communities in the home of fried green tomatoes.

Satilla River: Toxic legacy in Waycross needs further investigations, cleanups.

Savannah River: Massive water withdrawals for nuclear, coal-fired power plants threaten river’s health, drinking water.

Lake Alice: Dam breach disaster in Cumming highlights need for better dam safety.

Georgia Coast: Proposed changes to coastline laws roll back long-standing protections.

Hurricane Creek: Illegal playground for off-road vehicles sends mountains of sediment to trout stream.

Oconee and Ogeechee rivers: Dirty coal-fired power plant to spew mercury and deplete south Georgia rivers. toring about 2,000 industrial sites.

A pulp mill in Jesup has made the list for three years now for fouling the Altamaha River.

Sally Bethea, executive director of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, said the annual list is a call to action for leaders and citizens to come together to correct pollution

problems and eliminate wasteful use of state and local tax dollars.

“Each of the problems can be traced to one of the following causes: inadequate funding for environmental protection, lack of political will to enforce existing environmental protections and/or misguided policies and spending priorities,” Bethea said.

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6 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

152 luxury apartments OK’d in Cumming

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A new 152 luxury apartment development received final approval earlier this month.

Bradley Park apartment community, being constructed

by Roberts Properties Residential, is a 22-acre property located on the south side of North Old Atlanta Road near Ga. Hwy. 9.

Roberts Properties Residential plans to build 152 luxury apartment units with 363 proposed parking spots.

The community will have 24 one-bedroom units sized 850-square feet per unit; 86 two-bedroom, 1,200-squarefoot units and 42 three-bedroom, 1,300-square-foot units.

The building permits will be applied for in January, and construction is expected to begin in April or May with

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Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

Bradley Park Subdivision

completion a year later.

“Being that we are very particular about our residents, it will probably take 12 months to lease it to the kind of folks

A rendering of the apartment community. what to do with the property and he was pleased Roberts worked with neighbors and heard their concerns.

“He has a Class A apartment project that will increase the value of property in this whole area,” Amos said. “This area has been slow to develop, some might say blighted, but we’re starting to see some growth over there.”

The sketch plat for the property was approved 3-1-0 with Commissioner Todd Levent opposed and Commissioner Brian Tam absent.

we want,” said Charles Roberts, who runs Roberts Properties Residential.

All apartments will be developed with 9-foot-tall ceilings and granite countertops.

Attorney Ethan Underwood, who represents Roberts Properties Residential, said the developer hopes to attract Northside Hospital-Forsyth employees looking for a home close to their work.

Forsyth County Commission Chairman Pete Amos said that he had spoken with Roberts earlier in the year about

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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 7

Alcohol law change could require annual permit renewals Public hearing takes place Nov. 21

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The would also require employees to ensure staff are up-to-date Forsyth County Board of Comon their licenses and permits. missioners will hold a public The purpose of the public hearing to consider an amendhearing shall be for public rement to the Forsyth County view and comment conalcohol ordinance that cerning a proposed would require the amendment to the annual renewal of r o d e i h na Forsyth County employee sales dt alcohol ordinance identification. to require the The hearing annual renewal takes place at of employee sales the board’s reguID(s); to provide lar meeting at 5 sy for severability; to p.m. on Thurst h h e r a l d. repeal conflicting day, Nov. 21. ordinances and for Forsyth County’s other purposes. alcoholic beverages The public hearing will be law currently does not require held in the Forsyth County annual renewals of employee Administration Building, 110 alcohol sales permits.

E. Main Street, Suite 220 in The change would impact Cumming. any alcohol package store and Read the law changes by any employees who serve alcovisiting www.bit.ly/17yfv9f. hol on premises.

-Aldo Nahed The proposed changes

Tisdale, AG to enter mediation talks with city

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. — Nydia Tisdale and Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens have been asked by city of Cumming attorneys to enter into mediation talks.

Mediation was ordered by Senior Superior Court Judge Robert Adamson and will take place on or before Nov. 30.

In July, both sides debated the state’s first open meetings act prosecution under the new Sunshine Law. Adamson has urged both sides to find common ground.

At issue is whether the city of Cumming violated the state’s Sunshine Law on April 17, 2012, when Tisdale was told to stop video recording a Cumming City Council meeting.

Olens filed suit in Forsyth County Superior Court against the city of Cumming and Mayor H. Ford Gravitt for the alleged violation of Georgia open meetings law on June 5, 2012.

Tisdale has filed her own separate federal court suit against the city of Cumming, Gravitt, Police Chief Casey Tatum and Deputy Police Chief Walter Cook for alleged violations of the U.S. Constitution.

On the same day of the alleged violations, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law the

Aldo nahed/archive

updated version of Georgia’s Sunshine Law. The law says that a person is allowed to make visual and audio recordings at a public meeting. The new law, which went into effect the same day, provides for visual and sound recordings of public meetings and authorizes the attorney general to sue violators and seek penalties.

Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher, from Rome, Ga., will serve as mediator. Fletcher retired from the court in 2005.

news

8 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Sheriff’s deputies to get pay raise

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Sheriff Duane Piper said he wanted to raise the pay for existing and new deputies.

The Forsyth County Commissioners unanimously PIPER approved a twograde increase (about $2,500) for all sworn officers for the classification of a Deputy Sheriff I and above.

Piper said he based his request on area police salary comparisons. He requested sheriff’s deputies salaries be somewhere between Johns Creek Police, which start at $40,000, and Milton Police, which start at $37,000 for certified peace officers.

“Basically, what we are doing is getting our pay up to a mid-range to compete within the area,” Piper said.

Piper said in addition, he wanted to have pay increases for lieutenant levels and down. Captains and up will not apply to the raises.

The raises would be funded through savings, Piper told commissioners.

The sheriff’s office has 277 peace officer positions currently filled and about 29 vacant positions.

In addition, Piper wanted to give a raise to 20 civilian positions, such as

We want to improve the officers who apply, and we want to keep the officers we have.”

Duane Piper Forsyth County Sheriff

crime scene technicians and evidence custodians.

There will be a market salary study for civilian police positions before these positions get a pay raise.

In 2015, the new jail and courthouse will require an additional 73 new positions, which will cost about $200,000 annually to fill.

Piper said the raise will be funded through the sheriff’s office budget for the rest of the year and through next year with about $2.8 million of savings.

Piper said the standards were raised when he took office and the deputies who are leaving the sheriff’s office don’t want to meet those standards.

“We want to improve the officers who apply,” Pipers said, “and we want to keep the officers we have.”

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

community

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 9

Art Ramble connects communities

By SHUBHI TANGRI news@northfulton.com

Lambert squads cheer on Special Olympics athletes

CUMMING, Ga. — Are you ready to Art Ramble?

The second annual North Georgia Art Ramble is a free, self-guided, open studio tour of 44 studios and galleries situated in seven North Georgia counties; specifically in the towns of Cumming, Johns Creek, Duluth, Roswell, Dawsonville, Buford, Calhoun, Cartersville, Woodstock, Waleska, Canton, Ball Ground, Jasper and Marble Hill.

The Art Ramble takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.

“Visitors can enjoy traveling through different towns to see all the exhibits; and moreover, meet with the artists themselves,” said Robin Miller, spokeswoman for Art Ramble. “It’s great to meet such creative people and learn about what inspires them to make the art that they make.”

The North Georgia Art Ramble kicks off the weekend with a pre-Ramble party from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday,

Dec. 6 at the Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street in Canton.

Participants will pick up a brochure and map, meet the Ramble artists, see a preview of the artworks and enjoy light refreshments.

Visit www.cherokeearts. org for more information, or visit www.ngaartramble.com to view all of the participating artists, the locations of their studios and download a brochure with a map of the Art Ramble. Email robin.elisabeth@gmail.com or 404-5438246 for more details.

CUMMING, Ga. – The Lambert High School basketball cheer squads supported the Special Olympics Forsyth 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Lanier Tech. The cheerleaders cheered and rallied support for Special Olympics athletes and runners during the annual fundraising event.

– Staff

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10 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Community

Pinecrest’s Jessica Zalzman receives a medal for 10th place in the cross country state championship in Carrollton on Nov. 9. She’s pictured with her mom and cross country head coach Luisa Zalzman.

Pinecrest cross country athlete makes all-state team FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — More than 3,000 runners representing more than 190 Georgia high schools gathered in Carrollton on Nov. 9 to participate in the cross country state championship.

Representing Pinecrest Academy was senior Jessica Zalzman, who ran the course in 20:30, placing her in the

top 10 girls in the GHSA Class 1A. Despite a mid-season injury that prevented Zalzman from training adequately for the event, she was able to make all-state team for the fourth time in her high school running career due to intense physical therapy and swimming.

—McKenzie Cunningham

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

community

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 11

Morrows raise $29K for schools

Soccer team volunteers at North Fulton Charities NORTH FULTON, Ga. – In the spirit of giving back to the community, a soccer team from United Futbol Academy (UFA) in Cumming spent several hours volunteering in the thrift shop and food pantry at North Fulton Community Charities on Oct. 26.

“Here at UFA, we try to teach life skills as well as soccer,” said head coach Glen James of UFA’s U15 Red team.

“I think it’s important for the team to learn how to work together on and off the field.

Volunteering to help out in the community in which we

play was a perfect way to bond as a team and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

We would like to thank NFCC for allowing us to stop by and loan our services. The players learned a lot about life and responsibility in the process.”

Pictured from left are players Alec Vetter, Kyle Castleberry, Nathan Shalom, Bobby VanBrackle, Joey Kloes, Trey Tanjuatco, Yusuf Hafiane, Nicholas Blakely, Andrew Green, Justen Claure, Cameron Gonzalez, Jason Greenberg, Nikolas Propes and Ari Jahanfar.

CUMMING, Ga. — Dr. Jim Morrow and Peggie Morrow of Morrow Family Medicine helped raise $29,383 for Forsyth County Schools’ nationally recognized Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) program.

The Morrows organized a golf tournament and raffle, and are planning to continue their efforts next year.

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12 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Community

Toys for Tots golf tournament to be held Dec. 7 ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Toys for Tots is partnering with Turning Point for Women’s Healthcare for the sixth annual Toys for Tots Holiday Golf Tournament.

The event takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at East Course of the Alpharetta Athletic Club, 3430 Highway 9 North in Alpharetta.

The entry fee is the cart fee, a donation of $20 to Turning Point and a wrapped gift(s) worth $25 or more.

U.S. Marines will be in attendance to collect the toys.

All AAC members, guests and Crooked Creek residents are invited.

The format of the tournament will be a four-person scramble. Participants can sign up as a team or as a single.

There will be payouts to first, second, third, fourth and fifth place.

The tournament will also feature contests that require cash entry and have cash payouts, including hole-inone, hit the green, straightest drive and putting contests.

A silent auction for a round of golf with Roberto Castro, 2012 PGA Tour rookie and four-time all-American, will also be available. The highest bidder will win a round with two friends and Castro at the Golf Club of Georgia.

Toys for Tots is seeking sponsors for the tournament. The cost of being a corporate sponsor is $500 and will include prominent signage in the clubhouse and a foursome for the tour-

nament as well as at Affinity Course, Alpharetta Athletic Club and Brookfield Golf Course.

To be a tee sign sponsor, the cost is $50. The deadline for sponsorship is Nov. 30.

To sign up, contact the East Course golf shop at 770-475-2300, ext. 114 or email Tom Leininger at tom.leininger@ alpharettaac.com.

—McKenzie Cunningham

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

DS Waters supports fight against breast cancer at Northside Hospital surgery patients.”

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.— Since 2003, sales of Atlanta-based DS Waters of Athena bottled water have America Inc., owner of the contributed $1.6 million to the Athena and Crystal Springs cause. bottled water brands, recently “After my wife’s surgery presented a gift of $10,000 to for breast cancer, a volunthe Northside Hospital Auxilteer from the iary.

Northside HosThe money will pital Auxiliary fund “care bags” brought in a for patients folcare bag, sat lowing breast surdown and just gery. Northside’s talked with Network of Hope her,” said Mark cancer survivor Campbell, vice network, a part president of of the auxiliary, sales and mardelivers the care keting at DS bags to patients.

Waters. “The “We are volunteer was honored that the a survivor who Northside Hosgave us inforpital Auxiliary is mation, hope able to help supand courage to port our patients move forward. on their cancer We are pleased journey,” said to support a Carol KratochCarol Kratochvil program that vil, manager of Manager of Volunteer Services, Northside Hospital delivers courvolunteer serage to those vices, Northside who are fightHospital. “This ing their own donation from DS battle.”

Waters enables us to continue —McKenzie Cunningham to offer care bags to all breast

We are honored that the Northside Hospital Auxiliary is able to help support our patients on their cancer journey.”

FSA to host statewide math competition ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Fulton Science Academy Private School has announced it will host its second annual MATHGENIUSES, a challenging math competition for all elementary and middle school students in Georgia.

The competition is open to all Georgia students in first grade through eighth grade, and the first 250 to apply will be accepted.

The MATHGENIUSES competition will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Fulton Science Academy Private School, 1675 Hembree Road in Alpharetta.

The competition will consist of a written multiple choice test in which students will be given one hour to solve advanced math problems. Students will be placed by grade into one of four competition levels, and the top three winners in each level and their teachers will receive medals and monetary awards.

Winners will be announced online the same day at www. mathgeniuses.org. An award ceremony for winners will be

community

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 13

From left: Susan Casella, breast health coordinator, Northside Hospital; Maria Campbell, breast cancer survivor; Mark Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing, DS Waters; Carol Kratochvil, manager of volunteer services, Northside Hospital; and Elizabeth Webb, cause marketing manager, DS Waters.

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held on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. at FSA. It is required to attend the award ceremony to receive cash awards.

There is a $15 entrance fee per student.

This fee, which includes lunch and a T-shirt, will be paid the day of the event. All participants will be given certificates and T-shirts.

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14 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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Ga. 400 tolls to end on Nov. 22 ATLANTA — The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) announced the Ga. 400 tolls will officially end Friday, Nov. 22, weather permitting.

Toll collection is scheduled to end after rush hour to lessen the impact on the Ga. 400 commute.

In July 2012, Gov. Nathan Deal announced the state would pay off its bond debt and end tolls on Ga. 400 by December 2013. Southeastern Site Development Inc., of Newnan, was contracted for the construction component of the project.

Construction will be managed through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

“The ending of Ga. 400’s tolls fulfills a promise made to commuters,” said Christopher Tomlinson, SRTA executive director. “Enough tolls have been collected to pay for the original construction of the road and the new connector ramps to I-85, plus other needed projects in the Ga. 400 corridor.

“This road has had a tremendous economic impact on the city of Atlanta, the Buckhead business district, north Fulton County and other communities along the highway.”

The first phase of a four-

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Construction zone • The toll plaza is an active construction zone, with a 45 mph speed limit.

• Peach Pass users are encouraged to keep their account active even though the Ga. 400 tolls are ending, so the account can be used if they need to bypass traffic using existing I-85 express lanes, or the planned I-75 express lanes south of Atlanta (coming in 2016) and I-75/575 express lanes in the Northwest Corridor (coming in 2018).

phase demolition project began on Friday, Oct. 25, with restriping in the Peach Pass electronic toll lanes and modification and removal of redundant “toll” signage.

In Phase II, preparation for no tolling continues with the completion of restriping and the installation of concrete barriers between the Peach Pass and cash lanes in anticipa-

tion of the eventual shifting of traffic into the electronic lanes when toll collection ends.

Once tolls end and traffic is shifted during the winter holidays, no heavy demolition work is expected to take place during Phase III. Phase IV will begin in January 2014 and will include removal of plaza toll booths, the canopy, reinforcement and

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Georgia State Games will hold a 4-mile road race Nov. 17 celebrating the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Ga. 400 extension and the ending of tolls on the roadway on Nov. 22.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Glenridge Drive running straight down Ga. 400 through the toll plaza and finishing at Phipps Plaza on Lenox Road.

Runners and walkers will pay their 50-cent toll as they pass through the toll lanes, with the proceeds donated to benefit the Strong4Life Foundation. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register for the race, go to www.georgiagames.org/ GA400.

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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 15

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16 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Sponsored by

Alpharetta is too big not to have a chamber of commerce...We needed something like this in the city.

Dan Merkel, Chairman of the Board of Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce

Alpharetta Chamber opens with bang New group focuses on networking

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The newly formed Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce came charging out of the gate Nov. 13 when more than 300 MERKEL people turned out for the charter night at the Metropolitan Club.

Alpharetta now has its own chamber of commerce, joining the likes of the cities of Johns Creek and Sandy Springs, which already have their own.

Roswell, while it does not have a chamber, does have a business organization in the form of Roswell Inc. that functions much like a chamber. With 600 technology companies in its borders and a burgeoning population, the founders of the Alpharetta Chamber say it’s about time.

“Alpharetta is too big not to have a chamber of commerce,” said Dan Merkel, of Southern States Insurance and chairman of the board of the new chamber. “We needed something like this in the city.”

While the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) has always represented the region effectively, said Merkel, the new chamber will be more focused on the individual businesses and their specific needs and will not

JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff

The Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors welcomed the formal start of the new chamber Nov. 13 at the Metropolitan Club. be as encumbered with more regional macro issues such as sewage, transportation and roads.

“We will be focused on business to business, and introducing and networking with people doing business in Alpharetta,” said Merkel.

As the city grows, Merkel said such networking will become more difficult, so there will be an increasing need to keep people connected in a personal way and businesses connected effectively to other businesses – particularly within Alpharetta.

“I want everybody at this table to meet everybody at that table and see if there is an opportunity,” he said.

Hans Appen, general manager of Appen Media Group and chief executive officer of the new Alpharetta Chamber, said there will be many opportunities for the chamber to

work with the GNFCC for the greater good of the region while Alpharetta’s keeps its focus on Alpharetta.

“I expect this region to grow at an aggressive pace for the immediate future, and it will take the all-out efforts of all the chambers to keep up with the pace and support it,” Appen said. “It’s our collective ball to run with or drop, and I prefer to run with it.”

Appen Media Group publishes this publication.

According to Merkel, the Alpharetta Chamber’s goal is to have 400 members by the end of the year. With attendance of almost 325 on opening night, he may just reach that goal.

The first official meeting of the new chamber will take place Jan. 16, 2014, also at the Metropolitan Club, for a “coffee and commerce” event. For more information, visit them online at alpharettachamber.com.

JOIN TODAY: 770-993-8806 • www.gnfcc.com

Charter Members Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce • Acolyte Advisors • Active 4 Life Chiropractic LLC • AEC Inc. • Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau • Alpharetta Eye Clinic/ Windward Eye Care • Alpharetta Print and Sign • Alrich and Associates • Anchor Marketing Services • Apex Signs and Graphics • Appen Media Group • ASD • BB&T • BB&T Mortgage • Bloor Dentistry • Calvin Dubose State Farm Insurance • Capital Realty Advisors • Capstone Financial • Carmichael Consulting Solutions • Carr, Riggs and Ingram LLC • Clayton CameraCraft Photography Inc. • Community Business Bank • Cookerly Public Relations • Cosmetic Dentistry Center • DaVinci's Donuts • Dickenson Gilroy LLC • Dime Business Services • Diversified Financial Planning • DUI LADY • Ed Isakson/ Alpharetta YMCA • Fleming and Hall LTD • Forsyth Roofing LLC • Ganaway Contracting Company • Harry Norman Realtors • Hart Commercial Realty • Homes of Atlanta Unlimited Inc. • ICM • Iroff and Son

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Kyle G. Caswell Laedan Consulting LLC Liberty Mutual Mammoth Detail Salons Inc. McAlister's Deli McGraw and Associates (Harry Norman Realtors) Merrill Lynch Mike Brown Nancy Bristol North Atlanta Law Group, P.C. NorthPoint Executive Suites Partners Risk Services Patrick Corkill - Landscape Architecture PMG Commercial PNC Bank Pro@ctive CPA Quantum National Bank Rhame Communications Ridenour and Associates Rising Roll Gourmet Roswell Home and Office Furniture Shah Legal Services LLC Simply Simpatico Inc. Somanu Advanced Medical Center Southern States Insurance t-Olive Properties The Drake House The Kloster Group Inc. The Kurzen Group The Lionheart School The Metropolitan Club The Stoneleigh at Deerfield Todd Hoffman Agency - Nationwide Insurance Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre Veronica Stone Salon Wells Fargo Workforce Matters

BusinessBriefs

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

OPENINGS »

ABBY BREAUX/Staff

Taylor Brooks Salon and Spa and Piper Lillies Gift Shoppe owner Julia Butler, center, is congratulated by Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker, right, and Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Kent Davies, left.

Gift shop, salon hold ribbon cutting JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A popular salon has moved to a new location and opened a gift shop and boutique in the process.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Taylor Brooks Salon and Spa, a family-owned hair salon and spa in Johns Creek, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new location and on-site gift shop — Piper Lillies.

The businesses are located at 11705 Jones Bridge Road.

Piper Lillies offers a variety of personal gift items and home accessories, as well as a bridal registry, embroidery, custom invitations and stationery.

On the same location, a 6,000-square-foot salon accommodates 24 stylists, a makeup bar featuring Jane Iredale skin care makeup and spa featuring PCA Skin and Yon-Ka Paris, a natural skin care line. For more information, call 770-772-0510.

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 17

both residential and land.

Murphy’s focus is on senior transitions and simplifying the myriad of housing and finance options for seniors and their families.

Buysman Murphy Buysman has lived in the Atlanta area for close to 20 years and is a Windermere expert. She has six years of real estate experience along with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Murphy can be reached at 770-497-2000 or email gannon.murphy@harrynorman.com, and Buysman can be reached at 770-497-2000 or email jill.buysman@harrynorman.com.

For more information, visit www.HarryNormanForsyth.com.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Harry Norman Realtors announced it has hired two new Realtors, Gannon Murphy and Jill Buysman, in the Forsyth County/ Lake Lanier office.

Murphy comes to Harry Norman as a resident of Forsyth County for more than 20 years. He has experience in managing and marketing real estate,

HEALTH »

Pieper O’Brien Herr hires new architect ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An architecture, interior design and graphic design company based in Alpharetta has added a new member to its team. Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects announced Kelvin B. Hall has joined as project manager. Hall is a registered architect who earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Prairie View A&M and a master of architecture from Rice HALL University. For more information, visit www.poharchitects.com or call 770-569-1706.

BANKING »

Local Realtor achieves national recognition

Two Realtors join Harry Norman in Forsyth

POE

NEW HIRES »

REAL ESTATE »

SUWANEE, Ga. — Debbie Cortjens with Solid Source Realty was awarded the Accredited Buyer’s Representation designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council.

Cortjens joins more than 30,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the ABR designation. All were required to successfully complete CORTJENS a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, both in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.

Call Cortjens at 770-331-6855 or email Debbie. cortjens@gmail.com.

influential state and national leaders ranging from former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn to University of Georgia Athletic Director Vince Dooley.

Sixty participants are selected each year from a pool of several hundred applicants.

Class members visit five Georgia communities in a year-long exchange of ideas and experiences about important issues affecting the state. This year’s class will focus on “State of Giving.”

American Heart Association recognizes NF Hospital ROSWELL, Ga. — North Fulton Hospital was recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) with the Gold Plus Award for Stroke Care. This marks the third consecutive year that North Fulton Hospital has received the Gold Plus Award, which is the AHA’s highest award for providing quality care to stroke patients. North Fulton Hospital’s stroke program was also placed on the AHA’s new Target Stroke Honor Roll.

North Fulton Hospital’s Stroke Center has been a Certified Stroke Center since 2005. The center has five neurologists and two neurosurgeons on staff, in addition to its program coordinator. For more information, visit www.NFultonHospital.com or call 770-751-2600.

DESIGN »

Cawthon

Piedrahita

SNELL

Three join KeyWorth Bank JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — James F. Pope, president and chief executive officer of KeyWorth Bank, headquartered in Johns Creek, announced the addition of three new associates. Jason Cawthon will serve as IT systems administrator. Shirley Piedrahita was named financial services representative at the Haynes Bridge office, and Allison Snell will be a financial services representative at the Johns Creek office.

ANNOUNCEMENTS »

Advertising exec named to Leadership Ga. class CUMMING, Ga. — Conner Atkinson Poe, Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia executive director, was named to the Leadership Georgia class of 2014. Leadership Georgia trains and builds a network of emerging young leaders from across the state. Past participants include a number of

Grand opening at Arbor House Interiors ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Arbor House Interiors, a new residential and commercial design firm, held its grand opening Oct. 2.

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) Chief Executive Officer Brandon Beach, GNFCC staff members and other local officials attended the grand opening on Church Street in Alpharetta. James and Corinne Carmack, Arbor House owners, expressed gratitude to the city and chamber for the warm welcome and said they look forward to becoming involved business owners in the community. Their goal is to provide clients with the highest quality interior design services on the market.

18 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

BusinessPosts

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

Harry Norman CEO Palmer sees signs of ‘balanced market’ Real estate market seeing positive gains

By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com CUMMING, Ga. — Numbers are good when you’re at the top.

Dan Palmer, the president and chief executive officer for palmer Harry Norman, Realtors, brought good news to about 40 agents at the company’s Forsyth/Lanier office — they are leading the real estate market in the area.

Palmer has the numbers from First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), a data services provider for real estate professionals in Georgia, to back it up, too.

When looking at FMLS numbers at all price points and every property type, Harry Norman closed on $2.08 billion in property from January through October 2013. Compared with the same time-frame last year, they had $1.5 billion.

The second company on the list, Prudential Realty, had $1.3 billion in closing.

In the North Fulton and Forsyth area, the closed sales volume was $415 million, up from $289 million last year.

“We are taking advantage of the market better than the other companies are,” Palmer said. “This is a testament that the consumer is choosing us.”

Palmer told realtors gathered at the company meeting on Nov. 12 the current market is benefiting sellers.

“We’ve been on this seller’s market and that doesn’t last long,” Palmer said. “We are flipping over from a seller’s market, not to a buyer’s market, where it’s been for five years, but more to a balanced market.”

From October last year to this year, there has been an increase of 566 listings to 21,394 from 20,828.

“Not much of an increase, but we’ve turned a corner where it’s no longer negative, it’s positive,” Palmer said.

And although six months of inventory is equal to a bal-

Closed Volume Forsyth County & North Fulton. anced market, Palmer said the past four months have been on track.

“We are in the right area,” Palmer said. “Our focus is getting listings.”

Palmer later said the key that consumers are concerned about is the increase in the

price of their homes.

“For five years, we were selling homes below cost because the market was so depressed in metro Atlanta,” Palmer said. “And it’s good to see homeowners getting some of that equity back. It’s been up for 18 months, the num-

bers have been positive.”

Robert Aiken, senior vice president and managing broker, said he’s proud of his growing office, which has doubled in agents in the two years since their launch.

“We’ve gone from zero to 60 in two years,” Aiken said.

Selling? The 4 best home Learn from your improvements to make business mistakes Whether you’re going on the market in the spring or planning to list now in the fall, condition will have a big impact on getting a quick offer. Here are four areas of improvement that can make the biggest difference: 1. Kitchen: To have a completely updated kitchen would be best, but if you don’t have the budget or enough equity to allow for that expense, there are things that will help. Old and “well used” cabinets can be painted and new knobs added. If you don’t have too much countertop space, upgrading to granite could be fairly inexpensive and tile backsplash is a do-it-yourself project that is downright affordable.

2. Master bath: Get rid of the gold trim. New light fixtures, faucets and vanity knobs don’t have to be pricey.

Of course, if you can afford to put granite vanity tops in, great, but painting the beat up cabinets goes a long way. There are a ton of affordable tile options out there and please — no carpet in the bath.

3. Paint: I don’t need to say much

Robert Strader

Local Realtor Keller Williams Realty

here except that crisp and sharp makes a great first impression.

If you paint the entire interior, you don’t need to have the same color throughout your home, but choose neutral colors. Fresh paint conveys updated and maintained.

4. Flooring: New carpet is cheap and easy. Depending on your price point, there are plenty of engineered hardwood options at prices close to carpet cost.

Updated floor covering takes a big negative off the list if buyers don’t need to tackle it themselves.

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

LOCAL LIVE MUSIC »

staging, production and lighting design with an unmatched aesthetic and an increasingly impressive catalogue of hits spanning his decade-long career. 8 p.m. Dec. 1. Philips Arena, 1 CNN Center, Atlanta.

Please call 404-878-3000 or visit philipsarena.com.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

The Lost Christmas Eve tour comes to the Arena at the Gwinnett Center. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American prog-rock band that incorporates orchestral and classical influences into heavy metal and rock music.

The band has sold over 10 million records world wide.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

Please call 770-813-7500 or visit gwinnettcenter.com,

THEATER » MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis broke new ground by independently releasing their debut full-length album, “The Heist,” which shot to the No. 1 slot on iTunes, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts and was certified Gold without the support of a traditional record label. They recently made Billboard history as the only duo to send their first two singles to No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Top 40 Radio charts with new single “Can’t Hold Us” and breakout smash “Thrift Shop.” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

Arena at the Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Please visit gwinnettcenter.com.

THE MARCUS ROBERTS TRIO

A leading piano group formed by three top representatives of their instruments, the Marcus Roberts Trio is one of the easiest recommendations in jazz. Featuring Marcus Roberts, Rodney Jordan and Jason Marsalis, the group plays originals and versions of standards that are full of surprises, yet somehow always accessible. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30.

The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.

Please call 855-583-5838 or visit thevelvetnote.com.

‘RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER’

Presented by the Center for Puppetry Arts, Rudolph soars back into town for this faithful adaptation of the wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. Show times vary. Nov. 7 – Dec. 29.

1404 Spring St. Northwest at 18th, Atlanta. Please visit puppet.org.

‘King Lear’

The Shakespearean tragedy, performed by the Shakespeare tavern.

King Lear is dying, and is preparing to split his kingdom up among his three daughters, but first he asks them to tell how much they love him. Two present flattering answers, and the third remains silent, saying no words can describe it. The rest of the tale is the story of betrayal and the struggle for power.

Show times vary. Through Dec. 1. 499 Peachtree St. Northeast, Atlanta. Please call 404-874-5299 or visit shakespearetavern.com.

success, others have not, and Mother may be facing her last Christmas.

Amid much laughter and witty dialogue, the family discovers something you’ll want to discover with them.

Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta. Nov. 29-Dec. 22.

Please visit act1theater.com.

ART » ART OF THE LOUVRE'S TUILERIES GARDEN

An exhibition that explores the art, design and evolution of Paris' beloved Tuileries Garden and its impact on artists through time will premiere at the High Museum of Art. The Louvre and the Tuileries Garden will feature more than 100 works, some of which have never been seen outside of France. Oct. 26 to Nov. 19. 1280 Peachtree St. Northeast, Atlanta. Please visit high.org.

THE HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE AT 2 RULES FINE ART

The Holiday Boutique at 2 Rules Fine Art is a threemonth art show featuring 26 artists. Find paintings, prints, jewelry, glass, wood, pottery, sculpture, fiber and photography, with special discounts being offered for this show only.

Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday and 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday. Nov. 8 – Jan. 25. 85 Church St., Marietta. Please call 404-355-6897 or visit 2rulesfineart.com.

EVENTS » GLOBAL WINTER WONDERLAND

The spectacular lantern festival and multicultural theme park makes its Atlanta debut at Turner Field. Guests will be able to travel the world in one visit while viewing the largerthan-life lantern designs of international landmarks.

5 – 11 p.m. Nov. 21 – Jan. 5. 755 Hank Aaron Drive Southwest, Atlanta. Please call 404-314-1994 or visit globalwonderland.com.

STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

KANYE WEST

21-time Grammy-winner Kanye West will return to the road this fall in support of his critically acclaimed gold album “Yeezus,” the sixth consecutive No. 1 album of his career. West, a legendary live performer, combines state-of-the-art

calendar

‘Home for Christmas’

by ACT1 Theatre

Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with the Clayton family as they return from all over the country for a yuletide reunion.

Some have achieved

Light up your family holidays with the glow of more than 2 million lights plus performances and activities at Atlanta's most heartwarming Christmas celebration. Nov. 9 – Jan. 1. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain. Please call 770-498-5690 or visit stonemountainpark.com.

STORY TIME WITH SANTA AT NORTH POINT MALL Santa will be visiting North

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 19

Point Mall and reading the classic children’s book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. Jolly old St. Nick will also be taking photographs with the children. 6 – 6:45 p.m. Nov. 23. 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. Please visit northpointmall.com.

City of Milton Tree Lighting

Kick off the holiday season with Milton’s fourth annual Tree Lighting at the corner of Ga. 9 and Webb Road (in front of Target). Enjoy performances by the Milton High School chorus and an Off Broadway Expressions dance troupe. After Milton’s mayor and councilmembers light the tree, St. Nick will arrive by fire truck to pose for photographs amid holiday music and refreshments. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. Please visit cityofmiltonga.us.

BRUNCH WITH SANTA AT MILTON’S

Savor the holidays with brunch at Milton's while your kids visit with Santa.

Their Santa experience will be captured by Blencoe and Co. Photography. Each family will receive one high-resolution image via email to print and share.

Complete with carolers.

Reservations required. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 1. 800 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta.

Please call 770-817-0161 or visit miltonscuisine.com.

RACES & BENEFITS » Tryptophan Half Marathon and 10K/5K This event raises funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Start and finish location is the Totally Running store, 405 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming. 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. Nov. 28. Please visit active.com.

BARRINGTON HALL'S OPEN HOUSE FOR MAKE-A-WISH

Festive holiday wreaths will be displayed throughout Barrington Hall and will be available for purchase. All proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 1-4 p.m. Dec. 1-15. 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. Please call 770-640-3855.

CHRISTMAS AT THE RESCUE

Pony rides, hay rides and more. Proceeds benefit the Save the Horses, a no-kill shelter. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Dec 1. Save the Horses Shelter, 1768 Newt Green Road, Cumming. Please call 770-886-5419 or visit savethehorses.org.

Top Five EVENTS

‘THE NUTCRACKER’

The oldest and largest "Nutcracker" production in North Fulton.

Sugarplums will be dancing in your head as you witness more than 300 cast members perform. Nov. 29 – Dec. 8. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Please call 770-998-0259 or visit tysod.com.

TELLABRATION

Part of a worldwide storytelling event at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

830 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell.

Please call 770-640-3253 or visit visitroswellga.com.

FANTASY IN LIGHTS

Presented by Callaway Gardens, Fantasy in Lights is the South’s most spectacular holiday light and sound show. Evenings Nov. 22 – Dec. 30.

U.S. Highway 27, Pine Mountain.

Please call 800-225-5292 or visit callawaygardens.com.

JEFF FOXWORTHY'S GRIT CHIPS HOLIDAY RECIPE CONTEST

Support National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week by entering the Jeff Foxworthy Holiday Recipe Grit Chip Contest. First place gets their recipe featured on the Roswell Tap menu. 5:30 – 9 p.m. Nov. 21. 1090 Alpharetta St., Roswell. Please call 770-992-9206 or visit thedrakehouse.org.

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW

Johns Creek Girl Scouts sell their handmade crafts and holiday items.

Items for sale will include jewelry, soap, ornaments and more. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nov. 23. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek.

Please call 404-431-7079.

20 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

community

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com

UNG chosen as one of Cumming physical therapist best colleges for veterans receives merit award FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The state legislature as the military college of Georgia and is University of North Georgia one of only six senior military (UNG) has been recognized colleges in the country. as one of the best colleges for The university has several veterans by Military Times magazine in its “2014 Best for initiatives aimed at assisting active duty service members Vets” ranking, listed as 21st and veterans, such Veterans out of more than 600 schools Success Center, Center for surveyed across the country.

Adult Learners and Military Military Times selected and Soldiers 2 colleges Scholars probased on gram. academic We are honored to UNG also rigor and awards college the school’s count numerous credit for milicomplete service members, tary training, offerings for accepts transveterans. veterans and fer credits and “We are offers distance honored their family learning and to count members among online classes. numerous Includservice mem- our students, ing UNG, only bers, veterans and their faculty and staff.” four Georgia schools were family memBonita C. Jacobs included on the bers among list: Kennesaw our students, University President State Univerfaculty and sity, Georgia staff and Perimeter College and Georgia depend upon their expertise and leadership as we strive to Military College.

The full rankings are fulfill our mission of educatavailable online at www.militing leaders,” said Bonita C. arytimes.com, and in print.

Jacobs, university president.

—McKenzie Cunningham UNG is designated by the

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Local physical therapist Dr. Deborah Michael Wendland was awarded the 2013 Merit Award for her exceptional service and educational achievement within the physical therapy community. the state.

“Deborah is the perfect example of a physical therapist that is doing big things,” said Dr. Barney Poole, PTAG president. “Her commitment

and service to the industry is reflected through this award.

She is a great representation of a true Georgia physical therapist.”

—McKenzie Cunningham

Operation Homefront and NADRA remodel service member’s deck CUMMING, Ga. — Operation Homefront hosted a ribbon cutting on Veterans Day for a remodeled deck built by the Georgia chapter of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) for a military family in Cumming.

The deck rebuild was part of NADRA’s Deck for a Soldier program, launched in 2007.

Local volunteers completed

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CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming resident and physical therapist Dr. Deborah Michael Wendland received the 2013 Merit Award from the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG) on Oct. 19 at the 2013 Fall Conference in Atlanta.

The Merit Award is the highest honor given by PTAG and recognizes a Georgia physical therapist for exceptional service and achievement within the physical therapy community.

In addition to more than 15 years of practice experience, Wendland is pursuing a doctorate in applied physiology with a focus on biomechanics and a minor in public policy.

She is currently an assistant professor at Mercer University and runs a monthly Good Samaritan clinic for the underserved in both metropolitan Atlanta and other parts of

construction, and NADRA vendors provided all products.

The remodeled deck was donated to Staff Sgt. Timothy Bellinger, of Company A of the Georgia National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Division.

Bellinger was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2008.

“This is a community effort that expresses our appreciation for the service and dedication of the men and women of our armed forces,” said Keith Compton, president of NADRA’s Georgia chapter. “It’s a small way our industry can give back to those that give us so much – our freedom.”

—McKenzie Cunningham

community

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 21

Gala in Alpharetta to benefit Uganda’s orphans Hundreds attend Hands of Love USA fundraiser

By LAURA JONES news@northfulton.com

FOUNDATION?

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Hands of Love USA held its third annual gala and silent auction at the Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta on Friday, Oct. 25 to benefit the orphaned and abandoned children of Uganda.

Exotic to contemporary Ugandan handcrafted artwork captivated 300 guests.

The auction raised nearly $120,000, all of which will go directly to Uganda schools and orphanages.

Hands of Love began in 2007, when Pastor Elijah Sebuchu founded an orphanage for the thousands of children wandering the streets and bush of Uganda aimlessly.

Sebuchu, who was at the event, said he recognized a need to help grow the future of Uganda.

The gala and fundraiser auctioned works of art that each raised between $100 and $15,000.

Pieces included jewelry made from magazine strips that had been turned into

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From left: Anna Letshaw, Elijah Sebuchu and Ruth Sebuchu. beads, wooden sculptured bowls depicting giraffes and elephants and banana leaf paintings that reveal superior craftsmanship from the people of Uganda.

In a country riddled by repeat cycles of war, disease and extreme poverty, each work of Ugandan art proudly showed triumph over disparity.

Much of the auctioned art was created by the students of the Hands of Love schools.

In addition, 45 children and three staff members are now being sponsored and receiving assistance.

To show their support for a cause, the Metropolitan Club donated many of their services that night. Many felt that was rewarding in itself, knowing that children would benefit.

Program co-founder Anna Latshaw said she is amazed how much interest has grown over the three years since the

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galas began and how they encourage more awareness and bring more families to sponsor children.

“We anticipate the galas to continue to raise awareness each year and to continue increasing the number of children sponsored,” said Latshaw.

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Veterans: Continued from Page 1 those who serve, adding that when he thinks of veterans, he always thinks of friendship.

“There is no substitute for relationships that are forged through hardship and sacrifice,” he said.

Student groups that took part in the ceremony included Forsyth Central’s Flash of Crimson Band, Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth Fire Choir, Forsyth Christian Home Educators and Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 245.

Performances ranged from the singing of “God Bless America” to “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s and Fire Department, Forsyth Pipes, Daughters of

the American Revolution, the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary were also present.

Following the ceremony, children who attended had the opportunity to meet and thank the veterans themselves by giving them handmade cards.

One of those veterans, 87-year-old Fred D’Orazio, is a World War II veteran that came to the ceremony with family.

“We always have a great time,” D’Orazio said. “It’s so nice to get together with all the people here.”

And for all the veterans, George C. Vernon, District 2 commander of the VFW, left them with a lasting message.

“History reminds us that freedom is a fragile thing and in need of constant protection – for those who have bravely served, many thanks for your service,” he said.

Those who came to the Veterans Day Ceremony in Cumming salute the veterans in attendance.

community

Photos byCAITLIN WAGENSEIL/staff

World War II veteran Alfred D’Orazio, second from right, came to the annual ceremony with family members.

Keynote speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Roy F. Marchert addresses the crowd.

Hundreds of flags completed Cumming’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Veterans Day Memorial on Monday, Nov. 11.

Veterans honored at Kelly Mill CUMMING, Ga. — Students at Cumming’s Kelly Mill Elementary School showed their respect and admiration for active duty military and veterans on Veterans Day. Members of VFW Post 9143 greeted students before the bell rang, and then attended an assembly with the fifth-grade class.

Guest speaker and founder of Care4Georgia, 12-year-old Remington Youngblood, spoke

about the importance of giving back to the community.

He was presented with 540 pounds of candy donated by Kelly Mill students as part of their “Treats for Troops” drive to send candy to service men and women overseas.

KME Principal Ron McAllister said the message to serve was demonstrated clearly during the assembly.

“It is powerful when kids

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have the opportunity to hear from and are inspired by another kid in their community who has proven that their voice matters,” he said.

Fifth-grader Caroline Cooley added, “I enjoyed learning about what we can do to help veterans and soldiers.”

The fifth-graders also presented a flag they made for VFW Post 9143.

—Michelle Hall

Forsyth County Honor Guard bring out the flags for the flag presentation.

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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 23

24 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 ementary School, 2555 Echols Road, after the principal said a parent was yelling at a teacher.

The teacher told deputies she had the parents meet her for a conference to discuss their son, one of her students.

The parents brought their younger daughter to the meeting.

During the conference, the mother became irate and used abusive language toward the teacher.

The assistant principal

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asked the teacher and the younger daughter to leave the room in an effort to diffuse the situation and spare the child from hearing the mother’s comments.

The assistant principal told the mother her comments were inappropriate and would not be tolerated, but the mother continued.

The father said he would “take care of this,” and the mother left the room.

She went into the reception area where her daughter and the teacher were waiting.

She insulted and cursed at the teacher two more times before leaving the room with her daughter.

Deputies said the mother was issued a criminal trespass warning. They told her that if any other child besides their daughter had heard the remarks she made toward the teacher, then she could have been arrested for insulting and abusing teachers in front of students.

Man finds home ransacked, furniture stabbed CUMMING, Ga. — Someone broke into a man’s home and destroyed over $5,000 in valuables, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s incident report.

A Cumming resident told

Submit your news & photos to news@forsythherald.com | Recycled paper deputies he left his home on Oct. 31 for the Georgia-Florida football game and returned on Nov. 4.

When he came home at about 3:15 p.m., he saw what looked like pry marks on his back door.

Deputies cleared the home and saw all the furniture cushions and bedspreads had been stabbed and damaged.

The wood furniture through out the home had been cut up and dishes smashed on the floor.

His picture frames were broken and his golf clubs were bent.

Deputies said the suspects also poured bleach on the bedroom carpets.

The man left his 1994 Chevrolet Corvette parked inside the garage and the suspects slashed the tires and scratched the headlight covers.

The man said he kept his pistol inside the car and it had been taken.

Deputies found holes punched in the garage walls.

The man estimated the amount of items stolen or destroyed to be about $5,800.

Drunken motorcyclist speeds, crashes CUMMING, Ga. — A man driving a motorcycle sped past deputies at speeds over 100

miles per hour and crashed at the intersection of a subdivision, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s incident report.

SPURLIN At about 1:40 p.m. Oct. 31, deputies responded to a call regarding a reckless driver speeding northbound on Ga. 400.

A deputy spotted the motorcyclist by the intersection of Browns Bridge Road traveling at 110 miles per hour, passing cars on the right shoulder and weaving in and out of traffic.

Deputies followed the motorcyclist and saw him turn onto Hampton Club Drive and crash.

As deputies spoke to the driver, he slurred his speech, was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

When deputies asked where he was going, he said he “just took the motorcycle out for a ride.”

Deputies said he was the same man who was arrested a month ago for a DUI and has a limited license.

Calvin Spurlin, 38, was charged with driving under the influence, fleeing or attempting to elude and 10 other traffic offenses, all misdemeanors.

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Arrests: Continued from Page 3 session of alcohol.

►► Cathy Hutchins Minter,

52, of Lawrenceville was arrested Oct. 27 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and speeding. ►► Thomas Marshall Coburn, 58, of Lawrenceville was arrested Oct. 30 on Peachtree Parkway in Suwanee for DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container.

Drug arrests ►► Zachary Allen Maddox,

21, of Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell, was arrested Oct. 26 on Union Hill Road in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► Erik Eliel Martinez, 25, of Chris Road, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 4 on Wilkinson Drive in Gainesville for possession of marijuana and tag light violation. ►► Dulcia Rae Gilbert, 30, of Branch Bluff Lane, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 24 on Martin Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines

with intent to distribute, expired registration and failure to maintain lane. ►► Sarah M. Dunne, 28, of Duluth was arrested Nov. 2 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for possession of heroin and failure to maintain lane. ►► Connor Matthew Delaney, 20, of Fox Creek Drive, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 1 on Crystal Cove Trail in Gainesville for possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related items and tag light violation. ►► Joseph David Godfrey, 28, of Tate was arrested Oct. 30 on Brookwood Road in Suwanee for possession of marijuana and seat belt violation. ►► Jason Allen Copous, 26, of Namon Wallace Road, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 1 on Parks Road in Cumming for possession of marijuana and failure to maintain lane. ►► Eric Lamar Holmes, 32, of Chatsworth was arrested Nov. 1 on Canton Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines. ►► Brandy Dawn Malone, 32, of Greenville, Tenn., was arrested Oct. 31 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for possession

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2013 | 25

of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, failure to maintain lane and tag light violation. ►► Samantha G. Posey, 19, of Wanda Woods Road, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 29 on Canton Highway in

Cumming for possession of a schedule IV controlled substance and failure to maintain lane. ► ► Seth Orion Blakeman, 26, of Ansley Drive, Roswell, was arrested Nov. 1 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for pos-

session of marijuana and speeding. ►► Trenda Dawn Beatty, 21, of Rockmart was arrested Oct. 29 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for possession of marijuana and windshield violation.

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DEATH NOTICES George Bremer, 85, of Alpharetta, passed away November 2, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

John Casey, Jr., 94 of Dunwoody, passed away November 11, 2013. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Joyce Chatham, 75, of Snellville, passed away November 8, 2013. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Theodore Chavis, Jr., 91, of Milton, passed away November 7, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Faye L. Christopher, 67, of Dawsonville, passed away November 4, 2013.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Tokunbo Coker, 72, of Alpharetta, passed away November 9, 2013.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Carol Davis, 64, of Roswell, passed away November 7, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Home.

Heather Hampton, 33, of Alpharetta, passed away November 9, 2013.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Velma Herbkersman, 93, of Roswell, passed away November 10, 2013.

Arrangements by Norhside Chapel Funeral Directors.

John Joseph Hopkins, 83, of Roswell, passed away November 10, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Marvin Hoeflinger, 71, of Johns Creek, passed away November 12, 2013.

Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Ruth Hurney, 92, of Lawrenceville, passed away November 8, 2013.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Lidia R. Johnson, 88, of Dunwoody, passed away November 9, 2013.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Rita Letterman, 67, of Alpharetta, passed away November 3. 2013. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Arne Lidback, 78, of Alpharetta, passed away November 10, 2013. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Richard Mesa, 91, of Alpharetta, passed away November 1, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Joyce Elaine Morse, 81, of Cumming, passed away November 7, 2013.

Arrnagements by Byars Funeral Home.

Thomas Schmidt, 69, of Woodstock, passed away November 2, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Harold Marder, 92, of Atlanta, passed away November 3, 2013.

Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Charlotte Seipel, 94, of Alpharetta , passed away November 4, 2013.

Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Jewel Masters, 76, of Roswell, passed away November 3, 2013.

Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Jonita Shuman, 61, of Roswell, passed away November 1, 2013.

Arrangments by Northside Chapel Funeral Home.

Patricia Malvern Stevens, 62, of Snellville, passed away November 8, 2013.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

William Terry, 89, of Atlanta, passed away November 2, 2013.

Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Carrie Thomason, 97, of Cumming, passed away November 9, 2013.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Johnnie Lou Turner, 86, of Cumming, passed away November 11, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Elsie Wilkes, 91, of East Point, passed away November 9, 2013.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Laura Wilsmann, 53, of Roswell, passed away November 4, 2013. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

26 | November 20, 2013 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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